Shout Outs...
Infinite Freedom: I had planned on putting them in for a while, it wasn't until I started writing again that I figured out how I'd fit them in.
chm01: All answers in due time.
AccessBlade: The Florina thing wasn't something that I had planned. I originally wanted the talk to be with Sain, but then a little idea came along...
GuyWithNoName: Thanks Mr. No Name.
zeldamaster456: It is new, ain't it.
nightelf37: The Valter fight was planned for a bit and different than I anticipated, but it worked out in the end. As for Florina/Sain, I saw the beginnings of another Tactician in Magvel story that suggested it and though 'eh, why not?'
X00001: Thanks.
kminsang: Thanks.
Ryuken-Sogetsu: Not a pro player myself. Mostly I did it so Tyr could be annoyed by it.
CLZ: No plans at current. I wouldn't be opposed to someone else taking the character and setting him next to Ike or Marth, if they asked nicely.
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Note from the Author
This starts between Chapters I and II.
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Interlude: Letter to a Friend
When I speak of Tyrland I speak of the truest of friends and warriors. Some of my people may balk at this, saying he is no warrior, that a tactician is only a glorified general who does not fight and could not be so. They have not worked with him as I have. Guy and Rath both share my view. With a blade he is decent at best, but his mind is a weapon like no other. He may state he is only a tactician, but if you saw him at work you saw a warrior standing firm.
Lyndis' Dairy
I once saw Lyn nude as a newborn during our early days, before meeting Kent and Sain even. She had been bathing at the time as I heard her scream. I rushed to her aid only to find a bandit had found her and tired to take this lovely flower of a woman. A very strong flower that had managed to beat the larger and stronger man's face into a pulp. My arrival gave him enough opening to shove her aside and flee. Lyn did not fault me, although it took a full day before we spoke to each other again. The bandit lived to tell his tale, but I doubt he would. At least he won't be jumping another naked woman in the woods anytime soon.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
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"This letter, you will be sure it gets where it needs to go?" The green cloaked man asked as the woman before him nodded once. Both were in the stables of Castle Frelia, steeds chewing hay nearby.
"Yes." She said. "On pegasus back I can reach port in hours and a boat that will take me to Elibe in less than that. With a good wind I can have it delivered in a couple of weeks."
"Thank you, Kale was it?" The man said with a nod. "Thank you."
"It is an honour, Sir Tyrland."
"Please, just Tyr."
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He was a tall man, clad in the thickest plate armour any blacksmith could make. An axe and lance was strapped to his back, his helm held under his arm as he walked along, the weight of his steel shell being moved without effort. He would admit to being a bit lost, but it didn't matter.
He sought a cause. Any cause, so long as it needed to be fought for.
"Sir Wallace! Ahoy there, my old companion and teacher!" The elder man chuckled as he turned about, seeing a young man in green armour approach, a purple haired beauty on pegasus back riding beside him.
"Ha! Sain." He let off with a grin. "And Florina. The two of you still engaged?"
"Please sir, do not sound so amused." Sain replied with a friendly smile. "We cannot be engaged. We are rather married you see."
"Ha! You, married to a woman?" Wallace bellowed out as the woman in question flushed. "Well I'll be. I thought she was a catch, but not enough to tame you, Sir Silver Tongue."
"Please, Sir Wallace..." Florina began. "You're embarrassing me..."
"Like that's a challenge." Wallace chuckled. "So, where are these lovebirds flocking too?"
"Castle Ostia, actually." Sain began. "We were in the region after handling a minor issue with bandits and thought we'd see Hector and Lyn."
"Ah, I see." Wallace began, although he wondered how he ended up in Ostia of all places. "Well then, if I may impose upon you to allow me to come along. I owe Hector a rematch. He was dissatisfied with our last arm wrestling contest."
"Quite the understatement my good man." Sain chuckled. "Well come along then. We can talk of old times along the way."
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To say the small group was surprised when they saw Lyn again in the Castle's sitting room would be a small understatement. All three could recall the one time her grandfather had made her dress up for a portrait in a tight, form squeezing dress. It was something she vowed to never wear again.
