Author's note: I realize I sped through the last two chapters without addressing some reviews, so I'll play catch-up this time.

Guest: the trials for the legendary weapons has been in the plans for the longest time. To see them come to fruition has me really excited, especially since I feel it still connects strongly to the story after all the changes it's undergone

Tom-Ato13: I can just imagine Dorcas with like, a pirate's hat on his ship, praying it doesn't get sunk. Meanwhile everyone else is jumping randomly between all the other ships in the sea, not realizing only Dorcas sees what's going on. Also yes, the triangle is the best and most gut-wrenching parts to write. I truly am drawn to/torn between both characters. Each one complements Will in a way I never thought was possible when I started.

Pixelsaber: It made no sense for the Legendary weapons not to have some sort of penalty, considering they're so strong and helped humans fight off and defeat dragons. Similarly, When Hector obtains Armads it implies that there is some sort of 'price' for obtaining this kind of power. I built out of that idea and here we are.

Brian303: Your hope/opinion has been noted :P

Gelgum Grem: After I spared Leila and haven't had much use for her, trying to spare Linus and Lloyd feels a bit hard to pull off. After killing Wallace and Renault I upped my own ante which does cause me to stick a little closer to canon from that point on. It's still some of the sadder deaths in FE7. Especially with Nino and Jaffar's redemption intermixed.

Xillax: We'll see… *Strokes totally not evil cat thoughtfully while sitting in totally not evil chair*

Pixelsaber: The updates have been more random as of late, so no worries if you miss them at first. Plot-wise I had originally planned to try and do more with Linus during this chapter, but the writing just didn't work out that way. I get the feeling we'll be seeing some sort of flashback at some point though. In this fic, I had Will be the one to let Linus go. Not only because he believes in Eliwood and that it is what Eliwood would have done, but also in the hopes that, like himself and Legualt, there are others in the fang worth saving. Chapter 25 was in fact so forgettable that once I have written it I realized a battle-type chapter had mostly turned into a half-comedy fight, with a bit of Hector fun and the introduction to two new characters.

As always, please review if you have the chance. I greatly appreciate your feedback.

Chapter 77: Traitor

Lloyd,

I am sorry I was forced to fight Linus. When he suddenly attacked, I only had a moment to decide whether it was the right time to blow my cover. I decided against it.

I do hope Linus isn't too angry about his injuries. Somehow, in spite of the heat of battle, I knew he could survive whatever I threw at him. Make sure he gets the proper treatment, won't you?

We continue our trek towards the Shrine of Seals. These Legendary Weapons… stopping Nergal… Do you truly think it will break the spell your father is under? After all, as long as she…

No, perhaps I've spoken out of line. I'm sure you're more aware of this than anyone. Stay safe, Silver Wolf.

Your friend in lower places.

Priscilla sighed heavily, watching over Bartre and the strange woman. They had fought fiercely for over an hour, neither gaining ground on the other, before both had suddenly collapsed from exhaustion. She had to admit, she had been glad when they did. Nothing was scarier than seeing two people fighting so fiercely. She was fairly convinced it was supposed to be to the death.

"Are you alright, Lady Priscilla?" Erk asked.

Priscilla nodded quietly. She wasn't entirely sure how to approach him right now. How was she supposed to keep him near, now that…? "Erk, Have I ever thanked you?"

"For what?" Erk asked, confused. "If you mean for training you, I told you it wasn't a bother. Besides, you taught me a great deal about healing magic. I may one day be able to use a staff like my master thanks to you."

"Mmm." Priscilla fell silent again. She found it hard to articulate herself. "I mean… today is…"

"Is something off about today?" Erk asked.

"Your contract." Priscilla begrudgingly admitted. "It ended."

"Ah." Erk seemed to catch on. "Now that you mention it, I suppose it does. Does that mean you've changed your mind about your journey, Lady Priscilla?"

Priscilla shook her head. "I am indebted to Lord Eliwood and his friends. I intend to remain until their journey ends."

