Chapter Twenty: Tangled Mind

Jaren was pleased—very pleased—at the report, smiling his thin-lipped smile as he drummed his fingers together in delight. "Splendid! Splendid indeed! You've done well, Lord Gyle."

"Thank you, Milord," the knight returned as he bowed. "It's my pleasure to serve you."

"And served me well you did," Jaren nodded in agreement. "Now as promised," he flourished a crest engraved with the tripartite crown, "the emblem of your newfound rank as Commander of Lesalia's St. Konoe Knights."

Gyle's eyes shone bright as he accepted his reward and regarded it with triumph as he turned it in the light of a torch.

Finally, the position he had craved since Lord Oaks' resignation was his and all he had to do was betray the late commander's granddaughter. How ironic...and fitting.

It was the perfect repayment for the insult dealt him five years ago. He had looked the fool then, to be beaten by a mere girl, but now...

He gazed at the badge as he smirked.

Look who's the fool now.

Gyle gripped the crest tightly as he turned to the priest. "I thank you again, Milord."

"You've earned it." Jaren's smile grew wider, his dark eyes glinting furtively. "You've done me a great service."

"Milord?" Gyle looked at the priest quizzically, wondering what he meant.

Jaren tapped his chin, still wearing that enigmatic smile, muttering, "Everything is going as planned," ignoring Gyle's inquisitive stare. "The bait is set. All that is needed is for the trap to be sprung." He then chuckled. "Those heretics are as good as mine."

"Milord?" Gyle pressed again. "May I inquire as to what you are talking about?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Jaren answered simply as a child hiding a big secret, "for you shall have a part in it."

"Milord!" Gyle stood erect in attention. "I am in your service. If not for you, I wouldn't be leader of the Lesalian knighthood."

Jaren nodded in approval before standing from his desk. "I'm glad for your loyalty, Lord Gyle. Such is lacking in knights these days."

Gyle frowned, knowing what he referred. He had heard the reports of the other knighthoods in the kingdom rising in rebellion, had seen those very knights during his brief stay at Yardow. He scoffed at their actions, and yet, he wondered what had made them act after many years of idleness.

As these thoughts passed through the knight's mind, Jaren reached to the dipper of the jug set beside the hearth and filled a mug with mulled wine. He took a sip, savoring the flavor, before turning again to regard the knight.

Who said, "Such knights are a disgrace. They have forgotten their oath, but I assure you, Milord, that mutiny will not happen here, not while I'm in command."

"How reassuring," Jaren nodded before taking another sip of the wine. "I value that very much. With Sir Tomas gone to Igros, I will be depending on you, Lord Gyle, to aid me in his stead."

"As I have said, Milord," Gyle began, trying to sound the humble servant even as he smiled in pride, "I am in your service. I shall do everything within my power to help you."

"Very good." Jaren then placed his cup down, folding his arms into voluminous sleeves as he walked over to the window and stared out. "I plan on going on a journey, Lord Gyle, to ensure the eminent capture of the heretics." He then turned away to look at him squarely. "It would please me greatly if you would accompany me."

Gyle remained silent for a time, reflecting on the priest's words, somewhat basking in the praise. He would gladly accompany Father Jaren on his journey, but now that he was commander, there were other obligations that need attention.

"Appoint a subcommander," Jaren instructed, surprising Gyle, realizing the priest would not take no as an answer. "They shall take care of things here while you're away. Make sure they are trustworthy. I do not want to return to find the capital in chaos or in our enemy's grasp."

"I understand," Gyle acknowledged, accepting the decision, wondering if he played a greater role in the priest's design. He was not worried, only anxious, eager to remain in good terms with the winning party for there was no doubt in his mind that they would win. If Jaren was sure of the heretics' capture, then the war would be won before it had begun. Besides, it was an honor to serve the Church. It had brought him good fortune thus far. "I shall make the necessary preparations."

"How long shall that take you?"

Gyle thought a moment. Then: "A day, I'd think; surely no more than two."

