Chapter 5

The Long Road North

Ben's eyes flew open. He was expecting to see the ceiling of the Shepherd's barracks above his head. The unfamiliar, yet comforting wooden beams criss crossing over his head. Instead, he found himself staring up at an incredibly familiar ceiling. A smooth surface with hardly a blemish on it. His brow furrowed and he rose from his bed.

Ben narrowed his eyes. He was in his bed. He knew this room. It was his old room in the Jedi Temple.

Fear pierced his heart. He was in the Jedi Temple. Ben jumped from the sheets and readied himself for anything. This place was not safe. If the Empire knew he was here-

But how did he get here? Ben swallowed hard. He ran a hand over his chest and felt familiar robes covering him. They were not burnt, charred, or smoke ridden. They looked like they had just been cleaned. His lightsaber sat on the small nightstand beside his bed. He gave the hilt a cautious glance before running a hand over it.

A small gasp of relief left his lungs. In all the chaos of the past week, he had forgotten what it felt like to hold his weapon. He plucked it up from the table and spun it in his hands.

His thumb passed over the activation button. Right as it did, the room seemed to shift. The bright light of day rushed away and was replaced by the cold fury of night. He could smell smoke billowing into the room. Panic filled him for a moment. He covered his face with the sleeve of his robe and rushed out of his room.

His eyes widened in horror as he stumbled out of his pristine room.

The Jedi Temple was in ruins. The pillars that once held the massive ceilings were blasted to stone pebbles on the ground. Bodies littered the halls that he had walked through many times in his life. Jedi bodies riddled with blaster bolts. His breathing quickened as he stumbled through the hall.

His body felt like lead. Every step was excruciating. Like his feet were made of stone. Ben made his way to the main hall of the Jedi Temple.

Clones and Jedi lay all across the floor. Soldiers in white painted armor slashed to ribbons by a lightsaber or shot by their own blaster bolts that were deflected back at them. Jedi, younglings, knights and masters, all of them, lay in heaps on the floor. Ben could feel tears starting to sting his eyes.

He remembered this. The hope he had felt upon waking had been dashed. It was not all a dream. He was seeing the results of Order 66. Reliving those horrifying moments when he and Master Yoda entered the temple for the first time after surviving the initial massacre.

Ben gulped back a small cry before wiping a hand over his eyes. He tore his gaze away from the bodies and turned around.

A startled cry left his lips. Behind him stood Mace Windu. The great Jedi Master of the order was staring at him with dead eyes. Scars patterned like hideous bolts of lightning marred his face. A stump was all that was left of his sword arm. His robes were in tatters. Torn and scorched. Even worse than Ben's were after Mustafar.

"I told you." Master Windu said, his voice a hoarse whisper, "He could not handle it."

Ben shook his head, "I could not have known this would happen."

"You were his Master. You should have been aware of all of this. You should have known that the dark side had corrupted Skywalker."

"But I could not know it!" Ben shouted.

"Because you let your attachment to him cloud your judgement." Windu scolded harshly, "You were a brother to him when he needed a teacher, a master." Ben bowed his head and grit his teeth, "You failed not only him, Obi Wan Kenobi," Ben looked up and gasped. He fell onto his back as he looked back at Master Windu.

They were all staring at him. The lifeless forms of each lifelong friend. Master Windu and his dead eyes. Kit Fisto, carved up by a lightsaber. Aayla Secura, a corpse riddled with blaster bolts. A choked breath left Ben when he saw Master Yoda beside Mace, the little green master not harmed in any physical way. But Ben knew that if the Grandmaster was standing there then that only meant he too was dead. The Empire had killed him on the Tantive IV.

"Obi Wan."

A choked sob left Ben's chest. He knew that voice all too well. With a shuddering head, he looked up to see Qui Gon standing over him. A gaping hole in his chest where Maul's lightsaber pierced him all those years ago.

"I told you to train him."

"And I did!" Ben cried.

"But not how I would have." Qui Gon replied, his voice that same, calm tone that only made Ben feel worse.

"I-I-" Ben choked, "I-"

"You failed all of us." Mace snarled, "You helped create that monster."

Ben's eyes widened. There was a new sound in the temple. A heavy, rhythmic inhale. Followed by a sharp, shallow exhale. It sounded artificial, inhuman. Like a monster had been brought to life. The forms of Master Windu and the other fallen Jedi faded away. Ben stared into a black void as the Jedi Temple crumbled to ashes around him.

