FE: Realm of Darkness
Chapter 7
Soren kept staring up at the gray atmosphere, daring it to snow again. He was sitting on a frozen log, wrapped in a traveling cloak while glaring up at the morning sky. Across from him tending to a boiling cauldron was Oscar while his brother was warily eying the brew, thinking it some nasty tonic. Titania sat across from them, poking the fire.
For the past two weeks since their departure from Begnion and the Apostle, the company have been trekking towards Daein in order to access a mountain pass to the Unknown Lands. From Tyna's knowledge, the pass is the last route to be open until the heavy snows of winter close it off. Should that happen then they would have to head farther north to clear the mountain range since it would be too dangerous to journey through. Ike kept cursing winter since then.
Oscar chuckled as he was given a large bag of oats from Tyna who was bundled up in a very thick cloak. "You've helped enough Miss Tyna. This will be ready soon so just settle down by the fire and keep warm."
Using the front flaps of her cloak to cover her knees, the purple haired mage knelt by the flames and held out of her bare hands. Looking over to her mentor and guardian, she stared until he turned to meet her hopeful gaze. "Master Soren, shall we be doing anything today?"
"No, just keep to my instructions." he replied in monotone.
She pressed her lips together to keep from bursting out in anger. Tyna was known for her calm demeanor but the nonchalant attitude of her guardian was enough to have her burst him into arcane flames! Facing the fire once more, she gripped her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
"But when will we-"
"Don't be so impatient and continuing doing as I've instructed," the dark-haired sage murmured as he stood up from the log,"remember them until they are all you think about."
Boyd scoffed at the sage's retreating back while pushing the bowl of boiling oat paste back towards his brother. "That turd-head. Don't mind him Tyna; he just has his feathers ruffled because he's so far from Gallia and the warm sun he loves so much."
At that moment, a stray frying pan flew out of nowhere to kiss the back of Boyd's head none to gently. Tyna watched wide-eyed as the green haired warrior sunk slowly forward until his face neatly planted itself into the the bowl (which again his brother placed back in front of him). Titania chuckled behind the palm of her hand and Tyna winced at the sight. Unperturbed, Oscar reached over for the frying pan as he pulled out several eggs from another food sack beside him.
"There's that pan! I was wondering when Soren would get it to me. I asked him for this an hour ago..."
Tyna blinked and glanced at the passed out Boyd worriedly. "Um, what about..."
"Boyd! Quit playing with your breakfast and just eat it! Oscar works hard every day to cook for us and it is just rude to waste food!" yelled Mist as she came towards the camp with her brother in tow. Happily accepting a bowl from the paladin and cook, Mist sat on the log and began scarfing it down. As if never facing a frying pan and losing, Boyd sprung up with a growl.
"So...so I like smelling my food before eating it sometimes! What's it you huh?!" Boyd yelled back but quickly lowered his voice an octave at the warning look his friend and leader shot at him. Looking away, he quickly wiped the slimy lumps of oats off his face and threw them at the fire.
"Enough you two or you'll strengthen my headache. I'd rather be spared from your daily bickering for just a few moments while on this trip." Ike said as he too began eating his share of the breakfast. Oscar pressed a forefinger and thump between his teeth and whistled to announce to everyone that breakfast was served.
While slowly slurping up her watery gruel, Tyna observed Mist's hasty mouthfuls. Every morning, the young girl and her brother would rise early to practice with their swords a certain distance from the camp. While the rest were waking up and checking the horses and supplies, brother and sister were off swinging their respective blades. The mage didn't quite understand such behavior and wasn't sure she ever would. Since she wasn't a solider of war, she assumed it had something to do with the "fighting spirit" that Queen Elincia mentioned.
As if to prove the point, Mist finished what little was left in her bowl then rinsed it out. Her brother just a few seconds behind her, both siblings cleaned their dishes then stood to leave again. Tyna watched as they thanked Oscar for the meal as they have always done then turned to go train again. Only this time, Boyd tagged along by Ike's side with his axe propped up on his shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
Shaking her head, the mage went back to spooning her breakfast when she noticed Oscar and Titania looking at her. She couldn't help but frown in confusion.
"Yes?" she asked after swallowing.
"You seem confused Miss Tyna. May I ask why?"
Looking back to watch the trio form a triangle formation while facing each other, Tyna sighed. "I just don't undestand it. They are considered heroes now and yet they still seem to be fighting."
"Well, it is what they know." Expertly whisking the four eggs around on his pan, Oscar lifted his head to glance at the trio. His eyes turned sad for a split moment and the mage barely noticed. He looked so mournful...
"They lost much and were forced to grow up on a battlefield in a matter of days. They were not prepared for the threat to Crimea and make sure everyday to never be caught off guard like that again." said Titania as she threw several more pieces of kindling onto the fire, followed by a large log.
Eyes widening once more, she clutched the cloak around her. "Is that why all of you are going to Daein? To protect Crimea?"
Smiling, Oscar received handfuls of ground pepper and Obi from Titania and added them to the eggs. "We follow our Commander. That alone is reason enough for us Greil Mercenaries."
"Hmm. And your reason for cooking?"
"With how they train, I cook six meals instead of the usual three! Hahahahaha!"
Tracing a shivering finger down the length of the map before him, Ike estimated the distance from the Tor Bridge to the Daein city of Nox was a six day ride. They had to cross the Bridge and present their papers with Apostle Sanaki's seal in order to be allowed into Daein. As they rode by the guards on watch, he noticed many glance at him curiously and knew it was because of his tanned skin. Unlike Mist and Soren who looked more burnt than tanned, he turned a nice brown which only complimented his now black hair.