"Good." Jaren drank more wine. The day was already waning, the shadows lengthening, giving the room a more foreboding atmosphere to this already dark meeting. "Then, when you're done, come see me and we'll be on our way."

"As you order," Gyle said. "But...if you don't mind me asking, where are we going?"

The priest smiled. "We're going to witness an execution."


Ramia had sooner died than awake to failure and the reality that she had been captured by her most hated foes.

It had been a rude awakening, her head slightly aching, her vision a blur of colors. This is not what she had pictured the afterlife would be, to feel pain and not see? She had thought that she was being punished for her failure, that this must be the 'hell' the priests preached about, the place of unending suffering.

She'd been wrong.

She had heard voices, and they had brought her back from her stupor, like a wave crashing against her so that she bolted upright from her bed, gasping.

"Where am I?"

That was the first question that came to mind and later wished she hadn't asked.

The answer was hard to accept, harder still to live with the knowledge of it.

Ramia cursed softly as she strode the streets of Yardow. The place was busy with the work of reconstruction, carpenters lading the crisp air with the pleasant odor of cut wood, while on the ramparts she could hear the creaking of the winches that hauled up the massive slabs that would rebuild the ravaged wall. It was none too soon, for winter had begun. As the season progressed, it would render such activities dangerous as ice and wind settled in, and a damaged fort city was like a wounded knight—open to attack. Despite her hatred towards her enemies, she grudgingly admired their wisdom in seeing to the repairs.

But was their act one of kindness or one of convenience she has yet to decide.

Two days had passed since the battle of Yardow had ended. Two days since she had met with her enemies once again and had been given a choice.

Ramia scowled, remembering the words that had been exchanged that day...


"You're lying!"

The speaker was a tall man, broad of shoulder and chest, his beard dense and red as a fox's brush, matching the flustered color in his cheeks. His name was Nicolas Corwin, magistrate of the fort city. He stood a pace or two ahead of the crowd-filled square, glowering up at the dais where Delita stood, Raizen beside him, Ramza and Kristopherson standing behind.

Delita said "I could use force if I so choose" in a firm, almost challenging voice.

Corwin snorted. "It will only prove the truth that you are lying. You used force to break down our walls," he gestured towards those very same walls, "and you'll use force to conquer us into submission!"

The crowd behind him—most of the city's citizenry—shouted their agreement. Corwin waited for the hubbub to die away, then: "You see? We will not be fooled so easily. Take your army and leave us alone! We will take no part in your so-called revolution."

Ramza watched Delita take a step forward and then looked past him, out over the throng to the Tempest Knights ringing the square. They stood to attention, shields ready to the fore. Most of the people of Yardow were unarmed, but the Lesalian Knights—who remained strangely quiet during the heated exchange—were armed with swords and lances, if not heavier weapons and Ramza prayed that their disagreement not provoke a riot: that must inevitably end in bloodshed.

Especially when a young woman suddenly joined the argument.

Now it was St. Konoe's turn to have a say.

"If you are truly the King of Ivalice, then you would not be seeking help from heretics." Like Corwin, Ramia stood ahead of the crowd in representation of the Lesalian Knights, glaring defiantly at Delita. "As King, you should be aiding us in their capture, not allying yourself with them!"

She still blames us for what happened to Agrias, Ramza thought sadly, gazing at the young woman, seeing the pain and anger in her hazel eyes. He then looked to Delita, standing on the edge of the platform, head bowed slightly as if in thought. He could only see his back, but he could imagine how he appeared to the crowd, and felt only regret.

"Lady Ramia, you say these things because of your own personal reasons," Delita addressed her in a calm, patient voice. "It is a separate issue that will be discussed in private. The matter we speak of now, as a whole, concerns the people of Ivalice."

"Who has the right to know why you side with heretics!" the Holy Knight snapped, her fists tightly clenched as she shook with suppressed rage.

She was so close to her goal, close to winning back her mother's freedom. The heretic was right there, right in front of her, yet so far.

Why do they protect him? He was a criminal, yet he remained free. He was supposed to be in her mother's place, paying dearly for the crimes he had committed against the Church. Why could they not see that? It made no sense at all!

