Geez, what chapter is this? 9? This story got a lot longer than I expected it, but that's okay. It was fun to write it. And it ain't over yet! So, yeah. Guess I'll just let you read. Everybody probably skips this part anyway.

Chapter 9: Confrontations

Life in Monsbaiya is steady and unchanging. Its isolated location protects it against the rapidly changing western world. Every once in a while, a new traveler from the West brings a new invention or idea to the sleepy desert town. But while little ripples would break the steadiness of life, Monsbaiya follows the image of the shifting sands it is surrounded by, the hot wind smoothing and reshaping back to a stable, normal shape.

Though nothing had physically changed, Beldo felt like a new person. The downward slope his life had taken nineteen years ago seemed to be righting itself at last. He walked home, Elfie trailing at his heels, and he reveled in the beauty of the town he had once despised.

That evening, in a burst of energy, Beldo decided to clean the abandoned house. His months of occupancy and the mess that was left behind the by the previous owners had gathered into an uncontrolled disaster that Beldo had been doing his best to ignore. When Weedy had begun visiting the house, Beldo has simply shoved as much stuff as he could into the uninhabited corners of the house. With Elfie supervising, he cleaned until the moon had risen above the Tower. Finally, he decided to qui for the evening. He found an area in a corner to set down the box in his arms and he turned away. As he turned, something in the corner caught his eye.

It was the black cloak, still crumpled in a ball from the night at Fur's general store. It was covered in a tin layer of dust, most likely from Beldo's shifting of boxes. Beldo lifted it gently and held it in from of his face, his gaze transfixed by the rumpled black cloth.

Beldo suddenly felt as if someone was watching him. He stuffed the black cloak in a large crate of broken dishes and whirled to face the front windows, eyes darting wildly.

The windows were empty, the dark night sky was all that was visible past the windowsill. The faded curtains blew gently in the breeze that blew in through the glass-less windows.

Beldo scolded himself for his paranoia. "I am past hat," He said forcefully, "Beyond that ridiculous action." He glanced at Elfie for support, but she just yawned and rested her chin on her paws.

"It's over," Beldo murmured, "I have passed that. A new chapter…" He paced the room, muttering to himself and doing his best to console himself.

"Pathetic! That is what this is! Swayed by a stupid cloak that caused nothing but trouble to begin with! Forget it, Beldo!"

He sat down heavily on the bed, shaking the mattress and walking Elfie form her doze. She lifted her head and scooted herself so her head rested on Beldo's leg. Her eyes followed Beldo's hand as it hovered above her in surprise, then settled between her ears. She closed her eyes contentedly and returned to her sleep.

Beldo watched his little dog with wonder. His mind suddenly felt at east and his worrying about the cloak had dissipated. Though Elfie was asleep, Beldo talked to her, more as a way to clear his mind than as one side of a conversation.

"I was afraid when I saw that cloak, Elfie,' he said, absently scratching the fuzzy brown head, "I felt like a new man today, cleansed. But that cloak…It's proof I was…corrupted less than a month ago. It scared me for what it was:" a reminder of what I could still become again."

Elfie yawned again, clearly bored with Beldo's indecision. She rolled onto her back, begging for a belly rub. When none came, she rolled back over and watched her master curiously.

Beldo's eyes drifted across the room, not really seeing the furnishings of the house. He was so distracted, he almost passed over a small, black leather-bound book resting on the table in the center of the room. A shaft of moonlight shone through the open window, spilling a circle of pure white light over the black book. Beldo stood slowly, suddenly mesmerized by the book. He reached out with one shaking hand and grudgingly picked up the book.

He opened the cover tentatively and scanned the first words on the page, using the moonbeam for light. As he read, some passages seemed to jump out at him, pushing themselves into his vision and his mind.

"June 16

Dear Diary,

My quest to destroy Koh's life has come to a temporary halt…Although I burn to kill him now…must find a way to destroy Koh's mind…will rue the day his father challenged me!"

Beldo dropped the book, flinging it from himself as if it were a desert scorpion. His eyes wide in cold realization, he lowered himself to the floor and leaned against the sideboard of the bead, his head resting in his hands.

Elfie jumped from the bed to the floor, lost her balance and did a half-somersault on the wood floor. She shook her head, got to her feet and padded to Beldo's side. She rested on paw on the tow of his boot and whimpered fretfully.

