The Force's Shepherds

Chapter 13

The Calm before the War

Maul flicked his wrist. And that wretched brat he called an apprentice screamed. He flipped over on the floor. Writhing in pain as Maul's grip on his body tightened. His face twisted in anger as he flexed his fingers. The Dark Side of the Force gripped his apprentice's legs and twisted. He could hear the muscles popping. The bones groaning. Ready to snap if he chose to put more pressure on the boy's body.

Such a foolish child. In one stroke, he had nearly ruined everything Maul had planned. Maul had been pacing in a furious rage before the brat returned back to the Plegian palace. When he did return, Maul's wrath was swift and furious.

The only thing he wished was that he had his former Master's power. Oh how he could use Darth Sidious's lightning in this situation. It would have been much more effective at getting his rage, and point, across to his defiant apprentice.

"Master…" The boy groaned as Maul lifted his body in the air, "What have I-"

"You stupid boy." Maul growled before slamming him down hard onto the black stone floor.

He heard the air rush from the brat's lungs. The boy uttered utter several wheezing coughs before Maul relinquished his control over him. His apprentice hacked again before flopping over onto his belly. He quickly prostrated himself on the floor before his Master.

"What have I done, Master?"

Maul grit his teeth. Resisting the urge to lash out more. So far, his apprentice had been a loyal servant. But put too much pressure, and that useful tool could snap and harm him instead of his enemies. Maul would not allow that. He had seen the repercussions of such a move himself. After all, he himself was an apprentice who was cast off and nearly destroyed by his own master. Had it not been for his master's raw power and skill, Maul thought he could have easily overthrown him.

But that was a line of thinking that died years ago. Maul was not a fool anymore. Not some angry brute hell bent on vengeance and domination. He had learned from his failings. Learned that sometimes, the best way to gain power was not through force. He learned that a little bit with Mandalore. But after all of his gains were crushed beneath the heel of Sidious, he learned even more. Refusing to allow his defeat at the hands of his old Master to crush him.

And now, here he sat. Decades older, much wiser, and far more powerful. He had to admire Sidious now that he looked back on his old Master. The dark lord was the ultimate manipulator. A force that Maul could only hope to ever match. A talent that his apprentice had yet to understand.

"I thought you wished to destroy Kenobi?" His apprentice asked. His yellow eyes were wide with fear.

Maul folded his hands over the top of his cane, "Destroy does not necessarily mean kill, brat!" He snarled before nodding his head.

The brat hesitated, then rose to his feet. He swayed a little once he stood up. Still shaky from the torture he had just received for his failure.

"I don't-"

"You don't understand." Maul finished for his apprentice, "How unfortunate that you are a dull idiot. I thought you would be ready for a confrontation with the Jedi. Clearly I was wrong."

His apprentice grit his teeth, "I am more than powerful enough to defeat Kenobi."

Maul gripped a chair with the force and flung it across the room. The chair splintered into a million pieces before Maul twirled and narrowed his eyes at the boy.

"That is beside the point!"

Maul took a breath. An attempt to calm his growing rage. He needed the boy. He could not afford to cast him aside. Not now. He scowled and hobbled over to a plush couch on the other end of the room. As he took a seat, his apprentice followed. Taking a seat in a chair opposite to his master.

"The negotiations between the idiot Gangrel and that naive Exalt were meant to illuminate information to us about our enemy." Maul explained.

His apprentice raised an eyebrow, "So you wanted the Ylissean's to succeed in thwarting the war?"

Maul waved off the question, "I care not about that. Gangrel wants a war. He is free to have it. But he will lose. We both know this." His apprentice nodded in agreement, "All we can do now, is use the chaos and uncertainty to our advantage."

"In order to destroy Kenobi."

Maul nodded, "Yes."

"But not kill?"

