The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 23
A Hidden History
The winter winds swept over Robin as he and the Shepherds trekked through the great snow drifts that covered Regna Ferox's landscape. While winter was still only teasing the lands south of the Longfort, it had arrived full force in the north. Robin clutched the hood of his coat and tried to pull it further down his face.
The Shepherds were marching through a fierce blizzard. The snow had started falling in soft, lazy puffs once they passed the Longfort several days ago. But now it was an all out assault of ice, snow, and wind. Even his trusted coat could not protect him from the frozen elements that the harsh country decided to throw at the Shepherds.
Robin grit his teeth and glanced back behind him. Sully and Stahl were faring the best of the group. Their mounts courageously stomped through the great snow drifts. Their powerful legs created a small trail for the others to follow behind them. However, the two horsemen were clearly freezing. Ice clung to the ends of Stahl's hair. And Sully was visibly shivering as she wrapped her meager cloak tighter around her body.
Behind them rode Frederick. The knight was not fully recovered from his wounds at all. But he refused to remain behind in the Eastern Palace. It took a great deal of arguing, yelling, more arguing, and in the end, reluctant acceptance in order for Frederick to join them in the march north to Arena Ferox. Frederick had agreed to avoid any combat. Chrom agreed to let him come north against the advice of the Palace healers and clerics.
Somehow, the Knight still wore his heavy armor. But Robin could see it was a much tighter fit than before. No doubt due to the heavy bandages that were wrapped over his wounded shoulder and leg. He had to stop several times on the march in order to rest. Something Chrom gladly accommodated. He did not want any of his Shepherds to fall on the road North.
Just behind Frederick was Lon'qu and Lissa. The former champion of Regna Ferox was staving off the cold well. But even he admitted to complaining under his breath about the weather. Lissa struggled alongside him. The princess occasionally stumbled in the deep snow. Much to her chagrin, Lon'qu often refused to help her up. Whether it was because the swordsman wanted to harden the Princess, or Lon'qu was still terrified of her, Robin did not know. But after every stumble, Lissa grew tougher.
Sumia walked her Pegasus behind them. Heavy blankets lay over the beast's wings as Sumia tried to keep them from freezing. Next to her was Vaike and Virion. For the first time since he had met the man, Robin saw Vaike put on a shirt. Well, it was more of a coat. And it was forced on him by Miriel. The mage, who walked alongside Kellam, Ricken, and Maribelle near the rear of the group, told Vaike that she "would not waste healing potions and elixirs on stubborn oafs who refused to take care of themselves in a hostile environment."
To which Vaike asked what hostile meant.
Robin snorted to himself. Even after the disaster that happened just a week ago, everyone still had high spirits. Everyone that was, except for Maribelle. The poor girl was still very quiet. Withdrawn from everyone else. The massacre on the road to the Eastern Palace had only served to bring up painful memories of Themis for her. Before the events of last week, she had started to recover. She was gaining the sass that Lissa said she was known for back. But now, she was eerily quiet again.
Robin sighed. He wanted to help her. But he would not ask her to talk about something that she did not wish to talk about. It did no good to force someone to live painful memories all over again unless they were ready to relive them. Ready to face them. But at this rate, the Tactician felt he was running out of options.
He would not inform Chrom of course. The Prince already had far to much on his plate. The last thing Robin wanted him to worry about was Maribelle. As the tactician, Robin felt it was his job to make sure that all of his soldiers were at one hundred percent.
Besides, Chrom was now the de facto leader of Ylisse and her military. And he was also leading the Shepherds on an incredibly important mission to Arena Ferox in order to ask for the Khans' aid. Then there was the capture of Emmeryn. It still weighed heavily on Chrom's shoulders. Anytime battle with Plegia was discussed, Robin saw a furious gleam enter his friend's eyes. He swore that the Plegian's would pay for their transgressions. And he swore that they would rescue Emmeryn, or die trying. All of them were enormous tasks to complete. And because of those tasks, Robin knew that his responsibilities were only going to grow. Starting with making sure the others were taken care of.
