Once we were assured that the bandits were gone and Merlinus was safely under our protection, we shored up for the night and camped under the stars. The following day, we continued our trek northwest towards Laus in the heart of Lycia.
<Athena> So, what do we know about this Lord Darin guy anyway?
<NotJim> Well, Marquess Santaruz certainly implied that he was the cause of my dad's disappearance.
<Green> Oh, yeah my brother's spies are already pretty sure of that.
<NotJim> Wait, really? And you never said anything else until now?
<Green> Well, we were kind of busy with other stuff, I guess.
<NotJim> Any other secretive information that you'd like to share with us?
<Green> Well, you can tell he's a bad guy because he's pretty ugly.
Super big nose too, yeesh.
<Athena> Anything else I ought to know before directing the battle?
<Green> Not that I can think of. I'm sure you'll do well, though. :3
Meanwhile, in the Laus Castle, Darin chats up his son...
<Darin> So, Lords Green and NotJim and theirs little friends are coming, eh?
<Erik> That's what the lookouts say. *shrug*
<Darin> Well, that's inconvenient. How'd that happen?
<Erik> I dunno, why don't you ask creepy cloak guy?
<Ephidel> I take it creepy cloak guy is me?
<Erik> Yep.
<Darin> So, do you know anything, creepy cloak guy?
<Ephidel> Well, I did stab Marquess Santaruz pretty good, but I guess it's possible that he survived long enough to tell them something, or write out a message in blood, idk.
<Darin> Geez, what am I paying you for. Our plan is so ruined. :<
<Ephidel> Oh, quit being such a whiny baby. It's not like either of those 2 whelps could actually do anything.
<Darin> They could tell Lord Icarus of Ostia... that would be devastating! And the rebellion is so close to being ready! Ostia can't learn about what is happening here, they just can't!
<Ephidel> Alright, so, just kill the lordlings here before they can run home. What's the big deal?
<Darin> I guess that's okay.
<Erik> Oooh, oooh, can I take command of the skirmish? Stupid sexy NotJim will probably lower his guard when he sees me since he's so naive and trusting and then I can punch him in the face. >:3
<Darin> Eh, sure, why not. You can be the chapter's boss.
<Erik> Yay! Thank you, daddy. <3
<Ephidel> I'm not sure that's really such a good idea...
<Darin> Bah, it'll be fine.
<Erik> I won't fail!
Meanwhile, back with the Good Guys (TM)...
<Green> Huh, they're preparing for a really big battle of some kind, it looks like.
<NotJim> I have a bad feeling about this...
<Green> What are you so worried about?
<NotJim> Who knows what might happen here. What if we end up going to war?
<Green> That would be awesome!
<NotJim> I... don't think it would be so great, actually.
<Green> But, but... I'd get to stab people with my axe a lot... :<
<NotJim> It's not just the soldiers, but the families, children... I hope we can find a peaceful solution.
<Green> Well, how about this: you do the talking and I'll do the stabbing. Between the two of us, we'll work it out.
<NotJim> I guess that's the best I can hope for. >_>
<Marcus> Lord NotJim! Darin's son Erik has ridden from the castle and is asking to speak to you!
<Green> Oh, not that guy... *groan*
<NotJim> Oh, he's not that bad.
<Athena> Wait, both of you know Darin's son and you didn't think to tell me about it when I asked you for info earlier?
<Green> *shrugs*
<NotJim> Anyway, let him through. I'd be happy to speak to him and hopefully figure out what's going on around here without bloodshed.
<Green> Alright, go ahead and do your talking, but I'll be over here polishing my axe just in case.
<NotJim> Yeah, you and Athena go prepare for battle just in case.
And so Green and I went off for a bit to give NotJim some privacy with Erik.
<Athena> Are you sure it's okay to leave them alone together?
<Green> I dunno, but I honestly just can't stand that guy Erik. Such a creepazoid.
<Athena> And he did make a show of riding from the castle alone...
<Green> So that means it's safe, right?
<Athena> Hmmm... maybe. Though the land around here does look ripe for an ambush. Wanna go for a walk with me just as a safety precaution?
<Green> Sure, wynaut?
Meanwhile, back with the chatters....
<NotJim> So, uh, Erik. What's going on around here?
<Erik> Whatever do you mean? :3
<NotJim> Well, you guys are pretty obviously preparing for battle...
<Erik> Oh, NotJim, you're so gullible. :3
<NotJim> I-- what?
