A new chapter. Don't have much to say, except: Enjoy!

14. Fatal Mistake

The next morning Ritz woke up after a rough night. She never had slept this bad before. After she had woken up because of her terrible nightmare, she didn't really dare to go and sleep again. So she lay there awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, flinching at every little sound. Eventually fatigue won from her fear and she fell asleep, to tired to even dream.

As she got out of bed, washed herself a bit and put on her clothes and armour, she noticed that it had to be well in the morning already. The streets were already crowded as usual. She strapped her Femme Fatale to her belt. Taking a deep breath, the human girl opened the door of her room and went downstairs, acting like she was fine. Downstairs, Marche was sitting at a table, looking through the available missions. He noticed her and smiled.

"Good morning Ritz. Did you sleep well?"

"Sure." She lied, avoiding his gaze. She felt that he doubted her words.

"You sure?" he questioned, hiding his worries.

She looked up and smiled broadly. "Of course! You doubt me?"

He chuckled softly and shook his head, mentioning her to sit down and get some breakfast. She happily took a seat. While she was eating, she glanced at the mission papers.

"Anything interesting?"

He didn't immediately answer. "Well, the usual stuff." His eventual answer came. Silence reigned for a while. "I think I'll wait until everyone is back before I start picking new missions."

"Oh, Majorie and Zeran aren't back yet?"

"No, seems this murder in Muscadet appears to be more complicated to solve than at first glance."

"Oh boy, that means we'll have a boring day." Ritz sighed. Marche glanced at her and laughed.

"Now, now, I never said that." He was silent for a moment. "How about you and I go train together?"

Now, that was an offer that sparked her interest. "Ehm… Gee…" She scratched the back of her head. "I don't see why not."

"Great, that's settled then. After all, you still haven't gone under my harsh training that everybody else here got." He smirked with faked evil. She rolled her eyes. The Ultima Knight stood up and grabbed his Ultima Weapon. "I'll see you in the fields around Sprohm then. Within an hour, think you can make that?"

She looked at him with a 'duh!'-look on her face. Grinning, Marche left the pub, shaking his head in amusement. The fencer could only smile. At least Marche was still normal.

---

Gilgamesj flipped through a pile of papers, not caring where the ones he threw over his shoulder landed. He had to find something, no way that there was nothing about this subject in the archives of Cadoan's Library. The papers were old and normally should be treated with care, but the Genji Knight was in a great hurry. He seemed afraid. Groaning, he threw the pile of papers back where he had found them and took the next one.

"Where in Mateus' name are these documents?!" Papers flew everywhere as he searched. "Time is running out… I thought I warned him!" He clenched his jaw. "Why isn't he aware of anything?" Gilgamesj stopped and pondered for a moment. Finally he found the right document. He scanned is quickly. Yes, it seemed to be the correct one. He folded it carefully and put it in his inside pocket. Then he dashed out of the archives, almost knocking the keeper of the library, an old, wise Nu Mou, of his socks. "Sorry, I'm in a great hurry!" he apologized. "The Prince will pay for any damage done, I promise!" And with that, Gilgamesj rushed out of the library. He jumped on his chocobo and speeded away towards Sprohm.

It had been pure coincidence that he had overheard the talk of the three Necromancers. During his fight with the Ultima Knight, the Genji Knight had the creepy feeling that they were being watched. But he didn't want to worry Marche so he acted like nothing was going on. Later, after the fight and when Marche had left, Gilgamesj had silently ridden back to the bridge. He was a master of stealth; he had received some intense Ninja training after all. Nobody of Ivalice was allowed to find out his identity, after all. And it was because of his stealth that the three ghastly figures hadn't noticed him, carefully hidden in a bush. It was them. The Necromancers the Palace was so intensely searching for. He had found them. What shocked him most was their identity. A horrible truth that never had wanted to find out. Could he have taken them on? Perhaps. His trusty Excalibur II would no doubt deal great damage to their undead and monstrous flesh. But he didn't want to underestimate the power of the Necromancers. And at that moment, he was already supposed to be meeting up with somebody. It infuriated him that he had to let them go, but he had no time at that moment for a long battle. But at least… At least he knew where they were heading. He only needed one more thing from Cadoan, for himself, before he would rush to Sprohm and hopefully be in time to warn Marche. It was not Gilgamesj his duty to warn those Marche was responsible for, though it pained him dearly. But… He had restriction on his freedom. And those restrictions told him clearly, that he was only allowed to speak with the Ultima Knight, nobody else. At least, not yet.