Robin shivered as another wind bit through his coat. Winter's fangs sank into his skin. Goosebumps formed all over his body. His teeth chattered for a moment. Up ahead, Robin saw Chrom shiver a little as well. But he did his best to hide it. And the Tactician knew that everyone else was just as cold. He heard Sully mutter a small curse as the wind swept through their ranks.
The only one that did not seem affected by the cold was Kage. The blond kid was an enormous mystery for Robin. He claimed to be just a Plegian peasant boy. A street urchin brought on by Emmeryn's would be assassins as a carriage driver. But that same street urchin was stealthy. And he was charming. Both qualities that caught Robin off guard, but also made him excited. He did not know Kage's capabilities as a warrior. He had yet to see the kid engage in a battle. But he knew that he would make an effective scout. Someone Robin could easily send into an enemy encampment in order to gather information.
Robin thought back to the Treatise on Tactics that he loved to read at night. One of the major rules of warfare it stressed was that information was key. Without good intelligence, there could be no assurance of victory. Or even survival for that matter. In order to effectively formulate a strategy, one had to know his enemy's strengths, weaknesses, armor and armaments, supply lines, chain of command (if possible). All of which were variables in any strategy.
He laughed to himself. The more about tactics he studied and remembered, the more he began to think that dumb luck was an enormous factor in winning a war. Unfortunately for the Shepherds, their luck was rotten so far.
Robin's head snapped ahead as he heard Kage utter a loud whoop. The blonde turned and gave the tactician and Shepherds a massive grin. Instantly, the others behind Robin began to smile. The tactician peered into the wall of snow before them.
In the could of white, he could see a dark shadow forming. It was massive, tall, and undoubtedly a building. Robin felt his own spirits soar once he recognized the familiar round shape of Arena Ferox. They had made it.
Sully and Stahl spurred their horses into a gallop. Behind them, the other Shepherds surged forward. All of them rushed past Chrom, Robin, and Kage. Robin glanced over at Chrom and grinned. Chrom threw an arm over Robin's shoulders and uttered a happy sigh.
"It's about damn time." The Prince said, "Hot food and a warm fire."
"I can feel it already." Kage said wistfully, "Both on my skin and in my gut."
Robin chuckled, "I'll admit, I am really looking forward to whatever Khan Flavia has got cooked up for us. Hopefully it's food and not another surprise duel."
Kage arched an eyebrow as the trio marched after the other Shepherds.
"Surprise duel?" He asked.
"How do you think Khan Flavia got in charge?" Robin asked, "Chrom beat the other Khan's champion." Robin laughed to himself, "Care to guess who that was?"
Kage shrugged.
"Marth."
Kage's eyes widened, "Really? You beat her?"
Chrom nodded, "I did. But barely. She is still the toughest opponent I have ever faced."
"I don't doubt that. From what I've heard from the others, only Ben could probably best her." Kage put a finger to his chin, "Maybe Lon'qu too? From what I hear, he gave Ben a run for his money."
"That he did." Robin chuckled as he recalled the brief duel in the Shepherds' training yard.
His smile faded as his thoughts lingered. The Shepherds, they were missing some members. Ben, Gaius, Panne, and the Pegasus Knight, Cordelia, had all followed Marth out of the Eastern Palace on a daring rescue mission. One that they hoped would result in the safe return of Emmeryn to the arms of Chrom and the Shepherds.
The tactics of such a mission raced through Robin's mind. Such a mission was damn near impossible. Suicidal even. The five warriors would have to trek through miles upon miles of hostile Plegian territory before they even reached the Plegian border. At that point they would have to cross the border without getting caught by any checkpoints, race through the desert sands of that cursed country, infiltrate the capital, discover where Emmeryn was being held, rescue her, then somehow make it out of Plegia alive. Robin shook his head. There were so many ways such a mission could go wrong. It was hard to wrap his head around.
"Hey, Robin." Chrom gave the tactician a reassuring smile. As if he knew exactly what was running through Robin's mind, "If anyone can pull it off it's Ben and Marth. Those two are the best warriors I know. And I have a feeling they're more than just good swordsmen."
"Plus they've got Gaius with them." Kage pointed out, "He's the sneakiest bastard I know. And I've met a lot of sneaks on the streets. He's the best. You won't find anyone better at getting into places unseen."
