Hooves thundered on the dry road as the small group of riders made their way past the other road users forcing them to step aside, pulling wagons off the road to make way for the heavily armoured group. As they neared the city more people found themselves forced to make way, curses muttered under their breath even as they bent their necks to the passing nobles.

The gate guards, forewarned by messenger of the group pushed the crowd milling at the gate aside to make way for the riders, allowing them to continue at largely the same pace while in the city folk felt free to shake their fists at their backs. The sentries at the castle gate made way, polearms banging on the cobbles in salute. They pulled in the courtyard and as stable hands ran out to take the horses the leader turned in the saddle.

- 'I have to report to his grace but you lot feel free to head to the barracks once you're done here.'
- 'Thank god for that!'

Sully sighed loud enough for everyone to hear drawing chuckled agreement from the others. Robin only rolled his eyes in response, hoping the slight upward tilt of his lips were not visible, before dismounting and heading toward the keeps entrance, despite the time that had passed he still walked with a limp giving him a characteristic gait. Though the sentry at the bottom of the stairs stepped aside immediately the man found his way barred anyway.

- 'Any trouble?'
- 'None. I was almost disappointed by the fact Frederick.'

The knight gave a sound somewhere between a cough and a laugh as he shifted his frame blocking the entrance, signaling the other man to follow.

- 'His grace will be glad to hear that. He's waiting in the council chamber.'

Chrom looked up immediately from the letters on the table at hearing the door open and a small smile appeared.

- 'Robin! So you did make it.'
- 'You're sister made it quite clear what she would do to me if I did not.'

The man answered grinning as he tilted his head while placing a hand to his chest in greeting before locking wrists with the Exalt. Chrom shook his arm before turning to the table.

- 'So? Good news I hope?'
- 'The border castles are in our hands, well garrisoned and provisioned in case of treason. Meanwhile the Plegians continue to fight amongst themselves over succession.'

Robin paused here, the smile disappearing as he looked to the map on the wall.

- 'In my opinion that dragon cult of theirs has the best chance of winning. I don't suppose the council rethought my suggestion the war be continued to ensure our preferred claimant sits on the throne?'

Chrom sighed before looking to Robin.

- 'No. The war cost us enough as is. Besides I have no intention of following my fathers footsteps that closely.'

He looked away again, remembering. That day on the battlefield the toasts seemed to never end nor did the compliments which invariably ended in the same. "Chrom had achieved something his father would have been proud of." "A true heir to his fathers legacy!" "Your father would be proud".
Nobles and common born alike repeated the same sentiment with nothing but the purist intentions but each time felt like a jab at the fresh wound, at his sisters memory. Perhaps that is why he felt it prudent to ignore the more martial advice in the council and lean towards the opinions of the others and signed the treaty with Plegia.

They were good terms, the border castles changed hands, Plegia was to release all captives it had taken and pay reparations. Good terms but many did not see it that way. He looked up and realized he must have been silent for a moment as both Robin and Frederick were looking at him.

- 'Thank you for your hard work Robin. Now go have a bath and get dressed in proper clothes because the way you look and stink now I can't let you anywhere near the ceremony.

The temple was packed full of people, aristocrats, foreign dignitaries and a spattering of the more illustrious nobles as the all stood taking part in the ceremony. Outside even more people were gathered, nobles, merchants craftsmen and even the occasional peasant all endured the press for the occasion. After all how often did one get the chance to see a royal wedding?
Robin had the privilege of being amongst those in the temple, though most seemed to have assumed he was of noble birth from the start it had recently become official when, amidst the bodies littering the battle field Chrom knighted a hundred men, Robin among them. As much an act to tie Robin to Ylisse now the war promised to be over as a reward the man still felt authentic joy at the fact, his recent admission to Ylissian chivalry being the reason he could attend.

At first he was simply awed at the spectacle, the glittering clothes and numerous gems and precious metals on display to say nothing of the bride, always a handsome woman this day Maribelle was simply blindingly radiant, almost as much so as that day, where the furiously blushing exalt proposed to the furiously blushing girl. Though many suspected the Duke Themis had meddled to ensure his daughter had become the queen few thought the affection between the two to be anything other than authentic.

