...and Through the Woods.
Author's Note: I'll have to start having review replies at the end of my fics, I think. I don't have any muses at the moment: there's been an empty space driving me to work on my fanfics for about two years now (which explains the absence of any new fics for about that long). What happened to my last one? Well, her name was Tron Bonne, and I'm happy to say that she and Trigger are living happily at the moment (Sorry Rock! I had to bribe her off!). Most likely, only those of you who are interested enough to find out what I mean actually know what I'm talking about right there. It's mostly an inside joke dedicated to those who remember me as a good fanfic writer. I'm looking for another muse/scapegoat/motivator... and sorry all, I don't think I want Serra at that place. So, here's an idea: Gimme a suggestion!
Past the Bern Mountains ---
It was strange. The skies had remained mostly clear, though a rather bad looking storm seemed to be coming on the horizon. Thunder flashed, but in their relative vicinity, the small group composed of a Pegasus Knight, a Paladin, a Myrmidon, and a young Tactician, found themselves bathed in strong sunlight. They had spent the better part of two days getting out of the mountains, and had only a few hours ago parted ways with the merchants that they had been traveling with. No bandits, brigands, or anyone like that had bothered them. All seemed peaceful, a welcome change from the bandits that had attacked them two days in a row at the beginning of the journey.
During this time, it became apparent to Loedan that battles did not still rule the land these days. Oh sure, they were a necessary evil, but it seemed that there wasn't any particular force in the world actively seeking for power or venegeance. That in itself made him a little wary- history showed, through the eyes of all tacticians, that every generation resulted in a man or woman, ruler or not, possessed an individual who could stride taller than all others.
Nergal. Zephiel. They were the enemies of the last two generations. Nergal had been 500 years in the making, and Zephiel came as a side effect of that dark man. Loedan could guess that last bit quite easily, as his grandfather, Mark, had written that the Black Fang had had their own hand in the politics of Bern. The 'Fang no longer existed as it once had. Ostia's elite warriors had been given that particular title about 20 or so years ago, to honor the family Reeds younger years, before the corruption of the fang came in the form of a shell.
But now, Loedan smiled, walking behind his friends as they scouted ahead. A sea of trees extended before them now, reaching in all directions save behind them too far along the mountain itself. He felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, a pressure gone now as they came down from the mountain path to a path that would lead into the forest. Today was a good day, he thought to himself. The others seemed to be in a good mood as well- they hadn't been attacked in several days, not since before they had reached Bulgar. And now, they were in Lycia territory, nearing Araphen.
That in itself stopped Loedan in his tracks. And the sound of his no longer moving alerted the alert young girl who had been walking ahead of him, and Rook glanced over her shoulder to gaze at the young man, who was now pulling out his grandfather's journal and leafing through the first few pages to try and find something that he had just remembered about Araphen. She walked back, not saying a word, though obviously she would want to do so, but moved to stand beside the tactician, reading along with him as he found what he was looking for.
Tactician's Log ---
Day 13
The morning began almost as normal, though now I have a thoroughly irritable mage and and an irritating cleric to boot. I certainly felt sorry for Erk, and could be found speaking to everyone during the day. It was decided afterwards that Erk could sleep in the same tent as Kent, so that Sain and Serra could have a tent to themselves. I give Sain a week, at most, before the knight would crack and be coming to me for permission to go back to the tent with Kent.
Serra, in a change of attitude since yesterday, didn't want anyone else to be in the tent with her other than Erk. The look on Erk's face said what he wanted to speak aloud, but did not for fear of incurring the girl's wrath. I still cannot get over the "I'm generous to a fault" that she said yesterday, about healing the mage. I was very nearly ready to empty our coffers in the shops that we passed to buy vulneraries and send that cleric on her way. Of course, I did no such thing, as she was providing her services of her own accord. I, on the other hand, suspected some sort of plot on her part. I have no evidence, but I am certain of it.
We travelled the day without incident other than Sain's bungling attempts to woo Florina or Serra on at least a dozen occasions... each. All he got for his trouble were several slaps from Florina, whose meekness could not stand in the face of Sain's ploys. She was certainly warming up to Wil lately, and I even saw them both conversing as we marched on. Kent remained at the lead, with Lyndis close behind. I remained at the rear of the troop with Erk, talking about our lives. We became rather fast friends, especially since I managed to get him away from Serra for such a long while. Of course, Sain did do his part, I admit... giving Serra a ride on his horse as she talked the day away. I swear, if she hadn't volunteered her services, we all would have shoved her down a hill and then ran away in the other direction.