"The corset is not actually that tight." Lyn assured them as they stared. She was clad in a dress not unlike her outfit from the plains only white with blue trimmings. However this dress had ruffled shoulders and a skirt under the dress that went to her knees and a corset about the torso which pushed her breasts up slightly but only hugged her frame than squeezed. A small tiara on her brow finished the appearance.
"Forgive us." Sain began. "It's just your natural loveliness has been accentuated by your new outfit."
"...Your wife is right there you know." Lyn sighed as she pointed to Florina.
"I've gotten used to it." Florina giggled. "Besides, he saves the best for me." She added as Sain's cheeks flushed gently.
"He better." Lyn said sternly before sighing. "It is still good to see you all. Sain, Florina, Wallace."
"Likewise, Milady." Wallace let out. "So, where's that husband of yours. I have a sound beating to apply to him."
"In Caelin, I'm afraid." Lyn sighed, stepping towards a seat. "He wanted to be sure Kent's ascension as Stewart went smoothly. "
"I can think of no man better suited to serve Caelin than my old boon companion." Sain let off. "With Fiora by his side, no less."
"Lyn..." Florina began. "Have you heard from... Tyr?"
"...No..." Lyn admitted sitting down as her friends gathered to join her. "According to Matthew, Bern intercepted a letter from him, but we do not know where it was supposed to go. And about four months ago we have heard no word. It is as if Tyrland vanished."
"He is a smart man." Wallace said as he seated himself, Sain and Florina doing likewise. "It is likely he is laying low until he can make an escape to a safe location."
"I know, I know..." Lyn let out, sighing. "But still, I wish he was here, where I could protect him. I... I do not even know why he left..." She let out, lowering her head as Sain and Florina shared a look. "But still he is my friend, first and foremost. I am worried for him. He taught me, guided me. And having to adjust to life in a castle I would have fought another dragon for his guidance."
"Perhaps, but still..." Sain began, being cut off as a knock sounded on the door.
"Pardon me, Lady Lyndis." One of the Castle's servants began as he stepped in, a woman following suit. "You've a letter, sent from Frelia."
"Frelia?" Lyn asked, standing up.
"A country in Magvel, as I recall." Sain said with a nod.
"Yes, my homeland." The woman began as she walked over to them. "My name is Kale, I was asked to send a letter personally to Lady Lyndis."
"Yes, but by whom?" Lyn asked. "I know no one in Frelia."
"It was by the request of Tyrland."
"TYRLAND!" Lyn let off, as she stood, rushing to grab the woman by her shoulders. "Is he all right? My friend, is he-"
"C-calm yourself!" The messenger cried out. "Yes, he is safe, or at least the last I saw of him he was." She began. "But there is a war in Magvel, and he is serving as tactician to Princess Eirika of Renais, so as to what has happened since I left I cannot say."
"...Tyrland, my friend..." Lyn let go as the woman held up an envelope to her, a wax seal closing it.
"He has already assisted in the rescue of the Princess of Frelia." Kale began. "When he asked that this be brought to you I accepted, to help repay what he has done for my country."
"Th-thank you." Lyn let out, smiling softly. "This is the first news I have heard of him in so long. To know that he is well, even if in battle, does me good. Please, rest here as long as you need before you leave."
"Thank you." Kale replied, bowing before turning to leave, Lyn opening the covering and pulling the sheets within out.
Before meeting Tyrland she did not know how to read. Sacaens were nomads and always traveled, so they didn't carry what they didn't need and that tended to be things like books. With no books about there was no need to read, so she was never taught. Then on her journey to see her grandfather she saw Tyrland scribbling in a journal and asked what he was doing. She soon admitted to being unable to read and he declared that he would then teach her.
During their separation her grandfather hired a teacher to help improve on what she was taught and soon she could be found reading the odd book in the courtyard and writing down in her own dairy.
Setting the memories aside she unfolded the page before her.
To my Dearest Friend, Lyndis
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I sent you one, previous to this, but I am not sure if it even reached you. That said, perhaps its best I sum up my previous situation.
