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THE THIRD GUARDIAN
Chapter 38
The eastern sky wasn't even showing the first hints of color when Raiel's sleep was broken by the gentle touch of firm, full lips nuzzling her own. She stirred and turned toward the owner of those lips as her hands found their way upward to first caress a rough, stubbly face before moving on to drift through the extraordinary silkiness of thick, coal-black hair.
A deep, sleep-husky voice rumbled softly, "Good morning."
She stretched as a sleepy smile came to life on her face. Her own low, sleep-laden voice responded, "Good morning, One-I-Love. You slept well?"
"Mm. That ground is going to feel awfully hard in contrast to this bed."
"How about cold spring water instead of a hot shower?"
"Umph. Could have done without that thought. We're getting soft."
She stretched and yawned. "Living like normal people will do that. But we'd better enjoy it while we can."
The head resting against hers nodded in agreement. "I should get up. I need a moment with Rin's contact this morning."
"Auron, the sun isn't even up. The shops won't be open yet."
The lips brushing her ear murmured, "Hm, true. What can we do while we're waiting on the rest of the world?"
A low laugh answered, "I don't know. Got a deck of cards?"
A low growl was followed quickly by a soft giggle and the conversation seemed to have ended.
Having enjoyed an excellent hot breakfast, the party lingered a bit over a last cup of coffee before setting out for third level above them. Though they had tremendously enjoyed being with others these last few days, it was nice for just the four of them to have a relaxed meal together.
Auron had already visited a certain merchant who had acknowledged a specific word with sharpened eyes and a slight nod of his head. Under his breath, Auron had said, "Tomorrow" and the merchant had responded quietly, "Understood." Auron's nod was nearly imperceptible as he turned and left the small shop.
Their meal paid for, they left The White Cloud and headed for the upward stairs, making their way through the milling crowds of people in the plaza who were out tending to business, shopping and other errands.
Raiel was thinking, 'If we do make it back, I sure hope Auron doesn't want to live in a city.'
Auron was thinking, 'Hmph. Too many people.'
Jecht was thinking, 'If we do make it back, I think I might find a place around here an' open a sports bar or somethin'. Down on that first level. The Blitz Bar - that sounds kinda nice. No. Jecht's Blitz Bar. Yeah.'
When they first entered the temple, Braska and his Guardians crossed an enormous, open lobby-like area that seemed to serve no other purpose than to impress visitors. Massive columns evenly spaced around the periphery supported a ceiling that soared probably sixty feet or more above a highly-polished stone floor, an immense symbol of Yevon inlaid in the center.
Separated by roughly fifty feet were four towering statues, each standing a good forty feet tall, of the only people to ever have defeated Sin: Yunalesca, Gandof, Ohalland and Yocun. The fine detailing and intricate carving could only have been done by master craftsmen.
Clusters of greenery in heavy stone planters were arranged around the base of each statue softening the harshness of so much stone work while adding an air of additional importance to each.
They walked through wide hallways on more of the costly, highly-polished stone. Spaced at intervals along the halls, hung to lay flat against the walls from gleaming gold rods with ornate finials on their ends were long, colorful banners displaying various Yevonite symbols in purples, golds, greens, reds, yellows and black.
Priests in robes of various color combinations that denoted their rank traversed the great hallways with affected mannerisms and facial expressions that bespoke of the magnitude of their importance. At least in their own minds.
Braska had stopped and stood for a few moments quietly observing with a small smile on his lips. A half-chuckle slipped out and he shook his head as he continued down the hallway surrounded by his Guardians.
A short distance down the hall, they saw someone diligently cleaning the floor. When Raiel drew near she was shocked to find herself looking into the face of a young man with whom she had danced a few nights earlier. One blue eye flashed a lightning-fast wink before refocusing on his work.
The Guardian kept walking as she grinned to herself. 'Collin, you sly fox!' She wondered how many other workers he had in this hallowed Yevonite shrine.
They ascended a wide sweeping staircase to an upper level and went through elaborate double doors into a large circular room topped by a peaked glass dome. Other than a couple of ornate chairs and few large feathery plants growing in pots situated here and there, there was nothing in the room
There were two other sets of double doors in the room. Through the set on their left could be seen one of the long flights of undulating stairs that led out to the ceremonial altar which rose high above the sea. They entered the doors to the right that opened into a long corridor whose stone floor was a soft yellow hue into which were sculpted large Yevonite emblems.
More designs and symbols decorated a long horizontal wall panel that stretched the length of the entire corridor that ended in a square balcony from which a set of seemingly endless spiraling stairs wound their way down to an unseen place far, far below.
