Chapter 12

Author's note: Sorry for taking so long to put this chapter out, school is taking over my life!

"And now, you have to get me those sweets you promised me." Ashe said as she and Rasler stepped out of the restaurant where they ate supper. It was a rather nice and romantic place, but the cost required them to save the money for the meal. In truth it was a special night, and one worthy of celebration. Had they still lived in the palace, a private party would be thrown to celebrate their first year as a married couple, and another in honor of her pregnancy.

"Of course." He held her hand, lacing his finger between hers.

"After that, I have a surprise for you." She giggled and leaned her head against his shoulder. They walked hand in hand through the streets of Rabanstre.

Rasler cocked an eyebrow. "Oh do you?"

"Yes, but you just have to wait. It's something that I'm sure you'll enjoy." She grabbed the top of his pants teasingly.

The city streets were still buzzing with activity well into the evening. Merchants were selling off the last of their goods, while taverns and restaurants were open for business. Pedestrians walked through the streets, busy in their conversation. However, despite the sense of normalcy, imperials still took their posts watching over the citizens, making everyone tense below the surface.

Ahead there was a group of young men that Ashe had helped train; they were the typical sort, young men who had lost their families in the war. The stench of alcohol emanated from the group, along with their shouts and taunts at an imperial standing watch. She shook her head, and smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt.

What happened next was all a blur. There was retching and some insults flung and the next thing she knew, she and her husband were trying to escape the riot that broken out.

The grip on his hand tightened as they tried to escape the frenzied crowd. It was a torrent of bodies; all tangled together pushing against each other. As chaos grew, so did its force. Her grip on his hand weakened, finally giving way once when one man pounced on another behind him.

"Rasler!" She shouted, into the crowd. No one responded. She was tossed around like a leaf in a sand storm. Getting out, now became her priority. Too much time here, and who knows what might happen to her. She pushed her way through the chaos of the crowds making little progress. Something grabbed onto her clothes yanking hard. She turned around, raising her fists in case a fight was called for.

She slammed against a wall. "Who are you lassie? You don't look like the usual scum that we find in these parts." A soldier pinned her against the wall, his vice-like grip holding her in place. Her head slammed against the wall. "Some sort of harlot perhaps?" He eyed her though his helm.

Ashe tried to wriggle out; she kicked him several times, her blows landing on his armor. No way would she let him so much as touch her.

"Just how I like 'em, feisty." He reached out and stroked her cheek. "Now where have I seen you?"

"Unhand me! Or I'll…" She couldn't believe this is how Archadia let's their soldiers behave.

"Oh you'll what? You seem to forget who has the upper hand." His grip on her arms tightened. "You're not just any lassie. You're the one who leads them men into the desert to train, some insurgence or something. Think we don't know what you peasants actually do? Not so strong without you're weapon are you?" He kneed her in the stomach sending a sharp pain through her body.

She writhed, attempting to slip from his grip. She needed to protect herself from this monster. "You should stay home, who knows what others might think, seeing you with those men."

Ashe's foot made contact with his armor, despite the dull throbbing in her foot she continued to kick. "You have no proof of me doing anything. And if you tried anything on a defenseless woman wouldn't they strip you of your rank?"

He slammed her against the wall again, sending shockwaves through her skull. "Now, now, you're hardly defenseless, now are you?" He reached buttons on her dress.

She was going to fight him until the end; she must protect herself and the child. "I wouldn't say this is a fair fight." She squirmed once again, and slammed her foot against him. "You dare undress me!" She shouted desperate for attention, but no one could hear in the chaos of the riot. Her dress began to slip down, desperate to retain some dignity, she shouted, and kicked once again. It only seemed to annoy him more, she hit the wall once more and then everything faded into black.

0o0

Rasler, made his way through the crowd, pushing several people out of his way. He needed to find Ashe now. If anything were to happen to her, or their child it would all be his fault. Hopefully she would have retreated, and would remain unscathed. Already he had attained bruises and cuts, they stung and bled into his clothes, but he ignored them for Ashe's sake.

He ducked down shortly feeling a glass bottle brush against his ear. The riot was only getting worse as time passed. What started out a bar fight has escalated into sheer chaos, outmatching anything he had seen on the battlefield. At least there, they were organized into factions and troops, with general shouting orders, but here it was simply every man fighting for himself.

Memories of the war flooded him, all the men under his command who had sacrificed themselves for a war that was soon lost, and the refugees who ran barefoot from his homeland carrying only what they could hold.

His breath quickened as he broke into a sprint, shoving several people out of his way, he avoided them by dodging and weaving around in the crowds. Hopefully, they would not notice it was him, and he could slip by and find Ashe.

There was a sudden yank on his collar. "What do you think you're doing?" a man shouted from behind him. Rasler could smell the alcohol and vomit on him.

