Avatar of the Occuria
Chapter 2; Judge Baltheon
Tchita Uplands - four years later
Harry walked in silence beside his surrogate mother, the Judge Magister Drace. The Emperor had handed Harry into her care after his older adoptive brother, Ffamran, had abandoned the Empire and left to seek his own joys. Judge Drace was the only female amongst the Judges and was far beyond the others in wisdom and more importantly, to Harry at least, restraint. She was kind and fair, she never abused her position and protected Harry through the recent years as the Senate tried to remove Harry from his position.
Through her he'd gotten to know the Emperor's youngest son, Larsa, and his eldest remaining son, Vayne, though he didn't really care for the older man. He was arrogant and he was always scheming. Larsa on the other hand had a heart even if he hadn't learnt to hide it yet like Harry had.
Harry had become the perfect Judge Magister, modelled by Drace in morals. He was fair but he was deadly when he needed to be. He was respected for his ability to fight. His magic was greater than any of the Imperial Mages and his own heritage gave him abilities that couldn't be replicated. His ability to make people want to tell him the truth, his Elfish senses that bordered on precognitive and his grace and silentness.
He was patient when he needed to be but blunt and uncaring when it was called for. The other Judges were happy in the knowledge that he was Imperial all the way through but he held the knowledge of his true intentions close to his heart. Even Larsa, who was like a younger cousin to him, didn't know that Harry was only waiting for the moment to come where he'd do what he had been sent here to do. Though Larsa knew he wasn't as ruthless and uncaring as he made himself out to be.
Harry wore different armour to the other Judge Magisters as well. Drace and the others all wore hard metal armour made of hundreds of pieces and always wore helmets when on duty. The Emperor had given Harry permission to wear what he wished as long as he looked the part of a Judge Magister so he'd taken to wearing black hooded cloaks with hard metal on the backs of his elbows, forearms and hands for defence. His greatest advantage was his blurring speed and agility and the more armour he wore the slower he became. The same went for the helmet that the others favoured, the hard metal only distorted his hearing so he preferred to go without. He wore his hood only to protect his identity as an Elf which wasn't common knowledge.
Drace had been worried that Harry wouldn't get the respect needed for a Judge Magister if he didn't wear the normal elaborate armour but his deeds soon spoke for themselves. He was fair but ruthless in his duty to the Empire and the few times he'd been sent by the Emperor to deal with upheaval he'd put it down easily and earned himself a name both in the outlands and amongst their own troops whether they were simply training or fighting.
He'd joined Drace out into the Tchita Uplands for some exercise and they were both grateful for the time out of the city. The Imperial Army was currently invading the neutral kingdom of Nabradia and the politics of the Capital city were coming to a head. Twice assassins had tried to kill Drace. One had died against Drace and the second had died on Harry's Katana. Both had probably been employed by one of the other families of Judge Magisters, one that liked the war far too much to accept Drace's words of restraint to the Emperor.
They didn't speak much as they walked. Drace occasionally made comments about her personal guard around them wearing normal armour apart from the gold trim around the plates of metal. The men kept a respectful distance as they scouted out around them for enemies. They were just coming to a corner in the sheer cliff they were following when Harry stopped at the sound of approaching footsteps. Heavy ones. He signalled to the two men scouting ahead since he didn't want either of them to die. They were loyal to Drace and he didn't want them dead.
They jogged back to him with questioning eyes even if their faces were hidden. "My Lord Judge Magister?" One asked, confusion evident in his words.
"You were about to be ambushed by a Wyrm." Harry spoke quietly as he always did.
The men looked over their shoulders nervously. Wyrms were culled periodically by the Air Fleet but they were left in small numbers to keep the rest of the creatures of the Uplands in check. Foot troops generally ran from them rather than incur the wounds. "What are your orders?" The man asked.
"Judge Drace?" Harry turned to her. "Do you wish for the training or shall we head back?"
"As confident in our victory as I am with you to assist us I think defeating a Wyrm is more exercise than I had planned for today." Drace spoke, her voice muffled through her helmet. "We shall call it a day I believe."
"As you say, My Lady Judge Magister." The man bowed respectfully before signalling to the others.
Harry turned to head back over the three miles to the Atomos skiff that would fly them back to Archades but spoke before they started walking. "I'll say it again, Drace. It's all very much the mouthful."
"Proper respect should never be easy to say. It proves the troops respect you." Drace told him as she had a hundred times.
"Or it is simply because they fear recrimination." Harry told her.
