Chapter 5: Royal Blood V.S. Tactician's Pride
As Lyndis' legion escapes through thick and thin outside of Lycian borders, she and her band of oddities are one step closer to their leader's goal, upon requesting assistance from the marquess of Araphen. The legion stops in the open streets of Araphen as they see children on the street playing with one another, as merchants were calling out to the passersby to buy their wares, as mothers were buying crops for their families and as mercenaries walk towards taverns to drink.
"My lady, I shall enter the castle and give his Grace, the marquess, our word in requesting his aid in our journey to Caelin. I will return shortly, " Kent suggests as he trots ahead into the castle of the marquess of Araphen.
"Fair enough, so what are we supposed to do now? We stick out like sore thumbs, " Lucas points out to the group with the mixed stench of rust and blood among the legion.
"Hey hey, cool it, Lucas, everyone has had a rough day travelling, so why don't we just explore the area for leisure while awaiting Kent's return. Things aren't getting worse for the moment, right?" Ren jesters around Lucas, making Lyn laugh from his remark.
"Erk, I smell!" A certain pink haired cleric from the group complains.
"Oh Goddess, why did I take this job…" Erk mutters under his breath as he turns to face her. "Well then, what are we supposed to do about it?"
"I want a shower. I want to walk up to the marquess and ask him to draw us a bath."
"Well, we cannot exactly walk to the marquess and ask him to draw us a bath Serra,"
"But I want to..."
The two soon bicker like cats and dogs. Ren moves away to avoid contact, but bumps into Florina's side, accidentally startling her.
"Gyah–sorry! My bad, " Ren apologised as he gives Florina her space.
"Ah! No! It's also my fault, I was careless to space out while walking! I'm sorry, " Florina replied with a hint of fear and embarrassment.
"Oh nononono, I bumped into you first, it's my carelessness to blame, " Ren explained nervously.
"O-oh, it's fine, " Florina replied back nervously.
Suddenly, the atmosphere between them was dead air for a moment–ignoring Erk and Serra's loud argument–as they strolled with Huey in tow, until Ren tried to break the silence.
"...so um, Florina, just speculating, how long have you been a pegasus knight?" Ren asked while nervously holding his hind temple.
"A-ah! Um, I-I trained to be a pegasus knight after my two sisters were knighted and went their separate ways. I-I managed to meet Huey after many attempts to ride atop several pegasi for my promoted training, " Florina replied nervously.
"Oh wonderful, at least you're not alone with your family joining you. Meanwhile, I'm stuck with myself, " Ren replies gleefully.
"W-well, it didn't last long because my sisters are now seasoned veterans in their own military field. While there is me, the talentless one. I still have yet to be acknowledged as a full-fledged pegasus knight. I…feel a tad hopeless, " Florina explained heavily with her downcasted face.
"Florina...if there is one thing I have missed out in my life, it'd be knowing you have a real family out there with you. You may not see it, but your sisters care about you even when you don't see them, anytime and anywhere because that's what family is all about. I've been an orphan for as long as I can remember while seeing many children my age get to be a part of families willing to take them in. Meanwhile, I'm stuck with that snotty loner and other sworn brothers that seem like family to me in some sort, " Ren lectures as he reminds himself of the history he has with Lucas and his other friends.
"Well, on the other hand, eventually, even friends can become family when you, well, get closer with them, " Ren adds with his playing tone, getting Florina to misunderstand his statement.
"H-Hooligan!" Florina yells as she distances herself from Ren as far as she could atop Huey out of momentary embarrassment.
"Shoot, was it something I said?" Ren asks himself, with Wil holding his face in disappointment as he and Dorcas watched them from afar.
While this is happening, Lucas moves closer to Lyn and asks her out of the blue.
"Do you like your noble lineage?"
A startled Lyn looks at him with curiosity.
"What do you mean, Lucas?"
"I mean, isn't it weird that your mother is a marquess and your father was a nomad?"
Before Lyn could respond Sain comes riding towards the tactician, the sacaean then asks him where they were. Sain then answers that they were in the city of Araphen and then explains that this was the second-biggest city in Lycia. Kent soon rides back to the group with his horse in tow.
