Authors notes: Don't tell me you don't know who is coming in here? Yes, were back with Soren Larisa and Rafai. but what about Mena? well you'll just have to wait patiently. (ta tell ya the truth I haven't even decided on what to do with her.) Anyway I did decide to be mean and make you wait. (Either way it will probably be awhile till we find out what happens to her. Heeheehee!)

Disclaimer: No, sadly I don't own Fire Emblem, or Soren, I just own the OC's

Warning: just to let you know this chapter contains mild violence. (Not much, I don't like getting all gory.)

By the way,

Jason-M-m-m-Michelle, the ship is floating all by i-itself.

Michelle-Sorry Jason,

Jason-N-no really. *the door to the ship opens* Whoa!

Zidgel-Jason T. Comrade, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Jason- Y-you're alive!

Midgel- Of course we are it's much easier to do are jobs that way.

Zidgel- No time for chitchat. Dr. Zidgel Galezal him.

Jason- *while he gets Galezaled into the tiny ship* Whoooooaaaaaa

Now was that interesting. now time for the chapter.

Chapter 5: Meeting the Mercenary's

"Stay close to me little one. I wouldn't want to lose you in the market place now would I?" Larisa gently asked Soren. Soren looked up at her but did not make a sound. However, proving that he heard and understood her, he stayed next to Larisa, never straying from her side.

The day after Larisa came to Rafai's house; He took Soren and Larisa to a nearby town, so he can sell the furs he got from hunting and buy some food. Larisa told Rafai that she was going to watch Soren and browse the stands in the market place. She was looking for a book to read, while watching a six year old, whom was surprisingly intelligent for his age.

The market place of the village was quite hard to get lost in. It was small and the stalls were orderly (they were all in even rows) and nothing was out of its proper place. The meat stalls were on the far end, the fruits and vegetables were at the entrance, and baked goods were in between. (And that was just the food.)

The two passed the blacksmiths shop, the bakery, and finally arrived at a small shop that sold books. As they walked in, Soren's eyes seemed to light up when he saw the books. He studied the covers with childish curiosity.

"Do ya like to read?" The bookkeeper asked the child with mild interest. Soren looked at him and nodded, but the old man looked at him doubtfully. He didn't think that a child so young could read.

"Then ye come to the right place young m' boy." Soren stared at him with a puzzled look on his face.

Before the old bookkeeper could say anything else Larisa asked, "Do you have any books about travelers or distant lands?"

"Aye, young lass, though if ya intend do some travellin' then ya best be on guard for bandits. They have been terrorizing are poor town for weeks." The man said as he indicated were she should look for the books she requested.

"Thank you but I don't intend on travelling for some time. At least, not alone. I'm currently staying at a hunter's cabin with this child here." She replied, waving her hand in Soren's direction. Soren was looking at some old tomes, paying little attention to the conversation going on.

Larisa was speaking with the shop owner, when suddenly a scream flew in from outside. Instantly the three of them were alert. They could now hear the faint sound of battle. The screams of the town's folk and the roaring of flames as they consumed the villager's houses could also be heard.

Larisa saw that Soren was clearly distressed by the sounds coming from outside the little shop. She quickly moved to where he stood to protect the frightened child. He made no complaint as she wrapped warm, comforting arms around him, nor did he struggle when she picked him up. To Larisa, Soren seemed surprising calm and composed compared to how most children in his position would react.

However, Soren only appeared that way outwardly. Inwardly he was absolutely terrified. There was a great struggle going on inside him for, he was trying so hard to repress his fear of the battle going on just outside the doors of the small shop. He shut his eyes tight hoping to keep tears of fear from falling. However, he failed miserably.

During the struggle to repress his fear, Soren become completely oblivious to his surroundings, even to the surprisingly strong arms holding him. Larisa held him tightly to her chest, her arms around his back while she ran her fingers through his dark locks murmuring gentle words of comfort into his ear. But Soren was completely unaware of her, which served only to worry her.

Meanwhile, Rafai, having been outside when the bandits attacked, decided (since no one else would) it was his job to strike back. He hit them full force, showing no mercy for he knew, he would receive none from them. Though it pained him greatly to kill other men (He usually only killed wild animals) he had to protect the village (as well as Soren and Larisa) from these cold hearted men.

Judging by the numbers of the bandits, it was doubtful that he would be able to take on so many men at once. Unless he received reinforcements, which seemed unlikely given the current situation. But, he wasn't about to give up. He would fight to the last to defend these villagers.

They came at him with everything they had. A swordsman struck at him from the left, but Rafai was too quick for him, and swiftly finished him before turning his attention to the fighter coming at him on his right. He dodged the blow of the fighters axe and dispatched the warrior. He kept fighting until a sniper nearly killed him with his arrows. Rafai ducked behind an upturned stall to catch his breath. While he could see them he counted at least thirty bandits.

