Alright a new chapter. Before I forget this time a thanx to Gunlord500 and Dathedr for their reviews for this story. By the way, for anyone who is thinking I'm gonna pair Mushu with Lyn. I'm not. Just for the record. Nothing against that but well, not my preference. There is some AU (think I'm using the word right) in this series so...

Disclaimer- Not mine

Chapter 4- Sword in the Stone

The following days were spent like normal but Mushu could not let go of a feeling of dread. It was as if someone was watching them. They were in the open fields so an ambush would be rendered near ineffective. They could outrun most enemies save cavalry. Still doesn't hurt to be too careful.

Their destination was set for the temple of the Mani Katti, one of the treasures of Sacae, a must see for travelers in the land. It was said that spirits blessed the blade. That in turn birthed new stories and legends of the blade. Mushu never cared for the stories. What good is a sword that is now a piece of decoration? The maker must be weeping right now.

Lyn of course was one of the superstitious youths who believes praying to a sword can bring luck. Her father was the opposite and shared the same sentiments with Mushu, as do other warriors. Mushu supposed that youth is precious so he can at least indulge her more… childish impulses.

And so here they were in front of a run down "temple". Lyn called it a sacred shrine/ temple. Mushu would call it a death trap threatening to fall and crush everything inside. He supposed he got more cynical with age but you would think a "sacred sword" would get some better place to rest than a… Mushu couldn't think of a suitable word for this place besides deathtrap.

"Come on Mushu. We have to pray to the sword before it gets too dark and the bishop in charge deems the hours are too late to disturb the spirits," Lyn whined. Mushu had tied his wagon a little further from the "temple", close enough to reach if they need to beat a hasty retreat or if there was someone trying to steal his goods.

Mushu just nodded his head like there was nothing wrong with anything she just said. Inside he was screaming. As they headed near the entrance of the "temple", someone just suddenly jumped them. The two had fast enough reflexes to dodge the attack but in the process Mushu got a slight cut to his left leg.

"Dammit. What the hell?" Mushu cursed as he checked his leg. Seeing that the cut wasn't bad, he quickly applied some vulnerary and took in the scene before him. There were three assailants right now but he can see five more coming for them. Lyn was just barely holding off the three here and though his cut wasn't bad, an extended battle may wear him out. Still if he doesn't help Lyn soon she will die, good fighter or not.

Thus he went to stand by Lyn's side and the two managed to fell the three bandits before the reinforcements could close in on them. Now instead of eight on two, it was five on two, better but still bad. Unfortunately the tide was shifting from them. Their initial counterattack caught the three they killed by surprise. These five watched their friends die and were consumed in rage. With surprise gone, it was a battle of skill, numbers, and experience. Skill Mushu and Lyn have. Lyn was lacking in experience and they lacked numbers. The odds were stacked against them.

"This may be it," Mushu said solemnly.

"Mushu, try to run back to your caravan. I'll distract them. One of the bandits said my name. I think they're after me," Lyn said sadly and reservedly.

Over her shoulder, Mushu could see another bandit lying dead by Lyn. So it was now four to two. Better but his leg is starting to act up and the wound he just got from one of the bandits were starting to hurt. To make matters worse, it was his shoulder.

"When did I get so old?" Mushu grimaced as he noticed another three bandits appear from behind them. When hope seemed lost though, he heard it. Lyn and the bandits heard it too for they stopped fighting for the moment to seek where the sound was coming from.

The sound was getting closer. It was a familiar sound to Lyn and Mushu but to the bandits the sounds were new. It was the sound of horses. A plainswoman would of course recognize the sound. A caravan driver would memorize that sound. Bandits spend their time in the mountains where horses are unable to thrive. Many have never even seen a horse in their lives.

"Hold. Such numbers against a lady and an elder! Hold your axes. We shall be your foes," the knight said. Mushu recognized him at once. Lyn also seemed to remember since her eyes narrowed when the familiar green and red hair came into view. The red knight, now done speaking charged into the fray with his companion. Mushu noticed the green knight's right arm in a sling but thought he can ask later, preferably when they make it through this alive.

The knights' movements were poetry in motion. Their swords hummed a deadly tune as they struck into the hearts of two of the bandits. Still taken off guard by the appearance of the knights, the knights spun their sword in the air, their wake leaving a trail of dead. In a matter of seconds, all the bandits were dead.

When Lyn went to question the knights, the red haired apologized," I am sorry my lady. We will answer your questions once we head to a safer location. If you will follow me."

Lyn shook her head, "Thank you for the help but there are still bandits in the temple. The poor priest may still be alive. I cannot allow them to desecrate the sacredness of the temple."

The knights looked pained but the green haired knight spoke up, "If that is your wish, my lady, we shall aid you in your endeavor. But you must take heed, your companion is injured, he may be in danger if he goes with us."

