The meeting with the castle staff was over, for now. Chrom made his way for the halls as soon as the opportunity afforded itself. He paused in front of a window to get some clean air into his lungs. He tugged at the stiff collar of his top, having traded out his worn leather armor earlier. This was why he hated meetings. Stuffy people in a stuffy room wearing stuffy clothes. At least during war councils nobody would bat an eye if he kept his armor.

"Most inconvenient," an old, tired voice said as people began exiting the room. The man stepped out of the room and into the hallway, adjusted his glasses and looked Chrom's way. "This… will not do good for our relations with Plegia, Chrom."

"What little there are, Heirarch. But I don't intend to pin the blame on anybody just yet, don't worry."

The old man nodded and went his way. "Naga help us… unless this is her will… a punishment for the last war perhaps…" he muttered as he left, and Chrom was glad he did. If he'd stayed the prince wouldn't have been able to hold his tongue. Our people have paid enough.

"This is ridiculous!" a set of nobleman, scheduled to rejoin during the war council, had resumed their passionate complaining now that the meeting was indeed over. "The week, no, the month itself thrown into disarray, over a crazy story from the woods!"

"You know how the Exalt feels about these things. Surely she wouldn't mind if somebody stood in for us?" Another adjusted the flaps in his jacket.

"No, she would. Gods, and I had everything planned to a tee! I had hoped to be on my to Ferox by now…"

"And would business would a man of the peace council have over there?"

"Oh don't pretend like you've never gone! One of their tournaments is coming soon and I'd hoped to get a glimpse of the action before Summer and all it's troubles came our way." It seemed the nobleman took notice of the prince as they passed him by. They hurriedly hushed their conversation and sped by.

Once again, there were many things Chrom could have said to these people, but he kept quiet. He thought back to the night before, and the young voice still rang true in his ears.

'Find me… I will tell you more there'...

"Chrom, are you alright?" Emmeryn had finally stepped out, flanked by two paladin knights. "What concerns you? Something that couldn't be said during the meeting?"

Chrom looked at his sister and swallowed. "We were talking about possible alliances earlier yes? ...What's our current standing with Ragna Ferox?"

Lissa was really excited. They flew past the barracks, the stables, and went straight for a medium-sized fort on the other side of the property. A blue banner hung on the side of the door. He couldn't hear any people outside, but he recognized a certain stallion that was bridled outside. It was Sully's steed, grazing with another slightly smaller horse tied nearby.

"Good, she made it back!" Lissa said. She let go of Robin's coat and flew ahead, flinging the double doors open. Robin meekly followed after, wary of exciting anybody inside. He already heard a murmur of voices he didn't recognize. He swallowed.

"Here we are!" Lissa ran into a large room, stacked with crates and sacks, and spun around to face Robin as he stepped inside. There were seats and small tables here and there. "The Shepherd's Garrison! (...It used to be a storehouse…) but anyway! This is where the others stay in between missions. There's plenty of room, so you can stay here till everything's sorted out." Robin peered around. Two were seated at a table to their right; a well-built young man with tanned skin and a woman with pale brown hair wearing leather armor. They appeared to be playing cards. The woman smiled and nodded to him, and the man regarded him quietly. Robin managed a small wave. "Go on," Lissa said. "Say hi, make yourself at home! We don't bite, honest!"

It was at that moment when Lissa herself was pummeled by a shape that had evaded Robin's detection. "Lissa, treasure!" It was a girl, around Lissa's age, wearing a lacy white top and a pair of riding pants. Her leather boots and elaborately braided hair made her seem taller than she actually was. "Oh, there you are! You must be exhausted, kept away from home for so long, and on your first march too!"

"Oh, hey Maribelle." Lissa's tone was flat as she was crushed by the affectionate bear-hug from the other girl.

"Oh hey yourself! Look at this!" The girl released Lissa and produced a small string, ornately braided.

"Oh pretty! Where'd you get this? Did you make it yourself?"

"Those are all the gray hairs your little extended leave gave me!" The other girl said sharply as she forced it into Lissa's hands. Lissa's expression was perplexed.

"Maribelle I'm not sure-"

"As long as you're unharmed I suppose I shouldn't rag too much, but I expect that to be pinned to your uniform as a reminder of the dreadful experience your first trip gave me!"

"You worry too much, Maribelle. I handled it alright. Could've done without the bugs and bear barbecue…"

"I knew it!" The young man suddenly threw down his fist and laughed, throwing cards into the air and making the other girl flinch. "Stahl owes the Teach a pint!"

"So you're Teach now, Vaike?" Lissa asked with a smile, tone more than a little mocking. "What could you possibly help us learn?"

"For one, I bet if I were around the Captain wouldn't have made you stay out for so long! Honestly if Freddy-D couldn't keep you guys on schedule it must've been bad!" The man leaned back in his chair. "Speaking of which, squirt, where is your brother?"

"Yes, I'd like to know too," the other girl said shyly. "When might we see the captain?"

"Oh, poor Sumia." Lissa's friend produced a fan and flapped it gently. Robin became aware of how muggy the fort was on the inside. Surely things would cool down after the sun went down. He found himself leaning against a set of crates stacked to the ceiling as he listened. "She's been beside herself all day and the last. Spying the horizon all day, hoping for a glimpse of Chrom's return."

"Aw, you were worrying about him again?" Lissa asked. Robin was sure he saw some underplayed excitement in Lissa's eyes. "That's sweet of you."

The girl stood up and began busying herself with collecting the scattered cards. "Yes well, he's our captain and prince right? I-I was worried about everyone it's just…" the girl didn't finish, and Lissa just giggled and didn't say anymore.