Robin gave the pair a grateful smile, "Thanks for the reassurance. I hope you are both right."
Chrom sighed as the small village that sat at the base of Arena Ferox came into view.
"Me too, Robin. Me too."
….
Robin basked in the warmth of the raging bonfire that lit the great hall of Arena Ferox. He could feel all of the cold being chased out of his bones and replaced with heat that made his body sweat beneath his heavy coat. But he did not care. It was warm. There was food. Really, really good food too. Just those two factors alone were enough to put a smile on not only his face, but the other Shepherds as well.
Kellam, Lon'qu, and Frederick ate in silence. All three warriors were content with observing the other Shepherds have fun around them. Although Robin was happy to see Kellam actively engaging in quiet conversation with the other two silent men. The large knight was finally starting to assert himself.
Maribelle picked at her food in silence. Her eyes were cast down at her feet as she took small bites of food. Eventually, she asked to be excused due to weariness. Ricken watched her with some concern, but he remained with the others. The young mage was much too hungry from the road to just leave his food half eaten.
Sully and Stahl were having an eating contest. One of the few types of contest that Sully could not say she had an edge in. For as skinny as Stahl was, he could pack away an enormous amount of food. Robin was convinced that the horseman may actually have a second stomach. Even the Feroxi guards watched in shock as he devoured plate after plate worth of food.
Beside Stahl, Kage cheered on Sully. The blonde was enjoying his time with the Shepherds. Something Robin was glad to see. He had barely escaped with his life back on the Eastern Road. So the tactician was glad to see him in high spirits despite the terror of nearly being killed by a Wyvern.
Virion ate as any proper noble would. Napkin tucked into his shirt. A steaming cup of tea to his right. His plate neatly organized and portions small. But Robin did see the bowman put a splash or two of Feroxi Firewine in his tea. An action that made Robin chuckle a bit.
Sumia sat beside Sully. The pegasus rider was just as hungry as the two horsemen near her, but she did not engage in their eating contest. Instead, she ate at a slow pace. Occasionally, she would cast a glance up at Chrom before having her cheeks flush. Causing her to stare back down at her food.
Robin rolled his eyes. He was an amnesiac, and even he was not as dense as Chrom apparently was. If he did not pick up Sumia's signals soon, Robin worried he would have to spell things out for the Prince in simple, easy to understand sentences.
Maybe even a few charts.
"Hey Robin!" Vaike called from down the table, "Watch this!"
"Please don't make me do it again." Miriel cringed beside him.
"You already did it once. Now you gotta prove you can do it twice." Vaike argued back.
"I fail to understand the logic in your argument.."
"Just do it!" Vaike said with a large grin.
Miriel rolled her eyes. Her small hands grabbed the massive mug of ale in front of her. Robin's eyes widened as the mage tilted her head back and down the entire mug without so much as taking a breath. All the while, Vaike sat there with a look of pure glee on his face.
Miriel took one last gulp before slamming the mug down on the table and uttering a belch so loud, Robin thought the table shook.
"Alright!" Vaike cheered while the other Shepherds roared with laughter.
Robin wiped back tears as he laughed, "Almost as good as yours, right Teach?"
"Hell yeah!" Vaike wrapped a meaty arm around Miriel's thin shoulders. The mage froze for a moment before relaxing, "Who would of thought that smarty pants here would be able to drink like that?"
"Not me." Miriel said under her breath. Her cheeks were already starting to turn pink as the alcohol rushed through her body.
Robin heard Khan Flavia roar with laughter beside him. As the Shepherds' tacitican, Chrom wanted Robin to sit with him, Lissa, Khan Flavia, and Khan Basilio.
"She would do well here in Regna Ferox." Flavia beamed as she kicked her feet up on the table, "Although we would have to put a little meat on her bones."
"I think Miriel would prefer to be in her books." Chrom said with a smile.
"Agreed." Miriel shouted over to them before starting on her third mug of ale.
Flavia chuckled some more. She set her mug down and roughly smacked Khan Basilio's shoulder.
"Hey Oaf."
"What?" The large man asked.
"Think we should let the kids keep eating while the adults go talk?" She said with a playful grin.
