Author's Notes: Hi everyone! Sorry about the delay in updating. I've been sitting on this chapter for some time now and adding a couple paragraphs here and there when I could but classes really get you down at times. Either way, we're back in business (I hope) and the next update will hopefully be coming in a much more timely manner.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy does not belong to me. I just use their characters for my personal amusement, and (hypothetically) the enjoyment of other people.

The Promise

Chapter 2: Into the Ice

"How are we going to get out of this Mist?" Steiner whined, pacing anxiously around the fire. "It cannot be good for the Princess' health. And considering her already fragile state, we cannot take risks."

"According to my map, there's a cavern not too far from here. It should take us above the Mist," Blank responding, jabbing a portion of the map energetically. "If we can get above the Mist, we should be able to find an airship to take us to Lindblum," he added, nodding towards Garnet.

"Lindblum? You scruffy thief, we are returning to the castle!" Steiner said angrily, turning to shake a fist at Blank. "And there you will be hanged for kidnapping the Princess! Enjoy your freedom while you can."

"Steiner." Garnet said firmly. "I left the palace of my own accord and have no intention of returning there now. It is very important that I reach Lindblum swiftly."

"That's right!" Blank said. "And we're gonna get you there as fast as we can, Princess. Just leave it all to me."

"My thanks, Blank," Garnet said, smiling for the dark-haired man.

"Um…" Vivi said meekly from his side of the fire. "Can I come with you all to Lindblum? I don't have anywhere else to go."

"Why of course, Master Vivi. Your presence is much more welcomed than this dirty thief," Steiner said, beckoning Vivi closer. "We shall rely on your black magic to make our way through this awful Mist."

The rest of the morning was spent in relative silence. First Blank, then Garnet and finally Vivi took their turns in front of the Evil Forest, saying a quiet good bye to Zidane. Steiner resolutely refused to have any words for their unlikely savior and sat stoically by the fire until everyone else was prepared to leave.

"So we'll just head due south," Blank explained to Garnet, holding the map out for her inspection. "I've never been to through this cavern, but it should take us out somewhere near the Lindblum border. And from there, we can either try to cross on foot or find an airship to take us across."

"I see…" Garnet said slowly. "I have faith in you, Blank, to find a way to Lindblum."

Despite the relatively close proximity to the cavern, the journey from the Evil Forest took almost the entire day due to the heavy strain of monsters that attacked the party and Garnet's relative weakness because of her ordeal within the Evil Forest. Because of this, they had to break almost every hour to rest and regain some strength.

At about midday, Blank called another break, settling in a small cluster of trees to offer a small piece of protection from both the sun and monsters.

Steiner, despite having served in the Alexandrian army for eighteen years, flopped himself down ungracefully, removing his helmet and heaving out a loud breath. "What a long, exhausting day…" he grumbled. "And it seems as though we barely moved at all from the God-forsaken Evil Forest."

"It's slow going, but it always is when you're in the Mist," Blank replied, tugging off a boot. "Garnet, I never knew the royal heir to the Alexandrian throne could use magic… does it run in your family?"

"No other relative that I can think of has a command of either the White Magic or the Eidolons…" Garnet said slowly. "I am unsure of where my abilities came from, but I am thankful for it."

"Eidolons? The mythical creatures from the summoning tribes?" Blank asked in light amazement. "You can summon them? I'm impressed. Zidane really knew how to pick 'em…" He was halfway through a laugh before it caught on the edge of his lips and he sighed.

"What are Eidolons? And summoning tribes?" Vivi asked curiously, propping his elbows up on his knees.

"The Eidolons are creatures, as Blank stated, who can be summoned to the aid of the summoner. It takes a great deal of learning and skill before you can safely summon an Eidolon without doing yourself or the Eidolon harm," Garnet explained, turning to look at Vivi. "In many cases, the ability to summon Eidolons falls down through the generations, and remained within certain families. In the past, these families would gather together and form tribes to tend to each other and ensure that the magic was never diluted. But the summoning tribes disappeared and all record of them wiped from history. It is very odd."

"So where do you fit into all of this?" Blank asked lazily, wiggling his bare toes in the grass.

"I do not know the origins of my summoning, as I stated, but is an innate ability. It takes learning in order to accomplish the feat safely, but learning alone cannot make one a summoner. You must be born with the blood," Garnet further explained. "It is a blood that the Eidolons can recognize and communicate with. When you summon, it sings through your blood, similar to when you cast spells, only it is stronger. The feeling reverberates through your entire body until the creature comes forth. It can be both a thrilling and frightening feeling."

"But you haven't summoned anything since we started on our trip…" Vivi said slowly. "Can you only summon them at certain times, or when you're in a specific type of danger?"

