Chapter 9: A Grim Reunion     Vol 2: The Tactician and the Jewel: Chapter 1: A Lord’s Quest

Chapter 10: The Distant Plains

“After we pass these little mountains, milady, you will be able to see Caelin Castle,” Kent said gladly. They had all put the tragedy of the day before behind them.

“My grandfather,” Lyn breathed anxiously.

“Only a little further, one more battle,” repeated Florina for the umpteenth time. “Hold on, Lyn.”

“I will stop him!” Lyn hissed. “He is the most vile creature ever to crawl the earth! I will stop this all today! Now!”

“Whoa!” Wil pretended to fall backwards at the force of Lyn’s outburst. She stared at him and burst out laughing.

“Lundgren will not be receiving any reinforcements,” Sain said seriously. “He’ll hit us with everything he has.”

“Oh, no,” Kent moaned. “More friends to die…”

“Perhaps we can talk them into surrendering,” said Sain, squeezing Salir’s hand.

“This is the final test!” Lyn cried pep-talk style. “For one last time, my friends, lend me your strength!” She held each of their eyes, making a connection.

They readied their weapons. Rath plucked his bow experimentally. Dorcas felt the edge of his axe. Wil checked his quiver; Serra twirled her staff just for fun, and the cavaliers checked their lances and armour buckles. Erk gave a last glance at his book. Lucius seemed to be meditating with his eyes closed, his lips moving in prayer. Florina adjusted her pegasus’ saddle.

Matthew slouched against a tree, looking bored. Ceniro glanced at him, and the thief gave him a quick, reassuringly sardonic grin.

Lyn drew her sword. “Let’s go!”

“Kent, Sain, Florina, Rath, forward. Let’s rush everyone and get over that river! Everyone else, follow as quick as you can.” The troop hurried forward, cutting down a pair of archers.

“Wil, get that archer across the river. Sain, warn that house of the fighting and report back. Lucius, please kill that shaman.” Ceniro barked orders quickly, his friends moving smoothly to obey. “Lyn, and everyone else except for Kent, Wallace, Erk, and Serra, move south on this side of the village, away from the castle. Kent, Wallace, Erk, take out anyone who attempts to cross the river. Florina, please get Makar to knock that tree down and make a bridge for us.” The pegasus knight complied.

There were a couple of isolated shops south of the village, and a blacksmith’s forge. “Buy Serra a new heal staff - we owe her that much,” Ceniro told Sain, who set off at once. The tactician looked at Lyn. “Do you think your Mani Katti can take on Lundgren?”

“Oh, yes,” said Lyn, feeling the sharp edge. “It’s a knight killer, this one. Don’t doubt my strength!”

“Sorry,” the young man apologised. “Florina, could you knock down this tree, too? Sorry to bother you.”

“Push, Makar!” cried Florina, guiding her pegasus up to the tree. The winged horse reared up and brought her hooves down on the base of the dead, rotten tree, which cracked and fell with a crash. Lyn sprang across, beheaded a knight who got in her way, and came up to Lundgren. Her whole army slowly gathered piecemeal behind her.

Lundgren ignored Lyn, seeking out others in the crowd. “You trespassers, you’ve entered my realm without my permission. Now you will die!”

Ceniro stepped forward slightly. “Surrender, and we shall not kill you, brother of Marquess Caelin.”

Lundgren spat in the dirt. “How dare you, peasant?! You’re a fine, low rabble, all of you! You may have cut down those loyal to me, but you shall never defeat me. Surrender? Ha!” He saw Kent. “Kent! So the oathbreakers have returned, have you?”

“I will not listen to any of your poisoned words, Lundgren!”

Lundgren’s face contorted in rage, and then he turned to the cavalier sitting calmly on his horse beside Kent. “Ah, Sain! You’re not like that old fool, Kent. Why not come and fight with me? You’ll have promotion, riches, women…”

“Well, that does sound nice,” Sain said teasingly, smiling.

“Doesn’t it?” encouraged Lundgren, smiling back.

Sain draped his arm over Kent’s shoulders and reached for Salir’s hand. “But I’m rather fond of this old fool, you see, and I’m entirely faithful to Lady Lyndis… Besides which, it was on your orders that my fiancé was kidnapped, wasn’t it? I think I’ll let Lady Lyn kill you now.”

Lundgren’s face darkened. “And where is the imposter who calls herself my brother’s granddaughter?”

Lyn was standing right in front of him, just out of lance reach, with an expression of disgust and contempt on her face. “I am no imposter. You are the liar! Die, Lundgren!” She charged, Mani Katti held out.

