Interlude – Nabata Desert

The Nabata Desert, a wasteland of scorching days and frozen nights. By all accounts, it rejects human life. Anyone careless enough to enter its borders is doomed to wander lost, becoming a buried mummified husk. It's the last place in all the continent I'd want to be. Yet, here we are. Heading straight in. All because Uther spoke of a living legend and bade us to follow. And Eliwood and Hector decided to jump right in.

This better be worth it. I really disliked testing my limits of heat and cold tolerance.

"So hot… I'm going to die…" Very nice summary of everything, Nils. Impressive for six words. "Ugh…" Nils slipped in the sand and nearly fell. "Wah!"

Hector caught him, though, and helped find his footing. "Hey, Nils?" he began, noting how shaky Nils was. Nils looked up at him. "Want me to carry you?" And Nils stared at him like he was insane. "What's with that look?"

"Such kindness from you surprised me, Lord Hector." NILS! HAHAHA! "Is this some fever dream?" Clearly, we had rubbed off on him!

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hector scowled. "I was worried you might collapse again, like the other day."

"Oh, don't be so hard on him," Lyn chided, skipping up. "You're usually so brusque, so it's no wonder he's confused." The words were said so sweetly and with such a smile, that it was almost enough to make you forget she was insulting him. Hector's scowl deepened. "Don't be shy, Nils. Let him help you."

"But…" Nils mumbled, glancing around at the rest of our very large group. "Um…"

"Do as you're told, boy!" Hector retorted, easily picking up Nils and settling him on his shoulders easily. "Wow, you're freaking light. Eat more, Nils."

"I'm going to fall!"

"Just sit still! Lyn, stop laughing so much and get him calm!" Except Lyn kept laughing and Hector was grinning. "Nils, stop squirming!"

I laughed, watching the scene as I leaned into Rath to keep my seat better. Our group was making its very slow way through the desert, doing our best to keep hydrated and avoiding sunburns. While I had tried to walk like many of the others the first few days, my leg protested even with the brace, so Serra had ordered me to ride. Thankfully, Rath didn't mind having me as a passenger again.

Still giggling, I glanced around, mentally checking on everyone. Most everyone's spirits had been lifted by the heartwarming scene. I swear; Hector, Lyn, and Nils looked almost like a family on an outing. Except, you know, the sand and the sun trying to burn us alive. We'd have to make camp soon. Again. This living legend had better be worth it. Or I was going to hurt Uther for making the suggestion.

The wind picked up and blew sand in my face, making me cough. Rath gently patted me on the back as I struggled to breathe. I hated the desert so much.

Sighing, I glanced around at the others, doing a headcount to make sure no one had been lost. Erk was riding with Priscilla, his health still too damaged for him to even think about walking. I think he was actually sleeping, certainly I couldn't see his face as he leaned heavily into Priscilla. Raven and Lucius were walking next to them, Raven struggling with the sand while Lucius almost glided across like a freaking fairy. The knights were fighting with their horses; I noted with some pride that Kent and Sain had less trouble with theirs than Isadora, Marcus, and Lowen. Though, to be fair to Lowen, he had Rebecca riding with him, no doubt trying to figure out a meal for later. Legault was teasing the living hell out of Matthew, with Serra cackling. I had Heath up in the air, searching… who else… oh, there was Ninian and Eliwood, not far away. And Ninian looked almost lost as she stared at the horizon.

"Enter the desert and move west," I heard her murmured, repeating the words Uther had given us before our departure. "Someone will meet you." Somehow, someway. I highly questioned how Uther knew anything about whoever this person was. "Yet, we have seen no one." And poor Ninian was flagging. I could see it in her unsteady walk. I wondered if I should order her to rest in Merlinus's convoy, like Florina and Fiora. The pegasus knights were used to the cold, and were positively chipper when night fell, but during the day, it was obvious how bad their tolerance to heat was. And that wasn't even going into the poor pegasi, who were adapted to snow. I kept expecting them to drop dead, even with the constant tending.

"Then, we must keep moving," Eliwood replied, voice firm and confident. The unwavering faith both he and Hector had in Uther was touching, even if I did want to shake them a little for it right now. "Here." He offered his arm to Ninian, with a small, warm smile. "The heat is taking its toll on you. If you please, take my arm." Ever the gentleman.

