Author's Note: Revised 08/04/2011
The Truth And Nothing But Some Of The Truth
The whole tavern was watching the tense conversation on the second floor. At first, no one had noticed. The chat had started off quite civilized, both men talking in low tones, though such polite words were strained. Then, both Tomaj and Kytes had excused themselves away from the table and rushed down the stairs, where they remained at the bottom, shying away. It seemed one of the others had said something that riled things up.
"You told them to send me the bar bill!" Vaan said quite loudly and suddenly, "I didn't even start the fight!"
"Vaan…." Balthier sighed and gave a passing Bangaa a sarcastic smile. "Who started the fight is neither here nor there. I was trying to teach you a lesson."
"Were the exploding toilets in the Whitecap also a lesson?"
"It was a mere merry caper to allay the dire strains of boredom, Vaan. I did not blame you. Though the lesson I hope you learnt was to not hang around. A good sky pirate is quick on his feet. You got blamed because you were caught."
"I wasn't involved!"
"Not my problem."
"Then neither was the state of the Strahl, my fault! I never actually opened the hatch and let those Dream hares in…did I?
The politeness was starting to fade. The smooth silky words of Balthier wouldn't hold up now that he had to think of what happened to his prized possession.
"That is different." Balthier leaned forward; his restrained grinning face just inches from Vaan's defiant scowl. "Sky ships are a pirate's real treasure. You told those women where to find my Strahl, you sent them all there with their multi coloured pets and they took advantage of the fragile state of my engineer! Nono let them into the hanger and neither of us could get rid of them! Those women wouldn't stop talking…they had these laughs that fiends would be scared of! And those Hares left steaming piles of turds everywhere! I can still smell it, even after the Aerodrome staff cleaned it all out! Vaan…those insane women had leaflets! They made me read these damned booklets on the things! Oh…Vaan this is completely different. All sky pirates have a code, an agreement. Sabotage of the Sky ships are off limits! It's ungentle-manly, quite unbecoming."
"So…what you did to Rikken's ship last month was…?"
Balthier picked up his glass of wine and held it high up in the air to inspect it. He spotted something floating in it and sneered with extreme disgust before fishing it out with his small finger. He muttered about "complaining" several times before Vaan asked his question again.
"So you disabling Rikken's ship last month during that fiend hunt festival was okay was it?" he asked. "An exception to the rule?"
"What I did was perfectly repairable and necessary for the purpose of getting to the mark before him. There are always acceptable exceptions! You just need to find them. The Strahl however is never an exception. Ever! Besides, what I did to Rikken's ship, didn't leave a vile odor on the carpets or on his foot." Balthier leaned back in his chair and casually picked at the collar of his shirt.
"Well…I have no regrets over that!" Vaan retorted. "You have been nothing but trouble to me! I got blamed for just about everything you did! The fights, the toilets, even that incident with the daughter of the Bhujerban noble! I mean…what were you thinking?"
Balthier chuckled at the remembrance of the pretty young brunette.
"A pirate does what needs to be done."
"At the risk of upsetting his friends? Balthier…all I wanted was your guidance! Not the consequences of your frolicking with a woman who was already engaged!"
"I didn't know she was engaged. I am not to blame for the young lady falling for my charms."
"Her father came to my house! He threatened me!"
"Ah. Well…I certainly did not give him your address."
"It was good thing Penelo wasn't home to witness that! How could you do that to me?"
"Your name was the first that came to mind. I could hardly tell the man that Basch slept with his daughter now, could I? He wouldn't believe me. I don't see why you are upset about it really. You cleared everything up, didn't you?"
Vaan scowled and drank some more of his drink before slamming the glass down on the table.
"You're despicable."
The pirate responded with a flattered smirk. He then took another sip of his wine and propped his feet up on the table.
"You're becoming quite the Sky pirate yourself." he said. There came a shout from Maljia down at the bar, telling him to "Get your damned feet off the tables!" Balthier complied immediately, not wanting to incur the wrath of Tomaj's mother. The landlady nodded in thanks. "Your schemes could almost match up to mine. It was very smart thinking about telling the armoury shop where to send my bill. I was hoping to have gotten away with that."
"With your taste in armour and clothes…" Vaan saw how Balthier still preened at his fine leather waistcoat. "There was no way I was letting you get away without paying that amount of money!"
"You have cost me dearly, Vaan. That was the most expensive shop in Archadia."
"Good!"
"I'm very impressed. I will certainly not be under estimating you again. You've learnt quickly."
"You're going to say this is all for my benefit….aren't you?"
"Of course. To get oneself out of undesirable situations is a trait every Sky pirate needs."
"Oh please…." Vaan sneered. "It's best not to get in those situations in the first place!"
"They can't always be helped. Some things are beyond our control."
"Well, you don't have to sleep with every woman in Ivalice."
"I wouldn't want to, just ones that catch my eye."
"How does Fran put up with you?"
Balthier grinned and gently sipped at his glass of wine. What kind of a question was that? He held out his arms, showing off how great he was.
"She just does."
"Can't you just settle down with one woman?"
"I don't think I'm ready for that."
"I don't think you're able."
"Now that is just low!"
"Why can't you be like Basch?" Vaan snapped, his sudden blurting of the Judge's name definitely caught the attention of the whole bar again. There were whispers and murmurs amongst them all, and Vaan saw Kytes and Tomaj shaking their heads in dismay. Vaan lowered his voice. "He loves the Queen! He's willing to be with her and marry her! He doesn't want anyone else!"
"Basch is a different sort of gentleman than I. My lifestyle would not bode well for him, nor I in his. Well…he knows now that there is only one woman for him. It took almost sleeping with another to make him realise that. Iliana is very very attractive. Perhaps I might go and see if she is available? A feisty lady if ever I saw one. A lot older than me…but that is not an issue." Balthier drained his glass and cast a fleeting glance over the Sandsea customers. He could tell they were listening as much as possible. "Our good Judge Knight is setting out a new life for him….marriage to a Queen…starting a family. What news have you heard of the new parents?"
