FE: Realm of Darkness

Chapter 5

!DISCLAIMER of Fire Emblem! You should know what this means. You read it before almost every fanfiction. Please enjoy the new chapter!

Oh, and also note that I will include some characters and references from Radiant Dawn. However I won't stay to the sequel's plot line, I will use some characters for my own story. This is a fanfiction after all, if not generally written. Please respect that and sorry if I butcher any character that you just happen to favor!

Kitani

Tyna gathered her long dress robes up above her feet in order to swiftly descend the stairs. Her deep violet hair swished back and forth against her mid back as she hurriedly rushed to the Apostle's meeting room. In her mind she cursed the rude man who pushed her aside in his rush to leave after some black haired swordsman. After her fall, her hips began to color and ache from the rough friction with her outfit. Since she bruised easily, she had to ask Queen Elincia pardon so she could apply healing ointment.

Clutching at her long sleeves that fell over her slim hands, Tyna stepped sharply around another corner only to nearly bump into two young men. Catching the sharp edge of the hall's corner, she was able to stop herself from crashing into them.

"Oi Tyna! Shouldn't you been in the meeting room already with the Queen?" asked the taller, blond haired man with laughing blue eyes. Dressed in earthy brown robes with black trim, Arzel was his name, and his companion with red hair and green eyes was Warren who always wore satin black robes. Both studied with her as apprentice mages in Crimea Castle and became good friends who looked out for her. However, when she became the Queen's personal assistant, their friendship had begun to become distant.

"I was delayed but am on my way now. Where are you two off to?" she asked.

"To see if we could discuss some topics with some other bishops and sages of the Apostle. We were hoping to start a debate on the properties of dark magic versus white." replied Arzel.

"I see. Well don't get into anything physical and try not to show off too much. These are very educated scholars."

Arzel chuckled as Warren smiled while crossing his arms without tangling his long, black sleeves. "So are we, Tyna." they both said at the same time.

Shaking her head at the two mages, Tyna stepped around them to continue on her way. However, Warren reached out to lightly touch her elbow. Despite the gentleness of the action, her muscles stiffened. Both men turned towards her with knowing faces.

"Ty," murmured Warren seriously as he lowered his hand to his side. Tyna met his gaze with a tired smile. Despite his silent demeanor and anti-social attitude, Warren was very passionate should he let his emotions come to the surface.

"There are powerful Laguz in the room with Queen Elincia, just to warn you. If you want we could escort you in." he offered as Arzel nodded in agreement beside him.

Shaking her head, the female mage pressed two fingers to her lips then motioned them towards her two friends. Warren and Arzel visibly relaxed for they knew it was her way of saying that she was all right, and also a sign of affection.

"I'll be fine."

Still, as she departed, her two friends stared after with sad expressions that could only be read in their contrasting eyes.

"I hate you, Soren."

The hybrid magic-user rolled his red eyes up to the ceiling of the meeting room. "You've said that five times already, Ike. Can't you just accept the fact that the Queen was entitled to a little bit of payback? You did insult her if anything else last time."

Ike gulped down more water since there was no liquor more being served at the gathering. Slamming his glass down upon the serving table, he glared at his best friend with burning, blue orbs. "Last time? All I did was express how I felt about being transferred to the palace! And here while I was kneeling there, I was hoping..."

Soren tilted his head to the side, urging his friend to continue but instead, the black haired man pushed his drink away. "You were hoping she would forgive you and welcome you back with open arms?"

"Not quite. I was just hoping she would forgive me. But it wasn't clear with all those people there and Elincia being so curious about my hair. She had all that time to just say 'I forgive you' when instead she pokes and prods my head because my hair is dyed!"

"She'll forgive you in time," assured Soren as he sipped some juice while watching the dancing and socializing go on around them. Both sage and swordsman were standing by a serving table apart from most of the people in the room, "For now, we'll just obey her orders to explore the lands to the far east of Begnion."

Swirling the water around in his glass, Ike's face grew serious. "What do you know of the Eastern Lands, Soren?"

"The Eastern Lands are rather unexplored, similar to the continents across the Seas. The part of Tellius that we reside on is rather isolated. We trade and interact with each other we have had no choice. The mountains cut us off from the East, and the oceans cut us off from the west and south. I think Apostle Sanaki and Queen Elincia are just doing this out of curiosity but I have yet to grasp their complete motives."

"So we're pretty much a scouting party on an expedition to some unknown lands that not even the Great Archives have records of." murmured the swordsman as he rubbed his forehead. After all these years of ignoring what he was best at, Ike found himself looking forward to the journey. Like Mist had said, he had missed Elincia and her presence that made him feel like the burdens of the world were not all on his shoulders. But also he felt guilty for hurting both her and himself and turning away from where he would make himself useful. He was no noble but a country bumpkin who just happened to have the skills of a powerful General.

Still, there were some things when he left Crimea that he had not even mentioned to Soren.

Mist pressed her hands against her flushing cheeks as Queen Elincia and Titania continued to admire her. Twice her brother had left her this evening for her to follow in the nobles' world on her own. Although she was growing into a lady and no longer a shy little girl, Mist still was not used to being given so much attention because of her more mature looks.

"Please Titania! I think that's enough compliments for today!" complained Ike's younger sister as she patted at her burning cheeks.

