Here he comes, said Rikku's voice in her earpiece. Paine snapped her head up and looked around the square. From where she was standing (slightly behind and to the left side of Siri, Triock, Issaru, Cleon, and Dunevon) she couldn't yet see Baralai, but she was sure that Rikku (who was stationed at the entrance to the courtyard) had been able to spot him immediately.
They just brought him past me, Rikku continued. His wrists are tied behind his back. He doesn't look so good.
Of course he doesn't look good, Paine thought to herself, rolling her eyes. If you thought you were going to die you wouldn't be happy either. She glanced around the square again, but could see neither Rikku nor anybody else. All of them (with the exception of Yuna and Lydia, who were staying on the airship with Buddy, Brother, Shinra, and Calli because they'd been feeling ill that morning, in Yuna's case, and kept ignorant for the sake of their emotional stability, in Lydia's) were stationed at various strategic points around the courtyard, perfectly positioned to act at a moment's notice.
Paine looked around again and finally saw Baralai, his arms bound behind him and a Warrior Monk grabbing each shoulder, being led to the raised platform in the middle of the courtyard where a lone man was standing next to a gallows. Paine's blood went cold at the sight, but her attention was diverted almost immediately by Siri speaking from in front of her.
"This is wrong," said Siri abruptly. "Baralai's a good man."
"He was tried and found guilty," replied Cleon dismissively. "He is bound by the Code of Yevon, as are the rest of us."
"He is a traitor and a sworn enemy of Yevon," Dunevon added. "And those who consort with enemies of Yevon are at fault as well." This last comment seemed out of place to Paine, but before she could figure out who or what Dunevon was alluding to, Tristan appeared out of the crowd. She watched as Tristan offered brief greetings to all five New Yevon officials, his gaze softening as he looked at Siri and growing distinctly cold when it settled on Dunevon.
"Nice sunrise," said Tristan, gesturing at Dunevon's face and letting slip a small smirk. Paine bit back a laugh as she watched Dunevon's hands curl into clenched fists. He wouldn't dare retaliate in front of so many witnesses, and Tristan knew it. Tristan left then, pausing only to wink at Paine and surreptitiously tap his pocket, and melted back into the crowd.
Paine reached into her items bag and pulled out what was inside—an Al Bhed flashbomb. They had briefly considered grenades the previous night, but Tristan had pointed out that flashbombs would provide the needed distraction with the added advantage that they wouldn't hurt anybody, just disorientate them.
Paine sighed with a mixture of dread and anticipation and focused her gaze on the stage where Baralai was now standing, her left hand clenched around the flashbomb and her right on her sword hilt. Any second now…
"Look," said Cleon suddenly, nudging Dunevon in the ribs and pointing into the crowd. Paine wondered what he was looking at, but her question was answered when Dunevon swore.
"Damn that Al Bhed!" He turned to Siri. "He's going to interfere! Get your men to do something!"
"No," came Siri's reply as she calmly crossed her arms. Cleon, Triock, and Dunevon all let out audible gasps, but Issaru brought a hand up to his forehead and shook his head in an I-knew-this-was-going-to-happen sort of way. But before any of them could say anything, the sound of a gunshot cracked through the air.
That gunshot—Nooj firing into the sky from his place near the stage—was the signal. Paine quickly pulled the pin on her flashbomb, tossed it so that it landed at Issaru's feet (he was in the middle of the five) then turned away and closed her eyes. A second later she heard the bang of not just one, but many flashbombs go off, and white light flared up against her closed eyelids.
Paine opened her eyes to see both spectators and soldiers staggering around, many of them tripping over each other and falling, all of them temporarily blinded. The five members of the High Court were no different—all four men were on the ground, and Siri, though she was still standing, was rubbing her eyes with her left hand and blinking furiously.
Paine looked towards the stage to find Tristan already on it and moving quickly. He freed Baralai, handed him a sword, and the two of them jumped off the platform and were sprinting for the balcony before anybody started to get up.
But get up they did, and all too soon the Warrior Monks were regrouping and closing in on Tristan and Baralai. Paine began making her way towards the open side of the courtyard and kept the two in view as she did, torn between admiration at how they were acting as a seamless team and fear that they would be captured or even worse, ordered to be shot right then and there.
