Contingency of Hearts
At long last, Lyn arrives in the land of her mother's birth.
Lycia is a federation of territories, each one ruled by a powerful marquis.
Now, Lyn takes her leave of one of these territories, Araphen, and sets out
to meet her grandfather, the marquis of Caelin. However, the marquis's
brother, Lundgren, hungers to rule Caelin. He is preparing a deadly welcome
for Lyn, who stands to threaten his grasp for power.
Chapter 4: Blood of Pride
After the night of attack, the mist brought forth the morning where Lyn and her companions rushed through the border of Bern. Everyone is a tad bit exhausted because of the fiasco last night however, it seems that Leira have been hit by the exhaustion more so than the others but have ignored it and continue as if she not feel a little bit of weight on her body.
They were travelling along the mountain range of Bern towards the border that would lead them to Lycia where safe and comfort would surely await them. However, once they arrived at a small village that seat near the border between Bern and Lycia, they were once again ambushed by the Gamleon bandits set on redeeming themselves from the number of losses that they incurred. There they have met Serra, the pink-haired cleric set on a mission for Ostia, and her escort Erk, a young talented mage who prefers some solemnity over Serra's uber personality.
After winning the fight and making sure that the Gamleon bandits won't be bothering them, they continued their journey until they reach the bustling center of Araphen.
"What city is this?" Lyn asked upon entering the city walls.
"This is Araphen. After Ostia, it's the second biggest city in Lycia." Leira answered on reflex thus revealing her knowledge of the place.
"Wow! You sure do know a lot Leira!" a remark that caused for Leira's cheeks to redden. "…the second biggest, hm? It does seem awfully busy. By the way, where's Kent?" Lyn asked when she noticed that the red knight is not in sight.
"He said he was going ahead to the castle, but... Ah, here he comes now." Sain tried to explain.
"Milady Lyndis! Let us proceed to the castle. They've prepared supplies for us. The marquis has agreed to aid us on our journey to Caelin." Kent reiterate and explaining his absence at the same time.
"He's going to help us?"
"Yes. Araphen and Caelin have enjoyed a sturdy friendship for many years. Once I informed the marquis of our plight, he agreed to lend us his strength."
It seems that the road ahead for them will go smoothly especially if they could pick some more soldiers to escort them to Caelin that would surely increase their safety. But in an instant, chaos erupted in the city's square.
"This is terrible! The castle is burning!" A commoner exclaimed seeing the smokes coming off from the castle.
"A fire? A fire has broken out of the castle?" Everyone is confused much so is Leira, when she spotted a creepy looking guy approaching them. This is bad. Leira is explicably bothered with what is happening. She sense danger from the creep. Whipping back and forth, she looks for Sain and Kent who rushed to the throng of people.
"Who are you?"
"You! You're Lyndis, aren't you?" the guy pointed at Lyn as the creep continues to advance towards them.
"Ah! What do you—" the person interrupted as he poised to charge at Lyndis. Everything is happening so fast that Leira wasn't able to react fast enough when she saw an arrow blazing through the air hitting the person at the back.
"Kent! Sain!" Leira exclaimed in desperation as she called to them numerous times. "Lyn are you alright?"
"Who are—" that is the moment that Leira paid attention to the person responsible for saving Lyn from what could've been a devastating blow.
"Milady Lyndis! Leira! Are you all right?" Kent finally rushed to them followed by Sain closely.
"I'm fine. He... This man saved me." Everyone's attention went to the unknown man who saved Lyn. Leira approached forward to get a better look at him.
"Pardon me, you're from Sacae are you not? May I ask your name?" The man towering them a few feet away is still unresponsive and is about to leave them behind.
"Wait! Why did you help me?" Lyn screamed hoping to halt the man's departure. It seemed to work for he responded to her.
"Indeed I am from Sacae. I thought a Sacaean plainswoman was being attacked. I was mistaken."
"No, you were right! I am from Sacae. I'm Lyn, the daughter of the Lorca chieftain." Lyn immediately explained.
"The Lorca? I didn't know there were survivors." Lyn just nodded in response. "Then you should leave at once. The castle has caught aflame and it's spreading fast."
The urgent and knowing tone of the unnamed person didn't go unnoticed to Leira. "You're from the castle? What's happening? How severe is the fire? Is the marquis safe?" She urged inquiring further.
"The castle is under attack, and the marquis has been accosted. The man who attacked you was probably one of the marauders. As captain of the castle guard, it's my duty to rescue the marquis."
