Crossroads of the Heart
Author's Note:
Fire Emblem is the property of Intelligent Systems and Nintendo.
Chapter 9: Wildflowers
It was strange; their first day officially back in the plains, and Florina still noticed a distinct sense of morosity emanating from her dearest friend. Lyn probably hardly noticed it herself; she seemed so lost within herself sometimes nowadays. They walked along the streets of Bulgar, a city Lyn had all but memorized, and a place Florina was more than a little familiar with. They had stopped here often before, just the two of them, to replenish supplies or recover their energy after a particularly trying day. Florina had always felt like such a burden back then; she felt she still owed so much to Lyn for putting up with her. She had been such a silly child, harboring the loftiest of ambitions among Ilian women, when she hadn't even yet honed the skill of keeping in the saddle reliably...
She could recall those days so clearly, it hardly seemed that so many years had passed since then.
"...Lyn?" Florina broke the silence shyly, growing uncomfortable with Lyn's increasingly unreadable expression. She jumped at the sound of her voice, as though she had forgotten she was there. It wouldn't have been surprising if she had, she was so lost in thought.
"Yes, Florina?" She recovered herself quickly, smiling warmly.
"Oh, nothing... it's just... what are you thinking about?" She had an idea, of course, but she could always be wrong. She knew Lyn well, but she it wasn't as though she could read minds.
"Nothing in particular," Lyn mused in response, thoughtfully. "And yet... everything at once. It's surreal, being here again, with you... like old times, isn't it?"
"I was just thinking that myself..." Florina smiled back, missing those days now more than ever. The days when things hadn't been so... complicated.
"I'd been away so long, I didn't realize just how much I missed this place... and now that I'm back..."
"It's like you don't want to leave..." Florina finished her statement, understanding her sentiments.
"Yes, of course. I'm sure you understand," she sighed.
They had reached the city earlier in the day, departing before the sun had even fully breached the horizon. Their company had parted ways soon upon entering the city gates; Kent and Sain had offered to secure their lodging, and her sisters had likely accompanied them... Matthew had insisted upon getting as early a start as possible with his snooping... or, well, information gathering, as he preferred it referred to as. Serra was likely off pestering him or Sain, and as for her and Lyn, well... they had little to do but reminisce...
"Do you remember, Florina, when we first met?" Lyn continued in that subdued voice, and Florina felt herself blushing at a memory she had long hoped she'd forget.
"Yes, but..." She groaned inwardly. It was such an embarrassing story...
"I was out hunting when I saw a Pegasus wandering about," Lyn carried on, heedless of her friend's sour expression. "When I went to see what was going on, I saw you hanging on that tree branch..."
"W-well, what was I supposed to do?" Florina muttered, covering her face with her hands. "All those bees came flying out at me! I was so frightened..."
"Yes, I remember you were crying because you couldn't get down." Lyn grinned, and Florina made a somewhat exasperated sound. "I couldn't believe that you, a little girl, were a Pegasus knight!"
"Please, stop with this story," Florina pleaded. "It's so embarrassing... You know how dishonorable it is to fall from your Pegasus."
"Don't worry," Lyn laughed, throwing an arm around her mortified friend's shoulders. "I won't tell a soul... It will always be our little secret, all right?"
"All right," Florina mumbled. "But that had better be a promise!" She exclaimed, looking at Lyn with a pleading expression.
"Those were the days, though!" Lyn laughed, nodding in response. "You and me, riding here on the plains, the wind blowing across the grass..."
"Lyn..."
"...Forgive me." Lyn stepped away, her previous mirth replaced once again by that morosity Florina had detected in her since arriving.
"No, don't worry about it... I agree with you, you know..." Florina scrambled for words. However embarrassing the story had been, at least Lyn had seemed happy while telling it. She'd gladly trade a little dignity to see her smiling, again...
"Maybe we should head back," Lyn suggested, peering down the road toward the business district of town. "I'm sure Kent and the others have secured us lodgings by now."
