A/N: I know I know I haven't updated in ages and well I don't have any plausible reason but school. Anyway hope you'll like this one!
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything!
The apprentice tactician Leira and the young swordfighter Lyn.
A strange pair on an even stranger journey.
To prepare for the long road ahead, they go to Bulgar, the commercial center of Sacae.
Unbeknownst to Lyn, she will discover something that will alter her life forever.
Chapter 1: Footsteps of Fate
"Leira! Over here!" Her new found friend exclaimed enthusiastically when they arrived the big city. The two arrived at Bulgar, the biggest city in all of Sacae. They plan to purchase the supplies they need for the journey here, but the plan seems like it will take longer to accomplish as Lyn is busy looking over the windows of shops.
She sighed at her companion, she was about to tell her that they need to be going when an awkward deep set of voice spoke next to her.
"Oh, my heart! What a dazzling vision of loveliness!" A blonde lad in green armor suit exclaimed to her that caught Lyn's attention. From the short span that she has spent with Lyn, she realized that the lass hate arrogant people and mostly strangers. So it was no wonder that she started shooting off the young knight.
"Would you not favor me with your name? Or better yet, your company?" Uh oh.
"Where are you from, sir knight that speak so freely to a stranger?" Lyn is starting to get livid with this standoffish young man. Who does he think he is gallivanting as if every woman is swoon off by his flowery words.
"Ha! I thought you'd never ask! I am from Lycia. I hail from the Caelin canton, home to men of passion and fire!" The young lad exclaimed proudly. Leira can't help but grin as she looked into the eyes of her friend. No wonder Lyn is already livid right now. This scene is about to get very interesting she muses.
"Shouldn't that be home to callow oafs with loose tongues?" This man is getting into Lyn's nerves already and one more word she's sure all hell break loose.
"Ooooh... You're even lovelier when you're cruel." Leira stared at the young man with amazement. How dense can he be? Can't he see that Lyn is ready to murder him right here right now? It amuses her to no end.
Lyn is now seeing red and before she can murder someone she pulled Leira away from the infuriating young man clad in green armor.
"Let's go Leira. I've nothing more to say." Leira stared at her friend in amusement as she was dragged on the opposite side of the city. In her anger and annoyance, she failed to see the young handsome mounted lad in red armor. Leira, pulled Lyn swiftly as to avoid colliding with the horse.
"Excuse us! You're blocking the road. If you would be so kind as to move your horses..." The lad was stunned to hear such crystal clear voice. Such soft tune.
"Of course. My apologies..." He was distracted for a moment but he snapped back to reality when the women beside the beautiful creature spoke.
"Thank you. You, at least, seem honorable." Lyn already made the connection between the young man clad in green armor and this young red hair in front of them. She at least thinks that the latter was a gentleman until he spoke his next words.
"Hm? Pardon me, but... I feel we've met before." The red lad can't help but to feel that he have seen this girl already. There is something familiar about her and the nagging feeling that he is right doesn't' want to go.
Lyn was shocked. Oooh.. how soon did I judged that he is a gentlemen. He is just the same yob as his companion was!! Men these days! Lyn is already seeping with fury and turned to her friend signaling her that they need to leave NOW!
"Hey! No fair, Kent! I saw her first!" The blonde man exclaimed and two things happened simultaneously. Lyn and Leira left the two lads behind and Kent defending himself, but not before Lyn can exclaim along the lines of lout, indecent and something about like wanted to cut their heads off. If it wasn't for the murderous glare of Lyn's eyes, Leira would have found the situation hilarious but apparently she loves her head so much.
"Wait, please! It's not like that.... ... Sain, you lout!" Kent is being helpless as the two lass run off the city.
"Huh? Not like that? I thought you were..." Sain, as he was called, was confused as ever.
"I am NOT you!!! Come, we must follow her. I suspect she might be—"
"Be what? Wait, she's our mission? You're joking! Wait!" He can't believe it but realization hit him like cold water. She is our mission. Oh man, another wasted chance for a potential love of his life.
Meanwhile, Lyn and Leira are already at the outskirt of the city when Leira began to notice that they were being pursued. She shouted to Lyn to run as the men are closing in on them. With all intent to cut off their pursuer, Lyn and Leira ran as fast as they never run before but they both were halted when one of their pursuers called out Lyndis' name.