"…Very well…" Hesitantly, Ninian did take his arm, leaning into him slightly. I noticed her face flushed, and smirked when I realized it wasn't due to heat. Adorable~ "Forgive me…" Laughter caught her attention, her focus shifted to Hector, Lyn, and Nils. Who were happily chatting about something Nils could see from Hector's shoulders, based on how Nils was pointing ahead. "So strange…"

"Hmm?"

"All of you treat my brother and I so… normally." Her attention turned to Eliwood again. "Doesn't it bother you? Our powers… our looks… we're so different from…"

"Has that been bothering you?" Eliwood's voice and face were incredibly gentle, and they softened further when Ninian nodded. "Well, what's wrong with being a bit different from other people? Just look at our eclectic group." That was a … wait, was that word even being used properly? I wasn't sure. "When I look at you, I don't see other people. I see you, Ninian." …Um… Eliwood? Eliwood, careful on the lines. That so sounded like flirting. "I see a normal, kindhearted girl." So did that.

"…Do you speak truly?"

"Yes." Eliwood smiled warmly. "Besides, you should not worry so much on your looks, Ninian. You are incredibly beautiful." ELIWOOD! "H-hey, why are you so flushed?" ELIWOOD, YOU OBLIVIOUS FLIRT!

"Eliwood, why don't you two get some water from Merlinus?" I called, mostly to give Ninian an out. She sent me a grateful look even as Eliwood nodded and gently led her towards Merlinus's wagon. I gave her a sympathetic smile. Oh, she had a crush all right, and Eliwood really didn't think sometimes at how his words could be taken. I was definitely going to have a good talk with her later about it. I had a feeling she needed to vent, and she wasn't very close to anyone outside the Legion. "Goodness…" A blessedly cool jar was pressed against my face, and I quickly took it and started sipping when I saw Rath had already opened it for me. I instantly smelled the lavender and chamomile and felt myself relax as I sipped. And, as I did, I did another check on people. Dorcas and Bartre were helping each other, and poor Oswin, make it through the sands. I almost burst into laughter, though, when I realized Dart was carrying a protesting, squirming Guy. Not on his shoulders, like Hector was doing with Nils… well, I guess technically he was 'on his shoulders', but slung across like a sack, not sitting comfortably. And the two were arguing over it. Haha! I should probably intervene in a bit, but for now…

"Nice to see how lively everyone is!" I brought my attention down as Wil stepped next to Rath's horse. He gave us a big grin before turning his attention to Rath. "So, Rath, the archers of the Sacae…" he began, waiting to make sure Rath was willing to converse. When Rath nodded, he continued, "they're all mounted, aren't they?" Rath nodded, giving him an odd look even as he shifted to keep me from slipping off the horse. The sands made poor footing, even for a Sacaean horse. "I'd have trouble just staying on…" I thought back to the Caelin Inheritance Dispute. I didn't recall him having any trouble, but then again, he never rode alone. "If I had to shoot, too, I'd be in trouble!"

"…The beast of the Sacae are swift…" Rath murmured. I nodded, remembering seeing the hunters race off when I traveled with the Kutolah. The rabbits alone would disappear from sight before I could blink. "If we could not shoot from the saddle, we would starve." I thought I saw a dark look in his eyes when he said that. I wondered if there were nights he had gone hungry, trying and failing to hunt.

"Hmm… I guess so." Wil shrugged, looking thoughtful. "I grew up in such a quiet little town, our traps were always full. Never wanted for rabbit. Actually, got a bit sick of it." Wil. Seriously? "That's why I'm not so swift on the field, I guess. I mean, I shoot well, but I never had to depend on it until I joined the Legion." Well, nice to know? "Before I know it, the enemy's behind me." And giving me a damn heart attack. You know… was sand good for running training? Hmm… "Of course, that's why it's good to have partners on the field!" Wil grinned up at Rath, and I felt Rath squirm behind me. "Like you! You're amazing!"

"…What."

"It's true! You're fast and strong, you can shoot from insane distances, control your horse, and you always know the enemy numbers and positions!" Wil, was this a subtle way of saying you had a massive crush on Rath? Not that I could blame him, but still. Still. "I can learn a lot from you. I'm not the best archer, but I want to get better." Wil's eyes hardened in determination. "I want to help Lady Lyndis… if I could just be half as good as you, I could help her a lot." Oooor, maybe he had a crush on Lyn. Couldn't blame him for that one either.