Basilio snorted, "Wonderful phrasing there, Khan Flavia. But yeah, I think we should get down to business right away. Chrom?"
The Ylissean Prince nodded and rose from his chair. Before he followed the Khans out of the Great Hall, he motioned for Robin to follow. Robin gave his food a longing look. He had been so busy observing all of the Shepherds that he had barely touched his own food. An action that he was regretting.
He sighed.
I'll just get some from the kitchens later.
The Khans led Chrom and Robin to a small chamber just off of the main hall in Arena Ferox. Inside, a guard stoked a small fire in the stone fireplace. There was a small, rectangular table at the center of the room. On it were unlit candlesticks. A second guard lit the candles.
"Go get a map." Flavia ordered him.
The guard nodded then rushed out of the room. Meanwhile, the second guard remained behind to stand guard at the door.
The first guard returned quickly. He handed Flavia the map. The guard then produced a sack filled with various colored rectangles, squares, and circles. Almost like pieces to a board game. Flavia nodded her thanks then spread the map out on the table. Using the candlesticks to keep it in place on the rough surface.
Robin looked down at the map. It was a map of the continent. He could see the various landmarks etched into the parchment with stunning precision. The artistry that was displayed on the map would have made any map maker or artisan green with envy.
"I didn't know the Feroxi were such artists." Robin said.
"We're not." Basilio snorted.
"We bought it." Flavia smirked before taking out several black rectangles from the bag, "On to the matter at hand." She placed several of the rectangles in Ylisse.
Two of them surrounded Themis. One was pushing down south towards Southtown. And three were around Ylisstol. Robin grimaced as he caught on to what Flavia was showing them.
"These are the most recent locations of Plegia's armies according to the various spies we have throughout the continent." Flavia said.
Chrom narrowed his eyes, "I was not aware they struck so far inland so quickly."
"How could you know?" Basilio asked, "You were in full retreat. There was no time to gather that kind of intelligence." The big man ran a finger over his beard, "I'll give Plegia this, their King is insane, but they've got some damn good generals."
Chrom grimaced, "So did we."
Flavia nudged his shoulder, "Hey, from what we know right now, Old Commander Edward is giving the Plegians one hell of a fight in Ylisstol. Don't get all hopeless on me right now."
Chrom shook his head, "Now that I have a chance to see the war like this… it's hard to even comprehend."
Robin nodded, "The Plegians have effectively cut Ylisse in half."
He grabbed a small, blue circle piece and placed in on Ylisstol.
"Our most organized forces are under siege in Ylisstol under Knight Commander Edward. That leaves both north and south almost completely unorganized and undefended. At this rate, all the Plegians have to do is starve out Ylisstol then divide and conquer the rest of the territory." He took another circle and placed in on the Eastern Palace, "Right now, the only heavy resistance they will face will come from Commander Phillip and his mountain army. But that is not due to numbers as much as it is due to terrain. The Plegians won't be able to march all of their forces through the mountains as fast as they did through the plains around Themis."
Robin grabbed several black bars and placed them at the border passed between Themis and Plegia.
"And we can assume the Plegian's have the border well defended. They had soldiers waiting to invade when the war broke out. So there is no doubt in my mind that they have established multiple forts in the hills and mountains along the Ylissean border. Which would make any counter assault there nearly impossible."
"Could we go with your original plan?" Chrom asked, "We retake our lost territory then take a defensive position on the border."
Robin shook his head, "With what defenses? The Plegians control the mountain passes. That is a defense in and of itself. If we build forts in the grasslands and plains, all they would have to do is circumvent them in order to continue their campaign. Besides, that will only delay the end of the war. And, while we may have the manpower to pull it off thanks to Regna Ferox," He nodded at both Flavia and Basilio, "We do not have the resources. It's winter time. The harvest, what little there probably was in Ylisse, is over. Executing a counter attack like that will fail because our army will starve or freeze. The Plegians are well supplied, we are not."
"We could cut the Plegian supply lines." Basilio suggested.
"Only for them to get reestablished in a different location." Robin noted, "There are no major choke points in western Ylisse save for the forests directly to the south of Ylisstol. And we would need men to hold the captured territory in order to keep those supply lines cut."
