Review Last Chapter: The group finally arrived to shore after what happened on the Dread Isle. Serra insisted that she cooks and Priscilla help her out with the passing out. During the battle, an orchestra came out of nowhere and played for the group. Raven had a laugh out of a misunderstanding with Rebecca. During the feast, Erk gave Serra the book he promised and she left to read it. Afterwards, everyone became drowsy and fell asleep. In the morning, Lucius and Dorcus were the two to die and Serra and Bartre gone missing. Erk vowed to kill Serra thanks to Priscilla.

Wow, finally I got some flames. It took people awhile to notice my errors. Let's see, 15 chapters right? That's pretty good. I would highly appreciated on criticizing on facts not opinions, please. Let's see, another OC character to make the story more interesting. I know people don't like OC characters much but it adds more to the story, so deal with it.

I will try to make Priscilla into character when she's not all jealous and all that. I hope this will make up for my mistakes.

I do not own Fire Emblem or any of its characters. My tactician name is Ada. Affinity- Fire.

Chapter XVI: Time to Get Away

Kimberly and Serra spend all morning eating breakfast that Kimberly packed up. Serra can't help but relax and look out the caravan for a marvelous view. The road was empty and the grass was moving with the wind that morning. Serra loved the view and the time she had for herself. Kimberly was such a sweet girl, with shiny thick black hair and an outfit similar to Priscilla's. Kimberly was the same age as Serra but a lot smaller in size and slimmer as well.

"So Serra, tell me a bit about yourself. I told you that I am a daughter of a poor merchant and needed to be send to Ostia for training in my work of blacksmith. How about you?" Kimberly asked. Serra thought for a second. She never expected to go back to Ostia so soon and she did not want to go back to the Head Bishop in that chapel. But she did want that raise from Lord Uther though. There was much more sunshine entering the caravan that minute.

"Well, I am cleric… or bishop now. I was with this group to Dread Isle when we barely returned, I found myself in this caravan heading to Ostia. I, myself, grew up in Ostia and worked with many other clerics and monks such as myself to honor Saint Elimine." Serra started to explain while Kimberly listened thoughtfully.

"I never fully understand being a cleric or a monk, what's the difference between them and ordinary people like us? I can't grasp that." Kimberly asked out loud her thoughts. This is one trait Serra liked about Kimberly. She is so straightforward and honest with her thoughts.

"Well for one thing, clerics can't eat meat. It is forbidden. We honor Saint Elimine." Serra paused for a moment looking awfully worried. "We are not allowed to love the opposite sex either." Kimberly stared at Serra's pale face.

"Serra, you're in love with someone. It's ok, Saint Elimine will understand." Kimberly said in a gentle voice, her hand gripped tightly on Serra's shoulder. Serra loosened up a bit and looked at Kimberly with a sorry face.

"Maybe, I can at last be free from the ways of praying for Saint Elimine. It's not like I don't want to pursue my goals with Saint Elimine or anything, but I must have broken a hundred rules by now and I could always worship Saint Elimine in my own way." Serra said thoughtfully. Kimberly nodded as the caravan came to a complete stop. Kimberly grabbed her bags as well as Serra. Serra's bag was so heavy as the driver helped her carry it.

"What do you have in there? A ton of jewelry or something?" The driver exclaimed, fairly annoyed as the two girls got off the caravan. The driver, now disgusted, rode the caravan away. Serra looked around her. Ostia. It was as big and as bright as she remembered. Serra can't help but shriek with joy. "Ostia!!! I'm finally back home!!!" Serra was now jumping up and down while Kimberly, nervously chuckle at her friend's amusement.

The two walked together through Ostia's luxurious buildings. Kimberly's face was filled with excitement at this big city. Ostia wasn't Lycia's largest city for nothing. The two girls were so amused by the buildings around them that they didn't noticed they bump into another girl. Serra can't help but stare at the girl they bumped into. She had the same color hair as Erk and Lady Ada, except longer than Erk's and shorter than Lady Ada's. Somehow she looked really familiar.

"I'm sorry! I'm in a hurry and didn't see you guys! I am so sorry!!!" The girl shrieked in apology as she left immediately. Serra thought the girl was a bit strange but a lot like she. Finally, the two arrived at a Blacksmith's shop. Kimberly turned over to Serra and smiled softly. "This is the place. I hope to see you again, Serra! And good luck with your man!" Kimberly went inside as Serra waved good-bye.

