Author's note: One of my good friends wants to help me with editing, but our schedules never mesh well, so I'm not sure if I'll bother. I try to make sure everything is spelled right and makes sense, but there are bound to be errors now and then. Forgive me for that.

Chapter 17: The Black Sword

They found themselves hiding out in a cave now. The shipyard had already been closed off by Mark and his troops when they arrived. Will realized he hadn't been careful enough in their planning. Everything had already been revealed.

"I'll scout ahead, you guys follow behind me." Maria said, smiling the smile she always reserved for making people feel better. Even in this situation, her spirit refused to buckle under the strain.

"Maria, be careful." Will said. There was little else he could say. He had confidence in her, more so than he had ever had in anyone before. She was smarter than him too, so she wasn't likely to get herself in trouble while scouting.

"I'm only scouting, not killing." She said, simply.

"But… what if they find you?" Nils asked, in a small voice.

"Then I head for the hills!" She declared.

"We're going to have to fight them eventually." Will said, angrily. Mark especially seemed too excited to fight them.

"No we don't." She replied.

"What are you talking about? You saw those numbers!" Will continued. This wasn't the time to be blowing off danger.

"Just because you have a weapon doesn't mean you have to use it." She said, smiling again. "The weapon follows our lead. If you don't want to fight then you don't have to." With that strange declaration she was gone. He hadn't realized that was the last time they would be able to talk. The next time was when he had found her in a blood of blood, and watched her die in his arms.

Will opened his eyes, rubbing his temples painfully as he stood. Today weapons would no doubt be used, whether in practice or to end lives. He felt strangely sad, knowing his dreams of Maria continued to haunt him.

"Everyone get up, come on!" Will called, going to each tent in turn, and waking the inhabitants, many of which hated the idea of moving again after only a five hour respite. Nevertheless, they got themselves up and ready for battle, as today would be the day they fought the Black Fang.

Florina glanced at Will's notebook briefly while he was helping the others load the spare baggage onto the horses, and giving a light load to Huey. There wasn't much written inside this time. Only a couple of bullet-points about the last battle, the conversation with Eliwood, and the chase they had undertaken. Apparently he hadn't been able to write much after preparing everyone for the battle.

"You could just ask, you know." Will said, appearing almost as suddenly as Matthew tended to. Matthew himself had disappeared with only a brief word to Will about an hour ago, and had yet to return.

"Umm… I… Well…" Florina said, flustered. Her shoulders drooped, and she quickly handed the notebook back to Will before scurrying away.

"I wonder what she was looking for…" Will said thoughtfully, flicking through the pages idly before returning to work. They still had a ways to go.

Will opened his notebook. He was still curious as to why the Pegasus knight had wanted to look at it. Could it be she wanted to know about the connection between him and the siblings? He shook his head. He had no idea at all. He opened it to the page after, and began to write; unaware that Florina was flying quite lower than usual to spy on him.

A mysterious group is hell-bent on capturing the siblings. Having failed, the Black Fang flees. If the reports are true they've gone southwest to their stronghold. We're following them in an attempt to recover Ninian's lost ring, Ninis's Grace. Their stronghold appears to be an abandoned castle in Kathelet, though it's obvious they've turned it into a fort. No matter what, we have to be prepared for any surprises they'll have in store…

"You really think so?" Florina asked nervously, unable to contain herself. She flew a little lower. She had learned it was best to stay low when she wasn't scouting ahead or fighting in battle, to avoid catching the eyes of any stray bandits with bows. It was one of the many things she had learned from Will in their teaching sessions. He even joked about how she'd take over as tactician at the rate she was learning. She denied it fiercely, knowing Lyn wanted to keep his tactics and friendship.

"Well, the Black Fang are better than the Taliver, to put it lightly. Strong, quick, well organized and hard to kill. It's not going to be easy but we'll manage." Will said this with enough confidence to ease her worries. Everyone else seemed to relax as well, though Will failed to notice.

"So we lost both of them? Is that what you're saying?" An evil looking woman with impressive assets and a rather tight fitted outfit said, pushing the dirty, scruffy looking bandit in his chest as she spoke.

