Invincible
"Is it really so bad as that, Seth?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so, Princess. At this rate we'll run out of provisions long before we reach Renvall."
"And our funds are..."
"All but depleted, milady."
Eirika took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She would not succumb to panic nor to the despair that crept into her thoughts in the quiet hours, after battles or long days on the road, when she lay in the darkness, staring at the roof of her tent. Ephraim was alive. She knew he was and she would find him no matter what it took.
"I can't believe this happened so quickly," she said, shaking her head. The sounds of camp life were muted this evening. Everyone was tired from the morning's battle in Serafew, and now that they were in Grado territory it seemed unlikely than anyone would sleep very soundly.
Seth, sitting cross-legged on the floor of her tent, bowed his head. "I am sorry, my lady."
"It's not your fault. Nothing's really gone according to plan, has it?"
There had been so many unexpected delays: the attack on the village of Ide, the Bandits of Borgo, the revenants, and today's battle when they had hoped to pass through Serafew unnoticed. And though she was grateful for the extra help they'd picked up along the way, their purses had grown light with all the extra mouths to feed.
Eirika was startled from her thoughts when he rose suddenly. "My lady," he said with a bow, "there is something to which I must attend."
But something in his expression unsettled her, a coolness told her that he was not Seth at that moment, her most trusted retainer whom she'd known since childhood. No, he was now the Silver Knight, cool, reflective, and distant. He had worn that air when she had asked him, during their flight from Renais, whether he thought her father was safe. He wore it too, when she asked him about his wound.
"Where are you going?" she asked, rising as well.
"I wish to see about raising funds. I believe there may yet be a way."
"How?"
He glanced away from her. "It might be better, princess, for you not to know."
Eirika drew in a deep breath. "Seth... I need to know." He looked about to protest, but she raised a hand. "If Ephraim–" She broke off and cleared her throat. "If anything were to... happen... to him then the crown falls to me." Raising her head, she met his eyes, holding his gaze as she spoke. "You won't be able to shield me then. I need to know what's going on in my own kingdom, Seth, and right now this camp is all that remains of Renais."
There was such sadness in his face that, for an instant, she wanted to cross the space between them and hug him as she might have when she was a child and he only a squire. But there was decorum to consider and distance to be kept. "Yes, princess. You're correct, of course."
"Well then?"
"I had thought to go to the Serafew arena."
"Arena?"
His brow creased. "I assumed you were aware that Serafew was home to an arena. You've been to the city several times..."
"I– yes, I– I have. With Ephraim and Lyon. Was there an arena back then as well?" He nodded. "And the people there..."
"Fight," he said. "For money."
"I see," she breathed. Her stomach twisted at the thought, that men should fight each other only for gold... "How dangerous is it? Do they..."
"I have never been to the arena myself," Seth replied. "I've only heard reports. But there are rumours of duels gone badly. Of fights that ended with the death of a participant."
Eirika rubbed at the gooseflesh that prickled her arms. "I had no idea. I suppose when I was in Serafew Ephraim and Lyon wished to spare me. And Father... he was always bent on protecting me from such things..."
"Lady Eirika..."
She returned her attention to the knight before her. Though in Renais his appearance had always been immaculate, he now wore a tunic that was torn and stained with dirt and blood. His hair was mussed, his boots muddy, and a prickling of bristle was visible on his jaw. "You want to go to that place... to make wagers?"
He shook his head. "No, my lady. The only sure way to win will be for me to fight."
It was not the cool night air that sent a shudder through her. "Seth you can't be serious! It's too dangerous! And to risk your life simply for a bit of gold... Surely there's another–" Her hand brushed against the bracelet on her wrist, the one her father had given her when she'd been only a little girl. "The bracelet," she said suddenly. "I could sell it."
"No. That is not an option, princess," he said, adamant.
"But Seth, your life is worth more than a trinket, even if came from my father."
"My lady," he began, more gently this time, "as I told you before, I cannot say more, only that you must protect that bracelet as you would the kingdom itself."
She held back a sigh of frustration. Once before they had spoken on the matter of her bracelet when it had been stolen by Colm. Seth had intimated that there was more to the bracelet than she knew, but had been unwilling to explain further. She had told him she could wait, that she trusted him, but surely a piece of jewellery could not be measured against a human life?
"Is it really of such importance, Seth?"
"More than you know, your highness."
Her fingers still trailing over the bracelet, she tried to think of something else, some other way... but nothing came. "But to risk your life for gold..."
