Mark never actually went to bed from his night in the library. Once the sun started streaming through the window, he quickly drank the rest of his cold tea and ran through the castle towards the center of town. Before he got out of the castle however, he ran into a pair of knights.

Kent and Sain were standing near the entrance, talking quietly to one another which Mark had noticed they did with much more frequency since Araphen. Kent noticed him first. "Why hello there Mark." Kent said politely, bowing at the waist. Sain smirked and looked to the side, raising a quick hand in greeting to Mark. Mark dismissively waved a hand.

"No need for the formalities Kent, we know each other pretty well by this point. Do you need anything? I was just heading out for supplies before we march." Mark replied.

"No, no, I'm quite al-" Kent started before being brushed to the side by Sain, who stood in front of the door with his arms crossed. Kent brushed his chest and eyed Sain carefully, aware of something Mark wasn't. Sain was uncharacteristically serious. Mark bit his lip.

"Hey Mark." Sain said plainly. He looked down, seemingly unsure what to say now that he had blocked Marks path. "... You've heard about the deaths, right? I'm sure someone told you." Rather than respond, Mark just nodded. Sain sighed and looked to the side. "Figures its the one time we don't have you around, right?" Mark was still unsure how to respond to this odd advance. Kent stepped in and stood next to Sain, facing Mark.

"I'll do it, Sain. Don't strain yourself." Kent said calmly. Sain visibly lost tension and stepped to the side, chuckling nervously.

"Thanks… Was never good at this you know? It's so stressful to-" Sain started.

"Sain." Kent shot him a look and a small hand gesture. Sain stopped talking. Mark turned his attention to Kent. "Mark." Kent said politely. "To put it bluntly we are concerned." Kent started.

"I'm alright, I had time to process the news." Mark said, walking quickly towards the exit behind Kent in an attempt to avoid this awkward situation. Kent held out and arm, blocking his path. Mark sighed. "I have business in town-" Mark began.

"No you don't. Not right now." Kent said sternly, looking down at Mark. Was he always taller than me? Mark thought. "When I said we were concerned about you, I did not mean how you were handling the news." Kent continued. "You may have forgotten, but that assassin revealed you as the Mage General to all of us. You cannot hide that fact anymore."

"It fills in a lot about your background that we caught on to, too." Sain chimed in. "You don't seem particularly rich just from appearance, but you slip into a refined way of speaking when you stop thinking about it. Also, if you weren't some kind of noble, where would you have studied to learn everything you know? I mean, being honest this journey should just be another notch on your belt for someone like you. Nothing serious. Games, even." Sain sighed. "I like messing around as much as the next guy but that kind of hurts to think about. Are you just bored?" Sain looked genuinely hurt.

"No, guys, you're overthinking this." Mark said, pushing Kents hand away and facing the duo. "I just ran away, met Lyn, we found you guys, I decided to come along."

"And that's exactly the problem." Kent said steely. "Why would the Mage General of Etruria run away in the first place? Once he has, why would he involve himself in a petty dispute in a foreign land? I can think of a few reasons…" Kent said suggestively. Mark was completely taken aback. Overnight two of his friends had turned against him.

"...Are you suggesting that I am a spy or something?" Mark asked.

Sain shook his head. "Nope, that doesn't make sense either." He began. "If Etruria wanted to send a spy, they wouldn't send you, let's be honest. You're too important of a person for them to send. Before you get ahead of yourself, we know they didn't send you to help either. That makes less sense than being a spy."

"So where does that leave us, Mark?" Kent said, staring Mark down. "Are we just to believe you found your way to Lady Lyndis by pure happenstance, and-"

Mark snapped. Maybe he should have slept. "I found her before either of you!" Mark shouted. Kent and Sain both recoiled, instinctively putting their hands to their belts, though they were unarmed. Their eyes turned hard. "What is the matter with both of you?" Mark continued, wildly jerking his arms around to punctuate his words. "I've proven time and time again how committed I am to this cause! I've given you sound direction!" Mark was surprised at his own words. Perhaps Erk had given him a bit too much of a confidence boost. "If you want to argue that I knew Lyn was Marquess Caelin before we met you two, the explain how in St Elimine's name I could have possibly known! She was alone on the plains when I met her and she saved my life! I've fought alongside you, I've killed in her name, I am your tactician dammit-"

"AND YOU DRANK TEA AND ATE DESSERTS WHILE YOUR FRIENDS DIED!" Kent stepped forward, angry for the first time Mark had ever seen. "Why the hell should we believe anything you say? You don't even feel bad do you?! I'm sure you've killed plenty of people, probably even people you care about, so why would those two bother you in the slightest!" Kent grit his teeth and started walking towards a stunned Mark.

