***Author's Notes***
Fortunately, this section covers no battle-scenes (yay!). Covers the immediate aftermath of the Zirekile Falls battle.
Still, Princess Ovelia has been recovered, the Hokuten are out to apprehend her, and Agrias is all but isolated. Ramza appears to support her, and she doesn't doubt it, but the pressure is bound to be overwhelming.
I just noticed that I completely goofed on the numbering structure of the chapters . . . oops - THIS is Scene 05 . . .
Expect a lot of introspection . . . what I believe I do best - Oh- so-good character self-analysis of themselves and their environment. Strange, a lot of the focus is on Agrias, but her own center of attention is not at herself.
It's about time the story slowed down a bit for Agrias to go over some of her thoughts.
Also, in case if you are wondering, the word "dame" is what I am using as the female equivalent of "sir."
For example, since Lavian is a knight 'and' female, instead of going by 'sir Lavian', she will be referred to instead as 'dame Lavian' as her casual title.
Also, format change . . . I messed up, I included the prologue as chapter 01, even if DID occur in the same timeframe as "Chapter Two: The Manipulator and the Subservient".
***Author's Notes***
Chapter 02-05 "Solidarity" (Chapter Two: The Manipulator and the Subservient, Scene 05)
***January 3rd, Year 2. Zirekile Falls***
The setting had changed, and the field was theirs. The bodies of the dead Hokuten were grouped together, shrouded by the dirtied white traveling mantles they wore. Below, under the bridge, was Alicia and Lavian, the former changing into a set of dry clothing. Both knights had come away with no permanent injuries, though they knew the strain of their bruises would multiply the longer they went without rest; something they knew they would not receive.
Above, on the west embankment, stood Ramza, and Ovelia was beside Agrias. The three of them were seeing the kidnapper-turned-rescuer -or so he claimed- off, where he would continue to go back east, to Goltana, while the only avenue left for the princess, the knights, and Ramza was to the south.
Turning his head, gazing at the trio tiredly, Delita addressed Ramza, snubbing Agrias. "Leave the princess with me," he told them. "It's better for her," he explained.
Ramza's quick reply forestalled Agrias' outburst. "Delita," he addressed his former friend in a voice that was far too polite, "what are you scheming?"
"Scheming?" Delita repeated, "don't be foolish. I'm telling the truth. Think about it," he told them, continuing to stand on the ladder- bridge. "Where would you take her after making an enemy of the Hokuten?" he said, asking another big question they had yet to tackle. Not giving them the time to answer, he continued on. "Crack Hokuten troops will come looking for you any time now. Just where the hell do you plan to escape to?" he put bluntly.
Ramza choked, wanting to look back towards Agrias for support. "W, well, I . . . "
Delita cut him off. "Think carefully. The princess knows this was Prince Larg's plan." As he said that, Agrias' interests grew as her thoughts diverted to what he had done with the princess during her period of captivity. "The royal family is not on your side," Delita revealed. "So what about Goltana?" he asked, bringing up his lord. "No," Delita said, grunting, "he'd execute you just to clear himself."
In turn, Agrias interposed herself between Delita and Ovelia's line of sight, as if to sever the influence the captor had on the captivated. "What would you do?" she asked doubtfully in return, in a stern manner.
"I'd do what you can't do," Delita replied in a confident manner, calm, composed, and serious.
"What do you mean?" Ramza asked, not wanting Agrias to unleash her pent-up anger on Delita.
"I can't tell you . . . " Delita said back, shrugging. Seeing that there was little point to continue, he began to walk away. "I'll leave the princess with you a while longer." Again, his statement sparked Agrias' ire.
"Delita," Ramza called out as his friend was walking away, "I'm glad I could see you again."
Delita stopped, but did not face him. "Teta saved me . . . " he said, his voice somewhere else.
"What?" Ramza asked, feeling cold.
"Teta saved me back then . . . " Delita said again, as if repetition would clarify the matter.
" . . . " Ramza just stared.
Moving asides Agrias, Ovelia placed herself ahead of her guardian and called out, "Thank you, Delita."
Agrias felt another point of frustration manifest within her, and suddenly, the option of leaving the kidnapper alive seemed very foolish to her, even if he supposedly was on their side.
Delita did not address the princess, another point that Agrias noted. "See you again, Ramza."
Pointedly, Agrias ignored his departure, refusing to allow herself to look after the young man, to deny him that honor. Pushing her prejudice -however justified- aside, she asked Ramza a critical question. "Ramza, thanks for your support." Agrias knew it sounded trite and callous, but what more could be said? "But . . . " she asked of him, "are you sure you want to make the Hokuten an enemy?"
Turning to face her, the resolute expression on Ramza's face was one that cheered her. The smile, grim and determined as it was, proved to be infectious, and Agrias wondered why she mirrored him. "Don't worry," he told her. "I've already decided." There was hope in his eyes, she saw, and she hoped that maybe it was of some substance. "The question is," he posed, "now what should we do?" He shrugged. "Like Delita said, nobody will help us . . . "
Agrias was glad to challenge his statement, which was Delita's statement after all. "We can ask Cardinal Draclau for help . . . " she told him, mentioning the lord of the province of Lionel. "Glabados church has jurisdiction over Lionel," she pointed out, "they might be able to help," she continued.
Ramza nodded. "Hokuten have to be careful what they do in Lionel . . . let's go," he told her. "Its the only place for us."
Eager, Agrias nodded, wondering why she valued his opinion so, as if he was her superior, or at the very least, a fellow commander.
Ovelia just watched the two warriors converse, her interest in the 'dashing' kidnapper taking second place as she wondered what Agrias had to do with the mercenary, one who she had only seen once before: right before the kidnapping just two days ago. His link to Delita intrigued her by relation, yet not as much as to what she wondered Agrias thought of him.
***
Ramza, Agrias, Ovelia, and the knights were on the road again. On Boco Ovelia rode, whilst Agrias led the chocobo willingly by the spare set of reins she placed on him. Up ahead, Ramza was the vanguard, leading the baggage chocobo. Bringing up the rear was Alicia and Lavian, tired, but able.
Examining the maps left behind, Ramza had taken it upon himself to be the navigator, sharing Agrias' responsibilities in leading the group, allowing the woman to focus more attention on her principal. Alicia and Lavian were glad for it, not just because it meant less work for them, but because they knew 'Boss Lady' needed all the assistance she could get.
Furtively, Agrias kept on looking forwards at the boy leading them, and wondered what future the boy had, along with her own future, which was bound to Princess Ovelia. She knew that she should establish her authority again, but Ramza's enthusiasm was something she needed. Being strong was one thing, but being strong alone? Alicia and Lavian she relied on for support, but they were her subordinates; she was to lead them, not the other way around.
In the outsider, she saw many things; many, many things, and she had trouble from keeping her thoughts, motives, and wishes from overlapping as she juggled points of interests about her, as well as having to keep a wary eye on their surroundings.
Their first objective was to make it into Lionel itself, and as soon as they made it out of the Zirekile area, then they were within that province. However, it was still tomorrow that they would reach the first large population center: Zaland Fort City. It would be imprudent to march through the night, and none of them had the energy left.
Together Agrias and Ramza kept their concern between themselves; both knew the others' concerns as it pertained to their mission.
The Hokuten would be in pursuit, but it would be some time before they could come for them in force, maybe several days or a week; by then they would already be safe under the protection of the Cardinal, and by extension, the church, who would support the princess.
The matter of creating the excuse for the princess' disappearance would be a minor affair, and Agrias hoped that she could rely on the cardinal to accommodate their alibi; an unofficial state visit by the princess at the cardinal's request.
If the Hokuten already had men prepared, well then, it was a moot point to think about it since they would already be dead. For now, their concern was simply to make it into Lionel, file the necessary paperwork that would save their lives, and send the petition to the cardinal, all the while making their way to his capital, Lionel Castle, where they would be safest.
Then, maybe then, they could relax, but only for a moment, Agrias knew, as the political implications of this was nothing short of a coup d'etat or in other words: civil war.
***
Their campsite was still at high elevation, but the air was still thick here, if not chillier. They would follow this mountain trail all the way down into Lionel. For now, rest was required.
Alicia and Lavian immediately fell asleep, having only the time to shuck their protective overclothing, and dropped to the ground, where Agrias -and with her permission- Ramza prepared beddings for them and tucked them in. They already had exhausted knights; they did not want exhausted knights with illnesses.
Agrias too had discarded her armor at Ovelia's insistence, and the Holy Knight fussed over her ward. Ramza said nothing, finding the site curious considering the woman's previous conduct, attitude, and profession. Plus, he did not want to end the source of his interest and to some extent: amusement. Agrias acted effeminate enough for him that he could tell she was a woman, but this side of her Ramza did not see. (Dichotomy?) he asked himself as he observed, finding him more and more fascinated.
