The drum beat sounded loud and clear, heard all over the hamlet. Despite it one could just as easily hear the booming voice of the one responsible for the commotion.
- 'Ain't had no dinner? A crime I say as would any man that serves in our company! No man who shall come with me will ever want for dinner!'
As many others Donnel moved to the commotion, it being the most exciting thing to have happened bar the Plegian raid that burned the hamlet and killed so many. The speaker was a soldier, resplendent in gleaming armour and a bright surcoat as were those with him. Even as he took the spectacle in the soldier continued to speak in his booming voice.
- Aye! For once a man enlists, once this coin is taken!'
A glittering silver penny appeared in the man's hand, resting comfortably between his fingers he lifted high for all to see.
- 'A contract is formed between you and me! His lordship and thee! "No sour ale nor empty bellies for those who follow me!" So said his lordship to me and so I say to thee!'
Donnel heard his stomach rumble at the thought and looking around it seemed that many had similar reactions. The soldier pulled his helmet off as he bellowed.
- 'Who wishes to see the air glitter?'
As he spoke he let coins fall from between his fingers into the helmet and a loud murmur rose from the crowd at the sight. Grinning the soldier put the helmet back on his head.
- 'Five ducats lads for a years work! And this be just the pay, not a word of the rewards that go to bright young lads and excellent soldiers! Nor the booty one can claim in foreign lands!'
The excitement was almost palpable now as many an excited conversation broke out at the though of the wealth. Donnel himself could not help but think off how far that money would go to helping his family; especially now his father was dead.
The reaction was exactly what the soldier expected and had seen many times over his career. Thus he decided it was time to finish up and start pulling in individual cases.
- 'But it ill behoves one to stand in the sun bellowing! Much better to sit inside and talk civilized o'er a pint! So if ye 'ave questions catch me in the tavern and ask them there!'
So declared he marched off, the other soldiers following as did a number of those who had been listening. Donnel looked around for a moment as he hesitated before mentally shrugging, it wouldn't hurt to hear the man further over a pint, would it?
Almost as if to spite Robin and prove him paranoid in his insistence the journey be made in military fashion with ample retainers and arms with everyone to be wary of the local populace the journey was peaceful with no incidents at all. That being said there was also nothing in the way of friendliness either, the population avoiding contact with the foreigners and the escort that met the group rode separate, engaging in no more interaction than was necessary to fulfil their duty.
The castle the meeting would take place in was several hours inland from the western coast, the sea vanishing behind the horizon long before they saw the walls, rising from the hill it sat on, its presence a visual reminder of royal authority to any and all in the vicinity. Once past the series of gates they rode into a courtyard where a eunuch bade them welcome in the name of his master, inviting them to rest from the road.
Thus they found themselves in a richly decorated and well ventilated room, the heat of the day pleasantly diminished with a generous table of wine, cold cuts and sweetmeats prepared for them. Suspicious looks and muttered doubts were swept aside when Chrom poured himself a cupful and drank deeply.
-'If they had wanted my death, they would have done so directly.'
With that the remainder of the group took to the table bar Robin who sat at the window seat, scowling as he glared into the barely visible sea. It lasted no more than a few moments before the doors opened, silver masked retainers bowing low to the group of Plegian officials entering. The Ylissian and Feroxi stood, heads tilting in greeting.
-'Your grace, my lords. May I present his grace King Validar of Plegia.'
The one speaking most recognized as Aversa, the women who had worked alongside the late Gangrel and now obviously had wormed her way into the employ of the next king. As she spoke she bowed and stepped aside to an impressive figure that spoke after tilting his head.
-'Honoured guests, welcome to Plegia. It is with the deepest regret that I do so only after so much blood has been spilt but I hope that this is but the first step towards our reconciliation.'
His voice was smooth but there was a harsh undercurrent to it, like oil flowing over gravel Robin thought. Validar, Robin noted, had unhealthily grey skin and eyes that seemed to pierce to your soul. When one also took into consideration his height and the muscles like steel cables visible from the loose robes he wore he was altogether a regal figure, in an intimidating manner. Casting a brief glance towards Chrom Robin could not help the thought that this Validar seemed more a king than his own lord before quickly quashing it. For his part Chrom noted something familiar in the Plegians features to a man he had seen elsewhere but couldn't place it and instead concentrated on politics.
