"You know." Robin said to an empty room as he scribbled furiously across a page. "I wouldn't have won this war if it meant dealing with all this paperwork."

"That's more because you successfully deposed Excellus than winning the war, you know." Dant said, standing in the doorway. "This whole thing couldn't have been avoided if you hadn't done that. Ah, the folly of your own decisions."

"Where did you come from?" Robin asked, still writing. "And, better yet, can you, I don't know, help me with this?"

"My penmanship is noticeably different than yours." Dant said. "I'm never been a good forger. Or even an adequate one. Anyway, it's nice to know the reason you're burying yourself in work is because you actually have work to bury yourself in. Unlike last time."

"I know." Robin sighed. He massaged his temples. "Another hour, and I'm taking a break to spend some time with Ravena. You know, she's actually a good tactician."

"Really, now?" Dant raised an eyebrow. "I never would have guessed."

"I taught her chess the other week. She picked in up in five games." Robin said. "Of course, it took her three more to beat me, but still! That was fast."

"She beat you at chess?" Dant snickered. "That's great. The almighty crimson tactician, losing to his own daughter in chess."

"I'm no good at chess." Robin said. "There are-"

"-too few unpredictable variables." Dant rolled her eyes. "And speaking of unpredictable, why did you decide to disband the squad?"

"I didn't." Robin sighed. "We still exist – on paper, anyway. You four are all still the highest rank officers I have – well, the highest ranked officers under my direct control."

"Did you notice the amount of qualifications you threw on there?" Dant sighed. "Vermil is off to who-knows-were teaching magic, Zulas is conducting drills – across the continent! – and Argeni is a few klicks away, but might as well be miles, because she's helping you smooth into politics as Valm Tactician."

"The truth sucks, Dant." Robin said. "And after tomorrow, you'll be gone too."

"My deep-cover assignment." Dant scowled. "Is it really necessary?"

"Yes." Robin said. "Dant, you know that we couldn't keep this going. We aren't the Shepherds. We have actual organization and structure. Once I was promoted, it was only a natural consequence. But we can all still keep in touch."

"How touching." Dant grimaced. "Ugh, I can't believe I said. Anyway, you have a meeting with Walhart tomorrow. It's about something important, I just don't know what."

"With Walhart, it's always something." Robin said. "I have figured out what true power is, though that'll be nice."

"Really?" Dant asked. "Huh."

"Speaking of, how do you define true power?"

"Finally got around to asking me. Honestly? I don't care." Dant said. "I just do what I need to do and learn what I need to learn. I work, so my skills don't get rusty. And, as long as I've got you, I've got no shortage of that."

"Right." Robin said. "I thought so. Anything else?"

"I caught Zulas and Argeni kissing the other day."

"What?"

"I caught Zulas and Argeni-"

"I heard you the first time, don't get smart with me." Robin sighed. "I thought I told you not to spy on the rest of them."

"It was an accident." Dant's tone didn't sound too convincing.

"That, and a three hundred and fifty gold will get me a bronze sword." Robin rolled his eyes. "Um, did I miss something here, or was that awfully fast?"

"More the latter, I think." Dant said. "War can make hormones go crazy. They're kind of riding a high after the high stakes battle where you almost got killed, the end of the grand Valm campaign, and then you deciding to split them up for who-knows-how-long. Honestly, it's kind of surprising it only stopped at kissing. Which, mind you, is too far already, but not to the point of disastrously far."

"I don't need your commentary."

"Yes, you do." Dant said. "You are terrible at this whole 'romance' thing. You do realize that there is a list – not a small list, mind you, a large list – of eligible women in Valm's court that are just waiting to be courted by you. And you've gotten no less than three full marriage proposals."

"That's not for me, though. That's just for my titles." Robin waved his hand. "You can just burn them all."

"That's not the best idea."

"I said to kill it with fire."

"Right-o. You're the boss." Dant shrugged. "Probably for the best, considering one of those marriage offers was from Duke Cratez. For Argeni. That would … complicate things."

Robin sighed again. "I know I promised Zulas I'd help, but this is kind of too soon. Can we give him a title of nobility? Walhart did that to me."

"Walhart has the lucky advantage of nobody willing to challenge him." Dant said. "You don't have that luxury, y'know, being a foreigner and holding one of the highest positions in court. If he does something truly outstanding, then maybe."

"Right." Robin frowned. Then an idea struck him. "Wait. Actually, can you accept Duke Cratez's offer?"

