Chapter 11

Cherche was leaning on her battle axe, standing guard outside a large tent in the slightly more merciful setting sun. She was with Minerva, Gregor, Kellam, Miriel, and several soldiers from the main Ylissean convoy. They formed a semi-circle around one side of the tent. Nearby but not officially on guard duty, several other Shepherds were gathered, chatting amongst themselves.

On the other side of the tent were six guards dressed in red cloaks and weathered iron armor. They occasionally glanced across to the Ylissean side, though they remained in place.

"They aren't seeming to be too bad, these ones," Gregor noted, rubbing his chiseled chin as he observed the foreign soldiers on the opposite side.

"They're not wearing the robes of the Grimleal," Kellam pointed out.

"Surely not all the Plegians are horrible, right?" Cherche asked. She glanced at the other Shepherds and saw Cordelia and Sumia. Cordelia was clenching her fists. Her whole body was tense, and she wore a fiery expression. Sumia brought her arm to rest behind Cordelia's shoulders and pulled her closer in a calming embrace. "Pardon me," Cherche started after her observation, "is that an unpopular opinion?"

"There are several reasons for the people of Ylisse to establish negative opinions of the Plegians," Miriel said. She followed Cherche's gaze. "Though I do believe your query has different and specific reasons."

"Aye, here they are coming to," Gregor said, seeing Cordelia and Sumia walking towards them.

"Hello, guards," Sumia greeted. She raised her hand and revealed a basket full of sliced pie. "I have some treats for you for being such good comrades."

"Sumia, you are so wonderful," Cherche praised with an admiring smile. "It's no wonder Chrom took a liking to you."

"Aw, Cherche." Sumia started to blush.

"She's right," Cordelia agreed. "You're kind, skilled, and beautiful. A fine match for such a fine character, Chrom is." Cordelia gazed at the meeting tent. "Strong, kind… Forgiving. Definitely more forgiving than me..." The ice was building in her words again, despite the desert heat.

"Cherche, I am unfamiliar with your conversance with the principal antagonists of the Plegian War. Please forgive me if I am being superfluous, but I will attempt an explanation. The Plegian spellcaster on the pegasus, her name is Aversa. She was the tactician under the Mad King Gangrel."

"I see…" Cherche said, looking at the tent.

"She is also the one who executed the ambush that killed the previous leader of the Pegasus Knights and led to the death of our Exalt Emmeryn."

Cherche turned her head to Cordelia, her gentle smile erased. "Cordelia…"

Cordelia closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. When she opened her eyes again, she put on a smile for Cherche. "I am fine. Thank you for your concern," Cordelia said.

Miriel adjusted her glasses and continued. "The battle was Robin's first and only tactical defeat. I postulate this history to be the rationale behind negative sentiments in regards to our current Plegian guests."

"They better…" Cordelia stopped herself and closed her eyes. She breathed in deeply, then exhaled again. "Sorry. I have faith in Chrom and Robin. They know what they're doing."

They watched the deceivingly idle tent for a few more silent moments.

"Oye. You all." It was an unfamiliar male voice coming from the Plegians' side. The group turned to look at one of the Plegian guards. He was still standing in place, but his head was turned towards them. "You there. You're those Shepherds, right?"

"What do you want?" Kellam asked.

"What is the reasoning behind your query?" Miriel repeated Kellam in her own way.

The man started walking towards them. The Ylisseans all clenched their weapons tightly, ready to draw. Kellam moved to block the approaching Plegian soldier, but he just ignored Kellam and walked past.

"I'd be keeping your position, my friend," Gregor warned, raising his left hand to gesture to the man to stop but keeping his right hand on the hilt of his sword. "We wouldn't be wanting to miss the understandings."

The man stopped. "You. The red hair and pink hair." He raised his chin quickly to point to Cherche and Cordelia. "You're fliers."

"What do you want?" Cordelia snapped, not bothering to hide her hostility. She was being held back by Sumia's calming hands.

"You fly well. You helped my comrades out. Thank you for that," the man said. He spoke as if he were ready to kill without a sweat, but he also spoke with honesty. He bowed his head, then started walking backwards to return to his guard position.

Sumia gently guided Cordelia to the side and moved in front of her. She then resecured the basket over her shoulder, folded her hands together, and bowed. "We appreciate your words, kind sir," Sumia said.

"Yes, thank you, fellow wyvern rider," Cherche added. "You take care of your wyverns well. I could see."

