Note: Balasiel is an NPC created by Square Enix for FFXI and I have merely borrowed him for this story. I do not own or in any way claim to have created him or the online game FFXI.
Mercenary Heart
Part 2
Tsumi didn't make it a pastime to dwell on the past, however molding your entire life around vengeance did require a certain measure of it. Her knowledge that she would soon face the Quadav with her mother's necklace again had caused her to become introspective as she concluded her preparations while the cold fingers of dawn slowly crept over the horizon.
Some would say that to hang on to the hope of vengeance for so long was a way of keeping the past alive and perpetuating the cycle of self-pity, but for Tsumi it was a way of finally putting everything to rest. Once she had found the man responsible for beginning her cycle of suffering she could at last put answer to every question, she could destroy the bitterness she held in her heart and with that done she could finally leave behind every vestige of the weak girl who had no power to defend herself that she had once been.
Children need a protector, a provider and a champion to last in the world and many orphans had found all these. Some would argue Tsumi should have been grateful for the often cold plates of food she was served and the blanket and the broken mattress she had been provided at Justi's furniture shop but she could never forgive the man for treatment of her. He had never beaten her, never raised a hand to her, but the cold flip remarks and his constant belittling of her before everyone that she came in contact with did far worse to her than a beating ever could. The proud, "holy" elvaan could not stomach a child with the naturally "defiant, ungrateful and wicked" spirit Justi claimed she had. Of course he also told his version of the story of her and Miranda's tragic encounter with the orcs. In his version she had purposely let Miranda take the blunt of the attack so she might live. He kept her out of his house, she was an outcast, taking pains to make sure she was alone and friendless. Due to this she had been at the mercy of others who then took advantage of the friendless state Justi had left her in.
Sixteen-year-old Tyra stared in wonder at the many flags and beautiful tapestries that lined the hall to the barrack of the San d'orian Knights.
Balasiel led her to a small door at the end of the corridor and opened it. Lighting the lamp revealed it to be a small space, most likely used as a storage closet previously judging from the number of shelves still left high up the wall, with a bed crowded in one corner. Tyra walked forward and tested the mattress and found it to hard and firm. She struggled to hold back her tears because although it wasn't much it was far more than she ever had been given by Justi.
"It is a great honor that you have been allowed to live here with the other Knights in training even though we had no room to spare," Balasiel informed her for the second time. "You are not a true student yet Tyra, your capacity here is unofficial but since you possess a great talent I will recommend you for next term."
"That is unnecessary Sir Balasiel I only wish to learn the ways of the sword not become a knight," she informed him.
"Then what do you aspire to" he asked clearly puzzled as to why else she would wish to know how to fight.
"I have already decided to become a Red Mage and I will need to wield a sword skillfully as well as be proficient in magic" she answered with a smile. "A Paladin seeks only the good of the Kingdom and I seek nothing but my own goals so you see I would make a poor Knight."
"Well I hope in time to change your mind" the old knight said gently. "Not only could the Kingdom use another knight but faithful service could perhaps atone or acquit you of Justi's accusations."
Tyra's face fell at this remark, her heart going dead to avoid the emotion this evoked, and coated her voice in sternness. "I have nothing to atone for and I do not seek Justi or anyone else's approval."
"And who is this?" a voice demanded from behind the old man. It wasn't long before a young silver-haired Elvaan man crowded rudely past Balasiel into the doorway. "A new maid perhaps...?" He said with a roguish smile setting Tyra's teeth on edge.
"Marius, Tyra is my new personal pupil. She has not yet begun in the school but I find her talent impressive so I am beginning her training personally" Balasiel said a look of annoyance on his face.
"Here that Abuerjean we have a new student so special Balasiel keeps her locked in the utility closet and takes her out to train her privately" Marius called over his shoulder to a black-haired elvaan with a sparse amount of stubble on his face, his hair also tied back. "Not that I blame him she is pretty."
Tyra clinched her fist biting back her words. Judging from Balasiel's demeanor despite the insults leveled at him, the young men came with some influence. Both were apparently Knights in the last phase of their Temple Knight training judging from their armor and trappings.
"Be assured Marius that is not the reason for my interest and neither should it be yours. Tyra is a guest here, she is earning her keep through hard work, something you seem to have forgotten lately. Both of you go back to your duties."
