CHAPTER SIX | Capable

"DO IT!" Anko shouted, and Kumiko looked up at her, absolutely bewildered, even thinking that the spy was out of her mind. Most especially when the spy retreated into the queen's chambers only to later return to the balcony with a familiar dagger in her hand. She shoved the weapon into Kumiko's hand, and said, "Do it! If you say you can, then go ahead! But you're all talk, aren't you? Could you even do it?"

Kumiko looked down at the weapon in her hands, speechless. It was a short, lightweight dagger, jeweled with rubies at the hilt, a gift from Ostia's Master Spy, Matthew, from way back when they were younger. She had never actually used it to harm anyone, but the blade, glinting in the sunlight, was almost screaming that yes, it was capable. More than capable. It can kill a man. All it needs is your hand to guide it.

"…What's wrong with you, Anko?" Kumiko finally asked, as she looked up to the spy, who was now leaning against the balcony railings, looking irritated.

"You want to know what's wrong? You want to know?" Anko turned back to her again, and Kumiko couldn't help but flinch at the barbed tone the spy was taking. "It's you! You're paralyzing all of us! Do you think you're helping our situation any? Not at all! Do you realize the consequences of what you're doing? Do you think you're making life easier for me, or Heath, or Jaffar and Nino, with any of our actions? We're suffering! While you go on here with your childish tirade and rebellion against His Majesty, we are the ones who constantly have to endure being watched behind our backs because of your actions!"

Kumiko was frozen there on the floor, unable to believe that this was happening—and with Anko, of all people! She has never shouted at her like that. "Do you think you can protect us? Can you protect us from the king's wrath? How hard is it to get along with Zephiel? Not even 'get along'—how hard is it to be civil with him? You can disagree with him all you want, just do it well! Just don't drag us down along with you! And if you can't do it and you hate him that much, just kill him!"

"…Anko, I…"

"Do you have any idea what could happen if you lose his favor? All of us go down! Everyone who has even the littlest loyalty to you can go down! How difficult is it for Zephiel to have Jaffar imprisoned again? Or sold to bounty hunters? How difficult can it be for him to have Heath ordered to be put in the front lines, where the fighting is the fiercest? Or to be ordered into awaiting enemy archers without him knowing it? Not difficult at all! He can take us down along with you if you don't act well!"

Kumiko started to panic as she took all of Anko's statements, and so tried to defend herself. "B-But I can't stand him! I can't help but fight him! Because he's wrong! Whatever you say, Zephiel is still wrong!"

"This is not a question of whether he is right or wrong!" Anko snapped. "It is a matter of how you are acting! I command you to get up and fix yourself and this mess that you've made and make amends with His Majesty. I order you to do it as facilitator of the Guild!"

Anko finally stopped, breathless, and without another word, she walked out.

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THE SACAE-BERN BORDER | A Small Cottage

I bring good news and bad news.

Firstly, I bring such great news from Lycia that I can hardly contain my happiness and must write immediately to you, my lord. Erik Laus (of whom we are all affectionately disgusted of, most especially your assistant, I hear) is dead. The scoundrel has defected to Bern and has attacked the group of Lord Roy of Pherae. He has been defeated by Lord Roy and that is the end of the Laus nobility, of which we are all glad of since they have been a long line of scoundrels.

However, this is a clear indication that Lycia as a whole can no longer fight, and Laus might not be the only traitor in our own lands. Nor can the Lycia Alliance Army be officially put together now. Asking for help from the other countries—Etruria, most especially, will become inevitable.

I have asked around Lord Roy's group and bring the saddest news that our liege Lord Hector is dead.

To lighten up that sad news, I have also had a sighting of who could be none other than our beloved pink-haired cleric. I hope to get in touch with her soon (and not regret it later).

I have news from A that Lady Lilina, while still hostage, is safe and in good condition. He is struggling to get to her as of this moment and believes that Lord Roy's group is out to rescue our little princess.

Matthew stared almost quizzically at the letter, not sure whether he should be humored by his agent's tone of writing, or hurt because of the sad tidings he also brought, which must have been carefully written in between good tidings to lessen its ache.

"Why are you staring at the report like that?" Matthew was snapped from his thinking when Xarin spoke. She had pulled down the curtains of the house, blocking out the intense sunlight from outside that was only proof of living near Sacae in their summertime.

"Well, firstly my dear, the report brings news that Erik Laus is dead," Matthew said, as he turned his chair around from his desk to face her. And there she was, sitting by the bed, waiting patiently for his story.

"Good riddance," she said. "I had wanted to kill him myself but now I'm just glad enough he's dead."

