There is one other person to worry about.
When Innes finds Eirika, he doesn't stop searching for Ephraim. His mind trails back to a year ago, when the academy had fallen and Innes thought Ephraim could have been lost in the wreckage. He shouldn't be thinking of it, yet he does.
It's only at the medical tent that Innes sees him. Ephraim looks fried, differently to Eirika, with small laced scars on his skin. Lightning had struck him - more than once - yet Ephraim still looks pleased with himself.
Innes clicks his tongue. “I ought to have known not to worry about you.”
His body is sore and he swears he still feels the aftershocks of that lightning magic running through him, but not even that can dampen Ephraim's spirits. The battles had been fierce and because of that, all the more enjoyable, a true test of his skill and how far he had come. That he didn't make it to the final battle does not deter his spirit either. Rather, he's raring to improve for next year.
"Innes!" He claps him on the shoulder. "I looked for you on the field. I would have enjoyed a rematch."
This time last year the two had been at each other's throats, or rather, his fist to his face. It had been just before this battle. And yet, when they had met on Gronder Field that day, he had forgotten all about the insult to his father and had enjoyed their battle. He would have enjoyed fighting him again, as he always had.
"Brother!" Eirika appears from behind Innes to wrap her arms around her twin. Ephraim's demeanor immediately softens as he returns her embrace. But when they part, Eirika looks up at him with exhaustion. "You look as if you've enjoyed yourself. That is no surprise."
Ephraim sighs and looks between her and Innes with mild amusement. "Ah, you two came to chastise me. I will save you the trouble. I've already seen the healers, see? I'm healthy and hale." He spreads his arms as if that proves it. "Let's watch the remainder of the battle together."