"Ah, Kent. What is the news on the marquess?" Lucas asks, noticing Kent as he goes down from his horse.
"Let us proceed to the castle. They've prepared supplies for us. The Marquess has agreed to aid our journey to Caelin."
"He's going to help us?" Lyn asks as Lucas starts thinking about who the man is and what his plan may be. Kent then proceeds to explain about Araphen and how he was able to make the marquess agree with the plan.
"Maybe we can get a few more soldiers to join us." Lucas starts musing a little bit and thinks as Kent, Lyn and Sain were talking amongst themselves before being pulled from his thoughts by a random civilian. "This is terrible! The castle is burning!"
This puts everyone on guard. "What?" Lucas asks, wondering what was going on before a group of soldiers led by a lone swordsman wielding a huge blade blocks the legion's path.
"Who are you?" Lyn asks as Lucas notices the lone swordsman's muscles tense up. The swordsman then moves forward and points his sword to Lyn.
"You! You're Lyndis, aren't you?" Lucas pulls his spear from his back.
Lyn is shocked that he knew of her so easily and starts to move backward. "What do you-"
"No questions! Prepare your-!" The bandit couldn't finish his sentence as a spear was thrown to his chest, impaling him instantly.
The civilians in the surrounding area suddenly run and hide in their homes like rabbits to their holes to escape and vacate the premises from a battle ensuing.
"If you morons have the time to say that then you have the time to start fighting right away." Lucas says pulling his spear out of the attacker. "Well, if you are wondering why I am telling you this, it's because you all will be dead soon,"
"This doesn't look good. Erk, Serra, Dorcas, Florina, Wil, Sain, let's warn the neighbourhood about the attack, but be careful, there could be more of them, " Ren rallies as they go to separate houses and warn the villagers in their homes. All but one was an intriguing visit for one girl.
"Have at thee-guagh!" The soldier choked as an arrow pierced his throat and fell to the ground bleeding.
Lyn and Lucas turn to the owner of the arrow. The archer dons a garb belonging to a Sacaen tribe. His skill with the bow atop his horse shows that he is a nomad. He then trots toward Lyn for a closer examination, but is pushed back by a spearhead close to his face.
"Watch it, if you know what is best for you, " Lucas barked while moving in front of Lyn, shielding from her savior.
"I thought that a Sacaen plainswoman was in trouble. Perhaps I was wrong, " the nomad spoke with a gentle tone as he turned the other way.
"Wait! I am from Sacae! I am Lyn, Lyn of the Lorca!" Lyn replies with relief.
"The Lorca? I thought there were no survivors from that incident, " the nomad points out, unknowingly making Lucas tense up.
"Yes, Bandits nearly eradicated my tribe. I am the sole survivor that bears the tribe's banner and blood, " Lyn explained while calming Lucas down.
"I see, a blaze has started in the castle, and it's spreading. Don't be foolish and waste the life I just saved." Lyn and Lucas seem surprised as Kent rides up towards the two.
"You must be from the castle, I assume? What happened?" Lucas asks, still shielding Lyn from the stranger.
"The Castle is under attack, and the marquess has been accosted. The man who attacked you was one of the raiders. As captain of the castle guard, it's my duty to rescue the marquess." Lucas takes note of the stranger's frustration in the tone of his voice but before he could say anything Lyn responds.
"I see, All right then, we'll help you."
"Lyn?"
The stranger was quiet for a few moments before asking one question. "Why?"
"The Brigands are after me. If they are attacking the castle, it's because of me. So I must help if I can." Lyn answers.
Lucas then looks at Kent who just shrugs before looking at the stranger. "Well it's not like we have anything better to do." He says defeated.
"It sounds like you are involved somehow...Let's go." he acquiesces.
"You'll accept our aid?" Lyn asks to which Kent and Lucas remain quiet
"I am Rath of the Kutolah. Our tribes may be different, but I will not abandon a woman of Sacae." Lyn proceeds to thank him, which Lucas looks on with a glare.
"Once the marquess is safe, my men can move in. I shall join you for now then. Perhaps the secret passageway, " Rath says before explaining that there was an underground tunnel leading to the throne room and how it works with the triggers while making Lucas think a little more.
