From Misery Came a Gentle Soul.
Jehanna Palace.
That's the place I first saw you again after I left Grado over a year ago. I had been told that you, the Imperial Prince, Lyon, were leading an army to assault the Palace of Jehanna. It shocked me to think that you could be capable of such a thing, I really couldn't believe it at the time - That's not to say I thought you incapable by skill, you certainly had the tactical intellect, you were just too gentle to be involved with all the bloodshed - I didn't want to believe that you had been brought into all of this, just like I was, I was afraid it might change you for the worse.
We had planned to meet with you, me and my brother, to see how you were doing before all of this began, but the war came so suddenly that it had to be delayed. It was a terrible war, one I shall never forget, lest I disrespect those that had... Fallen. I could relate to your feelings on war, not even an hour into the beginning of my journey, when Grado invaded my homeland of Renais, did I wish for all the senseless violence to stop.
I missed your gentleness, it always warmed me to be around you, you said it was your greatest weakness, I always thought it was your greatest strength, to be so caring in a world so cruel and unforgiving. I wish you had known back then how important that was for me. I guess... I took the time we had for granted... Believing everything would continue the way it was.
"I wonder where Queen Ismaire is..." Princess Eirika pondered as she put a finger to her chin in thought as she stepped through the Throne Room of the palace. Jehanna was a very well kept palace despite the desert sands that threatened to engulf it.
"I heard she was in the throne room, but there's no sign of her. And there's no Sacred Stone, either." The prideful Frelian Sniper, Prince Innes, stated.
L'Arachel, the green haired Princess from Rausten standing beside him "We must search quickly." She urged as she and Innes left the Throne Room in a rush, leaving Eirika behind.
Eirika had begun to leave to catch up with them before a pillar of light shone from the red carpeted, brick floor of the palace. Eirika jolted a bit before taking a step back, her hand firmly on the hilt of her Rapier. What - Or who - stood there, left her speechless. A young man with light violet hair appeared from seemingly a portal, his thick purple robe waving in the small breeze generated by the spell... He turned to face Eirika, his eyes grew wide in shock "Ah..." He muttered.
Her heart must've skipped a beat. There was no mistaking who this was "Lyon!" Eirika called out to him.
"Eirika..." Lyon said softly as he gazed into Eirika's eyes for several moments before lowering his head and turning to leave.
Eirika took a few quick steps forward to Lyon "Wait, Lyon! Don't leave, please! I need to speak with you!" She pleaded with him, her heart was now beating rapidly, her mind racing with question after question, she managed to get him to stop, though, as he turned around she continued "My brother and I have been worried about you... We know more than anyone the gentleness of your spirit. Your father is deranged, isn't he? That's why Grado invaded Renais, right? Tell me, Lyon... Please... Tell me what has happened." Eirika pleaded.
Eirika could see a sadness in his eyes as he could hardly look her in the face as he spoke, as if he was ashamed, he tried to hide his sadness but she could see it "I'm sorry, Eirika. I've wanted to see you and Ephraim for so long now... I wanted to see you so that I could apologize. The invasion of Renais... I couldn't stop it. I really wish I could speak to you for longer, to... Join you... But I cannot..." Lyon explained.
Eirika looked disheartened "You... You have a reason, don't you?" Eirika asked.
Lyon lowered his gaze to the floor for a moment then back to her face "I can't say right now, you're not ready, not yet... But perhaps I can divulge this much at least..." Lyon let out a small breath before continuing "If you have the time, seek out the Twin Relics of Renais, they will prove useful to you soon enough. Know that we will meet again, and then... Believe me, you will know everything. But for now it is best you not persue me, I don't want to see you hurt." Lyon Looked at her pointedly.
Eirika furrowed her brows but chose to trust him "I... I understand. I trust your words. I'm really relieved, you know? I was worried you might have... Changed. Like your poor father. I'm just glad you're still the same Lyon I've always known. I've missed seeing you..." Eirika gave him a soft smile.
"I've missed seeing you, too, Eirika..." Lyon replied, returning the smile, Eirika nonetheless still saw a sadness on his face. it pained her to see it, whatever has happened must be putting a terrible weight on his shoulders "You have changed though," He continued, causing Eirika to quirk an eyebrow at him, she went to open her mouth to reply before he continued "You're... Even more beautiful than I remember." He said, with a nervousness to it that he was known for, but giving her a much greater smile this time.
