Chapter 11
They were just an hour or two from the top of the summit when Balthier ran into more trouble. He, Larsa, Basch, and Fran were trying to carve their way through a pack of wolves that had assaulted them on a fairly steep climb, and the fighters—even Fran—were having a difficult time of maintaining their footing. Blasted wolves, Balthier thought to himself as he felt a foot slide out from under him, and he went to his knees. Pushing himself up for the countless time, he put all of his weight behind his sword and lunged for the wolf.
"Arrgh!" He let go of it as it sank into the wolf's skin and fell to his knees again! Gods damn it, I'm having the worst luck on this trip! He shook his right hand out vigorously as the muscles seized into agonizing spasms.
"Balthier, are you all right?" Penelo was suddenly by his side with a hand on his shoulder.
He shrugged her hand off and said brusquely, "I'm fine. My arm; it just needs a little heat. Here, let me have your pack. I can't fight anymore." He pulled the sword awkwardly out of the wolf with his left hand and sheathed it after a few attempts. He managed to get the pack on his back without much use of his right arm, but he had to maneuver it painfully to get the straps on, and then he let it rest uselessly at his side.
Penelo had helped him put it on, but he could see the question in her face that she so desperately wanted to ask. Finally she said, "What happened to it?"
"A bad break."
"Aww…well, we're almost to the top! Ashe said we're going to rest up a little."
"I don't need doted on, Penelo," Balthier replied with a smirk on his face as she smiled in return. Then she skipped ahead to be with the rest of the fighters. He could tell they were getting closer to the top in part because of the increasingly thinning cloud cover, and the kiltias dotted here and there, bowing and murmuring welcome as they approached. Balthier breathed a sigh of relief when—after two more hours of walking and attacking—they trudged into a clearing devoid of snow, with the sun spilling over the ground. Despite the light, it did not bathe them with warmth, and Balthier was immediately disgruntled.
I should have known. Less air means less heat, so of course it won't get warmer, he sighed wearily and decided on a little optimism. At least we won't have to put up with any snow now.
Slowly they stumbled their way up toward the Temple, relieved the incline wasn't nearly as steep, but they still struggled. The groups mood took on a less somber chord as they climbed further upward, enriched by the light of the sun and the increasingly happier expressions of the peasants closer to the temple. Balthier hung his head, closing his eyes as he continued to trudge upward with the pack on his back, and when next he brought his eyes up he was surprised to see Ashe looking back at him. Immediately his mind cast to the night before and he found himself smirking over the experience. Why did I pull out of that? But he knew why; it was quite obvious to him, even if it wasn't to her. He gave her a roguish smile, and she reciprocated before turning back to the front.
"Finally, we're at the top," Vaan crowed as he stood for a moment on flat ground, breathing deeply in the terribly thin air. None were more winded than the pack carriers though.
Ashe tugged at the chest strap over her heaving breast, and then finally began fiddling with the clasp with both of her hands. "He-help me…get…this…thing…off," she said between breaths, and was rewarded with Penelo hopping to her aid. "Those...those packs…are difficult to carry up a mountain."
The sky pirate had long done away with the chest strap, finding he could not take in as much air as he needed with it on. Black spots appeared in his eyes as he hurriedly struggled to shrug the heavy pack. I am not going to faint! Suddenly he was sitting on the ground, one hand over his face as he struggled to push away the blackness threatening to overtake his vision.
"Are you all right?" Basch's strong hand suddenly rested on his shoulder, but even as it did so his vision and dizziness began to clear, and he waved the knight."
"Fine, fine, Captain. It's the air, or lack thereof."
"It can take some time to adjust to the altitude on occasion. As fit as one might be, carrying such a heavy pack, going up a mountain, and breathing the air can be an arduous task," Larsa suddenly said in his aristocratic and delicate manner. Balthier was never quite sure how he had managed to combine the two styles in so sincere a manner.
