I don't own fire emblem characters.

Chapter 29 Scars

Ike was not in the mood for a battle. Not a big one, not a small one, not even a light skirmish for that matter. His head was too full, like the entire ocean and all its fish were swimming in his skull. Of course he had expected the Apostle to give his team a task, but he hadn't expected her request to be so soon. Not just one day after arriving in Begnion. Ike and his team barely had time to clean the travel's grime from their boots before they were readying their weapons to fight again.

The gloomy weather wasn't helping his mood either. A thick fog was crawling over the town that was then being occupied by the bandits. The blanket of gray sat on his shoulder like a sticky weight and he could barely see any more than a few wooden houses in front of him.

But it wasn't the job that was bothering Ike the most. He was too distracted by his talk with Aeyori last night to put any effort into fighting a band of misfits. If he'd known that he'd only have one night to process everything Aeyori had told him the night prior, he wouldn't have asked.

No, that wasn't true, he had to know, Ike had sworn in his heart to protect Aeyori. He needed the information, her story, to be able to do that. But he hadn't expected her secret to be so severe.

Those quivering scarlet eyes were still seared in his memory. All he had to do was close his eyes and there she was, his frail shivering white mage wrapped in his protective arms. He was prodding her, urging her to tell him this locked secret. And when she did, Ike was ashamed at his own response.

He'd said nothing, just stared at her with his mouth slightly open and his hand frozen above her hair-line where it had just been stroking white locks only a second before. Her response to him was immediate. Aeyori drew away from him, disturbed by his reaction and the fact that her truths had caused that.

Both mercenaries were silent as the words settled between them. Nothing could be said at first. Of course how does one respond to a statement like that?

"My mother was murdered by a lightning sage when I was 12 years old." Her voice trailed off into a strangled sadness.

"When I was 12 years old." She said again in disbelief as if she couldn't believe her own story, "the leader of a group of smugglers electrocuted my mother to death."

Ike was still gaping at her, watching as tears glistened down her cheeks. "He burnt her so badly that you couldn't recognize the body." Aeyori gasped while trying to suck back in the sobs that were going to overtake her, the burden of her memory was getting the best of her. "And I stood there and watched."

The finality of her words, the grimness of them hit Ike like a steel hammer. He scowled as he imagined it. Aeyori, tiny, thin Aeyori, a little girl of 12, like Mist, standing before her mother's charred body. Rubies drowning in tears as a demonic Sage laughs before her.

It was too much for him to bear. He pulled Aeyori into his chest roughly and tightly. He didn't want to think of her in that way, lost and damaged like him. She'd lost her mother like he had lost his father, to a murder. His was the black knight and hers was this lightening sage. Ike knew the helplessness she must have felt at that time.

"Then what happened?" Ike managed to croak from his aching throat.

"He took me and I…"

"Enough." Ike regretted asking her more. Aeyori had been taken by smugglers; he didn't want to even entertain those nightmares for a second. Ike knew of trafficking in lands. Smugglers who set their sights on buying and selling people for their gain.

"Ike." Aeyori had whispered after a long period of aching silence.

Ike looked down at her ivory skin and the tremors rolling across her body. Her pupils were dilated and addressing him fearfully. The commander returned her worried glance with a questioning one of his own. "Are you angry?" she strained to whisper.

"No why-" he paused and felt his forehead relaxing. He hadn't realized the frightening scowl he was wearing. There was no way to control it at first. Thinking that a person out there had hurt Aeyori in worse ways than he could imagine was raging like a storm inside of him. But he couldn't be angry in front of Aeyori. Fragile and exposed Aeyori who was blanched and chilled from their conversation.

"Do you want to leave?" she asked but her face was pleading for him to stay.

"Do you want me to?"

Her lids lowered in embarrassment but she shook her head. The desire to stay bundled in his powerful and reassuring arms was stronger than her unease.

"Then I'll stay." He said firmly but turned away. Ike couldn't stand to see her face any longer. At least not while fighting with his will power. He was crazy to stay when he could feel her body heat latching onto him and reminding him of a slim and smooth figure beneath a thin layer of material. Self-control was dissolving like morning dew under a summer sun and he knew it was going to be a long night.

And it was. Restraint was nearly a foreign word. Ike didn't remember buying Aeyori a shirt with such flimsy material that the peak of her chest could press against him with every breath she took. And when had her skirt been so short that if he so much as glanced down creamy legs stretched for miles?

Ike let out a ragged breath and opened his eyes to disperse the tantalizing images. It only barely worked and then worsened that dull beating headache that reminded him of his fitful sleep, or lack of sleep. The minimal rest and throbbing head were angering him enough to hope the smugglers would resist. He could use an outlet for his stress.

A man with wavy purple hair and a thin mustache was snarling his direction. His cloths were lined with animal fur and stretched tightly over his muscular figure. He barked orders to the men around as they surrounded Ike and his crew.

"You made a wrong turn?" the moustached man sneered.

Ike rolled his eyes at the words he was about to say, "In the name of the apostle," he was still not thrilled to be running errands for the empress, "you and your crew are ordered to surrender your cargo and will be detained for questioning."

"You sound very proper and thoroughly tamed." Ikyna mocked behind him.

The male twin bristled at her comment. He was already exhausted and irritable; he did not want to be reminded that he was some spoiled nobles task boy. His sister barely reacted to his scorching glare and behind her Yakuzo quietly shook his head disapprovingly at her.

"I don't recognize Begnion authority this far into the land. So you'll forgive me for not giving a damn that the apostle sent you." The man lifted a corner of his lip as he scoffed.

