Chapter 4-To the Gate!
Fran and Balthier awoke very early that morning. That is to say, Fran awoke early, and Balthier soon followed after she made as much noise as possible banging their bags against furniture intentionally. Sandrine saw them off that morning by waking up an hour earlier and preparing a breakfast feast, which she was sure to not charge too little for. After being on their way, it was not long until the two reverted to their old routine.
"Fran, honestly, could you walk any faster."
At that comment, Fran began practically galloping towards the small blur which she assumed was Rabanastre at last.
"Balthier, you should try not complaining once in a while. It would suit you more."
"Oh, yes, and you should really be…Fran, for crying out loud, will you slow down!?"
"Very well, Balthier. It is, however, getting dark, and I don't want to be left out here another night in the cold, windy, dark, sandy desert. Do you?"
"When you put it that way, no. But you know full well that my answer would be something like that. Quit playing with me…and slow down, dammit!"
Fran heeded Balthier's plea and began to decelerate until he caught up, then matched his pace. The two walked without speaking for a while until Balthier broke the silence.
"Do you remember what day we crashed?"
"It was four days ago…why?"
Balthier sighed heavily. "That means Ashe's coronation is in 2 days. Do you really think we can make it?"
"Of course…we should reach Rabanastre by the end of today. We can get a room in the castle, and if it is too late, in an inn. Why?"
"It seems like it has been much longer since we began our journey of sorts. I guess I just lost track of time…"
"Well, this is new. It seems that you haven't been serious this whole time we have been in the desert. What happened to the other Balthier? Did you just now realize that we might not make it?"
Balthier quickened his pace subconsciously at Fran's words. He didn't really think about it before, but Fran was right. They might not be able to make it in time, and would miss Ashe's coronation ceremony. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but he was planning for it to be the highlight of this visit to Dalmasca. What would happen if his dreams of a nice vacation were shattered? He didn't really have time to think about that though…he was too preoccupied with the sand that just got in his shoes…
Our heroes, after extensive desert travel, strolled up to the gates of Rabanastre, hot, tired, and sweaty. They happened to get there just as the sun was beginning to set. Twilight highlighted the features of the large gate, and made the extremely long line in front of the gate glow orange.
"Oh, no, it looks like they have stopped letting people in for the day." Fran looked worried as the two approached the gate.
Balthier strolled casually up to the nearest guard and inquired as to how long they would have to wait to get in. When he returned to Fran with the answer of four days, she was less than impressed.
"I doubt they would believe us if we told them we were here for the coronation."
"Fran, don't be dense. That's the precise reason they won't let us in. They don't want the town overflowing with people for the coronation, or things may get messy."
Fran glared at Balthier for a moment, then sighed, slightly offended at his underestimation of her intelligence.
"Well, I hardly think we can wait four days to get in. Is that when they expect coronation traffic to die down, or something?"
"Fran, you obviously need somebody to explain to you the finer points of city population during festivals, ceremonies, holidays, etc. You see…"
She looked over at the guards as Balthier rambled about demographics, and then looked back at him, seeming to be interested as she thrust her shin between his legs. Balthier looked shocked for a moment, then let out a scream and doubled over on the ground. She kicked him in the stomach a few times for good measure, then casually sauntered over to the guard.
"Excuse me, sir. My companion and I are here for the Lady Ashe's coronation. We were invited by her quite some time ago. I have an invitation here." Fran pulled out a formal invitation and showed it to the guard. He examined it and looked around. "Where's your friend?"
"Oh…" Fran gestured to the man still curled up in a ball on the ground and smiled ever so sweetly.
"I see…well…even so. I can't let anyone in until tomorrow morning. Sorry…it's a direct order. Not even with your invite. I can, however, guarantee you passage into the city tomorrow."
"And just where, do you propose, we sleep? I don't see any place…" Fran mocked searching for something in the area, then turned to gaze into the guard's eyes.
"Hey, lady, this isn't my problem. I did my duty. You can wait until morning. That's final."
After punishing the guard (discreetly, it's 'treason' after all), Fran walked over and crouched next to Balthier.
"Oh, honestly, do you have to be so dramatic about it?" Fran shook him lightly, but he didn't respond. She shook him harder, but still no response. She began to think that she had beaten him unconscious. It wouldn't be the first time today he would have to recover, but she was sure some permanent damage may be caused.
After shaking him again, he opened his eyes and looked up at her. She gave him a blank look for a moment, then realized he had just been sleeping. She glowered at him, and punched him in the face. "You idiot, I thought I had killed you!" When he remained motionless, she decided it was for the better. She didn't need his constant complaints, after all.
Fran searched for a few minutes for a place to sleep, before choosing a discreet alcove in the corner. There would be little noise and light polluting it, and there was a soft bed of grass where a garden used to stand. Long neglected, it would make the perfect place to 'camp' for the night. She laid Balthier in his bedding and bought a few items from the vendor. After putting out a few things for him to be able to find easily if he woke up, she fell into a deep slumber herself.