Hello! Welcome to chapter five of Adjustments! And just so everyone knows, Pelleas died in my story (Sorry, Pell!). But, I can picture some of you going "GASP HE CAN LIVE?!" Yes, ladies and gentlemen who don't know that! Not only can he live, he can FIGHT with you, too! "OMG REALLY?!" OMG YES!
Mina-Chan: Yes, they can. Such SMART swords, aren't they? The ending? I got the warm, fuzzy feeling inside when I wrote it! =) Thank you so much for your kind words! OH NO SOREN FANGIRLS SHALL SWARM!!! XP Don't worry, Tibarn no punch Soren. I too scared of fangirls for dat. And I don't get paid. That sucks.
Chef Colette: Yay thankies! Yes, everyone loves Micaiah! Birthday party, birthday party- (eats cake and ice cream) ...Damn! Video game sweets are awesome! (passes some out) The convo? SO SHWEET! But...just wait until chapter ten. I almost cried. I screamed at anyone who bothered me while I wrote the flashback about the family's past in chapter ten. Hmm...maybe I'll do a tiny contest so that reviewers can get a preview of it... (gets evil and crazed look) And here is chapter five! So look at what will happen next! XD
Disclaimer: Nopenopenopenopenopenopenopenopenopenope not me. Wants to. But cannot. Wouldn't it be kinda cool if they made a Fire Emblem game like this, though...?
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Chapter 5
"Neee, Mihara, come on already!"
"Yeah, Mihara! Let's go already! I'm ready to swim!"
Where...?
"Amari! Argh, wait on me!"
Amari...that name...
"Nooo, never! Hurry up!"
"Yeah, if you hurry, we can jump off the rock and catch up to the others when we go tubing!"
Tubing...swimming...
"Amarrriii! Yveeetteee! You two are so meeeaaan! Okay, I'm here! Ready?"
"One...two...three!"
A splash and much laughter.
Amari...Yvette...?
The names...they sound so familiar.
"You know what, guys? We're gonna be best friends forever!"
"Yeah! No matter where we go!"
"Ditto! You two are like my sisters!"
XxXxXxX
"Mihara...wake up."
Mihara's eyes snapped open, and she was breathing heavily. What had she just dreamed about? However, she quickly realized that the sun was rising out of the corner of her eyes, and she winced, allowing her eyes to adjust to the light. Mihara and Tibarn had never gone inside after what happened last night. Mihara also realized that she felt really warm. She was still leaning against Tibarn, but she also had wrapped around her, Tibarn's red clothing that was almost always tied around his waist. She looked up at him with slight confusion.
"It seemed like you were having a bad dream..." Tibarn explained.
"Umm...I'm not really sure..." Mihara kept his red cloth wrapped around her, but she sat up. "It was...kind of confusing."
"What was it about?"
"I think it was me...and...my friends...on Earth."
Her father flinched. He murmured, "I'm sorry. This must be hard on you."
"Well, to be honest, I've been having trouble remembering names and faces lately. In a way...that helps."
"I see..."
"Your Majesty, Lady Mihara."
Tibarn and Mihara turned, seeing Vlas down on the ground. "What is it?" Tibarn called.
"Lord Keenan and King Xavier requested a word with you. They have news of the swans."
"Okay, thank you. We'll be right there."
As Mihara accompanied Tibarn off of the wall and into the fort, she thought about how different he was last night. He had been so infuriated with Soren...he'd seemed like a different person.
And speak of the devil. Soren was walking down the hall, his arms occupied with scrolls. Tibarn paused in his walking to glance down at Soren. "Soren, I apologize for my behavior last night."
The wind sage nodded at him wordlessly and kept walking, the hawks doing so, as well. Tibarn and Mihara entered the room, seeing Reyson and Leanne in there, sitting quietly. Across from them were Keenan and Xavier. "You asked for us?"
"Please, sit down." Xavier gestured to a chair, Tibarn and Mihara taking a seat.
"We have received word that Lady Laurel and her people have arrived. However, they were several miles away from the place that Keenan and I found ourselves at. Apparantly, they landed in a little farming village. Ohra? Okla?"
"Ohma," Tibarn corrected. "Three war allies live there."
