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THE THIRD GUARDIAN
Chapter 36
Showered, shaved and dressed, Auron entered the bedroom to find that the inn's staff had completely cleaned the room and had evened freshened and brushed his great red coat.
Jecht, sitting in one of the room's two chairs, observed, "Well, ya sure look better."
"Mm."
"Ready to eat?"
After making a quick status check, Auron nodded, "Yes."
"Gimme a few minutes. Be right back."
After Jecht left, two of the inn's staff returned briefly to clean and put the bathroom in order then, with polite smiles, left and closed the door.
Alone in the quiet of the room, Auron's eye fell on the empty sake jug still sitting on the table. He picked it up and shook it; couldn't be more than a teaspoon left in the bottom. Must be someplace nearby where he could get it refilled.
Eyes narrowed just a bit as he looked at the stone jug, he asked himself, 'Well, did you learn anything from this?'
That corner of his mouth twitched as he snorted at himself, 'Hmph! Inebriated or not, you still talk to yourself.'
Then his thoughts turned serious as he contemplated his original question: had he learned anything?
Yes.
He knew that the course of his immediate future had been determined nearly a year ago with his acceptance of Lord Braska's request to become his Guardian. A lot of things may have changed since that time but it was far too late to change the fact that he had taken an oath. That obligation had to be met first; then - and only then - could he have the luxury of thinking about any future beyond it, assuming he had one. Until that time, he had a job to do and he would do it.
Accept it.
'Hmph. Had to empty a whole jug of sake to figure that out?'
Though he hadn't fully articulated it to himself, Auron was accepting that he would share the same fate as those in the only other successful Pilgrimages in Spira's history - High Summoner Gandof and his Guardians, High Summoner Ohalland and his Guardians, and High Summoner Yocun and her Guardians.
It had been close to a hundred years since the last one.
Soon it would be High Summoner Braska and his Guardians.
He could almost see his dreams disintegrating in an array of pyreflies. His life would end after a short twenty-five years - and will have been mostly meaningless. All the things he wanted to help change in Spira would fall to someone else. Maybe Commander Collin, or even Mikel.
He and Raiel would never have the home and family they both wanted. As the image of a little girl's face floated past his mind's eye, he ground his teeth together and his hands knotted into fists at his side.
Accept it.
Accept it.
Accept it.
Accept it.
Accept it.
From that moment, Auron changed.
Saved from further thinking by Jecht's return, he put on his coat and attached the empty jug to the right side of his belt.
Hands on hips, Jecht's eyebrows were raised as he asked, "Ya gonna refill that?"
Auron looked at him for a beat. "It's pointless to carry an empty jug."
Jecht took quick note of the curt tone and distant, closed expression on Red's face. "If ya say so."
"I do."
As they left the room and walked toward the lobby, Auron asked, "What were those tonics you mixed this morning?"
Jecht growled a short chuckle, "I dunno."
Auron stopped short and gave the brown-haired man a hard, piercing look. "You don't know?"
The other Guardian shrugged, both hands out and open, "Hey, they didn't have the stuff I used back home. It was some herbs and potions the guy in the shop said were good. Was the best I could do."
After a moment, the taller Guardian grunted and continued down the hall.
They had just entered the lobby when Raiel walked through the double glass doors with Lord Braska and Mikel right behind her.
She looked at him, paused a second then walked straight to her mate and wrapped her arms tightly around his midsection, so relieved to see him back to normal and grateful to feel the comfort and strength of his arms around her again.
After a few moments, she loosed her hold on him and stepped back with furrowed brows. She studied his eyes a moment as she directed an unhappy glare at him before cuffing him soundly on one large bicep. Then she quickly clasped him to her again with all her might.
Holding her closely, inhaling her sweet fragrance, Auron closed his eyes.
Accept it.
Accept it.
Jecht's stomach chose that moment to loudly inform anyone within twenty feet that it had been terribly ignored and was quite unhappy about it.
Mikel laughed, "Didn't you get enough at lunch, Jecht?"
The blitzer growled, "Didn't get lunch."
It was no secret that Jecht liked to eat whenever there was food available so Raiel was a bit surprised and asked, "Why not?"
Auron mentally braced himself.
"'Cause I been sittin' on the bathroom floor with Red all day."
Raiel's mouth dropped open slightly, "Sitting - ?" She looked from one to the other before zeroing in on her mate again.
Auron could feel his face begin to flush slightly under her scrutiny. Then, shaking her head a little, she cuffed him again. Same spot. He winced slightly as his lip twitched upward, 'She's stronger than she looks.'