"Well…" The man said, trying desperately to think of an answer that wouldn't get him killed. "You see, they ambushed us, and…"

"No excuses." She said, and he flinched. She easily lorded her command over him. "Only the end results matter."

"…Yes, ma'am." He said politely, shrinking into the corner.

"Now…" She said, in a clear 'I'm-going-to-kill-you-if-you-don't-answer-this-correctly' voice, "How do you plan to recover them?"

The man straightened. He at least had a plan where this was concerned. "They are headed this way as we speak, with the brats in tow." He said, puffing out his chest slightly.

The woman actually raised an eyebrow in interest this time. "Really? Why would they come all the way here?" She asked.

The man held up a ring, one that emanated a strange power and shined strangely in the torchlight. Of course, the bandits could only tell that it was shiny and important. Anything else was beyond them. "This ring is a rare piece." He said, smiling slightly. "I suspect they have come to claim it. I took it from that girl. Turns out luck and fate are on our side, if it is bringing them to us now. I'll kill the whole lot of them with this trap!"

"Fine." The woman said in a decisive tone. "You get another chance. But just one. I've business elsewhere, but I shall return once it is finished. If you have not killed them all by sunrise tomorrow and recaptured the siblings, my hand will deal you the Fang's punishment!" Her voice never raised, and she placed a hand on the man's cheek as she said the last part, sending cold shivers down his spine. He didn't like this at all. "Remember, and keep it closely in mind." She said, and then left down the stairs. He stood stock still, still numb from the icy hand of death that had brushed his cheek.

"Failure… is not an option." He said, his voice shaky.

"We're here." Will said. His voice had lost the joyful quality it began to show when talking to members of the camp. It was distant, like when Lyn had first asked him about his history.

"You truly plan on going through with this madness?" Nils said, looking from one determined face to the next.

"It is not madness and yes, we do." Lyn said, fiercely.

"If this is their stronghold…" Erk said pensively. "It must be well defended. Armed guards everywhere, I'd bet." He didn't sound too happy about it. His job of protecting Serra would be much more difficult if that was the case.

"Just forget about the ring!" Ninian said, looking from Will to Lyn pleadingly. "Please, it's fine. I honestly don't need it back…" She said. It was true, the trinket may not be of vital importance, but Ninian's face when she had realized it was gone was heartbreaking to see.

Lyn smiled. "Will's agreed to this… recovery. I wouldn't be here if not for that." A part of her also wanted to make amends for when Will had given away his Mother's necklace to help her. She had been unable to do anything to get it back for him then, but this time was different.

Lyn… Will thought, a small smile crossing his face.

"And if Will thinks we are able to do it, then it must mean we can." Rath said, surprising everyone with his sudden full sentence.

"With Will at my side, I'm confident. We will win!" Lyn said.

"Aww…" Kent, Sain, Matthew, Dorcas, and Wil all cooed at the same time.

Lyn immediately realized what she had said. "Oh shut up! That's not what I meant!" She snapped at her cooing vassals, blushing angrily.

"I'm so sorry to break up the happy moment… but I need to speak to my friend." Everyone could swear they heard a creepy song start in the background and the voice that spoke sent shivers down their spines. Dorcas and Florina let out a "No" through gritted teeth.

"Get lost, unless you want to die." Will said, not turning towards the voice.

"Oh, how could you be so cruel? After I came all this way to see you!" Mark said, clutching his heart. "Is that so wrong? I wanted to make sure you hadn't died on me yet."

"Still alive, now go away." Will responded, still not turning.

"No can do… you see, I need to bring you back with me. Those kids right there would be a nice bonus." Mark said as a tome appeared in his hands.

"Damn…" Will cursed. "Everyone, go!" They all looked at him, surprised. "If they hear the battle, they'll come out! You need to fight them in the building! The narrow corridors can work to your advantage!"

Everyone began moving, but Nils, Ninian, Lyn and Florina all remained. Will turned to them. "Trust me…" They all looked down. "This way, he can't get Nils and Ninian. Please… let me do this."

