FrequencyQueen: Sorry for the delay - I'm on vacation in Oregon and only have access to a crippled dial-up connection. I'm hoping the next chapter will go faster. Sorry for any accidental name changes - I'll work on that as soon as I have my DSL back :)
All conversations in 'italics' are spoken in Al Bhed.
Braska's translation notes: There was a break in the writing, several pages unreadable due to water damage, the ink blotched and smeared. The next readable section seems to have been written at a time much later than the previous one.
Journal entry
…ronic that after fighting for so long to keep the fayth in Zanarkand, we've ended up having to move them to protect them from Bevelle. Baaj Island was a desolate place when we arrived four years ago, just tumbled ruins and the occasional fiend, and its not that much different now. The fishing is good however, and we manage to survive between supply ships by working small garden plots among the ruins. Work is slow because we have had to build everything by hand, and there aren't that many hands for the work. We are all volunteers, trying to save something of Zanarkand, even if the city is destroyed, which looks more and more likely as the fighting continues.
Bevelle seems determined to kill us all – they attack Zanarkand more frequently, and more people die everyday. We had to fight off an attack here yesterday, a small troop of soldiers from Bevelle landed, apparently swept off course by the westward current; they managed to burn some of the living quarters, mine among them, and this journal was damaged. Brother Rillic says he's heard they yell 'death to the blasphemers' during attacks on the mainland, and he said the soldiers of Zanarkand have started singing the blitz team fight song in answer.
Bevelle has destroyed the Al Bhed city of Py'Nahdec as a warning to all the other races. The Al Bhed had been our main source of weapons and without them we have little chance to survive this insane war. Rillic said he got out of the city as it was falling into the water, barely escaping with his life, and the atrocities he described sickened us all. The temple troops of Bevelle are truly monsters; they killed all who stood in their way, showing no mercy even to women and children.
The other news he brought was grim – after all our work to prepare a site for the fayth, it is no longer possible to get the last one, Bahamut, safely out of the city. Brother Rillic can no longer safely return to the mainland, his cover was broken and they know him to be on our side now. We won't be getting any more supply shipments either. We're on our own.
"Cid, I still think it's the wrong thing to do." Ohani paused as she finished folding Nikko's blanket and placed it on the end of the sleeping child's bed. "You will only drive her away from you." She moved to the other side of the small bedroom and picked up several toys, setting them carefully on the built in dresser.
"I will do what is best for us all – she is too young to understand how important this is; she has to marry Ralto, my father arranged it when she was just a little girl." Cid was standing in the doorway of his son's room, watching his wife as she picked up clothing his young son had dropped. Cid honestly liked Braska, but he just wasn't Al Bhed, and Cid could not approve of the match. "It's our way Ohani! We grew to love each other, and I'm sure Leyona will learn to love Ralto! They'll have children soon enough, and that will bring them together."
"We weren't in love with some one else either, if you remember," Ohani said reasonably. "Lord Braska seems like a good man, and we could use a summoner to protect us against the fiends and Sin spawn." She thought Cid was being too hard on his little sister; she knew the girl cared deeply for the man. Ohani's youngest cousin had been killed in the last attack, and she had seen how selflessly Braska fought to save those who were not his kind. She was tired of loosing family to the monsters and was in favor of anyone who could give them a better chance against them.
"We can't have her running off to Bevelle!" Cid bellowed. Ohani shushed him frantically, and pushed him out of the room before he woke their son. "She'll leave our people if we don't stop this right now, and there are too few of us left," he continued in a softer voice. "I'm sending her to Kilika tonight on the supply ship, and that's the last word. Ralto will be here from Bikinel in a couple days, and when she gets back we'll have the joining."
Ohani sighed; she was sure that no good would come from Cid's plan to separate the young couple, and she knew it would be up to her to ease the pain that was sure to follow. She loved her husband, but she knew his greatest fault was his stubbornness; once he made up his mind, it was doubtful even Yevon could change it.
"Well, there it goes, its out of our hands now," Auron said, watching the Al Bhed courier ship heading away from the barge. "The report should get to Bevelle within a month, and it will take another month to get back, plus the time they take debating about it."
