Disclaimer: I don't own FFXII
Vaan and the two recent additions to his group ran along the labyrinthine waterway. A nearby crystal re-energised them, making the effects of the crash ancient history. Before going any further, their plan was decided.
Balthier would charge at any foe they came across to distract them. Vaan would dart around behind the foe to steal what he could from them. Fran would shoot from afar with a bow. If they were injured, Baltier would perform first aid.
They came across some fallen soldiers. Balthier knelt to inspect the bodies. "Insurgents. Most like they thought to take advantage of a lax watch at the palace while the fete's on... to feed the good consul a length of steel for his supper."
Fran shook her head at his dramatics.
Balthier continued. "I should think Vayne used to such hospitality. Clever. He used himself as the bait to draw them near, and then sent in the air brigade. A fine, bloody banquet." The sky pirate shook his head. "Hmph. I daresay I've soiled my cuffs." He fiddled with the afore mentioned cuffs. "If a dungeon's waiting for us at the end of the night, it had best have a change of wardrobe."
The ghost just looked at Balthier. "I'm not entirely sure if he's joking."
They ran along another corner. They paused and the ghost disappeared. It was but a moment before he appeared again.
He spoke to Vaan. "There is an ornate green and gold urn to your left. If I recall corectly, they are a storage place for maps. I also recall that the Moogles placed the urns in places that they did any building or repair work. Not all Moogles have a good sense of direction."
Vaan darted to his left and easily spotted the urn. They were not what he would call inconspicuous. He found a map within the urn. It seemed that the spectre was right. He returned to the party with a map of the Garamsythe Waterway.
The party continued to the right, killing bats and sterlings as they went. They gathered things such as rat pelts, fire stones, and even antidotes from their kills. After killing a sleeping Gigantoad, they found a longsword and an escutcheon. It was decided that Vaan would keep his dagger because the longsword would cost him his speed, but equip the escutcheon. It was stronger than his leather shield. From that point on, Gigantoads were more numerous.
They emerged into an open part of the waterway. On the opposite side of the open area, they saw a woman on a ledge. She was higher than they were and she was cornered by Imperials.
One lunged at her, the intent to capture her was obvious. She swung her sword at him with no such intent. The Imperial hit the ground in a heap. She turned. "Who would be next?"
The Imperials faced her. "Close ranks! Bring her down!"
Vaan ran toward the ledge. He called to the woman, "Jump down!"
The men came closer.
He yelled again. "Hurry!"
She leapt off the ledge. There was a long moment of eye contact before Vaan caught her.
The ghost sighed. "I am uncertain whether I should curse the gods or thank them."
The guard's voices were heard. "She's not alone!"
Fran made a remark from her position near their entrance point. "Our ranks grow by the hour."
Balthier quipped, "And our troubles with them."
The ghost watched from the sidelines as the four living humans charged into battle with four Imperials. "If only you knew..." Only one among the group was able to hear him and wonder what he meant.
After defeating the soldiers, Vaan walked over to the woman he'd rescued. "You all right?"
She turned to look at him. "Thank you."
He smiled. "I'm Vaan." He gestured behind him. "And this is Balthier and - Hey!"
Balthier and Fran were already walking away. Though they stopped when Vaan caught them.
Vaan turned back to the woman. "What's your name?"
She hesitated. "Amalia."
The ghost chuckled. "And I'm King Raminas."
Vaan's eyes darted toward him for a moment but he was otherwise ignored. "Amalia, huh? Nice to meet you."
The woman turned back to look worriedly at the direction Vaan's group had come from. "There were others with me..."
Fran shook her head in sorrow. "I'm sorry."
Amalia's shoulders sagged. "No..." Her stance indicated sadness and defeat.
There was a glow from Vaan's pocket. He plucked the magicite from it's hiding place. "Huh?"
The ghost was already talking in a low voice into his ear. "You hold in your hand what is known as the Goddess's Magicite. Dalmasca's Royal Family inherited it from King Raithwall himself. The Dynast King's Legacy not only holds great power, it also recognises those of royal blood. This is the reason that the magicite would be so dangerous in the hands of the Empire. Since it has not reacted before now, it is obviously reacting to the presence of the one calling herself Amalia." There was a mischievous smile on his face.
Voice of wisdom or not, the ghost knew something and he wasn't about to say what it was.
Balthier commented on the glow. "Oh, now isn't that impressive?"
Vaan stepped forward. He was reflecting on what the ghost had said. "Don't get any ideas. I said it's mine."
Balthier replied, "I'm afraid the jury's still out on that one."
"You stole that?" Amalia looked at Vaan accusingly.
"Yeah!" Vaan was proud of his accomplishment! It had taken a lot of work to steal from the palace!
Amalia seemed taken aback at his obvious pride.
Fran turned to the two younger people. "Have you finished? When the guards don't report in, they'll come looking for us."
"If they aren't already." Balthier added.
"You should come with us. Better than being by yourself." Vaan was apparently determined to help this stranger.
Amalia looked at him for a moment, judging his intentions before agreeing. "Very well." She strode past Balthier and Fran, toward the next area.
Vaan watched her go. "What's wrong with her?"
Balthier sighed and looked at him. "You have a lot to learn before we even get started on your thievery."
"What's that mean?"
The only answer he got was another sigh from the ghost.
They went to talk to Amalia.
She held her hand to her chin - thinking. "The situation requires I accept such help as I find. Though It be from thieves. I shall acompany you until we find my companions. No longer."
Balthier looked at Vaan. "Let's think of her as a 'guest,' then." It was clear he'd rather not think of her at all. "So, we keep to our affairs, and she to hers." Now he took a dig at her pride. "I doubt we'll find her wanting in valor... being such an upstanding member of the insurgence."
"Resistance." She firmly corrected him.
As they continued on their way, Vaan quietly spoke to the ghost. "Hey, you're not really King Raminas, are you?"
The ghost chuckled. "No Vaan, I'm not."
Vaan was quiet for a minute and when he spoke, he was oddly serious, "So whoever that woman is, her name isn't Amalia."
The ghost didn't respond.