And BOOM goes the dramatic tension! Thanks for reading everyone! I’m going to take a break from writing for a bit to play Legend of Dragoon, but I’m sure I’ll be back with HW sooner or later!
Regarding the song Thancred and R’nyath sing at the beginning of the chapter: I was subbing for a choir earlier this year, and one of the pieces they were singing was ‘Quick, we have but a second‘ by Stanford, and I realized immediately that it fit this chapter perfectly. And I’ve been waiting for this one… Vivienne’s fight song is RichaadEB’s cover of Bad Apple!
R’inwa is actually a lot taller than R’nyath, I learned when making him into a retainer; his height is at max, and I think R’nyath’s in the bottom third of the scale.
EDIT: Vivienne’s soul crystal has broken for story purposes.
Chapter 18: Blushes and Blood Pearls
Chapter 19: The Parting Glass
The air in the Rising Stones was merry, despite everything that had happened in the last little while, despite the tension that Rinala felt in her chest like a distant thundercloud. But if the others were worried, though she suspected they were, she couldn’t tell from their demeanour. Perhaps they were pretending and putting on a good face, as the other folk at the banquet would neither know nor care about the horrible murder that had just happened, or the sinister plot behind it that no one would tell her about. She didn’t begrudge them maintaining her ignorance; she was terrible with secrets, only… she wanted to know what to be worried about, and also she was just curious!
But, preparing to go en masse to the banquet in Ul’dah in the evening, they worked quickly and cheerfully, wholeheartedly embracing the celebration of the defense of Ishgard and the renewing of… something, between Ishgard and everyone else. And as they finished for the morning, one by one they gathered around the bar F’lhaminn and Higiri were tending for lunch, and the smiles grew brighter and the laughter more easy.
The light strum of a guitar caught her attention, and she turned to see Thancred had certainly finished his duties and was coming to entertain them. A mischievous twinkle was in his eye as he began to sing fast and lilting. “Quick! We have but a second, fill round the cup while you may, for time, the churl, hath beckoned and we must away, away!”
“Oh, I know this one!” R’nyath cried, and joined in harmony, batting his eyes at Achiyo. “Grasp the pleasure that’s flying for oh, not Siren’s strain could keep sweet hours from dying or charm them to life again.”
Rinala found herself gasping in delight at the rapid stream of melody that wound sinuously around them, flirting with her ears and inviting her to dance. Forget the Homunculi – she’d never had much interest in Elezen anyway, too tall for her – all she desired in music was right here. Achiyo had raised an eyebrow at the attention directed towards her, and R’nyath took it as encouragement, leaning closer until she pushed him away with a gentle, lady-like huff.
“See the glass, how it flushes like some young Nophica’s lip and half meets thine, and blushes that thou shouldst delay to sip. Shame, oh, shame unto thee if e’er thou seest that day when a cup or a lip shall woo thee and turn untouched away.” R’nyath instantly changed targets and leaned on Thancred’s shoulder, inclining them both towards Rinala with dazzling smiles and a wink, and she blushed and giggled hysterically, making everyone else laugh. “Then quick! We have but a second, fill round the cup while you may, for time, the churl, hath beckoned and we must away, away!”
“How lovely,” Minfilia said. “Thank you for playing such a perfect song ere we go!”
“Sounds like a song ye’d sing afore bed,” Chuchupa said. “Ye bringin’ the guitar for tonight?”
“Alas, no,” Thancred said. “If needs be, I’m sure I can find another, but you know I travel light.”
“Then let us follow the song’s advice, and away, away!” R’nyath said. “Tally-ho! Allons-y!”
“Don’t rush us!” Yda said, laughing. “I don’t want to forget anything! Okay, now we can go.”
“What did Alianne want?” Tam asked as Rinala jogged up to rejoin the him and Achiyo at the Royal Promenade.
“Oh, I didn’t see her,” Rinala said, panting to catch her breath. “Why are you still here? Isn’t the Sultana waiting?”
Tam frowned. “You didn’t see her? What happened?”
“Well, I went out to the rail station like Momodi said, but she wasn’t there. I found some old bottle, though, maybe she dropped it? But then I saw Laurentius and he said he hadn’t seen her.” She brightened with the memory. “He was really nice. He’s a lot nicer than when he was wicked. I’m glad.”
“Hm,” was all Tam said. “At least you’re here now. Vivienne’s still late.” Their Dark Knight had insisted there was something she needed to do before arriving at the party, and Aentfryn had ducked out of going at all. Chuchupa and R’nyath were down in the party with the other senior Scions, and Kekeniro… was probably still reading, truth be told. Brilliant at strategy, awkward with politics, and introverted to the core, he was probably a lot happier there, even if Ser Aymeric would certainly ask after those not present.
“We cannot wait for her longer,” Achiyo said. “She will arrive when she arrives.”
“That’s the right attitude!” Tam said, and Rinala rolled her eyes at him.
The Sultana’s handmaiden beckoned for the three of them to follow her, and led them through corridors to a very elegant but very comfortable room – the Sultana’s bedchamber. The Sultana awaited them at a little dining table, set with sweets and drinks. When they had seated themselves across from her, she smiled at the handmaiden. “You may go.”
The handmaiden bowed and left, and Nanamo waited until she was gone before turning to the three of them. “You must be curious as to the reason for this private audience. The matter I would discuss, however, will soon make apparent the need for discretion.” She paused, the smile fading from her face, and it was with a steely look that she declared: “I intend to abdicate the throne and dissolve the monarchy.”
“What!?” Rinala blurted out. “Sorry- Forgive me, Your Grace, I was…”
Tam interrupted her. “For what purpose… Your Grace?”
Achiyo said nothing, but her eyes spoke concern.
