BloodyCrystal: Hey, all! I'm back with chapter 7! And it promises to hold even more new creatures. So, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem, and I never will, okay? Thank you.
Ch. 7: Realign
Lyrithryn sighed wearily as she entered the meeting that Siwan had called. Already, she could see the ruler of Tirnan-on-High sitting in his seat, his half-sister-and wife-, High Queen Xiao Fa, was sitting beside him. King Syren and Queen Tayln of the fey sat beside Lady Queen Leika of the angels, and Princess Regent Sylvar of the fairies and pixies perched at the Lady Queen's other side. Lord Riern of the Daione Sidhe sat beside his cousin, Siwan, and Lord Regent Tredelns of the sprites and spirits was just taking his seat.
Aronea, High Earl of Hargreene and ruler of the incubi, was twirling his wine glass idly, chatting with Xiao Fa, a childhood friend of his. Baroness Mirin of the vampires was slowly pulling her hood down, seeing as the lights in the room were dim. The zombie chair next to her was open, seeing as there were no more zombies around; Leika had seen to that quite recently. Lord Saaya, of the demons, reclining in her chair, nodded to the King of the Dragons as she entered-kindred spirits deserved recognition; both had gotten grief because of their non-gender titles that the two races believed in, thus causing confusion when one expected a male and got a female. Zherka, current leader of the ogres, was snoring, probably because his people weren't up until nightfall on normal days. Kree and Shri, co-pack leaders of the werewolves, were also notably tired.
Mistress Tryna and Master Lyrn of the bird-kin were talking to the people next to them-Rose-Eye of the centaurs for Tryna, Count Collin of the magic-users for Lyrn-and pointedly ignoring each other, as was usual for the two wildly different husband-and-wife duo. Kirei of the werecats was sitting in her human form, eyes fixed on a mouse scurrying across the table. Hyrol Skyrkae of the gryphons was sitting in the hollowed out middle reserved for the only "creature" who couldn't take a human form to sit on a chair with. The Lord of the Skies was bubbling with indignation, probably concerning the impetuous letter from this self-styled Dream Master. Arin, the kelpie ruler, was squirming uncomfortably. Probably misses his precious water, Lyrithryn thought uncharitably. But then, the kelpies and dragons weren't exactly on good terms at the moment.
The dragon had thought she was the last to arrive, but Lady Yane of the changelings came bounding up the stairs just as Ryn changed into her human form and sat down.
"Finally," Siwan stated. "Now, we need to discuss this 'Dream Master'..."
Siwan caught Aronea's arm before the incubus could leave. "Thank you for withholding your letter of alliance to Eliwood until after we had this meeting, Aronea."
"No problem, Siwan; I was just a bit ticked when I first got that presumptuous human's letter."
"As we all were, Aronea, as we all were. And as it should be, I'll tell you. Now, if you'll excuse me?"
"Of course, Siwan; I understand your need to draft a reply to the Dream Master and a starting/introduction letter to this 'Eliwood' character."
Eliwood's Army was traveling again, and, like normal, there were some complaints about the modes of travel. "Put me down, Brother! I do know how to walk, you know!" Rebecca informed Dart.
"Yes, but you're too slow, and you tire too easily. Therefore, I have to carry you. Look, Wil's getting a ride, and so's Lady Lyndis," Dart told the squirming bundle he had oh-so-casually chucked over his shoulder.
Sure enough, Lyn was scowling from her spot in Hector's arms. From the look on Hector's face, she was giving Marquess Ostia's brother a scathing tongue-lashing, one that was both long and impressive, a feat in and of itself. Eliwood was talking to Ninian-seated on the saddle in front of him-about something, and Nils was getting a ride on Hawkeye's shoulder.
Wil, who had hitched a ride with Sain, was laughing at Erk, who was turning a bright red as he spoke to Priscilla, seated in front of him on their horse. Serra, riding pillion with Lowen, was fuming, and Lucius-polite as always-was talking with-or rather, at-Raven, who was carrying the Bishop.
Renault rode-and talked-with Marcus, while Pent and Louise had hitched a ride with Merlinus and Nino. Matthew, Guy, Karla, Karal, Legault, and Jaffar ran alongside, unburdened so that the Thief, Swordmasters, and Assassins-respectively-could keep up. Dorcas rode behind Fiora, while Farina carried Bartre. Oswin and General Wallace paced side-by-side, with Geitz just in front of them.
Harken strode alongside Isadora, who shared her perch with Canas. Florina flew between her sisters, and Vaida flew slightly above them. Heath kept closer to the ground, but then he was sharing Hyperion with Lani, who needed to be near to the "command group."
All in all, it was a normal set-up for the group's travel.
However, the normal, boring day was about to be broken by a rather common event that occurred in a very unusual way.
It started with the arrival of a sparrow-hawk that chose to land on the ground in front of the "Army." Then, the bird turned into a young woman with close-cropped dark red-brown hair, piercing gold eyes, and dressed in a utilitarian-style gray shirt and charcoal-colored pants and zipped jacket-shirt with sleeves to her wrists. She looked at them, and said, "A message from the Non-human Council I bear. Eliwood, Marquess of Pherae, the Non-human Council-which includes magic-users, bird-kin, dragons, fey, fairies, pixies, sprites, spirits, Aes Sidhe, Daoine Sidhe, angels, kelpies, changelings, gryphons, centaurs, werecats, werewolves, ogres, demons, vampires, incubi, and Seven Deadly Sins people-alliance against the Dream Master would with you make. Representatives of several races meet with you will, if accept you do." She tilted her head to the right, and looked at them expectantly.
At about that time, all hell broke loose. Different members of the army were clambering for different things, and it made for a deafening cacophony. "QUIET!" Hector roared over all the noise. When that state was reached, he said, "Go ahead, Eliwood."
"Thank you, Hector," the red-haired Lord said. "Now," he directed to the bird-woman, "will you kindly give us some time to discuss your offer, Miss?" At her nod, he turned to the others and said, "Now, let us try to sort through our options in a peaceful manner..."
Eliwood approached the bird-woman, who had waited quite patiently-in the exact same spot-for the three and a half hours it had taken him and his "army" to discuss her offer. "Miss, we accept the Non-human Council's offer, and look forward to their envoys. However, we don't have time to look nice or be diplomatic..."
"Fine, that is," she said. "Depart now I will. Give your answer to the Council I must." With that, she turned back into a bird and flapped off.
"I have a feeling that life is about to become very interesting right about now," Lani murmured as she watched the bird-kin woman fly off.
BloodyCrystal: What do you think? Pretty cool, or pretty lame? I love feedback, even if it's short, so please, please, PLEASE send me a line! Until next time!