Zornhut: Chapter 6
Author's note: Zornhut, or Guard of Wrath, is one of the main guard positions in medieval sword techniques. Also, I've opted for the game's default name for the tactician, Mark.
Eliwood slowed his pace and gradually fell back from the head of the marching column to the rear, exchanging a few words of greeting to the members of the company as they passed.
"Good day," he said cheerfully once he found just the person he wanted to talk to.
"Good day, Lord Eliwood," Raven replied, a little surprised.
Eliwood had always made it a point to occasionally have a short talk or two with each member of the company; his late father, Lord Elbert, had always stressed the importance of building trust with one's troops and one of the best ways of doing so was to talk with them. He had been meaning to have one with Raven for a while now--ever since the little incident in the small farming village, in fact--but for some reason, the mercenary had been rather hard to find lately.
When he mentioned it to Raven, the other man looked somewhat amused. "Hard to find? It's really nothing, Lord Eliwood, it's just that--"
"Hey! You there!"
Eliwood turned and saw Bartre running towards them from the head of the column, waving what looked to be a roll of parchment in his right hand.
Raven's expression turned slightly pained.
"I've been looking for you for ages, youngster!" said Bartre, once he reached them. "Never thought you'd be back here, you're always somewhere at the front..."
Eliwood cleared his throat. "Bartre? If you don't mind, could you postpone your discussion with Raven for now? I need to have a word with him."
"Eh?" The axeman scratched the back of his head for a bit before he replied, "But I... Ah, I guess this can wait. Later then, youngster!" He trotted off back to his place at the front of the column.
"Thank you," Raven said, grateful.
"You're welcome. I suppose that is why you've been rather elusive lately." Seeing Raven nod in affirmation, Eliwood continued, "Well then, what is that parchment he's carrying, by the way?"
Raven sighed. "His family tree. I do not know why, but the man insists on me reading it."
Eliwood blinked. "I see... I think." He smiled.
"Milord?"
"Nothing, nothing. I was just wondering why some people in our party are, well, rather intimidated by you. Bartre seems to have no problems seeking your company."
"Intimidated?" Raven sounded amused.
"Yes."
The corners of Raven's mouth turned slightly upwards in a very small smile. "In that case, milord, you should tell them that they've nothing to fear from me."
Eliwood smiled and absently ran his left hand through his hair. "Well, I suppose you could tell them yourself." He sighed. "Anyway, I've been meaning to have a word with you for a while now."
The mercenary stiffened slightly. "On what?" he asked.
"Well, nothing specific. I just wanted to talk, that is all," Eliwood said in reassurance. Wonder why he's so tense? "Why, worried that I was going to renegotiate your pay?" he joked. Raven glanced at him, and for a moment Eliwood thought that he had somehow offended the other man, but felt relieved when he heard Raven chuckle. Feeling a change of subject was in order, he asked, "So how is your new equipment?" Hector had mentioned to him last night that Raven now had a Hero Crest; before they set off from Pherae this morning he told the mercenary the man could have his pick from the company's cache of weapons in Merlinus' wagon and the royal armoury.
Raven had traded his brigandine for mail, and now had a simple footman's shield strapped to his left arm. Aside from the sword he usually wore, there was a battle-axe fastened on his back, while a small hand axe hung from his belt. "All is in order, milord," the mercenary answered. There was a short pause before he added, "Thank you."
"I do not know what changes those magical items bring, so if you've something else you need--well, do not hesitate to ask," Eliwood said. "So what's it like?" he asked.
Raven looked thoughtful for a moment before he answered, "At first, I thought that nothing had changed--I certainly didn't feel any different. But early this morning, when I was at my swordplay exercises, I noticed some things." He tapped the shield he wore and continued, "I never would have worn this before. I never considered myself fast enough to perfectly handle both sword and shield, only the former. But that crest--it's made me faster and I daresay, stronger, and I swear that my skills with the blade are much sharper than before."
"I see you've also an axe."
"Yes. I had some training with the axe, but I have never developed much taste for the weapon--it was just too clumsy and heavy for me. But now since I've that crest, I thought that I would try using it again. Especially with how we seem to run into a lot of lance-wielders lately." The mercenary shrugged. "I'm a little bit rusty, but maybe I can get Bartre to spar with me. Even if that means having to look at that family tree of his."
