Robin and Morgan - Steigerschlacht


Day 210, before dawn


Robin awoke to a horrible sound, as if a hundred bells were ringing inside his head at once. Jolting upright, he expected to see the camp in flames, or perhaps an ambush in full swing. Instead, he was met with nothing but Morgan's mischievous smirk as she held a wind tome precariously above his head. Still startled, he looked around, much to his immediate confusion. Everything was dark and peaceful, aside from the ringing which hadn't bothered to cease.

"W-what in the hell? Oh. Morgan... do I dare ask?" the older tactician grumbled, rolling out of bed as he swatted Morgan and her book away.

"Did you know that manipulating the air at a rapid oscillation can produce shrill tones at specific distances?" she inquired, closing her tome. As soon as she did so, the infernal noise stopped.

"You're toying with Miriel's alarm spell now?" Robin asked, his curiosity piquing despite the early hour. His daughter merely bowed and flashed a knowing smile.

"I know you're trying to experiment with her research, designing some sort of long-range siren for our sentries. But it's also really effective for waking up sleepy tacticians from their lovely dreams! A bunch of books can't be as cumbersome as those morning wake up bells we have, after all."

Despite her sadistic intents, Morgan did have something going on, Robin admitted.

"If you can find a way to control that shrill noise for a gentler wake up, I'll see to it that we take you up on that offer."

"R-really? Oh, wow..." Morgan trailed off, hiding her face from Robin.

"What?"

"You considered it. That's..." Even behind her hands, Robin could spot an earnest smile and shining eyes.

"Is that so hard to believe?" he asked, feeling under his bunk for his boots.

"I... didn't think you'd take my work seriously and-"

"And why not?" Robin asked, craning his head at his daughter.

"W-well, you and Mom and the others are all resourceful and smart and experienced..." Morgan trailed off again, her inferiority complex casting a visible shadow across her face.

"So?"

"Well, I just thought that because I was young and er... inexperienced that I couldn't contribute to our cause. At least, not at the level of everyone else."

"Perhaps," Robin supposed, strapping on his boots as he gestured for Morgan to sit next to him on his bed. "That doesn't mean we can't value your opinions or insight when you offer it. Not to mention you're wrong about that."

"B-but I'm just a girl! I haven't fought in a campaign like you or Exalt Chrom, and I haven't studied warfare as much as Mom or her siblings. "

"So you think you're not cut out to be among our ragtag group?"

"No... not really."

"You know, Sumia wanted to raise Pegasi and horses after the war. She was well on her way, if not for our local Valmese threat."

"S-so?"

"Princess Camilla wants to run an orphanage so that she can provide children with the love she never received. Once this is all over, I plan on making a visit to her estblishment. I'd like to see her do something she's always wanted to do."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because most of us aren't soldiers, despite our obvious aptitude for battle. You shouldn't look at us like we're some elite group of warriors who shun the thought of others lesser than us. In reality, Morgan, you fit like a glove."

"D-do you think so?" Morgan asked, smiling faintly.

"Of course. But you're my daughter, first and foremost. No matter what path we take, I'll always listen to what you have to say. "

"Hehe," Morgan giggled, resting her head on her father's shoulder. "Thanks, Dad."


Opening up the mess tent, Robin was greeted with a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Exalt, happily chowing down on his breakfast.

"You're up early," Robin greeted in a genuinely surprised tone, patting his best friend on the shoulder as he went past, grabbing a plate of breakfast before circling back.

"Well, next time you leave the camp idle on their ass for a week while we wait for your boo-boos to heal, you should keep in mind that most of us are gonna be pretty jumpy once it's go-time again."

Chrom made room for Robin at his breakfast table, nodding as Morgan also joined them.

"He has a point," the younger tactician added, taking a sip from her glass. "I haven't been here long, and even I can see that we're all ready to go."

"Well, I'm glad to hear it," Robin chuckled, resting his elbows on the table. "I guess I shan't disappoint you. Which reminds me... I'll be briefing the camp before we set off, so spread the word, yeah?"

"It's common knowledge by now, my tactical friend. Your better-looking counterpart already warned the camp. Ever the bearer of joyful tidings, that Corrin. 'At sunrise,' she says, Commander Robin and I will brief the camp on our impending operation.'"

"Sunrise it is, then," Robin declared, taking a bite from his plate. "Speaking of... Morgan, where's Corrin anyway?"

