Robin found Chrom alone in the garden. "What are you doing out so late?"

He twisted to see his approaching friend. "Oh, hi, Robin. Just…dueling with some unpleasant thoughts." They stood side by side gazing up at the stars. "Tomorrow we march to Regna Ferox to request additional soldiers. But there's something you should know first." Chrom took a deep breath. He'd would be lying if he said he wasn't worried how Robin would take the news. "Not everything Gangrel said was a lie. The last exalt, my father, waged war on Plegia for many years. The violence…it was a brutal campaign, ending only with his death 15 years ago. Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his own people. As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barley wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse. I was young, but I remember those dark times. I know how they affected Emmeryn."

Robin placed a gentle hand on his bare bicep. "Such an experience would change anyone."

He nodded. "When our father died before her 10th year, he left her quite the legacy. Plegia's desire for vengeance. Our own people's unbridled rage. My sister became a target for blame from all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults-and stones. She still bears the scar from one. But she never let them see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood." The grip on his bicep tightened. "I cannot claim to know how she does it, Robin. I could never greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war and when Ylisse's spirit was mended and the people 'forgave' her? She never resented them for it." His voice went soft. "She represents the best of the halidom-the part most worth protecting. She IS peace." Now his voice was hard, full of anger. "But some men would take advantage of that. Men like King Gangrel. The day he understands peace will be the day death gives it to him. So perhaps I must be death's agent."

"Chrom!"

"Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to."

"Well spoken, sir." The friends watched Lucina emerge from the shadows.

"Marth."

"Good evening to you." She spoke as if none of this was weird.

"How did you get in here?"

"That cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove."

"There?" The prince blanched. "But how would you…?"

Robin gave him a curious look.

"I bashed in part of the wall while training the Shepherds.

The other man sighed. "Somehow I'm not surprised."

"It's only a small hole." Chrom defended. "And I'd thought it well concealed."

"Obviously not well enough." Robin gestured to Lucina.

"Your secret is safe with me." She assured them. "I come here only to warn you."

This grabbed Chrom's attention. "Warn us?"

"The exalt's life is in danger."

"What, Emmeryn? That's absurd. She's guarded at all hours."

Lucina had to tell them and hope her tale would be believed. "What if." She swallowed. "What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me? A future where Emmeryn is killed. Here. Tonight."

Robin couldn't help it, he snorted. "Seen the future? Have you lost your wits?"

Oh well, it was time for plan B. "Yes, I expected you wouldn't believe me. So allow me to prove it!" Lucina freed her sword. Chrom immediately grabbed for his. "I'm about to save your life…from him."

As soon as the words left her lips, an assassin sprang from the thick bushes. Lucina tossed her Falchion into the air leaping after it just as the assassin would have cleaved her in two. In mid-air, she flipped, grabbed her sword, and sliced down as one would cutting an apple.

The dead assassin fell without making a single sound.

Lucina flicked her wrist before sliding her sword home. "I trust this proof will suffice?"

Though Chrom was clearly convinced, Robin was not. Who's to say this whole charade wasn't a play to lure Chrom into a false sense of security? Of course, hadn't Frederick said something similar about him?

Despite his misgivings, Robin decided that if Chrom trusted this mysterious person, then he would too.

The bushes moved again, and second assassin sprang forward. Lucina spun around, her toes catching on the first assassin's discarded blade. She fell back, but not before the new assassin swung, his dagger breaking her mask. Chrom was there, releasing his Falchion and slicing in one graceful movement.

Like the one before him, the assassin collapsed to the ground. Dead.

Chrom opened his mouth to ask if Lucina was alright, but a gasp escaped when he saw her. "Wait, you're-you're a woman?"

She grinned. "And quite the actress, too. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out until just now."

Robin shook his head. He'd figured it out at the arena. Though the two fought eerily similar, Marth's style was more dance like. She used her speed while Chrom used his strength. "The hips don't lie, Chrom."

Lucina blushed.

"They can. There's a story about a blond monk that was more beautiful than any woman and his curves were envied thought out the land." Chrom explained. "He eventually opened an orphanage along side a red headed mercenary."

"That's."

A loud explosion from inside the castle cut Robin off. As one, the three raced inside.

The battle had begun.

With the enemy dead, gone, or being finished off by the rest of the Shepherds, Chrom went to check on Emmeryn. "Thank the gods you're safe!"

The exalt smiled. "It is you I have to thank, Chrom."

Phila bowed deeply. "I beg your forgiveness, milord! I failed in my duty-they should have never made it into the castle in the first place."

"Peace, Phila" The falcon knight stood straight as Chrom spoke. "You couldn't have known what was coming. Only Marth could have."

"Marth?" Emmeryn furrowed her brows.

"Yes, I would speak more with." Chrom glanced around. "Robin, where's Marth?"

"Last I checked, I wasn't her keeper, though she was here a moment ago."

"Not again!" The prince darted off.

"Chrom!" Robin hurried after him.

Emmeryn chuckled to herself.

The two men were able to catch up to Lucina before she escaped through the castle wall's cleft.

"Going somewhere? You have a bad habit of leaving without saying good bye, you know."

She didn't bother to face them. "I'm afraid I have a few bad habits."

"Good ones as well-you saved my life, as well as both of my sisters. Is there a way I can repay you? Some favor I can grant?"

"Hearing you offer is reward enough."

"But there must be something." Chrom insisted.

"I already have what I came for: history has been rewritten."

Robin crossed his arms. He wondered if all people from the future were this evasive. "And what future averted?"

Lucina now turned to them, her face grim. "After the exalt's untimely assassination, the Fire Emblem would be stolen. This, in turn, would lead to a great war, and soon to the end of mankind itself. But I'm sure that sounds like madness to you."

"Considering what just transpired, not really."

Chrom nodded. "Somehow, I know I can trust you and I hope someday to repay your favors.

A small smile crept onto her lips. "Perhaps one day you shall. Until then."

They watched her easily climb through the hole.

"Hey, Chrom?"

"Hmm?"

"Why didn't you just have the hole filled?"