"I see." Erk said. "Then there's nothing to be done about it. My contract with you ends today."

Priscilla bit her lip. It hurt to hear him say those words. She hadn't meant to, but over time… she had become assured of his presence. His every gesture and wry smile had… she was as incorrigible as her brother.

"Well then, I suppose I'll see you at dinner." Erk shrugged, beginning to move from the tent.

"Eh?" Priscilla let out in a squeaky voice.

"I don't plan to leave the troop at this time." Erk explained. "There is much left for me to learn. As long as it's fine, I'll continue to guard you as part of that training. If…" Erk turned away from her, and Priscilla thought she might be able to see the faintest of blushes on his cheeks. "If it isn't an imposition."

"Of course not!" Priscilla blurted, her heart nearly leaping from her chest through her throat. "But… umm…" Her heart was thumping. She wasn't sure she dared her luck being so good. "I should think it a bit odd… perhaps you could… not call me 'Lady'?"

"Well then… Priscilla." Erk agreed relatively easily.

"Yes." Priscilla said brightly. "Yes, that sounds much nicer."

"As you wish." Erk said with a small bow, exiting the tent.

Priscilla looked down at the floor, her cheeks blazing red. She couldn't believe she had dared be so bold. Maybe arguing with her brother had bolstered her confidence enough to chase what she wanted. And he was… amazing.

"Gag." A calm voice spoke from the second bed.

Priscilla nearly leapt from her chair. The woman had awoken. "Oh! You… I… Umm…"

"Make it more obvious you want him to jump you and maybe he will." The woman rolled her neck experimentally, pausing as she heard a crack. "I can't believe that buffoon managed to match me."

"Bartre is… probably the best fighter in our company." Priscilla said. "Or… at least the one that enjoys fighting the most."

"I could tell." The woman rolled her shoulders. "His swings held no hesitation. A refreshing change, meeting a man who didn't take it easy on me simply because I'm an attractive woman."

"I…" Priscilla thought that was quite narcissistic of her, but perhaps it was better she didn't mention that.

"No narcissism in the truth." The woman chuckled, as if reading Priscilla's mind. "Men too easily give themselves to a beautiful woman. Acting like fools and getting themselves killed for the trouble."

"I… don't think many men I know are like that." Priscilla said firmly.

"Lucky you, then." The woman massaged her leg. "Looks like nothing's broken. That's promising."

"Neither of you had any severe injuries." Priscilla explained. "I was able to patch you up quickly while you rested."

"No man I've met has fought for an hour without exhausting." The woman smiled. "He's the first who's survived as well."

Priscilla wasn't sure how much she liked this woman. Lyndis and Guy were kind, but this Sacaen gave off a strangely bloodthirsty aura. One eager to fight… to kill.

"So, where do I sign?" the woman asked.

"Eh?" Priscilla yelped for the second time in a few minutes.

"To join your little band." The woman grinned. "With warriors as strong as this one," she jabbed her thumb towards Bartre, snoring away on the bed, "it's only a matter of time until my brother shows up to challenge you. This way, I can also get much stronger before I meet him again."

"Umm…" Priscilla wasn't sure what was happening, but they were apparently being joined by this weird woman now?

"Name's Karla." She said, standing up from the bed. "Pleasure."

"Was that a yawn I saw?" Eliwood chuckled. "Hardly the best of manners, Hector."

"Forgive me if I'm tired after yesterday." Hector scowled. "I still feel like an arse, truth be told. On top of that there was… nah, it's nothing important."

"Oh come now, you know you can confide in me no matter the secret." Eliwood chided.

"Weird dreams lately, that's all." Hector shrugged.

"Oh? What about?"

Hector sighed. "Laugh and I'll kill you."

"Alright." Eliwood conceded.

"It always starts the same way. The silhouette of a big, bearded man carrying a little girl on his shoulders. The girl calls him 'Father' while smiling happily. The father says 'Yes, beloved daughter?'" Hector paused, before shrugging. "That's all there is to it, really. But it felt like… a long-past memory. The man looked a bit like my own father, I suppose, but who could the little girl have been? Aye, she was a cute one."