"…You are strange." Rath! "You are very strange."

"Huh?" Wil sulked. "Why do you say that?"

"You are so quick to doubt yourself, despite your skill." Wil instantly flushed. I hid a grin behind my smile. "You are also so open with your weakness. Are you not afraid?"

"Afraid? Why?" Now Wil looked confused. "I mean; we're not strangers! We're friends, right?" Rath didn't reply. I glanced up at him, curious by the silence, and thought he might have been startled. But it was just by the slight widening of his eyes, the minor uncertainty in them. Everything else was stoic. "Right?"

"…Yes… we are…" Rath relaxed, ever so slightly, behind me. "But you are still strange."

"Nonsense! I'm normal!" Wil, there was no one in this army who could be considered 'normal'. "I might as well be Normal Archer number three!" …Um… w-well, I suppose, technically, there were three archers, but… um… UM…

"Number three?" Rath frowned slightly in confusion. "Why three?"

"Mmm, no reason, I guess." Wil shrugged. "It just seemed pretty normal." What.

"…" Rath immediately ducked away, tugging his horse away from Wil. Wil called after him, but he didn't listen. I twisted to ask him why, but then I could only stare. Because he was grinning, hiding it behind his hand, shaking with laughter. And, for the first time, I realized that Rath was around my age. He seemed older, more distant, but right now? Right now, he was just a teenager, laughing over some stupid little thing a friend of his.

So, I smiled, unable to help it, and laughed when he gave me an odd look. "I'm happy that you're laughing," I told him. His hand dropped to the reins, to keep his horse from veering too far from the others. I still saw the shadow of a smile, a laugh, on his lips. "It's nice to see you smiling." He shook his head slightly, and looked ahead, face becoming stoic again. "Yes, yes, you may refuse to acknowledge it. But I shan't forget!"

"Katri!" Still giggling, I turned my attention to Hector. He still had Nils on his shoulders, and Nils actually looked rather happy about the whole thing now. "Mind answering a question?" he asked, coming to stand a bit closer so that we didn't have to shout. Lyn tagged along to make sure Nils didn't slip. "About Etrurian politics, history, whatnot."

What. "You're wanting to learn?" I retorted, incredulous. "About Etrurian politics? Has the sun baked your brain?" He scowled, even as Lyn and Nils laughed. "Well, go on. What's the question?"

"It's something Ephidel said." I shuddered as I remembered him. Remembered how he had still been moving, even when half-burnt to bone. My stomach rolled at the memory. "Something about your house's power?" …Oh. "But isn't it one of the five Great Houses?"

"Well, yes…" I sighed. "You would ask a complicated thing." He simply smiled, and made space for Eliwood as he came up to hear the explanation. Ninian wasn't with him. I assumed she was sitting with Florina and Fiora. "Hanover, Reglay, Caerleon, Eir, and Caliburn. By law, these five house are equal in power, second only to the royal house. By tradition, though, that's… not really the case." I sipped my drink, mostly to buy time to try and think of how to explain. "Saint Elimine didn't fight alone. And I don't mean alongside the Eight Heroes. I meant she had friends who took up arms with her, childhood friends. Five of them."

"So, I'm guessing each of them founded a house and that's why those five are the 'Great Houses.'

"Sort of, yes." I nodded and closed my eyes, still thinking of how best to phrase it. "However, three of those friends died during the Scouring. One died forging the legendary weapons. Another was eaten by a dragon that they thought was dead. The third died shielding Saint Elimine from a traitor's sword." I opened my eyes and looked at them. "Later family members, a daughter, a nephew, and a niece, later founded houses at the behest of Saint Elimine, when they came of age. Those houses became Caerleon, Eir, and Caliburn. Reglay and Hanover, however, were founded, directly, by the two surviving friends of Saint Elimine."

"So, it's like how Pherae became the second most powerful to Ostia in Lycia. Founded, directly, by a close friend of a hero, who fought at their side." I hadn't known that. It made sense, though. "But one of the more powerful across the continent? Your house, I mean. How did that come about?"

"Reglay has the same amount of influence, not that Pent ever uses it. The province has forever been famous for its skilled magic users, and the best magic academies of the continent are actually centered in Reglay." I shrugged. "As for Hanover… it's a combination of our horses and something that lingers from our founder, the Lady Hildegard. Like most of those who fought from that time, she's more myth than legend, but she supposedly served as the tactician to the eight heroes." Meaning she had a lot of influence. Influence that lingered, just like the fear of dragons.