A blush began to settle on Eirika's cheeks "L-Lyon... I."
Sparing her several more seconds a glance Lyon then teleported from the castle. Mere seconds later L'Arachel came bolting from around the corner into the throne room "Eirika, what are you-" L'Arachel paused, seeing the look on Eirika's face "Eirika, is everything alright? You look flushed." L'Arachel continued, giving her a look of concern.
"Ah. Y-yes, I'm fine!" Eirika stuttered out "Must be this desert heat getting to me. I'm fine now!" Eirika replied with enthusiasm, albeit much too quickly.
"Er... Right..." L'Arachel quirked an eyebrow "Nevermind. We've found Queen Ismaire! Let's go!"
"Right." Eirika nodded, following the Rausten Princess.
"I see unfamilier faces among you here, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Ephraim, Eirika's brother and Crown Prince of Renais." Ephraim introduced himself. Standing amongst a ruin after a long and hard fought battle against Grado's forces the two groups from Ephraim's and Eirika's journeys united to create one of the most powerful units on the continent at this time. I was incredibly relieved to have been done with that battle, Valter absolutely sickened me with the way he stared at me with what I could only assume was a possessiveness of a madman.
"I am Princess L'Arachel of Rausten. The pleasure is all mine, of course." L'Arachel beamed at him.
"I'll begin by telling you how we fared in our mission," Ephraim began "We seized the Grado capital and defeated her emperor, Vigarde. Grado's capital guard, to a man, surrendered and laid down their arms. Pockets of resistence remain, but the war itself is over." Ephraim briefed them.
"Is that so?" Innes questioned.
"However, something remains that still bothers me," Ephraim continued "A Grado man named Knoll told me about something called a "Dark Stone." their mages had uncovered lore that led them to craft a powerful magic stone. This Dark Stone may have been the catalyst of Grado's transformation. It seems to be the source of that black wave of energy Myrrh described. Vigarde died some time ago, but the power of the stone played him like a puppet. The war and everything that passed since was planned by the Dark Stone's master."
'If not Vigarde, then who...?' Eirika furrowed her cerulean brows in thought.
"Well? Who is it?" Innes asked.
"... I still can't believe it, but I'll tell you nonetheless. According to Knoll, the man behind this is Lyon, the Imperial Prince. He said Lyon's got the Dark Stone." Ephraim told them. Eirika's heart skipped a beat at the mentioning of Lyon's name and a feeling of dread washed over her.
"Figures it's Prince Lyon..." Innes said in distaste of the Imperial Prince.
"W-What?!" Eirika almost shouted as she stepped between them "No! That's impossible! He's lying, Lyon would never do something like that!" Eirika protested, looking to her brother 'How could my -our Lyon, be behind this war? I can't believe the Lyon I met at Jehanna was responsible for all of this.'
"We've known Lyon for years. Lyon's not the sort of person to start a war like this." She continued.
"But Eirika-" Innes began, but was cut off by Eirika.
"-I saw Lyon recently. Ephraim, you might know this, but after I abandoned the sea route to Rausten, I travelled overland with Innes to Jehanna. We ran into trouble with Grado's forces, and I chanced upon Lyon. He didn't share the details of the situation, but he intimated that he was on our side. Despite all appearances, he was on our side. So Lyon..." Eirika continued.
"Eirika, I believe you, I really do. Lyon isn't someone who could start a war like this." Ephraim told her.
Eirika brightened up "Then-"
"But Eirika, I also met Lyon." Ephraim continued, causing her to frown "He was like a completely different person. To be honest, he didn't seem to be completely... Human." Ephraim had a disturbed look on his face.
"Ephraim... What are you saying?"
"I'll tell you what I saw. I found Lyon inside Grado Keep. This is what he told me: He said he was behind this war. He said he'd befriended us solely so that, one day, he could invade Renais... He told me he killed our father."
Eirika shook her head "That... That can't..."
"I know. I can't believe it either. I refuse to believe it. How could he have planned all this since he was a child... I simply can't fathom it. I've heard Lyon changed when he acquired the Dark Stone. I've no interest in magic, but... There was something uncanny about him. It seemed almost as if he were being controlled by something himself. His personality changed back to the one we know in almost an instant before he apologised and fled."
"He has to be under the control of someone or something else!(?) There's no way Lyon would do anything of the sort... We have to help him!" Eirika asserted, hoping to gain her brother's support.