But as the ceremony went on, the new hierarch going through the blessings, the congregation kneeling and rising as needed while singing hymns Robin felt a growing discomfort. At first dismissed as awkwardness at not knowing the proper manner of worship it grew increasingly into a throbbing pain in his head. Before long it became so great that his vision swam and he was more than grateful to be so insignificant in Ylissian hierarchy so as to be close to the exit as he caused little trouble to others as he staggered out into the sunshine.

Almost immediately he felt better, his vision steadied and gradually the throbbing in his head became manageable. The officer in charge of the sentries looked at him with a raised eyebrow before shacking his head and turning his attention back to controlling the crowd in the square.
Feeling slightly better Robin considered rejoining the ceremony but a new wave of nausea hit and he opted not to, instead heading for the castle, hoping that he would feel better in time for the feast.

- 'Is that one drunk already? Scandalous!'

Lucina couldn't help but agree as she observed the black clothed man stumble out of the temple. Despite there being many things she could have been doing Lucina simply could not stop herself from trying to get a peek at the ceremony, at the very least see her parents on their way back to the castle.

- 'Maybe it ain't drink.'

Someone answered the statement with shrug of their massive shoulders. Lucina looked in that direction even as the mans neighbour asked.

- 'What do you mean?'
- 'You saw her ladyship, a beauty like that is gonna have a number of admirers.'

The voice trailed off but it was sufficient.

- 'Oh my, how Scandalous!'

So it was, Lucina mused, but entirely to be expected. Though she would admit she was somewhat biased Lucina firmly believed there was none who could match her mothers beauty, so it was only natural she had admirers.
So satisfied she turned her attention back to the temples entrance, taking no further interest in the black clad man making his way to the castle.

-'Good day Robin.'

The man looked up at that, quickly spotting the individual addressing him. Black hair, skin so pale it bordered on the unhealthy and the rest of her form concealed under a cape meant it could only be the Plegian witch Chrom had recruited... whatever her name was. Drawing a blank he simply titled his head as he answered.

- 'Good day. Did you wish something?'
-'Indeed yes, there is something I would wish for.'

Tharja answered, moving closer to the man, her lips shifting slightly upward. Robin did not say anything, an eyebrow arching slightly upward before he noticed something else that drew his attention, the girl did not notice this shift in attention and continued speaking.

-'Perchance you would be willing to assist me in the matter?'

Robin glanced down, a look on his face as if he had forgotten about her before he tilted his head.

- 'Apologies but I remembered some work that needs attending. Good day my lady.'

And with that he left, calling out to catch the attention of a scribe going about some business leaving Tharja behind, her mouth slightly open. She clicked her tongue and turned around in annoyance. There would be another chance.

In a moment he realized the that the lance would connect but could do nothing to stop it, only grit his teeth as the point made contact with his shield and he knew he had made a mistake for the angle was wrong and instead of sliding off the lance buckled under the force and he felt a tremendous force push him from the saddle even as the lance shattered. For a moment he was suspended in the air, everything seemingly going at a snails pace, allowing him to pick out details in the crowd before he hit the ground with enough force to knock the air out of his lungs and everything seemed to return to its normal speed.
The other rider thundered by and a cheer rose up as the crowd applauded the display of martial skill. Robin cursed vulgarly as he rolled to his feet, waving away the squire running to him who instead moved to assist the other in collecting the discarded lance he had been carrying while a third went to secure the horse.

The weather was brilliant, the sun shone brightly but somehow managed to not be too hot and hundreds had appeared to take part in the tourney held within sight of Ylisstol. The reason for the tourney was nothing less than to celebrate the birth of the royal couples first child, a girl, true but Chrom seemed not to mind and insisted that everyone should have a chance to celebrate.
Tilting his head to the pavilon where the royals were seated Robin made his way to the list where he was soon greeted by known faces.

- 'Bad luck but somebody had to meet Frederick in their first bout.'
-'Doesn't make my arse or pride hurt any less.'

Robin answered as he handed his shield to a waiting page and undoing the straps holding his helm in place. Stahl chuckled while nearby Vaike sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

- 'At least you lot can take part, all I get to do is watch others have fun while I'm on guard duty.'

