4.

Nadia was still gasping for air, crawling on her elbows, when the all-out battle began. There were many of them, all swirls of metal and weapons. With Basch was Lord Larsa, a young and well-dressed Pirate (whom she recognized immediately as Ffamran), a viera, and a young man and woman whom she didn't recognize at all. For a moment, she relived Landis: crawling to safety while the battle waged around her.

"Where are you running off to, woman?" Asked Ralis, grabbing her by her hair and hauling her to her feet.

Noah and Basch had taught her many years ago how to defend herself, but it was nigh useless against full body armor. Instead, she planted her feet and pushed up with her arms, knocking his helmet off. She had hoped to be able to get a fresh drive into his teeth with her elbow. He dropped her momentarily before she could get the chance, instead fending off Balthier. She turned to find a sword; she noted how many soldiers had fallen about her. Basch was protecting Larsa with great valor and skill. Ralis managed to knock out Ffamran temporarily and went again for Nadia. "Finish the mission!" He called to his four soldiers. "Kill the Lord!"

She had only gotten the very tip of her finger on the closest sword hilt when he kicked her over on her back. She gazed up at his drawn sword for a moment. He had one foot on her throat and was about to drive the sword into her mid-section with both hands. "If you had just left the Nethicite be," he acknowledged, "I wouldn't be in this position."

She shut her eyes tightly, waiting for the imminent blow, but none came. Instead, his foot jerked oddly against her chin, causing her teeth to crash together painfully. She opened her eyes to see one of the Judge's four swords had run through his abdomen from the back. An arm was around Ralis' neck so that his full weight wouldn't crush her in his death. She soon saw the owner of that arm. Noah flipped the body aside in great anger and disdain. He fairly growled at the carcass before he went for her.

Before she knew, she was resting against his outstretched knee, his muscular arm providing a secure rest for her head. She stared at her feet, where the body of the dead Judge lay in grotesque fashion. The battle was over. Someone even used 'raise' on Balthier, who woke with a "So, what did I miss?"

He put a hand to her swollen throat, checking her over for injuries. "Are you unharmed?" He asked her softly.

"Leith," she croaked, looking up at the still-armored Basch. "Please find him."

Basch nodded curtly. "I will go." He gave a long glance to his brother as he passed by, going the direction she pointed to.

Her green eyes turned warm as she looked up at her revived husband. "You came back, did you? Where did…?"

He touched his forehead with a forefinger. "I had hoped to find something to fill my mind with. I wanted to find the clues in Landis. Alas, I found nothing."

She smiled. "You remembered how to use a sword."

"I suppose I was the protective type."

"You were, actually." She began laughing with him, only to realize everyone was staring at them. Not only was he alive, he was happy. Had anyone besides her ever seen Noah truly happy? She forced herself to sit up. "Your Excellency Larsa, Ffamaran, this is…"

"Judge Magister Gabranth!" Lord Larsa bowed, all smiles. "I hardly believed it possible!"

Nadia glanced between them for the moment of silence that ensued. "I apologize, my lord, but he's lost all mem…"

Gabranth jumped to his feet quickly, bowing low to Larsa. "My lord. I offer you my services once again."

Her mouth hung open a few seconds before she replied. "Congratulations, my Lord. You are the first person he's wholly remembered—including his own wife." He shot her an apologetic, guilty gaze. He helped her to her feet as Larsa approached.

"Give me the Nethicite, Lady Nadia."

All eyes were on her. She looked about uncomfortably. "I do not have it."

Larsa outstretched his hand impatiently. "I appreciate all you've done, Nadia Fon Rosenburg. It is, however, a serious offense to conceal the truth from your Emperor."

She shook her head in earnest. "I do not possess it, my Lord! I left it but under lock and key in Archades, in the lab."

"It was not there." His hands fell to his hips. "Basch knew you had it. I am trying to be a fair judge in this matter. Now that Gabranth is alive, you surely have no more need of its power."

