Mark frowned as he walked beside Serra. This Zero person had him concerned, who was he exactly? What role does he play in the current events? Mark couldn't piece together all the information that had been given to him. No bother plenty of time to sort out those mysterious later, for now he was content in the knowledge that they had a major lead to go on.
"Bah! Dark already." Hector whined how he wanted to go on.
"We'll have to stop here for the night." Eliwood stated, glancing back at the party that was assembled. "We'll set out for Laus at the first sign of sunlight."
"Very well, Lord Eliwood. I suppose this is as good a place as ever to setup camp." Mark shrugged glancing around. "Come Serra, let's get something to eat." Mark turns around and walks off. Serra looks back at Hector and Eliwood for a moment, before running off after Mark.
"So this is Caelin? You think we ought to present ourselves to Lord Hausen?" Hector asked, glancing at Mark and Serra before returning his gaze to Eliwood.
"I'm sure that Mark would love to see Lyndis again, we're simply passing through, there's no reason to make such a lengthy detour." Eliwood said.
"Lyndis?" Hector asked, rubbing the back of his head.
"Marquess Caelin's granddaughter." Eliwood stated.
"Oh, her, the missing heir who dealt with Lundgren last year, didn't you have something to do with that? Besides, why would Mark be happy to see her?" Hector queried, tilting his head slightly.
"Aye I had something to do with it, as for Mark's reasoning. Well he and Lyndis you could say are… lovers." Eliwood shrugged, Hector stared back at Eliwood stunned for a moment.
"Really nobility, involved with the lower class!" Hector exclaimed.
"You know if you have a problem with that you can always talk to me." Mark said, nodding his head slightly.
"GAH!" Hector jumped back. "Where the hell did you come from." Hector panted, trying to catch his breath. "You scared the hell outta me!"
"The whole camp can hear you." Mark chuckled biting into an apple. "But yes, despite my social status, I and Lyndis are in a relationship." Mark said trying to find the right words. "It's interesting to say the least." Mark glanced back at Serra. "Well I should be going; Serra doesn't like to be kept waiting, especially when food is involved." Mark ran off to catch up with Serra, who by now had gotten impatient and left.
Hector watched Mark run off and shook his head. "This whole time I thought he and Serra we're a couple."
"Despite the fact that Serra is his younger sister?" Eliwood asked, raising an eye brow slightly.
"Errr… when you think about it, it kinda is an odd pet name." Hector sighed. "Wait… I thought it was a platonic thing."
"Something like that, at the least they consider each other siblings so…" Eliwood dragged off.
A scream echoed throughout the forest. Eliwood and Hector began to search around for the source of the noise.
"A scream, sounds like someone is in trouble." Hector said, grabbing his axe. "Should we help out?"
"Of course." Eliwood stated gripping his sword.
The two of them ran off, in the direction of the noise. They found a pair of bandits harassing a merchant. Eliwood drew his sword and stabbed one of the bandits in the back. The bandit's eyes went wide for a while before he collapsed.
"Release him!" Eliwood shouted, pointing his sword at the bandit.
"Who-"The bandit muttered stepping forward.
"I told you to let the man go!" Eliwood advanced on his position holding his sword up. Hector took his place beside Eliwood.
"If you move quickly, we'll let you live." Hector cracked his neck, and brandished his axe.
"Ha! A pair of dandies likes you? You know what I think? Living off your parents' names, prancing about… I despise you!" The bandit spat. "Come on! Don't hold back!" He shouted running off.
"Aaaiiieeeeee!" The merchant screamed, running towards Mark. "You! They call you Mark, am I right?" The merchant asked, quivering.
"… Aye. You've some business with me?" Mark asked raising his eye brow slightly.
"I am Merlinus, a humble and lowly merchant. I know nothing of combat. Please! You must protect me." Merlinus cried, grabbing Mark by the arm.
"Very well I'll protect you." A slight grin formed on his face. "Besides, I've sat on the sidelines far too long now." Mark gripped his sword and unsheathed it. A dazzling white aura seemed to shine from the black blade. "This will be fun."
At the least, they took some of Mark's advice. The possibility of a bandit attack hadn't eluded him, so he had them set up camp in the middle of an island of sorts. The current of the river around them was quite strong so crossing it wasn't an option. This meant the only way onto the island, was through one of the three bridges. All together it was easy to defend.
