Fall into Ecstacy
Chapter 7: It Never Ends
By Kaasan Faerlyte B.
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XII and its characters are the property of Square Enix. On the off chance that someone from Square Enix finds my plot so captivating that they must acquire my mad writing skills, I am willing to negotiate (haha).
Author's Note: See? See?! I updated really fast this time. I'm a little disappointed with the last chapter's reception though. For a while there I wasn't convinced I'd break the 10 review barrier - that's what I generally strive to achieve. Buuut, I did, so here we are.
We arrived in Rabanastre at the predicted two days without incident. The weather was cloudy and threatening rain again as Dalmasca was entering the wet season, but the air tasted fresh and clean. It was good to be in safe hands again.
A radio message had been sent ahead of us and an escort was waiting when we entered the city's airway. We were then taken through to the castle's private shuttle bay where the public eye could not see. With a lot of luck, no one would know what precious cargo we carried on board.
The journey had been too easy though. Sigmund was not the kind of man to give up that quickly. It had the distinct feel of false security.
Larsa and Basch were given warm and courteous welcomes by the Queen's administrators and officers, but tension hung heavy in the air. Whether it was due to our surprise arrival or other matters of personal concern, I couldn't tell. They greeted me with pleasant, but guarded gratitude and I had a sudden impulse to march straight back to the ship and leave.
It was that unspoken truth that always kept me away from this place – the knowledge that I didn't belong here. Ashe might have done something about it if she had known or had the time to deal with it, but a Queen could only do so much. She couldn't watch everyone all the time, and, while our past adventures had changed her, she was still born of royalty and raised to believe in it.
I didn't really mind anyway.
The General of Dalmasca's military met us as we were ushered from the airdock. He was a bangaa by the name of Kang with ashen colored skin and a rounded nose, towering at nearly seven feet tall. I had met him several times in the past while frequenting the castle for visits or to dance for a party and thought highly of him. His nature tended towards the quiet and subdued, and he spoke common with a smooth elegance that was not typical of his race. He was also quite blind..
Kang stood impassively, his back impossibly straight as his head hovered in line with the top frame of the doorway. He took his station more seriously than any person I knew, hume and bangaa alike. His armor, while simple, was polished and smoothed to a bright sheen, and he wore a helm plumed with orange and green feathers. A green silk bandana was tied elegantly over his eyes.
"That's Kang." I whispered into Basch's ear.
Basch nodded in recognition.
As one of few bangaas holding high station in hume society, Kang was a legend among his people and well-known through out all Ivalice. When Ashe had returned to the throne three years ago, the military had been in shambles. Kang's arrival had ultimately saved the country from another kind of ruin. He had taken a broken, scattered army and had built it into a force to be feared and respected, all within a year's time.
No one would dare challenge Ashe's rule so long as Kang was at her side.
The giant approached with an easy, confident stride that belied his obvious blindness, and he bowed respectively to the Emperor, "Welcome, your Lordship." He bowed again to Basch and myself, "And to you, Lady Penelo, Sir Gabranth."
Basch wore the armor of Judge Magister and so was thus greeted with his brother's title, as protocol dictated. "Greetings General." He responded in kind and the two grasped hands. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
Kang inclined his head in humble thanks, "Likewise, Knight. The Queen awaits– follow me."
He turned gracefully for so large a creature, ducking beneath the door frame, and led us away. Judging by the lack of people within the halls, Kang was making an effort to avoid further exposure. He kept a brisk pace with a long stride that I nearly had to jog to keep up with.
I was starting to have reservations about seeing Ashe again when we arrived at the audience chamber. Standing in the presence of such beautiful mastery and elegance always made me feel insignificant. The great pillars twisted majestically towards high ceilings painted in murals and the floor glistened white on either side of a long, velvet carpet leading up to the throne. White marble statues of heroes and Gods guarded the path.
