11.
Basch noted quickly that his unconscious brother was bleeding from the ears. His primary concern, however, was that Nadia—who had not been weighed down with the heavy armor the rest were wearing—had gone over the side of the balcony. The winds were fierce, screaming like a hurricane. He managed to half-jog, halfway be blown, to the spot were he had seen her disappear. "Nadia!" He cried, gazing over the side. Partial feelings of relief and panic hit him when he saw her clinging to the edge of the stone, dangling.
"Basch!" Her eyes were full of fear. Her hands were bleeding as she struggled to keep her grip on the gravel, despite the extreme magick.
"Give me your hand!"
"I cannot let go!"
He heard someone laugh loudly behind him. He glanced to see the Senator/High Judge Magister approaching him slowly. The Nethicite lit her face in some malevolent glow. He had to act quickly if he was to save his sister-in-law. With a grunt, he threw himself on the railing, allowing a portion of his lower body to dangle a bit from the flooring. At the same time, he made the decision to drop his sword. It hit the floor with a clang of metal. He reached out for her right elbow with both hands. "Find a foothold!" He bellowed.
"Do not let me go, Basch!"
"Calm down! Find a hold!" He glanced again. Felisa was advancing ever so slowly, certain of her victory. At this particular moment, she had stepped over the form of his brother.
He began to ache with the effort of holding her steady. Sweat rolled down his face under the mask. Vapor pooled about his eyes and lips. It was extremely distracting. He blinked hard, trying to keep his eyes clear. All the while, the Nethicite-powered wind spell threatened to take him over with her. "I've found a hold!" He heard her shout up.
"Push out, and I shall pull you over!"
She gave a little yelp as a potted plant from the balcony swung by, hitting her in the side.
"Miserable, Gabranth!" Called Felisa. "Have you learned nothing? I am fairly surprised you've survived all these years. How many times must I tell you? Compassion only makes you vulnerable!"
Basch told himself not to think on her advance. He ground his teeth together as Nadia patiently rediscovered her footing. His only focus, until this was over, was preserving his brother's wife. "Push your hold, Nadia."
She gave a loud grunt as she pushed up. As her body arched away from the building, he gave a mighty pull. That managed to get most of her body up to the railing. He struggled with bodily pulling her to safety, all the while with one eye on Felisa's approach. The aero spell finally began to die down. He fairly threw one of Nadia's legs over the railing. This was all he had time for before he made a grab for his sword to defend them both.
The sound of metal crashing occurred just as lightning split the sky. Basch took the hit in its full momentum. He reeled for a moment, smelling an odor of his own flesh and hair.
Nadia managed to toss herself the rest of the way over the railing. She made the decision then to help Basch in the only way she knew possible, though she had promised Larsa that she would never again use magick at all. "Just this once," she breathed to herself. As Basch slowly led the Senator's crazed attacks away from her, she began to use her one and only quickening. Noah had taught her years ago, after the General's attack, how to use such things. She hurled the mist at Felisa with all her strength.
Basch took her lead. Together, they made honest work of High Judge Magister Felisa. While she was still roiling in pain, Nadia dove for a broken piece of pottery on the railing. She struck true—in the gap of armor around her right arm.
Unfortunately, Felisa struck back. She used her armored fist to strike Nadia across the face. "Damn you! Little snipe!" She shouted, turning her attention on her assailant.
"No!" Her brother-in-law cried, rushing in to try to draw the attack.
Too late. Super-powered "scourge" hit her hard in the breast. She flew about twenty feet, landing next to her fallen husband. Every bone in her body cried out as if they had all been shattered at once. With a moan, she turned her head to her husband. She noted the pool of blood under his head. "Noah!" She whispered, touching his temple with trembling fingers. The Nethicite surely had taken his life. To have raised him, only to lose him again… Tears sprang to her eyes just before she lost consciousness.
