Chapter 3
Birds of a Feather
Lyn, the girl from the plains. After a series of events turnaround, she discovers about a past she never knew of. Now heading west to Lycia, she travels with her new strategist friend and two knights from the Caelin House as her trusted companions. Having gotten hold of the legendary blade Mani Katti along the way, they are now passing through Taliver mountain, home to the cruel Taliver Bandits…
Okay, I think that was a pretty decent summary if I say so myself. The revelation of events in the past ten days starts to make me wonder if there is indeed some divine force guiding our path from above. But even the delusion of God guiding our path doesn't make the journey easier. We have been riding for hours through the Taliver mountain, passing over several villages along the way. It was a unique sight, having these villages surrounded by tall walls all around. But one thing I noted is despite these impressive man-made protection, the villages all share the same traits: burned to the grounds. Witnessing this lamentable situation, one can't help to wonder why such atrocities are allowed to exist… which is exactly what Sain is saying now.
"These entire areas are in ruins… Why don't the marquees do something to help?"
"Taliver mountain is a lawless area, home to the vicious Taliver Bandits", Lyn explained, "no marquees holds power here. And hence this…"
She took a pause, her expression hardening.
"My village was here, on the other side of the mountain. My people were… The Taliver Bandits came one night and it all happened in a flash. The survivors were less than ten, including me. Those soulless beasts… I'll never forgive them, never! I will break their swords beneath me, like twigs beneath a stallion's hooves."
Such deep hatred harbored within her words… the loss must have been excruciating for her. But vengeance is always a double-sided sword. I only pray that in her zeal, she doesn't cause more havoc more than the bandits do, be it to the ones around her, or herself. No. I shall not let that day come. I'm sure Kent and Sain feels the same. But the emotional moment did not last long. There, we spotted a group of ruffians gathering; a young girl with small body and purple hair in the middle of it. The usual BS[1], I guess, bandits ganging on a defenseless young woman. We got off from our horses to examine the situation.
"On your guard, everyone. There seems to be some sort of a stir over there.", Kent said.
Lyn, however noticed something peculiar about the supposed victim.
"That's… a Pegasus? Florina?", she called, "Is that you, Florina?"
The young lady jumps at Lyn's calling.
"L… Lyn?", she stammered, confirming the voice she'd just heard. But what shocks me more is the event that follows.
"Lyyyynnn!", she raced towards Lyn and jumped at her, knocking several men in the process including the flabbergasted Kent. Both girls share a quick hug, and Lyn was the first one asking the question after they parted.
"Florina! What are you doing in a place such as this?"
"Lyn…! I… *hic* When I heard that you'd left… *hic* I decided to follow you. Then I saw this village… *hic* and flew down to ask if they have any information on you. But I slipped a little; *hiccup* Huey had landed on that man over there… I've said sorry many times, but…"
The teary Pegasus Knight points at a bearded man. Yeah right. He doesn't look hurt at all. Lyn patted her head and soothes her. It took a whole minute for her tears to subside. When the lavender haired girl finally stopped crying, Lyn glared at the gang.
"Look, she's obviously sorry. Can't we just let this pass? You don't appear to be injured or something."
The bearded man Florina pointed at before scoffed.
"No chance. This girl goes with us – by force if needed be! Come out, boys!"
Reinforcements? Oh great. As if we hadn't had enough troubles already.
"Everyone, pull back!", I shouted, running towards an opening on the southern side of the wall myself. It looks big enough for us to go through. "Pull back, now!"
When we've gotten through the wall, the first thing we see was another settlement. It was still untouched, though; I suspect those ruffians were heading this way when Florina made her most unfortunate contact with them. Hmm… we are left with no way out, I guess. We'll forsake the village if we turn our back and simply get away, and Lyn would eat me alive if that happens. Well at least for now, we have the tactical advantage because of the narrow path.
"Kent, Sain!", I shouted to the cavaliers, "Go to the hole earlier and make sure nobody comes through! Lyn, Florina, come with me to the village over there!"
The knights rushed their way as we did ours.
"We will return with help! You stall them until then!"
The village was desolated. No, rather, noone dared to come out; they probably thought we're bandits. This is bad… if we can't get any help here, we'd be left deeper in the hole. How long could Kent and Sain last against such numbers? And so Lyn decided to push our luck quite a bit.