A smiling Braska rescued him by saying, "I think we all could use a good meal. Suggestions?"
It was decided that they would try an establishment a little farther down the plaza, so they left the inn, Raiel's right hand firmly clasped in Auron's left one as they walked. She glanced up into the beautiful, dark eyes that flicked to hers and her face softened, causing that corner of his mouth to lift slightly.
There was something slightly different about him but she wasn't sure what. So softly that only his ears could hear, she asked, "Are you all right?"
He responded quietly, "Yes."
She returned her eyes to the front as a tiny frown returned and muttered, "You better be!"
His face softened and the grip on her hand tightened. Raiel winced and said, "That's my sword hand, Auron."
"Sorry." The grip relaxed a little but the hand was still firmly wrapped in his.
In the restaurant, they were seated and perused the menus handed to them. Selections made and orders placed, Jecht asked the other three, "So what did ya do today?"
Mikel recounted Raiel's morning with the Unit, laughing as he described how she so unexpectedly put him on his butt in the dirt - again, and Braska's blue eyes twinkled as he enjoyed relating his afternoon with them and of Ifrit's unprecedented offer.
Mikel's face reflected the same awe it showed when the magnificent Aeon appeared earlier. "Words just fail me. I cannot begin to describe it -"
Raiel smiled softly at his wonder and said quietly, "They are staggeringly awesome, Mikel. The four of us have seen them many times but I don't think even we could adequately describe them."
Looking down at the table, Mikel said in a very soft voice, "I will never forget that."
Their food was served as the conversation of his companions ebbed and flowed around Auron who was quieter than usual, saying little or nothing, but following everything. To his relief, his stomach welcomed the food and accepted it without objection.
Across the table, his eyes met Jecht's appraising look and he nodded his head almost imperceptibly. A faint trace of a smile passed over the other Guardian's lips as the tiny nod was returned.
The barely noticeable exchange did not escape the ever-observant eyes of the Summoner who was telling his tales with relish. Though he wasn't the truly gifted story-teller that Rin was, he definitely had a knack for it and his enthusiasm was decidedly charming.
As they were finishing the last of their coffee after the meal, Auron asked, "What of the morrow, Lord Braska?"
Braska leaned back in his chair with a sigh as he examined the top of the table while he thought. Then looking at his lead Guardian, he asked, "How are you feeling?"
A slight flush on his cheeks giving away his sense of embarrassment, Auron answered, "I'm well, my lord."
The Summoner's eyes stayed on the Guardian another moment before quietly saying almost to himself, "I find myself reluctant to leave Bevelle."
Taking a deep breath, he continued more strongly, "I would like to have one more day before we go to the temple. It is said that the Cloister of Trials is particularly difficult and Bahamut can be - trying, as well. So, tomorrow we prepare ourselves, the next morning we go to the temple. Afterward, we rest, say our farewells and leave the following morning."
Elbow on the armrest, chin resting on his thumb, Mikel had sat back in his chair watching the faces of the Guardians whose attention was focused on the Summoner as he spoke. They each nodded their understanding when he finished, exchanging a quick look with each other.
Farewells. That would be the truly difficult part.
Leaving the restaurant, they went through the now-familiar security precautions before descending to the first level to pay a visit to Collin. Warmly welcomed, they joined the group of former SS Unit members around the long table as everyone talked.
Told of Braska's plans, Collin said, "Then tomorrow evening we must all gather here once more for a good meal before our duties - separate us." His blue-green eyes met those of his sister, lingering on her as the muscles of his jaw tightened into visible knots.
Swallowing, he inhaled and forced himself into a more relaxed appearance. Raiel's face softened and, reaching for his hand, she sent her brother a gentle smile that said, "I love you, too, big brother."
Collin saw that her left hand was secured in her mate's large right hand. Auron hadn't let go since they had arrived and he seemed more quiet than was normal even for him. Something seemed to be different about him, something subtle - almost subliminal - and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
His eyes moved to Jecht who, as always seemed to be the case, was in the midst of a heartily laughing group off to the side that was being regaled by the Guardian's fantastic stories and engaging personality. However, even as he watched, Jecht's eyes glanced toward the other members of his party who were at the table. Just checking on them.
He had noticed that same quick periodic little check by each member of the party on the others. They were so accustomed to watching out for each other that it was automatic even in a secure social setting.
He looked at Mikel. He too seemed to be just quietly observing the Summoner's party, his gray eyes thoughtful as Braska and Raiel entertained the large group at the table with stories and anecdotes.
