/Father, wherever you are, I will find you, no matter what/
A loud knock on his door brought him back to his attention. Before he could properly respond, the door opened, and Marcus took a step forward into the room.
"Lord Eliwood, we leave on your word."
"I see. Thank you, Marcus." Eliwood quickly grabbed his pack, making sure he was with some vulneraries. When he was satisfied, he sheathed his rapier and headed out with Marcus.
As they were heading out, Eliwood came across his mother, Eleanora. She seemed somewhat saddened, and her eyes were filled with sorrow.
"Mother, it's time for us to go."
"Eliwood...Promise that you will return to me safely. I'm worried about your father, but...If anything were to happen to you...My heart could not bear that sorrow."
"I know, Mother. Please, don not worry. Father is alive, I know it. I vow that I will find him and return him to your side."
"I have your word then?" Eleanor gently took her son's hand into hers.
"Yes, of course. Isadora, I entrust my mother to you in my absense."
"Yes, milord. I will guard over her well."
"Mother, I will return. Rest easy." Eliwood took his hand away from Eleanora's smiling at her. He left with Marcus, his blue cape moving with the momentum, brushing against the backs of his knees.
Eleanora shed a tear, worried to death for her only child. The blue haired paladin put her hand on her lady's shoulder. She would not let Lord Eliwood down.
~*~
"Well, Marcus, it looks like it's just the two of us." Eliwood ran a hand through his fire red hair, hoping to strike up a conversation.
"Not so, milord. My man Lowen will be traveling with us."
"Lowen? That's reassuring."
"I've sent him ahead to the village. He hopes to seek out a few able men who are skilled at arms. Normally, I wouldn't venture forth without a larger company, but...I bow to your will on this matter, Lord Eliwood."
"I'm sorry, Marcus, but I would rather not deprive my mother of even a single guard. The best knights in the realm disappeared with my father. If anything were to happen to my mother while I am done, I..."
"I understand, milord. Hmph! What's keeping Lowen!?" Eliwood and Marcus continued on in silence, stopping at the boundaries of the village.
"Milord, you've been walking for quite a distance. You should rest."
"Really, Marcus, I'm fine." He tried to explain to his grey-haired comrade.
"We must wait for Lowen anyway, so please, milord. Take a rest."
"...Very well, Marcus. But only until Lowen shows."
A short while later, a faint sound could be heard from the distance...Hooves. Within moments, a green haired cavalier came into view.
"Lord Eliwood! Co-Commander Marcus! I..." He came to a stop beside his commander, the paladin.
"Lowen! Calm yourself! A knight must be in control at all times."
"The village is under attack! It's bandits!"
"What? Bandits? Here!?" Marcus questioned. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Eliwood brushed past him, moving towards Lowen.
"Are you sure, Lowen?"
"This girl has more details." Lowen helped the girl with the green braids down from the horse, and she moved towards Eliwood.
"My lord Eliwood? I'm the daughter of the village magistrate. My name's Rebecca. The bandits came without warning. They're stealing everything! I beg you! Please help us!
"I see. Marcus! Lowen! We must aid the village!"
"Yes, milord!" The two of them snapped the reigns of their horses, and galloped towards the enemy.
"Rebecca, stay here, and keep out of sight." Eliwood began to head out, but was stopped by Rebecca.
"If it please you, milord, I would rather fight. I hunt almost everyday, and I have some skill with a bow.
"Is that so? Very well, but be careful!"
"Yes, milord." The two took off, not wanting to miss out on the battle.
~*~
"Lord Eliwood! Behind you!" Marcus shouted, erging his horse to move faster. Eliwood pulled his rapier out of a bandit's chest, quickly turning around. Another bandit was there, ready to strike. Eliwood quickly brought up with blade, just managing to block the axe.
As he tried to push the axe away with his weapon, an arrow came whizzing past, lodging itself into the bandit's temple. With a blood curdling scream, he fell to the ground, blood pouring out past the arrow.
"Lord Eliwood! Are you alright?" Marcus finally reached his liege, having dispatched of a few bandits along the way.
"Yes, Marcus. I am unhurt."
"Lady Rebecca. Thank you for aiding milord."
"That's quite alright. And please, just call me Rebecca." With that, the three returned their attention back to the battle. It seemed they were winning. There were four bandits left, one of which appeared to be the leader.
