BTW, I was playing through Shining Force when I realized Anri, who in an earlier chapter gave the White Ring to, can't equip it! Doh! Thus, in order to fix this gaping plot hole, this is an alternate universe of Shining Force, yeah, that's it...

Chapter 5

Edward Draco was quite pleased that he had hired Peregrin. For a young man who had looked like he could collapse and die any minute when Edward first met him, Peregrin brought an amazing amount of energy and enthusiasm. He was always the first to awaken, the last to retire. He completed his tasks with such high speed and efficiency that, as a result, Edward had a lot more free time on his hands. Because of Peregrin's efforts, the farm was having one of the most successful years ever. Peregrin even found time to help around the house, mopping floors, cleaning dishes, milking cows, all without complaint. June absolutely loved him, and was always forcing second, third, and fourth helpings at mealtimes, and fussed about his clothes, and whether he was getting enough sleep. He even refused to take any additional wages or bonuses. Little did Peregrin know, that situation would change soon enough.

Edward and Peregrin were out threshing wheat. Edward sighed as he realized how pitifully smaller the section he had done was compared to Peregrin's. Must be getting old, he surmised. "Peregrin, come on in!" Edward shouted out to Peregrin.

Peregrin looked up, wiping the sweat off his brow. "What? The sun still hasn't even gone down yet!"

Edward sighed. That was Peregrin all right: always eager to slave away. Sometimes, Edward had to pull him away from his job. "I know, but we've got to run into the village, to pick up some things. I thought maybe you'd come along."

Peregrin nodded. "Why do you need me to come along?"

Edward snorted. "For one, those clothes you're wearing are going to fall off your back anyday now. We have to get you properly outfitted for the coming winter."

Peregrin looked down at his clothes, which was extremely weathered. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Edward shook his head. Peregrin was almost too unselfish. Which was one of the reasons that the Dracos loved him. Second, I thought maybe we could stop by the pub for a few drinks."

Peregrin shook his head doubtfully. "I don't know..."

Edward laughed. "Come on! You haven't taken a break in the 6 months since you've gotten here!"

Peregrin frowned. "Not true, there was that time 2 months ago. I took a break then."

Edward sighed. "That's because you slipped and fell off the roof of the barn. June kept you in bed to rest from your injuries, and you still wanted to go out to work."

Peregrin smiled. "I heal fast."

It was quite true. Peregrin had been up and about a day after, whereas anyone else would have been killed. It was just one of the remarkable facts about Peregrin. "Anyway, you're going, and that's, um, an order!" Edward said, with a stern look on his face.

Peregrin lifted one eyebrow. "You never give orders."

Edward smiled, because it was true. He always asked politely. Of course, Edward didn't have to do that much, because Peregrin always seemed to know what the day required, even before Edward did. "Well, I'm giving one now."

"You're the boss," Peregrin said, defeated. He suddenly froze. "Is, uh, Serena going?"

Edward grinned. "Yes."

Peregrin began to sweat. "And is, uh..."

Edward grin became even wider. "Yes, Sam and Ginny are coming along as well. We usually make these trips together."

Edward found the expression on Peregrin's face to be priceless. He was nervous, because of the fact that Serena's best friend, and Sam's daughter, Ginny, was coming along as well. The thing was, Ginny had been very taken with Peregrin when they had first met, and was paying a lot of attention to him. Peregrin, on the other hand, just looked very uncomfortable, and was always nervous in her presence.

Peregrin didn't seem to have any problems with Serena though. After a frosty start, they seemed to be getting along, though not friendly with each other, they were at least getting by politely.

Peregrin was still standing there, looking worried. Edward laughed.

"Clean up, and we'll meet you in front in an hour."

*

One hour later, Peregrin, Serena, and Edward were standing outside, waiting for Sam, and his daughter Ginny. Suddenly, a shout was heard. "Ho, Edward!"

This shout came from Sam, who quickly came up to Edward, and gave him a hug. Edward gasped as he felt his ribs being squeezed."

"How are you, old fellow!" Sam said jovially.

"You're..crushing..me," Edward wheezed out. Sam let go quickly. Meanwhile, Ginny walked up to where Serena and Peregrin had been standing together.

"Hi Serena!" Ginny chirped, giving her friend a hug. She turned to Peregrin, and before he could do anything, stepped up VERY close to him, and threw her arms around his midsection. "Hi Peregrin," Ginny said, slyly.

"He..he..hello," Peregrin stammered out. Edward chuckled, as Serena scowled. Ginny finally let go, as Peregrin blushed furiously.

"Let's go," Edward said, and they strode off toward the awaiting village, while the sun waned in the afternoon sky.

