Chapter 4: Siblings and Shepherds
'This is what the castles in Europe looked like. Neat.' I think as we walk through an outer gate. The Guards let us in without any hesitation thanks to the prince. The streets were flooded with people. Women shopping at the market, children running around playing with each other, and men coming in and out of various shops and taverns. The castle itself was not that big compared to some skyscrapers we had in America. The highest point of the castle was only 100-150 feet tall. Sully and Virion had gone ahead to the Shepard's barracks while Chrom, Lissa and Fredrick led Robin and myself towards the castle and though Ylisstol.
"So, this is Ylisstol. I've never seen so many people!" Robin pipes up, taking in the surroundings.
"That you remember." I remind her. She glares at me and I snicker.
"You two are really like siblings." Chrom says with a chuckle. Robin just huffs and turns away from me. I just give look and Chrom with a quizzical expression. He notices and just shrugs. "Calling them as I see them."
Fredrick Clears his throat. "It appears the capital was spared the chaos we encountered, thank the gods. I see no evidence of the great quake. It must have been limited to the forest."
"Well, that's a relief." Lissa said wiping a fake drip of sweet of her brow.
"Or very convenient." I add on. Lissa was about to speak up when a villager rushed by her.
"Look! The Exalt has come to see us." He said excitedly. We all scoot through the people to the street. Emmeryn was walking surrounded by Pegasus Knights and cheering people. She was the epidemy of peace. Just watching her walk by, you could tell. She was shorter than Robin but not by much. Her dark blonde hair settled in curls on her shoulders. Her Green robes with gold trim and designs in them looked fit for a ruler. Her neck piece was a bit weird with roman numerals up to ten written in an order on it. Her halo headpiece seemed fitting as she was the embodiment of peace.
"The Exalt is your ruler, yes?" Robin asks. She had her head turned like a puppy and it was really cute. Chrom also thought so as he didn't answer and just stared at her. Lissa snickers and he pops back to the real world. He notices me and blushes and turns away. I just shake my head with a smile. Fredrick answers Robin's question.
"Yes, her name is Lady Emmeryn."
"Is it safe for her to walk among commoners like this?" Robin asks him.
"The exalt is a symbol of piece. Yliesse's most prized quality." Fredrick says. I furrow my eyebrows and my lips drift into a scowl. 'What does he mean by prized quality…oh… I'm an idiot.' Yliesse now prided themselves on peace, which was good. I'm just glad they had an army to face up to a threat. Frederick started up again. "Long ago at the dawn of our age, the fell dragon tried to destroy the world. But the first exalt joined forces with the divine dragon and laid the beast low. Exalt Emmeryn reminds us all of the peace we fought for then."
"With Plegia poking at our borders, the people need her. She's a calming presence, when some might otherwise call for war." Chrom added on. Robin just nods along. I decided to keep my lips shut. I'll tell Chrom later about the border invasion.
"She's also the best big sister anyone could ask for!" Lissa piped up.
"Yes, I imagine she…" Robin's eyes widen as the realization of that statement hits her. "Wait, what? She's your… But wouldn't that make you and Chrom…"
"My dear Robin." I say throwing an arm over her shoulder, turning her towards Chrom and Lissa. "Let me introduce you to the Prince and Princess of Ylisse. Prince Chrom and Princess Lissa and their royal retainer Sir Fredrick." She was shocked, her mouth flapping like a fish out of water. Lissa was giggling and Chrom just stood there, arms crossed, with an easy smile on his face.
"But… But you said you were shepherds!" she said when she finally got her voice to work again.
"And so we are… in a manner of speaking. We just have a lot of sheep." He said with an emphasis on a lot.
"C-Chrom…I mean, Prince Chrom! Sire! Forgive my dreadful manners." Robin says as she undoes herself from my arm and curtsy's. I stand there with a smirk on my face. She stands back up. As Chrom speaks.
