I don't own Fire Emblem

Chapter 24

The crowd of Laguz were slowly forming a tight circle around the two fighters. Jeers and vicious comments were directed at Ikyna from all around. On more than one occasion she heard the word 'human' followed by something fowl. In her mind, Ikyna scoffed, this group of laguz was very fickle. Only a few minutes earlier they had been crying for Yakuzo's defeat and now they were his adoring fans. The hate for Beorc was certainly deeply rooted in the veins of the laguz.

"You're going to regret challenging me." Yakuzo said with a confident sneer. The crowd cheered louder as the desire to see the Beorc defeated grew. All except Tonga were in a frenzy. Ikyna tried to steady her mind and block out the crowd but her eyes kept turning to the eerily relaxed tiger. He still sat with his chin resting on his fist and a strange smile.

For a brief moment Ikyna wondered if she was being set up by the strangely obliging Tiger. Yet at the same time she remembered how he spoke to her earlier. He never called her human and there was no malice or anger when he addressed her.

Ikyna couldn't put her finger on the feeling she got from him. Perhaps he didn't have any bad intentions for her, but, he was definitely up to something.

"That's pretty cocky of you to space out in the middle of our fight!"

The young female gasped as she was forcefully ripped from her thoughts and shoved into her fray with the cat. She hadn't meant to space out and she definitely wasn't trying to underestimate her opponent.

She blinked rapidly as she came face-to-face with a pair of angry feral eyes. A fist was rearing back as her brain was frantically trying to process the situation. Yakuzo's knuckles came charging toward her face and at the last second she barely managed to move her head to the side.

A gust of wind rushed past her ears and whipped a few stray bangs of her hair. Instantly his fist was back at his side before she could even register his movements. He spun around to kick her and she barely had time to duck under his strong leg as it whizzed over her.

His attack continued as he planted his leg that he just swung and began to spin to kick her with his second leg. Ikyna somersaulted backwards and then stayed perched on her knees.

Yakuzo was unbelievably fast. Ikyna couldn't think of any spars or real battles where her opponent had the speed of this laguz. It wasn't just speed he possessed, Ikyna soon realized as she felt a tiny slit on her cheek where Yakuzo had missed with his first punch, there was a deadly efficiency and strength that she hadn't noticed while she was watching him fight Barrel earlier.

Ikyna felt her heart beat excitedly and she couldn't help but smile even as she saw Yakuzo charging towards her again. It was terrifying to think that there were warriors with speed and strength like him waiting so close to the Crimean border.

Again his fists were flying like a wave of olive skin and claws. It took all of her concentration to dodge, and even with her own speed, Yakuzo was only missing her by a hair's length. With one false step she could be on the very wrong end of his knuckles.

Despite this knowledge, her own curiosity, or stupidity, got the best of her. Ikyna saw his punch quickly rushing towards her jaw. She paused just a half second longer than normal and let his unforgiving knuckles connect and send her sliding a few inches on her back.

When she opened her eyes she saw an open blue sky and a bright sun looking down at her. Despite the pain at the lower half of her face she was still smiling. Yakuzo noticed and sneered, "Did I hit you so hard that you've gone delirious and now think the pain is funny?"

Ikyna sat up and wiped her slowly bleeding lip with a smirk, "No, I guess I'm just relieved." She stood and dusted herself off casually, "I was worried that you'd be a lot stronger, but to be honest, I'm a little disappointed."

Yakuzo's scarlet ears were twitching in annoyance, "What did you say?" He snarled.

"I mean is that all you've got? My friend Boyd can hit harder than you."

The cat showed his teeth angrily and let out a sharp roar, "Keep talking you hairless freak, I won't be going easy on you anymore."

Ikyna stuck her tongue out and winked mockingly, "Oh that's relief. It would have been a waste to fight if that was all you had."

Firery red cheeks matched Yakuzo's hair and fur as he let his irritation become visible. The cerulean-haired arched reveled in the laguz's anger. She didn't normally take so much pleasure in irking her opponent, but she found herself eager to tease the smug cat. It seemed that the more he talked down to her, the more joy she gained from angering him. In her eyes, annoying him was just as fun as teasing Soren.

As if equally perturbed by her comments as Yakuzo, the crowd cried out angrily. They growled and roared and increased their derogatory name calling.

"Beat the filthy human!"

