Chapter 19: An Interrupting Invasion
As the long moment of mourning passes after a few days, Eliwood carries his father's lifeless body, silently telling everyone that it is time to return to the mainland. By this time, everyone else who weren't with them when the marquess had died now only knew that fact but joined Eliwood in heading back to shore, and meeting up with Fargus and his crew because of his promised return. The small group took their time making their way back to the shores of Valor, where they can see Fargus with his axe down, waiting for their arrival with his prideful smile while being clueless to the situation.
"Aye laddie! You made it back! So how're things going with yer—" Fargus' smile dropped upon noticing Eliwood's pale downcast look while carrying the corpse of the Pheraean marquess. "Aye, I'm sorry for yer loss kid."
Eliwood was too distraught to answer back the jovial captain as he solemnly headed back to the ship, with the others following in their silence, even Serra was quiet as even she had respect for the marquess. The crew were astonished that some of them looked over from yonder to see why their captain apologized and just stood in silence while letting them make their way into the ship as if it were some sort of funeral. Then they immediately departed to return to the port of Badon. Luckily, the winds were cooperating with the ship, which sped up their return trip in a matter of hours from an expected few days. The group remained silent as they had thought about what had happened, with Lucas's seasickness being the only prevalent noise for the entire ship. But as soon as the ship finished at the pier of Badon, Dart had set up the wooden platform for everyone to disembark from the ship. Lucas immediately left the ship and threw up into a nearby man's cabbage cart, which fortunately for him, the seller seemed to be absent from the cart. With everyone else following along gloomily as they had still yet to recover from hearing about what had happened with Eliwood's father and are currently giving him some space. Kent, being the only other knight that had an ounce of responsibility, suggested that they go to the town's inn before suggesting their next course of action so that the tactician can regain his strength, to which the others had readily accepted. To make things so that everyone could get some rest, Hector had responsibly decided to split off the rooms into pairs so that some people, thinking about a certain healer coming to annoy everyone else, had decided to split the people into groups of three, making the tactician very grateful to him for this. It wasn't cost effective to the group's funding and would have made them bankrupt if it weren't for Hector offering to the other Lords that he would pay for the rooms.
"...Ninian...are you feeling any better?" Lyndis inquires as she visits Nils and Ninian in one of the inn's rented rooms that they had assigned to the siblings who had also incidentally been grouped with the tactician. She had come into the room in order to visit them with the recent events that had happened, but she hadn't expected that the tactician would be away from his bed with his coat left behind.
"...Yes," Ninian responded.
"That's good," Lyndis sighs in relief before turning to Nils. "Long time no see Nils, you've grown quite a lot haven't you?"
"Is it really you Lyndis? It seems it's like it's been so long, seeing how stronger and more confident you've become," Nils answered back, making Lyn chuckle from his remark.
"Quite so, yes. Even though it has been a year since I saw you last," Lyn replied back.
"So much has happened since we left you and Caelin...how is he…?" Nils sheepishly asks before looking at Lucas, still looking out of the window, staring at his tattooed arm.
The tattoo had stayed mostly inactive for most of the year, it was more akin to a drawing on his skin. But remembering his own experience back on the dread isles, when that weird portal spell opened for the first time, the mysterious burning sensation on his tattooed arm and the monstrous creature was summoned. He could remember that it felt like he was on fire. It gave him a familiar feeling, compelled to just to drop everything and just charge with reckless abandon. It was almost as if he had some sort of experience with the monstrous creature. When they had landed on the port of Badon, he had long since seen that Farina, Lyn, Raven and Priscilla had experienced the same thing, that they felt like they were being branded again similar to iron being smelted, that there was a burning sensation on their bodies starting at the same place that they were tattooed at. How did Nils and Ninian fit into this? And just who or what was that girl that came to him in their dreams? And-
"Lucas, is something the matter?" Nils asks, breaking the tactician immediately from his thoughts, turning to face him before he realizes something and wrapping his arm with the bandage.
"By the gods, great timing," Lucas mutters before walking to the now confused bard.
"Wh-what do you need me for?" Nils asks, kind of shocked that the tactician is talking to him all of a sudden. He flinched when the tactician leaned in, thinking he was about to get yelled at for something when the tactician whispered in his ear.
"I have some questions for you later…"
"What…?" The bard answered back, confused about what just happened.
"Not now, let's go and smell the flowers" Lucas whispered back before walking out of the room. Nils, after waiting a few minutes, ended up choosing to follow him out of the now empty room, unsure of what was going on in the tactician's mind.
When the two entered the Inn's lobby, they had both seen Lyn talking with both Hector and Ren, before Ren noticed their presence and waved them over.
"Hey brother, is something up?" Ren asks while checking his Lancereaver at the recliner to the left before Lucas shook his head in response. "Ookay then."
Lucas motioned everyone else in the army was scattered around, doing their own thing and minding their own businesses. He was told that Legault is out with Matthew and Leila were on lookout, the "freelance fighters" Dorcas, Bartre, Wil, Rebecca, and Guy were at another inn fooling around in its tavern, most likely celebrating the archer's recent promotion. The Lycian knights were assisting Merlinus in managing the army's wares, and the three pegasus knight sisters were merely catching up with things after their separation, with Farina begrudgingly going along after being "convinced" by both Ren and Lucas. Somewhere inside the inn, the magic-wielders were exchanging knowledge and lessons or just reading their tomes or research to pass the time.
Lucas and Nils enter the tactician's quarters whereas Hector took a detour to meet with Oswin over certain matters concerning his brother and Eliwood talking with some of the knights on how they make arrangements to bring the former lord to his domain. When Lucas closed the door, after making sure that no one was listening in on their conversation…
"Okay Nils, I apologize in advance, but I have to be blunt right now. I have...a lot of...concerns, and they involve you, your sister, me, and quite a few people," Lucas straightforwardly says, before grabbing a nearby chair and sitting down in it, frustrated.
"Um, okay? What is it?" Nils wondered.
Lucas then nervously tries to undo the bandages wrapping his forearm, revealing his tattoo to Nils and Lyndis. Upon sight, Nils looked in awe with a sense of familiarity around it.
"Have you seen anything like this before perhaps?" Lucas interrogates while showing Nils his tattoo.
What the tactician saw from Nil's expression, he saw that he knew that Nils knew everything. For his expression was shocked for a split second before his expression became guarded.
"Where did you get this?" Nils asked carefully while touching and caressing the tattoo marked on his forearm.
"Nowhere else actually," Lucas answered. "The most vivid thing that I recall was that I got this right after I woke up from when I nearly died last year."
Behind the door along the corridors, Lyn, who was there by chance, turns to hide her sadness upon recalling that fateful day, all the while with Nils becoming uneasy from recalling his unannounced departure with Ninian behind everyone's backs.
"So wait, what happened then?" Nils asks, still looking at the tattoo almost transfixed.
"During that time that I was knocked out, I dreamt of a dark throne room that was barely lit with a green hue. It was littered with debris and the room does not appear to be made by man, with nothing but a throne in the center of the room and on that throne was a little girl with braided hair and a rough attitude. If anything, now that I see your hair closer, her hair color is strikingly similar to yours somehow, does anything or anyone else come to mind?" Lucas answered back, his tone serious but quiet.
