DISCLAIMER: FIRE EMBLEM AND ITS CHARACTERS ARE IN NO WAY MINE.
FOR NEWS REGARDING THE CHAPTER MARATHON, TUNE IN FOR THE A/N!
EDITED AS OF 6/20/15
The March to the Gallows 1
It was before sunrise when the hustle and bustle of soldiers was heard at the western entrance of the Mila Tree fortress.
"Alright, hurry up and get your booties in your places before I change my mind." ordered the Merchant Anna.
Her identical sister, Anna, ran up behind her. "Thanks a lot, sis! If all goes as planned, you'll get paid a hefty sum. Not only that, we'll spread word of the heroic Anna, whose wit and cunning allowed the Ylisseans to take back Steiger!"
Merchant Anna wrinkled her nose and frowned playfully. "But dear, that'll be you making yourself look good..." she said with a pout.
Anna pulled a finger to her chin and smiled innocently. "Blame it on our genes."
Both of the sisters let out a laugh before hugging one another and saying their 'farewells'.
One by one, the Shepherds hid themselves within several emptied barrels and containers.
They would be placed at the back of the wagon, with the real cargo in the mix in order to avoid being found out.
After Anna got into her position, Merchant Anna made her way back to the others to assist with the preparations.
A few meters away, Robin stood in wait for the red headed merchant.
"How do you know that the Valmese will buy all of this flour?" Robin asked.
"I don't. But I'll just have to make them." Merchant Anna said with a wink.
"I've no reason to doubt your family's expertise, but flour? Wouldn't it have been better to ship us off as weapons of some sort?"
"The Valmese don't need weapons, hun. Swords and shields break after a battle, not as their wielders lounge around for months on end. Which is exactly what the Valmese at Steiger have been doing. But food, I tell you, food is what every army needs. An army of their size burns through rations at a startling pace. And what more, their location in the middle of nowhere makes grocery shopping a real pain."
"I take it all I can do is pray this goes well."
"Well when you're praying, tell the gods Anna says hello! Oh, and that I'm sorry about that fellow last month" the merchant said as she walked off to help the other Shepherds.
"Fat fello... I'm not even going to bother." Robin muttered, as he turned his attention back to the others.
Off to the side, a commotion was being cause by none other than the Shepherd's muscle bound genius. "You think you can contain the Vaike?" the man asked aloud, standing within a barrel with his torso still hanging out.
"Just shut your mouth and get in there, you fool." Lon'qu said irritably, shoving Vaike's head into the barrel and sealing it with the lid.
Vaike's muffled protests could be heard from within, as Lon'qu kicked the barrel onto its side and rolled it into the wagon.
"Gee, Robin, I feel like some of us won't last 5 minutes in those things." Donnel commented as he came near with Maribelle, watching the scene play out.
"Is it absolutely necessarily for us to be packaged in such a manner?" Maribelle asked in a less than amused tone.
Robin shook his head as he chuckled. Of course she would be the first to object. "Don't worry, Maribelle. I made sure to get an extra large barrel for a lady like yourself. Complete with a washroom, bed, dresse-"
Robin was cut off as Maribelle's staff came down onto his head.
"How such an unrefined charlatan like you has taken control of the Shepherds, I'll never know." She huffed. "But, know the only reason I'd be willing to go along with such a bone headed scheme is because you are so sure of it."
Robin smiled cheekily, rubbing his head.
Donnel helped Maribelle into her respective barrel, then got into his own. Lon'qu and Gregor loaded them both into the wagon.
Robin headed over to Sumia, Cordelia, Frederick and Cherche. "Are you all prepared? You have all the gear you need?"
"We'll manage, Robin." Cordelia replied, holding out her lance for him to see.
"And Sumia, how about you? Will you be fine?"
"Well I was trained to fight on foot before even getting onto a pegasus, so I should be fine as well." said the klutzy mother of two.
"Frederick, Cherche?" Robin asked.
"It'll be a good change of pace." Frederick replied. "Besides, I can finally put the fighting style Cherche has been showing me to use."
"Don't worry, Robin, I won't let him out of my sight." Cherche said, leaning against Frederick.
Robin snickered, earning him a glare from Frederick.
Robin continued along with his stroll, doing some last minute checks with the rest of the team.
He spotted Chrom, Lucina and Morgan.
"Are you all prepared?" he asked yet again.
"As always." Chrom said. "However, Lucina- err well both Lucina and I for that matter, still have qualms about Morgan taking part in this."
Robin looked to Lucina. "Did you not say earlier that her combat skills were adequate?"
"I did, but... she's my daughter, Robin."
Chrom rested his hand atop Lucina's head. "I know the feeling, Robin. Had I not seen Lucina in action before even coming to know she was my daughter, I'd wager that even I would be in such a predicament. The last thing any parent would want is for their children to be fighting a war."
"She could always stay here with Tiki." Robin suggested.
