Hi! Here is chapter 3 of this story :-)

In the last chapter, Auron explained all that had happened in the few years leading up to Braska's Pilgrimage… and in this chapter, we will see what happens in the direct run-up to the beginning of it.

Thanks to all that reviewed chapter 2 (I think I replied to you all already), and I hope you all enjoy this 3rd chapter! As always, please review afterwards, so that I can learn from your thoughts! Thanks :-)

Disclaimer: All things FFX are owned by Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yoshinori Kitase & Square-Enix

3. The Grand Maester Grants a Wish

"The next 3 years were hard for me. I so wanted to at least visit Braska, but the law stated that every newly appointed Monk serve the Grand Maester of Yevon from Bevelle for a period of 3 years.

This meant that I would be effectively stuck in Bevelle, serving Lord Jyscal. Not that it was unpleasant, however… far from it. Serving such a wise, kind and caring leader was quite a pleasure, and an experience I would never trade… not even for all the riches in the Kingdom. But I so wanted to see Braska." Auron continued.

"Sounds like you were, torn in two… I suppose." Lulu suggested. The others muttered in agreement.

"That is, quite true. I had such a yearning, I felt as if I would just one day leave my post… walk out of Bevelle and never come back." Auron stated. "However, it would have been the death of me. Bevelle would have cast me a traitor, and I would soon have been caught and 'put to justice'." Auron added.

"That doesn't sound like Lord Jyscal at all…" Yuna suggested in a worried manner, shaking her head from side to side. "No, not at all." She convinced herself quietly.

"You are right, in a manner Yuna." Auron answered. "However, a law is a law… Jyscal would have been in no position to stand against it, even as Grand Maester of Yevon. Anyway, we're beginning to lead away from the point. I couldn't simply run away from my duties, the law stated I had to stay in Bevelle and fulfil them. And so I did, day by day I sat at my post and waited for the day to arrive."

"What day?" Tidus & Rikku asked.

"My 1095th day of service" Auron answered confidently, "my last day in service to Yevon."

(Flashback)

"You know… Auron, your service is coming close to an end. Soon you will be free to do as you please within all of Spira. May I ask, what you are planning to do first?"

Lord Jyscal had requested my company, and I had been sceptical as to what he had wanted. My service didn't require seeing or talking to the Grand Maester. It was a surprise indeed to hear that he had requested my company.

"Well, Sir… ever since beginning my service to Yevon, I have yearned to see my friend. He now resides in Besaid, with his family… I will be leaving to visit him as soon as my service is ended."

I was a little confused, to say the least. Why would the Grand Maester care so much about my plans? However, it seemed I would soon realise exactly why he had wished to talk with me.

"I see… Braska is it?"

This had shocked me beyond belief. How did he know of Braska?

"I can see you are shocked, servant. Worry not, I can explain. I have recently received request from a servant who once served under Mika. It seems your friend wishes to become a Summoner, and has requested permission to begin his pilgrimage at once. He has also requested your assistance as his Guardian. He was very specific in mentioning that only you would be acceptable. He would not receive any other as his Guardian."

I was speechless. To think I could finally see Braska! But then reality sunk in, I had 2 and a half months left in service. There was no way I could join Braska on his pilgrimage.

"Sir, I cannot express the joy I would receive by being at Braska's side once more… but I have yet 2 and a half months left in service to you and to Yevon. I cannot leave Bevelle."

I was despondent. I couldn't believe that Braska was about to begin a journey, walking down a path that I couldn't follow. He would never return from his pilgrimage, it was a suicide mission in order to bring a decade of peace to Spira. I would never see Braska again, and I couldn't accept it.

"Well… the law in fact states that you 'serve Yevon from Bevelle for the period of 3 full years'. You, know… there is no better way of serving Yevon than guarding a Summoner on his way to defeating Sin. Perhaps this is a chance to show us all just how much you care… for Braska & Yevon."

Jyscal smiled at me. I couldn't believe it. The Grand Maester, Lord Jyscal had just bent the law in order to allow me, a simple Monk… to join my friend on his pilgrimage. I wasn't about to think twice over this offer.

"Sir! I cannot thank you enough! I will return here promptly after Braska's pilgrimage to fulfil the remaining 2 and a half months of service, it is the least I can do for your kindness."

(End of flashback)

Auron stopped. He couldn't continue recalling this conversation. It may have lead to explaining something that Yuna and her other guardians were not ready to understand.

'Jyscal continued by looking at me rather confused, evidently I had no idea that the Summoner's guardian was to become the final aeon, so I couldn't return. But, I can't mention that, they are not yet ready to hear this news. They will have time to realise it for themselves when we arrive in Zanarkand.' Auron thought to himself. He had to tread carefully here; this was certainly not the time to reveal this news to Yuna and the others.

"Um… Auron? You've kinda stopped talking, and now you're just staring at the tree over there." Tidus noticed aloud. Auron had in fact been silent for over a minute, thinking carefully where to start next… whilst recalling this journey.

"Ah, yes… I apologise. Just, collecting stray thoughts." Auron excused himself.

"So, you're gonna continue? Or do we have to put up with just the beginnings of this story?" Rikku arrogantly added.

"Oh, sorry… that wasn't very nice! I'm just eager to hear more I guess…" Rikku began to blush, hiding her face away from Auron. She waited nervously for a familiar scolding tone to erupt from his mouth and curb her.

"That's okay Rikku. I'll continue, if you permit?" Auron smiled sarcastically towards Rikku.

'What is he doing? What in Yevon is going on here?' Rikku thought to herself, utterly confused. She certainly wasn't used to Auron being so laid back and gentle with her. She soon realised he was still waiting for a reply.

"Sure!" She blurted out loudly. Beginning to blush again, she hid her face away behind her hands.

"Very well… thank you Rikku." Auron smiled again.

"I packed that very night, planning on leaving early in the morning. Jyscal had replied to Braska's request suggesting that he wait there in Besaid for me to arrive. 'Besaid may well be the most logical place to begin your journey to Zanarkand', he had suggested in the letter. It made little difference to me however; I would have walked to Besaid and back if it meant seeing Braska again.

I was so overfilled with joy. I simply couldn't believe that the very next day, I would begin my journey to Besaid… and within the week, assuming no problems arose, I would arrive and see Braska for the first time in 8 years. Little did I know that, that very next day, my whole life would really begin."

So there is officially the last 'background info' chapter. Sorry it took so long, but the next chapter will have Auron meeting a 'certain someone' on his journey to Besaid, perhaps a small adventure including them both… and then the arrival in Besaid. Then this story really begins… lol

Thanks everyone for your support so far, couldn't have done it without all of your kind words!

As per, please review… and thanks again for reading my story so far :-)

Til next time…