I knew I said I might take a while to update, but I did not intend for it to be this long! I am very sorry for the wait, and hopefully it will not take this long again. Also, this chapter is quite a bit longer than I had planned! So if you're one who hates long reads, I apologize. I personally like long chapters, but some people don't…
Six reviews! For me, that is a lot! Thank you all for reviewing!
Epy: Thank you. And don't worry, I will update, hopefully more often than I am now.
John: Thanks.
Axel-Wildfire000: Thank you. And yay for Sain indeed. He made this a fun chapter to write.
Blurp: You made a good point, and I agree completely. I have tried to lessen the description lengths I did this time and hopefully it will make a difference. I am glad you overall enjoy it, and if you see anything else to criticize, please, by all means, point out my flaws!
Destiny'sPromise: Thank you.
Kenshkrix: Thanks for your input on this. Dimicatio Prospectus is actually Latin for Battle View. The original name for the board was Field Viewer but I found that to be too dull. So I just changed the words around a bit, translated it to Latin, and viola, you get a cool name!
Chapter 1: Footsteps of Fate
"Elena? Are you awake?"
Elena opened her eyes, and glanced up at Lyn. "Now I am. What is going on?"
"Nothing, except that breakfast is ready. After that, we will leave, as we agreed to last night."
"Ah, that's right. I'm fine with that," Elena said, getting out of bed.
After quickly eating, and grabbing their bags (and weapon in Lyn's case), Lyn and Elena set off. Since Elena was not very familiar with the Plains yet, Lyn led the way.
"Where are we headed to?" Elena asked.
"We are going to Bulgar, the biggest city in all of Sacae. We need to purchase some more supplies before we begin our journey, and Bulgar is definitely the best place to go for that," Lyn explained.
"Ok," Elena replied.
They walked in silence for the rest of the trip to Bulgar, just enjoying the beautiful, clear day. Lyn seemed very joyful and lively today, probably due to the fact that she was finally able to begin this journey. Elena could understand why perfectly; this was finally her chance to become strong enough to have vengeance for her tribe, and she was eager to begin. Luckily for Elena, she was used to traveling at fast paces, so her pace was even with Lyn's. Going with swift strides, they made good time.
It was around noon when they reached Bulgar. Elena could instantly see that Lyn had not been exaggerating when she had said Bulgar was the biggest city in Sacae. It was huge; she could tell that much just by looking at the large stone wall surrounding it. Even though they hadn't entered yet, she could already see the numerous amounts of buildings inside.
"Do you know where to go?" Elena inquired, still a bit in awe.
"Yes. I've been here a few times, so I know roughly which stores to visit," Lyn said as they entered and walked down the crowded street. People were all over the place, going to a variety of stores to purchase whatever was needed. It was somewhat difficult in a few locations to get through the throngs of people, but they managed to make it to the necessary store. Lyn was sure to pick up some food supplies that could last awhile, in case they were to go without finding any more provisions for a while. Otherwise, they were basically set to go, so they left the store and went back towards the entrance of town.
"Now that we are ready to begin traveling…" Lyn began, but she was suddenly cut off by a shout.
"Oh, my heart! What a dazzling vision of loveliness!"
"Hm?" Lyn turned, as did Elena, to see who had spoken.
A knight was riding up to them on a fine brown horse, which also had a brown mane and tail. It was clad rather simply, with merely a bridle and a saddle, which had an iron lance strapped to the side of it. Of course, they were paying more attention to the man riding the horse than the animal itself. He looked to be a young adult, and wore a dark green shirt and khaki pants. He also had emerald green armor covering his chest, shoulders, arms, hips, and shins. His short, light brown hair was kept back with a black headband, while his matching brown eyes sparkled with eagerness.
"Wait, O beauteous one!" he called as he rode up, halting his horse in front of them while speaking to Lyn. "Would you not favor me with your name? Or better yet, your company?"
