Serra sighed as she kneeled down beside Erk. Erk had been hit by an arrow. Serra being the dutiful healer took to the task of healing him. Erk flinched as Serra applied pressure to the wound.
"Oh stop it you big baby. If you want it to heal properly you're going to have to try and not flinch." Serra chided. A healing light coming out of the tip of her staff. Erk could feel the pain start to dissipate; he calmly looked up at Serra.
"Still you don't have to be so rough with me." Erk muttered defensively. Serra simply sighed and continued to heal Erk. Erk gazed at her for a moment. Serra looked up at Erk and raised an eyebrow.
"What is it Erk? It's not polite to stare. I thought you would have learned that by now." Serra said in a chastising way. However one could sense a degree of... malice in her voice.
Erk shook his head then glanced up at Serra. "You've been acting strange ever since I rejoined the army is there something bothering you?" He asked tilting his head slightly to look Serra in the eyes. Before Serra could respond the sound of someone approaching them caused her to halt. They looked up to see Lucius standing there with a smile on his face he kneeled down. Behind Lucius was Priscilla and an unknown swordsman.
Erk waved at Priscillia who smiled and waved back the swordsman frowned as did Serra unknown to Erk and Lucius. "Erk I'm sorry to hear that you are wounded. Though I am comforted to see that Sister Serra here is healing you." Lucius turns and smiles at Serra who after a moment returns the smile.
"Oh why thank you for the compliment Lucius. *giggle* you are to kind flattery will get you nowhere though." Serra giggled cutely and looked back at Priscillia and the swordsman. "Oh hello Lady Priscilla and ummmm... who is your scary friend?" Serra asked tilting her head slightly looking at the swordsman.
The swordsman frowned and gripped his sword but Priscilla placed her hand on his shoulder and shook her head. The swordsman grunted and released the sword. Lucius walks towards them rubbing the back of his head. "This is Lor..." a grunt from behind Lucius causes him to pause in mid-sentence. That is to say this is lord Raven. He is a mercenary that I had hired to protect me. You see I was ready to go on a journey of sorts and lord Raven is a well-known mercenary and he agreed to aid me." Lucius quickly said panting slightly.
Raven sighed and stepped in between them. "What he says is the truth. However since this Lucius will be joining your group. I to shall accompany him until my job is done here. I trust we have no problems." Raven said rather harshly. It was Priscilla's turn to sigh. "Well then I'll be taking my leave of you. Priscilla, Lucius come we're going." Raven ordered walking off. Priscilla and Lucius glanced at each other than bowed offering a quick goodbye to the pair before following after Raven.
Erk raised his eye brow and shrugged looking at Serra. "You know for a second Serra. You had me fooled I thought you were ups..." Erk paused as Serra turned to look back at him. Any trace of her usual bubbly attitude gone.
"You know Erk this flirting thing you do will avail you nothing you know." Serra said rather coldly. She crossed her arms and looked down at Erk. "You know why? Both Lord Eliwood and Lord Hector are captivated by my charm. If they found out that you were trying to... conquest me. They'd be most displeased. Of course my big brother would also be upset. Why I bet he'd order you to the front lines." She smirked at Erk who only look back confused.
"Serra... what are you talking about?" The confusion quite evident in his voice. Though by the looks of Serra she would have none of it.
"Don't play Coy Erk. I know you've wanted to be with me since we first met. It's too bad I want nothing to do with someone of your low... status." Serra snapped picking up her staff and walking away. "Honestly a man should just take a hint and bugger off when he's not wanted." Serra glared back at Erk before leaving.
Erk simply blinked in confusion. "What the hell just happened?"
(elsewhere)
Mark taps the king piece on the chess board before him. He stared at the young woman before him with an indeterminable look. "You're a spy for Ostia within the ranks of the black fang?" Mark asked his tone neutral.
The woman nods and looks down at the floor. "Lord Uther believed they were a threat so he sent me to infiltrate the black fang." The spy said bowing her head.
Mark frowned and stopped tapping the piece on the board he leaned back in his chair and rested his fist against the side of his face. "Lord Hector... I trust you were uninformed in this girl's... involvement?"
Hector nods and glances over at the spy. "Leila is one of our top spies. She reports directly to my brother I have no involvement and am usually kept out of the loop." Hector responded the last part a bit begrudgingly.
