Love the Ruby Sea night music, Westward Tide : )

Been hard at work on my Vivienne cosplay again – I’ve just about completed a pair of Abyss gauntlets! Next up, Abyss sollerets… wish me luck… T_T

I’ve also been reading the books written by Kyota Ko and they’re fascinating! And paint a pretty grim picture of normal peoples’ lives. In our peaceful modern day, Yotsuyu’s actions seem outrageous, but when you read about thousands of historical people dying in (for instance) revenge plots, or to pre-empt revenge plots, she actually seems pretty tame. But I don’t think we could stomach too much real life in this romantic fairy tale, mixed with real heartfelt emotion though it is, so I’m not changing the plot or anything.

Chapter 52: Going Home

 

Chapter 53: The Ruby Sea

‘Safe’ in the offices of the East Aldenard Trading Company, Hancock explained the situation: no one would find easy passage to Doma at this time. Things were not as Achiyo had left them. The Ruby Sea was controlled by a group known as the Confederacy, and she vaguely remembered them; the merchants she had sailed with before had paid them a toll, the Ruby Tithe, to cross the straits. She did not remember much more, for it had not been her business, and was glad Hancock could explain things in full.

But now the new viceroy of Doma had forbidden any to have dealings with the Confederacy, that those who recognized their authority would become enemies of the Empire. Hingashi, unwilling to press the issue, forbade their merchants to pay the Ruby Tithe. Trade to Doma dwindled to a mere trickle, and only the desperate and foolhardy now made the voyage.

Vivienne and Aentfryn also reported their findings; Gosetsu had been spotted in recent sennights, but not Yugiri. Hancock gave them the names of particular ship captains to try on the morrow, and they parted ways for the evening richer for the experience, if not satisfied.

The next day, they split up in the morning to speak to the recommended captains. They reconvened at noon at the Ruby Bazaar, where Lyse bounced in last of all, in great spirits; she seemed as bubbly as before she revealed her true name. “You’ll never believe what happened!”

She had met with a Namazu named Gyodo, who claimed that he had seen both Yugiri and Gosetsu, and would make a ship ready for the Scions that very day, departing under the cover of darkness. “He said we should meet him on the Tasogare Bridge at sunset. He said it would cost a lot of gil, but he didn’t say how much…”

“How fortuitous,” Alphinaud said brightly.

“Not the word I would have chosen, Master Alphinaud,” Hancock said.

“Stupid’s what I’d call it!” Tataru scolded Lyse. “How can you agree to his price without making any attempt to haggle? Or even confirming what it was in the first place!?”

“Oh… Yes, I suppose,” Lyse said, a bit crestfallen.

“Yes… that too was a misstep on her part, but it is not what troubles me most,” Hancock said. “Gyodo and his brethren are not renowned for their generosity of spirit. Rather, they are disdained as scheming moneylenders, ever eager to turn a profit from others’ misfortune.”

Achiyo frowned. “That is not my experience with them. They have always been courteous and fair with me.” And she thought they were rather cute, in their own way. Percival had always vehemently disagreed.

“But you, my lady, are clearly armed and armoured, and perhaps you have been taught how to deal with them as a local,” Hancock said. “The same is not entirely true of Miss Lyse.”

“Everyone else we questioned stated that Gosetsu was alone,” Alisaie said. “Only Gyodo claims to have met both him and Yugiri… I suppose it’s just possible that Gosetsu made inquiries by himself, and only called upon Yugiri once he had found a willing captain…?”

“But it is equally possible – if not more likely – that you are being deceived,” Hancock said. “Do not forget that there are parties present in Kugane with agendas which may run contrary to your own. The viceroy was once a spy herself, as I recall. I should be surprised if she did not have countless agents here in her employ – all eager to prove themselves to their new master. And what better way to do so than by delivering her the heads of foreign insurgents?”

“Fine,” Lyse said. “You may be right about him. But if Gyodo’s working for the Empire, who’s to say he didn’t try the same trick on Yugiri and Gosetsu? I mean, if he did, he might know where they are. And if he succeeded, they might be in trouble! Anyway, if he holds up his end of the bargain, we’ll have nothing to worry about, will we? But if he tries to betray us, I vote we take him prisoner and punch him till he tells us the truth.”

“So, if it’s a trap, we’ll spring it and deal with the consequences,” Alisaie said. “Hmm… I like the way you think.”

Alphinaud sighed. “Very well… We should prepare for the worst. Tataru will remain here, and we should split our remaining forces – those who will meet openly with Gyodo, and those who shall follow at a discreet distance.”

“Once more, I must caution you to avoid physical altercations at all costs – even should Imperial agents attempt to engage you,” Hancock said. “The Sekiseigumi will not hesitate to clap you in irons… or cut you down. If anything untoward should happen, you are to return here at once. Is that clear? Fortunately, a wealthy and well-connected ally can help resolve such matters with the minimum of fuss.”

Lyse grumbled. “And there I was thinking Gyodo was just being nice. I tell you now, if Hancock’s right about all of this, that fish is getting filleted.”

 

Achiyo was chosen to head the team that would meet openly with Gyodo, in the hopes that her prior experiences would prompt honesty from him. Unfortunately, it did not, and a squad of Garleans surrounded them at their destination. But Alphinaud, Rinala, R’nyath, and Kekeniro had hung back to act as reinforcements, and the Imperials were routed as the whistles of the Sekiseigumi pierced the night air.

With an impressive kick from Lyse, the Namazu was their prisoner, and they split up to find their own ways back to the Bazaar, since one large group would be too easily spotted. Even so, Achiyo and Lyse were nearly cornered; they saw approaching lanterns from both sides of a darkened alley.

“Oh bugger!” Lyse cursed. “What do we do now, Achiyo?”

