I'll be trying to update every week, but don't expect me to be on time... Damn school. I am also prone to writers blocks.
I take inspiration from Robin Hobb's books (Mainly the "Farseer" Trilogy). If you get the chance, go read them. Go read them now
IMPORTANT!: This fic is rated PG 13 for a reason! There will be swearing, bloodshed and sexual undertones. (Sorry, no shonen-ai or yaoi. Don't like it myself.)
Disclaimer- Yadda, yadda, yadda. I do not own Fire Emblem. Wish I did, but no such luck...
The Saga of the Discarded
A Fire Emblem fanfic by Kiri-Ryu
Chapter One: New Arrivals
Lucius
It was a bright night, so bright that you could go outside and read a book. It's almost sad. You expect things like that to happen on overcast, rainy nights where the wind howled and branches scraped on the windows. But no, it was the clearest night I had ever seen and the moon sat full in the sky.
It had been ten years since the incident with the Black Fang and Nergal, and I had settled down in south Araphen. With the money I had earned from traveling with Eliwood and Lyndis, I had managed to build a small orphanage. It wasn't much, with only 5 bedrooms, a small classroom, an even smaller kitchen and my office/sleeping quarters, but it was home. I remember that, at that time, I had only 4 children, but that was fine. I had vowed to St Emiline that any who appeared at my doors would not be rejected, and all who lived here would be taught well. I did not want anyone else to have the miserable childhood that I had.
But, I loose track of myself. The day had been like any other, and the children had helped me plant a few seeds so we could have freshly grown vegetables. But throughout the day, I had a vague feeling of dread, as if something terrible was going to happen. I had eventually shaken it off by nightfall. Thus, I found myself sitting once again at my small desk, with a clutter of papers spread around me. I had often tried to sort them out, but found it hopeless. So they lay scattered, and I looked out of my small window, marveling at the bright night.
A figure moved in the distance, heading slowly towards my orphanage. I narrowed my eyes, and tried to make out who it was. He stumbled, and two smaller figures moved towards him. I watched as the man pulled himself up, then started heading towards my orphanage once again. I left my desk and headed quietly towards the door, trying not to disturb the sleeping children. I opened the door, and found myself facing the Angel of Death.
During my days in Eliwood's army, I had often seen Jaffar moving around, or listening to someone else talking to him. I... Did not feel comfortable near him, as any sane man would. But when I gazed upon him that night, I felt nothing but pity for the man.
His left arm had hung limply, and I was able to clearly see a large, bloodied gash along his shoulder. One eye was swollen shut, and a thin trickle of blood flowed down his face. His clothes were rugged, torn and bloodstained. Overall, he did not look like the imposing Angel of Death I remembered 10 years ago.
'Jaffar?' I asked him, worry evident in my voice. 'What has happened?'
'Take care of them.' He told me in his frighteningly emotionless voice. With that, he pushed two small children towards me. From a brief glance, I estimated them to be about four years of age. Jaffar turned from me, then ran off to wherever he came from.
'Wait!' I called out toward him. 'You're seriously hurt! At least let me tend your wounds!'
'... Nino needs me.' He replied so softly that I almost didn't hear him. Then, he disappeared into the night, leaving me with the two children. I looked down at them, and found two pairs of aqua coloured eyes staring back at me, confusion radiating out of them.
'Come,' I told them softly, taking their hands. 'Let's get you inside.'
I had escorted them to my office, then I gave them a look over. They were obviously identical twins, and also obviously Nino's children. Their eyes, the same deep aqua of as their mother's, were full of innocence and confusion. Their hair was cropped to just below their ears, and it was also the same shade of green as their mother's. I found myself disconcerted with them and their sudden appearance in my Orphanage.
'Where has daddy gone?' One of them asked me, eyes wide.
'...He's left for a while.' I told him after a moments silence. 'So I'm going to take care of you. I am Father Lucius.' I tried to smile at them, but found myself unable to.
'Father Lucius?' The other of the twins spoke up. 'Why are you called Father? Is it because you have kids?'
Ah, the innocent questions of an inquiring child. That brightened me up a bit. 'I am a priest of St Emiline, and "Father" is the title given to me. I have sired no children myself, but I consider all those who live here my own.'
'Oh.' The second twin responded, looking down briefly. He then let out a large, gaping yawn, blinking his eyes rapidly. I smiled at them.
'Seems like the night look a lot out of you, let's get you two a bed.'
They nodded sleepily, and I lead them off to the last of my free rooms. It was bare, with the stone walls painted a drab brown colour. But that hardly seemed to matter to the sleepy twins. They clambered into the beds then almost instantly fell asleep. I stood silently for a while, watching Nino's children sleeping soundly before I licked my fingers and put out the candle on the desk between the beds. I left the room, wondering what fate had in store for these two children, given to me for protection.
A week passed, and the twins grew accustomed to living in the orphanage. I watched as both Lugh and his brother Rei joined in with the rest of the children, but they didn't really seem to fit in. They participated in the group activities, but they did not form any close friendships with any of the other children.
At first, I found it difficult to tell the difference between the two boys, but soon I identified their little quirks that allowed me to know which was which. Lugh was more sociable than his brother, and was always smiling. He was always trying to help, and often worked alongside me in the garden. Rei, on the other hand, was reserved, and preferred to play by himself or with his brother. Both showed a spark of intelligence, and they learned their lessons well and quickly. I smiled, thinking how alike they were to their parents.
