Hello again to any who have begun reading this tale. I wanted to wait a week or so to flesh out the first chapter before I post it and I will be doing just that. The story will be taking place from three perspectives, Larsa's, the Resistance (including aforementioned OC) and Ashe's. I have the first four chapters planned and sat down to start the first of them, but I thought that it would be appropriate to interject a secondary prologue, in order to give some perspective on Ashe and her state of mind and body at the moment. As I said, there is a lot to set up and this is part of that, a small tidbit before I get to a larger first chapter. Expect that chapter in about a week's time.

Yours, -Hessarial

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By writing this work of fiction I hereby lay absolutely no claim to the content, media, or IP it is based on, neither have I, nor will receive any monetary profit from it in any way.

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From the diaries of Lady Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca

Is it with sorrow inside that my heart still beats? Or with resolve of being in such position as I am? It is both, for how could my heart still beat with such sadness held inside? Every beat hurts me. Every day that I have to realize and accept the fact that Dalmasca is no more, only its tattered remains under an Arcadian flag.

Oh my love, each day that I see Dalmasca under such oppression I fall slowly inside. Was my wish to great? My wish of your love, of a family, of peace for our beautiful country? Ours was a wed of luck. Foul luck that on the day of our together, battle saw fit to see you torn wretchedly away from me.

Tears I cry for you Rasler, tears of sorrow that you are not here by my side and I am destined to see my land fall apart around me, with nothing I can possibly do to save her.

If only I could escape this hell, I wish only to be one with you. To be in your arms, not a care in the world. To feel our love strong, not this pain that its absence has dealt me.

Each day I wake, I stand before the Consul of our land, Vayne Solidor.

He wishes to see me at the head of my people, for them to look to me as their leader. But how am I to do such with clean conscience if it is he that is leading me as dog on a collar to do his bidding, that of Arcadia? Their flag now mars the walls of my father's palace, and the walls of its city he worked so hard to bring good to. Even the very streets of our wedding now hear the sound of armed Arcadian soldiers and lords walking them.

They do not care for any but their own, they give no head to Rabinastre or its people. They steal, beat and lay law as they see fit. Such does not even befit an empire of the scope of Arcadia. I would think that if it was their intention at all to bring peace to us as Vayne's silver tongue has spoke, they would not act as they do.

Why do they treat us so? Arcadia's aim has always been the conquer of Rozarria, but such head to do us harm they pay. Would they not seek allegiance instead of oppression from us?

Mayhap it is good that they do not, for I would never stoop so low as to be a benefactor of the empire that killed my father, and you my love.

As of now I am confined to the palace and its grounds, my waking hours see me wandering aimlessly around them when I am not summoned to his Excellency's presence.

He walks these halls as if they are his own, as if it was he that built them with his own hand. He cares not for any of us.

At night, before I take sleep I walk the rose gardens my father planted on the grounds in celebration of our wedding. Each night as I lay foot to these paths I think of you.

I see you by my side.

When I turn the corner from the step of the castle and see this sakura tree with flowers all around, all in bloom I remember the first time I saw you standing there under it, as gallant, bold and beautiful as ever, turning to lay eye on me. In that moment I knew we would be together. I knew we would be destined for to be as one.

My ever faithful partner, even in death.

On the night I saw you for the last time I was so afraid, so afraid for your life Rasler. I knew that Basch would sooner die himself than to see you taken from me. But oh how my heart ached each moment we sat, waiting for news of your victory or defeat. News was not given to me in word, no even as the messenger came rushing to the palace, telling of the paling's fail, behind him rode the remnant of our knights.

Our brave soldiers who risked their life for my kingdom.

At their lead was Captain Basch, with you in his arms, and an arrow through your heart.

When my eyes saw the sight before me, that was the moment of my death inside. Every resolve I had broke down to futility and I wept.

I wept for you, every day I did. Every day without you at my side was one I wished I did not have to live. It was, it is torture without you.

That night I wished only to follow you my love into the darkness. I tried to, oh I did try but in the end I knew that before we were together again I had to see my country free.

Free of this oppression that these years have brought.

My strength lies in you Rasler, in your next to me here in the cool of the night.

Even as I lay pen to paper and write my heart to you, inside I still cry.

I will follow you even into death my betrothed, we will be together.

But I fear that in my resolve I must not come yet. There is much to be done, even as hopeless as this lot of life seems. I know I can find a way to restore my country. But I must be strong to do so.

My strength comes to me in you, in knowing that one day I will see your face once more, and that on that day no force in Ivalice will ever separate us again.

Wait for me, my love. Wait for me to once again be by your side. I'm almost ready, there are but a pithy few years in front of me.

And I will be yours once more.