"Oh." Hector suddenly smirked. "Is that why you went into tactics?"

"Not in the least." My response was immediate and deadpanned. "I went into it because I liked it. And I didn't even learn it from a blood relative. Charles taught me." Now he might have taught me because of the Lady Hildegard, but that was neither here nor there. "That answer your question?"

"I think so." Hector nodded. "Thanks."

"Not a problem." Though what was was… "Anyone seen Canas?" I hadn't found him yet.

"Saw him digging in the sand earlier. Something about hidden treasure." Hidden… treasure…? Freaking hell, I needed to make sure he never met Pent. They both would just go scholar crazy. "Oh, hey, there's Heath!"

Sure enough, Heath came swooping in, angling his descent to minimize the amount of sand and wind his wyvern kicked up. "There's an oasis up ahead," he reported as soon as his wyvern touched down. I nearly breathed a sigh of relief. No goring out cacti for water tonight. "Shall we head there?"

"Yes, please," I confirmed. "Lead us." He nodded and urged his wyvern a bit away before launching into the air. "Everyone, follow Heath. He's taking us to where we're setting up camp!" It might be relatively relaxing. For once.

"So, I'm not imagining the little blossoms of affection blooming between Priscilla and Erk…" I giggled at the thought. "Oh, that's going to be interesting."

"Will it be all right?" While I was amused, Lucius was more anxious. "I understand Etruria is very… well… strict when it comes to marriages among nobility."

"That's a polite way to describe it." I smirked. "But I dare anyone claim that Erk isn't allowed to marry her because of 'uncertain birth'. I seriously would love to see them do it. It's glorious to see sweet Louise turn into a mother bear with the sweetest smile."

"Horrible." And yet, he laughed with me. "I think that's the last of the definitive romances I've seen for now." Namely, Erk and Priscilla, and Rebecca and Lowen. "I have suspicions of other possibilities, but those are at a point where it could swing to strong friendship or romance."

"I see." Nodding, I leaned back a bit more against the tree. Lucius and I were enjoying the shade by the oasis now that the camp had set up. I had wanted to work more on my strategies, but Lucius had offered to gossip… er… share his observations… about the group. "Oh, right, I have ideas for different groups. Team A, Team B, and whatnot. Not sure if it's something I would want to implement in the freaking desert, but if you don't mind looking at them later?"

"Not at all," Lucius reassured me. Still, his smile wasn't very comforting. "We can discuss it at dinner."

…I should've known. "Is this considered bribery or blackmail?"

"I wouldn't know. I am a monk." Still, his smile softened. "Regardless…" A suddenly splash cut him off and both of us turned to the water where… a lot… of the army… was suddenly in their underwear and swimming in the oasis.

…Did everyone seriously just strip down and jump in the water? Seriously?!

"I don't know if I should just sit back and enjoy the eye-candy or remind everyone that water doesn't provide that much protection from the sun and they need to really put on sun lotion before they turn into lobster lords and company," I deadpanned. Lucius laughed, bright and joyful. "Honestly…" Okay, to be fair, only about a quarter of the swimmers had actually stripped down to their underwear. Most went only half, and a few were fully clothed. Still. "Your opinion, oh pious monk?"

"Well, so long as they're having fun…?" Lucius hesitantly replied. I grinned and he returned it sheepishly. "I don't think we can really stop them at this point." Point. "Do staves work on sun poisoning?" Uh…

"I have absolutely no idea. Where's Serra or Priscilla?"

"Lady Priscilla is apparently learning how to swim with Erk and Guy." He pointed. "See? She's clinging to Erk."

"Priscilla knows how to swim. I taught her." However… "Considering she's fully clothed, I'm guessing she's more hiding behind Erk to avoid everyone checking her out." A thought occurred to me. "Do we have towels?"

"I would be surprised if we didn't. It's Merlinus."

"True."

"Oh, there you two are!" And there was Serra, who plopped down right between Lucius and me. "I can't believe they just threw off their clothes!" she yelped, face very red. "In front of a lady!" And yet, it was oh-so-convenient Matthew's ass was exactly where she was staring. "Where are their manners?!"