Auron's attention seemed to be locked in on his mate, his eyes rarely leaving her. The tall Guardian's face was unreadable but, had anyone been able to detect it, there was a racing undercurrent of strong emotion deep in his dark eyes. He wasn't going to miss even one second of the time he had left with her.
He looked down at the small hand he held in his as his thumb gently traced an abstract circle on the back of her hand. The small gold band he had given to her seemed to glow in the soft light, as did the dainty gold bracelet around her wrist.
His teeth clamped together.
Accept it.
The evening ended fairly early as Mikel and the Summoner's party took their leave and returned to the inn.
Just outside the inn's door, Braska asked, "Will you join us for breakfast in the morning, Mikel?"
The CO smiled and replied, "If my schedule is still clear, wild chocobos couldn't keep me away, Lord Braska. And I thank you. It's most fortunate for me that your visit to Bevelle has coincided with a lull in our training and operations. I would have hated to miss this time with you."
Taking his leave, Mikel shook hands with Jecht, Auron and Lord Braska and gave Raiel a hug and a kiss on the cheek before his long stride carried him to the closest upward stairs.
Braska's party entered the inn and walked down the hall to their rooms. As Braska opened his door, he turned and asked, "Auron, may I have a moment, please?"
"Of course, my lord."
Raiel and Jecht exchanged a quick look as the tallest Guardian followed the Summoner into his room.
Raiel stood with her hand on the knob of her room door, her concerned eyes on the door that had closed behind her mate.
Jecht growled softly, "It's okay, little girl. Sleep tight."
She nodded with a quiet, slightly distracted, "Good night, Jecht."
But just as the brown-haired Guardian was about to enter his room, she called out softly, "Jecht?"
He turned and she crossed the hall quickly and wrapped both arms around his muscled athlete's torso, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, Jecht. I'm so glad you were here to take care of him today. I wouldn't have known what to do."
Big arms encircling her, his deep rasp responded softly, "It's nothin', Raiel. Red sure helped me out when I needed it. Was the least I could do."
She nodded and stepped back with a slightly tremulous smile. "But - thank you, anyway, Jecht. I love you."
He grinned and growled, "I love ya, too, little girl. Go to sleep now. Everything's okay."
She nodded and entered her room, closing the door quietly behind her. Standing in the darkness for a moment, she sighed then turned on one of the small bedside table lamps. The low lighting gave the room a pleasant ambiance that was comforting and relaxing.
She gathered a few things from her smallpack and went to get a shower. Auron should be back soon.
Braska turned on the reading lamp on the small table between the two chairs in his room and gestured to one of them as he sat in the other. "Have a seat, Auron."
The Guardian nodded and hesitated only a second before sitting as requested. He wasn't looking forward to this but the Summoner had every right to be highly displeased with him so he would quietly accept the coming lecture as his due for his poor behavior.
Braska just studied the face of his Guardian for several moments before he said, "You've been very quiet, Auron. Are you sure you're feeling well?"
Auron turned his dark eyes to meet the Summoner's blue ones. "Yes, my lord. I am quite - recovered."
The coffee-colored eyes dropped to the carpet for an instant before he continued, "I'm most apologetic for my - behavior, Lord Braska. It was inexcusable and I deeply regret inconveniencing you. I'm embarrassed and can promise you there will be no such occurrence in the future."
Braska was quiet for another moment before a patented, kind Braska-smile took up residence on his lips. "Auron, I'm not concerned about your evening with the jug. Almost every young man has suffered similarly at least once in his early adulthood. Even I - and it isn't something I would ever want to experience again."
He sighed as his pleasant face turned serious. "What concerns me, my young friend, are the thoughts or feelings that warranted that much alcohol. Will you talk to me about it?"
Auron's face was conflicted as he studied the carpet for a long moment. Braska deserved an answer but he wasn't sure what to say.
Finally, his honest nature came to the fore and his quiet baritone responded, "I had doubts, Lord Braska. Up to this point, I have been so caught up in our day-to-day living and requirements that somehow the - reality - of Zanarkand really hadn't sunk in."
"Things were so different at first. Since that time, I have become aware of so many things that I would like to accomplish. And Raiel - we've talked so much about the home we'd like to have, our children. I even had a - vision of them."
He paused, then took a deep breath. "So much has changed since I took that oath - when I hadn't really considered - dying - at the end of this journey."
Turning his head to look at the Summoner, Auron said, "But I have accepted the facts, Lord Braska. I swore an oath and it will be kept. I will serve you to the very best of my ability."
