Okay, I'm back with the second chapter! Yes, I'm actually updating after a decent amount of time…
Guy: Good, that means that you'll be finished faster.
Matthew: That's the idea.
Guy: Are you serious…?
FireEdge: Yup, I want to get this story finished with before I lose inspiration (Ah… FE8). Anyway… On with the reviews! Then the story!
Reviews:
Ann2: Yeah, I know. I'm a sucker for Lady and Knight romance. :P Yay! I kept them in character! Oh, I'm glad that you thought my scene with Lyn was good! Thanks!
TheOneAndOnlyT: Ehehe. Well, at least I'm back, right? Yeah, I know the last chapter didn't really have anything, but you know… It was necessary. Hopefully, this chapter will give you something to comment on! Though its not that exciting yet.
Wandering Cat: It lives! Yeah, I haven't seen much of this pairing around much either. Oh, sorry for the confusion.
Quizer: Yeah, I was very happy with how Sain turned out. But I'm not sure if he's going to be showing up much past this chapter…
Master Of Doom: No, I don't think I'll be pairing Sain up with anyone. I'd like to focus this on Kent and Lyn.
Dragon Empress: Thank you for the review!
Crimsy Mi-chan: Thanks for reviewing!
Dracobolt: Wow, that's a cool saying. I'm going to have to remember that one! Thanks for reviewing!
Erin: Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem.
Stay By My Side
Chapter 2
Reining in his mount atop the grassy hill, Kent let out a long breath. It was a beautiful morning, and the blue sky was dotted with white clouds. He could hear the cheerful chirping of birds nearby, and leafy green trees were sprinkled upon the open field below.
He was presently in the countryside of Eastern Lycia. So close to the Sacaean border, Kent couldn't help but feel a vile feeling rise in his stomach. Swallowing, he tried to force the feeling away. Of course, that wasn't working too well. He knew that he might just sick up if he didn't think of something else.
Sain. There. Anger, annoyance and worry instantly replaced the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his abdomen. He was the cause of everything that had happened to Kent. The red-haired knight knew something bad would happen when Sain came back for a visit.
Kent half turned his horse, debating whether to go back to Caelin or not. But he hesitated. Normally, he wouldn't have even paused before heading back. After all, he had just left Caelin in the hands of Sain. Even if it was for a week, and even if Kent had ordered that a ring of his most trusted advisors were going to be constantly at Sain's shoulder. He trusted the man with his life during the war so many years back, but he would never trust Sain to do anything like this! Who knew what could happen to Caelin! For all he knew, when he came back, the people could be in a full revolt!
Before he realized it, he had forced his horse several steps towards Lycia again. Shaking his head, he turned the gelding around, making himself lead the horse towards Sacae. No, he would not let Sain have such satisfaction.
"Come on, Kent! Only for a week! I'm sure you'll enjoy a nice trip to Sacae! The air there is supposed to do wonders on your health!" Pleaded Sain.
"You just made that up, and you know fully well why I can't go." Kent replied firmly, trying to keep his patience with Sain. The prior mentioned let out a long sigh.
"Yes, yes. You have to 'do my duty, and watch over Caelin. It is my job, and I don't have time to play around like you do, Sain'." The green-clad cavalier answered, mocking Kent's voice. Making it overly severe.
"If you plainly know so well, why are you being so persistent?" Kent demanded. The other knight shrugged, starting to play with one of the paperweights on his desk, letting the light reflect off its glossy surface.
"Well… I don't really want to tell you now… I was planning to get you to agree with me first, but…" Sain said, pretending to look uninterested. But Kent had known him long enough to know that Sain was dying to tell him what he had been hiding.
"On with it, Sain. I don't have all day."
"See… You've been so worked up, and you haven't had time to do anything for yourself. I don't think that you're actually happy." Said the cavalier, finally. "So I wanted to plan a trip for you."
"That's… ridiculous. I'm perfectly content with my life." Kent replied, bending his head over the papers in front of him. He hoped that Sain didn't hear the slight pause. Sain was, likewise, good at reading him.
