A/N: Wow, this now makes the fourth new chapter I've added to this story in about two weeks! So please go back and read the ones before this chapter, if you need to catch up!

Chapter Seventeen

Ramza made his way to Orbonne Monastery as fast as humanly possible. The dying high confessor, useless bastard that he had been in life, had at least managed to tell Ramza where Vormav was headed, before he breathed his last.

The group stopped being cautious. On the mainland, they shelled out enormous amounts of gil to buy a whole flock of well-trained chocobos, along with riding equipment. Now they took the main roads, or whichever path was most direct toward Orbonne.

Ramza was done playing nice. If the townsfolk, or even an entire army, tried to collect the bounty on his head, then he would have Construct 8 blast them into dust, without even slowing down their travels. The gods only knew how much time they had left, before something bad happened to Alma.

Things just kept getting stranger. In the cathedral, having to slay his brother Zalbag, as a mottled corpse-like version of his old self. Hearing Zalbag's pathetic apologies for all the pain he had caused Ramza…

What little was left of Zalbag, softly begging him to save Alma.

He was still clinging to his last shred of hope that he could do it. Vormav had indicated that Alma yet lived, though Ramza still did not know exactly why. All this time, he had assumed that the Templarate held Alma as a bargaining chip, to get the Germonic Scriptures and the zodiac stones out of Ramza's hands. Well, they had ended up obtaining the Scriptures from him for free, with their dastardly lies… but they had shown no interest at all in the auracite he still held! They genuinely seemed to want nothing more from Ramza.

He felt an odd sense of dread, like an end was approaching. Maybe the end of the world itself, if the Lucavi had their way. All he knew, or at least hoped he knew, was that the fiends were headed for Orbonne.

And so, he followed.

They even rode at night, now. They only stopped when their need for sleep was utterly undeniable.

In the tent that night, Meliadoul wept on his shoulder. She had asked him who had stabbed her in the back, as she had not even seen the attack coming.

Ramza had told her the truth. He had briefly thought about lying to her, maybe telling her he hadn't seen who did it. But he had always been terrible at telling lies, and he figured that sooner or later one of their other friends would let the truth slip out to her, anyway.

Meliadoul had not taken the news well. He supposed simply knowing one's father had been possessed by a demon probably did not fully prepare a person for the reality of being stabbed by one's father. Ramza already had a dozen reasons to hate Vormav, but he cursed the man even more now. It seemed Vormav just couldn't get enough of trying to murder his own children.

Ramza understood Meliadoul's tears, but he still had none of his own. He thought, if Alma died, and for some reason he himself did not die with her, then he might break down at that point. But he couldn't give himself that luxury right now. He still had work to do.

When would this be finished? Izlude, Wiegraf, Dycedarg, Zalbag… so many people they cared about, and countless strangers, destroyed by these stones.

And so much that left him both angry and baffled. Delita acting as if he didn't believe Ramza's account about the Lucavi demons. Elmdor toying with him at Limberry Castle. Vormav smirking that he had what he needed from Ramza.

So, why did they keep Alma, still? What use could she be to them? Ramza was the only Beoulve left alive to pay a ransom for her, but they had not been interested in his money. They had not even been interested in his zodiac stones! And if, for some reason, they wished to use Alma as a host for a Lucavi demon, he was sure that they would not get what they wanted. Ramza knew that that required a willing agreement from the human, and Alma would never give a demon possession of her body. She was far too strong-willed for that.

So, why?

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Alma stayed true to her word, and she used every ounce of skill she had at wheedling to convince the guard who brought their breakfast to please also bring her a wash basin full of water and some soap. Thankfully, he was susceptible to flattery, doe eyes, and outright begging from a pretty lass.

When he returned with the basin, Alma asked with her brightest smile, "Would it also be possible, mayhap, to bring us some clean clothing to change into?"

"I can't work miracles, lady," the guard replied.

"Oh. All right. Well, thank you very much, anyway, for the wash basin!" she said, in her brightest voice.

