Howdy ho, everyone! I've started a fic for one of my favorite games: Fire Emblem. I think this one is seven. Not sure, but I think so. Anyway, this is my take on Fire Emblem. My tactician is called Emrys, and he's a telepath. I made it this way because it would make better sense to telepathically communicate your plans to your troops, and they could all communicate to each other over great distances. Also, I'm using telepathy for an excuse for the glitch in the game. Remember that glitch?

Couples: Lyn/Tactician, Eliwood/Ninian, Erk/Pricilla, Hector/Florina, and more as I get to them.

And here we go. Without further ado, the prologue for Fire Emblem: Eye of the Beholder!

Disclaimer: Fire Emblem belongs to Nintendo and Inteligence Systems, not me. So don't sue!

Catch ya later, ya'll.

Silverdash

Prologue: A Girl from the Plains

A boy of about eighteen wandered the plains of Sacae. The small breeze flapped his emerald green cloak as he walked on. His emerald eyes scanned the sea of grasses for any sign of life, or at least a river.

Seeing none, he continued, desperate to find water, as his own had run out yesterday. Arms hanging limply from his sides swung with his steps, his left hitting the sword hanging on his belt.

Finally, dehydration caught up with him. Eyes closing, he collapsed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She is the last of her tribe. The last of the Lorca. Only she survived the bandit raid on her village.

Now she lives in a ger on the plains, making her living one day at a time. You could often find her on the top of a hill, looking over to where her village used to be at the base of the Bern Mountains.

Now, however, she was hunting. With a bow in her hands, a quiver on her back, and a sword on her hips, she walked the plains looking for rabbits. Every time she spotted one, she nocked an arrow and let it fly. Every shot resulted in one less rabbit in the world.

This trip was different than her usual hunting trips, however. About halfway to her ger, she tripped. Looking back, she saw a boy around her age lying on the ground. He had short, messy brown hair, weather-stained traveling clothes, and an emerald green cloak.

Dropping her bow and rabbits, she hurried to his side and turned him over. Recognizing dehydration, she grabbed her bottle of water and poured a small stream into his open mouth. She paused long enough for him to swallow, then poured another stream.

To her surprise, his eyelids raised and revealed intense emerald colored orbs. Her own eyes widened as they stared into hers. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally nodded and mouthed "Thank you." before passing out again.

She blinked, shook her head, then picked him up with the strength of a warrior and the grace of a woman. She took him to her ger before running back and grabbing her bow and rabbits.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Are you awake?"

The boy opened his eyes to see a very pretty girl standing over him. She had dark green; almost waist length hair tied back in a ponytail, soft blue eyes, and was wearing a turquoise robe lined with yellow. It went down to her boots, but had a split down the side that ended just under her hip. She was holding a vial and a wooden bowl.

He blinked, confused.

"I found you unconscious in the plains." she went on, smiling at his confusion. "I am Lyn, of the Lorca tribe. You're safe now."

He blinked and shook his head as yesterday's memories came back to him. When he looked up, Lyn was kneeling in front of him, looking concerned.

"Who are you?" she asked. "Do you remember your name?"

He nodded and opened his mouth, but all that came out was a harsh whisper.

"Oh, sorry." She said. She handed the bowl to him. It was filled with water. He quickly gulped some down before he looked back at her. "I am called Emrys."

She blinked. "Your name is Emrys?" she asked. "What an odd sounding name."

Emrys smiled. "Emerald sounds too much like a girl's name. I was named for my eyes."

Lyn looked horrified. "I'm sorry!" she spluttered. "Pay me no mind. It is a good name."

Emrys chuckled and sat up. Lyn's hut looked to be a nice, clean one-room building, yet easily collapsible, as any Sacaen nomad built their homes.

Lyn spoke again. "I see by your clothes that you are a traveler." she gestured to his clothes as she sat on the bed. "What brings you to the Sacae Plains? Would you share your story with me?"

Emrys smiled. "It's rather simple, really. I'm out of work and I'm looking for a job."

He was going to say more, but a scream filled the air.

Lyn glanced at the door. "Hm? What was that noise?"

"I have no idea." Emrys said. "It sounded like a scream."

She nodded. "I'll go see what's happening." she said. "Emrys, wait here for me."

She left, leaving Emrys alone. He quickly got up and closed his eyes, using one of his gifts from his last home, he spread his mind. He didn't have to look hard to sense Lyn creeping through a small wood and peak out.

"Oh no!" He heard her thoughts as though they were spoken.

He opened his eyes as Lyn rushed in, looking worried. "What's up?" he asked.

"Bandits!" Lyn said as she wrapped her sword belt around her waist. They must have come down from the Bern Mountains. They must be planning to raid the local villages. I...I have to stop them!"

Emrys closed his eyes and reached out with his mind again. "Yes...and there's only two. I can sense them."

He opened his eyes to see Lyn's stunned look. "But how?" she asked.