Morgan, who had not been pleased with the conversation finally spoke up. "I'm older than Ricken and nearly the same age as Aunt Cynthia. How come they get to fight when I can't?" Morgan asked, distraught. "No, I'm not going to sit around while you all are out there risking your lives. I'm going to fight as well!" she declared.
Lucina stared into her 'little' girl's eyes, Morgan's face unwavering. "Morgan, they've much more experience than you do and that's not your decision to make." Lucina said in an authoritative tone.
"But you said earlier that I could!"
"We're going to be inside a heavily guarded enemy encampment. If something were to go wrong, we'd be trapped there."
"And how do you think I would feel knowing that my mother, grandfather, grandmother, aunt and everyone else is in that situation?! I don't care if I'm in danger, I just don't want to be alone anymore!" Morgan shouted.
Her words seemed to strike Lucina, whose shoulders fell.
"Lucina... she's right." Chrom said defeatedly. "I'm worried about her as well, but maybe we should be even more so at the thought of leaving her behind."
"We'll keep her safe." Robin decided. "We're Shepherds. Not one of us has fallen, and I'll be damned if today will be the first."
Lucina let both Chrom's and Robin's words linger in her head. She felt a hand grasp onto hers, and looked up to meet Morgan's eyes. Brows that were furrowed a moment before were now at rest.
"Mother, I'll be fine. Trust me." Morgan said calmly, taking her mother's hands into her own.
"...Yes, you will be. Because I won't let anything happen to you." Lucina replied.
"And I will not any let anything happen to you as well." Morgan said with a cheerful grin.
Lucina could only smile back sadly.
Chrom ruffled both of the girls' hair. "I don't think I have to remind you that I've got your backs."
"Hah, and who will protect grandfather?" Morgan asked.
"Well, I suppose I can just use Robin as a shield." Chrom said, jokingly pulling Robin into a choke hold.
Robin struggled in Chrom's grip, trying to worm his way out. "Take a good look, Morgan. This man... who's currently strangling an... innocent bystander... is the ruler of an entire kingdom." he said in between breaths.
Chrom let out a laugh before finally releasing Robin from his death grip.
Robin rubbed around his neck. "And that same man is your grandfather."
Darkness.
Everything around him was darkness.
Robin was one of the many more unfortunate Shepherds taking part in the operation. While some like Frederick and Kellam, whose large armour and long lances earned them a stay in a comfy shipping crate, many others were stuffed into barrels. The barrel did have the smallest of holes poked into the side that allowed but a sliver of light to trickle in, but that was of no use given that the barrel Robin was currently in was in the middle of the entire horde.
The Shepherds had been stowed away on four separate merchant wagons and were now on their way to Fort Steiger. As merchant Anna explained, trader caravans were not allowed to simply stroll around freely within the areas surrounding Steiger. All merchants were required to be accompanied by a small platoon of Valmese soldiers for the duration of their trip in the area.
True to her claim, no more than 2 hours into their journey, just after crossing into the mountainous regions into a valley to the south east, they had been stopped by Valmese troops patroling the area.
The Shepherds in the wagons, made hast to get back into their containers, being sure they were sealed, as they awaited for the dreaded 6 hour stretch of silence.
The interior of the barrels were cramped and could do well to set off any claustrophobic. Robin was able to move everything above his waist freely, with his legs folded in a seated position. It was bearable, but one could only wonder for how long.
The entire wagon rocked every couple of meters as it was pulled along the dirt road. The barrels slid to the left, following the wagon as it went into a dip in the road.
"..." Robin scratched at his nose, then went to wipe above his brow where droplets of sweat had begun to form.
The sun was out and hitting the wagon at full force. The interior of the cargo area had slowly begun to warm, only worsening the conditions within the poorly ventilated barrels.
He leaned back against the interior walls and shut his eyes. His peace was short lived as someone else sought to catch his attention.
*knock* *knock*
Robin opened his eyes, but soon realized just how pointless the action was . He returned to his closed eyes position and responded. "Yes?"
"Robin?" came a hushed voice.
It was Cordelia, whose barrel happened to be positioned right next to his.
"Yes, Cordelia?" he whispered back
"I was just wondering if you had dozed off."
"No, I'm awake. Did you need something?"
"Nothing in particular, no. It's just that you're the only other person in a barrel adjacent from my own."
"I believe it's the same for me as well. The rest of them are further towards the front of the wagon. I know Virion and Panne are opposite us on the wagon's right side, but there's quite a few rows of barrels in between their's and ours, so we won't be talking to them anytime soon."
"Can the Valmese even hear us from in here? Surely the horses' clogging would blot out our conversations."
"Better to be safe than sorry. Even between you and I, we should keep our voices down to a whisper."
"That's fine with me. I just need someone to talk to, or I fear I'll go mad within these confines."
Robin chuckled audibly, letting Cordelia know he was listening.
"I must say, this whole experience is rather nerve wracking. I believe it's the first time that I've been deployed where I have to elude the enemy's attention like this.."