"Well, if you want..."
"...Let's go!" Lyn turned back the way they had come, moving at a brisk pace.
"Hey... w-wait!" Florina exclaimed, scrambling to catch up.
They made their way back; though Bulgar was the largest city in Sacae, it was still much smaller than the Lycian cities they had grown used to. It didn't take long for them to locate the proper inn, for certain familiar mounts tethered outside tipped them off to the proper building. Lyn smiled when she recognized it; it was the same inn she had first noticed Kent and Sain emerging from, all that time ago...
"Here we are," Lyn announced when Florina caught up with her, huffing slightly with the effort. Well, she never had been much for land travel, what with having that Pegasus of hers...
"...Right," Florina muttered, stopping to fuss over Huey a bit -- was he hungry? Tethered comfortably? -- before following Lyn inside. The interior of the building was just as elegantly simple as the outside, and Sacaens and foreigners alike meandered in the lobby. Florina kept close to Lyn, shy around so many strangers as usual, though they soon spotted Kent and Sain mulling about in a far corner.
"So I hope you realize," Kent was speaking in a familiar lecturing tone, while Sain rolled his eyes in typical fashion. "It's hardly proper to accost ladies in such a fashion anyway, but on the way to their rooms? Really, Sain, you can do better than that..."
"Ah, Lady Lyndis!" Sain exclaimed, catching sight of them and startling Kent from his lecture in the process. "So glad to see you well. Kent and I have taken care of everything, so..."
"...Lady Lyndis, Florina," Kent greeted them as well. "Your room is here, on the second floor. We weren't sure how you wanted to split accommodations..."
"Of course, all of the lovely ladies in our party are welcome to join me in my room," Sain spoke shamelessly, winking at Florina. Lyn raised an eyebrow in response, while Florina blushed predictably, and Kent elbowed his companion in the stomach, apologizing profusely.
"It's nothing I've not come to expect," Lyn sighed, and Sain grinned whimsically in response, though still somewhat wincing at the pain in his abdominal region. "Are you the only ones here?"
"Mmm, I'm afraid so," Kent confirmed. "Fiora dragged Farina off somewhere, and I'm not completely certain what about... Matthew is off, erm... being Matthew, and as for Serra..."
"Serra!" Sain exclaimed, startling them all. "Ah, sorry. Perhaps I should find her, though," Sain spoke thoughtfully, already edging away. "After all, the city is no place for a sweet woman like her to be wandering off alone in..."
"Bring her back here if you find her," Lyn called after him. "I'd like everyone gathered here when Matthew gets back..."
Sain nodded, disappearing through the inn's main entrance.
"I doubt he's got anything so noble as protection on his mind," Kent muttered, looking after him disapprovingly. "Sweet woman, indeed."
"Even so," Lyn shrugged. "And he has a point. Why would she have run off anyway?"
"She was probably chasing Matthew around, but likely he's shaken her off by now..."
"Ummm..." Florina spoke quietly, interrupting. "So... umm... you don't know where my sisters are...?"
"Ah... they might be upstairs," Kent smiled at her reassuringly. No matter how long they had known each other, Florina was still so shy around him... they were going to be family soon, too after all. "I could show you the room if you like," he offered.
"Um, no, that's okay. I don't... want to be a bother..." Florina looked from Kent to Lyn, somewhat at a loss. "Well, I'm going to go take care of Huey then," she decided finally, taking her leave.
"Don't go too far!" Lyn called after her protectively.
"Is Bulgar really that dangerous?" Kent queried, curious.
"No, not really..." Lyn admitted with a shrug. "But, well... you know how Florina is."
"Indeed... Fiora's a lot like you are, always so protective of her."
"She's become such a fine Pegasus Knight," Lyn sighed. "I'm sure she can take care of herself, but..."
"Yes, I understand."
"I was always her protector here on the plains... it's hard to break old habits, I guess..." Lyn mused. "Especially now that we're back here, it brings back so many nostalgic feelings..."
