Authors Note: Not to claim the same problem as last time, but time has been at a premium. But hey, how about that Nintendo switch eh? Looks interesting. I do want to reaffirm that I have no plans to drop this fic. I will finish it to the end, no matter how long it takes me. Let's see how this chapter shapes up, shall we?

As always, please review if you can.

Chapter 81: The Night Deepens

Lady Elanora,

I write to deliver most dire news. You know your husband has gone out on travels far to discover more information on the Black Fang. After the Lycian Conference Following the routing of the Bandits within our borders, Lord Elbert felt it prudent to take on the task himself.

Our search has been long, and not nearly as fruitful as one might hope. Information on them was scarce. First, we met with Will, the informant on the Taliver. He was a former member of the Fang. We were surprised by how little information he actually had to offer. Considering how high a position he seemed to have, given that Nergal sent another of his higher members to kill him after his desertion, he truly did not have the knowledge that would be of any harm to Nergal. Why then would he be so desperate to get him killed?

Lord Wallace seemed concerned for the boy. He and Lord Elbert held a whispered conversation, of which I'm afraid I was not privy to. The young man held his head a few times throughout the questioning, so perhaps it had something to do with his condition. Our search continued.

We next came to Bern, the supposed homeland of the Black Fang. Here it seemed all our current information was turned on its head, with tall tales of heroism, particularly of the Commander's Sons, Lloyd and Linus of the Fang. They did not hide their identities, nor did they seem to need to.

Yet upon our travels outside of Bern, once more the became a shadow. A name whispered in fear in small villages who dread a visit from one of Nergal's force. Lord Elbert's concerns only grew. Finally, we happened upon information that may be of use to us. A shipping company has been funding expeditions to the Dread Isle for several years now. They haven't made any profits from it, but their stock of ships hasn't gone down either. We found it odd. So we decided to investigate the Dread Isle.

What happened next is… I find it difficult to describe. However, I send this now from the Port of Badon, hoping you receive this. Lord Elbert, our entire company… They are in grave danger. Please, send whatever forces that can be spared. The Dread Isle must be conquered before it is too late.

H.

The night was beginning as the group quickly descended the mountains in silence. After Will, Eliwood, Hector, Lyndis, Serra, Matthew, Leila, Bartre, Guy and Karla had returned, with two new people in tow, they hadn't even spared time to explain what had happened before Will gave the order to march.

"Lord Eliwood, is that?" Marcus began.

"Yes Marcus, but we don't have a lot of time." Eliwood sighed. "One of the assailants we dealt with inside the barrier had the Fire Emblem. With this, we can finally get access to where Lord Athos wants us to go."

"I see." Marcus glanced at the man that trailed at the end of the caravan. "But to think, he was alive all this time…"

"Do not hold father's choices against him." Eliwood said. "And while I had wished he would return sooner… I'm not sure Sir Harken came back at all."

"I see…" Marcus sighed. "And he was such a sight to behold upon the field."

At the back of the line, Harken trudged slowly along, awaiting the scorn of his peers as was no doubt due him. He could see Lord Elwood speaking to Sir Marcus, who shot a single glance his way. He could also see Isadora, and though she glanced his way many more times, he could not bring himself to look at her in turn.

Karel was in a similar state of isolation. He sat upon the back of the wagon, whistling softly as he inspecting Wo Dao for any signs of nicks or damage. Somehow, he had the feeling that the bloodshed of the day was not yet done, and it wouldn't do for him not to be prepared.

"Brother, why did you do it?" Karla asked, as she walked just behind the wagon. "Will you not at least give me that."

Karel smiled softly. "Of the six of us, only you and I remain, dear sister. Our parents, slain by this very blade. These very hands."

"Unthinkable." Karla spat.

"You are of the same blood. Despite your protests, you have some idea of what I speak. Only one," He raised the blade skyward, "Can carry this blade. Our clan lived and died by it. Eventually, it shall claim the last as well."

"Brother?"

"Someday, beautiful Karla, when you are worth fighting. Not until then."

"You would kill me too, then?"

"Eventually, yes." Karel stated simply. "It is either you or I. One and Only one can carry this sword."

