FINAL FANTASY: INQUISITION
By Thomas Knapp
Act Three- Scene Two
"How ya feeling, Yura?" Midas asked softly.
"It feels like Borz and Creed are wrestling inside of my head." Yura commented, "I should have figured going into that tavern would be a mistake."
"Hey, you wanted to be part of the group. You just overdid it a little. Now you have a hangover. No one to blame but yourself."
"Yeah, I know… you don't have to rub it in…"
"Okay… if you start having any problems just let me know, okay?" Midas said, then took his place at the front of the group. Yura was determined to show Midas just how strong she could be. She'd make it to Hamil without any problem.
Later that day…
Yura quickly realized that getting to Hamil wasn't the tough part. Getting IN was entirely another matter. Hamil was an imposing city, barricaded by walls of stone a foot thick. Cannons twice as large as anything they had seen in Cairos and Moros stood atop the thick barricade.
"Damn… those are BIG…" Creed commented, "That cannon fire would hit you, and you wouldn't have TIME to feel it…"
"It was established 10 years ago…" Tamara explained, "Gregorian didn't like the passive and peaceful nature of the town, so he tried to compensate with the largest military presence in the world. I'd actually wager inside those gates, you'd find a rather sympathetic people."
"Well… that's the trick, isn't it?" Midas stated ruefully, "Getting INSIDE those gates.
Trigger tapped Midas on the shoulder, and then starting pointing in random directions. "You think we should split up and look for a way through the wall?" Midas translated in that fashion that Yura simply found eerie.
"Sounds like a good plan." Tamara agreed, "We'd be less easily spotted if we separated, and would be more likely to find a hole in the city's defense."
"Then that's what we'll do." Midas stated, "We meet back in an hour, regardless of what we may have discovered."
And so an hour passes…
"So, all of you came up with nothing too, huh?" Midas said, frustrated.
"That hole is walled up better than most fortresses." Creed stated, "And I've seen some serious fortresses."
"Not even a lightly guarded service entrance…" Borz lamented, "Even THOSE have six guards a piece."
"And there is no way we'd be able to take out six guards before they sounded some form of alarm." Midas finished.
"That's exactly the point." Tamara snapped; eyes focused on the stone barrier. "It's just as capable at holding people in as letting them out. Had I not been with Karma, I doubt I would EVER have gotten out of this place. It runs more like a prison than a city."
Midas turned to Harmon and asked, "Are you sure we need chocobos to cross the Mud Sea?"
"Oh… yes, sir. The mud would simply devour any mere human who tried to cross it. Only a chocobo is fast enough to cross the mud safely."
Midas whirled to face the massive wall yet again, his posture one of challenge. "Well… we ARE going to find a way through. I am NOT going to let a little wall stand in my way, not after we've gotten THIS far!"
Fredros stood by Midas's side, but his features reflected considerably less confidence than the Red Mage. "Well… I pray that you are right, or we will have undertaken this grand quest for naught."
Meanwhile, Tamara said, "I shall return to Orland's point, and locate a carrier pigeon. Perhaps Karma may have a better idea as to how we should proceed. The rest of you should keep out of sight."
"Trigger, why don't you…" Midas began.
"No, I shall go alone… Trigger is more useful here as a scout." Tamara interjected, "There is no sense for more to go."
"All right… just be careful."
"I shall, do not fret over me." And with that, Tamara departed. As she made the trek back to the port town, her mind mulled over and over what she was about to do, each time reaching the same conclusion. Midas didn't know Hamil like she did. There was only one way that the group would be able to proceed, and that meant she would have to stay behind…
Nightfall, at the entrance to Hamil…
"Tamara… when I saw the carrier pigeon, I was expecting a message from Gregorian. Needless to say, when I learned it carried an offer from you, I was pleasantly surprised." King Sabol said happily.
"My father is not here?" Tamara said in surprise.
"No… I would have figured that he would have come straight here after the events in Moros, but I have not heard one word from him. If he has come to North Landing, I am unaware of it."
Tamara knew Sabol to be a rather honest individual, and actually a rather decent man. She might have liked him had he not been a little too willing to follow all of her father's twisted plans. Nonetheless, she searched his face carefully for any indications of falsehood.
"Anyway, we have business to discuss, as you indicated in your message…"
She dared not look off to where her allies had arranged their tent, so as not to betray their location in case things went awry. She took a deep breath as if her own lungs were reluctant to allow her to speak.
"I have conditions to this arrangement, as I stated in the message." Tamara replied grimly. "And I would like for one other thing to be done." She handed an envelope to the king, and said, "When you deliver the chocobos to Midas, give this to him as well."
"Certainly." Sabol nodded, "I do apologize for your father's behavior, it has become increasingly erratic as the years pass."
"Then why do you…"
Sabol held up his hand, cutting off Tamara's question. "I have asked myself that same question, and the answer I always come to is this. In all decency, with what your father has done for me… I cannot betray the trust he placed in me."