"Anyways, couldn't help but notice the stranger." Vaike looked Robin's way. "Who's he? He's not another inspector is he?"

"That's not an inspector," Lissa said. "That's Robin. Hey what are you doing lurking in the back like that? Come over here, let's get acquainted already!"

It was decided the best way to get friendly with the current recruits was to have Robin sit down and be dealt in to their card game. Lissa bustled about getting a chair ready for Robin and having him seated. She would have joined in, and was apparently very good at the game, but her older, responsible friend insisted it was unbecoming for royalty to play cards. So the two girls just watched.

Lissa gave a short explanation to the others about Robin's situation (leaving out The Eye and the Creatures) as the deck was shuffled and dealt. She also gave Robin quick descriptions of the present Shepherds.

Maribelle was a troubadour, a sort of cleric, and happened to be Lissa's best friend. Her father was a duke who lived in a province to the far east of Ylisstol, close to the border. She presently stayed at the castle for her training, but would apparently be making a trip home within the month.

The burly tanned man was Vaike, or 'the Vaike,' as he insisted. He was a simple fighter; his favorite axe leaned against the doorway. From what Robin could gather, he fancied himself a close friend of Chrom's, and they'd known each other for some time before the Shepherds were officially started. He didn't seem like a noble, not at all - he was rather blunt with his language and had a tendency to shout when excited as Robin soon found out. Robin decided he was the one commonfolk Shepherd Frederick had mentioned earlier. Or was it two…? Was there another? I can't remember.

The girl was Sumia, who Robin was surprised to find out was a Pegasus Knight - though only by trade. Presently she wasn't an official member of the brigade he saw earlier. Indeed, she didn't even have a steed to call her own, though she was supposed to be an exceptional rider. She seemed friendly, but out of everyone present she spoke the least.

The game they played was a simple one, and Robin quickly recognized it. Hands were drawn and certain combinations of cards would indicate a winner, usually by the sum of the numbers listed on each. Royalty cards, lords, queens and kings, were worth a set amount each. Cards were freely traded until all were ready to reveal their hand. In certain circumstances an extra card could be drawn from the deck, usually by discarding one first - creating a sort of risk-versus-reward loop, which also dictated the deck be reshuffled after so many rounds. Robin was engrossed and was already coming up with plans to maximize his outcomes by reading the other players, checking who traded the most cards before a fold, and whether it was worthwhile to risk a card for a new one from the deck. He willed himself not to be too invested - he was here to meet the other Shepherds after all. He could easily spend a night analyzing this game till dawn if left alone.

Strategy on the battlefield can almost be a game itself, after all.

"So, you got yerself a free bath and a chat with Big Sis? Lucky devil. Some of us've been here for years and have barely talked to her!" Vaike said as he drew a card. "Awful generous of the captain then to drag some stranger all the way home like this."

"Vaike, compared to you, nobody's a stranger," Maribelle chimed in. She had busied herself with a book as she sat on a stool - Robin admired her ability to remain upright without tipping backwards. Vaike laughed loudly, blissfully unaware of the slight.

Robin paused as he traded a card with Sumia. "Well, I hadn't much of a choice. They needed me to help recount the situation at Southtown to the Exalt. The whole bath thing was from something else. I fold by the way."

He didn't win that round, but he came close. Vaike won by simply managing to hoard enough high-number cards. Sumia humbly accepted defeat and started gathering everyone's cards while Vaike cheered for himself loudly. Maribelle shook her head. Robin had an inkling that Sumia could probably be playing better. She always seemed deep in thought whenever she studied her hand, but she didn't seem to be thinking about her cards.

"You hafta be playing with your hands tied or something," the fighter said to Robin. "No way a tactician could lose at something like this."

"It's a pretty random game," Sumia said quietly. "I'd imagine Robin would do better at something like chess."

Vaike made a face. "Ugh, of course he'd be better at one of em fancy games. Yer prolly some type of noble ain'cha?"

Robin opened his mouth to answer but couldn't find any words that didn't come across as an outright lie. Lissa hadn't elaborated on his memory-loss and he didn't want to drop that just yet. "Well, it's kind of the same in battle isn't it? You never really know what's going to happen, so you have to be able to control what variables you can to maximize your outcome… not that I'd made much use of that…"

"Phew, you sure talk like a noble, that's for sure," Vaike said with a snort.

"Vaike, there are plenty of smart people who aren't nobles," Sumia said gently as she dealt a new round. "Not every noble person is taught the same thing, and not every commoner can't go to school… it really depends on the person."

"Yer sayin the Teach is dumb?"

"Eep, no! I meant nothing by it, I-I… I…" The girl held up her cards to hide her blushing face. Vaike laughed loudly again.

They played another round, and this time Robin did win. Vaike was perplexed. "B-buh, how? I had three tens!" he cried. He threw his hand down and held his head, sending cards fluttering to the floor. Sumia let out a soft sigh.

Robin neatly set his cards down in a row, facing up. "I already had a king. You traded me a two for one of my tens, but I traded the two for a queen from the deck. I figured there was a royalty card since I'd hardly seen any for the last two rounds. It was a close call, but that gave me just barely enough to come out on top." Vaike didn't really seem to understand the strategy. His strategy, if the last two hands he won with were anything to go by, was simply to grab as many tens or royalty cards as possible - which wasn't an unsound plan, but it left him wide open for an odd combination like Robin's to just get past him.

"Alright, yer a tactician, I believe you…" Vaike said with a groan. "Ogre's teeth, I haven't lost a game today! Now I owe Sully a pint…"

"Sully plays this game?" Robin asked.

