- 'Welcome to Ylisstol, capital of Ylisse!'

- 'Impressive isn't it?'

Robin did not respond immediately as his mind was occupied with assessing the cities fortifications. The walls seemed sturdy and tall enough and towers were spaced out evenly while the moat was wide and looked deep. However a small town grew in the shadow of the gate they approached, a town that would have to be torn down to restore the cities defences to their prime while the moat seemed to be lacking regular maintenance, if the amount of plants in it were anything to go by, while the walls seemed to be poorly manned.

- 'I suppose.'

He offered a neutral reply, which served effectively as a conversation killer and the group rode under the gates in silence, Robin noting the murder holes peering down on them, and into the streets. The retainers riding ahead served well in clearing a path and the troop made good speed through the crowded streets up to a point were the crowd was so thick that they could not push on.

- 'What is going on?'

A retainer turned at Fredericks question to answer.

- 'It's the exalt sir, seems her grace is making her way back to the castle.'

- 'The Exalt is your ruler is she not? Wandering the streets doesn't sound exactly safe.'

Robin asked nobody in particular while twisting in the saddle to get as good a look at the surrounding crowd as possible.

- 'Her grace, the lady Emmeryn, is safe. She is a symbol of peace, a prized quality in this land. The Exalt is meant to remind us of the pact made between the first Exalt and the Divine Dragon long ago and the peace we fought for.'

Frederick explained, seemingly happy at the chance to show his knowledge. Chrom chipped in.

- 'She's a calming presence in these times when other would call for war.'

As he spoke the Exalts cavalcade rode up, a force of Pegasus knights forming a wall between their ruler and the crowd that showed no outright hostility, the fact that he so effectively noted the few faces that showed something akin to displeasure at their rulers presence pushed Robin further in the belief that he must have been a cynic, or maybe just observant?

Even without the woman being pointed out there was little doubt in the amnesiacs mind as to which of the women was the Exalt herself, though theoretically with his amnesia he should have no way of knowing for certain but he somehow knew that the calm power of the woman surrounded by her guards was not something one learned, you were born with it, a casual display of power from someone who simply did not know how to behave in any other way. While the man was thinking such thoughts Lissa spoke.

- 'She also happens to be the best big sister anyone could want.'

- 'She does look the type… Excuse me?'

Robin started with a tone implying he was not fully listening but turned sharply as the meaning of the words sank in, eyebrow raised. Frederick gave a smile.

- 'The Exalt is the elder sibling to both my lord and lady. You knew his lordships name but not this?'

Robin shook his head.

- 'Bloody hell. I was expecting you lot to be from a baronial family maybe but this? Bloody hell.'

As they laughed at his shock the Exalt seemed to notice the sound and looked towards them, a smile forming on her lips before turning to one of her retainers. The woman nodded before giving an order, two of the knights turning and clearing a path towards the Princes group.

- 'Guess that means Emm saw us and wants us to join her on the way back. Come along than, we should introduce you to your new liege.'

The group went into motion, Robin still shaking his head. Looking up he caught the eye of Frederick, after checking to see the royal siblings were out of earshot he leaned in to the knight.

- 'That would explain why you tolerate the teasing.'

The knight sighed a very weary sigh as he nodded.

- 'Gods as my witness I sometimes suspect them of purposely testing how far they can push my patience.'

- 'Chrom, Lissa. It is good to see you back.'

- 'Sister.'

- 'Sis!'

The siblings hugged their elder sister. The courtyard of Ylisstol castle was bustling with men, the retainers had been dismissed and were now leading their mounts away along with those of their lords. Frederick stood to the side along with Robin as they waited for the siblings to conclude their greeting. A token force of the Pegasus knights remained and hovered behind the Exalt, casting the occasional questioning glance at Robin.

- 'You came back with riderless horses, what happened?'

The Exalt asked as she started walking towards the castle, followed by the others.

- 'We encountered a raiding party. Judging by their dress and speech they were Plegians.'

The exalts face clouded at that as Phila spoke up.

- 'Another raiding party managed to slip by? I must apologise, my riders should be able to catch sight of more of these raiders before they reach our soil.'

- 'You're duty is to guard the Exalt, Phila.'

Chrom interrupted, Lissa joining in.

- 'Besides we had some help.'

- 'I take this is where you introduce your companion?'

Emmeryn stopped walking and looked from her siblings to Robin with a polite smile. Robin tilted his head, pressing a hand to his chest in salute while Chrom extended an arm in his direction.

- 'This is Robin, I have a mind to take him into my Shepard's.'

Emmeryns face did not change much save for a slight upwards tilt of an eyebrow, it was Phila that voiced the question.

- 'Robin is a… peculiar name, is it not?'