"You sound like your elder brother in his youth." Drace told him.
Harry laughed, the musical sound spreading to their escort who smiled subtly as it lifted their spirits. They liked him. Harry's laugh was cut off as the Song, as he now called it, became ten times louder than normal and changed tone. A second later pain struck him and he cried out in pain before collapsing to his knees. Metal clad arms grabbed him even as he fell to the floor and a few seconds later stronger arms held him up.
"Harry!" Drace grabbed his head and turned it up to look at her. She'd taken off her helmet and he could see the worry there even as another wave of pain struck him. His eyes lost focus.
"It burns!" He hissed with none of the soft tones he normally used.
"Call the Atomos!" The Captain of their escort shouted from next to Harry where he was holding him up.
Harry blacked out and fell completely into the Captain's arms.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A time later - Archades
Harry woke blearily which was odd for him. But it was the presence in his room that made him more aware that something wrong had happened. He'd never slept through somebody entering his room. Theo had learnt early on not to try to sneak into his room. Harry didn't flip out if somebody entered normally but as soon as he'd started training in swordsmanship the few people that had tried to sneak into his room had found themselves with a knife across their throat. Theo once, one spy, one thief and the second assassin after Judge Magister Drace.
Harry tensed, took in the identity of his two visitors and half relaxed. The first, sitting next to the bed, was Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. The younger of the two sons of the Emperor. At ten years old he was as good as Harry's younger cousin. It didn't surprise him that he was lingering at his bedside after he'd collapsed. The second man Harry didn't recognise through his helmet. Probably one of the Emperor's elite guard. Protecting Larsa with his life no doubt.
"Hello, Lord Larsa." Harry greeted as he pulled himself up smoothly. He took stock of his own body with practiced ease and found himself in good condition.
"Judge Magister Baltheon." Larsa greeted back with a relieved smile. He used Harry's public name. Harry was too alien for a Judge Magister of the Empire so it wasn't widely known. Harry had styled it from the name Balthier which only he and his older brother knew. It was his way of making sure that Balthier never thought he'd chosen his duty over his heart. Larsa turned to look at the guard. "I'm in good hands now."
The guard looked uncertain so Harry turned to him. "I'll take full responsibility for the safety of the Emperor's son. Just wait outside."
The guard bowed to them both and stepped out of the room. As long as somebody was with Larsa the Emperor couldn't complain and a Judge Magister was the perfect protection. Or at least somebody like Harry who the Emperor trusted. "How do you feel?"
"The same as usual." Harry told him before slipping out of the bed to find his clothes. He did feel normal. "What happened?"
"Judge Magister Drace said that you simply collapsed, as if you were overcome with pain." The ten year told him seriously. He'd matured very fast in his position but he was blinded to some of the nastier aspects of politics. "There was a few questions about why but Judge Magister Drace and I have told everybody that it was simple tiredness. Only her personal guard know any different and they've sworn to keep it to themselves. My father knows obviously."
"You really are a smart kid, Larsa."
Larsa grinned at him as Harry finished dressing in his clothes and strapped his Katana to the back of his hooded cloak. "But why did I collapse?"
"Nobody knows but Drace has a theory that she discussed with the Emperor. I overheard." Larsa blushed slightly at admitting to eavesdropping. "You collapsed at the same time that an accident took out Nabudis."
"What!?" Harry rounded on the small boy. "Accident?"
"Some sort of massive explosion. There's nothing of the city left." Larsa told him. "According to what I heard it matched your collapse to the second."
"Do wonders never cease." Harry sighed.
"My father wished to see you as soon as you were awake." Larsa told him.
"Wow, the great Heir of the Empire, made into a lowly messenger." Harry laughed his light laugh.
Larsa glared at him playfully. "It is more that he knew I wouldn't leave your side until I knew you were safe."
"You degrade your purpose in the Empire, my Lord." Harry smiled at him gently before pulling his hood over his head. It covered the top of his head almost completely and was angled so that nobody could see his face unless they stopped and studied him. Something that you didn't do to a Judge Magister. "You'll make a good Emperor one day."
"Better than my father?" Larsa asked hopefully.
"I am not permitted to speak to that." Harry told him as they stepped out of the room and were confronted with two of Drace's personal guards and the Emperor's guard from before. Obviously Drace hadn't left him unprotected. Either way, Harry couldn't speak about the Emperor with them around. He could word it a different way though. "An Emperor that your father could be proud of."
