-Dark Flame-
(C) Fire Emblem
Original ideas copyrighted to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems
Fan Fiction by Becki
Sob It's already here ;; My first Fire Emblem Fanfiction is coming to a close. Although this definitely isn't my most successful fanfic, it's one I've had a lot of fun writing, after all, Rath is my favorite character ; But he's a hard character to portray, it was difficult in the beginning, I had so many writer's block with this. A final thanks to everybody who's reviewed and read faithfully!
Becki
And yes, for those who guessed, Laya was the Nomadic trooper in the last chapter. I have a thing for angst, but don't worry, she's won't be forgotten.
Hyliansage: omg, thank you so much for every bit of support you've given! I really appreciate it lots You've been really nice and have been so loyal, thank you so much! Keep writing and drawing, I can't wait to see more stuff from you!
burningphoneix: gives you a cookie Yeah, you were right ; As for brigands being able to kill off a Falcoknight and a Nomadic trooper, I did say that the falcoknight was newly promoted, but still, even promoted units can get killed when rampaged and attacked by a lot of low-leveled enemy units. Thanks for reading both of my non-one-shot fics, it was great
General Failure: Eep! Well I'm glad someone is enthusiastic about this fanfic! I thought it must be the must boring fic out there, so your review definitely made me very happy :D Sorry, I don't plan on reviving Laya, but her legacy will go on in the Epilogue
Kiyoko-Chan: Meep! It's over XD Well, thank you much for you comments You seriously ought to write more. Well, keep drawing too XD MOO! hands you more pocky
Hellsfireblackdragon: Well, I'm glad someone likes my writing style! Thank you for the nice reviews! (I'm starting to sound like a broken record player) Yea, I hope the ideas and plot line I used in this fic wasn't too cliché, but it didn't really.. seem like there was a plot, was there?
gentleness28: Hi! Thank you much for everything you've done for me! You're always commenting on my stuff, be it art or writing, I really appreciate it! You're so sweet! Keep writing/drawing XD
Chapter Eleven: Pride and Honor
Years passed since the incident, it seemed like yet another faded memory which passed quite so simply and easily as the blink of an eye. Rath was at his eighteenth year, he had first arrived in Araphen nine years ago. Under the watch of Roland, the respected elder of the city, he learned to write and read, to fight strategically and set up tactics. Three years had gone by since he had accidentally killed Captain Aidan in a ill-fated duel, and was raised up to the level of Head Captain himself.
Three years had not forgotten to leave its mark in the line of time, however. His first battle was not his last, but the casualties were never as high as that day they fought against the Taliver bandits. He served Araphen well and was often praised for his successes. A year had passed since he was first appointed Captain, and Roland had fallen deeper into his lightly hinted sickness. He died silently and peacefully not so long after, Rath treated it as respectfully and meaningful as possible, but held the grief. Amy was very silent after her grandfather's death, but recovered slowly. She was pledged to marry a man in Kathelet, and left Araphen promptly. Her attitude had not changed much, but she was happy with the match. She had a kind word and farewell to Rath and whispered something to Haru before she left. The Lorca Sacaen blushed deeply and quickly avoided eye contact with Rath.
Haru of the Lorca tribe earned some fame as a seamstress. She had been given a warm welcome by Roland before he had passed away, saying that she could stay in his home as long as she had wanted. His house became hers when Amy left, and she lived a humble lifestyle. Haru received news from her released mother almost a year after Roland's death. Grave news that she had hidden from Rath until he pressed her to tell him.
The Taliver Bandits who had been pushed away from Araphen headed north, and attacked the Lorca tribe. The death of Lorca tribe members hit devastatingly high numbers, it was said none survived the attack at all. Rath felt somewhat responsible because he had been the one to drive the Taliver bandits towards Sacae. Haru dismissed that idea quickly, and became extremely silent. A few days later, she too left Araphen too meet with her mother, but when Rath came by to her house after she had gone, he found folded up clothes which looked identical to his own that she had left behind for him.
Araphen was quiet for a while. Rath did his same duty as Captain, but he no longer had old friends. Roland, Amy, Haru, they had all been taken by time. The Marquess didn't expect him to leave as well, and neither did he. The Sacaen began to wonder whether he even planned to see the plains of Sacae at all. His future seemed just as dark as it had fourteen years ago.
One bright morning he rode through the main market of Araphen to maintain security. There had been some disputes and rumors going about southern Lycia, a problem that had to do with the line to the throne of Caelin. Rath had little to do with politics and paid no attention to it. However, the annual tournament was to take place as it did every year, but since had become captain, he never participated in it.
He spotted a knight riding through the crowds towards Araphen. A messenger, it seemed. The knight was easily seen, being clad in crimson, it was hard not too. He seemed to have some sort of business with the Marquess. Somewhat interested, he turned towards the square to see more strangers.
A messy-haired archer was laughing along with a timid Pegasus knight, overlooked by a burly fighter who gave a blank stare. Besides this group came a mage of royal violet hair who looked like he was about to murder someone while standing next to a chatty pink-haired girl.
Finally, there was another cavalier dressed in green armor that looked like a match of the crimson messenger. He was speaking to the last person, who had caught Rath's attention.
