Author's Note: A part of me planned to jump right into Talons Alight, but I realized I had too many conversations I wanted to have between the characters beforehand to keep the chapter short and sweet. So instead, here's another conversation chapter where some people truly believe I decide who speaks with who with the roll of a dice. Or because they have support conversations.

By the way, can you guess which pairing I'm going with for Eliwood and Hector? I'd say guess the rest while you were at it, but let's just do the main lords this time.

So, if you're willing to review, leave me who you think I might be aiming at for those two. Your hint: They will marry a female from the cast, and even more specifically one they have supports with. Good luck!

Chapter 42: The Calm

An excerpt from Will's journal:

After defeating Marquis Laus, what followed was an eerie silence. The castle was abandoned in its entirety, as our multiple searches would discover. Lord Darin had left, but he had his elite troops still with him. Erik's men, while on the upper crust of Darin's troops, had been left behind. Erik himself we placed in the dungeon for the time being, members of the nearby village promising to feed him.

Ephidel… A new name I knew nothing about. Even though The Fang had finally surfaced, there was nothing I could say to Eliwood or Hector to help them understand this new threat. I've heard nothing of Jaffar, Lloyd or Linus over the past year, which worries me. Nino I didn't expect to hear anything about, but I hope she's remained safe. I'm also starting to get worried that I haven't heard from Ninian and Nils lately. It was only yesterday that I realized it had been three months since our last correspondence.

I must calm my mind. If I don't rest while I have the chance, I risk Eliwood's Elite in the field.

"Lord Eliwood!" Lowen cried, rushing up to the lord. He had been looking all over for him, but hadn't found him until the midday sun had passed. "Please forgive me!"

"Lowen?" Eliwood asked in surprise. "What on earth is going on?"

"You must forgive me!" Lowen insisted. "I… I had no intention… If Sir Marcus were to find out… I'd be through. Finished!"

"Take a breath, Lowen." Eliwood said kindly. "Then tell me what all this is about."

"Yes, milord." Lowen did as instructed. "This morning… uh… you see… Did – did you happen to have breakfast, milord?"

Eliwood crossed his arms in momentary thought. "Now that you mention it, I didn't. I must have forgotten."

"I knew it! It's all my fault!" Lowen cried. "I overslept, and once I awoke and realized you had gone…"

"Lowen, please. A single meal is not such a large affair as all this…" Eliwood said, trying to calm the knight down.

"But it is! You know what my father always says: If the stomach is empty, so too lies the heart!"

"Actually, I think that's the first time I've ever heard that one." Eliwood admitted.

"Then remember it henceforth!" Lowen instructed. "If the stomach lies empty, empty too lies the heart. Got it?"

"Um, yes?" Eliwood said confusedly.

"Then I shall bring you something to eat right away!" Lowen declared, before rushing off.

"Lowen!" Eliwood shouted after him, but the teal haired knight was gone. "Whatever has gotten into him?" He mused. "I made sure to eat lunch so I really don't see the problem…"

Lowen's state of agitation can only be understood when his morning after his late awakening is explored. After rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Lowen had gone outside of the castle gates to the nearby stream to wash his face and get water for the horses. He knew he had woken up later than usual, but rations had been laid out upon a table for breakfast so at the time he had felt quite confident Eliwood had eaten. When he reached the stream, his first stroke of poor luck hit him.

"Ah!" The cry that came from the stream made him look up. It was only then he spotted Rebecca, in a state of relative undress (Her shirt and skirt were off, but her bindings and loincloth remained. "Hello sire." Rebecca said politely, even as Lowen felt his face flush furiously. "Are you… well?"

"Sorry!" Lowen shouted in surprise, dropping the bucket and turning the other way. Rebecca giggled in understanding. "I didn't mean to intrude!"

"You're forgiven." Rebecca said. "I should have been paying more attention."