"Don't let her get away with that Yakuzo!"

However neither Ikyna nor Yakuzo paid any attention to the restless crowd. Ikyna was too excited to focus on anyone but her opponent and Yakuzo could only think of wiping the smug grin off the human's face.

Both fighters ran towards each other and a battle of speed ensued. Right left, right left; the punches and kicks were exchanged rapidly. The crowd around them was growing louder as the battle looked even.

Ikyna knew she was outmatched despite how the brawl looked from an onlookers point of view. Every puch she threw he easily brushed aside and followed with a counter attack of two or three dangerously fast jabs. It was all Ikyna could do to avoid being pummeled.

However, she could see that she was slowly gaining the advantage. While she was thoroughly enjoying the fight, with every punch she dodged, Yakuzo became more and more angry. He grunted in frustration at each fist that landed only against the air. Ikyna remember from her father that an angry fighter is no better than an amateur; real skill comes from keeping a calm head in the middle of a fight.

Ikyna was very calm. She saw Yakuzo slow for just a split second and in that brief flash she dropped into a squat before pivoting on the balls of her feet and jamming her elbow into the cat's stomach. He growled in pain but still managed to make one swipe with his claws.

With ease Ikyna *-* out of his reach and landed on one knee with a cheeky grin. Yakuzo held his adoman and sent Ikyna a dagger like glare. "You!"

In a raged charge he leapt at her. Ikyna watched in amazement as the young man was suddenly enveloped in haze of red light and the next thing she saw was a pair of red paws crashing into her face.

When she opened her eyes Ikyna was face down on the Gallian tile with a pounding headache. She groaned and coughed as she slowly raised herself from the ground. Black spots danced before her eyes and her body was numb on the left side from her nose to her pinky. She wasn't expecting him to change into his beast form nor was she expecting his strength to be so much greater. The last kick was definitely stronger than the first.

While still on her knees she turned her head enough to see a red cat crouched, with ears twitching and tail curled, and ready pounce. Ikyna could swear that she saw a grin on the feline's animal face. "It looks like you're finally taking things seriously." She managed to cough out as she stood.

Ikyna cracked her neck loudly on each side as she took her fighter stance once more, "I guess I should do the same."

)(

A heavy silence was choking the group of traveling birds. It was like a dragon sized weight was sitting upon the busily flapping wings. Not a word was said after the hawks left the inn. For three hours they were traveling with no sound to go with them besides the beating of wings.

Reyson was not flying however, he was safely riding on Ulki in order to not impede the speed of the trip. The distance was too great for him to keep up for the entire journey. As it was, whenever the prince saw Tibarn's face still chiseled with anger, and possibly sadness, he couldn't find the energy to fly anyway.

Tibarn's cloths were still splattered with dried blood that he didn't bother to stop and wash off before they left. It was like the inn keepers blood was a trophy that the king wore. Every time Reyson saw that streaks of red his stomach churned and he shuddered when he remembered the man's mangled corpse.

It was a bloodied body with limp limbs and a mess of crimson, bone debris, and tufts of hair at the neck. Tibarn didn't even acknowledge the lifeless body as it sagged to his feet. He still wore a frightening furious expression but his eyes were blank with no feeling at all. Reyson could see the turmoil burning in his friend's heart. It kept growing and growing like a dark tornado.

He wordlessly wiped blood from his face as he turned to the mother. She instinctively pulled her son closer to her and buried his face deeper into her chest. Her face was streaked with tears as she tried to shield her son from the grotesque scene in front of her though her own sights were glued to it.

"Keep the boy's face covered, this isn't something he should see, then get out of my sight. Take your children and leave." Tibarn commanded with little luster.

It had certainly been a long time since Reyson had seen Tibarn wear a face like that one. His face looked blank but behind his stone looks there was anguish and sorrow. The last time the king looked like that, Reyson remembered, Tibarn went on an angry rampage.

He was oddly controlled on that occasion, however. Reyson couldn't help but wonder what was different this time. The prince dared to break the silence and asked, "You let mother and child live, why?"

Ulki stiffened beneath him and Janaff snapped his neck towards Reyson with a worried expression. Neither hawk felt it was wise for even the prince to ask such a delicate question. Reyson was also unsure of how wise it was to bring the subject up that had led to the several hours of silence.

Tibarn, however, did not respond poorly as they all thought. His face was still straight but he glanced at Reyson and asked, "Did you want me to kill them?"