"what color was her hair?" Eliwood asked curiously.

"Blue."

"The man's hair? His moustache?"

"They were bluish too, I suppose."

Eliwood's smile began to crack. "Then perhaps it's a vision of the future? You, with a moustache, I can't even begin to picture it!" He laughed.

Hector grimaced. "I thought you promised you wouldn't laugh."

Eliwood shook his head, unable to stop.

"Besides, I'm not sure I like it if that's the case."

Eliwood managed to calm his laughter long enough to respond. "Why not?"

"If that girl was supposed to be my daughter… she gets taken away by a boy with red hair later in the dream." Hector's scowl was now directed at him.

Eliwood quickly backpedaled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves now, Hector. There are plenty of people with red hair!"

"No, I'm positive the boy was Pharaen." Hector said calmly. "No matter how close we may be, I won't give you my daughter!" He stormed off, leaving Eliwood just as confused as before.

"Let's hope that dream doesn't come true then," he chuckled. "for my sake."

"Lord Eliwood." Ninian approached, fidgeting slightly. On the night in Pharae, she had performed the dance Eliwood had requested of her a week earlier. Since then, she had found it hard to approach the prince. A large part of it was because she hadn't yet imparted the importance of that dance to him. Admittedly, it was mostly sentimental, and yet…

"Ninian." Eliwood smiled as he turned to greet her. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, my lord." She said, with a small bow of her head.

"Did you know, every year in Pharae, we hold a grand harvest festival?" Eliwood chuckled. "Everyone in the land comes to eat, drink and dance."

"It sounds like fun." Ninian admitted.

"You should come to the next one. Everyone would be happy to see your dancing, I think. The one you showed me the other day was truly beautiful."

She blushed deeply. "Thank you."

Eliwood nodded. "My mother loves dancing too, you know. She'd be very pleased. During festival time, she dances all night like a young maiden. My father always clucked his tongue and shook his head, but…" Eliwood paused, turning to Ninian. "he'd still dance with her until the dawn. Every year was like that." Ninian didn't respond. Eliwood hadn't meant to touch a nerve, but nonetheless he felt responsible. "Forgive me, you must think of my father often enough as it is."

"No." Ninian shook her head. "It's alright. I mean, not compared to you, Lord Eliwood."

"Remember what I told you?" Eliwood chided gently. "My father's death was not your fault. You shouldn't blame yourself, even a little."

"But Lord Eliwood, you're wrong." Ninian said suddenly. "You don't know everything that…" She fell silent as she caught Nils' eye. Even from this distance, she could see him move his head slightly side to side, warning her against her own desires.

"What?" Eliwood seemed confused.

"I have been deceiving you." Ninian said quietly, the distance between them, which had felt so small, suddenly widened like a chasm.

"Deceiving, whatever do you mean by that?" Eliwood said, trying to take a step closer.

Ninian stepped back. "It's just… I'm sorry." She bowed hurriedly, before running away back towards the crowded group.

Unable to chase her, Eliwood stood motionless for a few moments. "Don't cry, Ninian. I don't know what happened, but I never want to see you sad."

"Why are you grinning?" The blue haired Pegasus rider grabbed her youngest sister, ruffling her long hair. Next to her, the three pegasi ate happily from each other's buckets. It seems being in something akin to a herd had them much more at ease then they had been before.

"Farina! Stop it!" Florina protested half-heartedly, attempting to remove the larger woman from her.

"Last time I saw you you were such a bundle of worries, and now I keep hearing stories about your bravery!" Farina chuckled. "I mean, I know that tactician was just trying to get on my good side, but even so…"

Florina blushed. "I'm just happy I get to fight side-by-side with you again. It's been forever!"

"You excite way too easily, you know that?" Farina chuckled. "It hasn't even been that long since we saw each other! Nine months does not a year make!"