Chrom hesitated as he looked to put his thoughts into words but was saved the trouble by Lissa.

- 'He has amnesia and we had to call him something so "Robin".'

- 'I must interrupt.'

Frederick interjected.

- 'The man claims to have amnesia but we have no way to confirm it, he could be lying. If that is the case the implications are rather dour.'

Robin frowned at the words, Lissa snorted, Chrom sighed while Phila nodded a silent agreement. Emmeryn did not say anything, merely kept looking at the amnesiac for a silent moment before taking a step closer to him, Phila nearly jumping to stay within a distance where she could easily intervene.

- 'You have no memories of your past?'

Robins frown deepened as he shifted his weight slightly before slowly replying.

- 'None.'

The Exalt nodded before turning to Chrom.

- 'And you trust the man?'

- 'Yes.'

Emmeryn nodded once more and stepped back.

- 'Very well. I thanks you for helping my siblings, Robin and I hope you will not have to show your skill too often in our service.'

- 'You grace.'

Robin tilted his head again. Emmeryn turned to Frederick now.

- 'Thank you for always looking after my siblings and hope you will continue to do so.'

- 'Of course, your grace.'

- 'I pray they occasionally express their gratitude.'

The knight smirked.

- 'On occasion they might say something that is akin to it, your grace.'

The polite smile that seemed to be permanent on her face shifted into a warmer smile as she nodded and turned back to Chrom.

- 'The council will gather shortly, I hope you will attend Chrom.'

- 'Of course.'

Lissa stepped closer to Robin at this.

- 'I know where this is headed so I'll take our newest Shepard and show him the barracks.'

- 'If you could.'

Chrom answered, Lissa nodding confirmation before virtually dragging the man out of the hall.

- 'So far it would seem that these, err, "Risen" have not offered much of a challenge for noble retinues and casualties are well within acceptable terms. What is problematic is that most of these bands seem to prefer to avoid combat and strive to attack those incapable of defending themselves.'

Emmeryns mouth tightened as she listened but did not interrupt.

- 'Its almost as if they are following some plan that is meant to terrorize the population, and it has worked. Many are fleeing the countryside to the cities adding to the problems already faced with refugees fleeing the coast and the Plegian raids.'

- 'You grace.'

Another noble interrupted.

- 'We cannot continue to tolerate our neighbour tearing at our border regions. Now that the prince has brought word that the darkies are bold enough to attack fortified settlements it is a matter of time that they start attacking cities!'

- 'And what would you have me do, lord Nestor?'

Emmeryn asked, the lord did not hesitate a moment.

- 'Call the banners! At the very least raise free companies to deal with these "risen" while giving the border lords permission to raid Plegia. It would not take long for the darkies to remember why they lived in terror of our banners.'

Emmeryn sighed before replying.

- 'Granted we might as well raise a free company or two to deal with the risen, however! I will not tolerate any action that may lead to open war with Plegia.'

This provoked a number of murmured conversations before lord Nestor cut over the din.

- 'Your grace we are already in open war with Plegia! Your father…'

The tired look on Emmeryns face vanished, replaced by one of anger as she sat upright in her chair.

- 'My lord father was Exalt in his right as I am Exalt in mine. Do not mean to lecture me, lord.'

Nestor scowled and many others frowned but nobody said anything. Emmeryn let the silence drag on for a moment before sighing and rising to her feet, the lords following her lead.

- 'That was all I wished to discuss my lords, you may leave.'

The gathered lords tilted their heads before filing out of the room, most already discussing some matter or another before they left the room. Chrom made to follow their example but was stopped by his sister.

- 'A moment Chrom, please.'

When the doors shut behind the last lord Emmeryn sighed and sat down, a weary look on her face.

- 'Tell me Chrom, honestly, what do you think of this situation.'

Chrom did not answer immediately, as he slowly sat himself down next to his sister with a sigh while gathering his thoughts.

- 'These "risen" have to be dealt with, that is certain and these raiders… You know very well that even if not all of them are Plegians they all come from that land. Plegia is where they rest, sell of their plunder, sell those of our population they take captive it is where they replenish their supplies before coming back to cause more grief.'

Emmeryn did not answer, instead closing her eyes and folding her hands as she listened.

- 'We spend a lot of time and effort trying to catch these parties before they cause trouble, or at the very least before they manage to escape and yet ever greater swathes of the country are left in ruin.'

Chrom paused, not so much to get his breath back so much as to gather nerve to say the next bit.

- 'Perhaps it would be prudent to respond to this aggression more forcefully?'

Emmeryn did not respond immediately but the prince noted that his sisters' lips tightened at his words and immediately knew what her response would be.

- 'I will not willingly drag Ylisse into open war.'

