Note To Readers: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of its characters. My tactician name is Ada. I am amazed how much people like Nino, especially since my brother hates her and everything. My brother is losing a really great character for his game…
Three Anonymous Reviewers: Thanks for the advice. I'll check my grammar three times next time! Promise to make chapters longer when Nino meets Lord Eliwood and all that.
SweetMisery430: Thanks for reviewing! Good luck on the Pageant story and the Being Sain story! Can't wait for an update.
Demonesszen: Just love your humor fanfics especially American Idol and Protecting the Devil. Hey, we like the same pairings! That's nice to hear someone who likes Erk/Serra, Jaffar/Nino, Rebecca/Raven, and Hector/Florina pairings as much as I do. Thanks for reviewing.
The Story Master 125: Thanks for your review as well! I know, poor Nino. Sorry I never got around reading any of your stories. But I promise I will since my motto is "You review mines, I review yours".
Elven-girl10: Thanks for your review! I never read any of your stories either. I don't know much about Beyblade though… Hope to do so in the future.
Serra19, cardmaster372, Michelle of the Night: Love you all. Thanks for the reviews.
My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.
-Ernest Hemingway
Chapter III: A Time to Think
A week later or so:
My brother Linus took me to the Water Temple at last. My heart skipped a beat when I saw how gloomy this place is. I was expecting a bright, happy place where my Mother gives out instructions too. But it is quite the opposite, it was nothing of what I expected. It was such a dark place. The floors are nicely painted and surrounded by water that shines purple under the condition. There was an eerie feeling around here that I cannot describe.
Linus held tight to my hand. He was really taller than me, or my other brother Lloyd. He is really big and strong. He wasn't as calm as my other brother, but he always looks out for me like I was his younger sister. I was getting a growth spurt for the last few months since I noticed that I am reaching Linus easier now. I was a little careless and almost fell into the water when Linus held on to me tight.
"Thanks Linus!" I cried out as he pulled me to my feet. This is what I mean by being there for me and looking out for me. I looked around. We still need a lot of walking to do. I knew I was slowing my brother down but he didn't seem to mind so I didn't say anything either. Linus has no patience and this is one of his weaknesses in the Black Fang, but I wouldn't exchange his personality for anything in the world.
We finally finished walking as I saw my Mother in front of me with my Father. This is the first time I seen my Mother in weeks. She did not give me a sign of welcoming like other mothers would, but if she did, I would have been heavenly surprised. Mother didn't even give me a nod but Father did. Father doesn't talk much and nodding is his way of approval or welcoming. Mother looked at me from top to bottom and observed me closely.
"Nino, you've grown." That's my Mother, noticing little things that had nothing to do whatsoever with my life. My brothers never commented me on my height, but maybe, because they always see me and never notices. Small differences in every day life they would never say.
"Mother, yes I have. Mother, I am stronger now. Can I go on missions like my brothers?" I asked as Mother gave a glance at Father, who gave a doubt look back. Father didn't want me to do dangerous stuff like fighting, which I really wanted to do. I reminded myself that he only cares for my safety and wished for me to be a normal daughter. Mother understood this and thought in silence for a moment.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt for Nino to send messages like missions around for everybody." Linus suggested as my face lighted up. It was something I can do for Mother and Father, at least. Fighting was not for me, so maybe I can do something else to make up for it.
"Don't interrupt, Linus." Mother growled as my face darkened again. Linus did not give a goodbye to my Mother as he left us three alone. I felt scared. I don't know why, but with Linus around, I felt much more braver. Now I was alone with Mother, who was never closed to me, and Father, who never talked much to me.
Mother now turned her attention towards me. "I guess it would work…for you to send missions to everyone around here. I wouldn't want you to run around doing nothing anyways." I known Mother long enough to tell that she was approved of Linus's idea and now I had something to do for Mother. She might have put it in a harsh way, but I knew she meant for me to do something with my life.
I jumped in joy and left my parents there and meet Linus outside. He didn't question me as we walked back to the Black Fang base. Linus didn't look so cool, but particularly angry. He could never keep his temper and he was mumbling words under his breathe. Linus never admits it but I know he does not get along with Mother. I wanted our family to be one happy family, spending time together. Of course, this might never happen but it doesn't hurt to dream about.
After walking me home, Linus left me and went to find Lloyd. I walked by a group of golden eyes soldiers. These weird new recruits are so creepy with their golden eyes and everything. I wonder why Father is switching all the old members for these new ones. I just hated it when I sleep at night, and thinking that some of those new recruits are watching me from somewhere. You can't miss those golden eyes. I shivered. I must go practice my spells again.
In my room, I have already memorized the chanting of Mother's spell called Elfire. I'm not good yet, but at least, I memorized it long enough to chant it anytime anywhere. I knew I will never be better at magic unless I battle evildoers for the Black Fang, but that might not be for awhile. So I decided to practice spells to be prepare when that day comes. When that day comes, I will battle my hardest and kill those evildoers for the Black Fang.
That evening, I sneaked out of my room and into the meeting place. I had been hearing rumors that there will be a meeting today and an important one too. If Mother knew I was sneaking around to listen to their private meeting, I would have lost any respect from her left. But I never get to attend any meeting, and my brothers never tell me anything about it, so I got really curious. I took this chance.
This meeting was so private that I didn't even see Uncle Jan in it. There were the Reed Brothers, my brothers, my Mother, my Father, Ursula, and lastly, Jaffar. I can see the dark crimson hair assassin more clearly this time. He was much like my Father, never speaking that much. But something about him was different from my Father. It's those eyes. His eyes had no emotion whatsoever. I felt so sorry for him, he looks so alone and needs a friend.