Lyn looked at him skeptically. "Where are you from, sir knight, that you speak so freely to a stranger?"
"Ha! I thought you would never ask!" the man exclaimed. "I am from Lycia. I hail from the Caelin canton, home to men of passion of fire!"
"Shouldn't that be 'home to callow oafs with loose tongues'?" Lyn said sarcastically.
"Oooh… you're even lovely when you're cruel," the man replied with a grin.
Lyn shook her head in disgust. "Let's go, Elena. I have nothing more to say."
"Um… alright…" Elena said, looking from the man to her in confusion before following Lyn as she started to walk around the man's horse.
"Wait! Please!" the man protested.
"Sain! Hold your tongue!"
Another man came riding up, stopping next to the first one. His horse was identical to the other one, from the equipment it wore to the lance on its side. His outfit was very similar to his companion's as well. The only difference was the colors. His shirt was a light red, and his pants were dark brown. His armor was a deep red, and outlined with gold. At his side was a black sword sheath. His red hair was neater than his companion's, and his light red eyes were narrowed.
"Ah, Kent! My boon companion!" Sain said cheerfully. "Why so severe an expression?"
"If your manner were more serious, I wouldn't have to be so severe!" Kent told him, glaring. "We still have a mission to complete, Sain!"
"I know that," Sain assured. "But how could I remain silent in the presence of such beauty? It would have been discourteous!"
"What do you know of courtesy!" Kent exclaimed.
Lyn had just about had enough with the whole matter. "Excuse me! You're blocking the road. If you would be so kind as to move your horses…"
"Oh, of course. My apologies…" Kent said, tapping his horse's side lightly. It obligingly moved to the side of the road that Sain was on.
"Thank you. You, at least, seem honorable enough," Lyn stated, looking up at him.
As Kent got his first good look at Lyn, he seemed somewhat startled. "Hm? Pardon me, but… I feel we've met before."
"What?" Lyn said.
"Hey! No fair, Kent!" Sain protested. "I saw her first!"
Before Kent could reply to that, Lyn finally lost her temper. "It seems there are no decent men among Lycia's knights after all! Elena, we are leaving! I have run out of patience!"
"Ok…" Elena was still a bit confused, but she followed Lyn as she ran down the street.
"Wait, please!" Kent called. "It's not like that!"
However, they were already gone. Kent looked in the direction they had run, and then turned to Sain. He strained to keep his tone even as he spoke. "Sain, you lout!"
"Huh? Not like that? But I thought you were…" Sain said, puzzled.
"I am not you!" Kent growled. Then he realized what he had seen. "…Come, we must follow her! I suspect she might be…"
"Be what?" Then Sain understood. "Wait, she's the one we were looking for? You're joking!"
"You know more than anyone that I am not one for jokes!" Kent stated before urging his horse into a gallop.
"Well, that is true… Hey, wait for me!" Sain cried, kicking his own horse into a run.
…
Lyn was still seething as they exited the town. "The nerve of them! To go and say such things…" She forced herself to take a deep breath. "I am sorry I exploded, Elena. I just could not stand their attitude."
"It is fine. I don't blame you for acting as you did," Elena assured. "The second one-Kent was his name, I think-didn't seem to want to insult you though."
"Hm… maybe not, but I am not about to go back and ask them," Lyn stated.
"I did not think you would," Elena laughed. "Anyway, where do you wish to head next?"
"Well…" Lyn suddenly fell silent, looking back.
"What is wrong?" Elena asked, following her gaze. Then she saw what Lyn had heard. A man was running towards them.
"We're being pursued!" Lyn exclaimed. "I thought it might be those knights, but apparently not… whoever he is, he's out for blood!"
"What should we do?" Elena asked, reaching towards her pack.
"We'll let him get closer before deciding," Lyn said, putting her hand on her katana.