“Caelin has no need of a Sacaen mongrel!” Lundgren bellowed, charging as well. Lyn ducked his lance and gave a slash to his armour. The Mani Katti sparked.

“Where?” Lundgren was confused, twirling his lance in random directions. Lyn gave Lundgren a blow that made him fall to his knees. She darted around in front of him.

“The Caelin throne should be mine!” Lundgren gasped viciously as Lyn pulled her sword from his chest. The usurper fell on his face, dead.

Several soldiers rushed out of the gate. When they saw Lyn, sweaty and cleaning her sword, and Lundgren dead, and the rest of the group cheering like mad, they dropped their weapons and began to cheer also. A small crowd of peasants who had gathered were joining in the celebration. One soldier ran into the castle.

Moments later, a tall man with a green uniform and gold braid came out. “You are the Lady Lyndis?” he asked of Lyn, who had sheathed her sword. He bowed. “I am Chancellor Reissman. It gives me great joy to welcome you to your new home.”

“Yes, I’m Lyn. May I see my grandfather?” she asked eagerly.

“Of course. This way, milady.”

Lyn, alone except for Chancellor Reissman, pushed open the door. The room was dark. The steward bowed and left, leaving the door open. The light from the door illuminated a four poster bed hung with red velvet. Somewhere nestled among the pillows, two bright eyes stared at Lyn.

“Who’s there? I said no visitors,” said a low, raspy voice.

Lyn came closer, slowly, hesitantly. “I… My name is Lyn…”

“Eh? What’s that?” The old man pushed himself up on one elbow.

“My name is Lyndis. My father was Hassar, chieftain of the Lorca. My mother… was Madelyn.”

“Is it truly you? My granddaughter? Ah, Lundgren told me you were dead… Ah…” He coughed, but already his voice seemed stronger, more resonant.

“Grandfather!” Lyn rushed into her grandfather’s arms.

Kent, Sain, and Wallace stayed outside, chatting with the soldiers who had surrendered. Some of the others were brought inside and made comfortable in chambers. Wil and Florina hurried to speak to Reissman. Rath and Matthew seemed to have disappeared.

Ceniro fell into a bed in a room a servant showed him and slept for three hours before he was summoned to a celebratory feast. Hausen, already much recovered, presided at the head of the table with Lyn, Kent, Sain, and the tactician beside him. They stayed up late telling their story late into the night.

Then Ceniro went back to bed and slept in late.

He was wakened next morning by Lyn. “Get up, sleepy head! What are you doing?” Ceniro mumbled something and rolled over. Lyn rubbed his shoulder. “I know you’re still tired after our long journey. Was it only a month? Goodness, how long it seems!”

“All right, all right, I’m up,” Ceniro said groggily, swinging his feet out of bed. “Where is everyone else?”

“Outside. Hey, what were you going to say to me the day before yesterday? In the fog?”

Ceniro forgot his sleepiness. “Uh… I… well…” He turned bright red.

Lyn smiled. “I see. Well, come outside in the courtyard when you’re finished your breakfast.” She kissed him on the cheek. Ceniro blushed brighter.

In the courtyard, most of the group was waiting.

“Lady Lyndis, do you truly mean to stay?” Sain begged, in goof mode.

“Yes, my grandfather needs me. Oh, here you are, Ceniro! Guess what?”

“You’re staying. I heard that,” said the strategist cheerfully.

“And Kent is Knight Commander of the Caelin garrison! Sain is subcommander, and Wil and Florina are staying too!”

“I’ve grown fond of Lyndis’s Legion,” said Wil. “I couldn’t leave everybody behind. I’ll let my family know.”

“I’m going back to Bern, but Lycia is really a nice place,” Dorcas said slowly. “We might move here sometime soon.”

“I’ve got to finish my journey to Ostia,” Serra said loudly. Erk winced. “I’m going home,” he muttered.

“Afterward,” Serra squeaked smugly.

The mage nodded. “Yes, yes… Lord Pent will be expecting me… Anahoo, it was really nice meeting you all. We’ll leave sometime after lunch, I think.” Erk went back inside.

“Did you see where Rath and Matthew went?” Lyn asked. Some people shook their heads.

“We’re going to continue travelling,” said Nils brightly. “We’ll be just fine, playing and dancing…”

“What if those men attack you again?” Lyn demanded, concerned.

Nils shrugged. “It shouldn’t be a problem. That time was close, but we’ll meet more friends, I hope, more people like you!”

“Anyway,” Ninian smiled, “we really don’t want to worry you. I truly think we’ll be all right. Someday, we’ll go home…” Nils nudged his sister.

