Chapter 18x: The Port of Badon

The party arrived in Badon, having reached Badon within a short time. He was already acquainted with the Pheraen knights from a year ago, greeting them as he saw them. Apparently, Harken in particular was with Elbert at the time of their departure. He was introduced to Bartre. Sure enough, he's... headstrong. Merlinus was the supply convoy for their company. So his services could also be enlisted for the Greil Mercenaries.

Even Rebecca came along, while sporting a smile to accompany the group. However, Ike noticed her demeanor since Laus attacked steered her away from her usual cheerful disposition. Wil noticed this well before Ike. In any event, perhaps killing actual people made her distraught. It won't be easy to have her accompany them, but she insisted.

She went along with Wil to greet Dart at the tavern. Ike couldn't greet them just yet until he found the others.

As Ike looked for the rest of his men, he went near the arena only to hear the murmurs of a crowd lining up to watch the spectacle.

"Man, those nomads were on a winning spree." "That woman sure is a beauty..." "I thought I heard he's a guy!" "Because of betting on them, I got a good return!"

Seems like the rest of the Greil Mercenaries did very well. Eventually, he saw them come out from another entrance away from the sight of the crowd. As he approached them from the alleyway, they noticed his presence.

"Oh, Boss! We went through the arena just like you wanted!" Guy exclaimed. "The host even gave us a bonus for being on a winning spree. Sometimes it got riskier though... s-surrounded by two wyvern riders with lances."

Guy shuddered at his experience of having gone through the harrowing trial. Wyvern Riders were known for their good defense and couple that with lances having an inherent advantage against swords aside from lancereavers. Having just an iron sword be given to you really made the stakes higher. But he managed to pull through and gained much more in return...

"It was long... but I managed to heal everyone's wounds alongside Lucius whenever possible." Priscilla added. She also took the note for purchases on her staves.

Raven only shrugged implying it was no big deal. But seeing the patches and sewn parts on everyone's clothing (save Priscilla), they went out of their way to obtain enough funds for the voyage to Dread Isles.

"Our total for the past days after deducting expenses... roughly 200,000 gold." Ike widened his eyes at Rath's stated amount (AN: Arena abuse for the win). Arenas are very lucrative form of earning money.

"With the amount you might be rewarded for your work... You'll be able to return home." Lucius gave his assessment while smiling.

Indeed, with the money given by the Lycian lords, it would total enough to cover his expenses for a trip back to Tellius. To think everyone went this far for him. The thought made him grin.

"Everyone... take 15,000 for each of yourselves. You've earned it." Everyone's eyes widened at Ike's order. "The rest will be put to the company's funds use for our next job. We will have to cover the fare for the Dread Isles and the supplies needed for the trip ahead. If you want to buy anything, just borrow the note."

"Commander..." Rath responded.

Everyone looked at Ike with an unsure expression.

"You guys fought tooth and limb to earn enough funds in the arena. The least I could do is try to reward everyone for their contribution. I can't just take the entire funds for my own needs." Ike explained. "That's why... take it. The best I can do as a commander is to make sure everyone is well-paid."

Everyone held an appreciative expression while Raven only breathed in out of resignation. His commander is still a long away from Tellius. He's far too kind for his own good. Everyone left for the tavern, knowing whom they were going to sail with. They also resided there for free since the pirates betted on them winning and got alot returns on their "investments". This also prevented alot of unscrupulous individuals from targeting the group (despite how over-qualified they were to engage with fighters).

"Raven, Priscilla. Can you wait for a bit?" Ike called out. The others glanced for a moment, Guy and Lucius particularly before nodding to one another and leaving the vicinity. The siblings looked slightly worried, before approaching Ike.

"I found the man you're looking for who has the answers." The siblings blinked in surprise and listened attentively. "Do any of you remember, Oswin, a knight formerly in House Cornwell?"

Raven's eyes flickered. It seems like he remembers. Priscilla looked unsure. It was likely it happened a long time ago.

"Well, he's now with the Ostian Knights." Raven eyes narrowed even moreso than his usual gaze. "And he told me he would speak with you about the truth. He reached out to me after he heard about the two of you while with Hector's group. Before we depart tomorrow, you can speak to him."

Raven held his doubts while Priscilla looked more eager to learn about the truth of the incident. House Cornwell's name could become cleared or marred. But at least they would know the truth of their house.