"Now is not the time, Lyn." Emrys said.

Lyn shook her head. "Oh, right. If that's all of them, I think I can handle them on my own. You'll be safe here, Emrys."

"No way." responded Emrys instantly. "You can't go out there alone. I'm going with you."

"You want to help?" Lyn asked. Emrys nodded, but Lyn remained skeptical. "Well, can you use a weapon?"

"No, I'm still too weak." Emrys responded. "But I can help you better by providing tactics. I told you I was out of a job."

"Ah, I see." Lyn said with a smirk. "So you're a tactician by trade? An odd profession, but..."

Emrys shrugged. "It's what I'm best at."
"Very well." Lyn smiled. "We'll go together!"

They left the hut and Lyn dived into the woods from her spying attempt. "Over here!" she whispered. "I need your advice. I'll protect you so stay close to me."

Emrys nodded. "Lyn, it would be best if we remain silent. If you need to speak to me, project your thoughts at me, and I'll hear them."

Lyn shot him a look. "Alright, but after this I demand an explanation."

'That's all I ask.' said Emrys's voice in her head.

They both faced the bandits. 'I need to get closer.' Lyn thought.

'Then do so slowly.' Emrys sent to her. 'Just keep your sword hidden so he'll be overconfident. And he has an ax, so you have the advantage.'

Lyn nodded and started walking toward the nearest bandit slowly with her left side facing away from him, hiding her sword.

The bandit grinned and started walking over to her. 'He's spotted me!' Lyn sent to Emrys, who was hiding in the grasses. 'He's coming this way!'

'Don't panic.' Emrys reassured her. 'Notice the way he's walking: he's overconfident. To him, you're nothing. You're next to nothing: You're a woman and a child. Feign fear; feign weakness, and when the moment comes, strike!'

He felt surprise coming from Lyn, but she did as he told her, taking on a look of extreme fear that would have fooled Emrys if he wasn't linked to her mind.

The bandit, however, was fooled. As he got closer and closer, his walk became more and more like a swagger, and he rested his ax against his shoulder.

When he was about five feet from Lyn, Emrys gave a mental shout. 'Now!' causing Lyn to leap into action. She drew her sword in a flash and cut the bandit's side.

He recovered from his shock and swung his ax at her. She dodged, but the ax managed to get her right shoulder. She cried out in pain, then glared as she plunged her sword into the bandit's heart.

Emrys jumped up from where he was hiding as Lyn's arm sagged and her sword fell from her grip.

"Victory!" she said in triumph, forgetting to think.

"You've been injured." Emrys said unnecessarily, pressing a cloth against her wound. "Do you have any vulneraries?"

"Yes, in the satchel on my right." She said, grabbing the satchel and pulling out a green vial. He took it and poured a bit of the liquid on the wound, rubbing it in. A few seconds later, the wound was gone.

"Thank you, Emrys." Lyn said, then turned to look at the last remaining bandit. "The last bandit's over by the ger in the west."

"The what?" Emrys asked.

Lyn looked stunned. "You don't know what a ger is?" When Emrys shook his head, she explained. "It's a type of round hut. Many nomads live in huts like these."

Emrys nodded. "Let's go, but remember to be silent and not to get over confident."

Lyn nodded and the two of them crept closer. About halfway there, Emrys grabbed Lyn's arm.

'Lyn, wait!' he sent to her, looking at the bandit. 'Why isn't he inside, looting the ger?'

'You're right.' Lyn agreed. 'He looks like he's guarding it.'

'Aw, no. Hang on.' Emrys reached out with his mind once again. When he reached the ger, he shook with anger. 'I knew it! He's holding hostages! Cowards!'

'Cowards indeed.' Lyn growled. 'Let's take him on!'

'Slowly.' Emrys cautioned. 'If he spots us, he'll attack the hostages.'

Lyn nodded and they continued again. When they were about ten feet away, Lyn leapt up and rushed at the bandit, who cursed, lifted his ax, and yelled "Who do you think you are? You think you an stand up to Batta the Beast?"

Neither Lyn nor Emrys said anything, but they were both thinking incredulously, 'Batta the Beast!' Emrys also snorted, which very nearly gave him away.

Despite this, Lyn didn't hesitate. Pulling her sword from it scabbard, she slashed at Batta, leaving a huge gash in his chest. Batta retaliated with a mighty slash of his ax, catching Lyn on the side as she dived out of the way. She slashed at his head, but the bandit leader ducked.

Lyn leapt away, holding her side. 'Whew! He's tough...it all comes down to this blow.' she sent to Emrys. 'Emrys, if I fall, I want you to flee. You must escape.'

'Not a chance.' Emrys replied. 'Kick his butt.'

