Redemption for a Weary Soldier
Disclaimer: I do not own FFX2 or an of its characters
Chapter 7
XX
The trail twisted and zigzagged along the rocky crevices of the ancient mountain. The pair of weary travelers had steadily descended the peaks for many hours. A full day had passed since Paine and Baralai spoke of things of importance. Now the words were frivolous and full of air.
It was almost enough to drive Paine insane.
Indeed, she felt thoroughly annoyed with the former Praetor now, mostly because he didn't seem to mind the cold, the trek, and her curt replies to his pointless inquiries. The inner reaches of Paine told her that this careful politeness was purposefully put forth to goad her into starting another argument. Or perhaps to speak of something that mattered.
As if reading her thoughts, Baralai suddenly exclaimed, "Oh look, a cave! This one has footprints leading out of the entrance. Perhaps we are getting closer to the Ronso settlement."
"Or maybe some animal stupid enough to wander up here needed shelter," Paine replied.
"Yes, perhaps that too," Baralai responded with an easy grin.
Paine frowned. Why'd he always have to be so damn agreeable? "Or it could be an impossibly strong fiend that ate the whole Ronso tribe and now waits for its next prey."
His grin faltered slightly, favoring a more perplexed look as Baralai contemplated her suggestion and then his smirk reappeared. He chuckled, "Maybe, in which case hopefully the fact that I haven't had a proper bath since I left Zanarkand will turn its appeals away from myself."
The laugh escaped Paine before she could help it, but as soon as it left her mouth she clamped it down and forced a deep frown on her face. Unfortunately, perceptive as he was, he easily caught her chortle and smiled in an almost triumphant manner. He opened his mouth, probably to make some kind of comment about this, when a crunch like feet in snow was heard above them followed by a thud right behind them. A mighty roar shook the ground making the ensuing silence feel like a tremble of fear from the mountain itself.
Thoughts of Paine's predictions of fiends danced in her mind as she whirled around to face the threat. But instead of a scaly, feather clad, fire-breathing monster, one lone Ronso towered over them. The spear he clutched in his hands was pointed directly at Baralai's chest. "What business have you on mountain? Garik not let unworthy men pass without proving strength. Mountain entrust Garik to weed out weak. Prove to mountain and Garik you are worthy of passing."
"I have no quarrel with you or your mountain," Baralai responded. His pose remained quite calm for someone with a spear tip pointed at his chest. "I wish to speak to Elder Khimari," he said.
"Elder not speak with weaklings such as you! If you want pass, you must prove worth," the Ronso growled.
Paine had heard enough. This brash Ronso youth had already pushed her buttons with his thick-headedness in the past and his decision to show up during a time when she felt extreme discomfort…well, things did not bode well with her concerning Garik. She drew her huge sword and crossed it with the wooden shaft of his spear. "Let us pass," she fairly hissed.
"What is this? Man make own woman fight battles for him? Pathetic!" Garik growled at Baralai who had not moved from his position.
"I am nobody's 'woman,'" Paine seethed as she pulled her sword up hearing a satisfying clang as it connected with the metal tip of the spear. "And I fight my own battles." With speed that surprised the Ronso, she arced her sword under his spear, over her head, and brought the blade down toward him. He just managed to bring his spear up in time to block the blow from hitting his thick chest. Instead of retaliating and thrusting out with his spear as Paine had anticipated, he merely held his ground blocking her sword.
"Garik not fight women," he said retracting his weapon and pointing it back at Baralai who hadn't moved. "Women and children for protecting not fighting," he stated, though by his regarding glance over Paine, as one opponent sizing up another, his statement didn't hold its weight.
"If you feel that way why did you fight Yuna?" Paine asked bringing her blade back up to point at his own chest.
"That old Garik who fought Lady Yuna. New Garik honorable. New Garik seek to atone for foolish rage. New Garik follow true will of mountain, not own will forced upon mountain."
"Those are truly wise words," Baralai spoke up. He reached behind his back and unsheathed a large staff. As he brandished it, he stated, "I understand your need for atonement. I will fight you to prove my place on the mountain if it pleases you."
