Author's Note: Wow this took a long time. I had to rewrite the entire chapter, and then my editing buddy took forever to get back to me on it. Sorry it took this long to come out, but I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless.

Chapter 13: Antidote

"Alright then, I'll tell you." Will said. Once again he had found himself in the strange girl's company. He had even introduced her to Nino. She always seemed to be around to talk to him. She was a strange girl that spy for Ostia. Perhaps that was why he told her his plan. He didn't want to just leave on his own, only to be tracked down and killed. No, he'd offer himself as a far more tempting bait to save another. At least, that's what he hoped would happen. He would free Ninian and Nils, and they would all three escape. Using his extensive knowledge of Valor, he had confidence that he could create a good escape plan, using the cover of darkness and several places only he knew about. When the Fang got close that was when he'd use himself as bait, if it came to that. In the meantime, he had to practice.

"…You've gotten better." Jaffar said simply, as he sheathed his dagger

"Think so?" Will asked, sheathing his sword after getting up from the floor. It wasn't like Jaffar to give idle flattery, but he sure didn't feel like he had gotten better.

"…Yes. You are trying harder to get stronger. That is always a good thing." He said, crossing his arms.

"Thanks Jaffar." Will said with the smallest of smiles, as the man walked away. Jaffar didn't respond, but Will hadn't been expecting one either. It was just the way Jaffar was.

He had gotten better with the sword, if only just. He wasn't dropping it at every turn, at least. He had also gotten a bit more used to using his dark tome, though he always felt a twinge of regret when he used it to end somebody's life. Thanks to Maria's ideas and tips, his plans moved forward at a better rate than even he had predicted. In retrospect it seemed likely she had one herself, being a spy for Ostia. How else would she get back and report her findings?

Of course, at this time Mark began acting more oddly as well. He became increasingly interested in Will, and would oftentimes insist on dragging him off when he was talking with Maria. They would have suspected he knew she was a spy, but if he had, why wouldn't he report her? He out of all of them seemed especially loyal to the fang.

It may have been became the Angel team had now become feared across all of Elibe. The warning posters usually focused on the three males, as Maria was still a recent addition that had kept herself hidden. Will was quite sure she had managed to avoid killing anyone during her time in The Fang. An extremely large reward had been made available to anyone who could provide information leading to the capture of them. Mark seemed to revel in the attention it brought him, as if it were praise from Lord Nergal himself.

Will continued to sleep. After a small amount of further treatment his breathing became much more eased, to which Lyn was exceedingly grateful. His sleep was only punctuated by groans or the occasional tossing and turning. Serra herself had mentioned some kind of poison, but without knowing the exact poison, not having found the dagger that struck him during the previous fight, they couldn't even attempt to make an antidote.

As of this moment Kent, Sain, and Wil were preparing dinner. They seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Erk was outside the tent reading a book in silence. He read so fast that Lyn was convinced he'd finish his current read by the end of the night.

Serra was inside the tent to tend to her charge, though she continued to talk a lot of the time in between treatments. Will's hand and arm had been healed completely now, and Serra claimed he'd be able to fight without issue for some time. Lyn had wanted to extract the poison before closing his elbow wound, but Serra recommended against it, saying it had already been too long and it was likely that all Lyn would do is poison herself as well.

"Why hasn't he woken up? You did say this poison was slow acting." Lyn asked angrily, cutting off Serra's tirade about how bandits had no consideration for who they were attacking. She fell silent with a contemplative look on her face, as if not sure of the answer herself. Then again, it seemed unlikely Serra had come across this poison, as otherwise she would've known the recipe for an antidote.

"Well… he just got beaten up by that M-Mark… and then he came tumbling down the hill. He was bleeding a lot t-too. I don't know why he was still w-willing to fight that man…" Florina said quietly, shuddering.

"Easy." Dorcas said, and everyone looked at him. "You heard him. He knows that man. Likely due to that little tidbit no one cared to mention?" Everyone looked at him in confusion, and Dorcas sighed. "That part about him being involved with the Black Fang."

"What are you talking about? What's the Black Fang?" Lyn asked, wondering why any of this related to Will and his current predicament.

"The proof is there." Dorcas said, nodding to Will's collarbone. His face had taken on a stony quality that was quite unlike him.

