~On the road to Regna Ferox~

It had been a couple of days since the Shepherds had set out from Ylisstol, seeking aide from Regna Ferox. The day's march had been long and arduous, but Chrom and Robin had finally decided on a place to set up camp - one that was easily defensible while also not trapping their group. As the rest of the Shepherds settled in for the night Akiri found herself wandering along the edges of the campsite; a habit she'd picked up from her old life, checking to make sure the perimeter was secure. Rounding the corner of one of the tents Akiri found that she was not alone; Chrom was walking the perimeter as well.

"So, anything out of the ordinary?" Akiri asked after gaining Chrom's attention.

The prince shook his head, "No, everything is as it should be."

"That's good," Akiri said, "The others can rest easy," a glance at Chrom showed Akiri that he had something on his mind, "Your Highness, is something bothering you? You don't have to say anything to me, but talking to someone might help since it seems whatever you're thinking of is bothering you."

Chrom sent the former assassin a look of surprise. It was a look Akiri was not unfamiliar with. Most people didn't seem to realize how observant she was, something that her former occupation - really even before her time with the Guild - taught her.

Chrom was quick to shake off his shock before speaking, "So, you noticed. I thought I was hiding it rather well."

"You were, I just know what to look for," the brunette replied.

"From your time with the guild?" Chrom questioned.

"From that, yes," Akiri answered, "But also from before I joined."

The prince let out a thoughtful hum, "Actually that's one of the things that's been on my mind. Why did you join the Dark Rose Guild? It's clear you didn't enjoy being a part of it?"

"Well, that's part of a long story," Akiri began, "But mostly I didn't have many options at the time. I wasn't able to speak Plegian, Ylissean or Feroxi. And the skills I had before arriving in this land were very similar to those of an assassin," the brunette explained, "The Guild found me and taught me how to read, write and speak the three languages of this continent, which was rather difficult since no one spoke my language. And even now there's a slight accent to my words."

Akiri watched as Chrom digested everything she had just said. The prince was definitely doing his best to try and figure her out without directly asking. For Chrom's part he'd never noticed her accent, but now that Akiri had mentioned it, he could hear it clearly. But even so he couldn't place it.

"You said arrived... so then you're not from this continent? Did you come from across the sea?" Chrom asked, "I don't recognize your accent, but I'll admit I'm not all too familiar with the nations overseas."

"Well, I suppose I did come from across the sea in a manner of speaking. However, not a single map has my homeland disclosed upon it," Akiri said.

Chrom's gaze was full of thought as he spoke, "Not a single map? What is the name of your homeland?"

Akiri let out a thoughtful hum before replying, "It's called Hoshido. But don't feel bad if you don't..." the brunette trailed off upon seeing Chrom's expression, "Chrom?"

"That name..." the prince seemed perplexed, "I don't know why, but it sounds familiar to me."

Akiri looked at Chrom in stupefied disbelief. Every other time she'd mentioned the name of her homeland she'd been met with blank looks and people telling her such a place didn't exist. Now here was Chrom saying that he recognized the name in some way.

"Truly, you've heard of Hoshido before?" Akiri couldn't help the way her voice rose almost desperately as she questioned the prince.

The blue haired man nodded in response, "Yes, though I couldn't tell you where or how I know of it," seeing the subtle shift in Akiri's demeanor Chrom continued, "But when I have some time I'll try looking into your homeland."

"I don't want to trouble you with this Chrom," Akiri said.

"It's no trouble," Chrom interceded before Akiri could continue, "I want to do so."

"But..." the brunette tried to protest again only to be met with Chrom's raised hand stopping her words before she could even speak them.

"Peace, Akiri. This is not something that will cause me any trouble in the least. I am doing it because I want to; because you're my friend," Chrom watched as Akiri's eyes widened at his words, "Besides it seems as though you miss your home. Now, I'll start looking after the strategy meeting. Once I find anything relating to Hoshido I'll come to you," with that Chrom turned and headed off to where Robin was waiting. Then from behind him, almost so quiet he missed it, he heard Akiri's voice.

"Thank you, Chrom."