Chapter 5 ~Beyond the Borders~
The group reached of forest as they near the Lycian border. Entering the Lycian territory where the many houses make the alliance.
"We've almost reached the Lycian border." Kent announced.
Finally, they were ever so close to their destination. And to Lyn's grandfather.
"Once we cross, we'll be safe from the bandits, right?" Lyn questioned.
"We should be." Wil exclaimed. "I doubt they'll be willing to pursue us across the border."
"Lycia at last! It's been a long time." Sain celebrated. "Tomorrow, we'll dine on a feast of Lycia's finest foods! And the mistress of the inn at the crossing is said to be a beauty. Ah, yes… Food and love. No better way to restore a man's soul! You'll love it Ike!"
Ike gave a small smile at Sain's fantasies. He'll enjoy the food, but not doing the same as Gatrie. Kent on the other hand, face palmed at his partner's antics.
"If your behavior is as deplorable as ever, we'd best stay elsewhere. We're not here for sightseeing!"
"Oh, come now! That's not fair!" Sain complained.
"It's been awhile and we've camped alot during the journey." Ike noted. "It doesn't hurt to stay at an inn."
Having a warm bed and shelter over their heads without the fear of ruffians rampaging during the night would be appreciated. The last skirmishes taking a toll on the group. It would be recommended for the group to have some comforts every now and then.
"Ike! My bosom friend, join me in the finest libations and food Lycia has to offer!" Sain beaming at Ike with gratitude.
"Haha! I look forward to it Sain." Ike responded.
So long as he doesn't get wrapped up in a similar situation as Gatrie, he should enjoy it. He has been curious as to how Lycians cook their meat. These past days, they've hunted game throughout the journey. Having a inn-prepared meal wouldn't hurt.
"Ah! We'll finally be able to get a good night's sleep." Florina voiced out behind the group.
Ike looked back to see Lyn halted for a moment. Her eyes looked... alert. More bandits? Did the Ganelon bandits chase them again?
Unfortunately, Ike's fears came true, as several axe users came into view.
"Oh, no… Those bandits are persistent, I'll give them that much." Lyn growled out.
The bandits faces were shown. The leader with dark slick back wavy hair and missing gap tooth. His archer partner having brown hair and a headband along with buck teeth.
"Ah! Here they are! I've found 'em!" The leader, Bug, called out.
Everyone's weapons readied at their aggressors.
"What? Not again!" Wil cried out. "They're still after us?" Ike also gritted his teeth.
"Heh heh heh. Don't think you're getting away so easily!" Bug laughed out.
The fellow bandit archer also added onto it. "You leave alive, and everyone'll think the Ganelon Bandits have gone soft!"
"So? We care nothing for you or your reputations! We must get to Lycia! Get in our way, and you'll pay!" Lyn readied her Mani Katti as she threatened the bandits.
"If you run, you could leave with your lives." Ike pointed out. "We've dealt with your kind and slain many of your men. You coming to us will make no difference in the end." Readying his blade in his stance, he prepared for battle.
The bandits growled at Ike's statement. But they should outnumber the group seven to six (despite the fact this group had been overly outnumbered and still survived intact). Bug and the remaining bandits should win according to their impeccable (self-proclaimed) logic.
"Cheeky little things, aren't you? Let's get 'em, lads!" Bug called out. "And no holding back just 'cause there's women with 'em! Wipe 'em out!" And with that, the bandits stormed the battlefield surrounding the group. Two archers, swordsmen, and three brigands.
Suddenly from near Ike and Lyn's position, a voice cried out: "Wow! A fight! A fight! Erk! Take a look! Fighting those bandits… It's a young boy and girl!" From the forest, out came a young girl slightly older than Lyn with pink pig-tails at both opposite ends of her head. With a priestess garb and purple scarf from her neck.
"Fool! Keep your voice down!" The boy named Erk. He had purple wavy hair and split ends, a blue top and red cape, holding a book that appeared to be a fire tome. He didn't look much younger than Ike or Lyn.
The bandit archer quickly noticed the pair, "Eh? What's this? You in league with that she-devil and blue boy?"
"Hm?"
"Ah… This is so wrong…" Erk voiced out while facepalming.
"Gyaaa! I'll take care of you with one swift stroke!" The bandit upon saying those words, began to ready his bow and arrow and begin pointing it at the two. Erk in return opened his tome.
"Eeeeeek! Eeeeeek! Eeeeeeeeeeeek! Erk! Help me!" Serra cried out. Huddling behind the boy.
"So…loud… Serra!" Erk cried out.
The bandit's arrow shot out, hitting Erk clean in the right anterior thigh. Erk didn't falter but began to chant the spell from the book.
Fire!
And a fireball was summoned above Erk's head and shot towards the bandit. The bandit was not able to avoid the attack and was hit point blank. Still staggered, another bolt of flame shot at him, causing further damage to the archer. The bandit having been singe with flames, did not notice a blue haired swordsman coming towards him. His blade piercing downward at the bandit. His life quickly extinguished like the flames he experienced.
Ike having just killed the archer, looked to the pair.
"Are the both of you alright?"
