I wince as a grain of sand crunches between my teeth, the scorching metal I sit on burning my skin through my thin clothing. The shade hardly provides enough shelter from the heat, not that that's my biggest issue at the moment. I can handle some dry desert weather. However, the snarky remarks about sky pirates from our newly-acquired Vossler, the bickering of Vaan and Penelo, and the muttering between Balthier and Fran all have me on edge.
Basch leans against the wall beside me, watching Ashe talk to Vossler from a distance with rueful eyes. When Vossler first found us resting on a bridge, having chased us down unexpectedly, he half-lectured Basch about associating himself and the princess with sky pirates and failing "Her Majesty." After that, the knights avoided each other. Balthier and Fran spotted an incoming tribe of Urutan-Yensa riding across the waves of the sand sea and we bolted. From that point, we killed each little creature that stood in our path, as they were the utmost unfriendly of beings. The desert tends to be as unforgiving as its sun.
"What's up?" Vaan asks dryly, slouching beside me and taking a lazy drink from his water bag. Swiping a drop off his chin with the back of his hand, he offers the bag. I accept it, taking a long drink of the warm water.
"Just regaining my strength," I sigh, leaning my head against the rusted iron wall behind me and watching Balthier pace restlessly. "Though, it's really not necessary. I could continue for hours at this rate."
"Used to hoofing it?"
"I suppose you could say that."
"Huh," Vaan huffs, pushing his sweaty hair out of his tanned face. "I've lived here my whole life and I'm still dying. Just a little bit, though," he adds with a sheepish grin. I smile, handing his water back.
"I don't blame you. This isn't my… preferred climate, but," I shrug, "it's what we've got to do to get to Raithwall's, isn't it?"
"Unless we had your partner's stone," he nods, crossing his arms behind his head. "But he's not here." His eyes brighten and he turns to me with a hopeful face. "Hey, is it still on your ship?"
"No," I mutter, noticing the slight change in Balthier's walk as he listens in. "It's a long story, however…" I shake my head. "To put it short, an old friend of mine stole it." Suppressing bitter memories, I scowl up at the sky pirate. "You could be a little less obvious."
"I wasn't trying to hide anything," Balthier counters, coming to a stop and looping his thumbs through his belt loops. "Your friend… The same gentleman who stopped you in Rabanastre, by chance?"
"Yeah," I breathe, eyes flickering to Basch's intrigued face. "The name's Jonan. He wasn't always like that, you know. I knew him when he was about Lord Larsa's age."
"No one remains the same for that long," the pirate murmurs, tossing a glance toward Ashe. "Are you ready to depart? We should be nearing it soon."
Vaan groans, dragging himself up. He offers me a hand and I take it, pulling myself to my feet. Penelo skips past me, grabbing her friend's arm defensively and shooting me a weary look. I roll my eyes, cringing as another grain of sand scrapes my teeth.
It's another long dredging drag through the sand before we cross from the complete darkness of a small cave and into the light of a massive, towering temple. Awed, I step into the light, watching the sun reflect off of polished, preserved pillars of sandstone. Eight aligned perfectly lead up to a domed square tomb decorated with spikes and towers and bars. The massive walls of a hidden, rocky valley rise up around us, hiding us from the view of the world. A secret haven.
I reach out a hand and my fingers brush against one of the massive pillars; I shudder. I can practically hear the power emitting from this place. Ashe sticks close to Vossler and the knight eyes me with distrust. Penelo cries out, pointing toward something in the sky.
"What's that?!"
"Hey, look out!"
I hardly have time to duck. The wind kicks up the sand as a massive glowing bird dives toward me, talons extended. Rolling to my feet, I grip my spear and pull it free from my back in one hard tug. Basch and Vossler step in front of Ashe, swords drawn. The princess huffs, pushing her way between them and raising her shield. The monstrous bird swoops down once more before hovering before me, towering overhead and sending a sandstorm my way with every flap of its powerful wings.
Wincing, I feel an arrow fly past and see it bury itself in the bird's illuminated golden feathers. Rearing its head, the beast snaps at Vaan, whipping its vermillion wings about relentlessly. I duck behind a pillar, closing my eyes as I press my back to the carved stone. Taking a deep breath, I let the crack of Balthier's gun cue my entrance into battle.
