6Harry Potter: Eorzean Odyssey
Chapter Three: A Call to Council
Harry froze at the mention of his mother he looked at the young sylph and made a decision to let it pass "No I do not think she did. Anyway, Harry is spelled like this" he proceeded to draw his name in the dirt Noraxia watching him intently.
"This one does not understand what you have written but would like to learn." She paused and then asked, "Will you teach Noraxia this?"
For the first time in a long while, Harry smiled "Yes Noraxia I will teach you if you will help teach me too." This seemed to make Noraxia happy as she began to flit around. Eventually, other sylphs approached and thanked Harry for his assistance in bringing him food and drink. Harry noted the others were conferring gesticulating in his direction, he did not notice Pipin come up to him.
"It's a great thing you did there defending Little Solace like that. You have earned the sylphs respect."
"I have worried the Archons" Harry mentioned "My name seems to confuse my young friend Maybe I should use my middle name."
"Middle Name?" Pipin asked "Most people in Eorzea only have two, their given names and a surname"
"There was a time in my world where that was the case as well. I do not know when that changed." Harry spoke in a low tone "My given name Harry is a common version of Henry or Harold, My Middle name James was also my Father's name, My Surname is Potter which speaks to my family's distant past as we were like a clan who were Potters by trade."
"Well, Harry it is good to meet you. I am Pipin Tarupin and I am sorry for Yannif he has had a thing for Mistress Y'shtola for quite some time." Pipin was about to say something more but he stiffened and snapped to attention "Immortals, Adders, and Maelstrom Look Alive! we have company. Harry the leadership of the Alliance is just down the road there and they are coming here. It is said the spirits of the twelveswood speak to the Elder Seedseer she likely saw the entire incident as it happened."
Harry looked at the shield and at the Sylphs frolicking about the glen and then at Y'shtola approaching him with a stern look on her face. He looked down at Pipin "Pipin my friend have you ever gotten the feeling you are about to get yelled at?" Pipin nodded as he looked toward the archons
"She looks mad Potter" Pipin surmised "Good luck with that Lad I am going to make my report to the council." With a nod, he turned and left harry alone and ill-equipped to deal with the small storm that was coming.
Harry decided to bite the bullet and meet her halfway he had no idea what he was going to say but he would meet her halfway.
Y'shtola's feelings were all over the map He had a lot of power, he used it only when he needed to. He was reckless and he could have gotten himself killed but, the aether sang around him. She did not know if she wanted to kiss him, scold him, or both she was startled out of her musing by hand on her shoulder
She looked up into shimmering green eyes and promptly forgot what she was going to say so instead she wrapped her arms around him hugged him. She felt him stiffen for a moment which told her a story of its own and then he wrapped his arms around her when she finally whispered "Why didn't you seek cover you could have been hurt"
"I know" Harry responded gravely then remembering what the old archon said to him and what Dumbledore would say. "My mentor Albus Dumbledore had a saying. It is our choices that we make us who we are. It would have been easy to seek cover and leave others to fend for themselves. However, it was right to rise in defense of others. Master Louisoix said others would come and would not understand the choice he chose to save those he could. So, did I. These people." Harry made a circular gesture "The archons, That overbearing ass Yannif, and you. Hiding was not an option for me."
Pipin walked toward the council of the Eorzean Alliance stopping a respectful ten feet from her grace the Sultana of Ul'dah he bowed deeply before taking a knee "Your Grace, reporting as ordered! The archons were already out of the valley when we found them something Master Louisoix did transported many, Eorzean and Garlean alike from the valley. We have with us a young man, a new Archon. A short while ago My second Yannif struck the young man for trying to join the other Archons."
"He did what?" a voice barely above a whisper not from the Sultana or the General but the Elder Seedseer the tone caused Pipin pause before continuing "The young man in turn knocked Yannif out. It was then that a Garlean Magitek drone attacked us and rather than finding cover He did that…" Pointing at the barrier that was created "The archons had their sensors on and whatever was said it irritated Mistress Y'shtola and as you can see Her and Young man are having a bit of an intimate moment. I think he has calmed her down."
