Author's Note: This story has been influenced by a touching video created by Earisu nearly from the start. Her talents are amazing and this video in particular brings to life the emotions that exist between Basch and Ashe at this stage in the story.

I can't seem to get a link to stick here, so please see my profile page for a link to Earisu's beautiful vid. :)


Chapter 4

Couldn't save you from the start
Love you so it hurts my soul
Can you forgive me for trying again
Your silence makes me hold my breath

"Forgiven", Within Temptation

From Earisu's video "Forgiven"


Basch rested on his back in the quiet castle infirmary. Though many beds lined each side of the large room, all were empty save this one. He looked so peaceful while he slept, and she was drawn to his slow deep breaths, the rise and fall of his chest mesmerized her.

The crushing feet of Vossler's chocobo had administered a blow to the captain's head that had rendered him unconscious. Other than that, the healer had told her, he was not injured terribly. He simply required some extra sleep to recover from the concussion he had sustained.

The gentle king approached her quietly from behind and placed a hand on his young daughter's shoulder.

"Ashelia, he has been given tonics to induce sleep. The healers have mended his injuries." He grimaced as he added the next part. "Your presence here is not required."

Ashe sat close to the captain as he slept on, oblivious to their presence. She gave her father no sign that she had heard his words.

Deep in the great man's heart a struggle brewed. The part of him that was a loving father sympathized with his daughter, whom he loved dearly. The part of him that was king was impatient with the situation and wanted to get it cleared up as soon as possible.

"Ashelia, it is time for you to go." His voice was firm.

Again she didn't move.

He drew a deep breath then spoke, "Do you think I can be so great and wise a man to head an entire nation, and not see into my own daughter's heart?"

She turned and looked up at him then surprised.

"Ashelia," His eyes softened, "This man cannot return your affections."

She was taken aback and ashamed that her father knew how she felt about this knight. She stood then, cheeks flushed, and faced her father lifting her eyes to proudly meet his. "I know." The king seemed to relax a bit as she said these words. "Do not worry father, he bears no feelings for me outside his duties." She used Basch's own words.

The king's thoughts were melancholy. He had observed the subtle way that this man looked at his daughter, and his eyes were like windows to his heart.

You are wrong daughter.

He put his arms around her then in a fatherly embrace. "Daughter, I know you are strong and you will move past this. You are going to be a great leader, and you know as well as I that the survival of Dalmasca is more important than any one of us as an individual, including myself."

She nodded and allowed him to continue holding her for a short moment before she slipped out of his arms. He turned and watched her walk slowly down the isle running her fingers along the foot boards of infirmary beds as she went. She was almost to the door, when she turned and faced her father once more.

"Lord Rasler has asked me to be his wife."

The king lifted his eyebrows, mildly surprised by the news.

"I am going to go see him now and accept his proposal before he returns to Nabradia."

The king gave her a gentle smile and nodded his approval.

After she had gone, Raminas glanced back down at the man before him. His heart swelled with great affection and pride. Basch was his most devoted and trusted knight, the king could not think of a better man than he. His heart twitched with guilt at being a part of the reason that Ashelia could not be with this man, the one she loved.

He sighed regretfully and whispered, "I do wish our times were different Ashelia...for if they were you would have my consent."


He listened to the sound of King Raminas' footfalls as he followed his daughter's path out the infirmary door. The captain slowly opened his eyes, having heard the princess and the kings's every word.


The broken man no longer slept. Night had become a prison of sorts, a long extended period where he was left with only his own twisted thoughts for company. He now served a new master, a man that referred to him as "a hound begging for scraps". Already, he had shed the blood of others for Vayne Solidor. He cared not, for under this new leader, revenge would finally be his.

The judge remembered the words he had spoken to his Emperor.

I follow his every move. He is an enemy of the empire. He will be cut down.

He kept his burning eyes fixated on his brother's armor... the time was growing near.


In light of the current political climate, the nations of Dalmasca and Nalbradia decided to publicly announce and execute the royal wedding with great haste. It was believed that the union would not only strengthen the critical alliance between the two nations, but that it would also fill the people of each country with renewed hope.

The castle had become an absolute flurry of activity as the preparations were underway.

"He is so handsome, Princess." Budelle was nearly gushing. It was obvious that she preferred this man as Ashe's mate.

Ashe nodded and smiled warmly at her, "Yes."