Garnet was silent for a moment before she responded. "I do not summon often," she said. "It is a gift for emergencies. Besides, it greatly weakens me to the point where I cannot even use white magic. You must always be careful when summoning because it relies on your specific strength. I must grow stronger before trying to summon in seriousness, or with so much on the line."

Blank looked about the small group, taking everyone in. Garnet sat gracefully in the grass, her slender legs stretched out before her. He had not noticed before this moment what a lovely set of legs the Princess had, or how well they were shown through the orange jumpsuit and blouse combination that she wore. Her title as Alexandria's most beautiful Princess was not exaggerated. Vivi was seated not far from Garnet, crouched down as he shifted his gaze between Garnet and the grass. Steiner, their knight protector, had fallen asleep during their conversation on Eidolons and was flat on his back, snoring noisily.

"Jeez, I don't envy who has to share a tent with Rusty tonight," Blank said, motioning to Steiner. "It sounds like he's murdering Mus…"

Garnet laughed, shaking her head. "Will we be forced to camp out this evening?" she asked plaintively.

"For your own safety, Garnet, we will camp outside of the Cavern," Blank replied. "We shouldn't explore caves when it's dark out. Too dangerous. It is in the evenings that the Mist is the strongest, and the monsters come out in full force. But if we build a small enough camp, we'll be just fine. They're too stupid to bother tents usually."

A perplexed look appeared on Garnet's face as she nodded slowly. "I see… though I admit curiosity as to why the tents offer protection. They are so incredibly lightweight."

Blank chuckled, "It's a logic I haven't figured out myself." He sat in silence for a moment and then rose to his feet, reaching down to offer Garnet a hand up. "We should start moving again. I want to at least make it to the cavern before the sun sets and I'd say we still have another few hours to go."

Garnet very hesitantly reached out to grasp Blank's hand, her slender fingers enveloped by the larger, rougher set. Though he typically wore gloves, at their break he had shed them as quickly as his boots. It was the first time she had ever really had skin-to-skin contact with a man not related to her and it sent a small shiver down her spine.

"I… I thank you," Garnet said, her voice shaking slightly as she looked up to Blank. His six-foot frame, though still lean, easily overshadowed her petite five foot two.

"Are you alright?" Blank asked, looking confused. He watched her briefly and then shrugged. "Why don't you go rouse Vivi and Steiner while I map out our best course of action," he suggested, pointing to the still sleeping knight and the dozing mage.

As Garnet moved off to comply with is orders, Blank sank back down into the grass to pull on his boots, slowly flexing the hand that had come in contact with hers, a strange smile resting on his lips.

***

He is so unusual… Garnet thought to herself as they walked along the valley. He is practical, yet adventuresome. Strong, yet gentle. She smiled as she watched Blank walk ahead of her, studying the map in earnest.

The entire group was snapped out of their private thoughts as two pythons came slithering up to the group, tails lashing angrily behind them as a sure sign of an imminent battle. They hissed, but kept a small distance as they examined their prey.

Blank was quickly to arms, withdrawing his sword with his own hiss of metal against metal. He was swift, calculated, and above all else, calm in the sight of danger.

"Garnet, stand back and heal as needed. Vivi, I need you to focus ice magic to the python on the left. Steiner, you and I will take the one on the right," Blank shouted, bobbing back and forth, looking for an opening. "Everyone, go!"

Despite Steiner's lack of respect for Blank, he could see a born leader when he saw one and nodded to the directions, heaving out his own broadsword with a grunt. With a swift battle cry, he launched himself at the python, swinging the heavy blade down across its back, drawing a greenish blood.

It was a swift battle that ended in triumph. And as they did a brief victory dance, a third python slithered up behind them, its cold yellow gaze focused on Garnet.

Blank half turned to pull Garnet into the bright mood of festivity for a battle so easily won when he noticed the danger of the third python.

"Garnet, look out!" Blank shouted, sprinting towards her while drawing on the small dagger he kept tucked away on the back of his belt for emergencies. His sword was too hefty to draw and run at the same time.

Garnet looked around her and stumbled backwards with a swift cry of fright as the python loomed above her. But the strike never landed on her body. Blank had barreled himself into the python's body, forcing it away from the frightened princess. He rolled around, wrestling the monster to a safe distance away from Garnet before springing back to his feet, dagger in hand.

The python hissed furiously, a long line of greenish blood dripping from its side. It lashed out at Blank, who raised the dagger to block before reaching out with his other hand to grasp the hilt of his sword, heaving it out in a swift, practiced motion. There was such a power to it that as he brought it across the python's flesh, he actually cleaved it in two. The pieces wriggled uselessly for a solid minute for finally fading themselves into the blood-soaked grass.

