Mark was running through a thick fog. His arms swung in front of him as he ran, trying desperately to clear his eyesight.
"Saxton!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, lighting a hand on fire. The fire only served to light up the fog, blinding him further. He quickly extinguished it. Mark panted as sweat dripped down his brow. "Come on now, I know you-" Mark didn't get to finish that sentence, as a wooden battle axe crushed a few of his ribs. Mark fell to his side from the impact, rolling several feet before finally settling, clutching his side in pain. His ribs were definitely broken.
"Disperse!" Saxton yelled from the fog, which soon lifted. The sun shone on the beautiful manor courtyard. Several attendants ran up to Mark and immediately began to use healing magic on him. "You rely on your hands. You think you can intimidate your enemy with your little fire trick. Maybe, sometimes you can. Not me, Mark. Not me."
"You…" Mark started, hoping to lash back, but his father was right. He panted as his ribs mended, staring his father down. "..Well what do you suggest then?"
"Wind magic." his father said simply, polishing some blood off of his non-lethal weapon. "The thought didn't even occur to you. I'm surprised." He spoke simply, refusing to share further emotion.
Of course, Mark thought, I would have thought of it if I wasn't fighting you. Mark grimaced as he raised himself to a standing position with his practice sword. He readied it. "What about a fight with just weapons?" He asked. Saxton laughed.
"Yes, why not, Mark?" He readied the massive weapon in his hands. "By all means, come forth!" Mark braced himself for a moment before running towards his father. Immediately his father dropped his stance and extended an arm, sending a powerful blast of wind magic directly into Mark's chest. Mark screamed in surprise as he was whisked into the air, dropping a few feet back.
"You filthy cheat!" Mark screamed in pain, rising again.
"Cheat?!" Saxton yelled in anger as he strode slowly back to Mark. "There is no such thing, Mark! You use the tools available to you to win the fight, that's all there is!" Mark was paralyzed, it had been a long time since he had seen his father this angry. "Was setting castle Caelin on fire cheating, Mark? Was it?! Was using dark magic to take down one man some cheap trick? Of course it wasn't! You did those things to WIN! There are no rules! Maybe if you knew that, your young pegasus knight friend wouldn't have died!"
"That was your fault!" Mark said, his anger peaking as he ignored the blood running from his brow.
"Maybe, but you could have prevented it! Even without my influence, you knew there was a possibility for any one of them to die, and you still couldn't save her!" Saxton ran forward and swung down towards Mark's head. Mark raised his sword and braced it with both arms, barely blocking the strike. Saxton took a step back and kicked at Marks head. Mark ducked and set a hand on fire, ready too strike at Saxton's gut. Saxton grabbed Mark's hand by the wrist, his arm glowing red in resistance to his flames. He yanked Mark forward, inches from his face. "And there you go again with the fire." He said calmly. "That's all it takes, huh?" The anger he had shown was gone. He sighed, closing his eyes in tired resignation. He opened them again, pushing his glasses up to refocus. The disappointment on his face put a deep pit in Mark's stomach. Mark knew he wouldn't like this. "You lose your cool for meer moments, and anyone that knows you suddenly knows exactly what you'll do. You don't realize this, and even if you did, I doubt you would use it to your advantage. I'm surprised Mark. For a man that took over a castle with twelve people, you're not putting up much of a fight." Mark struggled to free his wrist, but Saxton's grip was like iron. Fear began to rise in him. Saxton peered at the fire on Mark's hand. "That reminds me, son." He glared into Mark's eyes. "How many burn victims? You've been counting as I told you to, correct?"
"...I-I don't know!" Mark lied. Saxton's expression didn't change.
"...My scouts report it's in the sixties. Accurate?" He asked. Mark's silence was his response. Saxton and Mark stared each other down, Mark's hand still burning. Saxton eventually got bored. "I see. Well, not that I need to hear it from you, so I suppose you don't need to tell me. I know you already know the answer." Saxton dropped the axe in his other hand and raised it. "But, you really should have told me." Saxton quickly brought his other hand to Mark's wrist, twisting it hard. Mark felt every moment as his wrist snapped.
