Author's note: Florina's year took up an entire chapter without my realizing it until I was nearly at 4,500 words. Once that happened, I decided I might as well finish it and call it a chapter. This chapter will touch on the other members of Lyndis' Legion, if a bit less in depth. Also, support conversations are on the move as is Lord Darin. What will happen to Caelin? Anyone who has played the game already knows. If not, the chapter title is a giveaway. As always, please review if you get the chance. I love hearing from the people who read the story. Finally, I'm sorry this chapter is a day late: business negotiations took up all my time yesterday and I was too tired to upload after.

Chapter 45: Caelin Falls

An excerpt from Lady Lyndis' writing while in Caelin:

The weekly court sessions are getting to me. It is hard not to feel like a bird trapped inside of a cage when these nobles and lords constantly demand my time and attention. Thankfully there are some comforts that help make my time here easier.

The first is walks with my grandfather. He gets better by the day, and while it is still mostly I sharing the stories, lately he has begun to tell me more about my mother's childhood. It's fascinating to listen to and a nice change from the posturing of the throne room.

The second is my friends. Kent is perhaps more serious than I would like, while Sain is much too lax. The two create a nice harmony though, and I often find myself talking to one right after the other. They've helped me several times when having to deal with difficult nobles, and I must admit without them I would be lost in this place. Wil has been teaching me how to use the bow, for which I'm grateful. I used to hunt back on the plains, but my bow skills could use much improvement. With any luck, should there be any battle I become involved in again, I'll be able to use a bow as well as my sword.

Florina has been a dream. Without Florina I don't believe I would have lasted. The females in our ranks are few and far between, and none of them are willing to talk to me as Florina does. She still insists on calling me Lady Lyndis, but when we are alone she will drop it and go back to calling me Lyn. Like Will, I couldn't be happier to have her in the Lorca.

Finally has been the letters. I've received several letters from Serra, and we've become pen pals of sorts. She keeps getting in trouble with her patients, but I suppose that is to be expected when she tells them off for getting themselves injured in the first place. Dorcas and Natalie have also written several times. I had the privilege of being there when their daughter was born. Dorothy is beautiful. It made me wonder about one day having a family of my own. Will… his letters have been fairly often, though I feel like he never explains his adventures enough. I do miss him. This year apart has made me realize how much I care for him as a friend. When I called myself his peerless warrior and he my tactician… I suppose it was only natural I felt possessive. He was the first one I met after everything… happened. I don't know if it is destiny or anything of the sort, but I hope to spend time with him again. I feel we are stronger together than apart.

Lyn sighed. She had tried to get a head start this morning. She felt like getting in her sword practice early and then working on her bow skills with Wil, but that plan had come to an early halt. When she had arrived at the training field, she found Kent already there.

Kent smiled as he saw Lyn approach. "Good morning to you, Lady Lyndis. How fare you this morning?"

Lyn smiled. "Hello Kent. I'm fine. I was just trying to get an early start on my sword training this morning. I'm looking forward to continuing my bow work."

"Of course." Kent affirmed. "That's certainly admirable of you, Lady Lyndis. Still, please take care of yourself. It wouldn't do to overwork yourself and get injured."

"Thank you, Kent." Lyn chuckled. "You're always looking out for me, even these days.

"But of course." Kent said with a bow. "I am the Lady Lyndis' servant. It is my duty."

Lyn fell silent. She wasn't sure she liked the term 'duty'. It made it sound a lot like Kent didn't have a choice but to help her. She liked to think they had managed to understand each other during their travels, but sometimes the way Kent acted made her feel like they were strangers.

"Lady Lyndis?" Kent asked, confused by her silence.

"It's nothing." Lyn said. "I'm going to go train over there before heading over to the archery range. Good day."

"…Good day." Kent said, though with the smallest of pauses. Had he said something to annoy her?

Kent remained at the training fields for some time. After Lyn practiced her stances (Kent admitted they had become much more defined, sometimes Lyn could change the direction of her attack mid-strike, which made her a very difficult opponent to face), she left the training fields, leaving him alone. He had told Sain to meet him here, but the man had of course been tardy. It was likely due to it being one of their rare days off, the recruits all being off duty or away to visit their families.

