Exciting plot twists up ahead. And I teased Ike a little bit because he's so naive in the first game. I hated him in PoR. He's way more badass in RD. Also, I just realized that I went out of order of the game's chronology cuz Shinon shouldn't be there yet. Oh well. Just pretend that he came back early lol. So yeah, anyway, enjoy this chapter! :D
Chapter 14 -- Battle in the Snow
Commander Ike's tent was a lot messier on the inside than Lucrezia would have guessed, but once she saw how young he was, she completely understood.
He just got thrust into the position suddenly, she thought. I don't think he would have willingly signed up for a job like this.
Ike noticed her and turned around from his work (polishing a sword of some sort). He smiled eagerly and held out his hand.
"Hi! I'm Ike! I hear you're one of the heron tribe!"
"Yes, I am," Lucrezia replied. Duh, she thought, like the wings didn't give it away. "My name is Lucrezia. Prince Reyson has told me everything that you have done to save our forest. I must tell you that I am extremely grateful." She gave a polite curtsey.
"Oh, well, you're welcome!" Ike then went back to polishing his sword.
"Um..." Lucrezia sighed. He's an idiot. That's the only possible explanation. "I also want to thank you for saving Prince Reyson from Oliver. I was... really worried about him."
Ike turned to her again. "Well, he kind of just escaped on his own. We fought most of the soldiers off, but then he flew out the window before we could talk to him."
Lucrezia let out an involuntary giggle. He would do that... "I hope that someday... you beorc and us laguz can be good friends. I have to say, I was a bit surprised at first to hear that an army of beorc would help an enslaved laguz."
"Well, I grew up in Gallia. Laguz don't frighten me at all," Ike replied.
"In Gallia? Really?" Lucrezia was surprised that Caineghis would have allowed that.
"Yeah. My father worked for him... It was a long time ago, though. I don't really remember it."
Lucrezia smiled. At least there was someone else who had grown up in a place he shouldn't have. "Well, I guess I'll leave you to... polishing your sword."
"Okay. It was nice talking to you, Lumeria."
"Lucrezia."
"Oh! Lucrezia, sorry." He sighed. "I'm not really good at being polite, can you tell?"
"Yes. But I'm not a noble so I'm quite used to it. I grew up in various beorc towns. Most of you don't have the greatest social skills to begin with."
"Commander, I think that was supposed to be an insult." A boy with long black hair, black robes, and red eyes walked in.
Lucrezia scanned the newcomer over. "I wasn't trying to be insulting. I'm merely stating my observations."
"You and Soren here will make great friends, then," Ike remarked. "Soren, this is Lucrezia. She's the heron that Rolf--"
"That Shinon shot down and then left. I'm quite aware." Soren also seemed to be scanning her over. "How do you speak the common tongue so fluently? Reyson's sister can't speak a single word of it."
"Like I was telling Ike earlier, I grew up in beorc towns. I was taught by a wandering musician named Robins."
"Master Robins? You know of him?" Soren seemed genuinely interested. "How is he? No one has heard from him in years."
"I haven't seen him in over ten years. I have no idea where he is or what he's up to," Lucrezia replied.
"Ah, I see... He was fairly famous throughout Begnion, if memory serves correctly." Soren turned to Ike. "We've gotten reports of Daein troops nearby."
"Already?" Ike swung his sword onto his back. "Let's get 'em!"
Lucrezia sighed. "I'll be staying here. I have no interest in fighting." Then she walked out of the tent. She was on her way to find Rolf when she heard the hawks frantically discussing something.
She had met Janaff and Ulki during her short stay in Phoenicis, but she had never really gotten much chance to talk with them. However, as she approached them she began to hear the name "Naesala" several times.
"That dirty crow is with the Daein soldiers!" Janaff whispered. "How could any laguz go so low?"
"He's out on the battlefield at this moment," Ulki replied. "It will be a difficult fight."
"Naesala is fighting?!" Lucrezia gasped. Does that mean he's going to break his promise?
"Oh, Lucrezia! Yes, he is out there with some of his soldiers." Ulki grimaced.
"You have to talk to him!" Lucrezia pleaded. "Maybe he'll listen if you guys convince him to leave!"
"I doubt it," Janaff muttered. "You know how easily he is attracted to money. Commander Ike doesn't have nearly enough to change that crow's mind."
After his next payment, thought Lucrezia. That's what he promised. I bet his next payment isn't until after the war is over, depending on who wins... She clenched her fists. Damn you...
They heard the other soldiers preparing to move out. Reyson came up to them, and it seemed he planned on going out to fight.
"Prince Reyson, that dirty crow king is fighting on Daein's side!" Janaff shouted as the White Prince approached.
"He... what?" Reyson glanced at Lucrezia. "I should have known..."
