Chapter 6: Similar, Yet Different

Panne hated the desert. The shifting sands made travel difficult, even in her beast form, and that was something that she just couldn't stand. Doubly so, now that a battle has commenced. Pegasus riders had indeed spotted a Plegian patrol, and now both sides were about ready to duke it out. This only served to make Panne more irritated. Fur was not very good in a desert, and already sweat was starting to get on her nerves. And don't get her started on the fact that she was going barefoot on hot sand...

Still, there was a battle to be fought, and she was not going to let some gripes get in the way of her true martial prowess. She could see enemies on the horizon, and she was ready for them, regardless of the severe heat. She was about ready to roll out, when Richard stepped up beside her, and said, "Do you mind if I were to tag along for a while? I'd rather not journey through the desert alone."

Panne nodded and they continued toward the enemy, running as fast as the sands would allow. Parched, Richard reached to his side and pulled out a waterskin, taking a swig before offering it to Panne. She gladly accepted, taking a large gulp, and handed it back to Richard. She then said, "Why are you joining me? Don't you have other friends in the army who you would rather be with? Or what about those two who you were talking to earlier with Chrom?"

Richard chuckled, "Well, before I could say anything, Sumia carried Chrom away on her pegasus, Gaius hitched a ride with Cordelia, Donnel and Maribelle went off to do something, as did Sully and Stahl. Frederick is of course trailing behind Chrom as close as he possibly can, Virion is attempting to join with Sully and Stahl, but she's snubbing him, Lon'qu is prefers to be alone, Vaike is guarding Miriel closely, Lissa is using Kellam as a human shield, Nowi and Gregor are trying to work together, and Ricken is still trying to prove himself, by himself. So, really, everyone has already occupied themselves with someone else, or just want to be left alone. Besides, I like to think that we are friends, Panne."

Panne didn't say anything, but smiled a little. She had said earlier that she didn't join this army to make friends, but she did enjoy the sentiment that Richard was giving her nonetheless. He was... for lack of a better word, sweet. Naive... but sweet. But still, such thoughts were not appropriate for the current environment, and the battle that was about to start needed her full attention. She saw two silhouettes only a few yards ahead, and was about to transform into her beast-form, when she realized two things.

One, neither of them were in Plegian armor. In fact, one of them wasn't even wearing armor at all. Panne didn't really know what to call it. So, either these two were Plegian soldiers in disguise, or just showed up at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Two, the other person without the armor was a child, and she seemed to be running away from the larger, scruffy looking male.

At this sight, an instinct inside Panne clicked, and she ran full tilt toward the scene. All she could think about was her little brother in that girl's place...

Richard, who also saw what was happening, was having a hell of a time keeping up the taguel warrior. The sands were impeding his progress as much as hers, but his endurance was such that he was able to keep pace with the half-rabbit, half-human.

Eventually, they got to where the girl and the man were, and Panne immediately stepped in front of the girl and said, "If you value your life, you will not harm the child."

The main raised his hands defensively, and spoke in rather mangled Ylissian, "Is fine, is fine. This is all big misunderstanding."

The girl just stood there, confused as to what was going on.

At this point, Richard showed up, almost out of breath, but nonetheless ready to go. But at the sight he saw, he felt like something was a little off. After all, the man didn't even have his sword drawn. So, the Grandmaster stepped into the middle of the small conflict, and said, "Everyone stand down."

Panne glared at Richard, "Stand down? And let this poor girl suffer by this man's hand?"

"I can take care of myself ya'know...", the girl said, pouting.

She was mostly ignored however, and Richard instead focused his attention on Panne and said, "Panne, these are the two who I was talking to earlier. The man is Gregor, and the girl is Nowi. He doesn't mean her any harm."

Panne stood there for a moment, before her face started to flush, and she left her fighting stance. She had gotten careless... she let her own emotions get the best of her... a damn fool mistake to make, especially since she could've seen them only a few minutes prior...

Richard turned to Gregor and said, "How is the fight going?"

The old sellsword smiled and said, "We've yet to encounter enemy. But I'm confident."

At this point, Nowi spoke up, "Umm, just saying, but I think the only reason we haven't gotten to the enemy yet is because you're kind of slowing me down."

If Nowi's comment did hurt Gregor's feelings, he didn't let it show. Instead, he smirked and said, "Well, I'm supposing that you don't like old Gregor as your partner then, yes?"

"I-It's not that!", Nowi said defensively.

Gregor laughed, "Is fine. Gregor shall fight alone. Is not first time Gregor has done so."

Panne then spoke up, "Even if you aren't trying to kill this girl, someone has to protect her. And if you're going to leave her alone, then I'll do it myself."

