Shisno Chronicles: Blazing Sword

Chapter 3: Band of Mercenaries

The secrets of her past revealed in the words of two Knights of Lycia. Now, to meet her grandfather, Lyn heads west, to Lycia, and to her destiny. A mountain range separates the Sacae Plains from Bern. There are many bandits lurking here, the cruelest of which are the Taliver. They wreak havoc on both Sacae and Bern, and their savagery knows no bounds. On her tenth day away from the plains, Lyn witnesses their atrocities herself.

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Chapter 3: Band of Mercenaries

Mark was jolted awake when Wanderer stumbled over a piece of rubble. It's been ten days since they met Lyn in the plains of Sacae. He looked up and saw dozens of smashed houses, shops and other buildings. He looked further and saw ruins as far as the eye could see. Well, there were signs of two villages (more like small clusters of less than five houses), and they looked like they should be fortified. Kat gasped at the sight.

"This place…" she began. "It's…"

"The entire area is in ruins," said Sain, frowning. "Odd. Why doesn't their marquess do anything to help?"

"Taliver Mountain is home to a gang of vicious, ruthless bandits," explained Lyn. "No marquess holds power here. My village was near here, on the other side of the mountain. My people were… The Taliver bandits came at night. It took only one night. The survivors numbered less than ten, including me. They're soulless beasts. I will never forgive them. Never."

Sain looked at her with sympathy. "Lyndis…"

"…" Kent was speechless.

"I am not running away. I will be back…someday," Lyn declared. "I'll be stronger…I will break their swords beneath me like twigs beneath a stallion's hooves. I will avenge my people. I'll do everything in my power."

"When the time comes, bring me with you."

"Sain."

"Don't forget me, either."

"Kent…"

"Should fate allow it, count us in."

"Yeah."

"Oh! You, too, Kat, Mark? I… You're…Thank you."

"Hey, what're friends for?" replied Mark.

Suddenly, as Kat looked up, she saw a white winged shape in the distance, flying at an angle perpendicular to their path. "Is that what I think it is?"

"If you're thinking of a pegasus, I believe yes. I wonder…" Lyn's voice trailed off.

"Is it possible Lundgren hired one as a spy? From what I remember, Ilia's main income is mercenary work, and pegasi are only found in that frigid wasteland." She noticed Lyn looked slightly offended.

"I don't think so," Kent disagreed. "Caelin isn't rich enough for Lundgren to have hired such a pricey mercenary without the money being missed."

"We only have your word for that, however," Mark said. "Not that you sound like the sort who would lie or be intentionally wrongly informed."

Before the red knight could reply, they turned past a mostly intact house and saw a small frightened girl with orchid-colored hair standing between a pegasus and two rough men with axes on their belts. They appeared to be trying to intimidate the girl, and from the looks of things they were doing quite well. Luckily, the group was behind who is apparently a Pegasus Knight.

"What's this? Be on your guard, Lyndis," warned Kent. "There seems to be some sort of commotion over there."

"That's… Could it be? Florina?" Lyn shouted, her voice incredulous. "Is that you?"