"That's right. I always have you situated just behind the front lines."
"It's where I feel most comfortable, as odd as it might sound."
"But come to think of it, you do something similar to this during reconnaissance, do you not? Maneuvering around enemy territory without being caught?"
"Well, yes. But I was referring to the fact that this time around, I'm without my noble steed."
"About that. Are you sure on the others are able to manage? The more I began to think about it, the more it begins to seem like a mistake. If I've moved you all too far out of your comfort zones, it may affect your ability in battle."
"Don't be so quick to judge, mister Tactician. While it's true that fighting atop our mounts is our forte, we're more than qualified to fight on foot. I'll admit I'm a terrible runner, however."
Robin chuckled. "Well if we make into the castle, I don't think you'll have to worry too much about running around."
"I guess it's a matter of how big this castle actually is."
"From how Berkov described it to me, it's a fairly big structure, but it doesn't hold a candle to the one back in Ylissetol."
"Well from how I see it, that either means we've got less ground to cover, or lots of enemies in not so much space."
"Their attention should be aimed at Basilio and Flavia's forces outside. Remember, their assault on the fort walls is our signal to begin the operation. That'll mean less men in the castle itself."
"I pray all goes according to plan. Well, let us talk about something else for the time being, shall we? So, how have you been, Robin?"
"All things considered, I'd say I'm quite happy at the moment... As happy as you can get as you inch ever closer to a war zone, that is."
Cordelia giggled in response. "I see. It's a relief to hear that you've yet to collapse from the enormous weight of all the responsibilities you've taken up."
"It's everyone that keeps me sane, Cordelia. But enough about me, how's life as a wife and mother?"
"It makes me want to just hurry and put an end to this blasted war, to be quite honest."
"That's understandable. Chrom just said something similar- erm, I'm sorry." Robin said, halting midway.
"...No, don't apologize, Robin. I've long gotten over all of that drama. I've moved on and am now the proud mother and fiancee of a beautiful young woman and a charming man."
"I'm glad to hear that. I don't mean to make it sound as if we pitied you, I assure that isn't the case at all, but after Chrom and Sumia's wedding, everyone was worried about you. The first few weeks afterwards, it looked as if the life had been drained from you."
"Gods... I was pathetic wasn't I?"
"You were not. There may have been some among us that could say you've seen better days, but not one us would call you pathetic for feeling the way you did. What caused us the most concern was if we would ever see the good old Cordelia ever again."
"...I wasn't aware I caused you all to worry so much."
"We did. As we would for any of our friends in such a predicament. But you pulled through. You made it out."
"I have Gaius to thank for that. He saved me before I was beyond helping."
"You give yourself too little credit. Would Gaius have fallen for you had he thought so lowly of you?"
"..."
"Gaius may have helped, but in the end, it was your own strength that got you out of that rut. He didn't court you because you were some damsel in distress. If anyone were to pick out something attractive about you Cordelia, it would be your strength."
"...It means a lot to me to hear you say that. I'm lucky to have a friend like you, Robin."
"Any Shepherd would have said the same thing."
"Yes, thank you. It's just..."
"You don't have to force yourself to go on. I believe we might have lingered on the subject long enough."
"No. ...No, please. I've been meaning to clear the air about this, or at the least let it out..."
"...If that's how you feel, then I'm all ears."
"It's just that, sometimes I still feel as if I'm... I'm back with the Pegasus Knights."
"The Pegasus Knights? Could you be referring to..."
"Yes. For a good portion of my life, they were the only family I'd ever known. But even then I felt like somewhat of an outsider. You already know of my disdain for being called a genius. It appeared that so did they. Back then, I'd heard whispers among them about me. The things they said, they were hurtful, especially coming from them... And I know it's wrong of me to paint such a picture of them, as I know they cared about me... They were my sisters. But it has made me overly critical with myself. I'm horridly self conscious. As if one wrong move from me and I'll again be the center of everyone's ire. And even now, I fear the day you all will do the same... I'm terrible, aren't I?"
"... ...So that's the heart of the matter."
Robin got no response, but could hear a sigh coming from the neighboring barrel. "All of this, it's a lot to take in, isn't it?
"Huh?"
"This. The Shepherds. Even thinking about it now. We've only been together for a few months during the war in Plegia. It's true most of us were still in touch for the two years afterwards, but it still astounds me how well we all get along despite having known each other for such a short time."
"I suppose so."
"I can't claim to be in the exact same situation as you, but I do know how it feels like to be an outsider among the group."
"I remember you having told me that you joined not too long before I had, correct?"
"Mhm. When I was introduced to the Shepherds, it was a bit overwhelming. Unlike the others who had seemed to have known each other for years, I was merely the stray they plucked from off the side of the road. And while some like Chrom, Lissa and Vaike were generally hospitable to me, there were others who didn't hold me in such high regards."
"Frederick and Maribelle, if I'm not mistaken."
