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Arianna: Uh can' feel muh tongue!
Erk: You….can't feel your tongue? And why is that?
Arianna: Uh don' know. I's all numb an' shuff.
Erk: …..
Ivan: Hello.
Eliwood: Hi! :D
Latisha: Is there a point to this opening?
Arianna: No. Wait…YES! Okay, a few weeks ago I had to take this test at school on what job I might be good at….and I got the results back today! I'm making all of my muses take the test, too!
Erk: ….say what?
Arianna: At the end of the chapter I'll reveal what we all got on our results. :)
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DISCLAIMER: No….I don't own it…. sniff
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Come on in. I gotta tell you what a state I'm in. I gotta tell you in my loudest tones. That I started looking for a warning sign. When the truth is, I miss you. Yeah the truth is, that I miss you so. And I'm tired….I should not have let you go.
'Warning Sign' by Coldplay
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-: ERK'S POV :-
Almost a year after the whole business with Lyn my escorting service was open for business again. I was walking down the halls to my room when I heard Lord Pent call for me.
"Erk! I have something for you!" he yelled as he ran up to me, waving a piece of paper. I knew it had to be a request for an escort because it couldn't be an invitation. Ever since an incident that had happened while I was gone, Lady Louise had ordered all the servants to give invitations to her. I took the paper from Lord Pent and read it quickly.
"House Caerlon….Lady Priscilla." I said to myself, instantly storing the names to memory. This Priscilla needed an escort, but to where, it did not say. I looked up with a questioning expression. "Master Pent, to where does Lady Priscilla need escorted?" I asked.
"Well…that's the thing…." Lord Pent said in a strange voice. "She…is looking for someone. And to find this someone, she's leaving without her parents' permission." he explained. I blinked.
"I'm to escort…a runaway?" I said slowly and calmly even while my mind exploded in alarm. Escort a runaway!? What if we were caught!? Did Lord Pent not realize what consequences I would face!?!? Of course, she would be perfectly fine being a noble and all but an orphan apprentice mage like me would be executed! No and no and NO! I would not do it!
"She's willing to pay you 100, 000 gold. Half now and half when she finds the person she's looking for." Pent said casually. I froze. Hmmm…maybe I would do this after all…
"Alright, I accept." I said. "I will reply to her message immediately." I bowed to Pent and then hurried to my study. I quickly wrote my reply and after I was finished writing it I stopped to think. This Priscilla…what would she be like? Would she be a normal, refined lady? Would she be like Serra? Could anyone be like Serra? That pink-haired devil seemed like a once in a world type of person. I shook my head as I realized what I was thinking about. I had promised myself months ago to forget about….her. I stuck my message in an envelope and sealed it with wax. It was time again for another adventure.
-: SERRA'S POV :-
"And then she said 'Well, then you can just keep that scarf!'" said a young girl loudly and all the other girls in the room laughed and giggled. I laughed my unique, high-pitched tee-hee and then looked back to my project. I was currently painting my friend's nails with a red paste and if I messed up I was sure I would never hear the end of it. It was a day off for all girls who served St. Elimine in Ostia and we were making the most of it. For the last hour we had sat around the cleric's quarters telling stories, giving makeovers, and giggling like crazy. I was glad on days like these I had become a cleric. The day ahead was work free and full of fun. But of course, then the doors opened.
"Is the cleric Serra in here?" Oswin said as he glanced around the room. Everything was absolutely silent as he examined the young girls lounging around in light clothing with their half-painted nails and makeup caked faces and even the few who were wearing greenish beauty cream all over them.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK!" all the girls suddenly screamed in unison and rushed out of the room, running for their quarters and, for a few, their dignity. Oswin blinked at the now empty room and his eyes settled on me, the only girl remaining. I set down the now unneeded nail polishing brush and got to my feet.
"You request my attention, Lord Oswin?" I said and flashed my award winning smile. Well, it would be award winning if anyone actually gave awards for things like that. Oswin regained his stony expression.
"Yes….Lord Uther has ordered you and myself to accompany Lord Hector and Matthew on their journey to aid Lord Eliwood in finding his father. Gather what you'll need and then hurry to the front gate." he said and then left the room before I could begin my indignant ranting. WORK! On my day off!? And not just any work…a dangerous, long journey? WITH 3 MEN? Hmm….well, that part wasn't so bad, but what if I got killed? I continued my inward complaining as I dragged myself to my quarters and began gathering my things. The other girls gathered in my room and around my open door.
"What did he want?" asked one girl. I sighed deeply.
"I'm being requested by Lord Uther to accompany Lord Hector on a very important mission." I drawled. I picked up my staves and walked out of my room. A few girls followed me down the hall.
