Interlude ~Parley~

"Eeeehhhhh... I dunno boss, you sure you're not being scammed by pirates?" Guy prodded to Ike.

They managed take horses on the way back to Castle Caelin. Having a discussion along the way about the deal Ike made. It was reasonable to have doubts.

"The villagers seemed to be aware and accepting of the Davros in the town. They've resided for a few years according to the townsfolk. They seemed to be explorers rather than thieves." Ike explained.

This time it was Raven who interjected, "I looked into them when I entered Badon, they're pretty much clean." Everyone glanced at Raven who supported Ike's statement, and quickly responded: "Don't get me wrong, I think it's ridiculous you're from another continent and want to sail back there with pirates. Not to mention, paying 300,000 gold while you run a mercenary band."

They told Raven the gist of Ike's situation and the journey they've experienced. Ike also informed about Lucius, removing some of the doubts that Raven held towards Ike to some extent.

"Their associate, Anna, seemed to vouch for them and gave me a few items. If I show merchants and armories a note, I can pay towards the total. So whenever we buy anything, it would be best to show them the letter." Ike explained. The note seems to be a letter with a unique seal that looks resembled Anna with a ponytail. Apparently, any business will recognize it and help put part of the proceeds to Ike's needed target.

"At any rate, if this method doesn't work with the merchants, then we'd be able to tell if they were making a fool out of us." Ike pondered for a moment, before speaking. "She also mentioned a scroll that I believe is native to my continent. Have any of you heard of occultic scrolls?"

Everyone looked to one another and shook their heads.

"Well apparently, they're rare technique records that imparts a special skill upon reading. They're mystical, and could only be read by one person. You might be able to learn a technique on your own, albeit it will be difficult." Ike explained. "I'll check back with Wil and Wallace to see if this works. You remember the Luna skill I use, right?"

Guy frantically nodded while Rath affirmed only once quietly. Raven had no idea what he was talking about.

He decided to elaborate further: "Reading this scroll would probably impart the same skill onto a general or a halberdier. As for how I would know the skill, that's was out of chance as far as I can tell."

"W-whoa...can I get one of these scrolls, Commander?" Guy stammered nervously upon his request. "I'll even pay out of my own pocket!"

Ike pondered and nodded. Anna should still reside in Badon, whenever he's free or meets one of her sisters, he will try to purchase some scrolls.

"She did say these were 5,000 gold, maybe next time and I'll buy one for you. But you might need to train more in order to actually be able to read the scroll. Promotional items are even more expensive." Ike pointed out. Guy was still a myrmidon and needed to promote himself to a higher class by experience or a hero crest if he remembered correctly.

While Guy was still fantasizing about what sword skills he'll learn. This time, it was Rath's turn to speak, this time with a surprisingly worried expression.

"...I can't speak for you on behalf of the Davros... but how would you convince Lyn...?" Rath pointed out.

Of course. Lyn wouldn't like the idea of Ike working with pirates, even if they weren't exactly thieves. Her tribe was decimated by bandits, so the distinction may not matter to her. Even so, prejudice does not go away easily. They would know firsthand.

Ike stood silent at Rath's question for the remainder of the trip.

After reaching the castle, Ike escorted Raven to Lucius in the library. Lucius was ecstatic to meet his friend again while Raven only had a relieved expression. Ike left them to their own while he left with Guy and Rath to reach the training grounds where Wil was shooting arrows at targets. Apparently, he now wields a longer bow and gained a bit more muscle with Wallace's training. Wallace was nodding approvingly at Wil's progress. They noticed Ike and the others approaching the training ground.

"Ike, you're back!" Wil called out. "I just promoted to a sniper!"

So he did, Wil became much stronger than he was since the start of joining the Greil Mercenaries. And since he trained with Wallace, he was now able to promote whether they gave him an Orion's Bolt or trained enough to become one. Maybe he should read that manual Wallace gave him.

"Ike, I hope you found a good vessel to travel on." Wallace asked. He further added: "You will need to speak with Lord Hausen after you are done. He actually found a job for you to take."

Well, it was dubious to say the least. But that will be a matter to speak with Lyn and her grandfather. So Lyn's grandfather got him some work. That fast after leaving for a couple days. Ike felt a sense of pride in receiving a job offer.

"Thank you, and Wil, I got something for you." Ike took out the scroll and handed it to Wil. "It's an occultic scroll, since you just promoted, read this."

"Wow, thanks, Ike! You managed to find one here. I'll read it right away!" Wil replied. And went off to read the scroll. Wallace was about to object until Ike stopped him.

