Coup D'état
"Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world."
(Oscar Wilde)
The girl was a girl no more. When he found her, trembling on the cold metal floorings of the Al Bhed citadel, he was surprised with how much she had grown.
Yet she didn't look drastically different. There was something, just a small hue, in her, which told him she had undergone a path of mutation. It wasn't in her appearance- even though she looked taller, and her hair was way longer - but in her essence. Like seeing again a long-forgotten painting, remembered several times through the eye of memory; it felt like looking at it after drastic restoration, he could tell the changes in her character. But there, the colours of her soul were unchanged. Fiercer, even.
Fighting wasn't his only vocation. Auron had a way of understanding people. As if their thoughts were displayed willingly in front of his eyes.
Why did they put their trust in him? Impossible to grasp.
The trembling ball of limbs in front of him was not a girl anymore. Not the little girl he used to tease with his sarcastic returns. She was a woman, going through a spiritual crisis stronger than the Thunder Plains' devastating and rhythmic bolts of lightning.
As he promised her he would always do, he offered his helping hand.
Chapter 6 - little thief hands
She woke up in the infirmary's soft bed. The ceiling was looking funny. Her head was feeling like the ceiling. A milky sea of thoughts, faces, voices. She felt weird; as if a poisonous bee of Kilika had just stung her.
Dizzy.
In her mind flashed the image of a cloaked man, the last thing she was able to recognise before blacking out. Who was he? Was that a dream? She felt confused and disoriented...
"Are you feeling okay?"
Gippal was standing near the door. A foot against the wall, his arms crossed. It is so easy to tell how uncomfortable he is feeling.
Rikku sat on the bed. She felt like throwing up.
"I… don't feel so good…" she mouthed. A fit of pain hit her hard. Her stomach was pulsating with spasms. Her face was drained of colour in a few seconds. She threw up, fortunately in a bucket just near her bed.
When she was done throwing up, Gippal was crouched close to her bunk.
Small beads of sweat made Rikku's skin shiny. She felt cold. She reclined on the bed again.
"What happened to me?"
Gippal smiled sadly, "They don't want me to tell you," he said candidly, whispering near her face. He stood still, kneeled; a deep worry was flashing in his green eyes. He looked rough, with a sweet blonde stubble on his chin.
"Are you drunk?" she whispered. Gippal smiled, softly. He was not looking at her face, focusing his gaze on a safer spot: her shoulder. He couldn't look at her so directly, as you do with the sun.
Gippal didn't answer. He didn't want to.
"I have been poisoned, haven't I?"
Gippal nodded, "We are waiting for the lab's verdict. But Doctor Shuma is certain," the man's expression became very serious, worried.
Rikku, on the contrary, felt weirdly calm. Someone tried to poison her. Not exactly a surprise for the leader of a big nation. She knew that politics could be an intricate ground, woven with treachery and deceits (she sounded like the man).
Of course… The idea of someone wanting her out of the games was far from being reassuring.
"I would be dead if that was their intention… I think they just wanted me to take a nap once in a while"
Gippal nodded, "I know, but you have to be careful. You will be escorted from now on, by me or some of my Machine Faction guys"
Rikku nodded. I can't keep him from protecting me; it is his job after all… I just wonder whether he was waiting for an occasion like this all along…
"The Luka Trade Committee?" she asked. Gippal got up; apparently, he had heard the fatigue in her voice.
"They arrived in Bikanel earlier today, while you were out getting poisoned and stuff. Shiruba arranged the East Wing quarters for 'em. The girl is deadly worried 'bout you, but she is doing a good job taking care of stuff." Gippal flashed one of his white smiles.
He is back. I can hear it in his voice, too.
Rikku tried to smile back but she only got to lift the corners of her mouth weirdly. She felt exhausted.
"Sleep, Cid's girl. I want you up and functioning for tomorrow's trade board. Alas… I will be your delegate for tonight's banquet."
"The things you do for love…" she winked tiredly. Gippal's eyes filled with warmth. He nodded and left the infirmary room.
Rikku fell asleep almost immediately.
Bikanel's muggy weather was challenging to Auron. Last time, when he had seen Home destroyed as schemed by the church (he repeated himself he did what he could to avoid it), he found the weather acceptable. That Auron was a dead man, after all, insensitive to human hardships, in every way.
A young woman, followed by her assistants, showed them their quarters. The rooms in New Home (that's how they called it… Albhed were never very original with naming and branding) were warm, cosy even. A plate of desert fruits was prepared as a welcome gift. A big window showed the desert lands of Bikanel. He found it fascinating that this new home was not underground like the former.
The desert people, settled in small villages and a few other cities (yes, almost no one on Spira knew about it, but there were other cities on Bikanel), lived under the sun, where yevonites and other enemies could seek and destroy them, but their command centre was always carefully hidden, secret to foreigners.
The villagers faced death with courage; they could endure anything, but not departing from their beloved desert. It was poetic, in a way. Not even Guados were so fond of their heritage and land.
