Chapter 44
So I know this is supposed to be the Tibarn story but that story was temporarily lost on my Tablet, it's back now but I thought I'd finish this story in the mean time.
Her lashes weren't very long as they rested over her tightly closed eyes. They were thick however, stretching out like a broad fan, quivering minutely in her sleep. Reyson had the faintest smile sitting on his lips that matched the slow warmth crawling through his chest as he knelt in front of Ikyna.
It wasn't often that he got to see the young archer at such ease. Her fiery and energetic personality was bright like sunshine. But as she was then, calm lost in slumber, Reyson found himself pleased that way as well.
The white prince struggled between two choices. He had pressing news to tell her and the group. What he'd read on the walls in his language was shocking and urgent. All he needed to do was rouse the sleeping mercenary and find the rest of his companions. Yet he hesitated; enjoying the sight of loose strands of hair flickering against her steady breathing as she slept against the room's stone walls.
It couldn't have been very comfortable; the musky smell of rust and mold alone made being in the abandoned keep barely tolerable. Reyson would have minded it more if he hadn't been completely focused on reading the messages carved in the stone. He couldn't tell how much time had passed since he was lost in the trance of words. Long enough, he supposed, for Ikyna to fall asleep waiting for him.
After another few moments of debating, he chose to wake her. He was still reluctant to disturb her as his thin pale fingers drew close to her face. With how soundly she was sleeping in such unideal circumstances, it was clear that she needed the rest. All the soldiers and mercenaries did in fact. There had been a lot of traveling with very little sleep in between. However, the news he had couldn't wait any longer; so he swept his hand across her loosed bangs, not denying himself the irresistible pleasure to touch her, and called her name.
Ikyna moaned and twisted tiredly as a yawn was drawn from her lips that settled into a tired groan by then end. One of her battle blistered hands rubbed over her face as she whined sleepily, drawing itself through a messy braid as eyes slowly opened.
The prince felt his chest tighten as her dark pools of sapphire rested on his peridot ones. Still caught in the last tresses of sleep she smiled slowly and dreamily at him. "White prince." She murmured tenderly as she brought her hand to his smooth cheek.
Calloused palms warmed the prince's chilled face that subtly began to blossom a rich rosy color at the suddenly intimate situation. Her sleepy grin sent a tremor down the pulse of his neck as she drew closer, calling his name sweetly once more.
A mixture of excitement and embarrassment caused him to stammer her name just as the bridges of their noses met. At his call Ikyna froze. Her lids fluttered rapidly as her pupils dilated just as quickly. The last of her sleep was chased away along with what she had perceived as a dream.
In fact, the Reyson in front of her was far from fantasy. She could tell when she felt the breath from his nostrils tickling her lips that were mere centimeters from his. "Ikyna?" Reyson questioned, trying to keep his voice a level as he could though the pounding in his chest proved he felt anything but calm.
Ikyna finally clearly understood what was happening and she jerked back just as quickly as her face flushed red. She was unable to meet the prince's eyes as she stammered, "I'm sorry, I think I'm losing my mind I'm so tired. I don't know what came over me."
Reyson would have liked to pretend that her response didn't sting; but it had. The shimmering warmth of her heart that he could easily see told him she felt otherwise. He found himself wishing for her honesty while at the same time hiding his own feelings.
"Don't let it concern you. The Goddess knows you need rest; especially after the past few days we've had."
She managed to look at him, though not to fully erase the burning in her face. With a meek nod she agreed, "Yes, but I'm sorry I fell asleep on you when I was supposed to be…watching…you." A yawn broke up the last part of her sentence and turned the corners of Reyson's lips upwards.
"It's safe here." He assuaged kindly, "I can only imagine how bored you must have been waiting for me."
Hearing those words Ikyna snapped into focus. She leaned forward at sharp attention, bearing most of her weight on her palms, "Do you know what all the walls say?"
Reyson's expression sobered quickly; the time for playful flirting had passed and the more pressing matter needed to be addressed. He nodded firmly and Ikyna waited expectantly. The prince stood and smoothed his white robe as he offered Ikyna his hand, "We must go and find your brother and the others, there is much to discuss."
Ikyna reached for and grabbed his hands that were cold, noticing, but excusing, the brief but sudden flush of pink on Reyson's normally blanched face. Once she was standing he let go quickly, finding solace in tucking his hands behind his back.
Ikyna hummed softly as she stretched her hands over her head, letting one last yawn escape as she tweaked her back to each side making her muscles and bones pop. With a groan that was barely short of cursing she shook her shoulders out to loosen her body. Sleeping on hard molded stone was not the wisest choice. Kinks in her neck were resting on top of the soreness from the day's earlier battle.
Slowly she willed her tired limbs to move forward, doing her best to ignore the twinge in her shoulders as she and Reyson left the dusty room to search for their companions. They weren't far off, just outside the door frame. Soren had a book out and was taking notes on some of the scarce smatterings of writings on the walls. Titania had found a ledge to sit on, her poleaxe was resting in her lap. The knights white armor stood in stark contrast against the grimy and dingy tent of the dirtied building.
Beside Titania was Elincia, her face brightened when she spotted Reyson and Ikyna exiting the room before her. Ikyna offered a similar gesture, though softer in nature, assuming that the princess had joined the group some time during the few hours that Reyson was stuck in the room.
Mist was close by fiddling with the hem of her skirt before she caught sight of her older sister. Tender blue eyes watched Ikyna and then flickered uncomfortably toward Ike. The children's brother was leaned against a wall, the typical scowl over his handsome face, as his arms remained crossed over his chest.
Nothing was particularly odd until Ikyna realized that Aeyori, the mage who at most times was under Ike like a lost duckling, was sitting at the opposite wall. Her knees were brought to her chest and her head rested over her arms that were crossed over her legs.
Cautiously she approached Ike and warily tapped him over the shoulder. He eyed her with a sharper frown than usual, no doubt annoyed by whatever unspoken issue was developing between him and the scarlet eyed mage who was making it a point to look everywhere but at her commander. "Something going on there?" she asked flicking her thumb in Aeyori's direction.
Ike made a vague hmm sound and shrugged, "If I knew that, I wouldn't be standing here by myself." He offered dryly.
Ikyna chuckled softly but still sympathized with the subtle pain in her brother's voice. Gingerly she placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled sadly for him. He placed his own over hers, but didn't smile back, preferring to change the subject instead. "Any news?" he asked as he looked behind his sister at the prince who was standing patiently.
His sister moved aside and let the prince step forward. Ike could see the prince's eyes were bright with information he was eager to tell. A cool determination played over the herons face as he drew in a calming breath, figuring best how to explain what he had just discovered. "My apologies for taking so long. There was much more to translate than I anticipated."
