Author's Note: Well, here's chapter five. It hops around viewpoints a bit, but that's because this is where the path branches. Sword and Shadow will continue to follow Guy and Matthew, and those close to them, while two other stories will be written to follow the paths leading into Bern and Etruria.
Chapter 5-Parting is…
Guy hung his head over the railing of the Davros as the sun began to creep above the eastern horizon. He was seasick, exhausted, and worst of all, completely and totally alone. Ever since getting on the ship, none of his friends, or even close acquaintances, had any time at all to spend with him. Rath was always busy keeping all of the horses calm and healthy, and when he did have some free time, he tended to go and spend it with either Wil or lady Lyn. Grant was always closeted up with the Lords, or the scholars, or Captain Fargus, or even with wyvern riders of all people, and Guy certainly didn't want to disturb the tactician while he was doubtlessly discussing important matters.
And that brought his thoughts to Matthew. Guy growled in frustration as the damnable thief came to mind. This entire trip, Matthew had been actively avoiding him, lending a hand around the ship, hiding up in the rigging, in meetings with his lord or other important people, and any number of other excuses to never be available to talk. It was really starting to get on Guy's nerves, and he couldn't think of a single reason why his friend would go to these lengths to avoid him. It was maddening!
Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do about it. Deciding that doing anything was better than standing around moping, the Sacaen went off to find a pirate and volunteer for some chores. Who knows, maybe he'll have the same idea and us 'lubbers' will be put in the same place. Of course, then he'll just suddenly 'remember' that Lord Hector wanted to see him, or something like that. Jerk.
Matthew leaned over the edge of the crow's nest as he stared at the rising sun, bathing the placid ocean in an golden glow that too soon faded away to the simple blue of day. Sighing, he shifted his view down to the ship below him, watching the sailors and soldiers scurry about with the morning chores. People watching was always a great hobby of his. You never know what someone is going to do or say when they don't think anyone's looking at them.
As he watched the people run around, he noticed a very familiar green braid out of the corner of his eye. Looking, the thief noticed that Guy was actually doing something other than moping around or hunting for him. Namely, swabbing the deck, myrmidon style. He almost had to laugh at the sight of Guy swinging around a mop like it was a fighting stick, relentlessly attacking the dirty planks, the dirty railings, and even occasionally his fellow swabbers. But even though he seemed to be enjoying himself, Matthew could tell that he was also constantly scanning around for any sign of a certain Ostian spy.
Shaking his head in amazement, said spy turned his attention back to the horizon and grabbed his spyglass, "That kid just doesn't give up. How long is it going to take for him to get it through his skull that we aren't friends." Putting the spyglass to his eye, he looked out towards the horizon, searching for signs of land, "Guys like me don't have friends."
Still, despite his resolution to keep people at a distance, Matthew couldn't escape a nagging part of his mind, that just couldn't let it go. Oh, and I suppose Leila was a passing acquaintance? Face it Matt, you're just too good at what you do to buy that load of bullshit, even if it is your own.
Getting angry with himself now, Matthew closed his eyes and lowered the spyglass, his hands shaking. Inwardly, he practically screamed back at his own mind, Shut up! Just. Shut. The. Hell. Up!
Thankfully, the trip back to Badon wasn't as angst filled for everyone as it was for Guy and Matthew. Grant was actually enjoying himself quite thoroughly. The pirates had taught him to pay an interesting dice game called Storm, then summarily invited him to never play it with them again after he rolled triple fours twice in a row. He, Pent and the captain had an ongoing game of Go in progress, and interesting game that Fargus had picked up in a foreign land. Oddly enough, the good captain currently had a strong advantage over both the mage general and the tactician, an advantage that Grant fully intended to remove the next time they played.
But that was for another time. Currently, he sat in the small chair in Lord Eliwood's cabin, pondering a pair of problems for the young lord. And what a pair of problems they were.
Eliwood, sitting in the other small chair, watched the tactician somewhat nervously as he waited for a response. Before long, the silence had gone on too long and he had to verbally prod the older man for an answer, or even just his thoughts, "Well Grant? What say you to Santaruz, at least?"
