~Broken Wings~

Chapter 7

"Bounty hunters are nearly equal to pirates in regards to getting their reward however their abilities choose to get it. It's entirely safe to say that bounty hunters can become as ruthless and bloodthirsty as monsters depending on how they ensnare their prey. There are many such beings, those who have realized that to kill is to gain power in ways that nothing else can. Power in the wrong hands becomes a potent poison, trickling through the mind, ensnaring the person in a bloody haze. When a bounty hunter becomes this way, Imperials are taught to watch their fronts as well as their backs. There is no telling what strategies bounty hunters will use."

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII. None of its characters belong to me. I make no profit off this work of fiction. This story is only to amuse me in my spare time and to hopefully be enjoyed by the ones who choose to read it.

The clouds rolled around the ship, seeming to part as we broke from its cover and laid eyes on the magnificent sky-continent of Dorstonis. All of the sky-continent was built upon the floating plateaus called purvama. Atop the purvama was Dorstonis, and within it the largest sky-city, Bhujerba. Both high above the Naldoan Sea, the flora and fauna were kept back only by the magicks of the magi of old. Each brick that had been laid in Bhujerba and Dorstonis had been inscribed with spells of incredible power, the symbols working as one to repel the beasts and tame the plants that grew without restraint. As the Strahl swerved towards the aerodrome my eyes caught sight of the enormous, wing-like structures that dominated the sky-city. The shimmering blue wings were pure magicite, the delicacy of the structures belying the immense strength each wing held. Those wings were said to keep the magicite of Bhujerba constantly powered with energy, which was what made Bhujerban magicite, skystones and memstones so valuable. They retained their energy long after being mined.

Rumour has it that if the wing-like magicite structures were to be drained of their energy, the power infused in the very rocks of Bhujerba would fade and all of the sky-continent would fall from the sky, lost to the tumultuous sea below.

Not only is Bhujerba infamous for its export of magicite and other valuable stones, it also maintains a strict neutrality. Dalmascan, Rozarrian and Archadian men and women can walk here, but if any were to break the peace in any way it could very well mean the end of one country's supply of magicite. Archadians had to be particularly careful. Marquis Ondore, the current ruler of Bhujerba, has maintained somewhat friendly ties with Lord Gramis, in the sense that Archadia does not cripple Bhujerba and Ondore allowed our people on its surface and permitted a share of magicite exportation. It was Ondore who had announced Basch's execution and the Dalmascan princesses' suicide. He and I had spoken briefly after Basch's supposed death, and it was enough for me to know that despite Ondore's alliance with Archadia, he harboured no love for us. It was only of necessity that he maintained the ties between our nations. He had said something strange to me before I returned to Archades, something to this day I did not understand:

"Lord Vayne is not worthy of you."

I could only assume that he was surprised by how respectfully I addressed him. I know my soldiers well, and they are not prone to respect when fierce brutality will complete a mission just as well. Yet hearing him say that had left me with an uncomfortable feeling that had never truly gone away.

Balthier landed the Strahl in the aerodrome once we were given permission to land, Vaan nearly strangling himself in an attempt to unbuckle himself from his seat. Sabine jumped from the top of the ramp to the ground, turning in circles as she was assaulted by scents and sounds. She had only travelled with me to Bhujerba once, but it was a memorable time. I had never seen so many people jump out of our way as she prowled forward, tongue lolling as she devoured every new smell. I whistled sharply and she came back to my side, looking up at me with what could only be pleasure. Sabine loved exploring nearly as much as she loved to hunt. She was quick to become angry when I weaved the spell of shrinking over her. So long as no one looked closely enough, she could be looked at as a small dog and nothing more. She nipped my hand when I attempted to soothe her, stalking off after the others as they made their way towards the lobby.

When we entered the aerodrome, organized chaos surrounded us. Tourists demanded lower prices for tickets, the intercom blared out which ships were departing, and everywhere people huddled together, chatting animatedly as they discussed where they would go next. Yet it was dulled compared to the tramp of Imperial armour. I doubted any of them would notice my presence: Imperials were trained to notice the familiar, and even the slightest change could throw them off guard. With my hair tied back in its braid and my armour gone, my clothes that of a well-travelled citizen, I would have been surprised if they had looked beyond a cursory glance. Nevertheless, I gripped Sabine firmly by the scruff of her neck and led her to the side, hiding us behind Basch and Balthier. She started to growl, but when she spotted the Imperials she became quiet.

"No good. He's not here." The captain of the group shook his head, pointing towards the doors leading into the aerodrome. "Keep searching!" The group passed us by, a collective sigh of relief bursting from our lips. If I was to continue this charade, I would need to feign wariness around Imperials and any who served the empire. But whom are they searching for? We stepped out into the open air, the flat tile making way to cobblestones. The bridge leading into Bhujerba had been constructed by mages of incredible power, bringing stones from the bottom of Dorstonis and fitting them together, chiselling out the rock in order for each piece to come together as one.

