Chapter Twenty-Six: Tormented
Cid was sitting in the dining room of their makeshift headquarters in Bervenia when Beowulf returned. He nursed a glass of wine, even though it was rather early in the day, as he discussed current matters with Gaff. The veteran knight had become more concerned with each passing day, as they had received no word from either Ramza or Zalbag.
He and Gaff had gathered all of the remaining Hokuten, as well as the Bervenian men at arms who pledged their service, but without the two Beoulve's they were uncertain how to proceed. Beowulf dusted himself off as he nodded to the two men, pouring a glass of water from the jug on the table.
"I take it you were successful?" Orlandu asked calmly.
"Yes." The former Templar replied, taking a quick drink. "It seems the Nanten aren't taking us as seriously with Ramza gone, for the convoy was ill equipped."
"All the better for us. You may bring her in."
Orlandu shot a look at the Dark Knight next to him as Beowulf called for their captive to be allowed in. Gaff's smirk made it clear he looked forward to the coming conversation, and the smile grew as he heard Cid sigh in preparation for the potential headache.
"I should have assumed you were behind this." The woman said as she stepped inside.
Ruvelia, the former Queen of Ivalice, looked quite good considering she'd been imprisoned in Bethla Garrison for some time. She was no longer dressed in the flowing gowns that marked her status, instead donning the clothes of a commoner to blend in. The woman had lost a little weight, but it didn't detract from her presence or natural beauty. In her prime, Ruvelia had been capable of melting even the most frozen of hearts.
"Apologies, Your Majesty," Orlandu began. "I shall be sure to not rescue you next time."
"If it's a choice between being a prisoner of the Southern Sky and being saved by you, I'm not certain which is preferable." The woman shot back, raising her chin and sitting across from him.
Gaff chuckled lightly, taking a swig of mead and settling back in his chair. Cid would have given anything not to have the Touten present, but the man was as deeply rooted in the affairs of Ramza's troupe as he was, and as such needed to be involved.
"I must say, I never expected to see the two of you in the same room ever again." Ruvelia noted, glancing between the two knights. "Without trying to kill each other, that is."
"The Ordallian Front is a long way from here, and a long time ago." Orlandu replied. "We've put the past behind for the good of Ivalice, as should you."
"You took away my throne and you want me to forgive and forget? Not to mention…"
"By all means, do mention." Gaff interrupted, smirking devilishly.
Cid shot the man a harsh look, before turning his gaze back to the former Queen. Ruvelia continued to glare at him, a touch of disdain on her attractive features. For a long moment the room was plunged into silence, before Orlandu finally sighed.
"We're leaving tomorrow to meet with Ramza and our allies, before marching on Bethla Garrison."
"You think the Beoulve runt and your pitiful army has a chance against the army you trained?" The woman asked, her tone genuinely curious in spite of her words.
"Considering how spread out the Nanten are, I'd say taking Bethla is far from impossible, and it may be the only way to make Delita stop and listen to us. I tell you this only so you can make a choice. You can come with us, and perhaps find a way to serve the Queen, or you can remain here in obscurity."
"How… how dare-"
"There is a room prepared for you." Cid said, cutting her off. "You have until the morning to decide."
The man waved her off casually, and Ruvelia's face was bright red as she shoved her chair back, rising quickly and looking mutinous. Cid could only guess at the slew of insults she wished to level at him, but found he didn't have the time or patience to hear them.
"You should thank the 'Beoulve runt', by the way. It was his idea to show you mercy."
Huffing, Ruvelia stormed from the room, slamming the heavy door behind her as she departed. After a long moment, Cid took a deep breath, trying his best to ignore the chuckling knight at his side.
"After all this time, she's still bitter." Gaff said, shaking his head slowly.
"If I may ask," Beowulf began, making his presence known finally. "What was that all about?"
"Hell hath no fury." The dark knight replied, laughing. "I suppose I'll fill you in, since I know Cid won't. She and our dear Orlandu have a bit of history together."
"History I can't get away from, it seems." Cid sighed, rubbing his eyes.
"Before Ruvelia became our beloved and worshipful Queen, she was pining for the affections of a pair of rather famous knights. One was already married, and eventually spurned her advances despite being her brother's personal knight."
"You're speaking of Balbanes Beoulve?"
"Yes, but of course he wasn't the only one Ruvelia had her eye on. Cid, in his impetuous youth, actually took her up on her offer."
"You… and the Queen?" Beowulf asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I wasn't always this old, you know." Cid replied.