"What did you call me? ...Who are you?" Lyn was shocked. Who is this man and why did he know her name.
Leira is as much as surprised but had more focus in her surrounding. She counted off that there are five in total including the one that spoke Lyndis' name. Five armed bandits. She knew all too well that they can't fight this off even if she joins the battle.
"Lyn, there's more of them than we can handle." That was the time when Lyn realized and took in her surrounding. True they are more that she could handle but she will not give up! A Lorcan never gives up.
Leira is already formulating strategies on how they can escape here alive, there are thick forests here but one look at their pursuers, it tells her that those ruffians blends well in the forest so the forest is out. There's only a lone rode from here and again it is surrounded by the forest. Even if they could escape from here, they'll just ambush them in no time. The situation is starting to get helpless for them when a voice shouted to them!
"Hey! There she is!" It's the same guy from the city. They are here. Wait what? They are here? Why? It seems that it's not only Leira who's confused but so as Lyn and their pursuers. The guy clad in armor, what was he called again, ah yes, Sain. Sain the red head called him Sain and the latter was Kent. The ruffians spread out when they saw that both lads are knights.
"Whew... Finally caught up... Hold! You there! What is your business? Such numbers against girls? Cowards, every one of you!" Sain accused at the dispersing ruffians.
"You! You're from—" Lyn finally spoke but soon was cut off.
"We can discuss that later. It appears these ruffians mean to do you harm. If it's a fight they want, let them look at me!" The red head Kent declared.
"Stand back! I'll take care of this!" Sain said wanting to seem be heroic as he put a protective stance in front of them.
"No! This is my fight! Stay out of my way!" Lyn protested and so will Leira. It is also their fight after all. She may thank the heavens for sending help in the form of these two lads but she won't stand idly looking like a damsel in distress.
"Well, I can't just stand here and do nothing..." Leira can't believe they are having this argument now. This is ridiculous.
"And I won't just stand here either, Leira and I are very well capable of defeating these ruffians. Leira is the best tactician there is in the world!" Sometimes her temper can be her fall.
She's a tactician? Kent can't believe this piece of truth. How can a young beautiful lady be a tactician? Her beautiful silver blue hair and that piercing blue and purple eyes that can as well be looking past through your very soul is far too modest of traits for someone who strategize a battle. And her name, Leira, it is simply wonderful.
"I have a solution. You said Leira is a tactician. She can command us. We will follow your orders in this battle. Is this acceptable, milady?" He looked at both ladies.
Lyn looked at Leira and knew right then that the arrangement is okay. "Yes, it is. Leira and I will lead! Let's go!"
Leira stepped in as she quickly assessed the battlefield.
"There are five of them in total and I see that they are all wielding the axe. Lyn, you do remember the weapon triangle that I have told you before right?" She turned to her friend and saw her nod in reply.
"Good. I assume you already know of these gentlemen as you are knights." And she received another two set of nods.
"Alright. Sain and Kent take on the two ruffians at the side quickly. This will give Lyn the opportunity to break through their formation. As soon as you two are done, you will meet Lyn at the center and fight off the two remaining near the boss. From there, all three of you can attack him at either side. This will guarantee that he cannot escape. And also, avoid getting too near in the forest. Your horses will not be able to traverse well in thick trees and bushes." She hopes that this battle plan is fool-proof. She just hopes that the ruffians will not use the surrounding forest to their advantage.
Both knights were amazed at how capable Leira is in assessing a battlefield but Kent was most of all amazed. In his service, only the most capable and experienced soldier can be able to assess a battlefield for such a short span but still that needs a few hours to secure the perimeter. However, this seemingly nonchalant lass was able to assess a battlefield in mere minutes.
"Aren't you fighting too Leira?" Sain asked her when he noticed that she wasn't included in the battle plan. She was about to explain her self but Lyn already beat her to it.
"Leira may as well be a very capable tactician but she swore on her life that she could not wield a weapon better yet engage in combat. It is still a wonder for me too so stop asking questions and get into it."
