Whew! Didn’t expect to end this chapter on a downer note but it seems like this one 5-page scene I wrote last month doesn’t happen yet and I’m now very confused about when it does happen. I’m feeling a bit down about the game itself in general, and I’m not sure how to fix it other than get Achiyo into HW so I can replay one of my favourite parts of the story.
Chapter 16: The Tightening Noose
Rinala was away attending to a private matter, but Achiyo and two of her close companions had been sent to reinforce Captain Ilberd in interrupting a black market weapons deal at the Burning Wall… ‘Overkill’, Ilberd’s lieutenant had muttered with a grin, and they’d all chuckled a little, but the more allies present, the easier it would be to end without bloodshed, wouldn’t it?
Alas, a deathcry had rung out from the cave they were standing watch outside of, and when they rushed in, they found Ilberd kneeling alone beside the body of a merchant and a single wooden crate. Ilberd straightened with a disappointed sigh at their hurried approach. “As you can see, this is a fine mess. When I tried to restrain him, he drew a hidden blade and lashed out. But before I could disarm him, one of my subordinates panicked, and this is the result.”
“Well, shite,” Chuchupa said. “’Tis only ‘is own fault, though, ain’t it?”
Ilberd frowned ferociously. “How foolish of me to underestimate the bastard, and to bring an inexperienced recruit. Commander Leveilleur will be most disappointed. Damn it all! A golden opportunity, wasted!” He slammed a fist into the cave wall in frustration.
“And the others?” Tam asked sharply.
Ilberd shook his head. “Though we know not how, they slipped past our perimeter. At present, the First is currently tracking a party of Duskwight sellswords we suspect may be them. Would that we could have enlisted the aid of the Immortal Flames or the Brass Blades. Alas, we’re here to aid them – they’re in no position to aid us.”
“We’ll go!” Chuchupa said. “That little spat against the bodyguards was far too easy. Send us out! An’ don’t tell Vivienne, whate’er ye do. She might side with ’em.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, ma’am. But I need you to do something far more important – well, let me see. Could I ask Master Tam, as the tallest and sturdiest, to deliver these weapons to Ul’dah? Lady Achiyo, perhaps you could assist him?”
“I could,” Tam said slowly, before shrugging and speaking normally. “I was told there would be a lot more than this, however. Where’s the rest?”
“I do not know. I do not think the Duskwight sellswords have already absconded with them. Perhaps our information was erroneous… But then, Mistress Chuchupa and I will join the hunt, while you take care of that. If the gods are good, we will catch them before they escape into the Black Shroud.”
“Don’t have too much fun without me,” Tam drawled.
Chuchupa smirked. “I’ll punch ’em in yer name, happy?”
“As I suppose I’ll ever be. Well, Achiyo, I’ll get this end of the crate. Where’s that unicorn when you really need her? Too proud to carry crates, I’ll bet.”
As the two others ran down the tunnel, Achiyo stared after them. Something had been wrong about Ilberd’s words. Certainly, the entire mission was a disaster in all its objectives, but… something about it seemed… too convenient? And his demeanour was not quite himself. She turned to Tam, and opened her mouth to say something, but he shook his head.
Paranoia, that’s what this was. Ilberd was a man of honour, she had seen for herself not long ago.
“This cannot be everything, can it?” asked Alianne, when they arrived in Ul’dah in the evening several bells later. “Riol stated with confidence that there would be a far greater quantity of weapons.”
Yuyuhase sniffed. “A blatant falsehood. Clearly, Riol is unfamiliar with the ways of Ul’dahn merchants, who ever strive to present themselves as greater than they are. We should be thankful that his information was not completely erroneous, and that we managed to achieve anything of worth at all.”
