CHAPTER 40
Wow this fanfiction has come a long way. It's all thanks to you guys. I love both the private and public reviews that I get. And I'm thankful for the constructive criticism I've been given. Honestly guys, if something seems off in my story, it's okay if you tell me. I rely on all the input to keep the story going.
Also I changed to ending from my last chapter, if you read it the day prior no need to go back and reread it. I added the changed part to the beginning of this chapter so you don't have to go back. It was only about three paragraphs that I changed.
I don't own fire Emblem
"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."
(A few minutes earlier.)
"Soren, wait up, you're walking too fast." Ikyna complained as her boot snagged on a rock and she stumbled, barely having time to reach out and stable herself on Soren's long dark robes.
He paused to look at her, a curious eyebrow raised, and waited until she was stabilized again. Then he started walking once more, stopping only when Ikyna called his name again. With a very thin grasp on his patience he took a deep breath, "What's wrong Ikyna. Why are you hesitating?"
"It's just-" she began mildly, "Would you at least turn around and look at me when I'm talking." She demanded tersely.
Soren complied, but the scowl on his face told that it was not without protest. Ikyna ignored it and continued speaking, "I'm just thinking-"
"You're having second thoughts about confronting Aeyori."
Ikyna didn't respond, she merely started tugging at her own braid and shook her head in silent debate. She wanted to figure things out, and she wasn't happy that Aeyori could have been hiding something so important, but she didn't know if she was of the same mindset as Soren. In fact it scared her to think that a moment before she could have been.
The broody mage was on a warpath. His tome was in his hand already opened and ready to read. Soren acted as if he was going to kill the girl without a chance for discussion. But that wasn't what Ikyna really wanted and her reluctance was manifesting itself in the way that she was digging her shoes in the snow and biting her lip.
Finally she answered Soren's question, "Maybe I am."
Soren sighed heavily, disapproval resonating in the coarse sound of his rattling exhalation. Ikyna cringed slightly at the noise, but pressed on with her thoughts, "Listen, I don't necessarily approve of Aeyori possibly putting us in danger but I don't think that you marching off to attack her is right either."
The mage scoffed and Ikyna glared, "Tell me that you have a different plan in mind and I'll take back what I said." She gestured toward him, eyeing his tense stance and his weapon of choice that was basically armed for battle.
"You can't do this Ikyna." Soren said in a deceptively calm voice, "You're not going to let Mist be in danger are you?"
Ikyna shook her head and pointed angrily at Soren, "Stop it, don't you dare. I know what you're doing."
"What am I doing?" Soren said with little vigor and a sigh.
Ikyna's face warmed with blood in frustration as she spoke, "You're trying to handle me Soren."
"No, Ikyna I wouldn't-"
"Yes, yes you would. You know how crazy I am about Mist and that I don't think straight when it comes to her." Ikyna put her hands on the side of her head, gripping her hair in tight clumps before scratching her scalp in frustration. "You're so against Aeyori that you're trying to get me on your side."
"The only side I'm on is yours and Ike's." he said calmly in absolute contrast to Ikyna whose eyes were wide and voice was cracking.
"No, you're trying to make me turn on Aeyori so you can justify whatever issues you have with her. But you can't do it Soren." She said with a tight glower, "Aeyori is my friend and I care about her and I know she lied but friends are supposed to give each other the benefit of the doubt."
"You really believe she deserves that?"
Ikyna huffed loudly and averted her gaze from Soren's penetrating one. She didn't want to be sucked into his reasoning again and she felt guilty about the things she'd been thinking about a girl who had saved her life earlier that day. But that wouldn't erase the fact that for a short time she'd let her temper and suspicions get the best of her. Ikyna would have liked to have thought that she was immune to negative talk she had heard in the tent but she was starting to understand that she was not.
Just the implication that Mist was in danger and she was ready to ambush Aeyori on the simple suggestion of Soren whose people skills left more than a little to be desired.
Soren watched the twin shift uncomfortable in front of him. Never making eye contact again with him as she struggled to deal with her doubts that contradicted the genuine affection she had for the girl who loved her brother.