"Lift your arms please," Her handmaiden removed a few pins from her mouth and fixed them to the shimmering white fabric of Ashe's wedding gown. "Everything is going to be just perfect My Lady, you shall see." Her dark eyes twinkled happily.

The princess nodded again and said the only thing that she had been repeating to everyone, right on cue. "Yes."


The captain dipped his head lazily toward the Sandsea's polished pinewood bar and waved the tavernmaster over. Basch was dressed casually, in his own lights leathers. It seemed that someone had broken into his room and taken his Dalmascan armor.

He had thought this strange, but had not given it too much thought in light of the flurry events happening all around him. He had not cared much about the armor; a new set had already been issued in it's place. What had bothered him, though, was the fact that they had taken his Anneau de la Sûreté along with it. It was the only thing that Ashe had ever given him, it had been made of her beautiful, sweet-smelling hair. And it wasn't until it was gone that he realized, along with his Landisian Phoenix pendant he always wore, it was his most treasured possession.

"Another pint Captain?" The man tossed his bar towel over his shoulder casually.

"Aye." His voice was gruff from drink.

The tavernmaster eyed him curiously for a moment as he pushed the freshly poured, frothy ale towards him. He leaned down on one elbow and asked, "So tell me, why is it that a highly decorated knight such as yourself is not attending the royal wedding?"

He recoiled then at the dangerous flash of the captain's eyes.

Realizing that had brought up the entirely wrong subject, he quickly changed it, "So, do you think we will be able to hold the Nabradian front?... I have many friends that have joined the ranks there."

Basch looked up at him and answered with utter honesty. "I hope so."

He took his drink with him then and returned to his small table on the upper landing, he was not feeling much like conversation.


The Dalmascan people were watching her, all smiling. Again she searched the upturned sea of faces through the filmy fabric of her veil...but the face she was looking for she could not find. He had not come.

In the awe inspiring Cathedral of Rabanastre the high priest sealed the union with the name of the God of Light, Faram.


The handsome knight rarely sought out the companionship of women. Often they came willingly to him, and many a time he was the envy of his male companions as the most stunning female in the room seemed to prefer Basch to the others. He enjoyed the pleasure of a lovely woman as much as any man, however he found most to be shallow and greatly lacking moral principles. Few women he met held his attention for long... until recently.

Tonight was no exception, he knew the the girl was watching him, as she leaned on the balcony. She was, without a doubt, a beautiful woman. Her body was tall and lean, with generous curves in all the right places, she was also very blond...with hair almost the same color as...the princess. When his eyes finally met hers, she smiled and pushed herself away from the railing. She made her way over to his table, swaying her hips as she walked.

"Would you like some company?" She asked in a throaty whisper, lowering her head and looking up at him with seductive green eyes. She certainly wasn't keeping her intentions secret.

Basch motioned to the empty chair at his small table.

He spoke to her for only a short time before she scooted her chair around to his side of the table.

"Ooohhhhh," She leaned heavily into his chest, pushing her ample bosom against him, she smelled sweet and this caused something inside him to stir. "You have such large hands."

He watched as she plucked his hand up off the table and pushed her palm against his. She pushed his fingers up with her own and compared the size of both their hands.

"Mmmmmm large hands." She repeated, giving him a naughty knowing look.

He opened his mouth to respond and she looked at his parted lips, leaning closer to him. She looked as though she wanted him to kiss her. He hadn't decided whether he was going to or not, when a voice cut through the soft back ground murmuring of the bar patrons.

"Captain."

It was Vossler that approached their table, dressed immaculately in fully decorated Dalmascan knight's armor. He, like Basch, had received many medals in their long service to the king. Azaleas look handsome and regal with his brown hair perfectly in place.

"It was quite an elaborate event, the princess was stunning... and she seemed very happy." He peered down at Basch, then at the woman holding onto his hand. "Tell me Captain, why were you not in attendance? I hope our king will not be offended by your absence." He leaned his hands on the table then and brought his face closer to Basch. "Surely you knew it was taking place this day?"

Basch just looked at him and said nothing.

"Well, I will leave you to the company of your..." Vossler gave the girl a condescending glance, "lady friend then."

With a flutter from his long cape he turned and left the balcony. Basch watched as he joined several of the other knights down in the lower section of the bar. They had obviously gathered in celebration of the wedding that had ended sometime ago.

