Chapter 5
"Ready, go!" Robin and Vaike lifted up a bag and threw it onto a wagon. Robin took a moment to wipe the sweat off his brow and take a few breaths. "Whew, thanks, Vaike. That should do it." He turned to a red-haired lady standing nearby. "That should do it, right?"
Cordelia was holding a clipboard. As soon as Robin and Vaike finished lifting the heavy bag onto the wagon, she checked off an item on her list. The list was more for other people's convenience, as she kept an accurate list in her mind as well. "Yep, one week of feed for our pegasi." She brushed her quill pen on her cheek as she thought. "Shouldn't we get more?"
"It would be nice, but we will have Regna Ferox's supply lines with us. Better to have the speed of a lighter load and resupply throughout their territory."
"I hope you got enough feed for the people, too," Vaike said. His hands were linked behind his head, relaxing his arms and showing off his muscles. "Ole' Teach could do with enough for two."
Robin chuckled. "No promises, Vaike."
"I don't suppose you have enough supplies for me and my partner, too?" Cherche was walking up to the three of them. She was wearing a wide, bright blue dress with a white torso and heeled shoes. As she came closer, it became evident that she was also wearing a perfume, similar in style to Virion.
"Good morning, Cherche. Vaike, Cordelia, this is Cherche. Cherche, Vaike and Cordelia."
"Well met, Cordelia. Vaike."
"Good to meet you, Cherche."
"Hey there, Cherche. You can call me Vaike!"
"I just said… Nevermind." Robin sighed and dropped his head. He happened to glance at Cherche's armored boots. Their rigid, cold metal look was in contrast with the rest of her bright and summery clothes. "Have you been able to get new shoes?"
Cordelia and Vaike gave Robin a puzzled look. "I didn't know you were one for shoe fashion, Robin," Cordelia said. Vaike simply chuckled.
"Well, no, it's…" As Robin struggled for words, Cherche laughed. Robin glared at Cherche briefly as he responded. "I just don't want her to march in armor. That can wear down a soldier, and ruin her shoes too."
"Thank you for the concern," Cherche said with a smile. "I haven't yet gotten new shoes. Maybe later today, before we head off."
"You have a lovely accent," Cordelia noted. "Where is that from?"
Vaike was staring at Cherche approvingly. If his grin wasn't an indication of his interest in Cherche, his audible thoughts were. "She got other lovelies 'bout her, too," he mumbled before chuckling. A moment later, a quick smack to the back of his head stopped his laughter. Robin massaged his hand from the surprisingly hard impact. He looked up at Cherche and gave her a smile.
Cherche ignored the interaction and turned to Cordelia. "I am from Rosanne, a lovely duchy in Valm."
Vaike punched his hand into his open palm. "Valm! You Valmese?"
"No, please understand. Valm is both the name of the land as a whole and the name of the ambitious country that is eyeing Regna Ferox and Ylisse."
"Hmm. That's mighty confusin' for ole' Teach's head."
Robin's arms were crossed as he thought about it. He nodded at Vaike's comment. "I have to agree. The name of the land and the name of a country within the land?"
"Is it not the same as this land?" Cherche countered. "I thought that the land of Ylisse was comprised of the Plegian Theocracy, Regna Ferox Khanate, and the Ylissean Halidom."
Robin turned to Cordelia. "Is it? It's all Ylisse?"
Cordelia sighed. "I suppose, yes. I'm a little surprised though that outside countries recognize that. I don't think Khan Flavia would call Regna Ferox a part of Ylisse."
"Gah, Ylissean matters confuse me, too," Vaike said.
Cordelia's eyes briefly glanced at Cherche, then Robin. "Anyway, we should have generous portions for the entire army. I'm sure we have enough for you and your partner. Unless he's a significantly big eater."
"Minerva is a she."
A subtle grin formed on the edges of Cordelia's mouth as she glanced at Robin again. "My apologies," Cordelia said.
"Though she does have quite an appetite."
"Minerva, eh?" Vaike said, stroking the bottom of his chin. "She has to be quite the person if she's partnered with you."