"Arguing it to death you mean...I think the crusaders will answer sooner," Braska replied. "Probably within the month, if they agree to the plan. I would imagine it's going to put a stick in the ant's nest in Bevelle though. It's not the agreement I was sent to get, and it isn't going to please some of the Maesters." That was an understatement – it was likely to cause violent fights among the different factions in the Council. Braska watched as Cid and Aja walked across the deck towards them and frowned, not wanting to speak with either of them. Braska had been avoiding them for the last few days, and he'd been brisk and impersonal when forced to speak with them in the daily meetings. He'd found out Cid had sent Leyona to Kilika, without allowing them a chance to speak; he hadn't known she'd left until he'd gone looking for her and been told she'd been sent outing the middle of the night. Braska had no doubt he was the reason she had been sent away, and he was not in a mood to be pleasant to Cid. "Let's go back to the room, Auron," he said quickly, wishing to avoid them. "I'd like to work on the journal some more." Braska turned abruptly and started back towards the building.
"Lord Braska!" Cid called, stopping Braska's progress across the deck. Auron stiffened, but Braska shook his head slightly at him, and turned to look at the older man, a neutral expression on his face. He waited until Cid reached him and bowed formally but did not respond otherwise.
"The agreement is off to Bevelle now, so your business here is done. Will you be leaving soon for Baaj Island?" Cid asked bluntly. With Leyona sent off on an errand, one that would keep her safely away from the excavation site for at least a week, and her fiancé due to arrive here within days – Cid knew that an unpleasant scene was likely to occur if Braska and Auron weren't gone before Leyona returned. "I can arrange transport for you as soon as you are ready," he suggested, hoping they would take the hint that he wanted them gone.
Braska looked at Cid for a long moment, biting down the words he really wanted to say, but finally answered diplomatically. "I will take that under advisement. Thank you." He nodded abruptly and turned, stalking to the headquarters building and going to his room.
"Do you want to leave, Braska?" Auron asked, quietly coming into their room and shutting the door. "We probably do need to go back to Baaj, if only to check up on High Priest Balamus." Braska had already settled at the desk, working on the journal translation once more.
Braska nodded his agreement reluctantly; he hadn't slept well in the two days since Leyona left, and it was getting hard to think clearly. "I don't really know what we should do Auron. We should probably leave now, since the negotiations are complete, but if we do…I don't think I'll ever see Leyona again." He rubbed his eyes and picked up a glass of water, sipping it carefully so he didn't drip on the papers he had spread over the small desk.
"Come on – let's go work out. You haven't been outside for more than five minutes in the last three days. You'll feel better once you have some exercise." Auron hoped he would, anyway. He'd seen Braska in worse moods, but not in many years, since his mother and sister had died and his father had suffered his breakdown. "You need to get away from that journal; you've been working on it nonstop for a week!" Auron was getting worried about what Braska was learning from the journal, he'd quit reading it to Auron after the first couple entries, and would just frown and shake his head when asked about his translations.
Braska looked at his friend and realized he wouldn't give up and go away, he knew Auron's methods, and he could be very persistent when he wanted something. He was not going to be left alone – maybe Auron was right, they might as well go work out.
The bo swept out and knocked his guard aside, leaving him open for the kill strike arrowing towards his throat. A swift twist of his bo and it was knocked aside, but Auron's follow through struck him nonetheless, knocking him to the ground. He wiped a trace of blood off his lip and scowled up at the victor. "That's three kills, Braska. I think you may need to meditate more than you need to spar. Your mind just isn't on this." Auron frowned down at where his friend lay on the deck, concern on his face. He very seldom got a 'kill' when sparring with Braska, and three in the same session meant there was something really wrong. Auron reached his hand down and helped Braska up, then took the bo from him wordlessly.
Braska walked over to a nearby crate and settled cross-legged, closing his eyes with a sigh. Auron was right; he was not in any condition to spar - in this mood someone would get hurt, likely him. Braska tuned out his surroundings, subtracting each sound separately, noting each physical sensation and disregarding it, until finally he floated within his own mind. Normally meditating was a peaceful time, but today he kept hearing a whisper of sound, as if someone were calling his name. "Hello?" he thought silently, wondering if he were going crazy. The whisper stopped and unseen eyes seemed to focus on him, a familiar sense of pain and anguish washing over him. Braska snapped his eyes open, jarred from his trance as the ghostly vision of a woman appeared in front of him briefly, one hand beckoning him. "Lady Reena," he whispered.
