Thicker Than Water

A Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword novelization.

Part III: Secrets

perhaps it is true i know nothing of our fates –

but i know to follow it when i hear mine call

"You know," Sain said as they loaded their saddlebags onto their mounts the next morning, "she's really not what I expected."

"Do you mean Lady Lyndis?" Kent asked, tightening a strap and tugging it lightly to make sure the pack was secure.

His companion nodded. "I've never met a girl like her before," Sain replied. "She's certainly something special."

Kent began to go through the packs again – double and triple-checking their supplies before departing Bulgar would not hurt anyone. "Be careful not to fall in love with her, you fool," he told Sain. "Her position as Caelin's heir is already unstable because of Lundgren – it won't do to have a lovestruck knight chasing after her as well."

Sain sighed dramatically. "Alas, my boon companion! You wound me. But fear not – only from afar shall I praise and admire our fair lady and none shall be the wiser!"

"And what the hell are you babbling about now, boy?"

Kent turned and nodded at the new arrival. "Good morning, Sir Mark," he said politely.

Mark frowned. "Thought I told you to quit it with the 'sir' stuff."

Sain grinned at the older man. "A most marvelous morning to you, Master Mark. A fine day for a journey, is it not? Why – "

Kent suppressed the urge to groan.

Mark thumped his walking stick on the ground impatiently. "And I thought I told you to shut up," he said gruffly. "Otherwise, I'll make you shut up." He turned back to Kent. "We'll be leaving soon. You ready?"

Kent nodded dutifully, fists clenched tightly at his sides. "We will leave when you are ready."

Mark grunted noncommittally. "Good. At least one of you is competent." He looked at Sain pointedly before turning and limping back to where Lady Lyndis and his own pale grey steed waited.

"What an ornery old man," Sain said once Mark was out of earshot. "I wonder what past client of his shoved that cane of his so far up his – "

"Sain," said Kent sternly. "Now is not the time to be petty."

The older knight made a face at the tactician's back before turning back to look at his mare and running a hand along her flank affectionately. He sighed. "As always, Kent, you're the voice of reason. Though I must say that I will be glad to be rid of Mark once we reach Caelin." Sain looked at Kent curiously. "Why did you ask him to join us?"

Kent shrugged. "Because he knows what he's doing. You saw him with the brigands yesterday too – he doesn't have much technique but Mark isn't stupid. There's a lot he hasn't told us but it's obvious he has experience. And for what it's worth Lady Lyndis seems to trust him. Besides – " He glanced back at the old man and the girl quickly before tilting his head toward Sain. " – if Lundgren is that intent on keeping Caelin for himself we'll need all the help we can get, if only…" He trailed off and looked at Sain expectantly.

Sain frowned. "You really don't think Lady Cordelia's suspicions are accurate, do you?"

"I don't know," Kent replied. "She is a smart woman. If she really thinks that there's something wrong I wouldn't question her." He clenched his jaw. "I am willing to do whatever it takes to protect Caelin – or die trying."

For a few moments Sain said nothing. He continued to run his hand along the horse's warm brown flank. "That's the oath we swore when we were knighted, wasn't it? 'Duty to one's lord and land before all else'?" He smiled at his companion. "I'm with you, my friend. If it really is as the lady suspects, then I won't allow Caelin to fall into the hands of someone so unfit to rule."

"Thank you," Kent said simply. "Truly."

"Of course." Sain turned back to look at their newest companions; Mark had seated himself on a bench near the inn's small stable, watching Lady Lyndis as she sorted through and packed their belongings, giving her gruff instructions now and then. "Will you tell them?"

Kent shook his head. "No, not yet. I don't think Lady Lyndis could handle such news just yet – you saw how she reacted to the truth of her heritage. She needs more time to adjust."

"What about Mark?"

The younger knight shrugged again. "Just because Lady Lyndis trusts him doesn't mean that I do. Not yet."

Sain nodded and grasped his mare's reins. "I can't wait to get back to Caelin," he repeated.

"My neither," said Kent before stepping closer to his own horse and hoisting himself into the saddle. "Let's go."

