Avatar of the Occuria
Chapter 3; Insurgents
Nalbina Fortress – Two years later
Harry walked into the high security prison, or what was actually the dungeons of Nalbina. The prison for normal criminals from all over the old neutral countries was actually the western section of the city, blocked off and guarded only at the entrances. Harry ensured that there was enough food and water going into it to keep the prisoners alive but only Harry actually bothered to check on their health or try to free the ones that didn't deserve to be left there for all their lives. Most he allowed to be set free were innocent in the first place but others that were placed there for thievery or similar crimes were set to helping to rebuild the fortress.
This area was designated for only the worst criminals but it was also rather empty. The Empire had an overly harsh punishment for crimes like murder. Most murderers were killed either in their capture or afterwards. This particular level, at the very bottom, only had one prisoner. He was fed once a day but he was never talked to by the guard under Harry's orders.
"Captain Von Ronsenburg." Harry greeted peacefully as he strolled into the room. He was always kind to the man though he didn't overtly do anything nice. He made sure he was well fed and wasn't unduly treated but there were limits. The man had attacked his fortress even after Harry had agreed to protect the King. He'd been one of the ones to break the truce Harry had arranged and had nearly restarted the war costing millions of possible lives to be at risk. "I trust you are as comfortable as you were the last time we talked."
"Since you seem to have ordered the guards to neither talk to me nor listen to me, I don't fancy that I'll become either more or less comfortable." Ronsenburg never bothered to glare any more. It lost its affect when directed at somebody you had never seen the face of and had never managed to even anger.
"Yet I come and talk to you."
"That's because you believe me to be innocent." Ronsenburg retorted standing up in his small hanging cell. It was held out above the vast hole that led down into some ancient passages. Harry could smell the fresh air that came up through that hole, it was one of the reasons he'd placed the man in this room. Ronsenburg could probably smell it after all this time as well. Harry doubted he could sense the thicker Myst in this area though. The Barheim Passage that led from here to Rabanastre was rife with it.
"So we will explore this conversation this week shall we?" Harry asked settling his hands on the edge of the railing. "I have believed in your innocence since I first questioned you two years ago."
"Yet you won't release me." Ronsenburg sighed and leaned against the rear bars of his cell.
"This is an old argument, Captain." Harry shook his head slowly so the man would see it. "I have my orders and those orders are to keep you in captivity. Beside, you are not altogether innocent. Treason is a major crime, Captain Von Ronsenburg."
"This is new." Ronsenburg was surprised. Harry didn't tend to change his responses to their old conversations all that much. "How am I guilty of treason?"
"I suppose since you are not in fact Dalmascan he was not your King, however you still attacked this fortress despite his agreed truce with myself." Harry told him.
"You tricked him here!" Ronsenburg growled at him.
"I'm afraid I have a busy day today, Captain Von Ronsenburg." Harry turned to the side, showing that the conversation was now over. He couldn't argue that statement without betraying the Emperor. He had to put up with the insults he knew were circulating Dalmasca about his tricks and his bad honour. "I have a guest arriving in a short while. I had thought to introduce you to my mentor but you seem to be in a rather bad mood today."
"What is the date?" Ronsenburg asked as Harry was almost about to leave the room.
"The eighth day of Summer." Harry replied. He always gave the man an idea of what was happening in the real world. "It will be the anniversary of the Empire's victory over Rabanastre in ten days."
"A cowardly victory!" Ronsenburg spat out.
"A bloodless victory." Harry retorted without looking at him. He opened the door and slipped out. Nabudis and Nalbina had been in no way bloodless battles on either side but at least Rabanastre still stood in perfect shape.
Harry was accosted by one of the three Judges placed under his command. He'd had another two sent to him but he'd rid himself of them because of their adverse loyalties but these three were sent to him by families sided with Judge Magister Drace. "My Lord Judge Magister Baltheon." The Judge bowed low.
"Judge Vendgar." Harry dipped his head slightly as the Judge straightened up. While his face was covered and his uniform was without any sign of his identity, Harry could always remember the voices of the ones he knew.
"The Goliath has just arrived and Judge Magister Drace is en route via Atomos." Vendgar told him.
"Send an escort to meet her at the Aerodrome." Harry ordered. "I shall go there immediately."
"At once my Lord." The Judge bowed again before turning to send a radio message to do just that. Harry walked passed him with confident strides. The Imperial troops standing guard throughout the prison quarter of the once great border fortress snapped to attention as he
passed and their Captains or Sergeants saluted him crisply. Over the last two years Harry had built himself a garrison of men loyal to himself. There were over six hundred Imperial troops within Nalbina loyal to him as well as the Ifrit heavy cruiser, the Shiva light cruiser and the Vanguard light cruiser. Enough for Harry to guard the city and the Dalmasca Estersand, which stretched from Nalbina to Rabanastre, from attack. Because of the closeness of Rabanastre to Rozarria, the Empire's biggest enemy, there were no Fleet ships in the Royal City, only the two thousand Imperial soldiers and a small fleet of Atomos' and Remoras. That left Harry in command of the largest force in Dalmasca which Harry knew annoyed members of the Magisterial Council who didn't like Harry's ideas on how to run things.
Harry made his way out of the prison sector and into the palace which housed the Aerodrome. He found Judge Magister Drace escorted by her two own Judges, two of Harry's own Judges and then five Imperial Soldiers and two Imperial Mages. Normally Harry would have a couple of soldiers and a Judge with himself but he never took them to see Captain Von Rosenburg in case they over heard something they shouldn't.
"My Lady." Harry bowed low with grace only partly hidden by his dark cloak as he stopped before her and her entourage. "Welcome to Nalbina Fortress."
"The air seems fresher than on my last visit, my Lord." She bowed back ever so slightly. Harry didn't ask for respect from her and she knew he didn't like her showing it too much.
"Your last visit unfortunately coincided with a visit from Judge Magister Ghis and members of his entourage. You were not informed but he had a little trouble in the prison section." Harry told her. He hadn't told her at the time since he'd wanted to stop her from doing something about it. "Perhaps we can walk and talk?"
"Of course." She nodded. "Please, let us see what you have done with the city in the last six months."
Harry led her through the palace and out into the city. As they left the door, Harry made a vague gesture and their group split slightly. The Mages stayed by the door with three of the soldiers and Harry's Judges. The two remaining soldiers walked on ahead while Drace's two Judges followed at a respectable distance. Harry and Drace could now talk in peace without anybody hearing.
"What did Ghis do?" Drace asked just before they entered the market place. The crowd split apart for them with many an averted glare. Harry had never reacted to such an insult but his Imperial Soldiers had a habit of defending his honour.
"He was looking for a bit of sport." Harry spat without his usual tranquil tone. "He killed almost a hundred of the prisoners while 'touring' the prison quarter."
"With reason?" Drace asked.
"Supposedly, yet I doubt it." Harry sighed. "He had four Judges from his own family with him as well as ten favoured Soldiers. They were looking for sport."
"And you did not stop it?" She asked with a curious list to her voice that betrayed the raised eyebrow that he couldn't see under her helmet.
"I was inspecting the Shiva at the time. I saw what was happening yet it took time to return to the city and deal with it." Harry snorted. "I was not pleased and every one of my soldiers knows it. They will not allow Ghis to enter the prison section without my permission again. I wrote a notice of my displeasure to the Emperor. I expect that it was blocked by Vayne or one of his cronies but there is little I can do about that."
"How are things with the Emperor?" Drace asked as they came up to a stall that sold various remedies and potions. Harry eyed them, running his finger across the bottles and reaching out to the Song. It rippled as his fingers traced the stone bottle of a venom antidote, telling him it was a masterfully done item. It was something he had come to trust. The Song loved the effort that went into such things and he trusted that inner voice. He picked it up and reached for a leather purse of gold in his pocket. He paid the man over what he'd expect to be asked and firmly shut and pocketed his purse to show that paying him any change wasn't necessary.
