Chapter Eleven – A Good Man

I

He kissed her, and though some part of him wondered why, he did not for one moment regret his action. She was an unusual girl in many ways, and so it pleased him then, to find that she in this respect was perfectly, wonderfully, normal. Balthier doubted she'd had much experience with kissing, but that was due to her innocent nature, rather than actual incompetence; she did indeed kiss very well.

Encouraged by Balthier's response, she thew her arms around his neck, fingers playing tantalizingly in his hair. She tasted like beer, but he would hardly object to that, and her hair, her waist, her arms were all just as soft as he'd imagined.

The sea-breeze swept in on them, fresh air spiking his senses. And when first kiss, he came to think that it was this; not the fear of what was to come, or dread of something after death; but Penelo, this, that was what was truly important. The maddening crowd of hunters and whores, their shouting and laughing, the singing of airships above and the eternal crashing of the waives, the Port and the nighttime, this was what was important, this very moment. And with an assurance, that he was indeed doing the right thing, came calm, even happiness.

But this cocoon of bliss could not last long, soon fear caught up with him again. And the people who'd only moments ago seemed so vital, so welcome, was now imposing, with their whistling and profanities. He landed from his high rather brutally, and with that came the realization of danger. Penelo had already stolen one memory from him. Though that was through anger, he was not so certain passion wouldn't have the same effect. And with that though, and the ever growing crowd, the magic was gone, the kiss should be concluded. But how to disentangle himself, without causing another 'episode'. And here, surrounded by hunters, they did not need any additional attention towards Penelo and her condition.

Luckily it would appear she felt the same, because after a little while she sighed, placing her hands on his chest and pulled back.

Her hair slightly ruffled, her cheeks flushed, but more than that, she seemed happy for the moment, and for the very first time since the Cave Palace. The thought that this was all his doing did render him rather proud, yet at the same time regretful; if he'd been reticent to start up a romance with the girl before, there could be no less reason now. It did not make any sense, and yet they stood there still, his arms around her waist.

"I think it is past time we returned to the inn. There is after all an important meeting on the morrow, and I do not think the Princess would forgive us, should we arrive late."

She smiled, actually smiled, her eyes lighting up.

"Yes, and for good reason."

"Indeed."

She was also the one to step back, disentangling herself from his reach. Suddenly he did not know where to place his hands.

"We should be getting back then," she said, and turned to walk down the doc.

"Indeed," he said again, "but I would suggest we take the other way. You are headed into the ocean."

"Oh," was all she said, spinning around, her hair fluttering.

"Well then, come along!"

They walked back together in silence, Balthier contemplating all the while as to what she really wanted, what she expected him to give her. She had seen his memories, after all. Not all of them, but some. So how could she still be so determined to believe he was a good man?

They said their goodbyes at her door, Balthier envying her the sleeping arrangements, Vaan and the Captain were not the most silent of sleepers.

"Until tomorrow," he said, taking a superficial bow and wondering when his mock-politeness had turned real.

II

Ric was standing by the door as if guarding it, hands folded over his chest in what he must have imagined to be a rather manly and intimidating gesture. As if such a thing were needed, Balthier scoffed to himself. But he was one of the fortunate ones. Considering what had happened last night, he should by all accounts be the one to accompany Penelo to the other side of that door. As it were, Vaan would be her companion in stead.

Thought they were not so very unfortunate. All they missed was a meeting, and excessively boring meeting at that, and the opportunity to discuss what would happen to Penelo. Reddas had deemed it unacceptable that she, or any with particular affinity to the Soul Eater, should be excluded from the meeting, not knowing that as soon as it was concluded, they would share with them all that had passed down anyway. Though for them to discuss her condition without her presence (and Vaan's), seemed only logical.

"The Marquis, he is set on war?"

Ashe had luckily dropped the discussion from last night, though Balthier would not have put it past her to confront Reddas with his own disloyalty. War remained the topic of discussion for now at least, but soon they would reach some conclusion as to what was to be done with Penelo. He was not fit to make such a decision, and he knew it. Even so, he did not move from his perch against the pool table. And if he should have to choose, what then? If it really came down to it, and he would have to pic between the Princess and Penelo, would he abandon his cause or would he surrender Penelo to the mercy of this lot? To be sure, he did not know, and made a silent prayer that he might never find out.

"The time approaches when he must make his position vis-á-vis the Empire clear," Reddas answered, "When he helped you of the Leviathan, he spited the Judges full sore. He cannot sit in idleness and expect to avoid a reckoning."

And why did it seem like every word out of Reddas' mouth was intended as a stab against his own person? He was being paranoid to be sure, but could not stop his palms from gathering moisture, his feet changing position rapidly, so that he squirmed more frequently than the two street urchin on the other side of that door.

"The Marquis share my distaste for war... Yet if it comes to it, he will show no quarter. He supports my infiltration of the Capital, in order to procure the Midlight Shard. But if there is no stone, he will ally with Rozzaria; failure is not an option. For either of us. And I should think not for you either Princess."

