"I…I can't believe it's actually you. It really is, isn't it?" Jasmine murmured, reaching out toward Mark, as if worried her hand would go through him and he would vanish. He chuckled softly and nodded.

"Yes, it really is me. It's a little hard to see each other through this fog, though, huh?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah."

A silence followed.

"You know these people?" Wallace asked Mark. Raven didn't take his narrowed eyes off the green-cloaked man.

"I only know her." He gestured to Jasmine. "These other two, I don't know."

"These are my companions," Jasmine said. "Erk and Raven. We all travel in an army, with Hector, Eliwood, and Lyn. We were just—"

"Lyn? As in Lady Lyndis?" Wallace asked, interested, as he stepped out closer toward her. Raven reluctantly followed.

"Yes..." Jasmine said slowly. "What about her?"

"What? Lady Lyndis?" Mark said incredulously, though he was ignored.

"She is my liege. I am from Caelin, you see, and—"

"Wait. Your name is Wallace, right?"

Wallace frowned. "Yes."

"Do you remember me?" Jasmine stepped out closer toward him. "It's me, Jasmine. I accompanied Lyn to Caelin."

There was a pause as Wallace scratched his bald head in thought. Then he snapped his large fingers.

"Yes, I remember you! You were that tactician girl!" They grinned at each other. "And...you said you are with Lady Lyndis now?"

She nodded vigorously. "Yes. I'm her—well, actually Hector's—tactician right now!"

"Jasmine, that's splendid!" Mark exclaimed, beaming at her. "Look at how far you've come! Working for lords? I told you that you could anything if you believed you could!"

Raven raised an eyebrow.

She smiled. "Must you always be right, Mark?"

"Oh, dear, I'm not always right. I make mistakes as well."

Raven slowly stepped toward the group, annoyance sketched across his face.

"Rarely."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

"You're too modest."

"As are you."

"I am not!"

"Aha! You see what I'm saying?" Mark chuckled when she pursed her lips like a child. "I'd love to see your new tactical skills, though."

"The best way to do that would be to get back into the battle," Raven spoke for the first time. "You're getting sidetracked, as usual, tactician."

Jasmine immediately glared at him. Mark turned his head toward the redhead curiously, with his eyebrows slightly raised.

"I have to agree with Raven on this one," Erk spoke, making his way toward the small circle. "We are still in the midst of a battle. We have to get back to the others."

She nodded. "You're right." She paused, shuffling her feet, and peeked at Mark tentatively. Before she spoke, Wallace boomed,

"I wish to join you all on your journey. I want to serve milady Lyndis and make sure she comes home to Caelin safe and sound."

"It would be wonderful to have you back again. I'm sure Lyn would be pleased."

"I suppose our journey ends here," Wallace said to Mark.

"It was a rather short trip," Mark laughed. "We barely made it half a mile."

Wallace laughed a laugh strong and deep. "Short, perhaps, but you'd be surprised at how much two men can bond in battle."

"You've got a good point."

He placed his large hand on Mark's shoulder. "Travel safely. And thank you for guiding me through his cursed fog."

"It was my pleasure."

"You're leaving?" Jasmine murmured softly.

Mark turned to her. "I have places to go."

"I understand," she said quietly, looking down at the ground. Mark stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable.

"Yes, well, we also have a battle to finish," Raven said shortly. "C'mon, Erk, Jasmine…Wallace. Let's go."

Jasmine stared at Mark with wide, sad eyes. Then, after a brief moment, she smiled. "As much as I hate to admit it, he is right; we have a battle to finish. Perhaps we'll meet again. Goodbye, for now."

With a little wave, she started to walk off with the others. Mark hesitated a moment, before shouting after her.

"Wait, Jasmine!" She glanced back at him curiously. Raven raised an eyebrow and let out a little scoff of annoyance. "I don't have to go just yet. There's no time limit as to where I must be."

"What are you saying?" she asked slowly.

He grinned widely. "I think it's high time you show me your tactical skills."

Jasmine squealed in joy, jumping up and down in excitement. "I can't believe it! I can't believe it! You're actually going to travel with us!"

Raven grimaced. He couldn't believe it either.

