Chrom hadn't set foot in Plegia since he'd killed Grangrel. Hell, he didn't even like to think about the place, and he would have liked to keep it that way.

But Valm was a threat. Ylisse and Regna Ferox needed Plegia's help if they were going to stop the Conqueror.

Robin took Chrom's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Such a simple act squashed the trepidation.

The husbands walked down the corridor with Frederick a few steps behind.

Aversa met them halfway. "Greetings, Prince Chrom." She bowed. "Plegia welcomes you."

"Aversa!" Chrom's grip tightened painfully on Robin's hand.

"It seems fate has designs for me yet." She smiled. "Please, follow me."

The small group continued down the corridor.

"You serve the new king then? This…Validar?"

"I do."

"They say he worships Grima." Despite his distaste, Frederick's expression remained blank.

"Why yes, of course he is Grimleal. We are both believers."

Two guards opened large double doors to allow them access to a room with a table and chairs.

Aversa gestured to one side of the table. "My liege often says it was his faith that got him through, after Grangrel's passing. It was a difficult time." Chrom pulled out Robin's chair for him before taking his own. Frederick stood behind them, his hands clasped behind his back. "But he kept order where there might have been chaos. We had meant to arrange an official visit to Ylisstol, but-Ah, here is my lord now."

Validar entered the room through a different set of doors. "An honor to finally meet you, sire. I am Validar, king regnant of Plegia." He sat across from them with Aversa at his side.

"The honor is mine, good king." Chrom paused squinting slightly. "Is it possible we've met before some…Gods! It can't be."

"Oh ho, I'm quite certain I would remember any encounter with Ylissen royalty."

The royal couple shared a look, both thinking the same thing. He looked just like the assassin that came after Emmeryn.

"And you must be Sir Robin."

"You know of me, sire?"

"The whole world knows of Ylisse's master tactician! And indeed, I see the sparkle of wisdom in your eyes."

A chill rippled down Robin's spine and he involuntarily shuttered.

"But we killed him." Chrom whispered. He'd done the deed with his own two hands.

"I know but." Robin whispered back. "The resemblance. It's uncanny."

"My." Validar smiled sending another chill down Robin's spine. "The negotiations haven't even begun and already so much whispering."

Oops, they'd been caught. They could just hear the lecture from Frederick now.

Chrom cleared his throat. "My apologies, King Validar. We meant no disrespect."

Robin let out what he hoped sounded like an embarrassed chuckle. "We've been married for two years and yet we still act like newlyweds."

"Ah, yes, congratulations are in order, if a little late."

"Thank you." He slid his arm through Chrom's giving him a look that asked 'what should we do?'.

The prince shook his head slightly. Now was not the time for action.

Validar raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Let us get down to business." He snapped, and Aversa spoke.

"Plegia can offer no soldiers, but we will provide 800 warships and 200 transports. In addition, we would be pleased to fully fund the campaign against Valm."

The three Ylissens stared wide eyed, speechless. How much money did Plegia have?

It was Frederick that found his voice first. "That is…surprisingly generous of you, milord."

Robin thought the whole thing sounded rather suspicious personally, but kept his mouth shut.

"We could not ask for more, quite literally. You offer most all your assets."

"I would give troops as well." Validar said. "But our army remains in shambles from the last war. I trust the gold and ships will suffice as a sign of our commitment to the cause?"

"Of course it will. Thank you, King Validar." Perhaps, though Grimleal, this new king was a good thing for the people. Perhaps once this fight with Valm was over, there could finally be peace.

"The honors is ours, my prince. I look forward to building a strong bond between our two nations."

"As do I. Then, if there's nothing else?" The husbands stood up. "My men and I must hurry back to Port Ferox."

Aversa held up a hand to stop them. "I have one more introduction to make."

"Yes? And who would that be?" The two sat back down not wishing to be rude.

"A hierophant, the highest of his order in Plegia." Validar's smile seemed to turn, not quite malicious, but it wasn't friendly either.

Footsteps echoed off the walls and two figures emerged. One wore a coat identical to Robin's with a matching cowl to hide their face. The other gave the rest of the group goosebumps. The lower half of his face was covered so all the could see was greyish skin and glowing red eyes. He wore an outfit that was eerily similar to Chrom's. Upon his head was a crown of black spikes.

The room had gone completely silent.

Unable to take it anymore, Robin asked. "So you lead the people in worship? We were just discussing religion earlier."

The hierophant didn't respond.

"I'm sorry, have I said something to offend you?"

"The heart still sleeps, but the blood flows through it." The hierophant finally spoke, his voice seeming to echo. "And the blood is strong."

Chrom furrowed his brow. The man sounded awfully familiar.

"Were you." Robing pointed at himself dumbly. "Talking to me?" Surely that wasn't the case.

Frederick did not like this disrespect towards his lords. "Good hierophant, I would ask you to lower your cowl. In Ylisse, it is a courtesy expected of one in the presence of royalty."

"You are a long way from Ylisse, sir, but very well." The hierophant took his cowl between his gloved fingers and slowly lowered it revealing white hair and golden brown eyes. "Is that better?"

There was a collective gasp from the Ylissen side.

"My name is Robin. His is unimportant." He gestured to the mysterious man.

The mysterious man's glowing eyes were aimed at the Ylisse tactician. "Robin." His voice was guttural.

"Oh and that was your name as well, wasn't it?" The other Robin smirked. "What a strange coincidence."

Coincidence Robin's foot. Something smelled fishy here and they were a long way from the ocean.

"Why that is rather curious, now that you mention it. What are the odds?" Validar waved his hand dismissively. "In any case, I believe we are finished here." He and Aversa stood up. "We will let you be on your w-"

"Hold just one moment!" Chrom interrupted. "What is the meaning of this? Why do your hierophant and my husband-"

A deep growl coming from the mysterious man stopped him mid-tirade. The hierophant made a soothing noise as one would to a rabid dog.

It worked, for in seconds, the growling ceased.

The lone female twirled her hair around her finger. "I'm afraid we've no time for trivial matters now, Your Highness."

"Trivial matters?!" Robin spluttered pointing at the hierophant. He didn't care how rude it was. "He looks just like me!"

She kept talking as though he'd never spoken. "We have aid preparations to attend to, and you have a long, hard journey ahead. Oh, and do be careful on your way back to Port Ferox. This time of year the highroads of Plegia can be quite treacherous."

As one, the four exited the room the way Validar had come.

Chrom gently pushed Robin's arm back down to the table top. "Aversa's right. We do have a long journey ahead of us and we should leave now so we can cover as much ground as possible."

"Agreed." Frederick started for the double doors.

"Come on, Robin."

"But." The tactician glanced towards the other door.

"It's not important right now. We have an army and a war to think of."

He was right, and Robin knew it. The Plegians probably wouldn't talk to him even if he went after them. "To Port Ferox then."