Disclaimer: I don't own FE, just my characters.

I may have lost Mitsuna as my property, but meh. It's all for the story.

Double update today; cuz I'm really bored and got nothing else to do

THE TACTICIANS' WISH

Lyn's Tale Chapter 5: Beyond the Borders

"Hey, I said I was sorry!" begged Wil. The day hasn't been going too well for him since last night's...incident. Lyn is ignoring him; whenever he was about to say something to her, she just walks away without even recognizing his existence. Whenever he went to talk to Florina, she blushes so much she looked and felt like a sun...then she goes to Lyn. Wil sighed. Today's going to be a looooong day.

It was a normal day at the tactician's guild. Jack was hitting on girls like Sain at a pool, Ian was getting drunk, Louie was reading, Kassar was...doing what he does, and Mark was taking a walk around the park. He was recently informed by Mua that Mitsuna had gone missing from Castle Pherae, and that he was requested to head there to replace her. He also recently got a letter from Hiro saying that the myrmidon is currently under the service of Lady Lyndis.

'Man, nothing cool or exciting ever happens to me. Everybody else has hobbies, but me! Jack hits on girls, Ian's a drunkard, Louie's a bookworm, Kassar...no comment, Hiro is always with someone of great importance. But me, I've got nothing. At least I get to see Hilda again.' The young shaman went to his room to pack up. He packed a couple of Flux tomes and a Nosferatu, as well as 3 bottles of vulneraries. He'll be traveling alone, so it won't hurt to be well armed. He also had a change of robes. He tied his long brown hair into a ponytail behind his head. He put on his white shirt and brown pants, and wore his shaman robe over it, which was jet black with pine green markings along its sides. When he was ready, he left the guild towards Pherae.

"Damn it! How could she ditch me now?" shouted the priestess at the wall, obviously very peeved that her friend had left. "She's the one that told me to control my temper with these men, but she left FIRST! Stupid traitor..."

Kyo had heard from Mua that Mitsuna had left House Pherae and that she disappeared after that. Kyo knew what it meant. 'Damn. Those cloaked figures must have had something to do with it, I know it,' he thought. "Eiji!" he called towards the knight. "I'm leaving towards House Pherae to ask a bit about my sister, and maybe get a clue about where to find her. If I don't find any, I'll come back. If I do find something, I might not be back for a while." He ran towards the stables, and passed by Fiaa.

"Where is he off to in such a rush?" asked the Pegasus knight.

"He heard that his sister had left Castle Pherae and disappeared, and he's going to look into it," replied Eiji.

"...oh..." replied a glum sounding Fiaa.

"Why the long face?" asked Eiji, noticing that the girl looked rather down. Fiaa was surprised that he noticed that, and tried to cover up.

"Er...it's...nothing...yeah...nothing." Eiji was not convinced, but decided to leave the subject.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, we're almost there," commented Odin. "The Lycian border is very close by."

"Once we're there, we'll be safe from the bandits, right?" asked Lyn.

"Most likely. I really doubt that they'll be willing to pursue us across the border," commented Kent.

"Lycia at last! It's been a long time. Tomorrow, we'll dine on a feast of Lycia's finest foods! And the mistress of the inn at the crossing is said to be a beauty. Ah, yes... Food and love. No better way to restore a man's sould This is going to be a fine evening, eh, Kent?" asked an apparently ecstatic Sain.

"If your behavior is as deplorable as ever, we'd best stay elsewhere. We're not here for sightseeing," replied his much more disciplined comrade.

"Hey, that's not fair!" commented Sain.

"The inn will be fine, Kent," said Lyn, giggling.

"As you say, milady."

"Um...Lyn?" asked Florina.

"What is it?"

"Um... I think I see bandits in the distance..." was her timid reply. Ever since last night's incident, she almost never talked.

"What? Again? Those guys are really something..." commented Hiro.

"(sigh) You guys again?" Wil asked a bandit walking near them.

"Don't think you're getting away that easily! If you think we'd just let you pass, the people will think that the Ganelon bandits have gone soft!" Dorcas walked towards him, towering over the bandit. "Eeek!" and he ran away. After a safe distance, he yelled, "ATTACK! And no holding back this time, just because there are women with them! Wipe them all out!"

Karla, now far from Ostia, decided to rest at a village. On the way to the inn, she met an old man, who was limping, and then fell down on the ground for no reason. Karla walked towards him. "Sir! Are you all right, sir?" she asked him.

"...I'm fine, lass, I'm fine. Thank you. Um, could I ask you a favor?" asked the old man.

"Um...sure."

"I need you to find me an Antidote. My grandson is has been hit by a poisonous insect while hunting, and is affected by a really toxic poison. The store in the village doesn't have any, and as you can see, I'm in no condition to get some from the neighboring village," said the old man.

"Which way is that village?" asked Karla.

"It's just southwest of here, towards the route that leads to Pherae," replied the old man.

