To fulfill Marquess Hector's dying request, Green and his companions head out towards Ostia. To get there, they must travel almost due west, and in the process they pass through the territory of Laus, ruled over by Lord Erik. As a child, Erik was pretty incompetent, whiny, jealous, and petty, and he got his ass kicked as a teenager by Eliwood and Hector after his dad got involved in some bad crap. It's been many years since then, but considering that this very chapter is taking place in Laus, we can probably assume that Erik is still a douchewaffle.
Meanwhile, in Laus, a familiar-looking Wyvern approaches the castle...
<Erik> Greetings, General Narcian!
<Narcian> Well met, Lord Erik! You really did the smart thing joining forces with Bern.
<Erik> But of course! It's not like the Lycian League ever did anything for me anyway.
<Athena> Yep, knew he was still a douchewaffle
<Narcian> So... I heard you had acquired a gift for me? :3
<Laus> Oh, yes, of course, here she is now. Clarine, come over here and meet general Narcian.
<Clarine> Oh, yes, hello. Is Klein around here anywhere? Erik told me he's keeping me hear to meet up with my brother...
<Narcian> Oh, I think you'll enjoy my company much more than his... ;D
<Clarine> Spend time with you? lolno. You may dress nice, but I can tell you're nothing more than lowborn scum.
<Narcian> Why you-- >:|
<Soldier> General! We've just received work that Castle Araphen was retaken by the enemy!
<Narcian> Oh, some of a... that stupid git Slater. Do you know anything about the enemy forces?
<Soldier> They appear to be led by Lord Green, the son of Marquess Pherae.
<Narcian> *sigh* I suppose I ought to clean up this mess. Take command of this girl and lock her up in a cell for me, would you?
<Clarine> Hey!
<Narcian> In the meantime, Lord Erik, I want your troops to set up a blockade between here and Ostia. Little Green is probably going to try and meet up with the rest of the forces in Ostia and we don't want that to happen.
<Erik> You can count on us!
So, sure enough, Roy and his soldiers came across the blockade as they passed through Laus. There wasn't even a break for dialogue or anything, they just jumped right into the fight. Laus's Cavaliers were pretty reckless in attacking them, but Green, Jabber, DNA, and TGK all worked hard at taking them down as they progressed, slowly working their way west towards the castle.
Meanwhile, back in the castle...
<Clarine> Ugh, this prison cell is just the WORST.
<Vom> Psst, hey, you there.
<Clarine> Who are you? >:|
<Vom> I'm a mercenary hired by Lord Erik, but I'm here to rescue you. Come on, follow me and hurry up. I have a horse waiting for you out back.
<Clarine> Wait, what? Why are you doing this?
<Vom> Let's just say I really hate Bern. Now are you going to come with me or not?
<Clarine> Yes, yes, I'm coming, don't get your panties in a bunch.
And so Clarine managed to escape from the castle. Mounted and ready to flee, she came across Green and his band as they fought towards the castle. Eager to secure protection, she rode up to Green and
demanded asked with all the grace and nobility of her upbringing if the Lord Green would be willing to protect her in exchange for healing. Green complied and they continued the press forward.
TGK ran out of his tome so he and DNA headed south to restock at some local shops. The others continued their slow progression west into a band of reinforcements led by memorable long-haired Myrmidon. Clarine recognized her savior and ran forward to greet him.
<Vom> Hey, what are you still doing there?
<Clarine> It's not my fault you dumped me in the middle of a battlefield. Some rescue!
<Vom> Welp, I guess you're lucky you met up with some people to take care of you, then. Can I go now?
<Clarine> Of course not!
<Vom> *sigh*
<Clarine> Don't you sigh at me. I'm doing you a favour. Stop fighting for those losers and join my team's side.
<Vom> *arches eyebrow*
<Clarine> You see, I remembered what you said about hating Bern, and the guys I'm with here are fighting against Bern. Which means your little "pal" Erik is working for the side you despise.
<Vom> Well, when you put it that way... sure, why not. If your leader doesn't mind accepting a turncoat, I'd be happy to join up with you guys.
Together with their new members in tow, Roy's forces converged on Laus Castle, eager to break through the blockade. Erik himself was guarding the castle's gate, and it took the combined forces of Jabber, DNA, and Vom all working together to take him down.
<DNA> Looks like the rest of the Laus forces are running away.
<Green> Good. Everyone get some rest while we have a nice castle to crash in. *sigh*
<Mora> You okay, Green? :<
<Green> Kinda depressed, tbh. I mean, I never would have imagined that a member of Lycian League would turn traitor and side with stupid Bern. :\
<Mora> Yeah...
<Green> Sorry, no offense. I guess it just means we'll need to stay on our toes. None of the other Marquesses can be trusted. And Lord Hector dead... I'm afraid there might not be a peaceful solution to this war anymore.
<Mora> I hope you won't mind that I'd prefer to stay with you.
<Green> You don't want to go home to Bern?
<Mora> No. I strongly disagree with what my brother is doing. I don't know why he's trying to drag dragons into a human war or how that's supposed to "free" the world, but I hope to stop him if I can.
<Green> Wait, what?
<Mora> Of, Robin's a crazy one alright. He somehow got this notion that he can "liberate the world" with dragons. It's all he talked about for years. Somehow that's the purpose behind this current war.
<Green> Do you have any idea what that even means?
<Mora> Nope. But all it's causing is violence, betrayal, and bloodshed. So like hell do I want to be a part of it. I'll stick with you, thanks.
