Shisno Chronicles: Blazing Sword

Chapter 4: In Occupation's Shadow

After defeating the bandits, Lyn continues westward. She and her colleagues stop for the night at a ruined fortress. The Ganelon bandits are in a rage after their brethren fell to Lyn's swords. They race in pursuit of the companions. Their angry footsteps sound closer and closer…

FERnKBB—FERnKBB—FERnKBB—FERnKBB

Chapter 4: In Occupation's Shadow

The party of seven, which had been named Lyndis's Legion, pulled at a fortress that appeared to be damaged, even lacking a roof. Mark dismounted off of Wanderer and looked up at it (his sister was currently riding on Huey, Florina's steed). The sun was beginning to set, casting the surroundings in an orange haze. Ignoring the wind, Mark pushed his hair out of his face and began to look around. Kat instructed the pegasus knight she was riding pillion with to scout the area.

Wil gave a smile as the rest drew closer. "Ah, this should suffice! Tonight's bed!"

Sain looked a bit upset. "This mildewy old fortress? Is this the best we can do? Come, Wil! Surely you jest!"

"The bandits keep everything in turmoil around here," the archer explained. "No one has time to worry about travelers."

"And I don't think the villages can risk hosting us for the night, what with the Ganleon chasing us," added Mark.

"And there are rather a lot of us."

"This will be fine," Lyn said as she undid her ponytail, letting her hair flow freely in the breeze. "Who wants to be stuck inside, anyway? I prefer a place where I can feel the wind blow."

Around this time, Florina was finished scouting and had overheard the others. As she landed Huey, she said, "As long as I'm at Lyn's side, I'll be fine."

"And for your protection, your man-at-arms Sain will be right here by your side, ladies," the green Cavalier offered.

"Sain, both you and I are to remain awake," Kent sternly told him. "We will alternate the watch."

"Ah, alas…"

With that, the Legion entered the fortress, setting up camp at a large hall inside. Thankfully, tents, blankets, and food have been acquired at the villages in the ruins where they had confronted Migal. Spare weapons were also purchased in case anything got broken and Mark even picked up some of the dropped weapons from the last fight (and a few salvaged from the fights before) to sell cheap for gold.

Just as a fire was started, a voice came from the shadows.

"Your pardon, milady…"

This caught everybody's attention. "Who's there?" Lyn called.

A brown haired woman, about 25 years old, wearing blue peasant clothes, stepped hesitantly out of the darkness. "I…Forgive my intrusion…My name's Natalie. I'm from a village not far from here…" Her left leg gave was and she fell to the ground."Ah! Ow…"

"Are you all right?" asked the swordswoman as she and Mark helped her up.

"Hm?"

"Your leg…" It was slightly twisted, and discolored too.

Natalie just gave a sincere smile. "It's fine. Don't worry. It's from a childhood sickness…I can't travel far on it, but it doesn't trouble me much."

"What are you doing here all by yourself?"

"I'm looking for my husband…I heard he was in this area. He said he was going to raise money to have my leg mended. He left the village and hasn't returned. He's a kindhearted man, but I think he might be involved in something dangerous. I got so worried…Here's a sketch of him." She unfolded a piece of parchment with a hand-drawn picture on it and gave it to Mark. "It's a poor likeness at best, but…His name is Dorcas. Do you know of him?"