Holy crap. It has been too long since I've managed to write anything, let alone one of my stories on here. I am so sorry its taken me so long to get to this out. My only excuse is real life got in the way.

This is going to be just about the only story not going through a rewrite, so hopefully these chapters will get cranked out faster. I have so many ideas for this story that sometimes its overwhelming. I'll also admit that I was planing on skipping the next several chapters of the game and go straight to where we meet Ninian and Nils, but I realized that that would be akward, so I'm slowly getting these chapters worked around.

I'll let you guys get to it. I hope you all enjoy, and I shall try my hardest to get another chapter out reletively soon.

Silverdash

Chapter 2: Sword of Spirits

After a restful night at the inn, the quartet visited the market again to increase their supplies. Also, since time was now of the essence, Lyn and Emrys acquired mounts, much to Emrys' distress.

"Emrys?" Lyn called, seeing Emrys' grimace as they left the city. "Is something wrong?"

At her enquiry, Kent and Sain halted their horses and turned to the tactician. Along with the grimace, Emrys was whiter than undyed linen and he was visibly trembling. "I hate riding," he was muttering under his breath.

"What, is that all?" Sain asked. "What's wrong with riding?"

Emrys muttered under his breath; all they caught was "...bucked off..."

Upon hearing that, Sain let out a hearty guffaw while Kent let out a quiet chuckle. Even Lyn smiled.

"It's not funny," Emrys snapped. "I landed face first in a pile of rocks. I was in a coma for three weeks. The healers said that there was a good chance that I might not wake up at all."

Instantly, the laughter stopped, and all three instantly went shamefaced. "Emrys, I'm sorry," Lyn said. "If this really bothers you, we can make the journey on foot." Kent and Sain looked uncomfortable at the notion, but after the apparent insult, they held their tongues.

Emrys contemplated the offer, but shook his head. "This is an urgent journey, and I can understand that. I can put aside my discomfort for a while." He gave a shaky smile. "Just don't expect me to be all sunshine and roses."

Relieved, Kent and Sain took point while Lyn moved back to help her friend as best as she was able to.

FE FE FE

About an hour into the journey, something caught Lyn's eye and she halted. Startled, her companions turned to her.

"I'm sorry," she began, "but there is a small detour I wish to make. There is a shrine south of here that many travelers go to pray for a safe journey. I wish to stop there."

At this point, Emrys was all too happy to take a break, and he agreed instantly. Kent and Sain agreed as well.

"So what's the deal with this shrine?" Emrys asked in an attempt to keep his mind off the horse.

"There is a sacred sword kept on the altar," she said. "Legend says that it was wielded by Hanon, the founder of this country himself. It is tradition to pray to the sword for safe passage before a long journey."

"How quaint," Sain commented.

Kent nodded. "Many in Elibe follow the teachings of St. Emiline. It is refreshing to find some ancient customs still observed."

They traveled in comfortable silence for a while, each alone in his thoughts. However, a shadow began to grow in Emrys's mind that had nothing to do with his phobia, and the closer they got to the shrine, the worse it got.

Before long, the shrine came into sight. When they were about half a mile away, a figure emerged from it and raced toward them. As it got closer, they could see that the figure was a woman, robed as a cleric. She seemed frantic about something, so they picked up their pace until they reached her.

"Excuse me, milady," she gasped. "Are you going to the alter?"

"We are," Lyn said.

"Please," the cleric begged. "You must hurry and help the priest. A band of ruffians took it over. They're trying to steal the sacred sword."

"No..." Lyn gasped. "Not the Mani Katti!"

Emrys was already scanning the shrine. "Yes, there's a good number. The leader's name is Glass. His attempt on the sword was foiled by strange magicks..." He looked at Lyn. "We can do this, but we'll need more information."

Kent and Sain looked to Lyn, who nodded. "That's good enough for me."

Emrys nodded. "Then I'm going to need you to head to those homes down south and talk to the residents. Whatever you can find about the area would be helpful." The three nodded and raced away to the houses. Emrys turned to the cleric. "Please, tell me exactly what happened."

The cleric nodded and began to speak.

*flashback*

The old priest was leading a prayer when a bunch of men stormed into the shrine. Even as his congregation screamed and fled, the priest backed up against the altar. The leader of the invaders stepped around two of his followers and walked up to the altar, sword drawn. He pointed it at the priest. "Old man, stay where you are and hold your tongue."

The priest didn't flinch. "Threaten me all you will, but I'll not give up the Mani Katti. It is a sacred blade, under divine protection. It cannot be removed from its place of rest."

