Author's Note: As things continue in life, things continue to tumble in the story. Hopefully this one won't take me months to finish. I want to believe in myself a bit more than that.

As always, please review if you have the time.

Chapter 84: Broken Family

The night and morning after saving the Prince were long held in silence. Of course, some small conversations were going on as we marched to the manse, but everyone's mind lingered on the revelation of Bern's Royal troubles. As for myself, I couldn't help but wonder what such an environment would do to the poor son going forward.

And how such responsibility might yet affect Lyn, Eliwood and Hector. How could I earn back Eliwood's trust after last night? To be honest, I wasn't sure I could. All I could do was hope things would repair themselves in time.

I suppose, for the time being, finding a way to apologize to Nino would be best. She is one of us now, after all.

"My apologies for the wait." An elderly servant bowed politely. "The Queen will see you now."

Keeping their group small when visiting the Queen had proven a challenge. Neither Marcus nor Oswin were satisfied leaving Eliwood and Hector alone, but Lord Pent's assurance that all would be well under his watch finally persuaded them. With his wife Louise, Will and Lyn also with them, their group was an even six. As good as they could hope for. "Very well." Pent replied to the servant politely.

"Let us go, then." Louise smiled kindly.

"The Queen of Bern." Hector mumbled darkly. "Even if it's a private audience, courtly niceties aren't my strong suit."

"Mine either." Lyn sighed despondently.

"Let's go." Eliwood said firmly to the two, taking the lead.

They entered the large, far too extravagant hall for what was supposed to be a side house of the Royal family, meant to hide and protect them from intruders. Well, the instant the Queen started using it for her own ambitions such a hall was likely necessary one way or the other. She sat upon her extravagant chair, closely resembling a throne, and eyed the group thoughtfully. No doubt countless schemes went on behind that mask of a smile she wore. "So, you've returned. Were you successful? You recovered the Fire Emblem safely?"

Straight to business. Eliwood seemed taken aback by this. "Queen Hellene, has no one told you? Last night in the manse…"

"Something about assassins sneaking in, wasn't it?" Hellene chuckled. "I've no time for such trifles. Quickly, the Emblem."

Eliwood did not try to reach her again. Instead, his silently removed the Emblem from the packing they had kept it safe in, handing it over to the servant, who in turn gave it to the Queen. Carefully, she held it up to her eyes, inspecting it for any signs of damage or forgery. He found it rather insulting.

"Ah…" She handed it back to the servant, satisfied. "Without a doubt, this is indeed the Fire Emblem. Hah!" She smacked her hand on the arm of her chair gleefully. "With this, my Zephiel holds rightful claim to the succession! Now, it will never pass to that annoying Guinivere."

Eliwood's buttons had been pressed. Will wished Eliwood was listening to his counsel, because otherwise what happened next may have been avoided. Eliwood stopped kneeling. "Queen Hellene."

Hellene seemed to take this as an insult, but none the less humored Eliwood. "Oh yes, I'd forgotten. Your reward. The road to the Shrine of Seals, was it not?"

Hector was no longer bowing either. Too be honest, Will had expected that. Eliwood continued to speak. "I must ask a question of you first, Queen Hellene. What is his Royal Highness Prince Zephiel to you?"

"I… beg your pardon?" Queen Hellene seemed taken aback.

As Lyn stopped politely bowing her head as well, the mood in the hall turned sour. Will only hoped this wouldn't prevent them from the information they needed. "His Highness Zephiel is your trueborn son, isn't he?" Eliwood asked. "Or is he, like the Fire Emblem, nothing more than a tool for securing the throne?"

"Lord Eliwood…" Louise warned kindly. Despite this, She and Pent were both standing, thought Pent did move her slightly away from the young lords, allowing them to speak freely without their intervention.

"How dare you!" The Queen stood, striking a rather imposing figure as she flung her arm forward. "Such insolence will not be tolerated! You must know to whom you are speaking!"

"This has nothing to do with title!" Eliwood shouted angrily. For some reason, those words struck a chord in Will. Slowly, as Eliwood continued to speak, he rose as well. The last remaining member of the six to do so. "You are free to possess your desires and aspirations. But your son… an innocent in this madness… How can you do anything that places His Highness's life at risk?!"

"What?" The Queen seemed taken aback. "Of what are you- what do you mean by that?" She demanded.

"We've spoken rudely enough already." Eliwood stated plainly. "Think on it yourself. With your leave, Highness." Without a bow, Eliwood turned, leading his group from the hall.

