Chapter 5: The Decision

The pleasant evening went by all too fast for Alma and by the stroke of midnight, she had to be returned to her room for the evening since her host needed to be up by sunrise for his servants change him into his armor to prepare him for his knightly duties. When they reached the door to her chambers, Izlude reached into his pocket to pull out the key to confine his captive once more before he felt Alma still his hand. Looking up, he regarded his lovely captive curiously.

"Yes, Alma?"

The Beoulve girl blushed a deep rosy hue that made her host wonder what she was thinking. "Izlude…I want to thank you for lovely evening and I want you to know that I do not blame you for anything; I know that you were only following the orders of your superiors even if I do not agree with them. You've been nothing but good to me since I came here and it would mean a lot to me if you were to stay here with me tonight instead of returning to your room."

Now it was Izlude's turn to blush. "Well, I appreciate the offer, Alma, but I'm not sure if it would be such a good idea to share a room with a man who is not your husband; your reputation would be tarnished." While that was true, Izlude neglected to mention that it also wouldn't look good for him if someone found him in his captive's chambers the next morning, even if invited.

"Yes, but you did say that only Justin and your superiors know who I am and I'm pretty sure they're too busy with other matters to concern themselves with where you sleep at night."

"True, but…"

Alma cut him off. "You need not be concerned about my reputation, Izlude. I didn't tell you this before, but Ramza and I have recently had a falling out with our older brothers. I was the one who chose to run away from home and come to Orbonne Monastery to assist Ramza who is now declared a heretic and because of that, I am just as much of an outcast and fugitive as he. By now, Dycedarg has probably disowned me so I am no longer entitled to any privileges of my family name."

Izlude was startled at his captive's revelation. He thought that Ramza had forced his younger sister to follow him and collect the Holy Stones and Germonik Scriptures in order to wreak havoc and chaos upon Ivalice.

"But why?" he asked. "Didn't you know what would happen? You were born into a very respected and revered family, even among the nobility, and have wanted for nothing since birth. Why would you give all that up for the life of an outcast and fugitive as a heretic? That's hardly becoming of a Beoulve."

Alma simply looked at Izlude with an expression that said she had no regrets about following her favorite brother. Her loyalty to Ramza was unwavering but there was more to it than just that.

"It's because I'm a Beoulve that I have chosen this path" she began softly, speaking in a low voice as to not wake the other castle inhabitants "Our father believed in using our power and influence for the greater good of the country and the people but our older brothers used it to pursue their own ambitions while others suffer. They have made a mockery of his efforts and for that, I cannot forgive them. That is why I chose to follow Ramza because I believe in him and what he is trying to do which is save Ivalice from all who wish to corrupt her and exploit her people and I'm not just talking about power-hungry nobles like my older brothers and Dukes Larg and Goltana, but the Zodiac Demons as well."

Upon hearing this, Izlude found himself completely at a loss as to what to say. During their battle at Orbonne, he remembered hearing Ramza say the exact same thing when they clashed swords and while he thought the Beoulve noble's claims about the Holy Stones possessing people and turning them into Zodiac Demons were outrageous, he couldn't help having doubts because Ramza's behavior did not seem fitting of the dangerous and insane heretic that the church claimed him to be.

When he found his voice again, he gently took Alma by the arm and said quietly "Alma, I think its best not to say such things out in the open like this; let's go inside the room first." It looked like he was going to have to give in to his captive's request tonight after all, especially since she was starting to get emotional; the last thing he needed and wanted was for her to start a heated argument out in the hallway where everyone can hear, especially about such a delicate topic.

Realizing the position she had put her host in, Alma apologized. "I'm sorry if I got carried away. I know you've had a long day and that you're tired and need rest."

"It's all right" Izlude said gently as he took the key to Alma's chambers out of his pocket, opened the door, and followed her in before closing and locking it behind him. As soon as they were both inside, the young knight blade turned to face his captive whom he now preferred to think of as his guest. "Alma" he began slowly "I don't want to believe that you would lie to me about something like this but I do hope you'll forgive me if I find your brother's claims difficult to comprehend, let alone accept."