Nanamo looked away unhappily. “You have seen for yourself the storm of turmoil that howls through our streets. The government fails in its responsibilities, and my subjects suffer the consequences of our incompetence.” She raised her head with determination. “But I will see them suffer no longer. The victory feast shall provide the stage on which I declare the dissolution of the sultanate. ‘Tis mine intent that the ruling class of our golden city should take its place beside the common man in a fair and equitable republic. No more shall this nation bow to the whims of a privileged few. Yet… that which I propose will entail the tearing up of this city’s very foundations. And even Raubahn with all his strength and influence will be hard-pressed to keep his footing on such treacherous ground. Thus would I ask you to lend him a steadying hand. You who have endured the wrath of innumerable foes are the only heroes in whom I can place my trust. Will you do this thing for me?”
She was so confident, so noble and idealistic, that Rinala nearly said yes before she was finished.
“No,” Tam said immediately. “I don’t play an accessory to stupid ideas.”
Nanamo’s face clouded in anger. “And what, pray tell, is so stupid about it??”
“You think that dissolving the monarchy will fix everything?” Tam had an incredulous smile on his face. “Where did you get that idea? Are you going to dissolve the economy, next?”
“Tam,” Achiyo said. “You are being unconscionably rude, and I will throw you out myself if you don’t apologize.”
Tam shrugged and rolled his eyes. “I don’t care, it’s not my country. Go ahead! Hand it to your enemies on a golden platter, it’s none of my business!”
Achiyo gritted her teeth, and Rinala sensed that she was restraining herself from punishing Tam in an effort not to be rude herself. “I apologize deeply, Your Grace. I will not make excuses for him, but I am very sorry he came.”
The Sultana took a deep breath or two, calming herself down as well. “There is merit in what he says. But do you think I had not thought that the Monetarists will simply try to buy whatever and whomever they desire, without even my feeble hands to dissuade them? There will be rules.”
“They’ll buy the rules,” Tam muttered.
“Master Salmaiire,” Nanamo said, incredibly patiently. “My mind is made up. Ul’dah must become a republic. But Raubahn will still be Flame General, and he will be all alone. I do not ask that you approve or disapprove of my decisions, nor for your aid in the transition itself. All I ask is that you stand by him and give him strength.”
Tam raised his hands with a sigh. “All right, all right. It’s not like I have anything better to do anyway. I’m not saving your city when it implodes into a total oligarchy, though.”
“That is all I could wish for,” Nanamo said coolly, and turned to the others. “And you?”
“I will help Raubahn,” Rinala said. She couldn’t really say Raubahn was her favourite Grand Company leader out loud, it sounded childish, but he was.
“And I as well,” Achiyo said.
The Sultana’s face melted from cold worry into a tremulous smile. “I am truly grateful. More grateful than I can well express. Much of my dread for the coming days has been quieted…” She reached for her goblet, as did they all.
The goblet fell with a bell-like clangour from shaking hands, casting a spray of crimson red wine like blood across the rich carpet, as Nanamo clutched at her throat, gasping, choking. She reached out for them, tottered, and fell to the floor. The rattle of her crown as it rolled away was shatteringly loud.
“NANAMO!” shrieked Rinala, springing from her chair to snatch up the staff she’d leaned against the wall by the door. The others jumped to their feet, but she was the healer, she could help- She cast Esuna – had it no effect!? Cure-
She screamed again as the door slammed open, revealing Teledji Adeledji and a dozen or so Brass Blades. The diminutive lord gave an exaggerated gasp upon seeing the Sultana’s prone form. “Your Grace!?” He hurried closer, shoving Rinala aside as she stared at him in shock – how – why- “Her Grace… the Sultana… is dead.” He whirled upon the three Warriors of Light. “You! You did this!”
“Teledji Adeledji!” Achiyo cried in a voice like thunder. “You know full well we would not – for you did this! How dare you!”
Nanamo… was dead?
“Spare us your desperate falsehoods!” Teledji squawked in righteous indignation. “I see no other suspects, and the room has but the one entrance! I hereby accuse you of regicide! Men, arrest these vipers!”
Nanamo… was dead. It was beginning to sink in, the impossible, awful truth, and Rinala burst into tears in the middle of the room, dropping her staff to cover her face.
Someone shoved her viciously, and she stumbled to her knees, but they were grabbing at her arms, forcing them behind her, binding her wrists-
“No!” Achiyo cried, and she heard the ring of her sword. “Do not touch her, she is innocent! I will strike you down if you do!”
“Of course you would not balk at murdering the common soldier, after murdering a sultana!” Teledji sputtered. “Come quietly, or you will regret it!”
But Rinala heard fighting, heard at least one scream of pain from a Brass Blade, heard Achiyo gasp as they overwhelmed her by sheer weight. She couldn’t see, could hardly even hear, as they dragged her away, all she could think was – Nanamo is dead.
They were captured by Brass Blades, but handed over to Crystal Braves. Rinala couldn’t stop crying silently, but what attention she could muster she gave to Achiyo, who had been struck on the head during the fight and was stumbling, half-senseless, through the corridors.
They were brought to the Fragrant Chamber and tossed in, unceremoniously, by Ilberd himself. There was a dead silence from everyone watching, except for her sniffles. How many were watching, she had no idea. All the Scions and national leaders, she would imagine. Out of the blurry corner of her eye, she saw R’nyath try to step forwards and a blue-coated soldier move to stop him.
Ilberd was saying something official sounding, probably accusing them of the crimes they were supposed to have committed.
“This is madness!” Minfilia objected loudly, echoed by the other Scions. Chuchupa was using incredibly rude words that were probably not allowed in the Fragrant Chamber, but… she couldn’t blame her. Though… Ser Aymeric was not there, none of the Ishgardians were there. Where were they?
“What a pity,” Ilberd said more quietly to them. “Who’d have thought your tale would end like this?” She wanted to give him a witty retort, something like Thancred might have said, but she was choked with tears, Achiyo was still dazed, and Tam… didn’t seem to feel like it, for once. The Elezen was simply sitting where they’d thrown him down, watching everything quietly. Waiting for something.