As they approached, only three remained. Lowen had managed to impale one with his javelin.
The horseriders were quickly attacked by another two, leaving Eliwood to deal with their leader. Judging by his armor, Rebecca would be no help, so she remained on guard, ready to alert the others, if need be.
The bandit held is position, while Eliwood advanced towards him quickly.
"What is this, a pack of children, coming to play? You think you can challenge me? What? Pheraen knights!?"
"Who are you? Why are you attacking the village?" Eliwood reshifted his hand on the rapier, waiting for him to make the first move.
"Name's Groznyi. Thought I'd plunder the village for what I could. But now, I think I'll have a bit of fun with you, boy." Groznyi suddenly lunged at Eliwood, who was ready for such a maneuver.
He easily sidestepped, and thrust his rapier towards his enemy's neck, only to have it blocked by the axe. Groznyi knocked Eliwood back, almost causing the young lord to lose his footing.
He regained himself, and as Groznyi came closer to him, Eliwood lashed out, managing to graze the bandit's right cheek.
"You're better than you look, boy, I'll give you that." Out of nowhere two more bandits appeared, and the three of them began to flank Eliwood.
Eliwood, being outnumbered, was too busy dodging to pull off any other attacks. Rebecca, noticing this, quickly alerted the others.
"Marcus! Lowen! Lord Eliwood's in trouble!" The paladin quickly finished off his adversary, while Lowen did the same. The horsemen headed towards their lord, praying to St. Elimine that they were not too late.
Eliwood could not keep this pace up for much longer, for he was already beginning to slow down, giving the bandits an even greater advantage.
An axe came swiping at his head, and he just barely managed to duck, the blade missing him by a mere inch. Just as he was about to dodge an attack coming from the left, Eliwood felt a sharp pain rake down his back. Groznyi had snuck up behind him.
With a small cry, the young lord began to sink to his knees as another blade embedded itself into his left shoulder. The pain would no longer allow him to hold his rapier, leaving him completely defenseless.
Just as the bandits readied for the final blow, Marcus and Lowen quickly knocked the two weaker bandits away, hoping to dispatch of them quickly.
Rebecca noticed Groznyi standing above Eliwood, axe gripped tightly in his hand. The Pheraen lord was now unconscious, most likely due to blood, the archer guess. His bright blue tunic was now stained a crimson red, and kept getting deeper in color by the minute.
/I may not able to harm him, but I should be able to distract him for long enough. Please St. Elimine, protect him/
Luckily, she was within aim of the bandit. Firing a continous stream of arrows, she was able to hold Groznyi off until Marcus could deal with him.
With a quick thrust, Marcus was able to stab him with his lance.
"...I thought my luck...was finally turning around..." His body went limp as it slid off the lance, blood gushing out in an uneasy pattern.
Marcus hurridly joined Lowen and Rebecca, who were in the process of bandaging their still bleeding lord.
~*~
It had been seven hours since their victory, and still Eliwood remained unconscious. He had been taken to the village, and Rebecca had insisted they take the lord to her house.
Marcus had placed Eliwood onto the bed, covering him with blankets, not wanting him to get cold. Even now, Marcus had not left his lord's side. He found himself to blame, for he was supposed to protect the young lord. He had promised Lady Eleanora.
A slight moan from Eliwood brought him out of his thoughts.
"Lord Eliwood! You're awake!"
"...Marcus? W...where are we? What...happened?" It was obvious to tell the young lord was terribly confused, as well as in pain. He flinched with every movement of his arm, and everytime he used a muscle in his back.
"You were injured in battle, milord, and have been unconscious for some time. You were brought to the village, and Lady Rebecca offered you her room so that you may rest."
"Thank you, Marcus, but we must hurry on now. I have wasted enough time." Eliwood sat up quickly, but was immediately forced back down by his wounds.
Looking down, Eliwood noticed for the first time that he was bandaged. His left arm heavily so, and there was a fair amount around his torso as well. Letting out a long sigh, his blue eyes shut slowly as he drifted back into sleep.
~*~
Eliwood had finally awoken, and was healed enough for Marcus's standards. Carefully putting his blue tunic on over his wounds (Rebecca had been able to find him a new one), he headed outside. The young lord noticed Rebecca talking with an older man, most likely her father.