With that, all three of them excluding Leira spread off to their indicated direction as Leira seek refuge in the near bushes. She saw the three sticking into the plan but she also saw that Sain is using his lance instead of his sword. She frowned more when she saw that Sain was hit by one of the ruffians. Thankfully Kent reached him in time and finished off the opponent. After what a potentially good lecture from Kent, they rushed off to help Lyn and no sooner they approached the boss.
"Accursed knights, always tampering in other's affairs." Zugu the leader of the ruffians exclaimed as Lyn delivered the final blow but not before asking Zugu.
"Who are you and how did you know my name?" Lyn demanded. She greatly wants to know why she is being persecuted.
"There was only... supposed to be a lone... girl..." With his last dying breath, Zugu exclaimed feeling betrayed.
"Is everyone alright?" Lyn turned to her companions in time to see Leira taking care of Sain's injuries.
"You weren't listening to me Sain. Look where it got you. The weapon triangle! How could you forget that one?! You should be thankful that Kent arrived just in time." She reprimanded the blonde lad as she dabbed the vulnerary and anodyne.
"Ooow.. Leira it hurts. I'm sorry. I thought using the lance would be more heroic." She intentionally put more pressure in dabbing the balm.
"Serves you right you lout!" Lyn chided and turned her attention to Kent.
"I know we haven't introduced properly so I am Lyn and this is my friend Leira. So, are you going to share your story with us?"
"Yes, of course. I am Kent and this is Sain. We have ventured from Caelin, in Lycia, in search of someone."
"Lycia... That's the country beyond the mountains in the southwest, isn't it?" Leira confided as she finished dabbing the last of the healing balm.
"Correct." Can this beautiful creature be more amazing? Knowledgeable both in battle and geography, is there more that she can't do?
"We've come as messengers to the lady Madelyn, who eloped with a nomad some 19 years ago." He took his attention off of Leira and diverted it to Lyn.
"Madelyn?" Lyn can't help the awful coldness seeping into her nerves and the fast beating of her heart.
"Our lord the marquess of Caelin's only daughter. He was heartbroken his own daughter would abandon him so. Eventually, the marquess simply declared that he had no daughter." Kent noticed that the girl in front of him went paler but he continued still.
"And then this year, we received a letter from Lady Madelyn. It said that she, her husband, and their daughter were living happily on the Sacae plains. The marquess was ecstatic to learn he had a granddaughter of 18 years. I remember the smile on his face when he announced that he'd suddenly become a grandfather. The granddaughter's name is Lyndis. This was also the name of the marquess' wife, who passed away at an early age."
"Lyndis?" Leira was shocked. The marquess' granddaughter was the same with Lyn. She looked at Kent and she can't help the inaudible gasp that left her mouth. It can't be.
"Aye. It was the name of the late wife of the marquess. Now, his only wish is to meet his daughter's family at least once. This is why we're here." Sain answered her question. Her friend went paler the next of the revelations.
"We didn't know that Lady Madelyn died a few days after sending her letter... We only learned this shortly after we arrived here in Bulgar." He speaks at a great loss.
"But we also learned all was not lost. Her daughter yet lives. We heard that she was living alone on the plains..." Kent paused and again directed his attention to Lyn who held her gaze. "I... I knew it immediately. You are the lady Lyndis." It confirmed all of her suspicions. Lyn is the granddaughter of the marquess of Caelin.
"Why would you think that..." Lyn finally snapped out of her trance but the fast beating of her heart did not wane.
"Your resemblance to your departed mother is remarkable." Kent answered the young lass.
"What? Did you know my mother?" Unbelievable. She wondered why did her mother never mentioned any of this to her. For so long Lyn thought she was alone in this world and now only to find out that she have a grandfather and a marquess at that. Unbelievable.
"I'm sorry to say I never met her directly, but I saw her portraits in Castle Caelin." Kent said most regrettably. Lyn snapped back and looked at the two knights.
"To the rest of my tribe, I was always Lyn." She started to explain. "But when I was with my parents... When it was just the three of us, I was Lyndis. It's all so strange. I was all alone in the world, and now I have a grandfather. I never thought I would hear that name again." Silent enveloped them. What can they possibly say in this situation? This are the times that silence are better off but Leira remembered something disturbing earlier.