Keenan nodded. "Yes, we found out. The queen of this country has kindly agreed to keep them in the castle and away from random danger until we go and get them. And for that, I have a request."
The four listened.
"Since this Queen...Elincia is such a close friend of you all, may we ask that you go pick up Lady Laurel?"
Tibarn paused to think. "I suppose I see no problem with it. Are you guys okay with that?"
Mihara, Leanne, and Reyson nodded their heads in approval.
"Would you like us to get them now? We would be back in a few hours."
"That would be most appreciated."
"Alright, then. Let's take wing, you three."
The four bird laguz walked outside, informed their fellow laguz friends that they were leaving, and took to the skies, becoming their full forms.
XxXxXxX
Lucia, at Elincia's side, asked, "Do you know when someone will come?"
"No. Lord...Keenan's scout said that his king would probably request that whoever would leave today."
Queen Laurel, with fair blonde hair and entrancing blue eyes, apologized in a musical voice, "I am sorry we are being burdensome, Queen Elincia."
"No! You're no trouble at all," Elincia protested. "We're glad to host you. It's an honor, really."
Adrian, Laurel's right hand, with darker hair and lighter eyes, bowed his head. "Thank you, My Ladies."
"You are most welcome, Sir Adrian," Elincia returned.
Laurel accepted a seat offered to her by Lucia. "Please, tell me more about this blue-haired beorc that sent us here."
"Sir Ike?" Elincia smiled sadly at his name. "He's a wonderfully kind man. He was a dedicated mercenary to a group that his father began, and he helped out our continent over and over again. He was very trusting of others and loyal to his friends. He even fought on the laguz's side against the largest country here of beorc."
Laurel's eyes widened slightly. "Fought? Where my country was, beorc and laguz lived in peace. Even our few Branded were accepted among others."
"I envy that. I really do. But our continent has had two recent wars. However, since then, we have been mending our relationships between beorc and laguz."
"Mending is good...but war?" Laurel shivered.
Lucia added, "Three of our close friends were royal heron laguz. They aided us in the wars."
"...Truly?!"
"Yes, Milady. It would also not surprise me that, if you choose to stay, you would more than likely move into the Serenes Forest, with the four remaining herons."
"Remaining? What happened?"
Elincia and Lucia's faces fell, and they retold the Serenes Massacre.
XxXxXxX
"Haar!"
Haar snorted and his eyes shot open. Once he remembered that all the wars were done with, and it was only Jill, he laid back and groaned. "What?"
"We've got another cargo order to be taken," Jill thrust a piece of paper in Haar's face. "Though I doubt you'll need this."
Haar rubbed a hand down his face before he read the paper. "A few supplies...and some extra food and blankets...to go to Crimea Castle in Melior?" He looked at Jill with confusion. "What's going on over there?"
"It's to do with Ike and the...swan laguz, I think it was, coming overseas. They're staying at the castle, invited by Elincia."
He stared at the paper for a few more moments, then looked back at Jill. "Must I really? I just got back yesterday."
"Don't try this again," Jill ordered threateningly. "We all here know how much you love flying on your wyvern."
Haar stared at Jill's receding back. Then, he turned to his wyvern, who stared back at him with sleepy golden eyes. "Well, partner, back to Crimea...again."
His wyvern seemed to glare at him before rumbling. Haar frowned.
"What was that, you bag of scales?!"
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"Ike, stay still," the feminine voice snapped.
"I can't...Soren hasn't responded yet and the last thing he told me was that Laurel hadn't arrived yet..." The blue haired hero attempted at sitting up.
"Shut up and stay still. He'll respond soon enough."
Ike hesitated before laying completely down. "You're right. I'm sorry."
The light browned eyed woman smiled gently. "Just keep like this for a while. The herbs need to take effect. That storm was bad, especially out on the beach."
"It was, wasn't it?" Ike scoffed lightly before grunting in pain and grabbing his upper leg.
The woman tucked a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear before rolling her eyes. "You men are all the same, no matter the species. Honestly-"
Ike looked at the woman when she stopped speaking. "What is it?"
"Ragnell is back."
