Lucius could hear Raymond's shouting even from inside his quarters. "Imbeciles!" he was yelling. "You idiotic, stupid, smoke-for-brains imbeciles! It's a miracle you can hold your breakfast plate, let alone this castle! Were I with the enemy, I swear I'd be able to take down half of you before I was even scratched myself!"

Lucius let out a sigh. He had been fast asleep, and hoping to get more, but Raymond's shouts ensured that wasn't about to happen. He began to rise and dress himself, pulling his white monk's robes over his pale form. He went over to the basin to wash up; as he approached, he saw his own face reflected in the water, and shut his eyes. His condition had been worsening of late, as if he wasn't frail enough already. Sister Tabitha had done what she could, but whatever ailed him was beyond her ability to detect and control. As his bishop had told him years before, he had a sickness of the soul, and no idea how to cure it. All he could do was try to heal the pains and afflictions of others.

As he was trying to do now, as he moved through the halls of Castle Caelin as quickly as his legs would allow. The fresh air washed over him as he exited the castle, warming his sickly soul even as the morning sun warmed his skin. These past few weeks in Caelin had done him good, and though he was still beset by his disease, seeing his friends again gave him the strength to fight it off.

And yet still my condition worsens. He couldn't help but wonder about that.

He finally emerged into the castle's courtyard, where Raymond was still yelling, purple-faced, at a group of Caelin swordsmen wearing expressions ranging from fear, to sadness, to outright hate. "Do you even know how to use a sword? When you're attacked from that angle, you block like this, fool! You-!"

"Raven?" Lucius said, his voice calm, but still firm enough to carry across the courtyard.

The young man spun around to face him, his eyes red with unbridled rage. "What?"

"It's fairly late in the day," Lucius stated calmly. "Perhaps it's best we break for lunch."

Raymond glared at him for a moment, fuming, then looked up at the sun. "You're right," he growled. "It is getting later." He waved his sword at the Caelin soldiers. "You lot, get out of my sight."

They shuffled off, not a few grumbling to each other and casting hateful glances back at Raymond. The young heir to House Cornwell glared back at his friend. "And where have you been all morning?" he spat. "Dozing?"

Lucius lowered his eyes. "I've been ill, my lord. You know that. I was resting."

"Resting. Pah." Raymond glared around at the castle. "That's all you ever do—and that's all I ever do, at that. Lucius, when will you convince that fossil that it's time to let us go?"

Lucius's eyes narrowed, but only slightly. "My lord, it was the healers of Caelin that saved your life."

"A vulnerary would do the same, had you the foresight to bring one! Or, if you'd just learn how to use a bloody staff…"

"Nevertheless, it was they, not I, who saved you," Lucius continued, his tone unchanging. "You are the one who agreed to assist in the training of House Caelin's troops to repay the Marquess for his generosity."

"I'd sooner be out of here and done with that sorry lot than accept any more generosity from that old goat."

"Lord Raymond…"

"How many times have I told you never to call me that?" Raymond spat. "It's Raven now. It will be Raven forever now."

Lucius shut his eyes. "You did agree to the Marquess's terms."

"Had I a choice, I would have told the old fool where exactly he could stick those terms," Raymond growled. "At least I can take heart in knowing we'll be out of here soon."

"And where will we go next?" Lucius asked plainly.

"Does it matter?"

Yes.

"No," the monk replied. "I suppose not."

"Of course not." Raymond began to storm off toward the castle. "Well, if we're stuck here, I may as well eat something. Come if you wish."

Lucius turned, watching his lord disappear into the passages of Castle Caelin. Raymond was always like that. "Come if you wish. Do so if you wish. Stay with me if you wish." And yet Lucius knew—and suspected Raymond knew too—that there was almost no way he would ever say "no" to his master, not after everything he'd been through.

Almost no way.

He entered the castle, and promptly turned in the opposite direction from the one Raymond had taken. He worked his way through the halls—the few days they had spent there were enough that he no longer got lost as easily—and soon emerged out the front gate, walking towards town.

The nearest settlement was east from the castle, across a well-sized river just above where it forked into two. The sounds of rushing water faded into the distance as he approached the town's gates, and soon was replaced by the noises of bustling people. The market was at its busiest, and people thronged about the young monk as he made his way to nowhere in particular, the level of noise reaching a point where he'd normally have a throbbing headache. And yet, he felt better than ever. For some reason, being with all these people, all this humanity, made him feel so much healthier than when he traveled with Raymond. He supposed he'd have to stay here for a while. Especially since he hadn't eaten yet, and his stomach was beginning to protest that fact after the long walk.