"Heh, right again. After a while, even they began to warm up to me. I, being able to engage them in normal conversation. But at times, I still questioned my place among them. Despite growing ever closer to them, I felt as if I was still under their watchful eyes. It was completely irrational for me to believe so, but perhaps it's human nature to be self conscious."
"I'm sorry. I made it seem as if I wanted you to pity me somehow. I hadn't even thought that anyone else would be going through the same thing that I had."
"Do you enjoy being with the Shepherds?"
"T-that's without a question. Of course I do. I was just worried is all. Much like yourself, I was a stranger to many of the Shepherds when they first recruited me."
"Then it's like Owain once told me, time means nothing in the face of true friendship. We weren't whispering scandalous things about you behind your back. We weren't making light of the fact that you were heartbroken around the time of Chrom's marriage. I know we're a rough bunch, and at times we tend to get a bit insensitive. But we're your family, Cordelia, as presumptuous as it may be for me to say. We'll make your life a living hell, but only if we know you can handle it. I think I speak for everyone when I say the last thing we want to see is for you to get hurt. Judging by their actions, I'm sure the same could be said about your sisters."
For a moment, Robin heard nothing from his fellow stowaway.
And then, a faint sniffle could be from the other side.
"T-that's right... I had no right to feel as if I was an outsider. When you get down to it, we were all outsiders at one point, weren't we?"
"Some more than others." Robin said, referring to his blank past.
"But it's true that we're all very tight knit. I almost feel ashamed for ever harboring such cynical thoughts."
"I'll tell you one thing, you won't ever have to be worried about being called a genius."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, because I'm the genius around here." Robin said proudly.
Cordelia let out another giggle. "How very fortunate for me." she said sarcastically.
"But remember what I said."
"I will, Robin. I'm no outsider among all of you."
"But, that daughter of yours on the other hand..."
"Oh, I know what you mean. Severa can have quite the attitude at times."
"A troublemaker is what she is."
"I assure you, that side of her she gets from her father." Cordelia defended.
"And suddenly, everything is clear" Robin said dryly.
"Hehe, I'll be sure to tell her not to give you anymore trouble."
"No, it's fine. Aside from all of that, I can tell she's a good kid."
"She is. When she can be, she's an absolute darling." Cordelia said, her doting apparent in her voice.
"Alright, I'm going to need some proof before I go and agree with you on that."
"She'll come around." Cordelia laughed. "Oh, and speaking of Owain, I think my girl is a bit fond of him."
Robin's ears perked up. "Is she now?" he said with amusement.
"Oh? Don't tell me our 'love expert' hasn't noticed?"
Robin thanked whatever god was currently watching over him that no one could see how red his face had turned. "T-those were yours and Sumia's books, damn it!"
"Now, Robin, girl's like a man with a sensitive side to them."
"If that was what it took to establish I had a sensitive side, then from this point on I'll act like Vaike."
"I'm sure even Vaike has his own hobbies."
Robin immediately thought of the time he had caught the man 'picking flowers', as well as everything that followed. "Yes. I'm sure of that." he said flatly.
"Well, to answer your question, it does seem that Severa has some sort of an attachment to Owain."
"Does Lissa know about it?"
"We've talked. She said she was grateful such a girl would fall for her son considering his well, eccentricity."
"Ouch."
"Oh, but she said that in jest, I assure you. She loves him dearly."
"Owain's a nice guy. He's vastly optimistic given what's happened to them."
"He is, isn't he?"
"And now you sound like a doting mother in law."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll understand when you have a family of your own."
"Family of my own, huh? I'm sorry, but after what I've experienced with all of your children, perhaps I'd rather grow old alone."
"That's very pessimistic of you. Surely in the years we've all been together, there must have been someone that caught your fancy."
"Well I'll admit, there were several rather beautiful women in the towns we'd pass through. Perhaps I'll return someday and tell them of my exploits?" Robin said, as he began pondering the thought.
Cordelia shook her head. "What about among the army?"
"...I believe most of the women are spoken for."
"Then who do you find attractive?"
Gregor took a small sip from the flask he had kept with him on all times. On his lonelier days as a sellsword, travelling from town to town to make profit off his skills, the tiny alcohol container was in some ways the only companion he had.
It was ridiculous to hold an inanimate object in such regards, and a flask nonetheless.
But it had been there with him through the terrors he's bore witness to
"We need you to take out a man in the next town over."
"Gregor will make quick work of this man. He bad person, no?"
"The worst! What kind of father won't send his son a few coins in times of need?"
"Wait a moment. You will have Gregor kill your own father?"
"He deserves it. Just because I've run into a bit of a drug problem, he thinks he can't trust me with anything. Thinks I'll just blow it on even more. Well the sooner that old man keels over, the sooner I get my share of the inheritance."
"I believe there has been misunderstanding. Gregor doesn't tackle such tasteless jobs."
"Hey, I''ve already paid you in advance! Finish the job or... or I'll kill you myself!"
