Chapter 10


Plegia was known to be hot and dry, filled with sweeping deserts and a merciless sun. The coastal region of Plegia was much more agreeable, which had pleasantly surprised Robin. He was standing on top of a rocky knoll, silently thanking Naga for the weather as he gazed towards the coast. He was too far inland to see the water, but he could still feel the seabreeze on his face.

Robin then turned inland. There, he could see several hunched figures lumbering about at the bottom of the rolling hills. While he would have liked to ignore them, they happened to be blocking the road that the Ylissean convoy needed to use for their supply wagons. The Risen had formidable numbers, but they were scattered, and Robin deemed them to be easily eliminated.

Robin could hear the footsteps of a line of people. "We're ready," Robin said, when the line came to a stop.

Chrom, also standing at the top of the hill, nodded, then unsheathed his sword. He raised it into the air, then pointed it forward. "Advance," Chrom ordered.

Robin started to march forward, down the hill. Chrom walked beside him, and the Shepherds followed. After a small distance, Robin stopped, prompting everyone else to stop as well. The Risen still hadn't reacted to their presence. Robin turned to Chrom and shrugged, silently telling him that he had expected differently, but the situation was convenient. Chrom responded with a small shrug of his own and a thumbs up. Robin nodded, reached into his cloak, and took out a tome. As he flipped open to a fresh page, he heard the line of people behind him following his lead. Miriel, Ricken, and Tharja prepared their spells, while Virion aimed with his bow and Nowi raised a stone into the air. Nowi giggled right before a bright light consumed her.

A volley of missiles, both magical and physical, was launched at the closest three Risen. They looked up for a moment, processing the information approaching them, before being struck by the attacks and falling down. While they didn't have time to realize what had happened, the rest of their group took notice and started running towards the Shepherds. Robin quickly analyzed the next wave of Risen. There were two archers, two axemen, and one mounted lancer. "Miriel, Ricken, the left archer. Tharja, we'll take the right archer. Nowi, left axeman, Virion, right axeman." They barked their acknowledgements, and prepared another volley. As they whispered spells or nocked arrows, or in Nowi's case just breathed in, Robin continued with orders. "Vaike, Libra, finish off the axemen with your hand axes."

"Take this!" Nowi shouted, leading the next volley with her deadly fireball. The Risen archers stopped to take aim, but only after the next volley was already on its way. Before they had time to remove arrows from their quivers, magic had consumed their bodies, causing them to moan in what sounded like agony as they disappeared in purple wisps. The Risen axemen ran past their disintegrating comrades. Nowi's and Virion's shots hit their marks, but the Risen kept on moving.

"Let's teach 'em a lesson," Vaike said to Libra with a grin. Libra was muttering a prayer to Naga. When the axemen came nearer, Libra's eyes fluttered open, and he threw a handaxe at his target. He then drew his keen battle axe as his target fell to the ground and disappeared.

The mounted lancer kept charging by itself. Robin briefly considered calling the next line of Shepherds up, but decided against it as he watched Vaike run up, jump into the air, and bash his axe down on the poor undead horse. It crashed to the ground, throwing its rider into the air for a moment before it crumpled onto the ground before the line of Shepherds. Libra walked up and dropped his axe on the Risen without hesitation.

"Excellent job," Chrom said, so far being relegated to observer.

Robin saw Chrom's fingers wiggling around Falchion's hilt anxiously. Robin knew Chrom was feeling antsy, but that he would also remain silent and patient. Robin would have been completely happy if Chrom didn't have to raise a finger in the battle, even though he knew Chrom would not fully share in the appreciation. "Here comes the next wave," Robin announced.

The Risen outliers had been taken out already. The next wave of Risen was more concentrated. Two archers, three swordsmen, two mounted lancers, and four dark mages were all approaching quickly.

"Remember your priorities!" Robin shouted, knowing he probably wouldn't have time to give individual or specific orders when the Shepherds engaged the Risen. Robin prepared his tome for the next wave of missiles. "Fliers!" he called before tracing a spell on his tome.