"I cannot be around people," Beldo said, his voice muffled behind his hands, "I was dangerous once. Insane. I cannot possibly seek the company of humans anymore." He leaned back against the bed and stared at the ceiling, "And who would want to associate with this cold-blooded murderer? I was never meant to belong in civilization.

"So it is decided," Beldo said after a short silence," I will return to the Tower. I will fight in the Tower for myself alone. And," he sighed and closed his eyes painfully, "I will sever all ties with the people of this town. Monsbaiya will become only a market for my conquests in the Tower. No more."

Elfie padded quietly to the middle of the room and plopped unceremoniously on the floor. Suddenly, she burst into a brilliant blue-white light. The light grew brighter until the room was completely obscured by the radiance emanating from the little dog. Then, the light began to subside, receding back to the point of origin.

But Elfie was gone. In her place stood a creature about the size of an Irish wolfhound. The creature resembled a large dog, aside from her color, a pale silvery blue, and a pair of silver wings folded neatly on her blue-haired back. She shook her head to settle her glossy coat and calmly sat on her haunches to face Beldo.

Beldo had backed away when the light began to grow; he had been pushed back by the painful luminescence of the magic light. He lowered his arm and stared incredulously at the silver-blue creature in his house.

"Greetings, Lord Beldo," the creature said, inclining her head in a show of respect, "It is a pleasure to finally speak to you in person."

Beldo blinked a few times, unable to grasp what had just happened. He opened and closed his mouth a few times as he found and immediately rejected things to say to this strange being in his living room. Finally, he managed to say, "Where is Elfie?"

The blue dog chuckled and rearranged her wings, "I am Elfie. I should probably explain."

"Please," Beldo prompted, still in a daze.

"My name is, or was, Verra. I'm…a new breed of monster, I suppose." She shrugged apologetically, "I don't really remember much before I left the Tower."

Beldo was beginning to regain his composure. He straightened his posture and a touch of his condescending former self came through in his voice. "You're a familiar," he said, "My familiar?"

Verra-Elfie nodded kindly and wordlessly.

"If you have been a familiar this entire time," Beldo said, "Why did you not show yourself before? And why me?" His voice rose steadily to an almost hysterical pitch as he vented his feelings "Why choose a failure like me? A broken man whose only remarkable deeds involve murder and revenge?" He turned away from the ethereal creature in his living room, "I don't deserve a second chance."

The blue creature that claimed to be Elfie smiled; a strange expression that could never exist on a normal dog, but somehow it seemed natural on the animal. "Maybe that's true," she said, her voice a low rumble, "But I've watched you for the past months. I can't believe you're evil at heart. I want to help you.

"Now," she continued, "As for why I stayed in my disguise. I could only help you in the Tower. The one clause," she chuckled, "You had to want to challenge the Tower, first."

"What do I do, then?" Beldo asked, "There has to be a catch; there always is. There must be."

"No catch," Elfie said, "I chose you." She shook her head and walked to Beldo's side. "I'm not here to challenge your decisions, although I don't think you'll be able to avoid Weedy. That girl is intense. Anyway, we'll get started in the Tower tomorrow, right?"

Beldo sighed and tipped his head forward into his palms. "What do I have to lose?" he whispered to himself. Suddenly, a blue-white muzzle pushed its way between his arms and Elfie's wet nose touched Beldo's own nose. He looked up and smiled, "You are my one constant friend, Elfie. Or would you prefer Verra?"

She smiled, "My name's Elfie now. Unless you want to change it." She let out a short, happy bark and cheered, "We train tomorrow!"

"Yes, "Beldo said quietly, relieved to be thinking about the future rather than the past, "Tomorrow we begin."

The days that followed quickly evolved into routine. Beldo and Elfie, now constantly in her new form, explored the Tower by night and slept by day. The nocturnal lifestyle was Beldo's idea; by working at night, he could avoid most of the denizens of Monsbaiya. He used the early mornings and late evenings for selling the items he got into the Tower.

The first few times Weedy came by, Beldo almost gave in. She knocked on the locked door and called for him while Beldo did his best to block out her voice. Eventually, it became easier for Beldo to suppress the urge to fling open the front door and greet Weedy with open arms. Elfie hid under the table during Weedy's visits and covered her floppy ears with her paws. She pretended to sleep, but Beldo knew she was never truly asleep.

Weedy's visits became shorter until one day she didn't come at all. Beldo was relieved but when no knocks accompanied the town bell, Beldo felt a small piece of him disappear. He was sad for a while, but managed to get his emotions under control. But that little hole was always present in some form.

