Chapter 2
Captain Baigan grimaced in frustration as he galloped his white chocobo through the outer bailey of the Mythril Manor's west keep. The night had passed uneventfully, with no sign of the escaped mouse, despite all the Aquiline Guards' best efforts. By dawn the Captain decided to widen the search to the city and surrounding area. He had summoned his best Chocobo Knights to begin the search of the countryside. Yuffie the Mouse could not have gotten far, but the more time that passed, the less likely it became that she would be brought back without the populace hearing of the failure of the dungeon. Should that happen, Baigan would be the one forced to endure the Bishop and his legendary rage. But this was no time to think of such things, not when there was a mission at hand. Putting such fears out of his mind he reined in his charger before the gate where his finest Knights had assembled.
"Ready your mounts men, we ride south towards the plains! This thief must be captured no matter what the cost! And I assure you, the name of the man who finds her shall be brought to the personal attention of His Grace." Baigan's eyes narrowed as he surveyed them all coldly from atop his prancing chocobo. "As so shall the severed head of the one who let's her get away! Now we ride forth! Open the gates!" At the sound of his cry the heavy wooden door was raised and Baigan charged out from the bailey followed by his men. As they galloped through the streets of Aquila, they were viewed with excitement by the citizens and passer-bys. The knights seemed so glorious atop their beautiful mounts, their gleaming mythril mail reflecting the morning sun! Whatever their feelings towards the Bishop, just the sight of the Aquiline Guard made each man, woman and child proud of their fair city.
The feeling was not lost on two guards nestled on a wall overlooking the Mythril River which ran through the city. They had been laughing over the late dungeonmaster's fate that morning, as Barinten was little-liked. Now, however, Biggs and Wedge stopped to stare at knights charging forth before them. So engrossed were they in the sight, they failed to notice a tiny hand reach out from the river and snatch away their small gil pouches. Swimming off quietly with the prize a young Wutain girl floated down the river hoping to evade notice.
Yuffie stopped under a small footbridge to look at the purses and counted out about seventy gil, a small fortune given her present circumstances. She looked heavenward a bit shamefacedly. "I know I said I wouldn't steal again, Lord Leviathan... but you and I both know how little willpower I have. I'm sure you won't hold it against me." She slumped down a bit, dreading the smiting she no doubt deserved. When none came she smirked joyfully. "Ha! I knew we understood one another Lord Leviathan!" Fingering her treasure silently, she made her way slowly down the river.
-
The black-clad warrior had just finished dressing in the light of the new dawn when he heard the thundering of approaching chocobos, their speed a bit too slow to be wild. He moved back amongst the trees and peered out at a cadre of chocobo knights galloping across the fields. At their head he spied a familiar figure wearing a golden helm and an ornately embroidered white silk tabard. The rider's cruel, dusky face brought back distant memories.
"Baigan..." the man growled harshly, the past flooding over him...
The young man from the small of village of Nibelheim could only gawk in amazement at the spectacle before him. On the green plains outside Aquila all of the Bishop's greatest knights had gathered for a grand tournament. Clad in their gleaming mythril mail, their swords and standards polished to a dazzling shine, the knights practiced their weaponplay and jousting as they prepared to face off. The fair ladies of the Mythril Manor lined up and whispered and giggled amongst themselves as they watched the handsome knights, while the townspeople milled about with their gossip and chatter as they awaited the contests.
At the head of it all, in his lavish pavilion, sat the Bishop himself, his proud face smiling possessively at the glory before him. He seemed to bask in that glory, as if it all belonged to him. And though the young man felt an air of foreboding when he looked at the holy man, he could not help but feel the Bishop was right.
"Well Cloud? What are our chances today?" Squire Cloud Strife turned and looked at his master, the Aquiline Knight Simon. As the knight's squire, Cloud began to bow deeply as was his duty, but Simon waved him off. He was a good-natured, older knight who seldom stood on ceremony, but such was Cloud's respect for men like him that he tried to give him the honor he deserved.
"You shall no doubt take the field, milord." Cloud answered dutifully, though he knew it not to be true. Simon was a fine knight, loyal and honorable, but his combat skills paled in comparison to such living legends as Captain Zack Navarre and his sub-commander Baigan Marquet. Simon knew it too and waved his hands ruefully.