When Sain finally arrived, he wasn't even dressed in his usual armor, but casual clothing. If Kent had to guess, Sain had been womanizing at the nearby village, perhaps having himself breakfast at the local inn. The innkeeper's daughter was a bit more taken with Sain than was healthy, in his opinion. If she wasn't careful, she truly would fall in love with the man. Not that he believed Sain would make a terrible husband or father, but he had yet to see Sain truly devoted to a single woman.

"Sain!" Kent barked, catching his partner's attention.

"Ah, Kent. Good morning!" Sain said, happily.

"Did you forget our morning training?" Kent sighed. "I told you we still need to work on our combination now that our armor is heavier than before. You've also taken up the axe, and I need to learn the timing of your strikes again."

"Oh come now, Kent." Sain said, laughing. "You've known me for over four years now. We've worked together just as long. We're not as desperate for training as you seem to think."

"Yet you continue to waste your time womanizing." Kent growled. "If you were at all serious about finding a wife I may be more forgiving, but as it is you're just looking for a good time."

"I need motivation to do my best in battle, Kent." Sain defended. "I'm not like you who can keep going on duty alone. I like to think when I fight is to impress the ladies."

"So you intend to continue being a show off?" Kent cried in exasperation. "I thought we finally moved past all that."

"Oh come now, you know I can't change all at once." Sain said cheerily. "I happen to like making women happy. That part of me will always stay the same."

"You should start thinking about the needs of the group. The needs of House Caelin, rather than your self-serving attitude." Kent said in disgust. "You weren't ready for the responsibility you've been given."

"I'm fine, Mother." Sain said, letting Kent's insult slide off him. "But you seem to be in a fine mood now, so I think I'll be off." Sain turned and waved before walking off, which only enraged Kent more.

"Sain, wait!" Kent called after him. "Bloody fool…" He cursed.

Lyn and Wil had gotten a good hour or so of practice in before Florina found and interrupted the two. She was quite out of breath, explaining she had tracked down Sain after talking to Kent at the training grounds. She shuddered slightly at the sight of the bow in Lyn's hand, but managed to get ahold of herself as she spoke. "I've got a new letter from Will. I thought it'd be best if we all read it together."

"You're right, that does sound fun." Wil said. "Let's head to the castle."

After cleaning up, the trio began to make their way to the castle. On the way, Lyn noticed Florina seemed lost in her own thoughts. "Are you alright, Florina?"

"Huh?" Florina asked, shaking out of her stupor. "Yes, I'm well Lady Lyndis."

"Good." Lyn said. "You make me worried when you look like that… you haven't been going out alone, have you?"

"Alone?" Florina asked. "Not since I visited Farina."

"Good. You never know where archers could lurk." Lyn said.

"We're in Caelin's walls, Lady Lyndis." Florina seemed confused. "Enemy archers are unlikely, right?"

"I just… I've been worried lately." Lyn said. "Maybe Will's letter will put me at ease, but…"

Florina frowned. She had been happy to read Will's letter, but she wouldn't call the news happy. If anything, it spelled possible danger for Caelin.

"You've been making sure to stock healing salve, right? And maintain your weapons properly?" Lyn asked.

"Eh?" Florina was once more caught by surprise. Lyn really was acting oddly today. "Umm…. Let's see… the healing salve is… and my lance is… eh?"

"It's alright, Florina." Lyn said kindly. This was only making Florina more confused. "Take your time. I'm here should anything happen."

"But Lady Lyndis, it's supposed to be the other way around!" Florina grumped. "I'm supposed to protect you!"

"Oh don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Didn't I always look after you when we were together in the plains? You remember."

"Of course I do, but…" Florina began.

"No buts!" Lyn said happily. For some reason her usual commanding demeanor had returned. "We've got a letter to read."

"Ah…" Florina trailed off once more. Lyn's behavior today was puzzling beyond words. She wasn't entirely sure what was on Lyn's mind, but she was glad she had been able to help. She had been able to help, right?

