Avatar of the Occuria
Chapter 4; The Enemy's Chains
Nalbina Fortress
Harry was pacing behind his completely clear desk as Judge Malantir watched him in revered silence listening to Harry's orders and taking them in, knowing that if he didn't do it perfectly he'd be subject to the wrath of the great Judge Magister Baltheon. "I'll be leaving on the Shiva with Judge Magister Gabranth and his prisoner to ensure her safe arrival with the Eighth Fleet." Harry stopped and looked at Malantir. "I assume that I need not detail how Nalbina should be run in my absence?"
"Of course not, My Lord Judge Magister." The helmeted Judge assured him. "It will be run as if you were running it yourself."
"And the market will stay open to all visitors." Harry warned. "And if I find out a repeat of Judge Magister Ghis' last visit happens while I'm gone I will have your head Judge Malantir."
"My Lord!" Malantir gasped and took a half step back before remembering himself and bowing in respect.
"Good. I can trust you Judge Malantir." Harry nodded, his hood was down though his hair neatly covered his ears. "And as for overriding orders, you are aware that none but the Emperor's orders can override my authority over any and all prisoners."
"Yes, My Lord Judge Magister." Malantir nodded.
"So if the Rabanastran Consul orders the release of a prisoner or tries to take command of my troops or ships?" Harry prompted.
"I am to contact yourself immediately for orders." Malantir told him confidently.
"Good, Judge Malantir. See that Vendgar and Dratan are made aware of it as well." Harry ordered. "If I cannot be reached then you may take orders from Judge Magister Drace and you are to follow them with the same alacrity as you follow my own orders."
"Of course, My Lord Judge Magister." Malantir bowed again.
"See to it then Judge Malantir." Harry motioned to the door and as soon as Malantir was gone Harry turned and started filling his cloak's specialised pockets with what he needed. Small amounts of everything from water and potions to food and maps. He lastly sheathed his Katana into the back of his cloak and pulled up his hood to cover his face in darkness.
He walked from his room and headed down to Princess Ashelia's cell. He waved aside the two guards and walked inside the cell block. "Princess Ashelia." Harry bowed respectfully before looking up as she rose from the bed in her cell to stand in the middle. "It is time to move you to the Leviathan."
"And what purpose will that serve?" She glared at him but she couldn't see his face this time.
"In time the Leviathan will deliver you to Archades where Emperor Gramis will speak to you." Harry told her plainly.
"I have no desire to speak to such a monster."
"Emperor Gramis is no monster!" Harry almost snapped. "Whether you desire it or not you have little choice. I will be accompanying you personally to the Leviathan."
"Why?" She frowned at him.
"It seems the three thieves that helped you escape the Citadel in Rabanastre also excel in breaking out prisoners from my Fortress." Harry mused and turned to the side.
"Why should that matter to my safety?" The Princess asked.
Harry turned to look at her. "Because the prisoner they rescued was Captain Basch Von Ronsenburg. I believe you know each other."
"He's alive!" She had her hands on the bars of her cell in an instant but Harry was already knocking on the door to have it opened for him. The door opened and Harry moved aside to allow Judge Magister Gabranth and eight Imperial Soldiers and Mages into the room to take her into Gabranth's custody.
"It seems all sorts of people are coming back to life." Harry mused loud enough for her to hear over the noise. "Yourself included."
He led the way out of the room with his own two loyal soldiers flanking him. Gabranth followed at a few paces with the Princess securely chained between two Imperial Soldiers. They were followed closely by the three Imperial Mages and a Judge of Gabranth's. They walked up through the prison and into the Citadel and the Aerodrome where an Atomos lay in waiting. They boarded and the Princess was rather roughly forced to sit by Gabranth's Judge.
"Easy, Judge." Harry warned. "There is no reason to be discourteous to a member of the Dalmascan Royal blood line."
"She's just a dirty Dalmascan." The Judge grunted to one of the other men assuming Harry was human and couldn't hear him. Harry stepped in and grabbed him by the throat. He tore off the helmet and smacked the man up against the wall next to the Princess who shrunk away.
"Disrespect a Judge Magister again and I'll tear your head off." Harry hissed angrily and squeezed his hand to make his point. "Disrespect the Princess again by speaking to or of her and I'll throw you out of this ship at a thousand feet."
Harry then proceeded to lift the man from the wall and throw him across the cargo bay to crash against the back door. His armour clanged loudly against the metal of the door but none of Gabranth's men dared try to help him especially with two of Harry's men standing behind Harry with their hands on their swords. "Need you accost my men, Judge Magister Baltheon?"
"All prisoners belong to me, Judge Magister, or need I remind you of that?" Harry barely turned to look at him. "Though I have just proven what I was thinking. Until you convey the Princess to the Emperor my two men here will be her captors."
Harry glanced at his two loyal troops and they bowed before moving to sit on either side of the Princess. "Do as you will." Gabranth grunted and signalled his men who moved to help the Judge off of the floor. Harry turned and moved into the forward section of the Atomos as it lifted clear of the Aerodrome and headed for the Shiva. Before he was out of range of Gabranth he paused.
"Keep a lease on your dogs, Gabranth." He hissed, quiet enough so that the Princess didn't hear the name. "Or I may just decide that they need to be culled for Larsa's sake."
Gabranth turned his helmeted head to watch Harry move away but said nothing.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Shiva – Over the eastern sea
"Harry!" Larsa shocked him by instantly calling his real name and catching him into a hug as soon as they were alone in Harry's quarters on the Shiva. Harry hugged him back and patted his head.
"I hope you are well, Larsa." Harry prompted and Larsa slowly pulled away.
"I am well." Larsa nodded.
"Why is it that you requested to see the Skycity of Bhujerba and why did you not mention this to me when I was visiting the capital?" Harry asked.
Larsa's eyes widened at the sudden interrogation and he drew himself up to his less than impressive height. "You seemed too busy for such trifling matters on your last visit."
"Oh, you little whelp." Harry laughed and drew the twelve year old into another hug. "You had better not get yourself into trouble or I swear I'll come after you."
"I know you'd protect me." Larsa grinned up at him without breaking the hug.
"If you get yourself into trouble I'll not be coming to protect you, I'll be coming to string you up in my quarters in Nalbina where you can't find more trouble." Harry retorted.
Larsa laughed but dug his head into Harry's chest and sighed. "I've missed you around."
"You saw me no more than ten days ago." Harry countered.
"But I miss you the rest of the time." Larsa argued.
"You need some friends closer to your age, Larsa." Harry told him.
"You're not my friend." Larsa argued. "You're another brother to me."
"I hope I live up to that." Harry told him seriously.
