-Throne Room-
"You wish to go to Ylisse?" Walhart said. "Why?"
"I am not asking your permission, Conqueror." Robin knelt before him. "I am merely informing you that I will be heading there, and thus I will be unavailable for the next few months. I feel it is safe to do so, given the recent defeat of rebel groups. If you have tasks for me, my assistant Morgaine will be able to help you. If there is something you need me to do within the next few months that might supersede it, I request that you tell me now."
"Hmm." Walhart frowned. It wasn't that he objected to his tactician acting independently of him. Walhart approved of it, but the reason he kept a tactician around was so that Walhart didn't have to worry about things like shadowy, multi-layered plans. Well, except for the one coming from Robin himself. But that's why he had his own spymaster who kept tabs on him. "Nothing readily comes to mind. But I ask again, what do you seek in Ylisse?"
"Two reasons. If you wish to know, I shall tell you, though I thought you considered the finer points of logistics something only needed to be overlooked by myself." Robin said. "My main goal is to get a good lay of the land for the preparation of our invasion. I've been consulting the generals on the invasion of Archaneia. The consensus seems to be an assault on Plegia first."
"Why?" Walhart asked. "They do not have the Fire Emblem. They are inconsequential. Plegia is merely an afterthought, and they offer very little in strategic resources or manpower. That Grimleal religion of theirs is rooted in, so it'll be hard to add to the Empire proper."
"True. But they do serve a good staging ground."
"So does Regna Ferox." Walhart said. "It has the added advantage of being far more difficult. A campaign through an icy wasteland which the indigenous people are hardened warriors and accustomed too. That sounds … perfect."
"You do realize that every campaign in military history described like that ended in abysmal failure, right. Every. Single. One." Robin sighed. "There's not much of a point of having myself as a tactician if you're going to ignore my advice."
"I am not everyone else, tactician. And neither are you." Walhart said. "I have no problem with you planning the assault, but there will not be a priority towards conquering Plegia. If you wish, there can be one for Regna Ferox, but not Plegia. Understood?"
"Yes, Conqueror." Robin said through gritted teeth. "But can I at least cripple Plegia in our assault so they can't harry our supply lines?"
"That sounds like logistics, and that is something you are in charge of." Walhart said. "And the second?"
"…" Robin frowned. "Pheros thinks I'm stressing myself, and taking a normal break doesn't work, because I just get drawn to the work. She thinks that even I can't maintain my normal workload if I'm across an ocean."
"Hmm." Walhart tilted his head. "The optimal method of getting stronger is to face your shortcomings, not flee from them."
"You're going to deny the fact that you can work yourself to death? No one has infinite strength."
"I suppose it is possible, even for me." Walhart considered. It might take him an few days of nonstop fighting. "But I've seen that used more as an excuse for cowards, rather than an actual reason. See that it's an actual reason for yourself."
"As you command." Robin said. "I'll be taking my leaving."
"As you wish, tactician." Walhart said. "Go forth and conquer. Prepare Ylisse for subjection."
-Ylisse-
"…And that's how I ended up here, believe it or not." Robin finished explaining.
"Really?" Chrom said. "I mean, I would be perfectly fine with either Morgan or Marth leaving if they needed it, but I thought Valm was a lot more militaristic then Ylisse. I can't believe that they let you go here just to visit old friends."
"I did justify it by saying that I was going to learn about my Ignis ability. Also, General Pheros recommended it for health reasons." Robin reminded. It's definitely not because I was spying for invasion plans – but that's not the real reason either. "I've also set a lot of long-term plans in place back in Valm. We're doing a lot of shoring up these days now that the Risen have decided to pop their head on our territory."
"I'm sorry to hear that. The Shepherds have out hands full as well." Chrom said. The two were standing on the grand balcony of Castle Ylisse, looking over the city. Robin had traveled alone across the sea and through Regna Ferox, narrowly avoiding a meeting with Basilio. Robin didn't feel like meeting him again until after he had the black gemstone. "Though most days I'm here. I don't like leaving the palace."
