Yo, Chapter 3 is up.
And I have my response to my first reviewer, Timcampy-chan, so after that it's the story. Also,!!!WARNING TIME!!! First plot screwing is in this chapter. If this makes no sense to you, go to Ch 1 and reread, or actually read, the author's note. Also, for some reason, this chapter feels kinda weak compared to my other ones. So watch out and don't be too disappointed.
Timcampy-chan: I'll make sure to watch Mark's level of power but I don't see how he's overpowered. So he's got the ability to wield all three types of magic, he's not some super-tactician god that completely negates the point of having an army in the first place. Though I've read one fanfic like that that's pretty well-written. The light thing he did in Ch 1 was simple, even easier than casting the actual spell, in my theory. No force behind it, just the special effects. The Elder magic done to Batta didn't even do damage, just sent Batta's body back to Gaia. The floating rock, eh, I'll grant that's a bit…unusual, but with the ability to merely guide wind or something to focus under the rock it'd probably work for Erk or Pent or some other mage. And the rock on fire is basic Fire spell, just smaller and focusing on only surrounding the rock instead of making a ball of fire out of nowhere. Either way, thank you for the advice, please enjoy this fanfic. (Damn this was long!)
"BLAH," Speech
'Blah' Thoughts
Chapter 3: Sword of Spirits
In Mark's opinion, things could have been worse. Granted, being under what could be constant attack from the overzealous and definitely paranoid granduncle of some nomadic girl that had saved him from dying was much worse than some things he'd dealt with, not to mention that he had to deal with a still flirting Sain of all people. On the bright side, Kent was respectable enough, and they were making excellent progress for just leaving Bulgar, just passing some nice little temple to their side.
"Oh! Mark, hold on a moment. I'd like to make a small detour to that temple," Lyn called out from behind him, riding Myriad alongside Kent and his steed.
"Why?" Mark asked, not really wanting to stop for what he knew had to be a Sacaen custom.
"There is a sacred sword enshrined in the temple's altar. It's a Sacaen custom to pray for good luck on a journey there."
'Damn time-consuming customs! And damned fear of opposing Sacaen women!' Mark cursed, before calling back, "Fine, but we can only afford a small amount of time, right Kent?"
Kent shook his head, "No, actually we've been making excellent timing, what with you two having horses. We can spend enough time for Lady Lyndis to pray in leisure."
Lyn smiled happily while Mark sighed, 'And Kent is lost to me already. So quickly he's adapted to making sure Lyn has her way.'
Sain, for his part, kept quiet and studied the way Kent and Lyn acted around each other. 'Why, Kent would never let my detours interrupt our progress! Why would he-No, it couldn't be! Stuffy old Kent? Never!'
His thoughts pretty much revolved around that during the entire trip. He didn't even notice his horse change its course to follow the others to the temple, sensing his master's obliviousness. Hm, poor Sain's horse.
As they reached the temple, they were stopped by a frantic woman racing away. Upon seeing them, she ran over and addressed Lyn, "Oh! Oh, excuse me, milady. Be you headin' to the temple?"
"Yes, yes we are," Lyn nodded, confused by the woman's panic.
The woman looked ecstatic, "Oh thank Saint Elimine! You have to help the priest there. This band of local ruffians has invaded the temple! I think they're planning to steal the sword!"
Lyn was appalled, "They plan to steal the Mani Katti!? Such sacrilege! They must be stopped!"
She turned to Mark and the two knights. "We must hurry, before they harm anyone or steal the sword."
The knights nodded, and the three readied to take off when Mark interrupted them. "Hold up! We are not charging an enemy before getting info. Kent, there's some houses down South of here, go check their inhabitants for useful info."
Kent nodded and raced off, returning a short time later with the necessary information. "A woman told me that one of the side walls of the temple was very old. We could probably break it open with our weapons."
"Alright, let's deal with anyone that gets in our way and get to that wall." Mark ordered.
Upon reaching the temple walls, they were met with good news and bad news. Good new was that it was obvious which wall was breakable. The thing looked like it would fall any second! Bad news, four of the ruffians blocked their way.
Mark sighed as the brutes immediately charged them, axes raised high in the air. Kent and Sain rode out to meet them, swords drawn, while Lyn stayed back to defend Mark in case the bandits got too close. Two of them did indeed come close and she engaged the first, leaving Mark with the remaining one.
