Chapter 39
I've got nothing clever to say this time lol. I don't own Fire Emblem
Night was well underway and the cold had long since settled in after the sun had disappeared beyond distant mountain peaks; but Aeyori didn't notice it was cold because her face was still warm as she pulled her lip shyly into her mouth, still remembering the warmth of Ike's mouth on hers. Nor did she mind that it was too dark to see clearly, even though she'd stumbled on more than one hidden rock, because Ike was there to catch her each time.
Their hands were clasped tightly together and swinging gentle as they strolled at an easy pace. Neither soldier in any rush to make it back to camp; they were enjoying their time alone too much. Both knew that the moment they made it to the rest of the mercenaries there would be plenty of questions and long talks, all of which they weren't ready to face.
Aeyori hadn't mustered up the courage to answer all the inquiries she knew she would encounter and all she wanted was to keep living in the vivid memory of Ike telling her he liked her. Ike wasn't much different. He knew he'd have to explain Aeyori and why he'd left without telling anyone where he was. Yet all he wanted to do was keep his fingers laced with the mage next to him.
He mused silently to himself that he liked the fact that her hands were so much smaller than his. Ike's palms practically swallowed hers, but at the same time he didn't think a puzzle could fit together more perfectly than their hands.
A chilly wind blew and Ike could see Aeyori shiver next to him; her silver hair shimmered against her movement. "Are you cold?" he asked without turning toward her.
He could see her nodding next to him form the corner of his eye. Suddenly he pulled her close to him causing her to yelp. One arm wrapped around her waist and clutched her outside hand as he held her securely against his chest as they kept walking.
"Ike?" she questioned.
"If you're cold, we need to stay closer to keep warm."
Aeyori lifted her head enough to look at Ike. She could barely make out his face in the dim night, but she was positive he was smiling slightly. His grin was contagious and she found her mouth lifting as well, "You're enjoying yourself aren't you?"
"Yes." Ike said plainly.
The Goldoan's lids fluttered in surprise at his plain and honest response. Then she succumb to a short fit of giggles. Ike gazed down at her, also amused, before asking, "What's so funny?"
"You."
"Oh?"
Aeyori sighed and used her free hand to wipe her eyes that had started to water from her laughter, "You're as straight forward as ever." She commented with a happy grin.
Ike shrugged, brushing against Aeyori, "Well I've been told I was hard to read at times; I'm trying to remedy that problem."
"I think I've heard that too." She replied coyly with a giggle.
Ike, enjoying the light sound of her laughter pulled her closer and planted a kiss firmly forehead. He savored the way her small frame contoured into his own, allowing him to imagine the curves hidden beneath her clothing.
Her giggling died down abruptly though and she stopped walking. Ike had to gather himself as he almost tripped over Aeyori. He began to ask her what had happened but he could follow her gaze as it locked on the space before them.
It was the camp, spotted with bonfires and a scarce smattering of soldiers who were still up packing and preparing supplies. The newly formed couple was no longer able to bask in the afterglow of their confessions.
Ike sighed, not eager to face an onslaught of questions he wouldn't be able to answer. That wasn't an option though. There was a long stretch of camp to cross before he could meet the safety of his tent. For that matter, Soren would be on the look for him to review something about the battle; or start another argument over Aeyori.
"Shall we go?" He suggested as he let her go and started to walk toward the soldiers.
When I Aeyori didn't follow he glanced back and saw her hesitating. It was dark but he could see the doubt and fear. It wasn't surprising, if she'd ran away from him, he could only imagine what she was feeling now that she would have to face the rest of the crew.
Kindly Ike offered her his hand again, wiggling his fingers in invitation. She clasped her skirt with one hand and tentatively grabbed Ike's with the other. Her lip was pulled nervously into her mouth and she cast her eyes to the ground,
Ike called her name gently, prodding Aeyori to gaze at him. She blew out a rattled sigh, trying desperately to calm her nerves. It wasn't working. Her commander said her name again and lifted her hand to his lips before planting soft kisses on each knuckle.
Her chest tightened and she signed contently into the warmth that spread to her cheeks. "Don't worry."
"But I lied to them." She whispered dejectedly.
"They're your friends. They'll understand."
Aeyori closed her eyes and made a pleased murmur as Ike bit once against her skin. When she opened her closed lids Ike was gazing pointedly at her, "It'll be fine Aeyori. I'll be right here."
With a sigh that was both relieved and content she offered a small smile and nodded. Then both faced the camp, readied themselves, and entered.
)(
Most of the encampment was quiet; men and animals had turned down for the night and were hidden from the cold in their tents. Towards the center, however, a lively discussion was being carried out by the mercenaries.
Closed off in the largest tent for a meeting the men and woman crowded together. The wind whipped the flap of the tent open suddenly and let in the chilly air. Rolf was there quickly to close it. He fought against the unruly material as it lapped against his face. He spit fitfully, spewing cloth fuzz from his tongue, and tied the sash twice for good measure.
Then he turned around, looking and feeling out of place, and watched the adults in the room in the lively debate. It was about Aeyori, of course, and everyone had their own opinions. There was concern, a little bit of fear, and mostly confusion. Rolf kept his thoughts to himself. Aeyori had always been kind to him, and as far as he was concerned, dragon or not, she'd saved his brother's life.
Quietly he shuffled to a corner next to Mist. He sat next to her as she had her hands knotted tensely in her lap. She too was silent, letting her eyes follow each person's speech. Both children had nothing to add to the many voices of the adults.
"So what are we supposed to do?" Gatrie asked as he folded his arms over his chest and wrinkled his brow.
"What can we do? It's not like we know what's actually going on here." Oscar responded.
"We got tricked by the sub humans. But that's what you get when you mix company with their kind." Shinon snapped as he picked at an arrowhead with little vigor.
"What did you say?" Yakuzo snarled as he locked his feral eyes on the archer.
Shinon smirked, too smug to back down from Yakuzo's tonal threat, "I don't have to repeat myself to you half-breed."
Yakuzo hissed and Janaff put his fists on his hips and scowled. "No, I think you do. I'd love to hear what you have to say again." He said with venom as he cracked his knuckles loudly to make a point.
The red-haired archer rolled his eyes and ignored the two enraged Laguz and went back to picking at the tip of his arrow. Without dignifying either with another response, he reinforced his obvious hatred of them. Both cat and bird took steps toward the mercenary, nothing but malice in their strides, but Ikyna quickly put her hand to Yakuzo's chest and stopped him with a quick silent shake of her head.
The feline went to protest, gesturing in frustration in Shinon's direction. Shinon had offended his entire species, and Yakuzo was not of the mind to let him get away with that kind rudeness. Ikyna was firm with her decision. She knew exactly how infuriating Shinon could be, but it was not the time to have a fight with him just because he liked to create tension.
Yakuzo sighed loudly in exasperation, cutting his eyes, before plopping down on the ground at Ikyna's feet. She was seated at a chair towards the front and center of the discussion; taking in all the opinions and expressions of her fellow mercenaries.
She caught Janaff still on his way to Shinon. A fist formed in both hands with a glare that could match one of Soren's. Ikyna could see the trouble slowly unfolding in front of her. But before Janaff could give Shinon the thrashing he so badly wanted to get obviously, by his lack of respect, Reyson grabbed gently at his shirt and motioned with his eyes for the hawk to take his seat.
