10.

Ashe descended the castle stairs, an essence of glorious beauty. She had an elaborate gown of pure white, all save the gold trim and red touches of royal seal. Her hair was pinned in layers with pure diamond clips. Wrapped in the cape her father once wore and wearing the crown of Nabradia, she took her stance before the crowd. There were people everywhere. Some even lined he circular stairs and the balcony above. It was nearly amazing, for no one realized there were that many representatives left after the war.

Basch stood respectfully beside Larsa. If she could only see his eyes shining behind the mask! Three long years, and this was the moment he had longed for. It was a dream come true, and Ashe was beautiful enough to give it all the glory he had wished.

"Fellow citizens of Dalmasca, honored guests, esteemed representatives, I will not stand and reflect on the wrongs done to any of us in the past. Instead, I will speak of the hopes for the future…"

Gabranth's eyes moved instinctively to the balcony, where he spied a Senator of Archades. Since Nadia had warned them all of the treachery of the Senate that afternoon, he was fiercely concerned about the proceedings. The Senator he saw was quite some distance from the royalty present and not a particular threat. Still, something bothered him. "Nadia," he whispered, "I believe you are correct. I believe the Senate has the Nethicite. I believe they brought it here."

She glanced at him. "Are you certain?" Her eyes were full of fear and anxiety.

His hand began to uncontrollably tremble, and he showed it to her. "Something is doing this." He made a fist, but it still shook violently. "And I am…uncomfortable…"

Queen Ashe's voice continued on without interruption. "…the accomplishment of peace rests in each one of us. I would ask that everyone present and beyond lay down their hatred; stay their vengeful thoughts…"

"Are you remembering something?" She asked, putting a hand to his chest and looking into his pale blue eyes.

"They wished to instate Lord Larsa when they thought they could control him, but…" the words popped into his mouth faster than he could think, and he knew not why. "…now they wish to bare their teeth and devour him."

"The Senate has always been treacherous, and you knew them better than all else. Still, can you say for certain?" She paused, realizing he hadn't heard her. "Gabranth!" She meant to turn his face to her, but he dove past her quickly, pushing her away.

"My Lady!" He cried. "Lord Larsa! Move aside!" The surrounding crowd kept him at bay as he tried to reach the pair.

Queen Ashe looked confused for a mere second before Larsa went for her as well. Basch didn't have time to react as a parallel arrow nestled itself in the Young Emperor's back. "Lord Larsa!" He yelled in horror, moving for him in a slight panic. Instantly, there was chaos. People began moving about—some to save their own lives and some trying to protect their higher-ups.

Ashe caught Larsa in her arms, face blanched in fear. "Larsa? Larsa!" She looked about in desperation. "I need a healer, NOW!"

Gabranth made it to Queen Ashe before the second arrow could clip her in the throat. Instead, it skimmed off his armor, clipped a Rozzarian ambassador in the leg, and then embedded itself in one of the backdrop curtains. He grabbed Basch's shoulder and pointed. "There!" Above, a Senator tucked away his crossbow, apparently realizing they had been noticed, and spun to make a run for it.

"I will go!" Basch announced.

"Then I will go with you!" Gabranth gave chase, just on his brother's heels.

"There's another one!" Shouted Vaan, pointing up. "He has the Nethicite!"

Indeed, for it glowed brightly in his hand. "They all do!" Penelo replied, turning about frantically to notice the other two.

"Penelo!" Vaan commanded, taking her hand and pulling her over. "You stay with Larsa! I'm going after them."

The poor girl simply nodded, not knowing what else to do.

By this time, amidst this conversation, Nadia approached, carrying Leith protectively. "The Nethicite…it must be my stolen wares! Has Gabranth gone after them?"

Fran nodded. Balthier had his arm about her, almost daring the next arrow to try for his partner. He had always been quite protective of her, and now was no exception. In fact, now might have been worse, in light of Fran's current…condition. She glanced at Balthier before making the decision. "They appear to be fleeing. I will take the boy and stay here. You must warn your husband."