---
"No, no... wrong passage..." he muttered under his breath, and flipped the page. He knew he was close to the passage that he thought he'd remembered. Ah, here it is! The day that they met with the marquess of Araphen. Had he remembered correctly about the man? Rook stood beside him, reading what he had already read (he was the faster reader of the two), and she giggled as she read about Sain and Serra's machinations.
Back to the Log ---
Day 15
Florina spoke to me today, after what I assumed was some encouraging from Lyndis. She wanted to get some carrots for Huey, so I gave her a few gold to go ahead and purchase some from the farmers that we passed by. Surprisingly, she asked me to go with her, and so I did, leaving the troop under Lyn's watchful eyes. I couldn't help but to compliment the girl on how far she had come, to be able to talk to me without taking 15 minutes to come up with more than two words. Her response was simply to blush and look away from me.
Cute. Simply adorable, this pegasus knight. We spoke afterwards, and I learned that she had two sisters who were also pegasus knights. I wonder if I might ever meet these two others?
We made it to Araphen today, and Kent went on ahead to speak with the Marquess. Supposedly, we were to procure supplies from him, but a sudden fire and attack on the castle left us with a battle on our hands. It amazes me to say it, but a man attempted to kill Lyn today, and very nearly did if it hadn't been for the nomad from Sacae, a very silent man named Rath who was captain of the guard. An archer on horseback... Well, at least he could avoid attacks, unlike Wil. His mobility came in very handy as we searched for the switches that would open up the hidden entrance that would lead into the castle.
The soldiers that we had to face in battle today were little more than a joke. However, when one of Lungren's knights appeared after we opened a secret passageway, the joke was over. Between Dorcas, Erk, Wil, and Rath, however, we chipped away as the man stood in place, as if he were a statue built there to only stand in that one location. It didn't take long to defeat the villain after that. Lyn spoke with the Marquess, who had been ready to provide us with aid on our way to Caelin, but I could not help wanting to take Lyn's sword up and sliding it forcefully into the man's chest. He was a lout that could make Sain look as if a noble and honorable person, with his words of hatred for the people of Sacae.
I rather doubt many would say as they did to the man's face as Lyn did this day. I was proud of her, her honor, and her own pride in her people. And, I must say, I became proud of the fact that our resident 'thief', a man known as Matthew, convinced me that there were a few things worth taking from the Marquess. An Angelic Robe is a device that can increase the overall hardiness of an individual, and an Armorslayer is a sword that does very well against Knights. I certainly hope that these will be of use- who shall I give the robe to?
---
Loedan sighed softly, closing the book after he had finished. "Oh, perfect. We are walking into the lands of people who hate the people of Sacae." he said aloud, for more his benefit than Rook's. The young girl looked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, to which Loedan jumped slightly and looked to her, as if he hadn't noticed her there in the first place. And he hadn't, actually. His cheeks flushed, realizing that his heart had begun to beat faster in surprise. She just smiled a little bit before speaking quietly to the young, flustered, man.
"No need to worry, Loedan..." she told him. He just smiled weakly at those words. How could he help not to worry? She was a good person, but if they should be caught inside the walls of the city of Araphen with her, they would undoubtedly be forced outside unless something had changed the royalty's opinion of the horsemen of Sacae. She wore her clothes proudly, as she should. Her heritage was obvious. Her demeanor and fighting skills all pointed to her original home of Sacae. She just grinned and wrapped herself in the cloak she was wearing, and then the tactician laughed.
She was still wearing his cloak! Of course, that would help her hide her otherwise obvious homeland from those who might question her origins. Still, perhaps the current Marquess would not think the same way as the elder Marquess from the book? As Loedan set the book away, he certainly hoped that would be the case. He did not like the idea of having to protect his friend from people who would dislike her simply for where she came from. But he would, of course. If needed, he would direct his newfound friends into battle, as he had done before.
Rook simply gave the boy a hug and smiled before she dragged him with her along the path. Loedan looked along the path, and was surprised- Kent and Kiri were nowhere in sight. "Ah... where are they?" he asked, and both continued along the path quietly. Even Loedan was quiet, despite not really learning to move silently from anyone. Their friends must have gone ahead, he thought to himself, even as he felt a hand on his arm begin to squeeze slightly, in urgency. Loedan looked to Rook, and she to him, and he nodded slightly, both of them picking up their pace quickly.
