"Well, the good news is that the swelling is going down," Lissa nodded approvingly as she put Lucina's eye patch back into place, "The bad news is that you still probably won't be able to use it for a bit."

"That's fine. I've been getting used to it," Lucina readjusted the eye patch as she stood from the log.

"Impressive inspection," Maribelle nodded approvingly, "You've become quite a medic. I concur with the diagnosis."

"Thank you, lady Maribelle." Lucina curtsied.

"Don't mention it. Actually, I was meaning to speak with you. This proved a good opportunity."

"Speak with me?" Lucina blinked, "What about?"

"I had noticed that you seem particularly well mannered. I am aware of your condition, but I cannot help but think that you had some degree of a proper upbringing. Perhaps not a noble yourself, but perhaps you were brought up in a noble house."

"You really think so?" Lissa seemed more enthused about the idea than Lucina did.

"I certainly can tell you she did not pick up those habits in the slums. It is buried, but I see a solid foundation of etiquette. I'm certain of it."

"I'm not sure what to make of that," Lucina eventually spoke up.

"Naturally, no noble houses have any missing children as far as I'm aware, and I'd rather not make any untoward accusations. Still, it's not unheard of for the children of trusted servants to get the basics of such an education as well or at least pick up on them. Perhaps I could discreetly ask around to see if you are one such child."

"But don't most of the nobles not like you?"

"Hush now," Maribelle glared at her fellow blonde, "Do not mistake my issues making friends for a lack of connections."

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't want to be a bother."

"Nonsense. I admit, my curiosity is piqued. May as well see if we can come to a suitable answer."

"Well, if it is no bother."

"I assure you, it is not. I shall begin inquiries as soon as I'm able. Naturally, after this unpleasantness has passed."

"Thank you, Lady Maribelle," Lucina tried to hide it, but she liked the idea that there may be some hope of finding out about her past. Even if it was a long shot, she was eager to learn of her past.

"Good match," Robin wheezed as he sat down on a log as the frosty Feroxi air nearly burned his lungs with each labored breath.

"You have skill," Lon'qu noted, unwinded from the sparring session, "You adapt quickly. However, you lack endurance."

"So I've noted," Robin panted, "I'm working on it."

"Did you learn anything?" The swordsman asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Quite a bit, but I'll need to put it together when I'm a bit more, well, together. How about you? See any merits to my idea?"

"As I said, it is outlandish, but not impossible. You're clever. If anyone can figure it out, you can. I simply do what works for me."

"Well, it definitely works. I could barely keep track of you."

"You flatter me, but I'm hardly the strongest. Still, you kept up better than you give yourself credit for. Work on your endurance, and you could be a significant threat on the battlefield even without your strategies."

"I'll keep that in mind once I find my lung."

"You do that. I have to report for," The man took a long moment to sigh, "Bodyguard duty."

'Oh, yeah, Chrom put you on that. Well, you are the best man for the job sans maybe Frederick, and he's guarding Chrom. After Emmeryn's attempted assassination, it seemed like a reasonable precaution."

"I suppose, I just…wait a second," Lon'qu glared at the tactician, "DId you recommend me for this job?"

"Er," Robin sat up rigidly, "As I said, you seemed well equipped for it…"

"I'll remember this, Robin," The Feroxi champion glared, "I'll remember this."

The tactician swallowed as the swordsman left. Perhaps he had underestimated his phobia…or maybe Lissa was just pushing him that hard Either seemed probable.

"Ah, there you are, Robin." The tactician remembered to breathe as Chrom walked up seemingly oblivious to the fright his new friend had just suffered, "The scouts are back and it looks like the bandit gang has set up an illicit toll on the road. Seems like our first step in weeding them out is clear."

"I'll see what their reports have to say and develop a plan to break their little blockade."

"Sounds good. Looks like they're holding up the supply of goods. Without them, the civilians could starve."

"Can't have that. I'm sure they aren't expecting something like us, but to be fair, they're also in Ferox. I won't be expecting pushovers."

"Good," Chrom looked his friend over, "You alright? You seem winded."

"Just some sparring with Lon'qu. I'm working to improve my martial ability."

"I see. Well, I approve. We'll have to spar sometime."

"Er, sure, but let's tend to this first."

"Right. I await your strategy."

Once Chrom turned to leave, Robin sighed. He really did not feel up to that sparring match just yet.