And that breathing thrummed in his ears. Pulsed through his mind. Pounded incessantly against his brain so much so that it sent the Jedi Master to his knees. His fingers raked through his hair as the breathing grew louder.

Then a voice pierced the darkness. A deep, rumbling sound that made his ribcage rattle in his chest.

"Master."

Ben jerked awake. His body shooting upright in his small bunk. Sweat caked his chest and forehead. His chest heaved up and down as he struggled to catch his breath. His eyes, wide open as he searched the shadows around him. Panic raced through his veins as he tore the covers from his body and fell out of his bed. Landing hard against the wooden floor. But he did not notice it. He scrambled back up to his feet and rushed out of the room.

His bare feet pounded against the barrack's floors as he sprinted to the front door. He shoved his way out of the building and out into the early morning air. The sun was just starting to crack over the horizon. Painting the sky with shades of pink, orange, and red. The last remnants of the stars twinkled above him. He placed his hands on his hips and took a deep breath.

The adrenaline was not dying. His body was still in a fight or flight mode. He took another deep breath and closed his eyes. He need to focus. Withdraw into the force. He swallowed and exhaled. The force coursed through him once again. When he felt that serene, untainted presence he knew where he was once again.

He was in Ylisstol. The barracks. The Jedi Temple was likely lightyears away. But that thought did not provide much comfort. That dream had been so vivid. Ben opened his eyes again. His legs shook and he slumped to the the ground, taking a seat in the grass just outside of the stable.

A shuddering breath left his lungs as he finally started to calm down. He could feel his hands trembling in his lap. He ran one hand through his short hair and squeezed his eyes shut.

Rest in the force. He reminded himself. His mind began to wander to an old mantra that had been drilled into him since he was an infant.

There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force.

His jaw clenched. If there truly was no death, only the force, then what exactly did he see in that nightmare? He recited the code in his mind once again. A code that had guided him almost his entire life. That helped in rise in the Jedi Order. That he had tried to teach Anakin.

Ben cracked his eyes open. His hands were not shaking anymore. They were clenched tight in his lap.

The code has worked wonders for us lately hasn't it? He wondered.

"Ben?"

Ben jerked his head back to the barrack's door. Robin was standing there. The tactician was clearly struggling to stay awake. He uttered a long, loud yawn before rubbing the back of his head.

Ben shook his head, "You should probably still be asleep."

Robin shrugged, his small shoulders barely lifting his heavy coat, "Kinda hard to sleep when a comrade wakes up and falls out of bed."

Ben sighed, "I didn't think I was that loud."

Robin fell down beside Ben, "Don't worry. You only managed to wake me up. Vaike's snoring muffled it for the others." He uttered another long yawn before smacking his lips together, "Beautiful morning."

Ben took another deep breath. It was indeed a very beautiful morning. And while he did not know this planet's name still, he could appreciate the beauty he saw. He could hear birds chirping as the sun began to slowly climb into the crystal clear sky. The white stones of the Exalt's palace seemed to shimmer as the sun's rays began to peak over it's walls.

"It is isn't it?" Ben muttered.

Robin nodded before frowning, "So… what woke you up so early? Vaike?"

Ben snorted, "No. Not him. I can deal with snoring."

Robin chuckled, "Then you are a lot more patient than me. I was about another hour away from launching my pillow at the big lug."

Ben uttered a small laugh, "If my impression of him from yesterday is correct, then that would not have worked at all."

Robin shrugged, "Eh, you're probably right. Maybe I'll start keeping a brick by my bunk. That should do the trick." He looked over at Ben, "So, what woke you up then? Another stomach ache?"

Ben shook his head, "No, no."

"Nightmare?"

Ben pressed his lips into a thin line.

"Of a sort." He replied.

Robin arched an eyebrow, "Of a sort? Look I may be an amnesiac, but I know what a nightmare is. And you were tossing and turning all night."

Ben glanced at Robin, "Were you watching me-"

"Sleep. No. I woke up to use the bathroom and saw you turning faster than a wagon wheel." Robin replied, "So what was it about?"

Ben frowned, "I cannot really say."

Robin nodded. He did not ask another question. Which Ben appreciated. Robin appeared to be impeccably good at reading the emotions of other people. He probably could see his distress and know that it was probably not a good idea to ask any further questions.

"I had a nightmare too you know." Robin suddenly said, "Or a dream? Or whatever the heck the in between of the two is called?"

Ben gave Robin a curious glance.

