All eyes turned to the figure now descending the staircase leading into this large basement setting. It was like everyone breathed out a sigh of relief as one for it was the last of the guild heads to arrive here, Cleo Vacca. He was almost a youthful man of fifty and the head of the Vale's Magicians Guild. Theirs may be a small branch out in these parts, but a necessary one as their guild trade brought new goods and services to the region with even the Merchants Guild building upon this new economy.

And like most of the others situated in this room, the veteran mage had come alone for what was to occur in this hour before dawn was a secret meeting... well of a sort as every guild branch seemed to have a representative here in one capacity or another. That is all except one - the Temple and it really didn't take a genius to figure out the 'why' for all this secrecy.

But somehow I found myself in this room of town figureheads. The Knights were the only one to have three proxies, the number of which I was in. The real question was why I was requested to be here when our Head Commander and his junior were already present.

"You made certain you weren't followed here... right?" The first words spoken to the latest arrival came from Andrek Mangold, the head of the town's Explorers Guild. Others may have took offense to his brash tone, but most present were aware of his history to the accusee. For a long while, they were apart of the same adventurer team, one that rose to a S-class level.

"Yeah, boss," came Cleo's dry reply. One could almost see the roll of his eyes there as the mage went to take the last of the empty seats. In all, there were nine people arranged in this circle of chairs with only three others in the room standing in attendance. And outside this basement floor, a quad of knights were standing vigil to guard this safekeeping.

As Cleo finally got himself situated into the silent body, the previous tension seemed to relax as the others looked amongst themselves as if to gauge the reason they were here. It was a 'topic' at the height of everyone's mind... but few had the nerve to discuss aloud.

Only one seemed nonplussed to the situation at hand. From the moment the Madam entered the room in a hush and took a seat, that crossed posture never wavered with her smirk still showing of barging into their secret session. An extra seat had to be prepared due to this unannounced visit, but atleast the harpy had the good sense to wear a moderate gown covering that figure of hers.

But it was still one that drew Cleo's eye as her appearance here was still something not expected. Not to mention everyone in this room, save the knights in our commemorative suits, were garbed in dark travelling clothes to better blend among others while Rubina's outfit was a blood red gown more suited for a castle ball. Well, atleast the only skin of hers showing was her trimmed up arms so her appearance wasn't too much of a distraction. Everyone else had been trying to duly ignore it after the initial shock of her entry.

"This was the darkest wear I have," was the Madam's deadpan response to the speechless query a minute after she took her seat.

And that was twenty minutes ago. With Cleo now here, Andrek stood up to nod and bow to the room at large, then thanked us all for hastily answering his timely summon. Technically, word of this meet first happened yesterday and only among each guild's top members. It was passed off as a continuation of the previous day's gatherings dealing with the aftermaths of the 'Wave' but given the meeting's early hour and location here in Andrek's own guildhall, those who knew became aware it was to exempt the Temple bishop from taking part.

It had been barely two days since the undead siege on the town's western front but with the 'Wave' now vanquished, it was only the beginning of our recovery. First, the full ramifications of said fallout had to be counted. Many lives were lost to the dungeon's spawning, and damages to the outer gates and the township itself were still being tallied up for repair costs. Thankfully much of the former was being handled by a 'miracle' who could hardly be described. But still any value to recompense may be too high to bear in the short term.

Then there was the task of locating the dungeon itself, which was being handled by a couple teams Andrek sent out. Although the latest reporting has the target location being somewhere in the northern valley - home to numerous monster species - which is another problem for us in the general since the Vale Knights are already stretched thin due to our reduced numbers coupled with patrols having to be sent out to parts yonder to deal with any scattered 'Wave' remnants.

Bottomline - it was going to take atleast a month of preparations for the town to even start recouping its losses, and much of that by way of borrowing extra manpower from another region. There was some good news on that front - the Merchants and Explorers branches in Quatar were said to arrive with some relief aid starting in a day or two, as well as them sending a few delver teams to help deal with the dungeon itself. That should be enough to forestall any reason for Imperial involvement, well save for that one 'topic' being brought up for discussion-

"-so those in the Temple should not be aware of our movements here," as Andrek went on, "with the hour nearing their pre-morning ritual. But do guard your tongues lest that bishop gets wind of our discussions here." That latter was met with a low chorus of agreement.

