When Robin woke, his head was banging like a drum.
The Plegian was sleeping in a horse trough, arms and legs dangling outside while his hand clutched a mostly empty bottle. The smell of hay and dung tickled his nose as he began to stir back awake, drowsiness parting away from his head at a slow pace.
His skin felt cold and clammy, and surrounding him were the hung-over groans of other men who seemed to be of a similar state. The suit he'd been wearing for the wedding was now soaked through, and he could feel a cold coming along.
Robin grunted as he shakily pulled himself up, surveying the scene. Lukewarm water sloshed about, pouring from his sleeves and onto the ground beneath him. They were in set of pegasus stables. Beams of harsh light were pouring through splits between the wooden walls.
Stahl was face down in the dirt, his bottle resting on it's side totally drained of spirits. He rolled onto his back, shielding his face as the sun accosted him.
Vaike was, somehow, in the rafters. Hanging by his limbs above his fellow drunken bachelors, muttering oddities under his breath. Whatever dream he was having mentioned something about dragons and loneliness.
Gregor, the old mercenary they'd recruited on the march to save Emmeryn, was passed out snorting on the back of a white winged beast. The creature was being rather careful with him, almost cradling the scarred warrior with her folded wings.
And finally there was Lon'qu, the Feroxi blade-master. He was slumped over a stable door, yet another pegasus gently nudging his unresponsive body with her snout. Both his hands were empty, but between all of them both he and Gregor reeked of alcohol the most.
"What… happened?" Stahl mumbled, giving up in his attempt and letting his arm lazily fall to the ground with a defeated 'thump.' "Where are we? What day is it?"
Robin was about to open his mouth to respond, when the rafters above them creaked loudly. As he looked back up, he was greeted by the Vaike's form dipping forwards, then slipping off entirely. A loud crash filled the building as the blond fighter went into a wagon filled with hay, the wheels and wood splintering on impact and falling apart.
This noise was enough to make both Gregor and Lon'qu both shoot awake themselves, the former clinging onto his protective mount for dear life while the latter somehow managed to combat roll off of the door and into the middle of the scene.
A few seconds of silence pass before Vaike groans loudly. Robin signs in relief knowing the drunkard hasn't expired.
"Lon'qu, grab him while I get my head to stop spinning…" The Plegian asks, to which his respondent grunts and moves over towards the dilapidated wagon. Stahl stood up himself, offering the mercenary a helping hand up to his feet.
Meanwhile Robin tried to think back to why they were even here.
His oldest memory was late in the evening, after both he and Cordelia decided to retire to their rooms. With all of the running across town, the ceremony and the seemingly endless after party, Robin was readily waiting for the sweet embrace of his mattress.
At least he was, before Sumia intercepted him just as he was leaving the ballroom. The newlywed quickly latched onto his arm and dragged him off to a dark corner. One out of sight from everyone else present.
The conversation started off cordially. He offered his congratulations, complimented her jewels (Of which Cordelia had agonized for ages about prior), asked her if everything had gone according to their wishes, and listened to her speak about the different nobles who'd come far and wide to grace the affair.
Then, the conversation took a turn. Namely towards his offered position.
"Chrom told me you weren't sure yet." She had said sweetly, hands held together at her center like a proper noblewoman. In fact the woman had been acting like the epitome of high birth through the day, Robin couldn't think of one time she'd fallen flat on her face.
He frankly couldn't tell if it was a miracle or some sort of witchcraft, but it still made him oddly… uncomfortable. The whole conversation did.
Still, he knew that this discussion wasn't one he could avoid. Best to deal with it now so he could get some rest.
"I'm still thinking it over." He admitted, hands casually resting in the pockets of his cloak. He hadn't dressed particularly well for the occasion, much to Maribelle's lament. A pair of dress slacks and a ruffled undershirt, paired with his usual Grimleal overcoat.
"Is there something that's making you hesitate?" The pegasus knight prodded, her head tilting ever so slightly to accentuate the innocence in her voice. "We both think you're perfect for the job! Really, we wouldn't trust anyone else with something this important!"
"You're flattering me, Sumia." He answered honestly. "But… there's a few reasons why I'm taking my time with this.."
"Well, I'm sure I can help you with them." She insisted cheerfully. "Is it the workload? Because we can get you as many assistants as you need. I'm sure there's a few squires Frederick can loan you."
"What?" Robin asked, taken off guard by the offer. He quickly shook his head. "No, not at all. It's a big task, but I've already helped lead an Army before."
"Is it the pay then? I can see about increasing the rate." She said, not letting up on the matter.
"Chrom and I didn't even discuss a salary." Robin recalled, taking note to remember that point for later. An official position probably meant a rather large check at the end of each month.
"Then it must be the Shepherds." Sumia deducted. "Well, we're planning on helping everyone through this. So you don't have to worry about the group being left behind."
"There wasn't a doubt in my mind." He assured, smiling nervously. "But no, that's not it either."
Sumia's pleasant smile then turned into a depressed frown, the same expression one would see worn by an injured puppy. "Then what's the matter?"
Robin weighs whether to tell the Queen to be the full story or not. In any other circumstances, he would've readily. Sumia wasn't just a Shepherd, she was one of his closest friends next to Chrom, Virion and Cordelia. But this particular situation simply unnerved him, being spirited away into an isolated space.
He'd never taken Sumia to be one to be so… commanding. Was she always like this, behind the smiles and the ditziness?
That idea actually made his friend seem far more sinister.
"I was just thinking about other paths to take." He informed her, which was half true. Before Chrom dropped this surprise onto him, his initial plans had been to spend some time investigating his origins. He very well couldn't do that while also help run a nation.
Sumia's frown only grew with that, from saddened to annoyed. "Someone else wants your help?" She queried, the fabric of her gloves tensing as she clenched her hands tighter together.
Robin laughed nervously, coming to realize that he was in the company of a person who was both now extremely powerful and unhappy. Those two factors never mixed well with one another.
"Well, Flavia did ask me to help her reorganize the Feroxi." He admitted. 'Reorganize' was being kind, it implied there was any structure or standard to work from. Ylisse's militia, as rag tag as it was, at least followed a standard chain of command. Their northern allies, however, seemed to operate more in autonomous war parties guided by whoever was the reigning Khan.
That was the spark that seemed to light Sumia's eyes ablaze, any and all cheerful pretense thrown out the window as she dove into a full glower.
"That little-" She started, before cutting herself off. "She told us that they wouldn't need any assistance from our people. Even Basilio thought they would be fine!"
"Perhaps, but she did make me this offer before the final battle." Robin enlightened, to which Sumia just gave him a dismissive wave. The knight moved past him, lightly pushing him aside so she could look out to the ballroom floor.
Robin stepped out himself, following her gaze to see it was fixated right atop the Eastern Khan in question, involved in what looked to be a rather intense drinking contest between herself, Basilio and Gregor.
