AN: Thanks so much Exo-Force Central for reviewing the previous chapter! Hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter as well.


Chapter 7:

Roxbury could barely believe that he had to resort to peering through the blinds of his bedroom window to look outside in the middle of the night in the anticipation of possible danger. At the inn. In the middle of town. Such practices should be reserved for the labyrinths only.

But as he glanced outside, he felt himself twitch in annoyance and anticipation. That cocky red-armoured knight was loitering outside the inn again, within clear view and without his helmet, too. What was he up to? Was he staking out the place or simply trying to unnerve him now that he knew for certain that he and his guild rested at the inn?

The latter seemed more promising. But why?

He had better get out there and see what he wanted. Hopefully, it won't lead to a physical confrontation. If it did…well, he knew a trick or two.

Roxbury debated with himself for a moment about whether or not he should put on his armour and take his weapon, but thought against it. If he showed force from the very beginning, that was allowing Zesiro to return in kind. Zesiro hadn't done anything warrant such a heavy handed approach. Roxbury couldn't be threatening…yet.

Dressed in his usual black, long-sleeved shirt and maroon pants, he slipped out of his room and silently through the lobby of the inn. It was surprisingly quiet, which was a good thing. He didn't want anyone else getting involved.

Stepping outside, it wasn't hard to locate the red-armoured imperial amongst the shadows of the night. He was leaning his back against the wall of a two story building, one arm folded across his chest in a standoffish manner while his driveblade rested casually in the grip of his right hand.

"Hm?" Zesiro murmured the moment Roxbury was close enough to hear him before frowning and looking somewhat disappointed, and yet not at all surprised. "Well, don't you look even scrawnier without your armour?"

Roxbury managed to prevent an annoyed twitch. He wasn't scrawny by any stretch of the imagination. Muscle mass didn't mean muscle strength. But wasn't that one of the downfalls of the Imperial class? All power and little defensive strength?

"You seemed to be obsessed with muscle mass," Roxbury retorted as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Makes me think that perhaps that's all you are."

The seemingly usual smirk on Zesiro's lip didn't falter for a second, even as his eyes narrowed in a way that was surely meant to be intimidating. "Really now?" he practically purred at him as he pushed away from the wall and then lifted his driveblade in his direction.

Not directly at him, mind. But close enough that it was intimidating.

He needed to get that weapon out of his hand. It made him nervous. Why wouldn't it?

Before Zesiro could react, Roxbury placed his hand on the blunt edge of the driveblade and twisted it enough that it caused Zesiro's grip on the handle to falter just enough for him to lash out with his other hand to strike at Zesiro's wrist, twisting the blade sharply at the same time to relinquish his grip on his completely.

He then threw the blade away, the weapon clanging loudly against the stone paved road a few feet away.

Outwardly, he remained impassive, even as a flicker of surprise appeared in Zesiro's eyes. Inwardly, however, he was relieved. He had never used that move before on someone who wasn't expecting it.

Achyuta had taught him that move. He had told him that many imperial guards, such as himself, were trained in the skill to disarm their fellow imperials for the sole purpose of preventing harm. He explained that some of the poisons and toxins of the Cloudy Stronghold was so potent that diseased imperials would go mentally mad.

The last thing anyone wanted or needed was a crazy and frighten imperial with a fully functioning driveblade.

Zesiro obviously wasn't mad from poisoning, but it still worked to disarm him nonetheless. He most certainly wasn't expecting it, either.

Zesiro glanced over to where his driveblade rested on the ground a few feet away before turning his full attention back to Roxbury. "You know how to disarm an imperial?" he asked him, arching a somewhat sceptical eyebrow at him.

"To some extent," Roxbury replied, purposely sounding flippant.

"Interesting," Zesiro crooned at him in a mockingly impress manner. "You're a fast learner."

Roxbury couldn't help but allow a wary grin to slip across his lips. "When you're an adventurer and leader to a feisty guild, you learn to think on your feet very quickly."

"Is that so?" Zesiro drawled at him, his arms hanging casually by his sides, seemingly relaxing his posture.

