Chapter Three: Unbelievable News
Sacae near the end of the day (Lucius)
Raven hadn't told Lucius of what he thinks will scare both Lucius and the Children even though they keep asking. They were going deeper into Sacae. And the group can hear a scream clearly now. "NOOO! YOU CANNOT!" "What was that? Brother Lucius…" "It seems someone is in trouble… Lord Raven… Let's help them." "What about you? You cannot…" Before Raven could finish one of the children cut in exclaiming what Lucius had taught them. "We are supposed to help others in need are we not?" "It is not your business!" "Lord Raymond please don't scare them!" Then the scream came again. "Ahhhh!" "There it is again… Please we should go help…" Lucius pleaded. Walking into a clearing Raven saw an Axe Man aiming at a young Sage who was tied up to a tree unconscious and a girl was crying. She was also tied up but she was screaming for them to stop. The bandits only hit her instead of her friend. She was holding tightly onto something. "So you have changed your mind? Then I'll kill him!" "No!" "Look It's Erk and Nino!" Lucius exclaimed meekly as he tried to use his light magic spell Divine. "Lucius! Help us please! They'll kill Erk!" "I'm trying…" "What's wrong…?" Nino was surprised to see him so weak and his voice was barely above a whisper… Then Erk woke up and noticed Raven and Lucius with six children… "Lucius?" Seeing Lucius and the Children the Bandits try to attack them but Raven swiftly annihilated half of them with one arm and freeing both Erk and Nino. The rest of the Bandits fled as soon as they realized that they were no match for Raven's Silver Blade. "You were the bishop that Araphran umm attacked?" Nino wondered. "Yes. Thanks to Lord Raven we survived…" Lucius tried to explain and Raven cut in. "Barely! You should see how severe his…" Catching himself just in time to stop himself Raven hastily tried to cover up his mistake by changing the subject. "Why are you here?" "We were here studying when we heard some people talking about a Bishop has been attacked by the Marquess of Araphran and was taken away by a Mercenary so we wanted to help." "Erk! Are you okay…? They attacked you nonstop!" "I'll be alright, Nino, are you?" "Erk, Nino, Here! These two staves both have one use left, heal yourselves!" Lucius said handing them the staves. Nino took a staff and Healed Erk shattering one of the precious items. A Sigh of Relief escaped Nino as she now knows Erk will be okay. But new worry crossed her when she realized that Lucius looked very pale and she remembered what the Sacaen said… "Lucius… Um… How badly is he hurt, Raven?" Nino asked worried. "Erk You can check him, but do not let him know!" Lucius had fainted again after handing Nino the Staves. Once Erk saw how severely Lucius was hurt he quickly used the other heal for Lucius. "He lost too much blood. It's still very dangerous!" Erk commented lightly to Raven so no one else will hear. "We should find shelter; The weather does not look promising. We cannot risk him getting sick at this moment!"
Illia
It was pretty peaceful after the conflict. All Units continues their work sending people in and out. Then something suspicious happened. A file that belonged Lycia was found. That was an important file. It contained secrets that should be confidential. The Lycian had been searching for this information. It was somewhat dangerous for others to have it. The People of Illia were all worried and scared because they did not know what best to make of it. Should they learn this secret or give it back to Lycia? More Importantly everyone wants these files so it also puts Illia in danger. Florina who had returned home for some time was training to become a better Pegasus knight decides to intercept and take the files back to Lycia for a few purpose. She has discovered her long time friend has planned to head out to a close by city of Lycia and she had no contact of that friend so now she needs a reason to go to Lycia. "Um… I… I…" "What is it Florina?" "Well… I um… I think… They won't really mind if… if we returned these to… to them…?" She offered meekly "What do you mean?" "I… I'm going to Araphran. I-I can p-pass by Pherae and g-give t-this to lord Eliwood…" "You are going to Araphran by yourself? Why?" "I… I have to get there to… to talk with Lyn. It's been a while, I want to go see her. She lives with Lord Hector but… They are always so busy and… Ostia is so far… So This time I want to catch her in Araphran." Florina explained. "We do not know for sure that Lyn will be there. The Messenger said the Marquess of Araphran was going to kick out an orphanage and both Ostia and Pherae acted against it and has sent troop out to either aid or argue with Araphran." "I believe in Lord Eliwood and Lord Hector! And Lyn too! If it's something this important, She will come personally! Especially since it is the risk of one of her friend's life!" Florina countered but it wasn't enough… "It is already dangerous as is plus you offer this file they may think we have stolen it…" "But I can take care of myself now!" "Not that you can't it's just that the Lycians are sensitive about this file!" "So… You don't trust me… Sniff A-and Lyn… L-lord Eliwood and Everyone…" She cried. "No, no, we trust you but those lycian… Not all of them are nice and about this file it… well… Why do we have to be the ones to find it?" "What?" "Their affairs have nothing to do with Illia originally. But now that we have this, they will most likely mistake us…" "Which is why I need to go! If I have a word with Lord Eliwood, I'm sure everything will be fine! Fiora will say the same too!" Silence followed and then Florina took the files, mounted Huey and flew off into the direction of the Lycian territory.