To drown out his feelings of loneliness and guilt, Beldo threw himself into his work in the Tower. They were forced to start slow at first; Elfie, being young and a brand-new familiar, had never fought strategically in the Tower before and it had been seven years since Beldo had seriously fought against monsters.

But Elfie learned fast, Beldo was able to dig up his long-dormant fighter skills , and the duo was soon reaching levels above the twentieth floor, no small feat for any trainer, let alone one who had been training for just a few months.

The treasure and fame that had once symbolized life in the Tower no longer held any allure for Beldo. He fought for himself and for Elfie in this new lifestyle. Though he sold most of the weapons and items he found, he kept some of his favorite swords and items, despite the high prices they could have fetched. With Elfie's urging he added a monster hut onto the abandoned house, now quickly changing to a lived-in home rather than an empty shell.

Beldo continued to pull away from society, only associating with people had absolutely had to: Fur and Tonka, the town carpenter. At times, he would remember people he had known, a path that ultimately led him to Wreath. When these bouts of nostalgia set in, Beldo would immediately lose himself in the Tower. Slowly, he became a master of hiding his feelings, expressing everything to one being only: Elfie. She listened patiently, unapproving and silently.

Elfie never claimed to understand human emotions. She was new to the human world, but from what she had observed of Beldo's life, she didn't approve. She believed Beldo was only putting off his problems by isolating himself and she missed Weedy terribly.

"It is for the best," Beldo would answer whenever Elfie expressed her feelings, "She needs to grow up away from…"

"From what?" Elfie challenged one afternoon, "From you? You've done nothing to influence her badly. Why do you insist on making life painful for yourself?"

"Because life is painful," Beldo said quietly, his head bent over a shirt in his lap. He knotted off a piece of thread and began to mend a tear in the sleeve.

"Only if you make it that way!" Elfie challenged, "I've been watching you. You know you miss people. Why do you deny it?"

"Elfie," Beldo sighed, "I don't have the strength to fight you on this. Please just let it alone."

Elfie sighed and rested her chin on her paws. "If you're not going to talk to other people, at least scratch my ears. Or a belly rub would be dreamy," Beldo just smiled weakly and continued sewing. "You will become a crabby old man if you keep on this ay," Elfie said grumpily, disappointed at the lack of a belly rub.

"I already am a crabby old man," Beldo laughed softly, more to himself than to Elfie, "I've become broken old man who has only simple things to live for."

:You're not old," Elfie yawned, starting to get bored with the conversation. She opened her mouth wide, baring her teeth and pink tongue in a huge yawn, "Let's talk about something else. I've learned to keep my opinions to myself. D'you have any more of those Koh toys?"

Beldo smiled wryly, "Aren't you a little big for those?"

A knock on the door interrupted the conversation between man and dog. Elfie made a move to get up, but Beldo motioned to her to stay. She whimpered and cast a doleful look at Beldo. He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly.

"Beldo? Are you in there?" A woman's voice came through the heavy door, a touch of worry in her tone. Beldo's eyes snapped open in surprise and he stared at the closed door without moving a muscle.

"Beldo? Please, if you're home, let me in. I just want to talk."

"It's Wreath," Elfie whispered excitedly. She got to her feet and stepped toward the door, "I'm going to let her in!"

"No!" Beldo hissed, making a move to grab Elfie, but he was too late. Elfie dashed to the door and had the handle her mouth before Beldo was halfway across the room. When she turned the handle, Beldo found himself face to face with Wreath.

Wreath smiled nervously, "I thought you were home."

Beldo blinked, stunned, then made a small bow, "Come in, Wreath. It's…good to see you."

Wreath stepped over the threshold and set down a white bag she had been holding in her arms. She looked up and followed Beldo's gaze to the bag. "Wedding plans," she explained, hastily adding, "For Koh and Nico Southey. She's a sweet girl… I'm sorry. I'm rambling."

"No," Beldo said quickly, "It…what can I…"

"Why did you leave?" Wreath interrupted suddenly, turning to face Beldo. "Without even saying goodbye to her. Why?"

Beldo was speechless. He ran a hand through his hair and looked away, suddenly ashamed. When he found his voice, he whispered, "It's not right for her to spend time with her father's killer."

Wreath sighed and stepped toward him, "Beldo, she doesn't know. She's depressed without you. She needs you." She paused and added, "She loves you."