"What does that even mean?" Florina asked

"No idea!" Farina chuckled. "I bet Fiora kept telling you stories about how far away I would go! She's never liked the mercenary life. Far too proper a girl, she is. Well, whatever. How's it been going? What did you decide?"

"How have I… been?"

"Oh you know…" Farina waved a hand airily. "Well most importantly, financially. You're being paid what you're worth, right?"

"Everyone is very kind to me." Florina replied.

"We're not here to make friends, Florina. Not a lot of them, at least. Negotiating your salary is a ruthless battle! You have to be willing to walk away if they try to talk you down even a single gold piece!" Farina struck her breastplate pridefully. "You're worth every piece. Anyone who tries to diminish that doesn't recognize you as a warrior."

Florina sighed. "Farina… you never change."

"But it's the truth!" Farina maintained. "Just because you want him to bang you doesn't mean you can ease up on your wages, you get me?"

"Farina!" Florina shouted, face red. "Come on!"

"Oh fine, I'll let up." Farina sighed. "besides, I needed to ask… what happened to Reza?"

Florina glanced back at the three pegasi. Farina had always been more observant than she let on. It's why Florina was convinced her sister was worth every piece she fought so hard for. "That's… not something I can tell you."

Farina glanced at the pegasi. "Of course…" She scratched the back of her head. "I hate times like this."

"Sister just wants you to be safe." Florina protested. "She just-"

"I know what Fiora wants." Farina cut her younger sister off. "But she needs to accept there are things outside her control. What I choose to do with my life is one of them."

Florina hung her head. "Then you… shouldn't talk to Fiora right now." She said softly. "You'll only end up fighting."

"That's something inevitable with family." Farina said, waving her hand airily. "Just let your sisters' handle their tiff on their own, alright? You've got your own problems to worry about."

"Nothing's more important to me than you both." Florina smiled.

Farina smiled, ruffling her sister's hair again. "Yeah yeah, keep telling yourself that."

Farina turned and left, leaving Florina alone with the pegasi. "Farina…" she muttered, as if saying the words would prevent the confrontation she knew was coming. She only wanted her family together again, but with the way the two of them acted around each other, it was likely… She sighed, sitting down next to Huey. He nuzzled her hair softly and she gave him a grateful pat in return.

Farina was surprised that Fiora found her first outside the tent. Her stern expression was expected, but what could she do? "I must speak with you."

"Haven't seen you… since you condemned me and all." Farina said playfully.

Fiora bowed her head, surprising Farina. "I'm sorry. The last time we met, I spoke too harshly. Both yesterday, and…" Fiora trailed off.

Farina chuckled. "It's… uh, fine. Besides, it was partly my fault. I always tend to think about the money first and everything else later so…"

"No, I should be the one to apologize." Fiora continued. "It's natural that you would call me naïve. I mean, of course mercenaries should care about how and when they get paid to fight. It's only natural."

"Look, let's… let's just put it all behind us, alright?" Farina said quickly, feeling a little embarrassed. "I was just an idiot! You did nothing wrong!"

"How can you say that?" Fiora demanded, looking up at her finally. "I was terrible to you and you were right all along! Why can't you get that through your thick skull?"

"And I'm telling you, I was not right all along!" Farina retorted. "I never should have flown off in a tizzy, you dope!"

"Stop contradicting me! I was wrong! I should have tried harder to grasp your greedy, insensitive ways!"

"Now you listen here!" Farina shouted, getting genuinely angry. "You uptight, worn-out looking… hang on a second."

Fiora paused. "It's weird… why are we suddenly fighting?"

"Um… I dunno."

Fiora sighed. "Say, Farina… You know I don't hate you, right?"

Farina chuckled. "Yeah, I've always known that. I mean, I've known you forever, right?"

Fiora nodded. "Then… I'll see you later."

