Remember when I said that this chapter would mark the appearance of the Feroxi characters? Turns out I LIED! I had a whopping 33 pages drafted for this chapter, so I decided to engage in some massive trimming and I managed to bring it down to a far more reasonable 17…at the expense of Lon'qu and Olivia. The good news is that this obviously doesn't mean they won't appear; just that I decided that this chapter would benefit by staying in Ylisstol rather than going North.

As usual, many thanks to the wonderful newmrsdewinter for the beta. If you're a Persona fan, I'd like to promote her latest fic, a Persona 3 canon deviation with a lot of twists and turns that is sure to delight! Head on over to Archive of Our Own if you're interested!

Hoofbeats clacked pleasantly as the horses were led up the stone bridge that linked Ylisstol to the castle proper—beyond its massive walls, lofty white spires and towers with slate blue roofing soared into the sky. Robin and Henry had spent little time in Zuhsa and the thought of sneaking a peek at its own castle never crossed their minds while there, meaning they had no point of comparison between the two cities; even so, the structure was so grand, and everything gleamed just so, that Robin could not help but marvel at the sight.

The blast of a horn announced their presence. Waiting patiently for the guards to raise the gates, the company then advanced into the castle's entrance.

A small army of pages and groomsmen descended upon them, ready to receive their lieges. They began assisting the soldiers and helping down those who had been injured in the forest battle by setting down footstools and steadying them as they dismounted. Those who needed immediate attention were taken to be seen to, and their horses then led away to be stabled. Robin was highly impressed by the liveried servants and the speed and efficiency with which they carried out their duties.

Moreso because she had just learned that Chrom and Lissa were royalty scarcely but a few moments ago.

From the little she had seen so far, the castle gave off an indelible air of grace and strength: though weathered, the white stonework of the structure was still immaculate, with long blue and green banners streaming down the windows (the servants sported yellow along with a crest identical to what Robin strongly suspected was a Mark on Chrom's arm); and the courtyard they were currently in was separated from a sprawling green lawn by an archway fitted with a second set of gates, which the tactical-minded Robin approved of as a defensive feature.

Chrom hopped nimbly off Stormchaser and rubbed her neck fondly before turning to Robin. "Let me help you down."

Robin was about to decline the kind gesture, but apparently he said it as less as than offer and more as a statement. She was stunned into silence by the feeling of strong hands settling down on her waist and pulling her off the saddle, and her own hands shot to his shoulders to stabilise herself. He set her down on the flagstones very carefully.

"I know she's a little tall for you, so it was the least I could do." Chrom smiled.

"T-thank you kindly," Robin stammered, still a little dumbstruck at how casually he touched her—oh gods, her hands were still on his shoulders.

Loud hoofbeats were their only warning as Sully's white horse nearly barrelled into them. Chrom called out to her, shocked, and was rudely blown off as Sully threw down the reins and launched herself off the saddle. She ignored Chrom and stormed off after the horses, her face unmistakably darkened with ire.

"What's up with her?" Lissa had Henry by the hand and tugged him along as she regrouped with Robin and her brother. The boy's blanket had slipped off his head and the light created a shining halo around his pale hair.

Chrom sighed, watching Sully's receding figure. "She's been like this since the forest…I'll have to take her aside and have a word."

"That's an if," Lissa reminded him. "If you make it sound like she's being lectured then she'll give you the cold shoulder for weeks. Months, if she's really feeling dedicated."

Robin had a hunch about the root cause of Sully's state, but decided to keep it to herself.

"If you'd like, I've got a spell so that she'll be smiling in no time!" Henry offered cheerfully. "And if she's still feeling like a grumpus wumpus, then I can just change it into a hex and keep her smiling forever!"

Lissa's mouth dropped slightly. She exchanged a look with her brother, and turned back to Henry with a slightly forced and uneasy grin. "Uh…thanks, Henry?"

"Don't mention it!" He beamed.

A groom approached Chrom with the utmost deference, bowed, and made an inquiry that was too low to be heard. Chrom himself only made a small exclamation, thanked the groom, and sent him off with a request to attend to the rest of the men in their company. "It seems Emm still has some more babies to kiss and hands to shake before she arrives. Since I'd rather not keep everyone waiting around, how would you all like to meet the rest of the Shepherds?"

