Well, here's Ch7. It's more of an interlude chapter than anything else (IE plot setting up for future chapters), but that'll be different come Ch8.

Took slightly longer than anticipated, but three or so days still isn't that bad, right? ^^

Anyways, let's get on with the show, so here's the Speech Guide:

Italics indicates thinking/thoughts

"Quotation marks" indicate speech/speaking

Disclaimer: I don't own FE or anything affiliated/related to it (though I wish I did). I do own the OC Rhiannon that appears in this tale, however.


Soren stared at the two of them for a while, thinking over the matter carefully. From experience he knew Ike wasn't very…articulate…when it came to matters like writing out letters to deceased soldiers' families, but…why was she here? Carefully pulling Ike out of earshot, he restated the question that had been nagging at him ever since he'd seen her come in with him.

"Ike, what's your motive for bringing a new recruit to help out on such a delicate matter? She's not even Private level."

Ike only stared at his friend blankly, not quite understanding.

"What does rank have to do with anything? Rhia said she wanted to help out, so…" Soren only put his head in hands, sitting down disgustedly on a nearby bench. That was so like Ike to go ahead and do things without bothering to think of the consequences. True, if it was kept a secret there wouldn't be a problem…but this sort of thing was a personal matter. If the families of the deceased got wind of this…there'd be no end to the chaos.

"…No. Just. Plain. No. She is not helping us with this. If it were something else I'd consider it, but this is what it is; something far too personal for random people to be helping out."

Ike didn't object, though Soren knew very well that he wanted to. After a brief staring contest between the two, Ike finally relented, turning to relay the news back to the girl. While he did that, Soren rubbed at his temples, almost instantly lost in thought. This whole matter—even without the girl's help—was such a big nuisance. He didn't have to think about these sorts of matters when it had just been the Greil Mercenaries. That didn't mean he was complaining, of course, but it certainly was one more hassle that had to be taken care of after every battle. Luckily the casualties from the ambush hadn't been too horrible, though there certainly were quite a few…

"Soren? Are you alright?"

"Hm? Oh…yeah, I'll be fine; I was just thinking about the most efficient way to go about writing the…letters."

"Yeah, well, I'm glad for your help…" It was Soren's turn to notice how distracted the other party was, though he didn't bother to comment on it, other than a 'Let's get started, then.'


Rhia glanced back in the direction of Soren's tent for what seemed like the millionth time, though she wasn't really bothering to keep count. The mage's reasoning for refusing her help was…sound, though that didn't make how hurt she felt go away. It would shrink and vanish in time, but for now…For now I think I need to get away from all of these festivities.

She really wasn't in the mood to be surrounded by lots of laughter and the like; it just seemed so…wrong when she didn't feel that way herself. It was hard to explain, other than she just needed some time alone.


"There, that's the last of them." Ike sighed, standing up to stretch his tired limbs. Under Soren's direction he'd managed to write out all of the letters, though even then it was tough work. Taking a glance outside revealed that time had slipped well into the night; it was almost dawn in fact. He sighed once more, knowing full well how messed up his sleep schedule would be for the next few days because of this. As much as he didn't like doing it, it was necessary, though if there were a way out of it he'd certainly opt for that particular route. Though, now that he'd finished all that he needed to do for the moment, his thoughts couldn't help but wander back to the rather touchy topic of the new recruit who'd caught his attention more than once…

It was weird how she kept popping back into his thoughts; though for whatever reason he didn't really mind. Soren didn't seem to like her, but, well, he was Soren, the kid who didn't like anyone. Still, somehow Ike couldn't help but get the feeling that his dark haired friend had acted slightly…different…towards Rhia than anyone else. Perhaps it had to do with…what was the word? Retaliate? Shipment? Some sort of combination of the two?

"I think the word you're looking for is 'relationship', Ike." The blue haired swordsman spun around at the sound of Soren's voice—he'd completely forgotten that his friend was still here, though that had been mostly because Soren had been seemingly fast asleep. Still, perhaps this was as good of a time to ask as any…

"Why are you so openly opposed to her…er…well…" He couldn't say it. Now that everything had 'clicked' into place, so to speak, it was rather embarrassing to think, much less talk about.

"Because she—or her presence at least—is interfering with your job. We're going to war, correct? This is hardly the opportune time to start a relationship. Plus there's the whole matter of favoritism breeding dissent amongst the ranks…" Soren paused in his lecturing, noticing just how quiet Ike had become. "Ike? Tellius to Ike!"

"Oh…sorry." Soren ground his teeth in frustration before continuing.

"Look, I won't stop you if you try to go through with this. I wouldn't mind this whole…well, romanticism on your part after this war is over. I'm just telling you what I think will work out for the best in the long run. That being said, however…I can't stop you or veto your choice; you're my superior." He watched as Ike nodded slowly, visibly flustered at the emphasis he had placed on 'romanticism'. Still, perhaps this whole awkward matter being out in the open was for the best…

"…We'd both best get some sleep; there's going to be a long march ahead of us tomorrow, and I for one don't want to fall over in the midst of it."

"Soren…?" Ike asked, pausing at the tent flap.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for, well…understanding."

"You're welcome."


Still enjoying writing this, though I've got plans for another FE fic...that may or may not come into fruition. Still, one can always be hopeful, right?

Once again, I won't make any guarantees on a quick release for the next chapter, though, judging from the way things have been going I still wouldn't be surprised if things turned out that way.

As usual thanks for reading,

-ZGS