The silence became rather awkward as Lowen waited behind the trees, his face hidden in his hands. Eventually, Rebecca called him back over, promising she had finished. "By the way, I thought I already told you I'm just a soldier. I don't have any fancy decorations. To be honest, I'm nothing more than Lord Eliwood's attendant."

"Oh, but that's absurd!" Rebecca retorted, as she wrung out her hair which was still a tad wet from her bath. "Sir Lowen, you are a fine knight! Why, I still remember it quite clearly: As hundreds of bandits descended upon my poor village…"

"I believe there were ten at the most." Lowen corrected.

"In the heat of the moment it felt like many more." Rebecca said defensively. "Anyway, as I was saying. Just when our village was falling to bandits, you rode in gallantly on your white steed."

"I didn't even reach the village." Lowen said in confusion. "Lord William and Wallace were responsible for your escape. Also my horse isn't white. It's sorrel."

"You have your version and I mine, milord. Please don't ruin it by correcting me!" Rebecca grumped.

Lowen was beginning to feel like the serious woman he had heard was training in secret was entirely separate from the one talking to him now. "Uh… sorry?"

"So you appeared astride your mighty steed to save us from the bandits, and I was overcome with joy…" Rebecca continued, launching into her full retelling of their first meeting. Lowen found the exaggeration flattering, but utterly impractical. Lowen had not handled the ten bandits single handedly while protecting her with the hand not wielding his mighty lance. Nor had she even mentioned Lord William or Wallace until the last sentence when the rest of the group showed up after he, the beautifully perfect horse rider, had the situation well in hand.

"Will, what are you and Miss Hannah doing?" Lowen asked. After being regaled by the strange tale Rebecca wanted to tell (He had listened in full, it was the least he could do to apologize for walking in on her bathing session) he had done a quick patrol of the perimeter, finding Will crouched down by the back entrance of the castle. Hannah was also standing nearby, watching over Will's preperations.

"Oh, hello Lowen." Will said, smiling but not standing. "I'm figuring out how to place that mine you gave me. Hannah has been most helpful in its application."

"The trick is to create the magic circle first, then fill the grooves with the explosive powder." Hannah chuckled. "When an unwitting enemy trots upon it, they get quite a nasty surprise."

"The mine?" Lowen asked in confusion.

"Yes, well," Will gritted his teeth as he carefully positioned the powder on the circle he had drawn in the grass, "Matthew's intel suggests we not be entirely safe even in Castle Laus."

"I suppose that's to be expected…" Lowen said. "Does that mean Lord Darin is going to assault us to try and reclaim the castle?"

"I've not foreseen that man returning to this place." Hannah said. "The future grows hazy past a certain point, but that much I believe is clear."

"Even without Hannah's fortune, it's doubtful." Will said. "Darin abandoned the castle pretty easily. That may suggest he'll come back, but I think it proves the opposite. He knew staying would cost him his freedom at the very least and more likely his life."

"So then, why the mine?" Lowen asked.

"The Black Fang." Will said simply, as though that explained his point. "Either they or a mercenary troop may try to attack us during the night, since currently everyone knows where we are. It's their best chance to try and kill Eliwood and Hector."

"There is certainly danger in the air." Hannah said mysteriously. "Though whether it will touch upon us cannot be said."

"Consider it a precaution while hoping nothing goes wrong." Will said with a small laugh. "I should be done within the hour. Just before lunch."

"Lunch?" Lowen asked, his mind finally connecting something. "Will, who was on breakfast duty?"

"You were supposed to be." Will said. "I laid out some rations when I left early this morning just in case, but this mine is very complicated so I haven't gone back to eat yet. I promise I won't miss lunch."

"You shouldn't skip meals." Lowen sighed. "I always make sure Lord Eliwood… Lord Eliwood!" Lowen shouted his surprise and Will nearly dumped the entire concoction onto the circle in the wrong place.

"Hey!" Will turned, but Lowen had already run back into the castle at breakneck speeds. "Huh. Wonder what's got him so worked up." Will shrugged before going back to the mine. It really was a matter of precision.