"Lord Eliwood, I'll cover the right bridge, you handle the left. Everyone else guard the bottom." Mark ordered gripping the Masamune he took his place on the bridge.
"Hey boys, look at that one. Little pretty boy, thinks he can run off all on his lonesome. Should make some good sport, aye?" One of the bandits said looking around at his comrades.
Mark cracked his back and shoulders. Then signaled for the bandits to attempt to pass by him. One of the bandits gritted his teeth and charged Mark, raising his axe he let out a war cry, and swung it down on Mark. Who effortlessly sidestepped the attack, in the next motion Mark sliced the bandit across the chest and then again in the opposite direction creating a large X on the man's chest. Mark grinned as he thrust the sword forward piercing the bandit straight in the center of the X. He let go of the sword, grabbed the hilt with his other hand and pulled the sword out allowing the bandit to fall onto the bridge.
Mark swung the blade allowing the excess blood to splatter on the bridge; he grinned and looked up at the bandits. He signaled for more to attack him.
"Should we… Should we help him?" Hector asked, watching as several bandits attempted to attack Mark.
"Of course not, Lord Hector. Mark can handle himself. We'll simply cover the other bridges as we said we would." Serra cheerfully said.
"… Right." Hector shook his head and ran off into battle.
Mark jumped back avoiding a blow from one bandit, then side stepped another. He kicked the first bandit in the face sending him off the bridge and being swept away with the current. At the same time he sliced his sword cutting off the other bandit's left leg. He finished it up by twirling the blade around (in an admittedly unnecessarily showy display) and stabbed the fallen bandit in the back.
On the other bridge, Eliwood watched Mark in shock. He had heard that Mark was an excellent swordsman, but to see his skills in person, well it was simply astonishing. He jumped back just barely avoiding an attack from a nearby bandit. He had been so lost in thought, that he hadn't seen the bandit. He ducked the next attack and thrust his sword forward, stabbing the bandit in the chest. The bandit fell to the ground blood sputtering out of his chest.
"I'm not as showy as he is but, it gets the job done." Eliwood tensed and gripped his sword.
Hector raised his axe and blocked the sword of one of the bandits that had attacked him. They thought because Hector was an axe wielder he'd be slow, well they we're in for quite the surprise. Hector pushed the sword off of him, and before the bandit could recover. Hector struck him in the center of the head, he never had a chance. Hector spun around and caught the bandit that was sneaking up behind him in the ribs. The sound of bone crunching echoed through the deep night. Hector removed his axe and turned to face his remaining foes.
"Well, well it seems that I have some competition." Mark thought, pulling his sword out of another dead bandit. Hector and Eliwood were holding their own. Guy was proving to be a surprising contender. "I wonder how well he'll do." Mark grinned and went back to the fray.
Guy on the other hand was busy fighting the leader of the bandits. The leader raised his sword and brought it down on Guy, who jumped to the side avoiding it. Guy was quick to retaliate he slashed his sword catching the bandit across the chest. Guy grinned slightly, but the bandit leader wasn't done just yet. He swung his fist catching Guy in the side of the face, sending him rolling across the ground. The bandit was quick to be upon him he raised his sword and stabbed it downward. Guy swiftly rolled to one side and narrowly avoided the attack. The leader grunted in frustration and attempted to stab him again, and again Guy rolled out of the way to avoid it. However this time Guy quickly got to his feet, and thrust at the bandit leader. Who narrowly raised his sword and blocked the attack.
The bandit leader pushed Guy off of him, and charged forward raising his sword above his head. The bandit leader swung it downwards, but Guy was ready for him. He blocked the blade and parried it away. Striking quickly Guy stabbed the leader in the chest. Then with another quick motion that sliced his way out of the bandit, blood spluttered everywhere. The bandit leader could only look on in awe for a moment.
"I was… powerless to stop them…" The leader sputtered, before collapsing to the ground dead.
Guy collapsed to the ground gasping for air. Suddenly it got very hot, Guy looked up and saw a mage standing in front of him channeling a fire spell. The mage pointed his finger at Guy and the fire shot forth. Guy was too tired to avoid it; Guy closed his eyes and prepared for the inevitable. A moment passed, and then another. Then Guy opened his eyes and his mouth widened in shock.