Braska stood up, all thoughts of meditating gone. It looked like going to Baaj had just gotten important, no matter what havoc it wreaked on his personal life. He'd never seen a fayth outside their chamber, as far as he knew, no one had. This had to be checked out. "Auron," he called, interrupting the kata Auron was working. "I want to go to Baaj, as soon as you can arrange it." Auron gaped at him, vastly surprised at his friend's change of mind.
Four Al Bhed worked to load the crates and barrels onto the supply ship, calling to each other as they read off the invoice numbers and located the correct stacks. Two other Al Bhed walked slowly along one of the pathways, ignoring everyone they passed, seemingly engaged in intense conversation. "Do you think we'll be able to get away with this?" Auron asked, reaching up to adjust the goggles covering his eyes for the twentieth time. His head felt hot under the hood, and he felt exposed in the form fitting clothing they had borrowed. Baaj Island seemed little changed from their first arrival, still sleeping peacefully under the warm sun, but this time they knew the rot at its heart.
"No reason for anyone to think we're anything other than Al Bhed, as long as we are careful. The Captain has promised to have 'engine trouble' until we return, so as long as we are back before dawn we should be fine." Braska glanced towards the horizon and judged it to be an hour till sunset. "We won't be able to get into the hall of prayers until after dark, so lets walk around and see if we can spot Tomi." They walked towards the sea wall, where they had first met the old priest.
"You looking for me?" a soft voice called from a sheltered corner of the ruins. Tomi turned from his position on a westward facing rock to look over his shoulder at the men. He smiled slightly and shook his head at their disguises. "You boys have courage, got to say that. You know it isn't safe for you here yet? High Priest Balamus will have your heads if he finds you here, Bevelle be damned!"
Braska looked wonderingly at the old man and shook his head. "Should have known we wouldn't fool you – how did you know?" He sat down beside the old priest and took his goggles off, rubbing his hand across where they had rested on his face. "Don't know how they stand these things," he complained quietly. Auron moved to a position where he could see anyone coming without being noticed, removed his goggles and settled to listen.
"You still walk the same, no matter what you're wearing. Don't worry; it's not something most anyone else would notice, your disguises will work on the rest of the fool priests." Tomi studied Braska's face for a long moment and nodded sadly. "You figured out the cipher." He sighed and looked down at his dirty toes. "Nasty reading, end to end. It fills in some things about the past the Church will never tell you, and they don't want any of it talked about. I figure there's a thousand years worth of truth in that journal…"
"Did you write the last entry?" Braska asked quietly.
"No, that was written after my time, about two hundred years ago. Good man, died when Sin attacked the island. I had to put the book away, near didn't find it before the waves got it."
"How could the truth be forgotten? Why did the church do it?" Braska questioned with pain in his voice. "How could they do it?" He still found it difficult to believe the church had suppressed so much of the past, or outright lied about it.
"People believe what they're told, especially when the people telling them are in a position of authority and trust. Eventually, the people telling the lies start to believe that is the truth, so the lies get deeper. Repeat a lie long enough and it becomes the truth." Tomi shook his head sadly. "I've seen it happen with smaller lies; I guess it just takes a little longer with the big ones." He looked at the sunset to check the time and got up. "Need you to lay low for a while – I got some letters for you, I've been snitching them out of the message bag before the High Priest's weasel could get to it. If you take this path and follow it until just before the turn off to the hall of prayers, there's a little side path – you can hide there. It shouldn't take me but an hour at the most to get them."
"Here – I wrapped them up so you could take them with you," Tomi said, handing Braska a thick packet wrapped in oilcloth. Tomi had returned well within the hour as he had promised. "Wouldn't suggest you take the time to read them now. High Priest Balamus just heard about the agreement you got with the Al Bhed; seems one of the sailors off your ship mentioned it to a dockworker. Balamus's real mad; he'll be going after the Al Bhed out of spite. Get back to the ship as quick as you can, everyone else is safe on board; if Balamus's men catch you here there will be trouble."
