Unsurprisingly Chapter 10 was the most popular chapter yet in terms of viewership/visitors so yay for that and everyone. An extra special yay for more reviews, favorites and follows. Thanks Presea for your review, glad you like the humor.

Now for an absolute BEAST of a Chapter.

Tales of Xillia and the Tales of Series are the copyright of Namco Bandai and whoever else owns the rights. I own nothing except for OCs that haven't appeared yet/ever.

Chapter 11: Actions, and Responsibility

Within a room of the Sharil mansion, converted over to a makeshift war room, Milla Maxwell listened to Cline and Rowen discussing the current status of the burgeoning civil war that had yet to start a real battle. Her concern regarding the Lance of Kresnik, as Nachtigal had called it, had led to her inquiring about their battle plans. Rowen and Cline stood at the head of a gathering of noblemen and generals, a map of Rieze Maxia between them all. Carvings and pieces representing troops were scattered across the map.

"Fort Gandala," Rowen began lecturing the assembled military leadership Milla cared nothing for. "Is the key piece in this war. Rashugal has effectively been split in half due to the line of influence it projects. The Six Ruling Houses have chosen their sides, and the more minor houses have begun pledging their allegiances." Rowen held an instructor pole at the displayed map, shifting around the glowing pieces representing the armies.

"Fennmont's self-imposed naval restrictions have allowed our own warships to effectively block the entire Fennmont Seahaven, preventing any Nachtigal-aligned warships from sailing the open waters. Our faction meanwhile, still consults with regular trade with our allies and Auj Oule. For now we have the better situation on supplies. However," Rowen placed a new piece into the Fennmont spot. A miniature replication of the Lance of Kresnik, based on Milla's recreations. "This, is the Lance of Kresnik, Nachtigal's 'secret' weapon. A machine capable of draining mana from a wide-scale area and converting it to a massive offensive spirit arte."

Some of the others began to murmur amongst themselves. "Our best sources and intelligence have scouted it being stored in the Laforte Research Laboratory in Fennmont's Research District. It has however, currently been rendered inoperable, a considerable boon for our next actions." The little Lance model figure dimmed and Rowen pointed back at Fort Gandala.

"Our current strategy is to feign pressure on the Talys face of Fort Gandala," Rowen moved a small amount of allied pieces to just outside the range of the fort cannons. "That force shall encamp with a large number of non-combat auxiliaries to trick the fort commander into relaying that information to Fennmont."

Rowen moved the majority of the soldier models over to boat models. "Our true plan, will be to strike by sea. We will use a combination of our battleships and repurposed trading vessels to force a wedge through the Fennmont sea lines." The indicated ships pushed through, albeit with some loses. "The trade ships will be minimally crewed, and given no weapons. Once enemy fire ceases to focus on them, they shall begin ramming procedures and clear the corridor for our troop ships." The ship pieces moved as Rowen instructed, clearing a path through the Fennmont navy.

Troop ship modules pushed forward and landed inside Fennmont, releasing their soldier cargo. "Once we've broken into the city, our forces will have assigned duties." Rowen tapped some of the figures, which changed color to blue. "The blue team will secure the seahaven as our route of escape if our advancement does not succeed." Rowen tapped the other little figures and changed their color as well; green, gold and black. "The remaining three teams shall advance and secure the trade district. Green team shall stand by and act as the guard between the next two teams. Gold team shall attack the Laforte Research Lab, and destroy the Lance of Kresnik once and for all. Miss Milla shall be included within this team, if she so wishes." The Lord of Spirits nodded. "Once the Gold Team has completed their objective, they shall rendezvous with Black team, led by myself, and we will attempt to capture King Nachtigal within Orda Palace." Rowen finished his extraordinarily long explanation off.

If this was how all military briefings went, then Milla was certainly glad this was her first, so she could make it her last. But that was irrelevant, what was relevant though was her question. "Capture? Not kill?" Milla asked with all due severity. Leaving him alive could repeat the mistakes already made.

"Yes," Rowen said in resignation. "I will not hesitate to end his life if the need arises. However, for the time I believe it is the wiser decision to incapacitate him. Slaying him outright could easily turn popular opinion against us. Despite the severity of his crimes, Nachtigal was a popular leader in his youth. Disposing of him for Lord Cline would simply look like a grab for the crown rather than an act of justice."

Cline however, shook his head. "In either case, the decision to who leads during the transition period will be decided on by the Six Ruling Houses, not by me alone." Cline said with conviction. "Taking the crown has never been my goal with this war."

Rowen looked at his Lord. "You will be offered the throne," the old tactician cleared with him. "Of that I have no doubt."

"If necessary," Cline looked at his open palm. "I will lead this nation. But if I do so against the will of the people, I am no better a tyrant than Nachtigal."

"I would not go nearly that far," Rowen reinforced him. "But if that is what you wish I shall support you to the best of my abilities."

"Thank you Rowen," the rebel Lord nodded in thanks.

All this talk of crowns and successions was getting away from the real point for Milla. "How quickly will we be able to destroy the Lance by using this plan?" she asked.

Rowen took a second to response. "That is our crippling flaw. Converting the trade ships and training our troops, making sure the information does not leek out, gathering the supplies. It would take well over a month at my earliest calculations, closer to two in fact." The tactician placed his hands behind his back. "By then it is entirely possible for you to have walked to Fennmont by alternate means."

Milla gritted her teeth in response. Her mind raced back to the experiments at all three locations. Even if Gilland was pressing for the key, they were clearly working on other projects all over. She couldn't afford to let them continue on without recourse like this. She took a deep breath and thought. She was not strong enough as she was now, even if she stuck with this army, would she be able to grasp the strength to confront Nachtigal again? He had so effortlessly taken her strikes, beaten her back. But, if she traveled across the world, fighting monsters all the while, she could improve significantly more than sitting and waiting on Rowen's plan. "I understand," she said as she came to her conclusion. "I thank you for your assistance in these matters Rowen, but I am afraid I must depart at once."

"I see," the old man took in understanding stride. "I shall have provisions and instructions drawn for you at once."

"Thank you." she said.