Basch was holding his own, but Senator Felisa was much too quick. He kept his feet moving, hoping to get enough Magick Power to cast a sorely needed Curaga spell. He was no longer focused on his brother or on Nadia. Now his main concern was to finish off the enemy, before any more damage could be done. He got one more protect spell in before he was struck by her long sword in his shoulder. He looked around desperately just before he took the hit, realizing he was cornered against the outer palace wall. The strike drove him down to his knees in pain. The cut was deep. He instinctively dropped his sword and cradled his arm at the shoulder, just in case it was close to being amputated.
"Failure, Gabranth!" She backhanded him across his face, sending the helmet flying from his head. "Disgrace!" She hit him again, this time with the hilt of the sword. He stumbled backward, tasting his own blood and swallowing one of his molars. "It is all a stray such as yourself will ever know! Archadia must rid itself of the impure—especially those with power! You and your dirty little family, and all of your people with you…yes, even your toy Emperor….they will all be eliminated!"
He was all too aware now that there was no winning. He expected to die at any moment. His eyes blurred for a moment; so much that—for a mere moment—he though he had just imagined his brother coming from behind her, to save him.
"Admit it to me," she hissed, pulling a dagger. She grabbed him by the front of his cape, placing the sharp edge of her dagger to his throat. "I was always your better! And still, you were the only one I ever feared. Admit it to me now! You never could have dreamed of defeating me!"
Basch gave her a half-smile, his eyes shining brightly in the glow of the Nethicite. "You have beaten me," he readily answered.
"But not I!" Noah shouted, as he drove his sword in.
Felisa gasped, dropping the Nethicite and her dagger. Basch pulled away from her gasp as she tumbled into him. She turned her head, to see the face of the real Gabranth at last.
Her face contorted into absolute surprise and disbelief. "I…impossible!" She forced. "T…t…two?!"
Gabranth twisted the blade and jerked up—causing further damage—just before he stepped back. She landed on her back, driving the blade in even up to the hilt. Black blood bubbled from her wound and her mouth for a moment. "Your arrogance dies with your treason, Felisa." Noah spat. "You were correct to fear me."
She smiled ironically as her eyes began to glaze over. "Here I thought it impossible for Larsa to be incapable of subterfuge. Perhaps I have misjudged his leadership after all." With that, she breathed her last.
Basch reached for the Nethicite as Noah rushed to his wife's side. He gave a long glance at Felisa for a moment. He found an elixir just inside of her cloak, and he used it to heal his gaping wound at his shoulder and neck.
Noah put a hand to his wife's cheek and leaned in, listening for sounds of air.
"Is she…?" Basch asked, beginning to walk over.
Relief flooded through his features. "She lives." He pulled his gloves off and cast Curaga.
Her eyes opened and she moaned groggily, trying to discern her bearings.
"Nadia."
She hardly dared believe it. "Noah?"
"You have a fondness for frightening me." His eyebrows tilted as he gave her a knowing, mischievous gaze. "When I left for Ridorana, you looked very much like you look now."
She sat up, a little too quickly, in fact, and he had to steady her. Her eyes were wide as she gazed at him. "Ridor… So you….you remember?"
"Everything." He smiled.
Basch knelt beside her as well as she and her husband stared at each other for a moment. She looked as if she disbelieved the whole thing. "The Nethicite," he announced, handing it to Noah. "No doubt responsible for your recovery."
She grinned ironically. "And to think I was trying to save you from it." She paused, staring at the rock for a moment. Then her mouth went wide, and she snatched it from his hand. Basch's mouth opened to protest, for she wasn't supposed to even touch it any longer. "This Nethicite! It's manufacted…"
"Naturally," Noah replied. "All the natural Nethicite has since been destroyed."
"No, no. Each piece of manufacted Nethicite bears a mark; a symbol if you will, indigenous to the location it's retrieved from. It takes on the natural traits from the area around it. The Nethicite I collected were from Henne. Remember that the Bhujerbans kept their under lock and key, so that 'no one may abuse its power ever more'?"
"So this is your stolen Nethicite," Basch concluded.
"No." Her eyes went wide as she stared at Basch. "This Nethicite is not from my collection from Henne. This is from Lhusu!"
The brothers stared at each other for a moment. That implied someone from Bhujerba was still supplying the Senate with their supply of Nethicite. "I must protect Lord Larsa," Noah told him.