Kang closed the doors behind us and I found myself trapped in a dream. He proceeded to escort us to the throne at the far end of the hall. Ashe was already on her feet and striding quietly forth to intercept us, her head held high. She wore a silken white gown with long flowing sleeves and a gold embroidered girdle wrapped loosely about her hips.
Her smile embraced each of us in turn before settling intently on the Knight to Larsa's right. Basch bowed courteously, "My lady." He murmured.
My body suddenly felt very heavy, like a stone, and I smiled stiffly into space.
"It has been too long, Basch." Ashe replied softly. She turned to Larsa and dipped low in respect, "Your Lordship, may I welcome you to Dalmasca. We are relieved that you have arrived in good health."
Larsa returned the gesture, "We are in your debt, your Majesty."
"There is much we have to discuss," She replied seriously and pivoted deftly on her heel, "This way."
The queen and her guard lead us into a private ante-chamber where we could speak freely. It was small, but cozy and I was glad to sit down on a soft chair while they exchanged the latest news on the rebellion in Archadia. Kang relayed what information their spies had managed to glean from the situation following our escape from the palace.
Apparently the mercenary band responsible for the attack had abandoned their mission once Larsa had disappeared and Sigmund had resumed control of the palace thereafter. Of the men who had fought for the Emperor's sake there was no word and the truth had been carefully concealed within a well-developed lie.
Judge "Gabranth" was now officially a traitor to the Empire, ironically. Not only that, but he was also in cohorts with a sinister "witch" whose womanly charms and erotic dancing were potentially deadly. I had to try very hard not to hide myself beneath the table when a few eyes strayed my way with unrestrained amusement. There were prices on our heads big enough to feed, clothe, and house all of the homeless people in Rabanastre.
Basch shook his head and sighed, "It never ends."
Also, the senate had taken control of the throne and would remain as the governing power until the Emperor returned or someone else was appointed. The Archadian military had regrouped and was busily repairing the damages within the palace, and the Judges who still claimed "loyalty" to the throne were at large scouring the area for Gabranth and his "wench".
"The senate is obviously behind this." Basch stated bluntly, carefully skipping over that last part. "One of their spies confessed on the night of the attack. A loyal Judge killed him before we could question him further."
My heart twisted slightly at that. Greishem's good deed had earned him his death, but I suppose that was the real justice behind it.
Ashe bowed her head grimly, "The situation is dire."
"We do not wish to involve you if we can avoid it." Larsa conveyed earnestly, "Dalmasca need not endanger herself for my sake."
The queen shook her head, pondering, "No, I don't believe it will endanger us. Besides which we are already involved."
"What is it that they want do you think?" I asked hesitantly. I hadn't meant to say anything at all, but the question had been nagging at the back of my mind.
"Compliance." Basch answered. "They want the Emperor on strings. I imagine they mean this as a warning. However, I don't believe that Sigmund would be averse to removing Larsa permanently if it came down that"
The debate was put on hold and we were given rooms to bath and refresh ourselves. Dinner would be served in two hours, after which discussions of strategy would recommence. Ashe clearly stated Dalmasca's intentions to assist the Emperor in whatever way it could and our meeting was adjourned.
As we were dismissed from her majesty's presence and I turned to go, brooding quietly, Ashe's voice suddenly called me back. The others did not wait, though Basch did pause, but it was only for a moment and then they were both gone. Kang, however, remained on hand.
Ashe's gaze was soft and sad as I faced her. She looked so much older than her years.
"Yes, your majesty?" It still felt strange to say it out loud. The past was hard to forget.
"I wish that there were more time." She told me then, a slight frown on her face. "We have not spoken for some while."
I smiled in surprise, "You shouldn't worry yourself over that." I told her reassuringly, "I understand."
Ashe inclined her head in respect. "I wanted to thank you."
My brow furrowed in confusion, "What for?"
"For bringing Larsa and Basch here safely." She answered. "If there is anything–"
"It was really nothing." I interjected politely, but I had to hesitate as a thought occurred to me. There really was no reason for me to stay for the discussion this evening. I had no place in the political struggles of royalty and would only make myself a nuisance.
