Chapter Two

"How about magic?" Dozla said. "It can't be that difficult to learn. As far as I can tell, it's just a bunch of arm waving and shouting gibberish," Dozla continued.

"You do have a point," Garcia replied.

It was only Seth's years of training as a knight and his experience in battle that allowed him to stay calm rather than follow his first instinct to dissolve into complete and utter panic.

"Let's practice sometime soon."

"I'm looking forward to it... Mage!"

A laugh rumbled from Dozla's chest as the two of them marched off, looking as gleeful as squires on their first assignment.

Surely this could not be happening... again. Perhaps he was dreaming. Slowly, methodically, Seth rolled up his sleeve, took some skin between his thumb and forefinger, and pinched it as hard as he could. He winced, first at the discomfort and then at the fact that he did seem to be awake. Which, under the circumstances, was not good.

"Hello there, general! You're looking well this evening." He didn't bother to turn as Forde approached him.

All right... He needed to stay calm and think clearly. Setting aside the notion that he'd lost his mind since there was really nothing he could do if that were the case, what did that leave? Magic– dark magic at that– seemed the most likely explanation, and with their being in such close proximity to the resting place of the Demon King, it didn't see too far-fetched to suggest that some type of evil magic was at work.

"General?" Forde was peering at him, head titled to one side. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. I'm..." He needed to speak to someone who knew about magic. Saleh. Saleh was an accomplished mage and knowledgeable about the region and the lore surrounding the Demon King. Certainly he would be able to shed some light on the situation. "Forde, tell Lord Ephraim that I can't make it to the briefing."

"Can't–"

"Tell him I have something urgent to see to," Seth said before striding away, trying not wince at the expression of disbelief on Forde's face. He knew his behaviour must seem erratic, but unless he figured out what was going on, it seemed entirely possible that none of this would matter in twelve hours' time.

Having been in the briefing room at this time twice before, he really had no idea where to find Saleh. He had to ask directions to the man's tent and found it quite empty when he arrived there. Without any idea of what Saleh did in his spare time, Seth found himself wandering the camp, craning his neck to look this way and that in the hope of spotting Saleh, while occasionally stopping someone to ask if they'd seen him. At worst he supposed he could try it all again tomorrow, though the thought was not one he relished. This was only the third time; he'd not yet given up hope that things would sort themselves out and that the sun would rise tomorrow as it always had.

Seth was surprised when he found the mage talking to Gerik of all people; he'd not been aware that the two were so well acquainted. Pausing a short distance away, he watched as Gerik gave Saleh a nod and one of his broad smiles before marching off without taking any notice of Seth. Seth's hands were slick as he drew breath and finally summoned the nerve to hail the mage.

Saleh's features were as impassive as always as he turned to face Seth. "How may I help you, General Seth?"

"I was hoping you might be able to answer some questions regarding... magic, dark magic in particular."

Saleh's brow crinkled slightly. "Very well. Though Knoll might be more knowledgeable about dark magic that I."

"I also had questions about Darkling Woods."

"Ah. I see. Shall we walk, general?"

Seth nodded and together they began to wander through the camp at a leisurely stroll. Clasping his hands behind his back, Seth made an effort to keep his pose and his tone relaxed. "Have you ever heard of a type of magic that affects time?" Seth began cautiously. He had no intention of discussing the precise nature of his quandary– surely they would think him mad; he half thought himself so as it was.

Brow creased, Saleh pondered Seth's question a while before offering a reply. "I have heard of staves that can affect the target in unusual ways, like a Berserk or Sleep wands do. It's said that some rare staves had other properties, that they could make time stop for an opponent, leaving him unable to attack or to defend himself. Others are said to reverse a target's action, effectively moving them back in time for the space of a few seconds, a minute perhaps."

"But you've never seen any such staff?"

Saleh shook his head. "I've read of them, but no I've never seen one."

Seth mulled this information over as they continued to stroll by the rows of tents. Judging by the light, he still had over an hour before the attack, plenty of time to give warning and to prepare himself. They would fare better this time now that he knew what was coming and could warn the others. And Eirika... He would make sure she was out of harm's way this time.