"I think they're drowning them," I deadpanned. She groaned, and hid her face in her knees. "Aw… poor sweet Serra…" I stroked her hair, even as I did a headcount. "So, it looks like the only ones not joining in are us, Marcus, Merlinus, Nils, Ninian, Raven, and Rath." I could see Eliwood from here, laughing at something Hector said. I noticed that they'd opted to keep their pants on, unlike some of the other males. Good for Ninian. She was already so red in the face. Poor girl… oh, wait, was Lyn checking out Hector's back? I think she was. Maybe. Oh, I was so teasing her later.

"A shame for you that Rath is not involved." WHAT THE HELL!? "I am surprised to see Florina among the group." So was I, but it looked like she was actually getting a swimming lesson from Matthew and Wil. "Oh, Serra, how are staves with sun poisoning?"

"Horrible," Serra immediately replied. "It can ease the pain of the burns, but it can't really deal with the rest of it." Meaning I had to tell everyone to get sun lotion on as soon as possible.

However, even as I stood to chide them, Legault ambushed Heath of all people, sending him sprawling into the water, and the resulting splash actually sparked a giant splash war between the whole group.

I laughed and laughed, unable to help it. We might be saving the world and all, but damn if it wasn't nice to see everyone enjoying themselves.

Chest rattling coughs startled me from my thoughts. Damn sand. Stupid, damn sand. I had been doing fine on the coughing front, and then I came here, and suddenly it felt like it was worse. Not to mention how I felt both unbelievably warm and absolutely freezing. Ugh… I hated the desert. I hated the desert so much. I would die before I came to this desert again. Mark my words.

Sighing, I leaned back in my chair, glaring at my papers. Lucius had made some suggested changes to the groups, mostly for group unity, so I was reconstructing my tactics for the groups. If I could get this finished, then it would really streamline the tactics. Like, a lot. Make it so that a single tactician could reasonably control an army of this size. That would give me more time for budgeting, categorizing, studying, researching… ah, right, too much to do. Back to work, Katri.

…Or not, since someone was knocking on my tent.

"Come in," I called, turning to face whoever it was. My foot knocked over my pack, though, and Mother's letters peeked out from where I had hidden them. I quickly bent down and straightened it, covering the letters again. Out of sight, out of mind. I couldn't… I couldn't read them. Not yet. I just…

"Is everything all right?" I glanced up and saw my visitor was Rath. He was studying me closely. "You're pale." Mmm…

"My mother left some letters for me, but since I'm still uncertain on what to feel, I'm kind of doing my best to forget about them." I nudged my pack for emphasis. It was… nice to talk about this. "I hide them in here, but knocked the stupid thing over." I shrugged, smiling up at him. "So? What's up?"

"Here." He passed me another ceramic jar. "It's good for coughs." Oh… were they that loud? "I was coming back from first watch and came by to check on you." Ah… "What are you working on?"

"Hopefully things that'll make things easier on me." He nodded, and I thought he smiled slightly. "That'll give me more time for… everything else I need to do."

"Including take medicine." Taking the pointed hint, I checked to see the jar was already unsealed and sipped. Immediately, I tasted honey, nice and sweet, and bits of what I thought might be thyme. "Is there too much honey?"

"No, it's perfect." …Wait… "Did you mix this up especially for me?" He glanced away, but I laughed. "Thank you!" He did something like this during the Caelin Inheritance Dispute too. A quiet, gentle, maybe a little awkward, kindness. "Though, I'm sorry to give you more work."

"I would have simply been stargazing." He stared at me for a moment, though, and I could tell he was trying to figure out how to ask me something. "Your earrings…" Ah!

"Kieros made them for me." I immediately felt giddy at the memory. "Protection and the like. I traveled with the Kutolah for a time, actually." I couldn't help but grin, even if he remained stoic. "I learned a lot on how they lived, and Dayan had me help out with planning hunting parties!" That had been so much fun, and I learned far more in that short time about the land of the Sacae than I had in years of books. "I stayed with Almada and her mother. Amalda's a sweet girl, about eight, who knows a ridiculous amount of flowers. I think she hopes to be a doctor. Her mother gets sick a lot, but she is such a loving woman. Welcomed me right in."

"You're bouncing." I flushed when I realized he was right. But, the smile never left my face. "How did you…?"

"Fall into traveling with them?" He nodded, and I laughed. "Well, I think Dayan didn't have me shot immediately because I was strange foreigner who knew Lyn, truth be told. I kind of walked right into a hunter ambush." A slight narrowing of the eyes, and I knew he was exasperated. "While Dayan was trying to get me to Kieros for a reading or something, though, bandits attacked. I helped out with the strategy for that. Of course, my strategy failed to account for a traitor, but things works out, thankfully."