The hostilities seemed forgotten at the mention of their two friends. Not completely, Vaan was still determined to make up for all the "lessons" Balthier had imposed on him.
"I'm on a mission."
"Can I safely assume that you and your friends are the ones responsible for all this talk going about?"
Vaan beamed a proud smile.
"You heard?"
"Tales of the King slayer's innocence and faked death? I heard."
"We're not finished yet.
"Planning on inserting a few rumours of their entanglement? A romantic liaison that will see Dalmasca get new heir to the throne?"
Vaan nodded.
"Ahh…then I believe I can help you with that."
Vaan's defences immediately erected up around him. It was completely out of reflex, for Balthier's past efforts to "help" often ended up badly for Vaan. This time, he was not going to be quite so accommodating to the twenty four year old's offer. He moved his chair back and angled his head down to look for his friends.
Sure enough Kytes and Tomaj were watching from the bottom off the stairs, just out of Balthier's line of sight. They were shaking their heads, and their hands were signalling "no!" in sharp horizontal motions. Vaan certainly agreed with them. This was a delicate matter and the last thing he needed was the interference from a self centred, proclaimed "leading man" whose idea of teaching someone involved making them take the fall.
"Balthier…I'm sorry, I don't think that…"
"Spare trying to upset my feelings, Vaan." said Balthier, caring not at all that the boy was trying to be all polite once again. "Sentimental gushing is not for the likes of us, unless it has a beneficial and worthwhile reward. You don't want me to help in your little scheme, which is fine with me. I shall leisurely enjoy the rest of this day; it will give me the chance to fulfill a few obligations of my own."
"Look….about the Strahl. I'm not sorry about what happened. You deserved it after all you've done to me." Vaan said as he got up from his chair. The anger wasn't that easy to see in Balthier's gaze, but Vaan did see it there behind his pretense and false smile. "The Strahl will be left alone for now. But just know that it's not safe. If you continue to mess with me, I know how to get you back. I never made any agreement to any code…so I am letting you know now. Don't push me Balthier."
Oh. A threat! How wonderful. Let the challenge begin!
"Decent of you to say so." Balthier drained his drink and then made a shooing motion with his hand. "Then be off with you. Go and spread the good word of Basch and Ashe's little sproglet. I have a party to arrange."
"Huh?"
"A PARTY?"
Tomaj magically appeared by Balthier's side, his eyes wide with anticipation and excitement, his hands coiling and rubbing together with glee, all at the thought of a wonderful party. Kytes also stood at the top of the stairs, clinging to the banister with immense interest. Vaan was just stunned.
"You're arranging a party?" he asked, curiously. "What kind of a party?"
"Oh nothing too special." said Balthier, surprised when a bottle of the finest Dalmascan esker wine appeared in Tomaj's hand. The young grinning bar steward was pouring a very generous amount into Balthier's glass. The sky pirate smiled mischievously. "It is just a little gathering…small celebration."
"Oh." Vaan nodded. "Sounds cool! Celebrating anything good?"
"Oh nothing really." said Balthier, in a friendly manner. "It will be just a small gathering."
"You going to have it here?" asked Vaan. Tomaj had filled Balthier's glass right to the very top and left the very expensive bottle on the table. He nudged it closer to the sky pirate, not being obvious at all that he badly wanted this party to be held in his father's tavern.
"I'm sure if the prices are amenable"
"Are we invited too?" asked Kytes.
Balthier frowned.
"You boy, are far too young. It would be totally inappropriate for you to be in attendance."
"Can I come?" asked Vaan.
Balthier took a sip of the wine. He marveled in the strong kick and the fruity flavour was so intense he actually gasped with a satisfied sigh when he swallowed. He looked at Vaan.
"I'm sure you will be invited. You wouldn't want to miss it, for it will be a party to remember."
"I look forward to it."
Balthier nodded and looked at the small clock on the wall. Then, the leading man began to perform.
"I'll wait until he comes out of his meeting." Balthier scratched at his smooth chin and then put a shocked expression upon his face. "Well well…he is taking a long time! Surely it doesn't take that much effort to say "Oh…I've come back from the dead, I'm not a murder and by the way I'm sleeping with the Queen who is having my baby and we want to get married." Shouldn't take long at all!"
Balthier sighed a large pretend and cocky sigh, before getting up and heading towards the stairs. Vaan's reaction was priceless.
"YOU WHAT?"
There was a smash of glass. Lots of glass. The tavern's customers all applauded, but such cheers were soon doused by Tomaj's angry mother and her furious call for order. The curiosity of the others in the Sandsea was now torn away from Balthier and the little group on the second floor, which Vaan was thankful for. He was more than angry now.
"You're planning an engagement party?" Vaan tried to speak through his gagging.
"Not at all."
"No?" There was a glimmer of hope in Vaan's eyes.
"No. It's not an engagement party. It is in fact going to be Basch's bachelor party."
The glimmer faded and turned to astonishment and disbelief.
"His bachelor party? But that's only for the Best man to organise!"
Balthier held out his arms and it seemed as if he was radiating and basking in his own greatness.
"Who could possibly be the Best man other than me?"
"Basch asked you to be his Best man?"
"Naturally."
Naturally? Vaan's face scrunched up at the pomposity of Balthier's statement. Yet the more he thought about it, the more Vaan felt that Balthier was making this all up. It was another lie, to get some kind of response. So, this sky pirate was going to make an issue of this. If he wanted a fight to see who the better is, then Vaan would quite happily take up that offer.
"So not just the Leading man then?" said Vaan, folding his arms across his chest.