“Should you demand further proof, a vial with traces of the substance used to poison Her Grace was found upon the Miqo’te’s person,” Teledji Adeledji said haughtily, and Laurentius held up the bottle she’d found when she went to see Alianne.
Tam sighed with an exasperated tone. How was she to know she shouldn’t have kept it!? It might have been a clue! It might not have been related to anything! More tears streamed down her face, and she hiccuped.
Y’shtola snorted. “How very convenient.”
“You would speak of convenience?” Teledji mocked her. “Who persuaded Her Grace to host this celebration? A diversion which presented you and your confederates ample opportunity to commit the crime, and a crowd within which to fade from view! A more ‘convenient’ occasion I could scarcely imagine!”
“I’m sorry, whose idea was it for this party?” R’nyath snapped, tail bristling.
“You… you…” Achiyo breathed, but she was still barely conscious, unable to channel her fury.
“I’d like to ask a question, not that the answer matters to anyone,” Tam said. “Why would we want to kill an ally?”
“You tell us!” Teledji pointed at him. “You did it!”
“How dare you!” Minfilia shouted. “After all we have done for Ul’dah!”
“Hold your tongue, witch!” Teledji snarled. “I’ll not be ensorcelled! I know all about the dark gift that you and your disciples wield! Oh, yes… I’ve observed how you worked upon the minds of the Alliance leaders, bending them to your will! And what of your cordial relationship with Ser Aymeric? For years, Ishgard abjured all contact with the outside world, and within moons the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights treats you with the familiarity of a childhood friend! I’ll tell you what I think – I think this desperate defense of Ishgard was but a ruse to deceive us into dividing our forces. Your next move will be to charm your Coethan allies into invading our lands!”
“Ye ranting imbecile!” Chuchupa frowned, starting to storm up to Teledji, but again, soldiers blocked her. “I’d keelhaul ye fer the bilgewater tripe and thrice fer the treachery!”
“Now that is truly ridiculous,” Papalymo said.
“How do you even think of this stuff!? What evidence do you have!?” Yda exclaimed. Rinala’s tears were beginning to stem. She wanted to slap Teledji. Or burn him alive. Or both. His insane ranting on top of her grief was igniting her own anger.
“They’re turning belligerent!” Teledji cried to his guards. “Protect me!” Chuchupa snarled, bouncing from foot to foot as if she wanted to launch into action instantly, and only Minfilia and Achiyo’s presence dissuaded her.
Raubahn was still in shock. “She… she cannot be dead…” He began to move slowly towards the door, like a man in a dream, but he snapped out of it soon enough when Ilberd moved to block his way. “Stand aside, Ilberd! I want to see the sultana!”
“Spare yourself the pain, brother,” Ilberd said. “I saw her with my own eyes. For a mercy, the poison took her swiftly – her handmaiden can attest to that.”
All eyes turned to the handmaiden, who shrank back from the force of Raubahn’s stare, shaking her head sadly.
Raubahn put a hand to his head. “This cannot be…” He fell to his knees and slammed his fists upon the floor. “Nanamo…!!” He howled in a storm of unquenchable, heart-broken grief.
Ilberd looked down upon him for a moment, then marched back out the door.
“Plainly, the Royalists can no longer be relied upon to keep our nation safe,” Teledji mocked him. “And so it falls to the Monetarists of the Syndicate to govern Ul’dah. But should you wish to help us, General, we would be more than happy to entrust the task of planning Her Grace’s funeral to you.” He crossed his arms with a sick smirk. “It seems only right that you should bury your precious sultana, and we will be glad to be rid of that burden.”
Rinala gasped, small but echoing in the sudden silence. Raubahn raised his head, looking more than ever like an angry bull. “I’ll bet you will. You more than any man.”
“Whatever do you mean?” inquired Teledji, still smirking.
“I mean you had her killed, you black-hearted bastard!” Raubahn roared, pointing a trembling figure at the Lalafell.
“What rot! …Though I did have sufficient motive, ’tis true. That young lady caused me no end of grief. She always was a most unwilling puppet. I daresay Her Grace was grateful that someone thought to cut her strings!”
“You would mock her? THEN MOCK HER FROM HELL!”
It was swift – one moment Raubahn was kneeling, the next he had drawn both swords, slicing Teledji Adeledji in two in one clean stroke. The body thumped to the floor in two parts, blood splashing thickly upon the stone tiles.
The crowd of guests screamed, and began to flee. In minutes, the nobles and civilians were gone, leaving only soldiers and those determined to fight.
“Have you lost your mind, General!?” Lolorito exclaimed, running into Raubahn’s line of sight – a good ways out of reach. “It is forbidden to draw steel in the royal chambers, much less slaughter our fellow Syndicate members!” He paused, then gasped. “You’re one of them! You’ve been in league with the Scions all along!”
Tam bonked his head on the floor.
“YOU!” roared Raubahn. “You’re next, you scheming bastard!” Rinala cowered in fear. There was nothing left of the General she admired and respected. This was a terrible, grief-stricken demon for whom there was nothing left to lose.
Raubahn charged Lolorito. Ilberd stepped into his path, and a horrible scream rang out. A severed arm fell in front of Rinala and she shrieked – it was Raubahn’s.
Dimly, she heard the other leaders finally quitting the scene, the Admiral cursing all the way. But all her attention was on Raubahn’s defeated figure, kneeling in agony.
“How unlike you, old friend,” Ilberd said. “I did not expect to take your arm so easily.”
“Take the Scions into custody!” Lolorito commanded. “They have conspired to commit regicide! And arrest this traitor as well!” He pointed at Raubahn.
She finally found her voice, and cried out, shrill and hysterical, as even more soldiers surrounded them, both Brass Blades and Crystal Braves. “We did not! We didn’t do it! I swear to the Twelve and by Hydaelyn herself, we did not poison anyone!”