-'The honour is ours. I likewise hope that this will be but a prelude to proper relations between our states.'
Validars eyes had already shifted, ranging across the foreign dignitaries before resting on Robin.
-'You are sir Robin, are you not?'
-'Your grace knows of me?'
Robin offered cautiously as eyes moved to him. The Plegian monarch smiled not unkindly.
-'How would one not? A stirring tale of a penniless mercenary entering the service of house Ylisse in time to turn the fortunes of war in it's favour and rising to be lord Constable? There is no house in Plegia that does not have cause to take note of the name on visiting their recently departed.'
The smile was still in place, the voice was as smooth and a silence fell as the two sides eyed each other, broken by Aversa's calm voice.
-'Valm is a threat to us all; we can see this to be a fact. Despite our recent differences Plegia would make common cause with you. As my king has pointed out our military potential has suffered a blow so we can offer little, less than a thousand horsemen I'm afraid, though we can help in other ways.'
She paused, a retainer passing forward a clay tablet that she opened, scanning the scribbles with a practiced eye before turning her attention back to the foreigners.
-'We can offer a hundred ships immediately, twenty fitted for war and the rest suitable for transport duties. Though our merchants will not be happy surrendering their ships we may offer nearly eight hundred more should it be necessary.'
The Ylissians and Feroxi exchanged looks at the offers generosity, Aversa continuing as if she had not noticed.
-'We will of course pay to outfit them with crew and supplies as well as supplying the upkeep for several years of war.'
Even Robin had lost his scowl as the offers generosity hit him. Basilio shook his head.
- 'A very generous offer.'
-'We have ample reason to be.'
Validar spoke.
-'Should Valm launch it's invasion, and our spies inform us that is a possibility to be taken seriously, than we stand to suffer as much as anyone else. It is in our best interest the threat be stopped away from our shores.'
As the diplomatic talk continue Robin stroked his beard as his mind went over the numbers, all of a sudden the campaign was looking less desperate. True he did not like the thought of being so dependent on former enemies for naval supremacy and finances and as he considered means to somehow minimize the threat of this he felt as if something was running up his spine, a sensation he knew meant he was being watched.
Looking up he noted a figure he had not noticed before, tall, broad and completely covered in heavy robes of black, purple and gold the hood casting a deep shadow from which nothing of the face could be seen.
-'Is my lord curious about our lord hierophant?'
Robin looked to the side, surprised at how Aversa had somehow managed to sneak up on him, almost whispering to his ear. Leaning in closer than he would like the woman continued speaking, a pleasant smile on her lips.
- 'Not surprising, the hierophants support played a great role in ensuring our lord Validar succeeded Gangrel as king. I feel that the two of you would have much in common.'
-'I see. Perhaps one day we will have the chance to see if it is so.'
Robin offered diplomatically. Aversa's smile seemed to deepen as she leaned back.
-'Yes. Perhaps we will.'
The details were hammered out quickly and it was not long before the Ylissian and Ferox delegation left the castle. They had hoped to reach the sea before nightfall but were confounded when one of the horses threw a shoe, forcing the whole group to slow and the sun had started to disappear behind the horizon when they finally reached the ships.
Having dismounted rations of hardtack, jerky and watered down wine were issued, mouth full Chrom looked up as Robin sat down with an annoyed growl. Swallowing he queried.
-'Something wrong?'
Robin took a swig of the wine before replying.
-'Apart from the fact that we've to deal with a Plegian escort that is the first of the men to be assigned to the Valm campaign? The captain has informed me that taking into account the need to load the horses we'll have to spend the night here before the tide is good for our purpose.'
He paused to pull another swig from the skin, the food lying untouched. Frederick frowned at this but opted not to say anything, Robin finished his drink and started talking again.
-'I'll get the orders out, get a perimeter for the camp set up and make sure that they.' - he paused to indicate the Plegians sitting separate, - 'Don't get too close.'
He stood, wineskin in hand, and made to leave when Chrom interrupted him.
-'Robin, the Plegians are our allies now. You don't have to be that suspicious of them.'
The man muttered something sounding like agreement as he made to move but was stopped again.
-'Robin.'
He looked at Chrom with an eyebrow raised; the Exalt tilted his head to the food.
-'Make sure you eat something.'