Now the Albheds were no longer scared. They built their main base majestically. A big metal shrine consecrated to technology and progress.
Auron's thoughts were accompanied by the desert wind.
While munching some dates, Wantz browsed a big book he carried within himself at all times: pages and pages of old accounting details of the O'aka Empire.
The O'akas were one of the most ancient lineages of Spira. Interestingly, no one knew where the family came from. They travelled for so many centuries all over Spira, they lost track of their descent. Auron lay on the soft bed. He had to find Cid.
Cid was the first step in discovering why he was brought back.
Deep inside, Auron thought while falling asleep, lulled by the sounds of desert owls, my main concern is who brought me back, rather than why… Who… Who was it? Who had the nerve to wake my nothingness sleep and bring me back to this life of thirst and hunger and longing? I have to find out. And I need to speak to the Albheds' leader to do so.
Gippal escorted another guest, the old scholar named Maechen, through New Home hallways. The historian's voice rumbled through the metal walls, uninterrupted. Maechen was invited for the commercial negotiations by Rikku herself. She thought he was the perfect diplomat for the occasion. More like the perfect bore.
"I remember when Rydy of the Merkats tribe tried to conquer the Lucifer Oasis; his warriors were the cruellest this world has ever contemplated…"
Just how many things does this guy know? Will he ever shut up?
"But a fine man like you must be just as courageous. Many of your islanders spoke highly of the first officer's charisma…!"
Gippal snickered.
"And, tell me, commander, how is your young leader? I can still see her in the eyes of my memory… a brave girl trying to change the world. And she did indeed! She did!"
Gippal didn't even need to turn to see the old man's smile, it was carried by his voice. He kept walking. Maechen was right about Rikku.
"She is a volcano."
"Her father wanted you as her first officer for a reason, lad."
Gippal stopped in his steps and turned. Maechen was smiling enigmatically.
"What reason?"
"You know it already, or you wouldn't be questioning the most rational reason: you are a good commander; if you're asking me, you do know the other reason, boy. Grand houses become greater when united."
Gippal squeezed his eyes at the man, "Old man… Hold your tongue,"
"Yes my lord," Maechen bowed elegantly, and both of them kept walking.
Is that why the old man wanted me to stand by Rikku's side? Would it be that bad? Would she want it?
A banquet was to be held that very night. Auron was not so keen on social occasions, but he needed to gather as much intel as possible. He was there for a reason, even if the reason itself was unknown to him.
He was interested in observing the representatives of the Luka Trade Embassy. He doubted they wanted to open trades simply to help Albheds' local economy… He wondered what Cid would do once Spiran started to drain albhed resources, pay them low rates, and sell desert goods in the continent, doubling the prices…
He wondered if Rin would've been there. He also wondered if Rin would stand for his people or his own profit.
In the meanwhile, he had to instruct Wantz about a very important matter.
The merchant was in front of a mirror, fixing a weird-looking bowtie for what he called "the party".
"Wantz," Auron started, composed.
"Not looking good?" The merchant turned to face the warrior, a worried grin on his face.
Auron smirked, sincerely touched by the man's naivete, "You look like a good guest should look," he said. Wantz seemed happy.
"I have to warn you about something, though".
Wantz nodded, serious.
"I want to thank you for respecting my privacy," Auron continued "and for not asking more details about myself. It did not go unnoticed by me, and you have been a good travel companion. I will ask you for one more favour, my friend, if you don't mind".
"Tell me, lad, and if I can I will be happy to make a satisfied patron of you!"
"You will have to introduce me, to anyone, as a nomad under a vow of silence," Wantz's mouth gaped in surprise. "I will not and cannot speak from now on…"
Wantz smiled a small, intelligent smile, "I guess asking you the reason behind this choice would be out of place and of no utility…"
Auron shook his head, "It would".
"Very well, Faram! I see no harm in trusting you; you were of big help on the road, my guts tell me to trust you and as you know the guts of a merchant are the wisest!"
Auron chuckled, "and the most valuable," he joked.
Wantz laughed loudly.
The official party was held in a large dining room with very high ceilings. All the guests were standing, talking to each other, while a few musicians played songs on wooden instruments that sounded like wind itself. Albhed garlands were placed on doors, coloured in the traditional Pollendina colours, yellow and turquoise.
A mix of spiran and albhed food was served by many waiters. The event felt strangely formal for the albheds. Not Cid's usual.
Wantz looked excited. Auron spotted the young Gippal, discussing animatedly with two Lukans.
He walked towards the group.
He heard the young man's words.
"We will discuss it in more detail tomorrow. What I know for sure is that our leader is open to suggestions and negotiations,"
The two lukans, dressed in purple robes, nodded and smiled.
"For now," Gippal continued, "cheers!" He made a toast. The blonde moved towards Auron. In fact, and he was not surprised, Gippal stopped in his steps and looked towards him. Blending in isn't the easiest task when you wear a cloak and wander alone during a party.