"I can. I mean, I'm not going to because I'm not your secretary, and my ability to impersonate one doesn't make me so, which means you'll have to do it." Dant said, frowning. "But that is literally the most un-bro move I have ever seen."

"Why? That'd get the stress off my back and stop the flow of political faux paus by refusing all the other women. And have Argeni completely unavailable to every other suitor. We'll just have to have a long engagement period." Robin said, frowning. "Very long. In fact, indefinite, until I can find a good reason to break it off and substitute Zulas in place."

"I take it back. That is actually a decently fine bro move." Dant said. "Should I carry the message for them, or…?"

"Yes, for all that is holy, tell them!" Robin said. "In fact, let's not do anything unless both of them are fine with it! The last thing I need is infighting."

"M'okay." Dant said. "I'll be off preparing."

"How's the guest, by the way?"

"Still unconscious." Dant frowned. "Probably."

"Estimates?"

"Honestly? She's fine. We've healed the wound, and her body's almost recovered." Dant said. "If she doesn't wake up soon, she's probably never waking up."

"Thank you for the grim prognosis, Dant." Robin sighed. "Just ... hold down the fort. I've got a Conqueror to talk to."

-Throne Room-

"Tactician." Walhart said. "Thank you for coming."

"My pleasure, Conqueror." Robin said, kneeling. "What is thy bidding, my master?"

"Hmph." Walhart stepped off his thrown and started walking towards him. "Is there a need for such theatrics, Robin?"

"No. But they amuse me." Robin said.

"Ah, yes. You most certainly are more amusing than Excellus, and that's even without secretly plotting to overthrow me with that Plegian harlot like he was." Walhart smiled. "I believe her name was Aversa?"

Robin couldn't keep the look of shock from his face. "You knew?"

"Of course." Walhart said. "I also know you're keeping a Rosannean girl in your manor. Though I do wonder. If you knew about Excellus's plans, why did you go through all the trouble of rigging that trap for him?"

Breath. Inhale. Exhale. Just because Walhart knows Cherche is recovering in my house means nothing. After all, I haven't exactly been discrete about the fact I took a wounded soldier directly to my manor, and he doesn't necessarily know that we've been in contact. The first step is to avoid the trap, though.

"I don't know what you mean when you say I 'trapped' Excellus. His greed was his own downfall, and I most certainly had nothing to do with it." Robin said. "However, some of the papers I took from his estate indicated that, in addition to betraying me, he was intending to betray you as well. Of course, I only learned about it after Excellus's death. In fact, I have one of my lieutenants, Dant, undergoing a deep cover assignment in Plegia as we speak."

"I believe that." Walhart said. "Regardless, I did not bring you here to discuss your loyalty. I think you have the sense to not challenge me. I came here to reward you."

"Is that why we're alone?" Robin asked.

"Something like that." Walhart smiled. "I don't need guards, and if they overheard, I would have to have them killed. What I'm about to tell you is a secret of the highest order."

"I understand."

"Good. There is a plot underway." Walhart said. "A plot to destroy the human race, once and for all, and to once again have this world inhabited by dragons."

"Dragons?" Robin said, blinking. "I'm sorry, what did you say? A plot to destroy the human race?"

"Yes." Walhart said. "Are you acquainted with the belief systems of Plegia and Ylisse?"

"No. Yes. Wait." Robin frowned. "Right, Argeni told me about them. Ylisse worships the Divine Dragon Naga, and Plegia worships the Fell Dragon, Grima. The priests of Grima are known as the Grimleal. They've been active lately."

"Yes." Walhart said. "Thirty years ago, the cult was preparing its largest ritual. In response, the Ylissean Exalt at the time, father to the current Exalt, lead a holy crusade against them. The war was long, bloody, and by its end, one in four men had died within each nation. But, for some reason, it worked. The cult forewent its preparations but did not … desist from them. It seemed that they were waiting for something, a 'final piece' that the Ylissean Exalt had managed to stop them from obtaining."

"I'm sorry." Robin said. "But this is going too fast. Do you expect me to believe that the first Ylissean-Plegian war was over some mad ritual?"

"Stranger things have happened throughout our own history." Walhart mused. "My ancestor, Alm, united the continent to destroy a dragon himself. But yes, that is what is happening. I guarantee it."

Robin had no response to that. Wait, there was one.

"You were descended from Alm?"

"I prefer to think of myself more of a successor to his father, Emperor Rudolf." Walhart clarified. "Regardless, dragons have seemed to be pulling the strings behind several of the more prominent events in history. And it seems this period will not happen without exception."

"I see. I have some reading up to do."