Sumia gathered the cards once more. "Oh, yes! It's one of her favorite things besides sparring. You've met her right? She's not unfriendly or anything, but playing cards with her is one of the best ways to win her over."

"Where is she anyway?" Lissa asked.

Maribelle left out a scoff as she turned a page in her book. "Oh, she was off to round up Stahl after she bridled her horse. Probably got distracted on her way to drag him into Vaike's silly card game. Mayhap if the well-bred Shepherds found better ways to bond, we'd leave less room for oafs like Vaike. 'Very least give him better things to do..."

This time Vaike was fully aware of the insult. "Easy does it, sister. I don't go snickering at noble-folk behind your back or nuthin…"

"No, you don't - credit where it's due. However, that swollen foot you're so apt to stick in your mouth when I am present does the job just fine."

Vaike threw his hands up into the air and leaned back in his chair. "Gah, whatever. I'm done with cards for now. When's dinner?"

Robin hoped he hadn't inadvertently antagonized the Vaike.

"Oh, that reminds me…" Lissa said as she sat up from the crate where she'd sat down. "We should prolly start clearing off tables. They're gonna bring in a roasted pig soon."

"R-Roast pig?" That got Vaike to his feet. "What's the occasion?"

Lissa happily bopped Robin on the head. "He's the occasion! If it weren't for him, the way home would've been a lot harder, so we're throwing a big dinner in his honor." She walked up to Vaike's side and whispered hoarsely "Chrom's gonna ask him to join, so this is just greasing the wheels!" It was loud enough to hear.

Robin felt the color rise to his cheeks. "Y-you didn't say that earlier...!" he whispered.

"Oh, don't be modest," Vaike said as he put his hands behind his head, smiling wide - already tasting the pork. "There's no stopping her when she's like this. Act like you earned it, it'll go a lot easier for you, I promise."

Maribelle set her book down. "So he is being considered for recruitment?" She asked, not even looking Robin's way. "...I suppose it wouldn't hurt. We've had worse candidates before." Robin decided not to comment.

The sky was a dull gray and the sun began to disappear down the horizon, painting the hills and trees gold. Oil lamps were lit all across the property while massive torches and beacons were lit across the castle's walls. Lanterns, propped up on poles, gently lit the cobblestone paths. The Castle bustled lightly with the sound of servants working, chattering, and laughing. From what he could tell, Emmeryn's meeting was over, but Chrom was still nowhere to be seen. Lissa had disappeared to visit the kitchen to help organize the procession of food that would be heading their way.

Robin made himself busy by lighting enough lanterns to illuminate the room. His work went by quicker than he expected, and soon enough no less than ten of the oil lanterns were ready to be propped up around the room. He assumed one of the other Shepherds had helped light when he wasn't looking.

Robin had just finished helping light the last lantern inside the garrison when he heard a familiar voice bark outside. "Steady, steady! Turn the table the other way… No, turn it my way, dammit! There you go, now let's get it through the door… carefully and... Easy, easy! Wanna pin me to the wall or somethin'?!"

"Sorry… sorry…" A small voice responded constantly.

Robin stepped away from the room's entrance as Sully hefted a particularly long table into the room, assisted by another knight he didn't recognize. The two worked in tandem (mostly anyway) and managed to set the table down near the back of the room, leaving enough space between it and the wall for a row of chairs on each side. Maribelle had just finished meticulously arranging chairs alongside the thin, flimsy tables already present.

"Sully, heavens! Don't you think we have enough for one meal already?"

"Have ya seen the pig?" Sully asked. "Didn't think so. Trust me, we'll use every inch of real-estate this thing has. Couldn't hurt anyway, nobody was using the damn thing." She rapped her unarmored fist against the table, eliciting a flinch from the other knight. "I've had my eye on this thing for the garrison for a while, and Stahl here needed the exercise. The sluggard was taking a nap somewhere in the stables." The other knight; hair a dull-brown color, what little armor he wore was a viridian color - nodded sheepishly. He glanced Robin's way but didn't say anything to him.

"Fainted?" Maribelle asked as she covered her mouth with a hand splayed in shock. "Whatever for? Did your pains act up again?"

The knight swallowed. "Well… No, nothing like that. I just heard dinner was delayed for some reason and I was already really tired and… I guess I kind of passed out."

"Stahl, there's a difference between starving and just being lazy!" Maribelle retorted sharply. "Honestly, if you didn't burn fat so easily it'd be obvious that you could go days without food, the way you eat!"

Sumia was in the corner, having arranged all of the room's odds and ends neatly on a lone desk. She had finished a long time ago, and now absent-mindedly watched everyone work as she fumbled the deck of cards in her hands. "Come on you two… He can't help it," she said gently.

Sully shrugged. "Whatever. He just better not hold the rest of us back next time we deploy. If he's gonna ride with me into battle he'd better be able to keep up, that's the way I see it." Stahl ducked his head and didn't say anything more.

"You didn't happen to see Ricken or Miriel did you?" Maribelle asked.

"I told 'em, but they didn't seem interested. 'Been spending all day studying or whatever. I'm not even sure they know the captain's back yet. Food's almost here from what I hear, so they'd better hurry if they want anything left for 'em."

"And what about Freddy-D?" Vaike asked. "Where's our lieutenant off to?"

"Last I saw he went to help the Exalt organize that war council happening in a few days," Robin said. "But that was a good couple hours ago."

"Oh, the Exalt probably has another job for him and Phila then, assuming she's not busy as well." Maribelle said.

Sully started to snicker. "Him and Phila off together? There's a surprise. Ha!"

Maribelle glared. "Sully, mind your manners. Isn't that rather suggestive of you?"

"Maybe… maybe." Sully stopped talking but she didn't stop snickering for a while.

