GunLord500 – To answer your one question, I forgot to mention, Letram is one of my OCs. Trust me, your not gonna find him anywhere in the SS cast.
Fire Emblem: Legend Of The Chaos Hero
Book One: In The Grip Of Hatred
By Chaos Hero Mark
Chapter XII: Assassination Aftermath
Just like the first time we met, he looked so fragile as I held him in my arms. He was emotionally distant, yet he cared about us. That was before he placed this gulf between us. Unsure of what I should do next, Knarvet instructed Lucius to warp me and Mark straight to the castle. He instructed me to find Nathyn or Cassandra. It may have been me, but despite his stiff attitude, I felt his fear of the worst. Despite the hostilities between him and my friends, I did my best to defend him. Until now, I was running out of reasons to do so. Why was he so intent on building this wall around himself?
~Lyndis~
She transformed her black and brown spear back into a scepter; signaling the end of her evening training. The Regallas princess left the empty cathedral and started a long walk back to her room. She wore a pair of dark turquoise pants with black boots, a green, short-sleeved tunic, with reddish patterns at the edges and a blue trench coat with light blue patterns over her. As she strolled down the corridor, Cassandra heard hear name being screamed out. She started sprinting to the source of the voice and met up with Lyn, the same woman she saw at noon. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw Mark's slumped body and screamed. "What happened?! What's wrong with him?!"
"Someone tried to kill him! Please, you have to get Cassandra or Nathyn!" Lyn pleaded. When Cassandra came closer, Lyn tried to warn her. "Stay back! Mark's been poisoned!"
"No. Please, not that." Cassandra feared the worst. She ran to her and picked Mark's body, bridle style. Lyndis was about to warn her a second time, but an angry Cassandra countered. "His uncle alone can treat him! Come!"
They ran further down the long corridor, made a few turns and headed straight for the Music Room. Once they were in the same hallway, where the Music Room was, Cassandra motioned for Lyn to run ahead and knock on the door. She continuously banged her fist, violently against the door, causing an irritated Nathyn to open it. He wore a white, long-sleeved sweater and a dark red, nightgown covering himself. The old Maestro was about to give whoever was at the door an angry lecture when he saw a distressed Lyn holding back her tears.
His expression softened as he asked. "What is troubling you, child?"
"Mark's hurt. Please, you have to help." Lyn barely managed to utter a whisper. The mention of Mark's name made Nathyn uneasy. Just then, Cassandra reached them as Lyn stood aside for the princess to enter. Nathyn moved out of the way as Cassandra laid Mark's body on the smooth, wooden floor. The senior stood over Cassandra, his face filled with shock and fear, the moment he saw Mark's blood-stained face. Before he could demand to know what happened, Cassandra spoke out loud, while opening Mark's shirt as to not waste anymore time.
"He's been infected with the Pale Horse. If you don't hurry, he'll die."
Nathyn wasted no time in chanting a warp spell and disappeared. Lyn found herself surprised, considering that Nathyn warped without using a Warp Staff. The Regallas princess snapped Lyndis out of her thoughts and shouted. "You! Lock the door! We can't have people barging in!" The plainswoman quickly did as she was told, while Cassandra checked Mark's chest for signs of any outer wounds. A moment after she saw none, Cassandra checked his pulse. It was barely stable. As Lyn went over to join her, Mark bellowed out an agonizing scream, arching his back forward. His blood-stained face, contorted and cringed at the most inhuman pain that made the Pale Horse famous. He grabbed Cassandra's upper arm and gripped it tightly for a moment before letting go. Both women held him down as he profusely coughed up blood.
