Woohoo! Broke my record—TEN reviews for the last chapter!
And to top it off, this chapter's early!
The Story Master 125: Um...I'm not sure if I'm going to use support B and A. With the way I see Ninian...I can't really see her telling Eliwood that she's been deceiving him when she doesn't want Eliwood to know what she is. Who knows though, I may put them in, but I wouldn't bet on it.
SkyFireZero: Thanks for your review!
Kensou freak: Uh, no, you didn't offend me. Thanks for your opinion on Defiance. And as for Ninian's death...let's just say I'm going to be having a lot of fun with that. Well...perhaps "fun" isn't the right word...makes me sound evil.
Morning Mist: Yeah...I remember reviewing another story that had the whole "about-to-kiss-but-broken-up-by-something" idea used repeatedly (and very badly). I told the author that the idea was very cliched, but that it could be good if done right. If your review tells me anything, I did it right ^_^
:D: Seeing as Linus does actually say "bah" in the game...I don't really think that's OOC.
ooh...connections: Well...I will be doing a third story. You can see what pairing it is in my response to hyliansage.
Kiyoko-chan: *eats cookie* Thanks for your review!
Sword of Seals: Actually...you can face either Linus or Lloyd in that level. If your lords' combined levels is 50 or higher, you face Linus. Otherwise, you face Lloyd on the foggy map. I can see why you pointed that out though, so thanks anyway.
hyliansage: I really like your story, I hope you can update it soon.
I've actually been throwing ideas around in my head on my next pairing for awhile. It's going to be *drumroll please* Jaffar/Nino! However...it will not be up for some time. I'm going to be away for most of the summer and that makes it sort of hard for me to write. But rest assured, I'll have it up by the end of the summer. Keep me on your author alerts, people! :)
Firelien: Thanks for your review!
Chapter Thirteen
Different
"I can't say it was a complete failure, and yet..."
"What did you learn?"
"The Fire Emblem has been stolen. The queen wants us to retrieve it for her. If we do that, then she will point us to the Shrine of Seals."
With Pent's return, Eliwood now decided to go to Bern Castle and see what he could learn about the missing Fire Emblem. The Emblem was the symbol of the coming-of-age ceremony among Bern's royalty, and without it, the ceremony could not take place. Suspecting a conspiracy, Eliwood resolved to find out all that he could.
But speaking with Ninian was a different matter. Ninian noticed that he seemed to be making a point of avoiding her as much as possible after the incident the other day. Every time he sighted her, his face turned red and he quickly began talking with one of the lords or another army member—anything that would make it so that he didn't have to talk to Ninian.
But she couldn't blame him—she was extremely embarrassed about the whole affair herself. Adding to that was the fact that nobody in the army knew what had happened between her and Eliwood. She didn't really want to talk about it in front of other people...someone was bound to get curious and ask her about it, and she really didn't want to talk about what had happened...unless it was with Eliwood...or maybe Florina. She could at least trust Florina not to talk to anyone about what had happened.
Nils, meanwhile, kept eyeing her with that unreadable expression on his face whenever she tried to talk to Eliwood. She still wasn't sure why he was acting like he was, and every time she asked him about it, he merely said it was nothing.
The army drew closer to Bern Castle...
The enormous Bern Castle was surrounded on three sides by an impassable mountain range. Ninian and the lords stared up at its imposing figure as they approached it.
"Here we are," Eliwood said, "Bern Castle..."
"Look at these natural defenses!" Hector remarked. "Nobody could ever take this castle in an attack!"
"Look," Lyn said, pointing at the open castle gates. "They don't even have any sentries posted."
"They probably don't even need them," Hector commented. "With these defenses, they probably make do with just making checks around the castle."
"And yet..." Eliwood said softly, "from such an impregnable fortress, from the vault deep within it...the Fire Emblem was stolen."
"I don't believe that for an instant," Hector said. "There's no way a thief could ever break in here. I think something else is at work..."