"Let him look into the scroll. It's something like a technique record." Ike explained. "It's apparently a magical item so only one person can learn from it.

"Hmmm... you called them occultic scrolls. I've never heard of them. I hope Wil reads it with the same enthusiasm as my manual." Wallace exclaimed.

So the scrolls were native to Tellius as far as Ike could tell. If a veteran like Wallace never heard of them, then it just compounded the idea that they were exclusive to Tellius. So, Anna did have the solution to Ike's problem. It's a matter of time before Ike is able to obtain or reach the needed funds to sail back home. Soon, Wil came back with his eyes seemingly sharper than before.

"Ike, that scroll, after I read and understood the technique, the contents completely disappeared." Wil explained. He showed off the used scroll with no words left on it. So the scrolls were magical in that only one person could use it once.

"Do you understand how to use Deadeye, now?" With Wil nodding after Ike's question.

"Yup. Wallace, you think you can take an arrow for me with your armor on?" Wil asked of Wallace.

Wallace's grin only grew to the point of being on the verge of laughter.

"You think a new technique of your can harm me, Wil? Try your best, if you dare!" And upon speaking those words, he approached where the targets were with his armor at the ready.

"Ok..." Wil whispered out.

He closed his eyes for a moment before opening, and took out an arrow from his quiver, twirled it, them launched it up into the air before grabbing it once again, and readied the arrow onto his bow while in midair, releasing his arrow from the bow at the notch, aimed straight towards Wallace center mass.

Deadeye

The arrow barely penetrated into his armor, likely to merely wound him slightly at most from within inside. Wil quickly dropped back down, panting slightly after utilizing the technique.

Everyone looked dumbfounded at the display. The level of prowess Wil had shown with the bow. Everyone except Wallace, who seemed dazed off into space.

"T-that was amazing, Wil!" Guy called out. Rath nodded along with him. Wil gave a scratch of the head after the praise.

"That's not the only thing you should worry about, look at Wallace."

Ike pointed to Wallace, who already closed his eyes, he wasn't dead, but one could hear his snoring from a distance. He was asleep. Everyone's eyes widened over how Wallace fell unconscious.

"O-oh you didn't hit him too bad, wait... you didn't knock his head... how was that possible?" Guy prodded endlessly. Rath remained silent, still likely surprised at the technique.

"Deadeye." Ike spoke out. Everyone's head turned to Ike. "It's a technique by snipers to twirl and shoot the arrow midair. No one exactly knows how it manages to make a person fall asleep aside maybe hypnosis. But it's one of the skills the scrolls can impart. What it can teach differs depending on what class you are."

Guy's eyes were glistening. He was already formulating plans to save for a scroll of his own. Rath was of a similar mindset, wondering if he could do something similar while on his horse. In any event, the technique has practical uses. With a single shot, it could incapacitate the enemy. With enough effort, they could capture enemies.

Wil was already astounded at how it managed to work. Soon, they heard a feminine voice call out from the direction of the castle.

"Wow! That was amazing, Wil! How did you do that?" Lyn's voice resounded across the field.

"Ike brought a magical skill scroll for me back from Badon. Wallace is fine by the way, it was just a hypnosis with the arrow." Wil responded. Winking, he continued to speak: "Maybe he'll get one for you."

Ike nodded, he was going to get assistance in calculating scroll expenses into his records. After accounting food and weapons, he'll be busy for the night.

"That's great, I'll even pay Ike for it." She turned to Ike, "My grandfather said he has a job for you. You'll be getting more work, Ike."

Ike nodded. He'll also need to speak with her.

"Well then, let's go to your grandfather." As they walked off with the group seeing them off, they heard some people cry out behind them.

"GENERAL WALLACE! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!" "Are we under attack!?" "There's an arrow sticking out of him! How he is still standing unconscious!?"

Oh no. They forgot to help Wallace...

"Are you kidding, Ike?! Pirates?" Lyn shouted out.

It took awhile for Lyn to hear the gist of what happened in Badon. What she didn't like, was the fact that

"I've talked with the townsfolk about them. They're pretty clean pirates, all things considered. They're explorers, Lyn." Ike defended the Davros. However, Lyn wasn't having it.

"But they're pirates! Who knows what they'll do to you while at sea!" Lyn retorted. "And this Anna, what if she's swindling you with the pirates?"

"Lyndis, my dear. I'm afraid you must put aside your anger for a moment." Hausen objected.

This time it was her grandfather who spoke out. Reprimanding her to stand down. Lyn's expression almost turned to that of betrayal.

