Soon the chapters are going to start having splits. Not all, but , I know very little of Marth's games, but things change over the years, as we know.

Also... I hate to admit it, but I struggled with this chapter. I know where I want to go, but getting it there was very challenging.

Chapter 6

"You know, I'm pretty sure she likes you."

"She's just friendly," Ike protested. He and Soren were in Soren's room, a map they had borrowed from Selyne spread out on the floor before them. Outside the window, rain fell in sheets. It had begun to rain the night before and had yet to let up.

The map was a bit dusty, the print a bit smudge, but the art was still beautiful. On the bottom corner written in elegant cursive was once the name of the continent. All that was left was a badly rubbed, yet somewhat still graceful A.

Soren sighed and looked up from the map. "I've been watching her, Ike. The way she interacts with you is much different than the way she flirts on other men who come here."

"Or is that why you want to leave?" he asked.

"I'm starting to feel rusty," Ike told him. "And I don't know if I want to stay in one place at a time." He gestured to the map in front of them. "Just look at this. I can't believe there's so much besides Tellius."

"More of Dheginsea's propaganda?"

"Maybe he didn't even know." Ike crossed his arms over his chest and exhaled. He had been doing a lot of thinking. "If we're here," he pointed to a port on the map, "then maybe we should go north a bit before turning west."

"I thought you were afraid more lords were going to pull you into their fights?"

Ike laughed, even if he did not want to be a part of more wars. He had fought in more than enough to last a lifetime, even for a mercenary.

"I don't, but it looks like either way we're going to run into nobles, unless we go along the coast."

"And it will lead us to pirates."

Ike rose to his feet and dusted off his leggings. He was not exactly lying to Soren. Since staying at the inn, he had done no training. Even if he did not want to battle for nobles who called him to their service, he did not want to lose the strength he had worked towards.

"Do you think Selyne will let us borrow that?"

"If you ask, yes."

A loud clap of thunder cut Ike off as he was about to reply to that. They turned to the window in time to see lightning. "Even if we had a fully thought out plan, I guess we aren't going anywhere for now."

Soren studied Ike for a minute or two. He was sure Ike knew what he wanted, but he was less than certain if Ike was going to actually stick with it. Being a mercenary was something that had been drilled into Ike's head for his entire life. It would be a challenge to keep Ike from walking the same path he grew up on.

Downstairs, Selyne was arguing with Lena. They had started the morning folding blankets and sheets. It had dissolved into bickering as the rain continued to fall.

"You are happy to see the backside of any traveler," Selyne snapped.

"You want to keep any decent looking man around," Lena replied back. Her voice cracked slightly as she struggled to hold back tears.

"I'm not getting into this again," Selyne sighed. She propped a basket of sheets on her hip and started towards the stairs.

The first room on the second floor had been converted to storage. Clean linens were stacked in neat towers almost to the ceiling. She placed her basket on a table and started stacking the sheets with the others.

"Hey, Selyne?"

She looked up and smiled. "Hello, Ike."

"Soren wanted to know if we can borrow the map?"

"Of course, but I'm sure there are newer, up to date ones for sale around the village." She cupped her chin in her hand and added, "Or maybe there's something in the library. I rarely go in there," she admitted. "No time for it anymore."

"You have a library?"

Almost as if the mention of books summoned him, Soren appeared at Ike's side. Selyne nodded. "Downstairs, to the right. It's the second door you come to. Though it really isn't much of a library." They thanked her and went downstairs. As she finished storing the sheets, she realized both of them had either stayed in their rooms, explored the village, or were in the dining room.

"Maybe I haven't been open?" she asked herself. She made her way down the stairs and to the library to make sure they had found it.

Ike was shaking his head, but smiling, as Soren thumbed through the books on the shelves. Some were old and looked almost as if they would crumble if held. Others were pristine, never opened, the spine was not even cracked. He stopped at a green leather bound book with gilded edges.

"Where did you get all of these?" Ike asked.

"Here and there." She hung her head and blushed. "Sorry, that answer was kind of shady! Some were here since before I was born. Others people have given me or traded me. And more than a few were simply left behind."

"Who leaves a book?"

Ike and Selyne both laughed at Soren's question. "You would be surprised." She sat down on the corner of the desk, crossed her arms over her chest, and said, "The things people leave behind would astound you. I don't mean just small things, like jewelry, but larger things as well. Books," she made a sweeping motion about the room, "jewelry, coin, clothing, I've had a sword left here. And a horse." She wrinkled her nose and added, "Though not everything left is pleasant."

"Could I borrow this?" Soren held the book to his chest.

"I thought you were leaving?" Selyne asked. Her expression was serious, but then she relaxed and laughed. "Go on, take it. It's just sitting here. Whatever catches your attention, it's yours."

Soren looked genuinely surprised by the offer. He looked away and thanked her. Ike's look was more one of horror. "I'm not carrying all of these books!"