"I am many things."
"Oh….." The two of them chuckled, laughs that were forced and so false. "You are indeed. Well, Basch will be very fortunate to have Balthier the sky pirate as his best man! He couldn't have chosen any one more perfect for the job."
"No." Balthier said matter of factly. "And he won't regret it for a second! Vaan…good luck with the rest of your mission. I have some strippers to book for this event!"
"Strippers?" gasped Kytes. "I don't think Mrs Tomaj will like having the Sandsea re-decorated, without her permission."
Balthier gave the young boy a "You are kidding me" look, before chuckling in amusement. He picked up the expensive bottle of wine and casually walked down the stairs and out of the pub.
Kytes was left wondering what on earth sounded so funny. Tomaj was sniggering into his hand, but Vaan was not impressed at all.
"Right! We're going!" Vaan jumped down several stairs at once, and when he reached the door, he waited for his friends to catch him up.
"But we haven't had lunch yet." said Tomaj, who peered over his shoulder. His dad was quite busy serving, yet he could see his mum signaling that his food was ready. Vaan sighed.
"No! We're not waiting! We've got a new mission!"
"Oh." Kytes looked disappointed. "I was looking forward to spreading the news of Ashe and Basch's baby. So…what we doing now?"
Vaan flung open the door and stepped out into the sunlight. He paused until his eyes became adjusted to the brightness and when his friends also followed him.
"Well?" asked Kytes. "What are we doing?"
"We're going to the palace." said Vaan. "And we're going to ask Basch what the hell he was thinking!"
The two men walked off, a quick pace that left Kytes stunned and confused at the door.
"But….? What about lunch! And what is so funny about paint strippers?"
When he saw his two friends slowly disappearing from sight, he frantically ran after them.
"WAIT FOR ME!"
It was too late now. She had kissed him. She had completely lost all track of where and who she was. Ashe clung to Basch now, her fingers lightly pressed against his light bearded cheek, but there was a silence in the room that was distinctly different from any of the previous ones. This time, it wasn't them judging Barrin for his role in Basch's torture. They were judging her and Basch.
Basch was looking quite startled, his tongue lightly licked at his lips before his fingers wiped softly at them. He couldn't believe Ashe had kissed him either (he was also stunned he had responded passionately back) and now as he brought both of them up to their feet, he felt his mouth crease upwards into a broad grin. He felt his cheeks burn and from the chuckle Ashe quietly released, he realised that he was blushing.
Yet he didn't sag or slump, nor did his hands slip from hers. He composed himself as much as he could after having showed such a public display of affection towards Dalmasca's Queen and remained strong.
"I think we finally know why Basch's real identity had to be revealed."
Ashe tore her gaze away from her lover's and saw Al-Cid slowly walking back towards his seat. His glasses were back on and his swagger was decisively less than confident.
"This is…very…..sudden." A member of the Kilitas coughed a little. The holy man, who was dressed in the more senior and elaborate holy robes, was looking back and forth between the couple, trying to take in the shock of such a revelation. Others were too, but it didn't take long for them to notice how certain members of the council and especially Garner (who was grinning from ear to ear) was accepting this so readily. "It's quite out of the ordinary! Your Majesty…..just what….would you care to explain? We had no idea that you had a suitor!"
"Please do explain, Majesty." A sultry and cooing voice lulled nearby. "Everyone is wondering, why their Queen could possibly keep such a thing from them."
Ashe felt like her head was spinning, but instead she focused her disapproving stare on Iliana, who, unlike her brother, was not in the slightest bit down heartened by this surprise. She was holding her hands behind her back and with her head tilted to the side, her black hair cascaded over one side of her grinning face.
The deviousness in her eye that wasn't hidden by her ebony locks, worried Ashe immensely. Iliana's comment didn't help her temper either.
She wasn't going to let herself respond to it. Instead Ashe squeezed Basch's hand, who returned one of his own to her, both of them giving each other the strength they needed. Ashe straightened herself up and turned slowly round so she could address the entire room once more.
"Explain?" Ashe turned her head away from Iliana's smirking face and instead addressed the Kilita's Priest. "I don't think I can explain. Yet, I cannot deny that I do love this man."
"I love him, I am consumed by him. Basch is part of me and I am dead, an empty shell without him by my side. I never realised through these years what I had missed…what I needed. By all the gods in Ivalice, I love him so much."
"You do?" Al- Cid spoke up once again, his voice croaking with such disappointment and anguish. Ashe couldn't see Al-Cid's eyes, but behind those dark glasses, she knew that there was sorrow looking back at her. She hadn't forgotten his letters nor his requests to become her suitor, but she had no idea that he really did feel something for her. But it wasn't him she wanted.
Ashe nodded in answer to his question and moved closer to Basch, so his hand slipped round her waist. She felt his securing squeeze and just that simple action caused her to rest her head lightly against his chest.
The Kilitas priest, whose name was Reion, was smiling pleasantly when he edged close to the couple. His soft Asian features had a very soothing and calming effect, so befitting for his position. He bowed with his hands clasped together, respectful and penitent. Yet when a couple of frantic whispering Nu Mou poked him in the back of his legs, he coughed and muttered under his breath.
"Yes! Yes! I'll ask!" Reion sighed. He looked towards Basch. "May I ask…Captain…Judge Magister? Do you feel the same way towards Her Majesty?"
Basch acknowledged the holy man with a brief look, but his gaze always lingered back to Ashe.
"There are no words that can be spoken, which describe my feelings towards Her Majesty."
He never needed to say anything. He leaned down slowly, pushing Ashe's hair away from her face and planted a loving kiss firmly on her lips. All his feelings, everything that was him was in this briefest of kisses. Ashe almost collapsed in his arms.
"Ah faram! Bless the gods!" Reion bowed low. "Then this is good news indeed! Your Highness, this is cause for celebration! If I may be so bold, there is to be a wedding?"