"Uh… Sumia?" He asked.
"I'm gonna go over there and give her a piece of my mind." Sumia declared. "This wasn't in the treaty we signed, Ferox already got it's part of the reparations. She does not get you as well."
"I don't think that's necessary." Robin pointed out, but his words went in one ear and out the other.
"Oh it's completely necessary." Sumia affirmed. "She comes to my wedding, planning this? You know what? I'm kicking her out, where are the guards!?"
"Sumia!" Robin cried, grabbing the woman by the arm and pulling her back just as she began marching back out onto the floor. When he spun her back around, the woman's glare was lethal. He could feel her gaze stab him right in the chest, all life and resistance pouring out of him like a gaping wound.
"I a-already t-turned her down." Robin said, shirking away deeper into the corner. Both his hands were raised in a very clear sign of surrender to the soldier turned monarch.
Those words were enough, at least. As quick as she'd turned before, Sumia's usual disposition reasserted herself. The flames behind her irises died in an instant, her stiff posture relaxing to the one she had taken when they were first speaking. Her very aura sapped the malevolence out of the air, leaving only the quiet bookworm he was used to.
"Oh." She answered unceremoniously. "Well, that's great! I didn't want you making any rash choices."
The Plegian swallowed the urge to inform her she was practically bullying him into another rash choice, but at this point that would have been like jabbing a grizzly bear. So he just smiled and nodded, opting to keep his hide attached.
Sumia came forward with that, wrapping her arms around the man and bringing him in for a quick hug. "Make the choice that's best for you, OK?" She whispered, pulling back to look him directly in the eye. "Chrom and I want you to do this, but we won't force you. Just please, please think about it. Now that the Shepherds are gone, we don't want everyone to become a stranger."
The emotional whiplash aside, Robin didn't run away from the embrace. Even if it was embarrassing that he was being hugged by both a royal and a married woman. On the night of her wedding, too. He silently thanked the Gods they weren't in eyesight of anyone.
So he returned the hug, leaning a bit into it and resting his chin on her shoulder. "I know. And I'm honored. But I still need to think it over. Chrom asked me this morning, and honestly I'm still processing the documents he gave me."
Sumia sighed in defeat, breaking off the hug and nodding. "Well… alright. Just promise me you'll relax for the rest of the night. You and Cordelia put a lot of effort into this whole thing, and I honestly can't thank you enough."
"A new set of books to read in my room. We'll start with that." Robin joked, earning a light giggle from the third member of his little reading ring. "Don't worry about it. Neither of us were going to leave you both high and dry."
Sumia could only smile at the man, unable to truly convey the gratitude she felt. Robin had been a source of closure for her since she joined the Shepherd frontline, and even now he helped keep her steady. Between him and Cordelia, they were the biggest supports she had outside of her family.
The two of them walked out from their domicile, back into the view of all the remaining partygoers. The ballroom, even now as it was well past midnight, was still crowded with guests of all shapes and sizes.
Robin was just about to leave once more, when he suddenly heard his name called in the distance. He turned to see seven figures surrounding a fresh keg, each of them with a mug in hand. Gaius specifically was calling at him, waving for him to join in.
Part of him wanted to leave then, his bed was only a few hallways away.
...But a few drinks wouldn't hurt, right?
It turned out to be far more than a few drinks. That keg was full of even more Feroxi fire ale, which Vaike and Gregor had managed to 'borrow' from the wagon train Basilio had brought in for the festival.
One round of spirits became two.
Two became four.
Soon, a drinking contest rose between them.
Stahl and Donnel bowed out first at their sixth mug.
Then Vaike, Anna and Robin at the seventh.
Followed by Gaius, and Lissa of all people at the ninth. Robin was still embarrassed at being out drunk by a teenager. A small, delicate one at that.
And it kept going, and going, and going…
Panne passed out unconscious some time after her twelfth mug. Lon'qu alongside her.
It wasn't until Gregor, somehow, reached his twentieth glass before a winner was finally declared. With barely anyone able to bother trying to contest it.
Then someone had said something about going to their rooms. And of course, with all of them completely plastered, they'd ended up scattered. With Robin and his current company somehow thinking that the Pegasus stables were really the Shepherds barracks.
Robin, being the first to regain all of his mental faculties, gave his friends a quick look over to see if everything was alright. For the most part all anyone had was a murderous headache. Gregor had a fresh bruise from his short tumble, meanwhile Vaike had gone and broken his arm.
He instructed Lon'qu and Stahl to take their battered comrades to the Chapel that was on the Palace's grounds. Libra would likely be there to tend to their wounds.
Meanwhile he went off to search for the other missing Shepherds. Because if he ended up spending the night asleep in a drinking trough, the others likely didn't fare much better.
That, and if anything had happened to Lissa, Chrom would probably skewer him.
So he stumbled through the halls of the palace, tactically ducking behind each pillar and dome he could to avoid the agonizing rays of the sun. The various castle workers eyed him with both confusion and worry, dodging out of his path to avoid being trampled. It made him feel like a drunkard, but then again he technically was a drunkard at this very moment.
Somehow, he managed to retrace his steps back to the ballroom. The usually regal room was now a near wasteland. Torn streamers and decorations littered the tables and floor, with maids and butlers still running about trying to fix everything the way it was. Broken plates and stained tapestries, upturned chairs and a smell that would put a farm to shame.
He'd expected there to be an aftermath to the festivities, but looking upon it all now, it felt like any other war zone the Shepherds had stumbled themselves through.
Robin pushed that bit of black humor aside and trudged through the mess. At least his headache was finally lifting.
The tactician helped where he could before moving back to his objective, picking up a stack of silverware and handing it off to one of the maids. He righted a few chairs, tossed some litter into a trash can. And was about to leave when he found himself back at the table they'd spent the night drinking.
Which is where he found the blonde Princess of the realm, fast asleep on the table. Her own bridesmaid dress now crumbled beyond belief, and an empty tankard of ale limply rocking next to her head.
"The Royal is fine, before you blow a gasket." A voice spoke behind him, causing Robin to jump near out of his skin and clench onto the table.
He spun around to see, of all people, Panne. The taguel held a stack of plates at her center, with a white apron also worn over her usual battle armor. Robin marveled at how a single article of clothing could make someone so fearsome now appear so… homely.
Panne's face put on a knowing smirk, her hair-braided ears relaxing. "Once again your heartbeat jumps in my presence. For man-spawn that is a sign of being smitten, no?"
"Or being utterly terrified." Robin answered back, glowering as he stood upright again. "Do all Taguel walk so quietly, or is this just a you thing?"
"Yes." She answered vaguely, moving over and setting the stack of dirtied china next to the sleeping cleric. "I have been keeping watch over her since I woke from last night's… festivities."
Robin sighed in relief, glad that someone had been watching over the healer in his absence. Not even counting the wrath of her older brother, if anything had happened to the blonde girl he'd never be able to forgive himself.