"You flatter me, Cloud. But well I know I'll be fortunate to make it past the first running. It's too bad squires cannot compete. You, I believe, may have a chance at victory were it possible."
Cloud bowed his head in gratitude, though he knew he would never receive such an opportunity. Only the highborn advanced to such an exalted position as Chocobo Knight. Unless, of course, they happened to be a great hero, like General Sephiroth of Midgar, a man whose lowly origins were overlooked due to his incredible strength and heroism displayed in the Wutai War. In this age of peace, though, it would be difficult to become such a hero, so the most Cloud could hope for was a position in the militia. At that thought he tried not to let the disappointment show on his face, lest he disappoint his honorable master.
Simon saw the slight frown grace his young squire's face, but merely grinned at him, remembering his own dreams of glory as a young man. His creased features wrapped around twinkling blue eyes as he smiled at the young man he had come to think of as a son. As he was unmarried and without family in his older age he had appreciated the company when this young buck was assigned to be his squire. "Come. Let us go the drawing to find out our first opponent. You have my lances ready, eh?" Cloud nodded as the two made their way to the center of the field.
As luck would have it, Simon was drawn against Commander Baigan in the first round. Upon hearing this, the knight smiled ruefully, knowing his participation would be even shorter than he feared. Cloud however set to work diligently, adjusting his master's saddle and reins, making sure both were properly balanced. He checked the wrappings on his master's sword to make sure none of the edge showed, an instant disqualification in a peaceful joust. He then carefully posted the topper on the sharp point of Simon's lance as well. It would not do for any knight to be injured by his carelessness.
Soon the match began. Cloud ran next to his mounted master, a smile on his face, though he knew the contest would be one-sided. Baigan was known as one of Aquila's finest, second only to the young Captain Zack. Still, this was their moment of glory, he and Simon. Even the least of Aquiline Guard were the greatest of men. And though his weapon prowess may be lacking, his fine mind and loyal nature were well-known. He was a popular knight, evidenced by the nearby ladies throwing their flowers to him, though he was too old now to give much of a thought to such things. Even Cloud, who had never considered himself a ladies' man, got a few looks as he stayed at the side of his master as any loyal squire would do.
Simon and Baigan's match was the first of the day, so a keen excitement filled the air. The Bishop stood and read the Cetran prayer, though his voice was barely heard over the enthusiastic buzz. Finally the young and dashing Captain Zack gave a shout, bringing order to the crowd. This Bishop began to speak again, but Cloud didn't hear a word. His eyes rested on a young girl standing between the Bishop and the Captain, her beautiful face lighting up like the dawn. She wore only the simplest of pink gowns, and her golden-tinged chestnut hair was done up with a plain, pink ribbon in a quaint ponytail like the peasant girls Cloud knew. But despite her simple demeanor she somehow managed to outshine all the other nearby women who were wearing the height of Aquiline fashion. Cloud stood lost looking at her eyes, their color as green as the most verdant plain he had ever come across. Young Captain Zack whispered something to her while the Bishop spoke, causing her to grin. That answering smile gave her features even more beauty, something Cloud would not have believed possible, but he quickly looked away before she saw him staring. Surely she was the lady of one of the knights, perhaps even the Captain since she smiled so sweetly at him. He felt sure they would be insulted by a lowly squire such as himself invading their private moment with his commoner's eyes. He set back to work rechecking his master's cinch-straps for the third time, though he knew it was unnecessary. It was merely an excuse to avoid looking at the beautiful maiden.
After the prayer was finally read and heard, Zack raised his gauntleted fist up once, and then brought it down quickly, signaling the beginning of the match. Baigan and Simon charged and the fight was on.
The two Chocobo Knights crashed into each other in the middle of the field, and though he was pushed back in the saddle, Simon held firm. Cloud felt a surge of pride. It was no small thing to stand against Commander Baigan. His master was giving it his all.
On the second pass, Simon dipped further back in the saddle but still stayed on his chocobo. Cloud heard Baigan mutter a curse as he reined in for the third pass. The squire knew the man must be frustrated at his master's surprising performance. One more draw and the match would have to be decided on the ground.