"Oh, she is just so lovely! She is a bit shy, but you all would love her. She's more than a person though."
"Hmm. Several of our formations and tactics rely on a partner system. If she is to fight with us, I probably should meet her," Robin said.
"Make a positive impression, Robin," Cordelia said, nudging him slightly. She turned to Cherche. "I'm sure you'll see later, but Robin is a wonderful support. He can get along with just about anyone."
Robin glared at Cordelia. "What are you doing?" he uttered under his breath. She ignored his words.
"Yeah, Cherche, I would love to meet Minerva, too," Vaike said. "Maybe she is more a connoisseur of muscles than these other, unsophisticateders."
"Hmm." Cherche gave Vaike a good lookover. "I don't know if she'd be impressed, she's much more muscular. And bigger."
Vaike stopped flexing his muscles. "Wait, what? Bigger?"
Cherche wasn't paying attention. "But it'd be wonderful for you to meet her! How about after I go to the market? I'm hoping to find a nice boar or deer for her."
"Oh, ole' Teach is a big fan of boar and deer, too. Maybe we can share some?"
"Oh, you'd have to get your own. Minerva prefers the whole thing. This'll be a nice morning snack to keep her until we hit the road."
"The whole thing?" Vaike was starting to feel uneasy. "So, the Vaike is getting the idea that she's a fan of eating." Vaike leaned over to Robin and whispered, "You can go for Minerva. Help me out with Cher though, eh?"
"Cherche," Robin corrected, which made the woman turn.
"Hmm?" Cherche responded.
"Oh, I, er…" Robin looked around, then clapped his hands together. "If we're all done here, then I suppose we shouldn't keep you from the market."
"Cherche, perhaps you'll need some help at the market?" Cordelia asked. "Robin, perhaps-"
"Oh! Right, Cordelia, you could probably help Cherche! I hope it's not wrong of me to guess that you're better at selecting a woman's boots than I would be."
Cordelia frowned. "I… Well, yes, I guess I could help." She gave a brief glare at Robin before turning to Cherche and smiling.
"That would be lovely," Cherche said. "If you could, I would appreciate it." She turned to Robin. "And you wanted to meet Minerva, correct? I invite you to join us as well, and I will introduce you to Minerva as well, for your combat assessment."
"Oh, right. Well, okay. Maybe I can help in the shopping, too."
Vaike started flexing his muscles. "And Teach here can give you a lesson on carrying bags for shopping! No item too heavy for the Vaike's muscles!" Vaike was smiling, when his arm started to shake. He grabbed his one arm with the other and started massaging it, then blowing on it. "Er… Aah! My arm! It's like really hot! Whoa!" Vaike started looking around frantically, then started running. "Teach'll talk to you later!" he shouted, before disappearing.
Cherche watched Vaike as he disappeared into the distance. "Huh."
"What just happened?" Cordelia asked.
"I have no idea," Robin began, before a thought hit his head. "Oh wait. Maybe Tharja is around."
"Tharja?" Cherche asked.
Robin chuckled. "She's a dark mage. Very strong in the magical arts, hexing in particular, but she can find certain… worthy volunteers for her experiments. Vaike was one of them, as I understand it."
"Tharja, hmm," Cordelia thought aloud. "She's probably looking for you, Robin."
"Well, she's probably found me, knowing her," Robin said. He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Tharja!" he called.
Cherche was observing Robin for a moment, an expression combined with amusement and confusion on her face. Cordelia saw her expression and tried to explain. "Cherche, uh, see, there's this person who hides a lot, but she listens to Robin. She's a good person, but very strange."
"The Shepherds seem to be full of… unique personalities," Cherche said. "Well, milord Virion only adds to that count." She smiled at Cordelia. "I guess their oddity adds to the Shepherds' charm."
"Eheh, right," Cordelia said, laughing nervously. She glanced at Robin who was still looking around for Tharja. "Perhaps we should just go on ahead. Robin, she might not come out if others are around anyway. Or maybe she's tormenting Vaike."
"Tormenting?" Cherche asked, before Robin interjected.
