Notes:
Nothing spectacular to mention. Writing is a lot of work but a lot of fun at the same time. I don't own Fire Emblem or its characters. I like puns and my vaguely philosophical italic statements.

Chapter 2:
Straight as an Arrow

Life is a series of coincidences that weren't likely to happen.

The next morning came far too early. Mark grumbled as he struggled to get up. The tactician was exhausted from the incessant battles.

"Marky! There you are!" The tactician choked at the sound of the voice. It was Serra and he did not have the energy to deal with her.

"Good morning Serra. What is it?"

She giggled. "You missed the morning morning. Can't you see? It's almost time for us to go to battle."

"What?" The tactician woke up immediately. He bombarded Serra with questions.

"Whats going on? Who gave the orders? What's the plan? Who's doing what?"

"Heehee, come on Marky. Kent will fill you in."

Serra grabbed Mark by the arm and dragged him to the rest of the group. He was cursing Kent under his breath.

"It's good to see you are awake Mark. I took it upon myself to get us ready for battle." Kent's eyes beamed with pride.

"Why didn't you people bother to wake me up?" Mark tried to contain his ire.

"We did. I had asked Sain to do that."

"That was brilliant," muttered Mark.

"I beg your forgiveness Sir Mark," pleaded Sain. "I was so engrossed in my morning reading I forget to wake you."

Erk laughed so hard he could barely speak "You read?"

"As a matter of fact I do." Sain looked offended. "I was reading a marvelous tale about a knight errant and his faithful squire fighting to right the wrongs of the world!"

"Enough!" Mark silenced his companions. "That's all great. Look, just tell me what's going on?"

"Very well then." Kent began a long winded explanation about the current situation. They were supposed to leave this morning except a young child seeking aid approached Lyn. Against Kent's wishes, she agreed to stay and help the child. The group was also joined by a monk named Lucius. Mark would have never guessed Lucius was a man.

"That sounds fantastic except for one detail."

"What is that?" Kent asked.

"I don't like how you are placing Rath at the front lines. Although he's incredibly swift he cannot partake in hand-to-hand combat. I'd hate to see him get chopped down by some axe wielding buffoon. "

"That's why I'm fighting alongside Rath," Lyn interjected. "That way he can be protected."

"And who will protect you?" Mark shot back. "You're not exactly someone who can take 100 blows."

"I would love to fight alongside Lyn," Rath spoke. There was a momentary silence.

"Here's what I've decided," Mark began. "This isn't a game. There are no restarts if we screw up. That means we don't have the luxuries of picking and choosing who we get to fight with. The whole point of doing battle is for us to win and not get killed. Rath, you will fight in the back lines with Wil and Erk. Lyn, you will fight behind the protection of Sain and Kent. Are we all clear?"

Lyn was disappointed but she conceded. "You're right Mark. You haven't steered us in the wrong direction yet. Come Sain! Come on Kent! Let's go."

"All right everyone. Let's move out."

-o-o-o-

Wil worked hard to contain his glee. He had a second chance to make a good impression on Rath. It was obvious the nomad did not like him. Wil was going to do everything in his power to change that.

"Should we get going Rath? We'll surely get left behind if we don't move."

"Very well then." The contempt in the nomad's voice was like ice. Wil pretended not to notice.

Wil, Rath, and Erk left without a word. Wil wanted to talk to Rath more than anything but he did not want to annoy him. He was desperately trying to think of ways to impress the Sacaean. Eventually, Erk broke the silence.

"I don't know why we bother heading out to the battlefield. It's not like we ever do anything. All Mark does is stick us in the back."

Ironically, a hand axe whirled around Erk's head. Wil giggled and quickly got his bow out. He shot an arrow that grazed the bandit's waste.

"You'll pay for that, you runt." Wil gasped as savage man lunged after him.

"That's enough of this. Flammas!" The man was engulfed in a pillar of fire. Once the spell wore off there was only ash were the man had stood.

"I'm glad you're on our side Erk." Wil laughed nervously.

"Erk! Everyone! I'm glad you're alright." Mark was huffing toward the battle scene.

"There appears to be bandits in addition Black Fang members," Erk said.

"Yes, there's a small number of bandits attacking from the rear," Mark said between wheezes. "I'm back there with Dorcas and Matthew now. We need some magic, so come on."

"What about Rath and I?" asked Wil.

"I need you two to ride ahead and regroup with the others on the front line. I apologize for the disorganization but these bandits came out of nowhere. Now if you excuse me I must be gone."

The tactician grabbed Erk and made haste toward the battle scene. Wil was alone with Rath for the first time since the attack on Castle Araphen. Now was his chance to make a good impression.

"We should get going. Don't you think Rath?"

"...of course. Get on the back of my horse."

After many attempts Wil was finally climbed on top of Rath's horse. The Sacaean laughed quietly.

"Hey, you aren't making fun of me aren't you?"

"I was simply admiring your affinity for horses."

Wil was indignant but kept quiet. Rath spurred his horse and the two companions moved quickly. Wil hugged the nomad tightly, so he would not fall off.

"Do we have to move so fast?" Wil nearly screamed.

"Would you rather us get caught and die?"

"Rath! Watch out!"

"Wha—"

There was no time. An arrow soared towards them. He threw the nomad off the horse and saved him a fatal blow. Wil grasped the reins of Rath's horse and pulled them with all his might. The horse whinnied angrily and stopped.

"I got you now."

The enemy archer was pursuing Rath. Wil gasped. His rash action might have doomed his companion. Wil hurriedly readied his bow and blindly shot an arrow.

"Nggg." The enemy archer moaned. Luckily, the arrow pierced the archer in the neck. She fell to the ground and died within seconds.

"Rath! Rath!" Wil rushed to his companion. The nomad was bleeding and unconscious.

"I'm sorry Rath. I'll protect you."

(Possibly) Humorous Endnote:
Will Wil's willpower be enough to save Rath or will Rath suffer the wrath of death?