Chapter 5: Beyond the Borders

It must have been pretty early. The sun was barely shining, but the dim light was enough to wake a light sleeper like myself. I pushed my palms into my eyes and then ran them through my hair, that was when I noticed that the weight from my shoulder was gone. I turned and saw that Lyn and Florina were also gone.

I looked over to where Wil had been before I feel asleep and discovered that he was still asleep. My head fell back as I blinked several times. Might as well get up. I pushed at the wall behind me to raise me to my feet and silently exited the closed-in sleeping area.

I poked my head through the path that separated it from the fortress wall and my nose picked up the scent of burning timber. Stretching gracefully I strolled towards the smell and saw Kent poking a blazing fire with a stick. Sain was yawning and was holding a cup of tea in his hands. The two girls were leaning against Florina's resting pegasus.

"Morning," I stalked over to Sain's side and he smiled at me through another large yawn.

"We were about to wake you up," Sain managed to get out in a sleepily slur as he handed me a hot mug.

"Wil's still sleeping." I sipped at the hot liquid. Some rustling sounded from close by and Wil appeared, hair ruffled, at the fortress entrance.

"Ah, speak of the devil," Sain grinned and patted a spot next to him. He gave Wil his mug and patted him on the head, even though it looked like he was using him for support, as he stumbled back into the fortress.

Kent sighed and followed. I lowered my mouth back to my tea but raised it when the redhead came back with a disgruntled looking Sain, "I'm sorry, but we need to leave. Those bandits might come back with more men this time and we need to be prepared."

Lyn and Florina nodded and began to prepare the pegasus. Wil took my mug as I tried to take a drink and, with a scowl at how early it was, moved to kill the fire. Sain and Wil got on their horse as Kent waited for me to get on his.

And so we continued our journey to Caelin. To do this we'd have to travel over the Bern border into Lycia. We had passed the majority of mountains that we would see, so most of the scenery would now consist of lush forests and overgrown farmlands.

"We've almost reached the Lycian border," Kent informed us after chewing through a turkey leg.

Lyn swallowed the vegetables she had stuffed into her mouth, "Once we cross, we'll be safe from bandits, right?"

"We should be. I doubt they'll be willing to pursue us across the border," Wil pointed out with a fork.

Sain slammed his mug of ale down on a table, "Lycia at last! It's been a long time. Tomorrow, we'll dine on a feast of Lycia's finest foods! And the mistress of the inn at the crossing is said to be a beauuuuty!"

He whistled and Kent got an annoyed look on his face, "Ah, yes... Food and love. No better way to restore a man's soul! This is going to be a fine evening, eh, Kent?" He elbowed his friend.

We had stopped at a tiny restaurant for an early dinner, but it appeared that we should have kept Sain outside for many of its inhabitants were now staring at the excited man.

"If your behavior is as deplorable as ever, we'd best stay elsewhere," he turned and stared down his companion. "We're not here for sightseeing!"

Sain pouted, "Oh, come now! That's not fair!"

Kent looked ready for a fight, it must have been the lack of sleep that he got....

"Kent, the inn will be fine," Lyn smiled.

Kent's face immediately softened as he turned to his green haired friend, "As you say, milady."

"Lyndis! You are truly an angel from on high!"

Lyn laughed and shook her head, "It's nothing. Forget it."

Florina smiled at Lyn's side, "Ah! We'll finally be able to get a good night's sleep."

Lyn turned to the orchid-haired girl and began to chat as Sain turned to Kent, who was drinking. "Your whipped, man and you're not even getting any."

The knight flushed and almost spit the contents of his mouth out as Sain laughed hysterically and danced out of his reach. Wil shook his head in amusement and went to pay the barmaid as Sain ran out of the pub with Kent in close pursuit.

"What's with them?" Lyn asked as she watched the two run around outside through a dirty window. I shrugged and walked out into the sunlight. The door clinked merrily as Wil followed.

A rough voice yelled in our direction. He looked extremely ugly, what with the short gray hair that was missing several chunks and his troll-like features. Wil turned back to me, "They're still after us?"