"And what of Darkling Woods?" Seth asked. "Have you ever heard of the woods causing any sort of... unusual occurrences?"

The mage came to a halt, knitting his brows as he turned to look Seth in the face. "General, is there something going on? I'm sure I could prove a better guide if I knew the exact nature of what you were trying to ask me."

He was a terrible liar; Seth knew this of himself. The best way he could handle things when honesty was not an option, was to sidestep the issue or avoid it entirely when possible. Surely if he were a better liar he could have convinced Eirika that he didn't feel the way he did instead of ducking out of her presence as he had been of late. A kind lie would have caused a small wound, perhaps, one easily healed, rather than this drawn-out game of hide and seek, in which they each by turns pretended not to feel as they did, not to notice each other across a room.

"Sir Seth?"

Seth cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Master Saleh. I would be more specific if I could."

With a nod, Saleh resumed strolling. Though so many of the faces as they passed were lined with tension, men and women walking stiff-shouldered and weary, dreading what might come with daylight, Saleh's features remained calm, as if the threat of the Demon King were as little to him as a day of rain. Perhaps it was the result of living in the shadow of Darkling Wood one's entire life, Seth mused.

"There's little to tell of Darkling Woods that hasn't already been told," Saleh said finally. "The woods are filled with dark energies, a residue from the battle with the Demon King. What effects those energies may have beyond those we're already familiar with, I can't say."

"I see," Seth said. "Thank y–"

"Seth!" His heart leaped at the sound of Eirika's voice. He turned to see her walking towards them at a quick pace. She looked as harried as any of the soldiers. "Good day, Master Saleh. How fare you?" she said with a polite nod.

"Very well, Princess. Thank you."

Eirika looked from one to the other. "I came about–" She paused a moment, glancing at Seth. "Forde said you had to attend to an urgent matter. Is everything all right?"

Seth cleared his throat and straightened as both the mage and the princess peered at him, eyebrows raised. He supposed it was as good a time as any. "I have reason to believe there will be an attack on camp shortly before dusk."

"What?"

"They will attack from the west, coming out of the woods, and try to take our sentries by surprise."

Eirika's expression was a mixture of worry and surprise. "How do you know that?"

He shook his head. "I can't explain at this time." And then, looking directly at her, "Lady Eirika, I must ask that you trust me."

She searched his features as if hoping to find an answer there, but finally nodded. "All right. Go ahead and organize a force. I'll inform Ephraim of what's going on. I was just speaking to him..." The way she averted her eyes, her brow creasing slightly as she said this last, caught his attention. He did his best to quash his curiosity: It was not becoming of a knight to question what his liege lords were discussing.

"Thank you, my lady," he said, offering a bow, though his mind was racing to try to figure out how he would keep an eye on her. The last two times she'd ended up on the outskirts of camp, but in both cases it had been because she'd been intending to spar. He hoped the knowledge of the coming attack would keep her out of harm's way this time, but he wasn't about to take any chances.

"Might I be of assistance to you, general?" Saleh asked.

"Your help would be most appreciated," Seth replied.

As they parted ways, Seth could not stem the rising sense of unease that washed through him as he watched Eirika walk away.

ooo

"Kyle, I need to check on something," Seth said. "I'm leaving you in command. Understood?"

"Yes, general," Kyle replied with a curt nod. He could see the flicker of doubt on Kyle's features– that their commander should choose to leave just before the beginning of a battle was odd to say the least– but Seth was grateful for Kyle's discipline as he accepted without questioning him.

Eirika was nowhere to be seen. He should have been relieved by this fact, but instead his heart was racing and sweat trickled down his neck. He needed to check the clearing where they'd prepared to spar the last time. He needed to be certain.

He turned his mount in that direction at a quick trot. There was no one there save the sentries a short distance away, but neither was Eirika where she was supposed to be, with the second line that he had passed on the way. His heart was hammering against his ribs. There was no reason to worry; Eirika could fend for herself, and yet...

The silence that had fallen over their camp when Ephraim had announced that they should prepare for battle, was shattered by their soldiers' battle calls. Tight around his horse's reins, Seth's palms were slick. He should be there. But what difference did it make if this were to all begin again? All he knew was that he had to make sure Eirika was safe. Even if it would mean nothing in a few hours' time, he couldn't bear to see her harmed.