Andrek nodded to us at large and then continued, "Edgar-dono is already nipping at my heels to meet with him, so I don't know how much longer I can put him off. But leaving this room with what details you will hear... remaining unsaid... I think is the wisest course of action for us all going forward."

"I agree on those points, given the sensitivity to this issue at hand." My superior, the Lord Commander Marcus Jeramy Reedus, spoke up to concur but then added, "But I also believe it to be prudent to say just enough to quell any outside discussions that may... crop up in our circles." Which is another way to say, to help steer those away from any explosive conversations.

Everyone started looking troubled, but the old knight went on, "People speaking of rumors is one thing, but the gossip here will only remain gossip for so long." I understood the distinction made, unlike a few heads in this room who not yet knew of the specifics. Of course, I was a firsthand witness to it all and still thought the things said to be too fantastical to hear.

"That sounds all well and good, Reedus-sama," came the head of the Vale's merchants. Behind him stood his most trusted banker the Merchants Guild used to ensure the clean sale of large transactions in town and for abroad. But he continued-

"Yet, we don't know anything about him. Outside those same rumors. I mean... it's getting kinda crazy out there, no?" He was referring to the various stories of the 'Wave' battle being circulated about some 'Holy Man' character who came and saved the Vale in its most dire need. Most of it sounded outlandish to be sure, like really out there, but much of each story was rooted in truth. Which was the scarier part.

"Yes it is, Milton-dono," Andrek returned while saying more to the room at large, "This is why I've decided on having this meeting here. I believe that you all knowing 'enough' will help curtail any real scandal to come off this." Everyone but the Madam shifted their posture on those words said. If anything, the harpy woman looked more smug.

"S-sso... the...," Milton swallowed hard in trying to form his next sentence. "... 'His'... r-rresurrection thing is true?" All eyes turned on us knights for the answer to which we glanced back to Andrek to gauge on how to respond. But seeing our reactions must have been telling enough, because a collective gasp sounded out in the room.

After the ten second silence which followed, Andrek finally answered, "Yes. The madoshi has been working diligently to restore those many lives lost during the 'Wave'." There was hardly a closed mouth in the room now upon hearing how he already resurrected the majority of the knights who had died but a couple nights ago. The guild heads looked utterly flabbergasted upon just hearing this, but it was nothing to how awestruck we all were upon seeing it happen with our own eyes.

Over the past two days, Rikku had been using his resurrection spell to bring back many of those who died in that previous night of battle. Continuously and even those whose bodies bore a horrible frozen condition were purged and resurrected within seconds. His uncanny ability seemed to have no real limit as during it all, the young wizard only took brief stoppages here and there before carrying on with the task he himself obliged us.

The only thing that Andrek didn't explain to the others in full was how he separated Rikku himself from the titular character he was describing - this 'saint' in a black hooded robe and silver mask wielding a magic wand. An enigma of the magical world.

Perhaps keeping Rikku's name directly out of it was the right course of action, but anyone who was present at the battle site could poke holes through this story. I mean, only a few in the Knights Hall could have been fooled by the disguise and Andrek's re-introduction of him as "Seijin-sama" but still... that is what the problem was here - there were too many witnesses at hand, which is one of the reasons why this gossip has been flying across town.

Some pointed questions were asked by the guild heads about the who of this wizard, but Andrek fielded them all with answers of his past being of Azora and his present being a known associate to their Explorers Guild in Quatar... seemingly a lie, but this could give the young wizard some cover.

Then the real topic came to the fore - just 'what' to do with him. Andrek made it sound as though the wizard would soon leave our borders to head back to Quatar in a couple days time, but immediately a protest cried out amongst the guild leaders-

"B-But he can't go." "Yes, not now." "We can provide Seijin-sama shelter, right?" "-or offer him a tribute for his services." "Perhaps he would consent to a lordship instead?" "Good idea there... he can marry my daughter." I could only shake my head to that last one as the room broke down into a verbal warfare over which daughter/s Rikku would have to marry to cement any new status.