Sain sighed. "Alright," he said, swinging himself into the saddle his own horse. Kent waited for him, and once Sain was comfortably situated astride his mare the pair made their way over to the older man and the girl.

Lady Lyndis was busy securing their bags to the gelding's saddle – a job Mark surely could have helped with instead of letting her do all the work, Kent thought, but he said nothing on that. Instead he asked, "Are you ready to depart?"

Mark shrugged. "I am. But the lass has something to ask you."

Lady Lyndis fixed Mark with an irritated look before turning to Kent. "It is nothing – only a small request."

"Yes, milady?"

She shifted uncomfortably at the title. "I… It is nothing. Never mind."

"I beg your pardon, Lady Lyndis," said Sain," but I hardly think it is 'nothing'."

"Just spit it out, lass," Mark said. "If you have something to say, then just say it. Don't give a damn about what other people think of you."

Clearly, Kent added silently, you don't.

Lady Lyndis frowned at Mark but replied nonetheless. "That is… there is a small shrine just outside Bulgar." She straightened her shoulders and looked at Mark pointedly. "I want to go there."

Mark frowned. "What are you telling me for?" he demanded. For a moment it looked as if Lady Lyndis was going to say something back, but she quickly bit back her retort.

Kent ignored the older man. "Of course, milady," he said. "Do you know where the shrine is?"

She nodded. "Yes – it is just east of the city," she said, "not even half a morning's journey from here on horseback after you leave the city gates."

"Have you been there before?" Kent asked.

Lady Lyndis shook her head. "Only once when I was very small – my father always went there whenever he came to Bulgar to trade however, so I have heard a lot about it."

"Very well. If that is what you wish, then we shall go." Kent glanced down at Mark. "Are you ready?"

With a low groan, Mark got off the bench and shuffled toward his horse. "As ready as I'll ever be, boy," he replied before clucking his tongue at the grey gelding. The horse knelt obediently and Mark hoisted himself onto the saddle. When he was comfortable, Lady Lyndis settled in the saddle behind him, and Mark clucked his tongue again. The gelding stood.

"Shall we?" Sain asked.

Lady Lyndis nodded. "Yes."

The group rode in silence for most of the morning. Kent, reticent by nature as always, did not mind though he was perplexed by Lady Lyndis' silence and the rigidity with which she sat behind Mark. They stopped only once when the tactician began to complain of pain in his ruined leg and Kent took the opportunity to ask her if there was anything on her mind.

She seemed taken aback by his question and a few long moments passed before she responded. "I do not know," she told him. "It is all so sudden – knowing that I still have a family, the truth of my mother's past… There are so many things coming together all at once." She raised a hand to the hollow of her throat and closed her fingers around the small charm she wore about her neck – a bird of some sort, Kent thought. "That is all."

Kent nodded. "I see," he told her. "But if there is anything at all that you may need please do not hesitate to inform Sain or I. We are your vassals; our duty is first and foremost to you and Caelin."

Lady Lyndis smiled at him. "Thank you, Kent," she told him. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course, milady."

"What sort of place is Caelin? Or Lycia? I have only ever been in Sacae and even then only on the paths my people followed with the seasons."

He blinked. "Your mother never spoke of Caelin?"

"No." Lady Lyndis shook her head. "If she ever spoke of it then I do not remember."

Kent furrowed his brows in thought. "Caelin is… it is one of the smaller cantons of Lycia but its people are strong and proud. The ruling line has only ever brought peace and prosperity to the land and has always maintained good relations with other cantons."

"The ruling line…" Lady Lyndis bit her lower lip. "What sort of person is my grandfather, Kent?"

"Lord Hausen is a good man. We have never been in want of anything under his guidance. He cares for his people as if they are his own children and his duty and love for Caelin is admirable."

Lady Lyndis smiled. "He sounds wonderful." She chewed on the inside of her cheek thoughtfully. "And what of Lord Lundgren?"

Kent frowned. "I am afraid it is not my place to say, milady. I have only ever heard rumors."

Her face fell visibly. "Then tell me, what have you heard?"