Achiyo did not want to draw her sword; that would likely only get them into deeper trouble. And it was good that she did not, because the first figure to make it to her was a random Kojin, who pointed at a shadowed corner behind some crates. “Stay hidden and quiet. Understood?”

Achiyo did not think twice, tugging at Lyse’s vest to drag her into the corner. The Namazu’s bell jingled as he twitched; Lyse stuck her finger into the bell to still the clapper. The lanterns of the Sekiseigumi were getting closer. The Kojin turned with his back to them, shielding them with his broad body.

“You there, Kojin!” shouted a Sekiseigumi. “We seek a number of foreigners – one a brutish woman carrying an unconscious Namazu. Have you seen them?”

Achiyo and Lyse hardly dared breathe.

“Foreigners, you say?” said the Kojin. “Ah, yes. Very rude they were, making no apology as they barged past. They went that way, I think.” He pointed back down the alley.

“Many thanks, good sir!” said the Sekiseigumi. “With me, they cannot have gone far!”

They rushed past, and in a few moments the alley was quiet again. The Kojin stepped away from them. “All is well. The Sekiseigumi will not return this way for some time, I should think.”

Achiyo bowed low to him. “Arigatou gozaimasu. But why did you help us?”

“You are with the East Aldenard Trading Company, yes? I met certain of your friends a minute ago, and aided them as well. My name is Soroban.” The Kojin bowed. “I shall lead you to them, and then to your headquarters.”

“My name is Achiyo, and this is Lyse. Lead on, then,” Achiyo said, bowing in return. Kojin, once you got past their reclusiveness, had a culture embracing simplicity and honour; having helped them, this person would not turn around and betray them. Though she wanted to know what the East Aldenard Trading Company had to do with anything. 

They met up with Alphinaud, Alisaie, Vivienne, and Tam; the Elezen had somehow ended up in a group together, and it had been they who the Kojin helped before. From there, they had no further trouble in returning to the Ruby Bazaar, where they were greeted by the rest of the party, who had managed to sneak back in their own ways. She was glad she had briefed the Scions on Eastern beast tribes, so that no one was overly startled, scared, or accidentally offensive towards the turtle-man.

“You are returned – and with guests, I see,” Hancock said as they hurried in.

“Our meeting went about as well as expected,” Lyse said, dumping Gyodo on the floor ungently. “We’ve brought the Namazu who thought to betray us. When he wakes up, we’ll see what he knows about Yugiri and Gosetsu.”

“Well done, you,” Hancock said, applauding. “When I saw the Sekiseigumi out in force, I did begin to worry, but I see my fears were misplaced.”

“Actually, if it weren’t for Soroban, Achiyo and I might not have gotten away,” Lyse said. A new round of introductions followed, though Achiyo wondered if the poor Kojin would be able to keep up with them all – the people of the East did not know Eorzean naming conventions, and there were a lot of them.

“‘Twas my pleasure,” Soroban said, anyway.

“Yet I must ask, Soroban,” Alphinaud said, “why would you deceive the Sekiseigumi to help us – foreigners of whom you know naught?”

“Why, out of the kindness of my heart… is what I would like to say, but my motives are not so pure.” Soroban looked at Hancock. “I chanced to witness your meeting with Hancock at the tavern, and saw an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?” Hancock inquired, and Achiyo wondered if he was salivating.

Soroban gestured. “Like many, I came to Kugane as a trader to make my fortune. Kojin of the Red may serve the Empire as reinforcements, but Kojin of the Blue walk a different path. Regretfully, most here would rather not meet our gaze, much less do business. So I seek the custom of those less predisposed to dismiss us outright. Namely, the East Aldenard Trading Company.”

“Quid pro quo, is it?” Alphinaud said. “Well, there is no denying that we owe you a debt. What say you, Hancock? Will you consider doing business with our entrepreneurial friend here?”

Hancock smiled heartily. “Rest assured, Master Soroban, that in matters of trade the company does not discriminate. We would be honoured to hear your proposal.”

Soroban grinned, as much as Kojin grin. “You will not regret this, good sir!” He turned to the rest. “Ah, yes – you sought passage across the Ruby Sea, did you not? I have a ship you can use.”

“You do?” Alphinaud cried. “Well, then! Far be it from us to refuse! You have our deepest thanks.”

“And you mine,” Soroban said.

“Right, then,” Lyse said, prodding the Namazu. “Gyodo should be coming round soon. I think it’s time we had a little chat, don’t you?” She prodded him harder. “Rise and shine, little fishy. I know you can hear me, so stop pretending to be asleep or I’ll give you another ride on my boot.”

Achiyo looked around at all the delicate decorations in Hancock’s sitting room and hoped Lyse did not make good on her threat indoors.

“…No!” Gyodo cried, flopping pitifully. “No, no, no more boots! All my secrets are yours for the asking!”

“Tell us what you know about Yugiri and Gosetsu,” Lyse said sternly. “Every last detail. And if I find out later that you lied to me-”

“No, no, no more lies!” Gyodo said shrilly. “The clear, unvarnished truth! You have my word! Only the samurai did I meet. Yes, yes, only him! He asked after a ship, so I provided an introduction to… to the Garleans…”

“You mean you led him into a trap, as you did us,” Alisaie said with disgust. “Because you are an Imperial spy.”

“No, no, I am no spy!” Gyodo protested. “It was just business! Fewer ships pass through Kugane these days, and we have struggled to make ends meet… So when the Garleans offered a bounty for any Domans found in Kugane-”

“Oh, my mistake!” Alisaie said sarcastically. “You’re not a spy, but a common cutthroat! Not that I’m surprised – you need half a brain to be a spy. So what happened to the samurai?”

“Such a cruel, vicious tongue you have,” Gyodo whimpered to himself. “He would not go quietly, no, no. Blades were drawn, men were cut down, and the Sekiseigumi came. They took the samurai away.”