"You're a dead man. Don't forget it," Balthier warned Basch quietly, the breeze blowing the stray wisps of my hair around my head. "And no names," he added sternly.

"Of course," Basch said softly, his eyes on the looming structure of the Bhujerban palace, home to Marquis Ondore. I had been called forth as Archadia's witness to the deed in Lord Vayne's place when the marquis had held Basch's execution. I don't think I could ever forget the frenzied howling of the imposter, nor the stoniness of Ondore's face as the axe was brought down. After a moment of taking in the clean beauty of Bhujerba, the brilliant blue skies untouched by clouds, Balthier stopped in his tracks. Sabine stopped with him, tilting her head to the side.

"The Lhusu mines are just up ahead," he said, resting one hand on his side. His lips pursed, he stared at the busy streets with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. "Though I do here there's not much left there these days."

"You're on your way to the mines?"

I bit my tongue in order to halt a gasp, so astonished to hear that particular voice that for an instant I was dumbfounded. Turning to face the individual who had spoken, I kept my expression neutral and my eyes blank. I had to seize the scruff of Sabine's neck to keep her from rushing over to the boy perched atop the thick metal rails that prevented foolish Bhujerbans and their visitors from falling to their deaths. There had only been one such incident, but it was enough for anyone wary of plummeting thousands of feet to their deaths to ensure it never happened again. As much as she and I were fond of him, I couldn't betray that I knew him. Basch and the others were already suspicious of my presence, despite inviting me along. The young man climbed down, hopping off the last rail before approaching us, the movement betraying his youth.

"Then please allow me to accompany you. I've an errand to attend to there." His eyes locked on me, momentarily widening before returning to a normal, slightly smiling expression. Archadians, particularly royalty, are taught from a young age to never reveal what they might be thinking. The slightest expression can betray someone in court, and as deadly as Archadian court functions and all manner of life can be, it was more than important those of the royal family keep their emotions and thoughts hidden. As well as he had tried to conceal it, I spotted the pleading in his eyes before he turned to the others. He looked exactly as I had last seen him, his dark hair still cut to his shoulders, his startlingly grey eyes as uplifted as his smile. In that respect, he was the polar opposite of his brother.

I spotted a much smaller group of Imperials standing nearby and now understood why they had been so urgent. They hadn't been looking for Basch at all.

"What manner of errand?" Basch questioned, staring down at the boy with a guarded stare. His words echoed my thoughts. What was he doing here, of all places? His attempt at dressing as a commoner had not succeeded, though his garb was casual. It was the emblem at his throat that betrayed him. Its make was too fine, the purest silver wrought in the symbol of House Solidor. Despite my trained eyes catching the mistake, the others did not seem to notice. Vaan appeared openly curious while the pirate merely folded his arms, his lips set in a thin line. Fran cocked her head briefly, staring down at him before tossing her hair. The much younger man looked up at Basch with what could only be passive interest.

"What errand? I might ask the same of you." He turned towards Sabine, smiling faintly as intrigue played across his face. The look was so genuine that I could not detect falseness, and I knew why. He had always been fond of her, and she reciprocated his feelings exactly. She had finally settled down, but by the wagging of her tail I could tell she was pleased to see him. She was as ferocious in protecting him as I was, and in that regard we never faltered. Not with him.

"Right. Come on, then." Balthier's words contradicted his expression, his eyes narrowed, his posture stiff and unwelcoming. Vaan's jaw dropped, and even Fran seemed surprised. Basch's face was as closed off as ever, so there was no reading him. I could relate somewhat to the pirate's easy capitulation. After all, if no questions were pressed upon the young man, no questions would be asked in turn. Even so, I was not so willing to accept Balthier's unquestioning acquiescence.

"What?" Vaan was plainly bewildered, no doubt because of Balthier's earlier precautions. The thus-far unnamed boy smiled pleasantly, seemingly unaware of the concerns expressed vocally by Vaan and through silence by Basch. Don't let your guard down yet, I cautioned him mutely. Though I had no doubts that the harmless demeanour was just a ploy to disguise eyes as sharp as a hawk's, there were times that he was too trusting. This could not be one of those times.

"Excellent," he said briskly.

"Do me a favour and stay where I can keep my eye on you," Balthier said, his unwavering eyes locked onto the young man's. "Should be less trouble that way." There was no outright suspicion in Balthier's voice, but it was clear to see that he no more trusted him than he trusted me. A rueful smile lifted the boy's lips.

"For us both," he agreed. He did not glance at the Imperials, nor did he seem overly concerned over Balthier's misgivings. Vaan's puzzlement had vanished, replaced by budding enthusiasm. To be young and trusting, I thought, amusing myself with the idea. Trust and I were not close companions. It took much more than the pretence of friendship to ease my guard, and further trust was needed to ensure that I could place my back towards the person without fear of daggers.