Matthew managed a small laugh at Xarin's remark. Once, a few years ago, Xarin had been given a mission to personally investigate Erik Laus. Lord Hector had received news from his spies that Laus seems to be acting odd during the period when news that Lord Eliwood of Pherae's health was in decline. Hector had worried that Erik would take Eliwood's weakness as an opportune time to attack Pherae—no matter if it were also part of Lycia, since Erik had held a lifelong grudge against Eliwood and Hector since their youth. Erik Laus was also ill-famed for his womanizing, reason why Xarin, a female spy, was chosen to do the task. She had secured herself a place into the Laus court under a new identity and soon became Erik's favorite, and he had started pursuing and persuading her to love him (or, in Matthew's opinion, sleep with him, because a man like Erik was a wretch and did not know what love is, and whether or not that didhappen, Matthew would hate to know. The idea of sending any of his female spies into Erik Laus' bed made him shudder). Xarin held Erik's attention as she started looking for evidences against him. And the climax came when finally, just when Erik was excited to have Xarin in his chambers, she holds a dagger to Erik's throat, reveals that she is an assassin, and threatens to kill him should he do anything ill to Pherae.

Matthew nearly came out laughing, as he re-imagined the scene in his head. A half-naked Erik with Xarin in a nightdress, and the moment Xarin pulls out that dagger and threatens to kill him (or worse, Matthew thought, cut his manhood then and there, so that he can no longer brag about seducing ladies. Xarin should have done that). The look on Erik's face in that moment would be priceless. So priceless it nearly brought tears to Matthew's eyes just imagining it.

"What are you smirking about?"

Matthew finally snapped, but he couldn't help his smirk all the same as he looked back at Xarin. "Ooh, dear. Just thinking about Erik Laus. You had your good days with him, hadn't you?"

"Good? Those were the worst days of my life," Xarin said, every bit serious, but it only made Matthew laugh some more.

Eventually, though, he quieted down and continued. "As I was saying, his death is welcome and good news. However, our liege Lord Hector has died, too…"

There was a small silence between them after that—Hector has, in his own ways, helped both of them a lot and has been good to them. But then eventually Xarin points out the important question:

"What happens now? …Who do we work for, now?"

Matthew's face took on a more serious look, as he pondered the question. Your death doesn't mean the end, my lord. We will fight as you want us to. All this information we gain should not go to waste. But how do we act, now?

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BERN KEEP | The Library

Anko, in her audacity and confidence, had decided to appear before the king and speak to him in regards to Kumiko. If she will not try to save herself and all of us, I, at least, must try.

It had been Anko's habit to appear unannounced even to a man like Zephiel, ever since they were children. Back then, she appeared to him and walked out on him as she saw fit, and he did not think her ill for this habit of hers. But ever since Zephiel became king, things have changed, there are rules to be followed. One doesn't just 'appear' to the King of Bern. However, Anko decided to risk it, and after confirming Zephiel's location, she had boldly walked into the Library, to see him there.

He was facing the huge glass windows that ran along the library walls, as if contemplating the view outside. However, he was not alone. Standing beside him was a small cloaked figure—more so smaller in comparison to Zephiel, who had such presence and was absurdly tall. Both figures turned towards Anko when she entered the room. And she was face-to-face with the King of Bern and the cloaked figure—Idenn.

The Dark Priestess. That was what soldiers and even Anko's own spies have been calling her. Always hiding in her cloaks, she seems to be a frail young woman with much control over the dark arts and… dragons. She was the one who made it possible for the ferocious, supposedly mythological beings enter and fight in Bern's wars. Always seen beside King Zephiel and not seen at all if not with him, no one—even Anko herself—had the chance to pry and investigate on this woman. Not that anyone would voluntarily want to investigate her—she was… eerie. Even one of the Three Wyvern Generals, General Brenya, was recently reported to call Idenn "sinister".

Ever since she came, Zephiel changed even more drastically. Was it her powers that attracted Zephiel, the reason why he put her under his care? Was it the ability to control the arcane arts and dragons that she willingly lent him what made the king pursue war?

Anko dared to look at both of them in regard, and then she swept a bow. "My lord, my lady, I am sorry to interrupt you both. I am here to ask a minute of you, Your Highness."

Zephiel simply regarded the spy with a nod, and asked, "Is anything the matter?"

Anko looked warily at Idenn, still standing there and watching, and for a second the spy thought if she should or not speak. But she was already there, so she continued, never looking up from her bow. "I come as Her Majesty's friend. I beg you to speak to her, my lord. She has not touched any of the food her attendants give her and has violently trashed her chambers. She is acting irrationally and I fear she might hurt herself in her childish rebellion. How difficult is it to reconcile with her, my lord? You need not give in to anything she says, just… I beg you, my king, if I had been any service to you at all for all these years, please talk to her."

She finally straightened, and looked up to him, as if to gauge his reaction to her direct request. Zephiel rolled his eyes—hasn't he heard the same plea from Murdock a few days ago?

