A/N Yay, I'm keeping a pretty good pace for writing in between work and all. I'm sorry for anyone who read Chapter 4 already and saw chapters 1-3, it was my fault, you see I'm writing the fanfiction as one massive .rtf file and when I finish a chapter I export the text to another .rtf file, I was in a rush to get to work so I forgot to export it, and edit anything.
Fire/Dagger Hand – Yes I do know that Matthew can be upgraded to an assassin in chapter 26x, but it says specifically in Matthew's character ending that he continues to work as a spy for house Ostia.
WildfireDreams – Yay, I updated again, and now another character's in it (expect more FE charries soon. ;))
Beagle – You're too kind, really… there are other good fics right here on
Bomber the Scoto Fox – You'll find out soon enough. ;)
Nariel Narbaleth – Hee hee, I like Matthew too.
Chapter 4: The cheery merchant
The hours of the night passed slowly, it was the night of the robbery. Just as Matthew had asked him to do, Lemuel slipped a sedative herb into the guard's drink, and watched as he downed it. He bit his lower lip softly, hoping that Matthew hadn't met any trouble in the job; he could just imagine the controversy if someone found out what he'd done. Lemuel paced in his room slowly within lamplight, unable to sleep from the excitement and anxious to hear a word from Matthew. Suddenly, he heard a soft sound, looking over to the door, he saw that someone had slipped a note underneath his doorway, moving over and picking it up, he stalked quietly over to his bedside, seeing that he couldn't make out the letters on the not. Cursing to himself, he reached over to his bedside lamp, turning it on softly, the dim glimmer of lamplight reflected off the paper he read to himself:
"Don't worry, got the gold
Get to bed, you're making
more noise than me. ;)"
-Matthew
Lemuel smiled and looked from side to side, as if in a vain attempt to see the charismatic little thief, biting his lower lip he scrunched up the paper and placed it into the lamp and watched it burn, so that nobody would be able to find it. Promptly settling himself down, he moved back to his bedchamber, thanked St Elimine in prayer and moved to fall asleep…
The days passed slowly for the young prince. It was agonizing, the waiting. Of course, he understood that Matthew had to lay low while the castle was in an uproar over the missing gold, the guard who was on duty was not severely reprimanded, since he was clearly overpowered, and did not merely fall asleep. Lemuel was quietly satisfied that his actions had not caused harm to the innocent guard.
Lucius was feeling quite well, it had been five days since the robbery, he'd been quite worried for the young prince's safety, but Lemuel's servants assured him that the young lordling was fine. Lucius was relieved at this news. He was, in truth, almost recovered from his cold, and was busy pouring over a book of Eliminian gospel when young Tracy meekly entered the room, her bright young eyes looking up at Lucius, "Brother Lucius!" she said softly.
Lucius looked to her and smiled softly, not minding the interruption, "Ah… yes my child…"
"H-hellen said you were still supposed to be in bed…" Tracy reminded him softly, biting her lower lip from nervousness.
Lucius chuckled softly, "I know, I know." The children had been hard taskmasters during his illness, not letting him do a thing around the orphanage, keeping him abed and well fed. They fussed over him and made sure the poor bishop was tied to his bed day and night, Tracy would even come in to read him to sleep sometimes; in truth she wasn't too good at reading, her parents had never taught her, so Lucius was actually doing more of the reading. Lucius could only look back at these events and smile though, he felt quite a lot better under his children's nursing, and almost felt fit enough to take on Nergal all over again.
Lucius sighed and rose, stretching his back, "I suppose there's no convincing you or Hellen that I'm well enough to read at my desk… is there?" he asked with a kind smile.
Tracy giggled softly, shaking her head, "B-but before you go to bed, there's a man here to see you," Tracy said, sucking on her finger nervously and shifting from foot to foot.
Lucius was a little startled, "A man you say?" he asked, "What does he want? Ah… a foster parent?"
