Encounter

One day like others in Ylisse. The weather was clear, except some clouds here and there in the blue sky. It was a really nice weather to travel, and the leader of the Shepherds saize this occasion. Morning call was maid by his retainer, but he agreed to take the road again under this promising sky.

It's now two days since the start of this travel, visiting neighbouring villages, resting there often because the younger one did ask. She was insisting for accompaning them for building her character. The two others did accept, because of her pushing.

"Aah, the weather's so nice ! And this field is beautiful ! Can we just stop to enjoy this ?" asked Lissa who was thinking that enjoying this weather just for a walk was a big loss.

"Lady Lissa, we must continue. And I cannot protect you if you just wander in this field.

- Come on, Frederick ! It's not like we'll be under attack if this clear field ! It's not like they're hiding themselves in the grass to ambush us either ! You're seriously not funny !"

Ignoring Frederick and unable to refrain herself, she steps on the grass field, beginning to wandering.

"My job is to protect the two of you. What will happen to the kingdom if a tragedy occur ? Lady Emmelyn will be mad with sorrow.

- Let her a little, Frederick. The next town is not far. And I can fight, we'll be two to protect Lissa if an attack happen."

With that, Chrom decide to close the distance with Lissa to relieve a little a weight in Frederick's heart. His sister was strolling in the field. That make him smile. Lissa hates when she was called delicate, but she sure can be. This moment was a proof.

"Weather's so niiiiiice ! The wind too... It's real-iiiiiih ! ...Wait, what ?"

Her walk was interrupted by the seeing of something, like a corpse, and that surprised her. But she quickly recover from that and was watching, alongside her brother who catched her, the corpse of a man with white hairs and wearing some strange robe.

"He's he dead ? No, wait, he's alive ! C-Chrom, we have to do something !

- What do you propose we do ?

- I-I dunno !"

But their tought and discussion was stopped. The unknow man was opening his eyes, regaining consciousness.

"I see you're awake now." was saying the blue-haired man, smiling to the one lying on the grass.

"Hey there." greets Lissa with a lower voice, but giggling a little, a little embarrased.

"There are better places to take a nap than on the ground, you know."

Chrom reach his hand so the unknow person can stand up. The latter was watching the two of them before accepting this helping hand. This person was as tall as Chrom, and must be around the same age. The leader of the shepherds maitain his warming smile to the stranger.

"You all right ?" he asked.

"Y-Yes, thank you, Chrom.

- Ah, then you know who I am ?"

The stranger frozed. Chrom's question was one good point. It was the first time he see him... How come he know his name ?

"No, actually... Your name, it just... came to me...

- Hmm... How curious... Tell me, what's your name ? What's bring you here ?"

The whit-haired man open his mouth, but just to close it just after, and blink. Nothing comes in his mind. No name, no reason... Nothing. It was like his brain was locked in darkness. But Chrom's name came after all. He doesn't know him and yet... Where did he knows this name ? It was the only thing who come out from this darkness. The man put a hand in the back of his head, feeling uneasy.

"What is it ? You remember your name, do you ?

- Er... I..."

Chrom was shocked. Lissa too, and was wondering if the man had amnesia. One sure thing that the two other shepherds did understand.

"Are you trying to let us believe you know milord's name, but not your own ?"

Frederick was checking around before joining the others, and became more and more suspicious about this man. For him, the white-haired man was lying. He didn't believe in his act.

"B-But it's the truth !" answers the one with amnesia, his unease growing because of the threatening tone of the knight.

"I don't believe he's acting, Frederick. And in this case, we can't leave him here, alone and confused! What short of Shepherds would we be then ?

- Just the same, milord. I must emphasize caution. He can be a very good actor. 'Twould not do let a wolf into our flock." finished Frederick.

"Right, then... We'll take him back to the town and sort this out there.

- Wait just one moment ! Do I have a say in this ?" asked the unknow man.

"Peace, friend. I promise we'll hear all you have to say back in town. Now come. »

The one with amnesia open then close his mouth, finding nothing to object for the moment. He look at the two mans, and then nod slowly. Lissa finished to got her attention elsewhere.. and panicked.

« Chrom ! The town ! »

She was pointing something in the horizon. Smoke was apparent from there the town would be. Chrom grited his teeth.

« Damn it ! Those blasted brigands must have attacked the town ! Let us hurry !

