Ok, so technically speaking, Wil and Dart were about seventeen in FE7, which would technically speaking, make them about twelve when this story takes place. But since that's just stupid, I've decided to make full use of my poetic licence and make them about sixteen. Don't like it? Well then go find another Dart/Wil back-story fanfic. Oh wait, I forgot, there are none. And for those not in the know, Dan is Dart.

Chapter 1: Two Runaways and a Dream

They struck out by moonlight, with nothing more than their small packs and high dreams. They were both no more than sixteen, but they had left their old life behind, and swore never to return until they had made something of their lives.

They came from a small town, where nothing ever happened. They would listen wide-eyed to tales of adventure, of knights and damsels from passing travellers. But they never saw anything of that sort in their sleepy town. So it was that they decided to set out on an adventure of their own. If excitement wouldn't come to them, then they would just have to go out and find it.

They were an odd pair to look at. The one on the right was small and wiry, with short, dark red hair. Over his shoulder hung a small hunting bow. His companion was much taller, already well on the way to becoming a man. He was barrel-chested, with big burly arms. On his back was the bag that contained their few worldly possessions and enough food to last a week.

They had been walking for some time before the smaller of the two spoke up.

"Ok Dan, I think we've covered enough ground. They'll never think to search this far."

His friend sat down on the cool grass to the side of the road.

"Of course they'll never find us Wil. The best tracker in the all of Pherae is standing right in front of me."

Wil laughed.

"Ha, don't you know it," laughed Wil, flashing a grin.

The next morning dawned far to quickly for the two runaways. But they were soon back on the road, eager to put as much distance as they could between them and their former homes. They walked in silence; both lost in their thoughts, trying to wrap their heads around what they had just done.

It was Dan that spoke first.

"Are you sure about we're doing Wil? I mean-"

"Don't start thinking like that, Dan. We did what we did, it's too late to change that."

"I know, but we left so much behind..." said Dan, his thoughts turning to his younger sister Rebecca.

"We left so much behind? That was the whole reason we left that village. Because there was nothing there!"

"So there's nothing you regret leaving behind?"

Wil hesitated momentarily. His thoughts also turned to Dan's sister. He was doing this for her sakes, he told himself. He would return one day, a man.

"Nothing," came Wil's reply. "Don't forget the plan Dan. We're going to get to Badon. From there, we hop on a ship, and sail our way to fortune."

"Ha, you're right buddy," said Dan, thoughts of his family starting to fade.

"We're going to be so rich, we're gonna have to hire people to count all that money."

"And we'll eat seven course meals everyday."

"And all of our clothes will be made of silk."

They continued down the path, each one trying to out do the other in the extravagances they would indulge in, once they were rich and famous.

That night found the two young men camping by moonlight once again. They both sat staring into the fire.

"Wil, I'm sorry about what I said earlier. You know, about giving up."

"Don't worry about it Dan. I guess I might have second thoughts if I were you. I mean, you've got a loving family, you're dad's the town magistrate, and Rebecca..." he trailed off. He snapped out of it, and continued on. "My father probably hasn't even noticed I'm gone..."

"Hey come on Wil, you know that's not true. You're parents love you just as much as mine."

Wil snorted in contempt.

"You know what? I think we should turn in. We have to get started early."

And with that, Wil laid down, his back to both Dan and the fire.

The fire had burned itself out by the next morning, as well as their argument. They continued on the path, as if nothing had happened.

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and the birds were singing. As they walked, Dan began to finger the golden chain on his neck. It was easily the most valuable thing they had between them. It was a family keepsake, and he played with it whenever he was feeling particularly homesick.

Wil eyed him warily. He didn't like the way Dan played with it out in the open. It attracted too much attention. But he kept his mouth shut; he didn't want to start fight over something silly like that.

The forest they had been walking through gave way to wide rolling plains. Badon and the open sea were still a long way off, but they couldn't help but hope to see a glimpse of water every time they crested a hill.

After some time, they did find some water, but of a different kind. They came to a wide, swift-moving river which was spanned by a broad wooden bridge. They weren't half across, when out of nowhere popped half a dozen bandits on either side. They were surrounded.

A particularly ugly man stepped forward. His hair was thin and straggly; his face, scarred and pockmarked. His left eye bulged out and there were large gaps in his broken smile.

"Look wot liddle pretties hav' gone an' wandered on to our bridge boys. They must not know 'bout our toll, hmm?"

The rest of the bandits broke out laughing, their loud cackles splitting the air.

"Hey Brago," said one of the underlings, "take a look at dat neckwiss da big'un is wearin'. It's awful pretty like."

Wil tried not to show his fear as he drew an arrow onto his bow.