A look of confusion spread across Robins face before he picked up the food and marched off, shoving it into his mouth. Basilio looked at his retreating form, shaking his head slowly.
- 'Is he always like that?'
-'No. He's usually worse.'
Chrom said with a grin.
Bodies littered the ground, twisted in positions possible only to the dead. The air was heavy with the copper tang of spilt blood, the stench of voided bowls and, perhaps the foulest of them all, magic.
-'I must say son, I am disappointed.'
Pain, why was he in so much pain? Oh yes, he had been hit. His form still smoked from the energy released, his armour twisted by the strength of the blast and his blood was slowly spreading across the floor. Move, his mind shouted. Move!
-'Why must all my children disappoint me? Perhaps the grandchildren will be less so inclined?'
It was as if ice water flooded his veins, making him gasp in agony but slowly he felt he could move his limbs and the blood stopped flowing. With a hiss he dragged himself to his feet, shifting into a combat stance. Validar, strong and healthy, observed this with seeming indifference before slowly a smile spread across his face.
He woke with a start, looking round in a panic before he remembered where he was. He was on the Plegian coast, waiting for the right combination of tide and wind that would allow them to make sail for Ferox. It was still late night, or perhaps early morning and all around him he could hear the level breathing of those asleep, only those closest to him shifted in their sleep, probably disturbed by his awakening.
Robin sighed and reached for the skin, the drink soothed his dry throat. He thought to go back to sleep but realized he was much too awake for that. Pushing aside his sleeping rug he got to his feet, the armour he insisted everyone wore clinking softly as he did. Strapping on his sword belt he made his way cautiously through the sleeping and walked the perimeter, checking the sentries and was pleased to see them all awake, challenging him as he approached that is until he reached the Plegian camp and the nearest sentry failed to take note of him until Robin kicked him.
-'Don't sleep or next time I'll bash your skull in.'
He growled as the Plegian yelped, jumping a foot in the air as a nearby raven flew off, squawking loudly. The Plegian, a spindly youth with surprisingly pale skin and hair, his face seemed to be perpetually smiling, rubbed his bum and looked at the man with a hurt expression.
-'I wasn't asleep, I was getting a report from the raven.'
Robin had been ready to continue his tour but stopped now, turning to the youth, his fists clenching.
- 'What?'
-'Getting a report from the raven. It's not weird, I talk with all animals.'
As Robin wondered whether to punch the youth, whom he now considered to be an idiot, said youth continued to talk.
-'He was pointing out something important you know, something I should have noticed before.'
He paused and waved a hand at the surrounding landscape.
-'I mean, just listen to that.'
Despite himself Robin did just that. He heard the waves, the faint whistle of wind in the grass and the sounds of a sleeping camp.
-'Nothing.'
He summarized, turning to glare at the youth who still had his grin in place.
-'Exactly! Nyaha. You're good your lordship, most wouldn't have noticed.'
Robin sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
-'What?'
The Plegian looked to the woods.
-'It's quiet but it shouldn't be, it never is at this hour. The night animals should be making a decent racket and yet it's silent as a morgue only without the blood so worse.'
Robin was not fully listening to the youth as he focused on the surroundings and had to agree, it was too quiet. He felt something twist in his gut and he turned on the youth.
-'Sound the alarm! Battle positions!'
Turning on his heels he ran for the camp bellowing.
-'Alarm! Stand to! Alarm!'
Men rose, some already alert while others looked about in confusion and Robin was already at his bedroll, putting on his bascinet before sliding his arm into his shield.
-'Robin? What's going on?'
Chrom asked, Falchion in his hand though still sheathed, the Exalt looking around in the confusion of a man woken abruptly from their sleep. Robin picked up his mace as he replied.
-'Something out there has spooked the nightlife into silence. It might be nothing but it could be...'
He paused and looked to the darkness as did most everybody in the camp because despite the sudden commotion one could hear a new sound, quiet but gradually sounding louder, the rhythmic thud of something hitting the earth, the faint creak of leather and jingly of metal and suddenly the veterans knew what they heard; an army on the move.
Suddenly the camp was alive with movement as men pulled on helmets, picked up their arms and formed ranks, peering into the darkness.
- 'Get the horses saddled!'
-'Archers! Make ready!'