But the wider consensus was Rikku couldn't just up and leave at this important junction. Having a prodigious magic caster was too valuable a resource to let leave, especially with the town fresh off a 'Wave' and a dungeon nearby. The debate was how to make his staying worth his while.

Andrek tried to intervene in getting the topic of discussion back on track and away from establishing Rikku as a married man with eight wives, when his interruption was booed off with accusations of him trying monopolize the wizard's services through the Explorers Guild. Oddly it was the Madam who spoke up to end this-

"Gentlemen... and ladies," the harpy eyed me up before nodding her head to the Lady Friar of the Alchemists Guild, who was just talking up her eldest granddaughter coming of age, "while there is definitely merit in this talk of divvying up the shares of a young stallion..." her cool jest caused a light laughter to echo in the room.

Even I had to bite my lip to hide my mocking smile as Rubina surmised next, "But I do not think this is the reason Andrek-san has requested our presence here, in this early hour."

"Yes. Thank you, Rubina-dono." The old veteran took that save with a grateful nod and carried on, "Please understand, the madoshi will not be able to stay here indefinitely. Besides I doubt we could even force the issue on him." This was met with some more protest before his strong hand was raised to preempt its extension.

"This meeting is about informing you guild heads of our current knowledge of 'him', so we can make more certain word of these exploits remain... well, exploits of Seijin-sama. Not to mention the faction leaders in the north who would undoubtedly want to seize him once they hear word of these heroic tales." There was conviction in his tone, because it was true - if Rikku settled down here in the Vale, then it was beyond all doubt a war would start for his dominion. It seemed the others started to realize this as well as faces turned pensive to this unsaid realization.

Andrek then pointed his gaze towards the Lord Commander who took it up from there, "While the stories being told are secondhand accountings, only few outside my order have personally seen his magic in person. And this works to our advantage." My superior then spoke of the undead siege on the western gate, listing the various perspectives he read from the battle reports to the other guild heads, explaining to them what wasn't commonly spoke about.

Unbeknownst to them all, they only knew of 'half' the story. We were soon coming to the real reason for this secret meet.

After detailing the last account and getting his words confirmed by the first knight who led the rearguard during the 'Wave' battle, Lord Marcus turned to me and finished, "-and if you would, Elisha. Please take it up from here."

I got flustered as all eyes turned on me. To even try and pick up where my superior left off, especially with the riveting tale he described it as, was not at all what I expected and said as much-

"Please, sir. I'd not intrude here," and I bowed my head to him in the hope the old knight-captain would retract his command then explained, "My words could hardly give any more credence to what happened than yours." I didn't particularly enjoy speaking in front of an assembly, especially one that was full of guild leaders. I could feel myself almost turning white here.

"Elisha, stop." Marcus's voice was hard in his rebuke. "It is unbecoming of you." But what went unsaid I could measure in the old man's eyes. This has been a point of discourse between us for many, many years due to my forbearance to be the lead in such situations. But with the rest of my audience looking to be in the same mindset, I sighed in resignation and picked it up from chain of events that led our defense to the main foray beyond the western gate.

I explained that our plan was simple: I led out a team of our best warders to harry the enemy force in half. This shield wall tactic would effectively split the undead host and hinder their progress in assaulting the main battle line to then enter town. However the problem was their numbers were much greater than expected, and it was soon apparent the undead mass would soon overtake us.

"-that was until we received a [Message] from Guildmaster Andrek, to fall back and regroup with the main line." My eye went to him as the veteran knew more of what exactly happened next than I did. I really didn't know how to explain what the wizard did to make the earth erupt with flames.

Andrek nodded once then relayed my thoughts in general terms. He described it as the wizard unleashing a stream of [Fireball] spells that somehow each loosed a 'nova' effect into the enemy ranks, "... and with that, he managed to single-handedly wipe out more than half the undead horde. I'm talking atleast two or three thousand in a ten second span."