"If this ritual succeeds, then Grima shall awaken." Walhart said. "I don't know the exact nature of the ritual, for it seems to be guarded by the hierophant of Plegia. He is also a very difficult man to kill. But I know something." Walhart drew forth a brilliant green gemstone.

Robin blinked, forcing himself to look away.

"This is Vert." Walhart said. "The Chon'sin safeguarded it until they could not, and then it was mine. It is one of two upon this continent, the other is held by Lady Tiki, the Voice of Naga. There are three more. The Ylissian Exalt holds one, but I don't know where the other two are. All five are required, along with the Shield of Seals to complete the ritual. So long as I have this, the ritual will not be completed. This, I know for sure, as one of Aversa's condition was to obtain this item at all costs."

"I understand." Robin said. "So that's the reason."

"Reason?" Walhart said.

"Yes. I figured out what power was." Robin said.

"Do tell."

"It's an illusion." Robin said. "Or, rather, the chase for it is. Power is just, after all is said and done, a measurement. A relative measurement, at that. My power as a tactician only exists because I am better than everyone else. You could simply say that power is something that you are best at that other people are not. And that also means that, since some powers are mutually exclusive, that there will always be someone with a power you do not have. My lieutenants, for instance, all possess power I do not. But that's fine, because, after all, power is just a means. It is not an end, nor will it ever be an end. Pursuing power because you believe it to be 'true' or perhaps to be the 'ideal' is a fool's errand."

"On that last point, we agree." Walhart said. "But if power is merely a means, then what is the end?"

"Whatever 'end' you have, of course." Robin said. "Power is only used to achieve the end. Now, for meager men, the desire is selfish. For you, it's to stop this ritual. But for me – it's protection. Of myself, so I can protect others. And for others, to protect yet more."

"Insufficient." Walhart said.

"Conqueror?" Robin said. "Isn't your reason to conquer the continent to stop the Grimleal?"

"It appears you have yet to … outgrow … your weakness." Walhart said. "You have power yourself, but like you said, there are always those with power you do not have. Can it ever be said then, that you have 'real power'?"

"It may seem not." Robin said.

"And yet, I say that it is so." Walhart smiled. His white eyes blazed with zealotry. "Tactician, I shall have to correct your arrogant, erroneous thinking. Power is when you have it, and no one else does. It will not be until the point that I am truly conqueror of the entire realm that I have achieved power, achieved freedom. You are correct that I wish to stop the Grimleal. But that is because I view them as rivals to the same goal I have. It is not because I share some foolish notion of heroism. Truthfully, if they have the means to overpower me, perhaps they deserve their victory. But they do not - that is why I am the Conqueror."

"But- Conqueror." Robin stammered. "No, I don't think that's true. How would that make you different from a man who believed he had conquered the whole world when all he had was but an island and knew nothing else?"

"Your sophistry does not interest me." Walhart said. "If we were to fight, here and now, who would win?"

"You, Conqueror."

"Exactly. You may win the game of minds, but you will lose the direct confrontation." Walhart smiled. "Power lies in the heart, not in the head. You only feel the way you do because you do not possess the strength otherwise. Should you posses it, your mind will change. Let us see…"

"GAH!" The verdant stone flared brilliantly, channeling energy into Robin. Unbidden, he felt the power of Ignis, the magic he had used back in Parise, flare up around him, creating a purple blaze that surrounded him. Energy forced its way into him, and Robin felt it channel through the veins in his body. Slowly, he became numb from his extremities, until the feeling worked its way all the way into his chest, then up to his head. He gave one last cry as his eyelid was forced shut and darkness overtook him.

-?-

"This is it! Our final battle! You're one of us, Robin, and no "destiny" can change that. Now let's kill this dastard and be done with it!" A memory? Someone in blue hair was leading in through an underground temple. Lightning flared around his fingertips.

"If Validar somehow does gain control over me... Promise me... Promise me you'll cut me down." That was … his voice? It sounded so weird. Like it wasn't even him.

"Yes, well, we play the roles we're given, Robin, as you'll soon discover." Now he was fighting someone. Someone darkgifted. A sword was in his hands? But Robin didn't use swords. And who was he fighting? A white-haired witch on a black pegasi.

"You have power… like mine." Robin blinked. A beautiful green-haired woman was standing before him. With pointed ears. A manakete?

"This is not your- your fault." The blue haired man was back, now with a crackling bolt of lightning in his chest. Did Robin do that? His hand was crackling with lightning. "Promise me you'll escape from this place… please, go…"

-Throne Room-

"Gah!" Robin snapped back into focus, kneeling before Walhart. "What was that?"