Without thinking, Serra pulled down Will's shirt to reveal the indicated area. "Ugh… What an ugly mark…" She said, but Dorcas's face darkened. Florina looked surprised as she saw the tattoo, but Lyn continued to be confused. Erk, who had entered to see what all the fuss was about, looked as he usually did.

"An Angel." Dorcas growled, itching to reach for his axe. He restrained himself on the count of three women being present. It seemed unsightly to attack an unconscious man while they were present. He also remembered that Will had been kind thus far, and his hand unclenched. Who was he to judge a man by his past? If not for Will and Lyndis, he would've died a bandit.

"No way… He's never acted like one. I can't believe it…" Florina said, placing her hands over her mouth in horror.

Lyn remained as confused as ever. Even Florina seemed to know of these Fang people, but she had never heard of them before in her life. "Who are these Black Fang?" Shen asked with increasing annoyance.

The tent was suddenly becoming very crowded as Kent, Sain, and Wil entered. For a moment they all stared at each other, Kent particularly gave each of them a hard look to indicate meaning. He then motioned outside, and everyone followed him to the campfire. He and Sain spoke quietly to each other for a moment, before turning to the rest.

"The Black Fang… I suppose you've all heard about them?" Sain asked, and everyone nodded. Lyn shook her head. She was beginning to feel like an outsider.

"Let me explain as best I can, milady." Kent said with a kind smile. "The Black Fang are a group of assassins. They were originally located in Bern, and were founded by a man named Brendan Reed. At first, they seemed like a noble group, who killed corrupt noblemen and helped the poor. However, a few years back Brendan took a new wife. Since then he seems to have stepped aside for a new leader, though how that is I have no idea. Unfortunately, much of the Fang is shrouded in mystery now. It's unlikely that one of Brendan's sons took over though. They were too respectful of his policies to change things like this. Even Bredan's fate is unknown, I'm sorry to say."

"But what does any of this have to do with Will?" Lyn asked.

"Will told us the first night we met him, though admittedly under the threat of my sword." Kent said, which was received with some gasps, and a couple of raised eyebrows. "He was a member of the Black Fang."

"You may have also noticed that strange skull and crossbones tattooed on his collarbone." Sain said, looking around the circle.

"An Angel." Dorcas said, though with his calm demeanor returned. "He's the Angel of Despair. Mark said so when they fought."

Florina couldn't help but pipe up. "But that makes no sense! If Will is the Angel of Despair, why fight his comrade? Mark is the Angel of Deceit, after all… if what I heard is true, I mean... I've only seen the marks on wanted posters, and one or two rough sketches, but I'm guessing that's what all that traitor talk was about?"

Dorcas spoke once more. "It seemed to be about him leaving The Fang. From the sounds of it he released some important prisoners and made his escape."

Wil nodded. "Believe it or not, I've heard a rumor about this." Everyone looked at him curiously. " You heard a lot when you travel. The Angel of Despair vanished from the Fang without a word, taking children with him. The Angel Squad itself was disbanded, and the Angel was hunted and supposedly killed. That part seems to have been mistaken though."

Dorcas sighed. "I know I am not the authority on right choices, but is it wise to trust him? Will he not simply bring more trouble than help to Lyndis?"

Kent shook his head. "Do not forget that Sain and I have known this for some time. We have asked him to lead us to Caelin and have placed our trust in him. He has not lead us wrong once."

"He told us he believed Mark was involved from minute one. He surmised that it was Mark that informed Lundgren of your location." Sain agreed.

Lyn kneaded her forehead as she attempted to process all this new information. "I… I don't know what to think."

Dorcas sighed again. "I don't know if I can trust a member of the Fang, but he was the one that asked me to help while he was injured. I suppose I'll trust him, but forgive my suspicion if I sleep with one eye open." Sain and Kent nodded. It was the response they had given to Will, and he had accepted it without a complaint. In fact he had expected it. Surely one more watchful eye made no difference.

"He's never done anything but help me. He's never tried to hurt me or direct me into danger. I'd like to trust him as well." Florina said, blushing slightly.

"We share the same tent. I reckon if he wanted me dead, I'd already be lying on the ground. Not breathing, either." Wil said, cheerfully. Everyone looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "That didn't really come out right."

"He doesn't seem like a bad guy. He only wants to see you through your journey safely." Erk said, suddenly appearing from inside the tent. He looked at Lyn with a soothing gaze. "He's awake now."