They could at once tell he was a bandit when he got closer. With a tattered brown, sleeveless shirt on, his hardened muscles were exposed, showing how he could easily carry his huge axe. His light brown pants were also frayed. Along with his filthy grey hair and the long scar near his left eye, he was just as intimidating as Batta had been.
He stopped in front of them with a lop-sided grin. "Heh heh heh… aren't you a pretty one? Your name is Lyndis, is it not?"
Lyn couldn't help but gasp. "What did you call me?" Then she regained her composure. "Who are you?"
The bandit shook his head in mock shame. "Such a waste… an absolute the waste. The things I, Zugu, will do for gold… ah well. Time to die, darlin'!"
At those words, four more bandits came out from the groves of trees nearby. They were still at a fair distance, but Lyn tensed instantly.
"Oh, no! There are more than I can handle…" Lyn stated, drawing her katana. "But I will not give up! Elena, get behind me!"
"We can't hope to win alone!" Elena protested, stepping behind Lyn. "Isn't there anything we can do?"
"Hey! There she is!"
"Huh?" Lyn said as she, Elena, and Zugu turned to see who had shouted.
It turned out to be Sain and Kent, racing towards them on their horses. They halted next to Lyn and Elena.
"What?" was all Lyn could say as the looked up at the two of them.
"Whew… finally caught up…" Sain panted. Then he straightened, looking at the bandit. "Hold! You there! What is your business? Such numbers against a girl? Cowards, every one of you!"
Zugu, seeing he was at the disadvantage now, stepped back with a snarl. "Just try and get by us all. We still outnumber you!" Then he fled, leaving the four others to talk.
"You! You two were from…" Lyn trailed off as Kent held up a hand.
"We can discuss that later," Kent stated. "It appears these ruffians mean to do you harm. If it's a fight they want, let them look to me! Stand back; I'll take care of this!"
"No!" Lyn said. "This is my fight! Stay out of my way!"
"Well, we can't just stand here and do nothing…" Sain pointed out.
Kent looked over to Elena. "I can see that your companion is a fighter, but what about you?"
"I'm a tactician," Elena said. "My name is Elena. It's nice to meet both of you."
"Ah, another lovely maiden! We're quite lucky to happen to be passing by here, eh Kent?" Sain grinned. "We would not have come across these two beauties if I had not suggested we stop in this town to buy supplies!"
"I am the one who suggested that," Kent said in exasperation. "And you were completely against stopping there only to buy supplies… enough on that though. I have a solution to our dispute. Elena, command us. I am Kent, a knight of Lycia. My companion is Sain. We will follow your orders in battle. Is this acceptable, milady?" he directed to Lyn.
"Yes, it is," Lyn nodded. "Elena will direct the battle, and I will lead. Let's go!"
"I will remain in this grove of trees," Elena said, indicating to it. "I do not think any bandits will come back here if their goal is to kill Lyn, and they won't be very interested in me if you three are their main threat."
"How will you lead the battle if you are not even with us though?" Sain asked, confused.
"Like this." Elena got out her Dimicatio Prospectus and placed her hands over it. The black was soon green as it showed her the view of the plains around the area.
"Using this device, I can see everything that is going on, and can communicate with you," she explained.
"Huh? What was that?" Sain asked, startled.
"You were not talking out loud…" Kent noticed.
"This is how I can talk to all of you, through thoughts. Concentrate a thought to reply with me to if you are in a situation where you should not speak out loud to give away your position. I can hear what you say out loud though."
"Understood. If that is the case, then we shall set off and follow your instructions from there," Kent said, drawing his sword and tapping his horse's flanks. It began to trot away, Sain and Lyn following.
Elena looked over the field. Many areas were just normal, grassy spots. However, there were also many patches of trees. A river flowed through the field as well, with two narrow bridges to cross over it.
She focused on the enemies she could see. The leader, Zugu, was located nearby the river, right in front of the mountains on the outskirts of her vision of the field. A brigand stood next to him, but seemed impatient. Elena could see he would probably eventually try to rush out to attack, which was good; the last thing they needed was for Zugu to team up with one of his allies. He certainly didn't seem as though he wanted to go anywhere at the moment.
