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Chapter 31

"Of all the places to hide it had to be here?" Ike questioned but it was mostly just a complaint that he didn't expect to be answered.

It wasn't. Not one of the mercenaries trudging through the burnt forest made any attempt to supply him with a response. They were too tired from the never-ending march through meyer and grime to care, and doubtlessly, they didn't even know why. If they had it wouldn't change the circumstances.

Ike would still be wading knee-deep in murky waters swirled with moss and mud, listening as the sludge was squeezed out from under his boots or slung into the air with each arduous step. That's where the heron prince was, and Empress Sanaki wanted to talk to the Serenes Laguz.

The commander couldn't disagree with her, she had a lot to atone for respecting the heron Laguz, or at least for her people. Ike didn't think there could ever be such a tragedy as the one that befell the home of bird Laguz. It was the main reason why he didn't mind swatting every few seconds as a pesky fly or mosquito or some kind of buzzing insect flew around his ear like a rattling whisper.

He was looking forward to finding the duke who imprisoned and hurt the prince, who had suffered more than his share at the hands of Beorc. Ike couldn't even be upset that the heron had fled from him with such a distasteful look in his eyes. Ike knew how he felt, it was very similar to Ike's feelings for the black knight, he hated him with a grinding passion that drilled into him almost every moment of every day. The prince must have that agony a hundred times over at the loss of his entire race.

Ike wished he had known about twenty years ago before going blindly into the situation at the duke's house over a week ago. He hated feeling foolish when he didn't understand Reyson's words, "I will never forget the genocide!" But he knew now, twenty years ago the blameless race of the herons was accused of murdering the former apostle. There were no bounds and it was impossible for herons, a race without the ability to fight, to ever assassinate the Begnion ruler. But there was no reasoning with the Begnion citizens once the rumor spread like a wildfire. They stormed the forest, killed all but two herons, and then burned it to the ground. By the time they had discovered their wrongs it was too late, what was once a flourishing peaceful race was all but lost.

Ike could understand the hatred the prince must feel. But he hadn't understood when he tried to approach the ivory bird before. He was ignorant thanks to the Empress continuing to withhold information. He'd hoped that on this mission she was finally telling him the entire truth. If she wasn't he wouldn't hold back storming into her garden again and demanding information. Social manners of the blasted Begnion be damned. All their etiquette was a thorn in his side and he wanted nothing more than to be done with it in its entirety.

His wish would come soon enough. After managing to coerce the Apostle into explaining the Serenes massacre and her true intentions, that of exposing the senators and atoning for the wild actions of her people twenty years ago, she'd given them a final mission. Once he'd found the heron and gave Oliver a thorough thrashing, he was looking forward to that point the most, Sanaki would give them her full support.

This last job hadn't been as easy as Ike expected. A week of sloshing through the dead forest had found them not a soldier or a white feather. Despite the long hours of walking and searching the burnt land still stretched for miles like it would never end. Just acres of acres of mangled tree limbs crispy and smeared with old grey ash that stood dark and crooked as moss and mushrooms grew strong in the scorched earth.

Hour after hour crept by like a slug but the day blurred into forever with no way to tell what time the day was. Branches stretched and intertwined with warped and charred arms of other trees and netted over the mercenaries heads to crowd out the sun. What little light that could struggle through cast larger shadows over the expansion of swamps and camouflaged the pits of sopping fallen vines and mud just long enough for their eager depths to swallow the hooves of Titania and Oscar's mares.

The four legged animals fretted as their strong hinds were pulled into the sloshing slime of swamplands. They knickered in despair as their riders tried to steady them. It was difficult for the heavy animals to travel in such sloppy and messy water. But the rest of the crew was having an easier time, if only by a small margin.

It was still a burden to pull each boot or sandal from the mucky sections as they prayed to find a firmer patch of dead leaves and burnt tree bark. They slipped and slopped for miles, slowly growing accustom to the wet smell of foliage and loud croaking of wart covered toads as they bobbed their bumpy shining faces from under toadstools or lillypads that spun over the water tops.

Aeyori managed to find a relatively swampless area to teeter on for a few feet. It was a narrow path decorated with long dangling vines that smelled of damp wood and snagged playfully against her hair or swept across her face leaving a mucous like trail on her cheeks and forehead. She was far too exhausted to bother wiping it off anymore. It was an annoyance to be harassed by dead greenery but she preferred it to walking through water she couldn't see through. Aeyori felt unsettled when she walked through the sludge, not knowing what was living below it.

She stopped for a moment on the dirty path as she came upon another patch of swamp. She could tell by the way it shimmered just barely below her, almost winking and daring her to try out its mischievous depths. Aeyori would not be fooled. She knew that the harmless water would suck her into a mound of mud and musty plants and she would have no part of that.

Between her and the other side of her dry path was a lone rock just poking up from the water. It was flat enough to use as a stepping stone to get her across. She eyed its slick-looking gray sides and the smattering of moss coating it like fur before she made a small leap.

Her thin boots didn't stick for a second on the rock and she tumbled back into the water with a gurgling splash. Mud and greens exploded around her and a few toads croaked in disapproval at her disruption to their day. Aeyori groaned sadly as she spat out a mouthful of swamp mud that tasted of filthy water and all the animals who lived, ate, and relieved themselves in it.

