The shepherds left almost immediately. Chrom promised everyone resting time once they rescued Emmeryn, but until then, they would be doing something almost constantly. Right now, it was marching.

Flavia was able to mobilize an army surprisingly quickly, and Robin had an underlying suspicion that they had been waiting for a battle for quite some time now. Unfortunately, the more people they had, the slower the group would be, which proved to be an issue since they were on a time crunch.

To solve this, Robin had suggested that they send their strongest team on the front lines, that way they could be quicker as a group, and they would be at less risk if the strongest team was out there and they ran into trouble.

This team was basically made up of all the shepherds, with the exception of Maribelle, who was asked to stay behind just in case the back lines needed assistance.

Yeah, the Feroxi didn't have many healers, which was the main downside to the group.

The major upside was the Flavia had a lot of firepower…meaning weapons, including newer and better tomes. Robin was finally able to get his hands on an arcthunder, thunder magic that's said to be very powerful. He tested a few rounds, and he loved every second of it.

The terrain had changed drastically as well, and it almost looked alien compared to Ylisse. Instead of there being green grass and tall trees, it was sand dunes and giant rocks. Every once in a while, the shepherds would pass a giant animal carcass, which was always bone dry from the blazing sun.

Robin missed the hot, Ylissean sun and climate.

"Gods, why must it alway be so hot?" Robin wondered aloud.

"Oh hush, Robin. You'll survive," Sumia chided.

"Sumia, you're literally riding on your Pegasus. In fact, I'm sure it feels nice up there," Robin retorted.

Sumia laughed. "Haha yes it does. I'm glad you noticed," she teased.

Robin rolled his eyes and focused his attention in front of him.

Cordelia was flying quietly next to Sumia. She seemed to be doing better than the last time they met, but Robin could tell she was still hurting.

Despite this, Robin still thought she looked absolutely stunning, and he had to fight with himself to keep from staring.

Lissa fanned herself with her hand. "Robin's right though. It's like wayyyy too hot out here. Say Robin, you don't have like a water tome or something?"

Robin rolled his eyes. "No Lissa, I do not have a water tome or something."

Lissa pouted, then she brightened. "Hey, Ricken! Could you fan me with your wind tome?" She asked, and turned to go walk by him.

Ricken looked offended, then started to lecture her, much to her dismay. "Lissa! This tome is used for battles and battles only I wouldn't…" He continued to lecture her.

Chrom chuckled, "Sometimes, I worry for her."

Robin grinned and Sumia laughed.

"Sir, Plegians have been spotted up ahead," a Feroxi scout reported as he ran up to Chrom.

Chrom nodded, "Right. Shepherds, prepare for a battle!"

Sumia and Cordelia lowered their mounts to the ground so they wouldn't get spotted. Robin turned to the scout, "About how many did you see?"

"About thirty, sir."

Robin hesitated, "…you didn't see any Wyverns, did you?"

"No, sir."

Robin sighed in relief, "Oh thank the gods."

"What'd you have in store for us now, Sparkles?" Sully asked while towing her horse forward.

"Sully I thought I…never mind." Robin looked around, "Okay so, those of you who ride horses on the ground, your gonna what to pay attention *ahem Sully*. Obviously, your horses don't do well in the sand, but it looks like those patches of land are firmer," he said, pointing off into the distance, "Meaning, we'll need to bring the fight to you guys."

There were murmurs throughout the group, but none of them objected, so Robin continued. "Gaius, you seem to be faring well in the sand. How would you like to be the shepherd's runner?"

Gaius shrugged, "Don't know what that is, but it sounds cool. I'm game."

Robin nodded, "Perfect. Vaike, you and Panne are going to back Gaius up if needed, otherwise, you'll be on the front lines with us. Gaius, your job is simple. All you have to do is get their attention, and have them chase you all the way to where the three paladins will be. Easy. Sound good?"

Gaius unwrapped a candy and popped it in his mouth, "Yeah, as easy as taking candy from a baby."

Robin nodded, "Great. Miriel, Virion, and Ricken. You see that giant boulder over there?" Robin asked, and pointed to a large rock off in the distance." They all nodded, "That's gonna be your domain for today. From the high ground, you should have a good view of our enemies, and I have faith that you all can shoot some of them down from up there, especially you Virion."

Virion nodded with pride, "Of course, friend. All you have to do is ask."