"Ummm, well, honestly speaking, I am in no exact position to provide a proper answer for that. What I do know though, is that these tattoos are like brands related to something much bigger than even dragons. A god perhaps? I don't know! I'm sorry Lucas," Nils nervously explains.
"Hmmm, I see, thanks for your answer. I apologize again for the unnecessary stress that I may have caused," Lucas replied. "I have more questions that I need answered."
"It's alright, I—" Nils paused before turning to look in a certain direction with a worried look. "Oh no…!"
"What's wrong?" Lucas asked, standing up and grabbing his spear in preparation.
"Enemies! They are coming, quick!" Nils answered, before leaving the room in a panic. Shocking Lyn, who had been eavesdropping nearby.
"We need to regroup everyone, now!" Lucas orders, quickly leaving the room with Lyndis who was nearby, followed up by Eliwood and Ninian who are running down the corridors until they meet with the rest of the army that's gathered around in a dimly lit area outside by Ren and his sneakiest of pawns Legault, Leila, and Matthew.
"Hey, we tried slowing some of them down, but it was too dangerous, they literally got us surrounded," Legault reported, wiping the blood off his short curved blade.
"But what we found among the enemy ranks was a fearful sight…" Leila adds, her voice clearly shaken from what she saw.
"What is it?" Lucas asks.
"They got wyvern riders with them," Matthew answered grimly.
"Wait, wyvern riders?!" Hector gasped.
'This is ridiculous, why are Bern's knights here, unless…' Lucas speculated a little bit before his expression changed into one of growing horror before being snapped back into reality by Lyndis's uneasy touch and Eliwood's voice.
"We have to protect the villagers! Their safety takes precedence! We must finish this battle quickly," Eliwood orders.
"Nils, take your sister and stay out of the battlefield, hide somewhere if you have to and tell Dorcas to come with you, just in case. Everyone, prepare for battle!" Lucas immediately composes himself before giving out orders before turning to Hannah. "Hey, Miss, I need your help right now. Tell me what the enemy got for us now."
"Fine! The fee is 300 gold!" Hannah screamed, with Lucas not bothering to respond by tossing her yet another bag of 300 gold. "Ugh, michty me young man."
"Lady, at this point, you should consider giving me a discount."
Hannah ignores him as she inputs her magic power into her crystal ball to predict the outcomes in the battlefield as Lucas squats in front of her. The tactician waits a little bit before halting her magic
Hannah then starts chanting and inputting her magic on her crystal ball, looking through the future possibilities in the battle and then halts her magic.
"Young man, I urge you to tread lightly in this battle," Hannah warns. "A variety of your foes are scattered all around the town. I suggest that you should put those that are akin to the dark on the frontlines for the safety of others."
"You mean using them as meatshields?" Lucas asks with a hint of an angry tone, getting an idea of whoever she's referring to.
"Ease yourself, young man, I do not mean anything by that. You know very well that those three are capable of holding their ground in another manner, as long as those three are nearby each other," Hannah corrected.
"Anything else?" Lucas asks, his temper cooling down a little.
"I suggest that you visit the villages nearby, and also...be wary of your foes. They are all out for blood and will attack anyone nearby," Hannah advises.
"I see, thanks for the tip," Lucas says before thinking a little more on the battle to come.
"The three siblings with winged mounts can prove to be useful, but you must be wary of their weaknesses that the enemy can use to exploit," Hannah adds. "Oh, and do warn the villagers nearby of the fight ongoing, it will prove to be a wise choice in the end."
"I see, duly noted, thank you," Lucas replied, he says before he decided to check up on Merlinus for inventory management. "Merlinus, is there anything we got useful for this battle?"
"Oh! Lucas! Just in time! I have a nice one from Leila's shopping earlier!" Merlinus asks Kent to fetch one of the killer lances among the rack of lances. "Here! Take this! And thank Lady Leila for her generosity!"
"Gee, thanks," Lucas thanked before noticing Leila wink playfully at Lucas from afar, making Lyn give him a jealous pouting look, before returning to give her a look.
"Um, Lyn? What's the matter?" Lucas calmly asks,not really freaking out over Lyndis' "dangerous" cuteness because of the situation at hand.
"Hm? Oh! Nothing! Nothing at all, I-I should go and check on the others," Lyn answered nervously before running away to meet with members of the Legion.
"Weird…" Lucas mutters, thinking that she left to help keep everyone ready for battle.
"Hehe, women," Ren snorted to Lucas with a smirk and nudge to his shoulder.
Lucas rolled his eyes and casually retorted back at the former Black Fang member as he walked back to the other lords. "Oh please, you're in no place to say that, you still owe me a large explanation,"
"Well, let's see, we got three of us back together, but so much for a cheesy reunion," Ren jokes around, getting poker-faced responses from Legault and Leila.
"Sure, better than flying solo I suppose, so what the hell," Legault jests as he sheathes his cleaned-up steel short blade.
"Aye, let's do this," Leila agrees.
"Hey Ren!" Kent calls as he trots his way to Ren with a sheathed blade in his hand. "Merlinus told me that this is for you, use it wisely."
"Aw now this is cool!" Ren excitedly takes the sheathed blade and quickly unsheaths it, revealing itself to be a killing edge before brandishing the blade up into the air with ease. "Aw yes!"
"You should thank me, I got that from the old man back in the isle," Leila interjects with a playful wink, making Legault lightly chuckle and Ren getting a bit embarrassed.
Meanwhile, the Lycian knights, magic wielders and freedom fighters get outfitted with new equipment and sell all the other equipment they don't need to Merlinus, who was more than willing to purchase the old weapons at reasonable prices.
On the side however, the young ever-careful knight commander of Caelin, Kent, was having a short, stiff conversation with the serious tomboy pegasus knight Fiora concerning other matters that have not been publicly shared. Lucas watching from afar stares at the serious Kent, holding a conversation with a woman other than Lyndis, and lightly chuckles from the thought before going to interrupt them.
"Hey, what is going on?" Lucas nonchalantly walks up to them, catching both Kent and Fiora off guard.
"Lucas! Is there something that you need?" Kent immediately replied, immediately looking at him into an attention like state as he could be.
"Sir Lucas!" Fiora almost followed suit but some part of her armor was not set up yet.
"Well, not that much. I apologize if I happened to be barging into your "private matters," Kent. Just be careful out there. Also, a word of advice, don't harbor anything else besides comradery between you and Fiora, we wouldn't want you to drop everything and bring pleasure to yourselves in the middle of our enemies." Lucas smiles in a teasing manner walking ahead before turning around and giving a cheshire-cat like grin. "Unless, you plan to wed."
"No no! Please, you misunderstand us, Lucas," Kent nervously answered back, with Fiora nodding in agreement, both of them a little red. "What we've discussed is merely about the slow deepening of romantic relationships between members within the army and to keep an eyeful watch over them. Members such as you and her Ladyship."