Nearly everyone in the room was now slack-jawed to what was just said. I chanced a glance to the head of the Magicians Guild - the most knowledged man in the room in the ways of magic - and he looked utterly gobsmacked, his expression stark with a trembling lip. Andrek's attention was also on his former party member and so asked-

"Cleo, what do you make of this?" It seemed the veteran mage did not pick up on the Guildmaster's query until he was asked again. He comically shook his head out of his stupor to say-

"-umm... yes. [Fireball] is a third ranked spell that produces a burst of flame with low detonation. It is generally one of the more advanced spells a young mage with a base class can learn." Cleo's voice was entirely monotone in its description. Of course, 'that' did nothing to explain the effect previously described.

Marcus next inquired as much, "Have you ever heard of such capability with a low rank spell, Cleo-dono." The head of the Magicians Guild could only shake his head in response while stating-

"I know of Elementalists being able to empower low rank magic to have greater impact effects, and High Wizards utilizing metamagic to boost spells, but then t-that would mean..." Cleo's mouth stopped as it left his last train of thought unsaid, as not even he could not grasp the implication.

But my commander picked up on it, "It would mean the madoshi has an advanced level in Wizardry... as a true healer." All heads in the room turned to the other in succession in trying to make sense, or not make sense, of it. Even the Madam looked stunned to the development. Everyone was probably thinking the same thing - how was that even possible?

And yet, the biggest shocker was still to come.

Marcus motioned his head for me to continue after the [Fireball] spectacle as I then explained afterwards how we, the captains, led a few teams out to clean up the already decimated enemy ranks and described how it seemed the remaining undead host had lost their collective will to fight on.

Then the unimaginable happened, a cold rain of death had emerged out of nowhere, "... this [Blizzard] magic, crippled our remaining forces and even devastated the western fortification." I finished the summation by stating, "Most that survived it were hardly in a state to fight. It was truly the battle's end."

To many in this room, it was the first hearing of what the cause was for the ice storm that shattered the town's western gate. Everyone knew it must have been some sort of magic spell, but hearing of a powerful undead in the shape of a floating skull descending onto the battlefield had those listening in a bated breath.

After describing the last foe to appear, Andrek interrupted with a pointed question during a brief pause before I went into the battle itself, "Elisha-dono... how would you rate this creature on the adventuring scale?"

I was a bit wary of answering this question for a couple reasons. First because it brought back my own fears during the heated contest as it felt like an unwinnable battle at the very start. Second was to not burden those listening with the same distress of knowing how close the Vale was from suffering a horrible calamity.

My eyes went to Marcus, whom I had already detailed the battle in full, whose gaze was hard in his nod for me to answer 'this' true. I closed my eyes to state in an even voice-

"It was an SS-level monster to be sure." The response back was a collective gasp because all knew the hidden implication. It was a creature capable of going toe-to-toe with multiple S-class adventurers... and win. A peak of power where even the best of humanity could hardly reach.

The guild leaders' minds were now realizing how dreadful of a state the Vale had been in, and it started to show on their expressions. Everyone in the room knew there was hardly a force in this entire region that could combat such an adversary. Then that meant...

"This undead was a horrible encounter," I started to explain to the others. "It was a primary spellcaster capable of high tiered magic. Its [Blizzard] that wiped out the majority of our defenses... was just one." My words could not do the terror it inspired justice, but everyone seemed to realize the predicament we were in.

"In addition - it attacked at a range our swords could not reach. And it had this sort of 'Spectral' shielding that nullified any attack done to it, magic or otherwise." Most would have started to wonder how the Vale knights could have even survived if not for the stories of this 'Holy Man' already about.

"A-And Saa-Seijin-sama... stepped in to do battle... with IT?" It was a squeaky voice that questioned me. None before would have thought it could have come from the head of the Magicians Guild, he himself a high level mage with decades of experience. It was in a shocked tone awed in possibility.