Robin and Stahl shared a glance at the awkward reminder of the social divide between them before Stahl coughed and turned to Vaike with a smile.

- 'Well, you pretty much ruled the wrestling match.'

-'I did didn't I? But I still kinda miss the war where that seemed less...'

Vaikes voice trailed off as he realized what he was saying and raised his hands.

-'No, sorry. I don't mean it like that.'
-'I kinda understand.'

Stahl said with a faint smile.

- 'I mean back than we were together in the barracks or chasing bandits up and down the country it feels weird being separated.'
Robin snorted.
- 'We still see each other plenty. Besides I should complain what with the constant meetings, reports and number crunching I'm getting out of practice while you lot hunt down brigands and chase rumours of risen.'

Vaike laughed and slammed a hand into Robins back.

- 'Big man and his problems! A year ago a poor vagabond picked up at the side of the road and now? Knight and lord constable of Ylisse!'

Stahl laughed as Robin punched Vaike's shoulder.

-'Granted, not that you didn't do well for yourself, sir watch-officer of the guard. Stop grinning "knight of the court banner" Stahl.'

Vaike stuck out his tongue and scratched the back of his head while Stahl smiled sheepishly, still not entirely comfortable with the promotion. Seemingly deciding to torment the two some more Robin rapped an armoured knuckle on Stahls brigandine.

-'So, how is marital bliss?'

Stahl went red around the ears as replied.

- 'Can't complain.'
- 'Obviously not.' - Vaike chimed in. - 'You and Sully were in an awful hurry to disappear from your wedding feast.'

If Stahl had been red before now he was turning scarlet and the other two men laughed, Vaike slapping him on the back to show he meant it in jest.

- 'Though honestly it's like an epidemic. The war is over and its turns out most everyone is in a relationship even that cockerel Virion got together with that Ferox dancer, and a kid to boot!'

Robin shook his head, that had been a shocker as no one expected any girl to be able to hold the foreign archers affection for long and yet the Ferox girl had made him swear marital fidelity and a little son already present as proof of their affection. Barely a few days old neither of the two could make the tourney though he somehow doubted they even noticed.

- 'Makes more sense than you might think. People form bonds in stressful situations, men declare fraternity for one another while if you happen to be with one of the opposite gender...'

Robin's voice trailed off as if summoned by their words the various Sheperds appeared, Nowi dragging Gaius in some direction, Miriel walking by and, after double checking, Robin noted Kellam as well. Rickon and Lissa were, no doubt, under the awning alongside Chrom and Maribelle, people had been busy.
An arm latched round Robins neck and dragged him into a vice like grip.

- 'We're comrades, right Robin? You won't join the marital bliss team?'
- 'Unhand me Vaike!'

Stahl laughed as he observed the two in their antics before his expression shifted to a more thoughtful one.

- 'You might find yourself alone soon Vaike, after all Robin isn't without admirers.'

The two paused their struggle for a moment, looking at the green clad knight as if he had grown an additional head before Vaike tightened his grip.

- 'Who is it Robin! Teach must know!'
- 'You remember that Plegian witch we picked up before the battle?'

Stahl interrupted. Vaike let go of Robin and scratched his chin.

- 'Her... now that you mention it.'

Robin, meanwhile, stood up straight and rubbing his neck asked.

- 'Who?'

Stahl and Vaike shared a look before both heaved a heavy sigh.

- 'Tharja. You know the dark and gloomy girl with the curves that would cure the blind?'

Vaike offered with Stahl nodding beside him. Robin seemed to think a moment before shrugging.

- 'Doesn't matter either way, I'm not going to get involved with her, can't afford to.'
- 'Why not?'

Vaike asked his tone betraying his disbelief. Robin scowled as he answered.

- 'I'm a vagrant picked up by the side of the road who owes his astronomical rise in social standing entirely to the patronage of the Exalt, many resent that. I have to be careful with what I do and getting involved with a Plegian witch isn't exactly wise.'

He paused long enough to sigh as he glanced to the sun.

-'Plus with my memory as is I might very well be married, polygamy won't do my soul any good.'

An awkward silence fell before Robin slapped his armoured thigh and offered a grin.

