Interlude - Millenium Palace

Kris POV

We have Archanea. We have actually liberated a country that had been taken over by Dolhr. Even better, we killed two dragons. It's amazing! We're amazing!

So, why do I still feel absolutely lame and wretched?

The problem with avoiding Marth as much as possible was that I had to avoid bunches of other people. We'd been in Archanea for a few days now, working on reconstructing everything and rallying more to join our army, and I've successfully managed to avoid him. But that was only by avoiding most everyone, so I felt horribly lonely. On the bright side, though, I found lots of secret hiding places where I could listen to other people. That kept me up to date with everything, and even learned some things that others wanted to keep from Marth.

"How can someone be in two places at once?" I mused aloud as I walked along the edge of a roof above the market. I'd darted out here after overhearing Hardin and Wolf talking about a strange thing. "Camus the Sable is supposed to be on a short leash, and rumors paint him there. How can he also be leading expeditions?" But that's what the rumors said. The Sable Order, Grust's military pride and joy, had several victories around Altea and Gra, and they said that Camus, so skilled and illustrious that he was called 'The Sable' after the legendary order, had led them to victory. At the same time, though, the rumors put him within Grust's borders, by his king, because Medeus didn't trust him anymore. "Nothing is making sense…"

Laughter made me pause, and I looked down to see Nyna was actually out and about in town too, happily greeting some children. I would've thought she'd be standoffish, but she had a bright smile on her face as she knelt down and accepted their hugs. Diana wasn't with her, for once, but that knight named Midia and Jeorge. Jeorge joined in on the play easily, though Midia seemed awkward, as if she didn't know what to do when children smiled at her.

I crouched on the edge of the roof, watching them. There was a familiarity among the children, hinting that Nyna used to do this a lot, when she lived here. I wondered if it was a thing she did before the war, or if it's something she picked up afterwards. It was easy to imagine her and Diana just walking through the market. But then again, it was hard to imagine Nyna without Diana, which made their sudden bits of separation strange. Even stranger was that Diana had actually started talking to people. It was weird, but it was kinda funny watching Jeorge look all disgruntled when she blew him off to talk to someone else.

I had a feeling he wasn't just flirting, but Diana was oblivious for whatever reason. It was almost as fun as watching Marth and Caeda. I wondered when the other shoe would drop. That would be funny.

I shook my head and hopped back onto my feet, walking along the roofs again. But as I jumped from one roof to the next, something caught my eye. Someone with gold hair, and it held my attention because I'd only seen one person in the whole damn city with that specific shade of hair: Diana. But this wasn't Diana. Diana wasn't that tall, for starters, and I'd never seen her wear black, and this person did. I crouched down again, this time watching the person closely, and I saw how secretively they looked around.

They darted down an alleyway. I followed them along the roof until I ran out of room, at which point I jumped down and continued following. I turned a corner, though, and found myself looking at the point of a lance. I jumped back, reaching into my pocket, and the person shifted into a stance, holding his lance with a subtle ease.

"Well, I thought I'd be dealing with a Dolhr spy, not a thief," they whispered. Now that I had a better look, I guessed they were a man. He was dressed richly in blacks and golds, and the lance glinted silver in the sunlight. "Do I look so easy of a target?"

"You look so suspicious of a target," I retorted, feeling for my 'little gift' in my pocket. If I threw it, I'd have enough time to scream for help. "You should wear a cloak or something. You stand out with the hair."

"Yes, I imagine there aren't many Grustians around here. Gold hair is far too rare outside of our borders." He shrugged, still completely nonchalant, and I spared a moment to wonder if that meant Diana was from Grust. "So, what do you plan to do, little miss thief? I thought thieves looked for 'easy' targets."

"I'm not a thief anymore. I'm part of the Altean Army." I gripped my 'little gift' tightly, even as I glowered. "And you are suspicious."

"So I am." He nodded, smirking slightly. "But there is only one of you, and you appeared unarmed. I am not. What do you plan to do?"

"I don't suppose we can just have you come with me." I pulled my hand out of my pocket, tensing as I prepared to throw it. "Well?"

"The answer is obvious, correct?" He shifted his footing, and looked damn well prepared to skewer me. "So, do you run? Do you try to fight?"