Janaff too made a silent complaint with gestures just as Yakuzo had. Yet Reyson was adamant and shook his head firmly, "I think there is plenty that needs to be discussed without a brawl to distract us." Though his words were calm, there was an iciness to them that showed he had not completely ignored the archer. He shot Shinon a cold glare but was ignored.
Finally Janaff conceded to the prince's command. If the opportunity arose, he could deal with Shinon at another time. The idea pleased the tan hawk and he shuffled backwards to stand behind the prince with a plotting grin on his lips.
Ikyna caught the prince's eyes as he looked from his attendant back to the group. He tilted his head barely to the side in silent question as she stared at him. The group had started their debate once again, hands being thrown around in emphatic gestures and voices peaking in emphasis, but Reyson was locked onto the blue-haired maiden.
She offered him a small smile and mouthed a quick thank you as relief became clearly visible on her face. Ikyna had not missed that the prince's fast response that had stopped a fight from breaking out and making an already tense situation even worse.
Reyson couldn't help but smile in return. He made a small waving motion with his hand and responded by mouthing that it was no problem. Ikyna's face tinted lightly before she cleared her throat and looked away in haste. Deciding that it was better to turn away from his peering eyes if she wanted to keep her composure as she played the reluctant mediator.
The voices were all starting to rise; and room had gone from mixed murmurs to discordant rumbles. Ikyna raised her palms in the air, "Okay, calm down everyone. We'll get this sorted out, but we need to talk one at a time."
Most of the group quieted, but Gatrie was still have a lively discussion with Kieran. Shaking his head he crossed his arms and made a bitter statement about not trusting beautiful girls. Kieran seemed more concerned about making sure all the soldiers were trained and capable of fighting with the Laguz should the time arise.
Titania cleared her throat and glanced sideways at the men. Both shut their mouths at the scarlet haired knight's gaze and fell into silence along with the rest of the group. The seasoned soldier then looked to Ikyna, who lacked the experience or presence to keep all of the mercenaries under control, and conceded the floor of discussion to her.
Ikyna took her cue, warming slightly in embarrassment now that all eyes were on her, and began to speak, "Listen, I know there are a lot of concerns, but we really can't be speculating much."
Tanith interjected suddenly, "Isn't that exactly what we should be doing? As it stands, it doesn't seem like we can trust anyone from Goldoa."
"How do you figure?" Boyd questioned sharply.
Despite Rhys insisting that Boyd rest after his near death experience, he was determined to be part of the discussion about Aeyori. She'd saved his life, if that wasn't a reason to trust her, he didn't know what would have been. There was no way he was going to let the conversation go on without raising his opinion.
Tanith wore her typical stern expression but it was clear that she was rattled by Boyd questioning her so bluntly. The Begnion was high ranking and never had anyone oppose her thinking other than her empress or Sigrun. She straightened her back and folded her arms over her chest, "The Goldoans must be working with Daein. We fought Ena, and Nasir assisted her. He was clearly a spy for the Daein army."
"What he does has nothing to do with Aeyori. She's been part of our team long before we met Nasir or even joined this war against Daein. In any case, she fought Ena to save us all!"
Heads began to nod slowly at Boyd's point, low sounds of agreement started to travel around the room as well. Tanith did not look convinced however, "How do you know that wasn't also part of the plan. Nasir was the one who stopped her. It's a good idea to keep an eye on both Laguz."
Boyd shook his head and scoffed loudly, "With your reasoning, that would mean that you and your child empress are part of the Begnion Laguz trading scheme."
Tanith gaped in disgusted shock, "How dare you even suggest our apostle could be part of such low life work." The indignity was heavy in her voice.
"But you're saying since two Goldoans are working with Daein then Aeyori must be a spy too. Wouldn't that mean since your Begnion senators were corrupt, so is your Apostle."
Tanith's hand went to the hilt of her sword. Her face was twisted in anger that she was trying to control but was unable to, "Say one more word about the apostle and it will be your last." She threatened.
Boyd spread his arms open after giving his chest a taunting pat, "Just try it. There's no Begnion society rules to protect you here!"
Ikyna grimaced, the conversation was reaching that angry and dangerous peak again. Though she was impressed by Boyd's sound reasoning, it was time for her to step in again. "Okay, okay, settle down, again." She added, having to settle another brewing argument, "I get why you are suspicious Tanith, but Boyd is right. Just because Aeyori is a dragon doesn't mean that she is a spy too." Ikyna scratched her elbow in discomfort as the group watched her silently, "Anyway, she's been helping us this whole time."
The Pegasus knight had settled down, barely showing how disgruntled she was really feeling, and replied, "As I recall, Nasir was also helping you; wasn't' he?"
Ikyna had to swallow the bitter taste of Tanith's valid point. Past actions didn't negate the betrayal that had clearly happened earlier that day. But Ikyna didn't want to think that Aeyori could possibly be working against her and the mercenaries. Ikyna wasn't that fond of Nasir; but it still stung to think that the whole time with him had been a lie.
She remained silent; dropping her gaze so that Tanith couldn't see the doubt she was trying to hide. "Whatever may or may not have happened," Titania began, graciously saving Ikyna from sinking further into her uncomfortable silence, "We can't make any decisions until we've talked with Aeyori."
"Do we even know where she is at the moment?" Oscar asked, more concern than suspicion in his voice.
The group turned to Ikyna. She gulped, swallowing in panic at the spotlight suddenly turned on her, and looked upward toward the top corners of the tent. With a shrug she spoke, "She's probably with Ike."
"Do you think that's wise to have your commander with a possible traitor?" Tanith questioned sharply.
"Call her a traitor one more time…"Boyd began in an outrage.
All the while more and more voices joined in the discussion. Some demanded that the Laguz be put in custody. That Aeyori should be put in chains and under careful watch until they could determine her loyalties. On the other hand, some began to argue that her loyalty thus far was enough to not suspect the girl.
Then there was the group that turned to the reluctant twin as she sat, mouth opening with nothing to do but stammer dumbly as question after question was fired at her. They wondered where her brother was, had he known Aeyori was a dragon, had Ikyna known?
Ikyna's eyes darted from one person to the next, trying to keep her composure as the onslaught of inquiries rattled her. She didn't know where Ike was. She assumed Ike hadn't known Aeyori was a Laguz, if he had, he hadn't made that obvious to her. And she certainly hadn't known. Aeyori covered in spikes and scales was as much of a surprise to her as everyone else.
But she was not able to vocalize these answers because after each question another followed immediately, making it impossible for her to respond. Mournfully she allowed herself to be pulled from one person to the next.
Reyson saw Ikyna's wide eyes and the frustration starting to take over her young face. He could tell she was about to reach her breaking point. Reyson knew the feeling of being overwhelmed by crowds. He'd been in more than enough meetings with kings and diplomats to recognize the expression of someone who was ready to make a dramatic escape from the discussion.
He pitied the young Beorc who didn't have the answers or experience to handle to questioning. Slowly he started to rise from his seat that was around the table in the center of the tent. He stopped abruptly when Titania raised her voice suddenly.
"Enough!" Titania said in a tone that was just below shouting but more than enough to still the entire group of mercenaries and Begnions congregating in the tent. All exchanged sheepish looks as the knight stared each person down, waiting for them to defy her authority.
None dared to and Titania relaxed at the group's swift compliance. The she looked directly at the frazzled twin. "I'm sure that Ikyna has just as many questions as the rest of us, but do you think we are getting anywhere by talking over each other without taking a chance to listen?" she asked sternly.
