Interlude ~Base Convos Part 14~

It was decided that Ike would take passage to Valor by heading to Badon. After they buried the remaining forces alongside Heath, they also sold the weapons left behind.

Ike came to Heath, who looked over the graves. Standing over the grave markers that noted the names of the people he worked with.

"This is not my first defection..." Heath spoke out. Ike turned to Heath who continued speaking, "I was part of Commander Vaida's Raiders. A regiment of wyvern knights in Bern..."

Ike stood silent while Heath continued his tale.

"Isaac, Lachius, Belminade... my wingmates who perished. We left Bern upon being turned on by one of our generals. That dastard wanted to slaughter a bunch of unarmed peasants by drumming up a fake rebellion to advance his military career. We refused such orders and tried to stop them, but such actions was painted as treason. We were hunted down, with our Commander Vaida who acted as decoy while the rest of us would run for the border. We all dispersed in the end, but..." Heath slurred out.

So they were all knights who were betrayed when they only wanted to protect innocents. Ike only wished he could help.

"I'm not suited at being mercenary, yet I could not be a knight... What place is there for me?" Heath questioned to himself.

Perhaps Sealen was right, Heath was not suited to be a mercenary. Caring for others, disobeying orders...

"Why do you say you're not suited to being a mercenary?" Ike asked. "Why does wanting to protect innocents go against the idea of a mercenary?"

Heath turned to Ike, "I don't follow orders, I even went against former comrades."

Ike shook his head: "Eubans and his men made the decision to attack Caelin. They had a bad employer to which they kept following. Refusing to take part in what's effectively a bad job or hurting innocents doesn't make for a bad mercenary. Just because you follow knightly principles doesn't mean both cases are mutually exclusive."

Heath stood silent, as this leader of a band of mercenaries has committed good deeds in Bern. Sometimes aiding villages for free. So he had a better authority to speak on this issue.

"If you disobey orders, it better be for a good reason. If everyone followed a superior's order that went against morals or common sense, it is up to the rest of the company to fix their mistakes." Ike explained. "Some of my father's company were former knights, in fact. They never lost their chivalrous ways, and are happy as mercenaries."

Titania and Oscar never went against his father nor have they went against better judgment. They still hold their knightly principles through the way they work as mercenaries. His father, Greil, was one of the most considerate leaders. Taking into consideration of all members and their views, from pragmatism, to morals, and beliefs.

"You mention your father, is his company here somewhere in Elibe?" Heath asked. To which Ike shook his head.

"I come from another continent. Tellius, is where my father, Greil, leads his mercenaries under his name. I just lead my own band here in Elibe. Long story short, I somehow came to Elibe through bad circumstances and I'm trying to earn my way back." Ike explained as Heath held a curious gaze towards him.

It was a long story to be said.

"Point is, you can hold chivalry even as a mercenary. Not all contracts need to be followed if they go against the best interests of the members or the group." Ike spoke to Heath with smile. "That doesn't make you a bad mercenary. Nor does it make you a bad knight."

With that, Ike left the graveyard, with Heath staring into the direction he exited to. Without a single word, he was by himself, pondering on Ike's words.

Kent and Sain were in the tavern with Ike, as Sain had promised him steaks a year ago. He was speed-eating away the meat at an unprecedented rate.

"I agree that Darin should face punishment, but to pursue him all the way to Valor?" Kent voiced out. "People who went there are said to never return. That, and it would be a perilous journey to sail there."

Ike finished off his last steak and wiped away his mouth. "Darin is in league with the Black Fang." To which the knight pair looked at him. "Don't know why they helped him cause chaos in Lycia. But apparently there might be two sides to the Fang."

They raised their eyebrows at Ike.

"When I was in Bern with the others, the locals had good things to say about the Black Fang, two of main members of the four elite, White Wolf and Mad Dog, are said to be very kind to the locals and kill corrupt nobles. Brendan is apparently the leader and father of them. Roughly ten years ago they started their operations." Ike explained.

He had already reported the gist of it to Lyn and her grandfather. He may need to report it to Eliwood if he ever comes across them.

"But why would they target the lovely Ninian and her brother, Nils?" Sain asked.

"That's the problem, they gradually became worse as of lately of last year, targeting anyone. This was a recent change when the operations have shifted. This might have been to a larger new influx of new members, eager to do any job. That's probably why some of the Fang have went after Nils and Ninian." He explained. "I hope I can reach out to the leaders and demand to know what is going on."

Unbeknownst to Ike, he already met White Wolf and Mad Dog. They even recommended a secret shop to Ike.