-'Besides, I much rather hunt than be hunted.'
- 'We should get drunk. You too, married man.'

Vaike suggested with a laugh, The other two joining in and making plans to get as many of the group together.

It was frustrating. Despite her best efforts Robin remained unapproachable. Tharja sighed in frustration and looked to the open window. Today she was denied even the slight pleasure of seeing him, feeling that power hidden deep within. True she could have gone to the tourney and kept an eye on him, she had even attempted it but the sheer number of people present made her feel sick and so she opted to deny herself that.
It was a weakness she knew, one she had fought hard to overcome to claim him before someone else did and for a year she struggled and had naught to show for it.

With another sigh she rested her head on the window and scowled at the bright sky as if it were somehow responsible,she soon regretted it as her eyes started to hurt and she retreated into the room, having to wait a moment for her eyes to get used to the gloom.
When they did she saw her hexing tools, carefully arranged leaving them in easy reach but safe from accidents, useful things those tools but useless in this situation. Fools believed magic a solution to every little problem it wasn't, oft causing more harm than good and the rumored magic spell was the most ridiculous thought of any if one wanted to inspire flames of passion in another than one could count only on oneself, and Robin was proving to be all but immune to such attacks.

Still. There was no such thing as love magic, true, but perhaps it could be used to give the man a little push in the right direction?

It was dead silent as the night neared it's mid point and Tharja had all but completed her preparations. A final movement of the brush and the runes were completed. Setting aside the human hair brush into the bowl of blood she lit the candles before sitting cross legged in front of the scene.
Reluctantly she drew out one of the hard earned strands of Robins hair, very difficult to obtain when one took into account the scarcity of hair on his head, and burnt it. Closing her eyes she breathed in deeply of the smoke as she concentrated, gathering the energy needed and focused. Her breathing sped up before stopping abruptly, her head sinking to her chest.

She was... she didn't know where she was. It was meant to be his mind, his consciousness left unguarded by sleep. Here she could influence the sleepers dreams according to her desire with only the targets will to counter it. She had been quite pleased with the idea, if the man won't look at her in the waking world she would fill his sleep with thought of her than her day time activities might yield fruit.
First however she needed to be certain she was in the right mind, it would not do if she started her work only to fill the mind of some lesser male with thoughts of her.

Concentrating she spread her consciousness, delicately probing looking for any clues as to where she was. She flinched at the sight of a lance coming at her, before she realized it was a seen from the tourney, her host flung from the saddle by the lance that struck her, that is him, hard. As more scenes flashed by she knew she was in the right place and would have smiled were she material and had it not been for the image that now appeared, mugs slammed into the table, the girl who delivered them leaning in long enough to put her ample bosom, threatening to burst free from her shirt, on display. Annoyed Tharja considered hexing the girl when a thought struck her, such images could be used. She focused, starting the difficult task of forming an image, a "dream" that might assist her goal and she found her way barred. It was as if a castle wall rose up before her, barring her entry, not odd in and of itself as most everyone had mental defence but this exceeded what she had expected. It was as if someone had put it here to lock away the mind.

"doom-doom"

She felt rather than heard it, a deep booming followed almost immediately by a softer one. She paused, not knowing what it was.

"doom-Doom"

The sensation of a "wall" disappeared replaced with nothing. There was no other way to describe it other than nothing, a nothing so complete it swallowed everything to the extent she felt her own consciousness unraveling within it.

"Doom-Doom"

She drew her extended consciousness to herself, fleeing from something.

"Doom-Doom"

She had to run, had to.

"Doom-Doom"

Hurry.

"Doom-DOOM"

HURRY!

- 'Well. What sort of worm are you than?'

She needed to escape, had to but she could not move. It was here. The nothingness surrounded her, threatening to swallow her but it was here and it gazed directly into her and she knew fear.

- 'Naughty little thing, touching things one should not. A bit of discipline is needed I should think.'

Something grasped her and Tharja screamed as it consumed her.

The light was blinding, forcing her to shut her eyes with a hiss, somewhere nearby a known voice cried out.

- 'Tharja?'