"Oh, right. Yes, well, Cherche, we don't want to keep you, so let's move on," Robin said, bowing slightly and gesturing for Cherche to proceed towards the market.
Cherche gave a smile and a curt nod. "Of course. Let's go."
With Cordelia's help and Robin's solicited but awkward input, Cherche managed to select and purchase some new boots. Cherche then invited Robin and Cordelia to join her planned meeting with Minerva in the forest, to which Cordelia humbly refrained from but strongly encouraged Robin to join. And so, wearing her new boots, Cherche walked with Robin outside the city gates.
Robin was pulling a wagon with a boar carcass and a few other purchases on it. He glanced down at Cherche's boots as she walked. "How are they feeling?" Robin asked.
"Hmm? Oh, they're comfortable," Cherche said. She glanced at the tall, dark blue boots with white pinstripes. "They're quite nice in this chilly temperature." She ran her hands across one of her boots and giggled for a moment. "It's funny that you chose these in particular."
Robin scratched the back of his head. "Well, Cordelia was the one who chose the model."
"But this particular design was your choice. I have several pieces that match this design. I have a lovely combat dress as well, perhaps you'll see that."
"Oh, well, I'm glad you like it." Robin looked around at the trees, searching for any signs of another person. "Why are we meeting Minerva out here?"
"She wanted to practice, what with the Valmese invasion force approaching."
"There are plenty of spaces within the city that have been provided for training," Robin pointed out.
"She likes a lot of space. And besides, isn't this area lovely?" Cherche spun around slowly, gesturing at the nature around her. There were a few wildflowers, adding color to the otherwise green and brown forest.
"I suppose," Robin said, his eyes following the flight of a few dragonflies. "We're near water," he noted.
"She'll appreciate that." Cherche was admiring her surroundings. "It's nice to get out of the stone castles and into some nature."
"Is Rosanne very open and green?"
"Oh, it has its stone castles as well. But between the towns and villages are open, rolling hills. Grassy meadows. Colorful forests. It's a beautiful land. Perhaps you'll see it sometime."
"That'd be nice. I'm sure it's different, but I think you might appreciate Ylisse as well. It has all you've described."
"Oh, but our trees. Virion has said you do not have the colors that we find in our blossoms. Like the color of my hair, but raining down on the ground when a breeze flows through, or expanding upwards like a fireworks display." Cherche turned to Robin and smiled.
Robin looked at Cherche and imagined the color of her hair covering the trees. "That does sound beautiful. You're painting a radiant display of colors."
Cherche giggled. "I'm glad you're saying the color of my hair is beautiful and radiant." Cherche stopped and moved her head to wave her hair around. She brushed some hair from her face and smiled.
"Oh. Well..." Robin was caught off guard for a moment at the change in focus in the conversation. He looked down and scratched the back of his head. "I mean, what I said is true."
"Oh, not just a matter of opinion? You spoil me, Sir Robin." Cherche was giggling again, when a noise in the distance interrupted them. Something was running through the forest, heading in their general direction, and without worry of breaking silence.
Robin immediately reached inside his coat for a weapon. "Are you armed?" Robin asked, before his peripheral vision caught Cherche already with a handaxe in hand. "I don't even know where you keep that."
"You seem to have anything and everything in that cloak of yours," Cherche said. "An iron longsword?"
"Whatever is out there has just changed course to move straight for us. I don't think it's a person or Risen. The noise is off."
"I agree."
A boar with two dangerous tusks emerged from some bushes. It spotted Robin and Cherche and immediately came to a stop. Its gaze went behind Robin and Cherche. Robin briefly followed the boar's gaze to the dead boar on the wagon.
"Poor hog," Cherche began, also seeing the boar's gaze. "Maybe it just misses its friend."
"Well, poor or not, we'll defend ourselves," Robin said. "My weapon has a bit more strike, so if you'd allow me, I'll be in front…"
Without waiting for an answer, the boar started charging towards Robin and Cherche. Robin pointed his sword, ready to strike, when a loud, high-pitched but throaty screech distracted him briefly. The boar was suddenly crushed as a huge wyvern dropped down on it. The wyvern looked at Robin and Cherche and screeched again.
