Chapter 1: Rabanastre


Rabanastre had changed a lot in those next two years – you almost couldn't recognise it. The posts which one held free flying Dalmascan flags now showed off red and black Archadian ones. Imperial soldiers dotted the streets, and they were more common than civilians these days. At that point, the public were awaiting the first appearance of their new consul, Vayne Soldior. They were looking forward for the chance to sum him up, and find out how to make him leave.

Penelo had to admit, she was curious to see the new consul. While she wasn't overjoyed at the concept of Rabanastre becoming the second Archadia, she wasn't ready to do something crazy like join the Resistance. The people working against the Imperials and the Archadians had made themselves known soon after the King's assassination. Anyone could be a part of it, you never knew.

Hurrying through the streets of Lowtown (Rabanastre's slums), Penelo was sure she'd be late to see the Consul's speech. The trouble was – as it usually was – tracking down Vaan. He seemed to get into endless trouble these days… Even doing a simple errand for Migelo ended in tears.

Arriving on the main streets, someone caught her eye.

Migelo was one of the few respected Bangaa in Rabanastre, even in all of Ivalice. He was the caretaker of Rabanastre's orphans, and had been like a father to Penelo and Vaan ever since they lost their families. The children he took care of did all they could in return, running errands, looking after his shop, and various other things. None of them minded, it was a way to say thank you – and it also kept them busy.

Migelo stood out amongst the people – he always did. He was holding a flask of what Penelo could only assume was alcohol. Probably for the fete that night, something Penelo and the other orphans had been working tirelessly to prepare for. Their efforts wouldn't be recognised by the Archadians, but Migelo would, and he had promised to split any pay he got and give it out to everyone who had helped. It was the only incentive they had, so the buffets and tables at the fete would be full to the brim.

"Migelo!" she called, pushing past the crowds to get to the blue Bangaa.

"Ah! Penelo," he said as she reached his side.

"Have you seen Vaan anywhere? We were supposed to see the speech together," she asked, scanning the crowd.

"Hmm… Yes, I think he went to do something for Tomaj…" Migelo trailed off, but his attention was soon diverted to the East Gate where it looked like a commotion was starting, "What's that?"

Penelo turned her gaze to the gate. "Do you think it's Vaan?"

"I wouldn't be surprised."

The two of them hurried off in the direction of the gate, but the closer they got, the thicker the crowds.

"I don't see anything," Penelo said, standing on tip toe trying to get a look.

"It might be on the other side."

Migelo took her hand and pulled her through the crowd, his respect and recognition earning them an easy path. His assumption was right, nothing was happening on their side of the gate. It was through the gate where things were heating up. Migelo pulled her through the tiny gap in the gates and through to the other side.

Penelo was taken aback by what greeted her. A huge, grandly garbed Chocobo towered above her, guided by many imperials. The great bird gazed around at the crowds, who without a doubt were worse off than he was.

Migelo, however, didn't seem fazed. "Ho ho! A fine, fine chocobo you have there. Yes! Tchita Downs stock, if I'm not mistaken. Change the soil, change the chocobo. Am I right?"

As Migelo dealt with the imperials, Penelo noticed Vaan in the crowd. She hurried to his side.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in a harsh whisper.

Vaan replied with a scowl. "I was running and errand, and now those idiot Imperials have cut us off for the stupid Consul…"

Penelo rolled her eyes. Maybe they could sneak out and catch the speech? But Vaan had that rebellious twinkle in his eye, and there was nothing stopping him when that appeared.

"Yes, yes. Different soil means different bouquet, too. Take a Dalmascan Barose wine, eh? It may lack the flavour and depth of some of your Archadian wines... but it has a certain strength of character. It's not bad, really, once you get used to it. Care for some, sirs?" Migelo continued to sweet talk the Imperials, offering his flask, "There's more than enough for all to cool their throats, of course."

One of the soldiers took the flask and looked it over. He turned to his partner and spoke to him in a hushed whisper. Vaan looked like he was getting impatient, and Penelo was sure that if the Imperials took any longer, he would burst.