What I really needed was to leave as soon as possible. Vaan and the others were already on borrowed time and I couldn't afford to dally anymore. It was time to take my leave, never mind the insatiable part of me that wished I could stay...wished that I could keep a small piece of this world that I'd been privileged to know for a few days.
Ashe regarded me skeptically, "You are certain?"
"There is one thing..." I began reluctantly and proceeded to explain Vaan's plight.
Ashe maintained a steady calm through out the telling of my story, despite the disconcerting news on top of everything else. Her eyes were guarded – there was a time when her fondness for Balthier had run deeper than mere respect.
But Ashe was a seasoned warrior who met her obstacles with a cool head and she took the news in stride. She spared no time in assenting to my request, "I will send word immediately to prepare for your departure."
"Thank you." I answered, relieved. "And...please don't tell Basch where I'm going. He doesn't need to know."
The queen arched a delicate brow at that, her eyes thoughtful. "If that is what you want."
"Y-yes." I stammered.
To my surprise, Ashe stepped forward and embraced me tightly. "Gods' speed to you." She said, her voice straining for the first time. "Be safe."
I feigned a nonchalant smile as we parted, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Yeah, as in, I'm probably going to die.
Kang held the door open for me as I passed. A servant was waiting in the hall to show me to my room. I glanced back as I left and waved goodbye to the bangaa.
He nodded in acknowledgment and softly shut the door.
There was a dull ache in my heart as I imagined what the others would think when they discovered my absence. I convinced myself that it was the necessary thing to do. I couldn't allow the promise that Basch had made years ago to jeopardize his greater responsibility to the Emperor. I would simply disappear, like any good sky pirate would.
So here our paths must part again. I stepped quietly, keeping a weather eye out for the familiar horned helm, just in case. Basch would be with Larsa however, which should allow me the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
It was easier this way. Saying goodbye would only make it hurt more in the end and I couldn't bear that. A part of me was being left behind that I would never get back.
I blinked away tears as the maid promptly made a turn to stop at one of many doors lining the guest wing of the castle. She unlocked it with a large set of keys and bid that I enter.
"I have prepared a bath. Soap and towels are beside the tub." She explained. "Her majesty also asked that I give you this." The maid handed me a soft bundle wrapped in tissue paper.
"Oh?" I paused, startled, before awkwardly accepting the gift, "Thank you."
The maid curtsied, "Good day, my lady." Then she was gone.
My hands shook as I gingerly unwrapped the parcel. I elicited a tiny gasp as the contents were revealed, shimmering softly. The fabric felt heavenly beneath my fingers as I cautiously ran my hand over it. I took the package to the bed and gingerly laid out the pieces with a sharp intake of air.
It was the most beautiful dancing ensemble I'd ever seen, made entirely of burgundy velvet and trimmed with exquisite golden embroidery. The harem pants were shorter than the ones I regularly wore, reaching down only to the knee with slits down the side and paper thin coins dangling from the waist. There was matching halter-top choli, rimmed with more chimes and cut short to expose the stomach. Lastly was a black silk scarf to drape over the shoulders.
I feared to touch it and risk marring its beauty. I couldn't accept such a gift, could I? If I were a true sky pirate I wouldn't hesitate, and yet...it seemed too lovely to wear.
Well, I didn't have to wear it. I could keep it for a special occasion, I decided, and left it lying there while I stripped down in anticipation of a hot bath.
The water was wonderfully soothing to the aches and pains wrought from two days of non-stop flying. My hair was ratty and my skin lodged with everything from dirt to grease. I loved to fly, but I hated dealing with the mechanics behind it. It could be such a filthy job.
Life required all kinds of sacrifice...
Some more painful than others, I mused sadly.
I knew what I had to do though and I wasn't about to let Vaan, Balthier, or Fran down. I'd do everything within my power to find them if it killed me. At least I'd die with a clean conscience.
