Fire Emblem 7, The Parody
Chapter 03: Band of Mercenaries
The secrets of her past revealed by the words of two knights of Lycia. Now, to meet her grandfather, Lyn heads west, to Lycia, and her destiny. Sounds like something from a bad adventure novel, doesn't it?
A mountain range seperates the Sacae plains from Bern. There are many, many bandits lurking here, the worst of which are known as the Taliver. They wreck havoc on both Sacae and Bern, and their savagery knows no bounds. Not unlike the next bandit group if you think about it.
On her tenth day away from the plains, Lyn witnesses their atrocities herself.
Sain's jaw dropped. Kent's horse jerked a bit. Lyn shivered. Cecil looked all over the town that once was in horror. "It's like someone put this town in a blender and pushed the mix button..."
"Why doesn't their marquess do anything to help?" Sain wondered aloud.
"Taliver Mountain is home to a gang of vicous, ruthless bandits" Lyn explained. "No marquess holds power here. My village was near here, on the other side of the mountain. My people....it only took one night for the Taliver bandits to...the survivors numbered less than ten, including me. They're heartless bastards, and I'll kill them all, I swear it!"
All three others just looked at Lyn, and bowed their heads in respect.
"Someday, when I am stronger, I shall return" Lyn explained, "and I will complete my life's mission."
"When the time comes, bring me with you" Sain requested.
"Sain..."
"Don't forget me, either" Kent said, actually smiling.
"Kent..."
"And me" Cecil said, smirking. "I can give those bandits what for."
"You guys...I...thank you."
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, a young girl with long, purple hair, and a long, white gown, with bits of blue armor on the chest, shoulders, waist and knees, was being held by the arm tightly by a big man with short, brown hair, and a red head band.
"Alright, little lady!" he said in her face. "What are you going to do to apologize? Huh!?"
"Uh...I...that is...I..." the girl stuttered.
"Hey, she's quite the catch, eh, buddy?" said another bandit. "I bet the boss'd give us a pretty penny for her."
"Yeah, she roughed me up a bit, so I think fair's fair. It's no more than she deserves."
"I...I..."
"Check to see if she's good!" said yet another bandit.
The big one nodded, before brushing a hand along her cheek. "Nice, soft skin...obviously freash meat...good hair...hmm, 'cause of this armor, can't check her chest."
The girl blushed.
"What do you suppose we do with her flying mule?" one of the bandits asked.
"I dunno. Cook it?"
"Too valuable."
"No!" the girl screamed. "Don't you dare touch her!"
One of the bandits slapped her. "You watch your mouth, girle!"
"Do what you will to me, just...let her go. Please, I beg of you..."
The bandit with the grip on her arm laughed. "Silly twit! Pegasi can only be found in Ilia. They're rare beasts, worth more than you by far! We can sell it and retire in style!"
"No, you...you can't!" the girl begged, on the verge of tears.
With a violent jerk, the bandit dragged the girl along. "Come on, let's go."
At that moment, our four heroes rounded the bend. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What's this? ...Be on your guard, Lyndis. There seems to be some sort of commontion over there."
Lyn blinked, before taking a look. She gasped at the sight of a white, winged horse. "That's...a...pegasus! Could it be..." She rushed forward, tossing caution to the wind.
"I just said...ah damn it" Kent grumbled.
"Florina?" Lyn said over the gap between the two groups she was closing. "Florina, is that you?"
Florina perked. "Ah! Lyn?" she asked, eyes filled with disbelief. She stamped on the bandit's foot.
"YEOW! Mother 'a peral!" the bandit yelped, as Florina ran over to Lyn.
Lyn beamed widely. "What's a cute kid like you doing in a run down joint like this?"
Florina stopped within arm's reach of Lyn, folding her hands together. Her eye's watered with tears, a huge grin plastered on her face. "Lyn is it...really you? I...I..."
Lyn took a few steps closer. "Come now, no crying!" she said, still smiling.
"I'm sorry" Florina said, wiping the tears away. She looked back at Lyn, smiling widely.