Robin smiled, "Fantastic! Alright, that leaves myself, Chrom, Sumia, Cordelia, Kellam, Lon'qu and Lissa. Chrom, you're with me on the front lines. Sumia, you and Cordelia will fight with us as well, but if there are any bowmen, you retreat with no hesitation, okay? We can't risk anything." Both girls nodded. "Okay, Kellam, Lon'qu, your job is to keep Lissa safe. With as many opponents as there are, there will most definitely be more injuries. So, I want her to be close by in case worst comes to worst, but she needs to be well guarded. Can I trust you both?"

Lon'qu grunted in response, and Kellam said "yes sir" from behind him, making Robin jump in surprise.

"Alright then, everyone know their jobs?" There were murmurs of yeahs and yes's. "Okay then, shepherds, let's move out!"

…

Chrom and Robin trudged forward on the sand. The scout was indeed correct. There seemed to be about thirty Plegians. Though, they were split into three separate groups with about ten in each. Robin gave the signal, so Gaius sprinted towards one group of Plegians. They noticed him immediately, and the ten of them chased after Gaius.

Robin was impressed. Gaius was surprisingly quick in the sand, and he easily outran the Plegians. Gaius had them chase him behind a boulder, where they would be met with the three paladins.

"So far, so good," Robin muttered.

Three, two, one…

Robin was about to give the signal for the mid lines when he noticed a figure running in the distance. It didn't appear to be with the Plegians, but Robin didn't know for sure.

"Is that a Risen?" Chrom asked, squinting to get a better look.

"No, it's running too…human," Robin said.

"It looks like a little girl!" Lissa exclaimed.

Sure enough, as the figure got closer, and Robin could definitely tell the person was a child…and she wasn't alone. Further behind her, a man seemed to be chasing after her.

The girl stopped running to catch her breath. She frantically looked around, "H-Have I lost him?"

"Wait, I say! Why you no comprehending wee one?" The man behind her yelled.

The girl screamed, "N-No stay away! Leave me alone!"

At this point, the element of surprise was out of the question. The Plegians all turned to the commotion.

Chrom sighed, and stepped out, "You there! Keep your hands of the maiden, fiend!"

The man looked hurt. "Who is fiend?…You mean Gregor?! No, friend! You are confused and have wrong idea!"

Lissa rolled her eyes, "Yeah right! Creep!"

The man, Gregor, gasped, "Oy, why you hurt Gregor like that? This day is nothing but insults and punches to the groin. All that for a good deed!"

The Plegians now had their attention focused on the Ylisseans.

Robin sighed, "Guys, we don't have time for this—"

"Hahaha you die today Ylisseans!" A Plegian shouted, and shot a thunder spell towards the man, Gregor. Gregor simply batted the spell away with his sword, and turned to Chrom.

"Oy, this is most terrible! You see now? They be making with the catching of us!" He shouted as he pointed towards the approaching Plegians.

The girl stumbled back from the Plegians. "Gah! S-Stay away!" She yelled.

"Chrom, we don't have time for this. We'll sort the man out later, but we should focus on protecting the girl," Robin said, and pulled out his tome.

Chrom nodded, "Panne, I need you and Vaike to protect the girl. Everyone else, follow me!"

"Understood," Panne said. She transformed in Taguel form and took off towards the poor girl, who was running from a Plegian with a sword.

"H-Hey! Wait up!" Vaike yelled, and ran to catch up with Panne.

Chrom turned to the remaining shepherds. "Alright. We have no time to waste. Let's move!"

….

Panne sprinted towards the little girl. The girl was surprisingly quick in the sand, and managed to outrun both her and the Plegians. Unfortunately, the girl was about to back herself into a corner. Panne could smell Plegian reinforcements coming from the direction the girl was running, and she would soon be surrounded.

"Hey! Manspawn! Stop!" Panne yelled, but the girl couldn't hear her.

"What the?! What are you?!" A Plegian yelled as Panne made her way towards a small group of Plegians.

"Kill it!" Another yelled.

Panne growled. "Stay back," she hissed.

The girl then took a sharp turn to the left. Panne heaved a sigh, then ran right past the approaching Plegians.

"Little Manspawn! Just stop before you get into more trouble!" Panne yelled desperately.

"AH! Giant bunny!" The girl screamed.

"Just slow—" Panne started, but was interrupted when there was a large flash of light. Panne skidded to a halt as a large, green dragon took the place of the girl.