The princess saw how worried Lyndis was, but said nothing. Before she could go into any thought about the plainswoman, Nathyn returned with a staff, wrapped in gray cloth. The aged Maestro spoke to Lyn as he struggled to shed the cloth off the staff, due to his lame hand which affected his arm. "Do not tell a soul what you've seen in this room." The swordswoman was about to ask why, when she saw the revealed staff he was holding. It looked like a simple heal staff, except for the gold staff itself and the cherub wings decorated around it. Nathyn closed his eyes as he spoke a series of complex chants. He spoke fast, accurate and without pause as the blue crystal in the staff began to glow a bright green, shining its light across the room, forcing Lyn and Cassandra to shut their eyes. Once the light dissipated, they saw all trace of blood missing from the Tactician and his face showed that he was finally at ease. Mark eventually woke up, stood to his feet and stared for a few moments at his surroundings and the three people present.
"What happened out there?" His uncle spoke, trying to break Mark out of his silence.
The Tactician payed no heed to his uncle or the women present as the evening's events were still fresh in his mind. "Assassins made an attempt for his life." Lyn spoke on his behalf as Nathyn and Cassandra, turned their attention to her. "I found him and came here as Knarvet instructed. I was fortunate to even be informed of what was happening." She saw Mark averting his eyes from her and became worried for him.
She was about to ask if he was okay, when Cassandra beat her to it. "Mark, look at me. If you're not well, please say something."
His eyes went from a confused state to cold murderous glare. Without another word, he left.
"Mark!" His uncle called after him in vain. The Tactician was in a world of his own mind. Worried for his well being, Cassandra went after him. Despite her bitter argument with Mark and the attempt on his life, Lyndis began to question him entirely. She even wondered if it was even worth saving him, if it never humbled him, even now. The elder carefully wrapped the Latona Staff back in its gray cloth. He noticed Lyn standing silently and asked. "Child. Are you well? Perhaps you should retire for the evening."
"That's okay. I still need-"
"Answers?" Nathyn finished for her. He flashed smile and asked. "Would you care for some tea, lass? It should help calm your nerves."
Lyn smiled a bit as she politely declined. "Forgive me sir, but a cup of tea cannot ease my troubles."
Although Nathyn was worried for Mark, he sensed the swordswomans inner conflict. He convinced himself that Cassandra will take care of Mark as he asked Lyn a question.
"Young lass, are you one of the foreigners from Lycia that came with Captain Fargus?"
Hearing Fargus's name caught Lyn's undivided attention as she turned to face him. "Who are you?"
- I -
"Mark, wait." Cassandra whispered as she caught up with him. He kept walking through corridor after corridor, looking for someone. "You were almost killed out there. What happened?"
"Where's your brother?"
Shocked by callousness in his tone, Cassandra firmly grabbed his shoulder, halting him. "What's the matter with you?"
"The Pale Horse." He murmured quietly. "The Assassin leader got his hands on it. How?"
"The black market?" She asked in an unsure tone. "What does that have to do with my brother?"
"Trust me on this. I don't have time to explain right now. Go find the rest of Lyndis's Legion and escort them back to the castle. They're with Knarvet."
"And you?" She frowned.
"Spread rumors that I'm dead." After that, Mark said nothing as he shrugged her hand off his shoulder and walked on. Cassandra wanted to push further into certain matters, but now wasn't the time. She left and did as he asked, but somewhere in her mind, she felt his mind raging in complete turmoil. The Superb Mind eventually found Edgar's room, an empty servant's quarters, deciding his next move. When he heard a knock at the door, the Regallas prince shot his eyes away from the book. After opening the door, he saw Mark standing in front of him wearing an emotionless expression.
Mark stepped inside, muttering. "I need your powers."
"Now?"
"Yes, now." He thought for a moment as Edgar went to the center of the room, seating himself on the floor, cross-legged. Mark had already shut the door and sat opposite his friend. Not waiting for Edgar to ask, Mark wasted no time in giving the details. When he was done, Edgar thought carefully about how he was planning to help Mark.
"Isn't that stuff rare?" The prince asked in a grim tone.
"Yes. I wanna know who Viper got it from. Also, I need the location of their hideout. Can you?"
