CHARACTER COUNTER: 2
Chapter 32: A journey is a must
Silence as still as a windless night followed Captain Sephyr's report. Penelo had made herself sit down on one of the chairs in front of Ashe's desk, Vaan stood behind her, meeting her worried eyes. They looked over to Larsa who stood so still, despite Basch's reassuring hand on his shoulder. Ashe had walked away from the group to stare out at the ruins of Bahamut once more.
'What happened after, Captain?" Penelo dared to ask, not understanding why Sephyr refused to tell how he managed to escape Scipio's pursuit and end up in Dalmasca.
"Does it matter?" Vaan interjected quickly, throwing an apologetic glance at the slightly ruffled Sephyr. "What are we going to do? This is nethicite all over again. And for once, Balthier and Fran are not here. How will we learn what we are up against?"
Penelo shook her head. "That's not all. What about Archades? The army is now with this Senator. What will happen if he decides to attack Dalmasca?"
"Rozzaria will not stand by idle in this," Basch added his voice into the mix.
Larsa closed his eyes, in attempt to shut out all the noise. "Quiet." He whispered. He stood up from his seat and moved away from them. "I need to think."
"I once made a vow," the young emperor said in a strained voice, his head bowed, his fists clenched. "That I shall do everything within my power to bring the Archadian Empire into an age of peace. Into an age in which my people would no longer have to cower from those higher from them, for we will be equal. An age where the other peoples of Ivalice will not speak the name of Archadia in contempt, where my people can live with them with no thoughts of war or strife. Ever since I made that vow, it seems that fate desire to strip me away from any opportunities in fulfilling it."
"We are the arbiters of our destiny," Ashe spoke softly and Larsa turned to look at her.
"I understand what it is you are going through, Larsa. It is not an easy feat, to attempt and fulfill your duties to your country and home. It is a job not fit for hearts and wills weaker than our own. But do understand that whatever path you choose to take, whether to surrender or fight this evil, your friends will be able to help you. Your charge is not necessarily a charge you need to bear alone," a small wistful smile came upon her face as Larsa looked up hopefully.
"I have learned that much in three years," Ashe added and Penelo and Basch exchanged glances and Vaan looked at her disbelievingly.
"Thank you." Larsa said and the gratitude he felt was obvious in his tone and face. The boy emperor turned to look at Sephyr now.
"You are certain that Senator Vladimir spoke of another deifacted nethicite?" he said now, his tone falling once more into the role of Emperor. Sephyr nodded in reply. " He spoke of another pure deifacted nethicite apart from the Sun Cryst." The Captain looked at the party when they all expressed reactions of surprise and disbelief.
"You are familiar then, my lord of this Sun Cryst." It was not a question, but Basch chose to answer.
"The late Doctor Cid was lost to this Cryst."
Sephyr nodded. He was familiar of the rumors surrounding "Demented" Cid's death.
"To have another nethicite of equal power would be very dangerous, not only to Archadia but for all Ivalice." Ashe interjected folding her arms and frowning again.
"Remember what Fran said?" Penelo piped in. "How a nethicite like the Sun Cryst would be able to destroy Ivalice if the person holding it wants to? " There was more than fear in her voice and Vaan quickly placed a hand on her arm to calm her down.
"I don't want another Bahamut, Vaan." She said in a small voice but everyone in the room heard it. Vaan placed an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry. There won't be once we're on the job, right Larsa?"
Vaan's dusty blue eyes met Larsa's bright ones and the boy nodded. "I will find this nethicite before it reaches the hands of Ortal or his minions. It disgusts me to find out that Judge Majister Scipio could easily give an entire army into the hands of a madman just for money."
"He sounds like a pirate to me," Vaan cut in and blushed sheepishly when everyone looked at him. He shrugged. "Well he does,"
"And a pirate could be defeated only by another pirate," Basch added with a small smile that even Larsa looked up at his small jest.
Vaan nodded eagerly. "Right. And since I'm the only other pirate around here—"
"Excuse me?" Penelo nudged him painfully in the ribs.
"Ouch, Penelo that hurts," Vaan said hissing and rubbing his side, but Penelo continued to look at him darkly that he was forced to relent.