Then Batta attacked. Lyn ducked his blow, then drew his sword. This time, though, she held out her left arm as she held her sword like a rapier. The next thing Emrys knew, Lyn was moving so fast she left behind afterimages, and then not even that. The only thing he knew was that Batta's head was removed from his shoulders as Lyn reappeared exactly where she was before she disappeared, sheathing her sword.

"Lyn!" Emrys leapt out of hiding and ran to the injured girl. "Lyn, are you okay?"

"Yes." Lyn answered. "I think I shall need the rest of that vulnerary, though."

Emrys poured the remainder of the green vial on Lyn's wound and rubbed it in.

"Thanks again." Lyn said, smiling. "Head back to my ger, and I'll deal with the hostages. You look tired."

"Thanks, Lyn." Emrys said. "See you in a bit. I'll explain everything then."

"I'll hold you to that promise." she replied as she walked into the ger.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Good morning, Emrys! Are you awake yet?"

Emrys slowly opened his eyes to see Lyn standing in front of him holding a bowl full of food.

"That fight yesterday must have taken a lot out of you." Lyn said as she watched him fight sleep. She handed him the bowl, which had rabbit stew in it. "Not much of a breakfast, but on the plains it's first come, first serve."

"What happened?" Emrys asked as he took a bite.

"I came back and found you asleep in that chair." Lyn answered. "You looked like you needed it, so I let you sleep. How do you feel?"

"Better." Emrys answered, eating stew. "Thanks to you, by the way." He looked up at her. "I think I owe you some answers."

Lyn nodded and sat closer.

"Well, I was born with this gift, though I couldn't use it until I was about ten years old. It's called telepathy, and I use it to talk to people with my mind." Emrys explained. "When I was discovered to have the ability to plan things strategically, I was sent to Eturia's School of Tacticians. There, I used my ability to my advantage, so I could flawlessly execute my plans when we were having practical demonstrations."

He sighed. "There's more to the story, but I have never shared that part with anyone. Ever."

Lyn smiled. "That's alright." She gazed out the window of the ger as Emrys continued eating. Finally, Lyn broke the silence. "Say, Emrys...I want to talk to you about something."

Mouth full of stew and spoon, Emrys had to resort to telepathy. 'Go ahead.'

"You have some experience in the ways of war, I can see." Lyn said, almost shyly, as if afraid of Emrys's answer. "Would you allow me to travel with you?"

Emrys blinked in surprise. "Well, Lyn." he began. "You're a real good fighter and all, and I owe you for helping me out, but you're awful young, and I'm still and apprentice. I'm going to need parental permission."

This had an unexpected effect with Lyn. Her eyes filled with tears and she said, "What? You want me to get permission from my parents?"

Emrys nodded slowly, and Lyn turned to the window, giving a great sniff. Emrys put the bowl to the side and went to the distraught girl. "Lyn? Did I say something wrong?"

"My mother and father...died six months ago." Lyn said sadly, still staring out the window. "My people--the Lorca--they didn't...I'm the last of my tribe."

Emrys's eyes widened. "Oh, sweet St. Emiline."

"Bandits attacked and...they killed so many people." Lyn continued, tears freely pouring down her face. "The tribe was scattered. My father was our chieftain, and I wanted to protect our people. But I'm so young, and the tribe was old fashioned. They wouldn't follow a woman. No one would follow me."

"Lyn..."

She gave another great sniff. "I'm sorry. I've been alone for so long."

Emrys stepped to the crying girl. "Lyn, some here." she said, pulling her into a hug. She stiffened, then threw her arms around his neck and sobbed into his shoulder.

Finally, she pulled away. "No." she said. "No more. I will shed no more tears."

She wiped away her tears and turned back. "Thank you. I'm better now." she said, wiping the last of her tears. "Emrys, I want--I must become stronger, so I can avenge my father's death."

Emrys made to speak, but Lyn help up her hand. "Please, let me speak." she said. "I won't become stronger sitting here alone. Emrys, tell me you'll train me, that you'll let me travel with you."

Emrys stared at her. It was obvious that she had a passion and was stubborn as they come. But he also knew that revenge wasn't an option.

"I understand what you're going through." he said at last. "I myself wanted to avenge my family when they were killed because our neighbors didn't like my gift."

Lyn's eyes widened. "I...didn't know."

"I became so angry that my gift surged, and I killed all of them." Emrys continued. "But when I killed them, I didn't fell any better."

She looked down. "I know."

"If we do this," Emrys said. "I'm going to protect the people these bandits raid. Nothing else."

"Of course." Lyn said.

He smiled. "Then I'll let you."

Lyn's jaw dropped. "You will?" He nodded and she flew across the small distance and hugged him. "Thank you, oh, thank you!"

Emrys laughed.

"Well be better off working together, I know it!" Lyn said, rushing all over the ger, packing. "You'll be my master strategist, and I'll be your peerless warrior!"

She turned to him. "We can do it!" she asked him. "Right?"

"Right." Emrys replied, and they clasped hands, beginning a new friendship, and a new adventure.