"Lucas? What shall we do? We do not have any keys with us. Perhaps some of the marauders are carrying keys."
"Let's see around the town-" Lucas muses before being interrupted by Serra.
"Hey guys! This guy can help us with the doors!" Serra yelled excitedly with a shady man in tow as she and Ren's group rejoins Lyn and Lucas' side, making Lucas facepalm in response.
"Ouch! Serra! Stop it! I can walk finely myself alright, so stop pulling!" the man groaned as he reclaimed his arm from Serra's grasp. "Hello, my name is Matthew. And yes, as what this woman said, I can handle the doors. I have sticky hands, " he continues.
"So you're a thief at best?" Lyn points out.
"Well, yes, in some sort. It is a useful skill to help me get through things. Come, allow me to do this work for you, " Matthew suggests as he shows off his set of "keys" and opens the locked door with ease.
"...Lyn, let him work for us for now. I will deal with him later." Lucas says, with a hard look in his eyes. "Sain, Rath, Ren, Florina, Serra, Erk. I want you to go with Matthew to that area right there." He says pointing to the side of the castle. "Kent, Dorcas, Wil, Lyn and me will take the front gate."
"Got it brother, onward team!" Ren rallies with his blade in hand as he and his charge into the castle wall guarded by a fighter, a lone archer, and a sentry by the gate.
Lucas nods and makes them go to the front gate, taking note of the multiple bandits as he charges forth towards one of the bandits, inspiring Dorcas to follow him, as he immediately impales one in the chest and Dorcas, taking advantage of the bandit's shock decapitates the poor soul's head from his body.
"Nice job Dorcas." Lucas praises shaking the blood of his spear
"Thank you Lucas." Dorcas replies, smiling back at the tactician.
Meanwhile Lyn had gotten on Kent's back and had decided to rush against another myrmidon bandit in blade-to-blade combat before ending his life with a deep slash to his chest area. After the skirmishes that the two groups had finished, The group regrouped and then headed out to the front door while Lucas leaves and does his usual thing and loots the bodies for anything useful.
When he came back from his pillaging the dead escapade the tactician found both Kent and Wil were already talking about how they could try to destroy the gate and Dorcas was just trying to catch his breath, with his axe by his side. And Lyn was looking around the area trying to find her first friend.
"Where is Lucas?" She asks worried
"Hey guys, I found a key." Lucas says showing the said key to the group.
Meanwhile on another side of the castle, Ren's team finished their job and took the corpses of their dead foes over to a certain spot. While that is done, Rath triggers the platform to unlock the secret passage behind the huge wall of the room where Lucas' team currently occupy. Matthew, at this point, had gotten distracted with a treasure chest and the extra room nearby and started to loot them.
By then, Ren's team meets up with Lucas's and moments later into the main room with the open wall.
However, the last foe is counted a tough one to test. Wearing huge clunky plated layers of metal armour with a big lance as his weapon, it is a heavily armored knight that is guarding the last platform.
"None of you fools can penetrate my armor. Your journey ends here now, Sacaen mongrel, " the knight gloats as he readies his lance for any upcoming attack.
"Bollocks, this is one tough cookie without a hammer, " Dorcas replies in defeat.
"Hey man, don't jinx it! If only there was a weapon that could slice through that armour he has–"
"Like the one I got here perhaps?" Matthew finishes with a smug face while holding a sword with razor sharp edges and tips and a broad blade.
"An armorslayer?! Here?!" the armoured knight surprised with his stroke of bad luck before his eyes.
"Catch!" Matthew yells as he throws the Armor-slaying sword to Ren.
"Gladly, " Ren replies with the broad blade in his hand and tries swinging it swiftly as he can. "Slightly heavier, but it'll do if it could cut through that turtle easy, " Ren jests to himself.
"I bet you're compensating for something." Lucas says to Ren jokingly.
"Well, I hope not, " Ren jokes back. "Now, die!" Ren roars rushes towards the armoured knight and finishes him off with a flurry of slashes all over his armoured body like paper before flicking bits of metal and blood off of the blade.