"You honour me, Judge Magister." Larsa fell back into his Imperial role smoothly and Harry gave him a smile barely visible under his hood.
Harry turned to the Elite Guard that had been in his room. "I hand the safety of our Lord to you." The man nodded and braced himself up to the duty. Harry turned to Drace's personal guards. "Thank you for guarding my door. Please, report back to Judge Magister Drace and inform her of my waking. Please tell her that I will wait on her as soon as I have spoken to the Emperor." Thanks would have to be given in person.
"Of course, My Lord Judge Magister." The two men bowed as the one spoke. Harry bowed to Larsa as was proper and the little boy bowed back but had a grin playing on his lips as he straightened back up. Harry turned and strode quickly down the hall. Guards snapped to attention in the Imperial Towers as he passed them but he barely acknowledged them. The Song, that he had heard for as long as he could remember was troubled. It seemed to come to him through waves of distortion and it sounded strained and worried.
He stopped at the tall doors of the Throne room and looked steadily at the Captain of the Elite Guard who stood in front of the door. They were immune to any orders he might give that went against their duty to protect the Emperor but he could still order them to do things if he wanted as long as it had something to do with their duty. None of them had families to distract them or weaken them to bribery or threat and they were kept separate from the normal troops in their every day lives.
"Announce my presence to the Emperor." Harry ordered after a moment. The man snapped his hand up in salute and stepped through the door. He returned a moment later and let Harry into the room.
"Judge Magister Baltheon." The Emperor didn't rise. He was getting weak though he still had a few years left in him.
"Emperor Solidor." Harry knelt at the bottom of the steps up to the Emperors desk.
"Rise, my trusted friend." The Emperor spoke before falling into a coughing fit. Harry stood slowly and circled the desk. He placed a hand on the man's chest and concentrated briefly. The coughing fit subsided quickly. Harry quickly moved back to the front of the desk moving silently. The Emperor breathed in deeply. "How long this time?"
"It'll still last a few hours at most, Emperor." Harry sighed. "For the good of the Empire I wish I could heal you."
"I know, my friend. Age does to us as age does." The Emperor smiled ironically. "I am pleased to see that you were not permanently injured."
"Yes, Emperor." Harry bowed accepting the compliment. "I am still curious as to what affected me so."
"Ah…yes." The Emperor nodded. "I have spoken to Draklor Laboratory on the subject." Harry tensed slightly and the Emperor evidently noticed the slight shift. "Cid Bunansa is unaware that you were affected though I don't think that will last long. He was responsible for the explosion."
Harry nodded and waited for the Emperor to slowly stand. He made his way around the desk and motioned to Harry to help. Harry stepped in to the Emperor's side and let the man lean his weight on his arm. "Are we alone?" The Emperor asked. Harry listened more carefully then before waiting for the telltale sound of breathing. There was nothing.
"Not as far as I can tell." Harry assured him.
"You are aware of Nethicite?" The Emperor asked.
"Doctor Cid has been producing it for years." Harry nodded to show he did. It was the opposite of Magicite, capable of many things, including nullifying magic. The few pieces Harry had come across hadn't made Harry feel any better about the world.
"Deifacted Nethicite." The Emperor sighed. "Probably the most powerful weapon the Empire holds."
"Deifacted?" Harry asked remembering the term when it came to Magicite. "Natural? I didn't think that was possible."
"Ah, the old legends." The Emperor spoke as Harry led him out onto the balcony to walk along in the fresh breeze. "The Dynast King, King Raithwall, had three pieces of Nethicite. The Dawn Shard, the Dust Shard and the Midlight Shard. It was the Midlight Shard that was used against Nabudis. Doctor Cid wished to test its power."
"And you let him?" Harry gasped before straightening up. "I apologise for my abruptness, Emperor. It won't happen again."
The Emperor chuckled dryly before forcing himself to stop. "My trusted friend. You may speak freely." The Emperor told him. "I did not wish for it to be tested on a populated place but the Senate put their weight behind Draklor's advice that it may only be able to work once."
"Please don't tell me this entire war is purely to test this Nethicite?" Harry asked.
"It has been many years in the making." The Emperor sighed. "Judge Magister Drace's faction have held out long but there are too many that want us to go to war."
"This world could be peaceful." Harry sighed. "I can feel it in my bones."
"I hope it will be just that, Baltheon, but not in my lifetime." The Emperor sighed. "Perhaps young Larsa will be the tool of peace."
"If I may aid him with my own sword and magic then I will." Harry promised.
