"Thanks for your assistance, Greil," Chrom's deep but strong voice says. He stands proudly next to his daughter.

"Those brigands acted strangely, Chrom. Be on the guard and we will be right around the corner. Remember that," Papa says, smiling and giving Chrom a brotherly hug.

Lucina seizes my hand and pulls me to the side. Ike follows. Her blue eyes holds apprehension as she looks at me. Mine are the same, spilling misperception as well as apprehension.

"Something feels wrong, Star. What happened?"

My eyes fill with dread once I start to think about it, "Myst was taken, Lucina. Ralf too,"

Lucina's eyes widen, "What? How—?"

"I don't know. A voice—" I pause and bizarre emotions fill me to the edge. Ike pulls himself closer to me, "A voice spoke to me out in the battlefield, Lucina,"

Lucina's eyes widen again and her mouth falls open, "What?"

"You did not tell me that, Hun!" Ike blurts softly. You could hear the worry intensify in their voices, "Who? Where? I will end them!"

Ike's right hand had wrapped around my stomach and I reach my right hand up to hold it, "It said, 'One actor does not belong on this stage,' and then it went silent. It must have been referring to me? But what does it mean?"

Lucina looks up into Ike's gaze for a moment before looking back into mine, the steeliness in them vanishes and is replaced with determination, "We will fight this together, Star. I will inform father,"

She reaches in for an embrace, then she pulls away, "Stay safe," She calls over her shoulder and turns to follow her father back to the castle with their Cavaliers.

"You too," I call back and then look up into Ike's gaze which is already on mine. They are soft and apprehensive, but still somehow sturdy and filled with strength. Mine are threatening defeat, but Ike's gaze holds them afloat.

The sun is setting and the sky is dimming with deep blues and purples.

"Come, we go home to rest now. Good work today," Greil announces, leading the way back. Myst stays next to her father and Ralf stays on Oscar's horse behind him. Ike and I fall into step next to Boyd and Oscar with Papa and Titania up front.

While looking into Ike's gaze just then, they tell me to not worry about that anymore and that I am safe now. So that flood of worry vanishes and I replace it with comfort that everyone is safe.

"Thank you for saving me, Star," Ralf says to me, with his wet eyes looking up into mine. He has a small smile on his lips. Oscar is riding in front of me on my left with Ralf beside me up on his horse.

"Good work, Star!" Boyd says from my right side. He has a smile when I look at him.

"Yes, you did well! Already becoming one of us!" Oscar exclaims, turning to look at me with his grin.

"You were remarkable, Hun. You have already proven your strength with that blade. With no magic this time," Ike smiles and kisses the top of my head.

I smile, "Thank you,"

Once we arrive back to the hideout, we each retire to our rooms for the night.

"Just a minute, Hun. I'm going to tell Myst and Ralf goodnight," Ike nods and gives me a warm smile before I turn and leave the room.

I enter Myst's room and she jumps a bit when she sees me. A bit of sadness spills through her warm brown eyes. "Star, it's just you, sorry,"

I shake my head, "Don't be," She smiles while wiping her wet eyes, "Thank you, Star,"

"Are you alright? I came to tell you goodnight," I smile warmly at her as I embrace her.

"Yes, thanks to you! Goodnight, sweet dreams!" Myst calls after me as I turn to leave the room.

Once I enter the brothers' room, Ralf is already asleep, with his wet eyes closed. Boyd and Oscar smile at me as I cross the room to Ralf's bed. I smile down at him and gently move his hair strands from his face and whisper, "Goodnight Ralf. Sweet dreams to you too,"

