Chapter 5: New Friends


ZIP! THUNK! The assassin groaned and pitched on his face at Lyn's feet. An arrow protruded from his back. Ceniro looked around, first at Wil, though he couldn't have possibly hit the man.

"Wasn't me," said the brown-eyed archer. "Him." Ceniro had already noticed the man on the horse. He had hair the exact colour of Lyn's, a deep green that was common among the people of Sacae. He gripped a short bow, and a quiver hung at his back. Though he wore the livery of Araphen, his grey horse had a traditional Sacaen saddle.

"Lyndis!" said Kent breathlessly. "I mean... oh, never mind. Are you unhurt?" He knelt and checked the assassin for a pulse, unnecessarily.

"Yes," said Lyn, still examining the horseman. Serra's breath returned quicker than most, and she began squeaking. Erk winced and stuffed his cloak in his ears. The horseman stared at Lyn, but began to withdraw, riding backwards.

"Wait!" cried Lyn. "Why did you help me?"

"...I thought a woman of Sacae was in need. I was mistaken." His voice was deep and flat, almost expressionless.

"No! I am the daughter of Hassar, chieftan of the Lorca." The rider rode closer. His stare was uncomfortable in its intensity.

"There were survivors?"

"Yes. Now I'm going to Lycia... Is the marquess all right? I think the castle is on fire because some people want me dead. Let me help you!"

"I believe he is still unhurt, though I do not know for certain." He thought for a while, eyes narrowed and fixed on Lyn's face. "Sounds like you're involved somehow. Let's go."

"Thank you! This is my tactician, Ceniro. You can rely on him."

"Thanks, Lyn. Okay. What's your name, and how can we get to the castle?"

"I am Rath of the Kutolah. There is a secret passage from the barracks, right there, that I am thinking of using. The doors are locked, and there are three switches needed to press to open the passage. No, I do not have the keys."

"Hm. Let's see if anyone around here has keys." Under Ceniro's orders, the group split up into pairs. Lyn herself knocked on the door of a house.

"Come in," drawled a young man cheerfully. Lyn entered. A fellow clattered down the stairs where he had apparently been watching from an upper window. He slouched casually in a chair. He had quick brown eyes, light brown hair, and a red cloak shrouding his slim body. "Hey, I don't live here, I'm paying for the privilege. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Matthew, expert in acquisitions of all kinds. Well? Like to buy my services?"

Lyn snorted. "I have no need for the services of a thief."

Matthew smiled, unperturbed. "And... how do you plan to open the barrack doors?"

Lyn stared at him, completely flat-footed. "How did you know..."

"Bullseye!" cheered Matthew. Lyn glared at his irritating, self-assured impudence. "Hey, don't be mad; hire me!" His tone was still teasing.

The girl thought for a few moments. "...OK. You're hired," she said at last. "Go talk to Ceniro, in the green cloak."

"Right-o!" Matthew swung out the door. "Hey! You, Ceniro? I can get that door open. Want some help?"

"Sure. Did Lyn send you? Are you staying with us?" asked Ceniro, who . Matthew had a wire out and was fiddling with the lock. Rath waited impassively nearby.

"I think so..." said Matthew hesitantly. The door swung open and Rath ran in to pull a switch in the wall. A loud rumble sounded, and the whole wall next to them sank into the ground. "Hey! Unless my eyes deceive me - and they never do - that's a treasure chest! What say we help ourselves?"

"No." Ceniro gestured for Rath to move in, followed by Lyn and the caveliers. The rest were somewhere in the south of town.

"What do you mean, 'No'? Don't be a bore. I know stealing's bad, but we're gonna get paid anyhow, so why not call this an advance?"

"Uh..."

"Come on!"

"Well... I don't think... ... All right..."

"Yeah! Treasure time! Treasure time!" Matthew chanted, dashing over to the chest. He pulled out an shimmering white coat. "You know what these do, right? Wonder why they kept it in here."

"Yes, so don't rip it. I guess I'll hang on to it... I think I'll give it to Florina."

"Okay. Now, there's a door down there. Should I get it?"

"Yes," Ceniro told him, running outside to see where Wil and Erk and Serra and Dorcas and Florina had gotten to.


Wil unlocked the door. A bunch of those annoying assassins had been waiting for them, and one had been carrying a key, clutched in his hand. Dorcas suggested they try it on the barrack door behind him. As the door swung open, an enemy soldier rushed out, knocking over Wil and stabbing Dorcas in the side. The big axefighter flinched and doubled up, chopping the lance in two. Erk cast Fire on the soldier, who ducked away. Florina attacked also, but missed as well. Then she flew up to the roof of the barracks and waited, trembling. Serra panicked and raised her staff before Dorcas pulled the spearhead out of his side.

"What's going on? It's not working!" she screamed.

"Hold on! Erk, Wil, Florina, attack the soldier. Serra, let Dorcas pull out the spear before trying to heal him. Doesn't work the other way." Serra seemed suddenly dubious, but did as she was told. The soldier vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Did he get away?" asked Ceniro anxiously.

"No," said Erk, grinning rather wickedly. "The arrow and lance killed him, and I sort of... incinerated him. Nothing left. Poof. Perfect."

Dorcas was back on his feet, his injury mostly healed. "Let's go back," he said slowly.

"Just a sec!" called Wil, running into the room they had had so much trouble to open. A new rumble was heard, and Lyn yelled.

"Quick!" cried Ceniro, dashing back to the others.

In the main barracks, everything was confusion. The five heroes were holding off what seemed like an endless stream of enemies. Matthew snuck up to Ceniro and handed him an armourslayer sword.

