To JP Im Italian and EVERYONE ELSE: please, never hesitate to give writing and story tips or ideas you have to add to the story, nothing is set in stone until it is posted, and I heartily welcome any feedback and suggestions of all kinds!
A couple days trek later, the knights seemed increasingly lax. Or at least one of them did.
"Here we are! This marks the Lycian border" Sain cheered triumphantly.
"So that oughta mean no more bandits from here on out, right?" Wil asked hopefully.
"Yeah, but it's out of the frying pan and into the fire." Varric answered.
Sain and Wil both looked at Varric awaiting an explanation.
"Guys, bandits are the least of our worries, be glad that's all we've had to deal with up until now. From here on out, we have to start dealing with Lundgren's goons in addition to bandits. We probably won't be sought out by common bandits, but I guarantee we'll still encounter them. With the balance of power about to shift, there's bound to be mess ups in the administration of men, even moreso depending on how much Lundgren can sway people to search us out."
Kent raised an eyebrow, but unlike before it was in recognition, not suspicion. "You know a great deal about politics, or at least more than I credited you for."
Varric shook his head. "I hate politics of all kinds, which is ironic given my trade. But no, it's not my knowledge of politics, it's my common sense. The people at the top, contrary to popular belief among less educated, don't just laze about. They keep things running. When there's a power struggle, both those at the top and bottom of the ladder suffer." Varric sighed "The bottom line is: the Ganelon bandits are going to be able to slip across the border and pursue us. Don't underestimate the tenacity found in stupid grudges…"
Lyn nodded but smiled. "Nonetheless, I think we've earned a night at a proper place of rest."
Immediately Sain was on one knee. "Please m'lady, allow us the humble pleasure of staying at the crossroads inn. We shall dine like royalty, and the waitress is said to be of legendary beauty! There is no better replenishment for the soul than food and love!"
Kent twitched. "You're as deplorable as ever…."
Lyn let a laugh escape at Sain's theatrics. "The inn will be fine Kent."
Sain nearly broke into tears of joy as Kent bowed. "Yes M'lady."
As if the gods themselves were contriving to ruin any hope, there was a gruff yell "THERE THEY ARE!" and from far the side of a nearby lake, a purple clothed bandit stuck out like a sore thumb, with a ratty looking companion.
"Man, why is there always a scrawny co-leader?" Varric said aloud.
"Co-leader is stretching it." Dorcas cut in. "More like a leader and their head minion. Bandits aren't the sharing type, and authority is no exception."
"Speaking of pairs though…." Varric said aloud with a widening grin. "Do my eyes deceive me, or is that a mage and cleric on the opposite side of the lake?"
An ear piercing screech and a plume of smoke answered Varric as the two figures rushed towards them.
"Those are some impressive eyes ya got, boss." Dorcas whistled.
"It was moreso intuition." Varric shrugged off.
A high pitched voice that was harsh yet dainty addressed the group, as an out of breath cleric trying her damndest to look regal glared at them. "HEY! Those bandits attacked us because they thought we were with you!"
The red robed mage appeared trailing behind her, exasperated. His fabulously purple hair did not detract from the cynicism in his expression. "Ignore this siren." He said apologetically yet scathingly.
"Then...why were you fighting bandits?" Lyn asked confused.
There was a long silence before the young man spoke. "...It just happened."
At that Varric did everything in his power not to burst out laughing, earning several odd looks as he half succeeded at restraining himself.
The young man continued. "She was excited to watch YOU people fight, she somehow didn't think she would get caught up in it as a result. Pay us no mind, we will not trouble you further…"
As he turned to leave - with or without the cleric - Lyn stopped him. "W-Wait! If we're both fighting, we should at least join forces for now!"
The mage raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want our company? I dare not exaggerate: this healer is anything BUT frail. The most hardened of criminals would flee earshot of her after five minutes. Unfortunately, due to a ploy of hers, I'm stuck as her "escort."" His harsh words were even more harsh with the speaker refusing to acknowledge the cleric's presence next to him.
"ERK! What the heck?! You really do have nothing but looks going for you!" She huffed and turned to the group. "I suppose… I, Serra the beautiful, could be so kind as to offer my invaluable abilities…" at that, however, she waved to the group with a brush of her hand. "Go on, Erk. Use your magic to aid them."
The mage looked like he was about to protest before giving up without even starting. "Ugh…" was all that escaped him.
Varric clasped his hand together to get the crew's attention. "Alright! So Erk the mage and Serra the cleric, welcome to the group! Call me Varric…"
One round of introductions later…
"I see… a tactician by trade..." Erk confirmed as Varric nodded.
"Yep, he hasn't let us down once so far!" Sain said proudly. Varric didn't comment on the statement.
"A-Anyway, if you guys could follow along with my plan, it'll make working together a whole lot easier. And we really ought to hurry up, those bandits are gonna close in soon." Varric concluded. "Looks like there isn't much opposition, just a lot of difficult to navigate terrain…"
Several mountain scalings later…
"Y-Y-YOU'LL ALL REGRET THIS!" The bandit leader screamed as he backed away in terror. "The Ganelon bandits will-" his rambling was swiftly interrupted by a flaming arrow to the skull.
