Basch was already waiting for me in the foyer. He was wearing a red collared shirt, a pair of black slacks, and a pair of matching dress shoes. I tried not to stare and failed miserably, at least he didn't notice. I should have changed clothes as well, but I don't own anything girly. Ffamran is hiding behind the ficus in the corner. How cute, he's watching out for me. Basch offered me his arm, I almost hesitated until Ffamran gave me a discreet nod.
It felt nice to be leaving with someone else instead of being alone for once. It was a clear day and the sun's rays warmed me. There was a comfortable silence between us, it felt nice to just enjoy each other's company. We arrived a a small café off of the normal tourist path, it smelled of coffee on the inside and someone was playing a small piano in the center platform. He was a bad player, but I'm better. We sat at a small table for two and a server came bustling over to take our drink orders.
"Hi, my name's Amber and I'll be your server today. Can I start you off with something to drink?"
"I'll have the Archadian Black Wine," I said, she looked a bit intimidated by me when she met my eyes.
"I'll have the house ale," said Basch, his voice sounded Dalmascan, but there was a tiny undertone of Landissian. Basch was from Landis, Interesting. I started to fiddle with my silverware, a nervous habit I had since childhood, the piano music grated on my nerves, whoever was playing was worse than I originally thought. I kept an eye on the passers by. The server dropped off our drinks, and Basch began to speak. "You act just like your brother," he said as I sipped.
"Comes from being a pirate," I said. Food came at that moment. Odd, I don't remember ordering. I took a bite of my Panini. The pianist left his post and I stood to walk over to the upright. "I'll be right back." I sat on the bench and everything started to flow, the world dissipated to the feel of the keys under my fingers and Basch's gaze. When I stopped, everyone began to clap, and I sat back down with Basch.
"That was amazing,"said Basch, and I started to smile.
"It was nothing."
"No, That was orchestra worthy. How long have you been playing?"
"Since I was four."
"Did you write that?" I nodded in conformation and started to fiddle with the unused utensils even more.
"I started composing after I became a judge, at the request of Lord Gramis. He stumbled upon me playing and asked me to write something for the National Orchestra. Music kept me sane in Archades." Basch put his hand over mine and stilled my incessant fiddling. I felt it was odd that I didn't tense up like I normally do when anyone touches me or even brushes up against me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Omega staring at me. He was with Ba'Gamnan and his crew.
"What's the matter?" asked Basch.
"We need to leave…now," I said getting up, Basch put some Gil onto the table. I led him throught the back, but when I opened the door I was met by Omega.
"There is nowhere to run, so come with me the good Doctor would like to see you." My body instantly went into self-preservation mode. I kicked Omega into the brick wall and pulled Basch down a side street.
"Where are we-"
"Silence!" I cut him off. We stopped in the middle of the alley and I pressed a protruding brick. The wall slid open to reveal a passageway.
"Basch, listen to me," I started, "This is a smugglers' route. It ends in a knoll not far from the estate, if we hurry we will outrun them."
"Who are we outrunning?"
"Omega Latunus."
"The bounty hunter?"
"The very same, lets go." I pulled him along as I ran down the passage, I heard the brick wall close behind us. The darkness seemed to go on forever, and the passage smelled of mold from disuse. After what felt like an eternity, I saw a sliver of light pierce the darkness. I pressed against the light and the wall opened. I hurried out and saw that the main gates of the estate were facing me. I started to run pullung Basch along and summoned my Mist in case of an ambush. Luckily, Basch and I reached the main house unscathed. When I entered, Ffamran was sitting on the settee reading a book. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow, I had forgotten I was holding Basch's hand and turned scarlet.
"Don't leave the house," I said reganing myself.
"Why?"
"Omega teamed up with Ba'Gamnan. By the way, father is alive, nice job killing him," I said sarcastically
"WHAT? CID"S ALIVE!"
"Did I stutter?"
"I don't remember Omega saying he was alive," said Basch.
"What do you think he meant when he said that the good Doctor wanted to see me? That had a double meaning." Ffamran was white with shock. I couldn't take anymore of the tense silence so I went to the roof and was surprised by what I saw.
"Ashelia, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see you," she said, I had a bad feeling about this. She stepped behind me, blocking the door, "You were a Judge," she stated.
