Disclaimer: Don't own it, duh!


Just like old times…

He and Mathew were up to their usual antic: fooling around. Cormag was sure that it was giving himself a bad image to the lords, but why not? You only live once, well, unless you magically come back to life.

So far, in this group, the only recognized faces were Dorcas, Mathew, Serra and Kaitlyn. Damn, I wish Kaitlyn weren't here but, Eliwood would be hard pressed to find a better tactician, that is sure.

Marquess Santaruz's words were taken to heart by Eliwood, who would have had them continue riding for a while longer if not for Hector who saved them from Eliwood's determination. Eliwood finally gave in to letting them stop for the night. Their place of rest: a rather small town surrounded by dead trees and streams.

It was a very nice place to rest at, despite its appearance. There were animals running rampant and plenty of water in the streams, although the safeness was questionable.

This nice night filled with relaxation and well earned rest from recent battles was soon interrupted by a load scream…


Upon approaching the scene, the company found two men with large swords with a small man dressed in a tunic that clearly depicted him to wealthy. The two with swords had their swords drawn, and the little man was quivering with fear.

Eliwood sprang out into the open and firmly said, "Unhand him!"

The two swordsmen whipped around holding their swords in a defensive position. "This does not concern you! It is a private manner!" the first one said.

"Help me! They are going to kill me!" said the fearful old man.

"Shut up you!" the second bandit kicked at him, but the damage was done.

"Kaitlyn, we cannot stand by and let this injustice happen! We must put a stop to this! Fear not good fellow, for we are here to aid you!" Eliwood cried.

The two bandits growled when suddenly an arrow was sticking out of the second bandit. The bandit fell over and gave a groan, he was clearly dead. Cormag began reloading the next bolt while saying, "Eliwood, next time skip the chivalrous speech, it takes too long." That statement got him a few chuckles from the people surrounding him including Mathew. In the meantime the other bandit began to shout orders. Cormag could hear the sounds of people moving in the nearby forests and bushes.

Cormag unsheathed his sword and the people near him did the same. Kaitlyn cried out, "Protect the man! Keep all the bandits away." She began to give more specific orders, such as for Mathew to go with the archers to be their eyes through the night. She sent Cormag to one of the small nearby bridges, alone.

Excellent, she still remembers how good I am, still, she isn't one to take risks… eh, to hell with thinking about it, time to go earn my keep.


These bandits were no Black Fang, that was for certain. But like all fighting, it still presents a challenge. For any fool can hold a sword, only one who knows how to use it can be a threat, but that fool can still get lucky.

Slash. Parry. Slice. Jab. Duck. Cormag threw together a combination of complex moves, the bandits didn't stand a chance against Cormag's sword style, which is because he doesn't have one. Corvus always said that a style is predictable, like how warm it is outside. It isn't always able to be predicted, but you could come close. Cormag remedied that by improvising as he went. Sure, he had a few guidelines, but every fight with him was different.

Slice. Cut. Dodge. Jump away. Block. Counter. And with that the next bandit was dead. Cormag heard the whoosh of a blade and jumped to the side saving his back mostly. His carelessness earned him a cut on his back. He flinched with pain as he cut the bandit on the arm, and then went for a finishing blow through the heart.

Another bandit came. Another slice. Another duck. A punch to the gut. A slash across the chest. Another dead bandit. Shit, how many are there? Haven't the others killed any, or did they all come here?

With a roar, a bandit jumped at him from his left. A poor choice on the bandit's part. Never leave your gut open, it's like holding a sign saying, 'stab me here.' Cormag's sword swiftly entered the bandit's stomach. He looked around himself for more enemies, there were none. There was the sound of someone clapping behind him.

He looked up to see Hector leaning on his axe clapping. Hector walked down and said, "We rescued that peddler-, I mean, merchant a while ago. You hadn't showed up so I came looking for you, impressive battle."

Between a few heavy breathes, Cormag said, "Why were the bandits after this merchant?"

"Merlinus thinks that it is because he looks rich."

"Merlinus?"

"That's his name."

"Ah."

"So now he is our official, how did Eliwood put it, transporter of our company."

"Damn, I missed all of this? You guys must have had an easier time than I did."

"Very, they seem to have mostly gone for you it seems."

Cormag sighed, he really needed to sleep, to have lost track of this much time.


Cold. Dark. Pain.

He got up and waited for his eyes to adjust. He was in a cell, but why? It took him a moment to think of the reason. Then it came to him, he was in Caelin. Damn, his head hurt. He felt a large lump on his head.

Now back to his question, why? It had something to do with Laus, didn't it?

"What's your name boy?" He looked up to see he was being addressed by his cellmate, a middle aged man who seemed to be looks of a soldier.

His name… which to give, he couldn't remember which he gave here. Damn, they hit him hard, at last he spoke, "I am Conrad."


Fog. Darkenss. The blur of trees as I ran.

Chased by them wasn't something I had in mind, never had my sword been so bloody.

A snap of a twig. Another one sprang up before I could ready my sword. I raised my hand shooting the ice out, killing him instantly. I gasped in pain, I shouldn't have done that, I was tired as it was. But all I could do is keep running. They wouldn't capture me again, not after last time.

The cover of the trees aided my escape, perhaps this was the time I could escape this accursed isle.


Author note: Well, between prepping for High school finals and just being busy, I have found time to write. Not much to say except thanks for the reviews, since I got none, thanks for the follows, since I got none, and for the favorites, since I got none. Haha, I don't actually care about any of that. 200 views and only 5 reviews, 3 from the same guy. Thanks CCM(COOKIECHEESEMAN), you are forgiven! The other 197 are not! BWAHAHAHA! Eh, I've rambled on and made no sense for too long. But this marks the first chptr with the three main main characters, which will not be introduced until two chptrs ahead(at least the first one will be) and the second some other time (this is who my poll on my profile reflects, go vote or else CCM will have gotten to choose the name! Not that it isn't an awesome name, thanks CCM!

-CR