Another brigand stood nearby the lower bridge, and yet another was nearby the woods that were a decent distance from her three companions. But the last brigand was very close, standing nearby the forest that they were traveling cautiously through.
"You will confront your first enemy as you leave the forest," Elena warned. "I doubt he will give you much trouble, but be careful in case he rushes."
"Not a problem! Let me attack first! I want to impress my beauteous one!" Sain transferred back to her shortly, after he had figured out how to concentrate his thoughts to send.
Elena considered his proposition. She could see that Sain and Kent were cavaliers, which were famous for being able to go for long distances very quickly, thanks to their horses. But they had another unique feature; they were trained to be able to fight well with both lances and swords. Elena was aware that the brigands all carried axes, and it would not be a good idea to fight those with lances. They were too light and long; an axe could easily cleave through one. Swords, on the other hand, were strong enough to parry axe blows if necessary, while short and quick enough to evade attacks while slicing apart the victim. Lyn, a quick and nimble swordswoman that could even be considered a myrmidon, would have no trouble fighting the big, clumsy brigands. While Sain and Kent would be a bit more vulnerable to being struck, due to being on horseback while fighting, they would be able to attack fast enough thanks to their swords.
"All right then. Sain, you will lead the attack," Elena told him.
"My thanks!"Sain said as they left the cover of the trees.
The brigand saw them, and instantly charged at Sain, who was at the head of the group. Sain pulled out his lance at once.
Elena saw his mistake instantly. "Sain, wait!"
But she was too late. Sain charged at the bandit, stabbing with his lance. The bandit easily parried the strike, sending the lance flying out of Sain's hands. Sain was too slow to react before his foe slammed his axe into Sain's chest. His armor was what saved him from suffering a fatal wound; instead, Sain flew off his horse, hitting the ground on his back.
The brigand stepped forward to finish the job, but Kent charged forward, slicing the bandit in the back with his sword. Enraged by the wound, the enemy turned to Kent to attack him instead. Lyn took the opportunity to speed forward and slice into him. Two quick slashes, one to the side and one to his chest, were all it took to kill the bandit.
"Sain! Are you all right?" Elena asked, concerned.
Sain got up awkwardly. "Of course! But how did I miss?"
"Sain! Why aren't you using your sword?" Kent demanded.
"The lance is more heroic. A knight should look heroic, don't you think?" Sain said, as though this was the most obvious thing in the world.
Kent shook his head, his eyes closed. "You're hopeless. If you cannot take fighting more seriously, you are going to find yourself on the end of a blade!"
Sain looked rather sheepish at this point. "Truth be told, I… er… forgot to buy a sword."
"Forgot? Or were you simply too busy dallying with the ladies?" Kent asked scornfully.
"Don't be mad!" Sain protested. "I'll be fine with the lance. I'm just that good!"
"I'd prefer to rely on your skill, and not your empty bragging!" Kent snapped, reaching into the bag on the other side of his horse and pulling out another sword in a sheath. "You are lucky I bought a spare sword in case mine broke. Take it for now, and use it to attack next time!"
"Are you sure? My thanks, Kent!" Sain said, taking the sword and belting it on before he mounted his horse and galloped off.
Kent sighed, before speaking to himself. "You're almost more trouble than you're worth. Almost." Then he followed his companion.
Elena quickly scanned the field to see where the enemies were moving. "Keep going to your right. You will encounter another area of woodlands. A bandit is entering that location now," she told Sain and Kent. "Lyn, you go to the left. A bandit that was nearby Zugu is coming from the bridge. You should run into him shortly. Try to use the patch of trees there to your advantage by waiting for him in there."
"That sounds good," Lyn replied, heading for the location Elena spoke of.
