I'm debating if I should update less frequently but have longer chapters or more often but with shorter chapters. Thanks for showing up again.

Dusk beat on the backs of the mercenaries as they waded through the field of tall grass. Its high stalks, tipped with wispy white flowers, were damp and smelled of mildew. The thin tendrils of beige blades licked at Yakuzo's fur as he traipsed in a line with Tormod, Mauriam, and the Greil siblings.

Ike had mentioned oil sacks and friends; Yakuzo had plenty of the oil, slung over his back and dangling over his side in their leather skins, but the "friends," were far less than expected. It couldn't be helped; most men were scrambling to reconvene with the other half of their crew. While Ikyna and Ike had gathered as many supplies as possible, recruiting proved more of a challenge.

The commander had given simple instructions to find a fire mage before they began their trek toward the Daien army. Time was running away from them and after spending an hour the only magic wielder left behind was Tormod. He was helping gather scattered supplies as Maurim used his strength to help set a toppled cart. Vika, their quiet feathered friend was circling the area, already putting her wings to use to search for missing soldiers.

It took no convincing of the red head. He was eager and willing to get in any fight with Daein. The devastation of the rockslide did nothing to damper his enthusiasm. Ike offered nothing more than a vague description of his plan.

After traveling toward the Daein army, they would set an ambush by coating the road in oil and setting it ablaze. The risk was high while traveling with such a small group. Maurim frowned, pondering the danger versus the chance of success. The commander could see the uncertain apprehensive glance he raked over Tormod. Ike could offer no extra comfort. His plan wasn't a permanent solution, simply a temporary fix.

If he could stall the Daein army just long enough to give his men a few days' rest, that would have to be enough. Their relentless pursuit would wear them down before long and soon they'd be consumed by their persistent predator. Reluctantly Maurim had agreed. With nothing more than a ruffle of Tormod's firery hair and a silent nod, he set off with the siblings and scarlet feline.

The remaining hours of the day were spent in quiet tense marching. Ikyna passed a hand on the back of her neck; it was slick with sweat despite the foggy chill that added a of mist to her skin. The uncomfortable smack of water reminded the archer that despite the cool air whistling in her ears, her body was warm from exertion.

After the miles of straight marching to escape the Daein army and an upstream swim through a cliff fall, the group of mercenaries trudged through a screen of mildew choked air. While adjusting the small sacks of oil slung over her back, she groaned breathily.

Ike glanced at his twin, barely containing a similar response to fatigue that had the muscles in his legs tightening in protest. "That was a long sigh." he broke the silence as gold grass crunched under his muddied boots.

"It's been a long walk." she offered with little vigor, her voice coming out thin and weary.

Ike waited patiently, sensing that his sister had more to say. She had her lips pursed in a way he'd seen her do most of her life. She held them out, tightly closed, like she was trying to hold in her words. He tapped her lightly with his gloved hands, encouraging her gently with a short smile.

She looked to the tangerine sky and chuckled, "What are the chances that we can set this oil trap, ignite it, and manage to escape the rest of the pursuing Daein army?"

Ike turned forward, looking grim, "I leave the statistics to Soren."

She smirked at his cryptic but also ominous response. "Why? Don't tell me some rough odds are going to ruin your day."

This time she managed a short audible laugh. The obvious irony in her twin's voice tickled her despite the looming danger before her and her companions. "Yeah, honestly that's a real damper on all my plans for today."

"Plans?"

Ikyna smiled dreamily, "Yeah, like sleep."

Ike pushed through the grass until they found a clearing that was completely flattened. "Well don't let me deprive you." He dropped five sacks of oil on the ground and his sister eyed him. "Let's break here. We've put enough distance between us and our troupe, but the Daein army should still be a few hours ahead of us."

"You don't have to stop for me." she offered playfully, the bags under eyes and sluggish speech betrayed her attempt to sound energetic. "I can keep going. Who needs sleep?"