Cherche, Cordelia, Sumia, and Olivia all appeared on winged animals from behind the hill. Cherche was in the lead because Minerva was a faster flier than the pegasi. Cordelia, Sumia, and Olivia followed loosely in one column. The Risen archers, though undead, were still aware enough to know that they should prioritize aiming at the fliers. They stopped and raised their bows to fire, while the other Risen ran past. Cherche smirked in anticipation for a brief moment. She then opened her mouth and shouted as she threw a handaxe at her target. She quickly but softly pulled the reins with her left hand. Minerva jerked to the left, flying out of range of the archer just as quickly as she had entered it. Behind Cherche and Minerva, Cordelia followed with her own javelin. She then also turned left and climbed, leaving the archers' range. Sumia and Olivia did the same, and by the time they were behind the Shepherds' front line, one Risen lancer was down and two dark mages had been weakened.

Robin, Tharja, Ricken, and Miriel aimed for the archers, since they didn't have as much magical resistance as the dark mages. The archers pursued the fliers in vain, shooting two arrows but hitting nothing. A short moment later, they were eliminated by the Shepherds' magic users. After Robin launched a fire attack with his right hand, he raised his left hand into the air, giving a signal to the next group of Shepherds behind him.

"Charge!" Frederick shouted, pointing his lance forward as his horse galloped ahead. Behind him, Sully and Stahl had their own lances forward. They had been waiting patiently at the top of the hill, behind the Shepherds' front line. Before they passed the front line, Vaike, Libra, and Kellam let loose some handaxes and javelins at the Risen targets.

Robin had predicted that the dark mages might not have been eliminated in the fliers' attacks or the mages' attacks, and that they may be able to get a shot out. The Risen dark mages started priming some spells as Vaike, Libra, and Kellam stepped forward. While the two weakened mages went down, the other two were able to release some spells. Robin, Ricken, and Miriel had stepped forward with Vaike, Libra, and Kellam. They poured magical energy into their tomes and pushed them forward to act as shields. Robin took a deep breath in anticipation, then exhaled as he felt the dark magic approaching. Before the attacks hit, Frederick, Sully, and Stahl charged past them. Robin took solace in the idea that the Shepherds' cavalry would eliminate the dark mages quickly. He then gritted his teeth as he resisted the dark magic. For a brief moment, every part of his body felt like the life had disappeared from him. The sensation felt cold, empty, and piercing at the same time. After the mental and physical pain, Robin exhaled slowly, having successfully resisted the dark magic's effects.

When he lowered his tome, he saw the two dark mages and one horse rider had been thrown into the air from the cavalry charge. All that remained were the three Risen swordsmen. "Hah!" Nowi shouted as she launched a fireball at one of the swordsmen. "Gregor, go!"

"It is of our turn now," Gregor said to Chrom as he raised his sword.

"You didn't need to tell me!" Chrom said eagerly, already running towards the Risen with Lon'qu.

Both of them were overtaken by a white blur, which tackled one of the Risen. Panne kept the Risen's legs pinned to the ground as she landed a kick to the Risen's upper torso, forcing it to absorb most of the impact and almost tearing the undead swordsman into two. Any hope her target had of retaliating or at least recovering was lost when an arrow found itself buried in one of its eyes.

"In this brutal business, your movements bring a refreshing grace to the battlefield," Virion said, stepping towards Panne.

"I'm glad you don't seem to find a competitive urge during battle, as others do," Panne said, not looking back at Vaike or Chrom, who were both moving behind her.

Chrom, unaware of Panne's opinion, pierced his target's chest with a strong thrust. He then kicked the Risen off his sword and watched as Gregor sliced its head off. Next to them, Lon'qu quickly stepped up to Nowi's target. Before the Risen had extinguished the manakete's flames, Lon'qu drew his sword and slashed two more times before returning the sword back in its sheath. The Risen had started to fall to the ground in three separate pieces when it disappeared in an ominous purple mist.

"Heavies!" Chrom shouted, sheathing his Falchion and drawing a rapier.

Robin saw that the remaining Risen were slowly trudging towards them, wearing heavy knight armor. "Hold up, Chrom," Robin said, stepping forward. "Mages, line up!" he called. "Libra, Vaike, Chrom, you go after us."

Chrom sighed. "I need to practice more ranged weaponry," he said. He patted Robin on the shoulder. "Go get 'em."


Cherche blocked the sun with her eyes as she peered down the hill. "Lance knights?" she observed. "Shouldn't we go and help?"

"Not all of us can wield a heavy hammer or are as skilled with an axe as you are," Cordelia pointed out.

After their initial volley, the Shepherd's fliers were standing by with a few other Shepherds at the top of the hill.