Serra walked and walked. She didn't know if she should go see Lord Uther or not. She wanted that raise but something inside told her that it was not such a good idea. For one thing, the Head Bishop might make her stay there and not let her go find Erk. Besides, if the Head Bishop knew about her and Erk, she is doom. So Serra made up her mind and head for the vendor instead. The vendor was filled with people looking at the tomes and stuff. Serra sweated a bit to spot a fellow cleric she known before. Serra tried her best to not get near that cleric.

Then, Serra jumped. Someone tapped her on the shoulder softly. Please don't let it be that cleric, please Saint Elimine, don't let it be that cleric… Serra turned around to face someone much more worst than the cleric. It was him again. Jack is the last person Serra wanted to see right now.

"Humble Sister Serra, nice to meet you again." Jack praised as Serra nervously shot glances at the cleric who is now examining light tomes on the other side of the shop. Jack noticed this and pulled Serra out of the shop. "What's the matter, Sister Serra? Too shocked to speak?" Serra gave Jack a nasty look as the two started walking off together.

"I am NOT too shock to speak! And stop calling me Sister Serra!!! You know how much people call me that!" Serra shrieked as Jack smiled even broader. Serra knew Jack a while ago when she knew Matthew too. Jack, she admitted, was really handsome with his cerulean hair like Hector's and his flashing smile. Jack also came from a wealthy family. His dad came from Bern, and sent him over here to open the biggest jewelry shop ever. His dad also owns most of the weapon shops as well. Jack was good-looking, wealthy, and had lots of education. Any girl would fall for him like crazy, but not Serra. Serra actually found him annoying as living hell.

Jack put his arm over Serra's as she quickly nudged them off. "Serra, then, what brings you back here to Ostia? I thought you were with Matthew and Knight Oswin when you left, where are they now?" Jake asked freely, ignoring Serra's irritated face.

"Jack, quit following me! I am telling you now, I will never marry you!!!" Serra shouted as she walked faster. Jack walked faster as well.

"Serra, you haven't changed a bit, still as loud and bold as you are. That's why I like you. No other women in comparison." Jack sweet-talks Serra. Serra stopped in her tracks and turned to face Jack. She cannot tell if Jack is acting more annoying than the time she spend with Sain a year ago. Serra looked at Jack dangerously, putting her hands on her hips.

"Jack!!! Quit following me!!! One thing, I'm a bishop now and cannot think of love and you know that as well as I do!!! You can get any women you want, so quit bugging me!!!" Some men gave weird glances at the two while some girls giggled nearby. Girls can't stand at the presence of Jack.

"I know that, Serra. But you always said that you want to quit being a cleric or bishop or whatever. Still interested in marrying me?" Serra's eyes started twitching. He was not taking in whatever flames she is throwing at him and this made her angry. Serra stomped her feet and walk away from him and entered a building.

Jack walked in by her side. "Welcome to my shop, Serra. May I take your order?" Jack asked sarcastically as Serra sat down and sighed. Of all the buildings in Ostia, why did she enter this one??? Both her luck and temper are short today.

"Jack! You want the truth? I already like someone, and he's much more better than you! Actually ten times better than you! So quit bugging me!" Serra stubbornly crossed her arm over her chest and looked at her feet while Jack sat down next to her. Serra admitted something else, even with a quick tongue like her; she cannot match Jack's replies and calmness.

"So Serra admits that she broken one of Saint Elimine's law. Now she is officially allowed to marry. That excuse won't work with Lord Uther this time. Oh, I see. You love this guy, eh? What a nice guy he is leaving you alone all by yourself in Ostia with no aid whatsoever." That last sentence hit Serra like a hard brick. Jack had a good point. Why isn't he with her? And what happen to everyone else??? They should be here right now. Serra tried hard to remember last night. She remembered someone hitting her hard on the head and then nothing else after that.

"Speechless, eh? From that look on your face, you know I'm right. The perfect time for our wedding, huh? I'm going to ask permission from Lord Uther right away." Jack got up and talked to some of his underlings. One nodded and headed out the door while the other two stood guarding Serra, who was in no mood whatsoever to say anything. Jack walked out the door. Serra cannot say anything at all; she just sat there speechless.

Serra, in this mood, can still remember the first day she met Jack. It was a long time ago when she was send with some other clerics to buy weapons for the knights of Ostia. Serra can picture that day vividly in her mind. It was so clear to her. It was a sunny morning when she was walking with the other clerics.

(Flashback) "Where are you going, Sister Serra?" asked one of Serra's fellow clerics as Serra started walking away from the group.

"Don't worry, Sister Denise, I am just going to seek some information! I'll be right back before you know it!" Serra shrieked as she ran off in the opposite direction. It was a lie. She wasn't going to seek any information but headed for the large jewelry shop opening that day. She knew she wasn't supposed to tell lies but one wouldn't hurt her way to get closer to Saint Elimine.