Still, he was distracted from his hunger by the sheer number of things available at the market. Some of it boggled the mind. Trinkets claimed to have been found in the Nabata desert, tapestries woven by the continent's finest artists, bones of creatures great and mysterious (although Lucius knew that the vast majority of them were likely fakes)—and that was just for starters. In fact, he found himself eyeing some of the jewelry on display at various stands. While he had little money with him, some of it wasn't terribly expensive, and he supposed it might make a nice gift…

His train of thought was forcibly derailed when he saw a familiar face in the crowd. "Florina?" he called. "Dame Florina?"

The lavender-haired girl turned at the sound of her name, smiling warmly when she saw the monk. "Lucius!" She started weaving her way through the crowd towards him. "What brings you here?"

He shrugged. "In all honesty, my own two legs."

She stifled a laugh. "Oh, really?"

"I suppose I just needed to get away from… away from the castle for a while," he sighed. "I thought I'd come into town, see what they have to offer."

Florina nodded, looking around. "It's really something, isn't it?"

He gazed at her for a moment. "Dame Florina, are you all right?"

She looked up at him, surprised. "All right? Why, of course! W-why wouldn't I be?"

"I seem to recall you being quite shy before, and…" he gestured at the massive crown thronging around them.

"Oh," she said, laughing slightly. "No, I… I'm all right. I'm not really that shy, I…" she paused. "…ok, maybe I am really that shy…"

He let out a small laugh.

"But it's all right," she said. "Mostly I'm only uncomfortable around… well, around men."

He blinked. "Men."

"Yes," she replied.

He lowered his eyes. "Ah, yes… now I remember."

She looked up at him. "Oh, but Lucius, I-"

"Fish!" a man bellowed suddenly, waving a rather smelly filet at the pair. "I've got fresh fish, straight from the port o' Badon! Fresh, delicious, cheap fish, just fer you two!"

Florina jumped back suddenly at the man's booming voice. "Er… I d-don't think…"

"Actually," Lucius interrupted, "I haven't eaten yet today. Dame Florina, how about you?"

"What? I…" She looked up at him, confused. "Er… n-no, I haven't had lunch yet…"

"I'll take some," Lucius said to the man, holding out a few gold coins. The vendor happily took the money, rewarding Lucius with one of the fresher filets he had available. "Thank you very much, ladies!" he called as the pair walked away.

Lucius winced at the words, but he tried not to let his annoyance show. He was a monk; monks didn't get angry.

"I apologize for that, Dame Florina," he said as they moved through the market some more. "But I thought the best way to get him to leave us alone was to pay him off. Besides, I am quite hungry."

"N-no, it's all right, Lucius," she replied. She was regaining control of her voice after the fish vendor had frightened it out of her. "I'm hungry too. Oh—but we have no way to cook it here!"

Lucius smiled. "Perhaps we do." He set the filet down on a counter, and then held his hands together, eyes shut in concentration. "You should take a step back," he warned.

Florina complied, watching the filet closely. Soon, a soft but very white glow appeared around the filet, growing more focused over time, until it was a flare almost too bright to look at. It lasted for only a second, though, and when it faded away, the filet was steaming hot and smelled delicious.

Lucius picked it up off the counter and handed it to Florina. "I've been experimenting with using low-power light magic for other applications," he said. "I like to believe the gifts of St. Elimine can be used for something other than killing." Florina took a tentative sniff of the fish as Lucius procured some plates and utensils from another vendor. "Shall we?" he asked.

They sat down at a table on the edge of the market and began to eat. "That's very clever of you, Lucius," Florina commented. "And this fish is delicious!"

"It's… adequate," Lucius agreed. "In my travels with Ray—Raven, I've had better, but I suppose that's to be expected, given that it's come all the way from Badon."

Florina finished her half of the filet as she looked up at him. "So, you and Raven," she started slowly. "You've traveled together a long time, have you?"

He nodded. "He and I have been together since… well, since our childhoods. I was friends to he and his sister for as long as I can remember."

"What happened to him?"

He blinked. "I… beg your pardon?"

"What happened to Raven? To make him… to make him the way he is?"

