Author's Note

I've finally moved house! This past month has been a busy one and in-between going to England to visit family and moving house I managed to keep typing! Just a few things to mention: firstly, I logged on for the first time in weeks to see my little stat-o-meter has flown past 20,000 so a big thank you for that! Thanks so much for all your reviews and subscriptions to this thing they really make my day! Also I think this will probably be the last chapter for this year so if I don't upload any earlier I hope all of you have a merry Christmas and a great New Year!


Chapter XXIX: Hoppipolla (Translates to 'jump in puddles')

It was finally time for us to move on and once we had gathered our belongings and what was left of our supplies, we left the town house and made for the Muthru Bazaar. Penelo stopped to hitch up a heavy looking rucksack at the mouth of the market place.

"Here, let me take that Penelo. You've got enough to carry." I held my hand out for the rucksack. It was true she had a few other bags draped across her body.

"Thanks." She handed over the rucksack.

Vaan, who was still mulling over the question Balthier had posed to him earlier, paused at my side. I slung the bag at him.

"Vaan, take this, you aren't carrying anything." He huffed but pulled on the bag nonetheless.

I looked over to see Balthier, Basch and Ashe in conversation. Fran was already browsing for supplies not far off as I could just see her long ears poking up from the sea of heads.

"The Garif are said to dwell in Kerwon." Basch said, keen to discuss the root to our new destination.

"So they do. We'll need to head south, past the Giza Plains." Balthier enlightened. There was no surprise he would know the way seems as one of the perks of his profession was that he was well travelled.

"It is the rains now in Giza- the wadis will be swollen with the deluge. Passage may be difficult."

A smile quickly came to my face. Finally, I could travel along a vast stretch of land that wasn't a desert or a scorching wasteland. I was almost looking forward to our journey.

"But those same waters may also lay open new routes to us."

"Regardless me must go south, yes?" Ever the direct, Ashe was clearly ready and raring to go.

"First thing's first. You're eager to be on your way, I know but we should see that we're prepared before setting out." Balthier insisted.

"I made my resolve two years ago. I swore to overcome any hardship I may face." One of those hardships was undoubtedly the sky-pirate before her.

"Man cannot live by resolve alone, Princess." The two glared at him, he was bold to use her title out in the open. Unaffected by their looks he casually turned on his heel to face the three of us. "Come along, the more of us searching for provisions the quicker we leave." With that he went off to find Fran.

There were many things we needed to buy for the journey ahead. Food and water were some but the likes of Basch and Fran were far more interested in upgrading their weaponry and armour. I wasn't keen on the idea of trading in my bamboo spear for a sleeker, stronger model as I had become so accustom to its weight and depth of ability. It defiantly wasn't the best weapon out there but then again I wasn't the best warrior either.

Once we had spent an hour or so sorting after needed potions, items and licences we were finally ready to yet again leave Rabanastre. The South Gate's passage stretched out into the Giza Plains and overhead a never-ending blanket of grey clouds smothered the sky. The smell of damp earth could be smelt the moment you passed through the gate. I tugged on an oil-skin coat which acted very much like a raincoat and slung the medic bag and my messenger bag back across my torso before stepping in time with Vaan and Penelo.

We entered the Giza Plains to find it had taken on a very different appearance. The ground was no longer dry and dusty but instead it was damp soil from which tufts of grass sprouted from. There were many ponds and rivers that cut through the earth, shaping out different routes to the ones we had been accustomed to take. It rained lightly and as the fine droplets washed over me I couldn't help but pause and tilt my head up to the sky. This miserable weather caused me to feel as if I were back in England. A smile found its way onto my lips as I remembered how much I missed a good down pour of rain. Not everyone was enjoying the weather. Balthier wasn't one for mist and rain nor was he one who enjoyed sporting an oil-skin coat, he claimed though it was practical it did little for his image. I watched as he trudged on ahead beside Fran who was unable to put up her own coat's hood due to her ears and so her snowy hair quickly transformed into soggy tendrils.