"Jaffar, Ursula, Lloyd, Linus, that's everyone, is it not? If I have you, the Four Fang, together, I need no one else." My Mother started declaring. So Jaffar and Ursula are part of the Four Fang now. I guess that makes sense since Uncle Uhai had passed away and Uncle Legault was never heard of again. My mom continued. "I have need of you to eliminate a man whose living plagues me. His name is Eliwood, a noble of Pherae."
I jumped at the sound of elimination. This must be serious. This Eliwood must be a really bad person to be eliminated by the Black Fang and a meeting such as this one. This also means he's an important person as well. The only thing I didn't understand is what does a noble of Pherae would want to do anything in Bern? My heart skipped a beat when I think I saw Jaffar looking over at my hiding spot.
"……" I relaxed a bit to comprehend that he wasn't going to tell on me to my Mother. He ignored me and turned his attention back to my Mother.
"Pherae is located in Lycia, is it not?" Ursula decided to ask. I guess she had the same thought as I did about a noble from Lycia being in Bern. My Mother just gave a small laugh.
"That's right. But he's no simple country lord. He has friends. Other Lycian lords." I felt butterflies in my stomach. Even this Eliwood has friends, which I never did. I had my brothers and Uncle Jan and everyone to care for me, but I really never had friends my age or around there. "Individually they are no match for you, and yet… Carelessness invites death."
Ursula nodded. "Do not make that mistake." Jaffar nodded as well. My Mother gave a satisfying look before she turned her attention to my brothers.
"Lloyd, Linus…I have work for you, the Reed Brothers, as well. All right?" My Mother asked as my brother Lloyd stepped forward.
"One question. Are these our father's or- I mean… the orders of the head of the Black Fang?" Always loyal to my Father was my brother Lloyd. Of course, my Father would never want to be called "father" in a meeting such as this. Words like "father" needed to be used more cautiously around meetings or in front of the group. I had no problem calling my Father either way. Lloyd, just like Linus, never liked my Mother much. He would only listen to my Mother's command, if it was from my Father as well. Unlike Ursula though…
My Mother giggled, "Hee hee… Why, naturally. Isn't that right, my beloved?" My Mother always kept that sweet voice on when talking to my Father at situations such as this. It must be some kind of routine they do around each other or something. I never had time to ask much about that. I desired that my Mother would talk in a sweet voice like that to me all the time. Except, she is my Mother, and she doesn't do things like that.
"Mmm…ah…yes." My Father said carefully as he left the room. I hid behind the door immediately to get out of my Father's way. He didn't care much to look around to see me so I was safe.
My Mother gave my Brothers the satisfying look. "There! Are you satisfied? Remove Eliwood. Your orders come from the head of the Black Fang, Brendan Reed. As members of this group, you will follow that order, yes? Or…" She gave a smirk at my brother, Lloyd. "Does your opponent frighten you into immobility, Lloyd?"
Linus, the hotheaded one of the two brothers, looked like he could jump on my Mother any second now. Linus caught himself just in time and glared at my Mother. "Sonia! How dare you speak to my brother in such a…" Lloyd held his hand up to Linus for silence. Lloyd, the calmer one of the two brothers, held Linus back from overreacting.
"Linus." My brother Lloyd said sternly as Linus loosen up a bit and looked down at his feet.
"I know." Linus managed to say, as Lloyd looked back at my Mother.
"Sonia, we do not need to be chastised by you. Under our father, we are the ones who've carried out the law of the Fang." Lloyd said this so clearly to show my Mother that they had no respect for her, but for my Father. They are only doing this for my Father and the Black Fang and not her. "If Eliwood is an evil person, there is no reason for us to hesitate."
Linus nodded and added, "The Fang let's none escape." I nodded in agreement.
Lloyd stood high next to his brother and also added, "We, the Reed brothers, dispense the Fang's justice." They seemed to finish their statements and obediently listened to my Mother's last orders to the other two.
My Mother seemed to be quite angry at my brothers' statements, but slowly regained her usual posture and turned her attention to Ursula and Jaffar. I can see my Mother gave the two brothers a last dirty glance before she spoken. "Ursula, Jaffar, you understand your orders, yes?"
Jaffar merely nodded as Ursula started saying something like "anything for you." Ursula always trying to sweet talk my Mother. I knew she had a motivation. She must want a higher ranking or something. I shook my head. No, she is pretty high already. It must be that she was elected as one of the Four Fangs by my Mother and she is in deep gratitude towards her. In any case, she is still obedient to the Black Fang and that's all that counts.
The meeting ended as they started walking out the room. I caught myself just in time and ran off before my Mother could catch me hearing things I shouldn't be hearing. I was walking through the familiar hallways once more that day. I heard so much. The Black Fang is working on serious stuff again. I thought those days have come to an end. But I was wrong. Now, they are going to go kill this lord name Eliwood and this meant the Black Fang will be busy again. I sighed.
Walking through the halls to my room, I come across my brothers. We gave each other a glance before doing our own routine. My Mother walked with Ursula, neither giving me a glance whatsoever. Lastly, the dark scarlet hair assassin came out as well. We walked pass each other through the halls without a single glance. But when I knew he wouldn't notice, I turned around to look at his back. He was so lonely, just like me… if only we can get to know each other better. He must knew I was staring at him because he slowly turned around to face me. We looked at each other's eyes for a split of second before we turned our backs and continue with our own lives. Yes, if only if we knew each other better…
R & R, love you all. This one reveals a bit of information and not that much action yet. Next chapter, Nino finally gets to start her delivering message job when something happens… Any comments or good criticizing is needed.