Maul furrowed his brow, "Not yet, at least." He leaned back in his seat, kicking his prosthetic legs up onto the table between them, "Kenobi never killed me. But he did manage to destroy me." He saw his apprentice's eyes widen in sudden understanding, "I intend to do the same to him. I will break the unbreakable Jedi. Force him to his knees and beg for death. I thought I managed to do that on Mandalore when I killed his precious Duchess. But he still had the Jedi Order to fall back on. His own duties to distract him from his failings. He does not have that anymore."

"He is alone." His apprentice realized.

Maul's eyes gleamed, "And an alone Jedi is a Jedi at their most vulnerable."

"But he is a member of the Shepherds?"

"Yet he is a recluse in the future." Maul countered, "Remember? He never opens himself to them. If anything, after the war, he starts to push them away. Only when the world is coming to an end, does he finally begin to unleash his full abilities in their favor." Maul chuckle darkly, "He became rather paranoid didn't he?"

"He did not close himself off to everyone." His apprentice reminded him.

Maul frowned, "Yes. There are those two he remained very open to."

"She will probably try to contact him eventually."

Maul narrowed his eyes at his apprentice. The boy seemed, nervous. Not about what Maul was thinking. No, there was something else troubling him. Maul brushed against the boy's mind. An image of a woman with blue hair passed between them before the door to his apprentice's mind was immediately slammed shut.

"Your thoughts betray you." Maul growled, "You worry for her."

His apprentice glared at him from beneath his hood.

"Foolish boy. The feelings you hold for that girl will only serve to destroy you. As long as they dominate your thoughts, forever shall you remain weaker than I. Weaker than our enemy." Maul let out a sigh, "However, you are not wrong. The little princess will want to contact Kenobi sooner rather than later. Especially now that I have made my presence known. She will sense Kenobi's distress. It is a factor we will have to consider carefully before acting on it."

Maul rose to his feet and hobbled over to the one window in the room. Outside it was dark out. Nearly midnight on this world. The moon was new. The shadows deep over the capital city of Plegia. In the shadows, Maul could see the bones of the great fell dragon that once ruled these lands. His grip tightened on his cane. That was another factor that greatly impacted his plans.

"In order to destroy Kenobi, we need to know more about him. We need to get close to him again. He is not the same man that I fought during the Clone War." Maul turned to look at his apprentice, "How has your training in concealing your presence been coming?"

The boy's presence in the force shifted. Maul could not help but feel a small surge of pride as the brat's eyes faded from a burning yellow to a soft blue. The dark side of the force retreated away. Barely detectable by even Maul. The Zabrak uttered a dark chuckle.

"Good, my apprentice. Very good." Maul allowed a smile to grace his lips, "Go speak to Validar. Offer him your services in his next scheme. That should get you close to Kenobi."

"I am to befriend him?"

Maul showed an evil grin, "Him and those he holds dear. Go now. Do not return until I call for you."

His apprentice gave his master a low bow before turning and leaving the room. Maul returned his gaze outside to the bones of the Fell Dragon Grima. Such an interesting monster to look upon. Even if it was just bones in this day and age. Maul frowned. He would have to discover the magic that brought that beast back to life and soon. Otherwise, everything he was working towards would be in jeopardy.

….

Obi Wan strode through the Jedi Temple. He breathed in the air. Crisp and clean. A familiar scent that comforted him. It always managed to put his heart at ease after a long mission. His master had summoned him to the training halls today. No doubt to help him sharpen his skills. There had been several close calls during their mission to Mandalore. Master Qui Gon had made it a point to intensify his training so that if he were ever caught in such situations again, he would be more than ready for them.

The doors to one of the lightsaber training rooms hissed open, and Obi Wan strode in. Qui Gon was waiting for him. The older Jedi Master kneeling in the center of the room. Lost deep in the currents of the Force.

But not so lost that he failed to notice Obi Wan. He could see his Master's head tilt ever so slightly as he entered.

"Sleep well, Obi Wan?" Qui Gon asked.

"Very." He replied before removing his lightsaber from his belt.

