Author's Note: Fire Emblem does not belong to me, but to Nintendo.

Fire Emblem:

Blazing Sword of Justice

Chapter One: Fate's Footsteps

Faren yawned, stretching her arms to the sky before returning her hands to Renegade's reins, looking happily excited again. It had been over a year since she left home and four days ago, she had met a new travel companion. Lyn of the Lorca tribe. She glanced at Lyn, who was riding beside her. She looked proud, her eyes gazing straight ahead. She rode a light chocolate brown horse, whose name was Rain.

Faren looked back and patted Renegade's head. In the distance, they could see the city of Bulgar. According to Lyn, it was the commercial center of trade for the plains of Sacae. They needed to stock up on food and weapons before heading off to a shrine that Lyn wanted to visit.

"We should arrive at Bulgar in an hour or so." Lyn said, looking at Faren's excitable expression. "Hey...Faren...how old are you?"

Faren smiled politely at Lyn. "Nineteen! I'll be twenty in a few months, though." She giggled at Lyn's expression which was full of disbelief.

"Ha...I'm sorry, Faren. I thought you were a lot younger. The...way you act...and considering your height...I mean no offense to you, of course." Lyn stuttered.

Faren laughed ant patted Renegade's head again. "It's okay. Everybody does the same thing. But I am what I am: a nineteen year old master-tactician-in training!"

"Faren! We've arrived! This is Bulgar, the biggest city in all of Sacae!"

Lyn smiled happily as she looked around at the familiar sites. Faren stared in awe. There were many buildings, some large and small. There was one church, in the middle of the city. The church of St. Elimine, Lyn called it. An inn was off to the side. Faren smiled. I hope they have baths there...I haven't bathed in over a week!

Lyn and Faren got off their horses and led them over to the inn's stables. Placing the horses in stalls, the girls decided to take some time to explore the city and stock up on some items before retiring to the inn.

As they walked down market place, Faren eyed all the expensive jewelry they had on sale. She fingered the bracelet of rubies and gold around her right wrist and the sapphire necklace around her neck. So far she had had enough money to not sell off these possessions. She hoped that she wouldn't have to resort to that.

"Oh, my heart! What a dazzling vision of lovliness!!" A voice called out in front of Lyn.

"Hm?" Lyn and Faren stopped, gazing in the direction of a young knight dressed in green armor and tan pants. His smile was cocky; his sandy hair was parted neatly in the middle and kept off his forehead by a black band. He approached the two women with dignity. He smiled politely at Faren before gazing lovingly at Lyn.

"O beauteous one! Would you not favor me with your name? Or better yet, your company?"

Lyn stared incredulously at the strange knight clad in green armor. "Where are you from, sir knight, that you speak so freely to a stranger?"

The young knight grinned. "I thought you'd never ask! I am from Lycia. I hail from the Caelin canton, home to men of passion and fire!"

Faren stifled a giggle. What a smooze. He just wants in Lyn's pants, Faren thought. Wait, Lyn doesn't wear pants...

Lyn folded her arms across her chest and said pointedly. "Shouldn't that be 'home to callow oafs with loose tongues'?" Faren let out a small giggle as the knight's face filled with hurt.

"Oooh...you're even lovely when you're cruel."

Lyn was fuming now and grabbed Faren's hand. "Let's go, Faren! I've nothing more to say!" Lyn dragged Faren off in the opposite direction of the knight. Faren grinned sheepishly at the knight and waved.

The knight waved forlornly at Faren, speaking softly. "Wait...please..." His look of sadness was replaced by one of pain as a red armored hand balled into a fist came down on his head. "Ow!" He clutched his head. "Oh, Kent! You rogue! I know that was you!"

A knight in red armor and black pants stepped up beside the green knight. The red knight's brown eyes glared underneath his short red hair at the green knight. "Sain! Hold your tongue!"

"Ah, Kent!" The green knight spoke longingly, grabbing Kent's arm. "My boon companion! Why so severe an expression?"

Kent stared at Sain angrily. "If your manner were more serious, I wouldn't have to be so severe! We still have a mission to complete, Sain!" He roughly pulled his arm away from Sain's grip.

Sain stared at Kent with puppy dog eyes. "I know that...but how could I remain silent in the presence of such beauty! It would have been discourteous! An insult to the woman!"

Kent rolled his eyes. "What do you know of courtesy?!"

"Excuse me!" Lyn's voice rang out above the knights arguing. Both knights turned to look at the angry green haired woman and her smaller companion. Lyn's face was one of anger, her knuckles turning white as she clutched her bag tightly. Faren's on the other hand, just grinned happily, almost oblivious to the whole argument as she hummed happily, swinging a bag lightly.