Grant decisively, and dismissively, shook his head, "That's the easy one. No. I am not of Lycia, and not of the blood of Roland. And furthermore, even if the other lords would accept me, which I assure you they would not, it would not do to have Pherae and Ostia, two of the largest and most influential territories, constantly looking to tiny little Santaruz for advice and guidance." Looking up at Eliwood's shocked expression, he elaborated, "Look, you and Hector must learn to be lords and rulers in your own right. If I were around and accessible, both of you would constantly be coming to me with your problems. That simply won't do. You are quite right that I could in fact rule a territory. But if I were to accept, I wouldn't end up ruling one territory, I'd be ruling four."
Sighing, the large man removed his spectacles and wiped them clean, as he often did when nervous or frustrated, "And it's not just you. Even if you weren't asking for my advice, I'd be giving it. I'd see you two making mistakes, and I'd tell you what you should be doing instead. I can't help myself, if I see someone doing something wrong, I correct them. It's practically a compulsion. That's why I have to leave Lycia."
A moment of silence passed while Eliwood digested Grant's response. At first, he was angry at the tactician's insinuation that he wouldn't do things on his own, but after thinking about it, he realized that Grant was right. Standing, the young lord nodded his thanks and moved to leave, "You're right, of course. I withdraw the offer. And I suppose that there is no better time than now to learn to stand on my own feet. I'll figure out my other problem on my own. Thank you, though, you have been an immeasurable help in this war. We couldn't have won without you. But now that it's over, I really should let you get back to your own affairs."
But before he could leave, Grant held up his hand and motioned Eliwood to sit back down. "I'm not done yet. Helping you with this is the least I can do. I owe it to Fiora, after…" the tactician closed his eyes for a brief moment, recomposing himself, "well, after. Anything I can do to ensure her happiness is far less than I owe her."
Sitting back down, Eliwood smiled gratefully at the older man, and wondered when Grant would ever be able to forgive himself for the ones who had died. "Thank you. I'm afraid I don't even know where to start."
Grant smiled back with what Hector had termed his 'evil bastard' smile, "You start, by knighting her in service to Pherae…"
Hector laughed as he went striding towards Eliwood's cabin, wanting to be the first to tell his friend the good news. Throwing the door open without bothering to knock, he walked right in and heartily slapped both of the men he found inside on the back, "Eliwood! Grant! Land ho, lads! We're back in Lycia!"
Picking himself up from Hector's greeting, Eliwood gave his friend an odd look, "Lads? You're starting to sound like Captain Fargus."
Grant chuckled, while Hector blinked at the accusation, "What? Gah! I've been hanging around that old man too much. Anyway, we're home. Just another hour or so and we'll be off this floating bucket and back on dry land."
Eliwood nodded, and motioned toward the door, "Well, shall we go oversee the preparations to disembark, then?"
"No need. I've already got Oswin, Marcus and Kent handling it."
Laughing, Eliwood just sat back down and looked up at his friend, "You know, if I had known you were going to be this capable, I'd have made you take over much earlier. You hardly seem like the Hector who used to fall asleep in numbers class and mimic the priest during sermons."
Grant raised an eyebrow at that last one, and Hector winced, "Yeah, uh, do you think you could never mention that one again? Thanks. Anyway," he gave Eliwood a friendly punch in the shoulder, "I've changed? Look at you! You look ten years older than when we left, you've got some real muscle to go with that speed of yours, and you've even learned when to call it quits and let someone else handle things for a change. Quite a far cry from the scrawny kid who thought it was his duty to work himself to death."
"I suppose you're right," standing back up, Eliwood headed for the door again, "we really should be out on the deck though. Even if we aren't overseeing things, we at least need to make sure we can be seen. We are back in Lycia, after all. It's time to start acting like a pair of soon-to-be Lords, and not a pair of lordlings on holiday."