"Men we are unable to feed right now." Flavia frowned.
"And all of that still does not address the elephant in the room," Robin continued. He reached into the bag and withdrew a yellow triangle. He placed it on the Plegian capital, "The Exalt has been captured. And if I was Gangrel, I would want to parade that accomplishment for all of my people to see."
Robin could see Chrom's fists ball up at what Robin was saying. It was a brutal truth, but one Chrom had to hear.
"Then, after receiving his people's praises, he will execute her."
"That is not going to happen." Chrom growled.
"I agree." Flavia nodded, "The people of Ylisse fight harder and have hope as long as they know the Exalt is alive. Emmeryn's rescue should be a top priority."
Basilio hummed to himself, "I couldn't help but notice several Shepherds missing from our dinner?"
Chrom nodded, "Do you remember Marth?"
Basilio nodded.
"She took a group of Shepherds to mount a rescue mission."
Basilio's eyes widened, "She!?"
"HA!" Flavia bellowed, "Your champion got bested by a girl! HAHAHAHA!"
"That is besides the point." Robin tapped the map, "Right now, Marth, Ben, and three other Shepherds are moving with all haste towards the Plegian capital. Without any form of support. The Plegians will be on their guard, even in their own homeland. And Gangrel will have his best soldiers guarding the Exalt."
Flavia grinned, "So what you're saying is, we need to draw those soldiers out in order to give Ben and Marth a chance?"
Robin nodded. Chrom narrowed his eyes at Robin.
"What plan do you have concocted in that insane mind of yours?"
Robin gave Chrom a devious grin, "One that is just as suicidal as Marth's. And the Plegians will not see it coming." Robin grabbed four red squares, which he used to represent Regna Ferox's armies. He placed them at the northern border between Regna Ferox and Plegia. Then he pushed them inland.
"Through the desert!?" Basilio gawked.
Flavia whistled low, "Ballsy."
"And out of nowhere." Robin continued, "The Plegians think that they have Ylisse beaten. And since Regna Ferox has not moved her armies south to aid us yet, they think that you have abandoned the alliance. They think you're fearful of Plegian power."
"Pah!" Flavia spat, "Plegian power? What a load of horse crap."
"Agreed." Basilio grunted.
"So Feroxi soldiers charging into the Plegian capital from the north will catch them flat footed." Chrom said with a gleam in his eyes.
"Exactly." Robin grinned, "It is effectively one massive, flanking maneuver. The majority of their forces are committed in Ylisse and holding their eastern border. If we can strike fast through the north, we will face minimal resistance. And the Plegian Capital will be wide open."
"Forcing Gangrel to commit all of his soldiers to defending his capital instead of guarding Emm." Chrom said as he slowly realized the genius behind Robin's plan. He clapped a hand on Robin's shoulder, "You are a mad genius."
"It's what you pay me to do." Robin chuckled.
Basilio furrowed his brow and rubbed his chin, "It's a very risky plan. But in the last war, it was risky for you Ylisseans to cross the mountain passes. Yet that somehow worked too. We will have to have very strong supply lines. And we cannot concern ourselves with taking territory. This will have to be a lightning fast strike."
Robin nodded, "Do you think your men are up for it?"
"You challenge my men, boy?" Basilio guffawed, "My soldiers are as tough as tough gets. I don't know about Flavia's-"
"Don't push it, Oaf." The smaller Khan warned.
"But I know they are just as stubborn and itching for a fight as mine are." Basilio nodded, "If this works, it will be the stuff of songs and legend."
"It will work." Robin said confidently.
Flavia grinned at Chrom, "I like him more and more, Prince. Very well, we have our plan." She pushed herself away from the table, "I'll call for the army to marshal at the Longfort. We ride there at first light tomorrow. Exalt Emmeryn does not have much time."
"The Shepherds will serve as a vanguard." Chrom stated.
"I'd expect nothing less." Flavia beamed, "You may have some Feroxi blood in your veins, Prince Chrom. You seem to crave a fight more than any warrior I've ever met."
"This fight is personal." Chrom said.