The day had grown long, and the twins and I were finishing watering the garden. The seeds had sprouted, and the children had been attending them all day.
'Keep watering them, Lugh.' I told the boy. 'I'm going inside to prepare toady's meal.'
'OK Father!' He said cheerily, calling me by the nickname that all the children used, probably because "Lucius" was to hard for them to say. I walked inside to the small kitchen we had. Like the rest of the orphanage, it wasn't large. But it suited our needs well. I put a large pot of water to heat, then began cutting up vegetables. Just as I finished the last one, I felt someone tugging at my robes. I looked down to see Rei.
'There's a man an' a boy at the garden.' He told me, his face a parody of Jaffar's emotionless glare. It almost sent a shiver down my spine. 'Lugh is talking to him an' showing him the garden.'
'Thank you for telling me Rei.' I crouched down to his height. 'Could tell the man to wait for a little bit?'
He nodded, then ran off. I quickly placed the chopped vegetables into the pot, than walked out to the garden. I moved forward to see Lugh proudly showing off the beans he planted to the man. He paid attention, giving a short, quick response to each question asked. I knew the man's voice, and recognised his ruddy brown hair, blue overcoat and the longsword hanging at his belt.
'Lord Raymond,' I greeted my old friend with a smile. 'It is good to see you again.'
He turned around and looked me in the eyes. 'Lucius.' He greeted in return.
'So then,' I poured Lord Raymond a cup of tea and placed it in front of him. He nodded his thanks. 'What brings you to this small orphanage, Lord Raymond?'
'I found something you might be interested in.' He said, indicating to the boy standing a few paces behind him. 'I found him wandering around a burned village, looking lost and confused.' Lord Raymond picked up his tea and took a sip. '... That alone would have made me bring him to you but... There is something else about him.'
I took a good look at the boy, noting all his features. His short, sandy blond hair had a rough cut to it, and he looked at me with intelligent, light brown eyes. His build was light, even for a 5 year old, and he vaguely reminded me of a particular member of Eliwood's old army.
'Lord Raymond, is he...' I left my question unfinished, knowing that Lord Raymond knew what I was asking.
'A grieving man must find comfort somewhere.' He shrugged. 'Whether it be in the bottom of a mug of ale or in a woman's bed.'
'Does he know?'
'I doubt it. I had thought to take the boy to him first, but I knew that the lad would only bring him more pain, if he were his.'
'True...' I looked at the boy, who was glancing around the room, taking in all the details. 'Boy,' I addressed him, making him turn around to face me with those hauntingly familiar eyes. 'What's your name?'
'Boy,' He shrugged. 'But pap called me Bastard.'
I winced, guessing that his home had not been a happy one. 'And what did you're mother call you?' I asked.
'Mam never really talked to me much, she just cried. Pap used to hit her lots and call her a whore.'
'Perhaps, we should give you a real name...' I spoke softly, feeling sympathy for the poor lad. I paused, considering what name to give the boy. He needed something simple.
'Chad.' Lord Raymond spoke up and turned to face the boy. 'Is that name good enough?'
'Chad...' He tested it, then smiled. 'I like it.' He declared.
'Very well then Chad.' I smiled at the boy. 'I'll be taking care of you from now on. You may call me Father. That's what everyone else does. If you go out the front, you'll see a green haired boy with a watering can. His name is Lugh, and I bet he'd like to have a new friend.'
Chad nodded, then slipped out the door. I listened to him run down the corridor.
'He'll have a good home here.' I told Lord Raymond.
'I didn't doubt it. That is why I brought him here, after all.' He took another sip from his tea. '... I see that you also are taking care of Nino's twins.'
'Yes. Jaffar brought them to me little over a week ago.' I closed my eyes and recounted the tale to Lord Raymond.
'So... I guess those Bounty hunters finally found them.' He said after a while. 'Lord Eliwood tried his best to hide them, but one can only do so much before it is seen as meddling.'
'St Emiline, have mercy on those two.' I offered a prayer for them. 'All they wanted, in the end, was to live a quiet life.'
'Sometimes, all people see is who someone was.' Lord Raymond shrugged, then finished his tea. 'I'm afraid I must be going Lucius.' He stood up from his chair. 'I have important matters to attend to.'
'Are you sure you would not like to wait until the 'morrow Lord Raymond?' I asked him, though I already knew the answer.
'Ney, Lucius. I do not like to impose on your hospitality.' He moved towards the door. 'I trust that you shall remain in good health.'
I too stood up, and I lead Lord Raymond to the gates. He waved good by, then mounted his roan horse and rode off. I turned towards the garden to see Lugh and Chad talking happily together, with Rei listening in. I smiled lightly, knowing that those three would more than likely form a close friendship that would span throughout their lives. I called out to them, telling them that dinner would be ready soon, and asking if they could gather the rest of the children. They nodded happily and ran off to look for others.
They looked so innocent, none could have guessed their horrible past. In my heart, I knew those boys were destined for great things. But, for the moment, I will watch over them, and make sure that they grow to their full potential.
Well, what do you think? Did Lucius seem in-character to you? I love comments, so don't hesitate to send them!
Chapter 2: Taking Leave (Rei's POV)
R&R please!