"I was, standing at the front of an army. Big one too." Robin explained, "Three different occasions. Each one the army was a little different. A little more haggard. More battle hardened but war weary. The first two times I led that army, I led it to victory." he shrugged, "I'm not sure if I'm just reliving some lost memories or if my mind is just that crazy, but that's what I saw." He paused, "But the third time, the outcome was not shown to me. I just led the army into battle and it faded away." Robin's face hardened, "Those three images were more of a dream than a nightmare I suppose. It was the fourth image that made it nightmarish."

"And what was it?" Ben asked.

Robin took a breath, "I was not leading the army. I was… walking through Ylisstol. And it was being burnt to the ground. Attacked by soldiers unlike any I had ever seen before. Not even like the Risen we fought back on the road." He stared hard at Ben, "And they were being led by some general or something. No big deal except that he had blue skin." Ben's face paled for a moment, "Can you believe that, blue skin?"

"Strange." Ben mumbled.

"You're telling me." Robin replied, "And when I looked at that General. The guy with blue skin. I could not help but feel… completely outclassed. I felt like a child playing a board game in comparison to him." Robin pursed his lips, "I don't have much. Hardly a memory. And just a spellbook and this coat as tokens of my old life. The one thing I remember about my life before waking up in that field outside of Southtown was that I studied tactics. And I am damn good at it. So to feel so… helpless in the face of an enemy felt-," Robin shook his head and pulled at some blades of grass. He then growled and tossed the grass into the air, "Just a dumb dream. What kind of person has blue skin?"

"An alien?" Ben shrugged.

Robin laughed out loud, "Like from the stars?" He nodded, "I guess that makes sense. Hm… if dreams tell our future, then we might end up fighting an alien at some point." He clapped Ben on the shoulder, "But for now, we can't think about dreams. It's first light. Time to eat, pack, and get going to Regna Ferox. Wherever that is."

Ben laughed a little, "You were named the Shepherd's tactician yet you still haven't looked at a map of where we are going?"

"I like to think on my feet." Robin retorted with a grin before helping Ben to his feet and walking with him back into the Shepherd's barracks.

Ben winced as he held his old robes up in the full length mirror. That wince turned into a frown as he ran a finger over a charged hole near the right shoulder. His finger slipped right through the fabric and out the other end.

"Kriff." He muttered.

Around him, the other male shepherds wear packing up their traveling gear, getting dressed, or, in Robin's case, eating another cake from last night. Vaike was shoving his head through an armored collar of some sort. He still wore no shirt. Ben shook his head. That man liked to show off didn't he?

Virion was slipping his slender form into another ruffled shirt. His traveling gear and bow already packed from the night before.

"I packed early because I will be damned if I forget my tea." He said when Vaike teased him over worrying so much about packing.

Kellam was… somewhere. It stunned Ben how such a large, heavy man could move so silently and unseen. If he delved into the force he would probably be able to sense were the armored man was. Although if Ben had to guess he was outside at the stables with Frederick. Helping the knight prepare several of those strange animals for the journey.

Does he move that quickly? Or does he move so slowly that no one notices him actually moving? Ben thought to himself. His mind then wandered to the animals in the stable, A horse? He recalled the beast Frederick rode, Strange animal. Very strange animal.

"Are you having trouble, Ben?" Virion asked as the archer strapped a quiver of arrows to his pack.

Ben cringed then held up his robes for Virion to see. The archer clicked his tongue.

"No, no. That will not do at all." He snatched the robes from Ben's hand faster than he could blink, "They look even worse in the daylight. By Naga, what did you do to defile such fine material?"

"I don't know." Ben snapped back, "Maybe I jumped into a volcano."

Virion wrinkled his nose, "The scent of brimstone certainly corroborates that story." He flicked the robes back over to Ben then marched over to his pack, "I may not have clothes that are as loose and roomy as those." He yanked a plain, white collared shirt form his pack along with some blue pants, "But, you will fare better on the journey with attire that is not tearing apart at the seams."

He thrust the clothes into Ben's hands.

Ben stared at Virion is shock, "Don't you need these for the journey?"

"Pah! The archest of archers needs only his bow and quiver." He then shrugged, "A fresh set of clothes is a nice thing to have. But if I know Lord Chrom, I know that he will drive a vicious pace to Regna Ferox. There won't be any time to do laundry." Virion closed up his travel gear as Ben struggled to pull the shirt over his body.

"I apologize for being as slender as I am."