He unstoppered the potion and swirled it slightly as he thought of what to answer his mentor. Eventually he put the cork firmly back in the lid of the little stone bottle and went to playing with the bottle between his fingers. "Whoever made this Antidote for you is a credit to your sales." Harry complimented the Dalmascan woman behind the stalls. She eyed the young apprentice sitting behind the stall and Harry saw the young thirteen year old's eager expression. "Do not lose him, he has talent."
Harry turned to continue their walk idly playing with the small bottle. Eventually he offered it to Drace. "I have no use for such Antidotes and it is a better Antidote than what is readily available in even Archades." She took the bottle without comment and tucked it away in a pouch. The bottles were made with certain paints to show the contents, labelling in words was never necessary. "As for the Emperor, I saw him again almost eight months ago. We have overcome our personal issues I suppose, though he is still aware that I have yet to fully forgive him for betraying my values."
"Only you could stand and refuse the Emperor forgiveness." Drace told him. "Many a rumour has been spread about this defiance."
"Rumours will spread regardless of what you do." Harry shrugged and paused to look over a weapons stall. He ran his hand gently down a hung sword but it was purely a display model without any heart. Another sword nearby was a standard sword, without any effort or heart behind it. The market attracted hundreds of vendors of all races since it was as close to the Empire as many would stand to get and Harry brought in thousands of workers from Archadia and the Kingdoms of Nabradia, Dalmasca and Bhujerba, all of which flocked to the market. "I fear none of those in the Empire and the Emperor knows I am loyal to him. He also knows I work better when he gives me what I want."
"Then this may or may not unnerve you." Drace started as soon as Harry turned to continue their walk. "The Emperor is to name his son, Vayne, as Consul over Rabanastre on the
anniversary of the subjugation of Dalmasca in ten days time. The Emperor sent me to request your presence in the capital as soon as possible."
"So it is time." Harry sighed. He'd known this was to happen but he didn't know whether he wanted it or not. Vayne for all of his faults was a cunning man that strived for power, neither were bad faults but it really depended on whether they were backed up with a conscience or not. Harry felt that perhaps they were soon to find out. "It will be good to see young Larsa again though. I missed him on my last visit so I haven't seen him since his eleventh birthday almost eighteen months ago."
"He has not forgotten you." Drace was obviously smiling at him.
"I do not mind if he forgets me. I only hope that he never forgets his own heart."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Archades Aerodrome – two days later
After leaving Nalbina Fortress in the capable hands of Judge Magister Drace Harry travelled via a military transport ship back to the City Garrison and from there took a short three hour trip via pleasure ship to the civilian Aerodrome in Archades. He was met at the entrance by two Imperial Soldiers in Drace's livery. They walked through the city up to the central section without a word and the crowds split silently as they watched Judge Magister Baltheon walk through them.
Harry, hidden by his hooded cloak with its plated armour, took all of this in without comment. He paused only as a young six year old boy ran across in front of him to the horror of his parents. One of the guards looked at Harry in question but Harry's small shake of the head told the crowd to ignore the event. Harry waved the parents off after their wayward son before they could start wasting his time with pointless apologies. The upper class of the world thought that they could control children at such an early age but Harry knew children would always be children and you should never push them to lose that naivety until they were well into their teenage years. His own crystal clear memories of his life on Earth were testament to what happened when a child wasn't permitted their own happiness.
Harry shook off the thoughts, only one person knew of what his life had entailed before he came here and thoughts of his abuse and neglect only brought his mind to his yearning for his brother and that was pointless now. After all these years he doubted Balthier even remembered him in his memories. Harry was forcefully brought from his thoughts a moment later as the whistle of a blade cutting through air made him duck and twist in a languid and easy motion that made the blade pass an inch clear of his head.
It took only an instant to take in everything and his senses reached out in all directions opening him up to the flow of everything around him. The crowd of perhaps a fifty had revealed a dozen attackers who had been laying in wait for his passage. One had attacked before their brethren were entirely ready but the instant time difference didn't give Harry all that much time to take everything in and plan his next move.
Harry thumbed a small device set under the plate of armour over the back of his left forearm even as he twisted and took in the entire scene as he dodged an arrow hastily fired from a bow a few metres away. His two guards had barely been able to block the first strike from their attackers and took a few paces backwards to close the gap, instinctively seeking each other's skills to help them survive this sudden fight.
Harry jumped sideways as three men lurched at him with broadswords. His right hand deftly drew his Katana and it whistled through the air as it blurred, slicing through the neck of his first attacker. Screams met Harry's ears, blocking out his finely tuned hearing that he usually used to help him in a fight against such odds. He blocked a strike and twisted again to avoid another arrow. He heard a clash of steel against steel behind him but let his two guards watch out for themselves. He couldn't do anything to help them against their five attackers until he took care of his own remaining four.
He blocked and counterattacked another hit from a broadsword but even the weightier weapon was no defence against Harry speed and strength and his counterattack sent the broadsword spinning through the air. Harry drove his armoured left fist into the face of the man he'd just disarmed and he went down unconscious. Harry bent forwards as a spear passed over his head in a wild slash and Harry twisted out from under it before twisting back inside the reach of the spear. He took it from the man and broke his wrist before smacking the weapon into the side of his head.
The last man standing before him held a small sword and a shield and Harry eyed him for only a moment before darting forwards. He knocked aside the shield with his left arm, turned and slid his Katana straight through the leather armour over his opponent's chest. The sword clattered from his hands as he slid off of Harry's Katana. Harry's hearing barely gave him enough warning to save his life as he heard the twang of another arrow. He twisted around but it wasn't enough. The arrow slit across his cheek catching his hood and tearing it off of his head.
Harry's hair protected his identity and his actual face was well known so that didn't concern him so Harry concentrated on the fight and turned to face the archer keeping well clear of the fight. Distance wouldn't help the man against Harry though. Harry made a curt gesture with his hand and lightning flew from his hand cutting through the man who was sent flying backwards into the wall, dead before he hit it.
Harry whirled furiously on his guards to find one on the ground and the other backed against the wall fending off three men with short swords. Harry lashed out with his magic again and the blast of fire erupted between the three men setting them alight and killing them within a few seconds.
Harry took a slow look around the suddenly quiet street. The civilians had run and the patrols had yet to respond to Harry's emergency signal that he'd activated as soon as the attack had begun. Out of the original ten attackers only two were still alive, the ones that Harry had knocked out, the others were dead. One of Harry's guards had been killed while the other was trying vainly to remain standing. Harry moved to the living guard and gently helped him to
sit against the wall. Harry took off his helmet and touched the man on the forehead. He'd live, he was simply exhausted. Harry flooded him with energy to soothe his pain even as he heard the running steps of armoured Imperial troops.
Harry stood up and spun to face them as the twenty men flooded the street. They took one look at Harry's furious look and almost ran to check the street and guard the area. One, a Sergeant, approached him. "My Lord Judge Magister. You are wounded."
"So it would seem!" Harry snapped without any softness to his voice. "If there had been any more of them I might be more dead than wounded!"
"My Lord, we only received word of the attack a minute ago." The man grovelled.
"Yet I activated the emergency signal almost four minutes ago." Harry turned his glare away from the man. "Find out why you didn't receive it."
"Of course, my Lord Judge Magister." The man turned to a waiting soldier who went running down the street. "Do you need medical attention?" The man was in awe, that much was obvious, even though Harry was only twenty and looked like an eighteen year old because of his Elvin heritage. The Sergeant was at least thirty.
"No." Harry shook his head and pulled up his hood even though it had a tear in the side from where the arrow had passed through it. "My remaining guard needs to be taken to his barracks and be allowed to rest. By my order he is to be given at least two weeks to rest. See to it."