"Nothing… I… I'm sorry. I was looking for someone." He spun around on the ball of his foot and ran, through the chaos of the crowd. It was like an endless sea of bodies pushing against each other, fists and debris were flying about. His knee ached; the familiar dull pain crept up his leg, trying to slow him down. He shouted her name, but no response came, it was lost to the chaos. Did Ashe manage to make it to safety, or was she caught up in the turmoil like so many others? She was strong, but she carried no weapon leaving her vulnerable.

He found her. Ashe lay splayed upon the ground; her dress disheveled and pulled down her swollen breast exposed. Blood dripped down her face and thighs, while angry purple bruises covered her arms and legs. Rasler gasped, and rushed over to her side.

"Oh, Ashe." He took off his shirt and wiped the blood off her face. "Who?"

Her eyelids fluttered open. "Rasler? Is he gone?"

"Who? Who did this to you?" He asked.

She began to speak, her voice sounded weak. "A-an imperial, he ran off after being told off." She paused. "It hurts…"

"Can you move?"

She slowly propped herself up, and shook her head.

"I'll take you to the hospital." He wiped more blood off her and then lifted her to carry. It was hard to carry her on his back, he wrapped his arm around her knees to hold her up, but his gripped slipped as she fell unconscious again, and her blood dripped down her legs. His grip on her tightened, as he tried to run out of the crowd, his leg began to throb with pain as he continued. Saving his wife was his first priority now, he had to continue moving or else who knows what may happen to Ashe should she not receive medical attention. A surge of pure panic came through him like a wave, as he weaved through the crowds like a wild chocobo.

With the riots behind him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, but still they were still quite far from the hospital. As much as he wished that he could take Ashe to her midwife, he knew that these types of injuries were beyond her scope. No matter what he had to keep moving, he would take care of his own injuries later when Ashe was safe from harm. Truth be told he did not quite care if his injuries were to get worse, or that he was aggravating his old ones, as long as she was alive that is all that mattered. With all the force he could muster, he sped through the streets of Rabanastre, his feet slamming against the ground. So close and yet…

His lungs ached for more air as his body cried for rest; he panted attempting to compensate for his running. He turned the corner paying no attention to the looks and stares that he garnered. The hospital stood at the end of the street, but his muscles were screaming in agony weakening his hold on his wife.

The doors to the hospital slammed open, as him rushed in. Rasler landed on his knees still carrying Ashe. "Please, take care of her." He said in between pants. The smell of potions and ether filled his nostrils. Medics rushed to their side the moment they ran in. Next thing he knew Ashe was being wheeled away, and he was lead to a separate room.

The medics cleaned him up, and bandaged his wounds. Thankfully, they did not inquire further, and his injuries were rather light, a few cuts and bruises that needed stitching and ice. They found him a cane, and brace, as the running had aggravated his knee again. His legs dangled over the edge of the table, as he signed the paperwork. As he flipped through the papers, his worries about Ashe gnawed at the back of his mind, was she okay, and what was the extent of her injuries?

Rasler then handed the papers back to the nurse. "Do you know where my wife is?" The nurse gave him a blank look. "The girl I brought in, I mean."

"In the maternity ward, I think just follow the signs."

He nodded then made his way through the stark white halls of the hospital. The plain bright white halls were an extreme contrast to both the mosaics and portraits of the palace, and the tapestries and tiles that lined the halls of lowtown. Soon he reached the ward she was in. He stood in front of the door, unable to enter whist they treated her injuries. A sigh escaped his lips as a he took a seat next to the door. Whatever the doctors were doing he knew not what it was, but it appeared to labor intensive. When he had brought Ashe in she was pale, deathly pale the color from her face drained her lips were equally pale, blood covered the sheets of the stretcher as they wheeled her up to the maternity ward. It was his entire fault Ashe was injured due to his carelessness. If he had only decided to take another route, they would be safe at home. Now he was to lose everything, his wife, his child, they were all that he has left; the empire took all the rest.

Rasler leaned over looking into the room Ashe was in. It had gotten quieter, but he could still hear the orders being given and spells being casted. What was taking them so long? Would it be possible for them to at least give an update about his wife's condition? He was the one who brought her in and they were married. He had the right to know about her condition. His hand balled into a fist, how much longer would he have to wait. About an hour passed and a young pretty nurse emerged from the room followed by the rest of the doctors and nurses. The nurse tapped Rasler on the shoulder. "You brought in a young pregnant woman? Your wife right?" She motioned to Ashe's room, "She wants to see you. You can go now." She opened the door and led him. He felt a small bit of relief being able to see his wife, again, after the riot, but he would be fully relieved once she was fully healed and recovered from her injuries. "Make it short." She said taking her leave.

He stepped into Ashe's room, its stark white walls, were dimly illuminated by a crystal hanging in the corner. He grabbed a chair, letting it drag along the floor while he set it next to his wife's bed. She was still sickly pale, her blue veins showed through, and the pink from her face and lips gone. He hung his head and closed his eyes for a moment. All of this was his fault, if he had not been so foolish none of this would have happened. "How do you feel?" he finally managed to ask.