The household archers stringed the bows and nocked arrows on string and looked for a target. Slowly the dark around them seemed to grow darker still and individual shapes grew into focus.
-'Should we maybe fall back to the boats?'
Rickets voice sounded from somewhere nearby.
-'If they strike us while doing that it would end in a massacre.'
Fredericks calm voice sounded nearby.
Their attackers grew more recognizable still. The marched in perfect formation, not a step out of line and in their faces gleamed masks made of white metal hammered to resemble human faces coming at them in perfect unison. At first Robin thought them to be the temple warriors of the Grimleal, meaning treachery on the Plegians part and turned towards the Plegian camp only to see deathly pale faces of terrified men forming up for combat and he turned back to the incoming army and with a start realized what they were.
A sound like a thousand tormented souls wailed and groaned from the mass, reaching the assembling soldiers over the sound of their feet hitting the earth in perfect harmony while from behind the masks where one might expect the eyes to be a red light glowed faintly.
-'Risen!'
Came the call, panic tingeing the voice and the lines wavered at the name.
-'Stand to! Hold formation!'
Chrom's voice cut through the din before being picked up by others and the ranks settled.
-'Archers! Loose!'
Robin barked and the air was filled with the crack of bow staves snapping forward, propelling their missiles into the onrushing columns, many shapes staggered but none fell, merely carried on as if the missiles jutting from their forms were of less concern than a summer drizzle. Another volley slammed into their ranks and here and there a shape collapsed as whatever unholy power held them together vanished but still they came till there was nothing else to do.
-'Prepare for close quarters!'
Came the barked order, repeated down the lines that moved as men changed positions with practiced efficiency.
The Risen threw themselves at the men with their characteristic disdain for self preservation, many running straight onto waiting spear points, dragging the weapons down with their weight, opening the way for those behind them while dragging themselves closer to the living.
Chrom lashed out, tearing through the neck of one of the Risen, sending the silver visored helmet sailing through the air, slamming into another risen with enough force to knock it off balance but the decapitated risen merely turned on the Exalt and lashed out with it's own blade, scoring a scratch across Chroms armour. A man at arms used the opening and struck it with his poleaxe, splitting in nearly in two before the risen collapsed on itself, whatever magic holding it together disappearing in a foul smelling mist.
All along the line Risen collapsed as their physical form could not be sustained under the strain of injuries suffered but likewise men collapsed, knocked to the ground under the savage blows, bones sometimes breaking even if the armour held. Men gave ground under the furious assault only for the risen to push on, heedless of the danger they put themselves in suffering injuries that would cripple the living and kept pushing forward and with a start Chrom realized that if this continued they'd be overwhelmed.
Breaking from the fight he looked around before finding what he was looking for. Robin was at the rear, pulling together a force for some plan he was plotting. Satisfied he turned his attention back to the fight, nimbly stepping into an opening and stabbing where a man's neck would be, as expected the risen seemed unperturbed by the mortal injury and more surprised by the sudden obstruction. The man at arms the risen had meant to attack used that moment to lash out, nearly cleaving the thing in two, it's armour collapsed with a distant wail before the blade passed fully.
No time to pause as another risen pushed forward with hiss and it was all Chrom could do to stop the enemies blow before it struck his helmeted head. Shifting his stance he led the risens weapon slide off his own and struck, driving the pommel into his opponents face plate, sending the creature a staggered step back, before shifting his grip and lashing out, neatly driving the edge through its arm sending the limb to the ground.
-'When I give the word we wheel around, hitting them from the flank.'
A muttered chorus of agreement reached Robin as he addressed the men at arms near him. He had dragged together as many horses as possible to form a mounted unit and now looked to alter the fight going on.
- 'Virion I'm counting on you to feed in reinforcements as needed.'
-'Leave it to me.'
The man answered with a grin that belied the situation they were in, leaving Robin to consider the exiled duke and what sort of thought process a man like that could have before he shrugged such useless thoughts aside. Turning to the men around him he saw them all looking at him. With a nod he raised his hand and swept it down.
-'With me.'
He kicked back his heels as they wheeled around the fight with the aim of getting behind the risen. A human opponent would have noticed the manoeuvre and taken action, that being said a human opponent would not have committed their entire force to the first assault, keeping part as a reserve to guard against such a possibility.
