Crossroads of the Heart
Author's Note: Fire Emblem is the property of Intelligent Systems and Nintendo.
Chapter 18: Scandals
It had been days since Lyn's rather abrupt departure from Castle Ostia, though despite the passing of time, the mood within its walls remained somber… almost grim. There were rumors passed along the inhabitants of the castle, in furtive, whispered voices, and though those close enough to Hector to know nearly the entire story in truth did their best to quell them, the story merely grew more and more bizarre as time went on. Serra wrinkled her nose as she brushed past a group of gossiping servants, one of them declaring in a high pitched voice that clearly, Hector's brutish nature and callous attitude was to blame for what had happened.
She very nearly paused to give the woman a piece of her mind – sure, Hector was somewhat of a bear, but really! He was their Lord, and they had no right to speak of him this way! Certainly, she'd said a few things once or twice, but… she'd always spoken of him to his face, hadn't she? It was most certainly not the same. Besides, they didn't know Lord Hector as well as she did… whatever had happened, that certainly wasn't it…
Not that anyone would tell her the truth. Oswin seemed to know, but he'd only bark at her in that disapproving voice and pile more chores on her head if she asked him, and unfortunately, Matthew was very good at keeping his lips sealed. Likely a result of serving in the spy business for so long.
It was all somewhat of a mystery, really.
Oh, there had been some hints here and there – looking back, Serra was surprised that she hadn't seen it before now – of course Lord Hector was interested in Lady Lyndis! They were quite a good match, as she had once told Sain in private, and she'd always expected them to realize it eventually. Yet, she'd been so caught up in her own troubles lately – a frown flickered briefly across her face – she'd barely noticed that she stood at the center of a figurative romantic maelstrom. For certainly, Hector's engagement would have been big news throughout Lycia – Ostia was, after all, its ruling territory.
As for what had happened to send Lyn storming off like that, though, she could not say. Lady Lyndis had always struck her as a bit strange – she was kind, gorgeous, a wonderful person certainly, but so unrefined for a noblewoman! Sure, sure, her Sacaen heritage and all that… but Serra, of course, could not comprehend why the woman clung so to such a harsh past when she had a life of luxury here in Lycia to look forward to. She could have been the most powerful woman in Lycia, in fact, and she'd simply rejected it?
She shook her head, utterly perplexed at the thought. That was quite an opportunity to waste, and so she concluded that there must have been more to the story, an entire side that was being kept from her. It was frustrating, but every path of inquiry had lead to sealed lips and dead ends. The entire thing would blow over at this rate, and she'd never know what had happened!
Of course, she also had plenty of troubles to sort out of her own. Lady Lyndis had gone, but she'd left most of the group she'd arrived with here… and that included Sain. He was as charming as ever, constantly approaching her with that half smirk on his face, always with a flood of compliments to assail her with… she was used to it enough to keep a neutral expression in response, but… she couldn't help searching his face, looking for any clues as to his sincerity. It didn't help, either, that even when she was with Sain, she'd sometimes think on Erk, speaking in that furious, yet strangely defeated voice… Why do you have to be so… damn… beautiful?
A perplexing situation, at best.
Odd, as well, that the moment her thoughts turned to him, the man himself appeared around a corner ahead of her, a scowl on his face and a dark look in his eyes… well, that was nothing unusual, of late.
"Where are you off to?" Serra inquired automatically, carefully avoiding his gaze and wondering why she wanted to know in the first place. It hardly mattered to her, and he'd probably just snap at her for asking…
"Some of us," Erk replied, with an exasperated expression, "acknowledge that they have work to do, and actually feel as though they should carry out their duties in a timely manner, rather than wandering about the castle with their heads in the clouds."
"I am not wandering about with my head in the clouds," Serra snapped, her face flushing at this unexpected animosity. Why, not so long ago Erk had been quite lost around here, not knowing up from down or what went where, and who did he have to thank for teaching him all he had to know? Was it not she who had secured him this job in the first place, thanks to her close ties with Lord Hector? How could anyone be so ungrateful?
"Whatever you want to call it, then," Erk muttered dismissively, attempting to move past a now very chagrined Serra.
It couldn't have been her imagination – Erk had been steadily ramping up his animosity toward her ever since that day, as though treating her horribly would make up for his accidental admission concerning his opinion of her physical appearance, at least. Her face darkened nearly to match his expression, and she stepped in front of him, blocking him from progressing past her with her small but no less formidable frame. Her arms were crossed in a stubborn pose, her eyes flashing with the severity of this new injustice.