Ramza, Alicia, and Lavian had eaten their food while on the move, cold, yet it still filled their stomachs. However, Ovelia had not yet eaten a meal, and neither had Agrias, Ramza noticed. Ramza conducted himself as well he could towards a princess, but practicality demanded it of him to place function over protocol. He was polite, but he was also isolated from her, as if Agrias had placed up a personal barrier around her ward.
Agrias was cooking. Well, warming up the food, using flat stones she found and rinsed with the replenished drinking water from Zirekile Falls, and heating those stones. It wasn't anything fancy, but food was food, and even better: it was warm.
Embarrassed, Agrias presented the groups' heated food supply to the princess, who sharing some of her knight's uneasiness, tentatively took a hunk of bread into her arms and began to nibble. Feeling that Agrias was coming down on herself inside, Ramza attempted his own rescue. "May I?" he asked the princess and Agrias.
Surprised, Agrias just nodded, apology in her eyes for having to ignore him.
"Oh . . . " Ovelia said, before recovering herself. "Please, please do, Mr. Ruglia," she addressed him.
Ramza blinked at the use of the name, before he remembered what he wanted to do. Ignoring the bread, he selected a piece of flesh, carefully picking it up with both hands. Reclining on the grass on his side, Ramza knew he was bordering on affronting towards the princess, and Agrias looked at him. Bringing it up to his maw, Ramza put the salted meat down a little and addressed the princess. "Pardon my manners, but we do not have the luxuries . . . " he began, hoping Agrias would get the point and forget being shamed by something she could not control.
"I understand," Ovelia said, laughing softly. "You're a knight, aren't you?" she said jovially, being playful. "Noble in more ways than one, yes?"
Ramza was surprised by his success, and he nodded. Indicating Agrias, he spoke. "I came to the rescue of a good friend who was torturing herself over something insignificant."
"Friend?" Ovelia said softly, "yes, I suppose its what friends do. Your gallantry, however unusual," she pointed out in a non-scolding manner," is a very appealing trait in you."
As Ramza remained speechless, saying nothing, Ovelia continued, addressing Agrias in turn. "Now, dame Agrias, it is your turn to come to the aid of our humble 'knight'."
Ramza found himself blushing as Agrias laughed, and he smiled as he saw the relaxed expression in her face. (There's wisdom in being happy,) he thought, putting thoughts of tomorrow and what may come to where they belonged, to where he could contemplate them, but not worry about them.
Focusing his attention to the two young women in front of him, Ramza gestured down to the heated slab of rock. "If you would join us?"
Reprieved, Agrias joined them after showing some hesitation at the prospect of dining in such a primitive manner with her princess. Still, she was smiling, and Ramza only hoped that it was in happiness, even it did come from relief, or at his own expense.
The night continued on, and Ovelia watched her companions, having thoughts of her own. She would've admitted to missing the previous days' company, but only after they forced the confession out of her. Still, in Ramza and Agrias' company, even with her all-too-faithful knight almost overbearing in her concern, Ovelia had the inkling that she was a third leg. Feeling sad at intruding what she thought might be between the two, Ovelia did what she could to steer the night's entertainment around the cooking fire around the two, using her authority somewhat to get the two to loosen up and talk about themselves. Ovelia mused, envying, and worrying for the two. (For once, I think I am using my authority to do good.)
***
Agrias insisted on keeping the watch, saying that of all of them -well, Alicia and Lavian weren't awake to argue, and her word would've overridden theirs, even if it was underhanded, she was the one with the most energy remaining, which said little, as her body was still numb from sleep deprivation. The haze would come again, and this time, it would be insistent, disgruntled, and all the harder to weather through.
Alicia and Lavian came away from the battle with their share of aches and pains, the most of the group's in fact. Everyone had suffered minor cuts, except for Boco and obviously Ovelia. Those had been quickly cleaned and bandaged; infection was a method of dying that was darkly humorous in nature.
Boco was alert too, and the chocobo roosted where he lay, near the campfire, near the princess, as if to help keep her safe. But, it would be irresponsible to leave a chocobo to stand guard. So, there Agrias reclined, sitting up against a rock, half-paranoid with the thought that someone would sneak up on her where she was using the large stone as cover. Still, to stay near the campfire served no purpose as it would take away all of her night vision, which would've been counterproductive.
Thankfully, Ramza had understood her sentiments and he slept away from Ovelia, by himself, in fact, right next to the stone she had selected as her picket post. Agrias felt that she was contradicting herself, being a hypocrite. Here, the boy, though obviously a noble from Gallione, affiliated, or once was affiliated with the Hokuten knights, the very same knight order with the intentions of kidnapping -killing- the princess. Still, his loyalty was to . . . ( . . . his loyalty was to?) Agrias asked herself. (He owes more allegiance to what he once was than to Princess Ovelia,) Agrias acknowledged. (His allegiance . . . no, his loyalty?) she pondered, (is to me . . . isn't it.) Feeling confused, Agrias finally decided to explore this line of thought, determined to either explore it, or to lose her sanity in trying, considering herself skilled enough as a soldier -and as a woman- to multi-task.
Half-heartedly, Agrias wondered how much more clear everything would've been had Ramza simply been in it for the revenue, which was no longer in coming, unless he received Gafgarion and Rad's payment as well from the Order of St. Konoe, a concession Agrias would damn well pursue to reward him, as well as doing her best to ensure that he received a commission in another group, one different from the Hokuten. Agrias thought of herself as a good judge of other people, well, once she was forced to spend time with them at least, she admitted. The fact that he was in this with her because of his conscience bothered Agrias.
On one hand, she knew him to be sincere, at least in his support, but on the other, she felt doubtful of him, having enough past experience with other zealots in the past. Ramza may not be a part of the clergy or its martial sects, but damned, Agrias concluded ironically, if he did not fit the mental type. The difference was he did not know it. As a noble, Ramza did have a prime chance to enter the clergy, but since Agrias knew he was of the Hokuten, it was obvious that any interest in the church would've been curbed in him.
She agreed with his family -whoever they were- that he would've been wasted as a priest. A fine one, but the fine ones were ordinary, being able to settle problems before they developed into crises, and in such amalgamations of danger and opportunity did individuals distinguish themselves, well, augmented their fame - Agrias also bitterly acknowledged that family prestige had much to do with a person's fate.
After all, she was the guardian -she volunteered, of course- of Princess Ovelia, a caged bird of a girl and of a monarch. Granted, of all the trapped people in Ivalice she was at the top, yet it was still imprisonment.
(Hm, if Ramza never tells me what family he came from, I'll never ask, so long as he keep the specters from his past at bay,) Agrias resolved, accepting that the boy just had so many things to hide. However, like the Delita Pursuit, it was links to his past that might prove critical to them, but Agrias did not know how, and she did not want to strain any potential relatio-Agrias' caravan of thought went into a ditch. She did not want to sever any bonds they may have made to each other.
In fact, Agrias admitted, she would indeed look forward to serving with him sometime in the future. It was a nice thought to entertain as it promised so many benefits to her, something she had not looked forward to since word got out that the war was ending, which was a bittersweet event at best, something which she was not satisfied with, but still grateful that that particular ordeal had ended, only do discover that Ivalice was in danger once more . . . from within.
"Out one pot into another?" Ramza asked her softly, startling her.
Settling back down, Agrias turned to look at him again, unable to speak. (How can he do that?!) her mind raged, her heartbeat suddenly shifting from a slow lethargic rhythm to a frantic metronome. The implication of what Ramza was asking confused her. (He's not reading your mind . . . ) Agrias told to herself, beginning to create a mantra, (he can't hear your thoughts . . . ) Agrias opened her mouth to speak and to question him just 'what' he was implying, if anything. "E-eh . . . hrn . . . "
"First Goltana, now Larg," he specified, giving her a soft, and tired smile that one possessed in the morning. Yawning, he smiled apologetically.
Agrias felt frustration rising with as again, aspects of her personality conflicted. She knew she shouldn't be angry with him, but the way that some part of her just found his appearance, presence, and even his words soothing aggravated her. It was unnatural, something which Agrias thought she should not feel. "Amongst other things . . . " she let out softly.
"Agrias," he asked her gently, his voice still soft and quiet from his slumber, a little slurred as well, "are you exhausted?"
"Physically," she told him, "I'm just beginning to adjust to this pace. Mentally . . . this is almost too much," she allowed herself to reveal, knowing that she was admitting things that an officer of her rank and responsibility should never reveal to her subordinates; to show that their leader was not confident in them or their situation. But, Ramza wasn't her subordinate, nor was he her superior, or equal even. (A peer?) Agrias wondered, before dismissing her idea, (A friend? Yes . . . but, what kind of friend . . . ) "When soldiers dabble foolishly in politics . . . "
Ramza shook his head. "Soldiers know better . . . it's the nobles who throw their retainers into the meat-grinder."
"True enough," Agrias admitted with gallows humor. "Few of them make decent enough officers." She wasn't pleased to see Ramza visibly flinch at that remark. (He's the one who said it first . . . ) "For the most part, the only tactic they specialize in is the glorious charge forwards . . . "
"Right into the killing fields . . . " Ramza concurred. "I never experienced it, but my 'tour of duty'," he quipped almost with sarcasm, "was different."