"Of course, my Lord Judge Magister." The Sergeant nodded before looking at his troops. Two had stopped when they found the two remaining attackers. "What of them my Lord?"
Harry moved to the man he'd knocked out with his own spear and jerked his hand to the waiting soldier to pull him up. Harry touched his temple and the man jerked awake with a cry that shocked the Imperial Soldiers. "You attacked a Judge Magister in broad daylight. You'll be executed within the hour." Harry told the man without any emotion to his voice. This was why people were scared of him. "Are you Archadian?"
"Yes." The man almost sobbed out.
"Do you know who ordered this?" Harry continued.
"No." The man cried out. It couldn't have been a lie.
"Do you know why it was ordered?" Harry prompted.
"Yes." Harry reworded the question to get an actual answer. "To kill you so that Nalbina would fall to more worthy men."
Harry turned to the Sergeant. "Once the other wakes up see if you can get anything more from him, then have them clear up this mess and then kill them."
"My Lord." The Sergeant nodded respectfully. There was no other punishment for people that killed an Imperial Soldier like the guard that had been escorting Harry. And even raising a weapon against a Judge or Judge Magister was a death sentence.
"I'll go straight to the Emperor's tower." Harry told the Soldier. The Sergeant called over an Imperial Mage and two Soldiers and ordered them to accompany Harry until he dismissed them. Harry didn't argue, the Sergeant could be arrested for not ordering it. "And Sergeant? Find out why the hell the emergency signal was delayed!"
The man jerked slightly but Harry was already turning to walk towards the Emperor's tower and his own lodgings that he kept in the Capital City. His Katana had yet to be put away since it was stained with blood but the sight of Harry walking quickly through the streets with a bloody weapon was enough to send civilians scuttling away against walls and into buildings. Rumours about the fight were already spreading. It had been a noisy battle and Harry's magic had only added to the noise.
The Soldiers guarding the entrance to the Emperor's tower opened the doors for him without making him even delay and Harry dismissed his impromptu protectors as he walked inside. He climbed the stairs with heavy steps and soon he was unlocking his rooms. He checked the inside thoroughly before removing his cloak and throwing it over the back of a chair.
His Katana was leant against the end of the bed but the only signs of blood on it now wouldn't run off onto his dark red carpet. Harry leant over a bowl of fresh water he fetched from his bathroom and placed it on his wardrobe and in the sunlight coming through his window he studied his face in the mirror above the bowl. He had a deep cut running across his left cheek from beside the base of his nose back to about a half inch from his ear. It had been bleeding rather steadily but his Elvin healing was already kicking in and the wound was starting to close up. It would be a few hours before it completely healed but at least he didn't have to worry about anything like poison. He could heal it faster with magic but cuts tended to scar when you cheated the healing process and Harry would rather let such a small wound heal naturally, especially with the speed he normally healed.
He made for a terrible sight though, apart from the blood that ran down his cheek, neck and across his dark green cotton shirt, his eyes were shinning with unchecked anger. The door swung open almost violently and Harry spun with a raised hand that crackled with magic. He knew from poor Larsa's reaction that his eyes had turned cat like again and that combined with the blood on his face and clothing made the Elite Guard that was shadowing Larsa draw his charge back and finger his sword.
Harry dropped his arm and sighed. "He'll be safe with me, Guard." Harry told him. "Wait outside the door."
Harry waited for the door to close before turning back to the mirror. He lowered his head and brought water up between cupped hands to soak his face. "What happened, Baltheon?" The twelve year old asked.
"I ran into a group of paid assassins on the way from the Aerodrome." Harry told him before turning to the boy. "I lost one of my two guards."
"I'm sorry." Larsa told him.
"You need not be sorry unless you paid for them to kill me, Larsa." Harry told him and rubbed the water and blood off of his face with a clean towel. Larsa seemed shocked at the idea and Harry moved forwards and ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "I've missed you, Larsa."
Larsa grinned happily and went to hug Harry. Harry stopped him with a raised hand and returned the smile before moving to his wardrobe. He quickly removed his bloodied shirt, cleaned his torso and put on a fresh shirt and then let Larsa hug him. "How did you get hurt?" Larsa asked.
"It happens when you have five opponents to keep track of, there was an archer and with all the noise I couldn't keep track of his arrows properly." Harry explained as he pulled back and smiled at him gently.
"How long will you be back for?" Larsa asked hopefully.
"As long as need be." Harry told him. "The Emperor ordered me to come see him so it really depends on what he wants me for."
"My father will be glad to see you, Baltheon." Larsa told him. "I don't know what happened between you and him after you failed to protect King Raminas but he has been so sad about it."
Harry tensed slightly like he always did when Larsa brought that up. The boy didn't realise that his estrangement from the Emperor was because the Emperor and Larsa's older brother had betrayed Harry's word and ordered the King's death. "How is your father's health?"
"It has been a slow decline." Larsa sighed sadly. "Without you here to ease his pain he has been looking even more frail."
"Let us hope you are ready when the time comes." Harry told him calmly.
"Vayne will be the much better Emperor." Larsa countered. Harry looked down at Larsa with a sigh. It was time somebody told him something. He knelt in front of Larsa.
"I have a lot of enemies, Larsa, that could have wanted to order those men to kill me but only one comes to mind that would actually do it." Harry told him softly. "You brother is that one man."
"My brother would never do that!" Larsa cried out in shock.
"Your brother hates me, Larsa." Harry countered. "He hates the fact that the Emperor likes me and he hates the fact you listen to my advice. I'm not telling you this to hurt you, Larsa,
but just so that you're careful. People hide who they truly are from everybody and you need to start looking at people beyond their faces and see them for what they are."
"What about you?" Larsa almost shouted.
"I am a prime example, Larsa." Harry sighed. "I hide my ears with my cloak. You only know me by the name I took because my real one is so strange. My emotions are never what they normally seem to be."
"But you're my friend, right?" Larsa asked desperate for at least that.
"Oh, Larsa." Harry sighed. "I love you like a nephew, cousin or even as a brother and I'll protect you with my life because of that love and because I see this world for what it is, while you see it for what it could be.
"Brother." Larsa grinned at him. "You're like a brother to me."
Harry nodded and rose. He pulled his stained cloak on and pulled up the torn hood, he'd have to repair and clean it later. "I need to go see what your father wants. You're welcome to remain here and we can go out into the city if I am able to."
"I'd like that." Larsa nodded as Harry wiped the remaining blood from his sword and sheathed it smoothly into the sheath built into the back of his cloak. "Baltheon?" Harry turned to look at him as he made for the door. "What was your name before?"
Harry tilted his head from under the hood. "It was Harry before I came here. Baltheon was a name I took when I became a Judge Magister."
"Harry." Larsa nodded. "I like that."
"Feel free when we are alone." Harry told him before leaving the room.
As he was approaching the doors to the Emperor's chamber he was stopped by the Sergeant from the street. The man was panting and Harry waited patiently for him to get control of himself. "My Lord Judge Magister." The man bowed.
"What is it, Sergeant?" Harry prompted.
"Your emergency signal was barred from the system. No signal was received from your device though the rest of the system seems to be functioning correctly." The Sergeant reported. "Yours should now be working correctly."
"Interesting, Sergeant." Harry mused. "Take word to the barracks of Judge Magister Drace's Imperial forces and have them send technicians to the control centre immediately. The life of Lord Larsa and other such people rely on that system. I would have it checked over thoroughly. Tell them that the order comes from myself and do it immediately."
"Of course, my Lord." The Sergeant nodded.
"I will see to it that the order is verified in writing as soon as I am finished talking with the Emperor." Harry assured the man who relaxed slightly before turning to leave the tower. Harry shook his head and turned back to the doors into the hall. He was stopped by the Elite Guards.