"Did you see something, tactician?" Walhart asked. "I had hunch you would react to the stone."

"Memories." Robin frowned. "They're mine, I think. Maybe they're how I lost them?"

"I see." Walhart drew a crimson sword and tossed it to him. "Try this."

Robin caught the blade and fell into a stance. He took a few experimental swipes with it. The balance was correct, but the reach was a little longer than he was used too so he adjusted to a different stance and swung again. "This is a fine blade. It's a Sol blade, isn't it?"

"Yes. And that was an Ylissean dueling stance." Walhart said. "You've traveled far, tactician, to be able to use it." And it was at that moment Robin realized that the Sol blade was a master-level sword that he was wielding effortlessly, with a practiced stance. But he had abandoned his attempts at swordplay to learn spearcraft. Hadn't he?

"What." Robin blinked. "How is that possible?"

"The world is full of many strange things, Robin." Walhart said. "I suspected the gemstone would resonate within you, but why I do not know. I have guesses - but that can wait for another time. Should you figure this out, that may tell you something about your past. Now, how do you feel?"

"Amazing." Robin said. "It seems … well it seems that some of my skills were locked behind my amnesia." He raised his hands. Lightning appeared on it, crackling as the tactician smiled. "This might take some getting used to."

"Very well." Walhart smiled. "Count Robin Obsidian, I hereby name you the Battlemaster of the Valmese army. Yen'fay's army will be under your control, and, except for me, you outrank every other person of rank within the Valm Empire."

"Quite the promotion." Robin flinched. "Conqueror. May I be frank?"

"I expect nothing less."

"Why do you trust me?" Robin asked. "We don't share the same views."

"It seems to me, Battlemaster, that I don't need to trust you for you to perform well. Or, perhaps as you might put it: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Walhart said. "From my perspective, though, I look forward to the day when we clash and we see which of the two of us are stronger. You represent the purest form of your own strength - far more than a tactician like Excellus had. I am not weak enough"

"Very well." Robin swallowed. No, I can't leave on that note. He looked up. "I sincerely hope I provide you with a challenge when that happens."

"Ha! Now that is what I wanted from you. I knew you would entertain me when I incorporated you into my army, but I had no idea to this extent." Walhart said. "What do you intend now, Battlemaster?"

"My lieutenants can finish the suppression campaigns and help build up the army towards the invasion of Archaneia." Robin said. "As for myself, the Ylissean Exalt is getting married to the adopted daughter of a Feroxi Khan. It wouldn't do for us not to attend."

"Hmm." Walhart said. "Do you have plans beyond that?"

"Of course." Robin said. "Shall I tell you them now?"

"Do not trouble me with the mundane, Battlemaster." Walhart said. "Go forth and conquer."

-Robin's Manor-

"He's insane." Robin said. "Insane."

"Are you only figuring this out now?" Dant asked. "I mean, how long have you been fighting for this guy?"

"I didn't think he was doing it just to do it!" Robin said. "Look, infighting on this continent is nothing new, but while Walhart is conquering everything, he's, well, nice about it. No pillaging, no raiding. Most of the new recruits from conquered states just fall in line with his charisma. I thought he was working towards a goal of world peace!"

"No, you didn't." Dant said. Robin glared at her. Dant merely shrugged. "You didn't. It's only now that the enormity of what he's trying to do is reaching you."

"I don't object to unifying the world." Robin sighed. "But only for the right reasons. And those aren't Walhart's. The man would be contend standing on an island by himself, if he didn't know the existence of any other islands."

"What do you plan on doing?"

"Help him, for now." Robin frowned. "I just disagree with his motives, not his actions. Plegia and Ylisse have fought back-to-back wars of near total annihilation. That's got to stop and some point, and it's only going to stop when one of them are dead, or we make it stop."

"So you will go along with your invasion of Archaneia?"

"That's not for another five years, at the least. We've got preparations to make for an overseas campaign like that." Robin said. "Plenty of time to figure out what to do in the interim. Sabotage, assassination, open revolt - they're all on the table for now."

"Openly talking treason?" Dant smirked. "Can we do this more often?"

"Walhart basically told me he expects it from me. We need more actors. That's what it comes down to." Robin said. "I need more pieces on my side of the board. I need more information, as well. Walhart told me about a ritual that can destroy the world." Robin looked at Dant. "Know anything?"

"What?" Dant threw her hands up. "I don't know everything. Especially a secret closely guarded within the Ylissean family."

"Fine. We need to know information about that. And dragons." Robin sighed. "I have a feeling this is going to be a very busy trip."