The bath was too short, but I was glad to be clean again. As I came closer and closer to finally leaving, the truth began to sink in that I really was going back to that place. It no longer felt like the surreal dream that it had been for the past two days and my sense of urgency was growing.
I combed out my hair, gazing idly out the window as I wove it into two matching braids. Lightning flickered within the clouds on high and thunder periodically rumbled the walls. It was a typical rainy season day in Dalmasca. Normally it would not be as much of a bother, but the ship that I was commandeering had one glaring fault and that was its openness to the elements.
The weather was akin to the turmoil going inside me too. I liked the rain, but not when it was raining in my head. There it was just cold, dark, and lonely.
Time to go.
I re-wrapped Ashe's gift and silently departed the room. There was an unsettling quietness as I walked the halls. No one was about and there was no echo of sound in far of places. It was as if a spell of silence had been cast.
I hugged the bundle to my chest as a profound loneliness engulfed me in its suffocating veil. Dread gnawed at my gut as my feet seemed to drag reluctantly towards my destination. There had always been someone with me before, someone to lean on and depend on when I forgot my role.
My friends had all been warriors who I followed with great pride. I fed off their vigor and courage. With them I felt invincible; without them I was lost.
Shadows walked the halls around me, but I didn't see them I was so buried within myself. Marching footsteps and distant shouts sounded out behind me, but I paid them no mind. This was their world and mine was somewhere far beneath it. I couldn't afford to get drawn up in their battles anymore.
The men standing guard before the door to the ship-bay nodded wordlessly as I approached and I was given passage through. Everything was prepared, just as Ashe had promised. She even included provisions for the trip, which saved me an extra stop.
The hum of the ships engines met my ears as I walked across the landing pad. Two air traffic officers were manning the control panel and waved me past. The airlock doors parted with a groan, releasing a great gasp of air.
Beads of moisture sprayed on the wind, clinging to my skin with cold tenacity as I grasped the ladder to climb aboard. As I reached the deck a noise from below drew my attention. A castle guard had burst through the doors, followed by the two who had been standing outside, and the three engaged the two flight officers in urgent conversation. The first guard's hands gestured around wildly at first, and then pointed at me.
Two of them left in haste, their hands on the hilts of their swords. The third jogged to the base of the ship and called me down. A quarantine was officially in affect and I was to report back to my room immediately, I was told.
I hesitated, glancing towards the outside with longing. Another figure emerged, but this time it was the bangaa general, Kang. He bellowed to the guard irritably and ordered him to assist in the East Wing of the castle. Then he looked at me with a slight nod and promptly disappeared.
I breathed a sigh of relief and signaled one of the officers who remained to detach the anchor rope. The man complied and was offering a farewell salute when another shout resounded from below. Alarms went off inside my head and I ignored the voice, my hands taking the wheel in sudden determination to be rid of this place.
"Damn it, Penelo–Wait!"
My heart stopped and I faltered.
I felt my legs grow weak as I reluctantly stepped to the railing to peer down below.
Judge Master 'Gabranth' moved swiftly to intercept the ladder that I'd neglected to pull up and the next thing I knew, Basch was standing before me, his cape swirling furiously about his ankles. He pinned me with the dark, abysmal stare that the helm always seemed to provoke and I suppressed a shudder.
"Basch," I started, swallowing hard. "W-what are you doing here?"
"Fulfilling a promise." He returned evenly.
I thought my heart might break. You can't... I shook my head, eyes glossy, "No." I refused. "I release you from that oath. Let me go."
Basch covered the distance between us so swiftly that I had scarcely taken breath when he suddenly cast aside his helm and kissed me with a calm intensity that set my world spinning wildly out of control. A fuzzy warmth kindled in the pit of my stomach and wrapped me in a blanket of blissful security. I forgot everything; the ship, Vaan, Larsa, the fact that I'd never been kissed in my life and didn't know what I was doing–it all vanished.
