BRANDED

Chapter 1:

Enter Roxanne

War was never a pretty thing, but it wasn't always a bad thing either. No one wished for high death rates, destruction and inhumanity, but vagabonds like Roxanne took advantage of the chaos. With weapons and armor getting cleaned off the shelves, the jobs for blacksmiths and such were quite fruitful. With this in mind, she befriended a girl working with a merchant convoy, and has been traveling with them since.

Roxanne was a lone wanderer; no real place she could come home to. Rather, she only had places she could never return to again. And from one of these specific locales, a young man Luke also joined the same merchant convoy in pursuit of her, much to her displeasure.

Presently within the warring continent of Tellius, the group was to supply soldiers of a crew called Greil Mercenaries. When they arrived at the campgrounds, Roxanne was appalled. She thought they were going to support a small band of units, not an entire military! Worst of all, there was a large amount of laguz among them. Some had already taken notice of her and glanced at her warily. Roxanne kept her head down and quickened her pace. The crowded atmosphere was quite unlike her usual ventures.

Roxanne grabbed Ilyana's arm, her friend via entry into the merchant guild. "Why are there so many people here? Sure, sales will be stupendous, but still…"

"Hm?" Ilyana was too busy savoring the wonderful citrus taste of her orange to properly respond. Then her eyes widened and she gasped.

"What?" Paranoia shot through Roxanne, her heart skipping a beat.

"Soren!" Ilyana screamed happily, and then practically sprinted to a black clad beorc. Roxanne wasn't sure if she should follow Ilyana and meet her friend or to stay put and wait for her.

Suddenly two hands gripped Roxanne's shoulders and made the decision for her.

Roxanne whirled around, her heart pounding. The perpetrator was none other than Luke. His eyes were twinkling with mischief while Roxanne's eyes were filled with terror. "What the hell?" She managed to blurt out, albeit shakily.

"What?" Luke said. "A friend can't sneak up on another friend now?"

"We're not friends." Roxanne said sternly.

"Then why…" Luke ran his hand along the scarf twisted around her neck. She shivered and stepped away. "Does your mark say otherwise?"

Roxanne shut her eyes and shook her head. Why can't all this go away? She thought desperately. So, doing what she does best, she ran from the problem. Literally.

"Roxanne, c'mon!" Luke rolled his eyes then decided to give chase.

Roxanne heard him, which just caused her to run faster. She swerved between soldiers, accidentally shouldering one or two along the way. Still running as fast as she could, she looked behind her to see if Luke was anywhere near. Not spotting him around, Roxanne became hopeful. Maybe she lost him. Or maybe-

"Jeez! Watch it, sub-human!"

Roxanne stumbled backward. While checking to see if Luke was behind her, she had succeeded in slamming into someone else. Great. Like she needed any more stress. Then she realized that the guy she ran into had just called her a sub-human.

"Oh, sorry. But uh, I'm not a laguz." Roxanne stated awkwardly.

"You're as clumsy as one."

"Shinon! Please excuse my friend's rude comments. He's just not very sociable." Shinon shot Gatrie a look, then turned away. "Well, besides that, is there something you're running from, my dear lovely lady?" Shinon snorted at this; Gatrie pointedly ignored him. "I'm Gatrie, and I'll do anything to aid you."

Anything, Roxanne thought, has a very large meaning. I don't think you could help me with what I need most…But for now…

Roxanne looked up with wide eyes to Gatrie. "Well, actually, there is something you can help me with." She blinked those big eyes that she hoped looked terrified. Then she realized she is terrified. Luke makes her life a living hell, and she doesn't want it to freeze over anytime soon. Inevitably, Roxanne must deal with him again, but even some minutes of solitary bliss would be appreciated.

Gatrie was absolutely eating this up. Oh, how he could help this pretty girl!

Roxanne noticed Shinon had shifted his eyes to her without moving. At least she had both of their attention. "Um, would it be okay if I just, ah, hid behind you guys?"

Gatrie knitted his eye brows together in confusion. "What?"

Now Shinon had turned to face Roxanne. "Why?" He looked her dead in the eye.

Roxanne squirmed under the intensifying gaze Shinon was giving her. She definitely did not want to answer that. If she tells him that someone from her past has come back to haunt her, well, he'll just think she's insane. And has issues. And if she told him what this person was haunting her with, well she didn't think he would be very compassionate and understanding, so to speak. Considering Shinon had said "Sub-human", she certainly did not want to tell him about her mark. "Umm…" Roxanne uttered, staring at the ground, trying and failing to think up an excuse.

"Shinon! That's none of our business!" Gatrie chastised his friend and then turned back to Roxanne. "Don't worry, miss! I shall shield you from whomever you're hiding from!" He stood tall as if to invite her back.

Roxanne abided and carefully picked her way around him. It turns out that Gatrie was in fact large enough to block Roxanne entirely.

"Thank you so much. You really have no idea how much this means to me," Roxanne shyly admitted. Anybody who'd help her avoid Luke without questioning her was a saint.