"You, let these carts through then we close this gate as ordered," said the soldier, and his partner nodded begrudgingly. The gate slowly opened up, and floods of people hurried through to meet with loved runs or to run to the main street where the Consul would soon make his appearance.

The chocobo and his guards made their way through the throngs, still grand and composed. Migelo crossed to meet with Vaan and Penelo, a disapproving look in his eye.

"Don't give me a scare like that. You're lucky that ended where it did," he said, directing his comment towards Vaan.

Vaan looked like he was about to retaliate, but Penelo interrupted before things got messy. "Now's our chance to go through."

A bell rung through the streets, indicating the Consul was about to arrive.

"Ah, the ceremony'll be starting soon. I'd best be hurrying," Migelo told them, and started to make his way through the crowds.

"Okay, well –," Penelo started, but Vaan soon hurried from her side. "Vaan! Wait! What is it? Vaan?" she hurried after him.

Vaan pushed past the crowds to reach the main street with Penelo close behind him. The pair arrived where the ceremony was taking place. Large floats cruised through the streets, some that hadn't seen the light of day since the late Princess Ashelia's wedding to the late Prince Rassler of Nabradia.

There were more on that day then this day, and one of the three floats held the man everyone was waiting to see.

Vayne Solidor stood proud and tall, casting a glance over the people he would soon be ruling. He was dressed in the kind of clothes you could only get from the most famous Archadian tailors and seamstresses. He had an air about him that seemed untrustworthy, like he wasn't supposed to be there. But that feeling was dismissed for simple rejection of a new leader for Rabanastre.

Vaan and Penelo ran alongside the float, Penelo struggling to keep up with Vaan's long strides. But the float outran them, and they were soon left standing in the street. From what Penelo had seen, he was rather good looking, though she was sure she shouldn't be worrying about these things.

Penelo lead Vaan along to the crowded seats, and after a while they finally found a seat which would accommodate two people. They sat down just in time to hear the first words spoken. A judge had come up to the podium while they were finding their seats, and his voice echoed across the city.

"We will have order! I give you your new consul... His Imperial Highness Lord Vayne Solidor... Commandant of the Archadian Empire's Western Ar-" the judge wasn't allowed to finish. Vayne had already stepped towards the podium, shooing away the Judge with a dismissive hand.

"Your Excellency!" cried the Judge, seemingly appalled at the Consul's actions.

He backed away, and Vayne stood closer to the podium and cleared his throat. He gazed at the crowds, and Penelo almost thought he may be nervous. She didn't blame him, though she was surprised.

"People of Rabanastre!" he started, voice louder than the judge before him. "Is it with hatred you look upon your consul? With hatred, you look upon the Empire?"

The crowd reacted in a way Penelo had expected, negatively. "Spit on your Empire!" "Go back to Archadia!" were some of the audible shouts from the audience. Vayne didn't seem fazed, and he continued speaking as if the reaction was a positive one.

"There was little point in asking… But know this: I harbor no idle hopes of frustrating that hatred. Nor shall I ask your fealty. That is the due of your fallen king, and rightly so. King Raminas loved his people. Strove to bring you peace. His was a rule worthy of your devotion. Even now, he remains among you, protecting you. His ardour for the peace and weal of Dalmasca falters not. I would ask only that you do your king honour. Together, let us embrace the peace His Majesty would surely desire. Two years now divide us from war's bitter end. Yet still its shadow looms over all, stifling the infant peace. A pall only you may cast off! Achieve but this one thing... and your hatred of me, and of the Empire, will grieve me not!"

The crowd listened intently, some whispering to each other as Vayne spoke. Even the more agitated ones who were yelling at him just before seemed to contemplate what he was saying. Penelo was impressed, and even Vaan looked swayed.

A moment of silence descended over the street. Some soon resumed their original stance of hatred and anger, Vaan included. Others had been fully converted to supporters of Vayne, a few of them chattering in excited whispers to each other. Penelo felt entirely neutral, and she was sure she wasn't the only one. His speech was good, but she still missed the old Rabanastre. She still missed King Raminas.

