Legion of Honor

(C) Intelligent Systems and Nintendo

-0-

01. Our Only Friend

The ride to Santaruz was made at a cautious pace, moreso because of the newest set of wounds they had received. Even Sain, who was known for his reckless riding, took to the same steady speed as Kent. Lyn, who sat in front of Kent on his horse, thought she knew why; Wil looked ready to fall out of the saddle he was sharing with Sain. Every wobble made her nervous, but sometimes Wil would look over at her and smile so widely, so normally, that her fears couldn't help but die.

Then he would look away, and his eyes would cloud over in that detached manner that was the complete opposite of Wil's lively personality, and her fears were brought back to life.

It was a little different with Florina, who flew point. Her best friend was a poor liar, so Lyn couldn't help but believe Florina when she said that she could still fly. Instead, Lyn was afraid of nightfall, when they would make camp and she would have to change Florina's bandages. They all knew a little about treating wounds, but they had been spoiled by Serra's presence. Healing magic was a beautiful thing, easily repairing all wounds and ending worries about infections, and it was obvious to Lyn that Serra wielded it with the same flourish that Sain took to the lance.

Lyn knew that she was a poor substitute, and the thought of not being able to help her best friend made her sick.

As the sun began to set behind a cover of clouds, Kent slowed his horse to a trot. "We need to find a suitable place to set up camp for the night, but we also need adequate shelter from those who may yet still be after us," he said, his voice just loud enough to reach Sain. In the sky, Florina began to make a lazy turn from her position; Lyn raised an arm to signal her to land. She did so, but Lyn saw the flash of pain on her face as her pegasus 'bounced' onto the ground. Despite that, Florina smiled at Lyn before approaching her side.

"Come now, Kent. Do you really think they would hunt us now? It's much too dark for that. I say we find a small village with actual beds. We've been resting our heads on rocks for the last few days!" Sain argued.

"With what money?" Kent asked, his voice much sharper than Lyn had ever heard it before. "We gave it to the others to assist with their own escapes. Besides, it would be too easy for any mercenaries to find us should we head to a village, if there are even any villages around."

"Ah, always the pessimist! I could go scout around with Wil and be back before nightfall. You won't even miss us!"

Wil groaned, rubbing his head with the hand that was not gloved. "Sorry, but can you keep it down? My head hurts."

"Well, perhaps I'll go alone, then," Sain amended.

Behind her, Lyn could feel Kent's frustration grow and decided to speak up before an argument could get underway. As flippant as Sain could be, Lyn felt that the events of the day had worn everyone down enough that even the usual routine could become very nasty. "Sain, right now it's better if we stay together. Lundgren won't stop just because we're in Santaruz, will he?"

"No, I think not," Kent answered, and she could see his arm as he pointed to a nearby glen. "That should prove a satisfactory site for tonight."

Sain sighed. "Well, at least there are bushes to rest my head on."

"Not likely," Kent replied. Lyn thought she could hear the weariness in his voice, a waver like a dying fire. "We're both on watch tonight."

She only caught the tail end of Sain's complaints as Kent rode away, only stopping once they reached the small grouping of trees. Once there, Lyn could feel Kent pause for a moment. "Forgive us, Lady Lyndis. Although we have managed this far, I am afraid Sain doesn't realize the severity of our situation..."

"Kent," she said, turning to him. In the twilight he looked grim, the shadows accentuating his downturned mouth and hollow eyes. For all the things she had lost, she knew that they were incomparable to what Kent had lost: a liege, his honor, his knighthood in Caelin. All because he refused to leave her side. She attempted to smile, if only for his sake. "At a time like this, it's nice to see Sain acting the same. It's...normal."

His expression did not change. "As you say, milady. It only worries me that, at a critical juncture, he will underestimate the situation." There was a flicker of emotion in his eyes, one that confused Lyn. "We should set up camp." Dismounting from his horse, he held a hand out to help her down. "Lady Lyndis, forgive me for my impropriety. You already have so much to think about."

Lyn shook her head, uncomfortable at Kent's willingness to belittle his own worries, as well as... "Kent, you know...with my grandfather's death and Lundgren's ascension...I am not longer heir apparent to Caelin. Really...I can't be considered your 'lady liege'. We're equals now."

For a long moment, there was only silence between them, tense in a way she had never felt from Kent. He had always been so polite, always available for her to discuss her problems with--though never any personal ones. There was an aura of competence that neatly surrounded him without a wrinkle, but now, as he looked at her, he only looked lost and unwilling to admit it. Finally, he sighed. "Milady, you must be tired. You have put us ahead of yourself far more than was necessary in the last few days, and I feel that you, most of all, could use an uninterrupted night to rest."