Kent, Sain and Cecil came towards the two women. "You are acquaintances?" Kent asked.
"She's a friend of mine" Lyn explained. "Her name is Florina, a Pegasus Knight in training from Ilia. She's a little uncomfortable around men."
Florina raised her hand up to give a light wave. "H...hi..." she stuttered.
--Ting--
Cecil looked around for the source of the "ting", before noticing that it was Sain. "...oh no."
Sain leapt off his horse, and took Florina's hand gently in his, and getting on one knee. "Oh, beautiful Florina, a friend of Lyn is a friend of I, Sain, knight of Lyica."
Florina's face paled. Her eyes widened. "... ...EEEEK!" she screamed, getting away from Sain, and behind Lyn.
Who proceded to beat Sain with a piece of rubble. "I JUST SAID SHE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE AROUND MEN! DID YOUR HORMONES BLOCK OUT YOUR HEARING!?!?!?"
"Ow! Please! Sorry! Mommy!" Sain whined.
Kent and Cecil just sighed.
Lyn calmed down, and looked over her shoulder at Florina. "So, what happened here?"
As the three men backed off, Florina twiddled her thumbs. "Well...um...when I heard that you had left...I..decided to follow you. Then I saw this village...I flew down to ask if they had news of you. I didn't see these two, and...well..."
"Did you land on one of them?"
"Only a little..."
"AHA!" shouted one of the bandits.
Florina yelped, and tried to hide herself perfectly behind Lyn.
"She admits her fault!" the bandit continued. "She stepped on my buddy, and now she's going to pay!"
"Did you apologize Florina?" Lyn asked.
"In exacts or in general?" Florina requested.
"General, please."
"Many times over."
"And in exacts?"
"257. They just wouldn't listen..."she began to sniff, some droplets of water hitting Lyn's shirt.
"Don't cry. It's alright..." Lyn said, rubbing Florina's arm soothingly, even while the pegasus knight was standing behind her.
"Lyn..."
Lyn glared at the bandit who stepped forward. "Listen, she's obviously sorry. This is the most sorry I've ever seen her. So can't you just let that pass? You don't appear to be injured or anything."
"No change!" said the bandit with the red handband, finally recovered from the attack on his foot. "The girl comes with us! By force if need be!"
The two suddenly rushed off. "Come on out, boys!" they could here the first one say. "The men are fair game, but not on scar on the girls, you hear me!?"
Pouring from the various streets was a small band of bandits, armed with axes, bows and swords alike.
"Cecil, it's time we fight back!" Lyn shouted, whipping out her sword.
"Lyn...I..." Florina quipped up.
"You're a pegasus knight, aren't you? That means you can fight, can't you?" Lyn asked.
Florina just stared, before nodding, seemingly turning more fierce. Which still didn't look like much.
"Let's go, Cecil. We've got some bandits to take care of" Lyn grinned her evil, combat grin.
"Um..Lyn? Who's that?" Florina asked, tugging at Lyn's arm.
"Hmm? Oh, this is Cecil. He's only a beginer, but he's our tactician."
Cecil grinned, and gave a bow. "At your service, m'lady" he said gallently.
"Um..ah...pleased to meet you" Florina squeaked, before running over and leaping onto her pegasus.
"It'd be best if we get these villagers out of here. Lyn, Florina, you start telling people to run while they've got the chance" Cecil gave the order.
Both women nodded, before running and flying, respectively, off.
Lyn rushed into one part of the village. "Is anybody here?" she asked loudly.
"Nobody here but us chickens!" came an answer.
--SMACK--
"Damnit, Carl...leave us alone, you thugs!" came another voice. "We've got no more gold for you, so piss off!"
"Hold it! We're not bandits!" Lyn assured. "We're here to help!"
"...Hold on, guys, I'm going to check this out."
Stepping outside was a young man, maybe in his late teens, with short, brown hair, a blue shirt, a green, left shoulder guard, and white shorts. He carried a bow, and a quiver was on his back. "Not bandits, eh?" he asked. "So, who are you?"