Maribelle paused and tapped her chin. "Lissa, Frederick, Sully, Vaike, Stahl, Miriel, Sumia, Ricken... I feel like I'm forgetting someone else?"

Robin heard one more person enter the room. "So, you guys can tidy up without me or Frederick around, can't you?"

Vaike raised an arm and cheered. "The captain's here!" He called. The room rippled with excitement. Chrom leaned against the door frame. His eyes were tired, and he wore a dark noble suit with golden buttons and a high collar.

"Ah, of course, the captain!" Maribelle said with a clap of her hands, eyes shining. "Silly me."

Robin hung back as the captain was nearly swarmed by his comrades. Stahl was excitedly shaking his hand and rattling how relieved he was that he made it back safely. Vaike struck him hard on the shoulder and demanded he be brought along next time. Sully didn't say much, but she was smiling. Shy Sumia let out an excited gasp and was immediately on her feet, running forward.

"Captain! I was… we were… oh!" She stumbled.

Chrom's eyes widened. "W-woah, hey!" A path was cleared, and Chrom quickly caught Sumia - rather ungracefully by her wrist. He helped steady her. Cards fluttered to the ground. "Those boots of yours, again?" Chrom asked. Sumia looked up at the prince, who was a whole head taller than her, and gave a rather indignant look. Here eyes were wide and sullen.

"That was lot longer than a day and a half!" she whined. "We didn't even know you were in town until Emmeryn came home!"

"I said anything could happen before I left," Chrom said gently.

"If it were two days would you have taken four?"

"I'm not trying to lie, Sumia! A whole lot happened that was outside my control, a whole lot…" Chrom looked Robin's way and smiled. "This man for instance." Robin smiled back and once more fought the urge to pull up his hood and disappear into the background. "Don't be that way, come on out and say hello to my friends!" Chrom looked back at Sumia. "And don't tell me you spent all this time worrying about just me?"

Sumia tensed. "Ah… well…" She finally slipped her arm from Chrom's grip and started fidgeting. "Not the whole time, I mean…"

"If I heard right, you were training with that javelin your friend lent you… weren't you Sumia?" Maribelle suggested as she shielded her lower face with her fan. She nodded sharply at Sumia from where Chrom couldn't see her. Sumia paused for a moment, and then nodded rapidly.

"Yeah, I was. Heh..." She said eagerly, sweating.

"Damn right! This girl's been making progress," Sully walked forward and set a hand on Sumia's shoulder. "She may be ready for the battlefield, Captain."

"Well I don't know about that…" now the girl was blushing.

Chrom's expression became solemn. "Well, we'll need all the help we can get. I just finished talking with Emmeryn. We're now seeing if a diplomatic mission to the north is a viable course of action in response to recent events."

"Aw, for a sec I thought you meant a real mission! Not some trip to talk to sumbuddy!" Vaike let out a long groan.

"Oh, it'll be tough Vaike, believe me," Sully said. "Roads prolly aren't quite safe yet. At the very least we can do a rain-check for the other travellers."

Chrom nodded. "Emmeryn's arranging for us to meet up with a caravan that left north the day before. Nothing's set in stone until the war council is over of course." Chrom turned to face his men. Robin felt tension in the air as the soldiers ceased all noise to hear their captain's words.

"Safe from what?" Stahl quickly asked. "What, are the bandits acting up? Or is it worse? Plegians...?!"

"N-not exactly any of those," Chrom said carefully. "The thing is…"

A soft, warm scent wafted into the room. Robin's stomach started to growl. "Looks like a certain someone has arrived," Sully said. She waved her hands at everyone and got them away from the doorway.

Lissa entered, hands splayed in front of her, smiling. "Ta-dah! Dinner's here!" Lissa was followed by a procession of servants carrying platters, heaped with food. "Pick a table, any table!"

"Ah, of course," Chrom said. He looked to Sumia once more. "We can worry about all that later. For now, let's eat!" He finished in a louder voice.

The meal consisted of several vegetables (carrots, lettuces, radishes, etc) steamed to perfection but served as-is aside a small assortment of salty broths. There were two stews; one bean, the other meat; pork by the smell of it.

The main attraction was the large roasted pig. It was nearly as big as Lissa, and its skin was a glazed golden-orange, hiding soft pink stringy meat underneath. It rested upon a bed of steamed veggies, oozing its seasoned fat unto them. Its stomach was stuffed with more vegetables and tubers, these cooked more thoroughly. There was once a fresh apple propped in the pig's mouth, but before anyone could claim ownership Chrom passed it to one of the servant-boys who helped set the tables. Dishes, cutlery, and napkins were provided, but most of the shepherds ate with their hands.

Apparently such lavish meals were usually not commonplace. The Shepherds, being honorary Castle residents, had free range over most of Castle Ylisstol's facilities and would mostly eat what was provided to the soldiers on the grounds. Meals such as this, though always at their disposal, were usually reserved for special occasions, like a grand victory. In this case; it was the captain's safe return home, as well a small reward for Robin.

Robin wished the talk would remain on Chrom rather than himself, but it was not to be. At first Chrom enjoyed a long string of conversations with his recruits, often accompanied by loud shouting and laughter on matters Robin wasn't privy to. It was Lissa who mentioned Robin's memory, and after that all bets were off. It was an innocent question for her big brother about the healers and clerics Emmeryn was considering for Robin. Someone asked healing for what, they were answered, and then the questions started piling in.

"Nothing?" Stahl asked, aghast. "You can't remember anything at all? For how long?"

"That must be terrible!" Sumia exclaimed. "I can't imagine what that's like."