It was quiet ahead- not even the sound of hooves upon the ground could be heard. And then there was a scream of pain, though not one from a human. Then they released one another, and then drew their blades before running forward towards the sound that had been inescapable. In Loedan's mind, he knew that his friends could be in trouble, and that he would be needed to help them. In Rook's mind, a single thought came to mind- protect her friends. Together they ran, side by side, to catch up with their friends.
---
"Milady Kiri, if I may, may I ask you a question?" Kent's voice came from behind the helm that he wore, his head turning so that he could look to the Pegasus Knight who rode beside him. Hewn's wings had become sore from flying overly much, and so was now taking the land route. Kiri didn't mind- this was beautiful country, with such majestic trees surrounding them. She looked to the Paladin and shrugged slightly, her hair tumbling over her shoulders as she swept the braid so it rested upon her shoulder. The rest of her hair rested between arm and chest, as she held the reins for her beast of flight.
"Of course, Sir Kent. It would be an honor to answer the question of a friend of my family's." she replied, smiling softly. Had the paladin known how close he could have been to being her father? Indeed, her mother, Fiora, had often told her about her feelings for a man that was so close to her in manner that her own sister, Farina, had commented upon the uncanny likeness. Kent blinked in surprise, and then smiled as if she had practically answered his question already.
"I see... might you be related to a knight, by the name of Fiora? I see her honor and duty in you, if I may be so bold." he asked her. Of course, the paladin knew better than to say more. Though he had loved Fiora in his own way, it was their paths in life that had conflicted with one another. It was also her older sister that had stayed him from the course of pursuing the pegasus knight more strongly. As it was, he had been trapped between his love for Fiora, and the duty and love he had for the Lady Lyndis, and the path he had chosen for himself led him this way.
The Paladin had married after the battles against Nergal, however, many years ago, but now was alone. His wife had died giving him a baby boy to raise. And he had raised him into a fine young man, a cavalier in service to Caelin's lords and ladies. He had a wife of nearing 15 years now as well, and Kent had a granddaughter. She was turning 16 soon- a beautiful age, and the grandfather expected to pay her a visit where she was learning to become a warrior of sorts in Caelin when the group arrived.
"Indeed, milord. She is my mother, and I am the eldest of her children. She has told me much about you, and I find that she did not exaggerate in the slightest." she replied. Neither had noticed, since they had begun talking, that the other two that had been with them had fallen behind and now were out of sight. Kent did something that he hadn't done in years to say the least, and would remain hidden from anyone who looked at him, thanks to the helm that he wore. He blushed!
"Ah, I see! And how is the lady Fiora these days, if I may ask, milady Kiri?" he asked her, smiling again after the shock had fully registered and escaped him again. Indeed, the paladin had been surprised. He had no idea that the knight had been thinking of him these past many years as well. But then he looked about, a faint sound he heard from not too far away. His hand was on his lance as he stopped his charge, holding the reins as his beast snorted and just wanted to continue on. "We are not alone." he said quietly.
The change in Kiri was quick- she grabbed her iron lance and gazed about quickly. The sound became louder after a moment; it was the beating of wings, but not the sort that belonged to a Pegasus. Then Kiri gave a cry as two arrows sank into the ground beside Hewn, and quickly moved the Pegasus behind a tree to provide themselves with better protection. Kent, however, simply raised his plate shield and deflected a third arrow. The trajectory was off. Whoever it was attacking was aiming to high to be trying to hit them. They were trying to hit the ones in the air.
---
A guttural growl, loud and seemingly in pain, came from a stricken beast, and just before them a great serpent fell from the sky. Winged, long, and strong in wing and body, the scaled beast crumpled to the ground, the rider falling from his mount as a result. The 'monster' gave a shriek in pain and lifted its head towards those that had fired at it. It was not dead, not at all, but its rider was certainly unconscious. Another had managed to crawl away from the carnage, and it was apparant that this one was quite able to attack. He pulled out a tome of magic, and with a chanting of mystical words, carved into the air a rune that was visible for but a second before disappearing. Flame appeared above the man's head and then was sent into the forest- the screaming of a man in pain erupted from a target that apparently had been hit, and then there was no more sound from him.
