ShadowedTactician: Alright, I'm done with this chapter.
Imppala: You've certainly increased your efficiency rate.
ShadowedTactician: Must be the extra time I have for this week. Anyway, since you're not appearing yet, I've decided to make you a muse... for this fanfiction only.
Imppala: Well, I suppose it's better than nothing... where's Grim?
ShadowedTactican: He's in my oxygen chamber at the moment.
Imppala: O... kay.

ShadowAngelUmbreon
ShadowedTactician: Thanks for the review. And next time, please don't hug Grim too hard.

Gijinka Renamon
ShadowedTactician: Hello again, Gijinka Renamon! Now allow Imppala to analyse your choices...
Imppala: Hmmm... not bad selections for Eliwood and Nergal, except the Salamence. Probably too violent for Eliwood. Hariyama doesn't really fit Hector, and as for Athos... maybe you should think along legendary lines.

Imppala
ShadowedTactician: Thanks, bro. Though I've got to mention one thing... you can't spell!
Imppala: Fine... It's not like you're completely error-free either.

Generic Reviewer
ShadowedTactician: To start with, I gave Serra Exploud because it makes big uproars just like she does. But since we just met her, she gets a Basic form. Dorcas is the only exception because... well, can you imagine him using a Poliwag?

Toxic Bishounen
ShadowedTactician: Some of the the Pokémon will indeed be changing. While some will evolve prior to chapters, some people will get new Pokémon prior to chapters, as well as along the way. As for Erk's selection, I was mainly keeping the elements of his attacks in mind when I selected Pokémon for him. Granted, he and Slugma don't have much in common, and rather much more for his new one in Chapter 14: False Friends. However, it's not impossible for me to give him Slowking later on.
Imppala: Nils getting a Bagon... not really a good selection, in my opinion. Nils isn't really the offensive type; his purpose is mainly to support... as ShadowedTactician's choice for him is explained.
ShadowedTactician: Vaida has Salamence in the cards, and it's pretty likely that she's getting it in this fanfiction too. Lucius is getting a certain Pokémon that looks a lot like a girl... but this Pokémon's gender ratio is fifty-fifty, so it's possible to be a male. Concerning Wil, I'll mull it over.


Chapter 6: Blood of Pride/VS Tauros

At long last, Lyn arrives in the land of her mother's birth. Lycia is a federation of territories, each one ruled by a powerful marquess. Now, Lyn takes her leave of one of these territories, Araphen and sets out to meet her grandfather, the marquess of Caelin. However, the marquess' brother, Lundgren, hungers to rule Caelin. He is preparing a deadly welcome for Lyn, who stands to threaten his grasp for power.
"What city is this?" Lyn asked as her group entered a town square.

"This? This is Araphen. After Ostia, it's the second-biggest city in Lycia," explained Sain.

"The second biggest, hm? It does seem awfully busy..." mused the plainsgirl. "By the way, where's Kent?"

"He said he was going ahead to the castle, but..." Sain turned around to see Kent riding into view with a smile on his face. "Ah, here he comes now."

"Milady Lyndis! Let us proceed to the castle." Kent said brightly, "They've prepared supplies for us. The marquess has agreed to aid us on our journey to Caelin."

"He's going to help us?" Lyn could not believe her ears.

"Yes," answered Kent. "Araphen and Caelin have enjoyed a sturdy relationship for many years. Once I informed the marquess of our plight, he agreed to lend us his strength."

"Looks like we've got a smooth road ahead!" cheered Sain.

"If we could pick up some soldiers, the road to Caelin would be that much safer. I'm truly sorry for hardships you've suffered so far," apologised Kent.

"Don't be silly." Lyn smiled. "You are so capable, Kent."

"Kent?" Sain exclaimed. The cavalier in question was blushing as red as his armour.

"Hm? Oh, and so are you, Sain," Lyn quickly added. "Of course I am!" boasted the green knight.

"The castle awaits..." Kent trailed, finally getting his voice back. As the group made their way to the palace, however, all did not appear well...