"You know, you're very lucky I was in the area. Otherwise you might be in big trouble." Serra sighed, as she had one hand out that was holding back the fire ball. "You know, Erky's fire attacks were much stronger than yours." Serra said looking at the opposing mage, and then knocking the fire ball away.
The mage could only look on in shock, before a lance flew forward and stabbed him in the chest. The mage fell over dead, Oswin walked up beside Serra and Guy.
"I take it you two are alright?" Oswin asked, observing the two of them.
"Just peachy" Serra said with a smile on her face.
Hector knocked down a bandit, and looked down on the man.
"Blast! I won't forget this!" The bandit said running off.
"Then you're smarter then you look! Get out of here!" Hector shouted at the fleeing man.
"Are you all right?" Eliwood asked walking up to Merlinus.
"Hm?" Merlinus turned to face Eliwood. "Oho! I… I've been saved!" Merlinus shouted throwing himself on Eliwood.
"W-we've driven them off. Are you injured?" Eliwood grunted, trying to pry Merlinus off of him.
"No, not at all. As you can see, I'm as fine as fine can be." Merlinus said, letting go of Eliwood who breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad to see that. We'll take our leave then." Eliwood turned around to face Hector, and Mark.
"Let's go." Eliwood commanded, walking past the pair.
Wait a moment, please! A taken of my thanks…" Merlinus pleaded, following behind the group.
"Do not worry yourself. We did nothing to merit reward." Eliwood said, glancing back to face Merlinus.
"That's right; we've no need of a peddler's junk." Hector exclaimed.
"Hector!" Eliwood shouted, glancing back at his friend.
"Oops…" Hector muttered, skulking off.
"Ahem! I am Merlinus. You'll find no other traveling merchant whose goods compare." Merlinus boasted. "Don't let your eyes fool you; I'm quite prosperous." He continued his boasting.
"Huh? You're a merchant? Books and knives and all that, eh?" Hector chidingly remarked.
"Hector, your manners are terrible." Eliwood sighed. "Merlinus, please… Pay no mind to what this oaf has to say." Eliwood sighed, glancing back at Hector.
"No, of course not. I wasn't concerned at… Ahem! By the way, you two obviously come from highborn houses. Would you grant me the honor of your names?" Merlinus queried.
"I am Eliwood, son of the Marquess of Pherae." Eliwood bowed.
"I'm Hector. Marquess Ostia's brother." Hector slammed his fist against his chest. A warrior's salute, Mark sighed and rolled his eyes.
"I'm Mark… though you don't care about me, I'm some commoner." Mark simply shrugged and walked off.
"Goodness! Ostia! Pherae!" Merlinus stuttered, "The greatest houses in all of Lycia!" He now squealed. Oh the money he could make. "To be saved by noblemen such as yourselves… It is an honor beyond words!" He groveled
"It's nice to be appreciated for a change. Lately, people just seem to want us dead." Hector remarked. "Tell me, Merlinus, what are your plans?" Hector asked.
"Pardon? My plans, my lord? I had planned to travel Lycia selling my merchandise, but… It may not be possible in such dangerous times." Merlinus muttered, rubbing his chin.
"If that's the case, why don't you come along with us?" Hector offered. Mark and Eliwood simply raised their eyebrows.
"Our travels will not be ending anytime soon. We've gained more people and more items, right? It might be good to have help managing our things." Hector nodded in agreement with his own plan.
"… good lord, he does have a brain." Mark muttered.
"Yeah…. HEY WAIT!" Hector shouted, grabbing Mark by the collar.
"Oho! Now THAT is a splendid idea! Managing merchandise is my specialty, after all!" Merlinus stated, rubbing his chin.
"Are you sure?" Eliwood asked.
"Quite sure, my lord." Merlinus answered.
(Meanwhile in Laus)
"He wants me to do what!" Darin shouted, slamming his fist against the table.
"You read the letter, you are to attack Caelin." Ephidel replied, simply sipping from his cup.
"This Zero, he thinks to give me orders. He won't even give them in person." Darin grunted, the rage all but consuming him.
"Lord Zero is busy preparing other things. Rest assured he will arrive soon." Ephidel again calmly replied.
Darin gritted his teeth but finally sat back down. "Very well, Zero has been right in the past. If you assure me that he will arrive soon… then so be it. I'll give the order too attack Caelin."
"Excellent, Marquess Laus, just remember this is one large step in your conquest of the whole of Lycia." Ephidel said, smirking beneath his hood