Author's note: This chapter is another more character centric one. I hope you can understand and forgive me from the break in chapters that are spread out between everyone, but I was getting close to running out of ideas for them when the more character centric chapters came to me. Also, with the Dread Isle being what it is, there's not as much friendly or even happy conversations going on.

Arford: It's alright. I'm not even necessarily huge fans of the characters I based the squad on anyway, I did it more as an homage to the other games since I could. I do also see your point about drama perhaps being a better genre choice, but I'm still waffling on whether or not to change it. Romance was a determining factor for me from the outset, so to drop it from my genre selection feels weird. Thanks for enjoying it so far!

Pixelsaber: Nils has to be level 7 before finishing Lyn's campaign to unlock this chapter. It's not super hard to do if you have a character you aren't using in each chapter towards the end, since you can have them hang with Nils and just have Nils play for them every single turn. The more annoying requirement is that chapter is only available on Hector's mode. Which means while Eliwood's story has the more pertinent story connections (With his dad being missing and all), Hector's story has the better underlying plot-line. It's good in that you get new stuff on each side, but it always makes me feel like I'm missing something. Also, yeah, Shine is much more brutal when thought of in practical terms instead of shiny light hit bad guy.

As usual, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Leave a comment afterwards if you think there's anything I can improve and let me know your thoughts!

Chapter 61: The Enigmatic Renault

To Miss Priscilla,

My name is Guy. Well, I suppose you know that already. Unless you don't, which is fine. I'm not trying to overstep my bounds in thinking you remember me. Well, remember isn't the right word. We're traveling in Eliwood's company together.

I don't know if you remember this, but I wanted to thank you for it anyway. Back when we were taking Castle Laus, I received a small cut on my cheek. Even though it didn't hinder me in any way, you insisted on healing it for me, to ensure it didn't leave a scar. While I wouldn't have minded the scar, I was still thankful for your kindness nonetheless.

I must also apologize for running away after the events in Caelin. I was… embarrassed that I had not taken the proper time to introduce myself and you had been forced to ask someone else for my name instead. I'm glad I was able to help you in return for your aide earlier, but I'm afraid I just made a further fool of myself.

Umm… I know I was trying to say something with this letter. It's been difficult to communicate with words, so I attempted writing and… Father Sky, this isn't going like I thought at all. Uh… I just wanted to say, if you need someone to talk to or just need a friend, you can always come to me. You've seemed worried about something lately, so I hope everything is okay. If you do, know that Sacaens never betray a person's trust. I would even break our oath not to lie if you need it kept secret and someone attempts to pry.

Erm… that just makes it more awkward, doesn't it? Matthew was right after all. I'm really no good with these things.

Found in the records of Tactician William. The paper appears to have been crumpled and thrown away, though it was clearly retrieved by the Tactician or perhaps this Matthew character.

A black robed figure warped into the room containing the picture of a dragon and a human. For a moment, he seemed confused, spinning in place as he attempted to figure out his surroundings. "Where am I? What is this place?" He growled, his voice low and annoyed. He would have destroyed the place with a blast of dark magic that very moment, but oddly he felt compelled not to use any magic at all. "I was supposed to be at the Dragon's Gate after teleporting." He placed his hand on the painting. Suddenly, he spun around, searching for the signs of something on the floor. Finding small, old scorch marks, he nodded to himself. "Now I remember… I was here. A long time ago, I was in this place."

He slowly reached out, grabbing one of the ancient tomes and opening it to peruse. "I studied the dark arts here. But… I left something here. Something… valuable." The man dropped the book, grabbing his head as his vision blurred. "Argh… My head! Why am I in such pain?" He shook his head angrily, clearing the cloud over it. "Bah! It must not have been that important if I never bothered returning for it. I have the power now. Nothing else matters. I will open the Dragon's Gate. Then I will receive even more power… The power to defeat anyone. Power…"

Silently, Nergal teleported away.