It took Kent a few moments to find the right words. "The older knights say that Lord Lundgren was once a good man just like the current marquess. He was married young and though he loved his wife dearly they weren't blessed with children." He looked at Lady Lyndis. "They said that your mother was the apple of his eye and her departure came as a shock to him. It's been almost twenty years but they say Lord Lundgren hasn't been the same since."

She looked at the ground. "I see." For a moment she seemed lost in thought. Then she looked at him. "You know I do not want any titles – I only want to see the last of my family and land where my mother was born."

"I'm afraid Lord Lundgren doesn't see it that way," said Kent.

Lady Lyndis nodded. "I know." She bit her lip again. "You will stay with me all the way to Caelin, won't you?"

Kent nodded. "Of course, milady," he said. "Sain as well. We will always stay by your side."

"Thank you," Lady Lyndis said simply and Kent could see that she meant it.

Lady Lyndis had said that the shrine stood just beyond the edge of a small village not far from Buglar, and by midmorning Sain could see the outlines of the small homes and buildings of the village swaying slightly the growing heat.

"Ah, blessed place!" he said, drawing his forearm across his face to wipe away some of the sweat beading his skin. "A holy place, for a pilgrim to rest before carrying on their way."

Mark shot him an annoyed look and Lady Lyndis merely shook her head. "It's a small village, Sain, and an even smaller shrine. No one comes here anymore – the only thing that rests here is a sword said to be blessed by the spirits themselves. Only the most devout still come here."

"That may be the case, my lady," Kent replied, "but at least people still come here to pray and the ancient customs are still observed. I myself am keen to see this shrine; I've only ever seen the simple churches of Elimine and only then those built in Lycia. The greatest of Elimine's cathedrals are in Etruria. I hope to one day see them."

Sain grinned at the younger man and then turned to look at Lady Lyndis. "He won't admit it but my boon companion is a lover of fine architecture just as I am fond of poetic words and the great songs and tales of old."

Lady Lyndis smiled as Kent's ears turned a delicate shade of pink. "Are all of Lycia's knights this well-versed in the arts?"

"You flatter us, my lady," Sain said. His smile grew wider. "But alas, how I wish it were so! You would be hard-pressed to find a decent conversationalist among the otherwise uneducated boors that make up the ranks of Lycian soldiers – fine men they are, especially those of our beloved canton, but as dumb as a mule when it comes to things of a more refined nature." He nodded in the tactician's direction. "I'm sure our dear Master Mark understands what I mean."

"I do," Mark answered. He twisted in the saddle and glared at Sain. "Keep that up and one day you'll find my cane somewhere you don't want." He narrowed his eyes before facing forward again and Lyn gave Sain an apologetic smile before turning around as well.

Sain stuck his tongue out at the tacticians back and reined in his mare so that he rode beside Kent. "Is it just me," he muttered under his breath, "or does Master Mark really not like me."

Kent simply looked at him. "I wouldn't call it not liking you," he said wryly. "I'm certain he hates you."

"You wound me," Sain replied sarcastically. "But what have I done to deserve this sort of vitriol?"

The younger knight shrugged. "I don't think it's just you – Mark just seems to hate everyone and everything."

"You're right." Sain let go of the reins and tapped his chin thoughtfully with his free hand. "I wonder what made him that way – if he had a family once I can't imagine he was always like this."

Kent shrugged again. "He probably won't tell us. Ornery old men like him are happiest when they complain – if we just leave him alone he's sure to stop. Eventually."

Sain shook his head and gripped the reins again with both hands. "I can't wait until we reach Caelin," he repeated. "I just can't wait."

They reached the village soon after and upon arriving learned that despite its small size it boasted a relatively decent inn. It was a charming little building quaintly called The Spirits' Crossing and it was here Mark announced they would eat and rest before leaving for the shrine.

The four of them sat crowded around a small table in the inn and talking idly amongst themselves as they ate the meal they had ordered – a type of stew made from the flesh of one of the small long-legged plainsdeer that roamed the area, seasoned with an assortment of spices and herbs Sain had never before tasted, eaten with large, warm pieces of flatbread and downed with a fragrant and slightly bitter drink made from the roots of a plant whose name he could not pronounce.