“Save it,” snarled the soldier closest to her.
“She was my Sultana! I’d sooner kill myself!”
“Ilberd!” Raubahn growled. “I hope you choke on their coin!”
Ilberd’s face hardened. “’Tis better than the dirt I’ve supped on these long years. We can’t all abandon Ala Mhigo and become great war heroes as you have.” Raubahn was silent, and she could only imagine the look on his face. “You are not the man you once were, Raubahn. Since that girl strapped the yoke around your neck, you’ve become docile. She took the mad bull and cut off his balls. And a bull that cannot rut is fit for naught but slaughter.”
Ilberd let Raubahn’s silence hang in the air for a moment, then knelt before him. “Shall I tell you who really killed your precious sultana? …It was me.”
Raubahn froze for a moment, then dove for his sword single-handed. “You… you dog!!” And he smote a blow that shattered the tiles upon which Ilberd had been standing. Ilberd dodged, then dodged, and dodged again, then counterattacked with a blow that sent aether whizzing through the chamber. Y’shtola flung up a shield before the Scions, just in time, but Rinala felt its impact around the walls of the room. Many of the soldiers surrounding them fell, and those who did not, fled.
Raubahn had been sent tumbling backwards, and he landed beside Rinala. She flinched, but he cut the chains that bound her with a single stab. She looked up and saw the eyes of her General again, grey and agonized and furious, but no longer out of control. “I never doubted you,” he said. “Not for a moment. But there is more to this than I yet understand.” He cut Achiyo’s and Tam’s bonds as well. “Flee this place. Clear your names. Find out who is behind this plot! Now go!”
“Be careful!” Rinala cried, and grabbed her staff, casting a quick Regen on Raubahn and one on Achiyo, and followed Minfilia and the others out onto the Royal Promenade. Behind her, she heard Raubahn roar and Ilberd charge. She didn’t look back.
They rushed out and down the stairs. She didn’t know where they were going, or what they were going to do when they got there. She only had the wits to follow the others.
Someone was running towards them- Thancred! “Ah, there you are!”
“Thancred!” exclaimed Y’shtola. “Where have you been?”
Thancred grinned and shrugged. “Avoiding the fumbling advances of some very persistent admirers.” He gestured that they should keep moving in the same direction, though they slowed to speak. “When I realized the celebrations had turned sour, it seemed prudent to slip away and take stock of the situation. ‘Twould appear that much of the city is already under tight guard. It occurs to me that expanding the Brass Blades’ authority may not have been such a wonderful idea after all…”
Papalymo frowned. “The success of this plan was contingent upon those thugs having the run of the place. Just how long has this scheme been in motion?”
“The careful preparations, the maneuvering of forces…” Y’shtola shook her head and twitched her ears. “I am inclined to agree with the general’s assumption that a deeper plot exists here.”
“A lot of it was opportunistic,” Tam said. “Unless you think someone orchestrated Merlwyb and Kan-E into being stingy with their forces for Ishgard to bait Raubahn into extending too far. No, that was a guess on their part.”
Yda pounded her fist into her palm. “So… would I be right in thinking we now have an excuse to pummel as many Brass Blades and Crystal Braves as we like?”
“Aye!” Chuchupa cried. “That’s a plan I can get behind!”
Papalymo glared at the two fistfighters. “Unless you plan on pummeling them all, I’m not sure that will greatly aid our cause.”
Minfilia sighed anxiously. “The sultana’s assassination was but one part of the scheme. We too were its targets. And though we did not share poor Nanamo’s fate, we are yet hobbled by the charges laid at our door. Where now might we seek refuge?”
“Where indeed,” said Papalymo. “We may safely assume that our foe has thought to have the Rising Stones watched.”
“Uh-oh,” said R’nyath. “I hope everyone who was there is all right!”
Thancred came to a halt in the middle of the passage and folded his arms. “Forgive me for stating the obvious, but our choice of destination will matter little if we cannot secure an escape route out of Ul’dah.” He quirked an eyebrow and gestured to a side passage. “Happily, I believe I can provide one. Papashan once told me about the passages hidden in the walls of the palace. If I recall correctly, the fireplace in Nanamo’s chambers conceals the entrance to a tunnel.” He smiled hopefully. “It should lead outside the city, and allow us to avoid any messy confrontations.”
Before they could slip away out of the intersection, there was a shout down the hall, and soldiers came running towards them, both blue and red.
“I hope they didn’t hear that last part,” R’nyath said.
“How can we come to the secret passage unseen?” Achiyo asked Thancred.
Yda turned away from them, grabbing her brassknuckles and taking a defensive position below a gate in the corridor. “The rest of you go on ahead,” she said. “I’ll handle this lot!”
“By yourself!?” demanded Papalymo. Yda gave him an unwontedly grim look. Papalymo sighed and smiled. “I suppose I shall just have to join you.”
“Crystal Braves too, huh?” Yda said, scanning their incoming adversaries. “Now this should be interesting!”
“Yda, Papalymo!” Minfilia called. But before she could so much as reach out to them, Papalymo had shot a Fire spell at the gate in the ceiling, jarring it loose and sending it crashing down between them. No amount of muscle was going to lift it in time to get them through.
“We will hold our pursuers here,” he said. “Hurry, now! Find this tunnel of Thancred’s!”
“But how will you-!” Rinala cried out, fear seizing her heart. She loved Yda like a sister, and she didn’t want Papalymo to be hurt either! But it was too late to save them from this side…
“Fight well,” Achiyo called, and beckoned the others onward.
But Thancred saw that neither of them were moving. “Minfilia! Rinala! We cannot linger!”
Minfilia hesitated a breath more; Papalymo was beginning to cast, Yda was bouncing in readiness. Then she turned, grabbed Rinala’s hand, and ran after Thancred and the others.
