Dawn of Destiny

Authors note: Dang, 3 chapters written in 3 days? Talk about a resurgence of writing and good ideas. It also fits into my time schedule which is very good and I'm on a roll anyways in terms of writing so might as well keep up the pace. Please; sit back and relax now and enjoy reading chapter 7 at your leisure.


Chapter 7: Hide and Stowaway

(James POV)

All the Greil mercenaries were gathered in the mess hall with the obvious exception of Volke who never showed up. The mood was lively and happy with the exception of Mist. She was poking around her food and not eating much. Noticing this I decided to ask her what the problem was.

"What's wrong Mist? Is everything ok?"

"Well its Volke" Mist explained "He never shows up to eat with us and I'm worried that he's starving somewhere on the ship."

"Mist I'm sure he's fine" said Ike. "Volke is just mysterious and I'm sure he gets his own food."

"I know Ike, it's just that well I want everyone to eat together so I know we're all getting food, but I admit I've been looking for him with plates of food but I can never find him."

"It's true I've seen her do it", commented Boyd always wanting to but in on any conversation.

"Pah don't worry about it" chimed in Lethe (whoa she's eating and talkind with us too?) "He's a skillful Beorc and I'm sure he's fine."

"Well either way I would like to ask him to eat with us so I know he's fine."

"Alright Mist I'll go find him and ask him" Ike promised.

"I'll go with you Ike; you'll probably need help finding him on the ship." I said.

It'll give me a good chance to see how stealthy I really am if I can find someone like Volke.

Even though I was considered a myrmidon technically I walked very quietly and could sneak up on just about anyone if I tried so I figured I would have a real test trying to find Volke.

"Ok thanks for your help James."

"No biggie Ike, I just want to help that's all."

"Thank you brother, thank you James, please find him."

Mist was literally begging now and I really can't refuse that. After dinner me and Ike started the search for Volke. We started on the deck and decided to work our way down into the interior of the vessel. We searched for a couple hours and well we couldn't find him.

Wow he's good at hiding when he doesn't want to be found yet give him gold for a job and he's there.

"That's it!" I startled Ike with my revelation.

"What's "it" James; and this better be good because you scared the crap out of me."

"It is now here's the plan."

I whispered my idea to Ike and he agreed and so we put my plan to action.

"Well Ike too bad you still have that problem that needs taken care of" I said in a slightly louder than normal voice. "If only there was someone who could who would take care of it in exchange for some gold."

"And how much gold would that be" said Volke startling us by the fact he was here with us and came out of the shadows where he'd been hiding.

Wow, I never even saw him there; this guy is obviously good.

"Well Volke" explained Ike. "You don't eat with us and Mist is worried to the point that she keeps looking for you with a plate of food."

"I don't like large groups so that would be 100 gold per meal."

"What? That's outrageous; I mean that's more than what you charge to pick a lock." Ike was almost at a loss for words by Volke's price.

"As I said I detest large groups so 100 gold or I will continue to get my own food."

"What should we tell Mist, James?"

"I don't know just tell her he's dead?"

I really wasn't suggesting that literally but Ike seemed to like that idea. So we hunted down Mist and told her that he was dead. Ike then left as Soren needed him for some commander things or what-not which left me with Mist.

"We were kidding by the way Mist; it's just he charged us 100 gold per meal and we really can't afford him eating with us really."

"Oh well at least you and Ike tried James that's all that matters."

Mist was a little more cheerful now knowing we had tried.

"Oh James would you like to play Hide and Stowaway with me and Rolf later?"

"Hide and Stowaway?"

"Yeah Rolf thought it up it's like Hide and Seek but since we're on a boat we changed it to Hide and Stowaway."

Why not I used to rock at that game when I played with my sister.

The thought back to my sister brought back a pang and ache of sorrow for losing her with the rest of my family. Regardless though I agreed to play. So later me, Mist, and Rolf met up and started our game. I agreed to be the seeker while Mist and Rolf were the "Stowaways". I started counting and they took off to go hide.

"98…99…100…ready or not here I come."

I decided to look for them first near the supplies since that was the best place to hide and so I set off for the supply room. I got there and it was pitch dark inside so I reverted to stealth mode. I only breathed through my nose and walked without sound. I took about steps in and then waited patiently.

If I just relax and focus then if one of them is in here then I'll hear them eventually.

