CHAPTER 4: ESCAPE FROM IVALICE



Jardin smiled as he saw the silhouettes of his faithful soldiers approaching the gates astride their chocobos.

"Good! That was quick!" he called. He waited for his company to reach the gate and then turned toward them.

"We're off," he began. "Though I've only thought briefly about this, I have decided to go to Tabreum for a while. Romo and I are convicts here, and I could do little good before being captured. I'll go to Tabreum and see what I can accomplish there. Plus, there's an artifact specialist over there who I want to check out my medallion. But we have no time to discuss the matter, for we've got to go! We'll talk about it further tonight. We'll be making for Spurgin, a town near the Ivalice- Tabreum border."

With that, Jardin urged his chocobo forward, and the others followed suit. They rode all day at a consistently hurried speed, traveling around towns and other populated areas. The war torn landscape proved to be dull and depressing, and the party traveled in grim silence. Resting only for a half-hour at mid-day, they let little distract them from their haste. Finally, when the chocobos were too tired to take another stride, they halted and set up camp in a grassy clearing amid a scraggly wasteland of weeds. Kate went off into the wilderness and killed a wild boar for their supper.

The stars were bright in the sky as the party sat around a campfire eating the roasted pork. A breeze from the west tugged at their clothing and hair, and the chirping of crickets could be heard in the brush nearby.

Jardin looked at his new companions, making note of their features. Hammer was dressed in traditional monk fashion- a red head band, a crimson vest covering his bare chest, and baggy red pants complimented by a green belt. His hair was slicked back like every other one of the noble fist fighters known as monks. In fact, the only ways he defied the poster boy monk impression were his broad face peppered with light scars, and black hair rather then the standard chestnut brown.

Both Kate and Linus, however, were virtually indistinguishable from the fellow members of their military classes. Linus, like every other Black Mage, was the personification of mystery with his tall, pointed straw hat that shrouded his face, his blue cloak that fell across his body, completely covering his torso, and his striped pants. Kate looked very fierce and intimidating in full armor, complete with a helmet that covered all but the upper half of her face and a heavy breastplate and spear. The only thing about her that looked even mildly domestic was the standard blue skirt that reached her ankles.

Romo looked over at Jardin, his breath visible in the crisp night air. "Jardin," he said quietly. "What do you think about what happened today?"

"Well, Readon guessed that we might live through our encounter with the troops dispatched after us in Igros, so he sent those posters over to our camp, I suppose," replied the captain slowly.

"No, I mean the sudden attack on the camp by Tabreum troops."

"Whatever Readon says, this is a real war for the commoners," returned Jardin, suddenly and forcefully. "Even if the nobles stay far away from the fights, there still is death for our fellow commoners. No, the traitors from our squadron will be routed, I'm afraid. Since this is a Pillager's war, one squadron could be quite enough to defend the camp, but after we eliminated some of them."

A Pillager's war was the particular state of war Tabreum and Ivalice currently waged against one another. Battles in a Pillager war were fought with squads number no greater then fifty. Any more then that was considered to be a serious war crime until the state was upgraded into Mass war.

"I'm also wondering about that medallion," continued Romo after a short period of silence. "Do you mean to tell me that Readon's looking for it, and it's been under his nose the whole time?"

"It's not so obscure a possibility. I suspect that my real father gave it to my nurse to give to me as I was taken away. Readon always ignored me, let alone my personal things, and never dreamed that I could have it. In any case, it's a vital clue to our situation.

"Anyway, here's the plan to get into Tabreum. As you know, a long mountain range known as the Breecher Mountains separate Ivalice from Tabreum. There is a pass through the valley of the largest two, but it will be heavily guarded. However, I don't like our chances of going over a mountain without a path. I remember a path over one of the smaller mountains that would be guarded, but not so much that we couldn't sneak past. I feel our best chance is that way.

The group fell back into silence. Jardin looked at Romo, then at Hammer, Linus, and Kate. Suddenly, a jolt of realization coursed through his brain. He and Romo were forced to brave this adventure- they were fugitives. But the three others had a clean record, and he was asking them to wantonly march with him to possible death. How dare he ask such a thing?

"Listen," he told them, "I've realized that I've asked too much of you three. Romo and I have to go, because we both have motives to provoke us and we are both fugitives from the law. You have neither of these. Let me leave you in Spirgon, where you can leave the military and weather this out."

"Captain, we have a very good motive. You are going, and therefore we are obliged to go as well," said Linus.

"No you're not."

"It's our duty-" began Kate.