I wave to his brothers and then slip away back into my room with Ike. He is waiting for me as I lay down beside him. He kisses me goodnight and wraps his arm around me before sleep takes its hold onto me.

~~~

I wake to the movement of Ike waking and getting up from bed. I roll over and he looks at me with his deep blue eyes before leaving, "I will be out in a minute, Hun,"

He nods as I cover my face with my hands and rub my eyes. When I remove my hands, he is gone. I slowly sit up and move my feet over the side and slide off. I quickly pull on my armor over my training outfit and leave the room. I wander down the hallway into the main room. Myst greets me with a hug and a smile.

"Morning, Star!"

"Morning!"

She bounces away, humming something and leaves the room. I turn around and leave through the main doorway. I find Papa and Titania speaking to two young men. I stand in the doorway and rest my hand on the side of the door frame with my other arm resting over my stomach, holding it.

Oh, who are these boys?

They are both wearing hooded cloaks. The older one has sea green eyes shadowed under his dark red hood and cloak. His chest plate and shoulder plates are red. He's a mage, he is holding a large red tome.

Advanced fire magic. The design on the cover looks to be the fire tome 'Bolganone', rank B fire magic.

The younger one has dark purple eyes under his black hood and cloak. He's wearing a black chest plate and shoulder plates. He's a Swordmaster, a seasoned myrmidon who is skilled with the sword with high speed and skill. He is holding the hilt of a silver sword on his side, a rank B sword.

These boys must be skilled. But what are they doing around these parts alone? They look so young. Papa must be recruiting them. I am sure they will join us for practice this morning, to see what they are capable of.

"Are you Greil, the leader here?" The older boy asks. His voice is young but strong. He glances my way and for a second he looks as though he's glaring at me before he turns away. The younger one glances at me too and I think I see something emerge before he quickly averts his gaze away from mine.

Hmm, strange boys.

"Yes,"

"We are looking to join your company,"

"We?" Titania ponders.

"Yes, my brother and I," He motions to the other boy next to him.

"Ah, I see you know magic and your brother knows the blade. Join us for practice and show me your strength. Prepare yourself boys. What may we call you?" Papa asks.

"Donnie," The older one says quickly, never moving his gaze from Papa's. The younger one glances towards me again before answering, "Ronnie," His voice is young and soft. Papa nods and turns to find my gaze.

"Ah, Star. Good morning! We have new recruits here, Donnie and Ronnie. Please see them to the practice field out back,"

I quickly nod, "Yes sir,"

Papa motions for them to follow me as Titania begins to place her hands on their shoulders and follow them. Donnie pays her no mind while Ronnie backs away mumbling, "I can handle myself," He waves her away from him and walks past me quickly, not even looking up at me. Titania removes her hand and softly says, "Oh, sorry,"

Donnie approaches me, following Ronnie inside, "Humph," He says quietly as he glances at me before brushing past me. I glance up at Papa and Titania and they both shrug.

"Strange boys," I say softly and turn to follow them inside. Once I enter the room, they are both on different sides of the room not looking at anyone. Ike approaches me when he sees me.

His face says 'who are they?'

"These are the new recruits, Donnie," I motion towards the one with the red cloak, "And Ronnie," I motion towards the other wearing black, "I am showing them to the practice field. Papa wishes to see their strength,"

Ike nods and attempts to approach Ronnie, who is closer to him. Ronnie notices Ike is approaching him and he quickly averts his eyes like he doesn't know what to do.

"Hello, Ronnie, is it?" Ike asks, gently.

Ronnie nods shyly, not looking at Ike at all.

"Is that your brother over there?"

Ronnie simply nods again, leaving his gaze on the floor in front of him. He only glances up at Ike once and again it looks like something appears in his eyes for a second before he averts his eyes.

Ike turns to catch my gaze for a moment before turning to approach Donnie. Once Ike gets close enough, he looks up with his disappointed look in his eyes and mumbles, "What do you want?" Before crossing his arms and looking down again.

"Just to say hello, like a nice person would,"

"You would do that, now wouldn't you?" Donnie mumbles again, "Humph," He brushes past Ike, turns to me and asks, "Now where's this field you were supposed to show me?" Ronnie looks up and slightly walks closer to his brother, waiting.

"Oh, right this way," I say, approaching the back doorway. Donnie pushes forward in front of me and leaves through the doorway first. I stop and look at Ike. We exchange glances and he follows me outside, followed by Ronnie, who is keeping his distance.

"These boys are something else, aren't they," Ike whispers to me.

"To each their own. I dunno, Hun, we shall see," I whisper back.

Papa enters the field soon after, bringing Oscar and Boyd. Boyd notices the two boys and smirks. Oscar looks over at them, grinning.

"Oh, we have new victims this morning!" Boyd exclaims, grabbing his wooden axe.

"No, Boyd, they are not your toys to drag into your shenanigans!" Oscar picks up his wooden lance and stands next to Donnie.

"Humph, victims huh. Show me how tough you are then," Donnie picks up a wooden sword and drops his silver one he had concealed underneath his cloak.

Oh, he can use swords too? Another mage who has a sword? And a silver one at that.

Oscar turns to me and asks, "Another mage who can wield swords?"

I shrug, "Not many of us do!"

Honestly, I thought I was the only one...

Donnie huffs again and readies his sword. "Who wants to face me first, hmm?"

Oscar steps forwards and faces Donnie.

While they are about to start, I approach Ronnie and he notices I am close to him so he crosses his arms while keeping his gaze down.

"What were you doing around here all alone? You look quite young. How old are you?"

Donnie looks over at me, "Why do you care about us, Star?"

Ronnie acts like he ignores what his brother just said and shrugs, "14, and Donnie is 19," That was all Ronnie says to me before turning away, "We can handle ourselves," he adds softly.

Before I can respond, Donnie huffs again, like he is pleased with Ronnie's answers.

"Yeah, without your help," Donnie chimes in before turning to face Oscar. Donnie brings up the blade in the defensive stance I use.

How does he know that stance? Does he know Chrom or Lucina?

"Oh, well excuse me for asking," I say quietly before turning to leave.

What does Donnie mean by that? Didn't we just meet?

When I turn, Oscar and Donnie has started their sparring match. Donnie leaps forward and spins his blade around, attempting to hit Oscar in his side. Oscar blocks the move and swings his lance in a wide arc close to Donnie's chest.

His moves seem similar to me somehow. Why is that? Who are these boys? They have not shown us their faces and do not look like they plan to.

As swift as Oscar is and with his advantages, he misses some of his maneuvers and Donnie manages to stay close enough to hit his chest plate. He finishes the match so quickly, I did not see every move he had made.

He is quite skilled with a blade being a mage that uses fire magic. I wonder how well he fights with that tome he carries all the time.

Oscar looks impressed, "End!" Papa calls from behind me. "Quite impressive moves you have there, Donnie. Much high potential,"

Before anything else happens, Donnie drops the wooden sword where he picked it up from, picks back up his silver blade and turns away from us beginning to leave the field.

"Where are you going?" Titania calls from next to Papa.

"Ronnie will tell you," Donnie says quickly, while disappearing through the trees lining the field.

With his brother's withdrawal, Ronnie anxiously picks up a wooden blade in his left hand and waits on the sidelines.

When he notices Ike is about to say something, he says, "He's going to the cliff," Then he warily wanders in front of Oscar, readying the wooden blade. He silently places his silver blade down out of the way. He pulls the wooden blade up close to his face the way Ike did when he sparred against me before, but his left shoulder is out front, not his right one.

Oh, he's left-handed... like me. Interesting.

"Alright, ready and go!" Boyd calls from the sidelines.

Oscar points his lance forward and leaps forward towards Ronnie. He lifts his blade swiftly and blocks Oscar's side sweep. Every swift movement Oscar chuckles at him, Ronnie responds and blocks. When Ronnie sees an opening right after Oscar tosses a wide arc with the lance, he leaps forward and attempts his own maneuver. When Oscar blocks it, he tries once more but this time on the opposite side.

At this point, Oscar and Ronnie look evenly matched. Every swing is blocked easily and neither look like they are having any trouble attacking or defending. This still is impressive regarding how skilled Oscar is with his lance and Ronnie is defending against a lance with a sword.

After about three more swings from both sides, Oscar lands a shot against Ronnie's left shoulder plate. Ronnie jumps back while looking down and dropping his blade to his side.

"End!" Papa calls once more, "Very good, impressive for a young boy such as yourself, Ronnie,"

Ronnie's moves also seem similar to me, like I know the techniques somehow.

Ronnie nods quickly and drops the wooden blade next to the other his brother had used. Instead of leaving like his brother, he silently stands off to the side away from everyone and watches us. He blends himself in with the shadows with his black hood and cloak. The only thing I see most of the time are his purple eyes.

Just like me.