From the shadows of the room, Renault slowly released his grip on Wallace's throat. "Forgive me. I could not let you get yourself killed."

Wallace, for the first time in a long time… felt fear. He felt his body shivering, uncontrollably, both from Nergal's presence and Renault's utter determination to kill him rather than let their presence known. "I… That was…"

"Nergal." Renault said calmly. "I did not expect him to show up here. As to why he did… even he seemed confused."

"He… he was right there." Wallace said, his composure slowly returning. "Why didn't we finish him?"

"The two of us are no more than stones in a pond." Renault said sadly. "We would've been killed without Nergal even showing half of his true power."

"W…What?" Wallace shouted. "How is that possible?"

Renault shook his head. "All you need know is that to defeat Nergal will require every single member of Eliwood's company. And every single one of us must be prepared to die to finish him."

Wallace shuddered again. The utter confidence with which Renault said those words… no, somehow, they reminded him of something. Something he'd forgotten from long ago. What was it?

"Let us hope he doesn't return." Renault said calmly. "However, I think it best we wake the others and move on."

"Yeah… I can agree with that." Wallace agreed. "The Laddie's going to have a conniption."

"I can't believe it." Will said incredulously. "Nergal was that close to us and not a single one of us noticed."

"Nergal is not someone to be placed into a category." Renualt said. "He creates his own. While Teodor was mad, he was not wrong. By sacrificing oneself, the darkness can provide a vessel near limitless power."

"How… how do you know this?" Will demanded.

"I… I cannot say." Renault said, shaking his said. "It is my sin. And also my penance."

"Can you at least tell us some way to fight him?" Hector growled. "All this strong crap is well and fine, but how do we kill the asshole?"

"To be frank, there is no easy way." Renault said calmly. "I thought you all knew this when coming to confront him?"

"We're here to save my father." Eliwood explained. "And to find Ninian's brother if we can."

"I see. You know not who you fight." Renault said sadly. "To defeat Nergal, every single one of us must be ready to die. It will take an army to stop him. At least, that's what I believe."

Everyone there, for the first time, felt downhearted. Renault's words while perhaps not entirely trusted, put their entire battle into perspective. It was true, they still had no real knowledge of their enemy. Leila still remained in an unconscious state, barely waking for meals and to say a few words before falling back into dreams. There was no one to corroborate it. Well, Will could maybe gain a better picture, if it weren't for the fact his memory of Nergal was entirely gone. Any information he had on the man only came from recent events. He couldn't remember the man's face, or the sound of his voice. He couldn't remember what they had talked about. He remembered Mark being there, but… no, there was nothing there. Will shook his head. "Since we're awake, I think we should begin traveling back to the Dragon's Gate." Will said. "Sitting here will accomplish nothing."

Quietly, everyone agreed. Half out of fear, they quickly packed up and readied to leave. Renault sighed. At first, this had been a whim. He hadn't truly intended to accompany these children. Now that he was here… what was it that St. Elimine wanted him to do? Was it merely to watch as they died at Nergal's hands? Somehow, he couldn't believe that was the case.

Raven supported Lucius with one arm. For some reason, after the last battle, Lucius hadn't been his usual self. Raven wasn't sure, but he thought it may have something to do with that strange character Renault. When he had joined, he hadn't paid the man any mind. Will and Eliwood did seem to attract the strangest of people to join their company, after all. However, Lucius' expression when Raven had seen him next was pale at best. He had, secretly, been glad to sit the last battle out, staying with Priscilla and Lucius so he could keep an eye on the monk.

Today, Lucius seemed even worse. "Still under the weather." Raven commented as lightly as he could manage. "Must be one nasty bug."

"No… I'm feeling much better." Lucius said, though Raven knew it was a flat out lie. "Sorry to be... a burden."

"Ah, then you've got something to say." Raven commented. "When you clam up, you tend to make yourself sick."

Lucius sighed. "How did you know?"

"It's written on your face even now." Raven said, readjusting Lucius' arm. "What, is it about my revenge against Ostia?"