Delita sighed as he closed his eyes, voicing a silent prayer to Ovelia to give him strength to ease this young woman's troubled heart. He understood her pain, having gone through a similar situation when his sister had died, wanting nothing more than to even the score with the nobles who had ruined his life. But it was not his place to tell her these things, nor was it the right time.

So he said instead, "You are right, Lady Ramia," as he opened his eyes. "The people have the right to know."

He then faced the crowd once more, spreading his arms wide as if to encompass them all in his embrace. "I know that it was thoughtless of me to disappear so suddenly after the death of my wife, thus leaving my position as King of Ivalice. Some of you may have thought of me as foolish. Others may have thought me a coward." His arms fell to his side as he sighed. "Perhaps you were right, are still right. This war, this crusade may seem foolish, but a coward I am not. It's been too long since Ivalice has seen true peace. I come to deliver that peace to you, to see an end to all the fighting and the hardship." He gestured towards Ramza. "The heretics feel the same way as I. We do not wish to see any more suffering on our behalf. That is why they aid me. We work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and our children. The Tempest Knights have placed their differences aside to aid us and I ask for you to do the same. I do not care if you're a heretic. I do not care if you're a knight. I do not care if you're a commoner. Rank does not matter, as long as we work together for a common purpose, a common goal: peace in Ivalice."

Corwin shuffled nervously as Ramia continued to glare at Delita and the man behind him.

Peace.

That's what the magistrate wanted for his city. He tore his gaze from Delita and looked to the knights surrounding the square. Some of them had ties with this city, he knew, recognizing the men he had grown up with in his childhood, men he considered as friends. If they were willing to support this rebellion, then perhaps they should too. But he was only one voice and wondered what the citizens thought, as he glanced over his shoulder.

Some seemed upset while most seemed uncertain, milling nervously as a herd of frightened cattle. They looked to him for guidance for this goes beyond a simple dispute regarding land or crops. This decision not only concerned them, but the rest of Ivalice as well.

Would they just stand idly by while the rest of the country struggled? Would they just close their eyes, hoping that it would go away?

These were the questions that raced through Corwin's mind, but the decision was not his to make. He needed time to discuss this with the people of Yardow in town council. He told this and Delita smiled in understanding, saying, "As I have said, I could use force if I so choose, but it's best that you decide what you want for yourselves. I will not hold it against you if you decide not to join us."

"I thank you." Corwin ducked his head before moving away, gesturing to the crowd that the meeting was over. They began to disperse, muttering among themselves as they tried to make sense of these strange tidings.

As Corwin was about to leave the square along with the people, he was stopped by a shout:

"Magistrate! Don't tell me that you believe them, that you're considering their proposal!"

The magistrate turned to face the young lady knight, meeting her gaze unflinchingly, unmoved by her show of anger. "I have heard about you and your family, Lady Ramia, and let me tell you this: they have sacrificed much to serve the people of Ivalice. You, however, fail to see that for your vision is short-sighted."

"What do you mean short-sighted?" Ramia challenged. "I can see clearly!" She pointed at Ramza. "He's the source of all our problems! Capture him and his friends and everything shall be set right!"

"Will it now?" the magistrate mused. "After fifteen years of power, I doubt the Church would relinquish their rule so easily."

Behind her, Ramia could hear some of her men murmuring in contemplation. "What do you mean by that?" she demanded. "Certainly Prince Clemence has been ruling Ivalice for the past fifteen years, not the Church."

"The Puppet Prince..." she heard one of her men reply in disdain and she turned to see who spoke. She was surprised and, at the same time, disappointed to find that it was Galvin.

The Limberrian stepped forward as if to challenge Ramia. "Prince Clemence is nothing but a Puppet Prince whose strings are being pulled by Father Jaren," he told her. "Magistrate Corwin speaks the truth, Ramia. Jaren enjoys being the puppetmaster and will not abandon his position so readily."

