Author's Note: Sorry for the delay... The spring semester at college started, so I had to move into my apartment again and begin classes :'-( This will be a short chapter...
The airships name, which you will learn in the second paragraph, stays true to the 'summons' they are named after in the game. A cookie to those who know which Final Fantasy the name comes from. (Hopefully it wasn't used in XII, and I'm just too stupid to realize)
Glenn393-- All in good time, my friend. :) Part of the reason I haven't gone back to Fran, Vaan, and Penelo is because you're supposed to wonder what actually happened to them. And, who said Vaan is a little kid? Are you referring to the stuff I made him say in this fic? If so, he did that in the game. He stopped conversations cold in the game. Ashe constantly told him to not interrupt. He was treated lowly by most of the people in the game, so of course the treatment won't change in my story. Vaan is a smart guy, but he is growing up slowly.
Of Blood and Honor
Chapter Seven: Searching for Answers
Ashe walked quickly towards the stolen airship. She had just finished bathing in the waters of Phon Coast and, after receiving cloth bandages from the blushing Suria, headed back to meet Balthier and formulate a plan. She didn't want to go inside the small ship; she'd rather lay in the sun. Her pale skin ached for sunlight, her broken body needed rest. Yet relaxation was never possible for Ashelia B'Nargin; there was always something to do.
She reached the side of the ship and gave it a long look since she hadn't time before. The name "Asura" was in scripted into the side using plain gray paint. Drying off her face with a towel Suria had just handed her, she entered the airship.
Her companion was on his hands and knees near the back of the ship. Unable to see his head, Ashe realized he was busy searching for loot in the cabinets that lined the back wall.
"I thought you only stole from those who deserved such thievery," Ashe said mockingly, closing the door behind her. Surprised to hear her back, Balthier was startled and ended up hitting his head off of the roof of the cabinet he burrowed in.
"Ah, my Lady," Balthier replied, wriggling out from his spot. He flashed the Queen a dashing grin as he stood. "The wealthy can afford to lose such things. They have already lost their airship, haven't they?"
"Her name is the Asura," Ashe informed him, stepping further into the small craft. "And we shall deliver her to her home once we have finished our business."
She faced him and noticed his arms were crossed over his chest, his body square to hers. Looking at his face, she noticed his eyes were on her body, which was still soaking wet from her bath. She had entered the water fully clothed in order to avoid stares from the civilians on the beach and also to cleanse the blood from her clothing. His look made her uncomfortable, and he seemed to sense her discomfort and reacted by raising his eyes to hers.
"Balthier," she said slowly. "I would except you to mind your own--"
"--business?" he completed her sentence for her with a chuckle. "Have you such low expectations for me, Princess? I am deeply shamed."
Once again, for the one thousandth time, she ignored him and proceeded with her planning. "I must re-enter Dalmascan territory and talk to my consorts. Yet I fear my entering Dalmasca will only ensue the 'others' plan. As I mentioned earlier, Rozarria would be a strategic choice. I must speak to Al-Cid and the Margrace family. Balthier, will you escort me into Rozarrian territory?"
"I have reason to believe Rozarria may have been the group who attacked you and Archadia," Balthier told her, walking past her and sitting in the pilot's chair. "I fought a guard while searching for you. He proclaimed you must be destroyed, for you wish for 'something'... I assume he meant peace."
"Yes, of course," Ashe said quickly.
"Rozarria and Archadia are still at arms," he continued. "Perhaps Rozarria does not wish for the Dalmascan Queen to interfere."
"Preposterous," Ashe exclaimed, waving away Balthier's belief. "Peace lingers on the lips as a wish of every great region of this world."
Balthier rolled his eyes at her, only causing Ashe more worry. She thought hard, her one arm draped across her stomach, her other hand resting against her chin.
"Take me to Rozarria," she commanded forcefully. "I shall meet with Al-Cid. Meanwhile, rejoin forces with Fran, Penelo, and Vaan. You must search for Lord Larsa and Basch. I fear for their lives... If my attackers wish them the same fate as they wished me..."
Balthier began to push buttons before him, preparing to take off and grant Ashe's request. "I believe Larsa is safe. The guard I fought admitted they kidnapped Larsa and planned to murder you. Fortunately, I was there to save you."