Then he pulled away and I felt the life sucked out of me as I opened my eyes to reality. Basch's armor was cold and hard, and yet my skin was on fire. He gazed down at me, his eyes tenderly pleading.
I realized I was trembling. "You cheated." I murmured accusingly.
The corner of his mouth twitched ever so faintly in a smile. "Did it work?"
That look was infectious. I couldn't maintain a scowl for even a second in light of his deceptively cunning eyes. "Bastard." I whispered in resignation.
"-son of a peasant." He finished.
"I hate to interrupt," a tentative voice called from our left, "but I've been informed of a rather disturbing development within the castle, which compels me to make myself scarce."
Basch straightened with a grimace and cast a chastising glance at the two figures leaning casually on either side of the mast. Kang politely averted his gaze elsewhere, arms crossed, while Larsa grinned with unabashed pleasure.
"Indeed." Basch drew flatly.
Kang stepped forth, his expression now grave, "The enemy is here. Her majesty requests that his Lordship be taken elsewhere," He explained, pausing for a moment before finishing the thought, "– on your quest. My services are at your disposal."
My jaw fell open in abject horror. "You can't be serious." What?! That was ridiculous...why?!
"My orders are clear." Kang replied simply. His face shifted intently at me as if he could see me as clear as day.
A ghostly memory took shape in my mind, standing before the gates of a dead city with staff in hand, and then I understood.
I frowned slightly. The buried city may be an important piece of forgotten bangaa history, but that didn't explain bringing the Emperor along on what could be a suicide mission. Or the fact that he would be abandoning Ashe, but then she was the one who had sent him.
Something wasn't adding up.
"Well don't just stand there," Larsa straightened himself regally, his eyes twinkling, "I've got one more adventure left in me before I surrender to the masses...and other things"
But who am I to question them?
My shoulders slumped in defeat as all attention shifted to me expectantly. "Fine then!" I threw my arms out in a display of exasperation and whirled away from them, huffing. Men.
But I hid a surreptitious smile as I steered the ship out into the storm.
The air was humid and wet, but warm. The rain had subsided into a light drizzle for the moment. I was mildly concerned about the airship's computer system. It was designed as a touch panel with a protective clear covering against the weather, but I had reservations about its efficiency.
It had gotten us this far though.
Then, just like that, all the screens went dead and everything from my maps to the auto pilot – anything controlled by the electronic system – just went blank. It wasn't a short circuit. I don't know what it was, but I felt like blaming the idiot whose brilliant idea it was to install the system in the first place.
Engineers...I thought grumpily.
A heavy drop of rain landed squarely on my forehead and I sighed inwardly. It was going to be a very long trip. My only consolation was that technically free flying was what the ship was designed for, but that meant manning the wheel at all times and relying on a compass to navigate. I had some experience, but not near enough to feel remotely comfortable in my present position.
The rain thickened.
I slammed my fists into the panel with an uncharacteristic growl. Now that both my hands were throbbing in pain, I sagged against the unforgiving screen and let out a pitiful whimper.
It was than that I realized someone had been made privy of my situation, probably when I started growling, and had come up behind me. "Dare I ask what happened?" Basch mused.
"The computer died." I blurted out angrily.
Kang was the next to appear, "I sense intense displeasure."
"The computer died." I repeated, gritting my teeth. It was raining really hard now.
When Larsa finally arrived and had started to inquire as to the commotion, Basch and Kang, noting my growing displeasure, interrupted in quick unison,
"The computer died."
Larsa blinked, "Is that bad?"
I straightened, "It means I have to navigate the old fashioned way." I articulated morbidly. "It's not as exact and it will slow us down." That was understatement of the year.
"Oh," Larsa shrugged nonchallantly, "Well, I'm certain you can do it."
I bit my lip. The weight of their stares prodded me to say something to alleviate any possible doubt, whether I was capable of doing it or not. "Sure. Leave it to me." I waved them off and took the wheel in my shaking hands.