Vayne continued. "I will stand fast. I will endure your hatred, suffer your slings and arrows. I will defend Dalmasca! Here I will pay my debt! I swear it now! Though King Raminas and Lady Ashe be gone, they stand ever at the side of their people. In honouring peace... you do honour to their memory, and to Dalmasca. What I ask, I ask plain. My hopes now rest with you."

With a bow, Vayne stepped back from the podium and out of sight, leaving nothing but a surprised Judge in his wake. Much to Penelo and Vaan's surprise, the crowd started to cheer. Penelo didn't think the reaction would be this good…

She watched intently and Vayne descended into the crowd to meet his people. He didn't just disappear into the palace, he had actually made the conscious choice to mingle with those below him. That was one of the few things King Raminas had over other rulers – he actually cared about his subjects. Maybe Vayne would be the same? Maybe Penelo would see him wandering East End someday, maybe even browsing Migelo's shop. She knew not to get her hopes up, but he seemed so perfect…

Vaan nudging her elbow startled her from her thoughts, and she turned her attention to him. "What is it?"

"Look," he said, pointing a gloved hand at the Consul.

When Penelo looked, she saw Migelo approaching Vayne with the same flask as earlier. His hands were shaking, a sure sign that he was nervous.

"What do you think he-"

"Shh!" Vaan cut her off, listening in as best he could to Migelo and Vayne's conversation.

"The patron of this evening's banquet, may it please Your Excellency," the Judge from before introduced Migelo. The Bangaa bowed, then knelt down before the Consul.

"I am Migelo, Your Highness. It is truly a profound honour to make the acquaintance... of our future emperor, Highness. The people of Rabanastre join me in welcoming-"

Surprising both Vaan and Penelo, Vayne laughed. Migelo's formal nature made him keep his head down, amusing Vayne further.

"That's enough of 'Highness.' Though indeed I am our emperor's son, I am no prince. Archadia's emperor is freely chosen by her people. I am but an elected official and nothing more," he said with a good natured tone and a smile.

Migelo hung his head, thinking he'd insulted the Consul. "I meant no disrespect…"

"Now that I think on it..." Vayne paused. "I would not have you address me as Lord Consul, for that matter. Henceforth, I am a citizen of Rabanastre. Why don't you call me Vayne?"

Migelo finally looked up at him, eyes wide. Penelo couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her hopes had risen higher, and there was plenty of potential for them to reach the skies.

"Eh, I could not. That would not be right." Migelo struggled to regain his composure.

"You are overly fond of formalities. I've just the remedy for that."

Vayne knelt down to reach Migelo's level and clapped his hand on his shoulder, a friendly gesture that not even King Raminas would perform. "Tonight you will join me, and we shall drink until you call me by name."

The two men rose, and with a smile, Vayne disappeared into the crowds. Others were eager to meet with the Consul as Migelo had, and he seemed to welcome the people with open arms. Migelo, however, gave a half-hearted sigh and walked off, grumbling to himself as he did so.

"How can he bow to him like that?" Vaan complained, arms folded and pouting.

"Vaan, you just do not get it, do you?" Penelo began to scold him. "He's not doing it because he wants to. You know what would happen if he didn't?"

"I know. It's just-"

"So, what would you do different?" Penelo asked as she started to abandon her seat.

"I don't know…" Vaan sighed, standing up to join her. "Well… I'd do something."


Of all the people who could've escorted him, Judge Ghis was not Larsa's first choice. In fact, he was his last choice.

Actually, he hadn't even considered him at all.

It wasn't like Ghis even liked him either, so what was the point? They'd just argue all the time. It was just his luck that Drace and Gabranth were both too busy to escort him to Rabanastre, as he would've much rather travelled with them then the oldest, rudest, most arrogant Judge Archadia had ever seen. Larsa was thankful he kept his helmet on most of the time – the strong smell of his stiff, gelled hair was enough to make anyone retch.

So naturally Larsa tried to avoid him at all costs.