He brought the staff up with a sharp jab and whirled underneath Garik's spear as the Ronso brought it down to deflect his blow. Circling around the lion-like man, Baralai vaulted off the ground with his staff planting a boot squarely in Garik's nose. As he drew back, Baralai also paused for a breather. The two watched the other with cool gazes as they waited for an assault. Garik was the one to rush forward again surprising Paine, who unwillingly watched from the sidelines, with the speed and grace of his moves. Bearing such an incredible mass, she did not think the Ronso capable of such fluid movement.
Switching tactics to mimic that of Baralai, Garik brought the point of his spear into the ground and catapulted into the air. Baralai recognized the advance and thrust his staff straight overhead tangling in the airborne Ronso's feet and forcing him to flip awkwardly to the left. Baralai caught the Ronso when he landed directly in the ribs. With a grunt Garik sprang backwards a few feet clutching his chest. After another round of testing stares, the two sprang almost in unison toward the other; both had their weapons drawn up to chest level as they approached one another. At the last second, however, Garik bent forward and neatly rolled out of the reach of Baralai's deadly arc. The Ronso thrust the wooden shaft of his spear forward catching Baralai around the knees and causing him to fall.
Time seemed to slow down for Paine as she watched Garik spring into the air bringing the gleaming point of his spear toward Baralai's heart as he dived downward. She only half noticed the lack of fear in Baralai's hazel gaze as he observed his attacker ready to deliver the deathblow.
A blow that never came.
A resounding clash of metal on metal rang throughout the mountainside as Paine's blade sprung, seemingly of its own accord through the air to intercept Garik's spearhead. Taking advantage of Garik's surprise, Paine deftly kicked the Ronso in the side forcing him to stumble backwards a few feet. Dashing after him, she raised her own sword and cut downward in a line to his vulnerable belly. Having gathered his wits, however, the Ronso also brought his spear up and just managed to block Paine's attack. The two wrestled with their weapons trying to overpower the other. Paine thought she heard Garik mutter through her battle hazed mind something about a woman being surprisingly strong, but she didn't pay attention as she was forced to switch tactics. She was very strong for a woman of her stature, but she was still no match for a Ronso.
Dropping to her knees, she dive rolled to the side and jammed her foot into Garik's backside as he staggered forward from the sudden disappearance of resistance from the other end of his spear. Now on his knees, Paine took the advantage and sprang into the air intending to drive her blade below her. Garik anticipated her motives however and instead of standing and receiving a blade through his back, he rolled and shot his foot into the air catching Paine in the stomach and hurtling her away from him.
Paine felt the foot connect with her stomach as she flew through the air. Black spots danced along the edges of her vision and when she landed with a thud she was hard pressed to scramble to her feet, not being able to take in any oxygen at the moment. She held out her sword before her and glared defiantly at the Ronso who was only just climbing to his feet. He seemed winded as well.
"THAT ENOUGH!"
Both Garik and Paine's head whipped around for the source of the command. A little ways further down the path that Baralai and Paine had only minutes before travelled stood a Ronso with a broken horn. Khimari.
"Elder!" Garik immediately dropped his spear subsequently forgetting about Baralai and Paine. Coming before the short Ronso, Garik brought one fist to his chest and raised the other hand in greeting.
"Garik did well to protect mountain. Khimari pleased with Garik. Garik may go home now," Khimari spoke with to the taller Ronso who nodded and began strolling back down the mountain trail.
Paine, Baralai, and Khimari watched the retreating Ronso's back a few moments more before Khimari regarded the other two. Paine still stood where she was, sword drawn though now pointing toward the ground. Baralai was in the process of standing and putting away his own staff, sheathing it in his belt behind his back.
Khimari nodded slightly toward Baralai and motioned for the two to follow him. "Come, we talk in village," he said and Paine and Baralai wordlessly followed.
XX
The "village" Khimari referred to was actually a network of caves located closer toward the base of the mountain. Khimari brought Paine and Baralai to the clearing at the bottom of the mountain trail where his female attendant silently awaited him.
