Mischief Mage: haha, some of you thought i was finished didn't you. Sorry about that . I'm not done yet. This last bit was originally going to be two chapters but it got so long so here is the first of the last two chapters.

The uproar from the camp was so loud that it caused a flock of birds to flee into the sky in fear. The entire group would have been happy to celebrate where they were but the remaining taint on the forest forced them to move again. However, there was now a contagious energy that had not been there before the battle. Ewan flitted in and out between trees, Ross pursuing him, laughing all the way. Innes did not seem irritated by their antics; his usually frowning face eased with the corners of his mouth twitching upwards every few moments. Princess Eirika, after hugging her brother tightly was now chatting animatedly with Tana. Even the creatures seemed excited, Titania and the pegasus's soaring gleefully through the air, ignoring commands from their riders, whom they had brought along for the ride, even Cormag's reserved wyvern, Genarog joined them, taking playful snaps at passing birds.

Vanessa had hugged Syrene tightly for almost a minute, her glee and relief breaking through her usually calm demeanour. She had shared hug or handshake with everyone, except Forde of course, who she was still embarrassed to even look in the eye. She wanted to apologise to him first which she planned to do before parting ways in Frelia. Vanessa gave an extra tight hug to Franz who had become an understanding friend during their time together. It seemed as though the golden sun would never fade.

But it did, and the nights that the days slid into was just as raucous. Dark figures danced energetically around a merrily burning fire, while loud, out of tune singing reached up to the stars. Syrene and Vanessa spun around and around, laughing gaily, all worries and self-conscious woes being lost in the intoxicating euphoria.

It was nearly sunrise before the camp fell silent, and it was mid day by the time they continued on their way again, returning to Rausten.

Upon return to Rausten, L'Arachel, Rennac and Dozla were farewelled with many hugs, handshakes and cheerful goodbyes. The plan was to swing around the continent moving from Rausten to Jehanna and finally to Renais, those from Grado going south at Jehanna and those returning to Frelia continuing on from Renais.

Once they arrived on the hot sands of Jehanna, Joshua, Gerik, Marisa, Ewan, Saleh and Natasha left them, Natasha having been asked to stay with Joshua and rule in the royal halls of Jehanna.

Journeying to Grado, only Cormag, Duessel and Knoll left them, Amelia accepting an invitation to return to Renais with Franz. There were many toasts that night.

They remainder of the group arrived in Renais at mid-day; Vanessa, Moulder, Syrene, Innes, Tana and Gillam were to leave the next morning.

Vanessa began to feel time running out. She knew that she had to at least apologise to Forde before she left, but it never seemed to be the right time. She needed to plan her strategy and as she had often done before, she made her way to the stables, planning to prepare Titania for the final leg of the journey, only to find that she wasn't there. Princess Tana's Pegasus wasn't there either, only Syrene's snow white mount remained. Vanessa looked around, both puzzled and anxious.

"You won't find her, Princess Tana returned with her to Frelia an hour ago" An amused voice came from behind her.

Vanessa turned and smiled to see her sister standing in the doorway, beautiful as ever, a beauty that she had once desired.

"What do you mean? How am I supposed to return to Frelia?"

"There has been a change of plans, Prince Innes wants to see you about it, you'll find him in the royal hall with Eirika and Ephraim"

Perplexed, Vanessa walked quickly to the hall where she found Eirika seated between Innes and Ephraim at a long wooden table, all writing intently on important looking documents and every now and again giving a scroll to a servant, whispering in their ear before they scurried out various side doors.

"Prince Innes?" Vanessa said hesitantly, sticking her head a bit further through the door "You asked to see me?"

"Ah yes, Vanessa" said the Prince, not looking up from his writing, "I assume that Syrene has not told you about the new arrangements? You will remain here at Renais for a month or so. The returning of your weapons and Pegasus has been organised. We will return to Renais next month and you may return with us then."

"What duties am I to perform sir?"

"Nothing, you will simply be under the command of Prince Ephraim during your time here."

"Permission to speak sir?"

"Granted"

"Why are you returning to Renais in a months time?"

"Well, firstly, Frelia and Renais will be working together to provide aid for those affected by the war and secondly, Ephraim and I have some business to settle."

"Sir?"

Now Eirika looked up from her writing, looking annoyed, "Innes has challenged my brother to a duel to earn the right for my hand, and Ephraim accepted" She looked between the two of them angrily.

"Well I couldn't exactly turn him down now could I? That would be an insult to him" said Ephraim bracingly.

"And of course you would never ever insult me now would you, Ephraim?" Innes replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

I'll leave them to it thought Vanessa before tiptoeing out the doors and down the thick carpeted corridor, leaving the royal trio bickering, letters to various kings and heads of state lying forgotten.

Vanessa quickly found Syrene and told her about what was to happen.

"But the thing that I want to know" she said, "Is why their leaving me behind until later."

"Because I asked them to."

Vanessa gave a start.

"But why?"

"What, aren't you pleased?" said Syrene, grinning, "I thought you would have liked to spend a month in Renais, take a royal tour with Forde maybe?"

"Yes I am sort of pleased but-", Vanessa stopped...and started again, "How did you know that?"

Syrene could only laugh at Vanessa's gawping face.

"Don't look so worried Vanessa! I've known for a long time! I really meant it when I said that I would keep an eye out. What was it that I noticed? Well…lets call it an older sibling secret."

Syrene winked sideways at Vanessa before strolling serenely down the stairs.

But Vanessa was reeling, Syrene didn't know about her fight with Forde, she clattered down the stairs behind her sister.

"But Syrene, Forde and I had a fight in Rausten, he and I don't have much of a chance. I insulted him really badly and I don't think he will forgive me!" she said as she drew level with her smugly smiling sister, a fatalistic tone in her voice.

"Maybe you did, but what does that matter? Didn't you see him, Vanessa? During the journey home? He couldn't keep his eyes off of you!"

Vanessa's brain had run into a large, stone wall and was lumbering around like Garcia the morning after the wagon driver pulled out a few barrels he had been saving up.

"Are you sure?" she whispered, not quite believing, afraid that Syrene's observations would false.

"Positive. Besides, you know how much he and I talked. Like a said, Older Sibling secrets" Syrene told her knowingly, winking again.

"Now" Syrene said in the voice of authority that she used when directing the other knights," See to it that you go and tell Forde about the new arrangements." Then, with a large smile spread across her face, she turned and marched away, down the stairs and out of sight, leaving Vanessa looking like she needed a lie down.