"Yep, those are brigands alright," Robin slid down the slight hill and met back up with the Shepherds, "Shouldn't be too big of a challenge. If we operate well, we might be able to-"

"Civilian spotted!" Cordelia suddenly landed next to them.

"What?" Chrom furrowed his brow, "I thought it was clear?"

"It was, but I decided to do some last minute scouting to see if anything had changed. A singular woman seems to be going out to face them!"

"Alone?" Chrom grunted before turning to Robin, "We need to save her!"

"Already on it. Sumia, take Chrom and lend her some aid. Cordelia, Stahl, ride up after them and clean up from behind. The rest of us will maintain the original plan and take the bulk of the forces down south. Lucina, think you can take Chrom's place on point?"

"I can," Lucina nodded, "Maybe not as well, but I'll do my best."

"I have faith in you," Chrom smiled with a hand on her shoulder, "Now, let's move out, Shepherds!"

The teams set about their missions with Robin directing the bulk of their forces to deal with the larger group. They would have a harder time making sure none escaped with fewer numbers, including some of their most mobile units, but being a tactician meant being flexible.

Chrom, meanwhile, noted that riding with Sumia had become almost second nature already. Strange, as he had never developed a talent for it himself, but he found it almost relaxing with her. She had a way with animals that made even riding into battle almost serene.

Blushing at realizing where his thoughts were going, Chrom focused on the task at hand. As they got near the civilian, Chrom leapt off the pegasus as Sumia flew low. Rolling on landing, Chrom quickly spun and stabbed an archer making for the redhead as Sumia picked off another brigand.

"Wow, that was quite an entrance."

Chrom blinked, taking in the redhead. She seemed none the worse for the wear. In fact, judging from the brigand's bodies, she was doing more than okay. Still, Chrom was not about to leave her be.

"Well, we were here to rescue you."

"How chivalrous of you. I'm Anna. While you're here, mind helping me clean up?"

"It is why we're here."

Robin's team was making good progress on their own. With Lucina on point and Frederick running defense, they had little to worry about, but Robin was not about to rest on his laurels. However, shouting and pointing in a battlefield did make oneself a target as realized when one of the brigands went for Robin's head.

"Robin!" The tactician turned upon Lucina's warning and deftly evaded the ax swing and leaned out of the way as Lucina finished him off. As she did so, another came for her, but Robin intercepted by taking off his hand at the wrist.

The tide was certainly in their favor, and the bandits noticed. They started to retreat with one of the larger ones holding the line. Robin grit his teeth as the larger man slammed down against Lucina who managed to skillfully deflect the blow.

Not leaving anything to chance, Robin gave her some cover fire, and while the large man managed to evade his spell, he was too busy doing that to avoid Lucina's blade. Unfortunately, he had succeeded in buying the others time to escape.

"They got away," Lucina frowned, seeing that they had escaped.

"Yes, but you did well," Chrom answered dismounting from off Sumia's pegasus, "The village is safe. That's what matters today. We'll take care of the others later."

"What happened with that civilian?" Robin asked as he sheathed his blade.

"About that, she's a traveling merchant, but she knows how to handle herself in a fight. Around half of the brigands were already down when we got there. We helped pick the rest of them off and warned the village. She continued on her way, but said to look out for more 'secret sellers.' Whatever that is."

"I have heard rumors of such merchants," Frederick noted, "But I'm afraid I don't know much more than that."

"As have I," Virion chimed in, "I hear they are all lovely things, but far too concerned with the coin to pursue."

"Speaking from experience, Virion?" The prince folded his arms.

"My, what sort of cad do you take me for?" The archer did not get any responses which was response enough, "Perhaps once."

"Right, sure. In any case, we should make for the road. I've heard their hideout is further north east. We should be able to make pretty good time."

"Agreed," Robin nodded, "Best to hurry before they get to hole up or abandon their keep."

"Sounds like a plan. Shepherds, let's hit the road."

"How are you faring in this cold, do you need a spare cloak?"

Robin blinked at the offer for a moment, "I'm fine, thanks. I didn't know you had become quartermaster, Lucina. That seems like more Frederick or Cordelia's thing."

"I know, but I wanted to help out where I could, so I'm trying to make sure everyone is keeping warm. It is the least I could do."

"Heh, that's very kind of you. Though I promise your combat prowess is quite the contribution."

"I would like to think that, but I am still recovering my strength."

"Which, honestly, just makes it more impressive."