"Hrmph," Hector grunted his reluctant agreement, and the three men went to head above deck and lend a hand where they could. As they walked, Hector remembered something that he had intended to ask, "So, Eliwood, what were you two talking about anyway?"
Eliwood laughed, "Oh, you're going to like this…"
Badon had never seen such a party. Almost all of the soldiers were staying at least until morning, and with Hector, Pent and Fargus splitting the tab, everyone was cutting loose and having fun.
There were, however, a few notable exceptions. Karel tried to start a fight with Jaffar the moment they set foot on land, only to find that silent assassin wouldn't even draw his weapon. In disgust, Karel proclaimed the once feared Angel of Death to no longer be worthy prey, and left without another word. Karla apologized to the lords for her abrupt departure and set off after her murderous brother.
The enigmatic Renault shared a single drink with Grant and Canas, and then went his own way, vanishing from history.
Dorcas, eager to return to Natalie, got permission from Lord Eliwood to act as a messenger and leave for Pherae at once. Officially, he was to deliver the news of their return to the Lady Eleanora, although everyone knew that his haste had nothing to do with official messages. Still, no one begrudged him his leave, or if they did, they wisely kept it to themselves.
Louise smiled to herself as she watched all of the budding romances around her. She was a hopeless romantic, and always happy to see young people in love, especially on a day like this. It's wonderful to know that love can grow and blossom even after such a dark ordeal.
Sipping her wine, the lady grinned impishly as she watched the young archers Wil and Rebecca stammer out apologies while blushing furiously after Rebecca 'accidentally' bumped into the young man. I told her that would work. If he was only interested in being friends, he'd be teasing her, not blushing like a boy who just found out what a girl was. They're so cute!
Her attention was quickly drawn away from the archers by the sight of Erk staring down a local rowdy who had gotten a little too close to Priscilla. Good thing I reminded him just how rough of a town Badon can be. The Lady Priscilla needs her escort more than ever in a place like this.
Casting her eyes elsewhere, Louise noted with interest where a certain purple haired rouge's gaze was resting, firmly on the backside of a certain male wyvern knight. Well now! I wouldn't except to see that out of a man from Bern. Then again, Legault always has been more than a little odd. Interesting. I wonder if it's mutual? Probably not, poor guy. Hmm, maybe I should let him know that kind of romance is accepted in Etruria. But how…?
The lady's meddlesome musings were interrupted by her own lover's arms wrapping around her waist, "Come now Louise, leave the young ones in peace."
Grinning, she settled herself back in her lord's embrace, and drained the last of her wine, "Leave them in peace? I'll have you know that I was doing just that, standing over here and minding my own business."
Pent laughed, "I'm sure. More like you were minding everyone's business except your own," spinning Louise around to face him, the mighty sage gently brushed an errant strand of hair away from his lady's eyes, "Admit it, my dear. You live to meddle."
Louise held her hand over her heart and gasped, a mock-look of wounded dignity upon her face, "Me? I'll admit to no such thing!"
Rolling his eyes, but still laughing, Pent began to lead his lady off towards a local tavern, "Then if you aren't meddling, you won't mind if we go join Hawkeye for one last meal before he returns to Nebata. The captain has recommended an excellent tavern that is famous throughout Lycia for the skill of it's chef."
Allowing herself to be led off, Louise nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, I think I know the one. Don't you usually have to wait at least a month for a reservation?"
Smiling, the sage gave his wife a conspiratorial wink, "Sometimes, my dear, being the famous Mage General of Etruria has it's advantages."
Of course, not everyone was having so enjoyable an evening. Matthew had spent the entire afternoon dodging Guy, and was finally in a place that he thought obscure enough to let his guard down and have a drink. He was, of course, wrong. Mere moments after he got his drink, the door opened again, and there was Guy.
Nonchalantly, the spy stood up and began towards the kitchen, intending to make a dash for it out the back, but froze when he heard what Guy had to say.
"Attention! That man is wanted by the Marquis of Ostia. I'm here to collect him."
