I awoke that next morning to a very, very sore back.
Sleeping on the cobbles that cold night only managed to bring incomparable pain. All the battles I had fought in prior had given me quite a few aches and pains, but I thought that the mere act of sitting up was one of the worst tortures I could ever inflict upon myself. On top of that, I was quite certain I had a migraine, and the bright, bright sun was beaming down into my eyes.
Stiff neck, stiff arms, stiff legs, stiff body.
Today was not a day for professionalism. I couldn't handle orchestrating a battle, let alone so much as moving briskly.
I managed to stagger back into Castle Caelin and take a seat at the table in the meeting hall, only to slump onto the table, face down, hair splayed out in an unkempt manner, arms astray. I almost fell back asleep at that point because that haphazard position was infinitely more comfortable than how I woke up...
...except for the fact that I really wasn't alone in the hall. I didn't realize it in my near-comatose stupor, but apparently I was the last one awake.
"You know, Lyndis, you could have at least made him come inside to sleep," a voice criticized. I wasn't paying enough attention to determine whose.
"Come now, Hector... I've slept on solid earth myself, more than once." Oh. That answers that question.
No more voices were heard for a moment or two, but I think that was because I let out a low groan. I think. Did I? Either way, there was a painfully long silence. Or at least it felt long, but in my current state, my concept of time probably wasn't too accurate.
"Just get me a damned drink and I'll be fine," I nearly grunted. "And maybe for Hector to punch me in the back a few times. That should realign my back properly."
Three voices laughed at that, and I glanced up groggily at the sound; I knew that Hector and Lyn were there already, but didn't see Eliwood prior. "I wasn't joking, friends. I need something to warm me up."
Eliwood went off to fetch a mug of warm cider for me to sip at whilst Hector asked if I was certain about being punched. Smiling sardonically, but with a playful glimmer in my eye, I told him only if he wanted to be force-fed his own fingers. He seemed to enjoy that response.
I took the mug Eliwood presented to me, taking a moment to let the warm apple-cinnamon aroma sink in before I took a delicate draw. I thanked him and watched him out of the corner of my eye as he sat back down, though my gaze was mostly meeting Lyn's. Her green eyes were sparkling as per usual. I smiled. She smiled back.
...You know, I don't think I make that good of a storyteller.
"Since you're awake, Jason," Eliwood began, "I believe now would be a good idea to talk to you of what we have this morning."
"We?" I responded. "As in something all three of you agreed upon? Even Lyn and Hector? Should I be scared?"
Eliwood grinned as he shook his head and responded. "Trust me, my friend, you're in safe hands. Safer than you know." The mirth in his face faded a little. "We've discussed previous, ah, performances on your part, and decided it would not be a good idea if you continued fighting on the front lines in our battles."
I blinked a few times, insulted. "So you mean to tell me you think my performance is inadequate?"
"Not hardly," Hector responded (and was quick to do so, if I may say so myself), "You've thrown yourself into battles with a vigor and selflessness like we've never seen... which is the problem. You're our tactician, not a fighter. If you were to get hurt or killed, we'd be lost."
"We'd all be lost if any of you three were killed," I retorted. "I would rather I be the one to die than any of you." I didn't mean for my gaze to shift to our plainswoman samurai, but it did. She was silent, almost coldly so.
Actually, we all were for a moment. I couldn't stand it; the tension in the room between the four of us at this point was so thick that no blade could cut it. What made me feel worse is that the tension was my fault. I shouldn't have gotten so angry about it; nay, I should have been flattered that they considered me such an asset, but my mind wouldn't let me register such.
Eliwood was the first to speak. "Speaking of death can't possibly be good luck; but if you were to be the first to die, it would—"
"Would what, Eliwood? Cut losses? I'm really hurt, here. I assure you I can defend myself on the front lines."
"Prove it," was his response.
"Excuse me?"
"Prove it." His blue eyes were ice cold on me. "I propose a contest to prove your ability to defend yourself."
"You want me to spar you, Eliwood? I accept."
"No, Jason. I want you to spar all three of us. If you can hold all three of us off, then I'll concede my point." Quick glances from him to the other two elicited nods.
My mood worsened. I didn't know why I was so angry, but there was no turning back. "Done. Inner courtyard in a few moments. I'll be ready."