"You've mentioned, alluded to at least, to being a commander before, Ramza. What kind of leader were you?" she asked him seriously, but also grateful that she was steering the conversation away from her.
"I wouldn't know," Ramza admitted. "Only the other cadets would." He continued on to give her a more substantial answer as he gave it some thought. "I did what I could, but I did not devote myself to them. To me, the objective was key, as was honor . . . "
"The cornerstone of the Hokuten, as if that explained all the glory they reaped." Agrias could not keep the cynicism out of her tone. "Personally, you," she addressed him as one of the Hokuten unwittingly, "you are good warriors. A decent officer corps, or there 'was'," she emphasized, "a decent officer corps, and willing volunteers from hereditary family lines that somehow, somehow kept their edge through the generations."
"War would do that," Ramza pointed out.
Agrias had an angry remark on the tip of her tongue, but she wondered why that was so. So, she curbed her statement of telling him that the Fifty Years' War was the Hokuten's war, the war in which they came to prominence, in the good times and the bad. "It would do that, if it didn't kill off the bloodlines first," she pointed out, and changing the subject, she asked him a question that bothered her. "Those Hokuten that we fought," she told him, "they seemed reluctant to fight you . . . " she let the statement drag before she continued. "But, were you reluctant to engage them?"
Ramza yawned, and Agrias wondered if that was uneasiness or offense. "I wouldn't know. Former comrades or not, in that situation, the only thing the Hokuten and I shared were the heritage, little more."
"I did not mean to question your loyalty," Agrias told him. The small amount of hurt she saw in him stung her in return. "I'm-" she began to apologize, before she caught herself again. "That was uncalled for, I should not have said that to you."
"You were justified in what you wanted to know of me," Ramza told her gently, tilting his head upwards to continue looking into her eyes after she had bowed her head.
Agrias did not like the phrasing of those words. "It was more of an accusation," she elaborated, "and you're not making me feel any better."
"It only hurts if you meant it," he told her. "Otherwise, its nothing to me . . . " He rose, and he approached her with his own blanket. Nervously, Agrias backed as she sat up against the rock she had her back to. When he kneeled, she was caught off guard, and she almost lost herself as she stared into his eyes, part of her angry at what she thought he might be doing to her, but this time, her alarms were half-hearted and Agrias felt tired, no, resigned, she noticed. Relinquishing the inexplicable -or that which she did not want to admit to herself- Agrias let Ramza do what he would.
Agrias nodded in response to his words, resignedly giving him her sheathed sword, feeling as if she had just surrendered something of herself to him as he disarmed her as she was willing.
Somehow, in his eyes, she saw something she had hoped and despaired within herself she should not recognize, in anyone but him. She spotted the emotion she associated with familiarity, affinity, and loyalty: it was care.
"I . . . " she told him, her slow voice coming from the fatigue that she was now allowing herself to relieve in rest, "I trust you, I trust you Ramza . . . "
"I trust you too, duty, conscience, truth, and reality," he cooed to her, as he picked her up gently, having trouble as he was kneeling to do so and Agrias realized just how frail he was. She dismissed the trill of fear she felt not from feeling as if he might drop her, but from surrendering control to him, to allow him to have power over her. The catharsis that she felt added to her fatigue, and she let herself float, hoping to stay at the surface of awareness long enough for her to simply enjoy the moment. As he shakily placed her down, Agrias almost purred, wiggling a bit so as to let Ramza remove his hands from beneath her.
Agrias absorbed his words, and the statement meant only for her, to seep into her consciousness, the last things in her awareness that she was conscious of. She let out a small noise, not quite a whimper, as Ramza began to move his face out of her blurring field of vision, and he remained there, being the last thing she saw that night, as his face blended into the night, and the night blended into unconsciousness.
***
Predictably, Agrias woke early, her body clock already adjusted, well wound-up. It could not have been more than three hours that she slept, and again she woke up to the site of the sun not yet risen, but the ginger and vermillion haze in the distance heralded its arrival. Somehow, Agrias found her current set of beddings very comfortable. Then she realized something; it wasn't the 'fresh morning air' that she was inhaling, but someone else's scent.
(Mm . . . ) Agrias found herself thinking, (these are nice,) she allowed herself to ponder as her mind and body were struggling to catch up with soul in awakening. "Ramza," she recognized, remembering whom the scent reminded her of.
"Not quite the satiated moan of one basking in the afterglow that is ecstasy, but she did just wake up," a voice told her. Though the vocabulary was formal, the voice itself was not. Alicia gave a small sigh, bemused.
Already her ears were read as Agrias realized the implication of Alicia's statement.
"Leave her be, don't take away what peace she has found," Lavian remonstrated her fellow knight. But, in Lavian's eyes and uncomfortable posture, Agrias could read the very same thoughts floating through her subordinate's mind.
"A little late," Agrias told them both, allowing the embarrassment to fade, trying to cling to whatever 'peace' she had found, and finding it slipping away all the faster.
"Evanescence?" Ramza told her, and again Agrias jumped, though she was still tucked inside Ramza's beddings.
Summoning all the patience she had within her, Agrias allowed herself to ignore all three of her unwitting tormentors and tried to remember what she should do. "Zaland Fort City?" she remarked.
"According to the map, its less than a day's march from here," Ramza told her. "We should arrive there past noon with more than enough time to contact the local administration and send out the call for help."
Though it was supposed to be her job to say such things, Agrias was grateful for Ramza's informing, and after all, she had asked for it, hadn't she?
A point of interest that had slipped her mind, Agrias suddenly barked out, "The princess?!"
"Be more concerned for yourself, dame Agrias," Ovelia told her, walking towards the knight. "I am fine, Alicia and Lavian has tended to me as your Ramza has tended to you."
Not knowing how to take the princess' words, Agrias just nodded, shifting to a kneeling position before Ovelia before taking to her feet. Clumsily, she held Ramza's beddings in her hand, and thrust it out at him awkwardly. "I . . . I thank you," she told him.
Ramza just nodded, giving her a small smile as with a small nod he excused himself from them and went off towards the baggage chocobo to pack. It was then that she noticed that everyone else was already attired, Lavian in her armor, Alicia in her reinforced clothing augmented with toughened leather, and Ovelia in another set of robes, and the bulk underneath them alluded to armor beneath.
"We are ready to depart at your leisure," Ovelia told Agrias. "No hurries, yes? Mr. Ruglia told me our pace can be relaxed."
Agrias found herself nodding along, feeling foolish as Ovelia laughed gently, knowing that her princess was merely attempting to make her feel better. "Have you eaten milady?"
"My fill and more," Ovelia replied with a wink and a smile. "We left you some warmed food, but I am afraid you will insist eating on the move," and her tone grew stern for a moment, "you will eat, even when you are by my side protecting me," Ovelia emphasized, knowing that her subject would forget all about the camaraderie of the night before around that cooking fire, and fall back on dutiful self-denial, be it in food . . . or other departments, Ovelia noted.
"We leave as soon as I am prepared then," Agrias announced, confidence and authority returning to her voice -just as she liked it- as she addressed them all, especially her two subordinates. Taking their cues, Alicia and Lavian picked up Agrias' pieces of armor as well as her viridian wizard's robe.
She felt none of the tense, yet not unpleasant feeling she had just two mornings ago, when only Ramza was available to help her put her armor on. Yet, as Alicia and Lavian's familiar touches began to equip her, Agrias allowed that thought to drop, remembering what Ramza had said to her just after she awoke and she had ignored; he had repeated her favorite, despised, self-definitive word: "Evanescence," she mouthed, " . . . yes . . . such a sad word indeed."
Ovelia just watched her knight's faraway gaze as she pretended to pay attention to Ramza preparing the two chocobos for the resumption of the journey. She knew that she was partly responsible for the way Agrias acted, and she agreed with the way that the Holy Knight carried herself -as was proper. But, Ovelia also knew that Agrias needed to relax, and she found that amusing, coming from a princess like herself, who of all people should have the most burden within to bear. The Order of St. Konoe did not dictate personal suffering, but self-control. Ovelia wondered which side of the line Agrias danced upon, and she also wondered how it would affect her future.
Just as Agrias sympathized with her plight, trapped as a princess, sent away into a monastery for safety in reclusion, Ovelia sympathized with Agrias for adhering to the iron call of duty.
Then, there was this Ramza boy, linked to 'Delita' who had captured her fascination, and in turn captured Agrias' attention. Just as Agrias was familiar with her thoughts, her problems, and her needs, Ovelia was familiar with Agrias' own feelings, views, and wants. Ovelia found it darkly humorous: only when one is far away do they see the problem as a whole, for when you are in the middle of it all, you only see the chaos around you.
(To turn the looking glass unto yourself . . . ) Ovelia thought, (if only it were so easy.)