Lucas didn't really show it but he was stunned but it was safely hidden with his poker-face before interrogating him about the open secret shared between members of the Legion.
"Ren told you, didn't he?" Lucas deadpans, thinking that the swordsman practically told him his assumptions about how close they are to one another.
"Well, yes and no. You and milady are most oftenly open in displaying your close bonds together," Kent plainly deadpanned.
"..." Lucas stares at Kent before sighing in exhaustion with his face blushing a little redder than normal. "I...see…"
"Just to be clear, I will have to keep my eye on you and milady, as I will with others that may disrupt the atmosphere to prepare for battles to come," Kent replied straightforwardly.
"I too shall do the same. Most particularly with my youngest sister. For some strange reason, she appears to be attached to that shady swordsman, and I have the urge to confront him when necessary," Fiora speculated. "If he ever tries to make my sister cry, I will take matters into my own hands."
"Right, right," Lucas replied, before leaving the two, "not-lovebirds" to their business. 'Hmmm, that would make an interesting show. I wonder who could come out victorious.'
After that sweet little show that he had just witnessed, Lucas smiles as he wanders back to the tactician's tent as he sees that all the other lords were waiting for him.
"Lucas, what should we do?" Lyn asked out of concern, having noticed the tactician enter the tent.
"First order of business: How is Eliwood? Still moping around?" Lucas deadpanned in a serious but gentle tone, concerned for his condition in their current situation.
"He's—"
"I'm fine! No need to worry about me," Eliwood differed, his demeanor a bit more depressed than usual with slightly swollen eyes and trembling fists while clutching onto the hilt of his rapier.
"I beg to differ, pretty boy, while you desire revenge for what they did to your dear old pops, but I cannot in good conscience allow you to join this battle, I believe it is better for you to stay out of this battle for now. Your father will haunt my dreams if he sees you in the afterlife with him," Lucas sternly replied.
"Then please, allow me to aid everyone in this battle!" A fifth voice joined them, catching the attention of the three lords and the stoic tactician was the meek maiden Ninian, stepping out of the inn where she and Nils holed up for safety.
"Ninian!? Why are you outside!? It's dangerous right now!" Eliwood urged concern for the maiden, lacing his tired eyes.
"But I want to help everyone with all that I have. Lord Elbert...your father...would've wanted this," Ninian heartfully replied.
"We both know that you can't fight, your help might impede-"
Immediately, she started dancing before the three lords and the tactician, with every move flowing through the breeze as if you could imagine the music and tone until she finished her dance, ending with a magic circle emanating below Eliwood that energizes him by giving some of his stamina and endurance back.
"W-wow! For some reason, your dance...it made me feel like...I can do anything!" Eliwood exclaimed, feeling the energy coursing through his veins.
"It is only a temporary condition, but it will help you in a fight a little," Ninian replied before turning to bow before Lucas with a request. "Sir Lucas, please let me join you in this battle. My brother and I owe you and everyone so much. This is the least that I can do in return, on his behalf… and Lord Elbert's..."
Lucas was thinking a little, the time of his silence making all the other people in the room uneasy from how quiet he actually is in comparison to the usual times where he needs to think. But after a few minutes, "Well...I suppose, but you are not allowed to be fighting in the front lines. You are to stay behind us while lending your support," Lucas reluctantly accepts, feeling gazes from both Lyn and Eliwood before clearing his throat. "Do not misplace my faith. Go get some vulnearies from Merlinus immediately, Understood?"
"I-I promise not to slow anyone down. Use me as you will!" Ninian urged, before running off to get the aforementioned supplies.
'Hmmmm, another pawn, one that will support the morale. I am not certain having the person who the enemy is clearly after, fight in the battlefield is considered a good move. If anything, I would have preferred Nils to be the one who did that but things are going to get rough, hellish even. But we need every little thing we can get,' Lucas thought to himself as he scratched his chin while thinking. "Alright, everyone, time to take a stand!"
"Aye sir!" Ren playfully saluted in response.
"So, got a plan?" Hector asked with utmost confidence.
"Yes, I do, and here is what's going to happen. First, we have no clue about neither the enemy's ranks nor their positions and with what dirty tricks up their sleeves, and the only people that can fight in the dark are their traitors in our group or people who have a personal vendetta against them," Lucas quickly explained, before looking at matthew.
"Hey!" Ren yelled out in anger upon hearing that word and tone.
"Let me finish," Lucas ordered before sighing and then moving on. "Due to the dark, we can't be too careless. So I need Lucius, Priscilla and "Pigtails", you three carry these three torch staffs and restock on your staves. Merlinus managed to procure the items from the vendor while everyone's recuperating. They are said to magically summon torch lights from a distance. With them, you are able to provide light and healing support for the rest of the team from a safe distance. "
"Wait, who's this "Pigtails" you're referring to, Mister Lucas!?" Serra demanded in a shrill tone. "Hey! I'm talking to y—"
"Serra, please keep your mouth shut in the middle of a meeting. Also, he's obviously referring to you," Erk replied in an irritated tone while keeping her mouth shut with a gloved hand.
"Hmmmph?! Hmw hare he?!" Serra shrieked behind the muffling glove, making Lyn barely keep their laughter to herself, while Lucas sighs at the annoyance.
With that done, Lucas then quickly scans around the tougher members of the team to delegate as defenders for their three supporters.
"Okay we will split into four independent teams, with three of the teams each having one Torcher. The Torcher is going to light the way for the rest of the group," Lucas quipped. "Now, to protect Priscilla: Marcus, Raven, Hector. You three will be her first line of defense. For the second line: Guy, Kent, Wil, Fiora and Erk, you will be her second line to lend them support."
"As you wish," Erk responded with a slight bow before averting his gaze and blushing from Priscilla smiling at him.
'Unbelievable. To think I have to work with that blue-haired brute of a noble,' Raven quietly scoffed with crossed arms.
"Affirmative," Kent gallantly responded before quickly sneaking a glimpse of Fiora from a short distance, which the tactician definitely saw. Raven said nothing as he places his hand on his broadsword while equipping his shield on his other hand.
Lucas then turned to the group, thinking about who to assign for the remaining groups. "Alright, for Serra, let's see: Oswin, Bartre, and Farina will be your first line. Eliwood, Rebecca, Sain, Ninian, you will be their second line of supporters. Have I made myself clear?"
"Got it, Boss!" Farina cheerfully responded with a playful salute.
"We'll be careful," Eliwood nodded.
"Try not to get yourself killed, pretty boy. I wouldn't wanna let your father down and haunt me," Lucas bade, surprising the redhead with his assuring words, though they're spoken halfheartedly before turning to the rest. "Alright, Lucius: Canas, Lowen, Florina, you will be the only line of defense he's got for support. Your only task is to go around town and warn the villagers while protecting Merlinus, After you two go into the inn and make sure that everyone stays safe there until the battle is over. There is no need to engage in combat unless the situation can't be helped, understood?"
"As you wish, Master Lucas," Canas replied with a slight bow.