"So what's your name?" Vaan's question clearly startled the boy, the enquiry causing him to hesitate a second longer than what was needed.

"Oh," he said, swallowing quickly. "I, um, I'm Lamont." You only just saved yourself, I thought with no little relief. Fran, Basch, and Vaan showed no scepticism, but Balthier's expression was sharp with it. In response to it my guard raised, Sabine growling as she sensed my distress. Vaan rubbed his nose, grinning down at 'Lamont'.

"Don't worry," he said, taking 'Lamont's' hesitation for nervousness or some other such thing. "I don't know what's in that mine, Lamont, but you're in good hands. Right, Basch?" It took him less than a second to realize his mistake, but the horror upon his face revealed that he had done something wrong. Basch's deadened mask lifted, his eyes flickering in response, only to become blank and unreadable once again. Balthier's glare could have made flesh peel from bone, if one believed in such expressions. Fran met my eyes for a moment, the faintest of amused smiles quirking her lips. "Anyway, shouldn't we get going?" Vaan questioned hastily, his voice taking a strained edge.

"Yes, we should," Lamont agreed, continuing to smile. Balthier took the lead, Fran meeting his gait step for step. Vaan hurried to catch up, Basch following at a slower pace. Lamont walked beside me, completely at ease. That alone should have alerted the others, but they were not nearly as chary as I was. Sabine jumped up at my whistle, trotting beside me with her tongue lolling in utter bliss.

If only we could have met in more fortuitous company! Moreover, if only I could have predicted that my thoughts on moving the fleet to Bhujerba would be more a curse than a blessing. Though Archadians and Rozarrians alike can claim to walk Bhujerban soil, under Ondore's orders it has become neutral ground. Explicit permission must be gained from the marquis himself for either kingdom's soldiers to enter Bhujerba, and from there a strict set of rules must be upheld. The sheer number of Imperials would have been overwhelming with Lord Vayne's orders of more troops; now the greater amount present could be attested to 'Lamont's' presence. As we passed by Bhujerban citizens and their sainikah, the Bhujerban equivalent of an Archadian Imperial, I noticed how few paths were still open. Imperial soldiers blocked the main roads, searching any party who had a young person in their group.

"Are you a beast tamer?" Distracted from my grousing, I slanted my eyes towards 'Lamont', who smiled charmingly at me. "Not many can take a wild wolf from the Paramina Rift and make it obedient."

"You seem to know beasts rather well," I replied curtly, speaking my warning through different words. Of course he knew where Sabine had come from, but if he were truly a commoner he would know nothing of monsters and their geography. He shrugged nonchalantly.

"I've studied many texts on creatures affected by Mist. From what I've read, the Paramina Rift is rife with beasts altered by what the Mist had wrought. Is your wolf one such being?" Relief thudded in my breast. He had understood. I smiled, unable to help myself. He immediately returned it, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Hold." Fran had stopped in the middle of the street, gesturing us to come aside. As we gathered, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible, she spoke to us in hushed tones. "We are too great a crowd to avoid Imperial detection. If we wish to reach the mines unnoticed, we must split into groups." Sabine's ears perked up. For a moment I thought if I were a wolf I would have mimicked the movement. This was the perfect opportunity to speak with 'Lamont' privately.

"Fran should go alone," I said immediately, lowering my voice. "A viera travelling in hume company alone is suspicious. The pirate, Basch and Vaan-"

"You'll use her name, but not mine?" Balthier interrupted, a falsely wounded expression on his face. Irritation bubbled within me, threatening to rise to the surface. "By this point I would have thought we at least acquaintances. Won't you surrender that stiffness you call knightly pride?"

"As much as your idiocy amuses me, pirate, we haven't the time for it," I answered, hoping my words would be like poison to his pride. Evidently they had some effect: Vaan hid laughter through a cough, Basch's lips twitched, and 'Lamont's' eyebrows rose in delighted surprise. He had rarely ever seen my ire, and whenever it was provoked he always seemed absurdly happy, as though inciting emotion out of me was a good thing. Unfortunately, the words had no weight for the one that mattered, for Balthier merely flapped a hand at me. "As I was saying, no one will take notice of three men in a group, nor will they pay attention to a lone viera. It will be best if I take Lamont through the back ways."

"Why?" Vaan questioned. 'Lamont' pointedly looked down at Sabine, and Vaan understood. "Right, you're more noticeable than any of us, especially for Imperials! How're you gonna get through?" Sabine whined, lifting herself and planting her front paws onto my leg in order for her head to nuzzle my thigh. With Bhujerba being as crowded as it is, she no doubt wanted to be away from the throngs of people and to open space. I stroked her head briefly, hoping that we would emerge from the masses without the price of fingers or harsh bites for the Bhujerbans.