She wiped her mouth in disgust then let out an annoyed cry after realizing her hand was just as foul-tasting as the water. Ike was chuckling softly over her as he stood with his hand reaching for her. Not that he didn't feel sorry for the very dirty and distraught girl, he just found that all forms of her moods were adorable. Happy, shy, and at the moment ear reddening mad.

"You okay?" he asked as their hands came together in a sloppy grimy grasp like a slime filled sandwich.

Aeyori nodded with a pout forming and started to wipe her skirt but gave an irritated growl when she realized it was no use. She was too dirty to even bother anymore. As she stood a rebellious vine of hair fell into her face and dripped over her chin. First she tried to blow it out of her face then she whipped her head to throw it back over her neck but it stubbornly refused to cooperate. With a final frustrated maneuver she violently swiped the hair away and regretted it immediately. Her too eager swipe smeared the dirty remains of her hand across her face.

She froze in disbelief that she had actually done something so clumsy, especially in front of her handsome captain. He wasn't smiling as he watched her but there was a hint of amusement in his deep blue eyes. "I think you missed a spot."

He took his muddy thumb and pressed it gently to the tip of her nose, the only clean spot on her face. Aeyori lifted her eyes to look at the subtle undercurrent of a grin and scowled with no malice. "Thank you." She said and then flashed a smile as bright as the stars on a clear night. And then her weariness and Ike's pleasant playfully teasing tone turned her grin into laughter.

She threw her head back lightly as her fit of giggles consumed her and circled her body. It struck Ike like a hammer to the head. The sweet bubbling of her unrestrained laughter coursed through him and it was all he could think about for a moment.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." He managed to say once his trance faded. He loomed over her and her laughter caught in her throat in her surprise, much to Ike's disappointment. Ike raised a corner of his red cape and let it flow gently over her face. "Let me clean that for you." He said, his voice suddenly soft like a tender caress.

Aeyori stilled and prayed that Ike could not see the brushing of crimson over her cheeks. Ike was relieved to have an excuse to cover her face with his cape. If he had to look at her smile or hear her playful laugh anymore he'd lose his focus on the mission completely.

Ikyna watched her brother and Aeyori from a distance, temporarily distracting herself from the tiring trek through the dead forest. She'd never seen her brother acting the way he was with Aeyori. He had a smile he could hardly hide that colored his normally stoic face and eyes that hung their gaze on Aeyori with warm crinkles at the corner. It was strange, but everything about that week had been odd. From the run around chasing smugglers, thieves, and senators, to the chilling and beautiful steely green eyes of the Serenes prince. The pale Laguz was probably the most prominent in her memory. He haunted and intrigued her.

A fair skinned bird, skin so pale you could almost see through it, and a body too weak to fight, according to the Empress and Nasir. Yet when she saw him, there was not a tremor of frailty in his thin body. He challenged her stare with a firm and penetrating one of his own before he left.

He hadn't been afraid, but all he showed was a hot anger as he went. Ikyna understood the reason why. She hadn't been in this forest twenty years ago but she hated what the thoughtless citizens of Begnion did. If the prince didn't want to forgive the Beorc, she wouldn't blame him. The remains of the forest would be heartbreaking enough to hold a grudge even without the slaughter of its former residents. Even knowing this, Ikyna hoped he could forgive them. She knew her reasons were selfish, but she couldn't get her mind off of the bird to save her life. She wanted to meet him even more than the empress she figured.

"Stop sighing so much." Yakuzo griped with his hands shoved into his front pockets. He wore a scowl, Ikyna knew not the reason, as he easily skipped over boulders to avoid most of the sludge. Ikyna ignored him with grace by starting a new subject, "It's hard to believe that this used to be the home of someone like him."

Yakuzo rolled his eyes at the young archer's dreamy sounding voice. He'd heard a lot of talk about the heron since they left the castle and it was gnawing at his nerves. "What do you mean?" he started a conversation he didn't want to have.

Ikyna gave a small shrug as she ducked under a low scalded branch, "I guess I imagined something different than a forest for a prince. You know, like a big sparkling white castle." Just like his wings. The last part she didn't say out loud from fear of sounding ridiculous.

"This place used to be a lush and blossoming forest that could put even the towering castles of Begnion to shame."

"Did you come here before it was burned down?" Ikyna asked, eager to learn anything new.

The cat shook his head, red locks swayed with him, "No, I didn't have the chance. But my king did and he said this place used to be so lovely that the goddess would weep when she saw it."

Ikyna nodded, she could hardly believe the place she was standing in could bring anyone to tears. "I wish I could have seen that." And she turned to her feline friend with a grin that was met with his own distant frown.

"What?" she asked cautiously.

He silenced her by abruptly putting his finger to his lips. She complied quickly while trying to get the attention of her brother without causing a commotion. Yakuzo's ears turned in every direction before flattening against his skull and his lip curled over dangerous fangs in a low growl.

By this time Ike had sloshed over to his sister and the red Laguz, straining to keep quiet at his sister's request. He watched the cat stiffen and lock feral golden eyes on a clearing ahead. "What is it?" Ike asked in a hushed voice.

"Soldiers, a lot of them."