Half a dozen men came from the forest and into view around the mage- three Archers, one Shaman, and two Mercenaries. The mercenaries were in the front, and were grinning. The mage backed up, unaware that there was support not too far away, and soon found himself pinned against a tree even as he cast his spell again. His target, one of the archers, managed to dodge the attack. None attacked the mage yet, as the mercenaries moved ever closer. The archers moved to surround the wounded wyvern and the shaman took residence near the fallen rider.
It was a complete surprise to them all when out of the sky swept a Pegasus Knight, Iron Lance striking the archer that the mage had attacked a moment before. The archer was dead before he could even scream, but the mass of the beast was great enough that none could miss or mistake it. A yell erupted from the paladin as his silver lance flashed out from the sunlight, the bright and sharp end of the weapon finding its way not only past the mercenary's armor but through it, the tip emerging from the man's back. Blood poured from the wounds of both who had been attacked- both died immediately, slipping from the ends of the lances to land upon the ground. Another attacker arrived- another Wyvern rider, and that rider's lance struck deep into the chest of one of the other archers.
---
The sound of fighting came quickly to the two who were running towards the battle. They both entered the forest side by side, leaving the trail, only to find themselves face to face with a group of five brigands. The two watched the brigands as they began to deploy themselves to flank the tactician and myrmidon, and Loedan smiled slightly. "Attack, Rook." he told her, and they went on the offensive. Rook went straight forward, as did Loedan, and both paired off against one of the brigands. To deal with them quickly would allow them to negate the possibility of being harmed later when they were tired.
Rook's sword flashed as it struck her target, sinking deep into the ugly man's left shoulder. The man cried out in pain and then she stepped aside from the clumsy strike that had been made against her. Too easy, she thought, as she spun and then sunk her blade into the man's stomach. The brigand slumped back a little, her blade coming from where it had drawn life's blood itself from the man, and then fell to the ground unmoving. She looked to the two who had watched this, and then smiled, taunting the pair to come in. "Taste my blade!"
Loedan, however, was facing the other two. He struck first, and his blade cut into the man's side. It did not dive into the flesh with the same zeal that Rook had attacked with, however. The target, another brigand whose scars seemed to be about body-wide, simply grunted and then grinned, swinging the axe hard at Loedan's neck. With a gulp, he managed to swing his blade free from the man and then slip underneath the strike. The momentum of the man's swing forced him to expose his side, already struck by Loedan, and the tactician went to work. One thrust found the same point he had struck, sinking in deeply, but the second thrust, after he had pulled the blade back, found a nice open spot along the scarred man's spine, the edge cutting through skin and between vertebrae.
Of course, that man fell down and was out of the battle- if not dead, certainly in no position to stand or use an axe anymore. His friend dove in quickly, and Loedan found himself easily dodging the clumsy strike, his own blade coming out. With a swift strike, his iron blade fround unprotected neck, and the blood seemed to gush from severed arteries before the man fell, clutching at his neck for a short moment before crumbling to the ground, dead within a minute. He was breathing hard- was he faster now, than he had been in the last battle? It certainly seemed that way, and the tactician turned to face Rook's challengers. His face paled as he saw something he didn't expect, his eyes widened in shock and amazement.
---
The Shaman was all that was left after a moment longer- Pegasus Knight, Wyvern Rider, and Paladin coming alongside the mage as the shaman began to back up to head away quickly. Then Kiri leapt to the fore, striking the shaman with her lance. The spellcaster's robes deflected much of the attack, and then Kiri was struck by a spell that emerged from beneath her, a sphere of darkness erupting around the knight before collapsing, the chill of the spell upon her very being causing her to cry out in pain before moving away again. The Wyvern Rider flew forward, and the spear that the rider had found its mark a bit easier than Kiri had- from skill or luck, one could not tell from Kent's vantage.
An agonizing wail of pain came from the shaman, who collapsed inside the robe. He wasn't dead- the steady rhythm of breathing within it suggested he was still alive, but no counter attack came from him. Kent had heard of this from an old scholar friend of his, one who had turned to the Elder arts to become closer to his wife. Canas had been his name, a member of the company that had faced down the Dragon at the 'Gate. Something about the Elder Arts taking those who were too weak to resist the powers that the ancient magicks into their hold... Kent knew not how often it struck those who used its arts, but it had taken hold in this case. The man would bleed to death, if not provided it, before he would be released from the hold of the elder magicks.
