"Woo! Good hustle!" Felix laughed as he rolled up onto his feet and brushed the dust off his clothing.

Emmerich looked at the man with a cross expression.

"Hey, gimme a break, you didn't just save me, you saved your whole farm!" Felix said with a huge grin. As he approached, the older militiaman pulled him aside.

"Felix. I know what you did." Emmerich whispered in the younger man's ear.

"Eyy eyy," Felix sighed. "Look, I made an opening," Felix whispered back. "It's no big deal." He then turned to Katherine. "Yo, Kate! I think this all deserves a little celebration... Er... Once we clear out the bodies, yea?"

Katherine smirked and shrugged, "I think I owe that more to the Commander than myself. If he hadn't came when he did, I'd probably be dead already." she turned to Emmerich and smiled, "So thank you. This whole farm would be rubble about now without you. We owe you big time. If there's anything we can do for you, you let me know, okay?"

She looked back at Felix and chuckled, "I dunno about a celebration, but I'm sure Mother and Father would be happy to help whip up a feast of sorts. And yes, we'll have to clean up and bury them....somewhere. I'm surprised to hear you offering to help. You weren't about to make an old man and a lady carry the corpses were you?" Katherine giggled.

"Well I was going to," Felix said in a sarcastic tone. "But since you called me out, I guess I kinda have to help now." He sighed as if it was so much work, but he got to it, loading the bodies onto a wagon to be taken to an undertaker. Dirty work, but it had to be done. Emmerich helped, but it was clear his arm was weak at the moment and wouldn't be good for a bit.

Still, as they cleaned up, Felix got to thinking. "Sheesh, sure is a lot more banditry going on as of the past few weeks. Thankfully we're so far out in the boonies that we don't get much of it, but..." He leaned on his sheathed sword. "I've been hearing reports of bandits and... Like, people against the throne causing trouble all over the place. It kinda makes you worry." He sighed as he sat down. Thankfully they were done with the corpse patrol, and the undertaker was on his way. "I mean, I guess I shouldn't. The king's wise and just. I'm sure he'll get us out of this mess peacefully as possible."

Felix snapped out of his somber musings when an aroma wafted past him. "Ah... Are your folks making stew?" He asked.

Katherine frowned, "Why would anyone rebel against the King? If he's as wise and just as you say I can't imagine him having many enemies.... Granted I don't know much about him, to be honest. I've only heard stories. And it does make me worry. So thanks for that." she chuckled.

She turned at smiled at him, "Oh, I'm sure there will be more than just stew, my friend. My family has many special recipes you know." she said, giving him a wink, "I even suggested they make your favorite for you."

"So... Stew then?" Felix asked with a smile as he lied back. "Man, oh man, I do miss these nights though. Times were simpler, just sitting back and enjoying things." He stared up at the stars for a moment.

"Oh yes, the days where you were a little vagrant boy stealing food from business owners and generally causing mischief?" Emmerich asked as he was wrapping his arm. "Honestly, had it not been for kind folks like Miss Katherine and her family, I would not be surprised if you wouldn't have ended up another bandit."

"Well no need to be hurtful about it." Felix sighed. "But you know what, for an orphan, I think I turned out alright. I've got a few good friends, I've got a job. Hell, life's pretty swell. Might even try and stir the pot a bit." He smiled as he plucked a bit of grass. He took the blade to his lip, then blew on it. A small whistling came from it, and he adjusted his hand to make a tune.

Katherine nodded, "Yes, although not just any stew, and among other things. How do you make a meal out of just stew though, Felix? I always need to at least have some bread or something with it."

She feigned a gasp and looked at Emmerich, "You mean he isn't one?!" she then giggled and sat down next to him.

Kathy rose an eyebrow, "....Stir the pot? What do you mean? Like a family? ...Those poor souls!" she said, jabbing him in the ribs with a finger, and smiling.