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It took the hawks and herons no more than an hour to arrive at Crimea Castle. Mihara's heart pounded with excitement. She was about to meet, not only swan laguz, but Queen Elincia, Lucia, Geoffrey, and many others from the castle. She followed Tibarn and Reyson, walking beside Leanne, feeling clumsy as she did, for Leanne walked much more gracefully. The two men in front of her were following a servant (who had been only a little intimidated for a moment), who was leading them to where Elincia was. Mihara looked around the castle with awe, noticing how much more...detailed it was compared to Altiaire. Tibarn had told her that laguz didn't care much for showing off how rich they were, but they had enough for the royalty to be comfortable.
At last, the servant knocked softly on the great door before them. No doubt, Mihara said to herself, that's the throne room behind there. A woman's voice called, "Come in!"
The servant entered the room and announced, "His Majesty, Lord Tibarn, is here to see you, Queen Elincia."
Mihara could practically sense the smile behind Elincia's reply. "Please send him in!"
The servent gestured the hawks and herons in the throne room (Mihara gaped at its size). Tibarn casually greeted, "How are you, Elincia?"
"Tibarn! It's been so long." Elincia stood from her chair, Lucia at her side. Then, she noticed the others next. "Prince Reyson! Princess Leanne!"
"Elincia," the two acknowledged with smiles.
Mihara fidgeted as Elincia's eyes landed on her. She seemed confused until she remembered something. "Oh! You're Tibarn's daughter, aren't you?"
She nodded. "I'm Mihara."
Elincia offered her a hand. "I'm Queen Elincia of Crimea. But please, call me Elincia. And this is my best friend, Lucia."
Mihara took her hand and shook it. "Pleased to meet you."
"You, as well," Elincia returned.
"I'm guessing that you've been sent to pick up Lady Laurel and her people?" Lucia ventured.
"We have," Reyson confirmed.
Elincia offered, "Could you at least stay for lunch?"
Before anyone could object, Leanne nodded her head. "We would...be...happy to."
The Queen of Crimea beamed. "I'm pleased to see that you're learning modern language so fast, Leanne."
"Thank you."
"Well, there's no changing Leanne's mind. I suppose that we're staying for lunch," Tibarn sighed. "I swear, herons may be 'graceful' and whatnot, but you two and Rafiel..."
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Lethe's tail twitched with aggrivation. Three huge pairs of beorc eyes stared up at her with wonder. They had petted her ears and poked her tail enough to drive a patient person like Astrid insane. "Rhys!" she finally snapped, scaring the children. "Get your young ones away from me!"
Ranulf roared with laughter from the safety of the other side of the room. "Lethe, the fearless cat warrior of Gallia and captain of the troops is not scared of battle or weapons! She's fearful of children!"
"Shut up, Ranulf. They were annoying me," she hissed as the redheaded man lead the children away from the laguz.
As Ranulf snickered still, Volug and Mira smirked with amusement. Mist giggled but when Lethe glared at her, she cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Have you heard anything from Micaiah or Sanaki lately?"
"Not much. Daein celebrated Micaiah's birthday yesterday..." Ranulf trailed off, trying to think of any recent news. "And Sanaki, I think, has elected a new and more trustworthy senate to help her. She hasn't decided on a new prime minister, though. How about you guys? How's mercenary work?"
"It's been a little slow lately, but there's still random dangers in the world," Mist reported. "Bandits and such. There's actually been a disturbing rumor going around Crimea lately..."
All the laguz looked at Mist with alarm. "What is it?" Nasir demanded.
"There's been talk of small groups of people in Daein and Begnion who may start a rebellion. There are still people in Begnion who believe in the old senate – about how Sanaki is a fake and that she isn't the real apostle. Then, in Daein, there are those who believe that Micaiah killed Pelleas so that she could have the crown herself."
The laguz digested this information. Ranulf fell against the wall at his back. He rubbed his temples with one hand. "Damn. That's not good," he concluded.
Gareth inquired, "Do you believe that it will lead to another war?"
"I seriously hope not. Even if people don't need to worry about Ashera passing judgment along anymore, we still don't need a war." Mist's grave look passed along to the others in the room.
Soren, who had been silent for the most part of the time he'd been in the room, stated bluntly, "Those people are fools."
Lethe raised an eyebrow at the Branded. "You are standing up for Micaiah and Sanaki?"