"If you are so happy, why do you always have this nostalgic look on your face? Like you want to go somewhere else… You know you want to see different things next to your room… See different people." Sain set the paperweight down as he said that last word, hoping to put more meaning in it. Kent was not stupid, far from it, his friend was actually very sharp. But he was as stubborn as a mule.
Kent didn't answer. He, indeed, did know what Sain was trying to stress. But he didn't want to admit it. The man had been trying to prove to himself for a while now that he would be fine without… her. That she was probably more happy without him, too. That his duty was to stay here, not to go running off to the plains looking for… her.
"Not all duty is to your country, Kent." Sain murmured, watching his friend's dreamy gaze. The red-haired knight's head jerked up at Sain's comment. He hadn't realized that he had spoken his thoughts aloud. His eyebrows furrowed at the statement. Had Sain always been able to say proverb-like sayings?
"Sain…" Kent started, not entirely sure what to say. Maybe… Maybe he should listen to his old friend. Just this once. What could a week hurt? No. I can't think like that. I have a duty to Caelin… Lyndis… She entrusted me to watch Caelin for her. I won't let her down, even if it means that I won't ever see her again. He told himself, finally. As if Sain read his mind, the other man spoke.
"Perhaps only a week? Take a small trip, ride to Sacae. Say you're on a stress leave. With what you're doing around here, no one would think otherwise."
"I won't lie to my people, Sain." The steward replied firmly. Sain cocked an eyebrow at him amusingly.
"Who said that it was a lie?" This made Kent slightly speechless, not really sure how to respond. He was most certainly NOT stressed! However, the cavalier continued. "Don't worry, while you're gone, I'll watch over Caelin for you! You know I'm trustworthy! … Unless of course, you're… afraid to leave?" A wicked smirk graced the flirty cavalier's face.
Kent's eyes narrowed in indignation. Now Sain was taunting him? When would this nightmare stop!
"Yes, I'm afraid to leave. Afraid to leave Caelin in YOUR hands! I don't even want to think what could happen if I left you in charge for even a day!" Snapped Kent angrily, not realizing that his voice was getting loader with each statement.
"Oh no, I think that's the least of your fears. I believe that you're afraid of seeing Lyndis again!" Sain retorted, jabbing a finger at him. "You've always been frightened of voicing your feelings for other women. Especially when that woman is your liege lady. You're too stuck on doing your 'job' that you don't even try to let her know how you feel!"
Once again, Kent was left dumbfounded. He knew what Sain said was true, but he didn't want to hear it. Not coming from his mouth. Not when he had no way to defend himself. Kent was barely aware that Sain had not stopped talking.
"I bet you anything that she already knows how you feel! I bet that she was waiting for you to say something!" That struck home. Now, Kent was openly gaping at Sain. Sain didn't let Kent say anything, like he could, so he kept on driving in his point. "When she left the palace to return to the plains, it was the PERFECT opportunity for you to voice your feelings! It would have been one of the most romantic stories I've ever seen! But once again, you let your little fear get in the way."
Kent's mouth closed with a sharp 'click'. Sain was now starting to vex him. Sain had no right to be telling him what to do about his… his love life. Bringing in Lyn's leaving was making his mood even worse.
"You know very well that even if I had told her how I felt, it would have torn her in two! Have you never thought about how she would feel if she had to choose between staying here and returning to the place of her birth? Finding out that the person she left in charge of Caelin was in love with her would have surely caused her grief!" Kent answered heatedly. To his surprise, Sain leaned back into a more relaxed pose.
"Well, now that she's had more than enough time to get over her remorse, you should go to her and tell her what you should have told her YEARS ago." Sain nodded, as if satisfied with something. "Unless you're still being a little kitten, jumping at the sound of a dog's bark from a mile away."
"I've told you many times over, that I'm NOT afraid." Kent muttered, more half to himself. But in his own ears, it sounded hollow and more of a question rather than a statement. He stared at the paperweight on his desk dreamily. That had been a present from Lyndis… For his name-day.
"Right, since you're obviously not frightened, you shall leave first thing in the morning!" Sain sang cheerily, clasping his hands together with a grin. "I've prepared all your things for you. Your horse will be ready in the morning, and your bags are packed with enough provisions and gold to last you a week. I've already told your councillors that you'll be going on a small vacation to relieve yourself from all the work! They thought that it was a wonderful idea!"