Robin swallowed nervously. If Chrom and Lissa themselves were of any indication, then their comrades surely had to be as friendly as them. But if Sully was anything to go by…

"Oh, please come!" Lissa grabbed Robin's hands and jumped excitedly in place, her face lit up with excitement. "Everyone needs to get acquainted and we just have to tell them about what you did in Southtown! You'll get to meet Maribelle, and Cordelia, and Stahl, and—"

"Give her some breathing room!" Chrom separated the two, but was laughing all the same.

"Robbie! New friends!" Henry whispered to her. "Isn't that just super exciting?"

No. No, it's not. Robin's heart leapt into her throat, pumping out an awful, unsteady rhythm, making it difficult to breathe, much less reply. Chrom and Lissa were safe. They were warm and kind. But Frederick's reception of them had been cold, and Sully was downright hostile. She and Henry were smack dab in the middle of Ylissean territory—in the capital city—and they had no way of knowing if those other Shepherds Chrom and Lissa wanted them to meet would be anything like them. What if they were worse than Sully? What if those awful stories she had been told back at the skull were true?

She could use a bit of advice from the robe now, insults or not, but for some baffling reason, it had been unreasonably quiet since their arrival. Robin gave it the equivalent of a mental nudge, but to her shock, it complained over the encroachment into its personal space and went back to being silent.

It was ignoring her? What the—

"You alright, Robin?" Chrom's voice pulled her back out of her head.

She realised with a start that all eyes were on her. Frederick himself had joined their small group, and his stern eyes were watching her with his usual disapproval. "I…I'm fine." Her faltering speech did not feel very convincing to her. "Just a bit tired from the ride."

Chrom, evidently concerned, grasped her shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. "You don't have to meet them right now if you're not up to it. Don't push yourself."

There she went again, jumping to conclusions and letting her catastrophic overthinking get the better of her. Yes, she was afraid of being in the midst of Ylisseans. She felt small and defenseless in foreign territory; she had little idea of what new perils awaited outside of Plegia, and she and Henry needed to learn to navigate this strange land and its customs and peoples in order to survive. Though the most rational position to take was to always maintain a healthy level of precaution and suspicion (as Frederick was doing), Chrom and his Shepherds had been very gracious and welcoming—well, most of them, anyways. Trusting them had worked out well for them so far…surely she could allow herself to have a little hope and let herself believe they had allies now?

After all, they were long out of Plegia, far from Validar and the Grimleal's clutches.

"It's alright." Robin forced a shaky smile onto her face. "I just needed a little time to recuperate."

"If you say so," Chrom said, giving her a look that very plainly stated that he did not fully believe her.

Well, if anything, there was Chrom. Kind, unassuming Chrom who had been nothing but supportive in the little time they had known each other, and his sweet sister Lissa, too.

And Henry, of course. They had been together through thick and thin, with Mustafa and without, and Robin was so grateful to have him by her side. He slotted his hand through hers, and she understood the silent message behind his cheery smile. "Ready when you are!" he exclaimed.

"I think I am." Robin held his hand tightly as Chrom took the lead to the barracks.

They entered the second gateway into the courtyard with the beautiful rolling green lawn; a large flower bed of blue and yellow irises shaped like the mark on Chrom's shoulder dominated its centre, with neatly kept hedges separating the grass from the pavement. More of the blue and green banners Robin saw at the castle's entrance lined the walls of the colonnades enclosing the lawn. Servants were laying out immature potted flower buds of some kind in the same blue and yellow scheme as the central flower bed, sure to bloom beautifully in the months to come. The castle itself was of the same white stone Robin had seen from the bridge, its blue roofing far more lustrous up close, and the glass windows—glass!—set into its façade shone like bright jewels in the sun.

Everything was so marvelous that it seemed taken straight from the stories Mustafa used to tell around the campfire. Robin resisted the urge to pinch herself, allowing herself the luxury of feeling as amazed as she was back in Zuhsa.

They turned a corner into a long passageway lined with torch brackets and manned by armoured guards, who all saluted smartly at the sight of Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick. Emerging back into the light, they came across another courtyard housing a smaller lawn and two adjoined buildings of roughly the same make, but of different size; though composed of a pale greyish brickwork that looked older than the rest of the castle's white stone, one was smaller and lower. A brief whiff told Robin that the stables were right behind those buildings.

"Here we are," Chrom announced proudly. "The Shepherds' barracks."

"I can't wait to introduce everyone to you guys!" Lissa squealed.

Robin managed a shaky smile in response. Henry squeezed her hand again, and they followed the siblings to the smaller structure's doors.

Just then, a page sprinted quickly across the lawn, calling Chrom's name. Skidding to a stop, the sweaty, panting boy haltingly explained that Exalt Emmeryn had just arrived at the castle—and that she had requested Chrom's presence in her audience chamber as soon as possible.