"Excuse me..." Lyn began softer, trying to control her temper. "You're blocking the road. If you would be so kind to move your horses..." She gestured to the matching tan pair of horses by the knights.

"Oh!" Kent gasped almost embarrassingly and pulled on both their reins with Sain's assistance. "My apologies, mi'ladies..." Kent bowed slightly as a sign of respect.

"Thank you, knight." Faren noted that the corners of Lyn's mouth looked ready to smile. "You, at least, seem honorable enough."

As Kent rose his head, he gazed silently at Lyn's face. A small blush appeared on his cheeks before he cleared his throat."Ah...pardon me, but...I feel we've met before..."

Lyn look confused at Kent. "I beg your pardon?"

Suddenly the green knight grabbed onto the red knight's arm again. "Hey!" He shouted almost angrily. "No fair, Kent! I saw her first!"

Lyn growled angrily and grabbed tightly onto Faren's arm. Here we go again, Faren thought helplessly and just smiled sheepishly as the argument continued.

"It seems there are no decent men among Lycia's knights! Let's leave, Faren! I've run out of patience!" And with that, Lyn dragged Faren off toward then inn. Poor Faren waved at the knights again sadly, getting the feeling that she wasn't going to get her bath.

"Wait, please!" Kent raised his hand, calling after the two women. "It's not like that..." When they disappeared into the crowd, he bopped Sain on the head again. "Sain, you lout!"

"Ow! Huh?" Sain rubbed his head again. "Not like that? You mean you're..."

Kent ignored Sain's words, saddling up his horse and mounting it. "I am NOT you. Come, we must follow her." He gripped the reins, staring into the crowd, trying to find the swordswoman. "I suspect she might be..." His words trailed off as he caught a flash of emerald hair. He edged his horse into a trot, leaving Sain behind.

Sain stared after Kent stupefied almost before it hit him. "She's our mission!? You're joking! Oh, wait for me, Kent!" He quickly mounted his horse and put her in a quick trot after the red knight, apologizing to the people in the crowd he bumped...or accidentally stepped on.

"Oh, those knights!!" Lyn grumbled angrily. Faren laughed helplessly. "I don't think they meant any harm, Lyn..."

"Hmph." Lyn grumbled and edged Rain into a faster trot. Faren sighed and edged Renegade to match Rain's speed. I wish I could have had my bath...

Suddenly the world went dark around Faren's eyes and she felt herself being pulled off of Renegade. She yelped loudly, feeling her body press against another larger and more smellier body. Ugh, and I thought I needed a bath...

"FAREN!!" Lyn's voice cried out. She heard Lyn dismount, so she must have been close. She heard a sword unsheathe and then felt a blade press against her throat. Despite having a bag over her head and being held hostage, Faren was unusually calm. Let's see...the blade feels too thick for a lance...and too thin for a sword...it must be another axe. When will these bandits learn?

"Release Faren now, bandit." Faren heard Lyn say. She felt a deep throated chuckle which made Faren squirm in disgust. "You're so pretty...your name is Lyndis, is it not?"

She heard Lyn gasp. "What did you call me? ...who are you?!"

"Such a waste..." The man continued. "An absolute waste. The things I'll do for gold." Faren felt the blade press harder against her throat, digging into her skin. She started to get fairly worried, but her ears picked up the sounds of horse hooves not too far away. She doubted that the bandit or Lyn heard it over the bandit's coughing laughter.

"Time to die, darlin'! C'mon out boys!"

Faren heard the rumble of footsteps, lots of snickers and guffaws. The smell was getting worse. She counted...one...two...four...four bandits in all. Not even Lyn can handle all of those by herself...

"I'll not give up!" Faren heard Lyn cry out. She must have been thinking the same thing. Suddenly she felt a push from the bandit holding her and a grunt from him. A clang sounded, and she felt herself being released. She stumbled forward into strong arms that swept her up onto a horse. She yanked the bag off her head and stared into the dark green eyes of the green knight.

Sain smiled at Faren. "Well, you're cute up close too, aren't you?" Faren's cheeks tinted slightly and looked over at the bandit. He was holding a hand to his bloodied head, an axe in his right and glaring at Kent, the red knight who was also on horseback, clutching a sword.

"You there!" Sain called to the bandit, as his arm winded around Faren's waist tightly. She blushed harder as she was pushed against his chest. Hey...he smells kinda good, Faren thought. She shook her head as Sain's voice drifted to her ears."What is your business? Such numbers against a couple of girls? Cowards, every one of you!"

The bandits backed away behind their leader, snarling and waving their weapons threateningly. Lyn appeared between the two knights, looking shocked. "You...you're from..."

"We can discuss that later," Kent interjected, swinging his sword fiercely, his other hand tightening on his horse's reins. "It appears that these ruffians mean to do you both harm. If it's a fight they want, let them look to me! I'll take care of this!"