"Excuse me." Ike faced a new voice as a slender young man, around Ike's age, came out from the fog. He stood on one of the towns roofs, blonde hair slicked back with only two strands hanging in front of orchid eyes, "Can I help you?" he shouted from the roof.

Ike frowned in response to the random lad, "Are you the one in charge here?" he snarled impatiently.

"What a rude boy you are; answering my question with a question of your own." The young man said impassively.

"Is that a yes?" Ike snapped

The response to Ike's cross-questioning was nothing more than a tilt of his thin head and the undercurrent of amusement.

"It doesn't matter. Either you surrender peacefully or my men and I will take you out by force."

"You and your men?" a slender hand grazed the man's cheek thoughtfully, "Are you Begnion soldiers?"

"We are mercenaries employed by the apostle."

The man nodded with a hand on his chin. "I see. Mercenaries." He let the 's' in the word mercenaries hang as he spoke and smiled secretively as if enjoying a personal joke. Then he threw his hands up in resignation, "Well I hear you loud and clear Mr. Mercenary but unfortunately," he paused while gesturing to flocks of bandits slowly emerging from the fog. "these men work for me and if they don't complete this job I can't pay them."

More men came and slung their varying weapons over their shoulders. "What do you think guys? Would you like to not get paid today?"

The bandits all laughed amongst themselves.

The blonde shrugged, "I guess that means no." but he appeared to be delighted at the ensuing fight.

Ike found himself burning with anticipation. A fight was what Ike had been looking for all day. He slowly unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the blonde. "Greil mercenaries, engage."

His men behind him scattered to fight the hostiles but Ike's eyes were locked on the man on the roof. There was no fear or anxiety. He crossed her arms and smirked at Ike, a hidden design behind his curled mouth.

Ike took a step toward the young man he knew must be laughing at him. But before Ike could move farther the lad jumped from the roof to the ground and was hidden from Ike's sight by the maze of houses.

"Where?" Ike whispered in stunned disbelief. He panned around looking for the suspicious blonde but found no one resembling him. All he saw were burly thugs and pirates engaging his small group of mercenaries. Ike shook his head, he didn't have time to worry about that man. The young man wasn't even armed with a weapon or tome, he wouldn't be a problem.

"Aeyori." He beckoned as he looked behind to the place his mage usually waited. No white strands or rubies patiently idling at his back.

"Aeyori?" he called, that uncommon panic starting to set in suddenly. The mage was nowhere to be found.

At least not in Ike's line of vision. Aeyori had vanished from his side long before the fight even began. It was the moment she saw those familiar orchid irises and condescending sneering expression. What was he doing here?

Aeyori turned a corner tightly and gripped the side of a barn. Her chest rose and fell heavily as she panted from her exertion. Her heart beat rapidly from the run but mostly anxiety and fear. She hastily rubbed her palms against her skirt to dry the sweat and watched in horror as her hands trembled.

Aeyori whipped her head to each side searching for him. He'd be coming for her if he saw her. Of course he saw her.

"It's been a while Aeyori."

The hairs on Aeyori's neck stood at attention at the sound of that faux sweet voice. Her body knew the hidden danger behind that friendly tone. She faced forward and saw her living nightmare.

"Thorne." She breathed shakily.

He offered her a wicked grin before darting his tongue onto his lips. Aeyori knew what that meant. She willed her weakened legs to run but heard a playful voice say, "Not so fast little lady."

A bright light flashed and suddenly Thorne was in her face. He roughly grabbed her arm and spun her around before pinning her to the barn wall with his forearm. She gasped from pain as he crushed her into the wood.

"Don't run away Aeyori. You'll spoil our big reunion." He cooed in her ear. "After all, I came all this way to see you."

Aeyori stilled, her veins froze as she felt the helplessness from her childhood coming back. "Don't lie." She said through hurt gasps.

"I never lie." He whispered dangerously close to her ear. "After all, do you really think I came here to surround myself with these obtuse bandits?"

Thorne was still the same. Harsh, sadistic, and controlling. How many years had they been apart and yet his dominant personality never faded in her memory.

"Forgive me for doubting you." She said through gasps, "Sometimes I forget how little you value your workers." Aeyori tried to distract him with her antagonistic words but he simpered behind her. Pleasure trickling through him at her accurate description.

"True, but I valued you."

Aeyori struggled to break free, not wanting to be reminded of a too recent miserable past. Thorne only forced her farther into the timbers and made her groan and claw against the wood. He continued speaking calmly despite the bruising he was giving to the thin mage, "When I found out you had ran away I was devastated. I thought about you every day." His tone was mockingly mournful.

"Did you think about me?" he asked.

Aeyori struggled to push him away, but his overwhelming strength held her in place. "Not at all." She hissed, "I forgot about you completely."

Her words did not wound her assailant. She heard him snicker in her ear and could imagine that devilish smile he always wore. "Now, now Aeyori don't lie." He scolded mildly, "I hate liars, they upset me." And then his voice turned from a sweet venom to cold and vicious.

His hands grabbed a fist of her hair and yanked it brutally. "Ahh!" she screamed as her scalp yelped along with her.

"Are you trying to upset me?" he snarled, his mercurial personality taking over as his flirtatious behavior snapped to aggressive in one sentence. Thorne kept tugging and angrily growling into Aeyori's cheek.

She wept as she felt strands being pulled slowly and suddenly Thorne stopped. The sensible controlled man was back. He sighed loudly, "See what you make me do?" He chastised.

Aeyori sniffled. "Don't lie to me. You could no sooner forget me than you could forget the 99 lashes on your back." Then he chuckled darkly, "That's why I gave them to you."