Etruria
In the palace of Etruria King Mordred was busy with the many affairs while their young child the prince was learning about his position. The King was thinking who would best fit the Mage General after the Regley Family had retired. "Erk had refused and left Etruria." "Your Majesty! This person claims that he has an important message from an orphanage." "Bring him in." The messenger entered and quietly waited for instructions. "What news do you have?" "I'm sorry to bother you; you see about twelve to fifteen years ago I was in the area. I helped the orphanage a little that time. There was a boy in the orphanage that looked extremely beautiful. It did not occur to us at the time but now we've seen the young Prince, Mildain, and I say he looked just like him. When I saw that boy he was about Prince Mildain's current age. So we were thinking that maybe that boy could be the son you said you were searching for some eighteen years ago." "But he was dead… We've looked and no one had him." "It's a possibility. He was brought in to the orphanage at age three and was born in January. It matched your search." "Yes. The search form had his birth month and his age… So he's alive… We have to find him!" "How? We don't even know where he is." "Send troop to all the countries. Ask them if anyone has seen a blond twenty-two year-old male who was born in Etruria in January." "Not many people will know every man's age would they?" "And there's another problem. There are many people born in in the same day. And people will pretend also." "Besides we do not know if he is alive or dead now right? He must have left the orphanage by now. He could have already died." "Then what do you suggest we do?" "We still have Prince Mildain." "No! We have to find him." The King sent word to notify Pent about the situation for a suggestion. Then he continues to think up a replacement.
Sacae that same night. (Orphans)
The rain was coming down hard as a thunderstorm came on. It was frightening for the young children. "Ahh Brother!" "Brother!" "Shh Lucius is still sleeping. I'll play with you." Nino said trying to calm the kids. "I'm scared…" The kids were screaming and crying it alerted Lucius and woke him up. "What's going on…?" "We are in a small hotel room." Erk answered. "You have passed out." "You've restored me with the last heal staff didn't you?" "Yes. I did. But you are still in no condition to be moving around yet. It did not heal you completely and you have lost much blood." "Where's Lord Raven?" "He went to get some food. He left about ten minuets ago." "When did we get here?" "Right when the weather changed." "The children…" "They are all here. Nino's tending to them. Leave them to us. You should just rest." "Thank you Erk." The children were still screaming making it hard for Lucius to get back to sleep. "Please, Children, There is really nothing to be afraid of. Erk and Nino will protect us as will Lord Raven." "Lucius! I tried to calm them but they won't listen. I'm sorry." "It's okay Nino, Now I'm really tired. Will you please be quiet and let me have a rest? Nino or Erk will tell you a story okay? Is that okay? Will you help me with a storytelling and putting them to bed after dinner?" "Yes. You can count on us." Lucius smiled and the children calmed as Nino started to tell them about her. The door opened and Raven came in. After Dinner Lucius went back to bed as Erk started reading to the kids.
Border of Araphran (Lyndis)
The group headed back to Ostia in despair. Even Serra was silently crying. Lyndis thought about the situation over and one part did not make much sense to her. "Hector… About Raven…" "He was some guy yea. But Blast! That Marquess… I have to tell this to my brother!" "No… I do not think Lucius is dead… I mean, Raven would have killed them…" At this Serra snapped to attention but kept quiet to hear about it. "What do you mean?" Serra and Hector asked in unison but since Serra's voice was softer this time you can hardly hear her over Hectors shocked voice. "Do you remember at the end of the war what Raven told us?" "His past?" "You told me that he was after your life for revenge purpose. It was because Lucius talked sense into him that he stopped. Priscilla had once said that he and Lucius are as close as brothers so if he couldn't forgive you for Cornwell's downfall, would he not avenge Lucius' death?" "Are you saying that he is alive?" "Most likely." "LYN!" "Florina? What are you doing here? Where are you going?" "I heard you were in the area so I took a job to come here." "What is it?" "Here." "What's this?" "I don't know. But I think Lord Eliwood would." "Oh. It's nice to see you. Did you hear about what happened here too?" "Yes. On my way here a while back I heard that the Bishop was taken to Sacae by a Mercenary." "I think he is still alive." "Well I have to go. See you later." Florina flies off into the direction of Pherae as the group continues their way back to Ostia.
