Review Last Chapter: Erk saved Serra from another attempt of murder. The tactician caught a fever and Serra had to become the replacement. Priscilla challenged Serra in which Priscilla almost successfully killed Serra. Pent got kidnapped by Jack and now Serra had to broke into Priscilla and Erk's blessings.
Back from vacation and I decided to update this story first when I came back since it is my favorite story with all the twists and turns. I'll just go on with the answering to the review thing:
R Amythest: Oops, I put Erk's eye as emerald? I meant amethyst. Sorry about that. If I did that mistake on purpose, I would have to commit suicide since I am the one of the biggest Erk fans. I think the character that is going to die has fans too, but not any reading this story I hope…(looks innocent). About the antagonist thing, I have to agree with you on that. I am trying hard to explain everything as we reached the end of this fanfic. If there really is an evil character, it will be an OC. Thanks for the review and I will expand on the ending in this chapter.
Goddess of the Northern Breeze: My views exactly. We should make an Erk/Serra fan club or something. Thanks for your review!
SerraxErkfan: You should join the fan club as well. Thanks for the review and compliment.Davis3: I know I am so evil. I want deaths. Hehe. About the overview thing, I just put that so I don't confuse anyone with my mixed relationships. In school or something, I would always have to put that because my characters' relationships are always confusing. Thanks for the review.
Michelle of the Night: You're very welcome. Knowing Erk, he will not attempt to look at Serra like that again. Thanks again for your review.
Serra19: Thanks, my vacation was great. Thanks a lot for your review.
Cardmaster372: That's my job to make this story exciting and long. Thanks for your review.
Eh: Thanks for the props. There are a few Louise/Pent fanfics out there, you just have to go out and look for it.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
-Plato
Chapter XX: Trusting SomeoneA broad smile was written clearly on Louise's face as she watched the two in front of her. "Of course I am going to support you and Priscilla. As long as you two…Serra?" Louise was now staring over at the open flaps where Serra was standing nervously. Serra looked anxious, tired, and scared at the same time. Serra knew she must leave with Erk, but what if Priscilla won't let them. Priscilla was now glaring at Serra. Erk stared blankly at Serra with no clue whatsoever.
"Erk, hurry come with me!" cried out Serra, taking a step inside the dining tent. Erk did not understand why is she trying to mess with his blessing with Priscilla. Was Serra that jealous?
"Serra, you could do nothing to change my mind. I cannot go with you and leave Priscilla." Erk declared as Priscilla's face brightened up. Maybe Erk is going to stay with her afterall. Priscilla was about to relax when Serra took another step in the tent. She wasn't going to give up so easily.
Serra now ran over by Louise, Erk, and Priscilla now. Her face was filled with anxiety as she held a tight grip on Erk's arm. "But you must, we have no time and he's getting away!" Erk was now even more confused than before. What is she talking about?
"Serra, leaving Priscilla is guilty to my soul." Erk tried to convince Serra once more with less harshness in his voice. He was getting really impatient now.
Serra was now glaring at Erk forcefully now. "But leaving your master to die is guilty to the soul as well." Erk looked like a ghost now as Louise fainted. Erk immediately ran out of the tent after helping Louise up, with Serra as Priscilla ran after them.
"Erk! Come back here!" demanded Priscilla as the two turned around and listened. "Erk! If you leave now, don't even try to marry me anymore. So choose, run off with her, the one who killed your best friend, or stay here and get our blessing over with." Priscilla now placed her hands on her hips as Erk looked nervously at Serra and then back at Priscilla.
Serra gave Erk a look. This was really hard for Erk for he knew that Lord Pent meant a lot to him, but this blessing meant a lot to Priscilla. He could not leave one without regretting about the other one. Erk was now stuck with no option. Either way, someone is going to be upset. Erk took a deep breath of regret and grabbed quickly Serra's arm and left the Black Fang base. Priscilla stared miserably as the two left.
Priscilla knew she had to go after them. If it was true about what Serra told her earlier about Lord Pent and how he was kidnapped, she had to find Lord Pent before Serra and Erk do. Lord Pent was the only one who knew anything about her plans. Priscilla knew that since Serra was the tactician and left, she could go without permission. Priscilla pulled Guy away from Canas, as they started to leave. Canas wondered where they are going as Lowen and him went after them.
