Critical acclaim for "All because of a shield and its owner"
"Chrom is such a fucking nigga here. First he does shit, now he's really actually a good guy? I don't buy this." –Doug
"I really like this story. I like the betrayal ones like these. This story is an eye opener for me. Awesome!" –Random
"The story is great, but your grammar sucks! I mean, what's with all this random capitalization?" –Zenog,
Author notes: Hello and welcome back! It's been a while, I have school to do, so on and so forth. Thank you for the support of this fiction. Anyway, I will be gone mid-June to sometime in august. As some of you may or may not know I am and in Marching Band so that is what I will be up to. I will try to get in a chapter or two but ultimately that will be determined by time constraints. By the way, Robin does NOT know about the Hierarch's role; he thinks it is all Chrom. Anyway, without further ado, I give thee chapter five
The night was dark in the city of Flora, the most recently swayed city. The city once a dark, gloomy ghetto for Plegian refugees during Gangrel's rule in Plegia. All the city's funds once went to the hierarch, at the expense of the people the Hierarch held exotic, lavish parties. If he wanted food to host, no problem, he would take the armed guard and take it from the people's home. Once he was deposed the city saw a boost in trade and soon Infrastructure was going to be repaired, well at least in my plan. Reality wanted the people to be fed as soon as possible, Now things are different. After he was killed, the palace was stripped of precious metals and gems and sold for gold and new seed. Now we have to plant for the people to grow and eat. Flora will prosper and turn into a fine Farming and Trade community.
It has been five months since we began our freedom campaign; over the course we have gained considerable land in large trade cities and the countryside. At this point if there was wind of my arrival in a town or maybe a city the Local populace would start resistance against their hierarch and once I arrived the hierarch would have left to avoid a public execution. I wonder if Chrom has noticed my actions. Of course he has, I have taken multiple cities from his puny grasp. All I wonder now is what action is he going to take to reclaim his Cities. He will not be one to stand idly, nor will his court be.
In preparedness I divided the total area we have by four based by population into districts: Cumbia, Romenus, Sonora and the Federal District. I left Evelyn, Hendrik, Dalton and Myself in charge of a district and in charge of training the armed forces in their respective district. Now it is a game of waiting for Chrom's next move, should it be diplomacy or hostility. Next I need to prepare diplomatic meetings between Regna Ferox and Plegia ensuring our sovereignty. I stand in the municipal office signing laws as the Prime Minister of the new republic. A new, radiant dawn smiles upon this new and great nation.
Palace of the hierarchy, Ylisstol
The palace was a dark mysterious place. The walls were covered in tapestries that Revered and glorified Naga. The seating of the hierarchs were high atop the ground to give the audience a sense of dead. All of them wore a cloak in a different outline: Red, Green, Violet White, Yellow, Blue and Black. In total there were seven. They started arguing.
What do you mean we are losing cities? What about the massacre of the Hierarchs?"
"No, we need the gold to keep funding us."
"SILENCE! Fools, you all need to settle down!" A hooded man, leader of the Hierarchy instilled sufficient fear to intimidate them into silence. He Spoke once more: "Messenger, who is it killing the hierarchy and leading the insurgency? "
The Messenger that spied in Chrom and Sumia spoke to the Hierarchs "it is former grandmaster Robin. He is now leading a campaign to overthrow us."
"Unacceptable, has the exalt done anything?"
"No my master, he is on his way to attempt to talk Robin out of his rebellion."
"Unacceptable, have an assassin and our forces at the ready. We will stop him ourselves if need be."
"Wait" spoke a hierarch "if we assassinate the grandmaster then Chrom will know it was us and possibly come for our necks."
"Good point, have the assassin at the ready, should the diplomatic talks fail then we will recognize the nation then kill Robin under the guise of a Plegian." What are you waiting for? Go you filthy herald.
"As you wish, my master." The messenger left the Palace to inform the guard and assassins.
"Now we wait for Chrom to talk to the Grandmaster. Do prepare a meeting with our associates in Plegia. No matter what the Hierarchy will reign atop the nations and eliminate all opposition."
And so the doors of the dark and exotic chamber closed and they waited.
Chrom was now reaching the City of Flora. Sumia, Miriel and Cordelia accompanied the young prince to seek audience with the new Prime minister. Their journey was a rather short one because the pegasus riders carried them to their destination in a matter of days. As they arrived near the town they stopped at a village to dismount and carry on foot creating an extra day of delay but that did not matter to the Exalt, all he wanted was to speak to Robin. Chrom knew very well of the situation in flora: last time he visited the place was filthy Rundown area. Crime has very high and it was not worth living in there. The only reason it counted as a city was because of the mineral and grain trade the Hierarch Conducted. Mines, used to extract Metals, were very common outside the city and the workers were overworked and under paid. They often lived in small cramped houses, inadequate to house a family and yet they carried on the anger only rising every day.
The Town Walls had new sentries posted in basic amour, not Yilissian but from a mercenary group, it almost looked like it was Feroxi. As they neared the city's gate they were stopped by the guard.
"Hold! Who are you and what is business here?" asked a Mercenary of brown hair.
"Gregor?" Chrom was surprised that he now worked for Robin but that was aside from the point "It's me Chrom; I want to hold council with Robin."
Gregor now remembering him former employer smiled in pleasant surprise. "Yes, Gregor remember now. Come inside city." Gregor motioned the Guard to open the gate and let them inside and the sight Chrom saw was outstanding. Not only did Robin start rebuilding the place, but he repaired the homes and overall the people did not look as gloomy as before. "You see, this is home town, Gregor born here yes? Very corrupt then Robin destroy corrupt now everyone happy." Chrom could not deny that what he stated was false.
The silvered haired Pegasus Knight soon spoke: "When would it be possible that we see Robin?"