The change in season brought new breeds of foes. Huge, fat toads would bathe in the shallows of the ponds and snap at any who dared to venture too close. Ever the trouble maker, Vaan was the one who riled the amphibious beasts by poking them with a stick while they dozed.

"Geez these things are ugly." He stated prodding the waking toad again.

The stick was quickly enveloped by the slimy skin of the bulbous creature. Despite its size it was incredibly speedy and puffed out its chest in annoyance before snapping at the boy. Vaan easily dodged the attack but the toad's long tongue darted out and plucked his sword from his belt. It promptly swallowed it whole.

"Hey! What the-!" Vaan moved to attack but with a sizable splash, the toad had retreated into the waters and swam away. "It has my sword!"

"Serves you right, you should let sleeping beasts lie." Penelo said, shaking her head in disapproval. "Well, looks like we'll have to find you a new one."

We continued on and after a few hours of wading through the sloppy earth, we soon came to the snatch of land where the nomad settlement was. It was gone, every tent had been packed up and the tribe had moved on, even the cockatrices were nowhere to be found. Penelo explained to me that in the wet season the nomads travelled to find drier lands so that they could continue to prosper from their trades of cockatrices eggs and sunstones. It was strange to see the place so still and uninhabited. I guess I had become accustomed to the shrill, gleeful shrieks of the children as they dashed around the camp grounds playing whenever I had visited.

As we made our way through the grounds, a nomad man who was stood near the settlement's fence approached us.

"Oh please, I beseech you I am in need of your help." He said stopping in front of us. I noticed Fran's ears snap forward in suspicion. He didn't appear at all bothersome. He was a typical nomad man in his thirties with sun bronzed skin, dark eyes and mousy-brown hair. "My beloved's ring was taken. A swamp toad snapped it up. I will never be able to defeat such a foe! I beg of you, will you slay the beast for me and return me my ring?"

"Sure." Said Vaan without even consulting our agreement "I bet I know which toad has it, it stole something of mine too."

"We have not the time for this, Vaan." Ashe chirped.

"C'mon, it won't take long and then I can get my sword back."

"It would be far less hassle to purchase you a new one."

"It be wise to help this Hume, I believe." Fran's eyes never left the nomad's face as she spoke. I wondered why she was so willing to help him if she was wary of him. It made no sense to me.

"I concur. This chap may even kindly reward our efforts." Balthier said.

"But of course I shall, the ring means so much to me." The nomad nodded.

There was a long pause as Ashe eventually gave in sighing a sullen,

"Very well then."

With our new quest appointed we turned back and went in search of the troublesome toad. It took a while to find it as it would easily spot us and hurriedly swim off to the other side of the makeshift ponds. Fran and Balthier's ammunition came in handy as they could effortlessly track and attack the creature from the water's edge. Eventually, with it wounded and tired, the mammoth toad was forced to put up a fight. It didn't last long against the likes of Basch's axe and Ashe's sword. We stood around the rubbery carcass.

"Penelo, your dagger." Fran held out her hand towards the young girl who complied and placed the small blade in her waiting hand.

The Viera knelt and in one smooth motion slit open the toad from pelvis to throat. I took a step back smelling the horrid stench that rose from the animal's stomach. Untroubled by the gore and scent, Fran began to carefully delve around in the innards until she found what she was searching for. Another swift slash of the dagger and the object was pulled free from the bowels. It was the slim coated scarab of Vaan's sword. She handed it to him not noticing how his nose was wrinkled with repulsion.

"Gross." He whined and went to go wash off the gloop in the pond.

Fran continued to search through the entrails and soon came across a hard lump in the small intestine. She prized it loose with a flick of the dagger and held it up in between her thumb and forefinger to scrutinize it. It was the ring. Even covered in stomach slime it glinted. She returned the dagger back to Penelo and rinsed the ring in the pond waters. Once cleansed, I could see it was a simple silver band that had a black stone that was marbled with all manner of shades nestled upon it. I instantly recognised the stone as an uncharged sunstone.

