Sever All Ties
Chapter Five: Arrival at Algandars Castle
Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.
Author's Note(s): Words in '…' indicate a thought. Words in "…" indicate spoken words. This story will proceed based on the assumption that Jack has joined Ridley on the path of the non-human. This path would inevitably lead him to face his former friends and allies in combat. It is these fights I will illustrate in this story. Some creative liberties will be taken regarding who they face (i.e. Jack will face opponents in this fic that you don't get to face in the game). I hope you enjoy.
Putting the fallen Septimo Squad behind them, Jack and his friends continued their march toward the Septem Region and the cursed Algandars Castle. He believed that since they had defeated the two squads from Theater Vancoor, the rest of their journey should not be much of a problem. They shouldn't have to worry about any more Guild units. They might have to face guardsmen at the bridge, but those men from the castle wouldn't give them much trouble. Once they entered the Septem Region, it would be smooth sailing. Walking along, Jack seemed much more focused on the present, and talked freely to his friends without letting his thoughts distract him.
"So how exactly do you make that famous elf wine of yours," Jack asked Mikey. He listened intently as the young dark elf began discussing all of the processes and ingredients one had to follow to make good wine. Mikey concluded by talking about the aging process, and how vital it was to attaining an excellent flavor.
"I'm not the best at making it yet," Mikey admitted. "But someday, I will be."
"I know you will," said Jack.
"How will we know this castle when we get to it," Ridley asked.
"Well, I know where it should be located," Mikey began. "I just assumed it would look like any other castle."
"It doesn't," Jack said suddenly. All eyes turned to him. "Back in my Vancoor days, we were sent to the Septem Cave on a mission. Exploring the region after we were done, I came upon a pair of beautifully gilded double doors set into the cliff face. Walking closer, I got a feeling of evil coming from the other side. We turned back and came home. When Mikey described the castle to me, I knew for a fact that this was where we had been."
"I see," Ridley said.
Silence fell over the group. None of his other three companions seemed to have anything to say, and Jack contented himself with not speaking. This was do mostly to the fact that he was otherwise occupied. Jack watched Ridley out of the corner of his eye. There was something different about her, though he couldn't say what it was. The more they walked, the more he found himself incapable of taking his eyes of the young woman walking beside him.
If he was honest with himself, Jack wasn't sure even he knew what his true feelings for Ridley were. When they had first joined the knights, Jack had harbored a lot of contempt for her, because she had soundly beaten him in the selection trials. Yet, at the same time, he had also had a great deal of respect for her (privately at least). Their second mission, and the incident with the blood orc, had softened Jack's impression of Ridley. Carrying her back to the castle, he had cursed himself for the bitterness he had directed toward her. Her injury had shed new light on the situation for Jack. His desire to ensure her safety had completely overridden all other feelings he had. When he had been fired from the knights, Jack had not borne Ridley any ill will, recognizing that she was not to blame for his termination.
The next time he had seen her had been the day of her birthday party. Jack had been excited by the prospect of seeing Ridley again, and making sure she was better. Upon arriving at the party, he had immediately sought her out, not bothering to talk to any of the other knights. Although he was initially overjoyed at finding her up and about, Jack could sense that she was not the Ridley he had traveled with in the Rose Cochon. This fact became even more apparent when she said she needed to talk to him. When Cross had shown up, Jack had managed to leave without starting a commotion, and left Ridley with an offer to come see him whenever she wanted someone to talk to.
That was the last he saw of her. At least, until that fateful night not too long ago when she had come to him saying that she had quit the knights and would be leaving for the City of Flowers. It was on that night, that Jack had sworn to protect her no matter the cost. Since then, he had always been at her side; always ready to help her, to do what needed to be done. He had attacked an entire fort single-handedly, had traveled great distances, and fought against his former friends and allies. He simultaneously acted as friend, guardian, and confidant. So, what did that make them?
Jack had no idea what Ridley thought of him. Of all the people to tell that she was leaving, he was the one she had chosen. She hadn't asked him to come with her, but had seemed grateful when he did. More than once, Ridley had expressed her gratitude to him, reiterating that his efforts were noticed. The question was, did it end there?