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy..." L'Arachel told them.
"What? What do you mean?" Eirika turned to the Rausten Princess.
"The two of you might find this hard to accept, but... The state of Prince Lyon's heart matters little. He has the Dark Stone. That rock is the cause of all that's happened. The Prince must be stopped." Innes said pointedly.
"..." Eirika looked confused and was angry that Innes would say something like that 'What's going on? Why can't we can't just destroy the Dark Stone?'
"Not yet. There is something that needs doing first," L'Arachel stated "Prince Ephraim, I do believe you felt it as well. The Dark Stone held by Prince Lyon... It exudes a malefic miasma... We might be able to handle Prince Lyon alone, but that stone is beyond our ken. We need the Sacred Stones."
"Sacred Stones?" Ephraim questioned. He didn't like where this was going.
"We've all heard the legend of the five Sacred Stones. They alone possessed the power to seal the Demon King away forever. So, of course, to dispel demonic magic, we must use the Sacred Stones!" L'Arachel asserted.
'Demon King? The Demon King?' Eirika thought with worry.
Innes frowned "You expect us to pin the outcome of this war on some fool legend?"
"... Not just the legend. We also have hope. According to Lyon, he has already seen to the destruction of Grado's, Frelia's, and Jehanna's stones. Grado forces have been intent on destroying the Stone of Renais. Which would explain why they invaded Renais. The Sacred Stones must be extremely powerful for them to go to such great lengths to acquire them." Ephraim spoke.
"Yes, exactly! If we acquire a Sacred Stone, we'll be able to oppose the Dark Stone's might!" L'Arachel spoke with excitement.
"But three of the stones have been shattered, and our options are few. Do you suppose that during the invasion of Renais..." Innes spoke.
"No, I don't think so. The Stone of Renais is hidden by the power of my and Eirika's bracelets. We will have to confirm whether or not it has been destroyed. We've defeated Grado, and we must turn our eyes to our homeland. It's time to return to Renais." Ephraim told them of their next destination.
We were now making our way from Renais, to the place Innes' trackers had tracked down Lyon, Narube River. The assault to take back Renais went even smoother than they could have hoped, what with Orson's neglegence of the upkeep of the Renais Keep. They had succeeded in acquiring the Sacred Stone of Renais, along with two more Sacred Twin Relics: Siegmund the Lance and Sieglinde the Rapier - She was merely hoping she would never have to use hers. The people of Renais were finally liberated from their misery, it can only go upward from then on with the restoration, the people seemed so happy. But even then, with all those cheers from the people, I couldn't find it in myelf to cheer with them, there was still so much to be done - If it's true that the Demon King had possessed Lyon - I have to save him... Somehow.
"Eirika," Ephraim called out to her as he rode beside her on his horse, she had been fiddling with her necklace as she rode on her own, several metres back from the group "How are you faring?" He asked with concern.
"Oh..." She clasped the necklace quickly on reaction "I'm fine. Why do you ask?" She gave him a smile by which he knew she was forcing.
"Eirika... I can tell when you're not feeling well, I'm your twin brother," Ephraim pointed out, she lowered her head down and sighed "And you always hold that necklace when you think of him."
She gave a soft smile before answering "It brings me peace to do so." She admitted.
~Flashback 1 1/4 years ago~
"Lyon, what's the matter? You seem a little flustered..." Eirika asked with concern.
"Uh... I just... I wanted to give you something..." Lyon confessed.
Eirika furrowed her brows with curiosity "... Really? For me?"
Seeing her reaction brought a smile to his face 'She looks cute when she makes that face. Then again, she always looks great.' Lyon thought to himself, he took out from his robe a necklace; it had red crystal stones in a circular pattern around a larger red one in the centre, embedded on a gold base with intricate, archaic designs; the chain that held it was simple but sturdy, made from the same metal as the base.
Eirika made an audible gasp upon seeing it, "L-Lyon, It's..." Eirika stammered "It's beautiful..."
"Glad you like it," Lyon's face lit up "I've wanted to give it to you for a while now..." He admitted "And seeing as you're going back home tomorrow, it seemed a fitting time. It was... Uh, nevermind." He was about to continue but stopped himself. He passed it to her and she slowly reached a hand out to it to let it gently fall on her hand. She flicked her hair back as she put the necklace on, she held it in front of her and then beamed a smile up at him "It looks good on you."