The air grew clearer as the clouds thinned, and looming before them was a grand building appearing to have been elegantly carved instead of built. Penelo and Vaan tilted their heads up in awe, their eyes roving over the graceful and grand structure, but the beauty was lost on everyone else. Balthier merely gave it a cursory glance before he turned his attention forward again; he and Fran had seen it before. Ashe was looking at it, but there was no admiration in her eyes, but a stern stubbornness which Balthier had seen many times before in royalty: I will get what I want.
They walked through the doors and their attention was immediately drawn to an aged man—was he a man?—standing on a dais. As they drew closer they could see he held his hands together and his eyes were gently closed shut. "Is he sleeping?" Balthier gave an exasperated sigh at Vaan's words, but it was overtaken by Ashe's hushing of him. They all jumped when they seemed to hear a voice in their heads, No my child. I do not sleep. I dream. For reality and illusions are a duality, two parts of a whole. Only the mirror of dreams reflects what is true.
Balthier shivered as his mind cast back to his utterly demented dream from the other night. Is he saying I suspect Ashe will use the stone on Archadia, or that it might actually come to pass? The sky pirate drew the line on that thought and refused to go further; he didn't want to go further.
"Your Grace," Ashe said, "I am Ashelia—"
Lay down your words. Ashelia, daughter of Raminas, I have dreamt your dream. Who better to carry on the Dalmascan line than she who bears the Dawn Shard? Your dream of a Kingdom restored is known to me.
Larsa spoke up this time. Balthier watched the exchange very closely, his eyes every once in a while flickering to Ashe. Surprisingly enough, it seemed their journey would be at an end if this Lord Anastasias were to openly declare Ashe as the rightful queen. He waited. "Gran Kiltias, then give us your blessing. Grant the Lady Ashe her accession—"
"I do not suppose that this is something you might reconsider," a bold voice spoke from behind and they all turned to see who the disturbance was. On first impressions, Balthier immediately loathed the man from his dress right down to the way he walked, but it was his imperious attitude that truly grated the sky pirate's nerves. He wore sunglasses, but he took them off as he approached and handed them to a maid who was following him like a dog. He walked straight up to Larsa and said, "My little Emperor-in-waiting. You have called and I have come."
Larsa offered his hand, but instead of it getting shaken in return the man by-passed it and ruffled his hair as though he were a child. Balthier could barely contain his noise of disgust, especially when Larsa said, "This is the man I wanted you to meet. Believe it or not, he is a member of the noble House Margrace, rulers of the Rozarrian Empire."
Balthier glared at the man as he approached Ashe, and tried to ignore the strange look Fran gave him. "I am but one of very, very many. Try as I might, I could not stop this war alone…thus I am seeking Larsa's assistance." He stood before Ashe now, who was looking up at him in disbelief, and then he said, "Al-Cid Margrace at your service. To think I stand before the Lady Ashe. It is truly an honor." He knelt down on one knee, taking her hand, and allowing himself to plan a kiss on it. The young princess blushed a rosy red at his obvious flirting. Even Penelo put her hands to her mouth at his outlandish behavior. "I see it is true after all. Ah, stunning is Dalmasca's Desert Bloom."
Balthier considered Larsa speaking for both of them when the boy said, "Urgh."
The Gran Kiltias Anastasias finally interrupted the exceedingly awkward atmosphere. In Archadia, Larsa. In Rozarria, Al-Cid. They dream not of war. Should Empire join with Empire, the way will open for a new Ivalice in our time.
"Ah, Gran Kiltias you speak much of dream. But in the real world, war is upon us," the Rozarrian prince said.
Oh no, I can see where this is going, Balthier wanted to groan to himself. The conclusion of this conversation would not be with Ashe ascended to her throne with the blessing of the Gran Kiltias. That he was sure of.
Ashe seemed to sense it, too, for she said, "Gran Kiltias, I was told my coming here would prevent this war. I was to assume my father's throne and announce the restoration of Dalmasca, treat with the empire for peace, and persuade the Resistance to stay their hand! I have not come all this way to be asked to reconsider!"
