6. Another Day, Another Course
"I do believe this is who you were after Milord" Ames said half-heartedly, not particularly happy that he might have to give away his possession with getting paid for it.
"It is indeed," Hector said with a smile, obviously to spite Ames "and for your troubles I will make sure you are in jail by the end of the year." As Hector and Nino walked out of the building, Jaffar in tow, they couldn't hold themselves any longer, and burst out laughing at the complete shock on Ames face.
As they exited the building, Jaffar went to walk down the lane in the opposite direction, but was stopped by Hector's cheerful but booming voice; "Jaffar, you have much to explain to us before we let you go anywhere".
Jaffar gave Hector a look that would frighten most normal men, then turned around to stare at Hector; you could almost see the red beam connecting their eyes.
Jaffar broke into a smile and walked over to Hector, "Indeed I do my warrior friend, but I must first let my companions know of my whereabouts. Meet me outside the Armoury; pretend you are checking out the weapons".
"No! Jaffar, we didn't come to bust you out and talk to you, we came because we suspected Legault has committed a horrible crime, and Nino and I need to know what's going on" Hector's dismay showed clearly his troubled thoughts.
Jaffar looked like a small breeze could easily blow him away, "You don't think, by chance, that he might have killed someone?"
Hector nodded slowly, grimly and Jaffar punched the wall of the nearby house, "Legault you fool!" Jaffar sprinted off down the path that he intended to go originally and yelled back for them to make haste.
Legault ran over to Matthew and kicked him in the side of the head, sending Matthew across the ground, his daggers flying out of his hands, to lay about ten metres away, splayed out like Jesus on the crucifix.
He stalked over to Matthew's prone body and swung his upper half into the air, ready to swing back down and drive his Regal Blade far into Matthew's chest. Unfortunately, he didn't see Alexia run towards him and was caught totally by surprise when she took a running jump and fly kicked him in the ribs. Legault rolled around on the ground in agony leaving Alexia standing in between the two prone forms, both weapon-less and in pain, yet it didn't take long for Alexia to rightly make her way over to Matthew's nearly unconscious form.
"You men are such idiots" Alexia said angrily, knowing full well that it was meant to be a fight to the death, and neither Legault nor Matthew were trying to prove anything. Something that Legault did – probably to do with the blood Alexia thought, finally catching on to what Matthew was doing – really angered Matthew.
She poured her last Elixir down Matthew's throat and stood back as Matthew sprung to his feet and stubbornly made his way over to Legault to finish what he'd started. "This is for two young and innocent children you bastard!" Matthew didn't hesitate, just plunged his silver dagger deep into Legault's heaving chest, causing Legault to scream in agony.
Alexia looked on in shock as a black mist swirled from Legault's deep wound. Looking to Matthew she saw that he was just as surprised as her. The dark mist kept swirling and solidifying until it formed into a humanoid figure, a man in a dark red, full body robe, his angular, tattooed face hidden under the thick hood attached to the cloak.
Alexia looked to Matthew hoping he had an explanation, apparently he did. Herheart sunk and her head shoutedout'not good' as soon as she looked at Matthew.
"The Magic Seal!" Matthew screamed in agony and looked to Legault's dying figure, "What have I done!" Matthew fell to his knees, his mind whirling back to the day this obviously started.
Hector and Oswin – Oswin being in his newly upgraded General Armour that was as tough a rock – cut down the remaining lance-wielding Paladins that surrounded the chanting figure. With them out of the way, Legault leaped through a line of defending Myrmidons, and ran back and forth past the crouched and chanting Magic Seal, slashing everywhere there was an opening on the figure. After a while, with everyone staring on in amazement at Legault's unnecessary bravery – which was indeed bravery as none of them knew what powers or defences this well guarded creature, nay, monster had.
Soon, the Magic Seal dissipated into a swirling black mist, leaving only bright red stains on the ground where it had been chanting only moments before.
That must have been it Matthew sighed sadly; just as the Magic Seal was dissipating, Legault took a big breath in being exhausted from his out-and-out attack. The mist must have travelled into Legault's body and mind.
Matthew was brought back to the tragic present by the Magic Seal's cackling – that evil, high-pitched cackling – and nearly feinted but for Alexia jumping behind him and holding him up in a half-embrace.