Serra entered the store as she found a bunch of other females examining the jewelry before her. Serra knew she must hurry or else, all the good jewels will be sold to some lucky girl. Serra pulled out her pouch. She was such in a hurry that she forgot her gold. Serra cannot believe her luck. The grand opening was the day all jewelries were 50% off! Serra just sat down miserably.

A guy her age, with nice azure hair walked over by her side. He had been eyeing her since she went inside his store. "Are you ok, milady? The jewelry not of your taste?" The male asked curiously as Serra looked up.

"No, I love your jewelry! It's just I forgot my gold!" Serra exclaimed as she looked down at her fingers miserably. The Head Bishop would never give her another chance to explore the city again. This was one of those rare occasion of being free and buy whatever she wanted.

The male sat next to her and smiled sweetly at her. "Don't worry. Here I'll give you this nice ruby pendent in exchange for your name." Serra looked at the ruby pendent as her eyes started shining.

"I'm Sister Serra, but everyone just calls me Serra! Can I have the ruby pendent now???" Serra asked anxiously as the guy gave her the ruby pendent. "Yours?"

"Jack, I happen to be the owner of this store. To be honest, I am really attracted to you." Jack said suddenly as Serra got up. Her cheeks were red a bit.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm a cleric and cannot except that concept you give me! Thanks for the ruby pendent but I must be leaving now!" Serra stuffed the jewelry in her pouch and got up and leave immediately. Jack just smiled at this.

Serra never expected to see him again until one day while she caught sight of him in Lord Uther's courtroom. Serra tried to slip by unnoticed when Lord Uther called her over. "Yes, Lord Uther?" Serra asked innocently, looking away from Jack.

"Ah, Serra. Jack, this is Serra. Serra, this is Jack." Lord Uther introduced the two as Serra nervously nodded at Jack, who was smirking back at her. "Jack, like I was saying, we are honor to have your help in Ostia. Serra is a cleric, and she is by far the loudest of all we have. We have many clerics and monks in the chapel nearby here. Thanks to these clerics and monks and bishops, we have tranquility here at Ostia. Thank you Saint Elimine as well." Serra tried to walk away as Lord Uther called her back.

"Why are you so timid today, Serra? Not as loud as usual I see. Do you know Lord Jack?" Lord Uther asked as Serra turned tensely to look at Jack.

"No, not really. But we met once before." Serra answered politely. Lord Uther laughed a bit at her timid side.

"Good, good! Since Jack told me that he wants to get to know you better. He agreed to give aid to Ostia if he can visit you every week or so. Serra, for a cleric, you are sure lucky!" Serra didn't want to see this guy ever, nevertheless every week. Serra felt sick to her stomach.

"But Lord Uther! Of all the people, you should know clerics cannot love the opposite sex!" Serra protested.

"Well, by that time, you should retire as a cleric." Lord Uther responded as he and Jack walked off together to discuss business leaving an angry Serra. Serra cannot believe Lord Uther took side with Jack, but she cannot do anything about it.

The day Oswin was preparing to leave Ostia, Serra begged Lord Uther to let her go with him. "Please Lord Uther, I really want to assist Oswin. You know as well as I do that I can't stand being stuck inside for long! If I don't go outside any time soon, I will explode by screaming all night!!" Lord Uther took that as a threat and let her go with Oswin. Serra wanted to get away from the imprisonment of the chapel and Jack at the same time.

(End Flashback)

Serra cannot believe it. She got into this mess. Jack is now going to ask marriage from Lord Uther and if he agreed to Jack, she is doom. Everything in the world wasn't important to her anymore, all she wanted now was to find Erk and tell him everything.

Everyone was in a mood of depression as they move silently through the road. A few now and then, they would hear Ninian crying bit by bit on Lord Eliwood's shoulder. Nils was also wailing with his sister as well. Lyndis seemed pretty fine even though the lord in which she loved is occupied by Ninian. Lady Ada knew at this pace, it will take another day to which Ostia. She sighed. Lady Ada tried to sneak out and get away but Lord Hector noticed immediately and followed her.

Lady Ada pulled out an iron sword she borrowed from Guy and was about to stab herself when Hector ran as fast as he could and stopped her in time. He pulled harshly the iron sword out of her hand and threw it to the ground. He can feel her fast pulse while holding her wrist. Lady Ada looked away, tears flowing from her eyes.