"He raises a good point Mushu. Perhaps you should head ba-" Lyn began.

"Now hold it right there. I may be old. I may be injured. I may die in the next few minutes but there is no way I will leave a young girl with two hormonal whippersnappers. If I'm not there, there's no telling what these boys may try when you are alone," Mushu said firmly.

"Now see here. I assure you my companion and I will never try something like that. We are-" the red knight argued.

"I don't care," Mushu said flatly. His tone said he will brook no argument and took Lyn by the hair and dragged her towards the temple with Lyn crying out that he was hurting her. Mushu just kept going though.

"As you wish," the knights sighed in unison.

Thus the four headed inside the temple. The knights were on foot and left their lances behind. Mushu noticed that they were trained well enough in the weapons triangle but that leaves a point he was worried about. What would happen if they run into an armored knight? He supposed he could use the knights as bait while he dragged Lyn and himself out but his pride and more specifically Lyn would never allow him. Besides, the knights did save them so…

Lost in thought, Mushu didn't notice that they reached some kind of altar. In the center of the altar were a sword and some kind of mercenary. The mercenary was struggling to pull out the sword but was failing admirably. The sword was likely the Mani Katti and apparently the spirits/ sword didn't like the mercenary. He noticed that the sword was emitting a faint glow as Lyn got closer but he ignored that for now in favor of scanning the room. Odds were against them again. There were fifteen bandits there and four of them. Great.

Upon seeing the four, the mercenary glared at the man beside him, "Hmmph. Migal. You said your men could handle an old man and a little girl."

"Yes I did but we didn't know about the two knights. Have no fear though. For the money you're paying us, we'll get the job done," Migal licked his lips.

"See that you do. But! If your men start falling, I'll join the fight and kill you first," the mercenary said coolly.

Migal took a step back and said, "No need for that Glass my friend. My men are the cream of the crop. All seasoned. I can probly take 'em down meself."

Glass gave him a cool stare before moving to try pulling the sword out again.

"Zugo! Bug! Get ur asses down there and show them the might of the Ganelon bandits," Migal shouted.

Upon his command two of the bandits separated themselves from the group. Even from a distance away, Mushu could see that these men were veterans. They were muscular, proud, and ugly. Your typical bandits save for the way they carry themselves. They were cautious like the people on their side might stab them in the back at any moment.

At a second command from Migal, the other bandits fanned out to support Zugo and Bug respectively. Bug looked stronger and sturdier but Zugo had longer legs.

"Probably a sprinter," Mushu thought instantly. The bandits moved slowly but deliberately. They had a variety of moves available to them. Mushu and the others can run away, wait for their attack, or charge them. The bandits had archers so options one and three was out. That left two. Considering they were outnumbered three to one that option was not appealing either, but it was all they got. Mushu hoped that the knights were skilled enough to handle the majority of the bandits without their horses.

His doubts were unfound though. When the bandits charged and their archers, two of them, fired the knights met the attacks beautifully. They used their swords lightweight to get between the bandits killing them efficiently. Lyn was doing well as well. The archers were aiming for the knights who blocked with the small round iron shields they had attached to their wrists, right for the green knight and left for the red knight.

Seeing that he was useless here, Mushu headed to take care of the archers. Seeing him coming, they tried to shoot him down. Mushu just groaned and started focusing his energy on his good leg.

"This will hurt like hell," Mushu thought ruefully. He let loose the energy he was storing inside the leg and that allowed him to move right next to one of the archers in an instant. This technique was a basic art taught in Bern to warriors for some time. It was later discontinued because of the time it takes to learn the technique well enough for it to be useful. Even then, it was only good for two things- running away and assassination.

The archer surprised at his speed did not utter a sound as Mushu cut him down The other archer seemed frightened at this unforeseen circumstance. He was under the impression that the old man was useless at best and dead weight at worst. He was not expecting this. As he turned to run, he saw a girl not more than eighteen years of age right behind him. He turned around to se all his companions dead on the ground. His boss Migal was nowhere to be seen. Their employer Glass was dueling a red knight. Bug was dueling a green knight and the green knight was winning. Zugo was dead.

A second later, the archer dies by Lyn's hands. A minute later, the green knight killed Bug. That left Glass and the red knight's duel. They were both very skilled warriors. Glass was fighting two handed with a huge steel sword. The knight had a smaller sword but a shield and armor. The knight had better defenses but Glass had more skill. Just then, Glass pulled a dirty-handed trick. He allowed the red knight to pressure him near the sword in the stone. When they got close enough, he grabbed some dirt and dust near the sword and threw it in the knight's face effectively blinding him. This allowed Glass to make a slash at the knight. The knight was not severely wounded but the cut was deep enough that if he tried to move too much, he may deepen the wound.

