Interlude - Moonstone

Well, the war is over. Yay, yippee, whoo hoo. Except there's more questions than answers still and our assumptions about the whole situation might be very wrong. Worse, Saleh and I have a theory that might mean… ugh, I didn't even want to think about it. And, on top of it all, Ephraim and I had an argument.

Once, I had a simple life. Now, I just wanted to have a life.

There was one good thing about me not having duties and Ephraim having all the duties. Mainly, no one thought anything weird about the two of us avoiding each other, except to be exasperated at us. Oh, sure, a few people guessed something was wrong, but honestly, everything about our situation was so wrong that the few times someone asked, it was easy to give an answer that was true. Just not the whole truth.

"If Tethys saw you right now, she'd declare a state of emergency with how puffy your eyes are," I teased Eirika, pressing a rag soaked in cold water around her eyes. Eirika made a face and turned away to blow her nose again. "I told you to not fight the cry."

"I'm just annoyed at how much I've been crying over this," Eirika replied, cleaning her face some. When she turned back to me, I went right on back to cooling her face down. Supposedly, it would help with the puffiness and blotching. I wasn't really sure, but Neimi had suggested it, and if there was anyone who knew about cleaning up after crying, it was Neimi. Though she didn't cry as much as she used to. "After everything… though, then again, maybe it's just another thing that went wrong."

"We've had a hard year." A year. Just a year. I almost couldn't believe it. "Was it Lyon again?"

"It was." She bit her lip, her face scrunching up slightly. Then she relaxed. "I just… he was screaming and yet, I ignored it."

"He was screaming, and his father told him to shut up." I thought of what Knoll had said. About how Lyon had wanted to tell Ephraim and Eirika. I half-wondered if he had wanted to tell them about the other things, but thought it made him weak. Weaker. "There's a lot of things that went wrong with him. And some of those things are his fault."

"Logically, I know that, but emotionally…" Emotions were a bitch like that. "I'm so tired."

"I know." I set the rag down and hugged her, kissing her hair when she tucked herself under my chin. After a moment of just holding her, I decided to divert the subject slightly. "So, curious, is any of this puffiness due to staying up late looking through Gleipnir?" I looked pointedly at the tome sitting on the bed. Gleipnir, the tome that bound the darkness… it used the shadows to slip through enemy guard and protect the wielder from magic, according to the stories. If those same stories were true, though, then its full might could only be brought out when the wielder was uninjured. "You've been flipping through. You want to use it?"

"No, of course not. Someone of Grado should wield it, and I have Sieglinde anyway." She shook her head. "Knoll has agreed to wield it for us." Because Knoll had decided to join up with our crazy little… our crazy army. "I just… I wondered if by looking through it, I could find some sort of answer? Or maybe even just some little note from Lyon tucked away."

"Well, it wouldn't have been the first time." I was still unnerved by the journal he had apparently left in Ivroria, and the book he had supposedly been reading here. It felt like too much to be a coincidence. "It's going to be okay, Emma."

"I hope so." She sighed. "I want to see him again. I want to apologize. I want to give him a hug. I want to have a nice long talk."

"Of course." So long as it was actually Lyon and not… well… "I'm sure he wants it too."

After our little talk, Saleh and I had silently agreed to not say anything to anyone else about what we suspected. It was probably stupid, especially since Ephraim and I had just argued about me hiding potentially important information, but… but we didn't want to be right. And telling other people made it seem more 'real'. More certain. Neither of us wanted that. If only for the sake of the people we loved (no matter how much Saleh refused to admit it) and the people around us. So, we kept silent, silently praying we were very, very wrong.

I held Eirika a while longer before she pulled away to blow her nose again and we went back to work cleaning her face and reducing how splotchy she looked. Once her face was as clean as we could make it, I walked her over to her next destination, some meeting or other. I didn't know much about it, only that Tana was in the same meeting, and so I didn't have to worry about Eirika being left alone.

However, it did lead to other worries, so before Tana disappeared into the room, I tapped her shoulder to get her attention. "You doing okay?" I asked, keeping my voice quiet. I didn't want others to overhear. "You've been watching both Eirika and Cormag these past few days."

"I seem to be doing fine for now," Tana reassured. The phrasing made me smile and relax, because it felt genuine. "I'll let you know if I'm getting overwhelmed, though."

"Let's go for a flight later."

"Sounds good~!" She smiled warmly and I smiled back. "See you later, then!"

She skipped inside, shutting the door behind her, and I walked away, wondering just what to do now. After a moment, I decided to go to the library and hunt through the history section, wondering if there was anything more substantial than simple stories and legends about the Heroes and the first war with the Demon King. Or, more specifically, about how Latona survived being the Demon King's vessel when others supposedly didn't. Sure, I could ask Myrrh, but again, speaking of it made it feel real, and I didn't want it to be real. I really didn't want it to be real. Even doing research was skirting the line. But I couldn't just wander around doing nothing.

It didn't surprise me that Saleh had the same idea. While he had more duties than me, on top of teaching people magic, he still had quite a bit of free time. And based on the pile of books he had on the table next to him, he'd been here for a while. He glanced up as soon as I stepped into the history section, as unsurprised as I was, and we both smiled wanly at each other. This was all just ridiculous, like a story where everything went wrong. And yet, it seemed to be the direction our lives were taking now.

"Here," Saleh murmured, pulling out one of the books from his pile and handing it over. The book was old enough that the title was faded on the cover. "I was planning on going through this one next."

"Yeah, I'll read it," I whispered. However, a glance around showed the library was a very contained place, and if I was going to read something like this… "Is it okay if I read outside? I think I need the wind."

"Yes, it should be fine." He went back to his reading. "Let me know if…"

"Of course."

I left quickly, eager to be outside now that I had the thought in my head. And, as I knew I would, I felt immediately better as soon as I stepped out of the gates of the castle. I took a moment to breathe deep, enjoying the cool breeze, and then I headed for the fields near the garden and courtyard, since the wyverns often sunbathed there. And, sure enough, both Brynhildr and Genarog were there, lounging about and apparently 'talking' with Myrrh, since she was there babbling away, and then nodding along as if she was listening to their replies.

"Oh, Emma!" However, she noticed me easily and smiled. "They were just talking about how worried they've been over you and Cormag," she told me happily. Brynhildr growled, and looked away, like I did when embarrassed. Genarog flat-out fled. "Oh, right. I wasn't supposed to say that. Oops."

"I'm sure we'd figure it out due to a mountain of carcasses, again," I joked, petting Brynhildr's nose. She crooned and leaned up to nuzzle me before laying back down, head resting on her arms. "What are they worried about?"

"Valter." And there went my good mood. "Genarog worries that Cormag will get himself killed trying to fight whoever this bad man is. Brynhildr is worried he'll get you killed."