"Florina? Is that you?" Fiora called out in the fog as she noticed a figure fly toward her.

"No," said a male voice.

"Oh, it's you, Heath. I thought that that figure was a little too bulky to be a Pegasus."

Heath looked down at Hyperion. "You hear that, buddy? I told you that you've been eating too much." His Wyvern let out a snort of dismay.

Fiora offered them a look of amusement. Then, on a serious note, she asked, "Do you know where Florina is? I haven't seen her at all."

"Jasmine did place you guys apart," he pointed out. "I'm sure she's fine, though. Dart's a good man. He's taking good care of her."

Fiora frowned. "Florina already has trouble with men, but why pair her with a man like Dart, of all people?"

Heath raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"He is a pirate," she stated. "He's a bit of a..." She struggled to find the right word. "Well, he's not very gentle, is he?"

"No, he's really not, but that doesn't make him a bad man."

"I beg to differ," Fiora mumbled.

"Oh?" Heath raised his eyebrows. "So Lord Hector is a bad man?"

"What? No, of course not!"

"He's not exactly the gentlest man around, though, is he?"

She let her mouth hang open in disbelief. Then, gaining control of herself, she asked defensively, "What's your point?"

"You can't judge a man just like that." He snapped his fingers, startling Makar, who let out a neigh and kick of the front legs.

"Easy, Makar," Fiora said, tugging on the reigns. "It's alright." She petted its head reassuringly. "It's alright."

Heath stared at her, surprised at her gentleness. Fiora, though she came off as overprotective, never struck as him as gentle. Her sister, yes, seemed very docile, but Fiora always seemed...on edge. She acted as if the mere blow of the wind would harm Florina. He liked the way Fiora was right now, murmuring sweetly to her Pegasus. She was quite easy on the eyes, too, now that he got a good look at her...

"Now," she said to the Wyvern rider, "where were—why are you looking at me like that?"

His face heated up and he could only quickly blubber, "Well, I, you, me..." before, with a very embarrassed expression, he flew off. Fiora raised an eyebrow and glanced down at Makar.

"Do you know what that was about?"

Makar snorted.

"Lord Hector?" Isadora whispered into the fog. "Lord Hector?" She frowned when she heard no answer, and whipped her head around, tugging on her horse's reigns. She had lost contact with the blueheaded lord after he had marched into some village, saying he would be back shortly. He wasn't back yet. She wasn't sure whether she should wait longer or make her way toward the village.

Feet glided against grass silently. A sword twirled, slicing through the dense mist.

Isadora barely had time to register the figure flying toward her. She maneuvered out of the way, tugging her horse away, ducking her head, but she didn't make it on time; the sword sliced the back of her neck. She let out a sharp cry of pain, putting one hand to the back of her neck, the other unsheathing her sword. She tilted her head back and forth, breathing soundly, eyes narrowed. Where was…

A streak of something yellow—lightning?—hit the ground below her, and her steed let out a neigh of surprise, kicking its front legs high up in the air.

"Whoa, girl, whoa!" Isadora cried, tugging her horse's reigns, trying to settle it. Her eyes flitted back and forth. Whoever her opponent was, he was skilled.

"Isadora? Is that you?" That was Lord Hector's gruff voice, no doubt about it. She was about to give out a cry of warning when her opponent flew toward her again—this time, though, she was prepared. She slashed her sword out toward him, and their swords collided. He then proceeded to thump down to the ground behind her, and twirled around to face her. He raised his sword in the air, but not in the usual fighting stance; he held it up in the air like a staff.

Before he could conflict any damage, Hector's axe swooshed from behind. The Fang jumped backward and kicked—yes, kicked—Hector in the chest. Surprisingly, despite his heavy build and heavy armor, Hector stumbled back. He nearly lost control of his axe, but managed to keep it and himself upright.

Hector growled lowly. "You're the leader of this pack of curs, aren't you?"

His opponent smirked. "That I am. And you, likewise?"

"I lead no pack of curs," spat Hector. His opponent chuckled, amused. "It is a well-trained army that I lead."

"Oh? Is that what you call it?"

He growled lowly again and swung toward the Fang, but he jumped back.

"I'll not be made fun of by some scum Fang! Prepare to meet your match."