"Trip?" Dant perked up. "Where are you going?"

"The wedding." Robin said. "I just need to pick up a bodyguard, now that you're gone."

"Don't look at me." Dant said. "I'm gone in a few hours. Deep cover assignment."

"You were never my choice." Robin said. He flexed his hand. "Walhart gifted me with a few new abilities when he promoted me to Battlemaster. I have a debt to repay, and I intend to repay it in full."

-Deep Forest-

"Say'ri." Robin said. "Thank you for meeting me here."

"I have come here with one reason only." Say'ri raised her blade. "I will kill you, Robin. Your bodyguard isn't here right now."

"I want to talk."

"Fie!" Say'ri vanished. Robin barely got his spear up in time to block her lightning-fast slash. "You told me you didn't believe in the Conqueror's ideals!"

"I don't." Robin shoved back and hurricaned the spear over his head, forcing Say'ri to keep the distance. "I told you that already."

"Your actions speak louder than your words." Say'ri backflipped and rushed him low, under the spear. Robin leapt up, scything it around. Say'ri managed to roll to avoid it, then was forced to parry against Robin's thrust. "I know of your betrayal of Rosanne!"

"Actions louder than words? What if I told you that my philosophy was similar to Walhart's, similar enough to his that my actions would be the same for now, until the point at which they weren't?" Robin said. "What if I told you my ideals were the same as yours?"

"You speak in lies and hypocrisy!" Say'ri was furious. "What you speak of cannot exist!"

"I say it can. I am the Battlemaster. What I say becomes reality." Robin tossed aside his spear. "The duty of the strong is to protect the weak. I believe that, as you do. I just choose to express my ideals differently from you. I choose to express them in ways that can actually accomplish my ends."

Say'ri lunged, a perfect Chon'sin thrust. Robin snap-drew his silver sword, deflecting it past him. Say'ri stared at him, dumbfounded. "But you cannot fight with swords."

"I am the Battlemaster. I say I can." Robin shoved the blade and began an assault of his own. "Does the swordfighter stand like the unbending oak, or does the swordfighter move like a willow in the breeze?"

"Both sides have their merits." Say'ri kept her stance flexible, deflecting Robin's battery of thrusts.

"And the same to ideals." Robin said. I have to time this right, or this is not going to work. "Sometimes, you must be rigid in your ideal for it to succeed. And sometimes you must be flexible. Sometimes the good of now must be sacrificed for the future of better."

"And you claim to do that?" Say'ri backflipped and set her stance. Her sword was ready to perform the ultimate swordmaster's technique. "You claim to be acting for the greater good? Even if that was true, it would make you no better than Walhart!"

"I've discarded my honor by joining Walhart?" Robin asked. He walked forward, sword held in a guard position.

"Yes! Like my brother!" Say'ri's eyes flared. "Astra!"

"Ignis!" Robin cried. Check and mate.

In the end, Say'ri was a skilled Chon'sin warrior. But Robin apparently had fought stronger swordmasters than Say'ri, because his body knew just what to do, deflecting the thrusts as they came one by one, and shattering the last blow with a magic-enhance strike.

The broken katana went sailing into the air. Robin dropped his blade, caught it, and put it against Say'ri's neck. She offered no resistance. They stood like that for a while, Robin in his dark cloak, fluttering in the night wind, Say'ri looking on at the moonlight with a single mournful tear of her cheek.

"I have failed." Say'ri whispered. "Do it."

"Why? So you can die like Yen'fay?" Robin asked. "I will not let his sacrifice be in vain. He saved my life and I owe him a debt."

"What?" Say'ri looked at Robin's hard eyes. "I do not understand."

"I was there when he committed seppuku." Robin said. "Do you know why he did it?"

"His shame … caught up with him."

"No." Robin shook his head. "It's because Excellus no longer existed. He no longer threatened to kill you if Yen'fay did not accede to his orders. Your brother did not discard his honor. He chose to protect you, his little sister, and he was willing to go to any lengths to do it. It was only once the threat was gone did he allow himself to die."

"No. That's impossible!"

"It's not. I wonder … how different are you, Say'ri?" Robin said calmly. "You knew Yen'fay better than anyone alive. It's the only explanation that makes sense. And you've been running from it. He only joined Walhart to protect you."

"I can't believe that."

Robin withdrew the katana from her neck. "That needs to stop, if you want to honor his memory."

"The memory of a traitor?"

"He had no choice." Robin explained. "He swore an oath to Valm, and you were no longer in danger. He took the only way out he knew. But you've sworn no oath to Valm. You can finish what he started, once upon a time."