Sain jogged up and put a hand on Kent's shoulder. "Hey, Kent, come on we've known him for a while now, I'm sure-" Kent shook off Sain's hand and continued to stare Mark down.

"You're despicable." Kent said, full of venom. "That's what you are, always have been, and always will be. You're nothing if not for your title and your silver spoon. I'm beginning to wonder if everything you've done for us has been some kind of act to try and convince us you aren't a mindless killing machine. Fighting with us, giving me that gold for saving Erk's life, laughing with us, helping Sain heal? Was all of that just to try and convince us you were normal? And what's the first thing you do now that we learn you're the Mage General? Is it comforting Lyndis as she grieves? No you take it as an opportunity to rub failure in her face and tell her to move on mere hours after she nearly died having watched her friends die. What is wrong with us?" Kent questioned, now centimeters away from Mark. "No Mark. Not us." He leaned in. "What is wrong with you? We're not your troops, and Lyndis isn't your student. We are all supposed to be your friends." Kent leaned back, standing straight up. "Or do you not even know what those are, 'almighty' General?"

"Kent!" Sain cried. "What are you doing? We were just supposed to express our concerns with him!"

"I AM!" Kent shouted again, shooting a cold gaze back at Sain.

Sain didn't flinch, and instead stepped towards Kent. "Clearly." He said sarcastically. "But this isn't what Lady Lyndis would want. She trusts Mark, and we should trust her even if we can't trust him. You know? Like our job says?"

Kent paused and slowly slouched back into his normal, polite posture. "...Right." He turned to Mark. "I know you must have had your reasons for keeping quiet, and whatever reason you decided to come along with Lyndis in the first place isn't necessarily our business. But know this." Kent cleared his throat. "We are knights of Caelin. We will not hesitate to eliminate any threat to Caelin's future, or it's rightful heir. Even if it means fighting one of the most powerful mages on the continent." Kent said sternly. He moved out of the way from the exit. Mark didn't move. He continued looking down. "What's the matter? Go on." Kent said.

"...Why…" Mark said quietly. He thought about all the work he had done to understand the knights from the moment they joined the group. They were his first companions other than Lyn, he helped keep Sain alive, bonded over the fact they both had sisters. Sain offered to help him with Florina, cheered him up when he was down, and was always smiling. Kent and Mark had terse but insightful interactions, exchanging polite conversation whenever they came across each other. Mark had given him elixirs for his wounds, forced the man to take breaks. Furthermore, Kent had saved his best friend's life, a debt Mark was still unsure how to repay. He had known the knights almost as long as he had known Lyn, of course he cared about them. Now that they knew he was the Mage General, it was like none of that had happened. "Why would you ever think I'm trying to stop you… or Lyn…?" Mark's throat felt tight. "I've done nothing wrong haven't I? I'm not even supposed to be here!" Mark said, pathetically laughing to himself. Kent and Sain remained silent observers. "I'm not even going to be here for the end at this rate!" He was getting louder. "I'm going to be dragged back to Etruria within days of now. I might not even get to say goodbye to anyone, let alone Lyn. After that… I mean who knows honestly? I think I can escape again but hell if I know if I actually can."

"Why do you need to escape from your own people though?" Sain asked.

"Don't bother Sain." Kent said, normal, calm self again. "Let him get it out. He heard me out in full."

Mark paused. "I… might even die when I go back." Mark finally said. "I mean I guess I'm a traitor at the end of the day. Ursula said as much to you all. Maybe I've been being too optimistic about all this. Or Erk was just really good at making me feel better." Mark paused again. He was having a hard time putting all this into words after Kent's surprising verbal assault. "... You guys really don't trust me now that you know… do you?" The realization was hitting him like a brick on multiple levels. As future Mage General, it made him disgusted with himself that his name held such despair in others. As tactician, it was incredibly dangerous if no one trusted him. As a friend, it just made him depressed. "Don't answer that. You guys made yourselves clear." He turned away. "I'm… I'm sorry that that's how you feel. I think if this were only a week ago, this would be where I said goodbye and just gave up. Everything I dreaded has happened at this point. But… you know?" Mark took a deep breath and smiled and Kent and Sain. "Erk taught me something the other day. And I think since then… Since then I've been excited on the same level as when I first escaped Etruria. I want to be with you guys, I want to fight alongside you, I want to take over the castle, I want to put Lyn on the throne, and I want to do it all with a smile on my face because finally, finally, it's actually something that I want to do." Mark stuck out a hand to both of them. "If that means working doubly hard to earn your trust all over again, then so be it. It's worth it."