"Correct." I used the simplest term to answer. "If it was not for his magic and bravery, we surely would have perished that night."

"And who knows how much damage that thing coulda done to the region," Andrek added soon after, implying to the others the loss of life would have been catastrophic.

After getting another nod from my commander to describe the battle in full, I went over how all we could do was create a defensive shield against its magical onslaught.

"... The madoshi stepped in to protect us from a dangerous cast, locking it in a silvery chain. But the skull broke free almost immediately and hit him with a couple lightning spells." Here I closed my eyes and shook my head in remembering Rikku getting slammed with such magical force. It was shocking to say the least to see the young wizard I had met earlier in the day bear the full brunt of the undead's fury in their defense.

"Honestly, I thought he had been felled right there," I continued on with a pained expression. "And there was hardly any offensive we could muster against this creature. Soon enough our combined barrier was shattered, and its next spell would likely kill us... until the madoshi used [Holy Aura] to again grab the undead's attention."

My last sentence was met with a wild exclamation from my audience, as I knew it would. "You're kidding," a voice echoed in the back, although my sharp ears could not pick up exactly who in this chorus of "no ways" and "seriouslys".

"[Holy Aura]," came Cleo's voice in a louder tone from the others. "That is one of the highest Divine Arts, is it not?"

Andrek answered just as quickly as the question posed, "Yes it is."

"B-But how..." anyone could see the other guild head was flustered with a fevered face. "T-that can't be though. I mean... can it really be certain. C-could it just been a lesser skill?"

There was a slight pause in his answer as the guildmaster stated clearly, "Negative. I heard him cast it, and the undead clearly reacted to its power."

It seemed Cleo could not argue his point any farther as his mind tried to parse this significance. As did the others in this room, or tried to as their faces were going through the stages of mute stupor. [Holy Aura] was considered one of the pinnacles of the Paladin route and far beyond the capabilities gained from the rare [Protection Aura] skill Holy Knights could obtain. In fact - it was 'saintly' in comparison.

Then I recounted how the wizard, in this empowered state, went toe-to-toe with the undead caster. Trading spell for spell until sealing it in stone-

"... some sort of control spell he described it as." I was unsure how else to describe that effect but went on, "But it gave us enough time to regroup." Having to describe what then followed sounded too fictitious to even my ear. It was another clash of magical might where Rikku chain-casted another round of spells of white bursts into the undead horror we couldn't touch, where all we could do was watch and wait for the opening the wizard said would come.

And eventually it did. Just as Rikku described before, the 'purple' shield that was protecting it vanished in the last of the wizard's exploding lights. This was our chance until the wizard's magic finally gave way, his mana seemingly spent.

"The undead took advantage of this stoppage to link himself with the madoshi. It was some green tether made of an eerie magic." There wasn't a sound in the room as I spoke of the battle's climax. "Likely some form of necromancy. Anyone could tell, the madoshi had finally reached his limit and could not hold off the creature any longer... but we would not let his efforts go to waste." My gaze was on the guildmaster.

Andrek stepped in again to explain how he had used a 'spellbreaker' to shatter the effect of the link between them and then used his [Gale Step] to manuever himself in high in the air to deliver a 'crushing' blow to the undead in an effort to force him towards the ground. With my [Sword Smite] coming after being described as the killshot that ended the undead threat.

Though I did have to add, "I can't claim full credit for that attack. Its power was augmented by the madoshi's enhancement magic," something I learned later was the [Might] spell. Andrek also quipped he too had been under the effect of said spell, describing it as "hot energy coursing through ever fiber of his being"-

"Truth be told," Andrek continued, "I felt like a young man again... but with a strength I never once possessed in my prime." It was an apt description as I too felt that same burning sensation which elevated my physical ability to a whole new level.

And with that last exchange, the full details of the decisive battle was known to all heads in the room. Of course, one would not see any clarity among those present. Everyone looked thoroughly astonished to what was revealed. Words, maybe even thoughts, had failed them at this juncture as their still bodies shivered in silence and looked about in confusion.