The Queen stood, stunned, for more than a few moments after the group had left. Suddenly, she collapsed in her chair, breathing heavily. How could they even think to speak to rightful royalty in such a way? No, even more than that, what had those rude comments been about? Surely there had been assassins, but then… no it couldn't be… She turned to servants. "We were not finished! Someone find and stop those insolent children!"

"My lady Queen." A deep voice sounded in the hall as the fabled armored knight entered. With each step, his armor clattered loudly, angrily, as he approached the Queen.

"Murdock!" Queen Hellene exclaimed. "I thought you'd been summoned to the castle by His Majesty?"

"That's correct." Murdock replied curtly. "I've only just returned. One of my men told me what transpired last night. There's something you must know."

With those words, he had the Queen's ear.

"Well… that's that, huh?" Hector chuckled sheepishly.

"Lord Pent, Lady Louise… I must apologize to you." Eliwood said sadly. "I ruined the perfectly good opportunity you offered to us."

Lord Pent shook his head. "You said nothing I did not agree with. Do not dwell on it overlong."

Louise sighed sadly, placing a hand on her cheek. "Lady Hellene has changed. Before she got married, she was a kind woman who only wanted to be a good wife and mother."

"She and the King are ill matched." Pent said, taking her hand gently. "She has suffered much due to her kind nature. As such, she became obsessed with power and rights of succession, desperate to prove herself to the world. Such a sad life…"

Lyn placed her own hand softly in Will's, leaning on his shoulder. "His parents alive, and yet so awful… I feel sorry for him."

"Even if it was just…" Eliwood glanced at Will sheepishly. "I should have left it unsaid. I angered the Queen, and in doing so lost the only aid we had in Bern."

Will smiled. "It's over and done with now, Eliwood. No sense worrying about it." Eliwood seemed to take that positively. "Let's consider our next course of action instead."

"Wait." Hector said suddenly. "Who's there!" He shouted, gripping his axe protectively.

"Go no further." A soft and worn out tone spoke quietly. Emerging from the trees, on a magnificent steed, was the very Queen they had just left.

"Queen Hellene!" Louise gasped.

"Where are your guards, milady?" Pent asked kindly of his old friend.

"Your name… Eliwood, yes?" the Queen said, eyeing the red haired young man. Eliwood nodded. "Take this book. And my seal. My reward to you."

"Your Majesty?" Eliwood said confusedly, though he did as was asked.

"This book contains the road to the Shrine of Seals." Hellene said, smiling ironically. "The seal was a wedding present from the then Count Reglay of Etruria. I was saving it for Zephiel, but…" She trailed off, seeming to understand the implication. "I believe at this time you need it more. Futhermore, your path there will remain clear for the next three days. No matter what happens during that time, Bern's soldiers will not move. I can make no promises about the King's personal troops, however. I trust you understand?"

Eliwood nodded. "You've done more than enough. You have my heartfelt gratitude. But, your Majesty… why all of this for us?"

"I want to thank you." Queen Hellene said simply. "Not as a Queen, but as a mother. For saving my son, I am forever in your debt." She smiled particularly at Hector, who realized only now that his blue hair was a bit of a dead giveaway of who he was and where he had come from. Friggin unique hair colors. "Now, you should get going."

"Queen Hellene…" Eliwood began, but she had finished the conversation. Her horse turned, galloping away towards her son's lodging.

Later that same day, the Queen and her son would be sitting together, without worry of prying eyes. When they were alone, it always felt like she was herself. She hugged her son, tightly, carefully, praying he could forgive her once more. "Zephiel."

Zephiel seemed partly taken aback but sudden extreme show of affection being unloaded upon him. "Mother… is something amiss?"

"You…" Hellene choked. It took her a moment to recompose herself. "You've endured much because of me… I'm sorry."

"That… That's not so mother!" Zephiel defended quickly, but Hellene shook her head, hugging him all the harder.

"Zephiel… My dear, irreplaceable son. From this day forward… I…" She hesitated. She hadn't felt this strongly about this in a long time, and yet… "I want us to live together as a family. Loving. Caring. Your father and I… even your sister, Guinivere."

Zephiel felt something tug in his chest. "Mother…"

"I'm ashamed of myself." His mother sniffed. "The way I behaved. The King may not forgive me for the woman I've been. Yet I will make recompense. No matter the time, no matter the way… I must change. If I speak to him from the heart… Surely… surely someday he will understand. After all… We are family."

Zephiel smiled. The smile of a true child. "That's right! He'll see! I know you can do it, mother!"

"So this book is a map, and the seal is… the heck is the seal for?" Hector asked, dangling the small thing from his hand.

"It either has something to do with getting us into the Shrine, or it's the Queen's resolve." Will replied. "I don't know which yet, so try not to break it."