"Just Chrom is fine I've never been much formalities."
"The Prince and Princess huh." She ponders aloud. "Why aren't you showing them any respect then." She sternly says pointing at me. Another thing I forgot to do. Damn.
"I think almost getting stabbed by big bad Fredrick has earned me the right to not use formalities." I say with a smile.
"That explains the teasing he endures." She said pouting.
"Indeed. The sacrifices I make for the Haildom of Ylisse." He sighs out. We all let a chuckle. Chrom walked over to Robin and absent mindedly grabs her hand and leads her towards the castle. We all follow along.
"It looks like Emm is returning to the palace. Would you like to meet her?" he asks even though we were already walking that way. Robin panics again, but she is too far ahead to hear. The waving hands explain something. Fredrick rushes ahead to the castle as Lissa and I are walking behind them. I put my hands in my pockets and quietly started singing It's Time by Imagine Dragons.
"It's time to begin, isn't it? I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit. I'm just the same as I was. Now don't you understand. That I'm never changing who I am." I hum the tune as we walk through the market place. We looked like we were over half way there.
"Ohh, what song was that? I like it!" I jump. I didn't know Lissa was listening. She looked very excited and intrigued. Her hands were cusped in front of her chest, in a pleading state. I'm just glad she didn't mention my crappy singing voice.
"The song is called It's Time. It was by a band I heard last year in one of the taverns I stayed at during my travels. The song is about sticking true to yourself." I say. That's what I believe it means anyway. Lissa nods with I smile. Then she hums what she heard. I look ahead to see us walk out of the market district and in front of the castle gates. Robin and Chrom were in front of us as they were in an easygoing conversation. Fredrick was no were to be seen.
"Jordan?" Lissa calls out my name. I hummed out a response, so she knows I'm listening. "What were the lyrics again? I forgot them." She said sheepishly. I shake my head.
"It would be hard for you to remember all of the lyrics right now. I'll give them to you later." She huffs but nods in agreement. A couple knights walk by and salute her. She waves back. A couple of guards and Fredrick have already opened the doors for Chrom and Robin. They waited for us and we all walked in together. Fredrick followed us in.
We passed many guards giving Robin and myself indifferent looks. I wish I had my phone on me, it would have been easier to ignore them. We walked straight threw another pair of doors into a room that had too many windows in my humble opinion. They did make the red-carpet shine, which mad the room feel lighter. It was a nice feeling.
Phila the Pegasus Knight captain was standing by Emmeryn. She was around Robins height and had light blue hair which was weird. I'm still not used to Chrom's unnatural blue hair color. Emmeryn was sitting down in her throne until she saw us. She smiled a very calming smile and stood up. She hastily rushed over to greet us. Lissa barreled into her with a hug.
"It's good to see you Lissa, and you too Chrom. Good day Fredrick. How fared you all?" She asked us or more specifically Chrom. Her voice was very serene and pleasant. She truly did care for her people. That was clear from the way she talked. Or maybe I read too much into things. Probably the first one… I hope.
"Well, we shouldn't have any bandit problems for a while." Chrom responded scratching his shoulder.
"Wonderful! And our people?"
"Safe as they can be, Emm. But we still need to watch the borders. The brigands crossed over from Plegia." Phila, who had joined us, gasped, and bowed her head.
"Forgive me, milord. My Pegasus Knights should have intercepted them." Emmeryn just patted her lightly on the back.
"No Phila. Your place was here, with the exalt." Chrom said brushing the whole thing off. I still have to tell him about the border soon. Lissa, who had untangled herself from her sister, walked over two Robin and me as we stood quietly near the back. She looped arms with us and started pulling us forward. Robin was trying to pry herself away. I just let it happen.