She bowed. "My Lord, I swear to you; I did not bring it along! I saw no need of it. I know its power is disastrous as well as good. I kept it locked away in Draklor lab. I only came here because I did imagine Gabranth needing rest and time to refocus. I promise—if I had it, I would hand it over to you readily."

Larsa's gaze turned troubled. "Then who would have it…?"

Right then, Basch walked in with young Leith in his arms. Both seemed very calm, although Leith had recently been crying. Now he merely stared wide-eyed at the surrounding group, sucking on his forefinger again. His true father approached, taking him away. "My thanks, sir. I am surprised he was so at ease with you after such an ordeal."

Basch couldn't say anything. He tried. His mouth opened only to utter a mute word. The shock of his brother being alive seemed to cut off every sense he had. Besides, Noah seemed completely un-phased about seeing him again. It was soon that he found out why. Leith pointed at Basch with his wet finger. "Who's the man in your suit, daddy?"

Gabranth and Leith looked at each other for a moment before Gabranth turned to Basch in cold revelation. "Remove your helmet please, sir."

Basch looked at Nadia in despair, looking for any clue as to what he should do. Funny that he thought she could get him out of this one. Then again, it was force of habit. She had always been the mediator between the two when they were raised together in Landis. "Gabranth," she began, placing a hand on his arm.

He shook her off. "You heard me!"

"Yes," Basch nodded a tad sadly, and then removed the Judge's helmet. "I did, brother."

Gabranth's face turned crimson within a single breath. "You!" He spat, advancing. "I should have known it was you! How dare you feign my features and try to steal away my life!"

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. "Wait…what?" Vaan asked out loud.

"I believe you have things a tad cross-wired, old chap," Balthier retorted, dusting off his sleeves.

Gabranth stepped even closer, measuring his brother with cold eyes. "My memory is very little, but at times I remember very much about you. I remember a man who deserted his country, cheated his brother of honor, and lived with full respect while doing so. Do you deny this?"

Basch sighed. "I cannot."

They stood eye to eye for a long time before Nadia approached slowly. "Please, Gabranth," she whispered to him, setting her hands on his upper arm gently. "You are correct. Your memory is very little. Until you remember all, you cannot pass judgment on your brother. He would do no less for you."

"You would defend him?" He snapped in surprise, staring at her in disbelief.

"I would defend you," she replied. "Everyone here knows the full story that you do not yet remember."

Gabranth fell silent, staring at Basch with measuring eyes. Basch held his breath as he took it all in. Finally, Gabranth swept out of the room with an audible exclamation of frustration.

Nadia stepped towards Basch, putting her hands on his forearm.

He gazed down at her, everything about her bringing another memory. Would he have stolen his brother's life if he had been given the opportunity? If she had not been able to raise Gabranth, would he have become her son's father? Eventually would he have gladly taken the position as her husband? As he stared down at her, he realized his brother had been right about him. Of all the responsibilities he would have had to dawn, this one he would have accepted with great eagerness.

She gave him an apologetic shrug. "I am so sorry, Basch," she told him gently. "I never thought of telling him about you. I was so eager for him to remember—us." Her head dipped, her eyes falling to the floor.

He took a deep breath. Everything in him told him to reach out to her, to touch her hair, to tell her that it was forgiven. Instead, with every bit of will he had within him, he dislodged her hands from his arms. "Understandable," he replied kindly.

"Then you…?"

He took a few steps away from her casually so that she couldn't touch him again. "It will not be the first time I am at odds with my brother. It matters not."

Larsa piped in right about then before she could come up with another answer. "May I suggest we return to Archades? I have a few questions for the remaining Judge Magisters."

Nadia bowed eloquently. "As you wish, my lord."

"The Strahl is a petite lass," Balthier put in. "She holds her own in the air, but she isn't suited for luxurious living spaces. Perhaps we should split up our little entourage."

"Excellent idea, Balthier," Larsa replied.

They all exited and began their way towards the airships as the conversation continued. "Balthier?" Nadia asked. "Is that what they are calling you, of late?"