He realized that the girl still had a hold of his hand. He looked at her and saw that she was staring at him with an almost greedy interest.

"You are a Captain in the Order of the Knights of Dalmasca!?"

"Aye."

She was practically salivating at this information and Basch suddenly found her to be very annoying. He pulled his hand away gently and pushed his chair back to stand.

"If you will please excuse me." He gave her a courteous bow and began to walk away.

"Wait!" She grasped his hand, causing him to glance back down at her impatiently. "You're coming back right?"

He gave her a kind smile and gave her a proper goodbye, "My apologies, my lady, I am retiring for the evening... it was...nice to meet you." Though he hadn't actually bothered to ask her name.

A long walk was what he needed now. He had to get out of there, away from everyone and clear his head. He removed his hand from hers again and made his way out of the pub.


Vossler watched as Basch left the Sandsea. He glanced up and saw that the pretty woman on the landing above was also watching him depart, and she looked very disappointed.


She closed her eyes as his lips touched her own. His kiss was gentle, and she tried to relax and enjoy.

It wasn't that she didn't find him attractive, actually Ashe was pleasantly surprised by the physical appearance of her new husband. Rasler was handsome, sweet, gentle and kind... still when he moved his hand over her silken gown to cup her breast, she jumped and as he felt her tense up, he quickly moved his hand to her arm.

"Ashelia," Rasler placed his fingers under her chin and turned her face on her pillow to met his. "If this feels to soon, I don't mind waiting until you are ready."

She looked up at him, and visibly relaxed. "Are you sure?"

He smiled at her warmly, "Oh course I'm sure, Ashelia, we have our whole lives to get to know each other. I see no reason to rush this night."

Moving some of the hair away from her eyes with his fingers, he tilted his head to the side and asked her, his voice sincere. "Would it be alright if I just held you?"

She smiled and nodded. He wrapped one arm around her and pulled her close.

She decided that this felt more than fine.


She slipped very carefully out from under Rasler's arm. He snorted a little, and she froze until he resumed the steady breathing of sleep once again.

Sleep was evading her again, though she had tried, she had ended up staring at her ceiling for a long time. Finally, when she could take the trapped feeling no longer, she decided to take another one of her midnight strolls.

She didn't go to the garden this time. Her heart leaped into her throat when she allowed herself to remember what had happened there such a short time ago. Instead, she walked toward the chocobo stables. She continued on toward the military compound and then slowly realized where she was headed, where she had been headed all along.

Why am I doing this to myself?


She had tapped very quietly upon his door, not entirely certain that she wanted him to hear her knocking. When no one answered, she was somewhat relieved and turned to leave. That was when a quiet voice startled her.

"You will not find him here Highness."

She looked up sharply and saw Vossler a short distance down the hallway. He was leaning against the stone wall and his arms were crossed over his chest. How long he had been watching her, she did not know, but the look on his face was greatly displeased.

"I... uh..." She stammered, totally at a loss of how to explain her presence here.

"He is in the company of woman from town, Highness. I would not be expecting him to return this evening." He took a few steps toward her and flattened his hand upon Basch's door. When he spoke again, he was very close to her.

"Should you not be with your husband on your wedding night?"

She backed away from him and away from Basch's door, trying to appear as composed as possible.

"Of course," She gave Vossler a quick nod and walked back the way she had come. "Good night Captain."

His eyes burned into her from behind.

"Good night Princess."


When she returned to her room, she found the prince still sleeping soundly in her bed.

Her cheeks burned furiously. Getting caught by Vossler had unnerved her greatly and she vowed to herself that she would end this foolishness for good.

She went to the solace of her balcony and looked up and out at the stars. The sky was clear and the moon shone brightly this night. It had moved across the sky and was now at her back, illuminating the night-scape before her. She stood there for a very long time, trying to calm her quaking nerves.

She was about to return to her bedroom when a bit of movement caught her eye. She looked down to see a lone figure far below approaching her balcony from the curved path of the castle walk. Tall trees lined the path, smearing black painted shadows upon everything underneath their reaching arms. As the man advanced, his long shadow trailed behind him. He slowly neared the space under her veranda and as he came ever closer the dappled shade fell away from his strong face. He shuffled to a stop just below her.

Oh gods, can it really be him?

