Blood on Snow
The cold morning brushed his face as his eyes traveled over the castle's garrison, marveling at its size and strength. If it wasn't for my grandfather's defection during the war, I myself would have been living in such a place. And now I am nothing.
Delita and Ramza walked nearby, speaking with low voices. They seemed to have a friendship and understanding that he couldn't quite comprehend, and it somehow irritated him. How can Ramza, the son of a nobleman, be on such easy terms with this commoner? Commoners are nothing. From the very beginning he felt that he'll dislike Delita. With his cool air of disdain. Who does he think he is? Treating me, the grandson of a nobleman, as an equal.
Ramza's voice broke into his thoughts. "Look Delita, here's Zalbag and Alma, and also Teta! I told you that they'll be in the castle today."
Algus now perceived three figures walking down the narrow, winding road paved with dark stones. A grave-looking knight, that he guessed would be Ramza's brother, followed by two young girls. One of them, clad in a gray and purple dress, her white face framed by dark brown hair, hurried towards them. She halted when she saw the stranger, peering at the trio of young men with a hesitating and slightly shy air.
Delita advanced towards her with a greeting, and she embraced him. After exchanging a similar greeting with Alma, Ramza turned and introduced Algus to his siblings. Delita looked at them over his shoulder. "Teta, this is Algus," he said, gesturing politely towards him. "Algus, this is my sister, Teta."
Algus bent his head slightly in greeting, silently seething. Look at Delita, acting as if this was an afterthought. Damn him.
Teta returned the gesture but retreated to Delita's side, scrutinizing the stranger silently. Algus turned his face away to conceal his ire.
You're nothing but a commoner, Delita. Why do you think I'd even agree to acknowledge your sister, you bastard.
Algus stood on the castle's balcony, grasping the heavy crossbow in his hands tightly. He had been practicing all morning, but didn't seem to improve, somehow. His aim missed almost every single time. I need to practice this damned thing, so I can be of some use. They treat me like I am nothing but a wretched cadet. I'll rescue the marquis, and then I'll get the respect that I deserve. I'm a son of a nobleman, damn it. I am as good as you all. I am better.
A voice behind him roused him from his thoughts. "What are you doing?"
He glanced over his shoulder, and perceived a young girl approaching him. She peered at the crossbow at his hand. "Oh, you're practicing?"
Not her again. "Yes," he replied.
After a pause, she said, "You are Algus. Right?"
"Yes," he replied flatly. "And you're the sister of..." That bastard Delita.
"Delita." She was silent a moment, and he experienced a sense of unease. He raised the crossbow again with an angry gesture, looking for a target— any target. Dammit! Why am I so lousy with this accursed weapon?
Since she was continuously silent, he felt obliged to pursue the conversation. "Your name, I don't seem to recall it—"
She finally answered. "My name is—"
I already know. Teta.
"—Teta."
Algus looked up towards the pale sky. You little commoner girl, with your fine gray dress and your pretty white face, living here in this rich castle while I have to kill for my living, never getting the respect that I deserve...
Teta's voice distracted his thoughts. "Look!" She turned her face up, and Algus followed the direction of her pointing finger. A small bird sat on the castle parapet, flapping its wings in a pitiable manner.
"It must have been injured," Teta said, her voice full of pity. "Poor little thing, it's trapped. It can't even fly..."
Algus didn't reply. This bird, he thought, made such a perfect target.
He directed the crossbow, concentrated, then let the arrow fly. After a moment the gray form flapped its wings weakly, then plunged down to the snow below, the arrow lodged in its breast. Algus stepped back, a dark glitter of satisfaction in his eye. "A perfect shot," he muttered to himself.
Besides him, he heard Teta gasp. Then she spoke with a shaking voice. "What— why— why did you do that?"
Algus ignored her. Teta ran and leant over the edge of the balcony. She then turned around again. "This was a harmless creature!" she said. "Why did you kill it?"
After a pause Algus replied, his voice hostile. "Don't presume to tell me what to do."
She regarded him with a steady gaze. He tried to challenge it with a dark look, but after a moment he felt obliged to avoid it. To mask his discomfort he turned his back on her again, his mind seething with a sudden fury. Who do you think you are anyway, to lecture me?
Teta, sensing his animosity now, retreated a step. She seemed inclined to leave, but knowing that justice was on her side and refusing to submit to her sudden apprehension of him, she persisted. "That— that was not right! You shouldn't have killed this bird just because you needed practice! Practicing your craft on a living, harmless, helpless creature!"
"I will do whatever I want," Algus replied acidly. His irritation and hostility grew. He wished that she would shut up. You and your accusing, ANNOYING little voice—
"No you won't!" Teta replied. Now her voice took on a hotter quality.
Algus spun around and gazed at her with narrowed eyes. "Yes I will," he told her. "I will do ANYTHING I want, because I don't owe anything to anyone. To achieve my own ends I feel free to choose any target. ANY target." Suddenly, he knew how to shut her up. Without a change of expression he raised the crossbow calmly toward her. "Even YOU make a perfect target, Teta."