Balthier raised an eyebrow. "Much has happened in six years, milady."

She smiled. "Apparently."

Basch, who had vowed not to speak to her again for a long while, could not yet contain his curiosity. "You know of him?" He asked.

She nodded, the smile never leaving her face. "Of course. I did work for Doctor Cid, you know. This is his son, Ffamran. I remember he was the only judge for a while who showed any true mercy. That was before Gabranth was promoted, of course."

No one said anything. They couldn't exactly recall Gabranth as being merciful.

"He looked after me a great deal after Landis was destroyed. We became pleasant friends. I lost sight of him after he ran."

"She always had quite a curiosity about me," he shot back, his usual nonchalant swagger in place, "but then again, most women do. Right, Fran?"

Fran glanced at him but never said a thing.

"Thank all of you for coming to our rescue," Nadia replied.

"Well, we didn't exactly come for you," Vaan answered. Penelo shot him a look before punching him in the arm. "…ow!"

Larsa stepped up to her quickly. "You must understand, Nadia. The Nethicite is very dangerous. You should know that better than most. Though I am pleased Lord Gabranth has returned, I would have been more pleased to evaluate your research before such steps were taken. Your actions must be evaluated and there will be a possibility of disciplinary action."

"Of course, my lord." She bowed again.

Basch watched her face turn from pleasure to grief in one quick exchange. His first instinct was to comfort her, but he kept his instincts in check. Instead of following his normal character and coming to her aid, he stood tall and walked straight into the Strahl without looking back.

--- ---

Noah sank onto his haunches, desperately working the lock to the last standing cellar. Even the one he and Basch had built—the one that was supposed to be impenetrable—had fallen to the Archadian empire. Noah had watched what was left of the brave men either flee or be executed, one after the other. The women and children had been chained up and hauled off by the more rugged of the Archadian soldiers. Noah had somehow managed to evade their searching. And here was his chance to carry out his plan.

He gave a slight gasp of despair as—at first—the lock didn't budge. Finally, however, it gave a creak and he threw the cellar door open. "Nadia!" He whispered shrilly. "Where are you?"

In the pitch black, a face shrouded in moonlight arose from the interior. "Noah!" She cried, reaching out to him. He lay flat on his stomach, grasping her hands, fighting his own shallow breathing to help her climb the roped ladder. "I wasn't able to save him…" she began, looking behind her.

"Nadia," he snapped. "There's no time. You have to run."

"What?"

"Basch has gone towards Dalmasca. Follow him. Follow him, and you'll be safe."

Her head shook violently. "No! I'll not leave you here alone! Where is everyone else…?"

"Dead!" He interrupted fiercely. "I don't have time to argue with you. Crawl out and go after him. There's no time!"

"No…" she began, tears starting up in her eyes. "I cannot…"

He shook his head. "Damn your stubbornness, Nadia! I've lost everything else! I cannot bear your demise on my conscience too! You know not what they would do to a woman like you…"

A shadow fell over her face. He jumped to his feet and whirled about to face a wooden club aimed directly for his nose. The next thing he remembered he was flat on his back, the stars whirling like fireflies between billows of smoke. He was lying to the left of the cellar, and to his misery, he saw Nadia roughly being hauled out of it's interior by armored hands. "Nadia!" He yelled, rolling to his knees, ready to fight.

He met with a boot to the teeth. He heard cruel laughing about him as he spat a mouthful of blood. "Kill him," shouted the general. "Take the girl."

"No!" Nadia screamed. One of the soldiers growled out a curse laced with pain as she apparently stamped his foot. The other one holding her got a Blizzard spell that froze him for a moment as she broke away. She managed to get one hand on Noah's shoulder before they pulled her away. He felt her fingers rip away from his tunic as she struggled to keep a good grip.