"AUGH!" He screamed as he crumpled, holding his wrist and rolling on the hot stone. Attendants ran up to him.
"Leave his wrist for now. Practice is done for today. I hope you've learned something from this." Saxton said calmly, cleaning his glasses and walking back towards the manor. "Tomorrow I want you here bright and early. I'm heading out of the manor for a week tomorrow, so we will need to practice early." With that, Saxton's massive form retreated.
Mark panted on the floor, staring daggers into his father's back. He slowly let his eyes close and let himself lie on the stone. The heat felt good on his back. As the attendants healed him, he stared at the sky, reminding him of when he first passed out in Sacae. He sighed, and let himself pass out.
Lyn found herself yet again sparing with Kent and Sain, rather than doing her work. Wil was mending a bow off on the side, calmly watching the fight. A few soldiers of Caelin watched in awe as well. Lyn insisted Sain and Kent fight her together, which took a lot of convincing, but now they were in full swing. Kent and Sain were in perfect sink, diving in and striking to cover each other's sides, but Lyn was holding her own despite this. Never letting a single strike hit her, the duel was eventually called a draw.
"Our commanders and out ruler are so strong…" one of the soldiers said excitedly. "It's inspiring!"
"I agree!" said another, "With Lady Lyndis on our side we cannot lose!" The soldiers continued to clammer among themselves as Lyn sighed, wiping her brow with a rag.
"Well I'm glad that these help morale, at least." Lyn said.
"Indeed they do." Kent said sagely. "And I'm glad they help you as well. You have seemed stressed, if I may say."
"Why wouldn't you be able to say?" Lyn asked sadly.
"I'm a knight. It's not my place to admonish you in any manner." Kent said simply. Sain walked up and elbowed him lightly. Kent's expression became annoyed.
"Well, this bundle of personality and joy aside, I'm glad that we can do this too! Lady Lyndis always shines so in battle! It makes my eyes weep with joy when I get to gaze upon it!" Sain sighed, leaning on Kent's shoulder and closing his eyes in bliss. "Ah, the joy…"
Kent slapped the back of his head and bowed to Lyn. "Regardless, I will see you here again tomorrow. Carson wished to sp-"
"Lady Lyndis!" Kent was cut off by Chancellor Carson running forward with a scroll. He reached Lyn, panting and holding his hands on his knees. He held the scroll towards Lyn. "Lady Lyndis, word from Marquess Pherae." Lyn took it and read, a grim expression on her face.
"...Why the urgency?" Lyn asked.
Carson straightened out. "The message apparently… arrived late… he will.. Arrive soon…" he managed to choke out between labored breaths.
Lyn quickly dashed towards the castle, quickly retreating to her chambers. Maids were already waiting for her with a dress. She quickly put it on with their aide, trying not to let her nerves overcome her. After everything was in place, she walked toward the throne room and deftly sat on the throne. She gripped the arms in anticipation as she waited for Lord Elbert to arrive.
He finally did, accompanied by two knights. She was hoping Eliwood would be there as well, but sadly he wasn't. "Lady Lyndis, I am glad to see you well. It has been a while, since you spent that night in my castle." He bowed lightly. "Thank you for allowing me into yours."
"Of course, Lord Elbert. I would not be here without you. Your message indicated you wished to meet with me alone. Shall we send everyone else out?" Lyn said, politely as she could. Apparently her normal speech was showing through, as Elbert laugh and waved a hand.
"No need for formalities, please. Speak comfortably, there is much to discuss. Isadora, Harken, you may leave us." Elbert said. His knights saluted him and left the chambers. Lyn raised a hand to signal her own guards and advisors to leave as well. Soon, it was only the two Marquess in the room. Elbert walked around a little, his hands held behind his back as he observed the room. He noticed the painting of Florina on the wall. Pointing to it, he raised an eyebrow. "I recognize this one. I'm sorry, I was told she had died. Who did this portrait?"
"…Mark, of Etruria."
