Well, the first chapter didn't go so badly. I might actually be good at this, God forbid!
Typically, the Shepherds would expect a signal to finish what they're doing, and meet up in the centre of camp for a mission debriefing. On this occasion though, it wasn't necessary. It was obvious what they were up against. But they still heard Robin give the call, much earlier than anticipated, and soon the camp congregated in front of the war council's tent.
The only ones not present were Chrom and Sumia. They were already at the war council, and they didn't need to hear the tactician's plan a third time. Satisfied, Robin started. "Thanks for coming in so quickly, I know we're all a bit anxious to say the least. But for a change, this meeting is not to give you all a full debrief. Frederick will do that later." There was a collective groan at the prospect of the lieutenant giving a lecture later on. "I'm going to do something unusual. When I call your names, I'd like you to come to the armoury, where Lucina and I will supply you with new weapons. They'll be better than the weapons you've currently been issued, and necessary for when the time comes."
It always pleased a Shepherd to know when they were getting issued with new weapons. There was a sense of pride to receive a brand new silver weapon or a tome, and to cast aside the dented and battle-worn tools. It made a Shepherd feel at the top of their game again. So to know they would all receive new weapons that out-classed the ones they had at their side currently, that was a sure-fire way of getting morale up. And Robin knew that. Proof was right in front of him in the form of a riled audience.
Looking at the list he had in the armoury, Robin began from the top: "The first ones I'd like to see please, are Sully and Stahl. Please come to the armoury when we've finished here." The modern Cain and Abel, looked at each other in anticipation.
"Hot damn! We get the freshest from the pile!" the red knight exclaimed.
"Huh, I just got a new spear the other day too!" the green knight said in a similar surprised tone.
"The rest of you will be called later on. Alright, that's all. Thanks everyone." Robin finished.
The crowd began to disperse back to whence they came. Robin took Lucina's hand, and they walked back to the armoury.
"Only you could boost morale as easily as that." Lucina noted.
"Morale is the greatest single factor in successful wars." Robin quoted.
Ever since they found Morgan at the Ruins of Time, Lucina had to keep up with the war of words between Robin and their daughter. Given the opportunity, Morgan would open fire on her father with a quote from one of her favourite tactical manuals, and Robin would counter with an equally valid quote. It was a fun argument, one that Morgan swore to defeat her father at. But every defeat meant a new lesson was learnt.
"I can't let them get distracted by their own fear. I can tell that they're all anxious about this last fight, and I'm terrified that someone might not make it through." Robin said slowly.
"Don't speak like that! You know you won't make it through! And you speak as if your…" Lucina choked on her words. "…as if it means little to you! I can't tell you how incredible it is you've managed to keep everyone alive for so long, and you would just…"
"When Chrom made me tactician of the Shepherds, I barely knew anyone. I suddenly had the responsibility of all these people's lives thrown at me. And at that point, I swore I'd keep them safe." Robin reflected. "And I renewed that vow when I met you, when we were married, and when we met Morgan."
A light cough interrupted them.
"We don't mean to be interrupting you in the middle of a moment, but you wanted to see us?" Stahl said sheepishly. Sully cringed at her husband's choice of words.
"Oh! Y-yes." Robin blushed, releasing his wife's hand. "Do enter the armoury and take a seat, we'll follow you in."
Stahl and Sully entered the tent. Lucina was about to follow, before a tug at her arm stopped her.
"Are you going to be alright, dear?" Robin asked, concern clear in his voice.
Lucina just bowed her head without turning to him, and continued into the armoury. It filled him with fear. With discomfort, he finally entered the tent.
Apart from the rows of armour and weapons that lined the walls of the tent, the armoury was fairly minimal. Just several stools and a table in the middle were the only luxuries available for whoever was assigned quartermaster that week to write up the stock report. Stahl and Sully had sat themselves at the table, and Lucina was sitting opposite them. Robin took the last seat next to his wife.
"New weapons, huh?" Sully said with interest.
"Yes, but we're getting ahead of ourselves." Robin laughed. "I've seen you guys develop from lowly cavaliers into paladins leading charges. Somehow, I feel like that wasn't so long ago!"
"No, I guess not." Stahl agreed. "But we weren't leading the troops from the beginning. Do you remember when Vaike forgot to tell me we were moving out to Regna Ferox that morning?"
"Yes, the numbskull left you behind! And you did a good job of reminding everyone of the breakfast we all had!"
"Don't remind me, I'm already hungry for dinner…" Stahl said, clutching his stomach.
"And don't you remind me of food either! It took ages to regain my form after you poisoned me back then with that green muck, you dastard!" Sully interjected.
"Well, yeah…" Robin admitted, scratching his head. "But don't forget I poisoned myself with that seaweed too! But you and I have seen the difference it made. I'd wager that Virion would be keeling over for much longer if you kicked him the same way when he first 'proposed' to you!"
There was more reminiscing between the four of them. Stories of Chrom's birthday and the training regime the two paladins went through were only some of the topics they looked back and laughed at. Lucina had to be filled in on the gaps, as at the time, she was in Regna Ferox busy challenging her uncle Lon'qu for his title as Basilio's champion. Robin decided then to return to the present, and to the business of fixing the future.