"Hello! Is anyone here!", she shouted.
"Leave alone, you thugs!" and "Go away! We have no gold for you!" were the common responses. Just as I had thought.
"No, please!", Lyn begged, "We are not bandits! We want to help the village! Please listen!"
To our surprise, someone actually came out to us this time. I had thought we're actually wasting our time here.
"Remain inside, everyone", he said, "I'll go see what's happening."
As he's getting closer to us, we noticed that the man's not an ordinary villager. He had chestnut eyes and hair and wore an outfit that looks like that of an archer.
"Not bandits, huh? So, who are you?"
"My name is Lyn. My companions and I are just traveling through here when we saw some bandits about. We were going to deal with them, so we're going to need some assistance. They're… a bit more than we could handle", Lyn explained, glancing at me through the corner of her eyes. I nodded, affirming our stance.
The man stared at us and the village before finally he agreed.
"These villagers have been kind to me. I'd like to help. Name's Wil, by the way."
"Thank you! We need all the help we can get! Welcome aboard, Wil!"
"An archer and a Pegasus knight, eh? These two would be invaluable allies", I muttered while we were running back to Kent and Sain. I seriously began to think that Lyn has the charisma to attract these people together. But let's put the army recruitment for a second, we still have a battle to fight. When we finally reached the place where we split, the battle was still ongoing. By the minutes that we have passed, it seemed to grow more intense. Kent and Sain were both holding their grounds, but I can tell that they are almost at their limits. On the other hand, the bandits' number seemed limitless. It's just a matter of time now for them to break through the cavaliers' line of defense.
"Milady, you're back!", Kent shouted while fending off a brute charging through the hole.
"About time, we could use some help here!", Sain added, "They just keep coming! And now they're about to climb the wall!"
Okay, so now we need to hit hard and fast. I quickly gathered Lyn, Wil, and Florina around and outlined my plan.
"So we've got an archer and a Pegasus knight… Okay, Florina, why don't you let Wil ride on your Pegasus and have him rain down some projectiles? That should be able to break their concentrated formation and push them back for quite a bit. Lyn will then join Kent and Sain to round up the remaining bandits."
But apparently what I said was not in the best interest of everyone. Florina looked at Wil and said nervously,
"Um, take him… on my Pegasus? Uh, I… I…", she stammered.
Lyn patted her head and explained the source of her uneasiness. "Florina has always been comfortable around men. I don't think it's wise to let Wil ride with her, frankly."
Hmm, time for Plan B, then. I picked up a twig from the ground and drew the outline of our current position. "Okay, so we have these walls surrounding us. The x marks the spot on which we are now." I drew two perpendicular lines and an x in the middle. "Kent and Sain are situated on the hole here…" I put a big dot on one of the line. "And enemies are coming from the front." I sketched an arrow, marking the direction from which the enemies are coming. "But enemy reinforcements might be coming from the other wall as well. So, Wil", I added another arrow and looked up at the archer, "Your job is to shoot down whoever is climbing or trying to break the wall. Just pay attention to their grunts to make out their positions." The marksman nodded apprehensively and I turned to the girls. "Lyn and Florina, your job is to finish the enemy leader. Then hopefully the rest of the enemy ranks will scatter. Florina, can you carry Lyn to the other side of the wall with your Pegasus?"
"Um.. I'll try…", she murmured.
I turned to Lyn. She looked back at me with an austere expression, ready for action.
"Be careful. If things get too dangerous, just get out of there, both of you.", I said to her.