Basch nodded. "And I must protect my Lady."
--- ---
The "Senator" Vaan had struck a few minutes before cradled his arm as he stood to meet his opposition. The hood was missing, and it allowed the three to get a clear look at his face.
"Uncle Halem!" Cried Ashe. Balthier grabbed her arm so she couldn't move towards him. "What do you think it is you are doing?!"
He sighed sadly. "Preserving the spirit of the Resistance."
"By trying to destroy the Queen?" Vaan asked.
"Better yet, by allying yourself with those the Resistance opposes?" Balthier asked, more practically. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Vaan blinking in confusion. He supposed he would be stunned as well if he had just sliced a Bhujerban ruler to ribbons. "You're yet even more insane than my late father."
Marquis Ondore shook his head. "I never would have harmed you, Lady Ashe. This you must believe."
"How can I?" She answered.
"You were with the very ones who intended to do just such." Balthier was well spoken, as always.
"If they had but known I intended to betray them, I would have perished long before this day," he responded. "They meant to destroy you both. The arrow that you nearly received, my dear, was not mine. I meant only to aim for Larsa Solidor."
"Why?" She cried. "Larsa is my ally!"
He shook his head angrily. "The Solidors destroyed all we hold dear! You people, Lady Ashe, will not stand for this alliance! You will soon be faced with insurrection. Our entire alliance would fall about our shoulders. The peace you wish to gain with Archades would crumble into a civil war of our own. Most likely Archadia would intervene, causing even more unrest. Nothing worthwhile will be gained from such measures!" He winced as he held his wound. Blood began to drip from his fingers as it trailed down the length of his arm.
Vaan glanced at Ashe, who appeared to be too shocked to say much else. "At least Larsa wants peace," Vaan put in smartily. "Maybe the next ruler of Archades wouldn't be so friendly."
"Oh, to be sure," Balthier agreed, crossing his arms. "They'd put a Judge in his place—likely one they would seek to control. Archades would spring like a serpent to annihilate its prey."
Halem Marquis Ondore frowned. "Nay, there would be but a brief period of confusion. That is when the Resistance would strike."
"Uncle, we are free!" Ashe cried. "What more could you possibly need? Are you so low as to sink to base revenge?"
"I do as I must for my people!" He snapped. "Felisa came to me only a few days since. She told me what I already knew—that a rule of the inexperienced can only bring confusion between the empires. She stated that she had retrieved Nethicite from the Draklor Laboratory, only to discover it had started to decay in an attempt to destroy it. Therefore, she asked for Nethicite."
"And what are you receiving for your compliance?" Balthier wondered.
"Complete autonomy for Bhujerba from any Imperial pursuit." There was a brief silence, and he took the time to gaze at Ashe respectfully, even lovingly. "I never would have allowed them to harm you. You must believe me. After Larsa Solidor's demise, I planned to overtake Archades once and for all. You and I were to rule as a family system over them. There would have been true peace in Ivalice. Our people would have finally been able to breathe in contented tranquility, as it was during your father's reign."
"How dare you use my father against me!" Ashe spat. "All this time: the rumors about Basch's treason, the Nethicite you provided Archades during the war, your false concern for my safety—you were only interested in your own welfare! I should have seen your trickery long before. After all, you acted without my council during the Rozzarian involvement. Why would I be able to trust you now?" There were slight tears in her eyes as she made her decision. "Marquis Ondore…my uncle…you are placed under arrest for your crime of insubordination and treason."
"Lady Ashe," he began. His voice was toned the way it usually was when he was planning on counseling her, on treating her like a child. However, his eyes drifted to the balcony just above her. "Novari! No!"
"Novari?!" Balthier questioned aloud, spinning to the figure behind them.
As Ondore pushed his niece out of the way, he knew all at once it would be the last action he would ever take. And so it was, for the Nethicite-laced arrow shot cleanly through his heart.
Ashe hardly knew what was going on. Everything seemed to be a whirl of motion and confusion. Then she heard Basch's voice ring out: "Milady!" She got a faint glimpse of his head as he drove his sword through High Senator Novari. It was just in time, too, for he had already been preparing another arrow, intended for the Queen. Novari's screams could be heard until he fell with a sickening thud to the floor below.