"And why not?" Robin asked. His question was almost immediately answered.
"Dear, where are you?" A voice rang out.
Chrom turned around. "I'm on the balcony, with a guest."
"I see." A few moments later they were joined by Olivia. Robin stared at the Ylissean queen for a moment, blinking as he took her in. Olivia smiled at him. "Oh, I remember you! You're Robin, that Valmese tactician. It's nice to meet you again."
"My pleasure, Queen Olivia." Robin bowed, catching a good look at her belly before he did so. It's not my imagination, right…?
"Oh, any friend of Chrom's is a friend of mine. Just call me Olivia, like any of the other Shepherds would." Olivia said. "Are you still trying to figure out how to talk about the elephant in the room?"
"Dear, please don't tease him." Chrom said. "Yes, she's pregnant, with my oldest."
"I see." Robin said. "Well, congratulations!"
"Do you get one as well?" Olivia asked. "I seem to remember seeing you keeping the company of a cute Chon'sin samurai last time you were here. And seeing as she's not here…"
"No, Say'ri is back among the Chon'sin right now, helping them on their feet, not for any other reason." Robin chuckled. "I'm also afraid that particular ship has also sailed. There's very little chance that we'll end up together. Well, have you decided on a name yet?"
"I think we'll do Emmeryn if she's a girl." Chrom said. "If it's a boy – well, I've been thinking about Anri."
"That's what he thinks." Olivia chuckled, elbowing him. "I don't think so."
I know who's winning that argument. Robin thought. "Why not? They're both fine names."
"It's too much to ask a child. I don't know about the name Anri, but I don't mind that one too much. Emmeryn is too heavy." Olivia shook her head. "Marth told us that she took the name because she wanted to be like the Hero-King. That's find for an adult to choose, but Emmeryn's legacy is far too much for any daughter of mine to bear. Maybe as a middle name, though. Chrom will come around to my way of thinking."
"Probably." Chrom admitted. "But I definitely want it as a middle name.
"So, what's the name if it's a girl, then?"
"Lucina." Olivia said. "It's an old word for-"
"-Light." Robin finished. That's Marth's real name. Makes perfect sense. If Lucina is a name passed down throughout the royal family, then Lucina would probably want to hide that, seeing as she's probably a bastard line of the royal throne. "An old name as well?"
"No, not at all." Olivia laughed. "I came up with it. It's new, as far as I could tell. It's my way of honoring Exalt Emmeryn, who shown with an inner light. What do you think?"
…What? If it's not bloodline based – then is it just a coincidence? It can't just be a coincidence, Olivia said she came up with it, and both her and the newborn have royal blood. She's certainly related to Chrom, and Chrom's child. Robin's mind raced. How- This is the universe laughing at me, isn't it? Unless Lucina was lying about her name. Or it has something with her being a Foreseer. If that's the case, maybe it was her way of telling me that she can see the future? Or am I overthinking this? I'm overthinking this! I HAVE NO IDEA!
"Dear, I think you broke him." Chrom said.
"Wha- No, I'm okay." Robin shook his head. "I was just-"
"Dueling with unpleasant thoughts?" Chrom offered.
"Sure, why not?" Robin took the lifeline like a drowning man. "Yes."
"Well, in that case, how about a duel to get your mind off things?"
"Seriously?" The Exalt want to spar with me?
"Seriously." Chrom said. "If you want to learn more about your Ignis, why not spar against my Aether?"
"Dear…"
"It's fine, love, I haven't had my exercise this morning." Chrom grinned. "Besides, what could go wrong?"
"You really want to hand the universe a line like that…" Robin muttered under his breath. "Why…?"