He really won't admit it. He'll keep going on like this, she thought as she took his hand, taking care not to jostle her aching muscles and minor wounds as she dismounted. I can't do anything for him.

I can't do anything.

-0-

Soldiers. So many soldiers, a whole army, marching towards them. Some are foot soldiers, carrying spears or swords. Others are knights on horseback. Because she is the leader, because she is in the front, she sees them all.

Instinctively, she knows this means they failed.

Mark, the man she trusts more than anything, purses his lips as she turns to look at him. She can't help the silent plea on her face, she can't help how, suddenly, there seems to be a massive rock deep in her stomach just sitting there, heavy with fear and anger and what are we going to do--

"Retreat," Mark whispers, wringing his hands. "We need to plan a retreat."

No one argues. There is no time.

She only watches the slow, steady approach of the army as Mark yells and points and organizes the group, the legion of fifteen. He orders that Serra, Erk and Matthew go northwest and General Wallace, Dorcas and Lucius go east and Rath, Ninian and Nils go north and please don't argue with me General Wallace no we can't fight through them no matter how powerful you are and please, Rath, you're going with them because Ninian can't escape on her ankle and would you all please listen to me and all Lyn had wanted to do was meet her grandfather.

That was all.

"Just go," she says as she turns around. Everyone stares at her, their gazes sympathetic and worried. "You need to worry about yourselves," she continues, more sharply than she intended.

"But...but what about you?" Serra asks. Serra has always been delightfully blunt that way, and right now Lyn hates her for it because if she doesn't have an answer, no one will escape before the troops overwhelm them.

Mark touches her arm, and she steadies. Something about Mark always did that to her, making her think and believe and hope. "She'll be going to Khathelet to seek out Lord Eliwood," he answers in measured tones. "But she can't go with any of you because those men are hunting her. The rest of you are superfluous--pardon my words, General Wallace--and many of you have lives to return to. Your help has been invaluable, but this is where it ends."

This is where it ends.

They go, with only Rath stalling to look directly into Lyn's eyes. She gazes back evenly, knowing exactly what her fellow plainsman wants to say. If he saw any measure of weakness in her eyes, Mark's words would be nothing more than the hum of bees or some other pest. Finally, he nods, his face blank. "May the wind be at your back, Lyn." She repeats his words and then he is gone, the siblings in tow.

"Khathelet is a good destination, but I suppose we'll be going the long way," Kent says, startling her. She turns and sees the rest of them, standing by, awaiting orders.

"No, you also need to escape," Lyn argues. They're closer now; she can see the outline of a flag in the back of the army. She doesn't understand why they have a flag, until she remembers that her grandfather's death means Lundgren is now marquess.

It's official. Her death is a matter of procedure now, instead of the assassination attempts of before.

"I won't leave you!" Florina yells through her tears. Lyn didn't know she had it in her.

"Florina, thank you, but--"

"No, this is--this is a good idea," Mark interrupts. "You have a great sword arm, but that's an army marching towards us. Sain, Wil, are you both also in agreement?"

"Why, I'm hurt you would even ask!" Sain grins, winks at her. "Lady Lyndis, fear not! My lance is yours to command!"

Wil smiles, smiles so bright that Lyn hurts to see it. "Yeah! After all, we're Lyndis' Legion!"

-0-

Lyn opened her eyes and saw only darkness. There was the distant crackle of a fire somewhere behind her head, the hooting of owls overhead, and her own heartbeat. Her stomach was warm with the rabbit Wil had hunted for their dinner, although that didn't mean he was all right now; he had fallen asleep so quickly that it looked more like he had passed out. Kent had believed it to be a minor concussion and Sain had wondered out loud if it was okay to let Wil sleep. Florina had said nothing; when Lyn had taken her to wash and rewrap her wound, Florina had only spoke haltingly, and only to direct questions.

Khathelet, Lyn thought. Mark had thought Eliwood could help them.

She hoped so.

-0-

"He's not here."

Lyn started, so focused on rewrapping Florina's bandages that she hadn't heard Wil approach. She had to shield her eyes with one hand in order to see his face without the sun's glare blinding her, but she found that his worried face was a poor reward for her actions. "Are you sure?" she had to ask, searching for that little scrap of hope.