Blocking out the sounds of battle, Seth continued to scour the outskirts of their camp. He nearly cried out with relief when he finally caught sight of her. She was inspecting her mare's hoof, a look of consternation on her face. Glancing up as she heard his mount's hoofbeats, Eirika appeared quite puzzled as she lay eyes on him. But he didn't care. All that mattered was that she was safe.

Before he could reach her, Eirika's mare neighed and reared up, sending Eirika stumbling backwards out of the way. The hairs on the back of his neck rose as his own bay stallion whuffed and shifted uneasily. He turned him around and was shocked to see not one, but two gwyllgi tearing though camp directly towards them.

Seth wasted no time wondering where the beasts had come from, but instead put himself between them and the princess and charged towards them. Eirika could handle herself against one, he was certain of that, so as long as he could engage at least one of the beasts they would be fine.

As he drew close to the gwyllgi, the two creatures moved to circle around him, one to the left and one to the right... as if they intended specifically to go after Eirika. He tugged on the reins and his stallion made a quick turn, bringing them along side one of the canid beasts. Seth swung his sword low, leaving a long trail of blood along the beast's side. He only managed to graze it, but it was enough to catch the gwyllgi's attention. Its cry– too high pitch to be properly called a howl– had his stallions pulling its ears back against its skull, but his war horse was well trained and did not balk as he had them manoeuver closer to the beast. A snarl from deep in its chest poured out of all three heads. He kept his horse diagonal to the creature so that he'd have a clear striking area for his sword. If he'd had his lance this would have been a great deal easier, but limited to his sword's shorter reach he'd have to either dismount or wait for the gwyllgi's attack.

It came with as little warning as lightning.

Reacting on instinct alone, he brought his sword up before him, swinging outward even as his horse sprang forward. The force of the gwyllgi's momentum nearly tore the blade from his hands, but he managed his keep his hold though it sent a painful jolt through his shoulders.

He kneed his stallion to turn again towards the gwyllgi. The creature lay on the ground, quite motionless save for the rusty blood that oozed from across its throat and chest.

Seth's heart leaped into his throat as he heard Eirika cry out. He looked in her direction in time to see her on the ground rolling away from the burst of flame that had erupted from the mouth of the second gwyllgi. She sprang to her feet again and he could see now that the creature was injured. He charged towards them, but before he'd reached them Eirika had launched herself at the wounded beast and, moments later, it slid off her blade, gurgling its last breath.

"Seth," she said, panting for breath.

"Are you all right?" he asked, scanning her up and down, trying to be sure that the blood on her armour was that of her foe.

"I'm... fine," she managed between breaths. "You're here. How..."

He shook his head. "Never mind that now. We're still under attack."

She nodded. "Yes, you're right. I guess I'll continue on foot," she said, glancing over her shoulder in the direction her mare had retreated during the battle and now was prancing about nervously. "She's thrown a shoe. It was fine when I checked her earlier but..."

He held out his hand. She hesitated only a second before taking it and climbing into the saddle in front of him.

As they charged towards the battle lines on the outskirts of camp, Seth was thankful for his armour, that it kept him from feeling the softness of her body against his. Just having her in the saddle before him, sitting between his arms as he gripped the reins, made his blood race faster. When she was close to him like this, he felt as if there were no evil he could not face, no enemy he couldn't conquer.

It was with reluctance that he let her down with the rest of the unit she had originally planned to be with. They were just about to move in to help the first battle line and, though it pained him to let her slide out of the saddle and out of his care, he left her to stand on her two feet and join the fray as was her wish and her right. But he stayed with her unit. He would stay close to her. No one would deny him that, not today.

The battle ended quickly this time with fewer injuries thanks to their preparations. Eirika was well, no one had died, and Seth allowed himself a glimmer of hope that he might see the sun rise.

ooo

He'd cleaned his sword and his armour, but this time, Seth did not want to rest. It was as if he'd hardly done anything. He had spoken to Saleh, prepared for and fought a battle, helped tend the injured, and then seen to his things– again. Sitting in his tent, much as he had the last time, he could hear the muted hum of conversation from outside, a constant murmur. Yet he felt strangely isolated. What he yearned for was meaningful interaction, to talk to his comrades, to see their smiles, to share in their laughter and their worries. These hours he was reliving (and he realized he did not even know precisely how many) were draining, not so much on his body, but on his spirits certainly.