Soren sighed, it was clear that Ikyna would never share his same viewpoint, and if she did, she would never be able to follow through with it. "Ikyna." He began.
"Don't even try it Soren. If you hurt Aeyori, I won't forgive you." There was little malice in Ikyna's voice, and her threat was weak. Soren knew that Ikyna would never be able to hold a grudge against him forever; but he could also tell that she was serious about protecting Aeyori as well.
"So what would you have me do Ikyna?"
Ikyna shrugged lamely, still refusing to look at him, "I don't know, but we need to talk things over before we go shooting people and slicing them up with wind."
Soren smirked briefly, "What do you want to talk about?"
The archer groaned, "I don't want to talk to you. I could talk to you until I'm blue in the face and you won't change your mind about Aeyori."
He nodded slowly, "You're right; I won't."
Ikyna rolled her eyes in exasperation, "At least we need to hear Aeyori's part of the story."
Silence followed Ikyna's last statement. She stood, cold in the night, and waited for Soren to respond. When he didn't' she dared to glance at him. His face was blank except for the barely visible wrinkle above his brow as he thought. Ikyna couldn't tell was he was plotting but she hoped he listen to part of her advice.
After some time Soren sighed softly, "Fine, I'll hear what she has to say." But he offered nothing more than that as he turned sharply and started walking again.
Ikyna was surprised, she hadn't expected him to give in to her request so quickly. She thought she'd be in for a long fight that would leave her tired and angrier than she started. Calmly she jogged up to him, "Are you at least going to put your tome away?"
"Since you requested it, I will talk to girl; but I'll do it on my terms." Was his sharp reply.
Ikyna still felt that Soren was a possible danger to Aeyori, but she trusted that Ike could handle him. Thankfully as well, she'd managed to get her emotions under control.
Ahead of her and the mage she saw Ike and Aeyori huddled together, Ike's nose pressed affectionately into Aeyori's as he smiled warmly. Ikyna was relieved to see them both looking fine but Soren did not share the same sentiment.
Without warning or apologies he interrupted their tender moment, "Ike, step away from Aeyori."
Ikyna cringed at Soren's tone and Ike's answering scowl as he placed himself between Aeyori and the raven-haired boy. "What are you doing Soren?"
The question was asked cautiously, making the situation tenser as the old friends were locked in a staring match. "Something I should have done a long time ago. Now move aside so we can get this over with."
Ike shook his head slowly; not willing to budge an inch. He couldn't imagine what was going on in Soren's mind but he knew the tactician was not someone to be underestimated. "I don't think I will."
"Ike this is for your own good."
"Tell me what you're going to do Soren." Ike said, letting his own tone travel with harshness.
Ikyna looked from her brother to her friend, saw the anger and distrust, then she looked to Aeyori who was watching just as helplessly as she was. Quickly she jumped in between the two young men. Her arms were stretched to each side of her, palms out and halting any further progress of either mercenary.
"Take it easy." She ordered to both men.
"I will once someone tells me what's going on here." Ike said, he spoke gentler with Ikyna but there was still a distinct edge in his voice.
"We just want to talk." Ikyna said, nodding her head slowly as if trying to convince herself that talking was the only thing that Soren had in mind.
Ike looked at Soren with a raised eyebrow that said he didn't believe the mage was there for a simple chat; Ikyna didn't believe herself much either. Soren's former rage had dissipated but that didn't make him any less dangerous. Ikyna was more afraid of Soren when he was calm than emotional. He was a tactical threat that she couldn't combat.
With a straight face she shot Soren a warning, "You promised." She said in a pleading voice.
Soren's eyes flicked from Aeyori to Ikyna then back to Aeyori. He heard Ikyna call his name once more before he blew out a mild frustrated breath. Reluctantly he closed his tome and tucked it under his arm and turned to look at Ike.
Ike waited a moment, still half expecting Soren to spring at Aeyori, but when he didn't the commander relaxed as well. Soren cleared his throat, "I need to speak with Aeyori, Ike."