Fiora strode away quickly, before Farina had a chance to call out to stop her. "Fiora…" Farina said quietly. That had been awkward, to say the least. She had expected to apologize to a Fiora all too eager to dish out a lecture on why they had to stick together and care for each other. Yet she had apologized, head bowed. "What… happened?"

Isadora swung her blade. She had left her duty at the castle with Lady Eleanor with a slightly heavy heart. Ever since they had received word of what had happened to Lord Elbert, her final string of hope had finally been lost. She had loved Harken with all her heart, the past two years of their relationship had been nothing but bliss. And now, where his image had been, a hole remained. Part of her wondered how the tactician felt, being in a similar position. At least, according to everything she had heard, he had lost someone to The Fang. Now, due to a side-effect of a poison created by the same Fang, he no longer remembered her face. Would that happen to her too, in time? Would his kind, warm smile fade from her mind? Part of her couldn't bear the thought, yet another part of her… hoped for it.

"How could I…" She muttered under her breath angrily.

"Isadora." The stern voice of her former trainer snapped her from her reverie.

"General Marcus!" she yelped, nearly losing her grip.

"If you have that much leisure as to be lost in thought during your training, you should spar with me instead." Marcus said, smiling slightly.

"Forgive me." Isadora bowed quickly. Marcus took up his sword, striding to the opposite end of the glade. "General, is it alright for you to be away from Lord Eliwood so oft as of late?"

"Lord Eliwood has been fighting fiercely lately." Marcus said proudly. "He does not always need me at his side."

"But he looks so distraught. He lost his father so recently. Without time to grieve, he continues to throw himself into the fray. If he's not careful, then…"

"You fear he will act as you did?" Marcus snapped suddenly.

Isadora hung her head. "I am ashamed of my weakness."

"When they first vanished, you had a premonition." Marcus sighed. "It is not that I wished to doubt you as a fighter, but when your duty becomes clouded with emotion-"

"You can no longer stay far enough away to see the larger picture." Isadora finished.

"We are powerless to wage Lord Eliwood's battle for him." Marcus said sagely. "Just as I am powerless to fight your battle for you. Certainly, aid could be a curtain against his inner storm, and yet…"

Isadora nodded. "It would just… hurt more in the long run."

Their spar latest a good five minutes longer than Isadora thought she could manage. Marcus seemed pleased, in spite of his insightful words earlier. "I will check on the rest of camp. You can handle yourself from here, I take it?"

"Of course." Isadora said, bowing again. "Thank you for your instruction, as always."

"Pharae needs you now more than ever." Marcus said suddenly. "Just… keep that in mind."

Isadora smiled.

On her way back to camp, Isadora happened upon the strangest of scenes. A small wyvern was perching atop that strange drunken man's head. The drunken man, for his credit, seemed scared out of his mind.

"Lord… Geitz?" Isadora said uncertainly.

"WHAT IS IT!" Geitz screeched in an unnaturally high voice. "WHAT IS ON MY HEAD."

"It's a Wyvern, but…"

"WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?" He asked fearfully.

"Like a… small bird?" Isadora offered unhelpfully.

"I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT SOMEHOW!" Geitz exclaimed. While it was certainly the size of a small bird, it looked nothing like one. "WHY IS IT PERCHED ON MY HEAD?"

Isadora shrugged. Realizing Geitz couldn't actually see her, she tried again. "Err…"

"IT'S NOT GOING TO KILL ME, IS IT?" Geitz's voice was getting more high-pitched by the second. "KILL ME AND EAT ME? EAT ME ALIVE? I SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON MY HAIR, YOU KNOW! STOP MOVING!" The last part was to the Wyvern, who shifted happily.

"I uh… I think it's nesting." Isadora said, slightly impressed.

"THERE ARE OTHER HEADS IT CAN NEST IN!"

"Well… birds are mysterious creatures, I guess. It must have just found your hair to be an appealing nest."

"WHAT PART OF MY HAIRDO LOOKS LIKE A NEST!"

"All… of it?"

