Chapter 3
The Road Ahead
Willow absent-mindedly cut down any crawlers she found. They didn't present any challenge for her so it was easy to get lost in her thoughts. On the way home that day, her father confided that he had forgotten his pass to show the guards upon his return to Bastok. When he returned to the campsite to retrieve it, everything had been packed up but there was no Willow to be found. Knowing his daughter all too well, he went off in pursuit of her. The sounds of the battle drew him to their position and he'd arrived to see her doing poorly.
The portion he didn't tell her was that he had been tempted to jump into the fray and help, but he wanted to see if she would be able to overcome her attacker. When it appeared that she might not be able to, he was about to make his move until he saw her roll to the side and sink her blade into the Quadav. Pride and sympathy filled him as he knew how horrible she would feel at taking her first life.
Presently, she automatically went through the process of harvesting and unraveling the crawler cocoons. When it was over, she had enough spools of silk thread to net a nice profit which would cover her food and travel expenses for a while.
"Willow, you there?" came a voice over the linkpearl.
"Mag, where have you been? I've been waiting for you all day!"
"Sorry, Will, the job was a little trickier than I thought it would be. Then, on the airship ride back from Kazham, this creepy guy kept staring at me! At first I thought he was going to ask me out so I avoided him, but he just kept following me. I've just pulled back in to Port Jeuno, so I'm going to lose him before meeting up with my contact. Shouldn't be much longer now. See you in a bit!" Willow's eyes rolled when she wondered at the amount of trouble Magiere was about to get into. Her thoughts were silenced by a grumbling that radiated outward from her stomach.
"Wait! Stop by the auction house and get me some food; I'm starving!" Willow pleaded but there was no response. The few bites of salmon sandwich did nothing to appease her angry stomach. Maybe there's something in my backpack, something I overlooked, she thought to herself. Willow always had a habit of packing away a little something extra. As an adventurer, things had a way of not going according to plan so she learned the hard way to keep extra food handy. However, before she could do so, she would have to track down that chocobo yet again.
Willow made her way back up to her previous resting area, dreading another game with the chocobo on an empty stomach. Fortunately, she returned to find the chocobo simply seated upright, eyes closed and gently snoring next to the tree it had been calling home for the past few hours. Willow stopped and took a mental picture of the adorable sight in front of her.
The chocobo dozed peacefully now, but Willow knew that if awoken it would bounce around with more energy than Willow had patience to deal with at the moment. Closing her eyes for a moment she recalled just the spell for this situation and cast it. Slowly, she walked up to the chocobo, yet her feet made no noise along the ground. Although her sword and scabbard jiggled with every step, they made no sound either.
Once Willow was alongside the sleeping beast, she carefully undid the knots that held her backpack in place and gently hoisted it up and off the beast's strong back. At once, the bird opened its eyes, snapping its head in Willow's direction. Frightened and confused over how someone had gotten so close to her while she slept, the chocobo kicked in Willow's direction and ran off.
Still holding the backpack over her head, the kick caught Willow squarely in the chest, sending her and the backpack flying in two different directions. She sailed through the air a good distance before she landed hard on her rump several feet away. Shaking the wooziness from her head as she got to her feet, she then rubbed her backside and scanned around for the backpack. Her joy at finding it a few seconds later was shattered when she noticed the contents of her well-packed backpack strewn all over the grass.
"Chocobos…" Her voice trailed off before even starting her rant. Willow set about the business of picking up her things when she was delighted to find some ginger cookies wrapped neatly on the ground. They were good for a nice boost of energy but she was hoping for something with a little more substance. It's better than nothing, she told her stomach. With a cookie in her mouth, she walked around picking up her things.
A short distance away, she noticed the glint of metal catching the sun. The reflection stung her eyes momentarily so she dropped everything else to investigate. Taking a few steps in its direction, she identified the trinket immediately. The pendant's design was a pair of golden wings surrounding a circular, purple crystal. All followers recognized it as the symbol of the Dawn Goddess, Altana.
