Interim

by ClearlyInvsible

With victory came peace, with peace comes new lives. New Royals to rule over Ylisstol, with the goal of leading their nation into a prosperous age. Behind the scenes, two figures work to ensure that goal becomes reality. A story chronicling the events during the two-year timeskip in Awakening.

4. C-4: All for One

-Two weeks later-

Out of all the traditions Sumia could have continued from Emmeryn's reign, these public meetings were one Robin wished she would do away with.

The former Exalt liked to call these meetings of her's the 'people's counsel'. When she would go to Ylisstol's public square and speak with her subjects in a more direct and less formal manner. Citizens came forth of their own accord, paying their respects and asking for both assistance and advice in various problems. No matter the issue, no matter their age, she made time for as many as possible.

He still clearly remembered the size of the crowds that would appear every time. The whole of the square, one of the central markets of the entire city, seemed to fill with the city's denizens. If not to ask for their leader's counsel, then to catch a glimpse of her serenity. Chrom had once said that his sister embodied peace, Robin agreed with him.

Sumia had large shoes to fill. It was natural that she would try to emulate her predecessor.

But that didn't stop Robin from thinking this was a dumb damned idea.

When Emmeryn held these meetings, the Pegasus Knights could still protect her. A squadron could be called up on a whim to intervene if anything untoward occurred. She would be whisked away to safety on the back of a winged horse, while the others pacified the situation.

Many people in the city were still poor and desperate. Not all held a favorable view of House Lowell after the war. It wasn't unheard of to hear people blaming Emmeryn's innate pacifism for helping cause such damage. Much as Robin despised hearing her name disparaged, they had a point.

An armored shoulder nudged him, and he looked to see Frederick standing at his side. Both of them watched over Sumia from a distance, while Cordelia and a few junior Knights under his command acted as a proper guard for the Queen.

"Be vigilant, tactician." Frederick chastised, looking back towards their shared ward. "A vassal must always be on the lookout for threats to their liege."

Robin held in a sigh, his hands remaining in the pockets of his coat. He wasn't dressed in his new Grandmaster's regalia, no armor or pellegrina. Just his casual attire, with an arc-thunder tome and sword hanging from his hip.

"Forgive me, I'm rather inexperienced as a bodyguard." He answered with blithe temperament.

The Knight's frown only seemed to elongate when he said those words, both his eyes flicking to Robin for a breath's time. "I question why you're even present. Does the Grandmaster not have duties to attend?"

"I was bored, Sumia invited me. And I needed to get out of the castle for once." Robin replied, scanning the crowd. Rather sizable to say the least, his count was around a hundred women present. They formed a slapdash crescent in front of the royal while she addressed the latest question.

It was one of the only times Robin had seen nobility and commoner standing side by side, each one desiring the same thing.

Acceptance into the Pegasus Knights was one of the most prestigious positions a woman could have. These women were the living symbols of Ylisse's strength. They were the royal family's personal guard, one of the most elite formations on the continent, and anyone who became a member was almost guaranteed a successful career after their service.

It was no wonder that for the longest time, only blue bloods were allowed entry. Now, they were going to have to share with everyone else.

He didn't want to tell Cordelia, but he felt that this was going to backfire spectacularly.

Robin then looked to Frederick, giving him a sarcastic grin. "Besides, I figured you'd enjoy my company."

"I would rather be force-fed the carcass of a grizzly." Frederick answered grimly. A harsh insult, knowing the man's distaste for fresh game. "A frivolous reason to be derelict of your post."

"You're just upset I outrank you now." Robin pointed out, taking note as the Knight's fist clenched. Metal fingers scraping against one another in a distasteful melody.

Feeling victorious in the matter, the Plegian changed the subject. "I was thinking about how risky this is." He clarified. "One mad archer and we would be losing our second royal in as many years."

"Nor do we have many troops to spare so she can be kept secure." Frederick noted in gruff agreement. "Unfortunately Her Majesty shares His Grace's penchant for ignoring my counsel."

The jab wasn't lost on Robin, he knew Frederick had been against his appointment from the onset. But that didn't change the fact that the two had to work together beyond just this one guard detail. Teasing him wouldn't help that.

"Nor do we have an Army to loan troops either." Robin lamented. "Emmeryn disbanded it ages ago, the only Professional troops Ylisse knows are of the Knighthood and the Order."

"One of which is wounded, the other utterly crippled." The Knight-Captain observed. "After Lady Cordelia revealed her intentions, rumors circulated that some of the Electors wanted to disband the Order entirely."

Robin's eye twitched at this news, his head turning edgewise in Frederick's direction. "It won't happen." The Grandmaster assured with a vindictive ferocity. "They'd need to have Chrom agree, and Sumia would never allow it. Either that or they convince me to disband the Company."

"I would not be surprised if they very well try." He continued. "Pay mind to your new position in our nation, there are many who will now use you for it."

"I'm not foolish enough to fall for honeyed words and snake oil salesmen."

"Only a fool believes himself ready for a scenario he has no experience in." Frederick countered. "You are a noble in birth and name, Robin. But you have little knowledge of the world of politics."

"And you do?"

"My family have been knights in service to the Halidom for centuries, we've held a seat in court for almost as long." Frederick informed, raising a brow to Robin as he continued to speak. "Do you know how many of the Shepherds are of high birth?"

The tactician shook his head. "Other than Maribelle and Virion? No." Robin admitted.

Frederick sighed despondently, pointing towards the two female Shepherds at the center of the crowd. "Both Sumia and Cordelia hail from some of the oldest noble families on Archanea. Their parents both aid Duchess Kaltrina in the north."

Robin followed the man's hand, looking to his two friends as they addressed a new woman who'd made her way towards them. Neither of them ever mentioned that. In fact, both women seemed keen to never speak a word about their families around him.

"Sully's father was my predecessor." Frederick continued. "That man lead the Knighthood for two decades. He survived the Crusade by the skin of his teeth, and taught me everything I know. Just as I instructed his daughter in kind."

A memory came back of Sully and Chrom discussing their adventures as children. Robin knew that she had lived in the castle. Not that she was following any form of lineage with the path she walked.

"Ricken's mother is an Elector." Frederick finished, that final revelation making Robin do a full-on double-take. Such a reaction made his current teacher crack his first smile of the day. "She was the mage who challenged Duke Arvin. His family has ruled over Pyrathi for some time."

There was a deep, black pit that formed squarely in Robin's stomach with this new knowledge.

How had he been so unaware of something so important about his friends? These were people who were the closest thing he had to family, and yet he never asked them about their real families. That, or they never seemed keen to tell him.

Not after all they'd been through, the highs and lows of the battlefield. The long nights he'd spent drinking and partying with each of them. Not even over the card games and spontaneous sparring tournies the Shepherds had concocted during his time with them.

It felt… sad. As if they didn't trust him.

Frederick caught on, noticing the distinct shift in the Plegian's demeanor. His smile broke, returning to the usually disapproving frown he presented to the world.

"Do not take this the wrong way, Robin." Frederick assured. "None of them hid this from you due to malice or lack of faith. Among the Shepherds, we come from all walks of life. Who we were before does not matter."

Robin knew he was speaking truth. He knew they cared for him, he knew that they weren't trying to play him for a fool. But all of this did highlight the main point Frederick was clearly trying to make.

"...This was why you didn't want me as the Grandmaster, you think I'll become a puppet." He deducted.

"That, and I did not expect others to readily accept a Plegian into the ranks of leadership." Frederick clarified himself. "You have earned my trust in your intentions, tactician. But that does not make your shortcomings disappear. You now live in a world of manipulators, schemers and liars."

Frederick paused, taking a breath. "Do not falter, it will cost us all dearly."

The Tactician groaned, his head lolling back to stare up at the sky. "At least when we were fighting the Plegians, I knew who was on my side."

"You still have us, take heart in that." Frederick chimed. "And remember, you chose to take this role."

"After everyone else basically strong armed me into doing it." Robin countered, to which Frederick rolled his eyes.

"A convenient excuse, but we both know that you enjoy this work." He replied with confidence. That was true for both of the men. Though Frederick's gaze shifted forward once more, towards the square and the fliers. "Let us discuss that point later."

---

Neither of the women expected such a large showing.

Even now, with recruitment being opened to those of common birth, the logistics of reaching the capitol for this day were difficult. The Duchies on the border were still undergoing a period of reconstruction. Island vassals like Warren, Pyrathi and Tayls were seemingly too far away. As for Ylisstol itself; on the surface she looked like she had completely recovered. Below it all, much of the population had still perished.

Yet there they were, at least a hundred girls ready to take on the mantle. It was supposed to be quite the happy moment.

Except for the clear segregation between the crowd. Three groups of stratified people had long since formed.