Sure enough after a couple minutes I detected a very soft creak in a floorboard as someone was in here. I slowly ventured in following the sound of the creak. It was still pitch dark but I could just faintly make out a silhouette a few feet from where I was. They didn't seem to know I was there so I just decided to surprise them. I launched myself at them and screamed "Gotcha" as I tackled them to the ground. However the person kicked me in the chest got up and ran.

Ow is that part of the game too? Then they opened the door and I could see them in the light. They had short green hair like Rolf but it was a different shade and this kid wasn't Rolf!

Nice an actual stowaway; well now to test my speed.

I got up and chased after them. Eventually we got to the mess hall and Nasir was there.

"Nasir! We got a stowaway; get him."

Nasir now saw the boy and joined me in the pursuit. The kid fled to the deck now and as we got up there we could see he was headed for Ike.

"Ike get the stowaway!" Nasir shouted.

The kid saw Ike then and tried to dodge but he wasn't quick enough and Ike got a hold of him and stopped him.

"Ok kid how'd you get on the ship?" Ike demanded.

The kid stayed quiet though and Ike decided he didn't want to play around. He reached over and grabbed the kid by the ear and said again.

"How'd you get on the ship?"

"Owwww!"

The kid was in obvious pain right now and couldn't tell him at the moment.

"Ike don't be so rough on him." Scolded Nasir.

"I have no time to play around with this urchin now talk kid."

Ike let go and the kid started rubbing his ear.

"Ow you didn't have to be so rough, geez."

"How'd you get on the ship kid?"

I've noticed Ike is not very patient with people and his patience was obviously wearing thin.

"I'm a thief but I didn't come to steal anything."

Ike just looked at the kid all serious-like and stone-faced.

"Don't look at me like that."

The kid was unnerved by Ike's seriousness.

"Don't worry about Ike he always looks like that; please continue."

Nasir was trying to keep this short for Ike's sake.

"Well I was following someone and the trail ran cold in Port Toha and I didn't know where else to go so I stowed away on the ship hoping to find her."

"Is she family?" asked Ike.

"Yeah; we're not related by blood or anything but we're definitely family."

"Hmmm what should we do with him?" Ike wasn't sure how to continue so I picked up the slack.

"You said you're a thief right? Can you open locks and treasure chests."

"Of course I can" said the kid.

"What's your name?"

"It's Sothe."

Looking at Ike I figured this kid could help us.

"Well Ike, I think we could use Sothe until he finds the person he's looking for after all we could use more than one lock pick, a backup would be nice."

"Good point James; alright Nasir the Greil Mercenaries will look after him."

"You mean it?"

Sothe was happy we weren't throwing him to the sharks or anything.

"Yes but you better be prepared to work."

"I can do that, thank you." Said Sothe.

Mist and Rolf then showed up.

"James you fink you never tried to find us at all?" Mist was slightly peeved with me at the moment.

Whoops my bad.

"Sorry Mist, I ran into this kid and we were just figuring out what if he was staying or not."

"Oh ok, I guess you had work then."

"No it's ok I'll play again though and this time I'll really find you."

"Ok! Come on Rolf lets go hide again."

I started counting only to be interrupted by Sothe.

"Hey are you guys playing Hide and Seek?"

"Yeah we are; you want in?"

"Um..Sure" and with that Sothe took off hiding and the rest of the day, Mist, Rolf, Sothe and I had fun playing Hide and Stowaway.


Authors note: Another short chapter but I did have to put meeting Sothe into the story. Anyways I'm going to take a couple days off of writing otherwise I'll get writers block soon and then really be in trouble and a few days won't hurt. Also next chapter will go back to the main plot and the next chapter will not be from James point of view so…

James: Wait what? I'm the main character of course it should be from my point of view.

Cazcappy: Nope sorry I need other perspectives to keep the story going and besides you've had enough limelight for now.

James: this is crap I won't stand for this.

Cazcappy: Hey don't talk back, I mean who let you be kissed by Mia and such hmmm?

James: she would have anyways besides that was a fluke and it won't happen again.

(Mia runs in kisses James on the cheek and runs off.)

Mia: You owe me Cazcappy!

Cazcappy: ok me here's your $5.

(James while blushing like crazy): What! You bribed her to do that.

Cazcappy: no the story kiss was legit I just bribed her for that last one, and besides I'm not giving you all the girls anyways.

James: Why not I deserve them all…give me one good reason.

Cazcappy: Meg from Radiant Dawn.

James: EW! Ok you win…I'll be nice now. (Leaves)

Cazcappy: Well this was different but anyways until next time read and review because you keep me ticking readers!