- What about him ? » asked Frederick, showing the white-haired man with one motion of his head.

« Unless he's on fire too, it can wait ! We must rescue the town first !

- ...Aptly put, milord. »

With waiting, they run to the town. Left alone, the unknow man scratched his head. He was at complete loss. He would not like being a prisonner, but in his state and without any landmark, his life can be in danger. So, he deciced to follow them.

Damages was easily seen when they enter the town. Many building were in fire, and some people were screaming. Chrom and Frederick taked out their weapon.

"Lissa, stay behind !" yelled the former to his sister, and charged the brigands. His retainer was just behing him.

"Chrom ! Uh..."

The little sister stay in place, wondering if she mustn't follow them too. She wants to be some use. She can't fight, but she can heal ! They'll need her for sure! She was determined, but before she can do one step, she feel someone at her left, not far away. She turn her head, and see a bandit.

"You're a cleric, uh ? Lucky ! Stay still, and no harms will be done, lassie."

Lissa was frozed by fear at this moment. She hesitates to scream for help. No, rather hesistate, her body didn't react. So, she hopes from all her might that someone will help her. A wish who was heard. A lightning ray comes from somewhere and hits the guy, knocking him unconscious. Lissa turns herself slowly, and see the guy from before.

"Y-You ! Thanks for saving me !

- It's nothing. Where's the others ? I'd like to help.

- Come, I'll show you the way."

And so, the man followed the blond girl, heading for the same way Chrom taked before. Sometime during their hurry, Lissa watched the man with the corner of her eye. He was holding a tome. So, he's a mage. She became more curious about him, but restrain herself because it was not the time. And a few minutes later, they catch them.

"Chrom ! Frederick !

- Lissa, what are you..." The Shepherds' leader stopped himself, seeing the white-haired man with his sister.

"Let me help.

- ...Yes, okay, thank you ! Some brigands takes hostages over there. That will be complicated to deal with..." said Chrom, pointing some houses.

"...I have a plan. Chrom, make a detour and take them from behind. Frederick, you charge before them. I'll attack from a distance, and make sure they'll free the hostages. ...Lissa, was it ? Approach a little, there. If you can observe and make sure they didn't flee from an other way or attack from behind, it'll be great help."

The two shepherds looked at each other but nods, trusting the man's plan for now. Lissa was overjoy to know she'll be some help.

The plan did work perfectly. Brigands was neutralized, and hostages were safe. Lissa even help when she warned the man from a traitor attack, and assist to his swordplay in action. The town safe, they regrouped.

"Well, that's the end of that..." sighed the unknow man.

"Lucky for the town, we were close by." said Lissa with a smile.

"Your help was precious... er..." beginned Chrom, but remember the man did not know his name. But the latter did smile.

"Robin. I just remembered it not long ago. That's one mystery resolved !" he said with a big smile at the end.

"One mystery resolved ? Come on ! Swords, sorcery and tactics ! It just amazed me I wonder who you really are !"

Lissa was enthousiastic, and that lend Robin to blushed a little from all these compliments.

"Lady Lissa say true. I'd like to know from where do you come." asked a mefiant Frederick.

"I understand your skepticism, Sir Frederick. And I cannot explain why only some knowledge has returned to me. But please, believe me. I have shared all that I know.

- I think we can trust him, Frederick." decided Chrom. "Robin, would you like to join the Shepherds ?"

The proposition chocked everyone else.

"Lord Chrom, we cannnot afford to trust him yet ! Please reconsider !

- I did consider, Frederick. But he helped us and make himself in danger. He saved civils, no, Ylissiean ! And the Shepherds could use someone with Robin's talent. We've brigands and unruly neighbors, all looking to bloody our soil. Would you really have us lose such an able tactician? Besides, I believe his story, odd as it might be.

- Chrom..." Robin was filled with good sentiments with Chrom's words. The knight can find something else to object, having said everything that was in his mind.

"So, how about it, Robin ? Will you join us ?

- I would be honored !"

They maked a handshake and smiled at each other. Lissa was happy too. Only Frederick keep his cool and decide for himself to continue to keep an eye on this new ally.

Author's Notes : Hello everyone ! The challenge begin ! I'm french, and it's my first time writing a story in english, but I decided I can go for the two langages for this fic. Don't hesitate to send some review, since english isn't my native langage. Hope you'll like it !