However, something in Zesiro's eyes immediately unnerved Roxbury. He could just sense that the man was plotting something. Even so, he wasn't expecting to be caught off guard so easily when the other suddenly man lunged at him, moving so quickly despite the bulkiness of his armour.

Grabbing his right wrist in a gauntlet covered hand, Zesiro suddenly pulled him sharply to the side, purposely twisting him off balance. As Roxbury staggered ever so slightly from the sheer surprise of it all, Zesiro used his other hand to grab at his shirt and turn him around so that his back was to him. Keeping a firm grip on his wrist, Zesiro pulled Roxbury's arm behind his back, pressing his wrist behind his shoulder blades.

Despite himself, Roxbury felt a hiss slip past his lips as a sharp pain erupted from his shoulder. He quickly pressed his lips together tightly to hold back a grimace as Zesiro slipped his other arm across his chest to incapacitate him further, pulling him uncomfortably close to his cold, sharp armour.

"I must admit," Zesiro whispered into his ear, his heated breath creating a tensing sensation to appear in the pit of Roxbury's stomach. "You're pretty good. Still, I am taller, stronger and more talented than you. You were never going to win."

That may be true, but the words still stung painfully.

"Now what?" Roxbury asked him bluntly.

"Hm?"

"Are you so insecure that you're willing to use physical force on someone?" Roxbury knew he was pushing it, but he didn't want the imperial to realise how vulnerable he was.

Zesiro didn't verbally respond. Instead, he tightened his grip on Roxbury's wrist as the other suddenly slipped up his chest to grip his chin in a harsh hold, keeping his head still. Unwillingly, Roxbury released a grunt of pain and surprise, and squeezed his eyes shut. He forced one eye to open when he felt Zesiro shift slightly behind him, appearing as though he wanted to hiss harshly into his ear.

However, before he could, there was the sound of something slicing through the air, quickly followed by s sharp clang. Zesiro immediately lessened his hold of him before letting go completely, jumping back away from him. Roxbury staggered forward, slightly winded as he reached up to grasp at his right shoulder. Startled, he spun around to face Zesiro, only to find him kneeling on the ground, his driveblade held in a defensive position.

"Step back, asshole!"

Roxbury immediately recognised the voice. He snapped his head up toward the upper floors of the inn, but he couldn't see anyone. It wasn't until he glanced up at the roof did he spy him; their guild's redheaded sniper perched on the rooftop with his bow locked and loaded. Quickly glancing back at Zesiro, Roxbury noticed a broken arrow lying on the ground in front of him. Falkner must have heard the commotion and decided to interfere.

Good thing he did.

"Well, how typical of a sniper," Zesiro said in a mockingly impressed manner. "Would you like me to apologise for my armour being stronger than your arrows?"

"That was just a warning shot," Falkner said as he pulled back another arrow on his bow. "This one, however, is going for straight between the eyes."

Zesiro's mocking politeness faltered for a moment as a smirk slipped across his lips, seemingly eager to take on the challenge. Instead, however, his face smoothed out into polite stoniness and he slowly stood up.

"I will leave your beloved leader alone...for now," he said as he placed his driveblade upon his back and then walked away with a somewhat obnoxious swagger.

And he quickly disappeared from view.

Still holding his shoulder, Roxbury watched until the red armoured imperial was out of sight before sighing and turning his attention back to the Falkner, whom was still standing precariously yet somehow comfortably on the rooftop.

"Are you all right?" Falkner asked in genuine concern as he lowered his bow, his sharp gaze still staring at the spot that Zesiro slipped away.

"Yes, I'm all right," Roxbury answered with a sigh of relief, even if he felt a tinge of guilt as well. That didn't go the way he had hoped it would. "Thank you, Falkner."

Falkner slowly began to become less tense, dropping his guard completely before sitting down casually on the roof, paying no mind to how high he was off the ground. "What's his problem, anyway?"

Roxbury hadn't a clue. He was absolutely nothing like Achyuta. "Good question."

It was…frightening how easily the man was able to catch him off-guard and subdue him.

"Could you not tell Mahalah and the others what happened here tonight?" Roxbury requested. "I don't want to worry them."