"You're more twisted than I hoped." Karla sighed, turning away. As she left, she could hear him whistling once more. The whistling was the only reason she had approached him in the first place. It was the only song she remembered. The one he had whistled to her, the night before he had stolen everything. How was she expected to remain calm and silent, to not take her vengeance? No… she was too weak, and her brother knew it. That irked her more than anything.

"You did stupid." Bartre grunted, surprising her. "Not like you to make stupid mistake."

"Oh?" Karla raised her eyebrow. "You may say that, but how else would I have ever tied with you, if not for those 'stupid mistakes.'"

"Fine, we'll do it your way." Bartre grunted again. "You want to die?"

"I was surprised to find you still so." Karla retorted.

"Thought me dead, demon?"

"I'll admit I thought we would never meet again." Karla smirked. "But I supposed I should reconsider it. You are, after all, too stubborn to die."

"Well, that's one step." Bartre growled. "Now if only you had the will to fight."

Karla looked at him sharply. "I do have that."

"No, you don't." Bartre growled. "You always hold back, always look for ways to get hurt. It's more like you're looking for a grave."

"Do you want to die?" Karla growled.

"The warrior's path is not so lightly trodden upon." Bartre chuckled. "you might be stronger than me, but your heart is weaker."

"Then spar with me soon, Axeman. You will see what I am truly capable of." Karla spat.

Karel spared a single interested glance at the axeman, who paid him no mind.

"How're you feeling?" Matthew asked.

"Better." Leila said. "I needed to rest after that, but I think I may be back in form."

"Alright." Matthew relented. "But tell me when you need me, alright? I'll be here."

"I know Matthew. Don't go turning into a clucking chicken on me." Leila giggled.

"You two are doing well." Oswin mused. "After the ordeal today I thought I would check, but it seems my worries were unfounded."

"Thank you, Oswin, I appreciate the sentiment." Leila smiled.

"Yes well, I also needed your help with something." Oswin admitted. "I'm afraid it's none too good, either."

"What do you mean?" Matthew asked.

"I need someone to relay orders to Ostia." Oswin said, pulling out a small scroll.

"Orders… for what?" Leila asked.

Matthew looked at Oswin, his face falling. "You mean…"

Oswin nodded his head. "I do. Please, you're the only ones I can ask."

Matthew and Leila nodded. "We'll let Will know in the morning. We'll join back up as soon as it's done."

"Thank you." Oswin sighed again, before exiting the tent.

"Hey." Geitz asked, looking over at his front line partner for the march, Dorcas. "Can I ask you something?"

The burly man looked over. Geitz wouldn't say they knew each other. In fact, he'd only seen the man briefly in between moments of battle and around the fire at night. "Who are you again?"

"Geitz." The man said, trying and failing to use a bemused smile. "Nice ta meetcha."

"Dorcas."

"So, why are you fighting in the army?" Geitz asked.

"Money." Dorcas answered just as bluntly.

"That's a fine reason." Geitz said.

A few moments of silence passed between them. "What do you mean by that?" Dorcas asked.

Geitz raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's just because I've seen you during a couple fights now. You're pretty ruthless. You'll attack anything that moves, and at times you'll only worry about your own neck. I was impressed, honestly."

Dorcas looked slightly ashamed and turned away. "I must return home alive. My family is waiting for me."

"I see…" Geitz sighed. "I'm jealous."

"I also realized something watching you fight." Dorcas said, after a few more seconds of silence. "You go all out when you fight. You don't care if you live or die."

Gietz guffawed. "You notice well! That's pretty true. To be honest, I don't know why I'm this way." Geitz's laughter died down, as he looked up at the stars. "Perhaps I still seek the meaning of my own life."

"The meaning of life?" Dorcas asked.

"Yeah." Geitz shrugged. "Why I was born. What I'm doing here. Where in a world this big a lug like me goes. That kind of thing. Have you never wondered about it?"

Dorcas seemed to ponder it for a moment. "Never. Though it must be nice to worry about those things."

Geitz raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Nice? You reading the same book here?"

"I don't have the time to worry about such abstract concerns." Dorcas said calmly. "Natalie needs me. My child needs me. William and Eliwood need me. So I work and I survive until I see her again."