“I will stay for as long as I can,” Lucius said quietly. “I will stay until my master needs me, which will probably be before long… He’s a restless lad…”

“That’s good,” Lyn said to the first part of his sentance. “We’ll be glad to have you with us.”

Wallace clanked into the courtyard. “Here you all are! Ha ha! Milady, I have an announcement to make!”

Lyn waited expectantly.

The old general coughed. “Well, Kent is a reliable boy, and Sain can behave himself from time to time… And it was refreshing to swing my lance around… So, seeing as the garrison is in good hands, and my landlady can take care of my farm, I’m off to right wrongs in other places!”

“Aw, Wallace, how noble!” Lyn cried. “I’ve only just got to know you, but I know you can take care of yourself. Please do!”

“Aye, milady,” rumbled Wallace, bowing.

Sain whispered to Ceniro. “I hope he remembers the way home when he wants to come back…”

“What the matter with that?”

Sain flinched almost imperceptibly. “He’s… got a really horrible sense of direction. With his luck, he’ll end up in the Western Isles and think he’s in Sacae…”

“Ouch. I guess I better pray for him… maybe he should go visit that shrine, or pray to Lyn’s sword…”

“Nah, old General won’t do anything silly like that. It’ll only take a few decades for him to straighten himself out and find Caelin again, ha ha!”

“And you, Ceniro, what are you going to do?” Kent asked solemnly.

“I’m going to keep wandering, you know? My feet get this itch when I’m in one place too long… I’ve seen too much, I suppose. The waterfalls, the meadows and forests of Etruria, the rivers of Ryerde, the mountains of Ostia… It’s so wonderful, and I want to see everything in the world once I’m walking.”

“That’s too bad,” said Wil. “We’d be glad to keep you.”

“I’d love to stay, you know I would. But… there’s something in me that can’t settle. There’s so much to see in the world! But, while I’m away, take care of yourselves, okay?”

“We will!” said Sain brightly. “But, say, will you come back for my wedding?”

“When’s that?”

“Ah, sometime next spring. We’ll send word.”

“If you can find me,” Ceniro said sadly. “I’m just one man in the wilderness… I’m not even sure where I’m headed. I’ll come if I can.”

“When… when are y-you going?” asked Florina timidly. Ceniro smiled at her. “Sometime soon. Not today, I think… I’ll stay for a few days. I’ll slip out, and then you don’t have to say goodbye and cry sadly…”

“What’s that? Oh, don’t worry. Florina cries all the time. But she’s much better than she used to be.”

“I’m even better than before I was on this journey!” chirped Florina, giving Lyn a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“That’s good,” replied the Sacaen.

The next night was a repeat of the previous two nights; a feast and staying up late, talking and talking. Ceniro stood by the door for a short while at sunset, looking at all his friends, so happy in the light of the banquet hall bonfire. He had grown to love them all so much, and he almost wanted to stay for a few months, a year – but it was better that he not. He opened the door quietly and slipped out.

He strode quickly to the side gate, spoke quietly to the guard, and set off…

“Ceniro?” Lyn’s voice called him. He stopped and turned his head, looking back.

“Ceniro? You were going to leave without telling me…”

“I’m sorry, Lyn, but… I didn’t want to say goodbye, and I love you so much…”

Lyn came up to him and put her hands on his shoulders. “Then don’t say goodbye. I… I want to love you, Ceniro, you know? I don’t know if I do yet, but…”

“Lyn…” He was trembling.

“Just kiss me, once?” Lyn’s large blue eyes pleaded with him. “I’ve never been kissed before…” Red gold light from the setting sun washed over the two of them.

“I…” He leaned forward hesitantly and kissed her. His hands twined in her hair streaming down behind her. Lyn’s arms went around his neck and held him tightly.

“I love you,” Ceniro whispered at last. “I don’t want to go, but I think it would be best…”

“I understand. We will meet again! That’s a promise!”

“Goodbye…” Ceniro walked backwards a couple of paces, then turned around and walked away steadily. His eyes prickled, but no tears fell. He was smiling.

Chapter 9: A Grim Reunion     Vol 2: The Tactician and the Jewel: Chapter 1: A Lord’s Quest

Chapter 8: Vortex of Strategy     Chapter 10: The Distant Plains

Chapter 9: A Grim Reunion

Ceniro turned around. “Now that everything’s settled, why don’t you introduce your…”

“… girlfriend,” finished Kent. The girl sauntered over to stand hand-in-hand with Sain, a mix of shyness and boldness.

“Eh? What’s that?” asked Ceniro; Florina whispered something to Lyn, who whispered to Ceniro: “Matthew’s coming back.”