The third pass proved to be too much for Simon, however, and he tumbled to the ground. The crowd groaned in disappointment. His chocobo tripped, though, and tumbled into Baigan's mount. The shock of the impact threw Baigan out of the saddle where he landed in the mud, his white tabard stained badly. Now the crowd gasped, amazed to see Baigan unhorsed, even by accident. The commander swore and rose to his feet. Cloud smiled triumphantly. A draw! His master had drawn with the great Baigan! Now they would settle things by the blade. Cloud ran dutifully to Simon and helped him up. Handing him his wrapped sword, he nodded with a slight smile of encouragement. Simon's face was hidden under the visor of his helm but he held his weapon up to Cloud in a silent salute.
The two knights rushed towards one another on foot, their swords at the ready. Cheers rang out from the crowd, mainly for Sir Simon, who was performing beyond expectations. The two swung their swords together in a great clamor, and Simon was forced back almost immediately. Baigan's sword skill was even great than his skill with his mount. Simon tried to clumsily block a slash, but overcompensated and fell to the ground. He landed on the ankle of Baigan who cried in pain. The younger knight tumbled down as well, and by the way he awkwardly landed, Cloud feared his ankle might be broken. Another touch of luck for his master, but he knew it would not be appreciated. Baigan was too important a man to be sidelined by such clumsiness. The crowd began to murmur worriedly.
Baigan howled in fury, and rose to his feet as well as he could, tearing off his golden helm. Fortunately his ankle seemed to be sprained rather than broken, but still the commander's anger was evident. With a cry of rage he lashed out and backhanded Simon across his visor. The knight fell to the ground, as Baigan balanced himself on his good foot. "You clumsy oaf! You'll pay for this!" Hurriedly removing the wrappings from his own blade, the commander made ready to smite Simon where he lay. The crowd gasped in horror.
Cloud moved without hesitation. He threw himself between Simon and the enraged knight. "Cloud..!" gasped Simon with fear. "What are you doing!" He held out his arms in supplication to his superior. "Please milord, spare my loyal squire!"
Baigan was angered beyond reason, however. He raised his deadly sword. "Out of the way boy!" he cried. Cloud neither said a word in reply, nor moved a muscle. He merely awaited the blow he had no defense against, determined to protect the life of the knight he had sworn to serve, even to the ultimate cost. "Very well! You shall lead the path to the Hell of Jenova for your master!" The sword began to descend, it's killing edge reflecting the light of the dawning day.
"Baigan! Stop where you are!" The commander's downward slash halted at the clear tone of his young Captain. Zack moved towards his second, his handsome face twisted with horrified rage. "For shame! You would strike down an innocent squire who only sought to defend his master from your unwarranted assault! You bring dishonor to the Aquiline Guard!"
Baigan looked angrily at Zack for a moment, but then noticed the angry, frightened faces of the crowd staring at him in disgusted amazement. With an embarrassed grimace he lowered his weapon. "Forgive me, milord. This injury maddened me for a moment."
Zack's face softened somewhat. "No doubt it is painful. But as one of our leading knights I would expect you to behave with greater discretion."
Baigan bowed as well as he could with his injured foot. "Again, my apologies, milord."
Zack looked at Simon and Cloud meaningfully. "It is not I you should be apologizing to, Commander."
Baigan grimaced, but obeyed his master and bowed to his opponent. "My apologies, Sir Simon. My pain and rage got the best of me."
Simon removed his own helm as he stood and bowed. "The fault was mine, Lord Baigan. I should have been more careful in remembering the importance of my opponent. My clumsiness has often got the best of me." Baigan's face softened a bit at the older knight's humility, but he still looked ashamed.
Zack, however, was not satisfied. "There is another you must apologize to, Baigan." He gestured at the squire still kneeling on the ground.
Baigan's eyes widened in shock. "Surely, milord, you would not have me abase myself before such a lowborn peasant on the tournament field! No! I cannot!"
Zack stepped towards his subordinate. "You can and you shall, if you value your position in the Guard. That 'lowborn peasant' kept you from making a tragic error on the field today."
Baigan breathed heavily, his face twisted in rage as he looked between Cloud and his Captain. Finally in a tone of pure hatred he addressed the squire kneeling before him. "My apologies, churl, though in truth only a knight should step on this field. And my hope that in the future you remember your place and stay clear of the affairs of your betters!" Ignoring the flaring pain, the commander limped off the field with what dignity he could. He nearly knocked over the young maiden in pink as he went, fixing his glare on her for the briefest of moments. Her emerald eyes answered with a shocked contempt before they turned back towards where Cloud, Zack and Simon still stood. She must have come with Captain Zack, though Cloud had only just noticed her. With difficulty he tore his eyes off her and looked at the ground.