"Not for gold. For Renais," he said. "For our continued survival."
"And what of the men you'll be fighting?" She knew she ought not to care about his opponents, yet the idea of a knight fighting for anything other than a just cause repelled her.
"They're not innocents forced into a fray, or even soldiers pressed into service. They're willing participants and know the risks they're taking on."
"Still... you said you'd only heard reports of the place. What if..."
Seth nodded. "I had planned to speak to our new mercenary – Joshua – since he was employed in Serafew. He seems the sort to enjoy that kind of diversion." It was impossible not to hear the scathing tone in which he made the remark.
"You don't trust him."
Seth shrugged. "He was employed by Grado. Trust is earned, my lady, not handed out freely. Even so, he may be a useful source of information. If you'll excuse me," he added, bowing, "I'll go speak to him now, before the hour grows any later."
"Wait," she said, reaching for a hooded cloak and wrapping it about her shoulders. "I'll go with you."
And this time he had the sense not to try to dissuade her.
ooo
They found Joshua dicing with Colm and Ross around a small campfire. "Sir Seth!" Ross said, looking sheepish when he saw the general. "Hello, sir." "Care for a game?" Joshua asked, flashing a sly grin. "No thank you," Seth replied cooly. "Well," Ross began, attempting to discretely return small pile of coins to teh money pouch to his belt, "I'd better get going before dad has a fit. Early to bed early to rise, as they say. Right?" "Yes. Exactly," Seth said, scowling. Joshua cocked an eyebrow and watched Ross skitter off. "Just as well," he said, interlacing his hands behind his head and leaning back into them. "I was down two hands to him." His eyes shifted to one side. "Oh, you too?" Seth followed his gaze only to see Colm slinking away, cowl already pulled over his face. He mumbled something about needing to check on Neimi and then it was only the three of them.
"So the princess and the general, eh? To what do I owe the honour?"
Seth glanced once at Eirika and then went on. "I have some questions about the Serafew arena. Have you been there?"
"Sure thing, I was there just today," he replied, smiling amiably. Eirika could not help but notice that Seth kept himself between her and Joshua even though the mercenary's hands remained clasped behind his head, far away from the sword at his hip.
"Could you tell me about how the fights proceed? What constitutes a win?"
Joshua shrugged. "Two chaps fight and the last man standing win. The loser is either injured, unconscious, or yields. Or he gets run through – that happens now and then."
Eirika felt slightly ill at the thought, but she straightened, determined to remain firm. She needed Seth to know she could endure what was necessary as a royal of Renais. And she needed to know that of herself as well.
"Does no one step in before that point?" Seth asked.
"Step in?" Joshua laughed. "I'm sure the owner doesn't like having corpses carried out of his establishment, but there's no referee and he's got a licence from the Grado capitol so he's not responsible for a bout gone bad."
That too troubled Eirika. She had always thought Grado a peace-loving nation like her own. Why then did they tolerate something so barbaric? It was repugnant and yet the Emperor himself had authorized it. And Lyon... had he known all along? Or had he, too, been shielded from such knowledge?
Eirika started when she noticed Joshua's eyes on her. "You don't look like you approve, princess," he noted.
"No," she said, her voice quiet, but firm. "I don't."
He flashed a grin. "Lady Luck's gotta have her due, you know."
Joshua's hand moved and something flashed from his fingertips. A coin, tumbling in the air, catching the light of the fire.
When she turned her attention from the coin back to Seth, she noticed that the knight's hand was moving away from his sword hilt.
"What about the wagers?" Seth asked.
The coin was now dancing back and forth over the tops of Joshua's fingers without his even glancing down at it. "You register your bet with the arena. The winner of the match gets a sum and so do all the winners of the bets. It simple enough."
Seth nodded. "It sounds straightforward enough. Thank you for your time."
"My pleasure, General." And then with a nod in her direction. "Princess."
It was only when they were out of earshot and, she realized, on the way to the horses, that she spoke again. "Did you learn everything you needed?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"Good. Then we can be going."
"Absolutely not," he rounded on her. This, she thought was the closest she had ever seen to fury in him. His fists were clenched and the look is Seth's eyes now was one she, at least, had never seen before. But then perhaps he, like everyone else, had been intent on shielding her.