Firstly, the commoners. Daughters of shopkeepers, workers and farmers. Each one of them hung onto every word Sumia and Cordelia said, excitable beyond belief. The chance to become pegasus knights was something many of these girls only dreamed of, and now they had the chance.

The next was of the gentry. Those not of noble birth, but their families still had plenty of gold to throw around. Bankers, higher-end merchants, doctors and magistrates. The families that ran the day to day business throughout the nation. They were speaking with one another more than they were listening to the speeches and explanations.

Finally were the noblewomen. The children of barons, counts and dukes. The people who, not long ago, were the only class allowed to even join the Order. Now they were being forced to share, and the looks they were giving Cordelia, they weren't happy about it. But they were still here, they still wanted to be a part of her troop. That spoke far more than any glares they threw her way.

They'd counted at least a hundred hopefuls who'd come to Ylisstol.

Over the next month, they'd need to send half of them back home. The rest would finish their training, and in time they'd be the next generation of Ylisse's defenders.

The girls began to chatter amongst themselves again as Sumia fell silent, stepping back as she finished her recollection of the Plegian campaign. Her Highness was already turning into quite the orator, only stuttering through half her memories before wrapping it all up.

"Did you have to include the part where we found Nowi?" Cordelia questioned, once again wearing her Falcon Knight gear. For once, the redhead was wearing a helmet, the metal visor casting shade over her eyes.

Sumia snorted, grinning at her friend. "Don't know, I think rescuing a manakete's a pretty good recruitment story. Besides, did you see how they reacted?"

"Don't get their hopes up. Remember most of our duties are just patrols and security." Cordelia chastised. Of course Sumia's experiences would have been different, she joined the Shepherds far before she had. While she was off boiling in a border fort, her Highness was off having grand adventures.

"But that's why we have to tell them about the fun stuff!" Sumia protested. "Think about it, they're about to become the best of the best. Do you really want to be the one to ruin their expectations?"

Cordelia frowned her friend's wording. She removed her helmet, pressing it into Sumia's chest and letting the Queen fumble around as she stepped forwards back into the crowd's view. The Paragon brought two fingers to her mouth, releasing a sharp whistle.

Every one of the onlookers' heads turned to face her, some faster than others. Cordelia stood there, waiting, until she was sure she had the attention of all who were present. Then she took a long breath.

"I want to make something clear, before we dismiss you all." The Captain began, voice booming through the square. "This is not the glorious duty that the tales of yore wish to paint it as."

The crowd mumbled in confusion, Cordelia continuing to speak despite it's presence. "Her Highness told you about the adventures she and I had during the last War. Those were all true, but…"

Voices died down, waiting for her to explain with trepidation.

"They were all extraordinary." She admitted freely. "We do not spend our usual days rescuing Manaketes. We do not go around fighting in Feroxi Arenas or assaulting Plegian palaces. And we most certainly do not spend them killing Mad Kings."

There was no chatter now, only the focus gaze of a dozen hopeful girls listening to a war hero tell them the opposite of what they expected.

"We patrol the countryside. We guard cities. We watch over our borders. These tasks are not exciting. They're bland, thankless and tedious work. But they are necessary all the same."

Frowns grew across many of the onlookers, and panic began to fill in Cordelia's breast. Telling these girls the truth was turning them away faster than she expected. Behind her Sumia watched on with equal dismay, unsure if she should intervene or how she could even turn this around.

Another breath. Cordelia thought back to her days as a recruit. She tried to remember what made her stick through all of this nonsense. The drills, practice, aching bones and endless marches. The torture that she was put through by the other knights. All of it was so much, often too much for her the bare. Yet she had.

Off in the distance she could see Robin and Frederick, both men watching on with unreadable expressions.

Her mind sparked back to the discussion she had with Phila, words echoing in her mind. Then, she repeated them.

"The duty of a Pegasus Knight is never to herself." Cordelia declared proudly, eyes scanning the crowd. "It is demanded of us to give every once of our being for those around us. Our sisters, our Exalt. But most importantly, for the people of Ylisse."

"A Knight's duty is to care for their people. That can be something as simple as…" Her gaze focused on the common people off to the side. "...helping move a farmer's goods from his fields to the market."

A few of the girls' faces lit up, memories of when their families had been aided by passing soldiers.

"It can be helping a Magistrate capture a bandit, and bringing him to trial."Jitters shook out from the center of the crowd, the well off recalling stories of how hooligans had been carted to a cell by the fliers of old.

"It can be as simple as guarding a castle keep, keeping the leaders of our homeland safe from harm." She finalized, the nobles in waiting beaming up as their families were mentioned. Not seeing any interruption, Cordelia continued on.

"But above all else, we must be willing to do what is asked of us. No matter the task, no matter the cost, no matter the consequences." The Captain affirmed, reminding them all of what brought them to this point.

"These next months will not be easy. You will suffer, you will toil. There will come times where you will regret joining our Order. But I can promise you this. If your wish is to help others, and to be the best you can be. This is the place you belong."

Cordelia went quiet, letting the girls speak with one another. The excited jitters were now replaced with serious and droll whispers. Sumia finally moved up again, standing to her partner's side as they both assessed the crowd.

"Talk about intense." Sumia observed, nervously scanning their newly frightened audience.

"We don't need airheads with hero complexes. The day I let some girl with delusions of grandeur slink her way into a saddle is the day I retire." Cordelia pointed out. Sumia's frown remained steadfast, to which the Captain looked on with uncloaked displeasure. "Unless you have a problem with my methods?"

The Queen didn't challenge her any further. Like it or not, nothing either of them had said was a lie.

---

Of all the horrors and hells that Robin had been subjected to as a soldier, none came close to what he was experiencing now.

He sat there in his new office, a room the size of some paupers' entire homes. The walls were lined with shelves, books and scrolls filling each to the brim. A grand map of the continent was hung, with the Ylissean coat of arms set behind his desk. Papers were stacked, some neatly while left in havoc, with a plethora of inkwells and spare quills present. Other furniture, rugs and ornate decorations Robin didn't care for were present.

After his discussion with Frederick earlier that day, he'd taken the man's advice to heart. He was inexperienced in this world, and that needed to change. Just like any other problem he faced, Robin needed to learn and adapt. Too much was riding on his shoulders now to do otherwise.

Prepared or not, he'd let the others convince him. Chrom, Lissa, Gaius, Kellam. Sumia especially had been riding him ever since his appointment, making sure that everything she needed was finished.

Thinking back, Robin was actually taken aback by just how quickly the woman threw herself into her new role. The normally timid knight had managed to both sweet-talk and strong-arm him into going along with a lot of her plans and schemes since she was given the crown. An oddly effective mix of praise, faith, threats, little white lies and big black ones. 'Queen' Sumia could be rather terrifying when she put her mind to it.

Chrom chose well. She handled domestic affairs, he directed the reconstruction and reforms of the Halidom. Two heads of a grand body in perfect sync.

He was proud to serve them both. And like Frederick had said, he did enjoy his role. What truly still bothered him was how he'd managed to attain his position.

A year ago Chrom found him face down in a flowery field, now he was helping run a country. Whatever life he had lead before then did not exist anymore, whatever he had been doing. All that had been on his person was his weapons, clothes, some coin and travelling documents from a place called Thracia.

He knew where that was, the continent to the east. But he'd never be able to reach Jugdral or find out why he'd been there. Though it was obvious he'd clearly been on a boat once in his life. The ocean that separates that land and Ylisse was even more vast than the one between them and Valm.

Maybe he could take a leave of absence soon…

"Are you even listening to me?" Maribelle called out, spurring Robin to look up. The blonde noblewoman was standing above him, parasol in hand and eyes sharp as daggers pointed at his head.

By Naga's grace, why wouldn't she save him now?

He rapidly bobbed his head up and down, which only seemed to make her even angrier. "Truly? Then what was the last thing I said."

"Er…" Robin started, trying to recall what might've entered his ears in the past five minutes. "Something about my disgraceful Plegian mannerisms?"

Maribelle huffed loudly, quickly cracking the man atop the head like a school teacher with a meter stick. He recoiled, yelping loudly as he clutched his head with both hands. "Why do all the women around here keep hitting me!?"

"Likely because you continue to be an obstinate buffoon." Maribelle admitted, retracting the parasol back into her dual-handed grip. "For the love of the Divines, Robin. Why even request my assistance if you refuse to listen?"

He groaned, lifting his hand to check if the troubadour had broken skin. Thankfully, she hadn't, and he let the limb fall back ungracefully into his lap. "Sorry, I just... I have a lot on my mind."