He stayed put for only a moment before a strong pair of hands pulled him to his feet. Looking up he gazed at the blue eyes of the Captain, similar to his own, yet filled with a strange kindness, and perhaps even admiration. "No need to stay on the ground, squire. You have performed your duty well, and must receive your accolades on your feet." Cloud nodded silently at the kind words, but as usual his mouth failed him for a reply. Zack chuckled a bit. "Not a talker it seems." He grinned and then turned to Simon. "You have won much honor today as well, Sir. I don't think Baigan's anger was only due to his foot. You joust well. I wish you good fortune on your next match, for I declare you winner by forfeit."
Simon bowed deeply. "I am humbly grateful, milord, but I would wish to decline further honor, today. Lord Baigan is a fearsome opponent, I am too sore to continue. Besides I worry about my squire, and would give him rest as well."
Zack nodded. "As you wish. You both certainly need prove nothing further today." He turned to walk away, but turned back to Cloud. "I will keep my eye on you, young Strife. You have the makings of a fine knight yourself."
Cloud gaped in surprise that Captain Zack even knew his name, let alone saw potential in him. There was no chance to reply as Zack joined his lady who smiled sweetly at the Captain, as if to approve his actions. She turned to look at Cloud again, and favored him with an even more radiant grin, and a small nod. Cloud, still in shock, could only nod his head slightly, his mouth still agape. The maiden laughed in merriment, the sound like a twinkling brook, and fell into step besides the Captain. Cloud watched them go, still in disbelief at the events.
Back in the present, Cloud Strife watched the now-Captain Baigan lead his knights away to the south. He fingered the long, jeweled sword at his side as the arrogant soldier threw an angry cry at a subordinate. In truth, even on that first meeting he had disliked Baigan, and had even more reason to hate him now. But he must control his emotions. Surely something important was happening to bring the Captain of the Aquiline Guard himself out of the Mythril Manor, no doubt related to the alarm bells of the previous night. Cloud readied his chocobo and began to follow as silently and stealthily as possible. He must find out what was happening in Aquila.
-
Yuffie Kisaragi pulled herself from the riverbank and dropped on her back breathing heavily. The journey had been long and tiring, but she seemed to be safe, at least for now. Certainly, there had been no sign of any soldiers for quite some time.
Wrinkling her nose, she tried to ignore what she smelled like. She could only imagine what she looked like, having taken swims now in both the dank catacombs of Aquila and the muddy coastline of the Mythril River. 'My father's going to pay for this.' She thought darkly. 'Just a simple spy mission. You'll be out within the month. Ha!' She planned on beating his hide down every floor of the Pagoda of the Five Sacred Gods when she got back home.
No time for that now, though. First she needed to wash up and find some new clothes. Then she had to find some way to get back home. The Wutaian ship she sailed in on would be returning by the end of the month, but she couldn't wait that long. She needed to get as far away from Aquila as possible, perhaps over the Mythril Mountains and to Junon in the east. From there she could sail to Costa del Sol on the West Continent and then make her way home.
Yuffie thought it was a good a plan as any. But she'd certainly need more money, even to make it as far as Junon. Then again gil acquisition had never been a problem for her. If worse came to worse, she'd just pick a few pockets along the way. Somebody was bound to have something of value. 'Each journey starts with the first step!' she thought giddily to herself. She was feeling pretty good at the moment, despite how badly she smelled. She had outsmarted the Aquilines after all! The rest would be cake after that!
Yuffie had not gone far down a nearby trail when she saw a small farmstead off the path. The home seemed poor, though she had noticed they all did thanks to the terrible drought which had started a couple of years ago. Two young children were tending a small cookfire over which hung some shabby clothes being dried by the flames. Putting on her best sugary-sweet smile, Yuffie approached the duo,
"Hello!" the young ninja waved in a sing-song voice. The little boy eyed her suspicious, but his big sister a pretty, golden-haired thing waved back with her own enthusiastic hello.
"Hey, look! A rainbow chocobo!" Yuffie pointed to a nearby ledge. The children turned peering off towards the direction of her finger. The ninja seized the opportunity to grab a fresh tunic and some hose, as well as some worn leather shoes, a luxury here in the country. By the time the children turned back, Yuffie was halfway up the trail heading off from the house as quickly as she could.