Tam snorted, but Achiyo frowned to herself. She’d had a higher opinion of Riol than that. He had helped them immensely while questing for Titan, and surely he wouldn’t be thrown simply because he was from Limsa Lominsa. And also Yuyuhase was just being plain rude. “We ourselves thought-”
“It’s still something worth celebrating, isn’t it, Lieutenant?” asked Wilred, eager, earnest young Wilred. “Besides, we’ve got more important things to worry about – like fighting those Garleans up north!” Oh, the poor boy. She envied him, being able to carelessly shrug off silly questions like ‘was our intelligence wrong or were we tricked?’
Alianne shook a sisterly finger at him. “There’ll be no fighting if I have anything to say about it. Our orders are to stand watch, not to seek glory in battle.” She turned to Yuyuhase. “If you have no further need of us, then I shall take my unit to the Ceruleum Processing Plant.”
Yuyuhase smiled and saluted. “Time for the Fourth to earn their keep, eh? Fight well, Alianne – for the freedom of all!” Alianne and Wilred saluted and strode off to find the rest of the Fourth at the Quicksand. Yuyuhase turned to Tam and Achiyo. “Excellent work as always, my friends. Rest assured that the Immortal Flames will hear of your contribution. Until we meet again.” He saluted, gestured to the two soldiers who were with him to retrieve the crate, and marched off in the direction of the Hall of Flames.
Achiyo turned to Tam. “I suppose we’d best return to Eastern Thanalan with all speed, hadn’t we? Or should we wait here for news?”
“We should wait,” Tam said. “For one thing, we’re being watched. No, not by unfriendly eyes… this time.”
Riol appeared out of the shadows of an arch. “Tam, Achiyo. A word, if it please ye.” He held up a hand to forestall their answer. “Not here – look for me at the Sapphire Avenue Exchange. No need for whistlin’ this time, don’t ye worry.”
Achiyo gave Tam an anxious glance, received an stoic one in return, and tried not to look hurried as she took the long way back to the markets. Riol was there ahead of them, pretending to look at daggers. They joined him, one on either side. “Thanks for indulgin’ me request,” he muttered. “Few places better than a market for privacy, I find. All the hustle an’ the bustle o’ commerce means most conversations go unnoticed.”
“Oh, aye,” Tam said. “You speak with Achiyo. I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Thanks, mate. I’ll get to the point: at the Burnin’ Wall, when you an’ the captain interrupted the exchange, what happened? Tell me everythin’ – leave no detail out.”
Achiyo told, trying not to let her increasing misgivings colour her story, but she was certain Riol picked up on them anyway. “Hmmm…that’s not quite how the First told it,” he said when she’d told all she could think of. “These Duskwights they were chasin’ – latest word is that we lost the trail. But ye never saw ’em yerself? Not before the fightin’ started, an’ not after?”
She stared at him, then turned back to the weapons counter when she realized she was, but there was a cold feeling inside her despite Ul’dah’s stuffy heat. “No, not at all. Only the slain merchant and the five guards we fought.”
Riol grimaced at a dagger with a carven bone hilt and put it back on the counter. “Somethin’ ain’t right. I don’t know what it is, but I can feel it in me bones. I’m not daft enough to be misled by some merchant’s drunken boasts.” He turned away from the stall, his face impassive but his voice low and furious. “Our information was reliable, godsdammit! I know he purchased those weapons! Hmph. As if I’ve never deciphered a moneylender’s books, or had to follow a transaction back to its source… Did plenty o’ that back when the Braves were gettin’ started, believe me. The commander wanted assurances that we weren’t takin’ gil from the wrong sort o’ benefactors. ‘Course these days the money flows like water, an’ the First an’ Third get the shiniest new toys…”
“Indeed?” Tam said.
Achiyo stared at both of them. “If either of you would like to let me know whom I should be suspicious of, I wouldn’t mind knowing.”
Riol blinked at her mild outburst, then smiled ruefully. “…Forgive me, Lady Achiyo. I’ve a lot on me mind these days, an’ I appreciate ye lendin’ an ear. Right, then – best get back to it.” Before she could stop him – not that she knew if she should, or how she could – he’d disappeared into the crowd.