He felt drunk. The whole world spun, and he caught glimpses of burning buildings, prisoner lines, chocobos, and the warriors hauling her away. Still inside of him was the spark to protect her. He wobbled on his feet; He was abruptly to his knees as he took another hit to the back of his shoulder. "Nadia…" Another blow, more sharp this time, to his back.

"Leave him alone!" Nadia was screaming hysterically. "Please!"

"Kill her as well!" The general spat. "No broad is worth this much trouble!"

"NOAH!"

Noah's eyes rolled into the back of his skull at another blow, this time to his lower back.

"That is enough," A calm, prim voice called from the crowd. Suddenly, the blows stopped and Nadia stopped screaming. Noah fought for energy, fought for a breath, as he managed to get one elbow into the dirt to see what was occurring.

A well-dressed scholar with a book under his arm stared down at them. "These are the last?" He asked the general.

"Yes, sir."

"I see." He knelt in front of Nadia, holding out the book to her. "Who wrote this book, milady?"

She glanced at Noah, trying to figure out what to do.

He gasped for air, nodding.

She hesitated. "I did, sir."

"No…! You…? Remarkable, dear. Remarkable! And for one so young!"

"Spare her," Came a new voice. Nadia looked up to the one masked in exquisite armor. He was a Judge, by the looks of it, and a new arrival in this particular battle.

Cid smiled at her. "Ffamran has even taken a shine to you. Very well. Spare the girl. I care not what you do with the rebel."

Nadia looked about in a panic. "Spare him too, my lord! I beg of you!"

There was absolute silence.

Noah managed to get his other elbow in the dirt, pulling himself up a bit more. He had his dignity, after all. He didn't wish to die facedown in the Landian turf. The general nodded, and Noah was pulled up to his knees.

"Do you wish to stay with this woman?"

Noah squinted out of his one uninjured eye at her face. "Yes, my lord."

"Beg for her life."

"Halt…" Judge Ffamran began, but Cid silenced him with a slash of his hand.

Nadia's eyes were round; her head shook in a negative. "Please do not…" she began. She was backhanded by the general.

"You will hold your tongue as well if you wish to save him," He growled. Then he turned his attention to Noah. "You heard me. Beg. And do a hearty job of it, or it will make no difference."

His eyes took her in. She began to cry. Her cut lip bled a bit. Her shoulders shook with uncontrollable sobs. Just behind her, his homeland, Landis, was a smoldering ash. All he had left in the world was just before him. That, and his honor. His pride, his dignity…In much pain, he managed to drop to the palms of his hands, hanging his head. "Please."

"What was that?"

The fluffy chocobo above him, where the general was sitting, pecked at his ear a bit. "Please, my lord. Spare her. I beg of you, with all the strength I have."

The general nodded, pleased. "Do you swear loyalty to Archadia? Do you promise to serve under her banners until your death?"

"May my death be prolonged so as to service her mighty ensign."

There was chuckling about him. Nadia gave up fighting and sank to her knees in the ashy mud. She was bereaved to the core. "All my fault," she was mouthing. Her hands were shaking. He thought she would surely be ill over this whole matter."Would you pledge your loyalty to Archades, boy?" He grinned in delight in a horrible show of power. "Plant your kiss upon my boots, and we shall be on our way."

His eyes never left her. He trembled all over with rage. He had to tell himself that all he needed to do was to kiss this charlatan's footwear to save them both. They could go to Archadia and he could watch over her. All this while his coward of a brother made his way comfortably to Dalmasca. He blamed Basch for everything. Had Basch not been overconfident, they would never have taken a stand. They would have peacefully surrendered. When they did fight, Basch had left. And when he did leave, he didn't protect the one thing that mattered more to him than Landis itself. He had thrown everything away, including Nadia, leaving the real men to die in his behalf. 'I hate you brother,' he told himself, as his lips met the leather. He turned away just at the last, to drown out the taste, the smell, of those boots that were sloshed in the blood of his countrymen. His eyes met Nadia's for a moment before she was let loose, and she fell into his arms in uncontrollable sobs. 'I abhor you with all the wrath a man can possess.'