'Thirty bandits, how am I supposed to defeat thirty men?' Rafai asked himself over and over again. 'Ah well, it matters not. What matters is defeating them and saving the town. And I know, even if I die here, I will have done my best to ensure their safety.'

Finding new strength, Rafai came out from behind his hiding place just in time to see a large man with a heavy looking axe defeat a swordsman. Another bandit came at the man, but he also was cut down by the large axe. Rafai then noticed a red haired paladin stopping in front of the large man. Rafai had to look twice before he realized it was a woman riding the white steed.

She had white armor which contrasted with her bright red and beautiful crystal green eyes. The woman was strong, well muscled and clearly had discipline. Yet, at the same time her serene face seemed to suggest that she had a gentler side as well.

The man was tall, with broad shoulders and large muscles. His face stern, but not unkind. He had light brown hair, and strict blue eyes, and He seemed to be some kind of commander or something of the like. He also looked to be old and wise, but not to old.

"Who are you two?" Rafai asked the newcomers.

The man turned towards him "My name is Greil. I'm the commander of the Greil Mercenaries." He calmly replied. "We've been hired to take care of the bandits plaguing this town. This," He said indicating the woman on the horse, "is my deputy commander, Titania. I also have one other mercenary here our sniper."

"The names Rafai. Now I think we should get back to finishing off the bandits don't you? After all that is what you were hired to do was it not?" He asked smugly.

"So it was," Greil said with a hearty laugh.

They were later joined by the mercenary's sniper (Shinon) the four continued to fend off the bandits. (Titania, like Greil, mainly used axes to fight.) Since they mainly relied on strength instead of skill, the bandits weren't too hard fight, plus, all three of the mercenaries (and Rafai) were highly skilled warriors.

Rafai, being a spearman, aimed for the swordsmen, Greil aimed the warriors, Titania defeated any that dared get to close to her, and Shinon killed whoever got to close. The thirty bandits diminished to four. One fighter, one warrior, and two swordsmen. The warrior was the bandit's leader.

Rafai sliced the leg of one of the two swordsmen then mercifully finished him. Titania defeated the fighter, and Shinon shot down the other swordsman. Greil went for the leader.

"What? How could three sellswords defeat me? How?" The bandit's leader gasped as he breathed his last.

"That takes care of the bandits." Rafai said. "Well then I suppose you will collect your reward and leave then huh?" He asked Greil.

"No, we'll help clean up the mess as well. It's only fair since we helped make it." Greil said referring to burying the bodies.

Rafai smiled. "You're a good man Greil. That's certainly more than some mercenary companies will do"

"As are you, Rafai," Greil replied as Rafai started to leave in search of his guests. "Wait!" Greil called after him. "I like you, and I would like it if you joined my mercenary company." Greil told him as Rafai turned to face him.

"That sounds like an offer to good to be true, and I will certainly thick about it, but right now I have to find my two young houseguests." Rafai replied.

"Alright then, Shinon, Titania, and I will help you look." Greil volunteered.

Rafai smiled. "That would be greatly appreciated." Was his simple reply.

So, the three mercenary's (and Rafai) went in search of Soren and Larisa. Greil and Rafai went to search the bookstore first. (Because that's where Larisa said she was going) Titania and Shinon searched the now ruined market area.

When Rafai and Greil arrived at their destination, Rafai was shocked at what he saw, but not surprised. The building was on fire, debris was sprawled everywhere. Books where charred, and some pages blew away in the wind.

Rafai and Greil started searching. They quickly found Larisa lying beneath a fallen support beam. She had been easy to find because her white dress (now grey because of the soot) and her white hair stood out from the blackened debris.

Rafai sighed when he saw her. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked her.

She laughed weakly than coughed because of all the soot. Her look of humor soon turned to a look of horror as she remembered, "Soren," she weakly gasped.

Rafai understood and nodded as he turned to continue looking for the boy while Greil stayed with Larisa. He looked through the now black book shop in search of the boy, but what he found was the old store clerk.

"Have ye come to help me?" the older man asked as he coughed several times. "Well then don't waste ye time. I'm an' ol' man." He coughed again. "But if ye want to rescue anyone rescue that boy. He certainly knows how ta use tomes he does and I fear he is in trouble." He said feebly.

"trouble? what happened to him? I should get you help." Rafai said with concern.

"Don't bother," came the man's hoarse voice. "Am not worth your time. But the child," even as he spoke his voice was growing fainter, and Rafai had to strain his ears to hear. "He was…." The old man breathed his last before he could finish.

Rafai checked his pulse. There was none. He hung his head in shame, than remembered the reason for which he came. With new determination he rose. He had to find Soren.

Oh dear, it seems they've lost Soren. How are they ever gonna find him? We'll just have to find out in the next chapter. Heeheehee! Aren't I evil?

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Thanks to all who did review. :)