The moonlight reflected off his skin and the gentle breeze moved his pale hair away from his face. He looked ethereal and she wondered wildly if she was dreaming. Her heart climbed into her throat as she looked down at him and he lifted his head to gaze back up at her openly. Their eyes locked, and his seemed so tired and sad.

He had just come from the company of a woman. She didn't really want to know, but still she was curious if he had lain with her. She wondered if he loved her, had loved this girl all along and she had never even bothered to ask him.

He didn't want her she knew that now... but why then was he here in the depth of night... standing there looking up at her? His presence here meant something, but what? Her mind reeled with confusion. She wouldn't ask him, it was not her place to do so...it had never been her place. And now it was impossible, for she had a husband, but still she found that she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.

When she could take it no longer. She pressed her eyes closed and tried desperately to stop the tears that began to flow down her cheeks. She knew he still stood there. She could feel his presence, she could feel him watching her but she could no longer look at him. He caused her too much pain. He had taken her, then discarded her so easily. Inside her chest it felt as though her heart was being squeezed by an unseen hand. She was sure that it could not continue to beat through the deep ache. She put her hand to her chest for a moment and realized with horror that this was the sensation inside a heart as it broke. She knew then that she would never be whole again. Without another glance at him, she backed slowly away from the balustrade.


Word had reached King Raminas that the Imperial Army was poised and ready to attack Nabradia with a huge fleet of airships. Just one day after his daughter's wedding the senators and advisors had all convened in his command center where they were urgently discussing a defense strategy. The king's heart had warmed when Rasler entered the chamber. As his son-in-law joined the council, he briefly placed his hand upon the young man's shoulder before returning his attention to the matter at hand. The council had already sent the efficient captains to organize and gather the troops, the time had come to call on the Dalmascan reserves. This decision weighed heavily upon him. These were not soldiers, these were young boys, husbands, and fathers.

They all looked up in surprise as the door to the chamber burst open.

"Nabudis has fallen!" Basch's voice was urgent, his face grim.

"Impossible!" The king couldn't believe the Archadian's had already taken the capital of Nabradia. His mind reeled. He could hear Rasler asking Basch bout his father and his heart sunk, he knew there was no hope for King Heios, already he began to grieve his ally and friend.

The council began clamouring, pointing out the obvious that Dalmasca was the next target in the Imperial's path.

"Secure Nalbina with all haste!" The kings orders where simple and urgent.

"I will go." Basch quickly marched from the room.

"And I will go at his side." Rasler was already moving to follow Basch's lead. Raminas' heart leaped as his daughter's young husband made this announcement. He could not, however, prevent this man from fighting for all he held dear, just as they all would have to do. He nodded his accent.


Ashe had watched helplessly as the men departed early the following morning, all of Dalmasca had gathered to honor the men as they set out. The golden sun had just begun to warm the day as the ground troops moved east in a great surge that stretched as far as she could see, the sight filled her both with awe and dread. The higher ranked officers and special units borded airship pods that sat ready to embark.

The King of Dalmasca honored Rasler with the gift of his very own personal sword. It was of pristine quality and Rasler accepted it humbly, then turned and brandished it toward the Dalmascan people. They roared in response to his battle cry and Ashe was filled with pride for her husband and for her people. She let her eyes fall upon Basch who stood dutifully behind and to the side of the prince. His face was a mask of no emotion. She remembered the way the moonlight had bathed him in light as he gazed openly into her eyes. Now, however, his face was stern and he had not glanced in her direction even once.


It was dawn of the next day and she had known something was not right. She heard a call of alarm. She threw on a robe over her night clothes and rushed out to the great staircase that led to castle entrance. Stricken with fear, she had almost tumbled down the hard stone steps before she pushed the peering servants away from the door so she could see what had stirred such a commotion.

She yanked the great door open and saw as the man stumbled and fell to one knee. He righted himself, shifting the heavy burden he carried in his arms. She went out onto the vestibule and made her way out to meet them, the terrible sight before her made her breath catch in her throat. Basch's haunted eyes caught hers briefly, then he lowered his head in shame and continued to trudge toward the door. He cradled Rasler's lifeless body against him.

"No." She whispered in shock, walking forward to help cross the gap between the captain and herself. By then more shouts and murmurs came from behind her in the doorway and soon the people would begin to crowd around them.

Basch went to his knees again, but didn't let go of the prince. She could see he was very near collapsing from exhaustion, and she realized with wonder that he had carried Rasler through the night. He had made his way, alone, all the way from Nalbina Fortress to the castle.