"Well that didn't take us all that long, did it now?" Balthier smirked at Ashe. She ignored him and once more set off, back to the nomad settlement.

The nomad man saw us approaching as we reached the edge of the camp and hurried over to us with swift steps.

"I believe this is yours." Balthier said to him as he held out the ring. "Now, what of our reward?" The nomad looked from the ring nestled in Balthier's palm to the rest of us. I could sense his hesitation and it puzzled me. Why wouldn't he take it from him when he had seemed so distraught about losing it earlier?

"Oh... I'm afraid I cannot be the one to give it to you, sir. This ring belongs to my beloved who is travelling with the others, when you return it to her she will reward you for your aid."

"We know not where the nomads go in the time of the rains." Ashe said. It was true no one really knew just where they migrated to every year at the time of the floods. I had the thought that each year they would perhaps travel to a different destination in hope of better chance of trading.

"Then you must return back here when the rains have ended."

"And just how will we tell which maiden in waiting is yours?" Balthier asked him, his hands at his hips.

"Show the ring to the village elder, she will know."

So we kept the ring amongst our belongings and bid farewell to the nomad before slogging on along the marshland. A few more hours passed and Vaan began to dawdle, his footsteps becoming heavier and half-hearted.

"I hate the rain." He mumbled to no one in particular. The boggy land squelched under his shoes which were encrusted with mud.

"Oh come on Vaan, it isn't that bad." Penelo smiled.

"Yeah, why don't you jump in some of the puddles or something?" I said. I remember when I was a kid I used to enjoy stomping around the countryside in my wellingtons taking pleasure in the supposed miserable weather. I know Vaan wasn't exactly a child but he sometimes had the mentality of one. "Go on, try it." I urged when he looked at me with a frown.

He remained rooted to the mud. I sighed and wandered over to the nearest puddle and jumped in it sending water to cascade about the air. A mischievous grin spread across his face and he charged up to the puddle I was still stood in and jumped in it. As a result I got soaked with muddy water. He found this hilarious and began giggling like a hyena.

This was the start of a puddle war (for lack of a better phrase). Penelo joined in and before I knew it we were running about the sodden ground laughing and shrieking like children. It was good to see the two actually act like kids for once. All this doom and gloom of the war had been weighing down on everyone and I was glad to see the two teenagers could still shake it off and have some fun even if it was in the guise of a silly game.

Vaan spotted a small puddle near where I was stood and moved so he could kick up some of its mucky water up at me. As he jumped on it he suddenly sunk all the way down to his waist. The puddle had been misleading in its depth. Although it was small it was incredibly deep. No doubt it had been a sink hole of some sort before the rainy season. Penelo and I cackled as we watched him try and squirm his way out of it.

"Shut up, it's not funny! I can't budge!" He growled whilst clawing at the sloppy ground that fringed the puddle. "C'mon, gimme a hand guys!"

Still chuckling, Penelo stretched down her hand to her friend. He grasped it and she attempted to pull him up and out of the sludge.

"Ugh! Vaan, you're so heavy." She grunted as she attempted to tug at his hand again.

"Here, give me your other hand, Vaan." I held out my hand.

He grasped it and with each of us gripping one of his hands we pulled. It took a few good wrenches to get him moving. The thick, soft mud he was stuck in didn't seem to give in so easily. We continued to haul him up and out until suddenly the ground decided it no longer wanted him in its clutches. As a result he slammed into us and we all tumbled down onto the wet ground.

"Vaan, Get off! You really are heavy!" I shoved him off me.

We all sat there in the mud pretty much coated in the stuff from head to toe looking at one another. Just how stupid did we look? The giggling soon started again, which quickly gave way to full blown laughter. The sound of a throat being cleared caused the laughter to die in our throats. Simultaneously, we turned our heads to see Balthier stood not far off his arms folding and his eyebrows raised in questioning.