This time, Cordelia was unable to hide her confusion. "Right. Uh. Thank you," she managed to say.

The man stopped, curtly bowed his head again, walked past Kellam, and resumed his guard position.

"Well, that ain't something you see much of." It was a familiar male voice, but still startling.

Sumia made a small, "Eep!" and may have fallen to the ground, had Cordelia not caught her. "Gaius!" Sumia exclaimed.

"Trust me, I've worked with them before. They don't voice their thanks too often," Gaius said, his arms behind his head as he walked leisurely towards them.

Cordelia exhaled. "Sumia, I know we were just talking about it, but you really are amazing."

"Hmm?"

"Just, your grace. Your humility."

Cherche nodded. "Why, I don't think that man could even tell that you're… well, your identity."

"I acknowledge your practice in discretion," Miriel noted aloud.

"Well," Sumia started, a blush forming on her cheeks, "I… I guess we can't hate everyone blindly. There are bad people and there are good people." She sighed. Then, she looked up. "But Gaius, what are you doing here?"

"I smelled something sweet. It's quite a distinguished scent in this desert." Gaius was still sniffing the air. His eyes identified the source, and he clapped his hands. "And what have we here-"

Some motion from the tent caused them all to divert their attention to the tent.


The tent was illuminated by a few lantern stands near the center. There was a table in the well-lit center of the room. Robin, Chrom, and Frederick were standing on one side of the table. Aversa and two other Plegians were on the other side. The meeting had only recently begun when Aversa raised a hand to her head and twirled a finger in the air. The other Plegians started moving to exit the tent.

"What are you doing?" Frederick asked, standing ready to intercept anyone who moved closer to Chrom or Robin.

"Mmm, I'm showing you how trustworthy I am. I won't be needing any guards with you." Aversa then laughed mischievously. "Or will I?"

"You're making a show of vulnerability to us," Robin pointed out. "You want us to relax."

"You definitely should, love." Aversa leaned over the table towards Robin, allowing him to analyze the shapes and curves of her body. "You are all so tense. It'll kill you in this desert."

"We'll survive, don't worry," Chrom said. "But getting back to your mission. Your little team will be escorting us to the meeting point."

Robin pressed Aversa. "Why are you dismissing your soldiers now? They didn't have to enter the meeting from the beginning. You wanted to make a show of it."

"Darling. What you said is correct." She stood straight again and shrugged her shoulders as her guards exited the tent. "I want to show you how vulnerable I am. I am a show of good faith from our host." She kept her pose, then stared straight at Robin and gave him a seductive smile. "I am to be your hostage."

"Hostage?" Chrom repeated.

"Yes. Your vulnerable hostage, at your mercy." Her shoulders were still shrugged and her hands were in the air, as if she were holding up two trays. The pose highlighted her slender body. She started walking around the table towards them. "You could do anything you wanted to me, and there would be no consequence." Frederick stepped forward to block her. She stopped, then moved her hands to her chest. "Anything." She looked at Frederick for a moment, scanning him from up and down. She then returned her gaze to Robin. "You could kill me, if you wanted."

"Okay, we get it," Chrom said, dismissively. "You really want us to trust you. Fine, we trust you. Anything else?"

Aversa laughed. "That's all. You all called this meeting, anyway."

Chrom massaged the bridge of his nose. "Very well. Thank you for joining us."

"One moment, if you will," Robin said, raising his hand. "We will need to organize the logistics. Where will Aversa and her men be staying? What food will they be eating? Security and such. There is much to discuss."

"Well done, my fellow tactician. No wonder your forces were so efficiently pesky in the past."

"We'd prefer answers over compliments," Robin responded. "Let's start with housing."

"We will make camp outside of your own," Aversa said. "We can match whatever specifications you wish. How close or far away do you want our camp to be?"

"Perhaps we should shackle all of them to be safe?" Frederick suggested.

Chrom disagreed. "I don't think that's necessary, or even helpful. But we can watch them cautiously." Chrom crossed his arms and nodded.

"Keep our friends close and our enemies closer, as they say," Robin said.

"Wise words, but who said that?" Frederick asked.

"I… I'm unsure, but I think that's the idea you're going for."

Chrom nodded again. "I can agree with that. Close but still contained. Aversa, we can distance your squad from your mounts as well. That'd make it more inconvenient for you if you wanted to do anything unsavory."