The young Queen sank to her knees, sobbing over her uncle fiercely. "Why?" She whispered to herself.
Basch wasted no time in running down the rest of the stairs and taking her in his arms. It seemed as if he moved faster than Balthier and Vaan could have, though he was over twice the distance. He had abandoned the Judge Magister's armor along the way, and now he was in a full black body suit, as was typical under the armor. "Ashelia," he gently soothed, calming her down.
The other two stared at them for a moment in utter disbelief. "Shall we?" Balthier asked Vaan.
"Uh…uh, yeah…" They backed away, leaving Basch and Ashe to their privacy.
"He could have been a great leader," she said softly, enjoying the tight grip he had on her. Something about the muscles in his arms and chest wrapping around her so snugly; It gave her a sense of security that she hadn't felt for over a year. "He could have done anything he had had wished. Was it so important to him that he chose treason?"
"He was not evil," Basch answered. "Only afraid. He wished the good of the people."
"He always had," she sniffed. Then she smiled to herself calmly, backing away. She placed a hand on her uncle's chest sadly as she gazed at him for a moment. In the end, no matter what his intentions might have been, he had saved her life. "I remember a girl who's only wish was to be carried in her uncle's arms," she told the still form of her fallen relative. "His memory may carry her, still."
Four floors above them, Penelo used her last bit of magick on the Young Emperor. She had given up all hope, yet she felt it wouldn't be justice to give up while she still had but a bit more power. Fortunately, as Noah arrived, Nadia in tow, there was hope. Larsa took a deep breath at last. Everyone about seemed to sigh with him. Penelo looked up in disbelief to Fran, who nodded. He was alive, after all.
Penelo fell on top of him, sobbing in relief.
--- ---
When Nadia received the news from Lord Larsa about her husband's death, she kept telling herself to wake up. It just couldn't happen, she figured. This sort of tragedy was meant for plays and books…not for reality! But alas, it had been reality.
Her eyes went sharp and clear for a moment as Larsa gazed at her. "Did he die under Vayne's direction?" she inquired.
"He died protecting me," he answered, ever so softly. "And opposing my brother."
She went limp with reprieve.
"There is more you should know," he continued. "No doubt you knew of his long-standing animosity towards his twin brother, Basch. I believe he would want you to know he came to terms peacefully with him. He fought alongside him, hoping to ensure peace. In his last moments, therefore, he entrusted everything to Basch. In addition, his brother will now be taking on his role as Judge Magister. We hope to carry this out in secrecy. If all goes according to our plan, all else will never know he has died. You no doubt realize the reasons for this decision."
She gave him a blank stare for a moment, still trying to fathom what was exactly occurring. It certainly appeared to be a dream, an illusion. She was certain she'd soon wake up sweating in her own bed. Noah would be there next to her, and she could listen to him breathing until her fears went away. "Um…" she blinked, snapping out of it. "The…the senate…?"
"Correct. So I believe it a course of wisdom in we inform Basch of your role in Gabranth's life."
"He did not say so himself?" Her voice was weak, her lip trembled. No tears, yet. She was absolutely positive she was dreaming.
"Mommy!" Leith's voice broke into the conversation.
"No, I believe it to be because his injuries were too severe; he had no time."
"That was not the reason," she replied. She was positive it had been because he didn't want Basch to know about her. That was his way. Since the day she had turned sixteen, they had fought over her. He didn't want Basch to take away the one thing that was truly his. She knew him that well.
"Mommy!"
"What is it, Leith?"
Little Leith appeared, carrying a book. "Weed it!"
A slight tear traveled quickly down her cheek at last. She wiped it away before her son could see it. "Not just, son. Lord Emperor Larsa and I are speaking. Give me a few moments."
"Kay." He walked away with the book in one hand a the other hand stuck in his mouth.
"Forgive me, but I must continue," Larsa spoke. "In light of the importance of secrecy, I believed it best if we were to bury him privately."