Nearly two full minutes had passed before a lone voice finally croaked out a response. It was from the head of the Magicians Guild, "Truly - an advanced-level wizard with peerless skill in the Divine Arts." All eyes were on Cleo as he made his inner reflection known then back onto us as if expecting another confirmation in return.

"And he's but seventeen," but those who knew of his age did not mention this aloud. Instead Andrek, Lord Marcus, and myself merely nodded in acquiesce.

The veteran mage's lip wavered over the word "how" before exclaiming, "H-he must be one of the Erudite to hold such pristine ability." The others glanced in nervousness as many must have surmised the same. The Erudites were of the ancient class of the Azoran peoples, before the fall of their old empire. But few know of it since their magical bloodlines have all but died out.

In other words - this wizard had the makings of being considered 'royal' by other human metrics, even as high as the Imperial line of Heroes. And to think many were hopeful to chain him down to the Vale. Some were even flushed with guilty expressions thinking back on their previous discussions.

Of course, that brought up the next topic - why is such an individual even here? Again, Andrek explained how he was an adventurer of their Quatar branch and was not apart of the eccentric wizard party that recently left the Vale after preaching gloom and doom to us over the past week, and no one believed. Seems we owed them an apology for their outlandish tales. But atleast one got left behind to mitigate the damage their prophecy foretold.

Yet the guildmaster was still selling that blatant lie to the party at large, but I had no reason to intervene here. Clearly Rikku needed to be protected, and we atleast owed him that much not to get involved in his more personal affairs.

But now with the full detail of the rumors explained out, most of the guild heads were starting to settle on Andrek's motion of the wizard soon to return to Quatar and leave it at that. In turn - this curtailed any more 'personable' discussions on how to get in Rikku's good graces.

It was becoming apparant, this 'Holy Man' staying in the Vale would be more trouble than its worth. Besides, we had the fallout of a dungeon to worry about.

The secret meeting lasted another thirty minutes and into the dawn hour. Most of the guild heads agreed our wisest course was to let the events of the wizard's visit to simply play out and deny any real involvement should the Temple heads make an inquisition out of it.

"Plausible deniability," Andrek described it as. "Seijin-sama is simply a wizard travelling abroad, who by chance came to the Vale during his journey and helped us in our dire need." Also with Rikku's endorsement from one of the Quatar guildmasters, the Bishop could hardly press the issue into forcing our hand to help 'conscript' him onto Imperial service.

Now armed with better knowledge of what had occurred, the tension amongst the Vale's authoritive powers had slackened considerably. Minus the Temple of course. But the air within this basement chamber did not feel as oppressive as before as the guild heads began to exit in fine order. Only three still remained as Cleo made his way to leave.

A minute earlier - the veteran mage had been trying to charm his old friend into having a private meet with Rikku to discuss his magical knowledge, if you will. However, Andrek fielded his brazen attempt quite well and made no misgiving to being this wizard's keeper. Instead the guildmaster merely left the option open in his dismissal-

"After all, I'm sure there will come a time where his path merges with one of the Magicians Guild's own. Be patient, my friend." And it didn't need any more convincing than that, although Cleo did wear a bit of a frown knowing his answers would not be immediately gained as he left.

This left only the Guildmaster, the lord commander, and the madam as those remaining. For some reason my presence was also required here and was told by Marcus to stay as the others began to leave. And Rubina made to hang back shortly after seeing me do so, but none of the remainders gave any voice to her discretion as her sharp glare told all she would not be so easily dismissed.

As all other presence vanished from this basement room, the harpy was the first to break the silence with a chilling smile-

"Was there another reason to separate Rikku's name from the tale of the 'Holy Man'?" It was a question more to the Guildmaster than to myself. Andrek tried worked his face into an impassive stance but was hardly successful in the attempt. I could even feel Marcus shift beside me in unease.

"Nay, Rubina-dono," finally came the Guildmaster's answer after a tense span of several seconds. "I'm sure you've gleamed such an understanding yourself." The madam nodded her head to that and promptly sat back down, but this time leaning her posture in a more relaxing attitude.