Milla took her goodbyes before heading back on Sapstrath Highroad. In addition to just food and items and a general maintenance on her equipment, Rowen saw fit to gift her a horse for her trip to Sapstrath. The instructions Rowen had given her informed her to take a ferry from Sapstrath Seahaven to the Lakutam Seahaven in Auj Oule, and cross to the city of Xian Du afterwards. From there, she would head to the Auj Oule capital of Kanbalar, and then on to Fezebel Marsh when Ragnome occurred(when the seasonal climes shifted and allowed passage through the marsh) before heading into Fennmont on her own.

So of course her journey was interrupted by a scream of "LADY MILLA!" and Ivar dropping out of the sky in front of her, spooking her horse into rearing back, but she brought her steed under control.

"Ivar what are you doing here?" she was more surprised at him abandoning his duty than appearing out of nowhere. Though he had habits pertaining to both.

"I came to be of assistance to you Lady Milla!" her handmaid slammed his hands together in prayer and bowed deep and low.

"I told you to watch over the village," Milla said with disappointment. "Without you they're defenseless."

"Don't worry," Ivar looked up with a smile though. "I asked the villagers if I could come help you and they were very understanding!"

Milla sighed. "That's not the point," she shook her head. "I gave you my order and you're going against it."

"B-but Lady Milla!" he pleaded. "I checked all around the village before I left and saw hide nor hair nor sound of any enemies!"

"I just said that's not the point," she shook her head again. "If you have ears great enough to make sure there's no enemies around Nia Khera, then use them to listen to me." She put on as stern a visage as she could. "Go back to Nia Khera, protect the village, do not leave."

It broke the young man's confidence and the goofy look on his face fell into one of dour seriousness. "Yes, Lady Milla."

"Good," Milla looked down at her handmaid. She noticed her horse and some stray thoughts connected. "Ivar, how are you here anyway?"

"Oh," he looked back up. "That is, I traveled by wyvern in the sky. I searched high and low for you and eventually the trail led here." He explained without his characteristic feeling, and a slightly odd twinge to his words.

Milla touched her hand to her chin in thought. "By sky hm?"

Ivar noticed her reaction and went back to his usual self before he spoke. "Yes, by wyvern, one of the mightiest of monsters in all of Rieze Maxia! Why, with his help I could bring you to, uh, wherever you're going in no time!" And he boasted with mild ignorance.

"That would be very helpful," Milla admitted. But she couldn't leave Nia Khera at the mercy of her enemies. But on the other hand, Nachtigal's troops were penned in by all sides from the civil war as Rowen's demonstration said. If she could move in quick, destroy the Lance and leave, they could both be back in Nia Khera and have it completely safeguarded. And Ivar did say the area was safe before he left, so there was less concern of an immediate attack. But, was this a rash decision? Was leaving Nia Khera undefended for a short time a greater concern than destroying the Lance as quickly as she could? She could evade an engagement with Nachtigal, if they attacked Fennmont, concentrate on destroying the Lance entirely. This was sounding like the correct path the more she thought about it. "Alright, very well, I find it has become a better idea to let you accompany me."

Ivar's face broke into unbelievable happiness. "All right!" he screamed as loud as he could. "Next stop..." he paused as he realized he still didn't know where they'd go.

"Our next stop will be..."

Sharilton.

Milla and Ivar swooped down on the wyvern's back into the Central Plaza without warning, sending townspeople and troops scattering. She hopped off immediately and waved to the soldiers who were reacting to attack the surprise visitor. By now some of the soldiers recognized her, and sent off a messenger to the leadership, who showed up shortly afterwards. Cline, Rowen, even Elize and Driselle arrived.

"My word," Rowen declared. "I must say I didn't expect you back so soon, and on a wyvern no less! I have not seen one in many years." He looked over the placated beast with a familiar understanding. "Where did you acquire one so quickly Milla?"

"That would be because of my handmaid, Ivar, here," Milla pointed him out, as he hopped off his wyvern.

"I see," Rowen noted. "But why have you returned? Surely you could have gone straight ahead to Fennmont and attempted to destroy the Lance yourself?"

"Yes I could have," Milla agreed with his reasoning. "However, the journey I wished to take while on foot was to gain further battle experience before I dealt with the Lance. However, since I could now simply take to the fight immediately, I thought a different tactic was in order." Milla took a hard blink before speaking again. "It is difficult to admit, but I do not posses the strength to face Nachtigal, not head on, even with Ivar's assistance. However, I believe if I brought the tactical options this wyvern presented to you, you could form a new, better plan than I." She was not one for that type of military thinking, but Rowen clearly was. If he could not, she would simply take her chances with Ivar's help.

Rowen began to stroke his beard as he listening to Milla's reasoning. "I believe I will need some time to think about this." He dropped his arms back behind his back. "If that is alright with you?"

"Yes," Milla nodded. "I need some time to discuss things as well." She looked up at Ivar, who was posing like a fool for everyone gathered to stare at.

"Very well," Rowen motioned for Cline and other important people to return to the war room. "It should not take long."

They departed, leaving Elize and Driselle to look at the wyvern with a bit of awe.

"I didn't expect we'd see you so soon after our goodbyes," the Lady of Sharilton said. "Or with such, company." Ivar was now shooing away some others from his wyvern.

"A wyvern huh?" Elize looked at it with curiosity. "It looks scary."

"It's not gonna eat us is it?" Teepo said with a bit of panic in his voice.

"Hmmm, I'm unsure," Milla put her hand to her chin. She looked over to her handmaid. "Ivar, what do wyverns eat?"

Ivar stopped his ridiculous actions and turned back to his master. "Why that is quite simple." He placed his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. "Monsters."

"Monsters?" Milla raised her eyebrow.

"Oh yeah," Ivar pointed... somewhere. "Wyverns are near the top of any food chain they enter. It's why they're such a perfect transport option."

Elize looked at the wyvern in a bit of awe, but Teepo spoke instead. "That guy's not gonna eat me is it?"

Ivar looked at the puppet, and back to the wyvern, he mouthed... something, the wyvern grunted, and Ivar looked back at Elize and said. "He says no."

"You can understand what that scary guy's saying?" Teepo asked more concerned with that now than not being eaten.

"Oh yeah!" Ivar posed with a thumb pointing at myself. "It's just one of my many amazing talents!"

"That's, interesting?" Driselle said, a bit confused between what she should feel.

"Don't I know it!" Ivar crossed his arms, completely missing her point.