"Then here, take money back. Gregor earn coin somewhere else."
"Don't you walk away from me!"
"Young man, Gregor think it is best for you to put sword down."
"Shut up! Just shut up! You think I can just let you walk away? You already know about the job, I can't let you leave!"
"You are making mistake."
"Shut up! Just... Just... Just die!"
Gregor took another sip as another memory filled his mind.
"You, big guy! Keep your blade at the ready. The wagon's coming our way."
"Yes, yes. Gregor is professional, remember?"
"You better be, or else I can never show my face in town again! This dastard thinks he can take out my men and frame me for their deaths? That'll be the last mistake he ever makes."
"Gregor don't see how killing this man will make you free. Will you not just be even more of a wanted murderer?"
"I've already got that worked out with some of my boys in town. All that's left is taking 'him' out of the picture. But I'm not paying you for counseling you lug. Do you remember what you're supposed to be doing?"
"I take out guards at front, you handle ones at rear."
"Yeah, yeah, just get ready. Three... ... ...Two... ... ...One... Go, go, go!"
...
...
...
"Heyyyyy. Not bad, big guy! I knew I made the right choice hiring you."
"What did Gregor tell you? This was child's play."
"Damn right it was. Just didn't want to take any chances is all."
"Is man dead?"
"Ohhh, he's dead alright. Now let's get a move on. My boys will swing by and set things up for when the town guards come patrolling this way."
"Wait. Be silent."
"What is it?"
"There is still people inside wagon."
"Damn, let's finish this."
...
...
...
"Well look who we have here. You that scumbag's woman? And what a lovely little boy you got there!"
"Oh, please! P-p-please don't hurt us!"
"Gregor don't like this. Let us go before guards find us."
"What are you talking about!? We have to get rid of them!"
"Gregor is not hurting woman and child."
"The hell you aren't!"
"You paid Gregor to kill bad man. Wife and son don't have anything to do with that."
"Of course they do! They probably knew all along what he was doing! Not turning him in, they're accomplices!"
"No! No! W-we don't know anything!"
"Shut up! Big guy! Err, Gregor! Hurry up."
"Gregor will not harm them."
"Shit. Alright fine, have it your way. I'll do it myself then, but this is coming out of your pay."
"I think you are misunderstanding my friend. Gregor will not let you hurt them."
"Who the fuck do you think you are!? You just helped me kill 10 men, and now you're trying to be a hero?"
"Gregor not hero. But there are things true man will not do."
"...Suit yourself."
"Ahh! Ow! Let go! Stop! At least let my son go! Please!"
"Stop your yapping wench and hold sti- Aggggh!"
Gregor was now halfway done with the contents of the flask. He shook it around, letting the bitter liquid slush around inside.
He closed his eyes, the taste of alcohol still on his tongue.
"Gregor bring in many wyvern claws, see?"
"Good work. Just toss em in the sack with the others."
"Hmm, there are many dead beasts here."
"That's because Wyvern Valley is a haven for the creatures. Days away from even the closest village. Most of the things live their whole lives in these parts. And when the sun begins to set on their liVes, they come back here to die."
"Hey, guys! We've got a live one over here!"
"Shit! Gregor! Let's go!"
...
...
...
"What the hell were you doing? We're only here to collect claws, you idiot."
"Use your head, would ya? I mean you already know how much we're getting paid for this job, right? And you must know that wyvern claws on their own can fetch you some fine gold at the market, right? So I'm thinking, how much will the other body parts net us?"
"You're proposing we kill live wyverns?"
"It's easier than it looks! Look at it. What we can carve off this wyvern we've already got here will probably earn us more gold than this damn job!"
"Hehe, you know what? You might actually be onto something."
"Wait, Gregor not understanding. You want to go kill more wyverns?"
"Weren't you paying attention to anything I said? We'll be rich!"
"But wyverns do no wrong. Why kill such beautiful beasts?"
"Gregor, you're a mercenary too. When's the last war been huh? You know how hard it is for us to make a living in these times."
"Hold on! I just heard something!"
"What is it? Another wyvern?"
"Gregor heard sound coming from that cave."
"That's where this wyvern here came crawling out of. L-look another one's coming out!"
"Wait, this one's tiny!"
"Gregor thinks it's still a child."
"Heh, so that's why this thing charged at me, huh? I got too close to its little den?"
"Gregor believes it's your fault. Mother was just trying to protect child. If you just go away from cave, mother wyvern will not have attacked you."
"Well what's done is done. Damn, but this thing is tiny."
"Yeah, I doubt it'll be worth anything. But, we might as well. I mean we're already here.
"No, no, friends. Gregor will not fight wyvern."
"Hah! Don't tell me you're scared? Come on! I don't think the thing can even fly!"
"No, Gregor know pain of losing parents. Let's just take claws and go."
"You know what? Take the damn claws. Me and the other guy will stay here and make a real killing."
"Gregor is warning you. Don't touch child."
