And we're back. Welcome to chapter 2 of Enlighten Me, which I took forever to update because I've been working on other stuff. This story is rated T, for strong cursing. Slight Bal/Vaan, but not a lot. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy.
Enlighten Me
Chapter 2
Push it Away
"I can't move another step," moaned Penelo as she dropped to the sopping wet ground of the Giza Plains, "I'm NOT moving until I catch my breath." The pirate scowled at the interruption as Ashe also plopped down, panting. He scanned the area for potential threats as his other two companions savored their break, it was the first he'd let them have in hours. Ever since the death of his father he'd developed a personal interest in the quest, whereas before he'd just been along for the ride in hopes of a big payout in the end. The rain pelted down on him, soaking his white shirt through until it clung desperately to his skin. His hair had matted to his forehead, and he pushed it back with a ringed hand, "We should get moving," he barked, earning an aggravated sigh from the others. It had been going on this way for days now, the pirate insisted on leading the group, and any fiend who came within eyesight of the brunette he attacked. They had been going out three at a time mostly, attempting to gain battle experience, which the girls especially needed. Instead of switching out two groups of three, Balthier insisted on leading both parties, letting the others switch themselves out whenever they got too tired. "I can't, Balthier," whimpered Penelo, "I just can't." The pirate sighed, "Go back to camp, both of you," he said, glancing from Penelo to Ashe, "Send back Basch and Fran in your places." "Don't you think you should come back too?" questioned Ashe, attempting to push her blonde hair out of her eyes. "No, just do as I say," snapped Balthier, shocking the princess a little by his tone.
"And you couldn't convince him to even come back and rest a while?" asked Fran, gathering her bow and quiver. "He wouldn't even discuss it," said Penelo as she nearly collapsed by the fire in their makeshift shelter. "We'd best not keep him waiting," said Basch, "if he were to be ambushed alone out there it would not bode well for him, especially in his condition."
Balthier sat on a rock by himself, waiting for Basch and Fran so that he could lose himself in another few hours of battle. He shivered slightly, trying to remember the last time he'd been completely warm and dry. His eyes ached with exhaustion, but he had been unable to sleep for the last few days. Every time he finally drifted off into slumber he was awakened by nightmares unlike any he had ever had before…
"What in Shemhazai's name where you thinking Ffamran?" bellowed his father as the young judge stood motionless before him, his head bowed in a mixture of respect and slight fear. "I…I suppose I wasn't thinking Father," he replied weakly, assuming it was what his father wanted to hear, "I'm sorry." "You're not a child anymore Ffamran!" yelled his father as he tossed a book down forcefully onto his desk, "Sorry isn't going to cut it!" "I just thought…since…you know today is…" stammered the young man, still not daring to look up at his father. "What?" questioned the old man forcefully. "Mom's birthday," the brunette whispered, finally risking a glance up, regretting it immediately. His father, nearly shaking with anger, stomped over to where his son stood, and without warning slapped him as hard as he could across the face, "You don't mention her Ffamran!" he bellowed, grabbing him by his shoulders and shaking him harshly, "She is dead to us! Do you hear me?" Ffamran didn't move, didn't dare to lift his hand to his throbbing face, "Yes, Father," he muttered, tasting blood on his lip. That seemed to satisfy the old man, and he walked back and sat at his desk as if his son where not in the room at all. Ffamran turned to leave the room when he heard his father call to him, "Ffamran…" and for a moment he thought perhaps his father was going to say he was sorry, that just maybe there would be a small gap in his madness and the loving father he had known when he was little would return. "Ffamran!" his father called again, this time in a much more stern voice, "Don't ever skip your official duty for such nonsense again or I'll beat you until you can no longer stand." He observed the casual way his father said this, not even bothering to look up, and he knew he had to leave this place for good. He wanted to tell the old man that he hated him, that he wished he were dead, but all he managed to squeak out was a small, "Yes, Sir," before turning and leaving the room.
Balthier opened his eyes, forcing the painful memory into the back of his mind. He stood up as he heard the others approach him, and twirled his whale whisker with his ringed fingers and placed it on his back, "Let's move," he barked at the others, "We don't have much time before it gets dark." Basch and Fran looked at each other, and said nothing, but followed the pirate through the rain silently…
To be continued…
Hope you enjoyed, dedicated to my bf who is a Dr. Cid fan. Reviews are polite!