The door ringed as Florina and Lyn walked out. At that point the ugly man was walking menacingly over to Florina. She shrieked and ran behind Lyn. Sain and Kent heard her, stopped messing around, and looked towards the two approaching men.

"Heh heh heh. Don't think you're getting away so easily!" the man laughed showing a row of rotten yellow teeth.

The rat faced bandit from before smirked at us from behind his fellow thug, "You leave alive, and everyone'll think the Ganelon Bandits have gone soft!"

Lyn sighed in aggravation. "So? We care nothing for you or your reputations! We must get to Lycia! Get in our way," Lyn drew her sword," and you'll pay!"

"Cheeky little things, aren't you? Let's get 'em, lads! And no holding back just 'cause there's women with 'em! Wipe 'em out!" the first man yelled before running back and allowing several archers, brigands and mercenaries to take his place.

Sain rubbed at his neck and frowned, "Why do the talkative ones always run? I want to get rid of them first."

Kent shook his head in agreement as Florina approached Lyn, "Can't they just leave us alone?"

"Florina, men like thi-"

A loud scream issued forth from a nearby patch of trees, "Eeeek! Help me!!!"

"Who--?"

The rat-faced man from before was aiming a bow at two people in the distance. One was grabbing onto the back of another. The one protecting the other let forth a large explosion of fire with his hands but not before the man could hit him with an effective attack.

"That scream... Touya!"

I nodded and she walked quickly towards the two, "Um, excuse me... Hello?" A pink-haired girl with her hair in high pigtails dressed in a long white dress with a purple scarf hanging low over her shoulders was kneeling next to a man with chin-length purple hair. He was dressed in a red robe and currently had an arrow sticking out of his belly.

"Hm?" the girl turned towards Lyn.

"Why are you fighting these bandits?"

The man looked up through his bangs, "It just happened." But the girl didn't look so satisfied with that answer. She walked straight up to Lyn and poked her threateningly in the chest.

"Those ruffians thought that we were with you!!! You got us into this terrible situation. Now, how are you going to get us out?!"

The man on the ground stood with little difficulty and pulled the girl back from Lyn. He looked more pissed off then hurt, "Serra, if you'd not been so meddlesome, this all could have been avoided." He turned his attention to Lyn, who was slightly taken aback, "My apologies. Please trouble yourself with us no more."

"But...if you're going to have to fight, shouldn't we team up? It will end things faster, right?" Lyn persuaded the two as diligently as ever.

The girl made a show of taping her chin in thought, "That's true." Then she snapped her fingers and smiled brightly, "Yes! That's a good idea. Erk! Go and help these ladies."

"But I....Fine!" he hissed.

"Very good. My name's Lyn. So tell me, will you join arms with us?" Lyn returned Serra's smile with a genuine one of her own.

Serra nodded, "Yes, we'd be glad to. My name is Serra. This is my escort, Erk. Be a good boy, and go fight now, Erky-poo." Serra talked to her companion as though he were a child and this seemed to really piss the man off.

"Um, I'll be your tactician while you're fighting with us...." I awkwardly offered my hand and Serra grabbed it happily.

Erk sighed heavily and shook his head as the girl tossed her pigtails around, "Hello, Touya. I'm Serra, nice to meet ya! By the way, see this contrary mage here with me?" She hooked her finger around the front of his robes and pulled him over to me.

"His name is Erk. I think he's been hurt," she paused as she looked at the arrow and popped her lips, "I am Erk's employer. 'Master,' I suppose you could say. What I'm getting at is.. I was thinking of healing him free of charge."

She closed her eyes and pushed her arms down as she posed in what I assumed was mock innocence, "I know, I know. I'm generous to a fault."

I raised one of my eyebrows and exchanged a look with Erk as Serra pouted much like Sain does, "Hm? Why are you looking at me like that? Praise my generosity!" She swayed her hips, "Anyway, that's the deal. So look, I'm going to use my staff. Watch in wonder!"