Suddenly, everything felt off to Obi Wan. He could feel a slight pain in his left shoulder. It felt like it was going numb. There was aches all over his body. He brought a hand up to his chin. Expecting to feel the bald skin he had as a teengare. Instead, the faint beginnings of a beard brushed against his fingertips.

"You have been neglecting your training, Obi Wan." Qui Gon said, his voice calm and serene, "You would not have been so easily overpowered if you had stopped wallowing and starting acting."

Obi Wan bristled at that, "How was I supposed to know that a force adept was going to attack?"

"You were trained to be prepared for such a thing. Trained to detect a threat like that. You were so focused on the horror in front of you that you failed to notice the more present danger. And it nearly cost you your life." Qui Gon rose to his feet and turned to look at Obi Wan.

Obi Wan blinked. Was his master transparent? Why was there a faint blue outline to his form?

"Master? What are we discussing exactly? I thought you called me here to train."

"There is no time to train in a vision, my young padawan."

Obi Wan's eyes widened. The memories then hit him. Wave after wave of brutalizing images. Of warfare between two nations on a hill. Wyverns diving down from the sky. A masked rider, using the dark side to try and destroy him and Emmeryn.

"Obi Wan," Qui Gon's fatherly voice echoed through his mind, "Luke will not be saved if you are not alive. If you are not focused and prepared."

Obi Wan's mind raced. Saved? What did Qui Gon mean by saved? Wasn't Luke supposed to be found, not save?

"You must trust those closest to you." Qui Gon advised, "Do not shy away from their help. And do not be afraid to share with them. The Shepherd's are good and honest. Better than some of the Jedi of old. They will not turn their backs on you."

Before Obi Wan could ask a question, the edges of his vision began to blur. Qui Gon's form faded and the temple around him went dark.

….

Chrom's leg bounced as he sat in on a red chair in Ben's room. He had rushed to Ben, Emmeryn, and Lissa when the Plegians were finally forced to retreat. When he had reached them, he found Lissa shaken, but working furiously to heal a wounded Ben. Meanwhile, his older sister, Emmeryn, had Ben's head cradled in her lap as she attempted to stop the bleeding from a gash in his head. But she looked shaken as well. Both girls terrified by the battle that had occured around them.

While Emmeryn had struggled to form words, Chrom took action. He swiftly ordered riders to go back to Themis and ready healers for the wounded. In total, along with Commander Phila and Ben, two Pegasus Knights were wounded, and seven of Duke Rodrick's personal guard were injured.

Chrom watched the healers as they tended to his unconscious friend. The wounds he had suffered had mostly healed. The gash on above his eyes had closed and turned into a pink scar. The bruises along his torso had mostly cleared up. There were still some splotches of black and blue though. Chrom was informed that his leg would take longer to heal. It had suffered a fracture after he apparently jumped at a charging Wyvern rider and tackled the enemy off of his mount and onto the ground.

Chrom snorted. He is insane.

But he was grateful that Ben was a crazy fighter. If he had not done what he did, Emmeryn and Lissa could have been killed. Or worse. Chrom shuddered at the thought of the Plegians taking them captive. There would have been no mercy for them then.

The door to the small room in Themis' castle opened then closed with a quiet click. Chrom looked up and saw Emmeryn enter.

It was her first time visiting Ben. When they had arrived back in Themis, she had been whisked away by the Duke in order to assess the damage to the city and to their forces. Then she had to assist in planning a possible counter attack against the Plegians. A preemptive strike before Gangrel's armies could march over the border.

Now that she was finally away from all of the hectic planning, Chrom could see just how exhausted his sister was. There were large bags under her eyes. A slump to her posture and a shuffle in her gait as she moved across the room before kneeling at Ben's bedside. The healer bowed to her then exited the room. Leaving her alone with Chrom.

The two sibling remained silent for a moment. Chrom noticed the worry in his sister's eyes. Ben had nearly died keeping her and Lissa safe. She was not used to that. Chrom was used to men throwing themselves into battle for him. He and the Shepherd's would all gladly take a sword in the back to save one another. But Emm was always in Ylisstol. Away from the bandit raids and Plegian attacks. Away from the danger. To have someone so willfully put themselves in danger to save her was a revelation to her.