Robin gasped. Time slowed to a crawl as Robin analyzed the wyvern. Its scales were black and smooth, with a unique texture almost able to reflect light in some areas. Its long talons were testing their sharpness on the boar below it. Its chest was colored an ivory white. Its sharp eyes stared right back at Robin. It licked its lips and raised its neck, showing off its impressive height. "Cherche, we might have to-"
Robin didn't complete his thought. Cherche had brushed past Robin. "Minerva!" she exclaimed, opening her arms as she moved forward. The wyvern lowered its neck and allowed Cherche to wrap her arms around it. "Minerva, I would like you to meet Robin."
Robin dropped his sword. "Minerva?"
The wyvern raised its head again and shrieked towards the sky, before lowering its head again and snarling at Robin.
"Oh you think so? Yes, well, he probably does need some getting used to," Cherche said, looking at Robin.
"Um…"
Cherche was scratching the wyvern's chin. "Minervykins, I thought you wanted us to get you food!"
"Minervykins…"
"Oh, Robin, I'm sorry!" Cherche walked over to Robin, gesturing behind her for the wyvern to follow. "Robin, this is Minerva. Minerva, Robin."
Robin and Minerva locked eyes. "H...Hello," Robin said, hesitantly raising his hand.
Minerva snarled, some saliva splattering on Robin's hand and arm. Minerva then opened her mouth as if to scream. Robin froze in place. The next thing Robin realized was that his forearm was engulfed by Minerva's mouth.
Cherche clapped her hands together. "She's taken a liking to you!"
Robin could feel Minerva's exhales on his face as her nostrils expelled hot air. Minerva snarled again, then released Robin's forearm, leaving it soaked. Robin's hand remained fixed in the air and extended. "Minerva," Robin managed to say after a few moments.
"So, you wanted to see how we work together? After Minerva eats, perhaps we can train together. How about that?"
Robin's eyes moved from Cherche to Minerva and back again. He nodded his head up and down slightly, the only response he was able to produce.
A/N
Someone had talked about Robin's meeting with Minerva (Rac95, now that I look back), so I'm a little nervous with how I pulled it off. I admit, I kinda ended the chapter in the middle of the meeting. I plan on continuing off later on, when people react to him covered in drool. And I want some action! So I would like to try to jump to the battle at Port Ferox. Let me know how I did with this chapter! ...I bet length might be an area of disappointment...
Draen, once again, thank you for your comments. My goal is to treat Cherche as a unique character, and perhaps have unique conflicts, rather than be able to replace Cherche's character with any other and it'd still work. So yeah, keep me on my toes about keeping Cherche like Cherche.
dragoon109, I have indeed considered that multiple partners is not without precedence. I just feel like I wouldn't do it justice. Maaaybe I'll try one in another story, but not with this one. Especially since I've already named Cherche as the pairing, I feel like other additional partners would detract from the relationship with Cherche. Now, I am all about love triangles or love polygons. Anyhoo, thank you for reading, and I hope you continue to support the story!
Rac95, I'm glad I haven't disappointed you. ...yet. Sorry, had to throw that little word in to act as my defense in case I do disappoint in the future. Anyhoo, I'm glad that line worked so well. Thanks for keeping with the story!
Rihan K.A, yes, I do hope to have lengthier chapters! Maybe when the action comes. Sorry though, this chapter I think is the exact same length as the previous (short) one (5 pages in Google Docs). But thank you for your support!
Ocharlos, thanks for the review! Sorry about the long wait. It is not coincidental that this chapter is coming out relatively soon after you posted your comment. I wanted to private message you, but you commented as a guest, so I couldn't. So I posted a chapter, and you win this time! But wow, time just flies. I've been focusing on my Fates story. And I actually was working on this, too, since I had seen a lot of attention/followers for this particular story over others. Buuut then somehow 5 months passed. I blame the presidential election for distracting me!
Everyone who follows and favorites, and especially those who review, you all are the ones that make me wanna continue writing, so thank you so much! Please keep it up, and push me so that I keep it up.