Tracy shook her head again, "He said he jus' wants to see you brother Lucius… H-he reminds me of that guy you told me about in your stories… Merlinus…"
Lucius looked a little puzzled and eyed young Tracy quizzically, he then hummed to himself, "Well, we'd better go meet him then." He said softly, letting himself be lead down the hallway to the main sitting room. As he entered the room and found the rotund merchant sitting back lazily on the couch, "Lucius!" he exclaimed jovially, standing up as Lucius entered the room, a smile printed on his face. Lucius let a smile spread over his kind and gentle face, "Merlinus… it's good to see you…"
Merlinus chuckled, his belly wobbling a little, he had clearly been losing his hair, the cheery merchant's bubblegum blue hair was combed over his bald top in a vain attempt to hide it. "Yes indeed, I'm in Araphen on business and I thought I'd pop my nose in to say hello…"
Lucius nodded and gestured towards the couch for him to sit, "I have some biscuit cakes and milk…" he started, "The prince of Araphen has been kind enough to donate food for us on a regular basis."
Merlinus smiled broadly and nodded enthusiastically, "That sounds lovely my friend!"
Lucius left the room in a hurry for the kitchen, leaving Merlinus with young Tracy.
Her large eyes looked up at him, filled with curiosity, she approached slowly, "M-m-mister Merlinus?" she asked softly.
Merlinus looked down at her and chuckled, "Yes my dear?" He patted the seat next to him, motioning for her to sit and relax.
She hopped up on the couch, "I-I was wondering… are you the merchant who traveled with Eliwood and Lucius?" she bit her lower lip, excited beyond all belief. There was always a lingering sense of doubt whenever Lucius told his fantastic stories about Eliwood and Hector; none of the children could believe such famous and powerful men and women knew their beloved, meek little brother Lucius.
Merlinus was a little startled, his eyebrows almost raising off his head, he never lost his smiled though, and laughed loudly at the question, "Ah my dear, of course I was! Why I was Lord Eliwood's most trusted man in that army, why else would he give me all of his weapons hmm?" he winked at the little girl.
"So it's true then!?" she asked with a broadening smile, "I-It's all true then!? About the Dragons? The battles? Lord Darin? The black fang?" she could barely contain the questions as they spilled out.
Merlinus looked at her, surprised, "How would a young girl like you know about all this hmm?"
"Brother Lucius tells everyone these stories if we have trouble sleeping…" she explained excitedly, "Nobody believed them but… here you are though… Merlinus…" she said his name in utter disbelief.
As they were talking, Lucius entered quietly and set down the biscuits and milk on the table, "I'm terribly sorry we don't keep tea leaves Merlinus," he said, sitting on the couch with his old friend.
Merlinus looked over to him, "Oh that's quite alright, but I'm quite concerned that you've been telling these children all these fairy tales about our little adventure all those years ago…"
"Fairy tales?" Tracy looked utterly crestfallen and looked over to Lucius expectantly.
Lucius simply chuckled and took a sip of his milk, ignoring Tracy for the moment, "I don't see the harm in telling them. Children need stories like ours to feed their imagination. I found that telling them about Eliwood's mercenary gang, and all our little misadventures, not to mention Nergal, helps them get through the pain of their own loss, since many have seen their parents killed. Even if they don't believe it, which many of them don't, having that story strengthens them, gives them a fantasy… and maybe they'll tell their children, and their children will tell their children's children…"
"B-but it's all true right? I mean… here's Merlinus right here!!" Tracy exclaimed wildly, pointing at Merlinus.
Merlinus smiled kindly down at the child, and decided that maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that these children would know the truth. He could almost see the little girl's heart breaking if he denied any of the fantastic things about dragons and whatnot Lucius had no doubt told her. He caught Tracy's attention by reaching over and stroking her candy pink hair softly, "Has brother Lucius ever told you you have the most remarkable hair?" he asked.
Tracy's attention snapped to Merlinus and she nodded excitedly, "Yeah! He says there was a girl who traveled with you that had hair just like mine!"
Merlinus nodded softly, "Indeed," then he chuckled, "Serra was quite the noisy one, wasn't she Lucius…"
Lucius smiled with relief when he saw the merchant wasn't going to deny all of their adventures, he nodded, "Why don't you tell her about that time at Dragon's gate where Serra and Erk were assigned to guard you?"
Merlinus laughed with the memory, Tracy looked between the men expectantly, still not sure whether it was all true or just a great fairy tale. "Well I have other business I need to attend to… and I don't really have that much time… I'm also not that good a story teller…"
"Oh please Merlinus… p-l-e-a-s-e!"