"Does he know where he came from and just can't recall the specifics?" Maribelle asked thoughtfully, only mildly perturbed.

Robin's face was presently stuffed with the salty pork and incapable of answering any questions. He lowered his head and chewed rapidly, raising his hand. Sully, who sat next to Robin, shook her head. "I was really hoping Big Sister could help you out with that. Sounds like a hell of time, not knowing anything about yerself."

Robin feared the conversation most for being reminded of his plight. His time with Chrom and his misadventure earlier that day had done much to take his mind off things, and he worried that any unchecked anxiety or panic may find its way back with so many people questioning him. Oddly though, he felt no such thing. It was comforting to hear their concern.

Robin finally swallowed and began speaking. "My earliest memories are from… roughly forty-eight hours ago. It was well into the afternoon when Chrom found me, and I was in such a daze I wasn't even aware of what had happened to me until a couple hours in."

"So nothing personal can be recalled," Maribelle said. "But you are versed in swords and magic, and strategics? I'd think you'd be a total blank slate, but I have heard theories on this sort of thing. Supposedly the body is capable of retaining information physically - mental processes only go so far when it comes to actually sorting what goes on in our heads."

"You're starting to sound like Miriel." Lissa said.

"Well just be glad it was me and not her," the noblewoman said sharply. "She'd surely go on for no less than an hour."

Robin nodded. "I do feel like that's somewhat true. I'd never had tea since waking up, but I recognized it immediately. And the card game! I definitely played it somewhere before…"

"Does that make it a little exciting then?" Sumia asked hopefully. "Learning more about yourself bit by bit?"

"...More exciting than I'd prefer, but it has its moments I think."

"Were you hungry any?" Vaike asked. "Like were you starved when Chrom found ya?"

"Not… particularly? I only worked up an appetite after the marching. Couldn't remember what I'd eaten before that."

"You couldn't remember what you ate last?" Now Vaike was really concerned. "Not a hint?"

"Nope."

"...Didja try burping up? Y'know, tasting yer breath?"

"Vaike, for the love of peace!" Maribelle nearly screamed. "Some of us have just started eating!"

The others went silent. The Vaike slumped his shoulders and didn't say anything else. Robin discreetly slid his chair closer to Vaike and leaned closer. "...I did try for the record. Still nothing."

"Damn."

"So how exactly does a Shepherd operate?" Robin asked. He had gotten to his third serving by now. He didn't realize how hungry he was; the only thing he'd eaten all day was the light lunch of bear. "Who do you report to, and how are you picked for missions?"

"Basically nobody outranks anybody else," Stahl said. Unless Robin's eyes deceived him, the knight was finishing his fourth plate. The side of the pig facing Stahl had been thoroughly decimated. "Unless you're Chrom or Frederick everyone's the same rank. And unless they say otherwise you always take orders from them. Chrom always reports to the Exalt after a mission, and we all usually leave that to him."

"So, if you report to the ruler, doesn't that make you all military?" Robin asked.

Sully shook her head. "Not strictly, no. Everyone knows we're ran by the prince, and everyone knows he and his sister are in cahoots, but we're not military. We're not at the beck and call of any general, we're only compelled to answer to the royal family - Just like any citizen.

"We're endorsed by the Exalt, don't get me wrong, but we're not a proper militia. We supply ourselves, arm ourselves, and we don't get any service paycheck that's for sure."

"Why not?" Robin asked. He'd thought the fight with the Chieftain the night before had earned Sully some type of reward. "You don't get compensation even though you're sanctioned by your monarch?"

"Oh, we're compensated, just not directly," Sully said. She paused to quaff a mouthful of red wine and wiped her mouth off. "Think about it this way: would you like a small band of soldiers with a flexible schedule on a Monarch's payroll just patrolling the country, doing basically whatever the royal family says? Hell no, that's bad news for common-folk! 'Means we're basically her goon-squad. Took a long time for common-folk to warm up to us either way, and the Exalt couldn't even officially sanction us for the first couple years. We had to earn the common man's trust. So no kid; officially we work for free."

"...So that helps the Exalt in a way…" Robin said thoughtfully. "A bunch of soldiers volunteering to help the royal family directly... You're basically free advertising for the Exalt's cause that way, correct?"

Sully nodded. "Eeyup, that's it. 'Embodying the generous grace of Naga' and all that crap." Maribelle made a sharp noise and Sully quickly amended; "Praise her name..."

"Well then… what about compensation, y'know… unofficially?"

A smirk crossed Sully's face as she leaned in closer, swishing the cup of wine in her hand. "Loot. Once the bandit's hoard is sorted out and returned, we get first dibs on whatever crap is left. Most of it's valuable, and usually there's a lot to go around. We're pretty happy that way." She winked as she took another swig. "And don't worry, we're nice. We'll share."

"Nobody's retiring early or anything," Vaike said as he leaned back in his chair. "But we don't have a lot to worry about cause, y'know, free lodging here at the castle." He pointed with his foot at Chrom, earning a glare from Maribelle. "This guy takes care of all our needs for the most part. Setting up the garrison, putting our armory together. Everything else we pay for on our own."

"You mean we pay on our own, and you don't do a thing!" Maribelle said sharply. "All you do is leech off the community-effort of keeping the garrison running!"

The fighter shrugged. "I don't need a lot. What's the point of buying stuff you don't need?"