"Thank you... Ike." Priscilla spoke out. To which Ike shook his head.

"You would have found your answers eventually without me. I just wanted to have you both reach your goals as officers under my command." Ike replied.

Raven's eyes closed, and silent for a moment. He opened them again but with an earnest expression and spoke: "Thank you."

Ike then reciprocated with a smile.

"Likewise, thank you for being under my command thus far."

Just before Ike walked to the tavern, he heard the faint sounds of footsteps behind him. He turned to see a young man with a monocle to his right eye. He had purple short hair with a matching cape. He had blue robes and a red waist cloth. He looked rather scholarly.

"U-um. Pardon me! I was speaking with an old sailor a few moments ago. He told me that your group is planning to travel to Valor." The man spoke.

To which Ike replied: "Yes... do you need anything from us?"

For him to call out as if not being scared of the island.

"In that case, would you mind if I joined you?" Ike's eyebrows raised at his proposal. "My name is Canas. I'm a scholar of sorts… I've been seeking passage to Valor, but none will take me. My proposal probably sounds somewhat selfish, no?"

"Well, we can take you, but it's a little bit difficult to take care of a scholar. We have a mission, after all." Ike explained.

But his eyes glanced to a book he held. It was a tome, a flux tome to be exact. Was he a dark magic user? Canas then put his hand to his chest.

"You should know, I can help in combat. I've some skill with a form of elder magic… Some call it dark magic, a rather biased term, if I must be blunt. But at the very least, I can take care of myself, and perhaps others." Canas explained.

A magic user. A dar- elder magic user at that. He could be helpful during the journey. His unique specialty to the branch could prove useful as opposed to anima or light magic.

"Very well. I'm Ike of the Greil Mercenaries. And I will ask that you enter my group of mercenaries. While under my employ, I will ask you to make purchases through me while defending yourself and others." Ike proposed. Canas stood silent for moment before gathering himself.

Canas finally nodded. "Of course. At your service."

With that out of the way, they shook hands. Ike then went towards the inn, as Canas went off to likely gather his things for the trip. Along the way he pondered about the elder magic user. Could he perhaps learn from a elder magic tome from Tellius? He would have to ask Erk to share his guide and notes to help decipher the tomes of Tellius. Then, he'll have to buy the tomes from Anna.

Ike saw the rest of the group outside of the tavern. Alongside with some of Hector and Eliwood's camp. Serra was currently gushing over Lucius while Erk held his temple. All while Bartre seemed to be eager to compete with Raven.

"Lycian lords inside with Fargus." Raven spoke out while holding his hand in front of Bartre. Ike nodded at Raven's report.

"Come on, let's spar!" Bartre exclaimed while Priscilla wanted to cut in.

"Please, don't bother my brother..." Priscilla added.

It seems like Eliwood and Hector were discussing with Fargus for a passage to Valor. As Ike walked into the inn tavern, he was greeted with the noise from Hector's exclamation.

"Wait, 100,000 gold!?" He shouted.

Fargus held a laid-back expression while holding a mug. Anna was in the background having her finger on her chin. How she and her sisters look alike and have the same mannerisms and name, Ike will never know. All while Dart sat with an expectant expression. Wil and Rebecca were at the same table as him, with worried plastered on their faces. Rebecca seemed to want to plead to her brother to lower the amount to which the latter denied with a shake of the head. Their relationship was still good, at least.

"Well? Will you pay?" Fargus asked with a single brow raised.

Eliwood and Hector looked at one another with a concerned expression. Just as Eliwood was about to agree... Ike stepped in.

"Got it. 100,000 gold, Rath, Raven." Ike called out to the pair who were stationed outside. A brief moment later, the pair came out with bags of gold and putting it on the table. Raven raised an eyebrow at Hector, who was still shocked at having the fare covered. Rath regrouped with Erk and exchanged with the highest value of gold currency to avoid over-bloating the company funds with coins. But it still was a hefty amount, bags of it stacked onto Fargus's table. "Enough for a trip to Valor, Fargus?"

Fargus then chuckled, and finally let out a bellowing laughter. Hector and Eliwood still held opened eyes. Ike pretty much gave up his entire reward and more to cover their trip to the Dread Isles.