"I think your mind and your wisdom will aid him far more." The Emperor complimented him again. Harry nodded gently to show he agreed. "The Senate presses our advantage and even now the Air Fleet moves on Nalbina Fortress."
Harry sighed but didn't speak. There was little to say. "I wonder if Larsa would make the better Emperor. Perhaps he would be able to stop this war."
"I don't believe that, Emperor." Harry told him quickly. "You've held the Empire in a state of peace for most of your reign. No other could do as well."
"Your words warm my heart." The Emperor smiled at him. "This war is under my command but it isn't my desire. I want people I can trust out there. I'm giving you command of the new Light Cruiser Shiva. She'll be unassigned from Air Fleet duty and under your command. I'm sending you and Judge Magister Drace out their to keep an eye on things. You'll have my Voice. Make sure something like Nabudis doesn't happen again."
"We'll end this war as quickly as possible." Harry promised.
"I have every confidence in you." The Emperor told them before Harry led him back inside.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Two weeks later - Shiva
Harry stood beside Drace on the control deck of the Light Cruiser. She was sleek, powerful, fast and brand new. Barely out of her test runs with a good crew. She had been built with the intention of joining the patrol fleet and her speed and power made her the perfect ship in Harry's eyes. The crew were new and didn't have the strong loyalties to past captains and more importantly had no affiliation with any other Judge Magister except for the Captain of the Airship who was loyal to Drace.
It hung over the city of Nalbina on fainting humming engines powered by Sky Stones, a form of Magicite. The fighting had finished before he and Drace had arrived but still the smoke rose. The fighting had erupted throughout the city across the ground as the remnants of Nabudis joined their allies from Dalmasca and their capital city of Rabanastre. Eventually the Imperial troops had overwhelmed the defenders, shut down the defensive shield over the Fortress, the Palin, and then the Air Fleet had made rather short work of defeating what remained of the defenders. The greatest loss to the Dalmascans though had been the death of the Prince of Nabudis recently married to Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca, the Princess of Dalmasca.
"Judge Magister Drace." The Captain came up behind him in gold fluted Imperial armourl. "Judge Magister Baltheon. The second fleet reports the city cleared of Dalmascan military."
"The civilians?" Harry asked.
The Captain gritted his teeth. "They are being rounded up in the larger buildings. Several have been selected to quell the rest."
"Quell the rest?" Harry gritted his teeth. "As in kill them to prove we can."
"The Emperor gave you his trust." Drace prompted him.
"Who's in charge down there?" Harry asked the Captain.
"Judge Magister Ghis." The Captain said. "He gave the order."
"Ready an Atomos." Harry ordered bluntly. "And I'll take eight Remoras with me to stand by for my orders."
"Of course, my Lord." The Captain bowed before turning and snapping out orders.
"Be careful against Ghis. He won't like you going against him." Drace told him as soon as they were alone again by the front windows.
"These people did nothing to provoke the Empire's wrath." Harry told her simply. "We are the antagonists no matter the Senate's vision of a unified Ivalice."
"Especially be careful if you speak like that, young Baltheon. You sound like your elder brother." Drace warned him.
Harry snorted. "Be careful Drace. You think on this as I do and you are the easier target."
"I'll take your advice to heart." Drace told him. "Take some of my personal guard with you."
"As you wish, my Lady Judge Magister Drace." Harry said with a touch of humour in his musical voice.
Harry swept from the room and drew eight of Drace's personal guard with him, two of which held the rank of Judge. They were those picked from the Imperial troops because of their strength and intelligence and acted as controllers over the normal troops. They were normally relations of the major Judge Magisters.
The Atomos landed softly in the centre of a hastily cleared area in the centre of the city. The surrounding buildings were full of civilians staring out in horror at the fifty ragged looking civilians surrounded by soldiers in the middle. Harry walked out of the back of the Atomos as the eight Remoras, tall thin fighters, hovered around the central square like vultures waiting for orders.
Harry's boots sounded down the metal in the sudden silence and as soon as he hit the floor the two Judge's flanked him as he strode across the square through the staring soldiers which split apart for him. "Judge Magister Baltheon, I was notified of your arrival." Harry paused in front of Judge Magister Ghis. They were barely ten feet from the nearest of the civilians. The silence across the square was deathly.
"Judge Magister Ghis." Harry greeted formally. "I am sure you are aware that myself and Judge Magister Drace are now in command of this operation?"