Glass snorted. "You're a fool, old man. What good's a sword if you don't use it?"

"Use it?" gasped the priest. "In combat? Sacrilege!"

"Sacrilege?" laughed the man. "I am Glass! The gods fear my name! My swordplay is peerless! And if I want this sword, then this sort I will have! Now, get out of the way!"

He shoved the priest out of the way and stood before the altar. The sheathed Mani Katti rested on a magnificent wooden stand.

"This is it!" Glass whispered reverently as he lifted up the sacred sword. "It's more magnificent than I imagined. This sword was made for a swordsman of my skill..."

He grasped the leather wrapped hilt and gently tugged...but it didn't budge. "What is this?" Glass exclaimed, pulling harder. "Why won't it draw?"

"The spirits of the blade have judged you," wheezed the priest as he got to his feet. "You have been found wanting. They have rejected you."

Glass growled and loosened his regular sword in its sheath. "Listen, you senile old fool. If you value your life, get out of my sight!" As the thug advanced, the priest fled to the back of the shrine. Turning back to the altar, Glass glared at the Mani Katti. "Miserable spirits! I care nothing for you! I'll tear this place down stone by stone!"

Over in the corner, and unnoticed cleric gulped and slipped out quietly.

*End Flashback*

"And that's what happened, milord," finished the cleric.

"Thank you, sister," Emrys said gratefully as his three companions came back. He turned to them. "What did you find?" he asked.

Sain went first. "There are some steep hills on the path to the shrine that hinders travel. Horses cannot traverse these hills. They consider it part of the journey."

Kent went next. "I found out more about the Mani Katti. Legend says that it is waiting to find its new wielder."

Lyn finished with, "The person I spoke with said that the shrine is in a state of disrepair. He suggested finding a run-down wall and chopping through it."

Emrys nodded. "I hate to say it, but that may be our only option if we don't want to weaken ourselves." He turned to the cleric. "Thank you, sister. Take refuge, we'll send for you once we've rescued your leader."

She bowed deeply. "Thank you, milord." With that, she fled.

Emrys lead the group onto the ground, trying to avoid being spotted. 'At least until we starts breaking the wall down,' he explained telepathically. Just as they found a good place to start hacking, someone shouted an alarm.

'And here we go,' Emrys said calmly. 'There's four bandits crossing the hills. Kent, Sain, take care of them while Lyn and I break through this wall.'

'Of course,' Kent replied, climbing onto his horse and drawing his sword. Sain did the same, and they moved several yards away as two of Glass's bandits appeared over the nearest hill.

'Good thing we brought the firewood hatches,' Lyn commented as they brought the small axes from there saddlebags and started working on the wall. 'I'd rather blunt these than our swords.'

'Agreed,' Emrys replied. 'Times like these make me wish I was a telekinetic rather than a telepath.'

He felt Lyn's confusion, but before she could ask, the wall crumpled, leaving enough room for one person to walk through at a time. 'Let's go while the Lycians have the guards distracted.'

The two stole into the shrine, easily finding Glass. He was still before the altar, struggling with the sheathed Mani Katti and cursing. Emrys also noted two more bandits with axes by the door.

'I can handle the guards,' he said. 'You handle Glass. Just be careful. He really is a good fighter.'

'You be careful yourself,' Lyn replied. 'Fighting two opponents with one weapon is never easy, no matter how skilled a swordsman is.'

They charged across the shrine, swords drawn. Glass cursed again and grabbed his regular weapon as Lyn appeared in a blur and attacked. His guards were similarly caught off-guard as Emrys stalked towards them, his billowing cloak made him appear to glide.

Emrys easily handled the two guards, attacking one while distracting the other by throwing his cloak into his face. Two or three quick sword strokes and then change targets to make sure both opponents stayed off kilter. Within a minute, one fell. The other didn't last 15 seconds, and all Emrys had to show for it was a long but shallow cut on his leg and a small tear in his cloak.

The Lycians came in through the new entryway while Emrys was watching Lyn fight Glass. To the untrained eye, the two were moving too fast to be seen clearly. It was obvious that while Glass was stronger, Lyn was faster, and that speed would decide the victor.

"Are you well?" Kent asked, writing up to Emrys.

"I'll be fine," Emrys replied, pulling a vulnerary and a clean cloth from a satchel.

"Then we shall aid Lady Lyndis," Sain declared, sword held high and looking ready to charge off.