"I'll be there at once," Chrom promised. He took a step forward, but then, remembering their guests, turned back to Henry and Robin with a torn expression. "It's…Emm's here."

Robin shook her head. "It's fine. Your sister called for you."

"You sure?"

"Y-yeah. Don't worry about us. We have Lissa here for us."

"I just hope she remembers to take care of you!" The corners of Chrom's lip quirked up into a slight grin when Lissa stuck out her tongue in reply. He waved a short goodbye as he followed the page to the castle's main ward, with Frederick trailing closely behind.

It's going to be fine, Robin mentally steeled herself as the doors were opened. Lissa's here. It's fine. Lissa's here and so is Henry, and she's just going to introduce us to the Shepherds. Sully is a Shepherd. Wait. What if she's here? She's obviously not too happy about us, so her being here would most likely mean that she told everyone else about us. Stop it, Robin. It's going to be fine. Lissa and Henry are here and everything will be just fine and you have to calm down, just calm down and everything will be fine and nothing bad will happen because you're just overthinking and jumping to bad conclusions as usual—

"Welcome to the Shepherd's garrison!" Lissa crowed. "Go on. Make yourselves at home!"

The interior looked roomier than its exterior appearance suggested: the ceiling was a tall, pointed barrel vault that gave the place an airy feel; large circular windows high up at each end of the building allowed light to pass through along with smaller windows set into recesses in the walls at human height. Below the window at the end was a large map of the continent, neatly stacked crates and burlap bags of some kind pushed up against the wall, and a hefty console desk holding up a fastidiously detailed diorama of the same map. A few doorways—one next to the map, two on the leftmost wall, and one on the right—were set into the walls in a similar fashion to the windows. Some cabinets were organised in equal number along the walls as well, and three tables with matching seating arranged at the centre of the barracks.

Two women were seated at one of the tables and speaking very quietly: one had very long ashen curls and a sweet winged hairpin perched on her half ponytail, but, curiously enough, her hair was mussed and full of straw. Perhaps she was from the stables, though it was hard to discern more as she had her back to the entrance. The other woman was dressed in rather expensive-looking frilly pink finery, and her blonde hair was arranged into thick, tight ringlets framing her face. Large white bows on either side of her head completed the impression of a noblewoman with tastes leaning heavily towards the fanciful.

As she was facing the doorway, the blonde was the first to spot their entry. "Lissa!" She shot up and sent her chair skidding back with a loud screech, running straight to the princess and crashing into her with a strong hug. "My treasure!"

"Oh hey, Maribelle!" Lissa returned the gesture with equal vigour.

Maribelle pulled back from their embrace, red-faced and spluttering. "'Oh hey' yourself! I've sprouted 14 gray hairs fretting over you!"

"Aw, you worry too much."

"I wo—Lissa! Here I am, absolutely frantic over your wellbeing as we watched a wildfire rage all the way from here, and you say that my worrying is excessive?"

"Cheer up! It could've been way worse."

"Short of you telling me that you had to do battle in that fire, or that you were accosted by rogues, or attacked by wild animals, then I fail to see how that is supposed to be of any consolation."

"Well, that would be two out of three you got there—"

"LISSA!"

"Aw, Mari." The princess pouted and shifted her hands to hold Maribelle's waist. "You know me! I can handle a battle or two! Although I could do without the bugs and the bear barbecue…" she muttered that last sentence under her breath.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head, Miss Maribelle!" Vaike swaggered his way to them and swung his muscular arms over their shoulders. Maribelle looked distinctly displeased with his presence and gingerly removed his hand with a scoff. "They'd have had a rougher time out there if it weren't for ol' Teach and his trusty axe!"

"Oh, so you're "Teach" now, Vaike, is that it? Hee hee! And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?" Lissa giggled.

Vaike laughed heartily. "Ha! Never doubt the Vaike!...Wait, was that an insult?"

"Beg pardon, but when might we see the captain?"

The soft, hesitant voice belonged to the lady with the winged hairpin. Her brown eyes flickered uncertainly between Lissa, Maribelle, and Vaike, only for her to quickly lower her gaze to the ground when Robin and Henry looked back at her. Her gloved hands moved in a perpetually fretful motion, and Robin felt a bit sorry for the young woman.

Maribelle sighed. "Poor Sumia. She's simply been beside herself with concern...her eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training. She might have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded."

A distinctly cat-like grin curled the edges of Lissa's mouth. "Aw, Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom," she teased.