"Very good, lad! This should cover it! And much more..." Fargus then turned to Anna. "Anna! How's Ike's total right now?" Ike's eyes along with others save for Dart then raised. Anna held an abacus (where did she get that from?) to calculate.

"Just 100,000 away with this!" Anna announced. To which Dart and Fargus then raised their mugs to cheer and drank. Ike then opened his mouth in surprise. They were going to use the money meant for the voyage to Dread Isles to cover some of the total for Tellius. Wil and Rebecca smiled happily at the news. They knew what she was hinting at.

"You hear that, Ike? You're almost there! We'll take you to the Dread Isles and one day, a voyage to Tellius!" Fargus bellowed out.

"Thanks, Fargus." Ike responded. To which Dart then laughed in response.

"We should be thanking ya! All our bets at the arena got us all the drinking money 'n much more!" Dart explained. "Alot of close calls, but yer men pulled victory after victory! Watching that braided lad launch himself with his blade into the air with that blinding strike?" Dart found himself whistling upon finishing his sentence.

"That team ended crying for mama! Seeing his wounds recover. And it was a wyvern rider pair at that!" He exclaimed.

Apparently, consecutive matches and multiple opponents at once were issued to raise the stakes. And the payout was higher as a result.

'So Guy learnt Sol it seems.' Ike thought to himself. He really was on the way to be a formidable swordsman. Possibly one of the best by his own effort.

"In any event, I'm a man of the sea. I keep my word to all of you." Fargus spoke out. He looked to Dart. "Dart, get the others ready for tomorrow, we're setting course for Valor!"

"Aye Captain!"

Upon Dart's affirmation, Lyn suddenly arrived into the tavern. She froze upon seeing the pirates. Fargus beams with a grin upon witnessing Lyn.

"Are my old eyes lyin' to me? Is this beauty really with you? Gwaa ha ha ha! My lucky day!" Fargus laughed out. "Seeing Dart's sister and you really graces our eyes!"

"I-I am..." Lyn voiced out.

"Nah, I know who ya are. You're the lass enamored with our favorite spiky blue lad!" Fargus reassured to her.

Lyn sputtered out in surprise and embarrassment as everyone looked to her and Ike. Ike scratched his head upon hearing Fargus's remark. She then turned to Wil sitting in the corner.

"W-Wil!" Lyn called out. To which Wil frantically shook his head. He was the one person who went to Badon most frequently.

"Don't look at me! Everyone in the knights who's gone to Badon knows of the lovely green haired lady that ain't Rebecca in Caelin!" To which Wil's remark earned him a kick under the table by Rebecca. "I-I mean Sain is the one who told everyone when drunk! It spilled over in Caelin and Badon!"

Just as Sain was in the vicinity who overheard this was about to sneak away, he was stopped by Kent who held onto his friend. Sain held a betrayed expression towards his companion. Everyone looked to him with a raised brow.

Soon, Dart and Fargus laughed alongside the Lycian lords. Lyn remained red with embarrassment despite the fact Ike remained calm and smiling. Ike fondly looked at Lyn who got angry at some of her knights with Hector the biggest target of Lyn's anger due to him laughing the hardest of the Lycian lord pair.

"Ike..." Eliwood put his hand on Ike's shoulder as he called to him. "Thank you for helping us pay to go to Valor. I will do my best to compensate-"

Ike shook his head and raised his hand to halt Eliwood. "I received a job and intend to finish it. Besides, that money went to my cause and it spiraled into getting us to our destination."

Eliwood stood silent and then nodded.

"In that case, Hector and I will allow our men to also be under your command during our mission. You may enlist them to do tasks or ask for assistance. Just say the word and we will gladly assist you." Eliwood granted to Ike, who contemplated Eliwood's offer before accepting.

"Very well. I'll make sure we find your father, Eliwood." Ike assured to Eliwood who smiled.

"Thank you, Ike."

At night, while the Lycian company were eating or resting, the Davros crew were supposedly preparing their voyage at their ship. A paladin rode near the inn with his group of fellow assassins. An entire squadron of cavalry and ground troops were by his side along with a few healers. The leader with purple armor and matching hair and beard grinned.

"Those pirates seem preoccupied by their preparations to enter the Dread Isles and the Dragon's Gate... Lord Eliwood of Pherae and Ike of the Greil Mercenaries… None of you don't yet know to fear the Black Fang. Start grieving…for I will teach the both of you that fear." Damian whispered out.

