Rio: Time for the next chapter.
Legault: Wow, quick for once.
Matthew: Seriously, it usually takes you a couple days.
Rio: Oh, shut up! I wanted to take care of this one quick and let the readers have an interesting chapter to read (again).
Legault: Fine, but on one condition. You have to take me on the quest.
Rio: I won't say till the chapter, but I know one person who isn't coming.
Matthew: Who?
Rio: 'point at Serra'
Matthew: I see. 'giggles like a little girl'
Serra: What's so funny? (PS-I hope you know Rio's disclaimer by now.)
Chapter 10: The Journey Begins
"So, do you agree on my decisions?" Rio asked the two Lords.
"Yes," Eliwood said, "I think you have chosen the correct people."
"Yea, I agree to," Hector added. "Just hope we don't crush anyone's spirits if we don't bring them."
"Agreed," Rio said. "Now let us go tell them our decision."
The trio of ladies had arrived at a fancy dress store. They had been looking around, and Maria had found a black dress that she had decided to try on. The dress had not seemed very special at first, but when Maria had looked closely at it, she had seen that is was made of pure silk and looked to be about her size.
"So," Maria asked as she stepped out of the stall, "what do you think?"
"Wow Maria," Lyn said, "you look stunning."
"Yeah," Florina said. "I bet it would make Rio go crazy."
Maria blushed when she said that.
"What do you mean?" she inquired, still blushing. "Rio and I are just friends."
"Sure you are," the Falcoknight replied sarcastically. "But I saw how you stared at him during the entire meeting."
Maria blushed a deep crimson.
"Please help me out Lyn," she pleaded.
"Sorry, but I think Florina's right. I mean, why else would Rio be so sad when you were kidnapped, and why would you two be gone so long after he rescued you?"
Maria was helpless to their fight.
"You're right," she said, "I do like him."
"It's fine," Lyn said. "The two of us know what it's like to like someone."
"That's why," Florina said, "we are going to help you when you need some advice."
"Thanks you two," Maria said, smiling.
Maria went back into the stall and changed into her regular clothes. Then they took the dress to the owner of the store to pay for it.
"Hello sir," Lyn said, "we'd like to buy this dress."
"Alright, that will be 100,000 Gold," the merchant said.
"Okay," Florina replied, "just charge that to Marquess Ostia's account; I'm his wife."
"It will be done madam."
As they headed back, they saw a Berserker and a Warrior talking to each other. Lyn ran up to greet the two.
"Dart, Dorcas, it's been a while!"
"Yes, it has," Dorcas said smiling. "The letter I received told me that I could take Natalie to Rozarano to keep her safe, so I did that before heading to Pherae."
"What about you Dart?" Lyn asked.
"Aye lass, I was told to come here by good ol' Fargus. He heard 'bout this meetin' and wanted me to come and ship out with you guys."
"It's good to know your coming Dart."
"Hey, who's that young girl over there with Florina?" Dorcas asked.
"Her name is Maria," Lyn said. "She is the daughter of Athos, and one of Rio's closest friends."
"Ah, I see. Interesting."
With that, the five of them walked on back to the castle, only to arrive just in time to hear Rio's announcement.
"My friends, it is great to see you all again. Now I know this is not the best time, we all know why we are here. We need to defeat Nergal, but there are actually two fronts to this battle. One group is going to go throughout the continent and find the rest of our companions, while the other is to stay here and watch Bern, making sure that Nergal doesn't do anything suspicious. I will now announce those who will be joining me, along with Eliwood, Florina, Hector, Lyn and Maria."
Everyone waited anxiously to see who was going."
"Here is the list: Guy, Heath, Jaffar, Kent, Legault, Matthew, Merlinus, Oswin, Rebecca, Sain, and Wil. Oh, and some last minute additions, seeing as they just arrived, Dart and Dorcas."
Those who had been chosen thought about the adventure ahead of them, while the others listened for their role.
"This leaves Harken, Isadora, Karel, Lowen, Marcus, Serra, and Vaida here to take care of the other half. Do not worry, I will send some of the others we find back to aid you."
With that, Rio headed back in to then castle to prepare for the journey ahead. Eliwood rushed in after him.
"Hey Rio!" he yelled at the Tactician.
"Yeah, what's up Eliwood?"
"I just wanted you to know that tonight we are having a banquet before we leave," he said.
"How come?" Rio inquired.
"It was my mother's idea," Eliwood replied, blushing.
"Don't worry, I'm fine with that."
He was about to walk off when Eliwood called for his attention again.
"I forgot one thing Rio. You need to find an escort. Hector and I have ours, and you will need one too."
"What! Why do I need one?"
"Because it is something proper to do for a noble banquet. Besides, we are the heads of this army, and I'm sure it won't be too hard for you," the Pheraen Lord said with a wink.
Eliwood walked off, leaving Rio to ponder in his thought.
"Just great," he thought. "I am going to have one hard time figuring out who to bring."
"Hey Rio!"
The Tactician snapped back to reality as he heard his name being called. He looked around and saw Maria staring at him.