Eirika took a deep breath and prepared to make her case. She could order him of course. He might well obey if she truly forced the issue, but his respect was too great a price to pay for obedience. But then again he might not. Her father had ordered him to protect her and she knew he held that command first among all he received thereafter. "Seth, I understand that you don't wish to share this matter with those under your command – the lack of funds and the means by which you hope to secure more. But you can't go alone. What if you were to be injured?"
"With all due respect, my lady, I think it unlikely that those in the arena will be a match for me."
"Your shoulder is not fully healed. And even setting that aside," she went on before he could protest that the wound he'd taken from Valter's lance no longer troubled him, "if someone else is there that person can place bets on you and we'll be able to get the money we need faster. You must have someone with you. There are many unexpected things that can happen."
Seth's jaw was clenched and one of his hands clasped and unclasped his sword hilt. "You cannot put yourself in danger needlessly, Princess."
She shook her head. "We already defeated the Grado army stationed in Serafew. There should be no more risk than there would be entering any other city. Less even. And I shall be cloaked and cowled and properly mysterious so that no one gets too good a look at me."
"As you said yourself, milady, there are many unexpected things that can happen."
She crossed her arms over her chest. "Then who else would you choose to accompany you? I will not allow you to do this alone."
"Princess Eirika this is..."
"If you truly think that what I'm saying is completely unreasonable then tell me right now."
A song wafted its way towards them, its words made indistinct, but the bass voices carried on the breeze. A tent flap snapped, someone greeted a comrade, a horse whickered. And still Seth did not speak.
Finally, his shoulders sagged. "What you say is not unreasonable, but even so... You should stay here at camp where you can be sufficiently protected."
Her hand came to rest on the hilt of the sword she now carried at her side at all times. "You forget that of late I've learned something of protecting myself."
ooo
When they entered the arena, Eirika made certain that her face was covered, but that her sword was not.
The arena was not a grand affair by any means. Fights took place on a circular, cobblestoned area. Around it, rows of wooden stands were set from which one could watch the matches. She doubted they could accommodate more than one or two hundred onlookers. It was in these stands, in the bottommost row and nearest to an exit, that Eirika waited for Seth's appearance. The master of the arena had liked the look of him and been anxious to set him up for a bout. He was due out momentarily.
The arena seemed to have no curfew and it was still early, only an hour or so past dark. Clasped in her fist was the token that would allow her to redeem her bet once Seth won. He too would be paid for his fight. With any luck they would not need to stay too long before they made enough to ensure the continued survival of their army. Grado's troops might have stooped to looting, but she was unwilling to do so. Even if that were not the case, it was imperative that they remain unnoticed as they moved through Grado territory.
Eirika's nose wrinkled. The air was redolent with the stench of ale and cheap wine. There was laughter from a group behind her and boisterous singing from another quarter. Pulling her cloak more tightly around herself as she shuddered, Eirika wished more than anything at that moment to be home.
She pushed back the thought for it pained her too much to think of all that had happened, of what she had lost and still stood to lose. Better to focus on the problem at hand.
When Seth stepped into the arena, Eirika's heart began to race like a hare's. Though his appearance was scruffier than what was appropriate for a knight of Renais under normal circumstances, there was something in Seth's bearing that set him apart from his opponent. But perhaps, Eirika thought, others did not see past the stubble on his face and the dirt on his clothes. And perhaps it was better that way.
His opponent was a lanky swordsman, a man who, under an untrimmed black beard, might be Seth's age or a few years older. He took long strides across the cobblestones, sparing Seth only the briefest of glances. In that moment Eirika felt confident that their future earnings were safe.
The bearded man drew his sword. Seth drew his. And then all at once the bearded man was rushing towards Seth, blade bared. Seth blocked the blow and countered with fluid ease. There seemed no effort, no strain in Seth's movements as he attacked, quickly putting his opponent on the defensive. Within a minute he had unbalanced his opponent and held his sword to the man's throat. "Yield," Seth demanded.
"I yield," the man grumbled, his eyes averted from Seth's face.
There was little in the way of cheering from the crowd, save for a few isolated whoops and Eirika realized that few had been betting on Seth. But she had and would take home a large chunk of what all the others had bet on the bearded man.
She left her seat to confer with Seth and place a bet on his next bout. They had to wait some while this time but then he was out again on the cobblestones facing a man with a broad, two-handed blade. This man looked younger than Seth by several years. In fact he could have been no older than she herself.