"Don't give it to me, give it to... Kent. Or, keep it."

Suddenly, Matthew froze. Serra's voice could be heard as she sauntered up to Sain and waved her staff. She was talking to herself, but Ceniro and Matthew could hear her plainly.

"Hm... I feel it! Someone's staring at me!" She giggled. "My beauty has rendered him speechless... Oh, I'm so cute it's almost criminal." Sain bowed exaggeratedly in the saddle to her.

Matthew pulled himself together. "She's been working for... someone I know in Bern. And she's returned? Aw man..." He grimaced. "I can't let HER find the secret passage. Never hear the end of it."

"I agree," said Ceniro. A single armour knight was left, and seemed pretty defiant.

"You won't rescue the marqess, little girl... Heh heh. No. I will follow my lord's orders."

Lyn's expression sharpened. "And how do you feel about facing the Mani Katti, little knight?"

"The what?"

"Never mind." Lyn had discovered it was excellent against armour knights and enemy caveliers. The knight was too slow to avoid her.

"Agh... Lord Lundgren... I've failed..." he gasped before falling over and revealing the last switch. Serra rushed forward, but Matthew grabbed her arm.

"Let go, mister!" she whined. "I haven't had a chance to pull any!"

"Too bad," the thief told her. "The lady in charge should do that." Lyn smiled at him and pulled the switch. The wall dropped away and Rath charged through.

A surprisingly few minutes later, Lyn, Rath, Kent, Sain, and Marqess Araphen were assembled in the throne room. Ceniro and the others waited outside. Rath exited after a moment. The group waited uncomfortably.

Lyn cried "What!" furiously. Florina jumped. Voices rose inside. Sain was shouting angrily, and Kent was trying to calm him down. Lyn said clearly: "I am proud of the blood that runs through my veins. I will not accept aid from one who disparages my heritage." She walked out stiffly, followed by Kent and Sain with red faces.

"We're going. Without our dear marquess' aid," she told Ceniro sarcastically. Rath stiffened, then entered the throne room. Lyn's group exited the castle, then the town.

"Well done, Lyn!" said Sain. "That marquess is a jerk."

"Be quiet, Sain," admonished Kent. "As we approach Castle Caelin, it will become even more dangerous than it has been. We must hurry."

They heard hoofbeats behind them. They all turned, Lyn half-drawing her sword before she saw who it was.

"Lady Lyndis!"

"What the... Rath!"

"Forgive me for startling you. I have resigned from Marquess Araphen's service. I would now fight for you." He was dressed in brown Sacaen clothes.

"Well, thank you! We'd be happy to have you."



"There!" gestured Sain broadly, as if only he could have accomplished this. "We are now in Kathelet." He became solemn. "By my estimates, it should take us about a week and a half to get to Castle Caelin." A silly grin spread over his face. "And Salir..."

Kent nudged him. "Sain, wake up," he whispered.

Lyn looked back and spoke to Ceniro. "Look, the mountains are so far away now. I wonder if I'll ever see Sacae again... or my grandfather..." The mountains were indeed faint and fair, blue shadows over the wooded horizon. Nearby was a very small settlement, and a larger one was visible a bit further east.

"Cheer up, Lyn!" said Florina. "You'll definately see your grandfather. Please don't be so sad!"

"Yes, thank you, Florina. That is true. I will!"

In the interval it had taken them to get from Araphen to Kathelet, Ceniro had become endeared to Matthew - the thief's quick tongue was amazingly amusing, and though he often behaved mysteriously and wandered away from the company for hours at a time for no apparent reason, he was open and cheerful. The tactician was now walking with the other, trying not to laugh but still losing dignity every moment, listening to a tale of a past practical joke. He still kept glancing around, keeping tabs on the situation, though the countryside was peaceful, and Matthew's eyes and ears were much sharper than his own. Suddenly, just at the climax of the story, Matthew pointed.

A small boy ran up to Lyn, who was at the head of the group. "Please!" He was almost in tears. "Please help! Ninian - my sister's been kidnapped!"

"What did you say?" gasped Sain. Kent elbowed him again.

"Milady, you musn't let your guard down... we have no time to spare..."

"No, Kent, we must help this boy. What's your name? Do you know who took her?"

"Yes! My name is Nils. My sister was taken by some men in black robes. They're very strong, and no one will help!" Ceniro studied him. He had sea-foam green hair and crimson eyes. In anyone else, that would have been erie, but Nils was rather cute. He had a long green scarf, a white tunic, a dark overtunic, and green shorts.

"Ahem... excuse me..."

Lyn whirled.

"Who are you?" she demanded, startled and angry. Her sword was half-drawn again. The long-haired blonde man bowed, blue and white robes rustling.

"Forgive me," he said, startling sapphire eyes glancing at Nils. "I am Lucius. I would truly like to help the boy, if only a little. The innkeeper... was unpleasant."

"That's all right," said Nils. "I wasn't afraid of him!"

"What a pity," said an oily voice. The whole group spun to see a bearded man in black robes. "You should be afraid of everyone. Then you'd be less trouble."

"You!" cried Nils furiously. "Where's Ninian?"

"You'll never find her, unless you want to come with us."

"No!" Nils yelled back.

"And you, girl! Stay away from the lad, or you'll die!" The shaman vanished, but others appeared.

"Uh, well, they're tough... are you sure you..." Nils hesitated.

Lyn winked confidently at him. "We're pretty tough ourselves. Let's go!"


Chapter 4: Fire in the Castle    Contents    Chapter 6