"If you can feed and house them, then that is perfectly fine with me," Aversa said. "We are only here to help escort you. For what little it's worth, we have no…" Aversa paused to lick her lips. "...unsavory plans with you."

"Right, only sweetness and love," Robin couldn't help but say, rolling his eyes.

"My dear, I wish you would believe me." Aversa stepped one leg forward and stretched her arms into the air again, displaying the length of her legs and the curvature of her chest. "I would do… anything… to prove it to you."

"Aversa, I would advise you to act more professionally," Frederick suggested. "That might be the first step to help us believe you."

Aversa placed her hand on her chest and gasped. "I am hurt, Sir Knight."

"Whatever." Robin blocked his eyes by rubbing his temples. "Anyway, do you have food?"

"We do. We have enough for the trip, unless you demand to take a winding route through the Plegian desert. My gentlemen, there is another route we could take if you desire more comfort. A couple towns are not far off from this direct route. We can procure provisions there, and perhaps some more luxurious sleeping for the lords."

Chrom shook his head. "No, I don't want to take from the people, and the delay will be significant."

Aversa shrugged. "As you wish."

"If you are to stay near us, then submit a schedule that your men will follow," Frederick said. "Allow for food and water, waste and sanitation, and sleep."

Aversa laughed. "You would have us schedule our waste."

"How about general break time slots," Chrom suggested. "And if there's an emergency, then you can apply to our guards."

Aversa bowed. "Your wish is my command, my lord."

"Hey, and about Carrion Island," Robin brought up.

"That's right," Chrom remembered. "Why there?"

"Mmm. It has some lovely sandy beaches to complement the hot weather," Aversa said.

"Seriously?" Robin asked in annoyed surprise.

"I understand you've visited some beaches already. But ours are warmer and Valm-free." Aversa laughed. "That, and we would like to gift you some ships. My lord will provide you with more details, but I know and can say as much."

"How generous," Robin said quietly and with suspicion.

"You could not deliver the ships to us?" Frederick asked.

Aversa stared straight at Frederick. "Our nubile entertainers would still need training to present the marble sculptures of Chrom and his advisors that would accompany the fleet if we were to deliver them," she joked dryly.

"Hmm, a shame," Frederick said, making Robin glance at Frederick and wonder if he had detected the sarcasm or thought Aversa was serious.

Chrom was remembering Frederick's past endeavors in artistic depictions and troop morale. "Frederick," he said quietly but sternly.

"Though we can have nubile entertainment available on your arrival, if you so desire," Aversa added, turning her attention to Robin. She pursed her lips and winked at Robin.

Robin blinked twice.

Frederick didn't hear anything, but in his vigilance, he did catch Aversa's mouth moving. "Aversa, what did you say?" Frederick asked in his neutral voice.

Robin noticed in his peripheral vision that some flaps in the tent were swaying more than just a few seconds before. He started scanning Aversa's tall and slender body. "Does she have a magic tome on her?"

"Nothing important, dear Knight." Aversa kept her smiling gaze on Robin.

"Maybe she has some magic inscribed in her body paint or tattoos. She must have launched a wind spell, harmless but precise enough to carry and direct her words just to me and not to the others." Robin kept a straight face as he stared at Aversa seriously. "Impressive," Robin thought to himself silently.

"Mmm. Thank you," Aversa said, earning a brief expression of surprise from Robin.

"What?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Is there anything else to discuss?" Chrom asked, looking around, slightly puzzled at the interactions around the table.

"I have no other message to deliver," Aversa said. "But I think you will want to coordinate my squadron's accommodations."

"Robin, could you-" Chrom began.

"I'm already thinking it through," Robin finished.

"I trust, Aversa, that you won't mind if a detachment of guards accompany you while you discuss logistics," Frederick said.

"You trust well," Aversa replied. "I do love a good group."

"Excellent," Chrom said, clapping his hands. "Robin, select a few escorts, then show Aversa where to set up camp. We will have a briefing in the morning before setting out again, thirty minutes after sunrise. Good?"

"As you wish," Frederick and Aversa said at the same time, which earned a smirk from Aversa and a brief and subtle twitch from Frederick.

"Sure thing, Chrom," Robin said, joining Chrom in eyeing Frederick and Aversa curiously after their simultaneous response.

"All right, then. Dismissed."


