"What's this?" Claude asked when handed a small stack of papers. The same as the one Dimitri had been handed if he had to wager a guess.
"It's what our little think tank has come up with so far," Robin answered, "They haven't found a way to stop him, but this should at least slow him down. It's a spell to protect against warp magic. At least in our world, personal teleportation was fairly rare, especially compared to warp staves, so a defense was never really a top priority. However, they have devised something to make it impossible to teleport within its borders.
"Of course you're more than free to look it over before we do any casting."
"I thought you said this hunter, as you call him, could not reach our world," Dimitri leaned forward.
"As far as we know, but even if that holds true, as I understand it, you've had problems with slippery dark mages. This should help with that as well. I'd rather they not slip in here should they find out who we're harboring here and take an interest."
"That would be nice," Claude admitted, "I wouldn't mind setting this up in various places around the Alliance. Though, I'll have Lysithea look it over. Just in case."
"I suppose I could have Annette help her out, but I'm confident it's legitimate. I don't think our guests bear us any ill will."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll hand this off now," Claude waved the papers.
"Of course. We can reconvene when you're satisfied."
"That sounds like a plan," Dimitri pushed himself away from the table, "We'll call for you when we're ready."
"So your mother, who is also the queen, is also a pegasus knight?" Ingrid asked in slight disbelief as she sat the tea cup back into its saucer. Tea was not really her thing, but she was not about to let a chance to learn about another world pass by.
"Yes, second only to our Wing Commander in skill I might add. Though she doesn't really enjoy combat much."
"Was she a noble herself?"
"I believe she was a minor noble, but held no serious title or rank. She and father actually met at one of his birthday parties. From the way she tells it, she was barely invited." Lucina smiled fondly, "He also may have embarrassed himself a bit which is why I had to get that story from her in the first place. Though she used to be quite shy around him."
"She isn't anymore?" Marianne asked quietly, earning a smile from the other bluenette.
"No, she's become quite confident as queen. The people love her. She may not be as graceful as the previous Exalt, but she has a warm heart and kind smile. Combined with Father's charisma, they make quite a royal pair."
"How sweet," Ingrid gushed, "It's like something right out of those stories I read. I'm sure you were also enthralled, right, Marianne?"
"Oh, um, yes, it's encouraging."
"Yes, I'm sure you can overcome your own shyness," Lucina smiled, unaware of the complete depth of the parallel.
"T-thank you," Marianne looked away, "I hope you're right."
Ingrid smiled along as well. Marianne may not have thought so, but many were aware that she would likely be queen once things settled down. Ingrid hoped she ended up as good as Lucina's mother. She was confident she could also be a good figure for their people. Time would tell she supposed.
"Not bad," Dimitri smiled as he readjusted his lance, "It's been ages since I've felt this pushed in combat."
"You're certainly strong, Your Majesty," Chrom kept his eyes trained on the king as they circled one another, "Your form incorporates it as well."
"As does yours. I'm impressed. You boast strength to rival my own if not more, and yet you move with a certain grace."
"Well, I like to stay while still hitting hard."
"Perhaps I should endeavor to do the same."
Meanwhile, on the edge of the training grounds, Felix was observing carefully. At least he was until he was interrupted.
"Are they still going at it?"
"Yes," The archduke plainly answered the redhead.
"Wow, when was the last time anyone managed to last this long against the king?"
"He's not just managing to keep up," Felix replied, "He has a winning record."
"What? Really?"
"I've never seen anything quite like it. I was going to ask for a few sessions, but it doesn't look like they plan to stop anytime soon."
"This I gotta see," Sylvain joined Felix and several others in spectating the ongoing match. Both men possessed incredible strength, though both were holding back. That said, Dimitri was holding back less than he usually did. It made Felix a bit uneasy, but he was not quite sure which one would be more dangerous. In a morbidly curious sort of way, he kind of wanted to see them go all out.
However, they would not be doing that today as they kept it to some impressive, but ultimately not too absurd displays. That said, they did not look like they would be stopping anytime soon, and Felix did want to get some training in.
To this end, he started looking around the training yard for any decent opponents or at least an empty area to practice alone. On the far side of the yard, he did notice another of their guests practicing alone. She seemed to lack the extreme power of Chrom, but her style was unique and mobile. Perhaps a better fit for him anyway.
"Your style is interesting," Felix commented suddenly as he approached, arms crossed, "Who taught you?"
"Huh?" She stopped mid swing, "Oh, um, my brother mostly, but I improvised here and there."
"I see. Fight me," Felix entered a battle stance leaving the woman a bit confused.
"Excuse me?"
"I want to duel," Felix responded like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "I want to see what you and your style can do."
"Oh, er, alright. I'll give it a go!"
Corrin did just as she said. Her movements were unorthodox, yet effective. She was incredibly fast even if not as strong as Chrom. She even incorporated kicks into her style which was unusual to say the least.
It was unlike anything he had seen, but he was fast himself. Perhaps a bit more rigid in style, he was still an expert at reading his opponent though. However, he quickly started to notice that something was off about her. The longer they fought, the deeper her focus became, and the less she held back.
The less she held back, the more Felix got an all too familiar glimpse into the baggage she was carrying. He could not say he really cared about that, but he was not keen on dying over it either. It came to a head when she managed to slip between his defenses and disarm him, but he thought for a moment that she was not going to stop her assault until she pulled back suddenly.
"Sorry!" She quickly held out her hand. Felix pulled himself up.
"You're fast, but if you don't control that anger then you might just end up like the Boar."
"The who?" She tilted her head.