-Ylisse, Training Grounds-
"Let's just spar lightly. A bit of a warmup." Chrom offered, throwing off his cloak. He drew Falchion, casually spinning it before settling into an aggressive two-handed stance. Robin considered using his spear, but that felt wrong. Instead, his hand drifted to the Chon'sin dueling blade he wore. Robin smiled as he felt the grip. He would just use his sword play for this fight.
He tossed off the anti-magic cloak component of his armor to give himself a greater range of motion and drew the Chon'sin tachi. He clutched it one handed, and brought his right arm up towards his chest, pointing the blade towards Chrom, using a variant of the traditional thrust stance. "Swords only, alright?" Robin asked.
"It's like you read my mind." Chrom said. "I've been training in spears, but judging from our stances, I think we can have a good fight using swords. I think you'd hold too much of a skill gap over me in spears, but I would say we're abut equal in swords."
"Ready when you are."
The two combatants faced each other, reading the atmosphere. Then Robin struck first, as he noticed Chrom sliding his foot back for extra purchase, a lightning-fast two-handed thrust. Chrom dropped his left hand instantly and slashed the thrust away with a one-handed sweep. Robin circled his wrist with a bit of dexterous handwork and went for a slash at Chrom's right, shifting to one hand himself. Chrom shifted his grip to block the sword and brought his left hand to the hilt forcing Robin to copy him as Chrom held the clash with the two stared at each other.
"Nice moves." Chrom complimented.
"I've barely started." Robin retreated back and settled into the normal thrust form. I know we said sparring, but I want to go all-out for some reason. Can't really explain it. Very well, let's do this! "Chon'sin-style blademanship: Kenjutsu: Astra!"
His sword jutted out, stabbing at five places in quick succession. Chrom grit his teeth and swiped four stabs away in quick succession with a deft parrying series, particularly impressive considering he was using two-handed to hold the blade. Chrom ducked the last one and drove his shoulder into Robin's gut, sending him backwards.
Not good. I remember Say'ri warning me about that if my form was off. Wonder who he's faced that he'd know about, though. The tactician recovered slightly after the exalt, so Robin was forced on the defensive once Chrom started slashing at him with wide, sweeping blows. Incredibly powerful ones at that.
Seems like the Exalt is more than just the rumors say. Robin grit his teeth. He timed an overhead slash just right so he could leap backwards, giving himself breathing room. Robin set back and kept the blade there. Chrom came rushing at him, so Robin responded in kind, rushing at him and sweeping the blade into a powerful slash.
The two swords met as their wielders howled in unison, attempting to force the blades past each other. Robin's Chon'sin blade was forged by a master blacksmith, perfectly capable of slicing through lesser blades. But if rumors were true, Chrom's own Falchion was made form the tooth of a dragon, and indestructible. So it wouldn't come down to the strength of their blades, but the strength of their wielders. And Robin was weaker than Chrom. Place your back to the wall and burn your bridges behind you! If you force yourself in a place with no retreat, you'll have no choice but to win!
"Ignis!" Robin woke the strength within him, channeling the magic into his arms, and powering through the clash. Chrom was thrust back, a surprised look on his face as Robin stood, purple flames lit around him. Chrom grinned a performed a fancy flourish.
"So, you can hold your own, then?" Chrom grinned. "I've never seen that before."
"Ignis." Robin repeated. "It lets me-"
"Don't bother. I'll figure it out for myself." Chrom dashed forward, now moving faster, and attacked. Robin shifted his second hand, his left one, to the far side of the hilt, he had strength from Ignis, and now he wanted control as well. He charged as well.
The two fighters met head on in the center of the arena, trading matched blows with each other. The air rang as the blades clashed with a repetitive sound of metal on metal. Robin focused, analyzing the Ylissean's style. Chrom used Ylissean noble fencing, but modified to support the Exalt's raw strength, letting the man take full advantage. At the end of the day, it's not raw talent that makes him deadly. Robin frowned. He's just taken his already significant natural talent and uses it to its fullest. A skilled technician like Say'ri could exploit that. But my Battlemaster-style is built to exploit weaknesses, which this man doesn't have.