Khimari bowed to each of them. "Baralai, Praetor of New Yevon, Paine, friend of Yuna, what bring you to Ronso mountain?"
"I am no longer Praetor," Baralai proclaimed stepping forward first. "I came to speak with you regarding the education of the Ronso cubs Lian and Ayde. If you would like, I would be honored to teach them everything I know." He bowed at the end of his announcement.
Liar, Paine thought.
Khimari considered Baralai as he thoughtfully scratched the bottom of his bearded chin. "Lian and Ayde have much to learn about ways of Spira. Education and future as Elders are linked, this Khimari knows without doubt. But cubs need more than education," he observed Baralai who politely held the elder Ronso's stare. "Cubs need understand situations in Spira's past, situations that cause hatred and evil. Cubs need learn that Spira is one no matter what others before them think."
Baralai nodded slowly understanding written into the chiseled features of his face. "Yes, it is important that the cubs are raised with a knowledge of all the cultures of Spira so they don't fear those who differ from them."
"Khimari agree, fear cause senseless hatred which bring evil and death to Spira. Baralai will teach Lian and Ayde history of Spira." The Ronso turned to his attendant. "Bring water and food for guests," he ordered and the woman nodded before disappearing around the bend of the mountain trail.
"Now, what bring Paine, friend of High Summoner Yuna to Ronso mountain home?" he asked turning to the stoic warrior.
"I wish to train on the mountain," she said and tried to gauge what the Ronso was thinking by his weighty gaze cast her way.
"Khimari not think Paine need training. Paine handled herself well against Garik, strongest of Ronso warriors. What training could mountain possibly provide to improve Paine's skills?"
"I wish to train my spirit." The words were out of Paine's mouth before she could stop them. It was as if Khimari had the power to draw the truth from any who dared cross paths with him. It was probably a trait that came with the position of "Elder."
A ghost of a smile reached the curve of Khimari's muzzle. "Yes, spirit needs much training, more even than body. Mountain excellent training source for spirit." The smile turned into a smirk and a glimmer of slyness winked out of Khimari's golden eyes. Suddenly Paine felt the urge to flee.
"Khimari make pact with Paine," he said with such finality that Paine thought any other gesture besides a tentative nod would be unwelcome. "Cubs have ways of finding adventures out of careful bounds Ronso put up. Khimari rest easier knowing someone with skills and strength were there to watch them. Paine may stay and train on mountain if she follow and protect cubs."
"Wouldn't you rather have someone from your tribe, maybe Garik?" Paine asked though she already knew she had somehow dug herself into another hole.
"Garik job to protect mountain and weed weak from surface. Besides, cubs must learn to appreciate first hand other cultures if Ronso want to survive in years to come."
Paine sighed. That feeling of being cornered returned a hundredfold as she bleakly nodded her head in ascension. Why did she suddenly feel so Yunaish?
XX
Night fell swiftly across the mountain. Baralai and Paine had been provided with their own "quarters," small caves including bedding made of various scraps of fur and a flap of leather concealing the entranceway of the small cave. Paine found no reason to complain about the lack of space. She didn't plan on spending much more time in the cave than the necessary few hours needed for sleep. In fact, she was currently poised on a jutting overhang perched over the Ronso settlement. She watched as small cooking fires flickered against the dark shadows of the night hiding within the crevices of the mountain wall. From her post, a small pool of moonlight filtered through the crags and rocky protrusions of the mountain.
She was still trying to come to grips with the whirlwind flurry of changes that had barraged her life. From Crimson Squad member to sphere hunter to deadly machine slayer to map reader and finally to Ronso cub babysitter…
She tossed her head lightly trying to dislodge the thoughts. One thing at a time, she told herself. Tomorrow she would deal with the Ronso cubs. Tonight, she would sleep and plan her meditative training.
Soft footfalls announced her visitor before a hand was placed on her shoulder. She nodded a greeting to Baralai as he sat next to her. "I brought you food from the traveling pack. I noticed that you didn't eat any of the food the Ronso brought you. Certainly it is…different, but eventually you will grow used to it." He offered the dried meats and fruits to her, but she shook her head.
