Chapter 10: Jeuno

"Ok Karana, listen to me. I need you to promise me something."

"What?"

"We're almost to Jeuno. Promise me, solemnly promise me, that when we get there, you won't steal anything."

Karana turned back towards Matt and glared at him, "Matt! Do you think of me as a klepto or something? I only stole so I wouldn't starve or freeze to death!"

"I know and I can understand that, but I'm serious. Just promise me you won't steal a thing ok?"

"Alright! Alright! I promise! Sheesh." Karana said indignantly, turning back around.

"Good," Matt tried to pat Karana's head, but she pulled away. "If you need anything just let me know alright?"

"Fine," Karana said and crossed her arms, ignoring him. Matt just grinned and continued to push the chocobo forward past the gates surrounding Jeuno.

The past three days after leaving Ahopahgo Pass had gone by relatively quickly and without incident. They always started early, riding long hours and pushing themselves and the chocobo to the brink of exhaustion before setting up camp. In the evenings by the light of the campfires, Matt would keep Karana entranced with more stories of his adventures, and, after the kind of pleading and bugging that only a fifteen year old could muster, Matt had begun to teach Karana the art of marksmanship using his crossbow1, for which she exhibited some aptitude.

But the long rides during the daytime had proved an enormous disappointment. Karana, looking forward to seeing the wonders of Vana'diel that Matt had described, had been disappointed to find that much of the route from Windurst to Jeuno was rocky and barren.

"It's the favored terrain of the yagudos," Matt had explained to her as they were traversing the ravines of the Meriphataud Mountains during the second day. "In fact their stronghold isn't too far from here, to the southeast. But to the northeast is what they call the Sanctuary of Zi'Tah, and that is one of the most beautiful places you'll see in the world."

Karana sighed, knowing that she would not get to see this beautiful place on this particular journey. But the journey wasn't completely bereft of highlights. Karana had been fascinated by the towering Crag of Mea and the ruins found all over Sauromugue Chapmaign, but it was also in Meriphataud that day that Karana witnessed the biggest highlight of the journey. She had caught her breath, staring up into the sky, "Wh… what is that?"

Matt followed her gaze and replied, "That's called Drogaroga's Spine. The legend goes that Drogaroga was a huge dragon, and that thing was its actual spine."

Karana's eyes widened at the thought of any creature having grown so immense. She turned towards Matt, "Have you ever fought a dragon?"

Matt nodded, "But nothing like that. I doubt I'd be here if I had."

The next day, they had ridden through Sauromugue Champaign all day. Karana had caught sight of an airship flying into Jeuno from Windurst which had given her a short burst of excitement, but other than that, the journey was pretty boring, and they were both relieved to see the walls protecting Port Jeuno slowly rise over the horizon.

Matt rode into the special entrance leading to the chocobo stables and checked his chocobo in. He dismounted then helped Karana off, and she stretched her aching muscles and let out a deep yawn. Matt smiled at her apologetically, "I know you're tired but I just want to say hi to someone before we settle in." Karana nodded wordlessly, too tired to talk.

They exited the chocobo stables and made their way up into the city. Karana seemed unfazed by the sprawling city, which surprised Matt, who had expected her to be impressed. Perhaps she's just too tired to take everything in, he thought.

They came to the surface streets and walked east, approaching an exotic-looking elvaan clad in an elegant gold-embroidered dark blue cashmere manteel reminiscent of those worn by musicians from the Near East. She seemed to be dealing with a throng of customers, and Matt patiently waited on the fringes while she helped everyone. She then noticed Matt with surprise and waved him over.

"Matt! Welcome back, weren't you just here a few days ago?"

Matt gave a slight bow, "Hello Sagheera. Yeah I'm on my way back to Bastok now."

Sagheera nodded, "Well what can I do for you?"

"Oh nothing at the moment," Matt said as he motioned towards Karana "Sagheera, this is Karana. Karana this is Sagheera."

"Hello, Sagheera," said Karana. "Nice to meet you."

Sagheera gave her a curious look and said, "You too, Karana," then looked up at Matt questioningly.

