Sacrifice

Chapter Two

A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. My cousin's up and I've been overall, pretty busy. I haven't had much time to write, and well, probably won't for another month or so. So, don't expect many updates, but I'll try…

So, yeah…on with the story!

--

"Men must be some of the most annoying creatures on the face of Tellius!" exclaimed Lady Lucia. "They think they know everything! But they don't!"

"Lucia…" Queen Elincia said, trying to get her foster sister's attention.

"I mean, seriously! Oh, yes, Your Highness?"

Lucia followed Elincia's gaze over to Oscar, who was sitting there looking rather bored and uncomfortable.

"Oh, no offense or anything, Oscar. You clearly have more sense than my brother or Bastian."

"Uhh…thanks…" replied the knight.

Lucia continued her ranting. Pretty soon, one of the Queen's servants came into the room.

"Your Majesty, Lady Lucia, Sir Oscar…"

The servant bowed.

"There is a messenger here to see you."

"Thank you, Ashley. Please send them in."

Ashley left the room and Lotz, the Phoenicis messenger, came in carrying with him an envelope.

He bowed.

"Ah, yes, Lotz, it's nice to see you again."

"Likewise, of course."

"So, what, may I ask, brings you here?"

"Actually, I'm here to see the lovely Lady Lucia. I have a letter for her."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, it is from Janaff."

He took a letter out of his bag and handed it to Lucia.

"I can also take a letter back to Janaff for you, if you'd like."

"Thank you, Lotz. It is most appreciated. I'll have the letter ready right away."

"In the meantime, why don't you rest for awhile?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. That would be wonderful."

"Yes, and I shall prepare a meal for you!"

"That sounds great, Oscar. I've heard from the King that you are an amazing chef!"

"The King flatters me…"

And so Oscar and Elincia dragged Lotz into the castle kitchen, leaving Lucia by herself to read her letter.

She could hardly contain her joy. Her hands were shaking as she tried to eagerly open the envelope. She slipped her finger under the seal and opened the envelope, surprisingly, without even ripping it.

She sighed and began reading the letter.

--

Hey Lucy,

I was just curious as to what Geoffrey (and everyone else, for that matter) thought about us. The reactions weren't too bad on my end. Tibarn's totally supportive. Even Prince Reyson thinks it's great! Ulki's not very ecstatic about it--he thinks that beorc and laguz couples shouldn't be together--but that's normal for him, right? Amber's still the same annoying pest, but that's expected.

I might (hopefully) get to come see you sometime soon. I'm not fully sure though. Things should be settled down here soon, I think. Who knows, maybe if things get better in Phoenicis, I could leave Tibarn's side and move to Crimea to be with you.

I can't make promises yet though. But I do love you.

--Janaff--

--

Reading his letter made her even happier. She busily began writing a letter for Lotz to return to Phoenicis.

That was the hard part. She really didn't know what to write. After all, she didn't want to sound utterly ridiculous. Nevertheless, she began writing anyway, and soon she had what she thought would be an acceptable letter, and rushed off to find Lotz and the Queen.

--

"Ah, hello, Lotz. How are you on this fine day?" asked a mysterious voice.

Lotz turned around to see exactly who was calling him. And to his surprise, it was none other than the Count of Fayre!

"Count Bastian…it's…so nice to see you…"

"Is something the matter, Lotz? You seem a bit distracted."

"N-no. Not at all."

"If you're sure then."

"Is there something you need, Count?"

"Ah yes, I came all the way down here to ask a favor of you."

"Oh. Yes. What is it?"

"Could you possibly deliver this letter for me?"

"Of course. Who would you like me to deliver it to?"

"Oh! So silly of me to ask you to deliver a letter after I didn't even tell you who it was addressed to!"

"Yeah…"

"It is for Princess Amber."

Lotz was sure the Count saw his jaw drop. He tried to hide it anyway.

"Princess Amber?"

"Yes, do you have a problem with this?"

"N-no. Not at all."

"Good. Oh, here comes Lucia… Lotz, don't tell her about the letter."

"Okay. But why?"

"She just doesn't need to know."

And so the Count of Fayre walked past Lucia, giving her a look of death while he was at it, and left the room.

"What did he want?" Lucia asked as she walked over to Lotz.

"Nothing. Just saying hi…"

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Do you have your letter ready? I'd like to leave here as soon as possible."

"Oh, yes, here it is."

Lucia handed the sealed envelope to Lotz.

"Well then, I'm off."

Lotz took to the sky, feathers falling to the ground.

"The Count obviously said something…I think I'll find out what it is. You can never trust that man…"

She took off in the direction the Count had gone.

--

Tibarn and Janaff were out taking a stroll around Phoenicis Castle. It was a fairly nice day, sunny with a decent breeze. Just how the hawks liked it.

As they made their way deep into one of the castle's many forests, Janaff turned to his friend.

"Tibarn, what do you really think about Lucia and I?"

"What do you mean?"

"Us dating…"

"Oh. You want me to be honest?"

"Of course! Why else would I even ask you?!"

"Okay, I honestly think it's wonderful!"

"You do?"

"Yes. Now can I ask you a question?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Okay, what do you think of Elincia?"

"Queen Elincia of Crimea? Why would you ask that?"

Tibarn only looked away, however, not giving his retainer an answer.

"Oh! I get it! You like Elincia!"

"That's not it at all!"

"Then why are you blushing?"

"I'm not!"

But the King of Hawks had, in fact, turned a light shade of red.

"Uh-huh. Sure…"

"Janaff!"

"Tibarn and Elincia…"

"Janaff!!"

Their arguing was then interrupted by a rustle in the trees.

"Who's there?" Tibarn's voice boomed.

"No need to worry, Uncle, I just came to tell you and Janaff that Lotz is back," a voice replied.

"Oh, thank you, Amber. Did he bring any news with him?"

"Not quite. He brought letters though. There's one for me too!"

"From who?"

"I'm not sure…he wouldn't tell me."

"That's…odd…"

"Yes, very."

"I suppose we should get back there to see."

"Uh-huh. Oh, Amber, is there a letter for me?"

"Of course, Janaff…did you actually think that Lucia's wouldn't write you back?"

"I was hoping she'd reply."

"Well she did! Now let's get going!"

"Yes, of course."

Tibarn likes Elincia…Tibarn likes Elincia…

I wonder how Geoffrey will feel about that…this could be interesting…very interesting indeed.

--

A/N: Okay, so let's see…well, so this doesn't quite follow Radiant Dawn, seeing how the birds tribes are not united and such, since I forgot about that until after I started working on this…but oh well I guess.

This chapter didn't go quite as planned either, but hopefully it's still good. Reviews are appreciated. :D

Okay, so now to comment on my only review for chapter one…

Ralf Jones: Glad you like the story and I will put more beorc/laguz couples in it, but which ones, I'm not sure yet. Definitely Ilyana/Mordecai, possibly Shinon/Lyre or Nolan/Vika. If you have any more ideas or pairings, let me know.