Beldo's head snapped up at Wreath's words. "What?" he asked hoarsely. No one had ever said those words to him since he was a child.

"She loves you," Wreath repeated, "Come back, Beldo."

He looked up and his eyes were caught by Wreath's large brown eyes. He was about to give in, a heartbeat away from giving in to Wreath's pleas. He could spend time with Weedy and Wreath, be happy forever and…

"No," he said firmly. The strength of his own voice surprised him, but he continued, "I have made an oath and I intend to keep it."

"What are you talking about?" Wreath interrupted, "I don't understand what's wrong. Why are we…?"

"I told you," Beldo interjected, "It has nothing to do with you. I have finally come to the realization that I have lived a life that was not worth living."

"Beldo, no! You…"

"Just listen!" All I have done with my life is conspire, hate and murder! Do you know what I've done? Wreath I…"

"I know what you've done," Wreath interrupted, her voice stable and calm, "I've known for seven years. I can't say I completely understand why you hated Guy. No one ever can. But I think I have a pretty good idea."

"So you are content with this…acquaintance?" Beldo challenged, "You do not think it dishonors your husband?"

"Aren't you betraying yourself by denying yourself happiness?" Wreath retorted sharply.

"People like me do not deserve happiness!" Beldo shouted, impassioned by his cause. However much he wanted to abandon this fight, he knew it was what was best for all three of them and he couldn't bring himself to back down. "People like me, we deserve nothing; especially not kindness from those they have wronged!"

Wreath silently stared at Beldo, waiting for his tirade to end. When she finally spoke, her voice was a whisper. "No one in your position deserves to be an outcast. I never blamed you for Guy's death, as heartless as it sounds. Guy knew the risks of the Tower. Every time he left, I wondered if it would be the last time I saw him alive." She sighed, wiped a tear from her cheek and continued, "As for you, I knew what you were going through, even though you think I didn't. Jealousy drove you insane and it was that jealousy that killed Guy. He should have seen the signs. Or maybe he did and he thought he could fix them. It's what Guy would have done."

"Wreath…"

"Just let me say this. I've been holding it for seven years and it's time I let it out." She let her eyes drift to meet Beldo's, "Even after Guy, after Koh, I never stopped loving you." She laughed a little at Beldo's expression of pure surprise, "I bet you didn't know that. Thought we were just friends?" No, I loved you just as much as I loved Guy. Funny how things turn out," she mused sadly.

Beldo didn't respond. He stood in complete shock, unable to think of anything to say. His brain screamed at him to say something, anything to keep Wreath near him. She loved him! His heart fluttered wildly in his chest and every fiber urged him to return her love.

But while he strained to say he loved her, a tiny corner of his brain held him back. "Murderer," it said, "You're a murderer and you know it. She may say she doesn't care but she does, oh she does. How can't she? You destroyed the man she married. The man she loved. The man she lived with for seven years. Whom she had two children with. Of course she cares. She could never be with a murderer like you!"

"Weedy loves you too," Wreath continued. She had picked up her bag and was twisting the rope handles nervously with her fingers as she spoke. "She loves you like a father. Even a month after you… she still talks about you. You're the only father she's ever know."

Suddenly, the temple bell chimed the hour, the sound of the iron bell made Wreath start. "I better go," she said, hastily walking to the door. She paused near Elfie, who had been silently observing from a shadow near the door. Wreath petted Elfie's head and turned for a final glance at Beldo.

Beldo wasn't looking at Wreath. His face in his hand, he stared into nothingness as he battled with himself to keep from running to her. He heard Wreath say, "I won't bother you again. But remember: our door is always open to you." He heard the clicking of the latch and she was gone.

"Aren't you doing to go after her?" Elfie exclaimed. She skidded to Beldo's side and an involuntary bark escaped her, "She loves you! This could be your last chance!"

"Don't you think I know?" Beldo snapped, "But what can I do? She does not…"

"If you say she doesn't deserve you, I'll bite your foot!" Elfie interrupted.

"You are not supposed to interfere in my life!" Beldo said, "My decision is final!" He stalked to the door and threw it open so sharply, it slammed against the wall behind it.

"Where are you going?" Elfie called, her voice a mixture of anger and hope.

"I am going for a walk!" Beldo shouted, "You are to stay here! I will be back soon." He slammed the door shut behind him, leaving Elfie behind, her head sadly balanced on her paws in anticipation of her master's return.