A Forbidden Bond
Chapter IV: A Growing Bond

Evann and his friends were granted safety in Arcadia and thus were given a time to rest and relax how long this calm in the storm of chaos they were in will last is anyone's guest. It is night now and they all sleep peacefully in there beds, as usual when everyone else has fallen asleep Evann awoke. He went to a balcony where he stood gazing out over the Arcadian capital when Lutina as always came and spoke with him.

"Evann...are you alright?" she asked with concern.

"Lutina, what are you doing here?" he replied.

"As always I could ask you the same question," Lutina said smiling.

He smiled back as she stood beside him the balcony.

"We made it Lutina, but..."

"But what? What's wrong?" she asked him with great concern.

"This war was...started by Nortis, it was a Nortis army fifty years ago that invaded Arcadia and slaughtered hundreds of innocent people! Do you really think you're people will accept Nortis in their city, I know my father's a hero here, but I'm not him,"

Lutina was silent for a while then, "You're right you're not father, but...you are a ranger one who risked his life to save thousands of innocent people, weather they be Nortis or Arcadian. You my not be you're father, but you do have his heart. Evrai was strong fighter and great leader, but he was also gentle and kind. Just like you are, my people know of you're deeds and you're father's and they will honor you for it," she blinked slowly and looked at him, "Evann my people will accept you and even if they don't I will and I will protect from my people even if it means being called a traitor because I've learned that we can't continue like this hating each other without proper reason and because I..."

"What is it?"

"Nothing, we should get some rest," Lutina said kindly blushing.

"Yeah, we should," Evann replied smiling.

The walked to their rooms and went to sleep neither knowing of how the other feels about them.

Come next morn early Evann and Lutina were found at the breakfast table before anyone else. When the others got there they had finished their meal and headed out into the town alone. Their friends held no compliments well some of them didn't...

"How can any of you be so calm?" Jaid asked! "Lutina and Evann jus into town alone!"

"So...what's the big fuss?" Carmyne replied with a smile.

"Evann is a male Nortis, Lutina is a female Arcadian! What do you think the fuss is? A Nortis and Arcadia alone together in an Arcadian city not to many people will enjoy the sight," Jaid said with a bit of jealousy in his voice.

"Like Carmyne said what's the big deal, Myam said with confusingly look.

"Jaid we all know about the bond forging between Evann and Lutina and I think speak for everyone, but you when I say WHO CARES!" Ulk said harshly.

"Yeah Jaid, you acting like you're jealous or something," Brandol said, "What going on between Evann and Lutina could be a go thing for both Nortis and Arcadia,"

"I agree what goes on between them is between them and them alone we have no right even as friends to interfere," Diene explained kindly.

"Evann and Lutina continue to get close and their bond could very well show people that this war is meaningless," Krotiz said coldly but kindly.

"Besides Evann seems to open up a lot around her, though she tells us anymore," Brandol pointed smiling, "Let's just let them be alone for today, they may not get another chance like this,"

Jaid was silent then said under his breath, "That's all well and good, but what if no one else agrees with us,"

Evann and Lutina went into town and like in Koto they were an odd couple and the Arcadians stared them strangely. The Arcadian knights gazed with hate as Lutina and Evann walked pass gazing at one another as they went. Lutina showed Evann around the town as they came to a forest path and entered. The forest was beautiful as was the city, but the trees weren't hallowed out buildings. They walked down a path of golden and yellow green leaves that seemed to shine in the sun light as it pierced the leaf filled branches of the trees. They walked until they came to the age of the forest and looked outward towards a wild valley of pure flowers of all kinds, growing on the edge of a forest were some fruit trees and small pound stood in the middle of the valley. Lutina picked a few of the fruit and gave some to Evann. He took them and they walked out into the valley side by side and soon hand and hand. They indeed of course ran into some monsters but the fought and killed and them and then continued on their way. They walked a long ways until they came to a village. They decided to stop for the day and return to the city tomorrow. Dusk was drawing near and the two had spent the day walking most of the way. They checked out a couple of rooms at the inn and at dinner that night it was just the two of them and no one else.

"Strange huh," Lutina said while eating, "I never even noticed how far we had walked from the capital,"

"Nether did I, we should head back first thing tomorrow, the others are probably worried," Evann replied with a smile.

"Yeah...especially Jaid and the other knights,"

"Why's that?" Evann asked.