"We have orders that all visitors are to be unarmed." The Guard told him.
"Has there been some sort of threat to the Emperor?" Harry asked with a rather clipped tone.
"No, my Lord." The guard told him.
"By who's orders am I to disarm myself after just being set upon my assassins?" Harry prompted. The guard flinched slightly.
"Lord Vayne Solidor." The man told him.
"Only the Emperor can order a Judge Magister to disarm himself and Vayne Solidor has no authority over me." Harry snapped. "You know the rules so do not presume to order me to do something such as this. Get out of my way."
The man seemed to want to argue but Harry was already angry and the man seemed to notice it. Harry was right as well, Vayne Solidor was politically powerful but he had no real power over the Imperial Forces and especially not over a Judge Magister. The man stepped to the side with a gushing apology that Harry ignored as he pushed open the doors and strode into the room. His anger bubbled up again almost immediately as he saw Vayne standing to the right of the podium.
Harry strode forwards and knelt gracefully at the bottom of the steps leading up to the Emperor's desk. "Rise my dear, Baltheon." The Emperor told him almost immediately.
"You were expected almost an hour ago, Judge Magister." Vayne spoke up bluntly. His voice was tense.
"You seem to be well versed in my comings and goings, Lord Vayne. Interesting with recent events." Harry retorted without emotion. "I was delayed in the city, my Emperor."
"What happened my old friend?" Emperor Gramis asked leaning forwards in his seat.
"I'm afraid somebody saw fit to hire a few henchmen to waylay me. Unfortunately you have ten dead assassins in your city as well as the unfortunate loss of one of Judge Magister Drace's loyal troops."
"You were attacked?" The Emperor gasped.
"I am surprised you were not informed already." Harry told him. "They attacked in the middle of a large crowd. The fight was over in a matter of a few minutes yet it made a lot of noise."
"Are you suggesting that you killed ten men in a matter of minutes?" Vayne asked.
Harry turned to look at him even though his hood still covered his face. "I did not kill them all. Two were knocked unconscious and by now should have been executed and Judge Magister Drace's troops killed two others." Harry told Vayne shortly. "Perhaps whoever ordered it will learn that they'll need to spend a lot more money to remove me from Nalbina Fortress."
"Nalbina Fortress?" Vayne was obviously shocked. "Why do you believe it had anything to do with that?"
"Assassins will admit to a lot of things when they are about to die. Money does them no good at that point." Harry told him bluntly. "Unfortunately they were unaware of their employer but I am sure I will work it out eventually. People like that tend to be rather common minded and are prone to idiotic mistakes."
Harry almost chuckled at Vayne's carefully controlled expression. Whether the man did it or not, Harry still enjoyed baiting him. The Emperor's violent coughs interrupted Harry from further baiting Vayne though. The man was almost doubled up in his chair.
"I will fetch a surgeon." Vayne offered already heading towards the door.
"No need, my son." The Emperor controlled himself for long enough to look up. "We are done for today, you may leave us."
Vayne sent Harry a harsh look before turning and striding imperiously from the room. Harry waited until he was gone before moving to the Emperor's side. He'd begun coughing almost immediately after speaking. Harry lifted his head as he crouched at his side and gently laid his hand on the man's chest. The coughing eased instantly and Harry shuttered his eyes for a moment.
"My dear Baltheon." The Emperor spoke as soon as his breath had evened off. "I have so missed your presence. Larsa too has begrudged your assignment in Nalbina."
"Yet it seems you other son begrudges my return." Harry told him. "At least my return while still breathing."
"What are you saying, Baltheon?" The Emperor looked at him without emotion.
"I say nothing, my Emperor. Only that my emergency signal was barred from the database when I was attacked. If I was any other Judge Magister I would probably now be dead." Harry told him.
"And you are saying my son ordered the attack on you?" Emperor Gramis prompted calmly.
"I am saying that not many could have arranged such a thing." Harry continued. "How many people knew I was returning?"
The Emperor didn't answer him. Both knew there would never be enough evidence to ever convict anybody of it. It was simply too easy to organise a simple assassination in this world.
He made to stand and Harry helped him rise. "Let us take a walk outside." The Emperor ordered. Harry led him out onto the balcony and they slowly walked around it. "Please, Baltheon, your hood."
Harry slowly slid it down around his neck and touched his cheek. It came away bloody showing that the cut had bled a bit more since it was down to his cheek bone. Harry pulled out a cloth without letting go of the Emperor and as the Emperor watched he wiped away the blood and cleaned off his hands. "It was closer than you suggested."
"An Archer got lucky." Harry told him. "It was noisy in the midst of a screaming crowd and I was too slow in hearing the arrow."
"You trust that this was done to remove you from Nalbina Fortress?" The Emperor prompted.
"The assassin I asked was confident as to it." Harry told him. "He could not have lied to me."
"I have no intention of removing your command over Nalbina." The Emperor assured him. "Your presence ensures nothing regrettable occurs down there."
Harry opened his mouth and shut it again. He had been about to ask whether the deaths of King Raminas and Princess Ashelia had been regrettable or not but there was little point in opening up old wounds. "You requested my presence?" Harry asked.
"Eager to get away from me already, Baltheon?" The Emperor teased.
"I promised Larsa I would take him out into the city and I'd like to do it so we can get something to eat while we are there." Harry told him. "I have missed him dearly, he is like a younger brother to me."
"I know he feels the same way of you." The Emperor nodded. "I know I can trust you to protect him when I die."
"That is still a few years off, my Emperor." Harry assured him.
"Still a few years in me, is there?" The Emperor laughed dryly. "You will protect him?"
"Of course. From everybody." Harry didn't need to say that he was including Vayne in that list of people to protect Larsa from. The Emperor knew what he thought. "I intend to take a legion of Judge Magister Drace's Soldiers with us into town and even his guard dog if he is around. I will not have Larsa caught in the crossfire."
"I am glad to hear it." The Emperor nodded ignoring the slight against Judge Magister Gabranth. "Now as for your task. In seven days it is the two year anniversary of Rabanastre's defeat and the new Consul for Rabanastre will be announced to the Dalmascans."
"Lord Vayne?" Harry guessed.
"With you in command of Nalbina Fortress with overriding authority over all prisoners within Bhujerba, Dalmasca and Nabradia." The Emperor continued. "You will accompany
Vayne to Rabanastre for the announcement and ensure his safety. Whether he ordered the attempt on your life or not I trust you will follow your orders."
"If not for his sake then for yours and Larsa's." Harry told him. "You are aware then that there are rumours of insurgents within Dalmasca, remnants of their military?"
"I am aware." The Emperor nodded. "Vayne has a plan to deal with them once and for all. He will be holding a formal event to welcome him to Rabanastre. That will draw the Insurgents out of hiding in an attempt to kill him. You will protect him while the Ifrit is moved to the city to deal with the attack."
"The Insurgents stand no chance against the Ifrit." Harry assured him. "Once the insurgents are out in the open the fight will be over in a matter of minutes. My only regret to the plan is that it is brutal and will not help the Dalmascans in their ideas about us."
"That cannot be helped." The Emperor sighed. "The insurgents cannot be allowed to start a full resistance effort which will put us in another war. You will retain your authority over all prisoners of the attack so that you can take measures to trace any remnants of the insurgents."
"Very well." Harry nodded. "It is a good plan."
"I thought you might agree." The Emperor nodded. "One last thing though. The insurgents are rumoured to be led by somebody of old authority. I want to know who."
"I already have my suspicions on that." Harry told him. "There is a woman that the insurgents answer to named Amalia."
"Any idea who she actually is?" The Emperor asked.
"Could be an old Captain in the Royal army?" Harry shrugged. "I'll ask her if we capture her."
"Alright, my dear Baltheon. Be on your way." The Emperor smiled at him. "I will make sure that Vayne and the other Judge Magisters are aware that you have overriding authority over all prisoners they take. Protect my eldest son for me."