It was a fiery death that the mage prescribed for the shaman, using his tome of magic to light the now nearly dead man on fire. Not a sound escaped the shaman as the blaze incinerated him, leaving only ashes as the magic fire did its work. The Mage and the Wyvern Rider wandered to the fallen Wyvern Rider, the wyvern itself walking to the fallen one. The remaining archer had fired at the wyvern and the rider that had been upon it- during the battle, none had the chance to see if the man had hit his targets before the wyvern rider had run him through as well. Kiri had killed the other mercenary with a swing of her lance to seperate arm from shoulder, and then ran him through the heart.
---
Rook had dispatched her two remaining opponents with an ease that one would not expect from a woman of so little training. Both had taken but a single strike, one that caused her to move quickly and strike four times. Two thrusts and two slashes had found their marks, and as she moved to the second to repeat the process, the first fell to the ground, blood splattering to the forest floor and onto the girl's cloak. The second fell in the same way, this time a spray of blood jumping into the air from a severed artery to nearly cover the girl with blood. At least, that was what it looked like to Loedan, who had watched her do this.
She was bent over somewhat, looking to the ground as her blade rested idly in her hand, held over her last kill. She breathed deeply, shoulders moving up and down before she slowly stood up. He watched as she looked slowly about, and then to Loedan. The look in her eyes as they made contact was startling. Compassion was something he could not find within those orbs, he thought, as he stepped back a little from the girl. That look in her eyes lasted a moment longer as her breathing returned to normal after a few more seconds, and then he saw recognition flash within her eyes. She took a step towards him and fell, slipping on the now slick ground from the blood she had spilled.
The girl landed and groaned softly, muttering under her breath. Loedan sighed and walked over, looking to his cloak before his eyes landed upon the girl who wore it, and he knelt, one hand extended to help her up. "Are you alright, Rook? Have you been hurt?" he asks her, smiling softly to his friend as she extended her own hand. Slick wetness and warmth were what he felt as their hands clasped, and he pulled her up as he stood, helping her to stand as well. She shook her head at his question, but said nothing, obviously unsure how to actually answer him.
Rook took note of herself, and condition. She hadn't been touched by the brigands that had attacked her. But she had felt a sort of calm rage take over her- her body responded without her mind directing it while she battled the last two brigands. She had defeated them without command of her own limbs to will them to do the deed. It frightened her, until she remembered what her master had once said, the one who had trained her in becoming a myrmidon. "Let it do the deed, should the need arise. If you feel yourself lose control over the strength and speed of your body, allow it to do is it needs to defend yourself. Once you have mastered this skill, when you can control what happens when you let go, you will be ready for the next step."
She nodded to the young man, and smiled softly. So, she was learning and becoming stronger. It was good to know that she had something to gauge herself to, but then she became aware of the concern in her friend's eyes, and she blushed, her cheeks turning a slight shade of red. "I am fine, Loedan. But, where are Kent and Kiri?" she asked. They'd both heard yells of pain from further in the forest, but hadn't paid them much attention as they had been a little preoccupied at the time that they'd noticed them. Loedan closed his eyes for a moment, and seemed to be concentrating.
Then, he opened his eyes and smiled to her. "They are not far away, Rook. I don't know how well they fare, but I know that they are not alone. We had better hurry." he tells her, and she nods, grim determination in her eyes. Quickly, both headed into the forest again, Rook following Loedan's lead. It was uncanny, this location sense of his. He knew not what had come over her a few moments ago, but he hoped that it wouldn't happen again. He disliked the look he had seen in her eyes. If she hadn't regained control, the tactician feared that she might have...
---
An arrow shot out from the forest, followed by three more. Kiri cried out in pain as she was struck, the arrow forcing her off of Hewn, who quickly ran behind a large tree to try and shield his bulk. The other arrows struck the mage- the mage managed to narrowly avoid the first of the three, but the other two darted into his shoulder and thigh. The mage cried out in pain, and fell to the ground. Kent and the Wyvern Rider gave a yell and darted forward before more arrows could be fired, and they soon found another four archers. Only one was about ready to fire his arrow, and did so at Kent.
The Paladin simply took the arrow in the shiled, which just bounced off. Iron-tipped arrows found no purchase in the steel of the shield he used, and then Kent strode forward, towards the other three, leaving that one to the Rider. A wet-sounding splash and the lack of a yell told Kent just what had happened a second later, even as he speared one of the archers in the chest. The man slumped over, and Kent tugged back on the lance, forcing the dead archer off of him.