"It's not you're duty!" snapped Jardin. "I'm no longer a captain!"

"Maybe not in Ivalice," replied Hammer, "but you still command us."

"Fine then. I order you three to stay behind."

Hammer opened his mouth to argue but then sagged his shoulders. "Yes, sir," all three complied reluctantly.

With that, Jardin turned away from the fire and almost instantly fell into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, back at Igros castle, Readon Greyhelm was sitting in his office staring intently at an old man with bushy gray hair and a scraggly beard dressed in a scholar's robe.

As the residing lord of one of the largest city in Ivalice, he had quite enough wealth to surround himself with the exotic and beautiful. Rich red tapestries adorned the walls, and suits of armor stood guard at the oaken double doors. He sat at his cedar desk decorated by diamond-encrusted nick-knacks with his back to a pair of huge windows overlooking the town of Igros.

"So, you have decoded the message?" the noble inquired in great earnest.

"Yes, we have," returned the old man. "It was written in an ancient language. Once we figured out the language, we found it was written in code, an incredibly complex one. However, with a dozen of the brightest minds in Igros working nonstop at it, we managed to decode it."

"And your findings?" pressed Readon.

"It is located in an obscure mountain cave at the very southeastern corner of Ivalice. That would be somewhere in the Imbron mountain range, though the specific mountain is not given.

"Also, it is as you suspected. The medallion with the relief of an airship is required, as well as another one with a different relief carving."

"We need to find them!"

"Well, we poured through Dante's journals and appendixes, and it seems that HE possessed one!"

"Dante had one?!" gasped Readon. "Impossible! We searched his entire flat, right after. no!!!"

"Sir! Are you alright?!"

Readon's face had turned a beat red. His fists were knotted tightly, and his knuckles were whitening.

"We never searched the place until AFTER we had taken Jardin! The little brat must have it!" he seethed through clenched teeth. He smashed his fist into his expensive desk as he screamed for a servant. In a matter of seconds, the serving-man, a tall gangly fellow, burst into the room.

"Y-yessir?" he stammered.

"Make sure that the wanted posters for one, Jardin Dante have this statement added: 'Take from the body a small silver medallion and deliver it to Igros castle to collect your reward.' Then, have the new batch sent out immediately to every town in Ivalice."

"Right away, sir."

When Jardin awoke the next morning from his reverie, he could hear the hustle and bustle of his companions making breakfast. The salty scent of leftover roasted pork wafted gently into his nostrils.

"Need I ask what's for breakfast?" he grinned wryly, opening an eye.

"No, I don't think so," replied Romo, setting a plateful of sizzling meat before him. "Eat up. We have a long ride ahead of us."

Immediately after breakfast, the five cleared their campsite of every footprint and bit of gristle before readying their chocobos and departing. With at least a good three dozens miles between themselves and any possible pursuers, their ride that day was much more relaxing and enjoyable. The sun shone brightly in a perfectly clear sky, and instead of barren, rocky hills, they were treated to lush forests and sprawling plains. Thus, it seemed only a few hours before they reached the village of Spirgon. It was a quiet little town surrounded by a wall of great spiked timbers. They passed by the intimidating wall, and the chocobo feet made a din on the cobblestone street. Jardin stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders, heaving a great sigh. Tonight, they would find an inn to spend the night, and tomorrow they would sneak into Tabreum. They would find the artifact specialist, a certain Alec Durengeo, and after that, Jardin could only guess.

Hammer soon interrupted Jardin's train of thought. "Excuse me, sir, but will it be safe to stay here?"

"Don't worry," responded Jardin. "I don't think that our posters could've come here by now. Still, be on your guard."

The party rode through the streets, searching for a cheap hotel. Jardin found the houses here to be more entertaining for the passerby then those in Igros. Spirgon featured many different types of architecture, including the A-frame, a style Jardin had never before seen. Finally, the company halted in front of a run-down, old, green house with creaky shutters and chipped paint. A sign at the front of a weed covered walk probably once said, "Bed and Breakfast" but was so worn and faded that it now said "Be an eakfas". Jardin dismounted and walked to the door, knocking sharply three times. An old lady in a simply gray dress, bent over a wooden cane, opened the door and drawled out a quick, "What ya be wantin'?"

"We need beds for five and stabling for five yellow chocobos, please," Jardin stated politely.

"Yaa, we can do that," she said, eyeballing him and the others suspiciously before hobbling back in.