Yakuzo brushed against her leg, nudging her with the side of his head and giving a feral grin, "You need sleep; you look awful."

His tail curled around her thigh as he sat next to the archer eyeing her click her tongue defensively. Shoving a finger into his snout she retorted, "I don't want to hear that from a cat so caked in dirt that you're more mud than fur."

The Gallian's eyes narrowed playfully, "And whose fault is that?" he replied as he softly nipped at Ikyna's finger. She retracted it quickly, shooting a petulant glare the feline's direction. Ike put his hand on his sister's shoulder and shook his head, "There's no point pushing ourselves any further."

Shielding his eyes and looking at the slowly sinking sun he imagined the army beyond his sight. "If the army kept the pace we originally knew, we have a moment to catch our breath."

Maurim pushed though the grass to approach the group of three, "I agree with the commander. And the little one should rest."

Tormod, who had been riding on Maurim's back, pulled at the cat's ears. "I don't need to rest. I'm ready to go. Just point me toward the Daein army."

The tiger shifted while lifting Tormod off his shoulders and placing him on the ground. He flashed the weary team an apologetic glance. Placing his hand over Tormod's ginger locks he chided him gently, "Think of the rest of the mercenaries." he gestured to the fatigued looking group. "They were walking on their own feet."

Tormod brushed Maurim's hand away in clear displeasure. Facing his Gallian friend he folded his arms, a peevish expression obvious, "I told you I could walk on my own; you wouldn't let me. We didn't join the Greil..."

"Stop." Ikyna said firmly. She passed an open palm between the tiger and child, "I'm sure we can find better uses of our energy." she advised with a placating expression.

Ike looked briefly at his sister, signaling with his eyes a grateful 'Thank you.' Mauriam acquiesced quickly but Tormod folded his arms, still perturbed. Prideful and full stubbornness, he refused to look at the Gallian. Ike squatted before the young redhead, clearing his throat awkwardly. He watched Tormod squirm for a few seconds. His eyes, a red ombre, flitted from left to right before settling on the commander.

"No one is doubting what you can do." Ike began in a steady voice, "But our plan relies on you. The rest of us can throw around as much oil as we want, but everything depends on having a top tier fire mage like yourself."

Tormod's eyes flicker in satisfaction like a small flame before a small smile graced his lips. "It was fortunate that you were able to find Maurim and I."

Ike nodded feeling relief that the conversation was shifting. It seemed like the looming tantrum had abated and the boy was willing to cooperate. "It was fortunate. " he agreed, "I'm counting on you and that tome of yours." he tapped the leather-bound book strapped to Tormod's waist.

The child beamed, "Don't you worry commander. I found a good one at the mercenary shop." He looked gleefully excited as he raised both of his fisted hands in the air. "And I supposed," hesitantly beginning, "This incantation can take some time." he thoughtfully tapped his chin, "It would be better if you could cover for me while I cast the spell."

Tormod nodded affirmatively, agreeing silently with himself, "Resting now would help you be in peak condition to defend me."

Peak condition was nothing a few hours of sleep could provide. The ware of their fights and continuous retreating meant that a full recovery would take time. Their wounds were still fresh from scattered skirmishes and the rockslide of the early morning. Not seeking to dampen the mage's mood Ike simply tussled his hair before rising to his feet.

Tormod seemed pleased with the outcome of the conversation as Maurim dipped his head appreciatively before he slowly steered the energetic mage away from the remaining three mercenaries. Ike shook his head with faint amusement as Tormod continued to chatter to Maurim.

"Well done." Ikyna whispered as her nose wrinkled affectionately, "Working that typical big brother magic."

Her brother stood and arched his back with a low groan, "Big brother magic?" His eyebrow arced curiously.

She stretched her neck, "You know, the thing you do when you talk, and I disagree, yet somehow I still end up agreeing with you in the end." Ikyna smiled while shaking her head. She looked happily nostalgic as she thought of their childhood of immature bickering.

