The day was coming to an end, and the camp was getting prepared. Many of the houses were unoccupied, and though some villagers were clearly uncomfortable with allowing the Shepherds to stay in the buildings formerly occupied by their neighbors, Lloyd was nothing if not persuasive. He explained that it was necessary to put out as few tents as possible, as to not alert Holland or any scouts that might travel ahead of him. As such, the Shepherds entered the empty houses, with four or six people per building, and laid out their own materials. Though Chrom gave a stern warning not to loot anything that be in the homes, in truth, there was little of value to take. Aside from Lloyd and Llewellyn's impressive collection of maps and documents, the village really was rather poor and simple. Simple tools and spare clothes were all that could be found in most homes, with a lucky few containing some loose papers or books. From what Lloyd had said, literacy was not a high priority in these parts. The old Plegian saying, "reading never filled the stomach," was ingrained in almost every mind in the region.
The homes of Scarlet Town were simple wooden structures on stone or brick foundations. The roads were dirt, but well compacted with some small gravel or cobblestones. Aside from Lloyd and Llewellyn's home, which was noteworthy only for being slightly larger than the others, the one notable building of the village was its church. Contrary to the Grimleal, who worshipped Grima, the Fell Dragon, the peasants of Plegia in this region prayed to the spirits in general. They prayed for the safety of their loved ones, or for safe passage of their souls to the afterlife. They prayed for rain, a prayer often unanswered, and for good harvests. The church was constructed of yellow, sandy bricks, a large rectangle with a flagstone roof, broken only by a small tower of bricks that held a bell at its top. Wooden beams with lead or pewter flashing around key areas supported the roof and tower, and the bell was an old one of bronze with some green rust around its edges.
It was at this church that Inigo stood, looking up at the old bell and humming the same tune Lucina had heard earlier. His mouth twitched expressing voiceless lyrics as others prepared for their rest. Lloyd and Llewellyn had taken Robin to go inspect the site of the well that would be the centerpiece of their ambush, but as preparing for said ambush was scheduled for the following day, there was really nothing substantial to do for most of the Shepherds or villagers besides the usual chores.
As Inigo thumbed the satchel on his hip, as if to grab something, he noticed a head of red hair coming closer to him. Severa was walking down the main street, and though her arms were crossed, and her face displayed the resting scowl that she had become famous for, Inigo could not get a read on her true emotion. He only knew that, if she indeed stopped to talk, it was going to be awkward.
Evidently Severa had a similar thought, as though she walked next to him and stopped, clearly wanting to speak, her gaze shifted back and forth from Inigo to their surroundings, and her arms remained tightly crossed, a habit she often had when nervous or restless.
Inigo knew this conversation had to happen, but that did not make it any easier. Lucina had said that she and Severa had made up already, which was good. If Severa could forgive his sister for attempted murder, or at the very least attempted maiming, perhaps she could just as easily forgive him for…his outburst. Thinking about it now drove his cheeks to flush slightly. It was perhaps the first time in his life he had every truly lost his temper, performed a risky and aggressive action without thinking it through first. That he was capable of such a thing at all frightened him somewhat if he was being honest with himself.
Both parties stood in silence for what probably amounted to 20 seconds, before Severa, clearing her throat, began with a simple "hey."
Inigo, after another pause, decided to reply. "Hello."
Severa shifted her weight from one foot to another, arms still crossed. "I suppose we should get this over with, right?"
Inigo shifted his gaze to the ground, dragging one foot behind him in the dirt. "Yeah," he said, "I guess we should."
Despite this admission, neither said anything for another moment, before Inigo finally decided to follow through with his stated mission. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier, back at the chateau."
It was simple and to the point, Inigo thought, but Severa's reaction was still unreadable. "I've been thinking a lot about past recently," she said. "We've known each other for a long time."
"Since the beginning," Inigo said simply.
The smallest trace of a grin picked at the corner of Severa's mouth. "I was thinking back to how you used to act…well, how you still act a lot of the time." She finally made eye contact, which Inigo reluctantly returned. "You used to annoy me with how much you chased after every girl you saw. And I do mean every girl…hell, you would probably be hitting on Lucina too if she wasn't your sister. Making a big show with every inevitable rejection, gods it was frustrating."
Severa looked back at the ground slightly, and Inigo stared at her, his face unreadable.
"All that time," she continued, "everywhere I think back, I can't think of a single girl you didn't try your flirty tricks on." She paused for a brief moment, and Inigo's soul seemed to wring itself within his chest as he knew what she would say next.
"Except one," she finally said, and both knew who they meant.
…
Lucina finally felt confident enough to leave Robin and Lloyd by themselves. She accompanied them to the well out of concern for Robin's safety, though she knew logically that however handy Lloyd was with his knife, Robin was more than capable of taking care of himself. Chrom was helping set up camp for those who could not find a home to occupy just outside of Scarlet Town.
She walked through the dirt paths between the village houses in thought. If this Holland really was coming, and this plan worked, there was no telling how much this might impact the war effort against the Grimleal. Even if he could not take them to Validar himself, if he could lead them to a hideout or base with other high-ranking Grimleal, it would be the best lead they had so far. Her misgivings about Lloyd's plan notwithstanding, she supposed he would be owed at least some consideration given his assistance once Validar was vanquished.
As she turned a corner to walk on the main road, she saw her brother and Severa standing next to each other not far away. Both looked somewhat flushed in the face, both looking everywhere except each other. As socially inept as Lucina could be at times, even she knew that an uncomfortable conversation was occurring right before her eyes. She knew it was inevitable; after all, Severa and Inigo could not go back to normal with Inigo's last words ringing in their heads.
