"What do you mean Louise left the cathedral?" Asked an aghast Saito to one of the Priestesses. He had come to escort her back to their room only to find her no longer with the group. "She was requested by a Peasant, and she couldn't refuse," said a Priestess. "Damn, ok I'll find her," and he took off down the hall to get outside.
I told her not to go anywhere alone! He thought with annoyance. "Louise!? Where are you?" "Partner, up above!" Derf called out. The boy turned to see a man leaping from a nearby rooftop. He landed in front of him, drawing a rapier. "Wait, you're from..." Saito looks in shock at the escaped thief from the other night. He was dressed in a blue and purple outfit with a hat to match. His blonde hair poked out from underneath and had a cheerful smile. "Hello again!" He said, surging forward.
Saito blocked the blow just in time with Derf. This guy's fast! And with that sword, he's definitely a fencer. "By the way, thanks for treating my brother Jack so horribly the other day!" The man continued, blocking a retaliation from Saito. "Out of my way!" He swung a powerful blow that the man leapt away from, but caught the attention of Cathedral guards. They tried to intercept him, but were swiftly cut down.
"Damn it, why's this guy here?" Saito asked aloud. "Something must be happening to Louise!" The man jumped back in Saito's way. "I haven't finished thanking you for my brother's treatment!" He said, pointing his sword. Saito pulled his knife and prepared to fight. "Oh, both blades?" The man asked, adjusting his stance. "You must be getting serious now!"
Saito spun in, giving his foe a more interesting fight. The man seemed to thrive on it, however, eager to fight on a higher lever. "Brother Lolou!" Called a voice, bringing the clash of swords to a halt. Looking up, they saw a woman standing on a building ledge. "Well darn," said Lolou, sheathing his sword. "Just when things were getting interesting." He leapt up next to the woman.
"What've you done with Louise!?" Saito yelled up to them. "Oh her? Such a cute, innocent girl," said the woman. "Maybe a bit too innocent. She probably left town with someone less the reputable!" With that, the two rush off. Agile as cats, they bound from roof to roof. "Aw, hell!!!" Saito hurried after them, but they already had a major head start. Damn it, I should've stayed with Louise earlier. This is my fault!
He made it to the edge of town, but there was nobody to be seen. "Damn it!!! Saito yelled out in frustration. Suddenly, Agnés came over to see what was wrong. "They took her," he said bitterly. "They just came and took her, from right under my nose!!" "Saito, calm down," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Do you remember what they looked like?" "Yeah, one was the thief who escaped the other night. I couldn't get a good look at his partner, but she was definitely a woman," he replied.
Agnés nodded, "It's a good start. Let's retrace their path, we may find clues." With that, the two of them rushed back into town. Unfortunately, all that was found was Louise's headpiece. They brought their finding before the Pope and Henrietta. "To think, such a task could be undertaken without Magic," he muttered. "It was Gallia," said a voice.
Tabitha walked into the room. "I asked her to come," said Henrietta. "She claims to have recognized the other man." Tabitha nodded, "They are Knights, members of the same army I was once a part of." "I heard Gallia had an elite squad of Knights for dirty assignments," Agnés commented. "That means that the mastermind is-" "Joseph, King of Gallia," Tabitha finished.
Saito slammed his fist on the table, "I knew it! It all ties back to that man." "If this is true, then Louise has likely already been taken across the border into Gallia," said Henrietta. "It and this city of Aquileia are very close geographically." "I'm going after her," Saito said firmly. "Those bastards took Siesta from me, I'm not letting them take Louise!" "I understand how you feel," Henrietta said. "But we must-" She's cut off as a cleric rushed into the room and whispered something in the Pope's ear.
"You should all know this," he said seriously. "The Gallian army is approaching the border. It seems their intent is to invade our nation." Everyone looked at the Pope in shock. Saito's eyes narrowed, "It looks like they're bringing the fight to us." "We must make preparations," said the Pope. "Julio, send word to soldiers within the city to get ready for battle." "Of course!" With that, the blond haired Familiar rushed off to do his duty.
"Sir Saito Hiraga," he continued. "I give my solemn vow to you that Ms. Valliére will be recovered safely. I know you aren't part of our country, but should you desire to fight alongside our forces, I will see to it that you get your chance." Saito nodded, "Absolutely. I've been waiting for this..." Henrietta nodded, "I will do my part as well from here. There isn't much time, so His Holiness and I will form battle strategies."
"I'm going with Saito," said Tabitha, standing next to the boy. He nodded at her, "I figured, this is a fight you've been waiting for too, huh?" She nodded back, "Until that happens, we will protect each other." Saito held his fist out, "Then let's get ready." Tabitha looked at the hand, noting the determination in his eyes. Her expression changed, mirroring his own, and she touched his fist with her own.