*Cracks neck*

Sorry about the delay, children. Long weekend. All right, here we go, new chapter, which should bring in the next two primary characters.

And without further ado, on with the show!

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Seproth walked in the back of the group in a desperate attempt to be alone; of course nothing was that easy, especially in the group they had assembled. The fact that Serra was involved and desperately trying to pair him up with someone he could not be with did not make things easier. And there he was, engaged in a fruitless attempt to be alone.

"It's never that easy, Lord Seproth," Erk said, slowing his pace to walk at Seproth's side.

"With her, nothing is easy."

"Tch, you would know better then anyone else, wouldn't you Erk?" Seproth said, whilst glancing up ahead at Lyn and Serra.

Seproth could only assume that Serra was trying to convince Lyn to talk to him. Of course, Serra didn't know the full story, and in truth, Seproth was waiting for Lyn to tell Serra off. He was surprised that it never happened; instead Lyn simply responded with the kindness that he knew all too well.

"I don't get it Lord Seproth. Why won't you confess your feelings towards Lyn? They are so brutally obvious after all," Erk said, shaking his head and glancing at Seproth.

"Why don't you confess to little Serra over there? Your feelings are just obvious as mine are," Seproth said, grinning at Erk, who was desperately trying to hide his blush.

"I have no feelings towards that… that girl!" Erk exclaimed, earning the glance of at least one or two members of their group.

"Gee, no need to yell, Erky."

Seproth chuckled and picked up an apple, but paused.

"This is interesting," he said.

A young boy was running up to Lyn. Seproth glanced at Erk.

"To be continued, Erk."

Seproth ran up ahead.

"It's my sister! Some men have taken her away!" the young boy said to Lyn.

Seproth and Sain ran up to the boy's side.

"Your sister? Did you say your sister's been accosted?" Sain said, looking almost giddy at the prospect of being the knight in shining armor for a young girl.

Seproth and Kent merely rolled their eyes

"That's right! By some cruel, awful men. I don't know what I'll do without Ninian," he whimpered.

At the mention of the girl's name, Seproth gripped his head in agony. Why… why did that name sound so familiar?

"Kent, I… I want to help this child," Lyn said, though she was glancing at Seproth.

For a moment a look of concern brushed her features. She looked back up at Kent.

"I'm worried about my grandfather, of course. But this! I cannot stand by and let a child be taken from her home!" Lyn said resolutely.

Kent simply nodded and rode off

"I-I… I'm alright Lyn, you needn't be so worried about me." Seproth said weakly.

He looked at the boy.

"Don't worry we'll get your sister back." Seproth said with more strength in his voice

He quietly muttered something to himself after words.

At this point two figures ran up to the group. One was an archer, and the other was wearing some sort of cloak. Seproth didn't recognize them.

"Heh heh heh… Found him! C'mon, it's back to Nergal with you," the cloaked man said.

This time, it was all Seproth could do to not collapse in a fit. Nergal… that was a name he knew, even though he was amnesiac… but he couldn't… place his finger on it. How did he know Nergal's name? … Why did it invoke such dread feelings?

"No! Let Ninian go!" the boy shouted, stepping back.

"We ain't supposed to kill you, but we sure can rough you up! Get 'em!"

The cloaked man lunged at the boy and was stopped by a quick slash from Lyn

"Let the boy's sister go," Lyn said, holding the sword threateningly towards his throat.

"Ah… So you want to help the kid, huh?"

The cloaked man chuckled.

"What a shame. You're gonna die for something that don't concern you."

He chuckled again

"You think so, do you? Do we look so meek to you? I think you're in for a terrible shock!" Lyn said, again gripping her sword and pointing it towards the man.

"Stupid girl… You'll regret those words. Take 'em down, boys!"

More men came out onto the field.

"Seproth… are you… alright?" Lyn said, again the concern evident on her face.

Seproth simply nodded

"I haven't had an attack like that in some time… It simply caught me off guard. Anyways, Dorcas, Florina."

The two look up at Seproth.

