Steel Ball Mystery
When we arrived in Goug, we went strait to Mustadio's place. Both Ramza and Mustadio went inside, and began discussing something. The rest of us were free to do whatever we wanted until they were done. I went around town with Agrias, hoping to hear some gossip about the Shrine Knight's activities that could help us find where to go.
Of course, no one was talking. Probably afraid of becoming heretics for saying the wrong thing. It wouldn't surprise me, especially if they heard about the demons that had been appearing. My father wouldn't want the world to know, it would interfere with his plan.
The only thing of interest I'd heard was about some new machinery found by Bersrodio-Mustadio's father. Well, Ramza and Mustadio will get the low down on that piece of information right from the source. I should just keep searching for information in the town.
When we reunited, we found out that we all had the same results. Nothing new had been heard about where to go. The only update was that Mustadio's dad had found a Steel Ball with the Aquarius sign on it. Rumors had been heard about monsters in the Golland Colliery. We then decided to head for Lesalia to look for helpful information we might need in hunting the monster. After all, we couldn't have it attacking innocent people. Who knows, maybe we'll find the missing stone on this endeavor. If my memory serves me correctly, my dad hadn't yet found Aquarius.
* * *
In Lesalia, Ramza and I headed for the bar. I ordered myself a small glass of wine, and he had a cup of milk. While there, we listened to the gossip about the beast. From what we heard, it was a dragon, but not one of the regular ones. It was a Holy Dragon, which was rumored to be able to use the breaths of all three types. We decided to go to Golland instantly.
"Excuse me," a man said, "I would like to know if you might hire me. My name is Beowulf, and I would like to hunt for the Holy Dragon. But I don't think I stand a chance on my own. Would you consider taking me with you."
I turned and looked at him. It definitely was Heretic Beowulf, former leader of Lionel's Knights. No one knew what he had done, but there were rumors that his crime was falling in love and proposing to a girl that a corrupt priest named Buramonda wanted. Certainly there were no rumors about him murdering hundreds, or stealing treasure from the church. Not anything that would lead to him killing the whole group, at least.
"Sure, come with us," Ramza replied. I don't think he even knew whom he was talking to. But he also has a profound knowledge of following his heart. If Ramza's heart says that Beowulf isn't going to hurt us, I will trust him too.
* * *
We arrived at Golland, and got a room at the Inn. I went downstairs to think, and ran into Beowulf, who was sitting at a secluded table. He motioned for me to join him. Deciding to figure out exactly what was going on, I went over to him and sat down.
I asked him, "Are you really just a simple hunter? You fit the description of a known heretic named Beowulf, who used to lead Lionel's Knights."
He took a drink from his glass. "I am that man. After I left Lionel, I became a simple hunter in order to find the Holy Dragon. It's really important that I find her, before something happens. The dragon's name is Reis, if you're wondering. What, are you planning to turn me in?"
He must really have cared about that dragon to search for all this time. I noticed he referred to it as a her, and even gave "her" a name. What secret does this dragon hold?
"No," I replied, "I have no quarrel with you. I just want to be sure that I won't be murdered in my sleep by anyone."
"A reasonable worry. I noticed that your companion is Ramza Beoulve. You don't seem to have any reason to be afraid of him," Beowulf commented.
I stated, "Ramza and his men saved my life on two occasions. They knew what I was, and they were still willing to help me. He has earned my trust for those kind acts."
Beowulf looked at the ceiling. "It is hard to trust people nowadays. I mean, there's all this betrayal, murder, and thievery going on during the war. The people think they can take advantage of the armies being all tied up, and do whatever they want. Anyway, what is your relationship with Ramza anyway? You two seem to be pretty close to one another. I noticed that you were near each other the whole way down here."
"We're just friends," I stated, "He and I can relate to one another. My brother was murdered by the same group that kidnapped his sister. He wishes he could have saved my brother, and I don't desire for his sister to share that fate. Comrades, that's all."
"That's not what it looked like. You should examine how you feel for him right now. Otherwise, the chance might just slip right through your grasp. Take it from an expert here. Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight Meliadoul, and think about what I just said," Beowulf told me. Then he went upstairs, and returned to his room for the night.
I sat there thinking for a little bit. Do I feel something more for Ramza, and I just don't want to admit it? Could my pride be in the way, or is it my fear of being hurt again?
I decided not to tackle this tonight. After all, we didn't know where to go. It's not like we'll find Alma and kill off the demons in a day or so. I've got plenty of time to decide where my heart stands on this issue. As long as I stick with Ramza, I will eventually have my answer.
- - - -
First part of the subquest section. We'll go into the Colliery next chapter.
