Green Blackguard: Look, we don't own Fire Emblem. If we did, I'd be laughing on top of a pile of money.

Green Paladin: And I'd buy a monkey.

(Ding!)

Green Paladin: Oven's ready! Time for FE pie!

"Disgusting, what some people are like," I said, with a bit more venom than I meant to. Lyn looked at me oddly, and I did my best to explain my sudden outburst. "Those Lycian Knights. I can't believe that people like that can be given that honourable rank." We had just a little while ago been approached by two knights on horseback. One was shamelessly chasing after Lyn's affections, and the other seemed to be as well, though less overtly. Thank goodness she told them to shove off. It may not have been those exact words, but the meaning was clear.

"Hmm. You may be right. But I think we've purchased all we need here," she said, checking her satchel.

"You're sure? I mean, I don't have anything for washing clothes on me."

"Really? You must smell really bad."

"Well, I usually travel alone."

"Well, be glad that I bought some soaps." She pulled one out, examining it closely. "The vendor said it could take out many of the everyday stains. Mud, grass, wine-"

"I don't see how wine is an everyday stain. Do you drink wine everyday?"

Lyn giggled, "Oh, no. But do you?"

"No. You wouldn't like to see me drunk anyway."

"Oh really? What happens?"

Avoiding the question I shouted, "Well, let's get going! Quickly now!"

"But where to?"

I pondered on that. "Well, there's an area near the mountains that I know of where the women are so…"

She interrupted me with a soft punch to the arm. "Hold your tongue, you rogue!" she scolded, chuckling as she did so.

"Hehehe… sorry. Only joking."

"I should hope so," she responded, with a tone that indicated she knew I wasn't being serious.

"I suggest heading for the outskirts of Bern. There should be a few bandit camps we could exploit. And maybe a little info on the Taliver's location."

I heard a rustle behind us and Lyn screamed, "Run! We're being pursued!" I grabbed Lyn's hand and bolted forward, away from whatever it was. "Could it be those knights from town?"

"I sincerely doubt that! I mean, they were cads but I doubt they'd go so far as to chase us!" I panted. My muscles ached, unused to this pace. I kept going, knowing that we were in serious trouble.

Lyn glanced back as I was still dragging her along, and cried, "No… It's not them. There men are out for blood!" I turned back to see what she had, and I saw several axe-wielders charging at us, but not as fast as we were going. That was until I hit a wall. I bounced backward, skidding along the path. I looked up and saw it wasn't a wall, but a giant of a man, but mainly because he was a little chubby. His axe shined in the sunlight, and I pulled myself up. Lyn was already standing, and staring intensely at the new arrival.

"He heh hehhh…" said the man, with a rough voice. "Aren't you the pretty one! Your name is Lyndis, is it not?"

'Huh? Lyndis?' I thought. However puzzled I was, I couldn't let this man harm her. But she didn't look confused, she looked shocked.

"What did you call me…? Who are you?" she asked, nearly gasping.

"Such a waste. An absolute waste. The things I'll do for gold. Ah, well. Time to die, darlin'! C'mon out, boys!" Suddenly from the behind the trees and shrubs around us, more of the fiends emerged. The chubby boy ran off, and his men advanced.

I drew my blade, and knew we couldn't win against so many. Lyn seemed to voice my concerns. "Oh, no! There are more than I can handle... But I'll not give up!"

"And neither will I. For what it's worth... I'm glad that I'll die with you." I wondered why I said that. 'My guilt maybe?'

Lyn stopped and lowered her blade. "Huh?"

"Don't let your guard down."

"Oh, sorry." She resumed her battle position, and I was glad she didn't question me further.

"Hey! There she is!" I heard from behind us. That voice… the Lycian knight? His horse halted beside me, and his red-armoured friend beside Lyn. "Whew... Finally caught up..." He seemed to notice the fat guy and shouted shaking his fist, "Hold! You there! What is your business? Such numbers against a girl? Cowards, every one of you!"

Lyn looked even more surprised that before, which I thought to be impossible. "You! You're from--"

The second knight looked at our foes and interrupted her. "We can discuss that later. 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!"

Lyn stepped in front of him. "No! This is my fight! Stay out of my way!"

The lout spoke up. "Well, I can't just stand here and do nothing..." he whined.

