13. A SHORT REST
After the dinner at Milieu Manse, Basch escorted them (in fact Razzia) back their home. Vaan had a sound sleep. The Mist stuffs had nothing to do with Archadia. He was somewhat satisfied with that (though the mystery of Larsa's father was yet to reveal, but he had no way to unravel it anyway).
The next morning was the queerest Vaan ever had. He was woken up by cries of surprise and defiance. Luckily, his mood was good as the dark cloud was lifted, clear sky revealed. So he did not mind it. The sky pirate rubbed his eyes. Strangely, Kytes was not in the room. He followed the sound and found Kytes was in the front room with Penelo, Razzia and Larsa and a faint rank smell.
"Cool, how did you do that?" cried Kytes.
"Erm... I," Larsa hesitated. His eyes were bound with a kerchief.
Razzia were checking if the tie was not tight and light leaked through. "It cannot be," she murmured. Then she noticed Vaan and hushed him before he could ask what smell it was. He was dragged into the kitchen and asked to pour a cup of water, then dragged outside and the cup was given to Larsa to taste.
"Again," Razzia said to her betrothed.
"Hm... 'tis not Razzia, nor Penelo-san nor Kytes-san," Larsa answered, "who's the creator of this bland taste?"
"He got it right!" cried Kytes in surprise.
"It cannot be..." Razzia whispered with fingers resting on her chin.
"So what're you doing?" Vaan asked, still had no idea.
"Just a little test," replied Penelo, cleaning all the cups on the table. There were seven cups in total, including his. All was plain water, except for one with strange smell, others were same to Vaan, and he could not understand why they needed so many cups.
"Accept it, Razzia. You lost to Penelo-San," Larsa said, taking off the kerchief, smiling confidently as if it was him who won.
"Happy, aren't you?" she smiled wryly, pinching his cheek.
"Penelo-san, did you have the punishment for Razzia?" he was still smiling even though Razzia was pulling his face like a professional cook stretched noodles. He continued as Penelo shook her head, "how about having her cooked dinner for you?"
"Excellent idea," his betrothed sneered, "I'll be busy preparing dinner. Pray that you enjoy your day alone."
"But—"
"I never said yes, did I?" interjected Razzia.
"It's not a punishment but if I say you do," joined Penelo, carrying a big bowl of Behemoth stew. She was in a frenzy of Archadian cuisine.
"Yes. Now 'tis a real punishment," said the betrothed lady, then she chuckled and patted on Larsa's cheeks. He leant backwards to avoid.
Things were settled. Although Vaan did not have a slightest clue, he still sat down and had the breakfast. Kytes praised the stew. It was better than any Penelo's dishes for past months. The boy was glad to find that Archadian food was in fact very edible. Migelo ate one bowl more than usual. He, too, loved the stew (still Larsa's gift of red Burdigala more, and Vaan could not get why the Emperor gave him a bottle of wine in the morning). Vaan could not say for sure if he liked it or not, just ate in silence.
The couple went out for a date (the first official time since they met) after the nice breakfast. Everyone else resumed their daily routines.
"I still can't believe. Are they really gonna get married?" asked Kytes after they had gone.
"Yeah!" Penelo replied in excitement, "it's next year."
The boy gave a 'wow' in awe, unable to think the young Emperor only three years older than him. "Hey, Vaan, if you do it now, maybe you could be married same time as Larsa."
Vaan was caught by surprise. "Huh?" was all he could utter.
Migelo glanced at him, sending a private appeal for his reply. So appealing that Penelo had to change the topic for him, "I have practice today. Gotta go. See ya later."
"She's a nice girl," whispered Migelo, "I don't want to see her bright beam shedding tears." Vaan just nodded. He had already known that. The old bangaa sighed, and walked slowly to work.
Vaan could not get what was wrong. It was the queerest morning, to add more flavor, the sky pirate did not start his day with a delivery to the Sandsea tavern. In fact, he did not come to Migelo's shop at all.
Cobbled streets turned pale under early Leo sun. Vaan turned to a still corner with lines of palm running along. Long leaves glimmered with white flashes. In distance were burning red Galbana lily beds and the Manse stood still in their embrace. It was cool like harsh sun never reached here.