"Lady, you need to learn to relax when you can." Cherche turned to the darkly clad thief, who was lying on the ground, leaning his back on a rock and enjoying a lollipop.

"Um, Gaius, maybe you shouldn't be relaxing too much," Sumia said. "You should be ready if Robin calls you."

"I am ready, Stumbles," Gaius responded.

"Gaius…" Cordelia gave Gaius a stern look.

"I… I mean Queen… Stumbles."

"Cordelia, I told Gaius he doesn't have to be formal with me," Sumia reassured Cordelia with a smile. She dropped her smile for a moment and scratched her head. "Though maybe not call me Stumbles…"

"Sorry, Sumia," Gaius said, standing up. He brushed some of the sand from his clothes, then looked down the hill. "But anyway, lady knight, you heard the plan. Have faith in Robin. He doesn't want to tire people out if he doesn't need to."

Magical light flashed a few times. Cherche checked on the battle and saw the Risen knights collapse and disappear. "I do have faith in Robin," Cherche said. "But… I don't want anyone to be hurt while I can help." Cherche's eyes caught sight of Virion, brushing his hair aside and speaking to Miriel. "I want to contribute."

"You do contribute," Kellam said.

"Cherche, you do contribute," Sumia echoed unintentionally, bringing her pegasus closer to Minerva and obscuring the unnoticed knight in the process. "Chrom wouldn't have brought you along if he thought you were useless. And you've already helped in the battle."

"Ch-Ch-Cherche, Sumia and Gaius are right," Olivia said, finally speaking up. "Have faith in Robin. He can even find the use in someone as useless as me..." She gazed at Robin and smiled for a moment.

Cordelia and Sumia exchanged glances, before looking at Olivia with curiosity. "Olivia, do you…"

Olivia quickly turned back to the group. "Er, I-I-I-I know I'm not useless! It was tough training with a pegasus, but I don't feel scared anymore!"

Cherche closed her eyes and breathed in. "Sorry. I am very unbecoming of a knight." She opened her eyes again and smiled at the others. "I didn't mean to worry any of you. I'm still getting used to Robin's style."

"Well, you've performed flawlessly so far," Cordelia noted. "I have to give you credit. Minerva, too. You move in the air so smoothly."

"Aw, well thank you, Cordelia. That means a lot, coming from you." Minerva screeched and flapped her wings twice. "Minervykins agrees. She says you are fine in the air, too."

"All of you look like you dance in the air," Olivia mused.

Sumia giggled. "I'm glad we're all able to bond, even on the battlefield."

Suddenly, they heard a sharp whistle. "Fliers!" Robin's voice called out.

Cordelia gave Cherche a wink. "Let's dance," she said, pulling her reins and ascending with her pegasus.

"Go get 'em, girls," Gaius shouted, watching the fliers take off for a moment before plopping back onto the ground, unwrapping a new lollipop, and popping it into his mouth.

Cherche looked ahead and saw two wyverns in the distance. They were a shade darker than normal. "Risen wyverns. Poor creatures. Their souls can't find peace."

Minerva shrieked. Cherche massaged Minerva's neck for a moment. "We'll put them to rest, don't worry," Cherche said.

A long whistle made Cherche turn to her side. Cordelia was bringing her pegasus closer. "Cherche, you're with me. Sumia and Olivia will be behind us."

"We're going for the one on the right!" Sumia shouted, gesturing to the right with one of her hands to provide a visual for her message.

"Understood!" Cherche shouted back.

Cordelia made a combination of whistles, then shouted her explanation. "I'll lead off with a javelin, then you rush in ahead of me."

Cherche gave Cordelia a thumbs up. Cordelia urged her pegasus forward. Cherche waited a moment, then gripped her reins tightly as Minerva retracted her wings slightly to gain some speed. Ahead of her, Cordelia raised her javelin. Cherche watched intently as Cordelia's hand hovered in the air. Suddenly, Cordelia's pegasus dove. Less than a second later, Cordelia's arm jerked forward and her javelin shot out of her hand. Cordelia then turned right, opening a clear path for Cherche and Minerva.

"Magnificent," Cherche commented to herself, observing the javelin sticking out of one of the Risen wyvern's wings. The wyvern struggled to maintain altitude, flapping its wings more rapidly to push itself up. "Let's not disappoint, Minerva!" Cherche raised a throwing axe. "Ready, girl," she said softly, confident that Minerva didn't need to hear her.

