Interlude ~Base Convos Part 16~
At daybreak, the Lycian lords and their retinue entered the Davros pirate ship with the Greil Mercenaries. It was more trouble keeping their horses or any of their rider companions within the designated area for steeds, pegasus and wyverns. In any rate, it was a stressful experience for the animals especially for horses.
The rest of the group (riders) were tending to their companions to calm them, the studious pair (Canas and Erk) remained studying the new and diverse tomes and the esoteric language they hold, or the merchants organizing their supplies. In other words, everyone kept themselves busy. Meanwhile, Guy was present on the deck slightly nauseous due to the swaying boat.
"Trying to get your sea legs, Guy?" Ike called out. To which Guy nodded to his captain.
"Yeah..." Guy voiced out. "I'm going to be sick. Doesn't this bother you, Ike? This ship moves too much... I... My sword arm's fine!"
Pumping his fist in the air with a gesture, he smiled. Ike only nodded in understanding. Seeing his friend and subordinate endure the ship ride.
"Great, I'm glad last night didn't affect you too much." Ike responded. Guy then shook his head.
"Those guys were apparently Black Fang, even if we wanted to keep some alive, they either fought back or bit a false tooth to bury their secrets..." Guy recalled with grave expression. "We seem to be getting mixed signals about this group. Who's really in charge?"
This was the real question. Between the testimonies in Bern and what was happening to the Lycian Alliance, the group themselves have a serious conflict of interests.
"Although..." Guy slurred to Ike, whose attention went to him when he spoke. "How's Raven? He seemed quiet this morning. Priscilla and Lucius wanted to reach out to him and he only just told them he's fine..."
That might be usual for Raven.
Putting his hand on his chin, he continued: "Now that I think about it, I think I saw him grinning while they weren't looking... he almost never smiles!"
Now that was unusual... Guy's remark really hit the mark. The only time he does so is if he teases Lucius.
"I did talk to him a bit last night. He needed to get alot out of his system." Ike explained to which Guy understood. "Moreover... I noticed Priscilla reaching out to you a bit more this morning. Some of the pirates were whistling when they saw you together. Even Rath seemed to show off a grin of his own."
Rath showed more positive expressions than Raven over the course of their work together. The group has become acquainted with one another on a personal level. Guy scratched his head in embarrassment over the slight teasing of his commander.
"I...you know... I think that she's, umm, cu-... um I mean pretty! Wait no- agh!" Guy exclaimed until he stammered again. He stumbled on his words until finally gathering himself finally coming up with the right words: "Pretty rich, that is!"
Ike raised an eyebrow at his attempt to hide his attraction to Priscilla. Even Raven who overheard this off in the distance face palmed himself at Guy's awkward breakdown. He more-or-less accepted Guy's affection for his sister and vice versa. But it didn't stop him from being dumbfounded by Guy's antics.
"Well, at least I know you won't pry into her affairs..." Ike replied. "Keep looking out for her, Guy. Alongside Raven and Lucius."
"Will do, boss!" Guy responded. With that, Ike left Guy to stabilize himself.
Going to where the pegasus, horses and wyvern were held, Ike noticed Florina tending to Huey, who was getting antsy being confined inside the ship. Despite being spacious, it was still an agonizing journey for fliers especially. Hyperion was surprisingly calm without his owner around.
"Florina, need some help with Huey?" Ike called out.
To which she shook her head.
"I'm fine... Huey would rather just fly..." Florina looked to Ike, whose attention went to her. "What about you?"
"What do you mean?" Ike replied. She faced Ike without her shy demeanor around men. A definite improvement.
"Lady Lyndis... wants to return to plains... but there's her grandfather and..." Florina trailed off, before recollecting herself. "And you."
So that's why. Ike wouldn't remain in Elibe forever. Nor would he go with Lyn back to the plains of Sacae. That wasn't necessarily his place to be.
"I won't remain in Elibe forever, maybe by the time I finish my work or the year's end, I will head back to Tellius. I'll try to see if I can come back whenever possible." Ike replied. "Even so, I hope you can be there alongside her as her best friend. Not as a servant or knight."
She held her head down as she spoke: "But... I should be treating her as a noblewoman... addressing her as Lyndis..." To which Ike shook his head at Florina's contemplating over her choice of words. Or rather her ways to address Lyn.
"Don't. Lyn would rather lose the formalities. I noticed her feeling lonely since she became a noble. She'd rather her best friend talk to her normally." Ike explained and reassured to Florina.
Their last serious conversation involved Lyn wanting more friends amongst combat-oriented noble ladies. She seemed more like an outcast because of her heritage. Most likely out of everyone distancing herself due to her position.
"You're right... I'm sorry..." Apologizing as she once again held a sullen face.
"Don't apologize... You want to be a great mercenary like your sisters. So stand proud for your friend. I believe that's the first step you can do whether you're a knight or mercenary." Ike explained wholeheartedly. Florina gave a slight smile before holding a worried expression.
"Now that you mention it... I'm worried for my sisters." Florina mentioned with a worried expression.
