Italics indicate thinking

Bold is for attacks

Robin's POV

On our way back to Ylisse we a boy ran up to us he had a simple spear and a pot on his head.

"Help! You have to help!" the kid yelled.

"Calm down." Chrom said grabbing the boy's shoulders. "What's wrong?'

"There's that brat!"

"Bandits?"

"Aw what's this now, the lordship came to watch over the cattle?" the bandit laughed before noticing who we were "Aw shit! It's the Shepherds!"

"What's it gonna be?" Chrom asked "Run and live, or fight and die, choose quickly."

"GRR…" the bandit hissed running off.

"Quickly boy, what happened here?" Chrom asked.

"Y-yes right away milord, err graciousness…Uhh…"

"Skip the title for now." Chrom said giving a reassuring smile "What is your name?"

"Donny…er…Donnel sir." The boy said "I live in the village just bayed the way."

"That's a start, so what happened?"

"Those darn stinkin' bandits attacked us." He explained quickly "Pardon the language, I'm the only one who got out. They were rounding up the rest of the village to haul them off to their camp. Please sir you gotta save them, my Ma is in there."

"Damn this war…" Chrom hissed "Alright Donny we'll help you, lead the way."

We made quick time to finding where the bandits had set up camp. They were using the ruins of some old houses as a base.

"All right, thanks Donny." Chrom nodded "Stay close now."

"Pardon sir but…I can't fight." Donnel said "I ain't even killed a pig before."

"Sorry I just…with the spear and all I assumed." Chrom stuttered "It's fine, just wait here."

"I wish I was strong like you guys, I could have kicked them out myself."

"They you should fight to get stronger." I chimed in.

This kid…has a ton of potential…I can feel it.

"But-."

"No one is born a warrior Donny." Chrom explained "Farm work is a good start; the sickle can go hand in hand with the sword you know. Bandits are tougher than crops but the principles apply."

"Ngnh…all right, I'll try." Donny said "I want to help protect everyone."

I started dictating orders and moving people into position.

"Everyone ready?"

"Yes!"

The first move I made was to instruct Lon'qu to look after Donnel, Lissa and I were going to stay close by and offer support if needed.

There's an archer there and as long as Donny stays close it will make for good practice with a live target…

At the same time I had Chrom, Sully, Stahl, Virion and Miriel sweep to the left to watch out for and other bandits.

"GAH!" I heard Donny hiss as an arrow just skimmed him.

"Lissa!"

"I'm on it!"

I turned my head for just a second to take out another bandit…

"AHHH!"

"Lissa!"

The princess was clutching her arm, which was dripping blood, staining her pretty dress.

"Thunder!"

I shocked the man.

"Thunder!"

Again.

"THUNDER!"

And again.

"STOP!" I felt Lissa grab me "That's enough…you got him…"

I closed the tome.

"Sorry…you right, lost focus of a second.

What came over me…when I saw Lissa like that…I just lost it.

"GAHHH!"

I looked over and saw Donny and stabbed the archer, taking him down.

"I…I did it!"

We quickly moved deeper into the encampment, dispatching bandits as we went. This was my first time seeing Lon'qu in battle and he was outstanding, he cut people down before they could blink, he was a master with swords, especially with the katana like blade he had.

"Hmm…" the swordsman said focusing.

"Die!" the bandit leader yelled charging.

"HA!"

Lon'qu flicked his wrist and a gentle morning breeze blew before the bandit keeled over in a pool of blood.

"Are we done here?" the man grumbled walking off "I'll be in the tents."

"We…We did it!" Donny cheered "We got rid of 'em once and for all!"

"A worthy first victory." Chrom smiled.

Vaike went over and cut the chain to the cell holding the villagers.

"Teach is happy to help."

"Ma!"

Donny ran over and hugged his mother.

"Well that's really sweet." Lissa smiled.

"How's the arm?" I asked concerned.

"I'll be okay." She blushed "Thank you for asking…and for protecting me."

"I would have done it for anyone."

"Oh…I see." She frowned.

"Something wrong?"

"No…" she mumbled "I'm…gonna go wrap this up."

"I can't thank you enough for saving the village." Donny's mom said before slapping her son upside the head "Where are you manners bow to his Lordship."

Donnel dropped his head low "Thank you, I can't begin to repay y'all."

"You led the attack." Chrom smiled "all we did was follow your lead."

"You have a ton of potential Donnel." I said "use it, and protect what you care about."

"Come on everyone we still have to get back to the capital." Chrom said getting everyone to leave.

"Wait!"

"Hmm?" Chrom said turning back "What is it?"

"I have a request." The farm boy gulped.

"Donny? Don't say such things."

"Can I…I mean will you…take me with ya and let me be a Shepherd like you. I can carry my own weight; I can take care of the animals and such I promise."

"Donny!" his mom yelled.