“Hold on a moment!” Hancock interjected. “You mean to tell me the ijin they arrested the other day was Gosetsu? Oh, had I but known! If he is in the custody of the Sekiseigumi, I need only see to it that the requisite funds find their way into the right official’s hands, and your friend will walk free.”

Alphinaud sighed. “As it is in Ul’dah, so it is in Kugane… but given the circumstances, it seems we have no choice but to resort to morally questionable means.”

“We’ll make a pragmatist of you yet, Master Alphinaud!” Hancock said with a smile.

Alphinaud turned aside and whispered to Achiyo: “One of these days, I may just punch that man in the face…” She blinked at him in amused surprise. Alphinaud never let on to violent feelings.

“Hmm… I didn’t think to include ‘bribes’ when I was calculating our budget for this trip,” Tataru said, checking a notebook.

“Not to worry, Mistress Tataru, I’ll be covering this one,” Hancock said. “Now, I doubt you will be able to return to your lodgings tonight, so I will have rooms made ready for you here. Master Soroban, I assume you will be free to go for the night.”

“We shall be in touch tomorrow,” Alphinaud said. “Perhaps it would be prudent to prepare your ship for an early departure.”

“As you wish!” Soroban cried. “I bid you good night, then. Until tomorrow!”

Gyodo blinked up at them hopefully. “I have given you everything that you have asked for, yes, yes? Then there is no need for me to remain your prisoner?”

“I may have some more questions for you,” Alphinaud said. “We will release you after we have spoken with Gosetsu – who will doubtless have some choice words to say to you himself. If nothing else, it will be interesting to see how cooperative you feel in the absence of Lyse’s boot.” Gyodo wilted again.

 

They were all settled in various rooms of the Bazaar before long; they were four to a room, but that was not a terrible hardship. Hancock graciously found a spare storage room for them to lock Gyodo in for the time being – with food and water and bedding, they weren’t heartless. Alphinaud might have grumbled at having to make yet more use of Lolorito’s resources, but not in Hancock’s hearing. 

Though even if Achiyo did not put it past the merchant to be happily making a list of the expenses they were incurring to be reimbursed by his master, and he tried overly hard to be ingratiating, she did not hate Hancock. Perhaps it was only that he truly did seem to love living in Kugane, among the culture of her people, but it did incline her goodwill towards him. There was a heart somewhere in the man.

Early in the morning they were up, and scattering to various errands – some to the inn to collect the belongings they had left there, and to settle their rooms; some to the market to check for last-minute supplies; the rest to the Sekiseigumi barracks with Hancock to await Gosetsu’s release.

It turned out Hancock’s efforts were premature. To his gaolers, Gosetsu had spun his conflict with the Imperials as simply a nonpolitical brawl, and the Sekiseigumi had been more interested in the fact that he was a very experienced samurai. He had bargained his skill for his freedom, and sparred with the soldiers until they released him as thanks for the privilege.

They returned together to the Ruby Bazaar; Gosetsu seemed to take up all the space in the room as usual. Alphinaud jumped up to greet him. “Gosetsu! Thank the Twelve you are unharmed!”

“As you can see, Master Alphinaud, I am the very picture of health!” Gosetsu caught sight of the vacantly staring Namazu in the back. “You! Vile fiend! Malevolent trickster! How kind the kami are to grant me vengeance so soon. But first, I demand you return the coin you so villainously embezzled from me!”

Gyodo cowered once more. “Y-you have every right to be angry, good sir! Gladly would I return you your coin… had I not been forced to repay certain gambling debts beforehand…” Gosetsu clenched a threatening fist and Gyodo wailed pleadingly.

“Setting that matter aside for the moment – where is Lady Yugiri?” Alphinaud asked. “Was she not travelling with you?”

Gosetsu turned away from the snivelling Namazu. “For a time, aye, but we parted ways some while ago, the better to improve our chances of finding Lord Hien.”

“Lord Hien?” Lyse asked.

“The prince of Doma,” Achiyo answered. She’d mentioned him before, but she was not surprised that not everyone remembered; there had been a lot to absorb. “Perhaps it would be prudent to allow Gyodo to go before we discuss this?”

Gosetsu sighed. “If it is certain the wretch has no means of returning my coin, then so be it.”

“Yes, yes, I have none, all gone, so sorry-!” Gyodo cried, and Lyse showed him the door with alacrity.

“I think we managed to scare him enough that he was not hiding your money,” Kekeniro said. “But even if that’s not the case, we’ll help you out. But what’s this about Lord Hien?”

“Forgive me, I have yet to explain,” Gosetsu said. “Lord Hien is the heir to Doma’s throne, and our master. His was a passionate voice for the cause of Doman liberation, and when we learned of the Emperor’s death, it only grew louder…”

“So you seized upon the opportunity and rose up to reclaim your freedom… only for your hopes to be dashed when Zenos led his army unto your lands,” Alphinaud summarized.

“The crown prince was a merciless foe,” Gosetsu said. “Against him and the might of the XIIth, we had no chance. Once Lord Hien understood this, he bade Yugiri take to the sea with as many of our people as possible. He, however, would stand and fight, that they might have more time to escape… I remained by his side as well, and together we carried on our doomed war. And then, one day, in a fierce battle, we were separated. I knew not what became of him – only that he was beyond the Empire’s reach, and that to find him, I would need Yugiri’s aid.” He scowled fiercely. “The situation grows more perilous by the day, for the new viceroy, Yotsuyu, is a black-hearted villainess who delights in the torment of our people. There is naught she would not do to further her pursuit of Lord Hien.”

“You didn’t mention Yotsuyu when you were telling us about people,” Kekeniro commented to Achiyo.

