Not the longest chapter...Sorry...not the best chapter...sorry...but it is slightly informative and there's a referance to Ephraim and L'Arachel's support... also,sorry to keep you waiting,but I wasn't inspired to write this chapter...be happy I didn't skip Joshua's part 2,like I wanted to...
Joshua's route part 2
Recruiting Saleh
"Saleh…can we talk to you?" Joshua said when he,Saleh,Cormag and Ewan were all in one room.
"If this is about me teaching Ewan the facts of life…he came to me, I didn't want to, but he made me!" Saleh said nervously.
"No…this is about Ephraim and his sister…and his wife." Joshua said.
"You know…I never really realized it, but Ephraim's got a lot of women in his life…He's got his sister,L'Arachel,Tana…" Cormag started.
"Cormag, focus!" Joshua said loudly," Ephraim and them sent an assassin to…well, assassinate Marisa and I…and we want to know what's going on. That's why we are here."
"So, you want me to help you negotiate with Renais' leaders?"
"Violently…but, yes."
"I don't believe Eirika and her brother would do that."
"Believe it…its true…unfortunately."
"Fine…I'll go with you, but only to show you that what you think is happening isn't what's happening."
"Believe what you want…I'm sure we'll all miss you when you let your guard down for Eirika and then Ephraim stabs you."
Saleh looked down, his face slightly red from hearing Eirika's name. Saleh's reaction to her name confused Ewan.
--
Ewan's magic
The eight members of the group were in a field by Caer Pelyn,relaxing,and training. The mercenaries were all sparring with Joshua(4 to 1…not really fair for the mercenaries…). They were all trying to disarm him and pin him to the ground, but it was like the blade was glued to his hand,or,more appropriately, froze to his hand.
Cormag and Ewan were relaxing in the grass…until Saleh came along and ruined the silent fun by suggesting Ewan practice his magic.
"Ewan…you need to practice your magic. We both do, if we're gonna take down Ephraim. Cormag, you be Ephraim, and we'll hurt you with books."
"Why do I always have to be Ephraim? Every time I imitate Ephraim, I feel dirty."
"Wait…"muddy dirty"? Or dirty like-"
"Ewan, focus! Now, cast your strongest spell on dirtyman over there."
Ewan pulled out a green book and cast its spell. A whirlwind of green blades surrounded Cormag and cut through him, leaving several green scratches of varying sizes all over his body. Cormag fell to the ground and Saleh rushed over to and healed him.
"Now, remember…the battle might be easier than that. Ephraim is likely to get his cape caught on something because he is a clumsy cad, unlike me." Cormag said proudly to the red-haired sage.
"How is he a cad?" Saleh asked.
"He stripped in front of L'Arachel…or, at least, that's the way she described it."
"In Ephraim's defense…L'Arachel is crazy…and she told him to show her his scars…"
"What, did you spy on them?"
"I saw the blue hair, cape and the slim body and I thought it was Eirika talking to L'Arachel…So…I walked closer…only close enough for me to hear them, but they wouldn't be able to see me."
"Ooh…Eirika…"
"Shut up."
"I don't get it." Ewan said, butting in(I don't get it is becoming his catch phrase…).
"Your teacher's got a crush on Renais' little princess…I just realized how awkward that would make the fight…Sucks to be you, Saleh." Cormag said.
"It is gonna be really awkward." Joshua said, walking away from an effortless battle with mercenaries(who were now lying in a pile…they were very tired from their battle),"If it makes you feel any better about fighting Eirika…I hear she's engaged to Innes…sorry…kind of."
"Where'd you hear that?" Saleh asked, not believing a word of what Joshua said.
"There's a surprisingly large amount of gossip goin' around here in this secluded mountain village…isn't that weird?"
Saleh didn't say a thing…instead, he just walked back to his mountain house and slammed his door.
Saleh may have been out of character...i'm blaming Eirika...she makes Saleh go crazy...next chapter...the confrontations