"Lord Eliwood! Are you well?" Rebecca was overjoyed to see her flame haired companion up and about.
"Yes, thank you." Rebecca's father, the magistrate, began to approach him.
"Lord Eliwood. Our deepest thanks for coming to the aid of our fair village."
"Think nothing of it. It's a lord's duty to protect the citizenry."
"Would that were true, milord. The good folk of Laus know no such protection. Their Marquess, Lord Darin, is too bust preparing for war. He ignores all complaints of bandits and thieves."
"Preparing for war? Are you sure?"
"I would not lie, milord. My brother lived in Laus until a few days ago. His home was torched, and he had no choice but to flee here. According to him, Laus could go to war any day now. It's all the people of Laus are talking about." Marcus had overheard this, and decided to step in.
"Lord Eliwood, if this is true, the situation is a grave one. If Marquess Laus is readying for war...His target is most likely another Lycian territory. Perhaps this is connected to Lord Elbert's disappearance."
"My father and Marquess Laus? It seems a tenous connection, but it's as good a start as any. Let us travel to Laus. We must learn more."
"Please, before you go, help yourselves to anything you may find useful." The magistrate gestured with his hands to the small shops.
"Thank you for the offer, but your kindness is more than enough. Any items we need, we shall gladly pay for."
"I'm glad you think that way, milord, for I have already sent Lowen to restock supplies. Once he returns, we may take leave if you wish."
~*~
They had just left the outskirts of the village, when Rebecca came running after them. She wished to join with the group, and they graciously accepted.
"Milord, you are still recovering from your wounds. Please, ride with me."
"Thank you, Marcus, but I am fine."
"Lord Eliwood, Commander Marcus does have a point. You don't want to overexert yourself. Besides, if Rebecca were to ride with me, we could travel much faster."
"It seems there is no changing you minds. Very well then." Marcus helped Eliwood into the saddle, careful of his wounds, while Rebecca joined Lowen. "Let us head for Santaruz."
"Santaruz? But milord, I thought we were heading to Laus?"
"Yes, but Santaruz is right along the path, and I would like to see if I can learn anything with their lord."
A loud knock on his door brought him back to his attention. Before he could properly respond, the door opened, and Marcus took a step forward into the room.
"Lord Eliwood, we leave on your word."
"I see. Thank you, Marcus." Eliwood quickly grabbed his pack, making sure he was with some vulneraries. When he was satisfied, he sheathed his rapier and headed out with Marcus.
As they were heading out, Eliwood came across his mother, Eleanora. She seemed somewhat saddened, and her eyes were filled with sorrow.
"Mother, it's time for us to go."
"Eliwood...Promise that you will return to me safely. I'm worried about your father, but...If anything were to happen to you...My heart could not bear that sorrow."
"I know, Mother. Please, don not worry. Father is alive, I know it. I vow that I will find him and return him to your side."
"I have your word then?" Eleanor gently took her son's hand into hers.
"Yes, of course. Isadora, I entrust my mother to you in my absense."
"Yes, milord. I will guard over her well."
"Mother, I will return. Rest easy." Eliwood took his hand away from Eleanora's smiling at her. He left with Marcus, his blue cape moving with the momentum, brushing against the backs of his knees.
Eleanora shed a tear, worried to death for her only child. The blue haired paladin put her hand on her lady's shoulder. She would not let Lord Eliwood down.
~*~
"Well, Marcus, it looks like it's just the two of us." Eliwood ran a hand through his fire red hair, hoping to strike up a conversation.
"Not so, milord. My man Lowen will be traveling with us."
"Lowen? That's reassuring."
"I've sent him ahead to the village. He hopes to seek out a few able men who are skilled at arms. Normally, I wouldn't venture forth without a larger company, but...I bow to your will on this matter, Lord Eliwood."
"I'm sorry, Marcus, but I would rather not deprive my mother of even a single guard. The best knights in the realm disappeared with my father. If anything were to happen to my mother while I am done, I..."
"I understand, milord. Hmph! What's keeping Lowen!?" Eliwood and Marcus continued on in silence, stopping at the boundaries of the village.
"Milord, you've been walking for quite a distance. You should rest."
"Really, Marcus, I'm fine." He tried to explain to his grey-haired comrade.
