Author's Note- Hey everyone, this is my first attempt at making a decent Fire Emblem story. It's about Ewan on a journey after the events of Sacred Stones, meaning that if you have not finished the game, you might not want to read this if you don't want some parts of the game to be spoiled. Please bare with me here, even if this chapter isn't that well written or interesting, I'll try to make sure the later chapters will keep your attention. Also, please review. I don't mind getting constructive criticism, but no flames, please.

Disclaimer- I do not own Fire Emblem, nor any related characters, events, etc., except for the few original characters that may, and eventually will appear over the course of the story. I am not making any sort of gain or profit by writing this, it's just something I felt I could try to do in my spare time.

All that aside, I hope you enjoy the story.

Ewan, Enthusiastic Student

Chapter 1- Farewells from Caer Pelyn

The sun was setting brilliantly over the village of Caer Pelyn. It gave the sky an awesome orange glow for as far as the eyes can see as it started to lower itself beyond the surrounding mountains. The air was warm and comforting, as expected, for it was a summer night, one out of many more to come in a long, hot season. Many of the villagers stood outside their homes enjoying such wonderful scenery, enjoying the calm atmosphere that nature had to offer.

Among these villagers were Ewan and Saleh, who were, respectively, student and teacher. Ewan was lying down on the springy grass around his master's hut, and stared upward into the heavens. Saleh, leaning against a nearby tree, closed his grey eyes, seemingly in concentration.

"Teacher?" the inquisitive redhead called, "Teacher? What are you thinking about?"

"Life, Ewan," the lavender-haired sage responded. "More specifically, your life." At hearing this, Ewan sat up, curious of his teacher's thoughts.

"Really?" Ewan asked, "Why would you think about that?"

Saleh, eyes still closed, responded after taking a deep breath. "Because you've changed so much since I first took you in."

Ewan's red eyes almost sparkled in interest and fascination, but the red-robed mage decided to continue listening to his mentor before interrupting.

"I admit that when I went to visit Gerik those years ago, I had no intention of gaining a pupil. As I've told you before, however, I could sense a strong will and talent over the arcane forces. Now look at you, Ewan." The gray-clad sage finally opened his eyes to face his pupil. "You went from a student with eagerness and ambition to the accomplished young sage that I see before me. Someday, you shall surpass my own talents, and perhaps reach what I could never reach."

Ewan, both proud and surprised of his teacher's words, replied, "Teacher! You know I could never surpass you."

"But isn't that why you are leaving tomorrow morning?" Saleh asked. "To gain more knowledge of the arcane, to learn more of the world?"

Ewan nodded. "Yes, that's why I'm going. But I never wanted to become a rival to you, Teacher. I'm going to see the world, which I've wanted to do since before I met you."

"Yes, I understand. It is an admirable intention, indeed, and I too would like to make the same journey, now that the Demon King has been vanquished." The wise sage was now facing the orange sky before him.

"And that's why I'm going," stated Ewan, still facing Saleh, "Now that we don't have to worry about all those monsters, everyone is free to go where they wish."

The solemn Saleh seemed deep in thought, as Ewan couldn't fathom what he was thinking. After a few seconds of silence, the sage spoke again. "Please be careful, Ewan."

Ewan, still sitting on the grass, responded, "Don't worry, Teacher, I will. At least I don't have anything to worry about, remember? No more monsters, demons, or any of those horrible creatures we've seen when we were with Eirika and Eprhaim." He not-so-fondly remembered the hordes of wretched revenants, mogalls, wights, and other creatures that they had to fight past in order to reach the Demon King's lair in Darkling Woods.

Saleh, though he admired Ewan's endless enthusiasm, shook his head. "You still have a lot to learn, Ewan…" When he said this, the sun was almost hidden from view by the mountains in the distance, and soon, darkness would fill the skies. "It is time for me to sleep, and I suggest you do the same. Your journey starts tomorrow."