"So?" I really did not want to discuss this. She took a step forward, invading my personal space, I took two steps back, and my heart started to hammer aganst my chest. Normally, I would have hurt someone already, but I didn't want to hurt my sister-in-law or have regicide over my head.
"Did you take part in the war?"
"It's not like I had a choice," I said taking mor steps back as she closed in on me.
"You caused Nabudis," she stated more than asked, I started to sweat, I did not need a flashback now.
"Not my fault."
"Reddas died blaming himself you animal!"she exclaimed, I took more steps back, looking for a way out. "You were in Nalbina too, weren't you?" she was screaming now, and I was at my boiling point, trying to look relaxed.
"I was ordered to kill him! The guard before me only hit Rasler's chocobo!" I screamed, walking back.
"You monster! You wold kill your own brother if someone told you!" she took a swing at me, she made me stumble and I fell. I felt bones break as I landed behind a servant. I calmed my self enough to try to assess my injuries. It hurt to breathe, broken ribs, my leg was also broken by the odd angle it was at. I saw the bone sticking out of my left arm, in the same spot Bergan crushed it. Breathing got harder to do, it felt like I was drowning, and I tasted blood. I hoped I didn't puncture a lung.
"Demia!" It was Ffamran, Basch was taking up the rear. "Can you hear me?" I tried to speak, but the only thing that came out was blood. I was going to die. "Basch, stay with her. I'll get the Strahl," said Ffamran, running to the woods.
"I'm going to take off you vest to help you breathe," said Basch. Pain shot through my body as he sat me up, and I managed to let out a whimper of pain. I felt his fingers on my back undoing the buckles and soon it was off. Breathing was easier, but not much. My eyes started to close as I tried to escape the pain. "Stay with me, Demia," said Basch, his voice was shaky, he took hold of my right hand and rubbed the back with his thumb. I felt a gust of wind as the Strahl landed. Ffamran came up to me with a stretcher. They tried to move me gently, but it still hurt and I coughed up more blood.
"You won't make it to Archades at this rate," he said as I was laid onto a cot, more blood came.
"She's going to drown on her own blood, Balthier. She probably punctured a lung."
Balthier hurried to the back, coming back seconds later with a white box. It was filled with medical equpiment.
"I'm going to put a tbe down your throat to help you breathe, and I will put you under a Sleep spell so you don't feel it," he said. I wanted to panic, but it was either that or die. That was the last thing I remembered.
I woke up in a hospital, the breathing tube was gone, but it still was painful to breathe. Basch was sitting next to me, I could feel him holding my hand through the leather of the glove. I squeezed as hard as I could, and his red-rimmed eyes shot open, glittering with happiness. I tried to sit up with my heavy limbs and pain flared through my body. Basch put his hand on my shoulder and I turned to him.
"You need to rest," he said. I tried to talk, but all that came was a horrible rasping noise. Basch held a glass of water in front of me and I took a few sips from the straw.
"I need to sit up. You need to rest," I said, my voice still sounded hoarse.
"Nice to see your wit was not not damaged after the emotional roller coaster that you put Basch and I through," said Ffamran from my left. I did not even notice him there. "Your ribs had to be wired in place and your lung, arm, and leg is still healing. However, since you have a habit of healing fast, you should be out within a week."
"A week! I'll be bored out of my mind!" I clutched at my sides, yelling hurts.
"Normally, such things take months," said Basch. I noticed that he and brother shared the same tired look.
"What of Ashe?" Both of their faces turned into a mixture of sadness and anger.
"Nothing has been done due to diplomatic immunity," said Basch.
"There is something going on, isn't there?" I asked.
"Why do you ask?"
"Diplomatic immunity does not exist in Bervenia. Even If it did is does not cover murder, or attempted murder for that matter"
"She's pregnant. That is why nothing is being done. The courts are blaming it on hormones,," said Ffamran, seeming less than exited about the baby. "I'm sorry Demia, If I could get a divorce, I would. I have already had my things moved to Nalbina Fortress."
"Why don't you?"
"I would never get to see my child otherwise, and dispite how she used the baby, I am exited about becoming a father."
"You'll do a better job than ours, I assure you. Congratulations. Now why don't you two go get some sleep, I'll be fine,"
"You're not angry?" asked Basch in disbelief.