"I wanna hone my…whatchamacallits, skills so I can protect you and everyone else, I ain't never thought I was only good for shoveling dirt and the like, but now I know I can do so much more."

"And what you need to know is your place." his mom said "A farmhand is no use to a prince."

"Actually I'd love to have him join us." Chrom said "The Shepherds can use every one we can get our hands on, and Donny is more than brave enough."

"That's very kind of you to say but…Haa…who am I kidding." Donny's mom sighed "He's a big boy who can make his own choices."

"Ma…"

"You just…come home safe kay?" his mother smiled "I'll look after everything here, now go, the future's waitin for you. Go fight for glory and such."

I ain't fighting for no glory, I'm fighting for you." Donny smiled "And shucks…maybe a little glory too."

With that we left the little farm, our newest companion in toe. The rest of the walk back Lissa wasn't too keen on talking to me.

I wonder if I said something to upset her?

Later

When we got back to the palace Chrom, Lissa and I were called to meet with Emmeryn.

"So Regna Ferox will lend us aid, splendid." The exalt smiled "Excellent work Chrom."

"Let's just hope we don't have to use them." I laughed.

Some force in the universe must hate me because Phila ran in to report that the Plegian had kidnapped some noble girl.

"Wait…that's Maribelle!" Lissa yelled.

"Dammit!" Chrom said slamming his fist down.

"It gets worse." Phila said "King Gangrel insists Lady Maribelle encroached on his land and is demanding compensation."

"That bastard does he think we're fools?!" Chrom yelled.

"Calm down Chrom…" Emmeryn said.

"Gangrel?" I said confused.

"He is the current king of Plegia." Lissa explained in a hushed voice "He's a real slimy jerk."

"This is a delicate situation…" Emmeryn said "I will offer parley with Gangrel."

"Emm!"

"You can't be serious!" Chrom yelled loudly.

"Chrom!" the eldest sister glared.

She's very intimidating when she wants to be…Emmeryn may seem clam and peaceful but when Chrom steps out of line she's quick to push him back…I guess that's the power of an elder sibling.

"The life of Lady Maribelle is what's important; we will talk with the Plegians."

"Fine but I'm coming with you." Chrom said "For your own good."

"I'm coming too!" Lissa yelled "For Maribelle!"

"I'll assemble the other." I said getting up.

"We'll head out right away."

Chrom, Lissa, and I left to head to the garrison and prepare the others.

"Captain I hear we're mobilizing!" a small redheaded boy in baggy clothes said running up.

"AH!" Chrom gasped "Jeez Ricken you scared the crap out of me."

"I'll get my things so we can leave."

"You're not coming." Chrom said "It's too dangerous."

"But you know how good I am!"

"This is not up for debate, but I do know how strong you are, so you look after the garrison while we gone." Chrom said.

"Who's that?" I asked Lissa.

"That's Ricken, he's a mage, his still kinda young but he's really good with his magic skill." She nodded "Chrom tends to treat him like a little baby."

We got to the garrison and found most of the other Shepherds sleeping around.

"Everyone up we're moving now!" Chrom yelled.

"Huh?" Vaike grumbled sitting up "What's up?"

"Maribelle got kidnapped by the Plegians."

"HA!" Sumia gasped "Oh dear."

"Emmeryn insists on talking Gangrel down." Chrom said "But I want us there as insurance in case things go south."

Vaike stood up without a word and grabbed his axe form its place inside a training dummy's head, when he yanked it out straw sprayed everywhere "Which way?"

"That's a serious look you've got there Vaike." I smirked.

"They took one of us." He glared "I'm not messing around."

He's right…we can't make a mistake here.

"Stahl and I will ride ahead and make sure the path is clear." Sully said buckling her armor.

"Just be careful." Chrom said "There may be an ambush planned."

"Relax." The red head smirked punching Chrom shoulder "I can take care of myself."

Chrom just rolled his eyes "Don't you think I know that…" he mumbled.

"Hmm?" I blinked observing them.

"Chrom and Sully are old friends." Lissa explained "You know when I was really little I used to joke about the two of them getting married."

"I see." I laughed.

"I only met the fair maiden Maribelle ever so briefly." Virion said checking his string "But as usual I am at your side if you require it."

"The shift in attitude upon the kidnapping of one's friend is fascinating." Miriel said writing notes "Even a stranger like Virion is affected…"

"I am affected by all ladies." Virion smirked.

"Yes…I've noticed." Miriel said fixing her glasses.

"Grr…"

"Something wrong Lon'qu?"

"Hmm…I'm just itching to go." He mumbled "I've been with you lot for a day or so now, and all I've gotten to do is cut down some bandits…I'm ready for a real battle."

"I hope you don't get one…" Lissa said nervous.

"Be quiet girl." Lon'qu growled

"Meanie!"

"Lissa is just worried about her friend." I explained "If a real battle breaks out Mirabelle may get caught in the middle."

"Let's just go." The man said brushing past.

AN

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