The four looked at the stairs with dismay. How could anyone make it all the way down to wherever they led? Then Jecht spied a computer console on the wall next to the stairs. "Thought ya said they didn't allow machinery in Spira."
Braska looked at it with consternation. "I don't know what to say, Jecht. I've never seen anything like this."
Since almost everything in Zanarkand was run by computer, the brown-haired Guardian was thoroughly familiar with them and, after looking at it for a moment, began stabbing at keys with large index fingers.
Somewhere far below them, the sound of heavy machinery coming to life echoed up through the black void in the center of the spiral. A humming sound was heard as the risers of the steps began to fold, creating a smooth, downward spiraling track. Only a narrow, flattened section roughly six feet long remained near the top.
Jecht growled, "Get on that."
Auron's brow was furrowed. "You're sure?"
"Yeah. Come on."
A bit hesitantly, the other three crowded on just as the platform began its slide down the track into the black void.
Raiel squeaked and grabbed hold of the front of Auron's coat with both white-knuckled hands, her heart pounding. Though he was none too comfortable himself, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close during the long slide down into the depths of Spira.
Braska said nothing but he was most discomfited, not only in riding this contraption, but that it existed in the very seat of Yevon's power at all. Many questions flew through his mind on the quiet ride down.
Jecht, completely at ease, was fascinated by the entire setup, looking around with great interest. "Not bad," he decreed. "For a bunch that outlaws machinery, they got some pretty fancy stuff here. They know a whole lot more than they're lettin' on, I tell ya that!"
No one had a response. Auron and Braska because they could hardly believe that this actually existed right here in the temple and Raiel, face still buried in the front of Auron's coat, because she was busy reciting to herself every nursery rhyme, riddle and story she had ever heard. Anything to keep from thinking about where she was or the close proximity of that open edge beside her!
After riding around and around and around down the track, the moving platform finally deposited them on another landing that led to the next section. On either side of the entrance was a massive generator producing a blue energy field that created an impenetrable curtain across the opening. Beside one of generators was another computerized control panel.
Braska, Auron and Raiel looked at Jecht who walked over and studied it for a moment. Big fingers again punched keys. The generators shut down with a sigh and the energy field across the entrance disappeared, allowing them access to a walkway that led to a short flight of steps, then to a second walkway and finally - to the Cloister of Trials itself.
Raiel breathed a little easier. At least this walkway was wide, had waist-high sides and big blue lights at intervals on top of the sidewalls. Near the end of the walkway was a pedestal. Jecht grunted, "Well, here goes!" and he gave it a shove toward the walkway's circular end.
As soon as the pedestal hit the center of the circle, it disappeared in a flash of light and the place where it had vanished became a platform.
Raiel looked at Auron and he saw great misgivings in her eyes. "Don't be afraid. You'll be fine."
The four crowded themselves onto the platform - then the bottom suddenly dropped out, rocketing downward through what looked like the inside of a stone silo, Raiel's scream echoing again and again in their ears.
When the wild drop ended, things didn't improve. Now they found themselves on another moving platform that immediately dropped them with heart-stopping suddenness straight down a level, proceeded forward briefly, then dropped them again.
At this point, Auron was certain that he would need to purchase a new breastplate before leaving Bevelle because surely Raiel's fingers had dug holes all the way through this one and had curled up the edges.
He really wondered if she would be able to get through this. She was shaking, white-faced, breathing rapidly, and whispering raggedly, almost harshly, in Al Bhed. Braska wasn't sure but he thought it had something to do with 'sorry sadistic sons of sea-going biscuit-eaters' or something like that. He couldn't quite make it out.
They began to try to find their way through the maze of electric pathways. After they had made several of those petrifying drops to one of the lower level sections and had explored all of its areas, they stepped off on a circular stone area near where they had started.
Auron wanted to go back down the same way again.
"No, Auron. There's nothing else down there. We need to try these side paths."
"I think there's another path down there."
"It'll just bring you right back here."
"I still think there's an area we didn't cover."
"You go then. I'll wait for you right here. Then we can try one of the side paths."
"Hmph."
The three men rode down the same path and disappeared down the same drop-off.
Raiel waited, trying to catch her breath, trying to still the tremor in her limbs. She refused to look down into the dark depths of the void below her. This whole thing was nothing but an electrical field bordered by a few girders and never in her lifetime had she been so terrified. Except maybe on that icy walkway at Macalania temple. No, this was worse; Valefor couldn't help her here. Could she?
Shortly, she heard the approach of humming machinery bearing her three companions. She stood with feet slightly apart, arms crossed, trying to keep a smirk under control.