"But you are willing to take me in exchange for safe passage of his enemies." Tamara noted.
"Ah… it may appear that way, but in reality, I am following an even greater desire of his; the safety of his daughter. As much as you may despise the man, his primary desire has always been your well being. Anyway, I digress… come with me, and we shall take care of my end of the bargain…"
Somewhat sluggishly, Tamara took up the pace behind the king's envoy. Sabol glanced back, and regarded the Inquisitor Knight silently. She claimed this action to be of her own choice… but is it really a choice when one feels there are no other options?
Daybreak…
Midas slid out of his sleeping bag, rolled it up, then slid it back into his backpack. At that point, Creed reported, "Tamara's missing."
"What do you mean?"
Creed rolled his eyes, then said, "What else COULD I mean? Her sleeping bag is empty, and she is nowhere in sight."
A trumpet sounded, drawing the attention of the adventurers. Looking out from their hidden position in camp, they saw a group of unmanned chocobos, and a royal guardsman. The guardsman called, "King Midas of Cairos, if you can hear me, I come on the command of Lady Tamara!"
Midas flinched at his official title, then ordered his friends, "Stay here, and be ready for anything."
Before any of them could object, the Red Mage snuck around, appearing on the other end of the hideaway, and calmly approached the guardsman. The guard faced Midas, and said, "These are for you to cross the Mud Sea." Then he handed Midas a letter, and added, "This is from Lady Tamara, and she requests it to be for your eyes only."
With that said, the guard uttered no pleasantries; he merely started to walk back to the city. Midas motioned for his friends to take the chocobos as he opened the letter that had been handed to him.
Midas,
I know this is rather sudden, but I have given you the means to continue our quest. However, it shall have to be without me.
I made an agreement with King Sabol to allow you safe passage through the Mud Sea and North Landing. In exchange, I must fulfill the agreement my father and he made 10 years ago.
I regret not being there in many ways. I started with you because I wanted to get back at my father, but it quickly became more than that. I wish not to open my feelings in something as bland as a letter. Perhaps one day after all this is said and done, I can express myself in person.
Stay alive, for I have much to say to you.
Sincerely,
Tamara
For but a moment, Midas stared off towards Hamil, as if his eyes could pierce the stone walls, and gaze upon the writer of the letter. Finally, he dropped his head, and crumpled the paper in his hand, throwing it in the pouch of his robe.
"Take the chocobos, and head to the Mud Sea." Midas ordered sternly, "I shall join you later."
"What are you going to do?" Fredros asked.
"I intend to find a way into Hamil." Midas replied, "And it's best I go alone. It'll be easier to get in that way."
"But how do you plan to get inside that city?" Yura queried in disbelief, "We scoured that city for hours."
Midas looked across the plain, towards a supply train that was most likely delivering goods for the imminent wedding of King Sabol. With a devious smile, Midas answered, "I think I have an idea. The rest of you get to the Mud Sea. If I do not meet up with you by the end of the day, go on without me."
"But…" Yura began.
"No 'but' about it… get going!" Midas shouted, "I shall join you soon enough!" The Red Mage then began to slink away towards the supply train.
Moments later…
Midas held his breath as he saw another pair of chain boots pass into his vision. Any movement now would totally blow his cover, so he had to ignore the pain in his back due to various rocks from the road mere centimeters below him kicking up.
The boots passed to the rear of the cart he was hanging onto, and the supply train once again began to move. From just over his feet, he could see the walls of Hamil. He had successfully slipped inside the city.
Turning his head to the left, he saw just what he was looking for. An unattended alley loomed about five meters away, and in one motion, Midas released his hold on the cart, and rolled into the alley.
Sticking his head out, he scanned his surroundings, and his relative position to Hamil Castle. Noticing the bustling crowd milling about in preparation for the wedding ceremony, he decided his best option would be to reach the rooftop above him, and use the city wall as his ticket into the castle.
However, first things first. He scratched his aching back, not doubting for a second the bruises that were going to rise by the end of the day. With that issue settled, he found the metal fire escape, and silently climbed the rusty staircase up to the roof of the building.
From there, it was a mere jump and pull-up to reach the top of Hamil's city wall. Keeping low to the walkway, he kept himself hidden from the prying gaze of the guards on the other side. Negotiating the guard stations between him and the castle was slightly more difficult, as he had to wait until they weren't looking to pass.
