Merchants and Warriors
Despite centuries of intermittent conflict, trade had seldom been interrupted between the many nations of the east. It is simply too profitable. However, not all conflicts are the same. Some have gone on much longer than others, and some have very little to do with economics or territory.
Perhaps the most famous example of such a conflict is the long-standing enmity between the Kingdom of Yevon and the Al Bhed.
The Yevonites believe that magic is holy and that artifice is unholy. Although some level of artifice is permitted (e.g., in the construction of dwellings and basic tools), almost everything in the Kingdom of Yevon is accomplished through magic. Indeed, the mages of Yevon are considered some of the finest in the world.
The present Grand Summoner – the ruler of the Kingdom – is one of the most powerful mages in history. She once defeated an entire army of undead by singlehandedly sending them to their eternal rest. She is much more moderate than her predecessors, and there are even those who believe that she may have Al Bhed blood.
The Al Bhed once lived in the Kingdom of Yevon, although their love of artifice was often a source of friction. However, several centuries ago, a more radical strain of the Yevonite religion emerged. The Al Bhed were subjected to increasing levels of persecution, culminating in the imprisonment and execution of thousands of Al Bhed.
After a bloody civil war, the Al Bhed won their freedom, fleeing across the sea from the Kingdom to the deserts they now occupy. They found welcome their, aiding the artificers of first Dalmasca and then Nabradia before settling in the deserts nearby. Although the lands they claimed were amongst the most inhospitable in the region, their advanced technology allowed them to make a home there.
Since the Al Bhed left the Kingdom, the Yevonites have launched several crusades in an attempt to wipe them out. Each of those attempts has been repulsed, often at great cost, with the aid of Dalmasca and Nabradia. Indeed, no ctizien of the Kingdom is allowed to set foot in either Dalmasca or Nabradia upon pain of death.
But there has been renewed hope for peace. The current Grand Summoner – Yuna – is more moderate than any of her predecessors. However her views, combined with her questionable heritage, have led to the development of several opposing factions. This is particularly relevant because the position of Grand Summoner is no longer hereditary. Instead, elections are held on a regular basis to determine the Kingdom's leader.
X X X
Vanille awakened bright and early the next morning – much to her dismay. It was, she supposed, a horrid abuse of her magic to use it to cure her hangover, but she'd earned this particularly skill the hard way. Someone of her size and constitution simply could not keep up without a bit of magical assistance. It did help that Serah had been kind enough to explain the physical mechanisms of drunkenness. Apparently, the healer saw quite a lot of it.
But on this morning, Vanille had other things to consider, although she was always happy to see her pink-haired friend again. She had already found buyers for her most expensive and exotic goods, chief amongst them a wonderfully obedient golem that she had created using a combination of magic and artifice. The buyers of those goods needed only to arrive at her villa with payment to secure their goods.
However, she also had a host of lesser item to sell as well. There were, for example, the lighting devices that had become popular over the past several years. They were another cunning collaboration of magic and artifice, using a highly refined metal wire heated to a high temperature to produce both light and warmth. Several minute seals protected the wire while several larger seals and enchantments drew on magic from the device's surroundings to heat the wire. For the most part, that meant the device absorbed magic from the land, although the owner could also substitute their own magic if required.
There was also the cleaning fluid that had been her best-selling product on her last visit. It was basically water enchanted to remove grime and other muck. It had proven extremely popular amongst those who either lacked the magic or the inclination to clean clothes and dishes the traditional way. Although hers was far from the only such substance on the market, Vanille was certain hers was both more effective and longest lasting than her competitors'.
Another product she had invested some time in was a charm that could be dangled about the neck and which acted as a translator, facilitating speech in more than a dozen languages. She was fluent in several different tongues, but she had been forced to hire others – at no small expense – to aid her with the more exotic languages.
But the product that interested her most was one that she had only recently put together. She was forever tinkering with artefacts in her workshop or testing magic in her laboratory, but what she loved most of all was combining those two skills. She had, after considerable effort, put together a device capable of controlling the weather – temperature, wind, humidity, and so forth – in an area the size of an average house. Given the hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters around Bodhum, she expected it to be a massive success.
When she emerged from her room, Fang was already at the table, enjoying a hearty breakfast with some of the other Yun that had accompanied them. Her sister threw her a smile and a place was quickly prepared for her at the table. Vanille, never one to be overfond of early starts, eyed her porridge with something akin to betrayal.