"Ah, yes, the young Mage General. That makes sense." Elbert nodded. He sighed, struggling to find the words to start the conversation. "I… assume you are aware of Ostia's position in the Lycian League. You are, are you not?"
"...I am."
"I see. There are those interested in overthrowing them." He said plainly. "I may as well state that. Why mince words, right?" Elbert smiled thinly. Lyn could see a deep sadness in his eyes. "You see, Lady Lyndis, the call has come to us Marquesses to rebel against them. Several territories have accepted, some that I never thought would. Some that are great friends of mine, and the Marquess of Ostia. Well… the previous Marquess, at least." He continued to observe the painting on the walls.
"...Are you asking me if I should rebel?" Lyn asked quizzically.
Elbert scratched his neck in nervousness. "...To be frank, Lady Lyn, I do not know what to do. You are young and inexperienced, unsure of the true relationships between the Lycian territories as of now. In some regards, we are in the same rowboat in the same storm. I know not what to do."
"With all due respect, Lord Elbert, I do not know either. I am unsure what you want from me." Lyn asked, in genuine confusion.
"...I merely have a question. It is related to what I just told you of course. I also trust you will not tell that information to even your most trusted advisors, at least for now." Elbert sighed, resting a hand on his sword and rubbing the grip in nervousness. Lyn quickly glanced to her own, just in case. "...I asked your companion Mark a similar question, and he gave me a formidable answer. Yet, at the hour of reckoning, I find myself racked with hesitation. Is a leader's duty to his personal vision, or his people."
Lyn quietly closed her eyes in thought. That is a very simple question. Lyn thought to herself. Why does it bother him so much? Lyn cleared her throat. "It is to their people. Without our people we don't rule anything. That is how it is for any leader… right? If it were not for my friends, I would not be here on this throne."
Elbert laughed lightly. "...Of course. Perhaps I just needed to hear it from someone inexperienced in this… thank you for your time."
Elbert began to leave. Lyn stood. "W-Wait, that was all? What are you going to do then?"
Elbert stopped and looked back with a bittersweet smile. "...I'm going to be a leader for the people, and not a selfish old man. That is all I intend to do." With that, Elbert did one final slight bow and left the throne room.
Ursula quietly roamed the halls of the Black Fang stronghold she was called too after returning Mark to the manor. She gently read through her tome, memorizing new spells. Snow gently fell outside as moonlight streamed through the windows. Hearing footsteps approach, she looked up.
"Ursula." Lloyd, one of the Reed Brothers and Four Fangs was in front of her. She hid her nerves with a coy smile.
"Lloyd, what is it? You sound awfully serious for it being so late…" Ursula held a hand to her mouth in feigned shock. "Unless… this is about something you… want to do this late?" Ursula winked playfully. It was a game she played with Lloyd, where she tried to elicit any sort of reaction from the seemingly remorseless killer.
Lloyd's face didn't even move. "Actually it's about the tournament. Come on." Lloyd turned around and began to walk away. Ursula nearly dropped her tome as she jogged up to walk beside him.
"W-Wait, now? Seriously?" She asked, nerves gripping her tightly as they roamed the halls. "Some warning would be nice!"
"You're an assassin, we don't always get warning about when we'll be fighting. It's just the way of things."
"Yes but… for the finals?" Ursula asked, nervously tugging at her shoulder.
"Well, he just got back. Why wait? Besides, you head out on a job tomorrow, right? Tonight is the only night for a while we'd have time for this."
"Well, yes, but…" Ursula quieted up as she emerged into an arena, already filled with Black Fang spectators. They cheered as she walked forward, her opponent already in the center. Lloyd leaned against the wall and gestured forward.
"Best of luck to you. You'll need it for this one." Lloyd shut up after this, looking at her expectantly.
"...Would it kill you to smile?" She said smiling thinly. Lloyd only continued to stare. "...Your brother is more fun." She said turning to the arena and walking forward. A man with long tied purple hair was crouching on the floor and flipping a knife in his hands, eyeing her expectantly. The gates closed behind them and they stared each other down. Ursula saluted him. "Ursula, 1st mage division of the fang. Thank you for this opportunity to fight you for your position."