She turned to Tam, who was stroking his chin in thought. “I know you can figure out what’s going on. Will you not tell me?”
Tam shook his head. “I could, but my concern right now is for Alphinaud. And there’s some things I need to arrange in anticipation of that…”
“Tam! Speak plain!” Why Alphinaud? Anticipation of what?
“It may come to nothing. Worry your pretty head over it if you want to, but you’ll do the right thing when it comes.”
“Don’t be trite! Tam!” But he was gone, and she stood there alone in the middle of the crowd as twilight deepened overhead. A few gave her curious glances, but theirs was hardly the only altercation in the market, and far from the most interesting.
She didn’t know what to think. There had been a great many strange things in the last six moons – the Doman refugees, Teledji Adeledji, Lolorito, the riots in Ul’dah when Alphinaud had been injured, and now Ilberd himself was acting unusual, and so bad at hiding it that even she noticed, and both Riol and Tam thought it important. Alone perhaps they were a small cause for true concern… but all together, she had a growing feeling of a noose tightening about all of them. And she didn’t know where it lay, had no skills to discover where it lay, or who was directing it, could only trust that the politically savvy ones of their organization would be able to uncover whatever was going on and drag it into the light.
It had only been a few moons since the inauguration of the Crystal Braves. How had corruption settled in so thoroughly and completely in so short a time, when founded with such high ideals?
“Are ye sure about this, Jacke?” asked Perimu Harimu. “We should’ve cloyed the sarcophagus as well.”
Captain Jacke shrugged as he watched the diminutive Yellowjacket captain rage from their distant vantage point. “…Eh, I think she’s earned it, don’t you? If it bothers ye that much, think of it as a trade.”
V’kebbe giggled mischievously. “If ye ask me, they look a bit daft.”
Jacke turned to her and crossed his arms, the Silver Sorrows glimmering from his earlobes. “Well, I didn’t ask ye!”
Which only made V’kebbe laugh the harder, and Rinala joined her, finally able to release her tension after the excitement of the last hour – with the bomb, and the running, and the sneaking, and the stabbing, she’d been tense as a wire. She’d only ended up stabbing three hostile pirates – the rest, she’d taken a leaf from V’kebbe’s book and tangled them up in ropes, dangling them high above the harbour. And even those three… her heart was already steadying again. Training with the rogues had been good for her. She still didn’t like killing, and hoped she never would, but she knew now she wouldn’t freeze when it came down to her life or her enemy’s. The others would be able to rely on her. And she’d learned a lot of other skills that would be handy for an adventurer, too!
Jacke grinned too, for other reasons. “So, the ‘Jackets ended up with the mine, an’ we got the diamond an’ the earrings. Which means… Victory belongs to the Rogues’ Guild!” He pumped both fists in the air, and V’kebbe jumped for joy.
Perimu Harimu didn’t join in their celebrations… yet. “Do ye think Milala’ll leave it at that, then? I get the feelin’ we ain’t done with her yet.”
Jacke shrugged again, completely at ease. “I’d say we’re done with her challenge, but ye never know when our paths’ll cross again. We’ll just have to see what Limsa’s underbelly spits up next.” He turned to Rinala. “Bene work, Rinala. It’ll be nice to finally have a bit of a rest, eh? The job never ends, but even a dimber damber like meself needs to breathe every now an’ again.”
“Yes,” she said. She hadn’t told them how hard she’d worked for Bahamut, or even of their fight with Bahamut, and then this job had come up really suddenly, but despite her internal weariness, between that victory and this, her confidence was soaring. “I’m glad I was able to get here in time! It was a pleasure to work with you again.”
Perimu Harimu chuckled. “But yer ‘venturin’ mates must be wonderin’ where ye’ve got to!”