I was hounded by both Bern and Etruria for my skills. Why they would place so much effort into catching me, accomplishments aside, is beyond me. Starting a war over my services... Damned fools. By now I would think it'd be over... As you may imagine I deemed this situation too dangerous to remain in. With the assistance of Jaffar and a kindly couple I was able to escape to a port and found passage on a ship. I am sure the wares on board were... questionable, but I had no alternative. I had to pay good gold as it was to keep questions quiet and passage assured.
I found myself in Frelia, in Magvel. I felt some relief knowing that Bern and Etruria wouldn't follow me here, at least not quickly. However it seems news of my deeds spread to here well before I arrived. Still, no one had yet connected Tyr to Tyrland, so I had little to worry over save the rumours of war.
They were not rumours.
I heard Renais was taking the worst of it so I decided to head there. I suspected I would be dragged into this war sooner or later, so I figured it would be best to start early. I was in time to assist Princess Eirika of Renais in her escape, although I wish I could have done it with more dignity. Still, she shared with me her tale and I decided that, despite stacked odds that made us fighting your granduncle look like a cakewalk, it would be best to side with her.
I am, as of this wiring, in Castle Frelia. Little has happened so far, save a rescue of Princess Tana of Frelia and that I find myself taking Eirika under my wing not unlike I did with you. She is not as stubborn as you, but not by much. She is, however, among the kindest and well meaning people I have met, and a capable hand with a rapier as well.
I have also found Merlinus. Seems the merchant was serving King Hayden of Frelia while pursuing knowledge to bring home. He will, like before, accompany me and handle our supplies. It is a comfort, knowing our unsung hero is with me again in troubled times.
When dawn breaks tomorrow I will be off to a place I know too well; war. I know this will worry you, but please don't fret over me. You are now Lady Lyndis of House Ostia. You have a husband to support and people to guide like I guided you. Although the odds are stacked against me I am confident I shall find a path to victory. I am the Duke of War. If I am to have this title I will uphold it.
I am sure we will meet again someday, my friend. When we do I really hope your skills in chess have improved. I find myself lacking a good opponent these days.
Signed Tyrland
P.S: If Hector even thinks of mistreating you warn him I will return with hell by my side to punish him.
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"My friend..." Lyn sighed, setting the letter down. "After so long the first I hear from him is a letter proclaiming that he is thrust into battle yet again..."
"Lyn..." Florina let out before her friend slammed a fist into the table.
"Dammit!" She let out. "I should be riding out to his aid! I should be rushing off to the side of my friend! But I cannot! I have to stay here and help Hector! And I can't just leave some flunky in change!" She cried out, pounding the table again. "Damn these rules! Damn these procedures! Damn this...! This...!"
"Duty?" Sain supplied as the woman's shoulders slumped.
"Duty to husband and country..." Lyn sighed. "The man I love, and the land I'm learning to love... I cannot abandon either, yet I cannot go to my friend..."
"Perhaps your duty chains you as such." Sain began. "But I am a freelance knight! I serve no lord or house. If I choose to go and ride to the aid of a friend, well, what is there to stop me?"
"Sain..." Lyn let out as Florina took her husband's hand.
"And my duty is to my husband." She added, smiling. "I go where he does."
"Florina..."
"I've been seeking a cause that needs fighting for." Wallace added, grinning. "Ha! This sounds like a job for me!"
"Wallace... My friends..." Lyn let off, tears welling in her eyes as she smiling. "Thank you all."
"We'll leave with Kale in the morning." Sain began. "Then we'll have the damnable job of tracking the lout down."
"Won't be hard." Wallace chuckled. "Just follow the battlefields. We'll find him sooner or later."
"Then it's settled." Florina added, clasping her hands. "To Magvel!"
"To Magvel!" Sain and Wallace chipped in.
'Tyrland. My friend.' Lyn though to herself, smiling as her friends continued talking. 'I am sorry. I am so sorry. It is I who should be riding to your defence. I should be there, your peerless warrior. But... I know you will be fine. And soon your friends will be with you again. I will see you again, my master tactician.'