The morning sun had arisen in the Shepherds' camp. Robin was asleep in his bed, but it looked like he was in a lot of pain.
"… nnngh… no… No… NO!" Robin woke up screaming, cold sweat cascading down his face. He panted for several seconds before hearing someone's voice.
"Robin, is everything all right?"
Robin instantly recognized that voice. It was Say'ri, standing just outside of his tent.
"When you screamed, I became worried." Say'ri said.
"It… It's just a nightmare." Robin panted out. "Nothing to worry about… Wait, what were you-"
"Sir Chrom and the other Shepherds are ready to march. You didn't show, so Chrom sent me to see if you were ready."
"Y-yeah. Tell Chrom I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Aye, my friend." Say'ri left Robin's tent.
Robin got up and started to put his shirt and robe on. *These nightmares are getting more and more frequent. What's more… I can't keep thinking about this! I have to get marching.*
Robin left the tent, taking one more deep breath to shake off any anxiety the nightmare may have left.
At the Ylissean harbor, the young woman was asleep on a stack of hay, holding onto her sword and tome like a teddy bear.
"… nhh…" The girl mumbled in her sleep.
Her slumber seemed to be quite peaceful and enjoyable.
"Hey! Morgan! Wake up!"
(Well that didn't last very long…) The girl slowly woke up and opened her eyes to see a girl with her violet hair tied into long pigtails.
"What are you doing sleeping here?" The girl asked. "And why's your hair black?"
The girl just stared at the other for a few seconds. "… I'm sorry, who are you?"
The other girl's jaw dropped at the mere mention of those words. "How could you forget me?!"
"Don't take it personally." The black-haired girl told her. "I can't remember anything… well, other than my dad… and my name."
"Robin, right?" The violet-haired girl guessed.
"No, my name is Morgan."
"I know you're name is Morgan. I was saying that Robin is you're dad, right?"
"Yeah, do you know where he is?"
"I've heard how the Ylissean army headed for the country of Valm some time ago. Since Robin is their tactician, he has to be with the army. That's one of the reasons why I came here. Good thing that I found you, Morgan. Now we can go find our family together."
"That sounds great… er… I never got your name."
"It's Severa! Anyway, if we're headed to Valm, we'll need a boat to get there."
The two girls were now riding in a small boat in the ocean, going very slowly.
"… Couldn't we get something a little bigger?" Severa asked.
"We need food more than we need a bigger boat." Morgan stated.
"Can this thing at least go any faster?!"
"Hmmm… Ooh!" Morgan quickly pulled out her wind tome and started blowing wind magic into the boat's sail.
The boat started moving significantly faster and Severa hung onto the side of the boat for her life.
"WAAAAHHH!" Severa screamed. "MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!"
Morgan merely laughed while she was blowing wind into the sail. "Ahahaha! We'll get there in no time!"
Throughout most of the morning, the Shepherds marched in the direction of the Mila Tree with Chrom and Say'ri in the front and Robin not far behind them. Periodically, Robin found himself looking at Say'ri. As for why he was doing this, Robin wasn't really sure. This trance of his was broken when Cordelia, from the sky, gently landed her Pegasus next to Robin as her Pegasus walked alongside him.
"Did you see something up there, Cordelia?" Robin inquired.
"Actually… I just wanted to talk to you." Cordelia responded.
"Hm?" Robin pondered the idea for a moment. Ever since he met Say'ri, he's had this strange feeling that only being around her could satiate. It couldn't hurt to ask Cordelia about such things. "You know what? That actually works out quite well. There's something I want your input on."
"Now I'm very curious." Cordelia said. "What would that be?"
Robin wasn't sure how to word it properly so it doesn't sound like he has a crush on someone, so he tried his best to come out and say it. "I'm finding myself fascinated by a certain woman." *… Crap!*
"Heheh, maybe this might help." Cordelia handed Robin a book.
Robin looked at the book's cover for a moment. "… Why do you have a copy of Make Him Fall for You in a Fortnight?"
"That-That's none of your business." Cordelia turned away, blushing.
"… And would this help at all? The title implies that it's for girls that want a guy."
"I'm sure a smart guy like you can-"
"I doubt it. I might be considered a prodigy when it comes to tactics, but when it comes to dating and desires I'm completely clueless. Do you have any suggestions on how to get a woman's attention?"
"Maybe you're thinking too much into it. Just start by talking to her. You know, talk to about interests and make small talk."
"Simple, but helpful. Thanks, Cordelia. I owe you."
"So, anything you'd like to-" Cordelia was about to say when she noticed Robin was now in his 'thinking trance'.
Whenever Robin was in that trance, nothing could break him out of it. Cordelia let out a sigh and took her Pegasus back up into the air.
After a few hours of marching, the Shepherds stopped so they could all have lunch before moving on. Robin got in line for his meal and noticed Say'ri was just standing out of the line and looking at the food on offer.
"Can't decide on what to eat?" Robin asked as he approached Say'ri.
"Oh, Robin." Say'ri turned her head toward him. "Something like that. All of these dishes, they are strange to me."
"You've never had anything like stew before?" Robin asked. "Chunks of food stirred in water?"
"Dishes like that aren't common in Chon'sin."
"Chon'sin?"
"T'was my home… before Walhart seized control."
"I apologize. If talking about your home bothers you, we don't have to talk about it."
"No, I don't mind."
Back in Valm Harbor, there was a small boat approaching the harbor at an incredible speed. It wasn't until the boat hit the sand and into a rock that it had finally stopped. Upon hitting the rock, Severa and Morgan were hurled into the air and they fell into the sand head first. Morgan was the first to pull her head out of the sand.