The girl paused mid-bite, pointing towards Corrin's tent in a casual manner.

"Funny you ask. She was initially my target for the alarm spell, and then well... She shifted partially, shoving me out with her wings as soon as I opened the wind tome on her. Azura and Felicia joined in, weapons in hand, and needless to say, I made myself scarce and found myself waking you up instead."

"Yep. Definitely some revisions to make on that spell before we consider using it," Robin advised.

The tent door opened, but Robin was too indulged in his breakfast to turn.

"Don't tell me you were the one who tasked our innocent daughter into heralding this morning's excitement," a voice behind the tactician sounded, and a strong grip on his shoulders made him shudder in surprise. "I'm asking for a friend," Corrin added with an audible smirk.

"Hey Mom!" Morgan yipped, but the grip on Robin's shoulders only tightened.

"G-good morning Corrin," Robin attempted, trying not to look Chrom in the eye lest he burst out laughing. "And no, Morgan was just feeling creative this morning. I was victim to the same wake-up as you."

"Is that so? I certainly hope you're not lying, you schemer," the princess laughed. "So, what do you think of it?"

"Hmm?"

"I think it, it being Morgan's new spell, has potential; We just need to find the right place for us to use it," Corrin hummed.

"Dad says if I could find a way tone the volume down, we could use it to wake up the soldiers instead of the bell system we currently use," Morgan suggested. "Of course, the sentries could blare the thing full blast so they don't have to run to said bells."

"She's onto something," Robin declared with confidence. "You should be proud of our little tactician."

"Meanwhile, our little dragon prince slept right through it," Corrin groaned, rising to pick up a plate of food. "I haven't the slightest idea how."

"Kana?"

"He didn't even stir. Meanwhile, Azura and Felicia were up in arms in an instant. He should be awake by now, but..."

"Let him have his rest," Robin advised. "This march is going to be rough on the boy. I was thinking of letting him ride one of the horses for now. He can't be that heavy."

"He's... not going to fight, is he?" Chrom asked. Robin looked to Corrin, a frown evident across his face.

"He's a half-dragon, same as me, maybe even stronger," Corrin offered. "He can, theoretically, handle himself, as unethical as it sounds. But, as it stands, he'll be in the rear, along with Morgan and the other children."

"B-but-" the aforementioned tactician started.

"Not this time," Robin insisted, cutting Morgan off. "Maybe on a patrol or a relief operation, I would allow you to join us in the vanguard. But this is an enemy fortress. What you may encounter today is way too unpredictable for you, Kana and the others."

"But Lucina-"

"...Is older than you, Morgan. Old enough and experienced enough to handle herself up there."

"You'll need all the help you can get."

"You'll help the most assisting the healers and the resupply team," Robin repeated gently. "You'll help both of us by promising that you and Kana stay safe. Don't try to argue on this one."

"But," the young tactician started...

Reluctantly, Morgan nodded, her emotions surprisingly in check.

"Okay," she relented, crestfallen.

"Thank you," Robin sighed, hugging his daughter again. "I promise you'll get your chance to prove yourself, but it is not gonna be here."

"I understand, Dad. But you better win this one or else I'm coming in there to bail you out!"

With that, the young girl got up and took an extra plate with her, presumably to bring breakfast to her brother.

"..."

"Nicely handled," Chrom congratulated, genuinely impressed at Robin's aptitude for the father role.

"Morgan can't be in the Shepherds..." Robin admitted once he was certain Morgan was out of earshot. "None of these children should be forced to fight our wars."

"They're fighting their own wars," Corrin reassured. "They came from their world to save ours, through any cost. We couldn't do it alone in their timeline. They're here because they need to be. Because they want to be."

"No child should have to fight for their right to exist," Robin lamented. "That's our job as parents. But you're right. They knew what they were getting into, right? We can't let them down, and we certainly can't stop them from doing what their heart feels like doing."

"There's nothing wrong with you wanting to keep them out of this," Chrom assured. "I would prefer Lucina in the back with everyone else, but you know how she is."

"She's training as we speak," Corrin added in. "She's excited to finally be on the move again, even if she doesn't show it."

"Then I suppose it's for the best that they're with us." Robin decided, his mind made up. "Hopefully, with our help, they'll see their mission through."


