Author's notes: Yeah, yeah, I know it's been a while and you all were wondering if I had fallen off the deep end and sank to the bottom. Close. Just a bit scattered like dust in the wind, and feeling a little saturated like petals in the rain... I had no idea really if I was going to finish this, but I had the foresight of taking notes a few years earlier before I completely forgot about how much I loved these characters and how much I loved the world of Vesperia. I know I wanted to use that little Kowz guy, among other side characters, and I wanted to get a glimpse of Yuri as an Imperial Knight, even before the new Vesperia games (or First Strike) were ever rumored to be released... Please consider this VERY AU since I'm relying on old notes and I haven't visited the Vesperia universe in two years. Let's give it another go, shall we? I'm free at the moment. (Thanks for the encouragement, Mintermist. I'll finish this story within this lifetime for sure.)
-Kero (7/23/10)
Chapter 10: A Fair Trade
Estelle leaned back and rest her head against the hard, wooden chair. She stared blankly at the ornate carvings of the imperial seal in her ceiling, painted over in white and gold. Taking in a slow, steady breath, she exhaled to release the day's tension. After dining with her would-be-fiance Thomas, she was ushered into a Council meeting, and thereafter, to a party with court officials and their wives. Estelle barely had enough presence of mind to listen all their chatter. Secretly, she dared to be almost hopeful about the news Thomas had given her.
If Ioder could be saved she would be free.
She could not shake the feeling of guilt that came over her for thinking this way. Even as her cousin lay dying in a room on the same floor of the castle, she was only thinking to save herself from this imposed fate. If Estelle had learned anything from her heartfelt talks with Yuri during their travels, it was that people were made of both light and darkness. She turned her head to the side to stare at her curtains shifting in the evening breeze, creating a dance of moonlight and shadows on her floor as they pushed back and forth.
Estelle eyed the pile of documents on her desk waiting for her signature. She wrinkled her brow. As the "Empress to be" her duties were steadily increasing. The top folder seemed to deal with the sentences of recent additions to the prison. The next had to deal with the aqueduct renovation project. She poked at the third folder, not even bothering to read the label. It was going to be a long night.
Just as she mustered the strength to turn over the first flap, a cool breeze blew through her room and shifted the papers across her desk. She jumped up, startled, knocking over her chair with a loud clatter as she tried to keep the documents on her table. When everything settled again, she let out a despairing laugh. Estelle picked up a piece of paper on the floor and studied it. Her eyes widened as she read the content further.
A sudden, persistent knock on her door startled her.
"Is everything all right?" asked Yuri's concerned voice from the other side of the door. She went to the door and opened it. He nearly stumbled inside.
"Yuri, I have to go to the castle prison," she insisted.
"Sorry?" he asked, rather confused.
"What's up?" asked Karol with a yawn. His page's attire was unbuttoned and wrinkled. His hat was missing. It was likely that the young man was sleeping in the corner while his partner guarded her door.
"I'll be back soon," she said hastily as she started down the hall towards the stairs.
"Whoa," warned Yuri, catching her hand. "I'm the guard, remember?" Estelle smiled at him sheepishly before all three of them headed down the stairs together.
-000-
"Huh?" asked Karol curiously, rubbing his sleepy eyes in the dim torchlight of the castle dungeon. "Why on earth-?" he asked as the diminutive prisoner stepped into the light and grabbed the cell bars. At that point even Yuri blinked in surprise.
"Er...Kowz, was it?" he asked haltingly.
"Yeah, what of it?" asked the little boy in the cow suit gruffly. Estelle couldn't help but stare at the contrast of a boy having...udders...
"Hey, toots. I don't stare at your privates, so could you not stare at mine?"
"Oh," gasped Estelle turning bright red. "I beg your pardon!"
"Um...Mister...Kowz..." began Estelle, forcing herself to look away.
"What is it, Pinky?" asked the prisoner.
"How did you get in here?"
"Well, long story short, I got caught exchanging illegal blastia for special items. Whatever. It's not like the blastia were even working without their cores," said the little tradesman, crossing his arm in a huff.
"Someone was interested in old blastia?" asked Karol.
"Well, there are new ways of harnessing energy nowadays. Manna is now the highest form of energy. Blastia shells are useful to study and to create prototypes to harness it," said Yuri thoughtfully.
"You said it, pretty boy." Kowz started picking his nose. "There's actually quite a black market for it since the Empire confiscated the majority of blastia. Some chicky in particular was selling her pretty fancy ones in exchange for an invisibility cloak and poisoned pincushion. Her obnoxious voice was what caught the patrolling soldiers' attention back at the oasis."
