The Red Sox win! THE RED SOX WIN! THE CURSE HAS BEEN REVERSED! --is proudly wearing his new 2004 WORLD CHAMPIONS t-shirt--
timmycheese: Thanks for your review!
Lemurian: Thanks for your review!
Ryzuki: Thanks for your review!
LynxKent Fan (x2): YAY! SOX WIN! WOOHOO!
Ryst: Can't...think...of Strong Bad...reference...gah. Anyway, Ursula is already dead by now. If she hadn't been killed, then Nino would have been Bolting-ed into oblivion. At least, that's what always happens in my game :/
Firelien: It's never really explained how Hector knows that Jaffar killed Leila, but somehow or other he does. I guess he just saw Jaffar at the Dragon's Gate and put two and two together, because most likely Leila was murdered...well, for lack of a better term, "skillfully."
FireEdge: For absolutely no reason: UPDATE STRAY ARROW! I know it's not late, but you need some encouragement :P
The Story Master 125: Well you can go tell your dad that TheOneAndOnlyT says "In your face, Yankees fan! Red Sox won!" :P
Inferno-Hero: I've already read basically all of Pureauthor's stories. I wish I could write as well as he does :/
Flaming Soul: It's 12:02 AM as I write this response. Actually, I get my best writing done around this time. I don't know why, I just do. Weird.
icy angelwings: I don't use yahoo messenger, I use AIM. My screen name is TheOneAndOnlyT15.
Winteress: RED SOX WIN! Go shove that in your dad's face. Making anti-Boston fans shut up is the greatest feeling ever :D
demonesszen: Lyn, not vengeful? Think of the bandits at the beginning of the game. I would think that Lyn is forgiving by nature, but for some events she feels as though she can't forgive. I think Leila's death was one of them, until she heard Nino's explanation. If Nino of all people were to tell her that Jaffar was just following orders, well...she has to see some truth in it.
lzn64: Your Crossroads of the Heart story is so much better than anything I could do :/ I hope you continue it.
Ragnarok-legend: Thanks for your review!
Bloody Mary: Thanks for your review!
Jeanie (x2): See my response to demonesszen about Lyn getting mad. As for the Nino-using-staves thing, doesn't Sonia say at some point that Nino's family was the most powerful magic users in all of Elibe? I'm sure a lot of that power must have transferred to her. Hence her natural ability to use magic, and her magical power.
gentleness28 (x2): Thanks for your reviews! Sorry, but I really can't find a way to respond to your entire review :/
Oswin the Nino Fan (x3!): Thanks for your reviews!
Sword of Seals: Alliance? What's the Alliance?
Juggernaut: Not Jaffar, Heath is the best character in the game! He rules!
Spectral Flame: Thanks for your review!
hyliansage: Yes, "Matt" will be here this chapter. No need to worry...
Emotion Changing Reviewer: Thanks for your review!
Whew! That was a lot of reviews...now, Chapter 8!
Important Author's Note: Please be forewarned: this chapter contains a little strong language.
Chapter Eight
Hatred
Nino walked beside the assassin in the cool night air as the two of them, led by Lyn and Hector, headed towards the camp of the "army," if one could call it that. The camp was made up of a circle of tents, lit by a campfire and several torches at the center. There were not as many tents as Jaffar had been expecting, though—a cursory glance revealed barely fifteen of them.
"Um, Lyn?" Nino asked as she walked.
Lyn stopped walking and turned around, a small smile on her face. "What is it?"
"Um..." she began, but she seemed to be having trouble trying to put her question into words. "If...if Jaffar and I—" at this she looked up at the assassin, who turned his head towards her silently in response, "—if we're going to fight for you..." she turned back to Lyn, "um, who...are you fighting?"
Lyn's expression did not change. "Eliwood and Mark will tell you everything," she replied kindly. It seemed to Jaffar as though the plainswoman had taken a liking to Nino.
"Who are they?" Nino asked in response.
"They're in charge of our little group," Hector replied gruffly, turning around to face the pair. "Mind you, I still think you're still our enemies," he went on sharply, causing Nino to huddle closer to Jaffar. "But Eliwood makes the decisions around here. If he says you can be trusted, then you can be trusted. But until he does, watch yourself."
Nino huddled even closer to the assassin. "A-all right..."
Jaffar looked down at the young mage, feeling another surge of the feeling to protect her after Hector's comment. For the second time that night, he felt extremely aware of Nino's little body pressed against his.
