A few months later, Coran found themself in the southernmost area of Ylisse. The town they were staying in was uncreatively named 'Southtown' but then, Coran thought, Ylisseans have never been good with names. The main road to Ferox was simply called the Northroad, after all. Everything had been going as usual until a brigand threw his axe through the window of the inn Coran had been breakfasting at. They grabbed their Shine tome (a recent purchase, as the Lightning their mother gave them had become more of a personal belonging than a practical spell to use) and Heal staff (not the old staff they got from Julius; they weren't even sure what kind of staff that was, and they didn't want it to break in the heat of battle) before darting out of the building.

Barely dodging an axe swing due to their short stature, they spun around, casting Shine. The barbarian was certainly dead at that point, and his friend ran off, away from the inn. Looking about, Coran saw that they had set fire to some buildings. They searched for injured townsfolk as they made their way to the central plaza, healing everyone they could. Every brigand they ran into received a swift blast of magic, though they tried not to kill too many. As they reached the heart of the town, they saw a yellow-clad healer following behind her companions. Coran quickly cast a Shine spell at a swordsman sneaking up on her, and she turned around, startled.

"Woah, who're you!?" She exclaimed, holding her staff in front of her in a defensive stance. Coran noticed there was a cut on her right arm.

"I'm Coran. I b-bumped into your group a f-few months ago?" She relaxed.

"Oh right, the Sage guy!"

"Ahh, umm, I'm n-not a g-guy..." They mumbled, though they weren't sure that she heard them. "Y-your arm is hurt, c-can I help?" They asked, pulling their own Heal staff out.

"Gosh, if you would that would be great! It really sucks that you can't heal yourself with your own staff." Coran healed her, not in the mood to explain the theory behind healing magic and why it would be impossible to heal yourself.

Away from the two exclusive magic-users, Chrom was fighting alongside his new ally, Robin. The two were advancing across the bridge to fight the bandit's apparent leader, with Frederick off fighting somewhere else. After offing the leader, the two men looked at each other with a smile. Robin looked away from Chrom after a bit before asking a question.

"Where did your sister go?"

Before Chrom could feel a substantial amount of panic, they heard laughter approaching. The very yellow princess was walking towards them at a casual pace with who Chrom recognized to be the traveling Sage from a few months prior. Robin didn't know them, but something about them seemed oddly familiar. Shaking his head, he followed Chrom to meet them halfway.

"Sage Coran, long time no see." His smile was friendly. Coran laughed quietly.

"P-please, just Coran. Y-you're in n-no p-position to be showing me s-so much respect."

"Coran saved my life!" Lissa giggled, grabbing hold of their arm. "I sure am glad they were here after you left me behind to go fight with your new boyfriend."

"W-we're not..." Robin inched away from Chrom slightly.

"Who's th-this?" Coran redirected the conversation, halfway out of pity for the embarrassed looking stranger.

"His name is-" Chrom began, but Robin looked irritated.

"Robin. And I can introduce myself." He rolled his eyes before holding his hand out. "Hello, my name is Robin, and I'm the Shepard's newest amnesiac tactician." Coran smiled, taking his hand.

"M-my name is Coran, and I'm j-just a traveling Sage." Coran suddenly felt very short. Even Lissa was taller than them!

"You know, Coran," Chrom spoke, and Coran saw Frederick approaching the small group. "Your skills with magic are incredible. What do you say to joining the Shepherds?"

"I m-might have to think on it. Th-thank you for your o-offer." They bowed. "I'll be r-returning to my room at the inn, or w-what's left of it. I'll c-consider joining after I h-help these people r-rebuild."

"It'd be great if you did! You're really cool!" Lissa exclaimed, and Coran bid their farewells before turning away, hearing the princess continue speaking as Frederick joined the group.

"But wow, Robin! Swords, sorcery, and tactics? Is there anything you can't do?"

Word Count: 742

In which Robin exists.

Hello there I don't know when I'll post again because I don't know where Awakening is

Next time: A masked swords'man' enters the fray.