A few moments passed and I was alone in the courtyard, ready with my dagger and my whip. My mood hadn't cooled in the time I was left waiting; no, it only grew worse. I was angry, no, furious at them for doubting me, but also angry at myself for letting myself go. This wasn't professional. This wasn't what I was supposed to be doing. Why was I doing this?
Mother Earth and Father Sky only know. I didn't exactly have the means of asking them, so I was left clueless.
I was a little surprised when only Lyn stepped towards me in the courtyard. She was alone.
"Jason, please don't go through with this," she spoke, very softly, almost on the verge of tears.
"Why not? I'll prove my worth to you sooner or later, and I'd prefer it be sooner so that I can get your doubt out of my system."
"So there's no talking you out of this?"
"No." I readied myself, dagger in one hand, whip in the other. My anger had reached a boiling point. "Draw. Your. Sword."
The events that followed my challenge happened much faster than I could have possibly imagined. I grew to regret speaking those three words. I knew Lyn possessed an almost legendary speed, so as soon as I saw her so much as twitch, the tip of my whip was sent towards her sword arm, trying to stop the inevitable. In one swift, fluid motion, the Mani Katti leapt from its sheath, arcing upwards; a flash of light blinded my eyes before I realized that the legendary blade knocked my smaller one away from my grasp. As it registered in my mind that my dagger was flying towards the sun, the leather hilt of my whip left of my other hand. With only the slightest tug on her sword arm, Lyn, wrapped the entire length of my whip around her arm. By the time I realized that, however, she had made one more motion, bringing the tip of her blade to the pulsepoint in my neck. Then there was no motion, no sound. The pause lasted a moment or two.
"That was not fair, Lady Lyndis," I commented, nervously trying to hold back a giggle.
"It's not like you stood much of a chance," Hector commented, walking nefariously into view from behind a tree. Or something. It sounded very dry. Eliwood was following very closely, or at least so it looked; I didn't exactly feel like pressing closer to the blade against my neck to determine whether or not the two Lords were holding hands or not.
I grinned a little. "You've made your point, Eliwood. I'll sit on the sidelines, alright?"
"No, it's not alright," Eliwood responded, his tone harsh. It was an unfamiliar tone. "Not until you apologize for your outburst back inside. You had absolutely no right to get angry at us for looking after your well-being." He walked forward, more into my line of sight.
I stepped backwards once, and Lyn (almost happily) sheathed her sword again, replacing that blade into a sheath much more accommodating than my own flesh. "So, what do you think I'm doing, Eliwood? Running into the midst of combat swinging about a broomstick randomly? Would you prefer I had a wooden sword? Would that make you feel better?"
He walked more towards me, his face only a foot or so away from mine. "You're not a fighter, and while you are leading me and my charges, you are not potentially throwing your life away. Do I make myself perfectly, completely, crystal clear?"
"Fine, I apologize for my outburst. I'll sit out on the fighting, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it. Or you, for that matter, if you're going to continue to be so harsh towards me. Save such energy for our foes."
Eliwood was swift to respond, but not too swift. "You have a point."
"As I should. I'm the tactician. Aren't I supposed to know everything?"
"I also apologize for my own outburst. I just... I don't understand you."
I laughed out loud at that point, shaking my head before burying my face in my hands. "Oh, Eliwood," I responded, swallowing back more laughter, "If I understood myself, I wouldn't be a Tactician. I'd've probably already jumped on someone's sword by now." I glanced to Lyn and Hector, who had apparently taken quite a liking to my response. "Mother Earth and Father Sky, the whole lot of you defy logic. I've already given up on trying to figure any of you out." More mirth made its way onto my face. "Especially you, Hector. The eternal enigma."
Hector blinked at me blankly for a moment before I burst out in even more hysterical laughter. It took a moment or two before Eliwood got the joke and started joining in with his own mild chuckle. I smiled at the redheaded lord and patted his shoulder as Hector shook his head and walked off, arms thrown in the air in surrender. Eliwood excused himself politely, or something of the sort—I couldn't exactly hear him in my state—before he left.
Which left myself and Lyn.
She wasn't laughing.
My laughter immediately dissolved when I realized such. My expression sank, and I almost started crying. Well, not really, but I feared I would.
"Don't you dare leave me," she nearly whispered, her face stern, but mostly with fear and concern. She too walked off, leaving me alone in the courtyard to contemplate my thoughts.
Maybe Eliwood was right.