"I have faith in you." Larsa told him regally before pulling out of the hug. "Now, why are you here? And why is Gabranth cursing you all the time?"
Harry laughed. "Everybody is always cursing me, Larsa. I'm like you, trouble always finds me."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A day later – Bhujerba
Harry had never been to the Skycity of Bhujerba before since Marquis Halim Ondore seemed in every way to be the perfect puppet of the Empire. He mined and forwarded a large quantity of magicite to the Empire without complaint but Harry had always wanted to come to the city and talk to the Marquis himself. So while he was here he was going to do exactly that. He'd just seen to the transfer of Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca to the Leviathan and was heading for his Atomos when one of his loyal men jogged up to him and his three guards.
"My Lord Judge Magister." He bowed but fell in at Harry's side as Harry continued on. "Judge Magister Gabranth sent word to the Shiva a few minutes ago. He requests your aid in finding Lord Larsa."
"Finding Lord Larsa?" Harry stopped and rounded on him. The poor man took a step backwards.
"My Lord, Judge Magister Gabranth didn't report Lord Larsa missing before then." He assured Harry. "He claims he went missing almost two hours ago. He slipped out of Marquis Ondore's residence and away from his assigned Imperial detachment."
"Let's go." Harry ordered and continued at a faster pace towards the Atomos. "Send word to the Shiva to hold position and inform them that I am going down into the city."
They rode quickly down to the Aerodrome and Harry ordered the few Imperial Soldiers already searching the city to search any group attempting to leave the city via the Aerodrome. With that Harry walked out into the city with his three Soldiers and his Mage, all of which stood out with their purple edged armour, the livery of Drace's house that Harry mimicked in show of his loyalty to her cause. Since Harry also didn't have a family of his own it meant that he was under the protection of Drace's family as well which was always a positive thing.
Word had evidently reached Judge Magister Ghis who was approaching Harry across the span that led to the Aerodrome. Harry wasn't surprised that every available Judge Magister was searching for the missing son of the Emperor though their reasons would differ. Gabranth, somewhere in the city, would be doing it because if Larsa was hurt he'd take the blame. Ghis hoped that he would find Larsa and be thanked by the Emperor for his effort. Harry in contrast was searching purely because he loved Larsa. That didn't mean he wouldn't swipe the little twerp over the head as soon as he saw him though.
"Judge Magister Baltheon." Ghis greeted him sarcastically. "You're a bit out of your normal jurisdiction."
"Bhujerba is part of my jurisdiction, Judge Magister Ghis." Harry pointed out. "Even so we are all sworn to protect the House of Solidor."
"And would that duty spread to Vayne?" Ghis asked.
"If it was deemed necessary." Harry said bluntly before walking passed Ghis to continue his own search of the wayward Lordling. "Vayne can protect himself however. Larsa is still young."
"So he is." Ghis nodded before falling in at Harry's side. They wouldn't argue at the moment since they both had their duties to consider. Harry's men and Ghis' men fell in behind them though there was a space between them. "My men have already searched the city thoroughly. I was about to head for the mines when I heard of your arrival."
"Duly noted and appreciated, Judge Magister Ghis." Harry nodded his head slightly as the group wound through the city. People stared at the two Judge Magisters and their entourage as they passed but Harry didn't bother to really listen to their conversations. He only bothered to pick up enough to know if somebody was plotting against him or if he could hear anything about Larsa.
As they approached the entrance to the mines Harry stopped the group by a merchant's stand and approached the vendor. His few customers scattered in panic as they looked back and saw him and the poor Bangaa would have gone pale if he'd been human. "We're looking for a small twelve year old boy."
"There's a lot of them around here, my Lord." The vendor told him.
"I'm looking for one in particular. I doubt he would risk coming this way alone." Harry told him. "He would have been richly dressed and carrying a sword. Have you seen one to match that description."
Harry wasn't about to risk being lied to out of spite to the Empire and he laced his words with his power. The man had no choice but to answer but the strain there proved he'd wanted to lie. "A boy came this way about an hour ago. He matches that description and had two hume men, another boy and a Viera with him."
"And they went where?" Harry pushed.
"Down into the mines." The Bangaa blurted.
Harry turned to one of his own men and to one of Ghis' men. "You two remain here in case the party slips passed us. You are not to start a fight with them unless Lord Larsa is under threat." Harry ordered. His own man nodded but the other only agreed after glancing at Ghis.
Harry turned and led the way down towards the entrance of the mines and they were almost there when a girl caught Harry's eyes. She was resting against the wall and had tried to hide herself when she saw Harry and Ghis. In fact it was that act of trying to conceal herself that had caught Harry's attention. Harry looked at the side of her face and recognised her as the girl who had sat with Vaan that day of the parade in Rabanastre. Harry turned to his remaining two Soldiers. "The girl sitting against the pillar. Bring her here."
"What is this?" Ghis asked.
"I recognise her." Harry told him truthfully. "She was with the boy that helped Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca to escape from the Citadel in Rabanastre."
"A traitor." Ghis sneered as she was hauled over by Harry's men. Harry motioned them to be gently and one moved to stand behind Harry again while the other kept a guiding hand on her shoulder.
"Trying to run from me will do you no good." Harry told her. "What are you doing in Bhujerba?"
"I was kidnapped." She blurted out even though Harry wasn't using his powers on her.
"By who?" Harry asked.
"I don't know who they were. Bangaas." She told him.
"Kidnapped? A street rat like you?" Ghis laughed. "Come now, tell the truth!"
"Why would Bangaas kidnap you?" Harry asked.
"Come, Judge Magister Baltheon, you can't believe her excuse?" Ghis turned to him.
Harry did believe her, even though he hadn't used his powers against her. He looked at her in silence even though his face was mostly hidden apart from the odd glimmer of his features. "They were looking for a Sky Pirate called Balthier." She admitted after a moment.
"Him again!" Ghis groaned in irritating. "If I find that menace I'll take off his head."
"Come, Judge Magister Ghis. We have Lord Larsa to find." Harry prompted and made the soldier guide the girl along with them so she was beside Harry as he continued down the steps. "We can deal with the girl at a later time. If we even need bother."
They'd just reached the bottom of the steps when Larsa came running around the corner. He back pedalled when he saw Ghis and then paled dramatically when he spotted Harry but then drew himself up regally at the sight of the rest of the entourage. "I see you have been out walking without the company of your cortege, Lord Larsa." Ghis spoke up dryly. He noticed Larsa staring at the girl at Harry's side and continued. "We caught her resting after coming out of the mines. You must take care with such undesirables about."