Sharply she gestured to Ikyna; the twin flinched at attention, still trying to wake up from the daze of her barrage of questions. "Ikyna doesn't' know any more than us. The best we can do is wait until the commander gets back, I'm sure he's with Aeyori now, and then we can get our answers then."
Her statement was just that, a fact and not a request. Most in the tent took her answer and stayed silent. Tanith was far less intimidated. In Begnion, she was the stern and strict leader of her troops and could not be deterred by the flat expression of Titania.
"Are you sure your commander will be okay? Do you trust his decision to stay so close to the Goldoan after all we've seen happen today?"
An eyebrow twitched tensely at Tanith's insistence before Titania responded. "He's led us safely and well so far. I have no reason to doubt his judgement in actions or of people." She looked tightly at Tanith, fighting back the desire to say something savage, "For that matter I trust my own judgement, and I know I can trust Aeyori."
Then that was the end of the discussion. Tanith did not seem happy with the inconclusive response, but she settled back to the cluster of Begnion knights who had accompanied her. Ikyna looked around nervously; still expecting another fight to break out again. But there was none and she sighed in relief.
She watched each person, saw them twiddling their thumbs and waiting with nothing to do, but then stopped when she caught sight of Soren with a particularly harsh scowl across his face. Ikyna could practically see the wheels in his head churning. She couldn't imagine what he was thinking about but she didn't imagine that it was anything pleasant.
His scarlet eyes flashed with barely concealed rage and wrinkles formed over his creased and angry forehead. Abruptly he pushed his chair back from the center table and headed out of the tent. Ikyna yelped and stood quickly to follow. She tripped over Yakuzo's tail in her hurry, he growled slightly and she apologized with little feeling, as she ran out of the tent.
Out in the cold air Ikyna shivered at the abrupt change in temperature and blew out a frosty breath as her hands flew to her arms to hold in some of her warmth. She caught a glimpse of Soren storming through the camp with determination.
When she went to call his name, she heard some yell her own. "Ikyna!"
She turned swiftly, her face distorted from the worry that was coursing through her, and gasped sharply as she saw the prince flying toward her. His wings fluttered gently as he landed in the shallow snow before the twin.
Even in the poor light Ikyna could see the look of concern on the prince's face. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Ikyna looked from Reyson to where Soren had just been. She frantically searched to see where he'd walked off to and could just barely see the mage marching off behind a patch of trees. Reyson could follow her distracted gaze and also saw the brooding tome user vanishing out of his sight.
"Is something the matter?" he asked more directly.
Ikyna made a soft groan, "I'm not sure what's wrong but I know something is; Soren's making that face."
"That face?" Reyson questioned, confused by what the young woman might be implying.
"Yeah, he's making that scowling Soren face."
Reyson raised an eyebrow at that comment. He wondered what she could possibly mean by the scowling Soren face. For as long as Reyson had known Soren, the mage was always scowling. In fact the only person the prince had met who looked more unhappy than Soren was probably Deghinsea; and that old dragon was a level of grumpy that was hard to match.
Ikyna could read the confused expression, "I know, Soren's always scowling. But this isn't a typical grumpy face. It's the face he made when a neighborhood kid made me eat dirt when I was little and he pummeled him into the ground. Or that time when the farmer's son down the lane stole Ike's play sword and Soren found all of that kid's other toys and sunk them into the river. Or that time…"
Reyson smiled gently and interrupted, "It seems Soren is very protective of you and your brother."
Ikyna nodded anxiously, "Very, very protective. And most of the time that's okay, but when Soren makes that face I know he's about to do something insane."
Reyson began to understand the point that Ikyna was getting to and he nodded slowly in thought. If Soren would do anything to protect Ikyna and Ike, it meant that he would remove whatever he felt was a threat to the two of them. He looked up at Ikyna who was staring at the spot where Soren had vanished from sight, "It seems that the person he probably thinks he has to protect you from is…"
"Aeyori." She finished with a sigh, being able to only imagine how eager Soren would be to attack the mage in any way possible.
"So you have to go find him." Reyson concluded.
Ikyna gave a silent and solemn nod; already dreading having to confront Soren. Suddenly there was an outburst that came from the tent. Ikyna and Reyson turned their necks sharply to the disruption. Both could make out only two distinct voices; it was obvious that Titania and Tanith's authoritative personalities were clashing. Titania was demanding that Tanith respect Ike's command and wait for his orders, while Tanith was arguing that he should act more like a commander by being in the camp during the major discussion.
Ikyna gulped and started to wander back toward the tent; feeling that trouble was going to erupt soon, as if it already hadn't, thinking that she would have to remedy the situation while her brother was gone. She felt her stomach churning at the thought of being at the center of all the arguments again, all eyes trained on her and expecting some hard fast resolution to the issues when she had none to offer.
She then felt a cold hand grab hers gently and tug her until she stopped walking. Ikyna turned, paling already from dread, and saw Reyson with a serene smile on his face. "What?" she asked quietly and then heard something loud clatter against the table in the tent.
"You have something that you need to take care of right?"
"Well, yes…I…" things continued to rattle in the tent again and the voices got louder.
Reyson could see how torn Ikyna was, debating between whether she should find Soren or rush inside to stop a brawl that could rip up the tent at any moment. Pity softened his already gentle expression further as he spoke, "Just go, I can handle things in there."
The twin looked quizzically at the prince, "You'd do that?"
"Of course." He said with a grin.
Ikyna rubbed a hand roughly through her hair, frustrated that she couldn't help in all the ways she wanted and needed to. "Are you sure you can handle it?"
The prince nodded, smiling with absolute confidence that whatever was waiting for him in the tent would not be a problem he couldn't handle. "It's not problem. One of my dearest friends is Tibarn, so I'm very practiced in talking down headstrong people." Then he chuckled softly before adding, "For that matter I've been known to be a bit hardheaded myself."
Ikyna thought back to Reyson's conversation with the raven king. He had taken no prisoners then and there was no reason to assume his mediating and negotiating tactics would be any different with the mercenaries. A smile that she couldn't quite control crept over her face. Ikyna tried to hide, thinking that she could manage to look surprised at Reyson's admission, but she failed.
Reyson smirked, "Your smiling says you're not surprised."
The archer spat her tongue out playfully, "I'll never tell."
"I could just take a peek myself." He taunted.
"That's cheating!"
The heron laughed heartily at her energetic response, hands wrapped around his own stomach to stifle it. "Just kidding." He teased before giving her a light shove, "Now go on, the men will keep until you can get Soren and your brother."
Ikyna resisted him a little, not to actually fight him, but because she was enjoying the light pressure of his fingertips. Reluctantly, she decided she couldn't waste any more time. "Thanks." She said and took off in a light jog to find Soren.
Reyson waved gently as she left, though she didn't turn back to look at him, before deciding to retreat into the turmoil beneath the tent. As he lifted a hand to open the cloth flaps, they blew open and Yakuzo peeked his head out, concern and confusion on his face. "Ikyna?" he questioned to the night.
When no response was made he left the tent completely, his ears were turned to the wind and he took a few quick whiffs of the breeze, searching for her scent. "She's fine." Reyson offered, knowing without asking what the Laguz was thinking.
Yakuzo looked suspiciously at the bird, his golden eyes reflected the scarce moonlight eerily. Reyson shrugged, having grown accustomed to the feral and suspicious way Yakuzo always looked at him, "She went to chase after Soren and find her brother."