"So... what to do," she playfully added a moment later. The fact this woman could be so forthwith was due to her profession. As a madam of ladies, Rubina was a quick judge of character with a keen enough wit to adapt to any situation at hand. A woman's warfare so to say, a battlefield I had little experience in.

I was almost envious of the harpy's confidence here as my lord commander merely sighed to her performance. The Guildmaster too looked a bit flustered as he had a slight croak in his voice-

"Rubina-dono, I'm not sure what you intend here. I thought we all agreed it is in our best interest not to place any burdens on our young wizard friend..."

"Phooey," it was a clear dismissal to whatever point Andrek was going to make after. The madam's eye was on me during her interruption, "Doing thus would give Rikku no reason to make good with the Vale. We have need to establish some physical ties with him before he heads off to Quatar."

"Our resources are stretched thin as is, madam," Marcus making his case. "And with the dungeon at hand, I doubt we can offer a decent tribute without beggering the township itself."

"Again, nonsense," came Rubina's retort, this time with an edge to her voice. "There are plenty ways to get him to establish some roots here without resorting to such measures." The two men remaining looked to sweat at whatever proposal the madam was talking about. Still, her eye never left me for some reason.

"Don't tell me you aim for your cute little niece to tie his knot." That cool jest didn't go over too well as the Guildmaster's face turned a shade closer to his balding head.

Andrek started sputtering hot, "Y-You've gone too far there madam. Please do not mistake me to use my brother's daughter to achieve some petty end." The harpy must have noticed the burning look in the guildmaster's eyes and decided she had gone a step too far, apologizing with a bow of her head-

"Forgive me. It was just a light-hearted attempt." But added a moment later, "But still... marriage does seem to be the only gambit we have left to play." Not this again as the madam talked up of possible suitors to be the wizard's bride. It was a very uncomfortable one-sided conversation.

Near the top of her short list was the Lord Burg's daughter, since the Burg name did carry some weight outside the region, but here she remarked, "... the problem of this match is of course the young lady's age. And there is some demerit of her not being a direct heiress to the family estate, so another dwelling would have to be established."

It went on for nearly two minutes before the madam was about to settle on the best possible partner, turning to me to explain it in full. I guess she thought my approval would help bolster this selection, but the guildmaster quickly interrupted with some mild irritation in his voice, "You know... I'm surprised you aren't pitching any of your charges here." It was clear the discussion was taking a turn away from what Andrek and Marcus wanted to talk about in private.

But the harpy didn't miss a beat in laughing it off with a hoot, "Oohoohoo... of course I'd be more than obliged to board the young wizard up myself. And it wouldn't cost the Vale a dime. A few of my girls were quite taken with him you know, and I would most welcome Rikku to enjoy an extended stay in our humble abode. Oohoohoo." It was foolish to give this particular woman an opening as such, but I think the lord commander had enough as he simply said that word to quell the topic at hand.

"The wizard will be set to leave, that much is a certainty. We cannot risk any Imperial reprecussions."

"True true," the madam countered but added the need for the town to remain in his thoughts. "After all, Rikku is just a few teleports away from visiting our borders, even if he goes back to Azora. I just don't see the sense of severing all ties with him out of complete fear of the Empire up north. And I know you see it the same."

"But it is not our responsibility to bear." I couldn't stay silent any longer. "Rikku-san isn't some tool to be shelved, only to be used again at some later date." My admonishment came as a surprise to the others as their eyes went to me. I quickly half-bowed and apologized for my little outburst, adding-

"It's just seems rather... obsessive of us to even think of Rikku as such when we have no idea of his situation back home. What of his own family... I mean, he may already be betrothed for all we know," I then stopped my reproach as my face grew hot for a very girly reason.

Yet the Guildmaster was smiling. "But he's not," he spoke this with some confidence. "And it doesn't seem he has many obligations back in Azora. From what he has told me in private, Rikku grew up rather isolated from his community at large." Andrek looked a little guilty in its mentioning but added, "This does work to our advantage."

