Robin managed to drag himself over to where they were going to start their march for the day. They had agreed to meet in a small clearing outside of the city walls. Chrom had guided himself and Lucina, but, well, Robin found out that he was not exactly a morning person. At least not to the degree of these people. How both Chrom and Lucina looked so alert and even chipper when the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon, Robin had no idea.

Stifling a yawn, Robin tried not to let his tiredness show. If he was going to work as part of a military outfit, he was going to have to get used to this he supposed. He did hope that it was worse due to how exhausted he had been. The disturbances the night before did not help matters. Nor the fact that Chrom had drug the both of them there before anyone else other than Frederick.

The stalwart knight had been there standing at attention as if he had been there all night. Really, Robin did not know how he did it. He was nothing if not dedicated. He very clearly distrusted the amnesiac newcomers, but Robin did not blame him. They were extremely suspicious, and he did question the wisdom of Chrom taking them in. Well, he would just have to prove that the trust was not misplaced even if that may have encouraged more such behavior on Chrom's part. Oh well, it had brought Lucina into the fold, so it certainly had its perks.

As Chrom made idle chatter with Lucina and attempted it with Frederick, Robin watched the others arrive. Sully was one of the first ones there besides them, not really surprising Robin. For whatever reason, she seemed to have a chip on her shoulder that made her determined to be the best. He had picked up something about being a woman which seemed odd as none of the female members seemed discriminated against.

She had drug Stahl behind her who did not seem anymore keen on being up so early as he did, but Stahl's training kept him standing at attention. Though, the rumbling made Robin rethink exactly why the viridian knight was not keen on being there. Come to think of it, Robin had barely had time to scarf something down himself.

Taking his mind from those thoughts, Virion approached looking as put together as always. Robin had to admit that he was surprised. He had not expected the noble to handle being up so bright and early well, but here he was seemingly completely unbothered by the early hour. Perhaps they had misjudged him.

Robin almost missed him, but at some point Kellam had arrived and stood at the back of the pack. Despite how loud his bulky armor was – not to mention reflective as the sunlight bounced off of it remarkably well – that man somehow really lacked presence. An impressive feat in and of itself.

Next to arrive was Vaike, though a good several minutes after Virion. Despite that fact, the man was just as boisterous as the day before with his double defeat at the hands of the newcomers doing little to permanently damper his mood. If anything, he may have been even more determined to prove himself.

Stumbling over next was Sumia, though she managed to stabilize herself. It seemed that while still rather clumsy, she was much better when not in the immediate vicinity of a certain prince. Her feelings for him were obvious, and Robin had a sneaking suspicion that the feeling was mutual. Though, Chrom certainly made things less obvious, but listening to Lissa talk, he was head over heels for the young woman; he just maybe did not know it yet.

Then Lissa came strolling up stretching her arms and yawning. From what Robin had gathered, she was relatively new to this lifestyle. It begged the question as to why the princess would volunteer for this as, unlike Chrom, she clearly was not particularly, well, good at it. Not that that was an insult, just a fact. All the same, she was still there before the deadline. She was determined to adapt to the lifestyle it seemed.

"Looks like that's about everyone," Chrom commented, "Wait, where's Miriel?"

"Oh," Lissa chirped up stifling another yawn, "She said something about an experiment that needed finishing or something. She said she'd catch up."

"Alright then," Chrom gave an amused grin as he turned to address the group standing before him which Robin and Lucina had taken up a part in, "Thank you all for volunteering for this mission. It means a lot to me and my sister," The prince paused at an outburst from his younger sibling, "Sorry, sisters."

Lissa huffed before allowing Chrom to continue, "Anyway, we've been receiving reports of activity from those monsters that we encountered in the forest. Whatever you do, stay on your toes."

After receiving a round of affirmations, Chrom allowed his expression to loosen up, "Well, now that that's out of the way, this will also be our first mission with Robin as our official tactician," Everyone suddenly turned their gazes to Robin making him feel particularly self-conscious all of a sudden. "I have faith in his ability, and this trip can hopefully let him get to know our routine procedures. I want everyone to welcome our newcomers. They're Shepherds now, so I want you to treat them as such. Just…don't run them off too soon.

"Alright, with that done, let's get going."