"It's just what Vayne wants. He lures the Rozzarians and the Resistance to the field, and then crushes them both with Nethicite," Basch said.

And how silly they all were. What fools, Balthier thought, and could no longer avoid joining in, stepping into the forum.

"I think not. Cid has the Stone. We procure it, and smash it to pieces with the Sword of Kings. Vayne will be left holding nary a thing."

Pushing himself form the table, and stepping towards the door, he might have hoped to create such an effect of haste, that the matter of Penelo would be forgotten.

"Time is short, we follow Cid. He's heading towards Giruvegan."

He had their attention, but none seemed to move. Ashe stared at him, her eyes no longer angry, but rather full of wonder.

"Giruvegan," she whispered.

With this Fran stepped forth, walking past him, towards the others.

"It is told of in a song of my people. On the farthest shores of the river of time, shrouded deep in the roiling mist, the holy land sleeps: Giruvegan. Who knows the paths? the way to it's doors?"

And why did they have to make it all so bloody cryptic, these Viera. He'd traveled long enough with Fran, and yet, at times he could not even understand her. And yet, Reddas did.

"Then you seek the Jagd Difohr. Deep within the Jungle of Golmore, in a corner of the Feywood, a Mist-storm surges and seethes."

But he'd had enough of waiting now, almost as impatient as the children. Was this her influence on him?

"Then that's it. Come along, we have little enough time to squander it."

"Indeed, but there is still another matter to be solved," Reddas said, and at last they arrived at the topic he'd hoped to avoid.

"The creature in you company, I cannot pretend I approve."

"Nor can we pretend we need it. I was not aware it was the custom of the Port to meddle in other peoples affairs," he countered, having prepared arguments in his head, though he knew they rang hollow.

"Only when those people might be the ones to tip the scales, deciding all our fates."

"And what is it that you object too? A non-hume in your midst."

Fran stepped ever closer to the man, Balthier smiling ever so slightly to know he had her approval, Fran by his side, as usual. At the very least, some things did not chance.

"You speak of weapons, of this stone. But do you not see, with Penelo at our sides, we might not need either the Midlight Shard or an Rozzarian alliance."

"But you do not even know what she is, what she does. She has already harmed many in your party," Reddas replied, but addressing the Princess rather than Fran herself. She did have an imposing presence, which many a man could not handle. Balthier met her eyes, nodding gratefully, the tiniest of smiles playing about his lips.

"We are not Judges anymore, Reddas. It is not up to us to decide the fate of someone of whom we know so little. After all, this might be an entirely new creature," he said, incapable of holding some of the enthusiasm he felt, out if his voice.

"A fiend, more like," Ric scoffed.

And perhaps that would be the right term, yet Balthier felt the tendrils of anger gnaw at his stomach, at his insides, begging to be released.

"But that is exactly my point, my good man. We cannot know what she is. She might be our savior or our destroyer. But do we not owe it to her to find out?"

"And get killed in the process. Or worse, being turned into some empty shell, loosing our memories one by one?"

"It is a terrible chance," Ashe conceded, looking almost apologetic, not daring to meet his gaze.

"She might prove a turning point in both evolution, giving us access to powers yet unharnessed. And this is what you all amount to; murder."

He did try to maintain his cool, and yet he could feel his cultivated facade slip away, his voice growing hysteric. He glared at them all, daring them to defy him, but they all seemed utterly untouched by his words.

"If I might pose an ultimatum then; if Penelo leaves the party, so do I. And consequently Fran and the Strahl."

It was a mark of their friendship that Fran did not object to this. She would truly follow him anywhere. They needed him. They needed his knowledge, his skill, his ship and his partner.

"You might be able to defeat Vayne without Penelo, but now without me."

Reddas did not seem angry, but then he was a former Judge, and like Balthier, adept at concealing his emotions. He was silent for a while, mulling it over.

"You drive a hard bargain, Balthier. This curiosity will get you killed one day, you might resemble your father more than you know."

"I hope not," he said, smiling, yet recognizing the insult for what it was. Yet he'd won the argument.

"Right then," Basch chimed in, "it would not be wise to delay departure further. Might I go and inform the others of the happy news?"

And with this the meeting was concluded. As they made their way past Ric, who'd relinquished the doors at last, Reddas called out after him.

"Balthier, stay a moment. You will need the sky-stone."

"Of course."

And ushering them all out of the door, the two former colleges were alone at last. But as he turned to face the other man, he felt the awareness, more imposing than before, that he might not have done any of them a favor in defending Penelo. This whole business of having to care, having to choose and take part, rather than to flee, was not his style, nor did he like it. But there were something else, something gnawing at the back of his mind; shrouded in fog, yet it did not seem to get clearer; it was only an awareness of something he'd once known, and that now had passed into obscurity.

"So, Balthier," Reddas grumbled, disrupting his pondering. "Tell me, when did the sky-pirate of Archades fall in love?"