"We'll have to find out for ourselves," Eliwood said, walking towards the castle gates.
"Eliwood!" Lyn called. "Where are you going?"
"Inside," Eliwood replied. "And I think you should come with me. I'm sure we could find out information in here."
Lyn and Hector considered this for a moment, before following Eliwood to the castle gates.
Ninian watched the lords—or more specifically, Eliwood—with growing worry. What if he was found out?
"I hope Lord Eliwood and the others are safe..." Ninian commented to Nils once again as the lords' absence grew longer.
"Please, Ninian," Nils said, slightly annoyed. "That's all you've spoken of since they left." He eyed her again with that unreadable expression of his.
"Nils," she pleaded. "Please...tell me. What is the matter? Why...why do you keep looking at me like that?"
Nils stared at her silently for a moment. Finally, he sighed.
"Ninian," he said. "Lord Eliwood...you...you're fond of him, aren't you?"
"What?" Ninian could feel her cheeks turning red. Yes...she was very fond of Eliwood...but a part of her didn't want to admit it to Nils for some reason.
"Ninian..." he repeated. "You don't have to hide anything from me. I..." He trailed off, sighing.
"What is it?" Ninian asked.
"I...I saw what happened the other day...with Lord Eliwood," he explained, looking at the ground.
Ninian's breath caught in her throat. He had seen them?
"I...I know that you must really appreciate all that he has done for us. I do, too. But..." He looked up at Ninian, eyes pleading. "You...you cannot fall in love with him."
"What?" Ninian asked, still shocked, but now slightly angry and defiant at Nils's request. "Why not?"
He looked away, lowering his voice. "You know why, Ninian," he said, but he was not angry. He sounded more...sad.
"We are...different...from them."
Ninian looked at the ground like a shamed child, her cheeks now bright red. Her eyes began to well with tears as she realized that he had said what she had been doubting all along.
He was right...there was no way she could fall in love with Eliwood. She was a dragon. A dragon! Humans and dragons were meant to stay apart, as the Scouring had proved. A human and a dragon, together...who would ever endorse that?
Certainly not Eliwood...and if he found out what she was...
A stray tear fell from her eye as she turned away from Nils. She couldn't talk to him anymore...she needed to be alone.
"Ninian..." Nils asked, "where are you going?"
"I-I need some time to think," she replied, still turned away from him, trying her hardest to keep her voice collected. "M-May I-I be alone, p-please?"
"Of...of course," Nils answered.
She took a few steps away from him slowly, then, bursting into tears, she began to run.
Ninian sat on a stray log in the fields surrounding Bern Castle, tears streaming silently down her face as she buried it in her hands.
Nils was right, she thought sadly. She was different from Eliwood. She couldn't be in love with him. And yet...
She couldn't help herself.
He had done so much for her...there was no way that she could hold no respect for him in return...
"Ninian..."
Ninian looked up at the sound of Florina's voice, the former's eyes red and puffy from her sobbing. Part of her wanted to run away, to be alone...but another part of her desired comfort, a shoulder to cry on.
"Ninian," Florina repeated, sitting down on the log beside her. "What's the matter?"
She decided to go with the second option.
"Oh...Florina..." she sobbed, burying her face in her hands again.
"It's all right," Florina said soothingly, placing her arm around Ninian's shoulder. "Just let it all out..." She pulled Ninian toward her, and she accepted the embrace. She cried helplessly into Florina's shoulder for what seemed like hours.
But eventually, she had to finish her crying. She didn't know how long she sat there, but at some point, she looked up and wiped her eyes.
"Ninian," Florina said. "Can you tell me what happened?"
She nodded ever so slightly. "I-It's L-Lord El-...Eliwood..."
Florina placed her hand on Ninian's shoulder, rubbing it soothingly. "What about him?"
Ninian's body shook as she recalled to Florina the events of the other day. When she told her how Eliwood had almost kissed her, Florina didn't move an inch, but her face was curious.