"Anko," he began to speak to her, the words coming out slowly, as if each word was trying to make a point, "tell me, is this not how humans manner? If I no longer delight in my wife and she causes me more headache than joy, do I not have every reason to leave her or disregard her or look somewhere else, like my father did?"

Anko gasped a little at his words—more so his last implication. Has he looked somewhere else and found someone else? Did he actually favor this Dark Priestess now more than he did Kumiko? Was his affection shifting?

Highly unlikely, Anko had to tell herself. Zephiel does not look at any woman twice.

"I would hate to have a man who would act like that," Anko remarked.

"So you say. But that is how men—no, all humans are. Greedy and discontent. Self-centered and irrational."

You talk as if you are not human, Anko thought to herself, but she thought better against saying it. Instead she argued, "My lord. Perhaps you speak the truth—humans are like so, and I would be a hypocrite to say that I myself do not have that flaw. But, my king, aware of this human flaw—aware that this is what humans typically do—would you fall into the same pattern and make the same selfish choices? We are aware of the human error, and it could only be called folly if we are and yet we still make them." Anko then bowed out, so that she would have the last words and Zephiel would have no room to argue. "I beg your leave."

And she left without asking for his actual permission, as quickly as she appeared without his notice. Old habits die hard.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Two pleas are too many. I am sure, if Guinevere were here, she would be begging me to do the same thing. I cannot—can never—disregard what Murdock ever says. And Anko—she is a snake at best, but she cares deeply for Kumiko too that she may do this, for friendship's sake. But Kumiko is a most ungrateful woman. If I did something kind for her, she simply doesn't notice it and never pays it back.

She never belonged in his world.

Funny, that point, since most people thought that the Strategy Queen, one also with noble blood, would fit in easily in Bern Keep and life of royalty. She never did. She had grown accustomed to it over time, but she had never stopped to show—in little ways—her rebellion for the rules and protocol of castle life. But she was the Queen—she could get away with it. And the problem was, I let her. Now she thinks she can get away with anything.

He had seen her struggle to keep up with him, to try so hard to fit into his routine, but one day she just stopped trying, as if in realization that it was pointless. She had stopped trying altogether, not even taking up the responsibilities that were supposed to be hers as queen—those responsibilities remained on Guinevere's shoulders. Instead, she did what she wanted and as she saw fit. She left the Keep more than necessary and was probably more a woman of the commons than she was royalty. She spent her time in little towns with housewives or farmers or, if not that, talking with the lords of the lands for the sake of those housewives and farmers. She did her own thing and built a world apart from theirs. A world where he will never be able to join in, because of his responsibilities as king.

And yet he always sided on her. When other noblemen and courtiers start to question her worth as queen or her actions, or whenever she does something embarrassing, he has sided on her. Because if she looks bad, so do I. Maybe that was the reason she never learned her place. I never tried to waste my time correcting her or telling her if I thought she was wrong. Why waste my time on that? But I let her go too freely. She thinks she can get away with everything now.

Kumiko never really tried. She never really wanted this. Or, maybe, she just wanted the power that came with royalty. The ability to be heard, and get away with everything. But she never wanted the responsibilities. She never wanted to be a wife to a king, a mother to her people, a lover to a man.

Selfish woman. Maybe I should just dethrone her and give her what she wants.

"My lord, you called for me?"

He was stirred from his thoughts when he found standing before him Kumiko's attendant, Miranda. She stood there, a red-haired, svelte, pretty young thing, and Zephiel couldn't help but look over her and think that, ironically, this attendant had more grace—and beauty, even—than the woman she served.

Not like it matters, Zephiel thought. I've had enough of women. The curse of all the kings of Bern.

He was quick to recall why he had summoned the attendant in the first place. "I've heard reports about how your Lady Kumiko is acting. Are they true?"

"If the reports are of her admitting no one, refusing to eat anything, and obliterating the room in her rage, then yes, my lord, the reports are true."

Zephiel felt himself wince at each act that Miranda mentioned. Kumiko, this is a childish thing you are doing. "She eats nothing? You prepare all the meals that she loves?"

"Yes," Miranda said. "Still she does not touch them, and if we even attempt to enter her bedchambers, where she has sequestered herself in, she screams at us like she is mad."

She thinks she can get away with everything. He groaned, and said, "That woman. Does she think what she's doing will achieve anything at all? We'll see how long she can keep up like this."

There was silence, and Miranda looked like she had nothing to say, he had almost thought that his remark was understood as a command to leave. His eyes started wandering aimlessly around the library, at the chess set laid out before the table he was sitting before. But throughout that silence Miranda did not leave—she had simply stood there, and after some contemplation, called on his attention again.

"Your Majesty."

But Zephiel only turned to the woman, and asked, in a tone somewhat irate, since for him the conversation was over and done with, and who was she to try to press it further? "What is it?"

"You should see the queen."