She lifted her head from the pillow, "Not well," she replied weakly, lifting her hand from the under the bed sheets. Rasler reached out held her cold clammy hand, and felt a weak squeeze.

"May I ask what happened?" He squeezed back. "I found you on the ground, but I don't know the whole story." he paused for a moment, "and the nurse hasn't told me anything about your condition."

Ashe nodded, and shifted in her bed. "Now why would she do that? We're married are we not?" She paused, "They must have made you worry. I'm sorry." She took a deep breath. "Well the doctors told me that the cuts and bruises I received from the attack are healing well, so far. But…" She trailed of and focused her rounded stomach. His eyes followed hers.

"The baby?"

Again Ashe nodded, her head hung low. "Yes, and…I—no one is sure if he'll make it. I've bled so much that if I don't deliver the child…" She paused and took a deep breath to steady herself. "Neither of us will make it." A few tears slipped out, before she continued. "Whatever may happen to us I want you there with me."

Now, they were both dying, it was his entire fault. If they has simply taken another way, or perhaps if had been better able to fight and protect her, neither of them would be here desperately clinging to life. "Of course." How would he deny her his presence in her time of need? What sort of spouse would he be if he were to do that?

"Thank you." She looked up at him appreciatively. The room went silent for a second. "I'm so scared. The uncertainty is…"

"I-I…me too." He took a deep breath, and cupped her cheek. "Ashe, I'm sorry. This is my entire fault. If only I taken another street, or if I protected you better. Nay, I only I had succeeded in protecting Nalbina, then neither of us would be here."

Ashe shook her head weakly. "'Tis not your fault, and you know that. Do not blame yourself." She squeezed his hand, her nails digging into his flesh.

He could not help it. "But Ashe… I… When we wed, I swore to protect both you and Dalmasca and I have failed both." He hung his head in shame.

"Please don't say such things. It was nearly night anyone would have been separated. Right now we have other things to worry about." She shook her head and rolled on to her side, cringing in pain.

The way she tensed and bit her lip, when she rolled to her side made him wonder if they had done anything for the pain. "Does it hurt?" He felt useless and guilty; he could do nothing to help her or their child.

"Yes." She nodded weakly. "If it helps do you want me to tell you how it happened?"

"Well, I, yes."

"After we separated, I was swept through the crowds. Then an imperial took hold of me and began to attack me. I think he suspected that I was part of the resistance, or that I was simply suspicious in my mannerisms. He started to question and insult me when I refused, I tried to defend myself but I was unable too. Then my head hit the wall and I can't recall anything after that."

Rasler wrapped an arm around her. "Oh, gods." The empire took everything, his homeland, his family, and now they were to take his wife and child. "Why would they." His fist balled, trembling violently. "Haven't they taken enough from us? They decimated Nabradia, took Dalmasca, murdered our families and countrymen. And now they hope to destroy what little joy and hope we have left." His fist hit the mattress with a soft thump. "I swear upon our father's graves that this will be avenged."

She bit her lip. "There's still the slight chance that our child will survive. However small it may be I want you to still hope." She tensed up and winced for a brief moment, then took a deep breath. "The pain is almost impossible to bear."

"Stay strong." His other hand wrapped around her, and he pulled her into a half embrace, clutching her tightly as she lay upon the bed.

"I shall, for all our sakes." She took a deep breath and tucked her head under his chin. "But if I were stronger, we would be at home, making love without a care in the world, not here hoping for something."

"'tis not your lack of strength that lead to this." Rasler rubbed her back, a pathetic attempt to comfort her.

"I-" She cut herself off, biting her lip hard enough that blood dribbled down her chin. Before he could say anything, she began to speak. "Sorry, the contractions are just coming in quickly." The blood on her chin disappeared with a quick wipe with her blanket.

"It's going to be fine; everything is going to be better." It was most likely going to be a lie, but if he believed in it enough then perhaps, they may all find it within them to continue. After the fall of Nalbina, and the subsequent fall for Dalmasca, Rasler had begun to lose hope. He had lost everything despite efforts to prevent such things from happening. It seemed that they were to live as disposed royals, refugees in their own homelands with anyone to turn to. He was once optimistic, but now it was becoming increasingly difficult to be so, he was becoming jaded, much like his father, and forefathers before him, but instead of being old, he was hardly twenty. If he could he would, do anything to restore the peace and tranquility of their old life at the palace, he could hold her forever, and make it all go away.

"I pray 'tis true." She paused. "All wanted was our baby to be healthy…"

A nurse walked in, and took Ashe's vitals. "The doctor will see you shortly, and then you will be moved. I assume your husband wishes to wait?"

Rasler shook his head. "Nay, I wish to stay with her."

"Very well then, I'll see what we can do, for you two." She left the room.

Author's note: Aww, this chapter's was so hard to write, due to all the tragedy and stuff. As always reviews are appreciated and encouraged.