This opponent was more cautious than the first, but even Eirika could see how flawed his technique was. Though younger, he was slower than Seth as if not quite comfortable with the heft of the blade he wielded. After a minute or so, Seth's blade caught him across the left shoulder, drawing blood, and Seth drew back, expecting the man to stop the fight. Instead, the young man seized the chance to lunge at Seth. From her seat, Eirika could see the momentary surprise that flashed across Seth's features, but it was gone just as quickly and his sword returned to its quicksilver dance.
Blood flowed freely from the young man's shoulder, down his arm and to his hand, dripping off the hilt of his sword. Eirika's stomach lurched. He was not on the battlefield. It was not his life that was at stake here. Only gold. Why not yield? Why choose to press on like this? The swords met and Seth forced his blade against his opponent's, leaning heavily against the man's wounded left side. Biting her lip, Eirika tried to ignore her misgivings. Seth was doing this for Renais, for his comrades, for her. He did not deserve censure for fighting in an intelligent way, for taking advantage of an enemy's weakness. She had been in battle, knew it to be a necessity. Yet even so, it was painful to watch him fight this way before an audience, to see the blood spattered on the cobblestones, not for the sake of one's country or loved ones, but for gold.
She squeezed the token in her palm; she too was complicit in this bloodshed.
Her heart fluttered when the young man took a swipe at Seth that he only avoided by a hair's breadth. All at once she realized what it was costing him to hold back, to not simply kill his opponent as he would an enemy soldier. He was risking himself to avoid the needless death of another, of one who did not offer him the same courtesy.
Breath coming in thick pants, the young man slashed, but this time Seth sidestepped. His blade arced low. His opponent crumpled to the ground and Eirika saw the blood blossoming on his pant leg.
He could no longer stand. The match was over.
Eirika stood and made her way out of the stands at a brisk pace. She did not want to watch the man be carried out of the arena.
ooo
It had gotten late – she was no longer sure of the hour – when Eirika finally sought Seth out again. She found him in a side room, sitting on a bench, rotating his right shoulder. He stopped when he heard her footsteps but did not look up.
Biting her lip, she took a seat next to him. "How fare you?"
"Well enough."
But she could see the weariness in the slump of his shoulders, the way he hung his head, and his silence told her all she needed to know. As a child, she'd thought Seth invincible. The war had cured her of such illusions, but even so, Eirika's faith in him has always been unwavering. He was the youngest general in history of Renais, and the finest knight to have served under her father. And yet at the same time... he was only a man, with limitations like any other.
Eirika hesitated a moment but then placed her hand on his arm. He glanced up at her. "I know this has been difficult for you. Not the fighting," she amended. "The not harming them... when they're so intent on harming you."
"The man I just fought will die if he isn't seen to by a healer. The one before that will be lamed if he isn't treated." Seth heaved a sigh and held his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes. They had been up at dawn to march, had fought a battle, and then marched again. He needed rest. They both did. "It's also difficult," he said finally, "knowing that you are watching."
"Seth..."
"You were not meant to see such things. To..."
She squeezed his arm.
The war had changed everything, was changing things even now. Ephraim, her father, Seth... It was strange to think that men she had grown up with, who had always treated her with gentleness and kindness, were capable of such violence – that she herself was capable of it! And to know that, at the same time, their lives were all so fragile, so fleeting, as easily lost as a wager.
"I think we have enough now," she said. "We should head back."
He looked up and for several moments seemed to consider her, but finally he nodded.
After settling things with the arena's manager, they made their way outside to retrieve their horses from the stable. They had only take a few steps out into the dimly-lit street when a lanky man with a sword strapped to his back moved into their path.
"Pardon me," Seth said, though the edge to his voice was unmistakable.
"You were damn near invincible in there. So where'd you learn to fight like that?" the man asked, still standing in their path. The freckles on his face were at odds with the squint of his eyes and the sneer on his lips.
"That's none of your concern," Seth replied, moving to one side to brush past the man.
The lanky fellow sidestepped to remain in their way. Eirika's breath quickened. There were other men nearby, milling about, or leaning against the sides of nearby buildings. Though none approached, their eyes hovered over the scene.
"And what about your little friend there?" he said, chin jutting out in Eirika's direction. "She wearing a sword just for show?"
"I will ask only once," Seth said, his voice low and even. "Please move."
"You know what I think?" the man said, taking a step closer to Seth. "I think maybe you're with that group that stormed through earlier today. I think maybe there's a price on your heads."
