o.0.o.0.o
Chapter Eleven
Respect a Shepherds Secrets
Donnel was exhausted after the first week of training.
Frederick, he had decided, was ruthless. While Donnel knew he was decent at best with a sword, he hardly thought it required Frederick to knock him down, order him to get back up again, only to humiliate him again in front of everyone. If it weren't for the fact that he was under Frederick command, he'd ask the reason behind the humility. Why embarrass him? Make him look weak? Or was it because he was significantly younger than everyone else? He hadn't gotten acquainted with everyone yet, but he had spotted a young-looking mage on occasion who might have been a year younger than he. Did they treat him just as harshly, or was he used to the harsh regimen?
It had bothered him greatly. Did he think he was unworthy of being a Shepherd? From what he found out from Demyan, the Laguz was a new recruit, as well was Virion and Ella. He didn't see him pushing them nearly as hard. Was he weak? He knew that Sir Chrom and Miss Rosalie accepted him into the army because he showed potential, but doubt was filtering in his mind. Were they trying to get him to quit? If so, why? He was, in fact, the only person who knew how to clearly understand Ella, and Ella was the first person they asked to join, their initial interest. He sorta just forced his way in. Did that also mean that, once everyone was acclimated to Ella's way of 'talking', he'd be discharged?
It was frustrating. He needed to calm down, so he did what he always did when he was mad. He tended to plants and crops.
Turns out, he was useful in that department. He had bucketloads of knowledge on farming and plants... even though he himself could just barely understood the basics that were taught in school. It was a miracle that Ella valued reading as much as she did, but he could barely sign his name. But he knew stuff about plants and if that was where he was useful, that was where he was gonna place himself.
"The Shepherds personal farmer," Donnel thought half-heartedly. "That's me." He came to the small plot of land that had a plants sprouting desperately to the sky. He smiled at this, but frowned at the chill in the air. He knew that winter would be here soon, so most of these had to be harvested as soon as possible and stored properly so they'd survive the winter.
So he turned back to a wooden shed and opened it, then grabbed a basket and made his way towards the countless berry bushes that had been planted long before he came here. He was horrified when he saw the state half the plants were in when he first came here. Half of them had given up due to the coldness of winter. He knew, from experience, that they could last at least a bit longer, perhaps even a month or so, if it did not snow early. Thankfully, with the help of the castles gardner's and a shepherd named Kellam- who also seemed to have an abundance of knowledge on farming- they managed to pick the plants back up.
He kneeled in the dirt, picking berries from their stems and placing them in the basket. He smiled, content that, even though it was simple farm work like he was used to, he was doing something useful. True, it wasn't the glorious battles he pictured with him holding up a sword victoriously over an enemy's fallen corpse... But it was something.
"You're going to get yourself sick, you know." someone said as he felt something drape over his shoulders. He blinked in surprise at the warm blanket, then looked up to who spoke.
"Good evenin', Yer Gracefulship." he said, addressing Lissa. The princess shivered, despite the heavy coat she wore, glancing at him like he was crazy.
"How can you stand being out here dressed like that?" she asked. Donnel looked down at his usual village clothes that he brought with him, then responded.
"After ma Pa passed... I had t' take care of all the farmin'. So I'd stay out late 'n make sure that the crop was harvested, 'specially during the weeks before winter, Yer Worshipful." he looked back to the berries he was picking. "So I 'pose I just gotten used to the cold." Lissa rolled her eyes and kneeled next to him. "Y-Yer Highness!" Donnel exclaimed as she reached to pluck some berries from the stem. "Y-Ya don't haveta be doin' this. I can do by my lonesome, Miss."
"No, I'm helping you because I want to. Not because I feel obliged to." Lissa said.
"But ya don't-"
"I'm helping you because I want to." she repeated. Donnel swallowed.
"But don't you hate the cold, Yer Highness?"
"Don't care!" she sang out. "I've got good news for you, anyways."
"What could be so good that yer gonna be talkin' to a village boy like me?" Donnel asked.
"I," she said proudly. "Heard Frederick and Chrom discussing your progress."
