He had fun these past few days, traveling with them, but unfortunately a harsh reality of life dawned on him . . . he would have to leave.

It's not that he wanted to. In fact, he liked Jowy a hell of a lot. He reminded him so much of Ted, it was uncanny. The real problem was the unstopable, driving force that was politics.

The City-States of Jowston and the Scarlet Moon Empire had been at war for many many years. During that time, both sides had vilified each other quite effectively. During the Toran War, Mathiu used the City States to help defeat Kazim Hazil by tricking them into capturing a part of the northern territories, including Banner Village.

Even after the war ended, the City-States continued to war with the newly formed Republic; attempting to take advantage of internal dischord.

The City-States still didn't recognize that the Toran Republic was no longer the vile nation that was the Scarlet Moon Empire. And unless something had changed over the two years Lord McDohl had been missing, walking into Muse with Highland Soldiers would be a massive mistake.

The capital of the City-States of Jowston would most certainly know who he was and might end up doing bad things to McDohl if they caught him.

Getting his gear together, McDohl quickly wrote a message to Jowy. It explained why he had to leave and his apologies for not staying around. He added when Jowy finished his business, to come look for him so they could travel together for awhile.

McDohl was planning on heading for Radat town, to catch a boat to Banner Village. From there, it was only a long hike to the northern border of the Republic. Hopefully Varkas would remember his face after all this time. Not that it changed any . . . thanks to that Rune stopping his aging.

McDohl quitely snuck out of the inn and started to head southward. He treked all through the night and followed the coastline. Thankfully, travelling by himself, he managed to reach the eastern border of Radat Village by daybreak.

It was quite early in the morning as he crossed the bridge. The breeze was warm for this time of day and all the fishermen were busy getting ready to set sail either south towards Banner Village or north into the lake. They worked their nets into the boats and were signalling the workers who operated the sluice gate to allow passage to and fro in the dock area.

Making his was across the levee, McDohl took the steps down towards the small dock and began to inquire as to passage to Banner Village. After finding the boats that were travelling south, rather than north, he started asking about possible passage to Banner. The results were less than encouraging.

It turned out all the boats that travelled there were either not stopping at the village this month, or belonged to some private trader named Shu. The fishermen told McDohl that if he wanted to go to Banner, he would have to kiss some serious ass with Shu first.

Sighing, McDohl made his way towards Shu's house. It wasn't hard to find, considering it was the largest in the tiny village. After much arguing, McDohl got the servant at the gate to allow him into a reception room, where he sat and waited for Shu to arrive.

A quick glance around told him that Shu was pretty prominant in the area. The whole room was set up to give the owner of the house a distinct advantage during trading. This Shu must be quite a professional.

"Your name is McDohl, is it not?"

Young Master McDohl jumped in his seat. He didn't even notice the man walk in, much less sit down and study him a bit. McDohl looked back. This must be Shu.

Shu was a very mature-looking man, wearing a white business suit and a grey coat. He had hair so dark, it almost didn't reflect any light. His eyes seemed to bore into your very soul. McDohl swore this guy reminded him of someone . . . but who?

"Yes, that's my name. How did you know?"

"I know lots of things. It's part of my business. Like knowing why you're here. You want to travel to the Toran Republic."

That last statement wasn't a question; it was a comment. It seemed this guy knew more than he was letting on.

"Yes, can I have passage on one of your ships?" McDohl asked earnestly.

"No."

McDohl looked dumbfounded for a moment, not really digesting what he had heard very well, then started stuttering a little.

"B-but, why not?!"

Young Master McDohl watched Shu get up and walk about the room. He kept McDohl in his peripherial vision the whole time, moving almost disarmingly. This was all a tactic to keep McDohl on the defensive, but Shu hardly needed to resort to such methods. McDohl was already panicking enough.

"Because you're not a very popular man in the City-States. There are a lot who would love to see your head adorn their town hall. Most of Jowston still thinks of your new country as the old Scarlet Moon Empire."

McDohl sunk in his seat. There really was no way to escape Barbarossa's legacy. He had fought so hard for the country, only to let Windy and her corruption ruin it's reputation for generations to follow. It would take much time for the Toran Republic to be seen in it's own light, instead of the monsterous nation that it rose from.

"Therefore, I want you to prove your worth."

Now THIS perked McDohl's ears. A test? A famous trader would let him go on a boat if he passed a test? That didn't seem . . .

"And if you succeed, I want a prime trading postion between the Jowston City-States and the Toran Republic."

Ah, there it was. McDohl almost groggily got out of his seat and looked over at Shu.

"Okay, what do I have to do?"

"I want you to get a written letter from Lord Granmeyer, granting permission to join my trading guild." Shu said evenly. Secretly, Shu chuckled at the incredibly bambi-like expression on McDohl's face.

"What?!" McDohl squeaked in a high-pitched voice. Oh, this just got better and better. Lord Granmeyer was the mayor of South Window, who led the City-State Army against the Toran Republic soon after it's founding.