Lucas then turns to the orchid-haired pegasus rider. "Florina, do take care out there. I wouldn't wanna get on your sisters' bad side if you get killed. Especially—"
"I-It's fine! I can do it! Believe me," Florina replied in a surprisingly assertive tone before catching a glimpse of Ren chatting with Leila and Legault, feeling a tad anxious from the jolly face he's making at the secretive redhead.
'...awwww crap. Ren, you're a goner later,' Lucas sighed in disappointment as he looked in the same direction as Florina's.
"Lucas, I have some concerns," Marcus straightforwardly asks.
"Ask away, Marcus," Lucas replied.
"What will you do if you are not going to be with us in this battle?" Marcus asked.
"I'll be in the fourth team: and that is going to include the members of the Fang: namely Ren, Leila, and Legault, along with Matthew," Lucas answered.
"Wait, Lucas, what about me?" Lyndis asks out of concern.
"You? Ummm, Lyn…" Lucas trailed off, completely having forgotten about Lyn and where to put her. "Lyn, you need to stand back and just stay with Nils and Dorcas safe from this battle."
"What?" Lyn protests a little, almost brandishing her Mani Katti. "but-"
Lucas raised one of his hands before speaking. "I'm not going to mince words here. I am not placing you at guard duty because you're bad at fighting, in fact you are one of the best in the group. No, I'm letting you guard Nils for a multitude of reasons. First, there is a high chance that the enemy would be after Nils, especially after the stunt he pulled back at their base. Second, While I trust Dorcas to protect the kid with my life, I fear that Dorcas would be overwhelmed if any of the Fang were able to locate his position and send reinforcements to kill him. And lastly, having another person to guard would be better for him in the long run, especially if it is someone who he had fought with recently. It would remove some of the worry that he has for his sister."
Lyndis remained silent as Lucas laid down his entire argument to her. It was logically sound as she did not notice that he kindly and gently placed one of his hands around one of hers. "Don't worry Lyn, I'll come back, so do not worry too much ok?"
After Lucas turns his back on her, he was caught off guard by her quick embrace from behind
'... I know you can hold your own… But…You better come back to us, please…' Lyn silently prayed before breaking the hug herself and running back in order to have a meeting with Dorcas and Nils. After a few minutes of watching her run back, both to ensure his safety and to ease what little worry that lingered. Lucas shook his head and moved towards Ren, Legault and Leila. He finds those three talking to each other, talking about the equipment that they had received.
"Seems like you guys are more prepared than the rest, so I won't need to mind you when things might go south," Lucas deadpanned in a complimentary tone.
"Well, we're used to this dirty work, one way or the other," Ren straightforwardly admits, sheathing his Lancereaver and killing edge.
"So anything else you need?" Leila wondered while polishing her crimson killing edge.
"Hmmm, now that you mention it, I do have something to ask of you, all three of you," Lucas answered. "Once we are done with this battle, you will need to explain your history with your former masters, and I want every detail that you all could recall."
"Ermmmm, the thing about that…" Ren nervously trailed off, scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry, mister Lucas, but these two have long ago split away from the Black Fang, with Legault being a recent incident, just for a while when I was sent to spy on them by milord's orders," Leila explained referring to Ren and Legault, with Matthew nodding in agreement.
"Wait, you too knew about all the dangers she's encountering? Why not join her?" Lucas questioned, close to pointing out Matthew's relationship with Leila.
"I am also well aware of her capabilities, Lucas. I have my utter faith in her doing the mission. Espionage and sabotage are hard occupations after all, yes?" Matthew answered with a question.
"Point taken. Now, back to our talk, you all better tell me everything you know about the Fang once this is over, are we clear?" Lucas asks once more.
"Loud and clear, chief. Your word is ours," Legault playfully adds with his daggers brandished and sharpened.
"Excellent. Now…let the operation begin…!" Lucas commands as he lifts his spear in preparation for a battle.
With haste, the group that was previously split into four teams went into the fray. The teams of Priscilla and Serra advance as they charge in and take down the assailants that are hiding from their flanks. Lucius' team starts spreading the word of war around the town and sealing them off for the people's protection, with varying results. While all that is happening, Lucas' team advances onto the frontlines with the swift pack of assassins, quickly taking them out as Lucas gets more practice with the halberd. He then repeatedly impales another with his spear before parrying an ambushing lance thrust from a flying wyvern rider.
"A wyvern? There is only one kingdom capable of deploying these kinds of troops: Bern," Lucas thought out loud before snapping out for a moment thanks to another lance thrust from the hovering assailant before being rammed into the stone brick wall by the rider's sturdy mount. "Awrgh, what are Bern's forces doing here of all places!? The blazes with this madness?!"
"Brother!" Ren yelled and ran to assist with his killing edge, wounding the wyvern's wings before decapitating the rider's head clean off before helping Lucas up his feet. "You okay?"
"No! I'm not!" Lucas grunted, unable to bottle up his pain and frustration. "Being thrown to a wall is the best possible thing that you can get." Lucas answered sarcastically as he was able to get on his feet. "Anyway, did you know about this? About Bern working with the Fang?"
"We can discuss that later, but for now—whoa!" Ren yelped as he pushed Lucas away and hid around a stone brick wall for cover from a bullet of Lightning casted by hostile monks wearing sacrilegious reverse sigils on their robes. "Aww great, they brought magic wielders."
"Because of course they did." Lucas sighs before preparing the tactician's lance. "It's nothing we can't handle though!"
Like a musket, Leila swiftly throws her crimson daggers at two of the enemy monks before diving in for a heavy double kick at another to the wall, who's finished off by Legault and his knives behind his dark cloak.
"Down!" Legault warns as he throws a dagger over the dodging redhead and hits the carotid artery of an ambushing wyvern rider, making him fall off his alerted mount with Ren and Lucas killing them both. "Man, they really are getting serious. To use the special units for a meager army such as ours."
"No time to ponder, boys!" Leila rallied before dodging another bullet of Lightning and throwing a dagger at the forehead of another monk, killing him. "Keep fighting!"
'Damn my luck, perhaps it was a bad plan sticking myself out in the frontlines without a source of light wandering in like a blind man in the dark,' Lucas thought to himself, unaware of a nearby enemy archer aiming at him from the shadows.
"Lucas, watch out!" Matthew warned, only to take the arrow to his shoulder blade as he pushes him out of the foe's line of fire.
"Matthew!" Leila cried out and returned the archer's infliction with her dagger to his artery before running over to her colleague.
"Dammit." Lucas says before throwing the aforementioned spear on the archer, nearly missing as Lucas ran forward and used the spear to impale him, and proceeded to charge in with Halberd in hand.
"I'm fine, urgh!" Matthew assured as he painfully removes the arrow out and throws it out of anger. "I'll be fine, the four of you should go on for a bit without me, gimme time to catch my breath."
"No, you pighead. It's dangerous being alone and vulnerable with a wound out here," Leila protested before pulling out a vulnerary and applying the ointment on his wound. "This will do for a while. You with us or not?"
"Uh yeah, yes. Thank you," Matthew replied, hiding his flustered face.
"Uhm, Ren, is that guy well?" Legault asked as he tapped Ren's shoulder, pointing to Lucas walking out into the dark road.