Ike nodded but didn't interrupt; he didn't wish to slow the prince down in the explanation. The rest of the group was slowly gathering around; even Aeyori, though she still stood opposite of Ike. His dark blue eyes wandered to her thin figure for a moment shimmering with concern, curiosity, and an ache that Aeyori couldn't ignore when she dared to meet his gaze.
She bit her lip as she grabbed her elbow in guilt. Those eyes were breaking her heart and she couldn't bear to look at him. Averting her eyes from his she looked down at her worn and scuffed shoes. Ike held his gaze on her a moment longer before turning back to Reyson as he apologized to the others who had gathered.
Elincia interrupted the heron, "You look exhausted Prince Reyson, perhaps you should rest before telling us."
Reyson shook his head politely, jostling his golden locks. "No, what I have to say is too important to wait."
"Does it have anything to do with this feather?" Ike said producing a shimmering heron feather from his satchel.
Reyson's eyes widened a fraction, but he was only briefly surprised. After all that he had read, it seemed only natural to find that in the rooms of the building. Ikyna watched the prince's response. Saw it flash from surprise to a deep sadness, "Did you find that in another room." He asked calmly.
"Soren found it. Do you know who this belongs to?"
With a nod Reyson spoke, "It belonged to my older sister Lilia."
The group around the prince exchanged glances, it was the first they'd heard of Reyson's family. "Your older sister?" Elincia piped in.
"Yes all the writings on these walls are hers." He then paused, a scowl beginning to mar his usually soft features. He clenched his fists as he battled silently with the sorrow of his memories he was forced to face suddenly.
The young commander could see the grief on Reyson's face as he probed gently, "Can you tells us about her?"
Reyson's eyes were closed as he reigned in control of his emotions. With a slow nod he began again, "My sister Lilia was captured 20 years ago on the night of the massacre. While I thought she'd been killed along with my other siblings what she wrote says she was being held captive."
"Who kidnapped her?" Ike asked
"She only wrote of a large human. It seems she didn't know his name."
Ikyna watched as uncomfortable emotions were stirred in her. She could almost taste the prince's grief as he struggled to retell the story. An urge to hug him came over her but she resisted and allowed him to continue, not wishing to disregard the struggle he was working through to help them.
"The writings mention an ancient clan relic was thrust at her by the man and he demanded she awaken what was sealed within." Looking down with his eyes closed he shook his head still battling the hurt the story of his lost sister brought him, "but Lilia refused. She lacked the power to do what he asked."
Quietly, almost more to herself than the rest of the group Elincia spoke, "He wanted her to awaken the dark god."
Reyson didn't acknowledge her, still creasing his forehead in pain, "Shortly after being imprisoned here, she fell gravely ill. Though, it's little surprise. There's no view of the open sky or life around here."
Ikyna stiffened at the grimness of the story. Imagining a glistening white bird, full of life like Reyson, trapped in the confines of the tiny dark room. She shuddered at the cruelty towards such a, no doubt, peaceful Laguz. Mist voice Ikyna's agony and began to cry. "It's so, so." Her cerulean eyes sparkled with tears, "I'm so sorry for Lilia, and for you Reyson."
The prince managed to offer the young girl a sad smile, "Please let me continue. It brought out that soon after a young woman began to visit. She's described as having blue hair and eyes. Her heart was very pure for a Beorc and she became friends with my sister. As their trust grew, though the language they spoke wasn't the same, the Beorc woman knew what my sister wanted. That was to take the relic and the song and flee from the temple."
The description rang as suspiciously familiar to the Greil children who all seemed to have the same thoughts at the same time. Their attention piqued even further as they exchanged curious glances with each other. "Did it mention her name?" Ike asked, seeking to answer the question they all had.
Reyson tilted his head and brought a hand to his chin in thought, "I believe, translated from my tongue, the name was Elena, or something close to that."
That was it, a name that struck like thunder through the sibling's heart. Mist spoke first, unable to hold her excitement or her tongue, "That's our mother Ike, Ikyna. I knew it, I knew it was her."
"What?" Reyson asked with a perplexed frown.
Ike put a hand on Mist's shoulder, steadying her as she bounced on the balls of her feet in place. Her hands were clasped and her face was flush at the mention of her mother she missed so dearly. "Our mother's name was Elena," the oldest sibling began, "Like myself and Ikyna, she had blue hair and eyes."
Reyson nodded, not interrupting, "The relic you spoke of, was it a bronze medallion?"
The prince's eyes widened, "How could you know that?"
Ikyna and Ike exchanged knowing looks, and the older sibling explained, "That medallion was my mother's keepsake, the song as well. She, and my father, gave their lives to protect both."
At the mention of their parents, Ikyna's heart felt a twinge of pain. It made her look to her brother, searching for any faltering in his voice or expression. She knew he was thinking of the story he had told her not long ago on their journey. The truth of their mother's violent death for the sake of the medallion. But Ike's expression remained the same. Whether he was affected or not, he remained calm and impassive; as strong as he always was.
Reyson's face lost its serene hold, he stepped forward eager at the development before him. "The three of you are her children." He looked among them all in disbelief at the chance that he could meet the children from his sister's final tale, "Then the medallion, Lehran's medallion, you have it?"
The mood suddenly dropped, an unspoken disappointment hanging in the air. Ikyna spoke for her siblings, "It was taken. We assume by Daein."
Though discouraged that the medallion was no longer with Greil's children, he still marveled at how events were unfolding. Not letting the truths he discovered be overshadowed he shook his head in awe, looking from child to child and seeing the blue hair and eyes that were features of the woman his sister had cared for so much in the past. "This is astonishing. I can't believe this is mere chance."
Ike shrugged, not one to resign himself to something as intangible as fate, "I don't know, but things are starting to make sense now."
Whether Ike believed in fate or not Reyson's heart began to warm at what he was discovering. He was making a connection with his lost family thinking of medallions and songs he'd thought had been long lost since the masacure. Remembering his older sister, her brightness and kindness and the voice she used to sing in, made him began the Galdar himself.
The sweet nostalgic melody made the three children freeze to listen. Memories of their mother, her warmth and gentlness, warmed them as the lovely tune filled the otherwise cold and bleak temple. Reyson was lost in singing and Ikyna was there with him, swaying to a song she'd heard her mother hum on so many occasions she'd memorized it and stored it in her heart.
Mist was beside her, her eyes closed and hands clasped near her heart as she smiled and tears gathered under her light eyelashes. All present felt some of the grim weight lifted from them, carried away with the lightness of the song. As it ended Elicina raised a questioning eyebrow, "Isn't that the song…"
Knowing what she was thinking, Ike answered before Elincia could finish, "It sounds like the Song Leanne and Reyson sang before, but this one is different. My mother sang this as a lullaby when my sisters and I were young."
"This is the song of release." Reyson explained when he had finished singing.
Confused, Mist asked, "But when I sang it around the medallion nothing ever happened."
