No Longer Alone
Another day, another chapter. As always, I hope I provide you with a good read.
Also, I've broken the 100,000 words barrier as of the last update. Yay me. I guess.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Ah, there you are." Forde's easy voice floated up to Franz at the same time the young knight glanced up and saw his brother approaching. "I see you took my advice to heart."
Franz gave a low chuckle. "Yeah, I found this stream down here that fed to the marshes. The water here doesn't run that fast, so there're still a few fishes hanging around."
"What, no lure?" Forde noted as he reached the grassy bank and settled himself down on it.
"There's enough sun up there," Franz indicated the sky, which had cleared of the clouds that had. "Fish sometimes just go for the flashing metal of the hook."
As if on cue, the rod jerked in Franz's hand and his grip tightened. After struggling with the fish for a few seconds, Franz managed to haul it out of the water.
"Hm. Good size." The knight noted as the fish flopped about desperately on land. Bending over his catch, he quickly yanked the hook out of the fish's mouth and tossed the silver creature back into the waters, whereupon it vanished rapidly.
"Catch and release." Forde sighed. "Ah, well, probably wouldn't have tasted very good anyway."
"The fish in the area are… well, they're pretty soggy and tasteless – certainly not something you'd willingly cook up for a meal." Franz noted as he cast the line back out into the water. "I'm mostly doing this to strengthen my lance arm."
"Speaking of which," Forde gave a pointed look to the fishing rod Franz was holding. "Isn't that the spear I broke the head off of in the training session the other day?"
"Yeah, I figured no one was going to miss it so I convinced the quartermaster to give it to me. A couple of lengths of good twine, a hook, and I've got myself an impromptu rod."
"And here I thought the point of a hobby was free yourself from all worries and thoughts about your job." The older knight said with an amused air.
The younger knight simply shrugged. "It's still plenty relaxing, if that's what you're asking. In fact, until you showed up I was just listening to the sound of the place – the bubbling of the stream, the wind in the grass…" A gentle smile formed. "Makes me feel at peace."
The conversation ended on that note and the two brothers simply sat there for several more minutes, enjoying the quiet and the company of each other.
And then, "What about the eels? I hear the eels around here taste great in a stew."
"And… there." Natasha smiled up at the lancer. "That should just about do it."
"Thank you." Amelia smiled gratefully. Shortly after the fight had ended, several healers had hurried over to Amelia. After taking one look at her scorched leg it had been obvious that basic staves and curative spells wouldn't help much beyond stemming the bleeding and negating the pain. After getting a couple of nearby soldiers to carry her back to the base camp – Amelia had wanted to walk on her own volition but the eldest of the healers had expressly forbidden it – she'd lain in a cot in the medical area for a while, methodically picking away the strips of melted leather that still clung to her skin until Natasha had hurried over to see her.
After focusing on a stronger healing spell to repair the worst of the damage – an act which had left the gentle cleric visibly tired out – she'd quickly unwound a very long roll of bandages, soaking them in a healing salve meant specifically to cure burn damage, and them quickly but meticulously bandaged Amelia's legs.
"Now, the way I bound your leg means you might have trouble walking." Natasha continued speaking in an even tone as she worked on Amelia's legs. "The bandages should stay for about a week, and I'll help you change them every other day. You'll want plenty of rest and water, and try not to put too much weight on the leg for a while – you suffered some muscle injuries so it'll be harder for you to heal if you exert yourself. And of course it'll be a bit stiff when the bandages come off, but that won't last."
"Okay, I'll…." Amelia yawned. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I forgot – you were just in a battle. You must be exhausted."
Amelia nodded wearily. "Nobody's gonna mind if I just pass out here, right?"
Natasha chuckled. "Of course not. This is medical ward. You're supposed to rest here."
Another slight nod, and Amelia leaned back into the soft material of her cot, she closed her eyes and let the cool darkness wash over her.
The sun was starting to set when Franz and Forde returned to camp, the latter clutching tightly onto a soggy bag in his right hand.
"Do you actually even know how to make eel stew?" Franz questioned as he placed his makeshift fishing pole away.
"I'm a fast learner. And I'm sure someone in the army's got to know. Maybe Amelia. She's a Grad native, so-"
"She comes from Silva! That's practically the other end of the country! Why would she know anything about marshland cooking?"
"Just a thought. Well, the eels aren't getting any fresher, so I'd best start asking around." Forde turned and started to head off.
"Hang on." At his elder brother's questioning gaze. "Shouldn't you… you know, get your wound looked at? I know you drank a vulnerary dose earlier, but…"
Forde sighed. "Normally it's the elder sibling that's overprotective. It's just a scratch, Franz. I'll be fine. It'll be all healed up by the time we take Castle Renais."