"We must wait for Lowen anyway, so please, milord. Take a rest."
"...Very well, Marcus. But only until Lowen shows."
A short while later, a faint sound could be heard from the distance...Hooves. Within moments, a green haired cavalier came into view.
"Lord Eliwood! Co-Commander Marcus! I..." He came to a stop beside his commander, the paladin.
"Lowen! Calm yourself! A knight must be in control at all times."
"The village is under attack! It's bandits!"
"What? Bandits? Here!?" Marcus questioned. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Eliwood brushed past him, moving towards Lowen.
"Are you sure, Lowen?"
"This girl has more details." Lowen helped the girl with the green braids down from the horse, and she moved towards Eliwood.
"My lord Eliwood? I'm the daughter of the village magistrate. My name's Rebecca. The bandits came without warning. They're stealing everything! I beg you! Please help us!
"I see. Marcus! Lowen! We must aid the village!"
"Yes, milord!" The two of them snapped the reigns of their horses, and galloped towards the enemy.
"Rebecca, stay here, and keep out of sight." Eliwood began to head out, but was stopped by Rebecca.
"If it please you, milord, I would rather fight. I hunt almost everyday, and I have some skill with a bow.
"Is that so? Very well, but be careful!"
"Yes, milord." The two took off, not wanting to miss out on the battle.
~*~
"Lord Eliwood! Behind you!" Marcus shouted, erging his horse to move faster. Eliwood pulled his rapier out of a bandit's chest, quickly turning around. Another bandit was there, ready to strike. Eliwood quickly brought up with blade, just managing to block the axe.
As he tried to push the axe away with his weapon, an arrow came whizzing past, lodging itself into the bandit's temple. With a blood curdling scream, he fell to the ground, blood pouring out past the arrow.
"Lord Eliwood! Are you alright?" Marcus finally reached his liege, having dispatched of a few bandits along the way.
"Yes, Marcus. I am unhurt."
"Lady Rebecca. Thank you for aiding milord."
"That's quite alright. And please, just call me Rebecca." With that, the three returned their attention back to the battle. It seemed they were winning. There were four bandits left, one of which appeared to be the leader.
As they approached, only three remained. Lowen had managed to impale one with his javelin.
The horseriders were quickly attacked by another two, leaving Eliwood to deal with their leader. Judging by his armor, Rebecca would be no help, so she remained on guard, ready to alert the others, if need be.
The bandit held is position, while Eliwood advanced towards him quickly.
"What is this, a pack of children, coming to play? You think you can challenge me? What? Pheraen knights!?"
"Who are you? Why are you attacking the village?" Eliwood reshifted his hand on the rapier, waiting for him to make the first move.
"Name's Groznyi. Thought I'd plunder the village for what I could. But now, I think I'll have a bit of fun with you, boy." Groznyi suddenly lunged at Eliwood, who was ready for such a maneuver.
He easily sidestepped, and thrust his rapier towards his enemy's neck, only to have it blocked by the axe. Groznyi knocked Eliwood back, almost causing the young lord to lose his footing.
He regained himself, and as Groznyi came closer to him, Eliwood lashed out, managing to graze the bandit's right cheek.
"You're better than you look, boy, I'll give you that." Out of nowhere two more bandits appeared, and the three of them began to flank Eliwood.
Eliwood, being outnumbered, was too busy dodging to pull off any other attacks. Rebecca, noticing this, quickly alerted the others.
"Marcus! Lowen! Lord Eliwood's in trouble!" The paladin quickly finished off his adversary, while Lowen did the same. The horsemen headed towards their lord, praying to St. Elimine that they were not too late.
Eliwood could not keep this pace up for much longer, for he was already beginning to slow down, giving the bandits an even greater advantage.
An axe came swiping at his head, and he just barely managed to duck, the blade missing him by a mere inch. Just as he was about to dodge an attack coming from the left, Eliwood felt a sharp pain rake down his back. Groznyi had snuck up behind him.
With a small cry, the young lord began to sink to his knees as another blade embedded itself into his left shoulder. The pain would no longer allow him to hold his rapier, leaving him completely defenseless.
Just as the bandits readied for the final blow, Marcus and Lowen quickly knocked the two weaker bandits away, hoping to dispatch of them quickly.