Alma sighed and shook her head. "No, I do not blame you for doubting; even I did not believe it at first. My elder brothers still don't; they don't realize that they're playing right into the demons' trap in their pursuit for power. That is why I cannot associate with them any longer and since my eldest brother has likely disowned me, I am no longer subject to his wishes and decisions."

"And that would include your arranged marriage, am I right?"

Alma nodded. "Yes. I am no longer a noblewoman. I have lost my wealth, title, and everything else my name once entitled me to. But at least my life is my own now, free to do as I wish, and I have. I regret nothing so you do not need to worry or concern yourself with protecting my reputation because as far as I am concerned, I no longer have one, at least not as a noblewoman."

"I see… well, if you insist, I can stay with you tonight, at least just this once."

Alma's eyes brightened. "Thank you, Izlude, for granting my request. You need not worry; I did promise that we will take things slow. Just lie next to me and keep me warm tonight, okay? That's all I ask."

The knight blade had to refrain from letting out a sigh of relief from hearing his guest say that after having made such an awkward request earlier. Even if Alma claimed that she was no longer concerned about her reputation as a noblewoman, Izlude still did not wish to do anything to dishonor her should she ever choose to return to the Beoulves, even if he knew that such a thing was unlikely to happen.

"Of course… I don't mind that. I don't have my night clothes with me so I hope you won't have a problem with me sleeping in just my pants tonight? This shirt isn't exactly the most comfortable thing to sleep in."

"Not at all if you don't mind me sleeping in just my slip since it's hard for me to sleep in anything else."

"I understand. Well, why don't you change in the bathroom and I'll see you in bed later?"

"Right" Alma answered as she went inside the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

Later that night, Izlude found himself staying up a bit after Alma fell asleep in his arms. He didn't find it unpleasant or uncomfortable, just different because he was used to sleeping alone. She said she was no longer bound to an arranged marriage due to her falling out with her family so she could be with whomever she chose but Izlude wasn't sure if his own family would approve, especially his father whom he had never defied out of trust and loyalty. But if there was anyone he would defy his family's wishes for, it was Alma. Her bravery and sense of justice as well as loyalty and devotion to those she loved and causes she believed in was a quality that was all too hard to find, especially among the royals and nobility. And while he himself was highborn like Alma, Izlude never really considered himself a nobleman. The Knights Templar were like a class all on their own, serving directly under the church and answering only to the High Confessor himself; even the king had no authority over them and they could also be of noble or common birth so long as they had the skills and absolute loyalty to the Glabados Church.

Upon hearing the soft breathing of his companion, Izlude looked down forgot his thoughts and concerns for the time being. Just seeing the peaceful, sleeping face of his lovely guest was enough to make him smile and feel at ease. Alma truly was a beautiful girl and in slumber, one could easily mistake her for a sleeping angel. Most men would be tempted to take advantage of her invitation but Izlude had more restraint and discipline then that; he was a knight blade and absolute gentleman after all.

SSSSSS

Although Izlude knew he promised himself that he would spend the night with Alma only once, he found it hard to refuse his lovely guest anything she wanted except her freedom, trying to convince himself that it was for her own safety and protection that he was keeping her at the castle until he can obtain the Germonik Scriptures and Holy Stones. Before he knew it, he found himself sleeping in Alma's chambers every night and having to be up by sunrise to return to his own room before his servants arrived to help him change into his armor. He still hadn't forgotten that he had a duty to fulfill and that he cannot let even a dangerously tempting beauty like Alma, deter him otherwise. His father had been away for about a week and would be returning to Riovanes soon to meet up with the duke and he knew that Vormav was a man who had little, if any tolerance for failure. Izlude also knew that he was making progress with Alma; the fact that she was opening up to him about her past and intentions meant that she was starting to trust him and less likely to try and escape.

Alma herself also realized this even though she gave no sign of it. She knew that Izlude was starting to trust her as much as he liked her hence granting almost any request she made of him. Unlike her first week at Riovanes, she now had someone taking her out and about at night as well as during the day. While she spent her days in the company of Justin as usual, Alma had the privilege of being in the company of Izlude at night so in addition to having dinner together, he was now taking her outside as well. Alma could not deny that she found Izlude's companionship more than simply advantageous. Sure, he was handsome but there was so much more to him than that; there was something about the young man that intrigued her like no other and he was the first as well as only person who made her heart flutter and beat faster every time she saw him. Alma also saw none of the malice and corruption that was rampant among the other officers of the Knights Templar and Glabados Church in Izlude; he followed his father and the High Confessor simply because he truly believed that they had the best interests of the country and people at heart, just as she believed her favorite brother did.