"Dinner is always much better than breakfast," Vanille said. "Or perhaps it is my mood that makes it so." The villa shuddered, and she looked outside, a smile tugging at her lips. Bahamut had decided to join them for breakfast, his titanic frame looming over the side of the villa as he peered in through the windows. His nose wrinkled at the scent of Vanille's porridge. "He's getting restless."
"He is," Fang admitted. "He can smell the other creatures in the stables, and you know how he gets. He wants to pick a fight. I might have to take him out for a flight later today."
"Good. I remember the last time we were here. He chased that poor griffin for almost an hour." Vanille reached for some bread and then asked one of the others to prepare some of the dark, bitter drink made of crushed beans that came from the desert. "Not to mention, the paperwork will be horrendous if he eats someone."
"Cocoon does love its paperwork." That drew a burst of laughter from the other Yun. The Yun were famously lax when it came to the subject of paperwork. Most of their more permanent records were actually kept by enterprising Dia, for the Yun much preferred to pass things down via word of mouth. Vanille found the whole thing beyond frustrating, especially since she was the poor soul in charge of filing Fang's taxes with the appropriate authorities in Oerba. "And Lightning would throw a fit."
"She would indeed." In fact, Vanille was quite certain that the captain would probably try to beat Fang to death with the aforementioned paperwork.
"So, Vanille, are you going to the marketplace today?"
"Of course. When it comes to trading, the best start is an early start." Early morning were far from pleasant, but Vanille knew well that the business of profit required certain sacrifices.
"Which marketplace will you be going to?"
That was a fair question. Bodhum was so vast that it had several marketplaces. Each catered to a particular class of good and to a particular class of people. Although the Empire was a monarchy, the citizens of Cocoon liked to believe that promotion was possible through merit. There was truth to that – Lightning had risen to become one of the most powerful people in Bodhum, and she was not of noble birth.
Lightning's skills and Serah's prowess had led to their ascent. Lightning was now one of perhaps a dozen captains that served directly under General Amodar. That gave her considerable power and influence, and it had let to a sizeable increase in her wealth as well. All captains had commercial interests – Bodhum was a trading city – and their positions were ideal for such pursuits. Indeed, Lightning was Vanille's sponsor in the city, which meant that she received a cut of Vanille's profits in exchange for supporting the redhead's efforts in the city.
That support ranged from the mundane to the political. Whenever Vanille needed permits or passes, Lightning could be counted on to provide them. And whenever Vanille or one of her associates found themselves in trouble of a legal nature, Lightning could also be counted on to see the matter handled fairly, and, if possible, favourably.
But given the presence of several different markets, Vanille had learned how to spread how goods appropriately, distributing them to the markets where they would sell best. For example, more of her expensive products found their way to the markets meant for the wealthy, whereas her more affordable goods made more frequent appearances in markets meant for those of lower station.
Different markets also demanded different approaches. In the more aggressive, crowded marketplaces, Vanille would assign her most strident and vocal workers. In those that required a more demure approach, she would assign those who knew best how to speak softly and courteously. It required careful thought, but luckily, she had done this several times before.
"I'll have some of our workers in all the usual markets, but I myself will be spending time in the poorer quarter. It has been a while since I've been there, and it is wise never to forget where we started. Besides, my apprentices have been working on their manners. They should be able to handle themselves perfectly well elsewhere."
"In that case, I'll be going with you. You have a knack for trouble." Fang chuckled. Her sister could turn a molehill into a mountain and a mountain into a volcano in the span of a few minutes. "Lightning would throttle us if you started a riot."
X X X
The marketplace in the poor quarter of the city was perhaps the busiest of them all. With the amount of work these people were forced to do to survive, it was little wonder that they had little time to see to many of their own needs. Instead, they were forced to turn to the marketplace for many things, which often ensured their stay amongst the poor. It was a vicious cycle, and one that Vanille hated with a passion. She knew very well what it was like to live hand to mouth, which was why she had always endeavoured to deliver the best possible goods at affordable prices. If she needed to pad her profits, she could do so on the wealthy – they would hardly miss a few coins here or there, unlike the people here.
She set up her stall and took a quick survey of the area nearby. She was amongst all the other vendors of magic and artefacts, and the stalls selling food were not all that far away. A deep breath brought another smile to her face. Whatever else could be said of the poor, they knew how to cook. The rich scent of Dalmascan spices came to her along with the delicious aroma of roasted wyvern.