When Minerva was in range of the target, she quickly dove. Cherche released a throwing axe, then reached for her steel axe. Minerva executed a downwards loop, returning Cherche to her previous position, but now ready to fly straight and finish the wyvern rider off in close combat.

The wyvern rider raised an axe as Minerva came closer. Minerva suddenly dropped, then extended her wings again, now a little below the Risen wyvern. Cherche blocked the wyvern as it snapped its mouth at her. Cherche then swung her axe diagonally, cutting into the Risen wyvern's lower neck. As Minerva moved forward, Cherche brought her axe up again and struck downwards at the rider's leg, pulling the rider to the side. As the rider fell, Cherche turned her axe and hit the rider in the upper torso. Both the rider and the wyvern started to disappear.

Cherche checked on the other wyvern. She was surprised to see that Olivia was the one engaging the wyvern up close. "She fights like a swordmaiden," Cherche observed. "Come, Minerva, let's see if they need any help."

Olivia thrust her lance and caught the rider in the chest. While the rider used both hands to hold the reins for balance, Sumia swooped in and shot a javelin at the wyvern. She then turned her pegasus away, dodging the rider's retaliatory swing. Olivia came around from the back of the wyvern. She swung her lance and bashed the shaft of the lance onto the back of the rider. The rider fell forward, grabbing onto the wyvern's neck for support. Sumia swooped in again, aiming her lance at the rider. The wyvern snapped its head to block Sumia's attack. Sumia quickly leaned to the side before thrusting her lance, avoiding the wyvern's bite and knocking the rider off the wyvern.

"Cl-clear!" Sumia reported through breaths.

Cordelia looked around for a moment before finally declaring, "Area secure."

Minerva raised her head and screeched. "What's wrong, Minerva?" Cherche asked, massaging Minerva's neck. Minerva directed Cherche's attention to the distance. "They're on the move," Cherche observed.

Cordelia flew up to Cherche's side and hovered alongside Minerva. "That wasn't Robin's expected outcome," Cordelia noted, looking at the Risen groups in the distance.

"Look!" Sumia said. "Fliers. I don't think they were there before."

"The enemies we just finished were probably from the second closest group," Cordelia guessed. "Let's report back to Robin." She brought her whistle to her lips and blew a couple notes, waved her arm, then brought her pegasus into a dive. Cherche, Sumia, and Olivia followed closely.

Minerva was once again the fastest of the four, so she arrived first. She extended her wings and flapped a few times before finally touching the ground. She then lowered her body so that Cherche could slide down easily. "Thanks, Minervykins," Cherche said, nudging Minerva's cheek. Minerva shrieked in reply. Cherche nodded, then turned around to face the Shepherds. She saw Robin walking towards them. As Cordelia ran up to Robin to report, Sumia ran past and gave Chrom a hug. "What a lovely queen," Cherche noted.

"Cordelia, is everyone okay? You looked fine from down here."

"Thank you, Robin, we're all okay."

"And how did you fare against those armored infantry?" Cherche asked, stepping up to join the conversation.

"Easy as a gust of wind!" Ricken exclaimed, lifting up a tome in celebration.

"Aye, they take Teach's lessons well," Vaike said, resting his axe on his shoulder. "Shame Robin didn't need to call on us axe folk, eh, Cherche?"

Cherche smiled. "I'm glad everyone is okay." She turned to Robin and opened her mouth again to speak.

"Robin, the other Risen groups are approaching," Cordelia reported before Cherche could. "They're still a distance away, but they're not idle anymore."

"Hmm," came Robin's reply. He tapped a finger on his chin as he processed the information.

"We suspect the fliers came from their group. And there are more fliers hovering around them." Cordelia turned to Cherche. "Cherche, Olivia, anything else to add?"

"Hmm?" Cherche hummed. "No, I believe that's it."

"N-N-Nothing else to report," Olivia said.

"We can use this to our advantage. Now we won't have to seek them out if they're going to come to us." Robin looked towards the unseen enemies beyond the hills. "Though perhaps other ground may be better." He turned to Cordelia. "Cordelia, would you be up for a quick scouting mission?"

"Actually, if Cherche is willing, I believe she is the faster scout," Cordelia suggested.

"Hmm?" Robin and Cherche responded at the same time.

"I… Of course, if that helps, Minerva would be more than willing to take us up, Robin," Cherche finally said. She smiled. "We'd be happy to be of service, Robin."