"What–, Lord Lundgren…I...," was all that came out of the knight's dying breath as he collapsed and succumbed to his injuries.
"Rath, the platform," Lucas commands as Rath takes the initiative and triggers the final platform, opening the walls of the room to reveal a stairway to the castle hall.
"Come, let us enter. I believe my master seeks an audience with all of you," Rath says as he guides them inside the castle.
"At least grant us some time to freshen up, I believe that your master would not want to see his saviors drenched in blood." Lucas explains, eying a certain cleric complaining to a certain mage about how she was filthy again.
"I suppose so. Either way, we have planned on letting you stay for the moment. So enjoy your time here while it lasts," Rath replies as he walks away in search of his master.
After they were given permission, much to Serra's Joy, some time for them to freshen up so that they may meet up with the marquess. And much to Serra's disappointment, Lucas explained to the group that He, Lyn, Kent and Ren would go and meet up with him since he was sure that the marquess would most likely not give them aid with Serra around.
Few minutes later, Rath returns with another figure following him from behind into the castle hall to meet with Lucas, Lyn, and her legion.
"My friends, please welcome my master, the marquess of Araphen," Rath announces with a salute to his chest in respect.
"Hmph," the marquess grunted, in all his arrogant and pompous splendor as a noble.
Lucas was fidgeting with his hands, this was the first time he was face to face with the marquess, while the marquess was looking at him with either fear or with worry. It was quite understandable, he did just murder quite a few trained soldiers without a sweat. He had started thinking on what the marquess would possibly want from the group. After all, he had heard of tales of the marquess of Araphen during his time as a student in Etruria. At this point, he was quite grateful when Kent started to speak up.
"I believe that you have promised us aid, Milord."
"Yes Kent, I have your requests as lately, but you have missed out one important detail in this matter," the marquess points out with strict arrogance as he glares daggers at Lyn.
"What would that may be?" Kent asks in protest.
"You have failed to mention that her ladyship is so, so tainted with the blood of savages," the marquess replies in disgust and pride.
"What!?" Lyn reacts violently with anger and rage.
"So what if she is a savage?" Lucas asks, curiously. "She is as capable on the battlefield as any able soldier. In fact, your castle here was saved by what you deemed 'a savage'." Lucas defends, pushing Kent aside to face the marquess face to face.
"Hmph, you are in no position to question me, mere plebeian!" the marquess barked as he tried to shoo Lucas away.
"You forget the tales of the tactician of Etruria." Lucas answers back, anger mixing in his voice. "He who learned the spear and was the only one who could outsmart the teacher." The group looked at him with both shock and admiration in their expressions. There were rumors that the only tactician who could do that stood up to tougher heights.
"What could a mere dog like you understand us, nobles?" the marquess retorts. "As far as I can see, you and your mitty band of riffraffs are nothing compared to our power and position with no hint of refinement," he adds, stirring up sadness in Florina and rage in Sain.
Ren pats Florina's shoulder lightly and comforts her in the midst of the conversation.
"And what could a noble understand the struggle for power." Lucas retorts, not flinching. "After all, you are born into it and have everything there to either inflate your ego or your lust and for everyone giving up what they own or believe for something you can throw away. Men were born with pride. Pride that they would take to their grave."
The tactician then turns around. "I am not going to work with a noble like him. Scum like him do not deserve to be named nobles. I'm going to guard the supplies." He soon leaves the room, robe flowing behind him, the group watching in both horror and understanding.
"Lucas…," Lyn reacts with impact.
"Hmmm…," Rath notices Lucas' support for him and Lyn's kind.
"Bah! I changed my mind! Leave my castle!" the marquess commands with his arm high.
"But milord!–"
"No Kent, I would rather rot than ask for aid from the ones that disdain my mixed heritage. I am proud to be born in the plains, and I won't exchange it for anything else," Lyn replies proudly.
"Well, off we go again then," Ren comments as he helps Florina ride atop Huey and guides him as they walk out of the castle with the rest.
"Hmph, foolish mongrel brat. If only she begged and wept before me, I would be delighted to give her a proper answer," the marquess says to himself.
"Is that what you really see in my kind…?" Rath interrogates with quiet rage in his tone.
