Author's note: Last chapter's difficult spots were the opening and closing sections. The opening I had to do a lot of extra research into the eight heroes and the ending involved some new dialogue and looking up Fire Emblem 6 characters to choose which one was Dorcas' daughter. I settled on Dorothy, because she looked like fun. Other than that, the arc got into full swing, with Wallace and Will joining Eliwood on top of the three other recruits right at the start. If Eliwood had been planning on a group smaller than five, that got blown away after the first day.

I also kept the villain alive. There wasn't a reason to keep him alive, but there wasn't a strong reason to kill him either, so I had him get arrested instead. But to know what camp is like for Eliwood's group, you're going to have to wait, for now we head over to Ostia, where another journey is about to begin.

P.S. I don't plan to do multiple chapters updates in one day after this, but for Eliwood and Hector's stories I wanted them to start on the same day. Cheesy, I know.

Chapter 34: Another Journey

An excerpt from tactician William's journal:

The only communication I received from Ostia was courtesy of Serra. We actually seem to get along very well, despite our clashing of personalities. The rumors of Lord Elbert's disappearance has reached them even there, but Lord Uther seems to show no interest. The people find Hector odd enough with his unlordly behavior, so Lord Uther's silence worries them when Hector doesn't take the news well. I suppose Hector couldn't ignore his friend's plight. Hector is a courageous man, and an excellent warrior. Many are right to fear him. Whatever path he chooses, many challenges await.

Hector stormed towards the throne room. He had been left waiting for a month too long by this point, and now that he finally had the chance to act there was no way he was going to let it slip between his fingers. "Brother!" He shouted into the empty halls and he headed towards the door. "Brother! Where is he Oswin? The throne room?"

"Lord Hector, please calm yourself." The knight next to him was clad in orange armor, which covered his shoulders, arms, chest, shins and the sides of his pelvic area. Underneath was a purple mail shirt, and he wore black pants with a single black belt to tie them together. In one hand he held a lance at the ready, and despite his heavy armor walked even taller than Hector. This was Oswin, Knight of Ostia.

Hector's outfit was a sharp contrast to Oswin's. His armor was dark blue with golden lining, covering the same areas as Oswin's own armor. Underneath he wore dark brown pants and a blue shirt, tied together with two brown belts. Much like Eliwood, he two had a cape, though his was entirely red. Strapped to his back was a rather intimidating axe, which Hector often wielded in one hand with ease. His short blue hair was combed back, though a few strands still stubbornly stuck forward. "No words, Oswin. Just move!"

As he burst into the throne room, spotting his brother sitting calmly in the seat, his eyes closed as he contemplated something Hector sure hoped was his friend's plight. "Hector." Uther said, the sigh escaping his lips more than telling. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You know full well!" Hector nearly roared. "The disappearance of Marquis Pharae!" He pointed a finger accusatorily at his brother.

Uther sighed again. "We spoke of this when rumors of his disappearance first circulated, Hector. It is not Ostia's affair." Uther opened his eyes, looking down his younger brother with a glare that made Hector recoil. "We have no reason to involve ourselves. It would be folly to do so."

"Folly?" Hector growled. "Eliwood's father is missing, for St. Elimine's sake! We've got plenty of evidence Marquis Laus is connected in some way." Hector wasn't sure how damning this evidence was, but he had heard enough of it to know better. "I say we use Ostia's might to end this mystery at once and find the truth!"

"Calm yourself, fool!" His brother barked. "An invasion is pure madness! This is not like that alliance against the Taliver which brought a prosperous resolution for all. Lycia cannot afford the chaos such an invasion would bring. Surely even you, with your distaste for politics, can understand that!"

Hector slumped, knowing he wasn't going to get through to his brother. If that was the case, there was nothing left for him here. "Bah… I understand all too well." Hector grit his teeth, trying to contain his rage. "Stay there on your throne then, until it rots beneath you! I'll handle this alone." Hector turned angrily, leaving the room before any further words could be spoken between the two.