"On your day off, of all days!" exclaimed one of the older girls. I shrugged as I opened the door that connected our rooms to the main castle.
"Well, what can you do? When you have such skill as I have you come to accept being called on so often." I bragged and then walked into the castle, closing the door behind me. I sighed and almost sobbed as I heard the girls return to telling their stories and giggling. Wishing for all the world I was in there with them, I headed out to meet Oswin by the gate.
-: ERK'S POV :-
First the bears, then the bandits, then sneaking over borders, now this! "You can't be serious!!" I shouted, forgetting my manners since this was, after all, a messenger of a lord I was talking to. Although how a disgusting pig like him had become a lord...
"My lord Darin is very serious. If the Lady Priscilla does not concede to marrying him and living with him in the castle, then you both will be stuck here." he retorted with a bit of arrogance. I felt a strong urge to Thunder him, but I resisted. He must have read something on my face, though, because he hurried out of the village and back to the castle.
"Oh, Erk, what shall we do?" Priscilla said mournfully. I turned to face her. She had auburn hair and emerald green eyes. She was a perfect lady with her dulcet speech and refined personality. The more time I spent with her, the more I almost wondered if I ever had really been attracted to that demonic cleric. Almost. "Maybe I should just marry him…" Priscilla said, a bit tearfully. I shook-wait. Wait. Tearfully? Tear. Fully. Tears? Oh no. She was crying. It was my worst enemy, a girl's tears. I shook my head.
"No! I promised to escort you safely and I believe marriage to a power-hungry lord is something that I should protect you from." I said in a comforting voice.
"Then what can we do? We're stuck here…" she replied softly. I thought for a moment, considering our options and weighing consequences. Then I looked over to the head of the village.
"Excuse me, sir? Can I entrust this lady to your care while I go request help from the other villages?" I asked him. He considered and then nodded.
"Of course. We'll guard her the best we can." he promised. I nodded and looked back to Priscilla.
"Well then, Lady Priscilla. I am off. I'll be back as soon as is possible with help." I told her and then bowed. As I turned around and headed for the village entrance, I heard her soft voice call after me.
"Erk, please be careful!" she said. I waved a hand behind me and kept moving. Hmm…she was worried about me. Could she…?....nah…..
Once I was out of the village I broke into a run. I spent a day running to every village in the territory of Laus, and every answer was the same. Nobody wanted to disobey the marquess' orders. I could understand why, but that didn't stop me from being angry with them. The next day, I entered the last village, feeling discouraged, and quickly sought out the head person. I explained the situation to him. "Hm. We could certainly stand some assistance…" I said once I had finished my tale. He shook his head at me and whatever hope I had left plummeted to the darkest parts of my mind.
"I'm sorry, but it's just not possible. If we disobey Marquess Laus, who knows what might happen to us?" he said.
"I understand. We'll seek our aid elsewhere." I sighed in response but I was at a loss for where to go. I had already been to every other village.
"You'll find the same answer everywhere you go." the man said and I winced internally because this was the truth. "Eventually, you'll have to do as the marquess orders. You would do well to tell your employer the same thing."
Even though he was trying to give me advice, I didn't like the tone he said it in. I snapped around. "Hm. Good day to you." I said and strode out of the village. As soon as I was out I noticed a fight was going on. I watched as a man on horseback with thick green hair that covered his eyes lunged for an enemy only to be easily evaded. I was about to chuckle when I felt something go wooshing past my head. I turned to see one of Laus' cavaliers attacking me with a javelin. As if things weren't bad enough, I was now being dragged into a fight I knew nothing about! The only thing that could make this situation any worse was if Serra arrived and tried to make me join another legion. At least that had no chance of happening!
-: SERRA'S POV :-
I was running around to nearby houses helping Matthew collect information that might help us in this battle. We had followed a lead from Santaruz to Laus. As soon as we arrived the son of the marquess rode out to meet us.
(A/N: I know, I know! He was dead! It'll be explained soon.)
This 'Erik' quickly attempted to dupe Lord Eliwood but he proved himself to be an idiot and soon a fight had started. I believe Eliwood called this Erik a 'craven cur' and Lord Hector used a few stronger words. Anyways, we all began to battle the forces of Laus. And so, here I was. I knocked on the door of the last house and a woman answered the door.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but would you happen to know any local gossip?" I asked politely. The woman thought for a moment and then suddenly slapped her side in realization.