But it was only for a moment. "Don't worry," Lyn said, as though she was talking to a scared child. "Everything will be fine." Hector rolled his eyes at that remark, but remained silent.
Nino gave Lyn a small smile, and relaxed somewhat, moving her body away from the assassin's.
His body felt strangely cold compared to the warmth he had just felt when Nino's body was pressed against his.
But he walked on silently, preferring not to dwell on such thoughts when Nino might still be in danger.
-----
The four of them walked between two tents and into the circle, and immediately Jaffar was shoved roughly to the side as one of the members of the army angrily stormed past. The assassin turned to the soldier, but his assailant did not turn. All Jaffar could see of him was a head of short, dark-red hair and a large broadsword strapped to his back. Turning his head in the opposite direction, he caught sight of a young woman with the same hair color and a green-and-white dress before she ducked into a tent.
That was certainly strange. But he immediately dismissed the incident, as it did not seem to concern him.
He followed Lyn and Hector as they walked towards the campfire in the middle of the circle of tents. Two people were sitting on opposite sides of the fire. One was a man, obviously a knight, who had light brown hair and wore a green plate of armor. He was saying something to a young woman sitting opposite him, who had long, curly lavender hair and a white shirt and skirt. Her face was downcast, and by the light of the fire, Jaffar could see that the young woman had a fierce blush on her face.
"Sain!" Lyn reprimanded as she approached the man, who turned around confusedly. "I thought I told you to stop harassing Florina! Honestly!"
"B-but I didn't do anything!" the man known as Sain defended himself. "Ask her yourself!"
"H-he d-didn't," the young woman known as Florina stammered, rising and walking timidly over to Lyn. She still held a fierce blush on her face, however.
"Florina, are you all right?" Hector asked.
She shook her head.
"My! And what do we have here?" Sain's enthusiastic voice suddenly diverted Jaffar's attention from the other conversation. He immediately turned his attention to Sain, who rose to his full height and smiled down at Nino.
"And what might your name be, little angel?" he asked cheerfully.
"Hello!" Nino responded just as cheerfully, a bright smile on her face, though she did blush slightly at Sain's compliment. "I'm Nino." She gestured to the assassin. "This is—"
"Nino, eh?" Sain cut her off, still smiling broadly, though he seemed to be trying to remember her name from somewhere. "Oh, yes, you!" he suddenly shouted in recognition. "I see you've decided to join the right side."
Nino blinked a few times confusedly before averting her gaze. "Um...yes, I suppose," she replied, looking up at Jaffar. "We...haven't really been accepted yet."
"Well, that shouldn't pose any problems!" Sain responded enthusiastically. He suddenly took her hand in both of his. "I'm sure you'll fit in here just fine, little Nino!"
Nino's gave Sain a small smile, before he released her hand and she turned back to Jaffar. "This is Jaffar," she introduced the assassin, her smile widening.
Sain was still smiling cheerfully, but his only word to the assassin was "Hello."
Jaffar gave no reply, only stared at the knight intently. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't like this man's interest in Nino. Unconsciously, he protectively moved a tiny bit closer to the young mage. Neither Nino nor Sain seemed to notice.
"Nino? Jaffar?" Lyn suddenly called. The pair walked over to the plainswoman, but not before Sain gave Nino an enthusiastic "good luck!"
Again, Jaffar felt the same strange feeling course through him. Sain shouldn't have been acting that way towards Nino. He couldn't tell why, but something in the assassin told him that Sain wanted to take Nino away from him. And he couldn't have that.
"What is it?" Nino asked as they approached the plainswoman.
Lyn glanced at Florina, a slight blush on the former's cheeks. "Florina just told me that Eliwood is, uh..." she seemed to be searching for the right word, "...unavailable right now. We'll have to talk with Mark instead."
Hector chuckled. "Eliwood's a damn lucky man right now," he remarked. That only caused Lyn to roll her eyes.
-----
"So, Jaffar and Nino," Mark remarked, running a hand through his brown hair, as the pair stood in his tent—Lyn and Hector had left to talk to other members of the army. The light from a small lantern illuminated several maps strewn about the place, along with a few books whose subjects Jaffar couldn't make out. Nino looked about nervously, though Jaffar could understand her fear—what if they weren't accepted? What if they were still regarded as enemies?
Such a rejection would have dire consequences. Jaffar would be able to protect Nino for a time, but he could not hold out forever...
"What are your connections to the Black Fang?" Mark suddenly asked.