At least she hadn't been 'escorted' to some sleazy Baron's bed, like he'd feared. Getting into the good graces of a Princess was probably on too many people's bucket lists.
"What's with the apron?" Robin asked, hoping he wasn't touching on a soft spot. He could feel his heart thumping again, knowing that it was a poor idea to insult the Taguel.
She looked at him for a moment, clearly taking note of his rising stress. "Why are you upset? It is a simple question."
"Some people might take it as embarrassing." He explained, his words cautious.
"What is supposed to be embarrassing about a simple chest protector?" She asked, shaking her head. "Humans, always finding new reasons to cause avarice."
Robin groaned, his head lolling back. "Fine, forget the apron. Why did you stay behind to keep an eye on Lissa?"
The shapeshifter snorted, looking to the still sleeping beauty while putting a hand on her hip. "Remember, my people owe her bloodline a debt. I am merely honoring it."
"Cut and dry, just like that?" Robin muttered, thinking her words over before moving next to Lissa. The Plegian would go down on a knee, where he would then pinch the Princess' nose down. Panne watched on, curious as to why he was doin such an… odd gesture.
Only to watch him jump back as Lissa sprung to life, eyes wide as saucers and her head turning back and forth as she tried to realize where she was.
"Risen!" The Cleric cried. "Monkeys!? Risen riding monkeys!"
While the blonde girl had herself a proper panic attack, the silver haired man behind her was beside himself in laughter. Robin was doubled over, busting his gut as he clutched at his abdomen.
Lissa, figuring she was still in the ballroom, turned to see Panne, then Robin. Afterwards she pouted, marched over and started flailing her clenched fists at the man's back.
"Big- Dumb- Jerk!" She jeered with each successive hit. "I oughta get you thrown in the dungeon!"
Thankfully for Robin, Lissa's hits didn't have much force behind them. Still, he lifted a hand, trying to block the strikes as she threw them. "S-sorry! Sorry! I couldn't resist!"
"You- Total- hypocrite!" Lissa said, landing one last punch before she stopped. Robin was still enjoying, but at least it the laughs were dying down to a chuckle.
The Princess pouted, turning her back to the Plegian before looking back to Panne. She then tilted her head, perplexed. "Uh… Panne? Why are you in an apron?'
Robin snickered at the question, the Taguel shooting him a rather murderous glare to silence the tactician once and for all. "Olivia and I have been assisting the servants. Considering we aided in the making of this mess, it only felt just."
Good for good, that seemed like as Taguel a reason as any other Panne would use.
Robin straightened himself out, checking for any pock marks in his coat before speaking again. "Lissa, I'd go wash up if I were you. You drank a lot last night."
"I did?" Lissa asked, lifting a hand to her mouth and blowing so she could smell her own breath. Her face visibly twisted in disgust, turning over her shoulder and hacking as the beer breath hit her full force. "Oh… Gods, it's like I ate mold."
"Technically, ale and mold are made the same way." Robin pointed out, making Lissa shudder even more.
"Ugh… alright, I'm headed to my room." She said, starting off before jabbing a finger at Robin. "And you, sleep with one eye open! I'm gonna prank you good for that!"
Now it was Robin's turn to blanche as he realized what he was in store for. Before he could even offer a plea for forgiveness, she was gone, moving into one of the many hallways. So the man stood there, dejected at what was soon to come to his future.
Panne merely smiled in the direction her ward had left, something Robin took note of. "...You like her."
The shapeshifter looked at him again with a glower, but seemed less keen to eviscerate him. "A dubious claim, man-spawn."
Robin simply rolled his eyes, moving to stand next to the woman and slipped his hands back into his coat. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, Panne. Lissa's a great person."
Panne grumbled something non-committal, undoing the straps of her apron and placing it onto the table behind them. "She reminds me much of her sister." Panne admitted. "Kind, but also… vibrant? She has Lady Emmeryn's grace, but also feels so alive. Far more chaotic."
Robin nodded along, agreeing with the assessment. "Yeah. She's… she'll be a good leader when she gets older. I can feel it."
"Indeed." Panne hummed, her eyes shifting. "And you, Tactician? How do you fare in that regard?"
Robin laughed once more, this time dry and curt. "I just do what Chrom asks me."
"You mistake deprecation for humility." The rabbit pointed out, arms folded casually over her armored chest. "He may lead us, man-spawn. But you are the one who advises him. That is leadership in itself."
Robin just shrugged, neither confirming or denying the woman's words. The neutrality seemed to merely incense the warrior, snarling. "I can smell your indecision. What hangs over you?"
The fact that her species were so good at reading people was a blessing and a curse depending on the moment, and right now it felt like the latter. "Something I need to talk to Chrom about." He admitted. "He wants me to keep making plans for the Military, even after Plegia."
"Fah, 'even.' You mean because." Panne answered, narrowing her eyes. "You managed to defeat an army that tripled the Exalt's in size, Plegian. Remember that."
"With Feroxi help." Robin demanded, an edge in his voice. "And we didn't win because of me. If the Plegians didn't defect en-masse, the war would've ended a lot differently."
"And yet we all left that blasted desert alive when none of us had any business in doing so." Panne pointed out, jabbing a finger into the man's shoulder. "You did well, fool. Stop acting otherwise, it aggravates me."
"Everything aggravates you." Robin grumbled, pulling his elbow away.
"Only stupidity does, which you are currently providing an ample supply of." Panne shot back. "Remember who is speaking to you. If you were truly as incompetent as you believe, why would I follow your orders? I'd have sooner disemboweled your entrails."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Robin answered with fatigue. Though his disposition did lift with the Taguel's words. Panne was, if nothing else, blunt. She never gave anything than her viewpoint, which paired with her good judgement of character and natural senses, meant she was worth listening to.
She merely grunted in response, looking back out towards the ballroom. "So, why were you looking for the Royal?"
"I'm just checking up on everyone from last night." Robin explained with a slight shrug. "Do you know where the others are?"
"Olivia is still in the kitchen." Panne informed. "I believe Frederick went to speak with Chrom as he usually does. Sumia is also likely with him."
Robin nodded along. "Anyone else you know about?"
"Maribelle, Kellam, Sully, Ricken, Cordelia, Libra and Tharja all left prior." She continued. "I do not know of the others."
He made a note to keep on the watch for Gaius and Anna, but offered the woman a grateful smile. "Thanks, Panne."
The Taguel huffed, taking hold of the plates. "I need to return to my duties. You do yours, and speak with Chrom about this… 'planning' business."
As she left, Robin lolled behind for a few moments to think about where the others could be. The palace was a sprawling complex, checking every room and hallway would take him the entire day. Maybe two.
This would be far easier if he had a second head to work with.
Unlike many of the other Shepherds, Cordelia had actually spent the night in her own bed.