"Serra, I am in somewhat of a hurry—"
"Oh, isn't that too bad! Mister—no, king frumpy-face is going to be late, no doubt for a very important engagement! Horror of horrors!"
"Serra…" Erk rolled his eyes, attempting to move around her; predictably, she moved to intercept him again. "Why are you always getting in my way! I'm telling you, I must—"
"For your information, Erk, I was just on my way to the hospital wing, to inventory our supplies and devise a list of what we are lacking – a very important task, if you must know!"
"Oh, please. You were probably on your way to Lord Hector's chambers, fancying yourself a spy, prepared to stick around as long as needed for the sake of picking up some juicy new gossip concerning the situation with Lord Hector and Lady Lyndis…"
"How dare you! Do I look like… like Matthew to you!"
"You certainly do hang around the man enough to fool someone into thinking you were trying to learn his trade! And why else?"
"Matthew and I are friends! But I wouldn't expect you to know anything about those, now would I?"
"Friends!" Erk snorted, disbelief etched all over his features. "Someone should tell him that, I bet he'd get a good laugh out of it."
"I'll have you know that I've been here a good deal longer than you have, Erk," Serra ignored that last statement completely. "I'm—"
"Please, not this again," Erk scowled, crossing his arms to match her furious pose. "It was always like this before, too – you always harping on and on about your… your seniority as though it put you in charge of everything I did!"
"Yes, and to think, the only thing I ever wanted to accomplish with it was to keep you by my side! How stupid could I have possibly been?" Serra laughed, a high pitched and altogether mirthless sound, moving aside at last to let him pass. "To fall in love with you!"
"You…" Erk paused for a moment, looking slightly thunderstruck as her last statement seemed to sink in at last. He scrambled for words for a moment, but Serra had turned abruptly on her heel, retreating away from him down the corridor at a hurried pace. He did not even consider chasing after her; after all, he couldn't think of anything to say.
"You don't think that was… a little harsh?" A somewhat amused voice behind him inquired, and he nearly jumped a foot in the air, so great was his surprise.
"Matthew!" Erk spun around to face the smirking thief, his heart hammering in his chest. "Where did you come from? Don't do that!"
"Sorry… force of habit, you understand… thought I heard my name." Matthew let out a cough that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle, still eyeing him with that appraising expression. Erk shifted uncomfortably under that gaze, refusing to make eye contact.
"Really…" Erk muttered sourly, his expression matching his tone. "I wouldn't expect you, of all people, to take her side…"
"I haven't taken any sides," Matthew corrected him, raising a brow. "I just find that when dealing with Serra, it is far better to humor her than to antagonize her on purpose…"
"I suppose you have had to deal with her longer than I have… you certainly have my pity."
"You can have it back," Matthew spoke firmly, a thoughtful look supplanted on his features. "You know, she did adore you, back then. Oswin and I were always chuckling about it – or rather, I was, and Oswin just shook his head with disapproval, but really, they're the same thing with him."
"I'm glad you find me such a rich source of amusement," Erk growled, not amused in the least.
"Well, this place has been a little, er… somber, lately, hasn't it?" Matthew shrugged. "Although I will tell you, your little feuds lost their charm awhile ago…"
"Why is that?"
"It's not quite as funny when she's stopped pining over you, and you're just prattling on like children – loses a lot of the charm it had back then, you know, when we thought you two were just too silly to admit anything to one another—"
"You think I had feelings for Serra?" Erk exclaimed, backing away from Matthew as though he were mad. "Me?"
"You don't?" Matthew grinned at Erk's horrorstruck expression, holding up his hands as though to calm a wild beast. "Okay, okay… I'll let that drop for now. Spare me, I'm not so good against magic."
"I assure you, I have never felt anything for Serra aside from the purest loathing."
"Erk, need I remind you of my profession? I'm rather well trained at spotting even the most subtle untruths, let alone blatant lies like that."
"Well, what's the difference to you?" Erk complained, clearly not appreciating the turn this conversation had taken.
"It may come as somewhat of a surprise to you… but Serra and I are friends," Matthew grinned at his shocked look, as though he could not believe he would admit to such a thing. "I'm very good at seeing what goes on in this castle, and as I was saying before – you don't think you've been, well… overly harsh toward her of late?"
"No, I don't really believe I have…" Erk insisted stubbornly. "No more than I always have been in the past, and it never deterred her before, did it?"
"Serra has an uncanny talent for not hearing the less flattering things said about her," Matthew pointed out flippantly. "It must take some doing to get past that and really insult the woman, Elimine knows I've tried pushing my luck enough times."