Over the years, Vanille's trading caravan had built a reputation for affordable goods of high quality, and she was always certain to contact Lightning and her other friends in the city to ensure that her potential customers were made aware of her arrival. Thus it wasn't long before she found herself overrun with people eager to purchase her wares.
"Form a line!" Vanille shouted as one man tripped over another, only to have his fall broken by the body of a third. One of her clansmen stepped out to try and calm the horde. "There is enough for everyone! Form two lines! Two lines!"
Some of her workers gave her panicked looks – a few of them were new – but they settled quickly, taking money and exchanging it for whatever product the customer wanted. Lighting devices and heating stones were amongst the fastest selling items and her cleaning fluid was again quite popular. Many of the poor worked in occupations that left their clothes filthy.
Vanille made several adjustments to her prices as the day wore on, rewarding those she recognised as loyal customers and packaging together several products in a bid to encourage customers to try her newer wares. She was confident in the quality of her goods, and any discount now would be made up by further sales at a later time.
There was fierce competition with the other vendors nearby, and Vanille kept a wary eye out for any hint of sabotage. But that was what the Yun were there for. Fang alone would have scared off all but the boldest of them, but the addition of several others from her clan made any unwanted interference all but impossible.
Fang had chosen to dress more casually today, but only a fool would not recognise the intricate patterns woven onto her bracers or the sash about her waist. Bahamut had not been able to come with them – his size saw to that – but Lightning had promised to watch over him.
The bulk of her sales were made in the morning and evening, and Vanille took a break in the early afternoon to grab a late lunch. She could have brought her lunch with her, but one of the joys of the marketplace was the chance to try something new. Naturally, Fang went with her, ever vigilant from pickpockets and other troubles.
"What are you having for lunch?" Fang asked. The taller woman slapped aside the wrist of a would-be pickpocket, who scampered off with a cry. "Some of the others mentioned a food stall from Wutai nearby, and there's always that tavern on the other side of the marketplace. Remember, we went there last time."
Vanille rubbed her stomach. Now she regretted not eating more of that porridge. "I remember. They had the most delicious chicken rolls, and let's not forget the mead! Straight from the deserts of the Al Bhed, wasn't it? The owner was one of them, wasn't he?"
"I think so. Their eyes are hard to miss."
"Still, I think I am in the mood for something different." Vanille looked around, and then her eyes widened. "Oh! Look there, Fang! Is that –"
"The stall of an Al Bhed master artificer?" Fang chuckled. "The banners say so. Go on, have a look. You know you want to."
Vanille bustled over, all but dragging Fang along. Although the Dia were famed for their artefacts, the Al Bhed were even more renowned – and with good reason. The Al Bhed had once been a part of the Kingdom of Yevon, but years of persecution for their love of mechanics had led to them fleeing the Kingdom and setting up their own settlements in the desert. A master artificer from the Al Bhed was a rare sight, even more so outside of the desert.
"You look like someone in need of something to make your life easier." The blonde Al Bhed woman manning the stall seemed too young to be a master artificer, but then again, Vanille was quite young herself. "How about a loading crane? You won't find one as light or as strong as mine!" The young woman's unusual eyes narrowed. "Wait… I know you… you're that Dia… Vanilla or something."
"Oerba Dia Vanille."
"Ah ha!" The Al Bhed waved her hands about in the air. "Well, I am Rikku, master artificer, and I think we can help each other."
"Oh?"
What followed was a quick, somewhat convoluted spiel about how someone like Vanille – who rode a dragon – could really use a more efficient system for loading and unloading things as well as a properly equipped warehouse for storing all of her goods. And who better to provide all the equipment than a certain master artificer?
Vanille bit back a smile. Rikku's enthusiasm was infectious, and a quick examination of the crane with her magic confirmed the other woman's skill. "How about this? Bring some of your equipment to my villa later this afternoon, and I'll test them on the dragon."
"I will." Rikku looked around and then lowered her voice. "You might want to watch yourself around here." She pointed. "There's a Yevonite over there preaching about how all of us need to get burned at the stake."
"Thanks for the tip." Vanille looked over to find a stall selling Al Bhed food nearby. "Do you mind if we have lunch here? I have a few more things I'd like to ask you."
"Sure, sure." Rikku tapped the goggles on her head. "I'll be right here. And tell them you're with me – they'll cut you a discount."
"I'll do that." Vanille tilted her head. "By the way, what are those goggles for?"