She'd returned to her quarters without any fanfare, switching into her nightgown and falling asleep easily. Her mind drifted across the same points as usual. Flying atop Aurora, visiting her parents in her home Duchy, being promoted to Falcon Knight after so many years of training. Dreams, happy dreams.
Dreams that always seemed to shatter into nightmares.
Her border outpost lit ablaze. The Company's Captain screaming at her to go warn the Exalt and her family. Watching the Plegians overrun the small fort, skewering and massacring their way through all of her comrades.
She could still smell the ash and blood. The screams echoed in her head as she ran away.
After that came Plegia. More fighting, more blood, more death. Red splatters caking the yellow sand, her own lance coated in the sanguine of Gods knew how many men and women. Early on she'd thought revenge would stymie the guilt. It had the opposite effect, with each life she took she only felt herself falling further into the pits of damnation.
Then the castle courtyard. More fighting, more killing. Cutting their way through the Plegian honor guard so they could whisk the Exalt away from this horrible place. The crowd screamed then as well, all of the Plegian civilians scattering for cover as hell erupted around them.
Phila and the last of her sisters being turned to pincushions by a platoon of Risen archers.
Emmeryn throwing herself off of that cliff, the woman they'd come to save sacrificing her life to save them.
Now shame joined the guilt. Shame and guilt she had to hide away for the sake of everyone else.
The march back to Regna Ferox felt like a lifetime. Each of the Shepherds marched and rode as if they'd been broken. Everyone was beyond crippled, emotionally and physically in some cases. They had to carry Lon'qu and Gregor out from the battle, both of them injured almost beyond saving.
The fact that the Feroxi had almost died to save a Ylissean monarch was irony not lost on any of them.
She did what she had always done in pain. Kept up a brave face, stern and resolute. Helping who she could in the camp through their slumps and struggles. Her problems didn't matter, they could wait. These were people who needed someone now more than ever.
The last image that passed through her mind was finding Robin, keeled over his own desk and sobbing himself into a stupor.
And with that, she woke.
Cordelia snapped up into a sitting position, eyes bulging from her skull and breath ragged. She could feel her throat constricting, her lungs on fire. As if the smoke had followed her from her dreams and into her bedroom.
In a panic, she looked around the room and ran for the window, ripping the curtains apart to see what was outside. She was met with a bright beam of sunlight, blinding her as she stumbled and covered her eyes.
Slowly, she felt her senses return to normal. The smoke disappeared. Her vision cleared as she parted her mess of hair away from her eyes. Her skin started to drink from the sun's warmth as it bathed her in it's yellow embrace. Cordelia's heart, thankfully, settled. No longer bursting from her chest.
She took a breath in, then a breath out. The Knight returned to the world, then went about readying herself for the day.
Cordela wished she'd grow more accustomed to these panic attacks. They'd lessened since the end of the war, but she still suffered them every waking morning. When in camp, the first time it'd occurred, her screaming had woken everyone. Chrom and Gaius both stormed into her tent, blades drawn expecting some kind of intruder.
Having to explain that mess was beyond humiliating. She doubted either of them believed her story about some cockroaches.
Cordelia left her room after dressing herself, the usual red sleeveless high-collared undershirt she wore under her armor. No gloves this time, no reason to have them on.
The Paragon accepted these nightmares, they were her penance. A reminder of her failure, a mark for her to bare until she found redemption. No more Philas, no more Emmeryns. No more needless killing.
She had a legacy to not only maintain, but revive from the ashes.
She was the last true Pegasus Knight. A title she held with solemn pride.
If anything that was the reason why she should jump at Chrom and Sumia's offer. It was a chance to breathe life back into the Order. Not only that, but to improve it. There were many problems with the way things used to be done, it was partially why they had all been laid so low.
The way Knights were recruited, the training process, the small size of their cadre, the lack of structure beyond company commands. All of it had been mired in the traditions of old, 'the way things were done'. And while she respected the traditions… there was a point where new ones should be made.
The idea of seeing squadrons of new Knights flying through the air was beautiful. Formations of winged horses and their riders soaring above in unison. Whether she was leading them, among them or merely watching from below, the idea almost brought her to tears.
Still… her as Captain. She was only twenty one. If she was made a Falcon Knight, she'd be the youngest one in the Order's history.
She'd be the youngest Knight-Captain as well, and only by default.
The Knights inner thoughts were then interrupted by a rather loud snoring bursting into her consciousness. She scowled in the direction of the room next to her's, resisting the urge to bang on the wall.
Cordelia needed to think. And she had an idea where to do so.
The woman walked, returning greetings to the men and women she passed, until she reached the Chapel that rested within the Palace walls. The pews were empty, an errant Priest in the backdrop. Compared to the grand Basilica where the wedding had begun, simple brick building almost resembled a shack.
Cordelia sat in the middle row, locking her hands together and bowing her head. She began to speak in the old Archenean tongue Ylisseans used in their rites.
In truth it had been ages since she'd last paid a prayer. Her parents had raised her and her brother extremely devout, each weekend going to the Cathedral in Friga to partake in the sermons. But as she grew older, she'd… drifted away. No time, she rationalized. Other priorities.
It was like a homecoming, in an odd sense. The house of Naga felt warm and familiar.
"Cordelia?" A voice spoke to her side, prompting her to lift her head.
She was greeted by a smiling Libra, the blonde monk radiating the holy light of his profession as usual. Cordelia visibly relaxed as she registered it was a friend, and not some bystander she'd met Gods knows how long ago.
"This is a pleasant surprise." The holy man declared. "I don't recall you coming to my services often during the campaign."
The redhead laughed nervously, averting her eyes towards the portrait of Naga that hung at the front of the room. "Yes. Well, I suppose I have lapsed in my duty to the Goddess, haven't I?"
Libra chuckled softly, gesturing to the spot next to the woman. "Would you mind if I joined you? Prayer with a friend is always better than doing so alone."
She readily agreed, moving down the row and leaving the man ample room for him to sit. He joined her, relaxing back into the wooden seat and turning his palms up as he began his own rites.
The two continued in their different postures, Cordelia bowing before the Goddess while Libra merely embraced her. Their speech mixed together, the Knight's sharp northern accent mixing with the southerner's soft prose.
Harmony, even if fleeting. Her early morning fear melting away for now.
As both finished their prayers, Libra exhaled and opened his eyes once more. "So, what brings you to the chapel? Are you seeking guidance from the Divine Mother?"
Cordelia nodded, mentally steeling herself. She didn't want to appear weak in front of another one of her companions, it hurt her enough that she used Robin and Virion as shoulders to cry on. "Asking for the strength to see things through."
"Oh?" He asked with interest. "And for what do you require this strength?"
Cordelia turned her head, eyeing the axe wielder with mild annoyance. "I thought Monks were supposed to be less nosey."
The man merely chuckled the barb off. "I said I sat with you as a friend, not a Monk. Unless you'd prefer otherwise?"
