I still remember my first battle with Chrom. The bandits were disorganized, their leader pushed forward by nothing more than wounded pride. I really had no reason to intervene, but loathe as I am to admit it now, I needed to belong. Chrom reached out me and I had the audacity to consider turning it down. In a weird way, this was me making up for a slight that Chrom never knew of.

Robin had scarcely entered the village before he bore witness to a bandit, bruised and bloodied, tossed over the side of the village gate. The man was evidently well enough to pull himself to his feet and run away howling. Robin felt no compulsion to go after him. His concern was the party inside. He leaped over the mortar barrier and made his way inside.

"Gut the lil' lambs, leave not one standing!" a callous voice called above the chaos. Robin willed himself a moment of stillness to assess the situation. His eyes darted across his field of vision.

Instantly he spotted Chrom and Lissa, huddled together as a small wave of brigands approached. There was a lot more than the five he anticipated. Two already lay felled at the ground, and Frederick had just returned from the village gate to to his liege, no doubt responsible for hurtling that hapless bandit from earlier.

Without warning, a bandit brandished an axe and started forward. Chrom threw his hand behind him and Frederick instantly had his horse come in between Lissa and her brother. The bandit picked up speed and poised his axe, waiting for his momentum to deliver a critical strike. Chrom obliged the bandit and ran to meet his attacker, hand over hilt on his sheathed blade.

Axes are big and bulky, no real match for any sword... unless it lands a hit of course.

The bandit let out a snarl as he brought his axe down on Chrom's position. Chrome feinted to the side, drew a rapier Robin hand't seen before, and took a swipe at the bandit's chest. It landed, but the bandit still moved. He drew his axe back in a mighty arc that threatened to chop the swordsman in two.

"Chrom!" Without thinking Robin opened his tome and flung a bolt of magical energy. The thunderball struck the bandit in the face, and with one deft thrust struck from Chrom the bandit was finished, axe clattering to the pavement.

Chrom took a second to flick the blood off his blade before jumping back to meet with his party. "Anyone else?!" he called chidingly, eliciting a couple angry shouts as the group started forward. He turned to Robin, gratitude on his face. "Robin? You came?" He didn't seem surprised, in fact he seemed relieved. Robin bashfully avoided Chrom's gaze, instead focusing on Lissa and Frederick.

"I'm not entirely sure why either..." Robin drew the bronze sword from his belt and held it in front of him. It was worn and cracked, but its edge was definitely there. "But I know how to fight, and I'd be happy to help if you'd have me."

Frederick said nothing, but Lissa beamed as she turned excitedly to her brother. She was obviously happy at the thought of a new friend, as was Chrom to a lesser degree. He nodded as he turned back to the convening bandits.

"Strength in numbers, Robin. Glad to have you onboard - Frederick!"

"Sir."

"He's one of us now, protect him like you would me or Lissa!"

"Understood," The Knight called back without hesitation, catching Robin by surprise. He strode his horse and formed up with the other three. "Robin, I'm sure even you would know, but these are practiced thieves and murderers. There's no quarter for us, it's kill or be killed."

"Of course..." Robin took the opportunity to open his magic tome. Chrom gave his fighting form a quick glance-over.

"So... it's a magical tome after all... so you are a mage?" He asked.

"I... believe so anyway?" Robin didn't sound as confident as he would've liked. Chrom tensed his face and Lissa cheerfully took a few paces backwards.

"Well... Perhaps I'll keep behind you with that thing for now."

"I know how to control it! I just don't remember the ins and outs..."

"Kill them all, dammit! Don't just stand there!" The leader's voice carried over the wind. The bandits had a start and quickly scattered, forming up on different perimeters. Sloppily.

Robin looked up from his tome, having memorized a few of the runes he would need to cast a spell, and once more surveyed the area. "Mages in hiding for a ranged counterattack if we get too close, axemen attempting a pinch point, if we could split up and shave off their numbers..." he started mumbling to himself, earning him looks from his new comrades. Chrom started to shift as the bandits set their sights once more on their group.

"You sound like you know your way around this sort of thing... what's your proposal?" Chrom asked. Robin surveyed the field once more. They were facing a westward road that sharply turned north, over a bridge, and to the Steeple where the leader no doubt waited.