Having revealed himself to the pair, it was clear they needed to be assisted and likely got caught in a crossfire.
"We'll be fine, we just found ourselves fighting against the bandits" Erk explained while removing the arrow painfully from his leg. Serra quickly used her staff to heal Erk's wound.
After healing Erk, the girl named Serra looked towards Ike and pointed at him: "Those ruffians thought that we were with you! You got us into a terrible situation! Now, how are you going to get us out?" Erk sighed at his employer's behavior. He wanted no part with her or this situation.
Ike honestly had no idea how to deal with these types of girls. So the only thing he could think of is to apologize. They did get wrapped up in the skirmish. He'll have to compensate them later however.
"I'm sorry," Ike accepting the blame. "Please, stay behind the safety of our group as we deal with the bandits. If you can, please use your magic tome to defend yourself and escape if needed." Turning towards Erk with his last statement.
Now it was Erk's turn to speak up, after having recovered, "Serra, if you'd not been so meddlesome, this all could have been avoided. My apologies." Erk bowed. "If you are in need of great help, we could assist you this battle." Having changed his mind at fleeing to safety upon hearing the man's sincerity.
"Thank you, if you can, assist our calvary from the North. We'll advance onto the East where the leader is situated." Ike explained. Turning to Serra, "Your name was Serra, yes?" With her nodding her head at his question. "Then if you can, please heal our troops from behind them if they are in need of support."
"Very well! Erk, be a good boy when supporting them!" Erk having already sighed deeply at Serra's reminder.
He already knew not to argue further. No matter. He'll show these bandits and to the group the true power of magic.
"Ike!" Lyn's voice resounded behind him. "Who are these people?"
"They got caught up in the conflict. They'll assist us since they're magic users." He replied. "The cleric will heal us and the boy is a tome user, they'll support us behind our fighters."
The pair nodded towards them and went to the North to help the rest of the group. Ike turned towards Lyn. Both silently nodding to each other.
Ike readied his iron sword and Lyn having her hand on her Mani Katti. Advancing on to the East where the bandit leader, Bug, was located.
Bug growled at his men being cut down or burned to cinders. What was originally seven to six turned to four to eight. Their numbers were dwindling down in comparison. Wait, now it's three. Never-mind, two, that was Ernest's cry. Oh no. From behind the thickets, the blue boy and the green girl arrived with their blades at the ready.
With only one swordsman and outnumbered greatly, there was only option.
"... Scum... You're all scum..." Bug spat out. Turning towards his sole remaining fellow bandit and nodding, he shouted: "Ruuuunnnn Awaaaaaayyyyy!" And thus he and his cohort sprinted off away from Ike and Lyn. Far away from the battle they've provoked.
Ike and Lyn looked flabbergasted for a moment, before putting away their blades. Smiling at one another, they walked back to where the group had just finished their battle. The battle was done.
As they saw their group recovered (save for cuts on their clothing and armor) with Serra and finished their battle, it was clear that Sain was acting fresh with Serra. And Sain about to gallop off before noticing Ike and Lyn together.
"Lady Lyndis! Commander Ike. It appears Lady Serra from Ostia and Erk wish to join us!" Sain announced with his usual jovial expression. Ike and Lyn turned to one another looking over to Erk and Serra.
"What made you two wish to travel with us?" Ike questioned.
"Forging new bonds with a nice man like you and poor lady Lyndis trying to find her way back to her grandfather." Serra explained. It was clear Erk was not having it as evident by the facepalm he had. His face pale from the exhaustion caused by his employer.
Translation for those who know Serra well: Make people in your debt, especially those who will succeed in power. But she will never voice it out in public. For now, Serra would act as the healer and Erk to fire his spells at enemies.
For Ike, it was needed. They lacked a healer (Note: Rhys would not join the group until one year before canon in PoR) in the Greil Mercenaries as well as this group. Casualties were bound at any rate. Furthermore, they could save on vulneraries. Having a mage was certainly helpful.
"I see." Ike closed his eyes. "I will employ you as the mage and healer of the Greil Mercenaries."
"This is fantastic, Erk! Our good deeds will earn us gratitude beyond imagining!" Serra shook Erk in celebration. He once again looked sick. Shaking off his employer, he faced Ike.
"Very well. I am Erk. A traveling mage mercenary from Etruria. Nice to meet you, Ike." Erk introduced himself with his hands out. Ike stood silent for a moment before coming out of his stupor. He nodded soon after and shook Erk's hand in return.
Lyn noticed Ike's pause upon Erk's introduction. Was he reminded of someone? Home perhaps? Or maybe his friend Soren...
"That little girl crossed the border!?" Lundgren spat out.
"Yes, Lord Lundgren. She's en route to Araphen… along with the Greil Mercenaries." The soldier replied.
"Fool! Send out soldiers to meet her and her contractor! Hold nothing back! Do anything to finish this now! First the old man, and now the girl…" he muttered, "They cling to life like a drowning man to a rock! Who is this mercenary band? Double the poison's strength! If my brother struggles, hold him down and pour it down his throat! Once the girl is gone, Caelin is mine. I will let no one stand in my way!"