The Knight sighed, but shook her head. "No. I'm… glad you're here." She admitted. "It is nice to be amongst friends. While I was in training, the only real friend I had was Sumia. Now she's my Queen, of all things."
"Hm. And is this an issue?" Libra asked.
"...Yes, in a way." Cordelia admitted. "I never thought, in a thousand years, I would have to take orders from her. The very idea still confounds me."
"True." Libra admitted. "You are far more skilled than she is, I doubt anyone would protest that."
"She still trusts me." Cordelia noted with a dark scoff, dismissing Libra's false presumption. "After all that's happened, even with her new position, she still trusts me." The Knight repeated, playing with her thumbs as she thought that fact over. "What did I do to earn such faith from her?"
Libra opened his mouth to reply, when suddenly a loud crash could be heard from outside the chapel doors. A group of men screaming echoed into the empty chamber.
Both of the Shepherds inside gave one another a look, then quickly darted out the door to see what in the world was causing such a fuss.
Outside they found none other than Vaike, propped up on his elbows and scurrying back. In front of the fallen fighter was an enraged Lon'qu, the Feroxi myrmidon's arms being held back by both Stahl and Gregor while he tried in vain to lunge out of their grasp. All the while the cavalier and mercenary were clearly trying to talk him down from whatever sparked this confrontation.
Libra ran back inside, saying something about grabbing his stave, while Cordelia trounced forward and planted herself in between the wounded man and his assailant.
"Quiet!" The redhead roared, silencing all other parties and their squabbles. She mounted the same unamused glare she usually wore whenever chastising someone's recklessness. Each of the men present were intimately familiar with it already, and prepared for the worst.
"Stahl. Gregor." The woman began, turning to face then and pointing towards Lon'qu. "Why are you both holding onto him like that?"
"Uhm…" Stahl started, laughing nervously as he shirked away from the intense gaze that was now directed towards him. The normally mellow horseman felt like he was in an archer's crosshairs. "Well, uh… funny story. So, five of us got… really drunk last night, and sorta slept in the Pegasus stables."
"You… what?" Cordelia demanded, her voice rising as all of the men took a clear step back the Knight grew tomato red. A million worst case scenarios ran through her mind, physically resisting the urge to run away from the whole debacle to check on the pegasus.
Meanwhile Stahl was more worried that she'd run through them. An angered Knight was never a fun thing to deal with, be it Cordelia, Sully, Sumia or Frederick.
The redheaded woman took a deep breath in, then out once more. She let her spike of rage mellow out, trying to think with a clear mind about what steps to take next.
"...Continue." She permitted.
Stahl gulped audibly, shooting a desperate glance at either Lon'qu or Gregor to pitch in. Lon'qu remained rather silent, his usual aversity towards the fairer sex now compounded. So instead Gregor spoke up, releasing his grip on the swordsman and walking forwards.
"Gregor promise that no harm was brought to horsies." The mercenary swore, hand over his heart. "However, Vaike had… unfortunate fall. Arm covered in many boo-boos."
"I'm fine!" The man in question called out, trying to push himself back up to his feet. To which Gregor merely sighed and made his way over, helping the man back up.
"He broke it." Stahl clarified, following Gregor's lead and releasing Lon'qu completely.
"I'll break his other one…" Lon'qu hissed out, rotating his shoulder as it was freed from its captivity.
Cordelia rolled her eyes, pressing her advantage and taking a few more steps forward. The Feroxi man clearly balked, his entire body freezing as he felt the woman draw closer and closer to him.
"Now, Lon'qu." Cordelia began in a sickly sweet tone, extending a hand to wrap it around the man's chin and bring his eyes level to hers. Beads of sweat were now actively forming across the brown haired man's brow. "Why in the world would you wish harm on your fellow Shepherd?"
Lon'qu's natural response was to turn away. Hell his natural response was to dodge as far back as he could. If it wasn't for the fencing lessons he'd been giving the woman, that likely would have happened.
But instead he stood, actively trying to swallow his phobia while the woman kept an iron hold on his jaw. Too tight for him to properly speak, even.
Realizing this, Cordelia released the man, to which he promptly took yet another step back. "Thank you…" He muttered, rubbing his chin.
"You're welcome." She answered. "Now, explain."
Lon'qu grunted, pointing a finger towards the now uprighted Vaike. "This cad tried to challenge me to yet another one of his foolish duels."
"They ain't foolish, ya git! They're tests to see if you're worthy!" Vaike called out, wincing as a shot of pain traveled up his cracked arm. Gregor stood loftily to the side, snickering at the sight and shaking his head.
"Vaike is too brash! He try to pick fight while still injured." The mercenary explained, jutting a finger towards the myrmidon. "He shares temper with grumpy one there."
Lon'qu merely huffed at the notion, while Cordelia looked towards her sparring partner in disappointment. "Lon'qu, since when do you fight injured opponents? That isn't what I'd call honorable."
"He threw the first punch, after prattling on about his 'dream' the entire way here." Lon'qu informed, clearly still extremely annoyed at the affair. "I had no intention of further continuing the conflict."
"Could've fooled us, the way you were looking at him." Stahl chirped, rubbing the back of his neck. "Seriously, when we grabbed on you started flailing like a leashed wyvern!"
"Did you ever stop to think that was because you took me captive?" He replied in kind, to which Stahl's cheeks turned rosey red in embarrassment.
Cordelia simply rolled her eyes again, one hand going to her hip as she gestured in the direction of the stables with the other. "You said there were five of you in the stables. I only see four of you. Was someone left behind?"
The cavalier shook his head. "Robin went into the castle looking for the other guys who got roped into our drinking contest."
"That wasn't a contest, it was a massacre." Vaike pointed out, nodding his head towards Gregor. "I swear, this guy. He ain't human."
"Gah, is natural tolerance!" Gregor declared, laughing heartily at the fighter and slapping him on the back. Vaike nearly doubled over from the force, but managed to not tumble back onto the ground.
The pegasus knight sighed, taking this chance to stalk off towards the stables where the horses were. The horses were probably scared beyond belief after the performance her comrades had carried out in their own sleeping quarters.
Honestly, sometimes she felt like a glorified babysitter.
With how often he dallied after the others, Robin wondered if he could add 'babysitter' to the list of duties he carried out for the Company.
This wasn't the first time he'd struck out to watch over his fellow soldiers. That had been the after party in Ferox, when Chrom had managed to best Marth in the Kingdom's tournament. That night was forever ingrained in his mind, the utter havoc that had been carried out by both the Shepherds and natives
He had spent the entirety of the next day digging them all out of those snow covered hills, how in the seven hells they managed to both wander from the Khan's palace and not catch frostbite was beyond him.
At least last night's happenings were nothing compared to that utter madness. Even with this drunken escapade, the wedding's reception seemed tame.