"So you were both caught dealing and buying illegal items," snorted Karol. "For all your snide comments I thought you were actually smarter than that."
"My one weakness is that I can't resist a good trade, Shorty," sighed Kowz.
"Who you callin' short?" demanded Karol.
"So where's your co-conspirator?" asked Yuri, ignoring Karol and looking around. The prison was empty aside from its one captive.
"She was let go for 'good behavior," he mocked, batting his eyelashes like a flirty girl. "Good behavior my cowbell!" the little businessman spat. "She got out because she was a noble. And because her annoying butler paid off the warden."
"Butler?" asked Yuri.
"Some fuddy-duddy named Sebastian."
"Why does this all sound so familiar?" asked Karol suspiciously.
"Who knows?" said Yuri looking away.
Turning to Kowz, she said "You're actually sentenced to a long prison term. The Council recently steepened the punishment for illegal blastia trading and mining of ancient blastia cores to strengthen their treaty with Fortunes Market. But considering how you've helped us in the past, I'll be willing to reduce your sentence to exile. Rather than spending the next fifty years here, would you like to return to your home on Nam Cobanda Island?"
"Not particularly," said Kowz. "It's hella boring there. But how's about a trade?"
"Haven't you learned your lesson?" sighed Karol in exasperation.
"A trade?" asked Estelle.
"I never accept something for nothing, Sweetheart. Even I have principles."
"Not apparently," said Yuri sarcastically. Kowz shot him a dark look.
"What are you looking to trade?" asked Karol.
"I happen to have a very rare dark star gem hidden on my person," he smiled.
"..."
No one really knew where Kowz hid his merchandise but they silently decided it was better not to ask.
"That is rare," commented Yuri. "So you want your freedom in return for it?"
"Nah," said Kowz cleaning his front teeth with a fingernail. "I could get outta this dump anytime I wanted. But I heard that you guys were pretty popular in the coliseum in Nordipolica. I don't suppose either of you have a Brave Helm or a fine piece of Star Mail?"
"Both Yuri and Karol have won the 100-man melee," smiled Estelle proudly.
"Iz-zat so?" said Kowz, perking up. "Well then, how's about a trade?"
"No way!" said Karol. "I kind of like my armor. Besides, if I ever see Nan again, I want to...show her."
"You can make better armor with a dark star gem," said Kowz nonchalantly. "That would really impress yer girl. Tell ya what, I'd even throw in a set of rare metals."
"It's a deal!" said Karol without hesitation.
"Fine, whatever," said Yuri.
"But Mister Kowz, what are you going to do?" asked Estelle.
"I'm gonna try my hand in the Coliseum, of course. I've always wanted to do the 100-man melee. Lemme hear ya say W00t!"
"..."
-000-
"Wow," yawned Karol, "What were the chances of us meeting that strange little guy again?"
"It was very fortuitous meeting, wasn't it?" mused Estelle, holding the prize in her hand. "I've never seen a dark star gem before. According to folklore, they are supposed to be tears shed by the gods at the death of the hero Aurion after the Battle of Twelve Spires. I think I shall read that poem again when I can find some time. It's one of my favorites." Yuri's lips turned upwards in a gentle smile. Whenever she talked about the things she liked Estelle's eyes would light up in a rather endearing way.
"Why don't you get some sleep, Karol? It's late and Estelle has an early morning meeting," said Yuri, messing up the young man's hair a little.
"Hey," grumbled Karol, stifling another yawn behind the feathered had he clutched in one hand. "Guess so. G'night Estelle."
"Good night, dear Karol," she smiled gratefully. The young man blushed a little before heading back to the servant's quarters.
"Yuri, you don't have to walk me back," said Estelle.
"As if. I may not have my blastia anymore, but I can at least protect you against falling flower pots and anything else that's hurled in your general direction," he said.
"I don't envy your job," she smiled. Looking down at his hand she wistfully recalled the golden blastia he used to wear at all times. It was a little nostalgic not seeing it there.
"Yuri?" she asked.
"Hmm?"
"How did you obtain a bhodi blastia in the first place? They're aren't at all common, not even among the imperial knights."
"Well," smiled Yuri, "it's a long story." When they reached her chamber door she paused. "I'd like to hear it."
"That might take a while," he chuckled. "I'd have to go through the sordid details of how I joined the imperial knights. Maybe some other time, Estelle." He took her hand and kissed it to bid her good night. Estelle felt her body grow hot and she questioned the stability of her knees.
