Originally Posted by
BG-57 with the story 'Mediator Madness!'
Ramza made his way among the tombstones, some old enough to be covered in moss, some half crumbled to dust. He paused next to a brand new one. He studied the epitaph.
“Izlude Tingel, died age eighteen years, seven months defending the holy faith of Murond, may Saint Ajora watch over him eternally.”
Ramza knelt and prayed in front of the grave. For a long time he stayed there in meditation until he heard the soft crunch of metal boots on grass. He looked up to see a young woman in a green hooded cloak over golden armor. Her hood was down and for the first time Ramza saw that her hair was brown and cut short. Her emerald eyes looked reddish and moist, but she was too proud to cry in front of him. She stabbed a wide silver sword into the soil in front of her and knelt next to him. She dropped some blood roses on the grave.
“Beloved brother, I shall avenge your death by that demon, even if he was once our father. Please accept my oath of vengeance. Give me strength to carry out this holy mission. Amen.”
She rose to a standing position and looked down at Ramza, her eyes questioning. Ramza rose and coughed awkwardly.
“I’m sorry to intrude Miss Tingel. I mean- I was pausing, uh, paying respects to your brother. I know we were enemies but we both fought for what-“
Meliadoul Tingel raised a hand. “It is I that should apologize to you Master Beoulve. I was interrupting your prayer. Besides, I was your enemy once as well.”
He nodded, not knowing what to say in situations like this. Abruptly, Meliadoul spoke again. “You’re worried about your sister?”
Ramza sighed quietly. “She’s all the family I have left; my father, both my brothers...if I should loose her….”
Meliadoul felt ashamed. All these months she had followed him, she had always seen Razma as a fearless righteous warrior. She never noticed how he was still sometimes a frightened and lonely young man. She pulled him into an embrace. Razma squirmed but gave up struggling after a moment.
“Don’t worry Master Beoulve, we’ll get her back. We’ve both lost our families, so you don’t have to fight this alone anymore.”
Ramza chuckled nervously. “Please, it’s Ramza. ‘Master Beoulve’ was my father, not me.”
She nodded. “Then call me by my name too.”
Ramza tried his best “Melody?”
Meliadoul released Razma and stared him in the face. After a moment she broke into laughter. “Melody?!? It’s Meliadoul! Good lord, I’ve been with you all this time and you still can’t get my name right!”
He smiled lopsidedly and slumped down next to a tree. Meliadoul sat next to him. They both chuckled a bit at their predicament. Razma grinned. “OK, I’ll get it right next time. But it was worth it. I’ve never seen you smile before, it suits you.”
Meliadoul blushed slightly and gazed in an unnerving way at him. “When I took my vows as a Divine Knight I did not make time for frivolity or fun.” She paused thoughtfully. “Ramza, you do think that we-“
At that moment a giant multi-tentacled stinking green horror with ten eyestalks emerged from the underbrush growling and snarling. They both rose to their feet. “I don’t believe it, how did a Morbol get onto this island?” said Ramza.
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