"Don't let it get too personal." Basilio advised, "We will need rational thinking on the battlefield. That is how you survive and win, kid."
Chrom nodded over at Robin, "That's what I have him for." He took a deep breath and nodded, "I'll let the others know."
"I'll work on fine tuning the strategy." Robin said.
"Ok. But promise me you will rest tonight." Chrom said as he made his way to the door.
"No promises!" Robin called as the door closed behind the prince.
Flavia uttered a loud yawn. She stretched her arms high over her head, smacked her lips together, then scratched the back of her neck.
"Early morning eh? Alright then. Time to hit the sack."
"Goodnight, Khan Flavia." Basilio called as Flavia strode out of the room.
"Goodnight, Oaf."
The door shut behind her with an audible clunk. Robin was now alone with Khan Basilio. But the tactician didn't mind. He was going to be staying in this room for a few more hours anyways. He needed to fine tune the strategy. Figure out supply lines as well as the fastest route through the sand dunes that dominated northern Plegia. He would hardly notice when the older Khan left.
As his mind raced through strategies, problems, and various solutions, something began to nag at his mind.
Why did Plegia want war? The last one went terribly for both sides. There was no true victor. From what Robin had studied, the Plegians had managed to keep their old borders but at a cost so terrible that the nation was likely still not fully recovered. Ylisse was the same way. The nation he now served had lost their Exalt in battle, tens of thousands of soldiers, untold numbers of civilians. It took almost a decade before Ylisse was stable once again. And that was thanks to the steady hand Exalt Emmeryn ruled with.
Robin refused to believe that the war was simply for revenge. That was far too simple of a reason. It might make sense to Plegia's masses. But it made no sense from a strategic point of view. Revenge would only motivate soldiers so much. There had to be a goal. An endgame.
His thoughts drifted back to the first skirmish near Themis. King Gangrel had asked for the Fire Emblem in exchange for Maribelle's life. At first Robin thought that maybe it was just a ploy. A way for Gangrel to ensure he would get the war he wanted. A gamble he made, knowing that Emmeryn would likely not hand over Ylisse's national treasure.
But what if it was more than that? What if Gangrel's goal really was the Fire Emblem? Robin frowned. There was still the question of why? Why would he want the Fire Emblem?
"What's on your mind, Robin?"
Robin's head snapped up. Basilio was still there. The large man had taken a seat in a wooden chair near the fire.
"What do you mean?"
Basilio snorted, "I can practically see the smoke coming from your ears, kid." He gestured at another chair near the fire, "Give yourself a break for a moment."
Robin frowned. He did not want to. But he found himself unable to focus on the strategy he had come up with. So reluctantly, he left the map on the table and sat down next to Basilio.
The big man stared into the fire for a few moments. Robin did so as well. Both men enjoying the small silence given to them by the cold evening and crackling flames.
"I wasn't Khan when the first war broke out." Basilio began as he stared in the flickering flames.
He wasn't looking at Robin. The tactician wondered if Basilio even remembered if he was there at all. His thoughts appeared to be in a far away place. Another time, years ago.
"I was the previous West Khan's champion though." Basilo continued, "So that allowed me certain privileges. So much so, that my predecessor decided to groom me for Khanship." Basilio leaned back in his seat, "Part of that process was learning about foreign relations. At that time, the first Ylissean-Plegian War had just broke out." He was quiet for a moment, "Several months into the war, Chrom's old man came to us. Just like you all did. He wanted an alliance. But unlike you and Chrom, he did not have a very good reason."
Robin raised his brow, "I don't remember reading about that."
Basilio snorted, "Of course you wouldn't have read about it. Do you think the Ylissean historians would have written bad things about the previous Exalt?"
Robin had to agree with Basilio, "It's unlikely."
Basilio nodded, "Anyways, the previous Exalt, the one before Emmeryn, came to us seeking an alliance. At the time, the war was going badly. Not for Ylisse. But for Plegia. The Exalt was many things. I found him to be a bit up his own ass, snarky, but damn cunning. And a military genius as well. When he came to us, I was all for joining the fight." Basilio shook his head in amusement, "I was a bullheaded youth. That's for damn sure. Battle was everything to me. Just as it's everything for any young Feroxi soldier. I heard the Exalt's reason for an alliance, and I was ready to march into Plegia right away."
