FINAL FANTASY: INQUISITION
By Thomas Knapp
Act One- Scene Three
An attractive brown haired woman in a tight fitting silver tunic strode by, but any man who didn't know how dangerous she was would soon learn if they DARED try anything. Inquisitor Knight First Class Tamara was fuming as she stormed through the halls of Cairos Castle. She had that impudent bandit Midas right on the end of her sword, and she let him get away. Even the passing of time had not deadened that anger.
"I should have known that where one is, the other follows. That damned ninja IS NOT going to take me by surprise again." Tamara grumbled. As she walked by, she happened to see a pair of guards a little TOO at ease guarding the front gate.
Striding up to them, Tamara politely queried, "I'm curious, did anyone order you out of attention?"
The pair, recognizing the presence of the knight just a little too slowly, had to respond. The guard on the left obviously felt the bravest, since he was the one to speak up, "No, sir… ma'am…"
"THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Tamara erupted, causing the guards to cringe before assuming a rigid, fearful, attention. Tamara eyed the two slackers murderously, then growled, "The next one of you two I see out of attention the rest of the month shall receive my sword LENGTHWISE up regions of their bodies that only toilet paper has ever dared to cross. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"
"YES MA'AM!" The pair shouted, terrified.
They had heard the rumors that Tamara was capable of Trance, and she always seemed to carry herself as if the slightest provocation would send her right over the edge. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth. Yes, Tamara could trance, but the truth remained was that she was quite level headed. As a matter of fact, the only time she had ever went into Trance was during a duel with Midas, and he not returned the favor mere seconds later, she probably would never have had to worry about the bandit ever again.
Tamara whirled around in a flourish, and proceeded back to the main hall. As she emerged, a sultry female voice beckoned her. Turning quickly, she saw a tall, lean woman with shoulder length blue hair and silver eyes approach her. Tamara gave a respectful salute and said, "High Inquisitor Karma, I am honored to see you again, ma'am."
"Knight Tamara. I've been looking for you." Karma replied. "I wish to send notice that the King wants to take an audience with you."
"The king holds no power over me. I am an Inquisitor, outside of his realm of control. Tell him that I shall take audience when I see fit." Tamara grumbled. She did not like the King of Cairos; he was a sick little pervert who had decided that Tamara would make a good concubine, an insane notion that she to this point had no luck banishing.
"You are correct. The Inquisitors are a rank separate from the hierarchy of the Five Kingdoms, and an independent social order. However, it is merely proper to answer a summons for audience as soon as possible. Besides, while the King of Cairos may not hold any power over you, I do, and I order you to respond to these summons."
Tamara pursed her lips. Karma always nagged at the back of her mind. Tamara's superior always came across as undemanding and sweet, yet had this uncanny ability to carry such power despite her unassuming means. With a defeated sigh, Tamara began to stride to the throne room.
Two minutes later…
"Tamara, my sweet." Cairos the XVII declared as the Knight in question entered the enormous throne room. "I have been expecting you." As Tamara stopped just before the intricately woven red carpet, Karma wound her way through the King's honor guard, taking a position in the far corner to the king's left.
It is probably important to note that Cairos the XVII was not a bulbous, hoggish looking individual. Quite the opposite, the king was quite attractive. The problem was that the royal knew it, and used his physical appearance to try and woo any woman he wanted. Most ladies instantly swooned under the attention of the king, but he was having a little more trouble piercing the thick skin of his latest object of desire.
"What is it you wish of me?" Tamara said, forcing her tone to be genial.
The king put his hands in his lap, and said regretfully, "I am concerned with your performance since you have come here. In the last three years, your… results have been less than stellar."
"How can you say that?" Tamara nearly shouted indignantly, "Just yesterday, I uncovered that summoner who had been masquerading as a noble most likely since she was born!"
"Yes… but, Inquisitor Knight Tamara, your mission isn't to discover summoners, it is to hunt down the Outlaws that plot the demise of my kingdom in the Outlands, especially that raiding bandit, Midas. In that regard, you have had no success."
Tamara drew silent. That was a sore wound that she didn't like people pointing out. Midas and his little band had proven themselves more resourceful and cunning than any opponent she had ever faced in her 10 years of service.
The king smiled, and then said, "However, I think I know of a prime opportunity for you to do just that. My scouts have reported that the terrible winds that plague the Outlands have mysteriously stopped. The moment to bring a large Inquisitor force into the Outlands is ripe." The King's smile then turned suggestive, "Of course, you could ALWAYS join me in my court, and never have to worry about Outlaws ever again…"
"I shall prepare my invasion party right away." Tamara replied, not even dignifying the other option with a response. As she prepared to leave, she promised, "I swear to you, I will have Midas's head decorating a pike, and that accursed summoner who is most likely in league with him."
With that, Tamara stormed out, and the King turned to Karma, saying, "There… Tamara will now be out of the kingdom. I just wonder why you wanted her to leave so badly. Was she becoming complacent in her duties?"
