Intermission - Five Intervals
Brennan's New Cargo, Lucia has her Doubts, Arenvald Alone, Krile wakes the Sultana, Finley's Unwelcome Surprise
Moraby Drydocks hummed with activity, industry, and profit. Three new trading hulls had been laid down by Naldiq & Vymelli and were in various stages of construction to capitalise on the trading opportunities brought about by peace. Carpenters and dockworkers buzzed around the hulls like ants about a hive. The massive shape of the warship Victory, long since finished, but still in dock, watched on impassively.
A two masted passenger ship from the continent drew few glances as she completed her mooring process and families began to spill off and disperse through the town. Dockworkers hurried forwards to begin disembarking the ship's precious cargo of wood from the mainland.
Above gulls swooped and screeched loudly, even as the walking families moved further away from the docks, towards the town gates where various chocobo caravans were drawn up, ready to take people onwards to settlements further afield.
Brennan itched his grizzled stubble as he let his eyes rove over the approaching passengers, appraising them and looking for a good catch.
Seemed to have been a quieter trip then he had hoped, not so many took the longer trip by boat these days over airship; still, should be fair gil to be made.
He gave a quick glance over his chocobo carriage to ensure all was 'shipshape'. Brightly coloured and resting under its levitation balloon it promised smooth, bump-free travel, excellent! His two hitched chocobo's were eagerly pacing up and down, ready to be off.
"Direct travel to Limsa Lominsa, only 300 gil a rider!" He called out, projecting his voice over the ground. "Travel in style to Tempest Gate within the bell."
His eyes focused on an approaching family of four, a Hyur man and woman, with two young boys probably less than a dozen summers seen between them. The family was dressed well enough to afford the trip, but not too finely dressed to turn their noses up at the smell of chocobo dung.
"Ahhh, good morning to you sir and madam, good morning." He clasped his hands together and offered his best sales smile as they approached. "Direct travel to Limsa Lominsa for four? The whole carriage can be yours for just 1,200 gil."
"Could you do it for…1,000 gil?" The male, a be-speckled, thin Hyur seemed tried and spared a quick glance to his partner looking for approval.
Brennan smiled inwardly; this would be an easy catch. "Mercy me good sir! I have birds to feed and there do be a cost-of-living problem in Lominsa right now. Mayhaps I could do…say 1,000 gil but I would insist on waiting for another two passengers to be sure."
"Oh, let's have the whole carriage to ourselves dear." The woman patted her partner reassuringly on the arm. "The children will enjoy it more."
The man opened his mouth to object, but then seeing other travellers drawing near he appeared to rethink it over. He reached into a pouch and drew out some large denomination coins before hesitantly passing them over to Brennan.
"Hop aboard then!" He chuckled, biting one of the coins as the family embarked. Nice and firm, good.
Waiting a moment for the family to position themselves in the caravan, he then hoisted himself at the front and clicked to his birds, who jerked forwards drawing the caravan along.
"So, be it business or pleasure then in the big city?" He asked solicitously, as the caravan passed under the city gate and out into The Gods' Grip.
"Business," the man answered as the woman answered, 'Pleasure," in the same breath and they looked at each other with the soft foolish glow that young love brings on.
Brennan chuckled as the young boys gaped at the sights out of the sides of the caravan. The peace and serenity were broken a moment later when one of the boys started coughing loudly. He stopped with a shuddering gasp and jumped into his mothers' arms as the other lad coughed several times in response.
"They alright?" Brennan asked with genuine care as the chocobo's tramped forwards.
The woman smothered her son's hair as he buried his face in her shoulder. "He's fine, just something silly he's picked up somewhere, playing in Ul'dah."
"Aye, well hopefully the fresh sea breeze will be good for him." Brennan replied, turning back to check the route ahead.
Behind him, the boy coughed several times in response as they continued towards Limsa Lominsa.
Lucia Junius rolled her shoulders to ensure the plate armor still moved smoothly as she hurried along behind the Lord Speaker Aymeric du Borel.