"A wedding?" Al-Cid was absolutely gob smacked.
"I don't think that it will be possible." said a woman sitting close by to Llyud. The woman shifted a little further away when the Aegyl's right wing began to twitch. "He is far too old for you, majesty. Nor is he of noble blood, he is not a lord nor prince. Tradition has always…."
"Tradition?" Ashe's mouth fell open in shock, which was quickly replaced by a scowl so fierce that the other woman edged away in fear as she held out her hands in apology.
"I meant nothing by…!"
"Oh rubbish!" Ashe pushed against Basch, ready to get in the older woman's face and tell her really what she wanted to say about such a comment. But Basch's strong firm grip around her waist kept her from making such a grave mistake.
"The lady has only stated what some of the Dalmascan people will think as well, Majesty. Tradition means a lot to them." Marlene said, her voice rising high enough to gain attention. "Not everyone will be convinced of Basch's innocence or amazing resurrection either."
"We have evidence of Basch's innocence. Solid evidence that they cannot deny." said Larsa. "They will be convinced, if we all stand by it. This proof will be all the evidence they need. And as for the age gap…"
"My mother was younger than my father." Ashe said. "She married young but the Dalmascan people never objected nor did the Kilitas. My parent's ages were never an issue so why should it be now with Basch and I? He may not be a noble or lord, but he is a good man! Is there any real reason why I shouldn't marry him?"
"Her highness is right." Marlene nodded and faced Reion. "This piece of news can be announced to the public in a way which will allow the wedding to go forward. It is a celebration and the people would love to see their Queen be married. They would want to see her married again."
"This union will be blessed by the Kilitas and the Grand Kilitas himself." said Reion bobbing his head in agreement.
"I will not go against that blessing." Marlene gracefully bowed and when she rose daintily back up, she caught Larsa's gaze. The two of them gave each other a friendly smile, Larsa beaming happily that the young woman approved.
"Nor will Archadia." said Larsa, taking the opportunity to pat Basch on the back.
Eventually there was a chorus of agreements all around, which lifted Ashe's spirits.
"You are to be married then, it seems. I am so happy for you, my dear."
Her Uncle rested a delicate hand on Ashe's shoulder, a touch that was able to draw her away from Basch's hold. This time she clasped Ondore's hands and allowed the only remaining member of her family to embrace her with a hug. It was brief, but it felt so wonderful and sad at the same time.
Her father should have been here too. The swelling ambiguous feelings were escalating again.
"Basch has asked me." Ashe replied, softly. "I have said yes. I need…we need this to happen. I'm so sorry that I never told you…"
"There's no need for apologies, Ashelia. If you wish to be married to the Judge Magister then I shall do everything I can to see that all of Ivalice will celebrate along with you. My dear, we shall endeavour to make the public welcome this, welcome you both. "
A happy polite applause filled the room, which slowly ascended in volume. The majority, were sincere, so hopeful and with beaming smiles showing on their faces as Basch and Ashe sat down. They all noticed how the couple tried to sit closer to each other and how both of them decided it best to sit slightly apart. Yet even the smallest distance was difficult for Ashe and her suitor. He could only just about touch her hand.
Those few lords and delegates in the chambers who thought otherwise went along with the applause; they would need more convincing later, for a mind couldn't always be changed just like that, they would need more time. Perhaps on the day, when the bells chime for Ashe and Basch, as it did for her wedding with Rasler, the people would become convinced.
When their child was born…
Once again, Ashe only heard the thumping of her heart in her ears. The applause was muffled, Ondore's voice sounded so distant and the room felt hot and musky. Little beads of sweat formed on her brow and her breathing became hard and deep once more. Her sweating hand only felt the realness of Basch as his fingers brushed lightly at hers, but as her vision tried to make sense of the many faces watching her, Ashe peered down at her stomach. The red dress covered and hid her still slim stomach, but for a moment, a strange minute, she thought she could sense the small foetus growing inside of her. It was far too small right now…but she could feel it. (It? He? She?…what new life was this?)
"Your Highness…" Al-Cid finished pacing by his chair and paused in front of Ashe. He took off his glasses and Ashe was startled to notice that the sadness in his dark pupils was gone. So too was the playful and seductive glance that always seemed to sparkle back at her. "It seems you have made your decision. I am somewhat disheartened, but I offer you my congratulations."
"My lord Margrace…I am most grateful for your…"
Ashe never got to finish her sentence, as Iliana gently took hold of her brother's arm and lightly edged him to her side. The leader of Rozarria merely seemed puzzled as his sister curtseyed low to the ground, whilst in the process showing off as much of her bare legs and chest as was allowed (or deemed possible). All the other males were watching her too, none of them realising just how they were gawping and drooling at the sight of the woman.
"I offer my blessings too, Highness and to you Judge Magister."
She winked at Basch, not even attempting to be discreet or to hide her lush gesture towards him. Iliana rose up, flaunting every part of her body that she could, to try and get a reaction from Basch. She was more than pleased when he shifted nervously in his chair. "The Margrace family and the people of Rozarria will all wish the best for you. We hope for your health and for your unborn child."
"The wha-what now?" Al-Cid's mouth fell open and gasps fluttered from the nobles present.
"Oh?" Iliana put on a fake look of innocence. "You didn't know?"
"Know?"
"Why dear brother…Her Majestey Ashelia is already pregnant with Basch's child!"
"Oh oh."
Penelo didn't like the sound of Filo's voice. She certainly didn't like the sound of the endless raised voices from within. They were not happy, so she guessed that Ashe had probably told them she was pregnant.
"Filo." Penelo gently tugged at the younger girl's sleeve and pulled her back from the door. Thank fully the guards who were standing with them, looked just as reluctant to go in themselves. "What's going on?"
