The Sage of Spirits: OO" Wow, this is my first non-ToS story...
Lloyd: What, taking a break from CruLloyd or something?
Ilyana: Who are you? Do you have any food?
Me: Ah yes, let me introduce myself. I am The Sage of Spirits, but please call me Sage. And this guy with me is Lloyd, from my usual section, Tales of Symphonia - he'll be here for the first bit. Anyway, as you may have guessed, this is my first Fire Emblem story, so hopefully this well go well. But before I do anything else, I must give you all a warning as to prevent any problems:

THIS STORY HAS SPOILERS FOR BOTH FIRE EMBLEM: PATH OF RADIANCE AND RADIANT DAWN. DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU LIKE SPOILERS.

Me: Okay! Well, now I should say that after reading The True Prince by (I believe) PyroManiacNeko, I got inspired to write this. So thank you for the inspiration. n.n Now that that is done, let's get on with this. n.n Ilyana, m'dear, the disclaimer please.
Ilyana: Only if you give me some food first.
Me: -sigh- Lloyd...
Lloyd: Sage does not own Fire Emblem.
Me: Please read!

True Upbringings

Prologue: Heading to the Meeting

The soldier walked down the hallway of the Daein Keep, towards the room of the prince; his black cape flowed behind him, his unique symbol as a soldier of Daein, his sword strapped to his side at all times. He was assigned as the prince's guard; he spent hours at his every side, making sure no foolish attempts on the prince's life were plotted. After several minutes of walking through the corridors of the keep he arrived at the royal's door.

Inside of the room the prince sat at his desk, reading a tome on wind magic. He wore a sage's robes, his long, black hair tied up behind him; the mark of taboo was permanently stained upon his forehead, revealing the effects of two separate races coming together as one – he was a branded. He was in the middle of an incantation when he heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" his voice called out with a tone of annoyance; being interrupted during his studies… It had better be important…

"Your Royal Guard, my prince – it is time for the meeting with your father and the Four Riders." The young man said.

The prince sighed; time was not with him today, for he had not realized this change in normal routine. "You may come in, my friend." he said, a smile appearing on his face as his friend and guard entered the premise of his room. The soldier approached the prince and knelt onto one knee, bowing before him.

"Are you ready, my prince?" he asked the royal; the black-haired young man sighed into his hands after closing his tome of wind spells on his desk, rubbing his hand longingly on the cover, wishing to study more advanced magic in further depth.

"You needn't call me that, my friend; my name alone is enough, at least when we are conversing by ourselves." The prince smiled at his soldier friend, rising off of his chair and standing upon the floor his book under his left arm.

"Understood… Soren." The guard said as he felt the tap on his shoulders, signifying that he may now stand tall. He subconsciously placed his right hand upon the hilt of his sword, always prepared for combat whenever necessary. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, my friend, let us be off." he told the guard, following him out of the room; they walked into the hallway for the throne room, where the king and Four Riders awaited them. After five minutes of walking through winding pathways, Soren and the guard spotted General Petrine, the only female apart of the group known as the Four Riders, the three males standing beside her; they were gathered in front of Ashnard, the King of Daein and young Soren's father.

Soren cringed slightly as he slowly approached the king; he knew why he was summoned. He always uses me for my mind alone and not for his company… At least I am still alive to this day thanks to my strategic plans that were of use to him… Soren thought as he walked up to his throne, far off to the right of the throne of the king. His guard fell onto one knee before him, bowing his head and closing his eyes; he awaited further instructions.

"I wish for you to remain here…" he told his blue-haired friend as he lifted his head so that he looked at the prince, a stern, intimidating expression on his face. He placed his right hand upon the hilt of his sword.

"…Ike."

Me: Well that's that. I know it's short, but I felt that it would be more interesting if I had left it there instead - chapters are normally a decent length, don't worry. n.n
Ilyana: Food please...
Me: Alright, alright, I'll take you somewhere for food.
Ilyana: Thank you...
Me: I'll try and update this as soon as possible - I really shouldn't post this just yet, seeing that I'm doing more work on this other story of mine... n.n' Well, review please!