"Yes." The older youth shut his eyes to concentrate. "Give me time." Despite his impatience, Mark sat in silence. He needed to be careful on his next move as he patiently waited on his older friend, who has went into a meditating state. Edgar's experience and vigorous study of dark magic had him able to see visions of the past and of the future. He was also able to re-watch events that came to pass. He would often be fatigued; drained emotionally and spiritually, depending on the length of the events.
- II -
Near an abandoned building, Viper felt his wound taking its toll on him. Blood covered his arm as he tried to keep his balance. Hatred consumed his mind as he pondered on today's event. Knarvet's surprise visit had him caught off guard and his underestimation of the skilled foreigners had cost him greatly. There was no denying how skilled he was, but in the four years his guild became the deadliest, the lack of skilled opposition had dulled them where they didn't see coming. He banged his fist at the door, ignorant of the blood coating his left arm. A voice behind the door shouted. "Whose there?!"
"It's me!!" Viper roared. The man behind the door recognized the voice of his leader and opened up. Many eyes were staring at Viper as he walked in, clutching his arm. "Elixir. Now."
One subordinate, a Swordmaster threw a Vulnerary at him. It bounced off his chest, slowly enraging him. "We eight're all that's left!"
"How the Devil did we get butchered like pigs?!" An Assassin chimed in. "Some wretch took out Badem's company. And Knarvet-"
"Wait!" Another Assassin interrupted. "Are ya talkin' 'bout Knarvet of de Four Cornerstones? Wat was he doin' dere?"
"Ta Hell with that goat!" One Assassin sat up from his bed. He was missing an arm, thanks to Lyndis. "That bitch was mad, I tell ya! She an' her friends aur killin' most of our men, because of you!!" The amputee pointed an accusing finger at Viper. Amidst the screams and accusations of his subordinates, one Assassin locked the door behind the Devil Serpent.
The man behind Viper muttered. "You owe us an explanation...and our gold."
Viper narrowed his eyes at his enraged subordinates, contemplating it time to sever his ties. "I owe you nothing."
Those malicious words had the other eight up in arms, surrounding the Assassin leader. "Don't be afraid, men!" The Swordmaster pointed his Wo Dao at Viper. "He's injured. He can't take us all, even if he is very good." With his good hand, a fearless Viper drew his red Shamshir and flickered it with his right hand.
"Care to wager upon that, lackey?"
- III -
On Knarvet's orders, the company trekked their way back to the castle. The aged elite stayed and got Fargus to help clean up the arena. The Legion weren't happy about what transpired today. Lucius, Priscilla, Dart and Geitz were concerned for Mark's life. Sain, Kent, Florina, Fiora and Rath were more concerned for Lyn. Though some despised Mark, he was the crucial factor that made Lyndis stand out from Eliwood and Hector; in terms of fighting potential. Today's massacre reminded them of an incident, during the Nergal War, that triggered her frenzied rage, resulting in an onslaught of an entire force of bounty hunters. Up ahead the cobblestone path, they saw a woman with thick glasses, running towards them.
Cassandra stopped a few feet away from them. "Are you with Captain Knarvet?"
"Not anymore." Kent stepped forward to address Cassandra. "He stayed at the arena and ordered us to return to the castle."
"I think its time we were given an explanation on what's happening here." Sain interrupted, nudging his horse forward to Kent's side. "Knarvet threatened to have us jailed just for speaking Mark's name in public."
"I see." Cassandra stared at them grimly. "You want answers? Only one man has right to give them. We must not linger here." She surveyed the group carefully. "I'm to escort you lot to the castle. Come." Without another word, Cassandra lead them to the castle as quick as she could. Once there, she instructed them to place their horses in the stables, keep their weapons on them and wait at the throne room.
"Milady, please wait." Kent called out after her as she turned to leave.
"Lady Lyndis..." She stopped in her tracks, answering Kent's thoughts. "She's speaking with Master Nathyn. You're among allies, so there's no cause for concern." Kent worries were slightly eased at hearing this, but it was not the what he was currently worried about as Cassandra head for the gates.