Auron's glowering dark eyes met hers and she bit her lower lip. This really wasn't the time to say "I told you so" - especially when his eyes were all but growling "Don't say a word!" She didn't have to; her eyes said it for her.
The three men stepped off the platform onto the stone section where she had waited and they discussed strategy for getting to the lower levels from these side drop-offs.
They rode this way and that way. They went up, they went straight down. They pushed pedestals forwards and backwards. They collected spheres and carried them here and there, putting them in this place and that place, this pedestal, that niche. They backtracked and repeated themselves but eventually covered every area of the side levels.
About the time that Raiel was about ready to just jump over the side into the black void and get it over with, they came to a flight of wide stairs that led upward. After shoving more pedestals hither and yon a few more times, they finally came to a large round room.
Through an extremely ornate doorway was the Chamber of the Fayth. They had made it. Raiel sank to the floor on her knees in exhausted relief.
The blue walls of the dimly lit antechamber were richly decorated with large panels that extended from floor to ceiling depicting what appeared to be strange mythical beings of some sort. Interspersed between the panels were enormous red columns and smaller oval panels that softly glowed. Embedded in several of the columns and augmenting that glow were tall cylinders that emitted an unusual pale blue light.
The stone floor was heavily inlaid with a huge, round, ornate design, mostly in red and dull yellow, that covered the majority of the central floor. The outer five feet of the periphery of the floor was raised one step.
The door leading to the Chamber of the Fayth was a work of art unto itself. Shaped like an enormous shield of deep red emblazoned by a large round yellow and gold symbol, it was framed by a colorful arch topped by another elaborate gold emblem. Flanking the arch was a double layered design that almost resembled stylized wings in marbled tones of green, red, gold, blue and yellow.
The door to the Chamber was accessed up two stone steps that arced in a graceful curve. The approach to the steps was covered by a rich, deep blue carpet.
None of the other antechambers even remotely approached this degree of color, decoration and opulence. Bevelle. Wouldn't you just know it!
The four stood quietly taking in their surroundings, then sat on the relative comfort of the blue carpet on the step just resting. The information on the difficulty of the Cloister of Trials had certainly been correct. They all just hoped that Bahamut would be a little easier to gain than the access to this chamber had been.
No one knew the hour but their stomachs told them it had been a while since breakfast and welcomed the dried jerky they had brought with them. Small containers of juice washed it down and would have to hold them until evening.
While they were eating, two temple guards entered the room from a previously unnoticed side door and stood silently behind them in front of the door to the Fayth's chamber. The party ignored them.
After a short rest, Braska stood and looked down at his Guardians. A smile appeared and he shook his head. "You three are amazing."
He paused and took a deep breath. "Well, time for me to go meet Bahamut. I'll return as soon as I can."
As the Guardians stood, Auron said, "Don't be concerned with us, my lord. We'll be here."
Braska patted his Guardian's strong forearm and smiled. "I know you will." He nodded and repeated softly to himself, "I know you will."
Then he turned toward the heavily decorated door but the two temple guards stood unmoving in front of it. Braska said quietly, "I am the Summoner Lord Braska. I will go pray to the Fayth."
The guards looked at the Summoner with blank expressions. One of them responded in a flat, bored tone, "The priest is not here to give permission."
Auron stepped closer beside Braska and spoke to the guards in a low, hard voice, "No one may impede a Summoner at any point in his Pilgrimage. That's in the teachings. Now move!"
As he spoke, Jecht and Raiel closed ranks beside him, their eyes boring into those of the guards. One guard finally cast a quick look at his cohort the said, "I - well, - uh, - "
Auron's deep, commanding voice sharply reverberated around the hard surfaces of the room, "Move!"
The two guards flinched and began to edge away from the door, finally turning and hurriedly walking out through the side door.
Braska gave his Guardians a quick look and a small nod of his head, then sighed. "Where else but in Bevelle - -." He took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, then calmly ascended the two steps and stood before the crested red door. The sound of heavy stone grating against stone reverberated around them as the door began to slowly rise.
Braska entered the Chamber and the door fell into place again.
In the silence that followed, the Guardians simply stood still for a moment. Bevelle was a trial in more ways than one.
Raiel's deep-seated fear of heights and high open places was a life-long affliction and she still had not recovered from her phobic horrors in the Cloister. Jecht saw the tremor in her hands and asked, "Ya all right, little girl?"
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes a moment before answering, "I guess so, Jecht. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my entire life. I hate edges of things! And drop-offs."
He wrapped big arms around her for a moment and said in a soft growl, "Aw, I'm sorry, Raiel. Wish I coulda helped ya, ya know?"
"Thanks, Jecht. I honestly don't think I could have taken much more."