"Are you prepared for the consequences of using such a device?" Hannah asked, her usual cackle fading to a kind tone.

"Not really." Will answered truthfully. "But I will do anything to keep us alive and safe."

"Do take care not to overburden yourself." Hannah said. "If you ever need me, you need only ask."

"Thank you." Will said. "I… may take you up on that."

On the training grounds, Marcus was currently battling with Dorcas, while Guy battled Bartre. Marcus thought the man would not be very difficult to defeat, but Dorcas was proving rather crafty. He used two wooden axes, one to use as a hand axe while the other was to protect and fight in close range. Because of his proficiency, Marcus was actually finding it difficult to close the distance. His horse Takuda was resting in the stables, so Marcus was slightly at a disadvantage from his usual state. His lance was long reaching, but Dorcas seemed to always keep this in mind as he would smack away the lance with his close range axe and force Marcus to use his sword to defend against the hand axe.

He did manage to separate Dorcas from the hand axe after a few exchanges, keeping Dorcas at range with his lance as he tapped his sword against the hand axe at his feet. With Dorcas' best move sealed, Marcus knew he had the advantage now. Dorcas stepped into range, using his axe to bat away Marcus' lance as it came in for an attack and even managed to get one more swipe in at Marcus. The more experienced knight parried the axe with his sword before delivering a quick chop to Dorcas' arm. Dorcas fell to one knee, gripping the red area with a low chuckle. "You're one of the best, Sir Marcus."

"You're not so bad yourself." Marcus said, offering Dorcas a hand. They shook. "Your family is honored in every fight you participate in."

Dorcas smiled. "You don't have a family of your own, Sir Marcus?"

"I could never pull myself away from my duties." Marcus smiled ruefully. "I love Pharae too much."

"Admirable in its own way." Dorcas replied.

Guy and Bartre were having a very different kind of duel. Dorcas and Marcus were much more strategic and careful in their approach, but Bartre and Guy were the type to charge in first and figure out what they were doing afterwards. This caused quite the mess between them. The first time Bartre charged in, Guy's sword struck out at the same time as Bartre's axe, and the two reeled away from each other holding their non-dominant arms.

The second time Guy was the one who charged in, and Bartre barely brought up his axe in time to block the series of strikes Guy unleashed upon him. When Bartre kicked out at Guy and forced him to retreat, the two combatants ended up circling each other at a fast pace, trying to outdo the other. The final time the two charged in they ended up slamming into each other head first, which brought their high speed duel to a quick and nasty end.

"Ow! Shoulda seen that headbutt coming." Bartre growled as he rubbed his head.

"It wasn't supposed to be a headbutt." Guy sighed. "We ran at each other at just the wrong time. Made us collide before we started swinging our weapons."

"You want to be strong though, right?" Bartre asked with a grin. "I can tell. The way you fight is the way I do. You're looking for something."

"I want to be the best swordsman I can." Guy said. "That means beating any other swordsman I come across. Being my best isn't enough, I want to be the undisputed master."

"Hah! I like you." Bartre said happily. "We'll have to battle again after we've trained some more. My axe may not be fast, but I guarantee one hit will lie you down flat."

"I'll just have to not get hit then." Guy chuckled. "I'm looking forward to next time."

"Lady Priscilla, are you alright?" Erk asked, as he approached the troubadour. She had been busy getting caught up on all of the events courtesy of Lord Eliwood, while Erk had gotten his run-down with Will. Priscilla was a noble, so she understood the politics and more difficult aspects of their journey while Will offered Erk the practical information they needed. Currently, Lord Darin was on the run. They would need to find out where he went and chase him down. On top of that, the Black Fang was involved. That meant their opponents would be highly skilled. He wanted to make sure Priscilla understood the danger. Even so, traveling with Eliwood's company was no doubt safer than being alone as they had been thus far.