"Is that where you got the scar on your face?"

"Yeah, I was talking to the traitor and distracting him until Kieros could get there. I had an arrow in my shoulder too." He gave me a look, and I laughed awkwardly, looking away. "H-hey, it didn't kill me!" I sipped my drink to avoid figuring out just how exasperated her was. "Anyway, afterwards, they were heading to Bulgar, and offered to let me travel with them."

"I see." He shook his head. "You have a habit of falling into trouble."

"Yes… well…" That reminded me. Wasn't there something that Kieros warned me about…? I should try to remember that. Later. "Anyway, I had hoped to see you there, when I learned what tribe they were, but no such luck." I remembered something Dayan had said, though, and turned to face him. I opened my mouth to ask about why everyone had stiffened at his name, but decided… that wasn't something I could ask. Not yet, not right now. I didn't think he would have the answer. So, instead… "Kieros told me that a child name 'Rath' lived among the Kutolah, but left. Was that you?"

"…Yes…" His expression locked up. This was a nerve, a thing he didn't want to talk about, think about.

So… "W-well, I hope you don't mind I babbled about you to Kieros and Dayan?" His startled stare made me self-conscious, so I looked away. "They asked! Dayan was especially interested!" He… didn't look like he believed me. "Hey, I'm not lying." I pouted, and it only earned me a little half-smile that hid… something. Something I didn't have a right to ask about. "Oh, fine, don't believe me then." Sulking, I turned away, returning to my work.

However, Rath gently touched my arm to catch my attention. "You need to take a break." I glanced up at him, pointing at all the work I still had as my answer. "That's why you need to take a break." …Something told me I'd lose a stubbornness battle with him. "I can take you for a ride." Huh? "A slow one, of course." He seemed… okay, he looked stoic, but I almost thought he was nervous.

And I was hesitant. It was a horse. Horseback riding. But, at the same time, it was Rath, who I trusted, who knew about my fear. So… "Okay." I stood up, swaying a bit as my legs protested. "Ow…" I gave him a look, knowing this would be the perfect opportunity for a 'I told you so'. However, he simply passed me my cloak, a beautiful one that was a personal gift from Amanda. "Let's go?"

It didn't take long at all for us to get to his horse, saddle it up, post word to the s that we were heading out for a short bit (Legault and Matthew, who both smirked for some reason when I told them), and head out. True to his word, Rath kept the pace slow and easy. So, it also didn't take long for me to relax after the initial wave of 'oh, freaking hell, I was on a horse'.

And when I relaxed, the scenery just captivated me. "Oh, wow…" I breathed. The moonlight on the sands… the blanket of stars above our heads… It was awe-inspiring. It was actually beautiful. "A shame we can't go far." Might be nice to just… go away for a bit. But, I had a job. A job I would see through. But wow, this scenery was amazing… the last time I saw the stars so clearly was back on the plains… "Beautiful…"

I thought I saw Rath smile as he urged his horse into a slow, easy walk. A short little walk, really, going until the oasis was just within sight, breathing the crisp night air. Watching the stars overhead. I thought about reading them, but I didn't want anything to ruin this wonderful, peaceful moment. So, instead, I just looked at them, smiling. Like a river, flowing over our heads, or a soft blanket settling on us. Comforting and peaceful.

"Are you afraid?" I glanced at Rath, curious by his question.

When he didn't clarify, I simply decided to answer, "A little." …Actually… "Okay, a lot." I sighed, looking back up at the stars. "We're facing a madman who has assassins at his beck and call, and is trying to destroy the continent. That's pretty scary." But what was scarier was… "I'm scared of making a mistake, and getting someone killed." And what was scariest was… "And I'm scare that, in order to complete the objective, I will have to give an order, knowing someone will die. That I will have to sacrifice one of our army to save the rest." I thought of Erk and the ships. Even if he had agreed, it was still… I couldn't forgive myself for it. I couldn't ever forgive myself for it. "So…" I glanced at Rath, and I thought he looked amused. Just a little quirk of a smile. "What?"

"I had meant 'are you afraid of my horse?', Katri." …Oh. "But it is good to hear the rest."

"…Did you just trick me?"