"I don't suppose you'll just give up, huh?" Mark asked, drawing out his red book.
The ruffian's reply was to rush forward at Mark, fully intent on killing the frail man before him, helping his friends finish off those knights, and then enjoying the girl before they all returned to their leader, Glass.
Glass had a thing about raping girls, the last time he'd caught one of them trying to do that, he'd gone in a rage, slicing the fool to shreds then personally returning the girl home.
Mark sighed and mumbled something, then snapped his fingers. The brute laughed and continued on, before noticing that it seemed hotter than usual. This was his last coherent thought before the fireball enveloped him, burning his body to ashes.
Mark sighed again and turned back to the others; Kent and Sain had slain theirs already, and Lyn had just finished off her opponent. He whistled and they grouped back together again, standing now before the pathetic excuse for a wall.
"Wall?" Mark scoffed, "More like pathetic sheet of pebbles hanging over a hole in the temple! Sain, just poke it with your lance, that should be all it needs."
Sain complied, and they all watched in shock as the 'wall' crumbled silently to the floor.
"Alright, Kent and Sain, you two head to the entrance and look for any remaining foes, Lyn and I will deal with their leader."
The knights dashed off to the entrance and Lyn and Mark headed for the altar. When they got there, Mark and Lyn were met with an old man lying on the floor, the fabled Mani Katti in its scabbard on a pedestal, and a shocked man, probably in his early 20's.
"Who are you!?" the man cried out angrily, "And where are the others? They should have dealt with any intruders!"
"They're dead," Lyn spat, glaring hatefully at the man, "As will you, you blasphemous wretch!" She leapt at the man, sword drawn, only to be stopped by the man's own sword. With a grunt, the man swung hard, forcing Lyn back away from him.
"Dead, Me?! Hah! I'm Glass, my swordsmanship is peerless! The gods themselves fear my name! And I will have that sword!" The man, Glass, roared as he charged Lyn, swinging downward in an attempt to slash through her head. Lyn raised her sword to block, and then the unthinkable happened.
Lyn's sword shattered from the impact and she leapt back to the altar, a small cut on her cheek from one of the shattered pieces of her sword. She reached her hand back and, finding a handle, drew her next weapon. She charged at Glass, barely noticing his shocked look, and swung hard.
Glass barely managed to get his sword up in time, he somehow blocked Lyn's blow, but the force of impact thrust the sword out of his hands. Falling backwards, Glass found himself face-to-face with the point of the Mani Katti to his neck, and Lyn's icy glare to his eyes.
Lyn was about to finish Glass off when a hand clasped her shoulder. "Ah, nice job Lyn, but that's enough. You're not killing this one. Oh, congrats on the sword, by the way."
Lyn whirled around to glare at Mark, "And why shouldn't I kill him? He attempted to steal the Mani Katti!"
Mark sighed, "I know Lyn, I know. Look, just go help the old man out, I'll deal with Glass here."
Lyn huffed, but did as she was told, marching off to assist the fallen priest, muttering about 'blasted heathens' and 'stupid Mark'.
Mark chuckled at her, and then turned to Glass, "She's right you know, you did try and steal that sword."
Glass gaped for a few moments before finding his speech, "I-I-I'm not dead? You'll not be killing me? Why?"
"First tell me why you were so adamant about getting the Mani Katti," Mark said, sitting down beside Glass.
Glass looked away, as though embarrassed or ashamed before turning back to Mark, "I owe you my life anyway, so I might as well tell ya. Ya see, I figured, if I had a sword like the Mani Katti, no bandits would dare attack any of the people here. Even if they did, then I'd have that sword to fight them off."
Mark blinked in surprise, "That's…quite noble of you."
Glass nodded, "Thanks, milord. Now, where are we headed?"
"Milord?" Mark asked, then after thinking a bit, not to mention dispelling that sudden sense of foreboding dread, "We?"
Glass nodded again, "Aye, milord. You spared my life so now I'm indebted to ya. You're my lord and master now, and I'll follow you to Hell and back milord!"
"Now, now, there's no need for that." Mark replied nervously, "So I spared your life, you don't really owe me anything."
Glass shook his head, all seriousness now, "Milord, my honor as a man demands that I serve you till I feel that I've paid your mercy back two fold. From now on, command and I shall obey."
Mark sighed, seeing no way out without crushing Glass's honor, and agreed. "Fine, you can come along. Just don't expect Lyn to be all that happy with you."