It was as Lady Lyndis was patiently coaching Sain in the pronunciation of the plant's name that the door to the inn burst open and a woman rushed in in a panic. The room – already sparse with a lack of patrons – quickly fell silent and the innkeep approached her in concern, a small wooden cup of the bitter root drink clenched in one hand.

"What happened?" he asked, rubbing her back gently with one hand and handing her the cup with the other.

The woman swallowed thickly. "The shrine!" she managed to choke out before raising the cup to her lips and downing its contents. She coughed. "Ruffians, at the shrine – the priest is an old man, he can't fight all of them on his own…"

Lady Lyndis stood up suddenly, her arm colliding with Sain's shoulder painfully as she rose; she did not seem to feel the pain though Sain rubbed the spot ruefully. "Ruffians at the shrine? What of the Mani Katti? Is it safe?"

"I… I don't know." The woman shook her head. "Please, will you go help the priest? He is an old man and no one else in the village can use a weapon as effectively as those ruffians can." She handed the cup to the innkeep. "You look like a virtuous group," the woman said. "Please, will you go?"

Sain stood. "To disturb a place of worship and attack a defenseless old man? My good lady, a request is not necessary – this is simply a matter of doing the right thing."

Kent nodded and rose as well. "Sain is right." He looked down at the tactician. "Sir Mark?"

"No," the old man said tersely. "I'm not going."

Lady Lyndis clenched her jaw. "I – "

Mark glared at her. "I said I'm not going – I only said I would take you to the shrine. I said nothing about saving a priest or an old magic sword."

Again Lady Lyndis opened her mouth to speak even as Sain forced down his own harsh response to the old man, but the woman from before cut her off.

"Please, my lady," she said again. "Go to the priest – keep both him and the Mani Katti safe!"

Lady Lyndis looked down at Mark; he simply stared up at her and finally she shook her head. "Let's go – may I ride with one of you?" she asked as she stepped away from the table and past the woman and the innkeep, out the inn's door and toward the small stable where their horses were kept.

Both knights followed her. "But of course," Sain replied.

"Your word is our command," Kent added as he opened the door to the stall that housed his gelding, quickly saddling him and leading him out of the stable.

Minutes later they set off for the shrine and as the hooves of their steeds pounded the packed earth Sain could feel the blood pounding in his ears in anticipation and the heavy beating of his heart, he never noticed the lone figure watching them from the back door of the inn.

The shrine stood less than a mile from the very outskirts of the village. It was a small humble thing of mortar and old cracked stone and presently surrounded by a group of unsavory-looking men.

"If that's all of these unruly fellows," Sain said, "then it shouldn't be too hard to get rid of them and save the priest."

Kent nodded and reined in his horse alongside Sain. "What worries me is the space between this wall and the shrine itself – there's barely room for one horseman here, let alone two."

Sain cast a sidelong glance at Lady Lyndis, who was riding with Kent. Her arms were wrapped around his waist, hands balled into tight fists. Her expression was unreadable.

"What do you think we should do, milady?" Sain ventured. She did not respond. "Lady Lyndis?" He looked at the younger knight in confusion and Kent twisted as best as he could in his saddle to look at their liege.

"Milady," Kent asked, "are you well?"

Lady Lyndis shook her head and straightened. "Yes. I am fine." She removed her arms from Kent's waist and dismounted gracefully.

Sain bit his lower lip. "If this is about Mark, milady, I think…"

Again Lady Lyndis shook her head. "This is not the time to worry about something like that," she told them.

"Perhaps milady," Kent replied, "but it would not bode well to dwell too long on it either."

"I am well," Lady Lyndis assured them. She brushed her fingers across the hilt of the sword strapped to her waist. "There are more pressing matters at hand – we must save the priest!"

Sain nodded. "Of course." He looked between his comrade and his lady. "What would you suggest we do, milady?"

It was Kent who spoke first. "The space between these two walls is too narrow – we'll have to draw them through if we want to properly engage them."

Lady Lyndis shook her head. "That will take too long," she said. "You two stay here and draw them out. I will go on ahead and try to find their leader. If we finish him off the rest of the group should disperse."

"No, milady," Kent replied. "I'm afraid I must disagree with this plan. You cannot take such a risk."