It occurred to Milla that the Nia Khera villagers probably gave Ivar their blessing to leave because he was being unbearable. Milla was starting to have doubts about bringing him along now. But after she'd brought him here for Rowen, it would be horribly inconsiderate to send him away. She looked at her dancing handmaid. She'd be the only one inconsistent if she ordered him gone.

Her own self-reflection was interrupted by Rowen and the leaders returning. "That was fast," she noted. She expected it to take a few hours.

Rowen let out a hearty chuckle. "After your question about flight earlier I was actually considering what course of action I would take if I had free access to such an ability. Indeed, our little meeting was simply a quick explanation of the plan I'm going to enact."

If he was thinking about it why didn't he explain it to her first?

"Young handmaid," Rowen addressed Ivar, "How adept is your control over that wyvern?"

"I've never compared my skills to anyone else," Ivar started out modest, "but I doubt there's a man alive that could best them," before turning it into a boast.

Rowen wasn't as taken as Ivar was with himself though. "How many passengers can you fit? Can you keep it under control in moments of extreme danger? Can you dodge cannon fire?"

"A wyvern can carry two people easy," Ivar held out his fingers for added emphasis. "Three if the weight is low and the distance isn't far. Danger? On our way over we already dodged canon fire. Some ship took a shot at us." He crossed his arms smiled wide, and threw back his head with pride.

"Perfect," Rowen said and stroked his beard. "This plan of mine may come to fruition after all." Rowen let a sly smile unto his lips. "Close to Fort Gandala is a monster nest for the 'King of the Skies' the petroblancs. With the increased military activity in the Fort Gandala area, the petroblancs have become increasing aggravated, enough so that they'd attack anything they'd sense as a threat."

"Like a wyvern," Milla saw where he was going.

"Precisely," Rowen acknowledged. "If Ivar can lure the petroblancs to Fort Gandala, the monsters could distract and destroy the fort's cannons. While that attack occurs, a small team could infiltrate the fort's command center and open the gates, allowing the petroblancs to swarm inside and fight with the golems."

"Aren't the golems supposed to be invincible?" Elize asked.

"Indeed, they should make short work of the petroblancs. Once they are defeated though, the infiltration team can simply deactivate the golems while our own reinforcements charge into the opened fort and take it. It will be a difficult battle, but difficult is a step up from the impossible taking the Fort normally would require."

Milla nodded. "It's your choice Ivar."

"I'd do anything to help Lady Milla!" he resoundingly agreed, probably not even aware of the intensity of the plan.

Except listen, Milla thought. "I suppose the infiltration team will be us?" Milla asked, she crossed her arms, already knowing the answer.

"No, actually," Rowen surprised her. "During the chaos at the fort, all attention will be focused there. Another small team can infiltrate Fennmont and destroy the Lance during that period and face significantly less resistance and danger."

Full security would be a concern. "If Ivar's on the wyvern baiting those petroblancs he won't be able to join me, not even considering the weight limit he mentioned."

"And that is why I asked." Rowen cleared things up. "He can ferry people one at a time over to the Arklund Quag north of Fennmont before he makes the attack on the Fort. Once he has thrown the petroblancs off his trail, he'll circle back around north and join up with the team. He will carry news of the operations initialization, and then we can move into the city with less prying eyes about."

An interesting if complicated and dangerous plan, and if it failed the north team would be stuck behind enemy lines without any way of contacting Sharilton. Even if they did destroy the Lance, they would no doubt be pursued and-ah, she realized Rowen had already answered it. A small three-man team would be able to ride the wyvern just long enough to slip the grasp of the military. But there was one more thing. "You mentioned nothing about Nachtigal," Milla pointed out. "This would be an excellent opportunity to stop him."

"Indeed it would," Rowen slowly nodded. "But with the Fort taken and Lance destroyed, we will have eroded the two largest assets he has. Morale amongst the crown loyalists is already low, and a strike of this caliber will drive it to the point of desertion. Once his power base is eroded, then we can move in and swiftly deal with him." The old strategist clasped his hands behind his back. "We'll have a small set of ships ready as the retreat point near the Arklund Quag. Once we're finished with the Lance we retreat there and return to Sapstrath."

"I see," Milla followed his logic. Without the Lance Nachtigal's threat was lowered enough that she could forestall dealing with him. "Ivar," she faced her handmaid, "would your wyvern be able to accomplish what you just heard?"

"Already asked," Ivar said with a smile. "There'll need to be a rest period at one point, but we can totally do it." Ivar clenched his fist in excitement at finally being able to help her.

"I'll continue going over the finer details of this plan with the commanders," Rowen said, "but if everything goes well we may be able to end this civil war in a month."

Milla recalled something she read about once. "Don't they say that no plans survives contact with the enemy?"

"That author hadn't met me before," Rowen said with a confident smile. "Though of course, not even I am infallible. That is what the 'finer details' are about."

Speaking of one of those 'finer details' Elize spoke back up. "I want to go too!"

"Where?" Milla asked, but quickly answered her own question. "Oh, to Fennmont."

"Yes!" the girl loudly claimed. A couple of others were shocked at her sudden outburst.

"Why Elly?" Driselle was the first to ask. "It'll be dangerous and you could get hurt, or worse."

"But they don't have anyone to heal them!" the little Healer pointed out. "If they get hurt no one can help them."

"Gels and Life bottles will have to do then," Milla said. Not that Elize knew Ivar wasn't a healer, but she was right.

"But what if the big scary King guy shows up then huh?" Teepo hyped. "There's no way gels can keep you on your feet like Elly can!"

"That is true," Milla agreed, encountering Nachtigal was a distinct possibility and gels wouldn't be as helpful as Elize.

"No," Cline ordered, his first words since Milla had returned. "Even beyond the risk to you as a child, Rowen's plan requires only three people due to the wyvern's capabilities."

"Ha!" Ivar arrogantly laughed. "If it's just a little girl like her, my pal here could carry her as a fourth easy!" Why was he supporting this?

"See!" Elize pleaded. "I won't be a burden, I promise!"

"Elly," Driselle quietly said. "Why do you want to go so badly?"

"Milla and Rowen have helped me, now they need my help," Elize said full of pride.

"But she"- Driselle cut herself off and looked between Milla and Elize. "Please," she relented with clenched fists, "be safe."

"Driselle!" Elize happily said her name. "Aw yeah," Teepo added. "I knew Driselle was our number one superpal!"