She stated in a tone brokering no argument. Chrom sighed but nodded as he rose to his feet, stopping as his sister lifted her hand.

- 'However, perhaps we may be able to convince Plegia that war is not in their best interest either. I would ask for you help in this.'

Chrom listened in silence to his sisters' plan and when she finished he found that he agreed with her.

At a certain point in life she had lost the need to check the time that had passed and simply knew that the tea was ready. With a satisfied "thump" she closed the treatise she was reading and turned to the kettle, deftly pouring out the liquid into previously warmed cups before turning to the others in the room.

Sumia sat at the other end of the table; theoretically reading though the way she was fidgeting meant she had other things on her mind while Vaike was busy doing push-ups, another set in a series of physical activities he did at every opportunity. Maribelle couldn't help but sigh softly at her current company.

- 'Sumia, darling, could you stop fretting so? They will be fine.'

She said as she passed a cup to the girl. Sumia had started at the voice and now accepted the cup with a sheepish smile on her face.

- 'I'm sorry Maribelle. It's just that they were meant to be back by now, what if something happened?'

- 'Pish posh! Lissa and Chrom have Frederick and twenty retainers with them, they would be hard pressed to encounter trouble they could not resolve.'

Maribelle tutted though in truth she shared the Pegasus knight aspirant's concern, a days delay did not mean that something had happened but with the increasing reports of raiders pillaging the country side and the most recent gossip of "monsters" stalking the woods one couldn't help but worry, but as a member of the old nobility she would in no way say anything that would cause further distress. Vaike however was not from an old noble family.

- 'Can't say I blame ya for worrying about them since they took off without Teach to keep 'em safe.'

Maribelle released a lengthy sigh.

- 'Of course they left without you, you oaf! Those two weeks the said your wound would need to heal up still hasn't passed, you'd only be a hindrance.'

Vaike snorted at that.

- 'I'll never recover if I ain't allowed to move! Besides you guys did the whole "praise Naga" magic stuff so it's healed, right?'

Maribelle sighed again.

- 'You should pay attention when things are explained to you, healing poultices and other such things help wounds heal, if the dolt that got themselves injured badly enough they need such assistance doesn't take things lightly after that the wound may very well reopen.'

Having shut her eyes to deliver her speech Maribelle now opened them to deliver a final glare at the plebeian only to find the man nowhere in sight.

- 'Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen.'

Drawn by the voice the noble looked down to find Vaike doing sit ups, seemingly oblivious to her explanation. For a moment nothing happened before Maribelles' face turned a shade of red, the girl stepping forward with her characteristic parasol going up. Seeing this Sumia stumbled out of her chair in front of the other girl.

- 'Calm down Maribelle, please. You know Vaike doesn't mean anything by it, he's just being… Vaike?'

Maribelle paused while Vaike continued his sit-ups and the situation could still have escalated if the door had not slammed open at that moment as Sully strode in.

- 'Hey guys!'

A chorus of voices returned the greeting, including one from the corner of the room where Kellam was busy cleaning his armour. Vaike jumped to his feet as he shouted his before adding a question.

- 'So what's the news? You find Chrom? What about the rumours about those things popping up in the country side?'

Sully nodded as she sat down, the others gathering round the long table to better hear her.

- 'Yeah, we found Chrom, they're back in Ylisstol, no doubt talking with the Exalt about the… things.'

Initially Maribelle and Sumia breathed a sigh of relief at the news that the group was safe before they leaned in with everyone else to listen in to the rest of the news, apart from second hand news they had not heard anything about the strange occurrence a few nights before and were eager to get a proper account.

- 'Tough bastards just popped up from the darkness as if they were always there, vicious little pricks too. They didn't care at all about our numbers or the fact that they were dealing with soldiers they just rushed us. Got one through the gut and it didn't even slow down before trying to get within striking range, wasn't until I cut off an arm and stabbed it through the neck did it die… no it just kinda fell apart. No body, only a pile of equipment and a dark stain on my weapon.'

- 'Naga preserve us.'

Someone quietly muttered, summarising the thoughts of those listening. Noticing Sully quickly put on a grin.

- 'We got about three dozen of the creeps though; they're tough but daft. It's like they don't think about self-preservation or tactics at all they just kinda rush you so we managed to put that to work against them.'

Sully paused as she thought about the nights fighting and remembered something that should probably be mentioned.

- 'That reminds me. You guys should probably be warned that Chrom picked up a s…'

She got no further when the doors slammed open again as two figures entered.

- 'And this is our barracks! Or at least the common room of them.'

Lissa declared with a flamboyant movement of the hands. Robin walked in slower and looked around with a critical eye before stopping at the congregation at the table. Lissa had also realised their presence and approached them with a smile.

- 'Heya guys!'

- 'Lissa, my treasure!'

