Chapter 2 A Smooth Introduction

A/N: Thank you all for receiving this piece of crap from me. Crap or not, I love it. I hope you enjoy it too!

Disclaimer: All jobs and city description belong to Ragnarok Online. Characters belong to me.

Mother Marguerite had seen many things in her long life. She had witnessed the Ragnarok, the defeat of the demi-gods and the world's rebirth. There was hardly anything that can shake her.

However, this scruffy sword-girl shuffling before her desk takes the cake. "Kindly explain to me, Nasha," Mother Marguerite began in a controlled voice; "How you managed to get into a street brawl halfway across the city when you were supposed to attend mass at the City Church?"

The blonde stubbornly shook her messy hair. "I had finished Mass," She said angrily. "So I'm free to go wherever I like, don't I?"

"Of course," Now Father Angelou had entered the room, that benign smile on his face. "But it still doesn't mean you can do what you like… especially things that will tarnish the name of the Swordsmen Guild does it?"

Now that hit the spot. One thing a swordsman learns from the beginning of training is NEVER do anything that will bring trouble to the guild. Nasha gulped and guiltily stared at the carper under her feet. When Mother Marguerite first bought it, it had been a lovely red. After hundreds of muddy boots and graves, the color had faded to a murky gray. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't help myself." Father Angelou smiled delightedly at this forced apology. "I'm sure you didn't. After all, it is a swordsman's duty to help those in need. Although you didn't have to go so far as to Magnum Break them into the next street," he added as an afterthought. Nasha almost giggled before she conveniently remembered that she was still under duress. "I'm sorry, Mother."

Mother Marguerite laughed finally. "Alright, I'll talk to the Guild if they send a representative here. But you my child, are grounded until further notice."

A groan but Nasha complied. She took her leave and didn't return Father Angelou's friendly wave.

"That girl is really impossible to deal with," Mother Marguerite sighed. "Three bandits suffering third-degree burns and multiple injuries that no amount of healing magic can heal scar-less. It's lucky that witnesses saw the attempted robbery or Nasha will have to stand before a tribunal. What are we going to do with her?" The last sentence was an exasperated question. Father Angelou tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I received word from Mister Fenegrald that Nasha had completed everything he has to teach."

Mother Marguerite's face clouded over. "This can be a problem."

"Indeed," Father Angelou nodded. "Mister Fenegrald is an experienced knight. If he can no longer watch over Nasha, then Nasha will have no tutor to recommend her for the Knight Initiation later. She might never become a knight."

"Have you spoken to Lord Nicholas?" Mother Marguerite shuffled through some papers. "There is only so much we can do. Perhaps his lordship can propose another knight to look after Nasha?"

"According to his Lordship, most tutor knights already have apprentices. It is difficult – "

"Excuse me, Mother Marguerite" A nervous page had entered the room. "There is a visitor asking to see Lord Nicholas, but he is not here."

A visitor? Mother Marguerite frowned. "Very well, show him in."

The visitor turned out to be a 'she', but that was not what surprised the two holy servants. A green-haired woman dressed in gray monotones glided into the room with grace, her simple jacket and skirt clashing heavily with the decorations in the room.

"Lady Dell!" Father Angelou bowed swiftly. "This is an honor!"

Mother Marguerite slowly stood to her feet and faced he regal girl standing before her. How long has it been… five years? So much has changed... "Ryudell," She managed.

Ryudell smiled and slowly curtsied to the shocked priestess. "Mother Margie. It has been a long time."

Father Angelou turned an inquiring gaze. "Do you two know each other?"

"Yes, yes we do." Mother Marguerite has recovered her composure and was now smiling. "Angelou, I assume this is the first time you've seen Lady Dell?"

"Not really, I was in an expedition with her a few years ago at the Underground Village," Angelou shrugged. "But we never got around to talking. Devas don't mix with commoners."

"Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way," Her gray eyes were troubled but Angelou merrily waved it away. "It was a joke, a joke. So what brings you here, to Allegia?"

"I came home," Was the simple reply.

"No really, the real reason."

"Alright," Ryudell smiled. "It's been five years since I last returned to Allegia. I missed everyone. And I'm also one of the judges for the upcoming Knight Joust, so I think I will stay here until it is over."

"You're one of the judges?" Mother Marguerite smiled in admiration. "But of course, you're a Deva. My how you've grown," She said fondly and Ryudell giggled. "Please don't say that, Mother. I'm still the same...nothing really changed."

"Well then since you're already here we must make preparations to welcome our guest of honor." Angelou said happily. "A feast!"

"Not in such short notice, we don't. And not without Lord Nicholas." She looked at him sternly and Angelou wore a I'm-sorry look. So that's that then. What about her rooms? Where will she be – "

KABOOM!

"By the gods!" Mother Marguerite gripped the edge of the table as the building trembled. "What is going on?!" Angelou had rushed to the window and looked down. "Oh no..." He groaned in dismay. "Nasha!"

By Ra, why is everything so chaotic today? Isn't it enough that Prontera was noisy – now Allegia too? S'kai was certainly not in the best of moods when he returned back to the castle. It was only four o'clock and he knew most of the other warriors are still out training their fellow knights for the Knight Joust...especially Mekira and Arun. He did not feel like meeting them anyway. Maybe he should have a quick dinner and disappear into the roofs before they have a chance to find him.