"Ah, Erk." Priscilla smiled as he approached. "I'm fine, thank you. Eliwood has been filling me in on the details of his journey. It's… a lot like mine."

"It's my duty." Erk said. "You aren't feeling tired after these events? The Marquis kept us from leaving Laus for a long time."

"No I…" Priscilla trailed off. She seemed to truly consider the question. Erk could see a bit of exhaustion that remained, particularly under her eyes. She hadn't been able to sleep well during their time in Laus and only the last couple of days had brought her back to the Priscilla he had met when their journey began. "I'm quite fine, really." She insisted.

"Your feet aren't weary? Your shoulders aren't tense?" Erk asked.

"They're fine, really." Priscilla said.

"You've eaten properly? You've been drinking plenty of water? Are you cold? Bored?" Erk insisted.

"Erk?" Priscilla asked in concern. She hadn't seen him act like this before. It was quite off-putting to see the usually calm man insist on asking her so many questions in a row.

"Ah." Erk caught himself. Seeing Serra again had unintentionally brought back the habits he had developed while traveling with her. Serra had usually been so demanding that he had simply gotten used to asking as many questions as he could. It hadn't helped that when he had gone back to his master he had to continue such habits to ensure he and his wife ate and slept properly. How those two ever managed to function in society was beyond him. "Apologies, milady. It's hard to break old habits."

"Old habits?" Priscilla asked.

"My previous employer was very… willful. She would call me over the slightest things. When I returned to my master, those habits continued as he is not the best at taking care of himself. This is all in the past now, of course." Erk said, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I see." Priscilla muttered. "Should… Should I be asking you to do more, then?"

"Oh no." Erk said with a laugh. "This is just fine. Do not concern yourself with me, Lady Priscilla. You've your brother to find."

"Yes." Priscilla nodded. "Thank you for agreeing to be my escort, Erk."

Unbeknownst to either of them, a pink haired cleric had been eavesdropping nearby. Having heard more than she had originally intended, Serra hurried off to the castle.

Oswin sighed, looking out at the afternoon sun. He had been waiting for a correspondence from Ostia, but as of yet he had not received anything. He had informed the court of his choice to swear his loyalty to Lord Hector. It would likely cause some minor issues when they finally returned to Ostia, but he figured any doubt would fade as Hector came into his own.

He hadn't expected to see Matthew there. The thief had walked up to him clear as day, and was sitting nearby. Oswin realized he must've been hoping for a letter from Leila, though he knew it highly unlikely. Those two truly should have admitted their feeling before she had left on her new assignment. Regrets were the worst part of being a spy or a soldier. He hoped Matthew wouldn't be cursed with those. "Have you seen Lord Hector?" Oswin finally asked.

"Not today." Matthew replied cheerily. It was true that their group was still small, and Castle Laus was rather grand. It was possible Matthew was telling the truth.

"He just goes wherever he pleases." Oswin sighed. "Even in battle, I tell him knights are supposed to stand their ground and he runs off."

"Ah that's not the young master, Oswin." Matthew grinned. "You know us young folk, never keeping still. Even you were young once, right Oswin?"

Oswin chose to ignore the jab at his age. "Always trying to take care of things on his own… he needs to think more about others."

"He thinks about others plenty." Matthew said.

"I mean in terms of consideration." Oswin elaborated.

"Well you have him there, but that's what I like about Lord Hector." Matthew said, jumping up to his feet. "It's never dull with him around."

"Like him, don't like him… It's not our place to discuss such matters." Oswin grunted. "Besides, it's your coddling that's caused this behavior in the first - " he turned to find Matthew already most of the way back to the castle, waving idly at the knight. "Hey! Matthew! I wasn't done talking yet!"

Hector was wandering the halls when a blur of pink slammed into him as he rounded a corner. Nobody had heard anything and both Will and Eliwood were busy so he had taken it upon himself to explore the castle and see if Laus had any secrets they could use. They had already learned there was no secret passage back into the castle. The one Darin had used to escape had been collapsed behind him. Reading books wasn't his style so he quickly lost interest and began wandering the halls. It was at this time he ran into Serra, who seemed to be in a mighty hurry. "Serra?" He asked.