Relief and gratitude passed over her features briefly. "Thank you so much, Fran," She handed over her son after kissing his cheek quickly. Poor little Leith was at his wits end. Tears streamed down his face as he reached back to her. "Please guard him well."

"Mommy!"

"You have my word," Fran replied. "You should hurry. They went up the southern stairs."

She took off running for Gabranth and Basch as soon as the words were out of the Viera's mouth.

"Look out!" Balthier shouted, shoving Fran and Leith out of the way of a panicked citizen. "Nasty business, this."

"I'm going," Vaan shouted again. The only reason he hadn't left already was because he was assuring Penelo that he would be safe.

"Then I will go as well," Ashe added. The guards about her began to protest wildly at this decision. "This is my castle!" She barked, irritably. "I will be the one to protect it!" She spun as she talked, grabbing one soldier's sword and strapping it to her hip.

During this exchange, Balthier had done something quite unexpected. He had given Leith the rings on his right hand. "There now," he told him. "Keep those safe for me. They are quite expensive. Perhaps when I return you can be my honorary Sky Pirate cabineer." He smiled at the little boy as his tears stopped and he stared at Balthier in wonder.

Fran smiled. "Quite generous of you," she said.

He ignored that compliment, despite the fact that he had enjoyed the praise. He looked about, noticing Ashe and Vaan's receding figures off to his left. "Our fair Queen out to save the day, eh? Then no doubt they'll need my services as well. Be safe, Fran."

They shared a brief, meaningful look before he departed to chase after them.

"Our Queen called for a healer!" Penelo was shouting, kneeling by Larsa. "Don't make me ask again!"

Fran raised an eyebrow. "You have gained a warrior's spirit."

Penelo was too busy working on Larsa to reply. Her face paled as she fought fiercely to save him. However, in her mind, she thought to herself that the only reason she had such a spirit was because she had a particularly good teacher.

--- ---

Basch and Gabranth ran for what seemed like half an hour. Basch led the way, naturally, as he knew his way best around the castle. Nevertheless, the armor was heavy, and their breath was stale and labored inside the helmet. By the time Gabranth's chest was beginning to burn, he got rather cross with his brother. "Are you absolutely sure you know where you are going?"

"No doubt the attacker knew his way about, so I cannot be certain." Basch gasped for breath as he rounded the top of the last flight of stairs. "However, I thought I caught a glimpse of one going this general direction. Besides, it seems the most logical route."

They halted for a moment, looking about. They were on the palace balcony, overlooking the main hub of Rabanastre. Though the night sky made it hard to see, they caught a glimpse of the panicked crowd below them running through the palace doors, into the open. Gabranth put his hands on his hips as he looked left and right. There was no sign of the assassins anywhere. He stared accusingly at his brother. "Most logical route?" He sarcastically echoed.

Basch drew his dual swords that completed the Judge Magister garb. "Have you a better idea?" He argued irritably.

"More likely they fled downstairs. Up means only…"

"…entrapment." The two brothers spun to the sound that echoed nearly just behind them. Just around the trio of columns on the same floor, the assassin appeared. The woman stood tall. Her red hair billowed in the breeze, along with her Senatorial robes and abandoned hood. The Nethicite rested in her outstretched right hand. "Yes, as was the plan."

"Felisa!" They said, together. Gabranth paused, having no idea of where he had uncovered her name within his memory.

With a laugh, she threw off the robes to reveal full body armor. "How quaint, Gabranth! You brought your apprentice along for the ride. Excellent! I can do away with master and student both!"

"Gabranth!" Cried a voice from below. Basch was wide enough not to be distracted, but his brother turned in the archway. To his surprise, his wife shot from the last stair. He had to halfway catch her as she ran into him. She was gasping for air. "The Nethicite….they have….the Nethicite….dangerous…." She glanced up, giving a surprised glance to the Senator.