Robin smiled nervously back at Cherche and said, "Uh, sure, that'll work..." Minerva roared and stared at Robin. "Awesomely," Robin added. "I appreciate your welcome."

Cherche clapped her hands. "Aren't you happy, Minerva?" She walked back to the large wyvern and patted her on the nose. Minerva snorted and licked her lips.

Robin quickly turned to Cordelia. "You're okay, right?"

"Oh, yes, I'm still ready to go," Cordelia replied with a smile. "But it's true, Minerva can accelerate a lot faster. You should get to know her abilities more." She pushed Robin towards Cherche and Minerva.

"I agree with all your observations, but I just can't shake this feeling that you're trying to pawn me off."

"I don't play chess. Now, off you go."

"Ready to go?" Cherche asked, ignoring the fact that Cordelia was pushing Robin.

"Ye… Well, let me briefly check in with Chrom."


Robin sighed. He was high in the sky, his arms wrapped around Cherche's waist.

"Just remember, if we speed up, you'll need to hold on tighter," Cherche reminded Robin.

"Got it. Hopefully it won't come to that though. If we can get a good look of the land and the enemy without engaging them, we can maintain cruising speed."

"Of course."

Robin surveyed the land below him. His eyes caught Cordelia and Olivia, flying off to the sides to create a triangle formation. Since they were scouting much closer to the enemy this time, and enemy fliers had been reported, Robin wanted additional units just in case. Should the enemy fliers engage and overwhelm them, Cordelia and Olivia could buy time while Robin and Cherche withdrew.

Robin gave Cordelia and Olivia a curt nod, though he was a little too far from them to be noticed. He was both hoping and expecting that they wouldn't have to engage anyone at all during this scouting mission. He had stressed avoidance as a priority when he outlined his plan to the scouting group, but he still explained his contingency plans. Cordelia and Olivia had both stated that they would do what was necessary, as Robin had expected, but Robin still responded by emphasizing that survival was necessary.

"Robin, don't worry," Olivia had said. "We know you would never place us in unnecessary danger."

"Olivia said it perfectly before I could," Cordelia agreed. "We have faith in you, so it's your turn. Have faith in us."

"I know," Robin had said. "But it makes me feel better knowing you know... that I know."

"You really care for your soldiers, Robin," Cherche commented, bringing Robin back to the present.

"Hmm?" Robin said, shaking his head briefly to reorient himself.

"Back in our mission briefing. Just the way you interacted with Cordelia and Olivia. The way you describe your plans. I know you're sincere and that you care."

"Well, yes, of course. They're my teammates though, not my soldiers. And you." Minerva screeched. "And Minerva, of course. Eheheh..."

"Of course," Cherche agreed. She patted Minerva briefly, then made a slow turn to avoid some clouds up ahead. "Very different from how things were run in Rosanne."

"Virion has mentioned before something like that. How I am a very different tactician. He does seem to get results, though, whenever I rely on him."

"He's changed."

"Oh? How so?" Robin asked as he analyzed the defensive benefits of a plateau.

Cherche was quiet for a moment as she thought. "He's still the distinguished nobleman. Well, except for his pursuits of women. But on the battlefield, he fights more smoothly. He blends much better. I believe it's the people he's surrounded by now. The Shepherds. He moves without burden now, like the Shepherds have freed him. Like he's part of a team."

"Huh. Well, I've only known him when he joined the Shepherds, so I don't know what he was like before. But it makes sense if he went from making all the decisions for an entire dukedom to being a member of a team."

"Are you sure you're not too nice?"

"I… Uh…"

"Forgive me, Robin. I shouldn't question you."

"No, no, that's not it. I prefer questions over blind yes men. Chrom fosters independent thinkers."

"It takes some getting used to," Cherche admitted. "But I think that's what makes you such a fine leader."

"He is a fine leader, isn't he?"

"I said you, Robin."

"Eh?" Robin turned forward to Cherche again. He could only see her back, which was clad in her riding armor.

"Of course Chrom is a good leader as well. But you have no small part in the leadership of the Shepherds. Your care for your soldiers… your teammates. I see that they would do anything you ask, and they will accept anything you say. They would follow you through fire. And emerge unscathed, might I add."

"Oh, jeez, Cherche, you're being too kind."

"That's what I worry about with you." Minerva snorted. "Oh, Minerva, you're also too kind," Cherche said, patting Minerva. "But Robin, sometimes I worry that you are too nice. That you would do anything for your… teammates."