"Battlemaster-style combat: Kenjustu: Crescent Slash!" Robin brought the blade over his head and grip it with two hands, bringing it down in a powerful vertical slash. Chrom flipped his blade sideways and used his left hand to brace the far side when he took the blow, but it forced him back anyways.
"That was pretty strong. So that's it." Chrom said. "It's not what Aether is, but that's a powerful ability. It amplifies your strength, I take it? You weren't any faster, and any improvement of control you had was because of your hand movement."
"Not exactly. It focuses my magic through my strength, and my strength into magic." Robin said. "In other words, it lets me channel energy into different forms. So, yes, my strength is boosted, but not because of my strength. What does Aether do?"
"Let me show you!" Blue flames lit around Chrom. Robin charged forward, slashing forward. Chrom leap over the slash and landed behind Robin, Robin spun to block, but failed as Chrom's faster blade cut clean through his chestplate and scratching beneath it, drawing a thin line of blood. Robin stared as some of his purple flames were drawn into the blue ones surrounding Chrom's blade.
"What was that?" Robin considered. "Also, ow. I thought we were sparring."
"Sorry, got carried away." Chrom sighed and sheathed his blade. "That is Aether. The blue flames of Ylissean nobility. Its effects are twofold. It allows me to cut through defenses, and it draws the energy of my opponent into myself."
No way. Robin's mind went blank as he searched for an appropriate insertion. "So, you literally could cut through an army wielding that, couldn't you? Just hacking clean through them, and never getting tired. Is that the power of the Ylissean Exalt?"
"You make it sound so grand." Chrom chuckled. "I mean, maybe? They say Anri was able to conquer the trials of the Emblem by himself, where it took Marth an army. But Aether is not meant to be used like that. It's given to protect. And it's not like I can just keep it out, you know."
"Yes, of course." Robin nodded. "So, I guess we'd know who would win in a fight. There seems to be a very good reason why you're an Exalt who leads from the front, and I'm a Battlemaster who commands."
"Ha!" Chrom laughed. "Don't sell yourself short, I know you use magic and lances. It'd be a lot closer if we fought for real, all out. Anyway, let's see if we can sneak you to Lissa before Olivia notices and goes for my head."
"What for this scratch? I took an axe to the chest once. This is no problem." Robin already had a concoction out that he was drinking from. "She'll never notice."
-Ylisse, Throne Room-
"He's got a cut breastplate, Chrom." Olivia wasn't wearing an amused expression. "Honestly, did you think you could get away with it?"
"Forgot about that." Chrom muttered. "I'm … sorry?"
"It's fine." Olivia blushed. "I'm just glad that you're good friends with someone from Valm."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Exactly." Olivia smiled. "That's why I love you, dear. Now, will he be joining us for dinner?"
"I think so." Chrom said. "He said he wanted to meet with Marth. Something about names?"
-Ylisse, Barracks-
"Okay, spill it." Robin said, arms crossed.
"Spill what?" Lucina's face was a mask of innocence.
"You haven't told Chrom your real name. And be very glad that I listened to you and didn't tell him it either." Robin said. "Lucina."
"Well, there's a perfectly good explanation for that-"
"Shut up. I wasn't finished. I was talking to the Exalt today and found out that Olivia is planning to name their child Lucina if she's a girl." Robin said. "I also found out that it isn't a name passed through the royal family. So, why do you have the same name as the soon-to-be born daughter of Chrom, and why are you hiding it from him?"
"Calm down." Lucina said. "Like I said, there's a perfectly good explanation-"
"Waiting for it…" Robin tapped a pattern with his fingers.
"-it's just a coincidence." Lucina said. "And the reason I haven't told him is because I want to be known as Marth. That's it."