I must be crazy.
At that everyone dispersed and I found myself huddling over a compass, squinting into the stormy gray ahead, and crossing my fingers that I didn't ram a mountain. I had to slow us down for that very reason, which was going to hurt our traveling time, but the risk wasn't worth it.
The location of the canyon was North West of Rabanastre and due North of Raithwall's tomb on a large island surrounded by an inlet. It was a long way from here and it would probably take several days. If the storm cleared I might be able to make up some time, but that was if the storm cleared.
"Might I assist you in some way?" Unbeknownst to me, Basch had lingered to stand uneasily behind me as I maneuvered us through the fog.
"Oh, no, that's alright." I stole a cursory glance back, offering a nervous smile. Just looking at him now made my knees suddenly weak. I took a deep breath, my teeth clattering together. "Why don't you go inside?" I suggested. "You're soaking."
"And abandon my lady to the mercy of the elements?" Basch scowled, "I have my honor."
A loud snort resounded from below. Kang had materialized from the captain's quarters and tilted his head slightly at us, "I resent the implication, Knight."
Basch visibly winced, "You pardon, General." The Judge responded cordially, "You, of course, are exempted from the rule as long as one of us is thoroughly drenching ourselves for the lady's sake."
The bangaa let loose a gruff laugh, "Then my honor shall await its turn, sir Knight, should you require a relief." He vanished back inside.
I cast Basch a sidelong look, smirking dryly. "You know street urchin girls don't count, right?" I reminded him offhandedly. "I'll bet there are some ladies who would take offense from the comparison."
Basch sighed audibly, "My dear girl, when did you become such a snob?"
I gasped, taken aback. "What?!" I squeaked. "H-how can you say that? I never–that's not..." I groaned in frustration, "This is all your fault!"
"My fault?" Basch repeated, astonished.
"If you had just stayed behind like you were supposed to we wouldn't be having this conversation." I huffed. Brilliant come back, Penelo.
His eyes narrowed, "You have made my point."
My jaw dropped, bewildered. "What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded.
"You presume that social status should dictate how I feel towards you." He answered severely, "–that I should not honor my oath because you think yourself unworthy."
I faltered guiltily, "Well...maybe, but it still doesn't excuse what you did." I countered defensively and set my eyes on the sky ahead. "I don't know where ravishing young ladies falls under upholding the Knight's code of honor, but I've certainly never heard of it."
"Ravishing?!" I had no idea Basch could reach that high an octave.
I blushed furiously, crossing my arms in defiance. "You tricked me."
"I did no–" He stopped, exasperated, "Great Gods, Penelo, I'm too old for this."
"Excuse me?!" I whirled around. "You kissed me, not the other way around! Do you mean to say that it's my fault you just had to go do something like that?"
"No!" Basch replied quickly, visibly flustered. "I mean to say that...it was an accident."
I gawked at him. "Oh! Well, thanks a heap! That just explains everything." I shot back. "You sure know how to make a lady feel good about herself. I guess the Knight's code must of missed that one too–"
Oh damn, he did it again. For someone who was too old for this, he was taking an awful lot of pleasure out of kissing me a second time. Not that I didn't find the sensation pleasing, as it involved him, but now I was thoroughly confused.
That really wasn't so deterring at the moment though.
The sudden sensation of gravity drawing us towards the starboard rail as the ship began to keel, however, was very deterring and the exchange came to an abrupt halt. I made a noise of panic as I flung myself at the spinning wheel. For a split second I thought my arms would dislocate as the weight of the ship and the force of the wind strained against my feeble two hands. It was Basch's intervention that ultimately saved me from that fate and together we were able to right the ship.
I let out the breath I'd been holding in a long, deeply relieved sigh. With an overwhelming sense of embarrassment I disentangled myself from the man who was inadvertent wrapped around me and the wheel both. That could have been disastrous.
A throat cleared nearby and Basch and I turned apprehensively.
