Basch fon Ronsenburg knelt in the small chapel which rested in the shadows of the Galtean Cathedral in the city of Rabanastre. While the major deities of Dalmasca were enshrined in the great edifice, lesser and foreign gods were assigned smaller places of worship like the one he prayed in now. The soaring spires and magnificent decoration of the Cathedral may have been absent but that suited him just as well. It was easier to find his soul in this simpler place.

His head rose, the long golden hair falling to his shoulders as he opened his eyes and beheld Freya, Snow Queen of the North, the legendary founding ruler of his lost homeland, Landis. After her death, centuries ago, the Gran Kiltias of that time declared her a Goddess and raised her name to the Heavens. Once revered throughout Ivalice, but most commonly in the north, Freya's shrines were falling into ruin and neglect now that her land had been conquered and absorbed by the Archadians. Fortunately King Raminas, ruler of Dalmasca, kept this small chapel in pristine condition knowing his vassal's fondness for the defied queen.

Basch stared at the Goddess, enraptured as he had always been since he was a small boy. In Landis his mother had taken him and his twin brother Noah to pray whenever time allowed. His father had little interest, and most probably Noah would have begged off had their mother allowed it, but Basch always looked forward to visiting the nearby shrine. Freya appeared so noble and beautiful to him, the protector and benefactress of all the land. The bitterest moment of his youth, besides the execution of his parents as traitors to the Empire, was the burning of the shrine by Archadian troops. He and Noah were fleeing Landis when he saw the sacrilege. Basch nearly cried, but stopped himself knowing his brother would have scorned him for his weakness. Later when Noah slept the tears had flown freely, however.

Basch smiled slightly at the memory, but it was tinged with bitterness. How much pain and anger he had felt as he and Noah fled. How that pain had turned to torment and that anger to fury when his twin was captured by the Imperials so his brother might escape. In those days Basch, though just barely a teenager, had given up all faith in humanity. He ceased to believe in Freya or in goodness and regarded the world as unrepentantly evil.

'Until I met her…' thought the knight, remembering his trek through the Dalmascan Sands from Nabradia where he had failed to secure a livelihood. Exhausted and haggard from hunger and thirst, he had collapsed in the desert believing he would at least be reunited with his lost family. But then she had appeared. Atop a shining white chocobo, her silver-blond hair flowing like winter snow in the heat of the wasteland, she was surrounded by mythril-clad guards who looked at him like a piece of filth. But her eyes held no such antipathy. Smiling, she gave him water and ordered the bewildered guardsmen to mount him besides her on the chocobo. They were horrified at the suggestion, but knew better than to disobey. Basch, delirious and confused, believed in that moment he had died and was being taken to the Heavens by Freya herself. He had mumbled such to his savior causing her to laugh merrily.

The knight smiled again, but this time it was graced by a look of true tenderness. As he continued to stare at the image of the Goddess, he remembered how much Queen Amalia, wife of King Raminas, had resembled Freya. And to him she was worthy of such adoration. After his recovery the gracious Queen had championed him to her husband, securing the young Landisian a position in the palace guards, unheard of for a foreigner. Basch, unable to repay her kindness in any tangible form, secretly swore his loyalty to her as well as the benevolent King and defended her in all things. But even he could not stop the dreadful illness she had suffered from since childhood from cutting short her life. At Amalia's funeral no fear of scorn or insult kept his tears from flowing freely then. But even with his champion gone Basch still remained in Rabanastre, defending her widower… and their young Princess.

Basch's musings were interrupted as the wooden door to the chapel opened, it's metal hinges grating noisily in the quiet shrine. A small head peeked in, large brown eyes blinking as they adjusted to the dark interior.

"Captain Basch? Is that you?"

The knight stood, a small smile forming on his handsome face. He turned to regard the young Palace maid who addressed him. "Am I needed Sophia?"

The young woman entered the chapel and pulled the wooden door shut before walking towards Basch with a worried look on her face. The knight regarded her as she arrived at his feet. Sophia was a child of the nomad clans of the desert. Her dark hair and eyes easily identified her as such. It was unusual for a nomad to be on the Palace staff, and Basch knew she was often treated badly because of it. That was something he could relate to all too well.

"Prince Ashelia is looking for you Captain." said Sophia, as she played with the strings of her apron nervously. Basch had expected this summons in light of earlier events today. It was no surprise Sophia delivered it to him. She was Ashe's personal maid as well as her best friend, though few knew how personal their relationship was.

"I'm sure she is." sighed Basch, rubbing the back of his neck beneath his flowing hair. "I don't suppose you could be persuaded to you were unable to find me, huh?"

Sophia's pretty face grew shocked, "Oh no Captain, I could never lie to Miss Ashe!" her expression grew petulant as she reprimanded him. "To think you would even suggest that Sir Basch! Do you have any idea how hurt Miss Ashe would be if she knew you spoke such things?!"

Basch waved away her protests with a small chuckle. "I was only joking Sophia! Of course I will attend Her Highness. I fear His Majesty's announcement has put her in ill humor."

Sophia looked down pensively as she nodded her agreement. "Yes, you are right Captain. That is why she wishes you to be with her."

Basch felt bad for his jest. Of course she must be in poor spirits. He should have skipped his morning prayers and gone to her right away. But his own heart was in such turmoil he wanted to ease his tension to be stronger for her. "I'll waste no more time than Sophia. Would you find Reks ad let him know I'll be late for our training today?" He grinned knowingly at the dark-haired girl. "Perhaps you might keep him company while he waits though?"

Sophia's face reddened. "Ah, of course Sir Basch! I'll take care of him… I mean, I'll keep him occupied… I mean, uh…"

Basch grinned wider at her discomfiture. "I understand you perfectly Sophia. Reks has been working hard, he could use some relaxation. Say about an hour, ok?"

Sophia smiled and bowed, though her face was still red. She turned to leave but spun back around with a pleading expression. "Be kind to her Sir Basch. I know you always are, but today…"

Basch smiled reassuringly at her. "I know Sophia. Try not to worry."

The maid nodded and smiled before turning and rushing out of the chapel. Basch turned and nodded to the altar of the Goddess for luck before leaving himself. He rushed back to the Palace ignoring the usual stares of admiration he received as the Kingdom's greatest war-hero. What he faced today would be harder than any battle he had ever fought… and much more important.