Day 210, dawn


"I trust all of you are well-rested," Robin began, pacing on his palette as the Shepherds listened in. As per Corrin's initial briefing, none of them were in their normal gear, having been ordered to stand by until after.

'We have something special planned for today's offensive,' she briefed, keeping the surprise well shrouded.

"Today is a crucial day in our campaign. One of Walhart's three generals, Pheros, is stationed up here in her fortress, past the horizon. She knows we're coming, and so do the soldiers at her command. We've liberated towns, we've fought skirmishes, but this is going to be our toughest sortie yet. We have the resources and the Feroxian/Chon'sin army to enact a siege, but that's what they're going to prepare for. They're going to expect a siege.

Given the circumstances, we don't have the time for such a prolonged attack. Instead, we are going to nullify the advantage of numbers they have on us Shepherds by inflicting one critical blow. The Feroxians and Chon'sin will stay behind, acting as a diversion while the Shepherds enact a surgical strike."

Robin paused, backing away as Corrin took his spot.

"Fort Steiger is heavily defended by battalions of foot soldiers, hundreds of mages, and cavalry regiments. Wyvern squadrons are to be expected, but if we fight indoors, all they'll have are front row seats to our seizing of the fort. The facility itself rests on an elevated hilltop, overlooked by numerous sentry towers and airborne patrols. Most of the woodline surrounding Steiger is cut down, so we'll get no cover once we commit."

"How do you propose we get inside the fortress then?" Ryoma asked. "We can't sneak into a fortification that heavily guarded."

"They're expecting an army. Siege engines, mass legions, that sort of thing," Corrin answered, while Robin projected a diagram with his magic. "They think the Shepherds are an overwhelming force of warfare. Little do they know, we're not even a hundred strong. That is our weakness, but also our greatest strength. Up till now, we've fought enemies roughly our size, to great effect. The Valmese may have thousands of troops, but they can't fight us all at once. Without open terrain on their side, they never will."

"That still pertains to Ryoma's initial question," Xander interrupted. "We need to get inside the fortress before we can actually fight in it. That means fighting through their legions on the plain before we enter.

"Indeed, that seems to be the case," Robin confirmed. "And that is where our small numbers have the advantage. See, a thousand soldiers, hell, ten thousand soldiers are certainly a problem. But what if that number was ten thousand one-hundred?"

Murmurs of confusion echoed out, and Robin nodded silently as suspicions began to manifest.

"A military has structure. A military is regimented. A general knows only the commanders below him, and the commander only knows the captains beneath him, and on and on it goes all the way down to the sergeant yelling at his ten or so privates to stop leaving their spears lying around. See, Shepherds, I know you. Each and every one of you. That is why I asked for a few minutes of your time with Commander Corrin and I. I want to know you, to trust you, and now I do. Each and every one of you are tied to Corrin and I by a personal and unique bond that we hold dear. This may not sound tactical or strategic, but it is that bond that will grant us victory when this fight is through."

Backing off once more, Robin allowed his partner to take the helm.

"Over the past few months, we've harvested enough Valmese armor to supply our entire body of Shepherds. Footsoldier armor, wyvern and wyvern rider armor, and even a couple sets of Valmese mage robes. The list goes on, really. It may not be what you're used to wearing, but it's our only way to get inside without raising an alarm. Then of course, we... defect."

To emphasize, Corrin nodded to the side, and out of a nearby tent came two Valmese cavaliers, armor gleaming and weapons bared. They lifted their visors only to reveal the faces of Frederick and Silas. Dismounting, Silas demonstrated his usual flexibility and speed with a variety of movements, while Frederick struck an imposing figure indeed wearing the armor of their defeated foes.

"Our smiths have done a hell of a job repairing, restoring, and even updating what we've collected so far," Robin explained. "We have a set of armor personally fit and taiored for each and every one of you, once again thanks to the familiarity we share as friends and compatriots. While I know that you'd prefer to wear your normal gear for this mission, we've done our best to keep you from noticing a thing once it's time to get busy."

"So, before we start our duel with General Pheros of Valm, I'm going to ask each and every Shepherd to organize yourself by squad. Cavaliers first, then footsoldiers, then archers, then mages. Airborne units, stand by."

"Rinkah, if you may," Robin ordered, prompting the Flame Tribesman to retrieve a number of crates, unable to hide the smile on her face.