Kang stood quietly by the railing, seemingly watching us, his arms crossed. He spoke with an amiable charm, "Perchance you would take your leave, sir Knight. I dare say we all could welcome the reprieve."
"Indeed." Basch managed breathlessly and nodded in assent. "I shall retire."
I stared up at him, but he avoided my gaze and left without another word. My shoulders fell and I frowned deeply, wondering what else I could do wrong.
Kang touched my shoulder gently, "He will come around." was all he said.
That sounded just great, if only I knew what it was he was coming around to.
The rain eventually quit and we entered clear, starlit skies sometime in the middle of the night. Kang had not left my side except to retrieve a blanket for my comfort. For the most part, neither of us spoke much, except to comment on weather patterns and projected arrival times, assuming I was on course. We did broach the subject of Larsa'a current plight very briefly, but only at my prodding and Kang was reluctant to speak on it.
With clear skies I was able to increase speed and push the ship to maximum power. It seemed almost faster now that the computer had died, oddly. My hair was frazzled and my face hurt. Whoever had designed this thing must have been a loony.
Top speed was only meant for short bursts evidently. I had to find that out the hard way of course. Everything had been going just fine too, but fate just has to stick in its two gil. We were cruising at high elevation with the wind behind us when the top of the main sail snapped off.
We immediately began losing elevation and speed. The sails, as I was only just beginning to understand, were extremely crucial to the make up of the ship because they were part of what powered us. They absorbed energy from the sun, which then propelled us through the air. A sail coming off the mast was not bad, it was potentially catastrophic.
"Why can't I just get a break?!" I moaned and slowed the ship to an unstable halt.
The ship had auxiliary power from a magicite stone and the minor sails were still intact, so it might not kill us, but something had to be done before we risked going any further. So much for saving time...
Kang had fallen to port when the ship first dove and had just staggered back to my side when Basch and Larsa both appeared down below, glancing up in question..
"The main sail came off!" I shouted down at them, gesturing upwards at the mess above.
Basch nodded wordlessly and disappeared inside.
Larsa just stood and stared, mystified.
"I will go down to assist him." Kang began to announce, but I stopped him.
"Wait." I held up a hand, "I'll go. Just hold the wheel and keep the ship from tipping." I told him and raced down to the main deck.
I had to work up some courage before attempting to climb the rigging, but by the time Basch returned free of his armor I was far enough up that he couldn't possible argue my going. He caught me half way up the mast.
"Fancy meeting you here." He said, smirking dryly as he came up beside me.
My face was as white as the sails.
"Go on up." Basch motioned when I made no reply, "I will carry the sail to you."
I nodded wordlessly and started to climb. It was one of the most agonizing thirty minutes of my life navigating those ropes while trying not to fall from the yardarm. Kang did a fine job of keeping us steady considering how suddenly I'd thrown the responsibility on him, but it was far from stable up here.
Basch did most of the work admittedly, but I did successfully tie two sections off. I couldn't help but notice that he stopped to test my knots, as if I wasn't capable of doing a decent job, but I was prepared to let it slide under the circumstances. It was a wonder my heart continued to beat it has missed so many watching him dangle precariously above certain death. His hands moved with such painstaking precision and patience, his eyes squinting in concentration, that I could've cried I was so terrified he would fall. Basch would do the job right if it took him all day though.
When the sail was secured in place once more we started to pick our way back down side by side. If one of us slipped, the other caught them.
Larsa embraced us both when we finally jumped the last few feet down to the deck.
"You're both mad." He declared, evidently relieved. "I thought I'd die watching you two up there."
"I thought I'd die." I answered emphatically, trembling. I glanced at Basch furtively, but could think of nothing to say that would do justice to the depth of my gratitude. "I guess I'd better relieve Kang. We won't be arriving for another two days at least."
"You intend to fly the rest of the way without stopping?" Basch asked, clearly disapproving.
I sighed, "I don't want us to lose any more time." I told him. "I'll be ok."