The Laguz started to head the direction from which he could hear Ikyna's footsteps retreating. Reyson grabbed the cat's hand, "Wait." He said. Yakuzo turned with a small fierce curl of his lips. The prince wasn't startled, without missing a beat he said, "Do worry, Ikyna is fine."
"And how would you know that?" the cat snapped.
Reyson's lips curled into a smug grin; for once he felt that he had the upper hand over the Laguz, "Because she and I had a nice talk before she left."
Yakuzo noticeably stiffened next to the bird. His shoulders squared tightly and there was a flash of anger that only bolstered Reyson's gratified feeling. He crossed his arms confidently over his chest, knowing that the cat couldn't stand waiting to hear the rest of Reyson's story.
Yakuzo had made it very clear by his previous attitude that he was far from happy that Reyson and Ikyna had fallen asleep together, no matter how innocent the circumstance were. "She seemed pretty worried about her friend Soren, but I calmed her down a bit and sent her after him."
Red ears twitched tensely, "That was nice of you." He said through a small growl.
"Thank you. I wondered if you were going to come after her, but when I didn't see you I thought I'd try to help."
Yakuzo's eyes narrowed in irritation; he knew the game the bird was playing, taunting him with the little crumb of information and leaving Yakuzo to let the words rattle in his brain as an annoying reminder that he'd failed Ikyna again.
Reyson reached forward and gave the cat a pat on the shoulder that was anything but comforting, "Well we better head inside. I told Ikyna I'd help keep the discussion civil. Are you coming Yakuzo?"
Yakuzo looked at the retreating back of the heron and saw him glance back with a smirk. The confident glint irked the cat. There was nothing that he could do however. No matter how much the bird bothered him, he couldn't handle the situation like he usually did. That being, smacking the annoying person around a little. Yakuzo was sure that getting into a fight with Reyson would lead to repercussions he wasn't ready to face. In either case, it would only serve to make Ikyna mad at him. Reluctantly he followed after the heron, conceding to the bird's victory for that night.
Further down, away from the tent and the rest of the mercenaries, Ikyna was jogging after Soren. She was calling his name, panting with each yell, but the mage was determined to ignore her. She had to break into a sprint to overtake him; finally she grabbed his shoulder and turned him around roughly.
"Soren!" she yelled as the mage returned her gaze absently.
A glazed look flickered across his eyes, but Ikyna could tell there was real rage hidden under his flat expression. Ikyna gulped, fearing that expression that she hadn't seen since Soren had almost beaten a kid to death who had stolen Ikyna's favorite dress.
"Soren." She said again warily; like approaching an angered and cornered wild beast.
"What do you want Ikyna?" he asked coldly and distantly. The tone in his voice emotionless and robotic.
She flinched, realizing that she hadn't really thought her plan through; she was talking to an angered wild animal and she hadn't figured out how to come out of the conversation unscathed. Though she knew that Soren's anger wasn't pointed at her, Ikyna didn't want to upset him further and then make things harder for Ike and Aeyori when they inevitably crossed paths.
In an attempt to try to settle the possibly volatile situation Ikyna raised her hands to her chest, trying to calm him before she even spoke, "Listen Soren…"
The mage interrupted her quickly, he knew why she'd followed him, that's why he'd been ignoring her the entire time she'd been calling his name as she ran after him. If she hadn't caught him he would have kept on ignoring her until he finished what he needed to do.
"Don't try to stop me Ikyna." He said as a blunt warning that his foul mood could possibly turn on her at any moment.
"Stop you from doing what, I'm not even sure where you think you are going right now." She responded steadily, still trying to salvage the sour outcome she foresaw coming quickly.
"I'm going to find that liar Aeyori and get rid of her like we should have done a long time ago." He clinched his pale fists tightly, looking strangely paler in the moonlight, "Like I should have done a long time ago." He murmured bitterly.
Ikyna groaned in frustration as she rolled her eyes, "You're not really upset that she's a Laguz, are you?"
Soren's eyebrow quirked, "That hardly matters, the camp is full of Laguz. Why should I care if she's a Laguz? Though her lack of honesty is being brought into question."
"She's allowed to have secrets Soren. Being a Laguz isn't popular with everyone in our crew; as you might have noticed."
"That may be true, but keeping secrets that put you and Ike in danger are not things that I can tolerate."
Ikyna shook her head incredulously, letting an unhappy grumble gurgle form her lips as she folded her arms over her chest, preparing for a fight with Soren. She didn't really think she would be able to win the argument, Soren was an excellent and determined debater, but she was hoping she could stall him enough to think of an actual plan. "What could put us in danger Soren? We're in the middle of a war, danger was never a question."
Soren sighed in exasperation as if Ikyna was the one being truly unreasonable. His mood started to even out, falling from angry to almost tactical as he went into his explanation, "Did you see the mark on the back of her neck?"
Ikyna grimaced and closed her eyes briefly, trying to shove the gruesome memory of Aeyori's mangled back from her mind. It hadn't been easy the first time she'd seen it on that stormy night at sea and it wasn't easier that evening. With a scowl she responded, "Yes I remember the scars; but like I said before, everyone has secrets. It's hardly our business to question where she got them. I'm sure the memory for her is bad enough without you dredging it up for her."
"I said the back of her neck." Soren countered, "I wasn't referring to the whip marks."
The archer noticeably flinched at the word whip, she didn't like to imagine Aeyori at the end of a leather lash like an animal. But she shook her head and appeased the mage by asking for him to explain further. Soren pointed to the back of his neck and tapped it, "There's a tattoo on her neck of a hemlock."
The name didn't register to Ikyna as she stared blankly at Soren, waiting for further explanation. "It's a poisonous flower."
"If she likes dangerous plants I'm not going to judge her."
Then Soren sighed, long, loudly, a blunt exaggeration of how he felt about having to explain further his message that was only not cryptic to him. "You know about slave trading don't you Ikyna?"
A scowl was the response. Ikyna found the work of trading humans for money and services to be distasteful and inhuman. Her disgust was caught quickly by Soren who shared her opinion, especially considering he would have most likely been on the wrong end of one of those deals when he was a child if he hadn't met Ike. In response to Ikyna's prodding nod Soren continued, "Though I don't consider it a very tasteful job, many people dabble in the business of supplying human workers and servants to nobles and lords all around Tellius. The practice is less prevalent in Crimea but very rampant in Daein."
That news didn't come as a surprise. Daein didn't value anyone's rights or freedoms. The type of country that wanted to start a meaningless war with its peaceful neighbors was the exact kind of breeding ground where humans and slavery went hand in hand. But the thought was no more settling to Ikyna and she assumed that what Soren was going to tell her next would be less so.
"Most slave trades in Daein are legal, but for all the credible business, there are some underground traders as well. Smugglers, human trafficking; the kind of people who probably attacked you and Prince Reyson in the forest that night."
At the unwanted reminder of her barely survived attack in the forest at the hands of the mercenaries, and more importantly, the large man with the hammer, Ikyna shivered. It was then that she remembered they were talking about catching Reyson and taking him somewhere.
The understanding registered clearly on Ikyna's face and Soren did not miss it, "Yes, those are the type of men who would have taken the prince and sold him once again to a greedy senator or worse."
A chill shook Ikyna that had nothing to do with the cold but still Soren continued on his tale, "These are the types of underground smugglers and thugs who call the underbelly of Daein their home."