"I recall this was where we first met, as well," Kent said thoughtfully. "Or near enough."
"You're right. Who knew we'd find ourselves back here like this..."
"Strange, the situations we find ourselves in," Kent agreed.
"Kent... do you ever regret any of the decisions you've made?" Lyn switched subjects abruptly, earning a surprised stare from her most trusted knight. "I mean, you always seem so confident."
"So do you, Lady Lyndis," Kent pointed out. "As for your question... thus far in my life, I'd not change a single decision I've made."
"As I thought..." Lyn sighed. "You're certainly not the type to make mistakes..."
"I've made my share of mistakes," Kent corrected her respectfully. "Yet, I'd still not change them. How else could I learn if not from my past errors?"
"I suppose... but... what if there was one decision in particular, that would change your entire life? If you were to make a mistake with this one decision..."
"Lady Lyndis?"
"Ah... nothing. Forget I said anything."
"Forgive me for my imprudence, but... Lady Lyndis, are you well? It's not like you to doubt yourself... that's not the woman I've come to know."
"You're right," Lyn smiled at him reassuringly. "I'll be fine, Kent. No need to worry yourself on my account."
"If you're certain..."
"I am. Thank you, Kent."
Content for the moment, he let the subject drop, but... everyone had noticed Lyn's odd demeanor of late... even Sain had commented on it once or twice. Lyn had changed so much since he had first met her here on the plains. Where she had once doubted her Lycian heritage, regarding her Sacaen roots with nothing but pride... she had slowly come to doubt those roots, striving more to be like a proper Lycian lady... Kent frowned. All for her grandfather, of course, but Lord Hausen had never expressed any desire for her to change. Now that they were back here, it seemed as though Lyn was once again going through a similar change of opinion, again feeling disillusioned with her Lycian side... Kent wondered if she would ever find the balance she strove so hard to attain.
"Hey! Jeez, what's your problem?" Farina complained, as Fiora all but shoved her into their room, shutting the door firmly behind them.
"I've no idea how long Florina will be occupied with Lady Lyndis," Fiora explained calmly, crossing her arms. "And I've a few things to discuss with you."
"About Florina?" Farina spoke nervously, an emotion she did not often display, Fiora knew. "Well, what is it?"
"I think you know, but I'll humor you if you insist," Fiora replied. "I heard something rather interesting from Serra the other day..."
"Serra? That flirty, scatter-brained, rumor spreading girl that's always hanging herself over the men in our group?"
"...Yes, her."
"Hmph. What would you care what she has to say about our baby sister?"
"Normally I wouldn't, but as much as you might hate it, I know you two rather well..." Fiora spoke severely, casting a level gaze at her sister. "You're keeping something from me, and I don't particularly appreciate it."
"Not everything we do has to be your business!" Farina snapped, glaring at her hotly. "That's part of the problem with you, you're always snooping around in our lives like you've every right--"
"I could care less what you do," Fiora interrupted her furiously. "But concerning Florina, I think we can both agree that I am far more qualified to--"
"Qualified?!" Farina shouted, fury and incredulousness roiling together. "I'm every bit as much of her elder sister as you are!"
"Unfortunately, you seem incapable of holding a single conversation with her without reducing her to tears--"
"Some lessons in life are tough to learn," Farina spoke in a steely tone, narrowing her eyes. "You can't baby her forever and expect her to get any better. Of course, maybe you're content with just mothering over her for the rest of her life--"
"I'd never abandon my baby sister," Fiora interrupted coldly. "Unlike you."
"If that's all you wanted to say," Farina matched her icy tone, heading for the door Fiora still stood purposely in front of. "Then I'm leaving. Move."
"I think not," Fiora looked her in the eye, holding her position.
"...Fiora..." Farina spoke dangerously, meeting her gaze without even a blink.
"As I said, I want to know what all this is about Florina. Serra said something about... well, about a man?"
"It's none of your business," Farina said stubbornly. "Why don't you ask her yourself? She'd tell you if she wanted you to know."