"A word from you, and the Resistance would stop cold and Rozarria's pretext for joining the war scattered off to the four winds. This is what we had hoped. Alas, circumstances changed. A full two years have passed since your reported death. Were it to become known that you were still alive I fear it would only worsen our current situation," Al-Cid said, confirming what Balthier had suspected and becoming even more the object of loathe by him as the Prince so clearly carried bad news.
"Because I am powerless to help," Ashe said, clearly sullen by the change of circumstances.
"Ah, nay, in fact it has little to do with you," the Prince continued, dragging on the moment to reveal the news.
Larsa seemed increasingly irritated by this and finally said, "Then what? If Lady Ashe were to extend her hand in friendship I could then persuade the Emperor. His Excellency will solve things peacefully—"
"The Emperor is no more. His life was taken," Al-Cid finally declared.
"Father!" Balthier's blood ran cold at the declaration. He'd always considered Emperor Gramis a fruit cake for never seeming to make up his own mind, but even so he was better than the vulture that was Vayne Solidor. Gods, Vayne Solidor, emperor?!
"Let us suppose you approach the Empire with a peaceful resolution. The late Emperor Gramis would have lent you his ear that much is certain. But we are dealing with Vayne Solidor. Should the Princess return, he would claim her as an imposter. All to tempt the Resistance into battle. Vayne wants this war that much is certain. As our ill luck would have it the man is a military genius."
The dreams have told me thus. To reveal yourself would imperil us all. I see war, and Vayne's name writ bold on history's page.
"Archadia's banners fly high," Al-Cid continued, "They are making ready for the coming war. According to our latest reports," and here he reached back for a paper his servant maid had ready for him, "the western armada prepares for war, under Vayne's command no less. The newly formed 12th Fleet has already been deployed. Oh yes! The Imperial 1st Fleet stands ready. They'll be underway as soon as the Odin's refit is complete. And there is more: the 2nd Kerwon expeditionary force is being called in to replace the missing 8th, so there will be no gaps. The largest force every seen."
There was a deep silence after Al-Cid was finished as the people present slowly took in all the information. Finally, Ashe said, "And then…the Nethicite is the coup de grace. Gran Kiltias, your Grace. I spoke to you of my succession. Let us put that aside. Should I become Queen of Dalmasca now, powerless as I am, I can protect nothing. With a greater power at my disposal, perhaps then..."
The Nethicite? She cannot be serious, Balthier thought as he watched her carefully, trying to stay his panic. Princess, do not lust after it like my father. I cannot afford for you to turn as maddened as he.
It is the Nethicite of which you dream?
"I require something far greater," Ashe replied.
Balthier creased his lips into a firm and angry line, but he did not say anything. The Gran Kiltias finally opened his eyes and spoke with his mouth instead of his telepathy, "To wield power against power, truly the words of a hume-child."
"I am descended from the Dynast-King himself."
"Indeed. Then you have but one choice. Seek you the other power that Raithwall left."
She gave a small gasp of surprise and asked, "Does such a thing exist?"
"Journey across the Paramina Rift to the Stilshrine of Miriam. There he left a gift entrusted to the Gran Kiltias of his time. Seek it out. The Sword of Kings can cut through Nethicite."
Ashe began to turn around, but then he said, "Why would he entrust a power to destroy the Nethicite, the instrument of his greatness to another and not to his progeny, I cannot say. Awaken Ashelia B'nargin and take up the sword, or your dream will remain but a dream." He closed his eyes again and said, "My dream, too, fades into day."
And with that Ashe turned and walked steadfastly out the door; everyone save Larsa and the Rozarrian Prince turned to follow. When they were outside, she turned back to them to look into their faces as though she waited to hear what they had to say. Balthier opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it. He wanted to say something to her, but he wasn't sure about what, and instead of saying something he wished he would have kept behind his lips he remained silent. Ashe seemed perturbed by his refrain from speech, and looked at all the rest of them. Penelo seemed also at a loss for words, for her eyes were turned to the ground, but she chewed her bottom lip.