When we arrived in Goug, we went strait to Mustadio's place. Both Ramza and Mustadio went inside, and began discussing something. The rest of us were free to do whatever we wanted until they were done. I went around town with Agrias, hoping to hear some gossip about the Shrine Knight's activities that could help us find where to go.
Of course, no one was talking. Probably afraid of becoming heretics for saying the wrong thing. It wouldn't surprise me, especially if they heard about the demons that had been appearing. My father wouldn't want the world to know, it would interfere with his plan.
The only thing of interest I'd heard was about some new machinery found by Bersrodio-Mustadio's father. Well, Ramza and Mustadio will get the low down on that piece of information right from the source. I should just keep searching for information in the town.
When we reunited, we found out that we all had the same results. Nothing new had been heard about where to go. The only update was that Mustadio's dad had found a Steel Ball with the Aquarius sign on it. Rumors had been heard about monsters in the Golland Colliery. We then decided to head for Lesalia to look for helpful information we might need in hunting the monster. After all, we couldn't have it attacking innocent people. Who knows, maybe we'll find the missing stone on this endeavor. If my memory serves me correctly, my dad hadn't yet found Aquarius.
* * *
In Lesalia, Ramza and I headed for the bar. I ordered myself a small glass of wine, and he had a cup of milk. While there, we listened to the gossip about the beast. From what we heard, it was a dragon, but not one of the regular ones. It was a Holy Dragon, which was rumored to be able to use the breaths of all three types. We decided to go to Golland instantly.
"Excuse me," a man said, "I would like to know if you might hire me. My name is Beowulf, and I would like to hunt for the Holy Dragon. But I don't think I stand a chance on my own. Would you consider taking me with you."
I turned and looked at him. It definitely was Heretic Beowulf, former leader of Lionel's Knights. No one knew what he had done, but there were rumors that his crime was falling in love and proposing to a girl that a corrupt priest named Buramonda wanted. Certainly there were no rumors about him murdering hundreds, or stealing treasure from the church. Not anything that would lead to him killing the whole group, at least.
"Sure, come with us," Ramza replied. I don't think he even knew whom he was talking to. But he also has a profound knowledge of following his heart. If Ramza's heart says that Beowulf isn't going to hurt us, I will trust him too.
* * *
We arrived at Golland, and got a room at the Inn. I went downstairs to think, and ran into Beowulf, who was sitting at a secluded table. He motioned for me to join him. Deciding to figure out exactly what was going on, I went over to him and sat down.
I asked him, "Are you really just a simple hunter? You fit the description of a known heretic named Beowulf, who used to lead Lionel's Knights."
He took a drink from his glass. "I am that man. After I left Lionel, I became a simple hunter in order to find the Holy Dragon. It's really important that I find her, before something happens. The dragon's name is Reis, if you're wondering. What, are you planning to turn me in?"
He must really have cared about that dragon to search for all this time. I noticed he referred to it as a her, and even gave "her" a name. What secret does this dragon hold?
"No," I replied, "I have no quarrel with you. I just want to be sure that I won't be murdered in my sleep by anyone."
"A reasonable worry. I noticed that your companion is Ramza Beoulve. You don't seem to have any reason to be afraid of him," Beowulf commented.
I stated, "Ramza and his men saved my life on two occasions. They knew what I was, and they were still willing to help me. He has earned my trust for those kind acts."
Beowulf looked at the ceiling. "It is hard to trust people nowadays. I mean, there's all this betrayal, murder, and thievery going on during the war. The people think they can take advantage of the armies being all tied up, and do whatever they want. Anyway, what is your relationship with Ramza anyway? You two seem to be pretty close to one another. I noticed that you were near each other the whole way down here."
"We're just friends," I stated, "He and I can relate to one another. My brother was murdered by the same group that kidnapped his sister. He wishes he could have saved my brother, and I don't desire for his sister to share that fate. Comrades, that's all."
"That's not what it looked like. You should examine how you feel for him right now. Otherwise, the chance might just slip right through your grasp. Take it from an expert here. Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight Meliadoul, and think about what I just said," Beowulf told me. Then he went upstairs, and returned to his room for the night.
I sat there thinking for a little bit. Do I feel something more for Ramza, and I just don't want to admit it? Could my pride be in the way, or is it my fear of being hurt again?
I decided not to tackle this tonight. After all, we didn't know where to go. It's not like we'll find Alma and kill off the demons in a day or so. I've got plenty of time to decide where my heart stands on this issue. As long as I stick with Ramza, I will eventually have my answer.
- - - -
First part of the subquest section. We'll go into the Colliery next chapter.