Finally, he was on the wall just behind the castle, and there was Tamara, brushing her hair in one of the windows. Picking up several stray pebbles on the wall path, Midas smiled most deviously…
Inside Hamil Castle…
Tamara sighed as she ran the brush through her hair for the 200th time. No doubt Midas and his friends would be halfway to the Mud Sea by now. "Oh well, I did what had to be done…"
There was a plinking sound on the windowpane, and it drew Tamara's attention. A second plink soon followed, and Tamara curiously approached the window. She opened it, and looked outside… just to be hit in the forehead by a flying pebble…
Tamara yelped in pain, and staggered backward. She turned around, and felt her forehead to make sure there wasn't any blood, only to hear the sound of a body flying in through the window, and rolling to a stop on the carpeted floor. Tamara whirled around, and gasped in shock as Midas stood to his feet.
"Midas!" Tamara yelped, and flung herself at the Red Mage with a friendly embrace, "How in Alexander's name did you get in here?"
Midas motioned to the window, and said, "Through there."
She smiled ruefully, and amended, "I meant how did you get in the city?"
Midas's answer was cut short by the door opening, and the entrance of a thoroughly surprised King Sabol. The monarch called for his guards as Midas grabbed Tamara by the arm, and led her to the window.
"Midas… what are you doing?" She asked.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Midas queried in answer, pulling on something just outside the window.
"Yes…"
"Then grab on tight." He replied, and grabbed a handful of the long banner that had been hanging outside the window. With a jump that caused Tamara to shout in alarm, Midas slung them down, crashing through the closed window a floor below.
Quickly getting to their feet, Tamara took the lead, blowing by a pair of guards, who were so stunned by their sudden appearance that they didn't instantly take up pursuit. Midas then stopped suddenly, and looked down. Two chocobos, reserved for the king and his new queen waited at the entry to the palace just beneath them.
"Come on, Tamara, your chocobo awaits." Midas said, pushing the window open, guiding Tamara up to ledge as he stepped up as well. Shouting from their right drew their attention merely for a moment, and Midas and Tamara jumped down long before the guards could reach them.
Midas felt the chocobo buckle as he fell into the saddle of the large bird, but quickly coaxed it into a full sprint, Tamara following suit. The call to close the gates rung out, but the fleeing pair had too much of a head start, escaping the city limits seconds before the giant doors closed shut.
The guard captain surveyed the situation, and called out angrily, "Open the gates back up, and mobilize a pursuit party! They're heading for the Mud Sea!"
At that moment, King Sabol reached the gateway, "No… leave them be. Cancel the pursuit, and return to your posts."
The captain flustered slightly, yet passed on the order nonetheless. "Why, your Highness?"
Sabol smiled ever so slightly, and replied, "I heard her wishes quite clearly. Tamara made her choice, and I will not interfere with that."
Outside Hamil…
"Midas! That was insane, stupid, and totally lacking ANY good judgement!" Tamara chastised when they realized they were not being pursued, and thus had stopped.
"What did I tell you earlier?" Midas reminded, "sometimes the right thing to do contradicts common sense."
Tamara smiled at this, and said somewhat unconvinced, "Right…" She then looked back towards Hamil, where STILL no sign of pursuit was evident, "I wonder what they are doing in there, and why they aren't following us…"
Meanwhile, Midas had reached into the saddlebag of his chocobo, and pulled out another letter… this one bearing Tamara's name. Reading the handwritten text, Midas commented, "I do believe this holds your answer."
Taking the slip from Midas, Tamara read…
To my friend Tamara…
I couldn't help but notice that when you came to me with your proposition for my aid, that you seemed somewhat downtrodden, and as much as I willed your safety, I could not force you to go through on something you obviously felt so against. The Rationalist way is not to impose a future on a person, but to let that person explore any option they wish, regardless of stature or family of birth.
I am allowing your adventure to bring down the regimes that my contemporaries and I had brought about because I recognize that we have fallen prey to the same sins as the Summoners before us. However, when this is all said and done, do be reminded that this was not the way it was supposed to be. When history judges me, I wish for them to recognize my intent as well as the consequences of such.
Go with what you feel is your proper path, and be true to yourself. I, nor those under me, shall interfere with your actions while in North Landing. I bid you farewell.
Yours truly,
King Sabol I of North Landing.
Midas smirked, and replied, "I knew getting in and out of there seemed a little too easy."
Before Tamara could remark on his statement, seven chocobos appeared, bearing the members of the rag-tag group she considered herself a part of. Midas looked at them sternly, and said, "I though I told you people to head to the Mud Sea."
"Well… once we figured out that you were going to bring Tamara back, we figured it might have been best to stay close in case you needed our assistance." Fredros commented.
"Besides… Yura demanded that we not move a length until your safety was assured." Creed added, "I guess we were ALL a little concerned."
That took both Midas and Tamara by surprise. Their combined gaze caused Yura to flush, and say, "Well… I may not like Tamara that much, but I didn't want her stuck with some old fogey either." The summoner turned her chocobo about, and she said, "Well… the Mud Sea's awaitin'!"
The group had to react quickly as Yura pressed her chocobo into a gallop, and Tamara couldn't help but think as she joined the pursuit that this was indeed what she had wanted all along.
End Scene Two