There was an unsettling calm in the mages voice that made Aeyori swallow a lumpy gulp. "About what?" Ike questioned.
"I need to talk with her alone." He responded without giving Ike a direct answer.
The commander frowned and Ikyna chuckled nervously. She gave her brother a quick pat on the back, "It's fine brother, Soren doesn't know how to approach the subject delicately, but we just need to know what's going on." Ikyna rubbed her arm uncomfortably, "There's this big discussion about Aeyori being a dragon and we're all just a little concerned."
Ike folded his arms, "I think that issue has been resolved, at least for now. I just talked with Titania right before you two arrived."
Ikyna perked up at the mention of Titania. She hadn't know that the meeting had ended. Her earlier discussion with Soren had apparently taken longer than expected. "It did? I didn't know that." She paused, letting a tiny wave of relief give her a break from the tense conversation.
Shooting her gaze towards her brother she asked, "So did Reyson…"
Her brother nodded, "I don't know all the details but he and Titania were able to get everyone to some kind of agreement. I'll have an official meeting with the rest of the group tomorrow."
"Oh, that's good; that's really good." She repeated with relieved sighs each time. "And so." She began again, determined to actually resolve all of the concerns she had before Soren did something drastic.
"Yes?" Ike prodded.
"You know about, the scars, and the marking," she rubbed her neck as a gesture awkwardly, "on her neck."
Her brother's expression darkened, he didn't know of any markings on Aeyori's neck but he did know about the scars. He hadn't expected Ikyna to bring that up and he distantly wondered what Soren's sharp mind had figured out that he could have told her.
"I know about the scars, but it's not my place to tell that story." He said as a matter of fact.
Ikyna nodded her head meekly, losing the rest of her nerve to embarrassment. She didn't think she could ask any further questions when her brother seemed to have a complete grasp on the situation and gave no indication that he was concerned about dragons or dangerous thugs.
Soren felt no such embarrassment. He'd never been one to worry about social norms or the need to show tact. Without waiting for Ikyna to work up the courage to ask the actual root of the problem, he spoke, "So you know about her being part of a human trade group?" he questioned.
"Soren!" Ike snapped disapprovingly.
Soren didn't flinch. He maintained his straight gaze without blinking. Making no indication that he would back down from Ike's challenge. Ike saw Soren's fixed stare, lamented over Aeyori's possible damaged feelings, but nodded tightly, "Yes, I do."
The boy mage was briefly surprised; he hadn't expected the Goldoan to be honest about her background. But there were still more questions to ask, and things he was sure Ike didn't know. "So you know about Hemlock?"
Ike's confused stare answered Soren's question clearly.
"What do you know about Hemlock?" Aeyori said, fear and shocking rattling softly in her throat. Ikyna and Ike looked at the girl who had been silent the whole time; watched her walk around Ike to address Soren directly.
"I'm well read in many things, Aeyori; so I know enough."
Aeyori swallowed slowly. Soren's words were both statement and also a threat. Aeyori knew the things written about the organization she had tried so hard to escape from. None of it was good and it was nothing that she wanted to share with Ike.
Him knowing that she was captured, even beaten like an animal was something she could bare. But that was all, and Aeyori was certain that Soren would not have mentioned Hemlock if that was all he wanted to talk about. There was triumphant glint in his eyes that said he was holding all the cards.
"Ike." She began as she placed a hand gently on his arms, "I'll go with him."
Ike looked at her curiously, "Aeyori, you don't have to. What you've told me is enough; Soren can't force you to tell him anything you don't want."
"No it's okay." She said nervously, sensing that Soren was planning something behind that passive indifferent mask that he wore.
"I'll go with you then." Ike offered.
"NO!" she said quickly and harsher than she had intended. Embarrassed she looked away, flushed that she had spoken in the way that she had and also dark with the thought that Soren might know things about her that she had vowed to not tell anyone.
In a quieter tone, with a forced smile she brought Ike's hand to hers and kissed it to offer a reassurance that Ike was suspicious of. "I'll be fine; Soren and I are due for a conversation anyway." She said with no luster.
