I like my little royal family, I hope their dynamics are well written.

Prince Erian was running late. Ike and Soren, who looked a little on edge, were waiting in the barracks, a small room having been secured for their use. Unlike the evening before, the barracks were mostly deserted. The revelry had spread to the streets.

A curious sound reached the two men, it was bickering. Ike wondered what Oisin would want with them. He had paid them little enough mind on the first occasion they had met him.

He was partially right. Oisin and Erian were leading another man, who was giving the two a verbal beatdown.

Their companion, who was introduced as their brother, was a big surprise. His hair, at first appearance, looked black, but it was a rich, dark blue. His attire was more modest than theirs, all black to match the black blindfold that covered his eyes.

"I am not a child," he was insisting, "I do not need the two of you to help me. Why in the gods' names would Father send you two to escort me is beyond me! All you do is bicker! Though, if I may... I think coddling me is the only time you two make any effort to agree."

Oisin frowned and Erian blushed. "We are just trying to get you here without you falling," Oisin said, his tone reminding Ike of an impatient mother.

"I won't fall!"

"You barely know the barracks - "

"And whose fault is that?"

"Uh, hey," Ike called to remind them that he and Soren were witnesses to the whole argument. He leaned against the table he was sitting at and asked, "Do you always fight like this?" He was starting to wonder if Teo was the only levelheaded royal in the family.

"They do," the blindfolded prince began, "I try to assert my independence, but I'm not allowed... anyway, I'm Vasso."

"Nice to meet you," Ike said. "But why do you want to speak to us?"

Vasso smiled and remarked on his like of their accents. "As you may or may not see, my presence at war meetings are not required - "

"They are not war meetings - "

" - or whatever they are," Vasso said sternly, "and when Erian brought up the fact that he had two travelers from another continent, well I would like to hear what you have to say. If you wish to share with me, of course. It would give me a chance to somewhat explore the world, as I am rarely allowed out of the castle. These two," he gestured vaguely in the direction of his brothers, "are actually worse than our mother, if you can believe it."

Ike chuckled and even Soren managed a faint ghost of a smile.

"Hearing people's stories is a lot better than having someone read to you," Vasso continued. "I hope I'm not keeping you from exploring the city."

"No, it's a treat to meet you," Ike admitted. He had feared being pressed into an army, and though the talk of "war meetings" was a little troubling, he felt great relief at seeing Vasso.

"You can go," he added to his brothers.

"I think we'll stay," Oisin said. Erian nodded in agreement.

Vasso sighed. "Suit yourselves." He turned towards the table and reached for the chair. He pulled it out and seated himself.

"What are you looking to know?" Soren asked.

"Everything."

"Everything?" Ike looked to Soren. "Where do we start?"

"Where you feel comfortable."

Ike was at a loss. The first thing to spring to mind was the Mad King and the wars and issues that had followed. That would not make for a good first impression, he knew. He was glad that Soren took the reigns.

"Tellius is made of nine countries, with Bengion being the largest. Daein and Crimea are decently sized, and broke from Bengion many years ago. There are also the somewhat smaller countries of Gallia and Goldoa. Two island nations, Phoenicis and Kilvas, were merged together fairly recently, right before we left, and formed one tribe in the Serenes Forest. There is also a vast desert that separates Hatari from the rest, a country no one really knew of until recently, save for those who lived there."

A smile played at Vasso's lips. "How can the desert separate you from another country?"

"It's hard to cross," Ike admitted, "it's called the Desert of Death for a reason."

A chuckle. "I suppose it would be. Or perhaps it's named so to keep people away?"

"No one had crossed it until Prince Rafiel."

"And he didn't fully make it," Soren reminded Ike.

"Prince Rafiel?"

Soren and Ike both paused. How could one explain the laguz to someone who had never seen one? Much less someone who could not see?

"The laguz is a humanoid species," Ike began, trying to find the proper words to not insult the laguz, Through stilted speech, he managed to explain the laguz, with Vasso listening to his every word. He went on to explain which species held which kingdom, what they ate, how they acted. Vasso was enthralled.

The conversation lasted several hours, only ending because his brothers needed to return to the castle. Vasso was hesitant to go, but Ike swore they would talk again. Vasso smiled and thanked them.

Selyne laid in her bed unable to sleep. Her journal was held against her chest, but she could not bring herself to write in it. Her entries had all been the same as of late. There was no need to constantly repeat herself over and over again.

She wondered where Ike was. And though she did not want to admit it, Lena's remarks had started to bother her. She kept insisting, until Selyne shut it down one night by threatening to kick her out, that there would come a time when Ike would not return. The thought had never crossed her mind until voiced by Lena, but now she feared that she might be right.

Or maybe her fears were because she needed him more than ever.