Chapter 3
About an hour passed since the incident with Sain. Matthew took part in a conference with Hector and his friends concerning the issue of trusting Jaffar. Nonetheless, the affair was daunting an emotional, but in the end, nothing was resolved, and all parties involved remained very skeptical towards their new supposed ally. In any case, the nimble thief slipped out to enjoy lunch as he thought over the matter for himself.
The fact that Jaffar killed Leila still weighed heavily on his mind, yet something made him hesitate from taking his revenge.
"Is this… what Leila would want?" Matthew thought to himself. "I admit, he seems different now than the heartless murder from before, but… ugh, we agreed to leave him alone for the moment. I'm still restless over the whole thing, though."
After finishing up some beef jerky, Matthew decided to head towards the tent of Raven, an ill-tempered red-haired mercenary. For some reason, Lucius vacated his own tent to attend his own matters, so the resourceful thief had to rely on using the monk's closest acquaintance to inquire about his whereabouts.
In merely a few moments, Matthew comes across the young mercenary himself, who happened to be practicing his swordplay at the moment. Matthew approached Raven very carefully while gauging his distance until he reached a point he was certain to be heard.
"Hello, Good Mercenary! May I have a minute?" Matthew cried.
Raven made one last battle cry while he swung his sword mightily, and then planted it on the floor. He faced Matthew with typical disdain in his eyes.
"Yes, what is you want, thief?" Raven said back in an irritable tone.
"I just wanted to know where your good friend Lucius is. I wanted to discuss something important with him." Matthew explained.
"Really?" Raven said gruffly.
The moody Mercenary paused. He turned his head away with a dubious stare into space. He then faced Matthew once more.
"Fine. He happens to be conversing with the pink-haired priestess for the moment. Wherever she stayed for the night, I'm sure he should be there with her." Raven answered.
"I see. Thank you for your business, and I'm sorry for interrupting your training." Matthew said before taking off in a nimble manner.
"Oh, this is just perfect! It looks like good old reliable Lucius is making the next move for me! This setup might actually work this time, considering how well the two somehow getting along. I don't really understand how in the blazes he could stand her for so long. He must really be a saint to be able to put up with the "Dark Servant" and "Burning Blood" back there." Matthew thought to himself in mirth.
For a moment, Raven kept his eyes focused on Matthew. After the thief disappeared from view, the hardened mercenary simply went back to his training.
"He shouldn't be a big problem." Raven uttered to himself.
Meanwhile, by Serra's tent, both she and Lucius were in the middle of a discussion, just as Raven had said.
"Honestly, you really don't have to flatter me. If I'm really being a bother, then you don't have to stay around like this." Serra said in an unexpectedly sympathetic tone.
"No, I mean it! I suppose you can come off as rather harsh, but I know you always mean well! You've even become an accomplished healer in your own right, so it's only more proof of your kind heart!" Lucius insisted.
"I… thank you, Lucuis…" Serra said as she was taken aback.
A long, uneasy pause held between the two blushing faces. Finally, the pink priestess inched closer while playing your fingers.
"You're far too kind to me, yet… I know I won't receive this same tenderness forever…" Serra sighed.
"What? Whatever do you mean?" Lucius asked with a confused look on his increasingly reddening face.
"I mean… I know you happen to really like Raven." Serra pointed out frankly.
"Um... well, yes. Of course. Lord Ray-Raven and I happen to be very close friends for quite awhile." Lucius replied.
"Oh, quit teasing. You know what I mean… you "really" like him…" Serra rephrased anxiously.
"Of course I really like him! As I said before--- wait minute. You don't mean THAT, do you?" Lucius cried in a shocked and disgusted voice.
"Oh, honestly Lucius! I'm not going to persecute your for loving another man, even as fellow clergyperson! I mean, I'm actually quite touched! To see someone as graceful and beautiful such as yourself with one as rough as Raven is a lovely romance, even if the both of you happen to be men. Actually, I really seem to enjoy that concept a lot in the back of my mind, but I can't really explain why." Serra explained.
"Um… Sister Serra, I suspect there is a misunderstanding here…" Lucius replied with a quiver in his voice.
"Huh?"
"I don't… "Love" Raven… in that way." Lucuius clarified. "Wherever did you get that idea?"
"Actually, I once overheard a discussion between the two of you. Something about becoming his lover, going off with him and becoming his wife or something of that sort?" Serra admitted.
"Oh, I see. No! I was just saying that perhaps Lord Raven could try and find himself a proper spouse so he could always have a caring spouse to return to once Raven and I complete our travels! I mean, as much as I respect him, I think a fitting woman could help cool down Raven and his constant foul mood. I… I must admit, that's the most obscure misunderstanding I've ever dealt with." Lucius explained.