The Lord Speakers footsteps were light this morning as he strode purposefully through the upper reaches of The Pillars, past the Athenaeum Astrologicum on their left. As always, the citizens gave a wide, respectful berth to their leader, but Lucia kept her eyes agile. Even in times of peace, it paid to be prepared. A moments neglect was all it would take for her to fail in her duty and so her eyes roved left and right for any that might harm her lord.
She loved him for it, for his ease of walking alone (but for her escort), through his city. This was a city he had given everything to protect - to reforge and reform and be part of the wider alliance of the Eorzean city states.
As they approached the airship landing, Aymeric cocked his head back to her with a rakish smile. "I feel I am forgetting something Lucia, there was paperwork to complete later this evening was there not?"
"Yes Lord Speaker." Lucia nodded, not surprised at the omission, as he had a lot to keep track of these days. "You need to review the list of candidates for Very Reverend Archimandrite, the role has been vacant since Ser Zephirin's death."
"I would sooner disband the role entirely." Aymeric sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Alas that we could not find Ser Vaindreau de Rouchemande. I would have welcomed his wisdom on the matter."
Lucia nodded, Ser Vaindreau was legendary for his prowess and defense of Ishgard – but he had left to go on an abrupt pilgrimage of solitude nearly two years ago. Perhaps if he had remained at his post, even in his advanced years, the Heavensward would not have been perverted and corrupted by Thordan.
"Had you a chance to review the candidates last night?" Lucia asked, as they passed through the opened gate to the landing pad. She noted the four figures waiting before a gleaming manacutter of a design she was not familiar with. Two Hyur, a Lalafell and a Roegadyn all dressed in matching blue uniforms.
"Just one really." Aymeric admitted, turning his back to her.
"Oh really? Who?" She asked, curious which candidate he would put forward for the role.
"Just you Lucia."
It was a rare occasion for her to be left speechless, and she stayed this way as Aymeric waved to the assembled figures before them. "Cid!" His voice echoed out in genuine pleasure as he grasped the offered hand of the legendary mechanic.
"Lord Speaker." The legendary mechanic replied, his weathered face beaming with delight. "So good to see you and Ishgard prospering." He smiled respectfully over at Lucia as she drew up behind. Although wrapped in her own thoughts, she offered Cid a respectful nod in return. Attempting to shelve Aymeric's comments for later processing.
"I believe you've met my colleagues, Biggs and Wedge." Cid indicated the Lalafell and the Roegadyn waiting behind.
"Indeed." Aymeric indicated his head respectfully at each, "ah, so then you must be…"
"Yes." The last Hyur drawled, pushing back a strand of silver hair to reveal the gleaming Garlean third eye. "The esteemed Nero tol Scaeva, the brains of these operations."
"I think the financier of the operations is probably farer." Cid responded drily.
Nero opened his mouth to respond, but then seemed to think better of his words. Instead, he shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Garlond."
"Maybe we could see the sample you have brought today?" Lucia interjected. Lord Aymeric had sixteen other appointments this day, it would not do for him to be delayed.
"Yes, yes indeed." Cid nodded; his eyes shining with eagerness. "Please my lord, step forward and see her for yourself."
He stepped aside with Nero to allow Aymeric and Lucia a clear view of the manacutter before them.
Lucia appraised it carefully with her sharp eyes. Unlike the normal, mass-produced, civilian option; this version was nearly twice as large, with one seat up front, and a second further back. The two, side-slung engines were gilded in the blue and silver colours of Ishgard, the luftsail raised out of the middle, more angular and overlaid with the allied nations flag. At the front of the ship, two cannons glistened menacingly.
"She looks to be in fine order." Aymeric said mildly, bending to examine the pilot's seat. "You've outdone yourself as always Cid."
"The work was shared between us." Cid waved the compliment away briskly before Nero could speak up. "Loath as I am to create a weapon in a time of peace, even I can recognize the importance of some form of deterrence against any new threats that may emerge."
"Quite so Garlond." Nero chipped in, moving closer to the pondering Lord Speaker. "My innovations have perfected on your, frankly puny, Mk1 G-Wing and this; the Mk2 offers a number of enhancements which, Lord Speaker…if I may?"