Ike's neck turned sharply as he watched the clearing that was deceptively still. "Must be Oliver and his men." He unsheathed his sword, at least one half of this mission would be over very soon.

)(

Reyson flew through the forest. He ducked under musty trees and floated over the parched ground. With every inch of the sad and devastated land he saw, his sadness and his anger grew. He should have delighted to finally return to his home, but not when it was destroyed like that. It was the ghost of its former ravishing beauty; Reyson could hardly recognize the places he once played and sang at with his family.

He strained his ears, they were not as good as Ulki's, and listened for the sound of the humans pursuing him. Reyson thought he had successfully evaded the two footed scum at the villa but they hungrily chased him into the forest. Their relentless pursuit of him was tiresome but he had lost them some time ago. Now he was biding his time to find safe passage without being discovered.

It was hard to stay hidden. The trees may have been dense but there were no sounds to cover his movement. The forest was quiet like a grave. Although, that is what it had become to all his fallen brethren. He shuddered to think that below his feet could be the charred ashes of his innocent family. But that was the truth. It was a burnt tomb, agonizingly devoid of life or the voice of his forest. He longed to here its call for him again, but he doubted he would hear that just like he doubted his father would ever rise.

His ears were suddenly met with a high whistle. It pulled and tugged on his senses pleadingly as it faded just as abruptly as it sounded. Reyson shot his eyes to the sky caged by withered branches and listened frantically for the call once more.

"Is that you calling, my beloved forest?" Silence was his answer. He flew desperately to search around his forest for the source. He recognized the call but he didn't know that the forest still drew enough life to speak. He had to hear it again, to know what his home was trying to say.

Again a shrill ringing rang through dead vines but it was not the same. It was the hiss of metal parrying against metal as swords clashed against each other. The cries of humans burst loudly. Reyson flew to the area of the sound and peered through a thick patch of thorny bushes, his finger snagged against one of the pointed greenery edges. He ignored the pain as he cringed at the violence. A bloody battle raged just a few feet ahead. Bodies grunted and cried as they launched themselves at each other.

"Disgusting." He hissed through clenched teeth. Hadn't the humans defiled his home enough? It didn't seem as such as they dirtied the already dead forest with their sweat and blood. They really had no concern for anyone other than themselves. He clinched his pale fists, they had desecrated this holy place once before but he would not let them do it again. Reyson turned and headed for the altar he knew was hidden deep in the forest. He would destroy the humans and let them taste the full furry of his race.

)(

Mist panted as she ran for her life, daring to look behind with each frantic step she took through the marsh. The senator's soldier was still close on her heels, his crimson armor harshly contrast against the dark coloring of the forest. She clasped her staff in her hand tightly, regretting that she had not taken to the sword as well as her brother had.

Her skills in fighting were minimal but she could use magic well. Mist wished that her knowledge of staffs could help her as waded desperately through dirty water. The senator and his men meant to show the mercenaries no mercy and the small auburn haired girl was not an exception.

She sprinted as fast as she could through the clingy muddy ground and weaved around branches and roots that snared her cloths sharply. Mist could hear the steps of her pursuer getting closer, his panting increasing with each step he gained on her. She dared to look back again and fell as her foot tangled with a wicked vine.

Mist stared in horror at her snagged foot, no time to worry about the bruises her fall would surely bring. She tried to release herself but the vine seemed to wrap her tighter the more she struggled and she could not loose herself. The soldier seeking to end her life cried out as he saw his pray captured and ready for him to kill. His steel axe was held above his head and prepared to split her skull.

The youngest of the Greil children shut her eyes tightly and braced for a pain she hoped would be short. No pain came, just the cry of a beast, ferocious and angry. Mist's eyes shot open just in time to see Maurim spring from the brown water and tackle the man from Begnion. He pinned the red soldier into swirling expansions of dark water.

The senator's man yelled and cursed violently as he spewed the water that rushed in to his mouth. Maurim silenced him quickly and efficiently with his jaws that clamped over the man's neck. A stream of sanguine jetted from the dead man and painted the tigers emerald coat. He released the oozing throat and let out a victorious roar, showing his long fangs that were still dripping with the fresh blood.

The tiger turned to Mist. She cringed at the amazing but terrifying sight of the very dangerous and powerful Laguz. Maurim nodded to excuse himself before charging off again. Tormod was behind him spinning waves of blazing red and orange that consumed both enemies and their dying screams.

"Mist!" The young girl turned her startled gaze and saw her sister running to her. "What do you think you're doing just sitting around here? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

There was more worry than malice in the older sister's voice but Mist blushed anyway. She made a fruitless tug on the insistent vine with a scowl, "I'm caught."

Ikyna immediately knelt to the ground with her knife already in hand. She gave a hard slash to the plant and it shriveled away. Mist made a grateful sound as she stood quickly, ready to rejoin the battle. And it was a fearsome fight to be sure.

Mist watched as flames fell from the sky like meteors and scorched the dead land further, sending rubble and molten rock charging in all directions. The mercenaries were barely dodging the assault as they fought off the other attacks. Titania and Oscar rode their battle savvy animals through the marsh with difficulty. The ground swallowed the horse's hooves like quick sand and it was all they could do to keep alive as they guarded each others backs. A spear spinning like a shimmering windmill in Oscars hand and a poleax in Titania's.

