Loving Fools

A/N: The reason 100 Spars hasn't been updated in almost two months! It's not long, I know, but it's to judge general reception to the idea. I know EliFiora isn't that popular, and I don't even know if any F!Tactician/Raven fics EXIST, but…I tried to make it work.
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Prologue Part One – Records of a Sanguine Lord

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TWO YEARS POST NERGAL

One year, Five months, two weeks and six days. That's how long it's been since we last saw each other, at the border between Etruia and Lycia. Since then…we just slowly dripped apart. Even Hector and Lyn only saw me briefly – the last time was at Marquess Caelin's funeral one month ago. Lyn left for Sacae again recently, and that's probably the last I'd ever see of her.

We'd all become so close…not so much an army as a band or a fellowship of some kind. We endured so many hardships together, so many battles, all under the guidance of that one, brilliant woman.

At any rate…I do miss all the others. But some of them I miss more than any…in particular, I miss her the most.

Fiora…

"Lord Eliwood?"

I was snapped back to reality by Merlinus' gentle urging. I glanced at him through tired eyes, smiling a little. At least some of the most dependable were still here.
"I'm sorry, Merlinus. I drifted off again…what was it I needed to do?"

"Well, there's the matter of the disaster relief in Araphen, and of course Marquess Erik is making noise about how Laus should be treated more equally while Marquess Orun is desperately trying to make sure Hector doesn't resort to just killing ninety percent of them to see if that'll make things run smoother…"

I smiled slightly at that last part. Trust Hector to go for the blunt route…

"I take it I have yet another council meeting soon?"
"Yes, Lord Eliwood."
I groaned in despair. "Alright…I'll go get the horse ready…"
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Prologue part two – Records of a Lost Soul

Yet another night at a cold table, I suppose. Ever since we returned from fighting Nergal, it turned out that Ilia entered an economic recession as the world entered a more stable form of peace…our mercenaries were no longer required, and so the cornerstone of our economy collapsed. At least the payment Lord Eliwood gave us is good enough…although the 20,000 Farina 'produced' was what's really helped us out.

Of course…now that that's run out…I have absolutely no clue what we're going to do. Farina already left last week to try and find new work, leaving Florina and myself here to fend for ourselves. I hope she'll come back soon, but…we may just have to leave Ilia altogether.

Naturally, our roof chose that moment to fall down. I sighed and buried my face in my hands. Looked like we didn't really have a choice…

Prologue Part Three – Records of a Broken Mind

My name is Jen Elizabeth Graesin. I'm a tactician by trade. The following are my memoirs, taken from the journal I wrote during the war I served in before this act. To whoever finds it, I implore you to deliver it to Lady Lyndis of Caelin, who is most likely living in Sacae once again, as her grandfather died recently.

I am writing this because I am about to die. I failed them. I promised that no-one would die on my watch, but as soon as we set foot on that isle once again, I failed.

Harken, Isadora, and Serra were the first to go, in the battle against the morphs. At least Harken and Isadora can live together in the afterlife. I am…surprised that Matthew has remained sane with both of his loves taken from him.

The final one was Will. He was burned alive by the dragon we fought, a distraction to prevent the fate happening to Rebecca.

If I'd thought faster, clearer, not been so terrified or astonished…I could have saved them. They didn't need to die.

It's all because of me. No-one will ever be harmed by me again.

Goodbye.

I breathed a sigh and glanced out over the cliffs, tucking the letter and book into my cloak. I was somewhere on the borders between what used to be Cornwell and some other Lycian province – I was beyond caring.

I took a step forward, a smile gracing my face as the wind whipped around me.

I've always wondered how it must feel to fly.

Prologue Part Four – Records of a Wandering Blade

My name is Raven. It used to be Raymond Cornwell, but I gave up on that many years ago. I am a mercenary by trade, travelling with my friend Lucius. I had been returning to Cornwell after saying goodbye to my sister in Etruia, and had no idea this was what I was going to find.

I rushed over to her broken body, stroking raven hair out of her once tanned, now pale, face, matted blood at the corner of her blood suggesting she'd been like this for a while.

Why would you do this, Jen?

Suddenly, a very slight, shuddering breath came from the body. A few seconds later, another one.

"LUCIUS! GET OVER HERE, NOW!"