The Wyvern Rider was obviously furious. Two of the rider's comrades had been hurt, if not killed. The man on the horse obviously was quite skilled with a lance- a paladin usually was, of course. As the Rider shoved the dead archer from his spear, where it had torn straight through the throat of his target, he spun his serpent around, urging it into the air. The Wyvern took off, and was directed to the remaining pair of archers. The Rider was grateful that the two who had found them had decided to help them against these bandits, for on his own they would likely have died from relentless attacks. The rider noticed a commotion further in the forest, as if another scuffle had erupted, but as he forced his spear into the chest of another archer, he found the last one raising his bow and drawing back on the bowstring. The iron-tipped arrow gleamed in the sunlight from his vantage point- too close to dodge!
---
Rook had gone away to deal with a pair of brigands that had come to threaten them as they made it closer to the battle that had Kent and Kiri swept away. Loedan found himself in a clearing and with a quick look around, saw the massive beast of a Wyvern not too far away. He saw Kent also aiming his lance towards an archer that was somewhat hidden by the trees between Loedan and the opponent. Making a snap judgment, the tactician sheathed his blade quickly and pulled out the bow and an arrow. His fingertips placed on the sides of the arrow firmly, he set the shaft to the bowstring, iron tip aimed at the archer, and then he let the arrow fly as the string came back far enough.
The arrow flew accurately enough, and the tip forced itself into the archer's shoulder. The bow was lowered as the arched fell forward in pain- and was immediately skewered by Kent's lance as a result. With that done, Loedan quickly looked about, wondering where Kiri was, even as Kent thundered closer. "Where is Kiri?" he called to the man, who simply sped past on his way to helping Rook. The Wyvern Rider landed beside Loedan, spear at the ready, pointed at the tactician's chest. This close, and with the scent of death in the air, Loedan had no reservations as to how well he could possibly last against this Wyvern Rider.
Then, he heard the Rider's voice. "My friends and yours are back that way. I will help the paladin." the voice told him, and Loedan nodded in response to the rider. He told the Rider that there was a girl with a blade already attacking the remaining bandits, and the rider nodded, urging his wyvern into the air. It was afterwards that Loedan headed towards the location that the Rider had specified that he realized something unusual about that Rider's voice. But he couldn't fully place it yet, for some reason. Perhaps he had simply been hearing things? No matter. He needed to see if Kiri was alright- as well as the Rider's friends.
---
Kiri was on her back, an arrow shaft protruding from her left shoulder. Her lance lay on the ground beside her as she lay there, gasping for air. The arrow had lodged itself dangerously close to her heart, and her breathing was strained. There was no sound to hear from nearby, no one moving about. The only sound was one of that wyvern's death cries before it too fell still and silent. The mage, she could see sitting against a tree, either unconscious or unable to move at the moment. Whoever it was, for whatever reason, was not mobile, and was bleeding as well from the arrow that had struck him shortly after she had been hit.
Then, she heard it. Rather, felt it, soft steps upon the ground, though they became louder as whoever it was came close. Her eyes closed as she willed her hand to reach for the lance- she would die with a weapon in hand, even if she could not defend herself. When the steps stopped and the sound of labored breathing could be heard, there was something familiar about the presence that she felt beside her. "Oh Elimine! Kiri?" the voice asked, and her eyes fluttered open even as she felt a searing pain where the arrow had forced itself into her body. Then there was a flash of cold that penetrated within her own heat, a pain that forced her to cry aloud quickly. The heat quickly returned afterwards, a splashing of some sort against the wound. It closed up quickly, warmth returning as the Vulnerary was applied to the wound.
Her sight returned gradually, her breathing slowly returning to normal from the nearly hyperventilating gasps that she had been reduced to a moment before. She thought she had seen Loedan a second ago, but he was away by the time she could focus her gaze again. Never before had she felt that way, and now she hoped she never would again, either. She managed to pull herself up to sit upright, her lance used as leverage before the pegasus knight could stand and look about. There was her friend; over with the mage, using another vulnerary on the man in the robes. Kiri groaned softly, standing carefully and looking around carefully. The sound of hooves came to her ears, the feeling of hoof upon ground coming to her easily. Hewn had wandered back over to her, and nudged her side gently.