"But, Ninian..." she asked softly, "Are you not...fond of Lord Eliwood?"
Ninian hesitated for a moment for deciding to admit it to her—Florina apparently knew it already anyway. "Y-Yes..." she said. "But—" she shook her head, "—i-it's not that..."
"Then what's the matter?" Florina asked softly.
"I...I'm afraid..." Ninian began. "I-I am afraid that he..."
"...that he doesn't like you back?" Florina finished.
She shook her head. "N-No..." she said. "I-I am afraid that...he will find out—" she stopped suddenly. She couldn't tell even Florina what she was.
"Find out what?" Florina asked.
"I..." Ninian hesitated. "I-I can't tell you..."
"Oh, Ninian..." Florina said. "It's all right...you can tell me. I promise, I won't tell anyone..."
Ninian shook her head. "No," she said, wiping her tears away. "I-I am sorry...but I-I can't tell you..."
"Why not?" Florina asked, undaunted. "Is...is it something embarrassing?"
Ninian shook her head again. "Florina...I...I am sorry. I-It is something very—" she tried to think of a suitable word, "—personal."
Florina nodded, showing her acceptance. "Ninian...if you don't want to tell me...that's all right. But, Ninian...do you think...that Eliwood loves you?"
Ninian thought for a moment. In all of the time she spent thinking about Eliwood, she never once had considered how he felt about her currently. But the answer was obvious.
"Y-...yes," Ninian answered.
Florina gave Ninian a small smile. "Then...you should not worry," she said.
But Ninian was confused. How could she not worry about him finding out a secret such as this? "Why not?" she asked her.
Florina's smile grew slightly. "If...if Lord Eliwood truly loves you," she explained, "he will not care what...this problem is. He will love you anyway."
Ninian stared at Florina for a moment, speechless. "Do you...do you truly believe that?" Ninian asked finally.
Florina nodded. "In fact," she went on, "I thought you might be able to help me..." Her cheeks turned pink.
"With what?" Ninian asked curiously.
"I..." Florina looked away, smiling with embarrassment. "I just thought...since you and Lord Eliwood get along so well...that you might be able to help me with my—" she hesitated, "—my shyness around men," she said quickly.
"Well," Ninian said, "I...I'm not sure if I can help you very much..."
"I...I know," Florina replied. "But I just thought...since you're so easy to talk to..."
Ninian smiled warmly at that comment. "Well...I can try to—"
She was suddenly cut off by a scream. A scream she instantly recognized.
Nils.
Panic gripping her heart, she shouted "Nils!" before running back to where the rest of the army stood. Florina quickly followed.
When she got there, she saw Nils being held captive by a tall blond woman, with a scar down her left cheek.
"Vaida!" another member of the army called. Ninian turned and saw Heath, the wyvern rider, confronting the woman.
The woman apparently named Vaida glared at Heath. "So," she said, "you've decided to join with this little group, huh?"
Heath ignored her question. "What the hell are you doing with that boy?!" he nearly screamed.
"Don't you remember your original objective, idiot?!" Vaida retorted. "You were supposed to capture this boy!"
Ninian saw shock register on Nils's face. "You joined this group...to capture—" he stammered, but was cut off.
"No!" Heath shouted. "I left the Bern army because of what they were doing to children like you!" He looked up at Vaida. "Vaida, let him go!"
"Where are the leaders of this group?" Vaida asked, ignoring his demand.
Ninian almost panicked. Where were Eliwood and the other lords? But she was quickly relieved when she saw them running back from the castle.
"What are you doing with Nils?" Eliwood demanded.
"Well," Vaida responded, "you want to protect this boy?"
"Let him go, or I'll rip your throat out!" Hector shouted.
Vaida smirked devilishly, then to Ninian's surprise, she released Nils. "I've been looking for someone to test my strength against," she said.
"You plan to take on all of us?" Eliwood asked.
"Of course not," Vaida responded. "Come on out, everyone!"