The risen were not human and so the charge hit them hard, throwing broken forms to the ground and weapons rose and fell, causing further damage. Before the risen could react Robin blew an order on his whistle and the formation wheeled round, riding away from their enemy that stood as if confused by the sudden development. The sudden lull was used by the living on foot to press their attack, sending many risen to the ground before they turned their attention back only for those mounted to drive home another charge.
And here something happened that made Robin look on in stunned silence for the risen, mindless creatures that seemed intent on nothing more than throwing themselves at their enemies until one of them fell, broke ranks and ran. It was only when he heard the living give out a roar and pursue their enemy did he turn back to matters and barked out an order.
- 'Hold! Hold!'
The horsemen reined in and the closest infantry likewise slowed but those further kept running, cutting down those risen they caught up with. With a curse Robin looked around and picked out the senior most of those on foot, Stahl as it turned out, to bark orders.
- 'Get a line organized in case we need it.'
That done he ordered the riders to follow him and walked after those pursuing the risen, peering into the darkness of the trees from which the danger might come.
With a hiss the risen collapsed on itself leaving Chrom free to look around for another target only to find none. The Ylissians around him stood breathing heavily as the battle lust slowly faded their veins. On hearing hoof beats he looked up to see a group of riders approaching with what he could only assume to be Robin at their head, soon confirmed as the man dismounted and, throwing the reins to another, approached the Exalt, his face hidden under mail. Chrom wiped Falchion clean as he addressed him.
- 'Victory. Another one for the books.'
Robin nodded curtly.
- 'There might be more. We should pull back to the boats just in case.'
It was only at that point that Chrom noticed just how far they had run from where they had started and how close they were to the trees.
- 'You're right.'
He agreed. Robin nodded and turned.
- 'You can take my horse. I'll organise the rearguard.'
Chrom nodded as he followed, the soldiers around them already moving back into some sort of formation and somehow they failed to notice that amidst the armour littering the ground one moved, lurching to it's feet and launching itself at the Exalts back.
- 'Father!'
Chrom stopped at that, turning at the sound of feet moving quickly and barely turned the blade meant for him. The risen continued, arm lashing out for his neck only to stop short, shudder, and drop a shapeless mass of armour.
For a moment Chrom saw a familiar shape, one that he had not seen in a while before he felt someone pull at him and Robin all but threw him back into the relative safety of the Ylissians nearby.
- 'Protect the Exalt!'
He barked as he did, swinging up his mace to a guard position as Ylissians lowered their polearms, points aimed for the newcomer's chest.
- 'Lucina!'
- 'Watch out!'
Shapes appeared within the forests gloom and the Ylissians shifted to cover the new threat but before anything more could happen Chrom bellowed in his most commanding voice.
- 'Enough! Stand down!'
A silence fell as all eyes turned to him and no one spoke as he forced his way to the front and stood directly in front of the stranger.
- 'It's been a while, Marth.'
The girl said nothing and looked away so Chrom continued.
- 'Once too many. This time I want answers as to why you keep showing up.'
She looked back to the Exalt and those behind him before answering.
- 'Yes but… could we do it elsewhere? In private?'
- 'Of course.'
The exalt answered, lifting a hand to silence Robin who had already opened his mouth to protest.
- 'Stay here Robin. Get things organised.'
That said he followed Marth, leaving many eyes looking after them in silence.
- 'I do not know where to begin.'
She said, looking across the riverbed and the forest beyond.
- 'The beginning is usually a good place.'
Chrom answered.
- 'Though I suppose we can start with who you are. We know Marth is not your name and just now you called out "father".'
She stiffened at that but said nothing for a few moments before, after a heavy sigh she turned to him.
- 'This may be strange but please look at my face, my eyes. The left in particular.'
Chrom frowned at that as she made her way to him, stopping close by and looked into his eyes with determination and what could only be fear. Confused now Chrom did as she asked and when he saw it he could not help gasping in shock.
- 'The brand! But only… you would…'
He stopped, breathed deeply and asked.
- 'What is your name?'
The answer was little more than a whisper.
- 'Lucina.'
Chrom felt as if he had been punched. Lucina, just as his daughter? A coincidence? It had to be yet he had already established this girls appearances at such points of his life was no coincidence meaning… no. She could not be, Lucina was just over a years old. Chrom looked into the girls face again and for the first time saw it.