Braska had quietly watched Auron's face as he listened to the Guardian's low voice release the inner conflict that had so badly thrown him off stride.
Braska nodded. At times during this journey, he had wondered privately if he had inadvertently taken unfair advantage of the young man's mental and emotional state at the time he had made the request for his services as Guardian. At the time, it had seemed a logical solution to Auron suddenly being cut adrift and left rudderless in the stormy cross-currents of the sea of his life.
Later he had keenly felt that he had been wrong to make the request. He was almost fourteen years older than Auron and well-remembered his own hopes and great dreams that came into focus around the time he reached twenty-five.
Auron sat silently, waiting for Braska to speak.
At length, the Summoner spoke. "Auron, I have had many doubts since I made the decision to make this journey. Occasionally, they still drift in like so many clouds in the sky. But, also like those clouds, they always pass by. I know that this is my destiny whether I succeed or fail. It was meant to be."
He looked at the young man seated to his right. "As for you, I have often been troubled by the timing of my request for your services as Guardian. Had I thought more deeply about it, I would have realized that you needed more time to think and to have opportunity to reorganize your life. But I didn't - and I deeply apologize to you for my carelessness and thoughtlessness."
"I have also been greatly troubled by the prospect of - losing - the three of you. Of course, we don't know just what to expect in Zanarkand, but as soon as I obtain the Final Aeon, I am releasing all of you and want you to leave before the last battle begins. The fight will be between the Aeon and Sin anyway so there is certainly no need for any of you to be present."
He paused a brief moment then said softly, "In fact, I would much prefer it if none of you were there when - the Aeon is summoned."
Blue eyes were sharply intent and serious as Braska looked straight into his Guardian's eyes. "Auron, those are my orders that I give to you now."
As Auron started to protest, Braska held up a hand and interrupted, "I want no objections or disregard of my instructions. I freely give my life to release this land from suffering, death and grief, but my greatest desire is that my daughter and the three of you live long, very happy lives in peace."
"I will ask you now to give me your solemn promise to obey my wishes on this. Will you swear to that?"
Auron knew he couldn't refuse but to make that promise would make him feel as if he was abandoning the Summoner at his most crucial moment and it was grating across the very fabric of his being.
Braska watched the struggle play across the handsome face of his Guardian. Auron finally shook his head slightly, "Lord Braska, I can't leave - "
Braska interrupted. "Auron, that is the way I want it. I insist upon it. Will you give me your word that you will honor those wishes?"
Still fighting with himself, the black-haired young man most reluctantly spoke in a voice that was barely audible, "I swear to it and give you my promise to obey your orders, Lord Braska."
"Thank you, Auron; now I can rest easy. I'll tell the others in the morning. Now. I've kept you long enough. Go to your very beautiful mate; you shouldn't keep her waiting."
Clearly the Guardian was unhappy with the promise he had made but Braska knew that when Auron gave his word he would never break it.
Auron stood and looked at the Summoner's relaxed, calm face with its gentle smile. "Good night, my lord."
"Good night, Auron. Sleep well."
His hand on the doorknob, Auron paused and turned, saying, "Lord Braska, if you change your mind -"
"I won't, Auron. But thank you. I'll be very happy in knowing that the three of you will be able to continue with your lives, that you and Raiel will have that home and those beautiful children."
Nodding, he continued softly, "Yes, I'll be very happy taking that knowledge with me to the Farplane. Now go. Raiel is undoubtedly worrying and I sure don't want her mad at me for delaying you."
The Guardian's quiet baritone whispered, "Good night, my lord," and he left.
Standing in the silent hall for long, long moments, Auron turned Braska's words over and over in his mind. On one hand, the promise returned to him all he thought he had lost, his entire future. However, on the other, he was having a hard time reconciling himself with the idea of leaving the Summoner before that last Aeon was summoned.
In his mind, an obligation as Guardian didn't end until the Summoner's life did. Yes, the actual battle would be fought by the Final Aeon, but still - leaving Braska alone in the last minutes of his life just seemed wrong.
He sighed and closed his eyes momentarily, then opened the door to his room.
Raiel had been sitting on one of the chairs situated across the room from the door. As soon as Auron opened the door, she got up and quickly walked to him and into the arms that encircled her.
She was barefooted and without her boots on, she seemed even smaller to him. Looking down into her worried, upturned face, he whispered, "I love you, Raiel."
"I love you, Auron. Is everything alright?"