"I see." I sat down next to Myrrh, setting the book in my lap. "Well, I suppose that's why Cormag and I have our wyverns. They're clearly the smart ones of the duos, most of the time."

"I suppose." Myrrh suddenly giggled. "Brynhildr says it is all the time."

"Then I am going to remind Brynhildr she nearly got me killed back in Carcino because she got mad I denied her a kill and jumped on ballistae surrounded by enemies in order to work off the anger." I made sure my tone was as dry as possible, and Myrrh giggled again while Brynhildr grumbled behind me. "Is that all that's worrying them?"

"Well, Brynhildr knows something has you upset, but she doesn't know what."

"Oh?" I leaned back against Brynhildr and petted her flank. "There's a lot going on, unfortunately. The battle didn't end up going anywhere like we had wanted." And nowhere near close to how we had hoped. I know many of us hoped that the battle here would be the last one. But now, we knew more were coming and there was actually a chance that we'd be in nothing but war. "A lot of us are down because of it."

"That is true. Saleh has been extra quiet recently. And that is saying something." She sighed, and I glanced at the book. "Everyone's hearts are heavy. They're not quite discordant, but the 'song' makes me sad. I much prefer when the songs are happy."

"They will be that again, one day."

"I hope it's soon."

Apparently deciding that was enough talk, Myrrh curled up next to me and dozed off quickly, her head resting in my lap. I rested one hand on her head and flipped open the book with the other to read it and see if there was anything but nonsense in it. Brynhildr shifted a bit to better support my back and leaned around to nuzzle my cheek and croon, in an effort to lighten my mood. But not even she could do that.

Doing things just to be doing things… it was just like the days after Monica died. I hated it.

"Petal, you sure you've been okay?" Joshua asked me suddenly. I was in the middle of helping him tally up repaired armor to make sure no pieces were missing, and it took me a few moments to switch from 'is that the same piece of armor or a different one?' to 'he asked me something?'. "You've been off lately."

"I've just been horribly worried, brother," I replied, rubbing at my eyes. And then checking to make sure I didn't rub ink on them. "The fight here didn't exactly end as hoped."

"True and it's also hard to say that we've 'won' the war with Grado when there's still two generals unaccounted for." He held out his hand, and I checked my list one more time before handing it to him. "The worst two, at that."

"Exactly." Both Valter and Riev were missing, with no clues as to where they were. And all the soldiers they had with them were equally missing. It was driving Innes up the wall that he couldn't seem to find them. "Not to mention Vigarde and the Demon King and… everything."

"And 'everything' seems to sum it up." He sighed and reached up like he was going to adjust his hat. But he didn't wear it anymore. He hadn't since his mother died. And that alone told me I hadn't been imagining how 'off' he had been.

"You've been conflicted over something too." I looked up at him, both asking to change the subject and because I was worried. "Is it the same thing as me?"

"More or less, but also…" He hesitated, looking over the lists as he thought. "Well, it's Lyon."

"About what Knoll told us?"

"Yes. Because based on that information, then the logical conclusion is that Lyon was the on who tempted Carlyle and led to… everything that happened in Jehanna." Joshua glanced at me, expression unreadable. "And we already know he was near there. He was technically in charge."

"Ah…" That… that was a good point. I hadn't thought about that. "Oh."

"And then, the next logical conclusion is that Lyon was also the one who tempted Orson and brought back your sister. And we know that he was in Ivroria at one point anyway, since he killed Fado." Because, of course, word of that had spread. Seth had confirmed it, but stated that according to Frelia's spies, it had been a mercy-kill. Innes had been annoyed that his father hadn't passed that information on; Tana thought it was because Innes had no tact and Hayden was trying to 'protect' Ephraim and Eirika. "Do you have a different conclusion than me?"

"...I feel like there's still answers we haven't reached yet." I knelt down and began piling the armor pieces into their box. "And so, I'm not entirely sure Lyon really is the one, you know?" If Saleh and I were right, then it was just… someone I didn't want to admit… using Lyon's body and I couldn't say Lyon was at fault in that case. "So much we've assumed or guessed has been totally wrong, after all. And so much about this conflict has defied logic."

"Now that's very true. Carlyle was one thing, and I'm sure Orson was another." His eyes were dark, however. "Certainly do see just what it takes to make a person lose their morals, when war and temptation come."

There wasn't really a reply to that. So, we both kept silent as we checked the lists one more time and packed everything up. Once we confirmed it to the best of our abilities, he went to drop of the lists with Innes, and have whatever meeting they were having, and I carried the box of armor-pieces over to the practice yard. It was heavy, so I had to walk slow, but that was fine with me, because it let me pretend for longer that I was actually doing something. Though I was so focused on not dropping the stupidly heavy thing on my feet that I almost didn't notice that the practice yard was occupied. By Ephraim.

Instinctively, I hid, setting the box down to the side so that I didn't have to carry it anymore and wondering just what I should do. I needed to take the box further in, but I didn't… I didn't want to… though, at the same time, I did want to talk to him. I missed him. I missed his smile and his laugh. I missed his teasing. So, I peeked inside, debating if I should interrupt his practice, and that was when I noticed something wasn't practicing with a lance. For some reason, he was practicing with an axe. And not just any axe, but Garm. Garm, the axe blessed by hell's guardian hound… it was an axe known to boost its wielder's speed, and to somehow become even stronger when encouraged or something by others. All the stories talked of how Garm's truest strength seemed to come out when First-Emperor Grado fought by King Urien.

"So, this is where you ended up." While I was still debating, Duessel walked in, from a different door than the one I was hiding behind. I winced, feeling even more awkward now. Because even if I wasn't going to talk to Ephraim, I did need to drop the box off. "Why exactly you wielding Garm?" he asked dryly, exasperation dripping from every word. I wondered if Ephraim used to 'steal' weapons in the past to practice with. "Switching to that weapon now?"

"No, of course not," Ephraim replied softly. He held Garm out, staring at the bladed part. "I wondered if… well, if I wielded it for a bit, it might… I don't know… impart some answers or something." He laughed mirthlessly. I let myself be briefly amused, and saddened, by how both he and Eirika had the same thought. "However, all it seemed to 'impart' is some muscle strain."

"That's because you're wielding it like a spear, instead of an axe. Axes require a different hold and stance."

"That… makes a lot of since." He smiled bitterly and then held Garm out towards Duessel. "I suppose I should give this to you. You should wield it, after all."

"No, not me." Duessel's reply was instant. Ephraim nearly dropped Garm out of surprise, but then again, I think everyone had assumed Duessel would wield the Sacred Twin. "Give it to Amelia. I've been training her and she's equally skilled in lances and axes."

"Amelia?"

"Yes." Duessel nodded, gaze sure and certain. "She is of Grado, and she is skilled. More importantly, though, she is young. She represents the future of Grado, and it is the future who should wield the legendary weapons." Duessel smiled warmly. "Old men like me are better suited to giving advice and guarding."