Lowen stood by Canas while he eyed Priscilla and Guy. "Where are you guys going? You're supposed to stay put!"
Guy was being honest as he answered, "We're going after Serra and Erk." Priscilla looked like she was about to hit him with her staff any second now as Canas's eyebrow slowly raised.
"I'll go too. I want revenge for a while now for my good reading buddy Lucius. But under Ada's eyes, I could not do such a thing. So, let me go with you." Canas said almost begging. Lowen just stood there without any sort of reaction. Inside, Lowen also wanted revenge for Dorcus.
Priscilla knew that if she won't allow them to come, they would run back and tell tactician Ada or Lord Hector. Priscilla sighed and agreed. The four ran off just in time when the barrier surrounded Hector's group. Priscilla, Guy, Canas, and Lowen knew that they had no choice of turning back now as they continued running after Serra and Erk.
Erk was walking silently, still irritated at leaving Priscilla. Serra, on the other hand, was skipping through the road like any old day. Serra could feel the snow falling on her head as she happily made a sharp turn near a bunch of trees. She sat down and rested as Erk glared at her.
"Serra, this is not a vacation or something. My master's life is at stake here! Every five minutes, you keep on resting!" Erk nearly shouted this at Serra since he was really mad at this moment. He really wanted to save Lord Pent while Serra is just having resting time and playing around.
Erk was so concentrated on Serra that he didn't even noticed Priscilla, Guy, Canas, and Lowen ran by them. The four were running in such a hurry, they did not even noticed Erk and Serra sitting near the trees. Also, they would had thought that Serra and Erk would be in a big hurry and ran the entire time instead of lacking off.
Serra looked up at Erk with little tiny tears in her eyes. He did not understand what she's feeling right now. "Erk…all I wanted was to enjoy our time and return to those good old days when you escorted me back to Ostia…is that really a crime?" Erk could feel himself softening up at this gentle little question. It was true. He did miss that time he spend with Serra before they met Lyn, very much. If only time would turn back, that would be one of his happiest moments with Serra.
"Serra, I'm sorry for being so hard on you. It's just…the Lucius incident…and Lord Pent being kidnapped…and leaving Priscilla…and everything…" Erk was really nervous for saying those feelings out loud to Serra. He really was sorry but their lives together might never be the same again.
"Erk…so does this mean you forgive me? You believe that I did not kill your best friend?" Serra asked, not understanding what Erk meant before. Is he actually trusting her?
"Serra, all you want is to think of our good times…all you want to keep between us are all our good memories…I do not see at you as a dark person anymore." Erk explained carefully as Serra smiled. He's trusting her again. She did not know how she changed his mind but she did.
"Serra, let's hurry. The sky is already reddening already. Let's continue." Erk reminded Serra as the two rushed down the road.
Canas had went off to search the area while Guy and Priscilla were sitting in a small room in a two room building. It was just a small cottage in the area in which they decide to stay at for the day. Priscilla was reading the same book again as Guy watched her at the corner of his eye.
"Priscilla…if we find Lord Pent first, are you going to kill him?" Guy had to ask. He felt guilty for telling Lord Pent and now, and getting him in a heap of trouble. Priscilla shook her head slowly.
"Nope, I won't. You will." Priscilla said shortly and simply as Guy's jaw drop.
"Priscilla…I could do no such thing." Guy argued as Priscilla continued reading her book while talking. Priscilla showed no care for what Guy had to say to defend himself.
"Guy, you helped me knock Serra off that night. You helped me steal all the gold and jewelry and left it with Serra. You helped me carry Serra to a caravan and left her heading to Ostia. What's the problem with killing a person?" Guy could not believe what he was hearing. Priscilla was so different now. Jealousy blinded her.
"Priscilla…" But before Guy could say another word, he heard some rustling outside their door. Someone had been listening to their conversation. Priscilla heard it too as the two ran out of the door to see someone running away from the little building.
Priscilla handed Guy his killing edge as she gave him a stern look. "How about a little practice?" Guy looked at the killing edge with confusion in his eye.