"Well, ya did real good. Ya not only got through it, but ya figured out about goin' through those side paths. That was real good, little girl. Real good."
Auron chuckled. "I may need new armor. I'm sure her fingers went right through it."
Raiel smiled slightly and turned away. As a result of the high adrenalin levels her body had experienced over the last hours, she felt as if she was balanced on a razor's edge, trying to maintain her equilibrium in spite of nerves that were as quiveringly taut as a violin's strings. Her body wanted release from the pent-up stress and tears wanted to do their part to help but she was determined that they would be kept at bay.
She wandered across the room and sat on the stone step just outside the door through which the two temple guards had disappeared. She crossed her arms on her knees and rested her forehead on them and concentrated on just breathing, hoping to bleed off some of the stress that way.
Sensing that she really needed a little time to herself, Auron reseated himself on the blue carpeted step in front of the curved steps and door to the Chamber of the Fayth, keeping a concerned eye on her.
Jecht had finally settled near Auron and let his thoughts return to his previous musings about Yevonites and the continual return of Sin.
Auron's thoughts wandered into the future. He was concerned about crossing the Calm Lands. He had never been there but maps showed it to be a vast, undulating plain that stretched for many hundreds of miles in a east-northeast to west-southwest direction.
After leaving Rin's inn, they would continue northward through the narrow neck of land on which Bevelle sat and that connected the unpopulated northern part of Spira with the rest of the continent. From there, they would travel in a generally north-northeasterly direction until they reached the foothills of the mountain range of Gagazet.
If they could travel in a straight line, they would probably reach the mountains in a little over a month, but he doubted they could maintain a direct line all the way. Surely there were natural barriers and obstacles that would have to be skirted. No way to know how long it would take.
Suddenly the door behind Raiel opened and a priest haughtily swept through it, his eyes on the two Guardians sitting in front of the door to the Chamber of Fayth. In the rather dim lighting, he didn't see the small form hunched over directly in front of him and his bony legs slammed into Raiel's back.
"Hey, watch it!" she yelled as she jumped to her feet, spinning around to see her attacker, sword already drawn.
The priest was wildly flailing trying to catch his balance, his flapping robe making him look like some ungainly bird about to make a crash landing. The fanciful thing he wore on his head was flung to the stone floor and rolled half-way across the room.
He stumbled down the step and finally wound up on his backside in an inglorious heap of indignant disarray. He looked up to see a woman's angry eyes firing hot daggers at him as she held a sword in her right hand.
Auron and Jecht had stood but held their place in front of the Chamber door though each was ready to spring forward if needed.
The priest, sputtering with rage, clamored to his feet, trying to push his disheveled robes back into proper order and replaced a lost slipper on his bare foot.
"Young woman, I demand an apology! How dare you so shamefully mistreat a priest of Yevon!"
"YOU demand an apology? You're the one who kicked ME and I've probably got the bruises on my back to prove it!"
"You should know better than to sit in front of a door! Thoughtless! Moronic!"
"Well, maybe you should post a 'No Sitting' sign on it then! And talk about thoughtless! How about putting a few chairs in here? Would that hurt you so bad? Huh? You try sitting on these stones for hours and see how you like it! And you better watch who you're calling a moron! You don't look like you've got a lot to brag about yourself!"
The priest was too angry to restrain himself. He spied the braid in the furious woman's hair and sneered at high volume, "I shouldn't expect anything better from one who wears heathen braids and feathers!"
Raiel was right in the man's face, gesturing as she yelled back, "HEATHEN? Your ignorance knows no bounds! What you don't know would fill a dozen libraries! Besides, somebody with hair as ugly as yours has no business telling anyone else what to do with theirs! Is that your job here - to approve hairstyles? The Official Bevelle Women's Hairstyle Priest! I can see it now; they must line up for blocks every morning just to get your personal approval on their hair!"
The priest drew back sputtering, so enraged that words wouldn't even form. Raiel didn't move but continued to heatedly glare at him with narrowed eyes.
Auron knew it could be serious but it was all he could do to keep from laughing right out loud - Raiel and a high-ranking priest standing nose-to-nose yelling insults at each other like two kids in a schoolyard. He and Jecht glanced at each other, not quite sure if they should intervene or just let it play out.
After a moment of glaring, the priest stood up straight, tilted his chin upward and said in a clipped, overly-calm, stilted tone, "I am responsible for watching after the Chamber of the Fayth. It is a very high position of great responsibility."
Trying to maintain his new-found air of dignity, he retrieved his headdress from the floor, placed it back on his head and located his other shoe before turning to address the Guardians.
"I came to see about admitting the one claiming to be a Summoner. Where is he?"
