Chapter 12: Unclouded Eyes Part 1
Ike and the rest of the mercenaries were about to head off. Lucius and Raven also accompanying as new member (for the most part). With horses, carriage, and plenty of supplies, their journey was well-stocked. Ike actually received a deposit of 10,000 and will be paid the rest after the mission. Just as Ike was about to finish packing, a knock on the door interrupted Ike.
"Ike..." Lyn's voice resounded from behind the door. "I'm sorry about earlier..."
Ike opened the door to see a remorseful Lyn. It seems as though her grandfather spoke to her. He shook his head at her apology.
"I don't fault you. Anyone would have been outright refusing to get help from pirates or calling me a madman." He replied. As he spoke, he smiled and continued: "In fact, I welcome skepticism. Without Soren around, I was afraid I'd end up making bad decisions without no one to correct me. Thanks for being there, Lyn."
"Pfft...is that you're way of attempting to cheer me up, Ike?" Lyn chuckled at Ike's attempt to be humorous. "Still, I did see the reports of these... pirates helping the townsfolk from raiders or storms. I... was just worried and too prejudiced against the Davros."
He nodded. He did make a seemingly rash decision in looking for pirates to help set a course for Tellius. All things considered, they were the only options.
"Don't worry about it. For now, I just plan to work alot." Ike spoke after having finished his packing his bag.
"So, what job are you taking, Ike?" Upon her asking that question, Ike shifted his eyes side-to-side and put his index finger to his mouth to hush her. Lyn's eyes widened at the display.
"Our job is actually to help Dorcas. We're being paid alot of money take Natalie from Bern and escort the two to Pherae." Ike spoke.
Lyn frowned. Dorcas mentioned Ike would have been more than willing to escort them for free. Wait... Bern. Just as she was about to inquire further, Ike's hand rested on her shoulder. His determined eyes in contact with hers.
'We'll see you soon, Lyn."
Upon hearing those words, Lyn's face turned to shock as Ike walked off. The knights listening in nodded and left off to report to Hausen. There was nothing out of the ordinary to report.
Ike was in the middle of keeping track of expenses. Everyone else remained sleeping. They were halfway to Dorcas's home in Bern. Lucius was assisting in plans for future expenses.
"Sorry to ask, Lucius." Ike asked, breaking the ice. "I want to know, where were the both of you a year ago?"
Lucius closed his eyes at Ike's question, "We-"
"We were sent away during that time." Raven spoke out from behind them. The pair turned to Raven.
"Lord Raymond..." Lucius voiced out.
His hard gaze turning the vicinity much colder.
Glaring into Ike's eyes, he spoke harshly: "You really like butting into other people's business?"
Just as Lucius was about to apologize, Ike raised his hand, letting Lucius know it was fine.
"I just want to find out more to help you both." Ike explained.
"I don't need your help." Raven retorted. "You should have never told him, Lucius. And you shouldn't have given that dagger to him."
Ike frowned. He gave the dagger away for you.
"Lord Raymond!" Lucius called out.
Raven went straight to his tent without turning. But paused for a moment before glimpsing back at the pair.
"I should have been there..." Raven's voice slightly cracked. "They looked so distraught before the announcement. By the time Ostia issued the decree, I ran to the house after being sent away, but it was too late. My parents were already in coffins, carried by Ostia. That was the last time I ever saw them." He hissed out.
He entered into his tent, while the pair remained quiet.
The group only had a day's worth of travel to reach the village that Natalie was in. It was only a matter of time before they had Dorcas pick her up and they could depart for Pherae. However...
"Wallace." Ike called out. Everyone was resting in their tents as Wallace and Ike remained at the campfire near the woods.
"You weren't planning on slipping out that easily. So why?" Ike asked.
Wallace put more wood into the fire, not speaking a word. Chuckling to himself, he finally decided to speak.
"When I met Hassar, he was my rival..."
Of course. He was a veteran. He's lived and worked long enough to witness Madelyn and Hassar elope at the time.
"Tight-lipped, like that Rath boy, but not as quiet. But his eyes were as honest and clear as Madelyn. When they went off, I was ordered to bring Madelyn back."
Wallace reminisced as he fed the fire. Ike only stood silent to hear him speak.
"I disobeyed my lord upon hearing them defend one another. Looked the other way. And with that, I spent half a year in the dungeon."
He sat in silence, watching the embers from the fire float into the air.
Wallace closed his eyes, and spoke "I've learnt a great deal about loyalty and love for one's lord. Not all orders need to be obeyed, and to consider if the order serves the lord who gives it. Lady Madelyn would not have survived if she were separated from Hassar and Lady Lyndis would not have been born. In other words, one should take actions that best serve their liege."