"Ah, Lord Hector!" She said, perhaps a little more calmly than he was accustomed to. He helped her to her feet. "Thank you. You're also free to thank me as well, you know."

"Thank you?" Hector asked, flabbergasted. "For what?"

"Well you always told me if you were to go somewhere that I should stay in the homeland because someone needed to defend it, right?" Serra asked.

"I probably said something along those lines." Hector said. In truth he couldn't fully remember, but every visit to Serra filled him with a sense of dread. It was like walking into a hurricane because you knew you couldn't get away. Not the most fun imagery.

"Yet I, in all my thoughtfulness, have come with you! Now admittedly that's because Lord Uther made Oswin ask me to accompany you, but I'll accept your thanks just the same! Or a bucket of jewels, if that works better." Serra said, grinning slyly.

"You want me to thank you for disobeying my request?" Hector gaped. "To tell you the truth, it's harder to fight with you around!"

Serra looked genuinely hurt for a moment. Within seconds she had recovered, stomping her foot onto Hector's own angrily. As Hector let out a pained yell, Serra huffed. "Really! The nerve of some people! I thought you would be more understanding, Lord Hector!"

He couldn't claim he understood a single one of Serra's actions. "Understanding of what?" He asked, in the hopes she would explain.

"Hello!" Serra bopped him on the head with her staff. "I'm the only sister in this army!"

"Now that you mention it, that's true." Hector mused. He often forgot that Serra was a sister in St. Elimine's church. Come to think of it, he'd never known how she ended up there, or why. She never seemed like a typical sister to him.

"And even though we have that Priscilla girl now, I'm still the best healer you could have." Serra said proudly.

"Another good point." Hector agreed. "Of course, a replacement would work just as well…"

"R-Really!" Serra recoiled, and once more her expression fell. "H-Hmph! What if I really found a replacement! What would your taunt mean then?"

"I uh…" Hector saw that in spite of her bravado, Serra seemed truly shaken up. Even though he had been a tad serious about what he said, he thought he should take it back. "There's no better healer in Ostia, so it's probably best you stick around."

Serra smiled. "Of course. No one is better than me."

"Milords." Merlinus bowed politely to Will, Hector and Eliwood as they ate at the table. Their day had come to an end, but not a hair of Lord Darin was to be seen. So they had decided to settle in for another night.

"What is it, Merlinus?" Eliwood asked kindly.

"I wished to speak to you, if that's alright." Merlinus said, wringing his hands. "I felt it was important to tell you."

"What, is it that secret you've been keeping from us?" Hector asked.

Merlinus flinched, but nodded. "It's something I believe may be helpful to you in future."

"Fine." Hector said. "Let's hear it."

Merlinus sat at their table. Will wasn't sure whether or not to excuse himself from the conversation, but when Merlinus began to speak he figured it was too late. "I… You asked if I had served with a lord before."

"You have?" Eliwood asked.

"No." Merlinus affirmed. "I never got that far along. What it was… I used to come to Castle Santaruz often."

"So what, you were Helman's unofficial merchant?" Hector asked.

Merlinus frowned. "No I… I was a suitor to his daughter. Lady Caitlyn."

This did catch both Will and Hector's attention. Eliwood nodded in understanding, though he didn't know the reason Will and Hector began to listen more intently to the older man. "Please, continue."

"Yes, well… It was perhaps a little over twenty years ago…"

Lord Helman needled his brow. He had set up a meeting with Caitlyn's latest suitor and once more she hadn't the decency to show herself. Perhaps she had taken one of the horses out for a joyride once more. "Forgive me, Sir Merlinus. My daughter is willful at the best of times."

Merlinus waved his hand airily. "Do not worry yourself, Lord Helman. I never thought myself worthy of this honor in the first place."