Geitz's eyes widened slightly, before he burst out into another fit of laughter. "Hah! I guess when you put it like that, you've sure got a point. I was born into a rich family, I'm smart and strong and throughout my life the wheel of fate saw fit to grant me more than my fair share of fortune's grace." His laughter slowed. "But I'm empty, you see." Geitz's eyes clouded. "I don't have a purpose, not like you do. I know it's a luxury, but I worry even still…"

Dorcas thought it best he leave their conversation there. It wasn't his job to tell the young man his place. After all, he wasn't that much older than Geitz.

Canas could not for the life of him locate what he was looking for. He had dropped the book where he had been noting down the progress of their trials with magic and weaponry, but if he lost it now, it was bound to be lost forever. He had already been through William's books, the carriage, the backup carriage, and the tent he was sure he had slept in the last three nights. "I wonder where it could be? If it was dropped near the fort, heaven forbid it be lost forever."

As Canas kept searching, he happened to spot Lord Pent and his wife, walking casually in the middle of the group, with a very conspicuous book in his hands. He was reading it so intently his nose was nearly touching the page, but Canas still recognized the tome.

"Excuse me… that book…"

Pent bolted up, before looking at Canas like a fascinating specimen out of a magic study class in Etruria. Seemingly realizing his intensity, Pent quickly blinked away the thoughts. "Oh, is this yours then? It looked so interesting, I started reading it… I'm sorry to have kept it from you."

"No, it's perfectly fine, I'm just glad it wasn't lost. I assumed you wouldn't have any interest in the ancient magics, though. You look more like one who specializes in the magics of nature."

"Very perceptive." Pent said with a slight bow."

"Oh, well… my knowledge is barely a candle to your mastery's blaze." Canas said quickly. "After all, you are Lord Pent of Etruria."

"Correct."

"I've been meaning to ask… would you mind autographing one of the books in my collection? I'd like my wife to believe me when I tell her of meeting you."

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" Pent asked curiously.

"I am Canas." Canas said, bowing low. "I am a… practitioner of the ancient arts."

"And your wife is also a magic-user?" Pent asked.

"Well yes." Canas admitted. "She thinks quite highly of you. If you'll excuse the phrase, she called you the 'bee's knees.'"

"What an interesting pairing you two must make." Pent chuckled. "I had heard there was a scholar of ancient magic who had married a magic-user to learn more about his field.:

"Well, you are not entirely incorrect." Canas admitted. "I am more of a scholar than a practitioner. That is, err… my true calling, I suppose you might say."

"You really must tell me how you ended up a practitioner." Pent laughed. "I've rarely heard of scholar's becoming the very thing they study!"

"Well, I suppose it was all on the day I met the woman who would one day become my wife." Canas chuckled. "you see, back then, neither of us even realized it, but fate had a strange hand in play. I was visiting the library to read the books there, and there was a small gang of children just outside the library, with her at the head of this little children's gang."

"…This is good."

"Hah!" Rebecca cheered, before quickly reigning herself in. "I mean good. Eat all you can then."

The mercenary raised the meat to his eye thoughtfully, trying to judge the method she had used to cook it. "You bagged all this game yourself? You truly are quite the hunter, aren't you?"

"Used to do it all the time!" She said happily. "And even before Lord Eliwood came, I would often go out hunting alone. It was the best way to hunt, aside from when there were bandits around. That always scared off the good prey."

Raven smiled slightly as he took another bite.

"Ah, so you do smile!" Rebecca declared triumphantly.

"I'm human." Raven countered. "I laugh, I smile, I cry."

"Hmm…" Rebecca crossed her arms. "Somehow, I can't imagine you crying, Sir Raven. But you have a very nice smile."

"Hmph." Raven took another bite.

"Just like my brother." Rebecca sighed.

"You have a brother?" Raven asked.

"Yes." Rebecca glanced over towards the larger group. After she turned back, Raven thought she had been looking at Wil talking to that Pirate dart. But he wasn't sure that was the case, so he thought it better to say nothing. "He left home five years ago… never returned. He never even wrote me a letter, not after a couple months. Somehow… it feels like he's forgotten all about me."

"He wouldn't forget." Raven said firmly.

"What?' Rebecca seemed surprised by his sudden sharpness in tone.

"There must be something else that prevents him from returning home." Raven crossed his arms. "though I couldn't tell you what. Perhaps foolish pride. But no matter what happens… there is no way he could forget you, Rebecca."