<Erik> Oh, you're such a stupid trusting little Disney princess. You come here and see openly that we're preparing for war and you still decide to ask me what's going on as if it isn't obvious? What, did you honestly think that I would tell you that this is just a joke and we'd both laugh and then you'd go home and everything would be happy and sunshine and rainbows?
<Green> Well, at least you've admitted that you're preparing for war now.
<Erik> Green! What are you doing here?
<Athena> Oh, Green and I just thought we'd let NotJim know that there's a score of soldiers lying await around us for an ambush. Not bandits or mercs, either, but Laus troops.
<Erik> Yes, there are! We will crush you like dogs! Soldiers, attack!
With the loud bellow of a horn, Erik turned on his horse and raced back towards the castle as his soldiers sprang out all around us. Thankfully, since Green and I noticed them earlier, we'd already gotten the rest of our soldiers ready for battle, and we weren't caught unawares.
Oswin stayed by Merlinus's tent to protect him while Dorcas and Bartre stayed nearby and swept up the few enemy troops coming from the east. The rest of the group fanned out to take care of stragglers to the north and south and then start pushing west towards the castle. Near a village at the top, Serra happened to spot an old friend....
<Serra> Luis! How wonderful to see you here...
<Luis> (Ohgod, please no, maybe if I don't acknowledge her she'll go away)
<Serra> Luis, dear, I'm right here! Hello! *bonk*
<Luis> Oh, yes, hi Serra, how... nice to meet you again.
<Serra> Oh, such a pleasure to see you too. I'm sure you'll be very happy to come fight with me in this battle. There are all sorta of scary bad guys!
<Luis> Yes, well, I'd love to help you, but I'm actually employed at the moment... however, Laus has been troublesome for my employer, too, so I'd be happy to help your group out so long as they in term will help me and my mistress.
<Serra> Oh, yes, Lord Green is very nice and helpful, so I'm sure he'd be very happy to lend you a hand. And Athena is here, too! Now come on and be a nice boy and protect me.
<Luis> *sigh* I'm doing this for Skyleaf, I just need to keep telling myself that.... I'm doing this for Skyleaf, I'm doing this for Skyleaf...
Luis, Serra, and Marcus began their retreat back to the center while the Lords pushed west and the others slowly drifted southward to take care of some bandits and also visit a nearby village. Matthew popped in for a quick peak in the village to see if everything was okay, but he was stopped by a rather beautiful red-haired woman.
<Skyleaf> Hello, my name is Skyleaf. I happened to notice there was some nearby fighting going on... is your band going against the forced of Marquess Laus?
<Matthew> As a matter of fact, we are. Something shady is going on here.
<Skyleaf> I'm afraid I can't help you much in discovering the Marquess's intentions, but I would like to come along with you, if I may. I have been trying to leave Laus for close to a month now but the Marquess blocks my every move. I can't fight, but I'm a skilled healer, will you take me on?
<Matthew> Sure! It would be nice to have a healer that doesn't have a mouth the size of a barn. We'd be happy to help you out.
<Skyleaf> Oh, thank you! <3 I do have a young man that's been working to help me escape, hopefully we can find him and he'll help you out, too.
<Matthew> Woohoo, even better!
Meanwhile, inside Castle Laus...
<Soldier> Lord Darin, sir! Erik's soldiers are taking heavy losses, and he requests back-up.
<Darin> Yes, of course, send out whatever we can.
<Ephidel> Hmm, things really don't seem to be doing well out there, do they? I think it's time for the Black Fang to take their leave...
<Darin> No! You can't leave us now, right when we're so close...
<Ephidel> Weren't you the one who was so insistent about Ostia not learning our plans?
<Darin> Yes, I know, but... don't give up on me just yet! Please, give me another chance...
<Ephidel> Alright, then. Ready your personal men. We'll leave together right now.
<Darin> You mean... leave Laus? Abandon my son?
<Ephidel> Oh, please, Lord Keeper is offering you the crown of all of Lycia. Surely a few sacrifices are not so much to ask? Soon Laus will be yours again with the rest of Lycia, and you can always father another heir or twenty once you're king.
<Darin> Hmmm...
Outside, rain began to pour down and the battle slowed to a crawl. Matthew and Skyleaf worked their way north as Luis, Serra, and Marcus worked their way south. Lord Green took the vanguard and was almost surprised when Erik came galloping up towards him.