"I've walked Bhujerba before. I know ways of getting around." I looked at Fran, and then at Basch. "Are we clear? Once we make it through the city, we will rendezvous at the entrance to the mines." They both nodded in acceptance, though it came as no surprise that the pirate still seemed unsatisfied. I decided it was unimportant. "Come, Lamont. We'll go through the alleyways." I did not wait for the others to stop us, going down the nearest path that would take us to the lesser known roads of the city. 'Lamont' hurried after me, gasping as I seized his arm, forcefully leading him towards the backs of the shops and away from prying eyes.

"Eve!" He protested, struggling to make my grip less painful. I ignored his plea, worry and anger warring for dominance. The moment we were alone, where even the merchants sparingly went, I released him. He rubbed the place where I had held him, open hurt on his face.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, my tone coming out harsher than I expected.

"I could ask you the same question," he responded indignantly. "My brother is nearly sick with worry. The Imperials are searching every corner of Ivalice for you, and where do I find you but in the company of sky pirates! Can I even begin to mention the knight travelling with you, the one that's supposedly been dead these past two years?" Abruptly his expression saddened, his eyes looking up at me with undisguised affection. "I thought you would be pleased to see me. It's been some time since we last saw one another." Only he could turn vexation into damning fondness. I sighed, allowing Sabine to race to his side and leap at him eagerly. He chuckled, kneeling to pet the top of her head. "I'm pleased to see you as well, Sabine."

"Of course I'm pleased to see you, Larsa," I chided gently. "You should know better than that. What I do not understand is how and why you've come here. What is in those mines that you seek?" He was no ordinary boy, despite what he had tried to pass off as. His full title revealed his status as the fourth son of Emperor Gramis, emperor of Archadia. He was the youngest brother of Lord Vayne, and as close to my heart as my master. Larsa patted Sabine's neck as she butted her head against his chest, becoming serious once again.

"I do not think this is the time to ask such questions, though I wish to enquire the same of you." He fingered the amulet at his throat, frowning slightly. "I will explain what I can once we reach the area I'm looking for. Would you permit me to ask what you are doing in such company?"

"I'll gladly answer you, my prince, but we should be moving. If we arrive later than the others, it will give them more cause for suspicion." We set off immediately after that, Sabine almost clinging to Larsa's side. Larsa and I, despite the nine-year gap in our ages, had grown up together in Archadian court. Though our duties led down different paths, I met him countless times, protected him, watched him grow from a solemn little boy into the young man I now saw. Larsa was Lord Vayne's opposite in that he craved peace, believing that allowing war to tear Ivalice apart was not the way. If anyone had questioned me on how I felt about the young lord I would have told them that I was fond of him. That in itself was part of the truth, though in my heart of hearts I saw Larsa as my own younger brother. He was as immersed in his duty as Lord Vayne, but I could still see him as a little boy, one I loved dearly.

"Eve? Why are you traveling with sky pirates?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. Sabine mimicked the movement, the both of them appearing adorably innocent. I allowed a smile to come forth, though it was quick to disappear behind a frown. What was I doing with them? I was not bound to Vaan or his friend, nor had I any real ties to Basch or to the pirates. I had told Walter that I could use them to discover what other secrets had been kept from me, and from there I could gather information for Lord Vayne. Somehow that felt false to me, and the idea of having no true intention frightened me.

"I discovered Basch fon Ronsenburg while following the pirates to the Nalbina dungeons," I answered, deciding a small white lie couldn't hurt. None of the Imperials had realized that I was the unknown prisoner they had transported along with the pirates and Vaan, and as far as I knew no others knew what had become of me. "When I recognized him, I wasn't sure how to react. We'd been told that he was dead. He told me a strange story, my prince." I told him what Basch had related to me, carefully weaving our way through the darkening passageways in the backs of Bhujerban shops and homes. By the time I finished Larsa was quiet, his brows furrowed in thought. We were nearing the mines by this time, that reality bringing to mind that we would need to take the main road the rest of the way.

"I do not like this," he said finally. We walked as casually as we were able, ignoring Imperial eyes as all Bhujerbans were wont to do. "I know there've been secrets circling the court and the senate, but to find that he is alive disturbs me. If he is speaking the truth, then..."

"We should discuss this later," I told him, spotting the entrance to the Lhusu mines before us. If only Larsa knew the full extent of the story, that another dead individual had revealed herself. But that was for another time. Only Fran was there, her hands resting casually on the length of her bow. She nodded once as we approached, saying nothing yet somehow speaking volumes. I sensed that she knew that Larsa was no mere commoner, and that we knew each other more intimately than budding acquaintances. Whether she would reveal these facts had yet to be seen. In little to no time Vaan, Basch, and the pirate were coming up to us, Vaan stopping and staring up at the enormous arches that led into the mines, beckoning the unwary into its depths.

"The Lhusu mines," Balthier declared, propping his hands on his hips. "One of the richest veins in all of Ivalice."

