"Black Fang… Black Fang… Black Fang…" Mark repeated to himself, in an almost mantra Esq. way. This time he was all alone, even Serra respected this
"A name, a name, a name," again he continued the Mantra. Tossing an apple into the air and catching it, he continued this. Deep in his thoughts a memory stirred.
(Flashback)
The three robed figures were ridding across the Sacae plains.
"Shut it you, damn Emo bastard." The cloaked figure on the far right of the group shouted at one the one on the far left.
"Emo?" The voice of the robed figure, even behind his robes his Arched Eye brow could be seen.
"Yes Emo its short for Emotional." The original robed figure spoke up, pointing an accusing finger at the 'Emo' figure.
"… If you say so." The 'Emo' figure said shaking his head.
"That's enough out of you two; we've almost reached the designated spot." The figure in the middle spoke up.
"I don't get it brother, why are we taking a job from the Black Fangs; they're the 'Best' assassins in the world." The far right figure said shaking his head.
"Money is tight brother; you know this as well as I do, far be it from us to question the merits of a job." The middle rider said while bringing an apple into his mouth and biting into it.
"Tch whatever you say elder brother." The right figure said.
(End flashback)
Mark frowned and finally bit into the apple.
"The Black Fang's hired us." Mark muttered swallowing the bite in question.
"That's interesting, but what does it mean for me." He bites into the apple and glances at the group ahead. He notices that they've arrived at the fortress.
"For now, we'll worry about the battle at hand." He walks up next to Lyn.
"I believe they went in here." She said observing the fortress.
"Milady, are you really going in there to get the ring back?" Nils asked looking up at Lyn.
"Yes, we are." Lyn said, nodding to the boy.
"But, this is their stronghold! They're bound to be well defended, not to mention well armed!" Nils said pointing at the fortress
"It's a trap; I have no idea what kind of numbers they have. On top of that, recon will be damn near impossible, it's dark in there. So I can safely assume their good at fighting in the dark. Ayep all around a sucky situation we got here." Seproth mutters rubbing his chin.
"Then… we should just forget the ring, its ok." Ninian said quietly.
"Hell I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could do it. Don't worry, I have a plan." Seproth chuckles biting into an apple.
"I always have a plan." He grinned finishing the apple off and tossing it aside.
"Milady Lyndis! There are more of the foes inside then we thought." Sain said running up. Seproth sighed at his stupidity.
"This is their stronghold." Lyn said as a matter of fact.
Seproth was already conducting the battle in his head.
"Seproth what do you think, how we move is entirely up to you." Lyn said looking at Seproth.
"Yes, Florina sit this one out Lucius your coming with us. They'll no doubt have shaman's we'll need your aid." Seproth says. Lucius nods and steps up. Florina looks down but flies off.
"Hmm Sain you to sit this one out." Seproth said, Sain looked shocked but then bowed and rode off.
"Nils your flute is a remarkable thing we'll need it in the battle." Seproth said smiling at the boy.
"As you wish… Seproth" Nils bowed his head slightly
"The plan is simple. Erk, Wil, Rath, and Dorcas take positions behind the walls. Prepare for the enemy to attack and pick them off from a distance." He pointed to the locations in question.
"We strike from afar. Lyn, Matthew, and Kent. You three pick off the stragglers. We have to move quickly though. We don't know how many reinforcements they may have." He was pondering his decisions and nodded
"Alright let's go." He said running up next to Lyn.
"Seproth…" She closed her eyes and looked away.
"Forgive me Lyn… but we do need to talk. However for the sake of the battle, I need to be by your side." Seproth said looking at her. She looked back at him and nodded. The two ran deeper into the fortress.
"heheheh I knew it, was only a matter of time, until those two got together." Serra said with a smile on her face.
"… You're thinking about that now, Serra." Erk sighed standing behind her.
"I'm always thinking about Lord Seproth, and Lady Lyndis." She said the smile on her face not diminishing in the least
"You're… too meddlesome for my liking." Erk sighed and joined the fray.
The battle plan worked out nicely, most of the Fang fell into Seproth's traps. He couldn't help but grin with each death cry. Lyn found it to be, quite disturbing but, for the most part ignored it. Even when reinforcements came they did little to add to the body count.
"We'll be taking that ring, you have." Seproth said walking up to the leader of the group, he was holding out his hand. Lyn was at his side, sword at the ready.
"You, your Mark!" said the leader.
"How do you know my name?"
"I'm the one who put the X on your chest remember"
(Flash back)
"Hahaha, Beyard, though it saddens me to say this, the Three Swords will be leaving the Black Fang"
"Why?"
"Because my elder brother has ordered me to so I must"
"You dont have to listen to him"
"Yes I must'
"No you don't" yelled Beyard as he pulled out his sword.
"Beyard we will not fight so I shall take my leave"
"DIE TRAITOR"
(End Flash back)
Angered but not deturded he grabs Beyard by his collar and hoists him up.
"I want to know, about this Nergal, about a request from three men. I want to know everything about your operation." Mark said grabbing a dagger from Matthew and holding it to man's throat.
"As… if… I would… tell you anything… besides… failure… means… death." He chuckled collapsing to the ground dead.
"He poisoned himself… damnable coward." Mark said kicking the body.
"We'll get nothing more from him. Not even why they want these children." Seproth said, staring at them. They simply backed down slightly.
"Nothing of use… bah. We'll make camp here, and at first light we move. " He walks off, again going into his mantra.
"The ring was found, it's why we came here in the first place Master Mark.." Erk said stepping up beside Mark.
"Besides Markie, you got some alone time with Lady Lyndis, soooooo did you confess your love for her." Serra said jumping onto Marks back.
"… You're trying to hard for something that isn't, and cannot be." Mark said shaking her off of him. Serra pouted at the ruining of her piggy back ride.
"You're no fun Markie," she said kicking a rock and skulking off.
"… I'll leave you two be." Erk said walking off.
"So I take it you heard everything, Serra is quite loud." Mark turns around to look at Lyn.
"… I heard everything you said, yesterday as well Mark." She looked up at him.
"Is it true, you really do love me… don't you Mark?" She said all but pleading for him, to return the feelings.
"I-I…" in his heart he had wanted to say yes, he wanted to bad to confess his feelings for her but...
"I do not Lyn… I'm sorry, whatever it is that you may think, whatever it is you all may think." He sighs and closes his eyes.
"I'm sorry Lyn… I really am." He walks past her not even glancing at her. It was all he could do not to cry, when she began to. He had to stick to his conviction, no matter what. He couldn't allow himself to break. He prayed they would arrive at their destination soon. He didn't know how much more of this torment he could take.