"Yen'fay was not a traitor." Say'ri said slowly. "But … that means he was doing it all for me!"

"Yes." Robin sighed. "I regret to say that is the case, but that only means that you can continue his legacy. And I want to help you."

"This is your … greater good?" Say'ri said. "Your ... path?"

"Yes." Robin said. "Recently, I had a talk with Walhart. I need to stop him. And I need allies to do it."

"Do you expect me to trust you?" Say'ri said. "What if this is a trick?"

"That's why I fought you. To prove a point." Robin said. "If I wanted you dead, you would be. Now, let's try this." Robin handed the blade to Say'ri. "Let's see if you want me dead."

"Is this a trick?"

"No." Robin turned around and started walking. "You can put the blade in my back if you choose. If you don't – that means you choose my side."

"Fie!" Robin blinked as Say'ri appeared in front of him. Her face was a confusing mix of emotions. "I have a question of my own."

"Ask."

"Why do you want to help me?"

"Because Yen'fay's death was my fault." Robin said. "If I had been more responsible, more thoughtful, that might have been prevented. I – realized that he was protecting you, too late. And I had an unpaid debt in addition to that. He saved my life, once. You are the only way I can pay that."

"I see." Say'ri inhaled. "I need time to think."

"I leave from the coast in two days' time. The Raven's Pledge." Robin said. "If you wish to join me then, I shall arrange it. If you do not, well for the time being you can expect to not be harried until you are ready to give me your reply."

-Valm Harbor-

It took Say'ri a surprisingly short amount of time to come to her answer. Her emotions clouded her mind, but for the first time, she wasn't conflicted with herself. Yen'fay hadn't betrayed her. And Robin seemed to seek a path to end war. Odd for a tactician to walk, but she did not believe he was lying to her. Of course, last time she didn't believe he was lying either. So, in less than a day, she had made her way to the coast, asking after Robin's ship. True to his word, no one seemed to be looking for her. Now, she was following her latest line of query. The man she was told was the ship's captain. "Excuse me, I was told that you were the master of the Raven's Pledge could be found here."

"Well met, Say'ri." Robin grinned. "It seems my disguise worked."

"Robin?" Say'ri blinked. She was in disguise herself, her long black hair tied in a bun and eschewing her ever-present armor for her old riding armor back when she used to ride pegasi. "Is that you?"

Robin's dark purple coat was swapped with a dark red one, which had a few cosmetic differences. He had dyed his shock white hair to a dark brown, figuring it to be a relatively innocuous color. And he was wearing Zulas's mask. "Just practicing my disguise. Follow me."

Say'ri cautiously followed him through the port town as he navigated until he arrived at one ship in particular. It was a warship, with ballistae mounted on it, as well as a few squads of the Conqueror's crimson soldiers. Before the ship, a small girl was waiting, tapping her foot.

"I know it's you." Ravena said. "Nice disguise, though."

"Hello, Ravena." Robin said. "Have you made up your mind?"

"Well, I'd like to come with you." Ravena said. "But who else do you have to watch out for our guest? I'll have to stay behind."

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

"If you got the Chon'sin princess to join your side, I think I can handle it." Ravena said. She smiled at Say'ri. "It's nice to meet you."

"Who are you? Another one of Robin's strange friends?"

"His daughter." Ravena said. "Adopted."

"I would not have guessed." Say'ri blinked. "How did that happen?"

"Robin will be glad to explain." Ravena bowed. "I must be off."

Robin chuckled as he watched her go. "I take it this means you've decided to accompany me?"

"Yes. But with one condition." Say'ri said.

"And that is?"

"I shall tell you a day out to sea."

-Raven's Pledge-

"Good morning, Robin." Robin nodded back. It was the third day at sea. Say'ri had taken to it almost instantaneously, but despite the fact he must have done it at some point himself, Robin had taken seasick. It took him until the second afternoon to get out his bed, and he didn't want to face anything Say'ri said on an empty stomach, so he waited until he could get solid food. Say'ri was drinking tea. Robin had a single glass of water.

"Morning, Athena." They'd agreed upon the name. It made more sense for her to use a pseudonym. "Alright. Now that I'm feeling slightly workable, can you tell me what the condition is?"

"Yes." Say'ri said. "It required though on my part. You see, I realized that you have never actually lied to me outright, rather you have managed to use an ingenious system of deception to keep me along by manipulating your language and heavily implying things that would be outright falsehoods."

"Guilty as charged."

