Author's Note: I know I just recently uploaded chapter 1 of New Lands, but I really wanted to start writing (typing actually) this story. By doing this, I will have at least one of my stories updated very one or two weeks.
Anyways, this story takes place after the events of Fire Emblem 12, which was only released in Japan. (unfair). I'm thinking of changing the story title, but I don't know. We'll see.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem. If I did there would be an anime about Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn.
Please review! Seeing reviews will make me more pumped to write these stories.
Oh, and if you haven't read New Lands yet, you should go do that soon.
Trials after Unification
Prologue: The Death of a Knight
A corridor; Katarina's PoV
Katarina knew how Wolf had looked up to Sir Arran. He was like a mentor to Wolf. She wanted to say something comforting to ease his mind as they walked to Sir Arran's room, but she did not know what to say. Even though Wolf is the Captain of the Royal Guard, he is still a young knight. He has been a knight for only four years. However, in that time he has proven himself many times over as a knight worthy of his position. The fact that Katarina was even here is because of Wolf. She owed him everything; however, he would never hold that over her— he was a good friend.
"Wolf, are you okay?" Katarina asked quietly.
"…"
"Wolf?" She repeated.
"…"
"Wolf?" She asked again as she tapped his shoulder.
"Huh, oh sorry, Katarina," Wolf apologized.
"It's okay. I know you must be feeling sad," she said understandingly.
Wolf's PoV
True, he was feeling sad that Sir Arran was close to death, but Katarina was just trying to make him feel better. There was no reason to feign silence. Honestly, he had heard her the first time, but he didn't know what to say… wait no, more like didn't want to speak. This, however, was unfair because Katarina was his friend and not the cause of Sir Arran's suffering.
"Katarina," he said plainly.
"Hm? Yes, Wolf?" She responded curiously.
He stopped walking which caused Katarina to stop walking. "I'm sorry, Katarina."
"For what?" She asked confusedly. "You don't have to apologize to me for anything," she added with a smile before continuing, "Without you, I wouldn't be here."
"It's just that," he started solemnly, "I have been so cold to you lately for no good reason. You don't deserve that. I can't say it's because of stress because I'm known for handling stress well. I want to say it's just because of how I feel because of Sir Arran's sickness, but ultimately, I can't. My attitude is inexcusable, and for that, I am sorry, deeply sorry."
She just stood there with a shy smile on her face. He had always admired how she could just stand still, take in information, and stay calm no matter what she just heard.
"Honestly, I have noticed how you've been acting, but I don't mind. In the end, you are still very kind to me and always have been. Everyone has bad days," she simply replied with a smile at the end.
"Thank-you, Katarina," Wolf answered. "About your question: I'm feeling much better now thanks to you." He ended with a smile.
Katarina's PoV
She was glad that he was feeling better. As they walked towards Sir Arran's room, she thought of what else she could say to help him.
Sir Arran's room; Wolf's PoV
Sir Arran, one of the best Wyvern Lords in Altea and probably on the continent, lay on his bed in a sickly state. Around the bed, four doctors were crowded. Wolf and Katarina waited in the corner of the room for the doctor's to disperse.
When the doctors did take a break, Wolf approached one whom he knew to be the head doctor of the castle and asked," Will Sir Arran live?" He asked this even though Sir Aran had already answered this question himself during the war.
"We are doing everything that we can, but it doesn't look good," the doctor replied. "We will return in about a half hour. Call for us if anything happens before that." The doctors than left the room.
"Wolf, it is good to see, lad," Arran said plainly with a small grin. "And you too, Katarina."
"Sir Arran! You're awake?" Wolf asked shocked.
"Yes, I am. And I would like to know of any news that is outside the castle," he replied.
1 Hour Later; Wolf's PoV
"I'm afraid that I don't have much time left, so let me give you one last word of advice: There are two people whom a knight must never betray even before his Lord. First, [cough cough],a knight must never betray himself. A knight who betrays himself is no more than a bandit. And the second person whom a knight must never betray is the one he protects. I don't mean his lord. There is always someone close to everyone that he wishes to protect no matter what— more than a Lord-Knight relationship. Do you understand, Wolf?" Sir Arran explained as he coughed again.