The guard nodded. He made no move to leave the cell, though, instead leaning against the doorframe with his eyes fixed on Alma. "You can start washin'," he said, gesturing at the water and soap.

Alma was dumbfounded for a moment. Did he really think she would undress enough to wash, with him standing right there?

"Get out of here!" Izlude yelled, angrily slapping his chain against the floor, "She is a lady! She will not bathe in front of someone like you!"

The guard looked angry at the implied insult for a short moment, but then he seemed to shrug it off. "If you're gonna be here watchin', then I don't see why I shouldn't."

"I am not going to watch her, you stupid fuck!" Izlude retorted.

Apparently, the guard's pride couldn't let a second insult pass, because he darted over, aiming a swift kick at the seated Nightblade's face.

Mayhap the guard hadn't been aware that the grime-covered prisoner was a Templar knight, and not just some spoiled nobleman. Izlude grabbed hold of the guard's ankle while avoiding the kick, twisting him around viciously until his body slammed onto the floor. Just as quickly, Izlude had his large hands around the man's throat.

It took Alma a moment to fully register what had just happened. Izlude wasn't loosening his grip, and the guard's face was turning a deep purple as he thrashed spastically.

"Izlude, stop!" Alma shrieked. "Stop! Stop, let go of him! Izlude!" She was bouncing nervously on her toes, not sure if she should try to physically intervene. She added, "If you kill him, things will get so much worse for us in here! Please! Let go!"

Izlude finally released his hold on the guard's neck. The man scrambled out of Izlude's chained reach, desperately choking and hacking for breath.

"She's… right…" the guard eventually rasped through his damaged throat, pointing vaguely in Izlude's direction. "Things… are going… to… g-get… bad for… you… real soon…"

Izlude was either feigning bravado, or else he truly believed he was untouchable. "Look, you will not threaten me," he said, "Even in here, I am under your lord's protection!"

"We'll… see about… that," the man coughed, "I'll be… back tonight and… ju-just… tell them… you tried to escape… and had to… subdue you."

An uncertain look crossed Izlude's face, and Alma decided to chime in. "You will do no such thing!" she exclaimed. "My brother is Lord Dycedarg Beoulve! Yes, Beoulve! Mayhap, you have heard of us?"

The guard undeniably looked surprised, and perhaps a bit frightened. Obviously, he knew of her family and their influence, as he didn't live under a rock.

"I will remember your face," Alma promised, "If you or anyone else tries to harm Izlude, or even mentions what just happened in here, then when I am released, I will have my brother's men hunt you down, along with everyone you love! No, my brother will not even have to work that hard, I am certain Lord Barinten will simply hand you over to us, if we ask for your head!"

The guard stumbled out of the cell without a reply, slamming the door behind him and leaving the prisoners in a tense silence.

"By the gods… Alma… you know, you are actually terrifying when you are angry," Izlude eventually said.

Alma slumped against the wall, shutting her eyes. She felt guilty for making that threat. She wasn't truly as cruel as her words had been. Her mind was already racing, wondering if perhaps the guard had children at home, and he would spend his night worrying that the big, bad Beoulves would show up one day to murder them.

"I… Oh, gods… I am sorry," she said.

"Hey, do not apologize to me. I appreciate your concern on my behalf… Though, I could have handled him myself."

"I feel terrible for making that threat! I would not truly hurt his family, if he has any… I truly, truly would not. I just panicked, and I said it," she panted.

"Hey. Stop worrying! They were only words, Alma. You have not done anything to hurt anyone."

"All right. Yes… All right…" She felt like she wasn't getting enough air.

Izlude looked unsure what to do. "Just… You should start cleaning up now. I'll keep my back to you. Just tell me when it is my turn to use the basin."

She supposed he was right. They really ought to hurry up and clean themselves, in case the vengeful guard decided to come take the basin away.