"This is terrible!" A villager yelled as he ran past Lyn's comrades, along with other fleeing townsfolk. "The castle is burning!"

"What did you say?" Sain quickly pulled the reins on Ponyta, making it screech to a halt. "What's happening?"

"Smoke! From the castle!" the villager babbled. "Hey!" He suddenly shouted, "What are those men doing?" A group of men had rushed from around the castle, stopping in front of Lyn and her friends. The red-haired man in front confronted Lyn with his sword. "Who are you?" asked Lyn.

"You! You're Lyndis, aren't you?" The mercenary challenged. "Ah!" Lyn gasped. "What do you..."

"No questions! Prepare yourself!" Without warning, the swordsman leapt into the air, ready to strike. Just before he could bring down the blade, the mercenary's face suddenly contorted with agony, and he fell to the ground in a heap. "Aaaargg! Aaaaah!" He screamed in utmost pain.

"What?" Lyn was confused by the sudden turn of events. Then, she noticed a stick-like object poking out from the swordsman's waist. "An... arrow?" She looked up to see that the rest of the men had dispersed, with a mysterious person on a horse in their place. This man had the features of a nomad, with his brown tribal clothes, pale yellow skin, green hair and jade earrings. The bow in his hand made Lyn realise that he was the one who had saved her. "Who are..."

"Milady Lyndis!" Kent cried as he rode aside her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. He... this man saved me." Lyn replied breathlessly.

"May I ask your name?" asked Kent. The nomad said nothing, but simply turned to go away. "Wait!" shouted Lyn. "Why did you help me?"

"I thought a Sacaen plainswoman was being attacked," the stranger said simply without turning back. "I was mistaken..."

"No, you were right! I am from Sacae! I'm Lyn, the daughter of the Lorca chieftain!"

"The Lorca?" The nomad faced Lyn, apparently shocked. "There were survivors?"

"Yes!"

"You should leave at once," warned the nomad. "A blaze has started in the castle, and its spreading. Don't be foolish and waste the life I just saved."

"You're from the castle? What's happening? How severe is the fire? Is the marquess safe?" Lyn asked question after question.

"The castle is under attack, and the marquess has been accosted," the stranger answered. "The man who attacked you was probably one of the marauders. As captain of the castle guard, it's my duty to rescue the marquess."

"I see... All right then, we'll help you." Lyn offered her assistance.

"Milady?" Kent looked at Lyn, surprised.

"Why?" The nomad asked.

"These brigands are after me. If they're attacking the castle... it's because of me," Lyn confessed. "So I must help if I can..."

"Mm. It sounds like you're involved somehow..." The nomad pulled the reins of his horse. "Let's go."

"You'll accept our aid?" asked Lyn excitedly. Kent gave her a slightly disapproving look, while the nomad merely nodded. "I am Rath of the Kutolah," he finally introduced. "Our tribes may be different, but I will not abandon a woman of Sacae."

"Thank you, Rath!" gushed Lyn. "A thousand blessings upon you!"

"And a thousand curses upon our enemy!" nodded Rath.

"Come!" Lyn waved to the others to gather round.


"You!" A woman screamed shrilly. "What are you doing in my house!" She yelled to a sandy-haired man dressed in green clothes and a red cloak. He had a purple monkey-like animal perched on his shoulder.

"Peace! I mean no danger to you!" The man smiled as he raised both his hands. "Your home offers a good view of the battle outside. Look," he produced a few coins from his pocket, "I'll pay you for the privilege. Please."

"Like a vulture waiting for the spoils, eh? Terrible!" The woman shook her head as she took the man's payment. "I'll be hiding below, so don't bother me."

"I wouldn't dream of it!" The man laughed as the woman disappeared down a trapdoor, still shaking her head. "Now then, which side has the most to offer?" he mused. "Ai!" nodded the creature beside him.


"Once the marquess is safe, my men can move in," Rath told Lyn. "Perhaps the secret passageway..."

"Secret passageway?"

"There's an underground tunnel leading to the throne room," answered Rath. "There are triggers in the barracks that will open the tunnel."