"You're not that old Duessel. You'll probably out…" Ephraim trailed off, closing his eyes. "Ha… I once made that joke about Father."

"Since I have lost one person I thought of as a son, and almost lost a daughter, I can say with certainty that Fado would be very glad to have not outlived you or Princess Eirika." Duessel looked down briefly before shaking his head. "Well, I suppose that's as good of a lead-in as I'll probably get for why I actually came looking for you." He made himself smile. "I know I'm unmarried, but I have had my fair share of relationships in the past. I can give you advice for whatever is wrong with you and Lady Emma."

"Huh?" Ephraim's seriousness disappeared in a heartbeat. "What makes you think anything is wrong?"

"The fact that you're using your very little free time to swing an axe you have no intention of actually using instead of seeking her out, like you normally do." Duessel grinned, this time more genuine, and Ephraim looked away sheepishly. "Typically, you're running for wherever she is."

"I don't run!" Ephraim colored briefly before grumbling something else under his breath. "You won't let this go, will you?" He rolled his eyes when Duessel just continued grinning. "It's… well, Emma and I had an argument about…" Ephraim paused. "Well, not 'stupid' exactly, but…"

"How did that happen?"

"I… it probably wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been such a long day." Ephraim closed his eyes. "Leading the assault… fighting Vigarde… learning that Vigarde truly was a corpse being puppeted… Vigarde killing himself in front of me… that entire conversation with Lyon…" He sighed, raking his hand through his hair. "Being happy to finally see him again, only for him to tell me about how he killed my father and… well, we've already discussed it."

"We have, yes."

"Then I saw Emma shoot Lyon. I think to protect me, but still…" Ephraim shrugged helplessly. I winced, because I hadn't even thought about that. "Then I realized she wasn't surprised by the news that Lyon killed Father. She already knew. And I..."

"You lashed out, she snapped back, probably both of you brought up things that you should've been calmer when actually talking about…" Duessel nodded, like he understood. "Here, tell me more about the actual argument."

"Well…"

I left. Even though I knew I needed to carry the box further inside, I left it where it was and left the area. I just couldn't eavesdrop anymore. It hurt. It hurt so much. And I didn't want to hear the rest of the conversation, just in case. Just in case of what? I had no idea. I just couldn't…

"Ah!" And because my mind was so caught up in 'just in case', I didn't pay attention to where I was going and ran straight into someone. Natasha to be specific. "Goodness, that startled me," she murmured, smiling gently. It faded slightly when she got a good look at my face, however. "Emma, what's wrong?" She touched my cheek and tilted my face more towards her to better study me. "What happened?"

"Nothing, really," I replied. Knowing she'd know that was a lie, I shrugged. "My mind is just whirling due to everything." And that made it not-a-lie, technically. "Hey, is there anything I can do to help? Preferably outside?"

"Mmm… well, L'arachel was just about to head out to gather herbs." She studied my expression a little longer and nodded before hugging me. "You know I am here to listen, right?"

"I know." I leaned into her and closed my eyes. "I just want some air to settle my heart some."

"Of course." She pulled away and cupped my face. "Come on. We can still catch her."

"Thank you."

L'arachel was more than happy to have company for herb gathering, and cheerily led the way out of the city and into the nearby woods. And, before long, she actually had me laughing. And not just laughing, but a good, hard laugh, the kind that made your belly ache and your eyes tear up. Why was I laughing? Because L'arachel was ranting and rambling about Innes because he claimed that Frelia was more spectacular and beautiful than Rausten.

"Can you believe the gall of that man?" she huffed, stomping her food on a tree root before kneeling down to pick some plants near it. I was leaning against the same tree because I was laughing too hard to stand up straight. "Honestly! Anyone with eyes would know different!"

"I can't breathe…!" I wheezed, still laughing far too hard. I was sure she was doing this on purpose. "Ah, okay.. Breathing. Breathing is good."

"Typically, yes, it is." She giggled, eyes dancing with mischief. Yes, she was definitely doing this on purpose. "But that is only a healer's opinion."

"Meanie!" It took more than a few deep breaths before I finally felt like I had some semblance of control over my lungs. "Gods, I think I needed that."

"We all have. So, I've been doing what I can." She giggled again, bouncing on her toes. "It's a bit easier for me, because I'm so far removed. Rausten has been relatively safe in this conflict thus far. I don't trust that to continue, of course, but my heart hurts because others are hurting, not because of any wounds on it directly."

"That's…" I couldn't think of the word I wanted. And I felt a bit guilty, feeling so overwhelmed. Then again, I had never been a moodmaker in the group. Just a food-maker. "L'arachel, what do you think about all of this?" She was the one who first brought up how the Demon King probably had a vessel of some kind. Maybe she had... "With Lyon and everything."

"It's really quite sad, isn't it?" She shook her head, some curls falling out from her ribbons. Her expression, however, hinted that she hadn't made the same connection Saleh and I had, probably because she was more focused on keeping spirits up. "I have long prayed for him, of course, but now I make a special prayer, just for him, in the hopes that the gods might have mercy and spare him from further hurt." She smiled gently, with none of her usual bombastic air. "I would like to meet him properly as well. I would love to see the person Eirika and Ephraim befriended."

"...I would too." I felt like the 'ghost-like' Lyon was the closest, but even then… "Stoicness equally strength is such bullshit, isn't it?"

"I think so too. Hiding a wound leads to you bleeding out or dying from infection." She sighed, bringing her hand up towards her chest like her heart was hurting. "And I can't blame him in the slightest, even though so much harm has resulted. Knowing that your people were doomed because of something far outside your control, unable to find a way to make things better on your own and being told that you couldn't reach out for help, and then losing your father? Gods, people go mad for lesser reasons. If anything, that it took such a drastic combination shows how strong of spirit he is. Rather like you."

"...Uh…" Didn't expect that one. "I'm flattered by the compliment, but I'm not sure why you think I'm that strong."

"I think most of the army is, truthfully. That is why we keep going, despite everything that has happened. After all, not everyone has my belief in righteousness prevailing, even though that is what happens. Eventually." Now she smiled brightly. "For the gods do love us, and even though they might not always do the right thing, they do their best by us."

"So, what's your thought on that disaster?" That… that had to be rude to ask.

"That could be a number of things. It could be due to the Demon King. It could be that the earth itself has been trying to endure its pain stoically, and it can do so no longer." She became thoughtful, and I almost breathed a sigh of relief that she took it with her usual nonchalant air. "It could also be the consequences of a mistake, and when they tried to fix it by giving Prince Lyon the vision…"

"I see." I chuckled, unable to help it. "You would think after everything I've seen and survived that I'd have a little more faith in them." Particularly since I had called on the story of them loving those with my coloring quite a few times.

