Author's notes: Well, so I've updated! It was quite early I suppose, but as I'll have little time to update when school's in, I guess I'll update all what I can before that deadline is struck. Great thanks to sagewolf for being my first significant reviewer! Hope to hear from you again, real soon!

And here comes my Chapter 2 for my crossover!

Chapter 2

The Strategist's Terms

Having been to many other exotic places in his whole life with an army behind him, Uther knew one thing for certain. It was never bad to sleep in the open, for you shall be the first to fall asleep as well as the first to rise and shine. The grassy plain was just another perfect place for such an experience. And for that particular dawn, Uther rose up from the heap of mattresses and blankets, stretched his young limbs and looked around for a rising sun, firmly believing that he was the first to be up, as per usual.

But that was just not the Lordaeron Paladin's usual camping day with the Silver Hand.

For over there, a distance from Uther's camping ground, the young girl whose companionship he had been enjoying was standing there, probably for long before he had woken up, sword firmly gripped in hand, in a battle-ready posture. Uther was astonished a bit at that interesting sight. As per normal, it would mean someone was sneaking up for a surprise attack, which Uther wasn't quite sure of being able to fend off at the time of the year when he did not have the right to use deadly force. As a cautionary habit, Uther quickly scanned his eyes around for any sight of possible assaults. There was no one in sight, not even an animal. Worry quickly turned into curiosity, as Uther observed closely Lyn's actions. It seemed that the girl was doing a bit of early practice with her sword, and the sight of a neatly and smartly dressed up girl up early in the morning in battle formation was quite a sight to an old general.

All of a sudden, the slim figure sprang up as high as a human could probably leap, then swung her blade a few rounds in the sky up and down like performing a sky waltz, before finally focused her weight on the underside of her blade, forcing it to slam into the ground, sending sand, grass blades and even tiny pebbles into the air in its wake. The power of such move could even equal that of a full slam of the Paladin war hammer, and it was achieved just using a slender sword. The girl then leaped up high again, her blade facing the air, carrying out an uppercut. Finally, a few rounds of triple somersaults at about three meters above ground concluded her flashy performance, and the Sacaen lady landed on the ground safely and swiftly without breaking too much sweat.

"Fascinating" Uther uttered in plain professional interest "The use of strength and agility in harmony was perfect"

Uther's words had inadvertently cut the show short, for Lyn certainly did not expect hearing any such disruption. She turned back quickly, and sheathed her sword upon seeing that the one having made that comment was none other than her guest.

"So… you're awake" she said, smiling

And, well, your sword dance is beautiful!"

"Thanks" the teal-haired young lady replied "It's just practise makes perfect"

"No, really, whoever taught you the sword must be a grandmaster himself" Uther praised, and on this occasion, he was not lying. The nearly magical sword dance Lyn had just performed was something not many in Lordaeron could afford to carry out, except for mayhaps the Orcish Blademasters, which Uther wouldn't compare here.

"Almost every child of the plains is a born martial artist" the girl smiled proudly "It's... innate for us to take up arms in our free time. And by the way" her voice suddenly changed to a more concerned tone "Are you sure you are fine now? Yesterday you looked quite bad, I didn't believe you could recover that quickly…"

"I am a seasoned traveler, you see" Uther replied on impulse "Fainting on the road and be laid back for a day or two doesn't affect me much"

It was obviously a lie, but Uther's physical form at present was just able to hide the fact up quite well. Even his younger body was somewhat muscular, underlying the endurance of a well-trained up globetrotter. In any case, the young Lyn did not pay much attention to verifying his words.

"Well, I don't think so. That fight and all the manual work yesterday must have taken a lot out of you" Lyn continued "You don't seem to be involved in battles that much as I do, so I'm afraid if…"

"Never mind" Uther replied "I can get adopted to just about anything"

His words were responded to by a hearty giggle from his young friend. Either it was she did not believe him, or she found what he said funny, but one thing was certain that Uther could tell. She was clearly bright and cheerful by then, in stark contrast with her utter despite when she buried the dead bandits the last evening. "And it was always good to see a young lady behaving in character" Uther thought, and smiled as well "Maybe she is not the kind of vengeful person Arthas is…"

"Well… Uther, so… if you are well now, would you mind if I ask you something?" Lyn's voice suddenly tightened up again, to Uther's surprise

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Uther asked her "I would be willing to aid you in any way possible"

"Well… though you are not a warrior, it does seem that you have a great deal of experience in the way of war, is that right?" Lyn asked the old paladin back

"I can give you a solid nod on that part" Uther replied, confidently banking himself on his past deeds in leading the Lordaeron Army "I can give you as much advice as you would probably need if you feel like it"

"That is more than great!" Lyn said enthusiastically "So, would it be possible if I accompany you on your travels?"