Raiel walked closer to him and said with a razor-sharp edge to her voice, "What do you mean 'claiming' to be a Summoner? You mean the one who already has Valefor! Ifrit! Ixion! and Shiva? That one?" She pointed toward the Chamber door. "He's in there getting Bahamut right now!"
The priest's eyes were wide as he gasped. "He entered without my permission?"
"He didn't need your permission! He completed the Cloister of Trials and you couldn't stop him from entering even if you wanted to." Recalling Auron's earlier words, she finished, "You can't impede a Summoner on a Pilgrimage. It's in the books."
The man's mouth opened and closed several times as he tried to think of a response. All he could come up with was, "I want a word with him as soon as he comes out."
Raiel asked with more than a touch of sarcasm, "What are you going to do? Make him give it back? I don't think Bahamut would care very much for your interference!"
Red-faced, shaking hands clenched at his side, the man just stood there for a moment shooting daggers at her with his glittering eyes.
Raiel observed matter-of-factly, "Your hat's crooked."
Unable to take it anymore, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door hard enough that echoes reverberated around the room, then it was silent.
Auron and Jecht stared at Raiel, standing with feet apart, hands on her hips, sword still in her right hand, glaring at the door as if daring it to open.
Auron could not prevent a smile from growing on his face and he heard a half-choked off snort from Jecht. At the sound, Raiel turned and looked from one to the other a moment before relaxing her stance, asking, "What?"
The large room was suddenly filled with loud male laughter. Jecht said between guffaws, "Little girl, that made the whole trip worthwhile right there! I wish I coulda recorded it on a sphere."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't have one. I - didn't go too far, did I?"
Auron chuckled, "No, I think you acquitted yourself quite well."
She muttered, "He sure picked a bad time to pick a fight with me."
Auron asked wryly, "There's a good time?"
Jecht elbowed him and growled, "That's not a good question to ask, Red. The only answer ya ever give is 'Yes. You're right.'"
"You two better watch it. I've still got plenty of excess energy stored up!"
The three sat on the step in front of the Chamber door, two of them still smiling.
Jecht snorted and said, "'Your hat's crooked,'" and more Jecht-laughter bounced from surface to surface, underscored by a deep baritone's belly-laugh.
After a time, Raiel asked softly, "I didn't get Lord Braska into trouble, did I?"
Auron said, "No. There's nothing they can do. We are on an official and, so far, successful Pilgrimage. No one can interfere with a Summoner or his party unless they are guilty of some outrageous behavior - like murder - or treason. That would be a different matter entirely. No, I don't think any of us will wind up in the brig, my love."
She leaned against his strong arm, sighed and muttered, "That jerk made me so mad!"
Her mate responded softly, "We noticed." She couldn't see his grin.
The hours of waiting in these comfortless antechambers never seemed to get any easier and time passed slowly for the Guardians as each sat quietly, immersed in thought.
Jecht listened to the faint sound of singing that seemed to emanate from somewhere in the Chamber behind them. Sounds like a young kid. Pretty, though.
He was absolutely certain that there was a strong connection between his Zanarkand and this Spira. Every man, woman and child in Zanarkand knew that song as a Blitzball song, just as he knew that the 'prayer' greeting here was a Blitzball greeting in his time. How and why had they been changed into the trappings of a strange, secretive, two-faced religion? He hoped he'd get a chance to talk to Raiel's brother before they had to leave. Maybe he had found something that would shed some light on the mystery.
Raiel was replaying the scene with the priest in her mind. She wished she could learn to keep her temper in check but she never seemed to be able to do it. When the temper lit off, it was like a rocket that swept her into the stratosphere before she could do anything about it.
Not that the priest hadn't deserved it, but what if she had caused a problem for Lord Braska? Restraint. It seemed to elude her except in hindsight. Maybe it was the exceptionally high stress of this Cloister or perhaps just being in the center of Yevonite power, but she felt as if she was going to come unglued if she didn't get out of here soon! Never before had she minded waiting on Lord Braska, but this time -
The sound of grating stone interrupted their thoughts. The great door was opening and revealed an exhausted, white-faced Summoner. Auron and Jecht grabbed his arms and eased him down the steps and let him sit on the carpeted step to rest. Raiel opened a remaining small container of juice and helped him drink.
His weak voice a whisper, he said, "Thank you, my dear."
She then cast two quick Curaga spells on him and was gratified when some color slowly returned to his face. He softly thanked her as he breathed deeply and closed his eyes.
Raiel periodically cast Cure spells on him and they kept silent watch as he gradually regained his strength. Finally he opened his eyes and surveyed the three sober faces carefully observing him as a small smile pulled at his mouth.