"If you have quite finished I suggest we get a move on. You don't want to face the peril of Her Highness, do you now?"

We mumbled our apologies and lurched up from the mud slick ground looking very much like mud monsters. Hopefully, the rain would soon take care of that and wash it from our hair and clothes.

In retrospect the puddle war had seemed like a good idea at the time, however when evening drew close and the temperature dropped drastically our wet and muddy clothes soon became a horrible burden. The damp caused the chill to slip easier through our garments -even past the supposed impenetrable oil-skin was no use- so much so that it made my teeth chatter. We made camp in a small cavern to shelter us from the rain which was increasing its ferocity with each hour passing. A fire had been lit and the three of us shed our oil-skin coats and huddled as close as we possibly could to it to dry out our clothes.

"Suddenly the weather isn't so delightful, is it?" Balthier smirked as he added some more kindle to the fire.

"It was only a bit of fun." Mumbled Vaan as he continued to rub at his goosebump riddled limbs.

"Is that so? Well I'm sure you can imagine Her Highness' disdain for such a game." With the fire fed he smoothly rose to his feet.

Ashe had no doubt pulled a face at our silliness she was only ever content when she was making headway with her quest. Although we had slowed the group down a little I still didn't regret it, it had been good to see Vaan and Penelo enjoying themselves.

"Don't worry, we aren't planning on a round two anytime soon." I muttered as he turned away from us.

"Good to know." He said over his shoulder. He made his way over to Fran who had taken over Penelo's cooking duties.

After we had eaten and agreed on the watch shifts we rolled out our fur lined sleeping bags and settled down for the night. The fire still burned but it had dwindled in size and strength. I watched as it cast playful shadows on the moss coated cavern walls whilst waiting for sleep to claim me.


In my sleep Belias came forward. I was quite alarmed by his presence at first as he had always remained silent and lurking only offering the odd malicious chuckle now and then. Since I had defeated him there had been no snide sniggers ringing through my mind.

I seek your forgiveness... master. He said the last word hesitantly as if unsure whether he liked the sound of it.

"Oh? If you feel such regret than why did you put up such a fight in the first place?" I failed at keeping the annoyance out of my tone.

When I had been overcome by your group at the crypt, noted did I that one of you Humes bore the royal bloodline. I had been sure she had come to claim my strength as her own.

"But instead you got stuck with me... I see, it was Ashe you wanted to be bound to." I could understand his disappointment but seems as I was travelling with the crowned head he would still be able to serve her through me.

There be a other cause. As we were bound our memories were interchanged... yours be memories most strange.

"Strange, how?" I suddenly felt nerves rising up in my stomach. I wasn't keen that someone had found out the truth about me.

They are memories of a different place, memories of a world similar to this. I understand them not.

"Perhaps they're dreams. I lost my memory when I woke up in the desert."

Liar! He roared making my heart spasm. Even under my control he was still menacing and I wasn't keen to rile him further. Deceived I will not be by the excuses and half-truths you spin to those you travel with. Your memories be bizarre and of a different plain and you fear the others knowing of them. A true warrior is open in spirit, mind and heart, you were neither of these things and I was blighted by that as the gods bound us.

"So you know all about me.." I guess it was somewhat of a relief that someone knew of my lies yet it still didn't ease the guilt I felt every time I spoke of my supposed amnesia. "Well, this is a good thing for you, Belias, because I'm sure when I do go back to my realm I doubt you'll be able to come with me. You could return to Raithwall or go onto to serve a more deserving master."

That will not be the way of it. I will remain at your side until death breaks our bonds.

"If that's the case you better start obeying me, or would you prefer a rematch?"

That dark cackle rumbled through my mind like distant thunder before he said,

I would not. Being defeated by the likes of you is not something I wish to repeat. You are a conundrum, girl though I am glad to say I find you spirit admirable.

"That's good to know. So you're going to start doing as I ask?"

Aye, though I bade that you tell the others of your secrets, that you are not as they are.