Aymeric indicated Nero to continue, much to Lucia's disquiet as the fellow Garlean indicated the front mounted cannons nestled in the gap between the pilot's seat and the side mounted engine wings. "The main cannon is largely the same as the Mk1, but the ship carries twice as much ammunition, five boxes to be precise, each allowing around 8 seconds of continuous firing. To better facilitate navigation, reloading and bombing we added a co-pilot seat." He indicated the second seat at the rear of the craft. "And as per your specification, Lord Speaker, the ship carries three dart bombs that can be primed and released by the co-pilot."
Aymeric sighed at that, his shoulders slumped. "I share Cid's displeasure at your…achievements. Alas, regretfully in times of peace we must ensure we do not neglect our defenses. The Mk2 will prove a valuable addition to the defense of the allied nations, and escort for the continuing supply ships traveling to Garlemald."
"The first batch of sixty-four will shortly be delivered to Ishgard." Cid nodded at the craft before them. "Your chosen pilots and crew will shortly follow them; they have all been trained to handle the Mk2."
"Many still need to treat the craft with more respect." Nero interjected again. "I hope for your sakes there is no need for armed conflict in the near future! They are still most green, suitable only for peacetime and deterrence currently."
"Indeed." Aymeric nodded. "Alphinaud has begged me to immediately send twenty-four of the ships to Ala Mhigo to win over a Senator Beckmann's support of the Garlean supply efforts which I have agreed to. When will the next batch of sixty-four be ready?"
"Four months' time, give or take." Biggs answered that question.
"Once your second payment has been received." Nero interjected firmly, getting a warning glance from Cid.
"Of course, of course." Aymeric smiled back at Lucia. "Lucia here will ensure you receive payment before leaving." He clapped his hands briskly together, as much against the cold as for a semblance of bringing the meeting to a close. "Ensuring peace and the defense of all we hold dear should not always rely on goodwill, or on the shoulders of a single champion."
"Indeed, just so Lord Speaker." Cid nodded in agreement.
Lucia watched on. She prayed these manacutters would not be used in war, surely there had been enough death and carnage these past few years…first against dragons, then against Garlemald. Surely there would be none that would seek to return to that madness. Then again…the cost of a squadron of manacutters was much less then the cost of war, if they served as any deterrent against a future foe…they were worth it.
She saw Nero edging closer to the Lord Speaker, no doubt looking to sell more weapons of war.
"Lord Speaker." She said loudly, moving between them. "You have an important meeting with the plenipotent from Ul'dah that starts shortly."
Aymeric turned and gave her a dry smile before turning back to the crew and inclining his head. "Forgive me gentlemen! I've no doubt he will want to tell me about the latest Tantalus performance he was at yesterday in Ul'dah. Thus, if you will kindly excuse me."
Overhead, wisps of snow swirled and danced on the breeze as Ishgard prepared for another normal day.
Arenvald adjusted the blanket over the last of the Immortal Flames who had succumbed to the strange…illness that had plagued the group since they had set up camp a short distance from Black Brush Station.
He sighed and moved the wheelchair to the edge of the camp away from the still bodies, even his wheelchair assistance had succumbed to the fierce coughing! The poor lads face had gone grey and sickly, and he swore he had seen wisps of aether drift away, up into the eastern skies
He was now alone.
He shivered slightly, despite the hot suns warmth and itched the scar hidden under his white face paint briefly. An unfortunate habit of his when stressed.
'Arenvald, Arenvald, can you hear me ?' Krile's voice, tinny but distinct through his ear link pearl sounded.
He felt a surge of relief; not alone at all. He put a finger up to his left ear to better adjust the tiny device nestled there.
"Krile, I'm here, how are things going in Ul'dah?"
'Not good at all.' Krile's voice echoed back through the device. 'There is a curfew that's just been put in place but it's being fragrantly disobeyed. The healing wards are now full of patients in the early stages of the illness. It seems to be rapidly spreading around the city and there is almost nothing I can do!'