That didn't really work out, because as soon as the young lord left his sights without his knowledge, Ghis would send a group five imperials out to search for him, believing that he was up to no good. This was utter nonsense, as Larsa hadn't pulled a single prank since Ffamran left, and that was six years ago. Though he did have to wonder what Ffamran was up to these days…

Gazing out the window of the Leviathan and down to the bright blue sea, Larsa wished they could just arrive in Bhujerba already. He had never liked being in the confines of an airship, and he hated the unnatural smells wafting through from the engine room. He had never coped well with flying, so he had been confined to his cabin to sit still until they landed. And though Bhujerba was Ivalice's only airborn city, at least it didn't move. He was happy they could stop off there, as three days of nothing but flying didn't sound appealing to him at all…

Larsa just couldn't wait to get off.


"So this is the place then?"

Fran looked over at Balthier. He was studying the ginormous building before them, the Royal Palace of Rabanastre. The Palace towered over the other buildings, dressed up like a giant stone model thanks to the arrival of the new Consul. The grounds were crawling with Imperials, servants, and civilians who had come to supply the fete with hot food and baked goods. It looked more difficult to break into then Fran had first thought, but they'd manage.

"They'll put more focus on guardin the fete tonight, so we'll be able to walk in and pick out what we want and make it out just as fast," Fran reassured him as she strung her bow.

The two of them were amongst the now dispersing crowds at the Consuls speech, taking a moment to study the place where their next burglary would take place. The two of them had been over the plan they'd made at least ten times on their way to Rabanastre, and they were sure the plan would be fool proof.

They only had one main goal – obtaining the long sought after Goddess's Magicite.

One of the most valuable items in Ivalice, getting their hands on it would not only earn them respect and notoriety from other Sky Pirates, but it would get them a supply of gil to last a life time. Not that they really needed more (they were still living off Balthier's find from two years ago), but more was always nice.

"You really think it will be that easy?" asked Balthier.

Fran nodded with a smirk. "Are you scared?"

Balthier rolled his eyes and turned his gaze back to the Palace.

"You think a leading man gets scared?"

"Enough with that 'leading man" rubbish." It was Fran's turn to roll her eyes.

Balthier leaned back in his seat with a look like a proud cat. He looked far too pleased with himself for annoying Fran. Sometimes he really did act like an annoying little brother…

As Fran put down her bow, the sound of whispers caught her attention. She looked around to see a bunch of children staring and pointing – some were even laughing. When realized they'd been caught, they disappeared into the crowds once more. Fran sighed.

It was impossible to be conspicuous when you were a Viera. Viera never left the Eryut Village, so they were an oddity all around Ivalice – and the large, rabbit like ears that came with being a member of the race did nothing to help. No matter how hard she tried to feel normal in the Hume dominated world, it wasn't possible. She tried not to let it get her down, but sometimes it was harder in a huge place like this where people were bound to stare no matter how polite they were. In smaller villages it didn't seem to matter, anyone could go to those places and no one would blink an eye. But with big cities like Rabanastre or Archadia, it was a different story.

Baltheir had noticed the gaggle of children as well, and in turn had noticed Fran's shift in mood.

"Don't worry about them," he told her, catching Fran's attention.

"I try."

Balthier gave her a smile, and stood up. He stretched, clearly enjoying the sun, and then offered his hand to Fran.

"If tonight goes well, you'll never have to deal with the likes of them again. They'll be too awestruck to laugh."

Fran smirked and took his hand, raising herself to her full height. She was at least a head taller than her partner, an attribute she enjoyed having. But as the two of them made their way through the streets, Fran couldn't help but think back to what Balthier had said earlier.

"They'll be too awestruck to laugh."

Fran wasn't sure she liked the idea of people being 'awestruck' around her, it wouldn't feel right. She enjoyed flying around Ivalice in the Strahl with Balthier by her side and no plan for the future. But if they pulled off tonight's theft…

Fran couldn't help but feeling regret at suggesting taking the Goddess's Magicite, but she couldn't go back now.

She was stuck.