Several wyvern riders flew in from the castle, as cavaliers and mages came from the villages near it.
"If you survive, I'll consider letting you keep the boy," Vaida said, before mounting her wyvern and flying off.
As the army prepared for battle, Eliwood didn't even have to ask for Ninian to come with him. He merely looked at her meaningfully, and she nodded.
The battle was shorter than expected. Many of the wyvern riders and cavalry turned out to be rather inexperienced. Hector had been right in assuming that nobody was able to take the castle in an attack—nobody would ever try such a suicide attempt. As a result, however, many of the soldiers were inexperienced, having never been in a real fight before. Before long, only a few soldiers and Vaida herself remained. She retreated, but Lyn, with her superior tracking skills, was able to follow the footprints of Vaida's soldiers. If the army followed them, they would end up at the Black Fang fortress...
Ninian lay on her bed in her tent, the army having stopped traveling for the day. Nils slept on his bed soundly.
She recalled Florina's words, and realized that she had been right. If Eliwood truly loved her—and it was very probable that he did—then what did she have to worry about? He would accept her for who she was...right?
The only problem lay in what others would think. Nils had been right, too—a dragon and a human together was simply unheard of. And then there was a more pressing question: after Nergal was defeated, what would happen to her? Would she have to go back through the Gate?
She had lived in the dragons' realm for so long...and yet, after her short stay in this world, she already found herself wanting to stay forever. As long as she was with Eliwood...
Eliwood. Ninian recalled suddenly how he had asked her to show him the dance she used when performing.
Perhaps...if she were to dance for him, then they would be alone, together. And then...she could tell him how she felt about him...
Ninian fell asleep smiling.
On second thought, The Story Master 125, scratch my response about supports B and A. I just got a great idea for those...
Whew! That was a really long chapter. Enjoy it while it lasts—while this chapter was up early, don't expect any updates until at least next week. I'll be busy preparing this week for the AP US history exam on Friday...oh God, I'm so screwed. If I survive, then I'll have the next chapter up afterwards.
Please review!!!
-TheOneAndOnlyT
And to top it off, this chapter's early!
The Story Master 125: Um...I'm not sure if I'm going to use support B and A. With the way I see Ninian...I can't really see her telling Eliwood that she's been deceiving him when she doesn't want Eliwood to know what she is. Who knows though, I may put them in, but I wouldn't bet on it.
SkyFireZero: Thanks for your review!
Kensou freak: Uh, no, you didn't offend me. Thanks for your opinion on Defiance. And as for Ninian's death...let's just say I'm going to be having a lot of fun with that. Well...perhaps "fun" isn't the right word...makes me sound evil.
Morning Mist: Yeah...I remember reviewing another story that had the whole "about-to-kiss-but-broken-up-by-something" idea used repeatedly (and very badly). I told the author that the idea was very cliched, but that it could be good if done right. If your review tells me anything, I did it right ^_^
:D: Seeing as Linus does actually say "bah" in the game...I don't really think that's OOC.
ooh...connections: Well...I will be doing a third story. You can see what pairing it is in my response to hyliansage.
Kiyoko-chan: *eats cookie* Thanks for your review!
Sword of Seals: Actually...you can face either Linus or Lloyd in that level. If your lords' combined levels is 50 or higher, you face Linus. Otherwise, you face Lloyd on the foggy map. I can see why you pointed that out though, so thanks anyway.
hyliansage: I really like your story, I hope you can update it soon.
I've actually been throwing ideas around in my head on my next pairing for awhile. It's going to be *drumroll please* Jaffar/Nino! However...it will not be up for some time. I'm going to be away for most of the summer and that makes it sort of hard for me to write. But rest assured, I'll have it up by the end of the summer. Keep me on your author alerts, people! :)
Firelien: Thanks for your review!
Different
"What did you learn?"
"The Fire Emblem has been stolen. The queen wants us to retrieve it for her. If we do that, then she will point us to the Shrine of Seals."