She gingerly reached out to touch Rasler's face then recoiled at the coldness there. The tears began to fall freely from her eyes, as she reached out and touched her husband again with great affection. She looked at Basch's grimy blond hair and knew that he would punish himself terribly for the prince's death. She would not take part in helping him blame himself for this senseless tragedy.

"I am sorry." His eyes were lowered. "Magesty, I am sorry, I have failed you."

Her heart was filled with great pain at the sight of Rasler's traumatic death, but at the same time a ribbon of relief flowed through her that Basch had been spared. She reached out and gently stroked the captain's sun-bleached cowlick. As he lifted his pained eyes and found her gentle eyes upon him, a look of confusion that passed over his face.


She knelt beside Rasler and placed her hand lightly upon the cold marble of his coffin. She looked over his still handsome face and still couldn't believe that he was gone. She had not known the man long, but in her heart she knew that he was kind and loving, he was meant to bring so much good to this world. Now it was all wasted. Something inside her heart broke and the warm tears slowly rolled over her pale cheeks.

Few people were gathered in the cathedral for the prince's funeral service, as most were still at the battle in Nalbina. Basch was here, she could feel him standing behind her. As were her father and his council. No one had objected, when she had arrived with her arm linked through her hand maiden's. It was normally strictly forbidden for servants to attend royal ceremonies as guests. This day, however, no one seemed to notice or care.

The high priest that had spoken at her wedding a short time ago spoke again now.

Great Father guide your spirit's return…to the Mother of all. There you shall find peace, Faram.


The men that gathered around the king in his command chamber were all emotionally and physically exhausted. The two opposing views were getting them nowhere. Finally the king announced his final decision.

"I will answer Archadia's request for a Treaty of Peace." His answer was resolute.

Again the murmurings about his safety and the Imperial's alternative motives.

"Enough!" he couldn't bear to see more lives wasted because of his arrogance. "I will go to Nalbina Fortress and end this."


After the funeral, Basch had returned to Nalbina and continued to fight along side what remained of his men. Many had been killed in the battle, still more had abandoned the hopeless cause. Basch did not blame any of them, many had more to live for than a man like he could ever know...loving wives...precious children.

When word was leaked to the captain of the king's intent to meet with the Imperials here inside the fortress and sign the treaty, he went to Vossler with the news. Both men put aside their differences for the moment and gathered the few straggling soldiers together.

"We must do everything in our power to insure the king's safety." Basch spoke to the soldiers as the men readied themselves to penetrate the fortress. He was honored to have such devoted men by his side.

He was especially proud of the boy Reks that stayed with them. He was the only reserve soldier in the group, and he fought as bravely as any trained Knight of the Dalmascan Order. He deeply regretted putting the boy in harms way. He urged the group to move quickly, as he wanted to get young Reks out of danger as soon as possible.


She roughly pushed the doors to the cathedral open and rushed inside.

...

She had been in the kitchen when the side door had burst open and a young Dalmascan soldier had entered, staggering. She knew this man, he was the son of Corliss the head servant of king's kitchen.

"Mother!" He saw her just as the portly woman dropped the wooden bowl she had been carrying and hurried over to him, then he collapsed to the floor.

Budelle had rushed to his side as well, afraid that he was injured. However, when the women turned him over they were both horrified to see that he was crying. He crawled up toward his mother and buried his face into her rumpled skirt in her lap.

"They killed ... him... mother...all is ... lost."

"Shhhhhh..." the woman soothed her son, then prodded gently, "who did they kill child?" But her heart already knew the answer and her eyes were full of fear as she looked up at Budelle.

"Our... king..."

...

She saw the princess kneeling at the altar; Her head bowed in prayer.

"Highness!" She ran to where Ashe sat and nearly fell over on top of her in distress.

Ashe's eyes grew wide with alarm and she helped steady Budelle so she could sit beside her. "What has happened?"

Budelle could see the fear that clouded the princess' beautiful face, her face was already so full of grief that she couldn't bear to open her mouth. She knew though, that the news had to come from her, a friend that could comfort her, and not an unfeeling senator.

"Princess," She took Ashe's hand into both of her own and bowed her forehead down until it was touching their enclosed hands. Her dark curls fell forward, obscuring her face. "Your ... fa..." Then she choked on her tears.