"Wait!" Emrys's cry stopped both knights short. "She doesn't want help."

"What?" Sain cried. "Is she mad?"

"She wants to fight him on her own," Emrys said, tying the cloth around his cuts. "Look at it this way. This man is trying to steal a part of her heritage, and she intends to teach him a lesson. Would you want to? Besides, he's defeated."

Shouts of triumph came from Lyn, and with a swift slice, she removed his head.

"Lady Lyndis!" Kent said as he rode up to her. "My Lady, are you alright?"

She waved him anyway. "I am fine, Kent, nothing a vulnerary or two won't heal." She turned to the priest. "Father, are you alright?"

The old man smiled. "I am fine thanks to you." He gazed at her. "Are you one of the Lorca tribe?"

Lyn bowed. "I am Lyn, the chieftain's daughter."

He bowed to her in return. "You have my gratitude."

"And the sword?" Lyn asked, straightening. "Is it safe?"

He went to Glass and pulled the Mani Katti from his grip. Inspecting it, he smiled. "It's is safe." He held out the sword. "If you wish, you may lay your hands upon the sword as you pray for a safe journey."

Lynn looked delighted. She placed her hands on the protected blade and bowed her head, but before anything else could happen, a bright flash of light emanated from the sword, blinding everyone. "What was that?" Emrys demanded, blinking rapidly.

"I never thought that I would see this day," murmured the priest quietly, gazing at the Mani Katti. "I believe that the Mani Katti has chosen it new wielder."

"What?" Lyn asked, startled.

The priest nearly offered the store. "The Mani Katti has chosen to be wielded by you. Who am I to defy the wishes of such a blade? It senses that your intentions are pure, and will travel with you as long as they remain so."

"But..." Lyn said in a very small voice. "Why me? Out of all of the Sacaen warriors out there, why did the Mani Katti choose me?"

"I cannot say," answered the priest. "The spirits in the sword saw something in your soul that they like, something that other warriors lack."

Lyn shook her head stubbornly. "If you do not believe me," said the priest, turning the sword so that the hilt was facing Lyn. "Pull the sword from its sheath. You know the legends. No one in recent memory has been able to do so."

Lyn hesitated, then glanced at her companions. Sain and Kent were watching her carefully. Emrys smiled at her. 'Its okay, Lynn,' he said telepathically. 'No matter what happens, I'll be right beside you.'

Slowly, Lyn reached out and grasped the hilt. Slowly, she pulled. Just as slowly, the blade slipped from its sheath.

"It is as I said," said the priest with a broad grin. "The Mani Katti has chosen you. May the god's blessings be upon you all." With that, he bowed and began to oversee the cleanup of the shrine and check upon his followers.

FE FE FE

That night, Lyn was still frowning thoughtfully as she sat around the campfire. She didn't even notice the concerned glances companions were sending her direction.

"What is bothering you, my Lady?" Kent finally asked.

Lyn exhaled sharply, nostrils flaring. "I just don't understand why the Mani Katti chose me. I just feel so unworthy to even carry it, let alone use it."

"I wouldn't worry about it, milady," replied Sain flippantly. "It's just one more edge to use against Lundregon's attacks, isn't it?"

Both Kent and Emrys glared at him, but Lyn didn't reply. Sain continued. "Look at it this way, some weapons feel better in your hand then others, correct? So why can't weapons feel more comfortable being wielded by some people than others?"

'I hate to admit it, but he's got a point there,' Emrys said to her telepathically. Out loud, he said, "Look at all of the old legends of weapons choosing the most unlikely people. I remember a story about a sword choosing a poor pauper boy over a prince. Enchanted weapons are weird like that."

"I suppose you're right," Lyn said. "But I intend to make myself worthy of such a noble blade. As soon as I reunite with my grandfather, I intend to return to Sacae and continue my original quest. I will protect my people."

"And that right there is probably why the Mani Katti chose you," declared Emrys.

"Cosigned," agreed the Lycians.

Lyn smiled at them. "Now, with that said, we should get some sleep. I'll take first watch. I still want to think some more."

Agreeing, the men spread out their bedrolls. Before he drifted off, Emrys contacted Lyn. 'You sure you're ok?"

'I'll be fine, Emrys."

'Just checking. Wake me for second watch. I'd take third, but I know I won't be able to sleep on that damned animal.'

Lyn laughed quietly. 'Will do. Goodnight, Emrys.'

'Goodnight, Princess Lyn.'

And, even as Lyn howled protests, Emrys withdrew, chuckling quietly.