Robin was fortunate enough that he was just overreacting and expecting the worst about his arm. He was not confined to the medical tent but his the cut to his side still stung. The tactician made a reminder to pick up some salve in the morning along with his backup tome. Asides from his own recovery, some of the Shepards injured at the castle would be cleared for duty. And with his plans for the journey to Regna Ferox, it would give time for those wounded during today's battle to recover as well. He just hoped that Chrom would understand his intentions.
Robin walked out of the medical tent, looking around the camp as the sun started to set. While he was healed, the other Shepards made quick work of setting up camp on the other side of Breakneck Pass. The tents were pitched around a clearing with each serving a different purpose. The tactician made his way to a royal blue tent in the center of the camp. It served as a command center where Robin would meet with Chrom and Frederick to discuss tactics.
Sure enough, both were waiting for Robin as he entered the tent. They stood around a square, wooden table with maps laid across it. Chrom stared down at the maps, not even noticing the tactician walking up to the table. Frederick nodded towards Robin but otherwise made no attempt to alert his lord about his arrival. The tactician lightly tapped the wooden table with his knuckles, alerting Chrom to his presence as he raised his head to look at the tactician.
"Robin, it's good to see you're well," Chrom told him with a smile. "I thought we would have to start without you."
"Thanks. Now, are we waiting for anything before we start?" Robin asked.
"Just you," Frederick answered. "Although we have been talking about our plan for tomorrow so you should be free to leave in just a few minutes."
"I've done some thinking of my own for that as well," Robin replied. "But I am willing to listen to whatever idea you may have."
"Well, it's simple really," Chrom started, picking up a quill that rested in the ink bottle. "We'll take the main road back to the Longfort in Regna Ferox. It is the quickest path to take."
Using the quill, Chrom drew the path he wanted to take tomorrow. It was the fastest way to meet with the Khans so they could send reinforcements to aid Ylisse and Emmeryn. Yet, if the border fell, then the Plegians had full access to all of the halidom, including the main road. Robin realized that while being tended to and came up with a new plan to get the Shepards safely to Regna Ferox. It would take longer but at least Chrom and the Fire Emblem would be safe. Chrom finished drawing the path, setting the quill back in the bottle. Afterwards, he turned to look at the tactician to hear his input.
"Chrom, I agree that we need to head back to Regna Ferox, but we need to think about the big picture," Robin told him, reaching for the quill. "For all we know, the Plegians could have control of that road now."
"If they do, we'll fight our way through," Chrom argued.
"Sully and Stahl need time to recover from today and we don't need more Shepards to join them as well," Robin countered, starting to draw his path on the map. "If we travel around the coast of the lake to the north, then travel through the wilderness to the Longfort. It would take longer, of course, but asides from some brigands, we'll be safe."
"What about Emm?" Chrom asked, his voice growing. "She's waiting for the Feroxi armies to arrive at Ylisstol. If we take too long, then the Mad King will march straight for the capital. She's depending on us to stop the Plegians."
Robin sighed, setting the quill back in the ink bottle. He agreed with Chrom about wanting to help Emmeryn before Gangrel marches upon the capitol. Yet, thinking about it, it was very likely that the Plegian would hold control over Ylisstol by this time tomorrow. Robin could not tell Chrom about it yet. Right now, he needed to lead the Shepards to Regna Ferox. Being the tactician of the Shepards, it was his job to plan a safe journey there.
"Milord," Frederick interrupted. "I must agree with Robin on this matter. It is my duty to ensure that you are safe. If we take the main road back, not only is your life at stake, but we also risk the Fire Emblem falling into Plegian hands. With Robin's choice, that risk is gone."
"Perhaps you are both right," Chrom sighed in defeat. "Still, the faster we can get there, the better. Emm is waiting for us."
"And we'll get to her before the Plegians," Robin assured his friend. "I think you just need some rest, Chrom. I think we all could use some rest. Today has been a long day."