"We can't go back yet. We need to get into the chamber of the fayth – its important," Braska insisted when Tomi shook his head. "She came to me, at the excavation site."
Tomi's eyes widened in shock. "But how…" he started to say, then stopped and nodded slowly. "I felt something a couple days ago, something stirred her up badly. Never expected she'd walk that far though, didn't know she could to tell you the truth." He walked to the entrance of their grotto and looked out for a long moment. "Everyone should be settling for the evening by now. Let me see if the way is clear." He walked off nonchalantly, whistling softly as if without care, returning in a few minutes to report the way clear and the hall of prayers empty. "Take care, I'll be waiting here – I'll try and hold anyone up if they come looking, but I want to know what's going on with the fayth!"
"No, just the one torch – I don't think I'll need much light; she wants to talk to me so this shouldn't take very long." Auron set the torch tripod back down beside the stone glyph and removed a single torch instead, following as Braska stepped quietly into the chamber of the fayth. He laid the torch on the floor where the light would not reach the passage then moved to stand near the entrance where he could watch for anyone entering the outer chamber. Braska settled on his knees and entered his prayer trance, but he had barely quieted his mind when the mist began rising from the fayth. Auron gasped, eyes wide, and backed into the passage; he had not seen the fayth on the prior visit and was horrified as the misty figure rose, pulling against the chains that wrapped around it. He let out a shuddering breath as the monstrous form transformed almost immediately into that of Lady Reena. She dropped to her knees, eyes wild with grief, sobbing in a heart broken fashion with pain radiating off her like a heavy perfume, filling the chamber.
"Lady, how may I help you?" Braska asked softly, unsettled by her appearance. "You called to me, and I have come." She seemed more focused somehow, but her grief was terrible to see, and seemed to have increased since the last time he'd seen her.
"Seymour…Seymour," she stopped, unable to continue.
"Your son, has something happened?" Braska hoped the child was well, although there was little he could do to help if he was not.
"He called me – called my aeon…against innocents…" she sobbed again then continued brokenly. "He wanted…me to…punish children…they had been taunting him…" Lady Reena covered her mouth and moaned, despair in her face. "He wanted me to kill children! That is not why I became a fayth! When I refused, he cursed me, his own mother…" She raised her eyes and looked at Braska pleadingly. "You have to help him understand," she said, tears running down her face to turn into mist as they fell. "He is becoming a monster, and I can't help him!" She began crying again and faded into mist, which settled into the floor, leaving the chamber cold and empty, as before.
"So, it looks like they have a big problem in Bevelle…" Tomi mused, scratching his chin as he thought about what Braska told him. "Sounds like the boy needs a mentor, a father figure to watch him…He can go bad easy with that much power in his hands. Don't want him to get used to power – once they do, they always want more, and they don't change much once they reach that point, they just get sneakier about hiding it." Tomi sighed, wishing he were able to speak with the fayth, he had so many things he'd like to ask her.
"We've got to get back to the ship – can you check if the path is clear?" Auron asked softly. Tomi nodded and slipped off down the path leading to the docks. Moments later they heard him call out in surprise.
"Oh, my! You startled me young man, I thought you were a fiend!" the old priest exclaimed as a guard stopped him. "What? Doing out here? Walking of course, too much dinner – I don't sleep well if I eat too much and I like to walk." Tomi drifted down the path towards the residency, drawing the guard with him as he filled the air with chatter. Braska and Auron slipped quietly down the path behind them, reached the ship without incident, and settled at a table in the main cabin to go through the letters Tomi had 'acquired' for them. The crew quietly loosed the ropes and raised the sails, sliding the ship silently away from the dock.
"Look, this one is from the Council of Lords." Auron slid the letter over to Braska, trading it for a newsletter from the Temple detailing the latest Council actions and promotions. He turned to Braska when he heard a choked sob.
"My father is dead – he died a week after we left for Baaj." Braska set the letter down on the table and walked to the porthole, standing there gazing out at the ocean for a long time without speaking. "I knew he was going to join my mother on the Farplane, but I had hoped to see him again; we parted in anger and it would have been good to tell him our mission has succeeded." He paused for a long while, thinking about what needed to be done." We'll need to return to Bevelle soon so I can attend to the estate."