Entering the gates and heading her way, Cassandra met a legion of the castle soldiers, led by Tauz, dressed in their battle armor. He flashed a smirk as the princess approached him.
"Princess. What brings you out here at this hour?" Tauz chirped as he ogled an unimpressed Cassandra.
"Tauz, you and your men will report to Captain Knarvet."
Hearing Knarvet's name elected a sneer from Tauz. "Why should I report to him? My battalion will retire for the evening." A few feet from them, the Legion caught his eye. "And what is their business?"
"Mine." She answered icily. "Lord Gary-Stu of Archaneia is dead. He was killed over an hour ago. Now get your men to the captain."
"Pity." The disgraced Marshall chortled. "I never liked him, anyway." He heard some grumbling amidst his soldiers and hinged his head a bit back, roaring. "Silence!!"
"Soldiers! You have your orders!" An irritated Cassandra ordered them.
"You will stay where you are!" He turned his attention to the Regallas princess with an angry glare. "Careful Your Highness. Your just father's little princess from another land." This got a glare out of her. She motioned for Tauz's battalion to leave and did so without another word. The disgraced Marshall became irritated of her taking charge and eyed her with disrespect as he normally did with all women. "A princess you may be, but all the same, a vigorous whore."
"Be thankful his majesty demoted you, for there are far more fitting punishments for a pig such as you."
"Pig?" He proceeded to flicker a strand of hair off Cassandra's shoulder, much to her disgust. "Come now. I know how much you lust after this pig, like the filthy whore you are. I know you have some lustful thoughts of me, when there's no eyes around."
Tauz's choice of words made Cassandra's blood boil. She brandished her spear and with rapid movement, pointing the tip of the blade at the surprised Marshall's neck. The surprise response of her accurate movement caused him to fall on his rear.
"You'll never be worthy of me, you excuse of a man." She sneered in disgust. "And if you dare bring my father up, I'll make you regret it. Now leave my presence. You're but a stench of dung to my nostrils."
"You bitch!" An embarrassed Tauz got up. He thought of drawing his weapon, but chose to restrain himself with much hesitance. "You're just a royal whore, who thinks she can play soldier! You'd better learn your place."
"Good words." Cassandra countered with an insult of her own. "Too bad a witless dullard such as you never follows his own advice! I will NOT forget this, you harlot's bastard!" Tauz left reluctantly, vowing revenge for the evening's humiliation. Once he was a distance from her, she turned to make her way back to Nathyn.
- IV -
"Hey, Qarto!" One of his friends shouted as he grabbed one of the three young, scared girls and held her up for show. "Which one do ya want?!"
"There three of dem an' five of us, right? You guys can share! I want this one!"
"Ay! Why the Hell do we have ta share an' you get a wench all ta yaself?!" Another man shouted.
Amidst the arguments, the three young milkmaids were afraid for their lives. They were duped by a young, handsome innkeeper and now, they may end up paying for it. The thought of being defiled by these beasts, who call themselves men, had them wailing in fear. As they began to undress themselves for this unholy act, that same innkeepers, dead body crashed through the door; landing on the floor, before them. They glanced in the direction of where he came from and saw two youths wearing hooded cloaks; one green and one black. This distraction gave the girls a chance to slip away from their captors. Qarto was about to pounce upon them, only to be stopped in his tracks when Edgar raised his left arm, showing off a glimmer of purple lightning.
"An' who are you, pig?!" The merchant spat.
"Our names are not important." Mark said. "We want the Pale Horse. Hand it over."
When he heard the name 'Pale Horse', Qarto became confused. "How do you know of the Pale Horse? Even the kings an' nobles knows nothing of its existence."
"That too, is unimportant." Mark dismissed his question. "I'm not gonna ask you again. Give us the Pale Horse."
An angry Qarto snarled at them. "Ya think ya can just come in here, ruin aur fun an' threaten me? Fella's! Mess 'em up!"