"Oh no, not you Rath. You are one of my best men, I wouldn't trade your skills and talents for anything else, " the marquess flatters only to be dismayed by Rath tearing out his sash of authority and rank.
"My services end here, you don't deserve to be my master, " Rath replies gallantly as he exits the castle and follows the legion.
When the group met up again outside of the wall, They found a very annoyed Lucas sharpening his spear, muttering about nobles being stupid. Some of the group felt fear seeing that they were in the company of such a man, while others did not seem to know how to approach him. Ultimately, Lyn was the one who sat beside him.
"Lucas...thank you, for speaking up for me," she says with heartfelt gratitude.
Lucas immediately looks up in surprise and sees Lyn's face near him. "Lyn! What? What happened?"
Lyn patiently explained what had happened after he had left in anger.
"Ah, I see… I have let my temper control me once again. I apologize."
They were both quiet for a little bit before Lyn asked him a question about what he had said earlier.
"Lucas? Are you the tactician of Etruria?"
Lucas was silent for a while and places down his spear between the two
"Lyn...What would you do if you met the tactician right here and now?" He asks looking at her.
"Well… I would not treat him any different than you." She responds looking firmly in his brown eyes.
"Lyn, I hate bringing up my title." Lucas says looking away from her, ashamed. "I never really liked being called the tactician of Etruria, I always felt like I never deserved that title. I am just a tactician who just so happened to pick up a weapon so that he could fight alongside his comrades in battle. And-"
Soon she caresses her hand across his cheek, silencing him and making him face her with his face blushing scarlet. But since it was sunset, it was barely noticeable to her nor did the tactician notice the blush on her face as well. "Lucas, you said it yourself. So what if you are the tactician and what if I am a savage. Your past does not define you. Alright?"
Lyn had stood up and walked to the area where the rest of the group is located, but before she got far from where he is, she faced back at him. "We can always figure these things out together, alright Lucas?".
Lucas sees her move down the hill before muttering to himself. "Am...Am i really falling in love with this Sacaean woman?" He waits a few minutes before reuniting with the rest of the group.
They were checking on their gear and supplies and were about to leave the area when they heard a voice.
"...wait!..."
"Huh?" Lucas responded as he turned to the source of the voice.
There coming out from the main street of Araphen was Rath on his trusty steed trotting to their camp swiftly than any average cavalier.
"Whoa! Rath! What are you doing here?" Lyn responded with his sudden appearance.
"I have ended my services with the marquess and made my decision to accompany you in your journey. It is a relief to leave that bastard of a noble, " Rath explains. "Also, I have something that may assist us in case of emergencies, " Rath continues as he takes out a pouch of gold coins from his horse's saddle pouch and both Lucas and Lyn's eyes widen.
"Gold!? B-but, Rath–" Lyn tried to answer.
"Lady Lyn, your friend has opened my eyes to what truly matters to us, to everyone in what makes all of us unique yet equal in every way. This is the least I could do for you and you, Lucas. My bow and arrow are yours to command, " Rath explains to the duo with confirmation and conviction.
"So a knight…" Lucas mutters to himself. "A knight and a pawn joins us today."
"Hey! Welcome aboard Rath! Welcome to Lyn's Legion!" Ren declares with open arms and surprising poor Rath with his statement.
"Lyn's Legion?" Rath asks while looking at Lucas as Lyn with a puzzled face. "I still don't support the name."
"Yes! Another archer joins the party!" Wil rejoices.
"Wow, new things do happen every day. Wouldn't you agree, Lucas?" Lyn retorts gleefully as she turns to Lucas face-to-face.
"Tell me about it," Lucas sighs in defeat while holding his face in annoyance, making Lyn giggle in response.
As the day and night passes like a fleeting wind, the Lucas, Lyn and her legion finish disassembling and repacking their essentials and collapsible tents. They then press on further into the states of the Lycian Alliance on their long journey to Caelin under the tyranny of Lyn's uncle, Lord Lundgren.
Chapter END
A/N: Sorry for the delay, there was a miscommunication between authors. Also, try reading and following my friend Archangelo2 thx guys XD