Panne sniffed, and her rabbit eyes widened, "What the…"

"I SAID STAY AWAY!" The dragon growled, and it shot a large glowing ball right towards Panne.

Panne quickly jumped out of the way, narrowly missing the ball. It collided with the ground, causing an explosion of sand to erupt from the ground.

"W-Woah," Vaike said, doubled over and gasping for air.

"Manspawn! What are you doing here?!" Panne asked.

"Vaike scratched his head, "Well, last time I checked, we are partners, aren't we?"

The dragon roared as more Plegians began to approach them.

Panne cursed, "Alright Manspawn, hop on."

Vaike's eyes lit up, "What, seriously? I can't believe it! And who knew—"

"Hop on before I change my mind," Panne hissed.

Vaike jumped on her back, and grabbed a fist full of her fur. She immediately took off to regroup with Chrom and the others.

Unbeknownst to them, the dragon was following them.

…

"Arcthunder!" Robin yelled, and blasted a Plegian with a bolt of lightning.

"Wow, who knew you'd be able to pick up an arcthunder tome so easily," Chrom said in disbelief.

Chrom and Robin, along with Cordelia and Sumia, had just finished fighting a group of about 10 Plegians. Vrion, along with Miriel and Ricken, had managed to pick off most of them from afar, making the job of the frontliners much easier. Lon'qu and Kellam hung back with Lissa, and took down any Plegians that happened to get past the squad.

Robin flexed his hand, "Yeah, it's a lot easier than I thought. Like a thunder tome, but more powerful."

Chrom scoffed. "Heh, yeah easy," he said sarcastically.

Robin rolled his eyes.

A loud roar sounded off in the distance.

"Uh, Captain?'' Sumia said tentatively as she and Cordelia flew up next to the pair.

Robin froze, "Crap, I thought the scout said there weren't any Wyverns!"

Chrom shook his head, "That didn't sound like a Wyvern…"

Cordelia gasped. "W-What is that?!" She asked, pointing off into the distance.

Robin looked to where she was pointed. Barreling towards them in the sand was Panne and Vaike…but they weren't alone.

"Gods! It's a Wyvern!" Robin yelled.

Chrom shook his head, "No, dragon, Robin."

"Practically the same thing! It has teeth and it can fly!" Robin said, stumbling back.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of dragons, Robin," Cordelia said, half teasing, half serious. However, she too seemed uneasy as she clutched her lance tighter.

Robin shuddered, "You weren't there, Cordelia. You weren't there."

"It's okay Robin! I'm sure with all of us, we can take it down!" Sumia said cheerfully.

Panne skidded to a stop, practically throwing Vaike off her back. The dragon was flying towards them, and the squad readied their weapons.

"Wait a second, guys!" Vaike said, running in front of them all.

"Vaike, move out of the way! Let us handle this!" Cordelia ordered.

Panne transformed back to her normal self, startling Cordelia. "The Manspawn is right. The dragon is no enemy."

"I have a name ya know," Vaike said irritatedly.

The dragon crashed to the ground right behind the pair. It stared down at the group. Sumia and Cordelia tightened their grip on their lances. Chrom grit his teeth and Robin tensed up. The dragon was huge, and easily towered over all six of them.

There was a bright flash of light. Robin had to shield his eyes, as did everyone else.

When they looked back, the girl from before was standing where the dragon had been. She fell to her knees panting and coughing.

"Ewwww, there's sand in my mouth," She whined.

It was dead silent as everyone looked at the girl in shock.

Vaike laughed, "Haha…ha… yeah…cool right?"

"Oh my…" Sumia muttered.

Robin rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing this correctly. He looked back and forth between the girl and Chrom. "Huh?! What?! W-What did I-WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON!?"

Chrom's eyes were almost as wide as Robin's. "By the gods, she's a Manakete! I never thought I'd see one."

Sumia dismounted her horse and ran over to the coughing girl. "A-Are you alright, Dear. Here, take this," she said, and pulled out a water canteen.

The girl snatched the canteen and guzzled the water.

"S-Slow down, Dear! You'll make yourself sick," Sumia said as water dripped down the girl's chin.

"T-Thank you," the girl said as she wiped her chin, and handed the canteen back to Sumia.

Tears began to form in the girl's eyes. She sniffed. "This is just the worst. Day. EVER!" She cried out, and she started to sob.

Sumia's eyes widened, "O-Oh! Don't cry, Love! It's alright! You're safe now!" She frantically looked around, then decided to just pat to crying girl on the head as an attempt to be comforting.