She considered coming closer to listen in, but before she could take a step, she thought about Inigo's exasperated request for private conversations back at the chateau. Biting her lip, she hesitated before turning around, walking away from them. Perhaps her parents were right; Inigo needed to sort this part out on his own. Regardless, she was a little uncomfortable spying so soon after it had brought so much drama to her family dynamic.
…
Inigo thought he saw Lucina out of the corner of his eye, but she was walking away. There was no one else in earshot around the church, no distractions or plausible way to escape. Severa's question bounced around his mind, and he decided he needed to grit and bear, though outside of battle that really was not his strong suit.
"Why is that?" Severa said, finally putting the lingering question into words.
Inigo's hands nervously went into his pockets, and he looked up at the church. Severa slightly followed his gaze but saw nothing he could be looking at in particular.
"I remember when I was very young," he said, "I try to remember that time as much as possible. So much better than what came after, right?" A brief hint of a grin passed both their faces.
"There were exactly five people I don't recall ever being afraid to talk to. Five people for whom my shyness did not matter." He raised his hands, counting off on his fingers as he listed. "My mother. My father. My sister. My cousin."
There came a brief pause. "And you."
Severa evidently had nothing to say to that, so Inigo continued. "I was afraid of everybody, I think. But, never you. I trusted you too much, I guess."
Another pause went by.
"So," she said, "you trust me. That's good. Why does that make me any different than anyone else we fight alongside. Don't you trust them?"
"With all my heart," he said without a moment's hesitation. "I trust them in every battle, and am confident that every one of them are necessary for us to win this fight."
"Then I don't understand," she said.
Inigo placed his hand on her shoulder. "I trust them," he said, "but I've never thought about them like I do you."
Severa noticed the quick beating of her heart.
"I love my family more than anything," he said, "and I've always been near them. Even after…" he swallowed, "I spent all my time around Lucina and Owain."
He repositioned his feet. "But, you," he said, "you've always been there, right by my side. For all our squabbles...I don't hesitate in calling you my greatest friend."
Severa and Inigo stood in silence for what seemed like a long time.
…
The day was just starting to come to a close as Severa entered the house that her family was occupying in the village. Her mother, ever the vigilant worker, was still out making preparations, but her father was inside, preparing a fire in the small stove in the middle of the home. He turned as soon as the door opened.
"Ah, Daughter returns from her journeys!" he said.
"Hello…dad," Severa replied.
"So, did my warrior fight her battle?"
"I finally talked to Inigo if that's what you mean," she said with an eye roll.
"The prince is good man," he said, "but weak man. Does not say how he feels."
Severa could not exactly disagree.
"He told me…" she paused, "he told me I was his greatest friend."
Gregor's eyebrows rose, but his lips curled into a smile. "Ho, that is greatest title one can grant!"
Severa's own eyebrows rose. "It is?"
"Of course, Daughter," he said, "Best friend is like brother or sister. It is strong like blood and steel."
Severa sat down next to her father in an attempt to warm up. She threw an extra piece of kindling into Gregor's fire, and pulled her knees to her chest.
"My greatest friend is young soldier. Red hair. She once fight to make man she liked notice her." He moved closer to his daughter. "I helped her build up strength and courage to say how she feel. She reported back to me. We became best of friends."
Severa rolled her eyes again. Her father always had a penchant for going off on inane riddles.
Both turned as the door opened and Cordelia stepped in. Gregor immediately greeted her with his wide smile. "Ah, my greatest friend returns!" he said. He stood up and went to her, embracing her tightly, which she returned without hesitation.
Severa made a gagging sound watching the romance and turned back to the fire. Staring into the coals, however, she began to wonder who in her life she could give that title to. Greatest friend, the non-family member ranked above all other people on the planet. That was quite a title, she had to admit. So, who was hers?
Lucina was certainly a strong contender. Aside from…recent misunderstandings…they had always gotten along and seen eye to eye on most matters. Lucina's innocence in matters outside of battle made Severa want to keep her close by. If anyone asked, she would say it was to look out for her. If she was being honest, part of it was just how funny it was to watch the normally serious girl finally act her age.
Owain, as annoying and insufferable as he could be, was, to her surprise, also a reasonable choice. Though his theatrics were often grating and trying to get him to take anything seriously was like trying to herd cats, she knew he had a genuinely good heart beneath the hero complex. And, though she would never admit it even under threat of death, some of his antics were entertaining to watch, if not for Owain himself, then the reactions of those around him.
The only other person it could be was the one who had already granted the title to her, though it was easy for him to say, she thought. 'I'm the only one he talks to outside his family, of course he would say that!'
Yet, she couldn't ignore that, had he been so inclined, he could have branched out at any time. His flirting was often hilariously unsuccessful, but there were some of their comrades, even in the past, who did not find his efforts repulsive. He got along well enough with other males too, especially Gerome.
Of all the people he knew, of all the ones he could call his friend—No, his greatest friend, he chose her.
And Severa had no idea how to feel about that. Part of her was honored at the title. Part of her wanted to grant it to Inigo in equal measure. Yet, a small part had a feeling of…what? Disappointment? Did she expect him to say anything different?
'Because she deserves better!' The words still rung in her mind.
Did he like her, but hate himself so much he couldn't say it? Inigo's conversation with Owain she overheard would certainly hint toward that.
Severa gauged her own feelings. Did she like Inigo? 'No, of course not!' she thought, 'the guy is an idiot! He'd chase a broom if it wore the right dress! His stupid flirting and jokes and…singing and…'
She turned to see her parents, another pair of 'greatest friends' chatting freely and at ease, a position almost no one else could make her mother fall into, stickler for order that she was. Their friendship brought them together. Their friendship brought her into the world.
What would Inigo's bring?