"That's yer good news?" Donnel asked glumly. "Take no offense, Yer Graciousness, but all I've a been doin' the last week was humiliatin' myself while tryin' to spar with Frederick."
"You didn't let me finish." Lissa stated. "Frederick hasn't been holding back. You've been improving as well, Donny. You know why Frederick is pushing you so hard?" Donnel shrugged, focusing on the berries. "It's because he's testing you. No matter what you were ordered to do, you did it, without question. No matter how many times you've been knocked down, you still got up. Even on that one day when you twisted your knee, when Kellam and I literally had to help carry you off the grounds, you didn't cry out or tell him to stop. You, for all that you were worth, used your sword as a crutch and stood to face your opponent."
"I reckon," Donnel stated. "I forgot to thank you 'n Kellam for that day, Yer Highness."
"It's my job to heal, no thanks needed." Lissa stated. "My point is, that you've proven that you're prepared to do whatever it takes to be a part of this army. Frederick was wary, per usual, of course, about letting you join. But I heard him say that you've improved. You went from simply dodging to using your sword to defend. I'm sure that if you keep it up the way you have, you'll be able to spar one on one with him!" at this point, Lissa had her fists clenched determinedly in front of her, grinning... for him.
"That's all real flatterin', Yer Worshipful." he mumbled.
"And also," Lissa smiled. "Emm ordered us to go to Regna Ferox to get assistance. You wanna know what else I know?"
"What?"
"I saw the seamstresses making a new mercenary uniform." she stated. "They said it was under order from Frederick. And even earlier, I saw Sumia come back from town with two wrapped items, one looked like a sword, another a shield. I saw her pass it off to Frederick. Connecting the dots, I figured they were supposed to come with that new uniform. There are no mercenaries or mercenaries in training in the Shepherds but one." she smiled a brilliant smile, and realization hit Donnel.
"M-Me." he said, as if unsure. Lissa nodded. "M-Me?"
"Yes, you!" Lissa exclaimed. "There's no one else, and Frederick doesn't ask for replacements for just simple soldiers. You're finally being reclassed as a mercenary, Donny! You've proved yourself useful and Frederick's gonna start training you as a mercenary now!"
"Me." he stated. He pointed to himself. "Me, Yer Highness?"
"Stop acting so surprised!" Lissa said, smacking him on the shoulder. "Seriously, smile! Maybe if you keep working hard, you'll be able to go on the next march?"
"Do ya really think so, Yer Highness?" he asked eagerly. "Y-Yer really think I'm qualified?"
"Think? I know. You're pretty darn fast, even if you don't wanna believe it."
"Well, my Pa taught me the basics." he chuckled nervously. Lissa smiled.
"How much longer to you plan on standing out here?" she asked. "It's freezing!"
"I dunno. Just wanted to take ma mind off things. But now that ya gave me that information... I'ma feelin' a lot better, Yer Highness."
"Well," Lissa said, dumping a handful of berries into the basket. "You wanna know what you can do to thank me?"
"What, Yer Highness? I'll do anythin'!" Donnel responded eagerly. Lissa held up her index finger.
"One thing," she paused, grinning. "Loose the titles. We're friends, aren't we?"
"B-But y-yer a princess and-"
"No buts!" Lissa stated, standing. "That's all, okay?"
"O-Okay..."
"Anyways," Lissa stated. "You should think about getting to bed. No doubt you're exhausted, and if I'm right, someone's going to be reclassed tomorrow!"
"Yes, Yer-" Lissa glared. "Er... Miss Lissa. I will Miss Lissa." Lissa, in turn, smiled.
"Good!" she turned to go back inside to the warmer castle, but then turned, waving. "Good night, Donny!"
"G-Good night, Miss Lissa!"
o.0.o.0.o
Vaike paced back and forth. He knew she would be in the library, but had no idea on how to approach her on the subject without looking like a total idiot.
The mighty, strong Vaike... could not read.
While he knew he wasn't exactly the smartest person in the army, he did not like not being able to read. Truth be told, the reason that Stahl wasn't told that he was a part of the Farfort march was because Lissa had given him a list of people he had to tell. He was only lucky that Demyan heard through the grapevine that he was chosen and Sully, not so subtly, told Virion.