"But my predecessor said no." Basilio took a breath, "At the time, I thought the man had finally grown too old. That he was no longer hungry for glory. It made me think he was a weak Khan." The Western Khan laughed to himself, "That old man put me in my place. That's for damn sure."
"How so?" Robin asked as he listened closely.
"Well, he broke down why the Exalt's reason for war was bullshit. And then he beat the piss out of me with a hammer and shield."
Robin cringed, causing Basilio to chuckle.
"That happens to us Feroxi boys all the time. We can be so hard headed, that our minds may as well be stone. Flavia still as a bit of that. But she's also still young. She'll learn soon. War is not something that should be sought out, no matter the reason. It should be an last resort."
Robin sighed, "Mind telling King Gangrel that when we see him?"
Basilio uttered a loud laugh, "Gladly."
Robin shifted in his seat, "So?"
"Hm?"
"What happened next?"
Basilio took a deep breath, "We didn't join the war. And, looking back on it now, I thank the gods we did not. My predecessor was wise."
Robin nodded in agreement, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What was the Exalt's reason for war?"
Basilio frowned, "I'm not sure I should be telling you."
"Why not?"
"Cause your Prince will not like it either." Basilio folded his hands, "I doubt he even knows the real reason behind that horrible war."
Robin frowned, "Right now, the reason Gangrel is at war with us is because he wants revenge. That is the known motivation for his armies. I need to figure out a way to counter that. In order to do that, I need to understand what happened in the last war. I need to know the truth behind it all."
Basilio looked a little uncomfortable. But the mountain of a man kept his face calm and his breathing even.
"If you insist." He cleared his throat, "The Exalt's reason for war was… because the world was in grave danger."
Robin raised his brow, "The world was in danger? Like… we are talking the end of the world?"
Basilio nodded, "The previous Exalt was many things. One of which was a persuasive speaker."
"How did he manage to justify that?" Robin asked.
Basilio sighed, "Have you heard of the Grimleal?"
Robin felt a small shiver run up his spine. The Grimleal. The magical arm of the Plegian military. They were also the leaders of Plegia's major religion. And they worshiped the Fell Dragon, Grima exclusively. There were few unbiased sources about the religion in Ylisse's records. The two kingdoms had almost always been at odds over their religions. Especially given the fact that Grima's mortal enemy was Ylisse's chief deity, the Divine Dragon, Naga.
"I'm gonna say, by that look on your face, you have." Basilio noted, "Then you are aware of what they are right? Mages. Vile ones too. They specialize in black magic and dark spells. Many of which are deadly both to the caster and the target. At least, that's how they are now."
Robin raised an eyebrow, "They weren't always that way?"
"No." Basilio shook his head, "Don't get me wrong, they still gave anyone the creeps back then. But they weren't so… so pure evil back then. That changed just before the war. Their High Priest died. Some strange accident. Or so the Grimleal says. A new priest was elevated in his place. A hardline, Grima fanatic named Validar."
Robin's eyes widened. Validar, he knew that name. It was the name of the sorcerer that lead the assassins that tried to kill Emmeryn in Ylisstol. The name of the sorcerer Kage slew that same night. The one that had nearly killed Robin. The tactician shuddered. He was glad that monster was now dead. The power he commanded was enormous. It took everything he had just to stay alive in that fight.
"Purges began in the Grimleal." Basilio continued, "Our spies reported mass killings of Grimleal mages and priests who were not loyal to Validar. Meanwhile, that same bastard of a human being began to experiment on something. Some new black magic. We knew about it. But we figured it was just more Grimleal nonsense. Probably a beefed up Flux or Nosferatu of some sort."
"But the Exalt didn't see it that way." Robin said.
Basilio nodded, "Not in the slightest. He claimed that Validar was attempting to resurrect the Fell Dragon, Grima."
Robin's eyes widened. Around the room, the shadows deepened at the mention of the Fell Dragon's possible return. He could feel some anxiety build up in him. Even as an amnesiac, he knew about the terrors inflicted by the Fell Dragon during ages long passed.