Seth's hands were moving even as the lanky man reached into his sleeve. He blocked, deflecting the man's knife, but Seth was tired, slower than he ought to have been and she saw the knife glance over Seth's leg, was nearly certain she saw a flash of red on the blade's surface.
Seth twisted the man's arm and she heard something snap. The man cried out and his knife clattered to the ground. Without so much as glancing down, Seth kicked away the knife and then with a quick jab, knocked their attacker clean out.
Eirika's heart was hammering against her ribs. She moved closer to Seth – to ask him if he was well – and was startled when she felt his left arm drape itself over her shoulders. He leaned close to whisper in her ear. "Forgive me, my lady. They mustn't see that I'm injured."
He squeezed her shoulders and smiled warmly at her. It was all an act, she knew, yet in spite of the danger, something inside her seemed to melt. Glad that the cowl shaded her flushed face, Eirika wound her arm around his waist as if they were nothing more than a happy pair leaving the arena with their winnings.
Steeling herself, she allowed Seth's weight to settle on her as they took slow, easy steps towards the stable. Her eyes darted around to the men who still watched them, hands on their hilts, or in the sleeves of their jackets. She prayed that in the dim light they would not see the splash of blood on Seth's leg.
From the corner of her eye she glimpsed Seth's right hand, coming to rest on his hilt. They kept walking. It was not far – only down the side street next to the arena – but every step demanded an effort as they strove to move together and cover his limp. In the flickering light of the street lamp, she could see beads of sweat on Seth's brow.
Her heart thudded at the sound of footsteps behind them, drawing closer at a quick pace. Close against her side, she felt Seth's hand clench around his sword hilt.
And then all at once a voice from the stables ahead of them. "Oh there you are!" Seth froze. Surrounded on both sides now. There were at least three following close behind and a fourth in front. "I've been waiting for you two."
Eirika's brows creased. That sounded like...
"Joshua," Seth said, though his tone was less than amiable.
"Don't sound so thrilled to see me," the mercenary said as he strolled towards them, a grin plastered all over his face as if they were all out for a fine evening. "Sorry to barge in on your time together," he added, rolling his eyes. He came to stand with them, his air jovial, and slapped Seth on the shoulder. "I needed a word with you before you get too cozy for the night," he added with a wink.
Joshua was standing at an angle so the sword at his hip – and the hands resting casually on the hilt – would be clearly visible to the men who'd been following. Their footsteps had stopped.
"We'll talk while the grooms get out horses," Seth said, and together they crossed the remaining distance to the stables. Eirika did not feel relieved until they were long since out of Serafew.
ooo
"Why were you in Serafew?" Seth demanded once they were well away from the city gates. Moving along the road by lantern light, their progress was painfully slow.
"After our chat earlier I figured you might be heading to the arena. I thought you might run into trouble and decided to keep an eye out."
Seth's brow was furrowed. "Why help us?"
Joshua flashed a grin. "Well if you were off to the arena then you must be low on funds and that's certainly no good to me, is it?"
Heaving a sigh, Seth nodded. "Thank you for your assistance."
Eirika's eyes turned to Seth's injured leg. He held the reins in one hand while the other pressed the corner of his cloak against his wound. Even in the warm glow from the lantern, he looked pale. She wished they could risk moving at a quicker pace. Seth needed to see a healer as soon as possible.
"Joshua?" Seth said after some moments' silence.
"Hmm?"
"Where did you get a horse?"
"Oh. I... borrowed one from the corral."
It was probably just as well that Seth let the matter drop.
ooo
It was only a few hours before dawn when they reached their camp and Seth looked more weary than she had ever seen him. Save once.
Forcing back the memory of their flight from Renais, Eirika took a deep breath and turned to Joshua. "Fetch a healer."
"Anything for a pretty lady," he said with a grin and then trotted off.
She dismounted and hurriedly tied her horse off to the nearest post before returning to Seth who remained sitting stiffly in the saddle. "I'll help you," she said.
He nodded. Taking a deep breath, he swung his leg over and then slid down out of the saddle. She snagged his arm as his left leg buckled beneath his weight and they stumbled forward for a moment before finally he steadied himself. His breath came in shallow gasps for a minute but finally he seemed to calm himself, though he was paler than ever and his brow was slick with sweat.
Eirika had expected Joshua to bring Father Moulder, so she was surprised when he instead returned with the Grado healer, Sister Natasha, in tow. She could feel the tension rippling through Seth's body. Sister Natasha had come to them with strange tidings but it remained to be seen whether she could truly be trusted.