Ike wanted to protest, and the look on Ikyna's face said that she felt the same way. But Aeyori didn't appear to be wavering in her decision. She locked eyes with Soren and gestured ahead, "Lead the way." She said softly.
Soren nodded, paused to turn and face the twins who watched him warily. He untucked his book from under his arm and handed it to Ikyna, "I promised, didn't I?"
Without a word she agreed and took the book from him. Ike was watching him still, a held warning in his gaze, but no words to match it. "I won't do anything terrible. We're just going to talk. Trust me, like you trust her."
The twins exchanged guilt ridden glances at Soren's last statement. His words stung almost as much as the slight hurt that had crept into his voice. They both nodded seriously, knowing full well that they shouldn't be treating their friend from so many years as if he hadn't earned their trust long ago. They knew there was no reason to favor Aeyori. Though the twins didn't always agree with how Soren dealt with people; he'd never do anything if he thought it would hurt them.
"Aeyori." Ike called gently, not letting the last of his misgivings reveal themselves in his voice, "I'll be waiting for you in my tent."
Aeyori would have blushed if she'd been less anxious about whatever Soren was thinking. She settled for a small nod and a weak smile before she and Soren headed towards an empty section of the camp.
Ikyna could see the crease and concern over her twin's forehead. She patted him on the shoulder, "I'm sure things will be fine." But she sounded only slightly convinced.
"Maybe. How'd it even come to this sis? I figured Soren would have something to say, but I didn't think you'd let him get this far."
Ikyna shrugged sheepishly, "Because I'm bad at mediating and easily influenced by my emotions."
"Is that so?" He said sardonically, still staring into the night where he could barely make out Aeyori and Soren's retreating figures.
Ikyna blew a defeated raspberry, "Honestly it will be okay."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Because Soren cares for you more than he dislikes Aeyori."
Ike made a low sound of agreement and tugged at his sister's braid lightly, "Come on, it's better for us to be by a fire worrying than freezing out here."
)(
Further down Aeyori and Soren made it to a clearing in the camp, no Beorc or Laguz were around, just a few horses and supplies. Soren found a rock, dusted the snow from it, and sat down. He waited silently, watching Aeyori, waiting for her nerves to start her talking.
She was glancing around, breathing deeply, and desperately trying to seem more in control than she felt. She remembered Nasir speaking of the unnecessary uneasiness; that same feeling was even more acute as she waited for Soren to say what he wanted.
When he didn't, she sighed, wanting to get the torture over with, sooner rather than later. "It's very empty here." She observed.
"I'm not going to do anything to you." Soren stated.
"That's not how it looked earlier."
"I won't deny I was ready to end you before, but I've got a different idea now."
Aeyori shivered at Soren's words, not liking the calculating and cold way he spoke to her. "Because of Ikyna and Ike?"
He nodded slowly, adding nothing else. Aeyori did not feel comforted. She did believe that he wouldn't hurt her, but she was positive that he didn't wish her well. "Let's not waste any more time Soren." She spoke with more force and courage than she really had, "You spoke of Hemlock."
"You're surprised?"
"Very few people know about them, other than whispers and stories they hear, and even less know of them by name."
"I told you I'm well read."
"And what have you read?"
Soren looked smug briefly, savoring the uncomfortable shift and tremor that rolled through Aeyori's body as she squirmed under his gaze. "I know that kidnapping and trading is only part of the group, and that you weren't traded while you were with them."
Aeyori stiffened, "And how do you know that?"
Soren tapped the back of his neck, "You're tattoo; I caught glimpses of it before." He lowered his head and his face clouded with a brief frightening expression, "I thought it was something else; but when you shifted today I got a good look at the cluster of flowers on your neck."
Aeyori quickly reached to cover the mark. Absently rubbing it as if she could wipe away the memory and whatever knowledge Soren had. It didn't do any good, she still remembered exactly how she got the mark and Soren was still speaking, "I know that your particular tattoo is given only to specific members of that group."