It brought a warmth to Ike's chest, but that pleasant buzz waned quickly as we saw his sister's silhouette outlined in the soft glimmer of the sunset. He lamented that the day was nearly gone but for him and his men it was far from over. Watching his sister raising her arms above her head to loosen her tight and fatigued muscles, he wondered if the dark shadows under her eyes matched the bags under his own.

"So, what are the chances I can talk you into sleeping?" Her face dropped immediately; her deep blue eyes narrowing in displeasure. Shaking her hand quickly she turned away to halt any conversation. Ike partially rolled her eyes as he started to chase after her; groaning internally just from anticipating the effort it would require wearing down his sister. For all Ikyna's great qualities, her loyalty, compassion, and ingenuity, she could be frustratingly stubborn at the worst times.

The older twin couldn't imagine where her metal plated head came from. Though the thought struck him as ironic because he could feel his own obstinate nature urging him after his sister as he grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. "Please Ikyna, just take a break."

Ikyna shook her head insistently, "I don't need to sleep."

Incredulously he retorted, "Ikyna, everyone needs sleep."

His sister looked back at him with a defiant smile and gesture, "Then by all means, get some rest." she gave his cheek a playful poke.

Ike grabbed her hand; a wrinkle of masked and vaguely indulgent annoyance was painted over his forehead. She mirrored his stern expression, both children sharing the strong-willed, sometimes viewed as mulish, countenance of their late father.

"We've been on the run for days, we just barely survived a mudslide, and spent the last several hours back trekking, and...wait." Ike warned as his sister's mouth opened with the start of a protest, "I am tired, but I won't be able to rest knowing that my mercenaries, especially my sister, will be facing the Daein army on so little sleep."

"And I guess you plan to fight all those generals and soldiers with your eyes closed?"Ikyna cut back.

With a soft exhalation from his nose, he put both his hands on his sister's cheeks. Staring deeply into her eyes, willing her to focus on the earnest plea of his voice, "I will go on watch for the first hour and then you can take my place. But please, Ikyna, for the sake of your big brother, please get some sleep."

There was hesitation in her eyes but behind them, Ike could see the small persistent flame of the fight she didn't want to give up on just yet. He raised his eyebrows, imploring her with every ounce of brotherly influence he could muster.

A groan breached the twins as Yakuzo pushed his muzzle between them. "Give it a break Ikyna. Just go to sleep, it's the only thing you do quietly." He passed through the siblings brushing against Ikyna as he circled her before resting on his haunches.

Ikyna simmered at him, but he only licked the pads of his paws hiding the start of a grin. Returning her gaze to her brother, she complied, though begrudgingly. "But wake me up in an hour to switch with you. Or if you feel like you're going to fall asleep..."

Ike nodded patronizingly, shifting his hands to kindly press her to sit in the grass. Feigning resistance, she pretended to shrug him off. But one last raise of his eyebrows and the last of her fight subsided. Her twin had only spoken the truth; just that brief squabble had spent the last grain of energy she was storing.

The moment she hit the ground a wave of fatigue washed over her. It crashed so hard she couldn't believe how she had managed to spend the entire day standing. Her feet throbbed, calves swelled, and the tension released like a gush of wind. Involuntarily she let out a groan garnering her brothers' sympathetic laughter.

His soft chuckles faded as her head landed against the flattened grass. A musty smell of mildew permeated her nostrils, but it faded quickly with her consciousness. The last thing she remembered was the cool feel of her brother's hand brushing her forehead as she mustered a scrap of energy, "See, magic." her voice was muffled under heavy sleepy lips as she surrendered to her slumber.

"Impressive." Yakuzo said as he curled up next to Ikyna, putting his head on his paws.

"Not really, she always has me on the ropes." He grunted as he settled at his sister's feet. With one leg bent he rested his sword in front of him. Streaks of red stained the sky as the final shreds of daylight were ending. The commander surveyed the open field, Maurim and Tormod had fallen asleep at the edge of the outlined circle, the young boy had his arms wrapped tightly around the tiger's thick neck.