"Master Tarupin" The sultana began, "I think I speak for the entire council when I say Thank you for escorting the archons hence. General, it appears you have some discipline to enforce."
"Aye, your grace if you do not mind, I will handle that when Yannif wakes up!" the mountain of a man Turned to the small Lallafell gladiator "Son, what do you think would be a fair punishment."
Pipin drew in a breath "Yannif has never been shy about the depths of his desire for Mistress Y'shtola." Pipin stated finding his voice "Furthermore he saw how close she was too the young man and tried to use his position as an Immortal Flame to not only disrespect the Archons but to hurt the young man. What is worse members of the Twin Adder and the Maelstrom stood by and did nothing? They offered him no food or water. All men involved should be disciplined. Yannif should be demoted in rank if not outright expelled for conduct unbecoming."
The elder Seedseer looked at Pipin "The council thanks you for your report. Now we would like to meet with the Archon's. What is the young man's name?"
"Harry James Potter" Pipin turned and began walking deeper into little solace "If you would follow me."
Harry and Y'shtola had been holding each other reveling in the intimate feel and then Harry nuzzled her neck drawing his head up a and leaning his forehead against hers looking into her bright eyes "Thank you!"
"For what exactly?" Y'shtola asked the surprise evident on her face
"For taking me to task for being reckless" Harry leaning to kiss her on the nose was surprised when her soft lips met his in a short chaste kiss. Compared to kiss he and Cho shared this was bliss "Why?"
"Because if you want more of that you will be more careful" she said seriously "I have never sought marriage nor relations with any man of any race. Until now none have been worthy but we have known each other scant days. Let that kiss be a reminder for you to remain worthy in thought and deed. And Mayhap one day you will ask a particular question and my answer will be yes."
Harry's mouth hung open he was way too young to even consider marriage at this point and slowly his brain caught up "As my lady wishes" it was then he could hear the gentle teasing from the other Archons who had gathered around but even that slowly died
"Archons, the council of the Eorzean Alliance would have a word with you. Harry James Potter the Elder Seedseer of Gridania would like to have words with you first." Pipin said smiling sardonically
"He used my full name that usually means I am in trouble" Harry said turning around
"Why do you say that, Harry?" Y'shtola said asked
"Whenever I did something that made Hermione angry…" then it hit him Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Neville all that he left behind" Harry looked down and took in shuddering breath he could feel the tears start to fall "I left them in battle trying to save my godfather…I failed, I failed them all."
Kan E-Senna had been watching the boy one moment he had been happy she heard one word at the end before he started to sob 'whoever Hermione is she must be special to him 'she brushed by Pipin not saying a word she took the sobbing boy who was underweight by her reckoning entirely to thin and wrapped him in a hug reminiscent of ones her mother gave her and her siblings "I am truly sorry for the loss you have suffered. I will not blithely lie and say it will be better with time. The loss of the ones we love does not get easier with time we simply find new people to let into our heart to help heal the wound." She then motioned for Y'shtola to take a place on the other side of Harry. "Please tell us what makes your heart so heavy."
Y'shtola took the sign from the Elder Seedseer and sat down behind Harry as he was lowered to the ground "Tell us about your friends and Family." She sat behind him leaning him back into a comforting embrace.
Minfilia was once again drawn into a vision She found herself once again in the room with the eerie archway she heard the dark-haired crazy lady cackle, "I Killed Harry Potter and the Marauders" she said in a sing song voice her mind no longer on the combat which cost the formidable witch her life as The three young women focused their fire on the cackling witch. All seemed to cry out "Reducto" beams of light slammed into the mad witch. The blonde's spell pulverized wand arm at the shoulder causing her to spin violently into the red-haired girls spell hitting the witch in the back sending the woman staggering only for the bushy haired witches Spell to land in the back of her head causing her head to burst spraying blood, bones and brain matter around the room.