"At least there's one among you who still have their eyes open," Corwin muttered in which Ramia glared at him. The magistrate shrugged, his smile passive. "I may not live at the capital city, Lady Ramia, but that much I could see, even from here. The question you must ask yourself now is where do your loyalty lies: Prince Clemence, who serves the Church, or these people," he gestured towards the platform, "who claim to do this for Ivalice's people? Now if you'll excuse me, I must ask the same for my own city. This matter must be resolved on your own, Lady Ramia." The magistrate executed a brief bow before taking his leave of the two opposing parties.

Ramia could only watch him go, angered at this show of sedition, especially when she turned towards Galvin, demanding, "Do you know what you have done? You dare agree with what he said? You dare side with these...these...criminals? What would father think about your behavior, Galvin?"

"Grandfather would agree with me," Galvin replied in an even tone, his expression cool under Ramia's heated gaze. He then pulled a folded parchment from his tunic as he added, "He has already."

Ramia stared in astonishment at the paper, particularly to the dried wax engraved with a tree branch shaped like a sword.

The seal of the Birch family!

"No, it can't be...!" she whispered in disbelief.

How could her own adopted family—her own family's closest friends—betray her like this? Betray them? They promised to support her and this is how they plan on accomplishing it? By siding with these criminals? The same criminals that brought dishonor to her family? Do they risk dishonor as well?

As these questions raced through her confused and angered mind, Galvin went up to the podium where he handed the letter to Delita. "My lord king," he addressed him, "Limberry has decided to join your cause now that Ramia is safe and among friends."

That statement jolted Ramia from her daze, her anger multiplying tenfold. "Friends?" Her scream pierced the silent air like an arrow from the heavens. "You dare call them friends? I trusted you, Galvin, you and your family, and now you're turning against me?" She then turned to her men behind her. "Will you all turn against me?" she challenged them.

"At least some of us who were not caught in the sleeping spell chose to stay and follow you, Lady Ramia," one of her knights replied. "Unlike your subcommander, Lord Gyle, and those loyal to him, who retreated without even organizing a counter-offensive."

Ramia gasped at the remark. In her anger for the heretics, she had forgotten about Lord Gyle and the rest of her troops. Where are they now? Why did they retreat? How could they just abandon their comrades to the enemy? Certainly, they had outnumbered their enemies that they could have easily defeated them, spell or no. But they had not and she began to wonder if Lord Gyle had planned this all along. It was possible...

She suddenly felt ill, her knees buckling beneath her. The meeting was putting an emotional strain on her strength. Three times she's been rebuffed, first by the magistrate, then by Galvin, and now by her own knights! Confusion mingled with anger and disbelief was enough to drive her to the floor and once again she felt very vulnerable, as if their harsh words were physical blows.

Galvin walked up to her and knelt down, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I think it's time you listen to their story, Ramia. Perhaps then, your confusion will be cleared enough to help you decide if they are the enemy or not."

Ramia remained silent, as Galvin stood up and addressed the rest of the knights, deliberating whether to listen to his advice or to outright defy her enemies. She decided to go with the former, weary from all the yelling and the screaming, which only served to add more confusion. It was time for her to listen even if she didn't like the idea.

"All right," she said as she slowly rose from her knees and looked up at the dais. "I'll listen to what you have to say."


Ramia and Galvin were taken to the garrison that once housed the Shrine Knights, who were being tended to in an unmarked building despite Ramza's objection, and were brought to the same room where they had met for the first time. This time, however, the roles were reversed and the room seemed smaller than before as others were gathered around.

She immediately recognized the three from both the city square and their first meeting: Delita sitting on the chair she once had occupied while his son stood behind and slightly to the right of him where Lord Gyle once had been. The Heretic stood by the window, staring at her with that same sadness she had seen when they had fought. The others gathered she did not know though two seemed to evoke some faint memory, feeling as if she should know who they are.

She set the feeling aside, however, as they were escorted to two chairs. Both she and Galvin refused, preferring to stand instead.