"But Lyn, that bandit, he called you Lyndis too!" Leira exclaimed proclaiming the disturbing truth.
"What? How could he have—" Kent wasn't able to finish his sentence for Sain cut him off.
"... He was a henchman of Lord Lundgren, wasn't he?" Lundgren? Who's that? Leira found Lyn voicing out her own confusion.
"Lundgren? Who's that?" Kent proceeded to explain.
"He's the marquess' younger brother. Everyone assumed the lady Madelyn was gone forever. This made Lord Lundgren heir to the marquess' title."
"To be blunt, milady, your existence is an obstacle to your granduncle's ambitions." Well Sain did put it bluntly.
"That's--But I have no interest in inheriting any title!" Leira felt sympathy for her friend. She hopes that Lyn is taking this a bit well. The girl looks like she's about to breakdown.
"Unfortunately, your granduncle is not the sort of man to believe that. I believe the attempts on your life will persist." Sain continued but with all the revelations regarding Lyn's identity, Leira cannot help but to arouse suspicion regarding the uncanny coincidence of Lyn's parents' death. Just a few days of receiving Lady Madelyn's letter and suddenly they were attacked and killed by bandits. Leira doesn't think that that was any random bandits attack.
"What should we do?" Lyn can't help to feel a bit scared. Someone is after her own life.
"Accompany us to Caelin. Continuing on this way is dangerous." Kent suggested and Leira felt the same way too. Lyn would be better off with two knights escorting her to her own real home. She's glad for her friend.
"I feel I have little choice. I will go with you." Lyn turned to her with that soft gaze from her regal features.
"Leira... I'm sorry this changes everything. What will you do, Leira?" What will she do? Even she doesn't know the answer. Truth be told, the presence of a companion is comfortable that if they will depart, she will truly miss Lyn. She heaved a heavy breathe before responding.
"It's… up to you honestly."
"You... want me to decide?"
"Well yeah, you already have two knights accompanying you and I don't know.. do you still want my companionship?" She felt unease for awhile but it soon vanished after Lyn spoke her reply.
"Of course your companionship would do much to ease my journey, but... It's going to be so dangerous." Lyn though how could Leira think that she doesn't want her presence. She practically begged the beautiful lass to bring her with her.
"Then I will come." Leira smiled in return.
"You'll come? Are you sure? Thank you!" Lyn suddenly hugged Leira making the young tactician to get off balance. All of them erupted in a fit of laughter while Lyn stands up and Kent helping Leira.
"Let me ask once again for your friendship and your aid. Thank you Leira!" The two shared a smile. Unbeknownst to them from a distant canton, grave conspiracies are transpiring.
In the Castle Caelin, Lundgren is seated in his own private chamber conversing with a lanky soldier.
"What? Madelyn's daughter is still alive?" Alive? That is not possible! Those fools are incompetent. Lundgren is seething with anger with the failed assassination of a flimsy single wild girl.
"Uh.. Yes, Lord Lundgren. The girl is travelling with Kent and Sain." Those two knights. Those two meddling knights. When I become the marquess I'll have them behead for meddling with my affairs that is if they come alive after this ordeal.
"What are your orders? If we let them be..." The soldier mumbled most frightened to the uncanny lord.
"Bah! I've heard that northern Bern is full of bandits. She's just a girl. She'll not survive her journey here. I'm more concerned with my older brother. His life must be ended quickly. The poison... There must be no blunders." That plan could work. To die in the hands of untamed bandits and his brother dieing out of a sickness. No one would really suspect him.
"Yes, m'lord. He suspects nothing and continues to drink it. The marquess's death, due no doubt to "sudden illness", is not far off." With this, Lundgren submitted himself to an evil laugh.
"Soon... Soon Caelin will be mine!"
Review please. It will boost my confidence! Hahaha..
Lovelots, alilesixteen!
P.S This is the link for Leira's picture: s(.)bebo(.)com/app-image/
7925920231/5411656627/PROFILE/
i(.)quizzaz(.)com/img/q/u/08/03/28/anime_girl80(.)jpg
It's a continuous link. Just add the http in front of the s and take the parenthesis off... :)