Shield of Seals (II)
"Huh? Since when did you despise flying?" Owain asked him. His words made Robin feel uncomfortable, but he knew that avoiding the answer would get him nowhere. He took a deep breath and said: "Cynthia and Gerome might be already at the roof. We have to get there as soon as possible. But, along the way, I could tell you." Owain nodded. Then he moved quickly and with the help of Robin got Severa back on her feet. She could stand on her own, but Robin understood she was still in pain, because of her facial expression. She had closed, frowned eyes and held tight her waist at her wound, but she was silent. Although she was aching, she tried everything not to show it. But of course our tactician saw it. It was because he reacted the same way after the Shepherds found him in the village. The way of walking, the body language, every move she made reminded Robin of him. He, on the other, acted in this manner because he was recovering from a deadly wound. Severa, though, wasn't.
"I'll guide us to the roof. Don't worry everyone." Lucina told them. "T-This way!" She said and pointed the path they should take. Owain then asked again: "The map?"
"It's in the case," Lucina told him. "Great! Let's get going already," Robin said. He tried to take Severa's arm and help her walk, but…
"What do you believe you're doing? I said I'm fine! Now take your hands off me!" Robin found himself being pushed aside. She then got close to Lucina. The team continued their way to the roof. The princess guided them through the corridors and the stairs. In the meanwhile, Owain and Robin continued their previous chat about flying.
"It's not exactly that I hate flying. It's just I feel weird when I'm so high from the ground. It gives me the creeps."
"And it has nothing to do with the way you were brought to us? I mean you, bleeding, were carried over by a Pegasus to our base, when you couldn't even remember your own name. For me that would be a scary experience. Or is it Cynthia's fault?"
"No no. She was fine. Well, now that I think of it, the ride was quite bumpy." Much to Robin's surprise Severa broke her silence.
"This has to do with the wind's speed and the adaptability of the rider under those conditions. Cynthia isn't a pro."
"And you are a pro?" Owain sarcastically asked. "Oh! Shut up Owain!" She said. Things started to get out of hand, but sudden sounds made them set their differences apart and solely focus on escaping.
"Ssshh! Footsteps! They know we're here!" Lucina whispered. "Quick! Let's get out of here!" She continued. The team did as she said. Finally, after carefully walking, they reached the final stairs to the roof. Unfortunately, they were leading nowhere, but from a door at the ceiling. Owain tried to open it, but with no luck.
"Damn it! It's locked!"
"What should we do now? Smash it? They will understand we're here!" Lucina said.
"Don't they already know that? I mean they are looking for us," Robin responded.
"Yes. But don't you see that if they know we didn't only try to escape, they'll start looking for the legendary jewels too! They can't interfere with our plans!" Lucina explained.
"Don't they already know that too? It's certain that Morgan told them. Who told Morgan is the real question. And who is he working for?"
Those weren't the real questions for Robin. Morgan knew about his past. He had told him he was a bad person and that he was the reason for the burned village. Who was Morgan? How did he know about his past? Who was "us" that Morgan referred to? All these baffled Robin's mind constantly after their meeting.
"Nothing of these will ever matter if we don't get out of here! So stand back everyone! Dragon's Punch!" Owain yelled and hit the door with his bare hand. Although it didn't break, it cracked. He then took his sword out and delivered the final blow to the door. It turned into two pieces and everyone got on the roof. It was just a plain floor with no fence, no furniture and no walls. The view was astonishing, by the way. Or it would be if they could see something different from the fire and masses of people at the streets. On the other, they were glad to meet Gerome and Cynthia. With the former having his wyvern Minerva and the latter her Pegasus Sumia on their side.
"Gerome! Cynthia! I'm glad you're alright!" Lucina said and rushed at them.
"Lucina! We have no time. Do you have it?" Gerome asked. Lucina nodded. "Then let's leave already. The others are already out of the town," he continued.
"Yeah! They made it!" Cynthia said with a cheer.
"And how did the two of you made it here?" Robin asked. The riders weren't very reluctant to relate the whole story and told them to get onboard as soon as possible. And the team did, with three people on each animal. Soon, from the cracked roof door, the sounds started to get louder, but it didn't matter because they had already taken off. This time Robin wasn't afraid, because he was on Minerva's back. Being on a wyvern is a whole different experience than on a Pegasus. Much steadier and faster. Behind him was Owain. The two animals sored through the magnificent night sky. They used darkness to camouflage themselves from archers or other riders. This plan proved successful as they safely got past the town's walls and headed to their friends.