Now she was being audacious. The king only looked at her curiously—who was she to tell him what to do? She was just an attendant, and of the queen's. But in a snap, he recalled that he was talking to the daughter of the marquess of Wiechenhof, and Kumiko's favorite attendant. Now he knew why she was the favorite. She spoke her mind just like her father, and just like the queen. They talked like they expected to be heard and to get away with what they say.

I never lived like that. I never had that luxury. I was a noble and I was the prince of Bern, but still, still, all my actions were bound to be wrong no matter how I tried. I never got away with anything. Everything I did was wrong.

"Why should I do as you say?" he asked, deciding to test the attendant's skill when it came to reasoning with him.

"She will die," Miranda spoke as if what she said was a certainty. "She will cut herself. You don't know, my king, but the queen keeps daggers and such in her room. They were mostly gifts from friends to defend herself with, but if desperate she will see no wrong in using them on herself. She would cut herself. Hang herself in her balcony, even. If my lord knows my lady that much, he will know that she is capable of that."

Capable. Kumiko was definitely capable of suicide. Though she may be selfish in her own right, she was also self-inflicting and grave when it came to things that she believed herself to be responsible for. Such as, the peace and balance of the continent, which he was destroying. It was as if he were destroying the very purpose of her life. If it were matters such as this, yes, Kumiko could hurt herself.

"Why do you tell me this?" the king asked.

"It's my job, sire, to look after the queen, isn't it? I am only doing my job."

He smiled at Miranda—a smile with the look of a point scored. You sound just like your father. "And why do you think," he asked, "that if I see her, she will stop this madness?"

"The queen is competitive. What she does is a sign of rebellion, an act that contests you. If you come to her, she will think it a sign of surrender, as if she won against you."

"Surrender," he said, in what seemed to be musing. "What makes her think I surrender? She can cut herself and I wouldn't care."

"So you say, sire, that you would engross yourself in this petty game my queen has thought up? It is not like you, my king. You would not let her die on a whim. You are clever, my king, but not whimsical."

Now you sound like Anko. Anko's argument was valid-

For a second, there was a tinge of envy in the king. His subjects were loyal to him and he had men willing to die for him, and men willing to fulfill his every command. She had but few confidantes in the castle, but all of them were skilled, all of them extremely loyal, and all of them complemented for what the queen lacked. She was never cunning—but she had Anko and Miranda to fill that in. She was never physically strong—but she had Nino and Jaffar and Heath to fight for her. Such a lucky woman. One day, I hope she loses everyone who fights for her, so she can realize that she can't get away with everything at all.

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BERN KEEP | The Queen's Chambers

Kumiko looked as distraught as her chamber, as she sat there on her couch, drinking warm ale. She had repeatedly thought back and pondered on Anko's words. Have I done more harm than I did help? …Maybe she is right. All I do is let my emotions get the better of me without even thinking of what could happen to my friends. But I cannot support or even feign support for this madness that Zephiel is doing. I would have to go against it, but how? Would I have to betray him by some treachery? Would I have to…

And her gaze falls down to the jeweled dagger on her lap. But I'm not sure I can kill a man, either. He may call me so, and he may be right in a way, but I am not a murderer. I'm not…

And what does Anko want? She is the Queen of Ulterior Motives. Does she actually want me to murder Zephiel, or is that just an outpouring of her emotions?But that's ridiculous. Why would she want me to kill Zephiel? She is loyal to him.

Around her, her attendants were busy at work renovating her chambers—pulling out the torn-up curtains and replacing them, cleaning up the things she had thrown on the floor, such and such. She had let them in as a favor to Anko and as an acknowledgement that what the spy said had some truth in it. If I continue like this, Zephiel's anger might reach its boiling point, and he can harm all of us.

"Oh, Kumiko!"

Kumiko looked up towards the familiar, happy voice that called her, and was overjoyed to find Nino rushing towards her to embrace her, Jaffar not far behind. "Nino!" Kumiko said, as she hugged back her friend. "I'm so glad you're here! What happened? Where have you been?"

"His Majesty had as kept in our rooms," said Jaffar, speaking while taking in the mess that he once knew as the queen's bedchamber, "but he has lift our confinement just a while ago."

"I had to see you immediately, I just had to!" said Nino, as she pulled back from her embrace with Kumi to look at her friend. "You've argued with him, haven't you? It must be rough. You must tell me everything later, so I can help in any way I can!"

Kumiko managed a smile at Nino's kindness—or naivety. It is rough, but you must have had it harder, suffering for actions that I make. "It's alright. I'm fine. How about you? I take it being confined is no fun, especially since you have hardly done anything wrong."

"Don't worry about it," said Nino, positive as always. "It is something we can endure. Besides, we have not been harmed, and Jaffar and I can live even if we didn't have to leave our rooms."