An hour later, Erk and Serra finally reached a cave not far away from a small village. This cave was surrounded by hills so there was only one way in and out the cave. Erk and Serra cautiously entered the cave as Erk chanted some fire to view the surroundings. They found a body in the cave as they moved carefully towards the still body.
Canas ran in the cave behind Erk and Serra and saw the scene in front of him. There were Erk and Serra with fire in Erk's hands, right next to Lowen's dead body. Canas took small steps away from the two as he shakily pulled out his tomes and created some dark magic at the palm of his hand. "Don't get near me or else I kill both of you." Canas warned unsteadily.
Erk took a step forward. "Canas, it wasn't us. The body was already here when we came." Erk tried to persuade Canas as Canas took another step back.
Canas shook his head. "Erk, get away from her. She murdered Lucius. She'll kill both of us in no time!" Serra couldn't help but peeped a little chuckle when she heard this.
"Canas, you're wrong. She did not kill Lucius." Erk reassured but Canas would not listen as he used his free hand to cover his ear.
"Erk, what did she use on you? Love potion?" Canas asked as Serra finally took a step forward and tried to make an evil smile at Canas. Erk knew that look.
"Canas…is it? Ok, let me use that little love potion on you too!" Serra said in a threaten voice as Erk held her arms back. Canas was sweating really hard now.
"What are you doing Serra?"
"Follow my lead."
The next minute or so, Canas was tied up in a thick rope on the floor of the cave with tape over his mouth. Erk and Serra were staring at the squirming Canas as Serra gave a little smile at Erk. Erk look at Serra dumbfounded. "Why did you tie Canas up?"
"Erk, you are really dumb. Couldn't you see the hatred in his eyes? No matter what we say he won't listen. So if we tie him up, he had to listen!" Erk couldn't believe how Serra kept on coming up with these ideas but as long as it works, he's ok with it. Now they turn back their attention back to Canas, who tried to avoid eye-contact.
"Canas, I know that you won't listen to us before. But you have to listen to us now. We did not kill Lowen. Reasons? One, if we really did kill Lowen, why would we stand right next to his dead body for you to find us. Second, couldn't you see the loss of blood from Lowen? He's been dead for nearly an hour already. Third, Lowen's injury could only be caused by a sword or blade." After explaining everything, Serra carefully untie Canas and pulled the tape off of his mouth.
Canas panted a bit but had did not have any sign of killing Serra in any way. Canas just gave the two a pleasant look as he bowed his head in apology. "Serra's right. You two did not kill Lowen, but who did?" Serra and Erk shrugged in unison as they thought for a moment.
"Who came with you, Canas?" Erk asked.
"Besides Lowen and I, there are also Priscilla and Guy." Serra's eye shot open as she gave Erk and Canas a smirk. Erk knew that smirk too well. She is having another plan.
Serra just walk silently by Lowen's dead body and lifted his hair slowly away from his eyes slowly. "I'm sorry Lowen for disturbing you, but please help us find out who really killed you."
Priscilla and Guy walked back to their room as Guy gently clean his bloody sword. Priscilla sat down on the bed provided when she caught sight of some green hair. "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!" Priscilla cried out as she hid behind Guy. Guy walked over and threw the piece of hair into the trash.
"Priscilla…you know that he's dead. I killed him. Don't need to worry, let's rest before we set out tonight." Guy reassured her as Priscilla gave a sign of relief as she laid down and went to sleep.
Canas, Serra, and Erk were listening from the other side of the room. Canas was about to storm off over there and kill Guy when Serra and Erk held him back. The three walked off together away from Priscilla and Guy and into the little village. They ate as Canas gave Serra dirty glances. Even if she didn't kill Lowen, she might have killed Lucius. The three set up their tents and planned to head for Jack's place after a ten minute break. Canas decided that he would not participate in the rescue of Lord Pent and just take care of their stuff.
Erk was about to set off with Serra to Jack's place when Canas came running in the tent. "What's the matter, Canas?" Erk asked as Canas catches his breath. Canas shook his head quickly.
"Priscilla and Guy followed signals on dead trees that they thought was from you, Erk, and now, they are ambushed in the cave we found Lowen's dead body earlier. I heard that the men who ambushed them are looking for a pink-hair priestess." Canas explained as Serra's face gone pale. It must be Jack and his men looking for her again.
