The Reason for the Journey

Chapter 1

The Day Of The Fall Of Renais

"Goodbye, Mark," Eliwood said, tears in his eyes. "I know we'll meet again someday…"

Mark woke up. He was on a ship. He had left the continent of Elibe two months ago. He was about to land on the continent of Magvel, where he had received a commission to be a royal tactician of Renais. Princess Eirika had heard of his skills from one of her cross-continental spies. So after parting with Eliwood, Hector, Lyn, and all his other friends, he was on his way to another country. He remembered how everyone had one thing to say to him before he left. He remembered everyone's comment distinctly. As usual, the memories depressed him, so he ran through some of the funnier comments. Perhaps the one that had touched him most had been the one he least expected. Farina. She had given him all his money back, all 20,000 gold pieces. The only thing she had to say was a terse 'Working for you was its own reward.'

Of course, Lyn, Hector, and Eliwood were very nice as well. Mark just had to force a promise out of Legault and Matthew that they would keep their noses relatively clean. The shadowy Renault had smiled and nodded. His words were 'You're going where he is next, aren't you?'

The fact was, Mark didn't know who 'he' was. But the boat was landing, and he had to look sharp. As he walked off the gangplank on to a port, a man walked over to him. A horse was a little way behind the man, who had brown hair and wore white armor.

"I am Seth, the General of Renais," he said. "Lady Eirika sent me to escort you to the palace."

"They call me Mark," said Mark quietly. "I assume I shall be paid in full upon my arrival at the palace."

"Of course. Come. A horse has been prepared for you."

"Very well." Another horse indeed walked up matter-of-factly. It seemed to glare at him. Despite this, he got on and rode.

It was but one day's ride to Renais Palace. Mark did not know where he had landed, and he had never seen a map of Magvel, but he now knew that there was a town close to Renais. A mental cartographer had to start somewhere.

And how grand the palace was! But it was nothing compared to the Lady Eirika herself. Her hair was pale blue. Mark was quite used to everyone around him having peculiar hair. After all, he had partaken in many conversations with Canas. But blue really took the cake. He wondered if there were any people with purple hair here. Or green, he thought, fondly remembering Nino. Colors were a different thing for Mark. Not that he judged anything on them, but all the different shades were so amazing to look at. Often he remembered people in bursts of color, like what color the sky was when he first met them, what color garment they were wearing, even such unremarkable things as the shade of brown the wood of their bow or sword or axe or whatever they held was made of. The last one applied especially to Rath, who came in and out of the company bow first.

"Sir Mark of Elibe," said Eirika kindly. "Let me show you the palace."

"So," said Mark as they walked. The palace was quite nice, but he did not particularly care. Seth had gone, and he was alone with the princess. "What war have I been hired for?" He abruptly found out. Seth came galloping through the palace on his horse.

"Lady Eirika!" he called. "The King wants you in the throne room! Grado has attacked the palace!"