"It's a beast for crying out loud! It's mother's already dead, so we'll just be putting it out of its misery"
"Gregor will tell you one more time. Leave before things turn ugly."
"You threatening me? You think I'm scared of you, tough guy?"
"Gregor doesn't care if you are scared or not."
"Hoho, then you certainly won't mind this! Hyah! ... ...AAAGH!"
"What... You dastard! You killed him! Die! ... ... ... ...Agh!"
He held the flask in his hands. One of his oldest companions which once belonged to his father. He had lived a long life and came to see many things. Some things, he felt were better off not seeing.
His ventures from nation to nation were lonely, his flask being his only solace, helping him get through and forget the things he's seen.
He took one final sip, but to his surprise, the container was still around half full.
He chuckled lowly and rested his head back against the wall.
The final contract he had taken as a mercenary prior to joining the Shepherds was to hunt down a runaway prisoner.
Gregor had spent nearly two days out in the Plegian deserts with his clients, scanning the sandy horizons for any shape or form of the fugitive.
And when he and the group had finally managed to track the prisoner down, it was revealed she was but a young girl.
He refused to aid the scoundrels, like he's done so many times before, but his clients seemed adamant about their goals.
Gregor had no choice but to once again turn his blade on the people that had hired him. Not long after the deed was done, the young girl had fled into the distance.
Gregor chased after her endlessly, following the prints she left in the sand which would seemingly vanish every couple of miles.
When he had finally caught up with her, they were no longer alone.
A group known as the Grimleal had set their sights upon the girl, who miraculously revealed herself to be one of the fabled Manaketes.
The group of cultists would have spelled the end for them, even for a seasoned merc such as Gregor. To their fortune, a band of warriors, the Shepherds had chanced upon the confrontation and offered aid.
The rest was history.
The world was filled with cruelty. Men wishing death upon their own blood. Men who would seek to take the lives of innocent women and children for the sake of profit.
But something Gregor also learned from his travels was that there were still people out there that couldn't turn a blind eye to these evils. There were still people fighting the good fight.
He capped the flask and set it back in his pocket.
Perhaps he didn't need to drink to forget anymore.
"Cordelia, I see what you're trying to do here, and I'll have you know that it only makes me feel worse about myself to have you pair me up." Robin said, trying to keep his voice down despite his frustration.
"This is an eight hour trip we're on. You're the only person that I can communicate directly with for its duration and I'll have you know that I plan on badgering you until you fess up." Cordelia could hear a knock from Robin's barrel, surely him banging his head against the wall.
"Is this necessary?" Robin groaned.
"Just tell your sister Cordelia what's on your mind."
With a heavy sigh, Robin accepted his fate and began. "I think Anna is pretty. Cherche too... Don't let Frederick know I said that or I'll be a dead man."
"What about Nowi?" Cordelia asked playfully.
"Nowi- what? No! I mean she's a cute kid, but, well she's actually older than all of us. But no, she appears much too young for my tastes."
"Tharja?"
"...Okay, I'll admit. Tharja has a very attractive figure... Please don't tell her I said that."
Cordelia snorted in laughter. "I won't, I won't. Go on."
"She's attractive, but... You know Tharja! I've no doubts that behind her sinister appearance, she's a good person, but it would never work out between us. She's too..."
"Yes, yes, I know what you mean. What about... Kjelle?"
"Now we're moving on to the children?" Robin asked in disbelief.
Cordelia shrugged. "They may be our children, but they're not that much younger than ourselves."
"I'm not going to comment on Kjelle. Sully'll beat me to a pulp if word gets out."
"Robin, I'm sure that if any of the mothers in our group where to find that you of all people were courting our daughters, the last thing we'd feel would be anger."
"You're joking. This is some ploy to lure me into a trap, isn't it?"
"Believe it or not Robin, we women have had discussions about several things. Some of those things being you."
"I don't want to know." the Tactician responded instantly.
But Cordelia ignored him. "We agreed that you were a a very noble person. A 'swell guy' is how Sully put it. You've done much to help all of us out in the time you were with us. Why would we feel even the slightest bit bothered if one of our children ended up with you?"
"...It's wrong? I'm supposed to be their senior. A generation ahead of them. You all act like adults towards them, and so should I."
"Robin, I've seen how you act with them. You're not fooling anyone by saying you're playing the role of a responsible adult." Cordelia replied matter-o-factly.
"I'm trying?"
"Just know that we wouldn't mind." Cordelia reminded.
"...I'm not interested in Severa, if that's what you're getting at."
"That's fine, she's already got her Owain. Although... Sumia definitely isn't opposed to the idea of you and her daughter."
Robin felt his gut sink."No. No, stop. Chrom would kill me if he even suspected I harbored such thoughts about Lucina." The sinking feeling in his abdomen only got worse when he got a laugh in response.
"Hoho. I myself, was referring to Cynthia, but here you go mentioning Lucina."
Robin balled his fist, his snails lightly pressing into his palm."Oh give me a break. That alone isn't enough to convict me of anything."