Gaius looked up from a halfway eaten slice of pie and saw the tent flaps moving once more. "Here they come," he announced in between licking his lips to clean off some blueberry filling that had accumulated around his mouth. Aversa was the first to exit the tent, followed closely behind by Robin. Aversa went to the Plegian soldiers while Robin walked towards the Shepherds.

"Robin, how was it?" Sumia asked, looking around for Chrom. She exhaled in relief when she saw Chrom and Frederick exit the tent a moment later.

"It was fine. Awkward, but fine. Right now, we're going to show Aversa where to set up camp and keep their mounts. I'm just going to gather some guards to escort us while I show Aversa around…"

"I'll go," Cordelia interjected, her eyes glued to Aversa. "I'll make sure they don't do anything fishy."

"Aversa will be the only one walking with us," Robin explained.

"Good. She's my main concern anyway."

"Thank you, Cordelia." Cordelia removed her suspecting gaze from the Plegians at the sound of Chrom's gentle but strong voice. "I know we'll be secure with your vigilance."

"Oh, no, no, of course!" Cordelia stammered. "I mean, you can count on me!"

Chrom patted Cordelia's shoulder, then turned to Sumia and spoke softly. "Dear, I'd love to give you a hug and kiss right now, but I'll wait until the Plegians are away."

"Honey… You don't have to say so out loud," Sumia responded, a little embarrassed. Cordelia sighed.

Robin wasn't paying attention to them. "I'll be counting on a few others too, Cordelia. I hope you don't mind," Robin said while Chrom and Sumia were talking. "Just to be safe. Kellam, Gregor, Cherche, you'll be there for strength, forming an outer perimeter. And if you don't mind, could Minerva keep an eye on us from the sky?"

"Of course. She'll be a whistle away. She's probably tired of just idling around during guard duty."

"Miriel, you and Cordelia will be a little closer, since you're more resistant to magic."

"Understood."

"Sagacious decision."

"Tharja, you too."

"Of course, Robin."

"Gah!" An assortment of startled gasps accompanied Cordelia, Sumia, Gaius, and Chrom as they jumped up in surprise when they saw Tharja appear from behind Robin's cape like an illusionist's assistant in a magic show. "Gods, Tharja, sometimes you're harder to spot than Kellam," Chrom said. He looked around. "Is Kellam here?"

"I am."

Cherche tapped a finger on her bottom lip as she looked at the bulky, animated armor. "Hmm, they don't notice you much, do they, Kellam?" she asked.

"Oh, you're talking to me?" Kellam replied. "That's quite unusual for people to pay attention to me, as you've just seen."

"How can I not? Your cute armor has such elegant bronze-colored highlights."

"Huh. Did she just call his armor cute?" Gaius wanted confirmation.

Robin coughed to clear his throat. "Ahem. Anyway…"

"Sorry, Robin, I distracted you," Chrom admitted. "I'll take my leave now."

"I'll make sure the rest of Aversa's party is under watch," Frederick said.

"Great. Robin, Frederick, everyone." Chrom clapped his hands and looked around at everyone. "Do what you have to do." He nodded and started walking away with Sumia by his side and Frederick following behind.

"Yes, sir!" Cordelia exclaimed, snapping an enthusiastic salute and prompting a similar salute from Kellam and Robin, an acknowledging salute from Gregor, Miriel, and Cherche, a less-enthusiastic salute from Gaius, and a mumble from Tharja.

"All right, back to it," Robin said after a moment. "Let me go over our formations. Now, this is of course just to have an abundance of caution," Robin pointed out. "I doubt anything will happen. But Aversa and all..."

"Don't worry about it, we know," Cordelia assured Robin.

"It's actually quite impressive how thought-out your plans are, Robin," Cherche said. "It's assuring. Thank you."

"Aw… Well… Thanks…" Robin cleared his throat again. "Ahem. Anyway…"


"Anyway, do you have any questions?"

Robin stopped walking and turned to Aversa. He had just finished explaining the instructions for the Plegian camp while walking around and showing various areas that the Plegians would be using.

Aversa closed her eyes, stretched her arms in the air, and released a relaxed and somewhat sensual moan. "Mmm… Ahh." Behind her, the sun was touching the horizon, ready to disappear as twilight took over the sky. Aversa opened her eyes and gazed at Robin with a mischievously raised eyebrow. With her arms still up in the air, she leaned forward slightly and said, "Thank you for the romantic sunset walk in the sand, my gentleman tactician." Her eyes traveled past Robin for a moment, where Tharja was standing guard and glaring. Past her, Cherche was standing more calmly, though she was ready to draw a handaxe at a moment's notice. "But did you really have to invite so many others? It takes a bit away from the intimate mood."

