Lyn takes her leave of Araphen, finding no aid from its spiteful marquess. Now she and her companions resume their march toward Caelin in earnest. Racing against time, with her grandfather's life the prize. Harried and impatient, Lyn presses onward. Suddenly a young boy appears and pleads for their assistance.

Inside an inn...

A young boy, with red eyes and light blue hair begged aloud.

"Please! Somebody... Somebody, please help!"

The master of the inn came downstairs and boomed. "That's enough! Get out now! I want none of your trouble!"

The boy pleaded. "But, sir... Why? You were so kind yesterday..."

"I thought that you were just two kids, a couple of traveling performers... If those men are chasing you, you must be up to no good! Now get up and get out! You're a plague on decent folk!"

"But..." The boy sighed, then bolted out through the door, slamming it behind him.

The master sighed, "Whew... What a mess." Then he walked up the stairs. After he left, a man in light robes with long blond hair, looked on with his bright blue eyes.

"Hmmm..." He thought to himself.

To our travelers...

Sion and Lyn were walking side by side. Lyn was looking around and called out. "Where are we, Kent?"

Kent scouted, then answered her. "This is Kathelet. If we head due south, we'll pass into Caelin."

Sain intervened. "From here, I'd say we're about ten days' ride to Castle Caelin. Assuming we don't run into any delays, of course."

Lyn looked down, "Ten days..." She sighed.

Sion looked away, then noticed someone running towards them. He ran off, trying to catch up with the boy.

"Sion! Wait!" Lyn shouted as she ran to catch up with him.

Sion finally met up with the boy. He stopped a bit to catch his breath, then spoke. "Pardon me, but..."

Lyn caught up with Sion and asked, "Yes? Can I help you?"

The boy gasped as he stared wide-eyed at Sion's attire and then the rest of the legion. "You and your friends... are you mercenaries?"

Lyn asked, "And if we are?"

The boy ran up to Lyn and frantically pleaded. "My name is Nils. I need your help!"

Kent trotted up to Lyn. "Milady Lyndis, you mustn't let your guard down. Not even for a child."

"I know." Lyn spoke. She then smiled at Nils. "Forgive me, but we're in a hurry. Is there something else you can ask?"

The boy yelled. "There's no time! Ninian's been..."

Sion asked, "Ninian?"

The boy began breathing heavily, "It's my sister! Some men have taken her away!"

Sain asked, with a grin on his face. "Your sister? Did you say your sister's been accosted?"

Kent sighed, "Sain..."

Sion shook his head, "Not again!" Sion attempted to tackle Sain off his horse. He succeeded, and landed clear on top of him, but Sain just got back up again as the boy continued to speak.

"That's right! By some cruel, awful men. I don't know what I'll do without Ninian."

"Milady Lyndis! We must help him!" Sain shouted.

Sion got himself up and dusted off his shoulder, then looked at the young boy. He noticed tears were beginning to well in his eyes.

"Nonsense! We haven't the time!" Kent shouted. "If the marquess is as ill as we've heard, we must proceed!"

Lyn looked into Nils's eyes sympathetically. "Kent, I... I want to help this child."

"Milady?" Kent seemed confused.

Lyn looked to Kent. "I'm worried about my grandfather, of course. But this! I cannot stand by and let a child be taken from her home!"

Kent nodded, "I see..."

Lyn spoke, "I'm sorry, Kent."

Kent smiled at her. "I am your loyal retainer. You owe me no apologies. You must do as you heart dictates, milady. I will follow you, no matter where that may lead."

Lyn smiled at him. "Thank you."

Sain grinned. "Hah! Such a noble speech! Ever the true knight, that one! Ah, well."

Sion applauded at Kent, and laughed as Kent turned red.

Sain turned to the boy and ruffled his hair, "You're in luck, laddie! Let's go get your sister!"

Sion held out his hand to shake the boy's. The boy smiled back as he accepted Sion's hand and shook.

Lyn asked him, "Will you lead us to the men who've done this?"

"Uh-huh. They're really tough, so be careful." The boy spoke.

Sion laughed, "Nils, it's they that need to be careful."

Lyn said, "Leave them to us. We're pretty tough ourselves. Right, Sion?" Sion nodded at Lyn, with a grin on his face.

