Chapter IV: A Friendly Forest Chat

Away from the Risen and threat of immediate danger, Freya is free to interrogate me. I have no respite. Not even Chrom can stop her.

"You will explain how you know milady," Freya insists, her grip around her lance disconcertingly tight. "We go nowhere until I've learned the truth."

"I've already told you, I'd just heard rumors of a woman named Chrom who dealt with bandits and thugs and stuff. Your little group doesn't just do stuff like that and not get a reputation. So, for the thousandth time, I called out for help in desperation." Freya has been on me for the better part of an hour, a relentless chain of questions and accusations. To be fair, I'm obviously lying. But it's a good lie. A logical lie. Despite the paranoia, Freya is a rational person. She's intelligent. It's only a matter of time before she feigns acceptance and settles for what she does best: warily watching.

"Please, Freya," Chrom implores. "We have more pressing concerns right now. The longer we stay here, the more we risk those things finding us. Let Michael be. Besides, I see no reason not to believe such a reasonable explanation."

"Yes, too reasonable. Like a good excuse." She narrows her eyes at me. "But you're correct about one thing, milady. I have risked your safety long enough. We must return to the capital at once. I suggest we leave Michael and Robin behind." Oh, fuck that shit.

Liston steps up and pushes a finger into Freya's breastplate. "You should feel ashamed saying something like that. We're not leaving them. You're outnumbered here. And I hate to play this card, but Chrom and I outrank you. I'm ordering you to stop this."

Get her Liston. You go. Much like a hapless guppy, Freya's mouth opens and closes several times before any words come out. "I… Yes, milord." However dauntless, Freya is powerless when called out on her insubordination.

"Furthermore," Chrom says, cutting in. "I'd like to offer Robin a position among the Shepherds. We could use a skilled tactician and warrior."

"Milady!" Freya objects.

Chrom shoots her a precursory glare. "This is my final decision." She smiles at Robin. "Assuming you'd like to join."

Robin looks taken aback. "You would have me?"

"Of course. I'd be mad to turn away a…. person of your talents. You've shown us multiple times already how valuable you are in battle. So yes, I'd like you to join. No. I insist." Chrom extends a hand to Robin, a confident grin plastered on her face.

After a moment's hesitation, Robin clasps Chrom's hand. "I would be honored."

"You know," Chrom says, studying their handshake. "You have a man's grip."

"Do I?" Robin frees their hand after a few seconds. "Must one be a man to have a man's grip?"

Chrom leans in eagerly. "So, you're a woman then?" The anticipation of an answer seizes all of us.

"I did not say that."

"You're a man?"

"I did not say that either."

"What are you saying?!" Chrom's head seems ready to pop from her neck.

Robin smiles. "I'm not saying anything."

"ARRRGGG!" Chrom holds her face in her hands while we all sigh in exasperation. I have a distinct feeling it may be a very long time before we learn the nature of Robin's gender. Barring some rather unscrupulous spying of course.

Freya makes sure the brief levity does not last. "Milady… Let us be off. If you wish to make sufficient ground by nightfall, we must leave now."

Recovering, Chrom nods. She looks to Agatha and me. "We will escort you both to Ylisstol. You have my word that you'll arrive safely. Once we get there, I'll put you in touch with a contact of mine who can help you find work and a place to stay."

Agatha is satisfied with that plan. Why wouldn't she be? But it doesn't sit right with me. With Chrom's assistance, I can probably eke out a meager living. Maybe even find an apprenticeship as a carpenter. It's safe. It's smart. It's the kind of life most people have. But did I come here for that? Did I lose everything just to settle for something so… basic? Chrom has no reason to offer me a position in the Shepherds, but I know if I don't join them I won't be able to shake the feeling of worthlessness I have now. Will I be useful? Minimally at best. It's better than wondering about what could have been, though. It's better than not even trying to help. It's better than always waiting for something to change my life for me rather than doing it myself. I'm here through my own actions, and through my own actions I will make the most of it.

"No," I say, mustering the willpower to continue. "I want to join the Shepherds too."

The shock is evident on Chrom's face. "You know we're a group of warriors, right? That means going into battle and facing the enemy head on. You admitted yourself that you have no skill in combat." She pauses. "I don't want you to get hurt."

More like she doesn't want dead weight on the battlefield. Chrom is sincere and just, but she knows who belongs in combat and who doesn't. I have to convince her another way. "I won't fight. I can do other things," I argue, getting ready to exaggerate my abilities. "I am a woodworker by trade. I can build lots of different things. Or even repair damaged ones. And I'm good at it. Surely, you need someone like that keeping things together at the base?"

She looks pensive. "Most of our training equipment is made from wood. It's true that someone qualified maintaining and building more could be quite useful."

Yes. Yes! I'm about to seal the deal when Freya opts to join the conversation. "Milady, I would advise against this. He seems awfully desperate to join our ranks. Very suspicious."