"A few things." Rikku grinned. "Sometimes it helps to have something to cover these eyes of mine – less trouble that way. But they have some other uses too… they can shield my eyes from sparks and glare, magnify things, track the flow of magic… and… well, everything else is a trade secret."
Vanille talked artifice with Rikku over lunch, and the other woman once again showed the sort of knowledge that explained her rank. She also learned that Rikku was part of another merchant caravan, one that travelled on one of the enormous land-ships that the Al Bhed were famous for. Vanille still didn't know how those worked – no one did except the Al Bhed – but it had to be some combination of artifice and magic.
Well aware of the fact that her discussion of Rikku was not the most interesting thing in the world for Fang, she gave her sister a pat on the arm. Fang stood and headed off into the marketplace to have a look around, but not before shooting a glance at one of the Yun watching nearby. Her meaning was obvious: watch over Vanille… or else.
X X X
The highlight of Fang's day came in the early evening, as the setting sun bathed the horizon in dark shades of orange. Aerial battle was the most thrilling part of a dragon rider's life. Many of them lived for it, and it was often said that a rider would spare the life of a truly talented opponent so they could face them again one day.
So when Lightning proposed a spar between them on their respective mounts, Fang was only too happy to agree.
At first glance, the battle seemed quite unfair. Bahamut was far larger and stronger than even the mightiest Pegasus, and his flame provided a distinct advantage at long range. However, there were other factors to consider. En masse, a group of dragons could easily set the entire sky aflame. A single dragon, even one so powerful as Bahamut, could not do that. A Pegasus was also far more agile in the air than a dragon, capable of incredible manoeuvres at close quarters.
Lightning was waiting near Bahamut, and Odin was with her. The Pegasus had not always been hers. He had once belonged to Amodar. During an ambush, the great general had been badly wounded. Luckily, Lightning had been with him, and she had seized Odin's reins and guided them to safety, fighting her way past more than a dozen mercenaries that had been hired by Amodar's political opponents.
For saving Amodar's life, Lightning had received a promotion, the general's favour, and Odin. The general claimed that the Pegasus much preferred her as his rider, and he was getting too old to ride such a proud animal. He much preferred to keep his feet on the ground now, or else take wing upon a less temperamental Pegasus.
Odin's kind was rare east of Bodhum. Dragons and drakes were far more common in the lands of the clans. However, Lightning had taught Fang a lot about the winged horses. There were many breeds, each suited for a particular purpose. Odin was that rarest of things – a combination of different bloodlines that retained the strengths of his varied lineage while eliminating most of the weaknesses. He had the size to ride at the forefront of a battle and the agility, speed, and endurance to fight on even terms against any foe.
Lightning did not lie when she said that of all her possession Odin was the most valuable. He was worth a king's ransom, and Lightning had made a handsome profit by allowing him to sire offspring with suitable mares. That Amodar had given her to him was a sign of the esteem he held her in, and she had risen high under his patronage although her own talents had helped in that ascent.
Odin turned to look at Fang. He stood proud and straight, his powerful form unhindered by the armour that he wore. He flared his wings as she drew near, snorting and stamping his hooves upon the earth. Such a proud beast he was, but rightly so. Not even the presence of Bahamut nearby could shake the Pegasus's resolve.
"You're looking well, Odin." Fang reached forward, running her hands along the Pegasus's flanks and through his mane. His eyes gleamed with a fire that matched his rider's. Like Lightning, he relished the thought of a real challenge. "Lightning has been taking good care of you, I see."
"Of course I have." Lightning traced one hand along one of Odin's wings. The armour that protected the outermost edge of each wing had been sharpened to a razor's edge. Lightning was armoured as well, and Fang took a moment to admire the dashing figure that the other woman cut. As a captain, Lightning was entitled to the best armour, which was forged out of fine crystal and wrapped in dozens of protective enchantments. It gleamed in the dusk light, sparkling faintly orange. About her shoulders was thrown a blood red cloak. "I would sooner cut off my own right hand than see Odin treated poorly."
"Ah." Fang grinned. "So, you're still terrorising everyone in the stables?"
Lightning didn't bother to reply. Instead, she leapt up onto Odin. A sliver of her magic locked her in place in the saddle. "What rules will we be fighting by?"
"The usual: nothing lethal or overly harmful."
"Very well."
Fang waved at the sky. "Go ahead. I'll give you a head start of three minutes before I pursue you."
Lightning made a face. "How generous. But you do not give Odin and me enough credit. A minute is all we shall need."
"If that is what you want, then a minute it is."
