The figurative dam on Twilight's verbal river burst open with a flurry of questions.
"Where are you from and how did you get here? You're surprisingly polite and well-informed for never having been here before - this and the outfit you're wearing make me think that you're an ambassador or something similar, are you? Are there others like you from where you came from - OH! Are there others like us from where you came from? That would explain why you know so much about us. Is there a unified governmental body that you follow, and if so what is its general structure: monarchical, diarchical, democratic - oh please don't tell me it's a dictatorship because if it was that would be just AWFU-"
"TWILIGHT." Applejack cut in, apparently somewhat annoyed.
"Oh... sorry." Twilight's cheeks turned a shade lighter than her fur.
'Is she... blushing?' I just stared.
"If ya'll excuse us, Ah need to talk to Twilight here fer a minute," Applejack said.
I simply nodded. Applejack smiled
"It'll jus' be a secund."
The two Taguel walked off a little bit, their backs to me. Having little else to do, I re-examined my surroundings. The field - actually, farm was it? The farm I was on was truly a peaceful sight: a clear testament to the Taguel's connection with nature. Besides the house, barn, and gate, the only things around in sight were the clear skies, flowing grasses, and lush green trees that held some of the best looking apples I've ever seen. Most of the trees were devoid of apples, though. The cool breeze that swayed the grass and trees made me conclude that the harvesting season was nearly over.
I began thinking, 'Applejack, was it? And it just so happens I ran into her on what looks to be an apple farm.' The pieces began to fit together. 'It can't be a coincidence. Perhaps these Taguel name their children after their talents. It certainly would explain something concerning how odd the names are.' I suddenly remembered the marks on their thighs. I turned to them; their backs were still facing me, and I could easily make out the marks from this distance. 'The one on Applejack looks like a bunch of apples. That makes sense. What about the other one... Twilight Sparkle, was it? Hers looks like.. stars? That makes zero sense unless she's an astronomer, but I don't think Taguel have the technology for that kind of specialization. Hmm, I can ask about it later, but I'll have to pose it inconspicuously; she might take offense from it. But right now, I need to focus on some way of getting back to Chrom... Wait a minute, what was that Applejack said about a Princess? Twilight's her student right? Maybe I can ask her for an audience with the Princess; she might be able to provide some form of transportation. I'll just need a little... oh no. I frantically started patting around my pockets. 'I... I don't have any money with me! Good gods, how am I going to pay for anything!? I sighed. 'Well, at least I'm not completely helpless in the wild. I can just remember my early days as a Shepherd, eating bear meat and living off nature.'
I chuckled. "Frederick never did manage to stomach that bear meat, even with my help..." Something else occurred to me. "Gods, I don't even have a Fire Tome with me... How am I going to hunt, or even start a fire?" I thought back to the simple spell: it was for beginners, but was fairly effective, and had many uses outside of combat. I remembered when I almost started that forest fire by using it to light a campfire too close to a bunch of trees.
"...Wait, do they even have magic tomes here? I might not even be able to cast magic until I make it back to Ylisse, or Valm at least." I cursed under my breath and looked at my right palm, which I held open. "Gods, just a simple Fire Tome would be enough right now." I reminisced to my early days of learning magic, imagining the spell's familiar sensation of heat and energy. I frowned at the situation.
'If only I could just...'
A surge of flames burst from my hand and singed my eyebrows off, narrowly searing my face.
"GAHH WHAT IN THE HELLS-!?" I shouted.
The two Taguel turned toward the outburst with confusion.
Twilight was the first to react. "Robin? What is-?"
"Get out of the way!" I yelled. I charged forward.
Twilight took a step back. "W-why? What's wro-?"
"MOVE!" I kept running at Twilight.
Applejack took a defensive stance. "What in tarnation-!?"
Applejack's eyes met the air; she had noticed it. Twilight was a bit slower on the uptake. She looked up...
To see a fireball hurtling at her face.
'Move!!' I shouted in my mind, half at myself and half at Twilight. But it was too late for any other alternative.
I shoved Twilight out of the way as the fireball impacted my back.
"AAGHH!!"
...
I staggered and fell to one knee.
...
Both knees.
...
Pain.
...
"Robin!!"
...
Darkness.