I've had enough of Freya's shit. I'm done. "You know what? Fuck you, Freya. Fuck your attitude and fuck your inability to be a fucking decent human being." Deep inside, I know Freya isn't a bad person; she's wonderfully loyal and caring, just overly vigilant. But rage takes over. "I just want to be a part of something important for once. I'm tired of being on the sidelines while other people do great things. If that makes me a cliché, then fuck it. I want to be a Shepherd. And I'm not going to let your insecurity at being a worthwhile babysitter deter me. And by the way, Freya, it's a miracle they don't hate you. Because I definitely would and do."

My tirade earns me a gauntleted fist to the mouth. I can't tell if the metallic taste is blood or Freya's armored hand. Probably both. I hit the ground hard, head snapping back. Woman has one hell of an arm on her. Lights flitter in my eyes as I lie dazed. Freya kneels beside me, her face close. "How dare you. How dare you speak to me like that." She brandishes her lance. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Woah! Woah!" Chrom takes Freya under both armpits in a firm lock. The knight struggles but can't free herself. "Calm down, Freya! Michael is not the enemy! He's just upset and stressed."

"Unhand me! Milady, please! I'm going to run this wretch through!" Freya attempts another futile maneuver.

"That's EXACTLY why I'm not letting you go!" Chrom strains to hold the writhing Freya. Liston runs over to assist, taking one side of Freya from Chrom. With both royals holding her back, she stands now absolutely no chance.

I spit blood into the grass, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. Agatha supports my back as I try to sit up. Holy fuck, that hurt. I'm not letting Freya know that, though. "Is that all you got?" I ask, blood wetting my lips.

Freya unleashes an ungodly scream in response, violently thrashing against Chrom and Liston. It's odd—and terrifying—to see a character who's usually so calm and reserved lose control like this. I must have really struck a nerve with those comments about her suitability as their protector. However, I don't regret it. She doesn't get to shit all over me at every opportunity. If I'm going to be a Shepherd, she's going to learn not to treat me like a second-class citizen. I'm sure when my emotions have evened out, I'll feel bad for this, but right now all I can think about is although I ended up on my ass, I won.

"Are you ok?" Agatha asks, her hand rubbing my back. "I'm amazed you're still conscious after that."

"I'm fine," I say, coughing out more blood. "She doesn't even hit that hard."

Agatha frowns. "Idiot."

"Hey, I never claimed not to be."

While Agatha looks me over for any other injuries, Chrom and Liston manage to placate Freya enough to release her. She still looks at me with murderous intent, but does and says nothing. Chrom walks over to me, crouching next to Agatha.

"I'll have Liston heal you in a second. But first." She flicks me in the forehead. "Don't ever do that again. Ever. The things you said… Those were way too personal. When you're a Shepherd, you need to treat everyone as a brother or sister in arms. I can't have episodes like that happening. Are we clear?"

All I hear is "when you're a Shepherd." Even after this stunt, Chrom is taking me in. Gratitude and relief overload my system. Honestly, I don't deserve to be one after that. Especially since I basically lied my way in anyways (I haven't thought far enough ahead to worry about actually doing the type of work Chrom will expect of me). To be so forgiving of a stranger… Chrom is truly a better person than I will ever be.

"So… I'm a Shepherd now?" I ask tentatively, focusing on the only positive thing she said.

Chrom sighs. "Yes. We can use your skillset. Just don't antagonize anyone anymore."

"She antagonized me first."

"That may be true, but clearly things went too far." Chrom stands and turns back to Freya. "Can I trust you not to do anything like this again?"

Silence.

"Freya."

"Yes, milady." The response is cold, an agreement bound only by the depth of Freya's loyalty to her liege. I have no doubt that she will make my life a living hell. After all, if she can't sway Chrom's mind, she can always try to sway mine. Who wants to be a Shepherd with someone constantly targeting them?

I do. That's who.

"So…" Robin begins. "Is this what being a Shepherd is like?"

Five pairs of eyes hone in on Robin. Then Liston laughs. Chrom soon joins in as well. Agatha chuckles a bit. Even I crack a small smile. Only Freya is entirely unamused. The sheer absurdity of the day, of what just happened, all of it was summed up in Robin's comment. No one is laughing because of Freya and me fighting. They're laughing because you just have to after a day like this. When the world literally burns around you, how else do you cope? It's a crazy, fucked up situation, but we're all alive, and laughing at some silly remark shows that better than anything else.

It takes a while for the laughter to die down. Chrom strides over and claps Robin on the shoulder. "Consider this an initiation of sorts," she chortles. "But no, life as a Shepherd is much more… harmonious than this."

"Being in the Shepherds is like being a part of a big family," Liston chimes in. "Except there's a lot more swords and axes and taking care of bad guys. There's less punching each other in the face."

