At long last Lyn has crossed the border and entered Lycia the land of her mother's birth. Lycia itself is a federation of territories, each one ruled by a powerful marquess. Now Lyn enters one of these territories, Araphen and soon plans to set out to meet with her grandfather, the marquess of Caelin. However her uncle generic tyrant #535 has set a deadly trap for Lyn the only person who stands in the way of his mad ambition.

As Garrett recovers from his ordeal with Bug and the rest of the group is adjusting to Mark's Dragon power. The group arrived in Araphen.

"Hey where's Kent?" asked Mark.

Everyone looked away from Mark.

"Fine don't tell me then" said Mark angrily before quickly walking away and bumping into a boy with almond colored eyes and spiky blonde hair wearing a green tunic with a red coat.

"Sorry" said the boy before he walked off.

"Weird kid" said Mark he patted his pocket and noticed his wallet wasn't there.

"#$% !" shouted Mark.

Lyn sighed when she heard Mark cursing out loud.

"Ok, who did it this time?" she asked.

Everyone looked away, "You all know I will personally beat you if you keep doing this"

"Well, he's actually kind of scary…" said Wil.

"Says the one who said, 'I love you' to him" said Dorcas with a smirk.

"Says the one who tried to kill us" Wil shot back.

Dorcas and Wil glared at each other.

Lyn sighed, 'Where's Kent when you need him'

Meanwhile…..

Mark was in hot pursuit of the boy who stole his wallet. The boy turned a corner and Mark followed only to have a knife at his throat.

The boy glared at him, "Quit following me"

"Give me my wallet"

The boy growled and tossed Mark his wallet.

"And the money"

"What are you going to do if I don't?"

Mark slammed the boy into the wall, holding him by the throat.

"Do you really want to know?"

"N-n-not really"

The boy handed Mark the money and looked at him.

"You're weird"

"Says the one I just pinned to the wall"

"Whatever, bye" said the boy before he left.

Mark rolled his eyes and walked off. Mark felt danger and looked and saw Lyn and a man walking towards her.

"Lyn"

Mark ran as quickly as he could but he wasn't going to make it in time. A horse came riding up towards Lyn and the rider fired an arrow into the man's chest.

"What?!" said Lyn as she saw the dead man.

"Lyn, are you alright?" asked Mark as he ran up to her.

"I'm fine" said Lyn as she looked at the mystery man.

He looked up and caught the eyes of another man. He frowned when he noticed the way Lyn was looking at him. Was this Jealousy? Whatever he knew his place he couldn't be with Lyn… no matter what his heart may have said. "May I ask your name?" Kent asked from the side. The man looked at the pair and backed up a bit

"Wait! Why did you help me?" Again Mark frowned at this question why did he help her?

"I thought a Sacaean plainswoman was being attacked. I was mistaken." The man turned to leave when Lyn stepped forward

"No, you were right! I am from Sacae. I'm Lyn, the daughter of the Lorca chieftain." The man stopped a look of surprise on his face

"The Lorca? There were survivors?" Lyn nodded the man glanced at Lyn and her entourage

"You should leave at once. A blaze has started in the castle and it's spreading. Don't be foolish and waste the life I just saved." Mark gritted his teeth he did not like this man

"What's happening here?' The man glances at Mark

"The castle is under attack, and the marquess has been accosted. The man who attacked you was probably one of the marauders. As captain of the castle guard, it's my duty to rescue the marquess. I see… all right then, we'll help you" Lyn looks at Mark and narrows her eyes "Isn't that right Mark." Mark gritted his teeth and nodded slightly.

"We shall help you… after all the brigands are probably after us." Mark turns around and walks off hearing the man give his name as Rath. What a terrible name he thought to himself. He looked up in time to see a man run into a building. "Well well aren't you a cheeky little bastard trying to hide from the battle?" He glances back at Lyn who was running up to his side.

"Gather everyone; I have business to attend to"

Mark walked over and into the house and saw the boy.

"You, I knew you weren't just some random thief" said Mark.

"Your right about that but, how did you know?"

"You just told me"

"Damn, well the name's Matthew"

"Mark, can use a lock pick?"

"Of course I can"

"Well then, you're hired"

"It will be my pleasure" said Matthew.

Matthew ran out of the house with Mark.

Mark walked over to Lyn.

"What's the situation?"

"There's a secret tunnel that leads us directly to the throne room. However it's sealed and we'll need keys."

