And here's chapter five. Since I haven't played all the battles in the game, I'm making up my own locations… some of which are very different. There might even be a different universe… eventually.
Poll: Should Lyn overcome her homophobic fears?
-Yes.
-No.
-She dies.
Thank you to The Power World Authors' Guild and GrimAngelXx for being my first reviewers ever!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem.
Florina sat next to Ninian gingerly, trying not to aggravate any of her bruises. For the past week the whole company had been pushed past their limits to train the buddy system. They had training from dawn to dusk, having two half- hour beaks and lunch in the middle. Training consisted of dividing into different weapon groups headed by the most proficient in that art to teach their underlings for half the day, halted only by one of their half- hour breaks that were used for breakfast. Then, they would pair up with their partner and everyone would split into two- or sometimes three- groups. A person was selected as the head on a group and that person was responsible for guiding their troops into battle against their 'enemies' (the other groups). This consisted of almost the other half of the day, the last hour being used for conditioning. The mock battles often fell apart into a melee, because the commanders usually weren't suited for command and the partners had to try to comply with each other's fighting styles perfectly. The groups who had known each other the longest faired the best with a few exceptions, while the loose- knit groups were often 'killed' first for getting in each other's way.
Many noticed these problems and began to protest, saying that the army should go back to the way it had been. In response, the lords (being the best suited for leadership) were each given a permanent group to lead and two hours every morning were given to specific partner training. This way, the army had consistent command they could depend on and they were more in tune with their partner. That change had been yesterday, and both Ninian and Florina were secretly grateful for it because it meant they could spend more time together.
"Hey," said Ninian weakly, staring longingly at her tray of food. To combat the army's losses, they urged everyone who couldn't fight to take up a weapon- Ninian had chosen archery, to help shoot down anyone trying to shoot Florina. Fight fire with fire, right? That was what Ninian had to tell herself as she turned her gaze away from her food to her blistered hands.
"Hey," replied Florina as she took in Ninian's predicament. She obviously couldn't feed herself; taking a quick look around the tent, Florina waved slightly to get Ninian's attention. "What if I feed you?" she asked softly, even though no one else was in the tent. Ninian readily agreed and carefully Florina dipped her spoon into Ninian's mashed potatoes, leveling it slowly into Ninian's waiting mouth. She could feel the vibrations as Ninian's teeth softly hit the spoon and watched mesmerized as her lips leisurely encompassed the rest, smiling weakly as Ninian hmmed in pleasure. The ripple produced by that sound traveled up her arm and through her body, making her knees go weak. An image of Ninian doing that to her sprang into Florina's mind and she furiously fought it down, knowing it would come back to haunt her later. Lately these, visions, for lack of a better term had begun popping into her head and for the life of her Florina couldn't figure out why. She suspected it was because they were becoming much better friends, and friends had those kinds of thoughts about each other- of course, friends did that all the time. Friends she told herself firmly and resumed feeding Ninian, ignoring the sinking feeling her heart gave her.
"Thank you," said Ninian after her plate was cleared. She was sharply aware of Florina's eyes on her as she smoothed back her hair and pushed her plate to the side with her feet. As she turned to face Florina she looked into her eyes and paused as they suddenly turned several shades darker. "Are you okay?" she asked, concerned, for from where she came from darkening eyes meant danger.
"I'm well," replied Florina, her voice coming out huskily, sending shivers down Ninian's spine. "Good," said Ninian, tearing her stare away from Florina and laying back on the bedroll. Her thoughts came back in a jumbled heap; what just happened? Florina lay down beside her and for a moment, Ninian could feel the heat coming off her. Then the cool night air swished it away and replaced it with a sense of sleep, ensnaring the two girls swiftly.