"Lord Hector…" Oswin said, wondering if he should try to stop him.

"Peace, Oswin." Uther said from his throne. "Let him go. When he gets that look, there is no reasoning with him."

Oswin sighed, wondering why the two fought even though they understood each other all too well. In fact, he surmised Lord Uther already knew what Hector's next step would be. The only question is what Uther would do in response.

"Matthew!" Hector shouted into the hallway. He knew the sneaky thief had to be around there somewhere. "Matthew!" He called again. Only silence. "Blast it! Where could he be?"

"Right here, m'lord." Matthew said, falling from the pillar in front of Hector right into his face. He got a small feeling of satisfaction from the shock on Hector's face every time he managed to pull off one of his sneak appearances.

"You…" Hector hated Matthew's little 'surprises.' It certainly made him miss Leila. She would just report in to him like a normal human being. "You're not a wraith. Stop skulking in the shadows like one."

"Hmm…" Matthew said, smirking. "A wraith? And here I thought I was a spy. Be that as it may, you wanted travel rations, correct? I have successfully brought the requested items." Matthew threw a pack over to Hector, who slung it onto his shoulder. "I also purchased the silence of some of the royal guardsmen. You'll be able to slip out of the rear entrance and vanish."

Hector smiled. He may not like Matthew all the time, but he was certainly handy when he wanted to be. "Well done, Matthew. Try not to let my brother discover my absence too quickly."

"What?" Matthew asked, confused. It was only then Hector noticed the second slightly smaller pack Matthew had slung over his shoulder. "I thought I was going with you."

Hector grunted. "Then you're a bigger fool than I imagined. Did you really think I would trust you when you report directly to my brother?"

"Well, there was Maria…" Matthew began.

"That's different. I can't be sure YOU won't turn me in for some favor. Where I go, I go alone!" Hector said, stamping his foot in anger. Combining that with his raised voice, and Matthew was surprised they hadn't been accosted by another guard yet already.

"Shh!" He hissed, placing a finger to his lips. "You keep on shouting like that, and you'll be going nowhere! Every guard in the palace must've heard you!"

"Enough." Hector barked. He didn't think he had been that loud, and since no one was showing up it was most likely fine. The guards were used to his shouting anyway, so perhaps they had simply passed it off as another day in the castle. "Don't try to follow me!"

"I didn't imagine you thought me that untrustworthy." Matthew said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Professional hazard, I suppose. Watch yourself, young master." With a swish of his cloak, Matthew melded into the darkness. Hector could hear his footsteps retreating.

"He… gave up too easily." Hector growled. He would've thought more deeply about it, but he knew he didn't have much time. "Even if I don't trust him… the time has come. I've got to get out of here and rendezvous with Eliwood." He moved the bag experimentally on his shoulder. It felt a lot heavier than it should have. "What did Matthew put in these things? This is ridiculous even if he did plan on coming with! Huh?" He paused. Hector smelled something in the air. It was a scent he hadn't smelled since the battle with the Taliver. Killing intent and the smell of blood. "Come out. I know you're there."

From the shadows emerged a figure in a black cloak. The cloak had a hood, obscuring every part of the strange presence's body from view. The figure seemed to be looking at him, but said nothing.

"Who are you?" Hector demanded. The figure remained silent. "Too dumb to speak?" Hector taunted. The figure continued to say nothing. "Makes no difference to me. Move out of my way, or I'll run you through!" The figure didn't move, so Hector charged, grabbing his axe with one hand and swinging it in a compact arc at the figure. The figure seemed to take the hit, shimmering and vanishing from sight. "Hah!" Hector said. Whatever it was, it wasn't very strong.

"Whoa!" A figure called from the shadows in front of him. "Milord, stay your arm! It's me!"

"Who?" Hector asked, before he realized exactly who it was. Those footsteps retreating had been some sort of trick the thief had managed to pull over on him. "Matthew? And here I thought you were one of them."