Matthew couldn't believe his his eyes towards the kitchen door he found it already blocked by a pair of locals, and the same went for the stairs up. The only way out was the front door, which Guy himself stood in front of. I'm trapped like a rat. You little son of a horse! Turning to face Guy, the angry thief had no choice but to walk up and let himself be 'collected'.
As they left the tavern, Guy spoke first, "It won't do you any good to run. Lord Hector really is looking for you, and promised to hold you until we had a chance to talk. It'd be easier to just talk to me now."
Matthew was seething, and in no mood to be nice, "Wanted by the Marquis of Ostia? Nice little version of the truth there, Guy. What happened to that Sacaen honor?"
Guy clenched his fist, desperately wanting to punch those words right back into the spy's mouth, but held his anger and loosened his hand, "That hurts, Matt. In fact, everything you've done lately hurts. You won't talk to me, you avoid me like I'm carrying a disease, and when I finally do catch up to you, you treat me like this? I thought we were friends! What happened? What did I do to you to make you hate me like this?" By this point, Guy's voice was raised, and his face only a few inches from Matthew's, his hurt and confusion plain for all the world to hear and see.
Matthew couldn't bear to look at it any longer. Closing his eyes, he turned his head away, It's now or never. I've got to make him so angry he'll never speak to me again. I can't afford to have another friend…
Opening his eyes, Matthew turned his back on the swordsman, "Friends? Let me tell you something, spies don't have friends. Especially not ones as stupidly idealistic as you. You've been a great sparring partner, but now you're just getting in my way." Forcing himself to turn around with nothing but bored contempt evident in his eyes, the 'hardened' spy almost faltered at the pain and betrayal on the young swordsman's face. Almost. "And since you're obviously too dense to get it on your own, I'll spell it out for you. You've got nothing more I need. Maybe you should listen to your buddy Rath next time."
Turning back around to walk away, Matthew held up two pieces of paper in his hand, "Here, you want your oathpaper back? I'll give you two last orders," opening his hand, he let the strips of paper flutter to the ground, "One, go away. And two, leave me alone."
As he heard Guy sink to the ground behind him, Matthew had to stop himself from turning around and pretending it was all a joke. Sure, Guy would cut him into ribbons for it, but the thief wasn't sure that it wouldn't be less painful than what he was doing now. Well, that's that. If nobody cares about me, I don't have to care about them. And I'll never be hurt like that again. No more weaknesses, my job is the only thing that matters. I did the right thing, for both of us. I know I did. Sighing, Matthew turned his eyes skywards, vainly searching for some answer in the stars, So why do I still want to stab myself?
The next morning found most everyone in poor spirits. This was they day they all went their separate ways. Hector and his retinue were going with Eliwood to Pherae for Lord Elbert's funeral before heading up to Ostia, and joining the ranks of the Pheraens were Nino, Jaffar and Fiora. Lyn and the Caelin folk were going straight home, impatient to see how Lord Hausen was faring, and Grant, Legault and the wyvern riders were also going to Caelin before they made their way to Araphen and through there to Bern. Pent, Louise, Erk and Priscilla were returning to Etruria after another day or so in Badon.
Some belonged to no group and went on their own way. Rath was planning to stay in Pherae for awhile, before going home to the plains. Geitz was joining Dart on the Davros, for a little while at least. Raven had a quick conversation with Hector, then shocked everyone by giving Priscilla a quick hug and a kiss on the forehead before leaving with Lucius for who knows where. Bartre had already wandered off in the middle of the night, but no one was really worried about him. Hawkeye was returning to Nebata, and Canas was making the long hike up to Ilia on his own.
The only person make conspicuous by his absence was a certain Sacaen swordmaster with a green braid…
Author's Footnote: And so ends another long chapter. Another big thanks to the two people who bothered to review my previous chapter. As for the rest of you, I could really use the feedback. Reviewing isn't hard, it's really helpful, and it doesn't take nearly as long as reading the blasted chapter in the first place.
Anyway, next time in S&S, Matthew gets a rude awakening, Guy out-angsts Raven, and Eliwood reveals the details of Grant's master plan.