"I was kidnapped!" The girl shouted and struggled against the soldier's hand on her shoulder. Harry glanced up at the mine's entrance when a shape appeared before being yanked back into the shadows with a muffled cry that met only Harry's ears. The concept of being watched was beginning to get old for Harry but he didn't send men after those in the entrance purely because he decided it had to be Balthier.
"Silence!" Ghis was yelling at the girl.
"If it is a crime to wander on one's own then I too am guilty." Larsa pointed out. "I'm sure the Marquis can accommodate another guest."
Harry realised where Larsa was going. "I don't see why not." Harry spoke up.
"Judge Magister Ghis, I will heed your counsel." Larsa spoke up. "I will not travel unaccompanied any longer."
With that Larsa stepped forwards and tugged at the girl's hand pulling her up the steps at his side. "That was unexpected." Ghis muttered to Harry.
"Indeed." Harry nodded. "We both have matter's to deal with, yours more pressing than mine. I will see Lord Larsa back to the Marquis' house and back into the hands of Judge Magister Gabranth. Thank you for your help."
Harry turned and walked up the steps after Larsa and the girl with his own entourage behind him. His longer legs soon caught up to Larsa and after the boy turned and saw him he leant in to whisper into the girl's ear before Harry was close enough to hear him. Or at least that was what Larsa had seemed to hope. Harry heard it easily though. "Thank you Penelo." Larsa whispered. So Larsa knew who she was which meant he had been with Balthier.
"Of course." Penelo seemed inordinately shocked that he knew her name.
Harry caught up to Larsa and saw Larsa wince but Harry didn't offer up conversation. They walked through the streets with Harry's entourage in front and behind them until they were permitted entrance into the Marquis' home. "I'm afraid that the Marquis is busy at this moment." The head servant told Harry with a deep bow.
"When he has a moment inform him that we are here. We need only use a room to talk in private before Lord Larsa is returned to the Leviathan." Harry spoke coldly and the man flinched at the tone of his voice. Even Larsa seemed surprised. "I would however have an audience with him as soon as he becomes available."
"I will pass on the message." The servant promised. "In the mean time please feel free to use Lord Larsa' previous rooms."
Harry motioned to Larsa who tugged Penelo after them. Harry turned to his entourage. "Find Judge Magister Gabranth and tell him where Lord Larsa is."
With that Harry followed Larsa and Penelo up through the house to a large balcony-rimmed suite with a large study and drawing room. When Harry had checked the place out for dangers he went out onto the balcony where Larsa was pacing nervously and Penelo was watching him in confusion.
As soon as Larsa saw him he darted forwards but stopped before hugging Harry as Harry lowered his hood and narrowed his eyes at him. "I'm sorry, Baltheon." Larsa pleaded luckily remembering that they had company.
"You promised not to go find trouble and I let you out of my sight for a single day and you run off into the mines!" Harry snapped coldly. "Not only that but it seems as if this was your purpose for coming here all along which meant you mislead me and lied to my face."
Larsa jerked at this. "I wasn't in any danger."
"With a Sky Pirate, Basch Von Ronsenburg and a street rat, all of which escaped Nalbina not more than three days ago?" Harry scoffed.
"Don't call Vaan a street rat!" Penelo was on her feet in an instant and was glaring on Harry.
A smirk crossed Harry's face as he turned to look at her. "So I was right."
"Baltheon, stop it." Larsa ordered.
"I don't take orders from you, Larsa." Harry told him. "I didn't think you were like your brother but obviously I was wrong. You are capable of lying to me for your own purposes."
"I didn't want to." Larsa complained. "It was something I had to see for myself and I wanted to do it on my own."
"You mean without me reporting you to the Emperor for aiding escaped criminals?" Harry asked but with humour this time. He stopped and shook his head before opening his arms so that Larsa could hug him. He saw Penelo's eyes widen as presumably her new friend was hugged by the person that most Dalmascans saw as a monster or worse. As Larsa's arms wrapped around his chest though Harry's mind exploded as the Song screamed at him. His body weakened and he staggered down to his knees. Larsa tried to hold him up but Harry's eyes rolled into his head as pain wracked his body.
In the last vestiges of Harry's conscious thought he realised that the effect was coming from Larsa and while not the same as before it had the same effect as when the Deifacted Nethicite had been used against Nabudis. This was nowhere near as powerful as the blast that had almost killed him before but it wasn't pleasant either. Harry thrust Larsa away from him since it was the only thing he could do.
He'd had similar experiences with the Manufactured Nethicite before but he'd never allowed himself to get this close to it before. Larsa staggered backwards onto the floor and Harry felt energy rushing back to him as the Song soothed out again. "Larsa." Harry moaned as he forced himself back onto his feet using the table to help him. Larsa tried to help him up but Harry gestured him away with a curt gesture that seemed to pain the boy. "You're carrying Nethicite."
Larsa's eyes widened in shock and his hand went to his pocket where the Nethicite was. "I'm sorry, Baltheon." Larsa pleaded. "I didn't think about it."
"It's not your fault, Larsa." Harry assured him before completely regaining control of himself. He looked around to see if they'd been interrupted but only found Penelo staring at him in shock. Her eyes were focused off to the left of Harry's face.
"You're not human." Penelo gasped.
Larsa gasped and bit his lip as he looked at Harry's uncovered left ear and then to Penelo. Harry's expression turned hard and Larsa raised a hand to stop Harry from taking any action though Harry wasn't sure what Larsa thought he had planned. "Please, Penelo. Speak of this to nobody. Especially not to anyone in the Empire."
"What are you?" Penelo still didn't take her eyes from Harry so he placed his hair back over his ear and then pulled up his hood to cover his face.
"The slayer of a King." Harry hissed sending Penelo backwards in shock as his eyes glowed with intensity under his hood. Larsa could plead all he liked but her fear of everything to do with Judge Magister Baltheon worked just as effectively. Harry turned as a man entered the suite and headed straight out to them. It was one of his loyal soldiers.
"My Lord Judge Magister." He bowed low to Harry. "I bring a report. Judge Magister Gabranth sends word that he and his men will collect Lord Larsa and return him to the Leviathan within the hour. Also there are rumours spreading through the city that a boy is claiming to be Captain Ronsenburg."
"Rumours?" Harry asked.
"I heard the locals talking about it myself on the way from the Aerodrome, My Lord Judge Magister." The man assured him. "Also the head-servant to the Marquis has asked me to inform you that the Marquis has returned but that he has a matter to deal with before he may see you. He will send for you as soon as the matter is dealt with."
"Thank you." Harry dismissed the man with a curt gesture. Penelo was still staring at him in shock and horror and Larsa was watching him carefully. "I fear I may have irritated your guest, Larsa. I will leave you to your own devices if you promise to stay put until Gabranth comes for you."