"Do you want to keep the house?" Auron knew the manor house had been in Braska's family for several generations, but Braska hadn't lived there for years; he hadn't been comfortable there since the death of his mother and sister. He thought it unlikely Braska would want to live there again, so he wasn't surprised when Braska shook his head firmly. "What about Leyona?"
"I don't know, Cid is determined to keep us apart, and he has sent for her fiancé. I don't know..." Braska looked at Auron sadly and shook his head. "I guess I don't have much choice though, I have to tell the Council about Lady Reena. We'll have to go to Bevelle as quickly as possible, with or without Leyona. I'll tell Cid to arrange transport for us as soon as we get back."
"That should please him," Auron muttered, angered by Braska's defeated expression.
A ship from Bikinel had arrived and was being unloaded when Braska and Auron returned from Baaj. It was a type new to them; metal sided, with some sort of propeller instead of the more familiar paddle wheel. They stood watching as a crane lifted large crates out of the hold, setting them carefully on the deck. Several young men, familiar to Braska and Auron from their many days with the Al Bhed, were guiding the net following the orders of a newcomer. "Nunic, push it a little further to the left...yes...good!" he instructed, motioning to the crane operator to lower the crate. The new man was tall, his hair longer than usual, tied back in a tail, and he stood with calm assurance as he directed the crew of cargo handlers. The crate settled to the deck with a loud thud, and they began to unhook the lift straps. "This is the last one with repair parts, so the others go to the commissary," the crew leader motioned the rest of the workers to load a rolling cart with smaller boxes, then turned to look around, watching the crew working on a nearby forklift for a moment before he walked over to speak with them.
"Nunic! We won't be able to use this one -get one of the other fork lifts to move the drive shaft," the newcomer called after consulting with the repair crew, waving his men towards the last large box on the deck. He looked towards Braska and Auron curiously, then began to walk towards them. One of the men who had been assisting with the unloading intercepted him; they stood with their heads together for several minutes, then the crew leader turned to look at Braska before continuing over to where he stood near the railing. "I am Ralto," he said, bowing deeply to Braska. "My friends have told me about you and I would like to thank you for the life of my cousin; he was the one you healed," he added when Braska looked at him blankly.
Braska bowed politely in reply. "I am glad I was able to help." He waited for the other man to speak again, but the young man just studied his face. "This is my Guardian, Sir Auron." Braska introduced his friend, but Ralto paid scant attention, only nodding absently in response.
"I would like to speak with you further, when my work is completed. I have a great curiosity about you, and I hope you will be gracious enough to tell me something about yourself." Ralto watched as Braska considered this request, and nodded with a pleased smile when he agreed.
"Maybe after the evening meal. I usually come out here for a while before I go back to my room to study."
"Good, I am very curious about the things you have seen and done. I will return to speak with you again later, after the ship is unloaded." Ralto bowed courteously to Braska and left to finish his work.
The moon was rising, and Braska was standing in his usual place at the railing, Auron leaning against a nearby crate. "Good evening, Lord Braska. Will you have time to speak with me now?" Ralto asked as he approached. He leaned his arm on the railing, and turned towards Braska. "I have heard a little concerning you, but I am curious about why you came here, what you feel about us, what kind of man you are." Braska raised an eyebrow, surprised at the young man's outspoken manner. The Al Bhed were usually shy about asking personal questions, so this was unusual.
"I am a man, like you," Braska paused as the young man raised an eyebrow skeptically, then laughed softly. "Well, I am a summoner, as I'm sure you've been told." Ralto smiled, and motioned for Braska to continue. "Not one of the most powerful, or skilled, I'm afraid. I was with the Crusaders for a few years but I left them to become a summoner; I was just beginning my pilgrimage when the Calm started, so I never completed it. I went back to Bevelle to join the priesthood – and they sent me here to establish relations with the Al Bhed, mainly because of my past experiences I think."
"What of your family? Don't they miss you?" Ralto asked curiously. The Al Bhed clans were tightly knit and family played a very important part in their culture.
"My family has all passed to the Farplane. My father was the last, just after I left for Baaj." Braska closed his eyes for moment and sighed sadly. "I will have to return to Bevelle soon to take care of his estate." Ralto watched as regret, and an almost overwhelming sadness crossed Braska's face. "I wish I could have seen him again..."