Erk quickly signaled Serra and Canas to stay. "I'll go rescue those two. Jack is looking for you, Serra, so you better stay here with Canas. Canas, I'm depending on you to keep her safe." Erk left the tent in a hurry, only carrying his tomes and his elixirs with him.
Canas watched Serra, who was now trying to nap a little with her back to Canas, silently with his eyes. It was his chance to have revenge for Lucius, but Erk wanted him to keep her safe. What should he do? Canas pulled out his most powerful tome and chanted the spell quickly.
Canas created the spell as he walked towards Serra. Serra woken up just in time to see Canas in front of her with his dark magic. Serra looked at Canas, sleepily without any alarm. Canas found this really awkward as Serra said, "Canas, why don't you just finish me off?" Her voice sounded playful and without any doubt.
"Don't mind if I do." Canas answered to her irony with another step forward and aimed his dark magic at her.
Serra didn't even care as she said clearly while playing with her fingers, "Yeah, and when Erk comes back and find me dead, I wonder what he will say."
Canas shrugged. "Oh well. I hope he could forgive me for this. If he doesn't, at least, I killed you to avenge Lucius." With this firmly on his mind, he raised his dark magic and aimed at the bishop before him.
Back at the Black Fang base, Lyndis was put in charge as well as Lord Eliwood as they command the group to burst in the base to Kenneth. Lord Hector and Ada were in Merlinus's tent. Ada's fever was better, but she still need to rest. Lord Hector was watching over her with his caring eyes.
"Hector…talk to me…I'm bored…" Ada pleaded as Hector obediently nodded.
"Since you noticed everything, have you figured out who pulled the pranks on you and I in the beginning of the journey?" Hector asked as Ada gave a satisfying smile. Ada nodded happily.
"Yup."
"Who? Was it Matthew?" Hector asked, thinking that only Matthew would have thought of something like that. But Matthew was not strong enough to carry him to Ada's room though.
As if Ada was reading his mind, she said softly. "Yes, but he wasn't the one that carried you and Eliwood over. It was two other people."
Hector jumped when he heard this. "Eliwood???"
Ada giggled, "Yeah, never told you huh? Anyways, the two people are Marcus and Oswin."
Hector tightened his grip on his axe. "I'll get them."
Ada shook her head. "No need. I already took care of them. It's pretty funny actually."
That morning, Marcus opened his eyes to find Oswin sleeping on the other side of his bed. "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" screamed Marcus.
"What about Matthew?" Hector asked.
"Took care of him too."
Matthew was walking through the camp that morning when he caught sight of a chest in the open. Matthew pulled out his lockpicks and started unlocking the chest when something popped into his face. Next thing he knew, he was covered in chicken feathers and pumpkin pies.
Hector laughed. He took a hold of her hand as she stared into his eyes. "Hector…if only you weren't a lord…" Ada started saying as Hector pulled her into a tight hug.
"After this journey, I will tell my brother that I will leave that life behind and live with you. We will travel the whole continent of Lycia together." Hector replied, smoothing her hair out.
"That would be wonderful…but who would take care of Lycia when your brother…you know…" Ada tried not to say the wrong words to hurt Hector.
"No need to worry. My brother is really strong and could last many years. Even if something happens, we could make Oswin do it." The two laughed at this respond.
Farina was in front of the group, attacking with all her abilities through the hard snow. She would always look around at her surroundings to catch any sign of the red paladin. She shivered through the coldness, knowing that the door leading inside was getting closer. She must avoid Kent at all cost. He was the last person she wanted to meet.
Farina was so busy thinking to herself that she didn't noticed the wyvern rider behind her as someone jump just in time to clash his lance against those of the wyvern rider. Farina turned around to see Kent again. Kent killed the wyvern rider quickly as he gave her a polite bow.
"Farina, are you ok?" Kent asked as Farina quickly nodded. Farina tried to take the skies and fly away from Kent and his horse. But it was so freezing cold to take the skies! As if he knew how she felt, he placed a cloak around her freezing body. Farina would have pulled it off if it wasn't so warm.