"I think I need to lose a couple pounds." Ben grunted as he finally slipped the shirt over his body.

Virion laughed, "Like I said, with the pace Lord Chrom pushes us, that may very well happen." He jabbed a thumb over at Robin, "Unless you are like our friendly tactician and constantly gorge yourself on sweats."

"Hey!" Robin swallowed the last bite of cake, "Forgive the amnesiac for delighting in a taste that he does not remember."

Virion laughed, "Very well."

He then looked over at Vaike. The big man let out a happy whoop before slinging his pack over his bare shoulder.

"Teach is ready to go!"

"Does teach have his axe?" Virion asked.

"The Vaike never forgets his axe." Vaike replied defensively, "And that one time during training does not count."

Before Virion could reply, the big man marched out of the guy's bunk room. Virion sighed and shook his head.

"I bet five gold pieces that he forgot his axe." He mumbled.

"I'll take that bet." Robin chuckled.

"You're broke." Ben commented.

"Hopefully not for long. I'm technically employed by royalty." Robin replied.

"Trust me." Ben said as he threw his dirty, old, brown cloak over his shoulders. It did not feel right to just get rid of it. The robes he could let go of. They were no longer wearable. But the cloak was the last remnant he had of the Jedi Order. Asking him to get rid of it would be like asking Robin to get rid of his coat. It was not going to happen, "Royalty can be surprisingly stingy."

Virion arched an eyebrow as he slung his pack over his shoulders, "Are you speaking from experience, Ben?"

Ben hesitated. Now what was he supposed to say? That he had once worked as a bodyguard for the duchess of another planet? His mind scrambled for an explanation.

"Just-just a small noblewoman out in the middle of nowhere."

Ben cringed at that explanation. A pang of sorrow ran through his heart as he pictured a beautiful, slender woman from Mandalore. Long, wavy locks of blonde hair. A woman with a gentle heart, a stubborn mind, and an iron will. Satine was anything but a small noblewoman.

"Noblewoman huh?" Robin chuckled as the trio marched to the bunkroom exit. Ben snatched the last strawberry cake from the silver platter in the room.

"Hm… I caught that too, my tactician friend." Virion smirked, "So, good, chivalrous Ben. Our fellow madman of a swordsman according to the lovely vixen Sully. Did you happen to seduce said noblewoman?"

Ben choked on a bite of cake. He coughed hard for a moment, causing both Virion and Robin to laugh loudly.

"Oh you scandalous wanderer!" Virion roared.

"Damn Ben. I never took you for a ladies man." Robin laughed.

"It was that ONE time!" Ben coughed.

"It always starts as one time." Virion grinned, "But then the lovely flowers of this world continue to seduce a man. Eventually, one cannot help but to continue to pursue such beautiful treasures without abandon."

Ben arched an eyebrow, "Speaking from experience, Virion?"

"Absolutely."

The other shepherd's were gathered in the living room of the barracks. Sumia was struggling to buckle the last strap on her armor. Lissa was sitting on one of the bar stools. Her short legs swinging in the air as she cradled her healing staff. Sully munched on a biscuit in one hand while she leaned against a spear that was clenched in her other hand. Vaike was pacing to and fro. Undoubtedly, anxious to get going. Ben saw Kellam near the door. He gave the big man a small nod which was returned with a wide smile. Ben also saw Frederick leading several horses by the reins out from the stables. Each beast's saddle laden with supplies. The knight still wore the same, blue and white armor that he wore when Ben first met him. The only person missing was-

"Ugh! Where's Chrom?" Vaike groaned.

"Be patient, teach." Lissa winked, "He's talking to Emm one last time before we head out."

"It can't be that important to stall us!"

"We are about to embark on a diplomatic mission at the Exalt's behest." Ben pointed out, "I'd say it's very important that he speaks to her one last time about the mission." He glanced around the room. There was one other person missing, "Where is your cheerful friend, Lissa?"

Lissa sighed, "She went back home to Themis earlier this morning. Something about having to help her father, the Duke. It's a long ride east and she had to have some guards accompany her. Themis is close to Plegia and given the current tensions…"

Ben nodded, "A necessary precaution."

"Holy crap, Ben." Sully suddenly barked, "You ain't wearing those robes!" She then laughed a little, "You've got the same fashion sense as Ruffles huh?

"That is because I lent him some clothes, Sully." Virion replied as he poured him a small cup of tea, "I could not let a fellow comrade wander about the country looking as he did. It would be most unbecoming of the Shepherds. Although the outfit is ruined by that cloak."