Fiora and Farina. The former heading a pegasus squadron and latter concerned with gold.
"To tell you the truth... I haven't told you about Farina. She ran away from home after a big argument with Fiora." Florina explained with a sullen expression while Ike raised his brows at the fact. "Fiora told me Farina wasn't going to come back. That was just a year before I met you and the others..."
"Did you find out the reason...?" Ike asked to which Florina nodded.
"When Farina was still a pegasus esquire, she apparently messed up in a practice maneuver with her squad. Fiora left her mission to save her. Since then, nobles from Bern gave a huge fee to Fiora... she even had to take a loan to pay off the termination fee." Florina explained with a heavy expression. "I thought of saving enough to help Fiora, but she vehemently denied it, saying that she will work it off eventually. She left to her next job before I could offer further help..."
Not that Ike didn't understand the importance of upholding a mercenary contract, but if Fiora hadn't left, she would have died. Florina and Fiora would have one less sister. Those nobles seemed to be a rather vicious sort to demand a huge remuneration from Fiora. It was rather excessive to put the entire blame on Fiora.
"Do you think Fiora did anything wrong?" Ike asked. To which she shook her head.
"No... if she hadn't done what she did, Farina would have died." Florina spoke with a saddened expression. "Fiora is a very diligent in everything she does. Even Farina is responsible despite not being able to show it. I just hope they can get along again..."
So Fiora accumulated debt to save Farina. Farina might have went off to earn enough to repay Fiora.
"Still, I look up to them... I want to be a fine pegasus knight. I should uphold my honor and commit to my duties and responsibilities to the very end. That's what my sister always tells me... and she was so distraught after the incident." Florina murmured to herself.
Ike shook his head in exasperation.
"While it's important to uphold duties, honor means nothing if you're dead. Deal with the consequences later. What matters is keeping the people you love and yourself alive. Pride means nothing if the people you love grieve for you. Your sister chose the life of her sibling over a single job. That's not a bad thing. In fact, she should hold no guilt for her own decision to save her sister. Those nobles from Bern are the ones in the wrong for exacerbating the contract severance despite your sister's circumstances. " Ike explained with an earnest expression. "Most likely, Farina went off to help repay Fiora. As you said, she's also pretty responsible. So you might see her again."
He soon walked off, leaving just Florina to contemplate Ike's words.
She lived in poverty alongside her sisters. They wanted to make a living while being committed as pegasus knights. Knowing Farina, she probably was going off to earn her pay based on her personality, as crude as it was.
Ike took a glance back to Florina and spoke: "One last thing, friends and family should always take priority. Jobs and missions take second. Even as a mercenary, you need someone to come back to in the end." He left upon saying those words.
Florina glanced to the direction Ike left, not leaving her gaze where he went off.
"Is that why you go so far to help others...? To have someone to fall back to in the end?" She whispered to herself.
While Ike was conversing, Rebecca was looking out in the distance from the deck.
"Ho, Rebecca!" Dart greeted to his little sister, who beamed a slight smile towards her brother.
"Big brother!" Rebecca replied.
Dart pretty much accepted being a family with Rebecca. It was unlikely for the set of events that happened to him along with his appearance and scar on his abdomen to be anyone else. So he decided to just roll, or rather, sail with it.
"Yer not seasick, are ya?" Dart asked to which Rebecca shook her head.
"No... Just wondering... and you're also joining us when we disembark?" She questioned, to which Dart gave a proud grin.
"Yup, I hope to go exploring with you all. I might be able to find some treasure, after all." He replied.
"His only redeeming feature is his sturdiness!" Fargus called out from the opposite side of the deck. "Use your brother as much as you like!"
"Come on, Captain! I'm better'n that!" Dart retorted.
"Tee hee! Will do!" Rebecca shouted out to the captain.
Fargus gave a hearty laugh and grin. He walked off to meet with Eliwood.
Dart turned to his little sister and gave a curious raise of the brow.
"So what makes you come with everyone?" Dart asked of Rebecca. "I know you hunt... but people are different from animals."
Rebecca's smile quickly transitioned to an unsure look. Almost somewhat sullen.
"I know... animals don't cry out for their parents... they don't pray right before dying. Animals don't slip on the blood of their comrades. Not everyone we run into and fight is evil. Some of them might just be caught up on the wrong side, after all." Rebecca voiced out.
When she fought Laus forces back in Caelin, she realized quickly that the enemies she shot at were still people. Hearing their groans of pain and choking of their own blood made her unnerved. It was not like hunting at all.
"Rebecca... I know you want to protect squid-bait (Wil) and I, but are you sure you want to do this? We can handle ourselves just fine." Dart asked of his sister.
He still held a slight grudge for all the times Wil said his name wrong and pulling up his shirt. That, or it was another endearing nickname.
Rebecca nodded. "Of course. When you and Wil left five years ago, I felt so helpless. I may not be as great archer as Wil or Rath, but I can hold my own. I just don't want to lose either of you."