They had barely gotten into formation before Frederick drug Robin off to go discuss procedure with Chrom. Lucina imagined she and Virion would end up drilled too, but the knight decided to give Robin a more thorough run down even if he was loath to potentially reveal secrets to the amnesiac.

That, unfortunately, left Lucina somewhat alone afterwards. While she got along nicely with Robin, and even Chrom put her at ease, she had quickly discovered that making friends was not exactly her forte. However, there was another person there that seemed to put her at ease much like Chrom.

The brunette night shyly approached Lucina as they marched and smiled at her. Lucina could not shake the feeling of familiarity and…sorrow at that smile. It was much like Chrom's in that regard. How was it that those two could pull such emotions to the surface? It was different from Robin, that much she knew. She decided that surely they did not know her, or else they would have surely said something. It was a mystery to the young woman for the time being.

"Hello," Sumia greeted with a smile, "Are you settling in well?"

"Um, I suppose so. I may not remember my past, but this life seems almost familiar. I'm…not sure what that really says about me though."

"I can hardly imagine it," Sumia's voice shifted to a downcast tone, "To not remember who you are. It must be so hard for you and Robin."

"We're managing," Lucina replied curtly. Truth be told, Lucina was more concerned for Robin. After going over their amnesia, they came to one important difference: when Lucina tried to recall something too hard, she was met with a stabbing pain in her temples, but when Robin tried to do the same he was met with nothing. He tried to hide it, but it was bothering him. The implication struck them both: what if there was not anything left to recover?

"Still, I hope you both like it here. Our group can be a bit…animated."

"And what of yourself?" That got Sumia's attention.

"O-oh, I'm nothing all that special."

"Really? I know prince Chrom is kind, but I don't think he would let you be here if he thought you did not have potential."

Sumia blushed at the mention of the prince and suddenly seemed to take to analyzing her boots, "I-I don't know why I'm here really. He said he needed a flier for the Shepherds, but…I'm not sure what he sees in me."

"Oh? You're a flier?" Lucina opted to change the topic, "I…don't see your mount anywhere."

"I don't have one. Not yet anyway. Chrom said he'd get one for me, but, well, he hasn't gotten around to it yet."

"I see," She did remember something mentioned to that effect before, "Well, don't keep yourself down based on your ground combat performance in any case. I'm sure he wouldn't take you into combat just to get yourself killed. If you're here, he trusts you."

"I…thank you. I wasn't expecting you to cheer me up."

Lucina smiled back, "Don't mention it. Honestly, I don't imagine it's a skill of mine though. Perhaps I got lucky."

After that the two carried on with more idle conversation to pass the time. Sumia was a kind and caring young woman, but she seemed utterly unsuited for war. She was pleasant to be around, but it still made her a bit concerned for her safety should combat break out. Lucina made a point to keep an eye on her.

"Making friends?" Robin smiled as Lucina jumped slightly.

"Do not sneak up on me."

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," Robin held his hands up defensively as he joined the bluenette, "Are you settling in okay?"

"I believe so," She nodded, "Though I find myself not the most sociable of people. Perhaps I was a recluse."

Robin chuckled, stepping around a small log in the path, "Maybe, but I find you personable enough."

"Maybe because you are the opposite of a recluse," Lucina shot back but with a slight smile.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Robin smirked back.

"I mean, you seem to be able to carry on a conversation with a post. That said, how did your briefing go?"

"Fine. Mostly just going over proper operating protocols. Despite the memory loss, it all seemed pretty standard."

"You must have studied this. Perhaps you served in the military."

"Maybe, but I seem a bit young. Perhaps one of my parents was an officer."

"In that case maybe they have records of them!" Lucina smiled happily, "It's worth a look once we get back."

"Yeah," Robin tried to mirror his enthusiasm. He did not want to get his hopes up. Still, that smile was hard to say no to, "I'll take a look if you think it'll help."

"I do!"

"Heh," Robin chuckled, "Well, I'll have to return the favor. Maybe between the two of us we can piece together half a backstory."

"Good, though-ah!" Lucina tripped over a small rock but she managed to catch herself.

"Woah there! Still getting used to only one eye?"

"Yes, apologies," Lucina blushed and Robin resisted the urge to smile. Seeing her like that reminded him of a certain brunette in their company. Robin furrowed his brow as his mind made the comparison, but before he could think on it a little longer, a call brought him back to reality.