Rebecca noticed Groznyi standing above Eliwood, axe gripped tightly in his hand. The Pheraen lord was now unconscious, most likely due to blood, the archer guess. His bright blue tunic was now stained a crimson red, and kept getting deeper in color by the minute.
/I may not able to harm him, but I should be able to distract him for long enough. Please St. Elimine, protect him/
Luckily, she was within aim of the bandit. Firing a continous stream of arrows, she was able to hold Groznyi off until Marcus could deal with him.
With a quick thrust, Marcus was able to stab him with his lance.
"...I thought my luck...was finally turning around..." His body went limp as it slid off the lance, blood gushing out in an uneasy pattern.
Marcus hurridly joined Lowen and Rebecca, who were in the process of bandaging their still bleeding lord.
~*~
It had been seven hours since their victory, and still Eliwood remained unconscious. He had been taken to the village, and Rebecca had insisted they take the lord to her house.
Marcus had placed Eliwood onto the bed, covering him with blankets, not wanting him to get cold. Even now, Marcus had not left his lord's side. He found himself to blame, for he was supposed to protect the young lord. He had promised Lady Eleanora.
A slight moan from Eliwood brought him out of his thoughts.
"Lord Eliwood! You're awake!"
"...Marcus? W...where are we? What...happened?" It was obvious to tell the young lord was terribly confused, as well as in pain. He flinched with every movement of his arm, and everytime he used a muscle in his back.
"You were injured in battle, milord, and have been unconscious for some time. You were brought to the village, and Lady Rebecca offered you her room so that you may rest."
"Thank you, Marcus, but we must hurry on now. I have wasted enough time." Eliwood sat up quickly, but was immediately forced back down by his wounds.
Looking down, Eliwood noticed for the first time that he was bandaged. His left arm heavily so, and there was a fair amount around his torso as well. Letting out a long sigh, his blue eyes shut slowly as he drifted back into sleep.
~*~
Eliwood had finally awoken, and was healed enough for Marcus's standards. Carefully putting his blue tunic on over his wounds (Rebecca had been able to find him a new one), he headed outside. The young lord noticed Rebecca talking with an older man, most likely her father.
"Lord Eliwood! Are you well?" Rebecca was overjoyed to see her flame haired companion up and about.
"Yes, thank you." Rebecca's father, the magistrate, began to approach him.
"Lord Eliwood. Our deepest thanks for coming to the aid of our fair village."
"Think nothing of it. It's a lord's duty to protect the citizenry."
"Would that were true, milord. The good folk of Laus know no such protection. Their Marquess, Lord Darin, is too bust preparing for war. He ignores all complaints of bandits and thieves."
"Preparing for war? Are you sure?"
"I would not lie, milord. My brother lived in Laus until a few days ago. His home was torched, and he had no choice but to flee here. According to him, Laus could go to war any day now. It's all the people of Laus are talking about." Marcus had overheard this, and decided to step in.
"Lord Eliwood, if this is true, the situation is a grave one. If Marquess Laus is readying for war...His target is most likely another Lycian territory. Perhaps this is connected to Lord Elbert's disappearance."
"My father and Marquess Laus? It seems a tenous connection, but it's as good a start as any. Let us travel to Laus. We must learn more."
"Please, before you go, help yourselves to anything you may find useful." The magistrate gestured with his hands to the small shops.
"Thank you for the offer, but your kindness is more than enough. Any items we need, we shall gladly pay for."
"I'm glad you think that way, milord, for I have already sent Lowen to restock supplies. Once he returns, we may take leave if you wish."
~*~
They had just left the outskirts of the village, when Rebecca came running after them. She wished to join with the group, and they graciously accepted.
"Milord, you are still recovering from your wounds. Please, ride with me."
"Thank you, Marcus, but I am fine."
"Lord Eliwood, Commander Marcus does have a point. You don't want to overexert yourself. Besides, if Rebecca were to ride with me, we could travel much faster."
"It seems there is no changing you minds. Very well then." Marcus helped Eliwood into the saddle, careful of his wounds, while Rebecca joined Lowen. "Let us head for Santaruz."
"Santaruz? But milord, I thought we were heading to Laus?"
"Yes, but Santaruz is right along the path, and I would like to see if I can learn anything with their lord."