The Shepherds were reunited outside of town and unfortunately were still on run. They knew there were guards looking for them and so they had to pick their next move fast. Following Laurent's advice the team decided to head to Tiki. The manakete resided at the Mount Prism, a magical place where darkness couldn't enter. Moreover, Tiki was thought to be at the Valm's Mila Tree sleeping, so the Mount Prism wasn't at all guarded by Grima's forces. The Shepherds always had to be a step ahead of the enemy. Their troubles for the night had ended after they understood that the Ark's forces stopped searching for them, at least for the night. Then the team decided to camp right where it was. Brady and Inigo brought the rocks and created a circle to put the branches Yarne and Nah had found and Laurent helped setting up the fire with his tome. Having the fire ready, they quickly built small tents and took care of those that were injured.
The Shepherds formed a circle around the campfire and related their own stories about their escape. Most of them were identical; enter the secret passage and get out of the town without anyone noticing. After a while, Lucina told them what happened to them, as well as the incident with Morgan and the map. The team had a rough time and everyone really enjoyed themselves, except from one person. Robin understood her absence and discreetly got up and tried to find her. She could only be in one place, her tent. Unfortunately for him, as it proved, she was inside, lying on a sheet on the ground with a red candle next to her.
"Hey! Why are you here alone? You should join us," he told her.
"I'm fine. I only need to rest. It was a rough night of everyone, after all. And don't worry if you miss any of their "epic" stories. I am sure we'll have to hear them everyday from now on," she replied making him giggle.
"Severa, I must apologize for earlier. It was my mistake that got you wounded and I'm sorry."
"Of course and it was your mistake! But I really don't want to talk about it. So would you mind getting out of my tent?"
"In fact yes, I do mind. I came here to apologize and you just throw me out? I can't accept that!"
"I don't see how that's my problem Robin. Good night and please don't forget to snuff out the candle before you leave."
"Damn it Severa. What is wrong with you? I came here to talk not fight with you! I'll leave only if you honestly want me to leave. So do you or not?"
She paused for a second. At that moment, their eyes met. Robin felt something weird and couldn't explain his emotions. She had found every possible way of making him want to get out of there and never talk to her again. But he didn't want to do anything close to that. Then Severa murmured with her soft voice something he never expected to hear: "I don't…" Robin got closer and found a cozy spot next to her. "So... How did you end up here?" He asked.
"Did you forgot that I'm a mercenary? Lucina pays me to fight alongside her. When all these are over, I'll leave the team with huge sacks of gold."
"So your dream is to make money? Ha! I don't believe you. You're better than this."
"And how do you know Robin? Is it one more of those mysterious hunches you keep getting? " She said and turned in front of him. Robin stared at her with calm and patience.
"Maybe yes or maybe not…" he responded.
"You're right. I have a different dream, but it's a bit more ridiculous."
"I'm all ears. You have nothing to fear."
"You know that mercenaries can be hired from almost every place in the world. So by becoming one, I would explore the world and travel to unknown lands and places. But it's stupid right?"
"Not at all! I honestly, find it very interesting. And the name "Hurricane Severa" came from one of those mercenary jobs you had?"
"I beg your pardon? Which name again?" She shouted this time and caught Robin off guard.
"Uhm… The "Hurricane Severa"? Is it such a big deal?"
"Of course and it IS! Now... GET the hell out of my tent. Chat's over."
"What? Are you for real?"
"Robin! I told you to get the hell out of my tent." This was all he needed to hear. Their moment lasted for a couple of minutes. Why was it so important with the nickname anyway and made Severa yell at him like that? Obviously irritated, he left the tent without looking back and got to the Shepherds' campfire. He took his seat next to Owain. Owain leaned his head towards him and whispered: "You mentioned her nickname right?"
"Yup… That's exactly what I did," He responded.
"Everybody listened her shouting. But please answer me this: Is there anything between you two?"
"Ha! A nice and straightforward question, but the answer is simple…"
Fire Emblem: The Man That Never Was
Chapter 4: Shield Of Seals
A/N(Author's Note): Hey guys! It's been forever! There are a lot of excuses for not making this chapter on time, but truth is that nobody can control life. and neither do I. Fortunately enough, I'm finally done with my other activities and I will solely write, because it makes me feel good :)
Anyway... I made this one very late at night and it might be full of errors... Don't tell them any error you find because I will check it when I wake up! And possibly the next one (because this one was short) will be posted tomorrow so stay tuned!
Please don't mind any grammatical errors. As always, until next time, please have yourselves a darn good one! :D
J.D. King