"Yeah, no problem," Falkner replied surprisingly quickly before pausing to mull over something, idly dangling one of his legs over the side of the roof. "I'm gonna hang out here for a while. You should head back in side."

Roxbury sighed as he tightened his grip on his shoulder. It was still painful. That guy must have somehow damaged his shoulder in that tussle. But did he do it on purpose? There was something dangerous about him.

He needed to watch his back more carefully.

Still…better him than the others.

… … … … …

Roxbury ran a hand over his face in frustration as he sat down upon one of the couches at the Researchers' Clinic, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair and immediately plunging into his thoughts.

He hadn't gotten much sleep that night. Half from the low ache of his shoulder, the other half because he couldn't stop musing about what it could be that Zesiro was trying to do. Oh, he was up to something alright, but what? He didn't seem concerned with his brother, despite confronting him days before, so he wasn't around to cause trouble for him. He didn't seem bothered by Baldur, either. Or Logre. Or Nitish and Varuna. Or anyone!

He was just…hanging around.

In all honesty, Roxbury wasn't sure what it was about the red-armoured knight that got his protective hackles bristling. He hadn't done anything. Not before last night at least. No fights. No physical confrontations. Not even a verbal threat. He was just loitering around like some ominous red shadow.

He just made him feel so uneasy.

He was abruptly pulled from his musings by someone literally poking him on the cheek. Startled, he straightened his posture in his seat and turned his head to where Nitish was to the left of him, leaning forward with his hands on his knees.

"I can sense your confusion," he said as he gazed at him with worry shimmering in his eyes. "You have concerns?"

Roxbury knew he couldn't and wouldn't flat out lie to the talented runemaster, so instead slowly nodded his head. "It's Zesiro."

A look of distress appeared on Nitish's face as he pulled himself to stand up straight, folding his hands against his chest. "That man…he confuses me," he confessed as he closed his eyes. "I sense great deception from him, and yet I do not foresee any malice."

Really? No malice? There was no way Zesiro would be able to hide anything from Nitish. Not with his sensitive skills. Still…if he wasn't being silently malicious, what was he doing?

"You best speak with Isiah about your shoulder," Nitish unexpectedly stated, prompting Roxbury to instinctively reach up to hold his shoulder. "He has been waiting for you."

"Yes, of course," Roxbury said as he gave the gentle blond a small smile as he dropped his hand from his shoulder and took to his feet. "Thank you for your time, Nitish."

"If I sense anything more, I will tell you," Nitish promised with an unwarranted expression of guilt on his face.

"Please do," Roxbury said as he gave the blond one last smile before quickly crossing the room and making his way over to Isiah's office.

The door was closed, so he felt hesitant to enter. Then again, he didn't want to keep Isiah waiting any longer than he had. Really, he shouldn't be surprised that both Isiah and Nitish knew about his paining shoulder. They probably sensed him coming because of it.

He gave a light knock on the office door before opening it and stepping inside. "Isiah, sorry, are you free?"

Isiah lifted his head up from his work before leaning back in his seat. "I was wondering when you'd come to me about your shoulder," he said with a very slight sense of disapproval in his voice.

"Sorry," Roxbury instinctively murmured as he allowed the door to Isiah's office to silently close behind him. "I figured you were busy."

Isiah waved his hand dismissively, as he always did, before standing up from his seat and indicating to a chair on the other side of his desk. "Take your shirt off and take a seat."

Pulling his black shirt over his head, Roxbury bit back a grimace as pain resonated from his right shoulder and sat down, keeping his shirt close to his chest. He was never the one for showing off too much skin.

"What happened?" Isiah asked as he began to carefully inspect his shoulder.

Roxbury pressed his lips together tightly for a moment before deciding that it would be best to be honest with the medic as well. Lying to him would only bring pain. Sure, he had never actually suffered a blow from his mace, but he had witnessed several unfortunate (but not completely innocent) victims at Isiah's hand. And it was something he didn't want to experience anytime soon.

"I had a close encounter with Achyuta's twin."

Isiah momentarily paused in his inspection to look pointedly at him. "He attacked you?"