"Under Imperial guard, no doubt," Basch said, his hold on the worn hilt of his sword tightening. Larsa surprised him by shaking his head.

"Actually, no. With but few exceptions, the Imperial army is not permitted within Bhujerba." He smiled up at me. "Well, shall we proceed?" I nodded, being sure to keep my face without expression. He was the first to enter the mines, the look Balthier and Basch exchanged going unnoticed by him. I saw it and recognized the uncertainty there, along with dubious glances towards me. I cancelled the spell I had cast, Sabine returning to her normal size. With a delighted yelp she nuzzled her head into my hip before leaping after Larsa.

The Lhusu mines were still the greatest of all the magicite mines in Ivalice, containing more than just the energy-carrying minerals. Gems of all sorts could be found within its deepest tunnels. Most Galtean jewellery had been crafted from Lhusu gemstones, the finest gold and silver also found within the mines. It was common fact that the further in one went, the more treasure he or she could gather. The only difficulty with mining these Bhujerban channels were the monsters. Some of the vilest creatures could be found here, either locked away by the citizens of old or even bound by Anastasis himself, the gran kiltias of Bur-Omisace. Spawn of such creatures, as well as the ordinary offspring of the many monsters, flooded the mines. Though the Lhusu mines used to be patrolled regularly in order for the miners to do their work, Bhujerbans had neglected this duty because of the war, and so it had become known that to travel the mines unarmed was to invite death at every turn.

As much as the outside of the mines had been in decay, the innermost parts seemed to be nearly perfectly preserved. Nothing more than cold drafts and icy droplets of water came over us. Bones, that of humes and monsters, were littered on the ground, along with the gut-twisting reek of feces and mould. Sabine sneezed once, twice, and then growled low in her throat as we came down the last of the stairways. Knowing the tone of that particular sound, I grabbed both Vaan and Larsa, hurrying them to the thickest of columns surrounding us. Balthier, Fran, and Basch followed without question, hiding behind the pillars to my right. Not an instant after we hid, I heard the voices and the footsteps.

"You will forgive me for asking, but you are diverting the purest of the magicite-" The faintest of shudders worked its way down my spine, settling in the pit of my stomach. Though I could not see him, I recognized the heavy gait of his feet and his voice. It was another of Archadia's Judges, but not one that I respected or admired at all.

"I assure you, it reaches Lord Vayne most discreetly." My head snapped up. That voice belonged to the marquis of Bhujerba. I closed my eyes, listening as intently as I could. There were more than two pairs of footsteps, from what I could discern. I guessed that it was either Imperials or guards of the marquis. The Judge in question chuckled, sounding immensely pleased.

"You wear your saddle well," he said approvingly.

"Be that as it may, I have no intention of being bridled, Your Honour." Both brows lifted, I looked towards Larsa, who seemed equally surprised. Coming from Ondore, those words were bold. Too bold for a man ruling supposedly neutral country. Did his words mean something else, or was he merely bucking the reins the Judges held?

"Then you prefer the whip?" Judge Ghis, one of the more violence-prone Judge Magisters, asked darkly. The footsteps began fading, the voices coming from a higher point. They must have been leaving. "Stubbornness will not only see you broken, Excellency, but Bhujerba as well." Ondore made no reply. After some time the footsteps faded completely, leaving us with the sound of dripping water. I straightened, looking up at the retreating backs above us.

"Halim Ondore the Fourth. The marquis of Bhujerba," Larsa said quietly, speaking the Bhujerban leader's full title. "The marquis served as mediator at the negotiations of Dalmasca's surrender." At his words Vaan's face became shadowed with anger, a hissed breath drawn between his teeth. "It would appear that he is somewhat less neutral now."

"They say he's been helping the resistance," Balthier said coyly, arching a brow towards Larsa. He didn't rise for the bait, instead looking back with a calm expression upon his face.

"They say many things," he said simply.

"You're certainly well informed. Who did you say you were again?" Balthier asked, giving him a distrusting look. I sighed, rolling my eyes heavenward.

"Are you always so obtuse, pirate? He told us his name, and as for where he heard his information, all you have to do is open your ears and listen. Or perhaps it's too difficult a concept for you to grasp?" Before Balthier could even open his mouth in protest, Vaan let out an impatient sound.

"What difference does it make? We have to find Penelo," he said edgily, stalking towards the first of the many passageways that would take us into the more gem-encrusted parts of the mine.

"And Penelo is your...?" Larsa waited for a response, stark curiosity on his face. Vaan paused only a moment, glaring pointedly at Balthier.

"She's a friend. She was kidnapped and taken here." The pirate only brushed off his sleeves in reply, inciting Vaan's anger further. As we followed the impulsive young man Larsa quickly nodded his head at me. I nodded back discreetly, whistling for Sabine to follow. She prowled forward, growling as she heard or smelled monsters. Lights, spelled to last longer than any fire, were strung all along the ceiling, illuminating every nook and cranny. Large crates filled to the brim with rock and gems alike were lined on tracks that led further in. As it was, the only downside was the infestation of creatures. Steelings, animated skeletons, and even the odd Imp fluttered or walked throughout, swooping in for the kill when they spotted us. Thankfully, Larsa was fully adept with a blade, although that fact didn't stop me from protecting him from even the weakest of the monsters.