Kiri smiled and turned, on hand rising along the side of Hewn's long face to give the Pegasus a hug. Then, she was astride the beast, just barely in time to avoid a spear of sorts landing on the ground where she had been standing. Loedan blinked and watched from near the mage, as a man on horseback came up. The man there wore black armor, scratched and holed from obviously numerous battles. The same color of armor covered several areas of his steed that were otherwise quite vulnerable to attacks. She gasped, looking on at the cavalier. The spear he had thrown, a Javelin, was now tucked away, and the man grasped a wicked looking sword. A jagged edge along one side and the other looked to be extremely sharp as he grinned at the pegasus knight before him.
"You! Kneel before me and I shall let you live... as a slave. I'll sell your Pegasus too, and we'll make quite a bundle off of it!" the man exclaimed. He'd been after a pair of wyverns. Obviously, however, oen was dead and the other not here at the moment. Loedan smirked slightly- stupid man, he thought, as he watched the cavalier, hidden in the shadows with the mage within the shade of the tree that they were beside. Kiri hefted her lance and shook her head, determination evident in her eyes. The man laughed lightly. "I see, fight still in you, is there? Well then, I shall simply have to beat it out of you!"
With that, the man kneed his horse into charging at the Pegasus Knight. The sharp side was held outward, to strike at the knight's lance as she held it almost clumsily. Her shoulder still hurt, and without the use of both hands to use it fully, she would likely be hit by the man's attack easily. Loedan recognized the blade as the man charged, and then pulled an arrow from his quiver, bringing it to his bow as the bow was swept upwards. The iron tip was aimed ahead of the man, his aim moving to follow the cavalier's momentum before he fired. The arrow flew, speeding through the air to strike the cavalier's thigh, blood seeping from the wound that appeared there.
There were then words spoken aloud that he had not heard before. The words escaping the cavalier was cursing at the pain, the horse he was on rearing up as it to felt its rider's pain. For the arrow had actually gone through the thigh, and the iron tip imbedded itself into horseflesh. No, the words that were being spoken were gone, and then a flash of light appeared beside him before disappearing a second later. Intense heat he felt from above, and Loedan glanced up to watch a fireball form and then dash at the cavalier, a small explosion nearly tearing the man from his saddle as he yelled in pain from the burn. A familiar cry was heard, to Loedan at least, and the cavalier was dead after Kiri's lance found purchase within the man's chest.
Tha cavalier was beyond hearing within a few seconds, and then was slumped over his horse's neck. The horse ran off into the forest, dragging its owner's dead body still on top of it with it as the beast sped towards the stables that it would call home. Kiri sighed, slumped against Hewn's neck as she patted the side of the great beast's neck, giving it encouraging words as she looked over to the mage and tactician. Loedan sighed, sliding the bow over his shoulder. Sweat beaded on his brow and trickled down along his face as he looked to the mage, who smiled to the man and clasped his shoulder.
"My thanks, good sir, for your use of a vulnerary." the man said to him, and Loedan simply nodded. All three heard as the flapping of wings of a Wyvern came from overhead, and then the serpent settled there. A man came from upon the back of the great beast- not the same one Loedan had spoken to. No, this particular man wore different armor of a grander scale, and the wyvern wore armor as well, protecting its long, thick neck, tail, and junctions of its wings. This man wore no helmet, leaving paled green hair with a shocking white stripe to be seen. The man was old, and both man and serpent had seen many battles. With a start, Loedan realized who this must be.
A wizened old man with armor that was of a dark purple color. Lined with white. He'd heard of this man before. He was a Wyvern General! And indeed the man was, as he came to the mage and spoke with him. The mage told him all that he knew, and as the sound of horse and wyvern came back to them, three people coming through the forest, the general turned with spear in hand and sword at side. Loedan watched as Kent saw the man, and the general saw the Paladin, and they both broke into smiles as they neared one another.
"Well met, lord Heath!" Kent called out, coming up close. At his side was a tired and very dirty Rook, blood smeared all about the cloak that Loedan had given her to wear. Heath grinned and then came alongside the old paladin, helping the man down before they embraced. Old comrades in arms, Loedan knew. Not just from their comaraderie, but from the diary of his grandfather. Heath had been a Wyvern Rider then, but had risen to become a Wyvern General afterwards with some direction and training. According to the journal, the rider had found his way to Caelin after the final battles, and had become employed there.
"Well met, lord Kent! I certainly hope that those bandits were not a match for you or your friends here!" the man replied, grinning as he stepped back, releasing the paladin. Loedan sighed softly, just falling down to sit at the base of the tree. Today had been draining- tomorrow would come too soon. As he heard Kent introducing the wyvern general to the Lady Lyndis' granddaughter, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Loedan's eyes opened slowly, and then he blinked as he saw an armored woman he had never seen before. She took off her helmet and smiled slowly to the tactician, who just sat there as she stood before him.