Shaking his head, Franz ducked into his tent and emerged several moments later. Then he set off again, looking for Natasha.
He didn't have to look long. She was at the centre of the camp, resting on a long near the evening campfire, seeking its warmth to counter the approaching chill of night.
"Natasha!" She turned at his call, a small smile appearing on her face.
"Oh, Franz. How are you? I haven't seen you since we left Kiris."
"I'm fine. Actually, I came to give you this. I said I'd make you a satchel to use, remember?" With a small smile, he handed it over to her.
Accepting the present, Natasha held it lightly, as if it were some kind of delicate creature instead of… well, the sturdy travel-pack Franz had designed it to be. Slowly, she turned it over in her hands, looking it over.
"I, uh, I made it more lightweight than mine, and there're more compartments because… well, I figured you'd want them separate for all the potions and salves you carry." Franz wasn't sure on how to go about listing the features of the satchel without sounding like he was showing off about how he was able to make it.
"It's wonderful, Franz." Natasha finally said, a soft smile playing over her features as she slipped the strap over her shoulder. "I'll be sure to cherish it."
"Heh. Thanks." The cavalier sighed. "I tried to complete it a bit faster than I did my own – I hope…. I hope you'll find it useful."
"I'm sure I will." The encouraging expression on the cleric's face suddenly changed into a wince of pain. "Ah! Ow…"
"Hm?" Alert, Franz looked around for any sign of a threat. "Sister Natasha? What's wrong?"
Clearly embarrassed, the cleric indicated the back of her head. "N-nothing. It's just… my hair…"
"Oh, I see." Looking closer, Franz could see that her hair had gotten tangled up in the clip she wore. "Just hang on a second. I'll get it."
After carefully removing the offending clip, he stepped back with a look of satisfaction that quickly changed to a small frown. "Well, it's gone, but… your hair's pretty snarled up now."
"Oh…" Hesitantly, the cleric reached up to caress her tangled hair lightly. "W- well, it's no big deal. I can fix it myself later-"
"No, wait." Reaching into his own pack, Franz drew out a small fine-tooth comb. "I can do it."
Natasha hesitated for a moment before nodding gratefully and shifting in her seat so that Franz could reach over and comb her hair properly. Standing over her, he quickly began his work.
Suddenly, Amelia found herself awake again for no discernable reason. With a slight mumble protest, she stretched herself, yawning and reaching out to rub at her eyes.
"Hm? Oh, you're awake."
That voice? Quickly, she turned over. "G- general Duessel!" Instinctively she tried to scramble to her feet so that she could salute him – an act that was quickly hampered by her stiff leg.
"No, at ease." The general said before she could pull herself to attention. "I was just about to leave anyway after I saw you sleeping."
"Huh?" Amelia blinked as she pulled herself into a sitting position. "General Duessel… you mean… you came to see how I was doing?"
"Well… yes. Prince Ephraim was rather descriptive of the wounds you had suffered in the last battle, as well as the role you played in helping us defeat Selena."
Amelia didn't miss the familiar term Duessel used for the Fluorspar. He must have hoped that she could be compelled to surrender. She almost opened her mouth to ask him about how he felt, how he dealt with it all, but restrained herself quickly. It just wasn't the sort of thing you asked a General. So instead she said, "B – but I'm just a regular soldier. I'm not even a knight!"
The Obisidian folded his arms, looking mildly amused. "Perhaps. And?"
"And…" Amelia sighed, looking away. "There's no need for you to care so much about me."
Duessel nodded. "I'd wager you're right, lass. You're a soldier out there on the front lines. You've survived up until now, but there's no guarantee you'll live through the next fight. Or the next. Or the next."
Amelia didn't respond.
"I've gotten attached to many other soldiers in my time. Some was when I was just a recruit, making my way up the ranks. Others were squires I took under my wing, soldiers who showed potential and promise. Still others were higher ranking officers that came to view me as equals as I was promoted and proved my worth on the field." The Obisidian looked out towards the entrance of the tent. "Most of them are dead now. And every time I hear about the deaths of those I know, those I knew, those I cared about…" He sighed and slumped. "It hurts, Amelia. It hurts a lot."
Amelia didn't know what to say. After a few long moments of silence, she began to feel as if the silence was stifling enough to say the first thing that came to mind. "If so, then… wouldn't it be easier not to let yourself be hurt? Not to care about others?"
The aged general gave her a knowing look. "Really now? Well then, let me ask you, Amelia, that Renaitian knight you've befriended-"
"Franz." She said automatically.