"Risen!"

"What's a Risen?" Robin asked as he reached the front of the column with Lucina.

"We needed a name for this threat," Frederick answered, "So the council gave them one."

"Have they really spread so far?" Chrom narrowed his eyes, "Shepherds, to arms! We'll quell this threat here. Robin," He looked to the snow haired amnesiac, "Guide our swords."

"Right," Robin took a few seconds to glance over the landscape, "Stahl, Sully, focus on hit and run tactics. They weren't too bright in the forest. Let's see if that holds true here."

"On it."

"Yes, sir."

"Frederick, I want you to keep watch over Lissa and whoever may need healing."

"...Acceptable."

"Lucina, I want you to watch over Sumia and protect her from any stragglers."

"You want me in the back?"

"Sorry, but you're still adjusting to your limited vision."

"Right," Lucina nodded, but she was not too happy about being sidelined.

"Alright, Chrom, Vaike, we'll hold a choke point on the bridge. Alri-"

"Ack!"

"Vaike!" Chrom hollered in concern, "What is it? Are you hurt?"

"I forgot my ax!"

There was a certain silence for a few moments. He got several incredulous looks and Chrom's face was in his palm. Frederick did not seem surprised, only disappointed while Lissa struggled to keep her composure.

"Just…stay back with Lucina and Sumia," Robin eventually muttered before pulling out his sword, "Everyone else ready?" He was greeted by an enthusiastic cheer.

"Then let's destroy these…things," Chrom ordered as they joined the fray. Lucina, somewhat reluctantly, stepped back and watched while being ready to defend Sumia and now Vaike if need be. She observed a smoothly operating task force that for some reason she could not help but appreciate. Where she learned this appreciation, she could not say.

Very few made it through their formation, but the few that did generally met a swift end by Lucina's blade. Though, much as she hated to admit it, Robin was right. Her aim was still off. It was good enough, and Lucina fought conservatively, but she still needed a bit more practice with the lack of depth perception.

The swordswoman braced herself as another Risen charged her, but it never arrived as a ball of fire made contact and set it ablaze until it evaporated. Lucina stood up straight and looked at the source.

"So these are the creatures I heard about. Interesting."

"Lady Miriel."

"I coulda taken em if just hadn't lost my ax," Vaike folded his arms like a disappointed child.

"Ah, that explains this," The redheaded mage hefted an iron ax, "I had thought that the Shepherds incapable of such carelessness. Seems I underestimated your capacity for languidness."

"Hey, my ax!" Vaike took it either not caring or unaware that he had been insulted, "Class is back in session! Watch this!"

"Um," Lucina approached the mage as they watched the shirtless man run off into the fray, "Should we stop him?"

The scholar adjusted her glasses for a moment, "He has somehow avoided death so far. For all his bluster, he can at least handle a weapon. Assuming he remembers it."

"Right, well, he seems capable enough," Lucina commented watching Vaike crash into a Risen, "For these at least."

"Indeed," Miriel adjusted her glasses, "Now, I shall go offer my assistance."

"Hmm," Sumia thought aloud, "Maybe I should learn magic."

"Oh?" Lucina did not think she had much magical ability so she was curious, "Maybe. Do you have any practice?"

"Not much, but I know some pegasus knights learn magic. Though, they are pretty elite. Maybe I'm aiming too high there."

"Nonsense," Lucina encouraged, "It's important to have goals. It's worth a shot, right?"

"I suppose you're right!" Sumia beamed, "Thank you!"

"That's that," Chrom flicked Falchion before sheathing it, "To think they're already this far north."

"If they have already spread this far, then the threat they pose is greater than we had anticipated." Frederick noted gravely.

"That's part of why we're here," Chrom started surveying that aftermath of the battle. A few scratches here and there, but nothing serious, "We're stretched too thin, so we could really use that Feroxi muscle."

"They may help stem the tide, but we need to find the source," Robin interjected.

"Well, Lucina came from the same portal as them," Frederick scowled, "Convenient that she lost her memory as well."

Robin tensed, but Chrom stepped in, "I would hardly call it convenient. Even if they come from the same place, her first action was to fight against them. That said, perhaps she does know something buried in those forgotten memories, but that's all the more reason to keep her around. Wouldn't you agree, Frederick?"