"Uh… thanks?" Ben remarked, "And this cloak stays on my shoulders."

"Now you sound like Robin." Lissa laughed, "Do you ever take that thing off?"

"Nope." Robin laughed.

The door to the barrack's opened. All of the shepherds save for Ben and Robin stopped what they were doing as Chrom stepped in. The prince of Ylisse wore his normal traveling gear complete with leather armor plates beneath his travel gear. Falchion was strapped to his back and a small dagger was on his hip. Ben noticed the distinct absence of any traveling pack.

"Did you get me and Lissa's stuff on the horses, Frederick?" Chrom asked.

"Of course milord. I also watered and fed the horses. Made some biscuits for our fellow shepherds. Plotted a course for travel on the map and sent a message ahead alerting the nearest outpost on Longfort of our eventual arrival."

Chrom nodded, "Excellent."

Ben leaned over to Robin, "Dedicated, isn't he?"

"Absurdly dedicated." Robin deadpanned.

"Is everyone here?" Chrom asked as he gathered the Shepherd's attention.

"Miriel said she'd be late." Lissa spoke, "Something about needing to gather some critical materials that would be imperative to this mission's success?"

"Those are some big words." Vaike whistled.

"And Stahl?" Chrom asked.

Sully shrugged, "He should know what's going on. If he ain't here then he'll catch up."

Chrom sighed the nodded, "Very well then. We cannot afford to delay any longer."

He and the Shepherd's stepped out into the warm morning air. Ben noticed that none of the shepherd's went up to the horses. They all chose to walk. Even Chrom and Lissa, despite their status as royalty. Sully and Frederick were clutching the reins of the two horses they were bringing on their journey.

"Alright everyone. Regna Ferox is several days north. So get ready for a lot of walking. We have to move fast."

"Yes, captain!" All the shepherd's other than Robin and Ben replied. The two newcomer's simply nodded to Chrom. The blue haired man grinned and waved the two up to him.

"And you two are walking with me and Lissa. Now then, let's get moving!"

Robin winced as he took another step down the North Road. The shepherd's had been walking for miles already. And already, his feet were killing him. He let out a long groan which elicited a laugh from Chrom.

"Tired already?"

"I was not built for walking long distances." Robin groaned.

"It comes with time." Ben muttered as he kept pace with Chrom.

"But that means work." Robin sighed.

"Ha! Your my tactician now." Chrom smiled, "You better get used to work."

Robin hung his head and uttered a defeated sigh. Chrom chuckled before finally stopping. He glanced back at the other shepherds. Frederick and Vaike were doing fine. Sully looked a little red in the face. She was used to riding her horse for long distances. And unfortunately, her horse was being used to carry some of their supplies. Sumia was breathing a little hard as well. Lissa looked about as uncomfortable as Robin. Meanwhile, Virion dabbed his forehead with a small handkerchief as he brought up the rear of their group.

"Alright." Chrom nodded, "We'll take a small break."

Robin let out a happy cheer before flopping onto his back. Ben knelt down in the grass along the roadside. The others broke open their travel packs and took advantage of their break in order to have a small snack.

Virion tapped Robin's shoulder and handed him a small biscuit.

"Snagged it before we departed." The archer said.

"Thanks." Robin breathed before devouring the biscuit in one bite. As he chewed he glanced over at Ben. The man was kneeling quietly in the grass. Eyes closed, breathing even. Robin arched an eyebrow.

"What's he doing now?"

"I've seen something like that before." Virion muttered as he chewed on a biscuit, "Our friend Ben, is meditating."

"Meditating?"

Virion nodded, "For some it is a rather therapeutic exercise. It helps relieve stress and clear the mind. I've thought about taking it up myself but alas, I am much too restless."

Robin nodded then watched as Chrom checked up on the rest of the shepherd's. Sully insisted she was fine despite looking a little tired. Vaike was anxious to continue marching. Lissa gave her brother some sass about walking for so long before flopping onto her back much in the same way as Robin. Sumia simply blushed when Chrom checked on her. Finally, Chrom made it over to Virion and Robin.

"How are we feeling?" He asked Robin.

Robin shrugged, "A little better."

"Well, Lord Chrom." Virion nodded, "This respite was needed."

"Yeah. Sometimes I forget that some of you aren't used to travel like this." Chrom glanced over at Ben, "Is he meditating?"

Both Virion and Robin nodded.