Nils and Ninian nodded. They turned, and left. Florina and Lyn remained in place. "Florina, I've taught you enough that you can manage these goons. Just take your time and do things right."

Florina looked hesitant, but when Will took a moment and smiled at her, she gave in.

"Will…" Lyn said, trying to find the words.

"Lyn, I'm sorry. This time, I can't be by your side." He started walking away from her, towards the man who awaited him. "The angel of despair still hasn't finished his last job."

Lyn looked at him a moment longer, then turned, running after the others. You better survive this… or I'll never forgive you!

"Well… looks like I get the honor of showing you my superior skills again. Why won't you just give up?" Mark said, his tome open in front of him.

"Because I hate you." Will answered simply. The two squared off, Will's sword at the ready.

"Let's get your ring back, Ninian." Kent said, gallant man that he was, as everyone prepared for battle.

"Rath." Lyn said, calling the nomad over. He obliged. "Go help Will. Even if he'd like it I know he can't handle Mark alone. I'm needed here. Please?"

Rath smiled slightly. "As you wish." He said, and rode back outside. He stopped after spotting the two now battling on the hill. His bow was fitted, and he was ready to step in if he was needed. He knew Will would not be pleased when that happened.

"There are more of the foe than I expected!" Sain said, looking out upon the force of men facing them. It was a solid dozen and it looked like there would be reinforcements. It wouldn't be easy, just as Will had said.

"This is their stronghold…" Florina said, everyone turned to her in surprise. She blushed and hid her face in her hands. Lyn had told them how Will had entrusted tactician duty to her. Oh, she was so going to… get mad at him later! "It's imperative to move carefully. If you use these corridors wisely, we can draw the enemy into them and take them one by one."

"And if we're in a hurry?" Dorcas said obviously thinking, as everyone was, about the tactician fighting their dangerous foe outside.

"We could rush, but it should only be in dire circumstances. Now let's take them out!" She said, pumping one of her arms into the air while the other still held her face from view. It took a second or two for it to sink in, but then everyone gave a resounding "Yeah!" And charged into battle.

"Looks like Will's rubbing off on you." Lyn said, rushing past her. Florina felt her blush deepen further.

"Elfire!" Mark cried, releasing the blast of fire at almost point blank range. Will was surrounded by a wall of fire, but no cry of pain escaped him. He made no sound at all. He didn't even beg for mercy like he was hoping!

Suddenly, an arrow landed inches from him. It was lucky he had been moving, or it would have gone through his head! "So… not everyone went inside then." He said, turning to the nomad. He never got the chance to attack Rath as Will came leaping at him while swinging that sword in wild patterns. He'd have to use more powerful spells to force Will into submission.

Taste this triple strike, which none have survived yet. Will thought, as his sword slashed in three different ways in three seconds. A resounding clang echoed three times through the field. "What?" Will exclaimed, landing.

"Surprised?" Mark said, knocking his fist on the cover of his book. "I couldn't let my book get damaged, so I covered it in silver. Not even a silver weapon can cut through it now."

"Damn it…" Will knew he was running out of strategies fast, he hadn't expected Mark to be so overly prepared for anything and everything that Will could throw at him.

They were putting up a good fight. Well, that wasn't the right way to say it. They were kicking the crap out of these Black Fang guys. Dorcas was currently smashing his way through some Dark mages, with Lucius's light magic and Nils's flute to back him up.

Florina was hanging back, going as best she could to each group in turn to help them, Serra riding with her as the healer. That girl sure loved to talk.

Kent and Sain were easily cutting their way to the leader, their sword and lance making them a dynamic duo on the field. Florina could she why Will respected them so much and used them so often in tandem.

Erk, Wil, and Ninian were knocking out reinforcements that had the misfortune of appearing through what Florina had deemed 'the reinforcement hole', though in truth it was only Wil and Erk that did the fighting. Ninian just kept close to them for safety.