With Pent's return, Eliwood now decided to go to Bern Castle and see what he could learn about the missing Fire Emblem. The Emblem was the symbol of the coming-of-age ceremony among Bern's royalty, and without it, the ceremony could not take place. Suspecting a conspiracy, Eliwood resolved to find out all that he could.
But speaking with Ninian was a different matter. Ninian noticed that he seemed to be making a point of avoiding her as much as possible after the incident the other day. Every time he sighted her, his face turned red and he quickly began talking with one of the lords or another army member—anything that would make it so that he didn't have to talk to Ninian.
But she couldn't blame him—she was extremely embarrassed about the whole affair herself. Adding to that was the fact that nobody in the army knew what had happened between her and Eliwood. She didn't really want to talk about it in front of other people...someone was bound to get curious and ask her about it, and she really didn't want to talk about what had happened...unless it was with Eliwood...or maybe Florina. She could at least trust Florina not to talk to anyone about what had happened.
Nils, meanwhile, kept eyeing her with that unreadable expression on his face whenever she tried to talk to Eliwood. She still wasn't sure why he was acting like he was, and every time she asked him about it, he merely said it was nothing.
The army drew closer to Bern Castle...
The enormous Bern Castle was surrounded on three sides by an impassable mountain range. Ninian and the lords stared up at its imposing figure as they approached it.
"Here we are," Eliwood said, "Bern Castle..."
"Look at these natural defenses!" Hector remarked. "Nobody could ever take this castle in an attack!"
"Look," Lyn said, pointing at the open castle gates. "They don't even have any sentries posted."
"They probably don't even need them," Hector commented. "With these defenses, they probably make do with just making checks around the castle."
"And yet..." Eliwood said softly, "from such an impregnable fortress, from the vault deep within it...the Fire Emblem was stolen."
"I don't believe that for an instant," Hector said. "There's no way a thief could ever break in here. I think something else is at work..."
"We'll have to find out for ourselves," Eliwood said, walking towards the castle gates.
"Eliwood!" Lyn called. "Where are you going?"
"Inside," Eliwood replied. "And I think you should come with me. I'm sure we could find out information in here."
Lyn and Hector considered this for a moment, before following Eliwood to the castle gates.
Ninian watched the lords—or more specifically, Eliwood—with growing worry. What if he was found out?
"I hope Lord Eliwood and the others are safe..." Ninian commented to Nils once again as the lords' absence grew longer.
"Please, Ninian," Nils said, slightly annoyed. "That's all you've spoken of since they left." He eyed her again with that unreadable expression of his.
"Nils," she pleaded. "Please...tell me. What is the matter? Why...why do you keep looking at me like that?"
Nils stared at her silently for a moment. Finally, he sighed.
"Ninian," he said. "Lord Eliwood...you...you're fond of him, aren't you?"
"What?" Ninian could feel her cheeks turning red. Yes...she was very fond of Eliwood...but a part of her didn't want to admit it to Nils for some reason.
"Ninian..." he repeated. "You don't have to hide anything from me. I..." He trailed off, sighing.
"What is it?" Ninian asked.
"I...I saw what happened the other day...with Lord Eliwood," he explained, looking at the ground.
Ninian's breath caught in her throat. He had seen them?
"I...I know that you must really appreciate all that he has done for us. I do, too. But..." He looked up at Ninian, eyes pleading. "You...you cannot fall in love with him."
"What?" Ninian asked, still shocked, but now slightly angry and defiant at Nils's request. "Why not?"
He looked away, lowering his voice. "You know why, Ninian," he said, but he was not angry. He sounded more...sad.
"We are...different...from them."
Ninian looked at the ground like a shamed child, her cheeks now bright red. Her eyes began to well with tears as she realized that he had said what she had been doubting all along.
He was right...there was no way she could fall in love with Eliwood. She was a dragon. A dragon! Humans and dragons were meant to stay apart, as the Scouring had proved. A human and a dragon, together...who would ever endorse that?