"It was quite the torrid affair," Gaff said, chuckling. "Up until Duke Larg arranged for her to marry the late king. She refused to be handed off to such a weak, cowardly man."
"What happened?"
"The very thing she hates me for is what gave her the throne she covets so greatly now." Cid said calmly.
"He let her go, and it wasn't exactly gentle." Gaff continued. "It was the right choice, especially in the middle of the campaign against Ordallia, but the Queen never forgave him for pushing her onto the throne."
"Did you love her?" Beowulf asked, the words strangely sincere, coming from such a renowned Templar.
Cid mulled the question over for a moment, reflecting back on a time long since forgotten. He'd put the entire thing behind him, refusing to dwell on Ruvelia for the good of Ivalice, but he was never able to really put her out of his mind. As Cid opened his mouth to speak, a strange sound began to emanate through the large building. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, a deep thrumming that seemed to vibrate through the very stone walls.
"What is that?" Gaff asked, quickly rising.
"It sounds like it's coming from outside." Beowulf replied, jogging out of the dining room.
Cid stood, pushing his chair in and following the two men. He was only mildly concerned about the strange humming, his mind drifting back to a time in his life when he was much younger.
After posting Lavian as the first watch for the night, Agrias collapsed near the small fire in their makeshift camp. Alicia had already curled up in her bedroll, asleep before she even settled to the ground, as usual. A short distance from her, Zalbag Beoulve leaned back against a small boulder, lounging and staring into the dancing flames.
"Where's Delita?" Agrias asked quietly, frowning thoughtfully at the man.
The Arc Knight replied with a jerk of the head, and Agrias followed it to see the future king staring across the moonlit plains, well out of earshot. It seemed neither man wanted to enjoy a warm fire together. Agrias turned her gaze back to the Beoulve, curious what role he had played in the death of Delita's sister.
Teta wasn't a topic the young Nanten leader had brought up often when speaking with Agrias, but she'd known enough to understand that the girl had been Delita's driving force for his ambition, and she could appreciate the loyalty even if it was ill used. The man had never spoke of Zalbag's involvement, however, and she knew nothing of it until the former Hokuten commander mentioned Ziekden.
"I think," Zalbag said suddenly, glancing at her. "He's worried that he'll try to kill me, if he gets close."
"You weren't… the one who killed her, were you?"
"He told you of Teta?" Zalbag asked, looking surprised. "No, I didn't personally take her life, but my hands are no less stained by the act."
Zalbag stared at his palms for a moment, frowning thoughtfully. He seemed confused for a moment, shaking his head, before the Beoulve leveled his gaze at her.
"I gave the order." He whispered, as much to himself as to her. "I chose the Beoulve name over my own heart, and in doing so dishonored it more than the men who fought against us."
"Sometimes duty requires sacrifice." Agrias replied, realizing instantly how cold she sounded. "No man is free from it."
"I can think of one." Zalbag said, smirking to himself.
It took Agrias only a moment to know who he was referring to, and she silently had to agree. Ramza was the one man she had met who never compromised his morals. He followed his heart without a second thought, and was more honorable than any knight twice his age.
"When he was growing up," Zalbag continued. "I always went out of my way to teach him, and Delita, the way to lead men. In hindsight, perhaps I should have been his student instead."
"Our world is not painted in black and white," Agrias said, setting her jaw. "There's no middle ground, when it comes to war. If… if your actions are for the greater good, then they are acceptable."
"The ends justify the means?" Zalbag asked, before slowly shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Lady Oaks, but I'm afraid I no longer believe that. We all must answer for our sins, and stand before judgment to accept the consequences."
"Then you've fallen into your brother's willful, simple ignorance."
"I suppose I have." The man replied, smiling gently at her. "But can you honestly say your own sins do not burden you?"
Agrias glared at him, annoyed and frustrated at his apparent failure to accept one of the truths of the world. Wordlessly the woman lay upon her bedroll, turning her back to the Beoulve and scowling into the darkness. She didn't want to admit it, but deep down she felt that there was some truth to his words. After all she had done to bring about peace for Ovelia's kingdom, she felt very little of it herself.
Orbonne stood like a beacon of light against the uncontested blackness that surrounded it. Clouds obscured the stars above, and had made the final stretch to the monastery rather slow going. Ramza was relieved to see the flickering light that flooded out from the still demolished door of the structure, as he quickly strode up the stone steps.