Slowly she forced her eyes open and this time she could stand the light. Tall vaulted ceiling decorated with scenes from the cult of naga's mythology. Lots of sunlight coming in from tall windows and a large room filled with beds and a number of clergy making their rounds amongst those lying. The infirmary than, only why was she here?

- 'Thank naga! We were beginning to be worried! Are you thirsty?'

She turned her head to see the speaker and, as expected, it was the princess, Lissa was fussing around filling a cup before propping Tharja up who, as she was thirsty, drank, coughed and drank some more.

- 'Why am I here?'

She finally managed to ask.

-'We'd like to know.' - the princess answered with a slight huff, - 'You woke half the castle with your scream and when the guard kicked your door in we found you on the floor in convulsions, your magical instruments scattered all over the place.'

Tharja thought back, trying to piece together how she might have been in such a situation but found the process hurt her head, Lissa carried on talking.

- 'You worried all of us and there has been a steady stream of visitors to check in on you, you know.'

A conspiratorial grin spread across the princess' face as she continued.

- 'You'll be pleased to know that even Robin popped in for a few moments to see how you were doing.'

Tharja turned to Lissa in complete and honest bafflement.

- 'Why should that please me?'

He was being chased. He did not know what was doing so or why but he knew the fact as well as he could not allow himself to be caught. So he ran. Through a darkness that seemed to make itself solid as he neared it, forming black walls, floors and ceiling, so black that all light vanished and yet somehow he saw it and he ran, turning at every corner as he tried desperately to escape that. Yet no matter how hard he ran he could feel it closing in, closer with every heartbeat.

thump-thump.
thump- Thump.
Thump-Thump!
THUMP-THUMP!

He stopped moving. Not because he ceased to move but because he could not. It was as if the floors turned into a quagmire, sucking him down harder the more desperate he became to become free and than, he froze. It was here, he could feel it.

-'Why do you run? Why deny it?'

The darkness moved, encircling him, binding him, becoming one with him and he could do nothing

Just as suddenly as it started it stopped and the darkness seemed to flee and from it something else emerged and in an instant he knew what it was. A woman, the most beautiful woman he ever saw who strode up to him, resting a cool hand on his cheek.

- 'Fear not, it will never claim you.'

He did not recall blinking and yet he must have for one moment he was looking at beauty and next a rotting corpse, maggots writhing under rotting flesh. He tried to pull away but the other hands gripped his face in a strength belying the form.

-'He cannot have you.'

A whisper stinking of the grave yet to him it was as clear as if shouted.

- 'After all, you belong to me.'

The corpse leaned in and he finally found the strength to scream.

He shivered as he felt just how cold the air felt to his sweaty skin. Robin looked around, he was standing in the middle of his room, drenched in sweat with damp sheets still clinging to him, the grey sky meaning morning had not yet started properly. With a frown he untangled himself before striding to the table from where he grabbed a flagon and downed the wine in it without bothering to water it down.
Another nightmare, he had been sloppy. He had a few during the war but since the peace settled they had become almost a nightly occurrence, only going to bed buzzing from alcohol seemed o keep the dreams at bay but last night he had returned from overseeing a new border fort and trusted to exhaustion to keep him asleep.

What was it that troubled him so? He thought of it but nothing came to mind, he never seemed to remember what it was that woke him.
With a sigh he set the flagon down and considered getting back to bed but catching the gleam of sunlight ready to spill over the horizon he thought better of it and took to readying for the day.

- 'I would say the situation in Valm is cause for concern.'

The council meeting was well underway, the lord's chancellor, constable, steward, spymaster and hierarch as well as the Exalt had spent most of the morning going through matters of state. Currently the lord spymaster, a rather unremarkable looking noble of the Gastyk family, was speaking and at the mention of the western continent all others looked up.

-'As I have reported before the Duchy of Valm has successfully vassalized or incorporated a large portion of of the continent and does not seem satisfied with it's conquests.'

-'A few months ago you said they had faced setbacks, has that changed?'

Robin asked, glancing at the massive map on the wall where the known world was presented. Lord Gastyk nodded.

- 'It has. Despite their defeats at the hands of the continents central principalities they have recovered and in the spring turned the tables. I'm afraid to say that now only the principalities in the north east and extreme south remain opposed to them.'

