Chapter III: A Broken Promise

After the snow thawed Micaiah and Sothe would soon resume their journey, this time they'd be travelling north through Begnion. While in Sienne they would often walk around and admire the beauty that was the capital, or at least, Micaiah admired its beauty. Sothe did not really seem to care where they were so long as they had food and nobody was trying to kill them.

While the two were walking down one of the side streets, Micaiah saw a sign pointing them towards one of the city's baths.

"Look Sothe," Micaiah said, pointing toward the sign, "we'll finally be able to walk around without looking as if we've been sleeping in mud every night,"

"But Micaiah, we have been sleeping in the mud every night. And I'm perfectly happy with a nice layer of dirt on me, it helps keep me cool now that it's warming up," Sothe said.

"It's not healthy to be covered in mud all the time, come on, we haven't been clean in ages," she said, mind set.

As they entered the baths the receptionist told them it'd cost them two coins, each. Handing him the coins, Micaiah motioned Sothe towards the men's changing room while she turned to enter the women's.

"Wait Micaiah, what's going on?" Sothe asked.

"You have to change in there before entering the baths, Sothe," Micaiah explained.

"But, why are you going over there?"

"No kid, men and women bathe separately," the receptionist said.

"It'll be fine Sothe, don't worry, I'll see you in an hour or so, all right?" Micaiah asked.

Puffing up his chest Sothe said, "Of course, I'll fine by myself. See you later," before turning around and marching through the curtain into the changing room. Although his performance couldn't fool Micaiah she smiled as she turned to enter the women's changing room. She was happy to see how much he'd grown. In the back of her mind however, she was sad at the reminder that every day he grew, her own unchanging appearance would become ever more suspicious.

The room was, in Sothe's opinion, too hot. And it wasn't just the room temperature either; the floor and walls seemed to literally radiate heat. The "bath" appeared to be a misnomer as well since there wasn't any water. People were just sitting, and sweating, on benches. Sothe sat down in the last spot available, on the end of a bench already occupied by two men. Unlike everyone else however, they were only stripped from the waste down, and both wore matching white shirts. One was a tall, thin man with long black hair and friendly green eyes. The other was a huge bear of a man with short blue hair who also had green eyes, but his seemed more cold and calculating than friendly like his partner's.

"I do not think he can be trusted," the big man said to his companion, "his drive for power will lead him to cross any who block his path,"

"Ah but you misunderstand me. I asked whether we should help him, although you have given me the answer nonetheless. It is precisely his desire for power that will make this relationship work. His single, ultimate goal is to rule Tellius, this will allow us to easily control him," the thin man replied.

"Making him king was one thing, but it is quite another to lend him my sword. With it, and the Daein army, none could stand in his way,"

"Perhaps he could conquer Crimea, and even Begnion. But the laguz will band together if he attacks one nation, and if three of the laguz kings unite against him, he won't stand a chance, even with you by his side. So, re-join the Daein military then, infiltrate his inner circle, which shouldn't be too hard if you're as strong as you tell me you are, and figure out how he intends to gain control of Tellius. Despite his name, he isn't completely mad; he must have some plan to overcome the laguz nations, particularly the dragons of Goldoa. Against them no one can survive,"

"As you wish, my lord," the big man said, "I will rise through the ranks quickly, I think. I understand that Ashnard accepts anyone with fighting skill into his army, regardless of their person or background,"

"Excellent. Well now, young man, you're clearly not from around here," the black haired man said to Sothe, turning to face him, "otherwise you'd know better than to listen in on the most powerful sage in the world. I'm afraid my big friend here is going to have to take you outside and teach you not to listen in on that which does not concern you,"

Sothe looked at the huge man in fright, casting around for the dagger he always kept at his side before realizing he'd taken it off in the changing room. Then he saw that the bear-man was smiling, laughing to himself, as was his companion.

"You look like you take life a little too seriously, my young friend," the black haired man said, "we're not all out to kill you, you know,"

"You might end up being surprised how many of us actually are though," the blue haired one said.

"Zelgius, please, don't scare the boy. Besides, it looks like he's been through a lot of that already. Tell me, young man, why are you here?"

"I think I'm supposed to be washing myself," Sothe replied.

"Well you could certainly use it, no doubt about that. But no, what I meant to ask was, what are you doing here, in Sienne? After all, it's a long ways off from Nevassa, isn't it?"

"I'm protecting… My sister, Micaiah, and she wanted us to take a bath, so here I am," Sothe said. For some reason he felt like he could trust this man, even though his knowing where Sothe had been living all his life suggested there was more to him than meets the eye.