He felt bad about not telling Stahl, truly he was. He knew that most of the Shepherds knew that he was unable to read or write, but he tried his best at hiding it from Chrom and Lissa. He didn't want his rival knowing that he could not read! And Lissa was no good at keeping secrets, she would blab to him the minute she found out.
So everyone, wether they cared or not, didn't talk about it. But he knew that there would only be so many times he could blame his blunders on his 'forgetfulness'. It had been on his mind for a while now, and he did not like it. It was starting to bother he was trying to think of a way to walk into the library to talk to Miriel, and ask her to maybe teach him how to read.
"Naga bless me, I hope this works." he muttered before opening the door, plastering a grin on his face, and walking through the library. He had no idea where Miriel would be. "Heya!" he shouted. "Miriel, where are ya?"
"Vaike," Miriel looked around the corner, glaring. "Is it not prevalent knowledge that one must be reticent in a library?"
"Er..." he muttered, scratching his head. "Reticent?"
"Quiet, Vaike. One must be quiet."
"Sorry."
"Besides the matter," Miriel stated, coming up to the shelves, then narrowing her eyes, she pulled some books off the shelf, and began to move. Vaike followed her. "What brings an individual such as yourself here?" Vaike understood this.
"Well, I have a favor." he said.
"Please be expeditious, I am fatigued and wish to slumber as promptly as possible."
"Um..." Vaike swallowed. "I need you to teach me how to read." he said. Miriel furrowed her eyebrows and turned to look at him.
"You have expressed no enthusiasm for literature before. Why the sudden revision?"
"Because." he shrugged.
"Is it because of your previous blunder of 'forgetting' to inform Stahl?" she asked. Vaike widened his eyes.
"Yes! How did you know?"
"Simpletons such as yourself are effortless to read."
"I feel like I should be insulted." Miriel let out a sigh of irritation.
"I admire your desire to learn, Vaike, but can you fathom the time and effort it will require to educate yourself on how to become literate?"
"That's why you're going to help me!"
"I can only assist you so much." Miriel stated. "Why not simply inform Chrom that you are illiterate?"
"Er... It's a pride thing." Vaike responded.
"You choose a very dreadful time to learn." Miriel stated. "It will prove most difficult to congregate the time necessary..."
"But you'll help me, right?"
"I suppose." she began moving again, checking the books along the shelves, then grabbing some that Vaike supposed were out of place, and moved to place them somewhere else. "But we must form a schedule for your lessons." she turned to face him. "You must wake one hour earlier than you usually do and come to the cafeteria. That will give us time for me to teach you in peace."
"A-An hour?!" Vaike shouted. Miriel glared, and the fighter held up his hands in surrender. "Sorry. Quiet in libraries. Forgot."
"Yes, Vaike, an hour. We will also study during lunch and dinner as well."
"B-But you usually sit alone..."
"Any more people will distract me from reading." she stated, pushing her glasses up her nose.
"Won't people think it's y'know... Weird?"
"I fail to see the problem." Miriel said. "We are both members of the Shepherds, correct? We have been fighting alongside each other more often in battle."
"Well..."
"Case dismissed, then." Miriel stated. "You will also spend your time after dinner here, in the library. That way we will have more access to books."
"A-After dinner, as well?"
"Yes. Are you not committed to this task?"
"No. No, I am."
"Marvelous." Miriel stated while sighing in content as she shelved the last book. "That should be it. I shall see you tomorrow morning."
o.0.o.0.o
Sleep was oh so fleeting.
Rosalie stared hopelessly up at the bunk above her that she knew had Ella on it. She glanced across the room, and saw Sumia sleeping peacefully. She groaned, placing an arm over her eyes as she tried to find the sleep.
People say that sleep came from overusing the body. Rosalie thought differently. Sleep came from overusing the mind. If the mind was awake and active, so was everything else. And that was her main problem. The last week was rather hectic. When she wasn't training under Frederick's excruciatingly sharp eye, she was reading and studying. The fact that someone attacked the Farfort and the shady details about the attack still bothered her, and something else.