"I see... Alright then, we'll help you." Leira offered. The support of the marquis is the next best course that they have and she can't just stand and wait knowing that innocent lives are in danger.
"Why?" That is the resounding reaction that everyone seemed to have. Most loudly is that of the still unnamed person.
"These brigands are after Lyn. If they're attacking the castle, it's because of us. So we must help the best way we can..." She reasoned out.
"It sounds like you're involved somehow… Alright I accept your offer. I am Rath of the Kutolah. Our tribes may be different, but I will not abandon a woman of the Sacae." Leira is relieved but at the same time plans and strategies are already forming in her mind; thinking, analyzing the best form of attack especially in this chaos where everyone is panicked.
Rushing through the front entrance seems impossible as it is teeming with those marauders and bandits that are looking for Lyn not to mention that they have locked themselves in to prevent others from leaving. There must be some other way. An alternative route going inside the castle perhaps.
"Rath, is there any other way that we can get inside? It is foolish and suicidal to rush in through the main entrance. We need to get in there somehow."
"You're right Leira. Perhaps the secret passageway... There's an underground tunnel leading to the throne room and there are triggers in the barracks that will open the tunnel. Once inside we can also turn on the drawbridge so that my men can come in." Rath is impressed and the more he thought of it, the more it seems likely that it's their best way to break inside.
"A secret passageway.. Hmm.. How many triggers are there?"
"Three. All of it needed to be released or the entrance won't open."
"But the doors to the barracks are locked." Lyn injected to their conversation.
"So opening those doors is our first objective. Perhaps some of the marauders are carrying keys. Everyone we have to mobilize now. Rath, can you please lead the way to the right entrance of the barracks? Lyn and Wil and perhaps Sain and Serra as well, you go with him. Florina and Kent and Erk, I need you to standby outside and eliminate the remaining marauders as Florina won't be able to maneuver inside the barracks. I will find a way to get that door opened. Which door do we need to crack first, Rath?"
"The western part of the barracks, I'm positive that one of the trigger is there." Everyone can see the astonishment in Rath's eyes as he is first subjected to the strategic brilliance of Leira.
"Alright, you go ahead and position yourselves. I'll be right back with a means to open the door." Everyone moved out as Leira set off to the house north of her near the western door that needed to be open. She is not positive but perhaps she saw someone. Someone that has nimble hands.
She's a woman with purpose as she hurried through the block and on to the said house. She did not hesitate one bit on knocking. A young man possibly in his late teens or early twenties answered the door.
"Hello may I speak with you?"
"Absolutely. I am meaning to talk to you myself. I think I can help with your situation." She raised one brow astound by this person.
"Very well. My name is Leira. I think it is safe for me to assume who you are and what you can possibly do." He chuckled at her forwardness and perhaps a tad bit enamored at her no non-sense attitude.
"Indeed. I'm Matthew, a specialist in acquisitions of all kinds. Would you like to buy my services?"
"I tell you what, you render to me your services and I'll keep hush-hush about the goods that you've looted from the panic when the fire broke out. What do you say?" Sometimes a bit of manipulation is in order. She wouldn't allow to be dealt back-handed by a thief.
"Damn. You sure do have a perceptive eye on you woman."
"I am not letting up on this." She did not waver.
"Alright alright. Besides, your group looked like a lot more fun than the dead guy." With that they set off to meet the rest of the group in the western door. Lyn saw Leira approaching with a young man behind her and she calls the attention of the rest.
"Look! Leira is here and she's with someone." Pointing at the approaching pair.
"Yeah? Wait, who could be that guy?" Sain advance forward.
"Guys! Get ready. This is Matthew and he's the answer to are blocky situation." Leira introduced him to the rest.
"Holy guardian from above! You picked a thief?" Wil exclaimed.
"A thief? What are you thinking Leira?" Lyn questioned her insanity as well as her thinking.
"Relax will you all. We made a deal that he can't really say no. Anyway, we don't have time left. Be ready everyone. Matthew please open the door."
"Not a problem at all." With his nifty hands, he produced a lock pick and tinkered with the big lock. "Every lock works on almost the same mechanism. It's just a matter of figuring out the sequence of those mechanisms. Like this big brass lock, all you need is align the pins inside and… voila. You have an open door." He pushed the now opened door for everyone to see.
Though no one really wants to show, they are all kind of impressed with what Matthew did. Rath quickly checked inside to see whether there's an enemy inside.