He looked at his sister, her face finally relaxed, and Yakuzo was watching him. The glint of his golden eyes shimmered against the final rays of sunlight, fleeting into the horizon. "You should get some sleep as well."

The Gallian's ears twitched, "Don't worry about it, I can keep watch with you."

"Yakuzo."

He flipped his tail tersely, "I think enough energy has been spent trying to put people to bed, let's not do that again." His tone was firm but still light as he flicked his eyes toward the sleeping archer. "We're all worn out, even you commander."

Ike couldn't deny the statement, nor could the screaming of his joints and muscles. "I suppose two pairs of eyes are better than one." the end of his sentence trailed off with a whisper.

IKyna murmured something incoherent, shivering as the temperature dropped with night creeping over the 5 mercenaries. Yakuzo wrapped his body around her tighter and she nuzzled into the fur of his belly. Ike glanced at her before placing his cape over his sister.

"It's funny that she was protesting so much and now she's fast asleep."

With an amused nod Ike began, "Do you think I can wake her up to go on watch for me?"

Yakuzo nudged her face with his nose. Her only response was a wrinkle of her forehead and a disgruntled grumble. "I think if all of Daien and King Ashnard himself stormed through these plains she wouldn't wake up."

Her brother snickered knowing there was truth behind the Gallian's humor. "Ikyna would never admit she needed rest. It's always a struggle to get her to take care of herself." He could see Yakuzo agree with him from the corner of his eye.

"You have my condolences; I'm sure growing up with such a hardheaded sister took a lot of patience. She is reckless to a fault at times."

Gauging the older twins' reaction, he saw the faint hint of amusement dissolve into a pained and guilty expression. The night was quiet except for the occasional chirp of crickets as they slowly awoke with evening gradually evaporation. Curiously, Yakuzo watched his commander, patiently waiting for him to respond.

Ike could see the shimmer of the Gallian eyes watching him through the darkness. "Though I suppose I can't complain since I depend on that recklessness." he paused, Yakuzo could see him flexing and stretching his hand, "Doesn't matter what I ask her to do. No matter how much work, or how hard or impossible, Ikyna just straps her quiver on and follows me."

There was a solemn ring to the brother's admission. With a reproachful note to his voice he continued, "Honestly, I think I do that with all of you, all of the mercenaries."

"I wouldn't consider myself particularly reckless."

"But you're here, following my plan that might not work. And even if it does, it's not like our situation really improves."

His hands passed through his blue locks coming to rest on his neck that was stiff from a kink. Yakuzo could do little but empathize. There was a rattling in his voice, from both exhaustion and frustration. The miles of marching and the numerous battles could whittle down the nerves of any veteran. Ike was experienced, but he was far from a veteran of war; he was still young and yet the plate of responsibility handed to him was overflowing.

"War is never easy." Yakuzo said speaking from his own experience.

"True, but I feel like, if someone else was leading the mercenaries, more knowledgeable perhaps, it wouldn't be so hard." Ike couldn't help thinking of his father, the man and leader he held in highest esteem.

"You mean, Greil?" The cat could see a darkened silhouette slowly nodding. With a brief pause, Yakuzo weighed his words. He wanted to offer the young man assurance without soundly overly indulgent or giving unrealistic praise. The fighting had been long and arduous. They were stuck in one desperate situation after another, and Yakuzo had seen companies' morale plummet with prolonged fighting.

"I've served under many different commanders, and some great generals." he began picturing both Tonga and Griffica. "Some were brave, tremendously strong, or wise strategists, and others were combinations of good qualities."

Ike peered through the darkness watching the glow of Yakuzo's eyes that were focused on him, "All the generals were so different but the one thing they had in common was the confidence of their soldiers. Your soldiers trust you; I trust you." He let the words settle between them.