"Erm…they know Ashe is pregnant." said Filo, nervously tugging at the short curls of her black hair. The two guards shifted nervously on their feet. They gave each other a look and shook their heads in dismay. "And well, they're none too pleased."
"Oh hell no!" Penelo lashed out with her hand and it knocked at a potted plant. But instead of just rustling it's large green leaves, the whole thing toppled off the pedestal and one of the knights on guard failed to catch it. The vase crashed to the floor and shattered into pieces. Penelo gave the guards a quick apologetic look before going back to her furied pacing and large gesturing. "This is all gone horribly wrong! We have to do something! I will go in and…."
"Penny…not a good idea." Filo sighed and edged back to the door. She placed her ear against it and listened. Penelo and the two Knight guards waited for her to report back on the events going on inside. "It wasn't Ashe or Basch that told them."
"WHAT?" Penelo's sudden squeal made the two knights jump back, startled at such a high pitched sound. Filo listened in once more.
"Oh no. It was Iliana."
Penelo screamed. That woman! That beast of a woman had ruined everything! Pushing up her pale coloured sleeves, Penelo lightly shoved Filo aside and prepared herself to go in and give that damned Rozarrian bitch a piece of her mind.
"Pen! No! Don't!" Filo grabbed her friend round her waist and pulled with all her might. "You'll only make it worse!"
"No I bloody well won't! I'll make it all better and then everything will be as it should be!"
Then both of the girls were grabbed. The two guards had thought it best to keep them away from the doors and they picked the both of them up as if they were light as Chocobo feathers. They turned round and dropped Penelo and Filo away from the council chamber doors.
"Listen to your friend, Miss Penelo." said one man, his voice choking as he tried to clear his voice. "Her majesty might not want you in there."
"But I won't let that Rozzarian…" Penelo held back the next word and replaced it with a heavy sigh. "…destroy Basch and Ashe's future! Not after all they've been through!"
Filo scrambled past the guard and pinned herself up against the door. This was one thing that this young girl was exceptionally good at. Listening and eavesdropping.
She pressed her face against the wood and Penelo watched the expressions on Filo's face change in response to the commotion inside. She was there for quite a while, sometimes she would smile and wink approvingly at Penelo, who along with the guards sighed with relief. But other times her small face was screwed up, wincing and obviously not liking what was going on. Just like now.
"Oh that's blown it." she said.
"What?" asked Penelo as she crouched down beside her friend. There was a creaking of armour as the two guards also bent down to try and hear.
"Iliana's gone."
"Eh? How? No one's come through this door!" Penelo looked to the knight guards. "Is there another door that leads out of the chambers?"
"Yes." said one man. "On the other side, so it would open out into the adjacent corridor."
"RATS!" Penelo shot to her feet and her thick capped boot swung at the wall. It impacted with a heavy thud and part of the wall crumbled. "Ooops. Sorry."
"What's going on Penelo?"
It was such a relief to see Vaan rounding the corner with Kytes and Tomaj following. In fact it was more than a relief. It was sheer joy. Penelo rushed over to him and flung her arms around his neck, throttling and nearly choking Vaan who staggered under her weight. His arms latched onto her in reflex and he tried to put her back down to the floor.
"Vaan! We've got to go in there! It's all gone wrong!"
"You can let go of me now, Pens." Vaan attempted to unlatch her tight hold, but her fingers merely grabbed onto his jacket and hauled him over to the doors. He nearly fell over, but the wall slammed into him which prevented him from doing so. Penelo was now tugging at the door handles.
"I won't allow Dalmasca's future to be ruined now by that slut!"
"Whoa…steady with the language, Penelo."
"Vann, please! We have to do something!"
A little dazed from hitting the wall, Vaan grabbed onto the door handles too.
He could hear the raised voices from inside and when he saw just how worried Penelo was, he knew that he had to go in. Tomaj, Kytes and Filo also moved in to storm the council chambers.
"Let's go guys!"
Then with a huge shove, Vaan and Penelo flung open the doors and the group of youngsters hurried in. Not knowing what awaited them.
Fran watched as the uproar and shock calmed somewhat and she was fascinated by the mixed reactions from all the individuals in the room. Her eyes flicked from one to another, as the news of the Queen's pregnancy was beginning to sink in. Reion and the Nu Mou were more than aghast, whereas Al-Cid had gone quite pale with astonishment.
"You're pregnant?" gasped Reion. "How…how is that possible?"
Fran saw Nia Marlene rise from her seat and smile most mischievously. It was a smile that was so hauntingly familiar.
"Well normally a couple get quite intimate and…"
"I know how a baby is conceived!" snapped the Priest. He looked to Ashe and Basch with his head shaking in disbelief. "Highness, were you not aware that consummation is only permitted to take place after the wedding? It is written, is it not, in the texts! For the child to be blessed in the eye of the gods, it should be between a couple…."
"Queen Ashelia has been married before and…" Nia bowed briefly to the Queen. "If I may be so bold, I am certain she has…"
"Not with the Judge Magister! Before any of this, they should have gone to the church and made the offering! They should have conducted the sacred ceremony by asking…"
"Did they use protection?"
The rather sudden question from a frail Rozzarian woman seated behind Al-Cid was most out of the ordinary. It wasn't a question that was normally asked or considered polite in a council meeting. Fran was at a loss as to why some giggled or chuckled, whilst others uttered disapproving murmurs.
The poor couple who everyone was so keen on talking about and not to, were like statues in their chairs. Only Ashe, her face going cherry red with such embarrassment and shame, revealed her surprise. Basch merely bowed his head.
"What did you say, Lady Uma?" asked Marlene as she tried to cover her smirk at such an outright question.
"Did the young couple use protection!"
"What?" Garner was shaking his head. The old woman huffed.
