NOTE- I have asked permission to use a player's character, data, and personalityin my story and I decided, even though the character's name is not given in this chapter, to mention the character and give credit to them. Thank you, Smed, for allowing me to use your character!
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Chapter Seven
In Windurst, Ayame pushed the two old men to their limits. From the dock in Port Windurst, through the maze-like path passed the residential area and into Southern Windurst Waters, Ayame kept them up and moving. She even went behind Plureague and shoved him to make him move faster as they headed north through the winding paths and piers before taking a quick right beside Ensasa's Catalyst Shop. Giraenis found it amusing that Ayame was pushing Plureague along but when Ayame started pushing him, the laughter turned against him.
The troupe pushed through into Windurst Walls and then onto a long dock that lead to the Star Tree, the largest tree in Windurst. It could be seen from many other areas of the Federation and was an inspirational icon to many Windurstians. Ayame cared little of the significance of the building, only pushed the two into the portal and tapped her foot until the group was transported inside.
Heaven's Tower, the core of the tree and the heart of Windurst, was an amazing sight to many. The whirling pool that rested in the center of the room, many Tarutaru, and the small waterfalls made the place a perfect example of magic at its best. Ayame made her way around the pool only to be stopped by two Tarus near the door.
"I'm sorry, unless you have good reason to be here, I'm afraid I cannotaru allow you to pass."
Ayame grabbed the paper from Plureague's pocket, taking him by surprise, and held it out to the Tarus.
"Can you decipher this, then?"
The Taru took the paper and opened it, holding it flat so the other guard could have a good look. The Tarus looked it over then looked to Ayame.
"It's a note saying an adventure will endy-wend in the frozen region north of San'd Oria that was somehow cursed." The Taru said holding the paper back toward Ayame.
"What was cursed?" Plureague said with interest.
The other Taru stepped forward and said, "The paparu was cursed-ursted. Not the words."
"What kind of curse is it? Can you tell?" Giraenis asked, trying to keep his booming voice from echoing.
The Tarus exchanged glances then began looking over the paper again. Ayame let out an annoyed sigh and leaned against the wall. Plureague kept his weight on his left leg and tried hard to hide that he was doing it. A few minutes passed and another Taru entered Heaven's Tower. He wore a beret and proceeded to the two Tarutaru guards that were pondering over the paper.
"I need to figure out where a group of travelers from Bastok are. I have an urgent message to deliver them." The Tarutaru said to them.
The guards stopped examining the paper and looked the three people in the room.
"Are you guys from Basty-wasty?" One asked.
Plureague nodded. "We are. What's wrong?"
The Taru in the beret walked over to Plureague and looked up at him. "A magey-wagey was arrested in San'd Oria aboutaru five hours ago. The Republic has sent someone to take her but the San'd Orians requested they see an old Elvaan named Plureague. Is that you, sir?"
Plureague nodded. "Aye, I am Plureague." He glanced over to Giraenis and glared then returned his gaze down to the Tarutaru. "I'm not sure what this is about, but when am I needed in San'd Oria?"
"I was told you were to leave as soon as you were notified."
Plureague sighed and shook his head, then looked to Ayame and Giraenis who only stared at him. Plureague knew this had something to do with Aonir for some reason and it was not a pleasing thought. He also knew that Giraenis had to have known something about it, which made him a little angry.
"Alright, I'll head to San'd Oria. Thank you for delivering the message." Plureague said with an annoyed tone of voice.
The Tarutaru bowed and rushed out of Heaven's Tower and Plureague directed his eyes on Giraenis. Giraenis met Plureague's gaze and smiled as if nothing had changed.
"Is something wrong old friend?" Giraenis asked as if he had completely ignored the Tarutaru.
"I think you know what is going on here, Giraenis." Plureague said sternly, "This has to do with Aonir, does it not?"
Giraenis rose to his feet with a groan, "What has to do with Aonir? I thought you told her to stay in town."
Plureague stared hard at Giraenis, "I did, but I think you know something."
"Look," Ayame blurted out with an annoyed tone, "you two can bicker like children all night or we can investigate the situation and have the Tarutaru deliver the deciphered paper to San'd Oria."