Meanwhile, Lucas was carving a bloody path through the mercenaries of the fang. His mind foregoing all tactics and just leading the army as the spearpoint and defaulting into the most simple yet effective patterns. Impale. Deflect. Swing. Parry. Pierce. Headbutt. Grab. Dodge. Lunge. Twirl. Spit on an enemy corpse. Repeat. He did not notice the burning sensation on his arm as he advanced forward. He also failed to notice the glow on his arm. Soon the fog itself was slowly being cleared, due to the amount of twirling he had done, it was not as large as a torch would be but it was large enough for the enemy to notice as there were what seems to be a mountain of corpses around him, some archers, some dragon riders, others simple foot soldiers. The previously green coat was now soaked in it as there were shattered spears around him, including the killer lance that Farina lent him long ago. He screams to the top of his lungs as he draws the attention of the entire enemy's frontline force to his location, whilst moving so that the enemy cant really locate him.
"Bring it you sacks of cow dung! I can do this all day!" He yells at all of them, taunting them all as he calls them to his position. It wasn't part of the plan, but it was enough to buy his allies more time protecting the nearby townspeople from the battle.
"So much for being stealthy," Ren scoffed before dodging a flying dagger from an enemy thief and then rushes in to decapitate him with his killing edge and connects his decapitation with another archer stationed driving a ballista. "Wonder how would "Her Ladyship'' think of her suitor when she finds out about this…?"
Meanwhile, not long after the battle's begun, Lucius' team managed to warn the nearby villagers, they intercepted Lyn's group, who just returned from procuring additional supplies from the nearest armory and vendor.
"Lady Lyndis! I am glad you're faring well," Lucius greets with a slight bow.
"Lyn!" Florina exclaims moving towards her as she carries some of the supplies that were given to her, one of the things fell out, namely a wyrmslayer. "Some of the villagers gave us some supplies."
"To us as well. It brings me discomfort being idle in the battlefield, so we also tried to help and warned the other villagers after purchasing some weapons and provisions as well," Lyn replied with a smile while carrying a sack of vulnerary.
"Poof! Yeah, like that sounds easy enough," Nils ranted after tripping over a stone brick sticking out on the road, dropping a pair of iron bows before standing back up.
"Look at the bright side of things. Our enemies are busy with our comrades in the frontlines. It is wiser if we could save our strength as their last team of reinforcements," Dorcas adds, recalling how they managed to eliminate straggling thieves, brigands, and monks near their position.
Lucius nods, hoping to not fight at all after all the righteous work of spreading impending danger. However, fate was not as kind as the body of another one of Bern's wyvern riders was seen scampering away from them, the frightened yet injured rider all forgetting about his mount as he was more focused on running for his life, only to meet Dorcas and the other members.
"Please…Spare me…sp-spare m…spare me…" He says in hysterical tears as he immediately goes on his knees and starts begging out of desperation.
"What are you doing here, with all those infernal assassins? What is your purpose in working with them?" Lyn kindly asks, trying to calm the weak traitor.
"W-we, w-we were merely following orders from our superior, we had no i-idea that there was this m-monster amongst your midst. Please, help us! We—guhaghk!"
Before the wyvern rider could say any more, an arrow pierces through his heart from the shadows behind him, flopping to the ground and revealing a silver bow under the dim lit road before vanishing in the darkness.
"No! Stop!" Lyn calls out, only to find nothing but an empty road.
"We were too late…" Dorcas says as he places himself in a defensive manner, in order to protect the group. "Lucius, could you give us light?"
"Ohhh dear… I hope the others out there are alright…" Florina whimpered on trembling knees, as the sounds of monstrous growls resound from somewhere ahead.
Suddenly on the other side where Lucas is, they hear an eerie noise of a horse's neighs from afar. Coming out of the shadows, shrouded in an aura of dark magic, a paladin donning black armor appears riding atop his monstrous steed with similar sacrilegious signet banners. The paladin silently huffs as he locks his gaze upon the dumbfounded tactician and brandishes a Lancereaver, a spear's bane and then points the tip of his blade at him.
"Your head…is mine…" the paladin muttered, loud enough for the remaining group to hear.
"GET DOWN" They hear the tactician roar as another javelin comes at the group from a flying wyvern rider. Lucas dodges the javelin with great reflexes like a swordmaster, twirling his spear before jumping and slamming the tip of the spear through the rider's mount's eyes, impaling the creature on its head and making it crash to the ground. The fallen rider stood on his knees after a daze before having his head sliced vertically in half by the dark paladin's Lancereaver.
"Gee, a monster indeed. Makes me wonder why they'd even work together in the first place," Lucas thought out loud in horror, seeing the strange paladin killing even its supposed ally.
"Die…!" The paladin scowled while trying to hack and slash the stoic tactician before throwing out a handaxe that nearly cut a strand of his hair.
"Yeah, no." Lucas says as he keeps on dodging and trying his best to avoid the slashes and the spear strikes, but not without a couple of scratches. He couldn't really do much as the spear he used was still on its head. "Well this is just perfect…"
Just when he is cornered to a wooden fence, as the paladin was about to bring his blade down on the head, a greataxe flies in between the paladin and Lucas before returning to Oswin, thanks to his heavy retracting chain.
"Leave the tactician alone!" Oswin sternly warns before trying to slash the paladin with his axe before parrying against the Lancereaver. "Leave this one to me. Finish this fight."
"I will leave it to you then." Lucas replied as he ran to find the rest of his squad.
Just when he thought things are about to go smoothly, as he went down the road, he comes upon a small struggle between the team members, with the two thieves Legault and Leila engaging in combat with who appears to be the ringleader of the ragtag army, whereas Ren and Matthew are battling a pair of wyvern riders.
Lucas immediately runs over to Legault and Leila, twirling his spear and preparing to use that as his dynamic entry into the fight, knowing that Matthew and Ren can handle a couple of riders as well as guard them from being flanked.
"Well, this is quite the turn of events. And here we thought things might get tough," Legault comments as he barely dodges the big warrior's killer battle axe.
"Took you long enough. Where've you been?" Leila wondered before parrying the edge of the axe.
Lucas twirls and brings out the spear as he uses it like a pole to vault and dropkick the warrior's face, stunning the two and the enemy boss at the complete randomness of the tactician's move.
"Less talk, more hitting." Lucas bluntly says as he prepares to follow up his earlier attack.
"Grrrgh, you'll pay for this insolence! Wait till I get your heads!" The warrior roared as he spins around and slashes with his battle axe.
"Heads up!" Legault calls as he throws a dagger at the warrior's thigh from the side, making him stagger.
With this chance, Lucas runs towards him with his nearly broken steel lance due to the excessive use earlier and pierces the side of the warrior.
"Leila! Finish it!" He yells, making sure that the target won't run.
Without hesitation, Leila plays with her knives flung into her hands before dashing into the shadows to surprise the dazed warrior, decapitating him from behind without remorse before sheathing her bloody daggers.
"Damn…" Lucas says looking down at the body of what was presumed to be the bandit leader.