Not for him. Ridley was everything to Jack. Without her, every decision he had made had been made for nothing. He had cast aside everything he had, so that he could follow Ridley. Jack had acted as he had because he believed in her. He came because he was distinctly aware of the fact that she would need his protection. The incident with the blood orc had made it all too clear to Jack that life was very finite. More striking was the lesson that an individual's actions can keep a person from harm. In going with her to the Elven City, Jack had committed himself wholly to her. He was quite sure of his position as a friend, but didn't know if it went beyond that.
Jack's musing came to an abrupt halt as the bridge between the Adien and Septem Regions came into view. Reaching his hands out, he grabbed Ridley's and Gil's shoulders pulling them back. The four of them stepped off the road and crouched low, surveying the scene. Jack pointed out three of the castle's light guardsmen standing at the foot of the stairs to the bridge. He was also willing to bet that more were housed in the wooden guardhouse next to the bridge. They would not be able to cross without a fight.
"Well, looks like we're going to have to fight our way across," Jack said softly.
"You think it's that simple," Gil asked.
"Well, I can't see any alternatives," Jack responded. "But I was planning to be just a little more subtle."
"Go on," Gil said.
"The last thing they'll expect is for us to walk right up to them," said Jack. "We'll catch them by surprise if we stroll up and start talking. When looks like it will come to fighting, we'll get the jump on them."
"A little risky, but it could work," Gil said. "However, that plan doesn't account for the men we'll encounter on the bridge itself."
"We'll deal with them when we get to them," Jack said, matter-of-factly.
"No," Gil began. "I have a better idea. Why don't I fly in and take care of them. If I have the sun at my back, they won't be able to spot me. I won't begin my attack until after you've begun yours. This makes it less likely they'll notice me."
"Sounds good," Jack concluded. "Let's do it."
Gil flew back down the road before ascending, to guarantee that he wouldn't be seen, while Jack, Ridley, and Mikey approached the bridge. At the sight of them approaching, the guard in the middle commanded they halt. When he gave the command, several heavy guardsmen and knights came out of the guardhouse. As they got closer, the guard who had initially spoken was able to identify both Jack and Ridley, and renewed his command for them to stop. Walking closer, Jack had to force himself to not reach to his sword hilt. They had to wait for the right moment before striking. When they finally came to a halt, Ridley addressed the men on duty.
"Please let us through," she began. "We have business in the Septem Region, and no time to waste on you."
"I'm afraid we cannot comply with your request Lady Ridley," the guardsman said. "Furthermore, by order of Lord Larks himself, I am authorized to place you both under arrest for treason."
When the guardsman and several of the knights began walking forward, Jack could contain himself no longer. Stepping between the men and their intended target, he put his hand on the hilt of his saber. Fixing them with a menacing stare, he spoke through clenched teeth.
"If any of you even thinks about putting your hands on Ridley, you'll have to come through me," Jack said, coldly.
"Very well Master Russell," a knight said. "We are also authorized to execute you if you resist." With this, all the men assembled reached for their weapons.
In an instant, Jack's blaze saber was free, and he was in the middle of the men. A series of saber strokes, performed in rapid succession, decimated the knights. Completely unprepared to defend themselves, the entire group in front of Jack were cut down in an instant. Without slowing, he ran to the larger group at the base of the bridge. Most had managed to draw by the time Jack reached them, but it made no difference. His sweeping saber attacks spared no one who was in their way, without giving them much chance to attack. Their futile attempts to take the offensive only required that he change his attack pattern slightly and incorporate a minimal level of defense. For the most part, they were unable to attack due to being in such close proximity to their allies. Jack on the other hand, could strike at will, with no fear of injuring a comrade. Sword flashing quickly, Jack never gave the bridge's defenders time to launch a concentrated attack. In this fashion, the men at the base of the bridge were defeated with ruthless efficiency.
