Third of the many updates/new fics I've been promising! That means that I need to advertise the other two... XD :cough: Go R/R "To Commune With a Spirit" and "Believe in Me" please. XD :cough:

If anyone wants a picture of Auri, leave your email! You know the drill! XD

Haha. Another short chapter because it's another one of those talking chapters. I guess I should have combined this with the last chapter, but the ending note on that one wouldn't have been as powerful. XD We're getting to the start of the journey! We really are! XD And, per usual, tell me if any characters are WAY OOC. I'm going to apologize ahead of time for Guy; first of all, like some of you have pointed out, I'm not too good at writing him; second of all, I'm trying to make him a LITTLE bit mature than he was in the game because he'll be thrust midway through the fic, into sort of a... "comforting" role, thanks to Matthew, of course. XD So... yeah... T-T Gosh, I'm so scared that I offended people now... But um... yes. I also went back and edited a bit of his previous appearance, so that might be a bit better?

Well... here's the next chapter! I think it'd be best to assume that everyone's at their promoted levels because I'll still be calling Serra a cleric when she'll actually be a bishop and using light magic. XD


Chapter 8: Assemble

It certainly was a bright beautiful morning as the sun shone through the large window in Eliwood's study, but Guy was not in the mood to enjoy it.

"Grr... That Matthew!" the young swordsman mumbled to himself. "'Go to Lord Eliwood's study and wait there for me,'" he said, teeth clenched. "It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't had that- that grin on his face! And his knife at my neck! Grr... How'd he get into my room anyway?"

Setting himself down in one of the felt chairs in the room, Guy sighed.

At least I'm not the only one that thief tormented.

Looking around the room, he could see Wil and Rebecca chatting quietly in a corner, laughing together every once in a while. Erk was reading, as usual, his eye twitching due to Serra chattering about... something... behind him.

The door opened, and Matthew strode in with a big grin on his face, his beloved cloak around his neck. They spy quickly shut the door and cheerily announced, "Good morning! How are we all today?"

Wil and Rebecca halted their conversation, turning to give the Ostian spy their full attention. Erk shut his book, sending Serra, who had finally stopped prattling, a look that only the mage could manage. Guy, on the other hand, shot Matthew a glare, which the spy returned with a grin.

"You're probably wondering why you're here so listen up, all of you. That includes you, Serra. Lord Eliwood has graciously lent us his study for a... private meeting of sorts, and since I'm sure he'll be wanting it back soon, I'll get straight to business. I have a proposal to make to-"

"Ooo! What kind of proposal? Are we all going to get vassals? Jewels?"

Matthew sighed, giving the pink-haired cleric an exasperated look, which she obviously did not recognize as she continued, "Well? Are we? Are we?"

"No," the spy replied as calmly as he could manage. "Now, as I was saying, and would you please listen, Serra? You've been asked to come here because I believe that your various skills will be very helpful in a journey that I wish to undertake."

Before Serra could let out a single word, Matthew hastily renewed his speech. "It has come to my attention recently, that there is, or at least was, a creature known as the Wish Dragon. As its name implies, it grants any desire of mankind. I... wish to use that power."

A moment passed, and the spy fell quiet, but no one, not even Serra, disturbed him, knowing full well whom he was thinking of. Matthew laughed quietly, "Sorry. Won't happen again. I'm not obliging any of you to come with me on some wild goose chase; I know that you all have your own lives to live now that there's no madman trying to rule the whole of Elibe. In other words, selfless heroism is not expected of you. And that's why I'm asking and not blackmailing," he said, ignoring Guy's glare.

The Ostian spy shrugged. "Well? What do you say? If you're worried about your various duties, Lords Eliwood and Hector and Lady Lyndis have promised to give you leave for however long this will take. However, if you're still not convinced, know that Lord Hector has already offered me the best mercenaries that money can buy if I should get no results today."

Looks were exchanged, but no words were said.

"I'll go," Guy volunteered, standing up. "Of my own accord this time. If I want to be the best swordsmaster in all of Elibe, I'm going to need all the experience I can get!" he stated proudly.

Matthew grinned. "Anyone else?"

"You'll be meeting with Lord Pent, right? I might as well go with you; Lord Pent would have never given up this chance for learning and neither will I," Erk said calmly.

"If Erky's going, then I will too!" Serra exclaimed excitedly as Erk hid his face in his hands. "And you'll need my stunning good looks and charm to heal all your wounds!"

"I was afraid of that," Matthew muttered under his breath. "Wil? Rebecca?"

"Well..." the brown-haired archer scratched the back of his head. "Count me in, I guess! Got nothing to lose, and it'll be a nice break from old tin can's training."