"Perhaps you will see him again on the Farplane?" Ralto commented. "I too have lost those I loved." He lifted one foot to kick absently at a raised bolt in the bracket holding the railing to the deck, and hesitated before asking Braska another question. "You seem like a wise man, perhaps you can help me?" Ralto pushed away from the railing and put his back to it, watching as other Al Bhed walked past them on their way to their quarters. "I must make a very important decision, one that is very difficult for me; I would appreciate another's viewpoint."
Braska nodded slowly, "I am probably not the best person for you to speak with; I have had reason to question my wisdom lately, but I will help if I can." He sighed, shifting to put his arms on top of the high railing and set his chin against them to look out across the ocean.
"I am supposed to marry soon, but I am not ready – I wanted to travel, see some of the world before Sin returns. I have spent most of my life on Bikinel, and I have seen so little of Spira..." Ralto explained, a serious expression on his face as he looked for a long moment at Braska. "If I marry we will be expected to have children immediately, and I would not be allowed the freedom to travel once children arrive."
Braska thought for a moment then offered his sympathy to the younger man. "Some of my recent decisions have been very difficult, and have forced me to make some painful choices, so I do understand your problem."
Ralto nodded, and leaned closer to speak quietly so none of the other Al Bhed passing by would hear. "I understand you have met a young lady you favor?"
Braska turned startled eyes towards his companion, not believing the direction the conversation had taken. Al Bhed did not generally ask such personal questions. "Yes, I have found someone I...favor...but her family does not favor me." Braska returned Ralto's intent look, puzzled why he was asking about Leyona.
Ralto was watching Braska's face as he answered, and quickly asked another question. "Does the young lady...favor...you?" Braska looked uncomfortable, and Ralto quickly apologized for his question. "Forgive me for asking, but I have not seen my intended since we were little children," he indicated someone standing knee high with his hand. " I am trying to decide...how I truly feel towards her, and I thought if I compared how I felt with another's feelings for a beloved…" Ralto paused with a large sigh and continued reluctantly, his eyes downcast. "I really do not wish to marry, you see, but I would not want to hurt her if she truly wishes to marry me." He looked up at Braska again with an odd look on his face. "If she does not, I will not stand in the way of her marrying another. What will you do when you leave here – if the young lady does indeed 'favor' you, but her family still objects to your joining?"
Braska answered without hesitation. "I will do whatever I must to keep her beside me..." he paused, a look of grief crossing his face nearly too quickly to see. "I have lost too many people I love...to loose her as well would be...very hard."
Ralto nodded slightly and relaxed, as if he approved of that answer, then he quickly changed the subject and asked questions about Bevelle, life on the mainland, and the people Braska had met as he traveled across Spira. Braska shrugged and answered easily, telling him a little about his life and asking questions of his own, curious about how the Al Bhed on Bikinel lived. He found himself liking the man, but something in Ralto's manner continued to puzzle Braska; he seemed to be watching him and judging his answers in some way. Finally, one of the ship's crew called for Ralto to join him, so he bowed an apology to Braska and left.
"That was odd," Auron said as he moved closer, watching as Ralto gestured to his friend and they moved in the direction of the commissary. " Did his questions seem strange to you? It was as if he were interviewing you for an important position."
Braska watched Ralto as well, and noticed how other Al Bheds looked at the young man, and then towards Braska, when they thought he wasn't looking. "I think you are right...I think Ralto is Leyona's fiancé."
"You knew those medical herbs were already on their way to Bikinel – there was no reason for me to go to Kilika to get them! You wanted me out of the way so you could connive with Aja. You don't care what I want or what makes me happy! Its always what you want!" Leyona stood in front of Cid, her eyes narrowed, breathing heavy after she'd run directly from the dock to confront her brother in his quarters. "You've gone too far this time!"
"It is our way – it has always been our way!" Cid shouted angrily, crossing his arms across his chest, determined to have them married as soon as possible, even if he had to force his sister to agree. "It is what father wanted! Ralto is here, and you will marry him in two days - just as you agreed!"