"In time." Was all I promised him.

As you wish, master. With that his deep voice faded as he returned back to the depths of my mind to lay in wait.

I was awoken by someone gently shaking my shoulder. I blinked a few times to become accustom to the fire's dim glow. Basch was knelt by my side. I groaned. Was it time for our watch shift already? It only felt as if I had been asleep for five minutes. I hauled myself up from my sleeping bag and followed Basch to the mouth of the cavern. My clothes were still somewhat damp from the events of this afternoon. With no fur or dry cloth to keep the chill at bay I was soon beginning to shiver. I attempted to ignore the cold nipping at my skin and futilely rubbed my bare arms in hope to warm them. Vaan and Balthier picked up their weapons and bid us goodnight before venturing further into the cavern.

I sighed and slumped down onto a nearby rock, my spear loosely gripped in my hands. I peered out at the night sky, it was still raining and the moonlight was chocked by thick clouds. I returned my attention back to my numb limbs and began yet again trying to warm them. Suddenly something was placed over my shuddering shoulders. A blanket. I looked up to see Basch.

"Thanks."

"Although it were mere child's play, I understand why you did it." He said, ignoring my gratitude. I tugged the blanket further around my form. He moved to sit at my side.

"They're just kids it shouldn't always be one serious subject after another for them to deal with." I shrugged. "Even Ashe is too young to have to be faced with all that she has."

"And that is why I guard her so."

"I think she finally sees that. I think she trusts you now."

"I pray that is so." He said solemnly.

"I'm sure of it. She holds herself differently around you now, she isn't as rigid." It was true, since our stay at Rabanastre she seemed somewhat more relaxed around him as if she finally saw that all he wanted to do was fight for her. He believed in her quest just as much as she did, every time he raised his sword in battle it was for her sake. She was fortunate to have someone with such dedication.

"So, how much further to the Garif's village?" I said after a long pause. I found that the easiest way to get him talking would be to discuss our journey ahead. I often enjoyed these conversations with him and as of this moment I was in need of some sort of distraction from my shivering limbs and tired eyes.

"'Tis a fair distance off still. I imagine we will reach it in a matter of days."

"And we'll still have time to train, right?"

"Aye, though I did note of the Giga's power in your attacks today. You are quite powerful now."

"He's finally seeing me as his master."

"Good."

Our conversation slowly dwindled and with it died my attempts to stay awake. I gave in to the heavy pull of my eyelids and allowed myself to drift off for a few moments of rest.


Basch felt the girl's form slump against his side. He turned his head and peered down at her. She was deep in sleep. A section of hair had flopped forward and masked part of her face. As if acting on instinct alone he reached out and carefully swept the strands back behind her ear, his fingertips brushed against the soft skin of her cheek as he did so. He paused, his mind finally functioning now. It quickly cursed him for being so bold yet his hand hovered at her cheek as if wishing to repeat the action. Although perplexed by this sudden want he quickly quelled it and dropped his hand. Just where had that come from?


Morning brought with it a pale sun shrouded by wispy clouds, it offered us very little warmth. Luckily, by now my garments had fully dried and with the oil-skin coat on there was no way today I was wishing to get wet. We slogged on along the marshlands only stopping few and far between for a chance to rest our legs and drink water.

When we finally set up camp for the night the stormy sky decided to rain upon us with all its might. With no cavern or cave to take shelter in tonight we all raced to build the tents. No fire could be lit and so we ate a cold meal of vegetables and bread. With the watch shifts once more decided everyone retreated to the comfort of their tents. There were three in total in which two tents would be occupied by two pairs whilst the first group stood watch. The person who was having the night off had a tent to themselves so that they wouldn't be disturbed.

Tonight, I had been paired with Penelo and we were on first watch. We were perched under a stretch of tarp that had been attached to the low branches of two trees, producing a makeshift roof. The water drummed heavily on the waxy material and every once in a while I would use the pole of my spear to push off the water that was pooling in the tarp's centre so that it wouldn't burst the material. Penelo watched the tent nearest to us, a lantern was casting shadows of Balthier and Fran as they sat and chatted.