With that he slowly released her and she could feel him steadily backing away. Aeyori could barely move and only managed to turn slowly as she sagged to the ground. Her haunted memories replayed every lash she received violently. Why was he here?

"Aeyori." He said. She hated the way he said her name. Like he owned her.

She lifted teary eyes to see him standing, not giving away any emotion, not remorse of any kind for what he'd done. She hated this man with every trembling inch of her body. And he didn't care.

"So Aeyori." He began as he tucked his arms behind his back, "You and the interesting group of mercenaries that you've joined." He waved his hand in unconcealed disgust, "You're working for Begnion to gain their support to fight against Daein."

Aeyori fluttered her lids in surprise. "Wondering how I know this?" he said with wicked delight. "Well it's a se-cr-et." He sang childishly while wagging his index finger from side-to-side.

"And what are you going to do then? You worked so hard to get away from me and now you're going to willingly return to Daein?" there was obvious amusement in the posed question. "Why?"

Aeyori was still heaving against the wall, "So that I can kill you." She hissed in the most threatening manner she could muster despite the tremors pulsing within her.

For a moment Thorne was shocked then his eyes twinkled with glee. He spread his hands out at his side and smiled, "If that is what you really want, then by all means have at me." Thorne watched her with eager anticipation, taunting, daring Aeyori to attack him. "If it's you, I don't mind."

She stood slowly, cursing her unsteady legs to cooperate. She locked her eyes on him and pulled her tome out, lips quivering in an unwanted fear. Thorne titled his head with a toothy grin. That smile, that deceptive curling of his lips, it was all too familiar. Nothing had changed, not in him and not in her. She let her tome fall from her hands as panic seized her.

"What's wrong Aeyori?" he questioned with a knowing grin. "You're hesitating and I'm not sure why. I'm not even armed so go ahead and kill me if you like." But his words were not an invitation, they were an absolute challenge. He knew she couldn't do it. Thorne put his finger to his lips and tapped it in fake contemplation, "I wonder." He mused.

Then he pierced her with a devilish smug look. "You don't think you can kill me do you? Perhaps it's because you're afraid that I'll do to you exactly what I did to your mother."

And suddenly Aeyori was thrust into the dark hollows of her fears. Her mother, the chains, the beatings, and every miserable memory she couldn't face. And Thorne stood there and reveled in her agony as she crumbled to her knees with eyes dilated and hands grasping her face. He had spoken the words that were too true to bear. No matter the depth of her hate he had handicapped her long ago.

"Don't worry." He consoled. "You're very precious to me so I won't be killing you." Thorne spoke of murder as if it were a task as ordinary as combing his hair. "In fact." He began energetically, "I don't even intend to take you with me right now."

Aeyori looked up with watery shocked eyes. Her fear was too debilitating to allow her to do much else, "No, I don't need to take what is already mine." He added confidently. "So I'll wait for you to come to me in Daein."

There was defiance hidden under her wavering glance.

"Yes, you will Aeyori. And you'll do it willingly."

Aeyori swallowed a large nervous lump in her throat, "I may be useless against you but Ike will find you and kill you I'm sure." She said those words with more force than she thought she had. But she believed it. Aeyori was sure that Ike could defeat any enemy and she trusted his promise to protect her.

"Ike?" Thorne cocked his head as his face slowly darkened. "Who is Ike?"

The mage hardened her face even as her body shook, "My commander."

"Oh. The lad who scowls a lot." He began to stalk towards her, a very dangerous glint in his eyes. "I don't like how you say his name, it lingers on your tongue." He snarled.

Then suddenly he charged her and before she could avoid him his hand was over her mouth. His thumb pressing into one cheek and the other fingers violently pressing into the other. Aeyori squirmed as her jaw was forcefully held open by the furious Thorne.

His teeth were held tightly as he spoke, "Is he someone special to you? You should know that won't do. I don't share my toys with others well." He said menacingly.

"Aeyori!" suddenly Ike's voice rang clear through the fog and Aeyori's eyes' snapped towards it. Relief and panic rushed through her body. If Ike came to her now he'd run into Thorne at his worst.

Thorne saw her sudden unease. "Is that him calling you?" He asked with a threatening look. Aeyori refused to answer. He rammed his knee into her gut and she lurched forward but he slammed her back into the house. "I'm getting impatient Aeyori. Tell me who he is to you, now. Depending on your answer I will decide whether to kill him now or later."

With those words a lifetime of rage roared in Aeyori's gut. Her body stilled and her scarlet eyes narrowed in fury. Thorne had threatened Ike, her Ike. The commander who was on his way to save her.

Thorne was startled by the abrupt change in his captive's demeanor. But his surprise was quickly hidden behind a broad grin. "Well isn't that a deliciously vicious face you are making at me?" he licked his lips suggestively, the hostile Thorne gone once again.

"You look almost like yourself again. The Aeyori I knew from all that time ago." His eyes clouded with nostalgia and it infuriated Aeyori further that he could daydream and romanticize a horrific past. He released her suddenly and stepped back as he brushed his clothes off.

Aeyori groaned at her release but never softened her expression. Thorne remained unfazed and tickled by her apparent aggression.

"Aeyori where are you?" Ike was calling her even more frantically now.

"He sounds quite worried, are you going to let him know you're here?" She didn't answer him.

"You don't want him to find you?" then he cocked an eyebrow, "You don't want him to find you with me?" Thorne laughed with one hand running down his face.

"My, my. Fair enough. I guess our relationship might put your new friend off a bit." He gave a ceremonious bow, "Very well I shall part ways until we meet again in Daein." He then produced a small brown pouch and tossed it into the air before catching it.

Aeyori watched it suspiciously. "Warp powder." Thorne said with amusement. He untied the small sash without taking his eyes off the mage. "One more thing before I go."

