I do not own FFXII; do I really have to say this at the beginning of every chapter?

It had been nearly three weeks since Teivel had sent the girl out on the job. No word. No sign of her anywhere. He was not worried; it was not worth his time to worry about an employee. He was angry, angrier than he had been in a long while. The girl had better hope she was dead, because he would not tolerate failure. She had borne witness to the fates of those who had dared fail him in the past.

A greasy smile spread across his wide lips.

He would just have to pay Miss Ivaela Bunansa a visit.

Balthier couldn't help but notice how nervous Ivaela seemed over the next few days. She jumped every time he spoke to her, she wouldn't eat, and the cocky smile he remembered was wavering and false at best. He could not help but remember the scene he had walked in on between her and Fran, but neither woman would stray from the story. Ivaela insisted everything was fine, and from his past dealings with the girl Balthier knew that he was fighting a hopeless battle.

They were returning to the Strahl after yet another day of hunting the tradesman in the Westersand. Ivaela was quiet, her eyes darting around as if expecting to be attacked. She had tried to leave the ship the previous night, while everyone slept, but had set of the security alarm in the process. She had been huddled in a corner sobbing when Balthier came to investigate, but she would not speak other than to tell him she must have been sleepwalking. Twice that day he had suspected she was trying to slip away while the rest of the party had their backs turned, but each time Vaan had noticed and called attention to her strange behavior. Balthier was tired, and he would accept excuses no longer. When they returned to the ship, he would have the whole story, however wild or nasty it might be. He was extremely worried about his baby sister; she had never acted like this. He would not see her fall to any kind of harm. He would not lose her again.

A curious smell met his nostrils, completely distracting him from his muses about Ivaela, a smell rather like hot metal and burning fuel…

Fran had obviously noticed this too. They exchanged an unspoken word and sprinted towards the place where they had left the Strahl, Balthier grabbing a rather distracted Ivaela's hand as he passed, pulling her along with them.

He saw it long before they reached the site. He felt his heart sink, felt tears sting his eyes.

The Strahl was in flames.

Ivaela followed her brother as they slowly made their way towards the inferno, a growing knot of dread in her stomach, icy hands closing around her heart. She had tried so hard over the past few days to leave, but every time Ffa-Balthier had caught her. There was no doubt in her mind as to the cause of the burning airship, and it filled her with a guilt and a fear unlike any she had ever known. The others were far ahead of her, vainly casting Blizzard and Water spells on the wreckage; the distraction would have afforded her a perfect opportunity to get away, but she knew that now it was too late, they were here, it was all over. She was going to lose her brother again, and this time it was all her fault.

The snap of a gun being cocked was all but drowned by the roar of the flames. Ivaela felt the cold, smooth metal press into the small of her back, the hot, disgusting breath on her neck as an oily voice whispered in her ear.

"You disappoint me, child."

Tears slowly ran down her cheeks.

Dun, dun, dun!!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned for the next epic installment, coming as soon as I can get the time to write it, lol

I know, how dare I torch the Strahl? I am prepared for the hate mail. But certain sacrifices must be made in the name of literature, my friends.