Larsa nodded with a sad face and Harry turned and slipped from the room.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Larsa sighed out as the man he saw as a brother to him left the room. "How can you be friends with Baltheon?" Penelo asked.
"It seems that you forget my own position in the Empire, Penelo." Larsa told her without turning from the door. "He is not the same person in private as he is when in audience. He must act as he does to insure the safety of those around him. His own safety is second to that."
"He murdered my King." Penelo told him.
"Why do you say that?" Larsa asked, finally turning to look at her.
"He tricked King Raminas to Nalbina so he'd be killed. He was in league with Basch Von Ronsenburg." Penelo told them. "He tricked us all so that the Empire could take complete control of Dalmasca."
"That was not the way of it, Penelo." Larsa told her. "That I promise you."
"Then what did happen?" Penelo accused.
"My father, the Emperor, ordered Baltheon to Nalbina after the fighting because Baltheon treasures the lives of others before power or land. To him all life is precious, be it Dalmascan, Archadian or Rozarrian." Larsa told her. "His task was to find the best way to end the war without further bloodshed. He freed the people of Nalbina to bring King Raminas B'nargin Dalmasca to the treaty table but failed to protect him when Captain Basch Von Ronsenburg infiltrated the Citadel and killed him."
"I'm supposed to believe such a thing?" Penelo asked.
"It is what I believe happened and for Baltheon's part I know it to be true." Larsa frowned. "Though recent events bring to light a darker theme to the story. I met Captain Von Ronsenburg with your party. He seems to not be the type to slay his own King."
"What does that mean?" Penelo asked seeing sincerity in her new friend's eyes.
"I do not know." Larsa frowned. "I only know that Baltheon only needs to ask a question to receive the truth. He held Captain Von Ronsenburg for two years in Nalbina Fortress, he must know the truth of the matter. Yet he stays true to his story even though it causes all of Dalmasca to hate him."
"But if he deserves it?" Penelo prompted.
"Baltheon is not the man you think he is, Penelo." Larsa promised her. "He has done more than you can imagine to keep peace in Dalmasca and been ridiculed for it within Archades."
"What is he?" Penelo eventually conceded his point even if she couldn't imagine herself completely believing Larsa without seeing proof. Then again, she thought to herself, she'd never seen proof that he'd tricked their King either. The only person who had seen that proof was either Basch Von Ronsenburg or Vaan's older brother.
"We do not know." Larsa sighed. "Only myself and the Emperor know he is anything but a human. He calls himself an Elf yet he knows nothing about his race. He appeared near to Archades when he was seven. As far as we know he is the only one of his kind and he feels it is his duty to one day see peace come to Ivalice. I hope one day to help him do this."
"I would like to see that." Penelo admitted. "But I find it hard to ignore what is said of Baltheon."
"I have never understood why he allows such rumours to spread unchallenged." Larsa sighed again. "Maybe when I do I will understand more about this."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Harry had met with Gabranth briefly when he and his men had come to take Larsa back to the Leviathan and Harry stayed in the Marquis' gardens while he waited to be allowed in to talk to the Marquis. He'd verified with one of the servants that the Marquis was in fact busy and not just avoiding Harry and he was content to sit in the beautiful garden. He was interrupted when there was the sound of a struggle from one of the open windows above him but in another wing that he couldn't see. He heard it easily and was inside in seconds where he ran into a few guards running out of the wing he'd heard the noise from.
They saw him and stopped. "My Lord Judge Magister." One started with a respectful bow. "The Marquis desires your assistance with a few recently apprehended criminals. He believes you will wish to take them to the Leviathan."
"Who are they?" Harry asked
"Amongst them is Captain Basch Von Ronsenburg as well as the Sky Pirate Balthier and his accomplices." The man told him. "Word has already been sent to the Leviathan."
Harry pressed a summons on his left bracer and lifted it to his mouth. "All units within the Marquis compound report..."
"The Marquis' study, My Lord." The guard told him.
"To the Marquis' study." Harry continued and lowered his bracer. "Take me there." Harry ordered and started to follow him.
Normally Harry would have tried to think of a way to get his brother out of trouble but if the Marquis had already notified the Leviathan of who he had then he was out of options. Harry would simply have to take custody of them once they were on the Leviathan and then take them back to Nalbina Fortress. He'd need his own guards to watch them to prevent one of Ghis' men getting out of control.
Harry strolled through the open door into the Marquis' study to see the four newly captured prisoners around the room. Balthier and the Viera, Fran, were being held by a guard each but Vaan and Basch Von Ronsenburg were being restrained by two men each. The Marquis was standing behind his desk with a protective guard on one side and an aide on the other.
Vaan made a strangled cry when he saw Harry and tried to lurch out of his captors' hands but was held firm. "It would see my private thoughts about you were off the mark, Marquis Ondore." Harry said as he paused to look at them all from under his cloak.
"What do you mean?" Ondore asked.
"You seem to be the perfect Imperial citizen." Harry waved a hand carelessly.
"You let us go!" Vaan yelled though Harry wasn't sure who he was talking to.
"I'm afraid you'll be the guests of the Leviathan for a time until the Shiva leaves to escort the four of you back to Nalbina." Harry told them bluntly. "Do not attempt to escape again. Troops loyal to me will be guarding you at every moment."
Harry saw the flicker of relief pass across Balthier's face and knew he'd gotten the hint that Harry would protect them if he could. Harry's original entourage rushed through the doors followed shortly by another ten Imperial soldiers and Mages. "Escort these four to the Leviathan."
"Judge Magister Ghis will wish to talk to them, I believe." Marquis Ondore spoke up.
"Really?" Harry remarked. "Very well. If Judge Magister Ghis wishes to talk to them then so be it."
Harry's men led the four captives from the room and Harry couldn't help but watch as Vaan glared at him with what seemed to be all the hate of the world coming from his eyes. "You do not wish to accompany them?" Ondore asked as he noticed Harry wasn't leaving with them.
"No, Marquis. I wish to talk to you." Harry said before slowly turning to look at the older man. "Alone preferably."
Ondore nodded and waved off his guards and his aide. "What is it you wished to discuss?"
"I have been in command of Nalbina for two years now, Marquis, yet I have never been able to come and speak to you." Harry sat gracefully on one of the chairs facing Ondore's desk and then motioned Ondore into his own. Harry slowly lowered his hood and saw the normal widening of the Marquis' eyes at his young face. "Expecting somebody older I presume."
"And slightly less radiant." Ondore complimented smoothly.
"Yet I doubt you have much love for my presence." Harry slipped in smoothly. "I am going to soften that burden for you by asking for what I want from you right off without all these pleasantries."