"Y-yes." Lucius stuttered. Raven knew he had given Lucius an out, but he had the strangest feeling that if he pressed the issue, he would force Lucius to lie. "Is… is there no way your heart will change?"

Raven scoffed. "If I wanted to change how I felt, I wouldn't be here."

"The Marquis of Cornwell and his wife… they were important to me. I feel much sadness when they're gone, and yet…"

Raven sighed. It was the same old song and dance he and Lucius had repeated several times in their few months of being reunited. He knew it by heart. "Settling a grudge won't bring them back." He recited. "Should we bury Hector to spite Ostia, it will only breed more hate."

"If you know it, then why do you continue?" Lucius asked. For once, he seemed genuinely curious, rather than demeaning. "Tell me… please."

Raven ruffled his hair with his free hand. "It's barely been four years since House Cornwell was destroyed. You're telling me to forget a crime that was committed. Have the teachings of the benevolent gods given you enough strength to love your enemies?"

"No… That's not what I meant!" Lucius said firmly. A good amount of color returned to his face.

"I have no strength." Raven continued. "To be honest, I think we've never been more than a temporary family to you. Isn't that what's bothering you?"

No!" Lucius said, even more firmly than before. He even managed to push himself off Raven's arm, holding himself up properly once more. "You're wrong. It's just that I…"

"If you have objections to my actions, you don't need to follow me." Raven cut in. "Go wherever you want and do whatever you want. That's what I'm doing."

Lucius turned away, hiding the tears that began to sting his eyes. Knowing that their conversation wasn't going to be getting anywhere, Lucius seemed to come to a decision. He walked away, slowly, toward the rest of the group.

Raven sighed. That had been more trying than he would've liked. Forcing someone to face themselves when he knew full well he refused to do the same… He was too afraid to look in a mirror and see what little of himself remained.

The soft sounds of footsteps caught his attention. Before he realized it, Priscilla was walking beside him. "Lord Brother." She said, softly, so no one else could hear.

"Priscilla." Raven acknowledged her with a nod.

"Is it a… Might I stay with you a moment?" She asked, twisting her hands together nervously.

Raven sighed. "Very well."

Priscilla took a deep breath of relief. "Thank you."

They continued in silence for a short time, until the sound of her giggling caused Raven to glance her way. "What is it?"

"I'm… happy. To be next to my lord brother like this… I've dreamed of it for a long time." Priscilla fingered something in her breast pocket, before removing in and holding it his way. "Do you… remember this ring?"

Raven looked at the ring. It was nothing spectacular, but it did seem to be of Cornwell make. However, he had no memory of such a thing. "What is it?"

"You've forgotten then." Priscilla said, slightly disheartened. "That's too bad. When I was young… when we were both in Cornwell… You made a promise to me, remember? You said when I grew up, you'd take me as your bride."

Raven laughed. "Surely you don't mean to say you clung to such a promise? I'm your brother, Priscilla."

"Oh no, I didn't mean it like that." Priscilla said quickly. "I know it was just a game young children play. You only said it because I kept pushing you, crying and crying until you gave me what I wanted. That's when you gave me the ring."

"And…?" Raven asked, wondering where this story was going.

"I'm still a child, Lord Brother." Priscilla said. "My body has aged, but even now I don't fully understand the makings of a proper adult. So, at least for now, if you'd entertain a childish wish… I'd like to stay here, in this army, by your side. Don't let me suffer in loneliness again."

Raven remained silent as they continued to walk, side-by-side.

As Lucius walked through the camp, a hand reached out and stopped him. Conveniently, it was the same person he had been looking for. "Your face… You don't look well. Are you hurt?" Renault asked, kindly.

"This is… just a condition." Lucius said, wiping a small amount of sweat from his brow. "It's only a passing attack. It will soon… disappear."

"What is this illness?" Renault asked. "Should you even be fighting?"