"Well for some reason, they see it as their personal duty to protect me, seeing as I'm the only female commander in the entire force,"

"That might explain the dirty looks I got when you were showing me around town. You must be pretty popular with them," Evann said.

"I guess so; I don't way, I'm not even that pretty,"

"That's not true," Evann replied kindly and honestly.

"What...you think I'm pretty, Evann?" Lutina asked blushing a little.

"Well...ah yeah..." Evann replied blushing as while.

The two went silent at that point and ate their dinner without any further discussion. Before going to sleep they went outside and gazed at the stars and talked a bit more and then went to their rooms and went to sleep.

Meanwhile back at the capital the others were indeed worried, but not too much. They knew Evann and Lutina were sensible people and wouldn't do anything foolish. Jaid on the other hand...

"WHERE ARE THEY?" Jaid yelled, "They should have been back by now!"

"Calm down Jaid," Carmyne said, "They probably went for a walk and lost track of time. They're probably camping out for the night. They'll be fine; Evann and Lutina are both very sensible people they want do anything foolish,"

"I Agree with Carmyne, besides they haven't spent too much time alone, let's just leave them alone for now," Brandol said.

"They most likely return first thing tomorrow morning," Diene said so don't worry yourself so much about Jaid," Diene stated with a smile, "If things work out for them...I know it will be hard, but I have a feeling those two want let anything come between them. They're getting closer with each passing day,"

"Yeah, it'll be great especially if things calm down completely," Titto said.

"However it will be a bit shocking," Krotiz said suddenly, "I mean, who would thought a Nortis and a Arcadian could gain such feelings for one another,"

"We kind of had a hand in it ourselves back in Koto when we asked Lutina to spend the day with Evann to try and get him to open up. We told her she wasn't going to fall in love. Looks we were wrong," Myam said.

"True, but she hasn't complained about it nor has she revealed how she feels," Ulk said.

"She will when she's ready I know she will," Myam said cheerfully.

Everyone talked about the odd couple until Jaid blew a fuse and stomped out of the castle into the garden. Everyone just watched him go and then decided it would be best to just leave him alone. Myam however got concerned and followed just as Farta enter the room.

Jaid walked the garden with his staff in hands grumbling to him with anger and jealousy.

"It's ridiculous! Being friends yes, but lovers, that's completely ridiculous! Nortis and Arcadians are completely different! It's impossible for them to be together like that, just impossible!" he said to himself. He then calmed down and breathed in deeply, "Maybe be a little irrational,"

"A little...that's putting it mildly,"

Jaid turned around and found Myam walking towards him, "Myam what are you doing here? Did you hear anything I just said?"

"Every word," Myam said, "The Arcadians of my tribe have very good hearing," she blinked slowly and then spoke, "Jaid...you're in love with Lutina aren't you?"

"What! NO! Don't be ridiculous!" Jaid said as Myam stared with cold piercing eyes, "Sigh, you see right through me don't you,"

"You better believe I do," Myam said, "Jaid, I don't know what went on between you and Lutina, but its obvious she never returned you're feelings or even showed a sign of even sharing them. Jaid, you and the other knights all care for Lutina, but for what reason. Lutina loves Evann that I can very clearly and Evann loves her, but it's hard for ether of them to reveal their feelings because of the way people are. They're afraid they'll be forced to leave then be left no where to go. Why is it that you want reject their bond then accept it?"

Jaid was silent then suddenly brought something up, "In one of the many battles of the war eighteen years ago our king was killed in battle and the queen died from sorrow. There was but one heir to the throne, unfortunately they were but a newly born babe. It was because of this that the high council was formed. They would rule only until the hair was old enough to take the throne. However a band of rebels from within the royal court tried to assassinate the heir, they failed but it was simple to see that the royal child wouldn't be safe in the place, the heir was given to her nursemaid and she and her husband took the heir away from the capital they would raise her and then return to the capital when the child was old enough to take the throne, however history repeated it self. The heir's adopted father died in battle and her adopted mother died from sorrow of the lost of her love. The child was again orphaned. As time passed the child raised it self and joined the army. They became an elite officer knowing not that they held the capability of being the strongest power in the land. The council had thought the royal child was lost but when found again during the elemental disorder arranges began for the day the child would be informed of their heritage then ascend to the throne,"

Myam was silent then grew pale with disbelief, "You don't mean that..."