"How convenient! The girlfriend is here as well. This is most certainly working in my favor."

Noah put himself between Senator Felisa and Nadia, pushing her away. "Run, Nadia."

"No!" She argued. "The Nethicite is dangerous to you! I must…"

"Damn your stubbornness, Nadia!" He began, and then froze. Those had been the exact words he had stated when Landis had fallen, and he had begged her to run with Basch to Dalmasca. A slight astonished smile crept over her face as she realized he was beginning to remember.

"It's dangerous to everyone!" Basch snapped. "What were you planning to do, Felisa ? Why kill your own emperor? Is the Senate not sworn to protect Archades' interests?"

She smiled, drawing the sword from her back with her left hand, still holding the Nethicite in her right. "Precisely, dear Gabranth! How would Archades ever flourish by peaceful terms? You know full well how Larsa meant to sign treaties with Dalmasca, giving back Dalmascan property we conquered. You also know he meant to enter negotiations with Rozzaria for peace, and offer full pardon to Bhujerba. This would serve only to weaken us. We are a great race full of power and spirit. To give back all that we have fought for is to spit in the face of all the great kings before us!"

"Not long before you would have cursed Vayne's name!" Nadia replied as her husband still tried to push her behind him. "And now you would glorify him?"

"Vayne, hardly. Vayne cared little or nothing of his people and sought his own power. However, his father was an aspiring god."

"A man that would be easily swayed." Gabranth forced his way into the conversation. "A man whom would order the execution of his own children at the fancy of the Senate! Lord Larsa undermines your authority and takes responsibility upon himself. He acts more a man than the rest of his family in collective! You would murder him for this?" As he said this, Nadia's smile grew wider, even in the face of this trouble. He was remembering so much! Truthfully, he was stunned himself. He couldn't place where he was getting so much information. The words seemed to spill out on their own.

She watched him quietly as he spoke. When he was finished, one eyebrow arched up smoothly, and she turned her attention to Basch. "You might teach your apprentice silence, Gabranth. And Nadia, I have no idea why you find me so amusing. I need not explain my reasons to any of you. I can also guarantee the Senate of Archades be not the only politicians who feel this way. An alliance between mere children will help no one, least of all Archades."

"You underestimate them both," Basch responded. "An alliance between House Solidor and Dalmasca will only serve to strengthen them both."

She smiled cockily. "You are a foolish dreamer, Gabranth. You always have been. It matters not. Dreams do not protect Larsa's Sovereignty. With you out of the way, we can do as we like with our country. The search for the Nethicite by Judge Ralis was only a ruse. We already had the Nethicite. We simply needed a cover for our real reasons for killing your wife….to get you to crumble. I should have known you had already suspected. I should not have been surprised when you arrived and foiled the plan. You always were a promising student, though you were nothing but a stray hound." In her hand, the Nethicite began to glow ever so faintly. "From the day you arrived in Archades from that shamble you call Landis, you've begged for your dreams from the tables of your masters."

Nadia stiffened, putting one hand to her stomach and the other on her husband's arm. She suddenly remembered who this woman was. She had been the instructor when Noah began military training. She had been harsh, cruel, and powerful. Always goading him, always playing him false—she held more responsibility for turning him into an Archadian military elite than any other. She was not only a Senator, she was High Judge Magister. She was what great generals were made of; the best of the best. She had taught Gabranth every tactic he had ever learned.

Gabranth gazed at his wife's disbelieving features as Felisa continued. "You truly are a stray in every sense of the word. Begging for your scraps of glory and respect! Even your military knowledge and might you have licked up from my hand! Do you truly hope to best me in battle?"

"I do only as I must," Basch replied, readying his sword.

"As do I!" Gabranth called. He became the aggressor, leaping in for the blow.

With a hideous laugh she turned, catching his sword with her own and then kicking back, catching Basch in the shoulder. "I taught you!" She called to Basch, "And you taught him! There is naught you can throw at me that I do not already anticipate."