"So we head through the passage to the throne room, and rescue the marquess first," Shadow rubbed his chin. "Can you drive the enemy from the castle once we've done that?" Rath nodded. "If we can release those triggers, my men and I can handle the rest..." The nomad paused. "There are three triggers, though. All three need to be released, or the entrance won't open."

"But... the doors to the barracks are locked." Lyn noted.

"The enemy's within. If we don't get inside and finish them, we're stuck," said Rath.

"So, opening those doors is our first objective..." Lyn frowned. "What shall we do, Shadow? We don't have any keys with us..."

"Perhaps some of the marauders are carrying keys," suggested the tactician. "Maybe we ought to ask around for information." There seemed no other possible course of action, so Lyn and Shadow headed over to a house to ask for help. Just as Lyn was about to knock on the door, it opened by itself, revealing none other than the sandy-haired stranger and his primate companion.

"Hey, you!" he called to Lyn. "Can I talk to you?"

"Who are you?" asked the plainsgirl.

"I'm Matthew, a specialist in acquisitions of all kinds. This is my buddy, Aipom," he introduced. "Would you like to buy my services?"

"I've no need for a thief," Lyn replied curtly.

"Really?" Matthew smirked. "And how do you plan on opening the barrack doors?"

"What?" Lyn gasped. "How did you know about..."

"Bullseye!" Matthew smiled at Lyn, who had her eyes narrowed. "Don't be mad. Hire me! For you, I'll even lower my normal rate," he offered.

"We do need those doors opened..." Shadow piped up. Lyn sighed. "Okay. You're hired," she said to Matthew. "But... why did you choose to ally yourself with me?"

"Hm? I was watching the battle from up above. Your group looked like a lot more fun than the dead guy," answered Matthew with a grin. "Pretty simple, really."

"You're so... odd," was all Lyn could say as she went to rejoin the group.

"It's time to get to work, Aipom!" Matthew stretched his arms. The Long Tail Pokémon on his shoulder simply jumped to the ground, landing on its tail hand. "Pardon! You're Shadow, right? Please tell me what to do."

"Alright." The tactician looked around, then pointed to a locked door. "I need to see what you can do, so try opening that door over there."

"Easy!" Matthew swiftly dashed over to the lock, and with a few quick moves of his lockpick, the door sprang open without warning. "Ta-dah!"

"Impressive," Shadow smiled. "Ah, there appears to be a floor tile that looks different from the others... Rath!" He called the nomad over. "Is this one of the switches?"

"...Indeed," Rath rode into the room. "It should work if I just..."

KABOOM! A loud explosion was heard, just as Rath's horse poked the tile with its hoof. Part of the wall had been destroyed, revealing a new passage. "That takes care of the first one," Rath noted. "Two more to go."

"Got that. Matthew, now I need you to... Matthew?" Shadow turned to see Matthew gazing greedily into the passage, as if captivated by something. His Aipom looked no different.

"Unless my eyes deceive me, that's a chest!" Matthew gasped as his eyes appeared to shine with wonder. "Say, Shadow!" He beckoned, "since we came all this way, what say we help ourselves?"

"Er... maybe not," disagreed the tactician.

"Huh? What do you mean by that? Don't be such a bore!" whined Matthew as he playfully punched Shadow by the arm. "If you want to win, you've got to use every means at your disposal. That's an ironclad rule!"

"The marquess is going to give us supplies! It's not going to put us in his good books if we pilfer from his castle!" Shadow fumed.

"Yeah, I know stealing's bad. I'm well aware of that," sighed the thief. "Let's just call this an advancement on our reward, okay? We're saving the marquess, right?"

"...Fine, I suppose," Shadow gave up arguing. "Go unlock that chest and see what you can find."

"Hurrah! Treasure time! Treasure time!" Matthew cheered as he raced into the passage, with Aipom following suit. After fumbling about with the lock, he produced a blue piece of clothing that seemed to glow with a light aura. "Hey!" Matthew exclaimed. "It's an angelic robe!"

