Interlude ~Base Convos Part 5~
Having finally reached a nearby inn, they paid for the night. Their next destination would be Araphen, the second biggest city in Lycia. Marquess Araphen having ties with Lyn's grandfather. They could request aid from him.
The evening filled with joy upon receiving Erk and Serra within the party (well, mostly Sain). Serra flaunting off while Erk and Sain tired of their companion's antics. Wil laughing with Sain swooning at Serra, while Dorcas drinked his mead in silence. Ike went out the door, without anyone save for Kent noticing.
"Ike" Lyn's voice called. Ike turned towards her. "I noticed... that you're..."
So she found out. It was unusual for Wil and Florina to be equipped and paid. Sain and Kent had no need for the payment, however. But once Erk and Serra came into the picture, they received a small deposit for their services.
Ike closed his eyes and spoke. "I'm sorry. If you think I'm some scavenger, Lyn, I won't fault you."
"But why?" Ike opened his eyes at her question.
"It's because as a leader. I need to provide for them. To equip and feed a group this size, we have to consider options. Not just ivory or pelts from animals." He explained. "It's all the more reason why despite the equipment being sold for less than half, it will help immensely."
There was a nearby armory where they fought. The spoils could be sold off for less than half since they were used. But that would be fine. They could gain more equipment that wasn't in the hands of the ones that attempted to kill them. Moreover, there was no point in leaving weapons that anyone could pick up. More bandits could grab them or anyone else for that matter.
"No, I'm sorry for making you go through this..." Lyn apologized, "If only I had more funds... if only I could..."
Ike stopped her from finishing her sentence.
"You are our escort. And reliable fighter within our group." Ike explained. "You helped us obtain food along the journey when we would have otherwise starved along the way. You fended off bandits alongside everyone. That's more than enough"
Lyn stared at Ike for a while. And nodded slowly.
"Do you remember when my father would take a job for free?" Lyn nodded in response.
She did remember the Greil Mercenaries would take a job for little-to-none for struggling people. A far cut above most and unusual for most mercenaries.
"My father... Greil, he's not like typical mercenaries, our family... there were times when we took on jobs for free. Even help countless people at our own expense." Ike recalled with a somewhat proud tone. "But I can't burden everyone when they have their needs. It's all the more reason why I want to do this. They're all people who have entrusted their lives to me, to command them to battle with risk of death."
Lyn stared in Ike's cerulean eyes, and nodded slowly. "I understand..." She voiced out.
""So do we."" With Kent and Sain in tow, having coming out of the inn. Ike and Lyn turn to look at them.
"We can't let anyone else make off with our spoils of war." Sain spoke with his usual jovial expression. Kent nodded with him, surprisingly enough. "I will assist you like before."
Lyn decided to speak up, "Let me help you, Ike!" She gazed passionately intensely into Ike. Hoping for approval at her request. Ike closed his eyes at everyone's enthusiasm to help him. Maybe a part of the Greil Mercenaries were here in spirit. No matter how far Ike was from Tellius.
"All of you... Thank you."
Having finished selling off the spoils, they went back to the inn and rested. Upon morning, Ike prepared his attire.
"Hey, Ike." Wil called out behind the door.
"Did you need something Wil?"
"Yeah... what you mentioned got me thinking. Tell me, you still miss your family? No, of course you do. That was a stupid question..." Wil asked while berating himself near the end.
Ike nodded in response. "I do... my father, Mist, the Greil Mercenaries. Everyone." Reminiscing over this thoughts of them.
Wil stood silent, contemplating at Ike's words. After a moment, he finally spoke.
"I suppose you and Dan are not much different in that regard." He pointed out. "Was that your friend who returned home?"
"Yeah... he had a little sister just like you. Rebecca. She should be 14 now, she had green hair, braided pigtails. She and I learned archery together." Wil chuckled.
His smile soon disappeared. This is surprising, since Wil is considered the optimist in the group.
"I suppose Dan had a point. No, I always knew... he was right." Wil spoke quietly. "I felt betrayed after he left, but even I felt the same real soon. Went as far as Bern, but even now I haven't got much to my name."
So Dan and Wil left on their own from Pherae. Leaving their families to find fortune. But they got separated. Now Wil is homesick like his best friend. Ike already began to piece together the full story. Now that Ike thought about it, one of the archers that were defeated had already their bow and quivers removed. And Wil seldomly purchased his own equipment with his own gold. So that was...
"There are times that even I wish I went back with him..." Wil had a sad smile as he spoke. "What a lousy son I am to my parents..."
Wil felt a sense of shame. Over himself. His lack of accomplishments. The fact he can't return home at the thought of seeing the disappointment in his family.
"I don't believe that's true."
"Huh?" Wil voiced out.
"I said I don't believe that's true. You both had the best intentions. But the real issue now is letting your family know that you're safe. And you're living the best you can to try and get as much money for a decent living for you and your family." Ike explained. "I can't contact my family to let them know I'm safe. But you still have that chance. Don't let go of it."
"Heh...hahaha...Can't argue with that." Wil laughed. "Once this is over, I'll contact them as soon as possible. But I want to make as much gold as I can. Maybe Kent and Sain can introduce me into being a knight." Ike nodded at him. Wil might make for a good archer in Caelin.
Heading out the door, he looked back at Ike. "Me and Dan left of our own volition, without spilling a word of our plans to our folks. But that's not the same with you. I'm sure your family found out something went wrong. I'm sure of it." Wil assured right before leaving.
Ike shook his head, and chuckled, "Can't say the same for Shinon... he's probably telling others I might have ran off or got lost somewhere in another nation." Wil laughed at that notion, "Your group's archer? I suppose so, hahaha! Hey, I'll tell you more about Dan later. Look forward to it." He smiled at Wil's intention to tell more about his best friend. Wil went out of Ike's quarters to regroup with the others.
Ike stared where Wil left, and pondered. No, he was sure that the others found something amiss in his disappearance.
"Achoo!" Shinon sneezed.
"Are you sick, uncle Shinon?" Rolf asked with concern evident on his face.
"Sniff...No, I bet the twerp is mouthing off something about me. I just know it." Shinon spoke after clearing his sinuses.
Shinon and Rolf were off practicing. Alone together with targets pelted with arrows (mainly from Shinon) while some arrows on the ground (Rolf's). A secret from the rest of the group that Shinon would train Rolf so long as he wouldn't say a word to anyone, even his brothers.
"You really think Ike is safe?" Rolf spoke with worry over Ike having gone missing for weeks now.
Shinon snorted in response. "Tch. I'm sure. Although he probably got lost in Beast country or Begnion for all we know." Looking at Rolf as he spoke, he continued, "Don't worry your green little head over him, I'm sure he'll be crying back home to his little sister and the commander eventually."
Rolf smiled and nodded at Shinon's assurance. He knew his mentor wouldn't lie, even if he disliked Ike.
Somewhere even in another world, Ike sneezed. Wondering if Shinon may have cursed him in response.