"I said, quite clearly, that did the young ones use protection?" she said, her Rozzarian accent croaking from her old age. The frail woman looked just as elderly as Sarvani, but when she turned to Basch and smiled warmly, there was a glint of youth sparkling in her eyes. A mischievous glint. "Did you use protection, young man?"
Basch coughed and almost choked, but he never said a word.
"Obviously they didn't!" said Reion.
The old woman uttered a Rozzarian curse that caused a few amused chuckles amongst her fellow countrymen, though Fran noted that Al-Cid was anything but amused. The Rozzarian leader was distraught. More than distraught, he looked absolutely heartbroken.
"They are not 100% guaranteed!" Uma wheezed.
"That's not the issue!" cried another man. "For goodness sake, Uma! Get some perspective!"
"I have perspective! I may be losing my sight and my ability to keep my teeth in, but I haven't lost my sanity yet, good sir! Her Highness and the Judge Magister are both young people who are obviously in love! They don't need all this silly nonsense and hardship placed upon them!" The old wrinkled Rozzarian woman flapped a frustrated bony hand towards the man who had yelled at her. "I just wanted to know if the Judge Magister used precautions!"
Used protection? Such a statement confused Fran. Basch always protected Ashe. To say that he wouldn't, would be wrong. Right protection? Precautions? There were none better or more right for the queen than Basch Fon Ronsenberg. He always took precautions.
Fran glanced at Basch, who had stayed silent (just like Fran herself) through the whole argument. His head was bowed, but she saw the red flaming of his cheeks.
Reion calmed his voice down and softly addressed the Queen and her Judge.
"I have to respectfully say that you have consummated outside the bindings of marriage, without the blessings or the or approval of the priests! Did you not go to the temple and make the offering? Did you not both stay in the shrine and conduct the ceremony with the priests?"
"No." replied Basch, as he caught the Queen's gaze. "We did not."
At the time, a three hour ceremony for a marriage blessing wasn't the most important thing on their minds.
"Then you can see why I am against this."
"Not everyone believes in the same ideals, my lord. The people of Ivalice have many different beliefs on the god's words."
Nia Marlene, gracefully got to her feet and smoothed the delicate fabrics of her dress. Her calm suave voice was delicious and entrancing, a lulling yet devious tone. Fran felt that strange sense of déjà vu come back to her. Marlene slowly strode, with her hips swaying, round the priest and her hands swung in an almost childlike manner. She looked very young to Fran, even if she was only twenty five.
"Did you know that the Garif mating rituals actually occur first and only when there is confirmation of conception are they allowed to be bonded together? Moogle weddings are quite simply the act of sex itself! Their first mate is their only mate, for life. Now, Basch is from Landis, and I read that couples from his homeland have to spend a whole week together before any vows are exchanged. It involves quite an intense emotional and spiritual ceremony, one of the most beautiful apparently. It is also done with the blessing of the family and close friends. Not any priests."
There was the harsh scrapping of a chair leg against the floor. Marlene turned and saw Larsa shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He beckoned her to lean down close and when she did, the thirteen year old whispered in her ear.
"Is that the ceremony?" Larsa asked, coughing nervously. "The one you told me, where…..you know…?" He coughed again. "Where they….ahem…you know?"
Nia smiled and gently bobbed her head. The young teen muttered a startled "gosh" under his breath and Fran saw his cheeks blush quite vibrantly. The young boy tried to let his long black hair hide such a reaction and he remained quiet for the while.
Fran was the only one who had heard the young boy's mutterings and she found herself quite interested in the traditions of Basch's people. Spiritual matters were always a fascination for the Viera. Having never been to Landis herself, she was keen on finding out more about this ceremony of theirs. She looked once again to Basch, but saw that as Ashe was still paying attention to the others, her voice whispered as well. Fran heard all too clearly.
"A Landis ceremony, sounds intriguing. You have to tell me exactly what that entails!"
"Aye, my Queen." Fran noticed that he had turned slightly red again. Why? There was nothing wrong with spiritual ceremonies. Was there?
"So are you saying that it is perfectly all right for the Queen of Dalmasca to go against the teachings of Kilitas?" asked Reion. Marlene sighed and there were the first signs of frustration clearly showing on the young woman's face.
"Not entirely, but as Uma said, they are merely a couple in love! You may not have experienced it yourself, sir, but when you're in love, emotions and desires run high. Temple rituals are normally the last thing on your mind. They just wish to be married and to bring up their child."
"It was all we ever wanted." said Ashe, slowly rising from her chair and smiling a gratified smile to the auburn haired woman. Seeing her rise like that, was the first time that Ashe had gained such a regal composure. Yes she was still pale and she looked exhausted but she held herself proudly.
"That was why I had called this meeting. I had hoped it to be a more dignified meeting…but I guess the news of my becoming pregnant has made this whole situation anything but dignified. It had not come out the way I wanted….far from it. If my actions have grieved you all so much, if you are all truly disgusted that I-that both of us-became weak for one night, than I am truly sorry. But know this. I will marry Basch. I will have his child. If you do not approve or decide against this then I shall accept it also. Therefore I will not marry anyone else, nor will I conceive an heir from anyone else, because there is no one in Ivalice other than Basch with whom I would do so."
"Majesty! You cannot…!"
Ashe shot Reion a glare. Yet, it wasn't angry or vicious. Her pale blue eyes flashed a friendly look, sincere and smiling.
"But as Queen, I am certain there is a way to keep all her subjects happy." said Ashe, gently flicking at the folds of her red dress and smirking.
This piqued everyone's interest. Ondore and Basch exchanged glances, the older Bhujerban man silently asking what was going on. Basch shrugged his shoulders.
"Majesty, I have devoted my life to the ways of the gods and I believe profoundly in the texts." Reion sighed. "But I am listening, milady."