"I am, but I would only hurt my self further. Now both of go get some rest." Ffamran ruffled my hair and walked out the door. Basch still lingered in the room. He squeezed my hand in reassurance that he would be back later, then he did something that I didn't expect. He bent over and kissed me on the forehead.
"I'm sorry," he said. When he went to leave I grabbed his shirt with my right hand and pulled him back down.
"You have nothing to apologize for," I said, cupping the side of his face, and kissing him on the forehead. He tucked me in with the blanket as he straightened himself.
"Get some rest. You need it," he said, kissing me again. After he left the room, I felt drained and lonely. I knew that I should be angry about the situation with Ashe and I was, but I couldn't lose control in my weakened state. A nurse came in and injected me with some pain medication through my I.V. and I fell asleep.
When I awoke darkness had fallen. I noticed a plate of food and water on the bedside table. Basch was reading a book, and Ffamran was nowhere to be seen. I tried to sit up to no avail, my limbs felt too heavy. I could not even reach the food. Basch noticed my struggle and helped me sit up, being mindful of my wounds. It was not as painful as it was earlier. He put the food and water on a rolling tray that sat just above the bed. I thought he would have gone back to reading, but he sat on the bed and snatched up the fork before I could grab it. He speared a piece of chicken and held it before me. When I attempted to eat it, he pulled it away, and I glared at him. He fed me the rest of the meal, including dessert, and when I had gotten ice cream on my nose, he licked it off with the tip of his tongue.
"You look cute with ice cream in your nose," he said.
"I believe you woul look equally handsome as well," I replied, my voice not sounding as hoarse as before. I looked aroud the room, feeling nervous for some reason. "Where is Ffamran?" I asked.
"He is handling arrangements for the international peace council with Lord Larsa since Lady Ashe cannot."
"It's my fault. Everything is always my fault." Basch tilted my face up to look into his startling blue eyes.
"No blame lies with you. Ashe was out of control."
"Nabudis was my fault…and If I didn't kill Lord Rasler-"
"You would have been killed yourself. That was not your fault. You did what you had to. Lady Ashe should have understood that," said Basch, and I felt his hand begin to rub my back, I struggled to keep back my tears. My eyelids started to droop and I succumbed to darkness.
A whole week had passed before I was allowed to leave. My leg and arm was cast free, but still weak causing me to be carted around in a wheelchair. I could only walk for short periods of time. My body still had plenty of brusies from the impact, and I had to return in a few weeks to get the wires removed from my still healing ribs. I stayed on the first floor of the Archadian Royal Palace at the request of Lord Larsa along with Basch, who moved there temporarily from the Magister wing, and Ffamran. Their rooms were on either side of mine in case I needed something. The moment I arrived I was escorted to Larsa's private study. The guards said he wished to meet with me. I wheeled myself through the door that the guard held open and saw the young emperor sitting at his desk and my brother sitting in a guest chair.
"You wished to see me, Lord Larsa," I said, I had to completely ignore Basch in his armor, because I would have a flashback otherwise. I felt bad that I had to ignore my boyfriend (for lack of a better word).
"Lady Bunansa, I do hope you are well considering what happened," said Larsa.
"I could be better, but considering my situation…" I let the sentence fall. "What is it you wished to ask of me?"
"I was wondering if you would serve as Archadia's delegate in the peace council and foreign ambassador," he said.
"But my lord I am-"
"I already know of your present occupation, and I am willing to overlook it if you allow your fleet to be turned into a counter intelligence unit. Commanded by you of course."
"This is a lot of information to digest."
"Take a few days to think it over," said Ffamran, nodding at Larsa in silent agreement.
"I will." Larsa opened the door to allow me through, and I continued to go in the direction of my room. Halfway there I heard the familiar sound of a man in armor. I looked over my shoulder, and saw an all too familiar horned helm. I started to panic when my heart jumped into my throat. I went full speed the rest of the way, suffering from a panic attack. I practically threw myself through the door as I suffered a flashback.