Suddenly, Nils held his head. "Ah! Oh, no..." He then took his hands from his head, and pointed to a masked bandit running their way. He finally arrived as everyone got ready.

"Heh heh heh... Found him! C'mon, it's back to Nergal with you. Quiet now."

Sion thought to himself, "Nergal?"

Nils yelled back at the bandit. "No! Let Ninian go!"

The man snickered. "We ain't supposed to kill you, but we sure can rough you up! Get 'em!" The man got closer to Nils as he took a step behind Lyn and Sion, as they stepped forward.. "Huh?" The man froze. Then took a step back.

"Who do you think you are?"

"Lyn!" The boy shouted.

Lyn spoke firmly. "Let the boy's sister go."

The masked bandit spoke loudly. "Ah... So you want to help the kid, huh? What a shame. You're gonna die for something that don't concern you."

"You think so, do you? Do we look so meek to you? I think you're in for a terrible shock!"

"Stupid girl... You'll regret those words. Take 'em down, boys!"

Sion stood in front of Lyn, and shouted at the bandit.

"You die today, cur!" Lyn grabbed Sion's shoulders as the bandit began to form his men. She began to speak into his ear. "I see we're facing a shaman, Sion. I've heard that practicioners of the dark arts are fearsome foes. We'll have to be careful..." She gasped, then pulled away as Sion noticed someone.

"What? Who are you?"

The man with long blond hair held his hands up in a reassuring way. "Please forgive me. I never meant to startle you." Lyn looked him over.

"Your robes... They look like religious vestiary. Are you an Elimine bishop?"

"Yes..." He then looked at the grass. "Well, no. I'm only an acolyte, an Elimine monk, to be specific. My name's Lucius."

Sion grinned, "Nice to meet you."

Lyn remained on the defensive side. "Do you have business with us?"

Lucius nodded. "I was at the inn when this child came seeking help. The innkeeper was afraid to get involved. He was... unpleasant."

Nils shouted, "I wasn't afraid of him! I'm used to being treated that way."

Sion frowned. Lyn said, "That's awful."

Lucius lent his hand out as he spoke. "May I please lend you my services? I truly wish to help the boy. If only a little."

Lyn smiled, then took his hand. "Of course."

"Thank you very much. The blessings of St. Elimine be upon you."

They all parted then into the newfound battlefield.

"Wait!" Nils shouted. "I can help!"

"You can?" Asked Sion. "You know how to handle a weapon at such a young age."

"No, my music!"

"Boy, it's time for fighting, not dancing."

"No, no! Wait! Just listen to me. Please!"

"Fine! But please, if an arrow pierces my skull because of this..."

"Thanks! Hang on!"

With that, Nils pulled out a flute and began to play and dance. After he was done, Sion gasped. A swirl of wind surrounded him, as he felt himself rejuvenating.

"Wow. Your music is quite invigorating."

Nils smiled as Sion spun his dagger around, then went to fight.

About 2 hours later...

Sion finished off another bandit, and then noticed a house.

"Maybe someone here has seen the bandits?" Sion ran in and froze. He saw a robust, dark blue haired man sitting in his armor, next to an axe. His head was being supported up by his hands as he let out a sigh. Then he began to speak.

"Blast! Eliwood's late. I wonder what's keeping him... Starting to think my axe'll rust over before he finds his way here."

Sion, knowing that that noble couldn't help, silently left as he leaped onto a bandit's shoulders, holding him still for Sain.

Finally, Sion saw the masked bandit from before who threatened Lyn and Nils.

"Who are you supposed to be? Playing heroes in some foolish knightly romance? You may think you're helping the children, but you're only rushing to your doom!" The masked bandit spoke to Sion as he removed his mask. "I am Heintz of the Black Fang... Remember that name, it will be the last name you will be alive to know."

"Damn, the Black Fang... No, not now... not here!" Sion muttered under his breath.

Sion growled as he threw his dagger at Heintz. However, Heintz moved out of the way as Erk and Lucius appeared. They both began reciting their incantations and launched their magic at Heintz. Heintz screamed in agony, as Lucius's light magic burned away at his flesh. Heintz threw a dark sphere at Sion. Sion, unable to dadge, screamed as he was launched high into the air and smashed into a tree. Lyn, in a state of panic thrust her sword through Heintz's forehead.