"Okay, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Meanwhile:

"Oooh...we're lost. This makes me sooo mad!" said a pink haired cleric.

"...(Sigh) you told me you were certain that this was the correct path..." replied her purple haired companion.

"What's your point, Erk? What are you trying to say?" asked the cleric.

"I swear you are NOT the person I was paid to escort..."replied the boy.

"What? What's that supposed to mean?" shouted the girl.

'My ears...Elimine, smite me now...okay, that didn't work.' "I heard someone was needed to escort a frail Lycian priestess to Ostia..."complained Erk.

"Yes, and I am that priestess!" said the cleric.

"Frail? You? Serra, you have no need of any escort to protect you. Even the most hardened criminal would flee in terror after five minutes in your company. I'll return your money. Gladly. Now, will you please go on to Ostia alone?" pleaded Erk.

"NO! You're MY escort, Erk! MINE! You're so clean and tidy. A noblewoman like myself can't be seen without a proper escort. Your personality's nothing special, but you're not bad to look at," replied Serra.

"I believe that's my line. And I have to take you all the way to Ostia? I only hope my nerves can endure the journey," mumbled Erk.

"What are you mumbling about? You're so gloomy! Hm? Something's happening over there. Let's take a look!" said Serra, as she headed towards the commotion.

"Ah. Of course. The first opportunity to get involved in trouble, and she jumps right in. No amount of money is worth this. Hoo..." complained Erk, who ran after her. 'You know, maybe I should just leave her here...no, it'd look bad on my records...I think...'

"Wow! A fight! A fight! Erk! Take a look! Fighting those bandits... It's a young girl!" exclaimed an ecstatic Serra.

"Quiet! They might hear us!" instructed Erk.

A bandit walked nearby and noticed them. "Eh? What's this? Are you in league with that she-devil?" asked the bandit.

"Hm?" asked Serra, just noticing him.

"Oi...this is so wrong..." complained Erk.

"GAAA! I'll take care of you in one swift stroke!" shouted the bandit.

"KYAAA! ERK SAVE ME I DON'T WANT TO DIEEEE!" shouted Serra.

"My poor ears...(sighs) You there! See if you can match me!" shouted Erk at the bandit. 'Once we reach a town, I am SO getting my ears checked...'

Birds flew off in from a nearby forest following a VERY loud scream. "What was that?" asked Lyn. "I'll go check it out," volunteered Hiro, who dashed towards the noise.

Erk dodged a heavy blow from the axe while pushing Serra aside. However, the bandit kicked his gut, and he went flying. He then jumped towards Erk again. Erk rolled to his left, but the bandit's axe cut his right arm. 'Damn,' he thought. Then he got up, and started chanting. A fireball flew out of his hands and charred the bandit in midstrike.

"Hey!" Hiro greeted the strange pair.

"Hm?" Serra noticed him.

"Why are you fighting these bandits?" asked Hiro.

"It just happened..." answered Erk

"Are you with that young green haired woman?" asked Serra.

"Um...yes," replied Hiro.

"Those ruffians thought that we were with you! You got us into a terrible situation! Now, how are you going to get us out?" shouted Serra.

"Serra, if you'd not been so meddlesome, this all could have been avoided. My apologies. Please trouble yourself with us no more," Erk said to Hiro.

"But...since we have to fight the bandits anyway, why not join up with us for now?" Hiro offered.

"Good idea! Erk, go and help them!" commanded Serra.

"But...I...Fine!" huffed Erk. He knew it was no good to argue with Serra when she started giving out commands.

"My name's Hiro; I'm the group's tactician. Pleased to meet you two. So, will you join up arms with us?" asked the myrmidon.

"Yes, we'd be glad to. My name is Serra, This is my escort, Erk. Be a good boy, and go fight now, Erk," commanded the cleric, who ran off towards Hiro's group.

"Did I make the right choice?" Hiro asked the mage.

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into man," replied Erk.

"Come on, Erk," said Serra, pulling him by the ear. "Ow..."

"Hello. You're Lyn, right? I'm Serra. Nice to meet you. By the way, see this contrary mage here with me? His name is Erk. I think he's been hurt. I am Erk's employer. "Master", I suppose you could say. What I'm getting at is... I was thinking of healing him free of charge. I know, I know. I'm generous to a fault. Hm? Why are you looking at me like that? Praise my generosity! Anyway, that's the deal," Serra said without taking a breath, her hand still holding Erk's ear.

When Serra finished, Lyn was still gaping in surprise. "...You're a cleric?" she asked.

"Yes! Is something the matter?" replied Serra.

"...Oh...nothing..." was Lyn's reply.

"...Hiro, right? You say you're the group's tactician?" asked Erk.

"That's correct. I also happen to be a myrmidon and mage, but my Fimbulvetr tome is missing after a rather dangerous battle," Hiro replied.