Fang watched, lips curling up at the edges as Odin took three hopping steps and then launched up into the darkening sky. The Pegasus's wings beat the air, and he and his rider vanished up into the clouds. What speed he had, what marvellous acceleration.
"All right." Fang said, using her magic to leap atop Bahamut. "Are you ready to go hunting?"
The dragon gave an eager rumble in response. Fang could feel him growing hot beneath her, the great fire inside him kindling at the thought of a contest. His wings unfurled, and he shifted, the powerful muscles of his legs and tail drawn tight and ready.
"Easy, we said we'd give them a minute."
Fang turned her eyes to the sky. The Pegasus knights of Bodhum wore helmets with enchanted visors when they took to the air. Those helmets not only improved their vision but also made it easier for them to breathe the thin air high above the ground. Fang preferred to do things the old-fashioned way, relying on a few spells to enhance her vision and ease her breathing.
But even her magically enhanced vision was no match for Bahamut's eyes. A full-grown dragon could see clearly in the deepest shadow and see farther than a hawk. It was one of the many things that made dragons so dangerous. It was not without reason that the Yun considered them the ultimate predators.
"All right, that's a minute." Fang activated her magic again, securing herself to her harness. "After them."
Bahamut heaved himself up into the air in a single, convulsive burst of motion. They jerked upward, and his wings beat at the air, driving them higher. For a few seconds, he was clumsy, his size working against him, but then they were soaring, the sheer force of his wings driving them inexorably higher. The wind rushed past, and Fang let loose a cry of delight as her dragon bore her up into the darkening sky.
They spotted Odin quickly – the Pegasus had hidden in the shadow of a low-hanging cloud. Lightning was proud, but she was also wise. Charging straight at Bahamut would only have resulted in a quick loss.
"Go get them."
They streaked through the sky, Bahamut's wings ripping through the air with the force of a hurricane. Lightning saw them at once, and Odin wheeled around, turning to meet them. There was a blinding flash, and a bolt of lightning crackled toward them. Fang lashed out with a spell of her own, throwing up a defensive barrier. It wasn't enough to stop Lightning's spell completely – the pink-haired woman's name was well chosen – but Bahamut shrugged off the rest. It would take more than one bolt of lightning to bring down a dragon of Bahamut's strength.
Fang chuckled as Lightning threw more spells at them. This time, Bahamut dodged, banking away as Fang returned the favour. A dozen ribbons of flame shot from Fang's hand, racing across the sky toward Odin.
The Pegasus dodged the spell with a grace no dragon could hope to match and then dove to avoid the enormous blast of fire that Bahamut spat. Fang grinned. As far as dragon fire went, that last attack had been more bark than bite. The blast had been a bright orange, but in true battle, Bahamut's fire burnt white hot.
As Odin came at them from underneath, Bahamut lashed out with his claws and tail. Lightning guided the Pegasus around the attacks, closing the gap and then pulling level. This was where a Pegasus knight was most dangerous to a dragon rider. At close quarters, Bahamut's size made it difficult for him to match the agility of a Pegasus in the air.
Lightning launched another hail of spells, interspersing bolts of lightning with piercing shafts of wind. At this range, she could hardly miss – Bahamut was far too large a target. The dragon snarled, more irritated than hurt by the attacks, and Fang matched the timing of her spells to the slashes of his claws. Lightning was forced back, Bahamut wheeling away in a bid to get into one of the dragon's blind spots.
The Pegasus might be more agile in the air than Bahamut, but he was also much more fragile. It would take a tremendously powerful spell to pierce Bahamut's scales and knock him out of the sky, which was why Lightning was forced to rely mostly on spells that dealt great damage to a small area. Fang, however, had the luxury of using spells that affected a much wider area. Even with his armour, Odin could not afford to be hit by the kind of spells that Bahamut could simply ignore.
Fang gathered her power and made a series of broad, sweeping gestures. A cloud of ash sprang into existence, billowing toward Odin and Lightning. Lightning growled, and Odin gave a snort of indignation before just barely managing to dive underneath the spell. Fang laughed – and Lightning silenced her with a jagged fork of electricity that clattered off a hastily erected barrier spell.
"Temper, temper," Fang shouted, well aware of the fact that Lightning could not hear her. Beneath her, Bahamut chortled. "I almost got you that time."
Then Odin was charging headlong at them. He somehow managed to dodge another blast of Bahamut's flame as Lightning deflected another one of Fang's spells, a jet of water aimed at his wings. Then Lightning was shifting in her saddle –
Crack.