“I do not know her,” Achiyo said. “It sounds as if the government I knew has been eradicated.” So a lot of her information would be of no help. Ah, well.

“Sadly, yes,” Gosetsu said. “Yotsuyu and her Garlean lackeys rule, and every pretense of self-government that we had before is shattered beyond recall.”

Alphinaud nodded. “Thank you. I believe that makes matters a good deal clearer. It should please you to learn that we are come to aid the Doman Liberation Front in resuming their efforts to overthrow their Imperial oppressors.”

“Then allow me to join you!” Gosetsu exclaimed. “My inquiries here bore no fruit, hence my desire to return to Othard. Once there, I can lead you to our headquarters in Yanxia, where we shall all be reunited with Yugiri!”

“Mayhap not all,” Alisaie said, looking at her brother. “Alphinaud’s talents would seem better applied here in Kugane, working closely with Tataru and Hancock to feed us intelligence. There is a Garlean embassy just down the road, after all-”

Alphinaud interrupted her with a frown. “While I appreciate the vote of confidence, I should be glad to accompany you all-”

Alisaie interrupted back with a raised eyebrow. “As a soldier in the field, so to speak? Come now, Brother, a competent commander assigns his soldiers the tasks best suited to them – as you of all people should know. And you are so very good at espionage and intrigue.”

Alphinaud stared at her stubbornly for a moment longer, then sighed, shoulders slumped. “…’For we all must serve, each in our own way’. Very well. It would seem my place is here.” He muttered under his breath. “Just because an individual excels at a particular task does not mean he should be obliged to do it over and over and over again…”

Aentfryn cleared his throat. “When you get pigeonholed into fighting gods every other moon, get back to me.”

Alphinaud jumped and blushed. “I beg your pardon! You are quite right. I shall not complain. Forgive me.”

“I mean, I think fighting primals is more interesting than intrigue,” Tam drawled. “I’m with you, Alphy.”

“But you’re a genius at it, Haurchefant said so,” R’nyath said.

“That just makes it more boring,” Tam said. “Where’s the challenge?”

“I shall endeavour to consider it a challenge,” Alphinaud said. Though Achiyo thought perhaps part of his reticence came more from that dislike of Hancock. At least he’d have Tataru with him as a buffer. “And not tedium. But please, be careful.”

“We shall watch out for each other,” Achiyo said. “Let us get our things, then. Alphinaud, Tataru, be well.”

“Have fun, you lot!” Tataru waved.

 

Soroban’s ship was quite small, a simple skiff, and for a while Achiyo worried that the twelve of them would overload it unduly. And then she worried that Tam was going to freeze up. He did not have any luck with this stretch of their journey, did he? “Will you be well?”

His face was tight, though he answered with customary sardonicism. “As soon as we get to the other side, yes. Don’t fuss too hard. I knew we were going to need to cross more water. I can read a map.” He grinned maniacally. “Just don’t tip the boat over.”

“I’m sure Soroban will not do that,” she said. “That kind of thing hardly ever happens, even in bad weather.”

“I’m sure that will make me feel better if it does happen,” he said, and got onto the boat, clutching at the seat beneath him like he was dangling from the edge of a cliff.

Chuchupa sighed. “Would flyin’ help? Should I get out me manacutter for ye?”

“Not much,” Tam said. “Unless you’re flying very high, which would attract a lot of attention. But thank you.”

“You’ve flown on those dragons of your homeland, right?” R’nyath asked.

Tam blinked, unfocusing into the distance, though his grip did not relax. “A few times. Or griffons from the south. And no, Lyse, they are not the same as the griffons of Ala Mhigo. Mine talk.”

“Everything in your homeland talks,” grumbled Vivienne.

“Everything here talks,” Tam retorted. “Sylphs, Gnath, Vanu Vanu, Namazu, Kojin, Lupin, Hrothgar – my homeland doesn’t have any people like any of these. And that’s not counting the fact that there’s magic in bloody everything here, to the point where I’m not surprised when we meet talking trees and brooms and rocks.” He stopped and shut his eyes as Soroban cast off.

“Jaded already, hm?” Alisaie said. “Those things surprise us, too.”

“Ah, you must be from the New World,” Soroban said as he got the ship underway. “I have heard they have different wonders there.”

“He’s from a new world, anyway,” Lyse said. “But that’s neither here nor there – literally. Soroban, would you tell us more about yourself, if it’s not a bother? Achiyo has met Kojin before, but the rest of us haven’t.”

Soroban was perfectly happy to educate all the foreigners far better than Achiyo ever could, at least once they left Kugane Harbour and he did not have to devote quite so much attention to sailing. By noon, they came to the Ruby Price, the defensive sea fortress of Kugane, and stopped there for lunch. Lyse finished early and gazed out at the closest island, Sakazuki, which Soroban pointed out as their first destination.

“That doesn’t look very far to me,” she said. “Rinala, why don’t we jump in and swim for it? I’ve had my fill of boats.”

“Hmm, an excellent idea!” said Soroban, nodding. “I think you shall find the water to your liking. I will use my ship to deliver those less inclined to the isle.”

“Um, sure, I’ll swim with you,” Rinala said to Lyse. “I did grow up at a port village, you know!”

“Come on, then, let’s go!” Lyse beckoned her, and the two women dove cleanly into the ocean, splashing slightly in the direction of the island.

“I’ve been told that distances at sea are deceptive,” Kekeniro said, watching them with a hand shading his eyes. “I hope they’ll be okay.”

“If not, we shall pick them up on the way,” Soroban said easily. “Let us be off, in case we need to!”

“I guess that doesn’t make any sense to you, does it?” R’nyath said to Tam as they headed back to the ship.

Tam blinked mismatched eyes at him. “I have a condition. I recognize that other people do not. Now, it doesn’t make sense to me for other reasons, but I figure that my perspective is off. Does it make sense?”