"But what does that have to do with Aeyori?" Impatience ringing in her voice. Soren's explanation wasn't doing anything to actually explain his actions or his anger toward Aeyori. For that matter she couldn't see how talking about underground smuggling was going to lead back to the start of the confusion, namely the hemlock.
Soren sensed the unspoken question and responded, "Among the underground smugglers of Daein there are some more notorious and ruthless than others. A group of greatest note marks its members with a single tattoo." He paused, waiting for Ikyna to catch up with the pieces of the puzzle as they started to fall into place, "A cluster of small flowers."
"A hemlock?"
A grim expression darkened Soren's face as he nodded. Ikyna was afraid to ask further, but she had to know what could creased even her brooding friend's mood. "What makes them so bad?" her voice shook as she spoke, dreading his answer more than seeking it.
"They murder and kidnap to add members to their group of thugs. And their underground illegal activities are too numerous to name at the moment, but needless to say, they are very dangerous."
He ended his sentence with blunt warning and finality, leaving Ikyna to imagine the mysterious horrors on her own. "So is Aeyori in danger?"
Soren made a scoff that was also a laugh. He began to turn, starting his terse and sharp march in search of Ike and Aeyori. Ikyna called after him, trying to run but found her body trembling too much to make her body work properly.
Without glancing behind, his shoulders squared sharply and the former anger began coursing through him again, Soren answered Ikyna's call, "Members of the particular group your 'friend' is or was involved in," the word friend was said with heavy sarcasm, "are known for being very possessive of all members. Once you're part of the Hemlock you can never leave. And if you try, your life, and anyone who tries to help you, is in danger."
"Anyone who helps?"
"Yes. Like a group of mercenaries Aeyori ran into and found sanction with."
A painful realization struck Ikyna in a way she wanted to deny and ignore. That was impossible though, Soren's words were ricocheting in her head. "Are you saying that they'll try to attack us because we're helping Aeyori?"
Soren was pulling ahead; Ikyna was having to slow down to process and understand the new chunk of information. The mage was not hesitating however. The more he explained the angrier he seemed to become. Like he was fueling his own rage for the Goldoan. "Sure, and they already know who we are. I'm sure the men you said were chasing Aeyori in the first place were members of Hemlock."
Ikyna shook her head emphatically, "No, we checked them; those men wore Daein crests." Her voice sounded strained and coarse, dry from nerves that she could not entirely control.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Daein employed workers from that organization; I'm sure if you'd checked under their armor they'd have the same tattoo as Aeyori."
The thought didn't make Ikyna feel any better. She couldn't believe that she had missed such an important clue when she searched the men who had attacked them. Of course not soon after that a man she thought was dead had put a knife to her throat; but that still didn't excuse carelessness if she'd missed something that could be putting her siblings and friends in harm's way.
Noticing the sound of Ikyna's footsteps had stopped Soren paused as well. He turned to see Ikyna, frowning as she looked at the ground, no doubt trying to find some positive spin for Aeyori. He wondered why it was that the people he cared so much for were so naïve.
Soren did not share the positive view of the world that Ikyna and Ike had. He saw the world for the black and sullied place it was. He knew the way it treated and ripped trusting and unaware people apart.
But there was another thing that he was sure of, and that was that he would never, as long as he was by their side, allow anyone to take advantage of them. If that meant shattering Ikyna and Ike's rosy perception of the dragon girl, he would be all too happy to do that.
"Daein is a war obsessed land, full of bigotry and hatred and violence; do you think they would employ an organization who was any less so?"
Ikyna could only shake her head mutely. The vision of the two children, Cash and Pila, came to her mind. Orphaned and alone in the world, Daein had seen to it that those kids had seen and experienced tragedies that would make hardened soldiers squirm. When she remembered their soot covered and bruised bodies she knew Soren's point was more than valid. No one working with Daein could be anything but cruel and ruthless.
With a tremor in her voice, Ikyna slowly raised her head, "So what are they going to do to us?"
"They'll stop at nothing till they claim what they believe is theirs again. And they'll get rid of anything or anyone standing in their way. And they employ do several top ranked fighters and I'm sure dragon's like Aeyori. You remember the damage Aeyori and Ena caused today. Imagine a dozen of them charging in and attacking us. Attacking you, me, Ike…Mist."
Soren paused before saying Mist's name because he knew how protective Ikyna was of her younger sister. Rationality could be easily lost if Ikyna thought that Mist was in danger. A satisfaction welled in Soren's stomach, finding that finally his point was reaching one of the twins.
"Well Ikyna?"
Her blue eyes flickered sharply up and focused on him, but she said nothing. Only the small movement of her hands clenching and unclenching gave any sign to her mood. Most people would have missed the subtle inclination of the twin's anger; but Soren wasn't most people. He'd known Ikyna for too long and that's why he'd known just what trigger to use on her.
With a hand outstretched he spoke, "Shall we find Aeyori together."
Reluctance registered briefly in the way Ikyna pulled her lip into her mouth. That feeling passed when she imagined Mist broken and bruised like Pila and Cash after a gang of vengeful thugs had torn through the camp, leaving fire and bodies in their wake. Tightly she nodded and set off with Soren.
)(
Aeyori scanned the camp, jumping slightly at every small sound she heard, half expecting a charge of soldiers and mercenaries to storm her and Ike the moment they stepped into camp. But when no one did, and not a person stirred, Aeyori still didn't calm down as she walked.
Silently she put a hand on her chest, trying to persuade her nervous heart to steady itself. Her convincing was doing little help and the jumping heart was starting to swirl her stomach. A small meek moan whistled from her lips unhappily.
Ike's hand tightened around hers, sending a warmth where their fingers intertwined. Her glance shot up to her commander who wore a stone like expression. Through its stern appearance Aeyori could since him silently trying to calm her.
At last soldiers came into view, stark contrasts to the seemingly empty camp, standing stiffly at each side of a tent opening. Aeyori knew that they had seen her and the commander, there was a brief recognition in their eyes. Relief when they saw him, wariness when they saw her.
Despite that, the men made no move to approach the two. It struck her as odd. Their lack of interest confused Aeyori as well as calmed her. But her curiosity stirred her and she gave Ike an inquiring glance.
He looked to the tent and stopped walking, giving Aeyori's hand one more squeeze, and scowled lightly. Ike's name was whispered in the night by the mage and the commander let out a sigh. "Nasir, we have him chained in there." He said with a grim a harsh line across his lips. Distinctly he could still remember having Nasir placed under arrest even as he had been frantic to find Aeyori; the calm and defiant look in Nasir's eyes was something that annoyed the commander even then.
The mage beside him took tentative steps toward the guarded tent, one hand drawn to her lips in trepid contemplation. Ike could see the questions forming in her mind. She'd been completely unaware that Nasir had betrayed the company and he could assume the reason was bothering her as much as it was him.
With a weary sigh Ike began pulling her firmly in the direction she was trying to go. A few startled gasps escaped her lips but she settled into silent compliance when she realized what Ike was doing. The soldiers guarding the tent straightened at attention when Ike arrived, "It's good to see you back safe commander." One offered.
Ike nodded, staring darkly at the guarded opening, "How's our prisoner?"
"He still hasn't spoken a word sir."
Ike had figured as much; Nasir didn't appear to be the type of man who was short on pride. Even tied up, under the watch of Beorc, it was unlikely that the imprisoned dragon would give any information. "We're going to take a look." Ike said as he waved the guards aside.