I AM A SOLITARY WARRIOR!" Geitz shrieked, at the end of his patience. "FIND ANOTHER NEST! FLY AWAY! SHOO! I'M A LONE WOLF!"

In their antics, neither Isadora nor Geitz seemed to have fully grasped that Wyvern is not, in fact, a bird in the traditional sense.

Raven flexed his arm experimentally. It still wasn't the same. Ever since he'd gotten himself skewered to protect that fool of a lord, he… Raven growled angrily to himself. It wasn't like him to be selfless. Even if Priscilla would say it was exactly like him. It was just, when the moment had been upon him… his feet had moved before he could even think of stopping himself. Darin… well, he was no longer around. So much for breeding a new grudge.

"Lord Raymond…" Lucius' voice came from the doorway.

Raven sighed. "Still hanging around? I can't stand loiterers, Lucius. If you won't go home, at least march with the rearguard where I can't see you."

Lucius disliked this turn. While he had been sick, Raymond had cared for him. It once again showed him the purpose to all of this fighting. It was to prevent what Lord Raymond was trying to do. "I have no home to speak of. If there was one, it would be House Cornwell."

"There is no House Cornwell." Raven said unflinchingly. "Not anymore. I've told you to leave as you wish many times now."

"As I have told you… give up on your revenge, Lord Raymond."

"Must you keep bringing that up?"

"Yes!" Lucius shouted. "Let me speak my mind… for the last time." Lucius fell silent for a moment. As he had guessed, that caught Raymond's attention. "You are not someone who should dwell on revenge."

"What do you know of it." Raven scoffed.

"Too much." Lucius said suddenly, firmly. He looked into Raven's eyes. "When my parents passed, I… no, it's best not to speak of it." Lucius sighed. "I know you, Lord Raymond. Better than you pretend to know yourself. I've been with you ever since you were small. The things you used to say: the jabs and jibes… in the end, you always care from your heart. You haven't changed as much as you like to think!"

"Be quiet." Raven muttered.

"I will not!" Lucius declared. "I-will-not! Why do you pretend to be a different person? I will not leave nor will I be quiet until you explain. If I bother you that much, you may leave me where you may! Ignore me now and forevermore!"

Raven sighed. "Relax. Fine. I hear you, just… you sound like a child, yet you're older than I am. Have you forgotten that, too?"

Lucius, for a moment, looked ashamed. "I apologize."

"You… scared me."

"Huh?"

Raven looked away. "You're like… the last of my family. Priscilla is… no… I was scared. I didn't want to lose the last of my family."

"I-"

"It's why I wanted to keep you away from the battle." Raven admitted. "I guess I said it too harshly."

"Lord Raymond!"

"Look… just… let's call it a night, okay? We can… talk later." Raven said with difficulty.

"Of course." Lucius said with a smile.

As Raven began to make his way to his tent, he was stopped by none other than Lyndis. "Continue to hide it, and you'll only cause more pain in the end." She warned.

"If I wanted your advice, I would ask for it." Raven said, pulling his injured arm from her grasp. "I'll take care of my family in my own way."

"By sacrificing yourself?" Lyn demanded. "That won't make them happy."

"But it will keep them safe." Raven growled back. "Think about that next time you do something stupid to protect that little tactician of yours. You're sounding awfully hypocritical."

Lyn paused. "I can see we won't agree."

"At least you understand that." Raven smiled wryly. "Goodnight, Lady Lyndis."

"Goodnight, Raven."

"Lord Heath." Kent bowed politely. It had been a short while since the two last spoke. Next to him was Sain. They were performing their nightly patrol route around the camp, when Kent had spotted the Wyvern Rider on his own once again.

"Sir Kent."

"Forgive my impertinence, but since the last time we spoke a thought has been floating in my mind."

"Ask, then. If you must."

"Why did you leave the knights of Bern?"

Heath chuckled. "That certainly is impertinent."

"Forgive me, but as the commander of Caelin's Knights, it is my duty to test the loyalty of any potential recruits." Kent looked to Sain, who shrugged. "To learn about their past and guide them to a proper future."