"No, I was asking a serious question."

"You totally tricked me."

"No, you tricked yourself." I had a retort, but he tensed a little, glancing to the side. "That is…" Hmm? Was something approaching? "Ah, Lyn." What?

"I see you two had the same idea I did?" I smiled at Lyn as Rath turned his horse to face her. Unlike us, she was riding alone. "Got a little restless, seeing the stars. It's like the plains, so…" She shrugged. "Then I saw tracks and got worried."

"Lyn, for future reference, there are watches for a reason," I pointed out. She smiled sheepishly. Someone was still a little too used to doing everything on her own. …Not that I could talk, but I at least had someone else confirm the logic behind why that was? "Still, that's probably a sign we need to head back…" I couldn't help but sigh.

"Oh, did I interrupt?" Interrupt what? I was assuming she wasn't talking about my break? "Sorry~" She didn't look sorry at all! What was going on? "Anyway… actually, Rath, there's something I've been meaning to ask you." Rath gave her a curious look as he nudged his horse back towards the camp. Lyn followed easily. "Are all Kutolah men so quiet?" Mmm… it depended. Dayan could be very quiet, but the young hunters were loud and rambunctious. And I could never forget that 'quiet' victory party. "My father and the other Lorca men didn't talk much, but they were gossiping magpies compared to you." Rath remained quiet, and I could feel him tense up. This… wasn't a conversation he enjoyed. "You rarely smile too. Are you mad that I dragged you into trouble? Again?" I had a feeling no one could drag Rath anywhere. "Because if you are…"

"I'm not angry." Rath interrupted her, shaking his head slightly. "You would know if I was angry, Lyn. Trust me." Well, that had me curious.

"But you don't talk and-"

"There's no need to."

"…Oh." Lyn flushed. "R-right, I suppose that is the case." She coughed, mostly to hide her embarrassment, and scowled playfully at him. "Well, you could smile more."

"Wolves rarely smile."

"Now you're being difficult." She turned her attention to me. "Make him behave."

"I like Rath exactly as he is," I retorted instantly. Rath tensed behind me, and Lyn looked a little surprised. "What? I do." I sighed as Lyn smirked. Definitely missing something. "Anyway, though, Lyn, since you're so worried about Rath, let me tell you about the conversation he and Wil had today. Rath was laughing."

"He was not! Tell!" A soft sigh made both of us grin at Rath. "Deal with it," Lyn teased. "You're the one riding with my best friend, and I intend to gossip with her. You're the target for now and I want to hear about this mythical laugh."

"Yes, yes…" Still, Rath seemed tense… "We can also talk about those looks you were giving Hector while everyone was swimming." Lyn squeaked and I laughed. Both sounds echoed across the sands. "Don't think I didn't notice you checking him out."

"Mean!" I only laughed harder. And Rath relaxed behind me, shifting to hold me a little more securely in the saddle. "Katri, stop being a hyena and tell me the story!"

"All right, all right! So, it starts with Wil coming up…"

Later, when we finally got back to camp, I'd have to work twice as hard to make up for this break, but… I couldn't regret it. Because between the ride and the laughter, it was perfect for my battered spirit. It really was. I wondered if Rath knew that? Knew that the scenery would have that effect? I'd have to thank him later.

Notes on Desert Tactics

· Only unmounted magic users and fliers are able to traverse the sands without difficulties. While fliers are obvious, the reason for magic users is much less obvious. Yodel told me once that the spirits employed by magic users give them better footing, but I'm sure he was just messing with me. More likely, it's because they were very little armor.

· Though movement is impaired, the shifting sands actually make it a bit easier to dodge attacks, if only because you're more likely to fall on your face.

· Watch the horizon for sandstorms. If you get caught, you might not come out of it alive.

Author's note: Little interlude chapter, nothing fancy. The first part of the first scene is from the game, one of my favorite scenes truth be told. Canas's mention of treasures (as brief as it is) comes from his 'tactician convo' for the coming chapter, the only in-game hint about a Fire Emblem classic – hidden treasures in the sands. The 'explanation' Yodel gave Katri is based on a base convo from Path of Radiance.
Wil and Rath's convo is based on their B support, though Rath's reaction to Wil's 'number three' line is from their A support (where it is heavily implied that Rath finds that line INCREDIBLY amusing). His conversation with Lyn has snippets from their C support.

Next Chapter – Living Legend