�He said he�s Ramza Beoulve�also known as Ramza Ruglia,� Ryan said with spite.
�What?!� Chris lashed. �He�s the reason Saradush was destroyed! I kill you, you bastard!� Chris unsheathed his short sword and lunged at Ramza. His attack wasn�t deflected; it was caught. Chris was stunned at the man�s feet. He caught my sword�how?
Ramza laughed at his attacker, �Such pitiful attempts. You have very much to learn fledgling. Blade Grasp always works when used by a master.�
Chris kicked Ramza in the gut, catching him off guard. He brought back his weapon and swung a full strike towards the knight�s ribs. Chris briefly saw a flash of silver and Ramza�s sword was out in a second. The clash of swords echoed through the plains, and then, the sound of steel breaking was heard. Chris stared at the half of his sword that was left. �How�what did you�� Chris stuttered out.
�A knight�s skill exceeds far and beyond guarding others. I merely broke your weapon�next time it could be your head.�
Ryan and the girls just stared at the two throughout their entire exchange, each one of them speechless at Ramza�s power. Laine was wondering how he gathered his energy and focused it into his blade, Rosa was pondering what kind of girls Ramza was in to, Ryan was trying to figure out how Ramza caught the sword, and Leigh was trying not to think about the events at Saradush. Things had only just begun and already the action was too much for her.
Ramza spoke again, �I suggest you follow me. Glabados left you here to lure me out; they will be back momentarily. Come, quickly.�
Ryan looked at the mysterious man, he expects us to trust him? Chris despises him already. This will not be an easy journey if he does not swallow his pride and admit our town was not Ramza�s fault. Then again, I didn�t lose my family�I never had one to begin with. Funny how life is, he is the one to break down in crisis, he who should know how to deal with these things. Perhaps he is not the person fit for leading us. He shook off his thoughts and followed behind Rosa, who was trailing behind Ramza at record speed. Laine was trying to catch up to her to keep her out of trouble. Chris was walking at a distance from Ramza with a grim look on his face. Leigh, however, was lagging behind. Ryan began to wonder what her problem was but decided against it. After all, it wasn�t his problem.
Ramza lead the five to a small area surrounded by rocks. He led them inside. They had expected the living quarters of a hermit to be inside, but instead they found four more people inside. Ramza stopped the four as they rose to their feet, assuring them nothing was wrong. One of the men, however, remained standing and walked over to Ramza. He was dressed in a navy blue shroud and carried ninja-tos at his side. His face was masked but a strand of blonde hair was visible. He looked at Ramza questioningly as if to say, �what are you thinking?�
�Spencer, calm yourself. These children are not to be wary of. They are no match for you, fighting them would be a waste of your time. Now, tend to Alyssa�s wound and leave these things to me.� The ninja, Spencer, complied and headed back to a girl lying on a mat of blankets. Ramza motioned the five guests to a large rock that had seemingly been molded into a couch via geomancy. When all were seated, he continued his speech. �I expect you to remain with us until we are sure you can defend yourselves. Glabados will lay the blame on me for the events at your village, and they will not appreciate knowing that witnesses are alive and well.� Ramza glanced at all of his visitors and noted the blank stare from Ryan and Chris�s intense eyes. They will be hard to teach. �I hope you will join our cause in bringing the truth about Delita to Ivalice, but I will not force it upon you.�
At this point, Chris interrupted, �So you are staging a revolt.�
�I imagine one could say it that way.�
�You�re defying Lord Delita? What wrongs has he done? He is far from the tyrannical grip of Larg or Goltana. You plan to slander his name?�
�He has done many wrongs.� Ramza retorted. �He staged Count Orlandu�s murder, used the innocent to further his own prosperity, and was a key player in starting the Lion War! And that�s only a few of his transgressions!�
�What kind of man accuses with no proof?� Chris snapped angrily. Ryan, at this point, got up and restrained his friend to make sure he didn�t assault Ramza again. Laine was intently listening to the argument while Rosa was observing Spencer�s vast knowledge of White Magicks. Leigh was staring off into space, obviously deep in thought�or just tired.
�What kind of man murders his own wife in cold blood?� Came a voice from another corner of the room. A beautiful armored woman inquired with disgust trailing off her tongue. �What kind of man kills his wife without remorse, I�m asking you God damn it!� At this point, she was practically in Chris�s face. She opened her mouth to begin another assault but another voice, this one noble and loyal, sounded from the same corner.
�Agrias, that is unnecessary. The boy does not have a firm grasp of the truth as we do. His mind yet fails to comprehend the situation at hand.� The voice got closer as the statement continued, �Instead of berating him with questions he does not know the answer to, we should help him to understand the answers we have.� As the figure finished his speech, he came into the light. A tall, old, cloaked man in black armor with a huge sword at his side emitting a golden aura appeared. �I do not believe we have properly introduced ourselves. Ramza, would you do the honors?�
�Of course, I, as you know, am Ramza Beoulve, White Knight.�
The blonde armored woman stepped back and began, �I am terribly sorry for my behavior. I am Agrias Oaks, Holy Knight under Orbornne Monastery.� She left out the fact that Orbornne was destroyed and Simon with it.
The ninja in the corner finished his spell casting and helped the robed girl to her feet. She was wearing an odd horn on her head. �I am Alyssa Maxwell, it is a pleasure to meet you,� she said with a cheerful voice.
�People call me Spencer�I have no last name,� the ninja said fairly blankly as he still supported Alyssa with an arm.
The cloaked man was all that remained. Laine recognized the brown cloak from the battle at Mandalia Plains; he was that extremely fast warrior! Laine was a little disappointed that he wasn�t younger, but she got over it. �My name is Cidoulfas �TG Cid� Orlandu, Holy Swordsman and currently the most powerful knight on this planet. I humbly make your acquaintance. Your training will begin tomorrow, so rest up.�
Chris stared at his new companions. Those he did not necessarily want. He noticed that Rosa was outside and motioned for Ryan to go get her. We need to stay low, he thought to himself. He saw that Leigh had fallen asleep. He sat down beside her with a blanket and covered her up. As he did, however, she altered her position to where her head was using his arm for a pillow. Chris smiled and put that arm around her, letting her head rest on his chest. Maybe this won�t be so bad after all. Mother, I hope God is treating you right up there. Could you ask him to watch over us? Thanks�I love you mom, and goodnight.