"So you're saying that it's my fault she's finally realized I can't stand her? I should think I was doing her a service, if that is the case…"
"Actually… you may be right…" Matthew eyed him curiously for a moment, as though seeing something he hadn't noticed before. Erk shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Driving her to give up on you… yes, that could very well have been a service to her on your part, in the same way that it could very well be a disservice to yourself."
"What do you mean by that?"
But Matthew only smiled, disappearing into the shadows as though he'd never been there in the first place.
"You're mad!" Erk shouted after him, wondering vaguely how he could manage to disappear so quickly. "I don't care what she thinks about me, do you hear? I'm glad she's finally learned to hate me as much as I hate her!"
Yet… if Matthew had seen past that pretense, a pretense he desperately wished to believe was true, but was growing increasingly certain was not… how many others had done the same? He shook his head, forcing those thoughts out of his mind. He was glad Serra no longer liked… well… had she said she'd loved him?
"It doesn't matter!" Erk hissed at himself, moving quickly now about the task he had been so keen on performing before Serra had so abruptly interrupted him. Loved him, ha! He didn't feel a thing for her – that hollow feeling within him was nothing more than a lasting result of being around her, that was all. The longer he could avoid her, the better off he would be. Obviously.
"You don't think we should have gone after them, after all…?" Sain was looking from Kent to Fiora, a troubled expression on his usually jovial face. "From what you described to me, Kent, it really didn't sound like she wanted to be followed."
"Yes, but… you didn't see her face…" Kent frowned. "She was quite upset, but…"
"She just about ordered you to stay away, though," Fiora offered, though she too did not look fully convinced. Their stay in Ostia – there had been no outright hostility, of course, but things were somewhat awkward. It had, of course, been her sister that had caused all this mess, however tight lipped everyone was about it. Yet, where else had they to go? If they followed Lady Lyndis to Caelin, she'd be furious with them, and who was to say how long she was planning on staying there, anyway? Additionally, Fiora was still holding out hope that Florina would succeed in setting things right before Farina arrived to complicate things further…
"It's baffling," Kent nodded. "I've never seen Lady Lyndis look quite like that before."
"I just wish Farina would have told me what it is she did…"
"No one's saying," Sain sighed, shrugging helplessly. "Not even Serra can find out what's going on, and she's right up there in Lord Hector's circle."
"Well… it's their affair, and really, we shouldn't pry…" Fiora said, though she looked none too happy about it.
"How long should we remain here, though?" Kent wondered; clearly he, too, was not fond of the awkward atmosphere.
"I still think Florina, at least, will be back here. I have faith in her," Fiora decided. "She's really the only one who can set things right, at this point, don't you think?"
"She does know Lady Lyndis better than any of us," Kent agreed.
Sain said nothing, looking strangely thoughtful.
"Sain… are you well?" Kent asked finally, breaking the silence that had begun to settle between them.
"I am," Sain assured him, though that thoughtful expression remained fixed. "Actually, so long as we are still staying, I believe I have something to attend to…"
"Off to consort with Serra in the shadows some more, no doubt," Fiora spoke reprovingly, eyebrows raised.
"Unless, fair lady Fiora, you would rather I shower my attentions on you—"
"Sain!" Kent reprimanded him in a strangled voice, stepping forward as to halt his advance himself, if required.
"Oh, come now, Kent, you know I'm just kidding!" Sain laughed at his companion's scandalized expression, backing away from the two of them with haste. "I have to say, you two are just peas in a pod, both entirely lacking a sense of humor…"
Fiora made a motion as though packing a snowball in her hands, and Sain flushed pink, hurrying away from them with a few more stammered apologies as he went.
"What are we going to do with that boy…" Fiora sighed, though she was grinning despite herself, watching his hasty retreat.
"He really shouldn't be consorting with Eliminean clerics so," Kent still wore that severe expression, nowhere near as amused by the situation as his companion seemed to be. "What will people think?"
"True… but… Kent, you know him better than I. Surely you noticed his behavior in Ilia?"
"Do you honestly think he was pining away for Serra?" Kent turned to face her, surprised.
"It was something, wasn't it? He's… well, he is a rogue, but… surely you've noticed how subdued he gets when we speak of leaving Ostia?"
"It's only natural that he'd be loathe to leave, he'd be the same with any woman that gave him such free reign with so little protest. Actually, I am shocked at both of their behaviors – Sain, accosting a sister, and Serra, allowing it to go on so far… it's… well… rather shameful, wouldn't you say?"
