A Footstep Away, An Ocean Apart
Disclaimer: Blah Blah Blah, you know the drill.
Once again thanx for all the people that reviewed, I think more people are actually reading my story.
Wandering Cat: Oops, um…I don't know how the spelling errors got on, I could've SWORN I had double checked everything. Hopefully this chapter doesn't have as much…Man this is embarrassing.
Lemurian-Girl: Well I can't tell you what'll happen…actually I have no clue either, I write the plot as I go so the characters basically pick the twists. Though I don't think Seth'll marry the lady.
LonelyLord: Thanx, I just thought that the chapter might've been a bit too subtle.
Hamano Ayumi: I'm terribly sorry about the spelling errors, I don't know how they got in!
Blade Liger Knight: Um…well…you see…I'm a REALLY slow typer so 1900 words are a lot to me…yeah I'm pathetic.
Wind Rider: Uh huh, I think everyone's written bigger chapters then me. Actually, I'm still not finished my FE game. I'm on the second to last chapter, and the enemies are literally whipping my butt.
A/N: Remember on my summary that I'd put "other pairings" yeah well they come in now. A sorta break for the Eirika/Seth angst, but don't worry, the sad stuff'll be back next chapter. My pairings for this story are: Kyle/Lute, Marisa/Gerik, Neimi/Colm. And later on Ephraim/Tana, Vanessa/Innes, and maybe Forde/Syrene. Don't kill me if you don't like the pairings, they're what came to my mind first.
Eirika could see for miles in each direction as she stood on top the large hill that was their meeting place. The gentle hovering mist rolled along valleys and plains. The sun had just begun to rise as her party began their trek. Rays of molten gold shot through the alluring mists, transforming them into clouds of glowing light. Sunrises were always her favorite time of day, they reminded her that this was a whole new beginning and inspired her to start it with kind and noble actions. It was always the light that lent her the strength to go on. Eirika inhaled the scent of fresh fallen dew and Spring's newly opened flowers. The air was laden with a sense of peace and tranquility.
As she turned around she saw the familiar faces of her dear companions. They were, naturally, annoying the hell out of each other, unaware that their liege looked upon them in amusement.
Gerik and Marisa decided to lead their horses to the stream for a drink, walking conveniently out of Eirika's hearing range.
"Chief, you laughed at me last time I tried." Marisa protested.
Gerik's grin just grew wider. "You've got to admit it was hilarious. Imagine, The Crimson Flash actually chatting!" Marisa glared at him.
"It was not hilarious and my reputation took a nose dive because of it. You made me look like a total idiot!" She hissed back at him. Her chief just looked at her, an unknown sparkle in his eyes, making her nervous. 'What's he thinking?' But rather then do anything Gerik just moved their horses to the spring.
"What reputation?" He laughed.
Marisa felt her cheeks flush, "Yeah well…" She was dry of insults, having used them up earlier. Gerik stood from his spot and strolled casually to a wary Marisa, wrapping an arm around the purple haired Swordmaster.
"My, my. You are getting soft." He muttered as he kissed her neck. She gave him her most poisonous glare but didn't move away.
"Hmph, well I can't exactly terrorize my Chief can I? You'd probably plant another rumour and ruin my name even more." She retorted as he drew her closer. Their eyes met for a moment an both found it impossible to talk.
"Or maybe it's because you've been sleeping with me? Oh that'll fetch some nice stories huh?" Gerik softly teased.
Marisa's glare turned into a petrified look. "No WAY are you gonna tell people that! That's just plain mean."
"And what can you do about it?" Gerik grinned before pulling away and grabbing the horse's reigns again.
In the opposite direction Kyle was having trouble teaching Lute how to properly ride the horse. They had ridden uphill at a slow trot but not even that could stop Lute from falling and gaining a few bruises along the way.
"I really think I'd rather just walk than risk another go on that horse. I did it through the war, I think I'll manage now." Lute declared as she poured a vulnerary on her injuries.
Kyle shook his head, making his olive locks fall into his face. "Lute, Alare is one of the gentlest horses in our stables. At this rate you'll never learn."
"Yes well, I believe I was taxing that animal's patience. I'm sure we'd both be better off if we didn't see each other again." Lute retorted. Kyle tried hard to hide his smile.