It was now that I realized that she was holding onto a glowing blue staff and she turned, smiled, and issued it forth into the air. Tiny sparkling lights surrounded Erk and caused the arrow to glow and pop into thin air. With a frown, Erk examined the bloody hole in his robes that revealed a tiny patch of pale skin. Serra turned and bowed at Lyn who looked mildly impressed.

"You are Touya? I am Erk. I'm not sure how I got in this mess. But, if I'm going to fight, however, I will show you the true power of magic!" Until now I thought this guy wasn't able to get happy about anything but I saw his true passion unfold. He was a mage and very happy to be one, by the looks of it.

I rubbed my hands together and exhaled, another battle to plan. We were on a small-sized strip of land. A lake was located to the south of us, mountains to the north. Between the two contradicting elements, a large forest awaits us to go though. The lead bandit is located on the far side of the water. Seven fighters, wait---

"Erk, you'll make the first move. Finish the archer."

Make that six fighters that need to be beaten. Two brigands, two mercenaries, an archer, and Bug, our earlier ugly patron.

"Kent and Dorcas, take the northern enemies. Florina, move over the lake and attack the mercenary. Be sure to watch out for the archer. Sain and Wil, move out west. All right, go--"

But they had already left, leaving behind a trail of dust. I approached the two magic wielders and Lyn, "You guys will move through the forest towards Bug. I've sent Sain and Kent out to distract the enemies so we should remain unseen."

As we spoke Kent was battling a brigand, with the help of Dorcas's ability of throwing hand axes, and Sain was attacking a mercenary as Wil watched. Florina was out of sight, but she's strong enough to take care of herself. "Let's move," I told the others. Serra looked slightly upset at being bossed around and Erk looked mildly worried. Lyn was biting her lip and straining her eyes in the direction of Florina.

"Hey--" Serra started to yell as Erk grabbed her head and covered her mouth. She struggled and Erk let go. She hissed angrily at the mage, "You're going to ruin my hair, Erky."

"Then stop yelling. You'll give off our location," he whispered back.

"I just saw a house, geez. You're so pessimistic." I looked to Lyn and she nodded. I stayed behind with the bickering pair as she made her way to the small cottage.

An older woman with a serene face answered the door for Lyn. She smiled warmly, "I'm guessing you're a traveler." At Lyn's nod she continued, "What can I do you for, miss?"

"There's a fight outside, It would be most wise to stay inside for a little bit."

"Why, thank you. I'll be sure to. It's a rare find to see someone as young as you so nice. You keep that charm, you here?" The woman made Lyn flush as she went back inside.

"Lyn, watch out!"

As she exited the house a brigand came running at her from behind a large tree. She blocked and jumped around the man and attacked with three super fast strikes of her sword. The man fell as she exhaled slowly. "You okay?" I asked quickly, "I'm sorry. I misjudged his speed, I--"

She held up a hand, "I'm fine, Touya. He just startled me is all."

"Are you sure?"

"Where's Flo--?"

A great gust of wind ruffled my hair as the unmistakable sound of wings told me that Florina had landed just feet away from me. "I'm guessing you mean her," I motioned over my shoulder. The Sacaen made her way quickly behind me. Lyn then fussed over the blood state of the pegasus knight's lance as I looked towards our last enemy before Bug.

I tapped Erk on the shoulder and he looked at me. It seemed that he had already noted the archer because his hands were beginning to warm up, most likely the beginning of a fire attack. "Do your stuff."

He did and with such power that it amazed me. I shook my head, time for Bug. "All right everyone, gather around." Sain and Kent came on their horses and stopped behind Dorcas and Wil. Lyn and Florina appeared by my side and Serra was pushing at Erk to get a better view. "We'll attack from long distance and finish with an attack from Lyn. Florina, you'll begin. Then Erk, Wil, and finish up with Lyn. If anyone gets hurt out there, Serra will heal you."

They nodded and the assigned attackers took their place around the bandit, "You're gonna learn why people fear the Ganelon Bandits!" Florina looked hesitant as she approached the man but hit him. Although her javelin did little damage it succeeded in drawing his attention away from Erk who delivered a roaring fire spell that left the thug very weak.

