Summarys of each chapter seeing as my writing get's better each time:
Chapter 1: As the group reach Raithwall's Tomb and set up camp outside, Basch is haunted by his worst nightmare.
Chapter 2: Basch accompanies Ashe on her nightly watch- explores her attitute towards him once she learns of his innocence.
Chapter 3: The Demon Wall casts Ashe into the "void" but, of course, Basch tries to stop it and is tossed over too- with the result of a lot of blood...
Chapter 4: Recovering from a severe head injury isn't going too well for Basch as his fears play out through his nightmares and creep into his wakeful mind. Can he trust the others? Find out in the next chapter!
Chapter One
With the torturing and persistent sun beating down on their backs, the entrance to Raithwalls tomb was like a colossal furnace, intent on driving them insane with it's heat. Basch's skin prickled and he fought to control his rasping breath as beads of sweat trickled down his body.
Vossler slid down the pillar beside him, chest heaving under his armour, hands reaching for the water he carried.
The others thought this an inviting idea. They stumbled towards the shade of the cliff edge and threw themselves onto mercifully cool sand. Vaan actually groaned and stretched out his arms as if to hug the ground.
Basch's head swam as he sat down dizzily and his back struck rock. It was high time for a rest. The Sandseas were far enough to cross on foot without the unbearable heat, constant stream of foes to slay and Garuda the undead dragon to welcome them enthusiastically here at the Valley of the Dead.
The poor princess had gone from white to red over the last hour or so and didn't't look like she could even lift an arm let alone cast any magick to relieve herself.
In fact, Basch could barely gather the energy to raise his own weary, bruised arm. But lift it he did, and slowly summoned the power to cast Cura as Fran cast a spell Basch didn't't recognize. A shower of icy droplets cascaded blissfully down upon them for a short moment. Balthier swigged potion.
A light, swirling wind lifted the hair from his neck, cooling him further. He sighed and let his eyelids close before he could stop himself.
Dimly he registered Balthier's voice. "Poor man's worn himself out. Of course, it would help if he slept during the night like everybody else, for a change."
And exhaustion rolled over him like a smothering cloud on the breeze.
He struggled at the hands that pinned his own behind his back. Thrashed and snarled in panic and desperation. His efforts wasted, his Armour weighing him down, strength ebbing away from his limbs.
"Captain- our King… What have you done?"
Basch froze.
He knew the words, thought the voice was not amongst those that had haunted his endless nights in Nalbina.
He lifted his head sharply. Vaan- eyes wide and disbelieving- snaked to the ground clutching his side.
A growl ripped at his throat, dread pounded his heart as he thrashed against his captors with renewed vigor.
White hair-
He stilled, staring in horror at his King's thrown.
Ashe-
Her head rested on her blood-drenched shoulder. Her dead eyes gazed unseeingly at the blue carpet beside him.
An eruption of raw emotion took place in his chest. He could not breath. He could not see.
Ashe- my Queen-
Mist shrouded around her where she sat sprawled, animating her sickeningly. Her eyes suddenly focused , unblinking. Her head turned slowly towards him.
"Basch. My Knight, my Guardian," she spoke in a far away voice that seemed to come from all around him.
"What have you done? My Captain… my Captain…" she trailed off.
"Basch?" she whispered.
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Disclaimer: FFXII (c) Square-Enix. I do not own any of the characters, settings, names etc and I am not making money from this at all.