Lyn nodded, and stood up. She wanted to talk to him about all she had just heard. Florina also decided to go with her. Serra exited the tent as they were about to enter, her cheeks puffed out in frustration. "I tried to heal that ugly mark of his, but he laughed me off. He said that my magic was in itself tainted. How rude!"

They couldn't help but chuckle as Serra stormed over to Erk, who was reading his book, and began to vent to the mage who refused to listen. Sain and Kent returned to cooking dinner, as they had paused about halfway through. Wil and Dorcas went to gather more firewood, with Dorcas's trusty hand axe and Wil's bow in the case they found some extra food to catch.

Florina and Lyn entered the tent, and Will looked up. He tried to smile, but seeing the looks on their faces, especially Lyn's, he couldn't manage it.

Before Will knew it, his plans had morphed to include her as well. It was obvious she'd be punished if they found her out. When he thought of that he found he couldn't just leave her there alone either. "I want no one to suffer for my sake." He had said one night, while the two conversed.

She laughed, and said that to include her in his plans; she got to include him in her plans. "And… what plans are those?" he had asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

"You and the kids come with me to Ostia!" She said, with that mysterious smile he had come to know over the months.

"Why would I do that?" He said, with a raised eyebrow. Putting himself in close contact with people that wanted him dead, be it Lords or Fang members, seemed like the least intelligent idea.

"Because, you should meet Lord Uther, and Lord Hector. I think they'd like you." She said, winking. "Oh, and you definitely have to meet Matthew!"

"Why?" He asked. He had heard very little about the lords she served, but she had told him one or two tales about her friend Matthew. He got the feeling the two were more than friends, but neither seemed willing to push forward towards being lovers.

"Use your brain, genius!" She said, flicking his forehead. "That way you'll be safe from retaliation. Also as a bonus you can help Ostia beat these guys to a pulp!"

So that was her true motive. To turn him into a new secret weapon for Ostia. At least she had been honest about it. "Fine. I'll do as you ask."

"Okay, now let's get something to drink!" She said cheerfully, clapping her hands together to bring the current conversation to an end.

"What?" Will asked, once again confounded by her sudden change in mood.

"Oh come on, you can't think if you're thirsty! Let's get something to drink!" She said, dragged Will out of the room, their arms linked. Will followed only somewhat reluctantly, a genuine smile beginning to play across his face. He hadn't known then, but Mark had seen them talking. To be honest, he wasn't sure what the trigger was, but Mark seeing them converse about their plans to escape must have been when things began to fall apart.

"That witch! Tainting Will with her words… she'll probably go for others next… I must stop this… and bring Will back to us! Without her… he'll come crawling back. There is no need for such petty emotions! No need for a thing like happiness in our world of blood! Family sticks together, after all!" His eyes burned with the fury of a man who lost his mind. What happened next was the part of these memories he hated most.

"What's up?" Will asked, raising a hand in greeting. Florina and Lyn were glad that he was at least awake again.

"You doing better?" Florina asked, as they sat themselves on the edge of his bed.

"You kidding? I just found out I've been poisoned from Serra. I'm pretty much certain Mark has the antidote. After hearing that, I can definitely say I've been better." He said with a sigh.

"I… I just meant…" She tried, blushing in embarrassment.

Will smiled. "I know what you meant. Other than that, I am feeling better. Guess I owe Serra a favor."

"They're going to travel with us to Caelin." Lyn said, giving a small explanation of Sain's recruitment effort.

"I had a feeling that might be the case, since they were both here when I woke up. Tell them I said thanks for that." Both of them nodded. "Erk's magic Seems to be much more usable than my own, which will be a huge asset. Serra's healing, while it costs some sanity points, is also great to have." Lyn and Florina giggled at the assessment. "You said Sain is the one that convinced them?"

"Well, more like he was hitting on Serra, and it sort of backfired on him." Lyn said, waving it off. "Serra's much more of an aggressive girl than he thought."

"Clever devil." Will mused to himself, realizing Sain had likely done it for him. "Guess I owe him a thank you too."

When they heard the sounds of laughter from the tent, the campfire breathed a sigh of relief. They had been slightly afraid Lyn would lose it since her most trusted companion had failed to tell her such an important detail of his life. "Seems like they're going to be okay." Dorcas said, with a soft smile.

