Mark starred at Matthew and blinked his eyes
"Run that by me one more time." Mark says tilting his head slightly
"Which part?" Matthew says staring at Mark
"From the beginning… about Lyndis's grandfather," Mark says.
"He's been abed for nigh on three months now." Matthew says looking at Lyn
"Grandfather…" Lyn looks down.
"I heard an interesting rumor about his condition, though. The people believe that someone's been poisoning the marquess…" Matthew says, all Mark does is raise an eyebrow
"It would only make sense, its Lyn's granduncle correct?" Mark says glancing at Lyn then at Matthew.
"Aye you're a clever one." Matthew says grinning slightly.
"I try, my best Matthew." Mark grins back Matthew.
"But the worst news is yet to come. An imposter's appeared, claiming to be the marquess's granddaughter." Matthew says looking at Lyn.
"A double, of that I have no doubt." Mark says biting into an apple.
"This means that people are waiting for two traitorous knights and a baseborn child to appear and lay claim to Castle Caelin." Matthew says, shaking his head.
"Traitors? Us? Ridiculous!" Kent says, for the first time betraying his emotions.
"He says… I'm an imposter?" Lyn mutters, looking up at Matthew.
"Don't you have anything that proves your lineage?" Matthew says observing Lyn.
"When my mother joined the Lorca, she brought nothing of Lycia with her." Lyn again mutters shaking her head.
"Milady, Marquess Araphen himself remarked at your resemblance." Sain says
"They'll say we found a look-alike somewhere…" Kent mutters shaking his head. Mark almost chuckled at Sain's foolishness.
"We're seen as betrayers of our knightly vows. Our word means nothing." Kent mutters as he looks down.
"No, our only hope is to see Marquess Caelin himself." Kent says looking up at the group.
"We must hurry. If not, my grandfather… I must see him! With my last breath if need be." Lyn says clenching her fist.
"… Yes, then it shall be done milady Lyndis." Mark mutters walking off. Lyn stared at Mark's retreating form and sighed.
"We'll need a plan; the troops patrolling the castle will be troublesome." Matthew mutters.
"I've got it! Eliwood… He seemed sympathetic to our plight." Lyn says, closing her eyes for a second deep in thought.
"He should still be in Kathelet. If we can talk to him, he might help us!" Lyn says
"Of course! A sound idea." Kent says the others all agree to Lyn's plan.
(Sometime later, outside of Kathelet.)
Kent and Sain waited out front, while Mark and Lyndis entered Kathelet.
"Traitors to our vows… can you believe it Kent?" Sain mutters, shaking his head.
"Lord Lundgren… would go to great lengths, to get what he desires." Kent says, lost in thought.
"Aye, it would seem so." Sain sighs looking up at the rolling clouds. Then back at the party that has set up camp.
"Hmmmm…" Sain tilts his head slightly.
"What is it, Sain?" Kent says looking up at his companion.
"Oh… tis nothing, I just noticed that Erk and Serra aren't together." Sain says, glancing at Kent.
"So what of it?" Kent says
"Oh it's just that, since joining up with us the two of them have been joint at the hip." Sain chuckles looking at Kent.
"Tis seem to be a lover's quarrel." Sain chuckles and rubs his face.
"Perhaps I can use this to my advantage and finally, hook up with the love of my life." Sain chuckles running his hand through his hair.
"It's odd that you have such free time Sain." Kent mutters shaking his head.
"Watching the ladies is what I do, more interesting however, is Master Mark and Lady Lyndis." Sain says, a grin on his face as he points to Eliwood leaving.
"… What do you mean Master Mark and Lady Lyndis?" Kent says tilting his head slightly.
"My dear friend, you have not seen it?" Sain says grinning at Kent.
"S-seen what… he is simply our tactician." Kent mutters shaking his head.
"Don't be so naive, Kent." Sain says wagging his finger.
"The two of them are quite clearly in love, and yet Master Mark keeps Lady Lyndis at a distance. Most likely as she is of noble birth and he a commoner." Sain says shaking his head
"Honestly, status should have nothing to do with anything. If you love somebody you should be with them." Sain mutters shaking his head.
"E-enough of this… they return to us." Kent says walking up to Lyn and Mark. Sain chuckles and follows after him.
