Chapter 12: Forgiveness

The convoy came to an early stop by the edge of a large rocky mountain. As soon as they stopped and started to set up their tents, the combatants of the previous vocal battle had gathered together in front of Eliwood to calmly explain the situation. Eliwood set down the law, strictly ensuring that there would be no more spats or arguments, lest they face a dock on their pay or at worst, excommunication from the group. With the warning, set in motion, Eliwood watched as they all dispersed. Just as soon as they did, Hector walked up to him with a smile on his face.

"You look like a parent, Eliwood" he said. Eliwood laughed a little as Hector sat down on the large log that Oswin was building a fireplace next to.

"I have to keep order in this convoy, Hector" he explained. "Otherwise we'll just fall apart"

"I know, but keeping them apart from each other?" he asked. "Sounds like you're ripping it apart with that description!"

"I did not do that" Eliwood protested, chuckling. "I just warned them, that's all. There's nothing wrong with a friendly warning, right? I want us all to be friends"

"Friendly warning?" Hector giggled, unable to contain his friendly malice. "I swore I saw you pointing your finger at them"

"Hector…"

Meanwhile, Lucius was sat inside of his tent. He was lucky not to get much blame whatsoever, he was glad that Eliwood saw sense only to warn those who actually raised their voices. Yet he still felt a sense of shame, having been the main focus of attention during the heated exchange. Whenever he thought back on it, he felt himself growing hot beneath his collar. It wasn't a good feeling, neither was it a good image for him. He felt safe within his tent, hidden from everybody else, yet scared to leave it.

As he sat in his tent, silently finishing his daily provisions and wiping his mouth, he could hear footsteps outside of his tent. The sounds trailed to the front of his tent, which was loosely closed, hiding him from the rest of the convoy, still feeling embarrassed about what had happened earlier.

"Lucius?"

It was Raven. Lucius quickly put his provisions away before looking to the entrance. He felt afraid to respond, realizing it was the first time they had directly communicated in days.

"…Yes?"

"You busy?"

"No, why?"

"I want to talk with you about something"

"…Okay, give me a few minutes"

Minutes later, the two were strolling together around the outside of the convoy, far from the tents. It took a shy minute before their interaction started.

"What did you want to speak to me about, Lord Raymond?" he asked. Raven let out a heavy sigh, not looking at Lucius at all. His eyes were focused right on the tips of his feet as they slowly navigated the ground.

"Er…" he mumbled. "…I want to…apologize"

Lucius knew what Raven meant. He hadn't forgotten the violent exchange that the two had in the inn. Even then, he could feel his hand gripping his throat like it did back then. He was struggling for air, and said the first thing that came to his head.

"Lord Raymond, I'm sorry that I…" he said.

"No you're not" Raven cut across. "Lucius…you're not sorry. All you do is say sorry to me. For once…I'm sorry"

Lucius looked down towards his feet, taking a deep breath. He couldn't remember the last time when the journey hadn't been awkward.

"Raymond…" Lucius whispered. "I know the pain you're feeling, please don't make this hard for yourself…"

"You told Florina about your father, didn't you?" Raven asked suddenly, changing the topic. Lucius became tense; Eliwood must have told Raven about what Lucius had been talking about.

"I did…" Lucius said quietly. "Raymond, please don't be mad at me for this. I…I…"

"You like her, don't you?" Raven asked.

"…I do like her" Lucius admitted. "Raymond, it isn't what you think"

"I know it isn't" Raven replied. "You're allowed to have friends. So am I. I think that's why I wanted to talk to you, really. I wanted to talk to a friend about these past few days"

"Raymond, you don't have to apologize for assaulting me at the inn" Lucius insisted, looking towards him as they walked. "Like I said before, I know the pain you felt. I lost someone close to me when I was young…it's horrible. It's beyond horrible, it's just…just…"

"…I still want to say I'm sorry" Raven said quietly. Lucius watched as his usual frown dissipated into genuine sadness. "I'm always grumpy around you, and I don't treat you as I should. I keep forgetting that what I say and do affect others…"

"Raymond…" Lucius interrupted, stopping. As Raven stopped, Lucius went to hug his friend, who returned the embrace instantly. "I'll always forgive you. You're…my best friend. If I lost you, what point would there be in going on?"