"No, I won't!" Leyona shouted, poking her brother on the chest with her finger and driving him back a step. "I had no say in that arrangement – you and Father made that deal – I never agreed to it!" She had suspected her brother was up to something, but this was just too much. "If you want him that much – you marry him!" Leyona stomped out of her brother's rooms into the corridor, narrowly avoiding a collision with Aja, and slamming the door on the way out.
"That went well, Cid," Ohani said sarcastically as she came out of their bedroom, once the shouting was done. "I don't think you did a single thing right." She shook her head sadly. "You will be lucky if she ever talks to you again. How could you expect her to accept this? She's right – she never agreed to this, and your father knew it. She was just too softhearted, she didn't want to hurt him when he was dying – she let him believe she would marry just to please him." Cid glared at her, knowing she was right, but too stubborn to admit it. His sister was going to marry Ralto, he thought; she would settle down once she had a child or two, and eventually she would thank him for this. Meanwhile, he needed to talk to Aja. He opened the door as Aja knocked softly, stepping out into the hallway to take his brother-in-law's arm, pulling him closer so they could plan; they had to get Braska out of the way as soon as possible, and meanwhile – Leyona could be held in her rooms.
"Aja says they have a ship leaving for Kilika tomorrow morning." Auron said as he blocked a punch from Braska. "I think they really want us out of here." They were talking while they sparred; it was the only time they were sure they couldn't be overheard. Cid had cancelled the daily council meetings, and would be giving them a daily report – delivered to their room every evening. He had also ordered the other Al Bhed to keep their distance...apparently in an effort to keep them from finding out about the imminent wedding.
"I overheard one of the children say that Leyona is back from Kilika, but Cid has her locked in her room, under guard." Braska murmured, blocking a kick from Auron and stepping in to punch him in the ribs. "He doesn't want me to see her."
"So, we'll go see her tonight," Auron stated calmly, reaching out to grab Braska's arm and twisting to force him out of position. "Shouldn't be hard to distract the guard." He swept his foot across the back of Braska's leg and put him onto the deck. Braska responded with a side kick to Auron's thigh, and rolled, coming back to his feet in time to block a return kick.
"Ralto's here, watching us again."
"I think he wants to talk to you...he doesn't look happy either." Auron stepped back and bowed to Braska as they finished their match, moving to where they had dropped their towels and throwing one to his friend as the young Al Bhed approached to speaking distance.
"Cid is an ass...and my Uncle Aja is just as bad," Ralto stated firmly as he reached Braska's side. He stood quietly as Braska dried off, staring off across the deck with a grim expression, his arms crossed against his chest. "They wouldn't let me see Leyona without a chaperone so Ohani was there when I spoke with her. I think Ohani's on our side – we managed to talk privately while she was 'straightening' things in the other room. Cid's insisting we're to wed tomorrow, as soon as your ship leaves, and that is the last thing either of us wants – I want my freedom, and she wants you." He looked at Braska with a considering glint in his eyes and spoke quietly. "So, when are you going to break her out – and how can I help?"
"Ralto should be ready on the ship," Auron said as he lowered the unconscious guard gently to the floor of the spare room, pulling the cloth away from the man's nose and mouth once he was sure he wouldn't stir. Ralto had provided them with a small bottle of liquid – a tiny amount dripped on a cloth had sent the guard to sleep, not to awaken for several hours.
"I just hope he can get his cousin's out of the way long enough to get Leyona on board." Braska opened the door and slid quietly out, listening carefully to make sure the way was clear. They moved silently to Leyona's door and used the key they'd removed from the guard's pocket to open it, slipping through and closing it carefully behind them. The sitting room was dark, but a low light shone from the bedroom beyond.
"Took you long enough," a quiet voice spoke from the darkness. Ohani set her teacup down on the small table and stood up, reaching out to turn the overhead light on. "She's been packed since dinner." Braska and Auron froze – staring at her with shocked expressions. "What, did you think I'd stop you?" she asked in surprise, raising her eyebrows, then smiling as they grinned sheepishly. "I happen to think my husband is wrong, and my brother is being an ass. I love Leyona and Ralto too much to force them into a marriage neither wants - I want them both happy, so how can I help?"
There was a small sound from the bedroom and Leyona stepped out cautiously. "Braska!" She flew into his arms, sobbing and laughing at the same time. "They wouldn't let me see you, and my brother is trying to make me marry Ralto!"