"Seth? Are you still up?"

He started at the sound of Eirika's voice outside his tent. He hesitated an instant but then rose and pulled back the tent flap and stepped outside. "Yes, my lady."

"You disappeared so quickly after the battle. I wanted to speak to you."

"Shall we walk, then?" he said motioning outwards.

As she nodded and, together, they began to stroll through camp, he made up his mind. He would not sleep tonight. Either morning would come as it always had, as he'd believed it always would, or he would learn precisely what the edges of his existence had become. And if it came to that, if indeed he found himself in a cage made not of bars, but of the fabric of his own life, he would learn its weave in perfect detail... and tear it.

He glanced at Eirika as they walked in silence. A mantle was draped around her shoulders to keep out the unseasonable chill and she'd pulled the hood up over her head. "Are you worried about tomorrow?" she asked him finally.

"No, my lady. I'm certain we'll be victorious. We've no other choice." He could hardly tell her that what he was really concerned about was whether there would be a tomorrow at all.

"It's just that you look so serious." And then, with a slight smile and a raised eyebrow, "More than usual I mean."

He smiled but then found himself at a loss for words and they lapsed into silence once more. "How did you know?" she asked after a time.

"About the battle? I... had a premonition of sorts." It was the closest thing to the truth he could manage.

She knitted her brows. "A premonition? That's not like you, Seth."

He shrugged. "I've no better way of explaining it."

The way she was watching him so intently made him more than a little uncomfortable. He hated lying to her, but the truth? The truth was almost too much for he himself to believe. But she seemed to accept his answer and they continued to walk the lines of tents side by side. The light was dim so no one took much notice of them save every now and again when a sentry would peer into her hood and, recognising her, bow and murmur "Good evening, princess."

They had wandered close to the centre of camp and he could glimpse the flickering fires and hear the buzz of chatter when she spoke once again. "Seth?"

"Hmm?"

"After the war, when we return home to Renais–"

"General! Care to join us?"

Seth spun in surprise as Forde called out to him. He was abashed to find that his attention had been so focussed on Eirika that he'd been little aware of his surroundings. They'd been walking by a group of their Renais comrades and he'd not so much as noticed them. Gathered around one of the fires, seated on cloth backpacks or blankets to keep out the chill from the earth, were a host of friendly faces. Kyle, Forde, Franz with his young Grado friend– Amelia, he thought– Neimi, Garcia, and Ross.

"Princess," Kyle said, standing.

"Be at ease," she said before they could all rise to their feet. More than fending off the chill, this was the reason she'd chosen to draw up her hood. He felt at once grateful for the easiness between them and ashamed that there was something more to it than simple familiarity.

"Would you care to join us?" Kyle offered, motioning towards the assembled group. "We were about to offer a toast. We've some wine... of a sort."

Forde grimaced. "It's mostly water."

Eirika stepped forward into their circle. They made space for her. He tried not to look at her face as he made a point of sitting on the opposite side of the ring rather than next to her, but he glimpsed a flicker of regret on her features. Her voice, as she spoke, gave no hint of turmoil; she sounded calm, confident, as a princess should. "A toast to what?"

"To Renais," Kyle said, raising his tin cup.

"And to victory!" Garcia added in his resounding baritone.

Forde passed him a flask and, with the others, Seth took a long swig... and grimaced. It was mostly water.

"So what are your plans after the war, Sir Garcia?" Eirika asked.

"No honorifics are necessary, Princess," Garcia said. "I gave up my title ages ago. My plans are simple. I'll return to Ide and help rebuild. After that I may re-enlist, if you highness would have me."

"We'd be honoured," Eirika replied, with a nod. "And you, Neimi?" she asked, turning to the archer, who looked abashed as all eyes turned to her.

"I– I don't know. With our village gone, Colm and I don't have anywhere to go, but as long as we have each other," she added more cheerily, "I know we'll be all right." No one was much surprised when she immediately became teary-eyed.