It reminded her of something her father would have made in his workshop and she kept it close to her at all times even though she'd found better, more useful things to wear around her neck. She had received the pendant long ago from a priest as thanks for performing a service for the San d'Orian Cathedral. Holding the trinket in her strong yet delicate hands, she became lost in the tumultuous tides of her memory yet again.
- - - - - -
"I am confused, Papa. If we can raise people from the dead, then why did Mama have to die?" Willow shouted at her father. She was angry at him for all the years she could have spent with her mother if her father was able to raise the dead, years he robbed from her and her mother.
"It is not that simple. Yes, I have the ability to raise people from the dead but there are limitations to the raise spell. The spell only works on the recently dead. Any deterioration of the body ruins the spell. And, the spell doesn't work on those who've willingly sacrificed their life or died of natural causes. Since your mother died giving birth do you, she falls into the latter two categories.
"San d'Oria, where you were originally born, is not as technologically advanced as our new home Bastok. Had you been born here, surely she would have lived thanks to advances in medicine here. As it stands, it is not entirely unheard of for an Elvaan woman living in San d'Oria to die in childbirth.
"She is buried there on the hallowed grounds of the San d'Orian Cathedral, if you wish to visit and pilgrimage to the cathedral some day. However, I cannot go with you because of my duties here at the guild."
Willow's pain had subsided a little from the explanation her father gave, but she still felt the pangs of disappointment over not getting to know the mother she never met. Her mind was made up before he even suggested the visit. She knew she had to see her homeland for herself, and pay her respects to her departed mother. Desperate as she was to leave, she was in need of a method to finance the trip. She scrounged for months performing odd jobs and fishing in between her studies and daily training.
Her father acknowledged, after their most recent session, that after six years of training together she was nearing the end of what he could teach her. She had a modest, but capable repertoire of magic spells at her disposal and her skills with a blade were the envy of any young man her age. Whenever any one of them thought he had what it took to join the Iron Musketeers, one of Bastok's elite forces, he would challenge her. When she would inevitably beat them, they knew they were in need of more training. She was as ready as she'd ever be to face the outside world.
Willow went to Magiere's house to say goodbye the day before her departure. The sounds of Magiere's father yelling at her for some inane reason could be heard from a distance before she was even close to their house and standing beside her best friend's front door, he could be heard as though she were in the room with them. He was yelling at her over various things but it seems what set him off was a plate Magiere had broken. Willow could tell he was drunk again. From the sound of it, Magiere yelled back as good as she got, calling her father worthless and a waste of air.
Suddenly, the door flung open and knocked Willow to the ground. Out ran Magiere, her face covered in tears. "Ow!" cried out Willow.
"Sorry, didn't see you there," Magiere somehow managed to say through the lump in her throat. Her hand swept by her face and tried to cover up her tears then reached down to pick up her friend.
"What was it now?"
"Oh, I broke a plate when I was doing the dishes and since he just got home from drinking and not catching anything all day he was mad. So, he went off about how we can't afford new plates and how I'm such a burden, blah, blah, blah. How can I be a burden if my fishing is the only thing keeping this family running? I swear, every day it's something else with that man. I can't wait to be out on my own, and then he'd see he's lost without me."
"I came to talk to you about something, but not here. Let's go somewhere else." Taking Magiere by the hand, Willow led her off in the direction of Port Bastok. Since that's where her father did all his "fishing" Magiere hardly went there. They stopped along side the fence where they could watch the arrival and departure of the airships headed for the city of Jeuno.
"I do not know how to put this so I will just come right out and say it. I am leaving tomorrow."
"WHAT?" Magiere's eyes began to fill with tears again.
"I am not leaving for good. It will only be for a short while, maybe a month or two. I am going to San d'Oria to visit my mother and see the cathedral there but I will be back once I am done."
"Take me with you! I can't stay here alone. Please, don't leave me alone."
"I would love for you to come with me but I am sorry Mag. This trip is going to be a little dangerous as it is. It would not be wise to add to it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Magiere's skin grew hotter at the perceived insult.