"You can always ask something of me." Ondore told him with well placed sincerity.
"Why did you just give me back my prisoners?" Harry asked and saw the instant where Ondore tried to lie to him and realised he couldn't. "It is an interesting gift of mine, Marquis." Harry told him and thus broke the lock he had over the man.
"What did you do?"
"It is an innate gift I have that I must admit is very useful in finding out true innocence and true guilt." Harry told him. "It is how I know most of what I do about people's true intentions. Now I trust I will need to force the first answer from you before you are willing to truly believe me. Is this a plan to rescue Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca?"
Ondore tried to fight it but Harry kept a firm gaze on the man and sweat began to form before his mouth opened in a futile gasp that was clearly a yes. "Please..." He trailed off when Harry looked away thoughtfully.
"Please what, Marquis?" Harry asked.
"Please do not stop them." Ondore begged.
"You have me at a disadvantage, Marquis." Harry told him and watched as the man frowned as he clearly didn't see it that way. "Without your people's interference the Princess will go to Archadia to discuss peace with the Emperor which I see as an opportunity for lasting peace between the Empire and the free nations of Nabradia, Dalmasca and Bhujerba yet if I make your duplicity known then your own peace will break down and we risk war."
"War with what?"
"You tell me." Harry prompted but the Marquis refused to tell him. Harry reworded himself. "Are you funding a resistance, Marquis Ondore?"
The Marquis choked but in the end gasped out another yes that by all expressions seemed to spell his own doom. "I will make you an offer, Marquis Ondore." Harry told him. "I have no desire for war anywhere in Ivalice. I have fought for two years to prevent such a thing and your actions risk everything I work towards. This will stay between the two of us but if you ever try to rise up in Princess Ashelia's name I will bring the entirety of the Imperial fleet to bear on your resistance and I will crush it."
"You would allow Princess Ashelia to escape?" Ondore asked in shock.
"On the premise that she either lays low or strives towards a peaceful conclusion to this hatred between our nations." Harry told him. "I am a man of my word, Marquis Ondore. I keep my promises and my threats in equal measure. Think about what I have said and when they escape with her I will not interfere with them. If you then decided to speak for peace you will have my vote of confidence when the time comes to speak to the Empire."
Harry stood slowly, pulled up his hood and left a shocked and pale Marquis in his study as he headed for the Shiva.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Shiva
The Shiva, as always, was Harry's haven. He'd taken great lengths to ensure that his crew were loyal to him and Judge Magister Drace and he trusted them to carry out his orders without question. So when the ship's sensor crew reported to him and the Captain that there was a single Atomos heading away from the Leviathan and towards Bhujerba on the distant eastern horizon, Harry ordered them not to do anything. It was well known that the Leviathan had gone on alert and Ghis had requested Harry's ship to help prevent any escaping prisoners from tasting freedom.
"Was that the escaped prisoners?" Captain Lydock asked Harry carefully.
"Think very carefully about whether you wish to know the answer to that, Lydock." Harry prompted.
"You have my word as to my loyalty for you." The Captain told him. "I will need to remove this from the logs if it is true."
"Judge Magister Ghis only reported that my own prisoners have escaped." Harry told him. "They are not important enough to chase to Bhujerba and by the time a ship is launched and catches them they'll be in the city. I will not occupy Bhujerba for the sake of a few thieves."
"As you wish, My Lord Judge Magister." The Captain bowed to him before heading away. As it turned out it was almost an hour before word was received from the Leviathan that Ghis had been wounded by the escaping group who had rescued Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca and also taken Lord Larsa's friend with them.
He cursed Ghis getting wounded since he knew it would be up to him to report it to the Emperor. He moved to his rooms to make the call in private and was careful to route it through Drace's well situated systems so he had privacy. It took a while to explain what he wanted to tell the Emperor. About his son's rebelliousness and then safe return and about Marquis Ondore's capture of the Captain and his accomplices and then finally to the escape of the prisoners and Ghis' wounds.
In the end the Emperor requested that he escort Larsa back to Nalbina where Gabranth would return with him on private airship to the capital.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Strahl – Above the Dalmascan Westersand
The group sat around the small cabin table though both Basch and Fran were leaning against the counter rather than squashing onto the table with them. There was an L-shaped cushion seat that lined two sides of the table and then three small stalls that ringed the rest. Balthier sat at the short edge of the cushioned bench with Vaan and then Penelo on the rest of the bench and Ashelia sat on one of the stalls on his right.
"I must admit when I woke up a week ago I did not believe I would be mixed up in all of this." Balthier announced with his usual dry humour. He wasn't joking either. First there was the Insurgents' attack on Rabanastre and his own brother's rather brutal counteroffensive that had seen him and his partner, Fran, locked up in Nalbina Fortress with their unwitting accomplice. Not only that but the Fortress held the air of perfection that he'd always noted with his younger brother. If it hadn't been for Fran's nose they'd never have escaped and if Harry hadn't been on their side they'd probably have been executed by now.
Then there was trying to rescue Penelo which had ended up in them being locked up in the Leviathan and rescuing the Princess only to come within a half mile of what Balthier later realised was Harry's Light Cruiser only to be ignored completely even after being scanned. Now they were camping out over the Dalmascan Westersand on another quest to free Dalmasca.
"Perhaps you shouldn't have tried stealing from the Royal Treasury." Ashe pointed out.
"That's what Sky Pirates do." Balthier chuckled again but his mind had stuck on his brother again. He had only seen him from afar in the last six years and now his brother was twenty and seemed to have more than his fair share of control over everything. He'd completely shocked Balthier in Nalbina Fortress, first with saving him from Ba'gamnan and then from pointing him to the exit even after Vaan had tried to attack him. Then there was the Basch problem that his brother's whole reputation hinged upon.
Now, most recently, it turned out that Harry had forced the truth from the Marquis after he'd fooled the Imperials into taking them onto the Leviathan in an effort to rescue Ashe. Harry had know about what was happening long before they'd realised it themselves and yet he'd told the Marquis that he'd allow it as long as the Princess didn't try to start a war.
"You're treading on dangerous ground." Balthier suddenly told Ashe as he remembered that threat. Ashe intended to take the hidden Deifacted Nethicite from the Tomb of Raithwall and use it to force the Empire to leave her country.
"What are you talking about?" Ashe asked him.
"You intend to start a war with this Nethicite." Balthier frowned.
"They deserve it." Vaan snapped.
"Yet by making this decision you have taken one of the two roads offered to you by the Judge Magister Baltheon." Fran spoke up sensing once again exactly what her Hume partner was thinking. "And you have chosen the path that puts him as your enemy. An enemy that seems to know every move that we make."
