The Nedakh traveled Southwest over the continent Ordalia. The airship passed over Sandsea and Dalmascan borders to reach Rozarria. The flight over the Mi-rham dessert took a while, even with the Nedakh's speed.
Once sick of sitting still, I got up and peered out a window, looking down to the rolling dessert below. I have heard many a tale of bandits and dessert folk sailing the sands, ships with large sails attached for gliding over the endless hills and dunes as the eastern winds blow. Ruins of ancient temples once devoted to the gods litter the earth, three thousand years of baking in the sun leaving them cracked and blistered.
I dare never touch those stones. They'd be cursed from angry gods who looked upon the races of the earth shamefully for letting these temples and cities fall. Just like the ancient city below the Dalmascan empire, this desert used to be home to many races and civilizations in its day. But unlike the ancient ruins beneath the city, people still lived amongst the ruins, building small dwellings and trying to preserve the ancient ways. Not many people have tried to make contact with these desert people. Nobody even knows if they are people. Three thousand years ago the races of Ivalice walked side by side and interbred, producing the races we have now. It just proves that we are all connected in someway, but some are too pig headed to know that. Or be willing to know.
My eyes quickly grow tired of staring at the sun bleached sand below, and I retreat to my seat. My knees pull up under my chin and boredom settles in. The flight didn't take much longer after that, but I still was bored out of my mind. No one spoke. We all sat in an anxious and unsettled silence, all of us questioning whether approaching the Lord Irthahym Aht Margrace of Rozarria was right and praying he would help. What if Rozarria had already fallen?
"Hey," Said Vaan, breaking the silence which hung pregnant in the air, "that's the city line." He pointed to the horizon line. Indeed the Rozarrian capital, Rigveda, loomed along the horizon.
The city's tan colored wall rose up out of the sand, sky ships soared the skies carrying people and merchants, and tall ornate buildings were visible from even a distance. Rigveda sprang up along the banks of a river, giving the city a source of water and room to grow crops.
Chocobo stables were kept by the wall, the birds in the process of being taught the finer points of keeping a rider astride in battle. Irrigated farms were planted along the riverside, and a large vineyard spanned to the west of the city.
Rigveda was one of many large cities in Rosaria, but one of the few to be located in the Mi-rham dessert. Not many towns could flourish in such a climate, but since the river was right by, and no native people seemed to mind the placement of the town, it was able to grow.
"I hope Al-Cid won't mind us visiting." Penelo said with a small smile.
"Something tells me he'll rather enjoy our stay." Balthier comments. Penelo blushes a little and Vaan gives her a sideways glance but says nothing, only scowls a bit.
"Al-Cid?" I turn to Penelo.
"He's the prince and heir to the Rozarrian thrown. Didn't you know?" I shook my head. I only have ever heard of the king; although, I have come across word of a flirtatious and politically inclined son who enjoyed women a little too much for his own good. I giggled a little inside as Penelo's cheeks got a litter redder and Vaan's scowl deepened.
Rigveda was different from many cities. Unlike the other capitals, this place had a relaxed air to it, the people were social and welcoming. And also unlike other cities, we had to place our ship outside of the city, part of the security system. Any unregistered ships must land outside of the wall, and I guess our ship had never been registered. But I was not sorry that we had to walk, even in the scorching heat.
The people of Rosaria spoke with an accent, and many of them had dark tanned skins from staying out in the sun for so long. The bright star hung at zenith, making the earth even hotter. I could feel sweet rolling down my neck, and for once was grateful that my skirt was short. Hot legs are the worst feeling. I rolled my long sleeves up to my shoulders and wished to kick my boots off and run barefoot, knowing the stones beneath my feet would be extremely hot. But I didn't care. I wanted sweet relief.
The tanned clay of the lavish buildings sculpted with images of war heroes, gods, and stories of old, soared up above our heads. Even the homes were meticulously detailed. It rained hardly ever here so there was no fear of the buildings collapsing.
I peered into a shop as we walked by, headed for the Rigvadian palace, and saw that inside the floors were made of a rich dusty looking marble and the walls were trimmed with gold leafing. This certainly was a rich city if even the peasants could afford such luxury. I stepped out of the building and marveled at how the inside and out were both beautiful, yet completely soaked in different kinds of beauty... and still seemed to click somehow!