"Wait, Prince Reyson, are you going out to fight?" Lucrezia suddenly asked.
"Not really fight. More like rejuvenate the soliders with his galdrar," Ulki explained. "But don't worry, Lucrezia, we will guard him with our lives."
Lucrezia nodded, though she did not like the idea of Reyson among so many soldiers.
Ike's voice could be heard among the murmur of the camp as he shouted the order to move out.
"Good luck," was all Lucrezia could squeak out as her friends followed the soldiers to the battle. After the main force had moved out, she decided to wander around the camp and talk to the remaining group to keep her mind off of the battle. The first tent she wandered into was empty, however, so she decided to take a nap.
A half hour passed, and she still could not sleep. Memories of her unsuccessful fight against the Daein soldiers in the fort still haunted her, and she worried that Reyson would not be so lucky.
I can't just sit around here! she finally decided. I have to go to the battle! I just have to make sure that Prince Reyson is all right...
She stretched her wings and soared low through the trees until she came to a mountain pass. The black crows stuck out in the white, snowy background, so she knew that this must be the battlefield. She snuck around until she spotted Reyson singing for a horseman; she thought his name was Oscar.
"P-prince Reyson! You're all right!" she gasped as she rushed up to him.
"Lucrezia? What are you doing? Go back to the camp where it's safe!" Reyson was unharmed, but he looked worn-out.
"I just... I had to make sure you were all right. I was getting a bad feeling..." Then she remembered Naesala. "What about Naesala? Is he still--"
"Naesala is over that hill, preparing to go against our forces," Reyson explained with a dark frown. "Ulki and Janaff are trying to get to him, but the Daein soldiers keep blocking their path with ballistae..."
Lucrezia scanned the hill that Reyson had pointed out. It was fairly low, and she could just barely make out Naesala's form through the snowflakes. He had not yet transformed, but he looked like he was about to any minute.
"Excuse me, my lord," she muttered as she spread her wings and flew toward that direction.
"Lucrezia! Lucrezia, no!"
It's worth a try, Lucrezia thought, ignoring Reyson's warnings. He won't attack me if he wants me to stay in Kilvas. She saw Ulki and Janaff fighting off Daein soldiers at the base of the hill. Then she spotted a section of forest that spread up the hill, close to where Naesala was stationed. I could sneak through the forest and get to him before he transforms! The ballistae were all focused on the hawks, so she had no problem getting through the woods unnoticed. Soon she was within about fifty yards of the crow king.
"Naesala!" she called. "Naesala, get over here if you want your end of the deal!"
Naesala perked his head in her direction. He jaw dropped when he realized who it was. He quickly whispered something to his second-in-command and flew over to her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded. "You just like to follow trouble around, don't you?"
Lucrezia glared at him. "Why the hell are you still fighting for Daein? You promised!"
"After my next payment, remember? That would be tomorrow," Naesala casually explained. "Honestly, you shouldn't put your life in danger to remind me of these things."
"But you have to quit now!" she protested. "Prince Reyson and Ulki and Janaff are out there!"
Naesala's face fell at the mention of Reyson. "What the hell is he doing here? I can understand you being in a battle, but Reyson?"
"He's repaying the Crimean Army for rescuing him! That's why you have to stop!"
The crow thought for a moment. "I suppose if you promise me something else in return..."
"No!" Lucrezia clenched her fists. "No more stupid deals! Just stop fighting for the wrong side!"
"You're still coming to Kilvas after this--"
"Yes, I'm coming to damn Kilvas to live in that damn castle so you can be happy!" Lucrezia's eyes were almost fiery, despite their pale blue color. "Stop fighting! Please!"
Naesala silently looked her over. "I will. Just one thing. One small thing."
Lucrezia was hesitant. "What?"
Naesala grabbed her and pushed her face into his for a strong kiss. She struggled to get free, but he grasp was stronger. Finally, he let go and smirked.
"You..." Lucrezia was livid.
"It's been a while. I forgot how good you were," he remarked.
"You bastard... I hate you..."
"That's more like the Lulu I know!" Naesala laughed. "All right, let me go talk to your anxious prince and those pesky hawks. Will that make you happy?"
Lucrezia only glared at him in reply.
"Ah, not good enough? Then I'll be needing another kiss--"
"Yes, that's good enough!" she shouted. She was deeply beginning to regret that she had promised to go back to Kilvas with him. "Now go away before I break tradition and kill you!"
"None of that, Lulu. Besides, you need more practice in kissing. You're good, but you still have a long way to go."
"Why should I care about how good of a kisser I am?"
Naesala grinned. "Because you're in love with Reyson." He flew away toward Janaff and Ulki, leaving Lucrezia standing speechlessly in the snow.