Disclaimer: Fire Emblem doesn't belong to me - my OC's do

Chapter 3

It had taken no time at all for her to reach the forest edge that lead onto Daein, now the easy part was over. Thetia gripped her bow tight against her chest. She had to do this, Sofi was the only one she cared about in the whole of Telius, and those brutes of soldiers had taken her away. Despite this, the instinct that had helped her survive in the forest for all these years was screaming at her to turn away, turn and retreat back to her safe place. She was fighting against herself: the unknown and home, danger and safety, her sister or herself. A drop of watershed onto her nose and was quickly followed by another. Tia stood there as the rain slowly soaked her cloak, the material pressed against her like a second skin. Goddess! She felt like a child again; scared and powerless to protect those she cared about.

No. She was not the same girl. She had grown, she could survive the forest and she could find her sister. Besides if she didn't who would? Closing her eyes, Thetia stepped out of the forest and into the world.

The atmosphere of the marketplace was hectic and oppressing. Stall owners yelled out offers and sales, promising dreams and wondrous items from across Tellius. Women haggled over meat and vegetables while the men argued over prices. Dirty street scullions dashed between the throngs of people, and purses mysteriously disappeared from the wealthy patrons. For Tia it was hell. It was one of the larger towns in Daein and certainly the biggest she had been in. The sights and smells bombarded her sense and her sensitive eyes stung from the fumes.

Soldiers in red armour patrolled the streets and she kept her focus on them but avoided them. First she needed to find out if anyone had seen a group of soldiers leave the forest. She walked over to one of the less crowded stalls were a fat man was selling food. Well he seemed to be eating more of it than selling it. As she neared his eyes met hers and a fake large smile stretched across his face.

"What can I get for you, some tomatoes, a couple of carrots, a chicken?" She opened her mouth to reply but he cut her off.

"Oh I know, you came to check out my pumpkins. Best pumpkins in all of Tellius I tell you!" She seriously doubted that but she needed some information. But because of the day she had had her mental state was similar to a spring that had been wound up too tight.

"I'm not here to sample your wares sir." Her voice came out brittle and cold. The clearly stupid stall owner merely ignored her and prattled on about how he had the "best of the best" of everything, and she was starting to get a little annoyed at him. Goddess above! Where all beorc like this one? She seriously hoped not, otherwise a lot of them may find themselves getting acquainted with her knife.

"Have you ever seen such a fine selection of strawberries? These are-"

"The best in all of Tellius. I know!" She snapped her voice beginning to show some of her anger. This man was completely useless.

"Listen I just want some information. A couple of days ago did a group of soldiers pass through here?" The mans mood changed instantly: the over eager seller was replaced by a suspicious cautious man.

"Listen girl, I'm an honest guy and don't want any trouble. So I think you should leave quickly, before you get both of us thrown in jail." She narrowed her eyes.

"So you have seen something."

"I ain't seen nothing. Now go."

"My sister was taken by those brutes so I suggest you tell me what you know." He scowled.

"I don't appreciate being threatened by some crazy bitch with a bow. Leave or else."

Now if he had known that Tia didn't respond well to threats he wouldn't have said that. But since the only person who knew her well was locked away in some cramped dungeon cell (and the only one who could calm her down) he felt no reservations over trying to intimidate her...and found himself staring down an arrow pointed at his mouth.

"Or else what." Her instincts were controlling her and there was a threat you eliminated it. Sweat began to pour down his face and she could practically taste his fear. He swallowed and began to wave his arms around in a placating manner.

"Now, now. Let's not do anything hasty. I was just saying-"

"Tell me what you know or you'll soon find yourself missing an ear." He gulped and began to babble.

"Umm L-Let me think...Oh y-yeah. I-I was setting up stock you see. I gotta get the best spot I can you understand. And while I was unpacking the pumpkins I was yelling at my helper to get a move on. You know how hard it is to find someone who can do their job right. (She didn't lower the bow and he gulped again) Anyway, there I was just getting ready for market when I saw this group of big ugly soldiers stomping down the street like they owned it. It was only for a second but I thought I saw a girl. She was sorta draped over one of their backs and I couldn't see her face."

"Where were they heading?" Hope sprung in her chest but she made sure not to take her eyes off the clearly skittish man. The rest of the crowd were too busy in the general atmosphere of the market to pay attention.

"Ughhhh. I think they were heading out of town. Going up north, that's where the head of the occupation army stays." He was able to get out still terrified.