"Well, from what Papa tells me it is a harsh world out there. You have not had any sort of martial training like I have so you will not be able to handle yourself. That, and… you… tend… to get in trouble quite a bit."
"But I've been better lately. Please, please, take me with you. I can't stay here with him," Magiere grabbed onto Willow hoping to tag along if only she held her friend tight enough. Not being able to hold it in any longer, Magiere started sobbing into her friend's chest.
Willow held her friend close and let her cry. Although she didn't want to admit it to her friend, she really wanted to take this trip alone. She wanted to test herself against the possible dangers she would come across out on the open road. She ran her fingers through her friend's long brown hair and did her best to assuage Magiere's grief. When Magiere finally let up a little, Willow leaned in and whispered, "I am sorry. I cannot take you with me."
The words cut Magiere to the bone. She detached herself from Willow before screaming, "Fine!" She then slapped Willow as hard as she could before running off.
Willow stood by the fence for a long while. Airships came, dropped off their motley crew of passengers, picked up others, and then made timely departures. Still she remained and so did the sting of Magiere's slap. She could almost make out the feeling left by each individual finger. Since the day they met each other at the auction house when they were little girls, neither had raised a hand to the other in anger. Willow sat down on a nearby bench, stifling the lump in her own throat, before surrendering to her emotions altogether.
The next morning, after Willow had packed up her belongings she was ready to say goodbye to her father. She scanned around the house one last time. Willow eyed the locked chest curiously, as it was the only spot in the house that she wasn't allowed access to, or even expected to dust. She smiled softly at the piles of various books she had to read in lieu of a proper education. While they were not as bad off as some of the Galka living in Bastok, they certainly weren't upper class. They weren't even middle class—they didn't even have a moogle. But they did just fine on their own. The end was a long time coming, though. The tiny place she called home for 17 years was no longer big enough for her.
Her father had taken off early in the morning; she had supposed that he just had something to take care of down by the guild. She wished she had woken up when he left so they could have exchanged goodbyes. Still, she wasn't planning on being gone forever, just long enough to get to San d'Oria and back. Even then, that was the first and longest time she'd be on her own. By her estimates, it would take several weeks of walking to get there. It would be faster if she could just take a chocobo, but she didn't have a license.
When the last of things were stored in a backpack she'd recently purchased with money she'd scrounged, she made her way to the door. Just as she was about to open the door, it swung open, and in walked her father. "Good. You have not left yet, " he said.
"Just barely. I was about to step off. Where did you run off to this morning? More duties at the guild demand your attention?"
"No. If you must know, I was getting a few things ready for your departure. First, I stopped off at the Department of Defense and registered you as a Bastokan adventurer under the name "Willow". Some adventurers take on a name they think is intimidating or out of the ordinary, but I think your given name will do just fine. Now, when you see one of the Iron Musketeers out on their posts they shall be able to cast signet upon you. I will leave that for them to explain. Then I stopped off for some magical maps you will need and some other emergency items. Finally, I stopped by the blacksmith guild and got this for you. I called in a favor from Hugues and he made this a few weeks ago. It was supposed to be a present for completing the training. Now, it seems it is a farewell gift. Remember to keep it oiled."
Her father held up a rapier and scabbard. He unsheathed it and handed it to Willow for inspection. She held the blade in her hands, bouncing it lightly to test the weight of it. The blade itself was about 3 feet long with a double edge and polished to a high shine. The grip of the weapon was protected by a bell guard and balanced by a thick pommel.
While she admired the sword, her father pulled various miscellaneous things from his knapsack. "These maps will show your present location and help you locate others. I also have a few of these potions," he held up two vials of semi-clear liquid, "in case you run into trouble out on the road. And finally, this is a last resort item." He unraveled a scroll with a spell she didn't recognize. "It may be a bit complex for you to understand now, but if things look bleak or you just feel like coming home, simply read it and it will return you in an instant."
She now owned her own sword. She smiled inwardly at the thought. All of this generosity was certainly uncharacteristic of her father. He had always been so frugal to make ends meet when she grew up. Now it seems he spent a small fortune just for her. When she handed back the sword, she tackled her father with a hug.
