Chapter Nine: Unexpected Visits
"Aye, I am Bikke the Pirate, and surprised I am that you scurvy dogs have the nerve to face me! Mates! Get those landlubbers!"
Bikke the Pirate, Final Fantasy I
On a hill, they gazed out at the vast expanse of the Port of Pravoka. The deep and large harbor, adjacent to the city, was almost enclosed by two jutting spikes of land, opening only a fraction to the seas. On top of those thin tendrils of land were two massive spires, watchtowers almost identical to the behemoth lighthouse of Coneria.
"Relics of another age," Klad murmured, as all of them gaped at the towers, the cool fresh blue sparkles of the Aldi were reflected on the white skin lighthouses, somehow making the grandeur and beauty more surreal to the four. But something else turned that beauty into a warning.
Dozens of ships, from small schooners to giant voyage craft, filled the port, seeming to be pushed into the city by the waves of the Aldi Seas. But one thing stood out most: a fleet of black masted warships, skull and bones painted distinctively on the sides.
"Has Pravoka always been subject to buccaneers?" Aki asked, in a strangled, surprised voice.
"Never. A consul is elected and steps down every five years. He or she is their leader, along with the Council, a group of hundred elected representatives, speaking for the citizens." Klad drew his sword, as Strider buckled nervously beneath him.
"This is new. We will enter, but carefully."
The others nodded.
As they proceeded at a trot, tethering their horses to forest trees surrounding, the four walked, watching as the city grew near, sprawling into a giant network of houses and buildings. Unlike many cities of the age, Pravoka had no city walls, no gate. The sea was the only banner against the wild, and forests the only marker between civilization and the savagery.
The small white-washed houses and cheery-faced buildings greeting them as the cleared the last expanse of fir trees were blackened by soot and grim, but others were unaffected, as if a fire had spared a random network of houses.
As they dismounted, Jakk felt another weight sag onto his shoulders. He just wanted to go to the nearest inn, flirt with a maid, and hop in bed with her. But he felt another side of him, the spirit that he had never felt before, tug on his rapier at his side, unsheathing it. Reluctantly, Jakk let the spirit do its thing, as the knight went over to the nearest house, carefully tapping the door. It opened at once.
"Yes, milord..." The women, her graying hair and dark eyes tired, muffled a gasp as her eyes widened, as realization poke through her that these weren't the pirates.
She looked out of her doorway, looking past Klad as if to really check there was no one there, hiding behind them.
"We do not come to hurt you, just to satisfy our curiosity. Where is the Consul? What are those pirate ships..." Klad's voice trailed off as the lady motioned him to be silent and come in. He nodded, entering with Bane. In a corner table inside the house, a sloppy pirate laid in a chair, both eyes with patches, snored loudly. As soon as the warriors entered, the corsair awoke with a shout, getting his crossbow lying on the table. At once, he fell back, gurgling and clutching his neck, where a knife protruded.
"Kyzoku," Bane hissed.
"Bless you," Jakk said, humorously, walking in; his eyes widened at the dead pirate.
The host breathed a sigh of relief, turning her head and bowing to the four.
"Thank you," she murmured, frowning at the dead pirate.
Smoke rose from his clothes, as if steam came off from the body, but slowly, flesh sagged and disappeared. Vanishing into the air, leaving on the crossbow and clothes behind.
"Kyzoku," Bane growled again. "More creations of Kraken."
"Interesting..." Jakk stammered.
"They are the ocean version of imps, Jakk, inhabiting dead men's bodies, transforming them into eyeless corsairs that have an acute sense of smell. This one must have sensed us because we give off a stink from a mile off." Bane looked and sniffed at Klad's armor. "A scented bath may not do a Knight of Coneria any harm right now, Master Knight."
"That can be arranged," the woman said, smiling.
Alee Ocusu was still shaken as she brought tea to her four guests, recently refreshed from their bathes upstairs. And what fortunate guests they were! Or perhaps most unfortunate. Though they saved her from the pirate, they would never be able to defeat all hundreds of the Kyzoku festering in Pravoka. But, then again, these were no ordinary visitors.
They were all young, in their late teens, but each held him or herself up as a mature adult. The handsomest, perhaps a young lord, was the most easygoing, cracking a grin every time she walked by. The other man, a knight or mercenary by his armament, was grim, locked in deep thought. The third, a white mage, had only revealed her flaming hair and frosty, pale face when she had removed her hood. Ocusu recognized that white cloak covering the mage as the uniform of mage-surgeons. Impossible! Besides being too young, mages were despised by the public, their magic tainted with the witchcraft of the Alatari, and many were killed. The fourth, a black mage, was a conundrum. He refused to remove his pointed, straw-colored hat, and his body was covered with a black-blue robe, stiflingly hot for such a sunny day.
She brought the tea to the four sitting at the table, where they helped to clear the desk of the jumbled plates of food the pirate had ordered her to make, as it stood as a guard. Almost all houses had a guard, just to make sure everyone was kept under watch. But what will they do if they find out someone has killed my guard?