"I have to admit, this fire magic and arrow combination is quite effective." Erk said with a smirk as he watched the magic take hold of the remains and burn away the corpse.
"I'll say! These guys are dropping like flies!" Wil laughed.
Varric couldn't help but smile.
"You look awfully happy." Lyn said as she approached. "I suppose you have every right to be proud, thanks to you that fight went incredibly smoothly." To her surprise, Varric immediately shook his head.
"My commands had very little to do with this one, you guys are just really good at what you do! I'm proud, but not of myself."
To both their surprise, a certain pegasus knight joined in. "You don't g-give yourself enough credit…" Florina murmured.
Lyn smiled. "What Florina means is that you're just as important to the team as anyone else. A squadron is just a bunch of individual soldiers without a leader. With one, they become a unified force."
"Y-Yes! Exactly!" Florina confirmed, and Varric felt his face flush.
"Th-Thanks you two…" He managed.
"You were a tremendous help, healing powers amaze me…" Lyn said in awe of Serra's staff.
Serra puffed up with pride. "Only those in the service of good can wield them!" immediately there was an inaudible snark from Erk questioning how she could possibly possess such abilities.
"Nonetheless, I suppose it is time we say goodbye." Lyn said solemnly. "I apologize you were caught up in all of this."
Before Serra could respond Erk cut her off "Again it was our fault, not yours. We will be off."
Varric counted down with his fingers and just as the two magic users were about to leave, Sain jumped forward.
"Halt! What beauty lies before me?! I must know your name earthly goddess!"
Serra immediately turned around and held out her hand as if waiting for it to be taken. She spoke with her eyes half closed in feigned disinterest. "I am Serra the beauteous, in service to house Ostia. You are?"
Sain took her hand while kneeling. "Please, call me Sain, a knight of Caelin, in service to Lady Lyndis."
Varric leaned over to kent. "So, why did he only just now notice Serra? I'm pretty sure she even healed him at one point during that skirmish." he whispered.
"Sain has a sort of battle blindness. Battles are my one reprieve from his constant want to flirt…" Kent sighed.
"Oh? So Lyn is a member of the marquess's family?"
"Indeed, she is the granddaughter to our lord, the marquess."
"Interesting…" Serra murmured before dragging Erk a short distance away.
"...you can't be serious-" Erk started audibly, before Serra ran back. "Oh Saaaaiiiiin~! Could we maybe join your little company-" She began.
Before Sain could pounce, Varric shoved him back. "We'd love to have you join us. Welcome aboard."
Erk sighed yet again. "Varric, you do realize she's-" Serra cut him off with a shush, but Varric went on.
"Using us to gain favor with the Marquess? Yeah I already know that." Varric finished. Serra immediately turned red.
"W-What are you talking about?!" She stuttered.
Varric laughed and Erk allowed a chuckle to escape him. "It seems you aren't as clever as you think. Not that I'm surprised." The mage snarked.
"Really it's Erk's consent I'm waiting for. You've already bound yourself to us, o beautiful Serra."
Erk raised an eyebrow. "I take it from your tone you have information to share before we join?"
Varric simply nodded and Lyn stepped forward. "There's a power struggle, my Granduncle...he wants to rule, and that means killing me. We've had to deal with bandits and assassins several times already. Varric predicts it will only get increasingly difficult for us." She explained.
Serra visibly regretted her choices but held her ground. "You think that intimidates the likes of us? You must be joking! Our magic will only certify ourselves as invaluable help!"
Erk rubbed his temples "I think I'm going to be ill…"
Varric clapped his hands together, a gesture that by this point always got the legion's full attention. "IT'S SETTLED! Everyone, say hello to our new healer and anima mage!"
As the legion began to head out, Erk let himself fall next to Varric. "There aren't many magic users in these lands. I'm surprised you knew what specific kind of mage I am."
Varric smiled. "While not a practitioner, i know a good deal about the art of spellcasting. Anima, Light, and Ancient magic. Elemental, divine, and dark."
Erk seemed further impressed. "It's even rarer that I hear someone refer to the dark arts as ancient magic. I admit I'm impressed. I suppose all this knowledge comes with your territory?"
"Yep. If I don't know what every person under my command is and isn't capable of, I'm unfit to lead." Varric responded. "And that being said, I'm aware someone as sane as yourself can only take so much of someone like Serra, so I'll try not to keep you two paired up all the time." He let himself smirk at his comment.
His expression was reflected by Erk. "...I don't usually consider myself the type to get along with people, but I must admit you've raised my hopes."
Varric held out a hand, and spoke as Erk shook it. "Welcome to the Legion, we take all kinds."
A/N: Sorry this chapter was so short, but there really was just about nothing for me to work with besides the introduction of my favorite mage and favorite cleric of this game. Don't worry though, the next chapter gave me PLENTY to work with.