"What is your business you fiend" Matthew cried out bitterly, his hands stained with the blood of a friend who had been controlled.
Revenge the Magic Seal telepathically communicated, for thrice I was attacked, alas, three shall die.
It seemed somehow befitting that Hector and Nino, led by Jaffar, arrived at the scene at that moment, each feeling liked they had been punched hard in the gut upon seeing the gruesome and confusing sight before them.
So often in nature the prey delivers itself the Magic Seal screeched at them telepathically – the feeling being quite akin to nails on a chalkboard.
The Magic Seal once again dissolved into the black mist and with incredible speed, went around the backside of Jaffar and pushed itself into one of the many deep lacerations on Jaffar's whipped and beaten back.
Everyone turned and stared at Jaffar, who was staring aimlessly ahead as though he was waiting to drop dead. Nino couldn't take it any longer and rushed to Jaffar with her arms held wide. Jaffar turned to her and shook his head violently, then went completely still as did Nino as she had no idea what to do. Her answer came in the form of Jaffar's slashing Killing Edge. In an impressive show of magic, Nino simply disappeared as the Edge passed through what would have been her body and similarly appeared again, except this time she was beside Hector and already preparing to launch her trademark Elfire magic.
Matthew caught the look in Jaffar's eyes, a look of denial and fury. Matthew understood that Jaffar didn't want the same thing to happen to him as what happened to Legault. Looking to Nino, he realised that Nino had seen the look in Jaffar's eyes as well. But alas, Nino was no warrior; she was a kind-hearted young woman and was no capable of killing a man who had stopped his assassin ways (which was all Jaffar had ever known) simply so she could live.
Jaffar was a finely tuned killing machine and a moment of hesitation was all he needed to… run away. Matthew watched as Jaffar sprinted with all might down the wide road that paralleled the abandoned McGuile Inn. Matthew knew from his childhood on the Ostian streets that that road went directly to the city gates which were the only way to get in and out of the city. Matthew didn't wait to explain his intentions, instead he looked to Alexia and when she met his eyes he smiled and threw his two daggers to her and then took off full speed after Jaffar.
A few minutes later he watched from atop a square building over-looking the gates as Jaffar cut down the two guards stationed there and continue running through the gate. Matthew's fears were realised as he saw Jaffar take the western path from the forked road just outside the gates. He knew that that road would eventually lead to Pharae if one knew what roads to take in the many forks on that particular road. Matthew felt strange, sort of like he was about to throw up. The Magic Seal had said that he was attacked 'thrice' and as such three would die. Legault was but one of them, it was Guy who had attacked the Magic Seal a second time… Eliwood was unfortunately the first to plunge his Rapier through the evil being's chest. Matthew spent his walk back to his companions thinking about how he was going to explain his thoughts to them and fill in all the blanks about what had transpired since Matthew, Jaffar and Legault had joined together in the city.
The next day they all sat around the large Nordic table in the Hideout – Hector, Nino, Matthew, Alexia, and even Jessica (who Alexia said did have some considerable skill with a lance) – and talked about the tale Matthew had told them last night, each adding their own story, until it seemed all the gaps had been filled in about what had transpired since the final battle with Nergal.
Even later that day, Hector rejoined them at the Ostian gates – having been setting up his replacement (Oswin of course) for the time he was going to be away – and the group of five set out on their long journey to Pharae, each knowing that the legendary Eliwood's life was in their hands.
Matthew wore the same outfit he always wore except he had around his head Legault's trademark purple bandanna. Hector walked in his bulky and tough armour with his axe – the fabled Armads – secured to his waist, whilst he had the Regal Blade in a sheath on his back. Alexia was wearing the same as she had worn the day she met Matthew, and Jessica was wearing a rather whorish outfit that allowed you to see all of her except for her chest and groin, and as she walked she used her Steel Lance as a sort of walking staff. Nino had her profession's chosen attire – the Sage robes – except she had Legault's cape around her shoulders, and had obviously dyed her hair black – most likely still in mourning at the loss of two important friends.
Matthew and Hector soon split off from the group, Matthew scouting ahead and Hector simply checking everywhere for possible dangers. Whatever will be will be Matthew thought and with that he continued his scouting with grim determination.