"You're going to challenge me with that axe of yours?" He laughed, and ducked the next swing. "If only Linus were here…we'd have a nice laugh." He straightened up, squaring his shoulders. "Nonetheless, I'll give you a fight. Though I believe it's obvious who's going to win."

He flashed a winning grin and immediately darted toward Hector. With a mere draw of his hand and quick flick of the wrist, he slit Hector's leg. Hector grunted as his knee buckled, but swung his axe around. There was a loud clang as his axe collided with Lloyd's sword. The two men stood, pressing invisible forces against their weapons, deadlocked.

There was the sound of hooves, and a moment later Lyn landed in the grass beside Hector.

"Isadora told me you needed help," she said, adjusting her grip on her Mani Katti.

"And she brought you?" Hector grunted as he brought his axe down toward Lloyd. He easily maneuvered passed it. Lyn flashed her eyes at Hector before dashing off toward Lloyd. She slashed her sword toward him, but he blocked it with his own. They adjusted their footings, circling around each other, eyes glinting and hands moving.

Their dance was broken when Hector's axe swung toward Lloyd's head. When Lloyd ducked the attack, Lyn slashed his arm, creating a deep gash.

"Nice one," he muttered, briefly glancing down at his wound. Lyn and Hector looked at each other, surprised; no enemy had ever been close to complimenting their skills.

"Erm…thank you," Lyn said. Lloyd actually smiled, his eyes crinkling. The smile disappeared in a flash, and as quick as it disappeared he raised his arm, sword in hand. Hector roared in surprise at the lightning bolt that scorched the end of his cape.

"What…?" breathed Lyn, watching with wide eyes as Lloyd charged toward her. Then, smoothly, graciously, she leaped up in the air, toe pivoted toward the ground, sword brandished in the air. Hector stared, open-mouthed. Then she plummeted to the ground, bringing her sword down with her, and it crashed with a deafening ring with Lloyd's sword.

And then he fell. His knees buckled and he fell on the dewy grass. Lyn and he kept their eyes and swords locked together.

He raised his eyebrows. "You beat me," he said slowly, as if he couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He seemed to have trouble keeping a straight face, his eyebrows and lips twitching. "Well, go on."

Lyn stared at him for a brief moment, and then she sheathed her sword. Immediately Lloyd opened his eyes and Hector raised his eyebrows.

"Lyn, what are you doing?"

"This man means no harm to us."

"No harm to—he tried to kill us!"

"No…" Lyn shook her head. She looked down at Lloyd, who stared back at her. "It is not easy for a man to give himself up to death, and especially with dignity. He may be Fang, but he has honor."

There was a stretched silence that was broken by a shout from behind.

"Lyndis! Hector!"

Hector turned to see a blurry shade of red running toward them. The fog was clearing a little now, but not by much. Eliwood stopped next to Hector, peering at Lloyd curiously.

"What…?"

"You're strong, but foolish," Lloyd said as he got up, "wasting sentiment on me, your enemy."

"I am not wasting sentiment," Lyn said firmly. "I simply speak the truth."

Lloyd did not respond, sheathing his sword. He stared at her, and then smiled a little. "Spoken like a true Sacaen. All of you tell the truth to no fault."

"And you know that from Uhai?" Eliwood said softly. Lloyd immediately turned to face him, eyebrows knotting.

"What?"

"We battled your comrade Uhai on Dread Isle."

"He too fought with honor," Lyn said. "You Black Fang aren't evil by nature."

Lloyd said nothing, eyebrows knotted in thought.

"Will you join our cause?" questioned Eliwood.

"No. However, something is…amiss. You have been granted a brief reprieve until I have my answers."

"Tell us, what is your name?"

"I'll tell you the next time we meet." He winked. His expression suddenly became grave as he said, "Watch out for a woman named Sonia."

And then he took a few steps back, melting into the fog and disappearing silently.

"That was close," Hector said.

"I knew what I was doing, Hector," Lyn said shortly.

"I never said you weren't."

"You seemed to doubt it."

"Come, come, you two," Eliwood interrupted. "At least we learned something about our opponent."