Ike was still yelling her name and getting closer by moment. "I know you're bent on trying to maintain a certain façade for your mercenary friends but remember this Aeyori, eventually you'll slip up. People like us can never hide what they are for long."

"I'm not like you." Aeyori whispered, barely believing it herself. And still Ike kept calling.

Thorne scoffed, "See you soon." He said before throwing his silver powder into the air and vanishing under the raining dust.

He was gone. Like a raging storm he came and ravaged her then was gone, leaving her hugging herself while sinking to the dirt. She could barely believe that she disagreed with Thorne. There were times when she dared to do that when she was younger, she had the scars to prove her stupidity.

Soon Ike's hurried footsteps were turning the corner and he was kneeling at her side. He grabbed her shoulders roughly, frantically. "What happened? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" he asked while raking his eyes over her looking for any sign of abuse.

Her eyes were still misting from her encounter as she looked up at her commander. His handsome face shaded by his blue locks. Ike's expression was clouded with worry as he brought his hand to her cheek and stroked it.

Thorne's threat passed through Aeyori's mind. He'd kill Ike for sure if given the chance, just like her mother. Thorne was not a man to make an empty threat and she knew that Ike's life could be in danger. The thought of losing him sent her stomach into painful knots.

"Ike?" she squeaked. He paused at her cautious voice. Aeyori studied him, the man she was falling in love with. Could she lose him? No, it would be something she could not bear.

Ike leaned in, held his face only a few inches from hers, "Are you alright?" he questioned in a calmer tone.

"You came for me." She whispered.

"Of course I did."

His fingers were sliding through her hair and traveled to her back. "What happened to you?"

Aeyori froze, still to shaken and upset that Thorne was right, she didn't want to tell Ike. All she knew is that she would have to work her courage up to defeat Thorne on her own. She would not allow anyone else she cared about to face that demon of a man. Though she didn't know if that would be possible. Thorne had a horrifying hold on her she couldn't manage. But as Ike continued to peer at her, those deep dark eyes told her she would have too.

Then his thumb traveled over a long wound on her back. Aeyori cringed, able to visualize every unhealed layer of ravaged flesh and exactly how she got them. And it hurt. The painful melding of a past that was thrust to the forefront of her mind and the pleasurable warmth of Ike's hands on any inch of her. The old scars being caressed with the new affections she could never imagine. Within her churned the contradiction of enjoying something that invoked awful memories.

She let out a sigh, trying to release the tension strangling her muscles.

"I just slipped." She lamely replied.

Ike raised a skeptical eyebrow. The girl cringing under his attentions looked like she was hurting from something more than a simple misstep. But he ignored the urge to push the issue farther. At least she was safe and unharmed.

"Fair enough." He said as he stood and offered her a hand. "Can you stand?"

Aeyori placed her hand in his and nodded, "Yes thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. This is still a fight."

The mage agreed knowing that with Thorne's departure she was not guaranteed safety. Suddenly a loud roar was heard beyond the buildings and then another.

"Did they bring Laguz?" Ike questioned as he turned his head in the direction of the animal calls. He scowled at the sudden variable to the battle.

He squeezed the white-haired mage's hand tighter. "Ike?"

"Come on. We have to face whatever they can throw at us." And his smile and warm hands were gently reassuring her on a day where she felt the world had tried to swallow her.

)(

The halls of the Kilvas castle were dark and bleak, carved from onyx stones. A drastic contrast from the light colors of Phoenicis. It was all black walls with a sanguine curtains drawn over all the windows shutting out all but thin needles of light desperately trying to break into the gloomy castle.

Reyson didn't have the time to worry about Kilvian decorating themes. It had been a long time since he'd been to visit the sister land of the crows but he wasn't there for pleasure. As he walked behind Nealuchi he was doing his best to hold the plastered smile on his face.

The old crow kept prattling on about the past and old stories from his youth. Reyson was usually obliged to indulge the aged bird on any other occasion, but today the prince had set his mind to rip Naesala anew. anecdotes from the raven kings past were only tolerable when Reyson was in a better mood.

Nealuchi turned as he pushed open a wooden door to Naesala's room. The door creaked tiredly as if it wasn't used very often. Reyson silently wondered if the raven king wasn't home often as a cloud of settled dust erupted and rushed into his lungs and eyes.

Reyson's hands flew to clear his obstructed eyes as he coughed loudly.

"My dear prince." Nealuchi said while waddling his weak legs to the heron. He rested a wrinkled hand on Reyson's back.

The prince cleared his throat and shook a hand in front of himself to calm the crow attendant. "I'm fine." He said in a raspy voice as one last stubborn cough escaped his throat.

"Sorry, the little nestling hasn't been staying in his room much." Nealuchi ran his fingers through his jagged gray beard and squinted, "Though he hasn't been here at the castle much at all."

"What was that?" Reyson asked as he recovered from his coughing fit.

The crow blanched as he realized he had spoken something he shouldn't have. "No it's nothing prince. You don't need to pay attention to the rambling of an old man like me."

"I'm interested in what you have to say." Reyson prodded, intrigued to get some clues about his old friend.

Nealuchi let out a raspy laugh, the top of his bald head bobbing in between the gray tufts on each side. "Don't pay any attention to me. I'm so old I hardly know what I'm saying half the time."

Reyson folded his arms and pursed his lower lip out skeptically. That old crow was still sharp and the prince didn't believe the bluff for a second.

"I'd have to agree with that."