Lord Fortyth, the lord steward, sighed as he looked over his numbers.

-'The war has been damaging our merchants ability to safely conduct their business on the continent and though I can see how dealing with a monopoly can be adverse the outcome would still be better than the current state of war, unless...'

Gastyk nodded.

-'I do not like such assumptions but based on the activities of Valm and their leader, this Walhart character, I would say that they will not be stop their campaign once the entirety of their continent is under their banner.'

-'You're saying they will move on us once the eliminate the last of Valm resistance?'

Duke Themis, the lord chancellor, asked what everyone was suspecting.

- 'Perhaps not immediately but I believe sooner or later that will be the case.'

A heavy silence fell as the council looked to their notes or the map on the wall where the smaller continent seemed uncomfortably close to their own.

- 'So what do you gentlemen say should be done?'

Chrom asked from his seat, looking at no one in particular, it was his father in law who cleared his throat and spoke first.

-'Our options are simple, ignore the problem and hope lord Gastyk's prediction is incorrect or we get involved in the war either militarily or by supporting those who are opposed to Valm, either will be costly and will draw ire to us.'

Chrom nodded and looked to Fortyth.

-'We still have not fully recovered from the war, two years is to few a time to resettle refugees, rebuild castles, pay off the debts drawn to say nothing of the need to maintain mercenaries garrisoning the border as well as hunting down brigands and these "risen" in the countryside. Either option will involve more costs for the crown.'

The exalts eyes rested on the constable, Robin coughed as he pulled out a tablet and consulted the numbers there before speaking.

-'The country is largely pacified freeing up the men forced into a policing role. Were we to intervene in Valm I believe we'd very quickly be reduced to using mercenaries and volunteers to wage the campaign due to the limitations of mobilizing the motio belli. And taking into account the halidoms income...'

He paused and looked to Fortyth who very quickly found the necessary information.

- 'I'd say roughly sixty hundred for five years.'

Robin frowned and turned back to Chrom.

- 'Not much considered the scale of the campaign, but I'd say better now when we might still find allies on that continent.'

The exalt nodded, folding his arms and looking to the map on the wall. A few moments passed before he sighed and looked to the gathered.

- 'I'd rather not drag Ylisse into another war, especially not so soon after the last one.'

Seeing Robin opening his mouth Chrom raised his hand.

- 'I do recognize the danger however, we shall make a plan just in case. Lord Gastyk please continue gathering information on the situation. Lord Fortyth please look for way to gather the needed funds if necessary. Sir Robin, you start looking to see how quickly five thousand men could be put together for such a campaign.'

All nodded and Chrom glanced to the window and nodded.

-'Gentlemen, we've been here long enough. Go take some lunch and we shall look over remaining matters in the afternoon.'

The men rose, tilted their heads and gathered their things, a few conversations starting.

-'Duke Themis, Robin. Stay a moment.'

Chrom stopped the two, saying no more until the doors closed behind the others when he turned to them with a grin.

- 'It's nothing serious, I am merely inviting you to dine with me. I'm sure father is interested in seeing his descendent's.'
- 'That I am your grace.'

Duke Themis replied, his lips tilting slightly upwards.

Children are an odd thing Robin mused as he observed three generations of the exalted family. They cause extreme shows of emotion, oft swinging from one spectrum to the other even before they are born to say naught of after. For instance the many noises a child might make others cringe in annoyance while the parents laugh. It was also odd how otherwise stern men and self disciplined women turned into blobs of emotion.

-'Will you stop glaring at my niece, she did not yank your beard that hard.'
-'I'm not glaring.'

He replied defensively, turning to Lissa who was not even looking at him. Robin followed her gaze to what was occupying her mind.

- 'Should the boy be out so soon after birth?'

The princess huffed as she finally turned to him.

- 'It's not "the boy" it's Owain, "prince Owain" to you if you continue to insist on not using his name.'