Mark smirked. "No doubt with very good reason Hector." Mark chuckled and walked over to standby Lyn he leaned over and whispered something into her ear. She giggled lightly before whispering back into Mark's ear who laughed lightly.
Hector was less then pleased. "Hey if you've got something to say, say it to my face. Don't go whispering around in front of me." Hector barked glaring at the two. Who put on their most innocent faces.
"What? We're not talking about you, we're talking about... Sain?" Lyn said glancing at Mark for some degree of support. Mark simply nodded and offered not another word.
Leila cleared her throat and the attention in the room returned to her. "Anyways I do know where Marquees Laus and Zero are heading." At this Mark raised an eye brow and returned to his seat.
"You know where they are heading. You should have said so in the first place. So where exactly are they going?" Mark asked again resting his fist against the side of his face.
Leila glanced up at Mark. "They are heading to an island called valor." she responded quickly glancing down at the floor. She didn't know why but something about the way Mark's attitude changed in regarding Zero unnerved her.
Mark frowned at the mention of the island of Valor. "Valor... no sailor in their right mind would take us there. That island is allegedly cursed. Mark... what do you intend to do?" Eliwood asked stepping up to look Mark in the eyes. "That is no doubt their hideout... no doubt my father is there."
Mark looked Eliwood in the eyes. "Your right no sane sailor would take us to the Dread isles." Mark smirked as an idea entered his head. "However I think I have an idea. We'll be heading to the nearest port town." He stood up and walked over to Lyn. He whispered something into her ear again and she nodded. She turned and began to leave. "We're going to go check on Lord Hausen. Gather up whatever belongings you need we'll be leaving within the hour." Mark ordered turning to Leila. "You should hurry back to the black fang. Leave us what clues you can Leila. Just be careful..." Mark said an odd softness in his voice. He turned and followed after Lyn who had already gone on ahead.
Leila said nothing for a moment and turned to Hector. "With your leave Lord Hector?"
"You better do as Mark said; if you're gone to long it will look suspicious." Hector replied nodding to Leila. Who bored and made her leave.
"Brother..." Hector muttered under his breathe he quickly lost himself in his own thoughts. Eliwood glanced over at his friend he sighed and walked out of the throne room to inform the rest of their group what the plan was.
(Elsewhere in the castle)
Mark and Lyn where not going to check up on Lord Hausen. Well that's not quite true the original intention was to visit Lord Hausen. As soon as they were out of eyesight they decided that they were separated far too long and promptly let themselves succumb to a moment of passion embracing and kissing very passionately. After they broke apart Lyn rested her head against Mark's chest. Mark gently running his hand through her hair.
"It's been far too long Mark. I've missed you so much." Lyn whispered against his chest snuggling against him. Mark smiled down at her kissing her lightly on the head.
"I know Lyn. Every moment I've been away from you as been agony. But at last we are together again. I only wish that it was under better circumstances." Mark said. Leaning down to kiss her again. Which she happily returned.
"The truth is I'm just happy to see you again." Lyn looked into Mark's eyes and smiled. "After all of this is done... will you be leaving again?" her tone somewhat unreadable. Though Mark knew what she was feeling.
"I don't know yet Lyn... There's still much... I don't remember." He said looking at the ground. Lyn sighed and reached up to caress his face.
"Your memories will eventually return Sep. I'm sure of it. Just don't..." she looked him in the eyes. "Don't leave me again.""
Mark nodded slightly. "I... let us get through this coming trial. We don't know what the Marquess Laus is planning. However I do know this Lyn. My past is tied to the Black Fang. Perhaps the dread isle will reveal everything."
Lyn smiles slightly and takes Mark by the hand. "Come on Mark we told them we were going to check on my grandfather. We can't have them become to suspicious." She giggles lightly as she drags Mark along. "It's a good thing that Leila was here to save him... otherwise." she frowns and looks down at the ground. Mark lifts her head slightly to face him he leans forward and kisses her.
"We needn't think about what could have been... Your grandfather is still alive. His will to live is admirable Lyn." Mark said soothingly, kissing her again. "Now come on, no need to pout my love."
Lyn smiles at Mark and the two walk off to see Lyn's grandfather.
