Stronger

Chapter 14:

Discord

"This is a message from Lord Nergal: Meet me on the Dread Isle. Thi––"

Hector never felt so relieved than when he saw Florina plunge her lance into that morph's chest. It was an abomination to the human race as a whole. Plus, Florina was back in action, so he was glad to have her back at his side. He nudged her as she and Huey trotted beside him.

"You're better than you were before, if that's possible," he said. Florina laughed.

"I'd have to keep up my skill if I'm to stay with you, my lord."

He fell silent and narrowed his eyes at her. She gasped, "Oh, um…I'll remember to use your name next time…"

"You'll have plenty of time to get used to it," he said. The look that crossed her face, it was a bit wistful as she smiled and rode on ahead of him. He sighed deeply. He hated those looks. She could never just accept his attentions. He did know why she resisted but at the same time, he was beginning to wonder if he was the only one in love. Maybe everyone was just misreading Florina's kindness as something more. He didn't want to pressure her into falling in love with him, there'd be no joy for either of them.

That didn't matter right now, they were going into battle soon, he had more important things to worry about. Preparations had to be made, supplies bought. The entirety of the next day was spent just packing. As evening fell, most were retiring for the night. Despite his best efforts to only think of the final battle, and despite his frustration over Florina, he had other things on his mind. Even though he was home, something was just off. When he asked to send a messenger to Uther to report the goings on, there had been a lot of strange looks and averted glances. Hector was a lot of things, and unobservant was one of them, but even he wasn't stupid enough not to know that something had happened to Uther and no one was telling him.

Uther had to be dead. Even if he were just resting, Oswin would have sent notice to him, but not even that happened. Did Serra and Matthew know his brother was dead? Why didn't anyone think it was important to tell him? Hector didn't know if it was grief or anger that made him lash out at Oswin. To hell with rank and honor. If Oswin was really his friend he would have told Hector the truth. Guess it's good that we aren't really friends he thought. Maybe he'd regret thinking that later, but dammit right now he was pissed off.

He headed toward the throne room.

"Close the doors, let no one in," he said to the guards.

"But, my lord, there's––"

"If I have to repeat myself I will kill both of you without hesitation."

They silently let him through and shut the doors behind him. Hector stood near the doors for the longest time, just staring at the now empty throne.

"Dammit, Uther…that isn't fair," he said. He walked slowly toward the chair. "You didn't tell me you were sick. You didn't tell me you were dying. Then you order Oswin not to tell me you're dead. What kind of idiot do you think I am?"

He stood in front of the throne, his fists clenched, "Why! Why can't you trust me! Down to the last, you didn't trust me!"

He sank into the throne and put a hand over his eyes. What did he do to earn that trust anyway?

"You could have at least let me say good bye, you bastard…" he whispered. He shut his eyes tight and leaned back. No mortal eyes must see the impossibility of an Ostian lord crying.

He was numb when he woke up the next day. Not exactly unresponsive, in fact to some degree he was over compensating for the lack of feeling by overreacting. Like being excessively energetic, and going out of his way to be in people's faces. It was clear now the word had spread. Everyone knew that his brother had died. It was always hard to talk to grieving people, it was clear some of his comrades were avoiding him. They shouldn't be so distant. He wasn't grieving. His brother was dead and there was nothing to do about it. It was a sad business and all, but it couldn't be helped.

He had to move on, that was why he threw himself into preparing for battle. Except, no matter how focused he tried to be on the fight that awaited them on the Dread Isle, he couldn't distract himself from his anger and this strange dragging feeling. He couldn't quite make eye contact with Oswin, he was still mad and couldn't talk to him. He wanted to just be alone for a moment, but with a ship crawling with anxious people, it was almost no use.

Wait, there was one quiet place. The hold where they put Huey and the other mounts. Florina was always hiding there, it had to be quiet. Sure enough, it was empty save Florina of course in her usual spot leaning on Huey's stall. She started when she heard him come in, but relaxed after a moment.

"Good evening, Lord Hector," she said.

"'Hector,' please," he replied.

"Um…ah…I'm not sure I should."

"Why not?"

She didn't answer and he filled in the gaps. He was officially Lord of Ostia now. She couldn't be so casual.

"Lord Hector, I'm sorry," she said.

Great, sympathy. Just want he wanted to hear right now. He crossed his arms and shook his head, "Don't be. You didn't do anything and I don't need––"

"That's not why I'm sorry. I-I mean, yes, your loss is tragic but…no one told you. No one trusted you enough to tell you the truth." Already she was crying, "That's why I'm sorry for you. You shouldn't have found out about Lord Uther that way."

Hector drew back and stared. How on earth did she…it didn't matter

"Thank you," he said.

This was not at all how he pictured being in love would be like. He'd always thought it'd be so simple. He wasn't exactly full of himself, but usually women threw themselves at him. He'd always thought it's be a matter of simply finding the least annoying of the bunch, telling her that he loved her and that would be that. This was all a big guessing game. At first it was a question of whether or not he loved her. Now that he was absolutely certain, he had just assumed that she liked him.

Now he wasn't so sure. Just telling her that he loved her would scare or pressure her, especially given he had just lost his brother. He just didn't know. But he did know that he wanted to see her once more before things got really crazy. He knew exactly where to find her at this time in the evening she was always with Huey. Sure enough she was there, whispering to him and rubbing the side of his face. Florina heard his approach and grinned.

"I thought you had retired early, Lo…I mean, Hector," she said.

"I intended to, but it's hard to sleep," he said.

"Well, that's to be expected."

"Would you mind taking a walk with me?"

Florina nodded and walked out of the stable with him.

"So what do you think of Ostia?" he asked as they entered the torch lit halls.

"It's not very flashy, but it's still quite grand. It's a beautiful place, and your subjects are quite generous. Maybe they can afford to be because of their Ostian frugality. We're frugal in Ilia too, but…there's not enough around for us to afford to be any way else. It's kind of refreshing to see thrift out of practically rather than necessity."

"So if you had to chose between here or say…Pharae, which would you say?"

"That's not a fair question!"

"No, it's not about me and Eliwood, strictly on your impression of both places, which do you like better?"

She paused a bit and crossed her arms, "I'd have to say I'd ultimately pick here. Ostians are a bit more like Ilians without all the male/female vitriol. Plus I can make more money here as a mercenary. You guys have a bigger market and people pay Ostian based mercenaries more. They're considered tougher than the rest."

"You certainly are, and considering I'm personally writing you a letter of recommendation, you'll be able to get any price you name."

"Even 20,000 gold?" she asked and raised an eyebrow.

He snorted, "You could ask for 60,000 gold."

"You're really going to do that for me?"

"Of course."

She stopped walking bowed her head, "Lord Hector…you really are too kind. You're the dearest friend I've ever had."

"You shouldn't say that too loud, Lyn might get jealous."

"She knows. You've really done so much for me. I don't know how to repay you."

He could do it now, he could tell her now. But somehow, like this…it didn't feel right. It was like he was saying his final words to her in case they didn't make it. To him that was akin to admitting defeat. He took her hand in his.

"Just promise there will be a day when you say my name without the title without even thinking about it," he said. She looked up at him.

"I promise," she said softly.

*sheepish grin* Um...I know it's been a while. But would it be worth the wait if I said this is finished? And would it be even more worth it if I said I can now update twice a week? Because that's what's going to happen. Mondays and Fridays. Because the fluff has only just begun!