Paine thought they would make it, but they were overcome just as they emerged onto the balcony area. Baralai and Tristan briefly circled, back-to-back with their swords up, obviously searching for an escape, but they abandoned the attempt and lowered their weapons when they realized what Paine could see clearly: they were completely surrounded and had at least two dozen guns pointed at them.
Paine edged through the crowd on the balcony until she encountered Gippal and Tidus (the others, she assumed, were watching from somewhere nearby). The three of them shared grim looks and turned to watch as Issaru, Siri, Cleon, Triock, and Dunevon approached.
Tristan moved to place himself between Baralai and Dunevon as the latter was admitted into the ring of Warrior Monks surrounding them. There was a long pause, during which Dunevon glared at Tristan and Tristan glared right back, then Dunevon spoke.
"I thought we might have to endure some kind of poorly planned escape attempt," said Dunevon, his voice trembling with anger. "But not from the likes of you." Tristan merely cocked one eyebrow as if to say "Your point?", and the lack of reaction seemed to infuriate Dunevon even more.
"I let you go when I should have had you arrested," Dunevon hissed. "And this is how you repay me, by throwing in your lot with him?" He gestured to Baralai. "He's a traitor!"
"I don't owe you anything," said Tristan, his voice dripping with contempt for the man before him. "You should feel lucky you're not in the hospital. And if you say Baralai's a traitor because he was loyal to the woman he loved, I'd hate to see what you'd call yourself—"
"I might remind you," Dunevon interrupted, looking, if it were possible, even angrier. "That you're in no position to be insulting anyone. You are forgetting your place—"
"It's right here," said Tristan coolly. "Between you and Baralai, and anyone else you try to take your jealousy out on."
"As is mine," said a voice suddenly. Paine was mildly surprised (but not shocked; she'd been wondering when the Commander would speak up) to see Siri force her way into the circle to Tristan's side, take his right hand in her left, offer a brief grin in response to his raised eyebrows, then glare at the nearest Warrior Monks as if daring them to shoot their own Commander. A few of the men did hesitate, but it wasn't until Issaru commanded them to lower their weapons (Dunevon and Triock both tried but were ignored) that they did and stepped back, breaking up their tight circle.
"Siri," said Dunevon, in what was clearly supposed to be a placating tone of voice. "Listen—"
"No," Siri interrupted, her voice low and cold. "You listen. You deserve to die after everything you've done to Baralai and what you've threatened to do to me and Tristan's sister, and if you've got any brains at all you will do the right thing now, do you understand me?" I can see why they made her Commander, thought Paine, as she saw all the men looking at Siri with respect and, in some cases, a small amount of fear. I think now's the part where you should just shut up and do what you're told. Dunevon seemed to be thinking along similar lines, because he didn't even try to argue and when he looked up he seemed somewhat subdued.
"So," he said slowly. "This is where you feel your future lies? Away from Bevelle? Away from your duty to Yevon?"
"Don't you talk to me about duty!" said Siri, with a surprising amount of venom in her voice. "You have no idea what I've given up. I've lost family, friends, my home, my own son and even half my right arm, and I am not about to lose anything else." Siri ripped the Commander's badge off her uniform and threw it on the ground at Dunevon's feet. "With people like you around New Yevon is going to fall apart. If Spira can unite and come up with an uncorrupted, secular military I'd be happy to lead it, but until then you'll have to find yourself another Commander." You said it. I'm glad Dunevon's getting what he deserves.
"Did you know she had a kid?" asked Tidus out of the corner of his mouth.
Paine shook her head. "News to me," she said, glancing at Gippal, who also shook his head.
"Lydia never mentioned it," he muttered. "Check out Baralai." Paine looked and saw that Baralai, while everybody's attention was focused on Siri, was backing away towards the ledge that opened onto a wide cove, the ledge that promised a successful rescue and escape.
"You don't have a—hey! Somebody stop him!" Halfway through his sentence Dunevon had looked over Siri's shoulder and noticed Baralai, but it was too late. Along with Gippal and Tidus, Paine moved to the edge of the balcony and looked down just in time to see Baralai's head pop out of the water, surrounded by a ring of white sea-foam that marked where he'd entered it.
"Idiot," said Cleon with a derisive snort, as Baralai started swimming out into the open water. "He's got nowhere to go but back here!"