The tunnel behind Nanamo’s fireplace was dark, sooty, and narrow. Thancred had grabbed a lamp from the Sultana’s bedchamber to aid them, and they descended a long, tightly spiraling flight of stairs into an ancient waterway running underneath the city. Rinala had no idea where they were, or where it would lead them, but Tam took the lamp and strode ahead confidently, and if he could do so while there was water under his feet, she could too. Except there was debris in the water, missing flagstones, extra stones fallen from the ceiling, and she stubbed her sandaled toes several times in the dark water.
“I never knew such a watercourse existed beneath Ul’dah,” Minfilia said softly.
“Nor I,” said Rinala. It was so old, thousands of years, maybe. Yet it still stood…
“The architecture is of the Sil’dihn style, if I am not mistaken,” Y’shtola said, gesturing to a carven load-bearing column. “The ancients plainly foresaw the need for a ready means of escape.”
“What a novel idea,” Tam said sarcastically. “Stop lagging behind, or do you want them to catch up?”
“What, we’re in the secret tunnel!” Chuchupa said.
“I think he means surely Thancred’s not the only one in all Ul’dah who knows about this passage,” R’nyath said, trotting after Tam.
Rinala’s ears pricked, the other Miqo’te’s ears twitched, and Tam half-turned. They’d heard distant splashing footsteps.
“Well, that didn’t take long,” Thancred said sardonically. “Seems Tam and R’nyath are correct.”
Y’shtola stopped. “You go on ahead. Thancred and I will deal with this.” Thancred nodded at her with a carefree smile and stepped back to join her.
“What? No!” Rinala cried, tears starting into her eyes again. “We already left Yda and Papalymo behind.”
“Y’shtola, Thancred, please!” Minfilia begged them.
Y’shtola’s gaze was fiercely determined. “We only do that which is required to ensure that the dawn’s light survives to brighten the morrow. You are the only ones who can defeat the Ascians, after all.”
Rinala reached out and took their sleeves. “Please, at least let us fight with you!”
“Do you mean for the seven of us to defeat an entire army?” Y’shtola said, sarcastic yet not unkind.
“Seven is more than two! And we’re the Warriors of Light! I can fight, I can…”
“Rinala,” said Thancred, so affectionately, and pulled her into a hug. She clung to him, feeling his warmth, his breath, his voice. “I need you to take care of Minfilia for me, until I get back, all right?”
Take care of the person he truly loved, she understood. Though her heart half-broke, she nodded, blinking away tears, and froze momentarily as he kissed the top of her head between her ears. “It will be all right,” he said softly. “We’re just going to make sure that you’re safe first.” He turned to the others, smiling, teasing, as if everything was truly going to be all right. “Fear not, Antecedent! You haven’t seen the last of these fair features.”
“My friends…” Minfilia gasped.
“Fare thee well, until next time!” Thancred put Rinala away from him and took a few steps further down the tunnel, drawing his daggers and spinning them as he settled into a ready position.
“Leave us!” Y’shtola commanded, drawing her wand, R’nyath grabbed Rinala’s hand, and they fled further down the tunnel, wherever it led.
They’d only run for maybe two minutes when Minfilia stopped short with a gasp, as if tugged by a string. “Hydaelyn… She speaks to me.”
“I heard nothing,” Achiyo said. “Are you sure?”
Rinala hadn’t heard anything in her heart, but it was troubled and confused by her worry for those fighting for her, so that was no surprise.
“No!” Minfilia cried, as if speaking to someone else. But a moment later, she bowed her head in acceptance, and turned to the Warriors of Light. “I must remain behind… but you cannot stay with me.”
“This is gettin’ ridiculous!” Chuchupa exclaimed. “We should never have split up even at the start!”
“Thancred asked me – told me to take care of you!” Rinala said, fighting not to break down. Just a little more, just a little longer…
“Please, you must go on!” Minfilia told them. “You are the Warriors of Light! You are hope – for the Scions, and for all the realm! As long as your flame continues to burn, the light of the dawn may ever be relit!”
“An’ what are ye, chopped liver!?” Chuchupa demanded. “Ye’ve done plenty o’ relightin’ yerself!”
“No, you must escape, and save Eorzea from those who would plunge it into darkness! ‘Tis the only way.” She turned her back to them with finality, and ran back to where Thancred and Y’shtola had left them.
“Minfilia!” Achiyo cried, but she was gone. And the tunnel shook, violently, and when the water settled, all was still and quiet. Not even her footsteps could be heard.
“Come on,” Tam said grimly. “Let’s see if we can salvage anything of this clusterhive. And hope the Rising Stones hasn’t been razed.”
Vivienne had finally returned to the Rising Stones. She was late, very late, for the celebrations in Ul’dah, and partly because she was of two minds about it. On one hand, she disliked people, and large groups of people in one place at one time, being inane and insipid and noisy, was the opposite of an enjoyable time. On the other hand… this was the most recognition they’d gotten for any of their deeds, and they’d earned it. They’d worked hard for this one. She’d nearly lost a leg in the battle on the Steps of Faith, for Althyk’s sake. And so she meant to stand up there with those horrible annoying people and say to them ‘A Duskwight did this. My people are valid. You have to earn my respect, not the other way around.’
So it was mildly annoying to her that the organizers had decided to schedule it on the same day as a very important anniversary to her.
She slammed down a drink before preparing to Teleport to Ul’dah… and stopped. There were unusual noises from the Seventh Heaven upstairs. It reminded her far too much of… “Higiri.”
“Vivienne-dono?” The shy culinarian looked up, startled.
“Find the others and tell them to leave, now.” She drew her sword and stalked towards the front entrance.
“Are we under attack-”
“Now!” she commanded in a hissing whisper, and the door was kicked in. Beyond were Crystal Braves, brandishing spears and axes, clearly out for blood.
