Hola! or Hello to the people who don't know/speak Spanish! I'm TwoSided (for people who didn't pay attention to the author). I'm originally known as windgirl5000 but recently changed my name for varies purposes. This is actually my first story and I've been on this website for....a long time. Enough mumbling for me, enjoy the first chappy!

Death's Gamble

Aug. 8, 2009

Chapter 1: Mistake

The sun had began to set in Crimea but no one could really see the sun. The storms had been going all day. The Crimea Royal Knights took this chance to relax. Geoffrey, was the leader of the Crimea Knights. He had blue hair and wore light green armor. Most of the time he was seen wielding a lance. Kieran was the second in command and he wielded an axe. He wore red armor and had red hair. Marcia was the only pegasus knight under Geoffrey's control. She had pink hair and wore white clothing with a little red in it. Makalov, was the main sword paladin under Geoffrey's command. He had pink hair and orange armor on. Astrid had long black hair and white armor. She was the only bow paladin that was used in every missions.

Geoffrey relaxed at the castle down the road just in case he was needed at the castle. Kieran and Marcia were both at Calill and Largo's bar for their own purposes. Kieran, was their to tell the town's people of his heroic deeds he has done. Marcia was their to watch her brother's back and to have a good time herself. The word 'relax' for Makalov meant he could spend his time gambling and getting drunk at the bar. Astrid would be nearby to make sure nothing bad happened to the man she had some feelings for.

Makalov looked around realizing his sister wasn't paying attention or so if would seem. "I guess it's time to play cards" Makalov said not even drunk yet. The pink haired man got up and began his way over to the table with a few other men. Astrid followed him. Marcia noticed his move. She walked over to the two before they arrived at the table.

"Makalov!" She said loudly in his ears.

"Ow, ow" He said covering his ears. "M-Marcia why'd you have to yell?"

"Marcia please be nice to Sir Malkalov" Astrid said quietly. The pink haired man uncovered his ears.

"I wasn't yelling you knuckle head" Marcia said more quietly. "Don't be going over to that table. You and I both know you don't have any money."

"I-I wasn't going to gamble…I…was only going to watch them play." He said with a small sheepish grin.

"Yeah, like I'm going to believe that." Marcia said with disbelief.

"I-I was, tell her Astrid." Makalov stuttered.

"I stand by Sir Makalov's choice" Astrid said. Marcia sighed at the two.

"You'd stand by him even if he caught you on fire and said he didn't do it." Marcia grumbled.

"I won't gamble, I swear on mother's-" The pegasus knight cut off her brother.

"Mom isn't dead and plus that's idiotic to swear on someone's grave." Marcia said annoyed.

"Hey, Marcia!" Kieran called. The pink haired women looked over. "I'm heading back to the castle. You're coming back too right? You promised you would spar Kieran, second in command of the Royal Knights."

"Yeah, hold on a minute." Marcia walked over the owner. Calill had blonde hair in a bun. She wore red and pink sage clothes. "Calill, can you watch Makalov?"

"I can try, but I can't make any promises." Calill replied with a smile.

"Thanks." Marcia said with a smile. The two knights left the bar a minute later.

"Don't go getting drunk Malkalov." Calill warned. "I don't want to throw you out in the streets or call Geoffrey down here." The sage left the two alone.

"Now back to business." The pink haired man said. He pulled up a chair and sat at the table. Astrid stood near by.

The hours came and went. Pretty soon it was only Makalov and the champion left at the table. Everyone in the bar began there way home. The champion had a pale complex and looked quite frighting.

"So, what's your gamble?" The ghastly man asked.

"Ah, Astrid do you have anything I can borrow?" The sword paladin asked. The ominous man chuckled.

"Money isn't my interest." He said with a wicked smile. "Is there anything more valuable to you?" Makalov thought about this for a long minute.

"Oh, ah, I have gambled my life before." He said.

"I don't want your life," The man said with a small annoyed sigh. "Someone else. Preferably a female." He glanced at Astrid.

"Ah, not Astrid. She's the only one nice to me." He thought about it for a long minute. "Marcia! My sister." He said with a small smile. The grim man smiled. He reached across the table to shake his hand. Makalov hesitated and then shook his hand.

"Now let's play." The ghastly man said after they shook hands.

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"I lost…" The pink haired man mumbled.

"Don't worry about it friend. I'll give you a heads up." The deathliike man stood up. "Tell your sister to head to, Daein is it? Anyway, by the six day from this point, or we'll come after her with force."

"W-we?" Makalov stuttered. "Please don't come after me!"

"You're not what were after." The ghastly mumbled. "You're far from what we're after." The mysterious man stood up. "Six days friend. Tick, tock." The ghastly man left the bar.

"I-I'm sure Marcia will understand." Makalov said as he stood up. He noticed something on his hand. It was a small black dot. "W-when did this get here?"

"Closing time Makalov!" Calill informed.

"Closing time already?" He mumbled as he scratched his head.

"Let's head back to the castle Sir Makalov." Astrid said leading the way out of the bar. The sword paladin nodded and followed her.

"Astrid can you not tell Marcia about tonight." He asked.

"I can Sir Makalov." The bruntte replied.

"I just hope this is a bad dream." The pink haired man mumbled as they left the bar and headed for the castle.

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Alright, I know it was really short but I'm the type of person who likes to get straight to the plot. Please review! I give s'mores or if you don't like s'mores then I'll find something else to give to you!

Chao!

TwoSided

PS: This is random but if you've played Tales of Symphonia take a look at A Tale of Two Emblems. It's posted under bitbyboth but co-written by me. Look in the Fire Emblem/ Tales of Symphonia cross over section.