"Yes, I believe that I do," Wolf said as he gave a swift undetectable glance towards Katarina.
"And do you understand, Katarina?" Arran asked the sage.
"I think so," was her reply.
"Good, I can die with having passed on what I have learned in life. I have had a blessed life, so I am fine with this end. I hope the two of you go on to great things…" Arran quietly said.
"Sir Arran? Sir Arran…" Wolf asked frantically. "Sir Arran!"
Throne Room; Wolf's PoV
The funeral service was short. Arran would have preferred that over a lengthy service. After the Memorial, Prince Marth read the will of Sir Arran.
It read as follows:
Under the direction of Father Wrys, this is the last will of Sir Aaran of Altea.
Any wealth that I might have at time of my departure is to be donated to the training of young, new knights.
As for Storm, my loyal companion [his wyvern], is to be released or to remain. I wish for him to be happy.
All my weapons except my signature lance are to be used in the training of or used by new knights.
My signature lance is to be given to Sir Wolf, my only student.
Signed,
X Sir Arran, Knight
"Wolf," Marth said, "here is Sir Aaron's lance. It is now yours."
"Thank-you, Prince Marth," Wolf started but then lifted his head and continued, "and thank-you Sir Aaran. I will use this lance to defend the people of Altea as you did."
"Wolf…" Katarina said softly to herself.
Cain, Prince Marth's advisor and Sir Jagen's replacement, spoke up next, "What shall we do with Storm, his wyvern?"
"You mean if he wishes to remain her, correct, Sir Cain?" Sir Frey said seriously.
"Yes, exactly," Cain affirmed.
Wyvern stables; Wolf's PoV
As Wolf removed all harnesses and saddles from Storm, he spoke, "Well, Storm, you're free to go if you want, but you're always welcome to stay." Wolf said this as he gently stroked Storm's head.
Storm just looked around confusedly, not sure what to do. Right as he was about to stretch his wings some with what he thought would be some sort of flight exercise, Yumina and Yubello, the Grustian royal children, came running in screaming simultaneously, "Please don't go Storm! We'll take really good care of you and get you whatever you want. Just don't go!"
Upon seeing the twins who frequently rode on his back, Storm immediately strode over to them, gave what was presumed to be a yawn, spun around, and lay down between the children with one of his wings covering each one. The two children snuggled right up next to him contently and both whispered, "Thank-you, Storm."
"Well, I think we know his answer," Wolf said first.
"Frey, could you see to it that Storm is moved to Yubello and Yumina's room," Marth asked.
"Really?!" the children exclaimed with delight.
"Are certain, Sire?" Frey questioned.
"Yes, I am making Storm, the official protector of the Grustian Royal Family," Marth declared.
"YAY!" The children excitedly yelled.
Former 7th Platoon quarters; Wolf's PoV
Wolf was standing in the center of the room just thinking, mourning. Katarina stood behind him nearby watching while trying to think of something helpful to say.
Wolf suddenly spoke, "Katarina, thank-you again for helping me through this time. I have felt such sadness from today, and I didn't know how to handle it. But I realize that Sir Aaran would not wish for m to mourn for him yet rather be glad that he completed what he had set out to do." He then turned to face Katarina and continued, "You never stopped encouraging me, and for that, I deeply thank you. As my tactician and closest friend and confident, please always be here for me, I ask of you."
"It is the very least that I can do for you, Wolf," Katarina paused before continuing. "I do not wish to leave your side anyway," she added this with an ever so slight and undetectable blush. "We should be getting some rest now. Good night, Wolf," she said with a smile before leaving the quarters.
As she walked out the door, Wolf whispered one last time to himself, "Thank-you, Katarina," and left to go to his chambers as well.