"Well, I think there is a way I can spare you from that. Hector's one of the best fighters I've known, and I know no one better with the axe. Perhaps I could ask him to spar with you--"
"That will not be necessary, milord," Raven interrupted, his tone sharp; Eliwood almost winced. "That is," the mercenary added quickly in a much gentler tone, "I'd rather train on my own than having to trouble you."
"Well... if you wish. Although I do think it would not be of great trouble at all. Are you sure?"
"Quite sure." A short pause before Raven added as an explanation, "Let's just say that my past experiences with Ostians have never been anything but unpleasant, milord."
"Well then, I assure you that you've nothing to worry about Hector. Most people find him a little daunting and rather brash at first, but he is one of, if not the most honourable man I know, and I trust him with my life."
"Milord is entitled to his opinion, as I am entitled to mine," said the mercenary in a tone that invited no further discussion.
Taking the hint, Eliwood nodded and said, "Well, I'd best get back to the head of the column. Take care, Raven."
"Thank you, milord."
Eliwood hurried back to his customary place at the front of the company, at the same time wondering what brought on Raven's almost hostile reaction to his suggestion. "What's with the look on your face?" Hector asked when he finally caught up with his friends.
"Oh, nothing really. I just had a talk with your friend, the mercenary."
Hector raised his left eyebrow. "Friend? I don't think he even likes me."
"And what makes you say so?"
"The way he looks at me with that scowl on his face. Yes, I know that he scowls at everyone, but I swear he scowls even more so at me, if that makes any sense."
"Odd," Eliwood said, frowning slightly, "Raven said something about unpleasant past experiences with Ostians. I wonder what he meant."
Hector shrugged. "Probably a previous employer. Mercenaries tend to get lousy contracts most of the time, or so I've heard." The Ostian lordling then turned to look at Lyndis, clearly expecting something.
"What?" she asked, a little bit confused.
"Never mind. I was sort of expecting you to say something that would make me look foolish. Pardon, my mistake."
The swordswoman rolled her eyes.
"So what did you talk about?" Hector asked.
"Nothing really, we just talked about his new weapons and equipment. I doubt that I could carry on a long conversation with him anyway. He seems to be the sort of person whom would volunteer nothing of himself."
"Well, I know this person," Lyndis said innocently, "and when he talks, he would say nothing of use."
"Hey!"
For someone who was undoubtedly shaking with laughter, Eliwood's voice was surprisingly calm. "He also said that he's now using axes in battle, so I suggested that you could spar with him, Hector."
"And?"
"He said no. Strongly, in fact."
Hector was puzzled. "Why? I think it would be a good idea."
"Maybe he does not want advice from someone who merely swings his axe wildly," Lyndis said.
Hector gave her a look. "Well, that someone bested you in our last sparring match with his wild axe-swinging," he said, and had the brief satisfaction of seeing the swordswoman flush slightly in embarrassment before he turned his attention back to Eliwood. "You know, I think a sparring round or two with him would be good. Both for him and me."
"But Hector, he already said that he'd rather not."
Hector was not listening, however. "I wonder if Oswin can help rig up a makeshift pell for us," he said, "or perhaps I should ask that Marcus, I noticed he had one for Lowen to practice on a week ago..." The Ostian lordling turned back and headed for the middle of the column, looking for his man-at-arms.
Eliwood could only sigh.
---
"So, what did Lord Eliwood say to you this morning, Lord Raymond?" Lucius asked as he sat down next to the other man and handed him a small roll of bread. The company had camped for the night and the two young men were at their usual spot, near the edges of the camp, where they could talk in private and Lucius was comfortable enough to use Raven's real name. The rest of the company sat around the main campfire, where Nils was playing a merry song on his flute.
"He just wanted to ask how I was faring and if I needed anything. Small talk, nothing more," Raven answered, tearing off a small chunk of bread from the hard roll and chewed on it. "He also mentioned that some of this rag-tag bunch find me intimidating."
"I can't imagine why."
"Was that a joke?" When Lucius nodded in reply, Raven shook his head and smiled, just a little. "You're in a good mood today."
"So are you, Lord Raymond." There was a long pause before Lucius asked, "Pherae reminded you of home, didn't it?"
"You know me too well, Lucius."
"It was the same for me. I--"
"What's going on over there?" Raven asked and drew himself up, staring at the campfire.
Wondering what had caught the other man's attention, Lucius turned to look. "Oh dear," he said when he saw just what Raven was focused on.
