Snow-Kissed Swords | Fire Emblem Awakening (Holiday Shepherds Book 3)

Chapter 1: Fighting on Ice

Robin: 21st December

The snow on the outskirts of Whiteholt was crushed to a thin layer of slush and crusted over with occasional hard pools of scarlet. I dug my boots in as I turned and slashed at my new opponent, hoping that the grip on my soles would be enough to keep me steady.

My sword sank into the rotted chest of the Risen, killing it. I paused for a second to catch my breath, watching the white mist of my exhale mingle with the dissipating purple cloud. Then I turned on my heel and hefted my frosted blade to deal with the next monster that was approaching.

This one brought its axe down towards my shoulder. I blocked its strike with my sword. Then I sidestepped and thrust upwards. My blade ripped through the Risen's armpit, but it was to no avail. Only a fatal strike would stop them.

I withdrew my sword and parried another blow from the Risen. As I struck out in retaliation, my boot grips gave up on me. One foot suddenly shot back. My sword missed my opponent entirely as I fell forwards.

In the corner of my eye, the Risen raised its axe.

Falchion burst through the neck of the undead monster. "Your end has come!"

My knees crashed down on the icy snow, and I gasped at the pain that flared through them. Water soaked into my trousers instantly, drenching my legs.

"Robin?" Chrom crouched down next to me, his blue hair damp with snow and sweat. He was so quick that the purple mist of the Risen was still fading beside him. "Are you all right?"

I rocked back on my haunches. "Just a bit bruised, I think. Thank you for saving me."

He frowned. "What happened?"

"It's this slush." I started to rise. "My boots just -- ah!" My feet slipped again.

Chrom caught me by the arms before I could hit the floor. "Easy there! Gods, I'm glad I noticed in time. These boots of yours are dangerous."

I let him help me up. "I love them!"

"They're no good for fighting in snow, that's for certain. I'm not letting you battle in these again this winter. You need some new ones."

I gave him a sharp look. "I thought this was our last mission until Divine Day?"

"It is. I meant for afterwards." His frown deepened. "If you can cope with --"

"I'm fine." I huffed and turned away, glancing around at the rest of the Shepherds. They were all still standing. Not a single element of the Risen remained in sight.

I felt Chrom's gaze linger on me for a moment before he called the militia to order. As they gathered together, I rolled my shoulders back and lifted my chin, fighting the dense exhaustion in my core.

I am fine.

Snowflakes started to fall around us again, and Lissa reached forwards to catch one in her palm. I gnawed my lip as I stared at them. It was about time they replaced the sorry slush on the ground. I just hoped that they wouldn't make our journey back to Ylisstol worse.

"Our mission is complete," Chrom said. "Now we must find the village elder and inform him, and then we can be on our way." He put his arm around my shoulders, adding quietly, "Then you can get some rest."

We started to walk towards the village.

"I'm fine," I said.

"You look exhausted."

Brilliant. I tried to straighten my back further still, but it was already stiff as a rod. "I'm not."

"Robin, stop." Chrom's voice deepened into a warning. "This is why you haven't recovered. You need to take care of yourself."