"None," Jaffar replied flatly. "I no longer work for them." Nino looked up at the assassin, her expression indeterminable.
Was she...sad about leaving the Black Fang? Jaffar wondered if that was actually possible; after all, her own mother had threatened to kill her. Certainly she would be happy to leave...
Mark let a small smile slip onto his normally serious face. "Sorry, I should have asked that differently," he clarified. "What were your connections to the Black Fang?"
"I-I'm Sonia's daughter," Nino responded, her voice subdued. Clearly, the gravity of the situation was getting to her. Not only might she not be accepted by this army, but Sonia would still be looking for her...
No matter. Jaffar would protect her. He would kill Sonia, like he should have done before. Nino would be safe. She had to be kept safe.
"Sonia...hmm." A hand reached out of Mark's green cloak and up to his chin as he pondered what Nino's connection could mean to the army. Then he turned to Jaffar. "And you?"
"I was one of the Four Fangs," Jaffar replied flatly. "Some referred to me as the 'Angel of Death.'"
"The Angel of Death?!" Mark was visibly surprised, but he quickly composed himself. "Why do you, of all people, wish to fight for us?"
"I will fight for you because Nino wishes me to fight for you," Jaffar responded, looking to his side at the young mage.
Mark's eyes widened a little as he looked over at the green-haired girl. "And why do you wish to fight for us?"
Nino's face fell. "The Black Fang...has been corrupted," she replied softly.
"Yes, so we've heard," Mark said. "It has become apparent that the Black Fang changed drastically during the past few years. Would the cause of this happen to be your mother?"
"I don't know," Nino replied, shaking her head. Clearly she did not want to talk about Sonia.
"And will you be able to fight?" Mark went on. "Do you use magic?"
"Yes," Nino replied solemnly. "I can use anima magic."
"Very well," Mark said. He turned back to Jaffar. "However, Jaffar..." He was silent for a moment, as if he was wondering how to phrase his question in the best way. "You...are aware that you have killed allies of this army, correct?"
"It's not his fault!" Nino suddenly cried, causing Mark's attention to shift to her. "He...he didn't have any choice..." she stammered. "H-he was just doing what he was told..."
Mark looked back at the assassin, taking a deep breath. "That may be, but even so...one of our soldiers was...in love with a woman that Jaffar assassinated."
"I-It's not his fault," Nino repeated.
"I know that," Mark replied. "But whether or not it is his fault, he still carried out the deed. And this soldier is not going to be happy with this, to say the least."
Nino looked up at Jaffar despairingly, then her gaze dropped to the floor.
"Nino, you must understand," Mark went on. "Knowing his ability, I would gladly allow Jaffar to fight for us. But, considering the circumstances, the choice is...difficult."
Nino only nodded silently, still looking at the ground.
And then, as if on cue, a high, frenzied masculine voice erupted from outside the tactician's tent.
"Where is he?!"
The owner of the voice quickly threw open the front flap of the tent, the dim light of the moon and the lantern inside the tent giving him an almost feral appearance. His young face, framed by spiky, sandy-blond hair and sparkling brown eyes, was contorted in fury as he looked straight into Jaffar's eyes. He wore a red cape over a green shirt and white pants—the sort of tight, flexible attire that a thief would wear to keep from making noise.
"You," the young man whispered ferociously, drawing a knife from a sheath at his waist, raising it above his head. Jaffar's hands were on his daggers, ready to draw them if the young man actually did attempt to strike.
"This is for Leila," he whispered, bringing his arm back—
"NO!" Nino screamed, her hands instinctively grabbing her magic tome from the pouch at her waist. She hurriedly chanted a basic Fire spell—
"Matthew!" the tactician shouted suddenly. "Control yourself!"
Matthew...I'm sorry...
The words suddenly jumped into the assassin's head. That woman at the Dragon's Gate...Leila. Could this be the same Matthew she had been apologizing to?
Matthew turned to the tactician incredulously, but he kept his knife pointed at Jaffar. "Don't you know who this is?!" he shouted furiously.
"I am well aware of what Jaffar has done," Mark replied, his voice calm and level. "But you must not jump to rash conclusions—"
"This isn't a rash conclusion!" Matthew replied heatedly, mocking the tactician's words. "He killed Leila! He took away everything that was happy in my life!"