"Do I have 'stupid' written in big letters on my forehead?" Robin asked. "Want to try that again? And this time, maybe make it somewhat believable?"
"I'm sorry, do you have a better explanation?" Lucina snapped. "It's just a coincidence! I'm not even a royal!"
"Okay, so that one is definitely wrong." Robin said. "I saw you use Falchion. A sword only the Royal Family can wield. Look, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm also a royal bastard, as you so informed me. But don't tell me you aren't royalty. And even if you were, according to Olivia, she came up with the name on the spot."
"Oh… right, you saw me use it that night of the wedding. That was actually a different sword. No, my sword isn't Chrom's." Lucina said. "It just looks exactly like his. And glows occasionally, but no one can figure out why. And if I was royalty, I would have the Brand, wouldn't I?"
"Do you?" Robin's eyes narrowed. "It's my understanding that the Brand shows up somewhere on the noble's body. And I'm not asking it, but I am pointing out that there are a great many places a brand could be that would never appear in polite society. So, your lack of a Brand doesn't convince me, and I'm not believing that your sword is just identical to Chrom's! Have they ever been seen together?"
"Yes." Lucina sighed. "And before you ask-"
"Being wielded at the same time?" Robin demanded.
"Yes, that too." Lucina sighed. "And, I hate to break this to you, but you're not the only one with this crazed theory that Chrom and I are somehow related thanks to the fact that we share the exact same hair color. Now, while you aren't asking, privacy isn't easy out on the campaign road, which certain people took advantage of and there are several female Shepherds that can attest to my lack of Brand anywhere on my skin."
"…Wait, really?" Robin blinked. "Well, there goes that theory."
"I keep telling you, it's just a coincidence!" Lucina snapped. She drew her sword and stabbed it through the table. "Look! See, it's real. And I know you just dueled Chrom, so we didn't pull a switcheroo. Here's my sword, and if you'll hold it, you'll notice that it's not sharp for you. This is a bloodline sword, like Chrom's Falchion, but it's tied to my bloodline."
"So, to clarify: You are of a different ancient bloodline, who possesses the same-looking ancestral sword that Chrom does, have access to the Aether-skill, and you just have the same name as pure coincidence?"
"It sounds kind of far-fetched when you put it like that, but there's nothing untrue about what you just said." Lucina said. "At least, according to Gerome."
"Sorry, what was that last sentence?"
"Nothing." Lucina said, coughing. "It's just that some of my comrades have also made comments about the similarities, and the fact that they're meaningless."
"There's still something you aren't telling me." Robin narrowed his eyes. "Did you pick the name Lucina because you knew Chrom would name his daughter that?"
"There are many things I'm not telling you." Lucina corrected. "I am the Foreseer, you know. But, no. I was given the name Lucina at birth, even though I did know that Chrom would name his daughter that, which may be the reason I've been hiding it. But, I promise you that the tale of my name isn't important."
"Sorry about the table then."
"What? Oh." Lucina looked at her sword stuck clean through the table. "Never mind. Chrom's broken more things than just a table. Honestly, the man can't get up for a glass of water in the night without taking a few doors of the hinges. The castle staff is kind of just used to fixing things at this point."
"Haha." Robin laughed, trying to normalize the situation. "Walhart does that too, actually. They've just stopped closing the doors in Castle Valm because he has a tendency to walk through them when he isn't paying attention."
"I can picture that." Lucina said. "So, why are you here?"
"Well, it's kind of useless now that you're not a member of the Ylissean bloodline." Robin sighed. "I need Lady Tiki, and she's not interested in helping anyone who doesn't possess Marth's bloodline. Chrom is completely unsuited because – well, you know why. I can't very well ask the Exalt to be involved in a shadowy plot to overthrow Valm."
"Did you say, 'shadowy plot to overthrow Valm'?" Lucina blinked.