My muscles spring into action and my mind goes blank, bloodthirsty. Clenching the center of my spear between my teeth, I force my fingers into the grooves in the rock and climb, climb, climb. My jaw aches but I ignore it, ripping the lightweight weapon free and squinting down at the battle below in hopes of seeing better.
"It seems one of our pirates is running," Vossler grits, voice loud enough for me to hear as he swings his sword at the bird's side and slices through its thin skin.
"Shae?" Vaan swivels around and frowns up at me.
"You have entirely too little faith in me," I call back with a disapproving frown, gripping my spear and digging my heels into the pillar.
Just as Fran's fire spell finishes lapping at the bird's feathers, I push off, javelin poised and ready as I soar toward the ground. Rather, toward the monster's skull. I smile; I always did love to fly. The jeweled spearhead of my weapon cleanly buries itself in the beast's head with so much force, it pins the skull to the sandy ground. Unable to stay on through the power of the impact, I roll off the slope of its feathered head and to my feet. Grinning, I find one hand on my hip and the other dramatically extended to my left. Vaan laughs and I bow, accepting his playful applause.
"Most impressive," Vossler grunts dryly, turning to Ashe. "Where did you find this one?"
"The sewers," the princess responds, eyeing me with clear distaste as she always has. I roll my eyes, walking back toward my embedded weapon.
"I would appreciate a 'thank you' every now and then, you know." I take hold of my spear and giving it a good, hard pull. My heart skips and I hurry to cover up my weakness by resting my boot against the side of the bird's head and cocking my head to the side.
"Yes, I have noticed your aptitude for a flourish or two when it comes to battle," comes Ashe's irritated voice. "Flying about like a freed bird, once caged." I take a deep breath, feeling my hands start to tremble as she speaks, unaware of her own impactful words. "It seems to me you've always been free to do as you please."
"It seems to me you're wrong," I grumble, giving another sharp tug and using my foot against the bird's head as leverage. Basch chuckles and I scowl at him, feeling my cheeks flush.
"Shae, Shae, Shae," Balthier practically sings in mock disappointment, a slight smile playing on his lips as he saunters by. "You never fail to intrigue me with your childish grandeur."
"Shut it," I snap, pulling with all my might. Penelo giggles and takes Vaan's arm, running past me. Ashe and Vossler look all high and mighty as they carry on. Finally, I turn to the man who remains with a helpless plea scrawled in my eyes. Basch shakes his head with a sigh and steps up to help. Gripping the spear with one hand, he pulls it free and hands it over.
"The action itself was most impressive," he compliments, offering a gentle smile. "Though, I believe you must improve your own strength as to not become dependent on my sword arm."
"Yeah, yeah," I breathe, strapping my lance to my back and tossing a quick, "Thanks" over my shoulder.
We ascend the wide sandstone staircase as a group. I look around at the towering temple, the tomb of Ashe's ancestors. Carvings and details of all sorts decorate the walls, curving in and out and twisting around to create patterns similar to those of most Dalmascan tombs, only far more expansive than those of simply powerful citizens. Ashe holds out a hand and we come to a stop close to the top of the stairs. Taking a deep breath, she carries on, slowly and steadily.
"Long ago, the gods granted their favor to King Raithwall, who would oversee the subjugation of a vast territory spanning from Ordalia to Valendia. Here he forged the Galtean Alliance." She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. "Though he is called the Dynast-King, upon establishing the Alliance, he demonstrated compassion for his people, and disdain for needless war. A philosophy passed on to his successors."
Then why the needless tantrum for your throne? I shake my head. I hate Vayne Carudas Solidor with all the power of my soul, but this war, this destruction that these endeavors might bring… All because a princess wants her seat on a glorified chair. The lives of those such as Vaan's brother or Penelo's parents, lost. All because of… Huffing, I cross my arms tightly, avoiding Basch's curious gaze.
"One that would bring peace and prosperity for hundreds of years to follow," Ashe continues. "It was during this time of peace that the city-states of Archadia and Rozarria, each members of Raithwall's Alliance, took root and flourished." Her slender hand reaches out and traces the stone of the tomb.
"Raithwall left three relics signifying descent from the Dynast-King. Of these, the Midlight Shard was given to what would become House Nabradia, and the Dusk shard to my ancestors, the founders of Dalmasca. The last of these relics was the Dawn Shard. It remained hidden here, known only to those of royal blood."