And so, Gilgamesj the Genji Knight speeded towards Sprohm.

---

"Let's take a break." Marche suggested. He was breathing heavily, but had a content expression on his face. Ritz was catching her breath and weakly muttered. "Gladly." Before she fell on her back in the long grass. Marche sat down on a fallen tree trunk and laid his Ultima Weapon beside him. He and Ritz had been practicing for a while now. He had to admit, she was really good, and didn't really need training. But then again, that never had been his intention. He just wanted to get her mind off of whatever it was that was troubling her. She had acted like everything was alright, but the Ultima Knight had learned to see through that. Something was bothering her and she didn't have any intend to tell him. He was fine with that, but had decided that she needed some diversion.

"By Exodus, that was some rough stuff, Marche." Ritz groaned.

"What?" he grinned. "My Shock too much for you to dodge?"

"You didn't hit me one time!" She protested.

"Yes I did! I hit your leg, I know it!"

"Just a scratch!" She retorted, not willing to admit that he did indeed hit her. Marche burst out in amused laughter.

"You really are a tough one, no, Ritz Malheur?"

"So they say." Ritz smiled. She closed her eyes and relaxed. The training had tired her. No wonder, for the toughest training opponent she could ever have was the Ultima Knight. It became silent and Ritz just listened to the soft blowing of the wind, the birds singing. It was a plain normal, peaceful day in Ivalice. She didn't think about her nightmare. The peace was just too beautiful.

"Kupo, there you two are." Ritz perked up to see Montblanc coming towards them. Marche looked at his moogle friend.

"Hey Montblanc, what's up?"

"Majorie and Zeran are back from Muscadet, kupo!" The black mage replied. "They are waiting in the pub, kupo."

"Finally." Marche sighed relieved and grabbed his sword, putting it on his back. "Ritz, you coming?"

Ritz jumped up and brushed herself of. After sheathing her Femme Fatale, she looked at Marche with another 'Duh!'-look. Marche smiled weakly and then the three of them went back to Sprohm.

"So the murderers were Tonberries?" Ritz shivered when Majorie nodded. She knew those knife-wielding monsters. They belonged to the most feared monsters in all of Ivalice. They were rare, and actually, the only time they were seen was in Jagd. Curious that they now appeared in a public place as Muscadet. "Together with the Muscadet Town Watch we took care of them." Majorie continued. "Zeran was great, clan leader. He had a clear shot, he never missed! And that was the most powerful Fire Shot I ever saw." Marche smiled approvingly at Zeran and Montblanc patted his fellow moogle on the back. "Kupo work, kupo."

"What bothers me though." Ardaun said once Majorie was done telling. "Is that things like Tonberries would appear so far from Jagd. Hello, people! Tonberries!"

"We're not deaf, Ardaun." Marche silenced him. "Jagd Creatures like Tonberries don't belong in crowded cities. Somebody lured them there."

"Like who, Marche?" Ritz asked. She had a bad feeling about this…

"Like something that could wake up dead people and make them attack travellers, like say… Lutia Pass?" Marche's response came. A shiver went through the clan.

"Necromancerss…" Seth whispered. Marche nodded.

"I've been asking around a bit." Marche explained. "Seems like the Palace is furiously searching all over Ivalice for three Necromancers. They are becoming a danger. Like Lutia Pass, or Muscadet. Who knows what they did more?"

"Please don't tell me we're going to look for them, kupo." Montblanc pleaded. Marche glanced at his friend and then, to everybody's relief, he shook his head.

"No, I won't put us in such a big danger. This is something the Palace needs to take care of."

Everybody sighed with relief. They would do everything for their clan leader, but going after a Necromancer was suicide, even with an Ultima Knight at their side.

"Marche." Ritz suddenly asked. Everybody looked at her. "What about, you know… Gilgamesj?"