"That's what you think, crundo (shorty)," muttered Gippal. The three of them looked expectantly to the left and were rewarded by the sight of the Celsius soaring into view from where it had been waiting, just out of sight of anybody in the courtyard. The airship swooped down to hover over Baralai, the ramp extended from the bottom, and two people (it looked like Buddy and Yuna, but Paine couldn't be sure from her distance) grabbed him and helped to haul him up on it. Then the airship turned around and sped off again, almost before they got back inside it.
Paine turned back around to find Dunevon opening his mouth only to close it a few seconds later, apparently too incensed to speak. Triock was staring at the ground and Cleon was looking at Siri as though he had never seen her properly before, but Issaru had a knowing look and Paine could have sworn he hid a grin.
Dunevon attempted to speak a few times but seemed to be struggling to find words. After several seconds he finally drew himself up, managed to get out a strangled "I'll be glad to see the back of you both", spat on the ground at Siri and Tristan's feet, then turned and stalked off, the hem of his robes whipping behind him.
"Where do you think you're going?" said Cleon indignantly. "You can't just leave! What are we going to do about Baralai?" Dunevon stopped and slowly turned around, and if looks could kill Cleon would have turned into a smoldering pile of ash right then and there.
"You will do nothing," he said. "It is none of your business. Praetor Issaru and I will discuss it later." He turned around again and left.
Triock watched him go, then turned to Siri and Tristan. "I want to apologize," he said gruffly. "I always liked Baralai, but if I didn't give up his information Dunevon said he'd, er… you know…" he gestured hopefully, looking embarrassed.
"That's alright," said Siri with a warm smile. "We'll make sure Baralai knows the truth. Apology accepted." The two of them shook hands, then Triock made the sign of prayer and walked away (in a much more sedate manner than Dunevon had). Cleon stayed just long enough to say that Siri would be missed (not sounding at all like he meant it) before he hurried away as well.
"I would ask you to reconsider," said Issaru after a moment. "But knowing you it would be a useless gesture." He shook his head with a small smile. "I'll send word as soon as Dunevon has signed the papers for amnesty."
"Thanks, Issaru," said Siri with a grin. "You've been a good friend. I'll keep in touch, I promise." She bent down and picked up her badge from the ground. "I think you'll be needing this. If you want my recommendation I'd choose either Shaylie or Alec. They're both brilliant Sub-Commanders."
"I'll keep that in mind," said Issaru as he took the badge and pocketed it. "I want to thank you both. You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate. Tell Baralai I'm sorry for… for everything."
"We will," said Tristan. Issaru shook hands with them both, made the sign of prayer, then gestured to the Warrior Monks and walked away with them trailing behind him.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Tristan. "You've been a Warrior Monk for—"
"Nine years," said Siri. "Ten, if you count being a trainee. I know. But I can't stay here anymore. You and Lydia would be in danger if I did." She sighed deeply, then looked up at Tristan. "Shall we?"
"Yeah, we should… let's go." Tristan's voice rose with the last two words—it was the cue for them all to exit the square and regroup once they were well clear of it. It had been agreed that between the spectators and the soldiers, it would be reckless to all make a beeline for the same exit together.
With Gippal at her side and Tidus just behind them, Paine carefully weaved through the remaining crowds, heading for the exit on the north side of the courtyard. Once they emerged onto the relatively deserted city streets, they sped up and almost immediately came upon Lulu and Wakka. The others joined them in ones and twos as they took a route through the backstreets of Bevelle in an attempt to both get out quickly and avoid as many people as possible, and by the time they reached the gates they were missing only two people.
Siri and Tristan were already there, waiting for them. Both of them looked relieved, but Siri's expression soon became uncertain. Paine knew immediately what was wrong—Siri felt out of place, perhaps unsure if they would accept her. She shouldn't worry. Everybody liked Lucil just fine.
Rikku seemed to have noticed Siri's hesitancy as well, because she gently elbowed her and said "So you're gonna be one of us now, right?"
Siri seemed startled. "I guess so," she said. "Assuming nobody minds…"
"Of course nobody minds!" said Rikku enthusiastically. "Tristan likes you, Lydia likes you, that's good enough for me! The more the merrier, right guys?" Everybody nodded or verbally agreed, and Siri visibly relaxed. She had introduced herself to Lulu and Wakka and the three of them had just started talking when the Celsius arrived.
Siri broke off in the middle of saying that Wakka reminded her of someone to turn and look at the airship. "It's even more impressive up close," she said with a grin. "I've wanted to fly on one of these for sixteen years, ever since my sister-in-law told me about them."
