BloodyCrystal: Hey, all. I'm giving you another interlude-sorry-because I want to get several chapters out before November-I can't update during November, sorry-and this was the first idea that came to mind. So, enjoy a story-not from Lani's past-from Heath's past.

Disclaimer: I don't own Heath, Bern, or any other Fire Emblem stuff that you recognize. Oh, and the Compass Rose has been stolen from the Mage Storms series by Mercedes Lackey.
Interlude: Not So Similar...
Heath Tyien brushed longish green hair out of his eyes as he looked around, gray eyes wide with wonder. The ten-year-old couldn't believe that he had actually made it into the famed Wyvern Riders. Well, maybe not a Rider yet-the boy was a new recruit, after all-but Heath was determined to become one of the best Riders ever!

He carefully stowed his stuff in the locker provided, and sat on the bottom bunk. I really hope my bunkmate doesn't mind the top bunk...

A few hours later, Heath looked up as a black-haired ten-year-old entered the room and made his way to the bunk Heath was sitting on. "Hey, I'm Renj Urndzt. I guess I'm you're bunk partner. Do you mind if I take the top bunk?" the gold-eyed boy asked, a slight trace of shyness in his barring.

Heath hesitantly smiled back, shaking the proffered hand. "Go ahead; I prefer the bottom bunk, anyways. And I'm Heath Tyien, by the way." The two boys smiled shyly at each other, both feeling drawn towards their fellow recruit.

Heath smirked as he dodged his opponent's lance. He swung his own around, only to have it blocked by the other's lance. He and his opponent continued sparring, neither of them landing a blow. Finally, the drillmaster's whistle broke the sounds of fifteen-year-olds breathing. "Good job, Tyien, Urndzt," the man said. "You two pass. Congratulations, you're now official Wyvern Riders. Go take care of your beasts and cool down."

Heath and his best friend for the past five years, Renj Urndzt, exchanged grins from atop their winged partners, flashing the other a thumbs up in delight. The two were perfectly matched in lance fighting, and in all else they covered each other's weaknesses. Some of their trainers had taken to calling the two the "Perfect Pair" due to their complementary abilities. The pair didn't care-they were enjoying the time a little too much.

Heath and Renj flew to the stables where they both proceeded to give their wyverns-Hyperion and Trance-a full groom down. Afterwards, they snuck into town to celebrate at the tavern favored by recruits, the Compass Rose. The twain proceeded to celebrate with the rest of the recruits-newly graduated and newly come alike. Nary a thought turned to the problematic succession, which was definitely coming up soon, what with King Derian on his deathbed.

Co-Captain Renj Urndzt flew through the air on his wyvern, Trance. He swooped and dove, raining fire lances down on Rirtsi Village in southeastern Bern. The fools deserved it, siding with the would-be usurper, Prince Desman, instead of welcoming in the rightful King Desmond, who had been crowned not quite seven years ago. The traitorous Prince Desman had started the 'civilians are fair game,' and he would now have to live with the consequences! Renj refused to let the Prince and those on his side have their way unopposed.

Renj's co-Captain-and best friend-, Heath Tyien, landed with the other half of the troops, killing all who resisted. Then, Renj and his half landed, and the fun began. When the wyvern troops left, many more lay dead, women were struggling to pull tattered clothes back on, and valuables had been confiscated.

Renj loved the thrill of it all, living like this. In fact, he found that he could go on like this for a while yet. Renj couldn't wait for the next village to raze.

Co-Captain Heath Tyien stared at his best friend/co-Captain, Renj Urndzt. He couldn't believe that-two years after the end of the official war-Renj was still perfectly willing to live the way they had during the war. Renj seemed to thrive on people's fear. And Heath couldn't stand that; after all, he'd become a Wyvern Rider to defend the people and the Crown. And Renj, who had once so fervently wanted the same, was now blood-thirsty, living off fear and terror, striking fear for fun.

Heath simply couldn't get his mind around his best friend-who had shared the same ideals as him before the war-could go so bad. And yet, five months later, Renj was only enjoying that lifestyle more and more everyday. Heath couldn't take it any longer; with a lump in his stomach and a traitorous feeling in his heart, he went to Commander Murdock, and told the great Wyvern Lord exactly what had been happening.

Renj Urndzt couldn't believe it, wouldn't believe it. His best friend, Heath Tyien, had turned him in to Commander Murdock simply for enjoying the life he'd been leading for twelve years, since the beginning of the war through "clean-up" duty after its end. And Heath had turned him in for that?

Renj glared poison at his one-time friend as Heath testified-in an emotionless voice-against him. Sure enough, he was convicted and thrown out of the Bern army. And, worst of all after Heath's betrayal, they took Trance from him! How they could take his life-partner from him so easily, so casually, so cruelly! His dearest friend next to the traitorous Heath had been Trance, and he could not even take her with him? Unthinkable! And they call me cold-hearted...

Renj stalked out of the wyvern barracks in a foul mood, storming through the city until he saw a recruitment poster for the mercenary group The Black Fang. Well, I'll bet they won't mind a little extra blood-shed...And once I've learned more, I'll come back and make Heath pay for this! It's his fault I lost Trance, and I'll never forget that! Never!

Heath Tyien watched his once-friend leave, making sure that Renj Urndzt couldn't see him. May you recover from this, and return once you have. I will gladly be your friend then, and will gladly help you recover Trance should you return to who you were, Heath mentally promised his friend. "Until then, Renj, I will be waiting. As long as I must for our reunion, friend..."
Commander Murdock Eritz, head of the Wyvern units, also watched the court-marshaled Renj Urndzt walk away. However, he watched not with sadness, but with a clear and total understanding. "I had thought they were the same person made into two different bodies with different outsides when I first met them," he mused aloud. "However, it appears I was wrong. I guess they're not so similar after all..."
BloodyCrystal: Well, what do you think? I'm very happy with the way this jumps POVs, but I wish I'd done a bit more with Renj's character to help the audience sympathize with him a bit more. Yes, you are supposed to sympathize at least a little bit with both-after all, both were "betrayed" if you look at it in the right way. Thanks to Fire Fanatic for being a sounding board for the first part of the chapter, and thanks to Tactician from the Northeast for being such a helpful reviewer. Remember folks, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is always nice, not to mention a "good job on such-and-such." Expect one more chapter before November, and then nothing while I do a one-month-long writing contest. TTFN!