Maribelle practically jumped from her seat and grabbed Lissa in what could safely be classified as a bear hug.

- 'Hey Maribelle.'

- 'Hey yourself! I've sprouted a dozen grey hairs worrying about you!'

Maribelle declared forgetting about the calm presence she had been aspiring to be a few moments earlier. Lissa puffed her cheeks as she answered.

- 'Patrolling doesn't have anything I couldn't handle, well maybe the bugs.'

- 'Um, is the captain with you?

Sumia asked as she walked up.

- 'Bro is talking to Emm, he'll no doubt show up in a little bit.'

Sumia nodded at that while Maribelle finally released Lissa.

- 'Poor Sumia was beside herself with worry, her eye constantly glued to the horizon in the hopes that our Chrom might appear. She was so distracted she would have been less bruised were she blindfolded.'

Several faces split into grins, Lissa's amongst them as she turned to the girl.

- 'You are so sweet for worrying about Chrom!'

Sumia turned red as she stuttered.

- 'It's normal to be worried about your captain!'

Laughter, not unkind, sounded in the room. It was Sully who stopped it as, still grinning, she turned to Lissa.

- 'Hey Princess! Shouldn't you introduce someone?'

Lissa paused for a split second before a look of realisation appeared and she turned sharply to wave in Robins direction, the man having stood in silence staring at the proceedings with a raised eyebrow.

- 'Everyone! This is Robin. Chrom decided to have him join the Shepards so be nice!'

The man gave the girl a look before sighing and tilting his head while placing a hand to his chest in greeting. The Shepard's gave him a look in silence broken by Maribelle.

- 'Well at least this one seems to have manners, maybe even proper breeding? What family are you from?'

Robin frowned at the obvious question but was saved answering by Lissa.

- 'Yeah it seems Robin has a bit of amnesia. Robin isn't even his name, we just needed something to call him by and…'

Lissa intended to go into the entire story about how "Robin" became the mans name but was stopped by Maribelle who, a concerned look appearing on her face, blurted.

- 'But he could be anybody!'

- 'I know! I mean he looks like a washed up old knight just looking for a place to bury his bones but what if there's some story here like in the legends! Oh like he's the prince of a distant realm and…'

Maribelle, face flushing red as she realized her faux-pas did not really listen to Lissa and turned to make sure this "Robin" hadn't taken offence. Fortunately it seemed she had been saved by, of all people, Vaike who had gripped the mans wrist firmly in a handshake while introducing himself.

- 'Robin was it? I'm Vaike. You ever need a hand with somethin' just come to old Teach and we'll set you straight.'

- 'Impressive Vaike! I thought you had to be born a half wit but it can be taught?'

Lissa interrupted, and most everyone laughing at the time it took Vaike to realize it was not the compliment he thought it was at first. In this time Sumia walked up.

- 'I'm Sumia and like Vaike said if you need help just ask.'

The smile she wore faded for a moment before she clapped her hands.

- 'We should probably get you settled in while we remember, give you a tour.'

- 'Good idea.'

Sully said from her seat, rising to her feat.

- 'You of course remember I'm Sully? Good.'

With that the group made a tour of the buildings that made up the Shepard's barracks, which Robin duly noted, took up a part of the actual barracks. On his inquiry Lissa nodded.

- 'Yep. It wasn't being used so Emm decided to let Chrom have it when he said he wanted to raise a force.'

- 'Why was part of the barracks free in the first place?'

There was a moment's silence at Robin's question broken by Sumia.

- 'When the Exalt inherited the title she decided to cut down on the amount of men kept under arms. This part of the buildings even fell into disrepair until we moved in.'

- 'Bleh! I still get shivers thinking about the creepy crawlies living here when we did.'

Lissa stated, shuddering slightly as if for emphasis. Robin scowled as he listened, cutting down on the men kept under arms? Surely there were plenty of other things that could be cut to save money rather than men at arms? His thoughts were put aside as Sully placed a hand on a door.

- 'And this foul smelling hole is where you guys sleep.'

The door opened with great flourish revealing a long hall lined with bunks and a fair number of chests. Despite the size only one of the bunks was occupied by a messy haired youth who looked up at the sudden disturbance.

- 'What's going on guys?'

- 'Stahl, this is Robin, he's new.'

Stahl stood up, sheathed the sword he had been cleaning and walked up to exchange a handshake.

- 'As she said I'm Stahl. Since you're here want to grab a bunk?'

He looked back to the rows of empty bunks before shrugging.

- 'Just pick any one. Except for that one, it's mine while that one is Vaikes' and over there you have Virion. Mind he mostly seems to be... well you know.'

He finished with a shrug and a hand gesture implying what he was actually doing in those moments.

- 'What about this one?'

