Lawrence stoked his grass and twig fire slowly and thoughtfully as the Green Moon climbed higher in the Ixa'takan sky. The night was balmy and lonesome, and he doubted he would find much sleep despite the decent shelter he had pieced together at dusk. He was still in disbelief that Domingo had abandoned him, though what caused him grief was the knowledge that he deserved to be left behind.
Though the mercenary was deep in thought, he was not so off his guard that the sound of leaves rustling behind him did not catch his ears; in a single swift movement he had drawn his falchion and whirled to face his attacker with a growl. And Lawrence, formidable in his dispassionate power, was prepared for everything... except for the man that stood before him.
The flickering light of the small fire and the shimmering edge of the yellow-bladed falchion glanced off the delicate features of a heart-shaped face, pale blonde, immaculate hair, and blue eyes glinting maliciously, and First Admiral Alfonso smirked at the mercenary before saying, "Put that away, you fool."
Lawrence could only stare as Alfonso flicked his rapier and knocked the falchion from his hand with barely a gesture, then sat by the fire. At last he sputtered, "You... what are you...?"
"I have had an eye on you since the moment you and your little friends set foot within the mines of Moon Stone Mountain," said Alfonso, waving a hand in negligence. "It was I who stopped the spiked ceiling from falling on you. I do not have time to argue and bandy words with you, so you will listen and cooperate."
The mercenary's dark eyes flashed briefly, enraged. "No. I don't trust you and I have no reason to even let you talk. And what the hell are you even doing here?"
Alfonso smirked again, mysterious, loathsome, and handsome all at once, and answered cryptically, "Playing my part."
"You owe me an explanation, Admiral," snapped Lawrence, spitting the last word like a filthy curse, and Alfonso laughed.
"I don't have time for that either, I'm afraid, now shut up and pay careful attention. Fifth Admiral De Loco is patrolling the gates of Rixis with his fleet, watching and waiting for you and your little friends to emerge with the Green Moon Crystal so he can take it from you." Alfonso glowered at the taciturn mercenary. "Sit down, you brute."
"We don't even have the damned Crystal," growled Lawrence, and despite himself he took a seat on the ground across the fire from the admiral.
"Of course you don't, and I'm aware of that, you miscreant, but that doesn't really matter. As the former High Mage of Valua and now a known traitor to the empire, Ilchymis can't be allowed to live. Centime will likely turn himself over to Valuan authorities if it means setting his son free - and of course be executed in turn - and did you know that Galcian struck a deal with the infamous Lord Bane to eliminate Domingo?"
Lawrence swallowed hard. "How the hell do you know all this?"
"I have my ways; don't concern yourself with my sources. I am trying to tell you that, Crystal or no Crystal, the Valuan Empire wants all of you dead. You'll leave Rixis and die. There's no way the four of you can take on the fifth fleet of the Armada and hope to win."
"If our situation is so hopeless, then why are you here? Why are you even telling me this?" asked Lawrence, genuinely curious now.
Alfonso pondered for a moment, fondling the gem-encrusted pommel of his royal rapier and considering how much of the truth to reveal to the shrewd mercenary. Finally he said hesitantly, "My situation is changing. I do not think Galcian will remain loyal to the Empress. If he breaks away, the Armada will sunder and we will be facing civil war. My loyalty lies with the Empress, so what Galcian seeks, I secretly seek to prevent; he wants the Crystals so I, in turn, want you to find them first."
Lawrence stared, at a loss. "You clever bastard... you're playing devil's advocate. And right under Grand Admiral Galcian's nose."
"As I said, my situation is changing. I will remain in the Armada for as long as I can convince Galcian of my loyalty, but he is clever, and so is his lapdog Ramirez." Alfonso watched the little tongues of flame lick the heavy mist, deep in thought. "Your only chance to escape Rixis is this - use the Green Moon Crystal to summon the Green Gigas Grendel, and drive De Loco's fleet from Ixa'taka."
"That's a good plan, except for one thing - I don't have the damn thing," snapped Lawrence, rolling his eyes.
He couldn't have been more shocked when the first admiral reached into his uniform's breast pocket and extracted a shining emerald jewel, and he knew instantly that in his hand he held the Green Crystal.
"Do as I've told you," said Alfonso, meticulously dusting off his uniform as he rose, "and you will live. Do otherwise, and I guarantee you will not."
With that he turned and started off into the darkness, but not before Lawrence called after him, "Why are you doing this, Alfonso? Why are you helping us? Why are you helping me?"
Alfonso turned back, face half in shadow, and said, "Because I hate Galcian more than I hate you."
And then he was gone, leaving Lawrence alone in the clearing.
Author's Note: Definitely one of my better chapters. Alfonso makes the perfect wild card - I guarantee none of you expected that to happen!