Cline wasn't about to let that go so easily though. "Elize will be needed here as well," he placed his position. But a look from everyone else backed him off. With a sigh he looked at Rowen. "If this fits into your calculations Rowen," he relented.

"It will not be much of a change, but rest assured, Miss Elize will be perfectly safe even in the conditions we may face." Rowen claimed.

"Very well," Cline nodded.

"Wait," Milla stepped closer to Cline, when she was confident no one could see, she retrieved something, the key. She leaned in closer with it and whispered to him. "This is the Key to the Lance of Kresnik. I cannot risk letting Nachtigal gets his hands back on it, keep it safe and secure until I return."

"I," the Lord of Sharilton took the key and swiftly hid it. "I understand. No man loyal to Nachtigal shall touch this so long as I draw breath."

"Very good," Milla stepped back, noticing Ivar fuming but she ignored it. Something occurred to her just then, why hadn't they taken the key when Milla was simply unconscious? True the ones who had directly held them captive weren't Rashugal's best, but could they truly be that thick? Odd doubts and thoughts began to eat at her mind, and she could find no answer.

The night clime of Fennmont was as beautiful as ever, even coming in from the windows overlooking the bar in famous Hotel Fenntasia. It was made all the more so enchanting by some of that famed Fennmount liquor and the gorgeous woman to this right. He coolly finished off the last little splash in his glass, and put it back down, gently, so the ice didn't make noise.

"So, what brings you into town beautiful?" Alvin did a little light flirting.

"Give me a break," Presa said back, not even bothering to look at him.

But oh did he look at her. That skimpy oxymoron of a combat suit she wore was now buried and concealed under a fetching pinstripe suit.

"I'll give you that and plenty more," Alvin said and added in a little chuckle. Presa subtly rolled her eyes, and Alvin chuckled again.

They'd "ran" into each other the night before, both of the thought that they'd been the one to initiate the "chance" encounter when in reality they'd both known the others whereabouts the whole damn time. Alvin was here acting as a lab guard for the Lance now, waiting until the little bits of bait he'd sprinkled about brought his prey right into his arms. Presa meanwhile, was playing spy for the King of Auj Oule. Possibly the very last time she could attempt it in Fennmont, especially with the security checks and sweeps getting more severe daily. Even Alvin would be in danger, if he didn't have a friend in the very right position landing him easy work. Drinking on the job just being one of the perks.

"I've had your 'plenty more'," she shot back with a look. "And I'll have no more of it."

Presa was here to keep an extra pair of eyes on the Lance's operational situation. Along with digging what Rashugal battle plans she could get out of lonely generals and nobles. Finding out he was in town just gave her something else to track, because even though he was sending reports into Auj Oule as well, he was still just an outsider. Of course, one could always use an outsider in their life. Makes everything closer to home seem that much better.

"I've heard that before," he noted. And not just from her. "But you'll know where to find me."

"Same spot as always," she said.

Silence fell between them as they recalled all the good times, and the bad. To him, the first outweighed the second, but for her it was clearly the opposite, and that was a shame. Though he certainly deserved it. Not just for what he had done, but for what he was going to do. But this was their line of work. Walking away, just wasn't something they could do. Ever.

"When are you departing?" Alvin asked as he watched the ice in his glass slowly begin to melt. "Can't be easy with the fort and port shut down."

"That's none of your business."

"Wyverns huh?" Alvin leaned back in relaxation. "Shoulda known."

She didn't bother to acknowledge he'd guessed correctly. "When are you leaving?" it was her turn to question. "Sitting around like this isn't like you."

"Won't be long now," Alvin said. "Two days tops. Probably back to Sharilton." A lie.

"Think that's where the key will be?"

"Probably," Alvin tilted the cup to its bottom edge with his right hand. "She got lucky it didn't get grabbed when she got snatched, so she'll play it safe now that she's realized her vulnerability." He began to move the glass in a circle as the ice slipped halfway back to water. "She might've ditched it earlier if you were a bit more successful at the Seafalls."

Presa grunted in annoyance at dragging that up. "I didn't even know what it looked like back then anyway. Probably would have just tossed it aside like junk. Agria's descriptions are less than helpful even once you get past all the profanity."

Alvin chuckled lightly. "Still can't believe you stuck around against that rock bastard after that."

She shrugged. "You made your point, even if I hated it. Not that killing the thing would have been a difficult task, especially with the four of us right there, but if the key got thrown into the water because of the fight we'd just waste too much time searching for it without a clue."

"Just means it'd be out of anyone's hands," Alvin noted.

"Maybe it needs to be in someone's hands," Presa countered.

"Yeah," Alvin nodded as the last bit of ice turned back into water. He downed the slightly tinged water and flipped around to the other side of the stool. It was always late in Fennmont, but he was going to be on overwatch for the lab in just a bit, and whatever plan Milla or Rowen had come up with would be happening soon. Today? Tomorrow? He didn't know, but it was one of those days. And he needed a little-pick-me-up before he threw betrayal number two into their face.

Presa swung around to join his facing. "Leaving so soon?" she asked. She attempted to make it sound rhetorical, but there was just a hint of melancholy in it.

"Against my deepest desires," he sarcastically said with just a hint of truth. "Things are gonna get real exciting real soon. Bet it'll make your job that much easier."

"Or harder."

Alvin chuckled though he wanted to sigh. He looked over at the inn doors as they opened up to let in a black-haired boy in a dark tailcoat. The boy looked over the area, before noticing Alvin staring at him, and Presa at his side. Alvin gave a crooked smile and said to Presa. "Looks like you got an admirer." and he nodded in the kid's direction.

She followed his tip and looked at the kid. "That's-" she cut herself off. Knew him did she? And he knew her, because after a quick look away he walked over to them.

"You're Mink correct?" the kid asked, couldn't have been more than sixteen and just knew her by one of her cover names. "I was told to give this to you." He brought out a featureless envelope.

"Who's it from?" she cautiously asked and didn't take it.

"I was heading into town when one of the doctors from Talim told me to bring this to you," he explained and held it out just a bit further.

"Ah, right," she nodded, she took the package and slipped it into her inner breast pocket. The kid didn't move after delivering the message, so she asked. "Anything else?"

"Oh, uh, no, I guess," he responded a bit surprised.

Alvin slipped a little smile on. "Ain't it obvious?" he said. "Kid here's got a little crush on you."

"Huh?" he blushed a bit and stepped back.

Alvin could feel her rolling her eyes.