"I hope this ill wind is just my imagination…" Lyn muttered to herself.

"So that's what the letter is about." Kent mused, as the five members of Lyndis' Legion sat around the table. "Eliwood's father truly is missing. I had heard the rumors…"

"Eliwood's best chance to find him is with Will around." Wil said confidently. "If they're on the hunt, they'll find him soon enough."

"What I'm more concerned about is Will's warning." Said Lyn. "He wouldn't have mentioned it if he didn't think the danger was real."

"So this Darin may be headed our way." Sain gritted his teeth. "That is bad news."

"Do you know who Lord Darin is?" Florina asked.

"Not personally." Sain said. "Kent probably can explain it better."

"Lord Darin is the Marquis Laus. He was well known for his love of his family and the respect of his citizenry. In spite of that, he is known more for his vocal opposition of Ostia's power in comparison to the other Lycian Nations." Kent explained, as if reading from a book. "If this man who works for the Black Fang incited those feelings, or had some sort of trump card that could guarantee Darin's success…"

"Against Ostia?" Wil said. "That's near madness, isn't it?"

"Madness and faith are closer than some may believe." A soft high voice said from the doorway. If it wasn't for the unmistakably male tone, they would have thought it a woman. "Many of the devout are thought crazy until their belief is rewarded. The same way researchers are thought mad until they invent new philosophies."

"Lucius!" Lyn cried in surprise. The rest of them also rose to their feet, crowding around their old friend. "What brings you to Caelin?"

"A visit." Lucius said pleasantly. "I've been traveling with my friend Raven. Since we were in the area, I asked if we could stop by."

They could see the man named Raven behind Lucius. His arms were crossed and a frown was firmly fixed upon his face. He had short red hair as opposed to Lucius' longer than average hair for a man (it had gotten even longer, and Lyn and Florina were feeling slightly defeated for reasons they couldn't quite understand). He wore a blue shirt which continued past his waist, though it opened up much like Lyndis' Sacaen dress. He had a single shoulder pad on his non-dominant arm, and a bandage was wrapped around the wrist of that same arm. He wore white pants with a blue sash tied around his right leg, and wore brown boots that halted just below his knees. At his side was strapped what appeared to be a steel blade, by how much larger the sword was in comparison to Kent's own. He gave a small nod to the room's occupants, but said nothing.

"Forgive my friend." Lucius said. "He doesn't speak much."

"I'm glad you found each other." Lyn said. "I heard from Will you had left to meet with him."

"Yes." Lucius said. "It took some time but I'm glad I was able to track him down."

"I told you I would be fine on my own." The man said. His voice was deep and annoyed.

"Consider it the meddlesome nature of a friend." Lucius said without missing a beat. The two had likely had this conversation many times before.

"It's great to see you." Sain said, clapping hands with the monk.

Their reunion was cut short when a large battle cry sounded from just outside the gates. Looking outside, Kent felt his blood run cold. "It's Marquis Laus."

It was much worse than Kent feared. Just outside their gates was some of Laus' best soldiers. With almost none of their forces present, Caelin was far too vulnerable. As it was, they couldn't simply turn tail and run. They would have to find a way. Just like Will had when leading them against Lundgren. He only wished he possessed such a gift for tactics.

"We must get to my grandfather." Lyn commanded. "I know not what we will do to stop them without our forces, but we should get my grandfather out of the castle. Perhaps Lucius and Raven would be willing to take him."

"You should go with him, milady." Kent said. "I cannot guarantee we would be able to hold them for long."

"Umm…" Florina spoke up. "Whether or not we hold them, we should get word to Eliwood's company, right? I've got one Pegasus rider on standby. I think I should be able to get her to take off and towards Laus before they break through the gates."

"Do it." Lyn said. "Perhaps we can trick Laus into trying to siege us, though with his desperation in attacking us I doubt it."