Sain was talking to Priscilla; although Lucius could not hear what the man said, judging by his gestures, the Caelin knight was trying to persuade her to permit him with a dance. The young woman shook her head and smiled, declining the offer, but the knight put on a hurt expression and tried again.
Obviously this did not sit very well with the young woman's brother.
Raven stormed off in the direction of the campfire with what Wil called his 'terrifying scowl' on his face; Lucius hurried after him. "Steady," the monk said, as he put his hand on Raven's arm in a gesture to calm the other man.
"That," Raven growled, not slowing his pace at all, "is my sister he's pestering."
"Yes, but Sain doesn't know that."
"Point," Raven admitted, "but I'm going to break the fool knight's arm anyway. And what is with that smile on your face, Lucius? I do not find this all too amusing!"
"It's nothing, Lord Raven," Lucius said, automatically switching to address the man by his new name, now that they were near the others. The monk did however, find the situation a little amusing--and rather sweet.
All those years apart and you still dote on her, Lord Raymond.
"My princess," Lucius heard Sain say, now that they were much closer, "please, a dance is all I ask! Your humble servant shall surely die, if you do not grant him this small favour!"
"Oh, he's going to die, all right," Raven said between gritted teeth, but Lucius held fast onto his sword arm.
"Now, Lord Raven," Lucius said softly, "Lady Priscilla can take care of herself." Raven's reply to that was only a grunt, but Lucius felt the man relax slightly. "Anyway," he continued in a slightly joking tone of voice, "I am definitely sure that she would not like to have blood on her clothes, should you decide to charge in there. Even if she does find Sain's attentions far too much of a nuisance, she could just hit him with her stave. Or perhaps, set his hair on fire."
Raven stared at him. "What?"
"Oh, you didn't know?" Lucius asked, surprised. When Raven shook his head, the monk explained, "She can use magic now---Mark gave her a Guiding Ring before we left Pherae."
"It wasn't Mark who gave me my crest."
"I think that's most likely because he's one of the people here who finds you intimidating."
"Ah." Raven shifted his attention back to Sain and Priscilla. The knight had given up on trying to convince his sister to dance and was now trying to get Rebecca to do so instead. Satisfied, he gently removed Lucius' hand from his arm. "I'll have to talk to him about that then," he said, heading back, "Eliwood said that it's best for me to convince him myself that I've nothing against him."
"You respect him, don't you? Lord Eliwood, I mean."
Raven nodded. "He takes good care of his men. And he's been handling this expedition well, even after all what has befallen him." The mercenary glanced back at the campfire and his eyes narrowed at the sight of Hector sitting next to the man in question. "It's only that I do not approve of some of the company he keeps."
---
Hector drank from his flask of wine, then coughed when he noticed that Oswin was looking at him, a look of disapproval on the older man's face. He took another quick sip before he put the flask away and turned his attention to Nils' music. "Too bad for the ones on watch," he said.
"Pardon?" Eliwood asked.
"Missing out on all this fun."
"Yes, I suppose so."
Hector gave his best friend a concerned look. "Are you all right, Eliwood? You sound a little... down."
Eliwood gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Hector. I'm just a little tired, that's all."
"If you say so." Hector glanced at the merriment around the fire and saw that Sain was trying to coerce Priscilla into dancing with him. A few members of the company cheered him on, but Hector immediately noticed at least one man who did not approve of Sain's actions.
Just right behind Bartre, who had just shouted a quick word of encouragement to Sain, stood a very angry-looking Raven. Lucius stood next to the mercenary, clearly trying his very best not to smile. The redhead looked about ready to murder someone; Hector could understand why their tactician was more than a little awed--no, terrified--of the man.
What Hector did not understand however, was why Raven had that murderous look on his face. "Eliwood," the Ostian lordling said, "there is something going on here that escapes me."
"I'm afraid that I have no idea what you're talking about, Hector," Eliwood said, a little baffled.
"Never mind." Hector shrugged, and then noticed that Oswin had a thoughtful expression on his face. "Oswin? What is it?"
The knight was looking at the mercenary, who had just turned away from the campfire, before he glanced back at Sain and Priscilla; the Caelin knight had finally accepted that the object of his attentions was not interested in a merry little jig and now looked for someone else to cajole.
"Nothing, Lord Hector," Oswin said, still looking thoughtful, "nothing at all."