"Right." Hector quickly returned it to Will's care. "At least it seems she really was listening to Eliwood. Won't turn my nose up at a gift."

Eliwood seemed thoughtful himself. "She really did listen to us… didn't she."

"She listened to you." Will said calmly. "I don't know what madness possessed you to demean a Queen in front of her subjects, but since we're not dead…"

"Oh quiet, Will." Lyn smacked his arm. "You've been far too paranoid lately."

"I suppose I can't blame you for feeling the way you do, Will." Eliwood said. "You agreed to help me on this quest, this madness, and you have to care for all our safety. I know it can't be easy."

"I… should apologize as well." Will admitted. "You were right. When the Fang is involved I get… tense. It doesn't help that my memory of my time there is a mess, but for me to say we shouldn't be turning away help while contradicting myself the following week… you must think rather poorly of me."

"No." Eliwood shook his head. "I only felt that you were being too harsh to a child. I… realize how silly that may sound."

"Nino can take care of herself, no matter what we may think." Will said calmly. "The question is what we intend to do with them from here on. I won't say no to them staying, but even Florina, the youngest among us, is seventeen years of age. Nino is barely fourteen, from what little Jaffar has shared. Will you allow her to travel with us? To fight at our side? Can you put aside the desire to protect her over our need to defeat Nergal?"

Eliwood hesitated. "You mean-"

"During battle, Eliwood. I have to assume she can pull her weight. That means danger. Death. Raven nearly had his ribs crushed in the battle yesterday, and you know how hardy he is." Will made a pertinent point. "But I need to know you will follow my tactics on the field. Otherwise people will die. Just like when we failed on the island."

"It still weighs heavily on you." Eliwood said.

"It does." Will admitted. "Personally, to think Nino could suffer the same fate as Wallace… I'd rather leave her in the care of some village."

Eliwood hesitated. "I see your point, Will, but is that not her decision to make?"

"To a point it is, Eliwood." Will agreed. "But will Jaffar truly be fighting for us at his peak while being forced to protect Nino on the field. For that matter, will you? Or Hector. Or Lyn! I know you too well by now. You would undoubtedly take extra care to make sure she was safe. Care that may very well cost us others in our company."

"I… understand." Eliwood said. "Let me at least think on it. There is too much information she has at the moment that we need to part with her."

"That I can agree with." Will said. "This Sonia she mentioned, the one behind the attacks at the Prince's residence… could she be Nergal's right hand? Strange for him to choose a human and not a morph like Ephidel was."

"She isn't human." Jaffar said quietly. Will nearly jumped. "When you see her eyes, you'll understand. How Nergal convinced her she was human and why, I'm unsure."

"A morph… with emotions?" Will seemed confused. "I wasn't sure such a thing was possible. Would you mind telling me more?"

"…Perhaps." Jaffar responded simply, before slinking away.

Nearby, though she hadn't meant to overhear, Nino squeezed a hand over her heart. If she remembered right, Sonia's base was… and that meant they'd… and she would… She closed her eyes, trying to drown out her tears.

They had made good progress on the day's march, but as evening settled in Will called for an early camp. The party was still exhausted from the string of battles and constant move, and they needed a chance to rest. He only hoped a few hours would be enough.

The dinner was a lively affair, with Sain telling a gallant (and highly dramatized) version of Lyn's final fight with Lundgren, in which she stormed the castle single handed to save William from the clutches of the dastard, cutting down hundreds of soldiers in her wake, with the mighty Kent and Sain at her side.

Embarrassed by the lie, Florina quickly spluttered out some of the real details, how she and others had been captured and leveraged for Lyn's surrender, but Lundgren's arrogance somehow worked perfectly into Will's predictions of how the man would act. It was more that which allowed Lyn to corner the man and finish him.

The raucous laughter was also permeated by strange excited mutterings from the camp of Erk, Will, Canas and Pent, with Louise and Priscilla nearby watching bemusedly as they threw out wilder and wilder theories that had no way to be proven about why a morph could suddenly have emotions and emulate a human.

Nino found it… pleasant. More pleasant than any dinner she had ever had with the Fang. It was no wonder Will liked it here. She liked it too. Because of that, she would…

"It's a bit late to be going for a stroll, isn't it?" Jaffar said quietly as she walked towards the trees.

"…Jaffar." Nino's voice was pleadingly soft. He sighed, standing up and following behind her. Thankfully, the merriment continued behind them. No one would notice as they left.

Jaffar glanced at the young girl. "To Sonia?" Nino nodded. "You know her whereabouts?"

"If the mountain fortress fell, she's in the other place." Nino said with determination.