Rebecca smiled brightly. "I'll go as well! It's always nice to help a friend."

"Perfect," Matthew said, grinning. "Glad to know I'll be traveling with trustworthy companions. Ah yes, that reminds me. There are two siblings coming with us as well. Erk and Guy? I believe you've met them already. The older sister's name is Auri; the younger brother's name is Corey. I've decided to let them travel with us because, from what I've heard, they're a bit like you, Erk; they want to see the Wish Dragon up close. That and they demanded it themselves. Well, the girl did, at least."

Rebecca clapped her hands happily. "Where are they now, Matthew? I'd love to meet them!"

The Ostian spy ran a hand through his hair. "In their room, though I have no idea what they're doing. And I'm not so sure you'd love to meet them. The boy's fine, but the girl's rather... demanding."

Serra exclaimed, "Do you think she could demand beautiful new dresses from Lord Hector with me? Ooohh! I must make preparations immediately!"

Matthew sighed, "Nothing ever gets through your skull." Serra pouted, Erk smirked, and Matthew continued, "But we leave for Etruria and Castle Reglay first thing tomorrow. Bring your best weapons. Lord Eliwood has said that he will provide all of the supplies and gold we'll need." And with that, he strode out the door.


"Look, 'Ri! Isn't this cool? Mister Erk gave me these clothes! And there's even a really cool cloak! And he gave me this magic tome too! I'm going to be a really strong mage, 'Ri!"

The siblings were in their room, preparing for the journey. Corey was twirling about in his new clothes, and Auri was sitting on the bed. After his conference, Matthew had sent a maid to their room to tell them of their departure date and to take the two to the nearby marketplace in order to pick up some new clothes. Auri had chosen a long sleeveless shirt, a vest, complete with three buckles, a short skirt with a small slit on the right, and a pair of boots for her travel wear, muttering the entire time that she'd get her respect one way or the other. Corey, on the other hand, despite being fascinated by all the sights and sounds in the marketplace, especially the live chickens, didn't buy anything, seeing that Erk, after hearing from Matthew that his newfound "student" would be traveling with the group, had sent up a bundle to the siblings' room, which included all the things that Corey was now proudly displaying to his sister.

"That's nice. Just be sure you don't tell him anything about how we're going to use the Wish Dragon to get our parents back, all right? You can't tell anyone; I bet they're all just itching to have us tell. We'd be better off if no one knew. I still don't really trust this Erk, but it looks like we'll be stuck with him for some time, so as long as you're happy, Corey... Just be careful, all right?" Auri cautioned as she wrapped worn strips of cloth around her arms as she had seen an archer do during their trip, though she had no idea what they were for.

Corey smiled happily and gave his sister a quick hug. "Don't worry, 'Ri! I'm going to go practice now!" he shouted as he ran out the door, but quickly peeked back in and said, "I'll be in the courtyard! Mister Erk said he'd take me if I met him at the library!" With that, he disappeared from view, quick footsteps fading away.

Auri sighed, fingering the bow next to her. It had yet to be restrung, but she gripped the smooth word firmly as she remembered what Matthew had said to her when she had tried to use her bow against him.

You'll see. I'll show you that I can use this! I'll show you all that I deserve my respect!


Matthew paced the floor of his chamber, unable to sleep despite knowing that a good night's rest was likely to be rare on the journey ahead. He could see the moon from his window, but it was half-covered with clouds.

Good thing it's almost summer. Etruria would be a lot harder to reach if it were winter.

A light breeze reminded him that the window was still open, but he didn't mind. Pherae was not known for its mosquitoes, after all, and the room was a little stuffy. The spy sat down on the bed and shook off his boots, checking to see that the soles were still fairly new and not worn out. A quick inspection satisfied his requirements, luckily, for if they had not been met, he would have had to make a quick midnight trip to the cobbler's. That would have been a hassle; for him, that was. It probably would have been more of a traumatizing experience for the cobbler; midnight visitors suddenly appearing in one's home were not very welcome, after all.

We'll be going to Etruria through Ostia, Leila. We'll stop there for one night, and when we do, I'll be able to see you again.

Matthew laid his head on the fluffy white pillow, pulling the blanket over his body.

Leila, it's been a while, hasn't it? I don't know if you miss me, but... just know this. I miss you.


A/N: I apologize that it's another short chapter, but I can't do much until I reveal the antagonist... next chapter? And get to the battles! Yay! Haha. Hmm... Sneaky little spy, aren't you, Matthew? XD What is Matthew planning? What will happen if it becomes known that Auri and Corey want to use the Wish Dragon too? All those and more will (not) be revealed (yet), on the next chapter of Wish! XD And don't forget to leave your email if you want a picture of Auri now that HER "job" has been revealed!