Alisaie shook her head. “Not that I’ve anything against the occasional dip in the ocean, but to dive in on a whim is a bit… hm.”

“Impulsive?” Aentfryn said. “You have not known her long. She is the most impulsive of all the Scions.”

“I’ve noticed that since she took her real name, she’s been trying very hard to overcome it,” Kekeniro said. “And, you know, if she still gets a bit distracted, we can all keep each other on track.”

 

Sakazuki was an outpost of the Confederacy. Soroban made to pay the tithe, but first it was more expensive than anticipated, and then, after some passing Garleans threatened the pirates, the pirates waived the tithe altogether. Why, Achiyo was not entirely sure; perhaps they thought the Scions would be useful in acting against the Empire – when the Confederacy themselves felt they could not.

But though Gosetsu would have set out for the coast of Doma at once, it was getting late. The Scions stayed the night on the island; sharing some of their fresh food with the pirates made them even more popular, and there was much chatter up at the cooking fires as they socialized with their hosts.

Achiyo instead walked down to the sandy shore and sat primly on a long piece of driftwood, gazing east out at the wide expanse. The shores of Doma were a hazy shadow on the horizon north and west, but there were many islands scattered across the strait in between. Over to the west behind her glowed the Hell’s Lid, looming over Sakazuki, but the volcano was quiet this evening. Beneath the deepening twilight, the emerging starry dome overhead, and the embering grey-crimson in the west, the waves softly lapped at the gritty sand beneath her feet, sighing rhythmically against the shores.

She inhaled deeply of the cool night sea breeze, and exhaled. In this moment there was only the wind and the waves. It was all so peaceful. It was easy to forget about the small cares of mortals, their struggles for survival, their wars and heartaches. The sea had always been there, and it would always be there, washing against some shore or other, no matter how many Calamities came upon it. The sky had always been there, the sun and moon and stars wheeling overhead, and though the Red Moon had fallen from the heavens, the other celestial bodies would remain in their unending cycles until the end of time. She was only one small person in the vast universe, a tiny piece of a whole, and the thought was uplifting rather than depressing. It was one she liked to think about in circumstances like these.

She heard a light step behind her and turned slightly to see… Alisaie, of all people. “Pardon,” she said, and sat down near Achiyo. “There are too many people above.”

The chatter was a pleasant background buzz from this distance, unobtrusive and heartening, but she could guess being among it was tiring if one was not participating. “You are welcome to sit with me.”

“It is very beautiful,” Alisaie said, gazing out at the sea. Night was coming on quickly, more and more stars prickling out as the glow of sunset faded. The waves were an endless expanse of restless darkness before them. “I grew up in a sea-side city, and yet I did not find time to appreciate it very often.”

“For all Hingashi is an archipelago, my journeys were not on the coast as often as one might think,” Achiyo said. “And much of life was spent in dealing with practical necessities. But I was not in a city, so there was less to distract me from contemplating the world about me, shores or no. On the other hand, I do not have your intellectual education.” 

Alisaie shrugged. “It has clearly not been necessary for you. You’re brave and strong and compassionate. Compared to that, what good are knowledge and intellect alone? Do you remember when my brother and I first came to Eorzea? It was about the same time as you, I think. Do you remember how far my brother’s oh-so-intellectual head was lodged up his arse?”

Achiyo laughed. “He did think very well of himself, and thought it embarrassing to openly care about others. But he has grown since then. We are all very fond of him.”

“I’m glad,” Alisaie said quietly. “He is very smart, smarter than I am in some ways… I don’t begrudge him that; I also know his weaknesses. I would never tell him, of course, but I’m so happy to see how much he’s changed since he met you all. Thank you for watching out for him.”

“It is our pleasure – my pleasure,” Achiyo said. 

They listened to the water rustling for a while, punctuated by the occasional sleepy squawk of a seagull, and then Achiyo said: “I must admit, it is not easy for me to understand the bond that siblings share. I have come to call Artoirel my brother, and yet… he is not really my brother, is he? We are only good friends with playful names for each other.”

“Why can’t that just be a different kind of family?” Alisaie asked. “You didn’t grow up together, but you trust each other, don’t you? If he didn’t feel the same, he wouldn’t go along with it, right? I don’t really know Lord Artoirel, but he doesn’t seem the joking type.”

Achiyo smiled. “He does not indulge in it often, it is true. We are close enough for that, at least.” Perhaps it was that she had not met anyone whom she had connected with on such a personal level before? She loved her friends in the Scions, especially Chuchupa, and Rinala, and Alphinaud, and Alisaie was quickly earning a high spot in her esteem, and yet Artoirel had – once he had looked past his pride – understood her more quickly than anyone else in Eorzea. And she felt she understood him easily as well.

“I spent quite some time in Eorzea researching apart from my brother, and as it was the first time we’d been substantially separated for any length of time, I found it immensely rewarding for my personal growth,” Alisaie said. “But it turns out I rather missed him too. And seeing the ‘found family’ you have built up in the Scions, I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.”

“‘Found family’,” Achiyo repeated to herself. “I suppose we are. That’s a lovely thought.”

“Isn’t it?” Alisaie said. And sighed. “Which just means we had all better get through this in one piece. Liberating a country is no joke. …Forgive me, I did not mean to bring the mood down.”

“I will do my best to protect you all,” Achiyo said. “I know you have no love for heroic sacrifices, so rest assured: I have far too much to live for to surrender my life here.”

“Good,” Alisaie said. “I’ll hold you to that.”

 

Soroban sailed them all the rest of the way across the Ruby Sea on the morrow. It was a long way, in a smaller ship than the Misery, and Tam wasn’t the only one glad to reach the shores of Othard. Alisaie had suggested landing away from the closest village, for the Confederates feared the viceroy might be in attendance there. So it was they made it ashore without incident, and bid a fond farewell to their Kojin friend.