"Well, that wasn't so hard now, was it?" Leila smirked, despite all the blood and bits of entrails dripping on the sides of her cloak and scarf.
"It makes sense. Ren taught you that trick," Legault merely shrugs his shoulders.
"Welp, I guess we should start looting…" Lucas says looking into the corpse of the bandit leader, pulling out his things and a Hero Crest medallion. "I'm definitely saving this for someone later."
"Oh! You guys finished here too?"
Coming from the road behind them, Ren and Matthew followed the others on bloodstained clothes, though clearly not theirs.
"Yeah, no thanks to you though." Lucas quipped back at Ren before tossing him the axe of the bandit leader. "Tell Merlinus to fix this up and sell it. Might make a profit."
"Poof! Urgh, this seems kinda irreparable, but would fetch a sack of coins though!" Ren jested at the idea, with Matthew nodding in agreement.
Lucas coughs out loud, making sure everyone can hear him and his obviously tired voice.
"I'm not gonna mince words, you all did well today… Yes, Including you Pigtails." Lucas says addressing the group, much to Serra's protest and dismay. "But this war is far from over. Right now, I'm calling an emergency meeting: Ninian, Nils, Lyn, the Pretty boy, Ostian Heir, Ren, Legault and Leila, to the inn. The rest of you, get some rest. You all need it because tomorrow, we will start to discuss things about watches and patrols." He says addressing everyone in the group from afar.
As the group disperses into their own businesses or taking a breather, those who were called to the meeting end up heading to the bottom floor of the tavern but before Lucas headed to the meeting area, there was someone he needed to see. A certain redhead, who has more answers than Lucas would prefer. After a few minutes of waiting at the bar and maybe asking a waitress or two to refill his wineskin, the redhead that he was looking for appeared.
"Oh hi! Welcome back! Great that you're all still in one piece," Anna slyly welcomed with a cheery smile.
"Oh, cut the formalities. Tell me what you know about the marks." Lucas deadpans, keeping the wineskin and pulling out some paper and some ink. "How did you get one? How do they appear? Why do they appear?"
"Ohhhh, straight to the point, I see. I like how you do things. But first…" Anna trailed off before playing with a gold coin dwindling around her fingers. "A little fee should be in arrangement, yes?"
Lucas sighs as he pulls out a sack of around 100 gold, tossing it to Anna's greedy hands. "Would that suffice?"
Anna looks into the bag and does a few quick calculations before grinning. "It's a pleasure doing business with you!"
Lucas looks unimpressed as he looks at her. "Now spill, What are these Marks? How did you get one? How do they appear? Why do they appear?"
"Well, I got my mark by defending my dear sweet honeycomb, Jake, from a bandit attack. After I got knocked out from the strain of the battle, next thing I knew, I had the tattoo on my hand. As for the rest of your questions…" Anna looks him straight in the eyes before shrugging and pulling a playful wink and grin. "I don't know!"
Lucas looks exasperated. "Wait, what do you mean you don't know? Was-"
"Listen here, Mr. Tactician. I told you how I got one but as for how the rest of your questions go, I don't think that a lady is supposed to reveal her secrets."
"I think you scammed me." Lucas growled, annoyed at the fact that he was scammed being prevalent.
"You say scam, I say business. Now be on your merry way. Come again!" She says before leaving to find another patron to sc—make business with. 'Not yet, little man. The time's not right for you to be a part of "the other side"...'
Lucas ponders for a little bit before deciding to write this all down for future reference and after getting the sufficient information he needed, he leaves the tavern for the meeting area. Meanwhile, in the other lobby area, where the rest have gathered for that "important" meeting…
"I'm getting tired of waiting. How much longer will he take this time?" Hector presses for answers with his complaints.
"He might be jotting down info, like he does back in the academy. He's meticulous that way," Ren replied while sitting on a chair in reverse, resting over his arms on the back.
"You sure knew him that well, didn't you?" Hector questions in a somewhat harsh tone.
"Well, we were orphans that grew up together back in Bern, until we went our separate paths," Ren plainly replied, piquing the interest of the others.
"Really? What happened?" Lyn asked out of curiosity.
"Well, I was a rowdy nut when I was young, so much so that I was transferred out of several orphanages for my behavior until I landed into one in Bern. That's where Lucas and I met. However, when we were in the academy, I was expelled as well, for going against a bunch of noble idiots that were picking on one of our close friends," Ren lengthily explained.
"And so, what happened after?" Eliwood asked.
"Yeah, how did you know about Leila and that 'guy'," Hector adds, referring to Legault.
"My thoughts exactly."
Appearing by the door, leaning on the doorframe with mixed emotions written all over his face, Lucas walks close, giving Ren a deadly glare, really hoping that his sworn brother would be honest with him.
"...I was basically traveling around. I left you that letter that I'd be leaving ," Ren pointed out.
"Brother, you can't just tell me that after leaving a note that only says "Farewell, I'm going away", and then just take off without further notice," Lucas facepalmed, before looking in his satchel and pulling out the said note for all to see. "Also, I ask that not one word goes out to the rest of the group until the time is right."
Everyone silently nodded in response, silently promising to keep this meeting between themselves only.
"But hey, after that hurdle, I managed to live a little outside of the orphanage: met lots of cool people, had some pocket money from jobs, and learned great life skills!" Ren listed down.
"And ended up working for the Fang, you owe me that explanation at least. What is the Fang? How did you work with it? What's the military structure?"
"Ahhhhhhh, now you're asking that. It's a long story: it started when I was a mercenary with a small name back then, until I met this man named Brendan," Ren replied.
"Brendan?" Lucas asked, writing down every minute detail in his journal.
"The founder of the Black Fang, and the father of two of the currently strongest members in the Black Fang," Legault adds.
"Lloyd, and Linus, then there was Jerme and Nino. Ahhh, good ol' times," Ren sighed before being startled by a kick from Lucas to his chair. "Oh right! We were a bunch of adventurers cleaning up the bandits roaming around, and then we went rogue taking down corrupt nobles that were abusing their lands and their own people."
"That sounded too good to be true, with the kind of Fang we're now dealing with," Lucas points out, going back to taking down more notes on paper.
"Yeah, and this is where things went kinda downhill: a long while after we've established ourselves officially as a huge guild of fighters, with Jaffar recruited somewhere then in between. But later, Brendan met this strange woman from a tavern, and eventually married her without everyone knowing," Ren explained with his face changing, clutching his fists with controlled rage. "...She's a monster. An actual demon…"
"Demon? How so?" Lucas pried further as he kept away a finished page and pulled out another paper.
"I had my suspicions about her, with how she's easily able to sway our leader and others with her bewitching appearance. Not only that, I chanced upon her luring many lowly fighters among us that were dumb enough to follow her into a certain cellar. It was there she—"
"Wait, she's a harlot?" Hector asks
"I assumed that to be the case too, but instead of that, she incinerated them, all of those that were seduced have been killed by her hands. I found out her plans and managed to not make a noise, but she was able to notice my presence for some reason," Ren further explained. "I tried to run for my life until I met one of the worst assassins of the bunch, Jaffar. A prodigy born to be an assassin. She dispatched him to silence me without hesitation and I barely got out in one piece."