"You might be right…" Fiora gave in, at last, though she still did not look fully convinced. "You have to admit, though, they would make quite a compatible pair…"
"Compatible, perhaps, in the sense that Serra is constantly fishing for praise, and Sain is only too willing to provide it," Kent muttered. "What kind of relationship could they hope to build on such a frivolous foundation?"
"As I recall…" Fiora spoke in a strangely mischievous tone, "you and I grew to know each other through working on an edict to keep relationships such as the one we developed from occurring in the first place. Some might say that is a strange foundation to build a relationship on, as well…"
"But…" Kent looked a little surprised to hear this, though he could not deny the truth of it. "That is… you're right…" He trailed off, peering in the direction Sain had wandered off in. "I suppose they do have… quite a bit in common. But still, she is sworn to her service to the church, is she not?"
"I suppose…"
"I shouldn't let Sain's actions bother me so much, and yet…"
"I wonder if you're not simply worried about him?" Fiora suggested, still smiling in that mischievous way. "He is your best friend, after all."
"Worried about him? What, that he'd have to face the consequences of his foolishness at some point? It could do him a lot of good, if Serra ever decides to remind him of the ultimate pointlessness of his affections toward her."
"Strange, but I don't see that happening for quite some time, if at all."
"Neither do I…" Kent sighed, shaking his head. "Leave it to Sain, though – if he is serious about this one, which I still highly doubt, you understand – leave it to Sain to pick a cleric."
"He certainly does have a knack for complications, doesn't he? A hopeless case."
"He's always been this way…" Kent shrugged, clearly tired of brooding over his friend's poor choices. "I don't think my influence has made a whit of difference."
"You can't win them all," Fiora frowned, thinking on a certain troublemaking sister of hers. "Sometimes, you have to stand back and let them learn the hard way…"
Sain, of course, was well beyond range of hearing what his friends had to say about him, intent as he was on the task at hand. It was odd… he still could not quite resist the urge to wink at every woman who caught his eye as he went, but it felt more like a habit than anything else. One girl in particular was so flustered by this apparently unexpected attention that she dissolved into a fit of giggles at once; Sain favored her with a winning smile, and continued past, hearing her whisper excitedly to her friends as only women did. It was odd, yes… because any other time, he'd have stopped what he was doing at once, perhaps to engage her in conversation, to lavish a few more compliments on her, perhaps coax her into allowing him to take her for a drink…
He felt no urge to do any such thing now, though, despite the fact that the girl had been pretty enough, and receptive as well… Kent would have been shocked to see it, he thought, grinning at the look his he imagined his companion might have given him had he seen what had just taken place. No, he wouldn't have believed it.
Sain could hardly believe it himself.
"Hello, Sain." A familiar voice, yet surprising to hear, sounded near his side. Sain glanced over to nod amiably at his new company, wondering what event prompted his approach.
"Matthew. It's been some time, hasn't it?"
"Quite. I couldn't help noticing back there; the Sain I thought I knew wouldn't have passed an opportunity like that, eh?"
"Well…" Sain appraised the thief by his side thoughtfully. He'd never been all too familiar with him, though they'd been friendly enough throughout their travels together; he'd been quite helpful against Lundgren all that time ago. "I have a lot on my mind."
"Mm… Yes, Serra can be quite a handful, can't she?" The amusement in his voice was clear, now, and Sain wondered briefly if he was making fun of him.
"I don't mind," He replied cheerfully, deciding he didn't care.
"Yes, I've noticed," Matthew spoke shortly, suddenly sounding much more businesslike than before. "You won't find her by wandering aimlessly about the castle, though, I'm afraid… she's had a bit of a, er… scuffle with Erk, and likely she's locked herself up in her room to pout about it…"
"You don't say…?" Sain frowned, first out of concern for Serra, then out of suspicion – why was Matthew telling him this, anyway? "Is she…?"
"Now, normally it'd be my job to go cheer her up," Matthew hardly looked pleased at the thought; in fact, Sain thought he distinctly noticed a shudder pass through him as he spoke. "I was thinking, though, that she'd probably rather see you, anyway, eh?"
"Ah, now this makes more sense," Sain laughed, figuring he should have expected as much from Matthew. "You're just looking for an excuse to avoid her, then?"
"I was hoping you'd be more than willing to, er… cover for me, if you will…"
"Actually, you are quite right," Sain decided to put his fears to rest; he'd not have to deal with Serra this day. "Just point the way; I'd be happy to."