"I went to the inn by the road, and the innkeeper said that Lord Eliwood had already left days ago," he answered, crouching down and glancing at the river beside them. It was something Lyn was thankful of, that there was some fresh water to wash Florina's wound with so close to the place where she had first met Nils, Ninian, Lucius and Eliwood.

I hope they're doing well. No, I'm sure of it. Since Lundgren's forces are chasing after me, they should be fine.

"T-then," Florina began, looking smaller than usual in her hunched-over position, her injured arm still on Lyn's lap, "Lord Eliwood...he must have returned home."

The son of Pherae's marquess, Lyn thought, staring at the bank on the other side of where she sat. I wonder where Pherae is? Kent should know...

"Another thing, Lyndis," Wil said, interrupting her thoughts. When she looked at him again, she was surprised that the expression he wore now was...apologetic? "The innkeeper already knows about Caelin. A traveler came by a few days ago with the news. Lord Eliwood was there, and when he heard he left immediately."

"I see." Closing her eyes, Lyn bit back the sigh that threatened to escape from her. Things only seemed to get worse and worse, but she couldn't say as much and demoralize her companions. Though, judging by the apologetic look on Wil's face and the way Florina seemed to shrink even more into herself, as if trying to escape all the bad news that seemed to assault them from every direction, there wasn't much Lyn could say that could make things any worse.

What could she say? Brave words bubbled up from within her, but they all seemed to pop long before she could say them or even relish the false sense of hope they gave her.

I have to be strong for everyone. We...this can't be the end. It can't...

The sound of hooves thudding along the ground grew louder and louder until they overcame her thoughts, but she didn't raise her head until she heard Kent say, "Milady, we've canvassed the area and it still appears to be safe." With her hand shielding her eyes, Lyn could clearly see the confusion that crossed his face as he met her gaze. "Have you not met with Lord Eliwood yet?"

"No," she said, unsure of how to tell him about the latest setback. After pursing her lips in weary frustration, she could only say, "He's already heard about Caelin and has gone home." Looking away from his clouded expression, she finished tying Florina's bandages and softly patted her friend's arm before standing. There was a twinge in her back and soreness along her thighs from the combination of rough sleeping and hard riding to get this far, but the physical ache was nothing compared to the deadness of the air around them.

To Lyn, it felt like an omen.

"Come now!" Sain exclaimed, though Lyn thought he sounded forced. "Why all the sudden gloom?"

Kent shook his head as if it were an effort to do so. "Sain, this is hardly the time for your prattle."

"Prattle? If not for our many years of friendship, I might have been insulted by your choice of words." The lightheartedness of Sain's chastisement seemed to show on his face for a moment before a more mature cast settled over his features. "Now, now, this is far from what should be acceptable for Lyndis' Legion. If Lord Eliwood has gone home, then surely we must follow him! After all, this location is far too close to Caelin for him to offer us any help, so soon after his last boon of kindness. Did he not say that he could no longer grant us any assistance?"

There was silence. "Um, you just contradicted yourself," Wil finally offered.

"Did I? Hm...ah!" Leaning forward on his horse, Sain's expression bordered on the devious. "Of course Eliwood could no longer assist us when it came to matters here."

What? Lyn frowned, both confused and strangely excited. "When you say here..."

"Lady Lyndis, you understand!" Real pleasure shone on Sain's expressive face. "No longer can the marquess' son intervene on our behalf when it comes to the cantons around Caelin. Now we must ask a favor from Pherae's marquess himself, so his son is leading the way!"

Unlike Sain, there was still doubt lingering on Kent's features. "I am unsure. If the news of Lundgren's ascension has already reached the ears of all those who border Caelin, what can Pherae's marquess do? With Lord Hausen's passing, Lundgren became the only recognized successor. Lord Elbert cannot be seen aiding those who the accepted Marquess Caelin calls traitor."

If anything, Lyn thought that Sain looked even more sure. "You're a true knight, but you've a poor mind for cloak-and-dagger situations. Of course Marquess Pherae can't be seen as our benefactor! That's why we've to go all the way to Pherae, which not only does not border Caelin but is also out of earshot for any interested agents of Lundgren." He caught Lyn's eye and smiled at her. "Do you not think so, milady?"

He's right. He has to be right. From what I've seen of Eliwood, he would've stayed behind to inform us if he couldn't help. That he left so quickly must mean otherwise.

A small, deceitful part of Lyn nagged at her, telling her not to grasp so quickly at the first sight of hope. In such a dire time, they could not afford to believe so easily. And yet, as she looked around at all her companions' faces, from Wil's smile of relief to Florina's teary eyes to Kent's normal expression of composure, she could not let go of that lifeline of hope just yet.