He laid out a map of the battlefield on the table. It was a fairly simple map, since there was no awkward terrain like rivers or woods or mountains to wrestle with. If you don't call Grima's back awkward terrain in the first place, that is.
"You guys have done this job plenty of times. So expect no different this time; you'll both be leading your respective green and red teams up either sides of the battlefield to flank the enemy at this point, here." Robin pointed at the map. "I hope to trap the enemy in a pincer, but I've never been fighting on top of a giant, pitch black dragon. So be wary for anything as you're moving your team up. I mean it."
"Have you decided who will be in each of the groups?" Stahl queried dutifully.
"I have, but I can still change them. Frederick'll announce the groups when we have the final meeting in the centre of camp." Robin replied. "Meanwhile, Chrom and myself will lead the blue team up the middle, so we can finish up the manoeuvre. Then it's a push to the nape of the neck, where I expect 'he' will be waiting. In the meantime, green and red will be keeping a look out for any surprises. I'll make sure you have aerial support too."
"Alright, business as usual for us then. Nothing fancy. I like it." Sully said gruffly.
"Fine. Frederick will fill you in on the rest of the battle plan later on. But now, we've to discuss your weapons. Follow me." Robin said, getting up from the table.
Lucina spotted that the paladins had perked up, and giving Robin their full attention. "Just like he said…" she thought. Getting up from the table, they walked to the two chests that started this episode of re-equipping the Shepherds. Robin unlocked the chests.
"Now firstly, a question for you both. When you're training together, which of you is quicker?" Robin asked.
"Definitely Sully." Stahl admitted almost too readily.
"Then this is for you, Sully."
Robin drew a sabre from one of the chests, and handed it still sheathed to Sully. Freeing it from its scabbard, Sully looked impressed as she took a couple of practice swings, before marvelling at it in finer detail.
"This is Balmung. You might remember it from the fight before we arrived at the Dragon's Table in the hands of a certain dead swordmistress."
"It's so light! The thing feels like it could break after a nice, hard strike!" Sully quickly criticised.
"Do you not feel more agile with that blade in your hand? I thought it would complement your quicker reflexes. And don't be so quick to dismiss it either. Along side the weapon I'm about to give your husband, and the sword Owain incessantly harps on about, it's supposed to be among the strongest swords ever forged." Robin replied unfazed.
"You're giving us the strongest weapons ever made!?" Stahl exclaimed.
"Well, if you're leading charges, I need you to be completely free of any doubts you might have. It's going to be difficult up there, so I need everyone as confident in winning as they can be." Robin said with every ounce of conviction he could muster. "I read that Balmung was the personal weapon of the Sword Saint, and had been laid to rest in the Yied Shrine. How these weapons came into the Deadlord's possession is beyond me. Now Stahl, for you, I have this in mind."
Robin took from the chest a naked blade and presented it to Stahl. A sheath was never made for it, as it's strength lent itself to the blade's interesting shape. Stahl, ever the reliable knight, recognised Tyrfing easily, surfacing memories of his young days in the Shepherd's militia.
"I remember seeing that sword in Ylisstol's armoury back when I was training to become a cavalier. I never once thought I would be wielding it one day!"
"Yeah, well, I wasn't going to let Chrom keep it as a personal museum piece." Robin joked. "This was the sword used by the Knight Lord Sigurd, and it was left in Chrom's possession as a result of a lengthy genealogy. As a reliable sage-clearer, you should find your already significant magical resistance further bolstered with this blade."
Stahl was still stunned. "Is Chrom going to be alright with you giving me use of this sword?"
"Ha, probably not." Robin rolled his eyes. "But I'll hear that from him later. That's my problem, not yours."
Stahl stood straight. "This is such an honour, sir."
"I'm glad you think so." Robin smiled warmly, as he closed the chests. "Alright, that's it. Go and get familiar with your new weapons. I'm sure the Bull and the Panther will remain a relentless force to any of their opponents."
"Thank you sir."
"Damn Stahl, I'm gonna wipe the floor with you next time we spar!" Sully said with a glint in her eye, as they made their way out of the tent.
"Oh, and Stahl?"
"Yes, Robin?
"Could you call Lissa and Lon'qu to see us next, please?"
"Sure."
Robin and Lucina returned to their seats at the table.
"You failed to tell them the outcome of your plan." Lucina noted. Robin flinched.
"That… is 'need to know' information." he said sombrely. "The only people who need to know are Chrom and you. I can't let that distract anyone else."
"Not even Morgan?" Lucina challenged.
"…No. She can't know. At least, not yet. But I've got something planned for her, don't worry."
No, I've changed my mind. I'm not that good.
Oh God, if I'm going to continue with the format of one couple per chapter, this could end up as long as an epic! But now I can move on to characters I like better. And I plan to allocate them with weapons that reflect their traits better. I think Stahl and Sully just picked the short straws there!
As before, comments and criticisms are always welcome. Have a nice day, and be excellent to each other!
_
R