"And besides we had plenty of help!" Lissa beamed tugging us along. Emmeryn turned towards us for the first time. She hid a giggle or two as she watched Robin try to get out of Lissa's grip. I just calmly pulled my arm from hers and stretched. Mainly to be an ass to Robin. When I looked over towards Robin, she just had the glare that I was getting used to seeing, but this time it was mixed with a pout. Emmeryn Giggled even more.
"You must mean the pair of siblings you have picked up?" She asked Chrom who just sighed. Robin grew defensive and tried to say something but I cut her off. Everyone already thinks that we are, might as well make it official. Siblings that is.
"That is correct milady." I say as I know Robin is shooting me looks. "MY name is Jordan. A hunter that travels here and there. And this is my older sister Robin. She recently hit her head and is suffering some memory loss. But she remembers tactics and other little things here and there. But not her dear little brother." I made that last part as a joke, feigning hurt. Chrom just look bewildered at me. Lissa just shrugged and smiled back at Emmeryn who laughed a little at my joke. Robin walked over and stomped on my foot. "Ow! What the Hell?" I say jumping back, shaking my foot out.
"That's for making me look like a fool in front of royalty." She said, obviously throwing caution to the wind, and going with it.
"You don't need me to do that." I mutter sourly.
Emmeryn had a big smile on her face now. "I'm saddened by your memory loss, but I am glad you are on our side. I would not want to be on the receiving end of that stomp." She said adding on to the joke. I just grumble quietly. Robin just smiled.
"I am very thankful towards my brother and yours as well. Chrom was the one to find me first and Jordan was checking for a doctor in the next town." She said. Emmeryn just nodded. Chrom who was going to talk to us after his war counsel thingy cleared his throat.
"They have been a great help in protecting our people. So, I have decided to make them shepherds. We will need more help with what happened in the woods." He stated. The Exalts eyes widened a little bit.
"What happened in the woods?" she asked him.
"We need to tell the counsel as well." He said shaking her off. A little rude but whatever. She nods.
"We must take our leave soon then. The counsel is meeting soon." Her expression turned sour and she closed her eyes. She then turned back towards Robin, Lissa, and myself. She opened her eyes and smiled at us. "I am very thankful for your services in helping save Ylissian lives. Ylisse owes you a great debt."
"You don't owe us anything milady." Robin says with a smile. "I am glad we saved innocent lives today."
"Maybe some free food wouldn't be that bad." I mumble under my breath only then to get smacked on the back of the head. "Ow! Again! I don't think I deserved it that time." I see Robin stare at me with a disapproving look. Emmeryn just laughed again. Lissa was almost bursting with excitement. She finally couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed Robin's hand, and mine, and started running towards the exit.
"Come on, I want to show you guys the Shepard's Barracks." She squealed. She didn't stop while we were running down the streets, accidentally running into people and knocking over a couple of baskets filled with stuff. We took a couple turns and finally we were there. I huffed to try and get my breath back as Robin sucked in air as well. Lissa didn't look that winded. I heard Robin suck in one long breath then breathed it slowly out before turning to me.
"One question. Why?" she asked me. I just straighten up and stretch my arms above my head.
"Why what?" I asked feigning ignorance.
"You know what!" She half-yelled back.
"Because it would be easier to explain to most people that we are siblings. Most people who see us think we are anyway. We do look alike and we already have a relationship like siblings, so… yeah." I shrug at the ending. "You played along with it." She pondered it, furrowing her brow, and crossing her arms. She sighed before talking.
"You have a couple points there, and honestly it would be all right to have a little brother." She said with a sheepish smile. "And we can't really go back, now can we?" I just nod with a smile.
"You two done yet or…" Lissa said. I forgot she was there.
"Yep" I said. She perked up and motioned us to follow her inside. The barracks was a bigger building, not tall wise but more in the wider. It is at least a football fields length across and it looks like that half of that depth wise. Height wise it was only two stories tall. Lissa led us through two big oak doors, and down a hallway. We passed an armory, some rooms, a supply closet (well more a supply room but whatever), a couple of practice/training rooms, and a couple of sparing rooms. The windows were mainly on the side that the door was as natural light poured in.