Lissa asked indicating a bunk that showed sign of recent usage.

- 'That one is mine.'

The sudden voice behind them made most everyone jump before turning around.

- 'Gad Kellam! Do you have to lurk like that?'

- 'I don't lurk.'

The man pouted even as he extended a hand to Robin.

- 'Anyway I'm Kellam, I tried to introduce myself earlier but you must have missed me in the noise there. Anyway it is pleasure to have you with us Robin.'

Robin returned to greeting while wondering how he had failed to notice a man of that height. Lissa brought attention back to the tour.

- 'What's left is the girls room, obviously you're not allowed anywhere near it and the bath.'

- 'Perhaps you would wish to use it? You have been on the road some time I understand.'

Maribelle asked. Robin wanted to be offended by the insinuation but found he could not do anything but agree, a hot water scrub would be nice change from the half-hearted attempt he had in a river. Sully joined in the discussion.

- 'We should probably get you some kit from the armoury as well.'

- 'I have kit.'

Robin pointed out to which Sully nodded.

- 'True but to be honest while you smell like you fell out of a Wyverns backside your kit looks like it was the creatures chew toy.'

Several hours later and Robin had claimed a bunk, handed over his old kit save the helm and blades to be salvaged and chose replacements from the armoury, gone through equestrian and combat drills under the judging eyes of the Shepard's and some of the soldiers in the Exalts service before having a bath. Feeling human again after washing off the god alone knows how many days of filth he now allowed himself to relax in the common room, helped by the fact that the only people there were Lissa, Sumia and Vaike with most everyone else being in the building but busy with something else save Maribelle who, as the amnesiac was informed, was often away on family business. Naturally as most everything was relatively new to him the conversation quickly shifted to him asking questions or trying to clarify bits of knowledge that he had, or thought he had anyway.

Robin sighed and rubbed his temple as the sheer enormity of what he did not know threaten to overwhelm him. Lissa looked at the man with some sympathy.

- 'It has gotta be rough, this whole amnesia thing.'

Vaike and Sumia nodded their agreement, a brief silence falling after the comment broken by Sumia as she slapped a hand on the table and got up, stumbled as she left the bench she had been sitting on before heading towards the shelves sagging under the weight of the equipment on them.

- 'What's up girl?'

Vaike asked the question on everyone mind. Sumia did not stop looking through the objects as she answered.

- 'It's probably a bit overwhelming for Robin to have all this information shovelled into his head and I thought it would be better if he could brush up on recent events at his own pace and I remembered seeing a treaties on recent history here… you might want a proper history as well. No doubt you'll want to brush up your geography…'

At that Robin stood and went to join Sumia but before he got there she had found what she had been looking with an triumphant sounding "Yes" but on removing the scroll several other objects fell off the shelf provoking a "Horse Plop" from the girl as she moved to pick up what she had knocked down.

It was at that moment that the door opened and all eyes moved to see who it was.

- 'Hello everyone.'

Chrom greeted the people in the room and was welcomed by an enthusiastic "Heya bro!" "Yo!" and a noticeably calmer "Chrom" from Robin. Sumia's eyes however opened wide, a smile appeared on her face and a slight blush appeared.

- 'Captain! I… we were beginning to worry…'

She got no further as she tried to move towards Chrom, planting a foot on the objects on the ground and promptly went flying forward. Having shut her eyes and raised her hands in expectation of the landing she would have and was somewhat surprised to find she did not land in the way she had expected. Opening her eyes she found herself being put back on her feet by Robin.

- 'Sumia, you okay there?'

- 'No. I mean yes! I mean… ohhh…'

Sumia ended her response to Chrom's inquiry in a groan, her face now turning red from embarrassment at having another landing on her face stopped only by another's reflexes. Vaike obviously thought the same as he slapped Robin on the back.

- 'Nice catch!'

- 'Thanks.'

Robin answered, opting not to mention that it was more luck than skill as Sumia pretty much tripped in his direction. The confusion abating Chrom decided to cough to draw attention back to himself before speaking.

- 'I have news so get everyone here.'

- 'Got it!'

Lissa declared before stopping.

- 'Maribelle isn't here though, should we wait until she gets back?'

Chrom thought for a moment before shaking his head.

- 'No. If she's back tomorrow I'll tell her but we don't have time to wait.'

- 'So what's going on?'

Vaike asked as Lissa went to alert the others to the sudden meeting. Chrom turned to the man before grinning.

- 'We're going to Ferox.'

They had set out in the morning, even as the sun only just started peeking from behind the horizon and made steady progress along the road north, apparently all the Shepards save a few (Maribelle among them) were riding with them as well as two score retainers. They halted around midday for rest and a meal and Robin was in the process of trying to rip off a strand of meat that resembled leather in texture when he noticed someone near by, turning he saw a giant hat and, almost as an afterthought, he noticed the woman wearing it.