***
Several hours into the journey, the only worry the group had was of tedium getting to them more than the Hokuten bound to be in pursuit. Ovelia rode upon Boco, who was visibly uncomfortable under the silken blanket Agrias had harnessed onto him as a makeshift saddle, and Ovelia sat upon him with her legs off to his right, not straddling him as was more practical. Still, the human was considerably lighter than what the baggage chocobo was lugging.
"Same ruse again?" Ramza brought up. "The cloaked principal?"
Agrias nodded. "We're not traveling under the crest of the Atskascha, so we have to be incognito. As it is, we're too small to be a convincing Royal party."
Ramza let the subject go, unwilling to go into further detail, which would serve only to aggravate Agrias in front of the princess. It was the same common sense one displayed for not revealing embarrassing secrets of a family member when their friends were around.
It was the very same reason he dared not speak directly to the princess about other matters, such as the rift between Druksmald Goltana and Bestrada Larg caused by her father's -King Denamunda- death.
While status did not seem to matter in this forum, in their situation, Ramza adhered to his noble protocol. Bending it to come to the aid of Agrias was one thing, but quite another in fact to irk his pragmatic companion who concerned him so.
"Ramza?" Lavian inquired, addressing him as the group's new navigator, "what do the maps say about this region?"
"Bandits?" Ramza asked rhetorically. "Hardly none, Lionel has the lowest crime rates of all Ivalice."
Agrias nodded confidently. "The Cardinal-cum-Duke Draclau is a good man. His background with the church gives him a sense of empathy and accommodation towards the peasantry that borders on reverence."
"I have never met him," Ovelia remarked, and everyone's attention went to her, the query about regional information discarded. "However, he has always expressed his support of my family, even though he hasn't been able to leave his duties in Lionel to visit Lesalia."
"He sounds dangerous," Alicia quipped, before realizing in who's presence she made her statement. "Erm . . . uh . . . "
Lavian came to her assistance. "She meant to say that a man with both power and adoration of all," she emphasized, "his subjects is a very powerful entity."
Ovelia nodded and took this in even as Agrias couldn't help but give Alicia a subtle look of disapproval. It was the subtly of the act that gave it away. "Please, dame Alicia," Ovelia began in a calming tone, "I know none of you will take me seriously when I tell you to do away with the codes of conduct as it pertains to royalty, but do not be afraid of offending me."
Ramza was the one who stepped in, though he still felt almost as constrained as the knights were. "That would be for the best milady. In order to maintain our cover-"
"Yes, yes, I understand," Ovelia interrupted him, seeing where Ramza would begin to stutter and repeat himself. Ovelia told herself not to feel bad for any of them, even when it was she who was the core of all this turmoil. "Mr. Ruglia," she addressed the only male in the group, the only outsider, "what do the reports say about Lionel?" Ovelia did show some genuine interest, and learning about Ivalice's provinces from a source that was meant to be practical -military intelligence, would be a welcome distraction. (So much trouble for such a simple remark . . . )
***
Noon was yet to come, and the walled-in fortress-city of Zaland had been visible to them for hours, raised hills and ridges. The sun was proving to be oppressive, and coming to an agreement, Ovelia asked if they could take a small break.
Fatigue finally catching up with them, Agrias and Ramza agreed to stop their square column as they approached a roadside farm; they were looking forward to spend the sunniest hours in the shade. Leaving Agrias and the knights behind to watch over the princess, Ramza walked into the small dirt path, plain but beaten-down to a stone-like consistency, towards the house.
Stopping before the house -made of the very stones that all farms churned up over time and roofed with fresh thatch, Ramza hailed the owners. Coming out of a shed that was a miniature of the house, a man in middle age sauntered forth and spoke back. "Lad, if those women want my hospitality, then it is theirs to have. But, it is only good manners to greet your host yourself.
Before Ramza could turn around and gesture to the group to come in -a task that Agrias might oppose before buckling, the man cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered, and Ramza could see the man taking in Agrias' reactions as the knight instantly became alert, an interesting assessment from that distance.
Ramza could see the white-robed figure that was Ovelia lean down towards Agrias, and Agrias began to move, the group in tow, Lavian leading Boco, and Alicia leading the nameless baggage chocobo. For herself, Agrias held the lead, calm as she strode formally to greet the farmer.
The man himself was not imposing, but he had an air of confidence around him. His belly protruded slightly, but his arms and face were a deep shade of brown, past being bronzed by the sun. The man was salted, yet not grizzled. Wearing the plainclothes of a farmer, function followed form, if the smudge marks, dust streaks, and grass stains were anything to go by. Even his hair, maybe once blond, was roasted into an unnatural shade of tan.
What surprised Ramza was when this man greeted Agrias without so much as a bow or a curt nod of the head. Yet, there was no disrespect, as the man simply said his 'hello' and extended his hand in greeting. Feeling awkward, Agrias shook the man's hand through her own heavy leather gloves.
Something that Ramza took notice of was that the man asked for no names, nor gave his. With a simple gesture, the man beckoned them to step into his humble home as he called out. "Simmons, come yonder."
Startling Alicia, a boy who had not yet come of age approached them.
"Pardon ma'am," he drawled out, his voice still awkward, obvious that the boy as just beginning his maturity. His awkward gait as he ambled towards them was clear sign too. Assuming that the boy was the man's son, he bore little resemblance to him, being slimmer. But then again, few people looked like their older parents until they became older themselves.
Ramza reached Ovelia first as Agrias just gawked at the awkward boy, and looked back and forth between the father, something which all the females in the group did. Taking Boco by the reins, Ramza extended his free hand towards Ovelia, who upon blinking, took it awkwardly; Boco kneeled to upstage Ramza as Ovelia simply stood up and released Ramza's clasp after a polite nod. The chocobo -of course, received a fawning caress from Ovelia.
Giving Ramza a half-sincere glare at the complications he unwillingly brought into her life, and knowing it wasn't his fault just aggravated her own sore points, Agrias followed Ovelia into the house.
Ovelia stopped to address the man. "Thank you sir, for assisting us."
"Without kindness and respect milady," he replied in turn, "where would all of us be?"
*** To be continued ***
***Author's Notes***
Asides from Ovelia tossing in her own two cents, the core of this chapter centered around Agrias and her thoughts, as well as her non- official interactions with Ramza. This is the first time Agrias could settle down and try to confront some of her own concerns. Ovelia has been recovered, and now, a whole new set of issues has arisen. Right then, she just wanted to contemplate her personal life.
She's so wound up that the strain is going to break her, and she's going to be stretched past the point where she can't recover. Keep this in mind: Agrias is not giving herself to Ramza . . . oh no. She TRUSTS Ramza to do what he and to an extent (but won't admit it) she feels is right (and wants -I've been dropping hints left and right). Not proper -screw protocol between the two of them. Note the thing unsaid: Agrias trusted Ramza with Ovelia when he put her to sleep, if just for a few hours.
In a nutshell, the significance of the scenes that center around Agrias and Ramza help develop a bond between them. It already exists, and it grows more entwined as more links develop and coil around each other. However, it is up to the two to acknowledge it and act on it. Not all courage applies to the sword.
Meaning, everyone else (Ovelia is pretty much giving it her personal approval, not to mention Alicia and Lavian's attempts of trying to set up the Wuss with Boss Lady) sees it but them, but deep down, they do, but they REFUSE to acknowledge it. Sorry for the lack of tact, but I wanted to get that point out.
Bluntly, don't expect WAFF or LEMON-style material . . . not for some time to come. If it comes off as WAFF, hey, awesome, but otherwise, I just want the two to bond, to develop together, and ultimately, admit the truth.
If that happens to be WAFF . . . well, have I been confused!
The two need each other, if for just Agrias to keep Ramza's heritage from killing him, and Ramza to make sure Agrias' duties don't destroy her.
I'm not denying that a relationship is forming between the two, but come on: They have known each other for three days! The author can only delude himself so much . . .
That's enough of me giving away any future plot!
Ramza should be the fish being grilled come next chapter. Its only fair . . .
The stop at the farmhouse? It's a small fork in the road, and frankly, they need some warm food and small break.
***Author's Notes***
***Reader's Response Corner***
Again, thanks people for the support and the feedback. Still, I would like to know more from your reactions. Things like what am I doing right with the story, what am I doing wrong, yatta yatta . . .
Particularly, in this chapter, I want to know what you people think of Agrias, her thoughts, her actions, and even who she is.
Likewise, it'd be interesting to see your interpretation of Ramza, the anti-hero figure who seems just a little too good to be true.
Most of all, what do you think of the bonds forming between Ramza and Agrias? Past, present, and future, just as the story will cover.
As to me even contemplating of taking this to Squaresoft . . . wow, I am truly flattered, and is the story really that good?! Yet, this will remain a project of mine, one that I hope to write to completion (oh man, the pain associated with the scope of the project . . . the pain!), and I hope that the story (characters) evolves as well.