"They're clustered, trying to cover different ground, but their pinch point won't work if they're preoccupied." They numbered four axemen to the right, three more on the left, and two mages hiding behind stalls, already getting ready to cast their magic.

Robin looked to his companions. Lissa was a traditional Cleric; unarmed, it would be best to have her follow from a distance. Chrom's sword and rapier made for good counter against the bandit's axes, and Frederick... if the bandit from earlier was anything to go by, he could probably lead the charge on his own if he needed to.

Robin looked over to Frederick. "Frederick, would you take the ones on the right? There's a lot, but we need them off Chrom, and if anyone could take the beating its you."

"Chrom asks your opinion once and you're already sending me directly into the enemy's hand," Frederick remarked with a snort.

"You think you can't do it?"

"Not at all. Hya!" Frederick called to his horse and was off like a flash. Less than ideal... Axes are the natural predators to lances. I'm counting on the Knight's apparent experience to make up for it.

"Lissa, stay with Frederick. You'll be more exposed but it'll be fine as long as he keeps their-"

"Gyah!" Robin cut himself off at the sight of another bandit getting flung into the air by Frederick's spear. He landed with a crash into a stall of apples, followed by another bandit, swatted to the side like a bug.

"...Keeps their attention. Right."

Lissa nodded and was off to follow the knight.

"Keep him healed! He's sure to take a hit while he's off like that!"

"What about us Robin? I suppose it's just you and me now." Chrom started forward again, eyeing the group to the left, who mockingly swung their axes at them, no doubt tempting their prey to fall into the trap laid by their magic user friends. Robin quickly checked the position of the magic users.

"...Don't move till I say so. If the mages open fire, get behind me," Robin said quickly. Chrom halted in his steps and complied.

"What, you think you can take magic better than me?"

"Call it a hunch; most magic users build an immunity as they hone their craft. I think so anyway." Robin flexed his open palm as he willed a small ball of Thunder into the air. "I'm probably no better than a common thug with this, but I'm willing to bet you've never opened a tome in your life."

"...How astute of you."

An axeman gave a shout as he finally charged forward. Robin contemplated a magical counterattack but couldn't bring himself to calculate a proper trajectory in time. "Give him what he wants, I'm right behind you!" Robin said as he put his tome away.

Chrome nodded and charged to face the fighter. One swipe from the left with his axe was easily avoided, and Robin took the opportunity to land a slash on the axemen's exposed side. He took the hit in stride and attempted another swing, but was simply met with Chrom's brute strength. With a shout Chrom had grabbed the Axeman's shoulder and hefted him to the ground, delivering a finishing blow with his rapier.

"Chrom, those mages-!" Chrom looked up just as the mages flung two bolts of magic, one Fire, the other Thunder. Robin dove in front of Chrom with his sword splayed in front of him. The bolts made contact with his sword and dispersed, but their destructive waves still hit Robin.

With a grunt he slid back and let his sword sag. His cloak was lightly singed and a puff of smoke drifted off of him. "S-see?" He asked. "no problem."

Chrom held Robin's shoulder as he ran past him and struck at one mage, felling him instantly. The other mage flinched backward and paged his tome frantically for another spell.

"Oh no you - Don't!" Robin lunged forward, landing in a crouch, and brought his sword upwards. The tome was knocked from the Mage's hands, and a neat vertical cut was made in his tattered robes where blood started to well. The Mage hit the ground with a grunt, joining his comrade.

"You are good at this. Couldn't imagine handling that without somebody else." Robin stood himself back up.

"No problem, if I had to guess this wouldn't be my first time dealing with these sorts..." Robin took a moment to examine the total damage to his cloak. A singed shoulder, and his torso still ached and tingled from the Thunder spell. "I'll just patch it up... later... and maybe work on that resistance enchantment I've been thinking of..."

Robin's eyes lit up. "Hey, it's coming back to me! Bit by bit..."

"Stick it to them! Wail on 'em! Give 'em what for!"

"Lady Lissa! As entertaining as I'm sure this is..." Frederick reared his horse back and swung his spear, neatly deflecting a swing from a brigand's axe. "Its very hard to concentrate with all your unladylike shouting!"