"He already was our enemy." Ashe told her.
"I sense that he has no desire to be any persons enemy." Fran frowned as she spoke.
"All we know for sure is that he tricked my father into a trap." Ashe told them all with a nod that Vaan seemed to agree with enthusiastically.
"Do we really?" Balthier asked with unnerving calm. "Or is that still speculation and rumour?"
"If he hadn't killed my brother we'd be able to ask Reks." Vaan glared at nobody in particular. Balthier couldn't help but remember his younger brother's words about Vaan possibly being his Soulmate.
"Baltheon didn't kill Reks." Basch spoke up. "That was Gabranth. I spoke to him many times when he visited me in Nalbina Fortress."
"How about you tell us about Baltheon, Captain Von Ronsenburg?" Balthier spoke up trying to find out everything he could without being too obvious. "You were his guest for two years after all."
"I still do not know what to think of him." Basch admitted. "He is cold whenever he talks of what happened to King Raminas. I detect betrayal."
"See!" Vaan sat up straighter.
"Not his betrayal but that somebody betrayed him." Basch frowned. "I could almost believe that somebody used his honest attempts to make peace to kill the King. I was there when the King died. Two of the Imperial troops that had come with Gabranth restrained me while he entered. He was furious but he questioned your brother almost as if he was his own charge. When he asked me if I killed the King my captors interrupted me. He was furious and turned his interrogation on them. They couldn't help but answer his questions."
"That sounds like what he did to the Marquis." Ashe frowned. "And to me in Nalbina. He forced an answer from me and I had no choice but to give it to him."
Balthier wisely kept silent, he'd been tricked into a few embarrassing moments when he'd been forced to admit things to his younger brother, especially when Harry was too young to know what it was his puberty-driven brother was doing. Balthier turned back to Basch after a moment. "What did he question them about?"
"He asked what the trap was and they told him it was orders." Basch frowned. "I have barely thought about this but one began pleading with Baltheon saying that they'd kill him if he talked. He asked them if the whole thing was just a way to kill the King and place the blame on somebody else."
"What did they say to that?" Balthier asked liking these answers since it pointed at Harry's innocence.
"They said it was." Basch shivered at some memory.
"Who ordered it?" Penelo asked.
"Baltheon didn't find out." Basch shuddered again. "He asked but the other guard stabbed the one being questioned to silence him and then turned on Baltheon. Baltheon cut him down within half a second with a flood of power channelled through a Shock." The group shuddered and Balthier found himself trembling as he remembered just how strong Harry's magic had been at fourteen. It had to be twice as powerful now if not more.
"Whoever ordered it then was not Baltheon." Fran announced. "Perhaps he was true in his desire to make peace with the King of Dalmasca but somebody higher than himself ordered it behind his back."
"Why did he not denounce that then?" Vaan asked. "Everybody accuses him of it."
"And Larsa said that he'd believed that Baltheon had failed to protect him." Penelo added.
"Wait!" Vaan rounded on Balthier. "He recognised you in Nalbina."
"So he did." Balthier shrugged. "We go back. I don't know anymore about this than you do though except that he is loyal to the Emperor because he believes that the Emperor desires peace. If the Emperor decided to kill King Raminas to achieve peace then Baltheon would not have spoken out against it. He would suffer under everybody else's hate as long as peace continued."
"I wouldn't do that." Vaan declared. "I would fight it."
"I think we're on the right track." Penelo spoke up. "When I saw Baltheon he obviously loved Larsa so much. He wasn't the man that everybody believed but he was willing to make us believe he was."
"I still don't see why he would." Vaan stubbornly told them all. He looked a bit confused but still looked like he'd take knife to Baltheon if he ever showed up. "Who likes being hated?"
"Judge Magister Baltheon is friends with another Judge Magister." Balthier told them. "From what I know she helped to raise him. As it is Baltheon commands a heavy Cruiser, two Light Cruisers of his own and the ten thousand troops he's picked to watch over Dalmasca. Judge Magister Drace and her cohort together control thirty percent of the Imperial fleet and army."
"Civil war?" Ashe gasped.
"He's putting his country before his own personal happiness." Balthier sighed. "If I know Baltheon he would have been crushed if it was the Emperor that did that to him."
"Civil war is good." Vaan nodded. "As long as it's in Archadia."
"We're talking about a war that would spread out into Dalmasca, not to mention what would happen to the winning side when the Rozarrian's take advantage of the crippled Empire." Balthier shook his head. "My concern is precisely this."
"What?" Ashe prompted.
"He let you escape as long as you didn't force a war and that, my little Princess, is exactly what you want to do." Balthier sighed. "He won't allow it even if he must make a repeat of history where he is to blame."
"You mean he'd kill me?" Ashe asked.
"I don't know." Balthier stood from the table and turned to walk back into this cockpit.
"You don't know?" Fran asked him a moment later as soon as they were alone. "Or you do not wish to think about it?"
"Damn it, Fran!" Balthier snapped at her for the first time in years. "Don't talk about him like that!"
"But you have your doubts as to his heart." Fran pointed out mercilessly.
"No." Balthier shook his head and sank into a chair. "I don't mistrust Harry. I know he still loves the world."
"You hope he still loves you?" Fran asked.
"I left him, Fran." Balthier sighed. "To save him from my mistakes but I still left him." Balthier realised he was crying and Fran sat in the pilot's chair and tapped a button that shut the cockpit door and locked it. "He was whipped because he took the blame for me, Fran. He had welts on his back. At thirteen! Because his fifteen year old brother couldn't keep his mouth shut around a Judge Magister!"
"Now you think he has become a monster because you weren't there to look out for him?" Fran asked. Balthier looked at her in shock but found himself nodding all the same. "That is not the case."
"What?" Balthier jerked. So far Fran had been suggesting his doubts were spot on but now she'd put him off balance.
"He took a name designed after your own so that you could know he'd never forget." Fran pointed out. "And I sensed only love for you when we met him. I saw it in his eyes. Pain when he looked at Vaan and sadness and love when he looked at you."
"I can't let him kill for peace, Fran." Balthier told him. "I can't make him do that. If the Princess gets the shard and wants to use it we have to take it from her so she can't start a war. Or at least make her see the truth."
"Then we have decided to see this quest to the end." Fran nodded and ran her long fingered hand through his hair. "For your brother's sake."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Two days later – Leviathan – Over Jagd
Harry stood beside the still rather weak Judge Magister Ghis at the front of the huge Battleship's cockpit. A small Atomos slipped passed the windows as he watched but it was just one of many that plied between the ships. Harry was preparing himself for what was about to happen.