The girl grabbed Sumia's hand and pulled her closer, then hugged Sumia's legs and continued to cry.

Sumia gave Chrom a panicked look, so Chrom and Robin walked towards the two.

"Hey now. You're safe now. It's alright," Chrom said hesitantly, unsure of what to do.

The girl continued to cry and clung to Sumia's leg even tighter. Robin tentatively made his way over to the girl. He crouched down in front of her.

He gave the girl a reassuring smile. "Hi there. My name is Robin. What's yours?"

The girl slowly looked up. She sniffed and wiped her nose. "M-My name? It's…Nowi."

Robin smiled again, "Nowi, it's nice to meet you. That's a very pretty name. How about you let go of Sumia, yeah?"

The girl's eyes widened, "Oh! I'm sorry…Sumia." She quickly let go, then shakily got to her feet.

"Oy! You better be not hurting little girl!" A voice yelled.

Nowi's eyes widened. She quickly hid behind Robin.

Robin watched as the man, Gregor, as well as Sully, Stahl, Frederick and Gaius all made their way to the group. Ricken, Miriel and Virion also were in tow from afar.

Chrom narrowed his eyes at the man, "What do you want?"

Gregor gasped for air as he made it to the group. Everyone grabbed their weapons.

"Oy, no need for the grabbing of the weapons. Gregor no want to hurt anyone, unless you hurt little girl, then we have issue," Gregor said while eyeing Robin.

"Man, this guy can fight! You should've seen him! He was so badass!" Sully said while pumping a fist in the air.

Chrom gave her a curious look. "He fought…with you?"

Stahl nodded and rubbed the back of his head. He chuckled, "Heh, yeah actually he saved me from a pretty serious injury."

Gregor shook his head and shrugged, "Was no problem. Gregor saw Ylissean in trouble, so Gregor stepped in."

Chrom looked at Frederick in disbelief. Frederick nodded. "Yes, this man did indeed save Stahl. He also did fight with us against the Plegians. That is, however, the only thing he did for us.

Chrom smiled. He turned back to Gregor. "Well, you have my thanks, Gregor."

Gregor nodded, then looked around. "Where is little girl? She no hurt, yeah?"

Nowi peaked out from behind Robin. Gregor saw her, and smiled. "Oy, good to see you alright. You no hurt, yes?"

Nowi nodded, "I-I'm fine." She paused. "Sorry that I was mean earlier…I just get nervous around people outside my age group."

Gregor laughed, "Your age group! Ha ha! Gregor is closer to age group than other people here!"

Nowi grinned, and stepped out from behind Robin.

Chrom nodded and turned to Gregor. "Right, so Gregor. Would you mind looking after her? We're kinda in a hurry, and must press on."

Gregor looked at Nowi, then looked back to Chrom, and put a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Gregor is mercenary, yes? Maybe Ylissean hire Gregor instead. True, true, Gregror did just finish killing former employees, but Ylissean mustn't worry! Won't be issue, see? Gregor still very reliable, yeah? Long you don't hurt little girl, Gregor no hurt you!" He laughed, making Chrom slowly nod his head and force a smile.

Gregor stopped laughing and grew serious, "Gregor do need steady income…many angry former employees if Ylissean understand, yeah?"

Chrom nodded, "Your a sellsword I take it, then?"

Gregor nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! Cost performance very high, yes, but Gregor get job have Gregor's word."

Chrom looked at Frederick, who was giving him the 'don't do it' look. Robin, on the other hand, looked very excited at the idea of having Gregor on the team.

Chrom shrugged. "Alright, sure. You're hired."

Gregor clapped his hands, "Oh, yay! Gregor thanks you very much!"

Nowi sniffed, "B-But what about ME!? I won't go back to the auction block!"

Lissa looked at Nowi in surprise, "Wait…you've been sold? Like a slave?"

Nowi nodded as tears started to brew in her eyes, "Y-Yes…to wicked, wicked men. They made me transform and forced me to do tricks for them as they laughed and drank."

"That's so sick! What kind of people would buy and sell a little girl?" Lissa said in disgust.

Nowi pouted, "Hey, I am NOT little! I'm like at least a thousand, give or take!"

Lissa's mouth fell open, "A thousand…years?"

Nowi nodded and beamed proudly. She happily pointed at her face, "Yep! But look, see? No wrinkles!"