Kumiko almost felt something like a stab at her heart to hear Nino say such words. It is something you can endure now, but what about later? What if he has ordered to harm you? I will never forgive myself.

"Kumiko," Jaffar spoke, "I have yet to give you my honest counsel on these current matters and if you would allow me to speak—"

"I know, Jaffar," Kumiko stopped him, already knowing what he was about to say. I will not put you and your wife in harm's way again next time. "I'll be careful. It will not happen again. Nothing like this will happen to you and Nino again, and I apologize for what you've been through."

Jaffar took her statements and simply gave her a nod.

"Oh, goodness," Nino said, as she began looking through the room and all the attendants at work, and then, at Kumiko herself. "Kumi! You look just as distraught as this place. I'll call to prepare the Royal Bath for you so you can relax and look better. We must have your favorite food called out, too. Times are tough, but you have to be strong, Kumiko."

Kumiko nodded. She had to be strong indeed.

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BERN KEEP | Office of the Master of Spies

Anko was surprised that, the second she entered her office, the mountainous stack of papers and documents were gone, as if by miracle. I can actually see the floor!

And then there the entity sitting there in her surprisingly clean office—a tall figure in the standard armor of a Wyvern Knight sitting on one of her couches, taking something warm to drink. Heath. Of course it would be Heath. Who else would have the gall to enter my office uninvited? Moreover, Hyperion gave him away. The old wyvern was there, snoring to himself in Anko's office balcony. Heath himself had a habit of turning up and dropping by Anko's inconveniently situated office, since for him, it was not inconvenient at all—he was a wyvern knight.

One among the few decent Wyvern Knight amonst Bern's plethora of fools who call themselves Wyvern Knights, I dare say. Anko couldn't help but smile as she remarked that in her mind again. She couldn't help it even if she tried to—Heath was one of those people who she admittedly found admirable. There is not one awful thing I can say against him.

...I sound like a stupid infatuated child. Anko shook her head to herself and straightened her thoughts.

"Hey," Anko said, to call on his attention.

Heath stirred, and set aside what he was drinking. "Oh, hello Anko," he said, getting up from his leisurely seat on her couch and turning to face her. "I was waiting for you. You weren't at the Guild—by the way, the last of your friends have left."

Anko let a small laugh escape from her lips. Such a gentleman. You don't have to get up just to greet me. Anko only realized that momentary lapse in thought when she found Heath giving her a puzzled look, undoubtedly asking why she laughed. She shrugged and just decided to go ahead and say it. "Sit down," she said, still smiling. "You don't have to get up for me, silly. And I can see you've cleaned up after me again."

Heath shrugged, and offered, "It was Hyperion, not me."

A sudden image of the wyvern Hyperion actually scarfing down all those papers entered Anko's mind, making her laugh again. "So that explains why he's tired," she told Heath, as she took a seat across his, and taking cue from her, he sat down as well, resuming to his drink.

Theirs had been an uneasy alliance at first. Fifteen years ago, Kumiko came back from her campaign with the wyvern rider and fugitive Heath in tow, begging Anko to let him stay with them in the Guild since he had nowhere to go. Anko, against the idea at first, finally gave in. She hadn't any regrets about it, even at first, since Heath was a kind of person who tried not to get in anyone's way and tried to carry his own weight. After Kumiko started to leave again and travel again, eventually leaving Anko and Heath mostly alone in the Guild, Anko found that it was easy to ask Heath to do errands. Whether it was picking up something in the market or repairs or anything else, Heath managed to do it and do it well. Why he keeps doing things for her was inexplicable—maybe it was his sense of honor or something like that, since she gave him a place to stay in.

He's brilliant, he just doesn't notice it. Or maybe he does, he just doesn't rub it in your face or say anything about it. That's what makes him bearable.

Anko was not aware, back then, that she would not only be accepting Kumiko's friend (and a brilliant "enrrand boy" of sorts for her), but one of her closest contacts in the future. Once reinstated as a Wyvern Knight, Anko found that Heath was the most reliable source she had when it came to things of the military of Bern—he told her everything. This was valuable, since the soldiers of Bern tended to avoid the spies of Bern like the plague, and the king himself was intent on keeping the spies out of the military's business, and made it clear that they were not part of the military force. Heath was her only connection to the politics in the military.

She was able to detect, two years ago, that war was underway since Heath—who had been long-serving in Bern's military to be able to figure out for himself what the slightest changes in activity meant—had brought it to her attention. He was a military genius in his own right, only he didn't notice it. He was much content simply being able to help the oppressed when he can and taking care of his wyvern and all that. And at such, she overruled him. Used him even. Borrowed his skill for analyzing the military activities well and in a way, turned him into one of his spies—and he doesn't even seem to be aware of it. He only seemed to be talking to Anko and telling things out of a loyalty or friendship of some sort.