"Are you alright Mist?" this time it was Rolf running up to the sisters, worry on his face like a mask. Yakuzo was behind him, ears searching for the enemy but eyes locked on Ikyna searching for signs of injury.

"I'm fine." She said as convincingly as she could. In truth, she didn't think that anyone could be fine in this battle. The senator had so many men and this swamp was not making the fight easier for anyone.

Her sister groaned as she brushed unruly strands of damp hair from her face carelessly. "We're getting hammered out here." She murmured more to herself then anyone as she watched her team battle the overwhelming numbers. The duke and his men were much more prepared than Ike and his group.

"There has to be a way to break through their defense." Rolf said as he placed his bow on the ground. His face was tightened as he struggled to catch his breath, the hours of exerting himself through the rough terrain was taking their toll. He looked past a woven gate of vines and branches where he saw Mia and Zihark pinned down behind a warped thick stumped tree. Flames engulfed the area around them effectively stopping their progress in the fight and forcing the remaining mercenaries to change their course.

Yakuzo's ears were rotating from side-to-side, filtering out all noises not necessary for his survival and his eyes darted from Ikyna to the battle, searching for any enemy fool enough to challenge him. A low growl escaped from deep in his throat and the tuff on his neck stood tall.

Ikyna watched her friend, wary of the attacker she could not see but knew the felines acute senses were aware of. "We can't get through the defense if we are stuck going the long way around." She said in irritation.

Rolf turned towards her, his leafy green eyes flickering from adrenalin, "Then what do we do?"

The archer pointed to an old tree with roots twisted and plunging up from the mud. "We need a better point of view." She signaled Yakuzo who followed her glance to a blackened tree that stood a few feet higher than the surrounding graveyard of trees.

"You need a lift?" Yakuzo asked as he shifted from his cat form. Ikyna nodded and slung her bow over her body. She pointed at Rolf, "You too Rolfy."

The young lad pointed to himself in disbelief. "I'm going to clear the area up ahead so our men can move forward." She placed her hand over the boys green hair and ruffled it encouragingly, "I could use another good shot up there."

Rolf swallowed a thick nervous lump and clutched the end of his shirt tightly before giving a quick nod, "Okay, let me help."

As the words were barely leaving the boys mouth Yakuzo was on his knees with his hands laced together like a net to boost the archers into the tree. Ikyna began without hesitation, using his hands to spring herself into the reach of the lowest hanging branch. She grabbed its soot covered limb with both hands and swung herself until she was perched like a bird. Yakuzo next grabbed Rolf by the waist and hoisted him up as Ikyna swung down and hung by her legs with her arms stretched to catch Rolf's.

She grunted as she lifted him to the branch with her. Both mercenaries positioned themselves under the shade of dried leaves. "Hang tight you guys." Ikyna said as she pulled an arrow back in her bow.

"No can do sister. I'm the only healer Ike brought on this mission. I have to go check on the others." Before the older sibling could respond Mist's auburn hair was disappearing behind tangles of shrubs and thorns.

Ikyna moaned in irritation but decided the best way to keep her sister safe was to keep to her original plan. She had to kill the nest of enemy soldiers who were sending a hail of fire and wind tomes onto the pursuing Greil mercenaries.

"I'll stand guard down here." Yakuzo said as he assumed a fighting stance, still daring anyone to endanger his archer.

Ikyna didn't respond, she simply pulled the string to her cheek. The moist thread smeared her face but she ignored it as her eyes locked on a mage clad in green. Rolf had his eyes set on a second mage cloaked in red. "Ready." She said as she inhaled deeply.

"Set." Rolf whispered back to her.

"Fire!"

)(

Reyson heaved a tired sigh of relief as the central alter of the Serenes forest came into his sight. The humans were scattered like garbage throughout the forest and had slowed his progress greatly. He was worn out and irritated but no less eager to make the humans pay. All he needed was to stand at the center of the rounded alter and he could rid his former home of the filthy beasts.

The prince landed softly on the ground carpeted with moss and felt the Earth crunch beneath his boots. He closed his eyes and breathed in the damp smell of the air as he let his mind drift. His memories, so much more pronounced now that he was back in his home, flickered like flames. He could still see his brother and sisters laughing and singing upon the altar before him, their white wings catching sunlight through the trees like stars on the ground. But Reyson would no longer be using this dial shaped stone building for enjoyment, it would be the beginning of the demise of the human filth running through his forest.

Reyson slowly opened his eyes, ready to give the humans all the pain they had given him a hundred times over. As his vision focused he caught sight of three quickly arriving figures gliding through the air. He squinted to distinguish their feathers.

"Reyson." Tibarn's strong voice called as the he landed; his face wrought with worry.

The prince glanced down and cleared his throat, "I apologize Tibarn. I left without saying anything."

Tibarn appeared relieved instead of angry. He placed his hands on Reyson's shoulders with a small smile, "Don't worry. Nealuchi told us what happened. The moment we knew we flew all the way here without stopping."

Reyson studied his friend. Despite what the king was saying, he did not look like he had flown as far as he had. He was not breathing heavily in the least. "Thank you for coming, you didn't need to."

"Of course we did!" Janaff began passionately, "After we heard what that winged rat did to you." the hawk interrupted his own sentence with a frustrated groan.