"The way he is…?"

Florina lowered his eyes. "I admit, I haven't seen him much, but he… he doesn't seem very nice. I see him yelling at the swordsmen he's supposed to be helping to train, I see him glaring at people as they pass him in the halls, I see…" she looked up at him, her eyes filling with a strange sadness. "I see him shouting at you, Lucius. Why does he do such things, if you're his friend?"

Lucius lowered his eyes. The truth—about House Cornwell, and Raven's vendetta against House Ostia—was too complicated, and Raymond had demanded it be kept secret. Besides, Lucius wasn't sure that was all there was to it, anyway. "Nothing happened to make him that way," he said at last. "He just… is."

Florina reached toward his hand, hesitating. "I'm sorry, Lucius… I-I didn't mean to…"

He shook his head. "Anyway, I haven't gotten a chance to ask you what you're doing here yet."

"Oh!" she said, sitting up hurriedly. "Haven't you heard? Lyn—er, Lady Lyndis—no, uh… Lyn's birthday is coming up in less than a week!"

Lucius sat up as well, surprised. "Really? No, I hadn't heard."

"Ah, well… she's trying not to make a fuss of it. It hasn't been long since she was reunited with her grandfather, and she's been so busy helping him run Caelin… but try as she might, she can't make us forget about it! She can stop her evil uncle from taking over her birthright, but she can't stop her birthday!"

Lucius laughed aloud. "No, I suppose not. So, you're here to…?"

"Buy her a present, yes," Florina said. "I've brought some gold—not too much, but enough to get something she'll like. At least, I hope she'll like it."

"Dame Florina, you know her better than nearly anyone else," Lucius said, smiling warmly. "I'm sure she'll love what you get her."

Florina returned his smile with a bashful one of her own. "Thank you, Lucius… but she won't like it much if I never pick it out." She sat up. "Would you like to come with me?"

"Er…" Lucius looked back to the west, toward the castle. "I don't know… I should probably be getting back, and I'm not exactly good at picking out gifts…"

"Oh, please? I'm sure Raven will be all right without you for a little while."

He hesitated a moment before nodding slowly. "Yes… I guess he will."

She smiled warmly at him as they turned back toward the market, soon enveloping themselves in the throng once again. Florina flitted from vendor to vendor, fawning over the goods they had displayed, and practically dragging Lucius about the market. While he wasn't exactly a connoisseur of jewelry, he had to admit, some of the things there were quite appealing. Fine works of brass and silver, with the rare showing of gold, lined the stalls, their prices ranging from mere beggar's change to something only the wealthiest of lords could hope to buy. Lucius was contemplating the wisdom of having such expensive items on display in such a public place when one in particular caught his eye.

As Florina gazed intently at each piece of jewelry on the vendor's stand, Lucius was drawn to a single pendant at the far end of the display. The pendant was formed of two finely sculpted wings, as those of an angel, both curled inward as if to protect something. And, in fact, there was something behind them; when he held it at the correct angle, Lucius could just make out the glint of a small gemstone, possibly amethyst. As he held it, he realized that the way the wings were curled inward gave the pendant the same outline as the traditional heart symbol, something he hadn't noticed before. Even to his untrained eye, it was obviously a fine piece of craftsmanship—not the most ostentatious or even beautiful piece of jewelry there, but subtly impressive in its form and detail, and, in his case, oddly appropriate.

"Interested?"

He looked up to find the vendor, a not entirely unattractive woman in her early thirties, smiling at him.

He looked down at the pendant, hesitating. "Er… how much is it?"

She told him.

His eyes widened. "That… is a lot."

"That it is," she agreed, "but it's worth it, I'd wager. Absolutely beautiful."

He furrowed his brow. "I don't think it's all that-"

"I wasn't talking about the pendant, dear."

Before Lucius could ask what she meant, Florina appeared by his side, peering over his shoulder. She frowned. "I don't know, Lucius," she said. "That doesn't seem like the sort of thing Lady Lyndis would like."

"Oh?" he said, a little dazed at her sudden appearance. "Er… no, I suppose not… well…" he cleared his throat. "We'll see."

Florina gave him an odd look, then shrugged. "Well, if you say so…" She returned to the other end of the display, searching for her own gift.

The vendor winked at Lucius. "Like I said," she whispered, "Absolutely beautiful."

