A/N: Hey ladies and gents. Sorry for the wait and sorry for this being such a short chapter. Truth be told among the usual difficulties of life I've been having trouble writing for this story. Worry not, I'm not going to stop writing for this one. I did however start a new one since I really felt like I wanted something else to work on and keep things fresh. For those of you who don't follow my profile, I started a new story. This new one's a Helltaker story, and it's at like 3.5k words right now. First chapter just got uploaded. I dare say that it's written better than any part of this story. So far, at least.

Anyways I hope you manage to enjoy this little chapter no matter how small.

…...

It's weird, y'know? How little things matter, I mean. You can spend every day worrying about the smaller details. But when you take a second to really think, "If I died today, would I be satisfied, having this be my last day of Earth?"

And most of the time the answer is no. Too much left undone. Too many loose ends. So many things you should have said. Guess it's easier to realize that kinda' thing when you've already died once. You're more... aware, I think. Aware of what you lost.

Look at me, getting all deep and reminiscent while I drag Robin by the wrist down the Market Ring of Arena Ferox, few of the Shepherds in tow. "Thoooom!" She whines, tugging against my grasp weakly as we make our way towards Anna's stall.

"Quit 'yer whining Rob, you made me march hungover so it's only fair I get my payback." I joke, prying her hands off the counter of a kebab stand.

Heh, might be a bit early for a kebab, but...

No, no, business first.

"Why are we out here anyways?" She frowns, hands over her eyes.

"Y'know that thing I bought? It was pretty expensive, so I made a deal with the vendor. They own you now." I inform her, voice as flat as I can manage.

"Wh- you what?!" She shrieks, and she violently begins jerking against my grip.

"Ey-eyey calm down! I was joking!" I beg her. "Why would I sell my best friend, you idiot? You're making a scene, stop!" I shout, admonishing her like some idiot child.

She stops immediately, going quiet. "I'm your... best friend?" She stutters out.

"Wh- I- yes, you fuckin' dipshit! You're just realizing that now?" I utter out, astonished. "I swear, Rob. How can you be so intelligent but be denser than Lead?" I sigh.

In (what I've found to be) typical Robin fashion, she crosses her arms and pouts. "Wasn't funny..." She mutters.

"Yeah, yeah, everyone's a critic..." I grumble, finally managing to get her to Anna's stall. Not seeing Anna anywhere, I slam my fist on the counter. "Anna! I'm upholdin' my side of the deal, git out here!" I holler, garnering some strange looks from passersby.

"I'm coming, hold your horses!" A voice rings out from behind the supply crates. Out clamors Anna, stumbling up to the counter. "Ah! So, you are here."

"Uh-huh." I hum, holding my hand out. "I'll take my cross back now."

"Well, a deal is a deal." She mumbles, dropping the cross into my hand. Quietly, I slip it over my head and tuck it into my shirt. "So, how can I help you?" She asks the gaggle of Shepherds behind me. I'd made sure to not bring Chrom or Frederick. Namely 'cause Chrom would bankrupt the Halidom, and Frederick wouldn't let anyone spend their gold here.

"Ah-hem," I cough. "I'll leave y'all to it. You guys know how ta' get back to the main gate, I'll meet you guys there when you're done. Don't be too long." I advise. They utter something of agreeance, and I turn on my heel. My rapier knocks over a stack of bottles a vendor is peddling, but before he can stop me, I drop three gold onto the kebab vendor's counter and grab two skewers.

They were 6 gold for 1 kebab but fuck that noise, I ain't ever gonna' see this guy again.

Probably.

…...

Man, I wish I had the internet.

Learning music was way easier with tabs. Sheet music is way harder.

Of course, I still knew a few songs by heart, but let me tell you something. For someone as simple-minded as me sheet music looks is fuckin' indecipherable.

Then of course, there are the few songs I 'know'. As in 'I might play it right, I might not.' If only I could get this one.

"I've played the part, and I've played the fool, and I've been used...

And I let them get the best of me, but it was all for you- shit."

I sing, in tune until I pluck the wrong string and it derails the whole attempt. I exhale sharply, eyebrows furrowed. I grit my teeth, and the anger settles down. My shoulders slack, and Stahl pats my shoulder. "Hey, you almost had it, right?" He placates me.

"Yeah, just gotta' practice I guess." I sigh. "Forgot how much playing annoyed me. Still love it though." I roll my shoulders, flexing my hands as I set my guitar down. "Useful for getting' women though."