This came as a little shock as the Guildmaster was rather quick in wanting to kill the previous conversation about this matter. So, why now?

"To this, I will concur." Lord Marcus spoke. "Him having such a retainer could not be implied as interference to the Order, should the Bishop make an issue of it."

What? I had to bite back a scoff here, "B-But the Order will certainly take issue with it. Any of the noble houses out here, atleast the ones with daughters to spare, would not dare cross the Order should they levy a demand."

"Granted," my commander agreed. "So this limits any of the potentials to being those outside their scope."

"So you mean to restrict it to the demi-human families?" Problem there was this township not having many of such who could claim any nobility status. Then it came to if they even had a daughter of an age to pass off in this harebrained scheme.

"Not only that," with the Guildmaster adding the chosen would need both name and recognition... and preferably an heiress who would inherit an estate.

"Great, who?" I was exasperated in my asking. There wasn't anyone in the Vale who met these conditions.

It took me almost a minute to realize each of the three attentions was now studiously waiting on my response. I blinked once, twice, then-

"No," my blood started to rise. "No," with a twitch in my eye. "No," I was already winded.

"P-Please... he's like 20 years my junior." Having to bear these thoughts already made me break out in a cold sweat as both Marcus and Andrek began to ply me with words to atleast consider this match. But I didn't really hear any of their reasonings since my body went through a full stage of shock. I was only acutely aware of my head shaking in repeated movement.

Then the madam raised her hand to say, "Let me take over. This needs a lady's finesse." I turned to that, hoping the harpy would start explaining how the two were just winding me up, because how was I the best choice here, or any choice for that matter. Instead I got-

"Elisha-san, my dear... it's high time you were wed." I gasped at the most blandest of statements ever uttered to me as Rubina too went over the merits of our coupling. But I literally had to put my foot down when she got to that 'baby' part-

"Please, stop." I was almost out of breath here. "T-this is silly." I mean we hardly knew each other, and why was I light-headed all of a sudden.

"I'm hardly a lady to be married off," I had to reiterate in concise terms. "And I'm a dark elf to boot."

"No, you are a half-elf and still in the prime of your youth, Elisha dear," the madam parried back, and she was even pointing a finger at me saying I always should have been a cadet at her house instead of "wasting my early years whooshing a sword around". To that I could only shake my head. This was due to my misgivings of my birth, still a sore spot among many in the Vale.

"Stop it, Elisha," came the lord commander's command. "Those thoughts are beneath you." I could only sigh in turn, taking in a deep breath to cleanly state-

"I intend to be the last of my mother's line." It was something I had long come to terms with. After the girlish follies of my own youth, I was resolved to live by the knight's code. I need not ever love in that manner again.

"And what of your father's line." My body sagged to Marcus's counter. That was something deep down I did feel regret for, but I can't go back on my resolve. Because then, what was 'his' sacrifice even for. I could feel a tear forming over my thoughts of my childhood friend.

"Listen," the Guildmaster came in, his voice low in understanding. He was one of the few who understood what I had gone through. "We aren't wanting to force this upon you... but it might be our best foot forward here. Even for your sake."

"I mean, you've been doting on him quite a bit over the past couple days." Huh? What the lord commander just said brought a hot blush to my face. But he explained how I was always seemed to be near his side during his nightly visits to the barracks, "... so we might've thought your attentions meant, 'something' more."

I was really heated now as I shot back, "I was just worried he was going to overdo it, you know, and drop from mana exhaustion on the spot." I had spoken it so fast that I didn't realize how anxious I was sounding until it was too late. Rubina was giving me a knowing smile, while Andrek looked to the side to try and hide his.

Seeing that made me puff out loud as if I was a little kid again, drawing a chuckle from the old man beside me before he took my hand with his, "Ultimately... it is up to you my girl. The young wizard will be in town for atleast another week or two. So you still have some time to come to terms with your feelings."

Not much was said between the four of us after that admission and so our conversation ended into a quiet conclusion. But its wake left me in a haze of doubt. And a strange yearning for the one thing I thought forever lost to me.