"Yes, yes. I'm sure the idea of being presented in front of so many of your social betters is quite daunting to you." Maribelle waxed on, with Robin feeling no real urge to correct the woman now that she was on a roll. "But the entire point of these etiquette lessons are to assist you in high society. Do you desire them to treat you a fool?"

"No." Robin admitted, levying a long and heavy sigh. "OK, OK. Where were we?"

"We were going over how to interact with your peers in court." Maribelle said, before giving the man a skittish glance. "...And I had made a comment about your disgraceful Plegian mannerisms."

The Plegian in question grinned in triumph, only to shirk away once more as his contemporary regained her murderous disposition. It was true, he had asked her to help him present himself better in front of the Nobility. He couldn't hide himself from formal meetings forever.

Once the Heiress felt she had again established her dominance, the lesson continued.

"When meeting a subject of lower standing, they bow to you." She explained, pacing back and forth across the deserted and regal room. Her heeled boots sounded like the thumping march of soldiers, a mix of her noble and military training. "The conversation does not continue until you are properly addressed. Any less is a slight to your honor."

"Seems a bit pompous." Robin grumbled.

"When a common soldier addresses an officer, does he not salute?" Maribelle pointed out, something which Robin couldn't really argue against. "Respect must be shown both ways. Once you have been properly greeted, you may bow your head in return. Only the head, move nothing but your neck."

"There's different kinds of bowing? You can't be serious." He disgruntledly inquired.

"Four different kinds. And that is only in Ylisse." Maribelle informed, causing Robin to once again groan loudly. "Be glad this is not Chon'sin, they would have you on your hands and knees."

"I'm going to have an aneurysm…" Robin darkly grumbled. "Fine, how do I address someone who's higher up the social ladder than me?"

"Than 'I'. There will be a refresher on your grammar later." She corrected, continuing before he could let out any more exasperated outbursts. "When addressing your superior or equal, you bow from the small of your back. With His and Her Highness, you kneel." She then stopped her motions, turning towards him and motioning upwards with her instrument. "Stand up, you may practice with me."

The Grandmaster sighed, but complied. Standing up from the cushioned chair he'd been resting in and went to face the younger woman a couple paces away. She rolled her hand, gesturing for him to get on with it. He straightened himself up, trying to pretend that he was saluting an officer.

When an intrusive thought entered his brain.

"...What was the rank Chrom gave me when I was made a noble?" He asked innocently, feigning ignorance.

If Maribelle was losing her patience with him, by the Gods she wasn't showing it. Instead a loud 'tut, tut' left her before she explained. "Milord deigned it necessary to make you a Margrave. A rare title, but traditionally the Grandmaster is lifted to such a position."

"And he made me a peer of the realm, correct?" Robin continued to question, which earned him the slightest of eye-rolls from his tutor.

"An elder peer, yes. Your votes in the Counsel are weighted the same as an Elector's." She continued to enlighten.

Robin stroked his chin, giving the shorter girl a slow and exaggerated nod. "Hm… and what's your title again, Lady Maribelle?"

"I am a Baroness." She stated, her eyes narrowing once more as she grew more suspect. "Is there a point to these questions, or are you merely wasting our time?"

A flash of mischief danced in Robin's eye, his pensive expression morphing into a grin as he pressed the unknowing woman into a logical corner. He asked one final question, springing his trap. "What does a noble of lower standing do when they meet a superior?"

Maribelle blinked once, not understanding what he meant at first. Then her mind put two and two together, realizing the position she held compared to his. The blonde healer's face turned a deep, violent red. Both hands clenched her parasol so tightly, the wood almost splintered apart. She stood there, seething over at the man who was grinning clear as day.

She inhaled, and exhaled, her face returning to it's usual tint. Maribelle then grabbed the hem of her skirt, curtsying with the grace and dignity that befitted her station. Magnanimous in victory, Robin returned the gesture with a complete bow.

Both stood straight once more, and Maribelle's frown returned as Robin turned to walk back over to his desk, dragging the chair behind him and settling it back in place. "Did I not make it clear how to properly prostate?" She inquired, not even trying to hide her annoyance at this point.

"You said to bow like that when addressing my equals." Robin answered as he sat once more, smirking again at the young woman.

This time her cheeks went red, tinging softly as she understood the compliment. She smiled back at the man as he pulled out a fresh piece of parchment and wet a quill. "You're a silver tongued devil when you want to be."

"Only as skilled as my tutor." He replied, before pointing at one of the chairs in front of the desk. "I need to ask you a favor, by the way."

"Oh?" Maribelle asked as she moved over, patting down the hem of her petticoat as she sat down. "Two requests from the Grandmaster in a day? I'm almost honored."

Robin smiled, silently groaning at his friend's ever growing ego. Even if it was an ego well earned.

"So, I know you're aware that Cordelia just inducted her first class of recruits." He started, Maribelle nodding in acknowledgement. "I need someone to act as my observer. If I had time, I'd do it myself, but…" He gestured to the stack of papers that framed his desk, many of them only half-finished.

Maribelle tutted, folding one leg over the other as she rested her parasol over her lap. "I'm flattered that you would trust me to be your proxy, my dear." She told him. "But you must know I need return to Themis. My father requires assistance there just as much as Lord Chrom does here."

"I'm not asking you to stay for long." Robin quickly amended. "Recruitment went better than expected. About twenty more people signed on than needed. So for the first month, Cordelia's going to weed out the excess. It's the most critical part of training, the rest she'll handle autonomously."

"I am… confused then. If Dame Cordelia is handling all of this, then why is another hand necessary?" Maribelle asked, suddenly growing uncomfortable at the request. Observing was one thing, but his tone made it seem like he wanted her to act almost like a warden. Whether for the recruits or Cordelia, she didn't know.

Robin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he remembered the discussion he and Cordelia shared before accepting the Royals' offer. "...Cordelia doesn't like taking help. Even when she needs it. She sees it as a… personal failure." He lamented. "There's no doubt about her abilities, but she's still never trained this many people before. And with this being the inaugural class, things need to go as smoothly as possible. There's a lot of eyes on this, and not everyone has high hopes."

Maribelle hummed with this information. Her father had told her that the last council meeting had been tumultuous a best. Even he walked away not pleased with the direction that the Knights seemed to be going. But… Robin. Even Robin was having doubts now.

"And what of you, Margrave Medon?" Maribelle asked, using the man's formal title. Anyone who knew her, also knew that was a bad sign.

"Like I said, too much work." He informed.

"Not that." Maribelle dismissed. "What of your duties? Who is helping you?"

"I can handle my own problems." Robin quickly said, growing far too defensive far too quickly. "Everyone has their issues, I have mine. There's nothing special about me."

Maribelle's frown grew even firmer. The tactician had, unknowingly, given her the worst possible answer.

"May I speak freely, your excellency?" She requested, speaking to him with a noble style.

"Go ahead." He granted, pulling a paper out to scan.

"You're a hypocrite." She told him firmly, making the man double-take back up.

"Do you really have such a high opinion of yourself that you need not the assistance of others?" Maribelle continued to drive, gloved fingers laced between one another. "Is your ego so massive that you deem it fit to send others aid while acting as though you are above such a thing?"

"That isn't-" He began.

"It's either that, the polar opposite, or some unholy brew of both." She affirmed, eyes narrowing. "In either case it's a disgraceful and frankly insulting position to hold. It dishonors you and her. Frankly I'd be even more disgusted if I wasn't certain she had the same issue."

The Plegian remained in his chair, emotions stewing in his mind. At that moment, the primary one was annoyance. Him being called egomaniacal by Maribelle of all people. If anyone was the hypocrite there, it was her.

But he remained silent. Seeing that he had no response, the troubadour stood up and rested her parasol against her shoulder.

"I will do as required. But know this, Grandmaster. You best right your views, lest you cause folly for yourself."

She walked away, leaving a very burned and concerned man in her wake.

---

As the recruits moved into the Shepherd barracks, the divide further cemented itself.

The girls who signed on divided themselves the same as before, each of the barracks floors turning into class cliques. Almost ninety of them in total, with a roughly even spread of girls coming from each background.

Come breakfast that day, each group continued to give each other a wide berth. The same happened when they were taken out for marches, three long columns formed up side by side. And then came physical training. Where each of them were driven past the point of exhaustion doing runs, lifting weights, jumping across obstacles and other methods that made their lives a living hell.

It wasn't just the Captain overseeing them as well. Two cavaliers, one dressed in green and the other in red, were watching with militant intent. They kept drilling them, over and over, until they were on the brink of collapse. Then the troubadour would go at them with a stave, and they'd be sent back into the ringer.

Many already wanted to run back home. Charlotte was not one of them.