Harry nodded and led the old man back to his chair before bowing to him and leaving the room. He had four days to resign himself to guarding Vayne, even if it was only for a day while this plan went into action.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Seven days later
Rabanastre for all its hate of the Empire turned out very nicely for the arrival of their new Consul. Harry was under no delusion about their motives, they were sucking up because they knew the power the Empire had at its disposal. Those here were either trying to get on Vayne's good side, trying to stay alive or, in the case of a few people Harry noticed in the crowd, assessing the new Consul.
They'd taken a pleasure craft owned by the Emperor to Nalbina Fortress before travelling by Atomos to the outskirts of the Royal City of Rabanastre where they met up with the procession of Imperial Soldiers, Remora attack ships and the platforms that were to carry the Imperial higher-ups into the city.
The cheers swept down over the procession even though Harry was unaffected from his place just behind Vayne's right shoulder. Vayne barely ever said a word to Harry but he needed the Ifrit for this plan to work and that meant not doing anything to counter Harry's obedience to the Emperor's orders.
The main street was filled with people that lined both sides, held back by a line of Imperial Soldiers and Mages. The buildings were decorated and every window filled with people. Harry noticed one thing though. Not everybody was happy to see the new Consul though, many in the crowd were staring and studying him even while talking nervously with their friends about Harry. Vayne was new to these people and he had a good appearance. He was attractive, honest looking and had a reputation of kindness.
Harry might have an unearthly handsomeness and match the reputation of Vayne within the Empire but he had history with the Dalmascans that he'd never escape. He'd tricked the King of Dalmasca into a trap to kill him and he'd been in charge of Dalmasca in the easing period. There was no way to change that reputation easily.
As Vayne waved and smiled kindly at all those lining the streets, Harry's eyes were drawn to one side and high up. He didn't know what drew his attention only that the Song spiked up in his ears with a peculiar longing to it. He found himself studying two teenagers sitting high up on some steps. Harry's eyes picked out details easily. The girl was in awe of the procession and probably of Vayne's good looks. She had on a light travelling outfit and had long blond hair.
The boy however was watching Harry directly. He had on a light armoured waistcoat common to Rabanastrans because of the heat. It covered only small stretches of his torso but his heavy black trousers with the armoured knees and shins showed he was no stranger to looking after himself. Harry was surprised at the glare on his features though. The glare wasn't directed at the Empire and a Judge Magister but at Harry himself. He had a personal reason to not like Harry and there weren't many people that could claim that.
Harry realised he was staring when the girl nudged the boy and asked something that Harry couldn't catch. He turned away as a man leant around between the two while looking at him. "Who are you looking at, Baltheon?" Vayne suddenly asked.
Harry turned back to look at Vayne who continued waving and smiling. Harry frowned before an answer came to him. He had seen those features before. "The brother of the survivor of King Raminas' assassination." Harry told him, not worried about anybody being able to read his lips through the shadow cast by his hood.
"How... sentimental." Vayne managed to say sarcastically without changing his kind expression.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A few minutes earlier
The seventeen year old Vaan pulled his surrogate sister along behind him as they walked down the steps to find a good place to watch. As they sat the hover-platform was moving along below them preceded and followed by hundreds of highly polished Imperial Soldiers and Mages. The new Consul was a tall man with rich robes and thick black hair that half covered his face. He looked like a kind man but Vaan never trusted anybody that had anything to do with the Empire.
That thought brought him to the second man standing at the Consul's shoulder. He wore a black cloak that looked more like uniform than travelling garb. The hood completely covered his face and the cloak was broken only by the armour plates attached to his arms and across the backs of his exposed hands. The handle of some kind of sword was exposed at the back of his neck. He looked dangerous and deadly.
Vaan hated him because he knew who he was. He was the Imperial that had lured King Raminas to Nalbina Fortress. He was the one that had brought back Reks. To Vaan he was everything bad about their Imperial conquerors. Vaan realised with a jerk that the hooded man was looking straight up at him and a part of him wanted to keep staring at him, to try to see his face.
"Who is that?" Penelo asked as she nudged him. Vaan turned to look at her in confusion. "The guy in the cloak?" She prompted.
"That my friends is Baltheon." A man, Vaan recognised as an employee of Migelo's, lent between them. "The most feared and ruthless of the Imperials. He commands Nalbina Fortress."
"The one who brought your brother back?" Penelo gasped in shock.
"Yes." Vaan hissed. "What I wouldn't give to take a sword to that guy."
"Careful there little Vaan." The man laughed. "He's the most skilled fighter in Archadia and Dalmasca too they say. That Katana on his back isn't just for show. I shudder to think how much blood has passed across that blade."
"Like my brother's." Vaan hissed again.
"Vaan, it wasn't him that killed your brother." Penelo reminded him in concern.
"He might as well have." Vaan growled angrily. Penelo knew there was little point arguing with Vaan over it. Baltheon had a bad reputation and Vaan was partly right. He was part of oppression they had to put up with.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Welcoming Fete – A few hours later
Harry found himself sitting at Vayne's left side at the long table set up to house the most important people in Rabanastre. For his part in organising the event, Migelo was seated on Harry's other side. He was an elderly Bangaa who owned a large and successful provisions store within the city. Bangaa's were more reptiles than humans with stout forms and no necks. They had sharp teeth and strong muscles but didn't have much in the way of agility and speed. The Empire raised people to exclude non-human species but Harry, being an Elf, had never listened to that.
"You are very quiet, Master Migelo." Harry decided to start up a conversation. Migelo jerked as if caught in the act of something bad and Harry chuckled just loudly enough for Migelo to hear him. "You are not uncomfortable I assume? Lord Vayne has been very generous to seat you so close at his side."
Migelo chuckled weakly, he seemed to be having trouble finding something to say. Harry quickly checked what Vayne was doing, he was talking to the head of the Imperial Garrison at his right side. The man was technically under Harry's command but he was also very political meaning he'd take Vayne's orders over Harry's. "It is indeed an honour, my Lord." Migelo eventually settled on once Harry turned back. Vayne wouldn't pay them any attention.
Harry laughed and ducked his head. "You prepared this welcoming well, Master Migelo. And you flatter just as well. Perhaps too well for your oppressors." Harry stayed silent for a moment. "I trust you are aware that you are the only person in this hall that cannot call himself a Hume?"
"I take no offence, my Lord." Migelo gushed out, missing the fact Harry had used the term Hume which was what other races called humans.
"Oh but you should." Harry told him. "It is not an ideal I agree with but unfortunately a few still believe in such things. I have tried to avoid such prejudices within Nalbina but my reputation seems to have gotten away from me."
"I'm not sure I follow you, my Lord." Migelo spoke up.
Harry sat in silence for a moment and Migelo played with his food for a moment. "You are a brave person, Migelo." Harry complimented. "I have heard of you before you know. Your name first crossed my path when I brought young Reks back to the city. To be with his brother."
"You know of his brother?" Migelo almost cried out before gaining control of himself. "My apologies, Lord Baltheon."
"Just to warn you, though I lament the term personally, if the Imperial Soldiers hear you omit the Judge Magister part of my ostentatious title you may be brought up on charges." Harry warned him.
"Does that not count with Lord Vayne?" Migelo asked. "I was told to call him Vayne."
"In truth, Lord Vayne is no Lord. He has no power within the Empire but that of the lands gifted to him by the Emperor, his father." Harry explained. "I am a member of the Magisterial Council and thus hold power that Vayne may ever strive for."
"You speak as though you do not like him." Migelo stated carefully.
"You would be right." Harry nodded his head slowly. "I believe we were discussing young Reks' brother."
"Yes, how is it that you know of his younger brother?" Migelo prompted.