"I was made aware of this fact but I assure you there is little left to be done. It was easier than we had expected." His words triggered a ripple of anger through the civilians who Harry realised weren't entirely non-military. Some were soldiers left behind in the retreat, hid by the remaining civilians to spare their lives. Harry turned his head back to the Judge Magister in front of him.
"I must have misunderstood your orders to the Imperial Army then. Surely, if the battle is over and Nalbina in our hands, you have no reason to execute prisoners." Harry spoke loud enough for the prisoners to hear.
"We must ensure the city remains in our hands." Ghis announced.
"Our hands, Judge Magister Ghis?" Harry smirked clearly out from under his hood. "By the Emperor's order I hold Nalbina. Do you argue this?"
"No." Ghis gritted his teeth. "As the Emperor commands it."
"Good. I see no reason for genocide, Judge Magister Ghis." Harry announced.
"Don't think this is over, Baltheon." Ghis hissed as he closed on Harry.
Harry snorted and stepped to the side. "Good day, Judge Magister." Harry remarked back calmly.
Ghis turned his back on Harry and stormed through his own troops towards the citadel. Harry turned to one of the Judges standing guard on him. "Report to Judge Magister Drace, tell her to confirm the hierarchy over the Second Fleet. Have them move out from over the city. Leave the Shiva right over the Citadel."
"Of course, my Lord." The Judge bowed before backing away to the Atomos to contact the Shiva.
Harry took five steps and let the Soldiers move away from him. Harry walked right up to the prisoners who stumbled away from him in fear. "Is there one among you who will come before me?" Harry asked loudly, his voice spreading across the area with no effort.
"My Lord. They are not to be trusted." One of the Imperial's behind him spoke up.
Harry half turned to face the ones on his right. "Is there one among you who will slaughter unarmed men and woman whether they are your enemies or not?"
They stared at him but backed off slightly. Several lowered their weapons. Harry turned back when a ripple moved through the fifty strong crowd. They parted slightly as a person walked out from the crowd to stand before Harry. Harry noted the hidden dagger under his sleeve as he moved and the way the man walked, defensively. He was one of the soldiers. "What do you have to say to me, Imperial?"
"Do you know what I am?"
"You're a Judge Magister." The man said.
"Judge Magister Baltheon." Harry told him in introduction. "You should then know that my orders are to be carried out by any but another Judge Magister or the Emperor himself."
"You cannot command Ghis to stand down his execution then." The man pointed out.
"I can since the Emperor just sent me out here to prevent this war's continuation. To stop needless war and prevent another Nabudis." Harry told him. "Ghis wanted to enslave you and control you by killing all those around you."
"And what will you do?"
"It is a two day hike to the Royal City of Rabanastre. Do you wish for an escort?" Harry asked.
"You are letting us go?" The man seemed shocked.
"I am, you may return to your Royal City. You will tell your King that I will be sending him a message in a few days." Harry told him. "Another thing. Advise him from me that he should not attempt any form of counter offensive. The Second Fleet will remain here and if he tries I will not be able to restrain this army. They will fly on Rabanastre and destroy it and what is left of Dalmasca will crumble under the Empire's fist."
The man nodded but stopped and levelled a suspicious stare at Harry. "How do I know you wont slaughter us out in the desert?"
"I could have let Ghis slaughter or enslave you all." Harry told him. "Even so I give you my word as a Judge Magister which means more to an Imperial than it would you. But I also give you my word as a citizen of Ivalice."
Harry returned to the Shiva after that to send a message to the Emperor about what was happening and to suggest a solution while he watched from a belly observation deck as a thousand men, women and children began their trek across the Dalmasca Estersand.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A week later
Harry took one look at the situation as he and Judge Drace jogged down the corridors of Nalbina Fortress. They'd met two hours ago with King Raminas but had left the man to think about what they had talked about. They'd been jolted from their private thoughts when reports of an attack on the Fortress had come through. A hundred Dalmascans had snuck into the Fortress and fought their way through to the King's room.
Harry walked in to find desolation. The dead were everywhere, both Imperials and Dalmascans. Most interesting though was the dead King on the high backed chair and the only survivors of the room. A strong looking man in Nabudis military uniform was being held by two Imperials, evidently the first on the scene but that didn't sit right with Harry.
He walked across the room slowly. "My Lord. We caught this man after he killed the King. They must have stormed the room, killed your guards and then he betrayed their own King."