This wasn't the first time she'd seen the Captain. That had been when the red headed wonder had drank the night away while sitting at her father's bar. She'd listen to her and the Queen talk about their plans, then helped the three nobles out the door. Hadn't spoken a word to them then, and she was still terrified of the prospect now.

Still… they all seemed nice. Nothing like the prissy rich kids she was fighting against now.

Even if she was a barmaid, Charlotte could count. There were more recruits here then there were positions in the Order. Which meant that people who under-performed were going to be sent home.

That wasn't an option for her. She didn't even live with her parents, they'd sent her to stay with her grandfather. Not enough money to feed every mouth. The pay a Knight got a month was more than her family business made in half a year. Charlotte spent her whole life trying to make an honest living, her father warned her to stay away from criminals. But it was so… damned hard.

But… if she made it. If she could just survive this… Charlotte would have a duty she was proud of and more than enough money to live her life.

Failing wasn't an option. She deserved this, and she was going to prove it.

Her feet carried her quickly across the field, a rucksack weighing her and her fellow trainees down. Endurance training, practicing to stay mobile while carrying something that weighed about as much as a suit of armor. It hurt like hell, that's for sure. But it wasn't any worse than lugging a keg of ale around.

The others weren't so lucky. Next to her, another trainee lost her footing and fell face-first into the muck. Wet, brown mud splattered on impact. Some of it hit the rear of her leg, the morning child sending shivers down her spine.

Charlotte stopped at once, going back to help her dirt-covered comrade from the earth. Said comrade hacked up a lung, having swallowed some of the mud.

The others ran past them, and they both caught up once everyone had paused the exercise. The Captain rode up on her mount, giving some explanation as to why they were doing this.

She didn't pay attention. All she heard were the disparate whispers of some blue-bloods.

"Did you see the one with the purple hair? She was just lying down like this was a picnic."

"Feh, lazy commoners. Why even sign up if you aren't going to put in the effort?"

"I don't even know why they're letting them join if they don't care."

"Ask the class-traitor in front of us."

"Shh, pipe down."

Charlotte scowled. To her left, she heard the girl who'd tripped sniffle. Her head aimed down as she tried to wipe the muck and grime with her sleeves. Ever prepared, Charlotte drew out her own handkerchief and began to wipe away.

"It's alright." She comforted quietly, but keeping her voice loud enough so the nobles could hear her. "You made it. Stuff whatever they think, they don't know what work even is."

The whispers died then, all Charlotte could hear was the Captain's words hovering above them.

Small victories.

---

Alexis was slowly beginning to lose her mind.

This entire week had just been day, after day, after day of drills. Every fiber of her muscles was burning, sore by the inch. In the mornings, they'd be woken at the break of dawn. In the evenings, they were forced to clean the whole barracks from top to bottom. In between it was never-ending exercises and hell.

She'd never worked this hard in her whole life. She never had to.

Her father was a banker. Her mother was an accountant. Growing up she'd gone to school and played with other children. Never once had she experienced any hardship like this. Everything in her life had been settled for her.

Yet here, that didn't matter. Actually, no, that was a lie. Here that was a liability. The paupers had plenty of practice dealing with this disgusting nonsense, and the nobles had been training for this most of their lives.

All Alexis wanted to do was be a hero. She'd spent her entire life on Talys, being raised on stories about the Queen Caeda. A Pegasus Knight so gallant, so strong, so kind and able to save the world. When word of the war came to her island, all she could do was sit there. Terrified, worried that the Plegians would come. Raid her home, hurt her family, destroy her life.

She had felt so, so useless. Then more than ever. And now, she could actually be something.

She was making the cut, come hell or high water.

All of the trainees stood in pairs, practice spears in hand. Today, after another grueling morning of runs, was sparring practice. For her, like many others, this was the first time she'd held a weapon. The closest she'd come before this was a broom while helping sweep the house.

Some instructors had given them a quick tutorial. A large brown haired knight with dark brown hair and a dress-blouse beneath all his armor demonstrated the basic techniques. After doing more than a few repetitions, they'd been divided up.

And that's where Alexis was now. Standing across from an olive skinned girl who clearly seemed more at home in this environment. They traded a few thrusts. One blocking the other, trying to land taps and pokes. It was all fine, until her opponent jabbed her spear into Alexis' shin.

She cried out, dropping her spear and hopping on one foot. Her assailant merely laughed at her, not caring at all. Undeterred, Alexis picked up the spear again, and continued.

Then she was struck again in the shin.

Then she was stabbed rather painfully in the gut, the padded vest she was wearing didn't blunt the blow much.

And as a coup de grace, Alexis was then struck violently in the side of the head.

As the banker's daughter fell to her knees, she could hear the cackles while the world spun. "What's the matter, princess? Can't take a few licks? I guess all you rich brats are made of paper."

The spear was smacked against her back, sending her onto the ground completely. Even more laughter rang into her ears. Or was that the sound her brain? She couldn't really tell.

Another voice rang out as well, this one booming with ferocity. Both women turned to see the Captain marching over with murderous intent, her red hair seemingly lit ablaze. Alexis' ears were ringing even more now, as Cordelia tore the woman apart piece by piece with her words.

She managed to smile. At least someone here cared.

---

Natalia just about had enough.

Even after a lifetime of preparation, these past two weeks had gnawed at her very core. Practice, practice, practice. Running, climbing, fighting, studying. It never ended, each day just brought more of this conditioning. That's all it was, conditioning and refinement. Nothing about being a Pegasus Knight, just activities to break her down.

She wondered if her sister had to suffer through this. She'd been a pegasus knight for several years before the war. The old Captain had been known to be a harsh taskmaster as well. She must have gone through this training as well. All the blood, sweat and tears just to take on the mantle.

Her entire childhood, Natalia had it drilled into her that it was a Noblewoman's duty to be the best of Ylisse. Not just because of birth, but of character. The epitome of perfect, the pinnacle of poise. She was an heir, in time she'd have a County to rule.

If she couldn't succeed here, then she had no right to claim dominion over others. Her family's subjects deserved that much.

And yet she was being forced to compete with bloody commoners.

Natalia marched through the barracks building, pushing around a trolley stacked with plates of food. She'd already gone through the bottom floor, handing meals out to the paupers. Thankfully they didn't try to make conversation, merely took their dinner and disappeared back inside. Now she was on the second level, the one filled with the Gentry.

It annoyed her. Paupers, she could respect. They worked hard at their station. These women had neither effort nor noble honor to their names, just stupid amounts of gold.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself, before she knocked on the door.

A girl, her face completely covered in a facial mask and cream, opened up. Behind her, Natalia could see three other women of similar appearance sitting in a circle along with a few books. Some kind of beauty party while they were studying for the next day's classroom session.

"Oh, dinner time already?" The one who answered the door declared with a wide grin. "How lovely. Would you mind just… bringing them all in for us?"

Yes. Yes, Natalia minded greatly. She still had to hand out food for the rest of this floor, then the next one. And she hadn't even gotten to eat yet herself, much to her stomach's dismay. But one look at the girls made it clear they weren't going to get up.

So, she swallowed her pride for the sake of speed. Picking up two plates at a time and bringing them in.

"Just leave them on the table." One of the banshees instructed her, waving with the back of her hand towards the furniture in the center. She bit her tongue and did just that, not spewing any insults below her standing. All the while, they chattered around her, very clearly unaware of who she was.

"Gods, I think I chipped a nail this morning."

"You still look lovely, Sasha. Easily the prettiest girl here."

"Not like there's much contest. Have you seen those working girls? A face only a mother could love, if that."

"The Nobles aren't any better. All bony and lanky. And they're always standing so straight and poignant. What is wrong with them?"

"Who cares about a bunch of brainless high-borns. They've never done anything. Our families run things, after all. They just sip tea in their castles."

"I bet they all flunk. Then we'll get to run the show and let the paupers do our bidding."

The urge to whip around and throw something at their gossiping maws was near irresistible, but somehow, Natalia did resist. As she placed the last of the food, a pitcher of water, she prepared herself to leave.

Until she heard one last thing.

"Pardon, waitress?" One of the girls asked, looking over with casual disregard. "Could you please bring me that pie? I'd rather not stand and ruin this pedicure."

Waitress.

Waitress.

What.

Natalia stood there, seething. A million answers ran through her brain, all of them laced with explicities that would get her kicked out of every church in Ylisse. Even if she was a waitress, they were still human beings. Not slaves to be commanded around like damned cattle.

Then, an idea popped into her brain, and Natalia smiled.

She grabbed the pie, then walked it over to the girl in question. As the woman extended her hands for the fruit filled treat, Natalia crouched down, seemingly handing the dessert to her.

And then proceeded to smash it into her face.