Gregor smiled warmly, "Do so, by all means. I felt restrained by child, myself. Can't do all violent things I have to."

"I'm not a kid, ya know...", Nowi said to herself, knowing that she would more than likely be ignored. Then, before she could react, Panne grabbed her hand, and lead her away from the battle.

Richard and Gregor now stood alone in the middle of the desert. They didn't really have much to say to each other, so for a moment, it was nothing but awkward silence. But eventually, Richard said, "So... sorry about that. Panne has had a difficult life."

Gregor nodded, "Yes, Gregor could tell. She is taguel, yes?"

Richard nodded.

"Poor girl.", Gregor said, "Gregor has heard of Taguel hunts. Thought that all were dead by now. "

"She's supposedly the last of the living Taguel.", Richard said, "She's been living on her own from a young age. We only recently recruited her to our army, and she has proven to be a valuable asset to us."

Gregor nodded, "Taguel were hailed as warriors long ago. She carries tradition well."

Richard nodded in agreement and said, "You seem to know a lot about them."

Gregor chuckled, "Well, I lived for long time. You pick up on things."

Richard was intrigued by this man. Sure, he had many books on many subjects that could more likely than not lead him to things he would like to know, but to have knowledge from people who actually experienced the world and all its wonders was incredible. So, he said, "If you don't mind, I would like to accompany you in this battle. Would you mind?"

Gregor chuckled heartily and said, "No, I would not. I want to see how you fight."

With that, they both drew their weapons, and went headfirst into the combat.

Meanwhile, Panne was leading Nowi away from the battle, much to the girl's irritation. She didn't complain or fight however. She was just waiting for an opportunity to prove herself to the woman. However, now that they were close to camp, that opportunity looked like it would never come. She sighed. Just her luck...

After a while of walking, Panne decided to start a conversation. However, an awkward air had settled itself around them, so it was with an unsure tone that Panne said, "So... why is it that you're out in the desert anyway?"

"I was just passing through.", Nowi answered curtly.

"...That's all?", Panne asked. There was no big story? She assumed that there would be... maybe the girl just wasn't finished.

"Yep, that's all.", Nowi said.

Honestly, Panne didn't know what to expect from the girl. Some sort of troubled past, maybe, but... that's all? Rather... odd, really. The taguel didn't really have time to think on this however, as just as they were closing in on the camp, a wyvern rider swooped in, axe in hand and an evil grin on his face. With malice dripping from his words, he said, "What's the matter ladies? Scared of a little fight?"

Panne glared and got on all fours, turning her into her beast-form. With a few bounds, she was in kicking range of the rider, and was able to give the wyvern a stiff kick to the face. As she was preparing for another run at it, she noticed large flower petals growing out of the ground beside her. This caught her off guard, and she stared into the petals, unsure as to what was going on. The wyvern rider looked curious as well, but his mount didn't seem to share the sentiment, as the bud seemed to spook it for some unknown reason. But then, they burst, and from the girl's place, appeared a green dragon.

Both Panne and the rider were shocked by this turn of events, and this was just the opening that Nowi wanted to have. She took in all the air she could, and quickly exhaled, creating a fireball of what seemed to be made of a blue, crystalline substance. But whatever it was, it was enough to defeat the rider and his mount, and they both fell to the ground. The dragon performed a somersault mid-air, and landed, before promptly turning back.

Panne transformed back as well, and in her normal form, her face wore an expression of shock. She could honestly and wholeheartedly say that she was not expecting that the seemingly young girl would turn into a dragon of all things.

Nowi took note of Panne's expression, grinned, and said, "Guess you weren't expecting me to be a manakete, huh?"

Panne shook her head. She honestly had no idea what that meant, but... the implications of this were staggering. There were many taguel species, but she had no idea where they were after her own people were killed. But this... was there a possibility that she found another taguel? She had never heard of them transforming into dragons before, but the world was a vast place, surely it wasn't unheard of. But what did the girl call herself? A manakete? Was that was the species called themselves? Odd, but she had also heard that other taguel species called themselves laguz, or some such thing. So, was it just another name for the same thing?

A million questions raced through her mind at once, and it was hard for her to keep her mind on task. It took Nowi to wave her hand in front of the taguel's face for Panne to take notice. When she did, Nowi said, "Whew, that's a relief... I thought you went crazy or something..."

Panne cleared her throat awkwardly and said, "Well then... I suppose that you can take care of yourself after all. My apologies. It's just that you look so young..."

Nowi sighed, "Yeah, I get that a lot. I tell you if I really did look my age, it would be a whole other story."

"What is your age then?", Panne asked, curious.