"I'm not sure you're going to let me run." So, really, at this point, I just hoped someone appeared. But the chances of that happening, so conveniently, were so insignificant, that I could almost-

"What's going on?" Against all hopes and logic, though, someone did appear. Diana stepped out from the shadows, carrying a basket full of goods, and gave us a suspicious look. "Looks like Jeorge was right in that he thought he saw something," she murmured, shifting her basket so that she could draw her sword. "And here I thought I could buy presents in peace." She came to stand next to me, and gave the man, in particular, a weird look. "Wait, Camus…?" She frowned, and then glared, passing me her basket to better prepare to strike. "No, you're not Camus. Who the hell are you, and why are you wearing his uniform?"

"You must be Diana, if you figured it out that quickly," the man replied. He relaxed and brought his lance to his side, smiling charmingly. "My name is Sirius. I was hoping to run into you. Might we talk?"

Why did things always go weird with me?

Diana agreed to talks, and led the way to an abandoned house not far away. I insisted on coming with her, and she insisted that all weapons be left by the door. While she and Sirius obeyed that little 'order', I kept my 'little gifts', and she gave me an approving smile as she sat down at one dust covered chair. The man, Sirius, sat across from her, and I perched myself awkwardly on a dusty and stained kitchen counter, kicking my feet as I watched them size each other up in silence.

I looked around the house, trying to get a read for it, but there was next to nothing. There was dust. There was dirt. There was basic furniture, including a bed without blankets. There was a musty, molded smell. Whoever had once lived here, they'd apparently managed to gather their things before they left. I wondered where they had run too. I wondered if they were alive.

"You never answered my question," Diana finally murmured, breaking the silence first. She sat with perfect poise, and watched him critically, evaluating every single twitch. "Why are you wearing Camus's uniform?"

"I can answer that with your second question, which I have little doubts would be 'how I know you'," Sirius replied. He shrugged, perfectly relaxed. He even smiled. "I'm Camus's twin brother."

"Oh?" Diana looked so completely calm, which stopped my own yelp. "I'm afraid he never mentioned you. Then again, I was a little too in my head to ask about his home."

"And not all of the soldiers he commands are loyal solely to him. There were spies, and he knows how much I dislike fighting." He shrugged, uncaring. "I like people in power forgetting I exist. I lived in our home village by the sea, fishing and hunting, and generally pretending the war didn't exist. Sadly, his actions made our wonderful fool of a king remember that I did, in fact, exist, and offer my services to Dolhr to sow confusion as an additional reason to keep my dear, sweet older brother alive.."

"So, Camus is kept on a short leash, but you go around pretending to be him, keeping morale up and confusing our information."

"Precisely." He smirked. "It's almost clever. They even have Camus and I acting as each other's hostages. If I do something, he suffers a fate worse than death. If he misbehaves, I'm on the chopping block." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "So, that's why I wear his uniform. I don't know how he stands it. It's scratchy. I want my cotton."

"I'm so sorry to hear of your discomfort." Diana's tone implied she wasn't sorry at all, and I bit back a snicker, unable to help it. "Though, I do remember how he didn't always wear it."

"Lucky him." He made a face, and Diana relaxed enough to genuinely smile. "Well, regardless, I'm impressed you figured out I wasn't him so quickly. He warned me that would be the case, but still. I thought I'd be able to trick you for at least half-a-mark."

"Well, I'm afraid I lived with him for a year and a half, so I was able to pick out the physical differences between you, such as how you have some freckles on your cheek. The complete lack of self-hatred also gave you away." She paused as Sirius burst into bright, rich laughter. "So, how is he? You hear rumors."

"Alive, which is better than expected. Hating himself, which is to be expected. Worrying himself to death, which is also to be expected." Sirius shrugged, his cheer fading. "He doesn't smile much anymore. It's like you two took his smiles with you. I wonder if I can steal them back."

"You may try, but that will require you capturing Nyna and me, and you will find I am not one to willingly be shackled." Diana's smile was perfectly polite. I found myself weirded out by how 'friendly' this conversation was. "Well, what brought you to Archanea? Certainly not to simply talk to me."

"No, I just happened to be near, thanks to some unexpected free time. Camus needs to be noticeably visible at some big fancy meeting in Dolhr, meaning I can't be seen. I thought I'd take a look around and see if I can make Camus smile with some good news." He stood up then, shrugging. "I'd hoped to also see you and Princess Nyna, but I'm glad to be lucky enough to find one of you. I've used up all of my allotted time, I believe. My Dolhr watchdogs will infiltrate before long, and I'd rather the civilians here not have to deal with that. You have enough to worry about."

