Author's Note: I am incredibly sorry for the egregious delay on this update. The first half of the blame goes to exams, for which I had study more than ten hours a week. The second half of the blame goes to me, for just being too damn lazy to submit this (I won't lie). Now that "The Genocite Dagger" has resumed, however, you can look forward to consistent updates from now until the story's conclusion. Please forgive me, and enjoy this and upcoming chapters!


"Inequitable Encounter"

Two days passed by uneventfully, with even fewer brushes between Drenne and Balthier. On the third such morning, a rapping at his door beckoned him. Drenne did not wait before entering his chambers, grin widely spread. "Time to be off!"

"Off to where, might I ask?" Balthier leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

"If I'm not mistaken, you know the whereabouts and goings-on of King Raithwall' tomb, do you not?"

Balthier was a bit surprised but knew that in his business, secrets did not stay secrets for very long. "I suppose I've a general direction."

"Then be on your feet and stout. The Quill can take us as far as the Nam-Yensa Sandsea, and from there we go forth on foot to the Valley of the Dead and the Dynast-King's tomb."

"What brought on this sudden surge of energy?" Balthier wondered, immobile.

Exasperated, she leaned against the doorframe. "If it is your wish to stay and waste away in this cabin, far be it from me to deny you the luxury. I suppose it was wrong of me to assume you'd enjoy an outing."

"Quite the contrary." He shook his head. "Pardon my asking, but when exactly is it you intend on setting me free? It seems when you rescued me from the Ixion, I jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire."

Drenne chuckled. "You've other places to be, have you?"

"Not particularly," he confessed. "Anywhere beyond the borders of Archadia is perfectly fine by me."

"Very well then," she conceded. "Teach me the way through King Raithwall's tomb and that shall be your repayment. You'll no longer be in my debt, and I will drop you off wherever you please."

He shrugged. "I suppose." Standing, he took his gun from the nightstand and tucked it into its holster. "Though you best be equipped - the Dynast-King's catacombs are not welcoming of visitors."

"You needn't worry about me," she assured, patting a sword resting in a hilt bound by her waist. "I've all the help I'll need."

Balthier grinned. "Then why bring me?"

"Don't be smart," she scolded, disappearing down the hall.

"It's hard not to be," he muttered.


After a few generous hours of trekking through the Nam-Yensa Sandsea and dispelling of the insistent natives, Balthier and Drenne finally approached the looming canyon walls that dictated the imminent Valley of the Dead. Wandering inside and enjoying the salvation from the sun's heat, they decided a short rest was in order. Leaning against the mammoth sides of the canyon, they basked in the large shadows set and regained their bearings.

"Not much farther, I should think," said Drenne between sips of water. She handed the canteen to Balthier, who drank thankfully.

"An hour or so's walk from here," he affirmed, screwing the canteen lid closed and tossing it back to her. "Once we reach the tomb, it's a few hours trek to the treasury."

She chuckled. "Must be enormous. Suppose the king was compensating for something?"

Balthier rolled his eyes. "You're a coarse lady."

Wiping a bead of sweat from her brow, she smirked. "If I can be no manner of proper lady, then I shall settle for the next best thing."

He leaned off the wall and began walking. "Settling would be an understatement."

They continued through the winding canyon path, enjoying their exchange of banter as they went. The sun rose and moved over them, eliminating the shade they had enjoyed. They made constant stops to replenish themselves, both sweating heavily by the time they reached the grand edifice that marked the Dynast-King's tomb. Exhausted, they hauled themselves up the many steps and finally collapsed at the entrance, lying in the dark, damp alcove.

"I can see why you hadn't returned here earlier," Drenne managed to say.

"Remarkably," Balthier rasped, "it was much easier the first time."

Frowning, Drenne was disappointed to find her canteen empty. Crawling over to Balthier, she snagged one of his and gulped down the better half of its contents. Feeling refreshenished but still quite tired, she lay down again, resting her head on his abdomen and peering up at the entrance's ceiling.

"Comfortable?" he asked, amused.

"Inexplicably," she told him, grinning. "We'll rest for a few minutes and then be off."

"You, miss, are a slave driver." Balthier closed his eyes, feeling more fatigued than he had ever recalled feeling.

Drenne yawned despite herself. "If you insist on blaming anyone, blame that accursed sun."

"You are the one who insisted leaving early. Had we left after noon, this would not be a problem," he protested.

"You, sir, complain too much," Drenne retorted, voice heavy. Much to their chagrin, they both fell into an exhausted, dreamless sleep.


A sharp nudge to her ribs woke Drenne with a start. Eyes snapping open, she peered through the mid-evening darkness that now enshrouded them.

"Damn," she muttered, squinting in an effort to wash away the sleep-haze. Shapes soon formed and she realized they were surrounded by imperial guards. "Double damn."

She felt Balthier spasm beside her, no doubt prodded by the butt of an imperial's spear. He sat up slowly, rubbing his head and grimacing. Realizing their situation, his face fell. "Now this is familiar."

"Balthier Bunansa and Drenne JacPride," an imperial began, sounding haughty and formal. "You are hereby under arrest for the thievery of goods belonging to Lord Bryther Estex of Sysril. These guards will escort you to a carrier ship where you will be met by the accusing lord." He nodded to the others, who placed rough hands on Balthier's and Drenne's arms and hauled them forcefully to their feet.

"Peachy," Balthier mumbled as they were prodded down the stairs. He turned to Drenne who, to his surprise, had a look of deep concern and puzzlement on her face. "Drenne?"

She looked up, shaking her head and smiling falsely. "'Tis nothing. I am merely surprised."

"I didn't know you were capable of such an emotion," he said, and she grinned. They went the rest of the way in silence, Drenne visibly lost in her thoughts.