"It is not a sickness of the body." Lucius explained. "It is a sickness of the soul."

"The soul?" Renault asked.

"Yes…" Lucius said. "I heard what you said when you joined us. That you were a man who had sinned and were trying to repent. I myself am in a similar place. In helping others, I hope to alleviate the pain inside of me."

"The best way to alleviate a wound of the soul is to speak of it." Renault said. "Come, let us take to Merlinus' wagon."

"I… I grew up in an orphanage." Lucius said, after the two were settled. Merlinus was currently concentrating on the road and Leila was slumbering peacefully. "I faced much grief in that place. Poverty and despair can eat one's very soul… There was one teacher who was particularly cruel. Even now, I pray that he may be led from darkness."

"I see." Renault said kindly. "Were you in that orphanage from birth?"

"No, Your Excellency." Lucius said with a weary smile. "I still remember living with my parents until the age of three."

"How then did you end up at the orphanage?" Renault asked.

"If I still recall it correctly, our house was invaded by a thief. My father was a famous mercenary, but the thief was too strong. I… saw my father fall before me. That I still recall clearly, even now. The eyes of the thief who killed him… Like terrible dark stones set in a hate-filled face… All he left was the dagger protruding from my father's chest."

Renault's face paled. He closed his eyes, wondering if perhaps this was retribution once again come to find him.

"After my father's death, my mother fell ill." Lucius said. "In a cruel twist of fate, the dagger is all that remains of my father now."

"I see." Renault said sadly.

Lucius sighed. "It's been a long time since I told someone this story. Forgive me for burdening you, Your Excellency."

"No, it is I who should thank you." Renault said kindly. "You have shown me how strong good men can truly be."

Lucius smiled, slowly lowering himself to the ground. "Then… please allow me a small rest. I think… after that… I will be fine."

Lucius' eyes closed, soon falling into a peaceful slumber. Slowly, Renault stood, opening the back of the wagon before climbing down. Forgive me, kind Lucius. In those days, I thought only of myself… I trespassed on many in my singular desire to regain the friend I had lost… to satiate my monstrous greed, I sacrificed everything I could, even the lives of others. I am no Excellency.

"Did you know the word Morph appears in some of those ancient texts?" Canas exclaimed excitedly. "I only had time to note a few instances, but they had similar themes in each appearance. Brought to life by man, crafted to resemble him… I never thought such fantasies could be realized!"

"Ah, Renault." Will said, raising a hand to greet the man. Alongside him and Canas, Erk was also present. The three seemed to be discussing something, but Canas had fallen off the main topic in favor of his findings.

"By the way..." Canas said, as Renault joined the small group. "I recall you mentioning something about those morphs earlier. Were they mentioned in the Eliminean scriptures?"

"A long time ago, I… no, that is too personal to speak of." Renault said, cutting himself off before he gave any more away.

"Oh, that's a shame." Canas said with a sigh. "I was hoping through the morphs we might be able to understand Nergal. For example, why did Nergal begin creating morphs in the first place? Was it because he felt alone? Did he require the companionship of someone who could understand his mind more than any other human? Was he forced to… create these beings?"

"No." Renault said simply.

"Oh?" Canas said, adjusting his monocle curiously.

"Nergal holds no care for his creations. He merely required a mindless force to serve him. His only interest is himself. Those… things… he discards those of no use, leaving them to wander this island or the world outside. He cares not a whit about them. Morphs… are the fact of existence with meaning stripped away." Renault explained.

"Renault… how do you… forgive me for asking, but how can you know so much about these creations? We've only met them once so far ourselves, but the most we ever learned was their eye color and their obscene strength." Will stated, folding his hands together.

The look of a Lord, Renault thought to himself. How curious it was to see it on this young man's face. He remained silent though, unsure himself of what the answer was. "There's one thing I'm curious about more than any other." Erk said, cutting through the strained silence. "Do these morphs have souls?"

No one could answer, leaving the small gathering in complete silence. Slowly, Renault made his way away from the trio, bowing respectfully as he went.