"Most people need more than two changes of clothes, Vaike! And if you didn't do so decently on the battlefield I'd consider you a detriment to the cause." The fighter shrugged, realigned his feet to the ground, and resumed eating. Maribelle scoffed. "Honestly… I do apologize for the impression we're giving, Robin. All this talk of loot and money, and all this raucous humor!" She gestured towards Sully. None of the other Shepherds seemed vindicated, in fact most seemed annoyed. Lissa gently tugged at her friend's shoulder. She was ignored and Maribelle continued. "The present display I believe does not do our cause justice, nor does it portray what we as a group truly strive for. But I assure you, proper representation of Lady Emmeryn and her ideals are our top priority. And if you'd allow me a moment I'd like to pitch it to you accurately..."

Robin nervously took a drink. "Um…"

"Maribelle?" Chrom asked. Just like Lissa he was ignored.

"We're supposed to be the hands and feet of the Prince; his personal army of servants at his will. What the Exalt cannot touch officially we act instead; we're the Prince's personal Vigilantes if you will. We're blessed with the honor of having our royal captain ride into battle alongside us - protecting us both on and off the battlefield. Many of us are in his debt one way or another and I cannot stress the immense honor serving under him really is. 'Tis a position of dignity; dare I say a glimpse of a future for all soldiers under the Exalt's reign."

Robin wasn't quite sure what Maribelle had said or why. Sumia quietly resumed eating as if nothing had happened, but Lissa had buried her face in her arms as she leaned down against the table, what was visible of her face flushing red. Chrom let out a heavy sigh.

It was at this moment when Vaike decided to let loose a particularly ragged and long-winded belch.

The mood shattered instantly and the room shook with laughter. Robin couldn't help but join in. Color rose to Maribelle's face; her speech's impact apparently undone in a matter of seconds. Her eyebrows flared as she pointed her folded fan at Vaike.

"Oh… you oaf! Must you pollute the very air with your buffoonery?" This only encouraged the others to laugh harder. Maribelle quickly turned her folded fan on Robin. "And you! Don't encourage him! Honestly I'd hoped you'd be cut from finer cloth… I suppose the Shepherd shall only continue make do with low standards."

Maribelle fussily tucked away her fan, wiped her face with a napkin, and stood up from the table. "I've lost my appetite," she said dourly. "Enjoy your time with the rabble," she said to Robin before leaving the room. He watched her leave and turned back to the table, not quite sure what to think.

"Don't be like that…! Maribelle!" Lissa called after her friend. "So much for no strangers..."

Sumia cast an apologetic glance Robin's way. "Oh… don't take it personally, Robin. She tends to be prickly around new people. She's much nicer once you get to know her."

"And gods help you when that day comes," Vaike said with a resignation as he downed another cup of wine. "Once she decides you are her friend? Hooo boy… She's clingy as a tick."

"Um, Robin?" This time it was Sumia's turn to ask a question. "I don't mean to pry, but you wouldn't happen to be from... Plegia, would you?" Robin's heart lurched. He self-consciously clutched at his right hand. "I couldn't help but notice the color of your hair... Not that I've ever seen a Plegian before! It's just most Silverheads come from over there, so..."

"I… um…" He struggled for words. "I honestly couldn't tell you. I don't know where I come from."

"And the Exalt really wasn't able to help your condition at all?" Sumia asked worriedly.

"No," Chrom answered for her. "Her magic couldn't heal anything. The consensus was… well… I suppose it's Robin business whether I say anything."

"It's alright," Robin said quickly. "Emmeryn thinks it all may be related to a… well… curse."

There was another pause as the room became silent.

Chrom spoke up. "Emmeryn's theory is that Robin's condition may be a result of being happened upon by dark practitioners from Plegia," Chrom said. "But that's ultimately just a theory."

"Why would a bunch of dark mages just wanna wipe his brain and dump him in Ylisse?" Vaike asked. "Didja tick off the king maybe?"

"That does sound like something they would do," Stahl said. "Not much freedom of speech where the King's people can hear you."

"That sounds horrible!" Sumia cried. "And if you really are… well… from there… that they'd do that to one of their own is just unthinkable!"

"Sounds to me like nobody at this table is friends with Plegia," Vaike said as his brow darkened.

"Well wait, weren't you attacked when you came to town just 'cause people assumed you were one of them?" Sumia hurriedly said. "That hardly gives a good impression of us at any rate. For all we know there could be hundreds of Plegians just like Robin who have no say in what their king does."

"We'll worry about those people when we actually meet them," Chrom said resolutely. "For now, the Plegians have only offered their finest bandits and marauders to represent themselves, to which we've responded accordingly. Robin's connection to them at this point is irrelevant. He's fought for Ylissean lives, and that's all that matters."

Robin gave a nervous shrug. "It honestly doesn't matter much to me whether I'm Plegian or not." A partial lie. "But from the sounds of it, I'm definitely glad I woke up in Ylisse instead of over there."

Sully suddenly stifled a snicker. She bowed her head away from the table and held her face as she muffled her cackles. "...Yes, Sully?" Lissa asked. "Something you wanna share with the others?"

Sully tried to contain herself. She squinted through smiling eyes and tried to be coherent. "Going off on a complete limb here…" She said. "But what if… huh… he fled the country and wound up over the border… after he had a wild night in Plegia?" The room was quiet. Sully suddenly reached forward and grabbed Robin's right hand. "… And that's where this lil' mark came from!"

Pause.

Vaike quickly caught on and started to chuckle.

"What is that supposed to mean…?" Stahl asked slowly.

"Oh come on, you know!" Sully said as she started cackling again. "You wake up from a heavy night at the bar, and the only reminder is the one tatt' you got in a drunken stupor? Every village idiot has a story like that! We're sitting here worrying about curses and politics… but what if he was just wanted to forget everything after getting loaded? Wouldn't that just blow?!"

Vaike started laughing louder.