Vaan came for Fidal. He was eager to relate him about stuffs in Westersand. Hope that he did not get too worried. But the answer, against his expectation, was no. Fidal was not at the Manse. He was with Lord Revenas, presumably, in Lowtown.
"Hey, Vaan, you were with Captain three years ago, right?" a former Dalmascan soldier asked him right before he was about to leave.
Van nodded in reply. "So what?"
"No, nothing. Just out of curiosity," he hesitated, "I was wondering. Captain was loyal to Dalmasca, wasn't he?"
It was a weird remark. The man said no more and got back inside. Vaan winced. His gut was telling him there was something. Something quite wrong. He turned sharply to the stairs to Lowtown. Soon the world of dazzling light was behind. He groped in the North in the unlit sprawl for the black gate, and thrust inside without bothering to knock.
"You cannot have known about Captain, my lord!" A hasty voice tore the calmness of the morning.
"Calm down, Eskar." It was Fidal's, and it was not calm at all.
Seating himself on an armchair, Lord Revenas rested his forehead on the index finger. He had enough headache of the rumor. The Home was empty now. He was right to ask Deik to give the children an early field trip.
"But is it true that he's alive in guise of his twin brother and sold Dalmasca to the Empire?"
"Watch your tongue!"
"Captain Basch was missing in Bahamut while protecting her Majesty," said Revenas at long last, "he was loyal to Dalmasca till his last moment and would be thus if he survived."
The man paused. He seemed grasping something. "Forgive me. I was too petulant," he said and bowed before leaving.
Right after he had gone, it was Vaan's turn. "Hey, what's with Captain?" joined he with wide eyes and big mouth.
Fidal looked at him with moon-eyed gaze both by his presence and his question, "you haven't heard it?"
When they were busy digging Westersand, words were spreading. This time was about Basch. His little secret of taking his Judge twin brother's identity ran rife in streets and lanes of Dalmasca, clashing with the Queen's story of his missing in mission in the sky battle. To cook an appealing rumor, the question of his allegiance was raised up highly.
"They don't say they doubt Basch," said Vaan angrily, "all he did was for Dalmasca."
Reve did not care for what Basch thought he 'sacrificed'; he just wanted to laugh, but could not. How could they ask loyalty to Dalmasca from one who is not Dalmascan from the beginning?
"Is this what you meant?" Vaan asked out of blue, "of Basch in danger?"
Reve rested his elbow on the manchette. His friend was slow in his wit. "This has grown beyond your concern."
"Basch is my friend."
Reve carelessly glanced at Vaan. His eyes glowed. His brows lowered in deep furrows. "'Tis too late," the former chancellor said calmly.
"So you're gonna abandon him? Just tell me, and I'll do it my own way," the sky pirate replied, almost shouted.
Reve smirked. His smile was both mocking and charming. "The trap has been set, and Basch is not their target."
"Say," he continued, "such rumors. Who holds greatest responsibility in this?"
"You don't say," Vaan hesitated. He did not believe what he just realized, "Larsa?"
Basch disguised himself as a Judge Magister. His direct superior officer, the Emperor himself, could not deny his culpability. Having acknowledged it or not, both answers exposed a fissure to place a knife onto.
"I'll go tell him," Vaan declared and rushed outside.
"My Lord?" Fidal was surprised to see his lord appeared to enjoy.
"O, green days," Revenas was chuckling very softly, "what time has deprived of me."
Fidal raised his brows, forgot all manners, "d-don't say that. You're just halfway."
A little more halfway of average life span to be exact, but men at his age could expect to live more than forty. If Reve were in his early days, he might be running around, helping Basch as well. But when he turned twenty-five, three months before she took her own life, he learnt that fate was ruthless. Some was born to use; some was predestined to be used. Use then be used. Be used then use. Basch was but one of many. Revenas had witnessed, and even caused, some being used up and thrown like a broken toy then what made it different now? Nothing. He only cared for what this brought for Dalmasca and himself, and worked to obtain greatest advantage.
Reve reclined on the upholstery back of his chair. This drained his energy. He had to give Folge the answer, aye or nay, quick. While the first might bring large benefits, it secured Basch's death.