"Alright it's cleared. The trigger is around here somewhere. It's a loose flooring where one just needed to stand on to activate it." With that everyone searched the small area step by step to find the trigger. Serra is approaching the furthest wall in the center when she heard the distinct click.
"Guys, I think I found the trigger." She shouted and true enough, they heard a shifting somewhere in the background.
"Good find Serra. So I guess we are all set now." Leira said.
"Yup. That takes care of the first one. Two more to go." Rath responded.
"So, everyone stick close to Rath and take out any enemy that you may find. I guess I'll leave it to you Rath to lead them all. I'll monitor what is happening in front. Once you'll able to open all the triggers and get to the secret passageway to the throne room, send out a signal to us so we can rush in." She looked at him for confirmation.
"Yes. Don't you worry, once we get inside, we'll move fast to open the main door so that the rest of my men can also rush inside."
"I see. Be careful everyone and stick close and move quickly. We do not have much time if we want to catch the marquis unburned. I'll also prepare for the extinguishing of the fire from the outside. We need to put it out as soon as possible to minimize the damage. Alright everyone, god speed to you all!" She turned to Lyn afterwards.
"Lyn, be careful okay? Do not be hasty too much. Timing is the key." She told her while holding her shoulder to give her an encouraging hug.
"Be careful as well my friend. We will do our best to secure the safety of everyone."
"Do not worry Leira for I, Sain, will not let any ill be fall to milady Lyndis." Sain promised to her. She nodded in response and with that, they separated and Leira rushed through outside and towards the main entrance to where she can see Kent and the rest are fighting off the remaining marauders in the front.
Not long after they successfully breached the barracks and with the last of trigger being set by Florina, they were able to traverse the secret passageway as well as opening the drawbridge where the rest of Rath's men as well as the group headed by Kent along with Leira charged incapacitating the rest of marauders and hurriedly put out the fire with the help of the people.
The rest of them met up in the Marquis' throne room.
"Ah, it's Rath! You've done well. What a performance!" Marquis Araphen exclaimed being safely hidden in the confines of the room. Rath approached closer the Marquis to check for any injuries and glad that there is none.
"Sir... If you have praise, it should be given to this group." Rath gestured to them intent on letting the Marquis known the immense help that they extended in rescuing not only the Marquis but the castle as well.
"Hm? Who are you?" Now that the Marquis paid attention to the group, his eyes narrowed specifically to the young green-haired lady.
"My name is Lyndis. I'm pleased you're well." She came forth releasing a sigh of relief but was shortly thrown into confusion when the Marquis' face frowned deeper.
"Oh... It's you. You're Marquis Caelin's granddaughter." So this is the blasted wench who put my land in jeopardy. He whipped his head towards his captain. "Leave us, Rath. I will speak with this girl." Rath though hesitant has left the throne room silently. As the resounding click of the door resounded in the room signaling the departure of Rath, all attention went back to Lyn and the Marquis.
"Now... Lady Lyndis. Do you know the identity of those responsible for this uproar?" With far harsher tone than Leira expected from someone who has strong ties and friendship with the Marquis of Caelin, she sense problem foreboding.
"I believe it to be the work of my granduncle, Lundgren." Lyn answered with more shame and guilt for the damaged that her existence caused the Marquis.
"That's exactly right, which means my castle has been damaged in your family's petty inheritance dispute." The Marquis bellowed with each accusing tone felt like a slap to Lyn's face and Leira felt for her dear friend.
"My-My apologies..." Tersely said Lyn and lowering her gaze towards the elderly Marquis situating himself in his throne. Leira can clearly see the resign in the Marquis' actions.
"When I heard that Lady Madelyn's daughter was in trouble, I thought to lend my assistance... I find I've changed my mind. I withdraw my offer." It seems that outrage erupted on to everyone. Leira stood stock saddened and hurt.
"But Marquis Araphen! You gave me your word, my lord!" Kent exclaimed trying to persuade the Marquis by reminding him of the promise that was said not too long ago before this ordeal happened. But Leira knew all too well that there's no changing in the mind of Marquis Araphen.
"I did, did I not Sir Kent? However, you failed to inform me of one most vital detail!" Venom lacing the tongue of the Marquis.
"What... What do you mean?" Kent truly confuse of it. What vital detail? He has explained the situation to the Marquis clearly and accurately. What is it that has not been uttered?
"This girl does resemble Lady Madelyn, but... I didn't expect to see her so tainted with the blood of Sacae." Gasp. Leira cannot believe what her ears have definitely heard. What cruel words to say. What respect has lost in her eyes towards a selfish man like the Marquis of Araphen. It seems all has the same reactions towards the Marquis' insult though varied. One is the resounding shock of what from Lyn.