"We're not giving you thieves anything," he declared loudly. This was met with even more laughing.

"You call tha' liddle thing a bow? Hahaha, I've seen wasps wiv bigger arrers than dat!"

Wil glanced down at his bow and arrow. He cursed inwardly. The bow was meant for hunting rabbits, not fighting bandits.

"Shouldn't you boys be off wiv yer muvvers?" more laughter.

Dan scowled and flexed his muscles.

"Say that again you scoundrel, and we'll see who laughs last."

"The boy don't even have a weapon, an' he finks he can take us. I dunno whether he's brave, or jus' plain stupid," said Brago, further incensing Dan.

All of a sudden there came the thunderous pounding from the direction Will and Dan had come. Everyone turned to see a lone horseman charging towards them.

"Boss, it looks like a bleedin' knight!" said another underling, sounding worried.

"Stay yer ground ye worthless mongrels. It's jus' one knight, an there's six o' us. There's nuthin' t' be worried 'bout."

The lone rider came to halt at the foot of the bridge, and Wil and Dan couldn't help but stare in open-mouthed awe. Standing in front of them was an honest to goodness knight in shining armour, riding a white horse. It was as if one of the stories they had grown up on was coming to life before their eyes.

He was a very stern looking man, with short purple hair. His armour was pale orange.

He spoke first.

"What are you rogues doing with those children?" he demanded. Dan bristled at the mention of the word 'children'.

"We wasn't doin' nuthin guvna'. We was jus' havin' a friendly chat, tha's all," said the lead bandit, Brago, with an air of mock innocence.

The knight looked over Brago before snorting in contempt. From the scabbard at his side he withdrew a large sword and pointed it at Brago.

"Remove yourselves from this bridge, lest I do it for you."

"Ha!" laughed Brago. "I always thought you knights was smart, but I s'pose you never learned to count. Y'see, there's six of us, an' only o' you."

"Please, if you wish to test your theory, by all means, I invite you to try. One mounted knight is worth ten untrained brigands," he said matter-of-factly.

"Get 'im!" yelled Brago, and the two closest bandits charged at the waiting knight.

Wil watched as the two jumped up into the air, axes raised high over their heads. He saw two quick flashes of silver, and then watched as they fell to the ground in a heap, their bodies lifeless.

The knight sheathed his word and waited.

That was more than any of the other bandits had bargained for when they had set their sights upon two defenceless boys. Their resolve quickly disappeared and they jumped into the river, swimming as fast as they could.

Brago looked around him. He was alone now, and had no intention of throwing his life away at the hands of this knight.

He scowled at the two young men, and said,

"You boys are lucky that yer knight came and saved yer hides. This ain't finished!" and with that he too jumped into the fast flowing river.

Wil and Dan were left standing in front their saviour, unsure of what to say.

The knight spoke.

"You boys are awfully young to be travelling alone. What are your names?" he asked, giving them an appraising look.

"We're not boys!" snapped Dan.

"And you're certainly not men. Now answer the question. What are your names?"

"I'm Wil and my friend there is named Dan," said Wil, taking charge. "Who're you?"

"I'm am Sir Marcus of Pherae."

"We're from Pherae too!" said Dan excitedly. Wil cursed silently beside him.

"Pherae?" said Marcus, raising his eyebrows. "That is many days from here. What business do you have so far from home?"

"We're orphans," lied Wil, hoping that Dan would catch on. "We figured we might as well try our luck in Badon."

"So, you two are seeking the mercenary life? What arms do you posses?"

Wil held up his hunting bow and gave a weak smile.

"Hmph. That toy is better suited to hunting badgers than bandits. And you," he said, turning his attention to Dan, "have you no weapon?"

Dan shook his head.

Marcus sighed.

"Come here boy, and take this axe. You seem well suited to it." He took a small axe from his side and handed it to Dan. Dan took it gratefully and gave a few swings before placing in his belt.

"So Marcus-"

"Sir Marcus"

"Sir Marcus," continued Wil, "seeing as how we seem to be heading in the same direction, perhaps... maybe we could accompany you? You know, if you're not busy..." he trailed of into silence under Marcus' grim stare.

"What my business is, is of no great import to you. I have already dawdled far to long babysitting you two. If you have no more questions, I will be off."

They both stood there at a loss for words. They moved to the side to make way for Marcus and his horse. The knight turned back one more time.

"One more thing boy," he said looking once again at Dan, "a word of advice. Badon is a dangerous place. You would do well to hide that chain of yours. It attracts thieves like moth to a flame." And with that he was gone, galloping away into the horizon.

Dan hastily stuffed the gold chain into his pocket and smiled sheepishly.

"You know what Wil? I don't think we ever thanked him for saving us."