Pink bloomed across Sumia's pale face, colouring every inch of her skin until not even the middle of her neck was spared from her obvious embarrassment. "Worry? Well, I...he's our captain and our prince—of course I'd worry!"

Sumia's stammering suggested that her interest in Chrom lay far beyond mere loyalty.

"So!" Maribelle's ringlets tossed spiritedly in the air as she snapped her head forward (a rather intimidating motion if Robin said so herself) to inspect the pair of newcomers. "Might I ask who these strangers are?"

Lissa beamed. "Allow me to introduce Robin and Henry! They just joined the Shepherds. You should see all the tricks they've got up their sleeves!"

Maribelle sized them up in a manner not dissimilar to an elegant crane deciding that certain prey was far too meagre and poor to be worth its time. "Oh? Chrom made them Shepherds?"

"Yup!" Vaike produced an enormous wineskin seemingly from out of nowhere, popping it open and offering it to everyone, inadvertently sloshing part of its contents over his hand. "I say that's cause for celebration, so drink up, everyone! It's been a while since we got some fresh blood in the mix."

Sumia scuttled away to procure small silver cups, lest Vaike spill more than they could drink, and took it upon herself to serve the small group. Thankfully, she poured a reasonable amount for them all. Vaike decided to chug straight from the skin; Maribelle wrinkled her nose and moved away, lest stray droplets from Vaike's boorish gulping stain her fine pink and white clothes.

"What about him?" Robin asked. She was referring to a very tall, thickset man who had been sitting in the corner the entire time. He kept to himself and made little noise, so little that one would have thought no one was there, and he was engaged in whittling some small wooden animal of some sort.

Surprised, the man lifted his soft, doughy face from his work and pointed to himself. "You…talking about me?"

"Yes? Why wouldn't I be?"

The man blushed bashfully. "Well…no one seems to pay much attention, so I just mind my own business and try not to get in anyone's way."

"Ah! Kellam!" Vaike grinned widely, seemingly haven completely forgotten that he had been totally unaware of the man's presence until Robin had pointed him out. "Just in time! C'mon and get over here for a drink."

"T-thank you…"

Kellam joined their group and waited patiently for Sumia to fetch him his own cup. When she finished pouring him wine, he whispered his thanks and took a tiny sip. The group then fell into an awkward silence.

"I have to ask about your…qualifications for having made the cut." Maribelle eyed Robin and Henry critically. Frowning. She peered closer at Robin's face in an attempt to discern her features, but thankfully, the robe prevented further scrutiny. "As Vaike so eloquently put it, our last recruitment was some time ago."

Robin sipped nervously at her wine. "Uh…funny you should ask that…"

"What was that? Speak up! I can hardly hear you under that enormous hood."

"I, uh—"

"We found her passed out in a field," Lissa answered in Robin's stead. "It was so weird, too! She was all banged up so we took her in and patched her up at the border post, but then we saw that Southtown was on fire because some bandits crossed over! Lucky for us that Robin knew exactly what to do and helped us kick their butts!" She pumped the air excitedly and spilled a bit of her wine, much to Maribelle's chagrin. "And then in the forest—wow! Like I said, she and Henry really know their stuff!"

"You say that now Lis, but can they do this?" Vaike let rip with the loudest, longest burp Robin had ever heard. Henry cackled with laughter.

"I'm sure I have much to learn in the belching arts, 'Teach.' In any case, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances," Robin said.

Unfortunately, it seemed as though that was the wrong answer: Maribelle's reaction was nothing short of indignant. "Ugh, Vaike! That was abhorrent! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery?" She turned to Robin with a fiery disapproval in her ruby-red eyes. "And you, Robin! Don't encourage him! I had hoped you two were cut from finer cloth." Tossing her beribboned head back with a loud sniff, she marched herself out of the garrison in a humph.

Robin visibly deflated. She had thought that, in the absence of Sully's animus, then perhaps she and Henry had a better chance of getting along with the other Shepherds. But now it seemed as though there was another entry to the list of people who were anything but happy with their presence.

A tentative hand on her shoulder startled her into looking up, meeting Sumia's shy, concerned gaze. "Don't take it to heart, Robin. Maribelle warms to people slowly."

"Or burns too quickly! Hee hee! But yeah, just give her time," Lissa added.

Well. If there was a list of unhappy people…then there was also a list of sympathisers. Robin's heart unclenched significantly at the thought.