For a moment the prince pondered the interesting question. It was true that he hated the humans but at the same time to see his friend kill those two would have been too horrific. "No, I don't think that would have been a good idea."

Even as he said those words he couldn't understand why he suddenly cared for the life of any human. "Exactly, because only a monster would kill a mother and child." Tibarn said firmly as he clenched his teeth and balled his hands into fists, "And I will never sink to their level."

It quickly became clear to Reyson why he felt alright with the two human's lives being spared. Tibarn's hands, though stained with the blood of many men, should never be tainted by a mother's or her child's. That was a stain too sanguine even for the hawk king and a mark that would hit too close to Tibarn's wounded heart.

Most likely, Reyson assumed, Tibarn was quiet, not because of his anger, but because he was thinking of Luna and Umi. All at once the prince felt his chest ache for his old friend.

Reyson jumped from Ulki's back and flew to the king. He placed a hand on Tibarn's shoulder, "Perhaps it's time we take a rest."

Tibarn turned and held Reyson's gaze with tired and cloudy eyes and then finally submitted.

"Yes, a rest might be nice." He said with a weary sigh.

)(

The imposing halls of the Gallian throne room had Aeyori slowly turning with her mouth agape. The walls were a maroon stained wood etched with lively depictions of lions hunting or battling each other. Colums made from marble were covered with brass vines that coiled around them as if they were the actual living plant.

Aeyori couldn't help but feel amazed at the grandness of the structure. It was hard to imagine that beast laguz could make any building as amazing as this castle.

Despite the grandeur of the room, the mage felt her gaze constantly wandering back to the handsome lad wearing a red cape. Even standing before the great Gallian king, with his wild red mane and large muscular body, and his equally intimidating shadow, Griffca, Ike didn't appear weak at all.

Though he still offered the king a great amount of respect, he held his own as the commander of the mercenaries. Aeyori felt like she could see him becoming more of man before her very eyes.

"What are you sighing so dreamily for?"

Aeyori yelped as she felt someone touch her shoulder. She turned around quickly and gasped again, "My goodness Ikyna what happened to you?"

Ikyna was covered in bruises and claw marks on almost every inch of her not hidden beneath clothing. Her lip was busted and right side of her face was swelling slightly. The archer chuckled sheepishly, "Oh nothing much, I just sort of got into a fight with a laguz."

"What?" Aeyori exclaimed

"What?" The Gallian king roared as his acute hearing picked up their conversation. His long legs quickly took him to the injured Beorc's side.

"Who fought you?" He said as a frown formed.

Ikyna shrank and bowed as she realized she was talking to the king. From his tone she couldn't tell who was going to be in trouble, her or Yakuzo. She didn't want to get the Laguz in trouble, however, so she avoided giving a direct answer as best she could.

"Well, your majesty, it wasn't a fight in the way you may be thinking."

"What does that mean?" Caineghis asked as he folded his arms over his broad chest.

"Excuse me for interrupting my lord." Tonga came up behind Ikyna and faced his king. He placed a hand across his chest and bowed deeply, "There was no fight. She and Yakuzo simply had a sparring match between warriors to test their skills."

The King scowled, "You know that I've forbidden any Laguz to do harm to our Beorc guests Tonga."

Tonga tilted his head and still wore that mysterious smile even as he was being reprimanded, "Yes your majesty. Therefore the fault was mine and not hers or Yakuzo's. I allowed the match, you have my deepest apologies for disobeying you."

"Be that as it may, Yakuzo should know the rules of our kingdom and should not have participated. He should receive punishment for harming the escorts of my dear friend's daughter."

The violet tiger bowed again, "This is true, however, my lord, no real harm was done, perhaps Yakuzo should not be punished so severely."

"No real harm?" The king asked incredulously.

He pointed at Ikyna, "She seems to be very harmed."

Tonga still had a soft grin, "Yes, she gave him a little more trouble than expected so he became frustrated and went a bit out of control."

"A bit out of control?"

"Yes, but I stopped the match before he could do any real damage. For that matter," he glanced at Ikyna, "She gave him his share of bruises as well."

Ikyna nodded emphatically, "Yes your highness, I wanted the sparring match, and even though I got banged up a little, I'm glad that Tonga gave me a chance to fight."