Wil approached next and pulled a perfectly crafted oak arrow back in his bow and hit Bug above the right kidney. Saying that he was mad would be an understatement, but this didn't stop Lyn from challenging him.

She grasped the Mani Katti tightly in her gloved hands as she attacked from the side. Bug's anger stopped him from hitting her, as she easily evaded his steel axe. One final hit brought him to his knees, "Blaaaaaah... Scum... You're all scum..."

I ran over and was happy to discover Lyn unscathed. "Nicely done, Touya. That should just about do it."

Serra smiled at the Sacaen girl, "What a surprise. You are very strong, Lyn."

While in the odd acceptance of a compliment from the energetic Serra, Lyn confessed her love of healing powers.

"Only those in the service of good can wield them," Serra smiled and tilted her head to the side, making her look younger than she probably was.

Lyn smiled sympathetically, "Thank you for all of your help. We'd better take our leave."

"Take care. Good-bye, Lyn." Serra sais as Erk appeared at her shoulder.

"Fare you well. You too, Erk." At being addressed the mage lifted his eyebrows and bowed his head slightly, "As you, milady."

Lyn flushed, waved, and wandered back over the Florina.

"We'd better take our leave, Erk," Serra smiled at her purple-haired escort who looked like he'd rather die a thousand bloody deaths.

"What have we here? Another wildflower? Perhaps a butterfly?" Sain, as usual, appeared out of no where and clasped Serra's hand in his own, "What an absolutely delectable creature!"

Serra, who looked as though the praise was normal for her, looked the kneeling knight up and down, "Oh my! Are you one of Lyn's companions?"

"Please, call me Sain," he kissed her gloved hand and rose to his feet.

"I'm Serra, I serve House Ostia."

Sain sighed over dramatically, "Serra... What a lyrical name. I, myself, am in service to Castle Caelin." Erk had one eye partially scrounged up and was looking at the two like they were both mad.

"Oh! So is Lyn a member of the marquess's family?"

Erk narrowed his eyes and turned quickly to the girl as Sain answered, "She is the granddaughter of our lord, the marquess."

The healer tapped her finger across her lips and smiled, "Hmmm... Such an important person."

"Serra...what deviousness are you contemplating now?"

She giggled, "Having a person of power in your debt is never a bad thing." Erk looked to Sain who was staring at Serra like she was the only girl he could ever reproduce with, but turned immediately back to the girl as she said this.

"You can't be serious..."

"Oh, Sain." She waved her hand as though she were royalty and he was merely a servant.

"My blossom, name it and it is done."

"Do you think we could join the lady Lyndis's company? She seems like such a wealth--nice person, and I would ever so much like to help her."

The knight looked as though Christmas had come early, "Of course! We couldn't be happier!! Why, we were just saying how we need some more wome--fighting power!!" It wasn't hard to notice that both had ulterior motives.

"Are you being pursued?" Erk spoke with concern.

"Why, yes. Actually, its an inheritance dispute. Assassins everywhere," Sain frowned.

Erk looked hesitant, "It sounds...dangerous.. We really shou--"

Serra stomped on his foot, "Should definitely come with you. My healing staff and Erk's magic should come in handy."

"Those assets would be extremely helpful! Please wait here! I will go and speak with Lady Lyndis on your behalf."

At that point Erk turned to Serra and I felt that it would be bad to stay and listen to the fight that was just ready to begin. Strolling over to a great maple tree, I leant against its strong trunk and watched as Sain spoke to Lyn and ran back to Serra who I noticed was alone. Erk was walking my way. He took a seat next to me and leaned against the tree as well, "Touya, was it?"

"It was."

"...How can you stand that oaf?"

"I guess the same way you stand Serra."

He shook his head, "How deep is Lyndis in this?"

I looked over to the mysterious mage. He had a quiet look of worry spread across his young features. "Let me explain from the beginning....."

Author's Note---

Hope you guys like so far.... Please stick around for the rest of the story and bear with me. I won't be able to update much this weekend. My apologies.

Thank you for reading!