"He spoke of him after what happened to the King." Harry spoke and ignored the suddenly hardened look on the Bangaa's face. No matter how friendly they acted they hated him for what he supposedly did. "I wished to know whether Reks was able to see his brother one last time."
"Vaan was there when he retold the story and the only one in the room when Reks died." Migelo told him icily.
"That is good to know though it seems that this conversation topic has reminded you of my reputation. Perhaps you wish to return to your meal without my intrusion?" Harry sighed and made to stand.
"You are not what I expected." Migelo spoke up.
"You mean that I do not come across as a murderer of Kings?" Harry asked with a derisive laugh before he leaned forwards. "I know people hate me, Master Migelo. I saw that easily enough in Reks' brother's eyes this morning before the speech. Good day, Migelo and may you escape this Fete with all due haste."
Harry stood properly and moved away down the table and around and down the hall heading for the doors. He'd gotten perhaps half way along the hall before an explosion ripped the doors of their hinges and threw a cloud of smoke and dust over the Fete. It seemed that the Insurgents had accepted their invitation.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Ten minutes later
Harry and the posted Imperial Soldiers and Mages surrounding the Fete easily surprised the Insurgents and forced them from the hall safely trapping Vayne and the other pompous officials inside the Banquet Hall. Harry and his fifty men managed to push them out into the grounds and Harry paused in the light of the doorway to look at the scene even as he pushed at his emergency transmitter sending off a predetermined signal that called the Ifrit from its staging area a mile away at the edge of the city.
Harry eyed the small fights erupting all around the area as Imperial Soldiers forced knots of Insurgents out of the palace all around the courtyard. Soon a large group of them were trying
to fight their way towards Harry and the entrance, hoping to get to Vayne before they were overwhelmed.
Harry shouted out a loud call and as one the Imperial Soldiers began to slowly withdraw to the edges of the grounds under the cover of the Imperial Mages. Harry studied the Insurgents carefully as they regrouped and made to move towards Harry and his men near the doors. One woman caught his eye because she was the only woman in the battle. She wore nothing around her head but a knotted cloth over her dusty blond hair and she held herself with confidence in herself and her troops.
As Harry watched the Insurgents ran for them in a charge but the Imperial troops met it with their sturdy shields and armour and only a couple of his own men fell while half a dozen of the Insurgents fell to numerous wounds. Harry twisted rapidly and an arrow flew well clear of his head. He lashed out with his hand and a stab of lightning blasted an Archer near to the woman unconscious. He looked at the woman as she stared at him but he knew she couldn't see his face as more than the briefest of flashes in the fires of battle.
His attention was drawn as the Ifrit arrived on near silent engines blotting out the heavens. It's guns angled down with a whine and blasts began to reign down on the Insurgents hitting well clear of the Imperial Soldiers. Smoke and dust began to blot out the battlefield but Harry managed to see the small hover craft that plunged down over the wall out of control. He mused for a moment at the odd passengers, a Viera, a man and a boy trailing along behind, though he couldn't make out their features amidst off of the smoke. He heard the thing crash on the other side of the battle field though.
"My Lord Judge Magister!" A Captain ran up to him a minute later. "A small hover craft punched a hole down into the sewers and the Ifrit made more holes. The Insurgents are fleeing into the tunnels."
Harry lifted a radio from one of the Imperial Soldiers. "Ifrit, cease fire and stand off."
"Confirmed, Judge Magister. Standing off." With a dull whine the Ifrit raised away from the ground and ceased firing. The battlefield soon cleared showing the slaughter of Rabanastrans littering the ground with a few Imperial troops among them. It was definitely the victory Vayne and the Emperor had been hoping for though.
"Send teams into the tunnel systems. Arrest anybody you find there. If they resist kill them." Harry ordered. "There was a woman commanding them, if her body isn't amongst those here then capture her. Alive!"
"My Lord!" The Captain turned and began shouting orders. In a matter of minutes the tunnels under Rabanastre would be swarming with Imperial Soldiers.
"Looks like a good fight." Vayne's voice made Harry turn slowly to face him.
"It was over quickly. You have your slaughter." Harry told him quietly. "Others in the resistance escaped into the tunnels. My men are searching them and any prisoners will go to Nalbina."
"I would like to see these prisoners myself." Vayne ordered.
Harry shirked off the order. "By your fathers orders, all prisoners belong to me." Harry told him sharply. "You may look and talk to them all you wish while they remain in your city but they are still mine."
Vayne gave him a harsh look before sweeping back into the palace.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
The next day
Harry had remained in Rabanastre for only long enough to ensure that all prisoners were sent to him in Nalbina Fortress. Most of the Insurgents seemed to prefer to fight and a lot were killed. In all only five of the Insurgents were captured including the woman who according to the reports had enlisted the aid of three thieves in her escape. They had all been captured but since the thieves were unlikely to be Insurgents they'd been placed in the low security section while the woman, Amalia, was currently holed up in the dungeons along with the other four Insurgents.
Harry nodded to the guards at the door to this particular dungeon and the door was opened for him. Inside was four cells but only one was occupied. Amalia was sitting with her back to the wall and her blue eyes were watching him with loathing. "So I guess I don't need to introduce myself then?" Harry asked as soon as the door closed and they were alone.
"The Judge Magister Baltheon, Trickster and Betrayer." She spat.
"You strike me as somebody more than just the supposed leader of the Insurgents." Harry started.
"Resistance." She interrupted.
Harry bowed his head slightly to accept the phrase, he cared very little for the difference. "You also seem to be the only woman in this Resistance."
"I don't know what you mean. I am Amalia, leader of the Resistance."
"You admit such a thing so freely?" Harry asked, he wasn't using his powers yet. She struck him as somebody who was strong willed and he'd need to lower his hood to do it properly.
"It is not something to be ashamed of." She spat at him and stood up and moved into the centre of her cell.
"You incite a war in what could be a peaceful land." Harry retorted without actually saying whether she should be ashamed of that or not. Though he believed so. "I still do not believe
you are who you say you are. The Emperor wishes to know how you command these loyal Insurgents...resistance members."
"Then he can wish." She spat.
Harry laughed and lowered his hood slightly. She gasped involuntarily at his handsome features and young age. She looked to be late teens, maybe twenty, which made them of a similar age though he knew he looked slightly younger. "What is your name?"
Her eyes widened as she opened her mouth to say 'Amalia' and then she began to strain. Harry kept eye contact and pushed, forcing her to say the words she was trying to hide. "Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca." She recoiled as soon as she'd betrayed herself.
Harry stared at her for a moment before bowing gracefully. He didn't bother to raise his hood again when he looked back up at her. "An honour, Princess Ashelia." Harry greeted formally. "I see now why you seem to hate me."
"Seem to?" She spat. "I hate everything about you!"
"Perhaps you do." Harry sighed and tilted his head.
"What will you do with me?" She asked.
"I am sure the Emperor will order me to transport you to Archades." Harry shrugged before pulling up his hood. "I won't slight the honour of a Princess of Dalmasca in further interrogation. You will be well treated under my protection."
"Just like my father was?" She spat as Harry turned to leave the room. Harry paused but simply opened the door and left. Half the problem was that he couldn't argue that point.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
The next morning.
Harry had just received word of Judge Magister Gabranth's arrival. The Eighth Fleet commanded by the Leviathan was travelling to Bhujerba and Harry was ordered by the Emperor to give Princess Ashelia into the hands of Gabranth to be taken to the Eighth Fleet. Gabranth's presence meant little to Harry except that it meant that Larsa was there as well though Harry was far too busy to seek the little critter out.
He was standing on his balcony looking out over the construction work stretching along the outer wall of the city. Until the wall was rebuilt they had to constantly man the wall to stop wild animals from getting in during the day or night. He was half listening to the reports of the interrogations of the Insurgents. Harry had ordered that they weren't dramatically mistreated since he didn't want to push the remaining Insurgents into activity by killing them.
