III.
The Captain greeted them on the deck of the ship. Tavist instantly felt panicked because it was indeed his childhood friend, Daxter, who had been raised alongside him for the first four years that he was at the orphanage in Guadosalm. He hadn't changed much, still lean and tall. His blond hair cut short on the sides while he allowed a few lightly curled poufs to sprout atop his head. He had a square jaw and deep set amethyst colored eyes with pouty lips and a straight nose, that might not have been as straight as it once was. He wore a basic New Crusade Uniform, with some modification. Black leather boots, navy blue shorts, tight just below the knee and more loose going up to the waistband; his shorts deviated from this combat brethren in that there were several cutouts in symbols of the Fayth. His white cotton button up shirt was tucked into the shorts showing his slight frame, that had gold buttons with black inlay of more symbols of the Fayth. The sword on his back was almost comical, the blade must have been five feet long, with the basic hilt of a Rhonso spear pointed broadsword, resting diagonally across his back, the brown leather strap that harnessed the weapon pulled his shirt tighter to his chest.
"Captain Dax." Zaon spoke first taking his gloved hand from behind his back to shake the Captains.
Dax only smiled and looked to Tavist. "It cannot be, Tavist of Macalania Temple?"
Tavist had been born at the Macalania Temple where his mother, an Al Behd, worked with the priest there, his father, a guado, to restore the Fayth at the temple. They were both killed by Sin in the attack that followed their success. "The very same." Tavist replied smiling back, though feeling uneasy. He gave a slight bow.
"I thought we were closer to one another than slight bows and curtsies." Dax said sounding almost hurt as he pulled Tavist in for a hug. "We were brothers once, you and I." He said holding him for a moment while flashing a cunning look toward Zaon, almost as if he had just been handed some advantage.
"Quiet the day of reunions." Zaon said sighing and shooting the same venomous look right back at Dax.
"I heard you were slain on Mushroom Rock." Dax said ignoring Zaon further.
"The beaches of Mushroom Rock." Tavist corrected him, "And yet, here I stand." He held his arms out to show that he was whole. "The Fayth did not yet need me as their own." He said glumly.
"Praise be to Yevon!" Dax exclaimed in a tone that Tavist could not tell if it was mocking or not. "When we were kids I knew you would have a talent for magic, the Guado blood in you is so strong." Dax was still smiling looking Tavist in the eyes and making him all the more uncomfortable. "But, I never thought you would turn out to be a warrior."
"Proved you wrong didn't he?" Zaon spoke up asserting himself into the conversation. "Trained on Kimahri Rock, atop Mount Gagazet by Khishen Rhonso, in Feral style no less." He spoke matter of factly.
"Another history lesson?" Dax said sounding bored. "You know I was trained on Mount Gagazet too." He said not sounding at all impressed. "But, by Rhengar Rhonso. Do you think I did not notice that you both carry weapons of the Rhonso?" He sounded insulted, but then started to laugh. "Don't we make an interesting trio?" He said in an attempt to defuse the situation. "Of course," He added, "Anything that I am involved in is interesting, isn't that quiet right Lord Commander?"
Zaon grunted pursing his lips.
"Vice Admiral of the Fleet?" Tavist asked sounding impressed, making an attempt of his own to break the tension.
"Indeed." Dax said showing off his ship. "Welcome to Bane the first ship in the fleet, manned by two hundred well trained men, the only fear of Sin to ride the waves."
"Sin fears nothing." Tavist said gravely.
"It's more a—"Dax started, taking his turn to feel uncomfortable. "What brings aboard my ship today Lord Commander?" He looked to Zaon changing the subject.
"Right." Zaon responded with a sly look on his face. "I am here to talk to you about Vania's successor."
"This again?" Dax said sounding disappointed.
"We feel it is crucial for Luluna to succeed Vania in these trying times." Tavist spoke up. "I marched the Mi'hen Highroad to get here and it is crawling with fiends and Apostles alike. Soon Luca will need to be protected by more than just sea." He gave a sideways glance to Zaon, apologizing for hijacking his negotiations.
"So my men report." Dax said nodding his head. "Speaking of men, I have four thousand in the fleet, I can bring ships to anchor and send some of them to your walls if you need. We are capable of protecting more than the sea."
"Posturing yourself to secure the Highroad as well?" Zaon asked defiantly. "I will not allow a man who is still under the employee of the New Crusade to take control of this city."
Again Dax laughed. "Nor would they allow me to take control of your city. Besides why would I want to reside of a city so small when I can soon be Admiral of more than just the fleet here in Luca?"
"If your ambitions are higher then why offer men to fight on land?" Zaon asked.
"The Apostles have no navy, from anywhere in the city my men can be back to their ship in five minutes or less. I was tasked with defending this city, I plan to do so from all foes." He leaned in while he spoke.
"His intentions seem pure, ambitious, but pure." Tavist added. "We came to make sure he would not try for Vania's spot, and he says he will not." Tavist looked to Zaon. "Maybe he will pledge his support and supporters to Luluna?" He looked back to the Captain.
"If that is what the Lord Commander wishes of me." Dax said once again locking eyes with Tavist.
"That would please him very much." Tavist responded sounding a bit dazed. "Now, we must return to some grieving."
"Yes, I know Vania was your mother too." Dax said. "Before you return to the Farplane come see me again."
"I will." Tavist said sounding uncertain.
"Promise?"
"Yes."
With that Zaon and Tavist set out back down the dock and toward the harbor.
"I don't trust him?" Zaon said once they were a distance from the ship. "Doesn't he make you uneasy?" He asked still sounding angry.
"No," Tavist said defensively. "Why would you say that?"
"How long has it been since you've seen him?" Zaon raised a thin jet-black eyebrow.
"Maybe fifteen years." Tavist said thinking about it.
"Yet he knows so much of your coming and goings. Tell me, did you know he was Vice Admiral of the New Crusade fleet, or even a New Crusader?" Zaon pressed.
"No." Tavist admitted. "But," He said after thinking for a moment, "He was raised by Rhengar Rhonso, the Spymaster of the New Crusade, he is bound to know more than he should on all subjects."
"Like the condition of the Highroad?" Zaon asked with apprehension
"Exactly." Tavist said not picking up on Zaon's jealousy or unease. "You should feel lucky that you have such a skilled man watching your back. You may come to praise his skills in secrecy and over attaining knowledge."
"Only time will tell." Zaon responded coldly. "Until that day I should like to keep him at more than an arms distance."
"And that is your choice." Tavist said quickly. "Sunset is not for another hour or so, lets eat before we go to the ceremony."
Zaon smiled, happy to have the subject changed, as he was starting to feel as if Tavist was taking Daxter's side. "Of course, but you do know the whole city will feast after the ceremony?"
"Yes," Tavist said weakly, "But I always feel uncomfortable eating in front of so many people." They both laughed as they made there way through the city and to Zaon's house near the center of the city.