"She's taking mama's shoes!" gasped the little girl in horror, her hands going to her face in a cute fashion.
"Tell her thanks for me kiddies!" rang out a smug voice from up the trail.
-
Having washed and changed, Yuffie felt like a new ninja. She happily made her way up the path, her ninjutsu training assuring her no one was following or waiting in ambush up ahead. In a small clearing she saw a dilapidated, old outdoor tavern, consisting of a few rude benches, cookfire and a small wooden bar. Smells of roasted mutton came to her senses, and she realized just how little she had eaten in the last few days. Licking her lips, she surveyed the scene carefully, seeing no soldiers, just a few cloaked peasants swilling their ale. 'Ah, Lord Leviathan what the hell?' she shrugged. 'Girl's gotta eat.'
She confidently strode up to the bar and greeted the proprietor, a greasy-looking middle-aged man with a noticeable paunch. "A flagon of your finest, good sir! And one as well to any who will listen to my toast!"
The bartender looked at the young Wutaian suspiciously. "And the gil to pay for this?" he muttered.
Yuffie brought out ten gil from her pouch, more than enough for the sludge no doubt served at this hovel. The bartender brightened when he saw the money and set to work.
One of the farmers half-turned to Yuffie. "Let's hear your toast then, lass. I never pass up free ale."
Yuffie laughed merrily. "As well you shouldn't kind sir! Today we toast a great hero who has seen the inescapable dungeons of Aquila and lived to tell the tale!"
"Then you toast me, little girl." The farmer replied smugly. "I have seen those dungeons."
Yuffie lifted her chin cockily. "A worker, perhaps? Or a stonecutter, maybe? One of the Bishop's servants even! But are you a prisoner who escaped from the very catacombs of doom?"
"No. Not a prisoner." A gauntleted hand reached up and pulled off the cloak, revealing a tabard with the Aquiline insignia. Captain Baigan stood and faced his prey. On his signal the rest of his men revealed themselves to the now terrified thief. "If you had stayed near the river, you might have stood a chance little mouse." Baigan signaled for his men to grab her, while he sat back down to enjoy the show.
"You're right." agreed Yuffie in a small voice, eyeing the advancing soldiers with fear. One came up to her and tried to grab her. Yuffie dropped to her knees and rolled under the oaken bar. The soldiers cried out in surprised rage. Crawling out the other side, Yuffie grabbed one of the discarded cloaks and threw it in the face of a determined knight. She deftly leapt over a table, causing two pursuing men to slam into each with groans of pain. Baigan put his head in his hand, biting back words of frustration at his mens' stupidity. Yuffie, meanwhile, clambered up a vine terrace, hoping to leap to her escape. The soldiers were too quick this time, and moved to surround the terrace. Two of the Aqulines came forward and began sticking their swords up at her. Yuffie cringed and desperately avoided the strikes, her escape completely cut off.
Baigan clapped his hands at her in mock appreciation for her antics from where he sat, a sardonic smile on his tanned, handsome face. He signaled to her to jump down, having had enough of her foolishness. Yuffie did as she was told, but grabbed a small shuriken she had hidden in her hose. With one last-ditch effort she sliced it out in an attempt to create an escape, but failed to see the Captain approaching her. The small blade cut a small gash across his cheek just below his dark brown eye.
Yuffie looked shocked. "I-I'm so terrible sorry!" she cried, more out of fear of Baigan's retribution than any real repentance.
The Captain brought a finger up to his face and wiped a small smear of blood off of it. He looked at the young girl with undisguised ire, and then turned to his men. "Kill her." he ordered without even the slightest tone of regret. "Feel free to have some fun with her first, though." One of the soldiers, an older man with bright blue eyes looked uncomfortable at that, but the others moved forward with evil grins on their faces. One touched the young ninja's cheek with his hand and licked his lips at her lasciviously.
"Oh, Lord Leviathan!" The young girl cried out in horror. "Have mercy on your servant!" The prayer was barely finished, though, as a small shaft of crackling light bit its way into the soldier's arm. He fell back holding the newly-scorched flesh, muttering curses. Yuffie turned and saw a black-clad warrior with shining blue eyes and wild, spiky blonde hair/. His gauntleted hand was raised, a number of green materia orbs visible, including the bolt materia he had used to shock her attacker. Captain Baigan stepped forward and stared at the man with a look of pure hatred.