"Whatever you say Sir Blasiel" he drawled bowing floridly his friend copying the gesture.
"Right away" the hitherto silent Abuerjean stated with a clipped salute.
Tyra watched the two leave with a distinct sense of loathing and perhaps foreboding developing in her chest.
It was thereafter that Tyra learned the cold emptiness that was a knight's honor. Marius and Abuerjean became a living nightmare to from that day foreword. It started as nothing more than a few disparaging remarks on her sword skills and a suggestion that she just find work as a whore where her true assets would be put to good use. She complained and instead of doing anything about it the Knights and even Balasiel wrote it off since they were both from old and respected families. They were honored, highly spoken of, and she of course was an orphaned girl with a poor reputation and purported to be wicked by the upstanding Justi and therefore not to be believed. She was told that if she continued to slander the good names of these two young elvaan she would be thrown out. This unfortunately made them grow bolder and more aggressive in their harassment. She was cornered, groped, touched and subjected to all manner of descriptions of what sexual acts would be done to her if they found her isolated. She grew fearful but didn't say a word, locking her closet at night and looking over her shoulder during the day praying that she would have enough strength to hold on until her sword skills were good enough to leave. She saved the meager allowance the school gave her, the most of her work being considered to be in payment of room and board, she studied harder than most and drilled constantly.
Finally, one day it all came to a deadly head. The day she decided to fight back.
The sounds of the summer festival floated over the battlements as Tyra slowly drilled her maneuvers. After a year her skills were as good as a novice knight. Although she had not officially joined the ranks of the students all knew Balasiel considered her a Paladin in training. She had made it clear that she would leave now that the term ended having saved enough Gil to get her to Windurst. She'd find a way to get into the school of magic there perhaps cutting a deal as she had done here. An unofficial student and working employee there couldn't be any worse than it had been here.
"There you are whore" a familiar voice slurred making Tyra's anger rise.
"Go away I don't have to take your insults or anymore I'm leaving this place tomorrow so I'll have no one to answer to should I choose to teach you a lesson."
The raucous laughter made Tyra's heart sink. They wouldn't be going away and since they were drunk this would be worse than usual.
"You who barely have the adequate skills of a first year knight in training teach us a lesson who just graduated with full honors?"
"Barely graduated by virtue of your families' names alone from the way Balasiel tells it" Tyra fired back turning to face them smirking defiantly. "Go back to those that care to have you around and will give you your undeserved honor. I know what pigs you truly are just playing knights for the benefit of your families' crests. Besides I'm the only one carrying a sword last I checked and I am sober unlike you two. It seems the odds are stacked in my favor, wouldn't you say? In a battle between a knight in training against two weaponless drunken pigs the victor seems obvious."
This insult hit a mark. She could see it in their faces, particularly in Abuerjean's. Of the two he cared most about his family honor, while Marius liked being a despot, and clung to what little he had with determination. Marius looked down to his vacant sword belt in consternation but his friend moved forward with a sneer. Marius leaned on the battlement to watch the show realizing for once of his folly but Abuerjean clumsily kicked at her hand trying to disarm her.
Tyra danced back out of the way and cut through his empty sword belt making it fall to the ground. He grasped at her sword time and again growing more frustrated and for once Tyra felt exhilarated dodging his clumsy hands.
"Stop now while you are ahead," she chided the furiously flailing knight.
"Marius help me we can't let this whoring wench get away with this," Abuerjean growled.
Marius looked a bit rattled by this idea.
"What's the matter Marius are you afraid I'll make a fool of you too?" Tyra goaded.
Marius moved forward after a moment considering the insult obviously the least drunk of the two. Tyra glided to the side avoiding the black-haired elvaan and kicked him in the seat of his pants making him wobble forward to clutch at the battlement. Between the two parapets he steadied himself as Marius took a hand-to-hand stance. It seemed he would be a little more of a problem but Tyra loved a challenge.
"So you know hand-to-hand?" She said with a grin.
He struck out at her feet with a sweeping kick which she jumped over quickly. Dancing back she made him face the blade keeping it between them ready to defend low-or-high. He fainted a strike above and then struck at her belly. Barely missing his attack she cut into his right forearm as they passed.