"The water temple." Jaffar muttered. He never liked that place. "What about them?"

The implication was not lost on her. She glanced back at the warm fire, the warm people… she couldn't bear to risk it. "I didn't say. They're good people, so if I did… they'd know I was lying. I… I want to see mother. I need to hear the truth from her."

"Sentiment will not protect you from that woman, Nino." Jaffar said. For a moment, his arm twitched.

Nino struggled to keep her voice under control. "I know!" She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But she's my mother. I'm her flesh and blood. She's the only mother I have!"

"Nino… you…" Jaffar began, but Nino continued to walk at an increasing pace, so he trailed off. He knew she had heard him earlier in the day. Sonia was a morph. He was sure of it. And if that was the case… who was Nino? "It's something I can't understand." He said softly.

"I'm sorry." Nino said. "I didn't mean…"

"Pay no heed." Jaffar replied. "But I will not let you go alone. If you go, I follow."

Nino nodded. As the pair headed off through the trees, a bird whistled nearby. Jaffar quickly looked around for the source, but found it nowhere.

"And that's my report, Lord William." Legault whistled pleasantly. "What's our plan?"

Will's eyes were closed while he listened to Legault's report of the two leaving. He knew if he didn't mention it to Eliwood, he would get what he wanted, but that was selfish. The moment he heard about it, Eliwood would demand they give chase, do everything they could to help. And, to be perfectly honest, it just didn't feel right letting the two slip away from him. "Do you know where this water temple they mentioned is?"

"It's only a league north of here." Legault replied happily. "I assume that means-"

"I'll talk to Eliwood. We need to follow, but some of our members are still tired from the previous fight. Additionally, I think horses will cause too much noise as we move. We'll have those members stay with the others."

"I'll spread the word." Legault tipped his hat and hurried away.

"Eliwood!" Will called, hurrying over to the man. "We've got a problem."

Within ten minutes, they had their pursuit team. Florina would ride with Will on Huey's back. Farina would carry Hector, and Eliwood would be carried by Fiora. Lyn would lead the ground team, which would have Matthew, Leila, and Legault all as the advanced group, followed by Herself, Guy, Karel, Karla, Rebecca, Wil, Pent, Louise, Erk, Canas and Serra. Hawkeye and Harken remained behind as did Lucius, while the rest were either injured or on animals that were too big a risk to follow with at the moment.

With them was a rather small number of weapons and healing vulneraries, so they would have to be extra careful. They weren't sure what kind of traps may await at the fort. As they flew, the three sisters and the men on their backs conversed. "Apologies, Lord Eliwood. I noticed her and Jaffar leaving, but I hadn't thought."

"Peace, Fiora." Eliwood chuckled. "I told you we were to give them their time to adjust. This is not your doing."

"Why didn't Legault stop them?" Farina asked annoyed. "There's no way that woman will be moved by Nino's feelings, right? I mean, I fought Ursula and she was one rough cookie. Letting your own daughter fight that is like killing her with your own two hands! She's already scum in my book."

"Which is why we're following them now." Will replied.

Hector grimaced. "Jaffar's a killer. He's slaughtered friends and innocents. You've already done this song and dance Will, so you know where I'm coming from. Are we really so desperate for strength that we have to rescue him?"

"I want them to live with their choices, Hector." Eliwood said. "I realize redemption for everyone is naïve, but their lives… they've been hard. That's why I said what I did. And I don't think my feelings have been rejected. Bern's Black Fang are not all evil. In fact, most of them are being manipulated by Nergal. Some of them must be fighting against their better judgement."

"Is that what you believe about Jaffar?" Hector asked. "The Angel of Death?"

"He was… uncharacteristically frank with us." Eliwood mused. "Why else would he say to our faces how many people he's hurt and killed?"

"Trying to provoke us?" Hector asked.

"No." Eliwood said firmly. "He's searching for something. You've seen the way he acts around Nino. He's a completely different person from the one who we faced at the Dragon's Gate."

"I see your point." Will said. "He's definitely searching for something the Black Fang didn't give him."

"He's killed friends of mine." Hector said simply. "That's not something I forget."

"So… you'll let him die?" Florina asked hesitantly.

"I didn't say that." Hector snapped, causing Florina to 'meep' and quickly draw away. "Sorry. No, he's got to live. At least until he's suffered for all he's done. That's my gold piece. Let's hurry."

Softly, as though she were but a ghost, the hooded figure entered the chamber of the Black Fang's 'leader.' Sonia lounged on a throne-like chair, eating an apple greedily as she awaited the news. It was repulsive. Repulsive… "Sonia."