"By the way…" Wil said, eyeing his comrades with a mischievous grin. "What was the final score?"

Serra spoke up for Erk before he could quiet her. "Erky got twelve!" He sighed. Once again Serra seemed to be missing the point.

Sain smiled widely. "Twenty-seven was my final count, I believe."

Kent shook his head as well. "I can't believe you beat me Sain. I only come in with twenty-four."

Wil smiled. "Well, at least I didn't get last! I got twenty!"

Dorcas shook his head. "You do realize that next time everyone will be counting now? Why couldn't you just let it go?" Wil shrugged with another playful smirk. Erk sighed, knowing Serra would count for him whether he wanted her to or not.

"Lady Lyndis will beat us all easily though." Sain said, crossing his arms in thought. "I doubt we could tell her to sit out for half of the battle to give us a handicap?"

"Yes, there's no way she would ever agree to that." Kent said, with a small sigh.

"So I suppose by now both of you know, right?" Will asked, pulling down his shirt to show the tattoo once more. Both Lyn and Florina nodded, not sure what else to do. "I knew it would come out in the end. I just planned to tell you myself when the time came." He said with a shrug.

"What time was that?" Lyn asked.

"When you were reunited with your grandfather. It would be much easier to hear, 'get out of my face,' once the job was done, rather than halfway through." They continued to look confused. "What, you aren't mad that I didn't tell you?"

Lyn shook her head. "Why should I be? You've helped us out so much."

Will sighed. "Thank god. I thought you'd want to kill me after what happened. I mean, I left the Fang right after it, but…" He looked up, saddened. "Those bandits killed your whole tribe. The Black Fang pulls their strings. I just…" Lyn stood.

"What?" She said, her voice dangerously low.

"I thought Kent and Sain told you?" Will asked, taken aback.

"The Taliver…" She said, her voice ringing with anger. "You're part of their group?"

"Gods no." He said, shaking his head vehemently. "They are Mark's puppets at best, and a resource for the Fang at least. But I was part of his team for a while, the Angel Squad. I wish I could've left before that operation, but I needed to deceive him for a little while longer. The plan had to succeed."

"What plan?" Lyn asked, her eyes on fire now. Will answered her, eyes closed. He had a feeling this confession was costing him more than he had originally hoped.

"My plan to save the two hostages Nergal had. I used the aftermath of the slaughter Mark brought upon the Lorca to put it into action. Because he was so wrapped up in his success, the plan was a success. I, Maria, Nils, and Ninian all got away…" He trailed off, opening his eyes as he felt Lyn's blade on his chest.

"You used my family and my tribe's deaths to save three measly people?!" She said, angrily.

"Lyn, stop!" Florina said, pulling Lyn back, which was surprising considering Lyn was so much stronger. Perhaps a part of Lyn was still keeping herself in check, until Will finished explaining himself.

"I already told you." Will said, looking away from Lyn and at the ground. "I was a selfish bastard like everyone else. I only cared for those near me. I didn't care about those that I didn't think I'd ever meet. I now know that I was very wrong to think such a thing."

It took some time, but eventually Lyn calmed down and sat once more at the foot of the bed, her sword placed on her knees. Florina sat down slightly in front of Lyn, as if to shield Will. She also continued to glance at Lyn in a slightly frightened manner. "Why do you say that?" Lyn finally asked, and her voice was level. Florina still was keeping a close eye on her sword, though.

"I met you." He said, the smallest of smiles playing across his face. "Someone that was supposed to be dead. I met Kent and Sain, who said they would trust me in spite of my past. I met Florina, who let me teach her tactics despite having no real experience with Pegasi. I met Wil, who's the best shot I've ever seen, and someone I'd love to call a true friend. I've even met Dorcas, who's an amazing person with the most caring heart I've ever seen." Florina blushed slightly when he mentioned her, and even Lyn felt a little uncomfortable listening to him dish out praise so freely. "And now I've met Serra the haughty Cleric and Erk the magic prodigy. If I didn't care for nameless people now… how will I ever meet the ones I know in the future?"

Lyn sheathed her sword. "I believe you. You aren't a bad person. At least, not anymore." Will smiled. "I don't know if I can easily forget the fate of my people, but at least you are trying to atone. I should respect that, or Father Sky and Mother Earth would curse me next. Even so, you might not have much longer left." She added, frowning.