"All right, everyone! Let's get going!" Lyndis shouts in a rare moment of command. Mark behind her simply chuckles
"Yes, yes a wise idea. I believe the weather will turn on us, Milady Lyndis." Mark says adding a mock bow to it. Lyn simply glares at him.
"This is no good. If the fog thickens, we'll be blind in battle. It will be difficult to fight what we cannot see." Kent mutters looking up at the sky.
"We can't let it delay us, though. Let us press on. We must get closer to the castle. What's the best route?" Lyndis says, ignoring Mark's snide remarks.
"Let me think… Our best path is to the south." Kent mutters looking at a map.
"However, that runs through General Eagler's estate. It looks like we still have one final obstacle to pass." Kent sighs furling up the map.
"Dorcas, Lucius you two sit this one out. Florina and Matthew I will need you two to scout." Mark says rubbing his chin a grin crossing his face.
"However… Sain, Kent. I have a task for you two." Mark says glancing at the pair.
".. Yes my Lord?" Kent says, looking up at Mark.
"You two will take Eagler… personally." Mark turns off and walks beside Lyndis.
"… very well Milord." Kent mutters bowing and mounting up his horse.
"Wait… someone approaches." Kent shouts back to Mark who approaches with Lyndis at his side.
"You've come…" A large bald man says approaching Lyndis.
"Kent, who is this?" Lyndis says looking at Kent.
"He used to be the commander of the knights of Caelin. His name is Lord Wallace." Kent says looking back at Lyndis.
"Aren't you supposed to be retired? I heard you were sowing fields now." Sain says riding up next to Wallace.
"I am, and I was. Then I received orders from Lord Lundgren. I was told to capture an imposter and a pair of rogue knights." Wallace says hefting up his spear.
"Lord Wallace!" Kent says readying his own Spear, Seproth simply observed the old general.
"Surely, you don't believe us to be oath breakers, do you?" Kent says ready to fight.
"Bring me the girl that claims to be Lady Madelyn's child." Wallace demands.
"And if we refuse? Then what will you do" says Mark.
"Oh, so a smart mouth well I'll clean that look off your face" said Lord Wallace..
"Enough, I am Lyndis." Lyndis says gripping the hilt of her sword.
"Ah…" Wallace says observing the girl.
"I'll understand if you don't believe me. But I've had enough of you and your foolish posturing!" Lyndis says drawing her blade.
"Hmm… Such beautiful eyes…" Wallace says a smile crossing his features. Lyndis takes a step back
"Pardon?" She says a slight blush on her cheeks.
"I've been a knight for 30 years, and there is one thing I learned. A person with eyes as bright and true as yours is no deceiver." Wallace says the smile growing wider. Before he bursts out into laughter.
"Ah, yes! I like you girl! Why, I believe I'll even join your little band of mercenaries!" Wallace shouts before bursting into laughter again.
"Ahhh wonderful, Its good to have you onboard Lord Wallace. You'll be aiding the rest of my troops." Mark says taking a step forward. Biting into his apple.
"Sain, Kent you two have your orders. Lord Wallace with me." Mark says and marches to the north with Lyndis.
"Right… we should be on our way." Kent mutters riding off with Sain.
"I don't get it, Kent." Sain mutters running through another opponent.
"Why are we to go after General Eagler?" Sain said almost whining.
"Most likely, because Master Mark knows who he is." Kent mutters running through an enemy.
"Well that makes even less sense…" Sain mutters, they were now within sight of General Eagler's estate.
"It's a test; he's testing to see just how far we've come. Can we beat the man that trained us… can we kill him?" Kent says looking up at Sain.
"… Such a cruel test." Sain mutters looking down at the ground.
"Stay focused Sain." Kent shouts at Sain.
"We've reached General Eagler's estate… I'll flank around to the right you flank the left. We'll catch him in a pincer. A simple plan." Kent says riding off
"As you say…" Sain mutters stabbing one of Eagler's personal guards.
"I still don't like it, Kent." Sain says riding up to the mansion.
The two knights met up in front of Eagler's estate.
"Alright… I'll charge in and fight General Eagler." Kent says looking at Sain
"What do I do?" Sain asks tilting his head.
"When the timing is right, use that javelin of yours, and end the fight." Kent says looking at Sain
"Alright… not the most noble of approaches but… I can handle it." Sain says gripping his javelin.