"You assume." Harry spoke quietly and turned to listen to the room. One of the Dalmascans was still breathing. It was a chance to get the other side of the story. Harry was furious, he had given King Raminas his promise that he'd keep him safe and failed. Harry crossed the room and knelt at the young man's side, he was barely seventeen.
"You leave him alone!" The Dalmascan captive shouted. Harry glanced at him before looking back down at the boy. He cupped his upturned face in his hands and the eyes instantly flashed open. The boy began to panic.
"Shh…" Harry calmed him down with his words. "Tell me what you saw."
The boy's eyes clouded in pain. "Captain Basch, he…he betrayed us." He gritted his teeth in pain and arched up. Harry caught his eyes and felt the Song intensify in his ears. Reminding him to find his Soulmate, to protect him. But Harry knew this wasn't his Soulmate, everything told him that he was going to die. Not right now, but soon. Harry made a decision right then. This boy was close to his Soulmate. He'd make sure he got back to Rabanastre even if he had to take him there himself.
"Did you plan to assassinate him from the beginning?" Harry asked.
"No!" The boy hissed. "We were going to save him from the Archadians!"
"I believe you." Harry told him. "What's your name?"
"Reks." He gasped out. "My brother…?"
"Don't worry, Reks. One way or another the war is over. Nobody else has to die." Harry placed a hand over Reks' forehead and instantly his eyes closed as he fell into a deep sleep he'd only wake up from once. Harry always knew whether people would live or die from a wound. Sometimes he hated it but it meant he could help people if he could. Harry stood and turned to the Dalmascan. "Do you admit you are Captain Basch?"
"Captain Basch fon Rosenburg." The man glared at him. "You leave Reks alone! He's just a kid!"
"I will see to it that Reks is returned to Rabanastre. He'll be permitted the opportunity to die in his home." Harry told him before standing in front of him. "Did you kill the King?"
"My Lord. We should lock him up." One of the men argued. Harry turned to glare at him for interrupting. "I think we should secure the man and question him later."
"How dare you interrupt!" Drace spoke up from the other side of the room. Harry glanced at her before looking back at the two men. He stared long and hard at one of them before he blurred and caught the man around the throat. He tore off his helmet and met his brown eyes with burning green ones.
"What is this trap?" Harry asked him.
"Orders." The man tried to stop himself from speaking. "Stop! Please! They'll kill me!"
"I'll kill you myself!" Harry spat angrily. "Is this a set up to assassinate the King without it coming onto the Empire?"
"Yes." The man tensed and tried to pull away.
"Who ordered it?" Harry asked. The man was starting to sweat to avoid answering and Harry pushed him away slightly. The man's eyes widened as his fellow soldier slashed out with his sword and stabbed it straight up under his arm. Killing him quickly. Harry rounded on the man as he raised the sword against him. The blast of magic Harry sent at him killed him instantly. "I want this place secured!" Harry rounded on the Troops filling the room. "Lock this man up in the Dungeons."
"Baltheon." Drace spoke up from his side. "That magic wasn't pleasant."
Harry looked down at the body against the wall. "He killed an Imperial Soldier and raised a weapon against a Judge Magister."
"Still, be careful you don't rely on such magic." Drace sighed through her helmet. "A Shock was a bit overkill."
Harry straightened up and turned to her. "Who heard my questioning?"
"Only myself." She told him.
"I think it best we keep that to ourselves. Those men were following orders from somebody high up. To frame the Dalmascan for Regicide and give us an excuse to take war to Rabanastre. To remove their ability to maintain Regency of their own lands." Harry told her. "We should keep it to ourselves until we have proof."
"And what of these two?" Drace asked.
"They insulted me for a kindness to the young boy Reks." Harry shrugged. "I killed them."
"It should hold." She nodded. "What of Rabanastre? The Senate will want the Second Fleet to lay siege on the city."
"Let's see what happens." Harry told her. "Whoever planned this assassination might have a plan."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Baltheon." She sighed.
"As much as I normally do." Harry chuckled. "In that I am identical to my older brother."
Drace didn't laugh at that.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A week later
Harry knelt on the floor at the foot of the Emperor's podium. Vayne Solidor, his eldest remaining son stood to one side of his father. "Judge Magister Baltheon, how fares Rabanastre?" Vayne asked before Harry could greet the Emperor or even be asked to stand. He stayed on his knee dutifully without answering. He couldn't speak or stand until the Emperor ordered it and Vayne knew it well enough.
"Rise, dear Baltheon." Harry stood slowly and bowed slightly to Vayne, enough to show proper reverence but not enough to insult the Emperor. There was a flash of envy in Vayne's eyes at the tone in the Emperor's voice.