Arenvald felt his heartbeat faster in alarm. "Well, you wouldn't be contacting me if it wasn't urgent, what can I do for you?"
'It seems people with the Echo are immune from this plague.' Krile's voice continued. 'Can you make your way back to Ala Mhigo and warn them? They are the most disconnected of the four cities and if they put in place an urgent quarantine, they might be able to avoid this altogether. I've spoken to Lyse, but she could do with your backing as an eyewitness.'
"Can do." In fact, he was grateful for some direction. It was better than staring into the lifeless eyes of the Immortal Flames. "I just need to bury the bodies before leaving."
'All being well, they are not dead, just dormant if you like.' Krile's voice urged. ' Shield the bodies somehow so that wild animals can't get them, but all being well, we will find a way to cure and restore them.'
"A cure?"
'Yes, most of the Scions are now in Sharlayan pouring through the texts on the subject.' Krile replied. 'Our hero has also left for Falu-Varius with Fordola, I pray they will meet with success.'
"Sorry, did you say Fordola!?" Arenvald did a double take at that. Why would Sara take her? More to the point, Fordola being the stubborn, recalcitrant sort, why would she even agree to go?
'Aranvald I have to go.' He heard her attention shift away. 'Even with the Porxies Alisaie has sent, it is taking me an age to heal just one person. Then that person must be quarantined and, in that time-frame, another hundred have fallen sick. Go to Ala Mhigo and ensure they are locked down.'
Arenvald heard the click of the connection fizzle away as the linkpearl went quiet in his ear. He could reach out, try and re-establish the connection but that would likely just annoy the talented Lalafell.
He swished the wheelchair from side to side, his thoughts fizzing with agitation. In the year he had served alongside Fordola in the Primal Task Force he had rarely a chance to talk with her candidly. When he had been able to approach her 'out-of-hours' she had always seemed so guarded, so reticent, always staring off into the distance and sometimes, more spookily, right through him.
He shivered; he had seen her fight against primals, reckless and abandoned of care for herself. Eye glowing in fearsome patterns, as she strove to put herself at the vanguard of any attack, and the rear-guard of any retreat.
Did she seek death? He had wondered this many times. Could he give her something else to live for? See the future with possibilities and potential rather than a delayed execution.
But every time…every time…
He shook his head; self-pity would get him nowhere…nor would petty jealously.
Unbidden, he glanced into the clear skies north, towards Ala Mhigo – somewhere out there, Fordola and the Warrior of Light would be travelling together.
At least around her, Fordola would surely keep in line.
Krile allowed her mind to drift into a state of quiet contemplation and mindfulness. She thanked the Twelve that she had found a quiet room within the palace to talk to Arenvald…followed by a few moments rest that would have to suffice for sleep.
She was exhausted, her whole frame ached from the constant drawings of power she had been forced to call on over the past day. True, she had the porxies to help feed her aether, but only so many (although more were on the way apparently).
There was a light tap on the door. "Mistress Krile, Mistress Krile."
She sighed, no rest for the weary. "I'm coming…"
She pulled herself to her feet and walked over to push the door open to reveal the worried face of one of the serving maids assisting her. She had forbidden them from being in the same room as patients being treated, but some level of support was needed to bring water and food to the doors of medical rooms.
"Yes, what is it?" Krile asked, managing to keep her tone level.
"The sultana." The maid spoke excitedly. "I believe she is coming around."
"Ah!" Krile felt a new energy surge through her and immediately started off down the corridor towards the sultana's chambers.
Nanamo Ul Namo had been far gone within the illness, it would be useful to check her symptoms, ensure her aether was smoothly being replenished. More importantly, was she immune from picking up the disease a second hand?
These questions swirled through Kriles head as she approached the ornate doors by which two more maids waited. One with a silver tray with a mug of steaming liquid on it.
"I can hear her coughing m'lady." The maid said urgently as Krile took the tray and nodded thanks.
"Stay here, I'll see to her." She nodded and they opened the door and Krile slipped in.
The sultana was still abed, so Krile approached carefully and placed the tray on the table next to her bed and placed a hand on the Sultana's forehead. Good, her temperature seemed fine.