The five were pleasantly surprised to find that they each had their own room. From the lobby, furnished with a few chairs, a matted throw rug, and the landlady's desk, they walked up a stairway to a balcony, where the doors to the rooms were located. Any positive feelings, however, were soon lost. Suffice it to say they did not receive deluxe accommodations. As Jardin turned the key in his locked door, he could hear the rats scurrying back into the shadows.

Well, it could have been worse. The room featured a small bed, a dusty desk, a wardrobe, and a basin full of murky water. Near the bed, a cracked window with ratty lavender drapes was opened, letting in the fresh air. The plaster walls had huge cracks, some that spanned the entire height, and Jardin could spot eleven insects without looking. He flopped down on his bed and drew his dagger, running his thumb thoughtfully along the edge. Thoughts of grief, uncertainty, and fear flew through his mind before he finally fell into a trance-like sleep.

That night it rained. Great drops of water smashed almost violently against the cracked windowpanes of the inn. A streak of lightning split the star-speckled field of the night sky, and a great clap of thunder followed moments later. Another rumble of thunder boomed in the distance, just in time to drown out Jardin's scream.

Grasping his chest, Jardin heaved in the evening air like a dying man gasping for a last breath. Yes, it was the dream again. This time, he could remember snatches of it. Great soldiers- ten feet tall at least, wandering about the world raining down death and destruction. Their bronze armor glimmered in the setting sunlight, and their weapons gleamed, tainted with fresh gore. Blood. It was everywhere. The smell was overwhelming. Unarmed civilians, young and old, male and female, lay dead, their faces twisted into expressions of agony and despair. And the soldiers treaded on, amid the bloody carnage, against a setting sun.

That was the beginning of the dream. The rest, perhaps, would be revealed in time.

As the terror of the dream slowly faded into reality, Jardin became aware of voices below him. One he instantly recognized as the cantankerous old landlady, but the other was strange to him.

"Ya, I have 'em housed upstairs. Funny customers altogether, an' no mistake!" slurred the aged woman.

"And what of the one with brown hair, wearing a gray cloak over armor and carrying a long sword? What room is he in?" asked the stranger in a low and surly voice.

"Now why'd you be wantin' to know that?"

"I'm a friend of his. I was to meet him and his companions here. Perhaps he failed to mention me?"

"He did, but as you know so much about him, you must a-tellin' the truth. He's in the leftmost room."

Jardin could hear the heavy tread of boots striding up the stairway and towards his room. He quickly darted under his bed, sending a large pack of rats to flight. One bounded over his face, while another ran over his hand. From outside the room, the unmistakable rasp of a weapon being drawn sent a thrill of fear coursing through his heart.

Suddenly, Jardin heard a soft pop in the lock, and the door opened slowly. Light streamed in through the entrance, throwing the long, broad shadow of a man across the wooden floor. He walked over to the bed, and then, finding it empty, threw open the wardrobe. Growling in anger, he walked back to the bed, and kneeling down, thrust an arm under, sweeping it back and forth. Jardin backed against the wall noiselessly, but the arm crawled steadily towards him. Desperately grabbing a rat, Jardin threw it at the intruder's arm. The enraged rodent buried its teeth into the flesh, gnawing hungrily. Screaming in pain, the man yanked his arm from under the bed and hurled the pest to the floor, stomping on it in rage.

Jardin crept from under the bed and grabbed the apparent bounty hunter's arms, pushing him against the desk. A long, steel dagger fell from his grasp. Jardin twisted the arm into a certain position, and threw all his weight on top of it. An audible snap was heard, and Jardin quickly stuffed his cloak into the man's mouth, stifling a long and terrible scream. Then, yanking the other arm near the broken one, he reached over, tore one of the drapes from the window, and bound the stranger's hands. Jardin seized him by the shoulders and pushed him into the bed. Reaching under his pillow, he drew out his weapons, and pointed the tip of the dagger at his face.

"I'll get to the point. You'd better tell me everything, or you can expect some unpleasant consequences." whispered Jardin vehemently, prodding him in the stomach with the weapon. The man wore no armor and the dagger was his only weapon, indicating that he was a thief of some sort. He was rather stocky, but seemed to be in good physical shape. A green cloak covered his face.

The captive flinched in fear. "Alright," he groaned, his speech pained. "I'm a bounty hunter. I recently found a poster with your face on it. It had a 100,000 gil reward for the disposal of you and the retrieval of a medallion. I found a piece of info from one of my sources that you were seen heading for the border. Naturally, I rode here after you."

"100,000 gil reward." Jardin shook his head in amazement. "That's a 90,000 gil difference from the former reward." He lifted the medallion from the inside of his shirt and stared at it. Then, hiding the silver disk back under his shirt, he shot his attention back to the thief.