"Then what do you want me to do? We'll be traveling a lot faster then any foot soldier, you'll never catch up." Kyle told her, "Besides, I thought that such a prodigy as you so claimed to be would be able to handle a placid mare." This last gib ALWAYS got to her. Lute got up abruptly and dusted herself off.
"Fine, but I'm riding with you. There's no way I'm getting back on a horse solo until I know I wont fall. I don't want the entire party to gawk at me if I fall." Lute said with an air of superiority. Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"How is riding with me going to help your case?" He asked skeptically.
"It wont," Lute answered matter-of-factly, "At least not at first. But this way if I fall I can drag you down with me. If we both fall, it'll still look better than me falling by myself. Of course, it is preferable if the Great Knight could actually stay on his own horse."
Kyle shook his head again. "This is a lose-lose situation for me."
"Yes, well there will always be winners and losers milord." Lute informed him, he tried hard not to laugh.
"Some prodigy you are. Thinking up ways to humiliate others, along with yourself." Kyle grumbled.
"But you can't deny my skill with magic is unrivaled to anyone else." Lute said with a hint of pride
"Yes, yes."
Not far from them Neimi and Colm were arguing under their breaths. Something about a silver bow…
"Colm! I know you took it, give it back!" Neimi screamed under her breath. Her blue haired companion glanced back at her, and expression of false angelic innocence portrayed upon his visage.
"Aww, c'mon Neimi. You always lose things, why're you blaming it on me?" Colm whined. He was seated on a rock as Neimi searched her packs for the precious bow.
She gritted her teeth, "You're the last one who saw it yesterday, we were training down at the range remember? It went missing after dinner. Colm give it baack!"
"But I don't have it." Colm repeatedly denied.
"C-colm." Neimi began to sniffle. "Th-that was m-my favorite b-bow." And she let the water works fly. Sobbing and hiccoughing like there was no tomorrow. Heedless to say, Colm was only human, and he could only stand so much.
"Ok, ok. Neimi, stop crying." She continued, Colm sighed in exasperation. "I said I have it, now would ya stop your wailing?" He went to his saddle bags and drew out the missing weapon. "I was gonna see how long before you came begging." At this Neimi let out another deluge of tears.
"You're s-so m-mean, Colm." Neimi cried out loud, Colm backed off a little.
"Hey, I was just kidding, you know I would've given it back. I mean, what would an assassin do with a bloody bow? I could stab someone with a arrow but that wouldn't hurt as much as a sword." Colm soothed, he sidled up to his friend and patted her on the back. Neimi ceased the tears after a bit, she nodded and leaned into his shoulder.
"Yeah, you always did suck with you're aim."
Eirika smiled as she saw the two pairs together (remember Gerik and Marisa disappeared), they looked so happy even through all the arguments. Neimi even managed to stop crying in a shorter time. She gazed into the shimmering mist, wistfully wishing that she could be like that to a certain paladin.
When she turned back around she could see another group galloping uphill to the meeting place. Eirika knew off the bat who would be in this group. Syrene's emerald hair flowed behind her as the Falcoknight guided her Pegasus up. Seth followed close behind and it seemed he was telling something to Forde, who was lagging behind. The trio arrived at her side surprisingly fast. Eirika immediately saw what the problem was, Forde was only half awake and had begun to doze off just as his horse reached her. Syrene gave him an annoyed and disgusted look as Seth gently shook him awake.
"Milady, I believe all of us are here, may we head out now?" Seth inquired as Forde groggily rubbed his eyes. Eirika found it hard to look away from Seth's crimson eyes. So unreadable yet enchanting…
"Whatever you think best Seth. You're the commander." Eirika replied as she tried to focus on Syrene scolding Forde, rather then face the one she loved. Seth nodded his acknowledgement and turned to the warriors. Marisa and Gerik had finally come back, though the former looked displeased.
In a loud resounding voice Seth commanded everyone to set out. "We're heading for Frelia tonight, be ready for a long ride!"
Everyone got on their respectable steeds. Excluding Lute who rode with Kyle, leading Alare behind them. At the words 'long ride' Lute's face visibly paled.
Just as Eirika rode past the pair she heard Kyle mutter under his breath, "Oh yes, this'll be a hell of a long ride."
"Luminescent Hope guides the way."
A/N: So how'd you like this chapter? I know, it's a bit off the plot but I thought that some lighter stuff might be good. Please Review!