"My name is Lyn" the nomad girl informed. "My companions and I were just passing through here...We saw the bandits about. We were going to deal with them, but...we need you to go warn the villagers."
"Hold on a sec" the man begged. "I'm a traveler of sorts myself. The name's Wil. These people've been very nice to me, so mind if I fight with you?"
"Not at all. We can use all the helping hands we can get." Lyn took Wil's hand, and shook it. "Welcome aboard!"
As Lyn and the newly recurited Wil came back to the team, Florina did too, carrying a large sack of something. She was humming a cheery tune to herself, before noticing one of the new faces. Or rather, the bow and arrow he was carrying.
She dropped her bag. "EEEK! ARCHER!" she leapt behind Lyn.
"Florina, calm down, it's just Wil" Lyn assured with a smile.
"But he's got a bow!"
"But he's on our side."
"But he's got a BOW!"
Wil blinked, before laughing softly and rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry to have frightened you" he apologized. "I understand how you must fell about ranged weapons like my bow."
"Oh...I'm...I'm sorry..." Florina said timidly. "But just....looking at a bow...f...frightens me...ever so much..."
"I understand" Wil nodded. "But you need only fear enemy archers, not our own."
"Y..yes...of course..."
With that, the team started to spread out, going on the attack. None of the swordsmen saw Florina's arrial assult, the axemen fell to Wil's silent arrow swarm, and Lyn, Sain and Kent just started slashing left and right.
Soon, all that was left was the leader of this group, the bandit with the red head band. "Grr..." he growled. "If these guys don't kill me, the boss will..."
"Um...excuse me..." said the soft, timid voice of Florina.
"Huh? Oh, it's you. Changed your mind about coming with us?"
"Well...actually...no. But...this really is...my fault. Really. So, can we..."
"Can we WHAT!? The Titanic's distress signals came in faster than you!"
"I'm sorry. Can we...can we just stop fighitng now?"
The bandit just stared. "You've got to be kidding...after all the humiliation I went through? No way!" He advanced towards her.
"Eeek!"
"You're coming with us! I promise you that! Now give yourself--"
He ran smack dab into Florina's lance, which she was holding forward without looking. "...up" he wheezed, before falling over.
Lyn smirked, before sheathing her sword. "Well, that takes care of that."
"Lyn!" Florina cheered, rushing over to her, and leaping at her with a hug.
Lyn laughed a bit, catching Florina and spinning her around a bit. "Florina, why did you follow me? You should've known it would be dangerous."
"Do you remember the knighting ceremony of the Pegasus Knights of Ilia?"
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"I have no clue. But a few weeks after that, my teacher told me to join a band of freelance soldiers to further my training."
"Is that what brought you here, Florina?"
The purple haired knight nodded. "I wanted to talk to you before I set out. But when I went to Sacae, I heard you left with some strangers, and..."
"You were worried for me?" Lyn asked, tilting her head. "That's really sweet, but I'm more worried about you."
"M..me?" Florina stuttered, a small bit of blush on her cheeks.
"Most mercenaries are men, right? Bands of men? I can't even imagine you being around that kind of crowd and feeling comfortable."
"I know...it's just...I always dreamed of becoming a pegasus knight. I imagined I'd somehow...work it out. Somehow. After today...I'm just not sure anymore." She sniffed, and looked at her feet. "Maybe I should just give up..."
"Florina...don't cry..."
"Yes! There's no reason to give up your dream!" said Sain, leaping off his horse.
"Hoo-boy..." Cecil moaned. "Here it comes."
Again, Sain took Florina's hand in his. "Lovely Florina! I have the most brilliant idea!"
Kent sighed. "Sain...you're not suggesting..."
"You should come with us! With the addition of Wil, here, we're a fine group of freelance soldiers!"
"Wait...did you just include me?" Wil asked.
"Of course!" Sain declared. "We were destined to meet here! It was fate! Lyndis' band of mercenaries is as good a training group as any you will find!"
"Sain, this is no joking matter!" Kent barked.
Florina was able to get away from Sain was Kent was busy scolding him. She looked over at Lyn. "Lyndis? Um, Lyn? Mercenaries?"