- 'You are Robin, are you not?'

The hat asked in a polite, if unemotional tone. Robin finally succeeded in ripping the meat off but held off chewing until he answered.

- 'That would be me.'

The woman nodded.

- 'I have been informed that you have entered Prince Chroms service and I thought it prudent for us to make our acquaintance. I am Miriel, a mage in the service of his lordship, the Prince. I am pleased to make you acquaintance.'

She finished with a bow, which Robin returned. Assuming they were finished he turned his attention back to his meal only to find Miriel still there.

- 'Yes?'

- 'I apologize but I have never been in the situation of meeting an amnesiac before and was hoping you might enlighten me regarding the matter.'

Robin scowled at that and shifted his weight to leave.

- 'I don't have time to be a sideshow.'

Mirial seemed puzzled by this for a moment before a look of realization spread across her face.

- 'Ah! I believe a misunderstanding may have occurred. Though I confess the chance to study a case first hand and comparing my findings with the theory is appealing I was thinking more of the possibility of discovering whether somebody has already dealt with such a case as yours. Though rare it is not unheard of for amnesiacs to rediscover themselves.'

Robin paused now and looked at the woman with a raised eyebrow, his scowl shifting to a more neutral expression as he looked away for moment before sighing.

- 'So you might know how to get me my memories back?'

He asked simply. Miriel shifted her spectacles as she replied.

- 'There are numerous variables involved, so much depends on what caused the trauma which caused your condition, the age of the patient, outside stimuli and such. But as a general rule I say that there is no reason as to why you should not regain your memories in time.'

Robin frowned again before sighing slowly.

- 'So what would you like to know?'

The moments until the order to resume the march passed with the woman asking questions and the man answering them to the best of his abilities. As Fredericks voice could be heard bellowing the order to mount up Miriel had fallen silent, the slight humming being the only visible sign of activity. Robin just about decided to break the woman's reverie when she stopped humming, nodded and rose to her feet.

- 'I am afraid to say that the data you have provided leaves too many unknown variables for myself to provide a satisfactory answer.'

- 'I see.'

Robin nodded in what he thought was a nonchalant way, despite himself he had begun hoping that perhaps there would be a positive answer to the question that was his existence. It seems a note of bitterness managed to slip in as Miriel paused before turning to the man fully.

- 'On our return to Ylisstol I may look to the tomes I posses on the matter, perhaps I might find something. As for what to do now…'

She paused here for a moment as if arguing with herself before nodding once as she reached a decision.

- 'Though not a fully credited opinion one scholar suggested that in a case such as your own there is nothing worse than brooding on the matter. Continue making decisions without thought of "was I such a person to do so before?" Such decisiveness might lead to a breakthrough and if not… most philosophers would argue it is better to live ones life in such a manner anyway.'

She finished with a slight smile. Robin sighed before nodding.

- 'They're probably right. Thank you anyway.'

- 'Of course. I only wish I had been of assistance.'

Any further words were stopped by a nearby bellow.

- 'You two! Stop dallying and get mounted!'

Maribelle nearly jumped at that, glancing away to the source of the noise while fixing her spectacles.

- 'It would seem we are holding up the march. Perhaps we shall converse at a later date.'

- 'Aye. Perhaps.'

Robin found himself replying.

- 'It will take a few days before we reach the border with Ferox so we'll have to stop at the nearest fort but fortunately these northern outposts often have room enough in their walls for patrols to rest.'

- 'Any problems we should expect from the Feroxi?'

Chrom seemed to ponder Robins question before shrugging.

- 'Probably. A Feroxi is quite likely to attempt to provoke a fight… that's just how they are.'

Robin fell silent as he mulled over the newest bit of information he received and Chrom fell into a comfortable silence as he enjoyed the ride, the motion of the horse, the smells and sounds of the countryside. His brow furrowed as he caught a sound that did not seem right. He turned to ask Frederick his opinion but saw it was not necessary, both the knight and Robin were looking around, their expressions suddenly wary.

- 'I'll go ahead and investigate my lord, please alert the rest.'

Frederick offered and rode off the moment Chrom gave his consent. The prince himself turned in the saddle, arm raised and soon after the column stopped, the hubbub of conversations fell silently as Shepard's and their retainers looked around the surrounding woodland, many reaching for their weapons and strapping shields to their arms.

It seemed to be a long while but must have been only a few minutes before Frederick rode back, reporting as soon as he was close enough.

- 'The fort ahead is under attack! It's the Risen!'

Silence fell as the news sunk in and for a moment nobody moved, a moment broken as Robin pulled his helm from the saddle and slid it over his bascinet, fixing the strap in a practiced motion. That simple act seemed to act as a signal and Chrom turned in the saddle.

