Stealing Through The Sewers

We were educated on the reason why the Imperials were fighting: the Resistance was planning to ambush the Consul at the fête and kill him but clearly he has pre-empted that attack, sending the Resistance to the sewers in retreat. Now this was not favourable for us as we were only trying to escape but Balthier had suggested we use their distraction to our advantage. All we needed to do was avoid grabbing their attention. It was fairly quiet and I was curious about our new companions, as was Vaan.

"I'm surprised the fête didn't gather more thieves," I eventually wondered aloud. "It attracted the attention of the Resistance."

"Not all thieves are as foolhardy as you and your companion," Balthier remarked, smirking at me.

"Do you have an advantage I am not aware of?" I asked. "As far as I know that bravado and foolishness have forced all of us to tread the sewers. Also, we have the treasure, so I believe the foolhardy have the upper hand."

"It's mine, it's not ours," Vaan stated from behind us. I merely shrugged.

"My point still stands," I said. Balthier waved it off and continued walking.

"Worry not, the leading man always has the advantage," I smirked slightly at his confidence and followed him deeper into the sewers. Despite all that swagger we had little idea where we were going.

We were encountered by more rats in the sewers and I learned of the Sky Pirate's weapons: Fran wielded a bow like me and was confident enough to aim and hit in dim light. Balthier had a gun that he was also confident to fire almost blindly. I stuck to my dagger at the moment. Even so the journey was uneventful for the most part.

"Is the bow and arrows just for show, thief?" Balthier asked me when we stopped fighting and walked on.

"I'm not a thief," I correct. "I'm a Hunter. I just don't like using arrows when I can't see my target."

"If you're not a thief then why steal?" Balthier countered.

"Personal reasons," I answered. "Why do you want the Magicite?"

"Personal reasons," He answered back smoothly. We smirked at one another and left it at that. From the corner of my eye I noticed Vaan's annoyance but chose not to comment. Fran did not seem bothered and continued walking through the sewers. I knew Viera from the Clan Centurio but I have never worked with one of them. Still I have heard a lot about their sharp sense so I did not doubt Fran would find an exit.

As we ventured further down we did come across Imperials and Resistance members. Well, rather Resistance member, as the woman had been pit against five Imperials and had easily dispatched one already.

"Who would be next?" She challenged angrily to the four men drawing closer to her. Vaan ran ahead of us before we could stop him.

"Close ranks! Bring her down!" One ordered. She drew closer to the edge, knowing she may meet her end.

"Jump down!" Vaan yelled, grabbing her attention. Seeing no alternative she leapt and landed in Vaan's arms. Unfortunately the guards followed in pursuit.

"Nice one, lover boy," I frowned, this time taking out my bow as the area was better lit. I fired one into the jugular of an Imperial, killing him quickly. Balthier shot a dent in another's armour. Fran aimed at another Imperial, killing him in the same manner I had. The young woman and Vaan took out the other two, plunging their swords into the openings in their armour.

"Are you okay?" Vaan asked as the woman put her sword away and turned to us. Calmly she gave Vaan a nod.

"Thank you," She told us.

"I'm Vaan, this Reina," I waved to her slightly. "This is Balthier and- hey!" Vaan called on the Pirate, who was eager to leave before more trouble came.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Amalia," She answered before looking up to where she had jumped. "There were others with me..." The Imperials must have killed them.

"My condolences," I told her. She sighed and looked to the ground sadly. I noticed a glow from Vaan's pocket where he had put the Magicite. Amalia looked at it in surprise, as did we all.

"Now that's impressive," Balthier commented as Vaan gripped it tighter.

"Don't get any ideas, it's mine."

"I'm afraid the jury's still out on that one."

"You stole that?" Amalia asked. I could hear disgust in her voice and more in her face when Vaan confirmed her suspicions. I did not know that Resistance members had such high morals. Kill a Consul of the Empire? Sure. Steal? Never.

"We must take our leave now," Fran spoke up, standing next to Balthier. "When the guards do not report in they'll come looking for us." She had a point.

"If they aren't already," Her partner added.

"You should come with us," Vaan offered to Amalia. "Better than being by yourself." After a pause Amalia started walking.

"Very well," She stated shortly. "I shall accompany you until I find my companions. No longer."

"What's with her?" Vaan asked. Balthier sighed but I did not hear what he told Vaan as I was at the front with Amalia and Fran. My brain had not registered it before, but now I was starting to notice something about Amalia's attire. She clearly found my staring unpleasant.

"Does something bother you?" She asked a little sharply.

"Just the skirt," I told her. "It is very... short."

"Do your abilities extend beyond stating the obvious?" Amalia countered expertly. Nice one. It actually made me laugh.

"I like you, Amalia," I told her. She only gave me a nod and continued on her way, I kept up with her. "Where do you suspect your companions will be? Will they be retreating?"

"Hopefully towards Lowtown or the South Gates," She answered. "That was the way with we entered."

"So our paths are the same, then," I nodded. Amalia led the way out of the Garamsythe Waterways. Of course there was still the problem of the rats as we journeyed. Until we reached the exit, that is.

"What is that?" Vaan asked. Steam filed the Waterway and in the distance we heard galloping. "A horse? Down here?"

"Not a horse, a spirit," I answered. "When man began to use fire as a tool of war it angered a spirit. It took the form of a flaming stallion," The steam became thicker and I could feel sweat dripping off my body from the heat. "It is said to haunt the Garamsythe Waterway, but it rarely appears to man unless..." The firey horse appeared in front of us, rearing up with blinding flame. "Unless man wages war nearby." We drew our weapons and I cast a Blizzard spell, quickly firing arrows at it. Fran did the same and we spread out to avoid getting hit in groups. However the beast was strong and it harmed us with its powerful flames. Water turned to steam around it. We could only hope to drive it off.

Vaan was brave enough at attack it with his sword, the blade turned red hot but did not melt. Amalia did the same from the front while Fran, Balthier and I stayed back, avoiding the flames. We would still feel the heat of its fire though.

We were surprised when the horse reared back and fled suddenly. That was only because Imperials had surrounded us and taken drove the beast off.

"Stand where you are!" That voice belonged to the Consul. Amalia glared and stepped forward but Balthier held her arm.

"Now's not the time," He advised. I sighed as our weapons were taken from us and we were clapped in irons. This was not how I was planning the night to go. I doubt I will see my parents again now... if I do I do not know how to explain this to them.