“All right,” acknowledged the tactician. “Go ahead, Sain.”

“Folks, this is the lovely Salir,” Sain announced without preamble. “Salir, this is Kent, y’know, that serious partner of mine, this is the beautiful Lady Lyndis, bound for Caelin Castle to rescue her grandfather from… that guy, this is Ceniro, our reliable tactician, that timid girl there is Florina the high-flying pegasus knight, and the lady with the pink hair is Serra, the cleric -” he lowered his voice, “- who never stops talking.”

“Over here, we have Dorcas, of the strong silent disposition, and Wil the happy archer. This is Rath the less strong but more silent type.” Rath gave the cavalier a look.

“Now, this is Ninian, ethereal and ever-graceful, Nils, her very helpful little brother, and this fellow panting in our midst is Matthew, our expert with information, locks, and money matters.” Matthew stuck his tongue out at Sain, who affected an innocent expression, and went to talk to Lyn.

“Well, matters are worse than we thought,” he offered in a low voice.

“How so?”

“Rumour has it that Marquess Caelin is being poisoned. Every day, he grows weaker. He’s been bed-ridden for months.”

“Oh, no! No!” Lyn exclaimed. Ceniro patted her shoulder.

“There’s worse.”

“Worse?” Kent asked apprehensively.

“How could that be?” Ceniro asked at the same time, his hand stilling on Lyn’s back.

“An imposter’s appeared, claiming to be Lady Madelyn’s daughter. At least, that’s the story. A certain lord has begun publishing the idea that two rogue knights and a Sacaen commoner’s child will appear and lay claim to Castle Caelin.” Matthew’s voice was very sarcastic, though to look at him he apparently found it all very amusing.

“What!” Lyn almost yelled.

“That’s… awful…” Kent seemed in shock.

“We’re being portrayed as breakers of our knightly oaths,” Sain murmured, no less stunned.

Matthew nodded, keeping his eyes on an indignant Lyn. “Don’t you have anything that proves your lineage?”

Lyn thought for a moment. “Nope. My mother brought nothing from Lycia with her to Sacae.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. We’ll just have to do this the hard way, won’t we?”

“You look like Lady Madelyn, don’t you?” asked Ceniro, staring intently at her. “That…”

“They’d say we found a look-alike somewhere,” said Kent heavily. “No, our word means nothing. You are right, milady.”

“We must hurry,” Matthew insisted.

“Yes!” cried Lyn. “I’ll see my grandfather - with my last breath if need be!”

“I hope it won’t come to that,” Ceniro muttered under his breath. “We need a plan. If Lundgren calls for reinforcements, even I won’t be able to get us all through. We’ll be slaughtered.”

Lyn thought for a moment. Then she began to smile happily. “I know a way.”

Back in Caelin after a backtrack to Kathelet to ask Eliwood’s help, Lyn recapitulated for the benefit of those who didn’t come, namely everyone except for Kent, Sain, Ceniro, and Florina.

“So, Eliwood’s asked all the surrounding territories not to interfere with Lundgren or me. Now we can attack the castle and either take him prisoner or kill him,” Lyn stated bluntly.

“What’s the best way there?” Ceniro asked the group in general.

“Let me think,” Kent murmured thoughtfully. “I know the way. The only thing is that it passes over General Eagler’s estate, and that’s liable to be a hazard. He might fight us.” The tactician nodded and walked over to Lyn, who was already striding to the top of a nearby hill to look out over the countryside ahead from under a green maple tree.

“Looks like a fog’s rolling in,” commented Erk, staring away at the mountains.

“Oh no! Did you say fog? We won’t be able to see!” Serra panicked.

“Relax,” said Matthew, easily. He leaned casually against a tree. “I can see well enough for you, Mistress Serra.”

“Thank you! I don’t want to get attacked.”

“Can we go yet?” asked Wil wearily.

Ceniro moved next to Lyn. “I’m glad this is almost over,” he said, giving her a hug with one arm. Lyn gave him a funny look.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because then you will be safe and I don’t have to worry so much. Remember, this is my first campaign.”

“No, why are you…” Ceniro dropped his arm and moved away, red with embarrassment.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, rubbing his hand over his face awkwardly.

“Please. Tell me.”

“Well…”

“Is it that you…” Lyn slipped a cool hand under his chin, forcing him to look at her.

“… You’re a very pretty girl, Lyn. Beautiful, in fact.” He paused. “But…”

A hollow clunk reached Ceniro’s ears. He and Lyn turned around. Matthew, slouching against his tree, stood up properly, startled.

“What was that?” Dorcas asked quietly.