"That's what makes them wonderful, though. They love and help everyone, even those who are not so certain." She suddenly gasped and pointed to something down the way. "Oh! Look at those flowers!" She skipped over to a patch of flowers blooming not far away, ones a beautiful pale-lavender. "We should get some!" And, of course, she went to pick one without bothering to see if there was anything sharp or pointy. "Ow…!" Like thorns.

"That's why you look first, silly." I unbuckled my right gauntlet and pulled out a bit of medicine to dab some on her now-bleeding finger. It got her good. "You got a handkerchief or something on you? There's supposed to be a river not far from here, so I can wet it and actually get the wound clean."

"Yes, of course." She pulled one out of her pocket with her not-bleeding hand. "Thank you, Emma."

"No problem."

I was right. The river wasn't far, though it was out of sight. When I got near the shore, I decided to take off my boots and wade in a little so that I got water-water and not muddy-water. Just a little, though. After all, I remembered how my last encounter with a Grado river went and even if I got Brynhildr from it, I wasn't in a hurry to repeat said encounter. Still, the water was delightfully cool, and I thought that once we got L'arachel's finger cleaned, we could splash about a bit and play, just to try to relax and unwind. It might even be fun to bring Eirika and Tana out here. Or even all the girls. Just to have something to do besides wandering a silent castle in a mourning city and-

"Hello there, pretty one." One arm wrapped around me like a vice, and another hand slammed over my mouth. I immediately bit the hand and tried to struggle out, but whoever had me laughed at my attempts. "Yes, fight. It makes it all so much fun…!" And that was when I recognized the voice. Valter. Valter had me. That made me struggle all the more, and I finally thought to scream, but Valter had me off my feet and onto someone's wyvern before I could get away. And, worse, the wyvern launched into the air far too quickly for me to even attempt to get off and we actually flew through a few branches, one of which hit me hard enough in the head to daze me.

"Emma? Emma?!" L'arachel called. Through the branches and leaves, I could barely see her frantically looked around the river. "Emma?!"

"L'arachel!" I screamed down. She jerked her head up, eyes widening. "L'arachel, tell the others! Valter is-gck!" And a rough piece of rope was forced into my mouth and tied behind my head, gagging me. "MMPH!" Still, I tried to fight, so that I could shout more or maybe even get off.

"Oh, pretty one, you really shouldn't struggle," Valter 'suggested', flying near. He wasn't on Evaicrag. I wondered why before realizing in horror that it had to be so that Brynhildr and Genarog didn't notice. After all, if Brynhildr could sense where Evaicrag was, then surely Evaicrag could do the same with her. "You'll make quite a horrendous splat if you fall from this height and that wouldn't be very fun, now would it?" He nodded to the other knight who had me. "If she falls, I will tear your organs out one by one. Now, follow."

As we flew away, I heard L'arachel's desperate screams echo on the wind, even long after Grado Castle was out of sight. This… I messed up. And gods, this was bad.

When we camped that night, they bound my hands behind my back and bound up my legs. They never left me alone, sending women soldiers with me whenever I had to go to the bathroom. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn't wriggle the ropes loose. In fact, they tied them even tighter to make sure of it, and I could feel the blood making the ropes stickier on my legs. And they only removed the gag to shove food and water in me. All the while, Valter watched, chuckling and clearly taking quite a bit of delight at how helpless I was. It was enough to make me nauseous. My one hope was the fact that I had my gauntlets, but even that was useless because I couldn't get the buckles. And I knew the longer I was with them, the less likely that I'd escape before something happened. It was Valter, after all, and between the majority of the group being wyvern knights and us ending up in some old, abandoned fort in Jehanna, that nauseous feeling only increased.

Valter carried me inside, thrown over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and opened the door to a room that might've been a study once. Now, it was apparently my 'cell' since Valter threw me in. Literally. Though I landed hard on my side, hard enough to see stars, I still twisted to glare at him. Though, given how excited he looked, I probably should've feigned compliance. But that would be too smart for me.

"Yes, your defiance really is quite fun," he chuckled, walking slowly towards me. He then crouched down and tilted my face up slightly. "I've quite enjoyed this hunt. I spent so long watching and waiting for the perfect moment when you were alone and unguarded. Waiting for that momentary weakness. Such delight."

'Fuck off!' I tried to snap back at him, but the rope in my mouth mumbled it into nothing more than random noises. My jaws ached from having it in for so long, but I wouldn't show it. So, since I couldn't voice my anger, I tried to kick him. I failed horribly.

"Yes, so much fun. But it would be a waste to simply end the hunt right here, yes? After all, I wonder what sort of face Ephraim would make if he saw you screaming and moaning at my hands? Would the little mouse roar like a lion again? Would he squeak and run? The thought is intriguing." He caressed my cheek, and laughed when I tried to kick him again. "And what would Eirika think? Would her beautiful face light up with rage? Would it shatter from guilt? I am simply far too curious about both." He smirked, eyes glinting. I felt sick again. Bait. I was bait. This was even worse than I thought. "Hmm… but they might take too long… I should think of something to do in the meantime. Something to keep me satisfied…"

Chuckling, he left the room then, leaving me alone with the implied threat, and the knowledge that as soon as he thought the army was close enough, he was going to 'play' with me until I was wishing for death. And both were almost enough to make me curl up in a little ball and weep. But I would not, would not, let a twisted person like him harm my world. So, instead, I decided to continue looking for some way to escape. Sadly, nothing was immediately apparent, so I struggled to get up, using the wall since I couldn't use my hands. Then I hopped over to the window curiously, to get a view of my surroundings. Sand, sand, and more sand, and we were near the Vrep, which had some sticks fencing something in, for some reason. Nothing I could really use to hide from fliers, though if I was fast enough… well, we'd have to see. I wasn't going to just accept my fate.

So, I hopped-turned back towards the room, nearly falling because it was difficult to balance when you were bound, and focused on the desk on the other side of the room. After taking a moment to catch my breath, I hopped over to it, actually falling this time. But I scooched my way over, wondering if this was what worms felt like when they wriggled about, and braced myself against the desk to stand up again. I had to take another break to catch my breath; moving about like this was a trying experience I never wanted to go through again. Ever.

As soon as I had my breath again, I used my shoulder to try and wipe some of the sweat off my face and began hunting through the drawers of the desk. It was an awkward and slow experience, because I had to twist and look over my shoulder while opening and rifling through, leading to a horrible ache in my side and neck. But it was all worth it when I found a letter opener and, even better, it was actually sharp. It took a couple of tries to actually grab it in a way that I could actually start cutting the rope, and it was an agonizingly slow process (because the opener wasn't knife-sharp, just sharp). I had to actually sit down part way through because my feet and legs began aching. All of me was aching. But the thought of Valter using me to hurt my friends was enough to keep me going, and I struggled and pulled on the ropes until, finally, my hands were free.