"Accompany me?" Uther asked in astonishment. Surely in many a year, many other people had asked the same thing from him, but this is now a completely different story "Do you have any idea in the first place where I am going?"

"No, if I am to say it out, but will that be a problem?"

"Of course not. But… you had better check with your parents before going, anyway… for my journeys are, as far as I know, indefinite and…"

Uther could never finish his sentence, for before he knew it, Uther was able to see clearly the eyes of his companion suddenly turned watery, and tears quickly formed and rolled down her cheek.

"What… what was… Did I say anything that offended you?"

"I… I can no longer ask for my parents' permission… They died six months ago…"

"DIED?" Uther nearly exclaimed in astonishment "What had happened to them?"

"It was… those bandits… they attacked my people… they killed so many…and the rest of my tribe is scattered…" Lyn sobbed, nearly loosing her sensibility "My father was the chieftain, and… and I want to protect my people in his place… but they are not likely to listen to a woman… like me"

"Band-… wait… does that have anything to do with those two ruffians attacking yesterday?" Uther asked in great enthusiasm. Looking closely in the watery eyes of the young woman talking to him, Uther could notice the frightening flare from beneath the blanket of tears.

"As a matter of fact, they are part of those responsible" she said, nearly growling in rage "I'm sorry, Uther, I am being too emotional… I will shed no more tears… I'll…"

"I can see that" Uther replied calmly, but still empathetically "That explained your attitude yesterday, didn't it? If that was what happened to your people, I will be more than glad to lend a helping hand"

"Uther… I…I want… no, I must become stronger… my family and my tribe must be avenged! I have been alone for some time now, but I've seen it all… after yesterday's battle. I will not get stronger by sitting here alone…"

"What you need is some serious training" Uther said "If that is so, you can accompany me… Yes, you can"

"You will let me?" Lyn replied in great rejoice "That's wonderful! I… I don't know how I can ever thank you enough… We'll be better off working together, I know it! So you'll be my master strategist, and I will be your peerless warrior! We can do it, right?"

"Not so quickly, Lyn" Uther said "Save all this till later, for I have got some terms that I would have to ask of you when we get out there"

"Yes, anything! I will do whatever you ask in my power!" Lyndis nodded, smiling

"Well, it's not going to be much a problem for you, but my terms are four. Firstly, I don't know much about this continent"

"Huh? I thought you are a traveler?" Lyn opened her eyes widely in great astonishment "and… you came to Sacae in the first place"

"Err… well, it is my habit never to keep a map, and so… I often forget about a place as soon as I leave it" Uther lied "So, if anything, could you act as my travel guide as well?"

"Oh… okay, I don't think that will matter much. What else?"

"Secondly, I am currently having a… mission of sort, and I would like you to provide me with what information you have on the subject when I ask you. And furthermore, what I am doing is top secret, so I hope you wouldn't mind not asking me what I am doing. Is that fine?"

"A mission?" Lyn opened her eyes curiously "What kind of mission is that? May I… may I ask you what it is?"

"Lyn" Uther shook his head in a General-Lord-Paladin, yet still somewhat fatherly posture "I did say it was a secret mission, did I? You… needn't know about it… for now, I suppose. Just keep in mind that it is nothing bad. Is that alright?"

"Yes" Lyn replied, her curiously somewhat forcefully subdued "I … agree. What is the third condition then, Uther?"

"Okay. Now, the third condition is that you must refrain yourself from anger as much as possible and not so hell-bent on taking vengeance on your enemies that you forget everything else"

"You mean… forgetting the massacre that has befallen my people?" Lyn rolled her eytes in what appeared to be half-anger and half-astonishment, and tears once more began to form in her eyes involuntarily "That is beyond my power! I shall not let the culprit get away with it!"

