Since I'm replaying Sacred Stones again, I thought I'd explore Seth/Eirika chapter by chapter in drabbles. Any sort of feedback would be appreciated!

Based on: Prologue: The Fall of Renais

The shouts of his men echoed off the stones and up into the throne room as the wounded solider staggered through it. Seth was painfully aware of their situation before a word was spoken.

King Fado set a steely stance to his body as he addressed the princess. Lady Eirika hadn't quite grasped what was happening, but maybe that was for the best. She would learn war soon enough.

"Seth," his liege called, and the knight could only answer. "Take Eirika and head for Frelia."

It was in that moment that the Silver Knight knew what fate awaited his king. Seth had never before had to fight duty so strongly as he wished to stay behind to defend the man he had sworn his loyalty to. But he had pledged to take care of Eirika, and that was what he would do.

The fair princess struggled against him as he hurriedly pulled her away, the crashing of blades clanging down the hall as the fighting broke through castle walls. Lady Eirika called after her father, but there was nothing either of them could do for King Fado now. Seth's honor as a knight burned searing flames in the pit of his stomach, but he dared not let his own conflict show. Instead, he threw everything into protecting the princess.

They ducked around a warring hall where soldiers were clashing and crossed into the open air of the courtyard. Seth kept his pace brisk, forcing Lady Eirika to hurry after him so she wouldn't have time to see her countrymen fall.

Franz caught up with them as they neared the castle gates, almost free of the capital in flames. The younger knight had both of their horses in tow, passing the reins of the white stallion to his general. With the order to ride ahead, the blond saluted, swung up onto his own steed, and took to the northwest.

"Princess Eirika, we must—" he began, and then a flurry of wings swooped down from the sky. He recognized the man in front of the wyvern pack, and his body tensed for a fight. "Quickly! Behind me!" he shouted, stepping in front of the princess and pushing her toward his horse.

As she slipped into the saddle, she missed the way Valter looked at her, with a gleaming, predatory look to his eye as his tongue dragged across his lips. Seth knew then that he had to get Lady Eirika away from this man no matter the cost. He would not leave her to that monster. Simply killing her would be the least of the terrors awaiting.

He charged forward on foot in the hopes to knock the ravening man down, but the wyvern lashed out at him with a spiked tail, making Seth dodge to the side and miss his opportunity to strike. He raised his sword again and then—!

Pain sliced through his shoulder as Valter's lance stabbed him. White clouded his vision and his body ignited as he staggered back. Blood trickled down his armor and in the clouded stupor that followed, he heard Lady Eirika scream. That helped clear his head.

Valter threw his head back and laughed. "You're just a corpse who does not know he is dead."

He could not let this man have his princess. With a stubborn twist of his body, he slid off of Valter's weapon and somehow staggered to his horse, swinging up behind Lady Eirika as he spurred the steed into flight.

As they broke through the pass, he could not help constantly looking over his shoulder, even as his muscles screamed in protest, fearing Valter was in pursuit. That man would not stop until he was dead. Wounded like he was, Seth wasn't sure if he could fight off another assault. But injured or not, he would protect his charge.

Riding toward Frelia and half-dazed with pain, Seth could admit that he wanted to keep her safe, not merely as a knight, but as a man. Valter had made it clear how fragile they all were, and if he got his hands on Lady Eirika...

He was ashamed because his feelings did not reflect his proper duty, but either way, he would not fail her.

Thank you for reading!