"A what?" Shadow ran over to the thief, confused.

"It's an item that increases the health points of the wearer," Matthew explained. "It's suitable for those on the... er... less robust side. Like me, for instance." He gazed at the tactician pleadingly.

"...Nah. I think I have a better candidate to use that angelic robe than you," Shadow decided. "Aww..." Matthew whined. As he went further into the barracks to look for more chests, Shadow quickly found Erk.

"Here, Erk," Shadow thrust the robe into Erk's arms, "I need you to pass this to Serra."

"Huh?" Erk was surprised. "But why me?"

"Because I need to see what our new thief is doing. If I didn't keep my eyes on him, I'm sure he'd clean this castle of all its valuables." Shadow folded his arms. "Besides, I found you first. And aren't you supposed to guarding Serra?"

"But... but... Ugh! Fine!" Erk finally went away, grumbling. Shadow ran back to look for Matthew, who was admiring a sword he'd found in a chest. "This is a very good armourslayer, Aipom," he was saying. "Ai!"

"So... what does it do?" asked Shadow.

"Just as the name suggests, it's especially effective against knights in armour. Maybe you should give this to someone else to use it."

"Hm? But why not you?" Shadow smirked.

"Well, I'm not too strong, and... I just hate being counterattacked." Matthew stuck out his tongue, "Told you I was less robust."

"Fine. Maybe I'll give it to Lyn... eh?" Shadow turned around as he felt a shockwave ring throughout the ground, followed by a loud bang. Looking outside the room he and Matthew were in, he saw that one of the walls had collapsed and rubble and smoke covered the area where it once was.

"Ah." Shadow nodded. "They've found the second switch."

"Oh, that reminds me..." Matthew turned to Shadow. "I couldn't help overhearing... is there a young cleric by the name of Serra in your army?"

"Hm?" Shadow looked back at him. "Yes, Matthew... why?"

"Oh, just wondering." Quickly he dashed out of the room, leaving a confused Shadow behind. Sure enough, he could see the talkative girl raving about her new robe. "What in the world is SHE doing here?" gasped the thief. "I cannot let her find the passageway..."


By the time the others had gathered together, only the leader of the marauders, Bool, was left. He was a knight wearing chartreuse armour, had brown facial hair and a mean-looking steel lance. "Bah," he muttered. "Lyndis and her cadre. When did you arrive? No matter," he grinned evilly, "I shall deal with you."

"Oh, yeah? We're going to deal with you!" Sain shouted. He and Kent went forward, flanking Lyn, who was clutching her new armourslayer tightly.

"Heh heh heh." Bool sniggered, suddenly making a throwing action towards the floor. Smoke appeared as he did so, and when the area was clear again, the three fighters found themselves nose to nose with a towering Tauros that seemed anything but happy.

"Eh!" Lyn gasped. "How..."

"Tauros! Tackle!" Bool ordered. The Wild Bull Pokémon reared, and prepared to charge. "Kyaaaaa!" Lyn screamed, completely petrified.

"Milady!" Quickly, Kent scooped her up and placed her on Stantler. He and Sain only managed to jump out of the way of Tauros' charging in the nick of time. "Ahhhhhhhhh!" The others screamed as they scrambled to get away.

"We can't fight that thing close up!" cried Sain.

"Right! We'll just have to use long-range tactics!" affirmed Shadow. "Everyone! Attack that Tauros from a distance!"

"Okay! Slugma, use Ember!" Erk commanded. "Poliwhirl, Bubblebeam!" Dorcas joined in. The Lava and Tadpole Pokémon emerged from their Pokéballs and began to launch their attacks.

"Rage attack!" The Tauros growled, then charged forward with its horns shining. BLAM! Slugma and Poliwhirl could not get out of the way quickly enough and were effortlessly tossed aside.

"No good! It's so strong, it's resisted all those attacks!" shouted Shadow. "And by using Rage, it's raised its own Attack strength while taking very little damage!"