One complied immediately, but a younger guard, probably Ike's age, with blonde hair and nervous twitch, hesitated. He cast a suspicious glance toward Aeyori, who was much too interested in seeing Nasir to pay attention to the guard, and said, "Are you sure we should-"
"Stand down soldier." Ike said softly but firmly. He already knew the young man was probably suspicious of the only other dragon in the camp. And it did look suspicious, if you didn't know the whole story. Ike knew the story, at least enough, and he didn't doubt Aeyori's motives at all.
The soldier looked sheepishly at the dark ground and slid out of the way without another word. Aeyori was quick to enter and Ike passed slowly, placing a hand quickly and reassuringly on the soldiers shoulder. There was no reason to be upset, the soldier was new from the looks of his almost spotless armor. Recruits like him were always suspicious and almost too eager to fight. Ike couldn't help but feel a little bitter that despite the fact that he and the Begnion were the same age, Ike didn't have the luxury of being naïve to battle anymore. War was nothing new.
The flaps of the tent whispered as they were pushed open a second time by Ike. Aeyori was standing across from the man who had betrayed her commander. A dozen memories came surging back to her, unwanted. Faintly she heard Ike entering but she didn't turn to acknowledge him. Her gaze was locked on Nasir who had a slow smile spreading across his face; that familiar unrushed grin that he always did, and bowed his head, "So good to see your highness, though I wish it were in better circumstances." He said turning enough for her to see the ropes tying his hands behind his back and securing his ankles together as well.
Ike saw Aeyori's stance stiffen, straighten to the point that it looked painful, and cross her arms tightly over her chest. He remembered the look she was wearing on her face; it was the same as the expression she had made at Ena.
"Don't call me that." She ordered tartly.
Nasir's eyes wrinkled in silent laughter; enjoying the expected response of the scarlet eyed Goldoan, "And why not? What else should I call the daughter of Deghinsea, king of Goldoa?"
Aeyori clicked her tongue, "Unfortunate." She snapped through her teeth.
The response of the calm dragon was a soft chuckle that masked a subtle sadness, "You're still bent on denying your own people." He shrugged and peered up at her, "Though I suppose you can't hide it now."
A wondering glance made its way to Ike, and an almost whimsical twinkle lit Nasir's soft aqua eyes, "But it seems you hadn't told Ike of your royal parentage." He turned to Aeyori, "He looks surprised."
Ike stiffened and scowled. Yes he surprised; and that was the second time that day he found out a secret that had thrown him for a loop. He didn't like the feeling; it was like he didn't have control. But he didn't want Nasir to see that registering on his face. Nasir was smug enough already.
With barely concealed menace Ike spoke, "Don't direct any comments toward me unless you've managed to loosen your tongue enough to tell me what you've been doing spying on my army all this time."
Nasir's reply was nothing more than coy smile before he looked back to Aeyori. "What a shame. Young races like Beorc are very sensitive to secrets being kept from them."
Ike bristled behind Aeyori and she could hear him taking a dangerous step closer to the captive dragon. That was not a desirable outcome. Aeyori had many questions she wanted to ask her countryman, but that wouldn't happen with the game he was playing with Ike.
Slowly she turned, blushing already from the request she was about to make, and mumbled, "Ike…if you could…I mean…" she rung her fingers together nervously, trailing into incoherent uncomfortable chatter, "I'm sorry but-"
Ike sighed loudly, rolling his shoulders in defeat, knowing exactly what Aeyori was going to ask, and annoyed that it was probably a good idea. "I can step outside to let you two talk alone."
His knowing what she was going to say only embarrassed Aeyori further, and her cheeks darkened to match her eyes. "I'm sorry again." She apologized while staring holes into the ground feeling guilty.
Ike's shoes soon slid into her eyesight and she looked up at the commander who was then standing over her with a soft and tender smile. "It's fine." Looking sharply at Nasir he added, "It wasn't like he was going to tell me anything anyway."
A hand reached for Aeyori's chin and lifted it gently as Ike brushed his lips briefly over the hairline on her forehead. The mage murmured happily as his soft kisses trailed to her left temple. He stopped to pull away, leaving heat and longing in his absence, and stroked her chin, "I'll be right outside; call me if you need me."
She nodded slowly and watched his retreat as he cast on more withering glare at Nasir before disappearing beyond the tent walls. Then it was Aeyori's turn to glare at Nasir, "Was it necessary for you to antagonize him like that Nasir?"
Nasir titled his head and had the decency to grin ruefully at her and shrug. "He's rather easy to tease. He and his sister are so simple."
Aeyori folded her arms over her chest indignantly, "Is that why you're still here? To tease him?"
Nasir flashed the mage his restraints again, "I'm tied up; where else would I go?"
With a laugh that was also a scoff, Aeyori rolled her eyes, "You're a dragon, if you wanted to leave this camp you could easily break out of those restraints and be gone before anyone knew you were missing."
There was a small lift on Nasir's lips that could have been called a grin, but just barely, but he stayed silent, letting his lack of response say more than words ever could. He proved Aeyori's suspicion that there was still more the dragon was planning; far more than just letting Ena escape.
"So why are you here Nasir?" She demanded.
He made no response, instead just stared her down evenly. Holding all his thoughts and secrets tightly within him. "You're honestly not going to answer for the lives you put and are continuing to put in danger?" she cried out, inching toward him in furious frustration.
Nasir dropped his head, hiding the hint of contriteness under his wavy cloudy colored hair.
"So now you feel guilty?" she asked sardonically, "But you still won't answer me?"
He raised his gaze, "All you'd have to do is order me to tell you and I would your majesty."
Aeyori's eyes narrowed, "I said don't call me that. I'm no more royalty than you are."
In a soft voice he asked, "You really despise your people that much?"
She took in a heavy breath, full of anger she was trying to control, "Not at all." She said tightly.
Then it was Nasir's turn to scoff, he smirked in disbelief, "It's hard to tell. You've done such a good job at masking the fact that you're a dragon." He shifted his tied ankles, grimacing as the tight ropes rubbed against the exposed flesh, "You must have changed your diet completely; it's no wonder the other Laguz couldn't sniff you out. You've been even stricter than me."
"I have not!" Aeyori protested defensively, "I still eat hinko berries."
For a brief moment Nasir was stunned by the outburst, than he laughed, "Aww, still your favorite snack. You know, they say only a dragon can appreciate the taste of hinko berries."
Aeyori looked dubiously at the captive, "You shouldn't look down on the Beorc so much, Soren liked the berries just fine."
Nasir smiled even wider, looking genuinely amused by the mention of the often broody young mage, "Well he is a particular case isn't he?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well because he's-"Nasir paused, searching the other Goldoan for any sign that she was joking. Then he frowned, seeing that there was real confusion in her expression, "You don't know?"
"Know what?" she questioned curtly.
He chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement. Aeyori bristled in front of him, sick of the typical, 'I know something you don't know' face that Nasir always made. She'd seen it for many years when she was younger. It wasn't appealing then, and not at the moment either.
Tilting his head as he let out a tittering sigh he said, "Haven't you noticed that he's a bit odd? Or that you feel unnecessarily uneasy around him?"
Aeyori blew out an unhappy breath through her nose, tired of being at the end of Nasir's personal inside joke, "Well Soren basically hates me, so of course I feel uneasy."
"I see, so you haven't noticed." He made a murmuring sound that was also partially a laugh.
"Noticed what?"
Nasir shrugged, pleased with his private secret as he looked to the corner of the tent, "Split parentage huh? The two of you might have more in common than you think."