"Oh, okay, I see, it's just going to be pile on Felix day, huh? Come on, gimme a break, I helped, didn't I?" Felix asked in a jovial tone as he swatted gently at the poking hand. "I mean... Even if I did... Kinda get lost at first because I'm bad at the whole smoke signals thing..."

"Ladies and gentlemen, my protégé," Emmerich sighed as he stood up. "In any case, much as I'd like to stay around for the meal, I'd like to get back and put together a report on today's incident." He explained. "Well, I hope you kids don't get into trouble. And Miss Katherine, if he causes any issues, you have my graces as his CO to give him a good smack on the head." With that, the older man climbed atop his steed and rode off into the sunset. Like a hero.

"... Huh. How dramatic." Felix said, scratching the back of his head as he looked up to the sky once more. "Anyway, just... Thinking of trying to change up things, you know? Do something different. I guess it's safe here though, to just... Try it." He kept his eyes wide open, looking to the stars, which were just barely visible in the darkening sky. "Hm... Hey..." He pointed up. "Look at that. It's a meteor shower!" Sure enough, the starts of a meteor shower were visible in the sky.

"Every day is pile on Felix day." Katherine smiled, "And how is it that I, a Cleric, know the military smoke signals better than you do, Felix?" she chuckled.

She smiled at Emmerich, "Very well. Farewell, Commander." she waved at him as he left.

Kathy looked back down at Felix, "Like what?" she frowned at him, "What brought this on? Seems a bit out of the blue, even for you." she looked up at the stars, "So it is.... A rare sight indeed."

"Hey, maybe sometimes a guy just wants to move forward, to say something to someone that they've been afraid to, you know?" Felix asked, a bit of red in his face, thankfully masked by the warm tones let by the setting sun. "I mean... Hey, sometimes you've just gotta do it, right?" He asked, stretching. "But... Maybe not right this second. Still gotta think about stuff. And... Maybe wait till I'm in something less... Corpsey." He sighed, looking down at his uniform. "Anyway, the smoke signals are hard! I mean! I still have to go on patrols and train, so I don't have a ton of time to read up on them!" He said.

"Besides, you're the smart one, not me! Always been that way since we were kids, hasn't it?" He asked before sniffing. "Ah... Smells nice. Seems like food is ready. Man, I'm starving!" He chuckled.

Katherine rose an eyebrow at him, "Felix? Ohhh, is there a girl you like? Tell me all about her!" she shook her head, "They aren't that complicated. They're meant to be simple and quickly understood so people can prepare to fight or flee. And I can't imagine training is all that demanding. I thought you liked to fight, so that should be easy, right?" she asked, poking him in the ribs with a chuckle, "And yet here I am saving your butt."

"Not really. It was only a few years ago that I started to be able to beat you at chess. And you still do win most the time. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses." Katherine smiled, "Yes, I suppose we should go eat and then get some rest." she said, standing up and brushing off her dress.

-----

((The next morning after the attack on the castle. The King and his relatives are dead. Or are they? ))

Katherine awoke to a strange sensation on her leg, it was kind of itchy and burned a bit. Quite possible one of the strangest feelings she had ever felt. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked at her leg, lifting her night dress up to look at her thigh. It was still rather dark and she couldn't see well, but she could clearly make out a sigil. She could've sworn it looked familiar, but she had no idea how or why it got there. Was there someone in her room?

She looked around, finding no one. All was quiet. She wasn't sure what to make of it, and decided it was best not to mention it. At least until she figured out what it was. Kathy tried to go back to sleep, but had difficulty for the most part. She couldn't stop thinking about the sigil, and she didn't get anywhere with it either.

The sun finally came out and she got out of bed. She took a bath and put on some fresh robes for the day. Kathy also decided to wrap up her thigh where the sigil was. She wondered if Felix or Emmerich knew what it might be. Maybe she'd ask him once he woke up. He had decided to stay the night there, in the guest room, since he was too lazy to go back to town.

