Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss.

Chapter 10

Sylphday, Gnome-Decan 35, ND2019 – 9:00am local time (Chesedonia)

"Princess Natalia! How wonderful to see you again. Hee hee hee!" Astor greeted Natalia with his usual cheerful laugh.

"I am glad to see you too, Astor," Natalia replied warmly. "May I introduce Brigadier General Cecille of the Kimlascan Royal Forces."

Astor nodded to Cecille. "Yes, I believe we've met before, haven't we, General?"

"Yes, sir," acknowledged Cecille with an informal salute-like gesture.

"And what may I do for you two, on this lovely spring day?" Astor inquired genially, as if he had all the time in the world.

Natalia knew that Astor was actually a very busy man, overseeing Chesedonia's trade with Kimlasca, Malkuth, and Daath. His private office was neat as a pin, and his desk was perfectly tidy, but he hosted many visitors on a daily basis. Hundreds of trade agreements had been worked out and signed on that desk. Still, a princess had to go through all the proper forms of greeting.

"I would be delighted to discuss Kimlasca's trade with Chesedonia and other diplomatic matters, Astor," said Natalia, "but first of all, we need to ask about the earthquakes in the Zao Desert. Have you heard about them?"

Astor nodded. "Not only have I heard of them, we've been experiencing them here in the city these last few days. It seems like they're only getting stronger."

"Have you any idea what the cause of the quakes might be, sir?" asked Cecille. "Or the location of their source?"

"The only potential reason I've heard people talking about is that the earthquakes are a punishment from Yulia for abandoning the Score," Astor replied. "Of course, that's preposterous. I believe they may be an effect of lowering the land, stopping the Planet Storm, or both."

Natalia nodded. "Father said the same thing. Lowering the land and stopping the Planet Storm may be producing side effects. What about the source? Do you know where the quakes are coming from?"

Astor shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Princess Natalia. The epicenter of the earthquakes is somewhere in the middle of the desert, but we haven't sent anyone to investigate. It's too dangerous, in my opinion."

"As part of Kimlascan territory, the Zao Desert is Kimlasca's responsibility," Natalia stated firmly. "We are sending General Cecille and her troops to investigate the Zao Ruins."

Astor's thin eyebrows rose. "You believe the Zao Ruins are involved somehow?"

"It is a possibility worth looking into," replied Natalia. "After all, we have no other leads."

"Well, good luck then, General Cecille," said Astor. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"That's all right. Thank you, sir," said Cecille. "I bid you both my leave, then."

"Be safe, General Cecille," Natalia said quietly.

"Yes, Your Highness." Cecille bowed to Natalia and semi-saluted Astor again. She strode for the door, but just as her hand reached the knob, the door opened, and she nearly collided with a tall man in a blue Malkuth military uniform.

"Ah!" Cecille gasped, stepping back several paces. "You!"

To Natalia's surprise, Jade Curtiss walked into the room, followed by—

"Guy!" she exclaimed. "You came to meet me here after all! Why did you not write back to me?"

"My apologies, Your Highness," Guy said, bowing smoothly. "I had to leave Grand Chokmah in somewhat of a hurry. Hey there, Jozette!" he added aside to General Cecille. "His Imperial Majesty has sent me on a mission of investigation," he continued to Natalia.

"Investigation?" Natalia asked, nonplussed. "And why is the Colonel with you?"

"It's a long story," said Jade, "and unfortunately we haven't much time. My apologies for the interruption, Princess Natalia, but Guy and I must confer with you and Astor."

"At your service, Colonel Curtiss, Count Gardios. Eee hee hee! So nice to see you both," Astor said, just as cheerfully as he had greeted Natalia and Cecille.

"First, have you heard the news about Mount Zaleho?" Jade asked.

"Yes," replied Astor, more solemnly. "Very unfortunate."

"Why? What happened?" asked Natalia, with a sinking feeling in her chest.

Guy's expression was grim. "The volcano erupted a few days ago."

"Eight days ago, to be precise," Jade corrected.

"No..." whispered Natalia.

General Cecille nodded. "Yes. I was informed of it just before we left, Your Highness."

"What?! Why did you not tell me?!" Natalia demanded.

"I'm very sorry, Your Highness. My mind was on my own mission," Cecille apologized.

Jade glanced at General Cecille, but he remained silent.

Guy took a deep breath and said, "All right. We should combine all our information about these events. Mount Zaleho has erupted. There are earthquakes in the Zao Desert. Jade and his soldiers got hit by a tornado—"

Natalia and General Cecille both gasped in shock.

"Yeah, I didn't think tornadoes were real, either," Guy acknowledged. "I thought they were just a legend from the Dawn Age. But apparently, they've been tearing through sections of Central Rugnica, and Engeve is in danger of being hit sooner or later. Meanwhile, Keterburg is having its coldest winter on record with no spring weather in sight. And, um... Jade, what was the other thing?"

