We did it. It took a painfully long month, but at long last, we did it. 20,000 words, 18 chapters, 33 reviews, 3000 hits, 9 favourites and 11 alerts. That, my friends, is epic. So, on the 19th chapter of this expedition, I've decided we've grown close enough to warrant a name for our little community. Because of the S thing, I was thinking Steam. Which I guess also has slashy connotations, but since we're all in the Ike/Soren fandom together, I figured that might be a plus. So unless anyone has any better ideas, congratulations. You're now part of an exclusive pigeonhole within the FE fandom.
Now we just need someone to come up with a cheesy catchphrase for us. And a plan for world domination, and then the invention of National Ike/Soren day can commence. :evil laugh:
The scene from the upper deck was impressive to say the least. Two hulking black dragons were pushing (lifting?) the boat free from the reef. Even Soren had to admit the magnificence of their feat. His mouth hung open in a small 'o'. He noticed Prince Kurthnaga standing on the nearby shore, talking animatedly to a large man with curiously red skin. Soren wondered if this was another dragon. They were on the border of Goldoa, after all.
With a creaking judder, the boat slipped from the last of the reef and landed safely in the water with a loud splash. Water flew over the sides and hit the decks. Judging by Mia's outcry, it had also hit some of the mercenaries. Soren couldn't help but smirk at the sight of several of them standing there, soaked and shivering.
Neither, apparently, could Ike. "Hey, careful! You're dripping all over the boat!"
The myrmidon glared over at him, attempting to scowl but not quite managing to keep a straight face. "You can laugh, commander, but you'll regret it when...Oh, forget it." She gave up even trying to sound threatening. Ike had already practically collapsed in bouts of laughter. "Next thing I know, I'll even be a laughing stock for Soren."
"You already are," Soren replied, smirk increasing. "I just don't laugh out loud."
Mia gave a dramatic sigh and pulled her dripping hair back through her hands, wringing it out. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm rather glad that neither of you are my archrival. He'd better be more gentlemanly."
Ike stood up straight, wiping a mock tear from his eye. "If it's any comfort, Mia, it's good to know that life's never dull with you around." Another small snigger escaped him.
"Well, that's all right then," Mia said, her usual chipper tone returning.
"Commander Ike!"
Ike leaned over the side of the boat, as did Soren and Mia. They found the two black dragons on land, standing beside Kurthnaga and dwarfing even the red-skinned man Soren had noticed before.
"I'm afraid that here is where I leave you," the prince apologised. He bowed, much to the indignation of the other man (and the two black dragons, though Soren couldn't be entirely sure. He wasn't exactly an expert on the body language of dragons). "However, I am sure I can see to it that your supplies are replenished. You are running low on water in particular, are you not?"
"Oh...yeah. Thanks!" Ike grinned. Soren cleared his throat rather loudly beside him. "Er...Your Highness," he quickly amended. Soren smiled. Perhaps there was hope for the commander yet.
Prince Kurthnaga smiled as well. "Very well. Gareth, will you see to it that their ship is restocked with water and food? Fruit, meat, fish - anything we have to spare." The red-skinned man nodded, and the prince turned to Ike once more. "Were it up to me, I would have you stay for a while. Unfortunately, my father would never allow it. Besides, I am aware that you are travelling to Begnion rather urgently. I would not presume to interrupt such important business." He paused as Gareth heaved several large crates aboard.
Soren blinked in surprise. He had not expected supplies to be delivered quite so quickly, nor in such large quantities. Judging from the size of the crates, they would be able to live comfortably at sea for another few months. Not that they needed to. Begnion was less than a month away.
"I wish you luck on your journey." Prince Kurthnaga lifted his hand in a wave. "Farewell, beorc!"
The ship slowly began to move forwards once more, rather than simply bobbing in the waves as it had been doing. Soren heard a sigh coming from behind him, and turned to see Nasir looking towards the mainland with nothing short of apathy.
"Aren't you meant to be driving the boat?" Soren asked.
Nasir shook his head with a small smile. "It drives itself, for the most part. So long as we're clear of rapids and reefs."
Ike looked over, eyes wide. "It...drives itself? Is it magic of some sort?"
"No," Soren corrected, just as Nasir replied, "Of sorts." Ike looked between them in confusion.
Nasir smirked at the young mage. "I wasn't aware you had knowledge of the working intricacies of Goldoan ships."
Soren looked up at him. "I read. The rear section of the hull is divided into several large water-cannons, each working upon a treadmill system that literally jetisons the boat through the water." He paused to allow himself a superior smirk. "Or is my information incorrect?"
"Partially, though your generalisations make a rather inaccurate description of the detail of the system." Soren could tell Nasir was attempting not to look impressed in the slightest. He was remarkably good at it.
Soren smiled. "Do enlighten me."
"I shall. In time."
"I look forward to it."
Once more, Ike looked bemused, completely unaware of the hidden conversation taking place.
Nasir dipped his head. "If you'll excuse me, I ought to check our course." He turned on his heel and slowly made his way back towards the cabin at the rear of the ship.
"Liar," Soren murmured, though he was still smiling despite himself.
There was a comfortable silence across the deck, eased only by the gentle breeze. It was many moments before anyone felt strong enough to break it. Perhaps it was unsurprising that this someone was Ike. "Soren, how do you know all this stuff?"
Soren had his head nestled in his folded arms, leaning on the side of the ship. When he spoke, his voice was slightly muffled. "I told you, I've read a lot. When I was younger, there was little else to do. The sage used to...encourage me to read all the tomes that he owned. I got through them quite quickly, largely due to necessity. He used to punish me if I wasn't able to recall particular spells on demand." Soren quickly moved on before Ike was able to enquire further. "So it became second-nature for me to read. Once I had finished reading all his magical tomes, I moved onto more diverse subjects. Some of them rather obscure."
"Huh. You must have a pretty good memory. I don't remember a single thing I read in my childhood."
Soren smirked. "Did you actually read in your childhood? I suppose you always seem more like the sort who would have spent their formative years brandishing sticks for swords."
Ike was curiously silent for once.
I will give a virtual cookie to the first person to make me a Soren icon with "I just don't LOL" on it. xD
I may illustrate this chapter. As I was writing the last part of it, I had a really sweet image in my head that I want to draw. Might take a while, though.