Lord Hector, silently walked over to Ada's other side and pulled her around to face him. Lady Ada's eyes were filled with the most sparkling tears he had ever seen in his life as he pulled her towards his comforting shoulder. Lady Ada closed her eyes, and her tears willingly flow down her cheek. Lady Ada slowly wrapped her arms around his thick armor. Lord Hector started brushing her purple hair in silence. The silence was broken when he heard Lady Ada saying something in her breath. "Hector…It's all my fault. It's really all my fault. I should have been more careful and more responsible and prevented these deaths. I am the tactician and the one responsible for everyone, I…I…"

Hector shushed Lady Ada as he said in a concern voice to help her, "It's not your fault. None of us knew any of this was going to happen. You always cared for everyone like family on the battlefield. That is enough on your hands. You shouldn't have to blame yourself for what happened outside the battlefield. If it's anyone to blame or guilty, it's Serra." Lady Ada wiped her tears and pulled away from Hector.

"Hector…you think Serra really did it?" Lady Ada asked curiously as Hector looked awfully mad as he nodded his head in reply.

"We should find her and then kill her to revenge for Lucius and Dorcus's death." Hector announced as the two started walking to catch up to the rest of the group.

Ada wrapped her arm around his arm as Hector loosened up and breath more normally now. "Hector, this is all too suspicious. We don't have enough evidence to say Serra did it."

"Ada, don't fool yourself. There is way too much evidence to prove Serra is guilty already. Now the thing needed is what to do with her when we find her?" Hector asked as Lady Ada looked helplessly at her hands.

"I say we should find her and ask some questions. No matter where she went, we will find her and take her with us." Lady Ada replied, as Hector's jaw dropped a bit in confusion.

"But Ada! We can't take her with us! She's a murderer for Saint Elimine's Sake!" Hector cried as Lady Ada ignored him.

"No matter what happen, she is still part of our group and she will stay with us. I feel much more safe with her around here so I can watch her than let her running around. And besides, she might had stolen Lucius's book and we needed it back for Lucius's sake." Lady Ada said as Hector became dangerously silent. He can never outsmarted Lady Ada, and that is why she is their tactician and not him.

"Ada, you outsmarted me again. Let's hurry and catch up with everyone before anyone realizes our absenses." Hector commented as Ada nodded.

Erk was walking with Priscilla. All day, he had been reading his books to keep his mind off the deaths of his best friend and Serra. He didn't know why, he keep on reminding himself that this was all a dream and Serra would never do such a thing even if she wanted something so badly. Serra cannot have done this, she just can't. But she really did do it, everything made sense. Priscilla can see the endless worries on Erk's face, and patting him softly on the back.

"Erk, your face is so pale. Are you all right? All morning, you only read and did not even look at your food. I am very concern about your health." Priscilla started saying as Erk looked up from the book he wasn't even concerntrating on. Priscilla was concerned about him. She was lovely and sweet. How could he not see this before?

"Lady Priscilla…"

"Erk, when did you start calling me Lady Priscilla again?" Priscilla demanded in a sweet-tone kind of way.

"I mean Priscilla, I am sorry if I upset you. I do not mean to do so." Erk started to explain his case when Priscilla waves her hand to silence him.

"Erk, I am to blame as well. I should have known that she put all that sleeping powder in the food." Priscilla blamed herself as Erk shook his head.

"Priscilla, you did nothing wrong. All I hope now is that I can make up to you for what I had done in the past. I am sorry to upset you and even more sorry that I did not see your emotions of love and gratitude towards me before. I should have seen the true face of Serra and shared my feelings with you more." Erk wanted to make up with Priscilla and started all over from the beginning. Priscilla smile widen more.

"Erk, I thank you for being my escort before and I wish there is a way we can communicate better so that you can see me the same way I see you." Priscilla said thoughtfully. Erk looked at her and nodded. She was like the opposite of Serra. Quiet, gentle, and kind-hearted.

"I would like that…I would like that a lot. To start over and be a better person for you, Priscilla." Erk said.

"I know you still love Serra, and I know it will take time. Take all the time you need." Priscilla said reassuringly.

"Priscilla, Serra is no longer in my heart." Erk announced as he grabbed a hold of Priscilla's hand. Erk knew that was only half true, she was still there even if it is just a little.

The end of chapter 16. Sorry if it took long, I am working with Michelle on a humor fic. If you love out of control humor, I suggest you check it out. Right now, some past experiences between Serra and Jack. Next chapter, of course, the wedding is all planned out and all they needed was the bait, the mage. Heath and Rath joining next chapter or the next next chapter, it depends on how everything goes. Sain and Rebecca, will this ever end??? Yes, you'll see. Rebecca loves Raven though. R & R. Well, toddles.