"Take this!" Rath growled, firing off three arrows in succession, foiled by a strong blast of Elfire. Will's attack also missed, Mark leaping nimbly out of the way. Reaching into his robes, Mark produced an entirely new tome which fluttered quickly in the wind.

"Oh no…" Will said, horrified. "Rath! Move!" He yelled.

"What?" The nomad said, thought too late. The eclipse hit him, and he hit fell to the ground in a dead faint.

"I didn't kill him, I only wanted him to stop interfering with our reunion!" Mark said, obviously out of his mind as he chuckled darkly.

"I don't ever want to see your face again." Will said, and his next attack got Mark's left arm, cutting a nice gash along it. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. He would have followed up with one of his own dark spells, but the poison in his body made him afraid to use such a draining move unless it was guaranteed to finish the bastard.

"You hurt me… even though we're friends…? I… will… get you back! Eclipse!" Mark yelled, firing off another one of the spells. It smashed into Will, who managed to block it with his sword.

I can feel the poison making my movements slower and slower. Will thought. But I'm not good enough with the sword to surprise him. A surprise is the only way anything is going to affect him. But how can I do it. How…

He glanced at Rath's fallen form, spotting the bow next to him. No, my skills with a bow are so pathetic I wouldn't be able to capitulate on the surprise of using it. But maybe… Will glanced at Mark, noting the inside pocket where he had stored the special silver tome.

If I have to take a gamble, the best one would be to get hold of that silver tome. Turn his own weapon against him. But Anima magic I've never attempted before. Will gritted his teeth, before activating his own dark tome.

"You'll risk losing the rest of your power to fight me? How silly of you." Mark said, a smile spreading across his face.

I'll lay out a net, and attack with my sword. Let our battle take place on my minefield. Will said, before his tome flashed several times. In fact, it flashed so many times as pools of dark energy fell into the earth that after he was finished his dark tome fell to the ground, a tattered mees as the pages disintegrated into the wind.

"Well well. Impressive beginning." Mark said. Though now I imagine your body is racked with pain.

He's right. Will thought with a grimace, even as he poised his sword for a new assault. This is going to take every bit of effort. Remember Will… Remember Maria and the Lorca and everyone this man has ever hurt. My job is to bring him to justice! His grip tightened and he charged.

Mark's tome met the blade, as the two danced over the pools of dark energy. Will's footsteps managed to impressive his adversary, so light in nature that the dark pools he stepped on failed to activate. Meanwhile he had to watch his footing and his adversary at the same time. It gave him a rush unlike any he had felt before, as the two danced a melody of death together on the hill.

Lyn… forgive me for a poor imitation! Will thought, as his next strike came upon mark. For a moment, Will Shimmered in the light of the setting sun, before he vanished entirely from sight.

"What!" Mark cried in surprise, before he felt a blow strike his back. In the next moment, his cloak had been split in two, and from the cloak Will retrieved the Silver tome. Opening it, the tactician quickly chanted a spell he had never used, and a fireball sprung forth, setting Mark's dark tome on fire.

Mark made a small 'tch' sound as he looked upon Will. This was not the man he wanted to kill, or even the one he wanted to drag back to the fang. Was the one he loved truly dead and gone? That ruthless nature, the willingness to do what was necessary for the mission… Though the dance of death had been more than he could have hoped for. Perhaps something was worth salvaging in that stupidly glowing heart the tactician now possessed. That small spark of the dark had not yet faded. "it's seems I must reassess my strategies." He called to the tactician. "Consider my tome a gift. We'll meet again soon enough, as I still possess the antidote you need. A pity you struck for my cloak and not my belt. Farewell."

A pool of dark energy erupted from the ground, surrounding Mark until his disappeared in a puff of dark. Will collapsed to his knees, breathing hard as he dropped both the tome a sword into the grass. Before he could collapse entirely, he felt gentle hands around his shoulders. He looked up blearily into the soft smile of Rath.

"It was a battle well fought, Sir Will." Will grinned slightly at the small amount of respect he had earned from the tribesmen.

"I think I'll need a rest…" He muttered sleepily. "Florina's got the rest… covered."