"That's why I'll stick around" Raven said quietly, breathing into Lucius's hair. "No matter how unforgivable the things I do become. It's been a few days and…I'm starting to accept it"

"Raven, you shouldn't push yourself" Lucius protested, his voice a mere whisper.

"No Lucius…I'll be fine" Raven whispered back, patting Lucius's back with a calm, systematic beat. "I've finally come to realize the importance of having people like you around. Guys like you…you make the pain easier to deal with. Physical, mental or otherwise, with you, and everyone else here in the convoy, then I know no matter how grave the wound…I'll always be looking towards happiness"

Lucius laughed a little, letting go of Raven, yet still holding his shoulders.

"Even if you have a grumpy face?" he asked, smiling, displaying each of his teeth. Raven chuckled in response, shrugging.

"Even that" he said, looking over his shoulder.

"And what about Hector?" Lucius asked. "I know you still grieve about…well, you know, that grudge…"

Raven let out a visible sigh, looking back towards the camp with a steeled look in his eyes. He spied Hector, who was busy chomping on a chicken leg, chattering happily away with the strong men of the group.

"I'm still sour towards him" Raven admitted, looking back at Lucius. "…Is that okay?"

Lucius shook his shoulder gently, still smiling. He closed his eyes and nodded.

"That's fine" he said. "Just give it time. As long as you remain quiet, my friend. Everything will be fine"

Raven smiled, stepping back a little.

"I've already said my apologies to Lyn" Raven said. "She…oh, she's coming now! See you Lucius!" he said, giving a wave to Lucius as he walked back towards the camp. He greeted Lyn on the way, who walked shyly up to Lucius, her hands behind her back and her sword completely absent.

"Lucius…" she said quietly. Lucius, already feeling gleeful from his conversation with Raven, opened his arms at once. Lyn sighed with a hint of relief as she walked into Lucius's arms, holding him tightly.

"I'm really sorry for grabbing your shoulder and shouting at you, Lucius" she gushed, as if her words were air in a deflating balloon. "I only wanted to help Florina…but I wasn't very considerate, wasn't I?"

"You have my complete forgiveness" Lucius said wholeheartedly, patting Lyn's back with his embrace. "You acted out of goodwill and that's what matters"

Lyn let go of Lucius and stood back, nodding her head, grateful for the forgiveness.

"Having said that, I'm still curious" Lyn continued. "I mean…I don't know what you said exactly, but it seemed to upset Florina…"

Lucius let out a disappointed sigh. It was her fault, but he could never bring himself to blame another person. He got carried away and revealed a dangerous secret to someone light of heart. The blame was his and his alone.

"…I cannot express my regret enough" Lucius sighed. "I should have just kept my mouth shut"

"Don't blame yourself" Lyn said quickly. "Florina needs to learn when and when not to ask about people's private memories…"

"Does anyone else know what I said?" Lucius asked, a little worried that the convoy knew about his past. His heart filled with reprieve as Lyn shook her head.

"It's still safe" Lyn explained. "I've told Florina that what she heard is not to be repeated. I don't think she will anyway"

Lucius chuckled a little at the image of Lyn telling Florina off for something completely innocent. He brushed a strand of hair from his face, biting his lip.

"I doubt she would do something like that" Lucius said quietly. "Unless it was out of naiveté. She's a lovely girl…"

"…Oh yeah?"

The tone of Lyn's voice was one of prying interest, one that prompted Lucius to look up, only to find Lyn looking at him teasingly, as if she was attempting to confirm a juicy piece of information. The cocked leg, the raised eyebrow, the mischievous face, Lucius suddenly realized what he had said.

She's a lovely girl…

His face erupted into blush at once as he turned his face to the side, placing a hand to his mouth.

"O-oh, p-please don't misunderstand!" Lucius pleaded. "It truly isn't what it sounded like just then"

Lyn started to giggle, standing back up straight.

"I was only kidding" she said. "Of course you didn't men it like that, right?"

Lucius released another chuckle, this time laced with nervousness. Of course he didn't mean it…did he?