"So it is a man..." Fiora mused.
"Hey! Now, wait, I didn't say that--!"
"Hmph. If it wasn't, you'd have been quick enough to point out my error. You're so predictable..."
"...Why, you...!"
"Then tell me, who is it? You should know that I'm not going to simply drop this subject."
"Why do you think I know?" Farina muttered, though Fiora was pleased to see her resolve clearly wearing away.
"Oh, please. Don't bother with that. You might be ignorant, but--"
"If I'm the ignorant one, then how is it that I know who it is, and you don't?" Farina snapped. "I'll have you know she didn't just tell me -- if you'd have been paying attention to anything but that uptight dredge knight out there maybe you'd have noticed it yourself!"
"I will not abide insults to Kent, or my intelligence!" Fiora exclaimed, a thunderous expression that would have struck fear into the heart of just about anyone but Farina on her face. It was all she could do to refrain from slapping her sister -- what imprudence!
"It's the truth!" Farina continued, heedless of her own wellbeing at this point. "Anyone who bothered to pay any attention to her should have noticed it, but you and that Lady Lyndis -- you're supposed to be her closest friends, the people she confides everything to, and neither one of you took any notice at all!"
"What... what does Lady Lyndis have to do with this?" Fiora looked a bit confused, thought it was certainly no surprise to Farina.
"Are you blind?!" Farina shouted incredulously. "Fine, I'll tell you! While you were off mooning over Kent -- Lady Lyndis was running around stealing the one guy our little sister's ever had any eyes for -- it's sickening! Both of you, too busy with your own affairs to see how much you were hurting her..."
"What are you talking about?" Fiora gaped, trying in vain to make sense of her shouted accusations. "I would never do a thing to hurt Florina, and neither would Lady Lyndis!"
"Fine, not intentionally. I'll grant you that."
"Lady Lyndis was... who..."
"Didn't you see a thing in Ostia?" Farina muttered, rolling her eyes. "Then do I have to spell it out? ...Fine. It's Lord Hector, you idiot! Now if you're quite satisfied... get out of my way."
"...You must be joking." Fiora's eyes were as wide as she'd ever seen them. "That's..."
"The truth of the matter, like it or not."
"Lord Hector?!" Fiora looked away, still wearing that ridiculous dazed expression. "That... that is simply preposterous. How... why would..."
"How should I know?" Farina shrugged. "You were with them longer than I was."
"Hector and Florina... they never even..." Fiora attempted to piece this information together in her mind. "The only time they were ever around each other was with Lyn..."
"Uh, and during just about every single one of the battles we had," Farina pointed out. "Or didn't you notice? The way she was always hovering around him, with something to say and without the courage to say it?"
"...You're right, I... I didn't notice at all..." Fiora leaned against the wall, bringing a hand to her forehead. "But now that you mention it..."
"Last time we spoke," Farina offered, feeling the fight drain out of her in lieu of her sister's defeated expression, "She mentioned something about Hector saving her life..."
"Really?"
"I'm not sure what it was about, but..."
"...Perhaps we should find out."
"I thought you wanted me to leave her alone."
"If all of this is true... maybe... we should..." Fiora struggled with words.
"Work together, you mean?" Farina grinned. "Why, sister, I never thought you'd ask..."
"Now, wait." Fiora spoke quickly, alarmed. "I'm still a little... suspicious of this. Lord Hector... Florina's always been afraid of even the most unassuming men... and well, he's hardly..."
"Well, perhaps you'll have to admit you know less about our baby sister than you thought."
"It just doesn't make any sense..."
"It is strange to think about," Farina agreed reluctantly. "But I have to say, I do applaud her taste. I mean, he's certainly not bad looking, and he's nice enough for all his rough demeanor... and he is disgustingly wealthy..."
"Farina!" Fiora scolded her, frowning. "That's hardly a reason to--"
"I know, I know! I'm just joking... jeez."