"How would a mixed marriage sound?"
"My Queen? I don't understand."
"I am suggesting a combination of Landis and Kilitas customs."
Now there was a reaction. Uma had squealed so suddenly with glee and clapped such a giddy applause, that it caught everyone off guard. Fran herself wasn't expecting this, her ears pricked up so tall and straight that she felt a little bit of a painful twinge on her head where they grew. Then they were assaulted with the varied reactions of all around her. It made her head spin a little, but then as she focused once more, she realised that it was a good reaction. Mostly.
Basch's response was as stoic as ever. He got up and joined Ashe, his hand lightly touched at her elbow and he whispered. Once again, Fran heard everything.
"You are sure of this?" he asked. Ashe nodded. "Marlene doesn't know all of the specifics of the bonding ceremony."
"You do." she replied. "And I plan on having you telling me just what they are."
Basch smiled. It was quite sly and almost naughty, which was most peculiar coming from him.
"That would seem acceptable." said Ondore clearing his throat and catching his niece's attention. "It sounds a very good idea, does it not Reion?"
The priest was contemplating. He consulted briefly with the Nu Mou, who were more than happy about this idea. Their strange little heads bobbed up and down most anxiously and they murmured back some promising replies that Fran (of course) heard.
"This other ceremony lasts about a week, yes?" Reion asked once he straightened up.
"Yes." said Ashe and Marlene at the same time.
"Actually, no." said Basch shaking his head.
"NO?"
"It's closer to two months."
"Two months?" Larsa blurted out and then clamped his hand over his mouth.
Ashe smiled and clasped her hands to her chest. Reion, who had no idea what was so provocative about such a thing, at last nodded his head.
"It is acceptable, but as long as it is made official by a leader from Landis and a priest is able to attend the ceremony."
"Then…you will give your blessing for this?" asked Ashe, hardly able to contain the joy in her voice. Reion bowed down to his knees.
"I do. I accept that there are indeed other beliefs…and that your future husband has traditions of his own. The Grand Kilitas will have to been informed."
"Of course." Ashe walked up to the priest and the happiness in her smile was so infectious that Reion couldn't help but smile back. She looked around the council chambers and once more asked all whom were gathered. "Does this bode acceptable to you all?"
The response of yes and aye were far more than those of no. The relief was quite visible to see now upon both Ashe and Basch's faces. The couple had finally gotten the news they so desperately wanted. Slowly at first, they reached out with tentative fingers, their tips only lightly skimming. The fingers teased each other briefly, before they grabbed hold and Basch pulled his future wife tightly to him and they embraced with a strong loving hug. They cared not, this time, that their affection for one another was on show. There would be no more hiding now.
"Congratulations." Ondore rested his hand on each of their shoulders. "The preparations will of course begin immediately for both weddings. And Ashelia…when would you like the announcement to be made to the public?"
"They can be told of Basch's return tomorrow." she said wiping away at the tears that now ran uncontrollably down her face. "But there is no need to tell the whole truth. News of our child can be told publicly in two months."
"As you wish, your Majesty."
There was a sudden tingling sensation in Fran's ears. All her warning signs were going off at once and so she scoured the crowd, some of who were standing in the round oval space in the centre. Her red eyes focused as hard as they could, recalling faces and seeing colours of clothes and skin, but she recognised quite quickly that something was missing. Or rather someone.
Ashe had saw Fran's sudden change in behaviour and queried her with a look.
"Fran? Is there something the matter?"
Fran nodded.
"Did anyone see Iliana leave?"
At the mention of the name, the joy and elation vanished from Ashe's face. She felt sick as she remembered just who the woman really was. The feeling of hate was quite potent and swelling when Ashe slipped out of Basch's grasp. She peered round but saw no sign of Iliana Margrace amongst the crowd. Ashe didn't care much for the bemused mutterings of some of the men and women and she politely shoved her way through them.
"Where is she?" Ashe tried to keep the spite and bile from her voice, but it slipped out just as quickly as the words. "Al-Cid…where is your sister?"
The Rozarrian seemed reluctant to say anything. His shoulders shrugged and he sat back down casually into his seat. Fran saw that Al-Cid no longer held himself with his usual self confidence or seductive charm, but he wasn't disappointed either. He looked as if he had lost a hope of some kind and all there was left was a bitterness.
"I have no idea." he said as his hand casually flicked at his wavy black hair. "Iliana always did as she pleased. No one told her what to do, least of all me. It seems no one can tell you what to do either, highness."
It was at that moment that the doors flew opened with a loud crash.
Oh no….what now?
"We won't stand for it!"
"We demand justice for Basch Fon Ronsenberg!"
"We demand that her majesty be allowed to marry him!"
"He's a hero!"
"He always pays his bar bill!"
The raring youths all halted to a dead stop and four of them turned to the eldest and tallest boy with confused frowns on their faces.
"What?" asked Tomaj innocently. "He does!"
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Talven with disbelief. He looked to the two knight guards who had rushed in behind them, but the guards just shrugged their shoulders, ashamed to have intruded.
Vaan stepped forward and in his proudest voice he addressed the astounded room of nobles and council members.
"As loyal and devoted citizens of Dalmasca, we wish to make our opinions heard!"
"Vaan…" Ashe hissed at him, in an attempt to silence him, but he didn't take the hint.
"What Dalmasca needs is a strong ruler!" said Vaan folding his arms across his chest. Filo and Kytes both nodded their heads and did the same, trying to emulate him. "Ashe…"
Penelo poked him in the back.
"Sorry…her majesty Ashelia is by no doubt already such a ruler. Yet Dalmasca will benefit from a marriage between her and Basch Fon Ronsenberg, as she will be stronger for it! She will be stronger because of him. So we respectfully demand that this council and other….folks…give their blessings for their marriage!"