Braska held her tightly and kissed her, silencing her explanation. "Leyona, will you marry me?" he asked softly, looking into her eyes. "You are the other half of my soul, you make my heart complete and I don't want to leave you. Come with me to Bevelle?"
"Yes, I will marry you – I'll go wherever you go, because I love you," Leyona murmured, her lips brushing his. She put her arms around Braska's neck and pulled him closer, kissing him again. "Wherever you go, I will follow, my heart belongs to you," she promised softly.
Auron came out of the bedroom with a small trunk, setting it down beside the door. "Fine," he said. "Now that you have that settled, lets get going before someone notices the guard is gone."
Ohani hugged Leyona good-bye. "Go quickly now, and send me word when you get settled?" She sat back into her chair and finished her tea with a smile. She loved Cid dearly, but she had been on Leyona's side from the first. She knew Cid was going to be furious, but Leyona and Braska deserved a chance at happiness. Her arranged marriage had worked out well, but she knew other's who had not been so lucky; she would not see her sister-in-law forced into a loveless marriage – and the Al Bhed had no divorce.
"But what will Cid say when he finds out I'm gone? He'll be angry with you!" Leyona gasped, realizing the bad position her Aunt Ohani would be in when her escape was discovered.
"I think I'll just take a nice nap here in this comfortable chair," Ohani said slyly, pointing at the bottle of ether Auron had in his pocket. Auron grinned and pulled the damp cloth out once again.
The three fugitives slipped out of the room quietly, and moved swiftly across the deck towards the waiting ship, keeping to the shadows whenever possible. Auron in the lead - Braska and Leyona followed with her trunk when he beckoned them. They reached the gangplank without incident, but the deck lights snapped on as they started onto the ship. Cid and Aja stood in the doorway of the building they'd just left, Aja holding up the guard they had knocked out to reach Leyona.
"I forbid this! Step onto that ship, and you'll never come back here Leyona!" Cid shouted as he crossed the deck to intercept them. "Open your eyes – he isn't our kind, you'll never be happy with him!" He reached out towards Leyona, intending to grab her arm perhaps and jerk her away, but Auron stepped between them and drew his sword. Cid stepped back, and clenched his fists, frustrated that he couldn't reach his sister or the man holding her through Auron's guard. "So, you are willing to betray Ralto, and break the promise you made our father?" he snarled angrily. Aja moved up to stand beside Cid, standing with his arms crossed and scowling at them, his eyes hard.
Ralto stepped carefully down the gangplank, joining the group at the bottom. "We've talked it over Cid, and decided we couldn't go through with it; I'm not ready to marry, and she is in love with Braska. Even if you forced her to agree, I never will. Give it up Cid." He shook his head at Aja as he started to protest. "No, Uncle Aja. It just won't work - let them go."
"Go then – I can't stop you! But if you do, don't come back – you will no longer be welcome here." Cid glared at them. Braska met the older man's gaze calmly; Leyona lifted her chin to glare defiance.
"Will you honor the agreement we made?" Braska asked quietly. Cid scowled, and started to shake his head, but Aja stopped him with a touch on his arm.
"Yes, we will honor the agreement, but we won't work with you," Aja stated coldly. "Find someone else to represent Bevelle."
"I will find someone to replace me as liaison as soon as we reach Bevelle." Braska bowed formally to the Al Bhed leaders. "You will always be welcome in our home Cid, as will you Aja," Leyona took a long look at her brother, then turned and started up the gangplank without saying a word.
Ralto stopped Braska with a hand to his arm as he turned to follow Leyona. "Take care of her," he whispered. "I'll get news to you when I can."
Braska nodded, and then on impulse he embraced the younger man. "Thank you," he whispered, "You will always be welcome in our home." He turned to follow Leyona onto the plank. Ralto nodded, then waved for Auron to join them before stepping forward to block Cid from following. Ralto's cousins reached to pull the plank up, waving goodbye as Ralto untied the ropes holding the to ship to the dock, jumping clear at the last moment as it churned away from the barge.
Auron stood on the deck of the small paddleboat, watching as the barge disappeared on the horizon; he knew that once again, their lives were going to change, and this time Braska was taking a different road, one Auron could not travel.