For breakfast they had leftovers from the feast. It was still just as delicious as it was last night, but Katherine was clearly bothered by something. She sat at the table, stirring a bowl of stew, her face lost in thought.

Felix blinked as he headed to the dining room with Katherine. "I... I can't really say." He admitted, uncharacteristically sheepishly. "And maybe I'm just a bit more clever than I am smart!" He said, blowing a raspberry.

~~~~~

Oddly, Felix didn't show up for the meal. Normally, whenever the young man was there, the smell of food would always bring him to the dining room in mere seconds, but for whatever reason, he didn't come out until he was called, and when he did, he looked like he had some kind of a resin stuck on his hands, and he looked tired, as if he hadn't slept the night before. "G'mornin..." He mumbled. He resisted the urge to rub his face, and his fingers looked to be glued together. He wandered over to a wash basin and stuck his hands in it several times, the material quickly dissolving in the water. He walked over to the table and took a small portion of the food, then looked to Katherine.

"Huh?" He blinked. Felix looked over to Katherine. "Something the matter?" He asked, a dreary tone to his voice.

Katherine jumped, apparently very startled, so much so she almost dropped her spoon. She looked up at Felix, "Oh! Good morning, Felix. You don't look like you slept much." She looked down at his hands, "What....what were you doing all night? You should take a nap."

She glanced at her parents, they seemed to either have their backs turned or busy with farmwork. She was unsure if she should tell them about it. "I...no, I was just thinking a lot. I guess I let my mind wander too much." Felix could probably tell she was lying. Well, sort of. Suffice to say he could probably tell she wasn't being entirely truthful. "What were you doing though?"

Felix looked off to the side. "Nothing important, don't worry about it." It was blatant that he, too, wasn't being entirely honest, but it wasn't out of spite or distrust. It was the same sort as the time he'd claimed he'd forgotten her sixteenth birthday, that he'd been hiding that he'd tried to put together a present.

And failed miserably.

But that was besides the point. "Today's my day off, anyway. I can get some rest later." He said with a yawn. "Besides, I just lost track of time working on something. That's all. Nothing to worry about... But you seem like something's worrying you." He said, leaning over the table. "Come on, it's still me, you know you can tell me anything." He whispered.

Katherine giggled and whispered back, "You're even worse at lying than I am. Seriously, what were you doing? As for me, uhm....I'll show you later after breakfast, okay? Maybe you know what it is."

She ate and then lead Felix where they'd be alone. Away from peeking eyes. "Don't tell anyone about it, okay? It feels so familiar, but I can't place what it is...." she said, hiking up her robes to her thigh, she blushed a little bit, realizing what she was doing while taking off the wrap she had on it. "It appeared last night. What do you think it is?"

"Sorry, I really can't say," Felix frowned. He seemed like he wanted to, but something was holding his tongue. Regardless, he finished the light meal and they eventually made their way to a secret spot they'd once set aside, years before. The smell of dust mixed with the familiar aroma of the cheaply carved 'furniture' hit him, flooding the young man with memories.

"So, what's this all about, anyway?" Felix asked, turning around. When Katherine started showing her leg, he looked away with a yelp. "Ah... Jeez, I..." He reddened, but eventually, when peeking through his fingertips, he saw the mark.

"Ah... Yeah, that's..." Felix crossed his arms, looking away soon as he could, trying to get his face to resume its normal color. "Well..." He grabbed his sword, not removing it from its scabbard. "Look at the pommel," he said. Sure enough, the same mark was on the pommel of his sword. "Old man Emmerich might know what this means... He gave me this blade when I became a member of the militia."

Katherine frowned, rewrapped her thigh, and lowered her dress, "Why would that randomly appear on my thigh? Maybe that's why it felt familiar? And he might, I guess. Emmerich is probably back in town by now since he has a horse. It'll take us longer to get there, since I don't think the farm has horses to spare for travel....what should we do?" she asked, clearly concerned.