Certainly not Eliwood...and if he found out what she was...
A stray tear fell from her eye as she turned away from Nils. She couldn't talk to him anymore...she needed to be alone.
"Ninian..." Nils asked, "where are you going?"
"I-I need some time to think," she replied, still turned away from him, trying her hardest to keep her voice collected. "M-May I-I be alone, p-please?"
"Of...of course," Nils answered.
She took a few steps away from him slowly, then, bursting into tears, she began to run.
Ninian sat on a stray log in the fields surrounding Bern Castle, tears streaming silently down her face as she buried it in her hands.
Nils was right, she thought sadly. She was different from Eliwood. She couldn't be in love with him. And yet...
She couldn't help herself.
He had done so much for her...there was no way that she could hold no respect for him in return...
"Ninian..."
Ninian looked up at the sound of Florina's voice, the former's eyes red and puffy from her sobbing. Part of her wanted to run away, to be alone...but another part of her desired comfort, a shoulder to cry on.
"Ninian," Florina repeated, sitting down on the log beside her. "What's the matter?"
She decided to go with the second option.
"Oh...Florina..." she sobbed, burying her face in her hands again.
"It's all right," Florina said soothingly, placing her arm around Ninian's shoulder. "Just let it all out..." She pulled Ninian toward her, and she accepted the embrace. She cried helplessly into Florina's shoulder for what seemed like hours.
But eventually, she had to finish her crying. She didn't know how long she sat there, but at some point, she looked up and wiped her eyes.
"Ninian," Florina said. "Can you tell me what happened?"
She nodded ever so slightly. "I-It's L-Lord El-...Eliwood..."
Florina placed her hand on Ninian's shoulder, rubbing it soothingly. "What about him?"
Ninian's body shook as she recalled to Florina the events of the other day. When she told her how Eliwood had almost kissed her, Florina didn't move an inch, but her face was curious.
"But, Ninian..." she asked softly, "Are you not...fond of Lord Eliwood?"
Ninian hesitated for a moment for deciding to admit it to her—Florina apparently knew it already anyway. "Y-Yes..." she said. "But—" she shook her head, "—i-it's not that..."
"Then what's the matter?" Florina asked softly.
"I...I'm afraid..." Ninian began. "I-I am afraid that he..."
"...that he doesn't like you back?" Florina finished.
She shook her head. "N-No..." she said. "I-I am afraid that...he will find out—" she stopped suddenly. She couldn't tell even Florina what she was.
"Find out what?" Florina asked.
"I..." Ninian hesitated. "I-I can't tell you..."
"Oh, Ninian..." Florina said. "It's all right...you can tell me. I promise, I won't tell anyone..."
Ninian shook her head. "No," she said, wiping her tears away. "I-I am sorry...but I-I can't tell you..."
"Why not?" Florina asked, undaunted. "Is...is it something embarrassing?"
Ninian shook her head again. "Florina...I...I am sorry. I-It is something very—" she tried to think of a suitable word, "—personal."
Florina nodded, showing her acceptance. "Ninian...if you don't want to tell me...that's all right. But, Ninian...do you think...that Eliwood loves you?"
Ninian thought for a moment. In all of the time she spent thinking about Eliwood, she never once had considered how he felt about her currently. But the answer was obvious.
"Y-...yes," Ninian answered.
Florina gave Ninian a small smile. "Then...you should not worry," she said.
But Ninian was confused. How could she not worry about him finding out a secret such as this? "Why not?" she asked her.
Florina's smile grew slightly. "If...if Lord Eliwood truly loves you," she explained, "he will not care what...this problem is. He will love you anyway."
Ninian stared at Florina for a moment, speechless. "Do you...do you truly believe that?" Ninian asked finally.
Florina nodded. "In fact," she went on, "I thought you might be able to help me..." Her cheeks turned pink.
"With what?" Ninian asked curiously.