"Everyone needs a partner. Someone to catch them when they fall. I have mine right here," he said, patting Zelgius on the back, "I'm Sephiran, by the way,"

"I'm Sothe,"

"You seem unsure of yourself, Sothe. Is it that you doubt your own ability to keep this Micaiah safe?" Sephiran asked, gently probing him.

"It's just… Well… I'm so weak, and… We're always getting into trouble and I can never… I… I don't think I'm special or strong enough to protect her is all," Sothe said slowly, surprised at how much he was opening up to this stranger.

At this Zelgius leaned over to talk to Sothe face-to-face, "I wouldn't worry too much about not being special. Far more important than your birth is what you do with your life. If you work hard enough and practice everyday, even the Goddess would hesitate to try and to hurt Micaiah so long as you're by her side," Zelgius said.

"Thanks, I'll do my best," Sothe said, shyly looking down at his feet.

Soon after this Sothe got up and left to go clean himself in the actual bath area.

"Such a nice kid for such a cruel past," Sephiran said to Zelgius.

"I suppose," Zelgius said, indifferently, "I hope it works out for him and his sister,"

"As do I. In the end it won't matter however, and that moment fast approaches," Sephiran said as he sat back, enjoying the steam.

Shortly after their encounter Sothe and Micaiah, and Zelgius, all left Sienne. Whereas the two orphans headed northwest towards the Crimean-Begnion border, Zelgius headed east, and then north towards the Daein border. The three would be reunited many years later, although this time they would be engaged in the largest war in the history of Tellius.


By the time Sothe and Micaiah had reached Crimea over a year had passed since they'd been in Sienne, and the leaves on the trees were beginning to turn red and yellow, signaling the summer of the year 645 was coming to an end. Micaiah and Sothe had met about five years ago, and while Sothe had clearly grown taller, stronger, and older, Micaiah remained untouched by the passing years. Sothe hadn't noticed yet, perhaps he was too young to understand that over time people changed. They never stayed in the same place long enough for other people to change noticeably, and as far as Micaiah knew, Sothe had never seen a mirror in his life.

As in Daein Micaiah set up a fortune-telling stall in a crowded marketplace, this time in a small village in the far west of Crimea. The village was filled with miners and farmers as well as the occasional sailor from the nearby port city of Toha. Business was good; she made almost as much money as she had in Nevassa where she had been well known and much sought after. Now Sothe worked as well, meaning that the two had more than enough money to rent a room above the local tavern to live in. The green haired thief worked for the local Crimean Anti-Laguz Vigilantes, and although Micaiah hated them, they paid well. The group trained Sothe in the basics of how to be a battlefield thief; he improved his skill with a knife, and worked on sneaking around in between two battling armies. Although he didn't know it yet, these skills would later save his life.

"But they're just trying to protect their families, what's so wrong about that?" Sothe asked Micaiah as they ate their dinner within the tavern.

"The problem is they're trying to protect their families against a threat that does not exist. In doing so they're spreading lies, making people hate the laguz when they haven't done anything to deserve it," Micaiah explained for what seemed like the one-hundredth time.

"How can you say that man-eating tigers and dragons aren't dangerous? If the sub-humans got to you, they could tear you in two in a second, and I can't let that happen," Sothe replied.

"I've told you before to say "laguz", not "sub-human". And just because they can doesn't mean they will. I'd trust a laguz just as much as a I would a beorc," Micaiah said.

Before Sothe could respond the leader of the small town's vigilante group sat down at their table.

"Come on boy, break's over. We've got reports that suggest the sub-humans are on the move and we need you and the other's to do some reconnaissance. You've got the north gate, talk to the guards and see if they've noticed any shady figures coming into town," the man said.

"Yes sir," Sothe said, nodding to both him and Micaiah before leaving the tavern.

"Your brother's got talent, I'll give him that, and he takes orders well. He could go far if he works on sharpening up his knife skills," the man told Micaiah as he lounged back, taking the drink Sothe left. After taking a single gulp he spit it out, all over the table, "what is this, water?" he asked Micaiah angrily.

"Yes it is, my brother never drinks alcohol, he's afraid it'll dull his senses, and he's a bit young anyway" Micaiah answered.

"His loss…" the man said as he got up to go the bar.

What neither of them noticed was the shadow, hidden in the corner of the room, watching Micaiah intently. The eyes never left her as she finished her meal, paid, and went up to her and Sothe's room, figuring she'd wait for him in privacy. After she left a woman stepped out of the shadows and approached the now drunk head of the vigilante group.

"That girl you were talking to, she's part laguz," the woman said.

"Ah, it's you, I should have guessed. So, she's a sub-human, and the boy?" the man said, turning to face her.