***Reader's Response Corner***
Fortunately, this section covers no battle-scenes (yay!). Covers the immediate aftermath of the Zirekile Falls battle.
Still, Princess Ovelia has been recovered, the Hokuten are out to apprehend her, and Agrias is all but isolated. Ramza appears to support her, and she doesn't doubt it, but the pressure is bound to be overwhelming.
I just noticed that I completely goofed on the numbering structure of the chapters . . . oops - THIS is Scene 05 . . .
Expect a lot of introspection . . . what I believe I do best - Oh- so-good character self-analysis of themselves and their environment. Strange, a lot of the focus is on Agrias, but her own center of attention is not at herself.
It's about time the story slowed down a bit for Agrias to go over some of her thoughts.
Also, in case if you are wondering, the word "dame" is what I am using as the female equivalent of "sir."
For example, since Lavian is a knight 'and' female, instead of going by 'sir Lavian', she will be referred to instead as 'dame Lavian' as her casual title.
Also, format change . . . I messed up, I included the prologue as chapter 01, even if DID occur in the same timeframe as "Chapter Two: The Manipulator and the Subservient".
***Author's Notes***
Chapter 02-05 "Solidarity" (Chapter Two: The Manipulator and the Subservient, Scene 05)
***January 3rd, Year 2. Zirekile Falls***
The setting had changed, and the field was theirs. The bodies of the dead Hokuten were grouped together, shrouded by the dirtied white traveling mantles they wore. Below, under the bridge, was Alicia and Lavian, the former changing into a set of dry clothing. Both knights had come away with no permanent injuries, though they knew the strain of their bruises would multiply the longer they went without rest; something they knew they would not receive.
Above, on the west embankment, stood Ramza, and Ovelia was beside Agrias. The three of them were seeing the kidnapper-turned-rescuer -or so he claimed- off, where he would continue to go back east, to Goltana, while the only avenue left for the princess, the knights, and Ramza was to the south.
Turning his head, gazing at the trio tiredly, Delita addressed Ramza, snubbing Agrias. "Leave the princess with me," he told them. "It's better for her," he explained.
Ramza's quick reply forestalled Agrias' outburst. "Delita," he addressed his former friend in a voice that was far too polite, "what are you scheming?"
"Scheming?" Delita repeated, "don't be foolish. I'm telling the truth. Think about it," he told them, continuing to stand on the ladder- bridge. "Where would you take her after making an enemy of the Hokuten?" he said, asking another big question they had yet to tackle. Not giving them the time to answer, he continued on. "Crack Hokuten troops will come looking for you any time now. Just where the hell do you plan to escape to?" he put bluntly.
Ramza choked, wanting to look back towards Agrias for support. "W, well, I . . . "
Delita cut him off. "Think carefully. The princess knows this was Prince Larg's plan." As he said that, Agrias' interests grew as her thoughts diverted to what he had done with the princess during her period of captivity. "The royal family is not on your side," Delita revealed. "So what about Goltana?" he asked, bringing up his lord. "No," Delita said, grunting, "he'd execute you just to clear himself."
In turn, Agrias interposed herself between Delita and Ovelia's line of sight, as if to sever the influence the captor had on the captivated. "What would you do?" she asked doubtfully in return, in a stern manner.
"I'd do what you can't do," Delita replied in a confident manner, calm, composed, and serious.
"What do you mean?" Ramza asked, not wanting Agrias to unleash her pent-up anger on Delita.
"I can't tell you . . . " Delita said back, shrugging. Seeing that there was little point to continue, he began to walk away. "I'll leave the princess with you a while longer." Again, his statement sparked Agrias' ire.
"Delita," Ramza called out as his friend was walking away, "I'm glad I could see you again."
Delita stopped, but did not face him. "Teta saved me . . . " he said, his voice somewhere else.
"What?" Ramza asked, feeling cold.
"Teta saved me back then . . . " Delita said again, as if repetition would clarify the matter.
" . . . " Ramza just stared.
Moving asides Agrias, Ovelia placed herself ahead of her guardian and called out, "Thank you, Delita."
Agrias felt another point of frustration manifest within her, and suddenly, the option of leaving the kidnapper alive seemed very foolish to her, even if he supposedly was on their side.
Delita did not address the princess, another point that Agrias noted. "See you again, Ramza."
Pointedly, Agrias ignored his departure, refusing to allow herself to look after the young man, to deny him that honor. Pushing her prejudice -however justified- aside, she asked Ramza a critical question. "Ramza, thanks for your support." Agrias knew it sounded trite and callous, but what more could be said? "But . . . " she asked of him, "are you sure you want to make the Hokuten an enemy?"
Turning to face her, the resolute expression on Ramza's face was one that cheered her. The smile, grim and determined as it was, proved to be infectious, and Agrias wondered why she mirrored him. "Don't worry," he told her. "I've already decided." There was hope in his eyes, she saw, and she hoped that maybe it was of some substance. "The question is," he posed, "now what should we do?" He shrugged. "Like Delita said, nobody will help us . . . "
Agrias was glad to challenge his statement, which was Delita's statement after all. "We can ask Cardinal Draclau for help . . . " she told him, mentioning the lord of the province of Lionel. "Glabados church has jurisdiction over Lionel," she pointed out, "they might be able to help," she continued.
Ramza nodded. "Hokuten have to be careful what they do in Lionel . . . let's go," he told her. "Its the only place for us."
Eager, Agrias nodded, wondering why she valued his opinion so, as if he was her superior, or at the very least, a fellow commander.
Ovelia just watched the two warriors converse, her interest in the 'dashing' kidnapper taking second place as she wondered what Agrias had to do with the mercenary, one who she had only seen once before: right before the kidnapping just two days ago. His link to Delita intrigued her by relation, yet not as much as to what she wondered Agrias thought of him.
***
Ramza, Agrias, Ovelia, and the knights were on the road again. On Boco Ovelia rode, whilst Agrias led the chocobo willingly by the spare set of reins she placed on him. Up ahead, Ramza was the vanguard, leading the baggage chocobo. Bringing up the rear was Alicia and Lavian, tired, but able.
Examining the maps left behind, Ramza had taken it upon himself to be the navigator, sharing Agrias' responsibilities in leading the group, allowing the woman to focus more attention on her principal. Alicia and Lavian were glad for it, not just because it meant less work for them, but because they knew 'Boss Lady' needed all the assistance she could get.
Furtively, Agrias kept on looking forwards at the boy leading them, and wondered what future the boy had, along with her own future, which was bound to Princess Ovelia. She knew that she should establish her authority again, but Ramza's enthusiasm was something she needed. Being strong was one thing, but being strong alone? Alicia and Lavian she relied on for support, but they were her subordinates; she was to lead them, not the other way around.
In the outsider, she saw many things; many, many things, and she had trouble from keeping her thoughts, motives, and wishes from overlapping as she juggled points of interests about her, as well as having to keep a wary eye on their surroundings.
Their first objective was to make it into Lionel itself, and as soon as they made it out of the Zirekile area, then they were within that province. However, it was still tomorrow that they would reach the first large population center: Zaland Fort City. It would be imprudent to march through the night, and none of them had the energy left.
Together Agrias and Ramza kept their concern between themselves; both knew the others' concerns as it pertained to their mission.
The Hokuten would be in pursuit, but it would be some time before they could come for them in force, maybe several days or a week; by then they would already be safe under the protection of the Cardinal, and by extension, the church, who would support the princess.
The matter of creating the excuse for the princess' disappearance would be a minor affair, and Agrias hoped that she could rely on the cardinal to accommodate their alibi; an unofficial state visit by the princess at the cardinal's request.
If the Hokuten already had men prepared, well then, it was a moot point to think about it since they would already be dead. For now, their concern was simply to make it into Lionel, file the necessary paperwork that would save their lives, and send the petition to the cardinal, all the while making their way to his capital, Lionel Castle, where they would be safest.
Then, maybe then, they could relax, but only for a moment, Agrias knew, as the political implications of this was nothing short of a coup d'etat or in other words: civil war.
***
Their campsite was still at high elevation, but the air was still thick here, if not chillier. They would follow this mountain trail all the way down into Lionel. For now, rest was required.
Alicia and Lavian immediately fell asleep, having only the time to shuck their protective overclothing, and dropped to the ground, where Agrias -and with her permission- Ramza prepared beddings for them and tucked them in. They already had exhausted knights; they did not want exhausted knights with illnesses.
Agrias too had discarded her armor at Ovelia's insistence, and the Holy Knight fussed over her ward. Ramza said nothing, finding the site curious considering the woman's previous conduct, attitude, and profession. Plus, he did not want to end the source of his interest and to some extent: amusement. Agrias acted effeminate enough for him that he could tell she was a woman, but this side of her Ramza did not see. (Dichotomy?) he asked himself as he observed, finding him more and more fascinated.