Kent and Sain shot each other a look. Sain smiled and shook Mark's hand. "Hey, Mark, that's all I needed to hear. I'm not worried at all any more!" He said happily. He really didn't like being so suspicious of Mark. He turned to Kent and gestured to Mark's hand. "...Ahem...?" He said.

Kent looked down at Mark without moving his head. "...I do not regret anything I said, and I stand by it wholeheartedly. However…" Kent coughed. "...I must also say that it… truly makes me happy that you are willing to prove your loyalty over again. I look forward to your efforts, I really do. Until then…" He brushed Mark's hand away lightly. "Well until then I have my eye on you. That's all. Thank you for understanding Mark."

"Aw come oooooooon." Sain said, annoyed. "How about an 'I'm sorry for yelling at you Mark', eh?"

"But I'm not sorry." Kent said, confused.

Sain sighed. "Right well whatever." Sain lugged an arm around Mark and pulled him along toward the exit of the castle. Mark yelped.

"Where are you going, Sain?" Ken asked, leaning against the wall and folding his arms.

"Mark said he was going to town to pick up some stuff right?" Sain said.

"Supplies." Mark corrected.

"Right, right." Sain ignored, still calling over to Kent. "Anyway, I'm just cashing in on a promise I made to him a little while ago. I'll be back by the time we leave tonight to march." Sain turned back and hummed as the two walked along, not taking his arm away from Mark's neck.

"Sain, what the hell are you-" Mark began.

Sain made a Shhhhh sound and placed a finger to Mark's lips. "You said you wanted to go and get supplies, right?" Mark nodded. Sain grinned. "Well, I'm just coming along to make sure you get the correct supplies." Mark gulped. This was not going to end well.


Sitting in a bush with Sain, watching Florina wash her pegasus, Mark could not help but think about the life decisions that led him to this moment. It wasn't that he necessarily regretted them, he just wished this wasn't where his impassioned speech to the knights had gotten him. Still, he had to admit he was blushing like a schoolgirl and smiling like a jester at the situation. Sain casually, and very stealthily, ate an apple in the bush next to Mark. After a few bites, he started tossing it back and forth in his hands.

"Sain-" Mark began but Sain quickly cut him off with a hand gesture. He spun the apple on his finger.

"No time, she's almost done. Alright, huddle up." Sain yanked Mark closer, rustling the bush and causing Florina to jump and look around. Mark was thankful that both he and Sain wore green. Sain continued. "Alright so the thing about timid types like Florina is getting them to trust you. Coming on too hard too fast will get you an empty net."

"We're not fishing Sain." Mark said flatly, and got ignored.

"So, you've already laid the basics of basic groundwork. You've saved her life a few times, she already knows your deep secret, she's probably ready to open up to you. Soooooo," Sain delivered the rest incredibly fast and with hardly any enunciation, "we're gonna ignore rule one which is don't go on to strong and we are immediately going to go to step two which is come on way strong and I've made you a dinner reservation at a restaurant near the castle called the Fool's Table under the name Mark, it's a lovely little bar you'll love it its got great candlelight, good luck." With that, Sain pinched Mark's arm causing him to cry out momentarily and lightly lobbed the apple towards Florina. It thudded at her feet. Mark looked where Sain had just been to see that there was no longer a Sain next to him, and he stood up awkwardly.

Florina blinked. "Did… did you just come from the woods?" She asked. Mark had no idea what to do so he awkwardly nodded.

"Uhm… yes." He said, unconvinced. "I uh… dropped my apple." He said, pointing to it. Florina bent down and picked it up. She held it out to him. He walked up and took it from her, noting that her hand hardly shook at all. Maybe Sain was onto something about her trusting him. He was about to bite into the apple when he remembered Sain had been eating it moments before. "You know on second thought, your pegasus can have it." He held the apple out to the steed and it gratefully bit it in half. Soon the apple was gone.

"Huey says thanks." Florina giggled, stroking her pegasus's mane. Her smile slowly faded. "I… I couldn't convince everyone to accept you as the M-Mage General." She said sadly. Mark recalled her words from two days ago, where she said she'd prove it to the others.