"Excellent," Matthew brightened considerably, beckoning for Sain to follow him. He led him purposefully through the castle, glancing back every so often to make sure Sain was still following. They stopped outside of a particular door; there was no sound from within, but Matthew was certain she was inside, regardless. He rapped lightly on the door, motioning for Sain to be quiet.
"Leave me alone!" Came a familiar voice from within; she'd clearly been crying, but she sounded rather furious, as well. "Tell Oswin I'll be out to finish later!"
"Love to," Matthew spoke cheerily, though not loud enough for her to hear him inside. "Right, then, it's all yours, Sain…" He waved a hasty farewell, retreating rather quickly to leave Sain alone, outside the door.
"Serra…?" He called experimentally, waiting patiently for a response. He'd seen her this way once before, as he recalled, and he wondered briefly if Erk had had something to do with it back then, too. He'd liked that sour faced mage less and less lately, but… he certainly wasn't one to cause conflicts. Besides, they were already on shaky ground here in Ostia; Kent would have had his head if he'd caused any more trouble for them.
There were a few odd sounds from inside, as though she were gathering up many things in a hurry, and Sain raised an eyebrow, peering at the door with poorly concealed amusement. The thing of it was, he wasn't quite as silly as he pretended to be – he'd known, along with everyone else, about Serra's infatuation with Erk. Actually, though Serra was the only one he'd really revealed it to, he had quite a knack for seeing who had eyes for whom… except, of course, when it concerned him. He was fairly hopeless at that, though he would have never admitted it.
It had been quite worrisome, then, when Erk had offered to run off here with Serra and the Pegasus sisters; who was to say what might happen? He wouldn't have done such a thing if he hadn't been at least slightly second guessing his actions from the time they'd fought together against Nergal. Perhaps, now that there was really no hope for him concerning the woman he'd been so smitten with – that admittedly beautiful troubadour, Priscilla – maybe he'd warm up to Serra at last? Yet, now, that was pretty much the last thing Sain wanted to see happen.
He was slightly ashamed, then, to realize that he was happy about this. Despite the number it did on Serra's emotions, he was quite happy to see that Erk hadn't warmed up to her in the least, as he had feared – Kent and Fiora had noticed his preoccupation on the matter in Ilia, he was certain, though he'd never given them any solid replies to their inquiries as to what was the matter. Neither one would have believed him, anyway, he was sure.
"Sain?" The door opened, then, admitting a rather flustered looking Serra to his sight. She had clearly been crying; her red eyes said that much, but he was flattered to see that she'd attempted to tidy herself up as much as possible aside from that. "Ooh… I thought you were Matthew," She explained, straightening herself up, flushing as though embarrassed at her appearance.
"Are you quite all right?" Sain inquired cautiously, and she nodded somewhat absently in response.
"Yes, yes… I'm just being silly, that's all…" She gave a final sort of sniff, waving a hand as though to dismiss the entire situation that had left her in tears in the first place. "I shouldn't let him get to me so, but… oooh… he's so… so…"
"Don't worry about him," Sain interjected smoothly, stepping forward and sliding an arm about her shoulders. "I have an idea or two that might cheer you up –"
"Sain…" She spoke in a scolding tone, though she did not move away from him as he feared she might. "Really, I do have work left to do, and if Oswin found out I was off with you…"
"Matthew will take care of things, I think," Sain assured her, ushering her away from her room. "Actually, Serra, I've been meaning to speak with you on something rather important… have you had lunch? They were cooking up something divine in the kitchens, judging from the smell earlier, if you would join me…"
"Matthew was here, then?" Serra looked slightly suspicious for a moment, but she shelved her unease after a moment, considering Sain's proposal with a tilted gaze. "Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt. I have been working all day…" She smiled, then, the last of her trepidations wearing away beneath the bright smile he favored her with. "All right, all right, fine… I suppose it would be rude to deny you my company!"
"Intolerably cruel," Sain agreed, speaking near enough to her ear for his breath to brush lightly against her cheek.
"Sain!" She screeched, whirling away from him, though her eyes held nothing but mirth, her previous sorrows seemingly forgotten. "Behave yourself!"
"What! I have only the most noble intentions, Serra, I assure you!" Sain exclaimed, feigning a wounded expression as they walked toward the dining halls together.
"Noble, hmph," Serra sniffed, adopting a teasing tone. "If this is your definition of noble, I'd hate to see your idea of naughty."
"Really? Your tone implies otherwise, if you don't mind me pointing out…" Sain grinned in a most devilish fashion, prompting Serra to flush crimson to the roots of her hair.