"Only a certain singer can awaken the dark god. Specifically a girl named Altina. Lilia wanted your mother to give the song to Altina and return the medallion to where it belonged, in the Serenes forest."
"That explains why dad left Daein. He was protecting mom. Don't you think bro?" Ikyna questioned as the pieces of the puzzle fell neatly into place.
Titania, who'd been quiet during all of the conversation exclaimed in shock, "How did you know that?"
"Volke told me." He paused to swallow, finally showing a hint of effect from the sour truths he'd swallowed, "he told me all about Dad, the amulet, and the dark god."
Titania looked as if she wanted to question further, but she bit her lip and held back her words. Reyson spoke in her place, "That must mean that Ashnard took my sister."
Ike nodded solemnly, "It appears so. I assume that's why the man who fought my father was from Daein." He swallowed hard, trying to push down the emotion that was brought up as he thought of the knight who had slain his father. Seeking a small bit of solace he looked to Aeyori. The deepness of her scarlet eyes had a way of calming him. She was still turned away when his gaze fell on her thin body.
Aeyori knew he was watching her and she spared a quick glance offering a brief nod of sympathy but turning away just as quickly in her own guilt. His heart sank, though he hid it well enough, he couldn't stop himself from moving involuntarily toward her. His hand barely reaching out to grab her, but Soren, eyes ever watchful and aware, put a hand on his shoulder, "Perhaps that should be for another time." He said low enough for only the commander to hear.
Cerulean eyes flickered with the smallest hint of indignation, but nothing more as he reigned in his emotions completely. Soren took the commander's silence as a chance for him to speak, "Regardless of what we've learned today, our goal remains the same even if we must stop the dark god as well. The king of Daein and those supporting him are still the enemy."
The group nodded in agreement. "I can't believe this is all coincidence." Elincia said still stunned by the conversation, "Could all of this, Crimea's fall, Ike's parents, the death of Lilia, or all of this pointing to Daein, truly be a coincidence?"
A thick silence followed after the princess's statement. Her words sunk into the hearts of the group, heavy like iron weights that gripped them. It made an impact with the force of a strong blow to the jaw and an atmosphere of uncertainty clung like hands around the mercenaries.
Ike broke the silence, trying his best to set his face in a determined line, but falling just short as a small yawn snuck its way from between his lips. The rest of the group offered him small understanding smiles, mirroring similar exhausted eyes and faces. "Soren is right, our goal isn't changed. Knowing what we know now just means we have even less time to waste." Hearing the words come his mouth made him grimace silently. A little time to rest wouldn't go unappreciated.
Ikyna brought a warm hand to her brother's shoulder and offered him a supportive squeeze. "We can gather the men together and set our next course." She said and stretched her back briefly before making her way to the temple's door. The group followed after, slow and methodic, with little life to their steps as each pondered silently over the new developments.
So deep in their thoughts, no one noticed the three priests standing ahead of them. White robes reflected a hazy moonlight and fluttered in a slow breeze against the overgrown weeds and grass. Their faces were solemn and peaceful, almost inquisitive of the mercenaries as they filed out of the abandoned temple that even they hadn't entered in years.
"Good evening." Ike said, stopping in front of Tomenami, marveling at the very fact that it was indeed evening. Time had passed without him even knowing.
"Good evening." He returned the pleasantry, "Did you find what you were looking for commander?"
Ike made a vague humming sound, not wishing to divulge to much of their plans or secrets. Tomenani noticed the young commander's reluctance to share details. The priest offered him a curious raise of an eyebrow, but left his silent inquiry at that.
Then briefly he looked uncomfortable, grabbing his high hat to pull it off and crumble it. He deliberated on what to say for a few moments and then cast an apologetic glance at Ikyna. She felt a twinge pass through her, cold like the night air that was chilling quickly, not sure what could make him give her such a pitying appraisal.
"We've prepared the young girl's body and are ready to bury her if you'd like to view it." His voice was a soft pained whisper but the words still cut deep like a silver blade.
Ikyna felt a wave of guilt and nausea roll through her stomach like angry waves. They matched the storm of emotions brewing in her heart and mind. So much had been uncovered and discussed and now it was being tied up in the unwanted heavy dose of reality that this war. For all of the intrigue it held, was still, in its simplest form, another way for men to kill each other.
Tomenami looked pale, perhaps it was just the light, but there was a haunted look on his face, "If you'd like to pay your respects we have a small room I can take you to for the final viewing."
'Final." It was a grim word, full of deep sinking feelings, and it crashed into Ikyna's ears and nestled itself in her throat in a painful lump she couldn't swallow. All she managed was a weak nod as she made her way passed her brother. He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze, "I'll meet you there in little while."
Ikyna didn't trust her voice to speak; her throat was still struggling with the wad of sadness resting just above her chest. She tried and out came a raspy, "Okay." And then she closed her lips tightly like her voice was sour in her mouth.
By the time she entered the main section of the temple, a migraine was forming around her eyes where tears were threatening to fall but stubbornly still remained filling her ears with ringing and pain. Its pressure only increased, pounding like drums reaching a peak, when she caught sight of Yakuzo and Cash.
The light torches that lined the temple walls flickered the same fleeting gold as Yakuzo's eyes that regarded her carefully on her approach. One hand was on Cash's shoulder, gripped against the child, as if anchoring the boy to the world of the living. Cash looked ghastly, thinner although it had only been a few hours, and he seemed to have aged. He stood lifelessly, motionless like a doll, eyes even less lively. "Did everything go alright in there?" Yakuzo's voice was soft but firm and far steadier than Ikyna's restless thoughts.
She nodded weakly, choosing to look at her feet instead of the brightness of his golden eyes. "Are you going to funeral?" the question was asked gingerly, tenderly, and it almost broke Ikyna completely when the Gallian put a hand on her head. He stroked her sea colored tendrils gently and Ikyna thought he'd never seemed as tall as he did then. Again she nodded, and paused to look at Cash. The child's expression hadn't changed much since she arrived but he was looking toward Tomenami who was waiting for the trio patiently.
Ikyna hesitated, in no rush to attend another funeral. She'd done one already that year and that was already too much. Of course she knew that in war, losing people you know was part of the process. But knowing didn't make it any easier.
Yakuzo saw her give pause, the teary flicker of her eyes as she stared at the Daein priest. He was never one to cry but his empathy for her made his heart ache. Not knowing how to express himself, lacking the skillful tongue others could boast of, he linked his hand with hers.
He didn't look at her, feeling that his own sudden embarrassment would betray the calm façade he was trying to maintain. Her hands were rough from hours of training, but they were smaller than his and his fingers locked nicely into place with hers.
Pushing Cash forward by the shoulder, and pulling Ikyna along with him, he ignored the gaze of her eyes on him. All he wanted to do was focus on the warmth of her hands, his racing heart, and not the blush that spread from the tip of his tail to the peak of his ears.