Robin shakes their head and laughs. "I should hope so. Not to be rude, but I'm quite glad it wasn't me on the end of Freya's fist."

I suspect the three of them could have carried on lightheartedly all day if the smell of rancid flesh did not just waft through.

"Those things are close," Chrom says, hand resting on Falchion's pommel. "We really have wasted enough time here. Let's move."

Chrom and Agatha help me to my feet, and our group makes haste as we trek through the forest. The undergrowth slows our progress, but dogged determination keeps us traveling at a steady pace. Through the trees, sunlight filters through at a low angle, telling me the sun is about to meet the horizon. Had we really spent so much time in the forest? Or had the period of waiting on the rooftop been longer than I'd thought? Either way, I am not surprised. This has been a long day, the longest of my life. My whole body aches, but I cannot help but feel the thrill of satisfaction, of victory. I'm a Shepherd. I somehow went from a sniveling mess of cow shit to running through the forest with Chrom and Co. And I did it myself. I found Southtown. I saved Agatha. I convinced Chrom to let me join. Sure, a lot of luck played a part, but I've never been more proud of myself.

Our brisk speed leads us out of the forest just as the bottom half of the sun sinks out of view, turning the sky a brilliant amber. Ahead is a cobblestone road winding over and around the hills. The way to Ylisstol.

"There is it is," Chrom says, echoing my thoughts. "The road into Ylisstol. If we follow it north, we should arrive by midday tomorrow. We ought to find a safe place to camp for the night."

I scan the countryside, scowling at the lack of cover. Perhaps the best option is to set up camp on the edge of the forest. The Risen will have tremendous difficultly moving through all that brush, and we will be concealed from any that might be wandering among the hills at night. I decide to voice my opinion.

"We should camp in the forest. We're far enough away from those things for it to be safe now. And we can sleep in shifts."

Chrom nods, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "That's a sound idea. We should be safe for—"

The thundering of hooves galloping down the road causes Chrom to break off. Goddamn Law of Interrupting Catastrophe. A cavalier with crimson armor and equally crimson hair barrels down the road, a flamboyant looking woman with sky blue hair clinging for dear life behind him. Sully and Virion. Cresting a hill a few hundred yards behind them is a swarm of Risen, a purple wave of miasmatic death. Upon sighting us, Sully steers his horse in our direction, pulling up just short of Chrom.

"Thank the gods I've found you!" he exclaims, voice deep and masculine. Looks like Sully finally got to be the man we all mistook her for. I kid. But seriously.

"Sullivan? What's going on?" Chrom demands. "Who is that with you?"

"I am Virginie, the one and only! How blessed are you to be in my—"

"Can it, Ruffles!" Sullivan snaps, turning back to Chrom. "I picked this one up a ways back. I regret everything. But more importantly, there are these things… Gods, they're horrible."

"We know," Chrom says grimly. "They destroyed Southtown."

"They what?! It's gone?" Sullivan's expression morphs into a truly intimidating mask of anger. "Bastards!"

"There's nothing that can be done now. We need to get to the capital to warn the Exalt," Chrom says. "But it looks like the way is blocked."

The tide of Risen fully comes into view. At least a hundred. Way too many to fight and hope to win. The only thing to do is retreat back into the forest, but even then they've seen us and will hunt us down. I glance at Robin. Come on you genius! Think of something!

Chrom seems to be having similar thoughts. "Robin, quick! We need a plan."

Robin rubs their temples, and I can practically see the gears turning. "Let's see… Open field of hills…. Can't make a stand there…. Too many… No options for retreat or advancement… This is bad," Robin finally declares.

"Yeah, no shit!" I say, nervous breathing beginning to take over as the Risen inch closer. "Just use that big brain of yours, smart stuff!"

It's another minute before Robin speaks, all of us teetering on the edge as we await what our tactician has to say. "I have a plan," they declare.

A collective exhaling emits from the group. "Great! What is it?" Chrom asks. "How do we get out of this?"

Robin's lips curve downwards. "You won't like it."

"Doesn't matter," I urge. "Out with it!"

"We lure them into the forest. All of them." They say, pausing as if the rest is obvious.

"And?" we all ask.

Robin pulls out their thunder tome. "We set it on fire."

Author's Note: Again, thank you all for the incredible response. Since I first posted a week ago, this story has been viewed over 700 times. That's amazing to me. Thank you all for your interest, your follows, your favorites, and your reviews. I am honored to write this story for you all. The next chapter will be out soon as well. Now, for my review responses!

Clutchvm- I'm glad you're reading the story and enjoying! Trust me, OCs aren't going to be a problem! There won't be many at all.

Hammerschlag- Thank you for consistently reviewing! I'm glad you liked male Lucina! Also yes, I think I will keep Agatha as well. She'll make for a good side character. But that's it for OCs (unless there's an OC child~~~~)

Past Witness- I'm so happy you think this is a refreshing take on the genre. That's exactly what I'm going for!