(Elsewhere)
Zero stood on a dock overseeing the loading of their ship. "If my hunch is correct they'll be able to guess our destination. Finding a vessel shouldn't be too hard in fact I'm sure he'll find a crew to take them there. Ephidel is our escort ready?" Ephidel appeared beside Zero and nodded.
"Yes master on top of which the rumor has been spread nicely. I have no doubt in my mind that Eliwood and his friends will be stalled. With that fool and his men in the way. I have no doubt in my mind that everything should go just as you planned." Ephidel reported kneeling beside his master.
"Excellent work as always Ephidel. We'll have another advantage in that I do believe Mark will be decommissioned on the sea." Zero smirked beneath his helmet the only sign of his mirth was a chuckle as he boarded the boat. Ephidel watched his master he was curious as to why Zero was so sure Mark would be a non-factor.
"Without Mark they'll have no one to give them commands. Though I doubt the troops we have on that boat will be able to best them. We should reduce their numbers at least somewhat. Then again it is possible... I do hope they make it to the curtain call. I would be most displeased if they didn't see the grand finale. Oh well one way or another our plans will come to fruition whether or not we have an audience." Zero said offering a slight shrug of his shoulders. Ephidel could only nod in response. The two of them boarded the boat and moments late it set sail vanishing into the fog.
(Back at the castle)
Guy was sitting with his back up against a wall his head staring up at the ceiling. He was deep in thought following the most recent battle. He had encountered that new mercenary that had apparently been hired by Mark to aid them in the battle. He didn't like that man there was something about him that gave him a sinking feeling in his stomach. Guy shook his head it didn't matter the mercenary was fighting for them right? That's that mattered.
"... Ummmm" A soft voice spoke up beside him.
"GAH!" Guy suddenly shot up and began gasping for breath. He was so deep in thought that he hadn't realized that somebody had approached him. He looked at the girl. It was the small priestess from before. He must have been in her path he bowed and turned to leave.
"No wait... come back." The girl said quickly holding out her hand to him.
Guy turned to give her a puzzled look. "Hm?"
She fidgeted with her hands a little bit before walking up to him. "Your right cheek is cut." She offered gently lifting her hand to touch his face. After a brief moment he felt her working her healing powers. "There, that should do it."
Guy raised his hand to touch his cheek but said nothing. He glanced up at her still very much confused.
"My name is Priscilla. Please don't be afraid to tell me when you are hurt. Farewell." She bows hastily and runs off.
"... but it was barely a scratch... strange girl." Guy muttered shaking his head. It was then that he felt a dark presence behind him. He glanced behind him to see that red headed mercenary. The mercenary was glaring at him. Yet he offered not a word and simply left. Guy narrowed his eyes and wiped at his cheek. "Very odd..."
(Somewhere else in the castle)
Rebecca was sitting on the ground polishing her arrows and muttering something to herself. Something about her brother being a jerk and her old friend Wil being an even bigger jerk... why just earlier that day.
(Flashback)
It was just after the battle out in front of the castle. She had spotted her fellow archer and after a moment of deliberation she ran up to him. "Wil!" she shouted out to him waving. He blinked confused and glanced over at her.
"Oh, ah... you." He muttered, he scratched the back of his head and looked up at Rebecca. "So, umm, what is your name?"
Rebecca grinned at him in response. "Rebecca!" She responded perhaps too cheerily.
"Hunh? So your name IS Rebecca?" Wil scratched his nose and shrugged. "What a coincidence! I used to know a..."
"That's what I'm saying! I am that Rebecca!" She interrupted smiling at him. All he could do was shot her a confused look.
"What? But didn't you say earlier that you didn't know me?" Wil responded confused blinking his eyes unsure of what else to say.
"I did, but..." She trailed off quickly glancing away, blushing perhaps? "Come on! How could I have the same face and the same name as her? Just believe me!"
Wil could only blink. "So it is you, Rebecca?" Rebecca nodded quickly in response. Wil tilted his head. "Well, but... Then why didn't you say so?! It's been so long!"
Rebecca frowned and glared at him angrily. "Don't give me that "been so long" stuff!" She said using an exaggerated version of Wil's voice leaving the young archer even more confused. "You left saying you were going on a journey, and I never heard from you again!" She muttered angrily
"Oh yeah..." He blinked and rubbed the back of his head offering her an innocent if not apologetic smile. "I enlisted in the Caelin army..." He responded sheepishly.