As Florina bolted off, the remaining members of Lyndis' Legion plus Raven headed to the throne room. There, Lord Hausen sat upon the throne. He face was set and he seemed to understand the threat. "So Darin truly has turned to war. I was afraid this might happen ever since Lundgren, but I didn't want to believe it."

"Grandfather!" Lyn cried. "You shouldn't be here! We need to get you out of the castle!"

"No Lyn." Hausen said, smiling weakly. "I may have improved, but the poison's effects still remain. I would not last long outside of these walls. Not yet."

"But…" Lyn's face fell.

"You need to leave." Hausen said. "I will meet Darin here. If I can, I will try to convince him to forego this madness. His path leads only to the darkness and he will lose what little he has left if he doesn't turn soon. I must try."

"Then let me stay and meet them with you." Lyn said.

Hausen shook his head. "Lyndis, you know they will most likely not listen to me. I want you to be safe. You should travel north and join with Eliwood's company."

"My lord…" Kent said, bowing in front of the Marquis. "I know our forces aren't much, but let me fight for Caelin. Last time, when Lundgren took over…"

"No Kent." Hausen shook his head again. "I know you don't like to hear these words, but you must remain by Lyndis' side. For my sake, please do this. She will need help, no matter how great her skills be. The rest of you should go with her as well. Where is Florina?"

"Sending a messenger ahead of us to Laus." Sain reported. "Ideally, Eliwood will receive the message quickly."

"Lord Hausen!" A voice of a few guards called, rushing in. "Commander Kent, you're here!"

"You're the soldiers of this castle?" Raven asked. "Good. It won't do to let Darin take over without putting up some kind of a fight. You willing to follow a mercenary?"

"A mercenary?" The soldiers asked in confusion.

"I must accompany Lady Lyndis." Kent said, shutting his eyes angrily. "We must call for reinforcements."

"Ah, that makes sense." The soldier said. "Who is this, then?"

"Ray—" Lucius began.

"Raven is my name." Raven said firmly, cutting off Lucius. "I'm no great friend to these people, but my partner Lucius is. I've seen plenty of combat and have some experience in the leadership role. I'm asking if you're willing to follow me into battle."

"It seems like there may not be much choice." The soldier said. "With our leaders protecting Lady Lyndis, we won't be able to put up much fight."

"Don't get me wrong." Raven said. "We will lose. Darin's forces vastly outnumber ours."

The soldiers faltered. Lyn clenched her fist angrily herself. Her grandfather was telling her to abandon him. To abandon the home she had built for herself over the past year, went against everything she had ever learned. Not only that, but it was the second time she had been told to flee, rather than stand and fight. "Why do this for me? For us? It is not your battle."

"I'm a man without a purpose." Raven said. "I only have one goal, one my friend would love to see go unfulfilled."

"I cannot condone your wish, as much as you believe it just." Lucius agreed.

"Consider this a whim. If I can convince Darin you put up a fight, while saving a few of your men in the process, what have you got to lose?" Raven growled.

Lyn tried to speak, but found no words. "I will stay as well." Lucius declared. "Forgive me for cutting our reunion short, but I have learned some basic healing skills. I will help… Raven keep your allies alive."

"Lucius… Thank you." Lyn said.

"May St. Elimine light your path." Lucius said with a kind smile.

"May Father Sky fell any who stand in your way." Lyn returned.

The Pegasus rider took off with amazing speed, vanishing into the sky long before flying over Darin's forces. Thankfully, the archers among them would not be able to target her way up there, so she would get to Lord Eliwood unhindered. As soon as that was done, Florina had gone to the stables to retrieve their mounts. Huey, Harry and Wesley followed her without complaint, for which she was glad. Perhaps the danger had brought them into battle-mode. Being trained combatants themselves meant they knew what to do when in a battle situation. Their sense was much better than that of humans. "Huh?"

Florina came to a halt in confusion. She was leading the mounts to where she thought everyone would be, but she had been cut off before even reaching the half-way point by those very people emerging from the side door to the castle. Lyn looked at Florina, her eyes glistening with the tears she refused to shed. "Grandfather has ordered us to leave and seek out reinforcements." Lyn said. "We have to go before Darin breaks down the gate."