The doors opened again to reveal Chrom and Frederick, with an armed escort keeping close pace with them. He waved genially and walked leisurely to the group. "Glad to see you're all getting acquainted here!"

Sumia's face burst into flame at the sight of Chrom, and her previously gentle and comforting demeanour took a turn for the bumbling and flustered. Robin was amazed at the sudden change. "Ah! Captain! You've returned! I was—I mean, we were so—"

In her haste to greet Chrom, poor Sumia pitched too far forward, her foot catching on a raised corner of flagstone and sending her plummeting face first into the floor. Chrom immediately raced to see that she had not hurt herself, with Henry helping him to pull her up. "Sumia! Are you all right?"

"I-I-I—"

"Those boots of yours again?"

"No! I mean yes! I mean—" she stopped herself mid sentence and heaved a heavy sigh.

"Whew! That was a super close call," Henry said mildly as he dusted her off. "Once I saw that happen to a guy, and he fell so hard that his nose smashed into his skull and bits of it went into his brain and he died."

Sumia's mouth fell agape at how casually Henry recounted such a gruesome story. Swallowing nervously, she looked around questioningly at the members of their small group, blanching just the tiniest bit when Lissa merely shrugged and shook her head at her. "I…thank you, Henry…?"

"Oh, don't mention it," he replied cheerfully. "I'm just glad to see that you're a-okay!" He suddenly leaned in closely to Sumia's face, prompting a frightened squeak from her, and he gave three quick sniffs at her hair.

"Is…something wrong?" she ventured timidly.

Henry inhaled a long, drawn-out breath. "You smell like a horse." Sumia sputtered and Lissa stifled a snort at his bluntness. "And you've got horsehair on your clothes." He plucked a long, thin white tendril off her chest, prompting a new blush on her face at his touch. "Do you have a horse?"

"W-why yes, I do, but I also take care of several. I'm a Pegasus Knight, so my mount is a pegasus."

Henry's face split into a wide, enchanted smile. "Wow! A real live pegasus? I like horses, but I've never seen a pegasus before! Can you take me to see them soon?"

"Henry, you mustn't pressure her like that when you've just met—" Robin chided him gently.

"Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaase?" he begged.

"It's fine, Robin." Sumia, though bemused by Henry's quirky, morbid nature, was able to compose herself quickly enough, gratified to be discussing her line of work. "Not a lot of people seem to be interested in the pegasi beyond the pageants and the aerial exercises, so I'd be very happy to take him for a look some time."

"Yaay! Thank you, Sumia!" Henry grasped her hands and jumped excitedly in place.

She blushed again. "Y-you're welcome."

Chrom cleared his throat. He was clearly amused by the exchange and grinned widely. "Although I'm very glad to see everyone is getting along well so far, I'm afraid I have to interrupt. You can come meet Emmeryn now: she has requested your presence."

Robin gulped for the thousandth time as she and Henry were led by Chrom, Frederick, and Lissa to the throne room where Exalt Emmeryn received audiences. What she had seen so far of the castle's interior was just as grand, if not more so, than its grounds; however, contrary to the exterior white stones, the building blocks inside seemed to have faded into warm, buttery earth tones. The flooring was tiled into charming patterns of flowers and pegasi statant. Light streamed in from the tall windows set high up above them; at the end of the hall was an enormous stained glass window that shone in rainbows and threw shards of jewelled light onto the floor. Below it lay an enormous, intricately carved doorway guarded by a pair of statues of warrior women, and a small troop of guardswomen dressed in similar costume to the statues awaited them.

"Exalt Emmeryn will be seeing you now," one of them announced, "but animals are not allowed entry."

"What animals?" Chrom asked.

The guard pointed to Henry. He guiltily produced Neferi, who had been cleverly hidden in the recesses of his cape, and pouted.

Lissa cooed to the dog and scratched her ears delightedly. "Aw, I was wondering where you went! Such a cutie!" She happily accepted Neferi's kisses, to Frederick's exasperation.

"Why can't she come?" Henry whined.

"Rules are rules," was the guard's cool response.

Chrom intervened on Henry's behalf. "Please make an exception for the time being. She can be carried in so she won't make a mess, and I promise that we'll remove her if she begins to fuss. And besides, I don't think Emmeryn will mind much."

Frederick began to protest. "Milord, protocol must be followed in accordance—"

The doors opened a smidgeon to reveal another guard peeking through. "Her Grace said she heard her brother at the doors. We are to let him in at once," she said.

The first guard sighed. "Fine then. But the dog stays with the boy—carried."

"Thank you, scary lady!" Henry waved back to her as they were led into the throne room.