"I thought only mages and monks really did that." Chrom said.

"Maybe he was a monk once. Who knows?" Robin suggested.

Chrom nodded, "You two have spent the most time with Ben so far. What do you make of him?"

"I happen to find him an amicable companion." Virion said with a smile, "And certainly a fine chess player. He handled both me and Robin quite well last night. Once we explained the rules to him of course."

"Yeah, don't remind me." Robin cringed, much to Chrom's and Virion's amusement, "Maybe you and Ben should be the tactician."

"A board game and an actual battle are two very different things, Robin." Virion noted.

"Very true." Chrom nodded.

The sound of armor and a horse trotting towards the trio drew their attention. Chrom looked up to see Frederick riding his horse over to them.

"Shall I scout the road ahead milord?" Frederick suggested before mounting his horse and trotting up the road.

Chrom thought about it for a moment. He wanted to get the shepherd's moving once again. But one look over at Lissa told him that she needed a couple more moments. Besides, they were now far from Ylisstol. The city guard did not patrol this far out into the countryside. A little caution would not hurt.

"Go for it." Chrom nodded.

As Frederick trotted away, Robin starred stunned at the knight.

"Does that guy ever get tired?" Robin asked.

"Not that I know." Chrom replied, "Once he gets back, we will get going again. We are on a tight time table."

Robin and Virion nodded. Chrom started to rise when Ben opened his eyes.

"There is someone coming." He said.

Robin and Virion arched an eyebrow. Chrom followed Ben's gaze back down the North Road. To Chrom's amazement, there really was someone coming up the road. And fast. Chrom narrowed his eyes. As the figure drew closer, a small smile formed on Chrom's lips.

"I was wondering when they were going to catch up."

Robin peered down the road and saw a horseman charging down the road towards them. He was a little smaller than Frederick and wore similar armor to Sully. Instead of a lance, he carried a sword as his weapon. Sitting behind him on the horse was a woman with straight brown hair, eye glasses, and a large, black pointy hat. She appeared to be struggling to keep herself up on the mount as the horse raced up to the Shepherd's.

"Thank Naga you all finally stopped!" The man shouted, "I had to miss breakfast in order to catch up to you all."

"And I had to travel upon this equine creature far longer than I am used to!" The woman huffed as the horse came to a stop in front of Chrom.

"Stahl, Miriel, what took you two so long?" He asked.

"Ingredients I required for my concoctions were rather difficult to come by." Miriel pushed her spectacles up the bridge of her nose before jumping off of Stahl's horse, "I was delayed while I searched for them." She then reached into a bag at the horse's side and withdrew an iron axe. She grunted as she struggled to lift it, "That, and I found a certain ignoramus' axe still sitting beside his cot."

"Vaike!" Virion called.

"What?" THe big man called.

"You forgot your axe."

"The Vaike did no such thing!" The blonde man defended, "My axe is right here in my… in my…huh?" The big man strolled up to Miriel and plucked the axe from her arms, "Thanks Miriel."

"You are lucky I anticipated your forgetful tendencies." The woman replied.

"As for why I was late." Stahl began, "No one told me that we were going anywhere!"

This time, it was Lissa's turn to shout at Vaike. The big man felt a nervous bead of sweat run down the side of his face.

"I can't believe you forgot, Vaike!" Lissa stomped.

"The Vaike doesn't forget. He just doesn't always remember, is all."

"That makes no sense." Lissa sighed.

Robin and Chrom just laughed.

"You two made it here. That is good enough for me." Chrom nodded before motioning to both Robin and Ben, "Stahl, Miriel. Meet our new tactician Robin. And another addition to the shepherds, Ben."

"Hello." Robin waved.

Ben simply nodded at the pair.

"A pleasure." Miriel replied, her tone stiff.

"Nice to meet you." Stahl grinned. He grimaced as his stomach groaned loudly, "You all don't happen to have any extra food. I still haven't eaten anything today."

"Of course!" Virion chirped, "Just let me go over to my bag and-"

"MILORD!"

Chrom spun around to see Frederick charging back towards them. His horse running at full gallop, causing a cloud of dust to form behind him.

"What is it, Frederick?"

Frederick spun his horse around when he reached Chrom, "Risen ahead!"

"This far out already!?" Robin gasped. His hand immediately reached for the spellbook in his coat.

"How many?" Chrom asked.

"A dozen. Give or take one or two." Frederick replied, "I came back here as soon as I saw them. They are blocking the bridge up ahead."