Wallace looked up to Ike, who only remained patient at the campfire.
"That's not answering my question. Why are you set on fighting the Taliver Bandits?" Ike prodded with a serious expression.
The high reward, the location, Wallace... and to avoid mentioning taking him along in the contract. It all pointed to making sure Wallace comes to Bern. But there's something strange about this mission still...
"...I knew it would serve Lord Hausen and Lady Lyndis best. This time, I'm obeying his orders." Wallace explained. "Lady Lyndis does not need revenge. Her heart needs to remain unclouded. Happiness is already the best revenge."
Ike gritted his teeth. Wallace may have good intentions, but... Just as Ike was about to voice his objection, someone else voiced it.
"That's not something for you to decide!"
It was Raven. His furious expression as he walked up to the campfire, glaring at Wallace.
"Of course you would say that, Raymond of the now deposed House Cornwell." Raven narrowed his gaze upon mention of his name and house. "Your heart and eyes are shrouded in grief. How sad."
Raven gritted his teeth, scowling as he spoke, "Why you..."
"Stop!" Ike shouted out. Raven glared at Ike.
"Why are you stopping me, doesn't your friend deserve to have justice brought with her own hands!?" Raven retorted with a exasperated expression. Ike only shook his head.
"It's not like I don't want Lyn to take matters into her own hands right now. But if we do fight him, it won't end well for either of us." Ike explained. Raven only made a harsh click of the tongue before looking the other way.
"He's right." Wallace stood up and put on his helmet. "You will not stop me, feel free to kill me if you wish, but my orders are to have the Taliver Bandits eliminated."
Wallace was exiting the camp the next moment, with the pair staring at him. But Ike couldn't accept this.
"Wait!" Wallace halted at his request. "Why couldn't the Marquess just order you to enter Bern on your own? He could have left me and Lyn in the dark over this matter! Why have the Greil Mercenaries understand the whole plan in the first place?"
Indeed. This plan had too many holes for people to pick apart. The entire circumstances were contrived. Why go through the entire farce of an escort mission while bringing general with them? It was contradictory to attempt to keep them in the dark while leaving the most clues.
Wallace stood silent. Finally, he answered.
"It was not fully out of revenge for Hausen to give the order to kill the bandits, but because it is a reminder to you that Lord Hausen and Lady Lyndis already have happiness." Ike's eyes widened at Wallace's statement. "They've regained family once more through one another. The fact that they live and are together as family would undoubtedly fill Lady Madelyn and Hassar with joy. My lord is already content with his granddaughter present in his life. Moreover, it's not just Lady Lyndis happy to be with just her grandfather."
Wallace turned to face Ike, and his next words would be one that Ike would never forget.
"She's found happiness with you. With that in mind, both of your hearts can remain unclouded and your eyes clear. With that clarity, lies beauty. He wanted me to convey that to you."
And thus with those words spoken, Wallace left the woods in the direction of Taliver Mountains.
"Are you really going to let him leave like that?" Raven asked of Ike. His arms crossed to see what his new commander would do.
Ike sat in thought. To consider himself to be so important in Lyn's life. If anything, to him, she was... She was... He promised her he'll assist her. As her friend.
"I'm afraid I concur with General Wallace." Lucius spoke out. "I wish to assist Lady Lyndis relieve such burdens."
It appeared he must have stayed awake during their talk. Raven was about to say something before giving up upon seeing the determined expression of Lucius. Soon, Rath and Guy appeared from their tents.
"Commander..." Rath called out. Guy was next to him also with expectant eyes.
"A Sacaen warrior proudly defends their own. They attacked a fellow tribe and will likely do more. That's why, deploy us." Guy explained.
This was the first time Guy spoke so seriously. Out of true duty. Soon, another set of footsteps came out from Dorcas's tent. He came out, with his stoic expression the same as Rath.
"I don't mind taking a detour before taking Natalie." Dorcas pointed out. "The villages in Bern are likely to get pillaged with the Taliver Bandits still active."
"All of you..." Ike closed his eyes. "I made a promise to her, as a friend. Right now... She's..."
"Here..." A feminine voice came out from within the woods. Everyone's head turned towards the woods.
"Lyn..." Ike voiced out. "You made it."
She smiled upon Ike speaking her name.
"And so did everyone." Lyn spoke.
With Sain, Kent, Florina and Wil coming with her from the woods in tow. She came with her knights.
"At your command, Ike." Lyn announced with their eyes centered on him.
"Let's end the Taliver Bandits. Once and for all." Ike announced.
"""Aye!"""