Chapter Text
Robin put away the cheap bronze sword before putting the old thunder tome back into the hidden pocket inside his coat. How they did not search him for weapons, Robin did not know. The sword was not exactly hidden either, even if his coat did obscure it somewhat.
Either way, he was rather glad they did not search him. It might have complicated matters and prevented him from helping out with Southtown. As he found out, he had quite a keen eye for tactics, and it also helped him aid in preventing the worst. Unfortunately, there were some casualties that they were too late to stop. While he knew they could not have realistically done anything to save them given when they arrived, it made his stomach churn regardless. Though going into what ifs about if they had not been delayed dealing with him was a pointless exercise.
It was an odd group he had found himself involved with, but they did not seem to be bad people. Frederick the Wary as he was called did not seem to trust him, but Robin could hardly blame him. He was incredibly suspicious after all. It was almost hard to believe that Chrom and Lissa so readily trusted him despite his incredibly suspicious story with no proof he was telling the truth. It almost was enough to make him worry for their continued safety.
Still, Robin could not help but watch on as Lissa pouted about something with Chrom laughing good-naturedly as he patted her on the top of the head. This only served to fuel the ongoing pout, and even Robin could not restrain a chuckle or two.
"Not you too!" Lissa huffed, "Maybe I should have left you in that field."
"Now, Lissa," Chrom was still smiling, "You know you wouldn't do that."
"Fine," She relented, "But you don't have to laugh at me."
"Sorry," Robin apologized.
"Yeah, just don't start calling me delicate too, or you might find some unpleasant surprises waiting for you at night."
"Yes, Ma'am," Robin hastily agreed, much to Chrom's amusement. Frederick, however, was not at all amused.
"As riveting as this conversation is, we really should be going."
"Quite right," Chrom donned a more serious expression, "We should be able to make it most of the way if we make good time. That is," He grinned at the blonde, "If Lissa here can make it."
"Hey!" Lissa suddenly bopped him over the head with her staff.
"Ow! That hurt!"
"And there's more where that came from!"
"Are they always like this?" Robin asked of Frederick.
"More or less," Came his stoic reply, but Robin could detect a hint of exasperation. It was gone almost as quickly as it came though. In its place was an expression as cold as stone, "Bear in mind that should I find that you are taking advantage of milord and milady's hospitality to do them harm, I will not hesitate to run you through."
"Noted," Robin swallowed.
"Good. Perhaps you may yet earn my trust, but for the time being, I shall be watching you closely."
"I understand," The tactician nodded, "I must sound suspicious with my backstory."
"Quite. It doesn't seem like good cover, honestly, but I cannot rule out that very fact being part of the ploy."
"More than fair. I hope that one day you can trust me, but until then I hope that we can at least work together," Robin offered a hand which Frederick eyed cautiously before taking it.
"So long as your plans do not put any Shepherds in undue danger, I suppose I can work with that arrangement."
"Great."
"Hey!" They turned to where the bluenette was calling for them through cupped hands, "You two coming?"
"Right away, milord."
Robin followed suit. It was a start. While his lost memories still plagued him, he was confident he had fallen in with good people. He would have to prepare for the possibility that his memories might not return, and even if they did, he might could use the work.
Either way, it felt like a new beginning. He wondered what laid beyond almost as much as what laid behind. No one in town recognized him at least. For now, he would press on and see what was in store for him.