I almost cried from relief, but I knew I didn't have the time. Instead, I unbuckled the compartment of my gauntlet to pull out my knife, thanking the gods that no one had ever thought to take them from me, and cut the ropes around my ankles. They were so tight that I actually cut myself a bit, but I had other worries. Like how tight the rope-turned-gag was tied behind my head. After a few seconds of frustration, I just cut it off too, catching my cheek with the blade.

I coughed, greedily sucking in air, glad to be unbound at last. But I knew I had a long way to go and no time to let myself savor this 'victory'. Keeping a grip on the dagger, I crawled over to the door to listen through. No sound. I tentatively opened the door. No one near. I wondered why, before deciding it was Valter's arrogance making him do stupid things. A stroke of luck I refused to waste, so I darted out of the room, doing my best to keep to alcoves and shadows. My heart was pounding, far worse than any battle I had been in. Probably because most of the time, battles only meant death. Valter meant far, far worse.

"I had wondered what would happen if I left you alone, but you've far exceeded my expectations." And like the thought had summoned him, Valter appeared behind me, snagging my hair and using it to pull me back towards him. His other arm wrapped around my shoulders. "Oh, how I want to break you…" he breathed in my ear. My skin crawled. He'd said the same thing the first time I saw him, and I almost froze from the memory. "Maybe I should…" However, I didn't freeze, thanks to all the training Seth put me through, and I still had my dagger. So, quickly, I flipped it around and stabbed him in the stomach. "Gh…!" And, thankfully, that was enough for him to let go of me.

Deciding that stealth was out the window screaming at this point, I bolted down the hall, running as fast as I could. Valter's screaming curses echoed behind me, pushing me to run even faster because if I was caught… well, I wasn't going to think on it. And, thankfully, I had surprise on my side. No one expected Valter to be screeching, and no one expected for their prisoner to have actually escaped. Nor did they expect her to climb out the window instead of going through the front door, but I did as soon as I found a window that didn't lead to a horribly long drop. The sand under my bare feet was coarse and burning, but I ignored it to run for the Vrep, thinking that if I was going to have any sort of chance, it was going to involve getting across the river.

I made it all the way to the shore when the first of pursuers began chasing after me, people just on foot. Fear flooded me anyway, and, after returning my dagger to its gauntlet-sheath, I actually jumped into the water, which was probably stupid considering my last encounter with a river. Especially since the current was strong. However, it wasn't as strong, since I could keep my bearings easily. I did end up much farther down the shore than I had intended, but honestly, that was only a blessing. The Vrep flowed north to south, and if I was in Jehanna, then Grado was south. The army was south. My friends were south. So, it was really just pushing me closer to my destination, even if I was horribly waterlogged and half-drowned when I finally pulled myself out, the sand sticking awkwardly to my skin and clothes.

"We can't cross!" "Let's use these logs!" My pursuers argued this way and that, but 'logs' made me curious. Too curious. So I stopped my mad-running to look back and I saw that the 'logs' weren't moving down the river as they should've, given the current I had just experienced. I wondered why that was, but then I looked at that strange fencing and remembered Mom's stories about growing up in Jehanna. Specifically about how some parts of the Vrep were 'fenced in' so that people could gather water with less risk of being eaten by crocodiles. Which meant those logs were…

I turned away and began running again just as the first crocodile revealed itself and began attacking the soldiers. No need to watch someone be eaten alive today, after all. I had to get as much distance as I could before the wyverns came out. It was my only chance.

The sun was brutal. The heat was unbearable. But I kept limping along the shore until I found a rock formation… thing that provided both shade and cover. Then I hid there, making myself as small as possible, and rested. I almost fell asleep, but I pinched myself to stay awake. I couldn't sleep. Not until I knew I was safe from pursuers. So, I stayed awake, aching from how tense I was. My skin was already peeling from a sunburn. My feet throbbed. And it still took me a while to remember I had medicine in my other gauntlet, which I quickly used on my cuts, hoping I'd gotten it on before infection set in. It was possible I hadn't.

Shadows flew over the sand just as I finished getting the last of it on, and I pushed myself even further back under the rocks, the sharp edges digging into my back. I held my breath, watching the shadows. One, two, three… I made it to seven before I stopped counting, too scared. I remembered how Cormag had noted the lack of wyvern knights during the battle; I remembered suggesting they were with Valter. Or maybe he had mentioned it. Everything was all twisted in my head, but it seemed we were right. They were all here with him. I wondered why, since I doubted Valter had the charisma to lead them. Though fear was an effective motivator as well. I knew that all too well, especially right now.

I wasn't really sure how long I stayed scrunched up under and against the rocks. I stayed there long after the shadows passed, afraid that they would fly past again. But, eventually, night fell, and I crawled out of my hiding place to run down the river's edge again. However, after the earlier run, literally days of being bound, and then being stuck in one position for hours on end, my legs couldn't really take the strain. They shook and throbbed, unable to keep balance for anything, especially on such uneven terrain. Still, I did my best to continue on, one stumbling and sliding step at a time, and hugged myself to try and keep warm since desert nights were freezing and I was still wet from my earlier 'swim'. I knew I couldn't stop. I had to keep going. I had to put as much distance between me and the fort as possible, especially on this first night. Even though I was so exhausted that I couldn't even really feel my limbs.

I nearly screamed when I caught a shadow flying overhead, and I frantically looked for some place to hide, any place. If I was caught, I'd long for death within seconds of being brought back. I knew that. So, I had to hide. However, a gentle croon pierced through the fog of panic in my head. A croon I knew all too well. A croon I'd always know. And I was probably just hallucinating it, but… but I...

"Brynhildr?" I called weakly, voice shaking. Immediately, I heard another croon and then my wyvern, my Brynhildr, landed softly in front of me, her wings enveloping me in a 'hug'. She must've been circling around to not kick up sand. "Brynhildr…!" I hugged her tightly and she not-purred and nuzzled me. "How did you find me so quickly?" She tossed her head back, towards her back, and I saw no saddle on her. And since she was alone, then she must've come after me as soon as she could've. Maybe within minutes of my capture. "I hope you didn't break the stall."

Shakily, I tried to pull myself up on her back, but I slipped and fell in the sand, coughing hard and struggling to breath. I was too tired to even attempt it. Too tired and too weak. But Brynhildr seemed to have seemed to have expected that, because she helped me onto my feet using her nose and legs, and then let me use her as a crutch as we walked a bit away from the Vrep. I wondered why, but then saw the shadows of a nearby oasis. She must've noted it on the way, no doubt because it was a good place to camp and rest. Either for herself, or for me. It didn't matter. What did was that it was shade, relatively nice shelter, and with Brynhildr near, I knew I wouldn't have to worry about wild animals.

