AN: Yes, this first chapter's a bit short, but bear with me. As usual, standard disclaimer, I own nothing!
The characters may seem a bit OOC to you, but this takes place roughly five years pre-game, so some of them have a bit of maturing to do...
Basch ran as quickly as possible down the cobblestone halls. Under normal circumstances, when summoned by the king, it was best not to keep them waiting. But these were hardly normal circumstances. He did not know the details, however the rumors spread like wildfire throughout Ivalice. He had yet to separate fact from fiction.
"You called for me, Majesty?" he called, not waiting to be announced, knowing that waiting would only further irritate the already exasperated king.
"Yes, a half-hour ago, but I care not," Raminas paced impatiently, "You are aware, I take it or the recent conflicts we've had with Archades?" Basch nodded wordlessly, not daring to interrupt the king, "Upon late, they have taken Nalbina in their conquest westward, and with it much of the Estersands."
"I see," Basch had anticipated that this conflicts would escalate to war eventually, but not this soon and not this close to Dalmasca, "Are we to war with Archades?"
"Not just yet!" the king snapped, "There are more urgent matters at hand." the king finally took a seat at his throne, sighing heavily, "My daughter, Ashe, she and her party traveled to the Estersands a few days ago. She was angry with me for pressing suitors on her and reminding her of the responsibilities she will soon be burdened with. She left with a few of servants and comrades for a few days to vacation along the Nebra. We have not heard from them since the Archadian strike in Nalbina."
"Surely she did not go unprotected?"
"Several guards went with them as a precaution of course, but they are no match for the Empire's legions." he looked the knight in the eye, the king's eyes seeming older now, more distant than before, "The last words I said to Ashelia before her departure was that she was behaving like a child, and that her birthright is going to be her life from now on."
"Majesty, I am sure that she will forgive you," Basch assured the older man, "She is fifteen, highness. If every time she threw a fit, she never let it go, she would probably be in an institution by now!" he'd never met, or even seen the princess before, but he knew women quite well. Usually an accusation such as "I hate you" never holds up for long.
"Aye, but now my main concern is for her safety," Raminas handed Basch a map of the Estersands, "Ashe would always travel here, just south of the Highwaste, when she needed time to think. That would be your best bet."
"I shall find her, and bring her back safe, Majesty," Basch vowed.
"So, running an errand for the king again, Basch?" Vossler joked. He enjoyed flaunting his seniority over the younger knight, "What is it now, scooping chocobo poop? Ah, yes, you are still below the chocobo poop...or have you advanced to more meaningful tasks; beating out dusty tapestries?"
"Enough, Vossler," Basch grumbled. While he was grateful to have found a job he was proud to do, working within the palace walls, sharing his quarters with the other knights proved to be a test of his patience. "If you must know, I am off to find out why there has been no word from the princess and her party."
"Off rescuing the princess are we?" Nathan grinned, "You know, the knights who guard the princess are eunics! One minute, you're helping find out where she's run off to with her little friends. The next, your balls are on a platter, and you're serving her royal high-horse for the rest of your miserable existence!"
"And you know this from experience?" Basch smirked, "Your voice has always been a tad on the high side..."
"Nonsense, I'm more a man than you, von Ronsenburg!" he stated boldly, "I was offered a chance to serve the Lady Ashe, but declined." while he withheld a reputation for being a brave, bold knight serving the king, Nathan was the youngest of the king's knights, barely above the squires.
"What is she like, do you know?" he was a bit curious. The girl was an enigma, that much he knew, but the would-be queen held many secrets.
"Who, the princess?" Nathan snorted, "A spoiled brat, aren't they all? Stubborn little witch..."
"You only say that because she slapped you," Alexandre chuckled, "Clocked him real good. I wouldn't worry about that girl dealing with Archadians; she'll kill 'em! The real reason he didn't serve the princess? When he went to meet with her, he spent most of the time staring at her chest!"
"Not much to stare at..." Nathan recalled with disappointment.
"Enough, all of you!" Basch ordered, "I am leaving, are any of you idiots willing to join me?"
Alexandre shrugged, "Adventure, mystery, damsel in distress? I'm in. Its been a while since I've had a bit of excitement. Beats the hell out of patrolling Lowtown. I'm actually looking forward to it!"
"Good. Nathan? With the two of us gone, it will be down to you and Vossler in these quarters. Can you handle being within that vicinity for a few days without killing one another?" the two knights were like oil and water most of the time, and at best got along for long enough to pull off some asinine stunt
Vossler shrugged, "No promises."
"Alright, it would be quicker to travel by chocobo," Basch noted reluctantly, sizing up the beasts in their pen, "Mangy buzzards..." he muttered
"Come now, Basch!" Alexandre chuckled, stroking one of the great birds along the neck, "They're magnificent beasts!"
One of the said "magnificent beasts" lowered its head, so as to make itself eye level with Basch, and let loose a horrific screech, clamping down on his nose with its sharp beak, "Damn bird!" Basch struck the chocobo, sending it reeling angrily.
"Now, now," Sopho admonished, "Maru likes you, do not hurt him, kupo!" the moogle untangled the reins, handing off the belligerent bird to Basch. "Now he is a sprinter. Even if you do not ask him to, he will carry you to Archades and back before he tires, kupo!"
"No, I am not taking that creature, its possessed!" he handed the bird's reins to Alexandre. "I would rather walk than ride that monster!" the bird leaned close to him again, taking interest in its reflection on the knight's armor. He nuzzled his image affectionately, "Wonderful, now it wants to molest me!"
"Eh, I'll take him," Alexandre shrugged, "If a horny bird is the biggest problem we encounter, all the better." Alexandre always had a knack for finding the light at the end of the tunnel. In any situation, he knew that things could be worse; he rarely complained and was easy going, almost to a fault. There were times when Basch envied him for that.
"Here, take Ami then," Sopho handed Bashe another bird, this one while much tamer, looked as though it was about ready to collapse at any moment, becoming food for the Giza Wolves.
"Stop!" a strong voice commanded. King Raminas approached, his subjects following close behind, "Before you depart, I want you to take this," he handed Basch a sword, inlayed with gold in intricate designs. Its sharp platinum blade gleamed in the mid-day sun, "Should you need it, this sword will serve you well. It has been in our family for generations, and you will find no better blade. It belongs to Ashelia, and I am sure that she will want it back. Until then, may it protect you and yours."
Basch humbly accepted the blade, "I pray we will not need it, Majesty."
AN: Well? Should I continue? What do you think? Push that little bluish purple button down there, its lonely...