"Like I was saying," he said rolling his eyes. "Since Penelo and I are the only other pirates around here, I guess it's up to us to help you Larsa, as friends of course and in honor of the code."
Larsa smiled, his eyebrows raised and arms folded as if to say, "Oh really?" but Vaan just nodded his head vigorously and rubbed his nose, doing that familiar gesture once more.
"Yep. It's what we do, right Penelo?" the young man turned to look at Penelo but she was all wrapped up in her giggles that she did not answer.
"Where shall we find the location of this nethicite?" Basch, as usual, becomes the voice of reason in the group. He turned to meet Sephyr's eyes but the Captain just shook his head. "I failed to acquire that piece of information for they did not divulge it."
Basch sighed and looked at Larsa. "Where do you think we should look, your Excellency?"
A silence fell over at the group again as they considered this question. Penelo has stopped her giggling and adopted that worried look on her face again as she looked at Larsa's serious mien.
After a few moments, the Queen of Dalmasca spoke, her voice bearing the hint of the old Ashe they knew and not just the ruling body of Dalmasca.
"The Garif are adept in magicite lore, if I remember." She turned to meet their surprised eyes. "Though it may be slim." She added a bit bitterly. "Perhaps they have heard at least stories of this new nethicite that might help." She made to call one of her messengers.
"I shall send word over to the Garif village immediately to come to Rabanastre."
Stunned silence filled the room and even Vaan had no argument to answer to her.
"You will help us?' Penelo asked dumbfounded, forgetting her anger and her regret at Larsa for a minute to look surprised at Ashe.
Ashe merely nodded, her lips drawn into a firm line, an expression they were familiar with. It usually meant she was serious about what she was saying and there was no room for hesitation and doubt.
"Jahara is only a few hours away; my messenger shall arrive this evening if I send him there now." The queen turned once more to General Venitol. "You know what must be done," she spoke to him as if this had been a thought for some time. Again, the General just nodded and left the room, this time for good.
"Lord Larsa," she spoke now, looking at the young Emperor. "I would like to extend my invitation to let you stay here in the palace, under Dalmascan protection. Do not worry, I am not arresting you," she added at the look of alarm on both Vaan and Penelo's face. "I would like to return the help you have given me in restoring my kingdom. I am not as heartless and ungrateful as some people think." Her voice was serious but her eyes, for once were twinkling in mirth. She gazed wistfully outside through the large window and said, "Dalmasca does not forget good or ill deed done to her. By her sword she seeks to slay or defend." She closed her eyes for a moment, welcoming a gentle gust of wind, and continued, "However, if you doubt me that much, Vaan and Penelo you are as welcome to stay here until Lord Larsa is ready to depart. I am sure that you intend to help him in this quest as well?" she looked at Penelo instead of Vaan.
Penelo merely nodded and Vaan folded his arms. "We never forget our friends," was all he said before looking at Larsa and Penelo. "Besides, someone has to look after these two, right Basch?" the hunter looked at the older Judge Majister, ignoring both the young Emperor's blush and his partner's protests.
The older man, much to everybody's surprise, nodded and smiled as well. "An Emperor must not go un-chaperoned." Was all he said, his smile visible through his slight beard.
"What?" Penelo asked aghast. "What do you take me for, Basch?"
This time, the Judge Majister did not say anything despite Penelo's insistence and merely looked aloof and detached once more. Larsa glanced at them and a hint of a smile appeared on his face. He turned once more to look at Ashe.
"Thank You, your Majesty." He said bowing to her from the waist. Ashe merely nodded with a smile of her own before calling one of the maids to look for rooms for her guests.
"You will have a long journey ahead of you and I'm sure you would not want to be uncomfortable in your sleeping arrangements before they are due." She smiled enigmatically once more to them before turning, returning to her work but not before she demanded that all of them must be present for dinner that evening, even Captain Sephyr.
Penelo and Vaan exchanged glances as they followed Larsa and Basch out of Ashe's study. Vaan looked confused, but Penelo was smiling happily.
"I'm not the only one who's flirting around here," was all she said before running ahead, this time leaving a flustered and red-faced Vaan in her wake.