"Farina, hope to see you around." Kent finished off as he jumped back on his horse and rode off to the back. Farina could feel her cheeks growing red. Farina touched her burning cheeks and jumped a bit.
"It couldn't be…there's no chance I had fallen in love with that red paladin. I must be catching a fever." Farina quickly told herself as she flew to the door and opened it with the key Lyndis gave her. At least, she would be out of the cold in a few seconds and away from him.
Florina finished off some more wyvern riders with Heath by her side. Florina thanked Heath as he flew on ahead. Fiora had been watching her younger sister ever since the start of the new battle. Fiora decided to have a little chat with her younger sister. Florina nearly turned white when she saw her sister by her side.
"So, how are you doing with Heath? I noticed that you're not nervous around him like other men." Florina's cheeks turned bright red as she quickly shook her head.
"We're…just…f-friends." Florina lied as her cheeks turned a darker red now. Fiora merely shook her head as she took off.
Before she took off, she said quickly. "Florina, did you know that you blush when you lie?"
In the meantime, Priscilla was inside the cave, mumbling to herself. "Serra and her group of wyvern riders…" Guy was peeking outside at Jack and his army, which surrounded the cave.
"If you guys have Serra, I suggest you tell me where she is." Jack shouted the order out at Guy and Priscilla. Guy heard the announcement as he ran back inside Priscilla.
"Priscilla, it doesn't sound like Serra is the one doing this. It seemed like Serra is the one they're looking for. She's not the one that tricked us here, but the blue-hair lord out there." Guy explained as Priscilla sighed. Priscilla knew she needed a bit of more training to take on all those wyvern riders. If only Erk was here, the three would surely have enough power to take out those wyvern riders.
Jack sat down patiently, waiting for Priscilla and Guy to answer to his demands. He knew this plan of his was brilliant. The first part of his plan was trapping the two in there until they tell him the info. If not, they're going to die of thirst. The second part of his plan was maybe Erk would try to come and rescue Priscilla and Guy. They would trap Erk and capture him for good. Jack had a huge dislike for Erk ever since he rescued Serra from him.
Little did Jack know, Erk found a way to get to Priscilla and Guy without actually going through the cave entrance. After seeing that Jack surrounded the cave entrance, Erk was casting his Elfire at the ground and was now making a passageway underground to Priscilla and Guy. Erk reached them and motioned the two to go underground with him. Guy and Priscilla agreed as they climbed underground with Erk. They were about to sneak out when Erk saw someone awfully familiar.
Priscilla and Guy kept walking on back to the building. Priscilla looked back for Erk, but he had disappeared. Priscilla was about to run back to find him when Guy grabbed her arm and pulled her off.
Erk walked on ahead and he saw Serra and Canas. Erk ran over by their side. They were facing Jack and his army. Erk could not hold his calm face on any longer. "Serra, what are you doing here? Canas, I told you to take care of her." Canas looked down now for disobeying but Serra jumped to his rescue.
"Don't blame him, Erk. I wanted to do this. Canas didn't disobey your orders, I did. He did not even try to kill me." Serra lied as Canas could feel redness reaching his face. Canas could just remember what happened a while ago.
Canas created the spell as he walked towards Serra. Serra woken up just in time to see Canas in front of her with his dark magic. Serra looked at Canas, sleepily without any alarm. Canas found this really awkward as Serra said, "Canas, why don't you just finish me off?" Her voice sounded playful.
"Don't mind if I do." Canas answered to her irony with another step forward and aimed his dark magic at her.
Serra didn't even care as she said clearly while playing with her fingers, "Yeah, and when Erk comes back and find me dead, I wonder what he will say."
Canas shrugged. "Oh well. I hope he could forgive me for this. If he doesn't, at least, I killed you to avenge Lucius." With this firmly on his mind, he raised his dark magic and aimed at the bishop before him.
The dark magic never left his hand. Serra spoke a few more words. "If I kill Lucius, I could easily kill you. If I kill Dorcus, I could easily kill Erk. If you kill me, you'll regret it. For I know you, you would never kill another person in your army even if she really did killed your buddy. I also know that you would never disobey your commands and your orders. Erk had forgiven me. Canas, is it really revenge that you want? Does two wrongs really make a right?" Canas fell to his knees.