"And... I thank you," Ashe said slowly, almost painfully. She was not good with offering praise. "Will you meet with Fran, Penelo, and Vaan?"
"Of course."
"Then find Lord Larsa and Basch."
"No need to repeat yourself, Princess," Balthier told her as he lifted the Asura off the ground. "It is as good as done."
With that, the two were flying high in the skies of Ivalice. Ashe had finally taken her seat next to the pilot, and both remained silent during the remainder of the flight.
He had been kept waiting for six hours. For the most part, Basch had waited patiently in the chair provided in the small bedroom. Every so often, he paced the marble floors and stared curiously out the lone window. He was beginning to fear he had been abandoned in the room.
Yet he was used to such boring time. He had spent nearly two lonely years in a cage, left with nothing but his thoughts. Between the perverse beatings and torturous acts that occurred on him during his jail time, he had thought of many things. He thought about everything- from politics to silly things. He thought about the future of Dalmasca, and how dim that future seemed. He thought about his heinous brother and the pain Noah had put him through. He thought about life and death. He thought about his own accomplishments and failures.
When news had arrived that her Highness Princess Ashelia had committed suicide, Basch believed not a word of it. His Lady was stronger than that, he knew. She would fight to the death for her kingdom and her people. She was not one for suicide.
During the six hours Basch had waited in the bedroom, he thought of nothing but Ashe and Larsa. He was deeply worried for them. He knew that if he had been attacked, so would the other two. Sole leaders such as them could not be afforded to be lost. Basch now worried for all of Ivalice and the Hume race.
Finally, the large door in the front middle of the room opened with a loud creak. Basch instantly stood, prepared not for battle yet for communication. Had they wanted him dead, he would not be sitting in such a tiny yet luxurious room.
In walked three guardsmen. They wore the traditional armor, yet instead of a gray metal color, the armor was blood red. Each also wore red helmets on their head. The helmets resembled something close to what a Judge would wear. Each had a long sword attached to their belt.
The first who entered stood aside by the door, and the other two came in together. They both carried an arm of Larsa Solidor. Larsa himself allowed himself to be dragged inside, an angry look on his young face. His look softened considerably when he saw Basch. The two men pushed him rather gently past them and the young emperor fell to his knees. Quickly standing, he faced the three guards, yet said not a word.
"Judge Gabranth," said the first guard by the door. His voice sounded muffled under the heavy helmet, and he did not move an inch. "You are to watch the child until further notice. Understood?"
"A child," Larsa spit angrily. "Have you no respect, commoner?"
The men did not answer the infuriated teen. They simply turned and filed out of the room, locking the door once more behind them. Instantly was Basch at Larsa's eyelevel.
"Your Highness," Basch asked in his deep yet calm voice. "What monstrous atrocities have they done to you?"
"I am unharmed," Larsa informed him, peering around the room. "They have only tried to bend my will mentally."
"Sire?" Basch was unsure of Larsa's response.
"They requested I sign a treaty of surrender," Larsa explained. "Much in which the late Lord Raminas of Dalmasca nearly signed. The treaty stated I give up my birth right as the leader of Archadia. I was to surrender my throne and let their leader take charge."
"Who," Basch questioned.
"I am not sure," Larsa answered, lowering his eyes, obviously disappointed. "I refused to sign any treaty. This angered the brutes, yet they did not harm me. I am needed alive and well, I am sure. Basch, have you seen the Lady Ashe?"
"I cannot say I have," Basch admitted, standing and walking towards the window. "I had hoped she was in your presence."
"I am sure they would not harm her either," Larsa nodded to himself, his niaveness coming from his youth. "Perhaps they wish her to sign a treaty as well."
"I pray you are correct," Basch said. He stared out the window at the setting sun. "Night arrives soon. We best think of a plan. We are not safe here, my young Lord. Once these men have your signature, they can do as they wish to you."
Larsa shifted his weight uneasily. "...I fear you are right."
As the sun fell slowly in the sky, the two had nothing to do but wait more. Basch's thoughts still lingered on the Queen of Dalmasca, and he worried for her safety.