"Do you know of any others that planned to capture me tonight?"

"Yeah, a gang of a dozen bounty hunters departed my city the same time as me, but since a single man travels faster then a group, I reached here first."

A dozen!? This was not good. Jardin glanced nervously out his window, but there was no one to be seen. Girding his weapons, he knocked the thief unconscious with a quick blow from the butt of the dagger. As he sheathed the blade, he raced to Romo's room and kicked the door open. Romo sat up in surprise and fear, but then relaxed as he recognized his friend.

"Romo, get ready! Now! We have a little time to escape yet!"

"What?" asked Romo in utter consternation.

"Just get ready!"

As Romo yanked on his traveling clothes and armor, Jardin explained the situation.

"What about the others?" inquired Romo as Jardin finished talking.

"We'll hafta leave them. The bounty hunters won't harm them if we're not with them."

The two friends then ran out of the inn to the stable, readying their chocobos with great speed. Then, they rode from the town toward the mountain to the north. In their great haste, however, they were unaware of the silhouette of another rider that followed at a cautious distance.

Between the inky darkness and the oppressive atmosphere of fear, neither Jardin nor Romo could recall much of their journey up the mountain path, except the fact that after a few hours, the air became unbearably cold and snow became visible. By the time they reached the summit, the chocobos were treading through a foot of the stuff. Finally, Jardin spotted the sight that sent both relief and fear to his heart: a great rock cliff that spanned the entire summit of the mountain. The only way into Tabreum, save by climbing the cliff, was through a tunnel kept under guard. As the two neared the spot, Jardin jumped off his chocobo into the cover of a snow bank twenty yards away from the tunnel.

Yes, it was guarded, but not so much as to crush hope. There were three archers on one end, and two knights, and a chemist on the other. Unfortunately, they all appeared to be quite experienced and battle hardened, unlike the three archers Jardin managed to defeat single handedly.

After a few moments of mental planning, Jardin leaned over to Romo and whispered, "I think this'll work. We send our chocobos running away in plain sight of the guards. They'll send a few guards over to check it out, and that's when we run. If we can cross the little stream ahead of the tunnel, we've made it into Tabreum and we're safe."

"That's it?" grinned Romo incredulously. "THAT'S the plan? I could come up with something better than that!"

"You try thinking up something better in three minutes! But if you want to hold a strategy meeting then you might as well dig our graves and carve our tombstones while you're at it- there's no way we can survive in this cold for long."

To this Romo concurred, and they began sneaking closer to the tunnel. After around ten minutes of crawling through the snow, they reached the final snow bank that provided cover. Their clothes were soaked, and their hair clung to their faces. Then, each grabbing a small stone, they drew their swords and hurled the projectiles at their chocobos' flanks. With a loud "WARK!!" The large birds ran off to the left of the tunnel. Looking up in surprise, and archer and knight followed the birds. Once they were a good distance away, Jardin and Romo sprinted from the bank and ran toward their freedom. Pushing the two archers into the snow and clearing the tunnel, Jardin scythed down the knight with a mighty blow, while Romo cut the chemist to the ground. Jardin looked over his shoulder, and all hope was lost. The archers had recovered, and were taking aim with their crossbows. Suddenly, seemingly out of no where, a rider, the shadow Jardin and Romo had failed to notice, charged toward the enemies, trampling one. It was Hammer! The monk leapt of his chocobo and broke the second archer's jaw with an incredible drop kick to the face. By now, Jardin and Romo had reached and forded the shallow stream into Tabreum. Picking himself up, Hammer ran with great speed towards his captain. But even as he neared the stream, the third archer who had run after the chocobo appeared in the dim torch light of the tunnel.

"HURRY, HAMMER!!" screamed Jardin and Romo simultaneously.

Hammer had finally reached the stream, but then suddenly collapsed into the water, an crossbow bolt embedded in his side. Clawing pathetically at the rocks of the stream, he looked up at Jardin, his pained face sending a clear message: "Run. Don't make me die in vain." His legs slowly stopped moving, and his body fell limp into the stream, dead.

But Jardin and Romo obeyed, and ran from the border with incredible speed. As they ran, all the emotion and tension of the past few days exploded, and they sobbed long and hard. Finally, whether their grief was too great, or the stitches in their side became unbearable, or their legs simply could not carry them any farther, they collapsed to the ground. They found that the air was warmer, and the snow had almost totally receded. They had escaped Ivalice.