"I..." Florina looked away, smiling with embarrassment. "I just thought...since you and Lord Eliwood get along so well...that you might be able to help me with my—" she hesitated, "—my shyness around men," she said quickly.
"Well," Ninian said, "I...I'm not sure if I can help you very much..."
"I...I know," Florina replied. "But I just thought...since you're so easy to talk to..."
Ninian smiled warmly at that comment. "Well...I can try to—"
She was suddenly cut off by a scream. A scream she instantly recognized.
Nils.
Panic gripping her heart, she shouted "Nils!" before running back to where the rest of the army stood. Florina quickly followed.
When she got there, she saw Nils being held captive by a tall blond woman, with a scar down her left cheek.
"Vaida!" another member of the army called. Ninian turned and saw Heath, the wyvern rider, confronting the woman.
The woman apparently named Vaida glared at Heath. "So," she said, "you've decided to join with this little group, huh?"
Heath ignored her question. "What the hell are you doing with that boy?!" he nearly screamed.
"Don't you remember your original objective, idiot?!" Vaida retorted. "You were supposed to capture this boy!"
Ninian saw shock register on Nils's face. "You joined this group...to capture—" he stammered, but was cut off.
"No!" Heath shouted. "I left the Bern army because of what they were doing to children like you!" He looked up at Vaida. "Vaida, let him go!"
"Where are the leaders of this group?" Vaida asked, ignoring his demand.
Ninian almost panicked. Where were Eliwood and the other lords? But she was quickly relieved when she saw them running back from the castle.
"What are you doing with Nils?" Eliwood demanded.
"Well," Vaida responded, "you want to protect this boy?"
"Let him go, or I'll rip your throat out!" Hector shouted.
Vaida smirked devilishly, then to Ninian's surprise, she released Nils. "I've been looking for someone to test my strength against," she said.
"You plan to take on all of us?" Eliwood asked.
"Of course not," Vaida responded. "Come on out, everyone!"
Several wyvern riders flew in from the castle, as cavaliers and mages came from the villages near it.
"If you survive, I'll consider letting you keep the boy," Vaida said, before mounting her wyvern and flying off.
As the army prepared for battle, Eliwood didn't even have to ask for Ninian to come with him. He merely looked at her meaningfully, and she nodded.
The battle was shorter than expected. Many of the wyvern riders and cavalry turned out to be rather inexperienced. Hector had been right in assuming that nobody was able to take the castle in an attack—nobody would ever try such a suicide attempt. As a result, however, many of the soldiers were inexperienced, having never been in a real fight before. Before long, only a few soldiers and Vaida herself remained. She retreated, but Lyn, with her superior tracking skills, was able to follow the footprints of Vaida's soldiers. If the army followed them, they would end up at the Black Fang fortress...
Ninian lay on her bed in her tent, the army having stopped traveling for the day. Nils slept on his bed soundly.
She recalled Florina's words, and realized that she had been right. If Eliwood truly loved her—and it was very probable that he did—then what did she have to worry about? He would accept her for who she was...right?
The only problem lay in what others would think. Nils had been right, too—a dragon and a human together was simply unheard of. And then there was a more pressing question: after Nergal was defeated, what would happen to her? Would she have to go back through the Gate?
She had lived in the dragons' realm for so long...and yet, after her short stay in this world, she already found herself wanting to stay forever. As long as she was with Eliwood...
Eliwood. Ninian recalled suddenly how he had asked her to show him the dance she used when performing.
Perhaps...if she were to dance for him, then they would be alone, together. And then...she could tell him how she felt about him...
Ninian fell asleep smiling.
On second thought, The Story Master 125, scratch my response about supports B and A. I just got a great idea for those...
Whew! That was a really long chapter. Enjoy it while it lasts—while this chapter was up early, don't expect any updates until at least next week. I'll be busy preparing this week for the AP US history exam on Friday...oh God, I'm so screwed. If I survive, then I'll have the next chapter up afterwards.
Please review!!!
-TheOneAndOnlyT