Robin massaged his forehead for a moment. "Okay. Well, if you don't have any questions…"

"Waste there, mounts there, sleep there, submit petitions there. Very thoroughly planned in just the few minutes since our meeting. It's no wonder you are so successful in battle."

Robin glared at Aversa for one second before repeating, "Okay. Well, if you don't have any questions…"

"My, you really can't take a compliment."

"I find compliments from you to be vexing. My apologies. I'd much prefer if you just focused on business."

Aversa let out a laugh. "Not very diplomatic, either."

"I'll leave that to the diplomats. Now, if you'll excuse me."

"Oh, but there is still the business of battle to discuss. Our last engagement in the sky, and the remaining Risen."

Robin didn't care much for Aversa's flirtatious antics. Talk of battle, however, piqued his interest. "What about it?"

"The other groups of Risen won't be bothering us. Your band of fighters eliminated the closest group, and we took out all the flyers from the other groups and diverted their attention away from you with some infantry engagements. The stragglers won't be close enough to our path to take notice of us, so we can just march right past."

"Hmm. That's a positive assessment."

"Do you disagree then, little boy?"

"We will move forward in a planned manner so that it won't matter whether you are correct or incorrect." Robin sighed before adding, "But thank you for telling me. I will accept any information you have."

"Anything, love." Aversa extended her arms to the side in an inviting gesture.

"Anything, okay. Did you all summon those Risen?"

Aversa couldn't help but laugh. "Hah! You are a bold one." She licked her lips. "A deliciously bold one. No, we did not summon these Risen, if my word means anything to you. Why, I would wager a guess that it was your past Exalt's war on Plegia that planted the seeds of so many of these Risen."

Robin inhaled deeply and his entire body tensed up as his temper rose, and he was about to snap at Aversa, when he realized that she was referring to Chrom's father and the exalt before Emmeryn. He managed to calm his breathing after showing about two seconds of anger with his body language. "I was curious about how you would respond."

"And have I… satisfied your curiosity?"

"Thoroughly. Anyway, you should all set up while we still have sunlight."

"Concluding our tryst so quickly? And you're sure you don't want me to warm your bed tonight?"

"Stop, Aversa. We are here on business. We're going to Carrion Island, and you're helping us fight any obstacles we may encounter. Just go do your business, and we'll do ours."

"Very well, but there is one last item of business we must address about the battle."

Robin sighed and combed his hair with his hand as a gust of wind blew past. "And what is it?"

Aversa licked her lips and smiled. "Remuneration," she said as the gust of wind started to build, picking up sand around Robin and Aversa.

Robin immediately sensed something was wrong. "Is this another precision wind spell? What's her goal?" Robin moved his right hand to his sword. At the same time, Aversa's hand shot forward and grabbed Robin's left hand. Robin was able to draw part of his blade as Aversa pulled Robin closer. She brought Robin close enough to keep him from drawing the blade any further, securing Robin's right hand on her smooth but toned abdomen. Robin compensated by turning his body slightly, exposing part of the blade and cutting slightly into Aversa's skin. However, Aversa used her other hand to secure Robin's head, allowing her to unleash her own attack.


Cherche stopped walking when Robin and Aversa stopped. She rested her hand on her axe and watched as Robin and Aversa spoke to each other. While she couldn't clearly hear what they were saying, Cherche could see Aversa was trying to provoke Robin. Robin was keeping a clear and patient mind.

A gust of wind made her brush a few strands of her hair to keep them from impeding her vision. "Getting windy," she commented.

"Something's wrong," she heard Tharja say.

Cherche wasn't sure what was happening, but an axe was immediately in her hand. She saw the wind suddenly lift a curtain of sand around Robin and Aversa. She stepped closer, ready to let loose with a handaxe as soon as she got an acceptable target. "I'll aim for a leg, so it won't be lethal," Cherche thought to herself. "That woman did say we could do anything to her after all, didn't she…"

"I'll end this magic," Tharja declared, bringing her hand into the wind and the sand curtain. She clenched her teeth, preparing for an unknown level of pain as she resisted the magic.