Robin finally retrieved his hand from the knight's grip. This was by far the least flattering theory he'd heard since he woke up… but loathe he was to admit, it didn't seem any less plausible than the others. He could feel the color rising to his cheeks. Sully nudged Robin in the shoulder. "I'd hire dark magic to forget about a wild night, too. Got any more of those anywhere else?" she asked teasingly.

Robin's face flushed entirely. "H-How should I know?! I didn't check!"

The table shook with laughter once more. Chrom bowed his head and held his brow, remiss to join in. Robin did something similar to hide his blushing face. Sully jabbed him in the shoulder repeatedly. "I'm just ribbin' ya," she said. "You'll fit right in with us!" she kept saying.

The evening continued rather quietly, and night finally fell. Surprisingly, between the Shepherd's hearty appetites and Stahl, much of the roast pig still remained. The remaining food was consolidated into dishes and arranged on one table. Scraps of unwanted ends of vegetables and meat ligaments were swept up from the floor. Sumia offered to carry the stacks of dirty dishes back to the kitchen to be washed. In her eagerness she nearly made off with the entire stack before losing her balance again. Chrom caught her again and offered to take them in her stead… and proceeded to make Lissa help him carry some as well.

Robin scraped the bits of food into a pile and went to find a dustpan or a thin sheet of wood to carry it outside somewhere. When he returned the pile was already gone, but none of the present Shepherds seem to have moved.

Stahl had fallen asleep in his chair, Vaike had gone upstairs somewhere, and Sully was chatting with Sumia.

"Um… did a servant walk through here?" Robin asked. "Could've sworn I had a pile of trash right here."

Sully shrugged. "I didn't hear nothing. But I'd also say to just sit back and relax. You're our guest, quit fussing around and enjoy yourself."

Was it so wrong to selfishly clean a room to make himself feel comfortable? He decided not to press the matter and find himself a seat. He finally got to more reading of the volume he'd got from the market. He couldn't help but smile to himself.

The calm after the storm so-to-speak was surprisingly enjoyable. He could hardly remember being afraid of meeting Chrom's other recruits… but then again after all of Sully's joking from earlier the ice seemed to have been broken beyond repair. In a group with such rampant banter and teasing, he'd almost feel left out if he didn't get a turn to be laughed at. It also made him aware of a particular longing he'd had that had manifested itself as a sort of fear; he wanted to belong. Chrom and Lissa made him feel welcome, and the Exalt did the same. But what was stopping the other Shepherds from just being a squad of Fredericks? He'd been ready to turn down Chrom's offer on that fear alone. Now he was glad he took the time to meet the other Shepherds. His answer was much clearer now.

"Yes, She was very receptive to my input." Robin was startled by voices down the hallway, possibly from outside. Robin recognized the voices of Frederick and Phila. "She's very disciplined, and talented. Now if she just learned to focus more, there'd be little between her and a future career as captain I believe."

"That's tremendous praise coming from you."

"And I don't offer it lightly. It's also best if she didn't know I said that for now."

"Understood. ...If you'd excuse me then, I must see to my own group. I suppose it's farewell for now."

"Indeed. Goodnight, Frederick."

Silence, and then footsteps. Robin had apparently been leaning backwards in his seat to get within better earshot. When he heard footsteps growing closer, he suddenly became aware of what he was doing and snapped forward, nearly toppling himself over. He quickly looked to his pages and tried to find a passage to focus on.

"You know you're allowed to take a little credit for cleaning up after the others," Frederick's voice suddenly implored. Robin looked up. "...Hm? Ah, the new recruit. Yes, that would be distracting. Perhaps it was wise of you then. You'll get your chance later, I'm sure of it." Was he talking to him?

"Chance for what?" Robin asked aloud. No answer. It appeared as if Frederick had paused in the hallway to talk to thin air.

Frederick's armored frame finally slid in through the doorway. He cast a quick glance around the room, looking to Sumia and Sully, and then to Stahl at the table. He looked to the organized leftovers, the clean floor, and finally to Robin.

"Did you enjoy your meal?" He asked flatly.

Robin nodded in response. "Y-yes. Um, who were you talking to?"

Frederick shrugged. "One of our recruits. And with all due respect; it's none of your concern."

"Of course, just curious. Heh, it looked like you'd stopped to talk to a wall or something," Robin said with a light laugh. Frederick's eyes were serious as he set his brow and examined Robin carefully. "Er… is something wrong?"

"So you are also unable to… ah, nevermind. Perhaps I'd assumed too much. Anyway… I trust the other recruits did their part in making you feel welcome?"

"Yeah, and then some. Well…" Robin bit off his last word. "Well, they didn't put up any act anyway. It was all very genuine. ...Painfully genuine." He looked Sully's way as he said this, and Frederick nodded knowingly.

"Yes, while most others would opt to be more careful in their words, Sully would rather be tactless, unabashedly so."

"I heard that, Freddy-D!" Sully broke from her conversation with Sumia. She pointed and frowned. "And don't you dare get all prickly about a stupid nickname! If you're allowed to call me tactless, I'm allowed to call you whatever I damn want!"

"Of course, Sully," Frederick responded tonelessly. Sully let out a huff and pulled Sumia away to carry their conversation elsewhere. Sumia looked back pleadingly at Robin as Frederick as she exited. "Mayhap you know where Milord and lady are?" Frederick asked Robin.

"They went to the kitchen I think? They were dropping off the first load of dishes."

Frederick let out a soft sigh and shook his head. "If he'd waited a moment later he needn't have bothered." He started towards the door where Sully and Sumia had exited, which lead outside. He paused at the doorway. "Robin… has Chrom formally asked you yet?" He asked slowly.

"About recruiting me? ...No, not yet." He gestured towards what was left of the grand feast, cold soup and all. "They weren't very subtle about convincing me though. Lissa all but said so earlier.