"More like a tussle," Roxbury replied quickly, a small smile appearing on his lips when he noticed the sense of protectiveness in Isiah's voice. "He didn't use any weapons."

Well, not really. He didn't need to…

They lapsed into silence as Isiah returned to his inspection, humming a moment later when he seemed to reach a conclusion.

"Well?"

"A strained muscle, but not a tear thankfully," Isiah said as he stepped away for a moment and shuffled through one of the draws at his desk. "He seemed to know your limitations."

Roxbury found himself clenching his jaw tightly at the thought.

"You'll need to rest it for a day or two," Isiah said as he returned from his desk with a support bandage and immediately, and expertly, began to wrap up his shoulder.

When Isiah said a day or two, he meant that. No early marks. "All right."

"Hey."

"Hm?"

"Don't let that guy get to you," Isiah said as he finished wrapping up his shoulder. "He's purposely trying to get under your skin."

He most certainly was.

"I know," Roxbury said as he tested his shoulder lightly; a few rolls and shrugs. It was only slightly restricted, but not enough to impede him in anyway. "I can't help but feel that he's up to something, though."

Isiah shoved his hands into the pockets of his medical coat, a frown on his lips. "Should you be getting involved?"

"…It's fine," Roxbury said as he quickly slipped his shirt back over his head. "Everyone has been through enough. Let them rest."

Isiah didn't look or sound convinced. "What about you?"

"Don't worry about me," Roxbury said with a hopefully reassuring smile as he tugged his shirt over his chest and stomach. "I'm just acting as a leader should, right? Anyway, where's Baldur?"

"Reading upstairs," Isiah answered immediately. "Why?"

"It's just a feeling, but I think we should keep Baldur away from Zesiro as well," Roxbury explained.

He preferred to keep Zesiro away from his entire guild if possible. They had all been through enough. He didn't want anyone else to go through more mental and emotional torment. Not when he could actually do something to stop it.

"Yeah, alright," Isiah murmured as he continued to look at Roxbury with a somewhat critical gaze.

"Thank you for looking at my shoulder, Isiah," Roxbury said as he made his way over to the door. But as he reached out to grab the handle, Isiah caused him to still with a few stern words.

"If he gets dangerous, don't try to handle it on your own."

Roxbury was silent for a few moments as he chewed on his bottom lip. When…when did Isiah come to know him so well?

"Really, there's no need to worry," Roxbury said reassuringly as he opened the door and stepped out, throwing a smile at the talented medic over his shoulder. "I know my limitations."

Roxbury then silently closed the door, his smile slipping from his lips. He didn't like to…deceive anyone like that, but he didn't have a choice. He knew, without a doubt, that anyone knew how much Zesiro bothered him, then they would try to help out in any way possible. But he didn't want that. He was their leader. It was his duty to look after them.

And with what happened before and during the revival of the Titan – they deserved peace more than anyone else.

Roxbury was once again startled from his musings by the sound of the front door being thrown open and three people stepping inside. It was Ciaran, Bryce and Varuna, the latter two carrying their weapons and looking somewhat exasperated.

"Thanks for the help again," Ciaran said in a way that was both thankful and relieved.

"Nah, don't mention it," Bryce instantly replied as he placed his hand on his shoulder and rolled it to ease out any twitches or knots.

"Hm?" Roxbury murmured as he approached the small group. "Did something happen?"

"Apparently an imperial tried to pick a fight with a guild at the wharf," Varuna explained in a haggard fashion. "Almost took out an airship. Had to 'defuse' the situation."

Ciaran nodded his head as a half-smile appeared on his lips. "After seeing Bryce and Varuna, though, they quickly scattered."

From the couch, seemingly arrived while Roxbury was in Isiah's office, Falkner barked out an amused laugh. "Is that so?"

"Oh, don't laugh," Varuna chided as he ran his hand through his white hair, pulling it back from his face. He looked displeased and annoyed, not by Falkner's comment, but by the event he just walked away from.

"It's because we're notoriously powerful," Bryce swiftly retorted as he folded his arms over his chest. "Not because I look menacing."

Falkner, however, continued to smile cheekily at them. "Oh, I'm sure."

