Hello peoples, this is a new fic that initially started as a MatthewxLeila fic, but quickly devolved into this when it dawned on me that Brenya and Leila are quite.. similar. It charts something that could have happened between Matthew from FE7 and Brenya from FE6 if they had met under... unusual circumstances between the two games. I have half a mind to continue to post-FE6, since i have a few ideas here and there, but i'm not sure how i should develop them. Any future progress (after the 9th chapter, since i wrote the whole lot in a chunk), may be slow because i like to do my research first. At least two weeks, since my uni exams start on Monday. AIEEEEEEEEEESH!

I don't know if i'll ever bring the two together. At the moment I'm swaying a 'no'.

DISCLAIMER: As usual, I don't own Fire Emblem or anything related to it.

Please R&R, preferrably with constructive criticism. I'm aware of my ability to flagrantly disregard all rules of grammar, and the odd spelling mistake, so point those out, especially if its affecting the overall flow/meaning of the story.

"I wish to ask for three weeks' leave, milord. There's a friend of mine I haven't seen in many years, and I'd like to go visit her."

Hector looked at his spymaster. In the twelve years he'd worked with the man, four days was all it took for him to get to Ilia. Only a trip to the Dread Isle and back could take longer than that. "It's her, isn't it?"

Matthew walked to the window, and looked out. "It's been fifteen years, Hector. I just want to visit quickly, and then I'll be back."

Hector nodded. In a way, he better understood his friend's sadness after Florina had passed away. Not a week went by where he didn't visit her grave. "Very well. Will you be taking anyone else with you?"

Matthew shook his head.

"Well, then, let me write something up to Fargus. You can leave tomorrow. Also, take four weeks; you've earned it."

"I would send Murdock, but he is far too well known and his disappearance from my side would certainly spark investigations from other countries. So it's either you or Narshen, and as he has yet to prove himself, I would not trust him with such an important mission."

"Are you sure about this milord? I can explore the place alone if you wish." It wasn't the fact that Brenya didn't like having men on this mission, if anything, going to the Dread Isle to explore ruins which could have the capacity to bring dragons back into this world with no support wasn't appealing at all. It was more that she hated the second part of it. Killing people, she was good at, but killing her own troops… well, she just couldn't do it. She'd always ordered her subordinates to do it for her while she watched.

"The men I have assigned you are a unit with a history of insubordination and disobedience. After you complete the mission, I expect you to execute them all. Is that clear?" His tone indicated that there would be no argument on the matter.

"Yes, milord." Brenya saluted King Zephiel and began to leave, but Zephiel raised a hand to stop her. He figured that those soldiers would make a better public example anyway, and he could also… test his general. She was still relatively new to the job, although not recently appointed. In a sense, Bern was at a weak point, with one of the three generals on the Wyvern Council resigning due to age, and another passing away unexpectedly. The cause of death was still being investigated.

"I can see that you are uneasy about executing traitors, and you don't care for having assistance on this mission. Very well, you may investigate alone, however, I expect you to find your own way there and back. Do I make myself understood?"

"Yes, milord." she saluted again and then walked out.

What have I gotten myself into? Brenya thought to herself.

So have I set the scene well? Please R&R!