"Oh, Papa, I thought you did not want this for me. Why have you been so generous? I never would have thought you would, or could, train me and now all this?"
He grabbed her shoulders pushed her back to arm's distance and looked her straight in the eye, "The fact of the matter is that I did. However, your mother had wished that you would grow up without having to worry about the threat of war and battle constantly looming over your head. I did not understand her at first, and it was point of contention. Battle and fighting has been the cornerstone upon which Elvaan honor is built. You could say it is what we are bred for. But, all these years spent living in peace, sleeping in a real bed and working as a goldsmith in Bastok have shown me why your mother was right. I could tell you why she was until I am blue in the face, but it is something you have to find for yourself."
"Now, let us be off, " he said and led the way to the Bastok Market gate to South Gustaberg. Before reaching the gate, he led her on a quick detour. "One final thing, you cannot start a journey as perilous as the one you plan on undertaking in a housedress, so we need a quick change of clothes."
Before them was the door to Brunhilde's, a shop for various sets of armor. She and Magiere always used to look in the window and talk about which ones they wanted. Now it seemed that Willow would finally get her chance. Her father handed over a slip of paper to the middle-aged woman behind the counter. "Ah, Nouvalmille, yes, I have your order ready. It came in several days ago. Young lady, please step over here." Brunhilde directed Willow behind a dressing screen and began to help her don her new armor. It was strange for Willow to hear her father's real name; she was always used to calling him "Papa". Nouvalmille simply strolled about, admiring the craftsmanship of the other armors hanging from the walls and displayed on the shelves.
When Willow emerged from behind the dressing screen she was outfitted in leather armor made from the highest quality lizard skins Brunhilde had. The armor was snug and form-fitting for ease of movement. It almost felt like a second skin to Willow. The final touch was the traveler's cloak made from matching lizard skin, which Brunhilde placed on her shoulders.
"Now you're ready. Thank you Brunhilde, the armor is exceptional. Good day." With that, they both departed the store. The gate wasn't much further down and Willow could see it from the
doorway. Standing watch and checking identification was a giant Galka in a suit of mythril armor. He was an imposing figure and Willow supposed that's why he was stationed there at the gate.
"That is Rabid Wolf. He may look intimidating but he is a good soul. Go up and show him these," he said while passing over her credentials, "and ask him about signet. One last thing: The San d'Orian-born Elvaan are somewhat snobbish, even to their own kind if they're not from San d'Oria. Even though you were born there, you were raised here. That is something they will not like in you. Keep your dealings with them short and do not draw undue attention to yourself. This is where I must leave you. I will see you when you return from your journey."
She waved goodbye to her father. He simply nodded and walked off. Her heart sank when she thought of Magiere. Willow had wished her friend could be there to see her off but knew Magiere would need some time to cool off. She told herself that she would pick something up from San d'Oria for Magiere and tell her all about her adventures when she got back. She snapped back from her thoughts when enormous Galkan Iron Musketeer in front of her spoke.
"Yes? What can I help you with today, miss?"
Willow held up her credentials and stammered, "I-I would like to know about 'signet' please."
"Ho ho, a first timer? Once the outward aggression between the 3 nations came to an end, the Duchy of Jeuno came up with the idea of 'conquest'. It was a way for each nation to expand territories without direct conflict with each other. The point is to drive out beastmen in the region. Whichever nation drives out the most, can claim temporary ownership of the region. In this way, the spirit of friendly competition is fostered between the three nations while at the same time driving back the beastmen hordes.
"Signet is an enchantment which magically tallies the number of beastmen you defeat. Bastok encourages all adventurers like yourself to receive signet before venturing out of the city. We had first place in our grasp but it escaped us. We must step up our efforts. Would you like signet, miss?"
Willow nodded and Rabid Wolf cast the spell upon her. She didn't feel any different nor could she perceive any aura about her like she could with some of the other spells. If the spell had any effect, she didn't know, but if it helped out her home town she was glad to put forth the effort. She simply smiled at the towering Galka, took one last look around, and then stepped through the gates.