"Well I'm not!" Matthew defended, holding the front of his shirt with one hand. "I'm one of me. And I would prefer to stay in one piece, if it's all the same to you."

"It's your fault for standing there and skulking." Hector said. "Now tell me, what were you doing there?"

"Hm?" Matthew said, before realizing he had been busted. His brilliant ploy had been for naught. "I uh – I sensed something was wrong and… came to your aid!" He finished brightly.

"My aid…" Hector repeated dubiously. "I suppose I'll accept that answer for the time being."

"So then, what should we do?" Matthew asked, glad Hector had let him wheedle his way into a team-up.

"About what?" Hector asked, starting to walk.

Matthew grabbed Hector and dragged him into the shadows, just in time for Hector to see more black robed and cloaked figured gathering near them. "About the fellows between us and the way out." He hissed. "I'd estimate their number to be seven or eight. To make matters worse, they seem highly competent. Black Fang competent. I know you're quite the fighter, but I'm not the strongest sword arm around, and… well…."

"If you've got something to say, Matthew, then say it!" Hector hissed back.

Matthew sighed. "We should abandon the rear entrance. I'm sure the royal guardsmen would be happy to aid us in pushing back the threat, and then—"

"Never." Hector replied, refusing the proposal.

"That's what I thought you'd say." Matthew said with a grimace. "I suppose all that's left is to avoid getting killed, right?"

"You can go back if you want." Hector said with a grin.

"In your own words, milord, never." Matthew said, fingering a dagger as he looked at the nearest targets. "I'm with you, wherever that may lead."

"Right then." Hector said, grabbing his axe in his hand once more, "Then let's give then a good thrashing and get out of here!"

Their assailants must've truly been from the Black Fang. Not only was each garbed in their telltale black, but their skills in battle were not to be laughed at. Hector and Matthew had managed to take out the forward guard of two with their surprise attack, Hector's axe cleaving one in two while Matthew's dagger expertly slit the other's throat. With six remaining, the rest of the battle was going to be much tougher on them.

There were two hallways that led towards the back entrance, and though Hector did not want Matthew to be put in danger the only way forward was for them both to take one. If they both headed down the same hallway the enemy in one may be able to launch a surprise or pincer attack on them, and they couldn't afford such a risk.

Hector barreled his way down the hallway, taking a blast of dark magic to his armor as he did so. It stung, but it hadn't done much thanks to his protection, and he quickly dispatched the foe. A cry and a gurgling sound from the other hallway told him Matthew had dispatched his foe with ease, though how he had managed it Hector couldn't be sure.

With four left, the three that came at them next were the toughest. The first was downed by Matthew's daggers, though one had clattered to the ground and the other was stuck in the assailant's chest. This left Hector alone against two enemies, one of whom used an axe while the other fought him with a sword. The axe user was slow, which worked to Hector's advantage. He parried an attack from the axeman before slicing the man's abdomen open with a horizontal swipe.

The swordsman attacked during this moment, which wasn't good for Hector. Even worse, Matthew leapt in, taking the blow that was meant for him. The thief collapsed to the ground, holding his side where the sword had pierced and letting out a sharp hiss in pain. Hector growled in rage, and even though the weapons triangle generally favored sword to axe, he beat the sword wielder to the ground with sheer force before removing the man's head.

Quickly, he knelt down next to Matthew. "You shouldn't have done that." Hector growled.

"Can't let… anything happen to you, milord." Matthew grimaced. "Take care of the last, I've got a Vulnerary. I'll take it and heal before catching up with you."

"Right." Hector said, hefting his axe. He charged for the entrance, where the last Black Fang member stood. Perhaps because he had seen what Hector had done to the others, but this Black Fang member seemed particularly afraid to fight him. He focused mostly on dodging, barely getting any kind of attacks off as Hector continued a barrage of blows that kept him on edge.

