. Lyn advances to the border of Bern from there Lycia is not to far off. Pausing for a moment Lyn reflects on her life up until now and the grandfather she has never met.
Mark glances around an apple ever present in his hand he shakes his head and continues forward though at a slower pace to remain behind the group. Kent pointed up ahead "We've almost reached the Lycian border."
"Once we cross, we'll be safe from the bandits, right?" Lyn said glancing back slightly at Mark though not long enough for him to catch on.
"We should be I doubt they'll be willing to pursue us across the border." Everyone nodded at Will's comment after all it made the most sense.
Mark finally caught up with the group as they discussed their bedding for the night. He paused slightly as he noticed something behind them. "Persistent bunch aren't they" A group of bandits run up behind them.
"They're still after us?" Mark sighed at Will's naïveté of course they'd still be pursuing. Mark paid no mind to the idle banter playing out before him instead he was busy counting the bandits, he paused slightly he felt as though something far more horrible was coming there way. He hoped to god he was wrong
Erk sighed as he tried to catch up to Serra who had run up ahead. "Wow! A fight! A fight! Erk! Take a look! Fighting those bandits…" She tilts her head slightly looking at one figure "It's a young girl!" Erk ran up behind her and covered her mouth in a vein attempt to silence her
"Fool! Keep your voice down!" A bandit approached the pair and glanced at them
"Eh? What's this? You in league with that she-devil?" Serra seemed to glare at him. Erk sighed and rubbed his temples
"Ah… This is so wrong…" Erk muttered under his breathe.
The bandit strung up his arrow and aimed it at the pair and in response and much to Erk's surprise Serra began to scream in terror, and rushed behind Erk to hide. "Erk, Help me!" Erk covered his ear you'd think by now he'd be used to but one way or another he stood in front of Serra
"Serra! Behind me!" He looked at the bandit "Just try it" The bandit let fly an arrow which struck Erk in the shoulder he gritted his teeth but quickly muttered a spell a fire ball shot out and struck the bandit sending him flying to the ground.
Lyn and Mark looked in the direction of the scream they heard "That scream…" Mark was sweating what sort of foul beast uttered such a cry. He looked in the direction of the scream.
"Lyn lets go investigate it I think someone is in trouble" Lyn glanced at Mark and shook her head and muttered something along the lines of coward. Lyn and Mark rush forward to investigate the scream.
Serra was tending to Erk's wound "You get injured way too much Erky" she shook her head "Honestly you should be more careful" Erk glared up at her but said nothing as she healed his wound.
"Um, excuse me… Hello?" Lyn approached the pair Serra glanced up at Lyn "Why are you fighting these bandits?" Erk sighed and looked up at Lyn
"It just happened." Serra looked down at Erk and then back up at Lyn
"That's not true! Those ruffians thought that we were with you!" She points and accusing finger at Lyn "This is your entire fault and I expect you to fix it" Erk sighed and shook his head
"Serra, if you'd not been so meddlesome, this all could have been avoided." He looks up at Lyn and she could swear he had a look that screamed help me "My apologies. Please trouble yourself with us no more." Lyn looked down at him and shook her head
"But… if you're going to fight anyway, shouldn't we team up? It will certainly end things faster." Another cold chill ran down Mark's spine why did he feel as though something really horrible had just happened he shook it off and focused again on the battle.
A mischievous grin crossed Serra's face one that Erk was all too familiar with now "That's true. Yes! That's a good idea, don't you agree Erky?" Erk looked horrified "Erk! Go and help these ladies." Still horrified he stuttered hoping to think of some argument to get out of it then sighed
"Fine" Lyn nodded to the pair and after a brief introduction moved to join the fray.
With Erk and Serra's help the battle went smoothly. Mark nodded to himself bandits would be bandits he supposed nobody easy prey and even easier pickings. He didn't even need Lyn he was able to lead the battle to a swift conclusion without her being present he nodded man he was a great Tactician ha what a perfect title for himself Tactician he loved it.
A cold chill ran down his spine as Lyn approached him along with a pink haired woman. "What a surprise, you're very strong, Lyn." Lyn nods and looks at Serra
"Your staff is a wondrous thing. Healing powers amaze me."
Serra nodded enthusiastically "only those in the service of good can wield them." Lyn nods and turns around walking past Mark glancing at him slightly. "Well farewell to you two." Erk nods as they leave. Mark sighed in relief feeling as though he had dodged a bullet. He followed after Lyn not being able to be away from the pink haired girl fast enough.
Serra nods watching the group leave she shook her head she could swear Mark wanted nothing to do with her. She waved it off probably just her imagination and looked back at Erk "well, let us be on our way, Erk." She goes to walk off when a knight in green rides up to Serra's side
"What have we here? Another wildflower? Perhaps a butterfly" The all too familiar voice of Sain rang out he gasped looking at Serra "what an absolutely delectable creature!" Serra placed a hand on her chest and mock flattery Erk sighed he knew this approach all to well
"Oh my! Are you one of Lyn's companions?" Sain nods and bows lowly
"Please, call me Sain." He looked up at Serra who smiling down at him.
"I'm Serra. I serve House Ostia." She returns the bow slightly and looked back at Erk grinning from ear to ear.
"Serra… What a lyrical name. I am in service to castle Caelin." Serra looked at him for a moment gauging her response slightly before nodding
"So Lyn is a member of the marquess's family?" she rubs her chin slightly as Sain mentions that Lyn is the granddaughter of the marquess. "Such an important person it would seem." Her grin seemed to widen Erk looked at her horrified
"Serra… what deviousness are you contemplating now?" Serra looked up at Erk puzzled
"Me devious why I never. I simply want to help the nobleman that is all. After all what better person to have in your debt" She giggled and looked at Sain "Do you think we could join the lady Lyndis's company? She seems like such a nice person, and I would ever so much like to help her." Sain was beaming at the response
"Of course! We couldn't be happier!" In the distance Mark froze and began looking around Sain had vanished. He felt tears well up in his eyes something really horrible had just happened and he felt as though he was going to kill Sain. "Why, we were only just saying how we need some more fighting power!" Serra tilted her head slightly looking at Sain
"Are you being hunted or something?" Sain nods and begins to go into the details. Serra puts her hands to her lips "Oh my! Why my staff and Erk's magic could be the only thing that saves you all." Erk shook his head and began to argue but again sighed and looked down and nodded dejectedly this was going to be a long escort.
"I will go and speak with Lady Lyndis on your behalf." Sain rides off after the group Erk could only stare after him and then glanced down at Serra
"Unbelie…" He was cut off as Serra hugged him tightly again Erk blushed lightly but quickly looked away before Serra noticed
"This is fantastic, Erk! Our good deeds will earn us gratitude beyond imagining!" She let go of Erk and ran off after the group
"I… I… I think I'm going to be ill." He sighed and followed after them
Mark was now sure of it he was going to kill Sain. "You welcomed her into our band… you welcomed… that… girl… to…" He collapsed to his knees and began to weep. Lyn chuckled and walked past him
"Karma has a tendency to catch up on you Mark" I'm sure you did something or hurt someone in a past life to deserve this." She ignored Mark's death glare and walked over to chat with Serra.
'It's not like I want to break your heart Lyn I just don't need to be soft until I know who I am' thought Mark as Lyn walked away.