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Pineapple Wine Chapter 2
He taught me to fight for a cause and despite how hopless things seem never give up.
Will he ever know how his own teachings saved him that day?
Balthier was reading the letter that had been left at the Cloudborne in Bhjurba. It had been sealed with House Solidors mark and he knew it was from Lord Larsa and suspected the contents of the letter so he had waited until they had rescued an imprisoned Vaan to read it. As he suspected it notified him of the Queen Ashe's engagement to a Rozarian Lord. Who was not important and while it seemed all on the up and up it was hinted about her unhappiness and how it was more of a tradition the Queen take a new husband one that made good political ties for the kingdom. With a regal and well versed penmanship the young Lord also pointed out that a war hero would also make a suitable King for the country of Rabanstre should one be found to the Queens liking prior the offical anouncement five months from now. It went on to tell of how well Basch and Mjrn were doing and that Penelo insisted he let her finish the letter. From there the writing changed to obviously one of less skill and Penelo wrote of how they should visit and how it was not for certain but they believed Mjrn was expecting. She asked if Fran would come see her sister within the next couple months to check for sure and if there had been any sign of Vaan yet.
It had been Penelo who had been saved by Vaan the day he helped her get away by staying behind to confront their pursuers. Balthier knew how upset she had been about where he was. After the first two years of not being able to find him, even with all of Rabanstre and Archades looking for the man who helped unite all of Ivalice, another two years passing making it four years after that things looked rather hopless.
He knew Penelo and well everyone would love to hear about Vaan's rescue but with his current condition how could he let anyone see him. Fran would do what she could for the boy spiritually but physically he was broken beyond belief. Balthier impulsively shuddered as he thought about the pit of corpses he had stumbled across when attempting to make his way through those god forsaken mines.
A soft click ment Fran had just entered the room.
"How fairs our leading man?" he asked some doubt behind his question it being debatable whether he really wanted to know or not.
"He will survive but his body requires much mending." She answered unhesitating her one ear slightly turned back as if listening for the boy, "He sleeps now a much needed change then that of the dark abyss torture brings."
Rather then speaking more he handed the letter to her allowing her a bit of silence to wrap her mind around its contents.
"He should not be seen in this condition," she stated looking up from the letter at her companion.
"My sentiments exactly, but an improvement to his condition post haste should occur prior to the ceremony. Although a solution as to where he should go to recieve such a healing escapes me." Balthier's usually cheerful if not cocky expression was that of someone who seemed sadly confused. He wanted to help Vaan, save their Princess Ashe from wedding the wrong man, and be honest to Larsa and the others but he knew something had to give and he hoped it wasn't either of the first two.
"Those who hear the Wood posses power to heal wounds such as these." It was Fran's turn to frown she had been outcasted from that place not once but twice. The first when she abandoned all she knew and deserted the Wood to chase her own dreams with a dashing sky pirate she had found wounded in the Golmore Jungle. The second had been when she sought passage through the jungle with Vaan and company to reach Mt. Bur-Omisace. They had even gone as far as to attack and kill the Elder Wyrm one of the sacred creatures of the Wood.
"If we cannot obtain their help we shall have to resort to other measures, but let us see if we cannot convince them." Balthier turned in his rotating chair and was about to punch in coordinates when she asked him to wait.
"The Viera will not assist without compensation. We will stop in Bhjurba first." She watched him set the coordinates for the sky city and the Strahl on autopilot and stand to stretch.
Now that there was a plan and now that his young protege was safe in his infirmary and soon to be well taken care of Balthier finally felt relaxed enough to take advantage of his ships little perks and fly itself to the destination. They would be there by midafternoon tomorrow but for now it was late and he was in desperate need of a relaxing shower and prehaps the enjoyment of his beautiful leading lady's company.
As if she knew his thoughts she walked out of the bridge and into the hallway stopping at their room and waiting for him to join her.
In no mood to get left behind he silently moved to accompany her, but even as they showered and enjoyed one anothers company that night it seemed her one ear was still turned slightly to listen for any sign of trouble with Vaan.
END CHAPTER
A.N. I am still open for suggestions but for right now this is how it is.enjoy.