"Yes, Franz. Would you give up your friendship with him?"
Amelia shook her head. "No. Not for the world." Then, after a small pause, she continued, "I'm not sure I could, even if I tried."
"Then you already know the answer. Even if their loss causes you grief and sorrow, in the end, the relationship is worth it." Then he chuckled. "And now, getting back to the original question of why I would come in and check up on a random field recruit – you're certainly among the more spirited of the soldiers I've known. That and, well… fellow Grads aren't exactly common in this army."
A silence descended upon the two of them for several moments until the general broke it with a grunt and stood. "Well, I really should be going. Prince Ephraim is going to want my help with invading the capital." His weary expression said what no words could as he slowly walked out of the tent.
Amelia was just laying herself back on the cot went the tent flap was flung open and Franz practically dashed into the room, followed closely by a bemused Natasha.
"Franz!" She said, brightening up. "I haven't seen you since the midway through the fight."
He nodded, a look of guilt in his eyes. "Amelia… your leg…"
She glanced over to the bandaged limb. "Yeah, it hurt really bad earlier, but it's all right now, thanks to Natasha."
The young knight slumped over slightly. "I didn't even know… if Natasha hadn't mentioned it to me… I wasn't even there."
Amelia chuckled. "It's no big deal Franz. It's fine now. Although I do seem to get wounded in the leg a lot."
Franz gazed at her with an unfamiliar expression on his face – was it frustration? – and after a moment he moved back slightly. "It doesn't hurt anymore?"
"No, not really." Amelia shrugged. "A dull ache, and sometimes it itches, but yeah, it's mostly fine."
Meanwhile, Natasha stepped over to Amelia and pulled a tiny bottle out of the satchel at her side. Amelia glanced over at the pack. Odd, she didn't recall Natasha keeping a satchel with her…
As the cleric administered the medicine to Amelia's leg again, Franz sat on the chair next to her. "… Amelia… how'd you get the wound anyway? Natasha told me she didn't know."
Amelia shrugged and began recounting the events that had started with the Fluorspar hitting her with a glancing blow (given the power behind the attack, it had to have been a glancing blow or Amelia wouldn't have survived it) up to Ephraim defeating General Selena. After completing the story, Amelia closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Something General Selena said before the fight with Lord Ephraim… she knew that something had gone wrong with Emperor Vigarde's mind… something about the 'darkness' corrupting him. But she still sided with him." When her eyes opened again, they were set into an expression of confused anger. "Why? Why would someone willingly follow something they know isn't right? She didn't have to die. She could've surrendered… she could have helped us find some way to end this war even quicker."
Franz shook his head. "I… I'm not sure. I know I have a loyalty to Renais. It's… I want to believe that my country's just and fair and all that, but if it isn't… If it isn't… it's still really all I have, isn't it? It's my country. It's where I was born and raised…" Then he closed his eyes and chuckled bitterly. "But why am I telling you this, Amelia? You know the pain of fighting against your own country better than I ever could."
"I…" Amelia began. "I'd been taught that people in Frelia and Renais were cruel and heartless. It was easy to believe that. I wanted to believe that. It would make fighting against you so much easier if I could justify it all as the right thing. But I couldn't do that. Nothing you – any of you – did seemed like the actions of someone cold and heartless."
"Well, you were a prisoner of war almost from the moment we met. It's not like we're going to do anything to people who've surrendered."
"Uh, actually," Amelia reached up to scratch at the neckline of her tunic. "They more or less told us that you'd horribly torture any prisoners you found, and then make us serve as slaves in your palace… or something like that." Even now, recounting that snippet seemed hazy and unreal to Amelia, like something from a bizarre alternate reality. Had she truly once believed those things? Franz was now wearing odd expression, like he couldn't decide whether to laugh or become mad.
Amelia folded her arms and looked away. "So now… why is it so difficult for me to believe that Grado is doing the wrong thing? Why don't I want to believe it?" She paused. "The whole reason… the whole reason I wanted to join your side was because of… well, you, Franz. You were so kind to me… you helped me when I was helpless, cared for me… I knew that… well, if I wanted to join the Frelian army it'd be because I'd have someone I could turn to. People like you, Natasha, and General Duessel too, they joined because they really had no other choice. You were branded a deserter and traitor before you'd actually done anything." She closed her eyes, one hand moving to cover them. "If you hadn't shown up, if I hadn't been at Fort Rigwald… if I'd seen Grado using monsters, mistreating civilians, things I know are wrong… would I still be able to leave them? Could I still do what I believed, what I knew was the right thing?"