Lissa walked us into a wide room with multiple people there. I first laid eyes on Vaike. He was a big, muscle man but wasn't that tall, only around 5'7". The definition of muscle hamster. He had blond hair kept back by a single small black band. He had no shirt either… why? He had a long brown arm guard on his left arm and two metal bands on his right. He wore a silver shoulder pad with chains on it.
He was talking to Sumia. She was shorter than Vaike, probably 5'5". She had ash brown hair with flowed freely, besides the two strands contained by two hair pieces by her face. She had on pink and purple armor and boots that went over her knees. Her breastplate had some weird designs on her breasts. Really no words around that. She looked a little timid at the moment. Vaike was talking very loudly and animated as well.
"Here we are! The Sheperds' barracks. Go on and make yourself at home." Lissa said motioning towards the room. Robin was looking around taking everything in while I watched Maribelle rush towards Lissa.
"Lissa, my treasure! Are you all right? I've been on pins and needles!" She said very quickly. She was around Sumia's height and wore all pink minus some whit frills and a white parasol. And her brown heeled boots, forgot to mention those. She had her hair in curls that looked hard as hell to so. On each side of her head she had a large white bow. Her voice was so damn snobby. I know I won't like her. I never did like people who put others down, and arrogance. I have been called arrogant once or twice, but it was never on a Maribelle level.
"Oh, hey, Maribelle." Lissa said too casually.
"'Oh hey' yourself! I've sprouted 14 grey hairs fretting over you!" she said sternly. I must have been making a face because I got an elbow to the stomach. I turn to see Robin giving me a look. I just roll my eyes but made sure my face remained natural. Vaike walked over with Sumia as well.
"Hey, squirt! Where's Chrom? I bet he had a rough time out there without ol' Teach and his trust axe!" he said. Again, with the arrogance. I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose looking down. 'I am being too judgmental. They are probably good people, after a day or two of getting to know them.'
"Oh, so you're "teach" now, Vaike, is that. Hee hee. And here I thought that people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?" Lissa said in a sweet tone, but we all knew she was teasing him.
"Ha! Never doubt the Vaike…wait, was that an insult?" he asked. Lissa just giggled.
"Umm. Beg pardon, but when might we see the captain?" Sumia's quiet voice said. Now her, I like her.
"Poor Sumia. She's simply been beside herself with concern. Her eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training. She might have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded." Maribelle chided.
"Aw Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom." Lissa cooed.
"Worry? Well, I… He's our captain and our prince- of course I'd worry!" Sumia justified herself. Vaike was done with this conversation and look over Robin and me.
"So, who are the strangers." He asked. The other heads in the room turned to us. Robin stood her ground with a confident air around her. I gave a little wave from my arms crossed in front of me.
"No one's stranger than you Vaike… But allow me to introduce Robin and her younger brother Jordan. They just joined the shepherds. Chrom has made Robin our tactician and Jordan is super strong and has killer moves on the battlefield." Lissa excitedly introduced us. Vaike looked at us before smirking.
"Oh yeah? Well can either of you do this?" he said before letting out a big burp. Everyone cringed except for Robin and me.
"I've heard better." I say indifferently. Robin just giggled a little.
"I'm sure I have much to learn in the art of belching "Teach." But in any case, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances." She said with a friendly tone. Sumia relaxed at her words, I must have not come off as friendly, which is the side effect of being introverted unless I'm put on the spot. Maribelle looked appalled.
"Ugh, Vaike! That was Abhorrent! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery?" She scolded him. I was pissed by the time she started insulting him. I was about to open my mouth and give her a piece of my mind, but Robin stopped me. Maribelle turned towards us. "And you two! Don't encourage him! I'd hope the two of you were cut from finer cloth, Hmph!" She stomped away.