"Pah!" Sonia spat at the woman's voice. "Take heed how casually you call a human by name, you mindless puppet." Having seemingly lost her appetite, she threw her half-eaten apple into the water. What a waste. "Now what do you want?"

"Lord Nergal's orders have not been fulfilled. Eliwood is still alive." The 'puppet' replied. In her eyes flashed a dangerous spark of gold that Sonia knew meant trouble.

"Silence, you abomination!" Sonia spat again, nearly hissing at the hooded figure. "You think I don't know that? The Four Fangs might be gone, but I'm still here! I will finish Eliwood and his stupid band with my own two hands!"

The hooded figure suddenly faded into the background as an angry voice responded in the hall. "Sonia! Where are you, Sonia? Sonia I must…" The large form of Brendan Reed entered the room. In his hand was a note, and in his other hand was his large and imposing axe. Though she had attempted to fade, the man saw her clearly anyway. It sent an unknown shudder down her spine. "Who is that." He demanded.

"Oh… well…" Sonia said playfully, turning around to face her husband. "I suppose it's best I do away with you anyway. Those annoying brothers were all that prevented me from doing so sooner. Their watchful gaze and fear for their poor widdle father."

The note was clutched tighter. "Sonia… you…"

Sonia laughed. It wasn't the pleasant laugh of an infatuated woman, but the cold and sinister laugh of a person who had gotten exactly what they wanted. "I got close to you so I could take control of the Black Fang." She gestured, and a host of bodies fell from the ceiling, straightening up as they all looked at Brendan, with glowing golden eyes. "Not a familiar face to be seen, is there?" She mocked. "I've replaced them all One by One. Lloyd, Linus, Uhai, Ursula, Jaffar… and of course Nino."

"So… you have betrayed me." Brendan said simply.

"Suspected me, did you?" Sonia giggled again. "Too little too late, aren't we? These fine soldiers here are all Lord Nergal's puppets. His Morphs!"

"I'll kill you." Brendan pocket the note and grabbed his axe with both hands. A morph came forward to stop him.

"You're a fool, Brendan Reed!" Sonia shouted, as the morph attacked. "Your own sons suspected me right from the very beginning! Every minute I spent with you… Every touch… Every kiss… Every late night… was positively loathsome." She flipped her hair, and Brendan cut down the morph. Instantly, another one took its place. "All to control the Four Fangs. I would do anything Lord Nergal commands." Brendan cut down another morph, only for one to stab him in the back. "Now, it's over. Die for me, won't you? Die for your BELOVED WIFE!"

"You inhuman monster!" Brendan screamed angrily, unleashing his fury upon the morphs as they came upon him. He fought valiantly, knocking many of the morphs away, but many more stabbed him, repeatedly, over and over. When they were done, Sonia approached the bleeding man, smiling broadly.

"Black Fang to the bitter end… isn't that your motto?" She giggled. "The least I can do is watch you go."

"Lloyd… Linus… Forgive your foolish… father…" Brendan cried into the stone.

Sonia laughed again. But as she turned, Brendan Reed's axe found a home in her shoulder blade. She screamed in agony, falling over as the man was instantly torn apart by the several morphs who had been standing over him, waiting for Sonia's kill command. One of the morphs quickly tottered forward with a mend staff, mending the wound as the Hooded figure proceeded to pulled the axe from Sonia's back. "Couldn't he just die like a good boy." Sonia cursed, collapsing into her chair. "Why should as perfect a being as me suffer like this?"

The Hooded figure turned to the body, opening up the locket once more. The Quintessence of Brendan Reed quickly entered. It was beginning to get quite full. She would have to return the Quintessence to Lord Nergal soon. Unless… the Hooded figure shook her head. "What magnificent Quintessence." She said softly. "I shall… return to Lord Nergal at once."

"Be sure to tell him that I was the one who killed Brendan!" Sonia demanded. As she attempted to stand, she quickly fell back with a wince. "Heal me properly you stupid puppet!" She barked at the morph with the mend staff.

"You are injured." The Hooded figure replied simply. "Shall I take over your duties?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Sonia snapped. "I will never let a creature like you seize the glory that is mine! I was chosen by Lord Nergal himself! I am the perfect being!"

The hooded figure did not respond, but nearly made her preparations to depart. Before she disappeared, she looked at Sonia once more. "Enjoy your gifts while they last. For Lord Nergal will no doubt come back to claim them." With those words, she disappeared.

Sonia sat, glaring at the place the Hooded woman had left. "Do not treat me like some charity case, you monster." Sonia spat. "I will take care of Eliwood and his companions. I, Sonia!"