The man looked at her for a moment before standing up. "...Legault, the Hurricane, member of the Four Fangs. Pleasure's all mine." He held a knife at the ready. "Now, you know the rules, right?"
Ursula nodded and opened her tome at the ready. "No fighting to the death, no fighting for more than ten minutes. If it's longer, the fight will be determined by the highest ranking member that's observing."
Legault hopped lightly on his feet. "...Magic user, huh? One of Sonia's? Did she put you up to this?"
"Sonia is my commanding officer, yes. She encouraged me to do this, but she is not the main reason."
"Oh? And what is?"
"...My father, and by extension my brother." She felt the wait of the necklace her brother had bought her around her neck. Hopefully, her ranking in the Fangs would appease her father and make her brother's life a bit easier. "...After all, what are older sister's for?" She expressed out loud, staring her opponent down grimly.
"...I see." Legault said. With that, he charged forward, swiping at her face. Ursula quickly stepped back and tried to send a bolt at his leg, but Legault was too fast. He dodged again and continued his assault, keeping Ursula from being able to even view her tome.
I have no openings! She thought angrily. He's too fast! She closed her tome and clipped it back to her belt. Legault teased in between swings with his knife.
"Think you can beat me… without your magic, eh?" He laughed to himself. "That's pretty bold of you, gotta say!"
"I can… see… why they call you the Hurricane…" Ursula said, already getting exhausted from his relentless swinging. She needed to come up with a strategy, and quickly. She was losing this battle of endurance. Make Mark's life easier! She shouted in her mind. This is nothing compared to what he goes through! Finally her eyes settled on the healers outside the ring. She gulped, and stared at Legault.
"Damn!" He said, his eyes squinting in confusion. "I don't like that look, lady! You're about to do something crazy, huh?!"
"In a word… yes!" She said, stopping her dodging. Legault was surprised from the sudden stop, stabbing her in the side. Ursula cried in pain but gripped down on Legaults hand, preventing him from moving.
"H-Hey! You just let that happen?! What's wro-" His eyes widened as she painfully raised a hand to his face.
"Blade of wind!" She shouted, her hand glowing a sudden green. Legault tried to dodge to no avail, and it hit him directly in the eye, leaving a massive vertical gash in his face. Legault fell back, crying in pain and gripping at his face. Ursula ran up and pinned him to the floor, punching his face. "Say you've lost! Surrender, Hurricane!" She cried, pausing her assault.
Legault looked at her in anger, but his expression slowly softened. "...That's quite a look there." He said calmly, blood pouring from his open wound. "...You're brother must be pretty special huh? ...I can empathize with that…" Legault stared at Ursula. "...Ref! I'm good here! She can have my spot!" Legault shouted out. He sighed. "...Sinking ship anyway." Ursula looked at him in shock and slowly stood up, offering him a hand. He took it and held his cloak to his face. "...Good luck kid. I'm rooting for you." He hobbled towards the healers. Ursula felt a hand on her shoulder and turned.
Lloyd was there. "Well, there you go. Well done. You are now a member of the Four Fangs. What will your title be?"
"Title…?" Ursula asked, still recovering from the battle. Lloyd nodded. "You just took down the Hurricane, I'm the White Wolf, we of the Four Fangs hold titles. Give yours some thought. Get back to me when you know." Lloyd walked away.
Ursula smiled to herself and gripped her necklace. ...There Mark, I hope this news will make father happy. Maybe that'll help you out. She held her necklace in her hand and looked at it. A blue crow, a present from Mark. In that moment, Ursula knew exactly what she wanted to be called.
A/N: Hey, I'm alive! Hell yeah! It's hard to write when you have three writing intensive courses this semester, sorry. I hope you didn't mind this wait, I was itching to write. Finally got a chance now that it's spring break. I'll hopefully update one or two more times this break! Sorry we're still in the lull of the story here, but hopefully only a few more chapters until things pick up again. Cheers guys, thank you so much for your patience. Story isn't dead, promise. -Matt