"And," the Gallian added after a beat, "you have the trust of Beorc and Laguz. I've never seen or served under a commander who could bring together such opposing people. "

Yakuzo found himself smiling as he pictured the days he'd spent with the mixed army. It was a strange feeling, the warmth that circled in his chest as he felt the weight of Ikyna pressed against him. This amalgam of cultures and viewpoints isn't something any person could bring about. And yet, Ike, the young inexperienced Beorc, had fostered a group of mercenaries that was both accepting and nurturing to the differences of the many varieties people.

The commander relaxed at Yakuzo's candid approach to an embarrassing admission of self-doubt. Rubbing the back of his head he offered, "I still don't see why it's so weird to have Beorc and Laguz in one army."

"That's probably why you're the best to lead us."

A soft hidden smile crept over Ike's face. He was a mixture of embarrassment and relief, "I suppose, it's nice to know the Beorc aren't driving the Laguz too crazy."

Yakuzo chuckled, "Nope, the only one making me crazy is this archer here; but I'm sure you can sympathize with that." Ike didn't need to respond to the feline's musing, and despite the sharpness in his words there was nothing but warmth and tenderness in his voice.

"Thank you." he managed to say. His voice trailed off, unable to fully put into words the reason he was thankful. Raising his eyes to the ebony sky and the sprinkle of slowly appearing stars he could still feel the ache of apprehension, but the sound of his sister's peaceful slumber and the contented purring filled him with appreciation. He'd earned the trust of his men; and when they met the Daein army the following morning, he would do everything possible to keep it.

"Ike! Ike!"

The persistent call of a woman's voice didn't break the hold of sleep on the young commander. His lids closed, he pleaded for a few extra shreds of rest. But the last threads of his slumber were wrenched away as his body was shaken roughly.

Reluctantly, grasping at the fleeting wisps of a dream, his eyes slowly fluttered open only to recoil at the sudden flash of the breaching sunrise. The sky's warm dressing of apricot and gold was blotted with the contrast of cerulean hair.

Ikyna peered at her brother, looking from him to their surroundings. His focus was slowly clearing but his mind was still foggy. Ike couldn't remember the last time he'd slept that long, and he felt fatigue and lassitude begging him to close his eyes again.

But a feeling in his gut slowly stirred his reluctant body to rise. It was the way his sister was glancing from his face to behind him. There wasn't any apparent danger but his sister's pressing tone and the subtle indent in her forehead alerted Ike that something was wrong.

"What happened?" he questioned; his voice still hoarse.

She reached for his hand ushering him up as he stumbled groggily. "Maurim and Tormod are missing."

Suddenly his focus snapped to attention blinking away the last vestiges of his hazy sight. "Since when?" He was searching for his scabbard that he'd laid in the grass.

"For about an hour." she admitted with a grimace.

His eyes widened in surprise. "How long have I been asleep?" There was a self-deprecating intonation in his question. It was never his intention to fall asleep; his plan had been to stay awake through the night and let his men regain their strength.

"Barely 3 hours." Ikyna softly scolded her older brother. She could tell from the subtle tremor in his lower lip that he regretted falling asleep. "You needed sleep, more than you got, by the way." and under her breath she added, "You promised to wake me up within an hour."

Ignoring the bitter complaint, he hooked his sword to his belt and finally locked eyes with his sister. He focused her attention with the command of his voice, "Where did Maurim and Tormod go?"

"Dawn was approaching and Maurim wanted to just to a quick survey of the area. You know, in case Daein sent ahead a group of scouts. But I thought he'd be back by now."

"That doesn't mean something happened to him." He admitted, taking a breather to assess the situation. If something happened to Maurim they couldn't run around the open field without a plan of action. Daein was a day behind them when they first broke away from the company. The early morning sunrise meant the pursuing army was hopefully a few hours away.

If a small group had broken off from the main army; it was possible that they could connect with Ike and his crew. The tiger and mage could have been intersected, but there was no evidence except the fact that the two were conspicuously missing.