Soren watched as Aeyori's eyes widened further; he could almost see the fear welling inside of her. The dread that she could not shake knowing that Soren knew the secret she couldn't bear to hear spoken out loud.
"The kind marked like you aren't traded or sold, you're fighters."
Aeyori cringed.
"Gladiators, pitted against one another to fight and kill on a stage for entertainment."
Aeyori shuddered at the truth Soren had said and wrapped her arms around herself as Soren continued to speak, not giving her a chance to recover as he dredged up memories she'd tried to pretend where nothing but nightmares, "The Hemlock is most known for its matches between Beorc and Laguz. Games that only end when one person is left."
Slowly he stood, staring her dead in the face, contempt in his eyes, "Since you're still alive, I wonder how many battles you came out from. How many men and Laguz did you crush to make it to where you are today?"
Aeyori looked away, not able to bare the harsh and judging tone he spoke with. He began to circle her, his hands behind his back as he paced around her, "Did the nobles who paid to watch you cheer as you murdered Beorc and your own kind?"
Then Soren stopped, watching her expectantly, and Aeyori felt a pain in knowing that he was going to pull an answer from her. Make her agonize in the horrible truth. Her nose turned up and she looked to the sky; with quivering lips she responded as she closed her eyes tightly, "They sang my name, and praised me like I was a god."
"Did they? Did you enjoy it? The pleasure of their praise and acceptance?"
She shook her head, letting her gaze return to him, "No. No I hated it and them."
"Then why did you do it?"
"Because I, because I…" she started clearly rattled .
"Because you were afraid?"
"No, I…"
"Because they beat you? Because they threatened your family?" his tone was even and calm but the words stung like rocks being pelted against Aeyori.
"Because, they tortured you?"
Aeyori shook her head roughly, wheezing almost. But Soren showed her no mercy no matter how rattled she appeared. Question after question her fired at her, questioning her integrity and her motive until she couldn't take the accusing sting in his voice.
"Because they let me sleep!" she shouted as she roughly raked her fingers through her hair.
At her loud and abrupt admission even Soren had to stop speaking. She stunned even him with the truth. "Because the more I killed, the more gruesome that the kill was, the more they cheered. And if they loved me, they'd let me rest, and I just wanted to sleep Soren."
Soren had gotten his composure back and was shaking his head, "Sleep? Yes it must have been hard for you to murder all those people."
There was cutting contempt and disbelief in Soren's words and Aeyori had to raise her head in surprise. She stared at him in shock and he looked back, his face unreadable, "Don't look for pity from me Goldoan. Save that for Ike when I'm sure he'll have you in his bed tonight." He made no attempt to hide his disgust.
"Really, none?" She said, though she wasn't honestly surprised. Soren's eyes had never had any sympathy for her. There was no reason for him to have any now that he had discovered what kind of person she had been.
Soren scoffed, "Aeyori, the only concern I have right now is trying to figure out what to do with a killer who traded human life for the comfort of her beauty sleep."
Aeyori would have liked to protest, to rephrase what he had said to make herself sound less like a heartless monster; but there wasn't a way to sugar code a truth she had known and had been trying to hide.
All she could do was nod weakly because her time with Thorne had been something like that. Rest was exchanged for carnage that could never be erased from ones memory. She watched Soren tapping his chin, looking thoughtfully, tormenting her with the prolonged silence. Finally she opened her mouth to plead, "Please don't tell Ike or Ikyna."
"What?"
Aeyori took the shame of having to ask again and swallowed it, "I don't want them to know."
"But you're okay if I know?"
"I don't have a choice with you, but I'd like to tell Ike on my own."
Soren eyed her suspiciously, "Because you were planning on telling him later on?"
At Aeyori's hesitation to answer Soren found that his suspicion was correct. If no one had found out about her past, she'd never have bothered to bring it up. It was only after painful coercion that she told Soren, and he had practically forced her.
She waited anxiously for him to agree, worried that he would refuse because of her previous dishonesty. Instead, his lips tipped in a quirk, "I'll keep your secret. Ike and Ikyna don't need your problems dumped on their plates, they have their own issues to deal with."