The tactician was currently retracing his steps, trying to find his way back towards the stables where he'd left the others. Partially to check and see if they'd actually followed his advice and taken Vaike to Libra to fix his arm, partially to try and enlist whoever was the most sober in helping him hunt down the remaining two people from the table. As far as he knew, almost everyone in their cadre had been accounted for.
He'd happened upon Virion trying his luck with yet another Handmaiden, throwing the most corny lines Robin had ever heard in his life at the unfortunate woman. He even managed to produce a rose from Gods knows where, going down on a knee to offer it. Worst part was, judging from how Robin had left the scene, it was working.
Miriel was, of course, already in the castle's archives. A large scroll and multiple inkwells, used and unused, sat next to her as she wrote down vast quantities of script. She'd mentioned something about writing a record of her discoveries during their campaign in Plegia, having found a blackish substance in the ground that appeared highly flammable. Most of the jargon flew far over even Robin's head, so he readily retreated away.
Nowi had been asleep, of all places, in the homing pigeon coup. When Robin had managed to rose the sleeping dragon, her roaring yawn managed to panic every single bird resting in a cage. Both his coat and hair had been completely infested by feathers. The small dragon had told him she'd fallen asleep playing with a few of the creatures. After a long lecture about why disrupting the birds from their work, she'd left him to pick out what remained latched onto his form.
All that was left now was to find the two redheaded scoundrels of the group. After he conscripted an aide.
Robin pushed the doors open, shouting out into the housing with wild abandon. "Alright, you numbskulls! Who's still here!?"
His eyes then focused on two figures in the center aisle.
A large, pearl white pegasus stood with it's side to him. Both of its wings were folded together, nestling it's back. He knew the stead from many a time it'd saved his hide in the middle of combat.
Cordelia stood behind her mount, running a brush across it's back. At least she was, before both her and her grooming subject turned their heads to see who had barged themselves in their domicile.
Robin's head quickly swivel left and right, trying to spot if there were any other people also inside. Needless to say, there were none. For once the others had actually followed his instructions outside of battle.
Normally he'd be overjoyed, but at the moment he was more annoyed at how his expectation had made him look like a fool.
"Um…" Cordelia spoke, eyeing the new arrival with both confusion and her own irritation. She'd only just begun grooming Aurora's coat, the poor girl's fur was matted and mangled by something the night prior. It was as if something had laid atop her all night with no saddle.
Resisting the urge to groan, Robin walked towards the two with what energy he had left after running up, down and sideways across the palace. While this wasn't someone he was expecting, it was still someone who could offer him some kind of assistance. Even if it was just a nudge in the right direction.
"I'm sorry, Cordelia. I thought someone else would be here." The Plegian explained, boots crunching against the hay that sprawled upon the ground.
"You mean some people?" Cordelia replied, smirking as Robin's face morphed in confusion. "They're already at the chapel with Libra. I suppose you're the one who sent them there?"
Robin nodded, coming to a halt at the side of Aurora's head. He lifted a hand and ran it along her snout, happy whinny responding to the gesture. "Missed you too, girl."
Cordelia's smirk only grew from the gesture, her hands going back to continue the brushstrokes. "She likes you quite a bit. I've never seen her let any other man touch her like that."
"Oh I know what the ladies like." Robin said jokingly, moving to give his four legged friend a quick scratch behind the ears before pulling his hand back. A soft giggle danced into his ears from his human companion, her infectious smile spreading to him.
"Really now? I thought I was speaking to Robin, the man who bought Lissa stockings for her birthday." She teased.
"Those were high quality stockings." The man playfully defended. "Are you insinuating otherwise, Miss Volkner?"
"Never in a million years." She replied, moving her down to spruce up the Aurora's flank. "That being said, I expect that cart to be fixed."
Robin grew perplexed again, before he looked back to the wagon that Vaike had crash-landed into. The damage was far more extensive than he recalled, the wheels having blown clear off the axles. Hay spilled out helter-skelter like water having erupted from a geyser.
"Blonde buffoon…" Robin muttered, his mood darkening before looking back towards the acting stable keeper. "I'll be sure to have Vaike fix it once his wounds have been attended to."
"I'd hope so, or else I'll place that responsibility onto you in his place." Cordelia informed, her tone still amused. Though Robin knew she would likely hold him to the deed if Vaike didn't deal with the issue.
Forget babysitter, at this rate he was more the Shepherds' personal butler rather than their tactician.
His was brought out from his sulking as he heard new footsteps come closer to him, his world clearing up to see Cordelia was now standing before him. The knight stood upon her toes, plucking a grey and white feather from the top of his head. She inspected the feather, curious about its.
Meanwhile, Robin realized something. This was the first time he'd ever seen Cordelia outside of her armor.
In battle, during marches, even in camp. He'd never once caught a glimpse of her without that silver steel cuirass of her's.
Her form was quite slender, fitting that of a rider. Both her pearl wing clips shined in the thin rays of sunlight that made their way through the wooden panels. Her arms and hands seemed toned but also elegant in their own rights. The high collar framed her face perfectly alongside her long bangs, red eyes vibrant as they focused on the object of interest. Her entire body seemed to be a grand canvas of red and white.
She looked amazing. Robin wondered why she seemed so keen in hiding herself behind war gear.
"This isn't a pegasus feather." Cordelia observed. "Shall I ask if a bird slept atop your head last night?"
Robin shook his head, laughing nervously. "No, not at all. I found Nowi asleep in the homing pigeon coups. Her waking startled… all of the birds. At once."
"Oh dear." Cordelia mused, letting the feather fall to the ground once she was done. Her eyes fixed themselves on Robin's own. "And why were you looking for our Manakete companion?"
The tactician's mind popped, remembering why he'd even come back here in the first place. "I'm looking for all the Shepherds from last night! After the mess we caused I wanted to make sure that no one else ended up like Vaike and…"
"Hurt themselves while destroying royal property?" Cordelia finished.
"Amongst other things." Robin answered. "I've been looking everywhere. The ballroom, the spires, the throne room, Gods knows how many hallways. I even scavenged through the damned kitchens and servants quarters in case someone stumbled their way in there."
"Did you check the Shepherds barracks?" She asked him.
"Of course I checked the-" Robin began, the words registering in his mind as he was about to repeat them. The Shepherds barracks. The place where all of them had their own personal rooms. Where everyone would have tried to return to once they had finished with their festivities.
The Plegian groaned in frustration, covering his face with both hands as Cordelia's giggles renewed. She covered her mouth, trying to not perform outright schadenfreude at the man's dismay.
"Why am I not surprised the tactician decided to overthink something this simple?" She said, before walking past the man. Her elbow nudged into his side, prompting him to drop his hands and watch her as she moved away.
"And where are you going?" He asked.
"We are headed to the barracks." She answered with a smile, hanging the brush onto a rack and beckoning for him to follow. "Clearly you need an escort, lest you overturn the entire city."