"Hey, don't worry about that. The title comes with it's trouble, no way around that." Mark said, acting like it didn't bother him. "So, I have a dinner reservation at this one bar in town before we head out tonight…" He trailed off. Florina was stroking her pegasus's mane faster and faster, looking down and away from Mark. Her face was completely flushed. "Uh… Florina?"

"Y-y-y-y-yeah?" She stuttered, way worse than usual.

"Well… are you hungry? Want to join me?" Mark asked.

Florina looked like she was going to end up ripping her mount's hair out at the rate she was going. "I-I-I found a nice spot on the hill a-and I have a basket if you'd rather d-do that."

Mark's heart fluttered a little. He had been convinced this was never going to work. "Yeah!" He said beaming. "Yeah, why not let's do it!" He picked up the basket. "Where's the spot?"

Soon they were set up, watching the sun set on the water and eating fruit Florina had purchased in town. While Mark was slightly sad that his romantic dinner was just what Huey wouldn't eat that night, he was still excited by the prospect of making progress with Florina. After all, he only had so much longer to enjoy himself. He kept pushing down the fact he might get executed immediately upon returning to Etruria. He cleared his throat.

"You know you can move a little closer if you want to." Mark said. Despite having no trouble handing him the apple earlier, Florina had deteriorated into a bumbling shivering mess several feet away from him. He awkwardly ate his fruit as Florina struggled to even hold hers. "...Florina?" He said a little louder. Florina jumped and tossed the fruit into the air. It landed next to her on the grass.

"Y-Yeah?" She said.

"... You know, never mind, this is fine." Mark said, chuckling and looking back to the sunset. This would do for now. Together they sat in silence until the sun was almost completely gone.

"E-everyone said you were scary." Florina finally said quietly. "After you ran they told me stories o-of all the things you'd done. A-As Mage G-General I mean." She brushed her hair behind her ear, sighing and pulling her knees to her face. "I didn't know what to say." She said sadly. "Did you… really do those things?"

Mark leaned back on his hands and thought about it. "Probably not." He reasoned. "I ran on the day I was supposed to become Mage General, so I'm not really Mage General yet."

Florina cocked her head to the side. "Well then why do they call you that?"

"Well…" Mark sighed. "You can't really escape something like that just by running."

"But you did, d-didn't you? You're here right now." She countered.

"It's only a temporary escape. Besides, while I haven't done anything bad as Mage General, my father certainly has."

"I-I see." She muttered. "Do you not like your father then?"

"Considering he put a price on my head a few days ago I'm going to assume we feel similarly about each other." Mark said bitterly. Etruria in and of itself scared him much less than his father. "What about you, do you not like your dad either?"

Florina shuffled. "...He's gone." She said quietly.

"...Ah." Mark nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's alright, I was very young. I also have my sisters, so I wasn't lonely or anything."

"Hey, I've got sisters! One older one younger, all of us are mages. What about you?"

Florina giggled. "They're both older than me, and we're all pegasus knights."

Mark nodded sagely. "I should've guessed, Ilian mercenaries are well known across the continent." Mark laughed lightly to himself. He was surprised having sisters became a bonding point yet again. By now the sun had fully set behind the water. Mark stood up with a small grunt and dusted off his coat. "We should head back to town. Thank you Florina."

"F-For what?" She said, standing up as well and gathering her things.

"Dinner and the light conversation." Mark said.

"Well I had to do s-something, you know?" She smiled happily. "You've have saved my life."

"You've paid that off by saving mine too." Mark recalled. They started walking back.

"I guess you're right." She said. "I suppose we're even then."

"I suppose so." Mark confirmed. "But if you want to do this again I…" Mark trailed off. Florina was blushing hard. "...Well." He said, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking into the sky. He smiled, content. "We can just cross that bridge when we get there.

A/N Matt: HAH! You fools, you took my word when I said this chapter would have action but I lied to your faces like the evil mastermind I am. Next chapter for sure though. Sorry for another dialogue heavy chapter but I felt like we're moving past Lyn's story a little too fast here. Gotta set up those connections, that suspense ya dig? Next chapter we are ACTUALLY on the road again. Right now the plan is release a MASSIVE final chapter for Lyn's story on the one year anniversary of this story (It's comin up isn't that crazy?) so look forward to that. Will probably have the entire final battle and aftermath. If I keep up this chapter a week theme up until then we should get there with plenty of room for more dialogue heavy chapters like this. Love you guys and as always thanks for reading :D