Aeyori sighed, "Thank you." She said.
"Don't thank me." Soren quickly interjected, "I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Ike and Ikyna; and since I'm doing you this favor I'll expect something in return." Soren saw the steady sign of confusion crawling over Aeyori's face, "Did you think I'd let you off that easily?"
The answer to the question was an obvious no, but Aeyori had hoped there would be some kindness from the mage. He wagged his index finger at her mockingly, "I'm not your friend Aeyori, despite how Ike and Ikyna feel about you, my opinion of you won't change." He began his circular pace again, "But I've decided that you being a dragon may be of some use later on."
Aeyori scowled, "I shifted to save my friends, but I no longer fight in my dragon form." She said firmly, thinking of the vow she made to herself all those years ago.
Soren was once again not moved by her notions, "It seems that now you will, Aeyori."
She shook her head emphatically, "I can't, I can't go back to that person I was."
The mage tilted his head, dead pan as he looked at her, "Aeyori, we will always be the people we think we used to be, especially people like you."
She gritted her teeth at his bitter words, "I said I can't." she insisted.
"Sure you can, just do what you did today when you almost snapped Ena's neck."
Aeyori paled and shivered, remembering how close she had been to killing Ena. If Nasir hadn't stopped her, she'd have crushed the dragon under her foot and burned her body for good measure. Soren was right, and she hated herself for it. That person she was in those chains and arenas was closer than she wanted to admit.
"Nothing else to add?" he said in a semi mocking tone.
She didn't have anything to say. Soren nodded, knowing that silence was all she would be able to offer. He turned to leave her, "You should head back to Ike now, he'll be worrying about you."
Aeyori could hear his feet as they shuffled away, but she didn't turn to watch, there was too much shame and fear that she was dealing with to face him. "Don't worry, I'll keep your secret; and until you find yourself able to tell Ike, I'll look forward to your assistance in the battles; a dragon will be a very good ally when we face Ena again."
Aeyori didn't dare to move until she was sure that Soren was gone. When his footsteps disappeared she fell to the ground, chest heaving and heart beating rapidly. She'd seen men terrifying enough to make your knees shake, but they didn't make her bones ache the way Soren did. He was a monster, a brilliant, calculating monster; and he nearly owned her.
)(
Ike was sitting on his blankets, a fire burning and humming at the center of the tent, with a list of supplies that he was trying to read to pass the time. He heard the flap of his tent slide open and his head perked up from the parchment. "Aeyori!" he called excitedly, tossing the scroll aside without a second thought. Ike had long sense given up actually reading; his mind was too occupied with thoughts of Aeyori to focus on anything else.
He stood quickly and trotted to the Goldoan, reaching his hands out, he placed them on her arms and gave them a quick rub. Warding off some of the cold on her skin, Ike studied her face, she looked pale and exhausted.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
Aeyori wanted to tell him that she wasn't, to break down for the third time that night, but she remembered her conversation too vividly to do such. Ike's sharp cerulean eyes studied her, were tilted with concern and she was only filled with guilt as the words murder and killer raced in her mind. It reminded her why she couldn't tell Ike all the secrets she was carrying.
With a remaining energy she had, she lifted her head and forced a smile. Ike paused, not completely believing the curl of her lips, but also feeling like she wouldn't tell him the truth if he asked. Aeyori knew she was barely convincing but she was thankful that Ike didn't question her.
"Come on, sit." He said, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward his padded bed.
Aeyori made a pleasurable murmuring sound as she sat, finding the ground and soft blankets to be enjoyable and stabling. And the ground was warmer, as was being near Ike. He sat crossed legged in front of her, hands rubbing circles on her thighs and a soft inquiring smile.
"So," he began, scooting closer so that their knees touched, "a lot happened today."
Aeyori nodded slowly, starting to sway as the events of the day drained her strength. Ike could see her drifting to sleep but there were still things he wanted to ask; just a few more things. "So, you're a princess and a black dragon…gray dragon."
The goldoan chuckled sleepily, "Not a princess and not a black or gray dragon."