The four men drew their weapons at them and proceeded to attack, but stopped short themselves when Edgar held out his left hand again, only this time the lightning surrounding him grew stronger. As if the lavender, purple thunder aimed on its own, all four men were simultaneously and swiftly struck by the charges of thunder bolts. Mark knew how adept Edgar was in dark magic, to the point where it scared him in the back of his mind. Although the Dark Prince held back his potential, the black market dealers friends never stood a chance. Once the four crashed to the floor, Qarto became scared for his life and tried to run for his life. Mark stood between the fearful man and his way out, flickering his Shamshir openly.
"Last chance, knave!"
"Okay! Okay." Surrendering, he raised his hands. "I'll take you to where it is."
"It's not here?" Mark raised an eyebrow.
"I never keep it in the shop! Y'know. Jus' in case my inn gets ransacked."
Mark became wary of Qarto's information. The black market dealer never intended to hand him the Pale Horse, but none of it mattered when Edgar placed his hand on Qartos shoulder. As if he read the merchants mind, Edgar warned his friend.
"He's lying. He could only get one batch and gave it ta Viper."
Before Qarto could even speak in his own defense, Mark dashed in front of him and buried the Shamshir deep in his stomach. Paralyzed in fear and croaking in pain, Qarto could barely scream as the callous Tactician twisted the knife, tearing every muscle tissue in that spot. Mark stood to the side and ripped the knife out, causing a quick spray of blood to shoot forth from his wound. He kicked against the back of Qartos knee, making him buckle. His scream was cut short as Mark covered his mouth with his left hand and slit the merchants throat with the blood-coated blade. Qarto died instantly as his body crashed to its knees and then the floor.
"Destroy this place." Came the Tactician's instructions and left. Edgar began to concentrate as he gathered his energy. His body covered with sparks of lightning caused his cloak to whip about as the earth vibrated. Mark was some distance away from the house as he could hear people being roused from their sleep. Mark was unfazed even though the earth felt a slight tremor, due to a sliver of Edgar's powers being unleashed. Qarto's house began to break apart as a large pillar of lavender energy burst out of the basement, where Edgar still was. The lightning consumed the broken bricks and materials of the house, assimilating it. As the people began to shout and get dressed, one person came out of his house to see the supernatural display. At that point, Mark knew it was time to go. He ran back to where Edgar was as their was nothing but a crater left, with the prince in the middle. People got out of their houses as Mark placed his hand on Edgar's shoulder. The Dark Prince managed to suppress his powers again and warped them out of Artemis.
They reappeared aboard a small ship, near the woods. Mark motioned for Edgar to wait, while he wanted to go inside and check up on his silent friend. He banged his fist on the door. Knarvet's wife, Florine, answered. "Whose there?!"
"Gary Stu, milady."
"What do you want?" She asked bluntly.
"The little girl. Is she okay?" Mark whispered.
"Otranielle? Yes." Florine, not wanting to rouse the sleeping child attempted to chase Mark away. "The young lass is asleep. So be on your way."
Mark was upset that she wouldn't allow him to see her. So as not to cause trouble, he told her. "Please tell her that Gary Stu was here."
Without a word, Florine shut the door, upsetting Mark even further. He worried for her well being ever since she escaped the Beast Chambers. Being denied to even have a glimpse of his friend was like a cruel jest. He began taking a few steps back, when he heard the door open. She raced towards him, crying as he knelt to embrace her.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you." He whispered in a hurtful tone as she continued to weep. "I won't let them get away with this." A few minutes passed between them as her weeping was slowly quashed. When she had calmed down, Mark did his best to comfort her. "Thank you for being brave out there for me. You're one of the reasons I'm still standing." When they released their embrace, she stared at him as if asking where the woman soldier was. When he realized this, he became silent. Her death was still fresh in his mind. "She's...she's gone to a better place." He lied. "Aunt Alovandria will come back someday. Just not right now, okay?" Otranielle nodded her head as she yawned. Mark felt a large bruise when he stroked her hair. He couldn't imagine what she went through as she went for help. "Hey. I'm gonna be busy for a while, but I need you to stay with Aunt Florine. After I get the bad men, I'll come visit you and take you sightseeing. I promise." The little girl nodded her head, feeling some small comfort from his words. Florine watched them, not wanting to disturb the emotional event. Mark sent her back to her foster mother and went on his way. Florine tried to recognize who Mark was, but couldn't remember. She also saw a black-hooded man escorting him as they warped away.