"We... pride ourselves with fire and steel. It's been a good while since I've been able to toy with the forge, but I'll tell ya that I haven't gotten rusty. You won't feel a difference, but no promises you'll stick to your old armor after this battle is through. First up, let's see here..."

Peeking around the box, Rinkah read the name engraved on the crate, calling out the designated Shepherd the armor belonged to.

"...Is for Prince Xander."

Slowly, the prince walked up, looking at Corrin blankly to discern any change in her expression. Seeing that she wouldn't falter, he nodded and opened up his box.

"Well, prince, consider this my gratitude for helping Kaze and I escape Krakenburg," Rinkah boasted, egging Xander to try on his armor.

Lifting the plate to his chest, Xander looked it over before donning it. As prescribed, the golden red steel of Valm looked new and reforged, strong and light with a certain glimmer. Putting it on over his shirt, Xander raised his eyebrows in amazement, flailing his arms about once all the straps were tightened.

"Well?"

"...It feels just like my Nohrian armor. Truly exquisite work. You and the other smiths made this just from those scouts and sentries we slew?" Xander asked, genuinely impressed.

"Everyone needs a hobby," Rinkah reasoned. "I had lots of help, and lots of time. No thanks to Robin and Corrin dying for the last week, but we delivered, no?"

"Thank you, Rinkah," Xander nodded, strapping his shin guards on next. Rinkah took this time to haul up the next crate, already busy suiting up the rest of the Shepherds.

"Alright, next up, Peri! Oh, you're definitely gonna like this more than your Nohrian ass windows, that's for sure."


Morgan watched as more and more Shepherds donned their Valmese armor, slowly turning the camp into a Valmese-occupied territory. Ryoma had abandoned his usual Hoshidan armor for a set of Chon'sin swordmaster garb, ever looking the part of Chon'sin's emperor. Lon'qu, Say'ri, Hana and Hinata were also dressed as Chon'sin swordsmen, with the princess wearing a helmet to conceal her identity.

Cherche and Camilla, instead of wearing the black armor everyone had associated with them, were now suited in the silver and red armor from a Valmese patrol, Gerome, Beruka, and Percy also had matching sets, synchronized with their wyverns.

The cavaliers had been the first to suit up, and were now working on movements and testing the limits of their new armor. Peri, Silas, Stahl, Sully, Frederick, Leo, and Xander were now wearing Valmese Paladin mail. Leo and Xander kept their sacred weapons sheathed, lest their holy weapons ruin the effect of the disguise.

Valm didn't emphasize on fielding Pegasus units, but the wyvern armor was plentiful enough to be modified for the Shepherd's usage. Cordelia, Sumia, Subaki and Hinoka were all wearing lighter variants of the wyvern's armor, though the Pegasi they mounted were using Chon'sin mail re-purposed for their bodies. Robin's spies reported that some units in General Yen'fay's division fielded Pegasus Riders, so the notion wouldn't be a foreign one when it came time to infiltrate.

What struck Morgan the most were the helmets: Most of the Shepherd's never wore helmets until now. While most Shepherd's armor was unique to the wearer, what signified them from everyone else would be their heads. Some of them wore headgear from time to time, but not in a uniform manner. Once all the cavalry, infantry, and otherwise finished suiting up, Morgan found herself staring not at a militia of Shepherds, but a Valmese unit, with nothing distinguishing one soldier from another.

It was haunting, how identical they looked.

"Morgan, Robin," Rinkah called out, kicking the crates designated to the two tacticians. "Yours was a tricky job, but it certainly was fun. Two sets of 'Grandmaster' armor, fitted and ready. Where'd you get these designs, anyway? Never thought of segmenting abdominal plate."

"Chrom had them in his old records of Ylissean campaigns, courtesy of his academy books," Robin recalled. "Relics of a more militarized Ylisse."

"Well, now's the time to wear them. C'mon, I want to see my work."

Robin nodded, slowly taking off his cloak and placing it on the ground. He stared longingly at it for a few seconds but shook his head.

"I've never worn armor before," Robin admitted. "Guess there's a first time for everything."

Opening his crate, Morgan watched as Robin pulled out a leather harness, meant to holster various weapons. Next, he pulled out a pair of segmented metal boots that would ride all the way to his thighs. Finally, he pulled out a chestplate, golden and sleek.

"Whoa," Robin breathed, gulping at Rinkah, who nodded back.