"But Nasir said-"
"Nasir calls me your majesty because he's a pious servant of my father. My father is the king but my mother was an ordinary white dragon. She had a relationship with my dad but she didn't want to be queen so she left the castle and raised me in the country side."
Ike watched her swaying, lids drooping heavily, and he brought a hand to her face to steady her. She leaned her cheek into his palm, "I didn't go to live in the castle until after my father rescued me from captivity."
"He rescued you? Sounds pretty gutsy." He complemented.
Aeyori managed to scowl through her drowsy lids, "It was on a whim."
"You think?"
"If it hadn't been, he'd have saved my mother too." The last sentence was said through a yawn that relaxed the scowl that had formed.
Ike brought his other hand up to rub her forehead. She sighed contently and opened her arms to wrap them around his stomach, finding solace and comfort in his warmth and strength. Ike uncurled his legs and opened them until Aeyori could rest mostly in his lap as he stroked her hair. He decided to not mention the matter of her father any more for the time being; it hadn't appeared to be a pleasant subject when Nasir had brought it up earlier.
"So, you're not a princess, you're just a mixed dragon."
Her head moved up and down against his stomach, "I'm just a white dragon with eyes from my father."
Ike reached for a nearby extra blanket and wrapped it around both of their bodies, letting his hands slowly travel up and down her back. He waited, letting himself adjust to the pressure of her thin frame against his. "Hey Aeyori."
"Hmm?"
"I was wondering something." His hand played with strands of hair and she made another 'hmm' sound.
"I thought Laguz couldn't use weapons or tomes. So how can you?"
"It's not that Laguz can't, they just don't. It's a pride thing, Laguz don't want to use weapons made by Beorc." Ike found himself silently nodding at the facts, he couldn't imagine Yakuzo or Lethe every resorting to using a sword or magic, even if their lives were at stake. Their Laguz pride would definitely not allow them.
"But it doesn't bother you?"
He felt her shake her head, "I'm a white dragon, we have a slightly stronger affinity for magic so of all the Beorc weapons that I could master, light magic was the easiest." Ike could feel Aeyori shifting and starting to play with the hem of his shirt, "Though it didn't actually come easy. It took me years to master even the basics. Even now, I won't ever be able to master it like a Beorc could."
"It seems like it would be easier for you to fight as dragon."
Aeyori froze briefly in Ike's lap, thinking, remembering, then she let out a deep breath, "Yes, you would think that." Ike could hear a distinct sadness in her voice, something lonely, something painful. It was the same feeling he had when she walked into the tent.
"Hey Aeyori, are you going to tell me what you and Soren talked about?" she could hear the genuine worry in his question.
Aeyori shook her head and wrapped her arms around Ike once more; using his abdomen to hide the shame on her face, "No, I don't think I will."
"Aeyori?"
"It's okay, Ike. I just, need to get some sleep." She admitted.
Ike sighed, deciding that he could leave the subject for another day. It had been a hard fight and Ike wasn't feeling much more energetic than she was. "Did you want me to walk you back to your tent?"
When Aeyori didn't respond right away Ike called her name again, wondering if she had fallen asleep that quickly. "Ike, I don't want to go back to my tent."
Ike's heart jumped, he lifted Aeyori from his chest and looked down at her, her eyes wide and pleading. "You don't want to go back to your tent?"
She shook her head, holding her breath in, in expectation. Ike felt himself blushing and temporarily too stunned to speak. He hadn't expected Aeyori to suddenly be so forward, but since he was in no hurry to move her from his lap, or sleep without the tight hold of her arms around him, he couldn't be upset.
When he could steady himself enough to speak he grabbed Aeyori's face gently and kissed her before chuckling softly, "Then I guess you'll have to stay here."
Okay so this is a new chapter but technically it's just the conclusion of the previous chapter that I was too tired to finish yesterday. If I had finished it, I could have gotten back to the main canon story. Next chapter I will. Well actually next chapter is the Tibarn story but after that.
Please keep comments and reviews coming.
-PG