"You must be Rikku's saviour," Gippal's words were warm but serious. Auron nodded. The first officer of the albheds stepped swiftly in front of him, halting nearer than Auron was comfortable with.
"Are you a merchant?"
Auron nodded again. Gippal's eyebrow raised, quizzically, "Who are you?" he asked, lowering his voice.
"Oh! Young Gippal, sir!" Wantz's resounding voice saved Auron. Gippal smiled at his companion.
"One of the O'akas! You guys are everywhere!"
Wantz laughed awkwardly, "You've met my assistant! Poor bloke made an oath of silence before the End of Sin! I see you've been trying to break his word! Literally!"
Gippal laughed and nodded, even more interested in Auron, "And where is he from?"
"His name is Faram and he is from Bevelle, I've been told, and certainly not by himself!"
"Oh, the Red Carpet! Wantz, I didn't know you travelled with walking mysteries!" Gippal's hand patted Auron's shoulder hard while erupting in a fit of laughter.
Auron's shoulders naturally shifted in an uncomfortable stance.
What's that? Something in the corner of his eye. The smallest movement, a flash of light, a nanosecond.
Auron was ready and alert.
He observed and saw something move outside the window. A tree branch, probably.
He returned his attention to Gippal and Wantz's conversation.
"I hope I'll serve you well in tomorrow's negotiations, First Officer!"
"If you have at heart Albheds' interests you certainly will, but I doubt you will lower your prices even just a tiny bit for us poor desert people! Spiran merchants wouldn't do that, not even for a Faith!"
Both laughed.
Another tiny flash of light. Auron instantly turned towards the big window. And here she was.
Like a monkey, spying through the glass, covered in leaves, hidden in the tree. Rikku.
A small beaded feather was reflecting the room's light every time she stealthy moved. Seeing her perform her thief motions was like watching a memory moving before his very own eyes. He felt a sting of nostalgia.
The girl was not invited to the party? No wonder she wants a peek.
Auron was curious to know the reason for her panic attack, before. It looked like one; shaky hands, fear in her eyes, heavy breath, tachycardia.
Her hair looked longer now, braided in albhed fashion. She looked less clumsy and more womanly… even while peeking through the windows like a 5 years old.
"It was Faram who rescued Rikku. She was blabbering about a cloaked man. For a second I thought you were just a dream…"
Auron bowed his head in respect.
Gippal's tone was filled with affection for the girl, and gratitude for him.
"What happened to her? Is she safe?" Wantz's voice lowered respectfully.
Why all this concern for a fainting fit? Rikku was just Rikku to Auron, but she was Pollendina royalty after all. He forgot that sometimes.
The Albhed's officer features darkened. His face became malicious, suspicious even. Auron wondered why.
"Someone tried to poison her."
Poison? I didn't even notice it. I must be sharper from now on. This is Bikanel, not Bevelle, but I can't let down my guard.
Auron's head turned towards the window. Rikku hid better this time, but he could still spot her green eyes camouflaged in the green foliage.
No wonder the boy is suspicious, I was the one carrying her to the infirmary. A mute cloaked man. I am the epithet of untrustworthy. Good move talking about it so openly, he wants to observe our reactions.
Fortunately, Wantz's shocked gasp filled the air, "Who could ever?"
"I don't know. But I don't believe in coincidences. Excuse my racist comment, but the base is full of Spirans." Gippal stared at Auron openly. He was a man now. A good officer, too. His sense of protection toward Rikku was noticeable.
He loves her.
"We were lucky Faram was there in the right place at the right time," Gippal continued, this time genuinely grateful.
Wantz turned towards Auron, "I leave you wandering around the building and you manage to save Albheds' leader from death? You really are something, Faram!"
Albheds' leader! Cid abdicated then.
Auron couldn't stop the feeling of pride swelling his heart. The girl's passionate spirit was perfect for leading her people. She was the one, with Tidus, directing Yuna on the path of freedom.
During his last, painful pilgrimage he was often reassured by her honesty, by how she looked at the world, her indomitable spirit.
Behind her sassy jokes and wobbly dances, she hid intelligence, gentleness, good sense. Wisdom, even.
She was there in the desert wind, pale from the poison administration, spying on the banquet she was supposed to attend as a queen.
Cid was not the key to his fate. Rikku was.
A mix of relief and anxiety washed over him. His future was in a little thief's hands.
End of Chapter 5
Hello everyone! I want to thank you all for your comments! You make me feel very motivated to write!
I am very tired lately, so I can't update as swiftly as I would like. I have two jobs and a very messed up life! But I love this story, it's becoming my little island of relax!
I am creating a document containing all the facts I am inventing for the story, so I can keep track! It is like an encyclopedia, it really helps me. Maybe I will attach that to the next chapter someway.
Anywaysss, let me know what you think of this chapter! Let me know what you think will happen! The main characters are finally reunited (even though Rikku doesn't know who's behind that cloak!) and oooooh! Will I have fun writing this!
Hear you soon,
Silvia.