"Supporting," Miriel announced, also stepping closer.

Cherche watched as the two approached the sand curtain, with Cordelia, Kellam, and Gregor around them, ready to attack. Only a brief moment later, the wind's intensity suddenly increased, shooting the sand outward and exploding the curtain before fading away completely. Tharja wiped her face and took a few breaths to recover, so she may not have seen Robin's status immediately. Cherche, however, caught a glimpse of Robin and Aversa before the action ended. "Oh my," Cherche said, raising her hand to cover her mouth.


Aversa's surprisingly strong hands kept Robin in place. As Robin's blade cut her skin, she stared into Robin's eyes for one second, then quickly leaned in, landing her lips firmly on Robin's. Her tongue pushed under Robin's upper lip and began exploring the inside of Robin's mouth until it made contact with Robin's evading tongue.

With Robin's head pinned to Aversa's, his mobility was limited. His nostrils were overwhelmed by a strong, exotic perfume and a hint of sweat. Trying to gain some control over the situation, he felt a hint of active magic close by. Focusing, despite the multiple sensuous distractions, he managed to narrow down the origin of the magic to Aversa's inner thigh. Unable to sigh, he mentally braced himself, released his sword handle, and reached out and touched some runes that were drawn on Aversa's body, which he could sense were the source of magic. Aversa's eyes widened, and she started wrapping her leg around Robin's. Ignoring Aversa's pleasured moans and movements, Robin quickly channeled some of his own magical energy into the runes. The wind quickly built up, then burst out and dissipated. The entire strange battle lasted for only a few seconds.

Aversa released Robin's lips with a concluding, "Mmmuah!" as the sand fell to the ground around them. She licked her lips to catch some threads of saliva, then smiled at Robin. "I wonder if your other sword is just as sharp," she said, dabbing some beads of blood from the shallow cut on her abdomen.

Robin wiped his mouth with his hand, then glared at Aversa.

"Robin!" Cordelia and Cherche shouted as they ran up to him. Tharja was the first to arrive though, pushing Aversa's arms away, wrapping her own arms around Robin, and swinging him away from Aversa.

"Whore!" Tharja fumed. "What did you do to him?" she continued to shout through her clenched teeth, as Cordelia, Cherche, Gregor, and Kellam surrounded Aversa with weapons drawn. Behind them, Minerva made a strong and sudden landing, masking her thunderous impact with an emotional roar.

"Miriel, Cordelia, could you escort Aversa back to her group?" Robin said as calmly as possible, though his breathing showed he was still agitated. "Gregor and Kellam, follow from a safe distance."

"Understood," Miriel said.

"Aye, lad," Gregor joined in.

"Cordelia, I recommend you keep your weapon drawn, to compensate for our guest's whimsical deportment," Miriel suggested.

"Agreed. Aversa, you take the lead, and we'll be right behind you."

"Aww, you Ylisseans do not appreciate gratitude. But I will not be party to that. Thank you kindly for providing this vulnerable lady with escorts in this menacing desert." Aversa then turned to Robin. "And Robin, thank you so much for dessert."

Robin glared but didn't respond. Aversa bowed, then turned away and started walking before Cordelia could prop her. Robin waited for Aversa to be some distance away. When she disappeared behind her escorts in the distance, Robin finally exhaled loudly and breathed deeply. "She still caught me underprepared," he said between breaths, his disappointment evident in his tone.

Cherche looked Robin up and down. "Robin, are you okay? Did she do anything to you? I only saw…"

"I'm fine," Robin interrupted, dismissing any further detail with a raised hand. Tharja was still closely and protectively embracing Robin, until he placed his hands on her shoulders and gently removed her arms from around his body. "Thank you, Tharja," Robin said. "And Cherche. Um, and Minerva." He brushed some sand off his clothes and cloak. "Tharja, do you, um, feel any residual magic? I know she was summoning some wind magic, but who knows if she planted a curse of some sort, too."

Cherche couldn't help but giggle. "She certainly planted something." Minerva shrieked. "Minerva, you're right. I'm… I'm sorry, Robin. I shouldn't jest. How unbecoming of me."

Robin sighed. "It's all right, Cherche. I could do with some levity."

"I'd like to thoroughly cleanse you, Robin," Tharja commented.

"Tharja, just what would that entail? This isn't wyvern saliva."

"No, something much more vile," Tharja seethed.