"Its not unladylike!" Lissa protested. "It's cheering you on!"

"It's hardly necessary - gah!" Frederick jerked his horse backwards after an axe managed a decent blow on his shoulder. Her let out a large snarl as threw his own spear down and reached for a part of his saddle, where he drew a glimmering silver axe. The bandits stared in terror.

With a shout Frederick swung his axe, catching two bandits, bringing them to the ground and scattering the rest.

"Keep behind me, Lissa! We'll move to meet your brother and see what his new tactician has for us next." he spoke the last words with a touch of disdain. Lissa obeyed and ran to the horse's side. She reached out with her staff to tap Frederick's shoulder. The armor was lightly dented and the healing properties of her Cleric's stave did nothing to mend it, but the bruised shoulder underneath was quickly rejuvenated before it could swell.

Frederick held the reins and nodded to the cleric. "I serve a gracious liege, milady."

Lissa started beaming again as color tinted her cheeks. The two started along the road. They had nearly caught up with Robin and Chrom when she spotted movement from the buildings. More bandits lined up, all of them were mages.

"F-Frederick!" She pointed and shouted. Frederick had a start and backed his horse up, but was helpless to face the onslaught of magic bolts flung his way.

Robin was quick to notice the sudden arrival of more men and was horrified to see them instantly target the Knight. Frederick bravely held up his own weapon to deflect the bolts, but soon the axe started to glow with heat, forcing him to drop it.

Armor's useless against magic, he'll get cooked like that!

"Frederick!" Chrom called after him. "Regroup, this way!" He started towards the mages, but Robin pulled him back.

"Wait! One round from all them and we're shot! We have to cut straight for the leader!" Robin gestured towards the steeple. Chrom's eyes were wide as he looked between his knight and Robin. Robin didn't like the idea of leaving the knight behind either, it certainly didn't seem to make the Knight trust him.

"Lissa is safe, Milord!" Frederick called out to them, blocking his face with one arm and holding Lissa close with the other. "Carry on, I'll be with you as soon as I -Gah!-" A direct hit from the mages struck him in the helmet. Chrom's eyes blazed at the attackers, but he stood his ground.

Robin watched as Frederick, unfazed, dismounted his horse. The Mages paused their onslaught to page through their tomes once more. Frederick, still keeping Lissa close, knelt down and started for his dropped axe. When he turned around, Robin could see the hole in his helmet, exposing a lock of wavy brown hair and one blazing dark eye. He held the axe up as he released the Cleric and started for the mages.

"I'll take care of this!" he roared.

Robin looked to Chrom once more, his expression hadn't changed, but he was much calmer. "Alright, lets cut the head off this snake. We're already late in heading home."

As they crossed the bridge to the steeple, Robin could see the tired, hurt and scared townsfolk hiding between buildings. Some huddled together, others peaked out from their shelters to observe the fight. They all silently regarded Chrom with nods or bows of the head, and Chrom acknowledged as many as he could. He obviously has a reputation, whoever this 'Shepherd' is.

A scream brought their attention forward. The Steeple, a single story building with a large belltower built into the back, stood at around 3 stories tall; adorned with faded colored glass windows. Its doors were torn away at the hinges and lay useless on the pavement, some splintered and broken.

At the entrance rested rested a tall, well-built man, wearing nothing but a set of pantaloons and a bear's skin draped around his shoulders. Bones and armor plates haphazardly adorned his limbs, and a worn steel axe rested menacingly against his shoulder.

In one hand, a large strip of jerky that he bit into. The other, a young girl held by the collar, hair disheveled, sleeve torn, eyes wide with terror. The bandit turned from the girl and regarded the two approaching him. At first a wry smile found its way across his face.

"Here, sheepy-sheepy..." he called mockingly, his accent thick. He dropped the girl and rose to his feet. "To the slaughter with you.. worthless-" he cut himself off. Robin followed his gaze to Chrom's bare shoulder; mark plain as day. It resembled some sort of crest or emblem. It seemed to represent an elegant torch with its round base and pointed flame, but equal parts as well the menacing eye of a dragon; the flame instead being the slit iris of a beast.

The Bandit was clearly distraught as he readied his axe, growling to himself.

