I'm getting a little ahead of myself, so I'm trying to go back and fix mistakes if I see them, though sometimes I do not catch them. Little worried about Soren in this chapter.

Ike awoke the next morning momentarily confused. He had forgotten where he was, but the sight of a familiar book on the table by the bed reminded him that he was in Selyne's room. He yawned, sat up, and listened. It was quiet, but Selyne was gone, so surely it was morning.

He got to his feet, gathered his clothes, and dressed quickly. He wondered if everyone was gone, as the inn was quiet. But a quick trip to the library proved him wrong. Soren was seated behind the desk. He had been writing, but looked up as the door opened.

"You missed breakfast," he remarked as he dipped his quill into the ink pot.

Ike sighed, leaned against the wall, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're mad at me."

Soren did not answer immediately. He began to write again. As he read what he wrote, and scratched something out, he said, "Disappointed."

Ike sighed. "Soren, I'm not the Radiant Hero here. No one knows that about me. I'm just Ike. And I'm an adult."

Soren bristled. Ike immediately apologized, but Soren waved it off. "I know I sound accusatory," he began, "but while you are not the Radiant Hero here, you're on your way to becoming another hero." Ike started to interrupt, but Soren held up a finger to stop him. "Let me finish. Have you figured out what you want? You told me you were burnt out from fighting, but look where we are."

"I think I realized what I wanted last night. I like the freedom of being a soldier, without having the command. Without being torn this way and that because people want me to help or want me to lead their armies."

Soren nodded. "That does make some sense to me. You have been under a lot of stress since taking command of the Greil Mercenaries." It had to be asked. "And Selyne?"

Ike smiled at Soren; he had an idea of what kind of reaction to expect. "Part of me wants to stay here."

"You'll grow rusty and soft."

Ike was surprised. That was not what he expected. "Not necessarily," Ike began. "There's plenty to do around here."

Soren shook his head. "Not enough to keep you in this shape." He pushed himself away from the desk and rose to his feet. Ike expected some sort of confrontation, but when Soren reached him, he smirked. "Lena is furious," he whispered. "You might want to avoid her."

"I'm not scared of Lena."

Soren chuckled. "You missed the screaming, crying, and I believe she broke a glass."

"What?" Ike could not imagine Lena behaving in such a manner. "Why the reaction?"

Soren shook his head. "I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I know Selyne wanted her to drop it."

"Where is she?"

"Check the garden. She's either there or she went with Erian and his men to the village."

Ike thanked Soren and left him in the library. He had vaguely wondered what Soren was writing, but he was also worried about Selyne.

Soren had been right. He found Selyne out back, sweeping the path that winded through the vegetables. She looked up when she heard footsteps, but smiled when she saw Ike. "I'm sorry," she began, "I should have woke you, but you looked so peaceful and - "

He pulled her close and shushed her. "Don't worry about it," he muttered. "Soren told me about Lena. Are you OK?"

Selyne's laugh was slightly muffled. "Yeah, I'm fine." She rested her cheek against his chest. "You grow... used to her. And besides," she said as she pulled away, "I sent her with Prince Erian, so there's no need to worry about her."

"But that outburst - "

"Don't worry," Selyne said with a smile. She used her broom as a prop and leaned on it. "You know, I thought of going with them, but I didn't want to leave Soren by himself."

"Really?"

She giggled. "Yes, I'm afraid he'd scare people off." Her tone was light and playful. Ike even smiled. He would not go so far to say such, even jokingly, but Soren would more likely forget anything other than the library.

"What is he doing?" Ike asked. He wondered if, like Ron, Selyne had found some busy work for him.

She shrugged. "He asked for something to write with, and I gave it to him. That's as far as I know."

A slightly awkward silence fell between the two of them. Ike had a few things he wanted to say, but just blurting them out felt wrong. He looked off in the direction of the village. "I guess I should join them."

Behind him, Selyne laughed. "You sound like you really want to." She resumed her sweeping and added, "Though all that work will keep you in shape. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I've worked that out. I think."

"Good. You do seem more confident in yourself than when you were last here." She let out a heavy sigh. "Was it really that long ago?"

"You're in a playful mood today," Ike commented.

"So I am."

The days ahead were busy. Erian and his men spent their time working on reconstruction. Villagers were slowly returning to their homes and offering their own aid. Selyne's mornings involved cleaning and making beds, and afternoons were spent cooking. And Soren continued to write. He only left the library to return to bed. Selyne kept him fed and made sure he had enough parchment and ink. She did not ask what he was working on, and he did not offer.

One night, Ike decided to ask.

"Just recounting our trip," Soren said. "I figured if we find someone going on a trip to Tellius, and we don't want to go with them, at least this can get to Mist."

Ike felt a pang in his chest. He wondered how Mist was doing. The sudden homesick feeling left him down. But he knew that he was not ready to go home.