Trust

Unbelievable. It was astounding what two year's worth of hardships could do to spoil a person's features. Ashe was lucky the same hadn't happened to her, living in a hovel in Lowtown.

The Dalmascan soldiers stood suspiciously eyeing the knight who had come into their midst. He didn't look a thing like he used to. His tangled blonde hair was tied back with a piece of rope, his matted beard was caked in filth, and he wore moth-eaten light armour that clearly did not fit. The only reminder of who he once was, the piercing blue eyes that were fixed on Vossler.

"It has been a long time, since we last spoke." He reminded the visitor.

"Two years, to be exact," replied the dishevelled man.

"Much has happened since then," Vossler continued, "some call you a king-slayer."

"I know what they call me." Basch answered grimly. "But it is, none of it, true. You remember I spoke before of my brother, Noah?"

"Yes." Vossler replied, his eyes narrowed. The other soldiers, like him were eyeing Basch with suspicion and intrigue. He, though, had more reason to be suspicous of Basch. Never once before had he realised his friend was a traitor. He could not let something like that happen again, not when Ashe was involved.

"Noah is not just my brother, he is my identical twin. It was not I who slew the king, and the boy, Reks. I am innocent. Noah, or Judge Gabranth as he is known now, murdered the king, and held me responsible. I was his scape-goat for the crime."

Vossler stared at his old friend with wonder. It seemed plausible that this Gabranth had indeed killed the king as opposed to the loyal Basch, yet all that they had was his word. Vossler wasn't sure if he was willing to risk placing Ashe's life within Basch's grasp, with only his word that he wasn't a murderer. Either way, Vossler did not want to think of this now, he had other issues to contend with, such as how exactly he was going to save the princess from the hands of Judge Ghis.

"There is some clothing in the back room." He told the knight. "Perhaps you should go and make yourself look more presentable."

Basch nodded, making his way past the muttering soldiers to the back room. He disappeared through the darkened doorway, and the Dalmascan soldiers descended into chatter of rumours and gossip. Vossler was disgusted, he thought they sounded like old fishwives, the way they were carrying on. He could not pretend though, that the gossip did not unnerve him. It was true, even if Basch was no murderer, he may still be an Archadian ally, like his brother. But surely not, after they had locked him away for two years? Vossler rubbed his head. It was so long since he'd had a break from this endless war. It was just one thing after another. He was crippled by the pain of how useless he was to Ashe at the moment. Maybe he should trust Basch, at least until Ashe is rescued?

A couple of hours later, and the soldiers were still ranting amongst themselves. Basch emerged, ignorant of their suspicions. His hair had been washed and trimmed, as had his beard, and he wore clean clothes. The only thing different about him now was a scar across his left eyebrow.

"Here's the Basch I remember," Vossler said, half smiling despite his reservations.

"Then you will fight again at my side?" Basch asked hopefully.

"His word alone convinces me of nothing!" Spat one of the soldiers.

"I'd take his word over that of a mouthpiece marquis!" Cried another.

"Then you name Reks liar with him." Pointed out the soldier.

"My brother was no liar!"

Vossler gasped as a teenage lad, holding a sword of the old order in his grubby hand. His face shone with defiance, and a look that Vossler had noticed once before, on Reks.

"Just the opposite, Reks was the witness they needed," Basch said with surprising kindness. He always had been the softer one out of the two of them. Always letting his emotion get in the way. "They had to make it appear as though I killed the king, Reks bears no blame. The fates have willed it."

Vossler was no in the mood to listen to Basch trying to comfort and fatherly towards some arrogant street urchin. Whether or not the boy believed Basch was of no consequence to him. It would not help to save Ashe's life. He strode over to the blonde boy, who he remembered was named Vaan.

"So this is Reks' brother?" He asked. When he had pictured the boy at the time, he had imagined someone with the same silvery-blonde hair as Reks, and a less childish face. He snatched the sword from the startled boy, before turning back to Basch. "Your words may convince a child such as this, but they weigh far too lightly on the scales for my taste. Our paths will remain separate."

"Do you not think Amalia worth saving?" Basch questioned.

Vossler shut his eyes, sighing. If Basch could see inside his friend's mind, and heart, he would not ask such a question. Of course she was worth saving. He had spent the past two years protecting her, preparing her, he would not give up on her now. He would not rest until she was restored to her former glory, until she was safe and happy once more. She long it had been since he last saw her smile. And the soldiers, he could not risk any more lives. If he were to rescue Ashe, he would do it without their blood spilt, it would be his burden alone. Could Basch not see his fears?

"I hold men's lives in my hands. I must see foes in every shadow. The night we moved against Vayne, he knew. I will not chance such disadvantage again. I must treat you as I would Ondore, as I would treat any abettor of the Empire."

"What will you do?" Basch demanded. "Hold me here in chains?"

Vossler threw the sword to the other knight. He would give Basch a chance, one chance only. Basch must prove his loyalty to Ashe, if he is to wield this sword.

"Some things never change, do they?" Basch asked, the faintest of smiles on his face. The years had treated him well.

"Listen to me, Basch," Vossler began as his friend turned to leave with Vaan, "your cage may have no bars, but it is a cage. The eyes of the Resistance watch, unblinking."

"Let them watch." Basch answered, striding from the room, "I know something of cages."

Vossler watched him go, ignoring the disbelieving whispers of the soldiers. He only hoped that he had done right to trust Basch, and this was going to be a help to the princess, and not another danger.

Author's notes: Yayy!! i've been writing things for many different fics i have planned today!! only i can't post them all on the same day too bad!! so, what's the verdict, is it good?? i have a couple more chapters planned after this to the Tomb of Raithwall..as always, review!! much appreciated