As anger flared in Marius's eyes his friend recovered and rushed her blindly from behind. Closing her eyes she decided to reveal her secret weapon. Some Black Mage Scrolls she had found in the Cathedral library and memorized had taught her the basic elemental attacks of Stone, Aero and Fire. Now, she decided, was the time to turn that into her strength against those unaccustomed to Black Magic.
She directed her spell towards Abuerjean's lumbering charge and loosed the spell. She quickly opened her eyes to parry Marius' blow with her blade cutting his hand across his knuckles on her blade. Marius' surprise and anger mounted as she heard the wind kick up and slam into her other foe knocking him further off-balance and crashing against the battlement once again. She took Marius's moment of surprise to bring her sword to his throat with a wicked grin and kicked him back away from her. Turning from Marius she treated Abuerjean to the effects of Fire singing his garments and thoroughly enjoyed watching as he cried out in alarm. She went to knock him out with the hilt of her sword when she heard Marius charging from behind. Settling to kick her quarry in the stomach she kicked out swiveling away in one strong motion to turn and face Marius. It was then she realized her mistake blindly kicking out when Marius' face turned to a look of absolute horror and Abuerjean's scream rang as he fell over the battlement.
Screams could be heard as his body plummeted into the middle of the celebrations below.
Marius in a rage wrested her sword from her and the only thing she could think to do was run.
Tsumi breathed in the cold air, the cloak she wore hung low below her shoulders and pushed the tendrils of her disturbed memories aside. Early mornings in the desert were always cold and that's all Bastok was really, a high desert. She surveyed the others as they gathered their weapons and various and sundry provisions for the day long trip. Tsumi knew she would have no trouble finding mercenaries willing to come and raid the Palborough Mines once more thus providing the distraction needed by her and her client to get deep into the mine. She had gotten 15 to join her this time and they were eager as always, the previous raids had minted them all a nice portion of Gil after all.
"So Slayer o' Palbourgh any specific instructions this time around?" Asked an axe wielding hume mercenary.
Tsumi smirked at the mention of the knick-name she had earned from her Quadav slaying exploits and raids on Palborough over the last three years.
"Just make as much trouble and noise as you can so that I go unnoticed for as long as possible" she replied pulling the hood up over her red-hair.
"The Quadav may be stupid but they mus' know even yer smell by now" the man said with a wicked laugh.
"That's what deodorize is for" Tsumi replied simply.
The men quieted as two hooded figures approached. One was obviously the elvaan that had contracted her services earlier. The other appeared to be a hume male but the hood fell over his face obscuring his features.
"Good to see you decided to join us" Tsumi said wryly to her client. "And I see you brought a friend. Your mysterious employer I presume."
"Yes" the unidentified man said beneath his cowl. "I told Preverias to find someone capable of retrieving the supplies for me. I hope it doesn't take long."
"No longer than necessary" she replied.
"There are 10 marked cases I want all of them back if you want to be paid. Preverias is going with you to ensure nothing is stolen by this lot."
The grumbles that arose from this comment rumbled through the small band. "It won't I assure you because I would exact punishment myself from whoever stole my fee from me." Tsumi was pleased to see the unrest quelled by her threat.
"Excellent I leave you to your work" the man replied with a sly smile beneath his cowl and slowly turned away.
"Prevarias stay with me I'll get us through. As for the rest of you now that I know there are 10 containers I need half of you with me. We need to be in and out quickly" Tsumi ordered.
Mounting their chocobos the small raiding party began its trek to the mine. Tsumi knew the way by heart. She had been coming there for a long time seeking some kind of comfort in slaughtering the beasts that had been responsible for the deaths of her parents and her resulting suffering, yet now she knew more than she had back then and it gave her little solace. The truth was the Quadav were dumber than bricks and the only reason they had been successful that day was because they had been ordered to do so by the Shadow Lord through his mysterious general. She knew the Shadow Lord currently causing trouble was not the same individual that existed during the war but that person was somehow over-shadowed by the amorphous part of the megalomaniac that somehow remained alive all these years that brought with it the memories and malice of its original keeper. To kill this Shadow Lord would merely take him out of existence until his next "rebirth" so revenge upon him even seemed hollow. The general however was a different story, if she could find him and he was still alive he wouldn't be for long. She had already gone to great lengths to ensure her freedom to exact that vengeance, if it was still possible nothing would get in her way.