"She's a branded, not sub-human," the woman said.

"Makes no difference to me. Either way, she needs to die. And her brother? What about him?" the man slurred.

"He's a human, I think. That'll be one hundred tomorrow morning, no later than sunrise, I intend to get an early start,"

"Of course, of course, you're well worth it. Have a nice night," the man said as he went back to his drink.

The woman turned and left without a backwards glance, the brand over her left eye shining brightly in the pale light.


Later that night Sothe was returning from questioning the guards, none of whom had seen any suspicious individuals entering the town. One moment the silence seemed absolute, the next, an arrow flew past, missing his face by inches. Then several yells could be heard as men rushed at him from out of the shadows, shattering the silence. Without missing a beat Sothe rolled out of the way, tripping one unlucky individual and stabbing him in the back. Rising to his feat he made out at least five others approaching him, more cautiously now. Sothe decided there were too many to fight, especially with an archer lurking somewhere nearby. Turning on his heel he dashed away, running into the first side alley he came to in an attempt to escape.

They had clearly expected this however as two men appeared at the end of the alley even as the other five entered from behind him. Jumping Sothe began climbing up the side of the nearest building, narrowly escaping the hands of one of the men. Running along the rooftops he began to think he might have successfully escaped, that is until he saw a solitary figure standing on top of the next building. He was holding a bow and Sothe was still several paces away. Ducking low and continuing to run he charged the archer who fired an arrow that Sothe just narrowly dodged. He tackled the man bringing him to the ground and shoving his worn dagger through his chest plate.

A sharp pain in his stomach spoiled his elation at his victory, and, looking down, he saw that the dying archer had stabbed him with a short knife. Even as the archer passed on he said:

"Got you, you bloody animal,"

He died with a smile still etched on his face. Standing up on shaking legs Sothe saw that the man wore the same badge he was currently wearing, showing that the archer belonged to the Crimean Anti-Laguz Vigilantes. Suddenly his final words made sense, the vigilantes must think that he, Sothe, was a half-breed. But why would they think that? He didn't have time to ponder this for too long however, he could hear the guards running towards him and he took off to the tavern as fast as he could, clutching at his gaping wound. More or less falling to ground level on top of a pile of bags outside the place, he hurried inside, leaving behind a trail of blood.

"Micaiah…" Sothe said, banging on their door even as he used it to keep himself on his feet.

"Sothe! By the goddess let's get you inside," Micaiah exclaimed, as she opened the door and Sothe fell inside, a pool of his own blood quickly forming around him. Closing the door, she put her hand over his wound and let the energy run through her into the wound, closing it as if it had never been there.

"Sothe, how did this happen?" Micaiah asked after he woke up a couple of minutes later.

"It was the vigilantes, they ambushed and tried to kill me after I talked to the town guards. They, they thought I was a half-breed or something," Sothe explained.

Micaiah didn't respond for a few moments. From the look on her face it seemed like she was arguing with herself. After a while she said,

"I'm sorry, Sothe, but I think this is my fault,"

"What? How is this your fault?"

Micaiah looked into his eyes, they were so full of love. She knew how people looked at her when they found out about her blood, and she didn't think she could bear to see that love turn to hate and disgust. She couldn't do it; she just couldn't.

"I'll tell you later, I'm sorry, but we need to get out of her, now. This is the first place they'll think to look," Micaiah said.

As they dropped out the window into the dark street below, Sothe saw Micaiah stumble and fall. Quickly bending down, he picked her up and ran with her into the black heart of the town, and away from the vigilantes hunting them.


Over the next few days Micaiah thought endlessly about what to do. Eventually she'd have to tell Sothe why the Anti-Laguz Vigilantes tried to kill him. She saw no way out of the situation except to do what she'd been doing her whole life; run away. She'd protect Sothe by leaving him; it wasn't her safety she was concerned about, but his. She'd been on Death's front doorstep since she was born, but she wanted more for Sothe, he deserved more. She'd barter passage on a merchant ship for Begnion from the nearby port of Toha.

A few nights later, after Sothe went to sleep, Micaiah wrote him a short note, telling him that she left to protect him, explaining that she was a half-breed and that was the reason the vigilantes had tried to kill him. She ended by saying that she loved him, and didn't want him to try and find her. She left him a bag of coins she'd been saving up, and her scarf. She told herself it was so that he could stay warm during the winter, but in truth, it was because she couldn't bring herself to completely give up the only family she'd ever had.

"Goodbye, Sothe, I will always love you," Micaiah said as she closed the door on Sothe's sleeping form.

"Micaiah…" Sothe muttered in his sleep as the only person he ever loved left him in the middle of the night.