Written for Manna for the one-word prompt meme.
It was a loud scream that awoke the army the next morning. Loud and piercing, as if the world were coming to and end that very moment. About a third of the army came rushing over to see the commotion; the other two thirds were either dead to the world or didn't care.
"Oh, Elimine, please don't let something terrible have happened to Ninian," Eliwood gasped. Ninian raised an eyebrow and tugged gently on his arm.
"Lord Eliwood? I'm right here."
"...I knew that!" Eliwood laughed nervously, but still held her hand tightly nonetheless as they rushed over to the source of the scream.
"I'm here too, Lady Lyndis," Florina said. "In case you were about to panic." Lyn laughed sheepishly.
"I guess I am a bit of a worrywart, aren't I?" She sighed. "I hope it's not a surprise enemy attack...I should have taken my sword with me."
"It can't be, the only reason we stayed here is because we double-checked for enemy traps," Sain said.
"During a war, you can never be one hundred percent certain of safety," Kent pointed out. "Plus, this is the Black Fang we're dealing with."
"I'll bet it's Serra," Hector grumbled. "Probably found a spider in her tent or something. Or a rip in her dress."
"Maybe it was that merchant. He's quite a high-strung fellow," Legault said casually. "Then again, there are many of them in this army..." He glanced pointedly at Heath, who only glared back at him before striding ahead.
It wasn't Serra, though, nor was it Merlinus. Instead, it was an enraged Farina, soaked to the skin and ranting at her all too calm sister.
"-had no right to play such a nasty trick on me! And no, I don't particularly care if this is your idea of 'loosening up' so I'll stop calling you a stick in the mud! When I said loosen up, I didn't mean at my expense!"
Fiora shook her head, setting the empty bucket down beside her, her stern expression hiding her amusement.
"I did give you fair warning, Farina. If you slept late again, I'd douse you in freezing cold water to wake you," she said.
It was Kent who cracked the first smile, followed by a hearty laugh.
"Well, Fiora, I must say that while I'm surprised you would resort to such tactics, I applaud your initiative. It's not easy to wake a heavy sleeper," he said.
"Oh, of course you'd take her side," Farina grumbled. "Peas in a pod, naturally."
"Well...she did warn you, sister," Florina said, stifling a giggle.
"I think she was way outta line," Hector said; even he seemed surprised that he was sticking up for her. "Older siblings sure can be bossy sometimes, can't they?"
For a moment, Farina almost seemed touched. Then she gave him a dirty look and began to towel herself off.
"I didn't ask for your help!" She glared at the others. "What are you waiting for? Show's over, get outta here and let me dry off!" She stomped back into her tent, and the others shrugged and headed back to their own.
There was never a dull moment in this army.