There was a collective gasp in the room. Her target sat there, stunned as the blue filling slid down her face and mixed with the beauty product. Crumbles fell down, ruining her robe and staining her feet.

Not waiting for a response, Natalia marched out, and shut the door graciously behind her.

After which, the room was once again filled with the screams of an enraged woman.

---

"So how are things going?" Robin asked Cordelia. Both Shepherds were sitting in the Captain's newly furnished office, cups of coffee steaming in front of them. Both also looked ragged beyond belief, the two of them having been worked just as hard as the redhead's initiates.

The room itself had already been turned into a quasi-dormitory. Many of Cordelia's personal effects had been moved in, along with a cot that was shoved off in the corner. Off to the side one could see a cabinet, open shelves showing layers of folded clothes. Lamplight lit the room, the sun having long since descended. Her weapons and armor rested against her desk, where she and her friend were now also trying to relax.

"I thought you had Maribelle spying on me." Cordelia accused, her tone hovering somewhere between joking and displeased.

"I do." Robin admitted shamelessly. "That doesn't mean I value your word any less."

The woman sighed, clutching her cup close. "Not good." She told him, taking a long sip. "The girls have been getting along worse than I feared. Three weeks in and most still refuse to talk to one another. It's as if they're a different species."

"May as well be." Robin admitted. "Chrom told me that the divide was very strong under his father. I can't say I'm surprised that it's persisted."

"I can." Cordelia answered with a snort. Her friend chuckling as he drank his beverage. "Emmeryn's rule was supposed to change all of that. For a long while, it did. At least it seemed to have."

"Old grudges die hard. You and I both know that." Robin reminisced, Gangrel's mad rants filling his ears again. Vengeance drove that madman to commit so many atrocities. Though even now, he found it hard to blame Plegia for their anger. Partially because he knew that was his homeland now.

Cordelia sighed again. She went to take another sip, when the door of her office swung open. Robin turned around, nearly losing his grip on his own cup. The Captain watched on, expecting this to happen tonight.

"I take it that's you, Gaius?" She called over.

"You know it, Red." The thief called back, stepping into the room. This was the first time in a while either had seen him in his usual garb. For a while he'd either been forced into formal wear, or wearing a multitude of disguises to carry out his new duties as Spymaster. "And, I've brought guests."

He looked back outside, sending a sharp whistle to those still standing there. Three girls then walked in, each of them chattering nervously. Robin instantly recognized them as recruits, the tall onyx haired one in the middle seemed especially familiar. They were all in various dress, most of them clad in some kind of apron. Servants clothes.

Gaius closed the door behind them, locking it shut. Cordelia set her drink down, beckoning the girls to come over to her desk. Robin backed away slowly, not wanting to be caught in between this.

"You ladies all read the enlistment contract before signing it, yes?" Cordelia said, her voice becoming cold and distant. Each of their heads bobbed up and down. "Then you all know why you're here."

One of the girls, a shorter purple-haired one, gulped audibly. Another one played with her own pink locks, eyes boring into the floorboards.

"Recruits are not allowed to leave the barracks area unless given permission by myself, or a higher authority." The Captain refreshed, looking over to Robin. "Grandmaster, did you give any of these trainees permission?"

Robin shook his head, hands held in his lap. "No. And I know neither his or her Highness has either."

"Indeed. And yet, I have it on good authority you five have done else-wise. As your outfits clearly show." She pointed out. None of them spoke still, fear permeated their entire beings. This was the end of the line. At any moment they were all going to be dismissed from the group, and all their efforts would be for naught.

Though, that wasn't what Cordelia said next. Instead, her eyes focused on the middle girl.

"Explain." She demanded.

The girl froze as she was put on the spot. Sound still refused to leave her breast, even as her fellow condemned looked at her to defend their case. The whole world seemed to go dark around her.

It wasn't until Gaius nudged her from behind that her senses came back.

"We… needed some money. So we took on secondary work." She admitted shamefully. "Captain, I'm sorry. But please, you need to understand, we didn't do this out of disrespect."

"You broke the rules for gold. That's your excuse?" Their Captain growled, pushing herself back onto her feet. Cordelia wasn't the tallest woman in the world, but at that moment, no one else seemed larger. "There's more to it than that, and you know it. Stop hiding things from me."

"Our families needed the money." She admitted further. "All of us had to leave our old work. And we had to spend our first month's pay to buy our armor and spears."

"You and every other recruit here." Cordelia remarked pointedly. "It's been the tradition of our Order that each woman owns her equipment. It's your property, and your responsibility. Most people see it as a point of pride."

"We are proud! But pride doesn't fill someone's belly!" The black haired girl protested loudly, fists clenched and face red. "We've done everything asked of us! And now we're going to lose it all because some Frigan Noblewoman cares more about her stupid traditions than our well-being!"

Everyone turned to the raging recruit as those words slipped out of her mouth faster than she could stop them. Both her hands shot up, covering her lips as a panicked squeak left her. Silence ruled the room in totality, no one speaking a word. Robin and Gaius exchanged worried glances, the latter backing towards a window so he could make a quick getaway.

The Captain's disposition, thankfully, didn't shift. Cordelia inhaled deeply, sitting herself back down as she pulled the drawer on her desk open.

"You're all going to make a choice." She declared. "You either follow the rules from this point on, or you leave. Understood?"

Trepidatiously, the trio nodded again. Meanwhile their leader fished out a felt pouch, throwing it out onto the desk. "I'm not going to change the way things are done just your sakes. It'd be unfair to the others."

The dark haired elder dropped her hands, reaching forwards to take the pouch. She pulled the string, letting it sag open to reveal a pile of gold within. The yellow metal glistened in the dim flame. One of them gasped in shock, slipping a hand in to pull out a coin.

"But… we don't get paid for another two weeks." She noted.

"And this is more than our rate!" Another chimed.

"That's because it isn't your pay. It's mine." Cordelia pointed out. "As I said, I won't throw out traditions. But I'm willing to bend them. Split that amongst yourself and get back to sleep."

The girls didn't hesitate, two of them firing off a hap-hazard salute before each of them ran for the door. Their escort opened it for them, before letting it shut again as they left.

"Well, well, well." Gaius noted, leaning up against the wooden frame. "The biggest stickler in the Shepherds has a heart after all."

"Kiss my arse." Cordelia shot back, leaning back in her chair and letting her arms sag. Robin laughed, never having heard the woman swear before. "Gods above, these girls are going to be the end of me."

---

The next few days were light on physical strain. Instead the girls found themselves sitting in classrooms, being taught the organization and hierarchy of their new Order. Top to bottom, ranks and purpose. Roles and positions, who was senior over the next.

Leadership was something that would need to be filled in time. Corporals to lead sections, sergeants to lead platoons. Down the line one of them might even be made the Lieutenant, if they proved themselves worthy.

Right now, they were just trying to even be normal troopers.

Alexis sat on her lonesome, reading and resting while in the full mess hall. Three weeks they'd been training, and not once had they been allowed near a pegasus. The closest they came was the Captain's own stead, a beautiful white beast that never strayed far from her partner. No, instead they'd been treated like common soldiers. Ground-bound. It was disappointing to say the least.

Not like that was the biggest problem on her mind. Trying to keep up was hard enough as is.

The past month had been a lesson in survival. Between all the drills and classes, she had to dodge constant pranks and arguments. Everyone was on a razor's edge, constantly trying to prove they deserve to be here more than the others. And it kept getting worse. Someone filled all the commoners' water with salt, then the next day someone dyed all the nobles' practice vests brown. And yesterday they'd found someone of her group tied up in a broom closet wearing a mop-wig.

She didn't even want to fight the others. All Alexis wanted was to learn. Was that so wrong?

"What are you reading?" A voice called behind her.

Behind her, one of the other noble girls was hovering over her shoulder. Alexis fumbled the book in her hands, dropping it onto the mess-hall floor. She could already hear the derisive snickers as she bent down to pick it up, but before she did so, the other trainee had already grabbed the novel and taken it.

"Excuse you, give that back!" Alexis protested, standing upright.

"Let's see…" The white haired harlot said, flipping to the cover. "Hm. 'An Idiot's Guide to Pegasus Care'." She read, her eyes then flicking over to the novel's apparent owner. "Well, if the shoe fits…"

Another round of giggles echoed around her. Alexis tried to bottle up her emotions, not wanting to break down and give these bullies the satisfaction. "I said, give it back."

"Ah ah ah, what's the magic word?" The thief asked. "Come now, you can't be that slow. Surely you must've learned some manners growing up. Then again, I doubt your ilk had much stimulation."

That did it. That was the straw that broke the wyvern's back. After days of physical and mental abuse, she'd had enough. Something, somewhere deep inside Alexis' mind finally snapped in two.