“That was a proper long assignment, but I’m glad ye decided to see it through,” Jacke said, and put a hand on her shoulder. “Ye’ve proven to be a stalwart protector o’ the code… even if this ain’t truly yer world.” She nodded. She wasn’t really a rogue, still. She was still too soft and innocent and kind, and that was all right. They’d still accepted her, and she’d grown as an adventurer without losing her way or holding them back too much. So she smiled up at Jacke as he encouraged her. “When ye walk back into the lightmans, ye’ll have to find yer own code to uphold. An’ when ye do, ye’ll have the skills ye learned in the shadows to help ye defend it.”
“I will,” she said solemnly. There was the code she followed as a white mage, but this was… different. “I’m grateful for everything you’ve taught me.”
Jacke patted her shoulder and let go. “Well, that’s more’n enough prittle prattle out o’ me. Yer travels might take ye far an’ wide, Rinala, but know yer always welcome here at the Sisters!”
“And good luck with that Thancred,” V’kebbe said. “Men… daft to a one, you hear? Don’t give up, even if he has that hang-up ’bout teammates.”
Rinala blushed. “Th-thanks, V’kebbe.”
“Aye, thanks, V’kebbe,” Jacke said sarcastically. “I ain’t that daft.”
“Oh, are ye?” V’kebbe retorted. “To. A. One.”
The Lalafell cleared his throat before the two could begin bickering in earnest. “Well, it’s been a pleasure workin’ with ye, Rinala! If I ever need a trusty pair o’ stabbers by me side, I’ll know who to ask!” He waved and sauntered off.
V’kebbe sighed and stretched. “I’m off as well. Bloody starvin’, I am… Don’t forget to yaffle a bite when ye can, eh, Rinala?” She cracked her knuckles, then slipped over the edge of the rail, disappearing into the murk of the night.
Jacke waited a minute longer, watching Captain Milala order people around, then turned to Rinala with his charming smile. “We’d best head back to the Sisters, too, afore the shrew decides she’d rather hear us cry cockles. Bene work, Rinala. Be seein’ ye soon.” He winked, and she blinked, and he had vanished among the street traffic as if he’d never been.
Rinala grinned widely, and slipped into the flow of people herself.
“You’re returned!” Moenbryda cried. “How did it go?”
“Eh,” Tam said, and shrugged noncommittally.
“It was… not as planned,” Achiyo said, clearly trying to figure out how much to say.
“It was dull!” Chuchupa exclaimed. Honestly, Princess was the worst liar she’d ever met, excepting only Rinala. Best to distract, play dumb, so any prying ears wouldn’t suspect that they didn’t believe the Duskwights had existed in the first place. “We didn’t even catch the villains!”
“That bad, eh?” Moenbryda said. “Well, I’ve a counter-offer for you. I’ve been beating my head against these books for far too long, and it’s time for a break. Who’d like to spar with me?”
“First you want to challenge us all to drinking, then you want to challenge us all to fighting!” Tam said. “Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
“Nah,” Chuchupa said. “How about both at once!?”
Thancred was leaning against the back wall, smitten, the great oaf. “Such statuesque beauty – and possessed of a mind for research to match her belly for hard liquor! What does a woman of so many charms see in musty old Urianger…?”
Yda hissed at him. “I’m telling you, Thancred: keep pestering Moenbryda and the only thing you’ll become intimate with is her axe…”
An axe, did she say!? “I’d like to be yer first challenger,” Chuchupa said, stepping forward. “Work off some o’ that disappointment from failin’ the mission!”
“Great!” Moenbryda said, giving her a thumbs-up. “Let’s go outside before it gets dark, shall we? What’s your weapon of choice?”
“Depends,” Chuchupa said coyly. “Ye wanna fight with axes or fists? I do both.”
“Let’s start with fists,” Moenbryda said. Ah, this was going to be a treat! And for all that Moenbryda was close to seven fulms tall, and Chuchupa was only a little over three, she’d have to work for a win – Chuchupa didn’t intend to make it easy!