"Or a thief"

"Matthew go pick the lock"

"On it"

Matthew ran over to the door on the castle wall and picked the lock. Rath then ran in and hit the switch.

Mark turns to his left and saw a huge man walking up to him.

"Well well what do we have here" said the giant man.

"And who are you?"

"I am Bool and you are dead"

Mark started laughing.

"What's so funny dead man"

"I'm pretty sure that you're the dead man"

Mark's eyes flashed golden yellow with slitted pupils.

Bool thrusted his lance at Mark, only for him to grab it with his bare hands.

"WHAT?!"

Mark broke the lance in half and thrusted the lance tip into Bool, only for it to bounce off him.

"That won't work on me" said Bool laughing.

"Maybe fire will"

"What?"

"DRAGON FIRE!"

Jets of flames shot out of Marks mouth and started melting Bool's armor.

"Damn you" screamed Bool.

"Let's try something different"

Mark's right hand became covered in ice and he made it into a fist and thrusted it forward and shouted, "Ice shards" as hundreds of shards of ice shot from his fist outward and impaled Bool.

"Lord Lundgren… GAAH" said Bool before he passed.

"Here it is, Mark The hidden passageway!" She smiled at him and for a moment he smiled back before looking away again and closed his eyes.

"Yes the hidden passageway that Rath spoke of. I'm glad we found it."

They enter the throne room were the Marquess was there to greet them "Ah, it's Rath! You've done well. What a performance!" He clapped Rath on the shoulder.

"Sir… if you have praise, it should be given to this group." The Marquess looks at Mark and Lyn

"Hm? Who are you?" Lyn steps forward and bows

"My name is Lyndis. I'm pleased you're well." The marquess looks her up and down

"Oh... It's you. You're Marquess Caelin's—Leave us, Rath. I would speak with this girl." Rath looks at them and nods leaving.

"My lady I take my leave". "Mark, please can you stay" Lyn got a sad look on her face. "Yes my lady I shall" Lyn smiled "Thanks Mark"

The marquess continued, "Now... Lady Lyndis. Do you know the identity of those responsible for this uproar?"

"I believe it to be the work of my granduncle, Lundgren."

The marquess nodded, "That's exactly right. Which means my castle has been damaged in your family's petty inheritance dispute."

Lyn looked down at the floor, "My-My apologies…"

The marquess of Araphen continued. "When I heard that Lady Madelyn's daughter was in trouble, I thought to lend my assistance... I find I've changed my mind. I withdraw my offer."

In an uproar, Kent yelled. "Marquess Araphen! You gave me your word, my lord!"

The marquess eyed Kent, "...Your name is Kent, is it not? You failed to inform me of one most vital detail!"

"What's that suppose to mean" growled Mark. though not surprised, was trying to contain his ever-growing anger, he clutched his hands into fists.

The marquess spoke, "This girl does resemble Lady Madelyn, but... I didn't expect to see her so tainted with the blood of Sacae."

"What?" Lyn yelled.

"Don't you feel the marquess of Caelin would be troubled to meet this... nomadic mongrel?"

"Everyone please leave" Mark said.

"But"

"I would like to have a private chat with the Marquess, don't worry I'll be with you very soon Lyn"

Lyn nodded and lead everyone out of the room.

"What is it?"

"Marquess, what do you fear?"

"…."

"Nothing? Well, then I'll give you something to fear" said Mark as his eyes turned crimson red with slitted pupils.

"DRAGON FIRE!"

Jets of flames shot out of Mark's mouth. The Marquess looked at Mark in fear.

"If I ever hear you say something bad about Lady Lyndis ever again. I will not hesitate to burn you alive. Is that understood?"

"Y-y-yes I do" said the Marquess.

"Good" said Mark before turning and leaving the castle.

Later, as the group along with Rath was waiting outside Araphen for Mark. He walked towards them with a look of anger on his face. Lyn walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I'm just angry"

"At the Marquess, forget about him. He's nothing. As long as you're with me nothing bad will happen"

Mark felt a shiver run down his spine as he heard that, "Yeah your probably right"

"So why are you here?" said Mark pointing to Rath.

"I don't work for racist people" said Rath.

"Welcome aboard then" said Mark as he shook his hand.

"Here's to a better tomorrow" said Lyn as she kissed Mark's cheek.

"Let us hope to that" said Mark as he looked to the sky.