Reyson was watching a short distance away, hands clinched to numb the cramping in his chest that he could only find one name for, even if he didn't wish it. Jealously. As clear as the snow white wings were on his back, the prince was envious. Of course Yakuzo and Ikyna were close, but he couldn't help the rising feeling in his gut that made him want to run over and grab Ikyna's hands out of Yakuzo's.
"Janaff."
"Yes your majesty?" Janaff asked, not missing the sharp note in the prince's voice.
"I'm going to the funeral. I don't need you to accompany me."
Both Janaff and Ulki wanted to protest, but Reyson brought a lone hand up, silencing them with just the back of his palm. They settled down, tucking their wings behind their backs and taking a small comfort in knowing that he was in relatively little danger among the mercenaries.
Reyson didn't wait for any other resistance, he took off after Ikyna, a little speed in his wings as he chased after the disheartening image of the Gallian's hands clasped around the archers. But as he drew closer to the room where the wake would be held, he felt a small wave of guilt; after all, he was going to the mourning of the death of a child.
Before he entered the small room, he settled his feelings. It wasn't time to compete with Yakuzo; it was time to pay honor to the dead. Calming his flared up heart, he silently flew into the room, picking a place furthest from the proceedings in the corner.
The priest was reciting a Beorc hymn. It wasn't unpleasant, just far different then the heron way of memorializing a fallen comrade. Much was spoken about the shortness of life and how the grace of the Goddess was what bestowed on them all the beautiful moments one could have, no matter the time. It struck Reyson, that Beorc had such short lives of course that would be the focus. A heron's life was hundreds of times longer than a Beorc's. The thought was sour and bitter in his heart. A heron could live longer, but their lives were cut far too short on the massacre. Suddenly Reyson could feel old wounds starting to fester. Perhaps from the long discussion he had about his sisters was dredging up to many unpleasant truths and memories.
Reyson tried to shake the thoughts from his mind, remembering that his focus should be on respecting Pila and her brother. He tried to focus, raising his gaze and accidently spotting Ikyna. Her attention was wrapped and focused on the words of the priest, Yakuzo was standing by her like a sentinel, but their hands were no longer together. The prince sighed in relief. Then he quickly looked around and hoped no one had seen him. He felt shamed and forced himself to get his act together for the rest of the ceremony.
The rest of the proceedings went smoothly. It was short and Reyson managed to not embarrass himself further while still being able to focus on all the Beorc priest was saying. After all was done the body was removed by some of the priests. It was carried out in a small simple wooden box and there was a graveness and harsh reality knowing that coffins could come in such small sizes.
People filed out of the room slowly; footsteps heavy and sluggish as if death's hands was pulling their feet down with each step. Reyson fluttered over to Ikyna, pushing down any selfish motives he had, earnestly wanting to comfort her.
Gently he put a hand to her shoulder and called her name softly. Ikyna paused and turned to him, looking surprised to see him as if she hadn't noticed him enter earlier. The prince would have been offended but he remembered that he was there to help her. And she needed it, a swarm of her churning dark feelings swept over him like a storms wind.
They pierced his heart like an arrow and he pulled his hand back quickly as if lightning had struck him. It gave him pause as he searched into Ikyna's deep blue eyes that were cloudy and tired from grief and the hours of battle and travel that were settling on her shoulders.
Gripping his chest, Reyson tried to calm his own heart that beat painfully in response to the flood of emotions he felt from the young archer. It was times like that he wished he couldn't read hearts or that he could at times turn off other's emotions. But she didn't know how to close her heart and so all of her hurt and guilt poured out from her and into him like a stampede. It nearly overwhelmed him, the pure open honesty of her feelings she was neither ashamed of nor trying to hide. Despite the tightness in his chest from the onslaught of sad emotions, Reyson had to admit wryly to himself that, that was something he found rather endearing about her.
"Are you alright?"
She gave him a fragile smile, thin like glass, "I'm a little tired and…" stopping her sentence she looked at Yakuzo and Cash who'd gotten ahead of her.
The Gallian stopped to find her; his golden gaze meeting hers until she gently waved him on with her hands. He hesitated, looking at the prince with a flicker of distaste and some other hidden emotion, before he resigned to steering the boy back to the tent he shared with Ikyna.
"I'm just worried about Cash." She was still watching Cash and Yakuzo as the pulled farther away, a morose shadow crossing over her forehead. "I want to think he hasn't cried because he's a fighter like my brother." Ikyna then put her head down in resignation, shaking her head and letting out a defeated sigh, "But I have a feeling that he's more like me, and he's going to fall apart at any moment."
Reyson saw the conflict in Ikyna's face; "Well, if he is going to 'fall apart,' he's fortunate to have you looking after him."
"I just don't want him to hate the world." She whispered, full of abandonment and with a fragile note that Reyson didn't expect.
Clearing his throat he waited a beat to gather his thoughts, "Well, as someone who has hated the world before, I know for a fact I would have healed a lot faster if I had someone like you in my life."
Ikyna flushed lightly and gave him a rueful embarrassed grin. Half believing him, half not, "Well, I'll try." and then she laughed but there was little pleasure in it, "But you may have been better off with my mother. After all, your sister trusted her."
What Reyson next thought was, that his sister had never met Ikyna so there was no way of knowing, but Ikyna interrupted him, chuckling lightly once more but there was a tiny bit of brightness in it. The prince responded by tilting his head in question. Ikyna noticed and smiled lightly, putting her palm in front of her to shake her hand in front of her face, "It's nothing I just thought how strange it is that my mother met your sister."
"Yes, it is."
"Wouldn't it be weird if, I don't know, we'd somehow met before this without even knowing?"
Reyson thought his heart would stop. The words that Ikyna had spoken were the exact ones he'd been thinking since he met the lively archer. Those blue eyes and hair that shown brightly in his dreams each night had made him consider that possibility more than once. He opened his mouth to speak and share in her opinion but Ikyna spoke first.
Her voice returning to the same solemn brittleness as before, "But that's not possible."
"Why?" he asked, unable to hide his disappointment.
Ikyna looked at him with a sad smile, "Because the massacre happened 20 years ago, I wasn't even born yet."
The truth made Reyson swallow hard. Ikyna was young, very young. He hadn't thought of it because time was far less relevant to herons who could live for thousands of years. But she was barely 16, a child in the eyes of a Laguz and yet already she had suffered more than her share.
Hanging his head he agreed, not wishing to bring up his dreams any longer. Then bitterly he added, "That's probably for the best. If you had met me earlier I would not have been a man you wanted to know." He thought back to how his anger had burned hot for so many years after the massacre. If he'd met Ikyna any sooner, he would have shut himself off, making it impossible to have the relationship he was thankful for then.
Ikyna waited in the silence before finally speaking, "Well," she said softly, airily, "I'm glad that I met you at all."