I nearly collapsed as soon as we made it to the oasis, barely able to push myself up enough to drink a bit of water. I half-wondered about food, but decided that could wait. I was too tired, and couldn't move anymore. So, instead, I crawled over to Brynhildr, and she laid down to curl around me protectively, even draping her wing over me. I smiled at her and closed my eyes… and then the next thing I knew, it was early morning, and time to move again.

My leg got infected. My face didn't, but my leg did. I noticed it two days after Brynhildr found me. I probably got something in it when I jumped in the Vrep and avoided being eaten by the crocodiles, or when I fell in the mud by the oasis. Brynhildr helped me where she could, but since she didn't have a saddle, I couldn't stay on her long. I didn't know how. I knew Glen had. I'd ask Cormag to teach me, if I saw him again.

We stopped at another oasis, and while Brynhildr used her bulk and wings to keep me shaded, I put more medicine on my leg, hoping it might delay the effects of the infection. Seemed to work. No red streaks or anything. Just a bit of pus that showed up earlier today. I tried to think of the classic signs of infection, but my mind was too fuzzy to think of anything besides 'heat' or 'swelling'. Besides, there were other things to worry about. I was low on medicine.

Sighing, I attempted to return the vial to my glove, but missed its little compartment in the compartment, so it rolled into the water instead. I thought about retrieving it, but leaning forward just made me dizzy. So, instead, I scooped out some water with my hand and sipped it. And winced when I saw my reflection. I was badly sunburnt. Redder than my hair. I was covered in blisters. I was peeling. I hurt. I was nauseous. I was dizzy. I did my best to keep hydrated, but there wasn't a lot of water because I had no way to carry it. Brynhildr did what she could to keep me shaded, but if it wasn't the heat, it was the chill. The sharp differences in temperature. And my stiff-from-mud, ragged-from-falling clothes not being suited for either extreme.

I leaned back against Brynhildr, staring blankly at the cloudy sky. I wondered if I should've stayed. I would've had to deal with Valter and being bait, but I could've actually spent time making a better escape. Coordinated something with Brynhildr when she found me. But no, I had to leave then. I had to be stupid, be reckless, to protect my world. I had thought I'd matured a little bit, but I hadn't. I was still the same village girl who made stupid choices when those she loved were in danger.

I wasn't sure how long I sat there, staring into nothing. Long enough that I knew I should've moved ages ago, but it was just getting so hard to move. Everything felt heavy. So, it was a bit odd when I thought I heard someone call my name. 'Emma.' Or, really, more like 'Emma!'. And it sounded almost like Tana. No, not even 'almost'. It sounded so much like her that my heart ached and added just a little more pain to everything I felt. Especially when I heart it a second time.

"I'm hallucinating," I whispered, my voice raspy despite having just drank water. Brynhildr, however, raised her head and growled happily. "Wait, is that Tana?" There was no way. We were nowhere near Grado at this point. "Tana?" I tried to call out, but my voice was weak. There was no way she'd hear it. "Tana…!" I tried again, but my throat hurt. I sounded like a dying mouse. "Brynhildr?"

Brynhildr nuzzled me and then roared loudly. So loud it made the trees shake. Or maybe that was my dizziness. But that didn't matter because almost immediately afterwards, a pegasus landed next to us, and I saw Tana.

"Found you!" she cheered, rushing over to hug me. It was gentle, no doubt because she noticed the sunburn. "Cormag! Over here! Genarog was right! They're over here!" Tana suddenly burst into tears. "Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried!"

"Tana…?" I croaked. Shakily, I reached up to try and hug her back, but all I managed, really, was get one hand to weakly grip her shirt. But that was enough to let me know she was no fever-dream or anything. "How did…?"

"Brynhildr knew something was wrong, so Cormag let her out and then went searching for you. Then L'arachel came back and told us what happened, so we've been using Genarog's weird ability… thing to track Brynhildr to figure out where you were." She pulled away, still crying, but also beaming. "He kept circling around, so… oh, I'm so glad…"

"Sorry to cause trouble…"

"Silly, you're supposed to worry when friends are in trouble." She giggled. "Besides, you can't be the only one who goes to rescue friends."

"Ha… I suppose so."

"Emma!" And then Genarog and Cormag arrived. Genarog actually landed partly in the water, splashing everywhere, but Cormag was out of the saddle and running towards us without a care. "Well, you look rough, but nowhere near like I feared," he whispered, resting a hand on my back. When Tana pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine, and I noticed how cold he felt. "You've a fever. We'll get you back to the others. They're not far."

"Can you teach me how to ride bareback?" I asked. My mind just jumped everywhere, more than half-certain that this was just a fever dream. But it was a nice one. "Glen knows. Knew. Oops, I mean, General Glen knew. So… um…"

"One, you can call him by his name, silly, and two, I will definitely teach you as soon as the healers won't hurt me for it."

"Okay." And then my mind jumped to another thing. "I stabbed Valter." For some reason, it felt important to say. "Not sure where exactly. But I did."

"I'm sure he deserved it." He scooped me up easily, cradling me gently. "Tana, you go on ahead and tell them. Achaeus is faster. I'll be there as soon as I have Emma safely settled in the saddle."

"You got it," Tana replied. She bent down to kiss my cheek, without a hint of revulsion or anything, despite the peeling. "Just endure a little longer, Emma. It's all okay now."

I mumbled something in return, but it felt like mush in my mouth. But no one seemed to mind. Tana held me while Cormag mounted up and then helped Cormag get me settled before flying off. Brynhildr growled and whined, but Genarog gently butted her head in what I thought was a reassuring gesture, like kitty cats. Or something. And then… well, from my perspective, we were suddenly flying through the air, with the air 'sharp' for the first time in a long while. However, Cormag shielded me as best as he could, and Genarog didn't travel his top speed. I knew because Brynhildr kept up and Genarog was faster. I distantly thought it was for protection; Brynhildr could fight far more freely at the moment.

We flew for a while. I didn't know how long. Everything was hazy-hazy-hazy. But we flew, and then we landed, and then as soon as we landed, Cormag handed me to someone, someone who held me gently and carefully. Curious, I pried my eyes open and saw Ephraim looking worriedly at me. "Well, hey there, handsome," I jokingly greeted, smiling slightly. He smiled back, fondly exasperated at me. "You moved quick."

"Left the same day," he explained. That… part of me was embarrassed, but another part was touched. The rest of me was annoyed. "Off to the infirmary for you."

"Yay." I tucked myself against his chest, still smiling slightly even as I closed my eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too. We'll talk later, okay?"