Matt took this as confirmation of his suspicions, and gave her a subtle shake of his head letting her know it was neither the time nor the place. "Listen Sagheera, could you meet us at Neptune's Spire in about an hour?"

The curiosity grew on Sagheera's face as she said, "One hour."

Matt nodded, "I'll see you there."

Sagheera gave a slight bow as Matt and Karana continued on their way.

"She's pretty," Karana said.

"Yes she is. And very nice. She's our connection to the Near East."

"Oh," Karana said quietly. As they walked away, she turned back to get one more look at Sagheera, who was staring at her with a concerned look on her face.

****

As Jeuno had become the center of the three nations, Lower Jeuno, being the business district, had become the center of Jeuno, and therefore had unofficially become the social and commercial center of both Mindartia and Quon. Adventurers from all over Vana'diel gathered here daily, to organize raiding parties, sell and bid on equipment at the most well-stocked Auction House in both continents, and sometimes just to socialize and trade stories. The Archduke of Jeuno had the foresight to encourage open trade and commerce in the city, and as such even the itinerant goblins were welcome to trade and deal in the city, so long as peace and tolerance was maintained. As a result, Jeuno boasted the most thriving economy found in all of Vana'diel, but it came at a price. To regulate trade in the city and retain a higher standard of quality in goods, as well as to deter smugglers and others who might take advantage of its status, a hefty tax, higher than any other city, was levied for any transactions taking place within the city. Most traders considered this a small price to do business in such an environment, but there were nonetheless those who were just getting started and lacked the funds to pay that tax. These had no choice but to set up makeshift bazaars just outside the city but within the outer walls, where they hoped to attract the business of adventurers as they entered Jeuno from Rolanberry Fields. From the rising of the sun until long after its setting, Lower Jeuno was flush with activity.

The sun had set by the time they arrived at Neptune's Spire. The Market Bridge shops were starting to close, and the usual heavy Lower Jeuno crowds were beginning to thin out, for which Matt was thankful as he and Karana made a rather odd-looking pair.

The Neptune's Spire receptionist immediately recognized Matt and escorted him and Karana to the back area where Tenshodo business is conducted. He was informed that Aldo was out on business but was expected back any moment now, so they settled in and rested their feet as they waited. Karana had begun to doze off in the corner when Aldo and Sagheera walked in together.

"Matthias! It's been a long time!" Aldo said as he strode forward and embraced Matt.

"Hello Aldo. How are you?"

Aldo patted Matt's arm, "Busy as always. The Tenshodo business is really booming. And how about you? Finding new ways to save the world?"

Matt grinned, "Just surviving man. Though," Matt said with a glance at Karana, "things have gotten a bit strange lately."

"I'm sure." Aldo's eyes turned to Karana, who stood behind Matt, "And who's this lovely young lady?"

Matt stepped to the side and nudged Karana forward, "Karana, this is my good friend Aldo. Now he is old enough to be a Crystal War vet."

Karana giggled and extended her hand, "Nice to meet you Aldo."

Aldo gave her a curious look, similar to the look Sagheera gave her earlier. "Honor is mine," he said, as he took Karana's hand and bowed to kiss it, causing her to blush embarrassedly.

"Karana… what a beautiful name," Aldo continued. "And a rather famous one, to some. Do you happen to know the legend behind your name?"

Karana glanced at Matt at the unexpected question, but Matt offered no response. "Um… yeah my mom used to tell me the story."

Aldo smiled and said, "Please tell us this story."

Karana once again looked to Matt questioningly, but he could only shrug. Karana looked back to Aldo and began, "Well, Karana was the name of a girl who was stranded on an island. Her whole tribe once lived on this island, but one day it was invaded by another tribe, and they were desperately outnumbered, requiring the whole tribe, including women and children, to support their warriors. But Karana's mother couldn't bear to let her daughter join the battle and hid her away. Her whole tribe was defeated, and their enemies left the island with their spoils and took the survivors as slaves, leaving Karana to fend for herself for years, until her tribe's allies came to explore the island and finally rescued her2."