Both bird laguz watched as the laguz clad in black strolled in, a severe brow quirked at his elderly retainer. He stood over Reyson with a sneer on his lips and twinkling ebony eyes. "I've was just showing the prince the castle. We don't get guests very often now." Nealuchi stated as if offering an apology to his king.

Naesala leaned back with his index finger on his chin and a small sneer, "That's true, especially a guest of such high status." He casually strolled around the white bird still with that smirk, "What brings you here to the humble land of Kilvas?"

Reyson stood his ground, swallowed hard with one last effort to soothe his temper. Naesala knew it, but he kept that aggravating underlying amusement. He was always a man who found pleasure at the expense of others. "I came to talk to you." The prince seethed through his teeth.

"I never thought I'd see the day." Nealuchi interrupted, completely unaware of the tension growing in the room. "My nestling and the prince standing in these halls that I've lived in for so long." The old bird's voice was laced with wistful nostalgia.

"Spare us your reminiscing Nealuchi." Naesala snapped.

The gray bird hung his head cleared his throat. "Yes my lord." He gave a hasty bow, shielding his scolded face before leaving the two birds alone in the throne room.

Reyson watched the old bird's retreat and felt pity that Nealuchi was scolded on account of Reyson's arrival. The aged crow had always been kind to Reyson and his siblings, when they were alive; but he was still grateful to be alone with the raven king.

"So what are you here to say?" Naesala regarded him with guarded emotions. A smile sat on his face but his stature was not friendly. "It must be important for you to come all this way on your own. I thought your new friend had you on a much shorter leash than that."

"You really have no right to talk about Tibarn like that."

The raven shrugged smugly, "No need to get so agitated."

"Of course I should be. You feel the need to insult a dear friend of mine to whom I owe my father's and my life."

"A dear friend?" Naesala said the word 'friend' incredulously, "Sorry to laugh but if I recall I was the one who looked after you and your sister long before Tibarn was in the picture."

Reyson clicked his teeth in irritation. "Have you so quickly forgotten that I was your 'dear friend' long before?"

"I remember quite well."

"Then I don't understand the hostility Reyson. If anyone should be upset it would be me. I can't believe you trusted Tibarn over me."

"It was not a matter of trust. I just don't enjoy your choice of company."

Naesala sneered, he was fully aware of what company Reyson was referring to.

"If you cut your ties with the vermin I'm sure our friendship could resume."

The raven king shrugged, "Sadly I can't do that." There was no sincerity in his words, "I have big plans for this land and I will use any means to accomplish them."

Reyson scowled as the conversation slowly came to an empass. He couldn't reason with Naesala nor could her further reprimand the black bird for speaking poorly of Tibarn. All the points were moot and he could sense the rift growing larger and larger between him and his former friend. Naesala would no sooner stop his dealings with the humans than Reyson would start his own. It seemed that his flight to Kilvas had been a waste of time on many fronts.

He sighed heavily, "Very well then. I can see there is nothing more to say. Keep your vermin companions, but you will never have our friendship again. I hope whatever you're planning is worth it."

The raven king for once seemed put off by the white prince's quiet but strong words. Reyson was his oldest and dearest friend and despite Naesala's smug front he had missed the time he spent with the ivory bird. He regretted that they had drawn so far apart. If there was a way to balance his kingdom and Reyson's pride he wished it would come to him.

He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Reyson watched expectantly, and a little impatiently. He wanted for Naesala to change, leave the humans behind and join Tibarn and him in their endeavors. Naesala buttoned his lips and exhaled loudly through his nose. "Reyson." He began.

Then there was a soft knock on the door and Naleuchi called in his raspy voice, "My lord you have a visitor."

"I'm busy." Naesala snapped.

"But sir, its Bishop Oliver."

Naesala's face hardened with a disgusted scowl. Of all the humans he had to deal with, the overweight leech of a man was his least favorite. He was all fat and sweaty palms and overly expensive jewelry.

"Don't keep your guest waiting on my account. If you're going to be a traitor to your own kind you should at least keep the human scum happy."

"Reyson." The king called with an exasperated grunt. He stood between the scowling bird and the door with his arms stretched out to each side. While the prince looked on with an irritated quirked eyebrow the raven bit his lower lip. There were still things he wanted to say. Reyson and he used to be very close and he wouldn't feel right if the bird left on such unpleasant terms.

Though Naesala wasn't sure how to rectify the situation at the moment. He couldn't change his plans, the future of Kilvas depended on his work. But for old time's sake he had to at least attempt to repair the lost relationship.

"Just wait until this meeting is over. I will escort you back."

Reyson scoffed, "I got here on my own, I don't need babysitting."

"It will make me feel better. Besides Tibarn would have my head if anything happened to you."

Naesala placed both hands together and made his most persuasive face. The heron rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. It was a burden to have to wait longer and he wasn't sure he was ready to accept favors from the raven he was so upset with. Reyson was not a bird to forgive so easily, but he and Naesala had a lot of history. He sighed in defeat, "Fine, I will wait for you."

"That is much appreciated." Naesala said with a victorious grin as the prince exited without another word.

)(

The tight thread of the bowstring flew across Ikyna's cheek as she released her arrow. It sailed with a low whistle into the shoulder of a charging gray tiger. The cat roared angrily but barely faulterd as the weapon stuck in its flesh. Muscles tightened and relaxed as the Laguz easily glided over the sandy desert, sending plumes of gold in the air with each step.

Ikyna cursed while trying to recover on the unstable footing. The sand slid beneath her feet and she fell to her knees. Scorching rocks met her exposed skin and reddened he legs. Heat rose like waves from the ground and evaporated the sweat her body was furiously producing.

She groaned as she clumsily stood and felt the scorching desert floor below her that crept into her boots. Ikyna hated the desert. The sand, the dry ground, the hateful burning sun, and mostly this dumb mission that rotten apostle had sent them on.