"Don't you feel the marquis of Caelin would be troubled to meet this... nomadic mongrel?"
"You-!" A livid Sain was restraint by Wil and Kent. Leira empathize with Sain for she herself has reflected his thoughts of disdain and disbelief. However, she must do something to deter the growing unrest in the situation. Despite everything, Araphen is still one of the trusted allies of Caelin.
" Sain! Hold!" Kent grumbled chastising Sain's lack of maturity to handle the situation though he himself could barely hold on to his restraint.
"Our apologies, my lord Marquis. But please... If you would grace us with your aid..." Kent tried so hard to salvage the situation. They needed the aid that would surely help them immensely and securing the journey for her dame. A moment of silence ensued when the marquis appeared to have been in thought. Perhaps rethinking to extend the aid he once granted to Kent. But boy were they mistaken and the following words had cemented Leira's ill opinion towards the marquis.
"... I hear Marquis Caelin is ill and abed. I question whether he will survive to meet this girl. In which case, his brother, Lundgren, will claim his title. And I certainly wish to avoid trouble with the coming marquis." Marquis Araphen remarked so callously.
"You scheming..." Leira stepped closer towards Sain and whispered quietly to him. "Enough Sain, I understand your sentiment but we cannot do anything about it anymore. It seems that the marquis has made up his mind."
"I understand." Lyn who has been silent for quite some time now has finally spoken and held the marquis' eyes with such conviction and dignity as she uttered the words defending her honor and identity. "I am proud of the Sacae blood that runs through my veins. I will NOT accept aid from one who disparages my heritage." And with that Lyn led the procession of Lyndis' Legion exiting the throne, Leira being the last who wished to leave something for the Marquis of Araphen to think about.
"My Lord, I hope you do not delude yourself into thinking that there is one race, one line of blood far more superior to others. It is with your prejudice that will bear your downfall. Reflect on the faults of your ancestors committed and decide what is right and wrong and not what is more gainful to your eyes. A leadership base on cowardice, prejudice and ill thoughts will never create a following of bravery, honesty, equity and positivity." And Leira has left the elderly to his own devices and rushed to follow her group outside. As she reached the group just outside the courtyard, she can hear the cheers and praise of her friends to Lyn's guts to stand up for herself.
"That was well done, milady! The marquis is a lout. Don't worry about anything. We're all here for you! Isn't that so, Kent?" Sain's most boisterous jubilation rubbing off to everyone except perhaps Kent.
"I beg your forgiveness." Kent remarked most regrettably. Leira quickened her stride in time to dissipate any more ill feelings towards the unfortunate event.
"No need to apologize Kent. We all understand that you only wish to keep Lyn safe. To keep us all safe which you always do Kent. You always protect us." Leira tried to let Kent know that he is always good to all of them.
"Yes Kent. I have seen that... Hold your head up and be proud." Lyn affirmed what Leira said.
"Milady Lyndis... Leira.. You guys.." Joy is apparent in the eyes of his companions especially to Leira. He knew that his feeling grew stronger for his mysterious lady.
"Lyn, The marquis of Araphen... He said your grandfather was ill. We must hurry to Caelin..." Leira is starting to hate seeing her friend this hurt. But they all need to be strong for her, to help her survive this obstacle and to keep her safe from her lecherous granduncle.
Lyn sighed deeply thinking at how perilous their journey has become and to his grandfather whose life they are sure in danger. Her chest tightens with the thought that she may become once again alone, not when she wasn't even fully whole in the first place.
"As we approach Caelin, Lundgren's obstacles will be more difficult to overcome. I'm counting on you, Kent."
"I'm with you, too!" Sain chided.
"In fact we're all with Lyn. We will see this through!" Leira said while hugging her friend tightly. And Lyn can't help to shed a few drops of tears of joy as she looked at the face of her companions that now she treats as her precious friends.
"Thank you everyone. Leira... Thank you for always standing at my side. It's because of all of you that I... I will persevere! They will never break my spirit!"
I know I haven't updated for ages but I was encouraged by other people there *cough*AquaticSilver*cough*. I hope you liked this update but to tell you honestly, I don't know if I can update more frequently as I only have the weekend off. But I will try my best. There's only one or two chapter more to go before we finish Lyn's story and move to the actual plot of the story. Eliwood I think will make an appearance soon and some mysteries about Leira will be reveal.
Rate and review.
xoxo alilesixteen