Ashe began to tremble. "Budelle, please."

The girl took in a great breath, knowing that she was torturing her friend by her inability to speak. She pushed the the words out with great effort through the clamped feeling in her throat.

"Your father..." It was all she could croak.

Those two words, though were all that she needed to say. Ashe stared at her friend for a moment before her head fall back, a moan of deep despair escaping her lips.

The two girls sat on the alter steps, clung to each other fiercely, and sobbed.


They were alone for a very short time before the cathedral doors burst open again; The tall, lean knight that appeared was almost running as he passed through the doorway.

Vossler was tense and wide-eyed and when his eyes fell upon the princess, he cut a path directly toward her.

"We leave at once."

"Vossler? What!?... what's going on?"

"Highness, I have no time now to explain, Come!"

Her tears had slowed, but still her breath was stitching in her chest.

"He went to sign a treaty of peace...Vossler...why...why did the Imperials kill him?" It didn't make sense. She clung to his arm trying to get more information.

He flashed an angry look at the servant girl, seeing that she had already seen fit to tell the princess of the events that had occurred. He took her hand and began pulling her away from Budelle, urging her to follow him.

Vossler said something, but it was too quiet for her to hear. Budelle's grip was strong, but Vossler was much stronger. One good yank was all it took to get the princess on her feet.

"What?"

"It was not the Archadian's that killed your father highness." His eyes would not meet hers.

"I do not understand." She reached her hand for Budelle who was skittering worriedly along behind them.

"Highness please hurry, we must depart, immediately." Vossler was nearly carrying her now in his urgency to get her out of the castle and to a safe location.

"Where are you taking me? Where is Basch?" She began pulling away from him again and looking around wildly.

The way Vossler shrunk back when she mentioned his name sent a cold stream of terror through her veins.

"Where is Basch!?" She didn't think that she would be able to survive hearing that he was dead too... but still she asked again, this time panicked and nearly screaming, "Where is Basch!?"

"Highness," He was unable to look up at her, he couldn't look into her eyes as he said the words. "Captain fon Ronsenburg has been arrested for high treason, Highness."

"Arrested!? Why!?"

"For the assassination of our king."

She walked unsteadily along beside him as he continued to pull her across the palace foyer toward the airship dock.

"I do not understand...but...they are mistaken... he didn't... couldn't... why would they think that...where are they taking him?" She mumbled through her confusion.

"Highness!" Azelas grabbed her then and shook her hard. She stared at him with her eyes wide and afraid as her nearly yelled in her face. "Basch killed him!...He killed your father... I was there... I saw as they dragged him away from your father's body...yelling about a traitor king...I saw him covered in your father's blood!!"

He continued again toward the waiting airship, dragging her along with him. Her eyes remained wide and glazed. Why was he saying such things? Vossler was a steadfast and trusted knight, he didn't tell lies.

She walked along the corridor toward the boarding ramp in a daze. When they stepped onto the concrete tarmac she took a few more steps then she stumbled and fell, landing hard on her hands and knees.

Vossler reached around her waist and and tried to pull her her back to her feet.

"Noooooooo." The princess clutched at ground, trying to drag herself way from his grasp.

He hefted her up completely off her feet and held her back against his chest. He was going to carry her the rest of the way onto the ship like this, but he staggered as she threw her weight back in his arms and let out long anguished cry of grief.


Budelle jumped when she heard Ashelia's wail. Watching her claw at the ground had been awful, but this was worse. It was the most terrible heart-wrenching sound she had ever heard. She clasped both of her hands to her mouth to keep from crying out with the princess. Then she could see only a blur as the horrified tears for her friend poured from her eyes.

They left her behind on the tarmac. She lifted her head to follow the small airship's path, as it streaked away through the darkened sky.

My Princess.

She stood there for a long time and cried. She wept for her princess, she wept for her king...she wept for Dalmasca.


"So did you hear? They have put the traitor captain to his death."... "I'm glad to hear of it, I hope they made him suffer."

She heard a few of the men talking in low tones near the crackling campfire. Vossler and a few of his trusted men had taken her to a remote location in the Dalmasca Westersand near the Ogir-Yensa Sandsea border.

Some strange twisted part of her felt deep pity for Basch as she thought of the misery he must have endured before his execution. If he indeed did kill her father... might he have had some desperate reason why?

