Chapter 10 The Kingslayer
Every little boy or girl in Archadia with high hopes for their future dreamed of one day
donning the armour of the judge. It was 50 years ago when they were first formed. Archadia
was just begining to throw it's weight around and there was an outbreak in crime throughout
the Empire. To combat this Emperor Gramis formed the ordo Imperiosus Sentio, the Imperial
order of Judges. Every year a handful of the most elite Archadian soldiers were hand picked by house
Solidor to join the ranks of these knights, their mission was simple. To uphold the peace and justice
throughout the Empire, and all Judges dream of one day becoming a judge magister. Of the average
150 judges in the Archadian army only five are chosen to govern the millitary aspects of Archadia
under the direct control of the Emperor. One for espionage and information, one for the Army, one
for the navy, One for the skyfleet and one for economics and politics. No matter their directive
however each judge commanded significant force both physical and magickal. All the soldiers
bowed before the judge as he walked down the stairs to the dungeon for he was at the top of the ladder.
The highest rank it was possible to achieve in the Imperial armed forces.
"That's enought Ba'gamnan." The judge bellowed to the arguing Bangaa. Both he and the commander he was
fighting with instantly stood to attention.
"The Emperor is willing to overlook race for his more talented servants." The judge said cooly. "However, Those
who show no respect will recieve none in kind."
"Your honour I..." Ba'gamnan began.
"You travel freely through our lands because the Emporer wills it so." The knight continued. "Am I correct."
The bounty hunter glared into the cold metalic eyes of the helmet before bowing his head in surrender. The
judge walked away without another word, the commander at his side.
"Is the captain ready." the judge murmered to the officer.
"He's in solitary ready for interrogation." The commander replied.
The judge nodded curtly and the two of them left the room.
Vaan, Balthier and Fran finally stopped to catch their breath, they had been running ever since the judge
had appeared.
"What was that?" Vaan wheezed.
"I do believe." Panted Balthier. "That was Judge Magister Gabranth. Only seen him once before but no
one could forget headgear that ridiculous." Vaan shook his head.
"No, the green bangaa."
"Oh, that was Ba'gamnan. Ran into him a few years ago in Archadia and he's been after me aver since."
"He's a bounty hunter." Fran added when Vaan still looked confused.
"Oh and Fran." Balthier said suddenly. "Have you found us a way out?" Fran nodded.
"Through the oubliette, there is a current of wind. It must come out somewhere." She looked uncomfortable.
"But we will need to follow the judge to get through."
"What!" Vaan exclaimed. "You can't just follow a judge. Why can't we just go."
"Because," Said Fran testily. "The magicks binding the oubliette are strong. By the time I create a strong
enough spell we'll be surrounded by soldiers."
"So we get the judge to open it for us." Finished Balthier. "Mind you we may need to stop off in this room." He said
pointing at a stone doorway in the corridor. "The prison repositary of wrested relics and raiments." Vaan looked puzzled.
"You mean our stuff is in there?" He asked.
"Thats what I said." said Balthier lightly.
Vaan struggled with the armour he was wrestling with. Balthier had insisted he wear some so he could be a
human shield at least. He had also picked Balthier's gun out of the pile of weapons, curiosity overcame him as he
turned the device over in his hands trying to figure out how to work it. Suddenly several things happened. First the gun
gave a great bang that echoed around the chamber, next a great toungue of flame erupted from the snout, finally
the gun gave a great leap in his arms and Vaan heard a dull crunch. All three of them were silent as they listened for the
soldiers rushing to their position. Silence. Balthier was the first to relax, he strode over to Vaan and snatched the gun from
his limp arm.
"Word of advice." He snapped. "Don't do that again." Fran came to his side and muttered a few arcane words, her hands
began to glow green and she held them against Vaan's ruined arm. Vaan felt a curious itching sensation
as the magick got to work followed by total relief, withing a few minutes his arm was good as new.
"Woah," He said flexing his limb. "Fran, you're really good."
"Thank you." She said stiffly as she walked away.
Balthier had strapped his armour on and was just about to leave the room when something caught his eye. An elegant
sword with a hardened leather sheath. It was a rapier, thin and curved but unbelievably fast. It brought back memories.
"It couldn't hurt." He said to himself as he picked up the weapon and strapped it to his hip.
Fran had found all of her equipment and had selected a cloak and hood from the pile to show at least a little modesty.
Vaan found his knife, and had finally negotiated the chainmail over his head and had strapped a few plates to his
forarms and shins. He had also chosen a simple buckler and a curved shortsword.
"Right then, let's get a move on then." Said Balthier cheerily as the group left the room.