"Everyone UP!" Eliwood bellowed as he stalked through camp. Today was the day they would be on the move again, and the Lords knew he would be looking forward to it. Ever since he had lost Ninian to Florina in the buddy system, he was jealous that they would spend every waking moment together. And as he walked into their tent to wake them, he found they apparently spent every sleeping moment together too. Eliwood stared at the two girls entwined in front of him, grinding his teeth furiously. Ninian was supposed to be his. He, who found her and Nils and rescued them from peril as the hero he painted himself out to be. And in return, she was obligated to praise him, spend time with him, fawn over him. Instead, she choose to be with Florina, a shy Pegasus rider from Ilia. What did she have that he didn't? He, Lord Eliwood of Pherae, held a title, lands, and… their past.
In his loudest roar Eliwood yelled, "WHAT PART OF UP DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!" The soldiers already assembled sniggered behind their hands; someone was getting chewed out by Lord Eliwood. Most of the sniggering stopped when they heard a shriek followed by a loud SLAP and Eliwood staggered out of the tent, a hand cradling his burning cheek.
Florina, coming out half dressed, shouted in a rare show of anger "YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST ASKED IF WE WERE DECENT! FOR ALL YOU KNOW, WE COULD HAVE BEEN CHANGING!" Florina stopped there, reeling
herself in. She didn't know why she suddenly yelled like that, but one look at Eliwood solved it. He was glaring at her with pure hate, and in turn a fury rose in her veins to meet the challenge he presented. If he thought he could peep on her and Ninian, he had another thing coming. Lyn arrived with Kent and upon seeing the stare down she asked the soldier next to her what happened. As he retold the scene Ninian, fully dressed, came out rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"What happened?" she asked sleepily. Her intervention broke the stare down and Eliwood stalked off, yelling orders to get moving. Florina softly explained what happened, and with each passing word the expression on Ninian's face got darker and darker. Suddenly they heard the trumpets call for muster, and they realized they were still in their night clothes. They raced to their tent and changed quickly, grabbing their gear and rolling up their tent. Arriving just as the last orders were said, they fell in the back on their legion which was headed by Hector. "Move out!" he yelled, and they were off.
"It's so hot," a soldier beside Ninian complained. Ninian nodded absently and glanced at Florina who was riding her Pegasus. It was indeed hot, sweltering hot, but Ninian wasn't complaining. The intense heat made Florina's skin- tight clothes cling to her even more. Ninian watched as a bead of sweat made its way down Florina's curvaceous body, ignoring the soldier chattering beside her. Noticing Ninian's stare, Florina blushed shyly and asked, "If you want, you can ride with me." Ninian nodded eagerly and climbed upon the Pegasus, almost groaning in relief when her legs loosened up. Florina felt the groan stifled inside the other girl and shuddered involuntarily, her breath hitching in a gasp when she felt Ninian's arms circle around her. "So I don't fall off," Ninian explained, a promptly dozed off. Florina had a feeling that she did that on purpose.
They finally arrived at Castle Reichen, where Eliwood called for a stop. Ninian and Florina crept up close to where the leaders were conferencing, wondering what their new orders would be. "Absolutely not! We have been on good terms with Marquess Throi and his daughter for far too long! We can't attack them!" they heard Marcus yell in a forced whisper, anger evident on his face.
"But they might have information on where my father is!" exclaimed Eliwood. "Besides, shouldn't we strike a blow against the enemy?"
"The enemy!? Eliwood, I've met the Marquess, and he doesn't seem like an enemy," replied Hector.
"You never know who could be under Nergal's mind control. Plus, the troops need the experience."
"Yeah- experience killing innocents!"
"Marcus, this is no longer your decision. It's now between Lyn, Hector and I," spat Eliwood. Florina and Ninian looked at each other in shock, then turned back to where the lords were discussing. "We attack!" urged Eliwood. Ninian could see indecision in Lyn's eyes, but Hector was firmly against it.
"I don't like this, Eliwood. What's gotten into you?" he asked, concern in his expression.
"I'm perfectly fine, Hector. Well Lyn? It's up to you."
"I think we should attack." See the disgust on Hector's face she rushed to defend herself. "I've never met Marquess Throi, but Eliwood's right. Nergal could have already gotten to him."
"It's decided then," grinned Eliwood. "We attack tomorrow." Ninian and Florina crept back to the campsite, scared of what the morrow would bring.