Her face turned very white, and for a moment Algus wondered if he went too far. Damn. If she squeals on me I'm done for—
Teta raised her hands to her mouth. Her lips opened for a moment, as if she sought to say something; but then she turned around and ran out of the balcony. Algus lowered the bow.
That's right, you little brat. Run away. You are nothing, nobody, no one.
Just like me.
A voice addressed him from behind, startling him: "Practicing your craft, Algus?"
Recognizing Dycedarg's tones, Algus turned white. DAMN! He must have heard the whole thing! What will he say to me, now that I insulted that little pet of theirs—
The Duke entered the balcony with his slow step, and Algus stood his grounds, trying to look calm. "Yes, Sir," he said. "I am practicing."
Duke Dycedarg paused for a moment in silence, and Algus felt his panic rising again. He expected Dycedarg to refer to his treatment of Teta. But after a moment, Dycedarg turned away. "I can see that your aim is getting better," he remarked with a passive, steady voice, pointing down over the balcony.
Algus leant over a little. He saw the little gray form on the ground, the arrow sticking out of its breast, surrounded by a red patch of snow. "Yes, sir," he replied flatly.
After another moment, Dycedarg turned away. "That is very good," he said over his shoulder. "Keep practicing, Algus, and I might find a use for you." Then he walked back into the castle, leaving Algus on the balcony.
Algus brushed his hair out of his eyes, thinking of what Dycedarg said. I wonder if he heard my words to Teta. I wonder if he meant what he said. Could it be that he meant that I could get somewhere in his service, despite what I said—
— or maybe—
— because of it.
"This situation isn't to our advantage, you understand," Dycedarg said, his fingers tapping on the table. "If the Death Corps think they can use this girl to their advantage it could become unpleasant. But I have the solution, and you can carry it out for me."
Algus faced Dycedarg rigidly, wondering what the duke would say. Does he want me to rescue that girl? As if she matters anyway. It is probably better if she's dead.
Dycedarg scanned him with his dark eyes, his countenance impassive and his voice flat as he continued to speak. "You will accompany Zalbag, who already knows what should be done. He didn't like it either, but he understands the necessity. You see, we need the girl to be killed."
Algus made a jerking movement with his head as he heard his thoughts echoed, but he replied with an even voice, betraying no surprise or emotion. "Yes, sir."
Dycedarg examined the young man, who stood before him with a sullen expression. He knew that the cruel, disdainful, ambitious Algus would be perfect for this mission. "There is no point in keeping her alive. I want you to accompany Zalbag, and personally make sure that this is carried out. Understand me?"
Algus was silent, staring stiffly ahead. Yes, I understand it better than you think. Because she is nothing. Dycedarg continued: "I'll give you troops, and if you complete this task successfully you'll find me not ungrateful, Algus."
"Yes, Sir," Algus finally replied. "I'll make sure that it is carried out."
"Good," Dycedarg said. "I knew that I could count on you to understand that the life of one common girl means very little in the big picture of this struggle against the Death Corps."
"Of course," Algus replied, still staring ahead. So he wants to turn me into a murderer. He's going to use me. But then I'll get what I want— I'll be using HIM.
"Just remember not to let your feelings get the better of you," said Dycedarg's deep, impassive voice. "This is business."
Algus was still staring straight ahead. "I never do, sir," he replied frigidly.
The chilled day brushed Algus's face, and the snow blew at him from the freezing skies. His fingers, tight against the wooden crossbow, were hot and sweaty. He knew what he had to do, and he thought distantly of the deed and its consequence. If I only do this, I will finally have what I want—
High on the castle's parapet he saw his target, the pitiful form of the girl sitting wretchedly against the white snow. Zalbag's hand lay on his shoulder heavily for a moment, then withdrew. "You know what to do," he said quietly.
Algus raised his crossbow towards the form. And you'll help me achieve my goal... you make such a perfect target... Teta.
His fingers and face felt hot, despite the freezing day. Is this what I really want to do?
He could hear Dycedarg's words echoing in his mind. Just remember not to let your feelings get the better of you.
This isn't a girl— it isn't a human being— she's a commoner— she's like an animal. She's nothing.
Algus let the arrow fly. It hit straight to the mark, and he could see her keeling over with a stifled cry. He almost expected her to fall from the parapet and lie in the red snow at his feet, like the little gray bird he had shot. But she stayed on the high parapet, far from his reach.
Algus could see Delita's white face, and a voice somewhere in his mind told him that he was now a murderer, but he ignored it. What did Ramza and Delita matter anyway? He could now raise his arm and order an army. He was finally somebody again, like he wanted to be.
"Algus," said Delita's voice, enraged with the shock. "I'll have your blood before this day is over. I swear!"
That is what YOU think, Delita. I have power now, you damned commoner. I won't let you kill me, now that I've finally achieved my goal. I have what I want.
I'll have your blood today, Algus—
In his mind, the patch of blood on the snow grew wider and wider around the gray body. Will my blood stain the snow— will I lose everything— will I die today, just as I achieved what I wanted.
I am no longer the nobody I once was—
— Or am I—
© Written by Hadas Rose
Final Fantasy Tactics is © Square, 1998.