They didn’t even have to head out of the city, as Achiyo and Hoary Boulder had done – the south east gate was nigh-deserted. The moment they were able, Chuchupa threw a jab. Sure, she had to jump constantly, but low punches worked pretty well… if she were able to land one, because Moenbryda was nearly as quick as she was! Light on her feet, for a Roegadyn. It’d be a pleasure to fight in battle beside her, anytime!
The two were grinning like madwomen as they circled, trading blows with wild abandon. As at the previous duel, Thancred and Yda were eager observers, though for others there was only Achiyo and Tam and – was that Rinala arriving from the aetheryte? Girl had good timing! A few other villagers were showing up, including the Doman children again. But such things had become more commonplace around Revenant’s Toll recently, and it no longer carried the novelty it had before. Chuchupa didn’t mind. She just wanted to brawl!
“Not bad,” Moenbryda said. “For a popoto.”
“Not bad yerself,” Chuchupa answered. “Fer a Roegadame.”
“Haha! You know popotoes are for punting, right?”
“We’ll see who punts who, ye great beefy broad!”
“You tell her, Moen!” Yda called.
“They’re not really insulting each other, right?” Rinala asked Achiyo, who shook her head while trying not to laugh.
“We’re fine, kitty!” Moenbryda said. “I’m right proud of my beef, you know!”
“As well ye should,” Chuchupa said. “As fer me, I’m a hot popoto, don’t ye know? Too hot to handle!” She dodged a punch, blocked a second one with her relatively small palm, and kicked high, almost catching Moenbryda in the gut.
Things were going really well, and she was starting to burn off some of that irritating dramatic tension, when there was an unusual noise from up the hill. They looked up as a large grey chocobo galloped into the centre of Revenant’s Toll in sapphire Ishgardian barding. “Ain’t that… the lady knight, Lucia, or whoever?” Chuchupa said, squinting to see so far. “What’s she in such a hurry about?”
The other Scions traded looks. “We should head back,” Thancred said. “Who knows what tidings she brings, be it ill or fair?”
They jogged back up the hill towards the Rising Stones. “We should do this again sometime,” Chuchupa said to Moenbryda.
“It would be my great pleasure!” Moenbryda answered. “Ahh, even if I’m not required for diplomacy, I can return to my research much refreshed. Thanks for the bout!”
“Anytime, Moen!”
The four other Warriors of Light stared upwards at the rapidly disappearing Highlander, together with the companions they’d made over the last several moons. “Well, there he goes,” R’nyath said. “Happy yet?”
“Aye,” Vivienne said. “The farce is ended, and no one died. Whom we cared about, at least.”
“Not that it apparently matters to some of them,” Kekeniro said. “I may have to research more into the undead… but I never wanted to be a necromancer…”
“You know he’s just going to land completely unharmed, as he has done so many times before,” Aentfryn said.
“Oh, don’t ruin my dreams, Zwynswaensyn,” Vivienne said. “At least we won’t see him for a while. The longer the better.”
“I’ll miss him,” R’nyath said cheerfully. “In the meantime…” He began to cavort in the Manderville dance, ignoring Vivienne’s growl and facepalm.
Kekeniro was on his linkpearl. “From Ishgard? I understand. We’ll Teleport right away.” He turned to the others. “We’ve got a big mission to prepare for!”
“Good,” Vivienne said. “Perhaps you could position this ragged charletan away from me, in whatever battles arise?”
“Hey!” R’nyath said, pumping his fists like his life depended on it. “I am not ragged! I’m tousled!”
Aentfryn shook his head and began to Teleport. “Mor Dhona?”
“You’re leaving?” Briardien asked.
“Afraid so,” Vivienne said. “Urgent Scion business.”
“We’ll see you around, I’m sure!” R’nyath said. “Take care, all of you!”
“Yes, be well!” Kekeniro said.
“And to you,” Briardien said with a slight bow.