"As though the Dynast-King foresaw the very plight before us now," Vossler speaks up. Ashe rests her hand over her heart, eyeing the front of the tomb.
"None save descendants of the King are suffered within. If we attempt to enter without proof of such lineage—"
"There's no guarantee we'll make it out alive," Balthier finishes dryly, easily predicting how such things come to be. "Vicious beasts. Fiendish traps. Something like that?" He rests his hands on his hips, eyebrow raised as he waits impatiently.
"But you must consider the prize," Ashe reminds him, her eyes earnest. "The Dawn Shard lies within. And Raithwall's treasure."
"And there was I thinking this was going to be hard!" Balthier steps past her, earning a scowl from Vossler. "Where do we start?"
"Fates above, someone calm the man," I tease, giving Fran a teasing smile. She shakes her head, though I can tell she's amused.
"I have yet to discover what tames him."
"I've a thirst for treasure," Balthier returns, shrugging theatrically. "Who's to blame such a pirate who searches for his own riches?"
"If you're making a debt joke, it's a terrible one," I scoff, brushing past him and eyeing the strange statue before me.
"All sky pirates must owe one debt or another," Vossler comments, crossing his arms. "If not a simple cleansing of their filthy deeds."
"And what does the doctor suggest?" I retort, shooting him a glare. "Oh, no solution? Keep your jowls shut, then, old dog." Vossler's jaw tightens but he says no more as Balthier laughs.
"A fiery spirit, too. Too bad you've decided to be an adamant enemy of mine."
"If you're done insulting my regimen," Ashe cuts in, motioning for the others to join us as we circle around the glowing device. Vaan and Penelo whisper back and forth, excited and curious as the princess touches the statue. The world immediately goes black and flashes white. Suddenly, we're in a dark hall illuminated only by a row of flaming torches. Vaan gasps; Ashe and her knights leave as if nothing happened.
"What was that?!"
"A contraption you'd find in all but the most rudimentary ancient ruin. One touch, and off you're whisked to you know not where." Balthier and Fran take off and, with a shrug, I follow as he continues speaking. "The finer points of their operation elude me, but they're handy all the same. What more need a sky pirate know?"
"You know not where?" Penelo repeats, brows furrowed. "That seems a bit… Dangerous, don't you think?"
"All part of the thrill," I shrug, tossing her a smile. "Besides, what this oaf doesn't understand, I think I may have a grasp on. The device appears to work within a field of magick similar to that of a magnetic field. The teleportation happens as a split-second transfer of magick energy between the two posts, balancing either side and sending whoever triggered the imbalance to the other side. Simple, really—if you've taken time to study magick mechanics, at any rate."
"Unfortunately, I deem most things far more important that magick mechanics," Balthier mutters back. "What good is knowledge if it has no practical use aside from bragging?"
"What use is a sky pirate who can't brag a bit using their knowledge?" I fire back, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't let your facts inflate your ego," Balthier shrugs. "I find it leaves your pride with nasty scars once you're proven useless."
"Honestly, will you ever stop?" Ashe huffs, shooting us a glare.
"Let us continue," Vossler nods, ushering us down a dimly lit stone staircase. We filter onto a narrow walkway; I take the rearuneasily. Suddenly, a loud crunch echoes behind me. I turn to see the giant statue of a massive, sword-bearing insect coming to life. Slowly, it drags itself toward us with pointed, dagger-like feet.
"Fight or run, we better decide fast!" Vaan calls, staring hard at Ashe. The princess watches the monstrosity, startled. I back away from the wall, glancing back at the doors at the end of the passageway.
"I doubt we'd have enough space to fight here," I offer, though I reach for my spear reluctantly.
"We cannot simply run!" Vossler argues.
"Sure we can," Balthier replies, turning and hurrying toward the door. "One foot in front of the other!"
"I like that plan," Vaan calls, sprinting away. I jerk the frozen princess's arm, bringing her back to the land of the living. We run as fast as we can, Vaan bursting through the doors first and Basch slamming them shut once we're all through and gasping for breath. I breathe out a bitter laugh, choking when two red lights flash at the end of the hall and torches flare to reveal another wall headed for us. Vaan groans. "Not another one."