"Eh, don't worry milord, I'll stay clear of her till she doesn't feel like killing me anymore."
Mark rose from the ground and walked over to Lyn, Glass right behind him. When he got there, the priest was telling Lyn something about how the sword had chosen her and spirits finding her worthy and whatnot.
'Drunken old man,' Mark sighed, only to find Lyn, to his shock, looking as though she believe everything the old man was saying.
When the priest had finished his long-winded explanation, Lyn turned back to Mark, dazed. "This is the Mani Katti, the most famous blade in all of Sacae, and it's chosen me as its wielder!"
"Yes, good job Lyn. Now let's get back to Kent and Sain so we can continue. Oh, and Glass will be joining us, thanks."
Lyn nodded, "Yes let's go and-Wait! What did you just say!?" She pointed accusingly towards Mark, and Glass behind him.
"I said that Glass will be joining us. We need another fighter anyway and now you'll have a non-mounted sword user to train with."
"NO! No, I refuse to allow this! He can not come with us, I won't let him. I-"
Glass stepped forward, interrupting her, "Miss I know you aren't happy with the idea of letting me come with ya, but I must."
Lyn opened her mouth to argue some more when, to her surprise, Glass got on his knees and bowed before her. "I apologize for tryin' to steal the Mani Katti. I have to come with you, I have to. Please, just give me a chance."
Feeling her resolve to hate the man bowing in front of her weakening, Lyn stormed off to the entrance, yelling back to them, "ONE chance is all you get! ONE!"
Mark chuckled again and helped Glass up. "Well, congratulations Glass. Looks like you're coming with us. You have any supplies or anything you need to get before we leave?"
Glass shook his head, "Nope, got everything I'll need with me. I'll probably need a new sword after that, though."
"Don't worry, I bought plenty of swords before we left Bulgar, so you're good there." Mark said as he and Glass, after retrieving his old sword, walked out of the temple, ignoring the old priest completely.
They were met at the entrance by Lyn, who had made it her solemn duty to ignore Glass for the time being, Kent, who cast a questioning glance at Glass, then Mark, and Sain, who was slowly building Lyn's anger by attempting to flirt with her.
"Alright, Kent, Sain, this is Glass. He is the newest member to our little group so don't kill him. Same to you Glass, no killing party members. Now, let's get a move on and continue our journey. It's a long way till Caelin, so we need to make good speed. Glass, you'll ride with…"
Mark looked around the group; Lyn was glaring venom at Glass, Kent was standing near Lyn to protect her from Sain, and Sain was trying to get past Kent to Lyn.
"…Sain."
Glass nodded but Sain immediately voiced his complaints, "Oh, but Sir Mark! Only beautiful women may join me upon my steed. Surely you meant someone else?"
"No, Sain, I meant you. Glass, keep him from trying to flirt with Lyn too much, got it?"
"Of course, milord. I'll break a limb if he tries anything." Glass announced, causing Lyn to like him a small bit more, and Sain's face to pale.
"Alright everyone," Mark commanded, "We're due to head west, for Caelin."
XXXXXXXXXSCENEXXXCHANGEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What?!" Lundgren of Caelin roared at the messenger in front of him. "Madelyn's daughter is still alive?!"
"Um, yes, Lord Lundgren," the messenger replied, unnerved by the lord's anger, "She is traveling with Kent and Sain. What are your orders, sir?"
"Bah," Lundgren scoffed, "I've heard tell that Northern Bern is infested with bandits. She's just a mere girl; she'll not survive the trip."
Lundgren frowned, taking up a thoughtful position, "I'm more concerned over my older brother. His life must be ended quickly."
He turned to glare at the messenger, "The poison…There must be no blunders."
"Yes milord, he suspects nothing and continues to drink it." The soldier answered. "The marquis's death, no doubt due to 'sudden illness', is not far off."
"Heh, heh, heh," Lundgren cackled madly, "Soon…Soon Caelin will be all mine!"
Lundgren began to laugh insanely as the prospect of ruling Caelin dangled ever closer to his grasp. The old man's laugh rang throughout the halls, causing nervous chills to form in the spines of those who heard.
"Caelin will be mine, no matter what. I shall not let some, savage beast girl from those backwater plains take this from me. No, should the girl even try to take this from me, I'll kill her myself!"
Alright, there's chapter 3. 4's whenever.