A moment later all the people attacking the kids lay on the ground screaming in pain as their left arms started smoldering moments later as a grim-faced old man limped into the room "Voldemort and I met in the atrium the fight was brutal but, in the end, he fell to my wand" The old man said quietly the old professor took stock of the situation did a rough headcount and came up three short "What happened where are Harry, Remus and Sirius"
There was a stark silence as the kids looked at one another. Finally, the bushy haired girl answered "Bellatrix Lestrange killed Sirius, his body fell through the veil. Harry ran toward the veil to try to get to Sirius. Remus was trying to stop him and Bellatrix cast a Flipendo on Remus carrying both of them through Veil." She was barely holding her anger in at this point let it all fly out "This could have been avoided easily, Headmaster, you could let Harry know what was really happening. Harry is dead because of you and your choices now if you will excuse us, we have to plan a ceremony for our friend. The other five nodded and filed from the room leaving albus to deal with the aftermath of their visit.
Snapping out of the echo induced vision. Minfilia knelt next to Harry "Your friends are alive the three girls. Destroyed the witch called Bellatrix Lestrange. The blond one pulverized an arm causing her to drop a stick. The red-haired girl hit her in the back and the bushy haired girl took off her head." Minfilia took a breath before continuing "The bushy haired girl, then laid into your headmaster."
Harry looked at Minfilia with awe "The blond-haired girl is Luna Lovegood, the red-haired girl is Ginny Weasely. The Bushy haired girl is my best friend Hermione Granger." He then took a deep breath letting the relief of knowing his friends were alive. "Thank you for that."
"Hermione laying into Albus Dumbledore." Harry mused "I would pay to see that. Knowing they will live on helps. I can definitely imagine what they are feeling. Are you seer or something?"
"No I have a rare ability called the echo," Minfilia sighed "Most of the time I only see bad things it is a joy to see something good even if it is bittersweet. From what I can tell your lady friends care deeply for you."
"Thank you, Min… it is a load off my mind that I did not get them killed" Harry admitted "Sorry if it is to presumptuous to shorten your name."
"That is Just fine Harry." She said with a smile before slugging Harry in the arm "Don't do anything like that again. I kind of like the idea of having an adopted little brother"
Turning to elder Seedseer "Thank you for your kindness, Ma'am. From what my friend Pipin has said you are one of the representatives of the Eorzean Alliance." Harry said quietly his posture solidifying "I am …"
"Harry James Potter!" The elder Seedseer intoned "Pipin has relayed some of the happenings, Archon Potter." Her eyes narrowed in annoyance "We would know who the men were that treated you with disrespect"
"Your Graces" Harry began seeing that she was annoyed but not at him "They do not know me, I quite literally am not from this world. I woke up in the middle of massive battle in which Bahamut was punishing everyone friend and foe alike" he stood a little taller "They were trying to protect the other Archons and I cannot fault them for keeping them safe!" Harry said looking at Y'shtola "I would have you look the other way with the exception of Yannif. Who is a different story from what I understand he is an officer in the Immortal Flames? He should face a review from his superiors and they should determine an appropriate punishment. Beyond that I would request I be remanded into the custody of my fellow archons."
"We release you on your own recognizance" Kan E Senna replied a smile know you will always be welcome in Gridania." She smiled "What you have done here today is equally impressive and worrying. We" she motioned to the others "would like to speak with you over the next few days but for now please take your ease. We will return to Nopica's Altar. You will have accommodations at The Roost"
"Ugh!" Thancred groaned only to be met by snickers and Minfilia to pat the tall man on the back muttering something only Thancred could hear. Thancred raised his head "You are right Minfilia, the moment she sees young Harry here she will likely forget all about me."
Harry cocked his head to the side "When who sees me and why will they forget about you?" Harry asked before continuing "I mean you are pretty flamboyant Thancred. One would think it would be impossible to ignore you."
Yda Laughed "Mother Miounne, she is the proprietress of the Carline Canopy the tavern in the roost."
"Yes, she has been trying to, how did she put it." Papalymo looked thoughtful for a moment "Ah yes she wanted to 'put some meat on his bones' until he could find a wife to take care of him."
Which caused everyone present to laugh except Thancred "I do not need meat on my bones. "He said with a huff "Minfilia likes me the way I am. Don't you dear?"
"Well, you could be faster on the uptake I have only been throwing myself at you for two years." Minfilia snickered "I am more worried that she won't approve."