"I'd say Ayame has the plan." Giraenis said with a chuckle.
"Minor problem with that, Ayame." Plureague said as he watched the two of them head toward the portal.
Ayame turned to face him. "And what would that be?"
"Oh, that's right." Giraenis said with realization in his voice.
"What is it?" Ayame asked crossing her arms impatiently.
"I am exiled from San'd Oria and I risk being put in prison if I set foot on their soil." Plureague stated bluntly.
"Here is the thing," Ayame said as she stood in front of Plureague, "they called for you, thus, you can show up and be fine this time."
Giraenis nodded.
"Heh, I do want to pay them a visit somewhat." Plureague said with a laugh. "All right, I'll go."
"Excellent choice, old friend." Giraenis said with a smile.
"How about we take a faster route, Ayame?" Plureague asked with a determined smile across his lips.
"A Crag port?" Ayame asked.
"Yes, gather around me, you two. Teleporting to Crag of Holla." Plureague said with a laugh as he began casting, his arms out to the side.
Ayame and Giraenis rushed over just as Plureague raised his right hand, palm up, into the air. A golden light enveloped the three of them in Heaven's Tower, carrying them out of the room and across Vana'diel onto a glowing platform in the rainy land of La Theine Plateau. The Tarutaru's in Heaven's Tower watched them vanish then sighed heavily as they looked at the paper they were left with. They had to get it deciphered and deliver it. The first guard took the paper and walked into the room behind them, giving the message to someone else to work with it.
At Crag of Holla, Plureague lost his balance after the teleport, forcing him to sit down for a moment. Giraenis looked to Plureague and noticed that Plureague was clutching his leg tightly. He narrowed his eyes then looked to Ayame. Ayame had jumped off of the side of the platform and was making her way to an Elvaan. Giraenis knew that he was the chocobo handler for the area and quickly tended to Plureague.
"We better hurry. I've paid for the chocobo rentals." Ayame said as she waited for the man to call three chocobos.
"Trying, we're not as young as you, you know." Plureague snapped as he was assisted to his feet.
Ayame mounted one of the chocobos and turned to them as they walked down the steps and around to the chocobos. Giraenis helped Plureague mount a chocobo then went and got on the last one. Ayame led the way northwest, pushing the yellow bird as hard as she could to shorten the trip. The rain poured, stinging her face as she raced over hills, navigated around trees and mountains, and narrowly avoiding charging through a water elemental. Giraenis looked back at the elemental and smiled. Water elementals reminded him of a planet with many moons around it.
"What did this person you mention do?" Ayame yelled back as she raced by two lakes.
"She isn't allowed to adventure just yet." Giraenis answered, glancing back to Plureague.
"Is she a child?" Ayame asked as she carefully navigated her way around a large crevasse then up the side of the bordering cliffside.
"Not really." Giraenis answered, once again looking to Plureague.
"Then why is she not allowed?" Ayame asked as she followed the path north.
"Not really sure." Giraenis said, staring at Plureague for a moment.
"She is not ready." Plureague blurted out.
Ayame pushed them through into West Ronfaure, the rain not letting up for even a second. Giraenis and Ayame led the way for only a moment before Plureague pushed forward ahead of them. Something inside Plureague was burning. He felt he was being pulled to San'd Oria. Giraenis and Ayame did their best to keep up but found that they were still too slow when they watched Plureague dismount at the gate. The chocobo rushed back toward La Theine Plateau, it's left wing hitting Ayame's left leg as it rushed passed. Giraenis dismounted just as Plureague pulled his staff from his back and began banging the doors.
Ayame dismounted and let her chocobo go just as the gate was slowly being pulled open. Plureague made his way into San'd Oria followed closely by Ayame and Giraenis. Two guards stepped into his path, halting him for a moment.
"Hold it, let me see your licenses." One guard stated.
"Move out of my way." Plureague demanded, pointing his staff at the guard.
"What business do you have in San'd Oria?" The second guard asked, keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"I'm here to pick up a mage that was thrown into prison recently." Plureague said in an annoyed voice.