"Wyverns aren't vile anyway," Cherche pointed out. "Just their riders might be." Minerva hissed and nudged Cherche with her neck. "I know, I'm not vile either." Cherche glanced at Robin again, then leaned in closer to his face. "Um, Robin, you actually still have…" she began, pointing to her lips.

Robin looked at Cherche quizzically for a moment. Then, his eyes widened with realization, and he used his sleeve to wipe his mouth, revealing traces of silver lipstick still on his mouth.

"Ugh. Thoroughly cleanse," Tharja muttered.

"Tharja, would you be able to check if I have been hexed? I'll ask Miriel to analyze me for any unusual magic residue as well."

Tharja mumbled something inaudible.

"Sorry, what was that?"

"Um. I can. But it might be… unusual." Tharja was only a little louder than before. She hugged a tome that she was holding, and started fidgeting.

Cherche stepped closer to Tharja to examine her face. "May I ask if you're okay? Your face is gaining color."

"I'll need to do… some experiments. I'll need some data… Reagents. Samples."

"I'm pretty used to unusual, Tharja. Whatever you need. We have to make sure Aversa didn't create anything that will hurt us in the future."

"Robin… But... " Tharja suddenly turned and glared at Cherche for a moment. "With the wyvern rider here, though..."

"I'm sorry, I don't quite follow," Robin said, scratching his head. He glanced at Cherche for a moment too. She shrugged a response. "What do you need from us?"

Tharja exhaled annoyedly. "Ughhh…" She looked at Cherche. "Look away."

"Excuse me?" Cherche asked, confused at the sudden command.

Tharja didn't wait. She extended her tome out to Robin. "Hold this."

"Oh, okay then," Robin said, taking the tome from Tharja. Not more than a couple seconds later, Robin felt Tharja's arms wrap around his neck. His vision was overcome by Tharja's beautiful and flawless but cold and unblinking face. Tharja's serious and glaring eyes locked onto Robin's surprised and confused eyes for a seemingly long second. Their gaze finally broke when Tharja leaned closer and licked Robin's face. Soon after, she planted her own lips on Robin's. Just as Aversa did, Tharja inserted her tongue into Robin's mouth and twirled it around Robin's tongue.

"Oh my," Cherche said again.

After capturing enough data, Tharja moved her arms from around Robin's neck and onto his shoulders, then gently pushed him away. She took the tome back from Robin. Her normally fair skin was blushing as she looked at the ground. "I will check the samples now. I…" She stopped talking. A moment later, she suddenly scurried away.

Robin was frozen in shock. He remained a statue until he heard Cherche giggle.

"My, my, Robin. I didn't realize you were such a popular man."

"I… Uh…"

"If milord Virion were here, I am sure he would embrace you as a comrade-in-spirit."

Robin laughed nervously. "Eheh, well..."

Cherche crossed her arms. "I was hoping I would not see more of Virion's influence present in the Shepherds." Minerva punctuated Cherche's sentence with a snort, followed by a judging stare at Robin's melting posture.

"Um, anyway…"

Robin was interrupted by a shriek from Minerva, which interestingly prompted Cherche to crunch her face in a pout and gently shove Minerva's head. "Oh, hush, silly you," Cherche insisted, making Robin raise a curious eyebrow. "I'm not missing out, I don't know what you're talking about."

Robin looked at Minerva, who was still staring at him. She snorted again.

Cherche put her hands on her hips defiantly. "Hmph. Minerva, I don't understand why you'd say I'm jealous. Jealous of what? Oh, well, why don't you kiss him, if it interests you that much." She turned her back on Minerva and faced Robin. "Robin, can you talk some sense into this silly wyvern?"

"Uhhhhh…" Robin looked back and forth from Cherche's unyielding pose to Minerva's indiscernible gaze. "Minerva, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about," he stated truthfully.

Cherche smiled. "Thank you, Robin." She then eyed Robin curiously. "Hmm. Robin, I don't know about a thorough cleansing, but perhaps you should wash up and retire for the night."

"Ugh, do I look that horrible?" he asked, turning his torso left and right to examine his clothes.

Cherche put her arm on Robin's back and started guiding him towards the Shepherds' tents. "You look like you have been through an interesting evening." Minerva stomped next to them on an otherwise quiet night. Cherche giggled again at a memory. "So that's how Plegians show gratitude? That shows me for being presumptuous, but I would not have thought you all would be so passionate, looking at you and Tharja."