The words were warm and tender, rolling over him like a soothing balm. He realized whatever his dreams meant or were visions of, it didn't matter. What was important was that he knew Ikyna then. Acting on the feeling he grabbed her hand in both of his. She yelped meekly but protested no further. "As am I." he said and squeezed her weathered hands in his, daring to let his thumb roam over the skin and trace the lump where her hand would never completely be healed.
She blushed again, a light rosy color that was nearly lost in the unlit room but he saw the way her eyes grew brighter against her darkening skin and could tell. He wanted to linger, take more of her warmth but he caught sight of the dark circles under her eyes and knew he couldn't.
Reluctantly he released her, "You should get back to your tent," he began then added, with a hint of bitterness, "I'm sure Yakuzo is waiting for you."
Ikyna smiled ironically, "Don't make it sound like something so romantic. Yakuzo is always complaining that I move too much in my sleep and it keeps him up all night." There was a mixture of amusement and affection in her tone.
When Reyson didn't comment she shrugged awkwardly, "I have to believe him, my brother says the same thing."
Again the prick of jealousy stuck Reyson's heart like a pin needle. Just enough to notice and be an annoyance as he tried to maintain his composure and not look like a pouting child. He only half succeeded as he twisted his lips into slight frown. Then, glancing away from her, already mildly embarrassed by what he was about to say, he replied, "When we fell asleep in the forest that one time you didn't move at all. It was very comfortable."
There it was, a small victory for himself, as he saw Ikyna offer a smile as her cheeks darkened in the moonlight. She covered her face and ran a hand through her loosely hanging braid before pulling at the ends and twirling them around her fingers. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it after. Not finding the right words to say, she settled for chewing on the inside of her cheek shyly.
Reyson decided that was enough for him. Her simple shyness that contrasted against her usual colorful and lively personality encouraged him by showing that he still had an effect on her. He gestured with his arm for her to pass ahead of him and was content with the embarrassed widening of her eyes followed by a small sheepish grin. "Goodnight white prince." She finally managed as she dipped her head to walk by him.
Ikyna didn't dare to turn around for fear that Reyson could see straight through her as she rushed to hide her darkly blooming face from his knowing gaze. Barely looking at anything more than her feet and the ground they walked on she walked straight into her brother.
She grunted, more from surprise than the pain, and rubbed her nose; it had taken the brunt of the hit. "Ah, Ikyna, I was just looking for you." The commander's voice was gruff but far from unkind.
"Oh yeah?" her voice sounded strange from rubbing her nose, "Why were you looking for me?"
Ike regarded her carefully, aware of the dark bags under her eyes and he wondered if, given a little more light, would her eyes be red from crying earlier, "How was the funeral?" there was guilt in his voice, he hadn't been able to attend while he was taking care of Begnion army and his own men.
Ikyna shrugged, "Sad." Then she stretched with a weary groan, "I just want to go to sleep."
"Is that so?" He rubbed the back of his head in discomfort. An unusual expression for a young man so typically impassive with his emotions. Ikyna saw the change in her brother's stance and she scowled. She ran her hand down her face trying to rub away some of the sleepiness and trying to prepare herself for what her brother was going to say.
"I know you're tired, and it's been a long couple of days," he began, Ikyna not interrupting, but waiting as he worked his way through the sentence he was obviously dreading the finish of for some reason.
"But we have to leave this temple." He paused again, still rubbing his blue locks, "Tonight."
It took a few moments for the words to sink in and Ikyna weighed the words her brother had said. Ike watched patiently in silence, but he could tell the moment his twin had processed exactly what she had heard. Even through the pale and faint light he saw the crestfallen expression she wore. Shoulders sagging and a palm covering one of her eyes like she'd been completely deflated by his news. Ike couldn't blame her, when he'd heard the news he felt like a ship with all the wind knocked out its sails.
She was shaking when she next spoke, maybe a mixture of anger and exhaustion, Ike couldn't tell, "Why? We just got here and finished a long battle and now we have to leave?" She sounded mostly incredulous but there was frustration in her words as well.
Ike held her gaze, knowing that was how he could keep her relatively calm, "The priests…"
Ikyna interrupted him, "You mean the ones we risked our lives saving? Some of us even died, are they saying we have to leave?" She raised a fist in a challenge, "Of all the ungrateful things."
"Ikyna." Ike said firmly, stopping her from speaking with his hand held in front of her face, "It's not their fault. One of the Daein mercenaries was sent ahead to make contact with the Daein army."
The archer shook her head incredulously, "So what? They abandoned them in the first place. What's one messenger going to do that will change an entire army of calloused monsters."
Ike sighed, weary and at a loss as Ikyna echoed the same thoughts he'd said to Tomenami when the priest had nervously asked them to leave. Though said with great sympathy and regret; the news was no less bitter to swallow. He knew how his men would feel, his aching bones were no different, and now he was seeing what he already predicted from his sister. "It seems, that as much as the Daeins didn't care about the mercenaries, they still hate our army more." He crossed his arms over his chest, "The message got through, Janaff can't see as well at night, but Ulki said he could hear an army coming our way. Soren says, this temple won't hold out for a siege and if we linger here not only will we put the priests here in danger again, but we could get cornered if we don't start moving." He began to rub the sides of his head, willing the creeping headache caused by stress and lack of sleep to go away quickly.
Ikyna watched her brother, reading the signs of exhaustion on his face and seeing the tense lines that were streaking harshly across his face from his pained scowl. His hands were working slow but firm circles around his temple; much like how her father used to do when he was worried over something. The sight of her brother's distress made the pool of her indignation subside and was replaced with only the desire to help. Quietly she asked, "How long do we have?"
The commander had closed his eyes briefly to ease the sharp pain over his eyes but her opened to look at his sister, a warmth of appreciation welling inside of him at his sister's change in attitude. Seeing that only made what he had to say next more difficult, "About a day's march, maybe less."
That news wasn't what Ikyna wanted to hear; of course she stopped hearing what she wanted the moment her brother shared the unpleasant news with her. But she knew Ike was under enough pressure in his position of command and all she could do was offer him her support. Smiling, though it was mostly just a formality, she put a hand on her brother's shoulder, "I guess we better get the men moving." Was her reply that was broken up by her own defeated sounding sigh.
Relief was nearly palpable from Ike as his shoulders dropped as a small amount of tension was released. He smiled genially at his sister, offering her wordless appreciation for her constant support. She mirrored his expression and gave him a hearty clap on the back for further reassurance. "Let's get to it commander." She said teasingly as she passed.
A thin flash of teeth in a smile followed Ikyna before Ike settled back into his usual impassive expression. His sister would support him dutifully as always, but there were still the rest of the men that he had to convince to leave when they barely had time to rest. Ike was all too aware that the task would not be easy, especially with certain members of the group that followed him with barely vailed spite.