"Nicely done." whispered Tomaj. Vaan beamed a huge grin.
"Thanks."
"This is completely improper and…"
Talven was cut short, by Ashe, who stood in front of Vaan and smiled gently.
"Thank you, Vaan…Penelo…all of you. But there was no need. The agreement has already been reached. Basch and I are getting married."
Penelo rushed to embrace Ashe with the strongest hug that she could muster, but she stopped and restrained herself, trying to hold back her bursting smile. Filo just squealed and bit on her knuckles.
"There are a lot of preparations to make." Ashe sighed. "And I would like for you to help."
"Iliana!" Penelo pulled hard on Vaan's arm. "She's gone out the other door! We have to…"
The seventeen year old saw everyone staring at her and so she curbed her words.
"We have to politely chat to her."
"Do you mind if we go and speak to her?" asked Vaan, turning round and making sure that everyone could see that he as being polite and nice about all this. Ashe stepped aside and held out her hand towards the far door. The youths all bowed, (a little too much) and half walked and half ran over to the exit. Vaan pushed open the smaller side door and they all rushed out just as quickly as they came in. Yet Filo paused in the doorway and turned round.
"Sorry to disturb your meeting, highness." Filo curtsied and then slammed the door shut behind her.
"That went well, did it not?"
Ashe heard her fiancé's gentle, yet sarcastic voice wisp in her ear and felt both his hands clasp at her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered shut and she took in deep long breath, filtering out the cacophony of voices that had arisen. They soon became a faint back ground noise, totally irrelevant to the betrothed and the couple themselves were given a wide berth, a moment to themselves.
"It did not." she breathed in reply. "It was quite…"
"Humiliating?" asked Basch.
"In parts." Her hand reached up and touched his fingers. "It could have been handled better. A lot better. It was a shambles and I'm so…"
"Ashelia." Basch turned her round and she finally opened her eyes to gaze up at him. The smile on his lips was enough to the ease the tension and anxiety within and the sickening feeling settled into a warm pleasurable flutter. "We are going to be married."
"I know! I'm so happy, I am! But…"
"Iliana."
"Iliana."
"Ashelia…"
"I have a bad feeling about her, Basch. Why did she mention our child? How did she even know?"
Basch shook his head unknowingly.
"I know not…and I feel bad for how I had behaved with her."
"Don't. She has an agenda and I feel she did right from the beginning when we met her."
"It would not be a good one."
Ashe agreed. She edged away from Basch, allowing the banter and conversing from around them to flood back to her ears. Yes, she had been given her dreams, she had been given everything that she had longed and dreamed for. But one woman, could ruin it all.
Ashe hoped that Vaan and the others would find her and damned well…talk politely to her.
Llyud had been the only one to notice the woman leave. Just after her purposeful slip of the Queen's pregnancy, Llyud had watched as people got to their feet in shock and surprise and swarmed into the centre of the chambers. During all the commotion, they had been far too busy to see the Rozzarian woman edge away towards the second smaller door.
The Aegyl had wanted to stay as well, to give both the Queen and the Magister his support, but he felt a stronger urge to follow her. It took him a moment to stop his wings from flapping about and he had to apologise to a few people after he whacked them in the face with them, but he too slipped away unnoticed by everyone else.
When he got his large wings through the door, he headed out into the corridor. There were no guards or knights this side, which was strange. Then he heard a cursing.
"That bitch!" There was a fumbling and a few more cursing words before Llyud saw a young woman stagger out from behind one of the pillars. She was a small woman, with long brown ringlet hair and she was wearing the clothes of a servant. Yet she didn't seem to be acting like one.
"The bloody woman didn't even stop to apologise! Some people 'ave no manners!"
Llyud approached her and cleared his throat. Yet she wasn't startled. She turned round and smiled as if she had just met an old friend. It was also one of the most sweetest smiles he had ever seen.
"Angel man." The woman sighed and flatted out her crumpled pinny. "I was wonderin' where you'd gotten to."
"Er…" Llyud was staring into her eyes, her white, blank unseeing eyes. He was stunned. "Miss? Did a woman pass by just now?"
"What? The cow that knocked me over? Yeah. She passed by. I has a good mind to tell her to damned well apologise…but some nobles are so far stuck up their own arses it's unbelievable."
"She did not stop at all and see if you were all right?"
"Nah….." Her head reacted, turning sharply with each flap of Llyud's wings in the air. She seemed fascinated by it. "What are you angel man? I ain't ever sensed anything like you before."
"I am…." Llyud wanted to stay and chat to this woman. She was just like Penelo and Vaan, very vibrant and very passionate. He was intrigued. But he didn't have the time. "I am busy. I need to find this woman. She has greatly upset the Queen."
"WHAT?"
The beautiful and delicate features of the woman creased up into a frown. She was suddenly so furious and enraged that although she was blind, Llyud decided to back up a little.
"No one upsets 'er Majesty and gets away wiv it. That woman now 'as to deal wiv me! Come on Angel man, we can go and find 'er together!"
She held out her hand but Llyud was quite reluctant to take hold of it. Was she planning to lead him? A blind Hume female?
"Don't worry." she said. "I knows where I'm goin' and I knows exactly where that nasty piece of work has gone to!"
Llyud finally accepted her hand and when her fingers clasped tightly around his, he felt a strange warmth ebb from her skin. It tingled and tickled almost like electricity.
"I'm Pala by the way." she said as she half dragged the confused man down the corridor.
"Llyud."
"Pleased to meet you Llyud. Now, let's go!"
"Perhaps I should lead, miss Pala, as you are blind…"
"I maybe blind, Angel man." she said winking at him as she pulled him harder. "But believe me! I know what I'm doin'!"
With such determination in her voice, it was impossible to disbelieve.
In the pit of his stomach, there was an excited gurgle. His wings began to quiver.