"Foul," the green haired knight roared as he rushed towards his fallen companion. He was too far away. Glass raised his sword for the final blow. Lyn cried a resounding NO. When the blade was over Glass's head, it went even further back. The blade was well past its arc when suddenly, the sword fell from Glass's hands and he uttered, "How?"

He turned his head and came face to face with Mushu. In Mushu's hands was a small black knife. The knife was completely black, forged from a stone of jet, save for the drops of red blood on it, Glass's blood.

"Damn… you," Glass uttered before he died. His last move was to go towards the sword in the stone and try his luck once more. Once again, the sword rejected him. He died unfulfilled.

"You interfered between a match between warriors sir Mushu," the red knight frowned.

"He cheated and he was about to kill you," Mushu said bluntly. Finding no real argument and no reason to defend Glass, the red knight gave a shrug. He regretted it instantly as his wound was still fresh and the vulnerary he applied was not taking effect. Mushu said the wound may be infected and that they should find a healer soon. The red knight insisted that the lady be allowed to finish her work here before worrying about him. His companion gave him a worried look but conceded to his companion's wishes. Lyn objected but they ignored her.

Mushu regarded the two knights with even more curiosity. They were acting like Lyn was their lord or something. He then remembered something. Madeline. That would mean they are from Caelin. Interesting.

A little later, the bishop in charge of the sword in the stone came out. He thanked the group profusely and said he would allow them to try pulling the sword from its resting place as thanks. Mushu gave out a stifled chuckle.

"All that for a chance to get some dust on my hands. Oh joy," Mushu thought bitterly as he remembered the dust that Glass threw in the red knight's face, "Don't they ever clean the area?"

"Where was he?" the green knight muttered.

"he said he was locked in a back room and that he was unable to do anything against the group," the red knight stated now healed from his wounds by the bishop.

"He could've fought. Bishops of Elimine are said to be able to do great divine magic," the green knight scratched his chin.

"He is worshipping a sword for Elimine's sake. It isn't a wonder that his magic is terrible," the red knight stated.

"No boys. He is just getting old. His hands are worn out and his face is contorted. He is just too old now. He is questioning his mortality and his faith is waning. He must have been a soldier in his earlier years. Now he is saddened about all the lives he took," Mushu came over to the two.

"How could you tell?" the green knight said amazed. The red knight was also giving Mushu a look of wonder.

"He showed no disgust or fear in the face of armed warriors like us. That proved experience in battle. Then there are his eyes. When you get to my age you can tell a man's life just by looking into their eyes. He is tired and weary. I bet he can't even cast a simple Light spell. Healing must take a lot for him now," Mushu rambled on sadly.

The two knights shut up after that and instead turned their attention to Lyn. She was for whatever reason primping her appearance.

When asked, she only responded saying, "It isn't every day a Sacaen let alone a female be allowed to touch the sacred Mani Katti!"

She had such excitement and wonder in her eyes and voice that none of the group can say anything remotely discouraging. Instead they let her be. When she decided that she was kempt enough, she moved forward to try to pull the blade out of the stone. Mushu noticed that the sword was emitting a light glow around it and the glow intensified the closer Lyn got to the sword. The others seem to notice as well. Lyn undeterred by whatever the light may be placed one hand on the sword and effortlessly pulled the sword out of the stone.

"It- it came out effortlessly," Lyn stuttered.

"I never dreamed that the blade may ever find another owner. To meet its new owner in this lifetime makes me so happy. Take it child and do some good in this world of ours," the bishop said sagely though there was a look of longing and sadness on his face.

"I- I will your Excellency," Lyn bowed. Following her cue, the knights bowed as well. Mushu opted not to. The knights and Lyn gave him a disapproving look/ glare but Mushu just shrugged. The bishop told the group to wait a moment as he went into a back room. He produced a beautiful ornate sheath with Sacaen words inscribed. The words said "One Sword, One Wielder, New Paths Opening". It was a popular saying in Sacae meaning the sword chooses a wielder and opens up new opportunities for many.

Lyn took the sheath and sheathed the Mani Katti, thanked the bishop again, and left with the knights following. Mushu hanged back for a second.

"Are you okay with that? I know how much that sword meant to you," Mushu said quietly.

"Yes. My time is gone though. A new era has begun. How about you friend?" the bishop said.

"My journey has not ended yet. I still have things to do," Mushu said.

"Our time has passed though. Perhaps retirement may be well. I for one am going to stay here and dedicate the rest of my days as a healer not a bounty hunter," the bishop gave a chuckle at this.

"Take care Mikhail," Mushu patted his friend on the back.

"You as well," Mikhail exclaimed as he headed back to the room where he got the sheath.

Words spoken, Mushu headed out the ruins to where his caravan was packed and where Lyn was chatting with the knights.

With a renewed feeling of dread, Mushu asked the knights a simple question as he got near, "Why have you come to Sacae, Caelin knights?"

So how was it? Read and review. Just takes a second. Seriously.