Several times we came out into open air, the last few pockets of sunshine and wind before we would submerge underground. Sabine was gleeful every time we came out of the tunnels, rushing forward and leaping over the ill-placed bombs meant to scare off creatures. She could smell the gunpowder easily, so it was no challenge for her. As we passed I witnessed several monsters being blown to pieces, and was once again thankful Sabine was so intelligent. None of her species would have been able to tell the difference between ground and explosives, of that I was certain.

We rarely spoke on our journey downward, Vaan no doubt preoccupied with the thought of rescuing his friend while the others kept their thoughts to themselves. I noticed Larsa opening and closing his mouth at numerous intervals. He was never one for awkward silences, preferring to speak of inane things rather than have the weight of foreboding quiet upon him. It was only as we entered a much larger mine shaft, the walls speckled with deep blue gems that I understood why Larsa had come. This isn't right. Magicite shouldn't be this color. These aren't ordinary gemstones, either. Sabine stiffened upon entering, growling so harshly that it seemed a snarl. All of the fur on the scruff of her neck was raised, her back as rigid as a board. When I touched her she snarled again, her tail lashing the air.

"This is what I came here to see," Larsa said, kneeling and examining the ground. After a moment he reached into his shirt, pulling out a stone as large as his palm. The color was a shade darker than the gems on the wall. The stone Larsa held glowed dully, flickering as he held it against the ground.

"What's that?" Vaan asked, distracted from his anger by this unknown substance.

"It's nethicite. Manufacted nethicite," Larsa replied grimly. The name struck a chord within me. The researchers from the Henne magicite mines, they spoke of nethicite. Doctor Cid ordered it, claiming it would become the next power source for our airships. But such vast quantities! Judge Ghis's words from before rang in my mind. The purest of the magicite, I thought. But the marquis said it was reaching Lord Vayne. What does he have to do with this?

"Nethicite?" Vaan was saying, appearing even more confused.

"This is the fruit of research into the manufacture of nethicite, all at the hands of the Draklor Laboratory," Larsa replied, missing the sharpness of Balthier's gaze upon him. He trotted towards the far wall, again holding his stone up against it. "So this is where they're getting the magicite." Sabine was still taut, her teeth bared in a silent howl. I knelt down beside her, gently touching her side.

"Errand all attended to, then?" It was the false cheer in Balthier's voice that alerted me. Rising to my feet, I turned in time to see the pirate approaching Larsa. I couldn't see his face, but I could just imagine the expression upon it.

"Thank you. I'll repay you shortly," Larsa said absently, not seeing the danger. I ripped a dagger from my belt, coming after him just as quickly. Basch reached out to grab me, calling my name, only to back away as I shoved him off.

"No, you'll repay us now. We have too much on our hands to go on holding yours," Balthier answered tersely. Larsa turned, surprise and fright widening his eyes. Fran tried to restrain me as well, moving to bar my path. I nearly cut her, so intent on helping Larsa that I was blinded to everything else. I ducked around her, watching Larsa back away, alarmed by Balthier's sudden change in demeanor. "So where did you hear this fairy tale about nethicite? And where did you get that sample you carry? What do you know about the Draklor Laboratories?" Larsa's back hit the wall, Balthier grabbing his shoulder to keep him still. "Tell me, who are you?"

"Release him." I pressed the sharp edge of my blade against the pulse in his throat. He stopped, only slightly craning his head towards me. His eyes were as dark as river stones as they glared at me. "Release him and I won't have a reason to slit your throat."

"You were rather protective of this boy, Eve," he said softly. "Strange, since you have no real connection to him. Or is it that you do have a bond with him?"

"Balthier," Vaan said anxiously, completely helpless to the situation. I pressed harder, hoping the threat of bloodletting would scare him into stillness. If anything it made him bolder, outright turning his head, daring me to say otherwise to the truth he had uttered. By this point I hardly cared that I'd let myself slip. What mattered was Larsa's safety, currently jeopardized by the idiot I craved to kill with my own hands.

"You kept us waiting, Balthier!"

I could have sworn the pirate cursed under his breath, but the rending sound of a chainsaw tearing through the silence distracted me from that thought. Four bangaa, the same bounty hunters we had seen in Nalbina, approached us with crude weapons in their hands. Three of the four, the followers, laughed lowly, swinging their weapons out in an attempt to frighten us. Balthier released Larsa, and I stood in front of him, sheathing my dagger and retrieving my sword. The leader, Ba'Gamnan if I recalled correctly, again activated his circular saw, the grating squeal of metal hurting my ears. Sabine had come to my side, snarls ripping from her throat. Whatever had angered her before had been forgotten.