"You were only... striking at air... You are... too late. The girl is already" Heintz said in a raspy voice, but then released a sigh as he died. Lyn removed his sword and helped Sion up.

"Sion! Sion, are you OK?"

Sion, groaning, leaned his weight against Lyn as he stood up. "Yeah..." He nodded at her.

Lyn smiled, then softly let him go as he began to walk on his own legs. Then she shouted out. "Nils! Where's your sister?"

"Ninian! Ninian..." Nils called out, but there was no reply. "She's not here. Why? Where could she be?"

Kent, suddenly galloped to Lyn's side. "My lady Lyndis! A villager spotted a group of men riding south."

Sain sighed, "The boy's dear sister... They must have her!"

Lyn frowned, then spoke. "Come! We must give chase!"

Nils said, "But... But... We won't make it! What if they've already..."

Sion promptly lifted his head as he heard a voice in the distance? "Are you looking for this girl here?"

Everyone turned to face the voice and saw a noble with flaming red hair and blue eyes, carrying a blue haired girl in his arms. The travelers ran to his side and looked on. Nils got close to his sister and called out.

"Ninian! Ninian!"

The noble responded, "She'll be fine. She's just lost consciousness."

Lyn asked, "Who are you?"

The noble smiled, "I am Eliwood, of Pherae. My father is the marquess."

Lyn thought, "The marquess's son..."

Eliwood continued, "She was with a band of ruffians. She seemed upset. She looked in need of rescuing... Was I wrong to involve myself?"

Lyn beamed, "No, you saved her life. Thank you. My name is Lyn. I'm from Sacae... I'm Marquess Caelin's granddaughter."

Eliwood asked, "Marquess Caelin?"

About 20 minutes later...

"And that's my story. It's not an easy tale to believe, I know..."

Eliwood shook his head, "No. I do believe you."

"What?" Lyn asked.

"At first glance, all I saw was the daughter of the plainsfolk. Now I can see it, though. You have your grandfather's eyes."

"Do you know my grandfather?"

"The marquess, Lord Hausen, is my father's good friend. I also know that the proud people of Sacae tell no lies. It's true, isn't it?"

"Yes... Thank you. I would not have expected any Lycian noble to be so courteous to a Sacaean nomad."

"You seemed to be in trouble. May I be of assistance?"

"Thank you for your kind offer. This is my problem, though, and I'll deal with it."

"I see. I'll be in the area for a few days longer. If you need anything, please let me know. Lyndis, I'm on your side."

Sion smiled.

"Eliwood... Thank you." Lyn said.

To Ninian and Nils...

"Ninian! Are you awake?" Nils asked.

Ninian opened her red eyes. "Nils? Is it really you? Oh, you're safe!" Ninian thre her arms around him in a hug.

Nils nodded. "Uh-huh. These people helped me."

Ninian looked up at them. "Who are they?"

"Uh..." Nils looked up at Lyn. Sion walked closer to them and looked at Ninian with a sincere smile.

"It's comforting to see that you are well, Ninian." Sion said. Lyn knelt down to speak to Ninian, who was sitting down.

"I'm Lyn. I'm glad you're feeling better."

Ninian stared at Lyn, then nodded. "Milady Lyn... Thank you. I'm called Ninian. My brother, Nils, and I are traveling performers."

"Both of you?" Lyn asked. "Your brother's a musician. How about you, Ninian?"

Ninian, simply said, "I... I dance."

Sain bore a smile from ear to ear. "What? Oh my... you're a dancer!"

Serra pouted, "Sain!"

Lyn sighed, "Sain... Later, please."

Sain blushed, then nodded. "Um, yeah. Of course." Then left to go by Serra's side.

Lyn looked Ninian over, as she stared blankly back at Lyn. Almost in a sad, melancholy way. "A dancer? Your clothes don't look like those of a dancer.""

Ninian looked down at the floor. Nils spoke for her. "Ninian dances to honor life. It's special... Sacred."

Sion stared in awe. "Does it resemble your energizing music, Nils? I felt as if I were reborn back there."

Lyn asked. "A sacred dance? What does that mean?"