At the front of the procession, Fiora was having a difficult time. It was strange to be among so many people again and many of the things she had been able to think about alone were no longer options as people were almost always trying to find something to talk about, if only to keep their minds off the coming battle.

"You are Fiora, right?" The green clad knight asked, pulling his horse up beside her Pegasus. "Florina has told us much about you, but you are three times lovelier then I had heard!"

"Yes… I am." Fiora said apprehensively. "And you are… Sain, correct?"

"That's me." Sain said. "I just wanted a chance to speak to you. After all, if this final battle of ours is to be accomplished, it would be best for us all to be acquainted, right?"

Final battle. The sound was bittersweet to hear. Not that Sain didn't have a point, but for it all to be coming to an end, so soon… "It's a strange feeling. I hope we're all prepared."

"Not to worry, milady. I will protect you with all my strength and courage!" Sain said, swinging his lance unnecessarily in a show of valor.

"Forgive me if I abstain." Fiora said, pursing her lips. Sain cringed. "I am fully capable of defending myself, thank you. Now, if you would be so kind…"

Sain sighed, falling back into the rest of the pack and leaving her to her thoughts. "Ah, another beauty with so sharp a tongue. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm losing my touch."

"Good morn, lady." Fiora turned to see the red clad knight taking the head position alongside her.

"Ah, you are... Kent, right?" Fiora asked. "Florina told me about you."

"Ah, yes I am." The knight said, bowing politely while still seated on his horse. "Florina has spoken much about you as well, but we had yet to be properly introduced."

"What… what did Florina say?" Fiora asked. She had chased away the earlier knight, but this one seemed less eager to hit on her, so she took the chance.

"She often commented… That I was a lot like you." Kent said sheepishly, looking away.

Well, at least that comment appeared to be true. The Knight's ears were turning red in embarrassment. "In what regard?" Fiora asked.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure." Kent admitted, turning back to face her. "I just remember her saying it. It's an honor to meet you, Fiora. Hopefully, we will work well together in the battles to come."

"Yes, let's." Fiora smiled. "I think we may be able to accomplish more together in the coming fight."

"OK, let's see…" Serra muttered to herself, sitting on the back of Lowen's steed. Next to her, Oswin walked slowly, his armor removed until they got closer to the gate to prevent them from being noticed. "Saint Elimine, praise be your graces. Please ensure that no one dies in this battle. Grant me the speed to heal my allies' wounds."

Oswin, though he was not a heavily religious man, felt the strength of Serra's prayer. Even Lowen had his eyes closed, listening closely.

"Oh, and I want Hector to give me a lot of gold and I want to get all the food and only ever have to do fun jobs and I want a servant who does whatever I say and everyone should worship me and give me things and-"

"This is a rather unorthodox prayer." Oswin interrupted dryly. "Does it go on much longer?"

"Oh." Serra said, her hand opening as she inadvertently ended the prayer. "What, a girl can't have a few selfish wishes?"

"If it were only a few, I don't doubt St. Elimine would help you." Oswin sighed. "However, it seems like seventy to ninty percent of your prayer was about yourself."

"Hey, I do a good job!" Serra defended. "I'm on the front lines a lot, healing everyone and I've even started using light magic! I know me better than anyone! It wouldn't do to lie to St. Elimine!"

"Another unique take on religion." Oswin sighed. "However, while your healing is appreciated, you should know it's no more than is expected of you."

"What?" Serra asked incredulously.

"It is your duty to heal those who are injured." Oswin said simply. "It's the calling of your church and what you were hired for. Evaluation of your success, especially by yourself, is trivial."

"What does that mean?" Serra shouted, nearly jumping from Lowen's horse to the ground.

"Your words and actions can negatively impact morale." Oswin said firmly. "Especially now when our leaders need to focus on stopping Nergal. I ask you as a fellow Ostian and vassal to Lord Hector. Behave youself."