Sure enough, they could hear the sounds of the battering ram hitting the closed gate. "Lady Lyndis…"

"We must get Lord Eliwood and Will." Lyn said, determination seeping through her words. "At least, I'd like to think that. Personally, I think we're better off getting out of the castle and then circling around behind Darin's forces. If we can perform a pincer attack, we may be able to drive him and the Black Fang off."

"Lady Lyndis…" Kent began.

"No butts, Kent." Lyn ordered. "I will honor my grandfather's wish to leave the castle, but I will not leave him here to die."

"I… I understand." Kent said. "However, we must first get out of the castle, and that may not be an easy feet. The tunnel is in the cellar, and leads out to the nearby mountains. From there, we will have to circle around and come back down. Do you have everything you need?"

"We might be a little short of Vulneraries." Wil reported. "But we all have our weapons. Hopefully that is enough."

"We'll just have to make sure not to get hit." Sain said cheekily. "Should be easy enough."

"We'll employ a strike and retreat tactic once we've circled around." Kent said. "That should keep any injuries to us at a minimum."

"Let's not waste any more time." Lyn said.

Lyndis' Legion disappeared into the cellar, where the secret passage awaited them. As the entered, Kent made sure to re-position the wine rack over the passage as best he could, in the hopes that no one would notice it should Caelin fall before their return.

Caelin's fate was not kind. It would take Lyn's team at least an hour to get through the passage to the mountains, if not more. Add in the time it would take for them to circle around for their pincer attack and Caelin would've needed to last at least two hours before they would be able to assist.

Shortly after Lyn's team vanished into the passage, the gates to Caelin Castle were breached. The few archers they had managed to take down a few enemies from the walls while Laus' forces worked on the gates, but the number was a pittance at best. When Laus breached, several of their finest troops stormed in through the gates.

The Soldiers, led by Raven, met these knights in combat. After several minutes of harsh fighting, only two of Laus' elite had fallen, while one-fourth of Caelin's small force had been decimated. Lucius' support from range was appreciated, but Laus had magic users of their own that began to target the man, and forced Lucius to combat them in a ranged duel that prevented him from healing or aiding the front line.

After a mere twenty minutes, over half of Caelin's troops lay dead. Laus continued to storm to the castle's throne room, the tide having never shifted an inch in Caelin's favor. With regret, Raven saw that an assassin had killed the archers posted on the wall. He himself was breathing heavily. Every single one of the knights wore heavy armor that he had difficultly penetrating. He had managed to bring down one elite after a long battle, and one foot soldier wielding a lance had been foolish enough to try and catch him from behind, but he was exhausted. There was no more they could do at this point.

"Lay down your arms!" He barked to Caelin's soldiers, as Laus' troops advanced. "We can't hold them back any longer."

Caelin's troops hesitated, but seeing the force they were up against pause, they knew they were being given their only chance to surrender. They despised having to do so, but many of them though about their family as they lay down their weapons. "Tie up the ones who have surrendered, and lock them in the dungeon." Darin ordered. "We've spilled enough blood this day. Our point has been made. Laus is still not to be trifled with."

The soldiers submitted to this rough treatment as they were lead away to the dungeons. Darin entered the throne room, smirking slightly as he saw Lord Hausen sitting on the throne, defiant. "Lord Darin." Hausen said, without a hint of pleasantness.

"Lord Hausen." Darin said with a slight bow. It was more mocking than respectful. "You are hereby asked to vacate your throne."

"You know as well as I my body doesn't work that well these days." Hausen returned. "Lundgren's poison saw to that. You'll have to move me, I'm afraid."

"That shouldn't be an issue." The soft voice of Ephidel spoke from behind. "We have plenty of Laus' elite that would be up to the task."

"Who are you?" Hausen demanded.

"A simple tactician, you might say." Ephidel said, smiling as he lowered his hood. "The Black Fang has been hired to fulfill Lord Darin's ambition."

"You…" Hausen gawked. The voice, that face, and the unmistakable lies it held. He knew this man, though he also knew that it couldn't be possible. "Mark!"