Sain continued to ramble on as Kent stared at him incredulously. Sain had… this all planned out already? Even if he had someone been able to refuse Sain's offer, he would still be forced to go on this little trip. Especially since his councillors thought that he was suffering from a work overload.
"Sain…"
"Yes, my dear old comrade?" Asked the knight lightly. The cavalier knew full well that Kent was going to snap at him, and possibly strangle his too beautiful neck. So instead of letting the other man answer, he kept on speaking. "Oh, I'm a wonderful friend? You exaggerate! I KNOW that you're going to be excited, so you rest up! I'll be sure to see you off tomorrow! "
With that, Sain dashed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him. Even through the thick wood, Kent could hear his running footsteps.
Kent let out another sigh. Even thinking about that conversation was giving him a headache… Maybe thinking about Sain wasn't such a smart idea… He supposed that dwelling on the past itself wasn't much use. He was here now, and there was no way to change it now.
"Might as well focus on my… task." Kent murmured to himself. But, exactly what was his task? He had never really taken a vacation before. What was he supposed to do? Ride around aimlessly, jumping from inn to inn? No, he remembered now. He had to find… Lyndis.
Nudging his horse with his knees, the animal surged forward, trotting down the slope. This reminded him of when he first set out to find her, with Sain, under Lord Hausen's orders.
He hadn't really known what do make of those orders. He was supposed to find the granddaughter of their marquess. And she lived in Sacae. The cavalier held no prejudice to the nomads of the plains, unlike most who lived in Lycia, but he was still sceptical as to what kind of woman she was.
When he first saw her, he was actually treated to a small surprise.
Kent spurred his horse in the direction that the woman had gone. Gritting his teeth in annoyed exasperation, he rode out of Bulgar, Sain right on his heels. He couldn't believe that Sain had chased out the person that could have been their mission. And embarrassing him at that!
The cavalier could feel redness rise to his cheeks. How could Sain even ACCUSE him of flirting with a woman like he does! Shaking his head, he forced his mind to focus.
As they exited Bulgar, he could soon make out a couple of figures in the near distance, by a small river.
"Sain! There! I think that's them." He directed his mount towards them, and soon found that the young Sacaean woman was engaged in battle with what seemed to be bandits.
Drawing close enough to make out the details of the fight, he couldn't help but pause. He watched her admirably as she swung her blade. The knight knew that those of the plains were usually adept at combat, but he never knew how beautiful their swordplay was.
She wielded her sword with a sure and strong arm, full of grace. She easily dodged the bandit's heavy axe. Her hair and skirts seemed like ribbons flying around her as she whirled around to parry the enemy's blows.
"Kent!" Sain called him, already starting towards the battle. "What are you waiting for? Can't you see that she needs some aid? After all, us cavaliers must not leave a fair damsel in distress!"
Kent let out a sigh, but nevertheless drew his iron sword, heading down towards the combat, his eyes never straying from the Sacaean's movements.
How he longed to see her again. The man blushed at his own emotions. When was the last time he had thought that way? Shaking his head, he continued on. He only had a week's time, and he was determined to see her once more. That should set Sain straight, so that he didn't bother him anymore… And hopefully set his own heart straight.
As night slowly began to fall, Kent found himself crossing the Lycian and Sacaean border. He couldn't help but feel a small surge of hope and excitement course through his body. A small content smile spread on his face.
He then turned the grin into a grimace. Why did Sain always have to be right?
Well… That's it for this chapter. More than half of it was a flashback, but that's okay. I hope it didn't turn out too choppy, though… And, still no action, I know…
Guy: But she's planning something "exciting" next chapter.
FireEdge: Yup, FOR SURE it's going to be interesting!
Matthew: You'd better hope so…
FireEdge: And I've also determined that there's going to be exactly… two more chapters after this… Whether the last one is going to be an epilogue or if I'm going to add another one AS the epilogue is still beyond me at this point…
Matthew: But please review until then!
:FireEdge: