Chapter 7: Opportunity Awaits
The next day, after cleaning up from the celebration, the army begins their march to retake Renais Castle, which has been seized by the remnants of Grado. The mass of moving bodies marches in a mostly unified matter, with the exception of a few people off in their own little groups. One of these groups includes Saleh and Myrrh; they haven't spoken in months, and since her return, it's nice to finally be able to have a conversation.
Myrrh relates her experiences in Ephraim's army; about how she was captured and nearly sold to Grado, all the way up to this morning, the night after the celebration.
"Great Dragon... I'm sorry that we got separated. I could have prevented this..." Saleh shakes his head in disgust. "It won't happen again. I will stay by your side..."
"Saleh... I appreciate all you've done for me, but ever since this morning, you've had a far-off look in your eyes." Saleh averts his gaze, causing Myrrh to give him a questioning look. "You're always concerned for me... but you never seem to be thinking about your best interests."
"What... are you implying?"
"I'm just saying that you're acting... differently today. You seem... conflicted about something."
Saleh doesn't respond. He seems hesitant to give an answer, and so the two of them walk in silence until someone from the front calls for a halt. Thankful for the rest, they sit by themselves on a log to relax their tired legs.
"Forgive me... you are correct; I am conflicted. I vowed to be your protector and escort when the honour was granted to me, and when I made that vow, I firmly held the belief that the duty would give my life meaning. And it has... but since yesterday, something's changed."
Myrrh studies Saleh's face, and then the realization sets in. "Yesterday... you were dancing with Ephraim's sister, Eirika. Does it involve her?"
Saleh nods. "Yes, it does. She is courageous, compassionate... and full of beauty. However, I felt like yesterday was the first day I really noticed, even though I've been helping the army for a long time."
Saleh glances up ahead to the front of the group, and he notices Ephraim pointing at someone behind him while showing Eirika a very tiny box of sorts. After examining the contents inside, she gives him a hug, and Saleh forms a smile. "You know, she reminds me of Nada Kuya, or at least what's known about her; her demeanor, her personality... even her appearance."
Squinting her eyes to get a better look, Myrrh examines the two of them in the distance. "I think you're right. You showed me that book with the sketch of her."
They remain silent for a moment.
"Saleh... are you worried that you can't fulfill your vow?" Saleh turns around again to meet Myrrh's gaze, honestly thinking about the question. "You're starting to like her... and so you feel like you're betraying me?"
"...something like that. I have never been unhappy fulfilling my obligations. I just feel like something's missing for the first time. And..."
He hesitates, so Myrrh urges him to go on. "Myrrh, I completely forgot about you yesterday once I started talking to Eirika. Something could have happened to you, and I..."
Myrrh holds up her hand, silencing him. "Saleh... I asked you once if you ever do anything you want to do. You said that... protecting me is all you need." She gives him a heartwarming smile. "I... don't want you to be unhappy, Saleh. I'm relieving you... of your duty."
Saleh's eyes widen in surprise. Being a reserved person, he doesn't get surprised by much... but this is definitely not what he was expecting!
"But... Lady Myrrh, what about you? Won't you be... alone?"
"Saleh, do not worry... I will be fine. I've always been alone, and I can continue being alone... unless..."
A voice from the front cuts her off, sounding the call to resume their march. Getting back up onto their feet, the army begins to move once more. Before Saleh can ask Myrrh what she is getting at, she points in Eirika's direction, lightly persuading Saleh to go talk to her, and so he merely nods in response before he begins walking away.
"Lady Myrrh... once again, please forgive me." He closes his eyes and sighs. "I am truly sorry that this has happened..."
Myrrh shakes her head at the statement, and Saleh keeps going until the crowd blocks him from her line of vision. When she can no longer see him, she whispers to herself, "Please, Saleh, do not worry about me..."
When Saleh is sure that Myrrh can't see him anymore, instead of going to talk to Eirika, he decides to hang back for a while and observe her. He doesn't get to see much, however, before Gerik intercepts him and pulls him aside from everyone else.
"Saleh, I just heard the news from Myrrh. You don't have to watch over her anymore! You can do as you please!" He gives Saleh a big smirk. "Now's your opportunity!"