She extended a probe of aether, drawing a little on her depleted powers to quickly check over the sultana. Again, good, there was no sign of any infection, and her aethereal balance was almost back to normal.
"Ah…" Nanamo's lips moved as she twitched in her bed. "Raubahn…"
Her eyes flickered rapidly and then fixed on Krile standing near her bed. "Oh…you're…Krile, of the Scions?"
"Yes Sultana." Krile smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "You had come down with a disease of some sorts which is sweeping Ul'dah, but you should make a full recovery."
"Oh…I…" Nanamo closed her eyes again briefly. "I…I had the strangest dream…"
"Oh?" Krile felt her curiosity piqued. "Dreams can have powerful meanings – won't you tell me?"
"I…" Nanamo pushed herself up into a seating position, before grasping the mug from the tray next to her. "Well…its already fading, but Raubahn was with me, and we were going on an adventure I think…I remember we were leaving the city behind us, dressed as simple travelers. I felt so happy…so carefree…" Suddenly, a single tear rolled down one cheek. "It's selfish, but…I almost wish I was dreaming again."
Krile decided it was okay to pat the sultana reassuringly on the shoulder. "It sounds like a pleasant dream your majesty, considering your body was so drained."
"It was so…vivid though..." Nanamo's shoulders twitched, and she suppressed a hiccup before drinking deeply from the cup which seemed to steady her. "I just remember such a feeling of happiness…to wake almost seems…" Her eyes sharpened suddenly. "Wait, you mentioned this disease is sweeping Ul'dah? Tell me what's going on."
Krile began to explain the situation, suppressing her sudden feeling of misgivings. Surely the dream was simply a dream in this case. Yet something about it left her feeling…uneasy.
Finely opened his eyes as the first cracks of sunlight started to seep over the hills and mountains overlooking the far western rim of the Azim Steppe.
He had camped for the night atop a particularly tall, abandoned plateau. There was nothing better than falling asleep with the stars twinkling overhead and the fresh, warm breeze in your lungs.
He stretched under his camping blanket, feeling his ears wiggle left and right as part of his morning schedule. He pulled himself out from under his blanket and stretched towards the sun, feeling his back click into place satisfyingly.
Before him, the steppe stretched away, a patchwork of green and blue. Here and there, a swath of colorful fabric flags fluttered in the distance. Breath-taking. Something at the back of his head niggled him, wasn't he usually afraid of heights? Hm, no matter.
He turned to look back at his beloved manacutter, safely moored to the ground, luftsail down, ready for another day's adventure.
Then he saw the shape drifting closer towards him.
Wisps like smoke for a body, three glowing eyes atop…it couldn't be…
"O…Occuria…" He squeaked taking a half step back, or at least he tried to, stumbling instead, and falling on his rump on the dew wet grass. "You…but you were…"
The shadowy apparition drifted before him, towering over him, but still, fainter then it had been in the wreck, incorporeal and translucent.
'We are beyond mortal comprehensions of simple life and death.' The creatures voice, the curious whispering of male and female overlapping sounded as the creature swished before him. ' You cannot kill what does not live…'
"Why…why are you here?" Finley found he could not look away from the creatures glowing eyes, flickering, ever changing shades of yellow.
'We have been stranded on this planet for an age and we are weak and must recover our strength' Finley shivered at the matter-of-fact way in which the creature put it. ' We seek nothing more than to grant desires, to bring about…satisfaction, to guide and enlighten.'
Finley doubted that very much for some reason, but the Occuria did not seem to care, its sibilant voice continuing. ' You…are different though…you are special. We have bonded with you while our grace spreads and we fulfill our pact. Only then, can we return to our world…'
Finley shivered…bonded? "What…what world do you come from?" He asked hesitantly, surprised at the question. He was struck suddenly by a thought, crystal clear, that entered his mind. After a long time in captivity was the creature…lonely?
The Occuria looked down at him, the eyes blurred and,
Flicker,
A blue and green planet filled with life, people were farming the soil, teeming and thrived, spreading far and wide.