- V -
They reappeared at the arena pit, where Knarvet and the Davros were. A row of dead bodies, friend and foe, were placed next to each other, wrapped in cloth as the pirates took a few bodies at a time to the burial site. Mark saw Fargus offering the Lancer a much needed drink.
"Captain Knarvet!" Mark called out as he approached them, leaving Edgar in the distance. Fargus and the depressed Lancer turned their attention to him as Knarvet drank most of the strong ale in the flask. He saw the look on the troubled captains face as he came closer. "You seem troubled."
Knarvet knew there was no point in hiding his grief. "Many of the soldiers killed today were friends of mine. I knew most of the men and women who died here today. Alovandria's body is yet to be accounted for."
Hearing her name only served to remind Mark of what he still needed to do. "Officer Alovandria...died in order to protect me." The impact of this news caused Knarvet to toss the flask aside in anger. Normally Fargus would spew curses at any man who wastes his drink, but in Knarvet's case, he deemed it inappropriate. His friend didn't know how to grieve over the loss of his friends; some he knew for years. Knarvet needed the Davros leader's support now. "You're angry and you want revenge, hence your next task." Knarvet glared at Mark waiting for an answer. "Their leader, Viper. Your task is to find out who hired him and bring them to justice. I don't care who you have trample underfoot, just find him."
"What of your mission?" Knarvet asked, despite his grief.
"There's been a slight change in plan..."
"...I'm listening." Came the elite's reply.
"As we speak, Cassandra has sent the castle guards your way and gathering some of Trivalon's finest to join you. Anyone that's accomplice to the killer of Gary-Stu is to be executed on sight."
"Wait, wat?" Fargus was confused in all of this, but Knarvet knew where this was going.
"About his Highness..."
"I received word from him." Knarvet informed him. "He'll have things organized within a month."
"During this time, I need to do a background check on this Devil Serpent, Viper. With my so-called death, this is a good opportunity to draw him and his employer out." The Tactician indicated that the elite can go by a nod. Before Knarvet left, Mark added a final detail. "I know this is hard, but stay focused and I'll do everything I can to help you will avenge your fallen comrades." Knarvet and Mark silently parted ways, but Fargus wanted a word with Mark. "Captain?"
"How've ya been, boy?"
"I'm fine."
"You ain't fine, cos' shit jus' happened. Wat's goin' on?"
Mark mustered his words carefully. "You brought Lyn and her Legion all the way here and now, my enemies might know who they are. After today, they've just gotten themselves into affairs that doesn't concern them."
Fargus frowned at him. "Is dat it? Mark, dey're worry fer ya, an so arr we."
"That's the problem!" The genius snapped at Fargus. "They might know who Lyndis is! They can't be seen with me!"
"An' dat's why ya playin' dead?!" The Berserker countered with anger as well. "Da lass can help ya."
Mark lowered his head and stared into the ground. "That's the problem. She's part of the reason why I left you all at the Dread Isle."
Fargus didn't need to think hard to know who Mark was talking about. "Ya left cos' ya love her..."
Not wanting to keep this conversation going, Mark had to cut a short reunion, even shorter. "I have much affairs to oversee. My apologies." With a short nod, Mark head back to Edgar in order to warp out of the arena. Fargus stared at the boy, who is now grown. He still remembered the time Mark wanted to be strong, in order to take his revenge at such a young age. In the three years he stayed with the Davros, Fargus still never learned what is was that truly grieved Mark. He knew it had something to do with Gathian, but it has been many a year since the Davros Captain saw someone so determined to chase vengeance at any cost.