The gray Tiger raised its large paw over her as it leapt in the air. She rolled out of the way and sent another arrow into its lower back.

Hot sand melded to her already torched skin and stuck like a blanket of lava. Ikyna grimaced while wiping her arms and snarled back at the tiger who held its maw open at her.

"Don't get mad at me." She began bitterly as she stood again. "Blame the dumb apostle she sent us here." The Laguz roared angrily in response and began stalking her in a circle.

Ikyna couldn't blame the feral tiger. She understood his anger because it was similar to her own. Forget the awful mission conditions, Ikyna was tired of being the overly indulged brat's lap dog. The apostle sent the mercenaries on random missions without giving any explanation as to their purpose. First it was the retrieval of the suspicious cargo and now she had the team trapsing through hot sand to subdue a group of thieves.

Ikyna remembered the bandit's leader. He was a little tyke fully covered by a tan shawl. He was shouting something about vengeance for the slaves and senator dogs. From all the talk and heat Ikyna was both hot and confused. It was not a pleasant combination.

She slid her bow over her chest and pulled out a laguz knife. It disgusted her to use a weapon made specifically to kill the Laguz, especially since an over eager Begnion servant had clumsily shoved it into her hands with the words, "May the goddess grant you victory against the sub-humans."

But at this point she couldn't let those feelings get her killed. The arrows were doing little to know damage against the toned body of the Laguz. She gripped the maroon jagged blade tightly in her hand and crouched while watching the dangerous feline finish circling her.

Yellow marble like eyes locked on her as it readied itself to attack. With a harsh shriek it sprang into a sprint, kicking up the gravel ground under its terrible claws. Ikyna started to charge but lost her footing as her boot suck into a sand filled pit.

With a moan she was on her knees in the scalding burning rocks again as the Tiger leapt at her with killer intent. She prepared her knife to plunge it into the Tiger's chest, knowing that she would take considerable damage after this attack.

Before the Laguz fell upon her, both claws spread wide to tear through fresh, a blur of scarlet fur rammed into the tiger's side. Two feline bodies rolled around and whipped a spiral of dirt and dust into the air as they growled and hissed at one another.

Yakuzo appeared first, springing from the cloud of debris and positioning himself between the enemy Laguz and Ikyna. When the sand settled the tiger was slowly rising, tail swirling tightly and four canine teeth bared in anger.

Yakuzo mimicked the larger Laguz's roar with a hiss of his own. The two cats circled each other. Both trained predators prowling the sea of molten gold. They exchanged low growls and roars then stopped. Sharp eyes were locked onto the other cat, focused and hard. Ikyna felt her breath hitch in her throat as the stillness turned almost to silence and stifling wind blew between the Laguz as if signaling the charge.

The gray tiger charged with a ferocious cry and Yakuzo crouched into the sand, his head up and mouth partly opened. The tiger jumped into the air with a rumbling screech and descended with its curved nails ready.

He landed as Yakuzo slid just to the side of the landing tiger. The red cat cried in pain as claws ripped into his chest. Blood began to pour and mix with short fur. The tiger held his large paws in Yakuzo flesh and the red cat went still. "Yakuzo!" Ikyna screamed as she scrambled over shifting ground to help her friend.

A lone pained growled answered her and Ikyna froze in shock. From the tiger's open mouth grew a sticky red bubble of blood. It filled with the agonized cry before bursting and splattering the sandy sea. Yakuzo had a claw in his breast but managed to sink his fangs into the enemy's neck. He clung to the thin muscle insistently while the slowly weakening tiger tried to resist. Its tail and back paws ground uselessly into the slippery earth as more dying growls were jerked from its mouth. Finally the tiger went silent and limp in Yakuzo's grasp.

Yakuzo released the dead Laguz's neck and pried himself from the claw that sank dangerously close to his heart. "Yakuzo!" Ikyna managed to shout again as she ran to her Laguz guardian. "Are you okay? What did you do that for?" She complained to hide her worry as she watched his fur matted with blood.

"You're an idiot!" he snarled.

Ikyna sputtered in frustration, not able to believe that he was yelling at her while his chest was oozing. He started walking away, not glancing behind as his paws left quickly fleeting imprints. "Why did you try and take on a tiger?"

"I didn't, he attacked me first. I'd prefer to avoid this whole mess in general but it's my job to fight."

"You were out of you league fighting a tiger that large."

Ikyna raised her eyebrow indignantly, "You're barely bigger than me and you fought him."

"I'm normal size for a cat; I've told you this already." He responded bitterly.

Yakuzo paused and turned his face to her as she padded after him. She was frowning as she reattached her knife and the Laguz eyed the weapon. He snorted as it slid into its holder, the menacing crimson blade being hid in its sheath.

Ikyna noticed and felt a twinge of embarrassment that she was caught using that weapon. "Sorry." She muttered under her breath.

Yakuzo's eyes flattened, deadpan, "For what?" he asked casually.

"For this, and that." She guitilly gestured to her knife and then to the dead tiger body.

"Why are you sorry for me, he's the one who's dead."

He started to turn and walk away again but was stopped by the low remark, "You shouldn't have come to this battle."

Hairs raised irritably on the back of his neck, "Why?"

Yakuzo shot Ikyna an icy glare, "You don't think you need me looking out for you? Because I'm too small or something? I'll remind you that I'm under orders to protect you whether you like it or not."

His voice was rising with aggravation and Ikyna put her hands out in front of trying to calm the cat steadily stalking her direction. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what?"

She paused with a sigh and turned away from the flickering sphene eyes. "Ikyna." He growled with another threatening step toward her.