Robin smacked Chrom in the arm, and nodded towards Nowi. "We could use someone like her…" he whispered as he imagined her in dragon form.

'Oh the potential…'

Chrom sighed, then turned to Nowi. "Nowi, what do you say? Would you like to join the shepherds?"

Nowi grinned, "Would I?! That sounds like so much fun! When do we start?!"

Chrom chuckled, "As soon as we start moving again. Speaking of, where's Flavia and Basilio? Shouldn't they be here by now?"

As if on cue, a voice rang from behind the group. "Chrom, it's good to see you in one piece!"

Chrom turned around, and was greeted with Flavia and Basilio. The rest of the Feroxi army was a little ways away from the group, awaiting orders. Chrom sighed in relief, "Finally. We better get moving. The quicker we get there, the better."

And with that, the shepherds continued their travels to the Plegian capitol.

…

"Milord, there's something you should know," Frederick said as he walked up to Chrom and Robin.

Robin had thought the capitol was close, but they were still a couple hours away on foot. Robin was worried for Emmeryn, and he hoped the Plegians weren't hurting her in any way.

"Go ahead, Frederick," Chrom said.

Frederick nodded, "There seems to be a mysterious force fighting alongside us."

Chrom furrowed his brow, "Mysterious…force? I don't understand."

"During the last fight, I remember there being a band of Plegians coming our way. We were already fighting another group, so it was hard to see, mind you. But, when the current fight was over, I looked over in the direction the Plegians had been coming from…but there was nothing but the bodies of them in the sand."

"That's odd," Robin muttered.

Chrom shook his head, "How strange…you're sure you didn't see anyone?"

"Positive, Milord," Frederick said certainly.

Chrom nodded, "Alright, well I'll keep an eye out. For now, we should focus on the battle at hand."

"As you say, Milord," Frederick said, and walked back to where he had been.

"Who do you think is doing this?" Robin asked Chrom.

Chrom shook his head, "I'm not sure, but the Plegians have more than one enemy, that's for sure."

…

Everyone was exhausted. Robin thought longingly at the idea of sleep, and he was worried that some of the other shepherds wouldn't be in the best of condition by the time they reached the capitol. Luckily, a Feroxi spy had reported back to the traveling group, relaying information back about Emmeryn's upcoming execution.

She was to be executed the next day by noon.

Though this was terrible news, Robin was relieved to hear that this gave him some time to rest, and he was sure that the rest of the shepherds felt the same.

They were currently about an hour away from the capitol, a safe distance to set up a small camp. Everyone set up their assigned tents and took the spare time to rest.

Robin's tent, which also inhabited Vaike, Stahl, Kellam, Lon'qu, and the new recruit, Gregor, was surprisingly large compared to what Robin had anticipated.

Robin set up his small pop-up cot and immediately sat down.

It felt amazing.

"Oy, Tactician looking very tired. Must be doing lots of traveling, yes?" Gregor said, as he, too, set up his own pop-up cot. Gregor and Nowi had been quickly accepted by the shepherds, and they were each given a small cot, as well as small rations and a tin of water.

Robin chuckled, "Heh, yes over the past few weeks there has been a lot of traveling."

Gregor laughed, "Ha! Reminds Gregor of his younger days. Gregor be doing lots of traveling, yes? Sometimes, Gregor would get no sleep for five days straight! Five!"

Robin looked at him in shock. 'Gods, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't get at least two nights of sleep…'

Gregor looked at Robin's expression, and hastily added, "But Tactician need not worry! Gregor had hard, hard jobs, see? Required many long nights, but was no problem in end," Gregor said.

"Hey, Robin! You might wanna come out here!" A voice called.

Robin looked up curiously, and Gregor did the same. He sighed, and reluctantly got up from his cot.

"Is issue?" Gregor asked.

Robin shook his head, "I-I don't think so…"

Robin ducked out of the tent, and was surprised to see a crowd start to form. "What the…" Robin looked around, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Robin, there you are. Come, I'll need your help," Chrom said as he hurriedly made his way to Robin.

"O-Okay," Robin said as Chrom roughly grabbed his arm and lead him through the crowd. Robin still wasn't sure what was going on, but the looks on everyone's faces proved that there was something strange going on. They continued to push through the crowd of shepherds. Lissa was up front with Frederick, both of which were staring ahead in shock. Robin and Chrom broke from the crowd, and Robin finally got to see what all the commotion was about.

Then he saw her.

Marth.