Then his mind began to wonder passed the stress of the long trek ahead of him and his men and fell upon on particular person. Instinctively his eyes searched for Aeyori, but to no surprise she was nowhere to be found. The Goldoan had been doing an excellent job of avoiding him that day.
Ike wasn't positive, but it seemed that the scarcity of his scarlet eyed companion started shortly after he demanded she tell him about her past that night. It was as if something in her had clicked and made her start withdrawing. Only a few hours before she'd been curled in his chest, warm and soft to his touch.
The thought made his heart ache slightly as he brought a hand to the back of his neck and rubbed some of the tension from it. That helped little and he groaned out loud; though no one was left to hear him.
He began to wonder if maybe he had pushed her too hard. Aeyori said she would tell him all about her past, eventually. Eventually just hadn't come soon enough for Ike. The deeper they moved into Daein the more he uncovered about the past that he didn't like. Too many secrets were being kept and hidden and they were putting his friends and family in danger. Ike was never eager to take the lead of the mercenaries but he took his job seriously. There was no way he could forgive himself if he or the group were blindsided because of withheld information.
It was clear that Aeyori had to talk with him. Yet knowing that didn't make the situation any better. She was making it a point to stay away from him and it wasn't as if he could, or wanted to force her to talk with him. Ike smiled ruefully to himself as he thought that she'd have to talk to him eventually; they slept in the same tent after all. But even that fact was holding very little weight because a very long journey was ahead of him and his men. Who knew if they would get to have an actual night's sleep any time soon.
Ike was correct in his assumption that sleep was a long way off. A day of marching away from the temple and Soren and Titania were still not convinced that their army had put enough distance between them and the enemy. "Just a few more hours," Soren kept insisting as the men trudged onward, walking simply on instinct instead of thought.
Though normally Ike would have protested harder, the dark and tired eyes of his traveling soldiers troubled him, every time Janaff went to check to progress of the tenacious army, they were far from losing ground, they were in fact gaining. Though that was hardly unexpected, the mercenaries and Begnion soldiers were worn out from extended travel with little rest in between.
Poor weather didn't help either. Winter was slowly giving way to what would be a welcome warmer spring. But before the mild temperatures could come snow had to melt and with it came sleet. A mushy mixture of ice and rain that fell down relentlessly and soaked through all barriers of clothing the longer the mercenaries marched. For hours, darks clouds amassed overhead, switching from sleet to rain but the cold never left. It sank deep into clothing and bones like it did to the murky soil beneath boots.
Ike took another heavy step, mud slopped out from beneath his shoes, squelching against the force of his weight. He grumbled something as he exerted himself to ply his sopping boots from the saturated ground. The earth released him with a wet 'plop' and he settled his foot down, but that time into a shallow puddle.
Feeling almost more annoyed than tired by the trail, Ike roughly wiped his face that was covered in rain and sweat, only to have it immediately covered by the sting of icy water droplets. He looked toward the gloomy weeping sky and shook his head to no one in particular. Perhaps at the Goddess who felt no sympathy for the ragged group of fighters as they made their way across a narrow ledge with high muddy and rocky walls to one side and the other was a long fall into a gushing and surging river below. It gurgled as Ike stepped and kicked a rock into its rushing and frothing mouth. Water spray leapt up to gobble the stone and burry it into its dark depths.
Ike looked down at the dark waters and shook his head, not wanting to lose his balance as he made his way behind his group. The mercenaries were inching along slowly, not wanting to risk tumbling over the ledge. Horses whinnied and nickered in protest, tossing their wet mains as their riders tried to guide them steadily.
It was a slow process filled with repeated stopping as the mounts stomped their hooves in agitation against wet soil that filled their hoof prints with water the moment they moved. Though horses weren't the only ones making noses. Men and women alike shouted over the swell of the rain and river, cursing and growling to one another as they tried to maneuver the mush of land.
All in all, the mood was as bleak and dreary as the rain. Ike, who was normally in control of his feelings, had let emotion creep subtly into his work. On more than one occasion that trek he had been gruffer than usual when asked a question by one of the Begnion soldiers. His patience was thinner than the trail they were squeezing through.
He regretted the rudeness the moment it happened, but the soldiers only looked stunned for a moment before they retreated with a slight inclination of their heads. Ike bit his lip after some unintentionally harsh words followed by a deep scowl sent a soldier scurrying back to his platoon leader. As much as he'd like to blame it all on his tiredness, mostly Aeyori was the cause of his foul mood.
Though she hadn't said anything to him sense he'd seen her packing up her tent, the mood between them was heavy. That is, when she was around him. For most of the hours of their journey Aeyori had kept herself a good distance from him. Nestling herself near Titania or Elincia. When Ike did manage to get close enough, she stayed just out of speaking distance, complaining that the rain was making it too hard to hear before she'd wander further into the crowd of soldiers.
It was bordering on ridiculous, the game she was playing. All nerves aside, he was reminded of how his sister would give him the silent treatment when they were younger. Though he was sure he'd done nothing to deserve the treatment. His nerves were irked and his body sore from travel, so much that he grunted half growled when a hand rapped gently on his shoulder.
When he spun around his expression softened, if only a little, as he realized it was Ikyna standing behind him. She put her hands behind her back and wore a queer smile as she sized him up, meeting his stride easily in her lighter clothing while he still struggled through the mud. "Your face looks terrible." She commented dryly, avoiding a puddle by vaulting slightly up the side of the ledge wall then safely back on the ground.
Ike grimaced at her comment. He couldn't even deny what she said; he could feel how deep the grooves of the scowl on his face were without her saying anything. "Seems appropriate." He said with equal dryness, "How's the boy?" he referred to Cash; the boy had decided, though with only a simple nod of compliance, that he'd travel with the group.
Ikyna looked uncomfortable; she pulled her wet braid in front of her and twirled its drenched ends, "Not good. He's an orphan with no family at all. Yakuzo is watching him right now, but we'll see what we can do with him."
Ike nodded, focused but at the same time not focused; he caught a glimpse of Aeyori coaxing a horse past a large rock. A flash of annoyance and longing washed over his face with the rain that pelted it.
Ikyna cleared her throat, "So, I didn't come over here to talk about Cash. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing." Ike quickly replied, his response wasn't convincing. Ikyna puckered her lips in annoyance. She didn't like her brother's intentional evasive answer. He wasn't looking at her, but Ikyna could guess where he was watching. Grabbing his attention she pulled lightly on the green ribbon tied around his forehead.
He made a small sound of protest but looked at her any way, "What?"
"Don't 'what' me." She drawled while rolling her eyes, using a free hand to wipe the rain that had collected above her lip, "What's going on with you and Aeyori?"
"How do you know?"
Ikyna made a face of mock offense, "Me? Your sister of 16 years? How do I know?" she rolled her eyes, "Because I'm all powerful and all knowing. The goddess incarnate."