"Do you know who?" Roxbury asked as he turned his attention back to the wharf-master.

"Female," Ciaran said as he tapped his temple. "Wore a helmet."

Roxbury frowned deeply and shook his head. "What's wrong with these Imperials? Honestly."

"Not just Imperials…" Falkner was heard muttering under his breath.

"You must be patient with them."

The sound of Nitish's voice startled Roxbury somewhat and he immediately turned to face the runemaster. "Hm?"

"Please be patient with Imperials and those who resided within the Cloudy Stronghold," Nitish pleaded softly as he clutched something wrapped in a purple silk against his chest. "For all their lives they've been surrounded by poisons and toxins. They are afraid of exposure, afraid of touch. They've…never embraced another. They deserve tenderness more than anyone."

Roxbury instantly felt a sense of guilt wash over him. "Sorry, we're not-"

"No, I know," Nitish interrupted with a small shake of his head, his blond hair falling over his shoulders. He smiled at them, but his eyes were somewhat downcast. "It's just…I'm bias, sorry."

Nitish gave them all another small smile that was tinged with guilt before wandering away, back toward the kitchen area. Everyone else became silent as they mulled over his words.

Nitish…may have a point. The imperials were acting out because they didn't know what else to do, probably.

No. Their fear of touch and freedom may be a reason, but not an excuse. They needed to learn how to behave probably, in a way that didn't hurt or cause trouble for anyone else. Especially for their fellow imperials who were actually enjoying their freedom like Logre and Achyuta.

"I better head back to the wharf," Ciaran said after the somewhat awkward silence.

"Would you like me or another to stop by later to see how things are going?" Roxbury asked, quietly worried for the wharf-master's safety.

"Things seemed to have settled for now," Ciaran replied in turn, but he gave Roxbury a grateful smile nonetheless. "But I'd appreciate it if yeh stopped by later this evening."

"Should we mention this to the Count?" Varuna suddenly asked as he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "I don't want to keep such serious matters from him, but I also don't want to worry him any more than he already is."

Roxbury pressed his lips together in a thin line. Varuna had two very good points. But he knew he couldn't keep anything from their Count. He would find out sooner or later about the antics of these seemingly rogue imperials.

"I'll go speak with him now," Roxbury offered.

With a few more parting words, the small group went their separate ways, Ciaran heading back to the wharf while Roxbury made a bee-line to the Grand Mark's Court. He once again found himself musing silently as he walked through the busy Tharsis streets. He couldn't help but wonder why the Imperials were causing trouble for others guilds and the locals themselves. He knew that not all Imperials were involved with such troublesome antics, but those who were causing trouble were imperials.

It was the whole guilt by association thing.

They needed to find out who was behind it all and put a stop to it before it gets completely out of hand.

As he drew closer to the Grand Mark's Court, he caught sight of Kirjonen descending the stairs, the blond seemingly have returned from the Count's office himself. Most likely to report the conclusion of a minor request.

Roxbury was about the call out to the blond-haired Holy Rune Knight to ask him whether or not he had encountered any resistance from the Imperial class when a female Imperial with blonde hair stormed over to him, an expression of anger on her face.

"It would be of your best interest if you keep your distance from Sir Logre," she snapped at Kirjonen, causing the blond to jump slightly in shock and spin around to face the irritated woman. "A man that powerful is too important for a lowlife like you."

At first, Kirjonen simply stared at the other woman in silence before frowning deeply in both confusion and annoyance. "Sorry, I do not understand what you are referring to. Logre is capable of choosing his own company."

"You're wasting your time," she continued unimpeded. "Sir Logre will soon understand that only a woman like me will ever be able to sooth his tormented soul and give his life meaning. You are vastly inferior and should not be associating yourself with such a high ranking commander like sir Logre. What could you possibly have to offer him?"

"You've succeeded in confusing me further, I'm afraid," Kirjonen spluttered, truly flabbergasted.

It took Roxbury a moment or two for the words to register in his mind and he found himself grimacing. This woman, whoever she was, seemed to be, well…enthralled with Logre and for some reason or other saw Kirjonen as a potential threat to her, ah, chance to gain Logre's unabated attention.