"That may be so, but don't think your relationship with her is going unnoticed."
"Relationship? I treat her as I would any other Shepherd."
"You can't fool me, Robin. I'm a genius." Cordelia said cockily.
"Well look at you."
"Don't you find Lucina even a bit attractive?"
"O-of course I do. But so would any other healthy man my age."
"Don't deflect my question to other men, I'm asking you."
"I already went and said that I do. What more do you want, woman?" Robin moaned.
"...What do you like about her?"
"Why? So you can run off and tell Sumia about this? You two have been reading too many romance novels for it be healthy."
"Perhaps, but I can argue that you have as well." Cordelia smiled at the sound of what was possibly Robin smacking his head. "But that's beyond the point. I solemnly swear that none of what we discuss here will reach the ears of anyone else."
Robin weighed his options. He could talk things out and hope he wouldn't end up in a shallow grave in the near future, or he could just keep his mouth shut and be done with it, but Cordelia would be relentless with her attempts for the entire trip. That meant hours. "... ... ... ... ...You swear?"
"On my honor as a knight of Ylisse." Cordelia pledged.
"I'll have you sent off to do battle in a foreign land..."
"You have my word."
Robin sighed in defeat. "What do you want to know?"
"First off, what about Lucina do you like?"
"She's strong. Both in mind, body and spirit."
"Do go on."
"She's surprisingly childish at times."
"Lucina? She seems to be very dignified."
"So she likes to let on. But I've seen how she really is. She gets easily annoyed at times, and don't let her looks fool you, she's got quite a sharp tongue."
"I never would have pegged Lucina for the type."
"She slapped me on one occasion!"
"Heavens, how could you of all people possibly have deserved that?" Cordelia said sarcastically.
"Okay, I admit that I deserved it. It was around the time where she first joined up with us."
"After she revealed her identity, correct?"
"Yes. Chrom had both she and I spar against one another in an effort to build friendly relations."
"And what exactly did our benevolent Tactician do to bring about such a shocking turn of events?"
"In the middle of our match, I was being pushed back. She's fierce with a sword, I don't believe I have to tell you that. In a last ditch effort, I distracted her with a jape about her younger self."
"Younger self? The one at the castle? ...Oh dear. Robin, you didn't..."
"I told her that I had changed her diapers."
Cordelia rubbed her temples and chuckled lowly. "Hoho...Robin, Robin, Robin. You truly are at a loss when it comes to women. I don't blame Lucina for reacting the way she did. No woman would ever want to hear that a man her age saw her in such a vulnerable, undignified state. I-I, I shudder to even think about it..."
"...I nearly won the match, though. My strategy had worked as intended."
"Un. Be. Lievable. You know, I'm surprised you two are on such good terms after that fiasco."
"So am I, to be honest."
"Well, I guess you can attest it to just how fondly she thinks of you."
"I guess..."
"Don't sound so uncertain. Women also like a man with conviction."
"Thanks, Teach."
"Robin, trust me. From what you've told me and what I've seen, you'll need a woman's help if you ever want to make a move on her"
"Make a move? Make a move!? Who said anything about making a move? I was simply stating what I found attractive about her. And at your request!"
"Fine, fine. Just go back to what you were saying."
Robin grumbled to himself before finally touching back down onto the subject. "She's a surprisingly good mother... Oh gods no..." As soon as the words left his mouth, Robin began banging his head back against the barrel repeatedly.
"My, my. Here you are claiming not to feel anything for her, yet you're already looking to the future?"
"Cordelia, I beg of you. There's no reason any man should have to suffer the indignity that I have in the last few days..."
"Are you telling me that it would be insufferable to be with Lucina?"
"No, I'm not saying that all."
"Then you wouldn't mind being with her?"
"That's not an option. It's... It's immoral."
"Technically speaking, you're nearly the same age."
"There's also the matter of her being the daughter of two of my dear friends."
"One of them, as I have mentioned, seemed to be enthralled about the idea."
"That's... defintely not Chrom you're talking about."
"How do you figure?" Cordelia asked dryly. "But as I was saying, Sumia definitely doesn't have a problem with it."
"But Sumia is a hopeless romantic. You've seen the books she reads. She thrives on such scandalous delusions. Surely her agreement was just in the spur of the moment."
"I'd agree with you, had it not been one of the things she's been babbling about for days."
"D-days!? Oh Naga. Cordelia, please tell me no one else has caught wind of her madness."
"Well, some of the women know."
"And by some, do you mean all?" Robin asked, slowly through grit teeth.
"Let's see. We've got Sumia and I, obviously. Then we've got Sully and Olivia, who were also present during the initial discussion."
"Initial discussion? Gods, did you people hold a war council about my love life?!"
"Robin, calm down. I assure you, that wasn't our intention. The idea just happened to come up."
"Oh? And do to tell exactly who conjured up such a thought."