Karma was so engrossed in her thoughts that she almost didn't register the words the king had uttered. "Oh… yes… something like that." Karma stammered, all the while suddenly caught having to plan her moves yet again. It would only have made sense from the actions that were reported yesterday that Midas and Yura had somehow aligned with each other in order to escape Cairos. Unable to return to the castle, Yura would have decided to go with Midas to the Outlands, where she would have NORMALLY been safe.
"I can't let Yura be harmed." Karma muttered, "I'll have to somehow find out what is stopping the winds of the Outlands before Tamara finds her."
The King leaned towards Karma, and said alluringly, "You look worried. Perhaps I should extend my offer to cast such concerns to the wind, and join my court to YOU as well."
Karma smiled casually, and replied, "Perhaps once my duties as Head Inquisitor have been fulfilled, I'll take you up on that offer…"
Outside the castle, in the town…
Tamara continued to mumble various curses and plagues upon the King of Cairos as she pushed open the door to the supply shop in the town-square. A portly middle aged man appeared from the back room, and huffed disapprovingly.
"I pay outrageous taxes for the services of the Inquisitors, and yet without fail, Midas comes in every month, and robs me blind, THEN has the audacity to ruin my antique oak countertop with his scribbles! Listen to this, 'Dear Boris… Do humanity a favor, and never breed… Midas!' Where are you Inquisitors when he is doing these sort of things?"
Tamara replied with measured resolve, "We have more than your shop to guard, and even the best defense systems have flaws, especially for a thief as skilled as Midas."
Boris frowned, and then turned to the shelves behind him, all the while complaining, "It just seems like he ALWAYS picks me to rob. WHY?"
"Because you're a complete idiot." Tamara muttered.
"Did you say something, ma'am?" Boris queried warily.
"No… nothing at all." Tamara replied, "I need supplies. An Inquisitor Force is preparing to attack the Outlaws in the Outlands, I can could really use the best you have to offer."
Boris sighed, and said, "I see… well, fortunately Midas didn't seem to raid my back room this time, so I suppose I can sell you some things. Will I put this on your tab, madam Knight?"
"No, I bring gil from the royal coffers. I am actually here to settle my account as well, since after I am done here, I will most likely be moving on to another location."
"I see." Boris said, and disappeared into the back room.
Several minutes later, all transactions were complete, and Tamara led her company through several more stores to finish gathering supplies for the journey, including renting out several chocobos for the force leaders.
Finally, Tamara arrived at the gates to the city, and the pleasant green foothills outside the capitol. Looking over her assembled regiment of Inquisitors, Tamara motioned to the north, and led her troops out of Cairos and towards their destination.
Cid's Outlaw Hideout, deep in the Outlands…
"Midas!" Cid said as the Red Mage strode into the elder's tent. Midas gave the elderly, balding Outlaw a relieved smile, and motioned for his companions to enter as well.
Meanwhile Cid continued, "Trigger! Borz! Nice to see the two of you have returned safely. I hear that the three of you didn't garner as many supplies this month. That's not a problem, we have plenty of reserves from your previous raids to more than make up for it. I'm just curious who this young woman you brought is… oh…"
Cid's voice died away just as Yura entered, and the Outlaw elder approached her. "Well, well, aren't you a vision. Such charming ladies are in terribly short supply in the Outlands."
"Yeah, get to know her… you'll see just how charming she is." Midas mumbled.
Cid frowned at the Red Mage, and said to Yura, "Don't mind him. He's just crude and unappreciative of a real beauty like yourself."
"I gathered that." Yura smiled, drawing an angry glare from the Red Mage in question. Yura then said, "My name is Yura, and I am so glad that they brought me here. My stay in Cairos became… unpleasant."
"Yes… the Five Kingdoms are normally quite hostile towards Summoners. Now, before you ask, I knew quite a few summoners in the days before the Rational Age came about. I know what they look like. What confuses me is why you are wearing a noble's gown…"
Midas, Trigger, and Borz gazed dumbfounded, then Midas finally said, "Makes me wonder if they really are after you for your jewel, or the fact that you stole a noble's dress…"
"No… they were after me for the jewel." Yura replied, "I'm sorry that I deceived you, but when I was born, I was raised as a noble in Cairos. Initially, they had removed the summoner's horn I have, but it started to grow back, and rather than go through the pain of having it removed again, I just tried to hide it. However, because of that, I was eventually discovered."
Cid nodded, then asked, "What is this jewel you claimed you have stolen?"
Yura approached the elder, then showed him the jewel in question. "It's the…"
"Crystal of Light… yes, I know." Cid answered, "I have seen it before. This is… quite fascinating. With this, we could start to initiate a counterattack on the Five Kingdoms." He strode over to the window, then said, "Unfortunately, we have other, more pressing problems at the moment."