After sneaking through the majority of the dungeon almost getting caught more than once, the team had made their way to
the entrance to the oubliette. The door itself was barely visable as it was covered with layer upon layer of metalic vines or
at least that was how it looked. One hundred strikes from a sword could not dent such a defence and the nessisary magick
would surely be noticed. Vaan watched from his hiding place as the judge held his hand towards the door and
uttered three arcane words. For a few seconds nothing happened and Vaan started to think that he had somehow
misscast the spell. Then the was a creaking noise, the squeaky creaking noise of metal bending. Slowly the vines
retreated into the sides of the door to reveal a blinding light, all but the judge turned away unable to bear the brightness.
Then the light died, and the door slowly opened. The judge stood up and walked through without another word. The soldiers
followed.
"Come on." Barked Balthier as the vines began growing again. As the door slammed shut once again the small party barely
made it through, but to where had they arrived. The oubliette was where the most dangerous criminals were kept in cages,
but it was the deepest part of the fortress. How was going deeper in going to get them out? Vaan tried not to think about that and
strode to the edge of the balcony where he saw the judge bellow, standing just in front of a cage where a prisoner was strung up.
Then to his shock the judge reached up, and removed his helmet. Never was an Imperial allowed to remove his helmet. His eyes
met with a surprisingly young face and short blonde hair. But what he didn't realise at first was what Fran and Balthier saw imediately.
The faces of the judge and the prisoner were practically identical.
Judge Gabranth removed his helmet. It was only fitting considering the situation.
"You have grown very thin Basch." He stated plainly. Vaan froze, it couldn't be. He was dead, all of Dalmasca knew it.
A surge of boiling hate rose up inside him and it took every ounce of self control he had not to launch himself at the caged man.
Judge Gabranth spoke again. "Less than a shadow, less than a man. Sentenced to death and yet you live, why?"
The man in the cage was thin yet there was evidence of greatness. His naked torso bore countless scars from countless
battles. His skin sagged over his bones where once great muscles held it taught. He lifted his bearded face.
"To silence Ondore." He hissed. "How many times must I say it."
"Is that all?" Asked Gabranth quietly.
"Why don't you ask Vayne himself?" Spat Basch. "Is he not one of your masters?" Gabranth glared at him
for an instant but then his face softened.
"A woman from the resistance was caught." He said matter-of-factly. "She is being brought here. Her name is Amalia."
If Basch gave a reaction Vaan didn't see it but Gabranth clearly saw something because he persisted.
"Who could that be?" He asked slowly. Basch looked straight into Gabranth's eyes and said nothing. The judge scoffed.
"Such a faithful hound to cling to the scraps of a fallen kingdom." He said patronisingly. Basch shot a glare back at him.
"Better than throwing it away." He returned. Gabranth stared at him for a moment, then replaced his helmet.
"Throw it away? Just like you abandoned our homeland?" He said quietly, without waiting for a reply
he left Basch hanging in his cage.
It took Vaan several seconds to move. This man in front of him, this man who was supposed to be dead was the
man who had killed the king, deserted Dalmasca and betrayed his brother to his death. Balthier however was already
swaggering towards the cage as if he owned the place. The caged figure stirred.
"Who's there?" He barked at the darkness around him. Balthier hesitated, then stepped into the light. He ignored
the prisoner and inspected the room.
"Fran," He called, at his command the vierra strode from the shadows. "Is this the place?" She closed her eyes
for a moment.
"Yes, the mist is flowing through this room. It must be going somewhere." She said after a time.
"Well I don't pretend to know about mist," Said Balthier, traces of annoyance in his voice. "Just tell me it leads out."
"Your no Imperials are you?" Came the gruff voice from the cage. "You must get me out of here."
"It's against my policy to speak with the dead." Balthier cut across him. "Especially when they happen to be kingslayers."
Basch turned his head away.
"I did not kill him." He said quietly.
"Is that so, glad to hear it." Balthier said sarcastically. "Now please be quiet so we can get out of here." Unwilling to
give up the prisoner continued.
"Please, you must get me out of here, for the sake of Dalmasca." Balthier was about to reply when something streaked
past him, leaped off the floor and latched onto the cage making it sway and creak on it's hinge.
"Dalmasca!" Vaan roared, shaking the bars. "What do you care about Dalmasca. Everything that's happened
is because of you." Balthier tried to pull him down to shut him up but Vaan climbed out of reach. "Everyone whos died,
every single one. Even my brother. You killed him. You killed my brother!"
"Shut up!" Balthier hissed fiercely. "The soldiers will hear." At the very same moment, judge Gabranth burst in through the door.
Fran was the first to see him.
"I'm dropping it." She yelled, she grabbed a stout looking lever and pulled hard. Vaan continued his rant even as Basch's cage
descended into a pit in the center of the room. Fran, nimble as a cat leaped onto the descending cage just as Gabranth swung his
sword at her.
"Pirates without a sky." Balthier complained as he, Fran, Basch, Vaan and the cage descended into the black abyss of the unknown.