"My Emperor." Harry greeted before answering Vayne's question. "Rabanastre is a city in mourning. They laid down their arms at the first sign of the second fleet and the palin wasn't even raised. They have taken Marquis Ondore's words to heart."
The Marquis ruled over the floating island of Bhujerba. A neutral city that hung over the Eastern Ocean. The Empire had a heavy hand there. The Marquis was little more than a puppet to the Empire though Harry had never had a chance to talk to him and find out his true loyalties. "How fortunate for us that the Marquis spoke up in our favour."
"I don't think fortune had anything to do about it. Princess Ashelia was his niece. Her suicide probably had more to do with it." Harry told him.
"What of the city itself?" Vayne asked.
"Rabanastre suffered no damage though the citizens are…" Harry started before Vayne cut him off with another question.
"What about Nalbina?"
Harry eyed him for a moment. As a Judge Magister he was technically senior to the man when it came to the law but Vayne had high standing politically and Larsa worshiped him. "The fortress is damaged but not beyond hope."
"When can you start repairs?" Vayne asked.
"Without men to affect the repairs not for some time." Harry told him without the usual liveliness in his voice.
"You have a whole country at your disposal, Judge Magister Baltheon." Vayne leered at him. "Surely the Dalmascans can be made to work."
"If we push them too hard we'll have an uprising on our hands." Harry pointed out.
"I'm sure we can deal with uprisings." Vayne pointed out.
"Not without an all out slaughter." Harry countered angrily.
"Judge Magister Baltheon, need I remind you of your orders to hold control over Dalmasca until a console can be assigned?" Vayne asked coldly.
"My orders are to maintain peace in Dalmasca." Harry pointed out. He was beginning to lose his patience. "The people hate everything about the Empire and they believe that I lured their King into a trap with the help of Captain Ronsenburg. One false move and thousands will die."
"Thousands of Dalmascans." Vayne pointed out.
"Thousands of humans." Harry corrected.
"Dear friend." The Emperor spoke up tiredly. "How fare the citizens?"
"Not well, my Emperor." Harry told him as he turned to completely shirk Vayne. The argument had been a dangerous one and had earned him an enemy. "They have no love for an Empire that starts war with no provocation. As long as we allow them to live their own lives they shouldn't cause any major problems but after the assassination of King Raminas, the death of Prince Rasla and suicide of Princess Ashelia we will be forced to keep a heavy presence to maintain control."
"How are they dealing with your presence?" The Emperor asked.
"With a great deal of mistrust and suspicion." Harry told him. "I brought the young Dalmascan survivor back to Rabanastre and gave him into the care of the Healing Houses and I know that he woke up one last time and recounted the events of the assassination."
"He is dead?" Vayne asked suddenly.
"His wounds were fatal from the start. There was nothing anybody could have done." Harry told him. "Why the sudden care over a simple seventeen year old orphan from Dalmasca?"
"He vindicates us from any accusation of attempted assassination." Vayne pointed out.
"So it would seem." Harry told him.
"Father." Vayne turned to the Emperor. "I think it would be best if a permanent representative be placed in charge of Rabanastre and Dalmasca to maintain peace. Judge Magister Baltheon is correct in saying that bloodshed is needless at this point."
"And you would have me place you there?" The Emperor asked. "In time, dear son. In time. Leave us please, Vayne. I must discuss Baltheon's task."
"Of course, Father." Vayne bowed slightly before heading past Harry with a slight glare. Harry stared back at him from under his hood.
"Please, Baltheon, lower that hood. It is completely counter to your nature." The Emperor requested as soon as the doors had shut behind Vayne. Harry complied slowly and shook his shoulder length black hair around his head. "You have requested that you or Judge Magister Drace be placed in command at Nalbina or Rabanastre?"
"I have." Harry nodded.
"What are your reasons?" The Emperor asked. "And I'd like the ones not written in your report."
"You are aware that I killed two men for insulting me?" Harry asked.
"Against your normal nature." The Emperor nodded slowly.
"They interrupted Captain Basch fon Rosenburg when I asked him if he killed the King." Harry told him calmly. "I questioned the soldiers on whether it was a trap and they admitted it. One killed the other to prevent him from admitting who the order came from. I killed him when he raised a sword against me."
"Was there any other witnesses to this?" The Emperor asked.