Vaan peered around, blinking at them all, and then said, "Well what are we waiting for? The faster we get there the faster we might be able to avert this war."
"Not tonight, Vaan. The sun hangs low in the sky and the fiends are much stronger at night. We should take this time to replenish our supplies and regain our strength. Your highness, I will look at weaponry and shielding," Basch said.
"I will go to buy supplies. Penelo, will you come with me?" Fran turned her head to the young girl, who clearly idolized her. The young orphan beamed and they went off.
Only Vaan, Ashe and Balthier were left, and the young thief kept shifting his weight as he looked from Ashe's stern stare at Balthier to the pirate's bowed head, his eyes closed. Suddnly his face lit up and he said, "I'll go check for Marks."
A cold silence descended with his fading footsteps. Balthier only broke it by saying, "I will go and secure us rooms at the Temple." He turned to leave, but only managed to get a few paces before Ashe roughly grabbed his arm and forced him to face her.
"Balthier, your thoughts? I value information even from you, concerning my interests towards the Nethicite."
"Nothing, Princess, just exhausted of course. When have I not been?"
"You are troubled. I can see it in your eyes. You think I am a crazed animal out to destroy Archadia."
"I think nothing of the sort, so do not put words into my mouth. I will trust your judgment in the matter; it is after all not my affair," he replied and pulled away from her to trudge back up to the Temple.
"Balthier!"
He did not turn to acknowledge her. It was not too hard to get the rooms at the Temple as he said he would, but there were only two each with three beds. The Kiltias offered their apology as not having more to spare, but Balthier waved it away and gave them some gil. I should take my own advice and act like it's not my affair anyway. If only I had a hobby outside of treasure hunting.
It was midnight when Balthier was startled awake by a terrible retching. Basch too got up, and looked to one another only to find Vaan was missing from his bed, but a light in the bathroom gave indication. The sky pirate kneaded is forehead then got up with Basch to find their unvoiced question answered. The poor boy was kneeling on the floor with his head shoved into the toilet, vomiting up his entire dinner. Balthier and Basch exchanged looks again, and then Balthier said, "I am not a baby-sitter." With that he retreated to the warmth of his bed in an attempt to catch a few more winks.
Vaan was sick all through the night, preventing either the sky pirate or the knight from sleeping at all, for when there was a prolonged lull Balthier would doze only to be awaken by that horrible retching.
Once Balthier could sense that it was close to dawn he got up to see Vaan's progress. The boy was especially pale and he seemed to be in daze as he sat in bed during one of the lulls. Balthier frowned at his unresponsiveness and put a hand to his forehead, and then he moved it to his upper back only to sigh and shake his head. Basch who was sitting by Vaan's bed looked up at him quizzically, "What is it?"
"He has no temperature, so it is not a virus that I can think of. I bet he just ate too much and is paying the price. That happened to me once. Don't let him eat anything; he'll just throw it right back up. Now I better tell the ladies the trip is cancelled for the day," Balthier said as he walked out of the room, his eyes closed in his exhaustion.
Penelo jumped when she opened the door and found Balthier in naught but an undershirt and boxers. Blushing furiously, she said, "Balthier, what's going on?"
"Morning," he mumbled and then said, "Vaan has been throwing up all night, so we need to hold for a day here. Now, I have not had much sleep and I was wondering if I could sleep here."
"Umm…sure. Is anyone with Vaan?"
"The Captain is."
"Oh, I see. I'll go and help him then, so you can have my bed," she said, slipping through the door.
"Much appreciated."
Fran was awake when he walked in and she nodded at him as he sat at the edge of Penelo's empty bed. He nodded back, but immediately fell onto the bed. "As tired as you appear, I do not think you were the one to attend to Vaan all night," Fran said, a clearly amused tone in her voice.
"Just because I did not does not mean I'm any less tired. Yesterday was a rough day, especially with that foppish twit dropping by…"
"You were jealous of the way he treated the Princess.