Not ever, Father Sky and Mother Earth willing.

-0-

Spring had long come to Pherae by the time they arrived. As they neared the castle from the north, the road they took stood between the sea and the mountains. The scent of the ocean was invigorating to Lyn, who had never seen the sea before, and that, combined with her excitement of soon seeing Eliwood and finding a solution to their problems, felt as though it was nothing less than a blessing from Father Sky. Kent and Sain had been kind enough to explain the basics about this new land, though Wil, when he was willing and able, also shared a few things. On the other side of the mountains was Bern, and once while they rode Lyn imagined she could see the faint shapes of wyverns over the mountains. As the southernmost canton of the Lycian League, it was both one of the most powerful states in the country as well as fairly isolated. And while Kent told her of Pherae's knights in general terms--with Sain adding that he had heard their elite knight squad now had a woman--Wil would speak about Pherae in more specific terms after they set up the campsite and waited for the others to return from their duties.

"Pherae has one of the strongest knight squads in all of Lycia," he explained as he sat against the sturdy trunk of an apple tree, his legs outstretched in front of him. "It's mostly made up of cavaliers, but they're said to be equal to Ostia's armor knights."

"You know a lot about Pherae," Lyn remarked, rubbing her shoulders as she paced about, nervous energy rolling inside her stomach. According to him when they had stopped for the night, Castle Pherae was less than a day away; they would arrive by noon tomorrow if they continued early the next morning. She smiled at him when he looked up at her in what appeared to be embarrassment. "It's thanks to you that we were able to arrive here so quickly. You even know all the best roads."

"Yeah, well, I...nothing's really changed around here, so..."

"Oh? Are you Pheraean then, Wil?"

"Eh, well..." He looked even more embarrassed now. "Kind of?"

And he was in Bern when we met him...I wonder if he's homesick and just hid it for our sake. A sudden, inexplicable sadness washed over her for a moment, but she took a deep breath and focused on the present. No, I shouldn't think about that right now. Perhaps Wil misses his family. If that's so, I shouldn't selfishly keep him with me. "Is your village near here?"

There was surprise on his face as he looked at her, the sunset giving his face more of a healthy glow than he had shown recently. "It's near the castle." His words seemed slower, more pensive. "Why?"

"If it pleases you," she began, her heart heavy with the idea of parting, "we could take you there before we arrive at the castle."

His eyes were wide. "W-what?" Scrambling to his knees, he looked as though he was beseeching her. "Have I really been that unhelpful?"

"No, of course not!" Shaken, Lyn knelt down in front of him. "You've been a great help, I promise you. We've been relying on you to hunt and to go into villages on our behalf, even though you still don't seem fully recovered. I only thought that you might want to see your home."

I thought you might like to see your parents while you still can.

"Lyndis, I...hmph." Wil's brow was furrowed in what she assumed--hoped--was thought and not pain from his now-infrequent headaches. "I'd rather stay with Lyndis' Legion. I might not be completely well, but I can still hold my bow! If you think I'm a burden I'll go, but after traveling with everyone for this long I feel like I need to stay for as long as I can." He looked sheepish as his eyes met hers, but she could tell that he was not unsure or hesitant in the least. "That's okay, right?"

"As long as you're willing, I'd love for you to stay. I don't know how everything will end up, but having you with us is a comfort." She smiled, a feeling of lightness shaking out the wrinkles of nervousness that had bunched up in her stomach. "Thank you, Wil."

The next day, as they traveled to Castle Pherae, she remembered that sense of relief she had felt once she was assured that Wil would continue to travel with them. Although she thought it was strange that he would rather stay with them instead of go home, she kept it to herself.

A part of her didn't want to lose any more companions, no matter what.

Ahead of them, she could see Florina in the air, her pegasus peacefully gliding with the light breeze. The sight made Lyn smile; it reminded her of Sacae, and how she would borrow her father's horse and ride with Florina in the wide, empty plains, the grasses rippling as the winds blew, the sun shining down on them. How she missed those days, when life was simple and she never thought beyond the next day.

"Hm? What is our lovely flower doing?"

Lyn abandoned her fondest memories at the sound of Sain's voice. In the sky, Florina could be seen turning in a graceful half-circle as she headed now in their direction. Confused, Lyn could only watch as Florina landed a few feet behind them, the pegasus trotting up to them as Kent and Sain slowed their stride. "Florina?" Lyn asked, concern for her friend making her sit up, ready to jump off of Kent's horse. "What's wrong? Is your arm hurting?"