She served the lord first.
"Tea, milord."
The young man's smile suddenly turned into a surprised stammer of hasty words.
"I'm not a lord, mistress Alee, must a simple thie-"
The other man eyed him sharply, and the lord managed to twist his words. "-just a rich merchant's son. Please, call me Jakk," he said, taking the tea gratefully. Alee nodded.
"And you-" she glanced at the grim man.
"Lieutenant, lady. I am a lieutenant of the Conerian Knights."
"Ah, then you are all from Coneria then?" Ocusu said brightly. At least now she could have a sense where these people came from. She served the mages and quickly sat down.
"Yes, though not all of us were born there," Jakk said, winking at the rest of the strange group.
They sipped their tea silently, before Alee continued.
The soldier responded quickly.
"I guess I should better start to fill my curiosity. Who are you all?"
"Travelers, Mistress Ocusu. We seek passage from Provoka over to Elfland. Even the Port of Coneria is close, and we thought that the Provokians would supply us with a ship still good enough to brave the seas, Tari willing."
"Pravoka is willing, of course." She snorted, shaking her head in disbelief, deciding it better not to ask why four young people in these forsaken days would travel. "Too willing. A pirate ship, disguised as a merchant trading vessel, came here a few days ago. Guards were lax, and they killed them and opened the gate at night. A flotilla of ships came in, and attacked the city, and capturing the Consul."
Klad frowned. "I saw no gate at the city."
Alee smiled. "It is a gate under the sea, Lieutenant. It can be raised in times of defense, to prevent ships getting through without sinking first. Our city's defense lay to the water, where fleets can cross."
But armies can cross on land too, Klad thought.
"So there are no ways to get a ship?"
"No, unless you speak to Consul Seelan. She might be able to smuggle you on something. The pirates are too, very lax about security, despite their posting of a Kyzoku in everyone's home. Once they have their plunder, they will go away."
Out of the corner of his eye, Klad saw Bane shake his head. He understood. These were no ordinary pirates, they were here to stay. They were waiting for them.
Sharks were among the favorites of water fiend's creatures, as he was in his favorite form, a many-legged half-squid, half-octopus. It was called a Kraken, and he had name himself that because he knew the people of this world would respect it.
What news? he said, looking at the shark's tiny eyes.
Your Kyzokus have captured Pravoka, and are waiting for the Light Warriors to come. We also have word that a Dark-Elf has secretly taken throne of Elfland and is making war with neighboring territories.
Kraken frowned. The Betar surely would have arrived to the port by now.
They have not come?
No, my lord.
Strange. Tell Bikke that he is under strict orders to capture them, not kill. He can make sport of the city's women after they are found, but not now. He paused, wondering if humans were at all able to fight well against his creations. The casualties?
Light. Your Kyzokus slaughtered the guards.
Good. This world is ready to fall. They have abandoned hope, and with it, the Light Warriors.
Quietly, Jakk slipped out of Mistress Ocusu's house as the sun rose. The palace of the Consul laid far ahead, at the very heart of Pravoka. Near it, a small golden dome, the roof of the Council, the meeting place for the one hundred representatives and the Consul, stood, representing the politics of the city-state of Pravoka. And, apparently, the same meeting place for Sibikken the Corsair, the leader of the eyeless Kyzokus.
The city streets were quiet; that was to be expected for this time of day. Even the Kyzoku seemed to be gone, hidden in every house, unaware that a thief was stealing away into the morning sunrise, headed for the Consul.
If he could ever find her.
Beforehand, the four had agreed on one thing: the Kyzokus attack on Pravoka was no coincidence. They came right after Luhkan departed and right before they came. It was the Fiends' work the Kyzokus had come, probably creations of Kraken. And so getting out of Pravoka was their priority.
Jakk stealthily crept closer to the palace, letting the high walls and gardens of Pravoka's famed greenery hide him, as he lightly stepped onto the cobbled streets with his boots. Nothing but a muffled clap. Good, his skill hadn't left him.
Fingering his rapier and hoping to whatever gods kind enough that Alee was right, he knocked on one of the double doors that was the entrance to the palace, waiting for an answer. Much more like a wealthy merchant's house than a fine palace of the city-state's leader. These Provokians sure are modest.
The sound of slippered feet reached his ears, and he braced himself. The door opened, and Consul Lacee Seelan looked at out him, unimpressed at finding a handsome man at her doorstep. She's beautiful, Jakk noted. If there's one thing that's changed ever since I've gone on this journey, it's the extraordinary amount of beautiful women I meet.
Lacee shifted her lacy, revealing nightgown closely around her, as those hazel eyes tightened; she was not impressed or surprised with Jakk, especially at this time of the day.
"Who in the name of the Creator are you?" she asked, softly, but with a voice that could have thrown a pirate stumbling. Soft, but deceptively so. Probably why Bikke is in the Council's Meeting Hall with the rest of his gang instead of in her bed every night. Even Bane would be scared of her.
Before she could do anything, he pushed her back, into the palace and closed the door.