"...yeah, it's true. Hearing that also got me spooked, but it was not the real reason why I really left," Legault admits as he shook his head.
"Are you referring to that assassin back in the Dread Isle?" Lucas asked.
"Yes," Leila nodded. "After a while, he suddenly barged into my chamber in his tattered bloodstained tunic. It was hard to lay low with him, and then he said that he had to leave. So I led him to the forests near the headquarters and saw him depart after his wounds were partially healed."
"Really? How close were you two in that organization?" Lucas asks.
"He was my senior when I joined, trying to spy on the Fang. When he caught me in the act, he chose to conceal my identity," Leila replied.
"Why?" Lucas pressed on.
"He also sensed that something was really wrong in the organization, and it only worsened when he noticed that some men in his squadron went missing or seemed to be under some stupor. He followed one of them and realized that they're being sacrificed for their life force, done by those alluring monsters in pale human skin, with golden gleaming eyes and jet black hair," Leila explained.
"You mean those freaks back in the Dread Isle?" Lucas wondered.
"Yes, although some among them would rather conceal their appearances to not attract too much attention, but be warned, each and every one of them are inhumanly dangerous, no matter what," Leila warns, crossing her arms.
"But hey, we're all deserters out here. Not exactly the reliable type of information you can get. Just saying, Lucas," Legault nonchalantly adds while stretching his fingers.
"Hm, you made your point. Thanks for your time. The three of you can do what you want for the rest of the night. I still need to talk with the nobles," Lucas permitted, with Leila and Legault seeing themselves out of the lobby while he spots Ren choosing to stay put on his seat. "I… I'm sorry. For your losses, brother."
"Don't be. Not your fault. Until I kill that wretched witch, the Fang will never be the same as it once was in its glory days," Ren growled, clutching his fist very tight.
Lucas then looks at the entrance outside to notice a familiar orchid-haired maiden snooping around before scampering away and taking off on her pegasus.
'...Hmmmm, knowing her, she might not say anything about this, too afraid, if anything. Should be fine, best not to tell Ren yet.' Lucas thought to himself as he walked to the Lycian lords and the strange siblings before coughing and keeping the notes he currently has before pulling out another piece of paper.
"Now, with the Black Fang concern or curiosity talk is now over and done with, let's talk about the other elephant in the room. Dragons, those creatures we know from the myths and stories of long ago, are somehow real. You and the Black Fang are somehow connected and involved in all of this. Nils, Ninian, explain yourselves. What is going on? Or the more important question I should be asking: who are you?" Lucas says deadpanning, while giving a slight glare to Nils so that he knows better than to lie to him.
"About that… it is something you might be shocked to hear, but—to make the long story short, Ninian and I are both children of dragons, direct descendants," Nils answered.
"Wait, Didn't the myth say that they were all exterminated or supposedly exiled in the Scouring?" Lucas asked for clarification, with Nils nodding in response. "And how are you both dragons, but you appear to us as human?"
"However, our origins are still much blurry, and for some reason, we are left under the care of that strange man who calls himself Nergal, the one you faced back in Valor," Nils adds.
"Interesting," Lucas comments as he writes every word down.
"But what does that hoodlum want with the two of you?" Hector wondered, asking Lucas' question before him.
"You have seen and witnessed that we are both not normal children, being direct descendants of dragons. We have powers and enhanced senses compared to normal humans. It is the power of the dragons that made that man hunt us down, because our powers are the key to open the Dragon's Gate," Ninian explained.
"Okay, so how did we find you on that boat?" Lucas asks, making sure that the notes he had taken were organized.
"It's all thanks to the late Lord Elbert's help," Nils painfully added. "He was a very friendly man who got tangled with misfortunes, all to investigate strange things that were happening in his lands. He told us many amazing stories about himself, his land, and his family—especially Sir Eliwood!"
'Father…' Eliwood sighed with a heavy heart.
'Eliwood…' Lyn looked on with concern, knowing well that he died in his arms the moment they were reunited.
"Uh huh, but why was only Ninian on the boat and not you? How did she get on one anyway?" Lucas wondered.
"After Lord Elbert aided our escape to a nearby boat hidden on the shore, we came upon a storm as we were at sea. There, I was thrown out of the boat because of the strong winds and back on Valor's shore," Nils replied.
"When he went overboard, I was completely at a loss and grew weak. It's all my fault, for being so weak. I'm sorry," Ninian apologizes.
"Sister, don't apologize. You're stronger than that. Your powers are stronger than mine, and Nergal exploited your weakness. It's not your fault," Nils reassured, though being the younger sibling.
"It's a miracle you're both still walking after being thrown around at sea like that. I know a certain someone who couldn't stand transportations for even an hour," Ren remarked with a smirk, getting a smack from the back of his head from Lucas.
Suddenly, they hear loud trotting of horse hooves coming from the roads just outside the lobby, getting the attention of everyone that they went out with the rest of the army who were also curious, facing a phalanx of paladins and cavaliers with a banner of the Pherae household, Eliwood's home.
"Ohhhhhh, now that's an army," Ren gulped down his fears, noticing the weapons and defenses the army has. Lucas looks at the army skeptically and gives Marcus a questioning look, wondering if this was for the procession of just one dead marquess.
"Milord! Lucas! The fault is mine. At my own discretion, I have sent a messenger yesterday to Lady Eleanora, Milord's mother and Her Ladyship, concerning the passing of the marquess and his last words," Marcus admits. "Her Ladyship needed to know. And here the men have come to bring the marquess back to his land."
"It's fine, Marcus. Thank you again, for your initiative," Eliwood assured.
"It would be nice if your men are a little more "discrete" in their arrival. Your army sticks out like sore thumbs in their armor with your noble banners," Lucas huffed, slightly annoyed that there were this many men just for one man.
"Commander Marcus! Lord Eliwood!"
Suddenly, separating herself from the row of paladins in the army was one female paladin with an Angelic Robe draped over her white armor, wielding a short spear and a kite shield with the symbol of Pherae, who seemed familiar to Marcus.
"It can't be… is that you, Isadora?!" Marcus thought out loud, taken aback by the appearance of his longtime colleague.
"Isadora!? Why are you here!? No, is my mother—!?"
"Your mother, Her Ladyship is faring well, she was greatly preoccupied by the messenger that arrived. After she finished, she gave me orders without hesitation, which is to be a sword by your side, Lord Eliwood. Your mother's greatly worried for your wellbeing, and "to obey your father's dying wish". I have delivered, and will see through this to the end with you."
The female paladin faces Lucas and examines his appearance, weirding him with her inspection.
"Are you perhaps Lucas, the tactician? Milord has said quite a lot about you when you first met long ago. I am honored to fight alongside you as your sword on the battlefield," Isadora vowed, tapping on the silver sword at her side.
Lucas looks away with a grunt. "I do not need to know that Eliwood has a desire for me. And I prefer spears, thank you very much."