"My boon companion is right I'm afraid," Sain added. "As your vassals we cannot possibly allow you to risk your life in such a way. Perhaps if we dismounted and were to join you on foot…?"

But Lady Lyndis was resolute in her decision. "Do you see any other way?" she asked. "You admitted it yourself Kent – you and Sain can't possibly fit through this gap together. I can move faster than both of you on foot and even if you were to fight on foot we would still be at a disadvantage with so many bodies crowding the gap. Let me go on ahead."

Kent opened his mouth to reply but it was Sain who responded instead. "I understand milady," he said. He glanced at Kent apologetically before looking back at his lady. "Please take care."

She nodded. "Thank you Sain." She too looked at Kent apologetically. "I am sorry Kent." She took a few steps back before turning completely and walking toward the edge of the wall. "May the spirit of the Mani Katti watch over you," she said before disappearing behind the wall.

Sain watched her go in admiration. "She really is something isn't she? Hard to believe she's so young sometimes."

"Sain…" Kent began but the older knight simply chuckled in response.

"I know, I know: don't fall in love with her." A yell of rage and the sound of someone running toward them caught Sain's attention and he looked up to find a pair of the ruffians rushing toward them.

Kent took his sword from the scabbard attached to his saddle. "We've got company Sain."

Brushing his sandy hair from his forehead Sain mimicked his companion's actions, taking his lance from its holster and gripping it confidently. "Such sloppy form," he muttered as he readied himself.

"No better than yours," Kent remarked dryly as he spurred his gelding into a fast trot and then a gallop.

Sain smirked. "Thought you always said the battlefield wasn't the place for joking around, my boon companion," he replied as his mare pressed on ahead.

Kent leaned down and swung his sword in a clean arc. The sound of a collarbone cracking and splitting echoed wetly against the stone walls. The blade continued to cut through the tough muscle and sinew before erupting from between the ruffian's shoulder blades in a shower of bone fragments and gore. With a howl of pain the man went down, clutching at his now useless shoulder hopelessly; he did not see Sain approaching with his lance poised and ready until it was too late.

"I was serious," the younger knight said before engaging the second man; the ruffian was faster than his companion had been and brought the blade of his axe up just before Kent's sword struck. The sound of metal-on-metal reverberated in the small space and Kent pushed down against the man in an attempt to gain leverage over him.

Sain nodded. "I should've known," he said before catching sight of another large figure approaching them. His mare reared up on her hind legs, hooves pawing at the air, and the approaching ruffian went down silently as one steel-shod hoof connected with his temple. He did not rise again.

Upon seeing their companions motionless on the ground – one bloodied and with a severed arm and a jagged hole through his chest and the other dead of a cracked skull – the remaining ruffians seemed to realize that both the knights and their mounts posed a threat to them and they backed away before quickly regrouping in a rough semicircle and pushing them against the wall of the shrine. Sain did not realize it until he and Kent were effectively cornered against the wall, their mounts shying away from the weapons of the ruffians as they continued to jab at them.

Kent swore under his breath. "This isn't good, Sain," he said before hissing in pain as the blade of a rusty steel broadsword slashed a shallow wound in his calf.

"You're telling me," Sain replied as he backed his mare closer against the wall in an attempt to distance himself from the ruffians. He thrust his lance out and smiled grimly as it went cleanly through the stomach of the man who had just injured Kent.

It was apparent he had misjudged the distance however when the hoof of his mare suddenly connected with the wall behind them. Sain was gripped his mare tightly with his legs, convinced that he the force of such a collision would force him to fall from the saddle, and so he was surprised to feel the wall give in slightly under the pressure – even more so when an avalanche of small rocks rained down on them.

He cast a quick glance back at the wall – despite its relatively strong appearance it was clear that the mortar was beginning to crumble and Sain grinned despite himself.

"Kent," Sain said, "I have an idea."

The innkeep looked on, the disbelief evident in his expression, as he watched the older man struggle to clamber up onto the back of a pale gray gelding.

"Are you sure you'll be alright, sir?" he asked.

