Interlude ~Base Convos Part 12~

In the middle of night as the Greil Mercenaries set up camp... three figures sat in a campfire.

"Thanks again for helping give some funds back to the villagers." Ike reminded Guy and Rath.

They both nodded in appreciation.

"No problem, boss! We did decimate their army even though they didn't do their job to protect the folks." Guy replied. "You did plan to give some aid to the villagers from the beginning, right?"

He did. After hearing that Laus had been neglecting the villagers, he was willing to even fork over from their own coffers to aid them. Guy and Rath pretty much gave their money haul from the pirates and bandits back to the villagers.

"...After what that despicable son of the lord planned to do to the villagers, we couldn't stay silent as well." Rath explained.

Ike could only agree with Rath. In any event, hopefully the people obtain aid despite the knights of the land pretty much abandoning them. They didn't have time to provide more help.

"Although... Raven's sister... didn't think we'd meet her along with Erk." Guy remarked. He shivered in the next moment, "Ugh... that old man wanted to marry a cute girl like that, he looked three times her age!"

Cute girl? They both supposed she was. But for Guy was really giving out compliments...

"She's pretty nice... she even healed a cut on my right cheek after the battle." Guy pointed out while pointing to his right cheek. "T-then again, I also felt someone staring at me when she was walking after the battle and lost her balance from the slippery mud from the rain. I helped her regain her balance."

It was probably Raven. Although Raven knew Guy as the... guy who challenged him every other day with a relatively even win-lose ratio, he wouldn't be appreciative of Guy acting fresh with Priscilla. For someone who has a hardened gaze, he sure is protective of his sister, not that he could blame him. Ike had his own sister, after all.

"In any event, I think we'll be able to reach Caelin before Laus. With a large mobilization of troops, it would take at least two or three times as long for a march compared to our group." Ike explained.

They had less than a day to approach Caelin, they will have to inform Lyn and the others. They could help prepare defenses against Darin and his troops.

"We're with you, boss!" Guy announced.

Rath nodded with Guy. "It will be just like old times..." He held a slight smile. They'll fight alongside their comrades once more.


"Ike..." Raven called out. Ike was walking towards Priscilla's temporary campsite until he was stopped by Raven.

"Raven... is this about Priscilla?" Ike responded with a question. Raven nodded.

"...Are you sure about letting her join the company?" Raven asked. It was clear he originally wanted to take her back to House Caerleon in Etruria. But she seemed determined to stay with Raven.

"She knows how to heal and can ride with her horse away to safety if needed." Ike explained. "Besides, she's willing to stick by your side at all times. I'm confident you'll be able to protect her while cutting down our foes alongside Guy."

Raven's eyes flickered at the mention of Guy. So he was the one who gave a dirty look to Guy. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before responding.

"Tell that sword-for-brains that me and Lucius are more than enough and can protect her ourselves." Raven remarked. He then left off to his tent.

Ike only snickered at Raven's last words to him. Soon, he heard footsteps from behind. It was Lucius.

"I'm glad Lord Raymond has found Lady Priscilla. Thank St. Elimine for guiding both of our paths to one another..." Lucius spoke with gratitude. Turning to Ike, "And I thank you... We do not regret ever joining your company, Ike." Ike only shook his head at Lucius's statement.

"I should be thanking the both of you. You are both invaluable members and I hope we could continue working together, Lucius." Ike explained, retaining his modesty.

"Still, our work together this past year did wonders for Raymond's soul. Something I could not have done alone." Lucius replied. He smiled as he continued: "Helping the people, giving them aid, fighting alongside one another... I thank St. Elimine that you were brought before us. I wonder if it is fate that we were brought together..."

Ike stood silent before giving a smile of his own.

"I'm just a single mercenary, surrounded by great comrades. And I'm happy for that. Fate or not, I'm glad we met."


In a personal campfire next to Priscilla and her horse, she was approached by Ike.

"Priscilla... you're Raven's sister, right?" Ike called out. To which she nodded.

"Lord Brother wishes to keep his real name to himself and family. I'm glad he still considers me as his younger sister even after I was sent away when I was six, it has been ten years..." She responded with a smile.

Lucius entered House Cornwell soon after Priscilla left. He was also one of the few who could call him 'Raymond' and have Raven not mind. But she didn't need to know that. Although, it may become apparent to her soon...

"Truly, I must thank you for bringing my brother to me." To which Ike shook his head.

"He just ended up in our group. He stayed due to the pay being good... or so he says." Ike explained.

There are times when Raven got scouted by other mercenaries along with the others (Lucius most especially for dubious intentions). But out of consideration and watching out for Lucius, who was more comfortable staying with the Greil Mercenaries, he remained. He got used to the group over the past year, flaws and all.

Priscilla chuckled a little with her hand to her mouth. Her brother acted so aloof yet he remained so caring.

"Are... you also planning to find out about House Cornwell, like your brother?" Ike asked. Priscilla then stood still for a moment before nodding.

"Yes... my lord brother was not the only reason I've come this far. I wish to find out the fate of my former house... my birth parents..." Priscilla responded. Upon that last statement, Ike opened his mouth and then closed it. Then shut his eyes.

Priscilla widened her eyes. She could tell, their fates were... her visage now filled with sorrow.

"I-I see... F-forgive me for asking..." Stammering with a slight sob as she spoke.