Reyson turned away as he gritted his teeth, his betrayal was still too new to control his anger completely. "Thank you again." He said through a tight jaw. The hawks nodded gravely, burdened down by the truth of Neasala's treachery.

The king shook his head to rattle his irritation. He couldn't waste more time thinking about that black feathered useless pound of flesh. For the moment he would focus on taking Reyson back to safely. The humans were too close to him and his men. "Well now that we have found you, we can return to Phoenicis."

Reyson hesitated before he spoke, "I can't, go back, there is something that I have to finish. I will go to the center of this alter and punish the humans for their wrongs."

Tibarn's eyebrows creased in disapproval, "You can't seriously mean to…"

"Yes, I will. I will sing the dirge of ruin and repay the vermin in full for what they have done."

Tibarn shook his head furiously, his hands waving in front of his chest, "No Reyson I can't let you do that."

"I have to do it." He battled with his self-control as his emotions raged. Reyson didn't see any other option. It was the perfect time to fulfill his vengeance against the humans. The opportunity was dancing before him and only a fool would pass up the chance. Reyson was no fool and his fury would not allow him to leave with nothing changed.

"It isn't worth it Reyson." Tibarn began in a pleading voice, "Using that galdar would ruin you. You'd be corrupted as a heron. "

And it was the truth that both birds knew. Even the satisfaction that would be gained at the death of the humans could not be worth warping everything that made Reyson a heron.

Reyson turned his emerald eyes towards his friend, "Tibarn, I finally can do something on my own. This time, with my own hands," he held his pale palms in the air, "I can stop them. I won't need to be dependent on your help."

"What's wrong with needing our help?" Tibarn replied, a clip of irritation in his voice. "Who told you that there was something wrong with you depending on us? Aren't we friends?"

They were, and Reyson knew what Tibarn was slowly trying to say. Deep down the prince knew Tibarn never saw Reyson's requests as a burden or as anything that the king didn't want to do. But to admit that, when Reyson was so close to having his revenge, was like giving up on his very essence. He had nothing to give or focus on other than his hatred. If he could not have it now the prince did not know when justice would ever find him.

"Reyson." Tibarn began softly but sternly, "I know how much you want to get back at the humans. Don't you think I understand that?"

Reyson knew Tibarn did. The king had suffered, in a different way, but no less painfully. Reyson knew that Tibarn's attack on Begnion was as much for the prince as it was for his own peace of mind. "Yes." He quietly admitted.

"Then trust me. Trust that we will repay the humans for what they have done." He paused and swallowed angrily, "For everything they've done." And there was a vengeful and wrathful light in his eyes that held his personal vendetta as well as Reyson's. It was a promise; and Tibarn was dying to keep it.

The prince lowered his gaze, hesitant to keep looking at the dark glare in the hawk's eyes. If he didn't hate humans so much he'd pity them for being on the receiving end of that glare. A hand sat heavily on Reyson's shoulder, "Reyson, let's just go back home. We can plan our revenge on the humans there." He bent to look into Reyson's eyes, "And we will have our revenge, but not at your expense."

Reyson could feel that Tibarn had slowly talked him back from a ledge. He'd almost been ready to lose himself on a rash decision. Tibarn had supported Reyson for so long, there was no reason to doubt him. The prince sighed and nodded, "Very well."

)(

The mercenaries completed their 12th mile of marching through the forest since the Duke had escaped their most recent encounter. They were tired and discouraged as their worn boots and sandals stepped over the land that had recently shifted from a marsh to solid mossy flatlands. The transition had come to late however, their leggings and pants had long become saturated with mud and grime. Titania's white mare was a smattered dirty brown and the crew's weapons were in serious need of repair or complete replacement.

Ikyna wiped the arch of her bow with the end of her shirt, it was too dirty to care any longer. She grabbed an extra quiver from Astrid, her stock was looking pathetic. The brown-haired archer smiled gently as she passed the container of arrows, her horse shook its head and ground its hooves into the dirt, testing the new firmer ground happily.

The murky swampy forest had gradually firmed and became more solid. Its muddy waters had dried and soon became damp dirt with patches of moss sprouting and giving a speck of color against the dank backdrop. The further they went the more pockets of green they saw and soon crumbled remains of white buildings and stone came into view.

Rolf sighed heavily as he scratched his scalp and walked behind the female twin. "I can't believe the slimy senator can move so fast." He complained referring to the senator once again alluding capture.

"Men such as him always seem to find a way out of the worst situations." Soren replied with a roll of his scarlet eyes. "Hopefully the heron will be easier to catch." There was a hint of hostility in Soren's voice. He was still against the idea of helping a Laguz but one sharp glare from Ike had silenced any complaints. The mage would have to suffice with brooding in silence.

Ikyna glanced briefly at the small raven-haired boy, curious about his foul mood that had grown more course and unfriendly than usual. She took a step him to ask him about his sour disposition but felt a tug on her long braid.

The female twin turned with a mildly irritated glare and was met with impassive yellow eyes. "What do want Yakuzo?" she drawled.

With her blue braid still in his grasp he tilted his head, "I'm just curious."

"About what?"

"You're so much less obnoxious today, are you ill?"