"Relax I'm just messing with you kid," Alvin joked. "What you were really waiting for was a 'thank you', wasn't it?"

"Oh, yeah, I guess I was," the kid let the blush slide off his cheeks and resumed a normal posture.

Alvin gave a little sideways glance at her, burning a hole of condemnation until she finally said it. "Fine, thank you," she briskly said.

"There, that wasn't so hard was it?" Alvin looked back at the kid. "Now we're all nice and happy."

"Right..." the kid obviously didn't believe that, but it was clear he wanted to get out now. He turned around and Alvin noticed something.

Hell, he had some time to kill didn't he? "Hey kid," Alvin caught his attention. "You do martial artes or something? You got the moves." And a pair of giant gauntlets hanging off your hips.

"Huh? You noticed?" the kid looked fairly surprised. "But, uh, yeah I do. Why?"

"Oh, I'm just getting a bit restless is all, haven't had a good fight in a long while," Alvin leaned back with his classic cocky grin.

"Oh brother," Presa moaned with a shake of her head.

"You want to fight me?" the kid hunched over in greater shock, even going as far as pointing a finger at himself.

"Yeah, sure, you got the moves, and I doubt playing errand boy's all that interesting," Alvin bent forward. "I"ll even go nice and easy on you. I need a little wake-up call before I head over to my job and all the guards around here are too serious about 'procedure' and 'regulations'," Alvin added air quotes for additional mockery.

"Yeah, but me? I mean can't you find anyone else, I'm like half your age," he continued to express against it.

"Hey now, I'm not THAT old." Alvin placed his priorities in order.

"And I'm not a kid either," he said.

"Heh," Alvin gave a little smile. "Alright, fair enough. You're a big strong young man, that okay with you?"

"The mockery isn't, but," the kid was getting closer to agreeing, but there was still a bit of resistance. "but there's seriously no one else? What about her?"

Presa actually snorted and buried her face to prevent the laughter from drawing attention.

"Well I think that explains it better than I ever could," Alvin shrugged. "Last chance, you in?"

The kid looked between the two of them, and then at his open hand. He closed it and his eyes. "Alright, I think, maybe I should."

"Really?" Presa snickered out after her laughing fit ended. "Not that he doesn't have his softer qualities, but holding back in a fight certainly isn't one of them."

The kid lightly shook his head. "Actually, I think not holding back might be the better idea. To tell the truth, I've wanted a spar partner for a while now and," he shrugged, "this coming along was a bit of a too-good-to-be-true feel to it."

"You won't be thinking that once I lay you flat on the ground kid," Alvin did a little boasting. "I mean, strong young man."

"I think I'll just go by my name instead, Jude," he stepped closer and offered his hand for a shake. "Jude Mathis."

Mathis? That name froze his mind for a second. Good thing his body followed through on the handshake without it. Jude, Mathis. The odds of this, of what his last name meant. There was always the chance he was straight wrong, but getting the old doc's cooperation would be a big help. "Alvin," he said. "Just Alvin."

"Alright, Just Alvin," Jude gave a little snark of his own. "Do you have a place in mind? I don't really know where people here go to fight."

"Highroad's out," Alvin said. "military's all up and down there now. That leaves us the Arklund Quag wetlands. Not looking forward to mudding up these boots though."

"No place in the city?" Jude asked.

"Not unless you feel like springing for a luxury sweet here," Alvin thumbed the upper floors. "I mean that's totally my choice if you have the cash, but I'll take a little mud on my boots to having to pay the price of four sets of boots to get a room."

"Arklund Quag it is!" Jude replied without hesitation. "That'll be right past the school huh?" Jude tightened himself into a posture of thought. "Well, it can wait."

"What can wait?" Alvin asked, legitimately curious.

"Oh, just telling the doctor I delivered that envelope for him," Jude clarified. "He wasn't in a rush or anything so, like I said it can wait."

"Ah," and speaking of the person that was delivered to, "you coming?"

"This suit cost more than that room above," she said. "If you're willing to pay for it, I'll follow along."

"Just the two of us it is!" Alvin loudly claimed to get back on track. He hopped off the stool and did a bit of stretching. Damn did that feel good. "Be back later then."

"I'll wait with bated breath," Presa rolled her eyes with her sarcasm.

The two men left her behind and headed to their fight of ultimate practicing. The Arklund Quag, as it's name helpfully only explained to the book-wormy type and those the book-wormy type repeated their obscure facts too, was a series of darkened wetlands extended north from Fennmont all the way to Fezebel Marsh. There the dark wetlands gave way to a bright, raging swamp. But that was irrelevant for their duel.

"Alright, much as the bravado about not holding back was fun and all, I'd rather we don't accidentally land ourselves in the hospital. You know how to hold back your artes power and all that?" Alvin asked just to make sure.

"Yeah," Jude placed his hands into the hanging gauntlets at his side. "I've got a pretty good handle on how to do that from a book I read."

"A bookworm huh?" Alvin drew his sword and gun. "Books aren't gonna save you out here kid."

Jude slammed his fists together and dropped into a combat stance. "I think I'm gonna beat all the 'kid' talk right out of you," he said with a sly, confident smile.

"Oh yeah?" Alvin spun his sword around. "Just try it. Alright, how about we set this match for ten hits, means I can't play keep away the whole time."

"Sounds good to me!" the kid was really getting into it now.

"Three," Jude slide a bit closer, "two," Alvin slide a bit closer. "one." Both men launched the demon fang at the other, only for the ground-trailing projectile to ram into the other and cancel out. Both men laughed and charged. Alvin just took a practice swing to test the kid's reflexes but, he dropped out of sight as he swung. Did he accidently turn the kid into paste?

Three thuds hit his back, and he twisted his neck to see Jude had somehow gotten behind him. Alvin's confusion lasted long enough for the fourth hit to land, but Jude backed off following it. Lucky, if he'd continued Alvin woulda lost in the most embarrassing manner. Kid probably thought something was coming, and well it was now.

"Not bad," Alvin commeted as he began charging up his artes. He still had enough control that he would minimize damage with these. Jude took the time though to connect with a demon fist. Five hits down already. Kid was taking it serious! Alvin finished his charge, and sonic thrust in, landing his first hit, and adding the second with his knockback blast.