Merlinus looked down to her as his eyes twinkled, "I guess I have some time to spare for one story… but Matthew is better at telling it than me, I'll just fetch him…"
"Matthew!?" Tracy asked, not believing her ears, "H-he's here too? Oh my, it must be true! It has to be!" she squealed with delight, almost bouncing with excitement.
Matthew chuckled, as he appeared from the shadows, gesturing Merlinus not to stand up, "No need to fetch me," he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and the trademark smirk on his face, "Now… Tracy was it?"
"H-how did you know my name?" she said in bewilderment, she wondered who this enigmatic man with spiky blonde hair was fervently.
Matthew chuckled good-naturedly, "Well I wouldn't be a very good spy if I didn't know things about people hmm?"
"A-a spy?" Tracy ogled him in wonder, her excitement causing her heart to flutter, there was no doubt now, surely those stories had to be true, Matthew and Merlinus were right in front of her, there couldn't be any more proof needed, all those stories everyone said were Lucius' fairy tales were all true.
Matthew sat, taking a bite out of his biscuit cake. Tracy hadn't even noticed him take a biscuit cake from the table his hands were so quick. Matthew put up his feet on the table, relaxing, and called in a loud voice, "You can all come in children!"
Silence followed his call, but, after a few moments, the doors on either side of the room opened, and all fifteen children, aged from five to fifteen filed in. Tracy looked around in wonder, but Lucius and Matthew simply gave the children knowing looks, "Don't worry children," Lucius chimed, "We won't bite… I'm sure you've already heard, but this," he gestured to the balding merchant, "Is my good friend Merlinus… and this," he gestured to the still young looking thief, who gave a small wave and a grin, "Is my good friend Matthew… and yes, they're the same ones I told you about who traveled with Eliwood and Hector."
The children all looked startled and slightly ashamed they'd been listening in on brother Lucius and his friend's private conversation, Matthew eased their consciences with his characteristic smile, "Ah, children, you shouldn't feel guilty, we understand how you feel, and besides, I knew you were there all along. If I'd really thought you shouldn't listen I'd have chased you off." He chuckled merrily. "There's no reason you can't all hear these grown up stories."
Suddenly, Matthew leaned forwards; looking at each child in the eye to make sure he had their attention, and began his story.
'Everyone had finally made it to Dragon's gate, majestic tower and ruins loomed over us all. Some of us would look up in wonder, thinking about the creatures who built these hollowed out structures, horror and dread filling our hearts as we drew near, we were sure the final battle was close at hand. Our information told us that Lord Elbert was just inside, and once we found him we thought our quest would be over. Our tactician anticipated a long and bloody battle before we managed to reach Elbert, and planned the best course of action; he took two healers into the strike force, Priscilla on horseback to aid the lords and mercenaries, and our beloved Serra to help defend our supply lines.' (Matthew cheerily slapped Merlinus on the back as he said this)
Doing most of the grunt work defending the supplies was… as usual… our little mage, Erk. It was halfway through the battle, I remember I was right next to Lord Hector as he swung his Wolf's Beil against the paladin and Darin's retainer, Cameron. The axe shattered against him as he fell from his horse, his face almost went as blue as his hair from cursing. Running up to him, I quickly handed him a steel axe before any enemies could attack us. He looked at me with a steely gaze and harshly told me to get back where I was supposed to be. You see, I… ah… was assigned to guard Serra… a duty I didn't like so much, and I'm sure Erk was more than capable…
Not wanting to argue in the middle of a battlefield, I stole off out of Hector's sight… I decided my skills were better used to unlock a few doors, and was just headed for the nearest one before I saw quite a sight back at Merlinus' tent…
"Oh but Erk you look absolutely darling!" Serra exclaimed, clasping her hands together.
Erk's face went red, "I do not you witch! Now change it back before anyone sees…"
Serra turned away and crossed her arms, "Well if that's how you're going to be then I certainly will not change it back."
Erk's eyes lit up like fire, "Serra, I'm serious, I don't know how to undo them… if people see me like this I'll be a laughing stock!"
Serra rolled her eyes, "You old fusspot, you look absolutely darling… why if you were in Etruria right now you'd be the height of fashion…"
"SERRA!!" Erk yelled in frustration, cutting her off, unfortunately for him, this startled Merlinus and he looked around to see where the problem was, Erk paled, the merchant exploding into laughter.
