Garcia and Gerik
Do you remember Tethys and Gerik's A support? Gerik brings up how he almost died on the battlefield while facing an enemy knight. Then if you read Gerik's support with Ross he mentions how he once had to face his father as an enemy...Hmmm
Support: C
GARCIA: Are you alright? I saw you get surrounded by enemies and came to help. You seem to have dealt with them, but you look tired.
GERIK: ...
GARCIA: I can call a healer over if you are injured. Would you like me to?
GERIK:...
GARCIA: Are you well man?! Please let me know that you are okay!
GERIK:...It's ok, I'm fine I didn't mean to worry you.
GARCIA: I am glad to hear it. You look like a hardy warrior for sure. Yet I would still wish to see that you are well.
GERIK: I've had my share of battle before and I'm certain to have more, thanks for looking out for me.
GARCIA: I was once a general of Renais, it was my job to look out for the soldiers under my command. You may have to send allies to their death, but you should not allow them to die if they don't have to.
GERIK: It sounds like you were a great general, taking care of the troops is important, otherwise they will have no moral to fight.
GARCIA: You the leader of that band of mercenaries right?
GERIK: Yes I am Gerik, of Gerik's mercenaries
GARCIA: I am Garcia, now dragged out of retirement to fight another war.
GERIK: Do you regret that decision?
GARCIA: At first I did. I had spent most of my life fighting for uncaring nobles in petty skirmishes that had little real effect of me. It wasn't until my wife died that I came to realize how much time I spent away from home...away from those that truly mattered to me. But now seeing what's happened to Renais and my village I have to fight again and hope that we can win this war.
GERIK: That certainly seems like a more admiral goal. Me I'm just in it for the money.
GARCIA: You say that, but in truth I feel it's more honest. I spent my life serving a noble because "thats how it works" you at least fight for money and are not bound to any one lord, duke, or king. You fight who you want, when you want, for whatever amount you want.
GERIK: That's surprising! Usually I hear people bad mouthing mercenaries. They say we fight only for money and because of that we have no loyalty to anyone. They say we are dogs who bite for the highest bidder.
GARCIA: As someone who spent his life in service to his country I have to wonder whether I gained anything from my choice. My days were spent away from my family training or fighting, and when my village was invaded the lord I served my whole life ran away. At least you had some sense in choosing the battles you wished to fight.
GERIK: Perhaps, but I may have not always chosen my battles wisely
GARCIA: What do you mean?
GERIK:...Never mind, we'd best get back to the task at hand. (leaves)
GARCIA: I guess so...is it my imagination or does he not like being around me?
Support: B
(Garcia is alone on the screen with his eyes closed)
GARCIA: Ahhhh! Breath in and out, breathe in and out, Flex those muscles, pop those joints
GERIK: Hello Garica!
GARCIA: Oh Master Gerik, you caught me in the middle of my preparations.
GERIK: Sorry I hope I wasn't disturbing you.
GARCIA: Not at all, in fact if you'd like to join me I would appreciate that.
GERIK: Even at your old age you keep to traditions and exercises that keep your body healthy. Is this how you've managed to stay so healthy for so long?
GARCIA: You have to take care of your body it's the only one you have, but that doesn't just mean physically, you have to keep your attitude and breathing healthy too. I know many soldiers who only work out their body but don't focus on breathing, then they wonder why they have trouble breathing on the battlefield.
GERIK: I guess it's not surprising that a seasoned veteran like you keeps such customs.
GARCIA: If you'd like to stay near me during this next battle I would be willing to teach you everything I know about fighting. Though I'm sure you already know a lot yourself.
GERIK: I would be honored to learn anything you can teach me...you've already taught me something important.
GARCIA: Did I? I don't seem to remember teaching you anything before?
GERIK:...I was referring to what you taught me just now. It's important to be careful when you're fighting. You shouldn't go in unprepared
GARCIA: Yeah. As a soldier you won't last long on the battlefield if you aren't patient. You have to take time to train and make sure that you don't rush into combat otherwise you tend to end up dead.
GERIK:...yeah you'd know all about that wouldn't you?
GARCIA: What do you mean?
GERIK: You don't remember once fighting a young solider who seemed so full of confidence that he rushed into combat against you?
GARCIA:... Gerik i must admit I have no idea what you are talking about...I've fought so many battles I don't remember details from all of them.