Basch lead us through the city. He told us of how he and the Lady Ashe had frequented this city with business. In fact, Basch also looked after and cared for Larse in his brother's place, so he knew his way around very well. There was always someone waving towards him in a friendly greeting, to which he returned the wave, knightly and dutiful. Basch was really something else.
We passed hume and moogle and bangaa alike, but rarely stumbled upon a seeq or viera, those two races not fond of the immense heat, preferring warmer and more temperate regions. Humes stared in silent and subtle wonder at Fran, and I wondered if Balthier had noticed. I wondered if he was jealous of this. I was deeply curious...
What Balthier found worth fretting over was not my business but his, however. And what he did in his free time wasn't my concern. I began to wonder what he did in his free time at this passing thought, wondering what he and Fran did to amuse themselves when things got boring. They really didn't seem the fun and games sort. I felt a little bite from envy as my fantasies got the better of me. Hadn't Fran said that they weren't romantic? That they were just very close friends? But what kind of very close friends?
I shook my head, chasing away these unwanted and uncomfortable thoughts, but the sudden self inflicted anger stayed.
"You okay?" Vaan asks me as he notices my deep glower. The frown is gone in a flash, replaced by a sheepish grin.
"Yeah, it's just a little hot for me." I wipe at my forehead. Vaan nods.
"Nothing like the Sandseas, or anything near Dalmasca's heat. This place is worse." He says in agreement, blinking sweat from his eyes.
"I wonder how Al-Cid manages to look so good in this heat?" Penelo says, looking up at the sky wonderingly, voice distant as though she's in Penelo-land. Everyone stops and looks at her. Vaan is quiet a few seconds, blinking in the sun, trying to comprehend this, and then he explodes.
"WHAT?!" He shouts. "THAT GUY?!" Penelo gasps and puts a hand over her mouth, coming down to planet Ivalice with a painful thud. She looks around wide eyed and red cheeked.
"Come on," Basch says, starting to walk again, saving Penelo from the awkward stares, "we should get to the Palace as fast as we can."
"What did you mean by that?!" Vaan is at Penelo's shoulder, not giving the poor girl a rest. She sighs angrily and speeds up her pace.
"Leave me alone Vaan!" She snaps, tossing a hand over her shoulder to bat him away.
"Not until you tell me why-" It goes on. Vaan has seemed to have lost his head.
"This is not good." Fran whispers.
"At least they take our minds off the heat. Nothing like a lovers quarrel to entertain." Balthier says to Fran.
"You're cruel." I say to Balthier, who shrugs.
"Don't deny an old man his fun." He answers back as though watching the two argue over Al-Cid was perfectly acceptable, a mild grin in place.
"You're hardly old."
"23, I'm practically dead you know."
"Is that so?" I say and shake my head, playing along. "Well I'll just get you a cane while we're here."
"I think that a very wise idea. My back might give out at any time."
"You poor thing."
He smirks.
We stood in the castle's well furnished and bright waiting room, waiting for the guards to come back saying that we may speak with the king. The room is full of lively reds, blues, purples, greens, golds, blues, and every other shade of the rainbow, but it all fits and matches like a peacock's feathers. Showy, but attractive.
The inside is cool, thank the gods, and smells faintly of vanilla, in-scents burning away in each corner of the room. A large and elaborate couch, red and decorated with gold designs, sits in the center of the room, in which Balthier plops himself down between Vaan and Penelo who won't even look at each other. They just sit stony faced and stiff backed with arms folded tightly across their chests, both wearing a look of annoyance and hurt on their faces. It's a little awkward to be around them. I have no idea what to say.
I took a seat by an empty fireplace and crossed my legs, trying out this whole 'being a lady' thing. I figured I had better have good manners and act the part of an aristocrat. Or, try to. Crossing my legs just isn't my style. I feel all awkward as I sit and can't seem to balance right. One leg then falls asleep and the other feels restless, so I switch and the same thing happens. I just don't see how people can sit like this. My legs uncross and tuck themselves under my chin. I rest my busted arm on top of them and my chin on that. God I hope my boots aren't dirty. Something tells me the king wouldn't appreciate unclean seats...