"Thank you, my friends. I'm much better now. A few more minutes and you will be finally be freed from this uncomfortable room."
Jecht's gravel-encrusted voice responded, "We're good, Lord Braska. Got plenty of time. Ya gonna get your strength back before we leave."
Auron reinforced that with, "All's well, my lord. We will only leave when you've fully recovered."
Raiel smiled and said, "When we needed time, you wouldn't budge until we were ready. We won't either."
Braska's smile grew as did the touch of moisture in his eyes. Another deep breath and he nodded, leaning forward to brace his elbows on his knees and rest his forehead against the heels of his hands.
"This was a tough one. I began to wonder if I would fail, but - Bahamut has joined us."
Sometime later, the party exited the antechamber through the same door the priest and temple guards had used and made their way back down the the main floor.
Just as they were turning from the hallway into the immense lobby, an extravagantly robed priest wearing a heavily bejeweled headdress spotted them and came to a halt mid-stride. His surrounding contingent of temple guards, wearing immaculate green and cream uniforms, armed with shining silver spears, immediately turned to face the foursome, weapons at alert.
A cold, disdainful expression settled on the high priest's face as he silently examined the party with his hard, black eyes.
Braska's small smile appeared as he nodded once and murmured, "Your Excellency."
Sensing a possible confrontation, nearby foot traffic slowed and stopped as curiosity won out over discretion. The high priest was the second-most powerful man in Bevelle, outranked only by the maester himself. He continued his silent stare before his mouth finally twisted into a condescending smirk.
"So. You have dared to show your face in Bevelle again, have you?"
"Just long enough to add another Aeon, Excellency." The calm, pleasantness of Braska's voice was in stark contrast to that of the short, overdressed man before him.
The priest's cold expression matched the tone of his voice. "Surely you don't believe that you and - this rabble will actually succeed, do you? You don't really believe that you can match the feats of Gandof, Ohalland and Yocun?"
His derisive laugh was a harsh bark that rang out like a shot. "HA! Look at you! A disgraced, low-level priest. A former warrior monk who was cashiered out of the service for shameful behavior. And the delusional drunk from Zanarkand." He seemed to have overlooked Raiel entirely.
Braska beamed and responded as he waggled his brows, "A delightful irony, isn't it?" He turned and pointedly looked at the line of the four statues of Spira's only successful Summoners then turned back and smiled at the high priest. The message was unmistakable and there were a few audible snickers heard from somewhere in the observing crowd.
Suddenly aware of the large audience, the priest's chin rose high in the air as he scornfully sneered, "We shall see, shall we not? I expect you'll simply disappear into obscurity, never to be heard from again. Guards! Continue!"
The high priest's guards stepped out, escorting him from the lobby, leaving an amused Summoner and three angry Guardians behind. The soft buzz of conversation grew in his wake.
Braska turned to his Guardians, saying, "Let's go have a well-deserved rest, my friends. I think a nice, cleansing shower might be in order, as well. For some reason, I feel dirtied."
Jecht's face was a mask of barely-controlled fury, his mouth a fine, white line. Auron may as well have been carved of the same stone as the towering statues with the exception of his blazing eyes. Raiel's rage was manifesting itself in a pronounced blue haze that enveloped her.
Braska started to put a hand on her shoulder only to snatch his hand back as a blue-white spark snapped loudly the instant he touched the energy field around her.
The noise drew her attention and she turned to see the Summoner shaking his sharply stinging hand.
Alarm appeared on her face and the haze quickly dissipated. "Oh! -"
"I'm quite all right, Raiel. I should have known better than to touch that much energy."
"I'm so sorry, Lord Braska. That man had no right to speak to you that way! Or to Jecht and Auron! I wanted to - to blast him straight to the Farplane!"
Braska laughed softly. "I gathered that, my dear. Don't mind him. He's just a petty little man corrupted with too much power. But just think - he will have to put my statue up in this very place and will have to walk by it every day. And he'll have to pay for it!"
Many eyes watched the Summoner's party exit the temple, the exchange with the high priest and the aftermath burned into their memories. There were a surprising number of discrete smiles as different ones pictured the acrimonious priest stalking past the fifth statue every day.
Entering The White Cloud, the four decided that showers and a short nap was what they needed most. Afterward, feeling much refreshed, they met in the lobby where Mikel joined them and they proceeded to the first level.
Carda opened the door and welcomed them in. Collin entered the room from the kitchen and shook hands all around, wrapping his sister in a huge, lingering hug.
Addressing the Summoner, he asked, "Was your day successful, Lord Braska?"
"Oh, yes, Collin. Thank you. Rather a tiring day, but successful."