"We don't want to jump to conclusions and panic, let's just find them before the Daein army gets here." He collected the pile of oil sacks as his sister gathered her arrows and quiver.

"I'm not panicked, just concerned." she added. Her brother gave her a cursory glance but ignored her weak attempt at wit.

"Where's Yakuzo?"

Ikyna pointed at the feline who was standing stiffly in the field staring toward the edge of the ring where the grass had started growing again. His tail was held tightly in the air and the tuft on his neck raised rigidly.

The siblings watched with tense anticipation as Yakuzo slowly bared his fangs, taking a cautious step back from the wall of golden stalks. A warning roar broke the quiet morning and sent nestled birds fleeing into the sky as Maurim slowly breached the swaying grassy screen, hands raised and behind his head.

There was a moment of relief at seeing the familiar face that fell away quickly when the three mercenaries noticed the spotting of blood on the Gallian's lip and swelling under a bruised eye. He looked at his comrades pensively as their hands instinctively when to their weapons and Yakuzo crouched tightly; ready to pounce.

Maurim made a barely distinct wave of his head; a silent plead for them to steady their eager blades and claws. Ike raised an eyebrow, watching as behind the captive tiger a man's head peaked over his shoulder. "Why hello Greil mercenaries!" his voice trilled happily, completely at odds with the grim mood of the mercenaries in front of him.

Undeterred by the hostile expressions he faced, a gentle smile rested under playfully arched violet eyes. He searched from mercenary to mercenary, a question suddenly forming on his lips. "That's a bit disappointing, is this all of you here?" he muttered, more to himself than any in Ike's crew.

Ike could feel his sister moving next to him, her hand was resting on the handle of her concealed knife. Glancing to see the darkened expression across her face, he held his palm out subtly, stilling her briefly as he motioned to the knife, he noticed nestled against Maurim's neck.

She nodded back but kept her hands ready. Yakuzo had already noticed the danger and waited for an opening or a definite signal from his commander. Not being fooled by the conflicting pleasant smile and obvious threat the uninvited guest posed, Ike spoke firmly, "I don't know who you are, but you don't have to hurt my comrade. Tell me what you want?"

Still only revealing his face, the orchid eyes narrowed in displeasure, "I'm sure I told you what I wanted." his friendly smile had faded as was replaced with a flat harsh line, "Answer my question, unless you like questioning the man with a knife to your friend's neck." he tightened it against Maurim's skin. "It's really not a bother to me if he dies." The indifferent look in his eyes and level tone he maintained reinforced his implied threat, "I've got another one anyway."

Ike didn't dare ask what he meant, but his question was quickly answered as another figure emerged from the grass. A large brigand had Tormod over his shoulder squirming and grunting through the cloth tied over his mouth. The fighter tossed him to the ground at Maurim's feet.

A ripple of anger rolled through Ikyna and her hand balled into a tight fist as she struggled to stay her weapon. Her brother took a deep breath through his nose, swallowing his own boiling rage. He slowly sized the visible portion of the man behind Maurim feeling anxious as the orchid eyes and blond slick hair registered in his memory. The realization did nothing to assuage the uneasy sweat forming on his back. "It's just the three of us here, the others are the two you have captured."

He kept his voice as impassive as possible, not wanting to agitate the volatile situation. There was a pause, the 3 mercenaries uncomfortably waiting for the visitors to attack. To their surprise a grin spread over the blonde's face one more; he appeared almost relieved as he shoved maurim forward with his boot.

Confused, Maurim glanced at his captor. But he was met with only a smug smile and a goading gesture as he prodded him towards his commander. "Go on." he chuckled.

He looked back to Tormod, still struggling in his bonds. With a playful shrug he knelt and ran his knife over the child's ropes. He directed his next words to Tormod, "Now once I release you, don't go getting any clever ideas." Roughly grabbing the tendrils of red hair, he brought Tormod's face next to his, pressing their cheeks together as he pointed his gaze toward the mercenaries, "That goes especially for you."