"You're the commander?" Heath asked, surprised. "You're… quite young."

"You don't know the half of it." Sain laughed. "Haven't you heard of the Lundgren fiasco?"

"I'm afraid Lycian politics matter little in the lands of Bern." Heath said. "At least, to normal folk. I suppose the King may care, if only to potentially advance his own power."

"Not your problem until it is? I suppose that's one way to live." Sain sighed.

"Lord Heath, please help me to understand." Kent continued doggedly. "The Wyvern Riders of Bern are considered to be the strongest knights in the land. Surely we Lycian Knights would fall to their lances were we to meet head on." Kent looked towards the Bernese palace. "Why leave Bern for Lycia, then?"

Heath closed his eyes. "Bern is… not like it once was. Our sovereign has imprisoned any nobles who do not meet his favor."

Sain looked horrified. "You're kidding."

"Nobles so called 'power' over the lands they rule, at least in Bern, is a feeble joke. And the only real strength in Bernese knights these days is in their boasting. I'll never forget the sight of the High General, wagging his tail like some beaten dog, just to try and please the King. It's pathetic!" The last words were shouted, so suddenly that Kent recoiled slightly.

"What happened?'' Sain asked.

"There was a… rebellion." Heath said, the words spilling from his mouth. "Out on our frontier. The knights were ordered to put it down and kill the rebels. Our commander went to scout out the enemy camp. You know what he found?" Heath looked at Sain and Kent, who both shook their heads. "This so called 'uprising' was nothing more than a group of unarmed peasants."

"I see…" Kent muttered darkly, his face falling.

"Then, I heard the truth from our commander. One of our generals had drummed up a fake rebellion to enhance his military career."

"Lundgren's crusade all over again." Sain growled.

"These people did not want to fight. They ran at the mere sight of us. Then…" Heath looked down at the ground, "the famed wyvern riders of Bern rained savage death upon innocents." Heath choked back tears, as memories of the terrified face that continued to haunt his dreams surfaced. A man, dressed in nothing but simple peasant garb, trying to protect his children as a javelin pierced through his chest. "My unit tried to stop them." The shouting, the screaming. The moment their friends turned on them, calling for their wyverns to tear them to pieces along with the 'rebels.' "We were all condemned to die for our treason. Yet the general decided to play his game yet again. He claimed we were being hung for slaughtering innocent lives. They took our indignation, our attempt to save the people… and used it against us. Before they could round us up, we turned our coats and ran. My friend, Alastor… stayed behind to be our decoy. We fled for the border, while Alastor… was caught. He was beheaded in front of the public, as a show of strength to the rest of us 'traitors.' We dispersed… but the rest of my unit… one by one…" Heath tossed his lance to the ground, with a feeling of defeat. "I am all that remains. Does that satisfy you, Sir Kent?"

Kent nodded reluctantly. "I… see. So Bern-"

"Is nothing to me. I have no love for a country that slaughters its own. Tell me, Sir Kent… is Lady Lyndis a liege worthy of respect? Would you give your life in her service?"

"I would." Kent said, without hesitation. "Though, due to Lady Lyndis' upbringing, she is quite against the notion of sacrifice in general. She would much prefer I find a solution where both of us survive."

"I see." Heath smiled softly. "That certainly sounds like an odd Lord."

"The best." Sain parroted.

"Would you still be interested in having me, now that you've heard my past?" Heath asked.

"Only if you will have us, Sir Heath." Kent replied.

"I'll… think about it. Thank you, Sir Kent. Our talks have been… uplifting." Heath smiled. "Now I must to bed, before I end up falling asleep during the march tomorrow."

"We will be heading back as well. It's time to change guardsmen." Kent chuckled.

"Ugh, Wil's up next. Trying to wake him from slumber is like trying to push an oversized boulder up a hill." Sain grimaced. "think we could get Rebecca to kick him awake?"