Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Little plot twist here that should give you more of an idea of how Mark got here. I love creating links. (grins madly)

Well, well. Only twenty-four hits away from 1000 hits! You guys make me feel like an amazing author, and I try not to disappoint.

Quick question - would you rather I put the interlude piece I promised in 'To Lands Still Unknown' as an interlude, or as a separate story entirely? Please let me know. And, as always, enjoy!


#45 – Fetch

"Lord Mark, I have a question." Mark blinked and turned to the blue-haired girl sitting next to him. "Why are you not in there with the rest of the troops? You didn't have to stay out here with me," Ninian said, looking down. "After all, you left two people to guard me already," she said, indicating Sain and Dorcas, who were busy watching the horizon.

Mark paused. "A question for a question, is that fair?" Ninian thought for a moment, then nodded hesitantly. "I've been with this group ever since Kent and Sain found Lyn on the outskirts of Bulgar," he started. "I've been with them through every battle, and although I can't take too much credit for their prowess, my tactics have led them to victory every time. You heard Lyn say it herself – she's confident she can win with me by her side."

"But that makes no sense!" Ninian blurted out. "If she's so confident in your abilities, why are you leaving her without them?" Mark sighed. "I wasn't finished yet," he said. As Ninian blushed, hunching over, Mark continued. "The thing is, I'm worried that Lyn's beginning to think that I'm the person who's causing her victories. I can give them a plan, but they're the ones who carry it out. I'm not going to be there forever, and Lyn needs to learn that even though someone can plan her battles for her, she's the one who wins them."

"I see," Ninian said, smiling hesitantly. Something about her demeanor caused Mark to smile back. "Now, I have a question," he said. "Can you tell me more about your dances and Nils' songs? Nils said your dance was sacred?"

"It is," Ninian agreed. "As you can probably tell…Nils and I are from far away. Our country is…very close to a sacred forest. In that forest, the…ah, the most beautiful birds reside. Their songs can refresh the most weary of travelers…but long ago, humans entered the forest and killed many of the birds, fearing them. Now, only a handful of them remain. Nils' song and my dance… they are meant to show both our sorrow at the fact that such a travesty occurred, and to attempt to emulate the actions of such beautiful creatures."

"I see." Mark had the sneaking suspicion that Ninian had not lied to him once, but had still held much of the truth back. "Would this ring Lyn is fetching have anything to do with your dance or Nils' song?"

Ninian opened her mouth to answer, but closed it suddenly. "A question for a question, Lord Mark," she murmured.

"Alright." Inwardly, Mark was cursing that he had allowed her to outsmart him. "Ask something else of me."

"Why do you not…look upon us with suspicion?" the girl demanded. "Even Lady Lyndis…she was startled at my appearance. Our countenances have been the cause of many arguments. But you…you haven't even stared once. You simply looked at us, and accepted us. Why is this?"

I…I don't know. "Your appearance is not all that strange," Mark said finally. "After all, you are still human, no matter what you look like." Ninian flinched. "Something is bothering you," he accused.

"There are others out there who would disagree with you," she said quietly. Mark frowned. "It is not so," he said. "You appear different from the people of Elibe, it is true. But you have feelings, and compassion. You worry about your brother. You are sorrowful that people have killed – even if it was only birds. You are more human than many of those walking out there." I feel so strongly about this. Did someone once accuse me of not being human because of my looks?

"Thank you, Lord Mark," Ninian said quietly. "To know that you believe that…it brings great joy to my heart." Mark sighed, and leaned against the wall. They sat in silence for several minutes, before Mark turned to Ninian. "I forgot," he admitted sheepishly. "Does this ring Lyn is fetching have anything to do with your dance?"

Ninian bit the inside of her cheek. "Yes."

"Well?" he asked. Ninian fidgeted, and finally opened her mouth to answer, when the Lyn's voice came drifting down the hall. "I'm afraid we have to cut this short," Mark sighed. "Come on, let's retrieve your ring."

"I don't care who comes after you," Lyn was declaring, "I'll not let you be taken. Right, Mark?"

Mark inclined his head. At least, not until you pay me that answer you owe me, Ninian, he told himself, insisting that it was merely that and nothing more that caused him to want to protect the children.