It was one of the few times he had ever used her name. It made her happy.

"No matter how far away he is, he's thinking of you always. That's what brothers do."

And there were the tears. She had tried to stop them as hard as she could, but they still came. "I miss him…"

Raven sighed. "You may be tough, but you're still a child."

"Lord Hector…" Serra began, but found herself bereft of her usual wit. "Th… thank you for earlier."

"Hah?" Hector looked back at her. She was mumbling so much you'd think she was Florina trying to apologize. "What'd you say?"

"Nothing!" Serra shouted suddenly. "You shouldn't yell at delicate young women, you could scare them!"

"Guess it's lucky there aren't any delicate women around, eh?" Hector guffawed.

"I cannot believe you!" Serra shouted. "I'll have you know that I am a delicate and sensitive flower! If you hadn't protected me, that crazy person could've cut me… or worse!"

"That wasn't going to happen." Hector said calmly. "Not without him taking me down first."

Serra hated him! She hated his big stupid doofy face that just said that thing that really made her heart thump with enough power to help her pull a cart! And not one of those small carts either, but one of those really big carts that they bring through the busy streets all the way to Ostia castle! And then they'd open the door, and Lord hector would be there, for some reason without a shirt, and he'd smile all prettily, and then she was also inside the castle holding a ba-oh god her tangent had really gotten much more insane since the last time she checked in. Oh boy and now she was standing still with her face burning again somehow unable to retort! Where was a sarcastic Erk quip when you needed one! Cause she needed one! "…jerk."

"What'd I say this time?" Hector asked completely dumbfounded as Serra stormed away.

"Lyn, are you okay?" Florina asked worriedly, sitting inside the carriage with her friend.

"I'm fine, Florina. I was just much more tired than I thought I was. Karel was not an easy man to face."

"You fought that guy?" Florina glanced worriedly outside. "Why is he here then?"

"I had to make a choice, Florina." Lyn sighed. "He offered to join us, and postpone my fight with him. When I thought about what Will would want, I…"

"He'd tell you to survive." Florina said firmly. "We need you, Lyn."

Lyn giggled. "Come to think of it, this is the first time we've been alone together in a while. I'm sorry if I made things awkward between us, Florina."

Florina shook her head. "Lyn, I could never hate you. You know that."

Lyn sighed. "Do you ever think back to Ilia, Florina?"

"Ilia?" Florina asked. "I mean, my sisters are here now, but I do sometimes think about our home there. I guess I haven't lately though. Why?"

Lyn shook her head.

"Is it the plains?" Florina insisted.

"Is that irresponsible of me?" Lyn asked. "Ever since you and Will have come back into my life, my thoughts oft drift to the plains. The grassy fields, the open sky… a tent where the three of us could spend our days alone together… would that be so bad?"

Florina sputtered. "L-l-lyn what you're saying is-"

"Impossible?" Lyn mused. "Why is that, though? Is it because of my duty to Caelin? Now that my grandfather is gone, I'm the heir to a throne I never wanted."

"But Lyn, I saw how hard you worked! You even wore the dresses you hated and talked nicer to people to help your grandfather!"

"Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for the rest of my life?" Lyn chuckled. "What kind of torture is that?"

"I know you would look towards the plains Lyn." Florina said. "But, that was because you were thinking of Will and Lord Wallace on their journey, weren't you?"

"A bit." Lyn said. "I wondered what life would've been like if I never asked to travel with him. I would've never found my grandfather, never met all these people… but would I be happier?"

"I… I can't answer that, Lyn." Florina said. "Somehow though… if you want my opinion… I think you're looking at this the wrong way."

"The wrong way?" Lyn asked, confused.

"Will's important to Lord Eliwood and Lord Hector." Florina said. "Even if he agreed to go to the plains with you, you'd always get visitors, or go to visit other places. We're all irreplaceable to each other. You couldn't get rid of me even if you tried." Florina said, puffing out her chest slightly with pride.

"As if I'd try to get rid of you." Lyn giggled, grabbing the girl in a hug.

"Can you honestly say you'd rather return to the plains, living alone without us?" Florina asked.

"No." Lyn admitted. "I'd miss you all far too much. I just don't know if I'm the right choice for Caelin."

"That's something to figure out with Lord Eliwood and Lord Hector, isn't it?" Florina asked.