"Pfeh." The man scowled down at him. "If I wasn't fine I wouldn't go. If I didn't go I wouldn't get paid. If I don't get paid I'm not happy. And I'm sick of not being happy." He snapped the gelding's reins quickly and muttered something under his breath about increasing his rates in the future. The gelding began at a trot and then took off at a gallop when the man snapped the reins again.

The innkeep watched the man until he reached the edge of the village and then looked down at the small copper pieces in his hand.

"Strange man," the innkeep muttered before turning around and walking back into the establishment. "May the spirits watch over him as well."

"We're almost through," Kent said as he jabbed at the wall with his lance one more time.

Sain grinned at him quickly and turned back to the ruffians before him. Only two were left and they watched the knights carefully as they glanced between them and the bodies of their fallen companions. One of them made a valiant effort to stop Kent – he charged at the younger knight but a quick jab to the side incapacitated him.

The last remaining ruffian made an effort to attack them before stopping suddenly, face twisted in pain. He fell forward onto his face and Sain frowned when he saw who had dispatched the man.

"Master Mark," Sain said. "We didn't expect to see you here – I thought you didn't come here to save a shrine?"

Mark glared at him. "Save it for later, lad." He looked at the bodies around them before settling his gaze on the knights. He frowned when he caught sight of their injuries. "And this is why you pups need a tactician," he said. "At least you figured out the condition of the wall on your own."

It was at that moment that, with one final shove, Kent managed to send the wall crumbling down to nothing more than a pile of mortar and rubble. "It was Sain who discovered it, actually."

"No thanks to you," Sain added.

"I see." Mark nodded and scratched his chin. "Guess you're not totally useless after all."

Sain opened his mouth in response but Kent quickly cut him off. "This is no time for bickering," he said. "Lady Lyndis is already inside the shrine." He dismounted quickly and Sain did the same. "Let's go," he said, looking at Mark curiously when the old tactician did not dismount. "You're not coming?"

Mark shook his head. "You go ahead," he said as he indicated his bad leg with a bob of his head. "If there's any fighting going on I'll be useless in there. You know that."

"Then why come at all?" Sain asked.

The tactician looked as if he was going to say something but instead sighed and raised his hand, rubbing his fingers together in the universal sign for money. "Get it?" he asked. "Now go. She needs you."

Kent nodded and disappeared through the hole in the wall. Sain glanced over his shoulder at Mark ruefully before following.

Mark watched them go until they disappeared into the shrine before sighing and patting his mount's neck affectionately. "Dammit, Elec," he said, "I think I'm going soft."

They found Lady Lyndis in the main room of the shrine helping an old man to his feet. Her sword lay on the hard stone floor of the shrine beside the body of a man Sain assumed to be the leader of the ruffians. He started when he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Kent.

"The dead have no place in a place of worship," he said, "least of all those who wrongfully take what isn't theirs."

Sain nodded, and together they brought the body of the man outside. Mark met them at the entrance to the shrine, the reins of their own mounts in his hand.

"Well?" he asked gruffly.

"The sword is safe, Lady Lyndis is unscathed, and the priest is alive," Sain replied.

Mark nodded appraisingly. "Good," he said. "Here, take these," handing the reins to the Kent.

The knight took them. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Coming inside, of course," Mark replied as he swung his good leg over the horses back and awkwardly dismounted. "What does it look like I'm doing?" He held on to the gelding for support as he took his cane from a holster tied to the saddle. "Let's go."

Lyn did not say anything when Mark entered the shrine with the two knights. Instead she turned back to the priest.

"These are my comrades Kent and Sain," she said. "They helped to take get rid of the ruffians who dared to attack such a sacred place."

The priest nodded. "My thanks," he said. "Glass and his band of rogues have been roaming the area for months now. They were dishonest men who made a living as mercenary highway men and stealing from lonely travelers and the hardworking people of this village. I should have foreseen them setting their sights on this shrine but I fear I was too confident in my abilities of protecting the shrine. Age has made me slow and too overly-confident in my abilities I am afraid." He smiled at them and then turned to Mark. "And you are…?"

"Their tactician," he replied gruffly.

"A tactician?" the priest said. "A noble profession indeed."