"You slipped away in Nalbina. We missed you," Ba'Gamnan roared with a gravelly laugh. The four spread out, surrounding us. I searched, trying to find a way that we could escape. All the bangaa were equally separated: if we attempted one way two could trap us. I needed one of them to make a foolish decision, or it would come down to a fight. Even with the numbers stacked against them, bounty hunters had ways of evening the odds. "First the Judge, and now this boy. The whole affair has the smell of money about it. I may have to wet my beak a little," Ba'Gamnan declared, grinning like a rabid beast.

"Keep your snout in the trough where it belongs. This thinking ill befits you, Ba'Gamnan." Balthier's response was cold, but even colder were the stares the bounty hunters gave him. I heard a faint gasp behind me, not only from Vaan. Let your pride rule you, I ordered them, hoping it would be enough of a distraction for me to get Larsa to safety.

"Balthier," Ba'Gamnan snarled over the roar of his weapon. "Too long have I gone unpaid! I'll carve my bounty out of that boy!" I narrowed my eyes into slits, readying myself to fight. Larsa placed a hand on the small of my back, stepping forward slightly.

"Where's Penelo?" Vaan demanded. I tried to push Larsa back, but he would have none of it. He walked out until he was directly in front of me, the hand holding the nethicite sample trembling. "We're taking her back!"

"The girl?" Ba'Gamnan asked tauntingly, hacking up a hoarse laugh. "Why keep the bait when you've landed the fish? We cut her loose on the way here and then off she ran, crying like a babe!" As he and his cohorts began to laugh Larsa drew back his arm and whipped the piece of nethicite straight at Ba'Gamnan. It struck him between his eyes, a brief flurry of sparks effectively blinding him.

"Sabine, guard!" I shouted, pushing Larsa hard from behind. "Go, Larsa!" As we began running he scooped up the nethicite, the others following our lead. Sabine did as I ordered her, sprinting right alongside Larsa. As we entered the tunnels I heard more clearly the angry howls of the bounty hunters, the sound echoing all around us. Vaan's laboured breathing was the only thing that overcame it, though it was hardly reassuring.

"We'll find you all and cut you to bits!" Ba'Gamnan roared.

"We'll not be able to fight them all," Balthier called, not bothering to look back. "Fight who we must, leave the rest!"

"As you wish," I said mockingly, turning and planting my feet. I sheathed my sword before clenching my hands together tight. At the tips of my toes I felt the tingling begin, a flush filling my face. I heard both Larsa and Vaan call my name. "Go, now!" I shouted back at them. "Don't let my efforts be in vain!" I turned back to the tunnel, where the bounty hunters were almost clambering over one another in an attempt to reach me. The tingling rushed up my legs, pooling in my stomach before the Mist inside me travelled up my arms and burst from my palms. This is protection for the ones I love, I thought, inciting the response that always made the spell all the stronger. This is what I can and will do for them!

I guided the Mist into a circle, and from there I poured all of the power inside me into it, focusing on pure, unadulterated agony. The pain I had experienced in the past, the suffering I knew from thousands of wounded Imperials, and all the times that I had wanted to inflict harm on those who tried to kill Lord Vayne and his family. I made sure every ounce of my energy went into it. One by one the bounty hunters stepped inside the circle, and one by one they were trapped in a web of pain. Their howls of fury became shrieks of anguish. I watched them as they suffered before I finally finished the deed with an elemental spell.

The four bangaa twitched in a squirming heap on the ground, ragged breaths making their bodies convulse from the pain. They weren't dead, but they certainly wouldn't be pursuing us any time soon. I turned and began to run, nearly pausing when I heard one of them shout a very derogatory term to my back.

"You haven't won, you little bitch! I'll find you myself! I'll make sure you suffer before I kill you!"

I ignored Ba'Gamnan, continuing along the passageways without speeding up or slowing down. It wasn't the first threat to my life, nor would it be the last. I'd heard so many over the years that their meaning had lost all terror for me. I made it through nearly all the tunnels before spotting Vaan and the others. Said boy waved frantically as I slowed, his face rosy with exertion.

"Sabine and Lamont wouldn't stop running," he panted, gesturing behind him to the looming entranceway. "When we tried to call her back she just snarled and kept going."

"I told her to guard him," I said in explanation. "She won't leave his side until she thinks he's safe to go on by himself." I looked at Vaan and at Fran, noticing but ignoring the way Balthier blatantly glared at me. No doubt his so-called 'leading man' pride was wounded because I had been the one to stop the bounty hunters. "We should see whether they left the mines. I trust Sabine with his life, but with a Judge Magister in Bhujerba and Imperials everywhere, it would be wise to remain together."

