Okay, one thing you should know about this story is that the viewpoint will be skipping around quite a bit. This chapter is from Crown Prince Zephiel's point of view, and a later chapter will be from Eliwood's point of view, but it mainly focuses on Roy and Lilina. Unless you are an idiot, you know that I do not own any part of Fire Emblem.

Two: Tears for the Fallen

As his black cloak rippled in the wind, Zephiel wondered how it had come to this. His father's sins...how had he let them invade his own life? He had sworn that he would never make the same mistakes, yet here he was...

His soft aqua eyes, glistening with tears in the pale moon, turned from the cloudy sky to the courtyard of Bern Manse. Here, sitting on top of the tower parapet, he could see that General Murdock had returned. He watched as the general dismounted and walked towards the Hall, leaving his men to unload the wrapped bundle on the back of the horse. Zephiel's eyes widened as he realized what was in the sack: a man's body! What had happened? He was supposed to talk to Eliwood about their border disputes. Zephiel swore to the wind. If Murdock had done anything to Eliwood, he would kill the General where he stood.

His eyes went unfocused as he cried tears of anguish. He had let the kingdom spin out of control. Once, it had been a stronghold for peace; the people were protected from the mountain bandits by the might of Bern's military, and he had ruled them kindly and justly. But the wyvern riders had long since abandoned Bern Manse, preferring to be hired mercenaries than to live for the wishes of the crown, leaving Bern's cities defenseless...

His eyes suddenly clear, he saw another figure, wreathed in shadow, disappear into the amber warmth of the hall. Zephiel's lips formed another curse. Bearoth, that devil! Zephiel leaped off the ledge and landed on the balcony of his room. Throwing off his cloak, he buttoned on a royal vest and draped himself in the deep green-purple robes of Bern royalty and descended the steps to the hall, thinking about what Bearoth could possibly be plotting now. The golden-eyed snake...the last living Morph...the sins of his father, always watching him with those frightening eyes–

"Now, now, Zephiel...don't blame me for all your problems." Zephiel tripped down the stairs, fell against the door and whipped around with his dagger, only to have it meet a sickly, pale hand. Bearoth's eyes glinted with displeasure as he licked the blood off his hand. "The kingdom is in ruin because you put your precious Guinevere over the rest of your people." His tongue...Zephiel could've sworn it was forked. He shook in revulsion, and pulled away from Bearoth, pushing open the door to the audience chamber. He was disgusted, but he knew Bearoth was right...he had done this. All to save Guinevere...

Choking back tears that would come later, he sat on the throne, facing General Murdock and two of his lieutenants. Behind them was a priest, looking pale and bewildered. Zephiel wondered who it could possibly be, but he had no chance to ask, as Bearoth slithered over to his side. Zephiel's voice boomed through the Hall. "General Murdock...I assume your mission went as planned?" He paused, but Murdock didn't object, so he continued, "Eliwood agrees, then, and a meeting place is set? I would very much like to speak with the Lycian League about the matter–"

"My lord, all due respect, but you should trust Eliwood no longer." Murdock spoke, and Zephiel listened in incredulity. "I came to the border town of Shellak, near the southeastern mountains. I was told that Eliwood and his companions were camping outside of town near the forest, so I went with my men to talk to him, as your majesty ordered. But I found the camp abandoned. To make sure that nothing bad had befallen them, my men and I went into the forest to search for them." Murdock paused, and a look of pain crossed his face as his hand scratched his neck. "They ambushed us, sire. Eliwood himself had his sword to my back, and one of my men was killed by Eliwood's knights." Zephiel didn't betray any emotion, but inside his mind was racing. Eliwood...had ambushed Murdock? But why...they had been such friends before, even when relationships between the Lycian League and Bern had been strained. What had changed so suddenly?

"Did you do anything to...provoke...this attack, General?" Bearoth's slimy voice seemed to speak exactly what was on Zephiel's mind. He reminded himself to guard his thoughts next time.

"No, Sir Bearoth. They simply ambushed us in the dark. He claimed that I ambushed him and that he was going to throw me in the dungeons of Castle Pherae, but he let me go."

"That was odd..." Zephiel thought, but before Bearoth could read his mind, he shot a question at Murdock. "I appreciate your word, General, but in times such as these, I cannot simply rely on your word alone." Zephiel's face turned stoic, like his father's always used to when he saw Zephiel's face. "I cannot accept your accusation without any other validation."

"I understand, your majesty." Murdock stepped aside to reveal the diminuitive form of the priest behind him. "That is why I have brought your majesty a witness."

The priest stepped forward, more blood draining from his face with every second. He bowed clumsily, then began to speak. "My...my lord Zephiel..." his voice was unsure and crackling, and his face was dripping with beads of sweat. Zephiel didn't trust him at all. "I am called...Julius. What the General says is true. All of it...I saw the whole thing, and it was exactly as he describes it." He choked for a second, then continued, "That business with that knight killing one of your majesty's men...it was a wicked, despicable thing. The gods will truly punish Pherae for their treachery–"

"Thank, you, priest, that will be enough." Zephiel's eyes rolled as the priest backed away hurriedly. The man was obviously lying through his teeth. But what was the purpose of the lie? Unless...Zephiel's mind raced. If they say that Eliwood killed a man on disputed territory, then it would be an act of war..."NO!" Zephiel shouted, but it was too late.

"Then send word to all available armies. The King of Bern hereby declares war on the Lycian League and all it's allies." Bearoth's face twisted into a wicked smile, and Zephiel stared on in horror. He couldn't retract the statement...it was unfortunately already made by his head advisor, and was therefore on record, therefore irreversible...

Murdock rose with a grim smile on his face. "Then it shall be as his majesty commands. We shall leave at dawn for Georgheim, where we will muster. In five days time, we shall advance for Shellak and begin the assault on Lycia."

"Yes..." Zephiel's voice was barely a whisper. He rose, bowerd to Murdock, and retired through his doorway and ran up the stairs in tears. "Guinevere..."

Bearoth watched Zephiel leave, then turned back to Murdock. "I think he took it well, don't you, General?"

"Yes, of course, your Dark Majesty." Murdock bowed. "Should I recall the wyvern riders?"

"Yes. And if they refuse, tell them that we will take their wives and children captive and force them to fight in their stead." Bearoth cackled with evil delight. "Also, you will meet a group of sorcerers in Georgheim. Take them with you..." he turned and opened the door to Zephiel's chambers. "They are friends of mine; they will serve you well in the campaign against Etruria."

"Of course, Dark One." Bearoth closed the door behind him, and Murdock walked out the hall with his escorts.

As soon as Murdock retired for his chambers, Julius the priest and one of the soldiers went into the local tavern, The Black Eye. The lone soldier stood in the courtyard, watching as the lamps in Zephiel's parapet went out. Then, silently, he scaled the wall, flipped off onto his horse, and galloped away for Lycia. Matthew knew he had to reach Lord Eliwood before it was too late.