Lightning vanished as Odin swept past, and Fang jerked out of her harness just in time to grab her spear and block Lightning's sword. One of the things that made Lightning so deadly in aerial combat was her ability to quickly and accurately teleport from one rapidly moving object to another. It was incredibly aggravating – Fang had never seen anyone else do it, and her own attempts to replicate the feat had led to her almost falling to her death on multiple occasions.
Fang's counter strike slid of Lightning's shield, sparks flying at the contact, and Lightning spun with the blow, twisting into another strike that almost knocked Fang off Bahamut's back. Fang bit back a curse and increased the magic flowing into her boots – both she and Lightning were using magic to keep their footing as Bahamut hurtled through the air.
With a growl, Fang shoved Lightning back, her spear streaking forward to stab at Lightning's side. The other woman parried the blow and darted forward again. But Fang was ready this time, hopping back and swiping at Lightning's legs. Lightning jumped over the attack – and was almost knocked off Bahamut's back as the dragon reached around to swipe at her with one gigantic claw.
There was another crack – another teleportation –and Fang turned, knowing instinctively where Lightning would reappear. She lashed out as the pink-haired woman reappeared, and the pair of them exchanged a blindingly fast series of blows, spear, sword, and shield meeting again and again as Bahamut twisted and turned in the sky.
Even with the magic holding her onto Bahamut's back, Lightning had to fight to keep her balance. But Fang had no such problems. She knew Bahamut as well as she knew herself, and she knew everything her dragon would do a moment before he did it. It gave her an advantage despite Lightning's incredible speed and ability to teleport.
"Having trouble?" Fang asked. She smirked, knowing how much it would infuriate her lover. "Or maybe you should whistle for Odin. You're struggling just to keep up here."
Lightning's response was to vanish once again, and Fang laughed as the captain reappeared from seemingly every direction at once. This was one of Lightning's finest spells: Army of One. It was, simply put, a combination of incredibly fast teleportation and illusion that made Lightning appear to be in multiple places at the same time.
But Fang was not without a few tricks of her own. She flicked her wrist, and her spear became more of a whip. This was one of Vanille's inventions, an ingenious combination of mechanical cunning and mystical inventiveness. Her weapon blurred through the air, meeting each of Lightning's attacks and shredding through half a dozen illusions at the same time.
Yet Lightning was not to be dissuaded so easily. She increased the speed of her attacks, even as Bahamut dropped into a dive, sweeping low over the neighbouring countryside. Well, Fang wasn't ready to give up either. She had developed a spell of her own, one to match Lightning's Army of One. She called it Highwind.
The air around Fang exploded outward, driving Lightning back for a split-second before she found her footing and resumed her assault. It would not be so easy this time. Fang had wrapped the winds around herself, forming a barrier that was both armour and brace, capable of deflecting Lightning's attacks and aiding her own. The speed of her spear turned whip doubled, and Fang burst into motion, her movements hastened by the wind coiled around her.
As Bahamut soared back toward the pinnacle of the sky, Fang finally managed to throw Lightning back. The pink-haired woman skidded off the dragon's back, and Fang didn't think twice before following her. They plummeted through the air together, using their magic to try and adjust their position as Bahamut and Odin clashed overhead. The dragon snarled, swiping at Odin as the bladed edges of the Pegasus's armoured wings scraped against the scales along his snout.
Fang used her wind to angle herself toward Lightning. But Lightning vanished a split-second before her spear would have made contact. She reappeared behind Fang, driving her shoulder into the other woman's back and then bringing her sword around at Fang's side. Fang blocked the blow and pushed Lightning back, a burst of wind allowing her to pursue her opponent and send Lightning hurtling backward with a rough swing of her spear.
A bolt of lightning held Fang back, and she gave a sharp whistle. Bahamut gave a low growl and spat a wall of flame at Odin before he dove, catching Fang easily and putting her on his back. Lightning gave a whistle of her own, teleporting onto Odin's saddle as the Pegasus pulled up, trying to get above Bahamut.
For a split-second Fang's eyes met Lightning's. They were both smiling.
They fought for another hour, although by the end of it they were playing more than anything else. It was well after dusk by then, and they found themselves a good distance from Bodhum. They set a leisurely pace back to the city, Odin flying alongside Bahamut.