Many of his companions called him paranoid for masking his appearance, but it was a good thing he had. He didn't want unwanted attention or to remind others of his role in the war. There was still some tense feelings between Daein and Crimea that have yet to really heal. He was one of the major reasons why the country had to practically restart from scratch and he was sure there were many Daeins who had not forgotten him or his hair.
"Hey! You! The mage behind Lord Vardet!" called one muscular looking guard as he walked swiftly towards Soren's horse. His face looked angry and his green eyes were didn't so much as twitch as his reins were ripped from his hands or the front of his robes grabbed harshly to jerk him forward of his mount.
"What is it you want, sir?" he replied in a bored tone.
"I'd know you anywhere, Crimean scum. You fought by that bastard general in the war five years ago!"
"I assure you he was no bastard but to each their own I guess."
There was a collected gasp from the some of the soldiers around them as the guard slugged Soren so hard that his head snapped to the side. Titania clenched her jaw as she looked ahead, Boyd closed his eyes and Ike tapped the side of his mount's neck slowly. They couldn't interfere without looking like Soren's supporters. The guard kept slugging away until he was thrown back by a burst of wind. Soren crumpled to the ground in a heap of black fabric and blood, not moving or groaning a sound.
Turning his head to stare at Tyna, the guard sneered.
"You protect him, woman?"
Closing the wind tome she had used, Tyna dismounted and ran for her guardian. Before she could reach him however, the guard caught her arm and yanked her back. "You do protect him! I'll have you-"
Twisting her arm from his grip, the purple haired mage met the man's gaze and glared. "You'll have a Daein noble do what? Huh? You just killed one of Begnion's-"
"That is enough!" yelled Ike as he guided his horse closer to the two. The guard bowed low and moved away from the two mages. "We have been traveling with little rest to get here and I'm in a irritable mood as it is. I'll ignore this untimely assault if you would just let us be on our way. I hope there are no objections, sir?"
The guard flinched at the icy tone and could not bring himself to imagine what things the lord had been in charge of for such an attitude. Nodding his head weakly, he raised his arm to give the signal for the exit gate to be opened.
Ike met the purple mage's questioning gaze and jerked his head towards her horse. As she remounted, the commander held a hand out towards the guard.
"M'lord?" he asked in confusion and a little in fear.
"The mage that you have beaten, bring him to me. If he is dead the least I can do is dispose of the body so a 'dirty' Crimean will not rot near you and your men."
The satisfaction gleaming in the guard's eyes sickened Ike but kept his face emotionless. Pulling Soren's body face down over his thighs, he nodded to the guard and lead his company towards the exit gate. Once they were out of sight, Ike pulled his horse to a halt. Mist and Titania came up on either side of him and reached out to Soren. Ike gripped his friend's shoulders as the others gathered around.
"Now do you all understand why I don't want to flaunt myself around in this country? Why I disguise myself like this?" Ike asked as he addressed the entire company. "They are still angry and recovering from the war. Reminding them of their defeat and who the victorious ones are is wrong to me. These are people who have fought and suffered as we have and don't deserve that. They are still healing and getting their lives back in order from the loss of their king and the new light that has been shed due to the war. So please, don't tease my reasons for my appearance again."
Everyone voiced their agreement. Pushing several long pieces of hair out of her way, Mist cupped the sage's face and inspected the damage that was done. Tyna at first was disturbed that she would observe a corpse so casually then gasped as blood covered eyelids suddenly opened to reveal the young man's red tinted eyes. She couldn't hide her shock for it just seemed unreal. He should be dead by now! That Daein solider was as strong as a berserker and by the third punch she was sure most of the blood came from his open skull. She thought he was killed right in front of her!
Soren glared openly at his ward as Mist used her staff to heal his wounds. He didn't bat an eye as Tyna suddenly leaned over the side of her horse to wretch her stomach out. The mages of Begnion looked uncomfortable and kept their gazes from straying to him for too long.
"Next time, don't bother." he growled as he pushed himself off Ike's lap like he had not just been beaten and slugged but a few minutes ago.
"I was just," Tyna murmured weakly from her mount's neck where she had her face buried. "trying to help..."
"I don't need help from impatient brats like you. Yes Ike, I'm fine!" huffed the sage as he gently pushed his friend's searching hands from his the side of his face that was covered with blood.
"Let me clean up so I don't look like the walking dead."
While the company proceeded to wait for the sage, Mist reared up next to the girl who was hunched over her saddle. Purple hair fell over most of Tyna's face, shadowing it from view. She clutched at the horse's long mane for dear life, not responding to Oscar's soft voice or Mist's gentle touch as the Valkyrie wiped away the tears and puke dripping from her chin with a piece of cloth.
Tsuzuku!
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I know that was somewhat short than the other chapters but I'm very sorry for the long wait! This chapter I guess is just to let you know I'm still alive and kicking somewhere! There was a lot of Tyna but this was suppose to be from her POV anyway. Was I the only one who liked Boyd and the frying pan? Come on!
But hopefully the next chapter will be longer and I'm still fleshing out the story line for the Unknown Lands. There's a bit that goes into story plotting, you know? So if you want progress reports, go to my homepage for my livejournal. I usually add a word on there.
Oh and last but not least to all you who are still with me: REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW and check out my poll on the profile!! Your feedback means much to me.
-KITANI loves you