Vaan hastily left the Home. He was hurtling through dark alleys, up the stairs. Afternoon sun struck hot on his face. He ran on the cobbled streets, back to Penelo's house, there he realized he did not know where Larsa was. He went out with his betrothed. That was all he knew. Where? Where could Larsa have gone? His mind dashed through possibilities, yet came to none. Larsa could be in so many places, but Basch was in one place. He was in the Castle with Ashe. The sky pirate would start from there.
The last time he walked so close the Royal Castle was three years ago. It was a month after the Sky battle. Ashe invited him and Penelo for an intimate dinner, then offered him an airship of his desire as a gift, but he refused. She sent more invitations later on, and he declined them all until they came no longer.
Now Vaan regretted. The gate guards could not (obviously) recognized him, neither had he any proof or whatsoever indicating he was an acquaintance of the Judge or the Queen. And to think his actions hurt her also. It doubled his remorse.
When he was about to give up, a soldier stepped out, whispered something to the guards and he was allowed to go inside. Vaan followed the soldier through foyers and halls. His impatient feet stomped on mosaic tiles and a familiar hawk signet. Having clashed with a massive brass door, Vaan was walking on the inner curtain walls. Below there was the court yard's great fountain. It was a sterling pendant inlaid with sapphires water and bordered with emerald grass. It was the first time Vaan saw it in day light.
From a far, Ashe was waiting for him on a curve embracing a keep tower. She looked down from here and noticed a well-known figure talking to the gate guards. Trying her luck, she asked a soldier to fetch him and it was really Vaan. If it were three years ago, her heart would be jumping with joy to watch him treading on the gray stone. Unfortunately, he did not three years ago, and now was three years later.
"I don't expect—"
"Ashe!" he cut in her whispering words with worried voice. "Have you heard anything?"
While Ashe was still staggered, he continued, "stuffs about Basch."
"Wait a second," she whispered, then signified the soldiers and servants to leave. "Now what did you hear?"
With his typical childlike enthusiasm, Vaan related the rumor to her. Ashe was at all ears, listening, sometimes secretly smiling. "Hey, I'm serious," he grunted, noticing her curved lips.
"I know, but," she chuckled softly. Ashe did not think that she could see the sky pirate worried for her after hearing that he set for adventures in Ordalia.
"You knew it?"
"No," she shook her head. All Ashe information now was from Basch and Larsa. Larsa was out for date, and Basch was busy with affairs of the Empire. She had not met them today. "Listen, Vaan. They might say what they will, but they had no proof."
The rumor itself was saying that there was no proof. Were there be, Larsa and Gabranth should have been made to answer it. Gabranth's corpse was left in Bahamut and disinterred as a nameless soldier. Basch had been living his brother's life for three years; he forged himself an impeccable guise. The only loose end was witnesses – themselves.
"Never you, Balthier, and the others betray us. I have the trust with me."
Vaan nodded. He would not ever, and he knew Balthier also.
"Penelo invited me for dinner," she added, "Basch and Larsa will there also. We shall meet them then."
"I guess you're right," Vaan agreed. "Let's get back," he said inadvertently.
Ashe winced and crossed her arms, "why are you always acting as if you'd die if you waited?"
When he did not notice, rays of sunset light blushed her cheek. Her hair turned pink pastel; her lips full red.
"Well," Vaan scraped his nose and turned away, "saying from someone who almost robbed an airship to seek for her lineage proof."
"I was borrowing it," denied Ashe. Her lacy skirt flitted in soft breeze. Vaan secretly glanced at her. She was walking after him. Having walked on a few steps, he glanced back again. She was still behind him. "Didn't you say go?" she said to his surprise, overtaking him, "let us go."
Vaan followed her out of the Castle then walked her to his home. Her red slippers slid on orange paved street. Street lights reflected in her gray eyes. Sun was setting. They lit the lamp early. It was so strange.
The way felt so short. Soon his house, or Penelo's house to be exact, arose gradually from a far with its signature floral painted door.
"So, 'tis where you and Penelo live," said Ashe.