"Grandmaster Robin. Has a ring, doesn't it?" Chrom asked, walking up to the newly armored tactician. The Exalt was dressed in a Valmese mercenary garb, complete with a full helmet shielding his blue hair.

"Ylisse hasn't had one in our lifetime."

"It's... humbling," Robin admitted, slowly putting on the harness for his armor. Strapping the buckles, the former tactician stretched his arms, unused to the foreign feel of supplemental gear. Next went his boots, oddly light for something made primarily of metal. Then came the breastplate itself, segmented to allow Robin full range of motion. Last, Robin attached his belt, along with some additional armor for his arms and legs. Donning the Plegian cloak once more, Robin, the next Ylissean Grandmaster, walked his first steps on Valmese soil.

"Well damn," Rinkah whistled, nodding at her handiwork. "You're still looking as quick on your feet as ever, sir. Might even armor up the cloak, if you insist on wearing it. Other than that, I must say that I'm liking the look, Grandmaster."

"Me too," Robin and Corrin replied simultaneously.

"Huh," Robin questioned, though Corrin's reaction was intentionally fake as she smirked at her counterpart. Robin chuckled along, then gestured for Morgan to don her version.

"Me?" Morgan wondered. "I'm not even close to being a grandmaster..."

"It's just for show today, unfortunately," Robin explained. "But the armor's yours forever. C'mon, I wanna see."

Morgan nodded, pulling out a similar harness to Robin's, modified for her shorter and feminine frame. Her boots went a little higher than Robin's proportionally, though it still left a little skin window between where her skirt ended and the boots did. The metal on the breastplate and the boots were silver instead of gold, but just as sturdy.

A little too excitedly, Morgan donned the armor, which she just noticed was the same pattern and color as Corrin's Nohrian plate.

"So? How's it feel, girl?" Rinkah asked, getting into her own gear as Morgan tested hers.

"I... like it. A lot! Thank you!"

"Oh, don't thank me. Thank your parents, kid. They had quite the insistence on keeping you safe."

"She's not lying," Robin reasoned, shrugging at Rinkah. "You had your fun too."

"That I did, and I thank you for letting me lead this project of yours, Commander."

"My armor has kept me safe all my life. With any luck, modeling yours after mine will do the same," Corrin promised.

"Seeing as we're all set, I say it's time to move," Robin announced, winking at Morgan as he took his position at the head of the Shepherds. Corrin rounded up the rest of the swordsmen, blending in with the lot and seemingly disappearing. However, Robin's voice rang loud and clear, gathering the attention of every soldier in the area.

"Next stop, Fort Steiger! Shepherds, fall out!


Day 210, nightfall

"And this is where you wait," Robin ordered, eyeing the end of the woodline a few hundred feet ahead. "Morgan, Kana, everyone else that I already ordered to, assemble here."

With a silent halt, the Valmese-dressed Shepherds froze, the wagons doing suit. The horses neighed in anticipation, with nothing but the sound of light footsteps of the younger children splashing in the mud being heard.

"And this is where we wait," Morgan echoed, smiling hopefully at her father and mother as she hugged them good bye. You'll come back. You'll beat Pheros!"

"That we will, my daughter," the Grandmaster promised, kissing Morgan and Kana's forehead as he turned his back on them, directing his attention to the soldiers. Meanwhile, Corrin walked to her children, joining them in a group hug as she met their foreheads in the same motion that Robin did.

"Stay safe you two. Keep the other kids in line, alright?"

"Of course, M-mama."

"Kana..."

"I'm scared. What if-"

"Don't you worry. You're braver than I, Little Dragon. Believe in yourself, and believe in us. Okay?"

Kana sniffled a gulp, nodding weakly.

"O-okay. You promised!"

"That I did. Morgan, keep your brother safe. Your Father and I'll be back, okay?"

"Aye-aye, Commander!" Morgan saluted, beaming at her mother proudly. She was met with a similar gaze from the Nohrian princess, who ruffled the girl's hair.

"Mother sounds better," Corrin sighed under her breath, leaving the two on the wagon as she formed up with the other swordsmen.


"Just as we rehearsed. Form up," Xander ordered, the cavaliers forming a wall in front of Robin as the footsoldiers surrounded the grandmaster in a phalanx of Valmese armor. The fliers circled overhead in lazy circles, slow enough to not warrant immediate alarm from the sentries ahead.

"Here we go. Forward march."