Chrom seemed to have been in an rather quiet and serious state. She expected that, of course. His life and schedule must have been horribly full of things to do, what with being not only a prince but also the Captain of the Shepherds. While they always had small moments to discuss things, those moments were now fleeting and rare. The last time that she spoke to him, really spoke to him, was when they were traveling back to Ylissetol from the Farfort. They were talking fine and happily, like they had been since they met.
But then he emerged from that forest with Lissa and Ella, and he fell strangely silent. What could be bothering him? What had distracted Ella that day?
She rolled over, laying on her side, wondering what was wrong. She stared at the wall, furrowing her brow. She was the tactician of the army. She had to know and make sure everyone was okay for battle. Was it her place to ask him what was wrong?
"Perhaps," she mumbled to herself as she closed her eyes and rolled onto her other side. "It's not my place to ask as tactician or another army-member. Maybe, as a friend, though..." She stiffened at the feeling of being watched and opened her eyes, nearly yelping as she bolted up, slamming her head on the top bunk.
Moaning quietly, she opened her eyes, glancing at the lilac iris's of Ella, who tilted her head to the side, then yawned, then shook her head. Rosalie stared at her blearily, blinking as she rubbed where she hit her head. Ella repeated the actions.
"Can't sleep? Is that what you're trying to ask?" Rosalie asked. Ella nodded. "Yeah. I'm having trouble."
Ella pointed to herself.
"You too?" she nodded. Ella knocked a fist against he head, then pointed at Rosalie, concern on her features.
"Did I hurt my head?" Ella nodded, but then bowed her head, as if apologetically. "No need for an apology. I'm fine." Rosalie paused. "What are you worried about?"
Ella brought her hands up, making gestures around her head. Rosalie was having trouble on this one. Ella, blinked, then began to hold her hands like she was holding a sword, then slashing things. Rosalie smiled at the fairy's antics, then held out her left hand.
"Why don't you write it, Ella?" she asked. Ella blinked, then carefully cupped her hand with her own left hand, then, with her right index finger, began writing. It took a minute for Rosalie to figure it out, then smiled. "You're worried about your brother, aren't you?"
Ella nodded glumly.
"He's a tough boy." Rosalie stated. "Very strong." Ella glared, then stood up with her arms crossed behind her back, a stern look on her face. Rosalie snickered slightly.
"Frederick." she said. Ella continued to move her arms, with the still stern look on her face, like she was shoving something around. "Frederick is pushing Donny around?" Ella nodded. "No... No, that's not quite right." she paused. "Listen, I think Frederick goes by a 'gotta break 'em down to build 'em up' sort of training. Have you been paying attention? Donny may go to Lissa, battered and bruised, every day, but his swordskills and defense has improved immensely." she grinned. "I was going to tell everyone tomorrow, but I think you should know now," she looked at Ella. "We, meaning Frederick, Chrom, and I, have decided to officially reclass Donny as a mercenary."
Ella widened her eyes and kneeled down next to the bed. Slowly, her face broke into a huge grin, and she clapped silently so not to wake Sumia. Then she pointed at her.
"What?" Rosalie asked. "I'm happy for him too." Ella shook her head, then pointed at her head with a worried look on her face. "What was worrying me?" Ella nodded. "I... I'm just worried about Chrom, that's all. We used to be able to talk all the time, but lately I haven't and I can tell something is worrying him. He's been like this since he came out of the woods with Lissa and yourself. Not to be to forward, but what did you find that seemed to have all of you so worried?"
Ella looked away from Rosalie, and held out her hand. Rosalie placed her left hand in her open palm, and Ella, began to write.
"It is not my place to tell you, Rosalie." Ella wrote. "Best ask Chrom. I promised not to go against orders and talk.."
"I see." Rosalie stated. Ella stood, fluttering her wings with a small smile on her face as she went back onto her bunk. Rosalie flopped down on her back, sighing.
"Chrom told her and Lissa not to tell anyone." this thought echoed through her mind for a few minutes.
Somehow, this new information only made her thoughts go crazier.
o.0.o.0.o
The next morning Rosalie rolled sullenly out of bed, nearly groaning at the fact that she got less than three hours of sleep last night. Sumia smiled lightly at her.