"Is it?" Stahl meanders, mind more on his bowl of stew than what I'm saying.

"Mhm. Long as I don't talk." I joke. "I'm gonna go talk shop with Robin, give the guitar if you want, just don't break it, kay?" He hums, shoveling another spoonful in his mouth. Sure, that stew was good, but I don't think it's good-enough-to-eat-four-bowls good.

Our camp was rather small, using our two carriages as sort of walls to shelter from the wind. That considered, it felt like it took an eternity to reach Robin's tent, where she was busy plotting our route back to Ylisse. We had passed through a small ridge on our way to Ferox which, if reports from the Feroxi are to be believed, suffered an avalanche. This meant it would take us two days longer on the return trip.

So, should I be bothering Robin while she's planning our route home? No, probably not. Was I gonna'?

Well, I figured it a while since we'd had a chance to talk business, so I should catch up with our plans. So yes. I was if fact gonna' bother Robin.

Throwing open the flap to Robin's tent, I step in. "Hey Robin." She jumps, spilling over her bottle of ink onto the floor.

"Oh, for fuck's sake Thom! Can't you knock?!" She shouts. I rap my fist on the canvas, eliciting no sound. I stare her dead in the eyes, and she sighs. "Fair enough." She picks up the ink flask, placing it back on the table.

"Someone's touchy. How long you been in here?" I ask. She rolls her eyes.

"Not long enough, considering I'm not finished yet." She mutters. Stomach growling.

"And you haven't eaten, which I should have expected. I'd tell you that's no good, but I'm sure you already hear that plenty." I fret. "Still, I can bring you something if ya' want?" I offer.

"If I wanted food I'd get it myself, damn it." She complains. "What are you, my mother?"

"No, but I'll still smack ya' for givin' me attitude. I was just offerin' to help."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be taking it out on you." Robin groans.

"Hey, I get it Rob. We're all stressed, 'kay?" I dig in my pocket, my hand finding a chunk of bread I'd saved for before bed. "Was gonna' have this for a late-night snack, but you need it more than me." She looks like she's about to give me her usual Robin shtick. "I'm not gonna' take no for an answer, just eat."

Gently, she reaches out and takes the bread. She takes a bite, the hard dry bread cracking as she attempts to sink her teeth into it. She rips off a chunk, and places it to the side. "Thanks." She mutters.

"So, what's on our itinerary?" I ask, dropping my ass down on an empty crate.

"What do you mean?" She asks, voice muffled by a mouthful of bread.

"I mean like, what's the plan for now? We're headed back to Ylisse right?" I meander, twiddling my fingers.

"Yeah," She grunts. "We have to take a side path, instead of the main road. There's a trail through the icefield. It'll take a day more but will be far safer than trying to brave the pass."

"And what 'bout when we're back?"

"Well, guess we wait for Plegia to make their move." She says. Knowing what's going to happen while we're on the way back makes my chest hurt. Hell, knowing it might have happened already, or even be happening at this moment is even worse. I shove it down.

"I reckon it'll be sooner than we think..." I trail off. She raises an eyebrow.

"What makes you say that?"

"Just a... a feeling I got. Don't tell me you think Plegia's gonna let things be?"

She's quiet, for a moment. "No, but... I'm hoping against the odds that they'll leave us."

Oh, dear friend. If only shit could be that simple.

"Think you can do something for me?" Robin asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Anything. What is it?" I ask, wondering what she could possibly need.

"I'm going to send you and Virion ahead of us to scout the path ahead tomorrow, and clear anything in our way. It'll make it so that we can make progress towards Ylisse a bit faster. Once you get through the icefield, proceed to Ylisstol." She commands.

"...Are we talking clear debris as in 'clear-rocks-from-the-road-like-Frederick' or are we talking actual debris?" I ask.

"The latter." Robin clarifies. "You two will have to leave much earlier, around sunrise so make sure to get rest while you can. I'll make sure to pack some supplies for you two before you leave." She assures.

"Ughh." I groan, tipping my head back. "Alright. But only because I know better than to question you." I throw my hands up.

"As you should." Robin smirks.

I huff, running my hands over my face. "Well, in that case I'd better go let him know." I shrug. "Have a goodnight, Rob. I'll talk to you before we leave tomorrow."

"You'd better not interrupt my sleep." She mutters.

I laugh. "Yeah, as if you'll actually stop working long enough to sleep." I joke, parting the tent flaps, taking my leave.