The other one looked to me and spoke calmly, "I have a solution. You there, command us. I am Kent, a knight of Lycia. My companion is Sain. We will follow your orders in this battle." His gaze shifted back to Lyn. "Is this acceptable, milady?"

"Yes, it is. Andur and I will lead! Let's go!" She ran ahead, this time her dragging me along.

The battle was hard, and some of her sword skills seem to rubbing off on me. I didn't have much time to dwell on it, as my tactics proved too much for the opponents. Only a scarce few remained, which were left to Lyn and me after I sent Kent and Sain off to deal with tubby. Kent seemed loyal enough. But unfortunately, his personality remains overshadowed by his duty. But Sain, a difficult one to like. 'Or maybe it's just me. Treating Lyn that way…'

Another one rushed us, and I slashed his gut, spilling his innards over the field. He feebly tried to put them back before dying. But I felt a pressure from behind, and Lyn knocked past me. I turned to see what she was running from, and I saw three axemen stampeding towards us. Suddenly filled with rage, I charged at them, and dove at them, sword swiping through the air. Two fell before I landed, but the last evaded me. He brought the handle of his axe to the back of my head and I hit the ground, tasting dirt. I heard an ear-splitting cry of rage, from Lyn's voice. I felt a liquid drip onto my back. I turned over, and saw Lyn's sword sticking out though the brute's mouth. Cutting up, his head cracked open, and gore spilled onto my clothes. "Urghh," I moaned. "I hope you bought something in Bulgar to get these stains out." Lyn laughed heartily, and I laughed with her. She offered a hand, and I took it.

"You were going to share your story with me?"

Kent was passive, as he'd been since I'd met him. "Yes. We have ventured from Caelin, in Lycia, in search of someone."

Lyn was intrigued. "Lycia... That is the country beyond the mountains in the southwest, isn't it?" Obviously not about the same thing as me.

"Correct." Kent went on, "We've come as messengers to the lady Madelyn, who eloped with a nomad some 19 years ago."

"Madelyn?" Lyn was wide-eyed with shock. 'Why?'

"Our lord the marquess of Caelin's only daughter. He was heartbroken his own daughter would abandon him so. Eventually, the marquess simply declared that he had no daughter."

"That's terrible! How could he do that?" I angrily interjected. "Just because she followed her heart?"

The green knight continued for him. "And then this year, we received a letter from Lady Madelyn. 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 18 years. I remember the smile on his face when he announced that he'd suddenly become a grandfather. The granddaughter's name is Lyndis. This was also the name of the marquess' wife, who passed away at an early age."

"Lyndis?" she breathed. 'Hold on…' I suddenly thought. The new facts rushed though my head, until I reached an astounding conclusion. 'Oh my…'

"That she should bear this name thawed the marquess' heart. Now, his only wish is to meet his daughter's family at least once. This is why we're here. We didn't know that Lady Madelyn died a few days after sending her letter... We only learned this shortly after we arrived here in Bulgar. But we also learned all was not lost. Her daughter yet lives. We heard that she was living alone on the plains."

Kent confirmed my suspicion. "I... I knew it immediately. You are the lady Lyndis."

"Why would you think that..."

"Your resemblance to your departed mother is remarkable."

Lyn was completely flabbergasted. "What? Did you know my mother?"

Kent answered apologetically, "I'm sorry to say I never met her directly, but I saw her portraits in Castle Caelin."

"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 have a grandfather. Lyndis... I never thought I would hear that name again." She stalled, to take in the enormity of what she'd heard. Suddenly her face shot up, and she glared at Kent. "Wait. That bandit! He called me Lyndis, too!"

"What? How could he have--" began Kent.

"He was a henchman of Lord Lundgren, wasn't he?" suggested Sain accusingly.

"Lundgren? Who's that?" Lyn beat me to it.

"He's the marquess' younger brother. Everyone assumed the lady Madelyn was gone forever. This made Lord Lundgren heir to the marquess' title."

"To be blunt, milady. Your existence is an obstacle to your granduncle's ambitions."

"That's-- But I have no interest in inheriting any title!" she shouted adamantly.

Sain said sadly, "Unfortunately, your granduncle is not the sort of man to believe that. I believe the attempts on your life will persist."

Lyn was confused. I could see it, though no one else seemed to. "What should I do?"

"Accompany us to Caelin." Kent replied. "Continuing on this way is dangerous."