Wiegraf Folles followed closely behind him, his pace more measured as the man approached the scene of his recent attack. He seemed hesitant to enter it once more, as though he would be struck down for his previous transgression. Ramza nodded to the door, urging him inside before he crossed the threshold.
As expected, Simon was waiting for him. The priest had done a fairly admirable job of cleaning up the debris left over, but still hadn't repaired the door to the monastery. No doubt he was busy with Ramza's task for him. As Wiegraf slipped inside as well, before the priest had even greeted the young Beoulve, Simon's gaze widened. He stared at the former Death Knight for a long moment, obviously assuring himself the man wasn't armed, before he glanced at Ramza.
"Are you certain this is a good idea?" Simon asked quietly, frowning.
"I am." Ramza replied, nodding solemnly. "Is Izlude well?"
"His recovery was… miraculous. I would not have believed it had my own weary eyes not seen it."
"I expected as much." Ramza said slowly, his gaze locked upon the floor.
"I looked through the archives, as you asked." Simon said, wringing his hands.
"What did you find?"
"It is as you suspected, I believe. All signs seem to point to the Templars using Alma as a host…"
Ramza sighed, closing his eyes and cursing himself for being right. The Shrine Knights had taken his sister to try and taint her soul with the same darkness that had risen in Meliadoul, and Ramza had no way of knowing if the girl could even resist such evil.
"I discovered something else that may interest you." Simon said, clearing his throat. "It seems that Ajora Glabados had a wife."
It only took Ramza a moment to discern the importance of such a revelation, and his mind was racing with the implications.
"Let me guess." Ramza said, gazing upon the priest. "Her name was Morrigan."
"Morrigan Konoe, to be precise."
"As in St. Konoe?"
"Indeed. The knights were named for Saint Morrigan Konoe, and she was the first recorded battle maiden. After her victories in Ajora's name, as his champion, female knights became commonplace."
"Then it's likely that the same darkness that took Meliadoul was born in her, centuries ago."
"If we are to believe Germonik, then yes, Morrigan was the original host for Shemhazai."
"Pardon my interruption," Wiegraf began, looking lost. "But what are you two babbling about?"
"Shut up." Ramza commanded, a withering stare locked onto the man.
"Ramza," Simon continued. "If that really is Shemhazai, then they're planning to use Alma to-"
"I know." Ramza replied quickly, cutting him off as the sound Izlude approaching from within the monastery filled the air.
The young Tingel stepped into the room, his face a carefully calm mask, until the moment he spotted the man that had arrived with Ramza. The knight stiffened, shock registering on his face for only a moment before it turned into undisguised anger.
"You survived?" Wiegraf asked, obviously surprised.
Izlude snarled, crossing the room quickly as his hand snapped to the sword at his side. Ramza met him halfway, one hand clamping down on his friend's wrist before he could fully free his blade. The two men impacted roughly, Izlude's features touched with agony as he sought to draw his weapon.
"Izlude, stay your hand."
"But Ramza, he-"
"He's going to take us to Alma." Ramza explained, slowly forcing the man's sword fully into its sheath.
"We can trust him!" Izlude cried, torn between loyalty to his friend and his urge to kill Wiegraf on the spot. "He'll betray us the first chance he gets, and because of him Mel is…"
"I know." Ramza said calmly. "We need him though, and if he takes one step out of line, I'll send him to hell without legs to carry him, or even arms to crawl."
The Beoulve's voice was laced with venom, each word as much a threat to Wiegraf as reassurance to Izlude. As it was, he was still debating whether he would kill the traitorous knight the moment they reached Murond or not. After what Wiegraf had done, he doubted he would hesitate for a moment or feel any remorse for cleaving the man's head off.
"…very well." Izlude said finally, his voice a whisper as he released the hilt of his sword.
"We're going to get her back." Ramza said with conviction. "Even if I have to tear the entire city apart…"
Author's Note: Another delay, and my apologies for it. I wasn't sure how to play out the Izlude and Wiegraf initial meeting, and just how to thread in Morrigan's backstory. I'm content with it I suppose. I should be able to move on finally, and get working on this more.
I was completely joking about Algus making an appearance. He doesn't deserve any face-time, even if it is only to kill him again. As far as Cid and Gaff go, I was planning a small afterthought about them this chapter, but decided to flesh their current plans out more to include Ruvelia, who I wasn't sure if I wanted to make an appearance. I did want to give her some history with Cid thought, and I think I'll expand on it a little more later on. Not much more to say, but thanks to everyone who was patiently waiting for an update.
With luck and some grinding, I should have the next chapter completed in a few days.