Aeyori squinted at Nasir, not grasping the meaning of his implication. She couldn't imagine that Soren's upbringing was anything like her own, and there was no doubt in her mind that Soren would strongly disagree. But that was beside the point, Nasir was derailing the point of her conversation, she wasn't there to be led astray by his skillful misdirection.
"That's not the point!" she snapped with more aggression than she meant to show.
The sharp words didn't startle Nasir who watched her with a small calm grin, "You're right, weren't we talking about how you've been trying to escape any claim to our kind. You act like you despise us all."
"I don't despise the Goldoans."
"Just your father?" he said, his mood suddenly changing to sorrow.
Aeyori's forehead creased, wrinkling at the mention of that man. A man she was only connected to by blood and nothing else as far as she was concerned. Nasir saw the reluctant princess's breathe being drawn in tightly, a warning of her temper. For someone so bent on denying her relation to the Goldoan King, Nasir couldn't help but think that she had similar personality quirks.
"You have to forgive him someday." He advised quietly.
With teeth clinched almost too much to speak Aeyori pushed past the infuriating statement, "Stop changing the subject. Why are you here?"
"It wasn't his fault."
"Why did you infiltrate the mercenaries and betray Gallia?"
"You can't keep blaming him for the death of your mother."
"Nasir!" she shouted, rage teeming in her voice, she shook with anger, almost to the point of tears, "Stop trying to make amends for a king too foolish and stubborn to stop the obvious problems right under his nose!"
Nasir looked at her in stunned silence; blinking, but having nothing to say. Aeyori saw the shock reading across clear blue eyes and she took one last breath trying to reign in a tiny shred of self-control. With a tremor in her voice she found enough restraint to speak calmly, "Now I'll ask you one more time, why is one of my father's most trusted advisors and my younger brother's lover fighting along the most violent and intolerant lands in Tellius?"
Nasir dropped his gaze sheepishly, shoulders sagging, and for the first time showing a manner of subjection that he rarely showed. His change in demeanor only irked Aeyori more, "Well?"
With slight hesitation Nasir answered, "What I do, what we do, is for the country and our king."
Aeyori laughed scornfully, "Really? Is that the best lie you can come up with Nasir? My father has very strict neutrality rules. He'd let the world around him burn to ash and never set a foot out of Goldoa."
"Even if you think that, what I do is for him."
Aeyori watched Nasir shift, oddly on the ropes despite his usual skill with words. She searched for sign of deceit but she could tell that there was none. But knowing that didn't mean she completely trusted him. Nasir might not have been lying, but it was clear that he was holding some big piece of information back from his story.
She folded her arms and looked down at the bound dragon skeptically, "I know you're hiding something. You're not here on father's orders, yet you swear you're here to protect his interests?"
A finger tapped her chin thoughtfully. Aeyori doubted that the Goldoan king was in any danger, but there had to be a big problem for Nasir to abandon his post. A faithful subject like him would never leave unless the situation was dire. Aeyori could think of only one other reason why he'd leave. Actually, three.
Her face blanched in paralyzing fear and realization. "Where are my siblings?"
Nasir looked up at her warily, still silent, almost fearful. His expression didn't do anything to calm her already panicked heart. "Kurth? Rajaion? Almehdha? Where are they? What's happened to them?" she wanted to speak with a steady voice, but it was impossible. There were very few bright lights in her life, and the siblings she'd left all those years ago were among those few. Even Almehdha, with all of her tantrums and terrible disposition.
At Nasir's continued silence tears rolled down her cheeks, unable to control them, she sobbed her next series of questions, "Are you really not going to answer me? Can't you at least do that? Nasir!"
The miserable force of Aeyori's cracking voice made the white dragon cringe. Sheepishly he looked up at her, but did not offer her any solace by answering her. Aeyori collapsed to her knees, hands shaking and fearing the worst, and a guilt for abandoning her kid siblings for her selfish needs all those years ago. "Please-" she begged, "At least tell me their okay."
Nasir sighed, "Go to Palmeni Temple."
Aeyori made a questioning sound, blinked away her tears, and stared at Nasir. His expression said that he regretted saying anything but also that he had no choice, "It was not my intention to upset you your majesty."
"Palmeni Temple." She said as she cleared her raw throat.
Nasir nodded, "I can tell you no more for I fear that you'll tell your commander, but if you really wish to help, that is where you must go." His eyes watched her, sincere and clear, "You'll have all of your questions answered soon enough."
Aeyori waited, trying to gain her composure, but Nasir said nothing further. He dipped his head but did not raise it no matter how long she waited. Hastily she rubbed her eyes and stood as she sniffled the last of her tears away and took a long calming breath.
"Thank you." She managed to grumble, taking any information that she could get because she felt that her inkling and Nasir's grim face meant that there wasn't time to argue for any more.
Slowly she turned, folding her hands together and trying to stop them from shaking, knowing that she had to appear to have some bit of normalcy before she faced Ike. She doubted she'd be able to completely fool him though.
"Your majesty." Nasir called, an eerie calm to his voice.
Aeyori stopped, but didn't turn around. She couldn't face him without her worries getting the best of her again, but she turned her head enough to show she was listening. Nasir cleared his throat, "I'd appreciated it if you didn't tell Ike that Ena was my granddaughter; I fear information like that may just complicate things for now."
She didn't reply but started walking, "Majesty?" an urgency crept into his voice, questioning what the meaning of her silence was. Compliance or refusal.
"Stop calling me majesty or highness and maybe I will."
"That I cannot do your majesty."
Aeyori let out a long sigh that was as much her frustration as it was a tired laugh. Nasir, as dutiful as always. Even without seeing him, she could imagine that passive expression that read, 'I'll do what I want.' But Nasir might have been right, that factor was an unwanted fact that would raise more questions than answers.
"I'll keep your secret for now." Was all she said before leaving the tent and the dragon alone.
When Aeyori had left the tent, shifted passed the guards who were watching her less suspiciously, she let out a long loud and heavy sigh. Frosted breath came out in a noisy rush and her lungs filled with chilly air and she shivered. But the cold was welcome. Only when her skin started to prickle with hair bumps did she realize how warm she had gotten in the tent with Nasir.
It must have been the stress. Memories of her home, of her father, and the fear for her lost siblings was enough to make her head ache and her face flushed. However, there was little time to dwell on her settling nerves. Quickly she found Ike, he was a few feet away talking with Titania.
Aeyori approached cautiously, trying to judge Titania's reaction and thoughts. But by the time Aeyori was close enough to hear the conversation it had ended and the scarlet haired knight had yet to notice the Goldoan creeping in the night.
Ike made an unhappy low groan, "That's fine, just have the men go back to their tents and wait for my instructions tomorrow. Oh there you are Aeyori." Ike said and turned to with a swiftness that startled her.
She nodded with a meek yelp, daring to meet Titania's eyes for a brief moment. The glimpse she saw was not what she expected and she looked up again. The older woman was watching her, a soft expression on her face, one of understanding instead of judgement. The sight filled Aeyori's nervous stomach with relief.
"I'm glad to see you're alright." The knight said with a respectful nod in her direction.
"Thank you." She squeaked and could hear Ike chuckling softly. A hand reached over Aeyori's head and began to stroke gently through the shimmering hair, reassuring and warming the mage.