Nadia glanced to her right as the battle proceeded. There, resting on the balcony, was a stone vase. She tested the weight with her fingertips and found it to be quite manageable. "Do you anticipate this?!" She asked, hurling with all her strength.

It caught the mark she intended. It hit the Senator in the crook of her neck and shoulder, causing her to tumble off-balance. Blood began to flow immediately from just below her ear. Nadia had hoped Felisa would drop the Nethicite, but she had no such luck. Basch and Gabranth managed to get in a few good hits before she grew angry and used the Nethicite. "I must thank you for your research, Lady Ronsenburg," she called in a taunting manner. "If we hadn't stolen it the same time as the Nethicite, we never would have been able to accomplish this!" With that, she cast Firaga. The charge from the Nethicite cast a smoky ardor into the air.

By the time they knew what was coming, it was too late. Nadia, fortunately, was out of range of the attack. When she realized Basch and his twin were in danger, she tried to cast Shellga. However, it was too little too late for Gabranth. He doubled over, clenching both sides of his helmet.

This left only Basch to fight off the general. He ignored the burns on his flesh and pushed onward. Slowly, he backed the general away from his injured brother and sister-in-law.

"Futile," she warned as she readied another attack. "Let us see how poor Nadia fares with aeroga. Such a tiny thing—she'll fly farther than any airship." With that, she swung her sword viciously, catching Basch in the arm.

He ground his teeth together and cast regen. He was determined to continue. He had sworn to protect his brother's interests, after all. It didn't matter that Noah was alive. He was still incapacitated, and Basch had sworn an oath. It was a sense of duty that spurred him on. After all, siblings were supposed to look after one another.

Nadia rushed up to Gabranth. "Noah!" She breathed. "Are you in pain?" When she got no reply, she removed his helmet. It didn't matter to her now that his identity would be revealed. There were more important things to be concerned with at the moment than his travesty. She was only interested in keeping him safe from the Nethicite's debilitating power. As it so happened, however, Felisa ignored them completely and never saw his face. As far as she was concerned, she believed the threat—the real Gabranth—to be the one she was battling at the present moment. "Noah!" She called again, placing a hand on his face.

He looked up. In horror, she realized his eyes were glowing a bright orange. In addition, his nose was bleeding thick, dark red blood. The Nethicite was destroying him!

"No! You mustn't, Noah!"

Just then, aeroga exploded about them. Noah groaned with effort to try to hold her steady, but she was ripped away from his fumbling hands.

Basch put up his arm to block the horrid howl of the wind for a moment before he was half-thrown against the balcony railing. He was gradually being pushed back, away from his target.

"Fear not, Gabranth," she told him. "I will raise your orphaned son as my own. Who knows? He could be the one to turn even Rozzaria into the New Archadian Empire!"

Basch stumbled by as his brother fell to his knees with a agonized scream. Desperation struck him like a slap in the face. There was no sign of Nadia. His brother was being slowly tortured to death. And now, Leith….He fought for breath wildly. He refused to fail. Not now. He was the only thing standing between victory and oppression. But as the wind kept up and his head began to spin, he wondered how he could ever succeed.

--- ---

Death was coming quickly, now. He could no longer pretend it would elude him. It was coming as assuredly as an illness. There was no escaping it.

His thoughts fell on her. In his mind, he could remember the last time he had seen her, just before he left for Ridorana:

He had made his way to the infirmary as quickly as possible. He had been told no details whatsoever. He merely had heard the command to meet Lord Larsa there. He supposed something horrible had happened, but believed it to be most likely an attempt from Vayne to harm his younger sibling. As he walked, he prepared himself for what might be waiting; for what action he might take upon arrival. He figured it may fall on him to take reprising action on the newest Emperor. If that happened, he might be in prison by nightfall. He prepared himself for almost any event, but he never could have been prepared for what had truly taken place.