"Wheeeew, for a lady, you're tough as nails, aren't ya?" Ren whistled and laughed, making Isadora blush in embarrassment from his remark that got him a kick to the back of his shin from Lyn. "Oww ow and ow!"
"P-Please! I am not as foolish and reckless as men usually are. I do compose and consider myself a normal elegant lady, even after my training as a knight," Isadora nervously replied. "P-Plus, I have—"
"Have a what?" Ren continues, curious about her pausing.
"I-It's nothing," Isadora replied in defeat, clearly showing that she has something to hide.
"...My bad. That's on me," Ren nervously apologizes.
Lucas then notices the same orchid-haired maiden avert her gaze and hide behind her two elder sisters, facepalming at another one of Ren's reckless antics. Following the reorganization of the army and the knights of Pherae reclaiming the body of their late marquess, this time only the lords and tactician meet again in the lobby, leaving their retainers and other odd bunch of the army out to do their own business.
"Alright, now that all the chatter and the annoyances are out of the way, let's plan this time. Clearly, our foe is not any normal bandit leader or noble. I sense something far worse from that madman on the Dread Isle," Lucas notes. "This is much bigger than petty war, it could involve all of Elibe for all we know!"
"Yes, I agree," Lyn nodded in agreement, siding with Lucas' opinion.
"Okay, so what do you have in mind, Lucas?" Hector wondered.
"I have an idea: we should inform Marquess Ostia," Eliwood suggests, making his best friend in blue armor irk from his suggestion.
"I see. Sounds good, but why does "Heir Ostia" seem so uneasy with that idea?" Lucas wondered as he pointed that out, his mouth turning into a little grin.
"Erm, about that. Well…" Hector trailed off.
"It's because he was lax in maintaining contact with the marquess, his brother Uther," Eliwood answered in Hector's stead.
"Brother huh?" Lucas repeated, seeming interested in their strangely anxious relationship.
"Hey! You can't tell me to go to my brother after what we've been through!" Hector bursted. "How am I supposed to say that we were island-hopping and traveling across the land like peddling merchants!?"
'Hmmm, yup, that does sound ridiculous enough as it is. And assuming that brother of his is the serious type, it might not end well,' Lucas thought to himself with a chuckle. "If we are to inform the marquess, what's the best rendezvous point to meet with him?"
"Once we send a messenger by dawn, it will take a day or so to reach a fort within the borders of Thria, a neighboring land of Ostia," Eliwood answers. "Though it might take a while for the marquess and his reinforcements to arrive, it won't be long."
Lucas thinks for a little bit as he pulls out a piece of paper and starts to write some things within the paper before he sighs a little bit. "We need someone who can run fast and can run without making people worry too much. I believe we should send either Matthew or Leila or both of them at once. That way they can rush back with the response from the Lord of Ostia almost immediately."
"Huaaagh! All this talking about my brother is tiring me out," Hector yawned as he left for the inn to his room.
"We shall see you all in the morning then! C'mon, sister!" Nils bade, walking to the entrance.
"G-Good night everyone! Do take care," Ninian bade and followed Nils back to their room in the inn.
Lucas yawns a little before he stretches and stands almost immediately, folding the piece of paper and pocketing it in the emerald green coat. "I have some things to give to someone who might know of the things that I need to learn." Lucas immediately leaves and closes the tent flap behind him as he leaves the area to find a proper messenger to deliver the letter to someone in Etruria. With the tactician leaving, the other members finally decided to get some rest for the travel that the group must make when dawn comes, but not Ninian, who slowly approached Eliwood and lightly tugs on the edge of his sleeve.
" ...Lord Eliwood…" Ninian says softly, barely enough for Eliwood to hear.
"Hm? Oh, Ninian... I didn't see you. I'm sorry about before. I just... needed some time to think," Eliwood sighed.
Ninian says nothing as she just looks at Eliwood with a dead look in her eyes.
Eliwood tries to make more conversation again."Should you be up? You've had a rough time... Your color's not very good. You should rest. I mean, look at you: all scratches and bruises...you need to take care of yourself and your brother...
Ninian looked puzzled and overwhelmed that tears started flowing and dripping down her face "...Why?"
"Hm?" Eliwood awkwardly responded.
Ninian's eyes turn watery like opened floodgates as more tears fall out from her red eyes. "Why was Lord Elbert so… Lord Eliwood, why were you both... so kind to us? It's... This is… This is all my fault… These nightmares... All these terrible things…" Ninian at this point starts to fully cry even more as she covers her face in her hands in sorrow.
Eliwood couldn't say anything but just stiffly comfort Ninian with a warm side hug, embracing her shoulders with only his right arm. "Ninian, crying ill suits a girl of your beauty. I'm fine... Please don't cry."
"I'm sorry... So... sorry…" Ninian says in between tears.
This time, Eliwood wraps both of his arms around her in a comforting manner before affectionately tightening his embrace, surprising Ninian with how warm his body feels. "There's something you must hear. You're not responsible for what happened to my father. You suffered as much as he did. Please don't punish yourself for that."
"…Thank you…Eliwood…thank you…" Ninian sobbed, planting her wet face on his blue draped robe, hugging him as she let her feelings flow.
'Hmmm, love, ever so melodramatic,' Ren muttered and shook his head with a grin before yawning out loud and going to his chamber. 'Aghhhh, well, maybe I too am melodramatic. Meh. Hm?'
Catching his attention by the corner of his eye, he sees a pair of golden gleaming eyes from the shadows, blinking before turning away upon being found out by the black drabbed swordsman. Ren pursues the stranger in the shadows, brandishing his blade with vigilance as he hops over the buildings until he is close to cutting the stranger's path to a dead end. However, the moment he turns to the small empty alley's dead end, the stranger is gone as if he vanished into thin air, knowing full well that the vicinity in the place is nearly inescapable.
"Drats! I thought I had him!" Ren growled and ranted, slamming his fist to the wall in frustration. "That gaze…seemed so familiar…"
"Ren?"
Silently catching him off guard was the timid Florina, hovering over the ground atop her loyal mount Huey before slowly descending to the ground.
"F-Florina! Wait, why are you still awake at this time? We got lots of things to do and prepare for the next journey anytime soon, you know?" Ren questions, trying to divert and distract her attention.
"I-I volunteered to take the patrol shift t-tonight! I-I wanted to help become of use to everyone other than Lyn!" Florina nervously admits.
"Oh, well that's awesome! I'm on duty too, until I sort of messed up on the job, but… that's okay," Ren replied and shrugged.
"I-I see…" Florina nervously replied before being quiet, making the atmosphere dead awkward between them until Huey neighed to break the silence. "Oh? W-What's wrong, Huey?"
Heuy whines a little before skittering a few steps away from the present location but was not able to go far due to Florina holding him still by the reins.
"Welp, he seems to be jealous of me getting your attention. Best I just leave and retire for the night. G'night!" Ren shook his head before making his way back to the inn as Florina looks at his fading figure.
Chapter END
A/N: Greetings fellow readers and writers! Deepest apologies for the unannounced hiatus. We were very busy and preoccupied for a long while, but we managed! Take care and thank you for reading, blessings!