“Put down your weapon! You’re under arrest, Scion scum!” shouted one of them. “This building is now under the authority of the Crystal Braves!”
She swung her greatsword with a feral grin, a dark light igniting in her eyes. “NOT TODAY, ARSEHOLES!!”
And she charged, her long black hair streaming behind her. Blue coats flinched, fury and greed in their eyes, but it was nothing compared to her fury. She didn’t care who it was; no one drew steel in the place she had claimed as her own and just walked away. But to be honest, she wasn’t surprised that it was the Crystal Braves trying this. Had she and Aentfryn not discussed what a terrible idea this was many a time!?
Higiri had hurried away into the back rooms. As far as she could remember, Tataru and F’lhaminn were out in the market, enjoying an evening off of their own; Hoary, Coultenet, and R’inwa were with them so even if they were accosted, they were probably fine. But many Domans were in the building, Higiri, Hozan, Homei, the four children-! And Isildaure. Even if she carved a bloody path through their attackers, could they all escape with only Higiri to protect them?
Bugger it. They would if she had anything to say about it.
“Vivienne!” Ah, it was Kekeniro. What was he still doing here!?
“What are you still doing here!?” she demanded, parrying a lance and kicking another man in the balls.
“I was reading- that’s not important!” There was Titan-egi beside her, blasting earth aether into their attackers. As long as she could hold the door, everything would be fine. But there was no backdoor. If they got in, everyone would be slaughtered over her cooling body. Summoner spells began to fly over her shoulder. “I’ve got your back!”
This was like her childhood nightmare all over again, the one that had stolen her parents and left her with an infant brother to take care of twenty years ago exactly. Only this time the man-shaped monsters had found an even greater monster with sharper claws. “This was a really bad day to try this!” She flexed, feeling Darkness flooding her body, and hacked, slashed, spun, her greatsword carving wheels of bloody destruction through any blue coat foolish enough to step through that door. Lances split and swords shattered against hers, which glowed hotter the more it drank of the darkness – and her rage and hate were burning brighter than they had since Bahamut.
She laughed, maniacally, ignoring the wounds she was taking through her armour, and Kekeniro’s pitiful attempts to heal them, ignoring the civilians huddled in the back of the room, watching her in terror. Darkness swirled around her as she unleashed everything she had on these godsdamned intruders!
Though a good half-dozen of them had died to her blade and to Kekeniro’s spells, their bodies piling on the stairs and dripping blood down them, they were not relenting. She could feel blood flowing down her as well, warm and wet inside her gloves, her left leg, her right side, but she couldn’t feel pain right now.
“Vivienne!” Kekeniro cried. “We have to go! I can’t keep you up much longer!”
“Then I’ll finish this myself!” she snarled back viciously. They just kept coming, and if she could not make a gap for the civilians…
“We found another way out!” Higiri called. “Come, quickly!”
“Vivienne!” Kekeniro pleaded.
She would not go, not when she could win-
A spear thrust into her chest, and she was driven back, but somehow it had not penetrated her armour-
A sharp cracking feeling, as if in her very soul – her soul crystal-
She reeled, growling, feeling where her crystal had been smashed into shards, evaporating into raw aether through her armour. She could not fight like this, not well, not with such a shock. “Fine!” She slashed one last time, horizontally, catching one last woman in the stomach and sending her to join her fellows on the floor, her lifeblood spilling out over them.
They surged forward as she drew back; soon she would have to run or they’d be all around her. Ah, but Titan-egi blocked them, holding them back with his body. Kekeniro was already running after Higiri. It was no sacrifice; he could summon the egi again later, no worse for wear. She sprinted after Kekeniro, finding him scrambling through a third-story window in the tower to the rear, climbing down a rope ladder that had appeared from somewhere. One of Yugiri’s shinobi appeared in the window once she’d landed on the rooftop, and cast the ladder down after them, then vanished in a puff of smoke, appearing beside them most disconcertingly.
“Come on,” Kekeniro said. “Aentfryn will meet us at Camp Dragonhead.”
“Camp Dragonhead?” Vivienne asked pointedly, and then she had to hold her tongue as they hurried off the roof, down another ladder, through a back alley, and into the home of one of the Domans, out of sight. It took an agonizingly long time with the elderly.
“They’ll be neutral,” Kekeniro said, casting another weak Physic the moment they stopped moving. “The Crystal Braves operate within the Eorzean Alliance… but I really doubt that Ishgard will help them, at least in regards to us. Not if Ser Aymeric has anything to say about it.”
“Very well,” Vivienne said. Her wounds were beginning to sting, even with his healing, and she suspected it was only going to get worse. “You there, are you staying or coming?”
“We will stay,” said Yugiri’s shinobi. “They do not want us, only the Scions and the Warriors of Light. We will protect the civilians.”
“I could not make the journey anyway,” Homei said. “Save yourselves, young ones.”
Vivienne looked at the Lalafell. “Right. Let’s go before they start banging on doors.”
“Can we get to our chocobos?” Kekeniro asked anxiously.
Althyk’s blood, she felt faint from blood loss. Kekeniro was still working away at mending her skin, the bleeding almost stopped, but it wasn’t like the blood she’d already lost would just come back. Not without a proper chirurgeon’s attention, anyway. After that she desperately needed a new crystal, and she had no idea where to find one. She’d only found hers by chance, and the thought that she’d have to fight unaided filled her with yet more rage and despair. “We’ll get to them. Follow me.”
The end of the tunnel was not too much longer, but Rinala no longer had the heart to care as they clambered out over ruins to stand beneath a starry sky. They were come out of the Ruins of Sil’dih, near to the Coffer and Coffin, and they trudged quickly up the cliff to the main road. Tam had put out the lamp as they came into the open, but now they heard running footsteps and froze, guiltily.
Two figures hurried out of the dark, a slim one, and a short one. The slim one skidded to a halt, panting hard. “I-I am glad to see you safe, my friends. What of the others?” Alphinaud had drawn his hood over his head, no doubt to hide his face and distinctive hair. He put it back now, wiping sweat from his brow.
