Rediscovery

"Milady, I've returned, and I have brought news." Kent's voice was a welcome sound to Alysia, but when she heard the news, her heart sank. "Laus soldiers are scattered from the castle to the edge of this forest. There must be at least 50 soldiers!"
"Are you sure about this, milady?" Sain asked. "We barely escaped the melee as it is. Going back to the castle would mean almost certain death."
"My grandfather is in the castle." Lyn said. "I left the castle on his orders, but… I can't leave him in there alone!"
"The numbers we face…" Wil shook his head. "Rescuing Lord Hausen will be no easy task."
Sain nodded. "I wonder if we can expect any reinforcements."
"I overheard some of the Laus soldiers talking." Kent said. "They claim that Lord Eliwood invaded Laus and drove them out."
Alysia frowned. "Eliwood? Why would he attack Laus?"
"It gets even more interesting…" Kent said. "Not only did Marquess Laus abandon his castle, but he also left his son, Erik, behind when he fled here to Caelin."
"That's despicable!" Sain cried. "He abandoned his own son?"
"But at least we know Eliwood is in Laus." Alysia said. "We might be able to ask him for help... Assuming there were a way to contact him."
Wil nodded. "If we are to avoid being caught, the best path would be through the forest. Shall I go?"
"I suspect you're right." Lyn said. "Horses cannot move well in woods... It'll take you a while, but you can travel lightly-"
Florina spoke up suddenly. "Lady Lyndis! I'll go! I can fly above the forest. I can be in Laus faster than anyone else."
That Florina volunteered for this mission shocked everyone. "Florina? You can't do this on your own!" Lyn insisted. "It's not possible!"
Florina shook her head. "Thanks to my time here, I'm no longer as timid around men as I used to be. And I've met Lord Eliwood before. I'm sure I can do this on my own."
Lyn sighed. "It will be terribly dangerous. You understand, don't you?"
Florina smiled. "Yes, but I promised myself I would become braver for you. I'm not the weak little Florina I used to be. I'll be fine. Trust me."
Lyn sighed. "You've convinced me. The job's yours, Florina. But you must promise me that you won't try anything impossible!"
Florina nodded. "Yes, my lady. Farewell!" She mounted her pegasus, and it kicked off and took wing.
Sain grinned. "Did you hear our meek Florina? She sounded most forceful! Beautiful!"
Kent nodded. "She's become a full-fledged pegasus knight."
Lyn smiled. "Yes, she has."
"All for you, Lady Lyndis." Wil added. "That's quite gallant."
Lyn sighed. "When we lived on the plains, I was always her protector. I know I shouldn't feel sad, and yet…"

"I've spotted the enemy." Hector declared. They'd been marching for far less time than Andreas had expected, when they finally came upon Castle Caelin's southwest approach.
"Why are their archers advancing?" Hector wondered. "They're aiming at something up high..." He trailed off as he searched the sky for what the archers were aiming at.
Marcus was the first to see it. "Lord Eliwood, look! Up there! A pegasus knight!" All eyes turned to where Marcus was pointing, and Andreas did, indeed, see a pegasus knight flying towards them. Andreas saw a flicker of pale purple hair on the rider.
"Lord Eliwood!" The rider called out, the voice rang out.
"Could it really be... Florina, is that you?" Eliwood called back.

"Yes!" Florina called. "I'm Lady Lyndis'-"

"Florina!" Andreas called. "Fly lower!"

"What?" She turned in her saddle as the archers loosed their arrows skyward. Andreas watched as they streaked towards her. She twisted her pegasus in the sky, and managed to avoid the arrows, but she lost her balance, and began to plummet, screaming the whole way down.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Hector leaped forwards, catching the falling pegasus rider and pulling her to him as he rolled. Florina was silent as Hector released her.

"Can you hear me?" Eliwood asked. "Florina?"

Florina slowly opened her eyes. "Lord Eliwood... I-"

Eliwood sighed in relief. "Those archers almost hit you." He explained. "You dodged their arrows, but you lost your balance and fell."

Florina frowned. "I'm not hurt, though." She said. "I fell from such a height, too. So how-"

"Hector saved you." Eliwood said, pointing to the other lord.

Florina looked to her savior, and smiled sheepishly, before her eyes widened. "Look out!"

Hector turned around in time to see Florina's pegasus swoop down and ram right into him, feet first.

Florina bolted right up and ran over to her pegasus, leading it off of the lord. "I'm so sorry!"

Hector coughed a bit as he stood back up, and groaned as he rubbed the spot on his chest where the pegasus had rammed him. "No apology needed. It'll take more than that to keep me down." He looked to Florina. "You do need to tell us why you're here, however."

Florina nodded. "Yes. O-of course!" She turned to Eliwood. "Lord Eliwood, Lady Lyndis is behind that forest." Florina pointed out past the cliffs to the southeast, at the base of the cliffs that Castle Caelin was situated on. "She's waiting for a chance to assault the castle."

Eliwood did a double take. "She's what?!" He sighed. "Well, it's good to hear that she's safe."

Florina nodded. "She's fine, but Lord Hausen was captured in the initial assault. He's still in the castle."

Eliwood nodded. "I see. Let's go, then! There's no time to waste." Eliwood turned to Andreas. "What are your thoughts, Andreas?"

Andreas looked out and thought. "These forests will make it difficult for any riders we have to move about, but if we're to handle their swordsmen, we'll need at least Lowen or Marcus on the battlefield, and I'd prefer to keep Marcus in reserve, defending Merlinus and the caravan.