"So how can we defeat it?" yelled Lyn. Tauros was barging its horns everywhere and demolishing wall after wall. "We can't possibly stop it like this!" This time, Shadow could not think of an answer.

"Tauros!" Bool announced, "Use Thrash!" As the order was given, Tauros began to feverishly whip itself with its three tails, over and over again, before launching itself into a ferocious stampede that even started to shake the castle.

"That's it!" Shadow had a brainwave, "we'll wait for it to tire itself out with Thrash! It'll be too fatigued to attack properly then!"

"I will aid you in this plot," said Rath as he rode up. "It is my duty as captain of the guard. Poochyena, go!" He shouted as he sent out a small grey canine, one of the species which Grim and Shadow were by now all too familiar with. "Use your Take Down!" Instinctively, the Bite Pokémon ran aside the charging bull and leapt at it. Although the lunge barely did any damage, it did manage to get the Tauros' attention, which was the desired effect. Angrily, the Tauros chased after the small dog, but kept missing due to its target's small size and nimble speed.

"Poochyena's Run Away should be enough to keep Tauros busy before it gets Confused," Shadow said with a smirk. Meanwhile, Poochyena was driving Tauros crazy as it ran here and there, making sure to let Tauros slam itself into a wall every now and then. However, after ten minutes, Tauros showed no signs of tiring.

"This... isn't possible!" The tactician gasped, "No Tauros has ever been able to maintain a Thrash for so long and still not get Confused!"

"...Wait!" Matthew suddenly started sniffing the air. "I smell... berries! Aipom, what about you?" The Long Tail Pokémon nodded at its trainer. Just then, Matthew caught a glimpse of Tauros' open mouth as it charged, and saw a mass of pink. "Of course! It's been chewing Persim berries all this time!" The thief exclaimed.

"Persim berries... the berries that prevent confusion, of course!" Shadow slapped his forehead. "In that case, we'll need to get rid of those Persim... ah!" Grabbing Matthew by his cloak, Shadow briefly whispered his plan to the thief, who nodded in agreement. Picking up his purple monkey, Matthew passed on Shadow's instructions. "You got all that, Aipom?"

"Ai! Pom!" Aipom merely grinned.

"Alright! Go for it!" As soon as Matthew placed it on the floor, Aipom quickly dashed behind Tauros, and managed to leap onto its back using its dexterous tail. "Now, Aipom! Thief attack!"

"Pom!" Hanging onto Tauros' head with its tail-hand, Aipom swept itself right under Tauros' nose and swiped the pink berry muck from its mouth. "Mmmm?" Surprised, Tauros skidded to a halt.

"Rath! Matthew! Now!" shouted Shadow.

"Swagger!" The thief and nomad ordered simultaneously. Aipom and Poochyena jumped in front of Tauros, and began to walk around it with boastful airs.

"Grrrr...RRRRRR!" Soon, Tauros became infuriated with the puny Pokémon's endless bragging behaviour, and it reared like a horse (though not neighing like one). A second later, it had begun to charge... but this time, it was headed for Bool! "WHAT!" the knight exclaimed.

"When Aipom used Thief, Tauros lost its Persim berries and its only protection against getting Confused!" called Shadow. "Now that Swagger has been used on it twice, it'll damage itself, as well as you, even more with its vastly increased attack power!"

The explanation was the second last thing Bool heard. The last thing he did hear was the sharp jangling of metal as Tauros forcefully drove its horns into his armour, immediately followed by two surges of pain as he was gored in the front and smashed into the wall behind him. "Gah! Lord Lundgren..." he screamed his final words. The Tauros, now knocked back to its senses after the impact with Bool's armour, cleanly shook off the dead knight and stampeded out of the barracks, never to be seen again. "Look!" Shadow pointed, "It's the final switch! That knight had been standing on it all this time!"

"So... this is the final switch. We should be good to go," said Lyn as she stepped forward and stepped on the differently patterned tile. Instantly, the wall in front of her crumbled into a pile of rubble. "Here it is, everyone! The secret passageway!" Lyn waved. "We'll let Rath take over from here," she said as the nomad calmly rode into the castle, with his Poochyena following behind.