The Judge behind him stopped talking as they were intruded upon. Harry turned to look at his intruders without reaction. He'd heard them coming down the hallways and then through his office. "I'm aware of your request, Ba'gamnan." Harry interrupted the Bangaa before he
could speak. "The Emperor respects your skills in your chosen field of work and forwarded your request for one of the thieves captured in Rabanastre."
"Then you'll hand him over?" Ba'gamnan asked harshly as was his way. He was a Headhunter and his gang tended to prefer to kill their targets rather than capture them.
"As long as they are in low security you can have them." Harry told him. "I don't have time to find them for you however. Judge Malantir here will take you down but you will leave your weapons where he tells you."
"You expect us to go in there unarmed?" Ba'gamnan glared at Harry though Harry wasn't affected.
"Nobody but an Imperial can take a weapon into the prison. Those are the rules. If you don't like them then you can leave now." Harry told him calmly. "My troops will protect you from the prisoners I assure you."
"Very well." Ba'gamnan hissed.
"I'll need the name of the one you wish to take." Harry reminded him before the Headhunter could leave.
"The Sky Pirate Balthier." Ba'gamnan hissed. "He's a tricky one to catch in one place for long."
"So I've heard." Harry only just managed to get that out calmly. His mind was whirling. He hadn't seen or heard from Balthier since the night he'd left when Harry was fourteen. Now six years later and he was being told that his brother was in his own prison and Harry had missed it. He'd been too busy with Princess Ashelia and the Insurgents to worry about three thieves caught in the wrong place. And now he'd found out that one of them was his brother. By the time he got his thoughts under control Ba'gamnan had already left along with the Judge who'd been reporting to him.
Harry turned to look out over the city once again and gripped the railing in his hands. Well he really had no choice left to him. There was no way he'd allow Ba'gamnan to take Balthier. He had two options though. He could either hope that Balthier had a plan to escape and then help out if he could whether he blew his own position or not or he could take a more drastic measure. Ba'gamnan couldn't take a prisoner from high security so he could up the charges on Balthier, move him to high security so that Ba'gamnan couldn't take him.
But since he didn't know if Balthier was planning an escape he'd have to start on the second plan. Harry turned and strolled from the room. He walked quickly through the facility heading for the entrance to the low security prison. He had to pass through the barracks on the way and then turned into the low security rather than heading further in and through the magically sealed entrance to the dungeons.
The Imperial Soldiers guarding the door came to attention as he approached and opened the door for him. Harry found everybody important already there in the entrance way where new
prisoners were searched, striped of their weapons before being let loss in the prison. Ba'gamnan and his lackeys were there as well as Judge Malantir, Judge Magister Gabranth and about a dozen Imperial Soldiers.
"The Emperor is willing to overlook race for his more talented servants." Gabranth had obviously only arrived a few moments ago since he seemed to be stopping a fight. The Imperials had their weapons drawn and the Bangaas looked rather nervous without their own. "However, those that do not show respect will receive none in kind."
"Your honour." Ba'gamnan started obviously seeing he was outnumbered.
"You travel freely throughout or lands because the Emperor wills it." Gabranth pointed out. "Am I correct?"
"Bah!" Ba'gamnan spat out before turning and waving his hand at his lackeys to spread out and start their search for Balthier.
"That's enough." Harry spoke softly though his voice cut through the scene with ease. Judge Malantir bowed to him quickly and Harry waved a hand at the Imperial troops who lowered their weapons and moved into their previous guarding positions. "I'm afraid this is at an end, Ba'gamnan." Harry announced as he strolled down the steps. "Judge Malantir will show you out."
"What about the Pirate?" Ba'gamnan growled.
Harry paused as a small scuffle met his ear. "Who is that?" Harry heard so quietly he almost missed it. The speaker was hidden behind one of the walls in the room. Harry didn't recognise the voice. He heard a slight hiss that was too low to understand. They were being watched.
"I'm charging the Sky Pirate with attempted assassination of an Imperial Official. He'll be moved to high security within the hour." Harry told Ba'gamnan. "I'm afraid that overrules your own need of him. Like I said, Judge Malantir will escort you out. I have other business to attend to."
"You'll regret this." Ba'gamnan hissed and clenched his fists.
Harry moved in a blur, his Katana was in his hand and pointing at the Bangaa's throat. "What is it that I'll regret, Ba'gamnan?" Harry hissed. Ba'gamnan glared at him but backed away from the point of Harry's sword and turned to walk back up the steps and out of the prison. Harry turned to the Imperial troops. "Find Balthier and take him to high security."
Harry turned to Gabranth as the man spoke up. "I wish to see the Captain."
"Feel free. My men will show you the way." Harry told him letting the man see his brother even though Harry knew Gabranth was the reason Ronsenburg was locked up. Harry moved on down the steps moving the other way around the central arena while the rest of his men moved the other way around. Harry was followed by half a dozen men. Harry came to a
sudden stop as he heard another small scuffle though this time it came from the shadows to his right instead of behind one of the walls.
"Shut up!" A slightly familiar voice hissed very quietly.
"Guards!" Harry snapped.
"No!" The voice hissed almost silently. "You can't. Don't do it."
"It seems we have a few escaped prisoners." Harry told the guards who snapped up more alert.
"Love before duty." The now familiar voice hissed but this time it was louder. Harry heard a brief scuffle and the slight sound that showed somebody was being restrained with a hand across his mouth. "Please!"
Harry had already decided to let them go. He turned to his guards. "Send your men up to the barracks entrance into the city, nobody gets in or out without my permission."
"My Lord!" The men ran back up the steps. Harry turned around but paused for only a moment. He was still being watched by the three guards at the entrance. He moved towards them quickly.
"Follow me." Harry ordered them opening the door for Balthier to leave. "We'll find the Sky Pirate later. He's not going anywhere at the moment."
Harry left the guards outside as he headed for the dungeon. He knew he was being followed but that really didn't bother him since he knew it was Balthier and he'd do far more for his brother than just helping him break out of prison but he also knew that it was better not to lose his own position in the process.
It wasn't until they were out of the barracks and heading through the newly unlocked seal leading to the dungeons when he heard a quick set of light footsteps chasing him. There was none of the armour clatter that accompanied Imperial Soldiers or Mages so Harry turned before leaning back to avoid the sword swipe to his chest. The sword sailed clear as the young man, Vaan, overreached and stumbled as the sword missed its target.
Harry twisted as Vaan tried to kick him and ignored the set of running footsteps coming up the corridor. Harry struck out with his hand, knocked aside the boy's wrist before grabbing at his waistcoat and hoisting him backwards and up against the wall.
"Vaan! Stop it!" Balthier shouted as loudly as he dared.
"Good advice." Harry hissed and yanked the short sword from Vaan's grip and dropped it onto the ground. He turned to look at his brother in all but blood even though his hood was still up. At his side was a tall Verra holding a bow loosely in her hands with an arrow notched and ready.
"Don't hurt him." Balthier told him.
"It didn't even cross my mind." Harry told Balthier in an emotionless voice.
"It crossed mine!" Vaan hissed and tried to struggle.
"Shut up, Vaan!" Balthier hissed. "You have no idea who you're facing."
"Oh he does." Harry laughed dryly. "He thinks he faces a murderer and the man that tricked King Raminas to his death."
"Did you?" Balthier asked carefully.
Harry let go of Vaan and moved back. He lowered his hood and turned sad eyes on his brother. "Do you think I did?"
"No." Balthier shook his head. "I'm glad to see you are ok."
"Wait!" Vaan cried. "How do you know him, Balthier?"
"You haven't got time for this." Harry told Balthier calmly. "I'd like to have the time to catch up but you've gotten yourself in trouble and it looks like I have to get you out of it again."