"Fran, please."
He suspected she left the room since she did not retort, but he refused to open his eyes to check, and he drifted off to sleep a few moments later. The Princess Ashe had been stirring and she caught the tail end of Fran and Balthier's conversation, which caused her to blush furiously.
She had known Fran and Balthier long enough to know that 'Fran, please' was Balthier's way of conceding defeat when he had no comeback. So was it true? Did he have feelings for her? She looked over at him sleeping peacefully, but then shook it out of her head when she got up to get ready.
Much of the group found the Stilshrine of Miriam—as pretty as the name sounded—bleak and frigid. Dark stone with little light surrounded them, and in the impenetrable darkness the group only whispered to one another, as though speaking normally was blasphemy. They had been in the shrine for nearly eight hours, and the lack of lighting appeared to stifle even Balthier and Basch from their usual boisterous or courageous selves.
Then again I have not been the most cheerful since we started our climb up the mountain, Balthier grumbled to himself as he followed closely behind Ashe, hoping that this Sword of Kings was calling her much like the Dawn Shard had in Raithwall's Tomb. Similar beasts as in the old king's tomb ran rampant here as well, so the group had very little trouble dispatching them, until they came to a save crystal and had to defeat the imposter. They also had to beat a hasty retreat when they met a ghoul that summoned endless amounts of the dead. Penelo had been knocked unconscious by them, and Balthier himself also was almost overwhelmed when he stopped to pick her up. In the end he somehow made it out with just a bloody lip. And now, finally, it seemed like they were in the last leg of the maze.
Ashelia stepped into a wide room, with two holes in the center of the floor and a fairly narrow path between them. It was not frigid in here, but surprisingly warm, and Balthier looked around to see where the source might be coming from. A noise drew their attention and they all sighed when they saw an entity in armor step out to challenge their right to apparently walk through the room. Drawing their weapons for the countless time that day, they launched for the attack.
"What the hell—?" Balthier attempted to raise his sword for an attack but suddenly found it about twice as heavy as it used to be. Looking up he saw Vaan, Ashe, and Basch suffering similarly with their weapons, but most especially their armor. The most unaffected were Fran and Penelo with their bows and light armor. The sky pirate let his sword fall to the floor and he took his gun, aimed and shot. He scowled as his bullets seemed to have little effect on the creature. "Nothing in this journey is easy, is it?" Finally holstering his gun, he attempted yet again to fight with his sword.
Wearing down the boss was painfully slow going. The typical hard hitters in the group were having difficulty moving with their now heavy armor and heavy weaponry. More than once they had to take a break to regain their strength before trying to kill the enemy again. Balthier quickly grew accustomed to the heavier sword, but it sapped his strength like poison and he would fall to the floor after a few minutes, panting hard and dripping with sweat.
A screech of agony brought his head up, but he was relieved to see that it was the creature who sustained a last bolt from Fran before finally dying. Even as it faded he could feel his armor lighten, so then he picked up his sword and found it to be the same weight it was before the fight. Taking a handkerchief out of his pocket, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "What a bastard."
"I really hope we don't have to fight anymore of those while we're here," Vaan said, short of breath and unnaturally pale. He stood up before the rest of the powerful fighters, but Balthier could see his legs shake like jelly.
"Vaan, sit down before you fall over," Balthier said from where he was kneeling. Penelo thankfully stepped over and helped him sit down, talking to him quietly to keep him calm. Balthier saw Ashe glance over at Vaan surreptitiously before turning her gaze back to the floor. Feeling guilty for starting the quest the day after he's sick, are we? It seemed Ashe was always blaming herself for some group calamity anymore, never mind the fact that Vaan had pouted and whined the following morning after his sickness that they should get going. He finally got up and said, "If you so please, Princess, Vaan, I would like to get going before I spend the night in here."
Ashe glanced up at him but said, "We may very well end up doing so anyway."
"May the gods forbid it."