Ikyna spat her tongue out, "I've just been thinking a lot today."

"So you are ill."

Ikyna saw the smirk curl over Yakuzo's lips despite his best efforts to hide his gratified response. She was set to give him a very direct punch to his arm when her brother called for the group's attention. Ike was squatting on the ground and picking up something white. "Have a look at this." He called.

Nasir was the first by his side. The ship captain had his hands crossed over his chest and a thoughtful crease to his brow. "The prince was definitely here." He said with a definite nod. Ike stood and twirled a single white feather in his hands and turned and showed it to Aeyori who was waiting at his side.

"Do you think he could be close by?" she asked. Ike shrugged and placed the feather into his satchel.

Ikyna approached the small group cautiously, the memory of white wings once again dancing in her mind. She was reminded of the prince. Seeing him was almost like a dream but the proof was clear. Her brother had stored its shimmering color in his bag and Ikyna felt her heart tighten at just the thought of the heron being nearby.

"And he's the only heron left?" Aeyori asked.

Nasir titled his head, "Him and his father. After the massacre twenty years ago all but those two herons were lost to the Beorc's rage and then the fire."

The group went silent, taking in the words and the facts that they held. At the expense of almost the entire race, the Begnion citizen's had quenched their unjustified blood lust. Nasir looked around at the blackened roots and branches of trees, grimacing at the loss of life that was once so pronounced. "It is a shame this forest and its people were lost. It was once the most gloriously decorated land any Beorc or Laguz could see."

Ikyna inhaled sharply, thinking of a vibrant and beautiful forest that had been so viciously destroyed. It didn't seem possible that anything so colorful could have existed where she was standing. A dark and damp forest that was silent like a tomb. But it had been there, and that fact was as true as the cracked and broken pillar standing proudly before her as a last testimate to its people. Ikyna traced her fingers over the cracks that spread like crooked webs and felt the ridges of what used to be a carving of a tree and felt her breath hitch as the heavy truth weighed on her shoulders.

"Well hopefully we find the prince before Oliver does." Ike began, "With the history between the heron and the Beorc, Oliver finding him first will make things much harder for us."

"I agree…" Nasir started his sentence but stopped abruptly as something creeping from the shrubbery caught his eye.

"What is it?" Ike said turning quickly to follow the captain's gaze.

"I believe it's a heron." Was Nasir's calm reply. Ike's jaw dropped and matched the evident surprise of the mercenaries present.

"The prince?" Ike asked as he watched the thin figure with white wings. He shook his head as he noticed something strange, "no that heron looks different."

And indeed the bird was different. Ike called softly to the heron who turned slowly, light green eyes were opened sleepily.

"That's not the heron we saw in the Senator's home." Ike said as he cautiously walked toward the white bird, "This is a female."

"I thought there were only two herons left." Yakuzo asked, unable to hide his shock as the heron warily looked at the mercenaries.

Nasir scratched his chin thoughtfully, "That was the rumor, but to think another heron is still alive…"The rest of his sentence trailed off into a sound of awe and then he smiled.

By that time Ikyna had ran up to her brother, desperate to catch a glimpse of one of the ivory birds. The winged girl was similar to the prince but she looked younger. Her face softer and paler and her golden hair had a loose wave that went to her lower back.

She opened her small mouth and spoke hesitantly, her words were foreign to her listeners. She began to walk away, her face and slow amble were disoriented.

"Wait!" Ike called as he instinctively lunged toward her. The heron yelped and once again cried out frantically in her foreign tongue. She backed into a tree and held her hands over her face in terror as she screamed.

"Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you." Ike desperately tried to console her but his words were not heard. Her voice peaked and then fell into a hissing whistle before she went silent and fell to the ground. The twins rushed to her side. Their hands gently searched for her pulse and both sighed in relief as the steady thumping beat under her wrists. "She just fainted." Ike said to the group who visibly relaxed.

"It really is most extraordinary." Nasir commented while shaking his head in disbelief. "To think there was another heron here all along."

Ike eased the slumbering heron into his arms as he stood. Whether she was the heron they were looking for originally or not he assumed he would have to look after her as well. "Help me put her on my back Ikyna, I'm going to carry her."

Ikyna nodded and took hold of the heron's cold hands. They were small and frail, the life within the bird stirred almost unnoticed. She hoisted the winged girl on her brother's back and just as she wrapped the blanched arm around Ike's neck she heard a voice that made her cringe.

"Could it be? Could it be another precious heron? What beautiful fate has brought me to another prize that is even more exquisite than the first? And it is a female! What a delicate sweet ivory bird she is." The senator began as he and his men emerged from the forest.

Ike secured the heron on his back and his sister pulled a bow from her quiver. Both of the twins had their cerulean eyes locked fiercely on the encroaching enemy.

"I must have her." Oliver continued as he rubbed his hands over his gaudy rings. "Catch and kill the mercenaries." He commanded with a broad gesture, "But don't harm one feather on her lovely head or you will answer to me!"

There was no time to react as the mercenaries were completely surrounded, all forms of retreat cut off quickly. Ikyna heard her brother curse under his breath as he made a small jump to reposition the heron. "Could this be any worse?" He complained as he unsheathed his sword.