Then it was Ike's turn to roll his eyes; not remotely amused by his sister's odd timing for sarcasm. She sighed at his expression, "Because I can tell by your sad puppy dog eyes and by the fact that you've scared at least 5 messenger boys from the Begnion army."
Ike wanted to correct her and say it had only been three but he knew the amount was not the point. It was never in the collected commander's nature to lose control of his emotions. He never felt that he was really qualified to take command but what he lacked in experience he felt he made up for in poise and calm. That was slowly flying out the window the longer Aeyori froze him out and he couldn't stand to let that happen. For his own sanity and the well-being of the mercenaries.
"She's avoiding me." He said finally.
"I noticed, but why?"
Ike gave a noncommittal shrug; not feeling that he could share all of Aeyori's business with his sister. Though he told his twin nearly everything, the Goldoan's troubles were hers to tell, not his. As it was, she hadn't given him much information to play with anyway. He looked down at the mud, staring at puddles formed in footprints of the men and horses that had walked ahead of him, "Maybe I pushed her too hard, but I just really needed to talk to her."
"About what?"
He shrugged and wiped the back of his neck where he felt water seeping through and down his back, "It's not really my place to say."
Ikyna looked at her brother's resigned expression and felt pity, "Fair enough." She said without prying further, "All you need is to talk with her and the sulking stops?"
Ike scowled, he didn't like the term sulking. It made him sound like a child; though, Ikyna wasn't far off the mark. The he nodded with a sigh. "Fine." She said brightly as she gave him a hearty smack on the back, squeezing droplets of water from his soaking clothing.
"Fine, what?"
"I'll get her to talk to you." She said with a casual wave of her hand as if what she was setting out to do was a simple task.
"How?" he asked in disbelief.
Ikyna winked playfully, "Remember, I'll all powerful and all knowing."
Ike groaned and Ikyna chuckled softly, raising her hands in slight apology for her flippant remark, "Because there's nothing I can't or won't do to make my big brother happy." She flung her braid back behind her, "Trust me." She said and jogged over to Aeyori.
Ikyna had to maneuver some type places between wagon and man and horse but she finally managed to reach the Goldoan. She was guiding to extra horses, both shivering with unease. The female dragon held their reigns but whispered to each to calm them as she continued to steer them through the mush.
Ikyna wasted no time jumping to the point, "Aeyori, can I talk with you?"
The mage turned sharply towards her in surprise, not able to hear the approaching footsteps over the sound of the rain. She glanced sheepishly behind Ikyna, possibly looking for Ike, but then smiled. Her hand pulled one of the horses back, it whinnied in protest and Aeyori gasped.
Ikyna offered her help, grabbing the reigns from Aeyori so she wouldn't be distracted. Ikyna needed as much of the mages attention. When both horses settled enough to keep plodding forward Aeyori asked, "Of course, about what?" the quality of Aeyori's voice was light and weak. She was feeling the pain like Ike.
Though Ikyna couldn't help but give a long-suffering sigh, since it was Aeyori's fault for handling things the way she was. "About Ike." She said bluntly.
Aeyori tried to mask her discomfort by not looking at Ikyna' but the archer could see red blotching her white skin. "What about him?" She asked, her voice dropping low with a shudder.
Again Ikyna sighed, "Come on Aeyori, what are you doing? You're making him miserable by ignoring him."
Aeyori looked mortified and briefly scowled; but Ikyna held the Goldoan's frown, keeping her own expression firm. It was only a few moments for Aeyori to drop her gaze, "I hadn't meant to make him miserable." Her voice was soft and feather, lusterless with regret.
"There's an easy way to remedy that." she said as she pulled on the horse who was getting to far ahead of her.
Aeyori looked up at Ikyna, first shock and disbelief, then her surprise quieted into something close to resignation. She shook her head, causing the hood over her face to flop down and expose her to the heavy rain. Aeyori didn't bother putting it back up, the cold rain was helping to cool her frustration with herself, "It's not so easy."
"Of course it is." Ikyna said with a hint of exasperation, "Listen." Ikyna began as she stopped her horse and grabbed Aeyori by the arm, forcing her to make eye contact to drive in the point. It was hard on Aeyori, Ikyna didn't look much like her brother, but they made that same determined expression that the Goldoan couldn't bear to see.
"I know you have your secrets, we all do, but holding them back, especially from someone who cares about you like my brother, will only make it worse. If you just told Ike,"
Aeyori interrupted, "Ikyna, you're thinking this is one of those simple matters that can just be easily explained." Shame colored her face and darkened it, "This isn't a secret that telling will make things better." Her face grew clouded and grim with anger as she thought of what she'd done, "It's the type of secret that will make your brother hate me." She choked on the last part of her sentence, rain starting to mix with the beginning of tears, "I couldn't bear your brother hating me."
Ikyna could sympathize and she nodded her hair briefly, but that didn't deter her, "You don't want him to hate you, and your solution is to not speak with him ever again. That's probably the worst idea I've ever heard."
Aeyori blinked rapidly, hearing her plan said back to her did make it sound ridiculous. But that didn't help her, she was feeling enough shame already. She heard Ikyna sigh in front of her, "My brother has let old enemies join our group and even former workers who abandoned us earlier. And my brother doesn't care for any of them the way he cares for you. Have a little more faith in him, he loves you Aeyori."
The Goldoan had only been half listening but the word love brought her quickly out of her wallowing. "Love?" she questioned dubiously. The word coming from Ikyna's mouth startled her, but even more so when it was formed by her lips. Her heart raced at the thought and her stomach churned with unease and excitement.
Finally she looked up at Ikyna who was offering a light bemused smirk, "Who knows." She said with an inscrutable shrug. Then she gave Aeyori a gentle nudge toward her brother as she grabbed the second horses reigns, "There's only one way to know for sure."
Aeyori took unsure steps forward, squishing through the mud. Working her way through the crowd of soldiers was difficult, all the men were pushed close together on the narrow path. It was a sea of crimson armor with each face less distinct than the other through the rain and heavy cloud cover. Yet Aeyori knew exactly where Ike was. Without her control she always found herself searching for him, not comfortable if she didn't know where he was.
She saw him finishing off giving orders to Gatrie and Astrid and immediately her heart felt anxious but warm. The sight of his broad back always filled her with a comfort she couldn't ignore or understand. When she went to call him her had already started turning her way as if sensing her arrival.
His dark hair was soaked with rain and hanging low just above his eyes. He brought a hand up to brush the wet locks from his face, eyeing her cautiously. All at once Aeyori wanted to run into his arms and at the same time flee. But the image of Ikyna's determined and serious expression was burned in her memory.
Ike let her come to him, noticing the tremor in her stance, and not wanting to scare her off further. He had to shake his head and smile slightly as he thought of his sister. She really was quite a master worker.