"Oh, har har." Robin answered, running up to follow the woman until he could match her pace at her side.
The walk to the barracks was rather short, simply cutting across one of the exterior courtyards to arrive at one of the older buildings within the compound.
A long time ago, the barracks had been the castle armory. Both the weapons of the Pegasus Knights and Royal Knights hung side by side in racks within the large building. However at some point, the armory had been shifted further in doors. With nothing but an empty building remaining, Chrom decided to convert it into his personal headquarters.
Both Robin and Cordelia made their way inside, making a quick sweep of the first floor. No one in the mess, kitchen, common room, war room or sub-armory. So the two moved to the second floor.
"When I had woken up, there was snoring coming from the room next to mine." Cordelia explained as they went up the small staircase, Robin at the front while she brought the rear. "So I know I wasn't the only person who made their way back here."
"We'll check there then. Maybe they're still inside." Robin deducted, reaching the top and shuffling his way through the hall as it expanded out from the narrow passageway. He couldn't remember who was bunked next to Cordelia, but at the moment it didn't matter. Information was information, and the sooner he could be done with this affair the better.
As the reached the room next to Cordelia's, she bade him to go on. He rapped his gloved hand against the doorway quickly, ready to call inside.
When the door sagged open on it's own, clearly unlocked. Confused, Robin pressed his hand against the wood and opened the door fully.
The bedroom was a complete and utter mess. Clothes were scattered across the floor and over furniture. A dartboard hung off the back wall, several knives embedded deep into the cork. An open bag of confections rested on the desk, along with a tall stack of coins and a brown shawl.
Underneath the bedspread, a figure yawned and sat up. Said figure was revealed to be none other than Gaius, his bandana haphazardly still tied across his forehead. His chest was stripped bare of clothes, revealing his chest and abdomen clear for both him and Cordelia to see. Judging from the trousers on the ground, the thief was likely au natural.
"Wha…? Whuzzat?" Gaius questioned, rubbing his eyes to see the two heads poking out from around the bed. "Bubbles? Red?" He followed up, leaning up further. "The hell're you two doing banging on my door?"
Both the people in question were notably red in embarrassment, with Robin opting to focus on the man's face and nothing below that. "We were just checking up on everyone. You OK in here?"
Gaius' head bobbed lazily. "Yeah, yeah. All good here. Helluva hangover though…"
"Yeah, Feroxi fire ale does that to you." Robin added dismissively. "You know where Anna might be, or…?"
The thief shook his head, before he felt something suddenly jut against his leg. The man visibly tensed, eyes moving away from his visitors and to the now moving mound of stuff underneath his bed covers.
A few moments later, another red head popped out from beneath the covers, eyes closed. As they sat up, thankfully their hands moved to reflexively keep the blanket pinned over their chest.
It took a bit for Anna to stir fully awake, her eyes fluttering as she looked forward at the two figures watching on. Then her head tilted to the right, noting Gaius' position next to her. Finally, her head tilted down, looking at her barely covered chest.
As she lifted her head again, Cordelia swiftly grabbed for the knob and pulled it towards them. The door slammed, and she moved to cover her ears.
Just as an ear eviscerating scream pierced the air, echoing through not just the barracks, but what seemed to be the entire Gods damned palace.
Robin visibly recoiled away from the door, clutching his head as his hangover was suddenly rekinded by the sharp sound violating his senses. Behind the wood, the sound of objects being thrown, stumbling, pleas from Gaius and even more yelling from Anna continued like some sort of unholy chorus. Though Anna was certainly the most audible part of the duet, repeated shouts of 'GET OUT, OUT, OUT!' hovering above all else.
Suddenly Gaius fell through the door, a towel wrapped around his waist as a shoe went flying over his head and right into the wall behind him. Anna surged forwards at that chance, grabbing a hold of the handle and slamming the entryway shut once more.
The thief stood up, one hand holding the towel up while the other banged on the door helplessly. "Come on, Sunshine! Don't act like this, it was a fun night!"
"If you come in here, I'm going to shove one of these daggers where the sun DOESN'T shine!" The merchant roared in response.
"It's MY ROOM!" Gaius answered back, continuing to hit his fist against the wood. "At least give me some pants! I'm freezing my ass off out here!"
"Not on your life, twinkle toes!" Was the answer to his request. Defeated, the thief's head sagged forward and smacked against the wood one last time.
Robin and Cordelia once again traded glances. Between themselves, Gaius, then themselves again.
Sighing, Robin produced a key from his pocket, moving to stand next to Gaius and holding it for the man to take. "My room. Take a spare pair of trousers. Leave the key on the desk." He instructed.
Gaius numbly nodded, taking the key in hand. "Thanks, Bubbles." He mumbled morosely, before he shuffled down the hall like a man who'd just been sentenced to the noose.
Cordelia followed the broken lady's man with her eyes, frowning at his back before looking towards Robin once more. All the tactician could do was offer her a shrug.
At this point, nothing these people did could faze him anymore.
Hours later, both Robin and Cordelia sat outside the throne room next to one another. Robin was now wearing his usual garb, combat trousers and thick leather belt over his stomach along with a cream undershirt. Cordelia had mounted her gloves and armor, her hair having been brushed and straightened.
Chrom and Sumia were inside, dealing with some officiating rites with a member of the Church. Frederick had instructed them both to wait here until he collected them.
Silence hung over the two like a thick cowl. Both trapped within the confines of their minds as they were flooded with a myriad of thoughts. Second guesses, questions, fears. Plans, hopes, goals. Positive and negative emotions battled themselves, like air wrestling before a tornado was formed.
This would be the acceptance of their new lives. After this, they wouldn't be Shepherds anymore. Both would be raised to Officer ranks, given stations and commands. Duties to execute for the Halidom and their closest friends.
Part of Robin's mind still sat in disbelief. This time yesterday, he was standing next to his best friend as he became a married man. Now he was about to accept one of the highest stations in the nation. To think only a year prior he'd been found lying in a flower field.
Meanwhile Cordelia was mentally steeling herself, organizing her thoughts in orderly and proper rows for what would come next. After this, word would be spread through the Government. Sooner or later her family in Friga would catch wind of this. After that, the appointment hearing by the counsel. Then finally, she'd no longer be a simple trooper. She'd be a Captain, she'd be a Falcon Knight. One of the most elite soldiers Ylisse had.
Her hands clenched, hoping she wasn't going to make them regret this choice.
"Hey." Robin called, causing Cordelia to turn to look at the man. Despite his own emotions, he still managed to give her a smile. One that she matched as best she could, even if it was weaker.
"Remember what I told you." Robin said. "No one else on the continent, right?"
"The same goes for you, 'Grandmaster' Robin." Cordelia joked, earning a chuckle from her counterpart. She averted her eyes once again, looking down at the marble tile below them. Despite it all, she could still feel the same fear and panic as she had this morning.