Tyra approached the door her heart thudding in her chest. She knew this was it, the point of no return, the day she had longed for every night sleeping on the broken mattress in Justi's cold furniture shop, now it was possible to escape all those that would control her.
Entering the den of thieves she did her best to look confident although she was entering the unknown. She felt the leers and ogles of the men she past burning every inch of her body. It reminded her too much of the looks Marius gave her not to unsettle her a little but she knew she would have to get used to it since from this point on she would have to deal with thieves and cut-throats.
"Well what can we do ye fer miss?" the old man behind the counter said.
"I need passage out of the city and documents forged" she replied tossing the purse full of money on the counter with a piece of parchment on which her instructions were written. "I also need you to put me in hiding before we leave."
"Bastok citizenship papers, eh?" the man said perusing her note. "Curious name ye be wantin' it changed to…" He stopped for a moment to leer at her. "And why would a pretty young thin' like yerself be needin' to take on a fake identity?" He paused and picked up the silken change pursue caressing the San D'orian crest on its side. "This be a mighty fine purse for a wench like yerself to be havin'. Who'd ye steal it from?"
"None of your business old man" she snapped feeling herself grow angry and afraid all at once. "I'll also need a letter of introduction to the chapter of the Tenshodo Group in Bastok."
"Tenshodo…" the old man drawled punctuating it now with a whistle. "What would ye be needin' to do with them?"
"I wish to train as a mercenary," she answered.
"Mighty fine aspirations…"
"Shut up and just tell me if you are capable of getting what I need."
"Hold yer chocos gal I ain't told ye no."
Just then a commotion began to erupt from behind and the old man looked up a cruel smile on his face. "I think I know who's change purse this be" he said a touch of amusement in his voice.
In one swift motion she turned and let her hand hover at ready over her sword pushing down her fears. The old man had been right it was Marius his doublet slightly askew from quick dress.
"I can't believe you'd be this stupid Tyra" the man said angrily. "You thought I wouldn't awaken and notice my purse was missing? You thought you could get away by compounding your crime with theft? You thought I would just let you go without telling what I know and without tracking you down?"
"No you're right it was stupid to think I could get away without a fight" she said with all the bravado a novice Red Mage could muster when facing an experienced Paladin. "You always made it clear you would go to the authorities if I didn't just stay where I was kept my mouth shut about you and your visits to collect your payment." She smirked turning her back on him and paused for a parting remark, "You will have no hold over me any longer. Don't try to stop me."
"You belong to me. I own your life" he said in fury grabbing her shoulder from behind. "I allowed you to come to Windurst a free woman although you deserved to die for the murder of my friend and I even lied about what happened saying I accidentally sent him over when our drunken scuffle got out of hand."
"And you made sure I paid you back in your bed," she snarled wrenching her shoulder from his grasp kneeing him between the legs. He staggered back with a curse and began to pull his sword from its scabbard while still hunched painfully over. Muttering the incantation for blindness she hurled the dark magic into his startled face. And bringing her sword up she made a split second decision driving it through his heart. He would plague her no more and not bring back her weak past to haunt her. She was no longer his or anyone else's victim. She looked into his unseeing eyes for a moment before yanking the cold steal from his chest. As he slid in shock to the ground she watched as the life began to leave him. To leave the past behind, to never again be faced with Abuerjean's death Marius had to die. "No one will ever touch me again against my will," she vowed.
Noticing for the first time the dead silence in the room she looked up and around the room. Two men she had now killed. The first had been unintended on her part but the second had been deliberate and now with blood on her hands she could start a new life dedicated to vengeance. She would "sin" many more times before her revenge was realized which was why she chose the new name she had.
"Coverin' this up will now be part o' the deal I be guessin' Miss… Tsumi…" the old man said glancing at the parchment she had given him. "…no last name?"
"No, just as it says… Tsumi nothing more and nothing less" she replied setting her features firm.
Dismounting the chocobo Tsumi headed for the mouth of the mine and towards the sentries posted outside its mouth. The eager mob of mercenaries dismounted and followed her unsheathing their weapons as they walked.
"Alright all of you know what to do" she stated glancing around until she found her client that appeared increasingly nervous as they approached the mine. "Pervarius stay close to me if you get lost in there no one will go to find you," she said in contempt to the man.
Unsheathing her twin swords a cold grin of anticipation crossed her features and she led the charge surging forward into the hapless sentries.