He collapsed fully into the man's embrace. Rath helped him onto his horse, before retrieving Will's sword and tomes from the battlefield. Placing them safely in his horse's saddlebags, his mounted his horse before turning to the fortress. By now he guessed they would be wrapping up their fight against the Fang. At least for the time being.

"I mustn't fail. The consequences are too…" The man said, his sword raised above his head in desperation, attacking the two cavaliers with all his might. Kent and Sain merely took one blow each with their shields and the fight was over. Kent disarmed him with a swift flick of his sword, and Sain plunged his lance into the man's leg, immobilizing him.

"No… I… I cannot…" The man said, trying and failing to move. Lyn's sword was now at his throat. The battle was over. They had won, just as Will had said they would. Dorcas had met Rath at the entrance, and though Will was unconscious he had apparently managed to drive Mark away, gaining a new tome in the exchange. Serra was tending to him as they spoke.

"Give us the ring and swear an oath to never again hunt these two children or Will again. Then we will spare your life." Lyn said, noticing the man's shaking. He looked up, a small, insane smile on his face.

"Failure… means… death…" He said before he collapsed to the ground. They hadn't noticed him downing the contents of a bottle as Dorcas relayed the news of Will's success. The bottle rolled from the dead man's hand across the floor.

"Poison." Kent said, stating the obvious as he picked up the bottle. "He took his own life. I noticed the other people here were well trained, as Will said. Much better than ordinary brigands."

"There's a lot of questions that need answering." Florina said with a strange tone of annoyance, making everyone look at her again. She blushed and hid behind Lyn. Her limit with men was finally reached, though she had done exceptionally well during the battle.

"Like…?" Lucius asked, trying to be kind.

"Well… I can see why they were after Will, but Nils and Ninian?" Florina said, stating one thing that everyone now begun to ponder.

"Well, just stick with us." Lyn said, smiling. "You witnessed our victory, right? With Will's planning and our strength, there's nothing we can't accomplish. Whatever comes, we won't let you be taken."

"That's right." Matthew said, making everyone jump in surprise. That had seen him pop up here and there during the battle, but he had vanished for a good ten minutes before appearing now. "Here Ninian, your ring." He flicked it over to her, and she caught it in her hands. "Ninis's Grace, right? Keep it safe this time."

Ninian smiled, and nodded. "I will! Thank you!"

"Well, this has certainly been an odd day." Dorcas said, as though that wrapped things up. They decided to move away before making camp in case any people came back to the fort. Will decided to ride with Florina, once again to her utter embarrassment. He had a lot of questions in regard to the battle though, so she put on a brave face.

"Told you you'd end up replacing me." He said, his voice breaking with silent laughter, and she blushed. "You may need to help more than you realize… I noticed during my fight with Mark that the poison is beginning to affect my movement… I won't be able to dictate commands as before."

"What?" Florina said, almost knocking them both off Huey, who snorted in anger. Will quickly grabbed Florina's waist to stop himself from falling, but this only served to agitate the poor girl further, and eventually they both toppled off of Huey, who thankfully had dived close to the ground to prevent the two from being injured.

"Calm down." Will said, as Florina groaned. She quickly leapt to her feet and off of him, brushing off her skirt and blushing furiously. "I still have time. Mark's cloak did have something that I can use to slow the poison, and maybe even concoct an antidote. The bastard really doesn't want me to die. I hate the thought of being indebted to him though." Will said, and Florina nodded.

"Then tonight I'll help you. You have to be in top form, if you're going to fight alongside Lyn." Florina said, determinedly. "Also it's my way of saying sorry for knocking you off Huey."

"Not just her… you too." He said. She felt her blush deepen again. "And everyone else. I want to help however I can." She sighed.

They mounted Huey again after a few assurances that they were alright, and Florina managed not to freak out as she felt his head connect with her back, his breathing slow as he fell into slumber. She suppose she had to let him hold on to her now, in spite of her embarrassment. Why does he care about everyone so much, when his own life is in so much danger? And why does he keep making me worry about him? For some reason I feel really frustrated!