"How?" Robin asked as he swallowed hard.
"That's the same question we asked the Exalt." Basilio said, "He didn't have an answer. And no evidence. So, we did not join him in his war." Basilio's gaze drifted back to the flames in the fireplace, "And what started off as a campaign to stop the Grimleal became a campaign to slaughter Plegians."
Robin's mouth fell open.
"What do you mean?"
"Both sides were guilty of it." Basilio emphasized, "But it went from armies battling in traditional warfare, to starving of cities in sieges, to mass killings of civilians in order to prove a point." Basilio saw Robin's face pale, "The Exalt then committed one of the greatest atrocities of the war."
Robin swallowed hard. Now he was regretting asking Basilio why the last Exalt went to war with Plegia.
"He stormed one of the Plegian towns near the border wastes to the north." Basilio gulped, "And slaughtered every woman and child inside."
Robin felt his mouth go dry. The Ylissean's massacred women and children? He felt a pit form in his stomach. Did Chrom know about this? Did Exalt Emmeryn?
"When did this happen?"
Basilio sighed, "Almost fifteen years ago now. Towards the tail end of the war. A few battles later, the Exalt would be killed in battle. Gangrel became a boy king after his Uncle died from illness. Emmeryn became the Exalt. And the war would end a year or two later."
Robin let out a long exhale, "That is… a lot to take in."
Perhaps revenge really was Gangrel's true motivation?
Basilio nodded, "All these years later and it still is difficult to handle. But this war is different."
"How so?" Robin asked.
"For one, you were attacked." Basilio answered, "For two, Gangrel used bandits to attack Regna Ferox. And for three, the Grimleal this time are up to something. Our spies report they are taking a very active hand in this war. And that concerns me. And it concerns Flavia. But she won't let you catch her saying that."
Robin nodded. The Grimleal taking an active role in the war? That was a major cause for concern. It would be like if the Ylissean magic college decided to actively train warriors instead of scholars and send them to battle. The results would probably be horrific and devastating.
Easily as horrific as the last war. Robin could still not get the picture out of his mind. An entire town, butchered because someone thought the Fell Dragon was going to be resurrected. It boggled his mind how such an insane reason could lead to such devastation. How could human beings so readily follow something like that? For that matter, how could human beings so readily kill another for the sins of their fathers? That was essentially the crux of the current war. Plegia attempting to punish Ylisse for the atrocities of the last war.
And how, after knowing about all of this, could Khan Basilio ally with Ylisse?
"One more question." Robin said before Khan Basilio could leave his chair, "Why join us?"
Basilio gave the tactician a hard stare.
"Why fight for a nation that did such terrible things?" Robin asked.
"Because-" Basilio paused to take a breath and think, "Because Exalt Emmeryn is different. If there is anyone that will be able to achieve true peace in our time, it will be her. I met her once before. And I don't think I've ever been as hopeful around any other leader as I was when she was around. Gangrel's madness will only bring more destruction, even if he gets what he wants. Emmeryn's survival and Gangrel's downfall will ensure peace between our nations. I'm sure of it."
Robin stayed quiet as Basilio rose from his seat.
"I'll leave you to your planning. And like Chrom said, get some rest. We'll need you fresh for the road ahead."
Robin nodded in reply. But he continued to stare in the orange flames in the fireplace. Even as the door clicked shut to the chamber he was in.
Peace between our nations? Robin let out a long sigh as he sat in his chair. I hope you are right, Basilio.
And Chapter! This was a fun one to write. A very interesting one to write too. One of the few criticisms I actually have of Fire Emblem Awakening is the lack of backstory for Ylisse and Plegia and the animosity between them. Is it because of religion? Simple state rivalry? Both? Or something else? So I decided to try and explore that a little bit. And it was fascinating thinking of reasons for the hatred between Plegia and Ylisse. I'm hoping to continue to expand on it as the story progresses. We also took a break from Ben's side of things in order to see the details of Chrom and Robin's part of the story. The next chapter will mostly focus on Ben and Marth. That is going to be a very fun chapter! I'm excited to write it. I do work a lot the next few days. So it probably will be a few days before I can get it uploaded.
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!