Hector realized that if he was afraid that meant the man's skill was inferior to his own, which meant this fight wouldn't last very long. Sure enough the lance snapped in two when it connected with his armor, and Hector sliced the man's weapon arm off before doing the same to the other. The man let out a horrified cry as he fell to the ground. "Fuh – forgive me… Lord… Nergal…" He collapsed, the life leaving his body.

"Whew…" Matthew sighed in relief, as he finally caught up to Hector. "That was close. Glad we both came out alright. Come, milord, let us fly before the castle guard arrives! They must've heard all the noise."

"You rouge." Hector said, though he smiled. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"

"Are you suggesting I received a tip from Will that there was Black Fang activity in the area? How scandalous!" Matthew said. "Besides, they weren't about to show themselves unless you were alone."

"I suppose…" Hector relented. He hated knowing that he owed that tactician a favor, but he couldn't deny he enjoyed living. "Mark my words, Matthew! From this point, you are no longer my brother's spy. You're my man now, and that's until the bitter end."

Matthew smiled. He knew Hector hadn't taken on any new vassals since Maria's death, so this was a huge step forward. "Yes, milord!" He said jovially. "Shall I swear a knightly vow?"

"What purpose would that serve?" Hector asked, bemused. "Your words will hold you well enough."

"That's true!" Matthew said with a laugh.

"Let's go then!" Hector declared, stepping out of the castle gates, "To Eliwood!"

Inside the throne room, Uther awaited the news he knew was coming. Right on cue, a soldier burst into the room in a frenzy. "My lord! It's Lord Hector, He's—"

"He's gone." Uther said sadly. He had hoped Hector would listen to reason, but he knew in his heart that Hector would follow his own path. They were equally stubborn, but this time Hector would get the better of him.

"Y-yes, milord." The soldier said, ashamed to look Lord Uther in the face. "We are gathering men to give chase, but with the attack on the back entrance we are already stretched thin."

"Attend to the repairs." Uther said. "We will let him go."

"Milord?" The soldier said, raising his head in confusion.

Uther shook his head, but when he tried to speak, he felt a violent sensation hit him, making him feel like he was about to throw up. "A… headstrong fool." He managed, before he fell into a violent fit of coughing.

At first, it had been a rare occurrence. These days, to Oswin's dismay, they seem to come upon him more and more often. Lately it had been happening nearly once a day. "Lord Uther! Are you well?" He asked.

Lord Uther steadied himself using one of the arms on the throne. It took him a moment, breathing deeply in and out, before he opened his eyes again. "I'm fine, Oswin. It has passed." Upon Oswin's continued look of concern, Uther chuckled. "There is no need for concern."

"You must not rely on your physical strength alone." Oswin said. "It has been a most trying time these past few weeks, and you have not been to see Healer Serra lately at all." Oswin shook his head. How that loud girl had managed to stay silent about Lord Uther's personal treatments was beyond him, but even her healing seemed not to help what ailed him. "The affairs of the court have not let you sleep. You may endanger your health further if you keep on—"

"Enough Oswin." Uther said, raising a hand. "I understand, believe you me. I will speak with another physician on the morrow. Will that help allay your fears?"

Oswin knew that it wouldn't but he had to respect his Lord's wishes. He bowed deeply. "Yes, my Lord. I shall make the arrangements immediately."

"Oswin… about Hector." Uther said, making the knight turn as he began to head towards the door. "I can entrust him to you, yes?"

Oswin smiled. "Of course, my lord. I will guard him with my very life's blood."

"You will require a healer." Uther said. "Ask Lady Serra to accompany you. I get the feeling she will take you up on the offer."

"Yes sir." Oswin said. He realized now why Uther had mentioned a different physician. He wanted his brother to have the best help, which meant he and Serra would away to Hector's side. He only hoped that with this Uther's own fears would be alleviated, which may allow him to get the rest he so dearly needed. Without another word, Oswin pushed open the door to get on his way. Recruiting the Healer would take time, and catching up to Hector would be no small feat. He'd best hire horses for the journey, just to make it easier.