“It was me!” someone bellowed. A grey blob detached itself from the mist and stumped into the centre of the ring of warriors.

“G-general Wallace!” gasped Kent.

“Oh, no,” sighed Sain. “I trained while I was gone! Honestly!” he pleaded with the behemoth.

“Never mind your training. For now. Where’s the girl who calls herself Lyndis?”

“What will you do?” asked Kent, moving with Sain to block Lyn from Wallace.

“You want to fight me?”

Tension mounted as the old fighter and the two young knights glared at each other.

“Enough!’ cried Lyn, shouldering her way between her loyal bodyguards. “I am Lyndis. If you don’t believe me, that’s fine. If you oppose me, you will die.”

Wallace pushed back his steel-grey helmet and scrutinized her face. “What beautiful eyes.”

Lyn blinked, glaring confusedly at the strong old bald man. “What do you mean? What are you talking about? And what has that got to do with now?”

The old man smiled gently. “When you’re as old as I am… I know that no one with such beautiful eyes as you would tell lies.” After a moment more of staring, he guffawed. “Whahahahahaa! I like you, girl! I think I’ll even join your little party!” Kent and Sain’s faces lit up.

“That’s good,” Kent muttered to Ceniro. “He’s really, really, really tough. He could take out half of us at least easily, even with your brilliant mind.”

“I’m scared,” Ceniro murmured back truthfully. “Hey!” he looked more closely at Wallace’s armour. Emblazoned on the front of the neckpiece was a crest. “He’s a general class! Not just rank!”

“When you’re as old as I am, boy, I hope you’re a general too!”

“Let’s go. Sain, Erk, go north, warn the village, watch out for possible bandits, as usual, and hostile soldiers, of course. Matthew, what’s to the east?”

“A river, a forest, and a castle. Can’t see any people; too far away,” Matthew reported crisply.

“Well, Wallace, you’ll be our spearhead, since Kent is singing your praises, and Lyn and Florina and Kent and Wil and Matthew and…. and Serra. Head over the river.”

“Nooo,” moaned Matthew.

Ceniro smiled apologetically at him. “Rath, head north. I thought I saw something moving with an axe. Lucius, go with him. Salir, Ninian, stay with me. We’re the non-combatants.” Salir nodded. Ceniro stayed behind the lead group, hanging back to see if the men who had gone north would come back the same way.

A few minutes later, Sain came galloping up with Erk at the same time. Rath and Lucius were only seconds behind them. Sain set Erk down and took up Salir.

“All safe,” he reported. “No more bandits up there. There were only a few amateurs.”

They hurried through the forest, following the others hastily. They could hear heated fighting up ahead.

“You daft…!” Wallace was shouting at someone. “At the least, let mine be the blow that finishes you!”

“Wallace,” said Ceniro quietly from behind him. “Who are you yelling at?”

“General Eagler,” Wallace shouted, making the tactician jump. “He’s still on Lundgren’s side.”

“Are you sure?” Kent was calling to the paladin sitting in the castle gate. “We truly believe Lady Lyndis is Lord Hausen’s granddaughter.”

The paladin frowned, seeming torn between unpleasant options. “I cannot allow you to pass.”

“General,” Kent began again.

“He’s not listening,” Sain told him.

“That’s not like him,” Kent said back; the two cavaliers immediately became involved in a highly animated discussion. They seemed to be agreeing on every point. Ceniro bit his lip. This was a good man…

“Enough!” cried Eagler. “One of us will die. If it is me…” He shrugged. “My daughter will be safe either way. Come!”

“Lyn, strike,” Ceniro said, still agitated. “Wil, Lucius, Erk, Rath, attack also. Serra, help Lyn.”

Wallace waddled forward, swinging an axe. Twin balls of magic, one golden, the other red, arced in, as did three arrows; Rath had fired twice. Kent and Sain hung back with bowed heads as Wallace was forced to slay one of his own friends.

“Go quickly,” Eagler gasped, dying. “The marquess knows nothing of this. And… there’s no illness… only… poison. Hurry… Caelin… the marquess… for truth… and peace… to be… re… restor-” His eyes closed.

The troop stood silently. At last Wallace cleared his throat. “Eagler was a good man. A brave comrade in battle, a faithful friend, and a true knight. He did what his honour demanded.” Lyn sighed. The two caveliers echoed the sigh.

“He was a good teacher; strict, but fair,” Kent murmured.

“May his soul rest in peace,” said Lucius, followed by Serra.

The group moved on. Soldiers came out of the castle and removed the bodies for burial.

Chapter 8: Vortex of Strategy     Chapter 10: The Distant Plains