A knock comes from the door and everyone's attention instantly snaps towards it. With a click, the doors swings open to reveal a few Rozarrian guards, clad in royal blue robes trimmed with silver lining. They rather resemble the Archadian Senate, except these men and women are young and a little more relaxed around the edges.
Among them stood a man, slightly out of place. His attire was not royal at all, but it still had a political air about it. His shirt was a dusty blue that was wide open at the chest, leaving most of the brown skin and chest hair to show freely. His white pants had a tanned brown leather armor going down both of his legs, and although he was inside, he wore sunglasses. Behind him stood a lady servant, and with a flourish he handed the woman his sunglasses revealing light and pale brown eyes. So, I'm guessing from Vaan's expression and Penelo's cheeks that this was Al-Cid.
"My friends," He says, coming more into the room, "it has been a long time since we have all congregated. What brings you to the empire on such short notice?"
"Arcadia and Dalmasca have both fallen." Basch gets right to the point. Al-Cid looks confused a minute, taken aback, raising one eyebrow slowly, face becoming very stern.
"What do you mean 'fallen?' I have not heard of this. There has not been word from the Lady Ashe or his Majesty Larsa in a while. Surely if something had happened they would have said something." He folds his arms.
"I speak the truth." Basch says evenly. "As a knight of the land, you know I would not tell such tales."
"I never accused you of such. It is just hard to believe, you must understand. Please," He came in and took a seat, crossing his arms, "I wish to hear of how this has come to pass. And you," He looks to a guard, "fetch my father. He should be here."
"Right away, Sir!" The guard hurries away.
"So, tell me," Al-Cid looks back to Basch, "why was there no warning of this?"
"Everything happened far too quickly. We will explain everything once your father arrives." Al-Cid nods.
"That would be best." Nervously I take my feet off the chair, suddenly realizing that I still have my legs under my chin. "And where is the Lady?" Al-Cid asks. At this, Basch's eyes flicker a little, showing an inner pain of shame. The flicker is gone in an instant, but it is clear the knight suffers.
"As her empire. Not dead, but a slave to the outside forces. Her fate is shared by Larsa." Basch answers. Al-Cid shakes his head.
"Whoever took these empires must wield great power in order to break both Larsa and Ashe."
"It appears so." Fran says. Al-Cid looks at me, noticing that he's not seen my face before.
"And who might this be?" He smiles in-spite of the situation. I blush a little.
"I'm Fidel, sir." I say, voice respectful.
"And how did you come to travel with this group of travelers? You are a new face here, no?"
"She's on my pirating crew." Balthier puts in for me.
"I did not think you took on newcomers." Al-Cid says to Balthier who shrugs.
"There's a time for everything I suppose." The door then opens, revealing the Lord of the empire. His face was old, but not too old. A long black beard flecked with gray fell his stomach, woven into a fine braid, and a golden crown sat upon his head, bedecked with emeralds and rubies. His eyes were a deep mahogany brown, very unlike his son's, and his robes were a deep shade of ocean blue, trimmed with gold. In his hand was clutched a sword, more as a symbol of status than a weapon in which to kill another with. His face was contorted into a look of confusion and wild anger.
"What is this?" He said to the room, voice booming out. "Who dare say that the Arcadian and Dalmascan empires are fallen?!"
"I said it so, Sire." Basch stands and bows low. The Lord Irthahym Aht Margrace eases himself a little as he sees it was Basch. The anger melts away as the snow does in spring, replaced by a most grave look.
"I did not know it was you who said so, Basch fon Ronsenberg. You who has stayed by the Lady's side and served as a protector for his Lord Larsa in the death of your brother. You who could tell no lie. Forgive my tone." I never would have guessed that a King would humble himself to a knight.
"I think we should hear of this new danger." Al-Cid says with a look to his father who nods.
"I think so indeed." His father agrees.