Chrom shifted in his seat. He could not help but feel guilty right now. Especially with his sister in the room. He had acted rashly. Cutting down two Plegians and walking right into the trap Gangrel had laid for them. Chrom swallowed hard.

The war was now on his shoulders. It was his fault. Two Pegasus Knights and four of Duke Rodrick's men were dead on that hilltop because he was goaded into violence by King Gangrel. Not only that, but Ben was seriously injured. Commander Phila was out of action for what could be several weeks after falling from the sky. How she managed to remain in the battle was a testament to her sheer strength and iron will.

And his Shepherd's were all visibly shaken. Vaike was wounded, a nasty gash over his chest that Lissa had healed as soon as she could. Miriel was silent. The scientific woman burying her nose in literature as she tried to forget about the battle. Maribelle was rattled more than the others. The girl had not left Ricken's bedside as the young mage recovered from the aftereffects of an evil spell.

And those were just the Shepherd's Chrom had managed to see before going to keep an eye on Ben. Robin had assured him the others were okay. But Chrom could see that even his faithful tactician was troubled.

Chrom bowed his head. If he had only kept a level head, maybe the Plegians would not have attacked. Maybe the battle could have been avoided.

"It is not your fault."

Chrom looked up at Emmeryn. His sister's exhausted gaze was looking at him from Ben's bedside.

"How is not?" Chrom replied, "I drew first blood."

"But you did so defending me." Emmeryn replied. Her voice soft and reassuring, "You did not attack them. The only person to blame for all of this is Gangrel."

Chrom swallowed hard but said nothing. Was Gangrel really to blame?

"Chrom." Emmeryn moved away from Ben and to her brother. She wrapped the young man in a tight hug, "You did everything you could."

Chrom let out a shuddering breath, "Thanks, Emm."

Emm rubbed his back then stepped away, "How long has Ben been unconscious?"

Chrom rubbed his forehead, "Since I got to him on the battlefield. He hasn't woken up yet."

Worry rushed over Emmeryn's face. Chrom pursed his lips.

"He'll be fine Emm. Ben's tough. That much is apparent."

Emmeryn nodded and swallowed.

"What is it?" Chrom asked.

His sister let out a long breath, "What he did on the battlefield, when he fought that Wyvern rider… it should not be possible."

Chrom raised his brow, "What do you mean?"

Emmeryn glanced over at Ben, "The Wyvern was not flying low to the ground. Not low enough that Ben could have jumped onto it. And yet he did. I don't know how but he managed to pull of the biggest jump I've ever seen in my life."

Chrom gave her a wry smirk, "Maybe he has bigger muscles than you imagined?"

He saw his sister's face go red for a moment. Chrom could not help but chuckle a little.

"Emm, the battlefield can make people see things sometimes. Especially if it is your first time experiencing something like that. For all you know, your mind was so overwhelmed by adrenaline that you thought the Wyvern was higher up than it actually was."

Emmeryn's face filled with uncertainty. Not because she was doubting her own thoughts. No, she was doubting Chrom's. Chrom sighed got to his feet, wrapping his sister in a hug of his own.

"You don't have to dwell on it right now. I'll ask Ben about it when he's up and moving. Right now, you need rest."

"I'll be fine." Emmeryn protested.

"Exalts need to sleep to. You can't lead a nation at war if you are falling asleep standing up." Chrom chuckled, "I was about to go get some rest as well."

Emmeryn sighed. She could see Chrom's point. Her people needed her at her best. Strong of body and with a clear mind. And the only way to get that now was to rest. No doubt she would be swamped with more war planning come morning.

"Very well." Emmeryn relented as another healer walked into the room. Emmeryn looked at the young healer, "Fetch me and Chrom when he awakes."

"Of course, your grace." The healer bowed.