"I can give you the details later. This is all a bit rushed. However, Sain is right. Will you come with us, Florina?"
Florina beamed. "Travel with you Lyn? Truly? I would be so...so happy!"
"Fantasic! Welcome aboard, oh beautious Florina!" Sain said, approaching the girl.
"EEK!" Florina screamed for the upteenth time, hiding behind a bush this time. "Stay back! Don't get too close!"
Sain sighed dreamingly. "Ah, so beautiful, and yet so modest!"
"Sain..." Lyn growled, pulling out another piece of rubble. "You have till the count of ten. 1...2..."
"gulp"
"TEN!" The nomad girl leapt at Sain, and started beating the ever loving crap out of him.
Cecil and Kent just watched, sweat drops on the sides of their heads. "I beg your forgiveness" Kent said to Cecil, "calling us mercenaries."
"Eh, no worries" Cecil shrugged. "Lyn probably would never forgive us if we left Florina behind. Still, judging from her jerky behavior, she'll need special attention."
"Perhaps we could provide it?" Kent asked. "She's not as nervous around you or I."
"Nah, I think Lyn's got it all covered" Cecil pointed out.
"How would you know?"
"She has a picture of Florina back at her old home in the plains."
"Huh..."
"Yeah.."
"Say, Lyn..." said Wil, bending down near where she and Sain were fighitng.
The dust cloud passed, as Lyn had a hold on Sain's collar. "Huh?" she asked.
"Is it really alright if I travel with you?" he asked.
Lyn grinned, and let go of Sain. Florina crept out of the bushes, and stood behind Lyn. "Yes, of course" the nomad girl nodded. "If you're willing, Wil!"
"Pun intended?"
"Pun intended."
"Anyway, I'm very grateful. Truth be told, all my money was stolen, and I'm...at a bit of a crossroads, you see. I would be honored to count myself as one of Lyndis's Legion!"
Lyn chuckled, and looked over her shoulder at Florina. "Lyndis's Legion? This is getting stranger and stranger every day..."
Chapter 03: Band of Mercenaries
The secrets of her past revealed by the words of two knights of Lycia. Now, to meet her grandfather, Lyn heads west, to Lycia, and her destiny. Sounds like something from a bad adventure novel, doesn't it?
A mountain range seperates the Sacae plains from Bern. There are many, many bandits lurking here, the worst of which are known as the Taliver. They wreck havoc on both Sacae and Bern, and their savagery knows no bounds. Not unlike the next bandit group if you think about it.
On her tenth day away from the plains, Lyn witnesses their atrocities herself.
Sain's jaw dropped. Kent's horse jerked a bit. Lyn shivered. Cecil looked all over the town that once was in horror. "It's like someone put this town in a blender and pushed the mix button..."
"Why doesn't their marquess do anything to help?" Sain wondered aloud.
"Taliver Mountain is home to a gang of vicous, ruthless bandits" Lyn explained. "No marquess holds power here. My village was near here, on the other side of the mountain. My people....it only took one night for the Taliver bandits to...the survivors numbered less than ten, including me. They're heartless bastards, and I'll kill them all, I swear it!"
All three others just looked at Lyn, and bowed their heads in respect.
"Someday, when I am stronger, I shall return" Lyn explained, "and I will complete my life's mission."
"When the time comes, bring me with you" Sain requested.
"Sain..."
"Don't forget me, either" Kent said, actually smiling.
"Kent..."
"And me" Cecil said, smirking. "I can give those bandits what for."
"You guys...I...thank you."
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, a young girl with long, purple hair, and a long, white gown, with bits of blue armor on the chest, shoulders, waist and knees, was being held by the arm tightly by a big man with short, brown hair, and a red head band.
"Alright, little lady!" he said in her face. "What are you going to do to apologize? Huh!?"
"Uh...I...that is...I..." the girl stuttered.
"Hey, she's quite the catch, eh, buddy?" said another bandit. "I bet the boss'd give us a pretty penny for her."
"Yeah, she roughed me up a bit, so I think fair's fair. It's no more than she deserves."