"MynameisJakkI'mabloodyLightWarriorandIneedaship," Jakk said, in one long, rushing sentence. Pausing for air, he looked at her directly. "And, I need your help."
The Consul looked at him coolly. "I'm sure you've noticed the massive fleet of pirate ships blocking entrance to the seas. And even if I was kind enough to get you a ship, my price for the favor would be heavy, even if you do look like a rich lord's son. Unless-" For once, she hesitated, eyeing his chest. No, not my chest, Jakk thought. Something on my chest. The orb! "Is your name Jakk Skyarr? Of Coneria?"
He fingered his rapier nervously again. Could this beautiful, young girl, leader of her city, be in league with the Fiends? He wouldn't have been so cautious if he wasn't a Light Warrior, but that damnable lore-master had given him some private advice before he was gone. With handsome features such as yours, Jakk Skyarr, beauty is sure to find you along your way. I only ask that you be wary in your endeavors.
"Well, are you?"
Jakk tightened his grip on the rapier. "Yes."
She nodded, looking at him in another light.
"Then you shall follow me," she said, gently.
She motioned to the basement stairs, watching him curiously as he hesitated.
"I think there's someone very special you would like to meet down there, Jakk. Unless you would like me to explain how I know you were coming."
He nodded.
"Very well, the man downstairs can wait. Come, follow me into the parlor for a drink."
The thief followed, confused, even more so as she smiled, giving him a glass of sparkling lemonberry cider, thoughtfully sipping on a glass herself. Then she began.
"Only a day before the attack of these corsairs, a strange ship, a fast and sleek frigate came to our harbor, asking for the Consul. The markings of the craft meant it came from the Kingdom of Coneria, which haven't sent an emissary to our city-state for timeless decades. The captain of the Everlasting, Mizzam Haust, asked if four youths, on horses, had come from the east. I, of course, told him no, and asked him what prompted him to sail the wild seas from faraway."
Jakk frowned, searching his memory. The Everlasting?Wasn't that the ship Bane sailed from the Blighted Lands?
"Your familiar with the ship?"
"Perhaps. Continue, Consul."
She nodded. "He hesitated to tell me, but did, finally. It seemed that since many of his crewman were Provoka-borne, they were willing to take on the journey to my city. They did so under the orders of King Lyr , or so I was told. He also told me that these youths were the Betar." She paused again.
Seelan walked over to the small library in another room, pulling out a small book. "I've not heard the ancient word for 'Warriors of the Light' for many years, since I was a student studying the Prophecies. Very few people remember what has happened in the creation of the world, dismissing the whole thing as a myth. A far smaller number even read what the Prophecies holds for the world." She smiled. "My father was a noble in the Pravokian Body, and he schooled me well, teaching me how to read in the Ancient tongue so I could decipher this book."
Jakk frowned. Lyr had sent a ship for them? How did he know...
"How did he know to send us a ship because of the pirates?"
Lacee shrugged. "Who knows? I let the crew as mingle with the populace as ordinary Pravokians, and hid the Captain, in the cellar. The corsairs have left me alone for some reason. They are not here to harm us, it seems, just waiting for you."
A voice appeared from the doorway. "Good. All the more reason for us to get out of here." Seelan and Jakk turned around, looking at the yellow-hatted mage, knight, and white mage from the doorway.
"You were supposed to scout and come back to us in five minutes, Jakk. But it seems you have met another lady. Consul Seelan, I presume?" Klad knelt down, bowing over the blushing cheeks of the young Consul. Jakk felt annoyed enough to roll his eyes.
"We were only chatting, Klad. I've got some news for you. The Everlasting is here with a crew for us to escape. It seems like Lyr sent someone over here because he predicted the trouble."
Bane's yellow orbs glowed. "We're in luck then. Our horses are here too. If we can-"
He was cut off by another arrival.
"The King didn't know about the trouble brewin' in Provoka, mage. It was the lore-master." A steady thump on the polished cool marble floors accompanied Captain Mizzam Haust's arrival from the cellar. "He sends this message to the warriors," handing Klad a parchment. Klad read it aloud.
"I have asked the King to send a ship to Pravoka when you get there. I ask you to travel to Elfland for your source of information, for I know that your journey will seem useless if you cannot even find where the Fiends are. The Elves will help you, unless some other obstacle lies in your path there. Though now is not the time for my advice, I have gone with the other sages to the town of Crescent Lake, travel there if you must seek my help. I should include a list of do's and do nots' for all of you, but I have neither the time, energy, or room to do so on this scrap of parchment."
Klad smiled. "It sounds like lore-master, alright."
"Then we must go now?" Aki asked.
Before Klad could answer, another unexpected visitor knocked on the door, and then savagely kicked it open.
A blubbery corsair, with a greasy smile with a pirate's patch on one eye, smiled toothlessly. Behind him were a mass of milling eyeless Kyzoku.
"Caught unaware of a hoard of pirates in this blasted town! It looks like the search 'tis finally over. These are the Light Warriors?" He held up a cutlass. "Mates! Get those landlubbers!"