"Ermm.." Cordelia hesitated, not wanting to sentence the real culprit, Olivia, to some unimaginable plot of vengeance.
"You might as well just tell me. We've already gotten this far, have we not?" Robin asked sharply.
"O-Olivia..."
"Is that what goes through her head? I never would've figured she'd be the typ-"
"She told me it was because of something she had seen."
"What? What did she see?"
"...Something about during the time when she was paired up in a group with you and a few others. During our battle at sea."
"Of all places..."
"She said that she caught sight of you in a panicked state after seeing Lucina in danger."
Robin immediately recalled the event. It was when Lucina had nearly been cut down, had it not been for Anna. Robin pressed his hand to his face in disbelief. How such an insignificant gesture snowballed into talks about his future was beyond him. "Un. Be. Lievable. A guy can't look out a window without all of... this happening?!"
"Tell me that we're wrong, then." Cordelia said, challenging the man.
"What?"
"That you aren't attracted to Lucina. Tell me that we're wrong."
"I am. But that's beyond the point."
"For the sake of this discussion, assume there's no Chrom nor any public appearances to worry about. Assume she is not the daughter of anyone you know. With that in mind, would you consider courting Lucina?"
No Chrom. No father. No Shepherds. Robin suddenly found his breathing beginning to slightly quicken in pace.
"Robin?"
'Lucina...' "I..." He stopped himself, before spitting out anything in haste. 'Lucina... Am I... Am I really considering...'
Cordelia waited patiently, judging by the man's breathing, figured he was doing some sorting.
"... ... ...Yes... Oh, Naga... Yes I would..." Robin said in agony.
"I say you go for it." Cordelia said casually.
"This was a hypothetical situation." Robin reminded.
"Robin, you had just admitted that you were fond of Lucina, and would consider courting her."
"You know very well why I can't."
"But you would if you could, correct?"
"..."
"Robin, I wouldn't be so insistent on this for no reason. I just want to see you happy."
"Don't play the saint with me, Cordelia." Robin shot back.
"Alright, I think it'd be adorable. You'd be a fine match."
Robin rubbed his temple. "...Assuming I do, pursue Lucina, let's be dead serious here. Chrom is a very real obstacle."
"You've got Sumia on your side. I'm sure she'll work things out."
"You know, I used to joke about Chrom giving me the death sentence." Robin stated grimly.
"He would never do such a thing."
"I promised him I'd keep sleazy men away from his daughter."
"Then you haven't failed. You're not sleazy, Robin."
"Heh, Lucina actually said the same thing."
"There you have it."
"Yeah..."
"Say, Robin? I'm a bit... curious. This seemed like quite the touchy subject. Why did you go through with this conversation? Surely you must have known I was merely joking about pestering you the entire trip." she confessed.
Robin took a breath. "About that. I'll admit, I may have come off as a bit.. dishonest, making it seem as if I've never entertained the possibility. Much like what you had to say about the Pegasus Knights, I felt that it'd be healthy for me to express my concerns to someone."
"Hehe, seems we were right on the money. And you trust me enough to safeguard this knowledge?"
"You've got me, Cordelia. You know I won't do anything drastic. Maybe a prank here and a prank there, but let's face it, that's not much of an incentive for you to keep quiet about this. So that's why I'm asking you as a friend, please don't let anyone know this conversation ever happened."
"Wait, are you going to just pretend this never happened? What about Lucina?"
"...I-I'll think about it. Just promise me."
"From one Shepherd to another, you have my word."
"...Ah, there's one more thing that I feel would be good to get off my chest."
"Yes? I'm listening, Robin."
"I may or may not have..."
"May or may not have?" Cordelia echoed, urging him to get it out.
"I may or may not have kissed her. Once."
Cordelia nearly kicked a hole in her barrel with her spasm.
A/N: Hello once again!
In between messing around on Gamefaqs and writing and work and other stuff, you should already know that I'm replaying the game to stave off the bitterness of not having IF( or should I say, Fates).
As it is, I regret to tell you that the promised 'Marathon' is not yet here.
But I have not forgotten! Trust me, it haunts me at night!
Anyways, picking up the day after last time, we see the Shepherds depart for Steiger ahead of the rest of the Ylisseans.
This chapter was focused mostly on Robin and Cordelia, as well as Gregor.
I'll say this right now, I've yet to acquire every single support in Awakening. And the fun of doing new runs are coming across new dialogue. For example, while I don't plan on S-supporting Cherche and Gregor, I've gone up to A and found out that Gregor actually saved Minerva when she was a child. That's pretty damn cool! I'm filling up as much of the support log as I can on this playthrough and am on the lookout for any cool conversation bits/scenarios/ideas through them.
Or Frederick working Tharja to death with his fitness training? Lol.
Hope you enjoyed this and sorry for the wait and more wait!
Til next time!
PS: I request that you please refrain from talking about any news regarding the new Fire Emblem in reviews and PM's. Thanks! Tryin not to spoil anything for myself :P