"You're welco—what?"

A viewing gallery for those who wished to look in on the proceedings had been built above the entrance—no wonder! The throne room was made to receive large audiences, and was the very picture of magnificence. Twelve banners much like the ones Robin had seen outside lined the twelve columns standing between the entrance and the dais at the end of the room, all a bright leaf green stitched with real gold, and emblazoned with what was obviously Naga at their head. The carpet was a lush, rich pomegranate red, and led directly to the dais housing the throne where Exalt Emmeryn sat.

Robin's stomach dove, turned flips, and somersaulted as they approached the dais. Her heart went back to her throat and blocked the passage of air. This felt so much worse than her initial fears of meeting the Shepherds—they were about to be greeted by the ruler of Ylisse and the leader of Naga's faith. She had heard nothing but evil things about this woman on the few occasions Validar deigned to mention her at all: his hatred for Gangrel paled in comparison to what he felt for Emmeryn. So great was his loathing for the Exalt that the mere mention of her name would send him into a cold, fearsome fury that Robin had only witnessed once, and never wanted to see ever again.

"Say that whore's name again," Validar had pronounced icily to the unlucky general who had merely been reporting on the then child's ascension to Ylisse's throne, "and I promise you that it will be the last thing you hear."

Robin had heard the Exalt being named directly more times this week alone than she had in the 16 years that passed after that incident. And now, they would meet face to face.

Why was the robe so silent? It had been infuriatingly chatty and obnoxious crossing the damned desert; it had screeched obscenities and sang annoying songs into her ears and muttered nasty things at the Midmire and it had helped her tap into a great and strange inner power in the forest battle against the Risen. But she had not heard a single peep from it from the moment they set foot in Palenorda. As much as she had wish it would have shut up before, Robin felt far more anxious without its running commentary keeping her company.

Hey, she mentally nudged it again. Something the matter?

Total silence on its end.

Please don't ignore me.

Still no response.

Fine. Have it your way.

Heavily armed guards stood watch right before the dais, lowering their lances in a perfectly timed salute as Chrom and Lissa approached. Their uniforms were blue and burnished bronze and silver, and their helmets intimidating visored creations with wings extending from the head down to their jaws. A lady Robin assumed was their superior, as she was dressed in a manner similar to theirs, watched attentively from her post by the throne. She was a formidable looking woman with powder blue hair pulled back into a severe bun and a white and gold eyepatch covering her scarred left eye socket. Her remaining eye never left Robin and Henry.

Exalt Emmeryn was a vision of pure radiance. Her hair was the same blonde shade as Lissa's, but instead of the winsome, haphazard pigtails that her sister preferred, Emmeryn's was coiffed into two perfectly arranged curls. They enhanced the golden glow of the headdress perched at the back of her head, and the effect was such that Robin thought she was looking at a sunbeam.

"My dearest siblings!" Emmeryn extended her arms open in warm greeting. "Welcome back home."

Lissa practically threw herself into her sister's arms with loud cries of happiness, and babbled away over this and that. Though Chrom had previously greeted her before, he had no problem crossing the steps of the dais to enclose them both in a tight hug, and Emmeryn kissed his cheek softly and ran her hand through his hair.

Seeing them all so affectionate with one another made Robin's stomach hurt.

Lissa pulled back and turned to the newcomers with a wide grin. "Emm! I don't know how much Chrom told you, but they're Robin and Henry! Chrom decided to make them Shepherds."

Robin had grown somewhat accustomed to the pulsing, tingling sensation in her Marked hand whenever Lissa and Chrom were nearby…but with the addition of Emmeryn's presence, it turned into a strong, full-bodied hum that buzzed in her ears. The regal woman's forehead bore the same icon that her brother's right bicep did, and now Robin was completely certain that they too were Marked people. Dragon's blood ran through their veins just at it did hers. Just like the robe had said before.

With Naga's blood.

Emmeryn regarded Robin and Henry with a vague, gentle smile on her lips, but did not reply to her sister. Robin was torn between feeling sick with something—fear? uncertainty?—over meeting the Exalt of Ylisse in the flesh, and feeling awed that such a celestial being was in fact a mortal. This was the lady that Chrom and Lissa had heaped endless praises on, and she certainly looked like the saint they made her out to be.

Robin suddenly choked on a wordless gasp—something was probing deep inside her heart. Whatever it was searching for, Robin could not tell, but the sensation was a terrifyingly unwelcome one. Robin was frozen in place, helpless to do anything as whatever it was rummaged around inside her.