His black hair, the same as his mother, Maribelle's jaw line, Lissa's nose and, though he loathed to admit it, his fathers eyes… The way she held herself, so like the manner he was taught to do so and the blade at her side, the twin of his falchion in every way he looked at it.
During all this Lucina had lowered her eyes so he gripped her chin and gently lifted her face up to see tears welling in her eyes and somehow he knew the truth.
- 'You've been fighting a long time. For what it's worth, I'm sorry.'
He found himself muttering. The tears flowed freely at that and Lucina threw herself at Chrom, arms gripping him tightly and face burying deep into his chest with a single word.
- 'Father!'
After which she said nothing more but weep. Chrom hesitated for a moment before awkwardly wrapping his own arms around her, rocking her gently, the tune he would hum for his Lucina popping to his mind and so he hummed as they stood.
Deep within the darkest sanctuary of the Grimleal temple the darkness seemed to grow deeper, shifting and gathering till it formed the shape of a man, standing out as a pit of purest black within the dark.
A human would call the attack against the Ylissians wasteful, maybe frivolous. He, however, had long transcended such notions. It served a purpose and now armed with new knowledge thoughts formed and plots were weaved.
- 'Have you calmed down a bit?'
With a sniff Lucina nodded as she took a step back, rubbing her eyes with her hands.
- 'I'm sorry.'
-Don't be. You've been through a lot so I suspect you've been wanting to that for a while now.'
The tips of Lucina's mouth twitched upward.
- 'Since I first saw you two years ago father.'
Chrom stiffened and the smile disappeared from her face as she realized what she said.
- 'I'm sorry! I didn't mean to...'
Chrom raised his hand to stave off any more words.'
- 'Don't be. I mean it is strange to be called that but...'
He paused, his cheeks going red as he looked for the words.
- 'I suppose it feels nice.'
Lucina smiled fully at that and a silence fell broken a few moments later.
- 'I see.'
The two jumped as if burned, turning to see Robin emerge from the forests gloom followed by a handful of his men to whom he turned.
- 'Not a word of this to anyone or it's you tongues gone. Understood?'
The retainers nodded their understanding and Robin moved closer to the Exalt.
- 'It's fortunate your wife is busy in Ylisstol caring for your children Chrom, I doubt she'd take to kindly to this.'
- 'What are you...'
Robin raised a hand to cut him off.
- 'I don't particularly care how faithful you are to your wife. I just ask you avoid doing so in public as you father in law is amongst your most important allies.'
Both Chrom and Lucina's mouths dropped wide open as they spoke in almost perfect unison.
- 'We're not like that!'
Robin shook his head and turned around.
- 'I don't care but as you constable, your grace, I must point out this is a poor place for such activities what with the recent attack.'
- 'She's my daughter!'
That made Robin not only stop but also wheel around.
- 'Think of a better lie Chrom. She's too old to be your bastard. She could be mine but not yours.'
- 'Sir Robin, please let me explain...'
Lucina asked and to his credit Robin stood silently as she did and only when she finished did he speak, his gaze falling on Chrom.
-'And you believe her? Just like that?'
- 'Something happened that night, something not normal. Besides it just feels... right. For the lack of a better term. It makes sense.'
- 'No Chrom, it does not. What makes sense is the thought that one of your ancestors produced a bastard that created a line the result of which we see here, probably trying to worm her way into the royal family.'
Lucina shook her head.
- 'It's true. It sounds ridiculous but it is. My comrades are also from that timeline.'
- 'How convenient.'
Robin snorted at which Chrom had had enough.
- 'Robin, it doesn't make sense I will grant you that. However I believe her.'
A silence fell as they trio stared at each other before Robin threw up his hands.
- 'Fine. As you will it your grace. May I suggest you get back to camp?'
Chrom nodded to which Robin tilted his head, placing a hand to his chest before turning around and striding off. Chrom shook his head as he sighed.
- 'Believe it or not he's usually worse.'
He muttered before a thought came to him.
- 'Is Brady here? Owain?'
Lucina smiled.
- 'Probably fretting about how long we've been gone.'
Chrom grinned.
- 'This is... weird. I want to talk to them.'
- 'They've been wanting to talk to you as well.'
Lucina's cheeks turned red as she smiled shyly.
- 'Father.'