"You're making it sound like I did everything in my power to try and get out of my duty. I truly had no intention for that to happen." He looks back in Eirika's direction again. "Although... it is true, now, that I can possibly pursue this relationship now, but..."
"There you go! That's what I like to see! Come on, let's go right now! Ephraim's just leaving, so Eirika's just by herself."
"Wait, this can't be rushed..."
As the two of them argue, Prince Innes appears out of nowhere, starting a conversation with Eirika, and within a minute, Saleh and Gerik notice the two of them talking. "You know, Saleh, I have nothing against Innes; we saved each other's lives... but he's a horrible choice for Eirika. He's too brash. You're going to have to take it up a notch if you want a chance, though."
A huge grin crawls onto his face. "You have to kiss her."
Now despite Gerik's hopeful intentions, Saleh doesn't seem nearly as excited as Gerik thinks he should be. In fact, his expression doesn't change a bit, much to Gerik's dismay.
"I just said things like this can't be rushed. Emotions must be felt, not forced," Saleh responds, holding up his finger for emphasis. "That is truly the course of wisdom."
"Right. And while you walk the path of wisdom, Eirika will be walking down the aisle." Gerik's face grows concerned, and he motions Saleh closer to him. "I'm telling you Saleh; if you're not careful, this entire ordeal will be for naught. I seriously doubt that Eirika is going to wait for you. It's already happened with Seth, and now you have the disadvantage of competition!"
Gerik begins to impatiently pace around Saleh. "Seth never acted on his feelings, and so Eirika couldn't accept that. The same will happen to you if you don't do something soon."
Absorbing Gerik's words, Saleh gives earnest consideration to Gerik's suggestions and warnings. But before he can come up with a conclusion, a nagging thought crosses his mind. "Gerik... why are you so concerned with helping me? I have done absolutely nothing to deserve your kindness..."
Gerik smiles at the question. "Saleh, we're friends. If I can't help out my friends, what kind of person does that make me?" Saleh trips on a rock and falls onto the ground, and so Gerik offers his hand to help him up, seemingly proving his point. "And besides, you've helped me in more ways than I can count."
Saleh gives Gerik a look of disbelief as he dusts himself off. "How so?"
"It doesn't matter, but you have. Come on, let's prepare ourselves," Gerik replies, as he scans the area around him. "Enemies may be nearby around here. I heard some discussions about this area..."
A couple of nights later, Saleh decides to look for Eirika, and he finds her a little ways away from camp sitting on a hill, staring out towards Renais Castle. He walks up to her, and she turns to face him.
"Oh, hello Saleh," she says, giving him a warm smile. "What brings you over here?"
"Well, I noticed you weren't at camp... so I wondered where you would be." He sits down beside her. "That's your home, isn't it?"
"Yes..." she says, turning to face the castle again. "My home... I can't believe it's been taken over. We'll be there tomorrow. I wonder if I can keep myself composed, remembering all of the horrible things that have happened there..."
"Well... if you need someone to talk to, I'll be here. It pains everybody to see you so sad. I... want to help you feel better."
"Thank you..." She meets his gaze again. "Saleh, you always know the right thing to say to me when I'm down. I really appreciate that."
Saleh lies down on the ground and looks up. "You're welcome... if you need something else to calm you down right now, just remember what I do whenever I need to clear my head."
Recalling Saleh's advice from Caer Pelyn, she joins him on the ground and watches the night sky, curling up beside him. As she sighs in relief, they lay in silence for a while, simply taking in the atmosphere.
"You know, Eirika... the way you described Renais back in Caer Pelyn... it is exactly as you said it would be."
Author's Notes
One thing I'm never too sure about are travel times. Would it really take only three or four days to get from Jehanna Hall to Renais? For the sake of my stories, I'm always guessing on the shorter side, but there really isn't much indication on whether it's actually accurate or not. It could be weeks and I don't know it.
Sometimes I wonder what one of my stories would be like if an experienced author rewrote it; same story and concept and plot, but just higher quality. Would it be a huge difference? I'd like to see that one day.
It's true that certain things can't be rushed, like relationships. The same goes for going to the bathroom. If you rush your poop, your entire bathroom experience is ruined. Plan your day accordingly so that you don't have to rush!