Alma didn't feel comfortable stripping completely naked in this place. She trusted that Izlude would keep his word, and would not turn around to look at her, but there was always the risk of another guard coming into the cell unexpectedly. She spent a few minutes doing awkward maneuvers to get her shift and underwear off, while still keeping her outer dress mostly in place on her body.

She quickly scrubbed her underclothing with the soap and water, laying them out to dry on the straw. She ripped a strip of fabric off the skirt of her shift to use as a rag, and then gave herself a sponge-bath with it. At least now she smelled and felt a lot better than she had before using the wash basin, even if she wasn't perfectly clean.

"All right, it is safe for you to turn around now," Alma said.

She moved the basin and the soap over so that they were next to Izlude, and he thanked her. He took in the sight of her only-loosely laced gown, plus her underthings laying out to dry on the straw, and he gave a cheeky smile. Alma again thought how obscene that looked, his white teeth flashing in the midst of his blood-covered face.

"I will need to wash all of my clothing, not just my underwear," Izlude said, nodding at her drying underthings.

Alma raised her eyebrows. That was definitely true; all of his clothing was pretty disgusting. "Of course. Then, I will keep my back to you until your clothes are dry enough to wear again."

Izlude took much longer to clean up than she had. At one point, the splashing sounds seemed to indicate that he had simply dunked his whole head into the water basin.

Good, Alma thought, it is about time he got all that grime out of his hair.

She had accidentally touched his head while he had embraced her last night, and the hair had felt like porcupine quills, it was so matted.

When Izlude had finished washing, she still could not turn around, since he had to sit there in the nude until his clothing was dry-ish again.

They talked to pass the time. Izlude asked her how she had ended up traveling with her heretic brother, Ramza, in the first place, and Alma spent a long while explaining it all to him. That explanation led to other questions, and by the end of the afternoon, she felt like she had basically told Izlude her entire life story, along with most of Ramza's and Delita's.

Izlude already knew Delita, from the Templarate, and he was especially interested to hear about their childhood together, and what had happened to make Delita abandon the Beoulves. Alma didn't mind reminiscing so much; it was easier to think about the past than it was to dwell on their current circumstances.

Izlude eventually declared his clothing 'still damp, but dry enough,' and he put it all back on, so Alma could stop facing the wall.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, wide eyed.

What. In. Hell. Alma thought dazedly. Izlude was actually really, ridiculously handsome!

Alma had to take a moment to wrap her head around that fact. All this time, while Izlude was covered in muck, she had thought she was talking to a decidedly unattractive man.

It should not really matter… she tried to remind herself.

But, oh, gods, it still did. She found herself trying to remember every word she had said to him in the past three days, and just how embarrassing some of them had been. Oh, gods. She hadn't known she was talking to someone who looked like the damn story-book prince from a fairy tale!

She was pretty sure she wouldn't have had the childish straw-fight with him yesterday, if she had known that.

How shallow am I, anyway? Alma thought, feeling a bit ashamed. Did her behavior truly depend that much on how a man looked? She had thought she had more character than that!

"Um… Is something wrong?" Izlude asked, as she gaped at him.

"No! I, uh… well, just… you are quite handsome, when you are clean!" Alma blurted out.

Izlude looked like he was pondering that for a moment, and then he exclaimed, "Wait!... Did you—" his nose crinkled, "did you think I was ugly all this time?"

Alma tried not to laugh. But she couldn't stop a quiet giggle from escaping, and then it just wouldn't stop, as she clapped her hands over her face and shook with laughter.

"You did!" Izlude cried.

"I…" she gasped, "I am sorry. Yes. I did. I thought you were hideous!"

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The light had blinked out again for the night, and Izlude's father was still not there to rescue them. A different guard had brought their dinner, and no mention had been made of Izlude strangling the morning guard.

"Are you feeling better tonight than you did last night?" Izlude asked, in the darkness.

From across the room, Alma whispered back, "I think so… only… it unsettles me, how dark it gets in here, in the dungeon. It is unnatural."