"Oooh! That is most certainly not what I meant! You are terrible!" Serra complained, turning away from him in a huff, though still walking complacently enough by his side. Sain coughed to hide a very amused chuckle – he was quite sure that he had been right on the mark, a daring implication or no. Serra was certainly unlike any Eliminean Sister he'd ever laid eyes on… most wouldn't have even understood the implication to take offense to it, now that he thought on it. His grin grew still wider as they approached their destination; he held the door to the dining halls open for her, and she smiled at him pleasantly enough as she brushed past, though her cheeks were still a delightful faint shade of pink, not unlike her hair.
It was not, perhaps, the most romantic of quarters – knights bustled in and out, some staying to eat with others in their company, still others grabbing something quickly and rushing off to catch their guard shift or training exercises. Kitchen workers rushed around where the knights were not, hurrying to fulfill the needs of a very schedule-oriented barrack; Sain was careful to keep his eyes away from the bustier women, difficult though it was, leading them both to the most secluded table he could find.
Serra hardly seemed to mind the setting; it was likely that she was used to this place, considering how long she'd been in service here. There were other clerics in service to House Ostia, certainly, but Sain had the distinct impression that Serra might have gotten along better here than eating with the rest of them… she had far more in common with the knights of Ostia than the clerics. He barely restrained himself for laughing at that; she would have wanted to know what was so funny, and he had a vague idea that she might take offense to sentiments of that sort, however true.
"You were saying you had something to tell me?" Serra inquired coquettishly, after Sain had called over one of the servants to catch their order. She folded her hands beneath her chin, blinking up at him in a way that made her look like a curious child; though no less beautiful for it, he supposed.
"I did… you know, Serra, I have always admired your beauty…"
"Hmm… I seem to recall hearing that line from you on more than one occasion, Sain…"
"Now, hold on, hear me out! Serra, you cannot deny that you and I… sport a specific kind of... chemistry, shall I call it? You alone, my dear, have braved my affections – dare I say, you've even beaten me at my own game, once or twice…"
"Well, Sain… you are terribly easy to predict…" Serra spoke dismissively, her sparkling eyes belying her flippant tone.
"Am I?" Sain said, peering across the table at her, where she nodded twice in confirmation. "Am I really?" He stood up, then, approaching her with an entirely unsettling look on his face, one that set off more than one alarm in Serra's mind. Still, she sat there, raising an eyebrow at his approach, as though determined to pretend she did not find this new course of action surprising in the slightest.
"Dreadfully so," She said, when he stopped only inches away from her, and she looked up to meet his gaze.
"I'm afraid, then, that you've left me no choice…" Sain held out his hand, she glanced from it back to his expectant face once or twice, then took it, despite the previously mentioned warnings as to what this new behavior could mean. "…I simply must prove you wrong," He said pointedly, pulling her to her feet, with enough force to propel her against his chest once she was up off her chair.
"Sain!" She spoke in that scandalized tone again, but this time, he was having none of that – predictable, was he? He raised a finger to her lips, to quiet any further protests, and this time she couldn't hide her look of surprise; well, that was certainly satisfactory, but he was hardly finished yet. Having shocked her into silence, he took the opportunity to move his hand away from her lips, to brush lightly across her cheek… his other arm moved automatically to slip about her slim waist, holding her close to him.
"If there is one thing I'd hate for you to think of me," Sain spoke softly, almost in a whisper, his suddenly intense gaze holding her own transfixed, "it's that I am in any way… predictable." His eyes closed, and he lowered his lips to her own; she saw it coming, felt him against her a moment later, and managed to retain enough sense of mind to close her own eyes and return the gesture, but only just.
A soft cough at their side prompted them to break away from one another not too long after; Serra's face a flaming shade of scarlet, Sain with a most pleased expression on his own – a serving maid stood there, near their table, plates of food on the tray she carried.
"I… ah… I have your order, Sir Knight," She squeaked, setting their things down swiftly, casting a very meaningful look toward Serra, and whirling away as though either one of them might spring to attack her at any moment.
"What was that about?" Sain spoke evenly, watching her go in surprise, still holding Serra close to him.
"You idiot!" Serra exclaimed, her mind still somewhat in a fog. "Half the castle will know about this in an hour – it'll be a scandal! A foreign knight consorting with one of the Eliminean Clerics… oooh, Sir Oswin is going to have my head, I'm telling you…"
"If you really mind…" Sain interrupted her, his voice as serious as she'd ever heard, "tell me now, and I swear, I'll let you go… and we never have to talk about what just happened."