---
The wyvern rider climbed off of his wyvern after Heath had made himself known to the small group. After making sure that Sterra would stay, the rider walked to the one who had just sank to the ground, and the rider chuckled softly to himself. Surely he wasn't exhausted just from this excursion? Nay, he seemed more stressed than anything else, but the rider had something that needed to be said to the young man. The rider came before the man and reached down, tapping him on the shoulder.
It was then that the helmet came off and the rider was shown not to be a he, but a she! Long and deep red hair cascaded down along her armored self, reaching a point along her back that the tactician could not see. A smile on her face showed that she was being friendly, but there was an air about her that the tactician would recognize. Twin stripes of white lined the very sides of her hair, obviously not artificial but natural to her hairstyle. "Well met, milord. My name is Mahri." she said, and knelt before the tactician, who just looked as if he'd been slapped. Was he surpised at being treated like this? Most likely, she thought to herself, her smile creeping wider as she watched him, quite amused.
"Well met, milady. I am called Loedan." he said, and then the girl felt the presence of a man's hand upon her shoulder. She stood up quickly and looked to see who it was, and the girl smiled warmly as she noticed the Paladin who had helped her before. The tactician watched these proceedings, wondering what was happening here...
Then the Paladin spoke, a smile in his eyes and on his face. "Mahri? I am Kent... it is good to finally meet you, my granddaughter." the old man said, and then the girl's face lit up. Kent?! She'd heard his name from her mother and father many times, but never had she the chance to meet him before. The wyvern rider looked to Heath, and the general nodded, confirming the hopeful look on her face before smiling. The girl wrapped her arms around her grandfather and hugged him emphatically, an unusual laughter of pure happiness coming from the girl.
---
Rook was nearby as the introductions were made- she bowed to Heath, but before she could, he knelt before her, one arm crossed over his chest as he bowed to her in return. She had blinked in surprise, and found herself realizing that this was one of the people who had actually traveled with her grandmother. His words still sang in her head, "It is an honor to meet the granddaughter of the Lady Lyndis. I am honored to now know her successor." She had simply blushed and nodded, looking to the ground. It was unusual that she had felt so embarassed before, but at the moment she couldn't help it in the slightest.
She watched as Kent's granddaughter embraced the old paladin, and she seemed to beam as she saw the obvious family resemblance. Kiri came over, clutching her side as she came to rest with Hewn beside Rook and the mage that seemed to have been forgotten. "A family reunion, it seems?" she asked aloud, and Rook nodded, unaware that she now had tears escaping her. The Pegasus Knight chuckled softly, and then all watched what happened next.
---
Loedan stood slowly, watching as the family met for the first time, and smiled as he looked from them over to the Wyvern General. Wordlessly, the man knelt before him in the same manner as he had to Rook a moment or two before. "I thank you, milord, for saving these two." he said, and then he stood again and grinned. "I must say, however, that I never thought that I would meet the family of our great tactician. You have your grandfather's blood in you... As well as that of another I believe I know as well." he said to the tactician, and the young man blinked in surprise.
What had this man meant, 'of another I believe I know as well?' Loedan couldn't tell what he meant, and from the obvious confusion on the tactician's face, Heath chuckled softly. "If you know not what I mean, milord, then perhaps it is best kept that way for the nonce. Come! Let us all go to Caelin. Mahri, Harry, Laine and I were out on a training mission... Unfortunately, we must give a proper burial for Harry before we move on. Let us make camp for the night, and give my apprentice a funeral. Then, we shall lead the way back to Caelin. Araphen still has not forgiven the people of Sacae, despite the changes in leadership over the years." the general said, addressing everyone.
It was sound advice, and as the others began to do their work at setting up camp, he spared Loedan one last glance before turning to help with the preparations. Strangely, they did not try to get him to help, not a single one. Rook came to stand beside the tactician and looked up to him, and he looked to her, wondering still what the Wyvern General had meant.
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Author's Note: Well, there we go. It's a bit longer this time, isn't it? I finished this within a few hours. If you don't know how I work on these, well, I'll tell you now. I let my fingers do the typing. No, seriously. I start writing down an idea, and I let it just flow from there. I'm sure some of you know how that is. Feel free to review! Of course, I'm kinda wondering why I haven't been flamed or anything yet. lol