He met the caretaker at the door. "I was told naught of details," he informed the middle-aged doctor. "But I was summoned here by Lord Larsa Solidor."

"Yes, Judge Gabranth. I must regretfully inform you that there's been an incident…" He held his breath, waiting for his duties to begin. "…an incident with your wife, Your Honor."

His heart froze in his chest. The room began to run away from him. His breath came in a sharp gasp of fear. "With Nadia?"

"This way." The doctor began walking away from him. His stomach churned wildly. Somehow, he managed to unglue his feet from the floor and follow. With each step, his armor seemed to get heavier, and he thought he might stop breathing altogether.

He turned the corner for her room, realizing vaguely that Lord Larsa Solidor stood just outside, and in the middle of the hallway stood his three-year-old with his nurse. There she was…Nadia Fon Ronsenburg. Oddly enough, his first thought was that she looked beautiful. And indeed she did, for she was perfectly relaxed. The sun shone through filtered slats into the bright-white room. As a result, her honey-colored hair seemed to shine, and her skin glowed a soft peach color. He touched her face, alarmed at how cold she felt. He snatched the helmet off quickly, leaning in to examine her. "Nadia!" There was no response, save a soft moan. Her eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly before she relaxed again. He turned accusing blue eyes on the physician. "How could this happen?" He snapped.

He shook his head. "Our best guess is some sort of nervous breakdown," he offered helplessly. "Fear not. She should recover. Only…"

He stood, turning to him. He suddenly looked very tall and very aggressive. "Only what?" He demanded.

"Gabranth…" Larsa began, softly. His face was extremely sad.

This was driving him crazy. He didn't understand what could be so bad. After all, the doctor had said she would recover. As long as she would be safe, what could be so bad? "I demand you tell me!" He began to shout.

The physician looked quite upset. "We weren't able to save…" he sighed. "The child, Your Honor. We were not able to save your child."

"Chi…?" He stared at him in stunned disbelief for a moment. What did he mean? Leith was in the hallway. He was safe. He was fine. Of course, he had been crying, but that wasn't unusual. And then suddenly, he understood all too well. He turned back to his wife in horrible realization. He looked over her features for a moment. Pain shot through his head as if someone had literally dove a knife in. "No…She never told me…" He covered his face with a gloved hand.

The doctor frowned. "It was far too early. She may not have realized it herself."

Larsa fought to keep his own emotions under control. "Lord Gabranth. I apologize. My brother had been speaking with her before. Had I known…"

"Your brother?!" His eyes narrowed. "Whatever did your brother wish to speak to Nadia about? It has always been to him as if she never existed!"

He shook his head. "I know not. Whatever the case may be, it upset her far too greatly. It was enough to do this." Larsa paused, watching his bodyguard begin to toy with her hair guiltily. "This, of course, will change your orders."

A voice invaded the conversation at that precise moment. Everyone knew it to be Vayne. "On the contrary. My orders still stand."

Gabranth stepped towards him slowly. Though not certain, he was fairly sure that this man had succeeded in an attempt to ruin his wife. If it had been any other type of attack, he could have stood. However, Nadia was the only thing that had ever truly mattered to him. She alone stood over his position of honor and duty. She had always been there, in the back of his mind. She had been his conscience through every experience in Archades. He had loved her longer than he could remember. Indeed, had Vayne struck him in the heart with a blade, he would have undoubtedly remained completely loyal. However, he had hurt him far worse than that. He had harmed Nadia. Not even the gods themselves would be able to contain the feelings of rage running inside of him, now. "You!" He met Vayne's eye, staring him down. Beside Vayne, his lone body-guard, Zargabaath, stiffened.

"Lord Brother, I beg you to reconsider," Larsa attempted. "We cannot deny this loyal servant the right to care for his family."