"No!" Lyn shouted, brandishing her sword. "This is my fight! Stay out of my way!"

Sain looked at Lyn, still holding onto Faren with one hand, his other hand reaching for a lance. "Well, we can't just stand here and do nothing..."

"I have an idea!" Faren piped up. Everyone looked at her, Lyn doing a double take, seeing her in Sain's arms. She smiled sheepishly and rubbed her head. "I am a tactician. I command warriors such as yourselves in battle."

"Oh ho..." Sain murmured, looking rather impressed at Faren.

Kent nodded, looking back at the bandits in determination. "That's acceptable. I am Kent, a knight of Lycia. My companion is Sain. We will follow your orders in this battle. Is this acceptable, Lady Lyndis?"

Lyn nodded and brandished her sword. "It is! Let's go!"

As the first bandit approached Lyn, she sidestepped him. Faren shouted to Lyn and Lyn nodded, ducking underneath the axe blade and stabbing the bandit in the side. Faren called to Kent and he rode by, giving the final blow to the bandit. As the bandit crumpled to the ground, the three others looked hesitantly at each other.

Faren began to call out another order before she felt Sain nudge her. "Oh, smart one! Faren, yes? I wish to impress the Lady Lyndis! Give me an order!"

Faren chuckled before leaning in and whispering to Sain. He nodded and held Faren close with one arm and clutching the reins tightly. He galloped near the nearest bandit, brandishing his lance.

"Hey, you should have let me off back there!"

"Oh, it's much more impressive with a rider, don't you think milady?!"

Sain lunged forward with his lance. The bandit saw it coming and skitted to the side, receiving only a cut on his cheek. "Wah..?" Sain murmured then pulled his horse back quickly as the bandit's axe tried to cut off it's head. "Poor Pearl...I missed!"

"Sain!" Faren stared up at him reproachfully as Lyn dived in on the bandit in front of them. They began exchanging blows, each being blocked by their weapon.

"Sain.." Faren began again. "Don't you have a sword?

Sain smiled sheepishly at Faren. "The lance is more heroic, don't you think?"

Faren sighed hopelessly then brightened as she saw Renegade gallop up to Sain's horse. She jumped down and quickly mounted Renegade. Sain pouted.

Kent galloped next to Sain, thrusting a sword in his hands. "You're hopeless. I'd prefer to rely on your skill, rather than your 'heroics'."

"Many thanks, Kent!" Sain quickly reattached his lance to it's original position and thrust the sword underneath the bandit's arm that had Lyn pinned. He howled in pain, collapsing to the ground. Lyn panted, nodding to Sain before looking at Faren.

Faren gazed ahead at the boss bandit, Zugu. He had thrust his lackey in front of him, who looked incredibly nervous in front of the three warriors. Faren shouted her orders.

"Kent! Lyn! Take care of the lackey! Sain, go around and try to deal with the boss!"

"Right!" All three shouted in unison. Faren pulled Renegade back to where Rain was standing alone and watched the three warriors.

Lyn charged the lone bandit, rolling out of the way as he swung his axe to get to her. Unfortunately for him, Kent came from the side and sliced into the bandits side with his sword. With a howl of defeat, he fell to the ground. Meanwhile, Sain had began to give chase after the boss bandit.

Zugu panted heavily as he rain, trying to get away from the knight. He ran into the thicket, hoping to lose him. "M...Meddlesome...knights..."

"Oh, did you call?" Zugu looked up and fell to the left as Sain's sword slashed his arm. He cried out, but staggered away from Sain, his bloodied arm hanging limply by his side. Zugu clenched his axe tightly and leapt into the air toward Sain. He brought his axe down toward him, but heard a 'thwack', a sound similar to a blade sinking into the wood.

Sain grinned triumphantly at Zugu, who hung by his axe blade on a tree branch he failed to see. Sain stabbed him in the gut and turn his horse away, leaving Zugu to moan on the forest floor before he died. "Ugh...one...girl...Lundgren..."

Sain galloped back to the others, who were standing a bit away from the other bandit's bodies. Lyn was cleaning off her sword, looking up at concern in Faren. Kent, glared in Sain's direction, who could only shrug.

"Faren, I'm so sorry he grabbed you like that. Are you sure you're okay?" Lyn asked her companion in concern.

Faren nodded happily, patting Renegade's head who nickered softly. "The only thing that hurt me was the smell. I think I really need a bath now."

Lyn chuckled, but then fell silent as Sain approached. Both Sain and Kent dismounted. Faren decided to stay on her horse, which stood beside Lyn. "Now...for these knights of Lycia. You were going to share your story with me?"