"N-no," Florina said, one hand rubbing the wrappings that covered the wound. She pointed towards the castle, the towers of which could be seen from their position. "T-there are knights headed this way...they signaled for me to land."

"Knights from the castle?" To Lyn, Kent's profile looked vaguely disturbed. He looked at Florina. "Can you describe their number and formation?"

"Y-yes. About fifteen cavaliers, they were in formation...um, three columns of five. I...I've never seen that before."

"I see." Kent turned to face the castle. "We should wait, then."

Although Lyn was confused, asking Kent what was happening did not sit well inside her the longer she stared at the back of his head. She glanced at the others; Florina and Wil looked like how she felt, but on Sain's face there was something more troubling than even Kent's sudden reticence. There was a grave quality to his narrowed eyes and set jaw that didn't fit the man whom she knew to be lively and boastful, and she didn't like it.

The Pheraean knights soon arrived, the sound of their hoofbeats more reminiscent of an invading army than possible allies. The three columns Florina had described separated as the knights came into view; the two outer lines seemed to swoop around them as the middle column changed from a single file line into a horizontal formation, never breaking rank as they surrounded their much smaller group in an enclosed circle. Like Kent and Sain, these Pheraean knights wore armor of red or green, though unlike the duo the red knights seemed larger and stronger while the green knights had more wiry frames. Directly in front of them was the anomaly of the group, an older man wearing gold armor, the hair on the top of his head and his facial hair both a dusky purple.

"Pherae's General Marcus?" Lyn heard Kent whisper; she had to resist asking him for more information. This was good, as the apparent general began to speak.

"You are the girl Lyndis and the Caelin oathbreakers?"

Lyn's eyes widened as a terrible feeling began to compress inside her. "What? Pardon me, but--"

"Lady Lyndis," Kent said, his tone brooking no argument. She lowered her head, her heart racing with fear. "Our apologies. We are in the service of the granddaughter of the former Marquess Caelin, and a legitimate claimant of Caelin's throne. We would ask Marquess Pherae for asylum."

General Marcus was as stone as he stared at them, and Lyn could feel hope withering inside her. As if he had not heard Kent, he addressed his knights. "We will put them in the dungeon and send a messenger to Caelin informing Marquess Caelin to send for them." To them, he said, "Get off the horses."

"Come now, surely you jest!" Sain exclaimed, his outraged expression belying words normally said to tease others. "You would not even hear our side? Has Lundgren promised to fill Pherae's coffers with gold in return for our heads? Is there no honor in Pherae?"

"Sain, you go too far!" and there was something dark and desperate clawing out of Kent's words, as if he himself agreed with Sain's words but denied himself this.

Lyn, trembling with shock, anger and betrayal, hated Kent's composure at that moment.

"No! Please!"

Lyn turned to see a few Pheraean knights surround Florina, whose pegasus was bucking and flapping its wings in obvious agitation. Without a thought, Lyn jumped off of Kent's horse and ran to her best friend. "Florina!" she managed to get out before two lances were jabbed in her direction. She stopped but otherwise did not mind the knights as she yelled, "Florina! Please calm down! Everything will be fine, but you must calm down!"

The Sacaean people never lie, but she remembered Mark's death and the thought of seeing her best friend die was a blade of fear that struck her heart.

She could not see what happened next for all the knights on horseback that blocked her way, but soon Florina was on foot. Her friend ran towards her and Lyn held her, ignoring Florina's tears as they soaked her clothing in favor of simply stroking the younger girl's hair and whispering reassurances.

"Everything will be all right. Everything will be fine. I promise you this, so please be strong."

Lies, so many lies. Her throat was clogged with lies.

The others had dismounted and were with her, Lyn could sense that much, but all she could concentrate on was her words, as if they could comfort her or Florina or somebody. But here in Pherae, as she and her dearest companions were led to Castle Pherae's dungeons, all she could feel was betrayal and the death of hope.

She wasn't sure which one was worse.

-to be continued-

Well, this is just a little late. I feel very nervous posting on this story again after so long. Welcome to the restart of Legion of Honor! This will be a weekly serial, barring those times when uploading is disabled, in which case means that the chapter will appear the following Thursday. Thank you for reading, as always!

02: Pherae's dungeon is a dark, dank place, and Lyndis' Legion can do little more than wait out their death sentence--the arrival of the transport to Caelin. If there was a chance for only a few of them to escape, leaving the others to inevitable death, could they take it?