And so we told our story, from beginning to end for what seemed the thousandth time. It was a shock that no one had yet heard of this terrible power growing. I showed the men my arm and the scar on my back from the Mimic when we reached that part, undeniable proof that these people were real and they're might seemingly unbeatable. I talked of Calypso and the Organization when they asked of them. My old devotion to these people made his majesty wary of me, I could tell, but he did not say anything against me.
"You say these people have great powers of Ivalice. Powers that the gods wield." Al-Cid says.
"So it would seem." Fran answers back with a nod. "We do not know of a way to break this power. We come to Rosaria for an answer and help."
"I think I know of a place that may come of help," Al-Cid stands as he speaks and walks to a bookshelf, pulling down a heavily bound and old book. "In this book," He says flipping it open and turning the pages, "there are many maps of the ancient world of Ivalice. The old cities and temples of the dessert are as they were thousands of years ago." He puts the book down on a table, open to the right page and beckons for us to gather around.
We do so, after the king of course. "In these very deserts that circle our city, out there somewhere, lies an ancient temple, still standing. Or so speaks the legend. This place is a reserve for energy that gathers in the planet. Here it is said the gods and Occuria would speak to the races of Ivalice in the early days to give them guidance. There are eight places like this around Ivalice, but each is hard to find. To reach the Temple of Gihram, you must travel by night only and reach the temple by morning's onset of the seventh day of the month, otherwise you will never see the temple, even if you stand at it's alter. Once inside the temple, find a place to pray and then perhaps a god will show you the way. If it is godly power we fight, it is a god you must seek." Al-Cid's finger taps the old map. "Here is your Temple." We squint at the small dot on the page, the writing beneath it faded.
"Yes," His majesty says, "the Temple of Gihram. It's people still guard it's doors." His face is dark. "I dare say you will have trouble getting in."
"Trouble seems to follow us wherever we go." Balthier says to this.
"Aye, it would seem as though luck smiles on us not." Fran forms a small smile.
"The seventh day of the month?" Penelo says. "Today is the thirty first."
"Then we leave on the sixth." Al-Cid said simply.
"What do you mean 'we?'" Vaan defensively says.
"I wish to come along. It is my kingdom too that is in jeopardy." Al-Cid responds, unfazed by Vaan's anger.
"But you're not king yet!" Vaan counters boldly, face glowering up into Al-Cid's face as though daring him to challenge the bow. Al-Cid raises an eyebrow and Vaan.
"Vaan, would you drop it?" Penelo snaps.
"Don't tell me what to say!"
"As it were," The king cuts into this argument, "my son is to be betrothed in a month's time. Once that is done, the kingdom is his."
"Oh," Vaan says weakly with a look to Penelo. I look too but see no trace of sorrow or shock, just determination. I can see Vaan's jealousy and anger dying, giving way to guilt.
"Yes," Al-Cid says, "and in two days we will be celebrating with a ball. I would like it for you all to join me in the festivities. A time of celebration and fun is much needed in these dark times."
"Wonderful, it's been a long while since I got dressed up." Balthier smugly says. "I'll finally get to break out my waltzing."
"Waltzing?" I have to say, feeling my voice catch a little in a laugh. "You waltz?"
"I am a gentleman after all." He bows his head a little.
"It is true, the infamous sky pirate waltzes." Fran says, though with a sigh in her voice.
"See? What did I tell you?" Balthier smartly says.
"Although, he was drunk most of the time." Fran adds mildly, tossing a little of her long white hair.
"You weren't supposed to tell them that, Fran." Balthier crosses his arms.
"Well, I am glad you look forward to coming." Al-Cid says, amused, a smile spreading over his face.
"In the meantime," Lord Irthahym says, "we shall have rooms and food prepared for your stay."
"A bath too, I pray?" Balthier says and Irthahym nods.
"That goes without saying." After a few more minutes of talk, we leave the waiting room...
Hi! It's been a while since I posted something in a story... I just wanted to say that we're coming to some of my favorite parts in this story. From here on out, pretty heated and intense stuff happens, and I'm really excited about posting it up! I hope you find the next chapters and the rest of the story (we still have a long ways to go) enjoyable! And thanks to you all for your comments; each one is appreciated! Bye! -Intwilight