"We hear you!" Sain said as he and Kent went towards the forest area that the brigand had entered.
"We will arrive in the designated location shortly," Kent told Elena. Sure enough, they were soon in front of the trees.
"Elena! Let me attack again!" Sain requested.
"Ok. But use your sword this time!" Elena said.
"I know!" Sain drew his blade and urged his horse closer.
Before they even entered the trees, they saw the brigand. Seeing his target, Sain charged forward, bringing his sword into the air and thrusting it down. Unfortunately for him, a large tree limb was above him, and he struck it as he brought his sword down. His blade cut into the wood, and then became stuck from being too deeply imbedded.
The brigand took this chance to run forward and swing his axe at Sain. Luckily, Sain's horse was more on guard than Sain was. His horse leapt backwards with a terrified whinny, causing the axe to miss. Without giving Sain a chance to retrieve his sword, the horse took off. Sain managed to get it under control quickly though, and turned it around so he could go next to Kent.
"Were you hit?" Kent asked, concerned.
"No, I am fine. I can't believe he evaded my sword stroke so easily though. This is no jest!" Sain complained.
"Did you not see that you were entering the woods for that attack? Whenever you do, the branches make it difficult to attack, remember?" Kent said.
"Oh yeah… you're right. I was so focused on attacking that I didn't think about that," Sain admitted.
"Your lack of attention may someday cost you your life!" Kent told him.
"Fine! I understand already! Let it go, Kent!" Sain said, knowing that if he did not stop his lecture quickly, then Kent could go on for hours.
"If you truly understand, then act like it!" Kent said before galloping towards the bandit, his sword drawn.
"Kent worries too much," Sain commented to the thin air. "He's going to grow old before his time."
"He has a right to worry, you know," Elena responded.
"Gah! I forgot that you can hear me!" Sain said, embarrassed.
"You'll get used to it soon enough. Now get back to where Kent is so that you can retrieve your sword when he finishes the bandit off!"
"Ok, I've got it," Sain replied before going over to the woods again.
Kent seemed to be handling himself rather well. Taking care for the obstacles in the woods, he was easily dodging the brigand's heavy strikes and slicing into him several times. Finally, Kent saw an opening and stabbed the brigand through the chest, killing him instantly.
"Too bad," Sain sighed as he pulled his sword out of the tree limb. "I was hoping to have that one."
"You will get another chance, which you hopefully will not mess up on," Kent said pointedly.
"Of course not! Third time is the charm, right?" Sain said as he trotted out of the woods.
Kent shook his head again before speaking. "Elena, where should we go next?"
"Head up to where Lyn is, in case she needs assistance. The bandit defending the bridge does not seem like he will be moving any time soon."
"All right then," Kent answered. "We will travel to her location at once."
…
Lyn, meanwhile, was waiting in the woods as the brigand came closer to her. Her hands tightened around her katana as she watched him approach, her eyes narrowed in concentration.
Soon the bandit saw her, and ran into the woods, swinging at her. He had apparently not even considered the terrain though; Lyn was able to dodge his attack with no trouble, and swiftly struck back. A few quick slashes later and the brigand lay dead at her feet.
Sain and Kent arrived to see Lyn wiping her sword across the grass. She looked up as they approached. "Is something wrong?"
"Elena told us to come over to where you were, milady," Kent explained. "It seems you had the situation covered though."
"Yes, I am fine, thank you." She looked over at Sain. "Why have you not healed yourself?"
Sain looked down at his chest, where the blow to his armor had damaged him. "Huh? Hey! I've been injured? What a cad I am! To wrinkle that perfect brow of yours with worry for me…"
"Uh… I was thinking of giving you a vulnerary, but… it looks like you are fine. So, never you mind," Lyn stated, turning away.
"No, wait! I'll take it! Please, I'll take it!" Sain begged.
"Very well," Lyn sighed, handing over a bottle of the brown liquid.