"You're right again, Florina." Lyn said. "I guess I worried you for nothing."

"I'll always be with you and Will, Lyn. That won't change, no matter what happens."

Lyn lifted Florina from herself, looking into the strong Lavender haired girl's eyes. So much had happened between them, and especially in the last year they had become closer than any Sacaen sister could claim to be. Back when they had first met, had it been because Lyn had seen some of herself inside the frail Pegasus knight? They had even come to love the same man, yet not hate each other. Such things were unnatural in this world, yet currently it felt so perfectly right. Without realizing it herself, Lyn slowly drew in to the smaller girl's lips.

"Harken…" Isadora had mustered her courage, and pulled up next to the knight.

Harken did not glance at her. It seemed, however, that he recognized her. "Isadora."

"What have you been up to, Harken?" Isadora asked. "When I heard of your company's passing, I mourned for you. If you were alive, why did you not send word? Why did you abandon your dutites as a knight of Pharae!"

Though she said knight, Harken knew she was talking of their engagement. After all, why had he not returned to embrace the woman he loved, having survived the disaster that claimed his comrade's life? It was only the natural thing to do. Most men would do just that, rather than embark on an inane quest for vengeance. "I… acted recklessly, pursuing them alone. But punishment is still due."

"Punihsment?" Isadora flapped disbelievingly. "Harken, do you even understand what you've done? Do you know how life in Pharae has been since your absence? I mourned for you."

She repeated the same statement as before. It was what he deserved. "Please, Isadora, do not cry. I could not stand to see you weep over me. Just… leave me be. Let the Harken who loved you die with his lord, as he should have."

"No." Isadora spat. "I can't forgive you. Not now. I don't know if I can ever. Not after all Milady and I have been through. Never."

She galloped away toward the middle of the pack, leaving Harken once more on his own. "I am sorry…"

"Dame Isadora?" Lowen said softly, approaching the crying woman. "How fare you? If you-"

"I don't need any food!" Isadora snapped. "I'm perfectly full, alright?"

Lowen tried to smile, but it faltered quickly at the tears that covered her face. "I see."

As he turned, Isadora compelled herself to stop him. "Lowen… thank you. You are kind to worry about me, but I… will get better. In time."

Lowen bowed his head. But as she turned away to compose herself, Lowen suddenly shouted. "Dame Isadora!"

Isadora snapped to attention. Marcus, who was nearby, caught the shouted. Even harken, far behind as he was, heard the call. She could even swear she saw Legault lurking behind one of the nearby horses. "What is it?" she asked curtly.

"I am still inexperienced." Lowen began, raising a hand to his forehead. Slowly, he lifted his hair, his teal eyes viewing her fully without the strands of hair that usually covered them from view. They were very beautiful, and felt like they bore into her like never before. "But I will be strong enough to become a knight of Pharae soon. I will become a knight that you, General Marcus, and even Lord Harken will be proud of!" He pointed to the man who skulked at the back of the company, catching him off guard. "So, all you need to do is wait!"

Isadora blushed. That… was what she thought it was, wasn't it? Or was it just his naivety talking? Did he even realize their age difference? Sure, it wasn't as large as some of the now wait a minute she would not even be considering this! Not on the day when the one she was promised to… she glanced back. Harken seemed just as taken aback as her, but a strange smile was also playing on his face. What was that about? Was he jealous? Lost in memory? Why were men so infuriating to read? "Yes." Her mouth said, as her mind and heart continued their race. "I know you can do it, Lowen. You're dedicated enough."

Lowen's face brightened. "Thank you! That's all I wanted to say!" He seemed to have realized how embarrassing his outburst had been and quickly lowered his hair to cover his eyes again. It was more adorable than she remembered. Oh boy this was bad for her heart. "And so I take my leave. Goodnight, Dame Isadora."

"G-Goodnight…" Isadora repeated.

Lowen left, leaving poor Isadora in a storm of her unknown making. Legault, chuckling merrily, tossed a coin in the air before catching it. He glanced at it, seeming to have figured out the outcome of his little self-bet, and tipped his headband in Isadora's direction. Then he vanished into the night.

"He's not going to suddenly confess his love to me too, is he?" Isadora suddenly worried. It was going to be a long night.