He didn't argue the point and I maintained my sanity most of the way. The days blended together without sleep to separate them, but I struggled through it. I was beginning to master the ship's controls and we were making better time than I anticipated, which put me in good spirits. Night had fallen again when I settled down into the canyon at the foot of the mountains where the gate to underground cavern was.
I was too exhausted to carry myself back to the cabin. Kang and Larsa assisted me into the captains quarters where I immediately fell asleep and didn't wake until well into the next afternoon. When I finally did, I could hear the low murmur of voices outside my door.
"They will have followed us." I heard Kang say.
"Yes." Basch agreed stoically.
"And we're fish out of water if the gate remains closed." Larsa finished ominously. "How did Vaan and the others get in if not this way?"
I grimaced. They probably repelled straight down like a bunch of boneheads. They were lucky the sea creature hadn't swallowed them all.
I sat up groggily and felt the tender sting of sore muscles. My staff was leaning up against the wall at the foot of the bed.
"Use the staff."
That was our way in. I stood up slowly and elicited a sharp moan of pain as my shoulders shrieked in protest. Outside the conversation had stopped.
I went through the painful process of brushing my hair and dragging on a more travel worthy set of clothes. Slowly, but surely my muscles were loosening and each little movement didn't hurt so much. I retrieved my staff and started to leave. There was a knock on the door before my hand had reached the handle. "I'm up." I mumbled tiredly and pushed it open with a grunt.
It swung open smoothly, revealing three gloomy faces. They immediately transformed into that of concern as I swayed in the doorway, rubbing my eyes of sleep. I probably felt better than I looked.
"There is a problem." Kang stated grimly.
"I can open the gate." I assured them and trudged on. "Jovan told me how."
The three of them exchanged bewildered glances as I passed, but no one moved to question.
I slung a bow over my shoulder, grabbing a quiver of arrows and a survival pack on my way out. Soon the others filed out behind me, none of them speaking until we had abandoned the ship and stood before a very familiar, very ominous, solid steel door.
"I have come home, Jakarda." Kang murmured and knelt before it humbly.
"It is time." A breeze blew past us, stirring up wisps of sand.
My fingers tightened around the shaft of the staff and I approached the door purposefully. The wood pulsed with energy as I stepped to a languid dance, twisting around to the rhythm throbbing in my veins, and the staff began to glow. As the power reached its peak I stopped within a whirlwind of sand, planted my feet, and released it with a slight flick of the wrist.
The spell sealing the doors exploded with a crack and shattered into pieces. The broken magic dispersed into the air with a sigh and a grinding noise emitted from the gates. Slowly, the doors began to part.
My heart was beating fast. I felt drained and I'd only been up for a few minutes. The others appeared beside me, staring in speechless wonder, and a great sorrow enveloped us. The anguish of lost souls awaited within that darkness.
Someone grasped my hand and squeezed it gently, waking me from a mild trance. I looked up and Basch stood resolutely beside me, ready and willing.
"Thank you." I said quietly.
He smiled down at me. "Let us march into oblivion together."
And so we entered the darkness, the future no clearer than the path on which we now trod. But somehow, we must prevail.
More author's notes: And so our brave heroes, with the newest victim, set out into the underground and impending doom, mwahahaha! Right, anyhow, was this chapter more satisfactory? I happen to like the bangaas in FFXII and was annoyed that one didn't join the party, which is why I wanted to incorporate them as a main part of my story. I hope I've done them justice.
Chapter 8 is waiting for revision and should be done in the next week. Encouragement is always a good way to move things along a little faster. I've written several chapters ahead so that I have a better idea of how the story is going to play out, which also helps me to revise previous chapters. Everything flows together so much better that way. I've gone back and edited chapters 1-6 again too--no major changes, but I tried to smoothen the dialogue a little more and to fill in any minor gaps that might surface in the future.
Well then, I hope it was an enjoyable read. Take care everyone,
Faerlyte