"No," Soren said. "People who believe in beginning wars to simply cause chaos in the world are beyond foolish. They are worthless. They will not accomplish anything but attention. The militias are too much for simple small groups to do damage."
"You may have a point, but this still wouldn't be a good thing." Ranulf crossed his arms. "I seriously hope this isn't the start of a trend. Three years of peace, one or two years of war."
"That would suck," Boyd scoffed.
"Agreed," Nasir grumbled.
Volug, who liked speaking in the ancient tongue, had made fast progress in learning modern language with the help of Ike (before he left), his queen, and Rafiel. He could speak in full sentences well, but he had pauses every now and then. He asked, "Why don't militia people go stop them...beforehand?"
"It's only a rumor," Mist repeated. "But I think that all the attention is keeping the countries stable at the moment." She paused and slightly fanned herself. "Is it just me, or is it a little warm in here?"
"I'm rather comfortable. Are you feeling well?" Nasir asked.
"I'm fine. Maybe It's just me."
Nasir stared at her for a moment, as if checking her over from the other side of the room, but nodded slightly.
"Still...I think someone needs to check that out," Ranulf said with seriousness. Then, to lighten the mood in the room, he called, "Hey, Rhys!"
There were footsteps before Rhys stuck his head in the door, a few children at his side. "Yes?"
Ranulf smirked and pointed at one of the children. "Can I borrow her?"
The young girl ran to Ranulf, squealing with delight. "Pick me up! Pick me up!" she demanded.
As Ranulf obeyed her, Rhys sighed. "I suppose for a little while. But she needs to be back to class soon."
"Thanks!" Ranulf turned to Lethe, who narrowed her amethyest eyes at him.
"What are you planning?"
Before she could object, Ranulf planted the child on Lethe's lap. "Here you go."
Lethe glared and hissed at Ranulf before the six-year-old tugged on Lethe's ears. "Kitty ears!"
Not caring that a child was before her, she yowled as Ranulf ran from the room, "Dammit, I'm going to kill you, Ranulf!"
XxXxXxX
Haar yawned from atop his wyvern. He was finally nearing the castle. He'd been in Crimean lands for a while, and since then, he had relaxed and nibbled on food he'd brought with him. As the castle became visable, he patted his wyvern. "There it is, partner. Now we can catch some z's when we land."
His wyvern rumbled happily at the thought of that. Since the war had ended, Haar's wyvern had, regretfully enough, picked up much of its master's habits, the worst one being the insane sleeping pattern.
He landed in the courtyard in the front of the castle, ordered his friend to wait, and walked towards the castle. However, just as he was about to say that he needed to see Queen Elincia, the doors opened and the queen, Lucia, and their guests exited the castle. Elincia looked at Haar. "Oh, Haar. How may we help you?"
"I'm here to deliver the order I got from Jill. It was from Crimea for food and blankets."
Lucia took Tibarn, Mihara, Reyson, and Leanne down the stairs, leaving Haar to speak with Elincia about their business, leading them to where the swans were staying. Tibarn looked at Lucia. "Blankets?"
"Hey, Elincia was being considerate. Since it's nearing mid-fall, she wasn't sure how the swans handle cold. Lady Laurel spoke of their country being extremely warm."
"I see..."
Lucia brought them to another separate building – another part of the large castle. She knocked softly on the door. "Lady Laurel? It's Lucia with your escorts."
There had been quiet conversing inside the building before the knocking. Adrian opened the door. "Please, come in."
"Thank you, Sir Adrian."
Lucia and the four birds walked into the room, seeing it filled with swans. There were fifty in the room, at least. Reyson murmured to Tibarn, "They're about the same size that our tribe was before...then."
"Hmm...really? They seem a little smaller," Tibarn replied, looking around for the leader.
Reyson gave Tibarn a doubting look. Laurel, who had been sitting in a chair, stood up. "Welcome, Lucia. And our escorts. What names may we call you?"
Tibarn gave Laurel a bow of his head. "I am Tibarn, king of the hawk and raven tribes. This is Mihara, my daughter, and the heron prince and princess, Reyson and Leanne."
Laurel examined Reyson and Leanne. "So you are the two of our sister tribe who fought in these wars I've been told about?"
"Yes, we have," Reyson said after a moment.