Another one of Baigan's soldiers raised his own hand and aimed a fire spell at the intruder. He expertly avoided the blast and retaliated with another lightning bolt to the man's chest. The soldier cried out once and dropped where he stood. The blonde man looked at Yuffie, his blue eyes burrowing into her. "You. Go." Yuffie didn't need to be told twice. Running as fast as she could from the tavern, she took off down the trail. Cloud drew a mighty, beautifully crafted zweihander-type sword, three great jewels glistening in its golden hilt.
Captain Baigan, still never taking his eyes off the man, held up his hand in a silent order for his men to stand down as he addressed the interloper. "One of my men told me he saw you skulking around outside the city. I wanted to cut his throat for lying, because I thought even you couldn't be this stupid."
The blue-eyed warrior ignored the insult, his ice-blue eyes staring at the Captain in anger. How easy it would be to rush him and end this now. Before he could do so, however, a sword came up to him in an effort to disarm him. Cloud parried it with lightning-fast skill.
The old knight with the bright blue eyes grimaced at the block, but then a smile grew slowly over his face as he recognized his opponent. "Cloud! Cloud Strife!"
Cloud, too, recognized this man, though he had aged greatly in the two years since he had last saw him. "Sir Simon. Master." He gave his old friend and mentor one of his rare half-smiles and nodded slightly.
"Master, eh?" muttered Baigan, sneaking up from behind Simon. He pushed the man forward. Cloud, surprised, was unable to move his blade in time to keep the old knight from being impaled on it. Simon groaned briefly, then looked up at Cloud with a slight, apologetic smile, even now his great fondness of the young man evident. His eyes rolled back and he made no further sound.
Cloud stared in horror at the sight of his old master impaled on his blade. This man had been like a father to him, and now he had been unwittingly murdered on the sword of his former squire. What tragic dishonor! Looking up he saw the laughing eyes of Captain Baigan, no remorse whatsoever on his face over the brutal and undeserved death of such a kind and noble knight. The Captain's gaze bore into Cloud as if to challenge him to do something about it. He did. Leaping to his feet he swung his fist at the knight's jaw with inhuman force. Baigan was knocked backwards into his own men as Cloud came to his feet.
The other knights were ready, though, and began to rush Cloud. The blue-eyed warrior ran back near the bar and grabbed a pair of chocobo shoes. He deftly threw them into the face of one of his assailants, knocking the man back in pain. Another rushed Cloud sword held high, but he parried the blow by grabbing the man's arm, and hurled him against one of the wooden tables. A third knight was dispatched with a blow to the gut followed by a knee to the face.
Baigan, meanwhile, still knocked senseless, was being tended to by his commander, a man named Perrault who followed the Captain in every vicious propensity. Dropping his lord for the moment he drew his blade and rushed the enemy. Cloud grabbed a stout wooden cudgel from the cookfire. Swinging with force, he disarmed Perrault and sent him sprawling to the ground with a blow to the face. Baigan, who recovered somewhat, tried to draw his own sword, but Cloud stopped him and grabbed him by the collar of his tabard. Baigan sneered at him, while Cloud grit his teeth in fury. It would be so easy to kill the helpless man, but that would go against all his now-dead master had taught him about honor. Cloud threw Baigan into the fire where he landed on his backside with a painful cry. Turning back, Cloud knelt down by his former master, paying his last respects before sorrowfully pulling out his sword. Standing, he glared back at the bellowing Baigan who was screaming at his men to put out the fire searing his rear. A flash of deja-vu came over Cloud, as he realized this tavern looked familiar. He remembered visiting a similar place once before, just north of Aquila...
"Come on Strife." The handsome face of Zack was twisted into one of mild frustration. "It's just a tavern. Surely you've been to a tavern before?"
Cloud shrugged. "Well, no. Not a real one."
Zack laughed. "You really need to get out more, my friend."
Cloud grinned mildly. Since the incident at the tournament, Zack had been true to his word in taking an interest in Cloud. He included him on several missions, and seemed to enjoy his company, though the Cetran God only knew why. Cloud was honest enough with himself to know he wasn't much in the charm department.
Today the young Captain had dragged him to this dreary, little tavern, stating it used to be one of his favorite haunts. Cloud had discovered for all his battle prowess and leadership skills, the Captain had a bit of a wild side. He hid it from the other knights, though he seemed to enjoy shocking Cloud. That was probably why he was always so anxious for the young squire's company. Nothing like free entertainment.