Jude bounced back as soon as able, increasing the distance between the two. Did he not realize he needed to get in close and stay there? Alvin was better at range than he was. Well, Jude's lose, his gain. Alvin set the charge again, and Jude responded with the sixth hit from demon fist. Just as Alvin planned. He aimed his newly charged gun, and unleashed an explosive variable blast, knocking Jude's attempt at blocking aside. Alvin lept into the air and fired out the homing cannon, a set of dark balls chased after Jude. The kid tried to outrun them, but they surronded him, even blocking him from Alvin's view. The homing shots impacted. That would be six!

Seven, eight, nine and ten hit Alvin's back. "What the?" Alvin twisted back around in absolute shock. Not seeing the kid move when Alvin's giant sword was blocking some of his sight was one thing, but Jude was clearly a good dozen feet away just a second before! How the hell did Jude get behind him! "I'm starting to think you're cheating somehow kid."

Jude let a little laugh out. "It's something like that, but you know what they say, all's fair in love and war," he said with an innocent smile.

Innocence was best crushed. "Oh, it's like that aye kid?" Alvin threw his shoulder around Jude. "Knew you had a crush on her, but love? You sure do move fast."

Jude opened his mouth to response, but stopped and just looked away.

"But hey, that little move of yours certainly was impressive," Alvin moved off Jude. "Never saw anything like that before. That some kind of fancy spirit arte?"

Jude laughed. "Yeah, something like that. It worked in this situation because we were just counting hits, but in a real fight my fists would hurt barely more than that. You'd win for sure." Jude explained with a little added humility. "I've never sen anything like that weapon you have in your left hand. Does it channel spirits?"

"Yeah, somthing like that," Alvin repeated Jude's vague explanation. "But hey, good moves, I'm serious." It was a shame to use the kid like this. "Let's head back, I gotta start my shift soon and-MONSTER!" Alvin pushed Jude aside as a local fishman monster stumbled forward-only for it to be eaten by a passing wyvern. Which was even worse. It sure as hell wasn't Presa's, hers wouldn't be anywhere near the city. But, he knew someone else who had a wyvern, Ivar. And surprise surprise, he had just sent off a letter to Milla's handmaid about how he should go help her. "Dammit!"

"What was that?" Jude asked in complete bewilderment.

"Trouble," Alvin said. "Head back to your school Jude, don't even think about going near the research district."

Alvin turned to rush off but Jude asked something. "Research district? Laforte Research Lab?"

"What? Yeah, especially stay away from that one!" Alvin shouted at him and actually began running this time.

"No!" Jude yelled and caught up with him in no time. "It's being attacked again isn't it, just like earlier? That person, they'll be there right?"

She would but, why did he care? "Yeah, maybe, but that doesn't matter. Just get home kid, you can't make a difference. You said your fists are too light remember?" Alvin questioned as the two of them made it back into Fennmont.

"The weight of the fist, can only come from conviction," Jude told some 'sage advice'. "I have to, I have to confront them! I have to get justice for Professor Haus' murder!" He clenched his fists tighter than in the fight. "I want the truth, and you can't stop me!"

"I damn well can!" but as they pushed past the Talim Medical School, Alvin didn't. Why? Why didn't he do it? Because the kid would come running anyways. Knocking him out was useless, he was already faster and that wasn't even including that weird dodge of his. Dammit, this was his best lead for a whole different problem and he couldn't be tasked with prioritizing. Oh well, if things went south there were always records.

And as he thought about records, but who else should show up but Presa, as they went running past the Fennmont Inn. Guess she thought it was her chance to destroy the Lance for the advantage of Auj Oule or something. "I take it the Research Lab is under attack?" she asked a question she knew the answer too, but followed it with one she didn't. "Why's the kid here?"

"If you can stop him go ahead, but I have more important things to accomplish first," Alvin told her as they rounded around to the front of the Laforte Research Center. The sentries on station were already downed, and no reinforcements were incoming. None of the three were about to break off to go look for any either. "Stick close, we don't know how many there are," Alvin advised them and took point, heading inside.

Things had gone well for the secret attack team led by Milla Maxwell. Ivar carried her over first, and after insisting he keep to the plan, ferried over Rowen and finally Elize. He took a moment to rest his wyvern before enacting the petroblanc phase of the plan. In the time the trio spent waiting, the three of them slew a handful of monsters to keep their edge. Ivar eventually returned, spinning tales of his heroics, of how he effortlessly led the petroblanc nest around. But they didn't have time for that so they continued on. True to plan, they slipped inside with ease. The guards either unaware of the attack on Fort Gandala, or keeping a composed stance to prevent panicking the public. Either way it was good news for them. They slowly made their way to the research district, and to Laforte in particular. After carefully taking care of the outside guards, they headed inside, barely opposed.

When they finally got inside is when things turned from minimal effort to disaster waiting to happen. The girl in the red dress from Milla's first visit showed right back up and in her way again. She had the back-up of a handful of sentries and researchers, but the narrow paths of the research center allowed the small group to complete bar the way forward.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" the girl stomped the ground like a child throwing a tantrum. "I finally get to rip that pretty little face of yours right off! And it's not even my birthday!" she laughed like the crazy person she was.

She was still as viciously annoying as Milla remembered. Perhaps she could order Ivar to deal with her? Form some sort of single concentration of annoyance and locking both in place?

"No, one will ever rip Lady Milla's face off!" so naturally Ivar did it on his own. "Especially not some annoying little girl like you!"

The girl in red laughed again. "Oh? Hoping to play knight to the pretty princess and get a kiss boy-o?" The girl slipped a psychotic smirk unto her lips and hunched over. "Too bad, the only thing you're going to kiss is the ground!"

"Wait," Rowen broke up their spat with a realization. "I have seen you before. Is it possible? Are you Lady Nadia of House Travis?"

The question pierced through the girl's deranged face and turned it into a perfectly ordinary look of surprise. "Huh?" She looked so... normal. It was even weirder this way.

"I seem to be correct," Rowen placed his hands behind his back. "I suppose I should not be surprised to see a Travis here after they threw their support in with Nachtigal."

But just as quickly as her face embraced normality, did it contort into anger. "I don't care about that stinking house," she angrily shouted. "So shut up and die already!"

Milla shook her head. "I let you live once already, and it has come back to haunt me, this time you will not be so fortunate." She harshly laid out the fate of the girl-Nadia.