Just as he turned to head back to the knights' quarters to retrieve Raven and Judy to take up night duty he felt her arms wrapped around his armored waist.
"I'd like to hear your story. I have all night," she said boldly. It was Yuri's turn to blush. He took a deep breath and exhaled, utterly defeated, and escorted her back into her room.
"Where should I begin?" he asked as he took off his armor by the dying embers of the fireplace. He felt a lot more comfortable-and lighter for that matter-in his own clothes. Feigning nonchalance he looked away while Estelle went behind a covered screen to put on her night clothes.
"Wherever you want," she smiled as she plopped onto her bed. Yuri sat at the foot of her downy covers and leaned against one of her bed posts.
"I think I told you a while back I was orphaned and raised by family friends, right?" he said quietly.
"Yes, by Master Hanks and his wife," she replied.
"Yeah. Hanks and his family were always good to me even though I was such a brat. I met Flynn when I was pretty young. He was also alone in the world and Hanks sort of looked after both of us. We got into a few scrapes together," he chuckled. "Those were good times," Yuri sighed nostalgically. "Just when we turned sixteen he told me he was going to join the Imperial Knights and somehow he convinced me to come with. We both wanted to protect what was important to us. It was no secret that those in the Lower Quarter are treated like dirt by everyone above them. We wanted to change that...somehow. Thinking back on it, we were pretty foolhardy and idealistic."
"That's not a bad thing, Yuri," smiled Estelle, her eyes half awake as she rested against her fluffy pillows.
"It is when you're poor. It can make you all the more jaded after that," he smirked. "Flynn and I ended up getting assigned to different divisions, and Flynn, as you know, does everything perfectly. He gained recognition quickly. I on the other hand could never get used to the Imperial rigamarole. But I'll never forget that stupid grin he always had whenever we met up between assignments."
"Grin?" asked Estelle.
"Yeah. He had been assigned to guard a certain person and it was a really cushy job. But it seemed he really enjoyed it."
She opened her eyes as she recalled the first time she had met Flynn. She thought he was the most beautiful knight she had ever seen. Yuri looked at her gently.
"He was assigned to guard a very important person but wouldn't say who it was. Only after I met you did I recall that stupid grin on his face."
Estelle said nothing.
"Around this time the knights were having a contest. The scientists in Aspio had developed new blastia technology. The winner would get the prototype. Flynn was away at the time so he didn't get to participate. He would get his blastia soon enough anyway. I wasn't really interested at first, since not everyone can use blastia, but I saw how far Flynn was advancing and I guess my curiosity got the better of me. In the end, Leblanc and I were the only ones left. I admit I did a rather unsportsmanlike thing to him by spiking his prior meal with a diarrhetic, but that was only because we never really got along. It was to get back at him for glueing a mustache on my face the week before...but I digress."
Estelle raised an eyebrow at him in question.
"He never did let me live it down that I won the blastia in the end. Especially since I left ranks without permission and took it with me. He started chasing after me ever since then and I had to lay low for months. It was such a pain." He glanced over at Estelle who was grinning at him.
"Do you think less of me now?" he asked, lying across the bed with his hands laced behind his head.
"Of course not," she insisted, stretching out onto the bed, facing him. "It worked out in the end. I wouldn't have met you if not for Flynn. If anything, I wish I could have met you back then too. I might have found my courage sooner if I had you with me."
"If you still need courage, I'll stay with you now," he said quietly. Yuri shifted a lock of her hair from her face.
"Even if...they make me Empress?" she whispered.
"We'll save Ioder and I'll kidnap you to a place far, far away before that ever happens," he smiled and closed his eyes. Estelle slipped her hand into his.
"You haven't changed one bit since your foolhardy and idealistic days," Estelle said with a yawn. "I'm glad."
The moon's light bathed them in white where they fell asleep peacefully, hand in hand, until morning's rays came in through the curtains to stir them.
Author's Note: Initially I wanted this chapter to be filler, but to be mostly about the Kowz kid (but there was only so much I could say about him). When I named the chapter "Fair Trade" I didn't think I would put Yuri's history into it. I knew I wanted to tell (my version) of how he got a blastia without really becoming a knight and I started adding to the chapter. I thought about the title a little more and tried to incorporate that theme into the two main characters. What I ended up with is what you see. This chapter is about the free-will to trade up or down and the choices our hero/heroine made to get where they are now. Story-wise it all really does have a point. Too bad you won't see the significance until the next chapter...sorry.
-Kero (7/30/10)