Lyn frowned. "I'm sorry, sir, but…"

The priest chuckled. "You don't have to tell me, Lyn of the Lorca. I understand." He looked at Mark. "I am sure there is a reason this man did what he did but he still a part of your group and I must show my gratitude. I will allow you to lay your hands upon the Mani Katti – may its spirit guide and protect you on your journey."

Lyn gasped. "But sir…"

"Come with me, young kite," he said. "Let the spirit of the blade guide you and your flock." The priest smiled at her.

"Sir…?" Something in the priest's speech caught her attention and Lyn followed the priest. Kent and Sain trailed after her and Mark thumped along after.

The priest led them to a small alcove at the rear of the shrine where a sword rested on a pillow made of animal skins dyed all the colors of the rainbow and embroidered with delicate patterns. The blade bore the same patterns and the sword's dark hilt gleamed even in the dim light of the shrine.

Lyn felt her breath catch in her throat. "The Mani Katti…"

Again the priest smiled at her. "Touch the pattern on the blade, child," he said, "and pray for a safe journey."

Lyn reached out one hand and after a moment's hesitation rested it upon the blade. What happened next could not have been foreseen by anyone.

The patterns etched into the blade began to glow with a strange bright light and the blade itself became warm to the touch. The sparrow trinket around Lyn's neck began to feel heavier and she could once again feel its tiny little heartbeat against her flesh. It was all so strange and yet she couldn't help but feel that there was something right about it as well.

Mark gasped in surprise and Kent and Sain watched on in fascination. The priest brought his hands together in prayer. "Never in my life did I think I would live to see the chosen wielder of the Mani Katti," he murmured. The light faded, and the priest looked at a bewildered Lyn. "It is the power of the spirits, child – they have looked into your soul and they called out to you."

"What does that mean?" Lyn asked. She still had not removed her hand from the blade.

"You are the rightful owner and wielder of the Mani Katti – you felt it when you touched the blade did you not? It called to you. If proof is what you require then draw the blade from its sheath."

Lyn did as the priest bade her and gasped in surprise when the blade came out the sheath effortlessly.

The priest smiled at her. "Lyn, proud daughter of the Lorca: this sword is yours."

That night the village celebrated Lady Lyndis' inheritance of the Mani Katti. The villagers crowded around her and marveled openly at the blade and the young Lorcan girl who wielded it. Sain watched in amusement as Lady Lyndis was surrounded by yet another group of admirers and took another sip of the root drink from the large tumbler in his hand.

"You know Kent," he said, "this stuff? It's not that bad."

Kent nodded and took a mouthful from his own tumbler. "It's a traditional herbal drink said to restore the drinker's energy and vitality, Lady Lyndis said."

"Really?" Sain asked. "It works – much better than the watered down black coffee they serve in the barracks."

"The innkeep gifted some to us for our journey back to Caelin," Kent replied. "Along with nearly half of his food stores."

Sain chuckled. "That's gratitude," he said. "I'm glad we could help these people – Glass and his men apparently made their lives miserable."

Lifting the tumbler to his lips again Kent nodded. He took a sip before answering. "What about Mark?"

Instantly Sain's expression turned sour. "I don't know," he said. "He always talks down to us and Lady Lyndis and today left us to fight in order to do Elimine knows what. I don't trust him at all."

Kent closed his eyes. "I don't, either."

"Say Kent," Sain said as he brushed his hair away from his face. "There's been something bothering me all day, ever since we came back from the shrine."

"What is it?"

"What if…" Sain swallowed. "What if Mark is Lundgren's man?"

For a moment Kent said nothing. "If that's the case then we must be on guard," he finally said, "especially around Lady Lyndis."

Sain nodded. "Should we inform Lady Cordelia?" he asked.

"Of course," Kent replied. "Immediately."

Mark stayed away from the festivities that night. He kept to himself near the stable behind the inn, leaning heavily against the stable walls as he smoked his pipe and looked at the dark sky as he lost himself in thought.

Let them think what they will, he finally decided, and with that snuffed out his pipe and limped back into the inn.

My apologies for the delay in updating – I have become incredibly busy with many things and despite enjoying working on it this novelization is no longer high on my priority list. Thank you for understanding.

Thank you for reading. As always feedback is appreciated – notes will be posted to Livejournal shortly.