"I told you we'd make it here quick." Morgan said. "And it only took a few hours."
When Severa finally pulled her head out of the sand, she felt queasy and puked into the hole she just pulled herself out of. "What the hell, Morgan?!"
"Oh!" Morgan ran back to the boat and rummaged round until she pulled out the curved sword. "Thank goodness this is okay."
"Oh, making sure your sword is okay is more important than me?!"
"My mother gave me this sword. I don't remember who she is… but this sword is the only clue I've got. And if I find my dad, he can tell me who my mom is."
Severa sighed. "All right, I'll let it slide, but from now on, don't just toss me aside for a material object, okay?"
"Okay, Severa."
"Now let's head into town. We can ask the townsfolk if they know where the Shepherds are… and maybe get some shopping done while we're at it."
Robin and Say'ri sat by the shade of a tree as they ate their meals.
"You know, this is the first time I've eaten bread." Say'ri spoke. "The taste reminds me of rice."
"Not surprising since they're both grains." Robin said. "Actually, I'm interested in knowing more about Chon'sin culture. Like your armor for example. It's not like anything I've seen in Ylisse."
"This armor is actually quite common in Chon'sin. All warriors there wear some form of variation."
"Its shape is unusual, but clever in its design. The plating looks quite tough as well."
"It's made of hardened lacquer. It keeps the armor light while providing excellent defense. Actually, heavy armor is a rare sight in Chon'sin."
"Oh, that reminds me, did we forget to bring Kellam along?" Robin realized.
"You did."
Robin and Say'ri were both surprised to see the heavy knight just standing right behind them.
"Kellam?!" Robin exclaimed. "How long have you been here?!"
"If you're talking about the trip, I've been with you guys the whole time." Kellam responded. "If you're talking about here by this tree, the whole time, too."
"Well, I hate to be rude, Kellam, but… could you please leave?" Robin requested. "Or just vanish like you normally do?"
"… I think I know what this is about." Kellam's face seemed to indicate he came to some sort of realization.
"What?" Robin inquired.
m
"It's just a rumor I've been hearing around camp." Kellam simply answered. "Anyway, I hope you enjoy your lunch."
As Kellam left, Robin made a mental note to himself to question some of the Shepherds later.
"Anyway, do soldiers of Chon'sin also wield different weapons in addition to their armor?" Robin asked.
"Aye, we wield a curved, single-edged blade in both hands, so we do not carry shields." Say'ri answered.
"That's a far cry from what I'm used to… Are there any other important differences?"
"Aye, a world's worth, sir. You'd find much of Chon'sin culture curious. Food, dress… most everything."
DING! DING!
That bell signaled the end of the Shepherds' lunch break. Robin seemed a bit disappointed that their conversation had to end so soon.
"I'd love to hear more sometime." Robin expressed. "… If you don't mind, that is."
"Of course." Say'ri smiled. "I would be honored. Talk of my homeland keeps it close to my heart."
As the Shepherds marched, Cordelia and Sumia were high in the air, scouting ahead for any enemy forces.
"Cordelia, is everything okay?" Sumia asked.
Cordelia let out a deep sigh. "I don't know..."
"What's on your mind?"
"It's just... I want him to see me as more than a friend... and now I'm hearing those stupid rumors from the guys. Sumia, how exactly did you win Chrom's heart?"
"I baked him a bunch of pies. That definitely proves that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Why don't you try baking something?"
"That's not a bad idea, Sumia, thanks."
The Shepherds had continued to march until the sun had started to set. It was during this time that Robin decided to go to the one person whom would know anything that goes around camp.
"Gaius?" Robin called out as he walked toward the thief.
Gaius was leaning against one of the tents sucking one of his lollipops. When he noticed Robin, he casually waved at him.
"Hey, Bubbles." Gaius greeted. "I swear, I didn't take the cookie that was left by your tent."
"What cookie?"
"Never mind then."
"Anyway, I heard Kellam say something like, oh, I don't know, there's a rumor about me floating around camp."
"You want information, make it worth my while." Gaius rubbed his fingers together.
Robin took out a stick of gum out of his pocket and handed it to Gaius. When Gaius got his hand on it, he took the lollipop out of his mouth, stuck it to his shirt, tossed the gum into his mouth and started chewing it.
"He's right." Gaius spoke as he chewed. "There is a rumor going around camp. Supposedly, you're smitten with the new lady, uh…" Gaius snapped his fingers a couple of times.
"Say'ri?"
"Yeah, haven't found a nickname for her yet."
"Where would they get the idea that I like Say'ri?"
"Because I started that rumor."
"You?! Why would you do that?"
"Thought I'd have a little bit of fun at your expense… Plus, the words are written all over your face."
"Wh-what?!"
"I've charmed a lot of women in my days and I know when I'm reeling them in. Guys aren't that different."
"I barely know Say'ri."
"Which is why I only said that you had a crush on her. I respect you that way."
"But not enough to keep it to yourself?" Robin raised his eyebrow.
"Bingo, Bubbles."
"… Oh, crap!" Robin realized something.
"What?"
"If Tharja hears about this… I can't even imagine it!"
"… Okay, now I wish I didn't say anything."
A/N: DONE! This chapter focused partly on the first support conversation with Say'ri and tie in a couple of other interesting plot points. Next chapter will be the battle at the Mila Tree. I know that it usually took probably weeks for the Ylissean League to reach Valm Harbor, but I needed Morgan and Severa to reach them as soon as possible... which also provided me with an opportunity for comic relief. I obviously know that it's impossible for a ship to cross an entire ocean in a matter hours. Just wanted to get the point across that I'm not an idiot like the directors and writers of the movies the Nostalgia Critic reviews. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!