Thanks for reviewing, bluebearsg! Glad you liked the chapter Oh, and a Merry Christmas to whoever happens to be reading!

Yeah, since it's Christmas, I decided to do a sort of Christmas-themed chapter today. It's up early because I'm taking a break over Christmas, but I'll be back for Sunday's update.

Gifts

703 OV, New Year's Day

It was not yet even eight hours into the new year, but Ashe fidgeted impatiently on the edge of her bed. It was not the anticipation of the presents she would receive to celebrate the occasion; she was fifteen now, and well accustomed to the gifts her father and the upper echelons of society would provide for her. Such things no longer held her interest.

No, the reason she always looked forward to New Year's Day was far simpler than that. Every year, the servants and nobles would abandon the palace, her father visiting her for the briefest of times in the morning before turning back to his royal duties. The only one who would remain with her was Vossler, thereby allowing her to spend the whole day with him – an occurrence that was quickly becoming more and more of a rarity as time moved on.

Ashe had known Vossler for over six years now, but she had never thought to ask him why it was that he remained at the palace over the holidays. She was merely content with the fact that there were some things that he'd rather not share, and she wasn't about to force him. The last thing she wanted was to drive him away at such a time.

In truth, Vossler would have told her, had she asked. She was old enough to understand the death of his family during the plague, and now there was a far baser reason why he chose to remain. He enjoyed spending time with her, and, as she herself had lamented, various other duties had reduced the time they spent in each other's company far more than they would have liked.

But it would not do to dwell on such things now. Who knew what the new year would bring? They had to make the most of the time they had. No surprise then, that, upon seeing the doorknob turn, Ashe sprung to her feet, ready to greet the man about to enter.

"Happy New Year!"

The two uttered the greeting simultaneously, stopping to smile at the other as they realised what had happened. Vossler entered the room, but, no sooner than he did so, the clock on the wall chimed eight. King Raminas would be arriving soon, bearing gifts and the usual New Years greetings for his only daughter.

Sure enough, the King appeared in the hallway, and met with Ashe. As per usual, Vossler stood at a respectful distance, managing only a brief acknowledgement as Ashe reminded her father to greet Vossler too. This was his sixth New Year with them, and he still wasn't comfortable with the King. But it was enough for both Raminas and his daughter, and the former soon left to attend to his tasks.

It had become something of a holiday tradition for Vossler and Ashe to spend the day in her favourite garden. Even in the winter, Dalmasca was warm enough during the day to sit outside with little fear of catching a chill. The hours after the sun had gone down were another matter altogether, and were hours best spent sat around the fire in Ashe's chambers, but for now the pair made their way through the empty corridors of the palace in companionable silence.

Upon reaching the garden and settling herself on the fountain, Ashe turned to her bodyguard.

"So... What did you get me this year?"

Vossler couldn't help but smile at her sudden enthusiasm. It was so very different to the detached nature she had held whilst unwrapping her other presents. He suspected she had long since seen her share of dresses and finery, and merely longed for something different, but he was flattered, nonetheless. Leaning closer to her, he said:

"Well, don't tell your father, but..."

He produced a neatly wrapped package from one of the myriad pouches on his belt, handing it to her. Suddenly curious, Ashe tore off the thin layers of wrapping paper, uncovering a thick leather-bound tome within. 'A Comprehensive Guide To Cure', read the cover, revealing the book's purpose as a grimoire of magick.

Ashe gave a barely contained squeak, throwing her arms around Vossler's neck. She had been begging her father to allow her to learn the ways of white magick for most of the year, but he had always declined. The issue had been the subject of many arguments, but she never would have thought that Vossler, of all people, would be the one to resolve it. There was just one thing missing...

"Thank you! But... I'm not even licensed yet."

"Look inside the front cover."

Doing so, Ashe found a folded piece of paper tucked into the inner cover of the book. Smoothing it out, she read. "This hereby certifies that one Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca is permitted to use level one white magicks, namely the spells Cure and Poisona." The official seal of the license office was stamped below the message, proving it's validity.

It had cost Vossler a good many hours and a fair amount of gil to find an office willing to license an as yet unproven mage. Even then, it had taken much haggling to convince the clerk that he could speak for another, though he had found that the princess's influence held a great deal of sway. Nonetheless, as he sat in that garden with said princess clinging to his neck, he knew it had all been worth it.

Breaking away rather abruptly, Ashe leapt from her perch on the fountain, suddenly inspired by some unknown thought. Vossler watched in bemusement as she struggled with the base of the water feature, eventually pulling free a drawer set into the stone.

"Here!" she said, pulling out a long package. "I got you something too!"

This was unheard of. A princess does not give gifts, only receives them. Truth be told, Ashe had always felt guilty whenever Vossler gave her a gift, whether it be her birthday or New Year's. She knew he had little money to spare (though of course, he'd never admit this), but he always had something for her. And yet, for all her wealth, she never had anything for him. She didn't even know when his birthday was.

So it was that she peered at him as he removed the wrapping paper. Would he like it? She was sure he would, but she couldn't stop the feelings of doubt in her mind. The pattern wasn't too feminine, was it? The smith had said it was a good job, but had he been lying to her? She didn't know anything about forging, it would have been easy to fool her.

She needn't have worried. The great-sword she had bought was indeed a good job, and Vossler could tell that from a glance. The patterning was elegant, but not too extravagant, and the twists in the metal would serve to strengthen the blade. It was the perfect weapon – handsome, but not so fine that he would not see it sullied in battle.

"Do you like it?"

Vossler looked up from his inspections to see Ashe's slightly worried face staring down at him. Before he could reply, she spoke again.

"Will you use it?"

"I shall never be without it," he answered with an awkward smile. He had always found it difficult to express gratitude, especially where a simple 'thank you' would not suffice. "What's its name?"

"Nightmare." Ashe said, relief slipping over her features. "A suitably fearsome name, don't you think?"