"So what the boys've been saying is true..." he grumbled. He pointed accusingly with his axe. "You one of them Blue-blooded 'Shepherds' that been hacking up my boys!"

"With all due respect," Chrom said as he gestured around him to the burning town. "I don't think you're in any position to complain." Robin noticed Chrom put away his rapier and finally draw the sword sheathed at his side. It was long and thick, silver lined gold with a strangely shaped hilt - resembling the flame of the mark on his shoulder.

The bandit's smirk returned. "The name's Garrick. No reason for sayin' really, other than its the name of the man who doesn't take kindly to Ylissean hounds markin more territory than what's rightfully theirs!"

With that he hefted his axe and charged. Robin fell back and readied a spell whereas Chrom held his silver blade and stood his ground. Garrick's eyes darted between the two, making it impossible to determine who his true target was. With a shout, Garrick spun with his foot and redirected his axe to Robin, bringing it down; pavement crumbling where it hit. Robin grunted as the blade narrowly missed clipping his nose.

Chrom leaped forward and swung his sword, which Garrick avoided with a surprisingly agile feint. In a single movement he had unearthed his axe and taken a swing at Chrom.

Faster than he looks, how to exploit that? The two crossed blades, Chrom skillfully striking back every swing of the axe with his sword. One swing fell, which he caught cross ways with his blade, sending sparks flying as he pushed it away and quickly followed with a kick, sending Garrick backwards.

Robin reached for his tome once more, but had it knocked from his hands by Garrick's elbow as he toppled back. He quickly turned on Robin with another swing, which Robin caught with his own blade.

He grunted aloud as the axe pushed against him, forcing him down on one knee. How did Chrom make it look so easy? Metal groaned and screamed as the cracks in his blade grew bigger. "C-Chrom!" he shouted. Garrick's eyes widened as he heard Chrom charge from behind. He dislodged and turned to deflect a blow, and Robin took the opportunity to finally land a slice with his blade.

Garrick shouted as the wound opened on his back. He turned once more to face Robin, only this time to be struck by Chrom.

We got to keep the pressure up. There's no way he can fight back like this!

"Keep at it!" Robin shouted.

Block, strike, turn, strike. The two took turns drawing Garrick's axe with their blade and allowing the other to land a hit. Over and over again.

The Bandit's face twisted as pain started to over take him, his swings becoming more and more fatigued. He gave one more swing in Chrom's direction, catching his leg and making a nasty cut.

Chrom's face hardened as his eyes blazed. He took a step back and prepared for one mighty thrust with his sword. Robin complied and readied his own blade.

"Now, Robin!" the two charged, Chrom with a mighty downwards swing, and Robin with a powerful uppercut. "Your end has come!"

Steel met flesh.

The two fell back, panting, examining the bandit who had frozen in place. His eyes vacantly stared outwards until they lazily rolled back into their sockets. His axe fell from his hand. He crumpled to the ground, unmoving.

Silence.

Slowly, a cheer arose from the town.

"Well.. I guess that's the end of that." Robin remarked as he wiped the blood from his blade, his casual tone betraying his trembling legs and heavy breathing.

"Chro-om!" Lissa's call sounded against the cheering. She raced for her brother, dropping her stave, and hugged him. "I'm glad nobody got hurt too bad. But wow Robin!" She turned to him, eyes shining with admiration and excitement. "You were incredible out there! Spells, swords AND Tactics? What can't you do?"

Robin adjusted his cloak nervously as the praise brought heat to his face. He nearly reached for his hood and brought it over his head before Chrom spoke up.

"You're no helpless victim that's for sure. Worrying about you alone in the field almost seems silly now." Robin cleaned his own blade and sheathed it. An elderly man stepped forward, hand on the maiden from earlier.

"Milord's please, you must stay the night!" He called. "We're of simple means and gifts, but we owe you twice over now!" Lissa's eyes lit up, but Chrom waved the man's words away.

"N-now that's very generous of you, but as I said last time-"

"Milord, if I may?" a new voice called their way.

Robin turned to see a Knight approaching them, faded Silver Axe in one hand, and a burnt and disfigured Great Knight Helm in the other- of course, this was Frederick! His ruined helmet was removed, giving way to dark wavy hair. His face was covered in soot, vaguely shaping the outline of his helm's visor.