"You're right about that," Chrom agreed, closing his eyes for a moment in thought. "I trust that you two can finish up here. Do you mind if I take an early leave?"
"We won't mind at all," Robin answered, smiling. "We're almost done anyways. It'll only take another minute or two to wrap things up."
"Thank you," Chrom said, opening his eyes.
Chrom smiled briefly at his friends before turning to leave the tent. Robin watched him leave for a moment, then turned back to the maps. The tactician knew that his friend only wanted to do what was right and he respected him for that. Yet, he had to understand that both Chrom and Lissa would be affected by Emmeryn heading back to Ylisstol. All of the Shepards would be affected by it as far as Robin knew. He could not worry about that for now. He needed to focus on getting the Shepards safely to Regna Ferox.
"Do you have anything else to say about the plan?" Robin asked Frederick.
"If I recall, with this path, we may encounter a town somewhere in the wilderness," Frederick thought aloud. "I'll admit that my memory may not the best about if it is there. I still thought it would be best you knew about it."
"If we do find this town, it would make for a good resting point," Robin noted. "Thank you for telling me about this."
"Of course," Frederick said. "Is there anything else you need before we finish this meeting?"
"Actually, now that I remember, we do have a new member with the Shepards now, right?" Robin asked, curious.
"We do," Frederick answered. "Cordelia is one of the more younger Pegasus Knights. Yet, from what I saw of her, she is very gifted. She will make for a great addition to the Shepards."
"Indeed she will," Robin agreed. "I saw what she was capable of during the battle today. We are lucky to have her."
"Indeed we are, but I am not sure if she's ready to fight again," Frederick told him. "Her fellow Pegasus Knights sacrificed their lives to have her escape. That must weigh heavily on her shoulders."
"I didn't even think about that," Robin muttered lowly. "That is all. I'll get going to my tent then. Can you tell the rest of the Shepards of our plan in the morning?"
"Of course," Frederick answered.
With a nod, Robin turned and left the tent. Night had just fallen with torches now lit around the camp. The tactician made his way to his tent, briefly thinking about the Shepard's new recruit. From what he saw today, he knew that Cordelia was very talented and skilled. She was cleared from the medical tent before him, so he knew that she was recovering from the battle. Yet, the tactician had to wonder if the Pegasus Knight was doing emotionally. Robin could not even bear the thought of losing a single Shepard which was why he strived to create new tactics to ensure that there would be not a single casualty. He needed to check on how Cordelia was handling the loss of her comrades. He would be sure to talk to her in the morning so he does not disturb her rest tonight.
Robin approached his tent, the dark color of it making it nearly concealed in the night. He opened the flap of the tent, stepping in to look inside. A small, wooden desk accompanied by a chair had been set up in one corner, a single candle lit on the desk. Documents were laid out on it but the tactician was too exhausted to read up on reports for now. In the center of the tent was his bedroll, which was already rolled out thanks to whoever set up his tent to begin with. He walked over to the desk and blew out the candle. Afterwards, he took off his robes and placed it carefully on the back of the chair. Robin collapsed on his bedroll, closing his eyes. It only took a few minutes for the tactician to fall asleep, moving on from the events that took place today.
A/N: Hey everyone. So, we have a bit of a short chapter here compared to the first chapter, and I do apologize for that. I wrote two drafts for this chapter before I wrote this. Although the previous two drafts were longer, the events that took place in them rushed the story a bit. I'm the kind of writer to takes his time with the story, especially when writing with canon characters. The good news is that some of the events that took place in the previous drafts will be in the next two chapters, so I shouldn't have to worry about that problem for now. Plus, they'll be longer than this!
Also, I would like to say how surprised I was when I posted the first chapter about a month ago. Already I had people following it and even writing reviews. Seeing all the support only inspired me to write harder to continue the story. Originally, the schedule for posting chapters was going to be every other Monday after submitting the second chapter. Yet, I'm changing that now to every Monday, even though I am still trying to get use to writing something completely different than what I am use to. So, again, thank you.
Until next time.