In a flash, her hands shot up. One went to smack her across the face, the other tore the book back from her grasp.

Her target stumbled back, skin burning from the contact. A few moments of disbelief hung between the both of them; one not comprehending they'd been slapped, the other not believing they'd slapped someone.

Then that all fell apart, as the noble rushed forward and tackled her to the ground.

And it all went downhill from there.

---

Yet again, a group of girls found themselves presented in Cordelia's office. Five of them this time, each one battered in some way. They stood at attention, the best they could manage given the circumstances. Most of them were covered in fresh bruises and cuts. The white haired girl sported a new black eye, while her main opponent had an ice pack as a hat.

This time was different though. It wasn't just Cordelia and Robin placing them on edge.

Chrom and Sumia were present as well.

And both of the royals were not happy.

The small brawl had escalated quickly into a full on battle royale. The entire mess hall, almost twenty people in all, had devolved into an all out slugfest. Tables were ruined, the walls were caked with food. Almost everything was going to need to be repaired or replaced in some fashion. More than a few trainees were still being treated by Maribelle in the infirmary.

After the dust settled, these five had been singled out as the instigators.

The Exalt stood there, shaming the three of them for a full hour. Not once did he even seem to take a breath while railing them into the ground. It was the angriest his friends had ever seen him, almost as enraged as he'd been during his battle with Mustafa.

When his burning had finished, he looked to Robin and Cordelia. Anger still blazed behind his eyes.

"I want them all out of my castle." Chrom demanded. "If they can't even protect each other, I don't want them anywhere near my family."

"Done. I have all their papers ready here." Robin assured, the yellowed pieces of parchment held firmly under the crook of his arm.

"Good." Chrom affirmed, focusing his gaze on Cordelia. She herself had been silent this whole time. When word came of what happened, she'd fainted at her desk. Now she just watched, expression unreadable.

Sumia was of a more pliable state. Behind her back she was plucking away at the pedals of a daffodil, mentally trying to decide what to do. If word of this brawl made it to the outside, it'd be even more reason for people to call for her project's termination.

When finally, Cordelia spoke.

"I'm not dismissing them until I hear what they have to say for themselves." Cordelia told the room. Chrom took pause, never having dealt with Cordelia defying an order before. Sumia bobbed her head as well, clearly in agreement with her companion.

That was when the black-eyed noble came forward.

"I take full responsibility." She readily admitted. "It was my actions that caused this folly. I was acting like an impotent brat, and assaulted one of my peers."

"Hrm." Cordelia hummed, pacing forward so she stood in front of the woman. "...Natalia, isn't it? You're the daughter of Count Rhyl."

"I am." The girl admitted.

"Your father's an honorable man. I doubt he'd approve of these acts." Her senior mused.

"I'm well aware I've shamed my family, Captain." Natalia said. "Which is why I'm willing to bare punishment. My only request is the others be spared dismissal."

"Wait." The girl with the ice-cap said, moving forwards as well. "It's not her fault. I'm the one who struck first. She took my book, and I smacked her. Nat was just protecting herself."

"...And I was the one who threw the cake." Another woman whimpered out. "I saw her grab Alexis, and I thought I had to do something to help."

"I broke the tables! I was trying to make cover while everyone else was throwing things."

Each of the girls started yelling over one another, trying to cover for each other's misdeeds. The room was filled with a cacophony of voices, growing louder and louder as the trainees suddenly switched from attacking one another to try to save one another's skin.

It didn't stop until Chrom bellowed out, silencing the lot.

All of you, wait outside." Cordelia quickly ordered. Each of them complied, scurrying out and shutting the door behind them.

Sumia looked between the four of them before speaking her peace. "I-I think we should give them another chance."

"Excuse me?" Chrom asked, not understanding his wife's words. "Sumia, they attacked one another."

"And caused hundreds of coins in damages." Robin added on. "I'm with Chrom, they need to go."

"But they apologized! That has to mean something, right!?" The Queen protested.

"They're just trying to run away from consequences." Robin toted back.

"If that was the case, they would've blamed one another, not themselves." Cordelia hummed. The five they pulled weren't from the same clique, commoner to noble had been dragged out here. It was the first time she'd seen them actually try and help someone else.

It gave Cordelia an idea.

"I'm going to take some of them out on a patrol." She informed the three. "Just trust me."

---

Night fell on the countryside. The cool breeze of late summer pushed through the branches and bushes. An owl called out to the sky, stars twinkling across the deep blue landscape. In the center of it all, a half moon shone overhead.

Within the forest, a campfire crackled with life. Orange illumination took the place of the bleak darkness. Tents were pitched in a wagon circle, knights to be mulling about on guard duty. This was the first time any of them had left the compound in full armor. Their steel helmets and breastplates shone in the moonlight.

About twenty of them had volunteered for this. The rest remained in Ylisstol, under the careful eye of the Queen.

Alexis sat by herself again. Her helmet was off, and in her hands was a ration bar of oats and fruit.

She didn't know why she was still here. The moment she'd been called into the Captain's office, she'd made her peace. She failed, that was completely true. Lost her wits and attacked someone over a few teases. It was humiliating. Now though, she at least had some chance to redeem herself. One of the reasons she volunteered for this.

Across from her another woman sat down. Her spear was put to the side as she drew out a book and flipped it open somewhere in the middle.

Alexis took another bite, eyes fixing on the cover. The light barely made the words legible, but it was enough for her to make it out.

"Is that 'Wyvern Wars'?" She asked, mouth full. Her newfound company lifted her head brow cocked.

"Yeah. Newest book in the series." The reader told her, closing it again so she could show the cover art. 'Wyvern Wars: Horror of the Coast' was scrawled over the top, some large seaborn monstrosity attacking from the waves at the back of wyvern riders.

"I'm still on 'Terror at High Noon'." Alexis told her, leaning closer. "It takes a while for things to get shipped where I live."

"Oooh, that's a good one. When Ronald flew through that tornado and tackled that griffon rider in mid air?"

"And then they both had that fistfight while the wind pulled them into the sky?"

"Yeah! Then the rest of the Wyvern Warriors came in to help catch him before he face-planted into the ground!"

"Roger swooped in right before too! I thought he was gonna die!"

"Oh come on, the wouldn't kill a main character."

"I dunno, they did kill Sebastian. Remember, the Dark Mage gauntlet over Duma's Ingle?"

"Right. Man, that was bullshit." She said, Alexis turning red at the sudden curse. Her counterpart laughed, letting the book rest on the ground next to her spear. She then leaned over the fire, extending a hand. "Charlotte."

"Alexis." The rich girl responded, taking the commoner's hand. Both shook over the flames, then delved back into their literary discussion. Things shifted away from that series, moving onto other genres. Suspense, non-fiction, romance. Both seemed to have a bottomless well to draw from.

Neither stopped until another figure came to the fireplace. Alexis looked up, then saw who exactly it was. Her eyes then darted back down towards the flames, cheeks turning rosy.

"Either of you need a refill?" Natalia questioned, pitcher of water in her hand. Her own spear and helmet were slung over her armor.

"Depends, is it full of salt again?" Charlotte asked, not wanting to get duped twice.

Natalia rolled her eyes, pulling out her canteen and filling it with water from the pitcher. She then took a swig, swallowing it without issue.

Now assured, Charlotte gestured for the pitcher. It was passed over, and Natalia sat down herself.

The sound of water filling the container took the place of speech, until Natalia also laid eyes on the novel that was resting on the ground.

"Is… is that 'Horror of the Coast'!? I thought they were sold out!" She exclaimed.

"Really? I didn't know that." Charlotte observed, trying the cap back onto her canteen. "My folks just got it for me as a birthday gift."

"How did they…" Natalia asked, unable to finish the sentence. Charlotte just shrugged.

"My Dad has his ways." Charlotte answered cryptically. Not smart, telling people that your father was a smuggler. Instead she reached for the book, handing it out for the noblewoman to take. "You wanna borrow it? I already read it once."

Nat looked onto the bound novel as if it was the most precious thing on the planet. She hesitated, not making a move despite every fiber of her being saying she should. "You wouldn't mind?"

"Just keep it in one piece, Princess. I unlike you two, my family can't just buy replacements."

"I am not a Princess. My father is a Count, not the Exalt." Natalia corrected.

"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of Valm. You want the book or what?" Charlotte dismissed. To which Nat snatched it away with any further fanfare.

Alexis chuckled at the sight, poking at the flames with a stick to turn over a log. "Gods, it's freezing out here."

"Tell me about it." Natalia hummed, shivering as she rubbed her arms for some semblance of warmth. "What I'd do for some extra blankets. At this rate I'm going to set a fire in my own tent."

"You and me both, sister." Charlotte agreed.