Aldo gave a sidelong glance to Sagheera who nodded. Aldo nodded in return as he turned back to Karana, "That too is the story I have heard. You say your mother told you this story?"

Karana nodded nervously.

"And perchance, was she also the person who taught you the common language?"

Karana again nodded.

Aldo smiled, "She must have seen great strength in you to name you after such a legendary figure."

Karana shrugged, "I dunno. I think she just thought it was a pretty name."

"And it is. It sure is." Aldo glanced at Matt and Sagheera, giving them a familiar look, which Matt silently acknowledged. Turning back to Karana he said, "Well, you must be tired and hungry from the long journey." He turned to a hume standing in the corner, "Amalasanda, could you please take this young lady and get her some food?"

Amalasanda came forward and bowed to Aldo, "Will do, Aldo." She turned to Karana and bowed, "Karana if you will follow me."

Karana looked to Matt, who nodded. Karana nodded to Amalasanda and began to follow her.

Matt called out, "Oh and could you help her with a change of clothes? I'll cover the costs." Karana's face lit up at this suggestion, "Then settle her into a room, she's had a long day."

Amalasanda turned around and nodded, "No problem. Come, Karana." The two left the room.

Matt turned to Aldo, who had a pensive look on his face. "What is it?"

"I'm sure you recognized the Bastokan elements in her speech but there's something else there as well…" Aldo said, "I have not heard it in years." Aldo looked to Sagheera, "You'd recognize it better than I, yes?"

Sagheera nodded, "I have heard it often, and recently."

Aldo nodded and turned back to Matt, "Did you recognize the story she told us?"

"No, never heard it."

"It's an ancient legend. One of many that feeds into the animosity between two mighty nations to the east."

Matt nodded, "So I was right. She's from Aradijah?"

Aldo looked at Matt, "Yes but… that accent is not that of a citizen of the Empire of Aht Urhgan, which is the nation we dealt with during the Crystal War. Nor is the story of Karana a legend to those people."

Matt raised his eyebrow, "Then…?"

Sagheera finished Aldo's thoughts, "That story is a legend among their enemies, the Kingdom of Ephramad. And," she nodded her head in the direction that Karana had gone, "her accent is definitely that of those people."

Seeing that Matt didn't grasp the significance, Sagheera added, "Ephramadians were renown for their skills in piracy. The survivors who carry on their works in this age are called corsairs. Your friend must have been raised among them."

Matt's expression turned grave, "That explains a lot. In Windurst, she was apparently a skilled thief who eluded even the mithran trackers for three years. She had also mentioned that she had spent a lot of time on boats."

"But what that doesn't explain is what is she doing here?" Aldo said. "We haven't had any contact with Aht Urhgan since they refused to join the Crystal War, and I can't recall any official contact with the corsairs."

"Also doesn't explain why she has a Bastokan accent in some aspects of her speech," Matt added.

Aldo pondered a moment then continued, "She said her mother taught her common. The likeliest scenario then is that she got the Bastokan accent from her mother, and picked up the Ephramadian accent from having been around them."

"Or her father was Bastokan," Sagheera suggested, "and picked up some Bastokan mannerisms just from being around him, but picked up most of her common from her mother, who was Ephramadian."

Matt sighed, his brain completely fried from having tried to figure things out the past few days. "I don't know. Bottom line I guess is that she seems to have some parental connection to Bastok."

"I take it she hasn't been particularly helpful piecing this together?" Aldo asked.

Matt shook his head, "She says she doesn't remember much past the last three years that she had lived on the streets in Windurst."

Aldo nodded, "So what will you do my friend?"

Matt sighed and shrugged, "I guess we'll go ahead and push forward to Bastok. Good a place as any."

You bring death upon us, Leah had said.

1 Staurobow: (Marksmanship) All Races, DMG: 36 Delay: 288 AGI +4, Enhances "Demon Killer" effect, Lv. 74 WAR/THF/DRK/RNG.

2 This is, of course, an allusion to Island of the Blue Dolphins.