"You're a modest man." Helman said, smiling. "You are no common merchant either. Few have the track record you have created over these short four years."

"I do my best." Merlinus laughed. "I travel far and wide and deliver what villages need most, even if they don't realize it. The rates I charge are decent without being overbearing, which I think is the key to any good merchant."

"I'm surprised you haven't been hired by a noble house yet." Helman said.

"I'm still new." Merlinus said humbly. "Many believe my methods… unorthodox at best. They think it's mere luck I've done so well for myself."

"I can see they are very much mistaken." Helman laughed. "If my daughter is agreeable, I would be honored to have you court her."

"Thank you, milord." Merlinus bowed politely.

"Father!" A crisp voice called as a disheveled woman appeared at the doors to the throne room. "Are you still sitting upon that throne? You should get out and about once in a while."

"Caitlyn." Helman said, in an authoritative tone. "You should not be appearing in the throne room looking like a mess."

"Oh!" Caitlyn seemed to finally take notice of Merlinus. "I'm sorry, good sir. Please forgive my state."

Merlinus couldn't believe how beautiful this person appeared to him. To others, they may have seen a woman who cared little for her appearance, her hair sticking out in odd places after her morning ride, and wearing what one might mistake for peasant's clothing instead of regal dress. Most striking of all were her hazel eyes, which watched him carefully and kindly at the same time. "It's an… honor to meet you, milady. My name is Merlinus. I am a humble merchant."

"No doubt Daddy's newest suitor." Caitlyn said with a laugh.

"Yes." Merlinus affirmed.

"At least you seem kinder than the last. Lord Araphen is a right arse at the best of times." Caitlyn said.

"Caitlyn…" Helman growled in warning.

"Ah, forgive me. I shouldn't speak of a fellow Lord so." Caitlyn said, giving a dainty laugh Merlinus knew was fake.

"I was smitten." Merlinus chuckled. "You may think it the foolish belief in love at first sight, but I wanted dearly to know more about her."

"Lord Helman must've been surprised." Hector said. "She made quite the awful first impression."

"Awful for some." Merlinus agreed. "To me, it merely spoke of her free spirit. Her desire to find what she was looking for. I had hoped I would be the one to give it to her. I was not, I'm sad to say. Though she still found her happiness. Of that, I am glad." Merlinus looked at Will, a small crossing his face. "You are the proof."

"So Will really is Lord Helman's grandson." Hector grunted. "That's the mystery solved."

"Wait, what?" Eliwood shouted in surprise. "Hector, you knew?"

"Suspected." Hector corrected. "I had no proof. Even now, Merlinus' testimony may not be enough to convince shallow minds."

"When were you going to tell me about this?" Eliwood said, looking to Will and Hector both.

"When I had solid proof." Hector replied.

"I would've settled on never." Will disagreed. "Even if I turned out to be the grandson, that wouldn't change or solve any of the problems we face."

Eliwood fell silent. "The Lycian League, you mean."

"Former Black Fang do not promising rulers make. Add in that I never knew Lord Helman myself and there's not a lot of potential I offer." Will said.

"I suppose you have a point." Eliwood admitted. "Though I still would've preferred to be kept in the loop. We're not to keep secrets from each other."

"I'll… try, Eliwood." Will said.

"That's all I ask." Eliwood said. "Sir Merlinus, if you would continue?"

"Right." Merlinus said, dabbing his forehead with his handkerchief. "I began my courtship in earnest. I never earned her love, but we did become good friends over the course of my attempts. I was the only one your mother told when she left for the plains."

"Proof of where she went." Hector said. "Add in the letter and that may be the proof we need."

"Yes well, she met the Nomad Huroar in the village close to Castle Santaruz." Merlinus began. "I cannot know how their entire relationship blossomed, but I knew I would never win her heart."

"Merlinus." Caitlyn was caught by surprise, as she led the horse from the stable.