"So, obviously I need some system where I know you will not turn your power of deceit against me." Say'ri said. "I would also wish for you to see things from my perspective."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I am willing to believe that you are a good person, Robin." Say'ri said. "But you are not a great person. You have taken steps from Yen'fay, but there is much about honor that you do not understand. I do not mind helping you, but I need to know that I will be helping you, and not sending you further in the abyss."

"Then what is your solution?"

"This." Say'ri withdrew her blade and offered it to Robin. "I am ronin. That is the Chon'sin word for a masterless warrior. It is usually a dishonor, however, there are no longer any honorable masters to fight under, so I have determined the path of ronin to be honorable until a master could be found that is worthy. You understand the concept of on and giri, or you would not still hold yourself accountable to my family. Thus, I have determined that you may one day be an honorable master. Therefore, I swear my service to as your samurai. Allow me to be your blade."

"Wait." Robin blinked. "Athena, are you sure? Once I accept this, there's no turning back. Your honor will bind you to your oaths. And you will not agree with the things I've done, or some of the things I will do."

"Now, more than ever. Should you jump at my oaths, I would be concerned." Say'ri smiled, one of genuine warmth. "But you understand the weight of honor. It is my trust that your understanding will keep you on the right path."

"I see." Robin inhaled. Absolutely beautiful. She actually expects that of me. Say'ri truly is an idealist. I can see what Yen'fay was protecting. Robin accepted her sword. "I accept your oath, Say'ri. In return, I shall give you a blade worthy of being known as my sword." Robin opened a container under his bunk and withdrew a seven-branched sword. "I believe this is yours. The Amatsu."

-Ylisse-

"We're clear." Gerome said, landing his wyvern. "No one's around for miles."

"Thank goodness." Lucina removed her mask and set her hair back. "I honestly don't know how you can stand it, Gerome."

"Practice." The blue-haired wyvern rider said. "You don't need to keep the mask on, you know."

"I'd rather not chance my Brand being seen." Lucina said. She walked to the warehouse where the rest of the children had made their base. Secrecy had necessitated them to build it a ways away from the main base of the Shepherds. Of course, Lucina hadn't intended on inducting the future children into the Shepherds, much less becoming their tactician. But Robin's disappearance had thrown their plan to pieces.

"Remember, Lucina." Robin's cheerful voice sounded in her head, as she had studied tactics. "You can't ever expect your plan to survive first contact with the enemy."

Robin. Upon my fond memories of you, I swear that I'll stop this future from happening. Lucina sighed. "Hopefully, we can be a bit less cloak and dagger once they finish building out our wing onto the barracks."

"Commander!" The green-haired knight guarding the door saluted.

"At ease, Kjelle." Lucina said. "Gerome did a fly-around. There's no one else here."

"Right." Kjelle opened the door. "Commander on deck!"

"There's no need for this." Lucina groaned. "I get enough respect as it is among the Shepherds. I'd like nothing more than to relax back here."

"No problem, darling sister." Inigo was right beside her. "Perhaps a night out? I'll find a nice boy for you, and you can find a nice girl for me."

Lucina smiled. Inigo, in his own way, was always trying to help her. "Perhaps later," she said. They both knew the day would never happen. "Where's our cousin?"

"He and Cynthia are escorting Brady." Inigo said. "Apparently, there's was a rash of fever in a nearby town."

"Brady." Lucina smiled. He was gruff on the exterior, but Lucina never doubted his core. "The gentlest soul of all of us." She fell on one of the chairs in the room. Across, Noire and Yarne were talking, with Yarne wincing when Noire's alternate personality flaired up. Nah was watching Inigo with puffed out cheeks, but was a bit hesitant to join the conversation. Like usual. "Is Severa on cooking tonight?"

"Yes, and she could use your help!"

Lucina bolted to her feet, only for Inigo to gently push her down. "I'll handle her, sis. She can't resist the ol' Inigo charm."

Lucina counted to five. She got to three before Inigo was sent out of the kitchen in an ungainly sprawl. Lucina sighed. "Kjelle, would you mind?"

"I'll do it for you, commander."

"We're going to have to get her to knock that off, one day." Lucina said.

"Why, commander?" Inigo asked. "I think it suits you, commander."

Lucina resisted the urge to giggle. "Inigo, can we be serious?"

"I think we've earned the right to joke." Inigo sat up. "I mean, we haven't won yet, but we're making progress. The war with Plegia is over, Chrom is healthy, and our parent's wedding is in less than a fortnight. If that's not a reason to celebrate, I don't know what is."