Ramza, Alicia, and Lavian had eaten their food while on the move, cold, yet it still filled their stomachs. However, Ovelia had not yet eaten a meal, and neither had Agrias, Ramza noticed. Ramza conducted himself as well he could towards a princess, but practicality demanded it of him to place function over protocol. He was polite, but he was also isolated from her, as if Agrias had placed up a personal barrier around her ward.
Agrias was cooking. Well, warming up the food, using flat stones she found and rinsed with the replenished drinking water from Zirekile Falls, and heating those stones. It wasn't anything fancy, but food was food, and even better: it was warm.
Embarrassed, Agrias presented the groups' heated food supply to the princess, who sharing some of her knight's uneasiness, tentatively took a hunk of bread into her arms and began to nibble. Feeling that Agrias was coming down on herself inside, Ramza attempted his own rescue. "May I?" he asked the princess and Agrias.
Surprised, Agrias just nodded, apology in her eyes for having to ignore him.
"Oh . . . " Ovelia said, before recovering herself. "Please, please do, Mr. Ruglia," she addressed him.
Ramza blinked at the use of the name, before he remembered what he wanted to do. Ignoring the bread, he selected a piece of flesh, carefully picking it up with both hands. Reclining on the grass on his side, Ramza knew he was bordering on affronting towards the princess, and Agrias looked at him. Bringing it up to his maw, Ramza put the salted meat down a little and addressed the princess. "Pardon my manners, but we do not have the luxuries . . . " he began, hoping Agrias would get the point and forget being shamed by something she could not control.
"I understand," Ovelia said, laughing softly. "You're a knight, aren't you?" she said jovially, being playful. "Noble in more ways than one, yes?"
Ramza was surprised by his success, and he nodded. Indicating Agrias, he spoke. "I came to the rescue of a good friend who was torturing herself over something insignificant."
"Friend?" Ovelia said softly, "yes, I suppose its what friends do. Your gallantry, however unusual," she pointed out in a non-scolding manner," is a very appealing trait in you."
As Ramza remained speechless, saying nothing, Ovelia continued, addressing Agrias in turn. "Now, dame Agrias, it is your turn to come to the aid of our humble 'knight'."
Ramza found himself blushing as Agrias laughed, and he smiled as he saw the relaxed expression in her face. (There's wisdom in being happy,) he thought, putting thoughts of tomorrow and what may come to where they belonged, to where he could contemplate them, but not worry about them.
Focusing his attention to the two young women in front of him, Ramza gestured down to the heated slab of rock. "If you would join us?"
Reprieved, Agrias joined them after showing some hesitation at the prospect of dining in such a primitive manner with her princess. Still, she was smiling, and Ramza only hoped that it was in happiness, even it did come from relief, or at his own expense.
The night continued on, and Ovelia watched her companions, having thoughts of her own. She would've admitted to missing the previous days' company, but only after they forced the confession out of her. Still, in Ramza and Agrias' company, even with her all-too-faithful knight almost overbearing in her concern, Ovelia had the inkling that she was a third leg. Feeling sad at intruding what she thought might be between the two, Ovelia did what she could to steer the night's entertainment around the cooking fire around the two, using her authority somewhat to get the two to loosen up and talk about themselves. Ovelia mused, envying, and worrying for the two. (For once, I think I am using my authority to do good.)
***
Agrias insisted on keeping the watch, saying that of all of them -well, Alicia and Lavian weren't awake to argue, and her word would've overridden theirs, even if it was underhanded, she was the one with the most energy remaining, which said little, as her body was still numb from sleep deprivation. The haze would come again, and this time, it would be insistent, disgruntled, and all the harder to weather through.
Alicia and Lavian came away from the battle with their share of aches and pains, the most of the group's in fact. Everyone had suffered minor cuts, except for Boco and obviously Ovelia. Those had been quickly cleaned and bandaged; infection was a method of dying that was darkly humorous in nature.
Boco was alert too, and the chocobo roosted where he lay, near the campfire, near the princess, as if to help keep her safe. But, it would be irresponsible to leave a chocobo to stand guard. So, there Agrias reclined, sitting up against a rock, half-paranoid with the thought that someone would sneak up on her where she was using the large stone as cover. Still, to stay near the campfire served no purpose as it would take away all of her night vision, which would've been counterproductive.
Thankfully, Ramza had understood her sentiments and he slept away from Ovelia, by himself, in fact, right next to the stone she had selected as her picket post. Agrias felt that she was contradicting herself, being a hypocrite. Here, the boy, though obviously a noble from Gallione, affiliated, or once was affiliated with the Hokuten knights, the very same knight order with the intentions of kidnapping -killing- the princess. Still, his loyalty was to . . . ( . . . his loyalty was to?) Agrias asked herself. (He owes more allegiance to what he once was than to Princess Ovelia,) Agrias acknowledged. (His allegiance . . . no, his loyalty?) she pondered, (is to me . . . isn't it.) Feeling confused, Agrias finally decided to explore this line of thought, determined to either explore it, or to lose her sanity in trying, considering herself skilled enough as a soldier -and as a woman- to multi-task.
Half-heartedly, Agrias wondered how much more clear everything would've been had Ramza simply been in it for the revenue, which was no longer in coming, unless he received Gafgarion and Rad's payment as well from the Order of St. Konoe, a concession Agrias would damn well pursue to reward him, as well as doing her best to ensure that he received a commission in another group, one different from the Hokuten. Agrias thought of herself as a good judge of other people, well, once she was forced to spend time with them at least, she admitted. The fact that he was in this with her because of his conscience bothered Agrias.
On one hand, she knew him to be sincere, at least in his support, but on the other, she felt doubtful of him, having enough past experience with other zealots in the past. Ramza may not be a part of the clergy or its martial sects, but damned, Agrias concluded ironically, if he did not fit the mental type. The difference was he did not know it. As a noble, Ramza did have a prime chance to enter the clergy, but since Agrias knew he was of the Hokuten, it was obvious that any interest in the church would've been curbed in him.
She agreed with his family -whoever they were- that he would've been wasted as a priest. A fine one, but the fine ones were ordinary, being able to settle problems before they developed into crises, and in such amalgamations of danger and opportunity did individuals distinguish themselves, well, augmented their fame - Agrias also bitterly acknowledged that family prestige had much to do with a person's fate.
After all, she was the guardian -she volunteered, of course- of Princess Ovelia, a caged bird of a girl and of a monarch. Granted, of all the trapped people in Ivalice she was at the top, yet it was still imprisonment.
(Hm, if Ramza never tells me what family he came from, I'll never ask, so long as he keep the specters from his past at bay,) Agrias resolved, accepting that the boy just had so many things to hide. However, like the Delita Pursuit, it was links to his past that might prove critical to them, but Agrias did not know how, and she did not want to strain any potential relatio-Agrias' caravan of thought went into a ditch. She did not want to sever any bonds they may have made to each other.
In fact, Agrias admitted, she would indeed look forward to serving with him sometime in the future. It was a nice thought to entertain as it promised so many benefits to her, something she had not looked forward to since word got out that the war was ending, which was a bittersweet event at best, something which she was not satisfied with, but still grateful that that particular ordeal had ended, only do discover that Ivalice was in danger once more . . . from within.
"Out one pot into another?" Ramza asked her softly, startling her.
Settling back down, Agrias turned to look at him again, unable to speak. (How can he do that?!) her mind raged, her heartbeat suddenly shifting from a slow lethargic rhythm to a frantic metronome. The implication of what Ramza was asking confused her. (He's not reading your mind . . . ) Agrias told to herself, beginning to create a mantra, (he can't hear your thoughts . . . ) Agrias opened her mouth to speak and to question him just 'what' he was implying, if anything. "E-eh . . . hrn . . . "
"First Goltana, now Larg," he specified, giving her a soft, and tired smile that one possessed in the morning. Yawning, he smiled apologetically.
Agrias felt frustration rising with as again, aspects of her personality conflicted. She knew she shouldn't be angry with him, but the way that some part of her just found his appearance, presence, and even his words soothing aggravated her. It was unnatural, something which Agrias thought she should not feel. "Amongst other things . . . " she let out softly.
"Agrias," he asked her gently, his voice still soft and quiet from his slumber, a little slurred as well, "are you exhausted?"
"Physically," she told him, "I'm just beginning to adjust to this pace. Mentally . . . this is almost too much," she allowed herself to reveal, knowing that she was admitting things that an officer of her rank and responsibility should never reveal to her subordinates; to show that their leader was not confident in them or their situation. But, Ramza wasn't her subordinate, nor was he her superior, or equal even. (A peer?) Agrias wondered, before dismissing her idea, (A friend? Yes . . . but, what kind of friend . . . ) "When soldiers dabble foolishly in politics . . . "
Ramza shook his head. "Soldiers know better . . . it's the nobles who throw their retainers into the meat-grinder."
"True enough," Agrias admitted with gallows humor. "Few of them make decent enough officers." She wasn't pleased to see Ramza visibly flinch at that remark. (He's the one who said it first . . . ) "For the most part, the only tactic they specialize in is the glorious charge forwards . . . "
"Right into the killing fields . . . " Ramza concurred. "I never experienced it, but my 'tour of duty'," he quipped almost with sarcasm, "was different."