"Thank you... I'll cherish it, I promise!" She said as she flung herself at him with a hug, nearly causing him to fall over.
Lyon chuckled slightly as a blush crept up on his face "I believe you." He returned the hug.
A few awkward moments passed as they stood there in the embrace, causing Eirika to blush as well as she stepped back from him "Uh, I'm s-sorry. I-"
"I-It's fine," He said quickly to reassure her, scratching the back of his head "So... You really need to go, right?" He asked her.
"Y-Yes..." She replied sadly "But we'll see each other again soon."
"I'll be looking forward to it!" He replied and gave her a soft smile, his smile died down as he began to look more nervous as he spoke "Um... Eirika, there's something I've been meaning to tell you..." He began scratching the back of his head again.
"Oh? What is it?" She asked, her head tilting to the side slightly.
"I've always..." Lyon looked her in the eyes, they both stood there in silence for a moment before Lyon spoke again "Uh... Nevermind... Sorry."
"Lyon?" She questioned him, looking confused.
"Forget it, it's nothing," He frowned as he turned away from her "The necklace is a good-luck charm of sorts, by the way, said to protect it's wearer," He informed her "Guess I'll see you soon, right?" He continued to say as he began to walk away.
"Yes. We will..." She replied to him. He was soon a faint figure in the distance "I hope..." She whispered to herself.
~End Flashback~
'What was he trying to tell me?' Till this day she was still confused by his words. Eirika reached over her waist and drew the Sieglinde from it's sheath. The slim blade shone brightly in the sun, radiating a magical glow of it's enchantment "Seek out the Twin Relics of Renais, they should prove useful to you soon enough." She uttered aloud. Ephraim raised an eyebrow before she continued "That's what Lyon told me at Jehanna." Ever since she got the Divine Rapier she had a sense of dread rather than a sense of awe one would expect from wielding the Sacred Weapon as if it were telling her something bad was about to happen.
Ephraim frowned before putting a reassuring hand on Eirika's shoulder "Don't worry. Whatever danger he is in, we'll save him. I know Lyon is still in there, even if he is under control."
"You're right... We will save him." Eirika replied, giving a determined look towards her brother.
"Brother! Look there!" Eirika called as she pointed to several figures in the distance.
"A skirmish!" Ephraim replied. They were trudging alongside a murky river, with some hills in the distance, a small group of villagers appeared to be gathered at the base with a Falcon Knight.
"Is that Syrene? What's going on? We must go to her aid." Innes told them.
"Everyone, hold! Something evil is afoot..." L'Arachel warned them. Almost immediately after she said thatl, Lyon appeared in front of them.
"Lyon!" Ephraim called. Eirika almost couldn't believe it, here he was again, right in front of her.
"Ephraim... Eirika..." Lyon began.
"Lyon... Where have you been all this time?" Eirika asked.
"Eirika, stop!" Ephraim commanded as he stood in front of her.
"Brother?" Eirika looked at him in confusion.
"He tried to pull this charade with me back at Grado Keep. I called him out on it." Ephraim informed her "You remember when we last met in Grado Keep, right, Lyon? Do you remember what you told me then? You told me this was all your doing, that you had started this war." Ephraim glared at him. Eirika's face was that of utter shock as she looked toward Lyon for answers.
"What? Ephraim... Why are you so angry? We haven't seen each other in so long... What's happened?" Lyon questioned him.
"You're not..." Eirika muttered out in disbelief. It was looking at him right now that she noticed there was something different about him than when she met him at Jehanna.
"You said it yourself. Lyon must be under the control of someone or something else." Ephraim recanted.
"... Lyon?" Eirika turned her head from her brother to look at Lyon, she didn't want to believe it but he had been taken control of, he no longer held the same warm aura he once had, like he had at Jehanna "No... You're not Lyon." Eirika scowled.
"Eirika...? What on Earth do you mean? Of course I'm Lyon, can't you tell? Just come closer and you will see..." 'Lyon' offered his hand out to her.
Eirika was now visibly shaking with frustration, she stepped in front of her brother, grabbing the hilt of her sword "Stop toying with me! Where is Lyon?! What have you done with him?!" She yelled. Ephraim was in shock at his sisters outburst, he'd never seen her this serious. Innes and L'Arachel were equally stumped.