Emmeryn cast one last worried glance at Ben before exiting the room with Chrom. She bid he brother goodnight before the two parted ways. Emmeryn strode towards her own chambers in the castle. A regal room provided to her by Duke Rodrick. Chrom went down the hall towards the Castle door. He would sleep with his Shepherds in the barracks.

The night air was cool as he stepped outside. The sky was as black as ink. Very few stars shone through a thick blanket of clouds that stretched out overhead. Chrom shivered a little as a blast of cold wind hit him. Winter was coming soon. Just in time to mess with any war plans.

Thankfully Plegia was a desert. The army would not have to worry about ice and mud when they went after Gangrel.

Chrom rubbed his eyes as he made his way to the tower that was being used as the Shepherd's barracks. He had not realized how tired he was. The battle had sapped so much energy out of him. The chaos of it all had sent his mind on overdrive and forced his body to be pushed to its limit. Now that the day was coming to an end, he could feel his body screaming for rest. He joints ached. His muscles were stiff. And his head was started to pound.

Chrom pushed the door to the Shepherd's temporary barracks open.

"The Vaike has already been healed!" He heard Vaike bellow across the common room that occupied the first floor of the tower.

"The Vaike needs to consume his medication." Chorm heard Miriel remark.

"But it tastes gross!"

Chrom chuckled as he saw Miriel force a spoon with a green, gelatinous substance on it down Vaike's throat. It was one of Miriel's healing concoctions. And Chrom did not envy Vaike. The big brute was right. It tasted disgusting.

"Captain!"

Chrom looked over at the small fireplace and saw Sumia sitting near the burning fire. Her armor had been removed. In its place was a blue night gown that billowed out over her slim form. Sitting across from her, in a red plush chair, was Sully. And unlike Sumia, Sully still wore her armor.

"Sully, Sumia." Chrom nodded.

"Take seat Cap." Sully patted her hand against a small bench in front of the fire. As Chrom sat, Sully pulled a small bottle of whiskey from a pouch by her side. She tossed it to Chrom.

"Figured you could use some after today."

Chrom snorted out a little laugh before uncorking the bottle. He took a quick sip, wrinkled his nose as the burning liquid ran down his throat, then gave the bottle back to Sully. As he did this, Sumia took a seat beside him.

"Where is everyone else?" Chrom asked.

Sully shrugged, "Sleeping. Robin and Virion are still up I think. Last time I saw them, they were playing that stupid game they like."

Chrom laughed to himself. Of course they were. It was how those two relaxed. It allowed them to think and contemplate the events going on around them. Bounce ideas off one another. Not surprising really. Robin would be thinking constantly about tactics and how to deploy the Shepherd's now that war was a reality.

"And Lissa?" Chrom asked, worried about his little sister.

"Fast asleep." Sumia said, "I made sure she went to get some rest. The battle really rattled her."

"And the aftermath." Sully added, "She helped out the healers with the wounded." The woman shuddered, "Can't say I'm keen on the idea of keeping somebody's blood and guts inside of em. Lissa's got a strength to her, just not the kind we know well."

Chrom nodded in agreement.

"And you two?" He asked, "Why aren't you resting?"

Sully shrugged, "Can't sleep just yet. Still amped up." She sipped on her whiskey, "Frederick's the same way. He's been out in the stables grooming the horses all evening. Even helped Sumia clean up her Pegasus."

Chrom blinked, "That um… reminds me Sumia. I need to thank you. You went into aerial combat alone against those Wyverns. If you hadn't done that, Emm and Lissa-"

Sumia's cheeks flushed, "I-I was only doing my duty, Captain."

"You went beyond your duty doing that." Chrom said, "So thank you."

Sumia's blush was now deep red. And Chrom could not help but feel a slight blush on his cheeks as well. He found his eyes wandering over Sumia's face. In the battle, she had been fierce. Taking to the skies without any hesitation. The nervousness over her combat inexperience long gone thanks to her actions at the Longfort. But now that the battle was over, Chrom could not help but notice the softness in her eyes. The flush on her cheeks. Her slight body in the night gown.