"Over one thousand.", Nowi said, "I stopped counting after that."

Panne looked wide-eyed. A thousand? That sounded... rather far fetched really... could it be the game of a child? But then again, she was no ordinary child... Panne couldn't help but feel confused at the whole thing. Just what in the hell was with this girl? All she could do was sigh and say, "I'm not sure I believe that... but I see that you are capable in a fight. Do you wish to help me fight the Plegians?"

"Sure!", Nowi said, "They'll never know what hit 'em!"

With that, she ran off in the opposite direction of the camp, and toward the fray, without Panne even following. Panne shook her head at the girl's eagerness, and followed close behind in an attempt to keep up.

After the Battle Concludes...

Once again, Ylisse stood victorious. Yet there was no time for celebration, or even to rest. As soon as the Plegian forces departed, the Ylissians started to march forward toward Plegia's capitol once more, and attempt to save the Exalt from a fate that would surely be worse than death itself. In the dead of night, with only a days journey left to the capitol, Panne walked forward, too tired to even transform into her beast-form. A ways away was Nowi, who was actually rather energetic for someone who had just fought in a large scale battle, much to most everyone's annoyance. A few feet ahead of her, Richard and Gregor were talking loudly about many subjects. Ever since the battle had ended, they had become fast friends, and told stories and other such things to each other.

This left Panne with... well, absolutely nothing. The closest person she was with in the entire army was Richard, but his time was being spent elsewhere, and she didn't want to bother him right now. There was also Sumia, but the poor girl would probably trip over herself as soon as she saw the taguel. Panne sighed. Her head was starting to get a little heavy, and it was hard to keep awake. The shifting sands of the desert weren't exactly helping matters either. She yawned out, and slumped her shoulders a bit... she didn't want to admit it (and for that matter, neither did the rest of the army), but she was prepared to just fall down and go to sleep, but she still pushed on, for the sake of the Exalt.

Meanwhile, Richard's conversation with Gregor tapered off a little as he noticed Panne out of the corner of his eye, her eyes drooping, and her shoulders slumped. After thinking it over for a moment, he decided on a course of action. Excusing himself away from Gregor for a moment, Richard had his horse trot closer toward the taguel woman, and when he got within earshot, he said, "Panne? Are you okay?"

Panne nodded, "Yes, of course I am... just a little tired is all. Nothing that won't pass..."

"You're sure?", Richard asked again, "If you want, you can rest on my horse for a while. I'll guide him while you sleep."

Her? Ride a beast of burden? Normally, she would take such a thing as an insult. After all, the taguel never had the need for mounts, as more often than not, they were their own transportation. But then again... she was tired, and sleep sounded very good right now... she sighed, "Very well... but I never rode a horse before."

"It's alright, I haven't either until a few months ago.", Richard said jokingly as he stepped off the horse, and helped Panne on. Speaking of her, as she sat on the saddle, she couldn't help but feel... odd, about the whole situation. Such things were unknown to her. Why would he give up her horse for him? Pity? Or was it out of genuine kindness? She couldn't tell, but she also didn't really care. Horseback doesn't make for the best bed, but for Panne, it might as well had been the best by the way she acted, going right off to sleep.

Richard grinned to himself and led his horse back over to Gregor, and he had to keep wide steps if he was to keep up with his new found friend. When he reached him, Richard said, "Sorry about that. I didn't want her to fall over or something. She looked bushed."

Gregor chuckled and said, "Gregor is understanding. She seem to be having good rest now."

Richard nodded, "Indeed... I was worried that she would be too prideful to say yes."

Gregor nodded, "Taguel were proud people. Was not their way to accept help, if they could."

"I wouldn't know.", Richard said, "I was unaware that such a people even existed until I first saw her, due to the amnesia."

"Trust Gregor,", the mercenary said, "She is prime example of true Taguel warrior. May not have proper training, but still strong and unbending."

Richard looked over to Panne's sleeping form. She seemed peaceful, and he could've sworn that he saw a smile cross her face. Gregor noticed him looking at her and said, "Gregor is thinking that you have feelings for her?"

Richard snapped his head back at Gregor, and when he realized what the mercenary meant, blushed and lowered his eyes, "We're friends, Gregor. I don't have feelings like that for her."

Gregor laughed, "What is it you expect to hear when making eyes at girl? That you are good friends?"

Richard was silent, blush still on his face. Gregor was just trying to fluster him a little, in an attempt at humor. Yet still... there might have been a grain of truth to the words... after all, of all the people in the army that he had made friends with, she was the one that he gravitated toward the most...

This was a thought that he had to turn over in his head for a while... and he at least had the time to think...

Sorry about the wait guys! Thanks for being so patient!