Previously on…
Ever since we had battled the marquis Elmdore on the Riovanes Castle rooftops, Carmen and I had been enthralled by the elegant movements of the marquis’s two Dancer retainers. So graceful, so powerful, so deadly… We both decided we wanted to become Dancers.
Carmen had always been the more talented of the two of us, even since our first days as squires at the Akademy. She would learn jobs as if they were nothing and always made it look so simple. Of course, that meant that by the time we chased off Elmdore, Carmen had already mastered some choreography. I, myself, had been too busy during that battle, escaping the magic that these retainers threw at me, to fully appreciate their graceful dances.
Nevertheless, we both pestered the outfitter for some cashmere and Carmen wasted little time trying on the piece of cloth. It appeared she had a knack for dancing. As powerful as she was wielding swords, such was the grace with which she twirled around distracting chocobos and enemy black mages alike with her movements.
The mountain’s forge
I had decided to learn the skills of the Dragoon instead. As we had gone to Mount Bervenia to test run Construct 8’s abilities, I had jumped to the highest peak of the volcano and happened upon a strange blade shimmering in the brimfire. Who in the world would leave such a magnificent blade high up on this —
Oh well, we could make good use of it, so when Ramza called out to tell me the battle was over, everyone had been obliterated by Construct 8, I took the oddly familiar looking blade with me and jumped down in one swift leap.
We had Delita to chase down.
The free city of Bervenia
On our way to see Delita in Zeltennia, we would pass through the free city of Bervenia. I didn’t look forward to it; as the fabled birthplace of saint Ajora, it was a bastion of the church of Glabados. It wasn’t the place that would welcome us with open arm, but it was the only route to Zeltennia.
We should have seen it coming. On route, we had been held back by persistent knights. Of course there would be an ambush waiting for us in Bervenia. But why, Ramza, why do you keep attracting people who seek vengeance for lost siblings? Every time, Ramza, every damn time! First Wiegraf sought vengeance for Mileuda, now this Meliadoul lady turns out to be Isilud’s sister? Why do we keep attracting these people?
Relentless as she was, this cloaked woman did not listen when Ramza tried to explain that we weren’t the ones who killed Isilud. But Carmen was ready. She had learned nigh all there was to learn about dancing and she was eager to show it to Meliadoul and her companions. She danced, and twirled, and paced as she let the cashmere veil flow.
The forbidden dance, she had explained. She had picked it up along the way. The mere movements would mystify anyone who watched, hypnotise them, blind them… It was to be used with care, she had been told. So of course, it was the only dance Carmen wanted to perform, with Meliadoul and her following of summoners, archers and a ninja as the audience.
It wouldn’t work, I thought. These were pious servants of the church of Glabados, they would never be swayed by a forbidden dan–
Or not. As Carmen kept on dancing, not just all of her companions but the cloaked lady herself were entranced by the choreography, and before long we had bested every last one of them.
I had to learn to dance. Now.
I am Bathsua, aspiring dancer with two left feet, and these are my memoirs.
Memoirs of a squire 