"...Now, what's all this you were talking about with Lady Lyndis?" Fiora smoothly directed the conversation back on track. "Tell me everything."
"...Fine."
Farina found that it was actually somewhat of a relief to get these things off her chest; after her last spat with Florina, after all, it wasn't likely she'd have been able to do much on her own. But... with Fiora on her side, perhaps there was hope... of course, Fiora wouldn't be too keen on some of the tactics she'd been mulling over, what with those troublesome moral stipulations of hers. As far as Farina was concerned, though, all was fair in love and war... and since Florina wasn't likely to do anything on her own...
Fiora listened, arms crossed, mind still awhirl with this new information.
"Now hold on, Matthew!" A notorious pink haired woman, garbed in the traditional clothes of Elimine clerics, all but screeched. "Oh, you are so intolerable at times!" She struggled to keep up with the swift moving spy, tripping once or twice over her slender, form fitting dress -- beautiful enough, sure, but certainly not adapted to chasing down men in the streets!
"...Can't you see I have a job to do?" Matthew paused, looking her over in obvious irritation. "I've told you time and again I have trouble working with you around..."
"Hmph! How are you supposed to protect me if you're off running around without me -- honestly, you were planning on just abandoning me in the middle of this unfamiliar city, helpless and alone..."
"Look, it's not my fault you didn't stay at the inn with the others, like I asked you over and over to do, might I add..."
"Like I'm just going to wait around, bored to tears! This is much more exciting!" Serra chirped, oblivious as usual to Matthew's disapproving stares.
"Serra... this work isn't all fun and games. In fact, it's usually rather dangerous..."
"Well, that's why I have you around, isn't it?"
"...I really can't believe you sometimes..."
"So where are you headed off to first?" Serra smiled sweetly. "I mean, how hard could this possibly be? If you're so good at it, it can't be that bad."
"The inn," Matthew decided, taking her by the arm.
"Oh my!" Serra blinked, clinging to him in return. "Wait... the inn? Matthew...!"
"To take you back," Matthew spoke reasonably, tightening his grip on her as she struggled to escape his grasp, now.
"Oh, no, no! You can't do that, that's not fair!" Serra complained. "Matthew! Let me go this instant, you cad! I'll scream, and then what will people think?!"
"...That you're insane, like everyone else already does?"
"Oooh... that's a lie! I'm serious, Matthew!"
"So am I," he muttered in response, all but dragging her along now, as though she were a naughty child... Matthew sighed. She was, after all, in so many ways.
"Well, well... what on earth is going on here?"
"Sain!" Serra exclaimed, and Matthew turned in such surprise that he inadvertently loosened his grip. Naturally, she took the opportunity to escape, running to hide herself behind a rather incredulous looking but pleased enough green-clad cavalier.
"Why, hello Serra..." Sain grinned, looking over his shoulder at where she was quasi-hiding.
"I'll tell you what's going on, Matthew's trying to kidnap me!"
"Oh my!" Sain humored her, certain, of course, that there was more to the story than that. Matthew rolled his eyes, holding his hands up in a warding gesture.
"That's the most preposterous thing I've ever... Whatever, look." Matthew eyed Sain levelly, who raised an eyebrow at him in response. "Just keep her out of my hair, will you?"
"I can think of a few ways to keep her busy," Sain laughed, though his chuckles were cut somewhat short by an indignant thump on his back courtesy of a now blushing Serra.
"That's terrible!" She scolded, stepping away from him hastily.
"Aw, Serra..."
"...Really...! If you think for one second, Sain..."
As amusing as it was, Matthew knew an opportunity when he saw one, and he wasn't about to waste this. He turned and took off at top speed -- hopefully she'd still be scolding him before she thought to look for him again, and by then it'd be too late. The woman really was infuriating; did she honestly think all that stuff she said? She couldn't possibly be so dense.