Sain drank it swiftly, and felt his chest heal. "Ah, much better! You have my gratitude, my angel!"
Lyn did not respond, simply walking out of the trees while rolling her eyes.
Elena hesitated for a moment, and then issued her next commands. "Sain, Kent, head to the bridge farther down the river. You need to deal with that brigand. Lyn, go up to Zugu. If he proves to be too strong to handle alone, fall back."
"Do not worry. If I could handle Batta, I am sure I can defeat this Zugu," Lyn answered.
"As you command," Kent replied, turning his horse to the lower bridge and racing to it, Sain beside him.
Lyn soon caught sight of Zugu, and closed in on him. He turned to face her with a scowl.
"Accursed knights… they're always tampering in other's affairs!" he growled, raising his axe.
Like Batta, Lyn did not want to waste her breath talking. She swiftly ran towards him, twisting away from his axe and cutting his side.
…
As Sain and Kent approached the brigand at the bridge, he ran over it, to their side.
"That was a bad move on his part," Elena commented. "Now he's exposed on both his sides. Sain, assault him, and Kent, follow up on his rear!"
Sain obliged, striking at the bandit with his sword from the front. Furious at the gash, the bandit swung his axe at Sain. Sain hurriedly pulled his horse back, dodging the strike as Kent came up from behind the bandit and stabbed him through the back. The bandit collapsed without a sound.
"What now?" Sain asked.
"Go to where Lyn is, and quickly!"
"At once," Kent assured, bolting across the bridge. Sain sheathed his sword quickly before following.
…
Lyn had scored several shallow slashes on Zugu, but he had remarkable endurance. He did not seem to even notice his injuries as he chopped wildly at Lyn, who was beginning to tire.
Suddenly, the axe came down from an upward swing. She swiftly blocked it with her katana, trying to keep the axe blade back. She was much less strong then the bandit though, and she began to falter.
Kent had been leading the gallop to find her. He stopped abruptly a short distance away from them, seeing the situation. He was afraid that if he tried to attack now, Lyn might lose her concentration, which would get her instantly killed.
Sain, on the other hand, was still charging ahead and had not anticipated Kent's sudden stop. The first thing Sain saw was the fight. Seeing Lyn was not in a good position, he instinctively grabbed the closest weapon to his hand-his lance. But even as he held it up, his horse tried to halt. It was too late though. It crashed into Kent's horse, which sent Kent to the ground and Sain flying over both the animals and his companion, straight towards Zugu. Without thinking, he pointed his lance at Zugu's back.
Lyn was mainly concentrating on keeping the axe away from herself, but she saw Sain come flying at Zugu's back out of the corner of her eye. She desperately jumped out of the way, and just in time, for Sain's lance plunged straight through Zugu.
Zugu looked down at the lance coming out of his chest with dimmed eyes. "Blast… there was only… supposed to be a lone… girl…" Then he fell, and did not rise.
Sain got up shakily, looking down at Zugu's corpse. "See, I told you Kent! I told you I was good enough with the lance!"
"I am thrilled to see that," Kent said dryly as he rose, and looked over at the horses, who seemed shaken by the sudden collision but none worse for the wear.
After cleaning off the remaining blood off her katana, Lyn sheathed it. "That's the last of them! Fantastic work, Elena!"
"Thank you. I will be there in a few minutes." Elena absorbed the energy from her Dimicatio Prospectus before putting it back into her pack and running out of the grove she had sat in.
She soon arrived at the area across the river, where Sain and Kent were taking care of their own weapons while Lyn waited.
"I am sorry for the delay," Elena apologized, crossing the lower bridge.
"It isn't a problem," Lyn assured. She looked over at the duo that had taken their horse's reins and were coming over. "Now for these knights of Lycia…" She raised her voice so they could hear her. "You were going to share your story with me?"
"Yes," Kent replied. "We have ventured from Caelin, in Lycia, in search of someone."