"Robin? What's wrong?" she heard someone say, distantly.

The robe reacted for the first time since entering Ylisstol, forcefully pushing the intruding presence out with a snarl. Curiously enough, the thing, whatever it was, did not seem to take it very personally, lingering for a moment before bowing out.

Sucking in a big gulp of much-welcomed air, Robin noticed that all eyes were on her; Lissa and Chrom looked very worried, while Frederick and the guards regarded her warily.

Emmeryn, strangely enough, did not look very concerned or suspicious at all, her smile widening ever so slightly. Robin had little time to dwell on the oddity of her reaction, but shelved her doubts on it for later. "I'm f-f-fine," she lied. "I—I just haven't had anything to drink in a while and I'm afraid I'm feeling a bit faint."

"We'll get you something right away," Chrom promised. He bade a guard to fetch a servant from the kitchens for them.

"I am sorry that you're feeling unwell." Emmeryn's voice was soft and sweet, smooth and deeply pleasing to the ear. "Please, let me help, if at least to soothe some of your discomfort." She began to stand from the throne.

"Your Grace—" the blue-haired guard started.

"It's quite alright, Phila. Don't worry."

Phila, relenting, stood aside and kept careful watch as Emmeryn leaned heavily on the recover staff she evidently used as a scepter, raising herself to her full height. She began a somewhat laboured walk down the dais steps to where Robin and Henry stood.

She only had one leg.

"Chrom told me a little bit about you two," Emmeryn intoned in that calm, careful voice of hers. "But I daresay that what I did hear was quite intriguing." She raised her hand to Robin's throat and pressed down lightly on her skin. Though Robin had lied over the cause of her little episode, whatever magic Emmeryn used on her did, in fact, soothe her parched throat somewhat and cleared some of the pain that had settled into her stomach. "It has been some time since their latest recruitment."

"That's what Vaike said!" Henry piped up.

Emmeryn's brilliant green eyes slid to him. Her attention prompted him to fall into a bashful, even nervous silence. "I do seem to recall him calling himself 'Teach.' He was ever so excited about welcoming new members to the Shepherds. I think that he will be very happy to have, ah, new 'students.'"

"Emm," Lissa groaned, "please don't encourage him."

"Why not?"

"It's not that he's bad at being Teach, it's just that he gets super insufferable about it."

Emmeryn laughed; the sound was rather like the peal of a new bell. "I thought those kinds of complaints were reserved for Frederick's level of fastidiousness."

The throne room broke out into boisterous laughter at the man's expense, and Robin finally felt herself relax. Whatever it was that happened before felt long forgotten, and it was reassuring to see that Emmeryn had a sense of humour about her. She was beginning to trust the woman a little bit.

"I see that all my efforts and my position are well-rewarded," Frederick grumbled.

"Cheer up, Fred!" Lissa was doubled over, wheezing and teary eyed. "Sometimes you need to get knocked down a few pegs."

"How very kind of you, milady."

Emmeryn watched over the scene with an expression of obvious pleasure. Why did Robin feel so afraid of her before? She was the very picture of warmth and kindness that her siblings painted on their way to Ylisstol. "Well! I'm very glad to see everyone has fared well on their journey. Robin, Henry."

The two stood attentively, waiting to hear what Emmeryn had to say to them. Henry bounced Neferi in his arms with anxious energy.

"It sounds as though Ylisse owes you a debt of gratitude. Our people are safe thanks to your help." She stepped closer and placed her hand under Neferi's chin. "It is my hope that Chrom will make fine Shepherds out of you."

Stunned, Robin dropped into a jerky, awkward bow, prompting Henry to do the same. "T-thank you, Em—Your Grace."

Still sporting that gentle, secretive smile of hers, Emmeryn inclined her head ever so slightly in response. "The pleasure is all mine. But I am afraid I have to take my leave now." She reached her hand out to her brother. "Chrom. We are about to hold council. I was hoping you could join us."

"Of course." He held his arm out to her so that she could lean on him.

"Lissa," Emmeryn added.

The tiny blonde perked up at the mention of her name. "Yeah, Emm?"

"Be a dear and do show our newest Shepherds around, would you? It wouldn't do for them to get lost. I'm sure you'll be the perfect guide."

Lissa gasped. "Oh my gods! Yes!" She ran up to her sister for another tight hug, which was gladly reciprocated. "I won't let you down Emm! I promise to be the best castle tour guide ever!" Dashing over to Robin and Henry, she pulled them with her without so much as the slightest chance to say proper goodbyes. "Come on! There are so many places I have to show you guys!"

