CHAPTER VIII: THE WORLD IGNITES
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The entire journey was planned from the beginning in order to capture Marcus Vale when his guard was lowered. The injured House Durendaire knights at the estate of House Kalgaren was all just but an act and Falorgeant felt a deep sense of guilt when he and Clarielle were forced to manipulate Lord Viarre Kalgaren.
What's worst was that Ishgard had accused Marcus and his brother for heresy and Falorgeant was ordered to lead the capture. Personally, he knew there was more to the story behind the Vale Brother's slayings and strange behavior but what aggravated him was that he couldn't figure out what. He had an idea but though it seemed too preposterous, the details connected.
Throughout the journey back to Ishgard, Falorgeant held his head low. Clarielle looked to him with worry and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"What bothers you?"
Falorgeant shook his head. "Marcus is captured and I am surprised that everything went without bloodshed but it still seems that there is much more to this. Whether we discover this at his trial or not, the thought is currently a needle in the back of my neck."
Clarielle gave a small smile of empathy. "We accomplished what we were set out to do. Let's worry about this when the time comes."
While the dragoons talked at the rear of the march, Marcus's expression had not changed. The knight's face was calm yet his eyes seemed to burn with fury. He had remained silent since his capture and his wrists and feet were in shackles. His halberd and sword had been taken away by the other Ishgardian knights including his helm.
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Nightfall would had descended by the time the group reached Ishgard. The temperature was decreasing and the wind picked up it's pace only so slightly. The moment they entered the city and arrived at The Arc of the Humble, Lord Viarre Kalgaren was already standing there with another party of House Kalgaren and House Durendaire knights. The old elezen trembled with rage when he saw Marcus in chains.
"What is the meaning of this?! Marcus, what did you?!"
Marcus continued to remain silent.
"Ser Falorgeant? Ser Clarielle? Explain this madness at once! Why did Ishgard condemn my knights to heresy? They did not commit such things!"
Falorgeant stepped forward, waving Clarielle and the rest of the party to move on ahead as he tried to calm Lord Viarre.
"Ishgard is under suspicion that Marcus and his brother are responsible for numerous deaths and killings of Ishgard's own. For that, they have branded the brothers as possible heretics. We will see what comes of Marcus when the trial begins. Ishgard now awaits for Xydane's return to conduct his arrest. I am sorry, Lord Viarre. This is the task that has been bestowed upon me."
Lord Viarre's hands trembled and he came within inches of Falorgeant's face.
"These are my only remaining sons left. I do not have anyone else left. After all we have done - no, after all those two have done for Ishgard, this is how they are thanked? Their loyalty was without question and it turns to treason and heresy?"
Before Falorgeant could respond, a group of Temple Knights rushed to meet him and Lord Viarre.
"Ishgard is under attack! The heretics have broken through! To arms!"
Before long, the city came to torch and the screaming and shouting filled the streets.
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The feeling of uneasiness did not sit quite well with Xydane. As the knight continued to the path that would lead him to the Gates of Judgment, the winds seemed to change direction. Xydane stopped, feeling the slight breeze following the silence of the woods at night.
Something felt wrong.
Picking up his pace, it was not before long when Xydane found himself in an all out sprint down the road. He came to a sudden halt when he saw Ishgard beyond the distance. The city had a glowing hue of red and Xydane cursed. Unsheathing his sword, Xydane ran towards Ishgard while the city burned afar.