The dragon was much calmer when arrived back at the city. It had been more than a week since he'd enjoyed a good fight, and Lightning and Odin had certainly presented quite a challenge. He gave a happy rumble and settled his head upon his arms. Odin, ever proud, simply stamped the earth and waited for some of the stable hands to come see to his needs.
"Will you be joining us for dinner again?" Fang asked. The thrill of battle was slowly fading from her veins, but another fire was swiftly brewing. Lightning had unbuckled her armour and removed her helmet, and she presented a picture of rumpled beauty, sweat clinging to her brow, her hair mussed and untidy.
"I will, but I want to see to Odin's care first. I also have a meeting with General Amodar. It should not take too long, I think."
"Good." Fang stepped forward, stealing a quick kiss. "I will wait for you then. Oh, you should be ready for mischief too. I believe that Vanille has invited a master artificer from the Al Bhed to join us tonight. Hearing them speak, it is almost like they are long-lost sisters."
X X X
General Amodar's life had not been an easy one. He had given his youth to the Empire, and he had lost his wife while away on a campaign. He'd had affairs over the years – he was only human – but no woman had ever captured his heart the way his wife had. So he had no children and few relatives to speak of, certainly none that he could call true family.
Yet, in the dwindling of his years, he had met one he would be proud to call daughter.
It had been hard to miss Claire Farron when she first joined the city guard, her hair and beauty saw to that. True, she was fast, and she was skilled in magic, but she was also slender in the way that many women were, and she had no military lineage to speak of. But Amodar had seen a spark of something in her eyes, a determination and resolve that reminded him of the faraway days of his youth when he and a young prince had spoken of their desire to change the Empire for the better.
So he had watched as Claire Farron rose through the ranks, eventually earning the name 'Lightning' for her deeds. In time, she had come to serve as one of his personal bodyguards, and she had proven her worth in spectacular fashion, saving his life when his political opponents had tried to assassinate him.
He had given her Odin and his patronage for her deeds, and she had become his protégé, learning all that he had to teach. Now, she was one of his captains, perhaps the finest, and an irreplaceable part of Bodhum. Perhaps he was becoming a sentimental fool, but he was certain she had grown fond of him as he had grown fond of her. It certainly seemed like she spoke more candidly with him than with her fellows.
"Sir." Lightning knocked on his door.
Ah, she was always so polite, even when she being candid. "Enter."
Lightning entered and saluted.
"Sit down." Amodar gestured at the seat on the opposite side of the table. "Would you like some wine?"
"Thank you, sir." Lightning gently took the decanter of wine from him and poured a glass for each of them. "You looked tired, sir."
"It's the paperwork." Amodar laughed. "I'm looking over a few amendments to the trading codes. I would not wish it on my worst enemy."
"I can imagine." A hint of a smile played across Lightning's lips. "Do you want me to look over it as well, sir?"
"In time, in time." Amodar leaned back in his chair. "You spend so much time doing soldierly things that I sometimes forget how well you grasp the minutiae of our laws." He grinned. "I suspect it has to do with your personality. You are altogether too meticulous."
"I like to be thorough, sir." Lightning's lips twitched. "And someone has to read through your work. Your spelling is atrocious."
"Hah, I do it so that you may think yourself useful." Amodar took a sip of his wine. "But proofreading is the work of scribes and old men. Honestly, I forget how young you are sometimes – too young to remember the way things used to be. But perhaps that is for the best."
Her brows furrowed faintly. He'd surprised her it seemed, or perhaps he'd unsettled her. He knew that she had lost her parents in her youth. If she was fond of him, then she probably did not desire any reminders of his age. "Sir?"
"Do not worry, captain. I have many years ahead of me yet. I plan to retire to my villa beside the harbour and live a life of idleness and sloth." He chuckled. "Still, it is nice to see you have friends amongst the clans. The Empire has grown much over the centuries, but I fear it can grow no further without fracturing. If it truly has reached its limits, then we must make peace with our neighbours."
"Now you really do sound like an old man, sir."
"I am an old man." Amodar's body reminded him of that every day. His strength was still there, but he wasn't nearly as quick as he used to be, and his belly was no longer a flat plane of hard muscle.
"Not that old." Lightning frowned, and he bit back a laugh. Lightning had never appreciated unnecessary change.
"Indeed. But let us get to the heart of this meeting." He took a scroll from his desk and handed it to her. "Read it."
Lightning lifted the scroll and then froze. "This has the seal of the emperor upon it, and it is addressed to you. The law is clear. I cannot read this."