"Mercenaries, let's finish this." He said with a commanding voice, "Route the enemy, we're done chasing this senator." The mercenaries gave a cheer and charged into battle without hesitation.

Ike looked over his shoulder at his sister, "Ikyna." She looked at him grimly, accurately sizing up the almost hopeless situation. They were surrounded and outnumber and the commander was handicapped. But her twin's eyes didn't look like they had given up, he was ready to win the battle and he would do so while protecting the heron. "I need you to cover my back for me." Her brother said.

Ikyna nodded with a grin. No matter how grim, retreat was not part of her brother's plan. "It would be my pleasure.

)(

"There's a whole lot of commotion in that direction." Ulki said with a scowl as he pointed to the west of the group of birds. His pointed ears were facing the area of noise, focused on distinguishing the noises. Tibarn paused, weary to travel into trouble with the prince finally safe at his side again. "What is it Janaff."

The younger hawk flew to a treetop and landed softly on the burnt branches. He squinted his eyes as he bent forward on the tree limbs. "What in world is that?" his voice sunk to an astonished whisper.

""What's wrong?" The king asked while he and Reyson flew up to meet the long sighted friend.

"I think I'm going crazy sir."

"What is it?"

Janaff was shaking his head, trying to process what his eyes were telling his brain was clearly in front of him. "There's a bunch of humans fighting just up in the next clearing." Reyson made a disparaging groan, "Let's just go around them." The prince was more than tired of the humans. He'd been kidnapped and chased all around his dead former home. He didn't want to see another human until he could ensure their destruction.

"It should be easy to avoid them, just take another direction." Ulki offered as a suggestion.

"No, no." Janaff shook his hands frantically, "it's not the humans that I'm worried about, but, honestly you're not going to believe this." He started with an incredulous smile as he pointed a shaking finger.

"Come on now, stop stalling." The king frowned in impatience.

"It's, it's a heron."

"A heron!?" Both king and prince cried out as they launched themselves at Janaff. The king grabbed Janaff's shoulders and shook him vigorously, "Did you say a heron?"

Janaff saw his king's eyes light up with shock and hope like he hadn't seen them do in a while. The hawk servant nodded, a smile creeping over his mouth as the idea took hold of him. Another living heron besides the prince and king, that could be the best news they 'd had in- "

"There's a heron out there with the humans. We have to save it. It has to be one of my siblings." Reyson's green eyes were pleading and earnest; they held the first glimmer of hope he had since twenty years ago. The king hadn't seen his friend looking, if he even dared to think, excited.

The king cleared his throat loudly. He agreed with Reyson, whatever their plans were before they would have to make a detour for the sake of another surviving heron. "We'll save the heron don't worry. We'll get rid of the humans and then save our lost friend."

Glee registered on Reyson's face. He could have his revenge and what was more he had found someone of his race. "Problem sire." Janaff addressed hesitantly.

"What is it?"

"It seems that the humans are fighting each other."

"What do the battles of humans have to do with us? If they are fighting each other that makes our job easier." Tibarn offered coldly as a response. In his mind, if the humans wanted to hack each other to pieces it just meant less work for him.

"But, from what I can see," Janaff began, "One group of humans seems to be helping the heron." The three remaining birds shot Janaff confused looks. Humans helping a heron was the most ludacris idea any of them had heard. Reyson stuck his head through a bush and saw the truth of what Janaff was saying.

There were two groups fighting each other. One he recognized as the soldiers that held him captive the other was a group that looked like mismatched fighters. They held no flag to bare their name, their uniforms were not matching. He focused his attention on the white wings of his family. Whoever it was, they were resting on the back of a blue haired lad and behind him was a young woman with long hair that matched the first boys. Reyson recognized the two of them, they had found him in the castle.

The girl was the most vivid in her memories. He could still see her piecing blue eyes that sank into him and made him feel like he was sinking into the ocean. The prince shook his head and threw out the unwanted image. He couldn't be caught fantasizing about a human when his brother or sister was in danger.

"Are you saying that one of the humans is protecting the heron?" Tibarn asked, unable to hide the doubt in his voice.

"I can't say for certain your majesty, but that is what it appears like." Janaff said with a resigned shrug. What he was seeing didn't make any more since to him than it did to the rest of the group.

"So then what do we do?" Ulki inquired as he flew to meet the group. He was watching the fight with equal interest.

"We have to save the heron." Reyson stated firmly.

Tibarn nodded and placed a hand to his chin as he frowned in thought. It didn't appeal to him to help the humans but he couldn't let a member of the heron family slip beyond his grasp. For his sake and for Reyson's. "For now, we will support the humans protecting the heron." His lips twisted as he digested the idea, it was disgusting to assist humans, but his wings were tied. "The army in red, you can dispose of him." And the idea tickled him to sink his talons into the vermin's flesh.

The king looked at Reyson, serious and pointed, "You need to stay clear of the fight. Let Ulki, Janaff, and I take care this."

Reyson wanted to protest, he wanted to meet the heron as quick as possible, but Tibarn gave him a look that silenced him quickly. "Stay hidden." And that was the end of discussion; Reyson had no choice but to comply. His hawk friends exchanged glances before shifting and then charging into the human fight.

