"Sometimes there are more important things than duty."

Tana's words rang in Seth's head even as he slept. He KNEW of course that some things were more important than duty to SOME people. After all, he had heard of knights leaving the guard to be with their families, there was nothing wrong with that. He had never begrudged those men (except Orson) and often thought it was the best course for them, (again, except for Orson). But...it had never occurred to him that he, General Seth, The Silver Knight of Renais, might be entitled to that same thing. This is different. Dream-Seth chided himself, even as he pulled Dream-Eirika into his arms, Eirika has a duty to Renais as well...its not like I'm the only one keeping this from happening. Even in his dreams, he found no recourse from this trouble.


Dawn broke. The sun stretched sleepily over the mountain, like an unwilling child. And speaking of things behaving rather like unwilling children, Ephraim awoke, rubbed his eyes, dressed himself and stumbled towards the kitchen for some breakfast. Joshua, Innes and Cormag were sitting at a small table, eating quietly. Forde was dozing off in a chair nearby while Franz tried to throw things into his brother's snoring mouth.
"Geez, I think he's set a new record." Said the young knight to Kyle, who was sitting nearby quietly eating. "He got in here about 2 minutes ago and is already passed out." Ephraim let out a long, undignified yawn,
"Mornin' everyone." He blinked and stretched before looking at the stunned servants and all of his friends.
"Morning." Joshua said, pushing a plate towards the blue-haired King, "You sleep alright."
"Like a rock." the young kings and knights talked amongst themselves for a while. Though, eventually, Ephraim got antsy and itching to leave.

"Where are Seth and Eirika?" He asked, looking over at Innes. As if on cue, the Princess walked into the room. Her soft hair was tied back with a white ribbon, she wore a light yellow tunic, leather riding boots and pants, on her left hip was the rapier Seth had given her before the War of the Stones.
"Is everything alright?" She asked, looked confused at the number of dropped jaws. Innes grinned, a sudden change from his normal surly appearance.
"You look lovely." He said, Erika curtsied slightly, and then (rather pointedly) turned her attention away from her fiance.
"Is General Seth not awake yet?" She looked at Ephraim,
"No, do you mind Erika?"
"Not at all." The Princess bowed and left the room. It was at this convenient moment that Franz managed to hit Forde squarely in the eye with a grape.
"WHAT HAPPENED!" The Captain jumped from his chair, sword drawn. Franz and Kyle started laughing. Ephraim suppressed a giggle (and instantly wanted a medal for it) Joshua gave out a hearty laugh and Innes looked bored.


Erika made her way to Seth's room. The door was unlocked and slightly ajar. A mischievous smile on her lips, she pushed open the door silently. The general was on his back, sound asleep in his trousers, the blankets messily tossed off of him. Silent as a field mouse, Erika set down her rapier, shut the door and padded over to the bed. She looked at the sleeping knight's features and felt herself ache with longing for him.
I really shouldn't... she told her self as she bent towards him. Seth rolled over slightly, a single word escaped his lips.
"Eirika..."
"Yes Seth?" She whispered, sitting lightly on his bed, her heart fluttering like a bird.
"I love you." the sleeping man said, Eirika felt herself blush as tears rushed to her eyes.
"I...I love you too." She said, pressing her lips gently to his, "I always have."

Seth awoke to the sensation of soft lips on his own and opened his eyes as the kiss ended.
"P-Princess!" He said, turning bright red and sitting up sharply.
"I love you." She replied simply. Without thinking, Seth pulled her to him, a sharp kiss. He kissed her as her had always wanted to, pushing her gently onto the bed, holding her in his embrace. Eirika went with it, she lay beside him, warm in a kiss, a hug, Seth's bare chest against her. All their longing rushed out of them like a bursting dam. There was no restraint left for those precious few moments.

After a moment they stopped, looked at each other and turned away.
"We can't do this." He said softly,
"I know."
"You are to marry Innes..."
"I know" she batted tears from her eyes.
"I'm just a knight." At this Erika turned to face him, she put a hand on his face, brushed red hair from his eyes and said simply.
"No Seth, you're the man I love."
"Eirika..." he crushed her too him. "If only."

"Hey! Guys! We're leaving soon!" Franz's excited voice broke the spell. Seth stood, very much the proper General and donned his tunic.
"We must hurry Highness, we can't keep his majesty waiting." Eirika let out a sigh and then a sly smile appeared on her ruby lips.
"No, no we can't." she replied, walking up behind him and reaching up, tightening her fist in his hair and standing on her tip-toes to place a light kiss on the nape of his neck, sending shivers down his spine. She disappeared down the hallway. Seth shuddered for a moment and shook off his shock. He grabbed the necklaces and chased after her.