"Now child, worry not, I will send someone to tell him he has guests." He motioned for a guard to come "Guard, go inform Robin of the guests he has to day."
Cordelia, as ever love stricken as before did not speak much due to her infatuation with Chrom. But Miriel, the ever curious scholar spoke up "Do say, this is a daring social experiment you have conducted here, ancient philosophers said it would lead to unhappiness but rather it has created an ambient mood. I can imagine general productivity is up and so is the standard of living."
"Gregor barely Understand but I think it is good." As the shepherds catch up on old times, the messenger came back to Gregor bearing news.
"The Prime Minister is going to accept the guests; he says to bring him inside the reception room."
"Very good, hear that? Robin will speak to you now."
In relief Chrom sighed, finally He will be able to clear thing up with Robin, and so will Sumia with Cordelia tagging along. Miriel just making observations.
Once inside Robin's office it was noticed quickly how serious he does his business. Numerous guards were posted on the inside and outside of the room to provide security as soon as the shepherds entered, without hesitation, told the guard to "leave us" and at that moment all the guards left the room and unto other posts.
"Welcome, Yilissian Shepherds. Could I interest you in something to drink? I insist. Come take a seat." The silvered haired tactician motioned them to join him on a wooden table with inkpots and pens on every seat. And the all took a seat, the leader of the respective nations at the head of the table.
"Robin, thank you but, I must reject." The wary exalt, ever so cautious rejected the offer
"Really now, it's a shame. Nonetheless, let us get to the point: what business do you have with the Republic of Archanea?"
Chrom spoke "Robin, what you do is maddening, this situation is not good for any of us, comeback to us, and comeback to the shepherds and desist in this 'democracy' nonsense"
"Come back to what? Pain? Regret? Suffering? Betrayal? What you did was unforgiveable. And after I saw the state your haildom was in, I saw that change was needed. Ever noticed how better off the people are now? Without anyone bleeding them dry for money? Or for food? No, I change and innovate for the future." Robin was insulted, all he did was help the people live a better life and leave the shepherds.
"Robin, you are going to get yourself assassinated!" Chrom got up from his chair.
"By who? You? What is this, a declaration of war?" Robin too got up from his chair, ready to motion the guards to capture them.
"What, no?!"
The love stricken knight spoke up in defence of the Exalt. "Robin, you need to-"
"Silence! I am talking to Chrom right now; if you want to talk to me then it will have to be later but not now."
"Look Robin" said Chrom "it was the Hierarchs Fault –"
For what? Don't give me any of your political excuses, you yourself denounced me cut my pay and stole her. I cannot and will not live like that. If that is all then I ask you to leave."
Chrom slammed his chair to the wall, left the building, fuming with frustration with Cordelia following. At this point everyone except Miriel stood up from their seats as the tension grew, Robin unlike Chrom stayed there ready to speak to the rest of the group. He took and rubbed his eyes in clear frustration of the meeting. He began to address Sumia "Sumia what do you want?"
"Robin, I wanted to apologize,-"
"It is too late for apologies Sumia, way too late. Here take this book, it is yours." Robin took something out of his cloak and, handed Sumia the copy of "Ribald tales from the faith war" from the day he confessed his love to her.
As Sumia took it she felt something inside the rugged book, she flipped the pages and found the simple golden engagement rings from when he proposed to her they, compared to what Chrom gave her almost was insignificant, but the sentimental value still was there. Tears fell from Sumia's face "Robin, I-I-I" as she was at a loss for words, and so she fell to her knees, a look of defeat in on her fair, sad face.
Robin saw this sight, although he was upset he knew that he needed to get rid of his love for her. "Listen Sumia, I refuse to dwell on the past. We are no longer anything, not lovers, not friends, not comrades, not even an acquaintance. The same applies for most of the shepherds and for I have a nation to lead. Go to the man you chose. Go, what are you waiting for?" Robin looked away and turned his back on Sumia, clearly upset.
Sumia left the building in tears, tripping twice on the air.
The mage that accompanied the Shepards did not wait to speak "This is an interesting Social experiment you have here, "Miriel stated with her cold calculations. "I see a lot of potential for this nation. I would very much like to be a part of it."
"Miriel, I have no time to be playing any games."
"Nor have I, but I wish to research technologies for the republic and observe the county."
"Very well, I will allocate funds and put you with some of the best scientists I can offer. As for your research but on one favor."
"What would that be?"
"Make a new weapon, one that can be user simply, like a lance, but with the capability to fire a projectile. I have a feeling that we will go to war soon, As you see the Meeting with the exalt did not go very well"
"Consider it done."
"Make this top secret. Do not let anyone but me or your team to find out"
"My team?"
"Yes, I had begun constructing a research and development team but with you, the team is now complete."
"Very well"
Robin got a guard and told him to escort Miriel her Private Quarters
Robin looked outside a large mosaic window depicting Chrom defeating Gangrel. He got another guard "tell the carpenters and glass makers to remove this, and to replace it with a simple Window."
"As you wish"
Robin still Shaken from the meeting went inside his room and Wiped his face. From any tears. Later he sent a to the district leaders to place their forces into high alert.
He went to his office and wrote a letter to all the commanders of the districts detailing the next course of action.
To: Dalton, Evelyn, and Hendrik.
From: Robin
Diplomacy has failed with the Exalt. Expedite recruitment and training and put the forces into high alert. Set the forges on high production. I will seek audience with the Khans in order to secure a protection pact. Should all else fail, fortify the Eastern Front were they border with Ylisse is. Prepare to take up arms in defense, do not attack. Prepare to tell the citizens to start rationing food. War will be inevitable against the exalt.
Author notes: please review, please do the poll on my profile page please? Anyway thanks for reading, see you in May!