He trusts me. I just don't understand why. And oddly, I trust him too. And I can't figure why and this is ridiculous. I hope my silly childish infatuation isn't just blinding me.

"I thought the military is being too strict these days," Anko told him. "Good that you managed to show yourself here. How was Araphen?"

Heath looked thoughtful, and he proceeded to sip on his drink before he answered. "…The defenses of Araphen were formidable. Of course, since most of the Lycia Alliance was there, and Lord Hector's armies are not to be underestimated either. But then… but then…" Heath's words trailed off, and he looked like he was recalling images from a nightmare. "…But then the Dark Priestess came and summoned two Fire Dragons—and what human could match that?"

Anko looked thoughtful herself. Again, it was the Dark Priestess. She was a figure of mystery, the straw that must be dealt with. She started this war, in a way. Ever since she came, Zephiel changed. "And how did you find her this time, the Dark Priestess? Anything new?"

Heath shook his head. "Nothing. There is nothing to be found about her. As usual, he stays by His Majesty's side and is guarded by His Majesty himself. No one else has the chance to get close to her or figure what she is or how she does what she does."

She is the one that must be dealt with. "I see," said Anko, thoughts drifting, the gears in her head clanking to make sense of everything that was going on. This Dark Priestess figure must be dealt with, but how? Zephiel would not have it. It could have been easier to deal with Zephiel rather than the Dark Priestess. Who was pulling the reins here—Zephiel, or was it Idenn? Who was the one to be dealt with?

"…I've dealt with dragons, once," Heath spoke, breaking the silence. Anko turned back to look at him and listened intently. "You know I have—the campaign with Kumiko fifteen years ago. I haven't learned much—I was not that involved with the story. I simply fought back then—all I found out was that dragons are fierce and a force to be dealt with. Only the legendary weapons can deal with them. We haven't fought too many dragons—just a couple or so—but Idenn is bringing them out by the threes and fives and tens. How can anyone deal with that?"

Anko shook her head sadly, and answered, "It can't be dealt with that easily, Heath. We both know it. We can't win this war from the outside. There is no fighting Bern's famed military. There is no defeating those dragons. The only way to end this is from the inside. If we take it out personally against His Highness or Idenn."

Heath and Anko both met each other's gaze, and both knew that they were in for a long and difficult journey with much at stake. Lives were at stake here—not only others', but their own. "You could die if His Highness found out about this, you know," Heath said, unnecessarily, sounding concerned.

Concerned? Bah. This is probably just my mind doing weird things and adding color to everything.

"Of course I know," she said. "…The same goes for you."

They were silent for a while, and there was an awkwardness in it, which Anko had always associated with Heath. Fifteen years of having to be with him, there were silences like this that made her awkward. She eventually figured out why, at least in her opinion—because they were as different as night and day. He was absolutely honorable. She had none of that at all. She looked up to Heath in some regard, and yet there were times he made her feel awkward without him knowing it, simply because he was absolutely different from her. And yet, they worked together.

...He probably likes those sweet, pretty little things with kind hearts.

Wait, why am I even thinking that? Not like it matters. I benefit from him—he probably doess from me as well. I'm uneasy with this and I'd rather be as far as I can from him now, but really. No other choice. He's the only one.

Fifteen years and I still can't shake off these silly, silly feelings.

"…Military activity is becoming slow," Heath suddenly said, returning back to the conversation. "For once I don't know what to make of it. There are a few forces that remain in Lycia, but they aren't that much to be thought of. Most of the forces are back in Bern, and I see no sign that we're going to be attacking anywhere soon. We haven't occupied Lycia and claimed it as our own, either, like with Sacae and Ilia. I don't understand why."

Why indeed. What are you thinking, Zephiel?

And she looked back at Heath, who seemed deep in thought of what to do, and she sighed.

What are you thinking, Heath?

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BERN KEEP | The Royal Baths

Nino had called for attendants to prepare the Royal Bath for Kumiko, but was dismayed to find the pool of water in the grandiose room to be a little too cold for her and Kumiko's tastes. Therefore, in a grand display of magic, Nino had summoned a Fire spell and heated the pools herself. Afterwards she sent the stunned attendants to leave her and Kumi alone.

"I swear, Nino, you are my best attendant, you take such good care of me," Kumiko said with a little laugh, as she stripped and stepped into the bath. "You're like the mother I never had."

Nino laughed as well, as she looked through the glass shelves of bath soaps and hair oils, and picked out Kumi's favorite. "Oh, but you're too big to be my little girl!" said Nino.

Kumiko laughed at that, too, only to later dimly recall that somewhere out there, Nino had two children who never had a mother.

If Nino remembered that, she did not let on. She only continued to chatter of good things with Kumiko, striving to make the queen happy as she helped her in the bath and lathered the hair oil into her hair. The Royal Bath had been, admittedly, their own little territory, for here they talked freely, and sometimes Nino would even slip into the bath with Kumiko and they would stay soaked there for hours (an act which puzzled their husbands much).