"Do you think Balthier and Fran are lovers?" She asked me in a hushed voice, probably out of fear that the Viera's keen ears would hear her question.

"Where did that come from?" I snorted, amused by her question.

It was obvious she had given it a considerable amount of thought as she had been silent for well over half an hour. However, it was an interesting subject as I had often pondered the same thing whilst we were tirelessly walking along to whatever destination Ashe had appointed us. They were a peculiar pair.

"I don't know.. I just can't seem to figure them out. Their relationship is most strange. So what do you think?"

I shrugged before answering,

"They're probably lovers."

"Really?" Penelo cocked her head before returning her gaze back to the tent.

"Yeah. I think they're not typical lovers because they're not both Humes. Fran doesn't seem the touchy,feely type. I read that the Viera display their emotions in a different, less obvious way to us."

"Well, what about Balthier? He's always chasing skirts."

Another snort of laughter rose from my throat. She did have a point I had clocked him a few times when we'd been in Rabanastre eyeballing other women.

"He has a reputation of womanizing and debauchery to uphold."

"So it's all an act?" Penelo mused.

"Maybe. Or maybe he just likes chasing skirts!" I chuckled. If they were indeed an item I doubt Fran would ever worry too much about him straying. As much as Balthier claimed he was the leading man I was certain if Fran told him to jump he'd ask her how high.

"Go on then." Penelo said after her giggling had subsided "If you had to chase any of them three, which would it be?" She was obviously referring to our three male companions.

"What's brought this on?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Curiosity." She smiled.

"Hmmm..." I mulled the matter over for a few minutes. None of them were my ideal partner Vaan was too young, Basch was too serious and the less said about Balthier, the better. Yet for the sakes of light-hearted banter I decided to give her an answer. "Probably Basch." I shrugged. I suppose he did seem like the sensible choice.

"The Captain?" Penelo gasped a little too loudly. She clapped a hand over her own mouth when she realised the volume of her voice.

"What's wrong with that?"

"I would have thought Balthier. You two are always exchanging banter."

"Which is normally about me threatening to inflict pain on him." I reminded her. "And besides it's only hypothetical, remember?"

"Oh right.. so why him?"

I thought through my excuses, which were mainly because he was the only one of them I could stand to spend long periods of time with, the other two would just drive me mad. Besides, he wasn't that bad a choice.

"Well he's a military man so duty comes first and it would be a challenge to convince him otherwise. And sure he's older but with age comes experience, so when I have finally 'caught' him-" I suddenly realized not only just what I was insinuating but just who I was mentioning it to- a wide-eyed and blushing Penelo. "I think I'll stop there."

"What? Why?" Penelo blinked, the disappointment in her tone was not hard to miss.

"Because I just remember how old you are." I said reaching for the water flask.

I know Penelo was sixteen and by her age I had had quite a few encounters with boys yet it did seem perhaps a bit too much to be discussing such a topic with her. Sure she was smart but that didn't mean there weren't some areas of life in which she was naïve in.

"Oh come on Edie, it's nice not being treated like the baby of the group for once." She mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yeah, well the last bits pretty self explanatory." I concluded, taking a gulp of water. To be honest I wasn't sure I was keen on this hypothetical game of chase anymore.

"Don't you want to know who I'd chase?" She said after a pause.

"I think I already know the answer to that one, Penelo." I smirked.

"It's Balthier." She state matter-of-factly. I suddenly remembered when we had been in the Aerodrome and Penelo had given him his handkerchief back she had been blushing. Poor Penelo was a sucker for the sky-pirate's gentlemanly act. I rolled my eyes.

"What? You think my choice silly?"

"It isn't Balthier you're after. It's Vaan."

"He's merely my friend."

"You'd be surprised how easily that can change." I took another swig from the flask.