Rank C

Mark: Ah, my lady Lyndis. Sorry to interrupt, but do you have a spell?

Lyn: Mark, good to see you. Is there something wrong? What is it you need?

Mark: Nothing is wrong, not at the minute . I was just checking up on you, our last battle at Caelin; things got… intense. Are you alright?

Lyn: It's sweet of you to worry, however there's no need. I am fine. I admit that we were pushed hard to earn that victory, but I had faith. I knew that your plan would work.

Mark: My lady… I'm sorry. I only wish we could have gotten there sooner; I would have prevented their attack on Caelin had I known what would transpire.

Lyn: Mark, you mustn't blame yourself for such a thing. When we needed your help the most, you were there. That is what is important. I thank you, Mark. You are a miracle.

Mark: Please, my lady. I only did what I had to be done.

Lyn: You haven't changed, have you?

Mark: Not in the ways that matter.

Lyn: It's a true shame that we haven't had the time to catch up since our reunion. I'd love to hear about everything that has happened within the last year.

Mark: I think I'd enjoy the same, we'll make time. I promise.

Lyn: Share a drink with me again?

Mark: I will. But before that; I need to think about our next step.

Lyn: And I need to think about seeing those steps taken, until later, my friend.

Mark: I look forward to it, my lady.

Lyn: Oh, one last thing…

Mark: Yes?

Lyn: You are one of my oldest and closest friends; I believe we can drop the formalities. Please, call me Lyn.

B Rank

Lyn: …and then, as if on cue, Florina happened to walk in. Kent and Wil just froze in place, but of course Sain just had to take the opportunity to flirt. Gods above, that little lady fainted.

Mark: How is it I'm not surprised all three of them spilled hot gravy over themselves? If I didn't know any better I'd say they planned to be shirtless at that time.

Lyn: I'm surprised Florina recovered; she couldn't look any of the boys in the eye for weeks.

Mark: Reminds me of the first time the six of us tried to set up camp.

Lyn: Oh no, don't bring that up.

Mark: Which horse did Florina's Pegasus attempt to mate with? Kent's or Sain's?

Lyn: It was Kent's, and then Sain's horse got jealous.

Mark: The noise…

Lyn: …Every night in my dreams… but I think that's all there is too it. This last year has been very peaceful for Caelin.

Mark: …Can I tell you something?

Lyn: Of course

Mark: I regret leaving.

Lyn: ?

Mark: I look back on the past year, and I know that there were good reasons why I made my decision. I've made the most of my time in the world. But now here we are; I'm back with the boys, Florina… and you… and many more besides…and I wish I had stayed.

Lyn: I wish you had stayed too… or else I wish I had gone with you.

Mark: You had your duty. I know that you have to help your grandfather wherever you can. I'm proud of you.

Lyn: Thank you Mark. But now I want to hear everything about what you've done this past year. Where have you travelled? And how badly did you get into trouble.

Mark: Well travelling and getting into trouble are what I'm best at. I didn't know where I was going when I left you in Caelin, but by the time I settled on a destination I knew you would be settled in to your commitments with your family. So, I made my way back to Sacae on my own.

Lyn: You went back to the plains?

Mark: Back to the very place you found me, yes.

Lyn: Why?

Mark: Well… first and foremost, I wanted to try and remember something.

Lyn: You mean… your memory?

Mark: That's right, it hasn't returned. I haven't remembered anything. I thought that if I could maybe remember how I came to be collapsed in Sacae then I could begin to retrace my steps. But…

Lyn: Did you find anything?

Mark: No, I'm afraid I didn't.

Lyn: …I'm sorry

Mark: It's nothing to be sorry about, actually; I don't think I ever told you how grateful I am to you.

Lyn: I just did what I thought I should

Mark: No, it's not just taking me in. I don't have what others have; I don't know if I ever will. But there was nothing before you. Every time I try to recollect, it always brings me back to the day I opened my eyes and saw you for the first time. You are my first memory. So, I want to thank you, for making my first memory one I'll cherish forever.

Lyn: Oh my…

Mark: Besides, my first year brought on so many new memories. I went to Ilia and brought down a black magic wielding serial killer, I prevented the assassination of an Etrurian Count, and I was briefly the prisoner of a Bernese mercenary company when I crossed the border illegally.

Lyn: …

Mark: What are you doing?

Lyn: Remind me to remember this later?

Mark: Of course, my lady

A Rank

Mark: Lady Lyndis

Lyn: Sir Mark

Mark: There's a storm coming.

Lyn: Mark, we are the storm.

Mark: That we are.

Lyn: Besides, we still have a few moments before…

Mark: Before the battle begins.

Lyn: How much time do we have?

Mark: Minutes, at most.

…

Lyn: There is so much I wish you knew.

Mark: Like what?

Lyn: …Do you know that I am afraid?

Mark: No, I didn't. That's strange… I never thought of you being fearful… but fear is natural.

Lyn: Yes, it is. And yet through all our battles, every obstacle, every challenge. I was never once afraid of what might happen should we lose. Until today.

Mark: What has changed?

Lyn: I have.

Mark: In what way?

Lyn: …In a way that I do not understand. You are my bravery, and you are my fear. You are my joy, and you are my pain. I fear that our time grows short but… I want… I want to know what our days would be like after.

Mark: I want to know that too… My lady Lyndis; I have seen us through every battle, anyone of them could have been the end, but we pulled through. I ask for you to put your faith in me once more. We will prevail.

Lyn: I believe you.

Ending

When her grandfather died, Lyn became the Marchioness of Caelin. With her trusted best friend and husband, Mark, the two would become the cornerstones of prosperity for the people of Caelin.