Forgotten Royalty
Chapter 6
Ashe looked long and hard at Azier's sleeping face, trying to place her. The girl had seemed familiar to her, and when she tried to recall where she may have seen her before, she thought of her wedding to Rasler. Was she a guest, maybe? Or maybe she had met the girl's mother…
Sighing, she turned away. She had given the younger girl a long talk the day before on responsibility after Azier wandered off the path to investigate a glowing item that a beast had dropped, and had gotten the most shadowy glare she had ever been on the receiving end of. Azier had spun away after leveling Ashe with that look and stalked away to stand with Vaan and Penelo, muttering about understanding responsibility far better than the princess did. Now that Ashe wasn't so angry, she wanted to know what she meant. All her life, she thought of nothing but her throne and how to free Dalmasca from the grip of the Empire. What could Azier know of responsibility that she didn't?
The redhead made a soft whimpering sound, rolling over so that Ashe couldn't see her face. Ashe tipped her head, listening to Azier as she talked in her sleep.
"Can't… I'll take it… Hungry…"
Not much of an answer there. Finally Ashe couldn't take it anymore and gave the redhead's shoulder a shake. Azier sat up, eyes wide and startled, and asked what was wrong. Ashe smiled as best she could and told Azier to follow her away from the sleeping party.
"What's so important Ashe?"
"Tell me where you're from. I recognize you from somewhere in Rabanastre…"
Azier blinked slowly, her eyes going cloudy.
"I remember your wedding, Ashe. Even for grand processions like yours, the guards will find the whores standing in the streets and offer them their 'business'. And when you're hungry and on your own, a sixteen year old will take what she can get."
"Wait… You weren't…"
"I did my share of 'entertaining' in my life. I had to leave my home when I was eight years old. Gramis took over my homeland and forced my mother to give up her throne…" She looked down at her feet, angry that her throat was tightening with the threat of tears. "My country was small, kind of like Nabradia. We lived to the west of the Ozmone plane. Women ruled there, and as far as I knew, my mother, the queen, was a god. We ran, with my nurse, for Nabradia, then Rabanastre. We never stayed in one place for long."
She looked over, seeing the others stirring, and turned away from Ashe with a smug smile.
"I guess that's all you'll hear about me, princess. Try again sometime if you feel up to it…"
Ashe watched her jog back over to the others, her light voice calling for the 'sleepyheads' to wake up. She playfully prodded Larsa with her foot when he didn't get up fast enough for her tastes, laughing when he flung a handful of snow at her in retaliation. Azier turned back to the princess and smiled, putting a finger up to her lips.
Not a word. She thought when Ashe nodded and walked toward the party.
As they ate, the party decided that they should head to Rabinastre before they tried to head through the Feywood and eventually Arcadia. Penelo looked at Vaan and smiled.
"Isn't it almost time for the city's Sands of Time festival?"
Ashe and Vaan grinned. The Sands of Time festival went on for three straight days and nights, and was an excuse to have loud parties, dances, bonfires and wear costumes. Even the Imperials enjoyed watching the festivities. Penelo was explaining the Festival when Azier stood.
"Alright. It sounds like just the thing we all need. Let's use the teleport crystal so we don't have to be late."