He was on the run. That much he knew. If he was found now, who knew what would happen to him. After all leaving the position of Judge could make him suddenly become popular with Archadians looking to earn some Gil for his capture.

So running was his best option. He would skip town, maybe buy himself an airship. Yes, he would do just that.

Heading down an alleyway he knew to be a shortcut to lowtown, he came up with this idea. He would change his name, his attitude, his life.

"Say there... You're a viera. What's a pretty thing like you doing down here?" a voice ahead if him asked. A viera? Viera's rarely were heard of leaving the safety of the wood.

"I am here to change my life and forget my past. Now, if you will excuse me."

"Not so fast missy. You wandered into my turf, an that mean you have to give me something."

"I have no money but-"

"That's not what I meant."

He crept closer to see what was going on. The man speaking had pinned the woman to the ground and was trying to assault her. He, being the gentleman he was, couldn't stand there.

"Get off her!" he shouted, distracting the man enough to allow the Viera to sock him in the nose. She stood up quickly and prepared to fight.

He turned to her. "You alright?"

"I'm fine. He wont be soon, however," the woman looked at the man who attacked her. And she went at him.

He watched as she fought the man. She had skill. Hadn't she said something about starting new? Maybe she would join him in his quest to become a sky pirate.

As the woman finished taking care of the scum, she turned to him.

"Thank you for distracting him. The names Fran, by the way. And you are?"

He panicked. There was no way he would share his real name. It was too much a risk.

"It's Balthier. Say... Can I buy you a drink? I have a business proposition for you." Balthier smiled at her.

"Why not," Fran said, smiling back at the man who was soon to become the most notorious sky pirate of all time.