Siri's cheerfulness didn't last long. By the time they were all on the airship she'd gone quiet and looked distinctly nervous. Paine couldn't fathom why (it's not like she hasn't already met everybody), but forgot her curiosity as they emerged onto the bridge.
Baralai was standing there in the middle of the floor, holding Lydia and stroking her hair and upper back as she hiccupped into his shoulder, clearly having just finished crying. Yuna was standing a few feet away, beaming at them. Buddy was grinning too, from the seat in front of his computer. Brother was off to one side, trying and failing not to look pleased with the situation. Shinra was sitting precariously on the top of his chair, and Calli was reclined sideways on the same chair with her legs dangling over the armrest.
Baralai looked up at them, grinned, then whispered something in Lydia's ear. She quickly straightened up and wiped her eyes with her sleeves (Paine suddenly realized that she and Baralai had identical shirts on) before turning around. It made for a strange sight: although her face was blotchy and her eyes were red and puffy, she was beaming and looked like she'd never been happier.
Lydia immediately came up and embraced her brother, whispering an emotional "thank you" into his shoulder. For his part, Baralai came up to Paine and Gippal.
"Do you still plan to kick my ass?" he asked with a grin. Gippal stared at Baralai for a moment, then burst out laughing and hugged him. When they broke apart Baralai was laughing too, but his mood quickly sobered when he turned to Paine.
"I… I'm sorry, Paine," he said. "I wish I could have been there for you at the hospital. Are you alright?" For a few seconds, Paine couldn't speak. The anger, grief, and fear of the past two weeks, combined with relief and happiness that Baralai was alive and standing here in front of her, was rising up and threatened to overwhelm her. If she just stood there Paine knew she was going to start crying, so she obeyed the impulse to pull Baralai into a tight hug instead, letting a few rebellious tears slip unnoticed into his shoulder.
"I'm fine," she said, once she could trust her voice. "Miscarriages aren't all that uncommon. I got over it. You shouldn't be worrying about me at a time like this, anyway." Baralai chuckled and turned to greet Yuna and Tidus. Less than 20 seconds had passed before Baralai came to Siri, who was hidden at the back of the group. Lydia turned around when she heard Siri's voice and her eyes went wide.
"Siri!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" Out of the corner of her eye, Paine noticed that for some reason, Shinra's eyes had gone the size of dinner plates. Her full attention (as well as everyone else's) was drawn to him a few seconds later when he lost his grip on the top of his chair and fell backwards into Calli's lap, knocking them both off the chair and onto the floor. He got to his feet, wincing and blushing, and apologized as he helped up an equally embarrassed Calli. He then took a few hesitant steps towards them, stopped, and stared at them (not at them, Paine realized after a moment, but at Siri specifically) with a mix of what looked like the entire spectrum of emotions on his face.
There was a long pause, during which Siri stared at Shinra, Shinra stared at Siri, and everyone else in the room stared at them. The silence was eventually broken by Lydia, who said "Do you want to tell them or should I?"
"You," said Shinra and Siri together. Lydia grinned.
"Fine. You two go down to the Cabin then. You can get something to drink and nobody will bother you. Go," she said, giving Siri a gentle encouraging push. Siri looked between Shinra, Lydia, and Tristan for a few seconds before nodding and exiting the bridge. Shinra gave her a short head start then followed.
As she watched them leave the bridge, Paine was bewildered. What in Spira is going on? How do they know each other? Then suddenly, it all became clear: same hair, same eyes, Siri had let slip about losing a son…
No way, thought Paine, too surprised to believe the conclusion she had just come to. She's… what? 25? Maybe 26? More like an older sister. She's a Guado too. And a Warrior Monk. Al Bhed don't like to hang around Guadosalam, and definitely not Bevelle, so how… why didn't she raise him? Paine looked at Lydia (as did everyone else), now intensely curious to have her questions answered.
"Uh, Lydia?" Gippal asked eventually. "Why was Shinra staring at Siri like she had three heads? Since when do they know each other?"
"They've known of each other for two weeks," said Lydia. "But this is the first time they've met, not counting at the hospital. I made the connection that morning, when I saw Shinra properly for the first time." Lydia paused then, and Paine got the impression that she was steeling herself to say something. After several seconds, Lydia took a deep breath and continued.
"Siri is Shinra's mother," she said. "And… and Kiros is his father."