*

Max was just glad to be able to get away from Ginny for a while. Her attentions just made him nervous. Ginny and Serena had wandered off on their own, to look at some dresses. Max had hastily declined Ginny's invitation to accompany them, citing the excuse that he had to help Edward and Sam out. Now, after acquiring some new clothes, they were currently in a weapons shop. Edward was currently getting his hatchet sharpened, as it the edge had blunted.

Edward paid the shopkeeper, then turned to Max. "Peregrin, do you know how to use a sword?"

Max froze. Have they figured something out?

"Because if you can, we should get one for you. Never can be too careful nowadays, there's thieves everywhere," Edward continued.

Max inwardly gave a sigh of relief. "Yes, a bit," he said cautiously. "I can't afford one though." This was actually a lie. During his travels with the Shining Force, Max usually held onto a large supply of gold, in case they had to make some purchases. He probably had enough gold to buy the Draco's farm, and half of the surrounding village.

Edward grinned. "I'm not asking you to pay for it. I'm buying one for you."

"No...really...don't...," Max spluttered.

Edward smiled. "You haven't accepted any kind of bonus since you've got here. This is my gift from me to you. Besides, we might need you to fend off some wild critters, or robbers. This is for my family's safety as well."

Max nodded reluctantly. "I guess so," he said slowly. Max stepped up to the shopkeeper. "What do you have?" he asked.

The shopkeeper smiled, then brought out a wide variety of swords, axes, lances, and spears, all of different shapes, sizes, and makes. Max selected one, but hesitated. He had never wanted to fight another battle again. However, here he was, about to pick up a sword again. He finally picked it up, and hefted it with one hand. Nice balance. He drew the sword out of its sheath, and took a few practice swings. Edward and Sam watched silently. Max sheathed the sword, then asked, "How much?"

"1000 gold pieces," replied the shopkeeper.

Max looked at Edward, questioningly. Edward replied by digging out his gold bag, and handing 10 large gold coins to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper nodded, and handed Max the sword along with a belt and harness. Max strapped it to his side, once again feeling the comforting weight of a sword. They left the store.

"Where are we meeting Serena and Ginny?" asked Sam.

"I told them to meet us at the pub," replied Edward. But when the trio reached the pub, Serena and Ginny were nowhere in sight. A frantic bartender went up to them.

"They left...six men followed them out...they're members of Adom's group.

"What! Which way did they go?" roared Edward.

The barkeeper pointed. "They left that way...10 minutes ago."

Edward ran off, with Max and Sam trailing behind.

"Who's Adom?" asked Max, as they ran.

"A particularly nasty thief, slave trader, and mercenary," Sam replied grimly. "He leads a group of his cut-throats, all not particularly shining members of society. We need to catch up to them soon, there's no telling what can happen." They reached a three way fork in the road. They looked at each other.

"I'll take left," Max said quickly. "Edward, centre, Sam, right." They ran off quickly in the respective directions.

*

Dammit, Serena thought, as she and Ginny backed away from the pack of leering, drunken men. All they had wanted was a drink, while they waited for their fathers to return. Unfortunately, they had caught the eye of the rowdy bunch of men, who were themselves quite drunk. Serena and Ginny had quickly left the tavern, hoping to avoid trouble, but the drunks followed them outside. Now, Serena and Ginny backed away, cornered in an alleyway, Serena wondered how the hell she was going to get out of this. All the men were bearing an crest, with a drawing of a skull with glowing red eyes. The crest of Adom's Mercenaries. No townspeople were willing to interfere, as it would only result in the deaths. It looked like they were on their own.

One drunken man extended both arms toward Serena. She waited until she was almost within his grasp, then ducked, and kneed him, directly in the groin. He stepped back, groaning. While the rest of the group had an silly, leering expression, this dissapeared at this act, replaced by looks of anger. Together, as a pack, they moved toward Ginny and Serena. Serena glanced at Ginny, who was currently slumped on the floor, crying. She would be of no help here. Serena prepared to go down, fighting.

The first man reached toward Serena. Serena growled, and slapped the man across the face, hard, curving her fingers into a claw. The man fell back, with his hand to his face. When he lifted his hand, it was stained with blood. Three men came toward her, and as she swung to hit one of them, he caught her wrist. Seizing the other one, the three men forced her down, while she struggled, spitting and screaming. One of the men started to undo his belt, when he was interrupted by an fist flying in his face. The other two men heard his groan, then looked up, just in time to catch a kick to the thigh, and a hard blow into the stomach, respectively. All six men backed away, snarling with rage, allowing Serena to see who the newcomer was.

It was Peregrin. He was standing between her, and the six men. Ginny was hunched down, sobbing. Peregrin knelt down, and looked at her. Serena was amazed as she saw the fire brewing in his eyes. He was clearly enraged. "Are you all right?" he asked.

Serena snorted. "What do you think?" she asked sarcastically. They travelled over to Ginny, who was bawling. Serena laid an comforting hand on her shoulder, and hugged her protectively, while Peregrin stood up. Serena gasped as he drew his sword.