"Serra, go. Go help Erk. I would not stop you." Canas whispered as Serra patted him on his back.
"If I go alone, Erk will blame you. If we go, we go together."
Serra stared at Jack sternly in the face. "Take me away. You want me this badly? Here I am." Serra motioned Erk not to interfere as Erk watched helplessly when Jack grabbed Serra's arm as they took the skies. Canas placed his hand on Erk's shoulder in a caring way. Erk was about to go off in a miserable way when Canas's hand still held tight to his shoulder.
"I might not get along with Serra…but she told me where Jack's castle is at. She told me that you have to be really carefully when you try to save her." Canas explained as Erk gave a weird smile.
"That is so like Serra. She wants me to rescue her. I guess she got it after that wedding rescue." Erk joked as Canas nodded in agreement.
"Serra is really smart." Canas complimented. The two walked off together, ready to take on Jack's army if necessary.
Serra found herself in a room guarded by two large men as Jack sat next to her on the soft bed. Serra was avoiding eye contact. Jack was fairly annoyed at Serra and her stubborn attitude. He shook her shoulders hard as she turned her attention back to him. "Serra, why do you dislike me so? What does that purple hair sage have that I don't?"
"Common sense." Serra replied softly as Jack shook her shoulders more harshly than before.
"I dare you to repeat that!"
"Ok I will. COMMON SENSE!" Serra got a hard slap on the face as she rolled on the bed a bit. Jack was on top of her now. Serra was struggling for him to get off, but he was way too strong and heavy for her.
"If I couldn't have your heart, I will get everything else." Serra's eyes shot open as he grabbed her neck. Serra immediately pulled out a dagger from her belt and held it in front of her. Jack was slowly backing away now. "Serra…drop that. You do not want to hurt me. My whole family will be after you." Jack said threateningly as Serra shook her head slowly.
"No, this is not for you. It's for me." Serra aimed the dagger at her neck as small tears started building up in her eyes. "You dare touch me, I will commit suicide." Jack was really scared now as he backed away more. He gave her one last look before leaving.
Outside, Jack commanded the two guards to watch Serra even if it meant their very lives. Jack knew that Erk will try to be a hero and try to rescue Serra from him again. Jack was well prepare for Erk this time as he walked smiling to himself. Jack bumped into his dad on the way. His dad was one man not to be mess with.
"Jack, are you still after that priestess for your wife?" The huge man asked cruelly before Jack as Jack shrugged. He never liked his father, and that was the reason why he left Bern in the first place with permission from his mother to set up shops in Ostia. His father was not really a "father" to him.
"Yes." Jack said quickly, trying to get away from his father. But it was not easy to lose his father as his father eye him curiously.
"If she dare try to run away one more time, I suggest we get rid of the magic general or get rid of her. I am not going to involve my men in your plans any longer. You should have stick with the small girl I barely found for you in Ostia." Jack's father left s Jack's eye started twitching. He hated his father.
Erk was watching all the men walking around the area. Where could Serra be? Erk suddenly saw Jack walking with a girl with pink hair and in bishop clothing. It must be Serra as Erk jumped out and grabbed onto "Serra's" arm. Erk was about to run off with her when the girl used her anime magic to hit him hard on the backside.
Erk turned around to find an imposter as he hit her hard with his Elfire. Before Erk knew it, other anime mages, bishops, and monks surrounded him. Erk held tight to his injury, trying hard to keep balance on his feet. Erk knew that he could not beat all these monks, bishops, and mages all at once, and thus, with an injury.
Serra heard all the commotion outside. It must be Erk trying to rescue her as she quickly pulled out her dagger and ran towards the door. The guards would not let her through. They were holding deadly axes and Serra knew that her weak dagger would not do much damage on them. Furthermore, Jack took all her light magic tomes in which she haven't quite memorized yet. Serra knew there was only one option left. The guard jumped when they saw Serra holding the dagger across her neck.
"Let me go or else I commit suicide! And your master won't be happy." Serra threatened once more. She never knew this plan worked so well as the guards move out of her way. Serra ran towards the center of the noise. Everyone who tried to stop her way, she would hold the dagger up to her neck and threaten all of them.