She was horrified to find herself defending him, if even in her own mind. A dark wave of despair rolled through her, making her stomach churn with nausea. She retched suddenly, hands flying to her mouth. She was sure she was going to be sick, but the feeling subsided leaving her throat burning with bile.

She rolled over onto her make-shift bed and buried her face deeply into the rough blanket so no one could hear her sobbing... she cried for her dear father, she already missed him desperately ... she cried for Rasler, so young and brave, his life unfairly cut short...but most of all... deep down, and known only to her, she deeply grieved the loss of her love, her heart, her soul... the world felt like a cruel trick now that he was gone.


His beatings at the hands of the Imperials had been savage; his back and shoulders screamed where the lashes shredded his skin.

"Why do you continue to live?" The judge looked at him with barely masked disgust. "There is no reason... you do know that the last remaining member of the royal family that you hold so dear... Ashelia...was it? Hmmmm... yes... she took her own life... killed herself with a dagger... I believe. I hear she did herself immediately after hearing of your treacherous deed."

Basch gave no sign that he had heard his brother's words. Though his world had begun to turn a strange shade of gray.

"I wonder if it was the death of her father that drove her over the edge? No... I think it was something more... I hear she was betrayed by someone that she cared about very much... I wonder who that could be... brother?"

The news of her anguished death by her own hand was the end of his very humanity. He willed himself to discontinue feeling, thinking, ...breathing. But still, everyday he awoke again still alive. His life, knowing that she was gone, was reduced to that of an animal, a carcass, a shell.

He allowed himself no grieving, no self pity, no anguish, no pain. For the moment he learned that his beautiful princess was dead, he discontinued being alive as well.


He had been placed in the isolation chamber yet again.

Time and time again, his exhausted mind allowed feeble hope to ooze in. He would begin to believe that he would be left in the midst of the other prisoners in the main level of the Nalbina Dungeons, but again they would come for him. His short stints in the open main dungeon were mearly periods for him to recover enough strength that they could continue to keep him clinging to life inside his cold metal cage. Often, they would haul him into the round battle cage that sat in the center of the main dungeon floor. The caged depression was referred to as "The Pit", and there he would be thrown in with any sort of unknown fiend. The Imperial guards would laugh and cheer and make bets as to how long he could survive each brawl. Fighting for his very life, he had used his ruined bare hands to defeat wild worgens and feral coeurls. His closest brush with death inside The Pit was the day guards came for him after he had been inside the isolation chamber for 3 days without a drop of water or a crumb of food. He had been dragged unceremoniously to the small caged arena and dumped in along with an utterly mad and murderously brutal bangaa that had just arrived at the prison. The howling group of guards had thought it was an extra bit of fun to cast the Berserk spell upon this bangaa, and Basch almost lost his life on that day. He had been a decent match for the spitting, snarling creature for over twenty minutes, but that was when a high ranking guard had tossed the Berserk mote at his opponent. The bangaa had let out a huge battle cry then pulled his rubbery lips back from his razor sharp teeth begun pummeling Basch wildly. One dagger-like claw caught him over his left eye, then continued tearing until a huge gash was torn across the left side of his face. Basch's face felt as if it had been ripped in two, as he reached up to grip his head he felt his left ear hanging in two pieces. Basch was blinded by his own dark, sticky blood that poured down into his eyes. Finally, the insane bangaa had picked him up and thrown him so hard against the stone wall that he heard the bones of his left shoulder shatter like porcelain. His agony had been acute and his exhaustion and starvation had taken their toll, the captain had decided then to die.

Disappointed to have thier entertainment cut short, the guards interviened. No one wanted to be responsible for the death of such an important politcal prisoner, courtmartials could result from such a thing they knew.

Basch had been given no care afterward, and he was too depleted to cast any type of cure on himself. Instead he had been drug back to his cage and hung again by his arms there. The torture of having his weight pulling down on his badly broken shoulder was such that he was driven to the brink of madness, an insanity he almost didn't return from.


He was unsure if it was day or night. All he knew was the cold was unbearable. His body shook violently, but his arms were still held above his head in chains and he could do nothing to warm himself. His left arm felt strange and numb. The shoulder had long since healed, he thought it had been many months since the fight with the bangaa had occurred, though he had no way of knowing how much time had actually passed since then. In a brief moment of clarity, Basch began to wonder how long he has been in this hell.

Years... it had been years.