Chapter 9

"Stop walking on the railing your going to fall into that creek. You can't swim."

"Don't be a wet blanket Sarah. It's not even that deep."

"It's been raining for about three days now. Most sixth graders aren't taller than that creek is deep on a dry day. Not to mention you're a little on the short side."

"You can't swim either!"

"You're the one walking on the railing."

"Well you can just- AHHH!"

"Fonzie!"

I hit the water and was my first response was to open my mouth to scream for help. Choking on water I was dragged away by the current. It wasn't the strongest current, but not knowing the first thing about swimming was by no means beneficial. I quickly blacked out.

"Is ... o..."

What is going on?

"C... n …. stay... me."

My eyes shot open as I threw up the water I had swallowed along with most of my lunch. Thankfully, I missed the people around me. As I finished and my eyes adjusted to the light. I took stock of my surroundings. I saw Sarah who looked like she had bawled her eyes out. Next to me was another girl about my age I think. She was fair skinned with brown hair and the prettiest blue eyes I had seen on a person. She gave me a small smile and I felt the heat rush up to my face.

Say something don't just stare at her like a weirdo.

"Umm... I think you saved my life. So umm... Thank You."

Smooth kid real smooth.

"You're welcome. You should be more careful. Especially if you don't know how to swim."

"Yeah I will next time. Sarah I shouldn't have walked on that rail. I'm sorry to worry you."

"Just don't do it again you moron. I thought you were a goner."

I turned to look at the girl.

"I don't think I've asked your name. I'm Alfonso."

With another one of those smiles she replied:

"I'm Alma it's a pleasure to meet you."

-o-o-

I opened my eyes and slowly sat up, waiting for my head to stop throbbing. As it subsided, I took stock of my surroundings I was still in my room. It was empty, but I could hear voices outside. Too groggy to make anything out, I sat there, replaying last night's events in my head. I was too distracted to notice the door open and a cleric walk in.

"How are you feeling?"

"... Oh, sorry. Pretty good actually."

"You gave everyone quite a scare last night. A pair of guards found you after hearing the commotion. Luckily, you were unharmed, except for a bruise on your arm."

As he said that, Chrom and Pyrrha walked into the room. The cleric saw them and after a brief word with the duo, left the room.

"The healer tells me you're fine, but how do you feel?"

"Feeling pretty good Boss. I'm ready to get out of here."

"What happened last night Alfonso?"

"I had a wild party, didn't you see everyone else?"

Fonzie... shut your mouth for once you stupid prick.

"We saw signs of a struggle in your room. A blanket partially cut by some sort of blade and a desk knocked over near where some guards found you. Do you recall your assailant?"

Crap if I say it was Marth, that could affect their trust in her. I shouldn't lie but, I can't let their perception of her change.

"Marth had a few questions for me."

"Marth?"

"Yeah she wanted to know how I knew the leader of the assassins that came after Her Grace last night."

"You know him?"

"Just his appearance, I was offered some work a few months before I joined you guys. It had a big payoff, but the guy seemed pretty sketchy, so I turned him down."

Well I hope that clears Marth. She's a helluva lot more important to this place than me.

"That doesn't explain the blanket or why you were unconscious."

"It had to do with my memories Pyrrha. She reminded me of someone, and I blacked out from the headache."

"And your sheets?"

"I freaked out. She came through the window and I used what I had on hand. I need to get out of here. You mind if we continue this outside? I could use the air. My head's still foggy."

"That's all we wanted to know Fonzie."

"Okay, so whats the plan? I overhead something about moving out."

I hope they buy that.

"We are moving Emm to the Eastern Palace, it's not safe here. Forgive me, but I need to meet with some of the generals."

With that Chrom left the room leaving me with the tactician.

"Fonzie, you said Marth reminded you of someone. Who?"

"Her name is Alma. Or was. I don't know. But her voice is what I heard in my other dreams. So I think she is or was the owner of this other ring. I guess I have a fiance. Or is it had? Hell, I still don't know enough. It's all still so fragmented. So what about yourself?"

"Me? Well nothing really..."

"If you don't want to talk about it that's fine."

"No, we made a promise didn't we? I've only had one dream. I don't think it's about my past. Chrom and I are fighting that man from last night. We beat him but I was injured. As Chrom helps my up, my vision clouds and before I know it I put a bolt of lighting through his chest. That man is laughing. The worst part is that Chrom doesn't even look betrayed. He tells me it's not my fault and that I should run. That I should survive. I had it before I met Chrom for the first time, and I have it sporadically. Last night was the latest."

"It's just a dream right? Even if it isn't, no one's fate is set in stone. An old man I met said this in between tankards: Each day contains a thousand chances to change your destiny. Choose a path, choose an ally, choose an enemy; each choice affects all that we do and all that must be done next."

"You get your advice from interesting places."

"Well mercenary life doesn't give a lot of time to read. You know before this I had never actually killed anyone. Mostly dealt in small time escorts. All of them quiet jobs."

"You are the strangest mercenary I have ever met."

"An amnesiac tactician with the most brilliant tactics seen in this age? Not exactly an everyday thing either wouldn't you say?"

Raising her hands in mock surrender she replied: "Okay you win, we're a couple of weirdos."

"Darn straight. Anyways, I need to get out of here. I could use the air."

"Alright, I need to see to some last minute preparations. See you around"

With that she left the room. I got dressed, readied my gear and then headed outside. It was still early, the sun barely over the horizon. Most of the Shepherd's were lazing about, waiting for the order that would get us underway. I headed to the practice area hoping to find Lon'qu around. I found him, training as diligently as ever.

"Hey Lon'qu you got time to give me some lessons?"

"Yes."