"You've mentioned, alluded to at least, to being a commander before, Ramza. What kind of leader were you?" she asked him seriously, but also grateful that she was steering the conversation away from her.
"I wouldn't know," Ramza admitted. "Only the other cadets would." He continued on to give her a more substantial answer as he gave it some thought. "I did what I could, but I did not devote myself to them. To me, the objective was key, as was honor . . . "
"The cornerstone of the Hokuten, as if that explained all the glory they reaped." Agrias could not keep the cynicism out of her tone. "Personally, you," she addressed him as one of the Hokuten unwittingly, "you are good warriors. A decent officer corps, or there 'was'," she emphasized, "a decent officer corps, and willing volunteers from hereditary family lines that somehow, somehow kept their edge through the generations."
"War would do that," Ramza pointed out.
Agrias had an angry remark on the tip of her tongue, but she wondered why that was so. So, she curbed her statement of telling him that the Fifty Years' War was the Hokuten's war, the war in which they came to prominence, in the good times and the bad. "It would do that, if it didn't kill off the bloodlines first," she pointed out, and changing the subject, she asked him a question that bothered her. "Those Hokuten that we fought," she told him, "they seemed reluctant to fight you . . . " she let the statement drag before she continued. "But, were you reluctant to engage them?"
Ramza yawned, and Agrias wondered if that was uneasiness or offense. "I wouldn't know. Former comrades or not, in that situation, the only thing the Hokuten and I shared were the heritage, little more."
"I did not mean to question your loyalty," Agrias told him. The small amount of hurt she saw in him stung her in return. "I'm-" she began to apologize, before she caught herself again. "That was uncalled for, I should not have said that to you."
"You were justified in what you wanted to know of me," Ramza told her gently, tilting his head upwards to continue looking into her eyes after she had bowed her head.
Agrias did not like the phrasing of those words. "It was more of an accusation," she elaborated, "and you're not making me feel any better."
"It only hurts if you meant it," he told her. "Otherwise, its nothing to me . . . " He rose, and he approached her with his own blanket. Nervously, Agrias backed as she sat up against the rock she had her back to. When he kneeled, she was caught off guard, and she almost lost herself as she stared into his eyes, part of her angry at what she thought he might be doing to her, but this time, her alarms were half-hearted and Agrias felt tired, no, resigned, she noticed. Relinquishing the inexplicable -or that which she did not want to admit to herself- Agrias let Ramza do what he would.
Agrias nodded in response to his words, resignedly giving him her sheathed sword, feeling as if she had just surrendered something of herself to him as he disarmed her as she was willing.
Somehow, in his eyes, she saw something she had hoped and despaired within herself she should not recognize, in anyone but him. She spotted the emotion she associated with familiarity, affinity, and loyalty: it was care.
"I . . . " she told him, her slow voice coming from the fatigue that she was now allowing herself to relieve in rest, "I trust you, I trust you Ramza . . . "
"I trust you too, duty, conscience, truth, and reality," he cooed to her, as he picked her up gently, having trouble as he was kneeling to do so and Agrias realized just how frail he was. She dismissed the trill of fear she felt not from feeling as if he might drop her, but from surrendering control to him, to allow him to have power over her. The catharsis that she felt added to her fatigue, and she let herself float, hoping to stay at the surface of awareness long enough for her to simply enjoy the moment. As he shakily placed her down, Agrias almost purred, wiggling a bit so as to let Ramza remove his hands from beneath her.
Agrias absorbed his words, and the statement meant only for her, to seep into her consciousness, the last things in her awareness that she was conscious of. She let out a small noise, not quite a whimper, as Ramza began to move his face out of her blurring field of vision, and he remained there, being the last thing she saw that night, as his face blended into the night, and the night blended into unconsciousness.
***
Predictably, Agrias woke early, her body clock already adjusted, well wound-up. It could not have been more than three hours that she slept, and again she woke up to the site of the sun not yet risen, but the ginger and vermillion haze in the distance heralded its arrival. Somehow, Agrias found her current set of beddings very comfortable. Then she realized something; it wasn't the 'fresh morning air' that she was inhaling, but someone else's scent.
(Mm . . . ) Agrias found herself thinking, (these are nice,) she allowed herself to ponder as her mind and body were struggling to catch up with soul in awakening. "Ramza," she recognized, remembering whom the scent reminded her of.
"Not quite the satiated moan of one basking in the afterglow that is ecstasy, but she did just wake up," a voice told her. Though the vocabulary was formal, the voice itself was not. Alicia gave a small sigh, bemused.
Already her ears were read as Agrias realized the implication of Alicia's statement.
"Leave her be, don't take away what peace she has found," Lavian remonstrated her fellow knight. But, in Lavian's eyes and uncomfortable posture, Agrias could read the very same thoughts floating through her subordinate's mind.
"A little late," Agrias told them both, allowing the embarrassment to fade, trying to cling to whatever 'peace' she had found, and finding it slipping away all the faster.
"Evanescence?" Ramza told her, and again Agrias jumped, though she was still tucked inside Ramza's beddings.
Summoning all the patience she had within her, Agrias allowed herself to ignore all three of her unwitting tormentors and tried to remember what she should do. "Zaland Fort City?" she remarked.
"According to the map, its less than a day's march from here," Ramza told her. "We should arrive there past noon with more than enough time to contact the local administration and send out the call for help."
Though it was supposed to be her job to say such things, Agrias was grateful for Ramza's informing, and after all, she had asked for it, hadn't she?
A point of interest that had slipped her mind, Agrias suddenly barked out, "The princess?!"
"Be more concerned for yourself, dame Agrias," Ovelia told her, walking towards the knight. "I am fine, Alicia and Lavian has tended to me as your Ramza has tended to you."
Not knowing how to take the princess' words, Agrias just nodded, shifting to a kneeling position before Ovelia before taking to her feet. Clumsily, she held Ramza's beddings in her hand, and thrust it out at him awkwardly. "I . . . I thank you," she told him.
Ramza just nodded, giving her a small smile as with a small nod he excused himself from them and went off towards the baggage chocobo to pack. It was then that she noticed that everyone else was already attired, Lavian in her armor, Alicia in her reinforced clothing augmented with toughened leather, and Ovelia in another set of robes, and the bulk underneath them alluded to armor beneath.
"We are ready to depart at your leisure," Ovelia told Agrias. "No hurries, yes? Mr. Ruglia told me our pace can be relaxed."
Agrias found herself nodding along, feeling foolish as Ovelia laughed gently, knowing that her princess was merely attempting to make her feel better. "Have you eaten milady?"
"My fill and more," Ovelia replied with a wink and a smile. "We left you some warmed food, but I am afraid you will insist eating on the move," and her tone grew stern for a moment, "you will eat, even when you are by my side protecting me," Ovelia emphasized, knowing that her subject would forget all about the camaraderie of the night before around that cooking fire, and fall back on dutiful self-denial, be it in food . . . or other departments, Ovelia noted.
"We leave as soon as I am prepared then," Agrias announced, confidence and authority returning to her voice -just as she liked it- as she addressed them all, especially her two subordinates. Taking their cues, Alicia and Lavian picked up Agrias' pieces of armor as well as her viridian wizard's robe.
She felt none of the tense, yet not unpleasant feeling she had just two mornings ago, when only Ramza was available to help her put her armor on. Yet, as Alicia and Lavian's familiar touches began to equip her, Agrias allowed that thought to drop, remembering what Ramza had said to her just after she awoke and she had ignored; he had repeated her favorite, despised, self-definitive word: "Evanescence," she mouthed, " . . . yes . . . such a sad word indeed."
Ovelia just watched her knight's faraway gaze as she pretended to pay attention to Ramza preparing the two chocobos for the resumption of the journey. She knew that she was partly responsible for the way Agrias acted, and she agreed with the way that the Holy Knight carried herself -as was proper. But, Ovelia also knew that Agrias needed to relax, and she found that amusing, coming from a princess like herself, who of all people should have the most burden within to bear. The Order of St. Konoe did not dictate personal suffering, but self-control. Ovelia wondered which side of the line Agrias danced upon, and she also wondered how it would affect her future.
Just as Agrias sympathized with her plight, trapped as a princess, sent away into a monastery for safety in reclusion, Ovelia sympathized with Agrias for adhering to the iron call of duty.
Then, there was this Ramza boy, linked to 'Delita' who had captured her fascination, and in turn captured Agrias' attention. Just as Agrias was familiar with her thoughts, her problems, and her needs, Ovelia was familiar with Agrias' own feelings, views, and wants. Ovelia found it darkly humorous: only when one is far away do they see the problem as a whole, for when you are in the middle of it all, you only see the chaos around you.
(To turn the looking glass unto yourself . . . ) Ovelia thought, (if only it were so easy.)