"Thusly why so many of the Judges remain in solitude. It is extremely difficult to provide for one's family when loyalty to one's government takes first place. However, if he truly wishes to provide for them, he will care for their long-term protection. He will carry out this assignment."

"What could you have said to her?" Gabranth demanded.

"I have no need to explain my actions to you," Vayne replied.

"My wife…!" He paused, realizing that if he continued in this course, he would end up exactly as Drace…dead. So, he forced himself to remain calm. With all the might he had left inside, he spoke with a respectful tone. "Please, Your Excellency. I must know what upset her so greatly. If naught else, I can care for her when I return. Of all people, you must know of the importance of settling the accounts of your own house."

Vayne smiled to himself at this request. Obviously his words had pleased him. "I merely commended your loyalty to the empire," He replied. "I informed her of the great sacrifice you had made in destroying the traitorous Judge Drace."

Stunned silence filled the room. Gabranth's eyes went wide as he thought this over. The one thing he had sworn to always keep a secret…! "You told her of Drace?!" He spat, angrily. "That action would never be mentioned, had I my choice!"

"Your tongue betrays you," Vayne warned. "And should you feel such regret for carrying out my orders I believe you to be dubious in your loyalty to the Empire."

"Lord Brother!" Cried Larsa. "Please…"

Right about this time, the physician interjected. "Look!" He pointed to Nadia.

Gabranth turned just in time to see her sink back into unconsciousness again. She was pale, and it looked as if she was in distress. Perhaps their arguing had startled her in some way. In any case, his attention immediately turned to her again. He touched her face gently as a silence ensued in the room. "I have been nothing if not loyal to your Household, My Lord," Gabranth said softly. "Had I not, I never would have carried out your orders. However, I wished to shield my family from the obligations of my profession."

"Should you wish to protect them further," Zargabaath calmly replied, "Perhaps you should follow through on your orders to seek out Lady Ashe and determine her intentions."

"Yes," Vayne agreed. He gave a sickeningly satisfied look at Gabranth as he drove home his objective. "Direct your aggression towards the parties who are truly responsible."

Gabranth's eyes went glassy, his jaw tightened, his fist clenched. At that moment, he wished to direct his rage toward something, anything. That is when he had begun to think that Ashe and Basch were the ones who should share in the punishment. That is why he strove so hard for Ashe's displeasure at Ridorana. He wanted a good excuse to expend his frustration. He had lost so much, he felt it only right that his enemies lose out as well. He tried to find any way necessary to justify his revenge.

That didn't matter, now. He fought for breath madly as the memory faded, and he was greeted with the cold reality of the Strahl's interior and Basch's large hand in his own.

Dying wasn't so bad. Dying was what he deserved for his sins. Still, he wished only one more thing: He wished he could see her once more, if only to beg her forgiveness. He wished he could tell her what he had done to redeem himself. If Basch had absolved his resentment, surely she would have, too.

A sharp pain drove itself down into his stomach. Tears welled up in his eyes—in part because of the pain and in part because he knew wishing was hopeless. He would never see her again; could never tell her he had redeemed himself. The next few words would be the last he would ever speak to anyone again. He looked up into Basch's peering face solemnly. How appropriate that the man he was born with would now be the man he could share his last moments with.

For a moment, the idea hung on his lips of telling Basch about Nadia. However, he looked up into his brother's eyes with an undeniable feeling of jealousy. Somehow, that feeling had never faded. His mouth opened, then closed. Should he tell Basch about her, it might keep her safe. Nadia had nevertheless been the one thing that was truly his, something that Basch hadn't been able to steal away from him. His mind raced wildly, realizing he was on his last breath and he should make a choice.

In the end, he never had time. All he could manage was his last apology. It would be an advance apology, for leaving Basch to figure out all such things himself. "Sorry to leave you, brother," he breathed. His body went limp, and his hand fell away from Basch's quickly. The last remnants of a sigh passed his lips as his twin fought back the tears threatening to overtake him.

Noah Fon Ronsenburg was dead.