And then I was carried away. Through the camp. I heard murmurs and gasps, and sounds of relief or horror or whatever. I was sure most were silent, but I couldn't hear them obviously. I wondered if any were annoyed that they had to move because I got captured. Maybe they gave a different explanation. I didn't know, and honestly, I was too exhausted to care. I just let the noise wash over me. That is until I heard a little bit of arguing over my head and then I was passed to yet another person. The smell of frankincense told me it was Joshua. And he quickly carried me into the infirmary, based on the smell of disinfectant. And set me down on a bed based on the soft cloth.

"Oh, good, it looks like we're more dealing with exposure than what I feared." That was Natasha, and she gently stroked the hair out of my face. "Someone should let Tethys know, since I know she was horribly worried."

"I'll let her know, since it doesn't look like I'm needed. After all, it seems petal traded wyvern bites for sun poisoning and heat stroke." And there was Joshua. "I'll can stay if you need to fetch something."

"Someone. L'arachel will want to tend to her." A rustle of cloth, and I assumed it was Natasha leaving. Everything was disjointed, really.

I thought about just keeping my eyes shut, but I heard a bit of a Prayer Song, so I cracked open my eyes and smiled. "No need to involve them, brother," I rasped. My vision was blurry, but I could see him well enough to see he was both worried and amused. "I didn't escape just to die in the infirmary."

"Well, it can't hurt," he replied, taking my hand and squeezing it. "What is it with you and weird situations?"

"I don't know, but if you figure it out, let me know so that I can stop it." I sighed, thinking of what led to this all in the first place. "I'm never going herb gathering again."

"Good, because we all decided you're forbidden." He laughed softly. "You might actually find it hard to find time alone for a while."

"I'll deal. Maybe."

"L'arachel will be here shortly." And Natasha was back, and she leaned over me, smiling serenely and warmly. "You just go ahead and sleep, Emma," she told me, brushing the hair out of my face again. Her hand was cold, but it felt nice. "We'll get you fixed up."

I think I mumbled some sort of agreement. I tried, at least. But if Natasha said I'd be okay, then I knew I would be, so I passed out. No need to fight anymore. Someone else would do it for me, so I could rest.

When I woke up again, I felt… well, not 'fine', but better. I still felt sick, but I wasn't in pain or anything. I just felt like I was recovering from an illness. Which I supposed was true. And my mind wasn't as foggy or anything. Groggy, certainly, but I was awake and coherent enough to see that I wasn't in the infirmary anymore. I was in a bedroom, from the looks of it, one decorated sparsely, but with fresh flowers all over the place. Very beautiful flowers, but none of them looked like geraniums, and I knew I smelled that, so...

"Hey there, little wing." Tethys leaned into view, smiling softly at me. I smiled back, relieved that it had been no dream. And relieved I had a source for the geranium smell, because I knew she liked that perfume. "How are you feeling?" she asked, resting a wet cloth on my forehead. A quick look showed there was a nightstand by the bed, and a chair that she sat in. I wondered how long she'd been here. "Are you hurting?"

"No, I just feel ill," I replied. I thought about sitting up, but decided against it for now. "Where are we?"

"At one of the evacuated forts in Southern Jehanna. Our wonderful leaders are doing their best to map out where Valter might be, based on where you were found."

"It was right by the Vrep. Right by the Vrep. I jumped into it. Which was stupid, because there were crocodiles."

"There's an old story about how the Queen-Goddess of the Dead feeds the souls of the wicked to a crocodile, and there's another about how despite how aggressive they are, they are equally fierce in how protective they are."

"Well, the Queen-Goddess of the Dead supposedly likes us." And given all the damn luck I just had, I figured that it was about time I left an offering or something at a temple. Because given everything, it was probably a good idea to keep the gods on our side, if they were intervening at all. "But I was still lucky."

"Oh, yes, you were." She became serious. "I know what Natasha said, but I want to hear it from you. Did Valter…?"

"No. He threatened, but he wanted to wait until there was an audience." I shuddered, remembering. "I was more bait than anything."

"So, he only kept you bound?"

"He kept me bound and touched my face and hair. And hinted heavily about what he wanted to do." I tried to smile, but it faltered. "It was scary."

"I know. I was in a similar position once. And, like you, I got lucky." She fussed with her earring, glancing off the side as she remembered. "Gerik had thought something was wrong with his employer and rescued me, along with other girls in similar circumstances. It's how he and I met. Sort of."

"Sort of?"

"Oh, yes." She laughed, smiling fondly. I wondered if I'd be able to look at this incident similarly, in time. "I had seen him before, but you know how rough and stereotypical mercenary he looks. I had thought him the same as the rest, and kept a polite smile whenever we had to interact. That time, though, was the first time I saw who he really was, a kind and moral man."

"Did you fall in love then?"

"No, that was a few years later. But it did lead to me officially joining his group and gave me the opportunity."

"Oh, that's cute…!" And it was. Normally, I'd tease more. I knew I would. However, the realization that I was safe, and what I had escaped… it really hit then. "A-ah…" And I suddenly couldn't stop shaking. I didn't cry. I thought I should, but I didn't. I just shook, and shook so much that I automatically tried to curl up in a little ball. However, Tethys seemed to be expecting some sort of reaction, and removed the wet cloth from my head before gathering me up in her arms. Then she gently rocked me, singing a few songs to soothe me as I slowly calmed and stopped shaking.

"You'll probably have a few of those over the next few days," she murmured, gently stroking my head. I leaned more on her, leeching all the comfort she was offering. "You might have them the rest of your life. It's hard to say. But whenever it happens, you can come to me. At any time, okay?"

"Okay," I murmured. While my first thought was to not bother her, I could admit that this might be something I'd need help with. Like how I had needed help not only with my feelings for Ephraim, but relearning that I did deserve to be happy. "I'll try to not tough it out."

"Good. Because that's probably the worst thing you can do." Tethys continued holding and rocking me, making no move to pull away. Which was nice, because I liked being hugged. Hugs made it feel more real. That I really was here.

Eventually, though, the door opened, and to my surprise, Saleh was there, carrying a mug of something in one hand, and a small basket with medicines in the other. "Ah, do I need to step back outside?" he asked gently. I pulled away from Tethys and shook my head. "Very well. Tethys?"

"Yes, time for me to leave so that you can be the healer," Tethys teased, hopping to her feet with a little laugh. She then bent to kiss my cheek. "I'll let people know she's awake~!"

"No visitors yet. But yes, tell them." Saleh stepped to the side, and Tethys danced out the room, even doing a little twirl before shutting the door. "Glad to see she's back in a good mood." He set the basket on the nightstand and passed me the mug. "I thought you might wake soon." I smiled when I saw it was the same drink he'd made me back in Ivroria, after dealing with Orson and Monica. "I'm glad. Any longer, and I might have let Ewan pull those pranks."

"You would not," I easily countered, sipping the drink. Still, that did make me curious. "How long have I been out?"