"I don't know about that, but-"

"Run for your lives!" The two looked up, weapon drawn in Lucina's case, at the source of the commotion as some villagers ran past their column, "The dead walk among us!"

"Risen?" Lucina spoke with an edge of cold terror and ran off before even Robin could head up front to see what was going on. The truth was a bit less horrifying than the villager made it seem.

There were indeed Risen swarming the frosted woods, but the cold seemed to have an effect on them. They were more sluggish than normal. In fact, they were barely moving. A platoon of rookies could have a field day with them. Still, there was something to be said for the fear factor.

"Guess we should clean this up," Chrom unsheathed Falchion as if this were a mere chore.

"Might should also send some people to make sure those villagers don't break their own necks." Robin responded in much the same way.

Dealing with the villagers took more time than with the Risen, but after some work, they fetched all of them and escorted them to the nearest village. Fortunately, said village was able to give them a better lay of the land for their upcoming assault on what was locally known as the Twins' Hideout.

The hideout was about a day's march from the village, and despite the weather, they made good time. The snow even let up as they made their way to the decrepit fort. The bandits seemed to still be there, but there was some sort of commotion ongoing as they arrived at the base.

"Again?" Chrom asked as Sumia and Cordelia returned with reports of a merchant woman beset by the bandits. The prince sighed, but there was not much to be done about the matter, "Alright, Shepherds, saddle up."

The terrain was a bit trickier given how that they were on enemy turf with plenty of defensive structures, even if they were not in the best of shape, that the brigands could be hiding in. However, the merchant was at the very least providing a nice distraction as the Shepherds cleaved their way to the interior of the complex.

Just as the merchant was about to cleave into one of the brigands, Chrom took out another trying to come at her from behind. Afterwards he took a moment to look the merchant over.

"You just have a penchant for trouble, don't you?"

"Sorry, have we met?" The woman asked with a finger on her chin as if thinking.

"Oh? Sorry, I just…what, no, I'm certain we met before."

"Hmm, no can't say you look familiar," Then realization seemed to dawn on the merchant, "Oh! You must be talking about one of my sisters."

"Really? You look identical."

"Yes, there's a strong family resemblance," She responded as if it were perfectly normal, "Oh, and we're all named Anna."

"Your family gatherings must be chaotic," Chrom deadpanned, still not sure if he believed this story.

"True, but isn't everybody's?" With a wink, she continued, "But, yes, you've helped two of us now, and such a debt needs to be repaid. So, I'll join up with your little band. I'm sure I can help work out some deals for you! That's an Anna guarantee."

"Er, right."

"We can start by clearing out this little den. They've been quite a nuisance for my fellow merchants."

"On that, we can agree."

"Wait, she's coming with us?" Lucina looked over her shoulder to see that the merchant was coming with them.

"So it would seem," Robin replied with a shrug, "Never underestimate Chrom's ability to find able bodies."

With Anna's help, they made short work of the brigands. Robin made sure to survey their forces afterwards to check for wounded, of which there were few. Cuts and scrapes mostly. Nothing they could not handle.

"Ah, you must be the tactician," Their new merchant friend intercepted him as he made his rounds, "I'm told by the prince to see you about procurements."

"Er, he did? Well, I, um, I am the tactician."

"Perfect," Anna smiled, "Then I'm sure we're going to get along real nicely."

And so, that was how Robin ended up in charge of the Shepherd's finances.

About one week. That was how long their little mission lasted. Though, to Robin the return trip seemed twice as long. Had Lucina not come in with a nice, if unintended, save with her invitations to train or do chores, he felt he might go mad fending off Anna's "deals" and obsession with money. Virion might have undersold it.

Fortunately, they all made it back to back to Flavia in one piece with significantly fewer bandits to worry about. Upon their arrival, Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, and Robin were instructed to head for Basillio's hall in the coliseum. It turned out to be much like Flavia's in the manor, though it was lined with furs and made for a bit homier of a feel.

"So what did you want us here for?" Flavia folded her arms.

"I'm afraid it's dire news. My spies just got back to me. Emmeryn surrendered herself. She is Gangrel's prisoner to be executed within the moon."

A/N: Can you say filler? At least I got three of the paralogues knocked out here. This story won't actually be very heavy with the paralogue content. You'll see why later.

Actually, I have written to Gangrel's defeat chapter.

Oh, and in my run I still haven't married Olivia off.