This was just terrib . . . wait a minute. McDohl looked around. He was outside Shu's mansion and had no idea that he had left. Perhaps when he got back to Toran, he should talk to Luikan about that "attention-deficit disorder" thingie.

". . . . . . ."

McDohl gathered his few belongings and trudged his way out the western exit of the town of Radat. While he was leaving, he caught this strange man watching him in a dark overcoat.

Richmond watched McDohl until he was beyond the gates of Radat, then flipped a coin in the air and wandered off, to complete his assignment.

It didn't take very long to reach South Window. Young Master McDohl had expected it to take a bit more of his time, but it wasn't the case. The city itself was very modern and very impressive.

As McDohl wandered up the steps from the entrance to the city, he caught a glimpse of a familiar face out of the corner of his eye. Deciding to take a slight detour, McDohl walked up to the man.

This individual was covered from head-to-toe in a large grey cloak with a hood over his head, with just a little bit of blond hair sticking out from under it. There was a large lump strapped to his back, showing a little under the cloak, that McDohl noted was Clive's weapon.

The man watched the entrance intently, looking for someone. But that didn't mean he ignored the evidence of his other senses. He was perfectly aware someone was walking up to him at every step.

"Hello, Clive." Young Master McDohl said.

"Hello, Lord McDohl." Clive said, crediting their past association together to the fact that he's not annoyed by McDohl's presence.

"You shouldn't be here, Lord McDohl. The South Window Army would mount your head on their town hall if they realized who you were."

"It's not like I have much of a choice, Clive. I can't get back to Gregminister unless I go through Lord Granmeyer. How's your quest going?"

"I am close to Elza. I can feel it. I will take care of business so I can return to the Howling Voice Guild."

Deciding to leave Clive to his search, McDohl walked through the winding streets of South Window until he reached the gates to the Town Hall. He walked up to the guard and pretended like he was supposed to be there.

It must have been Young Master McDohl's lucky day, since he was immediately led to the waiting room that held people to see Lord Granmeyer. McDohl took a seat next to a strange man in a large red outfit that could have come straight out of the "Three Musketeers." McDohl just tried to look inconspicuous, but the man just leaned over and gave him the most evil stare this side of an angry Kwanda Rossman.

"Say . . . you wouldn't happen be here to investigate the Sindar Ruins near this area?"

"N-no . . ." McDohl answered.

"Good. See that you don't. Damn treasure hunters are everywhere." Killey just continued to mumble to himself and leaned back into his seat. McDohl just had huge eyes for the next few minutes with a little anime sweatdrop on his head.

Time passed and eventually Young Master McDohl was called to see Lord Granmeyer. Although, it was kinda hard to announce him since no name was given. Young Master McDohl found himself standing in front of a kindly looking old gentlemen that must have been Lord Granmeyer.

This caught Young Master McDohl off guard. He was so used to fighting Lord Granmeyer in the skirmishes on the Northern Border. Standing behind Lord Granmeyer was someone McDohl definitely recognized. The biggest kiss-ass in all of South Window, Freed Y.

"I have reviewed your request on the form you filled out and I must confess, I am not sure why a trader from Radat would want you to get permission from me to travel with him."

Young Master McDohl could just feel the sweat starting to form on his brow as Granmeyer walked around the room. Then there was the intense scrutiny he was under from Freed.

"Say . . . " Granmeyer said, looking straight at McDohl's face. ". . . . do I know you from someplace? What's your name?"

Uh oh.

"Uh . . . uh . . . uh . . . Schtoltelheim Reinbach IV!"

This seem to strike a chord with Granmeyer that confused McDohl. Lord Granmeyer seemed to smile knowingly for some reason.

"Ah ha! You must be a friend of Viktor's. Are you one of his mercenary band?"

"Uh . . yeah!" Young Master McDohl wiped the sweat out of his eyes and sighed in relief.

This day was just too bizarre. First there's the hauntingly familiar Shu. Then there was the encounter with Clive. Then that freaky guy in the waiting room. Now McDohl finds out that Viktor DIDN'T die in the burning Greminister castle. This was great! If Viktor made it out, Flik must be safe too. Now McDohl just couldn't leave, since Viktor was somewhere in the City-States. But he still had this obligation to take care of . . .

"You're a strong young man, Mr. Reinbach." Granmeyer continued. I wonder if you could help me with a problem. Young women are disappearing near North Window."

"That's right!" Freed chimed in.

"Reports have revealed that a monster is inside the town and we have sent many adventurers to investigate. Those who managed to make it back claim undead creatures are ruling the town. Take care of our problem, and you have your permission."

Young Master McDohl had a rather dumb expression on his face. They couldn't be serious. From pretending to be a mercenary to bounty hunter? He didn't need to go looking for trouble, trouble seemed to pretty much know where he is at all times.

And that's how Young Master McDohl, monster hunter, found himself on the road to victory. Or North Window, whichever comes first.