Invisible Ties | Fire Emblem Awakening (Novelization)

Chapter 6: The Shepherds

Robin

Lissa led me towards the back of the castle, explaining that the Shepherds had a garrison of their own within the building because there were so few of them. A trek through the family home and a descent down a short flight of steps took us to an ordinary wooden door. Lissa approached it as if she was about to reveal hidden treasure, grinning from ear to ear as she turned the well-worn handle and flung it open.

Its condition outpaced its aged look, as the hinges allowed it to move so quickly that it almost bounced off the inner wall. Lissa took no notice and eagerly herded me inside. "Here we are! Welcome to the Shepherds' garrison, your new home!"

Home was definitely fitting. Garrison was not.

I was standing in a relatively large room that appeared to be some sort of main living space, as it was littered with mismatched chairs and an array of tables covered in strange objects that I could only assume were personal effects. The biggest of these tables was nestled in the far right-hand corner and covered with books, pens, and parchments. A map had been pinned up on the wall above it, and another was spread across the centre of the surface.

Two archways stood on opposite walls, one leading to a tight corridor and another leading into an armoury. Lissa didn't take me through either of them but instead led me across the room towards the two other female Shepherds who were currently occupying it.

The first, a woman with long, butterscotch hair and pegasus knight armour, was sitting in one of the chairs. The second was standing over her with a healing staff, but she stepped away and turned towards us as we approached. She looked to be the same age as Lissa.

As soon as we reached her, she gathered the princess into her arms. "Lissa, my treasure! Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Maribelle," Lissa said as she was released. "I can handle a battle or two! Although I could do without the bugs or the bear barbecue."

"Or the deathly monsters, I hear," the girl with butterscotch hair said. "Is Frederick all right?"

"Poor Sumia," Maribelle tutted, turning back to look at her patient. "She's simply been beside herself with concern. Her eyes were scanning the horizon all morning during training...she might have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded."

Sumia blushed but continued to look worried. I was struggling to understand why she needed to fear for such a ferocious knight, but I shrugged when she turned her pleading eyes on me. "He's all right."

Sumia smiled. Maribelle looked at me warily and took a few steps back, as if she had only just noticed my presence. "Who's this, Lissa?"

The princess lit up like a candle. "Allow me to introduce Robin! Chrom's made her our new tactician. You should see all the tricks she's got up her sleeve!"

Maribelle examined me from head to toe, a small wrinkle appearing in the bridge of her nose. "It's...a pleasure to make your acquaintance. However, if there's no one else to be healed, I must return to training."

She turned around and stalked away, her enthusiasm for Lissa's return vanishing just as soon as it had arrived.

"Maribelle's like that with almost everyone," the pegasus knight said, observing me with much kinder eyes. "Don't take it to heart. She warms to people slowly." She offered me her hand. "I'm Sumia. Pleased to meet you."

We shook hands. Lissa and I sat down next to her.

"Are you all right?" I asked her, for now that I was closer I could see the angry red mark of a cut that had just been closed on her forehead.