Just as they prepared to ambush the inn, they heard a echoing whistle... and all the buildings in the vicinity blockaded their entrances and windows. The Black Fang immediately became alert of their surroundings.

They turned to footsteps in the alleyway, and a pirate with a bandana wrapped around his head clapping his hands and approaching from the shadows.

"Y'know? We didn't get enough action in the day..." Dart grinned to the armed group. "Ike prevented us from having a bit of fun with those lords awhile ago. But he's a man of his word... Just like the Cap."

Soon, fellow corsairs and mages all came out from all routes. They surrounded the squadron, with no way for the group to escape. Damian gritted his teeth. They all held their weapons at the ready.

"Hey... since you're here... why don't we play a game of tag? Hm?" Dart spoke while brandishing out his axe, with others following suit. "We're IT ."

"Hey! Let us join in on the fun!" A voice spoke out. Holding a Killing Edge, Guy revealed himself away from the shadows. Rath also appeared behind him with steed and bow in hand.

Raven also appeared from another alleyway, glaring at the group. He needed peace and quiet on this night to speak with an Ostian knight. He wasn't going to get that with these Black Fang in the way. He cracked his knuckles and brought out his axe at the side.

All the Black Fang began to panic. They were outnumbered. None of them would leave alive.

"Of course ya can! You're our betting horse!" Dart happily replied. "Whoever catches the most fish, wins!"

The Black Fang eyes widened and quickly scrambled to defend themselves.

All the while a brown-haired thief looked from a distance along with several cavalry and knights upon the scene with narrowed eyes. They were on standby, taking watch for the night. At any rate, they needed at least one alive for answers.

From the rooftop of a building, another lone thief with long hair and noticeable double scars observed the scene and shuddered. He was hiding from the watchful eyes of the pirates, mercenaries, and retinue of the Lycian lords.

"Ooof... best not get wrapped up in that." Legault voiced out. "Pirate games are in such bad taste... and bloody."

Upon his remark, he observed no way to reach the leader undetected. The inn was too well-guarded. And he couldn't ride out with the rest of the Black Fang on standby in pursuit of the Lycian forces. It would be too suspicious even if he was a senior member. He'll likely be massacred by the other side without a word to say.

"Ha..." Legault sighed out. "Looks like I have to enter shark-infested waters... I hope I don't walk the plank..."

"What was that noise?" Ike asked as he noticed the windows were barricaded by some of the innkeepers. It seemed rather suspicious. He was in the middle of eating at the same table as Jake and Anna until he heard the sound. Everyone looked alert before being reassured by the others in the inn. Hector briefly received a whisper into the ear by Matthew who came in. He nodded while giving a glance at Ike before going back to eat.

"The sound of a late night pirate game, Ike." Anna explained alongside Jake. "Usually, you hear it if ruffians attack the town. Everyone knows to block their homes and buildings if they hear it. Fargus helps protect the town from them."

Ike then became concerned. Perhaps he could help.

"Just leave em to their fun, Ike." Jake assured Ike. "They haven't had action the entire day. Captain wanted to play with the Lord pair over there with a game of tag until you showed up with the gold." Pointing out to the pair conversing while eating. Hector shared similar manners to Ike.

'Oh well,' Ike thought to himself. So long as no innocents get hurt or the Davros remain fine.

"By the way, I decided to come along in your journey, helping Merlinus while selling my wares." Anna announced which gained surprised look from Ike.

Despite Merlinus's protests, she will also act as the shopkeeper for the group. He felt afraid of his position as the official royal supplier and his pride as a merchant. He wanted to refuse this upstart... until he saw 10% of the profits within his hand.

"I'll be with the Davros in the meantime while we're sailing. Then, I'll help alongside Anna since Fargus ordered me since she's coming with you." Jake explained. "By the way, once we land in Dread Isles, leader of Fargus's suicide squad will also accompany us."

Just as Ike raised a curious eyebrow, Anna quickly explained.

"Dart."

Ike quickly nodded in understanding. Having Dart along in the journey would be helpful. Especially with Rebecca and Wil along for the ride.

At any rate, having this many people along to provide wares and further protection was welcome. Tellius tomes and scrolls would prove immediately useful in the battles to come. The night went on... with the sounds of battle ending shortly thereafter.