"Same with us. We don't want to lose you, either." Dart replied. "But you don't seem comfortable in taking a life. You sure you won't hesitate?"
Rebecca shook her head, with an upset look on her face.
"Alot of people we face, they may have their own families, but I'm here to protect mine. They're trying to hurt the people I love. I can't let that happen..." Rebecca's hand trembled as she spoke. "That's why I won't hesitate to feather them. If I let even one of them live, they will do everything they can to kill one of you. That's why I have to..."
As Rebecca trailed off, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning behind her, it was Wil who grasped her.
"I know that feeling..." He spoke. "Whether you're a knight or mercenary, targets and people are different. Targets don't squirm on the ground and gurgle in pain. Everyone would know the difference eventually. You're not alone, Rebecca. At least I could rest assured knowing I have you and Dart watching my back."
Rebecca then smiled brightly.
"Thank you... Wil." She replied softly.
Dart then smiled and then snarled at the same time: "Who thinks your back is going to be safe, chum-for-brains!?" Wil looked slightly panicked upon Dart's raise of the voice." Yeah, you should watch your back for a few whacks with this here axe!" Pointing to his axe holstered to the side.
"Seriously!? You're still angry?" Wil remarked.
"I can't sleep well with someone like you watching me! Rebecca and I can protect each other while you be bait!" Dart replied with a vicious smile.
Rebecca soon giggled over the antics of her brother and childhood friend. It was just friendly banter, like it always was. Even back in Pherae, it was the same.
She felt better knowing she can help protect her loved ones, even though she may deprive others of their loved ones. No matter what, she's happy to fight alongside her friends, her family.
"Hm?" A sound from Dart snapped Rebecca from her thoughts. She saw him frown from his gaze towards the distance. Wil and Rebecca soon looked in the same direction as Dart's gaze. Their trained eyes spotting a rowboat with a person sailing on it. Or rather laying within the boat.
"There's someone on that dory!"
Lyn looked off into the distance, remaining silent. Hector went to her vicinity, looking for Eliwood.
"Eliwood! ...Huh?" He voiced out noticing Lyn.
"If you're looking for Eliwood, he's talking with the captain." Lyn pointed to the Pheraen lord conversing with Fargus.
"Oh. I won't bother him then." He replied while crossing his arms, as if waiting patiently.
"...Do you need something?" She asked. Hector scratched his head at her inquiry.
"I thought you'd be more resistant to the idea of pirates. This pirate ship is the only way for us to get to the Dread Isle. It seems as though I was mistaken. I'm glad." Hector remarked while Lyn shook her head.
"I was prepared. I did learn of the good reputation of the Davros awhile back." Lyn replied.
That, and the fact Rebecca's brother who was also Wil's friend was part of their crew made her lower her guard against them. Setting aside her prejudice, she accepted being transported by the Davros.
"Eliwood told me about you... you're pretty strong to see aside your grudge against marauders." Hector responded.
Lyn stood silent at Hector's compliment. She didn't care for it, nor did she mind.
"Speaking of grudges... what about Raven and his sister?" Lyn prodded. To which Hector scratched behind his head.
"I did offer to rebuild the Cornwell house and reinstate him or his sister as the heirs. But they declined. Despite shedding all those tears they chose to stand on their own. Even I could tell beyond that anger Raymond showed, he cried for his parents. Alongside his friends and family." Hector mused to himself. "Alot better than I, who can't seem to cry..."
This time Lyn looked to Hector curiously. His remark reminding her of a fellow blue-haired individual she adored.
"My brother and I lost our parents to illness...Nothing like what happened to you or the Cornwell siblings. Still, I wanted nothing more than to cry like a little baby. And yet, I couldn't cry... Not in front of others. And when I was alone, I found I still couldn't. So...I simply thought...I don't know..." Hector explained with a heavy heart. Lyn held a sad smile to Hector.
"Don't worry. You're not alone in that regard. Ike can't cry for similar reasons for his mother." Looking off into the sea as she spoke, she continued: "He once told me that the dead receive blessings if the living shed tears for them. That's why it's up to loved ones to cry for them, at least a single person would be enough. Did your brother, shed tears?"
Hector remained silent, until he nodded.
"At least one person did, I think that's all that's needed for them to receive it. I've shed my tears, alongside my grandfather. For both of my parents, and for Ike..." Hector glanced towards her at her last statement.
"You really like him, don't you?" Lyn blushed upon his remark. Just like back at the tavern. He held a smug grin towards her. "Don't worry, I'm rooting for you!"
"Wha-! None of your business!" Lyn shouted out at Hector, who was currently distancing himself from her upon his remark.
He teased Eliwood during their journey right before they saved Merlinus. Turns out, she's taken. More fish in the sea for Eliwood he supposed. He only hoped she wouldn't strike at him for his playful teasing.
The jovial mood only lasted for a moment right before they heard Dart's voice.
"Captain! There's a dory adrift to port!" Dart called out to Fargus. "It looks like there's someone aboard. What're your orders?"
The call of the Davros mate stopped them in their banter.