They had been in a little chat when Nino had stopped speaking in mid-sentence, and suddenly looked surprised. Puzzled, Kumiko asked, "What is it, Nino?" But Nino didn't have to answer as Kumiko opened her eyes and turned to where the mage was facing—and there she saw Zephiel.

"Nino, you may leave us," Zephiel said, and Nino had just nodded and quickly bowed out, leaving Zephiel and Kumiko alone in the damp and warm royal bath. Kumiko immediately reached out for her bathing robe, and quickly and discreetly put it on as she stepped out of the bath.

"Your Majesty," she greeted, just as she was tying the knots to her robe. She was still wet and soaking, though, puddles of water pooling underneath her feet. And then, as if an afterthought, she offered him a curtsy.

He just stared critically at her, and then said, "You seem well enough to me. I heard reports that the last few days you have been acting odd and refusing to eat. It seems you're through with that? Or are you just overjoyed that you got what you want and I finally set your friends free?"

She flinched, and badly wanted to talk back at him and scream at him again—but this time, she thought against it. I'll bite my tongue, for my friend's sake, even if it is against me. She could find nothing to say, though, so she just remained silent and pulled her eyes away from him. She could not even look at him.

"Kumiko, I do not—I will not—have you acting like that again. Is that clear?"

"…Yes, Zephiel," she said, weakly.

"I do not want the Queen of Bern acting like that," he said. "And if I have said anything offending to you the past few days I apologize for it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

And then he proceeded to pull out something from his cloak—he came out with her royal circlet, and then he put the item on a stool he found by the bath. "It's still yours," he told her. "Wear it. It looks good on you."

It looks good on you. Kumiko found herself thinking on those words long and hard. Many nobles and courtiers have accused her of that—as something that only looks good. I look good as Queen but it has no purpose for me and it is absolutely senseless on me expect for the fact that it looks good.

He turned to leave, but then, in an effort to heed Anko's advice and be kind to Zephiel, Kumiko called on him. "Zephiel…"

He stopped and turned back to face her. "Yes?"

"…I'm sorry for how I acted, too. If I have said anything offensive, I apologize, too. I'm sorry," she said, sounding sincere, though she knew in her heart that she was not.

But he just raised a puzzled brow at her. Kumiko? Apologizing to me? Something is off. She is stubborn and when she sees nothing wrong with what she does—and I think that is still the case—she will never apologize. "You are apologizing for what exactly?" he asked.

"For…" she said, and she fell silent for a while, not really knowing what to say, and a little embarrassed as well. "For being disrespectful. I should not have yelled at you like so. As you say, I forget my place. And for… for talking about your father."

Ah, that. You should definitely apologize for that. "So you are saying sorry to me for those?"

No. I have said nothing wrong and everything I said was true and you all deserved it. "Yes," she said, not knowing what he was going about to ask her so many questions about her apology.

He asked again. "Do you truly mean it?"

Does he actually see that well into my lies? "Y-Yes, I do…"

"Then come over here and kiss me."

She looked up to him sharply, surprised at his request. Ah, so that's it. That's what you want. But still, only after a few seconds of hesitation, she walked up to him and tiptoed to give him a quick, light kiss on his lips.

When she pulled away, Zephiel was silent, only looking down at her and studying her reaction. She fidgeted, and she could not even look at him. She was flushed, embarrassed no doubt. She had never been the first to initiate any physical advance between the two of them.

And then, after that silence, he said, "Take your robe off."

"W-What?" Kumiko said, shocked, as she backed away from him now, as if she couldn't believe what she had heard.

He repeated it for her. "Take your robe off."

"But Zephiel…" Kumiko could feel her nerves now, as she slowly backed away from Zephiel, her feet feeling the wet, slippery floor of the Royal Bath. I never should have started this act of being kind to you! "I-I'm not wearing anything else…"

"I know," he said. Of course I know. That's why I'm asking you to do it. "You say you're sorry and you mean to apologize to me. I want you to prove that."

"I don't have to prove my sincerity in—"

"Yes you do," he snapped. "You've been my wife for two years, Kumiko. You have never apologized to me, even if you've done something wrong, and most especially when you think you've done nothing wrong. So you apologize now? A grand lie. I don't believe any of it. So prove it—if it is true."

"Zephiel, I… I…"

"Will you never trust me, Kumiko?"

Kumiko could feel her knees giving away underneath her, and it took her much to stay standing there before him and control her body from shuddering in fear. Why is he asking me to do this? What is he thinking? His apology is as fake as mine. He's just going to use me. But if I don't do what he says, all this lying and all my effort to be nice to him would be shrugged off.I hate you, Zephiel. I hate you. And so she found herself shutting her eyes close in fear as her hands pulled off the knots of her bathing robe and then pull the clothing off her skin. It fell down, a wet heap on the floor by her feet.