"Hey Maria, what's up?"
"Not much. I just wanted to know who you are taking to the banquet."
"I haven't asked anyone. How about you?"
"Perfect," she thought.
"I haven't asked anyone either. Would you want to go with me?"
"You bet," Rio said, smiling.
"Cool. I guess I'll see you tonight."
"It's a date."
Maria blushed as he said that and headed to her room.
"I can't wait for tonight," Maria thought.
Rio had spent the rest of the day looking for a nice suit, but had found nothing. He had decided to settle on his usual attire as he came out of the bath. He came in and saw some new clothes sitting in his room instead of his old ones.
"I wonder who got me these," Rio thought.
He put on a black shirt. It was comfy, but seemed tough enough to protect him. He proceeded on to a pair of tan pants which came with a black belt. He also found a new pair of leather boots. They seemed to be a top quality pair. He was relieved to find his green cape and black gauntlets still there.
"Phew," he thought. "That cape was blessed by Athos, and those gauntlets were made by my dad."
He put on his remaining items, and then heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" he called.
"It's me, Maria."
"Ok, just a sec."
He went over and grabbed the Sacaen White Rose from the vase. He had had a servant get him the rose that afternoon.
"Maria's favorite," he thought.
Rio went over to the door and opened it. He nearly fainted when he saw her.
"Here's a r-rose f-for y-you," Rio stammered out.
She was wearing the black dress she had found earlier. It was strapless, and went down to her knees, with a slit in one side. It made her hazel eyes glow, and her black hair was greatly shown off through it, which was done up in a bun. Her golden necklace and new black heels made her look stunning.
"A Sacaen White Rose," Maria said smiling. "Thank you so much."
She went up to him and gave him a huge hug. He blushed, loving the moment he was having. They separated after a couple minutes.
"Come on, let's head over to the banquet," Maria said. "Everyone is probably waiting on us."
"All right."
As they headed in, they saw Eliwood, Lyn, Florina, and Hector at the head table, discussing various matters. There were two empty seats at that table. To the left sat Guy, Karel, Jaffar, Legault, Matthew, and Oswin. To the right of the head table sat Dart, Dorcas, Heath, Rebecca, Serra, Vaida, and Wil. And at the last table, directly below the head table, sat Harken, Isadora, Kent, Lowen, Marcus, Merlinus, and Sain. As the two looked around, they saw that flowers, paintings, and many other beautiful things beautifully decorated the room. There was an exquisite rug on the floor, and the walls were beautiful lavender. Maria seemed to be in heaven. She had always dreamed of going to something like this. She knew the real reason for this banquet though. She stared at Rio and couldn't wait to tell him the surprise.
"Over here," Eliwood called to them.
They went to the head table and took their seats. Appetizers were served to everyone, and then the main dish was brought forward. It was a large, golden, succulent ham. It had been sliced perfectly, making it mouthwatering. There was also served a side of scalloped potatoes, which were piping hot, but completely delicious. In addition, there was a light salad, filled with many different vegetables. After everyone had eaten, glasses were handed out with a rich Illian wine. Then Eliwood stood up and gave a toast.
"I know this may seem like a strange time to be celebrating, but it is for a momentous occasion. It was four years ago that the fourteen-year old Tactician helped Lyn take down Lord Lundgren, and, three years ago, that same one helped us take down Nergal, and stopped the destruction of the world. Now, thanks to some certain people, we have learned that today our Tactician and his friend Maria have turned eighteen. Happy Birthday Rio and Maria!"
"Happy Birthday," everyone else said as the toasted.
Rio turned towards Maria.
"How silly I am," he said, a bit downcast. "Here I've been so worried about different things that I had forgotten our birthday."
"It's fine," she replied, smiling. "At least I remembered and told Eliwood's mother, Eleanor. Besides, you already got me a present."
He looked at the rose and realized that he had. Just as he was turning back toward her, she kissed him on the cheek.
"Happy Birthday," Maria said, blushing.
Rio blushed as everyone else clapped, except for Legault, Matthew, and Sain, who felt compelled to embarrass him more with a couple woops. The rest of the night was spent with the different groups discussing things that had happened over the past couple years. Eventually, they tired out and went to bed. Rio returned to his room and fell asleep, not even taking the time to take off his clothes.
"Wake up!" Maria yelled at him.
Rio looked around the room and saw her standing over his bed. She was in her regular clothes, and didn't look too happy.
"Huh," he said sleepily. "What time is it?"
"It's morning, and you overslept. Everyone is ready to go."
"Shoot. I'll be ready in a second."
Rio went over and strapped on his Emblem weapons. Then he filled his sack with a couple Elixirs, and ran out the door with Maria behind him. There was his team, ready to go.
"Sorry I'm late," he apologized.
"It's fine," Eliwood said.
"Okay then, let's head out. On to Laus!"
With that, the group started riding down the path, while the others waved goodbye.
Rio: Wow, huge amount of writing.
Legault: Yeah, you even stunned me.
Rio: That's new. Anyways, please review and be ready for Chapter 11 (again) next time.