"I...I..."
"Check to see if she's good!" said yet another bandit.
The big one nodded, before brushing a hand along her cheek. "Nice, soft skin...obviously freash meat...good hair...hmm, 'cause of this armor, can't check her chest."
The girl blushed.
"What do you suppose we do with her flying mule?" one of the bandits asked.
"I dunno. Cook it?"
"Too valuable."
"No!" the girl screamed. "Don't you dare touch her!"
One of the bandits slapped her. "You watch your mouth, girle!"
"Do what you will to me, just...let her go. Please, I beg of you..."
The bandit with the grip on her arm laughed. "Silly twit! Pegasi can only be found in Ilia. They're rare beasts, worth more than you by far! We can sell it and retire in style!"
"No, you...you can't!" the girl begged, on the verge of tears.
With a violent jerk, the bandit dragged the girl along. "Come on, let's go."
At that moment, our four heroes rounded the bend. Kent raised an eyebrow. "What's this? ...Be on your guard, Lyndis. There seems to be some sort of commontion over there."
Lyn blinked, before taking a look. She gasped at the sight of a white, winged horse. "That's...a...pegasus! Could it be..." She rushed forward, tossing caution to the wind.
"I just said...ah damn it" Kent grumbled.
"Florina?" Lyn said over the gap between the two groups she was closing. "Florina, is that you?"
Florina perked. "Ah! Lyn?" she asked, eyes filled with disbelief. She stamped on the bandit's foot.
"YEOW! Mother 'a peral!" the bandit yelped, as Florina ran over to Lyn.
Lyn beamed widely. "What's a cute kid like you doing in a run down joint like this?"
Florina stopped within arm's reach of Lyn, folding her hands together. Her eye's watered with tears, a huge grin plastered on her face. "Lyn is it...really you? I...I..."
Lyn took a few steps closer. "Come now, no crying!" she said, still smiling.
"I'm sorry" Florina said, wiping the tears away. She looked back at Lyn, smiling widely.
Kent, Sain and Cecil came towards the two women. "You are acquaintances?" Kent asked.
"She's a friend of mine" Lyn explained. "Her name is Florina, a Pegasus Knight in training from Ilia. She's a little uncomfortable around men."
Florina raised her hand up to give a light wave. "H...hi..." she stuttered.
--Ting--
Cecil looked around for the source of the "ting", before noticing that it was Sain. "...oh no."
Sain leapt off his horse, and took Florina's hand gently in his, and getting on one knee. "Oh, beautiful Florina, a friend of Lyn is a friend of I, Sain, knight of Lyica."
Florina's face paled. Her eyes widened. "... ...EEEEK!" she screamed, getting away from Sain, and behind Lyn.
Who proceded to beat Sain with a piece of rubble. "I JUST SAID SHE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE AROUND MEN! DID YOUR HORMONES BLOCK OUT YOUR HEARING!?!?!?"
"Ow! Please! Sorry! Mommy!" Sain whined.
Kent and Cecil just sighed.
Lyn calmed down, and looked over her shoulder at Florina. "So, what happened here?"
As the three men backed off, Florina twiddled her thumbs. "Well...um...when I heard that you had left...I..decided to follow you. Then I saw this village...I flew down to ask if they had news of you. I didn't see these two, and...well..."
"Did you land on one of them?"
"Only a little..."
"AHA!" shouted one of the bandits.
Florina yelped, and tried to hide herself perfectly behind Lyn.
"She admits her fault!" the bandit continued. "She stepped on my buddy, and now she's going to pay!"
"Did you apologize Florina?" Lyn asked.
"In exacts or in general?" Florina requested.
"General, please."
"Many times over."
"And in exacts?"
"257. They just wouldn't listen..."she began to sniff, some droplets of water hitting Lyn's shirt.
"Don't cry. It's alright..." Lyn said, rubbing Florina's arm soothingly, even while the pegasus knight was standing behind her.
"Lyn..."
Lyn glared at the bandit who stepped forward. "Listen, she's obviously sorry. This is the most sorry I've ever seen her. So can't you just let that pass? You don't appear to be injured or anything."