"You two hold back for this fight. Rath and Matthew, you two are in for this one."

Rath and Matthew nodded and stepped forward.

"They have a shaman with them, Seproth," Lyn said.

Seproth simply nodded. He had been trying to remember what their name was. They used dark magic, and if Seproth's memory of the triangle was correct, holy magic would beat them.

"If only we had a holy man with us… Serra is a healer, not offensive. We would need a monk of some sort." Seproth thought, shaking his head.

They may not have the triangle to their advantage, but he would figure a way around it.

"Wait… who are you?"

Lyn's words snapped Seproth out of his thoughts and glanced up ahead. The picture of beauty was approaching them. Seproth could fell his cheeks redden, for he wished to know who this beautiful Maiden approaching them was.

"Please forgive me," she said, in a soft, almost lyrical tone.

Seproth again felt his cheeks burn. She was beautiful.

"I never meant to startle you."

"No… you didn't startle us at all, my dear," Seproth said, bowing.

"Based on your robes I'd say you were a bishop of Elimine," he said, tapping his finger to his chin.

"Yes… Well, no. I'm only an acolyte, an Elimine monk, to be specific," the woman said, again in that slight tone of voice.

Seproth raised his eyebrow. So masculine a title for a woman. As far as he could remember, monks were supposed to be male. But then again, who was he to question Elimine?

"My names Lucius," she said.

"Do you have business with us?" Lyn said, though she seemed to be on the verge of laughter at Seproth's expense.

"I was at the inn when this child came seeking help. The innkeeper was afraid to get involved. He was… unpleasant," Lucius said.

"Such unpleasantness in the face of a woman and a child."

Seproth shook his head and stepped forward. Lucius glanced at Seproth.

"… May I please lend you my services?" Lucius asked again.

Seproth nodded readily.

"Yes, yes my dear. Such a figure of beauty and grace would do us wonders."

Seproth took Lucius's hand and kissed it.

"It appears you are mistaken. For you see, I am a man," Lucius said, glancing down at Seproth.

Seproth, who had frozen completely at that sentence, calmly removed his lips from Lucius's hand and walked away slowly.

"Swing and a miss, Seproth," Lyn chuckled as Seproth skulked off.

"Shut it, you witch!"

He glanced angrily at her and retread to the rear of the lines to conduct the battle. Everything progressed smoothly initially. Young Nils proved to be invaluable, his lyrical tones giving everyone the ability to press on. That last burst of strength, in a way.

"Wil… come with me. I want to talk to this innkeeper."

Wil looked up at Seproth and nodded.

"As you say, Milord."

Will and Seproth ventured into the inn

"I heard you were quite rude to the lad who came in here looking for help," Seproth said glancing at the innkeeper.

He looked pathetic.

"You don't understand. You have no idea who you're facing. They're Black Fang. Anyone they target winds up… well, you know," the innkeeper stuttered, in a vein attempt to rationalize himself.

"The Black Fang…" Seproth put his finger to his lips. Something else so familiar and yet…

"Have you heard of them, Milord?" Will asked

"I-I think so… forgive me, I can't recall right now."

He shakes his head and leaves with Will in tow.

"The Black Fang…"

Seproth stared straight ahead. This was no band of ruffians he was dealing with. He bit into an apple and again began leading his men.

"Sain get on that bridge and don't let any of them through. Kent, Lyn, you two flank around alongside the other bridge. We'll catch 'em from behind and tear them apart."

Seproth shouted out his commands. The group nodded and ran off to follow their orders.

"Serra, Sain's taken some injuries, be sure to keep him healed."

That order was quickly followed.

The battle progressed from there. The troops on the bridge were crushed, thanks in part to Seproth's tactical maneuvering. They eventually reached the river before the keep, where Nils had told them Ninian was being held captive. After a brief fight with their presumed leader, Seproth and the gang rushed into the keep.

"Nils! Where's your sister?" Lyn shouted out.

"Sain, Kent you two check the upper levels. We have to find the girl," Seproth said, pointing at the knights in question, who rushed off to obey Seproth's command.