Wingbeats sounded overhead. Lucina instantly put her mask on, only to remove it when she heard a loud muffled curse. "That sounds familiar…"

"Behold! We have journeyed lands far and wide, battling all manner of creature, large and small, all to embellish out name before you!"

"We are – the JUSTICE CABAL!"

"All right you two, knock it off." The door opened, and Brady, followed by a posing black-haired myrmidon and an alabaster-haired pegasus knight. walked in. "Seriously, why does it have to be those two."

"Brady!" Lucina said. "You're back!"

"Yeah, sorry." Brady sighed. "I would have been sooner, but those two talk a lot."

"We missed you too, Brady." Inigo said, amid the chorus of agreements. "Well, we're all here for once. Except for Laurent. Where's Laurent?"

"We passed him over here." Cynthia said as she headed into the condition. "Severa! Can I have food? Ow!"

"Help me or leave!" Severa's temper was on full display. They'd all taken the field during the battle with Gangrel, punching through the line so Chrom could kill him. She'd gotten them off the battlefield, but Cordelia had managed to land a compliment on the unfortunate ginger-haired mercenary. Lucina wondered if that was the reason Severa was on edge.

"Fine, jeez. I'll help." A loud clatter came from the kitchen. "Oops."

"JUST LEAVE!"

Lucina and Inigo exchanged glances. "I'll fix up the mess." Lucina said. "The rest of you, setup."

Lucina busied herself in the kitchen, cleaning up Cynthia's mess, getting Kjelle to take off her outer armor so she'd have room to work with, and busied herself with slicing the vegetables. Outside, she heard Inigo giving directions to the crew. Her brother liked joking around a lot, but when push came to shove, she felt he'd just as capable of leading the future children as she was. He definitely had surpassed her own swordsmanship, she hadn't as much chance to keep practice juggling a secret identity.

"Can we eat now?" Cynthia asked.

"I would like to wait for Laurent." Lucina said. "How far away is he?"

"Well, hmm." Cynthia thought. "Um, maybe an hour when I passed him? So, five minutes from now."

"Let's wait. Besides, I would wait until we're all here to discuss our next move."

"Excellent." The voice came from the door. "Because we're all here."

"Laurent?" Lucina asked. "Is that you?"

"And an old friend." Laurent walked in, followed by an older woman with jet-black hair and her trademark smile. Lucina stared. The 'first' member of the future children. Robin had adopted her on a journey after the Ylisse-Plegian war in her time, and she was always around the children, helping them. When the Shepherds fell, Lucina had become the de facto leader of the resistance, Inigo had become the heart, and Morgan, the darkgifted adopted daughter of the never-married Robin, had been their tactician.

Up until that final day. Lucina had opened the portal, only for Grima to send his strongest champion to stop them. Himself. The dark dragon, in the guise of Robin had relentlessly hunted them. The entire garrison had given their lives for the children to enter through the portal. But when they were done, it was down to Lucina and Morgan against the monster. Morgan, always the tactician, told her that her Brand was the proof that they had come from a future past, and held off Grima so she could get to the portal. Lucina had refused to tell the others, but inside she despaired against seeing her adopted older sister.

"Morgan?"

"Hey!" Morgan smiled. "Sorry it took me a while. But the tactician of the Shepherds is back. And nothing can stop us. Except, for you know."

"Amnesia." Laurent said. "Unfortunately."

"Yeah! Heh heh." Morgan said. "That's kind of why I didn't come back sooner. I didn't really remember anything, aside from my name. I had no idea what was going on, until I stumbled across Laurent. But don't worry. I'm still as tactical as ever."

"Yup. That's Morgan." Inigo smiled. "I'm-"

"Inigo, right?" Morgan said. "Laurent filled me in. On everything. Don't worry. I'll do everything in my power to make sure this future's right. You can count on me."

A/N:I apologize if I butchered the concept of 'on' and 'giri', because my knowledge of Japanese culture isn't the greatest, and I'm working on the assumption that it works similarly to 'ji'e'toh' from WoT. Also, there's no Anna segment, because the war's over. But there'll be one next chapter. And, finally, we have the beginning of my pairing choices here. To clarify, I went with what I felt worked best with the story (ChromxOlivia, for instance, worked best for several reasons) or because I thought they'd be fun to write. If there's a pairing you don't like, take heart that I haven't decided on pairing Robin yet, if that happens at all. (Though I am restricting that to Robin-only characters or OCs, given that Robin is unmarried in the original timeline.) I'll probably go more on a limb defending the ChromxOlivia pairing when that happens.