Quietly, the former CO said, "Congratulations, sir."
"Thank you, Collin. I think all of us are ready for another delicious meal. That bit of jerky we had for our lunch is long gone!"
Gesturing to the table, their host said, "Please, sit and be comfortable. All the food is ready."
It seemed that the long table could hardly accommodate the many platters and trays of food that were brought from the kitchen.
Braska's blue eyes were wide as he looked down the length of the table at the bounty and sighed.
Collin asked, "Is there a problem, Lord Braska?"
As he began serving his plate, he said, "Yes. I want some of all of it and I don't know how I'm going to manage that."
"You could stay another day and come eat some more."
The Summoner smiled, "That is tempting, my friend, but we must be on our way. We still have many miles to travel and it is getting late in the season. Gagazet is difficult enough without attempting a crossing in winter."
Collin just nodded. Then smiling at the Summoner as he dished his own food, he said, "I heard you saw the high priest this afternoon."
Braska laughed and replied, "Yes, we certainly did."
"From the account given to me, I believe the score is Summoner 1, high priest 0."
Raiel piped up, "You better believe it! Lord Braska handed him his head and made him look like the smarmy little chump that he is!"
Jecht laughed and growled, "Ya haven't heard the half of it!" And he launched into a detailed description of Raiel's little tête-à-tête with the priest in the antechamber, complete with mimicked dialogue, recreating the scene perfectly.
Her face turned bright pink and her eyes concentrated on her plate as uproarious laughter surrounded her, including one in a certain deep baritone.
Braska wiped his eyes and said, "I am so sorry I missed that!" Relapsing into more laughter he gasped, "I can just see it now!"
The laughter began to die down when someone snickered and repeated, "'Your hat's crooked'" and it set them off again. That one line would become a catchphrase for them for years to come.
The meal progressed with good conversation and laughter, which was both enjoyable and relaxing.
At ease, Auron had sat back in his chair, his long right arm resting on the back of Raiel's chair, his long legs stretched out under the table, crossed at the ankles. He was thinking that it was good that they had come back to this good company. Tomorrow night they would be with Rin one last time, then they would be alone for the remainder of their journey, except for possibly meeting some of the Ronso during their passage over Mount Gagazet.
He looked at the faces around the table, all of whom he had known in the Unit. They were good men and he admired them for the task they had set before themselves. His dark eyes turned to their leader. If there was anybody in Spira who could see the task successfully completed, it was Commander Collin.
He looked at Jecht sitting across from him next to Lord Braska. Jecht belonged in a group like this. He belonged with people who accepted and appreciated him for who he was. For one uncomfortable moment, he recalled his own initial treatment of the man who had become his friend and he lowered his gaze to his now-empty plate.
He looked up when he heard a quiet growl, "Ya okay, Red?"
A corner of his mouth tipped upward slightly as he met Jecht's brown eyes and nodded.
After the meal, they seemed to break into smaller groups seated in the different sections of the room, some staying at the table. Helping to carry dishes to the kitchen, Raiel found herself looking up at a pair of deep blue eyes and asked with a smile, "Do you do windows?"
Baran laughed and said, "No. By the time I finish with that mop and broom every day, all I want to do is crash!"
She laughed softly and nodded, then her smile faded. "Be careful, Baran. Those are terrible people in that temple."
He just nodded. "I know. There are a couple who aren't so bad, but the majority -". He just shook his head.
A smile crept back over his face. "They treat me like I'm like a pet of some sort. There are advantages in that!"
She smiled but her eyes were serious and she repeated quietly, "Just be very careful, Baran. Please."
Baran nodded, touched her arm and said sincerely, "Thank you, Lady Raiel. I will."
When she returned to the main room, she looked for Auron. He had moved to occupy one of the comfortable chairs against the wall and was sitting in his favored position of legs stretched out, ankles crossed. She smiled and went to join him, sitting on the soft, wide armrest, her arm across the back of his broad shoulders.
Braska was still in his place at the table, now surrounded by a group of attentive, interested men who were asking questions. He seemed to be enjoying himself, pleased to be able to provide answers.
Mikel was standing beside Collin and Jecht with several other men, seeming to be involved in deep conversation. Jecht was explaining his thoughts and suspicions about Yevonism. From his outsider's point of view, he wasn't influenced by a lifetime of teaching or beliefs and actually had a pretty clear picture of it.
He told of his belief that there had to be a close connection between his Zanarkand and today's Spira. He told them about the song and the bow, of the machinery they had found leading to, and in, the Cloister. "Computers were down there, man! An' everything in Zanarkand was run by 'em. That was some advanced stuff we saw down there today. There's just a whole lot they aren't tellin'."