Glancing at Midas, Cid asked, "No doubt, Midas, you noticed that the winds of the Outlands suddenly died away."
"Indeed I did."
"You see, Yura, the winds that normally buffet the Outlands have kept the kingdoms of Cairos and Moros of sending a attacking party of any great number against us. Without them, we are extremely vulnerable."
"What could be the cause of this?" Midas asked.
"I couldn't say, but my only guess is that it has something to do with the Seaway Pass, the gap in the Northern Mountains that leads to the coast of the Great Ocean. Midas, I want you, Trigger, and Borz, to investigate this problem."
"Certainly." Midas nodded.
"Um…" Yura interceded, "Elder Cid, would it be too much to ask if I went with Midas?"
Midas quickly spoke up, "I'm not sure that's such a good idea, Yura…"
"Really?" Cid asked, rubbing his chin, "I think it's a wonderful idea. Having a summoner in a party can be a HUGE asset."
"Well, since the three adventurers seem to be taking on new members, why don't I offer to join as well?" A regal sounding man's voice came from outside the tent. A lanky man with raven black hair emerged into the elder's hut, a white robe and hood hanging loosely from his frame.
"Fredros!" Cid exclaimed, "Why are you volunteering?"
"The Seaway Pass is a long way from here, and it will no doubt be wrought with even more beasts than normally. They probably could use my healing powers."
Midas sighed, then finally sighed, "Yeah… I suppose you are right, and I have to admit that Yura was a large part of the reason we even got here in the first place. However, I am sure that Borz, Trigger, and Yura would agree that we've had a long day, and desperately need some rest and supplies before we undergo the trip ahead."
Cid nodded in agreement, then warned, "Wait… before you leave, I probably should mention that… HE… was here today getting supplies as well."
Midas groaned, "You mean, Creed? Argh, I haven't even disarmed all his traps from the LAST time."
Borz whined, "Why do you even let him in when you KNOW that he's gonna try and give Midas as much grief as he can?"
Cid reprimanded, "My hideout is available for ALL Outlaws who are trying to survive out here, even our enemies. We have too many problems with the Inquisitors to be making problems with each other. Besides, Creed keeps Midas on his toes."
"He does that." Midas grudgingly admitted.
Yura looked on, then queried, "Who's Creed?"
"A nasty and anal monk who has been trying to kill Midas for the last five years." Borz grunted angrily.
"He's been trying to kill you? Oh my… has he been able to do anything?"
Midas leered at Yura, then asked, "I'm still here, aren't I?"
Yura stammered, then replied, "I meant… has he managed to harm you, or…"
"He's come close." Midas answered, "But I'll worry about that at a later time. Right now, I need to get some sleep." Midas strode out of the tent, Yura at his side in a flash.
"Wait, Midas… you're tired, and you said he likes to set traps…" She said as they walked along the path to Midas's hut.
"I have NEVER missed a trap of his, Yura… even when I'm sleepwalking." Midas replied proudly, then suddenly pulled the summoner aside as a large boulder suddenly dropped from the roof of a hut to their left. "See what I mean?"
Yura gasped at the intricacy of the trap she had involuntarily triggered. "If you hadn't been there, I would have…"
"Been just fine." Midas finished, "These traps are magically warded so that only proximity to me will set them off. Come on, just follow close behind me, and we shouldn't have another problem."
Midas did indeed have to stop twice to disarm some of Creed's handiwork. Fortunately, fellow Outlaws were giving the Red Mage a wide berth; most likely knowing that Creed had stopped by. However, when all was said and done, the pair was just outside a large hut.
Midas stepped inside, and after examining for traps, lay down on a hide covered cot in one corner of the room. He motioned to one in the other corner, and said, "That one is normally Borz's, but I don't think he would object if you borrowed it for tonight. Tomorrow, we'll set you up in a hut of your own."
"Oh, no… I couldn't…" Yura said, somewhat shocked.
"Ah… don't worry about it." Borz answered from the entryway. "Midas and I have slept on harder surfaces than the floor before. He did so for me when I first became an Outlaw, it's only fair I do so for you." The midget mage turned to head back, and added, "Besides, I've got some practicing to do…"
Midas smirked, and replied, "On what… your invisible magic spell?"
Borz dipped his head, and Midas frowned. The Red Mage pursed his lips and said, "I'm sorry… I…"
"It's no big deal…" Borz replied, then strode outside. He walked a safe distance from the camp, and looked up into the night sky. Holding up his gloved hand, Borz shouted, "FIRE!"
After several moments, crystals of ice bombarded the area Borz had selected. Plopping down dejectedly, Borz thought, 'How come I can't make the magic do what I want it to do? How come it's so easy for Midas, and so hard for me? It's just not FAIR!'
Borz once again stared up into the night sky, trying to figure out why fate could be so cruel to those who never could seem to get it together in the first place.
End Scene Three