Rebecca blinked. "In the army? You did?"
"Yeah, I traveled for a few years, and now I work for Lyn." Wil said casually. He glanced up at the ceiling not noticing the darkening of Rebecca's mood.
"Lyn..." She clenched her fist and looked up at him. "You mean Lady Lyndis?"
Wil snapped his finger and grinned. "Yeah, right." He chuckled nervously and glanced around. "I keep forgetting to use her full name and title. You know, I am in her service..." He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I really should get her title, correct..."
Rebecca glared down at the ground saying nothing. Wil noticed this and looked at her. "Rebecca? What's wrong?" He blinked was her face red? "Why is your face all-?"
Rebecca glared up at him shocking Wil. The next thing Wil knew she kicked him in the stomach and he fell hard. She shouted something along the lines of idiot and stormed off. Wil grabbed his stomach in pain looking up at her retreating form. "You... kicked me... in the stomach..."
(End flashback)
Rebecca was still muttering under her breathe she had finished cleaning her arrows and was walking down the hall way. She frowned and grabbed for her bow. She had to get her mind off Wil so she began to adjust her bowstring. When she suddenly tripped doing the only thing that came to mind she screamed in surprise. Shocking the young mercenary that had been resting against the nearby wall. "What in blazes...?" He muttered opening his eyes and seeing the young archer lying in front of him.
She got up and offered him a sheepish smile. Rubbing the back of her head. "Ah! I'm sorry! Did I disturb your rest?" She bowed hastily in apology as he only shook his head.
"No... That's not it- Why are you dismantling your weapon?" He asked shaking his head at the confusing child.
"Ah, um, it's just- my bowstring was getting lax. I was trying to change it with another, you see..." She frowned slightly rubbing the back of her head. "I'm just not very good at stringing..."
The mercenary sighed and held out his hand. "Hand me that." She blinked in surprise but did as she was told and gave him the bow. After a moment he restrung the bow. "There... that should do it?" He said holding the bow back to her. After she took it he watched her carefully. "Give her a pull to see if she's not too tight?"
Rebecca nodded and tested her bow. She was surprised at just how perfect of a job he had done. "Ah, yes! It's perfect! Thank you so much!" She blinked and realized she didn't know his name.
Sensing as much the mercenary sighed and turned around walking off. "Raven." was his one worded reply.
Rebecca nodded at his retreating form. "Sir Raven, my name is Rebecca."
"I know, When someone joins your army-" He turns back to look at her "you should at least know his face." He sighed and looked over to see the tactician talking to Eliwood, Hector and Lyndis. "Especially in a rag-tag bunch such as this."
Rebecca glanced down at the ground blushing in embarrassment. "Ah... I-I'm sorry. I'm... I'm not even a proper mercenary..."
Raven sighed and turned to look at her. "I don't know why you're here... But a soldier who can't take care of his own weapons has no place on the battlefield." Was the harsh reply from Raven he turned to leave but stopped. "A soldier who can't control their emotions also has no place on the battlefield."
Realizing he may have been a tad too harsh he sighed. "If you need anything, ask me, I'll do what I can."
She only nodded in response. With that Raven finally took his leave.
Rebecca stared at the ground for a moment. "Scary... But maybe not all that bad inside?" She suddenly grinned. "Sure liked what I saw on the outside!" She giggled lightly to herself before slinging her bow on her shoulder and running off.
(Back in the throne room)
Mark and Lyn finally returned. Lyn said that her grandfather was doing well and recovering. Mark sighed and moved to the throne sitting down he picked up a chess piece and began tapping it against the side of the board. Lyn frowned as Mark looked deep in thought.
"So let's review Leila's information. Before we make any move we at least know that Eliwood's father is still alive. We also know that the Black Fang used to be a group of assassin's who worked for the common good of the people. However about a year ago the leader of the Black Fang Brendan Reed got married again. Since his new marriage the Black Fang has changed. Now they'll take on any target, no matter how difficult, as long as their paid of course." He stops tapping the piece against the board and glances up. "And they're no longer killing only criminals; anyone is a fair target."