"The only fortunes changing around here are mine," Nadia sneered at them. "Get them!" The sentries locked shields while the researchers, and Nadia began to cast.

"Deal with the underlings first," Rowen advised as he began to chant.

"I'm all fired up!" Ivar rushed in at the closest guarding sentry, and slipped right around his defense and laid into him with a nasty series of slashes.

Milla and Elize also set to casting, the large grouping of enemies made it a perfect target zone. Elize's negative gate, Rowen's air pressure and Milla's wind lance just barely managed to outspeed the opposing channelers and left only one standing; Nadia.

"Useless sacks!" Agria kicked the nearest sentry in the head. "Fine, I can do this by myself anyway! Or close enough!" she began digging into the ground with her... weapon(every time Milla looked at it, it grew more confusing) and shortly after assistance arose for the gil in the form of a fire djinn, a humanoid-type spirit that floated without legs, that buffeted them with fire artes itself.

Milla and Rowen began to channel splash at it, while Elize returned to healing and Ivar occupied the girl in red. The combined water artes quickly ride them of the nuisance, but Ivar did not fair as well and had to fall back with some nasty flames lapping on is skin.

"They'll call you the knight of ashes once I'm done with you!" Nadia drove her weapon into the ground again, but this she she leapt on top of it and channeled a fireball at Ivar. Milla moved in and blocked it, allowing Elize to register her healing on the handmaid.

"Tch," the girl spat. "Like you're all just a bunch of cockroaches." Her eyes narrowed and she spat again. "I didn't need any damn help!" she shouted louder than ever.

Reinforcements? Damn. Milla shifted her position to keep an eye on both Nadia and her new help and-ALVIN!

"Alvin, you've come back!" Elize cheerfully said ignorant of the danger. Only Mills would recognize the woman accompanying Alvin as an enemy, but even she had no idea who the random boy was accompanying the both of them. But, it was perfectly clear to the Lord of Spirits that they were all enemies.

"Elize wait!" Milla forcefully stopped the young girl from running over in joy. "It's not very nice to lie Alvin." She scolded the betrayer mercenary.

"Yeah, it ain't," the mercenary responded and drew his weapons, pointing the gun straight at her. "So let me say some truth; surrender, you don't have a chance." His voice was melancholy, but his eyes were dead serious.

Jude looked over the assailants within the Laforte Research Laboratory. There was a blonde woman with a sword and scarcely any clothes, an old man wielding an estoc, a boy with silver hair and discolored shortsword, and a little blonde girl with a floating, doll. Not a single one of them had fit the portrait he had imagined confronting over Professor Haus' murder. But, it didn't matter, this was reality. The same reality where Professor Haus was dead!

He'd arrived with, allies he'd guess they were called. Alvin, aimed that that strange spirit-weapon of his at the intruders he clearly had a history with. Mink was next, she had subtly brought out a tome, but kept it hidden from view of all the others. And in the distance was Nadia of all people. Prinn did say she worked here, and somehow a part of him was relieved to see her not among the pile of bodies she stood among. For Prinn's sake of course.

She was also the first one to speak to him. "What are you doing here?" she practically spat out.

"I'm here to stop the person who attacked the lab last time," Jude said with resolve, not willing to deal with her venom today.

"Me?" the blonde woman stated. "Why?" she asked.

"You know why!" Jude cut the air with his fist. "Your attack killed people, including my teacher!"

"Whoa kid," Alvin said in surprise.

"I did no such thing," the culprit tried to deny her guilt, a look of confusion on her face. But he wasn't buying it.

"Don't try to lie!" Jude screamed, immune to all lines of logic pointing anywhere else but guilty.

"I'm not lying," she adamantly continued to defend her innocence. "During my attack I killed no humans." She glanced over at Nadia. "Though in retrospect 'one' would have been an acceptable position as well."

Nadia grinned like a madwomen. "I'll pay you back for those burns a hundred times over you haughty fool."

She was responsible for that? Of course she was, who else could it ever have been?

"I told you before I do not intend to let you stop me," the culprit said and faced Nadia cleanly.

"Hold it," Alvin told her. "You give up now and things just go painless. The reinforcements are already on the way here, even if you get the Lance you can't escape."

"Why, Alvin, why!" the... doll yelled what? No, he didn't have time to be distracted by that.

The old man moved, a flash of metal soaring at Nadia after he shifted. Nadia herself moved, to dodge, allowing the culprit to rush right past her.

"Dammit!" Alvin yelled and didn't use his weapon.

"Get back here!" Jude shouted at her and ran forward. The little blonde girl and her dolly tried to stop him, but her attack was slow, he read it easily and dodged right past. The old men attacked next, a trio of throwing knives-that's what moved Nadia!- were expertly thrown, a tight pattern forcing a hit or a very poor position with a dodge. Jude fixed that with a hit of his own, knocking one knife off course and allowing him to maintain a proper position moving forward. The old man braced himself for Jude's attack, but a water spirit arte showered his head instead. The young man with gray hair charged in next, but his attack was easiest of all to read, and Jude managed to trip him as he snapped past.

The culprit was heading through the next door, with Nadia hot on her heels as well. Behind him, Jude could hear the loud bangs of Alvin's weapon. He wanted to help, but she came first!

Jude entered into the room immediately after Nadia and saw the culprit. And an entire platoon of troops in white armor awaiting them all. It was a large chamber, and so much of it was filled with soldiers, but most dominating of all was a massive machine in the center. It vaguely reminded him of Alvin's odd weapon, and the cannons on some ships, but even larger. Walkways circled the room, suspended everyone in it above a swirling pool of water below.

"Dammit," the culprit said, pointing her sword at each and every one of the advancing guards. "I've come to far to stop now!"

"It's over," a new voice came, and the speaker stepped out from behind the giant machine. "It was an admirable effort Maxwell, but it all ends here."

"Gilland," she stared at him with clear anger.

The man called Gilland spoke with contempt towards the culprit-Maxwell. "Just about now the other troops will finish rounding up your little compatriots. Be a good little girl and surrender before we remind you of what it's like to disappoint me." The man glared at the culprit-Maxwell, what an absurd name.

The woman didn't answer, she simply kept looking for a way out, a way to escape. And she found one. She charged through the lines and dove into the water below. "Stop her!" the man called Gilland yelled out.

"That line leads right outside!" Nadia shouted back at him.

"What are you waiting for, go!" he ordered them all in a panic.