"Why are we even out here?" Alexis questioned. "We've been training for a month, and not once has the Captain put us on a Pegasus' back. We aren't just militiamen."

"It's more complicated than that." Natalia pointed out. "Pegasi are very picky with who they let ride them. You need to form a true bond first."

"I thought that was all just legend stuff." Charlotte said.

Natalia shook her head. "Trust me, it isn't. They only let women of pure heart fly them, or so the stories go."

"No wonder she hasn't let us near them. We can barely handle being near each other." Alexis lamented sadly.

"We're… making progress." Natalia considered. "I mean, we're all talking with one another now, right?"

"Yeah, after that fight in the Mess." Charlotte said, the commoner winced as the pain in her back flared up. She'd gotten caught up in that as well, never having thought someone would use a roasted turkey as a weapon against her. Then again, this whole experience had been… 'enlightening'.

Natalia laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. Alexis quieted down once more, both of them sharing a glance.

"I'm sorry, by the way." The heiress said.

"I am too." Alexis said, moving to do the same act Charlotte had done before to offer a hand. "...Friends?"

"Friends." Nat readily accepted, shaking firmly.

"Awww, adorable." Charlotte mused. "I heard you two even got to see the Exalt after that."

"Perhaps." Natalia answered weaselly, mouth curling up.

"Hm." Charlotte mused, leaning forward a bit. "Is he hot up close too?"

Nat laughed at the request, but her grin just grew wider. "Oh, you have no idea. The man is six feet of chiseled perfection. If it wasn't for the circumstances, would've been all over him."

"Mmmm." The commoner hummed in mirth, imagination starting to go wild. "What I'd do to those arms…"

"He was OK." Alexis answered with a shrug.

"Only 'OK'? What, you didn't catch a glimpse?" Charlotte asked.

"I think she was too busy undressing the Captain with her eyes." Natalia countered, giggling as Alexis went as red as her eye-candy's hair.

Charlotte laughed, throwing her head back. "Imagine that! Someone having a crush on the Cap!" She joked, looking on to her new friend's embarrassing form. Though, Alexis didn't respond. Instead she just remained curled legs close to her chest, locking herself down.

"Wait. Hold up, do you… actually have a thing for Lady Volkner?" Charlotte asked.

"There a problem with that?" Alexis shot back sharply.

"Considering she's our leader, yes." Natalia observed carefully.

"You were both just drooling over his Highness!" Alexis hissed. "He's more than just our leader, he's married!"

"...Y'know what, fair 'nuff." Charlotte admitted, accepting her hypocrisy. "Didn't know we had anyone in the unit who was queer."

"There's a few of us. We keep to ourselves." Alexis added with a shrug.

"Hm." Natalia hummed, before her face lit up. "I have an idea. Once we get leave, the three of us head to town. Girls night out, see if we can get some plus-ones."

"Oooh. I'm down." Charlotte hummed. "You two aren't from around here, right?" Both of the other girls shook their heads. "Right, I'll show you guys all the cool spots. Know the whole city like the back of my hand."

"Maybe we could invite some of the others as well?" Alexis asked.

"Sure. More the merrier." Natalia added happily. "It'll be our first break after pay, too. I can't wait to check out the shops here."

"Guard change!" The girls heard their Captain holler. The three of them hopped up at once, fixing their helmets on and readying their spears. Each of them ran out over to the camp's edge, where Cordelia was standing as she spoke to the last shift. The only man in camp, the Grandmaster himself, stood by her. Both wore worried faces.

"You're sure she's fine?" Robin asked, hand resting on his sheathed sword.

"Yes, Sir. Maggie just needed to relieve herself, is all."

"Should have waited for her. It's easy to get lost in this darkness." Cordelia commented, displeased at the clear lack of common sense. As the trio marched up, her focus shifted from the old guard to the new one.

"Girls. You're with the Grandmaster and myself." She ordered, waving for them to follow. "Come on, we need to find one of your comrades."

"Did something happen, Captain?" Natalia asked, falling in line behind the Falcon Knight.

"Margaret needed to take a bathroom break, and she told her group not to wait up." Cordelia informed the three of them. "Likely nothing, but I want to be sure."

The five of them wandered into the willows then, off to find the missing Knightling.

---

On one hand, Robin was glad to finally be free of the city. The fresh air and cool night were a nice contrast to the compact, heated halls that were the royal palace and Ylisstol's tight streets.

On the other, this foray into the wild was even more proof he was growing further out of shape. If the fire in his legs was any evidence to that.

He'd come along despite Cordelia's protests. She insisted that another hand wouldn't be necessary, but after recent events this was all spiraling out of control. Friend or not, he was the Grandmaster. He held dominion over all soldiers in Ylisse, that meant these women as well.

Robin didn't like it. He could sense that this whole affair had damaged their relationship extensively. From sending Maribelle to 'assist', to cross-checking of her lesson plans, to him almost overruling her call on dismissing some trainees. Neither had spoken for a week before this night.

Still, he couldn't keep a light hand on things. If this class failed, then the calls to disband the Order would only amplify. She had to understand. He was doing the right thing.

At least, he hoped.

They'd been searching for the lost girl for an hour now, with no trace to be found. The girls had called her name loudly with no response given. After searching the area, in the distance they could see a plume of smoke curling into the sky. A fireplace, not one of theirs.

Now they were here, Robin and Cordelia kneeling as they scouted out a cabin in the woods. mulling about. Pitched huts dotted around the wooden building, cages filled with different animals stacked high.

Poachers. Not an uncommon kind of bandit. Usually they only targeted wildlife, but it wasn't unheard of for them to kidnap people for ransom. And the yelling that was coming from the cabin was further evidence.

"Seven outside. Probably another two indoors with your trooper." Robin deducted, tome in hand. "They look drunk."

"They smell drunk." Cordelia corrected, wigging at the air. "Your plan?"

"Launch a thoron bolt into the center of camp. The explosion should cause enough confusion for the two of us to rush in and dispatch these people." He pointed out.

"Why not sneak in? They might harm Margaret if we attack."

"Because even if we sneak in, once we get inside there's still no way to avoid a fight. Then we're stuck in a small, confined space surrounded by a bunch of bandits with sharp objects."

"Do you always have to be so condescending?"

"I'm just stating the facts."

"Sure."

Robin groaned, looking over his shoulder at the other girls. "You three, stay here. We'll handle this."

"What?" Natalia asked. "You must be kidding. I'm not staying behind when someone's in peril."

"She's not a Noble, Natalia. She's a Magistrate's daughter." He informed her, expecting the woman to lose any investment then.

He was wrong.

"With all due respect, Grandmaster, I fail to see how that's relevant." Natalia countered.

"Maggie's my friend, I don't wanna leave her in there." Alexis protested.

"I'm with them. This is what we've been training for." Charlotte finalized.

Robin groaned yet again, shooting Cordelia a pleading look. The redhead turned around, facing her three students and keeping her voice low.

"Girls. When we attack them, we won't be striking to maim." She said. "These are bandits, not dummies or sparring partners. It's kill or be killed. Everyone in that camp is going to be put down, unless they surrender. Do you understand?"

"I'm gonna be honest, Cap." Charlotte answered. "If we run from this, we don't have the right to be Knights."

Alexis nodded along. "I-I'm scared, but I know that we can't avoid this forever. We're supposed to stop criminals, aren't we?"

"It's our duty to squash injustice. If they don't lay down their arms, we'll do what we must." Natalia affirmed. "Besides, they're drunk and we've been taught by the best. We can do this."

Cordelia took pause, thinking their words over.

It was true, this was what they'd signed up for. And they were more than ready for an objective like this. They were soldiers, killing was sadly a part of the job. And with the plans she and Sumia had in place, raiding bandits wasn't going to be an uncommon occurrence for any of them.

Like it or not, this was also a lesson they had to learn.

Cordelia sighed, not nodded softly. "OK. You're helping."

"Captain-" Robin began, but he was quickly silenced by the flaming gaze that his 'subordinate' shot her way.

"Kindly amend your strategy, tactician." She answered back, not even addressing him by rank.

He swallowed a curse, then waved for the others to move to his side so he could explain.

"The plan's mostly the same. I'm going to fire a blast to stun everyone outside. Cordelia and I will rush the cabin and help your friend. You four will capture the thugs outside with the rope in your kits. If any of them resist, do what you must."

Each of them nodded in understanding. Robin stood to his feet, hand extending out while his other opened the tome. Crackles of yellow energy began to race up from the pages and along the length of his arms. Static filled the air, the charge making every hair on their heads seem to levitate.

Then, a clap as the bolt fired out. Followed by the explosion. A small crater was made as the poachers were thrown into the air, axes flying from their grasps.