Getting closer, I saw what all the commotion was about, and decided to cheer Erk up, walking over and patting his back, I said, "Serra's a fine hairdresser, you have such darling pigtails my good man… just like hers in fact!"
"… I'll never be taken seriously again…"
Merlinus erupted into laughter with the memory, as did a lot of the children. Tracy noticed that not a single biscuit cake remained on the table, and eyed Matthew suspiciously; she knew none of the children could have taken them. Letting the calm set in, Matthew and Merlinus relaxed in their seats and looked at eachother expectantly, "Should you tell them the good news old man?" Matthew asked with his never-ending smile, "I've talked enough."
Merlinus grinned and nodded quickly, turning to Lucius and bringing out a slip of paper, "Your Excellency Lucius…" he began, obviously having prepared this speech, "On behalf of the joint enterprise between my humble Bakery and the duchy of Pherae… My generous financier and I have come up with the funds to pay off all debts that you owe to the good banks of Araphen, as of midnight last night… you have been totally and completely rid of all debt, I hold in my hand your renewed bank statement which affirms this and also a promissory note that explains we shall not interfere with running the orphanage, and that we will cover all repairs and renovations that you so wish."
"Ah… you… you shouldn't have…" Lucius was shell shocked, taking the papers dumbly and reading over them.
"Brother Lucius, it's already done…"
"N-no, it's too big a gift…" he thrust the papers back.
Merlinus pressed his hand back, "Matthew said you likely wouldn't accept, I had Lord Eliwood my co-proprietor and Duke of Pherae write this… read it…" he handed Lucius another slip of paper, this one was silky smooth, and the handwriting was impeccable. Lucius read it aloud.
To Lucius,
How are you old friend? I realise that Merlinus and my gift to you might seem too generous at first, but when I first heard you were suffering financial hardships, I did not hesitate for a second. Lucius, look around at your orphanage, the children you are housing have no homes of their own, if not for you they would be living on the cold, lonely street; half of them would be dead. Look at the world around you, if it wasn't for you Araphen, Lycia, all of Elibe as we know it would be ash and dirt. You might not remember it the same way I do, but fifteen years ago I saw a group of extraordinary mercenaries save humanity from dragons and the evil of Nergal. Lucius you do not owe a debt to the banks, or Araphen or anybody, for helping those children, our future and all of Elibe, the world owes you. I cannot make you accept this gift, but know that neither Merlinus nor I will interfere with you running the orphanage in any way, and that offering this to you is just my way of saying, "Thank you."
Yours sincerely
Eliwood.
Lucius felt misty eyed as he read the letter, a smile spreading on his face as he looked at the faces all around him. The shining, hopeful faces of the children, his old, dear friends Merlinus and Matthew. Gently, he nodded and said, "Thank you… thank you all… so much…" and closed his eyes, almost fainting from joy.
Elsewhere, in the grand halls of an Etrurian mansion, an aging man with a great, gray beard was slowly sipping his tea, having grown bored of his reading. He yawned; every room of his was dripping with luxury and extravagance, so what if the Elimine church teaches humility and frugality.
"Marquess Araphen failed… your holiness…" The hooded man informed his master from the shadows
The man didn't even turn, stroking his great flowing beard slowly, "Bear it no mind, I was about to give up hope on that avenue…"
"Should we deal him a suitable reward for failure?"
The old man closed his eyes, shaking his head, "I don't think so, it would cause too much of an uproar… and the old duke was never our target…"
"Our target… should we summon him for excommunication?"
The man shook his head, "I feel it's too risky… no… that man has many followers and aspiring acolytes who want to be just like him… he must be executed… or he must fall from our graces…"
"How… your holiness?"
The old man chuckled softly to himself, "We must be patient… St Elimine always provides a way…"
A/N no I don't hate the catholic church in any way, I'm not too sure about the story telling in this chapter, do you guys think it could've been done better? I'm trying not to make Lemuel the main character of the fic, since Lucius is.
Oh, I'm interested to know what you guys think of Lemuel, Raul and Tracy (my original characters) so far and whether I can improve on them.
If you have any suggestions at all, feel free to suggest away. D