"No... I'm sorry, I don't know the details behind their deaths. That's why Raven wants to find out and I do want to help him." Ike apologized as he explained the circumstances. "I'll try to help the both of you to find the answers you're looking for. There might be a lead in Ostia, but it's a stretch."

House Ostia was said to be the ones to uncover corruption, and not much details to be said on the matter. They remained relatively clean according to Lucius. Erk mentioned of a knight who was a retainer in House Cornwell at one point who could possibly have answers.

She held back her tears and looked at Ike.

"Thank you... Erk told me alot about you and the Greil Mercenaries. You truly are kind." As she complimented Ike, she continued on: "When I found out my brother was traveling with you based on Erk's latest letter of last year, I knew we had to reach Caelin at the very least to try and find your company."

"Indeed." A voice came out from the side. It was Erk. "Pardon me for interrupting, but when I found out Lady Priscilla's elder brother was under your service, I only informed her after she requested House Reglay's services. I do apologize again for not informing you, Lady Priscilla, when I returned from Lycia."

Priscilla waved her hand. "Oh no, you were only being mindful of my brother's companion... who only wanted me to remain... unburdened..."

Somehow, she had a slight raise of the voice after her pauses. Almost somewhat passive aggressive. Erk and Ike could only remain silent in front of her silent fury. Ike only hoped that could be resolved. Lucius didn't intend to leave her in the dark like that.

A good moment passed before Erk decided to break the ice.

"Ike... I was informed by Lord Pent to give you this." To which Erk held out a white gem, worth 10,000. "This is for bringing us the wind tome. It certainly kept us excited to find a tome foreign to Elibe for the past year."

For just a single tome. It wasn't worth the amount to be given to Ike.

Ike immediately shook his head. "I only gave it to you because I knew you'd be interested. It was a free gift from Anna, not something I want to be paid over. Besides, it's only about 1040 gold."

Ike was glad Erk liked it, even though it wasn't much to give. No one else could use it anyways.

"Still, without the annotations and modified formula, we would have never deciphered the tomes or its language. It was truly a worthwhile and fascinating endeavor." Erk explained. "If not, then just use the gem as a way for us to purchase more of your land's tomes. It will be fascinating to see more of it." Ike smiled and nodded.

This time, Priscilla interjected: "So, you really are from another land..." Erk and Ike turned to her as she spoke. "I was surprised that such a unique tome appeared in Elibe. I can barely read an anima tome. I'm still far behind in my magical studies."

Erk shook his head. "Lady Priscilla, your healing skills are much appreciated. That way, Lucius could divert more effort to battle."

Priscilla felt her eye twitch upon mention of Lucius. It was unsightly of her... as it only served to fuel her jealousy. The beautiful... man fighting alongside her brother. Erk felt he might have touched upon a rather sensitive subject.

"At least you can still heal... without Serra," Erk's eye twitched upon mention of the name. "We were buying vulneraries constantly. Even back in Tellius, my father had to hire or borrow healers. Healers are really amazing..."

Erk turned to Ike. He seemed to list the specialties of each member of the Greil Mercenaries. Come to think of it, they didn't have an official healer.

"You did not have a healer back in your father's company?" Priscilla asked. To which Ike shook his head.

"No. It was mostly a third-party who received a cut of the pay on missions. No official healer. It would save alot on costs if we did, though." Ike mused further on the subject. "I do hope they're doing fine. Everyone..."

Unbeknownst to Ike, at the same time, they may have found a healer they were looking for.


Somewhere in Crimea, a duo quickly moved forward while carrying a woman and taking her horse along.

"Damn! That bandit got her good!" Shinon yelled out. He carried Titania on his back, who was bleeding profusely. Barely conscious, she was at death's door. Gatrie managed to follow him quickly despite his heavy armor while reining Titania's steed to follow them.

"We need to get captain help or back to base, and fast!" Gatrie exclaimed.

"Don't you think I know that!?" Shinon retorted while running the best he could while carrying her.

Their mission to fight off bandits was went well... until Titania chased one of them down into the forest and her horse got caught in the undergrowth. The paladin then received a fierce counterattack and would have died right there had Shinon not feathered the ruffian in time.

"Shinon... watch over... the commander... help him find Ike..." Titania voiced out before losing consciousness. Shinon only grimaced before responding.

"Oh shut up, Captain! You'll find that mewling whelp eventually! You're not going to die here!" Shinon complained. Regardless, it was a rare display of emotion towards someone he respected.

They ventured deep into the woods to catch up with Titania, they needed to at least get her back to the village nearby. Soon, Shinon spotted a single figure ahead. He looked to be a delicate man, with short light orange hair, who appeared to be wearing a priest garb. He was kneeling, probably to gather herbs.

"You there!" Shinon called out. The man stood up, startled by Shinon's voice, and upon seeing Titania's state behind Shinon's back, he gasped.

"Oh my..." He voiced out.

"We need to get her medical attention, and fast!" Shinon yelled out. Halting for a moment to address the priest.

The man quickly snapped out of his surprise and nodded. He was a healer after all.

"Of course. Please, come with me. My parents' house is not far from here. We could treat her there." The man replied. He quickly gathered his herbs and guided the trio back to his village.

From that day, in spite of Ike's disappearance, the Greil Mercenaries met Rhys, who became their newest healer.