"Don't take it to heart you guys. Maribelle warms to people slowly." Sumia said trying to sooth my anger.
"Or burns too quickly." Lissa muttered under her breath.
"How the hell can you guys be friends with her? She just insulted you two." I say pointing at Vaike and Sumia. Vaike just scratches his arms, while Sumia just gave a nervous laugh.
"We aren't exactly friends. We work together and in this line of work you have to tolerate people like her or die." Sumia said. I sigh and turn my glance at Robin and Lissa. Lissa looked upset and Robin was contemplative. I heard footsteps from behind. I turn to see Chrom walking towards us. Sumia gave a little squeak. And walked a bit too fast towards him.
"Ah! Captain! You've returned! I was-I mean, we were so-" She never finishes because she falls face first on the ground, tripping over some paper left there. I try not to snicker. But I fail as Chrom shoots me a glare this time. As he speeds up to help her up.
"Sumia! Are you all right? Is it those boots of yours again?" He asks her as she accepts his hand. Once she is standing she dusts herself off.
"No! I mean, yes! I mean…" she cuts herself off and just sighs, staring at the ground. Chrom pats her on the shoulder and walks by her toward the rest of us.
"All right, listen, everyone: in the morning we will be marching to Regna Ferox." He states. Robin cocked her head again while looking at him. Chrom's only weakness so far.
"Regna Ferox?" she asks him. But as last time had proven, he became to flustered and just stammered and blushed. I had to answer for him this time. Damnit Chrom.
"Regna Ferox is a country to the north of Ylisse and Plegia. They pride themselves on having warriors." I tell her. I turn back to Chrom hoping a question can get him out of his love-struck state. "Why are we going? Shouldn't the Exalt discuss allies?"
He clears his through and looks away, scratching his arm. His tick, I'm starting to find out. "Given recent events people might worry should my sister leave the capital. So, the task has been passed on to us." He stated getting his leader vibe back. "Now this is a strictly volunteer mission. So if, for any- "
"I Volunteer!" Lissa cried out.
"Me too! You'll be needin' ol' Teach along for such a delicate mission." Vaike added on.
"I don't think you understand the word delicate. You look like the guy who would destroy the tree to get the kitten down rather than climb it. Oh and by the way I'm in." I say with a smirk.
"What are we talkin' bout kittens for?" Vaike asked, scratching his head. The metaphor went over his head.
"My brother was using a metaphor Teach. But it obviously went over your head. And I'm in as well Chrom." Robin said from beside me.
"Nothin' goes over the Vaike's head, my reflexes are too fast! I'd catch it." He said proudly. Thumping his chest. My mind went blank. 'He actually quoted Guardians of the Galaxy! Holy Shit.' Chrom was convincing Sumia to come along so he hadn't heard Vaike's speech.
"We are going to die surrounded by the biggest idiots in the kingdom." I quoted felling giddy.
"Why would we die?" Robin asked me. I just looked at her incredulously. I just sigh out a never mind and run a hand through my hair. Chrom was walking towards us now.
"I hope everything went okay meeting everyone." He said with a smile. Robin snorted and jutted me with her thumb.
"This guy here didn't get off to the best of starts with Maribelle." She said smugly. I push her hand away.
"Neither did you!" I point out. Chrom just sighed.
"Yea, sorry about her. She means well once you get to know her." He said a bit awkwardly.
"I hope you're right." I mutter. Robin just sighs. "Any way where are we staying?" I ask as I realize I am very tired. Chrom nods and starts walking. He motions us to follow.
"First floor is the girl rooms, while upstairs is the guys rooms. Robin is it okay if you share a room with Sumia?" he asks her. Robin who was looking contemplatively at him. She just nodded a response when he looked back. "Great. Jordan do you mind sharing a room with someone?" he asks.
"Probably." I say. "Who though?"
