Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem

Chapter 2

Day 4

Well, today we finally made it to Santaruz and joined Eliwood's company. (I guess you could call it a company. There are only six people in it though...) We met them during a battle, of course. You ALWAYS meet allies during, prior, or after a battle. Anyways, let's start from the beginning of the day.

After three and a half days of traveling, Lord Hector, Matthew, and I finally arrived in Santaruz. It had been a long three and a half days. (Its three and a half because we didnt start traveling until about mid-day.) The night we settled down for camp on the first night, Lord Hector and Matthew got into a loud, pointless fight about supper. (It was a one-sided fight though, Matthew wasn't really arguing) Lord Hector thought that Matthew had taken more food than his share, while Matthew was just brushing off his accusation and eating. This then made Lord Hector even angrier and LOUDER. (My ears...) Fortunately, after about seven of yelling, Lord Hector just gave up and stormed into his tent. I thought that was the end of his racket. (If you're wondering, I saw Matthew sneak a little more food, but voicing my observation probably would have made the yelling last longer.)

But nooooooo. Lord Hector had to be loud all the time. His snoring could cause earthquakes! (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but still! He was LOUD!) No matter how much I covered my ears to trying to block out the sound, I still couldn't get back to sleep. And really, do you know how hard it is to fall asleep while trying to cover your ears? So, I dragged my cot as far away from Lord Hector and Matthew's tent (We only had one tent, and OF COURSE Lord Hector and Matthew. No matter, I like sleeping under the stars more anyways...unless it's raining) and slept. I wonder how Matthew got any sleep with that roaring Lord Hector was making.

The following morning, I woke up to find my brand new iron sword was missing. (Lord Hector bought me one before we left the Ostian Capital) While Lode Hector and Matthew were having breakfast, I went into their tent and found my sword under Matthew's cot. After taking it, I left the tent, walked up to Matthew and smacked him with my sword. Hard. As he sat on the ground rubbing his head, I ate my breakfast and the day continued. (Hey, my sword was sheathed and I hit him with the flat. He wasn't seriously injured.) From then on I slept with my sword beside me.

So for three and a half days, this was the pattern: Wake up, check belongings, retrieve stolen belongs from Lord Hector and Matthews tent, hit Matthew with sword on the head, (once I kicked him in the crotch for stealing my cloak. My sword, thats fine but NO ONE steals my cloak and gets away with it. Or this book. Even though its an ACCOUNT, I dont want people 

to touch it.) breakfast, listen Lord Hector yell at Matthew, travel, stop for lunch, more yelling, travel, make camp, supper, yelling, attempting to sleep, sleep (however little I get) and repeat.

Im lucky I can still hear.

At least I learned why Matthew called Lord Hector 'sire' and 'young master.' He was loyal to Ostia and not only that, he was a spy! Now, how did I get this information out if Matthew? What devious, complicated trap had I set up to force the information out of him? Well, I just asked him. That's it. I just asked him. I was going to set a wonderful trap for him, but first I wanted to just try and ask him. I didn't think it would work! And I was prepared to work for it. I thought it was going to be a challenge. Oh well.

Anyways, shortly after entering Santaruz, Matthew caught sight of Lord Eliwood in the south. Now wasnt that lucky? But as we were about to start after him, there was a loud, high-pitched cry from behind us.

"LORD HECTOOOOOOR!"

We turned around to see a pink haired pigtailed girl running towards us. It was...Serra? "I've been seeing more familiar faces in the last few days than in the last year," I thought to myself, "Wait. She called to Lord Hector. How do they know each other?" I stole a glance at Lord Hector. It looked rather shocked and pissed at Serra's appearance. Maybe she was a persistent admirer?

"Lord Hector! It's so good to finally catch up to you! You were moving so fast and with Oswin slowing me down I couldn't catch up! I don't know why he wears all the armor! It makes him SO slow! I heard you were going to help Lord Eliwood! Why didn't you ask me to come? You know I would have loved to. What would you do if you got hurt? Without my amazing healing skills, you would get killed! Oh! Did you think that I would get hurt if you brought me along! Oh Lord Hector! That's so sweet of you! But if you just gave me a vassal, I would be fine. And- oh here comes Oswin! Oswin! I caught up to Lord Hector!"