"I see," replied Erk. "Rich boy. You had a Fimbulvetr tome, and you lost it."

"I wish. Say, do you have an extra tome on you?" asked Hiro.

"It's nothing much though. I was only given enough money to buy a Fire tome. Nobles are so cheap these days," commented Erk.

"Thanks, it'll be good enough," commented Hiro. "So...are you like, her man-b!tch now?" asked Hiro.

"It's even worse than that," said Erk, as he sighed. "I'll give you all the details later..."

"ERK!" called Serra.

"(sigh) What is it now..." asked the mage.

"I'm going to show these people the power of a cleric!" She starts waving her staff around, and chanted. A healing light appeared over Erk.

"Why...thank you!" said a surprised Erk.

"You're welcome. Now run along and go fight the bandits, okay?"

"Well, at least she seems...generous," commented Hiro.

"You know nothing," replied Erk, as the two rushed towards the bandit leader.

"You're gonna learn why people fear the Ganelon Bandits!" yelled the leader.

"Yeah, yeah..." said Hiro, who then dashed at the bandit with lightning speed. The bandit swung his axe towards Hiro vertically, thinking that the myrmidon wouldn't be able to stop before impact. Hiro jumped to the side while doing a spinning slash to the bandit's gut. The bandit growled. "Erk!" called Hiro. The bandit turned towards the mage, and was blasted in the gut by a fireball. He was sent flying towards Hiro, who kicked the bandit's back. "GAH!" yelled the bandit. He then charged at Hiro out of fury, and slashed his axe like crazy...and missed every single strike. Hiro then signaled for Erk again. Erk blasted another fireball at the bandit, who was too occupied on hitting Hiro, and barbequed him. "Never lose your cool in a fight; it could cost you victory," commented Hiro, shaking his finger. "That was good teamwork there, Erk."

"Thank you," replied the mage.

Hiro arrived with Erk... to find Sain trying to woo Serra.

"...Is he for real?" asked Erk in disbelief.

"...Oh yeah," replied Hiro.

"Oh, Erk! Finally! Well, Sain here told me that Lady Lyndis here is the Marquess of Caelin's granddaughter! Guess what I'm thinking?" asked Serra.

"What devilry are you planning now, Serra?" asked a tired Erk.

"Well, we're going to help her. It always helps to have a powerful person in your debt," she replied.

"...Why?" asked the cynical mage.

"...You know, why should we go with you anyway? Are you being hunted or something?" asked Serra.

"Well, actually, yes. Assassins everywhere. It's an inheritance dispute," replied Sain. "Well then, my healing staff and Erk's magic should be a good help for you all!" said the energetic cleric.

"I should be getting paid more for this..." complained Erk.

"Aww, don't be such a scrooge, Erk," said Serra, tapping his head with her heal staff.

"So you're with us now, huh?" Odin asked the mage.

"Yeah, but I wished I was getting paid more," replied the mage. "So, anything good happen before I joined?" he asked.

"Oh, man you really need hear this," said Hiro.

"HEY! Don't do it...Don't tell him, PLEAZEEE!" begged Wil.

"Relax, everybody had their embarrassing moments. It's just that yours is...rather unexpected..." replied Hiro. So he told Erk what happened, and everyone laughed. Except Wil, who was red as a tomato, curled up in the fetal position of SHAME.

"Oh, well, here's my story," said Erk. "As part of my training to become a sage, I was told to become an escort for a few missions. It was a good job, at the start. It pays really well, you know? Then, after my 4th mission, I walked into a town. I entered the town's church, looking for my employer. Guess who it was, to my dismay. Well, she paid well; about 1500g. I thought, excellent, right? Easy money. WRONG. My ears were dying almost all of the way, and I couldn't just leave her because it would look bad on my record," finished Erk, as he sighed again.

"That's just sad, man," commented Odin. "Well, I better get back to guard duty."

The cavaliers were on guard as the boys traded stories. The girls then took a bath in a nearby river. "Well, why don't you go spy on Florina, Wil?" asked Erk. Wil blushed, and entered the fetal position of shame again.

At Castle Caelin:

"WHAT! SHE ALREADY CROSSED THE BORDER!" yelled Lundgren in his rage. "Yes, Lord Lundgren, she's en route to Araphen..." replied a soldier. "Fool! Send out soldiers to meet her! Hold nothing back! Do anything to finish this now! First the old man, and now the girl... They cling to life like a drowning man to a rock! Double the poison's strength! If he struggles, hold him down and pour it down his throat! Once the girl is gone, Caelin is mine. I will let no one stand in my way!" commanded the angry general.

'Don't worry, old man, I'll get the antidote,' thought Karla as she ran towards the neighboring village to the old man's.

'Where could she be now?' thought Kyo, as he approached Castle Pherae.

'Kyo...please come back soon,' thought Fiaa.

End Lyn Chapter 5

R&R. Stopping now because The 70's Show is about to go on.