"Stop it!" Nino cried suddenly, causing everyone's attention to turn to her. She shook her head furiously, a few tears falling from her eyes. "I-it's—not—Jaffar's—fault!" she sobbed, stamping her foot to emphasize the last word. Her teary eyes pleaded with Matthew to reconsider. "Please...he didn't know what he was doing!"
"Bullshit," Matthew whispered, gritting his teeth. Nino's eyes widened in horror as the thief went on. "You don't understand, little girl," he hissed. "You don't know what it's like to have...everything that you love...taken away from you."
Nino shrank back against the wall of the tent, terrified.
Jaffar, meanwhile, could feel the same hatred that he held for Sonia brewing within him towards Matthew. He was threatening Nino, and by the looks of it he wouldn't hesitate to harm her, either.
He reached out towards Matthew, intending to turn him around, to get him to stop—
"Matthew!" Hector's voice suddenly rang out as he opened the front flap of the tent. He was breathless, as though he had been running. "Damn it, Matthew!" he shouted. "I thought I told you to control yourself!"
Mark frowned. "Did you inform him of this?"
Hector turned to the tactician. "Yeah," he sighed. "I...figured he should know as soon as possible."
Mark nodded in understanding. "I see..."
"Will you all just shut your damn mouths for a moment?!" Matthew suddenly screamed, which caused all attention to be focused on him. He pointed a shaking hand at Jaffar. "How hard is this for you to understand?!" he demanded of the tactician furiously, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "This—man—killed—Leila! There is nothing more to discuss!"
"Matthew—" Mark began.
"Shut the hell up!" Matthew cut him off. "Why the hell isn't this man dead yet?!"
"What is going on here?" Lyn's voice suddenly came from outside the tent. She opened the flap of the tent, and Nino took advantage of the diversion by running over to Jaffar and flinging her arms around him, attempting to protect him from Matthew and also hoping that Jaffar would protect her. Once again, Jaffar was filled with a warm sensation just from Nino's arms.
Lyn walked into the tent, which was quickly becoming rather crowded. She took one look at Matthew's face, understanding everything instantly. "Matthew..." she whispered. "You...found out...didn't you."
Matthew said nothing, just stared at Lyn intently, seething.
Lyn looked down at the ground sadly, then at Jaffar and Nino. "He's...changed, Matthew," she remarked. "Look..." She gestured to the pair. "He acts completely differently around Nino...than what we first saw of him."
Matthew looked over at the pair furiously, but at the sight of Nino with her arms around the assassin, a dam within him broke, and he stared at the assassin with an expression of utter helplessness. "It's not..." he whispered, trying his best to stave off the tears that were rapidly forming in his eyes. "It's not...the same...oh, Saint Elimine..."
And he dashed out of the tent without another word.
Hector sighed heavily. "I'll...go and talk to him," he said slowly. He walked out of the tent.
That left only Jaffar, Nino, Lyn and Mark in the tent. Nino's grip around Jaffar's waist loosened a little with Matthew gone, but she still held onto him.
The assassin felt glad that she did—Jaffar certainly knew by now that he liked having Nino close to him. Why that was...was still a mystery to him.
Mark looked at the floor, sighing. "You...see the problem," he said softly.
"He's changed," Nino tried one last time, echoing Lyn's words. She wiped her eyes of the tears that remained from before. "He's not like he used to be." She looked at Lyn, still holding the assassin protectively. "Even Lyn says so..."
"They...should be allowed to come with us," Lyn added. "It's obvious...that their lives have been very hard. They deserve another chance..."
Jaffar wondered how this woman knew so much about him and Nino. He recalled having the same thoughts about Nino some time ago.
Mark looked away, weighing his options.
"Please, Mark..." Nino pleaded.
Mark looked up, sighing again. "Very...very well," he replied.
Nino gave the tactician a small smile of gratitude.
"But," Mark went on, "I imagine Jaffar will have to remain very careful. Matthew...is obviously still furious. I imagine that this will not be the last time you two meet," he remarked, gesturing to Jaffar. "Be on your guard."
"I understand," Jaffar replied.
The tactician turned to the side, staring at nothing in particular. "Lyn will show you where the supplies are kept," he said.
"Come on," Lyn said softly. The pair followed her out without another word.
Gah...sorry about the whole late-ness thing. This took a long time to plan out...
I hope I didn't make Matthew's rage OOC. After all, he did just meet the person who killed Leila, but even still...I don't like what I portrayed for some reason. What do you guys think?
Hopefully the next chapter will be up sooner...
Please review!!!
-TheOneAndOnlyT