"You shouldn't have come to fight all these Laguz. It's not fair that you have to kill them, your own kind." Her voice trickled out sadly.

"You fight and kill your own kind, why should it matter for me?"

"Because you're fighting Laguz for the sake of Beorc and under the orders of some spoiled aristocrat." She began to scratch her head in frustration realizing that her explanation didn't convey her feelings properly.

"I don't know, it just sucks that you were forced into a battle like this and we barely know what we are fighting for."

Yakuzo tilted his head curiously, studying the frazzled Beorc before him. "They are dangerous thieves that the Apostle told us to eliminate."

Ikyna's hands went from running through her hair to nervously rubbing her arm.

The red Laguz sighed then looked at the body of his fallen brother. He hadn't really thought of the kill as anything more than his job at first. But beneath the surface it was mildly upsetting him, even if he could hide that emotion. "I will fight and kill the enemy to protect you, Beorc or Laguz." He stated plainly.

"It still stinks."

"Why do you care?"

"Because you're my friend and I don't like the people I care about having to do things like this."

Yakuzo blinked rapidly in surprise before sitting back on his hind legs. Ikyna scowled at her silent companion, confused that he had no retort to offer her. "What?" she said as she threw her hands up.

"Friend?" he questioned.

Ikyna scoffed in disbelief, "Yes you're my friend Yakuzo. Is that a problem?" Her annoyance was peaking. She was trying to show some concern for his feelings and he was acting as if the word friend was a foreign language.

He shook his head while processing the strange thought. The notion struck him as very odd. "I guess it's not a problem, I just…"

"You just what?"

"I just never thought of us as friends."

Ikyna began shaking her head and walking away, "Fine, whatever. I guess I was presumptuous to presume that these months together could lead to a friendship."

Yakuzo ran after her, he sensed her fowl temper. "I didn't mean that for you specifically. I mean that I never thought I could make friends with Beorc." He corrected and cursed that the sand was making it harder to catch up with her.

Ikyna glared at him, "Seriously?"

He looked around uncomfortably, "Beorc and Laguz have not had the most pleasant history. There may be less Laguz slaves now but the memory of what was done to my people still hangs like a scar in our hearts."

The female archer let her glance fall as she thought of the hardships placed upon the Laguz. She'd never been through a pain like that and she felt shame that she hadn't taken that into consideration. Feeling comfortable with Yakuzo was easy for her, she didn't have any bad memories of Laguz. But for the cat, the Beorc had left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Sorry." She offered a third apology.

Yakuzo shook his head, "Don't, I was being oblivious to the changes happening." And he had been. Yakuzo was so immersed in his new life traveling with the Beorc he hadn't noticed how different he had become. He no longer had trouble using the word Beorc or spending time with them. Even if he grumbled and complained he fought because he wanted to keep Ikyna safe, not simply because of his assignment.

In fact, Yakuzo glanced at the archer who was watching him with apologetic eyes, he had found that he enjoyed her company more than resented it now. Without realizing, he was growing attached to the young Beorc. He cursed General Tonga for being right again.

"Have you thought about it now?" Ikyna broke his silent thinking.

"What?"

"About being my friend."

"Don't we fight too much?"

"I fight with everyone that I'm close to."

"We must be very close then." Yakuzo said and rolled his eyes.

Ikyna suddenly had a large goofy grin on her face. She couldn't help being happy at the small admittance of the Laguz.

"Stop smiling like that, it's creepy."

"Whatever you say buddy." She shot back with a smug grin.

If Yakuzo's fur wasn't already red his blush would have shone. He couldn't remember the last time he'd ever been that embarrassed. "Shut up!" he hissed before sprinting off to rejoin the battle.

Ikyna roared with laughter behind him, "Wait up buddy."

)(

"Where are we going?" Reyson groaned as he obediently flew behind Naesala.

"We are almost there."

Reyson rolled his eyes. The raven had been saying that for hours now and still Reyson could see no end to their impromptu detour. As far as the prince knew Naesala was supposed to be just taking him back to Phoenicis but suddenly the black bird said he wanted to show the prince something.

Reyson agreed, although skeptical, and had followed the black wings for miles. If he had known this something he had to see was so far out of his way he would have declined the offer. As it was the prince was still upset with the king. However at this point he wasn't sure where he was and couldn't leave the raven now; he wouldn't be able to get back home.

"I didn't tell Tibarn where I was going. He will start to worry about me." He griped and slowed down. Reyson hovered with a scowl, his tired wings working their hardest to keep him above the ground.

"We're here." Naesala said solemnly as he pointed to the Earth below.

Reyson squinted and sank a few feet below the clouds to get a better look at the land. From his high vantage point he could see a large city full of towering structures circling around a particular area. It looked somewhat familiar but he couldn't understand why.

Next to the line of buildings was a large expansion of charred ground. Against the pristine white lining of the city it was black and scorched. A valley of death resting right by the lively city below.

"That's Begnion." Naesala offered to clarifying the prince's confusion.

"But if that's Begnion," He began in a shaken voice while descending, "then is this my." Reyson could not finish his sentence as the sky he was flying in was soon crowded by the tops of blackened crooked vines and dead leafless trees.

A hand flew over his mouth that was open in shock, "How could this be my forest?" He flew through mazes of burnt branches and over murky swamps filled with moss and pungent smelling molds. The burned ground crackled beneath his white boots and marred them with scalded remains when he landed.

He couldn't believe that this dead land was once his vibrant home that used to be filled with the voices of his family and friends. His formerly beautiful home was now a burnt scar on the land. A reminder from the sky of the wrongly given devastation.

