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 setout 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.
Mark sighs as he walks beside Erk and Serra. "Okay Erk here does how it works out imagine if you will a triangle." Erk and Serra nod "Following the triangle from the top we have swords which beats Axes; The axes beat the lances which in turn beat swords."
"It only makes sense that way after all swords is swift and cunning weapons much faster then a slow and heavy axe wielder. The lance has a much longer range and in most cases robs the sword of its advantage. However the stronger axe doesn't need speed as such the raw power takes away the distance advantage." Erk said pondering this fact
"Good eye my young apprentice. Now remember when leading your troops you need too play to this triangle. This is the first key to becoming a good tactician." He smiled at the two of them. Over the brief time that he had known Erk and to his surprise Serra he had grown quite close to the two in particular Serra with whom he began to consider his younger sister and she seemed to consider him something of an elder brother. Have no hesitation she still annoyed the piss out of him but he could stomach it. He looked up to Lyn who was talking with Sain he quickly averted his gaze blushing slightly. When he saw Lyn look at him. Serra noticed this as well and elbowed him in the side
"What's the matter Markie having a hard time with your feelings towards Lady Lyndis?" Mark glared down at her.
"I have no feelings towards Lady Lyndis I am simply her humble tactician and nothing more." He placed his hand on his chest as though too exemplify this. Serra simply giggled and much to both of their surprise Erk chuckled as well
"Sure you don't Master Mark." Erk said grinning at him. Mark and Serra both stared at him dumbfounded. Mark looked down at Serra and shook his head
"You are a terrible influence on that poor boy." Serra chuckled and shook her head
"I am a noblewoman, if anything I am an excellent influence on Erky." She lifted her head and laughed Mark shook his head and continued forward.
"If you say so, anyways moving back onto the topic of becoming a tactician" The three of them approach Lyn's group. "Even though you should always play to the triangle never discount the abilities of your troops. A master swordsman can beat an excellent Lancer." He frowned and looked up the castle was on fire. "Well that's not good." He runs up to Lyn's side a dead man was laying in front of her an arrow in the man's back. "What happened here?"
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.
"There's a secret tunnel that leads us directly to the throne room. However it's sealed and we'll need keys." Mark grins and points to the house up ahead.
"We have company Lady Lyndis someone seeks to hide from the battle. I think it would be a good idea to recruit him." He chuckles and walks towards the building. "Milady Lyndis normally I would send my dear sister Serra to talk to this man however she's busy healing. So would you be so kind as to recruit this man for me." Lyn stares at him for a moment then nods running off.
"As for the rest of you. Try not to get yourselves killed I have a plan for this situation." He was grinning looking at the building as Lyn and the mysterious man ran out. "As I thought you were a thief heh and with that taken care we have our way in. The rest of you I won't bother being to complex with my plans. Don't get yourselves killed." Mark walks away from the battle this one was too simple with an entry way he wouldn't need to do much work. Pulling out an apple he bites into it and listens to the sounds of victory "All to easy." He bites into the apple
"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"
he 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?"
"TAKE THAT BACK NOW!" roared Mark in rage. Lyn looked at Mark with surprise. "If you have a problem with her, you have a problem with me you-"
"Mark hold" ordered Kent. "My apologies, my lord Marquess."
he marquess scoffed. "Your tactician is..."
"I am what? you -" yelled Mark, but a elbow from Kent silenced him.
"Marquess Araphen!" Kent yelled. "Please... If you would grace us with your aid…"
The marquess spoke, "... I hear Marquess Caelin is ill and abed. I question whether he will survive to meet this girl. In which case, his brother, Lundgren, will claim his title. And I certainly wish to avoid trouble with the coming marquess."
"You scheming…" Began Sain.
"Sain!" Kent reprimanded.
Lyn spoke, "I understand, Kent, Sain, Went, we take our leave at once."
Mark, stunned, turned to face Lyn.
Kent spoke, "Milady Lyndis! We…"
Lyn yelled at the marquess, "I am proud of the Sacaen blood that runs through my veins. I will NOT accept aid from one who disparages my heritage." With that, Mark gave a death glare at the marquess then walked her outside the throne room.
He cracked his neck and approached Matthew. "Well, well we have a thief in our midst" Matthew looks up at Mark and grins
"Quite the eye you got on you. Mark was it, the lady mentioned you." His grin widened "With some degree of emotion at that. Heheheh seems the two of you have quite the relationship." Mark narrowed his eyes
"It seems I'm not the only one with a sharp Eye Matthew. It would be wise of you to watch your tongue on such a matter." He turns around and walks away. "I trust you will aid us until we no longer have use of you Matthew?" Matthew chuckles and nods
"Oh yes the lady paid me very nicely, besides I'm dying to see how this works out between the two of you." Mark looks back at him and chuckles walking forward.
"Two new members to our little circle of friends. First the thief and now Rath." He grits his teeth at the mention of Rath's name "I-I should be happy for her they are of the same blood." He watch's Lyn and Rath speak noting just how happy she looks with Rath. "After all we cannot be together Lyn… even though he is far from nobility." Mark looks at his hand. "He's more then I am. Far more then I will ever be." He nods to himself his conviction even stronger then before. "I do wish you the best Milady Lyndis when this is all over. I think it the end of us." He turns around to face Serra who was only smiling up at him
"Nice monologue, I rather enjoyed it Markie." She giggled and walked past him. "However I'm not giving up on you two just yet." She clenches her fist and with a look of resolve she looks back at Mark. "I'm going to see to it that you admit your feelings to Lady Lyndis and that she returns them." Mark sighed he would argue but he knew all too well how Serra was. Sighing he trudged along behind her, this would not end well for him