"The Black Fang seems to have some honor after all. Perhaps they really are just being used by Nergal. We should talk to their head, Brendan Reed," Lyn said.

"Perhaps we can resolve this without any more fighting," Eliwood said hopefully.

"I don't like it," Hector put simply. "Sounds like a terrible plan."

Both Eliwood and Lyn stared at him in confusion.

"Hector?"

"Let's get back to the village," he said, turning around. "We might have word from Pent."

"Wait, Hector, we still have to gather up the others and—"

But he had already vanished into the fog.

"I wonder what that was all about," Lyn said.

"And there's Bartre," Lyn said, counting off a finger, so that only three remained. Bartre turned to her, and Hector grimaced at the bruised eye and bloodied cheek. "Serra's over there." She gestured to the pink-haired Bishop, chatting away to the smiling Sain.

"What about Priscilla?" Bartre grumbled.

"She's actually healing Kent right now."

Murmuring words underneath his breath, he trudged off grudgingly. Hector snickered.

"Poor fellow."

Lyn giggled, but quickly frowned, staring at her remaining fingers. "I wonder if Eliwood and Matthew found them."

"They better have, or we'll have to start another search party!"

And just as Hector's words left his lips, Eliwood walked into the inn. He looked exhausted.

"We found the rest of them," he yawned, rubbing his eyes. "It's nearly dark out. I wonder when Louise and Pent will come back."

His face brightened significantly when he saw Ninian waving at him. He quickly made his way over to her. Lyn looked over at them slyly, and Hector frowned at her expression.

"Why are you looking at them like that?"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, Hector, you can be so oblivious sometimes." She paused. "Well, all the time."

He scowled, making her giggle. "Hey!"

"Hey!" Matthew said cheerfully, as if Hector had just greeted him, waltzing into the inn. "We found them! Though, surely Lord Eliwood has already told you that." He paused, glancing over his shoulder at Lyn. "I think there's somebody you'd like to meet."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "What—"

But Matthew walked off, whistling to himself. She frowned after him.

"What was he—?"

"Lady Lyndis!" a booming, electrifying voice came from the doorway. Nils looked up from his dinner with wide eyes, wondering who could possibly have such a voice.

For a moment, there was merely a shiny head sticking through the doorway, but then a body squeezed in.

"What the—?" started Hector, staring up at the bald man. He was as big as Hawkeye, but not as wide.

"Wallace!" Lyn shouted, and Wallace grinned down at her. He bowed.

"Milady Lyndis. It's great to see you well again."

"What are you doing here?" she asked when he straightened up.

"I was on my way to Caelin, when I heard a battle going on. I joined in, and later found Jasmine. She happily let me join your cause."

"That's wonderful!" beamed Lyn. "Please, sit down and have some food."

"Don't mind if I do," he chortled, and walked over to the table, booming with each step. Hector stared after him.

"I think we're going to need another tent." He paused, watching Wallace sit down. He filled up two peoples' worth of space on the bench. "Another few."

Lyn giggled. "He's probably smaller than Hawkeye, you know."

"Yeah, and Hawkeye only takes up, what, five tents?"

Lyn giggled harder. Hector smiled lopsidedly, looking rather pleased.

"I can't wait to eat," Erk murmured as he swiftly walked into the inn. He paused, glancing back at the giggling Lyn and smiling Hector. Raising an eyebrow slightly (why weren't they arguing?) he asked, "Are Lady Louise and Lord Pent back?"

"No," Lyn said, shaking her head and ending her giggles. Erk said no more, stalking off to a table that was as far away as Serra's as possible.

Raven was scowling darker than ever when he marched in. When Lyn opened her mouth to greet him, he glared at her with such ferocity that her mouth was left hanging open. Then he stomped off.

"What was that about?" Lyn said, bewildered.

Hector shrugged nonchalantly. "He's always scowling, isn't he?"

"Yes, but I've never seen him that angry."

"Maybe he didn't enjoy staying out in the fog for so long."

"Oh, Lyn!" Jasmine cried, looking absolutely ecstatic when she hurried in. "There's somebody I want you to meet!"