"You may come over here again, if you need to," Izlude said.

Alma couldn't let herself think too hard about that prospect. Last night she had cuddled in the arms of her loud, stupid, funny, butt-ugly frenemy. Somehow, a lot had changed in one day! Terrifying as the situation had been, she had appreciated that Izlude had fought with the guard to defend her modesty. And, he had been quiet and thoughtful while she told him all about Ramza's trials today.

And it had also turned out that Izlude was not butt-ugly.

Not even close. Lying in the dark, Alma pictured how he had looked, after getting cleaned up. His skin was a gorgeous golden tan color. His jaw was quite nicely defined, with a bit of a dimple in his chin. She thought his sparkling blue-gray-green eyes were the color of the sea after a storm… the word that came to her mind was 'poetic,' when Alma thought about how best to describe his face. Even the cut of his dark brown hair was elegant. It fell straight and shiny from a middle-part, and it framed his face at exactly the length she thought looked best on a man.

No wonder he had claimed that girls liked him.

If she went over to his side of the cell tonight, it would undoubtedly feel different this time. She knew herself well enough to acknowledge that, and it was a compelling reason not to go over there. But she still wanted to go, and it was not only just because he was good-looking. It had been a great comfort to be held by him yesterday, and this pitch-dark still terrified her quite as much as it had over the previous three nights.

It took her a long while to make a firm decision.

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***** A/N: Hi Warzonecall, good catch about Izlude's age not matching up right according to the game... I kind of painted myself into a corner with that one... When I started writing this story, I decided that I wanted Ramza to be twenty years old, because he was the main love interest, and for a male character then I want him to be at least twenty years old (Reasons for this: as I recall from ye olde college days, eighteen year old men tend to mostly still have that super scrawny adolescent-sized frame. Somewhere around nineteen or twenty, they seem to finish growing broader. If I'm going to write a sex scene, then I prefer to write the man as age twenty or older, so in my head I can believe he has a more manly appearance as I'm writing it. Also, just as far as guys having decent sex skills, I think there's a pretty big difference between age eighteen and age twenty. Not for all guys, of course. But I do recall lots of my girl friends complaining about less-than-impressive sex freshman year of college, and then by junior year those complaints pretty much stop, and everyone is actually getting satisfied by that age.)

So, I added in a time jump after chapter 1 of the game, in order to make Ramza twenty by the time I'm writing about him. I assumed that Agrias and Meliadoul are probably about four years older than Ramza, since they're both knights with established careers. (I never actually looked up their ages though, and it turned out my guess was wrong, and according to the internet, Meliadoul is only two years older than Ramza, oops.) But I knew Alma was only one year younger than Ramza, so having Ramza twenty means having Alma be nineteen by now.

Soooooo, when I started writing this story, I did not yet know I'd be writing any kind of romance involving Izlude at all, so I didn't put any effort into age-adjusting him, and I wrote in an earlier chapter that he was killed at age seventeen. So, now I'm stuck with Alma being nineteen while Izlude is seventeen. It's funny that I have to keep writing these older-woman relationships, since in real life I hate that dynamic. My husband is several years older than me, and I think that is one of the main reasons our marriage is so happy. Before him, any time I tried to date a guy my own age or younger, I always got annoyed so fast with his immaturity. I like funny guys, but I despise irresponsible guys. Maybe some men just need a few extra years to catch up mentally.

However, for the purposes of this story, all of these men are neck-deep in battles and war, which is probably going to mature a guy and force him to be responsible quite a lot faster than our modern, easy lifestyle does. So, I think I can write romances involving these characters and have it be somewhat believable that they're emotionally mature enough to have serious relationships. I dunno really, though, what do you guys think? And how far should I have Izlude and Alma go with each other? Or should I keep them entirely platonic? The next chapter of this story is not written yet, and I'm still mulling over it myself. Give me some input, if you have a preference, ya'll! If you don't want to leave a comment in the review section, then go ahead and send me a private message with your opinion!