- 'Prepare for battle! Advance!'

People moved to do as ordered and the column rode ahead and soon stopped again as they came in sight of the fort.

It sat on an artificial hill dominated by a single stone tower. Several men were seen moving behind the rampart, raining missiles on the risen attempting to force their way in. Most of the fighting was going on at the gate, which seemed to be heavily damaged, if not outright pulled from their place in the defences. Chroms first impulse was to charge, to get to the defenders as quickly as possible but paused as he remembered the last time he gave such an order. Leaning in the saddle he thought on the matter when Robins voice interrupted.

- 'I would have a suggestion.'

Chrom turned to the man who seemed to take it as permission to continue.

- 'Take half the men and advance in tight formation on the risen assaulting the gate. Leave a quarter of the best archers for support and/or cover as needed. The rest would be a mobile reserve, ready to move as the situation warrants.'

Chrom turned to Frederick who, despite the frown, nodded.

- 'It is a reasonable approach.'

He said. With that Chroms turned to organize his force, setting everyone to their task, only hesitating at Sumia before deciding to leave her with the reserve. Seeing the look on her face he leaned in.

- 'Keep an eye on Lissa for me.'

That seemed to improve her mood as she smiled as she confirmed. He left Frederick in charge of the reserve, the knight did not seem happy with the decision.

- 'My lord if…'

- 'I need someone sensible and experienced here. You know as well as I that this post is important.'

This seemed to mollify the knight slightly though he still looked far from happy at not being somewhere other than covering his lords flank. At this point the prince was becoming impatient and wanted to advance but was interrupted by Robins raised hand.

- 'If I may suggest the archers and Miriel hold off their attack until the enemy moves at us or we are close enough to charge them.'

Chrom mulled the thought over before issuing the proper orders. With that he took his place in front of the column of men ready to advance, shields at the ready and weapons drawn. Seeing the look on Robins face he sighed and nodded.

- 'What's your suggestion?'

- 'Maintain tight formation at all times. These things don't think of self-preservation and are tough bastards. Stay close to the others and keep hacking the bastards till they stop moving.'

A muttered chorus of acknowledgment came from the men and, after a final glare at Robin as if daring him to offer another suggestion; Chrom lifted Falchion high before sweeping it down.

- 'Advance!'

The group quick marched from the cover of the woods they had assembled in and moved towards the risen attacking the gate. They got within twenty yards when the rearmost creatures turned and, offering a motley collection of hisses and snarls, ran at the new arrivals. Almost immediately several stumbled back, arrows and quarrels sprouting from their bodies while one seemed to spontaneously combust, bright flames bursting to life on its chest and licking upwards. Those Risen that had been pushed back by the attack were shoved forward, several stumbling to the ground by those moving behind them and soon a second volley of arrows knocked into the tangled mob that kept pushing towards their target.

The soldiers shifted their shields forward and moved their weapons to a "at the ready" position as they continued their quick march before, with the sound of a dozen hammers slamming into wood, the Risen drove into the humans. The force of a mass of bodies running into their shields was immense and many a Ylissian would have been knocked back, maybe even off their feet save for those behind ramming their shields into the backs of the men in the front, followed by the men in the third rank slamming their shields into the backs of those in the second rank.

The Risen were strong and fast but lacked discipline, piling into the human formation without rank of formation as a tangled mass of individuals and as such stood no chance of stopping the Ylissians. They staggered back under the force of the shields and as they moved to regain their balance the men struck in a series of attacks that would have left a dozen human opponents on the ground screaming as they died but the risen were not human. Despite the mortal wounds they had received they moved to attack.

Chrom lashed out, catching one neatly in the neck, Falchion sliding through it effortlessly and the head seemed to simply slide off the body. The Risen seemed to pay no attention to the fact and drove its axe down in an overhand blow that felt like a load of bricks when it connected with Chroms shield. The prince gritted his teeth and stabbed the thing in the gut even as Vaike hacked down, severing the arm. Under the combined assault the risen collapsed, the equipment falling to the ground as if the body inside simply vanished replaced by a foul mist.

Chrom punched the next Risen in the face plate with his shield as he stabbed it in the gut, twisted it before pulling it free and hacking it, driving Falchion through the collar bone and into the chest, his opponent collapsing under the attack. Next to him a retainer staggered back and Chrom turned to assist and paused, the Risen was burning, the stench uncomfortably close to that of burning pork but despite the flames consuming it the creature kept pounding at the retainers shield as the man desperately tried to ward of the savage assault. Robin stepped up, his blade sliding through the Risen's gut and Chrom joined in the attack, slicing through the neck. The remains tumbled to the ground in the recognizable sign that the creature ceased to exist, the equipment still burning.