"Well, I would."

"And I admire you for that. You are amazing. But… will you be able to make the difficult choices? What if… there's nothing you can do?"

Images of Cherche's time in Rosanne flashed through her mind. As she looked at the desert landscape around her, she thought of the rolling hills of Rosanne. She pictured the people of Rosanne living their lives in sunny days. She saw shadows creeping over the hills. She saw Virion, standing high on a wall, surveying the land in front of him. She saw Virion turn around and face her. She saw the expression on Virion's face. He was wearing a smile. He was wearing a mask.

Robin's arms tightened around Cherche's waist. Cherche could feel Robin's head press against the back of her head.

"Oh," Cherche responded, surprised. "I…"

"Then there's nothing I can do," Robin finally replied, relaxing his grip around Cherche. "But I'm going to try my hardest to ensure that never happens. And I think you have gotten to know me enough to know I'm not just speaking empty words."

Cherche smiled. She placed a hand over Robin's hands. His hands jumped a little, and Cherche could feel Robin tense up briefly. She giggled. "Robin, you may not have any noble blood in your body, but you are a most noble lord."

"I… Uh…"

Cherche's smile grew, though Robin couldn't see it. "You already said that," Cherche thought to herself. Her eyes caught some movement on the ground. "Can you see the first group now?"

"Oh, umm..." Cherche's question had thrown Robin off for a moment. He looked into the distance. Cherche had brought Minerva to a hover and turned, so that she wouldn't obstruct Robin's view. Finally, Robin spotted the Risen. "About forty-seven units, more grouped together this time," Robin observed.

"I had counted forty-three."

"Hmm? Oh. Do you see that rock formation over there?" Robin pointed to a brown mass in the otherwise yellow sands of the desert. "There're a few ruined structures there that can hide about four or so soldiers. The Risen may be dead, but they still like to think out ambushes and surprises."

"I see. I'm impressed with your observational skills, Robin."

"In several battles during our Plegian campaign, enemy reinforcements from within the battlefield would appear. It was especially dangerous when an ally would walk by a seemingly clear area, then get attacked from the flank."

"So what should we do?"

Robin examined the formation of Risen. They were heading towards the Shepherds' position slowly, but directly. "Hmm. Well, let's see. They're still some hours away from our main position. They don't have any fliers. I guess you guys took care of that. Let's go on and look at the next group of Risen. I'd like to see if it's worth maintaining a defensive stance if their forces converge."

"Right. Come on, Minerva!" The three fliers moved on, with Minerva in the lead. They weren't flying for long when Cherche pointed forward into the distance. "Over there. See that group?"

Robin peered ahead. He could see two distinct groups, one a little farther from the other. "I see two groups actually. Hmm… They're pretty big. We might need to bring up the troops from the convoy to-"

A whistle interrupted Robin. Robin looked to the left to see Cordelia waving from her pegasus. "Fliers!" she shouted. She gestured to Olivia to tighten up their formation so that they could speak to each other easily.

As if to agree with Cordelia, Minerva shrieked and turned around to face the fliers. Cherche leaned forward for a moment, peering into the distance to count them. "Looks like two waves. Eight and nine."

"That sounds about right," Robin said. "And they seem to be heading… this way…"

"Wh-wh-what should we do?" Olivia asked.

Robin went through the possibilities and potential outcomes in his mind. "Okay, we-"

He stopped in the middle of his thought when a new factor appeared. Cordelia had also spotted the new factor. "Robin…" Cordelia pointed into the distance, unsure of how to explain the new factor.

"What… What's going on?" Olivia asked.

"Oh my," Cherche said.

Robin shielded his eyes from the sun as he tried to confirm what was happening. In the distance, the two groups had converged and were fighting each other. The clangs of weapons and the roars of warriors were carried by the wind. As Robin tried to process the information, a blast of fire lit up in the middle of the battle, then disappeared.

"What in the…" Cordelia began.

"Bolganone," Robin said, which only elicited more puzzled faces from his companions. "If they have that advanced magic in the sky…" Robin looked at Cordelia and Olivia. "Everyone! How are your mounts? You still have fighting energy?"

"I… I think so," Olivia said.

"We've been reserving our strength. We're ready," Cordelia said.

Minerva roared. "Minerva just wants to help," Cherche translated. "But, who is it that needs help?"