Still muttering discontentedly to himself, Matthew fell easily into sleuth mode, keeping an eye out for a good area to begin his inquiries. The Taliver Bandits were an infamous lot, so he wasn't particularly worried about being unable to find information... but it was imperative that he keep his inquiries discreet. It could be disastrous if they learned of their intentions before he learned of their location; Matthew much preferred being on the hunting side of the scene, really.
Something of interest caught his eye; he made it a point to notice just about everything, and rarely did even the smallest details go undetected. It was part of what made him so good at his job... he approached a certain building, keen on confirming his suspicions before jumping too soon. Granted, he couldn't see what this might have to do with finding the Taliver, but it was noteworthy enough to warrant this diversion.
There, tethered outside... Matthew studied the gaggle of horses for a minute or so. Clearly a company of nomads were gathered inside this building, which as it turns out served as a dual tavern and inn of sorts... a popular, and certainly logical combination of services. Let your patrons drink until they pass out, then charge them for the ale and the room... Matthew grinned. In any case, that was definitely a collection of Sacaen mounts, notable across Elibe for their unmatched quality... and that mount in particular was familiar to him. He had first seen it in Araphen, when its rider -- that mysterious nomad, Rath -- had rescued Lady Lyndis from that assassin...
Well, it was hardly surprising that he should return to Sacae. His parting from Araphen hadn't exactly been on good terms, from what he understood, and anyone could grow tired of living the mercenary lifestyle, especially after the conflict they had been involved in. And if he was anything like Lady Lyn... Matthew shrugged.
Here, he realized, he had a rather important choice to make. On one hand, he knew Rath, at least somewhat from their earlier involvement... and since he'd spent more time here, it was possible he'd know a thing or two about what they were seeking... on the other, he didn't know Rath that well, and he wasn't sure how Lady Lyndis would feel about him recruiting even more to their company. She had already seemed dissatisfied with the current size of their troop, however she tried to hide it.
And it was, of course, almost certain the man would join up with them if he heard Lyn was in need of his services, again. Matthew stood, arms crossed, contemplating his choices.
"...Mother Earth and F-father sky!" Matthew nearly jumped out of his skin -- this was the second time in less than fifteen minutes he'd let himself be surprised by someone... a distressing fact, indeed. "What are you--?!" He turned to meet the man responsible for these shocked sentiments, a well practiced cool gaze and self-satisfied smirk quickly masking his surprise.
"Hmm... Hello, Guy," Matthew greeted his long-time acquaintance -- he doubted Guy would appreciate it much if he went so far as to call them friends, though Matthew certainly considered him as such, whether he approved or not.
"Y-you! Just when I think I'm rid of you and your... have you made it your personal mission to make my life as miserable as possible, demon?!" Guy exclaimed, backing away.
"Honestly, Guy. You shouldn't get so worked up," Matthew advised, still smirking in that infuriating fashion. "You'll be happy to know that I wasn't even aware you were here, actually."
"That's a lie!" Guy said suspiciously, looking almost comedically unhappy.
"Oh, come on, really. Have I ever lied to you?"
"You'd lie to your own mother if it'd save your skin," Guy accused him, still frowning. "Like you know anything about honor!"
"Please, spare me..." Matthew rolled his eyes. "All right, all right. But now that you're here, you know, you still owe me a few favors..."
"I knew it!" Guy complained. "You just won't leave well enough alone--!"
"Now, just hear me out. It's nothing difficult, I promise."
"...Fine! What?!"
"You see that building right there?"
"I should! It's where I was heading before I saw you staking it out like-- wait, what are you planning?"
"Oh, you're staying there, then? Then this should be even easier than I thought."
"You didn't answer my--"
"It's nothing like what you're thinking, certainly," Matthew shook his head. "Just a little information gathering..."
"For what?!"
"For Lady Lyndis, actually," Matthew divulged, figuring having her interests in mind would lend some weight to his claims.
"Lady Lyndis is here?" Guy blinked in surprise. "Huh..."
"She is, and we're on a bit of a pressing mission..."
"Hmm ...I bet Rath would be interested in this," Guy thought aloud, and Matthew grinned. Just as he was hoping.