Serra was enraged. It was only out of respect for her commanders (and a teensy amount of fear, she wouldn't lie) that kept her voice level. "Has… has someone been saying bad things about me? I mean, they're probably just jealous, but…"

"I am the one saying it." Oswin countered.

"Oh." Serra responded.

"Your lack of control is harmful. If you don't begin to exercise discipline, you'll get someone killed." He continued.

Killed? The thought was almost foreign to Serra. No, it wasn't foreign, it was just like other things… something she preferred to forget. But to be told flat out to be false… to not act the way she preferred to, in hopes of saving the lives of others… She had always stuck by it, never faltered. Will came around. Hector seemed to tolerate her. Then again… Erk had called her a headache. "I'm… going to the caravan to check on Leila." Serra said quickly. She jumped down, before hurrying off.

"Don't you think that was a little too harsh?" Lowen asked.

"We're not playing house here." Oswin said firmly. "We haven't been gathered to cater to the whims of a child who refuses to act her age."

"I don't know…" Lowen said. "Don't you think she acts that way to make everyone feel at ease? When Serra's acting high and mighty, it just seems like everything's okay."

Oswin hesitated. Was that true? He had never thought about it like that. If the army, instead of being angered, found Serra's antics as a strange source of comfort… Perhaps he had been hasty. No, he wasn't wrong. They were headed towards the final battle. They needed everyone to be serious. Only with that would they be able to succeed.

Serra pushed open the wagon, but only found herself annoyed further. What greeted her was the sleeping face of Lucius. How long had he been there? No, she had to attend to her duties first. Checking on Leila, she was relieved to fine the slightly older woman was doing fine. Still asleep, still recovering, but fine. Not dead. The good thing that everyone wanted to be. Alive.

Yeah… Serra grabbed Lucius' cheek and tugged, wakening the monk grumpily. She was too pissed off to watch a pretty boy sleep. If only Lord Hector wasn't busy she could bug him instead. "Wake up, Mr. Not Actually a Girl."

Lucius grabbed his cheek, rubbing it after Serra released it from her grasp. "Hmm? Ah, Serra. What're you… more to the point, what am I…?" Lucius looked around him in confusion.

"Why are you so pretty?" Serra grumped.

"Yes?" Lucius answered in confusion.

"It makes no sense and it pisses me off as a girl! You're freakin hot! And not like, the hot kind that a girl can dream about, the kid of hot that makes me want to kick you in the face! Or in those parts boys have!" She growled darkly.

"Serra, I don't understand what you're going on about." Lucius said calmly.

"I don't either." Serra admitted, flopping onto the floor of the wagon. "I'm really… confused right now. I know what I want, but two of them kind of conflict with each other, so I can't do both."

"That happens to everyone." Lucius said. "Tell me, Serra, is there something you would regret?"

"Regret?" Serra asked.

"If everything were to end tomorrow, would you regret something?" Lucius asked. "The best way to live, despite what people may say, is in a way you know you won't regret."

"I feel like I'll regret either choice." Serra said sadly.

"Then, follow your deepest desire." Lucius said. "It may not be what St. Elimine preaches, but often our deepest feelings turn out to be true."

"Yeah…" Serra said. "I'll think about it a little more."

"Good." Lucius said with a smile, climbing down from the wagon. "Know you can always talk to me."

"I said punch me in the face!" Bartre shouted aggressively at a very confused Renault.

"No, look, I think we have a misunderstanding." Renault said. "Just calm down. You look like you're about to have a heart attack."

"I don't need sympathy!" Bartre shouted. "I don't need no healing either! Just punch me!"

"I still don't understand, but will punching you really make you feel better?" Renault asked.

"As hard as you can!" Bartre affirmed.

Renault sighed. "Fine." He punched Bartre, as he wished, right in the face. Bartre fell over, completely unconscious and sprawled on the ground. "Oh... he passed out. Umm… Excuse me, Sir Marcus? Could you take Bartre to the wagon? He appears to have fallen unconscious."