As eloquent as always.

"Use this instead of your staff."

He handed me another sword. It felt strange. Too heavy for me to be comfortable with. Not only that but it felt wrong, like it didn't fit in my hand.

"Are you ready?"

"Yea."

He came at me I tried to block with my left, but I was slow, unsure of this new weight in my hand. It was over quickly, his sword at my throat.

"Again."

-o-o-

After getting wiped across the training grounds, I cleaned up and joined the rest of the Shepherd's as we moved out. It was an uneventful march. I was almost envious of the Pegasus Knights as they flew above us, seemingly oblivious to the world below. The other Shepherd's were engaged in lively conversation, almost as if we were on a pleasant stroll. Ylisse was a pretty country, rolling hills with fields of grain and other crops as far I could see. It almost felt like I was back home.

Home. I wonder if they know I'm missing. Hope not, they'd just worry. Actually, will I ever get back home? Focus kid, you need to stay alive first. Worrying about that comes later.

We finally found a spot to stop for the night. Tomorrow we were supposed to meet the old guy who betrays us. They mentioned his name, but I think I spaced out, trying to put things together. I didn't get any farther, there were too many unknowns. I had gotten some concerned looks during the march. Mostly due to tripping more than Sumia. I was elsewhere, lost in my thoughts. After pitching my tent and with no particular destination in mind I began to walk around the camp.

"Heya Fonzie!"

"Hi Vaike."

"Listen close. Ol' Teach noticed you actin all weird and stuff, so I'm gonna cut you in on something you're gonna like."

This sounds kinda sketch.

"Really? What might that be Vaike?

"One of the gals found a spring nearby, and a buncha them are going. If your interested, Teach knows a place with a view. Whacha say Fonzie?"

"Well I appreciate the offer, but definitely gonna pass."

"C'mon Fonzie ya don't know whacha missing."

"Even so, I'm not really feeling it."

And I never will...

"Well Ol'Teach tried."

With that Vaike was off to leer. With luck, Sully's horse would find him beforehand.

Maybe I should catch some sleep before I have watch.

"Shepherd!"

Turning in the direction of the sound, I saw Phila bearing down on me.

"Captain Phila?"

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"Sure. What do you need me to do?"

"The Exalt is not in her tent. Would you assist in helping us look for her?"

"Shouldn't we get more people to look for her? Does Chrom know?"

"No need. One of the knights saw her wandering off as she does occasionally. We have knights in the sky and on the ground. I only need one more to cover that area onwards."

"Yea I can handle that."

With that I walked into the woods. I saw glimmers of torchlight from what I hoped was the knights. Thankfully, the moon was out and the foliage wasn't too thick so I could see well enough without a torch. Looking for hints of her passing, I saw a footprint in a bit of soft soil. Veering off in that direction, I walked for a good ten minutes before I stumbled into a clearing. In the middle of said clearing, was a hill and a sizable one at that. A silhouette could be seen at the top of the hill. After a bit of walking, there was the Exalt looking back at me.

"Hello Fonzie."

"Your Grace, Phila and the knights have been looking for you."

"I do not wish to worry them, but if you would indulge me, I would like to remain here a while longer."

"As you wish."

We stood there for a bit before she turned to me and said:

"What was your home like?"

"Umm... Well it was a nice enough place, I suppose."

"Oh, I see."

I'm not so good with the small talk.

"Do you have any family?"

"Well my real folks died when I was little, so I spent a bit of time in an orphanage. I was adopted by some folks and spent most of time with them. They're nice people, made me feel like I was part of the family. Never did tell them how grateful I was. I was always guarded around them, ever afraid of getting too close to them. It didn't stop them, especially my stepsister. She's as stubborn as herd of mules. The more I tried to push her away the more she pulled. Even so, I didn't budge. Not until..."

Until what?

I clutched my head as it began to throb.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm... Fine."

Lowering my hands I gave her the best smile I could manage.

"Sorry, I have some memory troubles. My head starts to hurt if I try to remember certain things. They're coming back slowly but surely."

"Forgive me I did not mean to cause you discomfort."

"It's fine Emm. Now where was I? Oh yeah after some years I left and became a mercenary, a few oddjobs later, here I am."

Did I?

"Forgive my Your Grace, I did not..."

"It's alright. I do not mind... I... enjoy being in your company."

With a bit of a blush she turned skyward once more.

"I enjoy your company too."

She looked back at me surprised. I stared at the ground feeling like a fool.

Fonzie you could be engaged maybe even married. What the hell are you doing? She's a dead woman. You know that. What if she wasn't? I know where and how she passes. Am I really willing to risk prolonging the war, costing more lives maybe even those of my friends. For what? Saving her now doesn't mean she won't die later, maybe even senselessly. Time tends to favor it's original course tends to be a central idea here...

The sound of beating wings brought me out of my stupor. Phila along with two other knights landed.

"Your Grace, It is good to see you well."

"Forgive me Phila, I did not wish to cause you unneeded worry."

Flashing me a brief smile she climbed onto Phila's Pegasus and another offered me a ride. I declined and watched them fly off towards camp. With one last look at the sky, I took the chain off my neck and buried it in a small hole I dug.

Let bygones be bygones.

A/N That's it for today folks. Of course as always thanks for reading and reviewing. The Critic thanks for the review. If you ever have anything else that I should keep in mind while writing or suggestions on how to improve I'm all ears. Of course if you have an account I would prefer a PM. No need to use the guise of anonymity to avoid getting some sort of flame because I'm some species of pompous airhead who thinks their writing is the best ever :). I'm writing and posting in hopes of improving at writing so I really appreciate the feedback. Long rant aside see you folks next time.

-DF