She was Sacaen, it seemed. Her clothes looked so similar to Haru's, the high collar and intricate designs. Her hair was very long, a lush green color tied high. It was unusual to see a Sacaen woman alone with foreigners. Her back was to him, he was unable to see her face. She made gestures a she spoke, both palms upward as she continued a conversation with the emerald clothed cavalier.
Turning away from this strange party, Rath quickly rode back to the castle. Perhaps they were travelers of some sort. He met the red cavalier on his way back, but they hardly even looked at each other as they passed. Whatever the group was planning, they had an audience with the Marquess.
As the Captain rode down the wall towards the Knight's quarters, there was an unusual group with torches. Strange, during the day torches were completely useless. He stopped as he began to fully turn the corner towards the group, and noticed the large numbers they had. A rebellion?
Rearing the gray stallion back, he looked at a steep angle over the corner, just so he could see the group and their actions. One by one they tossed their torches over the castle wall, and fire began to catch the wooden hedge on the other side.
He must summon the army of Araphen. Even as Rath planned the strategy, the group began to secure grappling hooks over the wall. Rath reached for his bow, but knew it would be the act of stupidity to try and fight. The odds of defeating all of them was slim. He had to go around the castle to get to the knight's quarters to sound the alarm.
When he turned back, he saw the same unusual party of fighters close to the castle gate, approached by three unsightly warriors. He caught part of their conversation before acting.
"You! You're Lyndis, aren't you?" The mercenary in the center demanded, his sword unsheathed. The Sacaen woman stepped back in surprise, her hand moving towards the sword on her side.
"No questions! Prepare yourself!" He said, lunging forward before her hand properly gripped the hilt of her sword.
"Hey!" She cried out. Without a thought, Rath bolted forward on his gray horse and strung an arrow to the string of his bow. In a single movement, he pulled back on the string and released it. The hit was critical and well aimed, striking the seemingly assassin in the chest of the vital heart area. The assassin howled and crumpled to the ground.
Lyndis stepped back again in surprise, but did not take out her sword. She looked at the cause of her attacker's sudden spasm, turning her head down to examine the reason for his death.
"What? An arrow..?"
The Sacaen woman turned her face to him. She looked Sacaen for the most part, but her face was not so. She had not the narrow eyes or the slender nose. Her face looked so familiar, Rath tried to trace it back in his memory. Ah! That portrait in the hall! There was such a resemblance in that woman whose frame was labeled 'Caelin' as this Lyndis. Clearly, Rath had made a mistake.
"Who are you?" She asked him, a mix of fear and uncertainty clouding her face. At that moment the crimson knight came forward, anxious.
"Milady Lyndis! Are you all right?" He asked, his hand on his lance. The woman nodded abruptly.
"Yes, I'm fine. He.." She looked back at Rath and studied his face. "This man saved me." The cavalier then seemed to notice the Captain of Araphen there, and followed his Lady's example.
"May I ask your name?" He inquired. Rath kept a blank face. It was better not to meddle in others' affairs. Why would they care what his name was? As he turned to leave without a reply, Lyndis called him again.
"W-wait! Why did you help me?" Rath looked over his shoulder at her face, desperate for answers.
"I thought a Sacaen Plainswoman was being attacked." He said for simplicity's sake. "I was mistaken."
"No, you were correct! I am from Sacae. My name is Lyn, I am the daughter of the Lorca Chieftain." She introduced herself, using an informal version of her name. This caught his attention.
"The Lorca?" He remembered Haru's letter and the message of the Lorca's destruction. "There were survivors?" Lyn gave a somber frown and looked down.
"Yes.." She answered softly. Rath scented smoke, reminding him of the situation.
"You must leave at once. A blaze has started at the castle, and it is spreading. Do not be foolish and waste the life I just saved." It sounded blunt, true, but this was Araphen's crisis. Lyn looked surprised and questioned him.
"You're from the castle? What is happening? How severe is the fire? Is the marquess safe?"
"The castle is under attack and has been seized. Imagine the Marquess has been accosted, and the man that attacked you was most likely one of the marauders. As Captain of the guard, it is my duty to rescue the Marquess." Rath stated.
"...I see." Lyn said, her face determined. "All right then, we'll help you." The red knight was taken aback, as was Rath.
"My lady?" The cavalier said in surprised. Rath turned completely around and eyed her.
"Why?" He asked, wondering how she would ever want to involve herself in foreign affairs.
"These brigands are after me. If they are attacking the castle, it is my fault. So I wish to help if I can." Rath contemplated this, then nodded stiffly.
"It seems that you are involved." He said finally, remembering the assassin. "...Let's go." The red knight said nothing, but retreated back with the rest of the group. Perhaps it was time that Rath gave his name.
"I am Rath of the Kutolah." He had not forgotten. "Our tribes may be different, but I will never abandon a woman of the Sacae."
"Thank you, Rath!" She answered graciously. "A thousand blessings upon you!"
Rath turned back to see the fire clouding beyond the walls of the castle, the dark smoke that mingled with the flames in clouds of black. Those words of the diviner were always with him, he would never forget. Rath opened his mouth and responded.
"...and a thousand curses upon our enemy!"