Slowly they processed, the click clacking of horseshoes and boots muffling the nervous breaths of all in the crowd. Not a mile out did they encounter the sentries.

"Halt!" The first set of guards ordered, prompting the Shepherds to slow to a pause. "Identify yourself."

Xander rode forward, flanked by Peri and Frederick with visors lowered.

"Acting Captain Marx of the 105th Joint Assault regiment, under special orders from General Yen'fay," Xander replied, not even missing a beat. The guards before him widened their gaze, some even whistling in amazement.

"Oh damn... the 105th? You were in battle with the Shepherds then! Why are you guys here? Did we get 'em?"

"We have engaged the Shepherd's main army near the Demon's Ingot. General Yen'fay sent us as an escort to isolate one prisoner and keep him under guard at Fort Steiger."

"All of you for one prisoner? How important-" Xander raised his arms before the guards could get closer.

"Be careful," Xander warned, gesturing towards the two Shepherds holding Robin to tighten their grip. "He is extremely dangerous, even in his current state."

"T-that's..."

"Grandmaster Robin of the Ylissean League. One of two main commanders. General Yen'fay feared immediate reprisal so he sent for the Commander to be relocated here, lest he become freed by his own forces. With him gone, the battle is tipped in our favor."

"We have 'em beat then?" Xander shook his head, sighing in mock fatigue.

"The battle is still in full swing, and the favor of fortune may tip either way with Commander Corrin still out there. We hope to explain the situation to your higher-ups, and perhaps bring back some reinforcements and cut off the Shepherd's advance... or retreat."

"This sounds worse than we've been briefed."

"Indeed it is. They fight like lions and have the teeth to match. But rest assured, soldier. Valm and her might will seize the day, that much we can be sure. Now, let us make haste! General Pheros must know!"

"O-of course! Right this way, sir."


Pheros watched the troops drill below, thousands in motion harnessing the Valmese military might. It made her proud, seeing so many of her soldiers fight for a cause she too believed in. Walhart's strength inspired each soldier's heart down on the drilling field, no different than the heart proudly beating within her own chest.

"Peace... it is not as unifying as war. But men should not be forced to fight. So many lives-"

"General, I'm reporting a mixed Valmese unit coming in from the eastern woods."

"Reinforcements from Excellus?"

"Not by their numbers, no," the soldier reporting corrected. "Only about 50 soldiers or so. They have a prisoner. High priority, their commander briefed."

"Interesting. I'll meet them downstairs. Bring them in."


"And that snake Excellus thought they were coming for Steiger. But I see that they held enough ambition to go for Yen'fay first. Hmm, it would yield the tactical advantage were they to secure that area," Pheros noted, tracing her fingers along the map she carried.

"They aimed to divide the forces using natural terrain to cover their flank. By cutting through the middle, they'll have a volcano at their backs," Xander relayed.

"Our intel suggested they were going to seize Steiger. But nevertheless, this is fortuitous nonetheless. Very well, Captain Marx, your warning has been heeded. You there, knight!"

"Yes, General!" Stahl replied quickly, snapping to attention upon being singled out.

"Send word to my forward commander. Rally the 1st, 6th, and 9th Infantry. Send them to Yen'fay on the double. They'll be covered by... the 53rd and 54th Wyvern squadrons, and the 23rd mage regiments."

"Got it, General! I'll be on my way now!"

Stahl rode off, his horse urgently galloping through the wide corridors of Steiger. Slowly, the echoes got more quiet until they faded completely. Nothing but silence remained as Pheros eyed the Shepherds.

"Now then. Yen'fay thought it wise to keep the enemy commander here, away from his army. Let us see what we're up against, Commander Marx."

Xander nodded, stepping forward and addressing the two soldiers holding Robin's restraints.

"Captain Leon, Captain Lazward. Slowly now, we don't want him causing a scene-"

As soon as the rope gagging Robin came undone, the grandmaster went at it with a flurry of profanities and curses, surprising Leo and Laslow for a split second and almost causing his bonds to become undone.

"Valmese filth! You are stopping Ylisse's divine justice from taking place! I swear to you, Plegia is plotting to destroy all of us! I-"

"That's enough from you, tactician," Xander replied with a firm slap to Robin's cheek, prompting Corrin to flush red under her helmet. "You are in the presence of yet another general who could easily best you and your novice stratagems. I suggest you stay quiet, unless you'd prefer eating half of your rations."