He'd taken Larsa and Gabranth back to Nalbina Fortress but been called to join the Eighth fleet once again almost immediately since Ghis was to once again confront the Princess of Dalmasca when his own spy, her supposed loyal knight, called the Imperials down on them once they had the Dawn Shard that they desired. Harry had been admittedly disappointed in the Princess when she'd chosen to go after the powerful weapon, clearly choosing to use it as a weapon against the Empire, something that Harry couldn't allow. Her knight, Vossler, seemed to agree with him too since he was willing to make a deal with Ghis and Vayne that the Princess would be given back her throne in Dalmasca as long as she didn't try to start a war and stayed under Imperial control.
Harry had already made it clear that once the Deifacted Nethicite was in Imperial hands he would take all of them to Nalbina until the Emperor decided what to do with them. Harry wasn't willing to have anything like what happened to Raminas happen again under his watch.
"My Lord Judge Magisters." The Leviathan's captain announced. "The prisoners are almost here."
Harry stayed where he was for a moment, facing away from the door as he heard the distinct sounds of seven prisoners and eight Imperial Soldiers and Mages coming across the slightly raised centre of the control room. He heard the exact moment when Balthier recognised his hooded form by his intake of breath and then the angry gasp from Vaan that told Harry that the young boy had noticed him as well.
He slowly turned around even as Ghis stepped forwards with his normal air of arrogance with his helmet under his arm. Ghis was in no fit state to fight which was why Harry was officially there but he held himself up as if he wasn't wounded. Harry could respect that. "Such a tremendous honour to again be graced with your presence, your majesty. You left us with such dispatch on our last encounter that I must confess, I had begun to think that we had given cause for offence." Ghis looked at the four older members of the group with a casual air. "I see the orphans are still with you. Interesting."
Vaan seethed at this but Harry took a step forwards. "All beings can rise to anything, Judge Magister Ghis. Even two orphans from Rabanastre have names. Vaan and Penelo." Harry's voice was soft and had its normal musical air to it. He turned slightly to look at the rest of the group. "My escape thieves, Balthier and Fran. Captain Ronsenburg and of course Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca who desires that which she shouldn't."
"You speak in riddles." Ghis faked a chuckle over his irritation at Harry. Harry wasn't fooled though and turned his shaded face on the man. "It seems, Princess, that we have something you want and you have something we want. Perhaps a deal can be made."
"You hold the second of the Dynast Kings relics." Harry spoke up again. "There is a way for peace to reign, Princess Ashelia. Give up the Nethicite and you may sit upon your throne once again."
"As a puppet to the Empire?" Ashelia narrowed her eyes at him.
"As the Queen of a peaceful nation rather than a Martyr remembered only for an act that started a war and cost thousands of lives." Harry countered.
"It's the Empire that started the war!" Vaan argued. Harry turned his head to the boy but didn't say anything. Harry could almost feel the hate coming from Vaan and it ripped at his heart.
"Princess." Vossler spoke up as he stepped up to her side. "You should do as he asks."
"Vossler!" Basch gasped. "Are you mad!?"
"He is a man of logic." Harry interrupted. "If not of loyalty."
"And which do you value more?" Balthier asked suddenly.
Harry turned to him and silence passed for several moments before Harry turned away with a low statement. "Loyalty even though sometimes there is little logic to it."
"How...sentimental." Ghis sneered at Harry and then turned his complete attention to the prisoners. "Captain Azelas has stuck a bargain. In exchange for the Dawn Shard the Empire will permit Lady Ashe to reclaim her throne and the Kingdom of Dalmasca will be restored." Ghis reiterated the earlier point.
"And when all is said and done, your master will have another pet." Basch scoffed. Harry was about to speak up but Ghis took the spot light and pulled his sword. Harry tensed but let him say his peace.
"Lady Ashe, let us take this Sky Pirate for the people of Dalmasca, your Majesty wallows in indecision on the peril of their heads." In one smooth motion Ghis levelled his sword across Balthier's throat. Harry's sword was in his hand in an instant as Balthier sucked in a shocked breath. Harry kept his sword in a position where he could either deflect a strike against Ghis or put it straight through Ghis' armour. There was no way he would watch as Ghis killed his big brother, he wouldn't allow Ghis to land that blow nor allow anybody from the prisoners to attack Ghis and force his hand. He was well aware however that Ghis' blade was almost cutting into Balthier's neck and he wouldn't be able to kill Ghis in time. His magic spiralled up inside him and his left hand came out from his side and glowed a dark red of a Ardour spell that would kill Ghis in seconds.
Balthier was staring at Harry in shock as they all saw the green glint of his cat like eyes from the shadows of his face. Balthier looked almost relieved even with the blade across his throat. "His head shall be the first to fall." Ghis told her darkly. Harry gripped his sword tighter and lifted it to face Basch who looked the most ready to leap into an attack. Really the shift of aim placed his blade in a position where he could revert it in an instant and plunge it through Ghis.
There was a long pause but Ashelia did as ordered and held it out slowly and painfully. Harry flinched at the sight of it and the Song changed. It seemed to scream at him but it was happy about the Shard.
"Take them away and lock them up." Ghis snapped to his men as soon as his fist was closed over the shard. His men instantly surrounded the troops but Harry moved forwards even as he lowered his swords and shrugged off the feeling of holding an Ardour in clear view of the entire room.
"I think not, Judge Magister. All Prisoners are mine. That is the law. They will go to the Shiva and then return to Nalbina until the Emperor decides what is to be done with them." Harry ordered and raised his hands to signal his own four soldiers and two Mages lingering at the door. "I will take them now."
"Do as you want." Ghis made a dismissive gesture and Harry walked passed a glaring Vaan and Ashelia even as his own men began herding the six prisoners and Vossler towards the door. Harry turned one last time to see Ghis handing the Dawn Shard to a scientist from Draklor laboratory and the man ran from the room with the Shard cradled in his hands.
Harry raised his left arm and thumbed his transmitter. He had a very bad feeling about all of this. In a few short words he ordered the Shiva to break formation with the Eighth fleet and then turn North as soon as he was back onboard. All he knew was that if Ghis planned to do something with the Deifacted Nethicite Harry wanted to be as far from it as possible especially if something like Nabudis happened again. And he wanted Balthier and Vaan as far from it as possible too.
He took them straight to an Atomos and they went peacefully knowing that Harry lurked right behind them all. That and they probably knew that their chances of escaping unharmed was better on a Light Cruiser rather than on a Heavy Battleship. Their assumption was wrong since with Harry around their chances were simply poor regardless of where they were.