Flicker,
The people covered the planet, the skies were full of buildings of glass and metal that reached to the sky.
Flicker,
Clouds of fire and smoke covered everything, the towers of glass were smashed and broken.
Flicker,
New cities arose beneath black clouds of soot, a city of unimaginable size and density stretched to the horizon. Millions of souls living in close confines, life was one of misery and degeneracy.
Finley staggered under the vastness of the vision, he felt a violent need to retch and covered his ears which were ringing, even as the Occuria continued to speak. 'For eons I guided my world, until my subjects became numberless, their technology fearsome and their weaponry was capable of destroying them many times over.' The voice whispered in the background. 'I sought to steer them back to a path of enlightenment, sought to fulfil their desires, to grow in power and influence… yet their boundless avarice and greed led to…unforeseen consequences'
The creature flashed transparent briefly, before darkening back to its semi-opaque form.
'Yet they were tenacious. They survived the destruction in cities housing hundreds of millions of souls, ruled over by the iron hand of the Judges. A new age of law and order dawned, it seemed there would be another chance to redeem the planet…yet…'
"And yet?" Finley asked, feeling his curiosity pique as the nausea receded.
'The planet had been devastated by pollution…it led to side-effects among the people. Individuals with new, twisted abilities were able to sense me, track me…and then during the Helter Skelter, entrap and exile me…'
"Helter Skelter?" Finley asked, but this time the Occuria ignored him, drifting away slightly. "What even are you…?"
The Occuria remained 'facing' away as its words hissed back in Finley's mind. ' We are eternal and undying. We drift on energy created from emotions, pain, pleasure, happiness, sadness. We fulfill desires and wishes that will generate such emotions and grant us power in a cycle that outlives the stars themselves. We are many, but against the unfathomable size of the cosmos, we are few .'
The creature turned and began drifting back towards Finley now, its ocular form crackling with new energies.
'We are still weak from an age in isolation…we must move closer to the west, closer to the souls being released into Teleios Kosmos.' The creature swished from side to side in anticipation. ' Each soul admitted is a fulfillment of our accord, it grants us greater power and influence.'
"I won't." Finley stammered, clenching his fists in the clumps of mud under them and standing up. "I don't understand the half of what you've said…accords, influencing people, Twelve forbid, those visions! It's clear though that you are some sort of…some sort of monster and…and I want nothing to do with you!"
He threw a clod of the mud he had grasped in his hand which passed through the Occuria and landed in the soil beyond. It turned towards him now, its hateful eyes flickering at him, a touch of amusement in its voice 'We have an accord…' Its tone raised in pitch. ' We could…cause you…great pain. Yet you are of interest to us…you understand us. We are bonded until our strength eclipses yours and we will then move on…'
Finley felt a wave of compulsion sweep over him…it was a simple thing, he didn't have any destination in mind, why not head south? It would be quite pleasant maybe, the world was vast after all, there was so much to see.
'Our bond will not last forever…' The Occuria continued, its voice a background hum. 'Even now your energies sustain us…soon we will outgrow you and then we will find a new vassal and you will be released…'
Finley hesitated; aware his ears had pricked up. "You…will release me? You will, return to your own star?'
The Occuria wavered in place, its form flickering in and out of immateriality for a moment. 'You will be long released before we fulfill our accord…and when we have recovered our full strength, we will return to our home star. All this is the truth.'
"Alright…" Finley stood up, his legs seemed steady, and his mind was clear. He was just making a fuss out of nothing right? "I'll take you south, but…you promised…when you have whatever it is you wanted that you will leave me and all of us for good"
The Occuria faded away, leaving Finley a clear view of his manacutter. For a moment he had a foolish hope that this was all some bad dream, he would wake any moment…but he could feel it…nestled deep within him.
It took him a few short moments to heft his belongings into the cargo compartment at the back of the manacutter. He then hoisted the luftsail to its full capacity and started warming up the engines ready for take-off.
West had the Occuria said? Maybe as far as Ala-Mhigo and then on to Eorzea?