"Eirika, I-" He began, staring at her in shock for a few moments before a cruel smirk worked it's way upon his face "-Heh, I see... Perhaps I am not the Lyon you once knew. I have cast aside my gentle nature. I have become stronger. No longer am I the pitiful excuse of a prince who was powerless... And you know what? It feels pretty damn good. Heh heh heh."
"What...?" Eirika muttered.
"Be careful, Eirika, this is not Lyon, we must use caution." Ephraim stated.
"I'm not Lyon? That's rich. A masterpiece. You always thought that Lyon was kind, gentle, and weak, didn't you? Admit it, you played me for a fool, always telling me that I wasn't weak, when I was, giving me false sentiments in order to trick me. How could you two ever have considered me as a friend? I was nothing but a plaything for your amusement." 'Lyon' stated snarkily.
"You're wrong! That's not true at all!" Ephraim snapped "Lyon, Eirika, and I were friends. There were things we kept to ourselves, of course, but we shared so much. And no matter what happened, no matter how much time passed... We're still friends. Lyon would never ever betray us. Not in a million years. You're not Lyon."
"Hmph... Looks like I was wrong to disregard the value of human emotions," 'Lyon' confessed. The group became instantly on guard as the tone of 'Lyon's' voice changed. Eirika looked horrified. "I've had my fun pretending to be human, but the need for charades has passed. You are correct. This body no longer belongs to your young Lyon. I devoured his pathetic heart ages ago."
"What?!" Eirika said in horror.
"You monster! Who are you?!" Ephraim demanded.
"Do you really not know me? What a poorly educated prince. Think about it. Remember the legends of your pitiful kind... What was sealed within the Stone of Grado? What is the name of terror?" 'Lyon' taunted.
"No... It can't be!" Eirika said in disbelief.
"It's as we feared after all. That can only be..." L'Arachel began.
"The great adversary of antiquity... The Demon King..." Ephraim said aloud the thought they all had.
"Heh heh...ha hahahahah! Lyon... Lyon... O prince of misery... His body is mine to compel! That loser didn't last very long at all!"
"Sh-Shut up! You're lying! At Jehanna..." Eirika began.
"Jehanna...? Heh. What does it even matter."
"It matters because I know it was the real Lyon!"
"Naive girl! What you fail to understand will soon be made clear to you!" 'Lyon' taunted as he teleported from the area. Moments later they could see in the distance a band of Gradoan Dark Mages and Berserkers advancing towards them. Some advancing on a small group of innocent villagers who were accompanied by Syrene.
"We must go. Syrene cannot hold such a force back on her own." Innes ordered, having lost interest in the conversation, he began to leave.
Ephraim placed a reassuring hand on Eirika's shoulder "Let's go, sister." He said in a soft voice to which she nodded, still rather downcast.
We had managed to thwart the Demon King's forces and save Syrene, a famed Falcon Rider from Frelia, and also the sister of Vanessa. But not before the Demon King had made his escape, to which Innes made sure to send trackers to hunt him down, it would eventually lead us to a place ominously known as the "Gorgon Lair". But for now, we made camp.
"Excuse me, L'Arachel, are you in here?" Eirika called, standing outside L'Arachel's lavish tent."Eirika? Yes, yes, come in." L'Arachel said in a spritely voice. Eirika doing so.
"L'Arachel... May I ask your advice?"
"What is it, Eirika? No need to be so formal." She replied.
"It's about Lyon... My brother was right. Lyon's been possessed by the Demon King. Is... Is there no way to free him?"
"..." L'Arachel only frowned in sadness to Eirika's question.
"Please help me, L'Arachel. I want to save him. Rausten is the spiritual heart of Magvel. They keep the ancient lore. You're their princess. You must know something about the demons of legend. Is there anything that can save Lyon?"
L'Arachel looked downcast "I'm so sorry, Eirika. To the best of my knowledge. There is no way to aid him."
"That can't be! There must be something! Any clue, no matter how slight..." Eirika pleaded.
"Our oldest legends tell us just this... Only one person has ever been able to shake off the Demon King's domination. Rausten's founder, Saint Latona the sure-hearted, shattered his fetters. If one possesses a strength of will beyond that of normal men... Only then can one throw off the shackles of the Demon King. But you saw it yourself, Eirika, with your own two eyes. Your friend Lyon's body has already been claimed by the Demon King. Once it's gone that far, there's nothing that can be done."