"Well, no, Miss Lyn, I never say that I want you to forget about your tribe's tragedy. On the contrary, I would also as well ask you to carry out the vengeance, if your enemies are as evil and outlawed as bandits" Uther explained calmly "However; I would like you to have a better… attitude towards the rest. I want to ask you that you must never let rage and bloodlust completely take over you. You must be able to control yourself, for if you don't, you'll be putting yourself as well as many others into mortal danger, even those no less innocent than your deceased countrymen. Do you get that?"

"I'll… well…" Lyn hesitated for a while "Okay, I think I can do it to an extent… but I can't be sure of that always"

"I'll remind you when you get a bit over the limit, so don't mind it. As long as you have the will to contain yourself, I'll be there to help"

"Yes… Thank you. But… what is the fourth condition?"

"Finally, what you told me yesterday when you fought Batta the Beast would apply to you instead of to me. Which means that if I am in trouble, you must get yourself to safety and don't mind what happens to me"

"What? How can I…" Lyn was held back once more "You are asking me to behave like a coward, are you? Don't you know that the children of Father Sky And Mother Earth never ever cower in fear however powerful the foes are?"

"Now, Miss Lyn, let me make it clear to you" Uther said sternly, as if uttering an order "You are technically the last member of your tribe, meaning that I will be committing genocide if I let you die, especially when you think you are helping me. Your parents and fellow people would never want that to happen. If you fall in battle, what shall I tell them?"

"…"

"I know it's hard on you to accept such a term, but…"

"We are working as a team, are we not?" Lyn looked at Uther straight in the eyes "If we are, you must know that I am never leaving you, as good as I believe you'll never leave me"

"…Fine then" Uther finally withdrew "That last condition shall be suspended until the time comes. But you must comply with the first three, is that clear?"

"Roger that" was Lyn's hearty answer "I'll follow your every commands"

"Alright. This trip shall be long, and not to mention dangerous. We should be very well prepared before setting off." Uther said "So, do you have any suggestion?"

"Bulgar shall be our first destination, I suppose" Lyn replied

"Bulgar? Where is this?" Uther asked

"Ah… It is the largest commercial town of Sacae. We need to get there to get some of the equipment and supplies we may need, even a few good horses"

"Then it is decided" Uther said firmly "We shall go there as soon as possible, do you agree?"

"Right now" Lyn replied, a broad smile of excitement decorated her fair visage "I have got one spare horse over there in my makeshift stable. If we start now, we will be there at midday"

As the girl went off to fetch the horses, leaving just Uther alone by himself, the paladin sighed again, shaking his head. He was about to take in another student, a term he had been dreading ever since Prince Arthas went berserk and went against his own people. But unlike Arthas, whose eyes Uther could only see determination and fury in, Lyn had showed him that she is as emotional and kind as she is determined and vengeful. Maybe if Uther could train her up to a certain degree, she would prove to be a great help in the search for the three heroes Supreme Seraph Tyrael had spoken of- Lyndis, Eliwood and Hector. Only then would Arthas be vanquished, and peace would return to Lordaeron.

"A ray of hope" Uther prayed silently "The Light, give me strength to serve my people…"

As Lyn brought the horses from the stable, mounted one and asked Uther to get on the other, Uther felt like a new era was beginning to him. The last time Uther had ridden seriously for battle was twenty years ago, as Paladins of Lordaeron had the unusual habits to shun all what sounds knightly- horses, swords and helmets. Now, as it came to pass, Uther was walking his first steps on a road to drop all what belonged to the past behind him- the Silver Hand, the Kingdom of Lordaeron, even trivial things like his blessed hammer and spell tome.

At the very face of it, Uther's action could be thus judged as cowardice, his being a deserter who had left his own people behind to look for a better future. "No. This is not desertion" Uther thought, firmly sticking to his guns. And of course, he was right, for the true purpose of that skin-deep desertion of the past was to save it. Though it was much against his will, the Paladin had vowed to do anything to serve his people the best, whatever it would take, and however people may judge him.

"Uther?" Seeing that her companion was somewhat perplexed, Lyn rode to him just about to help him with any possible difficulties "Are you alright? Can you ride a horse?"

"I can" Uther replied, smiling at the kind Sacaen lady "And even if I couldn't, I will never give up"

"You are right, Uther" The plainswoman waved her hand, then yanked hard at the horse's mane "Now, let's ride!"

As the morning came to pass, on a quiet and relatively sparsely walked path along the open prairie, the odd team of a 'retired' paladin and an extremely energetic swordswoman was laying their first step to an epic adventure yet to come...