A Paladin's Duty (Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones)

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Author's note: The storyline will follow the plot of the game right from the beginning and progress on to the later chapters in the game. Of course, to add some bits of surprise in the story, some changes/additon of plot will be done. Feel free to share your ideas and suggestions on what you might want to see/read in the future updates.

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(At the Renais Castle)

Soldier: King Fado! I am afraid I come bearing bad news. One, the castle gates has been breached by Emperor Vigarde's forces. They are now within the castle walls. Two, the garrison has fallen, we have lost all types of communications with Prince Ephraim. We cannot expect any aid from his men. What are we to do, King Fado?

King Fado: ... ... What else can we do? Order your men to lay down their arms. Eirika!

Eirika: Yes Father...

King Fado: Eirika, is the bracelet I gave you with you right now?

Eirika: Yes Father, I have it right here with me.

King Fado: Very well. You shall never lose the bracelet, keep it safe! Seth! To my side at once.

Seth: Yes, Your Majesty?

King Fado: Take Eirika and head for Frelia. King Hayden is an honorable man and a close friend of mine. I trust he will provide you safety.

Seth: Understood. And what of Your Majesty?

King Fado: Me? I shall remain here. Grado has been our dearest ally for the longest time. Yet now, they attack!? I have to get to the bottom of this. Perhaps, I am somehow responsible for this. Have I perhaps lacked quality in my leadership? Renais is mine to guide, the citizens... my ancestors... How could I fail the kingdom so? 

Eirika: No Father! You cannot stay! You must not! I shall remain here if you remain behind.

King Fado: Seth! I trust that you will take her to the safety of King Hayden... ... Seth, take this and go. You may only open up this package when you...

(Soldier interrupts the conversation)

Soldier: My Lord! We cannot hold much longer! The Grado forces are close to the courtyard now!

King Fado: Go now! Seth! Ride!

(Seth grabs Eirika)

Eirika: No! Father, no!!!

Seth: Forgive me, Your Highness... Franz, ready up! We've got no time to lose. We ride to Frelia this instant.

(Seth and Franz leave with Eirika... Meanwhile, Grado forces enter)

King Fado: Eirika, Ephraim... You two are my only glimmer of hope. You must survive.

(Back to Seth and company)

Seth: *Holy cows, King Fado, please survive. What would Renais do without you? You took me in when I was just a rebelious teenager. You saw potential in me and trained me to become the Paladin I am right now.* 

Franz: General Seth! Ahem, General Seth! Ge-ne-ral SETH!

(Seth jumps out from his deep thoughts and responds)

Seth: Yes, Franz. Ride ahead and bring word of our coming to Frelia. You are the fastest rider I have trained. You have betters odds of passing unseen by the Grado's men. Convey to King Hayden what has happened here and petition for reinforcement to Renais.

Franz: Y-y-yes Sir!

(Franz leaves the group and moves on ahead)

Seth: *Franz, please be safe. I can't afford to lose anyone else.* Princess Eirika, we must... Quickly! Hold tight, stay behind me!

(Grado's General Valter appears)

Valter: Well well well, what do we have here? You there, tell me, would that be the weak and wayward princess of Renais? Oh-ho-ho! This must be my lucky day. You're a dead man Mr-Red-Head. And that wench, she comes with me.

Seth: You bastard. Never! Over my dead body!

(Valter provokes Seth by spitting on the ground near to Seth)

Valter: Hah! I am Valter, the Moonstone, Grado's finest general! And you are just a corpse that doesn't know that he is dead! This greatsword will see to it that your head will go rolling on the floor. Gyahahaha!

(Valter swings his greatsword at Seth. Seth quickly dodged the attack but wasn't quick enough. The greatsword sliced into the side pouch holder of Seth's pants.)

(To be continued...)