L'Arachel continued after a brief pause "When the Demon King takes over someone, he devours his spirit, his very soul. Even if his hold on Lyon's body could be released, that body would have no soul. There is no power in Rausten, not even the Sacred Stone, that can perform so great a miracle as to restore a shattered soul."
"But... Lyon... What if... What if the Demon King hasn't managed to take him over completely yet?" Eirika questioned L'Arachel, which prompted the Rausten Princess to look in puzzlement after explaining that there was no possible way for that to happen, to which Eirika quickly got to the point "Lyon- The Demon King-" She corrected "Complained of being too weak, as if his strength still needed to grow, do you think being only recently released from the Sacred Stones power that... That the Demon King is weak?" Eirika looked hopeful for her friends counsel.
L'Arachel seemed to be contemplating it for a few moments before she replied "Well... I guess that could be true. Does this have anything to do with you meeting Lyon at Jehanna? Do you truly believe it was him?" L'Arachel asked pointedly.
"Yes. Without a doubt." Eirika affirmed her feelings with a seriousness and confidence not usually found on her. "He... He was adamant about wanting to help and told me to seek out the Sacred Twin relics. I don't see how acquiring them would work in the Demon King's favour."
L'Arachel let out a long sigh "I see... Maybe Innes did have a point earlier about legends, they do tend to be... Exaggerated. But know this Eirika, if what you say is true, then Lyon is working with borrowed time and clearly the Demon King is besting him in the struggle often enough. Eventually, the Demon King will consume his soul and he will be gone forever. He will most certainly use his shell to trick you, under any circumstances, you must not give into any demands from him - Especially not when concerning the Sacred Stones - But even still, I do not know of any way to free him... I... I'm sorry."
Eirika nodded and turned her head downcast, working through her mind what L'Arachel had told her "I understand..."
L'Arachel took a couple of steps forward to embrace Eirika in a warm hug which was reciprocated before speaking softly to her "So... It was Lyon who had you all flustered at Jehanna." She smirked. This causing the Princess of Renais to go red in the face, so thankful L'Arachel could not see her face from over her shoulder, but could probably feel the heat leaving her cheeks "You must really care for him." She continued.
Eirika replied quickly, perhaps too quickly "O-Of course I do! He's my f-friend!" She stuttered out.
"Something tells me it's a bit more than just friends." L'Arachel chuckled. Eirika went to break from the hug to retort as her face went a deeper shade of red but L'Arachel held her even tighter so she couldn't escape before she continued "Stay safe, Eirika. Promise me."
Eirika calmed down a bit after a few moments and then replied "I'll stay safe, I promise. But you have to promise me you'll stay safe, too."
L'Arachel smiled "Of course I'll be safe, I've been given the gift of divine grace!" She replied, eliciting a chuckle from Eirika "But I suppose I shall promise, too, just to give you some peace of mind." She broke from the hug "You should get some sleep, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Goodnight, Eirika."
"Yes, thank you for everything, L'Arachel. Goodnight." Eirika replied with a warm smile before turning and leaving L'Arachel's tent. She walked some metres away before she began going through the conversation she had until a certain part stuck out in her mind, she sighed "That L'Arachel... He's just a friend." She frowned, crossing her arms, telling herself that again within her mind.
"Who's just a friend?" Ewan questioned from behind her, she cursed herself for not noticing him, so trapped in her thoughts.
Eirika's eyes went wide as she turned to face him "Uh! N-No-one!" Eirika fumbled with her words, her face a mix of horror and embarrasment as she pondered the idea of her little chat with L'Arachel getting out.
"Oh... Okay." He replied.
"W-What are you doing out here anyway? Shouldn't you be asleep?" Eirika said, trying to divert the conversation and compose herself.
"Oh, I asked Forde if I could help him patrol the camp tonight, he should be around here somewhere, I'll go call him for you."
Eirika panicked again "N-No! Don't do that! I'm going to sleep! G-Goodnight!" Eirika shuffled and started walking briskly to her tent.
"Huh?" Was all Ewan could get out.
"Don't you worry yourself about it, little Ewan, she just had some girl-talk with me." L'Arachel called out from her tent, notifying Eirika that she heard everything, causing Eirika to pause and turn a deeper shade of red before continuing to her own tent.
"Oh... Okay." Ewan shrugged.