- VI -
"Where's Mark?"
"He's dealing with certain affairs." The princess whispered to Lyn as she escorted her to the throne room. Walking through the empty corridors, Cassandra wanted to know a bit about Lyn. "Looks like you had quite an evening, eh." Lyndis glanced at her silently. "Thank you for saving him. I'm in your debt."
"You owe me nothing..." The plainswoman struggled for her name.
"Cassandra." The princess gave her name after a while. "Just Cassandra will do. I never got your name."
Lyn realized this and looked sheepish. "Oh, my apologies. My name is Lyn."
"Lyn." Cassandra thought for a moment. "I saw you this afternoon, speaking with Gary-Stu."
"You mean, Mark." Her face turned serious. Cassandra saw it futile to lie. "Don't worry, I won't speak his real name to the whole world."
"You want answers and so do your companions. They're in the throne room. I take it you and Master Nathyn spoke."
"Yes." Her expression became more calm. "He told me much. I still can't believe a weapon from Magvel ended up in his hands."
"Its a long story...and a painful one for him."
"A poison as powerful as the Pale Horse originated from the corpse of the Demon King."
"Shocking, isn't it?" Cassandra whispered as they near the throne room. "We're here."
"Who shall we speak with?" Lyn asked.
Cassandra ignored her question and said. "I'd like to speak with you again, but I must meet with someone." With that, she left Lyn slightly perplexed as the swordswoman entered the throne room, where her companions was. Raven and Guy was making sure Priscilla was fine, even though Lucius assured them so. Lyn saw how upset they were that a fight ensued without them. On the right side, near her male knights, Fiora and Florina were speaking on their love lives, in order to take their minds off on today's events. A few feet from them, Rath stood by himself, arms folded. When he saw Lyndis, the nomad nod his head slightly in acknowledgment, which she returned. Further up, to the left, Dart was arguing with Geitz. It wasn't hard for Lyn to figure out what happened.
"Aw c'mon. I said I was sorry."
"Yeah?! Well sorry can pucker up an' kiss me wet ass." Dart snorted at his friends feeble apology.
"I think you both owe this company an apology."
They turned and saw Lyndis approaching them. At that moment, Dart shrank back. Both him and Geitz knew that he suggested the idea of wagering all their funds on a death match. "I'm not happy with what you two did."
"A-at least, let us...m-make up f-for it." Geitz pleaded nervously. "Please don't make me clean Fargus's ship."
"Pleese, make 'im clean da captain's ship, lass." The corsair mumbled sarcastically. "Loo's an' all."
The Sacaen princess glared daggers at Dart, who thought it wise to temper the sarcastic remarks. Further from them, Kent was in thought as he wondered how Mark learned their reasons for coming here. His partner, and Fiora to a lesser extent, kept telling him that Dart and Geitz is in league with the arrogant strategist. But Kent wasn't so sure on that. The two hadn't the chance to even see Mark, let alone, have the time to speak with him. Sain was about to ask him what was on his mind when he muttered. "Dark magic."
"Kent?"
"He has someone that uses elder magic."
"What does that hav-" Sain stopped himself as he remembered studying the characteristics of light, anima and dark magic. Canas once mentioned that elder magic users had the potential to see deep into the past and the future. There was no other way, Mark could have known.
"What's bothering me even more is Lyn's demeanor." Kent whispered. "She slewed two groups of Assassins just to save...him."
"I know." The Green Lance whispered back. They both watched her chew Dart and Geitz out for gambling the groups money away. "Have your sword on you?" Kent nodded in silence, knowing that Lyn's well being is their priority. In the center, Raven and Guy were arguing with Priscilla and Lucius over what happened, when a voice caught everyone's attention.
"Hope I haven't kept you all waiting!"
Authors Notes: Sorry for the wait. Been struggling to keep the story consistent. Hopefully, this chappie was worth the wait. Till next time.