"Oh, don't sweat it! It's really nothing! I'm just glad I can assist such a pretty girl!" Gatrie exclaimed, glancing back to look at her. Then he began to comprehend that she did not give her name. "Hey! I still don't-"

Roxanne breathed in sharply, cutting Gatrie short. "It's him!" She whisper-hissed, then ducked behind Gatrie.

Gatrie rapidly scanned the area, attempting to identify a suspicious person. Shinon was also remotely curious to see who was causing so much fear in her that she had to elicit help from his foolish pal.

Luke snorted at the display he saw. It was obvious Roxanne was trying to hide from him. He actually found the whole arrangement amusing. Roxanne has become so desperate. Luke thought. She might have these random stands of bravery, but they don't last long. Roxy's always been an insecure girl…

Luke smirked as he sauntered over to Gatrie and Shinon. Gatrie took up a defensive stance, while not revealing Roxanne at the same time. Shinon narrowed his eyes at Luke, hating the smug expression on his face: it's far too similar to his own.

"Greetings, my fellow comrades. How are we today?" Luke started with small talk, letting Roxanne's panic grow with the conversation.

"I'm uh, good…." Gatrie responded. He has a feeling that this guy is the culprit. Because of that, he already despised the man. "What do you want?"

"What's the matter? I can't say hello to the soldiers I'll soon be fighting alongside with?" Luke asked with fake confusion.

Gatrie sighed. It was probably only ten seconds since he met this guy and he was losing his patience. "Alright then. Hello…"

"Yes, yes! Hello!" Luke gave a false smile of joy then turned to Shinon. "And hello to you too." Luke nodded.

Shinon just glared at him. This guy was so…annoying. He could understand why this girl would hide from him: it was his damn arrogant attitude and the ability to make people irritated just by his presence. What Shinon didn't understand was how she can be afraid of him. He decided to say nothing.

"Hm? Not in a good mood today, I presume?" Luke questioned. He could practically feel Roxanne sweating. Oh, how fun it was to pressure her.

Gatrie chose to step in before Luke really angered Shinon. "Ah, so is that it? Just some hellos? Well, it was nice meeting you-"

"No. Actually I intended to talk to you two about something else, but I just got caught in the moment."

Got caught in the moment? Shinon thought, aggravated and unconvinced, this guy is full of shit. I hope I get the chance to see him mauled in battle.

"I'm looking for my beorc friend, Roxanne." Luke gave emphasis to 'beorc' to either see Roxanne bristle with wrath or shake with horror. However, when Luke tried to look over Gatrie's shoulder, Gatrie accommodated his movements, keeping Roxanne hidden. "Um, she has dark brown hair, about yea tall, and the softest brown eyes you'd ever see." Also really tempting to add was a mention of the Brand Mark across her neck. But if he gave that secret away already, the game would be over.

"Uh, nope! Never seen a girl like that around here! Sorry!" Gatrie lied. But what Luke had said was so true! She does have the softest eyes ever seen! Besides Astrid's of course.

"Oh. Oh no. I do hope nothing happened to her." Luke faked despair and terror.

He hopes nothing happens to me? Roxanne thought bitterly, her muscles tightening. He's the cause of all my problems! My misery! Goddess Ashera…I hate him so much!

"What about you? Have you seen my dear Roxanne before?" Luke asked Shinon. "You've been silent this whole time. That must mean you've given this some thought, yes?"

Shinon shot an icy glare that could expressively stab people. "I don't need to waste my breath on scum like you."

"Wh-what?" Luke definitely did not predict Shinon would say that. "I-I'm worried for my friend-"

"Bullshit. Now stop wasting my time and fuck off." Having finished his piece, Shinon turned away from the egotistical fool.

Luke just stared at Shinon in stunned silence. Then, regaining his posture he merely "humphed" in his leave. Roxanne couldn't believe it. This was the first time in months that Roxanne succeeded in avoiding Luke. She knew she'd have to face him eventually, but for now, hell can wait.

Roxanne slowly straightened herself, watching Luke's retreating figure until he vanished completely. She sighed in relief.

Both Gatrie and Shinon turned around to face her, waiting expectantly.

For the first time in a long time, Roxanne smiled a real, genuine smile. "Ahh. You guys…you're just amazing. Thank you so much!" Intense joy was brimming inside her, but in the back of her mind, Roxanne knew if they knew she was Branded, they wouldn't have helped her. Before she could slip back into a depressed state, Roxanne dismissed the thought to relish in blissful ignorance.

"Oh, it was really nothing! And that guy was extremely annoying. I have to admit that I'd like to spear him once or twice." Gatrie admitted sheepishly.

The fact that Luke bothers Gatrie too, someone he just met, made Roxanne laugh.

"Wait, so your name's Roxanne?" Gatrie thought that was such a pretty name.

"Yup, but you can call me Rox, or Roxy. I don't really care."