The Ylissians kept pushing forward, though few they suffered casualties, most simply staggering back to the safety of their own ranks though some were not as fortunate, Chrom saw one man pulled from his rank amidst a throng of the Risen, his screams cut mercifully short as the creatures hacked him apart in a frenzy of bloodshed. The sight made the prince grit his teeth in anger, he had not known his name but the man had been in his service and he would not let his death go unavenged.

From the other side the forts defenders had realized help had arrived and pushed forward through the shattered gate and between them the two forces slowly ground down the risen until, finally, they stood over the remains, breathing hard at the exertions of the fight. Behind them a horn sounded and Chrom turned to see Frederick leading a charge against another, smaller group of the Risen that had appeared on the bridge. The armoured column of horsemen shattered through the undisciplined mass, sending many to the ground and many others over the sides into the river below.

- 'Soldiers!'

Chrom found enough breath to below, lifting Falchion high before sweeping it towards the bridge.

- 'Kill them all!'

A dozen funeral pyres burned, the equipment left over from the risen being what was burning. Technically there was nothing wrong with it but the men made faces at the remains, many making signs to ward off evil and refuse to do anything until the remains were destroyed. Elsewhere others were digging a mass grave for those of the Ylissians who had fallen.

Robin stood observing everything in silence before slowly kneeling and picking up a mask from the ground. It had been shaped to resemble a face, possibly a woman's the mouth wide open as if in an eternal scream. The man scowled and moved as if wanting to throw it away only to stop. He was…

Standing above a multitude, an army marching in perfect unison with a single purpose…

- 'Robin?'

Robin turned away to see Lissa standing nearby, a concerned look on her face.

- 'You alright?'

- 'Yes… I must have been thinking about…'

What was he thinking about? It couldn't have been too important in that case. Lissa seemed not to be entirely convinced but nodded anyway.

- 'Chrom is talking to the fort commander, he wants you to come.'

Robin nodded and made to move when he noticed he was still holding the mask. With a frown he tossed it on the nearest pyre before following Lissa. Nodding to those he passed he was soon next to Chrom listening to the forts commander give his report.

- 'Started around noon. Just taxed and cleared a caravan for further journey and they crossed the bridge when these… "things" attacked them. I sent some of my men out and next thing I know the entire forest seems to be swarming with them. Pulled my men back and made a stand.'

He was interrupted by a loud whinny followed by louder curses. Everyone turned to see the source, a Pegasus, its kit mangled and blood smearing its sides, kicked out at a soldier who staggered back before the hooves connected, hurling obscenities at the animal. The officer sighed.

- 'The knight who owned that creature said she'd get help, a few minutes later the Pegasus comes back alone looking like that. It's refused every attempt of ours to get it help.'

Nobody said anything as the thought of what would have to be done if the animal could not be helped when a voice cut in.

- 'Ah, of course it would be startled if you approach it like that.'

Sumia walked up, eyes fixed on the Pegasus.

- 'Pegasi can be even flightier than horses and when their injured doubly so. You need to be calm when you approach it otherwise it will sense your unease.'

As everyone listened she continued walking towards the animal, nearly tripping on the way, Robin was certain he heard her say a vulgar word as she regained her balance. Chrom stepped to Sumia.

- 'You should probably stay back Sumia that creature is…'

His voice trailed off as everyone watched as the Pegasus that had only just been lashing out seemed to calm down before allowing Sumia to grab hold of its bridle and stroke its neck.

- 'Calm down girl, calm down. Let me see where your hurt.'

The Pegasus swished its tail as Sumia moved her hand across its flanks, a hiss escaping her when she saw the wound.

- 'Could someone get me my pack? I have what is needed for this there.'

Chrom gave an order and a retainer ran to do as told.

- 'The girls got a talent with animals.'

Robin stated, something resembling respect in his voice. Chrom nodded before turning back to the forts commander, who likewise seemed to be impressed with the way the girl handled the animal.

- 'We need to regroup and deal with our wounded so we shall be staying the night here.'

The officer nodded his confirmation before going to deal with the problems that were left over from the attack. Chrom sighed and turned to Robin.

- 'As for you from now on I don't want you saying, "I have a suggestion" or the like. You obviously have a head for tactics and are not shy about sharing so I'm taking you into my staff as a tactician and I expect your opinion and help in keeping things organised, understood?'

Robin nodded even as he asked.

- 'Do I get a pay rise?'

Lissa snorted, hands going up to conceal the grin that appeared on her face. Chrom also fought a smirk as he replied.

- 'Yes you damned mercenary, you get a pay rise. Now help myself and Frederick get things organized, we still have a way to go before we reach Ferox.'