Delita nodded then said in greeting, "On behalf of Ramza Beoulve and his friends, which you see gathered here," he motioned to the crowded room, "our thanks goes to you, Sir Galvin, and your family for taking care of Ramia during these trying times. Your grandfather has told me as much." He placed a hand over the letter given him by Galvin that was lying on the table in front of him.

"It was the least he could do to an old friend," Galvin returned then smiled as he added, "Growing up with Ramia and training alongside her has given me the best memories I have of childhood. Being an only child, she relieved me of my boredom. I cherished every moment and I would not trade anything in this world to take them back. My family considers the Oaks family as honorable as any noble family and we believe that Lady Agrias had her own reasons in siding with you during the Lion War." He looked to Ramza. "We believe she acted out of honor and loyalty to Ivalice."

"She did," Ramza spoke, his voice soft, tinged with sorrow. He looked to Ramia and she suddenly saw purpose blaze in his eyes, replacing the sadness seen earlier. "You must understand, Ramia, I did not force your mother to join our cause nor did I coax her into making the decision. She joined us out of her own freewill after seeing the treachery of the Church firsthand."

"And what treachery was that?" Ramia demanded, her tone defiant, but her face clearly showed her curiosity and bewilderment.

Ramza answered her question with another: "What do you know about the Lion War, Ramia?"

"It divided Ivalice in two over who would be the successor to the throne," she stated then frowned. "But what does it have to do with the Church's treachery you spoke of?"

"Everything. The Church manipulated the war in order to gain power afterwards. It began with the kidnapping of a certain Princess. You know of this, no doubt."

"Yes," Ramia nodded, remembering her history lessons with Brother Ray. "Princess Ovelia was kidnapped from Orbonne Monastery and was rescued by a young knight named..." Her voice trailed away as she stared at Delita in incredulity, realizing now that not only the King of Ivalice sat before her, but also the Hero of the Lion War.

"It was you," she said, the doubt gone now. "It was you who led the Nanten and it was you who married Princess Ovelia, thus ending the war. But still..."

"It does not explain what hand the Church had in the war," Ramza finished for her and she looked at him, prompting him to continue his story.

"What the history books do not say, I shall tell you," he began. "And if you doubt any of it, there are others who will claim the same." He looked past Ramia's shoulder to Lavian and Alicia standing behind, much like the retainers they once were to Agrias, before reverting his gaze back to the lady knight.

"Ramia, after the Fifty Year War had ended, your mother was assigned to guard Princess Ovelia at Orbonne Monastery. A year later, Princess Ovelia was to be returned to the Imperial Capital. I was part of the mercenary band hired to protect the Princess during her journey. Unfortunately, we failed our contract."

"The kidnapping," Ramia stated and Ramza nodded.

"True to her calling, your mother vowed on her knight's honor that she would retrieve the Princess. I, on the other hand, volunteered to accompany her for you see, the kidnapper was none other than my friend here," he gestured towards Delita, "who I had presumed was dead after an incident a year before. I wanted to know how he had survived and why he was in league with the Nanten. The leader of our mercenary band, Gaff Gafgarion, would not have it for it was not in our contract, but he knew how stubborn I was and so agreed to come with us. We all went to the nearest city, Dorter, hoping to discover where Delita had taken Princess Ovelia. What we found, however, was an ambush waiting for us. Someone did not want us interfering with whatever plot they were scheming."

"Let me guess... The Church," Ramia snickered, her voice dripping with sarcasm, apparently not taken by the story.

Ramza ignored the comment as he continued: "We defeated the ambush, which raised more questions of why the Princess was kidnapped, why we were attacked, but most importantly, where would the kidnapper take Ovelia. Upon your mother's suggestion that they would probably take her to Bethla Garrison, we headed for the impenetrable fortress. But it proved unnecessary as we caught up to the kidnapper and the Princess at Zirekile Falls.

"Both were surrounded by Hokuten Knights, demanding Delita to return the Princess to them. He refused, saying that they would kill her, then they would kill him for knowing the truth. I was startled by the statement. What did Delita know that we did not?"

"Except for Gafgarion," Ramia heard someone mutter from somewhere behind.