Blank leaned heavily upon his sword, holding onto the wound just below his left elbow with a grimace. He was usually more careful in his attacks to avoid wounds such as these, but he had thrown caution to the wind upon seeing Garnet almost attacked.

"Damn…" he muttered under his breath as the rest of the party gathered around him.

"Are you alright, Blank?" Vivi asked, his golden eyes wide in concern.

"Yeah… I'm great," Blank replied hoarsely. "Let's get moving again."

"You are not alright," Garnet argued. "Just look at your arm. Come here and let me heal you."

Blank grimaced once more but obeyed his commands and slunk over to Garnet. "It's nothing, really… I've had far worse." His words contradicted the look of pain that was ravaging across his face, or the flush that had started to appear.

Garnet's touch against his bare arm was light as she probed the wound. She frowned, but concentrated harder on it. Her fingers ran up and down the entire length of his arm, and she privately marveled at the sculpted muscle before returning her attention to the matter at hand.

"It's infected," she finally stated. "There must have been a venom in its attack that is now flooding your system. We have to set up camp here for the night and let Blank recover his strength."

"No, we have to keep going," Blank replied, shaking his head. "Just use a cure on me or something. It'll be fine."

"It's only a short term relief. The venom, unless it has a chance to be slowly removed from your body, will continue to weaken you until your systems start to shut down," Garnet argued. "Even with Panacea, it's risky to keep moving…"

"Just do it, Garnet," Blank snapped. "We're wasting time. It's not far to the cavern anyway. Maybe an hour or two."

Garnet bristled under the harsh tone but stepped closer and rested a hand just above the wound. There was a soft glow from her fingertips before the entire area was covered in a warm light. The wound looked less sickly and green, but still had an inflamed look to it. She sighed and then cast cure on Blank to seal the wound up.

"This is a bad idea…" Garnet muttered, tossing back her long black hair. "You will be in so much pain by the end of traveling today that you will wish to just run yourself through on your sword."

"Princess! Those are words hardly suited for one of such royal stature," Steiner scolded of his charge, but turned to Blank. "Her Highness is correct, however. I have experienced the agony of traveling while poisoned, and without the soothing abilities of a white mage at my side. You should listen to what she has to say."

Blank just shook his head. "Everyone start moving. There's a lot of ground we need to make up. I don't want to hear anymore about this stupid wound or how much pain I may be in by the time we stop."

Silence was his answer. But that response was enough for Blank. He hefted himself back onto his feet, grunting as he slowly rotated his arm. "Let's go. With luck, we can shave the trip down to an hour and a half."

***

"So this is the cavern…" Steiner said, looking as far up as he could. Mist clung to the edges of the cliff rock, but sunlight could be seen glinting through the haze.

"Um…" Vivi said hesitantly as he plodded up from examining one of the flowers frozen by ice. "Have you all heard of the Ice Cavern? It's supposed to be near the Evil Forest."

"I've heard of it," Garnet chimed in, though she kept a worried eye on Blank who was clearly favoring the injured arm, keeping it cradled against his body. "It is supposed to be a beautiful place covered entirely by ice. Do you think this is it?"

Vivi nodded. "My grandpa told me about this place. He said it would take travelers above the Mist."

"Bravo!" Steiner said, waving a triumphant fist. "Master Vivi's grandfather must be quite a scholar. We shall have to thank him upon our return to Alexandria."

"My grandpa used to teach me lots of things, but he passed away…" Vivi said. Though there was no way to gauge the expression on his face, sadness radiated from him.

"My apologies, Master Vivi, I did not know…" Steiner stammered, bowing his head.

"It's okay…" Vivi replied, adjusting his hat. "You didn't know."

Garnet studied the entrance to the cavern in great detail before finally nodding. "We should set up a camp over there," she said, pointing towards a corner that was sheltered by two cliffs and had the advantage of a small overhang. "Steiner? Can you and Vivi see to the camp?"

Steiner saluted. "At once, Princess."

The princess smiled before turning to focus her attention on Blank, hands rising to rest on her hips. "Sit down, Blank. Please." The final word was ground out with as much civility as she could muster, though anger and annoyance still crept in.

Blank half collapsed onto a low rock ledge, ignoring the creeping cold that started to seep into the seat of his pants from the snow.

"Let me see your arm," Garnet instructed, carefully removing her gloves and tucking them into her belt.

The thief reluctantly stuck out the injured arm, wincing as Garnet's expression darkened.

"Oh, Blank…" Garnet said with a sigh. She reached out slowly to touch the inflamed wound, which was threatening to reopen.

As her gently probing fingers touched the wound, Blank jerked back his arm with a hiss. "Damn it, that hurt!"

"If you had simply listened to me earlier, this would not have happened…" Garnet said with a sigh. "I will do what I can, but even magic cannot fix everything. I think I can heal it, but you will always suffer a pain in that arm. You should be fortunate that it is not your sword arm. You must hold very still… what I am going to do will help a great deal, but you will feel agony while I do it."