"I…" Serra made no move to break away from him, though she knew she should…
And no matter how she searched for the words he'd asked for, there, caught up in his arms, she found she couldn't find them… she found she hardly wanted to try.
"What have you been playing at?" Oswin's voice, sounding as severe as ever, greeted Matthew as he joined him, standing near to Hector's chambers. "You're late… hardly like you, Matthew."
"Found myself caught up in a bit of an… er… interesting situation," Matthew shrugged. "Though admittedly, nothing you'd be interested in, so never you mind."
Oswin grunted noncommittally in response, pushing open the door ahead of them, into the chamber where Hector stood, pacing in a most restless fashion. Matthew, being on better terms with Hector than Oswin was, spoke first, his cheerful voice a stark contrast to the dark mood of the room.
"I've found some information, my lord!" He announced, sounding rather pleased with himself. "Actually, it was rather simple – that Pegasus knight, Fiora—"
"Don't talk to me about Pegasus Knights," Hector growled, and Matthew coughed, having forgotten the subject seemed to strike a bit of a nerve with him lately.
"Right, of course. Forgive me. That is, Fiora was kind enough to tell me where Lyn and Florina raced off to – surprisingly, not the plains of Sacae, as we'd thought… that's good news, isn't it, young master?"
"Yeah, great," Hector responded, though he hardly sounded convinced.
"It appears, in fact, that she declared her destination to be Caelin, most likely the castle, before they left… though we cannot rule out the possibility she only said so to throw us off her trail," Matthew frowned. "Do you reckon she'd try something of that sort? Lady Lyndis didn't strike me as the slippery type, at least…"
"If she's in Caelin…" Oswin spoke gruffly, interrupting Matthew, "It should only take several day's journey…"
"Oswin…" Hector sighed. "Look, you don't have to look at me that way, I know you don't want me to go—"
"That's not it, Lord Hector," Oswin looked slightly embarrassed, now. "Matthew and I have talked it over, and we are of an agreement – you should go. We will take care of things here, in your stead, if you wish."
"Oswin…" Hector gaped at him, finding this to be an entirely unexpected opinion.
"It took a bit of doing," Matthew spoke slyly, "But really… this is more important than anything going on here. The negotiations with the other Lycian Lords went well enough—"
"Aside from Erik squawking like he always does," Hector muttered darkly, but Matthew pretended not to have heard him.
"—And you haven't any other meetings for some time; everyone was in a hurry to return home and deal with their own affairs. Even the news from Bern has slowed to a trickle of late…"
"Are you two serious?" Hector looked from one to the other, crossing his arms. "You really are behind a plan for me to sneak out of Ostia again – even now, as her Marquess?"
"If anyone can pull it off, my lord, it's you," Matthew replied with a grin.
"…You won't be the first in your line to pull a stunt like this," came Oswin's gruff reply, though he still hardly looked happy with the idea. "But Matthew and I have agreed, that certain things… might be more important right now than protocols…"
Hector eyed them both, completely at a loss for words.
"You two… you know, just when I think I really know one of you…"
"No need to thank us, my lord!" Matthew said cheerfully, turning as though to go. "Think on it a bit, though, and let us know?" He disappeared out the door, waving amiably as he went.
"Don't thank me," Oswin sighed. "It was all his idea, you know…"
"Yet, you've agreed."
"Matthew is alarmingly good at convincing people of things," Oswin said, shaking his head. "He'd say it's merely a side effect of his position. I'll leave you to think."
Hector watched him go, his features impassive. Their approval was one thing; but it was quite another to act on it. He wanted nothing more than to tear out of the castle right then and head straight for Caelin… he'd wanted to do that since the moment she'd left, but he'd figured Oswin would send a company straight to retrieve him at once. And really, the other Lycian provinces, not to mention the other countries in Elibe with spies in operation here, hardly needed to get wind of the Ostian marquess sneaking out of his own castle on some foolish agenda…
A sigh escaped his lips, and he raised his hands to his temples with a frustrated sound. How else, though, could he hope to see her again? To, at the very least, explain his position – he could not allow their last meeting to truly be, well… their last. It was unthinkable. If she was in Caelin, there was still hope – he could find her there, he was somewhat familiar with the place… if he waited too long, and she left to Sacae… he'd never see her again. She'd disappear on those plains like a grain of sand in the desert, and he'd live the rest of his life wondering what might have been if he'd acted now.