"I did not eat because I am not hungry, Baralai," she proclaimed.
Baralai did not seem offended in the least. He simply pocketed the food. "Another time, then," he said of the morsels and the pair fell quiet as they watched the lethargic activity below. "I'm curious," Baralai said after several minutes of silence had ensued. "Why did you fight Garik?"
Paine frowned. "Would you have rather I let him kill you?" she asked with a slight dullness in her voice indicating that she thought his question quite stupid.
Baralai merely grinned and shook his head. "Garik was not going to kill me," he said. "His job is to prevent those without the strength to climb the mountain from doing so. You know, lest they hurt themselves."
"Well, the gesture seemed quite pointless considering we've already trekked the whole mountain," Paine responded.
"Yes, and Khimari did say that Garik's strong point was strength, not thinking." He chuckled a little. "Besides, he was putting on a more, ferocious show than was necessary." Giving Paine a sidelong look, he said, "If you ask me, I think he was trying to impress one of us."
Paine laughed jerkily again as if the thought of the hulking form of Garik fighting with all his might were truly a show put on merely for her benefit. Surely not…Paine paled slightly.
"It seems we will be working together over the next few weeks," Baralai broke through her thoughts. He chuckled as he said, "You said I have no patience for babysitting a few Ronso cubs, but I highly doubt you possess much more fortitude when it comes to youngsters than I do. I predict that their antics will put you on edge in very little time."
"Perhaps I have to deal with their antics, but you still have to answer their questions. Every single one," Paine retorted feeling highly satisfied when Baralai's face dropped from its smirk.
He tilted his head back and watched the small square of stars that managed to find their way down the mountainside. "In all honesty, I am quite relieved to be here," he said. "Mount Gagazet has always held a certain appeal for me. Even though socializing came with the job of being Praetor, I often wished for solitude. Sometimes the company interfered with my thoughts and they just scattered from my head like so many birds from a cat."
Paine tilted her head and gave him an inquisitive look. "Did my ears just deceive me, or did you actually just tell me something personal?" she asked and smirked playfully.
Baralai didn't seem to mind, but merely shrugged his shoulders. Paine sighed and rested her weight on the palms of her hands. Her smirk disappeared. "I never truly put that day out of my mind." She didn't need to expound upon the "day" as Baralai silently understood it to mean the day the Crimson Squad split up. "I had convinced myself that we were never all going to be with each other again. But then when we all became tangled in the situation with Vegnagun…it was very awkward for me. I had convinced myself that I would never see any of you again, and then to suddenly be fighting alongside all of you…"
"Or to be fighting against all of you," Baralai interjected causing Paine to desist the subject. Baralai was obviously quite touchy when it came to the matter of Shuyin.
Neither of the two felt any more need for words, and so they bid each other good night and parted ways. As Paine strolled the curving pathway hidden between the walls of rock when the frame of a hulking body, namely one Ronso Garik, suddenly obstructed her trail.
"You are in my way," Paine said with an icy undertone. She made to sidestep the Ronso but was blocked by a thick arm.
Garik leaned close and peered into her glaring eyes. His face was so close to hers she could feel the feline whiskers brushing her cheeks. Anger burned in the pit of her stomach as he continued to invade her personal space. He sniffed the air around her head breathing deeply as if tasting her scent. A low growl emanated from Paine's throat and her fist tightened around the blade of her sword.
Just as her fist tensed to draw the blade and stick it straight into the face of her invader, he was suddenly gone. He simply turned heel and disappeared as though nothing at all had happened.
Baralai's earlier allegation drifted a lazy circle through her mind, causing her body to convulse in shudders, before she put the situation out of her mind.
XX
AN: My apologies right now if this chapter seemed a little awkward to you. It was probably the most difficult chapter thus far because it is such a transition for me going from the point where I know what's going to happen to the point where it's kind of becoming up to the characters. In any case, things do not look good for poor Paine: a nagging former Praetor, two troublesome cubs, and a Ronso warrior who suddenly feels the need to sniff her at odd hours of the night. Heh heh, things are bound to get interesting.
Review please!