Watching the mixture of disgust and fury dance over all those eyes made him smirk. There was always something enjoyable about the pleasant defiance of people who had no idea how outmatched they were. Especially the eyes of the commander that seemed to darken as the adrenaline, no doubt coursing through his body, readied him to sever the first limb his blade could reach.

As confident as he felt he could kill Ike before the sword was pulled from its scabbard, the man whistled for insurance. In response to the high-pitched trill a choir of roars called back from the grasslands. The twins and Yakuzo raised their heads, frozen as the echoes of large cat cries rumbled like thunder.

"I see that desperate look on your faces, but are you desperate enough to fight all my friends?"

Ikyna looked quickly at Yakuzo who offered her and her brother a stunned and contrite expression. "I don't know how I didn't hear them coming."

"Don't take it too hard." with a final tug at Tormod's restraints the man sat in the grass as he similarly shooed the mage away, "My men and I specialize in hunting Laguz. We're good at sneaking up on your kind."

Tormod scampered back to his company, Maurim bringing him into his arms quickly. The mage shot a deathly look, his pride more wounded than his body. The tiger cautioned him, noting an eerie calm the man had as he casually tucked away his knife. "Don't look so grave, I never planned on killing those two." he gestured at the bruised fighters, no remorse present as he spoke, "I've just found a little violence can expedite certain tedious discussions."

"That's some interesting negotiating tactics," Ikyna spat unable to hide any contempt despite the uncertainty of the situation. She couldn't gauge the level of danger they were currently in. Her skin crawled as she imagined the feral eyes glaring at her and her friends through the grass, waiting to pounce. The man in front of them seemed uninterested in attacking. He had the upper hand and could have wiped out the small group before they could draw their weapons; yet he was sitting, legs crossed, suddenly devoid of any palpable malice.

"I suppose I could have wasted time asking your tiger friend to bring me to the mercenaries, but pain is a much better motivator." he offered no more than an indifferent bump of his shoulders. "What's done is done. Let's focus on the now."

His excited expression faced the pale ones of the mercenaries. Amused by their trepid trepid silence, he began, "I've been wanting to meet you Ike, of the Greil mercenaries." His formality in addressing Ike was far from sincere but instead obviously condescending as a slight leer played at the corner of his mouth.

Ike didn't want to be goaded, but he felt himself being pulled by the sly simper directed at him. He begged the Goddess to give him patience to safely navigate his men out of this mess, "We've met before." he offered and received a slight hum of acknowledgement. "At the docks in Begnion, we fought a group of mercenaries. You were standing on the roof of a villager's house."

"That's right." he snapped his fingers excitedly, "I'm surprised you remember that." nodding cheerily he added, "It's always nice to know I made a good first impression."

"It wasn't good." Ike qualified.

Without missing a beat, the young man chuckled, "Good; bad, it's really all semantics."

"I'm sure the men we killed from your company after you left the battle don't share your same flippant opinion." Ike recalled that he never saw the mercenary leader after their brief conversation. He wasn't part of the battle at any point, and had, presumably, fled.

"Couldn't be helped." he carelessly added, "I had...more important matters to attend to that day."

Ike hated the smug grin on the man's face. His irises danced playfully, like he had a secret he was desperate to share. The commander clung to his self-control, fixing his face to be as impassive as possible. He could tell any flicker of agitated emotions would lend to the man's pleasure and prolong whatever game was being played.

"Was it more important than fighting with your men?"

Biting his lip, he barely concealed his bemused grin, "You're awfully curious aren't you commander Ike? I think you should know my name before we get too personal." The conversation slowed, Ike not wanting to give into these childish whims. But there was clear danger behind the laughter in the man's eyes. "What's your name?" he yielded.

"Thorne." he chirped back happily and then with a slight glint he raised his hand and showed the back of his hand. Ike felt his heart slam against his chest as it rapidly began to drum. Etched delicately into his skin was the haunting and familiar outline of a flower. "Leader of the Hemlock mercenaries.