"Listen to this!" she said enthusiastically even though I was quite obviously already listening. But that kind of attitude was 'his '(you know who I mean) thing so I didn't make any sarcastic remarks. "Have you heard tell of the marquess' infatuation?" I leaned closer. Stories with love and lust had always fascinated me. "There's a young woman staying in a village on the harbor. Her speech, her looks, everything about her has the seeming of a princess. The marquess' attentions border on obsession. He's sent countless envoys to invite her to the castle, but she rejects him at every turn. Now, the marquess has guards around the village keeping her trapped. She has no way to escape. It's so sad." the woman finished dramatically. I thought back to a portrait I had once seen of the marquess of Laus and felt sympathy for the young lady.
"Yes, that is quite sad." I agreed.
"Apparently the girl's escort is searching desperately for help, but has found none." the woman said. "Maybe your group could help her escape if you win this battle?" the woman suggested. I agreed againand thanked her for her time, then ran across the bridge and towards a village I had spotted in the distance. As I drew close, I saw a mage attacking a cavalier of Laus. I hurried forward to see if he needed help. Apparently he didn't because as I finally drew close he finished the cavalier off. He turned around and I was suddenly looking into familiar, dark eyes.
- : OUTER POV : -
Serra gasped in shock as her dreams from the past year came to life. "OHMIGOSH! It's Erk!!! It's been SO long! What are you doing here!?" she gushed so quickly that it all mushed together and ended up sounding like "OHMIGIERKBENSOLONG! WHATARUDOINERE!?" to Erk's ears He had been giving Serra the deer-in-headlights look and wondering why now, when he had just gotten over his strange attraction to her, she had to come back into his life again.
"Oh….Serra….." Erk mumbled and rubbed his temples where there was the stirrings of a headache. "You're the last person I wanted to see…." Serra came to her senses just in time to hear Erk say "…person I wanted to see." Her heart started to beat faster.
"Oh! That's so sweet!" Serra said and blushed as she brushed her hair back from her eyes. "You wanted to see me again!" she practically crooned and began swaying slightly. Erk gave her a look like she had said something very stupid. She snapped back up straight and clapped her hands and Erk jumped at the sudden movement. "Hey, I know!" she said smiling, "This is perfect. Come with us and lend a hand, Erk!" she suggested. Erk's eyes widened slightly.
"I beg your pardon?" he said incredulously. "We?" his mind screamed. "Who's we? A boyfriend!? A lover!? A HUSBAND, even? Wait…..why do I care!?" He brought his mind out of its little whirlwind to listen to what Serra was saying.
"Come on! I'll even introduce you to Lords Hector and Eliwood!" she was saying cheerfully.
"Hector AND Eliwood!? TWO men!? LORDS!?" his mind was wailing but somehow he managed to keep his poker face.
"I know you, you're probably just wandering about without work." Serra said a bit cockily. Her bubble was soon burst, though, and later to be brutally blown into oblivion, but we're not at that part yet.
"No, Serra, I'm afraid I'm gainfully employed." Erk replied, and strangely he WAS regretful. But then he thought of something. "However…if you're fighting Laus…" he put a hand to his face in a gesture of thought. "This might work out after all…." he finally said, mostly to himself. Serra tapped her foot impatiently.
"What are you babbling about? Make up your mind, will you?" she demanded. She had heard somewhere that being tense for too long could cause pimples and she certainly did not want a big, red dot on her face just because Erk was indecisive.
"My employer is hiding in a village south of here. If you help me protect her, I'll join up with you." he told the cleric and Serra froze. HER? Serra's spirits took a plunge.
"F-fine!" she snapped and turned around. "Well then, come on!" she ordered and stalked towards where the majority of her group was gathered. Erk trailed behind examining the unfamiliar faces, recognizing people he knew, and finally calling out to the tactician.
"Arianna!" he yelled in greeting as the pair came to the young tactician. She just gave a short wave and hurried off to scream at Bartre for attacking a mercenary. Erk watched as the burly, apish looking man scratched his head while Arianna explained the weapon circle. "Where did they find that one at?" Erk thought, a bit bemused by the brutish looking man.
"LORD ELIWOOD!" Serra screamed and Erk finally noticed the red-haired lord. He walked up to the lord and held out his hand in greeting.
"Hello, Lord Eliwood, I trust you remember me from our meeting a year ago?" Erk said. Eliwood cocked his head to the side and thought while Erk's hand hung awkwardly in the air. "Ummm….I was the mage with Lady Lyndis' group, remember?" Erk tried again. Eliwood squinted at him for a moment and then shook his head.
"Nope, sorry. I can't say I remember you because, well, I don't." Eliwood said bluntly. Erk slowly withdrew his hand and bowed instead.