"Well I plan get some painting done when I get back home," Forde announced. "Kyle, you can have my brushes if I don't make it through tomorrow. Painting would be good for you, help you loosen up a little."

Kyle looked as serious as ever, though, his brow deeply lined. "You shouldn't talk like that."

Forde shrugged. "Better to be prepared I say. General," he said with a burst of enthusiasm that caused Seth to suppress a groan. "Tell me, if you knew this were your last day, what would you do?"

Forde meant it lightly, as he meant most things lightly, but Seth could not help but brood over the question. After all, how different was it from his current situation? It was not his last day so much as his only day, but even so... "I should hope," he began finally, "that I would live my last day as I'd lived all the other days of my life."

"So you have no regrets then, Sir Seth?" Kyle asked.

"A few perhaps." Seth's breath caught when his eyes met Eirika's across the fire. But only for an instant as he looked hurriedly away.

Seth was surprised when Kyle rose to his feet. "I have something I need to take care of," Kyle announced summarily. "Goodnight to you all," he added with a bow and walked away with long, determined strides.

Forde snickered. "He's off to see a lady, I'll bet. The ladies always did like him, ever since we were kids," he said with a wink.

The murmur of conversation rose and fell like the tide and Seth found himself listening more to its flow than to the particulars of what was being said. Eirika moved frequently, spending a while speaking to each of her subjects and soldiers in turn. She asked them about their homes, their plans, their dreams, keeping them focussed on the future rather than the grimness of the coming battle. She was doing all she could to help morale and Seth could not help but watch her with great admiration.

Some of the others took their leave, either to speak to other comrades or to rest. Their company had been reduced by half when Lute wandered into the flickering light of their campfire and scanned the group as if looking for something. "Have you seen Knoll?" she asked finally.

"Not since the battle," Forde replied. "Why?"

"I think he may have something of mine," she said vaguely. "You know how those dark mages are."

Forde was staring at her, head titled to one side. "Umm... No?"

"They're sneaky. It's well documented. But if you haven't seem him I'll be on my way."

"Wait a sec!" Forde called out after her. "What does he have of yours?"

"A staff," she said and then was off again.

"That was odd," mumbled Forde, shaking his head. "But nothing new there I suppose."

Seth sighed, for he would have to talk to Lute and all the mages if his... problem... continued. It was not a thought he relished. Knoll would be first if it came to that. He seemed a sensible straightforward sort of fellow, less eccentric than some of the other magic-users.

"Seth." His heart racing, he glanced up to see Eirika standing near him. She took a seat next to him. For an instant he felt panic thrill through him for what would the others think, but, he realized that she had spoken to them each in turn, leaving him for last, so there would seem nothing at all unusual in it.

"My lady."

"Are you tired? You've been so quiet..."

"I am well. You needn't be concerned, Lady Eirika."

She simply nodded. He was not unaware of the woodenness of his reply. He wanted nothing more than to be near her, to speak with her freely and easily as they had until recently, but the temptation was too great. If the hours began again... He could say– or do– anything he wished, and in half a day's time no one would be the wiser. No one would know... save he himself and how could he live the shame? It was torment.

"Do you plan to stay up a while?"

He nodded. "A little longer I think."

"Please make sure you're well rested for tomorrow. We need you," she said earnestly.

"And you, my lady."

His heart skipped a beat when she squeezed his hand and his fingers, seemingly with a mind of their own, squeezed back. "Goodnight, Seth," she said, a faint smile on her lips.

"Goodnight, my lady. Sleep well."

Seth watched her as she pulled the hood up over her head once more and walked away, disappearing between the rows of tents. Shortly afterwards he took his leave, but instead of returning to his tent he walked their camp until late into the night.

It was no more than two or three hours before dawn by his reckoning. His feet ached from walking the rows of tents these past hours. The camp was silent now save for the sentries who paced about much as he did, though earlier in the night he'd heard evidence of more... lively happenings from some of the tents as he passed by.

He'd almost convinced himself that today the sun would indeed rise when–

ooo

"Hello there, general!" Forde called out to him. "You're looking well this evening." He was going to grow tired of hearing that every ten or eleven hours...