Lucius blushed furiously. He looked down at the pendant, considering his options. Florina was right; Lyn wouldn't appreciate that sort of gift much at all. He wasn't even sure she'd be into jewelry to begin with. As a child of the plains, her interests were much more concrete and much less superficial. Besides, all the money he was carrying with him would just barely cover the cost, and he wasn't about to ask for more from Raven. There was absolutely no reason to get the pendant.

"I'll take it," he said firmly.

She smiled as he handed over his gold. "You're a wise lad," she said.

He raised his eyebrows at her. "You can tell I'm male?"

"Of course!" she said, laughing aloud. "Who wouldn't be able to?"

He blushed again. "Half the population of the continent, for starters," he mumbled.

She stopped laughing, but smiled nonetheless. "Well, I wouldn't worry too much were I you, boy," she said. "Anyone who gets to know you well enough to matter will be able to tell, anyway."

He lowered his eyes. "Maybe."

She placed the box in his hands, and he turned away to spot Florina moving towards another stall. He quickly ran to catch up. "Find anything?" he asked, panting slightly from the exertion.

"No," she said, frustrated. "Actually, I'm beginning to think that jewelry won't do at all. Lyn was never into that sort of thing when she lived on the plains, and I doubt that would change just because she moved to the castle."

"Indeed," he replied, slipping the box beneath his robes.

"Hmm… perhaps…" she suddenly darted off toward another stall, leaving Lucius dashing to catch up once again.

"Well," Florina sighed as they approached the castle, "I suppose I can always go back and try again another time."

Lucius nodded. "Indeed. That place was so large, so busy, I'd be amazed if anyone could search it all in one day. And you can try the other nearby towns as well."

"That's true," Florina sighed. "I just wish I had found something today. There's not that much time left until Lyn's birthday, and…"

Lucius patted her on the shoulder. "I wouldn't worry too much were I you," he said. "As I told you before, you know Lyn better than anyone. You'll find something that's perfect for her."

She looked back at him, smiling warmly. "Thank you, Lucius. I-"

"Lucius!"

Both the monk and the pegasus knight jumped at the sound of Raymond's voice. The red-haired mercenary was marching towards them, his face betraying a mood slightly angrier than usual.

"Raven?" Lucius asked. "What is-"

"Where have you been all day? I've been looking all over for you!"

Lucius blinked. "I… I wasn't feeling well, so I decided I'd go into town, and see…" he trailed off as Raven continued to glare at him.

The mercenary let out a sigh, shaking his head. "All right, I suppose there's nothing wrong with that. But you let me know next time you decide to vanish like that, hear? I don't need to be worrying myself about you all day when I have more important things to deal with."

"Of course, Raven." Lucius's tone was even, but he was fighting to keep his voice from trembling—although he couldn't tell whether it was fear, or rage.

I'm a monk, he reminded himself. Monks don't get angry.

Only then did Raymond notice the young pegasus knight at Lucius's side. "Who's this?" he asked, his gaze fixing on her suspiciously.

"Her name is-"

Raven cut him off with a glare. "Can she not speak for herself?" He looked back at Florina, expectantly.

"M-my n-name is F-Florina," she said, trembling visibly under his gaze. "I-I'm one of L-Lady Lyndis's r-retainers…"

"I see," he said. "And you were accompanying Lucius today?"

"Y-yes…"

He paused. "Well," he said. "I suppose I should thank you for keeping an eye on this fool." He turned his back on the two. "They've just announced that dinner will be served soon. I'd suggest getting a move on if you don't want to be late."

He started off, and was soon out of sight. Lucius turned to Florina. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

She closed her eyes. "He sh-shouldn't be talking to you l-like that," she said, trying to bring her stammering under control.

"Nor you," he sighed. "But Raven is… intense."

"I know," she said, looking up at him. "But Lucius, you're not. You're… you're gentle, and kind." She looked back to where Raven had been standing. "…and you shouldn't be with someone like that."

He furrowed his brow. "Dame Florina, I-"

"I'm sorry," she said, turning away from him suddenly. "I know I shouldn't judge him; he's your friend, and anyone you like can't be all bad." She walked away, then suddenly looked back. "Lucius?"

"Yes?" he said, too startled to say anything else.

"It's just 'Florina.' You don't have to call me Dame."

Before he could say anything else, she was gone, trying to hide the tears she was wiping away.