"Frederick, thank the gods." Chrom happily greeted him.

"They were hardly a problem once I was in range. Milady did well too, all things considered." Frederick replied matter-of-factly. Lissa smiled.

"I think I'm getting used to this," she replied loftily, pretending to be uninterested.

"I'm sorry about your helmet, I know you treasured that set of armor." Chrom reached for a cloth from his belt and passed it to his Knight, who gratefully took it and wiped the soot from his face.

"All is well. I never really needed it to begin with." Somehow Robin believed that. "But as I was saying milord, I think its time to address the looming matter; those Bandits were Plegian, no doubt about it. Its imperative we reach Ylisstol as soon as possible."

"Plegian? As in Plegia?" Robin asked. Chrom nodded, his expression dark.

"Yes, our 'Neighbors' for lack of a better word. Won't take responsibility for their people causing trouble at the border... leaving me and the other Ylisseans to clean up their mess... This is one times too many." His face was beginning to show red as he fumed.

"They have us, milord; Sheperds to guard the Sheep. Do not let it irritate you. And as for you..." Frederick turned to Robin. "I believe it would be best, for your safety as well as ours... If you were to accompany us to the capital."

Robin swallowed. "I'm not sure if..."

Chrom spoke up. "There are healers in Ylisstol, Robin. As far as I'm concerned you're no threat, and I'd like to see if we can get you any help."

"Help? The man can fend for himself as he just readily displayed. Did he remember how to fight mere moments ago? Why do his own origins not return to him as swiftly as these?"

The captain turned back to his knight. "He fought for Ylissean lives, Frederick. My heart says that's enough reason to trust him."

"And what of your head, Milord? Will you not heed its council as well?" The knight asked. There was a pause between master and servant, and Robin could sense some history behind the words spoken. The swordsman's brow became set, and it did not seem he would answer the question. "Either way, I suggest we keep him close, that we may keep an eye on him."

Robin swallowed. "If... you think it's the best course of action..."

"We do, and you'd be wise to follow it. For now." Chrom let out a sigh and turned an apologetic glance at Robin. Frederick turned to Lissa, who was happily rattling off her preferences for the dinner feast the villagers were proposing. "Lissa! We're leaving for Ylisstol."

"Dark meat for me, medium well, no salt in the soup- What?!" Lissa turned to her companions, aghast. Chrom crossed his arms and Frederick's gaze hardened. "But Frederick it's nearly dark!"

"So we'll camp. Eat off the land. You did say you'd be getting 'Used to this,' or didn't you?" Frederick asked, a glimmer of wry amusement in his dark eyes. Lissa's expression was devoid of all humor.

"I hate you Frederick."

Robin was hardly up for the idea of marching again himself, but he decided he knew better than to agitate this experienced Knight. "Quite the stern Lieutenant you got there." He remarked. Chrom's expression finally lightened.

"That's one of the words he's been called, yes."

"And I can think of a few more!" Lissa added before storming off to pick up her staff.

"The capital isn't far," Frederick called as he guided his horse along the road. "We should reach Ylisstol by midday tomorrow, where you'll be free to have a soft bed, a relaxing bath and any other shallow distractions from the soldier's life. Until then, we march."

Lissa let out another groan.

"So, just out of curiosity..." Robin began. He wanted to ask about Chrom's mark, Plegia, the capital, and more about the world he found himself in. For now, he decided, he should focus on the people around him, and how he could learn from them. Maybe that would be the first step to remembering more about him, or the meanings of those dreams he had, which were already fading in his mind. Or his own strange mark...

"Yes, Robin?" Chrom replied.

"Oh. er... Does Frederick ever smile?" Lissa's eyes widened as she stifled a laugh. Frederick's head cocked in their direction but he said nothing. Chrom smiled wide.

"Oh yes, of course. When he brings down that axe of his. When he sets fire to the logs, when he's training the new recruits... He does smile rest assured, just in very specific situations."

"And Milord remains as amusing as ever." Frederick remarked with a huff. From then on, they continued in silence, the good kind. No tension, no worries, only the journey ahead.