The man raised his hands in surrender leaving Lissa to smile with triumph as she devoted her attention to her son, Robin resting his chin on his hand as he contemplated the boy. Very young he had already caused great emotion with Lissa bawling her eyes out at the knowledge that Owain had been born with the brand. It had been something of a shock to the man when he first heard why, he had paid little mind to the brand all members of the Exalted bloodline shared and never thought the princess had been born without. With the boys birth came the ultimate confirmation that she was indeed her fathers child and the joy she felt at the fact had still not dissipated.

Perhaps that was why she had chosen to call her son with her fathers name, something that her brother had frowned upon but the princess insisted and she had managed to get her way. The second time in a short while, Robin noted, after she had somehow convinced Chrom to agree to her marriage to a young mage from an impoverished noble family. He'd have to find out how she managed the feat.
Movement drew his attention and he shifted his gaze to the door leading to the small courtyard, a messenger had stepped in, nearly jumping out of his skin as the court knight on duty, in this case Kellam, stepped in the way. With a frown he excused himself and went to the two.

-'Message for the Exalt, milord.'

The man said, holding out the leather case. Robin took it and after a quick glance at the seal, broke the wax bearing the Feroxi khans mark and opened the tube, pulling the message inside free. Many would say he had overstepped his authority here, and they would technically be right though it had happened frequently enough with Chroms blessing most said nothing of it. He quickly read through it, his frown deepening and he looked up.

-'Anything else?'
-'No milord but I'm to wait for the reply.'

Robin nodded and turned to Kellam.

-'Get him to the kitchen, see he's fed.'

That done he turned and started walking to the exalt, it seems they would have much to discuss in the council.

This time their had been no trouble at the border. The Ferox garrison opening the gates wide and saluting as the royal cavalcade rode by. The escort that met them made sure they went without harassment by the locals and reached the capital within a few days of setting out. As the group dismounted in the castles courtyard several soldiers appeared led by a known face.

-'Still alive Lonqu? The gods have a sense of humour.'

The man smirked as he finished his salute.

- 'People have been trying these two years but somehow they keep missing. The khans await inside.'

The group moving did not stop idle tongues however as, seemingly uninterested, Robin ventured.

-'Rather than still being alive I'm more surprised at the news of your marriage... how did Panne manage that feat one wonders.'

One could not be certain due to the light but it seemed as if Lonqu blushed.

-'There were circumstances.'

Virion decided to come to the mans rescue.

- 'Must be hard, Robin, seeing Lonqu married before you managed the feat.'

-'There are circumstances.'

The man pouted as the others barely restrained their laughter. With a sigh the butt end of the merriment turned to Lonqu again.

-'Anything else you can say on why the khan wants us here?'

All trace of amusement vanished from the mans face as he sighed.

- 'Things are bad. They haven't told me anything in particular but they seem concerned, more so than they ever were with Plegia. Whatever that Valmese messenger had to say it was behind closed doors and I am not privy.'

-'Valmese messenger?'

Virion asked, the Ferox officer nodded.

-'Aye. Came a few weeks back, said she was representing the coalition resisting Walhart. And no, I was not comfortable enough in her presence to push for more information.'

Robin clicked his tongue in annoyance at that and as the group entered the great hall, none noticed the look of concern on Virions face.
Several faces rose to regard the group entering, Flavia grinning and throwing her arms wide.

- 'Welcome to Ferox cousin! I hope your journey was not to arduous.'
-'Better than last time.'

Chrom responded. As the two greeted each other Robin looked around the room, most of those there he recognized from the war and of those he did not recognize one stood out, a woman standing with her back straight, the eyes observing the new arrivals shared none of the warmth her polite smile seemed to give.

Flavia, finished with Chrom, turned to the woman.

-'Ylissans, may I present Cherche of Rosanne, wyvern knight and ambassador of the Wyvern Order, those states of Valm allied against the so called Emperor of all Valm.'

Cherche bowed to the Ylissians with a "my lords" though Robin felt she was only truly paying attention to a single person among them and looked back to notice Virion looking uneasy, he made a mental note to question the man at some point. Throughout this retainers brought in a chair from Chrom and benches for the rest, setting up another table for the foreign dignitaries. Once seated Chrom cleared his throat.

-'What word than?'
-'I'd have our guest explain that.'

Flavia answered, gesturing to Cherche who nodded, rose to her feet and turned to the Ylissians.