"Well, anyways…" Erk said, a bit flustered, "I'll be fighting for your group in exchange of protection for the lady I'm escorting." Eliwood nodded. "Okay, where is this lady?" the lord asked. Erk pointed towards the distant village. "Hiding in that village over yonder. Lord Darin has been…."pursuing" her." Erk explained. Eliwood nodded once more and left to tell Marcus to fetch the lady from the village. "Well….he's a bit….simple….for a lord." Erk said as politely as he could as he and Serra watched Eliwood go.
"Hmph." was Serra's reply, making her sound a bit Erk-like. "Well, I better go heal people and such. You'll have to survive without me for a time, Erky!" she said and ran off before he could reply.
Elsewhere….
"HAHAHAHA! I survived killer tomatoes and terribly food poisoning! Your puny ax cannot kill one who has already cheated death!" Erik yelled at Hector as he charged towards the Ostian lord.
"Who said anything about killing you?" said Hector and then he whammed Erik in the side of the head with the side of his ax. Erik fell off his horse and curled up in the fetal position, sucking his thumb.
"DADDY! Where are you, Daddy? I'm scared! The big, mean tomatoes are coming for me!" Erik whined.
Elsewhere in Elsewhere….
"Run faster!" Ephidel yelled from atop Darin's head. He was holding a fishing rod that had a sausage tied to it. Darin was chasing the sausage.
"Pant…pant….are you sure catching this flying sausage for Nergal's pizza is more important than saving my son from certain death?" asked Darin as he chased the ever-eluding sausage.
"Of course! His lordship will be eternally grateful for this. Now, run faster before Eliwood's group catches us!" Ephidel said as they rode/ran further along the escape path.
Back to the Point........
"Well…Lord Hector defeated Erick surprisingly easily." Serra commented idly as she watched Erick bawl like a little baby as Hector looked down on him with almost a pitying face.
"Yes….it was most impressive…" Serra heard a melodic voice say behind her and she turned to see a beautiful lady riding up on a horse. From her clothing and staff, Serra deduced that she was a troubadour. And from the fact Serra had never seen her before, Serra also guessed that this was Erk's latest employer.
"So…you are?" Serra asked as the lady dismounted her horse.
"Priscilla….Lady Priscilla of Caerlon. How do you do?" she said and lifted a dainty hand. Serra shook it lightly with her own less-dainty-but-still-feminine hand.
"Greetings, milady. I am Priestess Serra of Ostian Chapel. I assume you are the one Mage Erk is escorting?" Serra said in her best formal voice. For some reason, Serra felt the need to not be one-upped by this woman.
"Yes….Erk was most kind to escort me on such late notice." Priscilla said in her lovely voice that made Serra silently writhe with jealously. If only she could have a voice so pretty! "I trust you two get along?" Serra prodded. She hoped they fought horribly, but she knew that Erk probably got on perfectly well with this perfect lady. Priscilla smiled softly at this question.
"Oh yes….quite well. In fact, I think we may have fallen in love."
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Erk: Say WHAT? What gives her the right to just decide something like that!?
Serra: ERKY! HOW DARE YOU CHEAT ON ME!
Arianna: Hehehehe! Priscilla has now entered to cause some jealousy. Now Serra has to be the one to worry.
Serra: Oh no….I'm going to get pimples!
Ivan: That's just a silly myth.
Serra: WHO ARE YOU CALLING SILLY!?
Ivan: ……..eep.
Arianna: Uhhh….CANAS! You're on!
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Q&A
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:Ryzuki: And Wallace is Mr. Clean with armor on?
Canas: Kind of a stretch, yes, but he is bald…. sweatdrop
:ARF: You said it would go to the end of Eliwood's story. And yet it appears that this is the end.
Canas: It will go on through Eliwood's story, Arianna is just a slow updater.
Arianna: Sorry!
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BIG THANKS TO: Ryzuki, Ragnarok-legend, Nocturna-Fire-Demoness, erkxserra rule, Hamano Ayumi, ARF, Aeros Fujita, and all readers! THANKS!
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Arianna: Well, I better go wipe the dust off of my account and post this! See ya next time!
Erk: Hope you all haven't died of old age by then….
Arianna: Oh! I almost forgot! Our ASAT results!
Muses: GROAN
Eliwood: Darn….we were so close!
Latisha: Mine says….muse. Huh.
Eliwood: Mine says…..Neuro Surgeon! Wow!
Arianna: Scary…..
Erk: Mine says…..politician. What the….
Ivan: Mine says breakdancer.
All: ……..
Ivan: What?
Eliwood: What does yours say, Arianna?
Arianna: Uhh…looks like we're out of time! Bye!
All: HEY!
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