<Erik> Oh, good, I was hoping I'd get to kill you Green. You and NotJim always got all the attention at the academy and no one ever paid attention to me, but now I'll show you. >:3
<Green> No one ever pays attention to you because you suck. Try actually learning a little bit of skill instead of focusing on appearance all the time. Lesson 1: Don't stop to gloat to an enemy. *stab*
<Erik> Gwaahhh! x_x;
Once Erik was down, it was only a matter of time before we finished up the rest of the enemies and the battlefield was ours. Erik was hurt, but not dead, and we dragged him back to the castle.
<Erik> Ughh... you can't treat me... like this....
<Green> You're lucky to be alive, bro, so stop complaining.
<NotJim> Do you have any idea where your father is, Erik? Our people have combed the castle and they can't find him anywhere.
<Erik> he has to be here somewhere... he wouldn't just abandon me... he'd never... but Ephidel...
<NotJim> Ephidel? Who's that?
<Erik> ... ... ...
<Green> Tell us, damnit, or I'll kill you myself right here and now! >:|
<NotJim> Dude, Green, chill. You're not helping. You said you'd like me do the talking, right?
<Green> Fiiiiine~
<NotJim> Erik, please, tell us what you know. I want to learn the truth. I want to find my dad...
<Erik> *sigh* I don't know who Ephidel is. He showed up here about a year ago, and... my father changed after that. He always felt that Laus deserved to be the head of Lycia instead of Ostia, but it wasn't until that man came that my father actually spoke of rebellion.
<Green> Rebellion? :O
<Erik> Yes. Ephidel had... something. Some weapon, some plan, some thing that he used to convince my father to begin this rebellion plan. He sent messages to the other Marquesses, including your father, NotJim. He had approved of the plan.
<NotJim> What?! My father would never...
<Erik> Believe or disbelieve whatever you want, but this is what I know. Marquess Santaruz was the first, then Marquess Pherae. Your father came here about 6 months or so ago to seal the deal, though he and my dad argued a lot. Marquess Pherae never trusted Ephidel, and he wanted my father to send him away along with the rest of his Black Fang goons. Of course, my father refused to acquiesce, so your dad left, and then he disappeared. He's probably dead at the hands of the Black Fang would be my guess.
<NotJim> Dead? But he can't...
<Green> You shut your filthy piehole, Erik. :|
<Erik> Hey, NotJim is the one who said he wanted to learn the truth. My father... he's become nothing but Ephidel's puppet. I'm sure it was Ephidel's idea to leave me to die, and my father had no qualms about it. These are the kind of people you're dealing with. You really think they would let your dad live?
Without a reply, Eliwood stood up suddenly and walked out of the room. Green went to follow him, but on the way, he ran into Oswin.
<Green> Yo, dude, did you see where NotJim went?
<Oswin> Yeah, I think he went outside.
<Green> Good, I'll just--
<Oswin> Can I have a moment my lord?
<Green> Sure, what's up?
<Oswin> I think I'd like to suggest that we go back to Ostia now. If Marquess Pherae really was involved in this rebellion, then we should not be helping them.
<Green> You shut your filthy piehole, too. >:|
<Oswin> M-My lord?
<Green> Look, you're loyal to Ostia and my brother all, I get it. But you don't know Marquess Pherae, and I do. He's a trustworthy, honourable man. I don't believe he was involved in this rebellion plot even more than you are. I trust him, and his son is my BFF. I'm going to stay here and help NotJim. If you can't handle that, then you can go back to Ostia on your own. I know you're just here on Icarus's orders anyway.
<Oswin> I humbly apologize, my lord. My remarks were indeed improper.
<Green> Nah, it's cool man... wait, what are you doing? Get up from there!
<Oswin> I would like to offer you my lance, my lord. You are correct in that I am a knight of Ostia and a vassal of your brother, but if I am to help you here, I would like to offer you my service as well, fully and completely.
<Green> Awww, that's so sweet of you, bro. <3 Thanks. I'mma go find NotJim now, though, the poor kid is probably flipping out.
Green made his way through the corridors of Castle Laus and eventually found NotJim standing outside just as Oswin predicted, his face turned towards the setting sun.
<NotJim> My father is alive. I'm sure of it. And I can't believe he ever supported this rebellion. There has to be something else here. Some reason...
<Green> I believe you, pal. My brother trusted your dad more than any of the other Marquesses. Let's find your dad and discover the truth. Then we can go talk to my brother and figure out where to go from there.
<NotJim> *sigh* Marquess Laus... the Black Fang... and this mysterious Ephidel dude... there's a lot of crazy crap going on. >_<
<Green> Yeah, tell me about it. :\ We'll get it all figured out though, bro. <3
<NotJim> <3