The two guards exchanged glances then looked Plureague over. Ayame crossed her arms and began tapping her right foot.
"Are we allowed in?" Giraenis asked wiping the rain from his brow.
The two guards stepped to the side slightly. Giraenis pushed ahead of Ayame and Plureague to get his armor out of the rain. Ayame followed in after him. Plureague stared at the two guards for a moment then slid his staff into the slots on the back of his briault. He took about three steps into San'd Oria when the guards grabbed his wrists and quickly tied them. Giraenis and Ayame spun around, both drawing their weapons. Plureague was forced to his knees for a moment as they secured the ties on his wrists.
"Put the weapons away." The first guard instructed.
"This is only a precaution." The second guard stated as he pushed Plureague toward Northern San'd Oria.
Ayame looked to Giraenis in confusion as she slid her great katana into its scabbard. Giraenis slid his sword into its sheath and followed the guards through the gates leading to Northern San'd Oria. The rain fell harder as they neared the palace gates. Inside the palace the guards freed Plureague's hands after taking the staff away from him. Giraenis glared at the soldiers, wanting very much to slash them to bits for their behavior.
"Down you go. All of you." The first guard instructed, pointing down a flight of stairs. "You should know the way, Plureague." He jested.
Plureague straightened his briault and proceeded down the steps. Ayame followed after Plureague and Giraenis after her yet in front of the guards. Plureague thought how wonderful King Destin's expression would be if he saw him. Then again, he thought, he may be thrown into to prison on a permanent basis if King Destin was with them.
Downstairs, in the prison, Kitaku awoke to the sound of footsteps. Cold and weary, he stretched, groaning a little as he did so from the strain on his nearly frozen muscles. Aonir opened her eyes and watched as Kitaku stood up and tried warming himself up. Aonir sat up, her neck aching from how she had dozed off.
"What's wrong, Kitaku?" She asked, bundling up in the cape a little more.
"Someone is coming." He answered. "Did I wake you?"
"Yes, but it's alright."
The footsteps grew closer and closer until an Elvaan, a female Hume, a Galka, and the two Elvaan guards turned the corner. Kitaku stood in disbelief at the sight of Plureague. Aonir stood up from the bench just as Plureague's gaze fell on her.
"Aonir, what on Vana, no, do not even tell me!" Plureague shouted, his voice echoing throughout the prison.
"It's partially your fault." Aonir protested.
"Mine? You and Giraenis were working together for this, were you not?" Plureague argued.
"No. It was a spurt of the moment event." Aonir shouted. "Not that you would know about those. Everything with you is planned! Adventuring is suppose to be fun not,"
"Fun! Fun? Adventuring is dangerous. It is not meant to be fun, it is meant to,"
"Oh, here we go. Dragging in old ideals." Aonir blurted out.
"They may be old, but if people would listen to them, I guarantee, less people would get hurt." Plureague said with an offended tone.
"That is what we are for, Plureague! We heal the wounded,"
"WE do not do anything. I am the only white mage in this hall, to my knowledge." Plureague stated in a matter-of-factly tone.
"Do us a favor and fall off your golden chocobo!" Aonir shouted.
"If you wanted to be a white mage so badly, why did you disobey me?"
"Well, why don't you listen to me?" Aonir protested.
"Because I am in charge." Plureague stated.
"Oh blah, blah, blah. You're in charge. HA! We're not in the house now, so you hold no power."
"Ok, you two. I'm going to have to ask you to stop." The first guard said as he stepped between Plureague and the cell bars.
Kitaku stood in disbelief. Aonir and Plureague were arguing with their glares. He looked over to the Galka and Hume to see that they were ignoring the entire situation. The guards were struggling to pull Plureague back from the bars at that moment while Aonir was nagging the guards to let him hurt her. This was going to get out of control if the guards were not careful.
"How many did you kill, Aonir!" Plureague demanded.
"One and I'm sorry." Aonir shouted, tears filling her eyes.
"You are not ready. You should have waited at home." Plureague growled.
"Ok, time we separate these two. They obviously know one another." The second guard said as he grabbed Plureague's left wrist.