Seth's brow creased, but he did not object as the healer approached and inspected his wound. "How did this happen?" she asked.
"Please, no questions, Sister," Eirika said, appalled by the amount of blood on Seth's clothes.
Natasha nodded and then raised her staff. Pressed close against Seth, Eirika could feel a tingling on her skin as the magic did its work. Pale blue light flowed around the wound, seeping into the torn flesh, making it whole once more. His entire body sagged with relief as the pain was washed with the flow of magic. She tightened her hold on him until he came to himself and straightened, putting weight once more on his left leg.
"You've lost a great deal of blood. You'll need to rest, but you should otherwise be fine now."
"Thank you, Sister," he said with a bow of his head.
"You're welcome, General. Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked, her eyes scanning over Eirika and Joshua as if searching for more wounds.
"No, that's all," Eirika replied. "And please keep this matter to yourself."
Natasha looked uncertain but nodded before leaving them.
A pang of regret washed over her as Seth removed his arm from her shoulders. She shivered; the night air seemed colder without his warmth. He closed his eyes for a moment, weariness marking every feature. "You should rest," she said. "I'll make certain no one disturbs you until we're ready to march."
"You were right, Princess."
"Right?"
"It would have been unwise to go unaccompanied. Even so, it should not have had to be you. You should not have had to watch–"
"No," she cut in, shaking her head. "I... I need to know these things, Seth. How can I be a good ruler if I've no idea of how the world truly is beyond our castle walls?" She rubbed at the gooseflesh on her arms. "Though I'm still appalled that people take amusement from such brutality. To wager on one man's ability to harm another..."
She spun as she head a laugh from behind her, startled to realize that Joshua was still there. "Princess, you've got it all wrong. The arena's no different from the rest of the world."
Eirika cocked an eyebrow. "How so?"
Joshua shrugged. "We all take our chances in life. Everyone makes bets every day. The only difference is that in the arena you stand a chance to make a little extra coin when you win. Everyone does it – from paupers to princes." She was scowling at him but he went on as if he had not a care. "Kings are no different from gamblers. Kingdoms that wage war place wagers. The wager is the fate of their entire nation and its people."
Eirika frowned and shook her head. "Renais never agreed to this wager."
Joshua shrugged. "Be that as it may, here we are." He paused a moment to glance eastward where already the sky was lightening from black to deep blue. "Well it's too late now to go to bed. I suppose I'll go see if anyone's up for a bit of dicing."
Seth watched him go but made no comment. Eirika sighed, feeling wearier than ever. "It's been a trying day. You should rest, my lady," he said.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're the one who needs it most. Come. I'll walk with you. You look like you might fall down on the way," she added with a wry smile.
They walked in silence side by side. A scattering of birdcalls had already begun to break the still air, though of their comrades there was little more than the occasional snore when they passed a tent. Already, the dimmer stars were made invisible by the lightening of the sky.
They paused at the entrance to his tent. "Seth?" she said before he could excuse himself.
"My lady?"
"Do you... agree with what he said?"
Shaking his head, Seth heaved a sigh. "No. In a true wager there are always those who lose, but also those who profit. It's not so in war. One can defeat an enemy but sometimes the price of that victory, what one forfeits to attain it outweighs the gain."
The sorrow in his voice weighed on her like a sodden cloak. He looked so worn, so unlike the pristine knight he was known as – cool, collected, poised. At that moment he was only a man, entirely mortal and as easily worn down as any other. And she knew what part she bore in that, how much she had asked of him since the war had begun, how much she continued to ask of him. "What you did tonight–"
"Was necessary," he cut it. "Please, princess, don't trouble yourself any longer."
She nodded. "Thank you, Seth. For everything you've done. Without your strength I could never endure all of this." And before he could speak again, she reached out and squeezed his arm saying, "You should rest."
Seth nodded and bid her goodnight before disappearing into his tent. He was not invincible and she ought not to expect him to be, but she needed his help, his counsel, and his friendship, now more than ever. And though so much remained in question, like one of Joshua's coins turning head over tails in the air, the certainty that Seth would walk this path alongside her seemed like more than just a good wager.
The End
A/N: It's the first time I've written a piece that takes place so early in the game. It was interesting trying to get the dynamic right. I'm much more used to writing about Eirika later, when I feel I have more leeway to write bolder version of her, but early on she's much more uncertain, more inexperienced.
Also, edited to fix a continuity error.