“So we’ve finally arrived in Othard,” Lyse said. “All we need to do now is, uh… liberate Doma.”

“Ah, yes… that,” Alisaie said cynically. “Look… daunting though it is, we do have one thing in our favour: the element of surprise. Unlike in Gyr Abania, the Imperials don’t know we’re here. Admittedly, that may be our only advantage, considering how few of us there are…”

“We got the god-killin’ squad, but with Imperials in charge, we ain’t gonna be fightin’ gods,” Chuchupa said, nodding.

“I’ll figure something out,” Kekeniro said. “Every weapon counts.”

“Yes, if we’re not fighting gods, I can finally be useful,” Lilidi said.

“And I expect the Doman Liberation Front will even up the odds a bit,” Lyse said. “But before all that, we need to see if this is the fishing village Tansui was talking about.”

Gosetsu had been sniffing, and turned to them with a grim face. “It may well be. I smell ceruleum on the breeze…”

They walked between the outcroppings of weathered rock protruding from the beach, the stubborn remnants of ancient headlands long eroded away, and came in sight of a small wooden village. From a distance, it looked cheerful enough, smoke rising from cooking fires, boats and nets laid about, but if one looked closer one instead saw…

Vivienne saw Achiyo, a little taller than the last Echo, probably a teenager now, still in shabby Hingan clothing, with her hair cropped to chin-length without finesse. She looked anxious and tired, her tail drooping listlessly; there was a bandage on one of her fingers. The mercenary beside her looked the same as before. They stood on the beach on the edge of the same village, but the mercenary turned south. “I doubt any authorities will pursue us overseas for the murder of a couple of drunken lechs,” he said, in Eorzean; he had a Gridanian accent. “But there’s no need to be predictable, either. Let’s head south.”

“Percival,” Achiyo said, and he stopped. “I want to learn how to fight.”

He turned and looked at her. “The knife-work not enough?”

Achiyo shook her head firmly. “I want to fight with a sword as you do. I want to stand beside you when you work. I don’t want to be a burden any longer.”

“You’re not a burden,” he said. “You’re a responsibility. There’s a difference.”

“I want to take some responsibility for myself,” she said. “I’m becoming old to be adopted, and I have no wish to be married in the near future. I still do not have many skills besides being able to read and write, to speak Eorzean, to tend wounds and do a little cooking. You can teach me to fight.”

“I can only teach you Eorzean style,” he said. “To wear metal armour, to wield a straight sword and a shield, you’ll stand out as much as I do. Worse, even.”

“But I won’t be defenceless,” she said. 

“You won’t be any safer. You will be risking injury and death every time you put it on. You will get hurt, and it will be painful. You will have to kill or be killed, and it isn’t always monsters that we fight. None of this is optional. Seven hells, you’ve seen me work. You will have to endure even greater physical and mental hardship, and you will have to learn to kill.”

“I understand.” She met his gaze with determination, and Vivienne recognized that look from the Achiyo she knew now. “This is what my father did. This is what you do. You only kill when there is no other option, and you are merciful and swift. …And perhaps I can protect you for a change.”

He softened and laughed. “That would be gratifying for you, wouldn’t it? All right. You want to be a mercenary knight adventurer, I’m not going to go easy on you.”

She nodded. “I won’t back down.”

 

Vivienne came out of it, and saw most of the others doing so as well. “You chose your own destiny, huh?” R’nyath said. “I always assumed that Percival just decided to teach you swordfighting, but you picked it.”

Achiyo was watching them with her arms folded. “It seems my past will be laid out before you in full before we complete our mission.”

“Well, since you won’t tell us about it,” Vivienne grumbled – not seriously.

“Does it matter?” Achiyo said quietly. “You accepted me previously without knowing.”

“Is all well?” Gosetsu inquired. “Come, we must make haste. The Garleans are indeed in Isari.”

“Just a minute,” Alisaie said to him. “This could be important.”

“It is nothing that cannot be discussed later,” Achiyo said.

Those who had shared the Echo looked at each other. “Agreed,” Vivienne said before anyone else could butt in. “I did not mean- Forgive me. I have no wish to speak of my own past, and you should not be forced to either just because this bloody Echo cropped up again.”

“Ye know I don’t care, Princess,” Chuchupa said, shrugging. “What’s it matter that ye were raised by a foreign merc? Most folk I know would say that’s kick-arse.”

Achiyo unfolded, though she looked out at the sea. “I have told Aymeric. I don’t want to hide anything from him, for good or for ill. I have told a little, though not all, to the Fortemps family, because they asked. I appreciate that you don’t care, Chuchupa. You live ever in the moment, and it is a source of comfort for me. It is only that… I may not be able to avoid recalling the pain of my past as I journey here, but that is my problem, not yours. To have you see it… I feel that much of my past is piteous… and I do not want pity.”

“You have my word that I shall not pity you,” Vivienne said. Rinala looked a little bit guilty. 

“If anything, it just shows how admirable you are,” R’nyath said. “Anyway, then we can understand better how to support you! You shouldn’t deal with it alone.”

Achiyo shook her head. “Let us go. Though I fear I already know what we shall see in Isari.”

The village had definitely looked better in the Echo, if only by a little, Vivienne thought sourly. Though the sight of Garleans rounding up the inhabitants and lining them up outside the village would have spoiled the look of even the most prosperous town.

Alisaie frowned. “Even accounting for the rebellion, such indiscriminate shows of force seem pointlessly excessive…”

“This is worse than I remember,” Achiyo said with haunted eyes. Already recalling that painful past, then.

“If only you knew how commonplace such scenes have become,” Gosetsu said. “Hmm… Are we too late?”