Reyson let his words slip into the ancient tongue as he called to his forest with bitterly quivering lips.

"I haven't heard that language in so long." Naesala quietly added.

"The forest's voice is silent." Reyson said as he gingerly touched a tree. Ash and singed wood clung to his trembling fingers.

"This is what's left. Those monsters burnt the forest from the entrance. Humans are selfish creatures who take the what they want with no regard to who they hurt."

Reyson turned sharply to his old friend, he could hear, for the first time, a twinge of anger at the humans. The prince had long since believed that Naesala was indifferent to the suffering the humans caused.

The king looked sadly in Reyson's direction. A true note of pain on his face replaced the normal smug expression. "I was wrong about you it seems." Reyson admitted in shame.

"I have said many cruel things to you. I misjudged you." The prince hung his head. He was ashamed to think he could believe his friend was so heartless to forget the tragedy. Though Reyson did not approve of Naesala's dealings with humans, he was relieved to see that the king could sympathize with his pain.

"No need to apologize. I cannot deny that I make deals with humans, but I am still a Laguz."

Naesala looked to the setting sun with a grim expression, "But we should turn in for the night. There is a villa not far from here that we can take shelter in. I can return you to Tibarn tomorrow."

"Are we to sleep in the home of a human?" Reyson did not try to hide his disgust.

With a weak smile and a shrug, "It's safer than flying with our bird eyes that can't see at night. Don't worry it will be empty and much more comfortable than sleeping out here where the humans could find us."

Reyson swallowed hard, he hadn't thought of that. If the humans discovered the two of them in the forest they would surely try to capture them. Even if Naesala was strong, the humans would have numbers that could overwhelm him.

"Very well." He conceded and followed the Raven king once more

When the two birds arrived at the villa Reyson turned his nose up at the overly plush decorations. He was disturbed that humans could have a home so close to his forest that they had desecrated. The humans had no shame for what they had done. They lived lavishly next to the home they had destroyed.

But Reyson could do nothing but accept his situation. Even if he and Naesala could see at night he was too tired to fly home at that point. Naesala escorted Reyson to a room in the far corner; the king had become rather quiet since they entered the dwelling. Reyson wondered if he was still feeling depressed about the forest.

"I will go find us something to eat." He said and gestured for Reyson to sit and relax. "Make yourself at home."

The prince noticed that Naesala seemed acquainted with the house. He silently wondered how often the Laguz came to the empty house. "Naesala." He called just as the king was leaving.

"Yes?"

"Thank. For all that you have done today. I am in your debt."

"Of course, what are old friends for right?"

Reyson couldn't help but smile and agree. It seemed that his trip had not been a waste if they could find a happy middle and mend the lost friendship. He had missed that wily crow.

"Excuse me for a moment." Naesala said as he left. He was at the door before he turned back with a hesitant look. His expression looked pained and Reyson could not understand the reason. The king said nothing further though and left.

Reyson sagged onto the bed. He was tired from the flight and exhausted from the emotional pain he felt after seeing his lost home. The bed was too soft and it reeked of human. He wished he could be back in Phoenicis and not borrowing the wretch's home.

The door slowly creaked open and Reyson turned with a tired smile. "Did you find something already?" he asked.

His grin instantly fell and his face hardened as a stranger stood at the doorway. A man with a grossly large belly and balding head stood before him with expensive robes draped over his plump form. He was smiling excitedly and his round hands shook.

"Who are you?" Reyson growled as he backed away slowly, "Where is Naesala?" he accused.

"My goodness, my goodness! What a truly exquisite creature you are. A beauty so stunning even the goddess herself could envy it." The human began speaking quickly while waddling slowly to Reyson. His eyes that were too small for his beefy head were shining with glee.

"Absolutely marvelous. You really are my lovely little bird. Your wings are as freshly fallen snow that accent your porcelain ivory skin. And your hair is golden vines resting on your magnificent delicate face. To have you, the last of the royal herons is all I could have dreamed for."

The human began to shine as sweat poured down his forehead. He wiped it quickly with a sausage like hand and continued his prowl towards Reyson. The prince backed away in repulsion at the human. "Get back!"

"No, no don't be afraid my precious bird. You don't need to worry I would never mar a single inch of you marvelous body. Not a single inch. Beauty such as yours must be preserved and only I, a true lover of all things beautiful, can do that."

He reached a hand out that was decorated with gaudy rings, snug around fingers with fat screaming out the sides, and tried to touch the prince, "Just to feel your skin."

Reyson violently swiped the human's hand away, "Don't touch me you pig!" He yelled.

A guard quickly came behind Reyson, "Sub-human scum. How dare you attack the Bishop."

"Don't harm a feather on that bird." The bishop said as he nervously wiped his red mustache. "You must do nothing to hurt my precious prize. I paid a great fortune to that slimy raven king for him and I won't have you threatening his health."

"Naesala? Naesala sold me?" Reyson said while shaking his head in disbelief.

The bishop ignored his question. "You herons are such fragile creatures but I am a loving caring master and you shall be well taken care of." He prattled on endlessly. "But I must leave you for now. Worry not I will return to you dazzling prince. In time you will grow accustomed to me and your new life."

He turned and began to leave while warning the soldiers accompanying him to not mistreat his gem. Then he was gone and Reyson was both shocked and horrified. He had been sold to a human and by the man he once called his friend.

Reyson cursed in the ancient tongue. He was a fool for trusting a Laguz who dealt with humans and now he was paying the consequences. The prince was a pet, a human play thing and it was all the work of that scoundrel of a crow. Anger seethed within him and his forgiveness was gone.

"Naesala you dastard, you'll pay."

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