"No kidding." The first guard laughed as he watched his partner push Plureague back toward the Chateau.
"Aonir! When you are given punishment for your actions, I pray that you are sent to Gusgen! Only there will you be able to pay for your deed!" Plureague shouted.
"FINE! I don't care what they do to me! I never want to see you again!" Aonir shouted back, her eyes filled with tears.
Giraenis followed the guards out and Ayame shook her head at Aonir before following. Kitaku walked over to see Aonir had fallen to her knees and was crying again. He knelt down in front of the cell and looked at her.
"Aonir, I," He began.
"No, don't say it." Aonir interrupted. "I don't want anyone to be sorry."
"Hmm." Kitaku sat and thought for a moment. "I've got it!"
"What?" Aonir said in confusion as she wiped her tears on her still rain-drenched sleeve.
Kitaku drew one of his daggers and began forcing it into the lock on the door. Aonir stood up and watched in confusion as he proceeded to jam the tip of the dagger into the lock. She opened her mouth to ask what he was doing just as the lock clicked and fell open. He pushed the rusted door open and smiled at her.
"Have you lost your mind?" She asked through her tears.
"No. They are losing a prisoner." He said with a grin.
"Oh no. No, no, no. I've gotten into enough trouble as it is." Aonir said as she backed away.
"You said it yourself. Adventuring is supposed to be fun. What could be more fun than running from the law as a fight against the restraints they put on adventurers? You'll become famous in no time." He said as he entered the cell.
"No, no, no, no, no, no. What if I'm put in Gusgen because of my running? I really don't want to go to Gusgen." Aonir said as she backed up into the wall.
"No worries. I'll be with you." He said as he pinned her. "Are you gonna come quietly or do I have to force ya?"
"I still say I should,"
"Too late." He said as he picked her up, hoisting her over his shoulder. "We'll go up then out and make a mad dash to the West Ronfaure gate. I'll call Chira and we'll be off."
"I'm in serious trouble." Aonir said as Kitaku rushed out of the cell and up toward the Chateau.
Novalmauge watched them from down the hall and a small smile slid across his pale lips. He then turned around and walked in the opposite direction, giving them a better chance to leave. Kitaku rushed through the gate door, getting a lot of unwanted attention from the doorman who yelled for assistance. The two guards on the outside of the Chateau charged Kitaku. He darted to the side, forcing the guards to lunge near the wall. Kitaku jumped just as the guards were at the right spot. The guards fell over the fence and down into the water with a loud splash.
Kitaku dashed through the streets of Northern San'd Oria, nearly running into many Elvaans along the way as he rushed west. He passed Justi's Furniture and the Phoenix Perch Inn as he rushed toward the gate. He stopped for only a moment to decide whether he should run straight or turn left. When the voices of guards rose up from in front of him, he dove off to the left and found that it was the path to the gate. The guards were slowly closing the door after having let in a Mithran dragoon in from outside. He dashed passed her and then skidded once he hit the wet stone. He slid through the doors just before they closed.
The Mithran dragoon walked a few steps and saw a small wave of guards pouring toward her. She carefully drew her polearm and held the tip down to her left. She managed to knick a few guards on the ankle, tripping them and sending them flying face first into the soaked ground. She slid the polearm back in its place just before they looked to her. She shrugged and proceeded into San'd Oria.
Kitaku whistled loudly as he allowed Aonir to slide off of his shoulder. She straightened her clothes just as Chira rushed up.
"You have lost your mind!" She shouted as he mounted Chira and held out a hand for Aonir.
"No, but we'll have to hide out for a little while." He answered.
"Oh really, where should we?" Aonir asked out of sarcasm as she hopped onto the chocobo's back.
"Don't know yet. Just have to run." He said as he turned Chira eastward.
"Oh, great. This is going to be horrible." Aonir stated as Chira took off. The only thing Aonir could think of was how mad Plureague was going to be when he found out she had broken out of prison and how she knew she was doomed to be stuck in Gusgen. What Aonir did not understand was why Kitaku was risking his own freedom for something as meaningless as her right to explore the world.