Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. Blah blah blah. Go read:P
Chapter 4
The clock laughed at him. He could hear the ticking from all the way across the room. It had been hours since he had first looked at it, but he had not been blessed with sleep. His mind stayed awake, going over all the things that he had done. All the things he wished he could forget, and did, during the day. But not now; night was the time for his sins to come back to life.
Basch tossed again, finally resting for a moment on his back. His eyes were closed, hoping that sleep would take over any moment, but he knew that would not be the outcome. He would either lie here until it was time for the Emperor's breakfast or wander the halls at night. The latter sounded at least a little bit more comforting. Maybe that way whatever was bothering him could be sorted out.
He threw the sheets to his side and flipped his legs over the side of the bed. His back was hunched so far forward that his chin nearly sat on his knees. His arms were limp at his side. He didn't know what was wrong, but ever since Ashe decided to stay for a few days, his mind was stuck in a terrible state of affairs. Ever since that night of the play.
He could still feel her hands roaming all over his body. He hadn't quite figured out why yet. She hadn't said another word since then, but they had not a moment alone either. Most of his attention been spent trying to figure out who had tried to assassinate Larsa. He was no closer to that answer as he was to understanding Ashe.
The attempt on Larsa's life wasn't pre-meditated and it wasn't even very good. After doctors hadn't taken the arrow out, it would seem the only lasting effects of it would be a small star shaped scar on the top of his right shoulder. Even Larsa was in good spirits about the whole incident. Basch wanted to stay and brood over the possibilities of who could have done it.
This was not the time.
He had already spent the last three days going up and down the theater, to find nothing at all. No one seemed to know anything and least of all did the way to Judge Magister Gabranth about such matters. Still fearing the old Archadian rule, Basch was very limited in the few numbers of people willing to say anything about the incident at all.
What bothered him more than anything was Larsa's attitude about the situation. While he had not been mortally wounded, the shot would have been fatal if not for at that time Penelo pulled his arm, forcing the young Emperor to lean the left slightly. The assassin's arrow must have not hit its mark. At least, that was what Basch hypothesized.
He knew it.
Tonight would not be a night for sleeping.
Basch finally pulled himself to his feet.
He didn't realize that he was heading to the door until his hand grabbed the handle and turned it. The hallways were all empty at this time of night. He peered out before he put a foot out. He never knew who would be hiding in the halls, however.
There were too many things going on at once for Basch to truly concentrate on one thing. The attempt on Larsa's life, Ashe's strange actions, and with Penelo, Fran and Balthier still roaming the halls, Basch had to watch his actions closely now. He didn't like the constraints that the extra guests put on his life.
He had gotten comfortable in living away from them. They were not his friends. He never deluded himself with illusions that these were people that would die for him. None of them cared for him.
He had starting walking with no purpose, no direction. He knew he had to move, but such a lonely it was. The only noise he heard down the halls were the echoes of his bare feet on the stone floors. Many sleepless nights he circled the halls of the Emperor's walls.
This was not the first time he had walked by himself. Truthfully, he had none to confide in, so these walks were often a way he tried to alleviate some of the loneliness. His deepest kept secrets were only divulged in the dark of night. He never told a soul. It was much easier to hide under the façade and keep his heart safe.
However, worry loomed closer to his heart on these days. Ashe triggered so many strange, exquisitely torturous emotions. He did not know where to begin.
She made him so happy, just to be near her. His heart swelled with love. She also made him confused, love-stricken, lonely and generally lost. While she could make his heart swell, she could always destroy it with one small glance. Love with pain. With all the good she could case, there was so much that hurt him too.
He knew his feelings were not important, at least not to her. She was only concerned with Dalmasca's interests, for the love of Dalmasca. Her kingdom aught to be her husband. It was her first and only love. Basch would have no place in her heart.
"Do not say such things, Balthier."
It was Ashe's voice that brought him out of his pity. He did not want to intrude on her Majesty, but Balthier had no place in her room at this hour.
Maybe it would serve his interests to stay and just here. The Queen did not seem to be in distress. He had not ever once known Ashe to not handle herself from unwanted advances. This sounded like a more serious discussion.
"You only say things like that because you know I am right. Rassler and Larsa were both shot. The only one who was there both times was Basch. He serves his own interests, not Dalmasca."
The long silence worried Basch. While he knew that Balthier spoke lies, Ashe was known to be easily induced. Balthier had charm; too much. He was a well known womanizer. Probably most of those tales were not privy to Ashe's ears, but Basch kept an eye on him over the years. He did not like his advances towards her Majesty. Balthier, ever confidant, never did much to raise suspicion.
Now, he had a reason to throw his final trick to get Ashe's hand before the rest of the group.
Basch would not stand for it, but he would not stand hear and hear such lies. If Ashe would not defend him…
Those words stung his heart. It almost felt like a blow to the gut. He had wished to have a peaceful, quite walk to mull over all the possibilities. Now, Basch's interests would only serve Emperor Larsa.
As he often knew it would turn out, Ashe would break his heart. He turned away from the door and took the same path back to his room. He did not what he wanted to find this night. Obviously, the talk between the sky pirate and Ashe was not at all what he expected.
The only person Basch ever expected any love had once failed him again. He knew he should have never let his heart get involved with her Majesty. He knew it would only be pain. He had fallen so far, so fast. It wasn't a question of how he would get out of it, just when. How much time would he waste trying to heal his shattered heart?
He was almost to his room when he saw a flash from inside his door. He had not left the door open. It was not of his nature to allow easy access to his room.
He stepped to the side, pushing the door open with one free hand. He took a second, another breath, then stepped in.
"Oh, Basch, you're too much sometimes!" Penelo covered her mouth, muffling the laughter.
He stepped in, closed the door behind him, and waited for her to speak.
"Right." She rolled her eyes. "Larsa wants to see you."
"At this hour?"
She shrugged, fingering a loose strand of blond hair. "That's what I said, but you know Larsa. He's quite insistent."
He ignored the childish-love struck grin on her face. No more sleep this night. He knew it when it started, but why did it always have to seem to end so badly? He could only be thankful that it would get his mind away from Ashe.
"Go ahead, Penelo. I will be with the Emperor shortly."
Basch watched and waited for Penelo to leave before he flopped back down on his bed. Exhaustion would hit him in about twelve hours. For now, he ran on adrenaline, anger, and hurt.
However, he could not think of a better mixture to find a assassin.
To be continued...
A/N: Sorry for being so lazy. Got a job, a bf, etc. Very busy, but don't think I haven't been working on different parts of this story. I'm just having this habit of doing like later chapters and not the ones that are right here. As of this writing, I have up to 15 chapters planned and it's nowhere near finished. So be prepared for the long haul. To my reviewers, thank you guys SO much. Sorry for the delay!
-Saphi