“They stayed behind to let us escape,” Achiyo said.
“E’en though ’tis foolishness!” Chuchupa burst out. “Should’ve let us stay behind so they could escape! Godsdamn heroes!”
Alphinaud gritted his teeth and made an angry gesture. “Curses! Teledji played me for a fool! I thought the Crystal Braves mine til the very moment I felt the blade at my neck…”
“Yes, yes, let’s do the soul searching later,” Tam interrupted. “Pipin Tarupin, I presume?”
The armoured Lalafell, whose helmet was oddly similar to Raubahn’s, nodded. “Aye. And you must be Tam Salmaiire. For now, let us put some malms between us and Ul’dah.”
“Already taken care of,” Tam said, and Rinala turned to look as she sensed the creak of cartwheels and the plodding of chocobo feet, and the carriage that was regularly scheduled between Ul’dah and Gridania pulled up alongside them a few moments later in haste.
A Hyur was hanging out of it in a yellow tunic; Bremondt, wasn’t it? She’d met him a few times in Gridania, but she knew his brother Brendt better. “Well, would you look who it is! Need a ride? I doubt it’ll be half as excitin’ as the last trip we took – not if I have anythin’ to say about it, anyway!”
R’nyath gasped and pointed back towards the city. “They’re coming. They know we got away.” Distant lights twinkled in the night, torches rushing down to the bridge. They couldn’t see them from this distance… but they would be discovered in fifteen minutes, less if they were on chocoboback.
“Get in the cart,” Achiyo ordered. “We must leave now.”
“Let’s not dawdle, eh?” said Bremondt. “All aboard!”
As the great city passed behind cliffs and out of sight, Alphinaud bowed his head and retreated into himself. Rinala curled up, wrapped her tail around her knees, now of all times unable to cry. After everything… after everyone… she was just numb.
Nanamo was dead. Raubahn was maimed and in danger of death at the hands of a traitor. Ul’dah was fallen to the Monetarists, and they would find little aid from Limsa Lominsa or Gridania either. Yda, Papalymo, Thancred, Y’shtola, and Minfilia were all missing, and even if they survived… how would they reunite? And if they were overwhelmed, would they be imprisoned, or simply slain?
R’nyath stroked her back, trying to be comforting, but he had no words. No one had words.
“How did you know to come find us?” Alphinaud asked Bremondt eventually, a little tremulous.
“Ah, I was stockin’ up on supplies over in Vesper Bay, you see, when your sister come up an’ begged a favour. Said her brother was havin’ some trouble down in Ul’dah, an’ likely needed a helpin’ hand gettin’ away. Thinkin’ them ruins would make a fine hidin’ place, I decided to try there first… an’ lo an’ behold, there you were. Aye, an’ judgin’ by them soldiers as were pourin’ out of the city, I arrived not a moment too soon…”
Alphinaud shook his head. “I had thought to look out for Alisaie, but ‘twould appear she was the one watching over me. I’ve made such a mess of things…”
Tam shrugged. “She only did as I asked. In fact, I had to tell her in no uncertain terms not to come down and rescue you herself.”
Alphinaud sobbed a short laugh. “I can well imagine.”
“And who in the hells are ye?” Chuchupa asked of the armoured Lalafell.
The Lalafell pulled off his helmet, revealing a surprising amount of flowing light brown hair, and saluted. “Pipin Tarupin, Vice Marshal of the Immortal Flames. I’d been on the Ala Mhigan front these past few moons, but an urgent communication called me back to Ul’dah. Scarce had my boots touched the cobbles, though, when the streets erupted with cries of assassination. I immediately went in search of answers, and came across Master Alphinaud here. Needless to say, I did not think his imprisonment justified.” He folded his arms with a livid look. “The blame plainly lies with the Monetarists. Their greed and corruption are well known to me, but for them to take advantage of the situation with such alacrity…”
“Pipin, you said?” Bremondt asked. “Ain’t that the name of General Aldynn’s lad?”
Pipin nodded. “Yes, I am his son. Adopted, of course. ‘Twas only as we were leaving Ul’dah that I learned of Father’s fate. Once I have seen you a safe distance away, I mean to return to the city and extricate him from this madness.”
Bremondt nodded cheerfully. “Then you needn’t travel no further than Black Brush – our fugitives have a friend waitin’ for ’em there.” He sat back and nodded at Tam.
Alphinaud sighed heavily. “I dreamed of bringing about Eorzea’s salvation, but in the end… ‘Twas I who needed saving.” He looked tired and old.
Tam shrugged. “You can’t save everyone. I’m sorry I couldn’t save Nanamo. She was a nice girl, even if not the smartest monarch.”
Alphinaud looked up at him miserably. “You knew. This whole time, you knew!”
Tam huffed a sigh. “I knew some of it. I didn’t know everything. I foresaw some of the things that came to pass, yes, and I managed to mitigate our own fates, though I didn’t plan on giant crystals butting in. Farther than that…” He sighed again, and longer. “This was a big mess, Alphinaud. There was only so much I could do to control it without giving away my presence and making things worse. And I’ll only interfere far enough that you can handle yourself anyway.”
Alphinaud bowed his head, looking more guilty than ever. If Rinala hadn’t been so empty, she might have spoken up in his emotional defense, but she had not the strength, nor would Tam listen to her. There was no point. Might as well scold a tree for growing sideways.
Achiyo cleared her throat delicately. “Who is this friend we are meeting? Where will we go once we meet them? Do you have a plan for that as well?”
“So many questions,” Tam said.
“I’m weary of being expected to follow blindly,” Achiyo said sharply. “And after all that has happened, I want to take some hold of my own destiny.”