Finally, a destination. Her mind went whirring with different plans. But then she made a mistake, a mistake that was going to change her life. Once she had gotten the information she needed, she dismissed the man as a threat and lowered her bow, then turned around and walked away. Tia had never been around people and while this made her suspicious of them she hadn't realised the more sly and cunning part of their nature. Now the stall owner wanted this creepy and scary woman away from him forever. He was an honest hard-working fellow, at least in his mind, and he didn't deserve to be treated in such a way. So the second he was sure she was safely away from him:

"GUARDS, THAT WOMAN THREATENED TO KILL ME AND TRIED TO STEAL MY GOODS!" He bellowed. Now that was completely false, she had in fact threatened to remove his ear not his life. But the town guards didn't know that.

Tia spun round in shock as the armoured soldiers raced towards her with their weapons out. Cursing she turned and ran. Her feet hit the stone in a frantic pace and she could here them chasing after her. Why where there so many people here?! Dodging, weaving ducking; she had to escape. Her heart pounded in her chest and she pushed her legs to run even faster. There! On her left was a small alleyway, just big enough for her to squeeze through. Her one chance and she took it.

Suddenly swerving left she disappeared down the alley, leaving her pursuers to cry out in confusion and frustration. Still she kept on sprinting; not really looking where she was going, the only thing she was aware of was the steady flow of blood through her veins and the rhythmic thud of her feet hitting the cobbles of the street. At least until she crashed into something...and was sent sprawling on to the floor with a thud.

Her knees stung and her ankle felt twisted. Perfect, just what she needed. Clenching her teeth she turned to see the thing/person that had got in her way. It was a person, male probably from his height and build but he was wearing a long brown cloak with the hood pulled over his head. Ignoring him for the moment she turned attention back to her foot. Gingerly, she ran her fingers over her ankle and hissed in pain. Yeah definitely twisted and would probably take a couple of days to heal.

"That looks painful." Oh so it speaks. Her mind was not in the friendly mode, but then again it was rarely was.

"You think. Here's a tip when someone is running down a street at high speed don't get in their way." The figure cocked his head at her.

"I believe you were the one who ran into me and in my experience people don't run that fast unless they've done something wrong or are escaping." There was a tinge of amusement in the voice. It was actually quite a nice voic- and what was she thinking?

"No I was just running for exercise."

"Well you certainly look to be in great shape."

"Are you complimenting me. After you just knocked me over and injured me."

"Now technically you injured yourself, I can't take the blame for that."

"Well if you had moved out of the way we wouldn't be having this problem."

"I don't mind this at all. I'm having a very entertaining conversation with a pretty girl who ran straight for my arms."

"I did no such thing!"

"Maybe not but a guy can dream."

"Pervert!"

"Now that's a litt-" he was cut off by the sound of voices from down the street and Tia blanched.

"No they're coming" She began to push herself off the ground but felt a shot of pain up her leg. "Ahh!" The stranger looked down at her, or at least she assumed he was because she couldn't see his face.

"Who are you running from?" She blinked at the change of tone. His voice had gone stern and the playfulness had vanished. She looked up at him. Was she really going to tell him? Did she have a choice? Right now he was her best hope for staying free.

"The market soldiers. One of the stall owners accused me of stealing and they ran after me." The noise was getting closer and she was still struggling to get up. A hand grabbed her arm and her legs and the next thing she knew she was laying in the arms of the stranger, who then turned and ran further down the alley.

"W-What on earth are you doing!" she shrieked.

"I'm not particularly fond of the soldiers here and I can't leave a damsel in distress. Besides I finally got you in my arms." Her cheeks coloured and she shrieked.

"Pervert." He only laughed and ran on. She was stunned at his strength and speed. Surely he should be slower, he was carrying her but still able to out run the soldiers. There was no way a hu-. Realization struck. A beorc couldn't be this strong but a Laguz could. She turned her eyes back to his face which she still couldn't see.

"What's your name?" he asked and she jolted.

"You're asking me my name while where running for our lives?"

"Now's a good a time as any."

"You are insane!"

"It's been said before." She sighed and risked a glance behind them. Nothing.

"My name is Thetia. Yours?"

"Ranulf."

AN: I'm so sorry, just believe me when I say that a lot has been going on for me. Anyway, do you think Ranulf is OOC? I hope I've written him alright. Remember the poll is still up and please check out my one-shot. Thank you for reading and big thank yous to NinjaSheik, SweetCandies, nomey1 and Shezu for reviewing!