Part 351: Robin A

Robin! Guess what? I showed my new javelin to everyone in camp. They were all so complimentary! Thank you again for the help.

Don't thank me! You're the one who went out and learned smithery. I'm just glad it all worked out. If only those pegasus knights could see you now!

Heh, perhaps they are looking on from the afterlife.

Eh, the afterlife?

Yes, if you believe in such things. ...You do know the story, don't you? How my fellow knights gave their lives so I could escape and warn your party?

Gracious, no! I mean, I knew that some of them... I just... I didn't think those were the same knights who... I'm sorry. I didn't fully understand until this moment.

That's all right. I suppose how I put things is partly to blame.

So despite all the teasing, they loved you enough in the end to die for you?

I was surprised, too! It turns out they'd pretty much decided I was the future. The insults and so forth were just the usual hazing of a new recruit.

*Sniff* My only regret is... I wish we'd had more time to...get to know each other. I only learned...how much they loved me...in those last, awful moments...

Cordelia...

*Sniff* R-right, then. Enough self-pity. I don't want to try your patience. ...But I must say, it does feel good to get this off my chest.

I understand now why you don't like to be called a genius.

You do?

Remember how upset you got the first time I called you that? I thought it reminded you of a sarcastic insult, but in fact it was the opposite. When your comrades sacrificed themselves for you, you realized that they meant it.

You're rather clever yourself, working all that out on your own.

Not clever, no. Just blessed with the kind of insight close friends share. Because I AM a close friend now, and I'll always be here for you.

*Sniff* Oh, Robin. ...Th-thank you.