Here's the next chapter... Thanks to those who have reviewed.
-SalehOnasi
--
"Are you awake, Saleh?
"No. Go away."
"Come on." Saleh felt the light covers being pulled off of the bed. "I need to talk to you about something."
"How about I pretend to listen while sleeping with my eyes closed?"
"…Saleh…"
"Fine, fine, I'm getting up." Saleh sat up and rubbed his eyes. The night had been comfortable; when he and Lyn retired for the evening after the battle, she had insisted he take the bed.
And yes, she'd slept on the floor.
Sighing and swinging his legs out, he stood, taking care to avoid jostling his still-injured arm. "Okay, what's so important I have to get up at dawn to hear it?"
"Saleh… you seem to have some experience in the ways of war, I can see. Would…" She paused, seeming to gather herself. "Would you allow me to travel with you?"
'Oh by Elimine, she wants to sleep with me.'
"Ah… aren't you a bit… young? Where are your parents?"
"You want me to get permission from my parents?" Lyn slumped back against the wall of her Ger. "My mother and father…" She began to choke with emotion, but brought it under control. "Died six months ago. My people, the Lorca- they don't…" She stopped and swallowed. Blinking back tears, she continued, "They don't exist anymore. I'm the last of my tribe. Bandits attacked, and…" Her fist clenched. "They… they killed so many people…The tribe was scattered. My father was our chieftain, and I wanted to protect my people. But… I am so young, and my people are old-fashioned. They wouldn't follow a woman. Nobody would follow me.
"Oh…" 'Emotionally scarred, flailing about for support. Of course she wants me. Not that it's unusual, if you ask me.'
A single tear fell from Lyn's eye, and she sniffed. "I'm sorry… I've been alone for so long…No." She paused for a moment, seeming to recollect herself, then opened her emerald eyes. They were still red, and wet with tears, but Saleh could see a determination and strength he had rarely seen before. "No more. I will shed no more tears." She gave a small, apologetic smile to Saleh. "I'm sorry… I'm better now."
"Don't worry. It's fine."
"Saleh…I want…"
'Dear Elimine this is gonna be awkward.'
"…No, I must become stronger, so that I may avenge my father's death. Yesterday's battle taught me something. I won't become stronger by sitting here alone. Saleh… tell me you'll train me, that you'll let me travel with you!"
Saleh blinked. Oh. He knew she was talking about it that way. Let her travel with him? That was a good question. He was a loner by nature, and not used to traveling as a group. He glanced down at his arm. 'Then again, no man is an island. 'Cept Reiken, and he was just weird.' Still, he could manage on his own until his arm mended. He looked up, an apology on his lips, and locked eyes with Lyn. What he saw surprised him. Lyn's face was passive, composed, but her eyes… she looked at him with a certain desperation, like one clutches to the last lifeboat off a ship. 'I'm the lifeboat.' He couldn't deny her request, not now, when he saw how much it meant to her.
"Of course. It'll be nice to have someone watching my back." 'I'm so gonna regret this.'
Lyn's face immediately brightened. "You will? That's wonderful! Thank you, oh thank you! We'll be better off working together, I know it. You'll be my master strategist, and I'll be your peerless warrior! We can do it! Right?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess." 'Master strategist?'
--
Within a few minutes, Lyn had gathered together her few belongings, eager to be on their way. Saleh took significantly longer, despite only needing to strap his sword and dagger to his back and don his wood-green cloak. After some discussion, they agreed that they ought to head for Bulgar, and then assess their options from there.
Setting off, Lyn leading her horse, and Saleh riding on it, they began the walk towards Bulgar. Lyn took a deep breath and sighed. "The plains are always so beautiful in the morning. The way the grass sways in the breeze, the quiet… I'll miss it. What about you, Saleh? Where are you from?"
Saleh sighed and shifted into a more comfortable position on the mount. "Me? I'm from Etruia, originally. Didn't stay there long, though. After my mother died, my father moved to his homeland of Bern. Grew up there. Got my military training from Bern, too. Served a mandatory two-year term, then struck out with a friend as mercenaries. Roamed around Elibe, taking odd jobs for a while. The I came to Sacae, and, here I am, in all my glory."
Lyn arched an eyebrow at him before turning around to watch the road in front. They continued on for a while. "So," Lyn asked, "Do you have any ideas for our next destination?" She turned around to look at Saleh, then turned back and continued, the silence punctuated by soft snores from behind her.
--
"Saleh!"
"Hungh?" Saleh blinked and raised his head. He found himself staring at what can only be described as a seething mass of humanity. Merchants bustled about, announcing their wares, housewives browsed the selection seeking the best deals, and children darting through the crowd.
"Where are we?" Saleh shook his head. He was still sleepy.
"This is Bulgar, the biggest city in all of Sacae. We should purchase supplies for our journey."
Saleh shrugged. "Sure. While we're at it though, do you think we could stop by a healer to have my arm-" He was cut off by a voice from behind them.
"Oh, my heart! What a dazzling vision of loveliness!"
"Hm?" Lyn and Saleh turned around in time to see a green-clad knight fling himself to one knee and grasp Lyn's hand. Startled, she pulled away and turned to flee.
"Wait, O beauteous one!" The cavalier flung himself from his steed's side towards her and recaptured her hand. "Will you not favor me with your name, or better yet, your company?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
Saleh was unsure whether to intervene on the startled girl's behalf, or to watch for his own amusement. Lyn, however, recovered herself and coolly asked, "Where are you from, strange knight, that you would speak so freely to a stranger?"
Saleh noted another knight, this one decked in red plating, scanning the crowd with a frown on his face. He turned in their direction, and started towards them, his frown deepening.