She sighed, and said quietly, "I feel I have little choice. I will go with you."

Lyn drew me aside, and I noticed something different. The two knights had revealed many things. Too much for her all at once, I reckon. Being Marquess Caelin's granddaughter… and having a Granduncle with an interest in your death? Far too much. Her eyes were cold and empty, devoid of feeling. Her breathing was slowed, and her voice tame. "Andur... I'm sorry. This changes everything. What will you do, Andur?"

"You choose." I solemnly stated.

"You... want me to decide?" A spark of life showed in that dull expression.

"I could never force myself on you if you would not have me." My words hid my true thoughts. 'I need this. I need to go with you.'

She reasoned, "Of course, your companionship would do much to ease my journey, but... It's going to be so dangerous." Still a near monotone voice.

Beaming with glee I voiced my thoughts. "Then I'll stay with you."

"You'll come? Are you sure?" Was that… happiness? Finally, an emotion!

"Hey, I said I'd let you go with me. Now it's the other way round. I'll gladly journey with you."

"Thank you! Let me ask once again for your friendship and your aid."

I grasped her hand, and gripped it firmly. "And you shall have it."

Our journey was set. Not what I signed on for, but much better for my purposes. I was walking between Lyn and Sain, at her request and his objection. Lyn's quest was one of importance, and I just hoped that I wouldn't foul it up. Already Sain wasn't listening to me in practices, trying to show off. "Use a Sword Sain!" I'd shout, and Sain would say, "Ah, but I need to show my spectacular heroism to the fine lady!" What an idiot. I agree with Kent completely. He will end up dead someday if he keeps doing this. 'Oh look, the idiot's trying again.' "Oh sweet flower, will you not bless we with-"

"Oh shut up," I said grumpily.

"You wound me sir! What have I done to deserve such words?" asked Sain in that annoying tone of his.

"Well, where you want me to begin?" I began crossly. "Firstly, You're an oaf."

"Well! I-"

"Secondly, you are not at all serious, even in the heat of battle."

"I-"

"Thirdly, you treat Lyn like an object."

"Wh-"

"Fourthly, you don't look where you're going." Sain turned his head just in time to see the branch that then hit him in the face, knocking him back off his horse. "I think that's enough for now."

That night was a strange one. Having to bar Sain from being anywhere near Lyn's tent was unavoidable. But in the night, I was woken frequently by her tossing and turning. She mumbled incoherently and her arms flung out, occasionally striking me in the head. I remained silent, concerned at what could cause this. What could cause her to sleep as I do?
In the morning I awoke to see Lyn was sleeping soundly, and I decided not to wake her for our dawn training. She'd need that extra sleep with assassins out to kill her at any moment. I questioned my own logic but thought it would be all right, as long as one of the two Lycian knights were to keep watch. I unbuttoned the tent opening and slid out once dressed properly, and saw Kent duelling with Sain, both on horseback. Kent was charging Sain with a wooden blade, and hitting vital areas, heart, lungs, head and obviously only causing a few bruises. Sain wasn't putting up much of a fight. He was using a similar weapon, but getting far fewer hits. "Sain, concentrate on accuracy, not style!" I criticised. "You'll end up dead if you don't actually hit anything."

"Young sir, I think I know how to handle myself," commented the imbecile.

"Don't you give me that crap!" I fumed. Sain visibly paled as I continued. "I'm far more experienced than you at war, and I've seen far worse things than you dare dream! I-" I halted, realising what I'd let slip. I couldn't tell them now!

"Such as?" scoffed Sain.

"I… I can't tell you. Not yet." I turned to leave and began walking away.

I could hear Sain chortling behind me. "Hah! He hasn't seen anything. I wouldn't make up something like that!"

Kent shook his head and said solemnly, "Yes you would. You'd do anything to attract the ladies. But look. I don't believe he's lying at all. That was pain in his tone of voice."

"Huh? Then why wouldn't he tell us?"

"Maybe it's too much to tell someone he's only just met."

I waited in the woods, hoping to rebury the memories of my past. I couldn't tell them… None of them. They wouldn't forgive me. I sat, letting the wind blow in my face, and sighed. They probably were wondering where I'd got to. I turned to leave, but the anguished voices of those I'd condemned haunted me still.
Green Paladin: Enough for now! Sorry I had to rely so much on the game script this chapter. More very soon!