"I suppose," Robin could almost hear the sound of his teeth grinding, but he shot Chrom a thankful nod. With that over with, they noticed Lissa calling them over.

"Guys, look!"

"Is that a pegasus?" Chrom wondered aloud, "No signs of a rider, but that's certainly gear from the pegasus knights."

"An unfortunate scout perhaps," Frederick noted, "Stahl reported a body some ways from the battlefield. The rider, I'd wager."

Chrom grit his teeth, "We'll give her a burial and take her mount with us." Chrom approached the pegasus to grab her reigns only for the mount to rear back defensively, "Woah! Easy girl."

"I'll take care of this," Chrom looked back to see Sumia approaching without the slightest hint of concern.

"Careful. The beast seems crazed."

"Nonsense," Sumia patted down the mount's mane, "That's right. You're just a little spooked, aren't you girl?"

"Remarkable," Chrom found himself smiling despite the previously dour mood.

"Most impressive indeed," Frederick watched intently, "It's as if it's an entirely different animal."

"I've always had a way with animals," Sumia answered the stares bashfully.

"I'll say," Chrom smiled. As he went on to insist they could wait for her, Robin was watching a little further away.

"Remarkable," Robin muttered to himself before noting Lucina was also watching, "Something the matter? You seem a bit out of it."

"Oh, apologies. It's just…that pegasus seems almost familiar somehow."

"Odd, do you think that maybe you grew up near pegasi."

"I'm not sure," Lucina trailed off as she eyed the animal. Even as they continued marching as Sumia stayed to tend to the pegasus, Lucina found herself looking inquisitively at the pegasus. Maybe she did have experience with animals. Something to consider at least.

The rain pattering against the fabric of the tent gave off a soothing atmosphere which absolutely did not match the mood inside. The white haired man stared at the battle plans in stubborn defiance of what they stated. It was clear as day their efforts were for naught, but he was a stubborn man.

"Have we heard from any of the other dynasts?" The warrior prince looked up from the battle plans. Their allies had been either crushed or coerced into capitulation. Most would not even privately support them out of fear.

"Fie, no brother," The young woman responded. How he wished she had never had to be drug into all this, "We have been met with cold shoulders at nearly every turn."

"I see," Yen'fay stood tall, "What of that Rosannean spy?"

"Aye, in hiding last I heard, but still loyal."

"Her loyalty is impressive," The young man nodded, "I want you to find her and see if she has any better intelligence."

"Brother?" His sister was none too pleased, "You would have me abandon you at such a critical moment?"

"If we are to survive the coming battle, we need assistance. Go. Bring honor to Chon'sin."

"I do not like this plan, brother," Say'ri clenched her fists, "But I will oblige. You had better survive."

Once she was gone, Yen'fay bowed his head. He did not see any way out of this. The Conqueror had crushed all resistance beneath his heels. He did not imagine they would be any different. He was right though, he saw no way they could win this battle alone.

"Mmm, dire situation, isn't it?"

"Who goes there?" Yen'fay had Amatsu drawn in the blink of an eye.

A grotesque man that some could describe as toad-like entered his command tent.

"How did you get here?" Yen'fay glared without lowering his weapon.

"The important question," The man inspected a war piece on a nearby table before setting it down in disinterest, "Is what can I do for you?"

"Those robes…you are an imperial."

"That I am."

"Leave here at once before I have you tried as a spy," Yen'fay demanded, even his patience being tried.

"That's no way to speak to someone offering you a way out."

"Why would an Imperial betray Walhart?"

"Who said anything about that?" The man unveiled a sickening smile, "I can offer you what you want most: your sister's safety. In return, all I ask for is your loyalty."

"My sister is still in camp. She is safe."

"Is she? I have assassins all over this continent. She can try to run, but we'll find her. If she stays here, she dies with your men or is taken captive. I can prevent this though. Join Walhart, and I'll let her keep an illusion of freedom. All it will take is your loyalty…and your honor."

The man let out a sick cackle before his grin widened, "I'll be watching the battle carefully. Remember my words, oh warrior king!"

Even after he warped away, Yen'fay could still almost hear that laugh and his words ringing in his ears. His honor…for his sister.

A/N: I may change the story name after a bit.