"Yes, except for Gafgarion," Ramza repeated, his expression dark. "He knew exactly what was happening. 'Our job is to kidnap the Princess "unharmed",' he said. 'The job is to kill you all and keep things quiet!'"

Ramia bristled at this. "You were hired to do what?"

At which Ramza smiled in nostalgia, unperturbed by the Holy Knight's ire. "That's how your mother reacted. Somehow, it was part of our contract, but I refused to honor it. I, along with a fellow mercenary," he nodded to Rad, who had muttered earlier, "joined your mother in defeating the Hokuten Knights. The Princess was finally saved, but Delita insisted that she continued to accompany him. Your mother would not have it, so he decided that she could stay with us for a while without leaving a few words of advice and caution.

"'Think about it. Where would you take her after making an enemy of Hokuten? Crack Hokuten troops will come here looking for you any time now. Just where the hell do you plan on escaping to? Think carefully. The Princess knows this was Prince Larg's plan. The royal family is not on your side. So what about Goltana? No, he'd execute you just to clear himself.'

"Delita was right. Nobody would help us. So, what now? Where could we go after making an enemy of Hokuten? Your mother then suggested that we ask Cardinal Draclau for aid since Glabados Church has jurisdiction over Lionel. Hokuten had to be careful what they did in Lionel. So, it was decided. But as the saying goes, 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire.' That's exactly what happened in Lionel.

"On our way to Lionel Castle, we met a mechanic named Mustadio Bunanza at Zaland Fort City, who was being chased by Bart Company, a group of traders. After rescuing him, we learned his story. He wished to accompany us to meet the Cardinal, hoping that he would help him rescue his father, who was being held hostage by Bart. Your mother refused at first, sensing that there was something this mechanic wasn't telling us, but Ovelia granted his wish. Suffice to say, we were already being tangled in the Church's web of intrigue and treachery.

"On our way to Lionel Castle, we were again attacked by Bart Company. Mustadio still refused to tell us why they were after him, but when we finally met Cardinal Draclau, the answer was provided. It seemed our friend has found a Zodiac stone in his hometown of Goug and Rudvich, the leader of Bart Company, wanted the stone, to use its power to make weapons. More strings in the web of intrigue were being weaved, tightening us in its grasp.

"Draclau agreed to help both Ovelia and Mustadio, promising to send a messenger to Murond and troops to Goug. He kept the latter, but betrayed the Princess."

"Liar! That can't be!" Ramia growled, aghast at the thought that a holy man—a Cardinal!—would betray them. "The Church would never go back on their vow! You must have fabricated this lie so I could sympathize with you!"

"Enough, Ramia." Lavian laid a placating hand on the young woman's shoulder. "What Ramza tells you is the truth. You mustn't think otherwise or your mother will surely be lost to us."

"And who are you to tell me what to believe is best for my mother?" Ramia rounded angrily on the woman behind her and again that feeling of recognition struck her as she stared at her and the one standing besides her. "Have we met somewhere before because I have a vague feeling that I know you..."

"I am Lavian Rashere, but I was known as Lavian Wayte while serving under your family as a knight," she replied. "You were still very young when we left after your mother's trial, but I see that you still remember us even if your memory is a little vague."

"Lavian..." Ramia repeated in thought, trying to place the name. She then turned to the woman standing besides Lavian and asked, "And this is?"

"Alicia Lavitz," Lavian answered for her friend, who was staring intently at Ramia. "As I said, both of us served under your family and it was both of us who had accompanied your mother and Princess Ovelia on their journey. That is why you must believe what Ramza is telling you. We were there when we found out that Cardinal Draclau was in league with Prince Larg." She then looked at Ramza and asked, "May I?"

Ramza nodded. Though he had heard the story from Agrias of what had happened at Lionel Castle, it was best that Lavian told Ramia. Perhaps hearing it from one who had served directly under her family would somewhat calm the lady knight and earn a bit of her trust.

