Prologue ~The Boy of Blue Flames and The Girl from the Plains~ Part 1
When morning came and breakfast was served, Ike quickly recovered after eating. It was the first time he drank mare's milk. A nuttier and sweeter flavor compared to cow's milk.
"I plan to leave for Bulgar, Sacae's capital, very soon. We can purchase some supplies and get more information for you to set sail back to Tellius, Ike!" Lyn announced. Ike gave a smile and nodded.
Finding a spot where the rest of his clothing was neatly folded, he began to put them on while Lyn tended to putting away the dishes. He had just his red shirt and white pants. Putting his high-collar long coat with yellow linings on top of his red shirt. Adjusting his waistbelt and slinging over his leather spaulder and wrapping it around himself. Wrapping his dark bandana around his forehead and putting his metal fingerless gloves. Finally, wearing his long dark boots with a steel end. He was ready. He only wished he had a cape to go with it. His father looked dashing with his cape. For now, this will do.
"Oh, you've gotten ready!" Ike turned to the voice behind him. Lyn came in having put away the used platters. "You look ready to be a mercenary, Ike!"
Chuckling at her statement, he shook his head, "My father would not let me join the battlefield. I am still a trainee." Staring back at her green eyes, then her slightly calloused hands, he continued, "I can see that you're ahead of me in terms of skill." Pointing to her blades and bow within a corner.
Turning towards back at her, "I barely know how to hunt, let alone use a bow." Ike spoke modestly.
"Hey don't be so hard on yourself, I'm sure you'll be able to become a great mercenary." Lyn assured Ike. "We Sacaens pride ourselves in archery for hunting. Although, I'm more adept at using a sword." Lyn explained with a smile. Just as Ike was about to raise a response, a noise came from outside the ger.
"Hm? What was that noise?" Lyn looked outside to the entrance and turned towards Ike. "I'll go see what's happening. Ike, wait here for me." Ike nodded but with a cautious expression. She headed outside the tent to observe.
A moment later, Lyn's voice was reverberated across the ger. "Oh no!" Ike immediately became alert and stood as Lyn returned inside the ger.
"Bandits!" Ike's attention immediately went towards the weapons she had. Lyn quickly gathered her iron blade and bow in the corner. "At least 3 of them. They must have come down from the Bern Mountains! They must be planning on raiding the local villages. I..." as she paused, she turned to Ike as she spoke. " I have to stop them! If that's all of them, I think I can handle them on my own." Ike's eyes became concerned at her boast.
A young girl handling 3 bandits on her own? While he may not be familiar at her fighting skills, she's still outnumbered 3-1. Soren would be writhing over her supposed arrogance.
"You haven't fully recovered, Ike." Staring into Ike's cerulean eyes with a worried look she continued: "Don't worry, you'll be safe in here. You could take a spare blade should the worst happen."
"No. I'll accompany you." As Ike declared, he took one of the iron swords within the corner. "I've recovered well enough. As a mercenary, I don't plan to allow my benefactor to fight alone."
He may be a rookie, but he refuses to let his savior to go alone to battle. The Greil Mercenaries would be disappointed if he didn't repay her kindness. With a resolute expression and a blade in hand, he spoke, "Ike, ranger of the Greil Mercenaries, begins his duty today. My skills, however meagre that they may be, are at your service."
Staring into Ike's determined face, she smiled, "Thank you. We'll go together." And the two headed out into the plains.
Ike gazed at the surroundings, mostly plains, and a few thickets near where their ger was located and off to the West and North near the mountains. Their targets to the West and to the North. One near the mountain, one situated at one of the tents, and one south from the tent close to a thicket.
One of them may approach their encampment. They could prepare an ambush and take cover in the thicket. The enemy likely haven't prepared to take on a counteroffensive.
"Lyn, as one of them approaches from the North, let's hide in the thickets." Turning towards her as he continued, "You could fire your bow at the bandit when he gets into range and we can take them down."
Soren and his father drilled him the basics of the battlefield. While he is not experienced enough to command in the heat of battle, he still has decent knowledge to direct basic tactics. Although it seems dishonorable, survival is paramount to protect the mercenaries and the people.
The girl in question nodded and went into the small forest with him. Hiding within the trees, they stared at one of the oppressor. Readying her bow as a single bandit approaches from the North, unaware of his impending fate. Pulling the bowstring and her arrow aimed at the ruffian as he was blissfully approaching their tent. Her arrow aimed center mass at the bandit. Ike's blade, unsheathed for a preemptive strike.
Lyn closed her eyes and prayed quietly, "Father Sky... Mother Earth... bless my aim." And opened her eyes to her target.
The bandit stood at the entrance of their ger. Ike quietly spoke: "Now... Fire!" Upon hearing his shout, she unleashed her bowstring and with it, the arrow held at the notch. The arrow flew straight into center mass as the bandit turned towards them. The arrow made its mark into the bandit's chest. The bandit receiving an arrow straight into the sternum, cried out in pain. The remaining bandits turned to the direction their comrade cried. Lyn was not the only one who decided to attack, as Ike quickly took the opportunity to strike by approaching.
Kneeling slightly on one leg, and raising his sword near his shoulder, the bandit still bawling, was within his range.
QUICK DRAW
In a single moment, he dashed forward and slashed his opponent with blinding speed, his sword still at the ready having been used to slash at the bandit horizontally.
"Ugh...ooof." The bandit cried his last, having been shot and slashed fatally. He fell with agony as his last expression. Ike, for the first time in his life, achieved his first kill. Breathing a slight bit of relief, he once again remained alert. Having already been spotted by the bandits, he held his sword over his head and slightly bending his leg in his usual battle stance, faced his opponents. Lyn, coming out from the thickets, readying her blade at the side, waiting to be unsheathed.
"W-what?" The bandit leader, Batta, questioned. Both he and his cohort looking at the direction and spotting their assailants having stepped away from their hiding place. Their blades at the ready, facing them. "Who do they think they are? You think you can stand up to Batta the Beast?" Readying their axes, they stared down at their prey with a somewhat nervous expression.
The boy and girl's ordeal was far from over. Their battle has just begun.