Fire Emblem SW

The first thing Lana did was collapse on a nearby couch. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to rest and try to calm down. She was hyperventilating, her own heart beating intensely, her entire body shaking from the stress and nerves. Though now she could have a moment of respite. She stayed there for what seemed a minute or two, until…

“Here.”

She slowly opened her eyes to see a steaming cup of tea in front of her, held by the old man.

“Th-Thank you, sir,” she said before reaching and taking the cup.

“It’s alright, lass,” the old man gave a kind smile, “anything to help.”

The old man then proceeded to walk to a window facing the street, currently covered up by curtains, as the girl took a sip from the cup. She began to feel better as she felt the warmth of the drink spread across her body, soothing her. Placing down the cup on a small table that was right next to the couch, she then glanced over to the old man. She saw he was looking out into the street, peeking over the curtain. He was frowning.

“Soldiers are now prowling the street, dispersing the townspeople,” he said without turning back.

“I see…” the cleric glanced down at the cup in her hands.

The old man kept watching for a few seconds, before drawing back the curtain. He shook his head before turning back to face Lana.

“They came from both sides,” he told her, “it might only be a matter of time before they start searching the houses, looking for you.”

Lana quickly stood back up.

“Then I must leave,” she said, “I can’t allow you to get in trouble for harboring me.”

The old man shook his head.

“I doubt that’s an option. They must already be in the back alley as well, trying to prevent anyone from leaving the area. No, you must remain here.”

“But I can’t stay here!” Lana protested, fretting once more. “They’re bound to find me all the same. Then I’ll be taken and you might be…”

She stopped herself, not daring to say it out loud. The old man, however, remained nonplussed, before adopting a serious posture.

“I am ready to face the consequences,” he said, “even if I must pay with my own life. I already made peace with that, having lived a long life. But you, you’re still young. Still have your life ahead of you. And…”

He narrowed his gaze.

“You’re with the rebels, aren’t you? Regardless if that’s the reason they are after you.”

“Y-Yes, I am,” Lana nodded.

“Then that’s all the more reason. The day will come when Prince Shannan reclaims his rightful throne, and we are free once again. So until then, you must live. I’ll help you hide; in a way they wouldn’t even think of even if they were to search this place.”

Despite his words, Lana was still hesitant.

Can he really hide me from the imperial soldiers? She wondered.

“Please, you must trust me,” the old man urged.

The young cleric, after a few seconds, finally closed her eyes and nodded.

“Very well, I’ll trust that you can keep me safe.”

“That’s the spirit,” the old man smiled, before adopting a serious expression once more. “Now come. We must hurry, before the soldiers barge their way inside. I doubt they’ll be courteous enough to knock.”

The man made way to a doorway leading out of the living room into a small hallway. Lana followed right behind. The old man opened the first door to their left and they both headed inside. It looked like a small study room, with some bookshelves, a desk, some drawers, and even a cabinet.

“So, um, how exactly am I going to hide?” Lana asked.

“We’ll be using a bit of magic for that,” the old man replied, as he walked towards...