"Well, I've asked around about him as well." He assured her. "He didn't show up until recently and is widely believed to be from a far away country. Seems logical, because of his Genji set. Those things aren't made in Ivalice."

"I wonder what he's doing here, though." The human fencer sighed. Marche gave her an assuring look.

"Don't worry, he's not on the Palace's wanted list, and they do know about him. And honestly, I don't believe he's a danger, either." Marche bit his lip. "His eyes were far too honest for that."

"Well, I trust Clan leader Marche." Majorie announced. "We all do, right?" A murmur of agreements rose from the clan. Marche blushed slightly, scratching the back of his head.

"Gee…" He blushed. "You're making me feel embarrassed again." Loud laughter erupted from the table. Marche was pleased that they had such faith in him, but on the other hand he worried greatly that he would one day be unable to live up to that trust.

---

A few days passed and nothing special happened. Life went like it always went in Ivalice. Clan members went away on missions and others came back. Marche's clan was really back in business. 'The older days of glory' as Ardaun overenthusiastic called them, were coming back. Sometimes Marche wondered if he had to restrict the amount of drinks Ardaun ordered in the pub. Luckily he could count on Seth.

The Ultima Knight leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms. He took a sip from his drink and then bowed himself over his pile of mission papers again. Being a clan leader had its downsides too. Like, he was in charge of giving missions, which meant that he always could get one last. It could sometimes be annoying when there weren't many missions, but on other days, like today, it didn't really bother him.

"I'm ready to go Marche." A voice said. The clan leader glanced at Ritz. It would be the first time that she was sent on a Dispatch mission.

"Are you absolutely sure that you want to go?" he asked, for like the eighteenth time. The fencer nodded, sure of herself.

"Of course Marche. We have to help this clan, and who better to send that the second best swordfighter of our clan?"

Marche sighed but nodded. She was right. "Okay then, I can't stop you, anyway. Good luck and get back as soon as you can, please…"

"Can't live without me?" she grinned.

"I'm serious Ritz." He looked straight in her emerald green eyes. She gazed back for a while, then gave him an assuring smile.

"Don't worry Marche. I have done this before." She laid her hand comforting on her shoulder, gave him one last nod and then left the pub. The Ultima Knight couldn't help but sigh. He really had a bad feeling about this. Oh, Ritz could handle dispatch missions as well as any other clan member, he was sure of that. She could help out those who were in mortal danger as well. It was just… Shaking his head, he looked at the mission description again.

Honour Lost

Some shady characters are after our leader, Kerry! Can you help? Please don't let anyone know we hired you.

Ed, Assistant Leader

Normally, Marche wouldn't be suspicious at all with a mission description. However, this time it was different. It was the 'shady' that bothered him. It could be nothing, but… Annoyed Marche slammed his fist on the table. If anybody else but Ritz would have gone to do the job, he wouldn't be worried. But it was just because it was Ritz, that he was so worried.

"Why did you want to go?" he whispered. "Whatever bothered you two days ago, Ritz, I'm sure it still bothers you. Don't act tough when you feel afraid…" He shook his head for the again.

---

"In the Totema's name, I'm late." Gilgamesj cursed. He rushed through the streets of Sprohm towards the most well known pub. He cursed himself. Why did they have to speak to him so urgent, anyway? There were lives at stake here! But, he had to go. He had no other choice, there was a strict law placed on him, anyway. So he couldn't sneak of if he wanted to. Once called, he had to go. For once he wished he had had one of those famous antilaws. That way he might have avoided the restricting law placed on him. And that would have spared him one day to get to Sprohm. He swore that as soon as he could go adventuring again he would visit Cadoan and meet up with the famous Ezel Berbier to ask if he could develop an antilaw for him. He didn't want to break the trust they had in him, but it would really come in handy for occasions like this. "If anything has happened, it will be my fault." Finally he arrived at his destination. Without even halting his chocobo he jumped of. The animal was smart enough to come to a halt by itself. Just as he wanted to kick open the door, it was already opened. And fate willed that it was by the one he was looking for: Marche Radiuju.

"Gilgamesj?!" Marche didn't seem really surprised.

"Where are the others? Where's Ritz Malheur? Are they alright ?" The questions came so quickly after each other that Marche raised his hand to silence the warrior.