Jack, his father, and the Head Bishop of Ostia walked out to watch Erk. Jack stood up and gave a stunning smile at Erk. "So the great Erk has fallen. So Erk is human after all." Erk was not listening since the image before him was blurry. He lost too much blood and now his head was unfocused. But when he almost fainted, he could feel someone holding him up to his feet. He tried to open one of his eyelids, and caught a glimpse of something pink.
"Erk, are you ok?" asked a voice. Erk recognized that voice. It was Serra.
"Do I look ok? Serra…how…" Erk wondered out loud, ignoring his lack of breath left.
Serra did not answer this as the Head Bishop stepped towards Serra. "Serra, loving a man is a crime! You know you took that vow of chastity and that is what included. Serra, drop him right now!"
Serra shook her head. "No…how come I could not love Erk but I am allowed to love Jack?" Serra asked, thinking that she got the Head Bishop trapped now. The Head Bishop gave a mad glare at Serra as if disobeying orders of some kind.
"Lord Uther gave you permission for that, and this is not allowed. Do not try to disobey me, Serra." Her voice sounded insensitive now. Serra knew that the Head Bishop would tell Lord Uther that she had been disobeying her vow. She must think of something.
"Urm…I'm sorry, but Erk is going to be a dad. My child could not be fatherless already." Serra lied at the top of her head. Erk heard that part as he tried to look up at Serra, but failed. Jack and Head Bishop's jaw dropped.
Jack's father just waved his hand in dismissal as Serra walked off with Erk limping by her side. They found shelter near a bunch of snowy trees. Erk was breathing heavily as Serra pulled out her staff to start healing him. Erk quickly recovered and gave Serra a weak smile. "Serra…I'm sorry about your dignity…" Serra shook her head with teary eyes.
"As long as you're safe, it doesn't matter." Serra reassured as she found herself fully developed in his arms. The sky was snowing hard with white snowflakes around them as he held her close to his arm.
"Serra, thank you for everything you did for me." Erk thanked as Serra snuggled in his arms.
"Erk, I would trade everything in the world if you would trust me again." Serra told him as Erk and Serra stared at each other for a split second before Erk spoke again.
"I do. I don't care what you did before or after everything happened between us. I trust you and I love you. There is nothing in the world I would trade for that." Serra closed her eyes when she heard these words. The words she thought she would never hear especially from the uptight mage. She had waited too long, in her opinion, to hear those words. Now that she finally heard them, she was satisfied.
"Erk…" Serra got up now, "What if I did kill Lucius and Dorcus? How about your promise to Lucius and Priscilla?" Erk grinned as he got up as well.
"Then, I would die in your place." Erk announced firmly as she wrapped herself in his arms. Those last words were all she needed. If she was to die now, today, at this very moment, she would have no regret whatsoever. Serra suddenly pulled out a bottle of water she got from Jack's room.
"I know this isn't anything special, but let's have a toast. For our future together." Serra gave Erk the bottle of water as Erk took a long sip from it.
"For our future tog-" Erk already fell down unconscious.
"I'm sorry, Erky, but I must." Serra muttered to herself as she grabbed the bottle of water from Erk's hand. Serra knew she still had some sleeping potion leftover as she used some on the water Erk was drinking.
Canas waited for Erk and Serra's arrival when he saw Serra coming in with Erk on her shoulders. Canas watched Serra dropped the lifeless Erk on the nearest bed. Canas grabbed his tome. "What did you do to Erk?" He asked in a demand more than a question as Serra gently kissed Erk on the forehead and gave her attention to Canas now.
"Canas…he will wake up by tomorrow morning. When he wake up tomorrow, give this to him for me." Serra handed Canas the journal she kept with her from the time Ada gave it to her. Serra quickly left her tomes and staff behind and headed out by herself. Canas called her back but she gave no reaction to it.
Lord Pent sat by himself in the jail cell as he watched Serra walking in and unlocking his door. Lord Pent jumped to his feet. "Serra, what are you doing here?" He asked quietly, hoping that none of the prisoners in the other cells heard that. They were all long asleep.