"No change!" said the bandit with the red handband, finally recovered from the attack on his foot. "The girl comes with us! By force if need be!"
The two suddenly rushed off. "Come on out, boys!" they could here the first one say. "The men are fair game, but not on scar on the girls, you hear me!?"
Pouring from the various streets was a small band of bandits, armed with axes, bows and swords alike.
"Cecil, it's time we fight back!" Lyn shouted, whipping out her sword.
"Lyn...I..." Florina quipped up.
"You're a pegasus knight, aren't you? That means you can fight, can't you?" Lyn asked.
Florina just stared, before nodding, seemingly turning more fierce. Which still didn't look like much.
"Let's go, Cecil. We've got some bandits to take care of" Lyn grinned her evil, combat grin.
"Um..Lyn? Who's that?" Florina asked, tugging at Lyn's arm.
"Hmm? Oh, this is Cecil. He's only a beginer, but he's our tactician."
Cecil grinned, and gave a bow. "At your service, m'lady" he said gallently.
"Um..ah...pleased to meet you" Florina squeaked, before running over and leaping onto her pegasus.
"It'd be best if we get these villagers out of here. Lyn, Florina, you start telling people to run while they've got the chance" Cecil gave the order.
Both women nodded, before running and flying, respectively, off.
Lyn rushed into one part of the village. "Is anybody here?" she asked loudly.
"Nobody here but us chickens!" came an answer.
--SMACK--
"Damnit, Carl...leave us alone, you thugs!" came another voice. "We've got no more gold for you, so piss off!"
"Hold it! We're not bandits!" Lyn assured. "We're here to help!"
"...Hold on, guys, I'm going to check this out."
Stepping outside was a young man, maybe in his late teens, with short, brown hair, a blue shirt, a green, left shoulder guard, and white shorts. He carried a bow, and a quiver was on his back. "Not bandits, eh?" he asked. "So, who are you?"
"My name is Lyn" the nomad girl informed. "My companions and I were just passing through here...We saw the bandits about. We were going to deal with them, but...we need you to go warn the villagers."
"Hold on a sec" the man begged. "I'm a traveler of sorts myself. The name's Wil. These people've been very nice to me, so mind if I fight with you?"
"Not at all. We can use all the helping hands we can get." Lyn took Wil's hand, and shook it. "Welcome aboard!"
As Lyn and the newly recurited Wil came back to the team, Florina did too, carrying a large sack of something. She was humming a cheery tune to herself, before noticing one of the new faces. Or rather, the bow and arrow he was carrying.
She dropped her bag. "EEEK! ARCHER!" she leapt behind Lyn.
"Florina, calm down, it's just Wil" Lyn assured with a smile.
"But he's got a bow!"
"But he's on our side."
"But he's got a BOW!"
Wil blinked, before laughing softly and rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry to have frightened you" he apologized. "I understand how you must fell about ranged weapons like my bow."
"Oh...I'm...I'm sorry..." Florina said timidly. "But just....looking at a bow...f...frightens me...ever so much..."
"I understand" Wil nodded. "But you need only fear enemy archers, not our own."
"Y..yes...of course..."
With that, the team started to spread out, going on the attack. None of the swordsmen saw Florina's arrial assult, the axemen fell to Wil's silent arrow swarm, and Lyn, Sain and Kent just started slashing left and right.
Soon, all that was left was the leader of this group, the bandit with the red head band. "Grr..." he growled. "If these guys don't kill me, the boss will..."
"Um...excuse me..." said the soft, timid voice of Florina.
"Huh? Oh, it's you. Changed your mind about coming with us?"
"Well...actually...no. But...this really is...my fault. Really. So, can we..."
"Can we WHAT!? The Titanic's distress signals came in faster than you!"
"I'm sorry. Can we...can we just stop fighitng now?"
The bandit just stared. "You've got to be kidding...after all the humiliation I went through? No way!" He advanced towards her.
"Eeek!"