"It is a message to me, and I say that you may read it. Go ahead." Amodar smiled. "Besides, it pertains to you as well." He waited until Lightning had finished reading before he spoke again. "What do you think?"
Her face was calm, but he could see the thoughts swimming about behind her bright eyes. She was trying to put it all together. "I'm not sure I understand."
The missive had come from Emperor Bartholomew II, his old friend. He was sending his son, Crown Prince Hope, to Bodhum. "The Emperor is no longer a young man. He wants to make sure that his son understands how to rule wisely and well. He wants to ensure that his son can rule in times of peace but also in times of war. He cannot learn what he must pampered and coddled in Eden. But where better for him to learn than Bodhum, the jewel of the east? And who better to teach him than someone who has risen through their own courage and merit? Who better to teach him than you?"
"Me?" Lightning's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, you. Of all my captains, I trust you the most. You have proven your worth. And you would not be teaching him alone. I will, of course, be teaching him as well. The prince will need to learn about more than military tactics and strategy, he must also learn of politics, economics, and diplomacy. I can teach him many things, but I am no longer in my prime. You are."
"I will do my best, sir, I swear it." Lightning saluted. "I will not let you down."
"I know." Amodar nodded. "You may go. I believe you have a dinner to attend."
Lightning flushed, and Amodar felt a ripple of amusement run through him. He knew what Lightning had been up to, and whose company she had been keeping. The future of the Empire could not be one of constant, raging war. It had grown too large and brittle for that. The Empire needed peace, but it had to be a peace founded upon strength and honour.
Amodar was old, but he would hold on, at least long enough for Lightning to take over. If Bodhum were to endure it would need a strong leader, one who had the respect of all the clans. And where better to start than with two of the most prominent members of the Dia and Yun clans?
"Thank you, sir." Lightning stood. "I'll see you tomorrow."
X X X
Author's Notes
As always, I neither own Final Fantasy, nor am I making any money off of this.
I've decided to strike while the iron is hot with this story although it helps that this chapter could easily have been added to the previous chapter. What sets this chapter apart, however, is the change in point of view. Instead of being written almost entirely from Lightning's point of view, this chapter is written mostly from Vanille and Fang's points of view.
In many of my other stories, I allude to Vanille being quick-witted and cunning, but this is probably the first story where I cast her as a merchant. However, I do think she'd be quite good at it. She's personable, persuasive, and absolutely tenacious. I also couldn't resist having Vanille meet Rikku. Outside of Ordinary Heroes, I think this is the first time that the two have met.
Apart from letting you guys see things from Vanille's point of view (and inserting a little bit about her business), I also wanted to add a bit of action and some Fang/Lightning fun. I hope you enjoyed it. And yes, Odin got an upgrade in this story. Like I've always joked about, Odin is now a Pegasus!
Also, I have some very big news. My newest original story, Durendal, is now available on Amazon! It runs to ~80,000 words, making it the first novel-length original story that I've made available to the public! It's a coming-of-age story and a Western with elements of science fiction. If you've enjoyed my other stories, I know you'll love this one. You can find links to it in my profile (and a longer preview on Amazon). Here's the blurb:
Twelve-year-old Billy Winchester's got a feeling that the war made Duren a monster, but maybe he and his sister can make him a man again.
Billy's always dreamed of leaving Sahara VII, a backwater mining planet, for some adventure. But with the galaxy still reeling from decades of war, and an older sister desperate to hang onto the only family she's got left, he's not having much luck.
Then he meets Duren, and suddenly adventure's right on his doorstep.
The rugged stranger from another planet is everything Billy wishes he could be. When his sister hires Duren to help at their diner, Billy does his best to make him a part of their family. Trouble is, Duren's got a past, and it's the worst sort of bloody. To Billy though, he's just a man, and a good one at that.
But danger's never far on a planet like Sahara VII.
A cruel mining magnate, Stratton sets his eyes on Billy's sister, and he won't take no for an answer. When Stratton kidnaps her, Billy's going to need the man Duren used to be, the man he hoped Billy would never have to see.
But Stratton isn't stupid, and he isn't alone. He knows Duren is coming for him, and there are people who've been waiting a long time for Duren to show himself. Duren won't have to beat just Stratton and his men – he'll have to stand toe-to-toe with the vengeful ghosts of his past while keeping Billy clear of the crossfire. Billy's finally got his adventure, but it might cost him the only family he's ever known.
As always, I appreciate feedback. Reviews and comments are welcome.