"Sully, Stahl. Mount up." Chrom ordered as he drew Falchion from his back.

"Yes sir." Sully and Stahl said in unison.

"Miriel, I hope you brought your spell book."

"I never forget it." The slim woman replied as she withdrew a pristine book from her dark robes.

Chrom looked over at Robin, "So, tactician. How are we going to play this?"

Robin rubbed his chin, "Foot soldiers only?" He asked Frederick.

"Yes. Swords and axes. There was not a chief among them."

"Chief?" Ben wondered aloud.

"The really big one you tried to tackle a few days ago." Chrom explained, "That's what we are calling them."

Robin nodded to himself. His mind was already working out a strategy. If there were only foot soldiers then they could use the superior speed and power of the knights to-

"How many positioned on the bridge?" Robin asked.

"Half." Frederick reported.

Robin grimaced, "Well a cavalry charge wouldn't be the smartest idea." He hummed to himself before nodding, "I'll have to adjust on the fly. But I think if we hit them from range first then have our cavalry puncture their softened defenses, we may be able to push through." He looked over at Miriel and Virion, "You all ready to fight some Risen."

"Of course." Miriel nodded.

"I am always ready." Virion replied as he strung his bow and shouldered his quiver.

"Alright then," Robin gathered the shepherd's around him, "Here's the plan."

Robin could only grin in delight as he launched another Thunder spell at the group of Risen positioned on the bridge. He, Miriel, and Virion were wreaking havoc on their ranks. The monstrous creatures were being put into a confused Frenzy as the two mages and the archer launched their attacks from the river bank. The plan was being performed to perfection.

Behind him, Robin could hear steel clashing with steel as other shepherd's handled the Risen vanguard. A paltry little group that were no match for Chrom and Ben's skill along with Vaike's raw strength. Although the shirtless man still managed to take a glancing blow along his right side. Robin had to admire Vaike's tenacity, the guy was tough. He shrugged off the blow and charged towards the bridge.

Robin studied the Risen. Their forces in the rear were rushing to reinforce the bridge. Attempt to bottleneck the shepherds and take away their superior mobility. Robin scowled and tapped Virion's shoulder.

"Aim at their rear. Make them think twice about moving up."

Virion nodded and adjusted fire. Robin turned to Miriel.

"Keep up the fire on the bridge. Only stop when Frederick, Sully, and Stahl break through."

"May I ask where you are going?" Miriel asked.

"To join the fun." Robin grinned before rushing to Chrom and Ben's side.

Frederick, Sully, and Stahl charged ahead of the others. Their horses snorted and whined as they were spurred into full gallop by their riders. Frederick and Sully leveled their lances while Stahl readied his blade between them.

The riders slammed into the Risen wall like it was made of wet paper. The Risen that got in the way of their horses broke on impact. Frederick and Sully were devastating with their lances. The dangerous steel points burying themselves in the monsters and dragging them away from their position on the bridge.

Right behind them, rushed Chrom, Ben, Vaike, and Robin. The four men took down the stragglers on the bridge. Robin launched several fire spells, causing two of the Risen to fall back to what remained of their rear. Vaike and Chrom attacked with brute force. The pair muscled their way through several risen before crossing the bridge.

Ben moved through the Risen ranks like a scalpel. Not a single movement of his was wasted. Robin watched as he dropped into a defensive form of swordplay before lashing out with quick counters that cut the Risen to ribbons.

Robin glanced behind him and saw Virion and Miriel moving up to the bridge. Their attacks now making quick work of the Risen that remained in front of the others. Frederick, Sully, and Stahl had turned their horses and were bearing down on the last few Risen. Robin let out a breath and launched one last spell before the horsemen slammed into the last of them. In moments, the last Risen uttered cries of pain before disintegrating into clouds of black dust.

As the dust settled, Robin took notes in his head. These Risen seemed much weaker than the ones near southtown. He rubbed his chin.

Maybe the Chief's somehow strengthen the others when they are on the field? He thought.

A strong hand clapped him on the back, nearly knocking the small man over.

"Well done, Robin!" Chrom cheered, "That strategy was perfect!"

Robin smiled a little, "It did the trick didn't it?"

"The Vaike just got scratched." They both heard the muscular man howl.

Miriel forced the man to sit down on a nearby boulder. She dug through a pouch in her robes and withdrew a small vial filled with a blue liquid.

"This is why you should wear armor." She grumbled before pouring the contents of the vial on his wound.