"I doubt we'll ever see each other again." Shinon stated indifferently.

That made Roxanne's slight surge of courage dissipate. Not seeing these two again would be unfortunate. Their companionship might give her the bravery to at least try and stand up to him.

"Aww! Shinon, why do you have to be so cruel?" Gatrie complained, and then turned to Roxanne, his eyes shining. "Do not trouble yourself Roxanne! I'll visit you everyday, protecting you from that awful man! You know…this may be a sign."

Ugh, here we go again…Shinon thought while Gatrie was blathering on about fate and destiny to a very puzzled Roxanne. Just maybe ten seconds before we met Roxanne he was convinced he was destined to be with that hairball. Now this girl? Shinon sighed and shook his head, watching Gatrie's antics. Oh wow, he's already kneeling. Then he'll take her hand and ask if she'll go out with him, then rejection, then a sad Gatrie for the rest of the week.

Shinon's thoughts would've been right, except Gatrie didn't get the chance to ask Roxanne.

When Gatrie took Roxanne's hand, she recoiled so fast that he actually stumbled. Both Shinon and Gatrie were taken by surprise. All the other times Gatrie has done this, the girl either smacks him in the face or politely rejects him. Roxanne just looked terrified. Her eyes were wide with alarm and clutching her hand.

Shinon raised one eye brow. Reclusive, I guess. Still better than the hairball.

"Ah…um, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you or anything…" Gatrie stood up, looking at Roxanne apologetically but unsure.

What the hell what the hell what the HELL Roxanne? Roxanne chastised herself inwardly. He doesn't know! This is a guy who just helped get rid of someone who does! Your mark isn't even on your hand! Augh, you're such an idiot! Why did I do that? Goddess, I'm such an idiot!

Roxanne snapped out of her thoughts and immediately dropped her hand. "Oh, no, don't apologize. I don't know what came over me."

"So you're okay?" Gatrie asked somewhat warily.

"Yeah…I'm fine. Thanks."

"Hey…excuse me for asking…but who was that guy anyway?"

An icy claw gripped Roxanne's heart. She knew where this conversation was going. She was hoping she could avoid it. "Um…that was Luke…" Roxanne really didn't want to say anything else on the matter.

"Why are you so scared of him?"

Roxanne pinned her eyes to the ground, fidgeting. She could tell Gatrie doesn't mean any harm, but she really felt stuck by this. What was she supposed to say? Oh yeah, I'm scared of him because he knows about this ugly little mark on my neck? The mark of the Branded? That would go over nicely.

"Um…Mm…" Roxanne's eyes were shifting around, attempting to conjure up something to say.

Shinon was slightly curious to know too, but she looked so desperate. Maybe they're better off not knowing.

"So…you're new here?" Shinon changed the topic before the tension could build up anymore; tension that Gatrie clearly overlooked.

Roxanne blinked in relief and surprise. "Y-yeah…I came with the merchant convoy. I help supply them with tomes." She thanked Ashera for the fortunate and much needed subject switch.

"You know how to use the magic arts?'

"Mm-hm. I specialize in wind magic."

"Mm…I specialize in bows."

"Mm…" Roxanne nodded as silence was making it awkward. "That's…cool."

The awkwardness shrouded them. "…Thanks…" Shinon wasn't fully sure if he was supposed to say 'thanks' to that, but he had to say something.

An even longer silence stretched on as they inwardly felt foolish for even having this 'conversation' in the first place.

"Yup," Roxanne answered after a while, not knowing anything else to say. Damn it's so awkward maybe I should've just came out and said I'm Branded…

Gatrie looked back and forth between Roxanne and Shinon, amused. What the fuck are they talking about?

A heavier and more awkward silence followed. They were both looking at the ground, trying to think of something to say.

Shinon slightly shook his head, wishing he hadn't said anything at all. Roxanne felt like it was time to make her escape but unsure how. Gatrie looked on, an impish smile forming.

"Hey! Gatrie! Shinon! I need you two over here!" A voice abruptly rang out. It was Ike.

"Well…that was your general!" Roxanne stated, relieved. Just for that rescue, she thought Ike was the best general there ever was.

"Yeah, I guess we should go. So I'll see you around?" Gatrie asked, that playful smile still on his face.

"Yeah, sure. I guess I should go check on the convoy." She attempted to play it cool but eagerly hoped for the same.

"Aw, well, bye Roxanne!"

"Bye guys."

"See ya." Shinon mumbled without looking at her.

Roxanne gave them a warm smile then walked through the throng of Gallians. As soon as she left, Gatrie burst into laughter.

"Seeing you flirt is priceless! Hahahahahahahaha!" Gatrie's laughter exploded.

"I wasn't flirting, idiot." Shinon argued but then quickly gave up, knowing he wouldn't get anywhere with Gatrie. He sighed and sullenly began to trek towards Ike.

Gatrie sped up to keep pace and kept the insults going. "Oh! You should have seen your face! That was hi-fucking-larious! Ohhhhh yes."