"Now, now, let's not make such a big deal out of this," Mark said, though he smiled. He strolled in leisurely, and his smiled brightened even more. "Lord Hector." He bowed, and then turned to Lyn. "Lady Lyndis." This time, he clasped his hands together as if in prayer, and bowed deeply. Lyn looked bewildered. "Thank you," he said, getting down one knee so that his green cloak pooled around his legs. He stared up at her square in the eye. "Thank you for taking care of Jasmine." Gently, he took her hand and placed a kiss on it.

Lyn's cheeks tinged pink. Hector gaped. Jasmine put a hand over her mouth, looking away as if she was embarrassed, or that she was holding in her laughter. Mark stood back up, his smile brighter than ever.

Lyn squared her shoulders. "And you, sir, are…?"

"I go by Mark, milady."

Lyn's eyes widened, her eyebrows disappeared under her hairline, and her mouth opened into a silent 'o'. Hector's eyebrows furrowed at Lyn's reaction.

"You…you're…?" She put her hands over her mouth, eyes still wide. Then, with a sudden laugh of joy, she embraced him. He stumbled back, eyebrows high, but laughed. "What are you thanking me for?" she said as she released him, looking up at him. "I should be thanking you!" She put her palms together, just like he had, and bowed her head.

Rath and Guy followed suit, nodding respectfully to the stranger whose name they didn't even know. A few of their comrades glanced around, confused.

"Oh, please," Mark said, "you need not thank me."

She stared at him as if he'd grown another head. "Need not thank you?" she said incredulously. "Of course I need to thank you! Even thanking you isn't enough! Is there something I could get for you, perhaps? Anything, really, for the man that has done so much for my good friend—"

"Lyn," muttered Jasmine, embarrassed.

"No, no, I need nothing." He paused. "Actually…if you would allow it, I would like to stay with you and your army for a short time."

"Stay as long as you want!" Lyn said immediately, making Hector gape at her. "The entire trip, if you must!"

Mark chuckled. Hector looked a little irritated, folding his arms across his broad chest.

"What the hell is going on here? Who are you?"

"He told you already," Jasmine said, stifling a giggle, "his name's Mark. No wonder Oswin's always telling you to pay attention!"

Lyn snickered, and Hector glared at both females. Jasmine's eyes, however, flickered to Mark's, which stared back into hers. He gave her a little reassuring smile, and she relaxed.

"You know what I mean," Hector said impatiently.

"How about we talk it over some stew?" Lyn offered.

"Good idea," Jasmine said. The four of them walked over to a table. Hector called Eliwood over, and all five of them soon started to chat.

Raven glared at them all. He sat in his corner, arms folded, eyes glinting furiously. Lucius appeared to be looking for him, but he stayed put, refusing to move.

Matthew walked up beside him, casually propping a foot against the wall. "I thought you looked angrier than usual." He munched on a piece of bread, grinning down at the redhead. Raven turned his head to glare up at him.

"What do you want, thief?" he snarled.

"I was just checking on you." He shrugged. "Just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Look, if it's about Ostia again—"

"It's not," Matthew interrupted. "Not at all." He paused, glancing off toward the lords' table. "Interesting fellow, isn't he?" Raven raised an eyebrow at him. The brunette grinned down at him. "Don't you agree?"

Raven said nothing.

"I'll take that as a no. I think he's an interesting guy, though."

"I don't care what you think," Raven snapped.

"Ouch. That wasn't very nice of you to say, Raven."

He scowled deeply, making Matthew smirk in amusement.

"You may not care what I think, but you surely seem to care a great deal of what Jasmine thinks."

Raven's eyes widened, and he half-stood up. "What do you...?"

Matthew's response was a devilish smirk before he dashed off. Raven shouted after him angrily, not caring who turned to look at him, and, angry that the brunette didn't return, slumped back against the wall, arms crossed angrily.

He glanced back over the lords' table, and his eyes met Jasmine's. She raised her eyebrows at him expectantly, as if asking him to say something, but he simply glared. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, obviously not pleased with his response. Her eyes left his when Eliwood spoke to her, and she moved his head to face him. But a moment later, her eyes flicked in Raven's direction again, before returning back to the conversation at hand.

You surely seem to care a great deal of what Jasmine thinks.

Raven snorted to himself. Ostians. They thought they knew everything.