They both got up on the winged steed and it kicked the ground, soaring high to the sky. In a matter of seconds, they're already out of sight, on the other side of the wall. Well that's the best we can do, I thought to myself. There's nothing I can do to aid them directly this time. Five minutes… six… seven… eight… nine… ten… ten minutes have passed. Why is it taking so long? Wil has managed to shoot down numerous enemies that tries to climb the walls, leaving no one left to try to. Kent and Sain, despite their visible exhaustion, keep engaging the enemies from the other side of the wall opening. But what about Florina? What about Lyn? All I could do is just to sit and observe while my friends are putting their lives on the line. This is…
I couldn't finish the line, as a cry was heard from the other side of the wall all of a sudden. It was too hard to make out what the crowd's shouting, but one thing soon became clear: the bandit has begun their retreat. They have lost their will to continue fighting. Kent and Sain slumped on the ground, unable to hold back their fatigue anymore. I ignored them. Instead, I dashed towards the other side of the wall; my mind filled with her, and only her. Lyn. I didn't have to look hard, for there she is, standing on top of the vanquished leader of the bandits. She was victorious. Though covered in wounds and beat up, she smiled at us… at me, and I found myself couldn't help but smile back at her.
At night, we were back at the village. Drinking. Celebrating. The band of travelers had suddenly become the people's heroes, driving away the ruthless gang of bandits, protecting the villagers. As if the gloomy atmosphere earlier in the day has never existed, all are joined in laughter, songs, and wine. Oh, speaking about party, I witnessed something interesting earlier…
An hour earlier…
"Ahh, this is great!", Sain grunted appreciatively, swinging his mug. "I never knew there exists a beer this good in this part of the world!"
"Sain! Behave!", Kent scolds him, apparently going over this knight-must-be-honorable thing all over again. His partner only waves a dismissive hand.
"Kent, why be so glum? This is party, dude! Live up a little! Have fun, grab some wine, do a little dancing, make sexist jokes, its all good, dude!"
"Yeah, of course", Wil says, joining the conversation. "We've had our hard-earned victory today. A little celebration wouldn't hurt, don't you think? Speaking of which, this wine is also good."
I'm inclined to agree. I don't expect they have a wine of this quality in these remote regions, let alone one that is frequently invaded by brigands. Kent, however, didn't say anything but simply shook his head. We have more and more of our fill of alcohol until I realize something's missing.
"Speaking of which, did you see the girls?", I ask. I look over shoulders for them and spot them among the crowd. Apparently, they've been looking for us as well. "Hey Lyn, Florina, come and join us!", I shouted to the girls, indicating the table Kent, Sain, Wil, and I were sitting.
"Coming!", Lyn called back, carrying a tray that is topped with food and cups. She and Florina joined the table and set themselves down between me and Sain. I looked at what's on her plate and saw, erm, a large… roasted chicken [2]? Seems a bit much for one person to finish.
"Wow chicken!", Sain says, extending a hand to take some of the meat. Before he could even touch it, however, a swift slap from Lyn has intercepted it.
"Sain, this is MY chicken! You go get one yourself if you want it so badly!", she snarled. All of us on the table could not believe what we saw and heard. You mean she's going to finish that by herself? It would appear that the answer is yes. She began tearing off the chicken's meat and started to chomp it down ravenously. Heck, she didn't even bother to use utensils. I took a glance around the table. Wil and Sain looked as if they had seen an apparition. Florina looked scared, her body shivering. And Kent looked as if he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out as if stuck inside his throat. As a result, the only thing we could hear from him was incomprehensible gurgles. In no time, one large chicken was finished. Laying her back on her chair and gulping down her glass of water, the female swordsman wheezed, satisfied.
"Phew! That was great! Are you guys not eating?"
Yeah right, Lyn. As if we could after seeing you like that. I wonder how she can stay slim after all this time with that kind of diet. Days of iron rations along the journey must have awakened her inner beast.
"No, we're content with the drinks", I said, "They serve good alcohol here. Would you like to try some?"
"Eh, no thanks, I'm fine."
I turned to the other girl. "How about you, Florina?"
"H-huh? Um, no, I…"
All of a sudden, Sain grinned maliciously. It is scary how drastic his expression change is, as if he's a rat with leeway since the cat is absent.
"Come on, one sip wouldn't hurt!", he said, flinging his arm across her shoulder. Florina wiggled and looked at Lyn for help, but alas, she was incapacitated from a full stomach. With me and Wil encouraging (Kent is still muttering incomprehensibly to himself), the small Pegasus knight didn't have a choice but to take the drink. One sip… there she goes. Two sips… oh, this is getting interesting. Three… what will happen now? On the third sip, as if her switch has been flipped off, she apparently lost consciousness and limps away, leaning her head upon Lyn's shoulder. I smirked. Now gentlemen, we have two very cute girls limping over here, blacked out. If you were me, what would you do? I think the answer is pretty obvious. Sain let out a sigh, however, unable to appreciate this beautiful opportunity.