The order of battle was decided. Marcus would head up a reserve force to protect the caravan from Laus soldiers, while Andreas and Eliwood headed up the relief force that would link up with Lyn and storm the castle.

They marched south, towards a nearby village, and into battle...

The sounds of combat drifted through the valley to Alysia, who smiled. "It would appear that Eliwood is faster that we thought." She said. "He's already here."

"We should move now, and link up with his forces." Kent said. "It will be much easier to rescue Lord Hausen with his aid."

Lyn nodded. "Come, then! There is little time to waste. We ride!"

There were a few enemies that came to them, and they were dealt with first. As Lyn squared off with an enemy swordsman, and Sain and Kent battled against a trio of lancers, Wil aided Alysia as she squared off with a brigand. Two arrows struck his chest and shoulder as he charged, and Alysia dodged his strikes, before pitching one of her new throwing knives into his head. The steel blade pierced his skull, and his body dropped like a load of bricks. Alysia retrieved the knife from his head, and sheathed it. Then, she took another look at the battlefield.

This initial attack seemed to be the only group of soldiers sent their way. The rest of Laus' forces seemed to be trying to fight back against Eliwood's force. Well, if the pressure was off, the time had come to move forward, and lend their own strength to Eliwood's.

They moved forwards quickly, unimpeded by enemy attacks, and quickly met up with Eliwood's forces. After the initial surprise of meeting Serra, Dorcas, Erk, and Matthew in Eliwood's employ, the battle proceeded smoothly as their forces pressed forwards, beating back Laus forces all the way to the castle itself.

There, sitting at the gate, was the enemy commander, holding his ground against impossible odds. Alysia stepped forwards, Sylvanas in her hand. She felt the familiar energy of the world around her, and allowed it to build up. The knight threw a javelin at Alysia, but she intercepted it, calling forth a pillar of earth with her free hand. The pillar dropped, its mission completed, and Alysia moved her hand again, this time willing the earth near the Knight to take a new shape.

The spike of rock rammed itself through his armor, killing the knight where he stood. With that final attack, the battle was over. They had won.

"Once we've defeated the remaining enemies, the castle will be back in your hands, Lyndis." Eliwood assured her.

Lyndis nodded. "Thank you, Eliwood. If you hadn't arrived so soon, I doubt we'd be standing here now."

"This only happened because we routed Lord Darin at Castle Laus." Eliwood admitted. "It's only right that we help you here and now."

Lyn nodded. "Eliwood, this is about your father. In your position, I would have done the same thing. What happened here is not your fault. Laus is to blame here, not Pherae."

Eliwood smiled. "Thank you, Lyndis, but until your castle is reclaimed, I will shoulder the responsibility."

"Eliwood, Andreas wants us all moving into the castle soon." Said a blue-haired man walking forwards. Alysia knew he looked vaguely familiar. They had run into him last year during the Caelin incident, back when they'd first met Nils and Ninian.

"Who are you?" Lyndis asked.

Eliwood smiled. "This is Hector, Lord Uther's brother. Hector, this is Lyndis, the granddaughter of Lord Hausen."

"His brother?" Lyndis asked, looking Hector over. "I was watching the way you fight. His style isn't like yours, mine, or my knights'. He relies so much on power. It's like he's never been-"

"I haven't." Hector said. "I'm self-taught."

"I've no issue with that," Lyn said, "but the way you swing your axe around, I think you're just as liable to hit a friend as a foe. You should watch out."

Hector stepped forwards. "Excuse me?"

Eliwood put a hand on Hector's shoulder, and looked at Lyn. "Are you alright, Lyn?

Lyn blinked, and bowed her head. "My apologies. I didn't mean to sound so critical."

Hector remained silent. Eliwood spoke next. "Granted, Hector's style is somewhat dangerous, but he is a good friend and a skilled fighter. There is no one I rely upon more. You may think him careless, but he is always mindful of his surroundings. Once you've fought alongside him, I'm sure you'll understand."

Lyndis nodded, and turned to Hector. "Once again, you have my apology. I am honored to have you at our side."

Hector shook his head. "No apology necessary. I'm glad to help."

A silver-haired man with a sword at his side walked out of the castle's gate, towards the group. Alysia recognized him as the courier who had brought her Kent's letter. He walked up to Hector and Eliwood. "Milords, we're ready to move into the castle on your orders."

Lyndis looked up, and frowned. "Who is this, Eliwood?"

Eliwood put a hand on the man's shoulder. "This is Andreas. He's a fighter and tactician in my employ. His guidance has been key in leading us here."

Andreas bowed. "Milady. I've heard tell of the Inheritance dispute last year. I shall strive to live up to the standards set by your own tactician."

Alysia smiled. "Very considerate of you, Andreas."

Andreas looked up, and recognized Alysia. "Ah, I did not expect to see you again, much less under these circumstances. So you were the tactician that led Lyndis to victory?"

Alysia nodded. "I am, and I see that you're a decent tactician yourself."

Alysia realized that everyone was looking at them, eyes flicking back and forth. Lyn cleared her throat. "Eliwood tells me that Andreas has amnesia, Alysia." She said. "His memory terminates around the same date that yours does."

Alysia blinked. "What?" She turned again to face the other tactician, this time looking at him more carefully. The silver hair. Those caring green eyes. Could he... Something in her head clicked, and tears filled her eyes. "Lyn. Do you remember what I told you of my family?"

Lyn's eyes widened. "You mean-"

Alysia rushed forwards and hugged Andreas. "Oh sweet Elimine, thank you."