Biting the Bullet

Chapter 1: Lips for a Ship

With one powerful strike, Ashe sunk her sword in to the weakened beast, who screeched and perished from the impact of the blade. She stood back to catch her breath. Training in the Tchita Uplands was becoming a laborious affair.

'And yet another creature falls foul of the Lady Ashe's violent temper.'

Ashe scowled, and turned around to face her annoyance. And there Balthier stood, hand on hip and a smirk on his lips. Her heart missed a beat, but she was still infuriated. Ashe detested insolence.

'Balthier, why must we argue this every time?' she insisted. 'Sword fights require a certain amount of force in order for the attack to work effectively. Anger does not come in to it.' Despite herself, she gave him her angriest glare, which seemed to cheer him on considerably.

'Princess, sword play is a flimsy excuse for people to vent personal frustrations out of their targets. There is no skill or tactic that can be elicited. I am merely suggesting you rethink your choice of weaponry.'

Ashe clenched her fists. How dare he! Her entire ancestry relied on the power of the blade in battle. Her sword reminded her of her true heritage, of honour and tradition. And yes, sometimes it was a useful outage for her...dissatisfactions...but for Balthier to even suggest that she was just clobbering things like a drunken seeq was unfair!

'My sword is a noble weapon,' she retorted in a surprisingly calm voice. 'Unlike that pea shooter you call a gun.'

Balthier raised an eyebrow. 'Oh? An expert in guns now are we?'

'I've watched you in battle, Pirate, and your contribution goes no farther than circling the party and posing.'

The smirk was gone. 'You're mistaken, Princess. My aim has felled numerous beasts, saving your skins I might add.'

'At the last possible moment, when the beast is too weak too move! And then you claim all the credit! That gun is a coward's tool.'

'Coward's...?!' Balthier sputtered. Ashe smiled in satisfaction. Another weakness. She committed 'gun skills' to her arsenal along with 'ship size' and 'chocophobia.'

'Admit it,' she chided. 'You couldn't survive a real sword battle, that involves timing, strength and bravery. '

'I beg to differ,' he insisted, tilting his head to one side thoughtfully. 'I believe you would be the one to struggle significantly when perusing my gun. You wouldn't know what to do with it.'

'A fool could work your gun to good effect.'

Balthier crossed his arms. 'Then it is decided. We will exchange weapons for the day, and see who is the most skilled. A little wager may also be in order...'

Ashe's scowl intensified. 'I am not wagering money with you. I know you convince Vaan to loot my purse on a regular basis as it is.'

Balthier moved in closer, unveiling a sly smile. Ashe eyed him suspiciously.

'If I prove myself more apt with a sword than you with a gun, I seek a kiss from the Princess Ashe as reward.'

Ashe spluttered and automatically took a step back. 'Are you insane? I cannot promise such debauchery!'

He smiled innocently.

'Fear not, I only intend to take a chaste kiss as trophy for my travels. My status in taverns can only improve as I can lay claim that I have kissed the future Queen of Dalmasca!'

'How ridiculous...'

'Of course, if you are as skilled with a gun as you say, you need not fear this penalty.'

At that moment, Ashe hated him.

'Fine!' she snapped. 'But I receive something from you if I win!'

Ashe fought off the urge to bargain for a whole day of seeing him shirtless. It was the sun, she was not thinking clearly.

'I'm all yours,' he purred.

She took a deep breath.

'If I win, I receive the Strahl.'

'WHAT?'

'Its only fair,' she reasoned simply. 'Or are you saying a kiss from me is worth lower?'

Balthier looked pained. 'I can't...its my ship! Fran would have my guts...'

'Then this is how it is,' she conceded with an air of satisfaction. 'You leave me to fight as I like with my blade, you to loiter with your plaything. Now, if you will excuse me...'

'Wait,' Balthier interrupted, some of his composure regained. He took a deep breath, before extending a hand. 'I accept your challenge.'

Her stomach flipped as she looked into his eyes and gauged nothing but sincerity. 'You really intend for us to compete.'

'If only to see the look on your face when dealing with a weapon more complex than a sharpened blade.'

'And the terms as decided?'

'Your lips for my ship,' he assured confidently. 'Tonight, whoever can dispatch the most unruly fiends on the Tchita Uplands: you with my gun, I with your shield and sword.'

Ashe stopped to think for a moment. What a silly situation she had gotten herself into. All this just to prove she had a talent for weaponry and to wipe that superior grin from Balthier's face? What would Basch say?

Basch would not approve, of course. Although it was not his business to judge her decisions. She was a future Queen, and she had no intention of making such a judgemental whingey soldier her advisor. How annoyed he would be to learn of this agreement!

Suddenly, Ashe had an incentive. Her own hand met Balthier's in a firm shake and she gulped.

'I fully accept your challenge,' said a smooth voice that she was surprised to find her own.

'I look forward to proving you wrong,' he winked.

And pivoting gracefully, Balthier departed, in a mood that suggested that he'd already won.

And although Ashe hated to admit it, it was likely he already had.