"Ooohhh… you're even lovely when you're cruel." Saleh turned back to see Lyn pulling her hand away once again in disgust. She shot a glance in his direction. "Let's go, Saleh- I've nothing more to say."
"Wait! Please-"
"SAIN!!"
The red knight had reached them, glowering at Sain. For his part, Sain appeared unworried. "Ah, Kent.! My boon companion! Why the severe expression?"
"If your manner were more serious, I wouldn't have to be severe!" The red cavalier snapped. "We still have a mission to complete, Sain!"
"I know that. But how could I remain silent in the presence of such beauty? It would have been discourteous!"
"What do YOU know of courtesy?"
Lyn cleared her throat. "Excuse me!" The two knights stopped arguing and turned to look at her. Kent seemed to notice her for the first time. "You're blocking the road. If you would be so kind as to remove your horses…"
Kent, seeming to scrutinize Lyn's face, blinked and nodded. "Of course. My apologies." The two riders moved their mounts asides, Kent seeming slightly embarrassed, Sain more miffed at Lyn's intent to leave. Saleh saw Kent blink with recognition as he and Lyn strode between the cavaliers. "Pardon me…"
--
"You know, he may have actually been serious."
Lyn snorted. "And I may actually be of noble descent. He seemed different, but those two appear to be the same at heart."
"Couldn't we have at least taken a break before leaving?"
"I don't see what you're complaining about- I'm the one who has to walk."
"It's bumpy."
"My apologies, your majesty."
"I'm serious, I can't-" Lyn raised a hand, cutting him off. She peered over her shoulder, squinting against the bright Sacaen sun. She suddenly cried out.
"Run! We're being pursued!"
"Could it be those knights from town? If so, you've got to give them points for persistence…"
Lyn shook her head as she began to dash, urging the mount under Saleh to keep up. Before they could go far, however, a second group of axemen moved out of a wooded grove, blocking their escape. The largest man stepped forward and leered. "Heh heh hehhhh…Aren't you the pretty one? Your name is Lyndis, is it not?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lyn blink in surprise. "What did you call me?" Her eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The thug did not appear to hear, shaking his head. "Such a waste. An absolute waste. The things I'll do for gold," He lamented. "Ah, well. Time to die, darlin'! Come on out boys! Take down the girl first, th' cripple's no threat!" Another pair of axemen appeared from the woods. Glancing back, Saleh saw the pair of who had been chasing them. He grimaced and took a quick tally. About six. He glanced at his arm. He was still completely useless…
He gritted his teeth. At the top of his game, he probably could have take six poorly trained brigands without Lyn's help. But now, he was crippled, unable to do anything but watch as the bandits closed their circle, and the Sacaen girl pivoted, trying to keep them from getting near the horse. Saleh swore. They couldn't even try to punch through and run, because he was still too weak to move on his own for long. He had never in his life felt so utterly vulnerable and helpless. He clenched his fist. "Lyn…"
"There are more than I can handle…" She stated sadly. "But… I'll not give up!" She swung at a bandit who had gotten too close, and he leapt back with a nick on his hand. Glancing at it, his face contorted in rage.
"Yer gonna pay fer that, ya stupid-"
"Hey! There she is!" All faces turned to see the new arrivals. One bandit had to dive to the side to avoid being trampled by two sets of hooves. It was the two cavaliers from town. The red one, Kent, if Saleh recalled correctly, held a blade in one hand, repositioning his horse to block the bandits from Lyn. The green flourished his lance, striking a pose on his mount. Saleh snorted. "You there!" the red knight began, "What is your-" The green one cut him off.
"Such numbers against a girl? Cowards every one of you!" He rushed at the brigands, causing a few, including the one that had identified Lyn, to beat a hasty retreat across a nearby bridge.
Lyn found her voice. "You! You're from-" Kent held up a gauntleted hand.
"We can discuss that later. It appears these ruffian intend to do you harm. If it's a fight they want, let them look to me! Stand back! We'll take care of this!"
"No!" Lyn objected. Saleh could see the determined fire in her eyes return. "This is my fight! Stay out of my way!"
The green cavalier, Sain, returned to hear her demand. "Well, we can't just sit here and do nothing, can we?"
Kent turned to Saleh. "I've a solution. You there, command us. I am Kent, a knight of Lycia. My companion is Sain. We will follow your orders in this battle." He turned back to Lyn. "Is that acceptable, milady?"
Lyn shrugged. "Yes, it is. Saleh, stay back! Let's go!"
--
Saleh followed the knight's story with unease. He could see that Lyn was equally disturbed, especially in light of the revelation of her uncle's intent.
"What should I do?" Lyn looked lost.
"Accompany us to Caelin. Continuing on this way is dangerous."
"I feel I have no choice…" Lyn turned to Saleh. "Saleh… I'm sorry. This changes everything. What will you do Saleh?" She hesitated. "Would you… accompany us? Your companionship would do much to ease the journey…" She looked at him expectantly.
Saleh looked into her eyes. She wanted him to stay with her, that much he could tell. But…
'th' cripple's no threat!'
'Saleh, stay behind me!'
There wasn't much work for a crippled mercenary.
"I'm sorry, Lyn… I'm going to have to say no."
--
There's my own little modification to the storyline. I'm going to start skipping lines I deem unnecessary, and going a bit off the script.
Also, I'm going to stop at the end of Lyn's tale, with maybe just an Epilogue at the end of Eliwood's. The reason? Well... I've got a confession to make: I kinda lost my game. It's actually been lost for months... I miss it. I never got to beat HHM...
Anyways, I don't have a reference to the game script. I found a useful script on Gamefaqs, but it's not complete.
So...Yeah.
Please leave comments, flames if you wish.
-SalehOnasi