As soon as the Atomos docked with the Shiva Harry felt the ship pitch and knew from Balthier's quick look that his older brother had noticed it too. "We head for Nalbina with all haste." Harry spoke simply as if answering a question.
"To lock us up again?" The Princess sneered.
"Until you claim your throne, your Majesty." Vossler told her.
"You won't sell my soul as quickly as you sold your own." Ashelia snapped turning as they walked to glare back to Vossler.
"This is for the best." Vossler seemed to be reassuring himself. Harry watched him from where he walked at the front of the group with three guards. The rest of the guard walked behind the prisoners.
"You have to let us go!" Penelo suddenly demanded and Harry turned slightly as they stopped to look at her realising she was talking to him.
"And why would I release prisoners?" Harry asked. "The world is a safer place with the Princess of Dalmasca behind bars where she cannot start a war."
"But you helped..." Vaan started but not even Fran saw it clearly as Harry blurred passed Penelo and Balthier and struck the boy across the face. Harry jerked painfully at the pain it caused his right hand as his slap landed and silenced the Rabanastran but Harry was more pained that he'd had to make the move to silence him than anything else.
"Don't try to accuse me of disloyalty." Harry hissed as he removed himself from the range of any retribution from the dazed boy. Vaan was clearly shocked but as Harry met Balthier's eyes he realised Balthier looked utterly wounded by Harry's violence. Harry just hoped that Balthier would realise that Vaan had been about to blurt out that Harry had helped them to escape and he couldn't allow that around these men.
Vaan was still staring at Harry in shock when Harry flinched again and half turned away with a muttered groan of pain. His ears were flooded with a high screeching sound that could only be the Song in utter pain. The men closest to him moved in front of him with raised swords as they saw Harry weakness.
"My Lord Judge Magister!" One called. "Call a medic!" He snapped to another who went to the wall intercom quickly.
"Urgh!" This time everyone jerked around to see Fran on her knees quivering with energy that almost glowed around her.
"Stop her!" Vossler seemed to think he was now in charge and in an instant had his broadsword drawn and raised. Before anybody could attack though Fran slipped straight out of her bindings and knocked down two of Harry's Mages. Vossler attacked but Vaan slipped his bindings almost as quickly as Balthier. Basch was soon free and his own broadsword parried Vossler's.
Harry held himself up on a wall but already knew that he couldn't help. Even so he pulled himself to his feet but couldn't reach his magic so drew his sword only to instantly shift it to his left hand when his right sent lances of pain up his arm. He could feel his right hand bruised and bleeding from where he'd hit Vaan and was more than a little shocked that it was as it was. The fight was complete chaos now with Balthier healing his own people and Penelo shielding them all from magic. Vaan and Ashelia were attacking his own three guards seemingly determined to kill Harry while Fran and Basch were taking apart Vossler and the two soldiers still conscious with him. The Mage had fallen to join his comrades.
Harry took action and stepped smoothly around his guards and disarmed Ashelia with a deft flick of his Katana. Her sword slipped from her fingers but Vaan parried a blow from one of Imperials with the blunt end of his staff before he swiped at Harry with the fluted tip of blades. Harry parried it and twisted back through his guards as a waves of screeching filled his head. He stumbled down to his knees just in time to see Basch slide his broadsword passed a weak point in Vossler's armour. Vossler staggered to his knees and his own sword hit the ground.
Ashelia and Vaan backed off to where Balthier and Penelo were and stood facing Harry and his three soldiers as they were joined by Basch and a more sedate Fran. "It affects you too." Fran spoke up as they squared off against Harry who pushed himself to his feet with the help of one of his men.
A ripple passed Harry's senses just before a wave of pain struck him just like the fit he'd had when the Shard was used against Nabudis. He cried out in shock and his eyes blurred. "We go!" Balthier announced and tugged on Vaan and Penelo's arms. Ashelia paused for a moment staring at Harry before nodding and turning as well.
"My Lord?" One of Harry's men asked in question but Harry simply sagged as the screaming took over his word and he collapsed. Three pairs of arms caught him and Harry could hear the retreating footsteps of his prisoners as they fled back to the Atomos docks.
Harry fell unconscious as the Shard exploded taking with it the Leviathan and every ship of the Eighth Fleet. From the retreating vantage point of the small Atomos Balthier could only watch as the blast wave struck the back of the Shiva and slammed it off of course. But Balthier realised then that Harry had been aware of what Ghis might try and that was why he'd ordered the Shiva to move away from the Fleet as soon as they were onboard.
For almost ten minutes Balthier watched from the hovering Atomos as the Shiva slowly sunk down out of the sky towards the Dalmascan Westersand, billowing huge clouds of smoke from its engines. Remoras, Atomos and transport craft sprung from the ship taking with it its crew and presumably his younger brother. The Shiva crashed through the sand of the Westersand with a drawn out rumble of thunder heard from Rabanastre.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Two days later – Ifrit – Dalmascan Estersand
Harry sat wearily at his desk without his cloak on as one of the Ifrit's medics slowly took the bandage from his right hand. It had slowly healed over the last two days especially with the amount of sitting around that Harry had been forced to do as he went through all the communications and administration work that went with the destruction of a Battle Fleet. His own ship, Shiva, was a write off as well and her crew were stripping her where she sat in the Westersand. The hulk would be scuttled and left in the ragged desert.
His hand however seemed to be some cosmic reminder of when he had struck Vaan across the face. Some kind of penance from willingly causing damage to Vaan, further proof that Vaan was something special, maybe not to the world in general but definitely to Harry. The medic began casting a series of healing spells on his hand but it refused to heal at anything more than a normal human pace. Harry's Elvin heritage wouldn't heal it faster and magic did absolutely nothing. Harry had resigned himself to wearing the cuts and bruises across his right palm for some time to come and simply wore it bandaged and under his glove at all times.
He was to return to Nalbina once the Shiva was scuttled and from there ensure that nothing bad happened to Dalmasca until the new fleet was moved into position and he was simply keeping an eye on Rabanastre for the time being.
The medic left the room once Harry's hand was bandaged up again and Harry stood to walk to the windows of his rooms but was interrupted by his door being opened. The ship's captain came over to him and bowed. "My Lord Judge Magister. A communication from Judge Magister Gabranth from Archades."
"What does it say?" Harry asked but the Captain simply handed him the message. It was a computer print out yet it held the Imperial Seal so the Captain shouldn't have read it. Harry accepted it and the Captain left the room with another quick bow of respect. Harry sighed and opened it and scanned the contents. It seemed that Larsa had taken another little vacation a few days ago and Harry was only now being told because Larsa had sent a message from western Kerwon asking for an escort across that continent. "The little twerp!"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
End Chapter