Later, in the throne room...

"Ah, it's Rath!" breathed Marquess Araphen. "You've done well. What a performance!"

"Sir..." Rath bowed humbly. "If you have praise, it should be given to this group."

"Hm?" The marquess faced Lyn, "Who are you?"

"My name is Lyndis," Lyn bowed as well, "I'm pleased you're fine." If anyone had noticed, they would have seen Marquess Araphen's expression change from one of relief to one of distaste. "Oh... it's you. You're Marquess Caelin's..." He suddenly turned to face Rath. "Leave us, Rath. I would speak with this girl." Wordlessly, Rath walked out of the room with his Poochyena. The marquess turned to Lyn once again.

"Now, Lady Lyndis... do you know the identity of those responsible for this uproar?" he asked.

"I believe it to be the work of my granduncle, Lundgren," Lyn answered.

"That's exactly right," Marquess Araphen said in a dangerously soft voice, "Which means my castle has been damaged in your family's petty inheritance dispute."

"My-my apologies..." Lyn began, but Marquess Araphen continued speaking.

"When I heard that Lady Madelyn's daughter was in trouble, I thought to lend my assistance..." He turned his back on Lyn with a brief wave of his robe. "I find I've changed my mind. I withdraw my offer."

"Marquess Araphen!" Kent protested. "You gave me your word, my lord!"

"..." The marquess turned around, "Your name is Kent, is it not? You failed to inform me of one most vital detail!"

"What... what do you mean?" stammered Kent. What could I have done wrong, he thought.

"This girl does resemble Lady Madelyn, but..." Marquess Araphen paused for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. "...I didn't expect to see her so tainted with the blood of Sacae."

"What?" Lyn nearly dropped her Mani Katti in shock.

"Don't you feel the marquess of Caelin would be... troubled to meet this... nomadic mongrel?" The marquess continued.

"You...!" Immediately, Sain saw red, and clenched his fists as if he was going to pound the marquess.

"Sain! Hold!" cried Kent, desperately restraining the green knight. "My apologies, Lord Marquess..."

"Hm... your man is poorly disciplined," snorted the marquess disdainfully.

"Marquess Araphen!" Kent implored, "Please... If you would grace us with your aid..."

"...I hear Marquess Caelin is ill and abed. I question whether he will survive to meet this girl. In which case..." Marquess Araphen went on, "his brother, Lundgren, will claim his title. And I certainly wish to avoid trouble with the coming marquess."

"You scheming..." Sain snarled.

"Sain!" Kent cried again.

"I understand. Kent, Sain, Shadow, we take our leave at once," Lyn said curtly.

"Milady Lyndis! We..." Kent began, but Shadow stopped him.

"I am proud of the Sacae blood that runs through my veins." Lyn said through gritted teeth. "I will not accept aid from one who disparages my heritage." With that, Lyn turned around and walked straight out of the room.


"That was well done, milady!" exclaimed Sain when he, Kent and Shadow caught up with Lyn outside the castle. "The marquess is a lout! Don't worry about anything, we're all here for you! Isn't that so, Kent?" Kent, however, was in a much less happy mood.

"I... I beg your forgiveness." Kent bowed.

"Why are you apologising, Kent?" Lyn asked concernedly.

"I've been so concerned with seeing you to Caelin," Kent mumbled. "I failed to take your feelings into account."

"Is that it? Trouble yourself no more, Kent. You have put my safety above all else. I have seen that..." Lyn smiled as she gently lifted Kent's head to face hers. "Hold your head up and be proud."

"Milady Lyndis..." Kent began to blush again.


"Bah! Arrogant child!" Marquess Araphen was still snorting, "If she had but shed a single tear, I would have granted her request. We Lycian nobles will never understand those prideful savages!"

"...Are those your true feelings toward the nomads of Sacae, milord?"

"What? Oh, Rath!" The marquess saw Rath standing behind him with Poochyena, and immediately put on a smile. "I didn't see you there. My comments do not reflect on you. You are my captain, and I'm proud of your service."