At present…
I had carried Lyn over to a room and laid her on a bed. Well, she must have been exhausted. Sorry, but I guess there's no fun for us tonight; it goes against my moral codes to assault a woman in this predicament. I laid a blanket over her and whispered a good night to her ear. Seeing her peaceful sleeping face somehow gave me comfort over the hardships.
"Well, if it isn't Young Master Shu... I never expected to find you here with this band of mongrel."
What! Who's there! I reached for my dagger and threw it out of reflex towards the direction of the voice. Did it do it? No, I don't think so since I heard a flutter of clothes moving away from the house. I was about to chase him away when I realized Lyn is going to be left alone, defenseless. Damn! If I didn't chase him now, there would be no other chance to catch him. It was then my mind spoke to me.
Do you believe, for a second, that Lyn is truly defenseless? That's… that's right. I've seen her fight numerous times. She's not a damsel in distress. She's a strong warrior. Petty thing such as drowsiness wouldn't be much of a handicap for her.
"Sorry Lyn, I'll be back soon."
The darkness really makes it hard to make out his trail. I persisted and followed the footsteps he'd left, until I was inside a small forest behind the village. It was where his trail vanished, but one thing is clear. He's still here.
"Show yourself!", I bellowed to the trees.
It didn't take long. The assailant appeared out of nowhere from behind me, letting out a grim laugh. His face was hidden within the black hooded robe he wore. I pointed a knife towards him and demanded,
"Who are you?"
He let out another snicker and finally spoke.
"Young Master Shu… So we meet again. Or… do you prefer to call yourself Mark now?"
I could feel my eyes widen, cold sweat dripping out of my chin. That mocking voice… It can't be…
"Han!", I snarled.
"Oh, believe me, I was just passing through. I meant no enmity, although,", he said, noticing my dagger point coming closer to his throat, "you don't seem to be convinced, I see."
"Of course", I spat, "as if I'd ever believe a man who's willing to step at his own family's corpse with cold blood."
"You must know this… Mark", he continued to speak with a purposefully stretched voice, "I consider you a friend. We've been through hardships together, haven't we?"
I didn't say anything. Or more like, I had so many counters over that statement that I could not decide which one to use. He then reeled on,
"I know why you'd left us… Why you'd turn yourself a traitor to the clan. But that's all past now. They believe you are dead, and I have no reason to tell them otherwise. After all, I'm quite fond of you, you know."
This bastard is pissing me off with his snake tongue.
"What are you trying to insinuate! ?"
"Oh, I am merely stating that as long as you don't cross path with the Fang, with us, once again, you'll be safe. You… and your companions."
I was about to let out another curse when I heard a distinct footstep. Lyn!
"Oh, she's here… the Caelin heiress, is she not?"
"Don't you dare lay a finger on her!"
Han turned on the spot. I quickly brought my dagger against his neck, ignoring his previous warning just now. But the blade never reaches anything, for he has disappeared as mysteriously as he has appeared. A whisper was left in his place.
"Mark... you seem to have lost the control over your composure. Too much exposure from the Sacaean mongrel, I suppose. That would not be good. Not in the long run."
I cursed to myself. Lyn has come after me, and in worst case scenario, I might have involved her and everyone else.
"Mark! What happened? Who's there with you?", she said, panting.
"It's… nothing." My naught and sorrowful voice echoes through the woods, accentuating how cold this night has become...
I'm sorry, Lyn.
I'm truly… sorry.
Footnote(s):
[1] BS = bullshit.
[2] Whole roasted chicken!
End note: Okay, chapter 4 is finally up now! I haven't done much editing myself since I've been so busy, but I hope you'd enjoy it! So, the new guy Han mentions about "the Fang". It should be pretty obvious already of what it's all about... and more of Mark's history and link to the Fang will be revealed in the future. Again, please read and review!
Edit: Another lesson has been learned. Apparently the system wouldn't let me put in ! and ? together, so there might be some awkward punctuations here and there in this chapter. I apologize for the inconvenience.