Looking up, Jack had just enough time to see Gil reveal his position. Hidden by the waning sun, he went unnoticed until he was almost on top of the guards on the bridge. He had just touched down on the bridge when his offensive began. The elf assassin moved with a fluid grace that made him untouchable. Though he was surrounded and facing attacks from every direction, none managed to find their mark. He dodged and parried with mind numbing speed, waiting for an opening to present itself. Finally, one of the female knights attempted a powerful two-handed thrust. Gil sidestepped the attack, which cut into another knight on the opposite side of the circle. Immediately, Gil threw his shoulder into the young woman. The force of his blow carried her into another knight, and both fell over the side of the bridge. The light elf incorporated a deadly slash into his back pivot, so that he turned to face his opponents and began his attack at the same time. Only two guardsmen were left, and they quickly fell victim to Gil's wind blades. Throwing their bodies over the side, the elf motioned for them to join him on the bridge.
"Well done," Jack said, complimenting Gil's efficiency.
"It was nothing," Gil responded. "Let's get moving."
Descending to the other side of the bridge, they began walking through the Septem Region itself. As they walked, they all kept their eyes open for the inhabitants of the region, wanting to avoid being ambushed. Walking past the back entrance to Septem Cave, Jack began to grow anxious at the prospect of arriving at their destination. By the time they drew close, the sun was going down and the creatures they would normally have to face seemed to have sought sleep in the twilight hours of the evening. When they finally reached the doors of the fabled castle, Jack realized that they should do the same. It was about seven o'clock, and they had been through a lot during the day. Although Jack and Gil were not all that tired, they could see that Ridley and Mikey would need the rest before continuing. They would all need to be at full strength before entering the castle. Additionally, the idea of eating definitely appealed to Jack.
They made camp just outside the castle, preparing a fire and pitching tents. The job of cooking fell to Mikey, and the young elf soon had a pot of soup sitting on the fire. Sitting around the flames, the four friends ate in silence. Each was lost in their own thoughts. When they finished eating, Mikey brought out a book, which he began reading. Gil had his writing supplies out, and was scratching away on the paper in front of him. His poem appeared to be coming along nicely. Ridley sat silently next to Jack, looking down at the ground and not moving, and he thought she might have fallen asleep. Jack was thinking about all that had happened throughout the course of the day. The conflict he anticipated had begun, and he knew that it would only get worse. Hopefully, the solution they sought was in the castle before them.
Finally, it grew dark enough that everyone decided to go to sleep. Ridley, who was not asleep after all, stood up and stretched before retiring to her tent. Mikey quickly followed suit, rising and walking to the larger tent that the three males would be sharing. Gil and Jack sat by the fire for a while longer, each lost in his own private thoughts. When he finished the line he was writing, Gil neatly folded away his writing supplies and stood up. He silently regarded Jack for a moment before speaking.
"Do you want me to stand watch," Gil asked.
"No," Jack said. "I'll be okay. You rest up tonight."
"As you wish," Gil replied. "Wake me if you get tired. I'll relieve you."
"If I need it, I'll let you know," Jack said.
As the light elf glided toward their tent, Jack began his lonely vigil. Sitting by the fire, Jack watched the area around him, making sure that no one would sneak up on their campsite. It was eleven o'clock, and he had a long night ahead of him. Periodically, Jack would add more wood to the fire. With the flames roaring brightly, it was less likely that any creatures would approach them. He had no fear about the fire giving them away to other people. The only humans in this area were the three hunters who lived a ways back, and they never came out this far, especially at night. He had been sitting by the fire for about half an hour, when the flap on the smaller tent opened, and Ridley stepped out. Silently, she walked over to the fire and sat down next to him. She looked troubled.
"Jack," she said slowly. "I need to talk to you."
Vegeta26: Chapter Five is done. I hope you're all continuing to enjoy this story of mine. I'm having fun writing it (in case you were wondering). Anyway, let me know what you think. Good, bad, or indifferent, I'd like to hear what you think.
Blue Persuasion: Thanks once again for the review. Jack's maturing has been slightly rushed, due to the events happening around him. Whether this will be a good thing or not has yet to be seen. As for the Jack/Ridley pairing, more to come on that in future chapters (RAFO).
Sono Ketsuraku Rinku: I appreciate the review, and it's good to know that you're enjoying the story. I hope you continue to like it, and that I might hear from you again.