But not a chance. A sudden fire ball hurtled towards him out of nowhere and forced him to evade by stealthily ducking. Ra! He had no time for this! Is one of the young mages dueling in the main courtyard?! Cursing under his breath, he got to his feet and hastened to the main courtyard.

He expected a duel. He didn't expect a childish argument.

On one side of the courtyard, two acolytes were holding back a very furious sword-girl. On the other side, a very angry wizard was readying another fire bolt. To his credit, S'kai had to admit he has pretty strong magic for a young wizard, but he was also very foolish. However, he also knew that whatever caused this fight, he has no right in stopping it.

"Let me – GO!" Nasha managed to free herself from her friends and lunged at the wizard. "You'll regret your words, mage!"

"I'll fry you first!" He sneered in return. Both parties swung their weapons –

"Magnum Break!"

"Fire bolt!"

The two attacks sped towards each other and S'kai watched calmly. By experience he knew that they would hit perfectly.

"Stop!"

A voice as calm as the summer winds, but as frightening as a storm resounded through the courtyard – and a large pole axe slammed into the ground, effectively blocking the two magic attacks from hitting their targets. Raising his head, S'kai's eyes widened when he saw who threw the javelin.

Arm still outstretched, her eyes blazing with quiet anger, Ryudell fixed her gaze on the two surprised duelists below her. "Stop this duel this instant."

Nasha sullenly sheathed her sword, and the wizard did the same. Mother Marguerite and Father Angelou appeared in the courtyard. "What happened?!"

"Magus called me a scruffy no-good misfit." Nasha hissed. "Just because he's a wizard he thinks he can bully people – "

"You're a fool in thinking you're a true warrior," Magus sneered. "You're just a barbarian who uses her strength to kill people!"

"That will be enough." Mother Marguerite said sharply. "Nasha, you are confined to your rooms until I call you. Magus, I will report to your guild about you using magic in the castle perimeters. Both of you are dismissed!"

S'kai breathed deeply. He had just witnessed something interesting. A pole axe with enough magic power to stop attacks! He curiously eyed the girl who threw it, wondering who she was. It was likely that she was a high level knight, but that didn't seem right. She was young, younger than him. Probably no older than five and twenty. He had fought many knights, but he had never met her before.

"Please don't take any offence, Ryudell," Mother Marguerite watched as Ryudell pulled her javelin out of the earth. The priestess noticed that it penetrated a good five inches. "Nasha is... how do we say it..."

"Who is her tutor?" Ryudell frowned. "A young sword-girl like her should be under the responsibility of her tutor."

"She has none… at the moment."

"None?" Ryudell said something and the javelin vanished into this air. And that was when she saw the figure half-hidden in the shadows. Recognition dawned in her eyes.

Seeing that he has been found out, S'kai stepped into the light. Mother Marguerite smiled at him. "S'kai! How long have you been standing there?"

"...long enough."

"We meet again," The girl smiled. "Mr. Assassin. Do you live here?"

"S'kai doesn't live anywhere, but does like to spend time here!" A cheerful voice made S'kai cringed. Are they back already?

"Mekira, don't leave me behind!' A whiny voice followed the young priestess and Ryudell turned an amused gaze to a burly knight propped on his sword. "Arun, don't look so puny in front of our guest," Mekira scolded him and Arun looked at Ryudell. A second later the blood drained from his face and he hastily stood to attention. "Lady!"

Mekira cast a questioning glance at him. "Arun?"

"At ease." Ryudell smiled. "I did not come for an inspection. You are...Arun?"

"Yes, Lady!" His face had turned red now. "Your visit is… is…"

"Unexpected?" Mekira supplied and Arun nodded vigorously. Ryudell simply smiled. "You seem to have returned from training. Is this your support?" She asked of Mekira and the young priestess nodded. "Yup! I'm going to be his support in the Joust!"

"I wish you the best of luck then," Ryudell replied vaguely and turned to S'kai. "Forgive me, but we must continue our conversation at another time. I am very tired today."

"Conversation? With S'kai?" Mekira giggled. That earned her a sharp poke from Arun who promptly dragged her away. "What were you thinking?! Making a joke like that in front of Lady Ryudell?!"

"So what? She's just a higher ranking knight, isn't she? And it's not like she doesn't have a sense of humor." She was puzzled. Arun exasperatedly clapped a hand to his forehead. "She does have a sense of humor but that isn't the point! That – That knight whom you just joked with is a Deva! Do you get it? She's one of the six highest ranked knights in the whole realm!"

"Really?" Father Angelou poured his tea with interest. "A Deva? I didn't know one of your students turned out to be so good."

"She didn't intend to be a knight in the beginning," Mother Marguerite explained. "She was set on becoming a servant of God – more sugar?"

"Yes please. So what made her turn to knighthood?"

Mother Margie stirred her tea thoughtfully. "Actually she discovered that although she was gifted in magic, she would do more good by being a knight. And she was strong too, thanks to her early training from her father. Did you know a Lord Klingschoen?"

"I remember him. But to become a Deva at such a young age..."

"She left the castle when she became a knight," Mother Margie said heavily. "I didn't hear anything of her…until today."

"She seems to be a very pleasant young woman," Father Angelou observed. "But she can be a forceful presence when she wants to."

"Certainly. That's what a Deva does best, don't they?"

A/N: Say something! Did I do good? Was it bad?