Ninian responded. "I... The dance I perform when we travel is just a normal dance. My other dance, though... When they caught me, I twisted my ankle. I cannot dance to aid you... I'm sorry."

Lyn smiled. "Please don't worry. We're just happy to see that you're out of harm's way."

"Thank you." Ninian said for the first time, smiling at Lyn.

Lyn continued, "But I am concerned about your leg. You can't travel on it..."

Nils said, "I have an idea. Would it be too much that we travel with you?"

Sion thought, but before he could speak, Lyn shouted. "I can't allow that! It's far too dangerous. We're being hunted. We never know when we're going to be attacked."

Nils answered Lyn. "We wouldn't be a hindrance. We could even help you. Right, Ninian?"

Ninian nodded, "Yes. We might be able to repay our debt using our... special talents."

"Special abilities?" Lyn asked.

Ninian nodded. "When something poses a threat to us, we can sense its approach."

Sion nodded. "Yes! I saw it myself. Back there, Nils was able to sense Heintz approaching."

"Truly? That's amazing!" Lyn shouted.

Nils said, "We can feel it coming, but we can't do anything to stop it. You're warriors, though, so you don't have that worry."

Lyn nodded, then turned to Kent for his opinion. "What do you think, Kent?"

Kent responded in a soft voice. "I think that leaving them here would cause Lady Lyndis more worry than having them travel with us."

She then turned to Sain, who was still flirting with Serra. "Sain? Oh. Never mind. I know what your answer is."

Lyn then asked the siblings, "Do you really want to travel with us?"

Nils answered, "Of course!" Ninian replied, "You have our gratitude, milady."

Ninian looked down at her hand, and sighed, "Oh..."

Nils asked, "What's wrong, Ninian?"

Ninan began looking sadder then usual, "I've lost my ring."

"Your ring?" Sion asked Ninian, holding her hand. Nils, with a worried look, asked, "Not Ninis's Grace?"

Ninan sighed, "The very one."

Nils screamed, "They stole it? Those curs!"

"Was it valuable? Sion asked as Lyn sat beside him, Ninain and Nils.

"It was a keepsake from our departed mother." Ninian whispered.

Nils said, "It was blessed by the spirit of Ninis... There's no other like it in the world. And now we have lost it to those villains. There's nothing we can do."

"You're right." Ninian spoke.

Sion and Lyn stared at each other and remained silent for a while. Sion felt very sympathetic for Nils, and his older sister, Ninian. Suddenly, Lyn put her hand on Sion's shoulder.

"Can I talk to you, Sion?"

"Of course." Sion answered as they both stood up and walked to the side.

"You heard all of that, right? What do you think?" Lyn asked, staring into Sion's eyes. She continued, "I'd really love to retrieve Ninian's ring for her. But if Nils is right, those thieves might prove to be too strong for us. What should we do?" She asked.

Sion held Lyn, putting both of his hands on her sides. Sion then looked down at the floor.

"I know how it is to lose a mother. Their only memoir of her, vanished... I can't let that by. My heart will not rest easy unless we help. But we're dealing with the Black Fang... A dangerous group, believe me."

Sion thought for a moment, looking down at the floor. After exhaling deeply, he spoke again.

"Let's go." Sion looked back into Lyn's eyes as he smiled. They stood there for a while before Lyn answered.

"You want to help them? That's great!" Lyn recovered. "I was hoping you'd say that, Sion." She let go of him, then called out to the knights.

"Kent! Sain!" They galloped up to Lyn. Lyn continued, "These men were headed south. We must give pursuit!"

Sain grinned, "On your word, milady!" Then Sain left and prepared everyone else in the legion.

Serra yelled, "Sain! Wait for me!"

Sain yelled, "Of course, Serra!" But he grabbed her hand and tossed her on his horse before continuing to gallop.

Lyn spoke to Sion. "There's no turning back now. Let's ride!" With that, Sion mounted on Kent's horse and helped Lyn on before giving the command to pursue the bandits who pilfered Ninis's Grace.

With another delay, and time ticking away, will Lyn ever meet her grandfather? Sion seems to know something of the Black Fang... will these bandits actually be too much for Sion to handle? Will the Black Fang get away with Ninis's Grace, and what did they want with Nils and Ninian? Find out in the next chapter, The Black Shadow.