"Saint Binah," Jade replied simply.

"Oh, right," said Guy. "Cloudy weather is killing the plants in Saint Binah."

"My word," breathed General Cecille.

"That's terrible!" cried Natalia.

"So, you think all these disasters are related?" Astor asked urgently.

"I don't know," Guy replied. "But that's what Emperor Peony is having us investigate."

"Our instructions were to confer with Astor, and Natalia if possible," added Jade. "After that, we are to find a ship that will take us to Sheridan."

"Why Sheridan?" Natalia asked, puzzled.

"We plan to borrow the Albiore," Guy explained. Natalia couldn't help noticing the way Guy's blue eyes lit up at the mention of the flying machine. She hid a smile, recalling Guy's fascination with fontech.

"Well, then," said Astor. "Let me get out a map, and we'll see if we can spot a pattern."

"I have one here already," Jade said, reaching into his pocket. He unfolded a large map of Auldrant and spread it out on Astor's desk. "I borrowed this from the Malkuth Consulate. I've marked the locations of all the problems we're aware of so far."

"So far?" Natalia asked sharply. "Colonel, are you implying that more trouble may be occurring elsewhere, of which we are not yet aware?"

"Just so," Jade said, smiling at Natalia as if in approval. Natalia glared at him.

"You're always such a pessimist, Jade," Guy remarked.

"I'm only being logical. So, do any of you have anything to add to this map?"

Everyone bent to examine the map, and one by one they shook their heads.

"Good," said Jade. "Now then... does anyone notice anything about the marked areas that they may have in common?"

Astor squinted. "It looks like every potential source of a natural disaster has produced a disaster."

"Except for floods," Guy pointed out. "I haven't heard of any flooding anywhere."

"That's certainly true at the moment," said Jade. "However, I suspect it is only a matter of time before melting snow may flood Keterburg, and possibly most of Sylvana – if the temperature begins to rise instead of continuing to fall."

"'If,' not 'when,' Jade?" Guy murmured.

"Hmmm." Jade looked thoughtful. "It's only a hypothesis so far. Therefore, yes, 'if.'"

Silence fell, and it stretched awkwardly.

General Cecille straightened. "Well, I hope you can determine whether all these events are connected. Best of luck to you. In the meantime, I have a mission to carry out. Farewell for now." With that, she departed.

Jade's gaze followed Cecille as she left. "May I ask what her mission is, Natalia? Or is it a state secret?"

"It's not public information, Colonel, but I believe I can trust you and Guy," Natalia replied. "General Cecille is taking half of her division to the Zao Ruins, to see whether any clues can be found there."

"Isn't that pretty dangerous?" Guy asked, alarmed. "The ruins could collapse while Jozette and her troops are down there, trapping them underground."

"We are aware of the risk, yes," Natalia said stiffly.

"Er... sorry," Guy apologized.

"Your concern for your cousin is understandable, Guy," Jade admonished, "but do keep in mind that facing dangerous situations is her duty as a soldier."

"Yeah, I know," Guy said, obviously still unhappy.

"She'll be fine, Guy," Natalia said, with a confidence she did not feel.

Jade straightened. "Well then, shall we be on our way?"

Guy nodded. "Sheridan, here we come!"

"There's a freighter leaving for Sheridan in—" Astor glanced at the clock "—two hours. I'll make arrangements with the captain for your passage, Colonel, Count Gardios."

"Thank you for your assistance," said Jade.

"Hey, Natalia, want to come with us?" Guy invited.

Natalia hesitated. "I promised Father that I would come straight home from Chesedonia. I should not break my word to him. But..."

"...You want to help, for Kimlasca's sake," Guy finished. "Astor, will that freighter be stopping in Baticul along the way?"

"Yes, why?" Astor asked.

"Natalia, you could write a letter to His Majesty while we sail from Chesedonia to Baticul, and give it to one of the soldiers at the port. I'm sure that if you explain the whole situation and everything you've learned about what's happening, he'll understand."

"Everything," Natalia echoed. "All over Auldrant, not just in Kimlasca. Yes, you're right." She squared her shoulders. "He will understand. I hope."

"Three passages, then," said Astor. "Best of luck to you all. Be sure to keep in touch. Hee hee hee!"

"One last thing, Astor," said Jade.

"Yes, Colonel?"

"Has anything odd occurred in Tataroo Valley?"

Astor shook his head. "Not that I've heard of. Why do you ask?"

Guy glanced sidelong at Jade. "Are you looking for information about Luke, too?"

Jade didn't answer. Instead he said to Astor, "Thank you for your time."

Astor was clearly baffled by this exchange, but he smiled and nodded. "No problem. Come by whenever you wish. Eee hee hee!"

Deep beneath the Zao Ruins, an echoing voice swore in frustration.

...Dammit! I'll never get outta here at this rate!

Author's Note: I hope all of you are enjoying the story so far. Reviews would be highly appreciated!