"Ugh, Chrom has the better judgment of character than me. But, I think we'll be able to get a closer look without committing to the fight. Cordelia, Olivia, stay a minute behind in distance. Yellow flare to withdraw, green flare to engage."

"Got it."

"Cherche, we'll take the closer look. Minerva, we'll be relying on your speed."

Cherche placed her hand over Robin's again. "Hold tight," she said.

"Right," Robin said, tightening his grip. "Um… is that okay?"

Cherche laughed. "Don't worry. If it's too tight, I'll make sure to let you know."

"Okay. Ready." Robin clenched his teeth and closed his eyes for a moment, bracing himself for the sudden acceleration. Minerva flapped her wings and ascended for a moment, then dove to accelerate quickly. She extended her wings and glided towards the battle.

"That one in the middle. There's a pegasus there," Cherche reported. "I guess that's where the magic was coming from."

"They're not Risen," Robin said. "Eight wyverns and one pegasus. Hmm… I wonder…" After a pause to think, Robin reached into a pocket for a small magic book. He opened up to a page, muttered a verse, and pointed into the sky. An orb of energy flew into the sky, then exploded in a green flare. "Attack the Risen!" Robin shouted when Cordelia and Olivia caught up. "Help the Plegians," he added, with less enthusiasm.

The pegasus flier shot another flame at another Risen wyvern. The wyvern started falling from the sky, though it disappeared before it hit the ground. The pegasus then dove quickly. The other wyverns, both Risen and living, followed.

"Cherche, let's go," Robin said.

"On it!" Cherche replied. "Minerva, that one!" She maneuvered Minerva towards the closest Risen wyvern. They joined in the fast dive, with Olivia and Cordelia behind them.

Right before colliding, the pegasus decelerated and pulled away from the ground. The wyverns all extended their wings. A few of the Plegians collided with the Risen. One of the Risen was still recovering, when Minerva came diving in. Minerva's claws grabbed into the back of the wyvern rider. Minerva then released the Risen and leaned forward, allowing Cherche to cleave her axe downwards, through the Risen's shoulder.

Another one of the Risen wyverns was able to escape the Plegians' attack. It came scrambling for Minerva. Robin raised his hand and shouted, "Elfire!" The wyvern rider became engulfed in flames. It writhed and roared with an undead voice, right up until Cordelia's lance silenced it. Cordelia removed the lance from the Risen's chest and swung it over her head to clear the area and prepare for her next target.

There were only two other Risen wyverns remaining. Even though the Plegians were tangling with them, they still pushed back and aimed for Robin. Minerva roared into the sky, then extended her wings as far as they could, showing how impressively large she was compared to the other wyverns. She then lowered her head, revealing Cherche's thrown handaxe. The handaxe landed right into the already weakened Risen's face. As it started to disappear, the next wyvern screamed and opened its mouth to snap at Minerva.

Olivia came down on the remaining wyvern, though the wyvern was able to maneuver to the side with only a grazed wing. Robin launched another Elfire spell at the wyvern. As the rider began to burn up, the ground below the wyvern started to crack. A pillar of fire burst through the ground, engulfing the rider and the wyvern. As the fire dissipated, the Risen disappeared in a purple mist.

Robin saw a coal-black pegasus fly through the mist. His eyes focused on the rider, and he groaned. "Ugh…" He unconsciously tensed his hold on Cherche.

"Robin?" Cherche called with concern.

The pegasus came to a stop to the side of Minerva. "Thank you for the help," the rider said with a smirk. "Perhaps a kiss is in order as a sign of my gratitude, my darling, the esteemed Ylissean tactician?"

Robin scowled and spoke through clenched teeth. "Aversa."


A/N

To anyone still reading this story, thank you for continuing! And to those of you who are new, thanks for giving the story a try! Please leave any comments or PMs. I appreciate them and I think they do help me and my writing.

Draen, thanks for following and continuing to share your thoughts! Let me know if you see any mistakes or have any other thoughts about this chapter.

Ugh, I think I started this chapter in November, and just didn't get around to finishing it until my winter break. But better late than never, I hope! As you may see, I'm changing a little things up from the original happenings in the game. I don't want everything to be predictable! The goal of this chapter was to show some more of Cherche's concerns, establish more of Robin's tactical capabilities, build on Cordelia's supportive relationship with Robin, and to introduce the character in the end. So, let me know how I did with this chapter. Once again, thanks, and happy (belated, but still pretty much) new year!