They discussed his thoughts on why and how Sin would move back and forth between the two eras - the past and the present. Those with Jecht knew that he was bringing up valid questions and also giving them valuable intelligence on one area of the temple that none of them would ever be able to access.
When the conversation began to draw to a close, Collin asked, "Jecht, have you given any thought of what you'd like to do if you make it back?"
A big Jecht-grin crossed the Guardian's face as he answered, "Yeah. I'd like to come back here an' open a sports bar right down here on this level. Jecht's Blitz Bar! Then all of ya would have a good place to come and relax, talk blitzball, have somethin' to eat and maybe a drink or two. That'd be great!"
Intrigued by the thought, the group began to enthusiastically swap ideas back and forth, each of them visualizing it.
Braska's ears had caught the topic they were discussing and a wide smile took up residence on his face. He remembered his own thoughts on that subject so very long ago while walking a dry, dusty road. Jecht's Blitz Bar. How absolutely perfect!
The evening began to draw to a close and the Summoner's party prepared to take their leave. After many handshakes - and hugs for Raiel - the four stood at the door for a moment, just looking at the faces of Collin's men, then Braska smiled and quietly said, "May the Fayth be with each of you" and he went through the door, followed by Jecht and Auron.
Raiel stood for another moment looking at her brother and softly said, "I'll see you in the morning - before we leave."
Collin just nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
With a very soft "Good bye" she joined her party and returned to The White Cloud.
The next morning as the gold of sunlight colored the eastern sky, the party prepared to leave Bevelle. Raiel had purchased packs of coffee to see them through to Zanarkand so every smallpack was stuffed when the coffee packs were added to their few personal items and spare clothing.
Braska had rigged a small sling to carry the package he had gotten when they first arrived. Though none of the Guardians asked what it was, he saw the questions in their eyes.
"This is a ceremonial robe and attire. I - would like to wear that in Zanarkand. It seems more appropriate than this one, I think." Looking down at the familiar blue and cream robe, he added, "It has served me well but it's rather worn now. I can retire it without regret."
Braska and his Guardians met Mikel in the dining room for breakfast, enjoying every bite of the good hot food and coffee. Mikel was rather subdued as were the others. He could see that mentally they were already making the transition to a back-to-business mindset.
At last, they paid their bill, gathered their weapons, left the inn for the last time and descended the stairs to the first level. It seemed such a long time since they had first entered the city but, in reality, it had only been a few days. So much had happened in that short time.
At the foot of the stairs, Raiel saw Collin waiting for her. She smiled. He was wearing that awful hat. She understood why but the sight made her smile anyway. She walked straight into her brother's strong arms and the two just stood in a tight embrace for long, long minutes.
Finally she stepped back and tried to still her quivering chin as she whispered, "I love you, Collin. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. Thank you - for being my brother."
The tears in Collin's eyes trailed down his cheeks as he bit his lip hard enough that a tiny trickle of blood began to find its way down his chin. Raiel reached up and touched it, then rested her hand on his cheek a moment and softly intoned Cure to heal his lip.
She whispered, "It's okay, Collin. Really. It's okay. I'll come back if I can. If I can't, I'll still be with you. You're so very special. Please promise me you'll take care of yourself and you'll be careful."
Unable to speak, Collin simply nodded his head, then grabbed her in a desperate hug that threatened to squeeze the breath from her.
When he released her, he managed a ragged, strangled whisper, "I love you, Raiel. You have to come back. Please!"
She nodded. "I will if there's any way, Collin. Just remember that I love you so very much."
She stepped back and looked into her brother's handsome face and mustered up a small smile. She walked a few steps away to join her party, then stopped and looked back at him with a smile and said, "Your hat's crooked."
Her reward was seeing her brother's beautiful smile again.
Good byes to Mikel weren't easy, either. He had been a good friend to each of them and they were going to miss him and his good company. He shook hands warmly with the men before enveloping Raiel in a tight embrace.
"You're a very special woman, Raiel. I'll remember the time with you until I go to the Farplane. Come back to us."
"Thank you, Mikel. You've come to mean a lot to all of us. Thank you for all you've done. And take care of yourself. Be safe."
A kiss on the cheek and he stepped back, watching the four fall into their close formation and walk toward the stairs that would take them from the city.
Walking across the tundra-like grasses, headed for the distant Macalania Forest, the four were very quiet. After a short time, Raiel, on Point, stopped and looked back at the city.
She raised a hand and slowly waved at two small figures standing at the first level wall and saw them wave in return. One of them was wearing a really goofy-looking hat.
One more moment, then she resolutely turned and led the party away from the city.