"Good evening, Lady Caitlyn." Merlinus said. He had a feeling she would be here. Perhaps he could call it the heart of a man in love.

"You sniffed me out." Caitlyn sighed. "So what are you going to do?"

"I think that question is better asked of you, Lady Caitlyn." Merlinus responded. "Is this what you want? Truly?"

"I… I love Huroar." Caitlyn said. "I know that's not what you'd like to hear, but I want more than anything to be with him."

"You're right." Merlinus smiled. "It hurts to hear you say those words about another."

"Kind Merlinus." Caitlyn said, giving the slightly shorter man a hug. "You've been more than I should've ever asked of you. I know you came to win my hand, but I hope you'll allow me to consider you a true friend."

Merlinus' eyes began to water, but he held back his tears to the best of his ability. "Will you be happy?"

"Yes, Merlinus. More than you could ever believe." Caitlyn as well seemed to be holding back tears of her own, her voice wavering.

"Then go." Merlinus said. "I will… try to explain to your father. I cannot promise he will understand."

"Thank you." Caitlyn said, giving Merlinus a soft kiss on his cheek. "I'll write you once we've reached the plains. I think Huroar would like to meet you."

"I will always love you, Lady Caitlyn." Merlinus said. "I will move on the best I am able, but know that."

"I do." Caitlyn said. "Perhaps, in another life, we were meant to be. But for now…"

"For now we say goodbye." Merlinus said with a smile. "I believe the Sacaen expression is 'May Mother Earth watch over you on your path.'"

"May Father Sky fell any who would do you harm." Caitlyn said, before she slung her leg over her horse.

As she rode away into the night, Merlinus could see a second horse join her. The two rode away towards the plains, together. He knew she would be happy, but losing her still hurt more than he could've ever imagined.

"I still have the letters she wrote me. I didn't write back often myself, but I suppose she understood how difficult it was for me." Merlinus concluded. "I still have her them. They're in a small lockbox I keep in my caravan. I also have Lady Caitlyn's portrait. I believe it will be enough to prove Lord William's connection."

"Lord William…" Eliwood mused. "It's an odd thought to contemplate."

"I've always gone by Will." Will said. "My parents rarely called me William themselves."

"Please." Merlinus bowed. "Take me into your service, if only for the duration of your journey, Lord William. I wish to honor your Mother's memory in my own way."

Will sighed, scratching his nose in embarrassment. "After you've been so kind as to share all this with me, it would feel wrong not to grant you your wish."

Merlinus smiled, tears beginning to fall from his eyes once more. "Thank you."

"I'll uh… be counting on you." Will said. This was more awkward than he had expected.

"Hah! Already got yourself a loyal vassal!" Hector laughed, grabbing Will into a headlock. "Should we start teaching you all the Lordly ways?"

"I think you'd only teach him bad habits." Eliwood chuckled.

"Hey! I know how to take care of my vassals." Hector growled. "That's the one thing I can do right."

"I think you've just explained your failings as a Lord." Eliwood laughed. "Besides, Lyndis is already unconventional in her own right. I see no reason Will shouldn't be allowed to do the same."

Wallace patrolled the empty halls. It had been a nice day, by his standards. He hadn't done much of anything, and it reminded him fondly of his time as a farmer. The fields of his home were calling for him, but he knew they could wait. These little lords had many problems they still needed help with and he was more than happy to lend a body to their cause.

Their team was becoming more robust and respectable, Will was handling his new duties with an impressive amount of sincerity. Perhaps he had managed to teach the boy how to open up better in all those months of reshaping him into a warrior. Wallace chuckled. It wasn't like him to spend time thinking. He was better suited to drinking and making merry with the rest of them.

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the very ground beneath him. Will's mine, which had been planted earlier, had just exploded. He could hear the angry shouts of mercenaries and the cries of them trying to get clear of the blast zone. So, they were about to come under attack. "Best warn the laddie." Wallace muttered, before hurrying off to the throne room.