Zack sighed as he looked around the tavern. "Hmmm, no young ladies here yet. Well, let's have a drink while we wait."
"We're in the middle of nowhere, Captain. Is it wise to be here?"
Zack hushed his friend. "Don't call me Captain here. I'm just Zack, got it? And that's why we came so far out, so I can enjoy a drink and some female companionship without all that Captain nonsense."
Cloud shook his head in puzzlement. Why would Zack possibly want to hide who he was? In Aquila there were free drinks and lovely ladies lined up wherever he went. What could this miserable place have to offer?
Zack turned to the trail they arrived on for a moment, his face showing surprise at the appearance of a newcomer. "Well, look at this! Aerith Gainsborough, what are you doing here?"
The beautiful young flower-maiden, clad in her simple pink frock as usual made her way up to the two soldiers. She smiled wryly. "I could ask you the same thing, Zack Navarre! What a hovel! And you dragged poor Cloud here as well! Shame on you!"
"Ouch!" cried Zack in mock anguish, his hand going to his chest. "Such harsh words from milady! But you still didn't answer my question. How did you find us?"
Aerith shrugged. "I saw the two of you sneaking out of the keep. I decided to follow you to make sure you didn't corrupt this nice young man." She favored Cloud with one of her dazzling smiles. He merely nodded back, red-faced. Since befriending the Captain of the Guard, he had met Aerith a few times, but had never been able to get over his nervousness around her. While he had soon learnt that she and Zack were merely good friends, he still felt as if it was wrong to say much to her. She seemed so far above him, they both did really, and he always felt like he was intruding on their bantering sessions. He suspected these two might not just stay friends for long, though strangely he found that unsettling for some reason.
"AH!" cried Zack with a wide grin. "You can't fool me! You were following me, weren't you? You just couldn't stay away!"
"No, no!" cried Aerith in glee. "I was following Cloud!" The young squire noticed the flower girl seemed to enjoy making him even more uncomfortable by flirting with him. He figured she was just trying to make Zack jealous, but found it discomforting all the same. As usual he was at a loss when these two started up with him.
Zack smiled mirthfully at his friend. "Oh-ho, hear that Strife? You've made an important conquest it would seem! That must make you proud, eh?"
Cloud blushed furiously. "Knock it off, already." he muttered, eliciting giggles from his two companions.
"Seriously, though, I just wanted to get out of the Manor, and you two seemed anxious to get wherever you were going. If I had known it was a filthy tavern, I might have reconsidered, but..." Aerith's face suddenly lost much of it's spark. "But, still anywhere is better than..." she cut off suddenly, her face turning pale. She looked at the ground with a troubled expression.
Zack seemed to sense her unusual turn of mood, though Cloud was in the dark. He had never seen her like this. "Did you tell Imperius you were going out?" The Captain asked, changing the subject.
"No. He had a little too much mead with lunch. He'll be sleeping awhile." She giggled, a little uncomfortably.
Zack nodded, unsurprised. "Well, if you were looking for a friend or two, you've come to the right place. Eh, Cloud?"
Cloud, still blushing, looked at Aerith thinking the question was merely more of their teasing. He was surprised when he saw her staring at him intently as if awaiting his answer. The squire merely nodded his agreement. The gesture brightened up Aerith's face considerably, much to Cloud's wonder. Why would she care to be friends with the likes of him? From what he heard she was the special ward of the Bishop, and obviously dear to the Captain. Like with Zack, he couldn't imagine what such a favored, lovely soul would want with him, though he appreciated the company of both his new friends, despite the fact he talked but little. As he sat listening to their chatter with an occasional nod while he drank his ale, he had a nice feeling of belonging.
Cloud broke out of his reverie as Baigan shouted out in pain again. Grasping his blade, he turned and ran from the tavern, ignoring the chance to kill Baigan. That would come soon enough, but right now he had to find that Wutaian girl. He had an even bigger fish to fry than the Captain, and she was the key to helping him do it.
Baigan glared as his foe ran off. "Striiiife!" he screamed, slamming his gauntleted fist to the ground. Standing he pushed Perrault and the others off him. "After them! Bring them before me on their knees!" His men ran off, whether to capture the targets or get away from the Captain's bitter temper it was hard to determine.