"Yes, but I'm obviously going to deny saying as such." Robin blinked. Normally he wouldn't have said anything to begin with. He had an unusually high level of trust for these Ylisseans. He wasn't sure why. "Anyway, Lady Tiki is the Voice of Naga. She's incredibly well respected, and I need her to control Valm. I was kind of hoping you had sway but if you don't have Ylissean Royal Blood…"
"Well, this is awkward…" Lucina sighed. "Though I am happy to see that you do want to overthrow Valm. I'm glad to see that you're still the same Robin as ever."
"Did you know me before I had amnesia?" Robin demanded.
"No, we never met until Ylisse last year." Lucina waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, I should be able to convince Tiki to help you."
"Uh, how?"
"I didn't just take the name Marth as a moniker because I respect him." Lucina snapped. "I've also got another few tricks. Anyway, why would you need that?"
Okay. Maybe she's part of some clan that swore to protect the Ylissean lineage. Robin considered. Yes, that would make sense. Naga gave another blade to them, and the Aether ability, and they serve as shadowy protectors. Like, what was her name, Katarina. And Tiki even said that they wiped their names history. So she must be descended from that bloodline. Yes, that makes sense. Glad I solved that. Well, except for the name, but it really might just be a coincidence. I mean, weirder things have happened.
"The Valm Empire, as it stands, is many nations under Walhart. That needs to change." Robin said. "By raising the factions that compose of it to equal status, we'll have changed the status quo that makes up the Empire. And doing that is one of three prerequisites to the CDO Plan."
"The CDO Plan?"
"The Chromatic Designation Only Plan." Robin said, gesturing to himself. "Robin Obsidian, Designation: Crimson Tactician. And a few other players."
"…" Lucina sighed. "It's like pulling teeth with you."
"Much the same with you." Robin said. "And I would actually like to include you."
"The catch?" Lucina asked.
"You'd need to join with me." Robin said. "And we've got some trust issues between us, not a lot, but some. And joining me means leaving Ylisse."
"That's a catch. And I don't want to join Valm, even if I do feel that I've overstayed my leave here." Lucina sighed. "But on the other hand, it's hard to affect things right now."
"You wouldn't be joining Valm." Robin said. "In effect, I'd make you the honor guard for Lady Tiki. I can't tell you more right now."
"Lady Tiki. Right." Lucina inhaled. "I'll have to discuss this with the others. I think Chrom wants you at dinner tonight, so I'll have the answer after that."
"Don't keep me waiting, you hear?" Robin blinked. "Oh, um, one last question. Your middle name?"
"My middle name?" Lucina blinked. It seemed she was genuinely confused by the question, and Robin didn't give her credit as a good enough actor to fake it. "Lazuli, why?"
"No reason."
-Ylisse-
Robin stretched his arms and he sat outside in the royal gardens. Olivia had insisted that he make use of their hospitality, and Robin decided not to pass it up, especially when he compared the fair Ylissean air to the Valmese counterparts. It wasn't that Valm was inherently bad, or anything like that, but Ylisse had something in the atmosphere that Valm didn't have. Robin wasn't sure what it was.
"Hello."
Robin noticed the young blond girl that walked in front of him. "Hello, yourself. Nah, right?"
"That's my name, yes." Nah nodded.
"I didn't get a chance to thank you for saving my life last time." Robin said. "How old are you? I know you're young for a manakete, but I read up on them."
"I'm…" Nah considered. "Well, I guess it depends on how you count. But I'm guessing that you want how long I've lived, so that's sixteen years old. In terms of physical age and growth, I'm around eight, I think."
"That young?" Robin blinked. "So, that would put you around the age of the rest of them – younger, even."
"I'm the youngest." Nah nodded. "Well, we think I'm the youngest, anyway. Laurent's gone a bit crazy trying to figure out everyone's exact ages. It only matters to him, but we've all got out quirks."
"Fascinating." Robin murmured. "A team of trained soldiers, all the same age. I wonder what circumstances set this up? It must have been exceptional."