"Why don't you eat shit, Valmese dog."

"Half rations it is."

"So it appears," Pheros wondered, curiously circling around Robin slowly. "You warn us about Plegia, yet you wear a Plegian cloak around your body. I figured you were a wily opponent, but not downright suicidal. Interesting that it may be, I wonder just how much truth you may actually tell."

"You seem a reasonable one," Robin admitted, finally turning his attention to Pheros. "You are General Pheros, yes? We were gunning for you last, actually. Didn't want to walk all this way."

"Commander Robin of the Ylissean league. I'm flattered."

"The pleasure is mine, I'm sure." Robin stretched his arms as far as Laslow and Leo would let him, bowing his head. "Should I bow? Offer my Plegian goats as tribute?"

"Mind your tongue," Xander warned. Robin chuckled, continuing on.

"You were a devout follower of Exalt Emmeryn, no?" Pheros shook her head.

"Until I realized her teachings fell upon deaf ears. The song of conquest is a truer tune than that of pacifism."

"I see. Then I hope you won't mind my army liberating Valm and putting a stop to Walhart's crusade right here, then."

"Even if it happens, you will watch that happen in one of my many cold, dark cells."

"Ah well."

"Take him away," Pheros ordered. "I'll send an interrogator to his quarters once I settle this business with Yen'fay."

"Yes Ma'am," Xander chirped, sharply dragging Robin along by the wrists as his metal boots scratched against the stone floors of Steiger's main lobby.

"Ma'am," Stahl addressed, out of breath, "Our troops are en route, and are making way as we speak."

"That... was quick," Pheros realized slowly, raising her eyebrow.

"Er... I wanted to make sure our troops made good time, and-"

"What's your name, soldier?" the Valmese General asked, her suspicions growing.

"Ma'am?"

"Your name, dammit! Don't tell me you've forgotten your name?"

"O-oh! L-Lieutenant Sol, 32nd Cavalry. Ma'am."

"So it may seem. Lieutenant Sol, would you be so kind as to remind me of the units I dispatched to Yen'fay?"

"The... 1st, 6th, and 9th Infantry, 53rd and 54th Wyvern Squadron, and... 23rd Mage Regiment."

"Interesting," Pheros mused. "You followed my orders to the letter."

"I-I hope so. I-!" Sol replied earnestly.

"Especially intriguing, considering we don't have a 23rd Mage Regiment. Surely a Lieutenant would know that much."

"...oh."

"Damn," Xander breathed under his breath. Holding his hand behind him, he gave the signal for the Shepherds to ready themselves.

"Care to explain yourself?"

"I.. uh," Stahl hesitated, shaking his head in response.

"Perhaps I can." Robin declared, raising his hands quickly, free of any binds. Pheros didn't flinch, only offering Robin the satisfaction of a small smile. He offered his own back, albeit much more nervous.

"Very impressive maneuver, Commander Robin," Pheros nodded, staying put, almost relaxed. "Luckily, your 'sneak attack' gave me a head-start, allowing me to plan a counter-offensive despite my main units marching towards my unharmed ally."

Even as she spoke, an alarm rang throughout the fort, and the echo of a thousand footsteps resounded in its wake.

"Looks like our plan worked to its intended end," Corrin sighed, placing her hand on the hilt of her sword. Yato hummed excitedly, a clear resounding tone compared to the dull echoes of outside.

"We both know what happens next," Robin sighed, taking position alongside Xander and Ryoma. "I hope you don't mind us dirtying these nice tiles?"

"I couldn't ask for a more fitting occasion," Pheros responded, a small grimace lining her face even as her troops covered her escape. "Don't threaten us with a good time, tactician. I too know a thing or two of war."

Robin watched as hundreds of Valmese soldiers surrounded the fort, filing in two by two in the narrow hallways and cutting off any hope of escape.

"Now, Azura!"

Twirling her spear, Azura channeled the power of her pendant just enough to produce a blinding light, allowing the Shepherds enough time to get into formation. The red on their armor glowed and faded to blue, removing any chance of friendly-on-friendly attack.

"I didn't like that ugly red anyway," Robin admitted, drawing his sword and flourishing a tome from his hip.

"You are horribly outnumbered, tactician. Spare yourself the bloodshed and-"

"These poor Valmese souls are blocking the lovely view of my fort. Shepherds, attack!"