The next day couldn't come fast enough for Eirika, she'd had quite enough of last night. The forces were currently on march along the dirt roads towards 'Gorgon Lair'.
Eirika herself had been keeping to herself most of the morning, not willing to talk to anyone unless absolutely necessary after last nights 'episode'. Currently on horseback she heard another trot come up beside her, she noticed it was Forde, although he didn't say "Hi" as she would've expected, he just trotted along beside her with a silly looking grin on his face, prompting her to quirk an eyebrow in suspicion.
"So..." He said abruptly "Who's the lucky guy?"
"Excuse me...?" Eirika turned her head towards him, bewildered.
"Aw, come on, you've obviously got your sights on someone."
Eirika frowned "I have no idea what you're talking about. And what makes you think I do?" Curious as to how he knew '-Not that I do!' She thought.
"Well..."
~Flashback. Last night.~
"Hey there, Squirt. Whatcha doing?" Forde asked Ewan as he strolled through the dimly lit camp sight. The two on patrol duty.
"Oh, nothing." He replied.
"You sure? You look a little confused. And didn't I see just see Eirika speeding off towards her tent?" Forde questioned.
"Well, apparently she was having "girl-talk" or something with L'Arachel."
"Okay... So what seems to be the problem?" Forde queried.
"Well, Eirika seemed troubled and said "That L'Arachel... He's just a friend." Which prompted me to ask her "Who's just a friend?" And then it looked like she started panicking and her face turned red." Ewan explained.
"Oh, they were probably talking about boys." Forde said nonchalantly.
"Boys? Why on earth would they do that?" Ewan questioned his sceptically.
"Uh, why wouldn't they? Wasn't it obvious what they were doing?"
"..." Ewan gave Forde a look to say he wasn't following.
And then it hit Forde "Ohhh..." Giving Ewan a wink and grinned at him, he slapped him on the back "I think it's time someone gave you the talk about the 'Birds and the Bees', come sit with me." He pointed over yonder to the camp fire.
"'Birds and the Bees'? What do birds and bees have to do with any of this?" Ewan asked disbelievingly, as if he felt Forde was playing some kind of trick.
Forde replied simply "Everything." As the two went to sit on a log near the campfire.
~End Flashback~
Eirika nearly fell off her horse.
Forde chuckled "Yeah, I was surprised myself, I figured he might've had the talk by now. Apparently not."
That was totally not what she was shocked about as she stared down at the saddle of her horse with her face beet red.
"So... Who's the lucky guy?" He asked again.
"... I-I don't wish to talk about it..."
"Ahhh, so you admit there is definately someone?" Forde concluded before Eirika heard a loud "thwack" and saw that L'Arachel had crept up on them to administer justice upon the back of Forde's head, courtesy of her trusty staff.
"That's enough from you! It's none of your business!" L'Arachel scolded.
"Hey, I'm just trying to help... Duty to the crown and all..." Forde pouted as he rubbed the back of his head, clearly in some pain before L'Arachel came up beside him and grabbed his ear, pulling.
"If I recall, she's out of your jurisdiction!" She fumed "Your duty is to guard Ephraim, not pry into his sisters personal life!"
"Ow-ow-ow-ow!" He winced "Okay, okay, I give up! Can I please have my ear back now?!" Eirika couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the scene unfolding.
"Certainly." She said as she smiled and let go, Forde quickly rubbing his ear and galloping off to join Ephraim and Kyle up ahead.
"Thank you..." Eirika whispered to L'Arachel.
"It was my pleasure, us Princesses have to stick together." She gave Eirika a wink.
It would go without saying that myself and L'Arachel had bonded quickly despite our glaring personality differences, it was like having a sister, we shared a lot in our journey up until this point, confiding in each-other for strength - Though I have to admit, most of the strength-giving was from her to me.
And so we march on, to the Gorgon's Lair, where you would reappear, but against all of my hopes it was just like last time, I almost broke and was ready to give up. But then I remembered the promise to myself that I would see this through and I would help you in any way I could.
Eirika placed her quill down and closed the book she had been writing in, standing up from her desk within her private chambers she gave her petite frame a stretch. Speaking of which, I'm to be having tea with L'Arachel today in order to catch up. L'Arachel visited Renais regularly, she said it was for me but I think it has to do with my brother also - Which I didn't mince words with in order to embarass her in sort of a "revenge" for her teasing me' She chuckled inwardly at the thought, leaving her desk to prepare.