"Of course. As long as we bend our knee to you, you care not where we're from," Rath said icily. "But when an equal comes from my lands? What conceit."

"Rath! How can you speak to me like that?" thundered Marquess Araphen. "I have treated you well, have I not? I have paid you well. I have treated you better than your kind deserves!" That was all Rath needed to hear.

"You will never understand." Rath turned before his emotions had a chance to grab a hold on him. "My service ends here," he said finally as he walked slowly out of the throne room. "Pooch!" Poochyena kicked its back leg at the marquess before following its trainer.


"The marquess of Araphen... he said my grandfather was ill," Lyn said worriedly. "We must hurry to Caelin..."

"As we approach Caelin, Lundgren's obstacles will be more difficult to overcome," Kent cautioned. "However, I've vowed to see you through the end, milady!"

"I'm with you, too!" added Sain.

"Thank you. I'm counting on the both of you." Turning to face her group, Lyn smiled. "Tha... thank you all for always standing by my side. It's because of all of you that I..." Punching the air, she yelled, "I will persevere! They will never break my spirit!"

"Saur! Bulba!" cheered her Pokémon partner. Everyone else clapped and cheered as well. As they passed by the city gates, a familiar figure approached them.

"Rath!" Lyn gasped. "What is it? What are you..."

"I overheard the marquess talking to himself," Rath said simply. "Lyn of the Lorca... Proud daughter of the Sacae... I would join you. I would add my strength to yours."

"Really?" asked Lyn hopefully. Rath nodded. "And this... I want you to take it," he said, placing a heavy-looking bag into the nomad girl's hands.

"This is... gold?" Lyn exclaimed as she opened the package. "It... It's too much. I can't accept it..."

"I have no need for it," said Rath. "And if it will help you..."

"But..." Lyn began to protest.

"I cannot take back something once offered," the nomad finished firmly.

"Rath..." Lyn expressed her gratitude to Rath for the second time that day, "I thank you." The nomad merely gave a small smile at the edge of his mouth.


Later, as the group continued to walk along...

"Matthew, you can't keep everything you find lying on the ground," chided Shadow. "We don't have a merchant to store it all!"

"But Aipom can't help it! It's all due to it's Pick Up ability! Besides," grunted Matthew as he tried to balance the items in his arms, "we'll be saving a lot of gold this way! So far we've picked up thirteen vulneraries, a silk scarf, two Pokéballs, and a whole array of healing berries!"

"I know, but..." Shadow looked on as Aipom threw another Cheri berry onto the pile of items on Matthew's arms. "Are you sure you can carry all that stuff?"

"Positive!" By now Matthew was having trouble walking straight. Shadow smirked. "Alright, if you think you can handle it... Hey, everybody!" the tactician shouted with glee. "Matthew's just volunteered to be our merchant!"

The effect was instantaneous. Sain first stepped up to deposit his weapons on the thief, giving him a chance to freely ride Ponyta without anything (except his armour) weighing him down. Serra subsequently followed, carelessly throwing her Heal staff onto the pile of towering items and dashing off to show everyone her angelic robe for the fifth time that hour. The others all gladly relieved themselves of their burdens, with the exception of Lyn, who wanted to make sure they would be ready in the event of an ambush, and Kent, who felt that a knight of Caelin should carry his own weapons.

"Whoah!" The load was much too high and heavy for Matthew to handle. Painfully, he collapsed on the road, with the stuff on his arms scattered all around him. "Ai!" His Pokémon rushed over to see if he was okay.

"Ugh..." Matthew groaned as stood up, rubbed his sore posterior, and began to pick up the objects lying around, one by one. "First I meet that loudmouth of a cleric, and then our tactician does this to me..." He sighed, "This was not an easy mission Lord Uther sent me on..."

To be continued...


Grim: (coughs as he is removed from the oxygen chamber) So sorry, dozed off... what did I miss?
ShadowedTactician: The entire of Chapter 6. You know what to do now...
Grim: Yes... review, guys. Thanks.