This was first time she visited their dwelling. It was a two-story white house. The balcony with curve arch looked down at the street. Peeling lines of color paint ran along tarnished stone bricks telling the tale of a happy little family in a nice, cozy home.
Vaan nodded, scrapping his head. If he knew that Ashe would come, he would clean the house a bit, maybe. Now he recalled that it had been a while (or years) since they last washed the walls.
"Hey, I'm home," said Vaan, opening the door.
Inside was stillness. Larsa was sitting comfortably at the dining table. A man in black shirt, presumably his sentinel, stood with his arms crossed next to the wall, steps from his lord's back. He glared Vaan viscously since the moment he stepped into the house. The frequently empty mahogany surface was filled with goods. Half of the table was cookware, one fourth cakes, biscuits and teas, the rest shared by books and some boxes.
"What's all this mess?" Vaan asked out loud.
"Larsa's about to die, so he's distributing alms to ease his karma," replied Razzia.
"You pray me die," grunted Larsa, leaning towards his betrothed.
"By night and by day," she sneered. He made no reply.
Penelo ran out of the kitchen, putting a stack of bowls into a canvas bag. "Gosh, there's still plenty," she flustered.
"Allow me to lend you my help," offered the strange Judge with Larsa after quite a period of silence.
"Thank you, Hausen-san." Then they had gone into the kitchen, holding a stack of bowls, pots with few spoons sticking out. Looked like they started a kitchen revolution.
Vaan pulled a chair for the Queen. Larsa greeted her presence with a beam then to the sky pirate, he said, "this is for you." And with the manner of a blesser, he took a box on the table and handed to him. The box was big enough to hold with both hands.
Vaan opened it. Nesting neatly inside was a pair of silver gauntlets. "What for?" He asked.
"Oh," Larsa was surprised by the question, "'tis a gift. Take it as my gratitude for looking after my betrothed and myself."
"Magic words, Vaan!" Penelo scolded, rushing in and out her realm. She smiled at Ashe, "please wait a minute."
Vaan looked at the table again. He guessed all was Larsa's gifts and wondered what sort of date they had. Penelo had cleaned a lot of stuffs. Larsa was helping Kytes with the books. The latter halted briefly to admire Ashe. She dressed like a full bloom cactus flower. His face turned red as Ashe looked back at him, and he sprinted into the study room.
"Say, Larsa, do you have the same reaction when you first met the Queen?" Razzia said. The table was cleaned. They were helping Penelo setting the table.
"Why did you ask?" he replied, placed embroidery napkins on the lefts of plates.
"Out of curiosity." She paused then added, "shall I compare her majesty to a summer's day?"
"Wherefore is Gabranth belated today?"
"And wherefore are you avoiding?"
They heard door knocks. "Oh, it must be him," cried Larsa, seizing the chance.
Vaan opened the door, and Basch entered the house. Contrast to the lively atmosphere, his face was gray and grim. He dashed to Larsa's side soundlessly. "Your Excellency," he whispered and gave Larsa a letter, "from Lord Counsellor."
The Emperor opened it hastily, and read in silence. Larsa crumpled up the letter immediately once he finished it, then crushed it on the table.
"What's it, Excellency?" Basch asked nervously. The other Judge was glaring at him.
"Counsellor Deciputh, with approval of Assembly of Law and Justice, bade for my return. The cortège will arrive in eventide." Which was to say now.
"Why with such haste?" Ashe observed, shaking her head gently.
"They wished to hear my words on... some issues," he replied, standing up. Razzia was looking at him from the opposite seat, covering her neck with the hand. "I'm sorry. I have to go," he said, smiling at her.
"I'll go with you, my lord," said Basch, walking after him.
"No, Gabranth. You stay here," Larsa ordered, "I need you to uphold the peace of Dalmasca."
"Hausen," he called out, startling the man, "come with me."
Quick was their departure. When Penelo stepped out the kitchen with a big pot of marseille, an Archadian soup but made with local fishes and herbs, the greatest invention of her and Hausen's cooking, they had already gone into night, leaving the rest with confusion.
Razzia was still staring at the door, and she kept staring and staring and staring for a shadow that had gone far away, too far and high.