The woman than spat something else at Kirjonen, but she said it so lowly that Roxbury wasn't able to make out the precise words before she spun on her heel and stalked away. Silently, Roxbury approached the stunned blond, carefully placing his hand on his shoulder to alert him to his presence.

"Are you all right, Kirjonen?" he asked as the Holy Rune Knight turned to look at him.

"Shocked, but fine," Kirjonen replied in a bewildered fashion. "Did you happen to overhear?"

"I was passing by," Roxbury replied as he dropped his hand from Kirjonen's shoulder and glanced in the direction the imperial stormed away in. "Do you know her?"

"Partly," Kirjonen murmured as he shook his head, still within the after effects of her surprising and completely unwarranted verbal attack. "I believe her name was Neolani or something."

Neolani? Wasn't that the name of the one who…?

Shit. Better not let Varuna know of her existence in town. He might, ah, do something drastic. Not that it wasn't totally unwarranted, mind. Just…no one wanted Varuna to do something he would later regret and angst about it on his own. He still twitched whenever someone mentioned the killing of the two imperials who aided in the raid of Tharsis before the Titan's revival.

Roxbury turned back to Kirjonen. "Has she threatened you before?"

Kirjonen shook his head. "No. I've barely exchanged more than two words with her previously. I just…" he trailed off for a moment before shaking his head in confusion. "I failed to see what Logre has to with anything, though."

"You should speak with him about it," Roxbury prompted.

Kirjonen seemed to chew on the inside of his mouth as he mulled over his suggestion before sighing and reaching up to rub his temples with his fingers. "Yes. He may be able to offer some insight. Still, I do not wish to bother him. He's already worried about his fellow Imperials not settling in well."

Logre wasn't the only one who was worried.

Roxbury nodded his head in understanding. "I still think you should mention it to him."

"Ah, Roxbury, Kirjonen. Here to speak with the Count?"

Turning toward the familiar voice, Roxbury was somewhat relieved to see Logre saunter down the steps from the Grand Mark's Court dressed in his usual wanderer attire. Perfect timing.

"I am, but Kirjonen here wants to tell you something," Roxbury said before the blond had the chance to change his mind and nudged him toward the other man the moment he reached the bottom step. "Go on."

Logre's famous half-grin appeared on his lips as he turned his attention to Kirjonen, but it slipped a moment later when he realised Kirjonen seemed reluctant to talk. "Did something happen?" he asked with a frown.

"The majority of Imperials have settled in nicely within Tharsis," Kirjonen said after choosing his words carefully. "However, there seems to be a small number that are refusing to abide by our laws."

Logre furrowed his brow slightly, not in confusion, but in anticipation. "What do you mean?"

Kirjonen sighed as he glanced off to the side. "Moments ago a female Imperial approached me and stated rather matter-a-factly that I, and I quote, am vastly inferior and should not be associating myself with such high ranking commander like sir Logre."

Logre's frown turned noticeably darker and he seemed to mutter something under his breath. "…sounds like Neolani…"

So that woman was the infamous Neolani. He had better keep an eye out for her, too.

"To be honest, I was so surprised by the statement that I was speechless," Kirjonen continued, trying his best to relay his shock the other man. "Not to mention utter confused by where such harsh words came from."

"Don't take her words to heart," Logre said as he reached out to grasp Kirjonen by the shoulder, squeezing it slightly in a comforting way. "Some Imperials still believe that the empire is vastly superior to all other races."

"Yes, I understand," Kirjonen said as he finally turned to look at Logre, granting him a small smile. "It must be quite a culture shock to them."

Roxbury, however, wasn't convinced. He believed that something else was going on. No. He knew that here was something else going on.

He just had to find out what.


AN: Writing from the point of views of characters other than Varuna or Nitish is somewhat new to me. I'm having fun, though, don't get me wrong!

Oh, on a random note, I had a dream the other night that Ciaran and Lynus were actually cousins and Ciaran invited Lynus to visit Tharsis XD In all honesty, I would love to do a crossover with CtS and ALE, but not entirely sure how, you know what I mean?