"So, you are here with him. I was banking on that... now, see, I'm not familiar with the way these things work here, but if you could let him know..."
"All right, so you want to talk with him?" Guy nodded. "Fine. I'll let him know."
"Excellent. Hurry up, now, will you?" Matthew prodded him, ignoring his dark expression.
"I'm going! ...Argh..." Guy muttered something he couldn't quite pick up, but it was undoubtedly something negative about him. Ah, but he was such a hapless boy, really. He was lucky the worst he had to deal with was him -- if a less... scrupulous person had helped him out all that time ago he could be much worse off. He simply lacked common sense, really... he was far too idealistic for his own good.
Matthew shrugged at his own thoughts, waiting patiently outside for Guy to return. It seemed he'd made up his mind about what course of action to take, but... Lady Lyn and Rath had always seemed close. At least, closer than anyone else had been to him -- Matthew barely knew what Rath's voice sounded like, and he'd traveled with them for quite some time. He doubted she'd mind if he got involved, and really, it would be useful having someone familiar with the current state of affairs in Sacae around.
What was that tribe name... the Kutolah. Yes, that was the one Guy always boasted about being a part of. Supposedly the most prominent tribe in Sacae. If they didn't know a thing or two about the Taliver, he'd be sorely surprised.
Lyn sat in the inn lobby, too preoccupied to take part in any of the conversation her companions were engaged in around her. The Pegasus sisters had returned from wherever they had been long before, and were gathered, speaking in hushed tones with occasional input from Kent. Florina stood by them, content more to listen than speak, which was really unsurprising. Sain and Serra had arrived some time ago, the latter looking rather indignant, which shed some suspicion over the activities the former had been up to... Lyn grinned as she watched them, arguing one second, flirting the next. What a strange woman Serra was, really.
The only one missing was arguably the most important one of all: Matthew. He'd been gone for some time, but Lyn wasn't worried, merely impatient. The man was one of Ostia's most esteemed spies, after all, and that certainly took some doing. He'd get his job done, but that didn't make the waiting any easier.
"If you keep brooding like that, Lyn, people are going to worry..." Florina snuck up beside her, having left her sisters' conversation. "It's not like you..."
"Oh..." Lyn blinked, smiling in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "I've just got a lot on my mind, is all."
"Well... cheer up a little, will you?" Florina encouraged her, smiling. "Everything is going to work out..."
"I'm sure you're right," Lyn leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. "It's getting late..."
"You're not worried about Matthew, are you?" Florina giggled. "That would be silly, Lyn..."
"Oh, no, not at all!"
"Hmm... worried about what he might find, then?"
"I suppose."
"I've been thinking, Lyn... as long as we're all together... we can probably do anything..."
"Florina...?"
"I mean... we all saved the world together, didn't we?"
"...Yes... I suppose we did, at that."
"Right," Florina nodded, clapping her hands together. "So, really, you shouldn't worry about us handling a bunch of, umm..."
"Filthy mongrels," Lyn muttered.
"Right..."
"No, I'm not worried about that, either."
"Oh... well okay... good..."
Lyn smiled at her appreciatively, but truthfully she felt a little guilty. She didn't want Florina feeling obligated to cheer her up; hadn't that always been her job? It had been so odd just having her insisting on protecting her as a knight of Caelin... now this, too. And, honestly, what did she have to be so morose about? Lyn steeled herself; Kent was right. She had always been the very epitome of confidence; hadn't that been the way she had been raised here? It wouldn't do to be doubting herself.
She knew what she wanted, didn't she?
A clatter at the door caught her attention, as it had every time it had happened in the past several hours. However, this time, finally, a familiar face appeared through the threshold, and she felt her stomach twist with mixed feelings about what their smirking sneak had uncovered. He quickly caught sight of them, massed together at the far end of the room, and gestured to someone behind him. Lyn raised an eyebrow -- who...?