Blank just nodded, holding out his arm again. "Just do what you have to do. I trust you, Garnet."

"May I see your knife?" Garnet asked, holding out a hand.

"Knife? Oh, you mean my dagger?" Blank replied, reaching slowly behind him to unsheath said item. "All knives this size are called daggers. Those a bit longer are called short swords. If you have a sword that you have to grasp with both hands…"

"Yes, thank you…" Garnet interrupted. "Your dagger then." She offered a reassuring smile. "I have read many books on medicine and specifically field medicine," she explained. "Though I was never allowed, the art of healing has always held a great interest to me. It is one reason it gladdens me that I was given the gift of white magic."

"Maybe that's why you were given the gift of white magic," Blank pointed out, gently laying the hilt of the dagger in Garnet's waiting hand. "I think you were always meant to be more than just the Princess of Alexandria, even though that's important too…"

Garnet offered Blank a soft smile, one full of gentleness and perhaps even a hint of affection. "Thank you, Blank… you have always been so kind to me, even though you did not have to be. I apologize for any trouble that I may have caused, or for any hurts that may fall upon my shoulders."

Blank just shook his head. "It's nothing, Garnet. You can believe that kidnapping you has been the most interesting my life has gotten in a very long time. And that's saying something. Go ahead and do what you need to do. Before Rusty and Vivi finish making camp."

Garnet nodded and gently grasped Blank's arm just below the wound with a surprising strength. "The poison is festering beneath the skin," she explained as she pressed the knife-point against the beginning of the wound. Normally, she would have been concerned about the dagger being sanitary, but she had watched earlier how carefully Blank had cleaned his blades.

"Be still…" Garnet murmured. "This will hurt, I know."

True to her words, in the next instant, Garnet dug the sharp edge down into the barely closed over wound, neatly cutting it from end to end. Instead of blood spilling free, it was a dark stain of foulness. The venom from the earlier python had practically curdled the blood, giving off a strong stench that would roll the stomach. Blank groaned in pain as the remains of the blood ran free.

"I will have to bleed you… we must get the last of the venom out," Garnet said quietly. "I fear you will become feverish soon… I suppose it is good that we are camped near the Ice Cavern. No worries of finding you cold compresses." She cracked a weak smile before gently brushing her fingers over the open wound, completely ignoring the blood that stained her fingers.

"Panacea…" Garnet murmured, casting the spell directly into the bloodstream. She sat in silence for the next five minutes before casting the spell again. And then again. She continued to repeat this process until Steiner returned to their side.

"Princess…" Steiner said quietly, careful to not wake Blank who had fallen into a restless doze. "We have set up the camp and gotten a small fire going. You should rest now."

Garnet shook her head, "Someone must watch over Blank," she replied. "Do you think you could carry him to the fire? He must be kept warm through this evening while given regular courses of cure and panacea. If all goes well, his blood should be clean by tomorrow, or at least enough that he can travel safely."

"If it were not for your wisdom and foresight, Princess, I am sure he would have been dead by now," Steiner said in earnest. "The thief now owes you his life."

"Hush, Steiner," Garnet scolded quietly. "We are now even. He saved my life, and now I have saved his. There is no debt for such a thing."

Steiner shook his head, "But Princess! If it had not been for those thieves, you would not have needed rescuing in the first place."

Garnet merely shrugged her shoulders, rising slowly to her feet. With a silent motion of her hand, Steiner bent to pick up Blank and carry him back to the camp, settling him before the fire. The princess stood and watched from afar before turning her back and looking in the direction that Alexandria Castle stood.

"Mother… why did you fire on the theater ship? How could you have let so many people be hurt? All just to save me?" Garnet whispered to herself, her head bowing down. She shook her head, and turned to follow Steiner towards the camp.

***

"Okay!" Blank said triumphantly, standing in front of the Ice Cavern. "In we go." He slowly flexed his injured arm, scowling to himself.

"Are you sure you're okay, Blank?" Vivi asked, tilting his head to the side.

"No, Vivi, I'm okay," Blank replied. "Last night did a lot of good. My arm is just going to be sore for a little while, so don't you worry about a thing. It was my own fault for not stopping when Garnet said that we should have." He even sketched a small bow towards the Alexandrian Princess as he spoke.

Garnet offered Blank a slightly startled look but bowed in return.

"Is there a reason you insist on keeping the Princess in this abominably cold location for a reason?" Steiner asked testily as he teetered up to the rest of the group. "This weather will not be good for the Princess's health. Please, let us carry on."

"Steiner's right. Let's get moving people!" Blank agreed. He shivered slightly and led the way forward into the ice.