Aeyori stopped in front of him, so close she was barely a pinky length away from him. He wanted to grab her but resisted and settled for appraising her as impassively as possible. She held her head down, as she battled with words and emotions and wrung the pleats in her skirt as the dripped.
"Ike," she began with a waver in her voice.
When she continued no further, "Yes Aeyori?" he responded softly, as tender as a caress.
She raised her eyes, watching him with those scarlet eyes that brightened when she was flushed with embarrassment and nerves as she was then. So many things were racing through her. So many stories she wanted to tell, and apologies she wanted to make for being selfish and a fool when he had been nothing but gracious and kind.
None of those things came out. She was only able to voice the one thing blaring loudly in her mind, "Do you love me Ike?" her voice hitched as she asked but she maintained a sincere and earnest gaze on her commander.
Ike gave pause, taken back by the question. Tilting his head he rubbed the tip of his nose in thought. The he offered her a questioning look, "Of course I do Aeyori."
His honest and blunt admittance gave Aeyori pause. She looked into his eyes, staring at his handsome face sprinkled with rain and a few muddy smudges. Searching for any sign of hesitation, she found none. Only his piercing gaze that said he spoke nothing but truth.
It was astonishing that could confess so easily while she felt that every time she wanted to tell him her feelings or about her past that her lips were sealed and locked with the kiss irretrievable. It made her want to cry; whether from frustration or elation, she couldn't tell. Taking her hands and running them down her own wet hair she shook her head, "How can you just say that so easily?" Aeyori hadn't mean to sound so accusing but her voice peaked in irritation.
But the annoyance was with herself and not Ike. She was reminded of how easily he had told her he liked her that one night. Everything was so black and white with him and she felt like her mind was constantly trapped in a maze of her own past and fears.
Ike could see the trimmer running through the mages body and he sympathized with her. "Because it's true." He said; again offer an answer so simple it could have almost been maddening were it not for the soft and gentle smile her wore as he looked at her.
Aeyori's heart ached as the sweetness of his voice was carried passed the pounding of the rain and he stepped close enough that he was almost touch her. She looked up at his face and could see a drop of rain falling down the arc of his nose and she wanted to wipe it away; or maybe she just wanted an excuse to touch him; to enjoy the strength she had denied herself.
Shaking from the cold and emotion she answered quietly, "So just because it's true, you can say it."
"A truth is always easy to tell." He said in almost a whisper just above her.
"No they aren't!?" she said louder and more passionately then she wanted. And they weren't, not for her at least. If they were she could have told Ike about her past ages ago. Instead she was freezing in a rain storm, boots thick in a muddy puddle, and on the verge of crying like a fool in front of her commander.
Ike moved even closer, close enough that as his hands dangled just in front of him he nudged Aeyori's hands. She flinched at the touch and Ike feared maybe he'd chase her away again. But she remained, shoulders shaking from the weather and her own fear.
He left a few more seconds pass, waiting for her to retreat, then, finding that she hadn't, he extended both of his index fingers and slowly inched them under Aeyori's pinkies. He heard her gasp below him but she linked her fingers with his anyway. He looked down at her bowed head that was nearly buried in his chest. Her silver hair was dark with moisture but he didn't deny himself the pleasure of planting a kiss on the crown of her head.
Still she didn't flee and he shifted their hands until they were linked completely as he pulled her close and bent down to her ear as if telling her something private. "Of course they are." He began, his voice slow and his words warm against the mage's ear. Aeyori whimpered, not in fear but from the sensation of his lips so close to her face. Her heart raced against her will and she wondered how the simple touch made her so warm. 'Had she really missed his precense so much?' she thought, when it had been less than a day. But there was no denying how pleased she felt as turned her face closer to his mouth as he spoke once again; the vibration of his voice making her eyes close tightly, "When you love someone, there's no need for secrets."
Aeyori sighed against the crook of Ike's nose and replied airily, "But what if that secret is something that could break apart a love?"
Ike didn't respond immediately, but he shifted Aeyori closer to him, letting both of his hands release hers and crawl up her arms and roll up the thin column of her neck until he could lift her face to meet his gaze. Water fell on her face, moistening her lips that she licked unconsciously.
"There is no being, Beorc or Laguz; no army, and certainly no secret that could ever make me care for you less." He said with absolute certainty.
Aeyori swallowed hard. A lump forming in her throat from the genuineness of his words nor the truthfulness filling his deep blue eyes. She was struck with such gratitude for him and overwhelmed by emotion as she raised her hands brought them to his cheeks, holding him with reverence and awe. The Goldoan wondered how a world she had known to be so unkind had made such a wonderful man like him.
She understood his words, what he was really trying to tell her. She could trust him though she was still scared. But slowly she nodded, swallowing another large lump in her throat, "I'll tell you. Everything, all of it." Her voice shook and her heart pounded with just the promise because that time she meant it. No longer could she run away; at least not from the man who loved her so honestly.
"You will?" he asked brightly.
"Yes, because I…I…" the words were still caught in her throat and she found herself once again cursing her own cowardice with words, "Because I also…lo…"
Ike chuckled at he attempts, enjoying the red polish her cheeks were gaining, "I know you do Aeyori." He said warmly as he dipped his head and kissed her deeply. She gasped at first but all other surprise was swallowed by his warm and tender kiss. His thumbs rolled slow circles on her neck while she played with the ends of his hair that she could reach. He held her steady, continuing a steady rhythm of approach and retreat that made her skin heat enough to forget she was soaking wet in the pouring rain.
Slowly he coaxed her lips apart, patiently but at the same time insistently, and she hummed dreamily into his reverential touch. When he broke apart from her she looked up at him, dazed, but very content. Ike looked at down at his love, a crooked smile forming on his mouth as he chuckled softly.
Aeyori flushed lightly, "What?" she whined, beginning to pout slightly.
Ike sighed happily as he slid his hands slowly down her narrow frame and let them rest tightly on her hips, "You're just very cute."
"Why?" she said defensively, embarrassed by the smirk on his face as he spoke.
Her commander tilted his head, still wearing a wolfish grin, so unlike the normal inscrutable face, "Because I know you won't ask for it, but the look on your face says you want me to kiss you again."
Aeyori stammered, trying to find words to deny it, but found that the thought had her looking at his mouth once more. She couldn't stop her own tongue from darting across her lips in response as they felt oddly dry against the rain. That made Ike laugh harder as he pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his head into her hair, "So, cute." He said lightly, amused by her extremely honest expression.
The Goldoan wanted to protest but stopped as the ground began to shake beneath them. Both mercenaries pulled apart quickly, all lightness of the conversation gone and Ike's expression hardened into a scowl as he looked for the source of the rumbling.
His eyes didn't search for long and he grimaced in horror, the tremor growing harder and louder.
"Mudslide!"