The king was still frowning deeply; his brow was very grim as he thought over Tonga's words and Ikyna's.

"Might I suggest this?" Tonga began, "If you still wish to punish Yakuzo, then I will assign him as bodyguard for Miss Ikyna."

Ikyna gaped at the sudden suggestion. "Wait! That's not necessary. I don't need a protector I promise!" she waved her hands in front of her in a panic, "Besides Yakuzo would hate that."

"Precisely." The tiger said with a sly smile. He turned to Ikyna, "Actually I must apologize to you."

"Me?"

"Yes, though I'm a senior officer and I should not have condoned a fight between you and one of my men, I allowed it because of my own curiosity."

"What does that mean?" she asked in confusion.

"I've heard much about the Greil mercenaries from my king and I've wondered if they really were as strong as the stories. I never thought I'd get the chance to see one fight and then you wandered into my training ring." With a shrug he continued, "It was an opportunity I couldn't resist."

Suddenly Ikyna realized why Tonga was smiling so happily during her fight. That sly cat was hoping for a chance to see a Beorc mercenary fight and she was reckless enough to volunteer.

Ikyna rubbed her head in embarrassment, "Well Yakuzo beat me pretty good. I hope I didn't disappoint you."

Tonga shook his head, "Not at all. I wasn't expecting you to beat Yakuzo. He's a more experienced fighter than you but that doesn't mean it wasn't an enjoyable match."

"Excuse me, was my sister causing trouble for you?" Ike, Soren, and Titania managed to join the conversation. Ike was lightly scowling at his sister and rubbing his fingers over her bruises. She winced and whined while brushing his hands away.

"Not at all. I caused the most trouble for her by allowing her to be in a rather disadvantages situation." He said very politely as he inclined his head.

"Don't worry too much, Ikyna has a knack for getting herself into those kinds of situations."

"Hey!" she bitterly shouted.

"So," Ike cut his sister off, "Did you make any friends or just trouble?" he asked playfully as he pinched her cheek softly.

"It's difficult to say." Ikyna began with a laugh, "But I know I made an impression."

Now it was Tonga's turn to laugh, "Indeed you did. That is why I insist that you take Yakuzo with you. For all his talents he's a bit cocky. I think he would benefit greatly from traveling with your company; he'd especially learn from you."

Ikyna pointed to herself but made no sound.

"Yes you. You're aware that you still have much to learn so your potential is unlimited. If Yakuzo can understand that, he may become a very fine warrior someday."

"I don't know anything about unlimited potential, but are sure you want to stick him with us Beorc. He doesn't really like Beorc."

There was a twinkle for a second in Tonga's eyes and he smirked, "Of course he doesn't, but that's what makes it so much fun."

Caineghis cleared his throat to interrupt the Beorc and Laguz, "You are one of my trusted advisors Tonga. If you think assigning Yakuzo to Ikyna is a good idea, then I shall trust your judgement."

He turned to Ike, "Son of Greil, though the support I can give you is limited I ask that you accept my men, Lethe, Mordecai, and Yakuzo to aid you in your travels to Begnion."

Ike nodded with firm expression, "Yes your majesty. Thank you very much. I promise to use all of my skill to deliver the princess safely."

The king looked satisfied with Ike's response and then smiled briefly.

"Wait?" Ikyna looked between the mercenaries, "Why are we going to Begnion?"

"You really should have come to the meeting instead of goofing around." Soren scolded.

Ikyna shrugged and Ike shook his head. "Why don't we go see Rhys first and then I'll explain later."

When the mercenaries were gone Caineghis turned to his General, "So you really let the girl fight Yakuzo for your own amusement."

Tonga's shoulders pumped up and down as he quietly chuckled, "I like to keep things interesting and she did not disappoint."

"You and your games." The king said as he rolled his eyes.

"But, your Majesty," Tonga began as his laughter calmed, "Putting my antics aside, that girl is something special. Even as she was losing the fight, oh you should have seen her eyes. They were determined, and fearless, she looked just like one of us."

Caineghis nodded and found himself grinning, "You think so? I felt the same way talking to her brother. Even though the journey will be long and harsh and the outcome unknown, he never hesitated."

"I wonder what made Beorc like those two."

"I've seen another like them."

"Really?" Tonga asked in disbelief.

"Yes, he had eyes just as courageous as theirs."

"Who was that?"

"His name…was Greil."