)(

Ikyna used her bow and smacked a soldier across the head with it with a loud grunt. He flinched and groaned but was only stalled for a few moments. His face was swollen around the eye with the imprint of Ikyna's bow pulsing red. As he swung Ikyna ducked and spun before searching for his gut with her knife. It dove into the soft flesh with deadly accuracy.

"You Okay?" Ike asked at her back as he heaved heavily. The heron didn't weigh much but she was still slowing down his fighting considerably. He was scratched and bruised much worse than any other fight he'd been in. If it weren't for his sister covering him so well, he'd be in a lot worse shape.

"I'm fine." She answered equally out of breath.

Ike parried a soldier, his sword hissing against the enemies spear. He didn't remember his sword being so hard to use. He figured the heron might be causing him more trouble than he thought. The bird slid slowly on his back as the fighting slightly dislodged her. Ike yelped to grab the heron and hooked his sword with the spear to hold the enemy in place.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to hold the senator's man and catch the fainted white bird. "Ike don't move!" His sister shouted and he froze; instantly responding to command.

An arrow blew past his ear and pinned the soldier before him in between the eyes. "Thanks." He said with a smirk. He was glad to know that his sister was on his side, he'd hate to be at the end of her shots.

Suddenly the shrieking of birds clawed at the forest sky. as three hawks burst from the tree tops, sending a blizzard of dried leaves in the air. Brown and tan wings stretched over the soldiers as talons opened and struck the senator's soldiers. The twins froze in awe as the large Laguz dove into the fray with speed and ferocity.

"Are those hawk Laguz?" Ikyna asked as her jaw went slack.

"I think so." Ike had never seen such swift and effective fighting. The birds were terrifying and incredible. Especially the largest of the hawks. He had a necklace with two feathers strapped to it and his wings were brown that faded to light tan tips. He was quicker and stronger than the darker hawk and the other hawk who had similar coloring.

"Are they fighting Begnion?" Ike asked as he saw the birds singling out the soldiers in red and avoiding any of the mercenaries. Ikyna couldn't believe it. The last time she had fought with bird Laguz they were black crows who were anything but friendly and made it a point to attack any Beorc they saw. "I can't believe what I'm seeing."

Ikyna nodded but she was distracted as she caught sight of another pair of white wings. "What's that?" she asked, already moving toward the thin man with pristine white robes. Ike's head was turned and he squinted. The figure wasn't registering in his brain; he knew what his eyes were seeing but his brain couldn't believe it. It was a heron. "Is that the heron we found at the senator's house?" Ike asked as he turned to his sister, but she was already gone, racing off towards the trees that were the heron's thin covering.

She was in a rush as she yelled for Yakuzo who was sprinting at her side instantly. The older twin followed his sister's gaze and saw why she was in a panic. Behind the heron two enemy soldiers were stalking towards him. If Ikyna didn't reach the bird fast enough, they would lose him.

Aeyori was next to him to fill in for Ike's sprinting sister. Her tome was open and she had her eyes scanning the enemy. "Don't worry, I've got you covered."

Ike gave a short smile and secured the heron again on his back as he watched his sister charge into another fight.

"Where are you going?" Yakuzo questioned suspiciously as took several long strides next to the long haired archer. His red paws were smattered with mud and dug into the Earth, leaving claw marks after each step. Ikyna sprinted next to him her eyes focused on the heron in danger. He looked oblivious, unaware of the peril he was in as he stood with his back to the Begnion men. Ikyna knew she had to get to him quickly but there was a fallen dead tree slanted and in her path. "I need a boost." She retorted shortly.

The cat could barely respond as his friend used a nearby stump to vault into the air. Yakuzo watched her fly over his head and he rushed to get under her. He jumped to meet her and grunted as her boots dug into his scarlet pelt. While in the air he shifted and hoisted her from his shoulders and tossed her as far as he could.

Ikyna sailed over dead ground and shrubs, her bow and arrow gripped tightly in her palm as the other arm stretched to grab a branch. The leaning tree that was obstructing her path flew by under feet barely, her boots caught at the tip, but she managed to grab the closet hanging branch.

With a loud grunt, and using the force of Yakuzo's throw, she swung herself around the crooked tree limb, never taking her eyes of the bird. Ikyna perched, for only a second, before she swung down, using her legs to hook around the tree. Her arrow was already stretched hard against the string as her body straightened. She twisted her torso and shot her arrow into one of the soldier's chests.

The heron turned quickly, startled both by the men he hadn't seen sneaking up on him, and by Ikyna's sudden attack. He stumbled to the ground and fell hard on his butt. Ikyna flipped to the ground, pulled a second arrow from her quiver and sent it hurtling toward the second assailant. He fell with barely a sound as the deadly point lodged itself in his neck.

Ikyna ran, heaving from adrenalin and fear for the heron's life. She had a third arrow strung, ready to kill any other attacks who might be hiding nearby. She spun around, alert and on edge, but no person came in response.

The archer let herself relax, a great tension released from her shoulders but was replaced by another gnawing in her stomach. That emerald heron was before her again. All alabaster skin and golden hair that skimmed like feathery kisses down his shoulders. Ikyna's mouth dried, seeing him took the wind out of her.

She cleared her throat to loose the spit lodged in her neck before saying, "Are you okay?"

Odd place to end it I know. Sorry.

PG