"Ephidel, actually." Ephidel's black hair swayed softly as he shook his head. His face was a dead ringer for the dead man, aside from the glowing yellow eyes. "You are right in thinking the man known as Mark is dead."

"Then how… How can you have his face?" Hausen coughed, as he tried to stand. His body may not have wanted to cooperate, but this was no longer about Lord Darin at all.

"Call it… a twist of fate." Ephidel smiled softly as he placed a finger to his lips. "But I do believe you've overexerted yourself, Lord Hausen. Perhaps Lord Darin would be willing to remove you to your chambers."

"Yes." Darin said, his eyes looking slightly glassy. "This farce has gone on long enough."

As Darin lead Hausen from the chamber, Hausen could only glare angrily at the man from the Fang. Ephidel's laughter followed him form the room, and though it was soft, the unmistakable sound sent chills through Hausen's spine. Caelin had fallen.

All this occurred before a full hour had passed. When Lyn and her team emerged, they were already too late.

"Blast!" Hector pounded his fist on the table, though he regretted this action almost instantly as he clutched his side. "Where on earth has that snake Darin gone?"

"I doubt he's left Lycia." Eliwood said thoughtfully. "But it's already been two weeks. The death of Marquis Santaruz, our attack on castle Laus… I imagine word of it has reached your brother by now. Yet he still shows no signs of action. Why?"

"I'm sure he has his reasons." Hector said. "My brother has many other concerns tying his hands."

"What do you mean?" Will asked.

"Bern." Hector explained. "We've received disturbing reports over the past few months. King Desmond has been behaving rather oddly. If he sees even the slightest crack in Lycia's defense, we believe he'll invade with all of Bern's might behind him." Hector sighed. "My brother was only recently granted the head of the Lycian League after proving he could rule competently for a couple years. He can't allow another country to see weakness or discord."

"Presenting the face of stability and strength, is it?" Eliwood mused. "I suppose I understand. Ostia must remain strong even if Lycia appears to be falling apart."

"It seems like every country has spies working in Ostia right now. They all want to assess my brother's temperament and skill. If they sense anything wrong or something they can exploit, you bet your arse they will." Hector growled.

"Wouldn't you not being at his side be seen as something being wrong, Hector?' Will asked.

"I'm a well-known lout." Hector said, though with a hint of regret in his voice. "If I WERE at the court, they would sense something was amiss."

"You're not too proud of that reputation, are you?" Eliwood asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Not in the least." Hector replied.

"Lord Eliwood, Lord Hector, Lord William!" Merlinus shouted, running up to the three in a hurry.

'What is it, Merlinus?" Will asked. "Have you heard something?"

"We've just received a message from a Pegasus knight of Caelin." Merlinus began, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Caelin has fallen to a surprise attack by Marquis Laus!"

"Caelin!" Will nearly shouted.

"So he's struck again… damn." Hector cursed.

"Lord Hausen, Lyn… are they alright?" Will asked.

Merlinus shook his head. "My apologies, milord… The messenger was sent the moment Caelin came under siege. There's no news on survivors."

"I never imagined Darin would attack another nation without his home base…" Eliwood said through gritted teeth. "Lord Hausen… Lyndis…"

"They might still be alive, right?" Hector asked. "Then there's only one course of action open to us."

"We're attacking Caelin." Will agreed. "We'll get Darin back for this."

"And hopefully save some lives in the process." Eliwood said, placing a hand on Will's shoulder. "How soon can we move?"

"Within the hour." Merlinus reported. "I'll let everyone know!"

"We march through the night!" Hector declared. "If we pace ourselves once we get closer, we'll be at Castle Caelin within three days!"

"Stay safe, everyone." Will muttered. If he had known this was going to happen, if he had only sent his letter sooner… no, there was no use dwelling on it. He had to do what he could. Lyn, Florina, Kent, Sain and Wil were all highly skilled. They would be smart enough not to take any stupid risks until they arrived. Once they did, they would drive Darin from the castle. This time, they wouldn't fail.