"You're coming with us! I promise you that! Now give yourself--"
He ran smack dab into Florina's lance, which she was holding forward without looking. "...up" he wheezed, before falling over.
Lyn smirked, before sheathing her sword. "Well, that takes care of that."
"Lyn!" Florina cheered, rushing over to her, and leaping at her with a hug.
Lyn laughed a bit, catching Florina and spinning her around a bit. "Florina, why did you follow me? You should've known it would be dangerous."
"Do you remember the knighting ceremony of the Pegasus Knights of Ilia?"
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"I have no clue. But a few weeks after that, my teacher told me to join a band of freelance soldiers to further my training."
"Is that what brought you here, Florina?"
The purple haired knight nodded. "I wanted to talk to you before I set out. But when I went to Sacae, I heard you left with some strangers, and..."
"You were worried for me?" Lyn asked, tilting her head. "That's really sweet, but I'm more worried about you."
"M..me?" Florina stuttered, a small bit of blush on her cheeks.
"Most mercenaries are men, right? Bands of men? I can't even imagine you being around that kind of crowd and feeling comfortable."
"I know...it's just...I always dreamed of becoming a pegasus knight. I imagined I'd somehow...work it out. Somehow. After today...I'm just not sure anymore." She sniffed, and looked at her feet. "Maybe I should just give up..."
"Florina...don't cry..."
"Yes! There's no reason to give up your dream!" said Sain, leaping off his horse.
"Hoo-boy..." Cecil moaned. "Here it comes."
Again, Sain took Florina's hand in his. "Lovely Florina! I have the most brilliant idea!"
Kent sighed. "Sain...you're not suggesting..."
"You should come with us! With the addition of Wil, here, we're a fine group of freelance soldiers!"
"Wait...did you just include me?" Wil asked.
"Of course!" Sain declared. "We were destined to meet here! It was fate! Lyndis' band of mercenaries is as good a training group as any you will find!"
"Sain, this is no joking matter!" Kent barked.
Florina was able to get away from Sain was Kent was busy scolding him. She looked over at Lyn. "Lyndis? Um, Lyn? Mercenaries?"
"I can give you the details later. This is all a bit rushed. However, Sain is right. Will you come with us, Florina?"
Florina beamed. "Travel with you Lyn? Truly? I would be so...so happy!"
"Fantasic! Welcome aboard, oh beautious Florina!" Sain said, approaching the girl.
"EEK!" Florina screamed for the upteenth time, hiding behind a bush this time. "Stay back! Don't get too close!"
Sain sighed dreamingly. "Ah, so beautiful, and yet so modest!"
"Sain..." Lyn growled, pulling out another piece of rubble. "You have till the count of ten. 1...2..."
"gulp"
"TEN!" The nomad girl leapt at Sain, and started beating the ever loving crap out of him.
Cecil and Kent just watched, sweat drops on the sides of their heads. "I beg your forgiveness" Kent said to Cecil, "calling us mercenaries."
"Eh, no worries" Cecil shrugged. "Lyn probably would never forgive us if we left Florina behind. Still, judging from her jerky behavior, she'll need special attention."
"Perhaps we could provide it?" Kent asked. "She's not as nervous around you or I."
"Nah, I think Lyn's got it all covered" Cecil pointed out.
"How would you know?"
"She has a picture of Florina back at her old home in the plains."
"Huh..."
"Yeah.."
"Say, Lyn..." said Wil, bending down near where she and Sain were fighitng.
The dust cloud passed, as Lyn had a hold on Sain's collar. "Huh?" she asked.
"Is it really alright if I travel with you?" he asked.
Lyn grinned, and let go of Sain. Florina crept out of the bushes, and stood behind Lyn. "Yes, of course" the nomad girl nodded. "If you're willing, Wil!"
"Pun intended?"
"Pun intended."
"Anyway, I'm very grateful. Truth be told, all my money was stolen, and I'm...at a bit of a crossroads, you see. I would be honored to count myself as one of Lyndis's Legion!"
Lyn chuckled, and looked over her shoulder at Florina. "Lyndis's Legion? This is getting stranger and stranger every day..."