Lyse pointed. “Over there – someone’s coming!”

A beautiful woman in a luxurious black and red kimono-like Doman robe with a gold obi slowly sauntered down to the shore, smoking from a long pipe. Her long, straight black hair swayed slowly behind her as she puffed nonchalantly, as if she hadn’t a care in the world. They were a bit far to see well, but… there was something off about her eyes…

Gosetsu gritted his teeth. “…It is she! Sworn enemy of Doma – of my master! The traitor who sold her homeland to the Garleans – Yotsuyu!”

“The viceroy herself,” Alisaie said. “And look – behind her! Isn’t that…?”

“My favourite person,” Vivienne said sardonically. The Roegadyn she had fought twice, at Carteneau, in the Fringes, followed at Yotsuyu’s heels, looking about without interest. Good. If he was reassigned here, maybe she could finally fight him directly.

The woman inhaled from her pipe and blew out a long, bored stream of smoke. “Filth and squalor everywhere I look. How very Doman. What I wouldn’t do for a drink…” She gestured with mock cheer to the villagers. “Come now, you’ve no reason to look so afraid! You have lived through a quarter of a century of Garlean rule, remember? ‘Tis better to bend with the wind than stand tall and be broken.” Her voice turned cajoling. “Therein lies… hope. Therein lies freedom.”

Vivienne saw Achiyo’s fists clench.

“I come before you today seeking affirmation. A heartfelt declaration. You are free to answer me as you see fit – yet even the least among you should know the correct response. Should.” Yotsuyu gestured carelessly, and a young man was shoved forward by Garlean soldiers, falling to his hands and knees in front of the crowd. “A resident of your village – one of your neighbours, mayhap your friend – was detained by the Kojin this morning. They say he was attempting to flee to Kugane, but we both know that simply isn’t true, don’t we? Have you anything to say?” The man got to his feet, but he said nothing, head down, trembling. Yotsuyu turned to the crowd. “Hm. A bit slow, this one. Is there anyone more sensible among you? Have any of you anything to say? To swear?”

One fisherman, about the same age as the doomed man, tottered forward desperately. “M-my lady, I… I swear to serve the Empire! To do… whatever is asked of me… and never disobey…”

Yotsuyu smiled. “Ah! Well said that man. Of course… it wouldn’t do to simply take you at your word.” She reached into her obi behind her, and drew out an ornate black and gold pistol; she held it out to the fisherman. “Kill him. Surely you can do that much? He must be guilty of something or other, or he wouldn’t have attempted to flee the Empire.”

Slowly the fisherman took the gun from her hand, shaking as badly as the prisoner; slowly, he aimed it with a clumsy two-handed grip at him. “I… I have a family… Kami forgive me… Kami forgive me…” He squeezed his eyes shut and the gun went off. The other man dropped to the sand.

Yotsuyu clapped softly, smiling like an indulgent teacher. “Very, very good! I’ve always had a soft spot for men like you. Next, I want you to shoot those two over there. Too old to work, you understand – a burden on the Empire, and we can’t have that.” She pointed lazily with her pipe.

The fisherman’s mouth gaped open. “But… they’re my parents. You can’t expect me to…” He made indistinct noises for a moment before letting out a scream, pointing the gun at Yotsuyu. Two shots rang out from one of the soldiers, and the man dropped dead. The parents clutched at each other, pale as ghosts.

Gosetsu stood decisively.

“Ah, is it time?” Vivienne asked, drawing her sword. “We will show them no mercy.”

Alisaie grabbed her arm, which was dangerous with all her spikes. “Stop and think for a moment! If we go charging in now, every one of those villagers is as good as dead!”

Vivienne liked Alisaie, but she looked at Achiyo. Achiyo looked terribly conflicted, but she shook her head. “We can’t. Not now.”

“But-!” Rinala protested in a hushed squeak.

“We can take ’em!” R’nyath said. “C’mon, Kekeniro, you know we can, back us up!”

Achiyo’s hands clenched. “So many times I have wanted to stop them from doing these senseless crimes – though I have never seen any this senseless or pointedly cruel. But we cannot destroy the Garleans simply by eliminating their viceroy. They will retreat to their fortresses and return with tanks and airships. We have slain gods, but the gods have generally been singular targets – not an army.”

“She’s right,” Alisaie said. “In this case, they would simply take the villagers hostage. We must consider the wider picture. If we act recklessly, we risk alerting the Garleans to our presence here, making it that much harder for us to work with the local rebels – to say nothing of the reprisals ordinary civilians would be made to suffer.”

Gosetsu gestured at the village. “Open your eyes, girl – they are already suffering! Let me go – I am putting an end to this madness! I will approach the village alone and identify myself. As a former leader of the rebellion and a known fugitive, they will wish to detain me until they are certain they have learned all I know. Use this time to make your plans!”

“You saw what those monsters did to the villagers!” Lyse cried. “Who knows what they’ll do to you – assuming they don’t kill you where you stand!”

Gosetsu did not waver. “We live and die at the pleasure of the kami. My fate is in their hands, and no other’s. If it be of any comfort, I am no stranger to chains.”

“You can’t expect us to stand idly by as a comrade goes marching off to his death!” Lyse said. “And this is nothing like Kugane!”

“…Nor is it like the Reach, Lyse – or the Wall,” said Alisaie. “Let him go. Hold out for as long as you can, but remember: noble sacrifices are to remain an absolute last resort. I wish I could say it won’t come to that, but only the gods know how we’re going to get you and the others out in one piece. A miracle, perchance…”

Gosetsu pointed. “A great tower stands to the north and east. Look to its occupants for aid and succour. Together, you may yet find your miracle. Now, leave this place. I must go.” He ran out into the open – just in time, perhaps, for Yotsuyu had recovered her gun and was eyeing the elderly couple whose son had just been murdered.