"Calm down Genji Knight. What's going on?" Gilgamesj glanced around.

"Not here." He replied. "Not in public and certainly not in the door opening of a pub." Marche nodded. "In my room then, it's at the back of the pub, nobody from street can here us there."

"Okay, but hurry please!" Marche pulled him inside and mentioned the Genji Knight to follow him. They went up stairs. At the end of the hallway Marche kicked open the door of his room and went inside, followed by Gilgamesj. Marche checked outside the window, then the hallway, before locking the door. Then he turned to his unexpected guest.

"Okay Gilgamesj, what's going on?" The Genji Knight stood at the window, burning with haste and impatience.

"Where are the others?" he asked.

"On mission, of course. That's what a clan does." Marche informed the young warrior. Marche crossed his arms. "You seem afraid. Well, I'll have you know, I'm too." Gilgamesj raised an eyebrow. "That's good." He finally said. "Why are you afraid, Marche Radiuju?"

"Not afraid of something, afraid something will happen." He started pacing around. "More specifically, with Ritz…"

"Ritz Malheur?" Gilgamesj turned away from the window. "What about her?"

"She…" He sighed and shook his head. Marche sank down on the chair next to his table. He couldn't finish his sentence.

"Marche." The Ultima Knight looked up as Gilgamesj only addressed him with his first name. "After our battle in Uladon Bog… I…" Gilgamesh hesitated, but Marche's worried look caused him to continue. "I overheard the three Necromancers." Marche's face turned pale. His hand immediately shot towards his Ultima Weapon. Gilgamesj raised his hand to calm him down. "I have nothing to do with them. I merely overheard them. Marche, they plan to kill Ritz. Where is she?!"
Marche jumped up. "You only tell me this now? It's almost a week ago since our fight?!"

"I'm not free like you are!" Gilgamesj thundered. "I have restrictions, and may the Totema's forgive me, I could not come sooner! We need to warn her of this right now!"

"That will be hard, she's away on a mission since yesterday!" Marche shouted, not caring if anybody heard them. He was overwhelmed with concern. He should have known. He had felt that something had to go wrong. "I'm such an idiot!" He cursed, kicking his chair against the wall. "I knew my bad feeling was more than just a feeling. I should have stopped her."

"No." Gilgamesj sighed. "It is my fault. But we needn't waste any more time, Marche Radiuju! When did she leave? Where did she go to?"

"She left yesterday morning. Towards Cyril." He slapped his forehead and cursed himself again. He did his best to stay calm, but ultimately failed.

"Any chance I can still catch up with her?" The Genji Knight asked.

"I don't know…" Marche replied. "She's on foot. Cyril is a few days away from here. Maybe if you hurry with your chocobo."

Gilgamesj nodded, went back to the window. He was pleased to see that his smart Chocobo already stood there, waiting for him. Sometimes he wondered if that animal could read his mind. Then again, they were trained together. They understood each other better than anybody else.

"I'll hurry Marche, I promise. This evening you'll have news, I promise." He gave Marche one last glance. "Just know Marche Radiuju, they aren't only after Ritz." Then he just jumped through the window and landed straight in the saddle of his trusty steed and sped away, towards Cyril, leaving a worried Marche. The Ultima Knight suddenly couldn't handle his anger anymore. With one mighty slash he cleaved the table in half. He cursed himself, hated himself for not listening to his feeling and stopping Ritz. A familiar look shimmered in his eyes for a moment…

Gilgamesj kept word. A few hours before midnight, a homing pigeon arrived. While he had been waiting for that letter, he had immediately cancelled all the missions his clan had accepted and called everybody back to Sprohm. He kept cursing and cursing himself for making this mistake. He didn't sit still for an hour. He kept pacing back and forth, until the letter arrived. He ripped it open and quickly scanned the paper. The Ultima Knight fell back in a chair. The letter fell on the ground. Montblanc picked it up and read it. He gulped and looked at Marche, not knowing what to say.

Haven't found her.
Not in Cyril either.
I return to Sprohm tomorrow.

Gilgamesj

---

Bad me, ending the chapter rather clifhanger-ish. I love being evil, though. But I wont let you all wait too long, so expect a new chapter within a few days.