For these reasons, Alma found herself more drawn to Izlude and her resolve to escape waning with each passing day. She knew that Ramza would come for her, of that she had no doubt; it was only a matter of when and how and that worried her. It also did not help that she overheard a conversation between Izlude and a young, dark-skinned exotic wizard he had met and became acquainted with shortly before her own arrival to Riovanes.

The wizard's name was Malak Galthana, the adopted son of Duke Barrington, lord of Riovanes and benefactor to the Knights Templar. While waiting for Izlude to come to dinner one night as usual, Alma thought she heard the footsteps of someone approaching and speaking to her host as he himself was approaching her chamber.

"Sir Izlude, may I have a word with you?" she heard the wizard call from the other side.

"Yes, what is it, Lord Malak?"

"It concerns Ramza Beoulve, the heretic."

The sound of her brother's name caught Alma's full attention as she left the table, approached the door, and pressed her ear to the wood to hear the conversation.

"Ramza Beoulve? You saw him? When? Where?"

"Yesterday at a small town slum not far from here. As I surmised, he has the Germonik Scriptures and some of the Holy Stones. I told him to come here and surrender them if he ever wished to see his sister alive again."

"You told him WHAT?!"

"Be at ease, Sir Izlude, it was only a bluff" Malak assured "I have no intention of harming your guest as she is innocent of her brother's wrong doings. We need him to come here to surrender the scriptures and stones and as long as he believes his sister to be in danger, our purpose is served all the same; the lady need not come to any harm."

Izlude was silent for a moment as he took this in. "And when will Ramza be here?"

"I'm not sure" Malak answered "Could be any time but my guess would likely be a few more days. I will meet and confront him at the castle gates when he arrives."

"I see…" Izlude began "Thank you for letting me know; I appreciate it. However, I would also appreciate it if you do not let Alma herself know of this or she may try to escape and because we still need her to reason with Ramza."

"Of course" Malak agreed. "Thank you for understanding and have a good night, Sir Izlude."

"You too, Lord Malak; good night."

Upon hearing this, Alma had to clamp a hand over her mouth to keep a gasp of shock from escaping her lips. She also had to make sure to get back to the dinner table before Izlude found out she was eavesdropping. Luckily, the young knight blade always knocked on her door and waited for her permission before entering.

"Lady Alma, its Sir Izlude, may I come in?"

"Yes, of course, you may!"

When the door opened, her host entered and made his usual bow before politely asking if he could join Alma for dinner to which she always said yes. After what she had just heard, Alma had to try her hardest to pretend that she knew nothing of her brother's predicted arrival as to not make her host suspicious which was no easy task. She tried talking about anything to keep her mind off Ramza until dinner was over. However, this time, she had to tell Izlude that she would not be able to go out for the evening due to a malady she felt coming on to which he accepted without objection. He also offered to return to his own room after dinner instead of staying until she felt better, much to her relief, for she had a lot to think about and needed the time alone.

As Alma laid in bed later that night, a thousand thoughts raced through her mind. Her brother was coming for her and he could be here any day now. Though she had grown quite fond of Izlude, she still hadn't forgotten that her loyalty was to Ramza first as he was her own flesh and blood while Izlude was a stranger she just met recently. Now that she knew Ramza was coming, she also realized that another confrontation between him and Izlude would be inevitable and while her brother was a formidable warrior, her host was no less so; there was a very real chance that he may kill Ramza when they clashed swords again and there was no way Alma could just sit back and let that happen. In the silence of the night, the young Beoulve noblewoman came to an inevitable decision:

Izlude must die.

A/N: Whew, chapter five rewrite finally done! Sorry for the wait, I got held up on some other things and just recently got time to work on this fic again. However, it's a lot better than my previous 3 year delay between chapter 3 and 4 ;) Now that I'm inspired again, I will try my best to get one new chapter up every week until this fic is done! Thanks again and please review! ;)