Harry flinched at the tone of voice. It was uncaring and tired. "Just Judge Magister Drace. I convinced her that until I had answers it was best to keep it to myself."
"I would be grateful if you did just that." The Emperor told him. "It would not be advantageous to admit to our hand in the assassination of King Raminas."
"Our hand?" Harry asked.
"The order came from myself and the Senate." The Emperor admitted. "It was Vayne's idea. The best way of quelling the war."
"King Raminas was ready to sign the treaty, to accept your control." Harry countered.
"We were not willing to take the chance. This way there is a minimum of death and Rabanastre has no royalty to contend our control." The Emperor told him logically.
"You set me up?" Harry asked. "I promised King Raminas that his safety would be assured and you ordered his assassination behind my back?"
"Judge Magister Baltheon, this is the Empire and I am Emperor." He told him. Harry straightened up keeping his anger bottled up. This kind of thing made him want to find Balthier and turn Sky Pirate. "You serve me as I need you too. You'll take permanent control of Nalbina Fortress along with Shiva and deal with the questioning and imprisonment of our prisoners. Rebuild the fortress in case of upheaval."
Harry bowed low before straightening up. His eyes were cold and the Emperor almost flinched. "If I may be dismissed, my Emperor?"
"Of course." The Emperor seemed to want to say his normal 'my friend' but saw it wouldn't go down that well at the moment. He seemed almost pained at what he'd done but Harry found himself not caring. Harry saw the logic in killing King Raminas to gain complete control over Dalmasca but he'd never have done it himself, he would have cultivated friendship between the Emperor and the King. An ally not a puppet. Harry pulled up his hood making sure it covered his face in shadow before turning and walking from the room.
He snapped passed the Elite Guards without comment and down the hallway to his own rooms. He smacked open the doors hard enough to make them bounce off the walls. He took in the sight of Larsa by his window as he leapt around in fear. The Elite Guard turned and raised his sword before seeing who it was. Harry looked around his living room before levelling his glare at the Guard. "Get out!" Harry snapped. The man took half a step back but couldn't overcome Harry's blunt order. He glanced at Larsa before stepping around Harry and out of the door.
"Baltheon?" Larsa asked carefully.
Harry refused to look at him and turned around the room looking for something to destroy. The ornate vase on his table caught his eye. A gift from the Emperor when he'd made Harry a Judge Magister. Harry grabbed it and threw it at the mirror across one of his walls. It shattered both itself and the mirror. Harry stared at the mess fuming silently.
"Baltheon!?" Larsa cried in shock. "My father gave you that vase!"
"I'm aware of that, my Lord." Harry told him harshly.
"Vayne told me you were being posted permanently to Nalbina Fortress for allowing King Raminas to be assassinated." Larsa spoke up. "I came to see you."
"It's not a good time, my Lord." Harry told him without looking at him.
"Would you at least take down your hood and look at me?" Larsa asked.
"Is that an order, my Lord?" Harry asked feeling rather vicious against the Solidor family.
"I have no ranking." Larsa shook his head. "I can't give you orders and you know it."
Harry turned to him and slowly lowered his hood. "At least there's still one Solidor that can be trusted." Harry told him.
"My brother and father are trustworthy." Larsa told him.
"As to that I refuse to speak, my Lord Larsa." Harry told him before picking up a water bottle from a side table along with his packs of potions and remedies.
"Where are you going?" Larsa asked.
"To do some training out on the Tchita Uplands." Harry told him.
"I think I could do some training. It's been so long since I had proper opponents." Larsa commented. Harry eyed the boy's sword at his side. He was too young to use a shield.
Harry eyed him and sighed. "Fine."
They collected a score of Imperial troops from the barracks as well as three more Elite Guards to join the one already protecting Larsa. It wasn't totally necessary to take the Elite Guards since Harry would be there but Harry knew he'd probably be distracted. It didn't take long by Atomos to reach the Tchita Uplands but they spent the afternoon walking through it going to areas that Larsa had never been allowed before. The Guards had a rather easy job for the afternoon since Harry took care of everything to the point of scaring the trained men with his brutal attacks.
"My Lord, there is a Greater Wyrm approaching." One of them reported as he jogged back to Harry and Larsa.
"Maybe it's time to turn back." Larsa offered and saw the relief spread through the guards.
"Be my guest, my Lord." Harry told him before turning to the guards. "You may accompany him back to the Atomos. I will return soon."
"What are you going to do?" Larsa asked him.
"Kill it." Harry told him. "Alone."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
End Chapter