"Force of habit. King Dimitri. He's carried a burden around all on his own, and it almost broke him. I don't know what happened to you, and I don't want to know, but as a word of advice, talk to someone before you explode."
Corrin watched the archduke walk away without saying anything else. She fumbled with her training sword before putting it away. She knew he was right. She lost herself and let her anger overtake her, but she was still angry at the hunter. Not just for killing Lilith, but all the other blood on his hands.
Still, she kept it bottled up. Perhaps the man was right. Maybe she would talk to someone.
Robin tapped his chin as he observed the board carefully. Claude was twirling a captured piece in between his fingers casually, but Robin knew better. It was a strategy game native to this world that they were currently at odds in, which put Robin at a bit of a disadvantage. Fortunately, he was a quick study.
Making his move, his opponent made a few hums as he prepared his own, "So, how's your stay here in Fodlan? Comfortable, I hope."
"Busy for the most part. As much as I'd like it to be otherwise, it's not a casual visit. I'm also not sure what our visit may do in the long run."
"Ah, Sothis," Claude moved his piece, "Hard to imagine she was right there this whole time."
"Yes," Robin's eyes narrowed. Making his move, Robin changed the subject, "If you don't mind, can I ask you something?"
"Ask away."
"This war, you say it was a defensive one, yes?"
"True. At least, it started out that way. I told you as much in our interview."
"Indeed," Robin observed Claude's movement. It was bold, but he had experience with aggressive tactics, but at the same time he was well aware Claude was testing him, "However, you also mentioned it as the lesser of evils. I don't think you meant Dimitri with that either."
"Perceptive," Claude raised a brow as Robin moved his piece, "No, I didn't. Dimitri is a nice enough guy, but I don't fully trust him. That said, I don't think he has bad intentions. He's just too, I guess slow in his policies for my tastes is one way to describe it."
"About Rhea," Claude's mask momentarily fractured, but he was quick to replace it, "You've both voiced concerns about her. I've looked over his planned reforms. They seem solid."
"Yes," Claude made his next move carefully, "Solid and relatively safe, but slow."
"Would you have sided with Edelgard if she didn't attack you?" Robin analyzed the board.
"Honestly? I don't know, but I'm not saying she was right either. It's funny, we all seemed to realize Rhea wasn't good, but none of us can really agree on how to go about it. Dimtiri's hands are somewhat tied and he wants to slowly move the people away from her control. I just don't know if it could be maintained.
"Edelgard on the other hand was too aggressive. Declaring war just to get rid of her. Without even trying something else. I wish I knew what was going on inside of that head of hers."
"And you?" Robin moved one of his pieces.
"I guess you could say I'm somewhere in between. Rhea is in the way of my goals, and I'd rather not wait decades to see them through."
Robin eyed the piece's movement, "I've seen my fair share of war, and I hate it. I'd suggest avoiding it."
"So you prefer Dimitri's way then?"
"I like to minimize casualties if I can. His way would lead to the least upheaval and violence."
"Sometimes playing it safe doesn't get you what you want."
"True, but I always make sure to look for the best outcome while sacrificing as few lives as possible," Robin made another move, "I win in four moves."
Claude looked the game over before laughing, "Well played. You sure you haven't played this before?"
"I'm a tactician," Robin stood to his feet, "It's what I do. I weigh the odds, and I pick what I think is the best course of action. Helps if I can trust all my pieces."
"So, that's what this was all about?"
"I wanted to see where you stood. I figured you had grander ambitions."
"Guilty as charged," He smiled with outstretched hands, "Is that a problem?"
"No, I don't think it will be, and at the end of the day, I can't make your decisions for you. I was also curious as well as wanting to know if your ambitions might pose a problem."
"Well, can't say I blame you. I was curious as to your ability myself."
"And what did you discover?"
"That you're smart and observant. Possibly smarter than me. For now, at least."
"Hmph," Robin smirked, "Is that so?"
"Tell me though," Claude leaned back, "Were you dragging the game on while we had our chat?"
Robin's smirk deepened as he turned to leave, "I'm a tactician. Strategy is what I do."
After he left, Claude shook his head, "Oh, he's good."
"So, what did your mages decide?" Robin asked as they reconvened later that evening.
"They're impressed," Claude answered, "Lysithea was going on and on about some stuff she had never even thought of in there."
Robin did not comment, but the statement drew his attention. Magic, for the most part, seemed to work the same across the realms, and yet, somehow, Fodlan seemed to be missing some very basic fundamentals. They were skilled in some areas, but other things were quite lacking. That ward, for all its impressiveness, was built on the basics. That was part of its genius.
"So, will you agree to its use?" Chrom asked the two leaders.
"About that…" Claude trailed off only for Dimitri to pick it up.
"Casting it could prove problematic. Rhea or Seteth would be sure to notice. Getting them distracted long enough to do so could be tricky."
"We can handle it," Robin and Lucina looked to Morgin. She had been busy when they got back so they did not want to interrupt her making friends. She barely made the meeting in time.
"You can?" Dimitri asked, a question mirrored by Robin.
"Yeah, I think we can distract both of them for long enough. Just leave it to us!"
"'Us?'" Robin sighed. Nowi was to blame. He knew it.
"Yeah, me and my friends. One of them is close to both of them. She should be able to help."
"And what if they sense your, well, dragonness?"
"Leave that to me!" Morgan beamed, "I am the daughter of a powerful dragon after all!"
"I suppose it's our best option. You two have any objections?"
"If you believe it will work."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Right," Robin sighed again, "What could go wrong?"
