The Barrier: Chapter 1

Friendship and Food

Aayvee: In case anyone is wondering, this chapter takes place around level 23-24, where Lethe and Jill should already have A support with each other. If you don't know how their conversations go, I suggest reading one of the PoR pages at

Jill cleared her spot at the table and wiped the last bits of food on her plate into the garbage. She smiled. Her good friend Mist was still learning some things about cooking, but she had come an extremely long way in the year they had known each other. The steak she had cooked tonight was truly a testament to her improving skills. It was, in her opinion, the most delicious meal ever to be described as "camp food". That is, other than "Haar's salmon surprise", a favorite of hers back in her days as a Daein troop.

She smiled again as she walked across the camp. She had finally been accepted as a full member of the Crimean liberation army. Not only that, but she had also become one of general Ike's top advisors, seeing as how she was one of the only people who was familiar with Daein military tactics. Possibly the fact that she had taken up arms against her own father had solidified her position as an ally in the minds of her comrades. She sighed. Going against her father was one of the hardest things she had ever done. Even though she was not the one who killed him, just the act of taking part in that battle had put a supreme amount of guilt on her heart. "No!" she told herself. "My decision was the correct one! I will shed no more tears because I did the right thing." She thought to herself.

"Feeling depressed again, Beorc?" said a familiar voice from behind her.

"Lethe!" she exclaimed, genuinely surprised to see her friend. "Where were you at dinner tonight?"

"Are you still dwelling on your father?" the laguz asked. "You made a hard choice, but you did the right thing, so shouldn't be crying about it. And besides, everybody in the troop, including me (she said somewhat half-heartedly) is here for you."

Jill frowned. "I'm fine, all right; I got over that a while ago. Anyway, you didn't answer my question." She said, trying to change the subject.

"Oh, dinner?" she asked half sarcastically. "Don't worry, I ate dinner. I didn't come to the main table because I had some special business with the General."

"Ah, training again I see." said Jill.

"Hissss! Who told you about that!" said Lethe looking suddenly angry.

"Whoa, cool down, what's the problem?" said Jill as she backed away slightly. "It's just a rumor going around."

"You should know not to listen to rumors." Said Lethe, as her gaze shortened into a glare. There was a tense five-second pause with each only looking at each other; Jill eventually broke the silence.

"I know, but it just seemed the most likely thing." She said with a kind of scared stutter.

"Oh really?" said Lethe, as she tilted her head in a way that made her look both curious and sarcastic.

"Well, yeah!" Jill fired back, regaining her bravery. "You and him always disappear at around the same time every morning, and I don't think you would be doing anything regularly with him other than training."

Lethe laughed, something she rarely ever did. "I'm sorry", she said. "I was trying to keep that on the low. I have a reputation to keep here, I don't want the whole army knowing I am regularly doing things with a Beorc." she said, turning her head and sighing.

Jill Laughed as well. "Don't worry, I'll keep it on the low." She whispered, putting her hand on Lethe's shoulder.

"Thank you" Lethe said, brushing her hand off. "I'd love to stay and chat, young one, but I have a message to give to give that is quite important."

"Who Is it for" Jill replied, curious.

"I promised the sender I would remain silent." Lethe Shot back, walking away. "Fine" said Jill, somewhat disappointedly. "I guess I'll see you later, then."

Lethe continued without saying anything.

About 2 hours later……

Jill was getting very annoyed. She knew that her former commander had just joined their side, but she couldn't find him anywhere. She hadn't presented him too commander Ike yet, and she was afraid that the rest of the fighters wouldn't recognize him as an ally (he was still wearing his Daein armor, after all). This was getting urgent. If she didn't find him soon, he might…

"Looking for someone?"

She quickly turned around and saw Lethe (who else would it be?). "And If I am?" she said, annoyedly.

"If you are…" Lethe said back, "I may be able too help you. We are friends, after all.

"Fine", she said back." I'm looking for a friend of mine, he just joined the troop.

"A friend of yours?" Lethe said, quietly purring; "Is he the rider with black armor and a spot on one eye?"

"It's called an Eye patch, and yes. How did you know who it was?"

"I saw you talking to him near the end of the battle. Besides, I figured the Daein wyvern rider sleeping near the mess hall would probably be the one." She moved in a little closer. "This friend, about how close are you two?" the laguz asked, smirking a little and folding her arms. Jill recoiled in minor disgust.

"Not as close as you're suggesting!" she move back. "I have to go. You said he w-was near the mess hall, right? I'll go check" She said as she quickly turned and tried to leave.

Lethe swiftly grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back, close enough so that the laguz's mouth was very close to her ear. She whispered softly "General Ike said everybody needs too have a tent partner. I'm sure since he's new that he doesn't have one yet." She said, purring again

Jill pulled away. "What's gotten into you Lethe? Haar, and me were not… listen, he's too old for me, and he sleeps too much, and…

"JILL!"

They both turned around as Haar walked up to Jill and Yawned. "I just woke up from my after dinner nap, and I heard you were looking for me, so I came over." He looked over at Lethe. "I see you made a new friend." He said, smiling that Jill had gotten over her prejudice.

Lethe turned away and didn't say anything. "This is Lethe." said Jill. "And yes, I was looking for you. We need to go to the General and make sure He knows you're with us."

Haar yawned again. "Taken care of. He found me while I was resting, but I explained myself and went back too sleep."

"That's a relief; I guess I got all worked up for nothing." said Jill, smiling.

"I guess so." He said back. "Anyway, I hope I didn't interrupt anything between you two, so I'll go now." He said as he turned around and walked away. "Bye-Bye" said Jill as the friends waved him off.

Then Jill turned back to Lethe, folded her arms, and frowned. Lethe did the opposite, and smiled. "I Hope you know, human, that you are very easy to tease."

Oh, Really?" said Jill, playfully. "Then I guess I'll have to get you back for that then, friend."

"What Are friends for?" Lethe said back

Aayvee: Finally finished chapter one. Whoo! remember to R&R