"As Ramza said, the Cardinal betrayed Princess Ovelia to the enemy," Lavian began. "Our stay at Lionel was restful at first. It had been a long journey and we were glad for the comforts of the old castle. But as the week wore on and still no word came from Murond, Lady Agrias began to get suspicious.

"'Don't worry, Agrias,' Ovelia had told her. 'It'll probably be some time before word comes back. The messenger was not exactly a young fellow, you know. Give it some time.'

"But Lady Agrias could not shake her feeling of suspicion as the week passed. If Princess Ovelia's business was urgent, why didn't Cardinal Draclau send a messenger who could deliver the message quickly? She then decided to confront the Cardinal on the issue. I did not know what had transpired then for Alicia and I were with the Princess in her room. Suddenly, Lady Agrias had burst into the room, her face a mask of bewilderment and outrage.

"'We must go now!' she cried out as she urged us to the door. 'Hurry! While the Cardinal doesn't know. And if anyone stops us and asks where we're going, tell them that we're going for a stroll around the countryside. Understood?'

"Both Alicia and I nodded, being the subservient knights that we are, but Princess Ovelia demanded to know what was going on. 'I'll explain everything once I deem it's safe,' Lady Agrias answered. 'Now hurry if you value your life.'

"That silenced Princess Ovelia and we hastily made our way to the stables. We almost reached it, but we were stopped by a group of guards. They demanded to know where we're going and Lady Agrias answered saying that the Princess wished to visit the countryside. The guard refused, saying that it's prudent for the Princess to stay in the castle if she were to remain safe.

"As Lady Agrias argued with the knight, we noticed more guards arriving. We knew then that something was very wrong, as we fingered the hilts of our swords anxiously. Even Princess Ovelia was beginning to get apprehensive about the situation. However, Lady Agrias' patience was running thin.

"She drew her sword and attacked the guard. 'Run!' she yelled to us, grabbing the Princess' hand as she led us towards the castle's gates, which were beginning to close as more knights arrived to block our escape. We fought our way through, never realizing that the Princess was no longer with us until it was too late. We barely made it through the gates before it closed behind us. Only then did we realize that Princess Ovelia wasn't behind us. Lady Agrias would have gone back even if it meant certain death if it were not for Princess Ovelia's commands through the gates.

"'Seek aid!' she shouted as she was dragged away. 'Seek Ramza!' It seemed as if Lady Agrias would refuse, but she grudgingly agreed, vowing that she would return to rescue her. Then we ran, as orders of pursuit were bellowed throughout the castle.

"We escaped to a forest, hoping to find a few hours of rest within its thickets before Lionel troops swarmed the place, and it was there that we learned of what Lady Agrias had discovered.

"Cardinal Draclau was working with Prince Larg. They planned on executing the Princess at Golgorand. If the Princess was gone, then Prince Orinas would be the only heir, therefore, appointing Larg as regent."

"But you stopped their plot," Ramia murmured, her voice pensive as her mind tried to place all the pieces of the puzzle together. She then looked to Ramza and asked, "Is this the treachery of the Church my mother had witnessed?"

"In part," Ramza replied. "What the Cardinal was really after was the Zodiac stone Mustadio had found in Goug. You've heard of the Zodiac Brave Story, no?"

Ramia nodded, her eyes questioning.

"The Church used this story to help gain the people's trust that were beginning to tire of the war," he continued. "They wanted to collect the stones, to recreate the Zodiac Braves in order to raise the power of the Church higher than that of the King. That was High Priest Funeral's intent, but there were others who had other plans. Vormav Tingel was Head of the Temple Knights of the Murond Glabados Church at that time. He went along with Funeral's plan, to gain the stones...and their hidden power. Funeral did not know the stones' true potential.

"Suffice to say, your mother and all of us you see here witnessed their true power. Cardinal Draclau was but the first of many transformations we have seen: to transform into monsters by calling upon the stones' power."

Ramia suddenly burst out laughing. The story that seemed so serious at first now sounded absurd. "This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in my life!" she exclaimed between laughs. "Church officials turning into monsters by using the Zodiac stones? That's silly! The Zodiac stones are but holy artifacts that symbolize the Zodiac Braves that saved Ivalice a long time ago. They possess no special power."