The Paladin shook her head and continued to smooth the young girl's light brown hair. "Nonsense! Even if I stop complimenting how beautiful you have become, there are always the gentlemen here who will squeeze in a few words."

"That's right," agreed Elincia. "Whether you like it or not Mist, you've grown up into a gorgeous lady who has received quite a few looks since you've been here."

Young Mist's response was a small groan and more patting. "I never got this much attention in Gallia! Sure there were a few who teased and flirted, but Ike always seemed to scare them away. I thought when I finally got the attention, I wouldn't be bothered. But now, it's overwhelming!"

"You just need to know when to put your foot down," said a voice to Mist's right. Turning sharply, the young girl gasped in surprise as she bumped into a purple haired woman.

"Oh! Please excuse me!"

"It's all right," said the woman as she bowed low to Elincia and nodded to Titania, "Sorry I'm late my lady.

"Ah!" said the Queen as she placed a comforting hand onto Mist's shoulder, "Mist, I would like you to meet my personal assistant Tyna. She will be accompanying you on your travels to the East."

"Really? So you're Tyna, right? I'm Mist, Daughter of the mercenary Greil and younger sister of the Ex-Commander Ike. Nice to meet you!"

The purple haired mage plucked a glass of water from one of the many servants in the crowd. Smiling at the wobbly curtsy of the girl, Tyna smiled gently. "A pleasure, Lady Mist."

The brown haired girl waved it off with a shrug. "I'm no lady so I you don't need to call me one. Mist is fine."

Elincia placed her other hand onto Tyna's shoulder with a tinkling laugh. "Tyna will be of great use to you and your brother, Mist. She grew up near the mountain range that borders the Eastern Lands in Daein."

Mist's light blue eyes widened at this. "Eh?!"

Tyna crossed her hands in front of her robes. "I'm sure the Queen can adapt without me here for a while. There are many that can be her mage, lady-in-waiting and nurse while I'm away. To be honest, I have wished to take a trip to my home in Daein these past few days."

Eagerly grabbing at the mage's hands, Mist began to jump up and down. "Yay! Another lady friend in the sea of manly companions! Maybe you can teach me an arcane spell with fire to cancel thunder?"

Queen Elincia pressed a pale hand to her collarbone as Tyna blinked in confusion.

"Heavens Mist! What would you need such a spell for?" asked Titania good-naturally as she placed a hand on her well-rounded hip.

"Well when Ike or me tease Soren too much, he manifests tangible Thunder to tie our hands or feet so we can listen to him lecture. If Tyna can teach me the spell to cancel it, I can turn the tables on him! Soren won't know what hit him!"

All three nobles burst out laughing at the young girl's determined but excited facial expression. Tyna patted the girl's hand that still clasped hers with a smile. "You're cute, Lady Mist."

The ladies chucked as Mist retorted with a huff. "I'm not a Lady!"

"What about hittin' Soren and that Mist is really a guy? If that's true I want in!" burst out a grinning Boyd who appeared to Titania's left. His comments got him a non-to-gentle cuff to the head and elbow in the ribs.

"Shouldn't you be over by the table with food gorging yourself? You're always complaining that my cooking is note edible." growled the red haired Paladin as she narrowed her fiery eyes at her friend's younger brother.

"It really isn't edible and I want to beat up Soren! He shoots his mouth of like no one can hear him or do anythin' to him!" argued the ax user as he punched the palm of his hand hard.

Mist rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms and edged closer to the mage of the circle. "Like you could even get close enough to touch him. He'd summon wind to sweep you off your feet then fry you with a fireball."

The Berserker's mighty body coiled tightly at the sharp insult and he began to breathe quickly through his convulsing nostrils. At the sight, Mist began to chuckle behind a few fingers pressed to her lips. Grumbling under his breath, the Berserker turned sharply on his boot's heel and nearly crashed into a servant who was carrying a large tray of smoked meat. Grabbing the tray before it hit the ground, Boyd straightened the servant and shoved the tankard back into his trembling hands.

Continuing to chuckle as her old mercenary companion stomped off towards the food table, Mist sighed. "It makes me nostalgic to see him get all worked up like that. He'll never cease to be such a hothead."

Titania shook her head as she also stared after Boyd. "Even he has grown somewhat Mist. Just do not bait him too much for he can be quite passionate in his anger."

"I'll remember, Titania." agreed the brown haired girl as she glanced for another moment Boyd's departure before turned back to the circle of ladies.

"Another thing for you to remember, Mist. Horses and supplies will be provided for you courtesy of the Apostle herself. Several escorts from both Crimea and Begnion have also offered to join you and your brother, if you will have them. Preparations for your departure have been scheduled to be ready by tomorrow morning. I hope that is satisfactory."

"Really Tyna? I forgot how easily things went when nobles were helpings us!"

The red haired Paladin offered her clear glass with a smirk. "And let us all pray that we all come back safe!"

"Right!" said the ladies in unison as they clinked their glasses together with laughs and smiles.

Tsuzuku!

Wow! Another chapter? Finally updates after...one...two...of my quite a few months. Well blame Bleach, the musical and Naruto for distracting me. They have gotten very interesting lately if you are one who reads the latest from Japan. Anyway, wish me luck with the next chapter and that it comes sooner than this one did!

KITANI