Leanne said something else to Laurel, in the ancient tongue. Laurel smiled approvingly. "Pleased to meet you, too. I am pleased some still speak our original language. I am Queen Laurel of the swan tribe. This," she gestured to Adrian at her side, "is Adrian."
They all exchanged greetings with him before Tibarn inquired, "When may we leave, Lady Laurel?"
"Soon. We have been preparing for the flight. How far is it?"
"No more than an hour."
"We shan't slow you down, Lord Tibarn. Are Lord Keenan and King Xavier staying where we are going?"
Tibarn's face became amused as he crossed his arms. "Not for long, I hope. That tiny little fort of our friends' is rather crowded. Hopefully, they are planning on what they will do right now..."
XxXxXxX
"That's out of the question," Keenan insisted.
"But, my lord, this land is much larger than the one we shared with the otters and swans! We have room to run and be freer!" Aislyn protested. "I believe it would be wise to stay here!"
"She has a point, Keenan," Xavier added. "I think I may plan on staying here. There's plenty of water here, just as there was at home. All we will do is settle at the coast."
The Horse Lord grumbled. "But what if this continent began another war? Sure, we have small guards, but we do not have trained troops! What will we do if these beorc here begin something?!"
"We can train, Lord Keenan! We can ask the others for help," Aislyn reminded him.
"And say that we've never fought in a war before? Don't be ridiculous."
"Lord Keenan, the others understand that we've not had any fights back at Staltone, Ailon, and Nylonti. They will understand that we've had no need for troops," Hadrian pointed out.
Keenan sighed heavily and loudly, knowing that he was slowly losing this fight. He rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his black hair. His tail swished back and forth – a sign to the others that he was thinking. Finally, Keenan concluded, "I will wait to see what Lady Laurel wants to do, then I will make my final decision."
The other three in the room nodded with understanding. Aislyn pardoned herself from the room and left. Once she closed the door, she walked down the hall a little ways before sighing and rubbing behind her horse ears. She muttered something to herself before standing before a window, looking out towards the forest. She then heard echoing footsteps in the hall, coming towards her. Then, a voice said, "Miss Aislyn?"
Aislyn turned her head and saw the redheaded healer – Rhys. She stared at him with confusion.
"Is everything okay? You look a little upset."
"I do? Well, I'm just stressed...I suppose. Lord Keenan, King Xavier, and Hadrian and I were discussing whether or not to go or stay on this continent..."
Rhys walked up beside her, being a few inches taller than the female horse laguz. "And...are you going to?"
"King Xavier wants to stay. Lord Keenan wants to wait on Lady Laurel's decision." Aislyn turned back to the window, the sun still high in the sky.
Rhys stood silent for a moment. "Well, which do you want to do?"
Aislyn seemed a little confounded. "My opinion doesn't matter. I will follow Lord Keenan in whatever he decides."
"But I'm asking your opinion," Rhys insisted.
Aislyn blinked at Rhys. Then, she whispered, "I wouldn't mind staying...but there's also the threat of war here... There wasn't back home in Staltone."
"Was Staltone the name of your country?"
"...Yes." Aislyn looked at Rhys with wonder. Out of all the beorc she'd met on Tellius so far, Rhys had been the only one who had really spoke with her.
"I suppose you would miss it... It is your home, after all."
Aislyn had no reply, so she remained silent. Once again, her ears flickered behind her, picking up sounds of barely audible footsteps. Then, the young green-haired child – Rolf – was looking at Rhys frantically. "Rhys, it's Mist! She's suddenly collasped, and it feels like she's got a fever, and-! Come quick, please!"
Rhys's eyes widened. He had began to run back with Rolf, but he took a moment to turn to Aislyn. "Please excuse me, Miss Aislyn."
Aislyn nodded, and Rhys ran downstairs with Rolf. Aislyn stared at where he had last stood before he'd left. Then, she shook her head with amusement. That was a little strange...but...he was sweet.
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Yes, Rhys became a teacher at the end of the game. I think he set up a school in the village he was born in, but this one is on the property of the Griel Mercenaries' fort. I'm trying to stick mostly to what the ending said, but of course, there will be minor changes. (looks at what it said about Makalov) Hmmm...he was miraculously never fired, huh...?
Please review!
