Interlude ~Base Convos~ Part 3
"Wil." Ike called out to Wil who was ready to report the villagers to the South and to say farewell.
"Oh! Ike! Need something?" Wil questioned.
"Are you really ready to be a mercenary?" Upon that question, Wil had a slight somber expression.
"Ummm... I kind of already a mercenary before joining you." Scratching the back of his head as he spoke, "Let's just say I was way in over my head with my friend. We come from Pherae, and we wanted to make big and let our families live rich."
"Pherae is one of Lycian territories, isn't it?" Ike asked. With Wil nodding and continuing to explain. "But it didn't work out. This was four years ago when we decided to leave and he quit only a month in after getting homesick." Closing his eyes as we spoke, "We separated at Badon."
"Hmm... I guess I understand how he felt..." Ike murmured as Wil caught on to what he whispered. "Well, once this is all over, I do plan to head to Badon."
"Hm? You planning to sail somewhere?" Wil prodded. Ike nodded in response.
"To tell you the truth, I come from another continent." With Wil's eyes widening. "Hence why my father's troop may seem unfamiliar to the rest of Elibe. Honestly, what brought me here may have been a kidnapping or some other thing. Lyn found me and nursed me back to health."
"Whoa, I hope you manage to get back to your home."
"Yeah... I do miss my family, my little sister, my father, the Greil Mercenaries..." Ike closed his eyes. He walked away the next moment as Wil watched him go off.
"Family eh...?" Wil quietly said to himself.
Having set up camp within the village, most of the men turned in early after eating their supper, save for Ike, Lyn and Florina. They sat near a bonfire.
"So, are pegasus knights common in Ilia?" Ike asked.
"U-um yes." Florina nervously squeaked out. "Our cold climate is suitable for Pegasus but because of the land being too cold, there's no farmland. That's why the people focus on being mercenaries."
Interesting. Begnion was said to have the most pegasus knights so he heard. But he doesn't recall the climate being much different.
"Um..." Florina called out interrupting Ike from his thoughts. She squeaked before beong encouraged by Lyn. "You mentioned being from another continent, right?"
Ike nodded.
"Do they also have pegasus knights in...Tellius?" With Ike nodding at her question. "Yes. But I haven't known anyone personally. And I don't know much about the geography of Begnion if it is like yours. On the contrary, I believe the wyverns were notable in Daein, situated in the Northeast of Tellius."
"Bern is said to have alot of Wyverns in their country. They're native," Lyn pointed out, adding to the conversation.
Scratching his head, Ike gave his apologies, "I'm sorry. I'm not well-versed in lore or our own land. My father or Titania maybe more knowledgeable with the riders of each country. I've lived mostly in the borders of Crimea where the Greil Mercenaries are based in."
"Oh... don't apologize... I'm the one who put you on the spot like that..." Florina sheepishly spoke.
Ike looked up to the stars. "I guess this just goes to show how narrow my view was." Florina and Lyn glanced at each other. "Seeing a new land, its culture. It's fascinating..."
Closing his eyes, he continued: "All the more reason when I return, I need learn more about my own land if I want to help the Greil Mercenaries."
"Ike..." Lyn whispered out.
"Well, I'll tuck in. See you at dawn." With Lyn smiling back and Florina nodding. Ike went off to his quarters while the pair remained at the campfire.
"Ike." A voice came out from behind Ike. It was Kent.
"May I speak with you for a moment?" Ike nodded at his request.
"I want to ask you... to perhaps take knighthood under consideration," Ike blinked at Kent's proposition. "At least not formally, but as Lady Lyndis looks to you as our leader, it becomes a matter of image."
It was Ike's turn to look confused. "Why's that? Is there something wrong about being a mercenary? Wil and Florina are mercenaries, aren't they?"
Kent shook his head. "It's because Lady Lyndis is considered an heir to Caelin. Hence, it's better to be associated with her knights. It could delegitimize her as the rightful successor to Caelin."
Oh... so that was the reason. The whole political image. Something Ike hopes he never has to deal with as a mercenary.
"I hope you understand. Despite being a member of your father's band of mercenaries." Looking resolute in his expression, "Knights are seen to be the protectors. It's up to us to serve our lords and protect the people."
Ike closed his eyes at Kent's proclamation. "I'm sorry, but I have to refuse."
"Why? It could help prevent a stigma on Lady Lyndis or help her image. You could even become a lord as a reward for your exceptional duty." Kent explained. Ike opened his eyes with a determined expression.
"It's because I hold no shame in my family." Kent blinked in surprise. "I told you about Oscar and Titania once. How they were former Crimean knights?"
He wasn't going to tell why Titania stayed as a mercenary. That's not his place to prod. Besides, he did not mind the loving gaze she sent towards Greil at times. She had every right to love, even if Ike's father stayed loyal to his wife.
Kent nodded. "Well, Oscar specifically could have left the mercenaries to return to the knights while Rolf and Boyd were able to take care of themselves at home." Kent's eyebrows raised. "Why did he stay? Was he paid more than as a Knight?"
Ike shook his head "He only receives half of what he was paid in the Crimean 12th regiment as part of my father's company." Kent blinked his eyes in surprise. "But why?"
"My father helped Oscar when his tenure as a knight was cut short. His brothers were left orphaned and they needed their eldest brother to take care of them. My father helped them." Kent now understood, it was out of gratitude. But that was only part of the reason.
"I asked him why he remained in my father's company, and he had two reasons which once again reaffirmed why I want to become a mercenary." Ike explained with passion evident in his eyes.
"Which were?" Kent asked.
"I remember the words he said to me: He had the chance to see the world. To see grief with his own eyes. People subjugated by the powerful, losing everything and dying alone... Countries can't save people like that. It's up to men like us—mercenaries who are in the thick of the action—to aid those who cannot aid themselves. That's the first reason." Ike spoke fervently. With Kent's eye widening. "The second, is because his family was there. I thought it was just Rolf and Boyd, but he was referring to us. All of us, the Greil Mercenaries." Ike concluded. "That's why I have no use for honor, I'm proud of my family. The Greil Mercenaries."
A good moment passed between Ike and Kent. Silence filled the vicinity upon Ike's conclusion. Kent closing his eyes, out of a sense of shame.
"Forgive me, Ike. I was too prejudiced and narrow-sighted. For that, I am deeply sorry." With Ike only shaking his head at Kent's apology.
"Don't be, you had the best intentions for Lyn. I can't fault you for that."
"Still, I made light of you and mercenaries in general. It's because of that I'm unworthy as a knight." Kent spoke with shame evident in his voice. Ike only raised his hand to halt him.
"No, you had your worries and concern for your lord. Besides," Looking at Kent as he spoke. "Knights like you and Sain can do alot of things that we mercenaries can't, we all strive to aid the people in our own way. That's all that matters." Ike explained.
Kent smiled at his words. "You're right, although I can't say the same for Sain." Soon, the vicinity was filled with laughter all while Sain stood patiently off in the distance.
He frowned slightly at his friend's comment before going back to his usual carefree smile. Going off to his tent, he looked up to the stars, "I guess there's not much difference between knights and mercenaries."
Unbeknownst to the pair conversing and even Sain, Lyn stood watching off in the distance. After having left Florina to return to her tent, she noticed Ike and Kent. Despite it being rude to eavesdrop, she couldn't help but be curious at what the pair were speaking about. Lyn smiled at Ike's resolution.
"Family...could I be a part of that too, Ike?" She whispered.