-'My lords, as you know I represent the Wyvern Order, that is to say those principalities of Valm that resist Walharts conquest. I am afraid I must admit we are losing the war and bring with me a request for aid.'

She raised a hand.

- 'An audacious request, I know yet as I have informed the honoured Feroxi one that you should consider seriously.'

She paused here, her smile fading for a moment and Robin was convinced her eyes flickered to Virion again before she continued.

- 'Walhart, self styled emperor of all Valm, is not a normal warmonger. In the space of the last five years he has led his principality, arguably the smallest on Valm, to war time and again and with a few exceptions has achieved victory at every turn. Though I would like to say that the Wyvern order is strong enough to challenge him prisoners say that we are seen as a secondary matter, one to be mopped up by his junior captains as he readies his armies for his next conquest.'

Cherche paused and pointed at the map on the wall, and more specifically the eastern continent of Ylisse. Chrom shook his head.

- 'Why? He's been at war for five years now he needs time pacify his domain, enforce his rule. Such a move does not strike me as something a successful commander would do.'

The woman shrugged.

- 'I do not claim to know his thoughts, I can only say what we see and have learned, much of which I believe your own agents would confirm. He is not a king seeking to expand his realm, he is a man with a mission that involves continued conquest.'

Flavia turned to Chrom.

- 'She is correct in that regard. My agents say Walhart is building up his navy, hiring corsairs, commandeering merchant vessels and spending a fortune on building new ships all while stockpiling supplies in the eastern ports he already conquered. I believe he's planning to invade and I would hope you would assist me.'

The man sighed heavily.

- 'We have only just ended a war and you would ask I join another based on assumptions and fear?'

Several turned to the Exalt, Robin already had his mouth open to say something when Chrom lifted a hand.

- 'I know what you're going to say and god help me I agree with you. We underestimated a threat once and paid heavily for it.'

Turning to Flavia he nodded.

- 'You'll have my aid.'

Several hours later and a much smaller council was gathered, going over the numbers and thoughts reached during the earlier meeting due to a single problem.

- 'Ylisse should have little problem gathering the necessary ships to transport some three thousand men across the sea in a single journey... but such transporting an army in bits does not sit well with me.'

Robin scowled at the wax tablet he was reading from, the others were in a similar mood, Flavia and Basilio in particular as though they could theoretically field a larger army for the campaign they had less ships to transport them meaning they would have to rely on their allies in that regards.

- 'Build new ships?'

Chrom ventured with a half hearted shrug of his shoulders.

- 'That would take long, longer than our enemy if the reports are to be believed.'

- 'Plegia has strong maritime traditions, they'd probably be able to transport the army in a single go.'

Robin muttered more to himself than anyone in particular as he stared at a map. Flavia shrugged.

- 'Unless they give them to us that does not help.'
- 'Perhaps they could be made to.'

Basilio offered making Chrom look up.

- 'We're talking of taking on a continental power, antagonizing a realm that already has cause to dislike us will not help.'

Before more could be said someone knocked on the chamber door and once bidden to enter a sentry walked in.

- 'With pardons Khans, lords but a messenger has arrived and claims to have important news.'
- 'What messenger? From where?'

The guard hesitated a moment before answering.

- 'Plegia.'

Filler chapter :P

Pairings always seem to cause a lot of emotion amongst fans of the game. When i first starting writing I thought to, if I got this far, simply go with the pairings I like. Later on I was bored and discovered that the characters have birthdays assigned to them and that that could be used to randomize things, a bit of a challenged as it were.

Than the story starting diverging in tone from the game to a more grim-dark representation of the FE world, more tied with our own history and i could no longer imagine it to be a world where a peasant can marry a princess leading me to adopt a different approach.

Nobles marry nobles (some of the characters have confirmed noble ancestry in their backstory, others I simply assigned to the nobility based on their starting class, ergo "knights" and cavaliers" are of the nobility for example) while peasants marry peasants while still using the somewhat random assigning. I also decided to dismiss other limitations, ergo characters that normally only Robin could s-rank are now more widely available and the two generations have more freedom in s-ranking than before, within reason.

Thanks for reading and feel free to write what you think ^^