It took her much to open her eyes again and acknowledge the fact that she was bare before him, but she could not—and would not—look at him, so she did not see the quick head-to-foot gaze he regarded her with. And when he stepped towards her, she flinched, and shut her eyes tight again, as if preparing for the worst.

He stopped when he was before her, and then, much to her surprise, kissed her on her forehead. That was what he did and only that. She opened her eyes in surprise, and she wanted to look at him and question him why that was what he chose to do, when he could have had her then and there. But then she leaned in towards her to whisper to her.

"Thank you for trusting me enough for that. I'll see you later at dinner, my wife. And hopefully after that I'll see you in my chambers. It's been a while since you have taken off and left to your own apartments. …I'll take my leave."

And he left her. And she sank to her knees, not knowing what to feel. She glanced up at the circlet sitting there on her bath stool, gold and rubies winking at her. He had come and showed her concern—or what seemed like it, or what some would perceive it to be—as he expressed his continued favor of her, never letting her go or actually punishing her for anything she had done. He had given her her crown back and asked her to take it back. He had apologized to her. And yet at the same time, he had also expressed his superiority by making her follow his commands. He had also made her feel, you are nothing, you are no one, you are only a woman set to follow my whims.

What a game, Kumiko thought. Too many lies. Too many complications. This is worse than battle tactics. I don't know if I can play this game with him, either. I cannot play him into my fingers. But he is very well capable of snaring me in his own net again. I'm tired. I want none of this. I want this to end. Maybe I should just...

Maybe I should just kill him. And then we'd both be free of this.

End of Chapter.

A/N: A/N: There you go. My Matthew fangirling returns! I cannot help but include him in this scene again. The exchange of news between him and his spies provides a good overview for the events in Lycia. Maybe once the Lycian theater is over, Matthew's role will lessen and eventually stop. Gasp.

I admit, I got carried away writing that Erik and Xarin retelling. I was laughing to myself while writing it, haha! (I should probably write a self-indulgent side-fic concentrating on that event, lol.) Viewing the whole thing from Matthew's opinion makes things double-fold amusing for me. Forgetful Dreamer has asked in a past review about one of Matt's earlier remarks about Xarin and Erik, so there is the explanation. I saw the opportune time for that explanation when I realized that Erik Laus was dying about this time of the game.

I don't know whether or not to call Idenn/Idoun by either names. Nintendo should remake, so we have an official name for certain people. In that context—Bruunya or Brenya? GAAAH.

In Anko's argument with Zephiel, we start to see his ideology for why he starts the war and all that, and how Anko uses that ideology to corner Zephiel and make him do what she wants. I also realize that Zephiel in FE6 must be crazy to some extent (it hurts to admit this, being a Zephiel fangirl). I would liken him to some terrorist who suddenly gained some radical ideology stemming from his hurtful past, and therefore ends up forcing that ideology to everyone and seeing it even by using extreme methods. I refuse to write uberly crazy Zephiel, though. I write striving to retain a little of his kindness in FE7 and highlighting his brilliance/cunning, while he slowly goes down the path to craziness. If we had seen a still-kinda-kind Zephiel in the beginning, well, he is slowly losing it.

I can imagine Darkblaziken reading the royal bath scene and thinking, "OMG Zephiel is such a pervert… dislike!" XDDD (IMO I don't really think it's perversion. I think it's natural, thinking of Kumi and Zephiel's case, and noting that Zephiels' affection for Kumiko is lessening.)

I tried to explore what I could of Heath and Anko, and that scene is what I got. Personally, I can attribute Heath to having much knowledge about Bern's Military—a carry-on from his traits in The Journey, in where he sometimes helps out Kumiko by giving advice of what he knows from being a wyvern knight of Bern. I don't know why—he just strikes me as that kind. Protest if you think otherwise.

Writing about Heath and Anko kinda felt like writing about Heath-Legault (o.O) They (Heath and Anko) are two very different characters and if I'm going to write about them liking each other, my, what a challenge, especially with Anko's tendency to use people. Here I see we are possibly looking at a one-sided Anko thing. That was darn difficult to write! I don't know if it seemed natural at all or "in-character" for Anko (who is my OC so I of all people should know, but sometimes, I just don't. This is why Sues exist—sometimes even the writers can't see when their own characters are turning out unnatural and unreal. So some correction and advice if that is the case, please!)

I'll be cosplaying Lethe! I've always wanted to cosplay someone from FE, even if it isn't that popular at all over here.

In response to my question last month, I've received requests to return Raven, Sain, and Lucius into this fic. Discussion: How do you see them returning? Fandom suggests Lucius to be dead in FE6. Sain can be possibly seen returning as one of his endings see him as a wandering independent knight. And Raven? HMM.

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