"It's been about a week since you've returned." He caught my hands so that I didn't drop the mug. My jaw did drop, though. "Some of that was medically induced, though. Moulder and Natasha determined it best for your recovery." He sat in the chair and began arranging medicines on the nightstand. I wondered if I'd have to take all of them. "Normally, you would be under their care, but I'm better at treating things such as exposure compared to them, so I took over once initial treatments were done. To L'arachel's grief, since she feels responsible."

"Valter has apparently been here for a while, so really, I'd like to more ask whoever has been scouting." I took another sip of the drink, letting the spices settle my nerves. "Has… has there been anything from him?"

"Not yet. But he showed his hand when he took you."

"That's what he wants." I shuddered, remembering the words, and took a big gulp of my drink. It scalded my tongue, but I didn't care. "I was bait."

"Poor bait, since you didn't stay where you were supposed to." He smiled slightly and, tentatively, I smiled back. "We had to head north anyway. We had to confront Valter. Perhaps it was sooner than anticipated, but that could be a good thing. We were stagnating in that city."

"Speaking of the city, did you leave anyone in charge?"

"General Selena." He shrugged when I gave him a weird look. "She was already being moved to the capital, and it'll reassure the people."

"Oh, I hadn't known that first part." Then again, I'd been doing my best to keep super busy and 'conveniently' away from the leaders. "But still, we will be fighting soon…" I looked at him, well aware that if I had been in a medically induced sleep, then I had been bad. Worse than I had thought, and I had known it was bad. "Will I be fighting?"

"Depends on when it is, and what you would be doing. If it's… say… tomorrow, you're not. If it's in another week, then maybe." He rested the back of his hand on my forehead, checking for fever. "You will, however, be on bedrest until the battle, even if it's a week from now. And if you do fight, you'll be checked and possibly put back on bedrest, depending."

"Okay." Best just to listen. It was my own recklessness that… "I should've waited."

"There's nothing that says he wouldn't have done something else. Like cut off a hand or finger to send to us as a message." Saleh shook his head. "I will not say it wasn't reckless, because it was, but it is hard to say which situation would be worse. And you are here."

"Yeah, I suppose I am." I smiled again. "Will you help me through Valega later?"

"Certainly." He looked back to his medicines. "Now, ideally, you won't need all of these, but you will need some and…"

"Oh, um…" Both Saleh and I looked up and saw Ephraim in the doorway. I hadn't even heard it open. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, looking down. "Tethys told me Emma was awake and that I could see her?"

"...Of course she did," Saleh sighed, resting a hand on his temple. I had to giggle, because it was like her. "No doubt she thinks you two should make up sooner rather than later." He stood up and waved Ephraim in. "...You can't stay long, but I believe I forgot one of the medicines she absolutely needs." I somehow doubted that, since it was Saleh. But it was a nice enough lie. "You have until I get back."

"Thank you." Ephraim smiled in relief and stepped to the side for Saleh. Then he shut the door and immediately bolted for the chair, sitting down so quickly that he almost knocked it over. Not that he noticed. "Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Better than I was," I replied honestly. I thought about what Saleh said about 'making up' and frowned at him. "Does everyone know we argued now?"

"I hope not everyone?" he replied, smiling sheepishly. He shrugged helplessly when I narrowed my eyes. "But I did ramble about it a little while trying to plan with Joshua. You'll have to tell us how you escaped, by the way. I'm sure it was fascinating."

"It involved way more luck than I want." I gave him a look and he smiled sheepishly. "You're trying to change the subject. You rambled about it? Really?"

"That was our last conversation, Emma. And I was very scared it would be the last conversation we had." His sheepishness disappeared for heartbreaking worry. "Ha… been a long while since I was that scared, truthfully."

"Because I was captured?"

"And because of who had you. Anyone else, and we could at least assume you'd be treated relatively well, to be a hostage or something. But Valter…" He shook his head. "We had no idea what he'd do. He's near impossible to predict. So, it was very possible you'd be killed, or worse, within minutes of..." He trailed off, probably because I knew better than him just what I had escaped. "So, I was scared."

"I'm sorry." I winced, feeling guilty. I could have talked to him. And if I had, then… but then L'arachel might've been the one caught, and there would've been no convenient Brynhildr to find her. "And I'm sorry about yelling. And for shooting Lyon. And… um..."

"You know, given our personalities, it's probably a surprise that we haven't had an argument like that yet." He smiled slightly. "Normally it's just one of us being blunt and the other grumbling a little."

"Or teasing." I set my mug on the nightstand, by the medicines. "I suppose it's because we were both emotionally exhausted."

"I think so too, and we should think of how we move past arguments more quickly, in the future. Because, even without your being kidnapped, I never want to go so long without talking with you again. Without seeing you, really." He gently took my hand and kissed it. "And I've been trying to rehearse an apology or something, because I shouldn't have lashed out, but I haven't been able to think of-"

"Ephraim." I smiled at him, and he smiled back sheepishly. "I'll forgive you if you forgive me? I shouldn't have snapped back. I knew how long of a day that was." I squeezed his hand. "So… um…"

"Okay." His smile softened, and I giggled, relieved. "And I'll try to spend more time with you as well."

"Ephraim, that's…"

"Joshua and I actually had a talk about it. Since, you know, he and Natasha had to figure that out too." Absently, he began playing with my fingers. "And Joshua noted that I was doing the same thing he did. Went from one extreme to the other. Which isn't healthy, for a number of reasons."

"...So long as you don't put off important work." I looked away, embarrassed suddenly. "I'll be mad if you do."

"I know. And Seth would hunt me down." He grinned and I laughed. "Ah, any messages you want me to pass on to people?"

"If there's paper around, I'll actually write it so that you don't have to memorize it all." I tugged his hands, trying to pull him closer. "However, it has been far too long since you've kissed me."

"Far too long, indeed." He leaned in and kissed me softly and gently. I couldn't help but smile into it. "...May I have a few more?"

"So long as you get me that paper before Saleh returns." I giggled, elated. Safe. I was finally safe. "But yes, please. A few more."

Author's notes: So, here we go? Needed a way to bring Valter back into things, so here's this. Eirika looking through Gleipnir and Ephraim practicing with Garm are nods to two of their Alts (Anamnestic Lady and Sacred Twin Lord). Gleipnir being 'the tome that bound the darkness' is a reference to Norse mythology, where Gleipnir is the name of the binding used on Fenrir, and its abilities reference its in-game abilities (skill +5) and Heroes (Res+3, atk/spd +3 if at 100% HP). Same for Garm's abilities, and for its 'title' thing (Garm is a 4-eyed hound which guards the gates to the underworld, much like Cerberus in Greek mythos). L'arachel and Innes boast and compare their countries in their supports. There's nothing about how Tethys and Gerik actually met; I decided to throw it in.

Next Chapter - Seared Skies (Ephraim Chapter 15 equivalent)