Alright, I have massively updated my profile page(Which you should all check for info about all my stories). I will post the bit about this story here.

Updates have been coming slow for this, my greatest work. That is about to change. Before, I would replay the same level in SS repeatedly to get the run-down on the chapter planning. However, much has changed since then. Sain has joined the group, I have been adding tidbits to change things(Like Lyon blasting Mark), as well as Florina joining Ephraim's group, and Navarre, Stefan and Karel showing up. So, I will no longer be keeping the dialogue and the plot exactly like the game. Instead, I will continue changing things while following the route of the plot, which should allow me to update much more.

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Sain grinned as the bright sunlight poured down on the group.

"Finally free of that fearsome forest!" The paladin exclaimed. Mark and Eirika smiled, and the princess turned to Seth.

"We should be reaching Serafew soon." Seth said, nodding to the princess.

"It's been a long time." She said, sighing.

"I can see Serafew in the distance!" Neimi called.

"Did it always use to have those lookouts, ballistae and archers?" Colm asked, moving up beside the princess.

"No." Eirika said, looking up at the city they were approaching.

"Get out of the main street!" Mark yelled. The group moved to the side of the road, and Mark looked over at Lute.

"Is there a side entrance?" He asked. Lute stopped, then reached into her saddlebag, pulling out a book. She studied it for a moment, then closed it.

"Yes, a gate on the right side for us, the left for them. We can enter stealthily and continue moving from there." The mage said, glancing at Mark. He nodded.

"Sain, you take point." The tactician stated. Sain nodded, and nudged Belle. The horse moved to the front, and Sain crossed the road quickly. The others soon followed, and Sain reached the side gate. He dismounted, and was walking towards the interior of the city, when a cleric ran straight into his arms.

"Hello, golden haired beauty. How may I help you?" The rougish paladin asked, grinning. The cleric looked up at him, and took a deep breath.

"Please, you have to listen to me! The Emperor of Grado is-" The cleric was cut off as a loud shout was heard.

"Kill that traitor!" Exclaimed a soldier of Grado. Sain took in the situation at a glance. He mounted Belle, and reached out his hand.

"Come on, I'll protect you!" He exclaimed. The cleric nodded, and took his hand. Sain then pulled her into the saddle behind him. Mark and the others arrived right as Sain unhooked his lance from the side of the saddle.

"Trouble." He stated. Mark nodded.

"We heard." Seth said, drawing his own lance.

"Eiri-Erin," Mark said, correcting himself. "Erin and I will check the houses and make sure no enemies come in from behind. Garcia, Gilliam, cover the gate we entered the city with. Franz, Vanessa, take the opposite gate. We don't want anyone surrounding us. Colm, Neimi I saw an alley by where we entered, see if you can flank the enemy. Ross, Artur and Lute sneak past the Item Shop and check the houses past it. Seth, you and Sain take the main road. You'll be the main targets, so watch yourselves." Mark then turned to the cleric.

"You can stay with the convoy, if you wish…"

"Natasha." She said, noticing the imploring look in his eye.

"And I am Mark." He stated, nodding to her.

"I… I would like to accompany Sir Sain." She said, glancing over at the Paladin. He grinned at her, and she turned back to Mark.

"There is a mercenary in the city. He is a kind man. I met him earlier. If I talk to him, he might help

us." Natasha said, her mind drifting to thoughts of the red-haired sellsword.

"I'll protect her." Sain said, looking to Mark. Mark nodded, and Natasha took Sain's hand.

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Neimi and Colm snuck down the alley, Colm taking point. Neimi's sharp eyes caught sight of a archer partway down the alley. He was standing on a barrel, and shooting over the alley walls. Most likely at her friends. She saw him pulling back an arrow, and without thinking, fired off a shot. It hit the archer's hand, and he roared in pain. Colm moved faster than Neimi had ever seen, and dug his knife into the man's throat. The noise ceased. Colm stepped back, and glanced at Neimi. She nodded, and the two continued on.

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Ross ducked as a fireball raged over his head.

"Hey! Watch it!" He exclaimed.

"You should be more careful." Artur chastised, looking over at Lute. She glanced at Artur, then at Ross. Her piercing eyes met the would-be-warrior's, and he froze.

"You were standing in my way." She said simply, breaking the eye contact. Ross shook his head to clear it, then his eyes widened. He threw his hatchet at Lute, and she instinctively danced to the right. The hatchet buried itself into a soldier's chest, and he stumbled backwards. Artur raised his hand and killed the man with a single blast. Lute looked over at Ross, who was breathing rather deeply. He walked over and retrieved his axe.

"Thank you." Lute muttered, though only barely audible. She then opened her fire tome and shot a blast at Ross' feet. Ross jumped back, and glared at her, but she was already walking away.

"Stupid girl, with her stupid fire, and her stupid no armor. She'll get torn apart if we don't watch her. Come on, Artur!" Ross yelled, taking off after Lute. Artur sighed and rushed after them.

"Slow down you two!" Artur exclaimed.

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Seth and Sain charged down the road, dealing devastation with their lances. Natasha clutched to Sain as the paladin darted around swordsmen and soldiers, searching for the mercenary. They found him, though not in the way they had suspected. The swordsman stood in front of them, flipping a coin. He nodded at its results, and charged Seth. Seth barely dodged the fast strike, and Natasha yelled out.

"Stop, Joshua!"

The sellsword paused.

"Hmm. Natasha…" He pulled out his coin. "Tell you what. I never was the type to kill a woman. We'll flip for it."

Natasha nodded, and the two paladins looked on anxiously as Joshua flipped the coin into the air. Seth had his lance ready, and Sain was ready to pull Belle to the side and take a blow for Natasha if need be. It felt like ages passed to Natasha as the coin fell, and then Joshua caught it. He flipped it over on top of his hand, and nodded. He then sheathed his sword.

"I'll take Natasha back to the rest of your group. You two can fight freely now." Joshua said, giving them a lazy look from underneath his odd looking hat. Sain and Seth nodded, and spurred their horses on. Natasha looked over at Joshua, and smiled.

"The coin… Luck said you were supposed to kill me." Natasha said. Joshua didn't look at her, but shook his head.

"Nah. Lady Luck wouldn't want someone as pretty as you to die. Now, come on. We've got work to do." Joshua said, drawing his blade with one hand and taking Natasha's with the other.

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Well, it's not long enough, but it's an update. Hopefully enough to tide you guys over. Hopefully now I can update more often.

-Raptor, out.