"I want to believe that's true." She whispered, barely loud enough for Robin to make out. She needed to do this well. Not just for her sake, not just for her country and Monarch. But for all the people she left behind. And the pieces of herself she left as well.
Robin didn't respond at first, humming with the words. Then he simply laid his hand atop Cordelia's. His fingers interlaced with her own, locking them in unison. The knight looked up at the man, her clear red eyes once again meeting his murky purple.
Through her riding gloves and gauntlets, along with Robin's own leather mitt. Both of them could feel each other's warmth course through their bodies. It traveled freely, as if their hands were two cords connected together to let the energy flow.
"No matter what happens. No matter how this ends." Robin assured. "You aren't alone. Remember that."
Cordelia gulped audibly, taking the words to heart. She wasn't alone. She wasn't the only one left. She had friends, many friends for the first time in ages. She wouldn't have to march down this pass without help.
"I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you." Cordelia whispered, squeezing the tactician's hand.
"You were you. That's all it took." He replied in kind. "That's why we all care about you so much."
The knight shook her head. "This… thing." She gestured between them both with her free hand. "It goes both ways. We both help one another through this. It's not fair for me to rely on you alone."
Another chuckle, but Robin nodded. "I'll make sure to ask for help if I ever think it's necessary."
"You're sure?" Cordelia asked.
"Not in the slightest." Robin admitted, prompting a snort to leave his partner. "But that's the fun part. Finding out."
"I'm not so sure I agree with your definition of fun." Cordelia chided gleefully.
Robin merely shrugged at that, pulling his hand back and disconnecting the two. "Well, I'm going to be the one overseeing you now. So I'd say my definition's what matters."
"Oh really, now?" Cordelia huffed, nudging the man with her elbow. "Don't think I'll lay over and take that. Grandmaster or not, you're still just Robin the bumbling bookworm to me. Understand?"
"Whatever you say, 'Captain Perfect'." Robin prodded, smiling as Cordelia responded as he expected by shooting up the same tint as her hair.
After that, the door to the hall was pushed open. Frederick stood before them, the man not clad in his usual armor. Instead the man wore a collared dress shirt and his usual shoestring tie. Even then, he still seemed to tower over them both, sitting or standing.
"Milord and Lady will see you now." He rumbled at them, eyes examining both as they stood and made their way inside.
The throne room was freshly refurbished, simmering blue tapestries hanging down from each grand pillar with the white Brand of the Exalt proudly printed. Blue and white carpets were sprawled across the stone floor, old portraits of Royals prior watching on from the walls. Light from the sun shone down cleanly from the skylight above them.
Robin had been to this place twice prior. First, when he met Emmeyrn and her guard Phila. Back then she'd dressed the room up in a forest green, giving the room a sense of vibrant life in contrast to the stoic nobility of the new pallet. Even the sun seemed colored then, yellow rays coming down to embrace all who came to meet the Sage. Now the light was stark and sharp, illuminating all while feeling… resolute in itself.
The second was during the Plegian assassination attempt. Running from room to room, sword and tome in hand. Blasting and slashing his way through an untold amount of assailants. How they managed to sneak so many agents onto the grounds, he still didn't know. Another thing to do after this was done, rework palace security.
And now, the third time. It felt like whenever he stepped foot into this hall, his life seemed to turn in a new direction.
Chrom and Sumia both stood in the center of the room, far in front of the stage. Both were clad in their casual attire, though Sumia was notably lacking her armor. Instead she only seemed to wear a purple tank top along with her riding skirt. Not typical for a Queen, but these two were anything but typical.
The newlyweds were in furious discussion about… something, their arms waving as they spoke in harsh whispers. Neither of them seemed to notice the three figures walking towards them, nor did they hail them once they arrived. The expression on both of their faces was one of… frustration? Or worry. Perhaps both.
Regardless, Frederick brought a fist up to his mouth. He coughed once, his booming voice echoing about the room and pulling both out of their bickering.
Chrom smiled at their audience, scratching the back of his head. "Robin, Cordelia. My apologies, we were both just discussing another matter."
"We were discussing how to deal with the pile of letters that were sitting here." Sumia corrected, much to the flush embarrassment of her husband.
"Letters?" Robin asked.
"Emm used to take letters from citizens." Chrom informed. "It was one of the ways she tried to keep in touch with people from outside the city. Even she couldn't be everywhere at once, so this was the next best thing."
Robin hummed, preparing to speak before Sumia interjected. "I've been trying to tell Chrom we should keep letting people send them here, but he thinks we should do away with the whole thing."
"You saw how many there were, do you want to go through each and every note someone sends us?" Chrom asked, turning to face Sumia entirely again.
The woman walked up, narrowing her eyes and jabbing a finger right into the man's chest. "You listen to me, buster. If people want our help, then we need to listen. Just because it's boring doesn't mean not worth it."
"Could we at least have someone sort them first…?" The Exalt asked. "I want to help if we can, but half of the ones we already read weren't even problems we could fix. How am I supposed to get a random farmer his hog back?"
The two started to go at it all over again, losing themselves to the debate and blocking out the rest of the world. All the while Robin, Cordelia and Frederick stood there awkwardly. Exchanging glances and waiting for a chance to enter the discussion once more.
"How long have they been…?" Cordelia asked Frederick, looking over her shoulder.
"Two hours." Frederick answered, exhaling a long breath. "I had hoped you two would finally draw them away from this."
Cordelia simply nodded, lifting two fingers to her lips. At once, she released a sharp whistle.
Both Chrom and Sumia jumped up, turning to look at the stern faced soldier as she placed her hand back on her hip. "I apologize for the poor manners, your Grace. But we came here to discuss another matter with you both."
Chrom nodded, his expression growing a bit uncomfortable as he was referred to by Emmeryn's title. "No, no. We shouldn't be bickering like this anyway."
Robin rolled his eyes, but smiled. At least things seemed the same as always between the four of them.
"So…" Sumia began, edging her way up. "...Is this about the positions we asked you both about?" Frederick grumbled, moving to stand at the side between both couples. His vision continued to scan both the tactician and rider, as if he was checking to see for any residual hesitation. Like a hawk ready to swoop in on a rabbit.
Robin and Cordelia shared one last look, the latter nodding to the former.
"Yeah." Robin answered, before both spoke in unison to their leaders.
"We accept."
A/N: Took me longer than I'd like, but here it is. Chapter Two. Thanks to all the follows, favorites and reviews. This fic blew up quicker and larger than I expected it to. Hopefully there'll be less space in between this chapter and the next.
Anyway, two things to quickly advertise. One, I also recently updated my post Fateswakening fic if you're interested in that jazz. Two, me and a few other people decided to start up an Awakening Discord. So if you wanna come and chat about the game, be it levels, characters, fanart, fics, shipping or what have you, feel free to join us. The join code is (Pgemj2D) without the parenthesis.
Until next time.
o/