"It was." Nah nodded, sighing. "But you aren't supposed to know that. I forgot how smart you are, always figuring things out."
"Lucina likes denying things that are obviously the truth." Robin frowned. "Admit it – you knew me, didn't you? All thirteen of you."
"I can't contradict what Lucy says." Nah said. "And I don't want to tell you anymore, because you might figure things out. So I can't answer that."
"Seems fair." Robin was slightly disappointed, but he couldn't expect anything else.
"Did you talk to Tiki?"
"I tried." Robin grimaced. "She didn't really want to deal with me, since I wasn't Ylissean or from the royal line. She did give me a tome, though. Apparently, I reminded her of its original owner."
"Tiki…" Nah sighed. "I thought she might help you."
"Help me? How?"
"It's – well, if you met her and she didn't do anything, I guess there was nothing to be done." Nah sighed. "I'd really like to talk to her myself, but it looks like I'm not going to be going with you, because apparently I'm too conspicuous."
"Really?" Robin frowned. "I mean, you look pretty human aside from the ears."
"Not that. I may have an addiction to rampant destruction." Nah said, quickly. "As a manakete."
"What?"
"Seriously." The small blond-haired girl nodded. "May have destroyed the odd forest. Or two. Anyway, I want you to have this."
Robin accepted the object. It was a clear glass stone, with a misty, swirling interior. Definitely magical in nature, but Robin couldn't place where it was from. "What's this?"
"A used up dragonstone." Nah said. "My mother like collecting rocks as good luck charms. I, um, picked up the habit. So I thought you could use it for luck."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it." Nah said. "No, seriously, don't. Ever. At all. I'd be mortified."
"All right then. Thanks, Nah." Robin said. "Hope we meet again, under circumstances at least this good. And that I'll finally be able to turn the favor to your side."
"No problem." Nah said. "Remember – if you ever run into a problem you don't know the solution too, ask the Voice."
-Ylisse, Future Children Barracks-
"Sounds great to me." Morgan said. "When did he say you leave?"
"Morgan! That's a bit preemptive, don't you think?" Lucina scowled. "Besides, you just want to join him because he's you father."
"Unfortunately, no." Morgan shook her head. "At least one of us needs to be here. In the future you came from, Robin was the tactician for Ylisse. If we want history to stay as close as possible on this side of the ocean, we need to keep those conditions. And I may not be my father, but I'm still a capable tactician in my own right. And I'm the one best to answer, 'What would Robin do'?"
"Why do we want to keep things the same here?" Lucina asked.
"Because all your knowledge is useless if this country changes too radically." Morgan said. "As it is, we're kind of hideously off track, because of Father not showing up, but you've managed to keep it reasonably on track. All Valm is supposed to do is invade in nine years. Besides, I'd rather you be by Father's side than mine."
"So he has more pawns? No, hold on I can figure this out." Lucina frowned. "It's to watch over him from the Grimleal, isn't it? I mean, I do think that's a good idea, but at the same time, I tried killing him once, remember? What makes you think I won't do it again?"
"Well, you got better." Morgan gave the younger woman a thumbs up. "You're making big sis Morgan proud! Also, I trust your judgement."
"Only you would say something like that." Lucina sighed. "So, who else is staying with you?"
"Definitely Yarne." Morgan said. "And I'm not just saying that because I get off by bullying him. Also I need Brady and Kjelle. Inigo too, I suppose. I hate to break up the magic leader duo, but I also think it's best. You want the fliers, so you get Gerome and Cynthia. As for the rest…"
"Right." Lucina considered. "I guess we'll talk about it."
"You go do that, I'm packing."
"I thought you said you weren't coming!"
"Not to Valm, silly." Morgan sighed. "Jeez, I thought you were getting the hang of it. If the six of you leave, that's kind of suspicious. So I'll take the rest of the Future Children out as well, so they think that all thirteen of us are together on some operation. I won't leave Archaneia, I promise."