Kent nodded. "Yes, milady. We have ventured from Caelin, in Lycia, in search of someone."

"Lycia..." Faren wondered aloud, thinking of the geography. "That is the country beyond the mountains in the southwest, right?"

"Correct!" Sain winked at Faren who giggled again.

Kent cleared his throat. "We've come as messengers to the lady Madelyn, who eloped with a nomad some 19 years ago."

Lyn almost dropped her sword and whispered. "Madelyn...?"

Faren glanced at Lyn as Kent continued to speak

"Our lord, the Marquess of Caelin's only daughter. He was heartbroken when his own daughter would abandon him so. Eventually, the Marquess simply declared that he had no daughter."

Lyn stayed silent. It was Sain who spoke next.

"And then this year, we received a letter from lady Madelyn. It said that she, her husband, and their daughter were living happily on the Sacae plains. The Marquess was ecstatic to learn that he had a granddaughter." Sain smiled at Lyn. "I remember the smile on this face when he announced that he'd suddenly become a grandfather. The granddaughter's name is Lyndis, which was also the name of the Marquess' wife who passed away at an early age."

"Lyndis...", Lyn murmured.

Sain continued. "That she should bear this name thawed the Marquess' heart. Now, his only wish is to meet his daughter's family at least once. This is why we're here. We didn't know that Lady Madelyn died a few days after sending her letter...We only learned this shortly after we arrived here in Bulgar. But we also learned that all was not lost."

Sain gently took Lyn's hand in his, looking her in the eyes. "Her daughter yet lives. We heard that she was living alone on the plains."

Kent stepped up beside Sain. "I...I knew it immediately. You are the Lady Lyndis."

Lyn stared at both the knights incredulously. "Why would...you think that...?"

Kent smiled sympathetically. "Your resemblance to your dear departed mother is remarkable. I never met your mother directly, but I saw her portraits in Castle Caelin."

Lyn looked away from the knights, trying to hide the tears that were coming to her eyes. "...to the rest of my tribe, I was always Lyn. But when I was with my parents, I was Lyndis. It's...so strange. I was all alone in the world, and now I have a grandfather."

She closed her eyes. "To think that I would hear that name again..."

"Wait..." Faren cut in. "The bandit called you Lyndis too!"

Kent looked alarmed at Faren. "What?! How could—"

"He was a henchman of Lord Lundgren." Sain cut in, folding his arms across his chest.

Faren wrinkled her nose as Lyn stared at Sain. "Lundgren? Who is that?"

Kent sighed. "He's the Marquess' younger brother. Everyone assumed that the Lady Madelyn was gone forever. This made Lord Lundgren heir to the Marquess' title.

Sain shrugged, looking at Lyn. "I had heard that lout mutter Lundgren's name before his death. To be blunt, milady, your existence is an obstacle to your granduncle's ambitions."

"That ridiculous!" Lyn put her hands on her hips. "I have no interest in inheriting any title!"

"Unfortunately, your granduncle is not the sort of man to believe that." Sain gazed at Lyn as he leaned against his horse. She gently licked Sain's cheek.

Lyn looked up at Faren, looking like a lost child. "What should I do...?"

Kent offered her a hand. "Accompany us to Caelin. Continuing on this way is dangerous. Strength is greater in numbers."

Lyn looked into Kent's eyes before she took his outstretched hand and shook it. "I feel as if I have little choice. I will go with you."

"Yay!" Faren threw her hands up excitedly. "More traveling companions!"

"Indeed!" Sain agreed, mounting his horse and riding up beside Faren. "And...perhaps something more...?"

Faren blushed as Renegade bit Sain's outstretched hand. "Ow!" Sain rubbed his hand and backed away while everyone laughed at him. Lyn mounted Rain and Kent his horse. "We should head back to Bulgar, miladies. It is already twilight."

Lyn nodded and tapped Faren on the shoulder. "Faren...I'm sorry. This changes everything. What will you do, Faren?"

Faren blinked confusedly at Lyn. "Wha...? Um...why don't you decide if I go or stay?"

Lyn eased her horse into a trot beside Faren's as the knights marched on ahead. "Of course, your companionship would do much to ease my journey, but...it's going to be so dangerous..."

Faren laughed. "But what would you do without your master strategist, Lady Lyndis?"

Lyn laughed also. "I see your point...Thank you! Let me ask once again for your friendship and your aid!"

"And let me give thanks to Saint Elimine for giving me a chance to have a bath!" Faren called out to the sky, provoking a laugh from Lyndis, Sain, and Kent.

Author's Note: I hope Faren's personality is more evident in this chapter. I know it was hard to read her in the first. If you had to describe her, she's aloof, naïve and very cheerful. I enjoyed writing the parts with her and Sain.