6/15/14

Woops, thought today was 2 days not 3...and yesterday was the 1 month anniversary of this story's publication. So I really screwed up there...hrm

Well I didn't talk much about From Pain, Awakening so here I go: moodswing chapter. It can take a while or it can finish instantly, don't know what drives it...or why Tibarn and Nailah can talk or this or that considering there is an invisible wall in front of the Hawk King but hey, its fun!

As is this chapter, honestly I decimate this chapter every time with little effort.

Path of Heart

"Here you go, Neph."

The Halberd smiled as she felt Heather's jacket cover her up. She looked to the woman as she sat on the log next to her.

"Still cold I take it?"

Gripping the jacket, Nephenee scooted over to Heather and laid her head against the other's shoulder. "Not as much now…thanks."

Heather smiled, she felt so good right now she had no desire of moving from where she sat.

The Mercenaries came to a stop in a snowbound forest, the night was very dark and they couldn't see much outside of the camp. On top of that they received word from Micaiah's group about the Disciples of Order, soldiers of Ashera who could warp in wherever and whenever they wanted.

Heather looked up to see Mia sitting across from them smiling "Mia, we don't need a chaperone." Heather stated sarcastically.

The swordmaster laughed "It's just nice seeing you two so happy."

"With what we're all about to do…we need something to keep us going." Heather commented looking to Nephenee.

The Halberd, though not looking at Heather could feel her eyes on her and blushed as Mia sighed. Turning she looked to the rest of the camp, after splitting from the main group being among the Greil Mercenaries only again was quite a change. Marcia was assigned to the Dawn Army out of some sort of foresight that flying soldiers would be beneficial to their plight. In addition the Wolf Queen Nailah, her vassal Volug, the Heron Prince Rafiel and the dragons Kurthnaga and Ena decided to come along with the Mercenaries. With the dragons and the Wolf Queen on their side it made Mia feel all the more confident that they would do well with whatever the Goddess threw at them.

"Returning from watch, still clear…what a surprise" Shinon called out, though the last bit was muttered under his breath. The man sat next to his old friend Gatrie as Rolf stood and called out.

"Yes! My turn!" Shinon rolled his eyes to the other's enthusiasm "Don't get too excited, there is a whole lotta nothin out there."

Nephenee felt something odd and stood upright, she hated this bizarre sense she had. It forewarned her about the attack on Fort Alpea and about many of the battles the Laguz Alliance encountered.

Heather and Mia looked at her questioningly with the rogue speaking "Neph, you alright?"

"Something-"

"Surrounded! We're surrounded!" Rolf yelled returning to camp. The mercenaries practically sprung to their feet and picked up their weapons.

As Ike prepared to give out orders about a dozen enemies warped into the camp around their fire. The gold-clad Disciples of Order shot forth with Ike yelling as loud as he could "Protect the primary entrance!"

Mia, Nephenee and Heather now standing rushed to aid their allies while Gatrie, Boyd, Volug, Shinon and Rolf made way for the main entrance with the first three acting as a wall, giving cover to the snipers.

Thanks to their swift reactions the number of enemies within the camp began to drop rather quickly, though another dozen or so warped in all around them, including one very close to Ena.

"Knife arm don't fail me now." Heather whispered to herself spinning a knife and launching it, striking the enemy warrior and stunning him long enough for Oscar to reach him and strike him down.

Oddly enough Ena did not transform; rather she remained by Kurthnaga's tent. Nailah took it upon herself to handle any enemies trying to reach the untransformed Dragons, and with little effort she dispatched wave after wave of Disciples.

"Heather!" The rogue took a step back as Nephenee's shield sailed through the air and struck a swordmaster. Dazed he was left open for Heather to tackle him and stab him.

Picking the shield up she swung it and threw it to Nephenee who armed it midflight and completed a rotation to stop an oncoming blade.

As the battle continued a squad of Begnion Pegasus Knights led by the enemy commander Catalena flew into the camp.

Shinon and Rolf were too preoccupied with the enemies breaking through Gatrie, Boyd and Volug's guard to feather them, leaving the rest of the Greil Army to deal with the aerial enemies.

"Neph!" Hearing the rogue Nephenee rolled towards Heather, several arrows striking the snow around them.

"I've seen the force you put into that shield, I have an idea."

Nephenee noticed Heather gesture towards the Falco Knights above "I don't think that's safe."

"Like I always say, don't worry about me."

Despite her reservations, Nephenee nodded as Heather flipped away. The rogue turned and charged towards Nephenee, jumping she landed on the Halberd's shield just as she forced it up. Next thing Heather knew she was sailing through the air and landing on an enemy Pegasus.

Mia disengaged from a warrior and leapt away as a Pegasus and dead rider crashed into him. Heather hit the snow next to her with a smile "Style points!"

Mia laughed "Can you do that four more times?"

Hearing the bowstrings from Shinon and Rolf, now focused on the Falco Knights, Heather shrugged "Not gonna have to."

Following the battle, the Mercenaries were moving the bodies away from camp, a task that burned through most of the night. Despite that Ike was determined for everyone to get some rest before continuing on their way to Sienne.

"Seriously, that was incredible, no one even got close to you."

Nailah turned to the rogue before her and nodded "I made it a point to not allow that in the first place."

Heather smiled "I don't think we've been properly introduced till now, I'm Heather."

Extending her hand the Wolf Queen shook it "Nailah, Queen of Hatari. I must say, coming to this land I've seen things I never imagined. I knew a few Beorc and Branded in Hatari but none that are capable of what this specific group has done."

Heather turned to see the rest of the Mercenaries and nodded "I only heard about them, mostly through Nephenee…they really are somethin."

Turning back to face the smiling Wolf Queen, Heather tilted her head "What?"

"I've met people like you in Hatari as well."

Heather nodded slowly as Nailah continued "I'm sure you know that Hatari has been far removed from the rest of Tellius for a long time. We don't follow some…customs…that these countries here have. I've always avoided trying to offend the Kings and Queens of this land simply because I am an outsider."

Heather shrugged "We're all Tellian."

"Indeed. I just wish there wasn't so much baseless hate against one another."

"Hey Heather…oh! Queen Nailah." Nephenee stated noticing the other woman who raised her hand "No bowing necessary, we're all comrades here."

The Wolf Queen's one eye moved from Nephenee to Heather, she gave the rogue a knowing glance causing the woman to grin before seeing Ike and Rafiel talking "It was nice meeting you Heather, Nephenee, if you'll excuse me."

After the Queen left Heather glanced at Nephenee "It's not what you think."

Nephenee gave the rogue a very questioning look "What?"

"What?"

"What what? What isn't what I think?"

Heather just laughed "Nothin, nevermind."

Walking over to the Halberd, Heather placed an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Nephenee felt her face grow red again "Is anyone…lookin over here…"

Heather glanced to the rest of the Mercenaries "No…why?"

After a short silence, Heather chuckled "Nervous what others would think if they saw us like this?"

"Well…yeah…a little…I know we're close and…good friends n all-"

"Then that's good. If you'd rather I be a bit more discreet, just say the word."

Nephenee shook her head and smiled as the two walked back through the camp, ready for sleep for the endless marching that awaited them.

Next up, bringing the Radiant Dawn story to an end is the ReQuadrilogy, look forward to it!

And Game of Thrones S4 finale is tonight...another hour of anxiety, brilliant!

Fun fact: Volug was not in this chapter at all, during the Revelations themed chapter I wrote a scene with him and realized he was not in the Road to the Empire so I went back and rewrote a bit to mention him. After his honorable sacrifice in Hard mode it was wrong of me to forget the poor guy.

See ya Tuesday!