“All right then. I’ll grant your wish… this time. We’re meeting Cid. We’ll be going to Camp Dragonhead; Haurchefant is expecting us. We will not be pursued – and even if we are, nothing will come of it. You can catch your breath for a few days.”
“Good,” Achiyo said, and they sank back into silence. The night was almost over; they’d reach Black Brush by sunrise, if they stayed ahead of their pursuers.
They stumbled into the Intercessory of Camp Dragonhead hours later, exhausted and stiff from the long ride; they had flown the long way through the Black Shroud to avoid Mor Dhona. Cid did not stay after he dropped them off; Rinala did not see where he went. Vivienne, Kekeniro, and Aentfryn were already there, around the fire with Haurchefant and grave faces. Haurchefant welcomed them with opened arms, affection and concern pouring from him. Tataru jumped up upon seeing them, a smile spreading across her face and relieved tears trickling from her eyes, and there was another Au Ra behind her – Yugiri? By her clothes, it was Yugiri, but Rinala had not expected her to look the way she did without her hood and mask. Not that she’d expected anything in particular… and not that she could bring herself to care right now, though Achiyo’s expression lightened to see her there. Though after greeting them, and assuring them of her support, Yugiri also left, saying she would rejoin the search for the missing Scions.
There was but one thing she missed. If only she had her Thancred plushie… but it was in her room at the Rising Stones. There was no going to get it now. If any of the Crystal Braves mishandled it…! But she longed for it, wanted to hug it tightly, though she’d only derive cold comfort from it.
Menphina, she hoped he was safe. He usually got away… he could take care of himself… he had Y’shtola with him and she was a most excellent White Mage… but all her words rang hollow. The tunnel had collapsed behind them, she realized now; that was what the crash had been. Y’shtola, Thancred, and Minfilia were probably all buried in it.
She went to sit in the corner silently, though the stones were freezing and she didn’t have her winter clothes. She wrapped her tail over her sandalled feet and hunched into a tiny, sad ball.
Haurchefant and Tam were talking quietly, seriously. He would protect them as long as necessary, unconditionally… Ishgard was in danger from the dragons again… but Ser Aymeric had returned. So that was where he went from the banquet… Tataru was telling Achiyo what had happened at Revenant’s Toll with Yugiri, and Alphinaud… Alphinaud was slumped now in a chair, as despondent as she. He looked young now, his feet dangling above the floor, utterly defeated.
When the other conversations died down, he spoke. His voice was barely above a whisper, wrenching and tragic. “’Tis all my doing… I believed myself the only one who truly understood Eorzea’s woes. And look what that arrogance has wrought. I gave commands, influenced governments with my certainty… I treated the Crystal Braves, and even the Scions themselves, as pawns in my great scheme to save the realm. But in my headlong rush unto imagined glory, I paid no heed to the ground upon which I trod! The salvation of Eorzea… What was it that I hoped to achieve? Did I believe that I could rid the realm of every danger and difficulty? That I could defeat the Empire and the Ascians, the primals and the dragons, and find homes for every refugee? Oh yes, I was so very clever. ‘Become a guardian of Eorzea,’ I implored, and sat back to watch my perfect army cleanse the land of chaos. ‘Twas all but a means to feed my own vanity. Only when all is lost do I finally realize the truth.”
“Oh, Alphinaud…” said Tataru sadly.
Tam put a hand on Alphinaud’s shoulder. “What is the truth? You see clearly with the eyes of despair, but despair is a faulty lens. You’ve done more than any other infant at the dawn of his eighteenth summer could even dream of accomplishing. No, screwing up with this much responsibility isn’t allowed… but how are you going to learn that until you do it? …Also, what’s wrong with treating those around you as pawns?”
Vivienne groaned. “Why am I not surprised you would say something like that?”
Haurchefant had been busying himself at the fire with a pot; he now lifted it off the hearth and Rinala smelled the rich scent of hot chocolate. “Pay no heed to Tam. Or do, for he is wise, but do not listen with your heart, for he has no tact and therefore implies things he doesn’t mean. He but deals in tough love and reality checks, and ’tis difficult to swallow at the best of times, let alone after suffering such a blow. But I say to you, are you content to remain a broken blade? Is there no flame hot enough to reforge you?” He poured a cup of chocolate and brought it to Alphinaud, smiling. “What of the spendid companions who yet stand at your side? I daresay the fires of their determination will soon have you slicing the air again with your customary wit!”
Alphinaud’s head remained bent, and he didn’t take the chocolate. “I hardly deserve such friendship. And besides, where are we to go…?”
Haurchefant set the cup down in front of him; R’nyath had been pouring more, and the knight now bore them about the room to others. Tataru took hers and walked up to Alphinaud. “Alphinaud? If I may…? Should Eorzea not serve our purpose, then… then we shall go to Ishgard! Minfilia told me many times: as long as we stand fast against despair, the beacon of hope will never be lost to sight.”
Rinala lifted her head, both to accept hot chocolate and to hear Tataru’s words. She was deep in despair herself, so deep she could hardly see the way out. But Tataru was right. She wasn’t alone, even if she’d lost dear friends.
“Be it in the snow or in the clouds, we few will see that the dawn’s light shines again!” Tataru was nigh in tears from the force of her conviction, from trying to convince Alphinaud to lift his head again.
Haurchefant smiled and nodded, and lifted his mug. Chuchupa followed suit, and the others as well.
Alphinaud looked at Tataru. “You are right, Tataru, thank you. And thank you for your kind words, Lord Haurchefant. ‘Tis true that Eorzea yet has her guardians.” At last, he raised his head, with the hint of a self-deprecating smile. “The Scions have achieved much, and ‘twould be remiss of me to discard it all in a fit of self-pity.” He stood and bowed to them all. “I apologize.”
Achiyo bowed back to him, her eyes shining determined in the firelight. “Welcome back, Alphinaud. Let us continue our journey, together… one step at a time. Let us go… even unto Ishgard.”