"Hold on, not so fast," Balthier said, grabbing my arm. I ripped it out of his grip, returning his heated glower. "You never answered my question. How do you know that boy? It was no mere coincidence that the two of you met here."

"Believe what you will, pirate," I answered coolly. "It was purely happenstance. As to how I know him, that will have to wait. I intend to find out what has become of him first." I'd barely taken three steps before an echoed yip reached my ears. Relief swept through me as Sabine thundered down the stone steps, only to be replaced by concern. I knelt down, rubbing her head as I asked, "Where is he? Is he safe?" She licked my face in response, panting happily as I stroked her neck. If Larsa had been harmed she wouldn't appear playful. She would have been agitated, snapping at my hands if I attempted to touch her. "Good girl," I said softly. "Let's go find him." Sabine jumped ahead, pounding up the stairs she had just descended. Vaan jogged to walk in step with me, avoiding my gaze when I raised an eyebrow at him. I heard him take a deep breath, and let it out as a shaky sigh. "Is something the matter, Vaan?"

"No!" He immediately protested, flushing further when he met my eyes. For such a tanned individual, the colour in his cheeks was as prominent as someone with red hair would have when embarrassed. "I just wanted to say thanks. Y'know, for back there. You really saved our hides." I nearly opened my mouth to correct him, almost telling him that I hadn't intended on protecting him or the others. My focus had been for keeping Larsa safe. Seeing the hopefully eager expression on his face made guilt curdle in my stomach. Vaan hardly deserved my ire. Neither did Basch, or even Fran.

"You're welcome," was all I said in reply, but it made him beam with pleasure. The guilt grew until it felt a solid lead ball had formed, weighing me down. As we entered into the sunshine, the stale, musty air replaced by a cool breeze, Fran came to an abrupt stop and hid behind one of the staggering columns supporting the entryway. I did the same, Basch and Balthier mimicking me, but Vaan had stopped to ogle the scene before us. Balthier reached out and pulled his arm hard enough to yank him back. They had a brief tussle, Vaan struggling valiantly before giving up.

Just as I'd thought, Judge Ghis was standing about twenty feet from where we were, accompanied by Marquis Ondore and his entourage. The girl from Rabanastre, Penelo, was there as well, her arm held in the Judge's unforgiving grip. Larsa himself was walking towards them, appearing as though nothing was amiss. Sabine whined, butting her head against my thigh.

"Judge Ghis," I said to the group quietly, dreaded foreboding stealing over me. "He's by far the most scheming of all the Judges. I can only guess, but I believe he is here in an attempt to discover if the insurgence is truly being supported by the marquis. If he came here looking for-" I stopped speaking as Ghis suddenly released Penelo, forcing her to step back as he ordered her to be silent. Larsa spoke next, his voice quiet enough so that I could not understand him. He addressed the marquis briefly, and strode towards Penelo, taking her hand. He led her away from the Judge and the marquis, gaining a fair distance before both men followed.

"What's Penelo doing?" Vaan hissed. "And what's the deal with that Lamont?" He pointed an accusing finger at said boy.

"Care to explain now, Eve?" Balthier folded his arms across his chest, silently challenging me.

"His name isn't Lamont," I said, finding no reason that I should continue to hide his true self. "His full title is Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. He is the fourth son to Emperor Gramis, and Lord Vayne's youngest brother."

"What? That kid?" Vaan asked in disbelief, his mouth hanging open comically.

"Do not worry," Fran stated, a faint smile upon her lips. "I believe he will treat her well." Balthier chuckled, shaking his head.

"No one knows men like Fran does," he said jovially, earning himself a flat look from his viera companion. Vaan didn't appear convinced, for he turned to me worriedly.

"Larsa is the perfect gentleman, Vaan. He would no more hurt Penelo than you would," I assured him. I watched him go, looking briefly at the retreating back of Judge Ghis. If our troubles hadn't been complicated enough, now was the epitome of impediments. Both Larsa and Penelo were now in the company of my least favorite Judge Magister and Marquis Ondore.

"Our purposes lead the same way. To Ondore," Basch said, opening his mouth for the first time since we had entered the mines. I finally understood why Imperials were unnerved when I kept silent for as long as I did. I couldn't read Basch in the rare times he decided to speak, and he was even more closed off when noiseless. "We must find means to approach him."

"The marquis is channelling money to organizations opposing the empire. We'll start there," Balthier said as we retraced our steps to the city. He didn't seem concerned that he had just revealed a damning piece of evidence to the closest confidante to the empire. Sabine butted her head against me again, whining questioningly. What else could I do but follow? At the very least, I could discover where the hidden organizations Balthier had spoken of were. That alone would be worth my long absence.

And the perfect excuse to hide my presence would be that I wanted to help Vaan find Penelo. Never before had it been so easy to mask myself. Yet even as I thought it, the guilt returned, pooling low in my stomach. I told myself that I was being ridiculous, that I owed no one here my loyalty. But my justifications fell flat, and the shame remained.