"Yes, we have pockets of resistance still." Diana shrugged, remaining seated. "It was lovely talking with you."

"It was lovely meeting you." Sirius bowed with a little flourish. "Do you have a message for Camus? I'll be seeing him soon."

"Tell him that Nyna and I are fine, and that I owe him some drinks, and I haven't forgotten my promise, so he'd better watch out." Diana grinned. "He'll know what I'm talking about. He'll probably be very exasperated."

"I adore exasperating him." Sirius laughed, and he bowed again, this time a little more sincerely. He also turned to me and winked. "A pleasure meeting you as well, Little Miss Thief. Thank you for stopping me. I might not have had this lovely conversation if not."

He walked out then, taking his lance with him. Diana remained where she was, laughing softly to some joke only she seemed to know, and I debated whether or not I should ask some of the thousands of questions running through my head. But then I decided that, since I was caught up in this, I had the right to ask some questions.

"So, what was that about?" I asked her. Diana didn't answer, but she did turn her attention my way. "I mean… you talked so calmly, friendly even, about Camus. And, you know, it was a little weird."

"I suppose it was," she agreed. She remained silent a bit longer, as if mentally debating something, before nodding. "Well, I can't tell you everything." She leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, and folded her hands in her lap. "Sorry, but some things are just not mine to tell."

"Well, duh, I figured that out." I frowned, feeling like a child for some reason. It was her gaze. She waited for me to make the guesses, and determined just what she would say, based on what I figured out. "But, I mean… you don't use his title. Camus, I mean. You use titles for everyone else. But not him, and there's no nickname, like for your enemies. No one else noticed, but I did."

"I see." She watched me closely, and I was reminded of when we first met. I was reminded even more so when she smiled slowly. "Well, what's your guess?"

"...My guess is that you don't see him as an enemy." My voice was quiet. I was right. She wasn't going to say anything unless I happened to be right. "My guess is that he's even a friend? But he's on the enemy side."

"Just like how Navarre was with your enemies? Like Roger, and that Jake fellow? I believe Davros and Castor were also recruited from your enemies?" She shrugged, still smiling. "Is it so odd that there are good people on the enemy side?"

"He's a leader."

"So was Minerva."

"There was a hostage."

"Do you think Princess Maria is the only hostage?" She waited for me to answer, but I didn't have one. "I believe I told everyone about the Grustian Royal Twins." She had. I remembered that now. She had done it absentmindedly, while we were thinking of other things, but she had. "Yes, I consider Camus a friend, though one I am well aware that I might have to kill. Thankfully, I'm a mercenary. I'm rather used to friends one day, enemies the next."

"But why are you still friendly?"

"Do you not still consider Prince Marth a friend, even though you avoid him?" She waited again, and this time I winced. She was right; I did. I wasn't sure if he thought the same anymore, but I did. "Besides, Nyna would've died if not for him protecting her. She and I escaped with his help. He's even why we have the Fire Emblem." She shrugged, smiling ruefully. "I'm surprised more people didn't question it, but I suppose my lucky feats of badassness made me seem tougher than I really am." She stood then and stretched, squeaking a little as something popped. "Regardless, we just got some information that really needs to make it to our lovely leaders."

"Yeah, I suppose." I groaned, glowering a bit. That was a definite end to the conversation, and I didn't like that. There were still so many questions running through my head. "That's seems awfully convenient, though, having a back-up twin."

"I doubt Camus and Sirius find it very convenient. Sirius is nothing more than a prop to them, and Camus is suffering additional guilt of chaining his brother to his own fate." She shrugged, already heading for the door. Only the stiffness in her posture hinted she had any sort of feelings over their situation. "Come on. We'll be missed."

"I'm coming." I sighed, and jumped off the counter. "Ugh, this day sucks."

"I'll make you some tea when we get back." She picked up her sword, and her basket, from by the door, and headed out. I trailed after her, frowning at her back as a few very specific questions bubbled to the forefront, questions I knew she wouldn't answer.

Was keeping secrets at this point really protecting anything? If so, who was she protecting Nyna from?

Diana offered to tell Hardin, Nyna, and Marth the information we picked up after serving me some very delicious tea. I thought it was her way of apologizing for getting me caught up in that little bit of insanity, since she had been a big advocator for me talking with Marth and this would've been a great excuse to force me into it. I accepted her offer and took to hiding in the gardens. I wished I'd picked a different spot, though. I really wished I did.