She shook her head in confusion and aggravation. Things were moving far too quickly. "What? No. Wait! What…? Where would you bury him?"
Larsa took her hand comfortingly. "We thought Mount Bur-Omisace, but in the privacy of the Paramina Rift. It is private, and fitting. It was a place of peaceful refuge from the war."
"Mommy!"
She sighed. She was so confused. She was supposed to be waking up by now…The last three days were supposed to be a horrible nightmare. She had to wake up! She just had to! But…if she wasn't waking up, that meant it was real. The argument, the hospital, his death…all real. But if Vayne and Cid Bunansa were dead as well…
A thought occurred to her suddenly. That made her Senior Researcher at Draklor. Her clearance codes would now take her places only Doctor Cid was allowed to go before. She would have access to his research on the Nethicite. Only a few days ago she had glanced at a report over his shoulder that had mentioned super-heating magick by the use of Nethicite. She noticed suddenly that Larsa was turning to leave.
"My lord," she requested, "I would ask you not to mention you to my husband's brother. I will tell him when I am ready—though it may take quite some time."
"It will be a considerably difficult request to honor," he replied. "Judge Zargabaath, the Senate, and the medical staff are all familiar with you."
"There is nothing outside of your power, my lord."
"Mommy!"
"Please. I cannot imagine handling such matters just yet," she begged. "Besides, Noah himself could not yet bear to tell Basch himself. I respect his personal reasons for that decision."
Larsa looked troubled and somewhat confused. "I suppose I could issue a confidential order…"
"Mom—mmyyyyyy!"
"A moment, Leith!" she growled in frustration.
"Will there be anything else?" Larsa asked.
She tapped her lip thoughtfully. The tears were beginning to sting her eyes badly, but she was too focused on her plan now to give them much attention. "I believe he should be buried secretly as well; however, Gabranth asked that he be buried in close quarters to his family." She hoped she was not as poor a liar as her husband had once suggested. "Give me an airship and the location of his grave, your Excellency. I will care for it myself."
"Are you certain you can handle…?"
"Yes," she agreed, without hesitation.
"Very well," he answered. "I will meet with you later." He bowed to her. "Lady Nadia, I must tell you this: I owe him my life. I know he loved you very much. Therefore, should you need for anything, address me immediately. It would be the least in my power to perform."
"Thank you, my Lord." It came out as a bit of a sob.
"Mommy! Mommy!"
Larsa gave her a sympathetic smile. "I grieve with you," he told her at last, and then left.
She sank down into the couch a few moments later, sobbing wildly. Despite her plan to eventually recover what was lost, that did not make the hurt vanish.
"Mommy! Mommy?" Leith ran in, and paused just in front of her. His little face—the face of his father's—went dark in confusion. "Mommy?" He crawled into her lap, patting her face with his tiny hand.
"Whatever is it, my darling?" She pulled back, sniffing, trying to control her grief for her son's sake.
"Why aw you cwying?"
"Mommy's sad, I suppose."
"Daddy fix it?" His eyes brightened. Daddy had always fixed it before, of course.
She had to fight extremely hard not to break down into fresh hysterics. "Not this time, Leith. Not this time."
His face turned down, disappointed. "Daddy not fix it?"
There was a short silence. "No, but I will. Mommy's going to fix it this time." She rocked back and forth as Leith continued to pat her back. "Your daddy will not be around for a bit, I'm afraid. He can only be with Lord Larsa."
"Why?" He sat back, staring at her with discontent. "I wike daddy!"
Her face began to crumble, so she pushed him back down onto her shoulder. "That is his work. But fear not. Mommy will fix it. It will be all better soon, my son." Her eyes went dark with determination. "Very soon."
---
Dear Readers:
This was, by the way, the last of the memories. I brought it about full circle, so I figured it was time to cut it out. I have only the conclusion to complete now.
It's been so much fun to write! I hope it's been as much fun for you guys to read. Stay tuned for the last chapter!
As always, I want to thank you all for your support, the reviews, and the suggestions. It means so much to a writer to have their work evaluated and appreciated. Thank you, thank you!
--Rival Turk