• "...card....RICARD!" Marie shrieked. Ricard awoke with a jolt. "What do you want Marie?!" Ricard shouted. "We're at Lira, wake your a** up and scout out the town. I still need to make a few preparations. Any info on the disturbance will be reported directly to me, understand?" Marie ordered. Ricard rolled his eyes and agreed silently, pulling himself out of the wagon. "And Ephraim?" Ricard asked. "If he's not awake in two minutes, I'll kick him awake, now GO." Marie replied with a glare. She then walked away and talked to one of the caravan's riders. "She's sure a firebrand! I like her." Raksha commented. "You're still here?" Ricard asked. Raksha sighed and replied, "I told you, I'm you, I'm ALWAYS here. And there's no need to talk to yourself like a madman, I can hear your thoughts just fine. By the way, your dream was interesting, that Marie girl was certainly-" "SHUT UP!" Ricard shouted in his head. "Fine, but we should really get going before the firebrand girl comes back."

    Ricard was walking through the town of Lira, inquiring the locals about the disturbances happening around town recently. Most knew nothing, but one individual was able to point him towards the bazaar district. As he walked there, Raksha spoke again. "What do you hope to do once you find out about this so-called "disturbance"? Go tell Marie and let her take all the credit?" "It's better if I just follow orders for now. Father already favors Ephraim over me, I'd rather not lose him forever." Ricard replied. "And THAT'S why we... you need to deal with Ephraim as soon as possible! With him out of the way, Solomon would only focus on you!" Raksha explained. "For the last time, SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT EPHRAIM! I had a moment of weakness and I'm not proud of it, now be silent!" Ricard commanded. "You really are a gigantic fool..." Raksha insulted before fading away again. Ricard had begun questioning the bazaar, but no information was found. "Damn! A false lead. THIS is why I hate Pharis. It's all lies and deceit!" Ricard exclaimed. Suddenly, a voice called out to him. "Hey, Stranger! I have somethin' you may like."

    Ricard saw the voice coming from an isolated stand near the edge of the bazaar. "I think we should check it out." Raksha interjected. 'We can't waste our time with- OW!" Ricard began to say before a sharp pain erupted in his head. "I said, I think we should check it out." Raksha repeated. "You know, maybe we should... wait, what happened there?" Ricard wondered, yet he found himself walking towards the stand. The merchant introduced himself. "Ah, Stranger! Nice to meet ya! The name is Fletcher. My inventory man back there is Cashel. And I believe I have something special for you." "Just what do you mean by special?" Ricard asked. "CASHEL! Bring out the special item!" Fletcher commanded. "Yes, Sir!" Cashel replied as he brought a longsword to Fletcher. "Now THIS, Stranger, THIS is a weapon. Enchanted blade by the looks of that glow." Fletcher said, describing every aspect of the sword.

    Ricard inspected the sword, anger sparking in his eyes as he did. "This is Arcian steel! They don't make these blades anymore, where did you get it?!" Ricard asked violently. "Peace, Stranger! I simply... "acquired" it in my travels." Fletcher explained. Ricard swung the blade about, discovering it was very light, and the magic seemed to make his swings stronger. Ricard thought for a moment. "If Ricard can get a magic blade, why can't I?" Ricard thought. "How much?" he asked Fletcher. "Well, the going rate for somethin' like this would be 23,000 drakes, but for you... well, you could just trade me that Imperial blade you got there." Ricard was shocked. "This cheap sword for something like this?! You have a deal Fletcher." Ricard replied, giving Fletcher his blade and sheathing the new one. Ricard walked away from the stand. "You be careful with that now!" Fletcher called out. "Good sale, eh, Cashel?" Fletcher asked. However, his and Cashel's eyes soon grew hollow and devoid of life. "Art thou pleased, Master?" Fletcher whispered as the merchant's stand soon dissipated into a shadowy haze...