"No. There's too many of them," she whispered fearfully.

Peregrin glanced down at her. She could see him trembling with rage. He turned toward the six men, who were all watching warily.

"Leave now, and I'll spare your lives," Peregrin spat out.

Adom's Mercenaries looked at each other, looked at Peregrin, then burst out in laughter. "You're going to stop us, farm boy?" one sneered.

A second one spoke up. "Don't you know who you're dealing with? We're Adom's Mercenaries!"

Peregrin looked unimpressed. "Last chance. Leave now, before it's too late."

Adom's Mercenaries looked at each other, and grinned. Together, they all drew their swords, and charged, with Peregrin rushing at them. Serena covered her eyes.

The sounds of steel stabbing through flesh came, as well as the cries of pain. Metal clashed upon metal. A final scream, then a gurgle, and then all was silent. Serena opened her eyes, and blinked.

Lying around Peregrin were six dead bodies, some with cut throats, others with stab wounds, and all had blood pooling beneath them. Peregrin himself didn't have a scratch. He wasn't even breathing hard.

"You...how did you..." Serena sputtered, amazed. He was just a farm boy! Where had he picked up such deadly skill with the sword?

Peregrin wasn't listening. He looked to be in shock, as he stared at the bodies lying around him. "It's happening again," he whispered. Suddenly, he seemed to come out of his reverie, and glanced with concern to where Serena and Ginny were hunched together. He quickly wiped his sword on one of the bodies, sheathed it, then hurried over.

"How are you two?" Max looked with worry from Serena, to Ginny, and back. Ginny lifted her head from where it had been resting, buried in the crook of Serena's arm. She cast a bemused glance over at the six bodies, then to Peregrin, who's coveralls were drenched with blood. "Oh, Peregrin!" She threw her arms around him, and broke down completely.

Peregrin froze completely. He awkwardly patted her on her back. Serena smiled.

"Peregrin! Serena! Ginny!" shouts came, as Edward and Sam came running up, followed by a group of the town's citizens, armed with swords, hatchets, and even pitchforks. Peregrin quickly let go of Ginny. Edward stretched his arms toward Serena, and enfolded her in an hug, while Sam did the same with Ginny. Meanwhile, Peregrin stood by awkwardly.

"Are you OK, sweetie?" Edward whispered in Serena's ear. Serena smiled. "I am, thanks to Peregrin. He single-handedly defeated them all."

Edward turned to Peregrin, amazed. "Thank you Peregrin. I owe you, big time." Sam nodded in agreement. "As do I."

One of the men who had come with Edward were checking over the bodies, confirming that were in fact dead. He turned toward Peregrin, amazed. "These are members of Adom's Mercenaries. How did you pull this off? You killed six of their men, without a scratch?"

"Where did you gain such skill with the sword," another said breathlessly. Everyone waited for Peregrin's answer.

Peregrin looked uncomfortable. His feet shuffled from side to side. "I, um, just got lucky. I picked up some stuff on my travels. They were drunk, and underestimated me." Serena looked at him strangely. To her, it looked like his eyes were blinking rapidly, and were darting from side to side. Maybe she was just imagining things.

"Dad," said Ginny pitifully, "can we go home now?"

"Of course," Sam quickly replied. He glanced toward Edward, who nodded. "Peregrin, you coming?"

Peregrin, who was deep in thought, glanced up, and nodded. He took the lead, and the crowd that had developed parted before him, in awe. A sobbing Ginny, comforted by Sam, followed, while Serena and Edward brought up the rear.

Edward looked at Serena with concern in his eyes. "You're alright?"

Serena smiled. She found his concern touching. He always tried to look out for her, and though it was usually aggravating, Serena appreciated it now. "I'm fine. Peregrin stopped them before they could do anything."

Edward nodded slowly. "Yes, Peregrin. Did you see..." he trailed off.

Serena shook her head. "I had my eyes covered. One moment, they were charging toward each other, and the next minute I looked up, there were six dead Mercenaries."

Edward shook his head in wonder. "He truly is amazing. Who is he, really, I wonder."

Serena thought about it. Peregrin had never let his past known, which led Serena to speculate on his origins. Due to his fighting skill, he seemed to have some kind of military training. If so, what was he doing out here? Serena had many questions that she wanted to ask, but each time she tried to broach the subject of Peregrin's past, he would quickly turn unresponsive, and evasive. Serena soon quickly gave up, and until now, she had learned nothing about him. But now, she wanted to know. He seemed to have some inner pain inside of him. There was strength inside of Peregrin that he hid from everyone. Serena was intrigued. He was an mystery to her, an enigma that must be solved. She resolved to find out who Peregrin really was, and get his story.

Together, they all set off back for home.