GERIK: I guess all those details aren't important to you...even if they were important to someone else.
GARCIA:...Having fought for all my life I can't be expected to remember everything. Getting old has its disadvantages too you know.
GERIK: I don't know how old I may live to, but I don't think I will ever forget the most important day of my life.
GARCIA: What day was that?
GERIK: ...it was the day i almost died in battle
GARCIA: When was that?
GERIK:...
GARCIA: Whenever it was it must have been a real important day for you
GERIK:...yes it was...it was the day i got this scar.
GARCIA: Yes that looks like it was real painful.
GERIK: It was, but it also serves as reminder for the lessons you're teaching me now. About being careful, and not rushing into combat. I learned that lesson the hard way on that fateful day.
GARCIA: I guess it's a good thing you didn't die on that day and were able to learn those lessons.
GERIK: ...yeah I guess you're right.
GARCIA: See that means you can become a seasoned soldier like me. If you apply some of the things i taught you I bet you will last a long time on the battlefield and maybe even live to be as old as me.
GERIK: I would hope so.
GARCIA: Well then I'm all done warming up, let's get back to the battle.
GERIK: Yeah I'll follow you, I'd like to keep fighting alongside you to see what else you can teach me. (Gerik leaves)
GARCIA:...That Gerik was acting strangely, I wonder what he was thinking about...Wait a minute! That scar! Could it be? How did I not put it together sooner!
Support: A
GARCIA: Gerik can I talk with you please?
GERIK: What did you want to talk about?
GARCIA: I finally remembered, I know what you were obliquely referring to when we last spoke. It took awhile for me to put it together, but you and I have fought before. You were that young mercenary I fought a long time ago...I...I...I...was the one who gave you that scar.
GERIK:...
GARCIA: I don't know what to say, I never imagined I would see you again.
GERIK:...
GARCIA: Please say something. Anything
GERIK:...Why?!
GARCIA:...
GERIK: Why did you spare my life?
GARCIA: I remember that day clearly now. There was a dispute between two dukes about a piece of land in Renais. The battle was fought near the Zaho Woods where we were able to ambush the enemy and confuse them. The trees gave us a tactical advantage.
GERIK: You haven't answered my question.
GARCIA: I'm getting to that. Then out of nowhere you jumped out at me. We engaged in a fierce battle.
GERIK: I thought for sure you would be easy prey, especially since you are an axe wielder and I am a sword fighter. I thought i could finish you in one blow, I also had no idea you were the enemy commander
GARCIA: I always carry several types of axes with me, when I saw you I simply switched to my swordreaver and was able to disarm you and deal that blow to your face.
GERIK:...and then what happened next?
GARCIA:...I saw you on the ground clutching at your face. I looked around and saw the enemy retreating, we were already winning the battle. I knew most of the duke's forces, and I didn't recognize you. I realized you must have been a mercenary, Since we were winning I saw no reason to kill you. I saw the fear in your eyes, I also saw how young you were and I had no desire to kill such a young weakened opponent.
GERIK:...
GARCIA: It was shortly after that battle that i resigned my commission and came home to raise my son. Before that battle I heard the news that I was to be a father, when I looked at you I couldn't believe how young you were. I didn't want to be the one who stole you away from your own father, so I told you to leave. I never imagined that I would meet you again after so many years
GERIK: I actually had hoped I would die that day. I had recently lost a friend who died in battle. After you disarmed me and cut me I remember thinking, "Well Zabba I'm finally coming to join you." But then you let me live. I was so confused I scurried away and now here we are together again after so many years.
GARCIA: Sir Gerik, I am glad I let you live otherwise you would not be here by our side fighting in this important conflict.
GERIK: I'm glad you let me live too. Thought at first i wasn't, I thought I was so ashamed after that battle, it took me months to get my confidence in fighting back, and even though the scar healed, every time I looked at it it reminded me of my humiliation.
GARCIA: And yet here you are. Who knows what could have happened if I had killed you. Perhaps we would then have no chance of winning this war?
GERIK: When this war is over I want to challenge you, just a practice spar, but I want to show you what I've learned since then.
GARCIA: Yes if that is what you wish then let's do it. But first we have to ensure we survive this war.
End of Game
Garcia and Gerik became friends. Garcia spent the rest of his years working for Gerik's Mercenaries. He taught his troops and helped them to become competent soldiers. They remained friends until the end of his days.