"I can attest this note is authentic, along with this member card. The Anna merchant's seal that is unique to them. You can be assured that they guarantee their services. Their merchant network is well known amongst the upper echelon in Elibe. Moreover," Hausen continued, "If one of their sisters can vouch for the pirates, whose reputation is more respected rather than feared in Badon, then rest assured, Ike chose the right people. I've heard their deeds and status amongst the inquiries for the past few years, they may be intimidating, but they're no ruffians."

Lyn's face full of concerned turned to sadness. She walked to the door and out of Hausen's office, without a word. The pair saw her out, worried for her emotional state.

"I'm sorry that it came to this, but there was no one who ever heard of the continent of Tellius in Badon." Ike pointed out. "Only Anna and Jake seemed to believe in me. And they gave me a scroll that seems to be exclusive to Tellius."

"I believe you. I swear, seeing Wallace passed out and asleep from a arrow that was fired by that boy, Wil. Are you sure that arrow wasn't laced with some concoction?" Ike shook his head at his question.

Lyn and Hausen seemed to have watched the whole debacle out a window from the training ground. Quite a mystical technique Wil performed.

"In any event, it is clear that these scrolls are not listed in any catalog by the Anna merchants. Otherwise, more armies would buy them en masse with promotional seals or skilled archers demonstrating similar feats like Wil, causing a person to sleep mid-battle." Hausen stared into Ike's eyes as he continued: "You truly do come from another continent. However, I would warn you to only keep such matters to yourself save for those you trust. The fact that this note allows you access to such wares that a single member card wouldn't have access to would make you a target."

"... I understand." Ike replied.

"Still, are you sure you don't want to receive some aid towards your total?" Hausen asked.

Ike shook his head to refuse. Thinking back, the captain was eyeing him like Wallace once did.

"It's best to earn my way, and the captain, Fargus, had a similar gaze as Wallace. He won't accept me having my fare paid like that." Ike explained.

Hausen nodded and accepted. Those of a similar mindset as Wallace have better wisdom and judgment. Better than his own when it came to Madelyn. Only after all those years and having lost most of his true family that he realized it.

"All the more reason to work more towards your goal." Hausen mused. "Now, about the request for your services..." Handing over the details of the mission for Ike. Ike read the contents and raised his eyebrows.

"This..." Ike whispered out.

"You have your friend, Dorcas to escort back to Bern and bring his wife with him. I recommended a place in Pherae where it is likely he'll find work. You will take Wallace along with you. That will be all." Hausen proceeded to walk out of the room. Possibly to speak with Lyn. Ike was left alone in the office.

The implications of what he was asking for in the details. Ike would have escorted Dorcas and his wife free-of-charge. But the amount paid to Ike (20,000 gold) and to bring Wallace with him. Just Ike, Rath and Guy would be enough to bring Dorcas with his wife. He must have inquired about Dorcas at one point. Even if it was an escort mission out of gratitude... it was too much. Unless... It was clear this was no mere escort mission.

"Lyn..."

"Ike." Lucius called out from behind Ike with Raven in tow.

"Lucius, is there something you need?" Ike asked.

Lucius nodded, "Actually... Lord Raymond will assist you on the next mission." With Raven looking the other way. "Although I am happy he was worried on my behalf... he was still rude to you when he met you. That is why he and I believed it was best to work under you as repayment and reparation. I will also assist him." Ike's eyes widened at their initiative to join him.

He shook his head and replied: "There's no need for that Lucius. It was just a misunderstanding. I don't hold it against Raven."

It wasn't like Ike was injured at the arena. He felt it wasn't necessary given how Lucius helped in the journey. If anything, bringing Raven to him was Ike's form of repayment.

"Even so, it was actually Lord Raymond's idea out of gratitude for bringing him to me." With Raven being more silent with his arms crossed. Ike contemplated for a moment before answering.

"... So you're dead set, Lucius?" Lucius nodded with a glance from Raven to the side. Lucius held out his hand to Ike.

"Very well. Welcome back to the Greil Mercenaries, Lucius." Shaking his hand with Lucius. Facing Raven, he made the same gesture as Lucius. Raven remained silent until he decided to oblige and shake Ike's hand.

"Raven. I will be working with you for the time being."

"Since we plan to be contracted under Marquess Caelin as mercenaries, it is likely we will work under your leadership on more of your missions... Our magic and blades will be at your command, Ike." Lucius explained.

So they'll work together again most likely. Ike was certainly happy to work with Lucius again. He only hopes he doesn't bother him too much with the bookkeeping.

"I'm counting on you, Raven, Lucius."

Lucius nodded happily while Raven remained silent with his hard-eyed stare.