"Eheh, well, I can tell you Tharja has never shown gratitude in that way before," Robin said with an embarrassed laugh. "But I don't really know much about Plegian culture, to be honest."

"Oh?"

"I have no memory growing up in Plegia."

"Oh, I… I see. Actually, I am reminded now of words I have heard, calling you the Amnesiac Tactician."

"Ah, they would be right. There is truth in that name."

"How much… If you don't mind me asking, how much do you remember?"

"Not much, really. None of my childhood. I remember meeting Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick. I was sleeping in a field when they found me, apparently. And that's the start of my memory."

"When was that?"

"Not long ago. Just a few years ago, right before the war with the Plegians began."

"My. How fortuitous then, that they found you when they did."

"Hah," Robin chuckled. "I suppose so." His chuckle and amused smile disappeared quickly as another thought crossed his mind. "Or how ominous…"

"I wonder what would have been if it were Virion and I that found you, in a field in Rosanne," Cherche thought aloud.

"Oh, hmm, well…" Robin rubbed his chin as her words and their context registered in his mind. "I suppose-"

"Oh, forgive me," Cherche interrupted. "I shouldn't dwell on a hypothetical and fantastical past."

"There is no need for forgiveness. Reflecting on the past can help refine our present and plan our future. Whether hypothetical or not." Robin raised his gloved hand and stared through the fabric at the six eyes marking his hand. He thought back to what he deemed to be a tactical defeat from Aversa only a few minutes ago. "Perhaps that's why I am still unrefined."

Cherche didn't know why Robin was looking at his hand. However, she could see that Robin was being hard on himself. She sighed, then grabbed Robin's hand, turned Robin to face her, and cupped his hand in her own two hands. She looked into his surprised eyes. "Robin, you're not unrefined. I was only teasing you earlier. I know you are one of the finest gentlemen I have met."

"Oh, I didn't mean… Well, I'm relieved you say that, but I was just thinking of how Aversa got the upper hand in that battle… I mean, that... well… that kiss." Robin was shyly looking away.

"Hmm…" Cherche, still holding Robin's hands, leaned a little closer to his face. "So then romantic advances are your weakness."

"What?" Robin turned and looked straight back at Cherche. Her proximity and attractive features made him nervous, but Robin was able to maintain eye contact. "I don't think…"

Cherche released Robin's hand to cover her mouth as she straightened her posture and giggled. "It is a good thing you are not alone, then. You have a team of strong-willed women that will keep any threats from kissing range." Minerva stomped on the ground in place and shrieked. "That's right, and one strong-willed wyvern as well."

Robin closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled. A smile formed on his face. He walked up to Minerva and, without hesitation, patted her head and massaged her neck. Minerva raised her head in the air and snorted. "I'm in good company, I know," Robin acknowledged. He walked back to Cherche, looked around and smiled. "Well, I will do as suggested and wash up. Cherche, thank you for walking me to my tent."

"Oh? Then will you be thanking me in the common Plegian way? The moon is quite beautiful outside right now."

"Common Plegian way…" Robin realized what Cherche was referring to and started to blush. "Uhhh, that is…"

As Robin started to stammer a response, Cherche giggled again, sparing him the need to think of an appropriate response. "You're welcome, Robin. Good night." Cherche gave Robin a curtsy, then walked away with Minerva following next to her.

"Good night," Robin said softly, watching Cherche until she disappeared behind some tents. Finally, Robin went to his tent, dipped a rag into a bucket of water, and wiped his face. There were still some remnants of silver lipstick picked up by the rag, and the scent of perfume hadn't dissipated either. Robin clenched the rag tightly. "Perhaps intimate women are a weakness. I can't let that happen again, even if it was just an innocent gesture. But then, is there a good way to train against this?" Robin chuckled at the idea. "Well, better safe than sorry. I'll research that tomorrow. Now, who can I ask that won't make it completely embarrassing..."


A/N

An update after more than 2 years. I don't even know who's still reading Fire Emblem fanfic, much less who's still following this. I do apologize for the lack of updates, and I am very grateful to those of you that are still reading this!

Honestly, it was Meta-Akira's comments in my other story To Love a Memory that got me tackling this again. So even if you don't read this fic, thanks for your comments! And thank you Ultimabuster, for your comment in 2019. Thank you old readers and new readers, followers and favorite-rs. Please feel free to comment or PM me.