"We were doing just fine thank you." Balthier told him airily.
"Sure." Harry rolled his eyes sarcastically. "You're lucky you weren't caught up in that trap and killed, Balthier. Find the cell with Captain Ronsenburg, go down from there and you'll be in the old mines. That'll take you out into the Estersand."
"Harry?" Balthier looked pained and ready to argue. Harry knew what about as well. Balthier would want reassurances that Harry didn't hate him.
"Don't argue with me pirate!" Harry snapped. He didn't want Balthier wasting more time. "Get out of here and don't get caught stealing again!"
"He is right." The Verra told Balthier calmly without taking her confused expression away from Harry. "We must move quickly."
"Go." Balthier told her and nodded towards Vaan. She nodded and strolled passed Harry, taking Vaan with her. Balthier stood staring at Harry. "I can't believe how much you've changed." Balthier spoke up quietly as soon as the Verra and Vaan had gone far enough away.
"You're not exactly sixteen anymore either, Balthier." Harry said calmly.
"Do you hate me for leaving?" Balthier asked suddenly. His hands fidgeted worriedly but Harry ignored that.
"Please, Balthier, not now." Harry told him with a shake of his head.
"Why not come with me?" Balthier suddenly brightened up.
"I can't Balthier." Harry sighed. "The Emperor is only a year or two away from dying. Vayne wants his throne and he's already trying to kill off anybody that would disagree."
"Like you?" Balthier looked concerned.
"Like me. And maybe Larsa." Harry sighed. "Larsa will make a good Emperor. He may be able to turn the Empire into a peaceful place and I want to be there to help him do that."
"You think that's your purpose?" Balthier asked. Harry was surprised, he had barely thought of that recently.
"Maybe a part of it." Harry shrugged. "Balthier, you need to go but I want you to do something for me."
"Anything, you know that." Balthier nodded.
"Look out for that kid." Harry told him simply. "I met his brother and felt that maybe Reks was close to my Soulmate."
"You mean Vaan could be..." Balthier trailed off as his eyes widened, probably from both the fact it was Vaan and that his little brother was gay. "Your..."
"Oh come off it Balthier." Harry laughed. "Do we really have time to talk about my sexual preferences? And I don't know if it's Vaan. Reks was close to it but all I get from Vaan is his anger and hate."
"I'd think you were used to that by now." Balthier started carefully.
"You need to catch them up." Harry told him and pulled up his hood. Balthier took a step forwards and looked for a moment like he'd either hug Harry or reach for his face, hidden under the hood.
"I'll see you soon right?" Balthier asked.
"I'm the head of the Imperial Army in Dalmasca and you were harbouring Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca." Balthier's eyes widened. "Looked familiar did she?" Harry chuckled. "Be careful brother of mine."
"Hey, I'm the big brother here. You be careful." Balthier drew himself up just like he used to when they were younger.
Harry turned to walk passed him. "Do a favour to humanity, Balthier." Harry reached out and put a hand on his arm. "Ronsenburg is innocent, free him."
"And do what with him?" Balthier asked.
"I don't know." Harry shrugged. "And I don't really care."
Balthier smiled at him slowly before nodding. "Take care of yourself, brother."
Harry nodded and strolled away to check on the 'search' for the escaped convicts. He'd have the Imperials sweeping the city in minutes filling every corner with people and have the Shiva, Ifrit and Vanguard searching every grain of sand within a hundred miles of Nalbina Fortress. It wouldn't be his fault that Balthier, Vaan, Ronsenburg and the Verra managed to sneak out through a way Harry hadn't known about.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A few minutes later – Barheim Passage
Vaan looked over his shoulder as Balthier complemented Basch on his swordsmanship. "Nice moves there, Captain." Balthier whistled.
"You mean traitor." Vaan snapped.
"So they say. But I didn't see him kill anyone." Balthier countered simply.
"My brother did." Vaan almost growled out.
"Reks. He said he had a brother two years younger." Basch sighed wearily. "I see now, he meant you. What became..."
"He's dead." Vaan snapped, interrupting the question he really didn't want to hear. There was a lot about the Empire that he hated but only two men really came to mind when he thought of hate. Basch Von Ronsenburg and that Imperial lackey, Baltheon. The one that Balthier had been so shocked to see. The one that Balthier seemed to know.
"I'm sorry." Basch was saying. Vaan had to bring his concentration back and away from remembering the unnervingly handsome face of Baltheon.
"It was you that killed him!" Vaan snapped.
"I give you my word." Basch looked him straight in the eye. "That was not the way of it."
"Then what happened?" Balthier questioned without expression. Vaan frowned at him, he didn't see the point in stopping here to listen to lies.
Basch leant against the wall. "We went there to free the King from the Imperials. We didn't believe that Judge Magister Baltheon would stay to his word. I realise now that it was a trap, set by Baltheon, to lure us there and blame us when they killed the King." Basch paused but started again as Vaan made to ask a question. "You want to know why Reks saw me stab him? I have a twin brother, his name is Gabranth. He's working for the Imperials, it was him that killed the King, not I."
"A twin brother you say." Balthier mused. "Still, the pieces fit. I'll give you that."
"I don't believe you." Vaan snapped glaring at the man.
"Of course not. It was my fault Reks was there." Basch sighed. "I am sorry."
"My brother! He trusted you and he lost everything." Vaan snarled, his hand going to his sword. "How can I ever believe you?"
"Don't believe me then." Basch shook his head slowly. "Believe in your brother. He was a fine soldier, he fought to protect his homeland. No, surely he fought to protect his brother."
"You don't know anything!" Vaan shouted angrily.
"Vaan." Balthier shook his head and put his hand on Vaan's wrist which was close to pulling his sword. "Believe what you want to but what's done is done."
"And what about you?" Vaan suddenly rounded on Balthier with narrowed eyes. "How do you know Baltheon? Why did he let us go?"
"Baltheon saw you but let you go?" Basch gasped. "That is impossible."
"You knew him!" Vaan accused. Balthier sighed wearily.
"He helped me out of some trouble a few years ago. We're friends." Balthier shrugged carelessly. "A pirate has to have friends now and again and Baltheon is a useful one."
"He's the one that set the trap." Basch stared at Balthier. "He was the one we were protecting the King from and he's a Judge Magister. He knows my twin brother."
"Yes." Balthier told them both bluntly. "And he told me the exit was beneath your cell and that you were innocent and to help you escape."
"What?" Basch and Vaan both asked.
"What does it matter now?" Balthier asked. "We're free and we can get going. I don't like being down here crawling around in the tunnels."
"Let's get moving." Basch nodded unwilling to start another argument. If Baltheon knew they were down here then it would only be a matter of minutes before he sent hundreds of Imperials down after them.
Vaan and Basch moved on quickly but Fran levelled a look at her Hume friend. He stopped and sighed as he met her gaze. "This Baltheon they speak of is your brother." She suggested without expression.
"He's not a murderer, Fran." Balthier defended. "I know him better than that."
"Perhaps he has changed." Fran suggested without mercy. "He has a strange presence, he is not a Hume, yet I know not what he is."
"I do." Balthier told her bluntly. "I have since he was seven. I raised him until he was fourteen and then I abandoned him! I'd have died back there if it wasn't for him."
"Two brothers, raised by the Emperor. One runs while the other embraces it." Fran spoke airily as if it proved her point.
Balthier found himself angry at her logic and her unwillingness to give Harry a chance. "Love of Life is more important than Duty to the Empire." Balthier hissed at her. "That's what he said to me after finding out I was going to leave!"
Fran smiled at him gently. "Yet you worry that maybe he is no longer the boy you treasured." She told him with the same level of uncaring.
"I don't doubt him." Balthier gasped but Fran was already walking away after the other two. "I don't." He whispered hopelessly.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
End Chapter