"Minfilia she has been wondering if Thancred was blind" Urianger said softly she saw clearly as the rest of what he could not ."
"Urianger is right" Y'shtola said quietly "You are everything she hoped he would find in a partner. Remember She worries about everyone." Turning to Harry she continued "she will try to fatten you up as you do look a little malnourished."
"Aye me thinks that's why The Elder Seedseer is putting us up there" Pipin said with a chuckle but then looked at Yannif lying on the ground "Harry when is he going to wake Yannif weighs nearly 25 stones and none of us relish the idea of carrying him."
Harry's smile dimmed "I can wake him now if you would like but if he comes at me with violence again, I may get creative and turn him into something useful like a stool"
"I am Raubahn Aldynn" The mountain of man rumbled as he reached and arm out to Harry harry having read books and seen the action on the telly grasped the man's arm "Well Met young man I promise as General of the Immortal Flames He will not be acting at all for quite a while. Please wake him."
Harry nodded and walked over to Yannif "Enervate"
Yannif awoke his entire body hurt and the last thing he remembered was the boy who was now standing over him. "Before you even think to try to assault him again Yannif." Pipin Said stridently "The General wants a word with you."
"He can have his word when we get to Gridania. With this one in chains" Yannif growled he started to move toward Harry when he felt a hand on His shoulder. And the words that spoken froze his blood.
"I will have my word now Yannif!" Raubahn barked which had the dual effect of surprising everyone and scaring Yannif. You are to Accompany Pipin with these others to New Gridania meet up with the council where you will be given an assignment and you will do it with a smile on your face for as long as the Kan E Senna wants you to do that assignment. Am I in any way unclear?"
"Sir Yes Sir" Yannif snapped off "Will There be anything else sir?"
"You will apologize and thank young Harry for saving your sorry ass" Raubahn all but spat "If you look around you will see a Barrier made of Aether and that young man's will a Magitek drone cruiser decided to light the area on fire with plasma if it were not for the young man, you and all of little solace would be dead."
"But General that could be an elaborate ruse to seed an imperial spy" Yannif spoke the desperation clear in his voice. "I was protecting the remaining Archons."
"He is not wrong. I suppose I could be an imperial spy." Harry said wryly "But I don't know where anything is in this world, I don't know how you measure distance, time, weight, I do not know the history nor why Master Urianger is frightened of me. I fell through a portal in the middle of a fight for my life leaving my friends believing I am dead. I will make an oath on my magic if I am lying it will strip me of my magic at best at worst it will kill me. Which is what you would want because you desire Y'shtola"
"Harry you are being reckless again" Y'shtola said in a dangerous voice "Yannif, you never had a snowflakes chance in southern Thanalan of wooing me. I Choose Him" She cried pointing at Harry "You see my body not my mind and soul. He sees all of me. You covet me! He respects me! When we needed you, you were unconscious because in your pride you refused to see that he is better man than you. Rather than run and hide he used his gifts to protect us all even you. You could learn much from each other but you have to understand it is her whom I want."
Y'shtola declaration stopped all conversation Harry blushed a little "Erm so about my oath"
"Stop right their lad" Yannif said softly "I see the look she has in her eyes. She says you are better man than it must be. I have known her for nigh on 36 moons and never has she paid any man attention. If you hurt her, I will break your scrawny neck"
"If I Hurt her, I will let you!" Harry said simply Turning to Y'shtola "I know I did it again. He was not wrong others will make the accusation and they may make it for more sinister motives."
Y'shtola stood stock still "The only oath I ever want from you will come in due time. I choose you and will endeavor not to risk my life needlessly I expect you to do the same." She looked at him her hands grasping his "Promise me Please"
"I promise not to waste my life on a fool's errand. I cannot promise not to risk my life because I will always try to do what is right over what is easy." Harry moved her hands up kissing both "I hope that will be enough"
Authors note: 2021 was a dumpster fire particularly the latter half of the year culminating with the loss of Betty White. The muse is slowly beginning to speak to me again but it feels like drawing blood from stone some days. I wish you all a happy new year