A Tactician's Tale - [FE 7: Blazing Sword] Fire Emblem Fanfiction

❧ Chapter One:: Footsteps of Fate

      [ The apprentice Tactician, Alykis, and the young swordfighter, Lyn. A strange pair on an even stranger journey. To prepare for the long road ahead, they go to Bulgar-the commercial center of Sacae. Unbeknownst to Lyn, she will discover something that will alter her life forever. ]

      Now wasn't that a sight to see? An expanse of tall buildings was beginning to come into view over the hill the two women climbed and yet was still only surrounded by open areas of tall grass. The plains were safe enough to travel across. There wasn't anywhere to hide behind, but at least Alykis could see everything and anything that could approach she and Lyn. There must've been a stroke of luck, because there hadn't been any bandits around to bother them on their trek. Running out of water in their canteens was the biggest problem the girls had right now, but that was soon going to be fixed.

      "Alykis! Over here! This is Bulgar, the biggest city in all of Sacae. We should purchase supplies for our journey," Lyn expressed blissfully as they approached the outskirts. The dirt and gravel at their feet was soon replaced by stone pathways the closer into the city they got.

      Before either of the women could get another word in about their relief in the change of scenery, someone was quickly invading their space. Out of all of the people bustling about, what business did some young man have to come over to them? At the certain-look he had in his gaze for Lyn, Alykis' eyes narrowed protectively.

      "Oh, my heart! What a dazzling vision of loveliness!" the approaching company exclaimed. As it appeared he seemed to be alone, but he had green-clad attire that of a cavalier. What need did Bulgar have for a armored horseback rider sans horse? It only further instilled a belief Alykis had that he was showing off. At least Lyn also seemed less than impressed with the flirtatious statement the sandy-haired young man had given her. She gave him no more than a huff in response and grabbed Alykis' hand as she hurried away.

      "Wait, O' beauteous one! Would you not favour me with your name? Or better yet, your company?" he called, stepping forward and outstretching his hand. Alykis had peered over her shoulders to glare daggers at him and witnessed his pleading stance paired with a half-grin.

      Lyn noticed the hesitance in her companion's footsteps, so she stopped and turned as well. "Where are you from, sir knight, that you speak so freely to a stranger?" the teal-haired young woman inquired with an impatient tone. Alykis nodded in approval at her classy retort.

      Taking the fine woman's addressing of him as a compliment, the knight's desperate smile fell into a deepened smirk as he sauntered closer and held out his hand. No doubt if Lyn took the gesture he'd try to kiss the back of her hand. That's just the kind of person he seemed to be and Alykis didn't like it.

      "Ha! I thought you'd never ask. I am from Lycia. I hail from the Caelin canton; home to men of passion and fire!" he expressed proudly and puffed out his chest as he gave Lyn a wink. When she only blinked between his face and his hand in distaste, the Lycian slowly retracted his hand back to his side. There wasn't even a sword in the sheathe at his hip.

      "Shouldn't that be, 'home to callow oafs with loose tongues?'" Lyn huffed and seemed to make a point that she had a weapon by angling her thigh that nudged at her blade.

      Hardly even taken aback by her insult, he only leaned forward and wiggled his eyebrows within her breathing space. "Oooh... You're even lovely when you're cruel."

      Appalled by how direct he persisted on being despite the obvious dislike of his behavior, Lyn grabbed at the strategist's hand again. "Let's go, Alykis. I've nothing more to say."