"Lord Pent, I traded my life for yours. Leave now before Jack change his mind. Lord Pent, go and tell Lord Hector's group of what become of my fate." Serra answered as Lord Pent left the jail cell as Serra replaced him in it.
Lord Pent looked at Serra dearly. "Serra, I will deliver that message for you. I thank you for saving my life. Erk had a very good eye to love someone like you." With those last words, Lord Pent left the jail cell. So he knew the whole time…The guards walked over and chained Serra up and locked the cell behind them. Serra smiled as she stared out at the night sky through the barred window. As long as Erk trusted me, I die with no regrets.
Serra was about to fall asleep when she heard a familiar voice whispering to her from the nearby cell. "Kimberly? What are you doing here?" The girl Serra met before Ostia was her next-door neighbor.
Kimberly was not the same Kimberly Serra remembered. Her face was really thin and pale and her hair was not straight and smooth anymore. But no matter what happened to Kimberly, Serra could recognize her. "Hello Serra, what happened to Lord Pent?" Kimberly might look different, but her voice haven't changed one bit.
"I replaced him. I am to die in his place tomorrow at 9 in the morning sharp. Why are you doing here Kimberly?" Serra decided to ask back.
"I am to be imprisoned here forever. Ever since I wanted to become a good apprentice, Jack's father found me and made me his wife. But Jack only loved you so his father imprisoned me here so I don't be a pain in the neck for Jack. What a life I have, eh?" Kimberly asked as Serra and her shared a last conversation before Serra's end tomorrow.
That night in the same building earlier, Priscilla was really mad at Erk for leaving her behind as she read quickly through her book. Guy knew how upset Priscilla is as he shared her anger. "Priscilla, Erk is not the only guy in the world. He is not the only one who loves you." Guy encouraged her softly as Priscilla continued reading with a sad face on. Priscilla stared at Guy for a few seconds before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Guy, you're right. You've always been there for me. Erk even ran off with her from our blessings. You're the only one that believe in me and stay by my side all this side." Priscilla said softly as she slept on his side.
The next morning, Erk felt a tremendous headache building up in his head as he shook his head firmly. Erk could feel his muscles sore as he rubbed his sore neck and shoulders. Canas was watching him carefully with his eyes as Erk finally loosen up after that nap. Erk woke up and tried to remember what happened before he fainted. It took him awhile to remember everything that happened the last time he was awake.
"Where's Serra?" Erk asked quickly as Canas shook his head and just handed Erk the journal Serra told him to give to Erk. Erk quickly flipped through the pages until the last page of the journal. After quickly reading it, Erk dropped the journal and ran out of the tent in tremendous speed. Canas picked up the journal and view the last page. It read:
Dear Erk,
First of all, I am sorry for leaving you so suddenly yesterday. I am also sorry for not saying "good-bye" before I left to surrender to Jack and his father. But if I was to say farewell to you, I know you would not let me go or you will try to rescue me again. I would not allow that to happen and risk your life. Your master, Lord Pent is going to be executed at 9 today, and I would not allow that to happen either. I will take his place and be executed instead.
I am happy you trusted me at last. I have no regrets. Lord Pent should be freed and back to your tent any moment. Erk, please forgive me for not saying good-bye. Please forgive me for not saying farewell. Please forgive me for not telling you a word. Please forgive me for not keeping my word and live for our future. Lord Pent means the world to you as much as you mean the world to me. If I use my sleeping potion right, you should wake up at a quarter after 9. This mean that after you finish reading this letter, I would already left this world. Thank you for loving me and please never forget me. If time were to turn back, I would not change anything.
-Serra
P.S. If you want to know who really killed Lucius and Dorcus, ask Lord Pent for the answer. He knows everything.
Canas looked at the time. It was thirty minutes after nine.
Another done chapter! Chapter 20, that is. Sorry for another cliffhanger, but this story is so fun to type that I couldn't stop myself from another cliffhanger. This chapter was sort of short compared to chapter 19, but it was one of my favorites. I could not give any preview since it would ruin the moment, but one thing is for sure, Guy and Priscilla are planning to get married. Not just a blessing this time, but an actual wedding. So let's see what happens next chapter! R & R. Love you all.