Felix ran a hand through his hair, then winced. He pulled a small clump of resin that had stuck on his hair out, then shook his head. "Well..." He mumbled. "Maybe we should head to HQ and ask him." He said. "We don't need to tell Emmerich everything. Just ask him what it is. I mean... I would guess the symbol is important in the capital, since that's where the old man says he got the sword. He's probably still resting from yesterday, so I'm sure he'll be there." He affirmed, before resetting his blade. "Come on," he said. "Don't want to waste any time!" With that, he headed out of the secret space and started in the direction of the Prima Markets.

Once in town, things seemed off somehow. People didn't seem vibrant as usual, and there was an air of unease. "Hmm..." Felix mumbled. "Wasn't like this last night..." He said under his breath. When they arrived at the headquarters, they saw something peculiar. There was nobody in the front room. "Huh? Nobody home? Hey, Emmerich! You here?"

There was a moment of silence, before the old man came out from the back room. He seemed tired. "Ah, Felix... It's your day off. I suppose you're here because you heard the news..." He was covering his face, and since Katherine hadn't spoken up, he hadn't seen her.

Katherine nodded as she walked beside him, "Yeah....everyone seems confused and...sad I feel? Did something happen?" she tried smiling at the townsfolk, but they barely smiled back or waved at her. It worried her even more. She thought they were fairly fond of her.

She followed Felix inside and smiled at Emmerich, "Good morning, Commander. How's your arm feeling? And what news? What happened?" She was very worried now. It was rare to see Emmerich in such a state.

"Oh, Miss Katherine... You're here too." Emmerich sighed, uncovering his face. "I hadn't thought there a reason aside from you knowing the news to be here, but..." He sat down and picked up a hilt off the desk, holding it to help keep his arm limber. "Anyway, my arm is alright, just still a little weak... You two should sit down though." He sighed, preparing a few glasses of tea before he began to speak.

"There was an incident last night," Emmerich explained. "In the capital city... As well as through the country, an insurgent group made a sudden attack. His majesty, King Alphin, as well as his heirs, so far as we can tell, they were all wiped out."

"You're kidding!" Felix stood up, slamming his hands on the desk. "How is that even possible!?"

"... It was an organized attack. The insurgents employed a magic known to originate from Volin, to the east, which was amplified by the meteor shower last night..." Emmerich said. "It's not known how they obtained this magic, but... It's a mess, and the country is in disarray. I do not think the gravity of the situation has hit our small town, but it's likely all of Iris will be thrown into disarray by all this. So we're going to start reorganizing the militia and beginning a conscription to defend Prima. That said, Captain..."

"Wait, Old Man... You just said Captain..." Felix mumbled.

"Yes, Felix... Captain. Due to the issues, you've been pushed forward from standard infantry to a captain for the militia."

Felix slammed the desk again. "Hold on! Were you going to ask me about this!?"

"Felix..." Emmerich sighed. "The Lord required me to name 4 new captains in restructuring. You are the most capable soldier under my command. This isn't something I can have you say no to, especially after all the fighting I've had to do to even allow your promotion."

"... Ugh..." Felix slammed a fist on the desk, then turned and headed outside, to be met with a sigh from the veteran militiaman.

"I suppose that went around as well as I could have expected..." Emmerich sighed, before turning to Katherine. "I'm sorry about all this... So tell me, Miss Katherine... If you didn't hear of the news... Why were you two here?"

Katherine gasped, "That's terrible! And so sudden.... Why would Volin want the King dead? Were they really on that bad of terms?" Admittedly she didn't know much or pay attention to Volin. Mostly because she'd never heard of it.

She silently watched the two as their conversation unfolded, and she watched him walk out. "Felix..." she turned back to Emmerich, "He'll come around. He always does sooner or later..."

She shook her head, "You don't need to apologize. It's not like it's your fault. But uhm...we had a question for you. That sigil on a lot of the swords the militiamen carry....what is it?" she asked.