Gabranth came bearing down upon me. He was going to beat me, that much I knew. I had failed to defeat him and Bergan during sparring. I should have been able to with my superior strength and speed from the nethicite. Experience is what matters and both of them have more of it than I do. Gabranth pulled a whip off of the hook in what was called my quarters, but was more of a cage. The only furnishings I had were a pair of shackles and a bare mattress on the floor. I mentally braced myself for the pain. If I screamed the beating would only get worse. He might even call Bergan.
"You worthless piece of slime!" he shouted as the whip cut through my shirt and into my flesh.
"You aren't worth all of the money the Empire spends on you!" The lashings increased in speed and I let out a whimper.
"How dare you whimper like some animal! Like you have feelings!" He began to use his armored fists and feet in combination. I felt something crack. I could see trails of my blood on the walls, and I tried not to pass out. Another lash cut through the flesh on my back, it probably looked like hamburger by now. I curled up in a fetal position, the shackles weighed down my malnourished form.
"I'm sorry," I whispered
"What was that?" He asked, before another lash came and left a clean spatter of blood on the wall.
"I'm sorry," I said, in a hoarse voice, he seemed to have heard me.
"You better be. Next time I will send for Bergan. You're lucky he's out with Vayne on Lavaiathan."
I was curled up in a fetal position on top of my bedcovers, with my eyes jammed shut, and I was shaking like mad, drenched with sweat when the door opened. The familiar clink of metal filled my ears, and my breathing became more erratic, my heart all but jumped out of my chest as the horned helm approached. He raised his armored hands and I flinched. I heard his helm hit the carpet with a soft thump.
"Demia, It's me, Basch." He reached out with an armord hand and I curled into an even tighter ball. I heard more metal hit the carpet and I opened my eyes. He stood there in only a short sleeved shirt and leather breeches.
"B-B-Basch?" I stammered.
"That's right. No need to be afraid," he said calmly. I felt the mattress depress behind me as he laid on the bed. His hand felt cold on my forehead. "You're burning up."
"Don't let him hurt me. Please, don't let him hurt me!" I said hysterically.
"Don't let who hurt you?"
"G-G-Gabranth," I stammered. I relaxed when I felt Basch begin to rub my back.
"No one is going to hurt you. I won't let them, I promise," he cooed in my ear. "What did he do, Demia?"
"H-H-He w-whipped me. Threatened to call Bergan," my heart started to speed up along with my breathing. Basch continued to rub my back.
"You're all sweaty, Demia. You need to get out of these clothes, I think you have a fever."
"No."
"You will get even sicker if you don't," he said. He got off of the bed and pulled some pajamas from the top drawer. "Come on. I'll help you. I know your arm is still sore, and I need to put the bruise salve on your back." I changed into the pajama bottoms, and unbuttoned my shirt. Basch helped me pull it off along with my camisole, I still had a hard time bending my left arm. I was embarrassed about Basch helping me, but it was either him or my brother. I felt the cold salve make my skin tingle, it was the only reason I managed to move with the heavy bruising from the impact of the fall. I felt Basch's fingers massage the salve into my skin, they traced the whip scars as if he was memorizing them.
"How old were you?" I tensed a little at the question. And pulled on the pajama top, painfully.
"Twelve, I had just made Judge," I said, laying back on my pillow, and pulling up the blankets, blinking back tears. Basch pulled me to his side in a loving embrace. I laid my head on his chest and the tears started to flow.
"I'm sorry," he said, I felt his grip tighten, as if protecting me.
"It's not your fault," I said, tears still streaming. He reached to wipe them away with his thumb, and ran his fingers through my hair.
"So your hair is brown," he said with a chuckle. My roots were starting to show.
"Problem?"
"No, I think you look better with brown hair, black isn't your hair color." I summoned Mist around my hair, turning it to brown.
"Better?"
"Much better." He grabbed my hand and started to peel the glove off, and I clenched a fist.
"Why?"
"I want to feel your hands, not pieces of animal skin," he said as he pulled off one glove followed by the other, revealing my shimmering tattoos.His hands felt rough, calloused from years of swordplay. "Mmm…Soft," he murmured as he held my hands in his. He laid a chaste kiss on my lips and I snuggled closer to him.
"I love you," he said, I felt it through his chest more than I heard it.
"Me too, but one thing…"
"What?"
"Don't wear that armor around me again," I said, pointing to the heap of steel. He chuckled softly and said…
"Will do." I let my eyes close as I fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.