Ewan nodded in agreement, got up, and followed Saleh into his home. It was a hut of humble furnishings; two beds, one in each of the far corners, and a large wooden bookcase, which stood filled with books along the wall in between the two beds. Saleh went to the right, and prepared himself for sleep, while Ewan walked over to his teacher's books. He eyed the sage's collection of books, surely filled with knowledge beyond his years, containing information of Magvel in its early days, or other topics that he had no knowledge of whatsoever.

He took one random book out of the sage's collection; it was a volume with a faded green cover, its pages starting to turn yellow from age. On the cover read "Interpretations of the Scars of the Early Years of Magvel" in faded black ink. Flipping through the pages, Ewan came across what seemed like endless walls of tiny text upon each fading page. His face fell at the thought of his teacher's true knowledge, and how he could ever hope to come close to being an equal to the wise Saleh.

"You honestly think I can one day become as wise as you, Teacher?" Ewan asked suddenly, looking up from his readings.

Already laying in bed, Saleh replied, "Yes, I do, Ewan. But, as I have already said, you have a lot to learn. And I cannot teach you most of which you do not know."

"But how would I learn more if you cannot teach it to me?"

"Oh, I still have more to teach you upon your return. But more importantly, you will learn more as you go through life, much more than I can teach you, I believe. Do not fret, though, I am confident that whatever challenges you may face in your lifetime, you shall conquer them. Just as a small band of people conquered the Demon King and his minions." Saleh was referring to the epic battle against Fomortiis, which Ewan seemed to remember all-too-well.

The young mage felt reassured at his mentor's words. He went to his bed and started to try to fall asleep, his wise teacher already peacefully slumbering, but not before thinking of what his journey may really have in store for him.

That night, Ewan did not have the longest sleep that he could have had. While laying on his back with his eyes staring aimlessly above him, Ewan could only imagine what his trip would bring him. He tried not to show it in front of his teacher, but he was excited more about this trip than when he first joined Eirika's quest some time ago. In the past, he had gone on a trip around Magvel with Saleh, but now Ewan was on his own, to go to places where his teacher may not have let him go in the past. Not that Ewan minded having someone like Saleh watch over him like a guardian, but the sage seemed to surpress the curiosity that stirred in his mind like bees in a beehive.

The next morning, the sun blazed above Caer Pelyn, heating the mountain air immensely. Inside Saleh's hut, Ewan was packing his things for his journey. He had placed two satchels of medicine, vulneraries, in his robes, and strapped a red Fire tome under the blue sash around his waist. After preparing his belongings, the young mage stepped out to look for his teacher, who had already left the house, well aware that when he found his teacher, it may be the last time he saw him for a good while.

It didn't take long for Ewan to find Saleh; the sage came out of one of the houses right after Ewan walked outside. He was holding in his right hand what looked like a small sack. Saleh, his face as serious as ever, approached Ewan.

"I was checking on Dara," Saleh explained, "Her illness, while not progressing, is not getting any better." Ewan almost felt guilty at hearing this, knowing he'd be leaving at a time when the village elder may have needed his company.

"Teacher, do you think I should stay here?" Ewan asked. "At least until Dara gets better?"

Saleh shook his head. "There is no need, Ewan. We are all watching Dara, and all praying for her full recovery. And she wanted me to give you this." He tossed the satchel to Ewan, who caught it easily. The contents of the sack jingled as it landed in his hands.

"Money? But, I couldn't…" Ewan started to say, but Saleh interrupted him.

"For your journey, Ewan. I believe Dara is more concerned about you than she is about herself." The sage walked up to Ewan and put his hand on his student's shoulder. "On behalf of all of us of Caer Pelyn, I wish you good fortunes on your trip, my beloved pupil."

"Thank you," Ewan said, as he held back tears, trying to look strong in front of the man who took care of him for the past few years. His eyes were wet from the restrained tears, so he turned around and started walking opposite of Saleh to start his journey. Before he could get himself to leave, he turned back and shouted to his teacher.

"I'll be back!" he exclaimed happily, "I'll be back for you and Dara! And all of Caer Pelyn!"

Ewan's red robes and blue cape were almost gone from the sage's view, as he remained fixed on the spot where he last talked with his precious pupil. "And we shall await your return, Ewan. You may be from the deserts of Jehanna, but you will always have a home here."