"Really? Wow…. Now I feel silly! But, yes, I suppose you're right. Raven could really loosen up every once in a while and get a good woman to ease his tension, right?" Serra said with a wink while elbowing Lucius with a chuckle.
"What? What are you insinuating now?" Lucius asked.
A grinning Serra was all too happy as she whispered her explanation too him, which in turn caused Lucius' face to turn redder than Eliwood's hair.
"N-no! N-not that… I… I meant…" Lucius stumbled while he was trying to get out his words. "I meant that that Raven should finally settle down with a loving wife to take care of him. I fear the worst that his wanderlust will result in a meaningless death unless he finds a special someone to live for."
"Hmmm… yes, I suppose that makes sense. A loving wife could sway him from the constant danger of a mercenary life." Serra replied.
"Ah, anyway…. While we're on the subject of love… I, actually have something personal to speak to you about." Lucius said anxiously.
In a flash, Lucius took Serra's hands and clasped them in his own.
"Sister Serra…I---"
"I know. Your further words are not necessary." Serra interrupted with a soft smile.
"Truly? Then, will you accept?" Lucius said hopefully.
"Of course… I would be honored to become Raven's wife and devote the rest of my life to him." Serra finished happily.
Lucius looked rather dumbstruck.
"Wh-what?" the poor monk replied with a breaking voice.
"That's what you wanted to say, isn't it? To be completely honest, I was relieved to learn that you weren't lovey-dovey with your boy pal, Raven! After hanging around with that ungrateful Mage Erk for the longest time, I realized that nothing was really going on between us, especially when Priscilla came into picture! But I suppose that was for the better, because I was beginning to get bored of his rather dull lack of direction in life for awhile. I thought I had made a mistake by pursuing the broody ones and enjoyed myself with my temporary vassal for a bit until Raven came along! I mean… not only is he both handsome and broody, but I can tell there's something that truly drives him in life! And you have absolutely know idea how much that fierce attitude of his entices me!" Serra blurted aloud.
"Um… Sister Serra?" Lucius whimpered.
"Oh, don't worry about a thing, Lucius! I'm not going to stand between you two and disrupt such a beautiful friendship! I happen to cherish you as a dear friend!" Serra replied.
At that moment, Lucius was left utterly speechless as he was lost in his murky thoughts.
"Sister Serra… I meant to confess MY feelings for you, but…"
Serra giggled once more before facing Lucius with a gentle expression.
"Thank you for giving me your blessing…" Serra said softly before giving him a small peck on the cheek. She then picked herself off and dashed off towards Raven's location.
A few seconds later, Lucius collapsed on the spot. He wasn't sure whether to be extremely happy for that one bit of affection and his friend Raven, or to hate himself for not saying anything.
Hidden somewhere in close range, Matthew nearly collapsed himself from the surprise statement.
"R-R-Raven?!" Matthew exclaimed. "How in the world did it end up coming to this?"
For awhile, the perplexed thief was frozen by confusion…
…until a menacing smile slowly formed on his face.
"No, wait. This might actually be perfect." He smirked.
Again, the cunning thief slipped seamlessly into the shadows.
More time passed, and Serra finally caught to Raven and met him inside of his tent.
The voices of both parties involved rang loud and clear from inside.
"Oh, come now. You don't have to be so shy about it. I'm being sincere here! I can make you happy if you wish." Serra's voice said with a giggle.
"WHAT? No, I will not accept your little "Service"!" Raven's voice crudely replied.
"Silly! I'm not offering a little service! Here, let me show you." Serra softly said.
At that point, the sounds of a minor struggle were heard.
"Hey, what are you---"
"See? Now is it really all that bad? A great, warm hug is good enough to brighten anyone's day! Now, don't be stubborn and let me cheer you up!" Serra's voice insisted in a perky tone.
"Ah! Get off me, woman!" Raven shouted.
Then, sounds of a more violent struggle rang out.
"AAAH!!! Raven, why do you have to be so stubborn? W-w-w-w-w-wait a minute. Raven, what are you doing with that sword?"
"Deceptive Wench! You're trying to seduce me just so you could kill me with my guard down, weren't you?" Raven's voice shouted. "I don't know if or how House Ostia discovered my plot, but if they sent a spy like you to dispose of me… I will not forgive this!"
"Raven! N-no, wait! I don't understanding what's going on, but I'm really a priestess in service of St. Elimine! Honestly! I just wanted to show you I can be a good wife to you and--- KIYAAAH!!!!" Serra's voice cried.
"CEASE YOUR BLASPHEMOUS LIES, WRETCHED SPY!" Raven's voice shouted.
A moment later, Serra ran out crying and screaming with Raven in hot pursuit.
"I WILL HAVE MY VENGEANCE!!!" Raven proclaimed in fury.
Somewhere in the background, Matthew watched on in sick satisfaction of Serra's recent blunder.
"Well, at least that takes care of one vendetta on the list." Matthew smirked.
END