Did that include him? Jude thought. Even if it didn't he would still go! He rushed out ahead, first of them all. He saw the accuracy of Gilland's statement, as Alvin and sentries now had the other three cornered, though Mink had somehow disappeared. No, that didn't matter, finding the culprit did! He ran even harder, and beat everyone else outside.

The woman was there, finishing off some of the soldiers left outside. Seeing her, ready to kill again-Jude screamed at the top of his lungs and charged right at her, only for an explosion to rock him and send him to the ground on his back. She held her sword to his throat. Dammit, all his rage over the time since Professor Haus' death and exploded, made him sloppy. He was gonna die wasn't he? He thought of the Professor, of Nadia, of Prinn, of his other friends. Of his parents, of Master Sonia and her husband. And Leia. Ah, Leia. "I don't want to die," Jude ekeed out.

"I'm not going to kill you," Maxwell said.

"What?" This, this had to be a trick, but even still he looked up.

"I told you, I didn't kill anyone, then or now," she looked back at Laforte. "If anyone did, it would be that girl in red." She mentioned before running off into the trade district.

Jude didn't bother to get up, unable to process what just happened. Nadia the killer? Sure, she had a terrible personality, but she was Prinn's friend, why would Prinn be friends with the person who killed Professor Haus?

Speaking of the hellspawn, she showed up not long after. "Where'd she go?" Nadia demanded.

"She," Jude go off the one word before heading back in thought. A lot of things weren't adding up in either pile. He, he needed to talk to Maxwell again. "She went into the Trade District."

"Go!" she pointed the soldiers into pursuit. Once they were on their way she moved over next to him and glared. "Why were you even here?"

"I, I heard the lab was attacked, if it was the same person who attacked before then they were the ones to kill Professor Haus, my, my mentor," Jude explained to the person who was possibly his real killer. "I, I wanted justice."

Nadia gave a laugh. "You gonna play the murderous vigilante eh? How rich coming from the not-a-doc," she began twitching after she spoke.

"I wasn't gonna kill her!" Jude shouted with absolute certainty. The killer may be in doubt, but his answer would be the same either way.

Nadia began laughing again. "Let's see how far that misguided little sense of justice goes when you have her at your mercy, begging you to let her go, let her live! She has soooo much to live for, so much to do. But it doesn't matter at all because she killed someone you only pretended to care about for our own selfish reasons!" Nadia was now looking at him with contempt. What had he done to deserve this?

Before he could break apart her little chains of insanity, Gilland arrived with Alvin and Maxwell's allies in tow. The intruder trio were all chained up, with guards on each of them. The silver-haired boy had more guards, a gag and still continued to struggle though. There appearance turned Nadia's attention away from Jude, instead she looked ready to charge after the Maxwell culprit. "Hold, Nadia," the man Gilland told her.

"No, not when I can get revenge on her!" Nadia screeched at him not giving a damn. "Those damn sentries are just gonna be completely useless and get smashed." Why did she send them then?

Gilland shook his head at her insistences. "Hardly, but for now we have to consolidate what we have." He panned his head towards everyone. "Good work," Gilland stated. "All of you. Now you, boy, I don't recall ever seeing you before." The man rose an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

Alvin brushed past and helped Jude to his feet. "He's my new pal, Jude Mathis." The man thew his shoulders around Jude once he was up.

"Pal?" the little girl said. "You're not a pal to anyone Alvin, you big fat liar!"

"Pardon?" Gilland turned towards the struggling girl.

The old man spoke next though. "Alvin there was with us when we infiltrated Fort Gandala. He was instrumental in destabilizing your plans time and again."

"Really now?" Gilland looked back at the subject of the conversation, a creepy half-smile on his face. "Considering what his actions have just brought us, I am inclined to recommend the King overlooks his previous actions."

"I see," the old man said with bitterness.

Alvin dropped his arm from around Jude's shoulder. "Aren't you just a swell guy," he spoke, but averted his gaze. Who was he talking to?

"Um" Jude stammered out, "What, what about me?" he asked a bit... scared.

"You'll be brought before the King with the rest of us," Gilland answered. "Like Alvin here, I'll offer a recommendation that your breaking and entering the lab should be overlooked."

"I, uh, thank you, I think," Jude murmured out.

Nadia sneered in disgust. "Ugh, we're all getting dragged to Orda Palace then?" she shook her head and coupled it with her usual body twitches. "While we let the pretty miss get away?"

"Do not worry," Gilland reassured her, and everyone. "The King foresaw all of this, and everything's going according to his predictions. Though, I must admit Conductor, using the petroblancs and the wyvern to deliver yourself was an ingenious move, but you got greedy and impatient. If you'd attempted one or the other this might have turned out differently. But the report from the Fort about the wyvern allowed us to prepare this little welcome for you all."

The old man called Conductor(Ilbert the Conductor?) stroked his beard-with some difficultly considering his shackles-but said nothing.

"Silence won't save you old man. That Maxwell woman will be caught post haste," Gilland sneered at them. "Your mission and Cline's little rebellion ends here."

Still, the Conductor said nothing. Nadia though, did, with a laugh as well. "Ha, when she's got herself a small hill of bodies then you know who you should have sent."

"We will cross that bridge when it becomes relevant," Gilland coolly answered. "Until then come." A hint of recognition hit the man's face. "Ah, and yes, someone take care of that little girl's doll. Dreadful thing that."

"No!" the little girl screamed but it was ripped from her hand, by Alvin. The man sighed but separated the two of them over the cries of the little girl.

Jude did the right thing, right?

AN: Well that sure went in a weird new direction didn't it? And this might not even break Top Ten for odd plot directions and twists. This is also the longest chapter yet, and would have been longer if I hadn't split the next chapter off.

Anyway, the bar scene is my current favorite moment I've written. Something about it just feels right. On something relevant, Jude's running into them seems convenient doesn't it? But there is a reason for that, it'll just take a while to answer.

On a different note, I wanted to mention the reasons I think for Agria being so openly active here. In-game, Milla mentions that Agria doesn't seem to be working for Rashugal during the first trip to Laforte, but I think she's wrong. Agria mentions them intruding twice, she has a keycard for the facility, she knows exactly where they've gone, she activates the Lance perfectly and despite her injuries and the mana drain she survives. All those circumstances lead me to thinking she was working somewhat openly with Rashugal instead of just low-key spy work.