General Eagler was awaiting the pair at the front gate. Kent narrowed his eyes and charged in.
"Kent! Is that you?" Eagler shouted at Kent, readying his weapon.
"General Eagler!" Kent shouts charging at the General
"We found Lady Lyndis on the orders of the marquess. We've worked so very hard to return her safely to Caelin." Kent says hoping to talk the General down.
"And yet you have no proof of the girl's identity." Eagler says shaking his head
"Is that not true?" Eagler said tilting his head slightly.
"Yes, but…" Kent mutters
"Then our talk is finished! Draw your weapon and come!" Eagler says gripping his own Javelin and rushing Kent.
"Very well…" Kent says gripping his Lance and thrusting it at Eagler.
"To Slow, Kent!" Eagler shouts, dodging the thrust and countering with his own, catching Kent in the shoulder.
"General Eagler…" Sain says readying his javelin.
"Sain… I never imagined you could turn traitor…" Eagler says shaking his head and removing his spear from Kent's shoulder.
"Who's the traitor here? I am following the orders of my sworn liege lord. Not Lundgren, but my true liege, the marquess himself!" Sain says rearing back his Javelin.
"You speak with conviction. I think it's time to test the bounds of your loyalty!" Eagler says rearing back his own javelin.
Sain throws first… and misses. Eagler chuckles and throws his javelin catching Sain in the shoulder knocking him off his horse.
"Tch… I thought I trained you two better then this." Eagler says shaking his head.
"You must forgive them General Eagler." Lord Wallace says stepping up behind the pair.
"Lord Wallace… why have you come?" Sain mutters gripping his bleeding shoulder.
"Master Mark sent me to watch over you two…" Lord Wallace says looking at General Eagler.
"You too Lord Wallace." Eagler says gripping his Javelin.
"I choose to serve my true liege… not a usurper like Lundgren." Lord Wallace says gripping his axe tightly.
"I… Very well then, I declare you and all of your ilk traitors. Come do your worst!" Eagler shouts charging Wallace.
"At the very least… General Eagler… let my blow be the one to end this." Wallace sighs closing his eyes. He dodges General Eagler's attack, raises his axe slicing the Javelin in half he then swings the blade connecting with General Eagler's chest plate. The axe cuts right through piercing General Eagler's chest. The General gasps and falls from his horse.
"Forgive me my old friend…" Lord Wallace says closing his eyes and walking away. General Eagler grits his teeth and stands up blood pouring out of his chest and mouth. He grabs a small hand axe and raises it up charging Lord Wallace.
"AHHHHHH!" Eagler shouts, the only warning Wallace would get… the sound of blade clashing with blade.
"General Eagler… to have fallen so far behind as to launch a sneak attack on an unaware opponent." Kent says sighing as he uses his sword to knock General Eagler's sword out of his hand. Before thrusting it and piercing through General Eagler's chest.
"Nnng… Go… Go quickly. The marquess… He knows nothing of this… His life is… There's no illness. Only poison… Please… for the marquess… for all of Caelin…" General Eagler collapses, Sain runs over to his side.
"Kent… Sain…" Eagler mutters slightly opening his eyes one last time.
"I'm… so… proud of you two… You've become such… fine knights." Eagler says a smile crossing on his lips.
"To have lived… long enough… to see you two… come this… far. Now go… save our country…" Eagler closes his eyes… for the last time.
"We will… General… we will save the country you loved…" Kent says placing his hand on his chest, Sain doing the same. Lyndis and Mark approach the pair.
"What kind of man was General Eagler?" Lyn says walking up to them.
"When Sain and I first became knights, he was our captain. Our teacher…" Kent says looking down.
"I think he must have known we were telling the truth. Why did he force the fight?" Lyndis says looking at the pair.
"Something must have… Lord Lundgren was exerting some hold on him…" Sain said clenching his fist.
"Eagler was trying to protect someone. A friend perhaps or family." Sain said shaking his head. Kent could say nothing. Lyndis clenched her fist.
"May Lundgren never know the peaceful embrace of Mother Earth! I care not what others do. I WILL stop that man." Lyndis says walking off. Seproth could only watch her retreat.
"… I pray… When the time comes my dear, dear Lyn." Mark says closing his eyes.
"That you do not… end his life, if you do that. You will be no better then him." Mark opens his eyes, and walks off.