"You do not believe us," Ramza stated in disappointment. "I thought as much. You're more like your father than your mother."

Ramia abruptly stopped her laughter, staring at Ramza with disgust and anger. "My father? You know my father?" she asked, her voice filled with loathing, and when Ramza nodded, demanded, "Who is he? Where is he? Is he among you now?" She gazed around the room, her eyes reproving, hoping to find some sign of acknowledgment from the group.

"You'll meet him soon, after we rescue your mother from Bethla Garrison," Ramza replied in a calm tone.

"My mother...?" Ramia whispered in wonder. "How would you know where...?" Her voice trailed away as realization hit her, turning to Galvin. "You told them?"

Before the young knight could utter a reply, Delita said, "Your adoptive father has written the whereabouts of your mother." He gestured towards the letter again. "He has also warned us that you would not take kindly to us. I understand your sentiment, but know this, Lady Ramia. Your mother will be brought back to us, with or without your help."

"I won't let you!" the young woman seethed, angered at the thought that the people who caused her mother's imprisonment would be the ones to liberate her. Weren't they ashamed of themselves? And not only that, but her father was in the very same room as she and has no courage to identify himself.

The coward, she thought as she once again glared around the room before looking at Ramza, who spoke:

"You are afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Ramia queried, a note of sarcasm in her voice.

"That what we have told you is the truth."

"R-Ridiculous!" the young woman stuttered. "Why would I be afraid of your inane story? It reeks of childishness!"

Though she put up a strong front, Ramza's words had hit the mark. She was afraid.

Afraid to discover the story to be true from the one person she trusted the most:

Her mother.

"Then I will give you another source of truth," Ramza offered as he pulled out a small decrepit book and handed it to Ramia, who stared at it questioningly. "The Germonik Scriptures," he explained. "If you are truly not afraid of the truth, you'll read this and discover the truth yourself."

Ramia hesitated. She knew of Germonik, the disciple of St. Ajora who had betrayed him to the Yudora Empire, having heard about him during a history lesson. Beyond that, however, she knew nothing about him—his life and time with St. Ajora. Does this book explain it? What truth does it contain?

Hesitation pushed aside, she took the book, as she declared in an even voice, "I am not afraid."

Ramza nodded. "You have a choice to believe what you will. Either way, however, your mother will be freed. As soon as Yardow is secured, we will go to Bethla Garrison and rescue her. You have until then to decide. What will you believe in, Ramia?"


The words echoed in Ramia's mind as the memory receded. She considered her decision. She could discard the Germonik Scriptures as false, saying that it was a product made by the heretics to fool her and everyone else, but the only person she would be fooling was herself. What she had read made complete and utter sense.

And it scared her.

All this time she had been living a lie. Her mother was imprisoned not because of her involvement with Ramza's crusade, but because of what she believed.

Was I wrong all this time?

Behind her, Alicia stood in silence, her expression blank as always. After the meeting, she had taken it upon herself to watch over the young Holy Knight just as she had vowed to Agrias when she was born. She could sense her ward's anxiety and wanted to say something to comfort her, but the words were hard to form, so instead she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

At the touch, Ramia glanced over her shoulder to see Alicia, who nodded once before letting go.

The pain of choosing eased as she smiled and turned to regard the reconstruction of the walls. It had not taken the townspeople long to decide in aiding the rebellion, having made their decision two days prior, on that same day as the meeting in the square. The men worked along the knights of both orders as the women brought them food and drink. Commoners stood side by side with nobles; heretics along with believers; a blending of people brought together by a common goal:

Peace.

Yes, this is what she wanted. Not only for herself, but for her mother and everyone else as well.

"My path is clear..." she whispered, her decision made. "All I must do now is carve it."

She looked up to the sky, which was beginning to clear a bit, the sun shining through the clouds. It was as if heaven was giving its blessing.

Ramia smiled. Grandfather, I will keep my promise. Mother will be coming home soon.