Disclaimer: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones and its characters belong to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems.
Warning: This story takes place after the end of the game, so if you're not there yet, please read at you own risk.
Knights of Renais
Chapter 2: Ephraim, Restoration King
Being King was not as bad as he thought it was going to be. Ephraim thought to himself as he looked at the new set of recruits that came in today. Like Eirika, he, too, missed his father terribly. But unlike her, he was determined to never show his tears to anyone, least of all to the man that was now heading his way.
"Seth, what good timing! I was about to send Franz to get you." The young, blonde commander standing next to him smiled, and Ephraim continued. "Come meet the new recruits that had just arrived today."
"King Ephraim, Franz." Seth nodded. "Your Majesty, where are Forde and Kyle?" Seth thought that he should give these two a scolding for leaving the king to train the recruits.
"I sent those two on an errand, Seth. Please do not scold them when they come back" Smiled Ephraim before turning to the soon-to-be new soldiers. "Everybody, listen up. This is General Seth. Besides Commanders Forde, Kyle, Franz, and myself, you will also be trained by General Seth, starting today."
All the recruits looked at Seth with apparent admiration. "I am sure that most of you have already heard of General Seth and his valiance as well as his role in bringing about the Demon King's destruction. Why else would you be here if not to be trained by him? Am I correct?"
"Yes, your Majesty." All the recruits replied at once.
"But do not forget for one second that it was not General Seth alone that defeated the Demon King. It was the effort of all the people of Magvel and their pure hearts to see the world brought back to peace once more that made it happen"
"Yes, your Majesty!"
Both Ephraim and Franz were still smiling when Seth spoke. "If I may have a word with you, your Majesty."
"Of course, Seth. What troubles you, my friend?"
"My apology your Majesty, unfortunately, I will not be able to help you train the recruits, since I am being sent to Frelia by Queen Eirika."
Ephraim looked puzzled. "Eirika is sending you to Frelia? Why would she send you away, when she…" Ephraim stopped himself in time before saying something that he knew fully well would anger his sister should she learned he had said it.
"Queen Eirika was asked by Princess Tana to lend my help in training the new recruits, since Princess Tana was not certain that Prince Innes could handle it."
"Ha ha ha…Tana was right to ask for your help. I can see why she would not trust Innes with the task. Even though he has good intentions, he can be very arrogant at times, and some people might take it the wrong way. Very well, you may go, but be sure to return before the coronation." Ephraim knew just how important this would be for Eirika. "May you travel safely, Seth."
"Your Majesty." Seth nodded to Ephraim before turning to speak to Franz.
"Franz, please take good care of King Ephraim and Queen Eirika. Tell this to Forde and Kyle as well." The young commander nodded his head solemnly in reply.
After Seth had left, Ephraim turned to speak to the recruits. "Looks like you will not be trained by General Seth today, but fear not, my training will be just as merciless. General Seth will return to train you before the coronation." The new recruits smiled uneasily in response.
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Late that night,
Ephraim sat quietly in his bedchamber, deep in thoughts, before he heard a gentle knock on the door.
"Brother, may I come in?"
"Yes, you may, Eirika."
Eirika, wearing her nightgown of white cotton and laces walked in slowly as if afraid to disturb her brother. "I would like to talk to you, Ephraim."
"Yes, Eirika. Is it about Father again?" Asked Ephraim gently. He knew that Eirika still missed her father very much.
"N-No, it is not that. Actually, I think I should leave."
Ephraim noticed that Eirika was blushing and knew right away what she had come to talk to him about. Since he did not wish to embarrass his sister, he simply said. "Is it about Tana's request?"
Glad that her brother understood her, Eirika began shyly. "Well…I am sure you have already heard from Seth that his presence is being requested by Tana. She needs him to help her train the new soldiers."
"Yes, I have been informed by Seth himself." Ephraim looked worried. "Eirika, do you think that this was a good idea to send Seth to Frelia?"
Surprised, Eirika could only say "W-Why would you ask me this, brother? Of course, it was a good idea seeing that Tana and Prince Innes could not handle the new soldiers by themselves. Why, if Tana had not made the request, I would have sent Seth there myself." Eirika was breathless when she finished.
Amused that her reaction and feelings for Seth were so obvious, Ephraim chuckled and said "Calm down, Sister. I was only worried about Seth. Since the Frelian armies are bigger than our own, Seth will be worked to death."
"Oh, that." Eirika could still hear Ephraim chuckle. "Well, Seth will not be training them by himself. Syrene will be helping him."
"Syrene…hmm…you mean THE Syrene, the most beautiful and popular Pegasus Knights Commander?"
"Yes, that is the one. She is very beautiful, is she not, Brother? Since you are a man, answer me this Brother and answer me truthfully. Do you find her beautiful as well?"
"Hmm…well, she was with us when we battled the Demon King and had helped us a great deal. Yes, I suppose I do find her very beautiful although not as beautiful as my dear sister." Smiled Ephraim, and he meant what he said. Not just because she was his sister, but in truth, Eirika was the most beautiful as well as the kindest woman in all of Magvel. "Why do you ask, Eirika?"
"Well, forget I asked, Brother. If you will excuse me, I should like to go to bed now."
As soon as she had spoken those words, Eirika quickly turned and left the chamber.
Once Eirika was gone, Ephraim was back in his thoughts again. "My dear Sister, I pray that Seth does not find her beautiful as well."
TBC