***
Several hours into the journey, the only worry the group had was of tedium getting to them more than the Hokuten bound to be in pursuit. Ovelia rode upon Boco, who was visibly uncomfortable under the silken blanket Agrias had harnessed onto him as a makeshift saddle, and Ovelia sat upon him with her legs off to his right, not straddling him as was more practical. Still, the human was considerably lighter than what the baggage chocobo was lugging.
"Same ruse again?" Ramza brought up. "The cloaked principal?"
Agrias nodded. "We're not traveling under the crest of the Atskascha, so we have to be incognito. As it is, we're too small to be a convincing Royal party."
Ramza let the subject go, unwilling to go into further detail, which would serve only to aggravate Agrias in front of the princess. It was the same common sense one displayed for not revealing embarrassing secrets of a family member when their friends were around.
It was the very same reason he dared not speak directly to the princess about other matters, such as the rift between Druksmald Goltana and Bestrada Larg caused by her father's -King Denamunda- death.
While status did not seem to matter in this forum, in their situation, Ramza adhered to his noble protocol. Bending it to come to the aid of Agrias was one thing, but quite another in fact to irk his pragmatic companion who concerned him so.
"Ramza?" Lavian inquired, addressing him as the group's new navigator, "what do the maps say about this region?"
"Bandits?" Ramza asked rhetorically. "Hardly none, Lionel has the lowest crime rates of all Ivalice."
Agrias nodded confidently. "The Cardinal-cum-Duke Draclau is a good man. His background with the church gives him a sense of empathy and accommodation towards the peasantry that borders on reverence."
"I have never met him," Ovelia remarked, and everyone's attention went to her, the query about regional information discarded. "However, he has always expressed his support of my family, even though he hasn't been able to leave his duties in Lionel to visit Lesalia."
"He sounds dangerous," Alicia quipped, before realizing in who's presence she made her statement. "Erm . . . uh . . . "
Lavian came to her assistance. "She meant to say that a man with both power and adoration of all," she emphasized, "his subjects is a very powerful entity."
Ovelia nodded and took this in even as Agrias couldn't help but give Alicia a subtle look of disapproval. It was the subtly of the act that gave it away. "Please, dame Alicia," Ovelia began in a calming tone, "I know none of you will take me seriously when I tell you to do away with the codes of conduct as it pertains to royalty, but do not be afraid of offending me."
Ramza was the one who stepped in, though he still felt almost as constrained as the knights were. "That would be for the best milady. In order to maintain our cover-"
"Yes, yes, I understand," Ovelia interrupted him, seeing where Ramza would begin to stutter and repeat himself. Ovelia told herself not to feel bad for any of them, even when it was she who was the core of all this turmoil. "Mr. Ruglia," she addressed the only male in the group, the only outsider, "what do the reports say about Lionel?" Ovelia did show some genuine interest, and learning about Ivalice's provinces from a source that was meant to be practical -military intelligence, would be a welcome distraction. (So much trouble for such a simple remark . . . )
***
Noon was yet to come, and the walled-in fortress-city of Zaland had been visible to them for hours, raised hills and ridges. The sun was proving to be oppressive, and coming to an agreement, Ovelia asked if they could take a small break.
Fatigue finally catching up with them, Agrias and Ramza agreed to stop their square column as they approached a roadside farm; they were looking forward to spend the sunniest hours in the shade. Leaving Agrias and the knights behind to watch over the princess, Ramza walked into the small dirt path, plain but beaten-down to a stone-like consistency, towards the house.
Stopping before the house -made of the very stones that all farms churned up over time and roofed with fresh thatch, Ramza hailed the owners. Coming out of a shed that was a miniature of the house, a man in middle age sauntered forth and spoke back. "Lad, if those women want my hospitality, then it is theirs to have. But, it is only good manners to greet your host yourself.
Before Ramza could turn around and gesture to the group to come in -a task that Agrias might oppose before buckling, the man cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered, and Ramza could see the man taking in Agrias' reactions as the knight instantly became alert, an interesting assessment from that distance.
Ramza could see the white-robed figure that was Ovelia lean down towards Agrias, and Agrias began to move, the group in tow, Lavian leading Boco, and Alicia leading the nameless baggage chocobo. For herself, Agrias held the lead, calm as she strode formally to greet the farmer.
The man himself was not imposing, but he had an air of confidence around him. His belly protruded slightly, but his arms and face were a deep shade of brown, past being bronzed by the sun. The man was salted, yet not grizzled. Wearing the plainclothes of a farmer, function followed form, if the smudge marks, dust streaks, and grass stains were anything to go by. Even his hair, maybe once blond, was roasted into an unnatural shade of tan.
What surprised Ramza was when this man greeted Agrias without so much as a bow or a curt nod of the head. Yet, there was no disrespect, as the man simply said his 'hello' and extended his hand in greeting. Feeling awkward, Agrias shook the man's hand through her own heavy leather gloves.
Something that Ramza took notice of was that the man asked for no names, nor gave his. With a simple gesture, the man beckoned them to step into his humble home as he called out. "Simmons, come yonder."
Startling Alicia, a boy who had not yet come of age approached them.
"Pardon ma'am," he drawled out, his voice still awkward, obvious that the boy as just beginning his maturity. His awkward gait as he ambled towards them was clear sign too. Assuming that the boy was the man's son, he bore little resemblance to him, being slimmer. But then again, few people looked like their older parents until they became older themselves.
Ramza reached Ovelia first as Agrias just gawked at the awkward boy, and looked back and forth between the father, something which all the females in the group did. Taking Boco by the reins, Ramza extended his free hand towards Ovelia, who upon blinking, took it awkwardly; Boco kneeled to upstage Ramza as Ovelia simply stood up and released Ramza's clasp after a polite nod. The chocobo -of course, received a fawning caress from Ovelia.
Giving Ramza a half-sincere glare at the complications he unwillingly brought into her life, and knowing it wasn't his fault just aggravated her own sore points, Agrias followed Ovelia into the house.
Ovelia stopped to address the man. "Thank you sir, for assisting us."
"Without kindness and respect milady," he replied in turn, "where would all of us be?"
*** To be continued ***
***Author's Notes***
Asides from Ovelia tossing in her own two cents, the core of this chapter centered around Agrias and her thoughts, as well as her non- official interactions with Ramza. This is the first time Agrias could settle down and try to confront some of her own concerns. Ovelia has been recovered, and now, a whole new set of issues has arisen. Right then, she just wanted to contemplate her personal life.
She's so wound up that the strain is going to break her, and she's going to be stretched past the point where she can't recover. Keep this in mind: Agrias is not giving herself to Ramza . . . oh no. She TRUSTS Ramza to do what he and to an extent (but won't admit it) she feels is right (and wants -I've been dropping hints left and right). Not proper -screw protocol between the two of them. Note the thing unsaid: Agrias trusted Ramza with Ovelia when he put her to sleep, if just for a few hours.
In a nutshell, the significance of the scenes that center around Agrias and Ramza help develop a bond between them. It already exists, and it grows more entwined as more links develop and coil around each other. However, it is up to the two to acknowledge it and act on it. Not all courage applies to the sword.
Meaning, everyone else (Ovelia is pretty much giving it her personal approval, not to mention Alicia and Lavian's attempts of trying to set up the Wuss with Boss Lady) sees it but them, but deep down, they do, but they REFUSE to acknowledge it. Sorry for the lack of tact, but I wanted to get that point out.
Bluntly, don't expect WAFF or LEMON-style material . . . not for some time to come. If it comes off as WAFF, hey, awesome, but otherwise, I just want the two to bond, to develop together, and ultimately, admit the truth.
If that happens to be WAFF . . . well, have I been confused!
The two need each other, if for just Agrias to keep Ramza's heritage from killing him, and Ramza to make sure Agrias' duties don't destroy her.
I'm not denying that a relationship is forming between the two, but come on: They have known each other for three days! The author can only delude himself so much . . .
That's enough of me giving away any future plot!
Ramza should be the fish being grilled come next chapter. Its only fair . . .
The stop at the farmhouse? It's a small fork in the road, and frankly, they need some warm food and small break.
***Author's Notes***
***Reader's Response Corner***
Again, thanks people for the support and the feedback. Still, I would like to know more from your reactions. Things like what am I doing right with the story, what am I doing wrong, yatta yatta . . .
Particularly, in this chapter, I want to know what you people think of Agrias, her thoughts, her actions, and even who she is.
Likewise, it'd be interesting to see your interpretation of Ramza, the anti-hero figure who seems just a little too good to be true.
Most of all, what do you think of the bonds forming between Ramza and Agrias? Past, present, and future, just as the story will cover.
As to me even contemplating of taking this to Squaresoft . . . wow, I am truly flattered, and is the story really that good?! Yet, this will remain a project of mine, one that I hope to write to completion (oh man, the pain associated with the scope of the project . . . the pain!), and I hope that the story (characters) evolves as well.
***Reader's Response Corner***