Vaike winced in pain, "That stuff hurts."

"And taking a sword to the ribs doesn't?"

"The Vaike is used to swords."

Chrom just shook his head as he watched.

"One of these days, he's going to get a wound that he won't be able to shrug off." Chrom said.

"No he won't." Robin reassured, "It's my job to make sure he doesn't. Even if that means keeping him to the rear."

Chrom snorted, "He won't appreciate that." The prince looked over at Ben. The man was cleaning some of the black ash from his rapier. The frown on his face was plain to see.

"I don't get it." Chrom said.

"Hm?"

"You're a brilliant swordsman but you don't like swords?"

Ben sighed and held the rapier aloft. The sun glinted off the clean metal.

"I don't like swords, because they are a rather uncivilized weapon." He looked hard at Chrom, "Have you ever been in a battle?"

Chrom gave Ben a unsure look, "Of course I have."

"Not a skirmish. Not like here or Southtown." Ben said sharply, "I mean an actual battle. A skirmish you can see the results of your weapons work, but it is on a small scale. The true trauma such a weapon can cause does not hit you right away." Ben sighed then sheathed his rapier, "In an actual battle, when the blood is flowing and your blade is constantly cutting through something, spilling blood, you start to realize just how barbaric it all is." Ben shook his head, "I don't like it."

Chrom was silent for a moment. He gave a small nod.

"I think I understand."

"Do you?"

"Yeah. You just told me you don't enjoy killing and you don't enjoy violence." Chrom smiled, "That makes me respect you even more." He patted Ben's shoulder, "I'm glad you decided to join us."

Ben looked at the Prince, surprised. The boy was young. He had never seen true war before. Yet he was able to get people to follow him unconditionally. The shepherd's were perfect examples of that. Ben looked around the small field and saw them all chatting with each other. Lissa and Miriel were still tending to Vaike's wound. Sully and Stahl were arguing over who took down more Risen. Frederick was standing watch over it all. His eyes scanning the plains around them. An ever watchful guardian. Robin was discussing the implications of the battle with Virion. No doubt the amnesiac tactician would talk with Chrom about what he saw in the battle. Yes, Chrom was a leader. Ben could see that much now. And he was a good one.

A kind man. Strong willed and stubborn. Incredibly gifted with a blade and he had a talent for getting people to follow him into battle without question. Ben's heart sank.

He reminds me a lot of him.

"Don't look so down, Ben." Chrom chuckled, "We won today." The prince whistled, "Alright shepherd's! If we've all caught our breath, we got some ground to make up. The sun will be setting soon. I want to get as far up the road as possible before nightfall."

"Yes sir!"

Ben stood still as the shepherd's gathered their belongings and began marching up the road once again. He took a deep breath of the air around him. He wanted to follow these people. To help them.

But he had a mission to do. A far more important mission that required his attention at all times. If there was an opportunity to find Luke, he must not hesitate to leave the Shepherd's and go find the boy. The hope Luke represented to the galaxy was far too precious for him to not do that.

"Hey Ben!"

Robin looked up to see Sumia and Robin waving for him to follow.

"You coming or not?" Sumia called.

"Last one to make it to our eventual campsite has to cook!" Robin warned before taking off after the other shepherd's, Sumia hot on his heels.

Ben could not help but chuckle to himself. Him, cook for others. That would be the day.

It has been a while since I made a proper meal though, hasn't it?

And chapter! I'm having so much fun writing this story! It has been a very long time since I've been able to say that. Just putting words down on the page and rolling with it. It's just so much fun!

Anyways, we got some EPIC FORESHADOWING in this chapter with Robin and Ben's dreams. Remember, this takes place almost immediately after Revenge of the Sith. Ben does not know Vader survived their duel on Mustafar. And most likely, he is pretty scarred by what happened. The only person i think might not be crushed by Order 66 would be Yoda but he's a super Jedi. And Obi Wan is human, even if he is a Jedi Master. I think having him struggle with the aftermath of the clone war and Order 66 adds more depth to his story and character. War does things to even the most mentally strong of people. That's just my opinion though. As for Yoda, did her survive, did he not? We will find out but I have that planned for waaaaaaaaaaaaay down the line in this story. Right now, we are building the relationships between Ben and the Shepherds.

Oh…. and I'm thinking about having a certain nemesis of Obi Wan's appear eventually. Just gotta put it together in the outline. That's going to be a fun one to write.

Anyways, let me know what you all think! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!