"Well, it seems like he's having fun," I muttered sulkily, glowering at the corner of the gardens I could see. Marth was there, laughing with Merrick. "I suppose that just shows me, huh?" I shouldn't be mad. I should be glad he was happy. I should be glad he had listening. But I was annoyed and hurt anyway. Emotions sucked. Emotions were lame. "Ugh, whatever." I jumped down from my perch on top of a gazebo, their laughter chasing after me like guard dogs nipping at my heels. I ducked behind some shrubs to make sure no one saw me, and then I skirted the edges of the garden, intending on heading inside to find some other hiding place. But I was so distracted by my sulking that I didn't pay attention to in front of me, only behind to make sure Marth and Merric hadn't noticed me. So, I ended up literally running into someone.

I squeaked and stumbled back, and whoever I ran into caught me. That catching was actually my only clue that I hadn't run into a freaking wall, since whoever I had run into was built. Of course, when I looked up, I discovered the person was Cain, so that wasn't any surprise.

"Kris?" he called. I stepped away from him, and looked around for some sort of escape. Unfortunately, I didn't really find one that didn't involve pushing past him. "There you are. I've been looking for you all day." He paused. "Or, rather Prince Marth was. He was really depressed."

"Didn't seem that way to me," I mumbled. I kicked a stone, trying to determine if I could dart under his arm before he had a chance to snag me. "Well, you found me. I'm still around. So, if you don't mind-"

"I do mind." His voice was flat, and he looked unamused when I glanced up. "Prince Marth wants to talk to you."

"And, so, my own wants don't matter?" My own voice went dry. "Fantastic. I'm sure that's exactly what our silly prince is thinking. Good job."

"Just come with me."

"Nope. I don't want to."

"Are you still mad at me?"

"I wasn't, but you're reminding me that I was." I glowered now, remembering that wonderful bit of annoyance. "I still can't believe you were just going to leave me pinned there."

"That… is a discussion for another time."

"And whatever you want to talk about with Marth is also a discussion for another time." I tried to go around him, but he caught my arm. I jerked it out of his grip, now glaring. "You don't get to decide what can and cannot be talked about on your own. I get my own choices too. I don't blindly follow anything."

"You seem to blindly follow your own emotions." Cain's voice was flat again, and he looked exasperated. "I don't see why you're allowed to think you're worthless because we got two more mages, while the rest of us are constantly bombarded by others of similar skills and roles, and have to make do."

"Oh, please, it's not like you're in danger of being replaced." The army always needed an idiot to take hits.

"Because I train and continue to make myself useful instead of sulking and skulking and making our prince miserable."

"Yes, you train, and then you go charge off recklessly through the front lines, and make pretty boy miserable that way." Well, I didn't have proof of that, but it seemed likely, and his wince hinted I hit a nerve. "But sure, whatever, I'm the stupid one. So, in your oh-so-infinite wisdom, just what do you success?"

"If you're so worried about not having magical power, then do something they'd never be able to do." He glowered finally, instead of looking exasperated. "You're far more athletic than them, so take up the way of a blade. If you've the courage that is, since you don't even have the courage to talk to a friend."

"I'm not a coward!" I bristled, incensed. After everything I faced, after all the fear I had suffered and endured, being called a coward just made my temper crackle. It burned all the more because this was someone who was normally rather understanding! "Fine! I'll do it! And you're going to teach me! You're not getting out of it!"

"And you're not getting out of lessons." He now almost looked smug and I wanted to kick him so damn much. "I'll see you at dawn on the practice field."

"Fine!" I stomped off, knocking his arm to the side, growling several curses under my breath. I'd show him. I'd show him that I was going to keep going, damn him and everyone else!

Some distant part of me wonder if he'd baited me and I'd fallen for a trap, but the rest of me didn't care if that was the case. I was just thoroughly pissed off, and I'd make him regret using my temper against me. I'd make him regret everything to get back at him!

Author's notes: No, Camus doesn't have a twin in game. Yes, Sirius is the name of an FE3/12 character. I'm having a little fun. Cain's comment on 'replacements' stems from how there are a lot of cavaliers and paladins in Fe1/11 (there are around nine playable ones at this point in the story, discounting the sacrificed Frey, with one more potential recruit in a few chapters), while there are only two playable mages in game (Merric and Linde).

Next Chapter - A Traitor's Worth