"Bleh!" Sully exclaimed, "Get a room you two. I don't wanna see that."

Both Sumia and Chrom backed away from each other.

"So um…" Sumia uttered a nervous laugh, "I'll see you tomorrow, Captain?"

"Y-yeah. I think?" Chrom replied dumbly.

Sumia smiled a little before rushing away to the stairs. Chrom's eyes followed her as she disappeared to the second floor. He let out a small sigh. When did she get so beautiful?

"Ugh…" Sully groaned and shook her head, "You're whipped man."

Chrom blinked, "What?"

Sully got up and tossed him the bottle of whiskey, "If I find you in the girl's room, I'm sticking my foot up your ass."

She followed Sumia up the stairs, leaving Chrom completely confused.

….

Robin ran a hand through his brown hair. It had been a long day. Way to long. His body felt exhausted. And yet, he could not bring himself to go to sleep. He originally sat awake in bed while Kellam, Stahl, and Lon'qu slumbered in the barracks. Then he resorted to trying to read himself to sleep. He buried his nose in a Treatise on Tactics. He hoped the book would calm his mind and allow him to rest.

Instead, it forced him into thinking of new ways he could have prevented the disaster that was the first battle of this new war. The plan had fallen to pieces almost instantly. He had failed to account for Plegian Wyvern riders. His own confidence had clouded his creativity and it had cost the Shepherd's. Two dead Pegasus Knights, many dead Themis soldiers, even more wounded. Ben lying almost comatose in the palace. Healers tending to him around the clock.

Then there was Ricken. The young mage who risked his life to save Maribelle. Robin kicked himself for forgetting to plan her rescue. He had been so focused on defeating the enemy that he had failed to see the bigger problems in his own strategy. A lesson Virion had tried to instill in him back at Arena Ferox. And because of his oversight, Maribelle barely escaped with her life. And Ricken was injured by dark magic.

Speaking of Virion, the archer was just as restless as he was. Eventually, the two set up the chessboard and began a silent game. Both of theirs minds far more preoccupied with the battle that had occurred rather than the game in front of them.

Robin blinked as Virion's voice hit his ears.

"Your move."

Robin grimaced, "Sorry. Just-"

"Lost in thought." Virion nodded, "I am too. A battle tends to linger in the mind far longer than we want it to."

Robin gave him a grim nod, "I can't help but think I could have done more. Done better."

Virion shrugged, "Maybe you could have. Maybe you couldn't have. The Plegians were not there to negotiate. They were there to ambush. You could not have anticipated that."

Robin sighed, "But I should have thought of the possibility."

Virion shook his head, "You are being too hard on yourself my friend."

"It's the only way I seem to learn." Robin replied.

He recalled how he learned to wield a sword. First by nearly getting himself killed at the Longfort, then getting a lesson from Ben. Learning swordsmanship was supposed to go the other way around. And now he was learning tactics the hard way. While the Ylisseans had claimed victory in the first battle of the war, Robin did not consider it a victory.

They had almost lost the war before it even began. Exalt Emmeryn nearly escaped death by Wyvern. Commander Phila, the Halidom's most seasoned commanding officer, was seriously injured. Some of the healers worried she would struggle to fly a pegasus again. Ben was out of commission. Rendering the Shepherd's without their best swordsman. And the morale of the soldiers was down. None of them saw the battle as a victory. The saw it as an escape. A moment where the Plegians chose the rules of the engagement and only just barely lost.

Robin rubbed his chin. Whoever was providing the Plegian's with tactics was skilled. Brutal and efficient too. They did not care for losses. They only cared for victory or crushing the Ylissean spirit.

He sighed. This was no longer playing tactics against unorganized bandits or Feroxi lancers. This was now a battle of the mind. One where he had an equal on the other side. But he did not know who.

"Have you heard about Ben's heroics?" Virion asked.

Robin nodded as he moved a piece on the board, "Half of Themis' army has heard."