"She's not here. Why? Where could she be?" Nils said, panic rising in his voice.

Kent ran down to the two of them.

"My lady Lyndis! A villager spotted a group of men riding south." Kent said, panting.

Seproth muttered a curse.

"Damn it, they have a head start… We'll have a hell of a time catching up with them," Seproth muttered, again shaking his head.

"Are you looking for this girl here?" a young nobleman with red hair and blue eyes said, walking up.

In his arms was a young woman who appeared to be unconscious

"Ninian! Ninian!" Nils said, rushing to his sister's side.

Seproth frowned. Indeed the girl was very familiar

"She'll be fine. She's just lost consciousness," the man said.

Lyn approached him.

"Who are you?" Lyn asked.

I'm Eliwood, of Pherae. My father is the marquess," Eliwood stated. Seproth nodded. This only made sense.

"The marquess's son..." Lyn muttered quietly to herself.

Someone like her it would appear.

"She was with a band of ruffians. She seemed upset. She looked in need of rescuing... Was I wrong to involve myself?" Eliwood asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, no you were very helpful My Lord Eliwood," Seproth said, bowing as he did.

"My name is Lyn," she said, bowing.

"I'm from Sacae… I'm the marquess Caelin's granddaughter," she added.

Eliwood again raised his eyebrow. Seproth sighed and decided some explanation was needed.

After a much needed explanation, Eliwood nodded and pondered it for a moment.

"It's not an easy tale to believe, I know," Lyn said.

"No. I do believe you."

He was rubbing his chin as he said this.

"At first glance, all I saw was a daughter of the plainsfolk. Now I can see it, though. You have your grandfather's eyes."

Eliwood smiled at her. Seproth felt that jealousy in his chest again at this.

"Do you know my grandfather?" Lyn said, tilting her head slightly.

"The marquess, Lord Hausen, is my father's old friend. I also know that the proud people of Sacae tell no lies," he said, the smile still present on his face.

"I would not have expected any Lycian noble to be so… courteous to a Sacaean nomad," Lyn said returning Eliwood's smile.

The twinge of jealousy struck Seproth again.

"You seemed to be in trouble. May I be of assistance?" Eliwood asked.

"Thank you for your kind offer. This is my problem, though, and I'll deal with it," Lyn said, nodding her thanks to Eliwood.

"I see. I'll be in the area for a few days longer. If you need anything, please let me know."

Eliwood bowed and left.

"… Yet another man after you. He's a nobleman, far more fitting for you then I could ever be, Lyn," Seproth finally spoke up, looking at Lyn.

"… I suppose so…"

She closed her eyes and walked off to look after Ninian and Nils.

Seproth watched as Lyn talked with Nils and Ninian, no doubt gaining whatever knowledge she could about the pair. Seproth shook his head. This was the only way, he was sure. It had to be… no matter what his heart may say.

"You're killing yourself Lord Seproth, you shouldn't let things such as rank keep you from someone you love so much," Erk said, walking up beside Seproth.

"You don't understand… her grandfather already suffered his only daughter running off with some commoner. I couldn't bring that upon him again," Seproth said, shaking his head.

"It's for the best. I know this to be true in my heart… I simply must endure."

"… Can I talk to you, Seproth?" Lyn said softly, walking up beside Seproth.

"… Yes, I suppose you can." Seproth said, turning to face her.

Erk quietly left.

"Ninian lost her ring… I'd really love to retrieve it for her," Lyn said, looking up at him, "even though I'm sure those thieves are strong, and may be to strong for us."

"… We'll go after the ring… it's the right thing to do," Seproth said.

He narrowed his eyes though for a moment.

"I'd also like to find out more about those men… and this Nergal."

He clenched his fist.

"… Very well, Lord Seproth."

She turned around and began to walk off slowly.

"I…" she began, but stopped and continued to walk away.

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Damn that was a long chapter… shit might be my longest yet.

Anyways expect an update very soon.