~~~

Later in the evening, after everyone has finished sparring for the day, I stay behind to clean up the field. A little bit after I start, I hear faint mumbling coming past the tree line in the direction Donnie went earlier. After I finish cleaning, I decide to wander that way. I only walk a little bit before I begin hearing Donnie and Ronnie's hushed voices speaking to each other.

I usually dislike eavesdropping, but these boys are strange. I wonder what it would be like to get them to speak to me. I guess I should keep trying.

I am about to step out and speak to them when I hear Ronnie speak up first, "Thinking of her again?"

Then Donnie's voice... "Yes, all the time, you know that! It was hard losing her..."

"I know... I miss her. I have a hard time sleeping at night because I think of them,"

A small silence... Then Ronnie speaks up again... "I think of them a lot, bro..." Ronnie's voice begins to quiver and the sounds of silent sobbing emerge from his throat as he speaks, "I hope things will be different now. I won't be able to handle losing them again..."

"You've got me... You will always have me... I'm not going anywhere..." Donnie's voice starts to slightly quiver as well, "I'm glad we found them again. Maybe we can change something for the better... even if we did not have them before... we will have them now..."

After Donnie says that, only silent sobbing follows for a while, so I decide not to bother them and head back to camp.

I wonder who they were talking about.

Once I make it back to camp, I silently enter the hideout and find Ike who has been looking for me, "You alright, Hun? I could not find you anywhere,"

I nod, deciding not to say anything, "Yeah, went out and checked some things around camp,"

"Oh, okay. Come, it is time to retire,"

I nod and gaze into his deep and soft eyes for a moment before following him back to our room with his hand around mine.

Penny for your thoughts? :0

Now the title of the book should make sense now.