He nodded and led her toward the chair she had just vacated. Sitting, he pulled her into his lap, holding her, the side of his cheek resting against the top of her head.
He wasn't sure if he was supposed to say anything about Braska's plan or not. The Summoner hadn't said it was in confidence.
His silence troubled Raiel and she looked up at him and asked again, "Are you sure you're all right? Is Lord Braska angry?"
"Yes, I'm fine, my love. And Lord Braska is not angry. He wanted to know why - I - drank so much last night."
"And?"
"I told him."
"Will you tell me?"
After a moment he told her everything that had taken him to that point.
Gently touching the side of his face, she said, "I'm so sorry you went through that, Auron. I do wish you had talked to me about it though. We always knew - or I thought we did - that these months on the road before Zanarkand are all we'd really have. I want more but if that's all I can have with you, then I'll take it. That's better than not having known you and loved you. And after we get to the Farplane, nothing can ever separate us."
His arms tightened.
"Auron, - I need to breathe."
"Sorry."
He was quiet while he thought.
Raiel said softly, "There's something else, isn't there?"
His deep voice soft and quiet, he told her of Braska's orders.
"But, Auron, we can't leave him, not to die alone!"
"I know, my love, but that's what he wants. He said he insisted on it. He said he'll tell you and Jecht in the morning."
Raiel suddenly sat up. "Jecht?"
He was momentarily startled by her sudden move until he realized the cause. Jecht still didn't know.
"Auron, I have to go talk to him. He can't be hit with all this at one time in the morning. That just wouldn't be right." As she talked, she was untangling herself from his arms, trying to get out of his lap.
She was heading toward the door when Auron said, "Raiel, wait!"
"I can't, Auron. I have to tell him."
"Raiel, you need to get dressed."
Stopping, she looked down at the short white sleep shirt she was wearing. "Oh."
Then looking at her mate she said, "It's not like he hasn't seen it before, Auron. When he and I had to share a room, remember?"
Eyebrow arched high, Auron replied dryly, "I wasn't present so I don't know what he did or did not see."
Shooting him a look as she began pulling on her long pants, she said, "Oh, fuddy-duddy, Auron. You sound like an old Yevonite nun!"
In spite of himself, Auron had to smile. Knowing both of them, he knew there had been no impropriety.
Then he said, "I'll go with you. We can tell him together."
Raiel stopped as she thought, then said softly, "Auron, I really think it'll be better coming from me. He won't have to hide his feelings. I'll do it."
"Hide his feelings?"
"Yeah. Men don't want their feelings to show in front of other men."
Auron just stood there, puzzling over her comment.
Leaving the white shirt untucked, she said, "I'll be back in a while. Don't know how long this will take." She left and padded across the hall to Jecht's door but stood there a few minutes as she tried to marshal her thoughts and to steel herself for what she had to do. How to tell him?
Taking a deep breath, Raiel softly tapped on the door. After a moment, Jecht opened the door a crack, then seeing who it was, he opened it fully.
"Raiel? What's wrong, little girl? Red okay?"
"He's fine, Jecht. I - we - may I come in for a few minutes?"
"Yeah. Ya sure you're alright?" He recognized the sleep shirt and knew that she had been ready for bed so something big must have come up.
Raiel sat in one chair and Jecht took the other one, his worried brown eyes fastened on her solemn face, trying to brace himself for the bad news he sensed coming. Had Lord Braska released Red from being a Guardian? What?
Raiel finally took a deep breath. "Jecht, you know that when you use magic it uses your personal energy, your life force."
He nodded, his forehead wrinkled. Why is she telling him something he already knew?
"Well, it's the same thing when a Summoner summons an Aeon."
Jecht nodded, growing uneasy.
"And each Aeon is stronger than the one before it. The Summoner has to build up strength to be able to summon them and to be strong enough to join life forces to gain the next Aeon."
She looked down at the carpet, dreading what she had to say.
She took a deep breath and looked into brown eyes that were trying to not be frightened.
"Jecht, the Final Aeon - it - the Final Aeon is the biggest, the most powerful. Incredibly powerful. It is the one that fights and defeats Sin. When - "
She had to stop a moment and take another breath. Jecht's hands had formed into fists as he understood where she was going with this.
"Jecht, summoning that last Aeon takes - so much energy, so much life force, that - the Summoner - "
She bit her lip trying to forestall the tears that fought to be released.
Her voice was a whisper, " - dies."
Jecht's eyes were squeezed tight, his face in a rigid grimace as he struggled with the emotion roiling within him. He was laboring to breathe. He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs, he wanted to pound something into powder, he wanted to rip something to shreds, he wanted - he wanted to cry.