"Do you believe them?"

Robin raised an eyebrow, "That he jumped thirty feet in the air onto a flying Wyvern and used some sort of magic to launch an enemy through the air?" Robin leaned back in his seat, "I don't know. Soliders tend to embellish things in order to make them sound more… more… how do you put it?"

"Unbelievable. Incredible. Downright ludicrous." Virion finished for him.

"Yeah." Robin nodded, "But at the same time. I have a feeling that they may not be lying."

Virion arched an eyebrow, "You think Ben really did those things?"

"He did jump from a flying pegasus before." Robin pointed out.

Virion snorted, "That only proves his own insanity."

"But it does suggest there is more to him than meets the eye." Robin pursed his lips, "But there is more too."

"Hm?"

"During the negotiations, if you could call them that, Ben was anxious. Unnerved even."

Virion leaned forward, "Unnerved? That's unlike him."

"It happened when that Maul creature stepped forward to speak."

Virion nodded, "I think we were all a little taken aback by that… whatever he was."

"But Ben was particularly affected." Robin shook his head, "I can't explain it. But I get the feeling they know each other. Or Ben knows of Maul."

Virion took a sip from a cup of water he brought with him, "Maybe they do. Maybe they don't. Who are we to know that. All we can do is ask when he wakes up."

Robin pressed his lips into a thin line. Yes, they could ask. But he doubted Ben would give them an answer. As good a friend as Ben was becoming, Robin just could not see the man divulging much about his past to anyone. And the tactician was hesitant to open any doors that wanted to remain closed.

Footsteps echoed from the stairs. Both Robin and Virion turned to see Chrom entering the room. The Prince yawned and started to shed his travel gear and replace it with nightclothes.

"You two should be sleeping." Chrom said.

Robin smirked, "So should you, fearless leader."

"Ha!" Chrom laughed, "Sure."

"Robin has a point, Captain." Virion said, "You must rest. The day has taken a toll on all of us. But almost certainly more of a toll on you and your family."

"I'll be fine Virion." Chrom replied, "Don't worry." He flopped into his own cot, "I'm just more worried about what tomorrow is going to bring."

"A lot of planning and strategy for a campaign into Plegia, most likely." Robin assumed.

Chrom nodded, "And I want you to be a part of that."

Robin blinked in surprise, "But um… did you not see what happened out there today?"

Chrom waved off his concern, "Yes I did. And if not for you thinking of a strategy many more of us could have died. You thought on the fly and adjusted enough for us to take the day."

Robin shook his head, "I don't really see it that way. I see today more as me getting damn lucky."

"Sometimes that's the best a tactician can hope for." Virion raised his arms over his head and yawned, "I think this game has finally allowed my weary eyes to start closing."

Robin nodded, "We'll continue tomorrow evening."

Virion nodded, went over to his cot, and fell back onto it.

"Goodnight, ruffles." Robin called.

Virion flipped him off. Causing both Chrom and Robin to laugh.

Robin sighed as he started cleaning up the chessboard.

"Hey Robin?"

"Yeah, Chrom?" Robin looked over at the Prince. The man was lying on his back, but he could see a tinge of red on his cheeks.

"What do you think of Sumia?"

Robin blinked, "Uh…"

"I mean… like um… do you think-"

"You're asking an amnesiac for romantic advice?" Robin chuckled.

Chrom glanced up from his cot, "Fair point. The only thing you know anything about is tactics."

"Hey!" Robin cried, "I resemble that point."

Chrom looked at him puzzled. Then he laughed as he caught onto the joke.

"Robin."

"Yeah." The tactician yawned.

"I'm glad you're on our side." Chrom said before he rolled over and started to snore.

Robin felt a smile pass over his face.

"Yeah. Me too."

And chapter! A slow chapter before we start to ramp things back up again. The war between Plegia and Ylisse has begun. And Maul is making plans to make Ben's life a living hell. Chrom is starting to realize that Sumia is in fact a girl. Oh the conflicts that await us. Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!