"Ah, how right you are." Marcus said, aiding Renault in lifting Bartre onto the horse. "Thank you, Your Excellency."

"Not a problem." Renault said with an uneasy smile. He hand hurt like the devil after that.

"I thought you seemed familiar." The gruff voice if Wallace said, approaching the priest. "I finally managed to place it."

"Oh?" Renault said curiously.

"Yeah." Wallace said firmly. "Though, to be honest, I doubt you're the one I'm thinking of. The last time I saw him was over forty years ago, after all. I was a young, earnest, lad of ten at the time. A squire in the service of Caelin. I was actually so puny and slight at the time that my fellows would tease me and call me a girl."

Renault looked Wallace up a down, a small smirk quirking his lips. "Forgive me, it's a little hard to imagine."

"Yeah, I'll bet." Wallace said, thumping his chest pridefully. "The man I knew then was a mercenary also in the service of Caelin. Strangely enough, his name was also Renault. Renault the Impervious, they called him. He had no fear of death and his bravery was known far and wide. Did you know him?"

"No." Renault replied.

"I learned a lot about fighting from him." Wallace admitted. "I owe him a great debt as my teacher. I was hoping to find him one more time before he passed, but perhaps that's no longer possible."

"Why do you want to see him?" Renault asked.

"A promise." Wallace said simply. "I told him I would always fight for the sake of the people. I would never use my skills for evil. I wanted to tell him… I kept that promise. I even managed to gain a strange little pupil."

"I see." Renault said. "I'm sorry I'm not the man you were searching for."

"It's fine." Wallace said. "Even if you're rough around the edges, I feel like we could be good friends."

"Because of our age?" Renault asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Wallace laughed hardily. "If that were the case, we should invite Marcus into the old guy's club. He'll be over that hill soon enough."

"Perhaps." Renault admitted, smiling as well.

"Brother?" Rebecca asked, approaching the pirate.

"Huh?" Dart asked. "You talkin' ta me?" Rebecca nodded. "Case of mistaken identity or something? Name's Dart. I ain't no one's brother. Get lost."

"I'm sorry." Rebecca said. "It was just that… when I saw you from behind… you look just like my brother who ran away from home."

"What was his name?" Dart asked.

"Dan." Rebecca responded.

"Don't know him." Dart said with a shrug.

"What… what's your name, again?" Rebecca asked.

"Dart!" Dart repeated in annoyance. "Mate of the Davros, vessel of the feared pirate Fargus!" Rebecca backed away at his enthusiasm. "Now that's the reaction we pirates like to see!" He exclaimed happily. "You don't go up to any old man you see and take his arm, Missie!"

Rebecca sighed as dart began to walk away. She had been so sure, but now that she had finally worked up the courage to ask…

"Dan!" Wil exclaimed happily, emerging from the crowd just next to Dart, who jumped. "Wow, it's been ages since I saw you! How've you been?"

"What's with you two scallywags?" Dart growled. "I already told the Missie my name's Dart! Next time you call me that I'll knock you flat!"

"Yeah, you're Dan." Wil said, nodding his head.

"Uh, no." Dart said firmly.

"Yeah, you are." Wil said, stepping in closer.

"No, I'm not!" Dart shouted back, placing his face just inches from Wil's.

"Hmm… fine." Wil said, crossing his arms. "I guess I was wrong then. I can take a hint. I was so sure, though…"

Dart vanished into the crowd, grumbling angrily about plots and conspiracies, while Rebecca ran over quickly to Wil. She grabbed his arm, looking up at him. Seeing the look in her eyes, Wil realized they'd both made the same mistake. No, mistake wasn't the right word. He could sometimes make mistakes, but there was no way they could both make the same mistake about the same person. Say what he might, this Dart… was not who he said he was. He thought. Maybe. Hopefully? He did wish Rebecca would stop looking at him like she knew exactly what he was thinking. It was unnerving.