The Meager

~Besselat~

*Lilith sighs.*

"Apparently math is not your strong suit. Zalbaag is commander of an entire Order. He's worth more than the two of us put together. To say nothing of the church's considerable coffers."

*She then stands up.*

"I gave legal advice. If she chooses to disregard that for violence, that is not my concern. But if you ask me, the fact that the church believes itself to be beyond justice is enough of a reason that justice should be brought to them."

*She throws some Gil on the table.*

"I have said my piece. That is my half of the bill. Good day to you, ladies."
============================================
~Zeklaus~

"Forget it. Like I said, I have a prior engagement in Ziekden. And the Dorter route is faster. There are some things more important than money, you know."
============================================
~Ziekden~

*The final knight collapses, the fire on his cape being extinguished by the snow. Now it's just the two of them in a field of blood & corpses. As they stand there, it starts snowing, slowly covering the carnage.*

Noct put some gil on the table as well, "And that is my cue," Noctis said, "Hey, wait up for me." Noct called out, as she followed.

Mortal didn't know what to do, she still had food on her plate and she was hungry... "Where are they going?" She asked Euryale.

~Besselat~

E"Well, from the way the redhead talked, I doubt she's going to turn us in. But they paid the bill, you can finish what you have."
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*Lilith is stopped by a squire on a chocobo that hands her a letter & rides off. She passes it to Noctis.

L"Oh, that's right, you were waiting for this."

"Lesalia" was Sorrel's answer to Parker.

Noct smiled and took the letter, "Thank you," Noct said, opening the envelope, and reading the letter. Noct lit up when she noticed that she was given the papers she needed, as well as kind words from Iliad's father, then she got to the next page, and all happiness drained from her. It was a letter from her father, instructing her to return home because she was in danger "out in the wild". Quickly Noct got an idea, if danger was the issue she could simply hire a body guard. Lilith said she was on a mission, but she knew of two women that were able to nearly kill someone from the Order of the Southern Sky. That had to count for something.

Noct returned to Mortal and Euryale with a small smile on her face, "Hi there."

Mortal looked up, her plate nearly cleared, "Hi?" Mortal said, mouth full of food.

"You said you'd help me if I helped you right?"

"Yes," She swallowed, "Why, do you plan to help me?"

"I need a bodyguard, would you be willing?"

"Can Euryale come?"

"Um, if she wants to..."

Mortal looked at Euryale with puppy dragon eyes.

*Rhea kneels down to say a prayer for the thieves and knights before following Reiter in the direction Gragoroth went.*

~Ziekden~

*They come in at about the side of the fort. On either side comes a squad of Northern Sky squires. One squad contains two with ritzy-looking armor, a blonde & a brunette. At the front of the fort, a company of knights appears, with a knight in black-&-silver armor taking up the lead. Behind him is a blonde man in worn aristocrat clothes. Gragoroth is up on the bridge of the fort, holding a knife to the girl's throat.*

Gragoroth<Stop where you are, or the snow runs red with her blood!>

Arc Knight<This changes nothing, Argath. Loose your attack.>

*The man behind him pulls out a crossbow & shoots the woman in the chest. Gragoroth drops her, staggering back in shock.*

Gragoroth<Gods have mercy!>

*"Argath" shoots another arrow in Gragoroth's chest. He falls on his ass & pushes his way into the fort. The squire with the brown hair steps forward as another knight steps forward & tells the Arc Knight that Wiegraf has been sighted.*

Gragoroth<Bastards....>

???<Tietra! Argath! You whoreson dog!>

Arc Knight<This could be our chance. Argath, I leave matters here to you.>

*He exits the scene.*
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~Besselat~

"...I suppose I could. Is...Lilith going off on her own?"

Mortal smiled, and Noctis explained, "Well, I didn't quite ask her, but she is working on a mission. I believe she lacks the time, or want to help me out."

Rhea: <No!>

*Rhea starts forward but Reiter pulls her back by the arm.*

Rhea: <We have to help her!>

Reiter: <Wait, you could get shot.>

*Rhea and Reiter hurry to Gragoroth.*

~Besselat~

E"Then what is it you need?"
============================
~Ziekden~

*The brown haired squire runs past, shoving her out of the way.*

Brunette<Out of my way! I'll kill him!>

Blondie<...How could you, Argath? What moved your hand?>

Argath<Your Lord Brother's orders, of course.>

Blondie<She was Delita's sister!>

Argath<Is it not time you learned that we are different from them, Ramza? If the girl had been mongering flowers on some street corner, she might yet have lived. They were never meant to share the stage with us!>

Delita<Is your forked tongue done flitting? What I'd hear from you are not words.>

Argath<Laughter, then? Don't worry, you'll be hearing that soon enough. When I send you to your dear sister's side!>

*On the other side of the fort, a flurry of lightning bolts & ice crystals were going off. The only way to the bridge leading to the fort's entrance is through Argath & his knights.*

"I need to find my brother, and our friend," Noct admitted.

"Why?"

"Because he is my brother."

"I meant what happened to him that you need to find him."

"He... ran away."

"Doesn't that mean he doesn't want you to find him?"

Rhea: <They're... fighting.>

Reiter: <This is good, considering we have no choice but to fight as well.>

*Rhea begins summoning Ramuh as soon as they arrive behind Argath & co.*

Reiter: <How could you do something like that!? She wasn't your enemy!>

~Besselat~

"Why would they run away to Fort Besselat?"
=======================================
~Ziekden~

*The knights move towards them, attacking Rhea.*

Argath<What? Who said that? More chattel for the slaughter? Fine by me! I've had enough commoner scum! You're an ungrateful lot, each & every one of you, Corpse Brigade in the making. I'll see you made corpses for true!>

*Delita rushes him while he's distracted & gets an arrow in his shoulder for his trouble. Ramza turns towards him.*

Ramza<Delita! You are hurt!>

Delita<Speak not to me, Ramza! Once I've killed Argath, my vengeance falls upon you!>

Ramza<Delita....>

*Rhea backs away from them and Reiter runs in front of her, slashing at one of the knights. He looks at Ramza and Delita.*

Reiter: <Okay, knight people, this is not the time or the place for this. Pick a side, preferably ours, and fight!>

"Well are you interested?"

Parker: <Absolutely. What exactly are we doing?>

"Helping me fight off anyone who attacks me on the way back to Lesaila."

Parker: <Lesalia? Oh my God, I love you!>

*She frowns and awkwardly looks around, taking a step back.*

Parker: <I mean... yeaaahhhh, sure.>

"...why are you so enthusiastic about this?"

"They came here looking for someone," Noct said.

"Who?"

"I don't know yet; I'm here to find out."

~Besselat~

"That is...helpful."
=============================
~Ziekden~

Delita<Silence! This has naught to do with you!>

*One of the knights moves up to Delita as a Chemist rounds the corner of the building & throws an X-Potion to him. When he downs it, he moves around the knight & slashes at Argath, who automatically downs a potion. Ramza moves up to attack the knight.*

*Parker shrugs.*

Parker: <Money tends to have that effect on me.>

=====

*Rhea continues summoning, Reiter continues fighting the knights nearby. Provided they're down, he moves up to help Ramza.*

"Ah I see... you'd get along with my family then"

Parker: <...Okay? So, are we going?!>

"Yes. Let's"