Mark rested his fist against his chin. "A man by the name of Nergal is behind reed's wife. It would appear that Nergal is having the Black Fang run around Lycia performing tasks for him. I do not know what his objective is. I however believe that it is this Nergal that is responsible for the attack that slew my brother and disbanded my little... group." Mark replied his tone betraying no emotion. He folded his hands in front of himself. "On top of which Nergal has recruited this mysterious Zero to aid him in his tasks. Zero's apprentice Ephidel is one of Nergal's most trusted retainers. I do not know how loyal Zero is to Nergal. However I do know that it was Zero and Ephidel's manipulations that tricked Laus into rebelling against Ostia. With that Laus recruited several neighboring kingdoms to aid them. The first to answer this plot was none other than Marquess Santaruz. After Marquess Santaruz came Lord Elbert, Marquess of Pherae." At this Mark looked up at Eliwood who looked down at the ground.
"That my father would endorse this plan..." Eliwood muttered darkly. Lyn placed a gentle hand on Eliwood's shoulder. Mark sighed and simply shrugged.
"We do not know that your father endorsed the plan. We only know that he is on the Dread Isle with Marquess Laus and presumably this Nergal character. You've already made up your mind you will be going after your father is that right Eliwood?" Eliwood nodded in response. As did the other nobles. Mark glanced at Lyn and sighed. Sensing his concern she shook her head.
"Laus must be stopped. Otherwise, they might target my grandfather again." She paused and looked away from Mark. "I also wish to help Eliwood's father. Losing a parent... It's unbearable pain." Mark sighed and stood up and walked over to Lyn. He took her hand and kissed it gently.
"As for myself I will obviously be going. We know that Zero is working alongside the black fang. Since Zero has only recently appeared amongst them. We can only assume that Zero is in league with Nergal. I believe many of the answers I seek will be found on the Dread Isle. We have Leila still acting as a spy. No doubt she will report back to us." Mark said resting his hand on his chin. "As for your grandfather Lyn. We'll let the world think he's dead for the time being. It'll be the most prudent way of defending him."
Lyn nodded in response and Mark took her by the hand. He gently led her out of the room she followed after him smiling slightly. Eliwood and hector simply rubbed the back of their heads and looked away.
"Gee... a year is a long time I guess." Hector muttered under his breath. Eliwood only sighed at his friend.
"Really Hector..." Eliwood sighed and walked out of the room.
"What... it's the truth you know." Hector said in haste following after Eliwood.
(Elsewhere in the castle)
Matthew had bumped into Leila on her way out. "Is that you, Leila?"
She turned and looked at Matthew and smiled at him. "Matthew. It's been a long time."
"What have you been doing? More dangerous work?"
"We're spies, Matthew. Everything we do is dangerous." Leila replied as though the answer should have been obvious. Matthew only nodded his head. Though he quickly changed his tone rubbing the back of his head.
"So how long do you think this mission's going to last?" Matthew asked casually looking away from her.
"We have the same objective Matthew: to rescue Marquess Pherae." Leila responded looking at Matthew who still wouldn't look at her. He sighed and finally looked her in the eyes.
"Leila... you can't... you can't keep doing this. I mean... think about..."
"I do think about her... I do nothing but think about you two... but I... these people are dangerous. I can't let them run around and risk everything I love." Leila looked up at Matthew she tried her best to keep her expression neutral but she was failing. "What about you Matthew, you continue this trend of work. You still put yourself in dangerous situations. How can you tell me to stop when you're in as much danger as I am."
Matthew frowned and looked down. "I'm a man... it's my duty to provide for my family. Besides a child should have a mother. I grew up without a mother... I mean it was fine I guess. Just not something I want for my own kid you know?"
Leila sighed and walked over to him lifting his head and kissing him. "After this mission Matthew. I think we should retire from the spy game. Settle down somewhere in the country side and try to live an average life raising our daughter."
Matthew looked her in the eyes and saw that she was serious. "Aw hell if you say it like that. Guess I don't got much of a choice now do I?" He grinned at her and then kissed her again.
"I've got to get going... be safe Matthew." She replied quietly kissing him again before running off she paused and looked back. "I promise Matthew... I'll come back." with that she was gone.
Matthew watched her leave. "Yeah I know that... you be safe to."