Another knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts; he called for whoever it was to come in, and was for once happy to have a visitor as they admitted themselves into the room.
"Hector… we'll be going soon…" Eliwood greeted him with a wary expression, Ninian, looking pale in a way she hadn't been since their journey with Nergal standing at his side. Hector vaguely wondered if she was ill. "We've been away from Pherae for far too long."
"Yeah… yeah, I suppose you have. Oswin would have a fit if I left Ostia as long as you've been away from Pherae…"
"I get the distinct feeling that Marcus will not be too pleased with me, either," Eliwood spoke somberly, "Though I am sure once I explain the circumstances…" He trailed off, as though afraid to continue. "Hector, you… you'll write to me, won't you? Once this is all sorted out?"
"Yeah, of course. What, you think I'm just going to leave you in the dark?"
"I want to know what happens, no matter what it is," Eliwood insisted. He was probably the only person in the castle who knew the entire story – although, Hector supposed he had probably told Ninian. Perhaps that was why the girl looked like she was about to pass out on the spot. "Good or bad."
"All right."
"You're going, I assume? To find her?"
"…Yeah, I am," Hector confirmed. "As soon as I figure out exactly how to do it."
"Good," Eliwood said firmly, and Hector very nearly smiled – Eliwood, condoning an escapade of this nature? It was quite out of character for him. "Lyndis… she's my friend, too… and I know her well enough, I think, to tell you truly that I believe she will understand, once you explain."
"If she even lets me get a word in edgewise."
"…She will. She's had some time to calm herself, hasn't she? She'll be thinking things over now… she's smart enough to know that what… what occurred her was quite extraordinary. And if she loves you, Hector…" He winced slightly at those words, but Eliwood pressed on, regardless, "If she loves you, she'll believe what you have to say. That is all I wanted to say."
"…Thanks," Hector offered, rather awkwardly. "I'm sure you're right… you've always been the more rational of us."
"Good luck," Eliwood grinned. "I expect to hear from you soon."
"Understood."
They turned to go, and Hector watched as they reached the door; Eliwood continued on, oblivious, but Ninian… she turned at the last second, her blood red eyes boring into his own… Hector opened his mouth to ask what she wanted to say, but before he could utter a word, her face had flamed scarlet… she looked away, at the floor ahead of her, and disappeared from his sight without a word.
Author's Note, Revisited!
Please don't kill me, please don't kill me… I think you all know what my new mantra is…
Angel white: Yes, I know all about your Farina hate, don't I? I don't know if you should expect redemption, in this story, at least…
TheOneAndOnlyT: I knew you, in particular, were going to dislike what I did there. So sorry! I'll note the spelling thing, and probably go back to fix it later…
Nobody At All: I'd answer, but that would be quite a spoiler.
AmbieChan: Hooray, not everyone hates Farina! I'm surprised the outcry against her wasn't more universal, not that I'm complaining.
Kitten Kisses: I think Hector, definitely, got the biggest shaft there… so I agree with you there. Something tells me I've inflamed your Erk hatred with this chapter, to make up for my lack of doing so in the last… eheh. Again, thanks for the spelling tips, I've always wondered about "fiancé" and "fiancée."
Foxfiresword: Farina isn't going crazy, but I daresay she's been there for some time!
Kratos Aurion: There, see, that wasn't so long of a wait, now was it? I did notice the draggy ending, but you're right, I had a lot of stuff to put in…
Tenshi no ai: I'm completely floored that someone who hadn't played Rekka no Ken could get through this story; that's really something. I'm glad I've inspired you to play the game, I certainly hope you can get ahold of a copy soon. As far as using the support conversations – I haven't in awhile, actually, but I did make a point to do so where I thought it would be appropriate in game, both as a homage to the game and a bonus to the people who actually had unlocked those conversations in game. I refer to Sain as a social knight both because it is the original Japanese class for him, and because it just fits him so darn well. :) Thank you for your review; that was quite flattering.
Maquareion: I'm glad I still am managing to surprise some of you. And no, I will not be abandoning this fic, I promise you that. The delay in the last chapter was due to school stress and just… the difficulty overall that writing a chapter like that entailed. I don't think there will be another gap like that.
Nocturna-Fire-Demoness: I do apologize for the wait for the last chapter; I'll try very hard not to let myself get that lazy again.
Nomads are Mad: If I told you who Lyn ends up with, what point would there be in finishing the story? Eheh… you'll have to wait and see, I suppose.
FenixPhoenix: Again, I can't say who Lyn is going to end up with just yet. Sorry!