Not wasting a moment, the five of them rushed out.

The girls did as they were told, running up to the injured and binding their hands together. A few of them struggled, but given their state they couldn't really resist.

Meanwhile, Robin and Cordelia busted through the cabin's front door.

There was plenty inside. A bed, crates full of likely ill gotten goods. Next to the wood furnace, they could see their lost knightling hogtied. Her armor had been removed but her clothes were, thankfully, untouched. Though she was clearly bleeding from her scalp.

But that wasn't the main issue.

Before her was a single, massive, hulking man. His head nearly hitting the roof. A gladiator's helmet and fur-trimmed collar were his predominant features, along with what seemed to be an inhuman amount of muscles covering his arms and chest. A double headed axe was held in his hand, ready for bare.

Cordelia readied her lance, couching the spear in his direction. "He's mine."

Robin didn't protest. As she charged forward to engage the warrior, he ducked under him and quickly cut the captive free of her bindings.

The warrior brought his axe down in a strong, overhead strike. It forced Cordelia to jump back and disengage, going on the defensive. He swung again after, the blade whistling over her head as she pivoted underneath like a ballet dancer.

She send a quick stab in response, but her target lifted his axe again and used the side to deflect the spear's tip. Again, Cordelia was forced to dodge. Each jump, dive and turn she made, she tried to find some kind of hole in his defense.

No such luck. Each strike made, he'd deflect. Each slash, he'd block. The weakness of fighting with a spear against an axe, you had to be defensive.

Behind her, she heard Robin hurrying their quarry back outside. The poacher moved to cut them off, but she dove in front of them, blocking the strike at the neck of her spearhead, then parrying the axe from his grip.

But unfortunately for her, that brought her far too close.

The warrior's large hand went out, grabbing Cordelia by her breastplate with both hands. She was an easy carry, most riders tended to be on the shorter side, and was hefted above the man's head. He laughed in victory, shaking the Pegasus Knight up and down to disorientate her.

After which, he threw her out the cabin window like she was a ball. Glass shattered violently before she slammed against the ground.

"No!" Robin called out, running over to help at once. A steel sword was brandished, positioning himself between the lumbering mass and the glass-impaled knight.

The recruits were occupied, trying to fend off the other poachers who'd picked themselves up before they could bind them. The one they rescued moved to assist her comrades, having picked up an axe and clearly looking for some payback.

Which left Robin and Cordelia alone with this one.

Robin looked behind him, seeing Cordelia try to help herself back up with her spear. From what he could tell, the glass hadn't pierced her armor. She didn't even seem to be bleeding, just very bruised.

"I'll handle him." He said as the warrior encroached.

"Robin, wait!" Cordelia demanded, getting onto a knee as she tried to take a breath.

He didn't wait. Tactically, it made more sense for them to pull back and regroup. Have all six of them attack this one large target at once. Use the trees and their higher speed to their advantage.

But he wasn't thinking tactically.

This dastard had hurt her, and he was going to pay.

As he ran forward, jumped into the air and made an overhead lunge. One that was quickly intercepted by the axe. As he hit the ground again, he made a dirty strike for the warrior's legs. It made contact, red showing as the cut was made along the calf. But the strike was barely a glance, and his opponent didn't even seem to register any pain.

He ducked under yer another slash, and this time thrusted for the warrior's side. Again, a glance. But this time the poacher grunted in pain. Robin stood up as his opponent turned to face him, back towards the others.

Fatigue was starting to set in. Contrary to popular belief, it was harder to keep up a fight for longer than a few minutes. That went double for a man who was more mage than swordsman. So as the poacher stomped forward, Robin backpedaled away. Further and further, until he felt the wall of the cabin.

Not quite between a rock and a hard place, but just as bad.

The Warrior lifted his axe one last time, bringing it down in an overhead strike with a monumental amount of force. Robin lifted his blade up to block it, but he was no Chrom. He lacked the strength to block such a strike directly.

His sword was knocked away, and the blade of the axe dug in violently to his shoulder.

The forest filled with a Plegian's scream of pain. One that was cut off as the poacher then leaned forward and grabbed him by the throat and dragged him up along the wooden building. Each log digging more and more splinters as the wound gushed his own sanguine.

The world was going dark, fast. He couldn't breath or think, just struggle aimlessly as he tried to pry the iron grip free from his neck.

Until the grip, oddly, was released. Another scream filled Robin's ears, this one not his own.

He fell back to the grassy ground, pain shooting further up his arm from the impact. Looking up, behind him he saw Cordelia again. Now with her spear buried deep into the poacher's back. Fire and fury written all over her face, rage that he hadn't seen Phila herself had been killed.

"No one. Touches him. But me." She declared. To her victim, and the rest of the world.

Cordelia twisted her lance violently, sending it deeper into the bandit and ripping into his heart. He fell over into a pile of person, dead before he hit the dirt.

Then she ran over to Robin, not even pulling her weapon free.

"Robin. Robin." She pleaded hands cupping the man's face as she averted his eyes to her own. "Talk to me. Come on, please."

Talking hurt. Moving hurt. Everything hurt. Try as he might, the Grandmaster was still hovering between consciousness.

"Don't leave me." She pleaded, the knight's voice breaking apart. Behind her she could hear the victorious yells and laughs of her recruits, but that didn't matter. All other sound was sucked away, the world melting into the periphery as she looked on.

All that mattered was the most important person in her life was bleeding out in her hands.

"I can't lose you too." She begged. "Please, Naga. Not you too. Don't leave me alone again."

Robin coughed, his brain growing less and less fuzzy.

The world flooded back, his senses returning one by one.

Until all he could see was the woman he cherished breaking down before him. Robin weakly lifted his hand, taking hold of Cordelia's own as she kept her own grasp on his cheeks.

"Not happening." He promised hoarsely, cracking a defiant smile.

Cordelia blinked, then smiled as well. She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his, laughter spreading to them both.

---

The rest of the patrol was, to put it simply, boring.

Robin's injuries were, thankfully, not life threatening after being treated. His arm was put into a sling, and his shoulder was swath in bandaging, but there was no risk of his expiration. Even without a healer amongst them to use a stave. Against Cordelia's protests, he demanded they spend the full four nights outside.

They did so, moving from village to village. They attended each door, seeing if they could help in any way possible. The guarded farms, helped move goods, even ended up helping an apothecary find some herbs.

All the while, that divide seemed to break down. The three that had come to capture the poachers soon began to hang together openly, and their camaraderie soon spread to those around them. Between their guard shifts, helping the townsfolk and watching over the prisoners, discussion was born.

They weren't all friends yet, but it was a crucial first step.

In time they all lumbered back to Ylisstol, and each one of them returned to the barracks. Sumia had taken it upon herself to remove some of the more aggressive recruits. And with their departure, the cliques seemed to dissolve even further.

Things were finally looking up.

"I don't know how you did it, Cordelia. But I think we've finally broken through to them." Chrom said, the four leaders sitting in the Grandmaster's quarters. "If things keep going like this, you might be able to introduce them to the Pegesai soon."

"Sumia and I are way ahead of you." Cordelia promised.

"Yep! Got it all figured out!" Sumia cheered in agreement. "Now that all the bad apples are gone, they'll finally be able to ride without scaring their mounts!"

"And avoid breaking something on the fall down." Cordelia amended. "The hard part is over, and not a moment too soon."

"Quite." Chrom chirped, sizing up the still injured Plegian. "Double for you, Robin. How's the arm?"

"Lissa says it'll be healed in a week." Robin said. "I'll be ready for that trip to Archenea, don't worry. Have you decided who'll be joining us?"

"Frederick, obviously." Chrom informed. "Stahl, Ricken and Virion as well."

"You're sure you don't want one of us to come along?" Cordelia asked. "Sumia or I can handle the next phase alone."

"It's a civic trip, I don't need bodyguards." Chrom assured. "And Sumia agrees that she'll be better served ministering to the city."

The Queen hummed in concordance, thumbs twiddling as usual. It was the first official trip that Chrom was making as Exalt, going to inspect the Duchy south of them. Harvesting season was coming soon, and the Government needed to know what needed doing before that happened. Food needed to flow, and people needed to be fed.

But that was a matter for next time.

---

A/N: Another installment. Finals are hitting me hard, so things're a bit slow.

Once again I'm gonna advertise the Awakening Discord I help run. We also got stuff for Fates too, if you like'em both. Code is Pgemj2D

Also, I did draw a map for the world of Interim. i.i m gur q Ly hD HG. jp g (Because FFN hates links, for some reason)

Also also, thanks for all the reviews. I'm always happy to please. And for the Guest who asked, yes. I think that's why he invaded, along with general racism.

Until next time

o/