Chapter 5: Waiting For Dawn

How did this get here? Why did he have Tamarah's warbow?

The pieces of the puzzle that he had in his head didn't seem to fit into a single picture. So much has happened since had he cut off the old king's beard a few hours ago. So much, that he has nearly forgotten the deep grief that he had for the loss of his comrades.

Ramus' thinking was broken up when the Comodo Kafra sheathed her sword and spoke. "You know, you can think of answers to all of your questions the whole night and come up with nothing. It may be of more help if you would try got get some rest and just let the tournament answer them for you."

Ramus leaned on one of the large pillars, tied the dagger to his leg and tucked the warbow in his back. The kafra lady was right.

"So what's your story? I didn't even know Kafra ladies could use weapons," said the thief.

"I'm here on official business. I don't even care about the prize," replied Sampaguita.

The thief didn't even bother questioning her answer further. Kafras are the world's most mysterious people. Sampaguita is no different from all the Kafras that he has met before. Ramus just put on the pendant bearing his name and entry number. He shuffled the quiver of arrows and strapped it around his right leg.

Sampaguita stood up, stretched her arms forward and stared at the starry skies that painted the sky in a most serene expression.

"Dawn is coming soon. I guess I'll just see you inside Ramus," said the Sampaguita as she started walking away from the entrance of the castle. "You look so innocent and pure. I hope we won't get to face each other. "

True enough, the position of the stars told Ramus that dawn was indeed coming. He couldn't help but wonder at what the kafra was thinking. How could she be so calm in talking to him when she knew that they could be locked in a blood-curdling battle a few hours from now?

Kafras are always smiling, the expressions in their faces are always begging for the question: what goes on behind their mask of smiles?

"Wait!" Ramus shouted to the Kafra from the distance. "How can you not think of the ninety-nine deaths that will be tabbed on to you should you win this tournament?"

Sampaguita stopped walking away. "You mean guilt?"

Ramus replied, "Damn straight!"

The Kafra gave out a chuckle. "Kafras are not built to feel guilt."

Built?

And she continued, "I've already killed before. My hands are soiled. I feel no regret in taking the life of people who I probably wont even remember tomorrow."

Ramus looked at the stars, still thinking of his fallen comrades and Tamara. "And what of those people who have a place in your heart?"

" 'tis my ardent wish for that to never happen," said Sampaguita in a particularly depressed tone
Meanwhile, the Abysmal knights outside the walls of Glastheim stood unmoving, farfetched from their usual aggressive behaviors. Something inside was ordering them around, Ramus thought. He needed to reach the master of the castle to know what had happened to Tamarah.

Red light blazed across the horizon on the far east of the castle grounds. The moment Ramus turned to see the sunlight in eager anticipation of its warmth pelting his skin, he disappeared from the green surroundings and found himself somewhere dark and damp, somewhere inside the castle.

The great Glastheimspiel has finally begun.