"Yes...Farta told me before I left to aid stop the elemental disorder," Jaid explained.

Meanwhile the others had been told the same story by Farta and found it hard to believe.

"So Lutina is..." Ulk said blinking slowly, "Still we have to leave the choice to her,

"Yes, but our council is not too different from the High Generals of the Nortis Military Government. There are high council members who will no doubt reject a bond between a Nortis and Arcadian," Farta explained.

"So what do we do? Break them up?" Brandol said, "No offense, but that's something I really don't want to do. If comes to that you can do it without me,"

Krotiz shook his head, "A bond like theirs is forbidden by an unwritten law. Even if it weren't, nothing and I mean nothing can tear those two apart, they'll run away from here if they have too. That bond will just keep growing stronger and stronger with each passing day,"

"So they've already chosen their path and it's a harsh one," Diene said sadly.

"What era to forge that kind of a bond in. Lutina a...it's hard as hell to even say such a thing," Carmyne said calmly with a happy but sad smile, "So what do we do, tell Lutina,"

"No...I will tell her myself in due time. Jaid has most likely told Myam the same story I told him before he left to deal with the elemental disorder. Neither Lutina nor Evann are to know of this, as for the High Council, I will speak with them and see what I can do," Farta said, "Tomorrow we'll be holding the Spirits Festival. It will be held at night. Evann and Lutina will most likely enjoy it before reporting back to the castle. When you see inform them that I will be sending you all to the front within two days. The Nortis army is gathering at the front and looks to be preparing for an assault. I hate to ask this of you Nortis, but I wish fro you to fight with us, though it will mean that you can never return to Nortis lands. You will be real traitors of your homelands,"

"As long as the other High Generals like Rynos remain in control behind the scenes and Yosera remains powerless to stop them, I have no home to betray," Krotiz said, "I can't speak for the others, but I'll fight to stay alive and see an end to meaningless bloodshed,"

"I'm with Krotiz, there's no way I'm running now," Brandol said.

"Count me in," Carmyne said without fear.

"Me too and you know count on Evann to fight," Diene said bravely.

Farta nodded and then left the room without saying a thing just as Jaid and Myam entered. They looked at the expressions one everyone's faces and spoke.

"I take it Farta told you about Lutina?" Jaid asked knowingly.

"Yes...and we've all chosen to leave them be," Ulk said.

"They've already chosen their path and it going to be a tough one," Titto said.

"All we can do is support and help them the best we can, but they'll be on their own sooner are later, there's no way Lutina will renounce her feelings for Evann and Evann wont renounce his feelings for her," Diene said calmly and yet sadly.

"Ha ha, those two sure chose one hall of time to create a forbidden bond," Krotiz laughed a little, "This is going one hack of war and they make it through it'll be one hell of a story to put into the history books,"

"That's for sure; I don't think we'll be seeing them until tomorrow night, if they get back in time for the festive they'll be spending their time enjoying it with each other!" Myam laughed.

"Yeah...but you know if the High Council agrees to it...it could mean an end to this foolish war," Jaid said.

"This war would have ended long ago if it weren't for men like Rynos and Rinehart thinking they do whatever they want while the Supreme General's ill. If only we could cure his illness! Then he could stop all this from happening," Diene said

"Farta said that the Nortis army is gathering its forces at the front. Yosera must not be able to delay them any further," Krotiz said, "It's most likely they'll have anti magic shields just in case Evann and Lutina chose to fight as while, but that'll prove to be a good thing for us, sense they'll have to leave their tanks and plans behind. The anti magic shield's energy waves disrupt their targeting systems. So we can pretty much expect a ground battle, sword to sword, shield to shield,"

"That's fine with me; they'll feel the full fury of our unity attacks on the battle field. The Bolt Slash should clinch the battle for us," Brandol said.

"Hey Lutina's and my scared beam can do just as much damage," Carmyne said smiling.

"When the time comes to battle we'll show them what happens when you make an enemy of the Guardian Force," Titto said confidently.

"They'll probably run away the moment Evann uses his Sky Dragon Slash, or Krotiz uses his Demon Warp Slash," Myam laughed.

"In any case we should get some sleep it's getting late most likely Evann and Lutina have already gone to sleep by now," Ulk said.

They all agreed and went to their rooms with high spirits, but deep down holding the fear of what was to become for their friends and themselves.