Moenbryda was dead. There was no disguising or hiding that awful, heartbreaking fact. She had given her life, body and soul for them, gambling everything to put an end to an Ascian without delay, before the Ascian could figure out a way to escape and destroy them all.
Rinala cried bitterly that evening. She hadn’t been as close to her as Yda had been, and Yda somehow went about with dry eyes… though she had a mask to aid her. But still, Rinala had admired her, had wanted to learn from her, had barely begun to get to know her. She’d wanted to learn from her knowledge of magic, learn from her knowledge of combat, get to know her as a friend. Moenbryda was taken away too soon and Rinala’s fragile heart couldn’t bear it. Even having seen what happened, as Achiyo brandished Tupsimati at the Ascian and they saw in despair that aether alone was not enough… having seen Moenbryda make her choice… It wasn’t fair!
What would happen next time? Who would they sacrifice to slay Elidibus? Or any other Ascian who just happened along? They’d met this man and killed him all in an afternoon. How many were there?
They’d all retreated to their own place to deal with the grief in their own way. She knew Thancred was blaming himself again, that Papalymo was watching Yda with the greatest concern. Chuchupa had gone to punch things, and Vivienne to stab them; Tam was on the roof somewhere; Achiyo polished her sword restlessly. Aentfryn was gone to his room with a bottle; Kekeniro with a stack of tomes; R’nyath, too, cried, his brother absent to Ul’dah and unable to support him.
So it was a surprise when Minfilia and Y’shtola, who had thrown themselves into work, came to Rinala a sennight later and asked her to take care of Yda. “I-I can hardly take care of myself…”
“You’re one of her closest friends,” Y’shtola said. “Papalymo himself has said he’s not the right person in this situation.”
“You have great delicacy and love,” Minfilia said. “We all want to do something for her… but I believe you will be able to help her the most. Will you try?”
“O-okay. I will try.” Even if she was certain she would just make things worse.
Yda wasn’t hard to find, and she jumped up when she saw Rinala coming, as if she wanted to pretend she hadn’t just been slumped in a tired heap behind the café area. “Hey, it’s Rinala! Great!”
Rinala stopped short, looking startled. “Uh? How… are you?”
Yda’s shoulders drooped. “I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s no use…” She sighed heavily. “It’s just hard, you know…? The thing is, I know Moen would tell me off if she saw me moping around like this.”
“I imagine she…” Rinala began, pretty sure that was the case but finding it a bit callous to say. Surely Moenbryda wouldn’t really expect everyone to go on instantly as normal, even if she surely wanted them to live life to the fullest without her.
“Which is why I decided to cheer myself up by getting her a special flower.”
“Oh, what kind?”
“A moon daisy, of course! I ordered one from Rowena a little while ago, and it’s ready to be picked up.” Yda hesitated, twisting her fingers together and looking away from Rinala in a way that meant she wanted to ask a favour. “The trouble is… I find Rowena a bit difficult at the best of times, and… well, this isn’t one of them. I know it’s silly, but I just can’t face it at the moment. So, I was wondering… do you think you could maybe collect it for me? I have the coin to pay for the flower right here.”
“Oh, of course,” Rinala said. “I can do that.”
“I mean, I’d want to spare you from her too, so if you want to ask Chuchupa to do it for you, you can…? I know she can deal with Rowena any day. But I… I want you to come with me when I give it to Moen, okay?”
“I’ll get it,” Rinala said firmly. “Do you… do you want a hug?”
Yda paused. “You know what? I kind of do.” And she leaned into Rinala’s arms and squeezed her, and gave a very deep sigh.
There was so much grief in her, pain Rinala couldn’t take away. At least this was something she could do. They had had their time to feel their pain privately; now they had to come together and show each other that they were fighting onwards together, that they were not alone. Yda wasn’t alone, and she didn’t have to be super strong all the time, and nor did Rinala. This was what the Scions were together for.