“Another idiot like all the rest,” she drawled. “I’m beginning to think it may be something fundamental, something intrinsic, something quintessentially Doman to ignore the simple truth: you can’t do a damn thing if you’re dead.” She aimed the gun at the elders.

“Enough, Yotsuyu!” Gosetsu bellowed, and instantly had every Garlean gunblade trained on him.

Yotsuyu scoffed with amusement. “Well now… this is a surprise!”

“Hear me, Yotsuyu: cease this farce, here and now, and I shall surrender myself to you. Refuse, and all shall answer to my blade.” He settled into a ready stance, not touching his katana, but ready to draw on an instant.

Yotsuyu lowered her pistol. “…Bring him to the tavern.”

In a moment, Gosetsu was surrounded by soldiers, disarmed, and bound. Vivienne saw Achiyo clenching her fists again. Regretting her decision? It wasn’t too late to change it.

“Come,” Achiyo said shortly, and led them down the beach, away from the village.

“I can’t believe we’re runnin’,” Chuchupa grumbled. 

Achiyo stopped. “We are not running. We are finding an alternative solution.”

“We’re actin’ like yellow-bellied cowards, is what we are,” Chuchupa bit back.

“No, Achiyo is right,” Alisaie said. “I hate it as much as you. Every fibre of my being was crying out to intervene, but… But what’s done is done. Gosetsu’s gamble has gifted us the time we need to find a solution. He bade us seek aid at the distant tower, yet? For want of a better idea, I say we do just that – while taking care to avoid the Imperials.”

“She’s right,” Lyse said softly. “This is not like the Reach. This is worse. They were defenceless…”

“All right, how are we getting to the tower without being spotted?” Tam said. “There is no way in all of your hells that I’m swimming, so you can forget that.”

“I will lead you by paths through the hills,” Achiyo said. “I have not been to the tower, so I do not know them from personal experience, but I have a general idea. I only pray it does not take too long.”

“What if we put Tam on his back and towed him like a log?” R’nyath said. “He can be comatose all he likes as long as he can still breathe, right?”

“No,” Tam said.

“I am not in the mood for argument,” Achiyo said, and walked off westward, towards the hills. Silently the others followed her.

 

“We can’t just sullenly trudge through the forest,” R’nyath said in what was meant to be a reasonable tone.

Achiyo was still not in the mood to be reasonable. The horrible sight of those two murders was still playing in her head, bound up in her complicated feelings about her previous time in Doma. Before, she had been powerless and afraid; Percival had often put his health and even his life on the line to distract Garleans from bullying Domans, but he had made her safety his first priority, and had never allowed her to do likewise. But things were different now. She was older, stronger, more skilful, and with a team of powerful comrades at her back. They should have attacked-

And then what? Even if they had attained advantageous positions before attacking, even with Kekeniro’s strategies, Alisaie was right about hostages. A more hard-hearted commander might think that a few fishermen was a small price to pay for eliminating the viceroy, but they had not come to Doma to sacrifice yet more of her citizens. Certainly not without the support of the locals. They might be no better than the Empire then.

And yet- her strength felt wasted. So many times she had seen beatings and bullying and torture and she had seethed inside, saying to herself that someday she would change things. She was back, with all the life and pride and strength she had earned in Ishgard, and had changed nothing.

She felt the accusing gazes of some of her companions. Chuchupa in particular was upset with her, and she was not used to having Chuchupa upset with her.

“Come on,” R’nyath said again. “We gotta stay positive. We’ve only just got here. We’ve gotten a look at how bad things are, and maybe we’ll see worse, or maybe not, but the important thing is figuring out how to fix it, not brooding on it.”

“Yes, brooding on it will only weaken our resolve,” Lilidi said. “Ul’dah wasn’t built in a day.”

“It will only strengthen mine – but perhaps you should not follow my example,” Vivienne said.

“I believe you are the very portrait of a bad example of a lot of things,” Alisaie said, and Vivienne cracked a smile. “Ah, there is the beach again. We seem to have evaded their patrols so far…” She pulled out the map she had purchased in Kugane and looked for landmarks.

They were about a malm northeast of Isari, having made a short detour about the village past the hills that surrounded it. It had not been quite as easy as Achiyo had hoped, for the sea-side cliffs were steep, and sometimes it had not seemed like there was a way up or down that did not lead straight back to Isari and the Garleans. But now they had made it, and though the end of the day was coming on, there stood the gigantic tower, a little less hazy from distance than it had been, but she was still uncertain where the top ended, no matter how hard she squinted into the sky.

“What is that tower, anyway?” Lyse asked. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I do not know,” Achiyo said. “Percival and I never approached it. I believe he did visit it while I was in Doma Castle, but he was ever very poor at speaking of his experiences even when he wished to tell them.”

“Imagine climbing that,” Kekeniro said, and sighed. “I’m not great with stairs… The Crystal Tower was bad enough…”

“Let’s hope our mysterious ‘help’ doesn’t involve that,” R’nyath said.

“According to my map, we are on Onokoro, and the tower is known as Heaven-on-High,” Alisaie said, pressing the map against a rock to keep it open against a slight breeze. “A mysterious structure built long ago by persons unknown… Oh gods, listen to me. I’m starting to sound like Alphinaud. Next thing you know, I’ll be saying things like, ‘As you are doubtless already aware…'”

Achiyo let out a breath and allowed herself to smile. She was very fond of the twins. She would protect them as Percival had protected her.

 

Chapter 54: The Ruby Depths

Author’s note: since I’m going to be turning my attention to cosplay for the next 2.5 months, writing will be slower for a while. I’m sure I won’t stop, and in November I’ll be focusing on it for NaNoWriMo. Wouldn’t it be great if I could finish 4.0 this year? Then I’d be officially 50% done lol!