"His name is Stahl, he is very friendly and loves food. You'll hopefully get along with him." He says. 'Cool. Stahl always seemed nice.' I think to myself as we turn a corner and walk down the hallway.
"Where would the bathing rooms be?" Robin asked him. Chrom thought for a moment before responding.
"I'm not entirely sure. Ask Sumia when you get the chance. She would love to help you." He says with a smile looking back at her. 'He'll find out really soon." I think to myself before we reach a flight of stairs. Chrom stops and turns back to us. "Her room should be the next to Sully's. you can tell which one Sully's is by the broken door." He laughs out dryly. I snicker and Robin just shakes her head.
"Thank you Chrom. I really do appreciate it. I'll see you too tomorrow. Good night." She says with a smile as she walks by us. Chrom's eyes follow her. I sigh. I snap my fingers in front of his face.
"Yo! Stop eyeballing my sister." I say quietly enough so he would only get embarrassed in front of me. He blushed and focused frontwards on me. Then his blush left him as confusion settled on his face.
"Why did you say that stuff in front of Emm for? You could have told her you aren't actually siblings?" he says. We turn to walk up the stairs. I explain to him what I had said to Robin earlier and he understood. Thank Naga. We walked in silence the rest of the way till we stopped in front of a room with a wood board on the door that said Stahl. "He knows that you are coming so don't worry about that."
"Thanks, Chrom. Like She said I really do appreciate what you are doing for me. I'll pay you back by serving as one of you shepherds." I said with a smile and a hand out. He smiled as well and shook my hand.
"I'm looking forward to it. Good night friend." He said walking towards the exit with a wave of the hand.
"See yea late bird watcher." I yell after him. He turns around in confusion then caught what I meant. He quickly turned back around and rushes away. I laugh and knock on the door. A muffled one second comes from the other side.
Stahl opens the door with a smile. He was in a normal shirt… tunic? One of those and shorts. He was the average height for a male 5'10" with an average build. He had olive green hair which was weird and he wasn't bad looking at all just a little… average. Holy shit this guy was average in so many ways.
"Hi there! Names Stahl." He said extending a hand. I shook it.
"Jordan." I say. He nods and steps aside. The room was only lit by a candle on the desk by the window. There are two small trunks at the end of two small beds, one of them was open, full of clothes and other things. The room was bland. No, not bland, average.
"I know it's not much but I hope it works for you." He said still smiling. I just nod and sit on the bed with the unopened trunk. I unbuckle my belt and lay my knives down on the desk. I pull out my sword and lay it on the trunk. "Do you need anything?" he asks me, moving over to sit on the bed.
"No thank you, I'm good. But I'm also very tired and not up for talking right now if that's ok with you." Chrom was right. He was friendly and easy to get along with. He just nods.
"I understand, and yea, that's okay with me. We have a mission tomorrow any way." He says, taking off his shirt. I nod and pull of my shoes and socks. I put them in a corner and throw my shirt on top of them. I pull up the covers and get it. "Good night Jordan." He says. The light goes out in the room and I hear rustling.
"Night Stahl." I say rolling over to face the wall. My thoughts are flooded with memories. Castle visitation hours, presidential parades, joining a militia, and gaining another sibling. Long, packed, day. I sigh and roll over again facing Stahl. I close my eyes. And get flooded by more memories. This time it was of my real sisters, family. My real passions, and talents. My real friends and classes. 'I'm in a coma. So, I'm alive. Is this going to be one of those 'If you die in the game you die for real' things. I hope not. I better get better at swordplay and archery. Hopefully I can see them again.' I think of the last time I saw my sisters. Both in here and in the real world. I shed a tear or two. 'I'll get back to you girls. I promise.'
AN: Sorry for taking so long, I feel bad, but here is an extra long chapter. The people that he meets, likes and dislikes, are off of personal preference. I don't believe that I would like Maribelle and Vaike a lot. But again that's just me. I will see you guys later. Next Chapter: Risen and Shenanigans