"Still, what makes you want to chase after Darin? I can see he might target Caelin again in the end using the Black Fang. You've been seen rather distraught since that battle." Kent pointed out. To which Ike obliged to answer.

He had no reason to hide why he wanted to go after Darin.

"Whatever Darin did, he trampled on the trust of everyone. His mercenaries, his civilians, his own army, even his son... This may be way too personal, but to spit and abandon the people who believed in you, to make their lives end in vain because of ambition, really reminds me too much of bad memories." Ike explained. "People like Eubans and Bernard followed the wrong man, and their lives were lost for nothing by just following orders."

He heard from Rath that he engaged with Bernard. He was an honorable general. It was due to bad circumstances that they fought against one another. If only they knew loyalty wasn't just obeying every order...

"Hear hear... Lundgren..." Sain shivered upon mentioning the name. Kent also followed suit.

"Too many lives were impacted, and I'm sure he's not done yet. I'll make sure he breathes his last." Ike promised to the two.

He won't let their lives be in vain, Darin would follow them to the graves he dug up. It would give some meaning if he fought to end against the madman who abandoned them, not just to protect Lycia, Caelin, or Lyn. There had to be some value in the lives they once had.

As they watched Ike leave the tavern, they turned to one another.

"Our Commander Ike sure likes to take it upon himself, even hold sympathy for his former enemies..." Sain remarked. "Must be because some of them were also mercenaries. Who ended up with bad employers."

Kent nodded silently and voiced his thoughts: "Just like a year ago, he held consideration to our own knights. The people we've faced either didn't know any better, or were committed to being sent to an unnamed grave. I've realized it, there's no meaning to a life you can stand proud of if others you are committed to don't follow suit."

Loyalty should go both ways. For consideration for one another. Otherwise, it would just serve a single party, and not everyone. Being a good knight for Kent and Sain meant not just following orders, but how to best serve their lord and the people. Hausen and Lyndis in turn treated them all well for their loyalty.

"I can see why Lady Lyndis has fallen for him..." Sain voiced out. Looking towards Kent who became silent and his eyes closed. As if a silent affirmation.

"Don't worry, my bosom friend. There are plenty of flowers out there to pluck!" As he spoke, he patted the back of Kent.

Kent turned to him with widened eyes, "What? What are you talking about?"

Sain turned to him with a smile, responding: "I see it in your eyes... I too hold the same gaze. I mean, she is beautiful, and she is kind... How could anyone not have feelings for her? But alas, she's taken. Falling for beautiful women is what we cavaliers do! But since Ike is our friend, we should let him take charge. That is a knightly thing to do for their friends."

Kent fought back the retort. He did not deny his feelings towards his liege. He had felt envy towards Ike, admittedly. To think Sain figured him out so easily...

"Speaking of flowers... Lady Rebecca-" Sain's pondering was cut short by Kent's next response.

"Wil."

Then Sain closed his mouth before holding his chin and rubbing it. Ok, she's out... then his thoughts went to a lovely short red-haired girl.

"Then Princess Prisci-" Just as Sain was about to finish, Kent also interjected once again.

"Her brother Raymond was staring at you when you introduced yourself. I'd be watchful of his eye." Kent added. "She's been also treating her brother and Guy more frequently than the rest of us."

Kent took a sip of his ale as he "helped" his friend snap out of his suggestions.

"Oh... hmmm..." Sain's hand stayed on his chin to ponder.

Florina was too shy, and it was clear for the past year, his attempts at wooing her did not work. Rebecca often accompanied Wil and visited her brother, who is pirate. Raven kept a close eye on his own little sister. He didn't want either siblings to throw a hand axe at his head...

"This is a... conundrum." Kent nodded at his statement. But Sain smiled at his companion. "But that is why I have you, my friend. And you have me! Right, right?"

With Sain's eager inquiry only made Kent grin to himself. They would always have one another no matter what.

"Still... if Ike will return to Tellius... what about Lady Lyndis?" Kent prodded to his friend, who snapped out of his jubilation.

Sain stood silent except for his gaze, which seemed to note how unsure he was. Indeed, if Ike returned to Tellius, it was unlikely for him to go back and forth between Elibe and his home. And if she decided to go with him, what will happen to Caelin, the knights?

It could become another Hassar and Madelyn situation aside from their lord, Hausen, seemingly giving his blessings to the pair. Her grandfather noticed the feelings of Lyndis long ago. Moreover, with his time slowly approaching, he would pass away, without an heir to the territory if Lyn would not stay.

"No matter what... we will remain the finest knights in the land. That's what matters, Kent." Sain said to his friend, with the most earnest expression.

Kent nodded and agreed with him. He will always be a knight. Committed to their lord, and the people.