Emmeryn chuckled as she watched her lively younger sister practically drag the newest additions to the Shepherds away. Such youthful excitement was always such a sight to behold, and she hoped Lissa would always retain her joyful spirit.

Those two were certainly mysterious…but Robin presented the biggest mystery of all, shrouded in that dark, foreboding robe of hers. Emmeryn was thoroughly intrigued, wondering what exactly lay under that robe and what it would take to uncover the secrets she undoubtedly carried with her.

But, first things first.

"Shall we?" she prompted Chrom. He nodded in understanding and helped her patiently. Though she was able to get around on her own with her staff, having to rest her weight on her remaining leg did get tiring at times, and she was always grateful for the extra help. Stairs presented the biggest challenge.

Phila, Frederick, and her pegasus knights followed after them, with the latter fanning out to form the protective formation they maintained at all times when she was on the move. They exited the throne room after Lissa's small troop and began their trip to the council room.

"Forgive me, Your Grace, but I must speak," Frederick finally burst out as they crossed the gardens to reach the castle's upper ward. "Robin and Henry claim to have lost their memories, but it is only that: a claim. We cannot rule out the possibility that they are brigands themselves or even Plegian spies."

"Frederick!" Chrom rebuked him.

"Milord, with all due respect, you need to consider the facts. They crossed over from Plegia, as did the bandits who attacked Southtown. Why, with that hair of his, Henry is undeniably Plegian."

"So what if they are?" Chrom challenged him, terse. "They fought bravely against those bandits in defense of Southtown, and they fought again in the forest. They helped keep Ylisse safe."

"Be as it may, it still does not negate the fact that they crossed the border."

"Look, I know we need to keep a closer watch on the borders, but we're stretched out thin as we are with so little Shepherd membership. And we don't want to antagonise Plegia further by amassing our official standing military forces at their doorstep."

"Forgive me, milord." Phila bowed her head apologetically. "My pegasus knights should have intercepted them."

Chrom waved away her concerns. "No, Phila. Your duties were here, with the Exalt."

Emmeryn listened to them all very closely before adding her own thoughts to the conversation. "You claim to be so wary of them, Frederick, yet you allowed them into the castle."

"I…" Frederick turned pale when Emmeryn pointed that out. "Forgive me, Your Grace."

"As did you, Chrom." She regarded her brother carefully, wanting to see how he reacted. "In spite of acknowledging Frederick's worries, and perhaps even validating them a bit. Do those two have your trust?"

Chrom fell silent. He squared his jaw tensely and lowered his gaze to the floor, thinking hard about his response. Though Emmeryn loved that he was always so open, so eager to befriend the people that he came across, his naïvité had hurt him more than once. She prayed that this would not end up becoming one of those moments.

"They risked their lives for our people. That's good enough for me," he finally said, resolute.

Emmeryn beamed. "Well then…it seems they have earned your faith, and as such, they have mine as well."

"Milady!" Frederick was rendered aghast by her judgement.

"But thank you, Frederick, for your prudence, as always. Chrom and Lissa are blessed to have so tireless a guardian. I do hope they remember to mention that from time to time…"

Frederick sighed and rolled his eyes ever so slightly, the closest display of informality they ever managed to see in him. "They occasionally express something akin to gratitude, Your Grace."

The day was a pleasant one. The gardens hummed and buzzed with life in the sun, bees and butterflies beginning to be sighted once more now that the snow had begun its retreat, and the scent of flowers filled the air. Emmeryn felt a bit sorry that she could not stay outside longer, if at least to enjoy the sight for a little more. But duties were duties.

"Phila." Frederick's tone shifted to something far more serious as they approached the council room. "I assume you've heard about the deathly creatures we encountered, yes?"

"Yes, milord. They've been sighted all across Ylisse," she assented.

Frederick swore under his breath. "Only a day of having seen them ourselves, and now we learn that they have spread across the halidom."

"All the better for you to present your findings at the council," Emmeryn pronounced. "As Chrom asserts that Robin holds knowledge on how to defeat those things, then their cooperation is of utmost importance. Perhaps their arrival, and the sudden appearance of those 'Risen' as Chrom said they are called, is no mere coincidence."

It was time to see whether her guesswork about Robin proved to be correct.

I'm thinking I better keep the mood for the next chapter as lighthearted as this one…it's such a breeze to write about Ylisstol instead of the Grimleal's doom and gloom. And the castle is a pretty big place, so who knows what our dynamic duo might see!