-Ylissotol-
"We're coming." Lucina said. "The six of us."
"Ready for travel, I see."
Lucina had her identical Falchion strapped to her belt, with a second, thin blade tied just beneath it. A black-haired swordsman with a Chon'sin blade stood beside her, grinning. Beside him stood a scowling ginger-haired girl with a large flat blade and clothing reminiscent of a hired mercenary. Robin had a faint memory of fighting that pair during the fracas in Ylisse. Aside that, there were two fliers and a scholar. The pegasus flier was an excited girl with twin pigtails, a shade of alabaster that rivaled Robin's own. The other flier was on a wyvern that looked vaguely familiar to Robin, but he couldn't figure out why. The blue hair reminded him of Virion, though the wyvern rider acted nothing like the Rosanne fop, and insisted on wearing a black mask. The scholar was the most normal of them, wearing robes and a conical hat atop his brown hair, with a spectacular pair of spectacles. Robin appreciated that and instantly felt a pang of sympathy for what would no doubt be the only sane and normal member of the group.
"Allow me to introduce my companions." Lucina said. "Owain Dark, an excellent fighter in his own right, trained under a Chon'sin swordsmaster. He's eccentric, talks about things that don't exist, and won't shut up about his sword hand. But don't mistake him – he'll never back down in a fight."
"Aw, thanks Cuz."
"He is also my cousin." Lucina sighed and gave him a fierce glare. "Which I was trying to keep under wraps. Next is Severa the Shieldmaiden. She's the most reliable of my soldiers. A good second-in-command, and she's got a good tactical mind as well. She has a last name, but she doesn't like using it."
"Hmph. But don't think I joined because of anything you did, got that?" Severa stared daggers at him. "I haven't forgotten what you did last time. I'm only here because Lucy is. Got it?"
Ah, right. Robin recalled that he'd sent the girl into Owain's arms. And then mocked them for it. "Would it help if I said I was sorry?"
"Maybe if I believed you."
"Ah ha." Lucina chuckled. "Severa takes a bit to warm up to people. Then we have Cynthia Whitewing."
"Cynthia! A knight for justice, fighting for those who need it!"
"More explanations unneeded." Lucina sighed. "Gerome Camus, our wyvern rider. And his wyvern Minerva. He's our dark knight when we need it, you understand."
"The word isn't always in need of caped crusaders. I get it." Robin said. Minerva. Don't I know that name from somewhere – right, the Macedonian general. I wonder if he's related to her. "I'm sure you'll be a fine addition. And the last?"
"Laurent Inkstained. Our scholar." Lucina said. "He's the most well versed in magical theory on this side of the – well, this side of somewhere. I was going to say Archaneia, and then I remembered that we'll be in Valm, so… Anyway, he's our man for everything the rest of us can't understand."
"Know anything about Valentian magic?" Robin asked.
"Valentian?" Laurent frowned. "I have, in fact. Not a lot, unfortunately."
"Well, you're about to have the chance to learn a whole lot more." Robin said. "I've got a subordinate working on fusing some of the old spells to the Archaneian method. He'll send you his notes."
"And that's all six of us." Lucina said. "The others are staying here."
"This'll be fine." Robin clapped his hands. All those last names are, without a doubt, utterly fictional, which makes me question why Severa doesn't use one. Could just be she really hates her last name, while the rest of them require it because their names identify them. "Well, we're off to Valm."
Report: I heard you were in Ylisse. WELL I DON'T CARE! Zulas is your best friend, and we're having you as the best man, so you'd BETTER attend, or so help me, Robin, I will make your life as bearable of a living hell as I can make it. I don't care what kind of wild scheme you've got cooking on the back burner, you have no excuse for not being able to find time. So come to our wedding. All our love – Lady Argeni & Lord Zulas.