Gah. I had forgotten how talkative she was. And how high-pitched her voice was. And how big her ego was. Oh well, she was a healer, and healers were always an asset. I bet she doesn't even recognize me. Anyways, both Serra and Oswin (who was a Ostian knight. Now where was he three and a half days ago?) joined our party. After Oswin and Lord Hector had a nice conversation, (When Lord Hector said I was his tactician, Oswin looked at me and then continued the conversation. No hello? No greeting? Not even a nod!) we proceeded south towards Eliwood.

Eliwood, though, was in the middle of a battle. While Lord Hector and our new members were talking, bandits had attacked Eliwood and his company. And he didn't look very well off. Probably didn't even have a tactician! Quickly, the five of us rushed to Eliwood's aid. (Lord 

Hector killed a soldier of Santaruz who was just standing there doing nothing. Really, what's happening to military defence these days?)

This battle didn't need me yelling out orders for the whole thing. I just told them, "Oswin and Lord Hector will be in front, attacking the enemy. Matthew and I will finish any of the ones you didn't kill off, and Serra will stay behind us, ready to heal. Serra, watch out for Pegasus knights, I see a couple out there. Call us if you see one coming at you." Everyone nodded, and we started fighting.

Just after entering battle, a, axe-wielded brigand charged at me. I easily dodged the attack (Axes-wielders have such bad aim) and slashed him diagonally across the chest. Before he could attempt another attack, I drove my sword through his heart. I pulled out my sword and quickly moved on before he even hit the ground.

Looking around, I saw Oswin spear a Pegasus knight in the chest, Matthew taking down an archer, and Lord Hector fighting a sword wielding mercenary. Lord Hector was having the most trouble. His shoulder was bleeding, and it was obviously affecting his performance. I signalled Serra to come over and heal him, then went in to finish off the mercenary.

Matthew beat me to it. He decapitated the injured mercenary with ease. I thought it was nice of him to save me the trouble, but Lord Hector thought different. ("That was MY kill!") But there wasn't any time for that. Another brigand and two more Pegasus knights were coming. The kill was forgotten.

After defeating the bandit leader, (Zagan. He was very chubby for a person who fights) Lord Hector and Lord Eliwood finally met up. Upon seeing him, I recognized Lord Eliwood. He was the one who helped Lyn and I the year before! 'I'll be sure to thank him later..." I noted in my brain. Then I went to meet the members of Eliwood's company. But before that happened, I was taken prisoner by Serra. I guess she finally remember me, and so dragged me off to her tent and talked my ears off until supper. I managed to escape her when she spotted Matthew. Haha. Poor Matthew. THEN I went to meet the members of Eliwood's company.

First I recognized Dorcas. (Another familiar face!) I greeted him, asked how Natalie was, and then left. I did know him, but I wasn't really close to him. He was traveling with another axe wielder named Batre. I don't like him. He seems...I don't know, but there's something in the way he speaks that annoys me.

After I went and introduced myself to a green haired bandana-wearing archer. Her name's Rebecca. I like her. (Not like that) She was very friendly and a very good cook. She just needs to build a little muscle. She has pretty good aim, but not too much strength behind it. But she has the makings of a great archer.



There was also Lowen and Marcus. Both mounted units. Very nice, (personality-wise) but Lowen REALLY needs a haircut. How can he see, let alone fight, with that mass of hair covering his eyes? And Marcus, no offense, but you're kind of...old. For the time being, your battle experience gives you an edge, but later on I'll have to put you aside. There are younger, stronger fighters that will probably join our party, and you just won't fit the bill anymore.

Well, were off to see Lord Helman of Santaruz to see if he knows were Eliwood's father is. Oh! We have also learned of a shady group of assassins that may be watching Eliwood. (Information courtesy of Zagan who spoke of it in his dying breath) We better be on our guard! (and get some more fighters...no offense, but a party of 11 people probably won't stand a chance against a group of assassins.) Time to sleep! I'm sharing a tent with Rebecca, and we're far enough from Lord Hector's tent that his snoring won't bother me. I hope.

Sandra

Author's Note: Any pairing recommendations?