Titania watched with a concealed smile. Remembering scenes similar to the one before her. Ike's gruff and seemingly distant behavior melted away when he was with the woman he cared about. The old general had the same way about him. Greil was all grunts and callouses until Ellena was around him. Then he was gentler than a kitten and would comb his fingers through her hair the same way Ike was doing. Like the touch Aeyori's wispy locks were balm to his battle worn hands.
"I'll take my leave then." She said as an excuse to leave, feeling an acute pain growing as the bittersweet memories of her beloved fallen commander surfaced.
Ike nodded at her, "Yes, thank you for your report. I'm glad things didn't get too out of hand."
Titania made a low sound of agreement before excusing herself. "What happened?" Aeyori asked in confusion.
Ikes' response was given absently as he concentrated on pushing a strand of unruly hair behind Aeyori's slightly pointed ears, "There was apparently a heated discussion over what to do about the dragons."
Aeyori gulped, "What did they decide?"
"Mostly everyone trusts you, there were just a few people with very strict and…loud opinions."
"Did everything work out?"
Ike nodded, "Yes, it seems the prince managed to settle things down well enough to stop any real problems."
Aeyori smiled softly, "That's good to hear." She said, feeling suddenly weary and letting her former conversation take is final toll on her body. Her shoulders sagged, releasing a bundle of tension that was making her neck ache.
A sigh, that was more groan than anything, came from her lips. Though she tried to stifle it, shrug through her pains silently, Ike had heard. He frowned in concern, reaching to cup her cheek, and gave it a slow worried stroke. "What's wrong?" he inquired, tilting his head from side-to-side, watching Aeyori's face switch from exhaustion to calm as she tried to hide the distress that he had so clearly seen.
Insistently she shook her head, but could not contain the next shudder that rattled through her mouth. "No, something is wrong. Tell me." It was a gentle command that he had made, but there was no doubt that he was expecting her to answer.
Aeyori couldn't answer him right away; her own anxiousness had taken the willingness of her tongue. All she really wanted was to close her eyes and wrap herself in Ike's strong hands, and sleep away the headache threatening to form over her eyes.
But Ike would not allow her to slip away without assuring him that she was alright. He called her name again; worry and tenderness spun around his words and it was almost unbearable for her to hear. All her intentions to maintain a strong front withered. Before she could stop them, tears trickled slowly down her face, and reflexively she sniffled.
Ike's eyes widened in panic; both hands went to grab her face, cradling her soft yet slightly damp cheeks. He peered at her, letting her obvious distress stab at his own heart. "What is it? What did Nasir say to you?"
Aeyori whimpered at the mention of that name; letting it bring to her mind the possible and terrible truth of Goldoa. She looked upward, tried to blink away tears, and spoke, "He didn't say much; but I think somethings happened in Goldoa and-" her eyes shimmered with fear and sadness, "I think something has happened to my siblings."
"Your siblings?"
"Yes, Rajaion, Kurthnaga, and Almehda. I don't know what's happened to them; but I'm afraid that whatever trouble is happening in Daein that they are somehow trapped in it."
Ike tried steady the dragon as she shivered in his hands, finding that she was almost inconsolable. "What do you mean they're in trouble?"
"Oh by the goddess, it's my fault Ike. I shouldn't have left them. I knew that man wasn't going to be responsible to care for them properly." She wailed morosely, "I shouldn't have been so selfish; if anything were to happen to them, oh Ike, I don't know what I'll do."
The distress was almost palpable; but he couldn't blame Aeyori. Ike was only starting to learn about the many secrets Aeyori had but he did know that the only thing she had willingly and happily told him about was her siblings. For that matter, Ike had sisters of his own that he would do anything to keep safe. If he thought they were in a danger he couldn't protect them from, he couldn't guarantee that he'd be in any better spirits than her.
"Hey, hey." He said in almost a cooing voice, "Calm down Aeyori." Then he pulled her into his chest and held her, "I don't know what's really going on in Goldoa or Daein, but I can tell you one thing. You're brother Kurthnaga is fine."
Aeyori made a small questioning sound in Ike's chest. "I saw him, earlier this year, when we were traveling at sea and got stuck on the rocks." Aeyori listened silently to Ike, letting the comfort of his protective arms and steady voice calm her, "You were in your room recovering from your fall into the ocean."
Ike instinctively pulled Aeyori even closer, just the small reminder of almost losing Aeyori made him uneasy. "Kurthnaga kept the rest of the dragons from attacking us, helped us get our boat off of the rocks, and even sent us off with more supplies than we could handle."
"I didn't know." Aeyori said weakly.
"Of course I didn't know that he was your brother back then or I would have told you." Ike mused noticing that his little mage was starting to relax. He pulled away and looked down at her, raising one hand to brush away a strand of hair that had stuck to her tear stained face, "your brother was fine, and every bit of the kind and sweet kid you remembered him to be."
"Really?"
Ike nodded, glad to see that Aeyori was starting to relax, if only a little. "I can't speak for your other siblings; but whatever is going on, we'll figure it out once we sort out things with Daein and this war." But despite the almost promise Ike was making, it wasn't like he had any idea what Daein was doing or what their end game was. Their king had abandoned what was supposed to be the final battle ground; nothing was making sense.
"Though, I'm not sure what we need to do now." He said with his own tiredness taking over his body. It had been much to long of a day and night and he was feeling the wear of battle and stress.
"Palmeni." Aeyori suddenly said, sounding almost shocked herself as the word came out.
"Palmeni?"
Aeyori raised her head and nodded slowly, "Yes, Nasir did tell me one thing. He said to go to Palmeni Temple. If we go there, we'll get our answers."
Ike frowned and raised one eyebrow, he didn't like the fact that Nasir had given Aeyori information that was so vague and barely helpful. Aeyori saw the doubt in the commander's face and she sighed, "You think we shouldn't trust him?"
"I think we should, probably." He said without sounding convinced of his own words.
"Do you?"
"Well we don't have any other leads." He said in defeat. "But if it can end this nonsense with Daein and help your siblings, it's worth a shot."
Aeyori pursed her lips out and let her hands rest on Ike's arms for support. She could feel the hardened muscles and the moment that they relaxed. His whole body softened with weariness and his breathing slowed. She could tell the moment Ike resigned himself to ending the conversation to rest. It happened the same time in her. She made a sleepy murmuring sound and allowed herself a frail smile, "Thank you."
"Hmm?" he questioned with equal drowsiness in his tone as he rested his head on hers.
"Thank you for calming me down. I don't know how you manage it all the time. I'm always falling to pieces in front of you."
Ike adjusted himself so that Aeyori was tucked back into his chest, "Well I wasn't sure if I could talk you down this time, but if that hadn't worked I would have kissed you, like before."
"Before?" She pulled back and quirked a brow, "What do you mean before?"
Ike's answering grin spread slowly until it was a complete wolfish smirk. Playfully he bent his head and nuzzled her nose with his own, "I mean-"
"Ike, step away from Aeyori."
The mercenaries pulled away and looked stunned at the loud interruption. Soren was standing stiffly before them; an impassive expression and a tome open in his palm. Ike looked warily at the mage. Other than the tome in Soren's hand Ike couldn't tell what his friend might be thinking. Still he doubted he'd approve of whatever Soren was planning; the mages eyes were too cold and glacial as they watched Aeyori.
Ike placed himself between the mage and Aeyori, "What are you doing Soren?" he questioned harshly.
"Something I should have done a long time ago. Now move aside so we can get this over with."
All done, now on to the next Fanfiction
PB