"Have you an answer for him then?"

"...I think so."

"Then would you come with me? Let's find the Captain so you may speak with him."

Frederick lead Robin back to the castle. The nightscape of the castle grounds was rather astonishing. The night was a dim blue and gray, but the stars shone magnificently overhead. The cobbled walkways between buildings were painted orange by the many oil lamp posts, and the castle was a massive block of dim grays and whites, checkered with illuminated windows. Light poured into the central courtyard from the interior, which was so lavishly lit it almost seemed as bright as daytime inside.

"If you're ever lost on the grounds, the rule of thumb is to return to the castle to find your bearings," Frederick stated. "And if you get lost inside the castle well, it's always better to be lost inside rather than out at nighttime."

"I see," Robin said. The question was burning in his mind and threatened to spill out. Why was Frederick being so (relatively) cordial? Had the Exalt's talk with him truly changed his mind?

"Ah, there he is," Frederick said suddenly. "Just leaving the kitchen's quarters, just as you said. And Lissa is with him as well." Frederick raised an arm, his armor glinting against some lamp post's light. Chrom waved back and started in their direction. "And Sir Robin?"

"Yes, Frederick?"

"Rest assured, my doubts about you remain, but I am content with putting my trust in my lieges, and you by extension… for now."

"I see…" Robin tried to keep the disappointment from his voice.

"It is my duty to protect my lieges with my life, against any possible threat. I trust you'll do your best to prove me wrong about you."

The challenge was lain, and Robin quietly accepted it. For some reason, Frederick's candidness brought a similar feeling being with the other Shepherds did, and Robin found himself smiling.

Lissa's pigtails bobbed from behind Chrom as he approached. "What are you two smiling about? Don't tell me he's forcing you to do that," Lissa asked as she poked her head from behind her brother. "It looks weird to see you two so comfortable together. Quit it."

"All done with the summons then, Frederick?" Chrom asked. His knight nodded in response. "I'd expected the letters to take at least a day," Chrom said. "I can always rely on you to have things finished ahead of schedule."

"What are you congratulating him for?" Lissa asked. "All that means is that the stupid war council is just gonna start sooner."

"And then the nobles will have no choice but to show up as soon as possible," Chrom said with a smile. "Me and Vaike already put down bets on who'll show up first."

"Hardly behavior befitting a prince," Frederick said. "...But I digress. It appears Robin has a proposition for you." Chrom's expression became serious.

"I wanted to talk to you about your offer from earlier," Robin tried to straighten his pose. "You've offered me to join, but I want to know. Do you really want me to join the Shepherds?"

Chrom laughed. "Has that ever been a question?" Robin's expression didn't change, and Chrom quickly gave another answer. "Yes, Robin. We need a tactician, and it'd benefit you as much it would me. You saw how they were in there!" He gestured back to the garrison. "I need all the help I can get."

"You're sure I just wouldn't be an extra limb between you and Frederick?" Robin asked.

"Absolutely not," Chrom said. "If anything a better chain of command would be a great help. It means there are more people to fall back on if things do wrong."

"And that's the other thing," Robin said. "Would you really put all those people's lives in my hands? The hands of a complete stranger?"

"Any more than I already have? And Robin, you're no stranger. We've survived too much together for that. Plus, I don't see how the outcomes of those fights would've been any better if you weren't there."

Robin lowered his head to think. "That was only two fights…"

Chrom sighed. "Robin, I won't force you," he said. "You're free to stay here until your situation improves, but if you'd rather not be a Shepherd-"

"No, that's not it! I wanna join, I'd be honored! It's just…" for a while Robin said nothing, and Chrom gave him time to think. Lissa became sullen as she watched her brother and Robin. "I'm… grateful for what you two did for me… even if it was technically against my will," he added with a chuckle. "Lissa said once you don't like telling people what you want, and I think I'm similar in a way. I'm afraid of committing, even if I really want to, because well…"

"You must not like letting people down." Chrom finished for him. "And I can't fathom why. This must be tied to your previous life." Robin nodded. "Robin, I'll let you know you didn't let anyone down by getting lost and coming here without me, except maybe those punks who wanted an excuse to be frustrated."

"The Exalt herself wants to trust me… what would it be like if something were to happen to you two and it were my fault?"

"I don't have an answer to that Robin, but I wouldn't ask if I didn't trust you."

"And if I may?" Frederick said quickly. "If you're truly worried for Milord's well-being Robin, then would not the worst action possible be inaction, so to speak?"

"Oh, you just want to keep him where you can see him!" Lissa said.

Robin paused to consider once more. His gaze found its way back to the castle beside them. If he looked dead ahead he could see the lights of the city far below. He liked the castle, he liked Lissa and Chrom, and he liked the Shepherds. Everyone made him feel welcome, which he could tell was not a common feeling for him. Regardless of where he came from, he had been wandering, possibly looking for a place to belong - possibly wandering to this very place. He wanted to stay… but did that really mean that he should stay?

"...Well, the way I see it, after you guys literally bathed and fed me I don't have much of a choice," Robin said quietly. Lissa's eyes lit up.

"So you've decided then?" Chrom asked. Robin held out his hand, and Chrom quickly took it, grip hard as iron, and shook it.

"I'd be honored."

Lissa shouted and pummeled Robin, breaking him away from Chrom. "He's staying, he's staying!" She said happily. She ran from Robin to Frederick and latched unto his arm happily. "The pig worked! Haha! And I was afraid he'd run off or something after getting lost and beat up!"

"I share your elation wholeheartedly, milady," Frederick said flatly, in spite of his smile.