She blinked in surprise as Guy followed him through the door -- another Sacaen swordsman, she knew, of the Kutolah tribe... he had a perturbed look on his face, and Lyn wasn't surprised to see it. It was well known that Matthew had some kind of contractual hold on the poor man.
But if Matthew had contacted the Kutolah, of all people, then surely... her breath caught as her sneaking suspicions were confirmed. There was Rath, as stolid and serious looking as ever... and no wonder, if Matthew had told him what they were up to... his eyes swept the room for a moment, inevitably coming to rest on hers.
"Rath!" She greeted him, scrambling to stand up. She was aware that she was possibly grinning like an idiot, but he didn't seem to mind. Not that it was easy to tell.
He made no sound, typically, as he worked his way to their side of the room, Matthew and Guy leading the way. There was a question in his eyes, but...
"So we meet again, Lyn of the Lorca..." Rath greeted her in that quiet voice of his, a greeting she had heard before.
"What are you..." Lyn paused, taking a breath. "No, that's a silly question..."
"I suspected you'd come back," Rath mused, though that unasked question still lingered between them.
"I... well, yes, but... surely Matthew told you..."
"This mission... you never tire of trouble, do you?"
Lyn frowned, unable to gauge any sarcasm, yet...
"Hello, Lady Lyndis!" Matthew piped nearby, looking rather pleased with himself. "You can see I found some interesting things, indeed..."
"Matthew, what is this..."
"I admit, it wasn't all skill -- but I've always had some kind of uncanny luck. Helps out a bit in this trade," Matthew continued, winking at her bewildered expression. "You see, it was just by chance I ran into Guy, here..."
"Lady Lyndis," Guy greeted her politely, still looking rather unhappy at his situation.
"...And wouldn't you know, he's gotten back with his tribe for the moment, and he and Rath here... well, of course they offered their help..."
"Offered..." Guy muttered, clearly having a differing opinion on that.
"Or, well, Rath seemed willing enough," Matthew amended cheerfully, bowing slightly in his direction. "In any case, we've discussed a few things, and I think we might be ready to move out sooner than I thought..."
"Really...?" Lyn looked from Rath to Matthew in surprise.
"...If it's the Taliver you wish to seek out," Rath spoke, crossing his arms in subtle disapproval of this plan, "The Kutolah keeps careful watch on the more dangerous bands of their lot in Sacae..."
"Then you know where to find them?" Lyn exclaimed excitedly.
"...Not exactly," Rath corrected her, noting her crestfallen expression in response.
"Truthfully," Guy put in from beside them, "No one has heard much from the Taliver recently. Odd, because they were always such a bold lot..."
"It's suspected they might have moved completely into Bern, for better pickings," Rath continued.
"I'll follow them anywhere," Lyn insisted, face darkening with hate. "No matter the risk."
"...Then I can take you to the area in which they were last heard of..."
"Rath? You... really?"
"It's fine..." He shrugged. "We can go as soon as you like. My tribesmen can return on their own."
"You don't have to abandon your duties on my account," Lyn insisted guiltily. "I'm always dragging you into things, aren't I? I apologize..."
"If I cared about that, do you think I would be here now?" Rath queried, and Lyn found she had no suitable response for that.
"I... well... Thank you, Rath..." Lyn smiled weakly. He made no reply, not that she was expecting one, other than a short nod of his head.
"If that's settled then," Matthew put in, "Might I suggest we wrap things up here? We can purchase some supplies in the morning if need be..."
"Yes, you're right. Thank you, Matthew, for your help..."
"No trouble at all," he assured her. "This is what I do! ...Don't give me that look, Guy..."
Lyn watched as her company gathered themselves, greeting their new recruits, engaging in a bit of small talk, perhaps, before turning in for the night. Rath stood nearby her; she hardly expected him to take part in any conversations. It was somewhat disconcerting... she snuck a sideways glance at him, and he raised an eyebrow in response.
"...Yes?"
"...Nothing..."
Yes... the days ahead were shaping up to be interesting, indeed...