"I have enough. As long as I stay out of the fight and we get to Caelin in a timely manner, we'll get the cure." Will said simply. They both looked at each other briefly, and then back at him.

"But how can you be so sure?" Florina asked, worried.

"Mark is pulling Lundgren's strings. That's what his whole reunion was all about. To let me know he'll be leading Caelin's forces against us." Will said, clenching his fist.

They didn't question him any further after that. He closed his eyes shortly after and went back to sleep. Florina and Lyn looked at each other for a short while, before deciding to return to the campfire once more, where everyone awaited them.

"He's okay." Lyn announced to the silent campfire, and the group broke out almost at once into relieved laughter, and jokes about how tense they had been. They had been slightly worried that Lyn would send him away, but she had obviously decided against it. Caelin was getting closer by the day, and with Will's tactics, they might just have a shot.

"Will said to be ready to move out in the morning, because we've still got a long way to go." Lyn announced after a short while, and everyone nodded. They decided to eat dinner, then get some sleep themselves before they marched again.

Will smiled, hearing the activity of the camp in the background. After resting his eyes, he felt it would be hard to sleep. Perhaps he'd think of some good strategies while everyone slept. "You were right Maria… Being free is a lot better than I thought it would be. If only Jaffar and Nino knew. Maybe Lloyd and Linus too…" He said, closing his eyes once more. Despite his awakened state, he felt himself once more drifting off to sleep.

The following morning, it was Will's turn to say he had rarely slept so well. Perhaps it was a silly thing to say, with the poison still in his system, but he couldn't help his smile.

The bald man sighed, leafing through the official summons in his hand. He had several questions to ask the sender, but he had a feeling his questions would be answered in the following letter. The first had promised another was incoming, so until then he figured he would wait and see what transpired.

Of course, it could be a long time until the next one arrived. He shook his head, sparing another glance to the general's armor resting on the wall. He walked outside, wondering if the current weather was good for his poor cabbages.

Matthew had finally reached the heart of Araphen. "How's that, Leila? Think you can top my time?" He said, glancing at the position of the sun. "Only five and a half days, by my reckoning. Wonder if she's ever done better. Bet she has…" He said, wrinkling his nose. He looked around the square. "Maybe I can fill my pockets with things these people don't need… just to pass the time." Of course, he only said that for his own amusement. He really just walked into the inn, paid for a room, and then went to sleep. He still had a bit of time, but it would pay better to be in top form.

Rath rode thorough the town, giving small nods to the people all around. They all looked cheerful enough, but he heard them muttering whenever he turned around. He doubted highly it was about him. He surmised it had something to do with the Marquess, who often treated him as though he were a glass ball, and the smallest crack could break him. This was ridiculous, of course. He was Sacaen.

"The wind blows my way… fate seems to be upon its wings… A very strange wind." He uttered so quietly, that not even his horse could hear him. Not that anyone but him could have understand what it meant. He patted his horse lightly, and continued on his way.

"WHAT?!" Lord Lundgren yelled. Mark rubbed his ears. The man was rather loud when he wanted to be. "She crossed the border?!" He said, through teeth so tight, it was a wonder they didn't shatter under the strain.

"Yes…" He said, handing another rose, this one white, to the Lord. Once more his eyes became glassy, and his jaw slack as Mark spoke further. "They are headed to Araphen, my lord." He said, smiling. "But their tactician is now poisoned. And without this antidote…" He said, putting the purple vial in the lord's lap. "The tactician will die. I leave it to you."

Lundgren nodded. "Shall I send soldiers to meet them, Lord Mark?" He asked.

"That would be wise." Mark said with a smile, walking from the hall with a swish of his cloak. All the soldiers gave him a wide berth. They didn't like this man.

"Well? Hurry it up! Kill that Sacaen Mongrel! Attack her with everything we've got!" He ordered while holding the rose, muttering something to himself. "Lord Mark was right… The old man and the girl cling to life like drowning men to rocks." He turned to his attendant. "Double the strength of the poison."

"But my lord!" The servant exclaimed.

"Do it." Lundgren growled. "If he struggles, hold him down and pour it down his throat! You understand?"

The servant bowed, and left. Lundgren was left on the throne, twirling the rose idly in his hand. "Once the girl is gone, no one will stand in my way… No one!" He laughed loudly and heartily, and the empty throne room was filled with the sound.