"Bad night's rest?"
"Horrid." Rosalie grumbled as she began to half-heartedly change clothes. Sumia politely turned away, waiting until Rosalie clicked her cloak in place. "My mind wouldn't rest. It was one thing after another. It just... ugh."
"Maybe a day of training would do you good." Sumia stated as Rosalie began tying her hair into the usual small ponytail. "It might be a good way to vent your stress and frustrations, rather than holing yourself up in the library."
"I don't mean to." Rosalie said. "But there's so much I don't know and so much I want to and have to learn. I start reading and before I know it, I can't stop."
"You sound like Miriel." Sumia stated. "Except with cleaning. Miriel gets very... well... touchy about organization and cleanliness."
"I... see." Rosalie stated. She glanced up at the top bunk. "Where's Ella?"
"Left early, I suppose." Sumia stated, standing. "It's not like she can tell me what she went for."
"We'll see her at breakfast." Rosalie said. Both walked out the door and out of the barracks and began their small trek to the cafeteria.
"And perhaps breakfast will wake you up, Rosalie." Sumia smiled. Rosalie nodded.
"How is your pegasus doing, Sumia?"
"Oh, Lovebirds is doing wonderfully!" Sumia exclaimed happily. Rosalie raised an eyebrow.
"Lovebirds?" she asked. Sumia blushed, looking down.
"Well, I thought it was a nice name." she muttered. "And she liked it as well, so I didn't see a problem."
"Hey, it is a nice name!" Rosalie laughed. "Don't take small things like that so seriously." she opened the door to the lunch hall, stomach leaping at the idea of food. She glanced about the room.
Lissa was chatting happily with Maribelle. She saw Ricken sitting across from Donnel, but Donnel seemed to be... talking to himself? She nearly shrieked when she saw a roll lift from a plate, but then realized the farmboy was talking to Kellam. Demyan was listening absentmindedly to Donnel talk, and Ella had seated herself, surprisingly, away from her 'brother' today. She was with Lissa and Maribelle, smiling every so often at whatever Lissa was talking about. Miriel was sitting farther back, with, of all people, Vaike. After getting over the initial shock, nearly laughing at Stahl's huge stack of food.
"I swear," Sumia stated as they went up to him, sitting down. "I think the chefs prepare extra just for you!" Stahl glanced up at them, his mouth full as he chewed. He swallowed, then shrugged.
"What can I say? I enjoy my food."
"I wonder how you don't become as big as a barn." Rosalie stated to him. "So I have a question for you," she nudged Sumia, and nodded at Vaike and Miriel. "What's with brains and brawn over there?"
"Who?" she glanced at the direction Rosalie was looking. "Miriel and Vaike?"
"Yeah."
"You have a lot of questions today," Stahl stated as some servants came and served Sumia and Rosalie their food. "You see, Vaike is illiterate."
"Wha-?!" Rosalie nearly shouted, but caught herself before she did. Stahl furrowed his brow.
"You didn't know?"
"Well, no, I didn't. But I can't imagine not being able to read. I'm glad I remembered at least that." Rosalie responded.
"Yeah, well it is. Basically everyone knows with the exception of Chrom and Lissa." Stahl said.
"It's a silly little thing. A rivalship. Vaike doesn't want Chrom to know that he can't read. He's secretly embarrassed by it." Sumia giggled at the last part.
"No one talks about it, really." Stahl said. "Just out of respect. I know there's a lot of things that I can't do-"
"Like control your hunger." Rosalie snickered. Stahl glared at her, but quickly regained his kind smile as he continued to speak.
"So we just don't say anything." he glanced back at Vaike and Miriel. Vaike had furrowed his brow while the mage pointed at something in a book. "I guess the blond dolt took it upon himself to learn."
o.0.o.0.o
Honestly, I wanted it to be longer, I really did, but I know that if I keep going this will go from being a 22 page chapter to a 50 page chapter and that seemed a BIT long. So I'm cutting it off here. Next I'll go into the march to Ferox, and, YAYS, Donnel's reclassing.
Can you guess who I'm shipping? Tee-hee~!
Amy47101 signing off! ^.^