"Lycia… that is the country beyond the mountains in the southwest, isn't it?" Lyn asked.
"Correct," Kent confirmed. "We've come as messengers to the lady Madelyn, who eloped with a nomad some nineteen years ago."
Lyn stared at him. "Madelyn?"
"Our lord the marquess of Caelin's only daughter," Kent explained. "He was heartbroken his own daughter would abandon him so. Eventually… the marquess simply declared that he had no daughter."
"And then this year, we received a letter from Lady Madelyn," Sain continued. "It said that she, her husband, and their daughter were living happily on the Sacae Plains. The marquess was ecstatic to learn he had a granddaughter of eighteen years." Sain grinned at the memory. "I remember the smile on his face when he announced that he had suddenly become a grandfather. The granddaughter's name is Lyndis. This was also the name of the marquess's wife, who passed away at an early age."
Lyn was slightly pale now. "Lyndis?"
"That she should bear this name thawed the marquess's heart," Sain said. "Now, his only wish is to meet his daughter's family at least once. This is why we are here." He looked away. "We did not know that Lady Madelyn died a few days after sending her letter… we only learned that shortly after we arrived in Bulgar." He then met her eyes again, with a smile. "But we also learned all was not lost, as her daughter yet lives. We heard that she was living alone on the plains."
"I… I knew it immediately," Kent said, gazing at her. "You are the Lady Lyndis."
"Why would you think that…?" Lyn asked.
"Your resemblance to your departed mother is remarkable," Kent replied.
Lyn's eyes widened. "What? Did you know my mother?"
Kent shook his head regretfully. "I am sorry to say I never met her directly, but I saw her portraits in Castle Caelin."
Lyn thought over what they had told her, and closed her eyes before speaking quietly. "To the rest of my tribe, I was always Lyn. But when I was with my parents… when it was just the three of us… I was Lyndis. It's all so strange… I was all alone in the world, and now I suddenly have a grandfather. Lyndis… I never thought I would hear that name again."
The other three watched her silently, unsure of what to say.
Lyn suddenly opened her eyes again, remembering something. "Wait… that bandit! He called my Lyndis too!"
"What? How could he have…"
Sain cut off Kent's question. "I bet he was a henchman of Lord Lundgren!"
"Lundgren? Who is that?" Lyn inquired.
"He is the marquess's younger brother," Kent told her. "Everyone assumed the Lady Madelyn was gone forever, which made Lord Ludgren heir to the marquess's title."
"To be blunt, milady, your existence is an obstacle to your granduncle's ambitions," Sain said.
"What? But I have no interest in inheriting any title!" Lyn protested.
Sain sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, your granduncle is not the sort of man to believe that. It is likely that the attempts on your life will persist."
"What should I do?" Lyn asked, looking bewildered by it all.
"I suggest that you accompany us to Caelin," Kent said. "Continuing on this way is dangerous."
Lyn considered his idea, and then nodded. "I feel as though I have little choice. I will go with you." Then she turned to Elena. "Elena… I am sorry. This changes everything. What will you do?"
"What will I do?" Elena blinked. "I have nothing specific in mind. How about you decide?"
Lyn seemed surprised by her reaction. "You want me to decide? I would love to have you remain with me, as your companionship would do much to ease my journey. But… it's going to be so dangerous…"
"I have been in danger before, and I have continued on. I will stay with you," Elena said firmly.
"Are you sure?" Lyn asked.
"Yes. After hearing all this, I want to help you more than ever," Elena told her. "We have not known each other for long, but I already feel as though you are one of the best friends I have ever had. If there is any way I can assist you, I want to."
"Thank you!" Lyn said happily. "Then let me ask once again for your friendship and your aid!"
"I will gladly give it!" Elena replied.
"So now that that is settled, shall we set off?" Sain suggested.
"Yes. Let us go. We will lead the way," Kent told Lyn and Elena as they left the field they had fought on.
To be continued…