For a moment, she hung there, suspended on the sea of her own thoughts. Visions of her fighting alongside the twisted monstrosities, heeding orders to continue the invasion of the continent, to seek out and destroy the Sacred Stones, to hunt down Lord Ephraim and Princess Eirika… it all seemed so real, so vivid to her, she could see herself partaking in these atrocities-
"What are you talking about?" The gentle, reassuring voice threaded its way like a cool stream through her mind, washing away the dark thoughts. "The Amelia I know wouldn't condone such things. Never in a million years." Franz paused, his smile quirking a bit. "Well, it'd probably have taken you a bit longer to realize that something was very, very wrong with the whole affair, but in the end, once you realized just what was going on, you'd never have just stood idly by. You'd have done something about it – left them, spoke out, whatever. Even if it didn't mean that you'd join up with us – you'd still never have let it stand. I know you wouldn't." The expression on his face was of complete sincerity and trust – and Amelia found herself speechless.
"How?" She finally found her voice. "How could you have such faith in me, Franz? How could you know what I would do?"
"Because I know you." The way he spoke… the way he behaved… it was like this was a question so utterly simple, as if the matter was closed, as if it had never been opened. "Because you've talked to me before, about how no matter what, at the end of everything else, you wanted to believe that you were doing the right thing. Because I've seen your face grow wild with fury at the mere mention of injustice, of deep wrongs, or ancient wounds that time can't heal. Because, even now, you can agonize and torment yourself over this, wondering if you could do the right thing. Because after the fighting ends, after you take off your armour and put away your weapon, you are still Amelia, the simple, honest, sincere girl I met back in Fort Rigwald, and you would not sit back and do nothing because of who you are."
Amelia was stunned. To think that Franz would trust her this much… that he could dismiss such concerns of hers as absurd… A distant part of her even felt indignant, unhappy that such pressing concerns of hers could be taken by him, glanced at, and summarily blown to the wind. But then she was forced to ask herself if her fears and worries really were baseless after all. She shook her head.
"Thanks for believing in me." She said softly. The thoughts and beliefs in her head was still in a chaotic flux, but at the least, at the very least, she had someone who could trust in her, and in whom she could cling on too as well.
Franz let out a low chuckle. "Well, thanks for being the sort of the person that I can believe in."
Before anything else could be said, Kyle appeared in the doorway. "Oh, there you are, Franz. Lord Ephraim wants and audience with us."
"Hm? Oh, all right. I'm on my way." Standing and stretching slightly, Franz gave a reassuring look to Amelia.
"Amelia… I know you're still confused and anxious about all this. It's okay if you feel you have trouble believing in yourself right now. You can believe in me, can't you? And I believe in you. So if you can't trust in your belief of yourself, then trust in mine."
"Yeah, that didn't come out awkward sounding at all." Amelia laughed. "I know what you mean, though. Thanks." She smiled at him as he nodded and left the room.
As soon as Franz stepped out of the tent, the smile vanished from his face, to be replaced by a dark frown.
I wasn't there. That thought remained foremost in his mind as he followed Kyle to where Prince Ephraim was holding conference. I wasn't there when Amelia was wounded, when she needed me the most.
Damn it all, he hadn't even known she had been hurt until Natasha had mentioned that she should really be going to check up on Amelia. He had forgotten about her, forgotten that he was supposed to be protecting her!
He let out a long, slow breath and pressed a hand to his forehead. All right, Franz. Get a grip. No sense berating yourself over this. Just make sure next time you stick as close to her as possible. Don't let her out of your sight, don't mess up. Taking another deep breath, he shook his head, and looked up at the Prince as he approached camp.
"Prince Ephraim? You called for me, milord?"
Ephraim looked up and nodded. "Ah, Franz. You're here."
Spreading out a map of the surrounding area, he indicated a portion of grassland northeast of their current position. "The scouts have just returned from their, well, scouting. Reports are unanimous on a rather large force of monsters making their way over here. They'll be within sighting distance of the campsite by nightfall."
Breaking away from the map, he clasped his hands at the back of his head and looked around the table with a raised eyebrow. "All right, any suggestions?"
Forde, resting near the back, raised a hand. "Marshall a force and beat the stuffing out of them?"
"Good, I like that one. All in favour?"
Franz exchanged a glance with Kyle, who shrugged, and then they both nodded, along with everyone else present.
"It's settled, then. Get everyone battle-worthy in full battle order and ready to march by the passing of the fourth watch. Dismissed."
Chapter End
Yes, this fight scene that is about to occur did not occur in the actual game. What can I say? I'm a wild rebel.
Thanks for reading, please review.