With tears streaming down her face, Raiel reached across the small table taking one balled up fist in her hands. "I'm so sorry that I had to tell you, Jecht. We didn't want to. It's too terrible to have to tell anyone - but you had to know. I - had to tell you."
Unable to remain seated, Jecht jumped up from his chair and strode rapidly back and forth in the limited floor area available in the room. Groans of agonizing pain clawing their way through his throat, every muscle taut with tension, lungs raggedly fighting for air, huge fists aching to smash something.
Raiel sat watching his anguish, her tears unabated, feeling powerless to help him.
A long time passed before his pace began to slacken and he finally came to a stop, hands hanging limply at his side, as the first sobs began to force their way out of his chest.
Raiel stood and went to him, enclosing his broad chest in her arms, doing her best to comfort him and ease the unspeakable pain he was feeling. They simply stood holding each other, crying until it was impossible to cry any more, every tear having been wrung out.
At last Raiel went into the bathroom and wet two cloths under the cold tap - one for Jecht, one for herself. The chill of the cloth felt good on their hot, red faces and swollen eyes.
Jecht finally sat on the edge of a chair, forearms on his knees, hands dangling listlessly as he stared at the far wall. His throat felt as if it had been scraped raw and his voice was markedly more raspy than normal as he asked softly, "Ain't there some other way? Can't we do somethin'?"
Raiel shook her head. "There is no other way, Jecht. There have only been three successful Pilgrimages in the entire history of Spira - and no one has ever returned from one of them."
Jecht's reddened eyes looked at her. "No one?"
Again she shook her head.
"So nobody really knows what happens in Zanarkand?"
"No. It is regarded as a holy place and only Summoners' parties go there. We only know about the - Final Aeon."
Jecht studied the carpet again. "There's gotta be another way! People go up there an' - an' die defeatin' Sin an' it comes right back. Somethin' ain't right! Seems like somebody woulda figured out a way to get rid of it once an' for all."
He was quiet as he thought, then said, "Somethin' is odd about that Sin thing. I accidentally came in contact with it when I was trainin' at sea an' wound up here. So how does it go back an' forth between the time zones? Why does it go there then come back here? What makes it get quiet for a while after being defeated? But it's like it's not really defeated at all. Sorta like it's usin' that Final Aeon to restore itself somehow."
He thought some more before saying very quietly, "I wonder if I touched it again if I could get back to my Zanarkand."
"I don't know, Jecht. I don't know much about any of that. Maybe the priests would. I've never heard Lord Braska talk about it except that he wants to defeat it. He - has a plan for the three of us and he wants to tell us in the morning. That's why I had to come tell you this tonight. I wanted you to have time in private to come to terms with it."
"What kinda plan?"
"He has given orders to Auron - about what he wants us to do after he obtains the Final Aeon. He wants to protect us - I'd better let him tell it in the morning."
"Was he mad at Red?"
"No." She smiled. "I don't think it's possible for Lord Braska to get mad at Auron."
She looked at her friend, "Are you all right, Jecht?"
He sighed deeply. "Yeah. I guess so. That was a hard thing to hear - but I'm glad ya were the one to tell me. Thanks, Raiel. I know it wasn't easy for ya."
"I hated so bad to have to tell you."
They sat quietly for a while, each one's thoughts on the man they had come to love so much, then Jecht said, "I can't believe all the stupid things I said. A parade for Braska! Biiig celebration when we get back!" A low, guttural growl gave voice to his revulsion for himself.
"You didn't know, Jecht. Lord Braska wasn't offended because he understood. He's always loved hearing you tell stories about your city. Zanarkand fascinates him."
She was quiet another moment before saying gently, "Jecht, he made his decision with full knowledge long ago. How he has remained so good-natured and pleasant all this time amazes me. Every step we've made has taken him that much closer to his - end. And now the three of us have to maintain things as we always have; he'll depend on us to do that. We can't fail him now."
Jecht slowly nodded as he studied the pattern of the wallpaper. After a time, he turned to her and said, "It's real late, little girl. Ya need to get to bed. Thanks for - tellin' me. For helpin' me through it."
"I'm so sorry I had to do it, Jecht."
When she stood to go, he got up and wrapped his big arms around her and just held her close for a moment. "You're one special lady, Raiel, an' I sure love ya. Go get some sleep. I'll see ya in the mornin'."
"Good night, Jecht. You're sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. 'Night, Raiel."