Avatar of the Occuria
A/N; Please read the message in bold at the top of my profile regarding updates. Please enjoy.
Chapter 6; On the brink of civil war
Harry rolled the last of the tent pieces up and stowed it in the bag of supplies that Harry had taken from the Atomos before he and Larsa had set off on this trip. The sun was clear enough off the horizon for the group to set out and the others were just finishing eating when Harry's hearing directed his head towards the trees of the great southern forest where the others had come through the day before.
He walked across to them and they looked up before the Princess spoke. "Would you like some?"
"I don't need to eat as much as Humes." Harry told her. "We should leave soon. There is a pack of hounds watching us from the trees. They probably won't attack but I'd rather not take the chance."
"The great Judge Magister is scared of a pack of wolves?" Basch asked with a grin.
"No, I'm not." Harry told him without emotion before turning to look at Larsa. "Have you eaten something?"
"Of course." Larsa frowned. "Stop fretting over me. I can look after myself."
"How many times have you run off in the last two weeks?" Harry asked and swatted him on the back of the head. Larsa swatted him back and Harry grinned down at him before moving away from the group. He didn't miss the amused look on Balthier's face nor the surprised astonishment on Vaan's. "Once his royal highness has finished filling his stomach we shall leave." Harry announced before laughing and lifting the bag up onto his shoulders as the others stood up, stowed the bowls of last night's stew away and got themselves ready.
Harry had stowed his long black jacket for the time being and strapped his Katana around his waist so he could carry the bag. He had worn it on his left hip more times than he could count but he wasn't used to it being on the right hand side and it didn't soothe his nerves.
"How long will the journey take?" Larsa asked as he came up on Harry's side.
"A little too long to cover in just one day." Harry told him.
"There are few places that may act as a suitable shelter. After noon we shall settle in the first that we find." Balthier announced.
"We could cover far more ground if we find a shelter later in the day." Ashelia pointed out.
"Yet we then run the risk of not finding one." Balthier countered.
"Only I could survive a night on these slopes without shelter." Harry said simply.
"The trail is littered with those who thought they could find such a shelter just around the next corner." Fran spoke airily.
Harry nodded and started on up the track only slightly surprised when Vann tugged Penelo up past him to take the lead. Harry let the two younger Humes set the pace and simply kept an eye on Larsa who walked beside him with Fran on the other side. Basch, Balthier and Ashelia brought up the rear.
"What shall you do, Judge Magister, once this war is over?" Ashelia asked him loudly.
"I will continue what it is that I do now." Harry replied without having to think about it. "If you get what you wish for there will be no contestation from myself about you taking back Nalbina. My duty is to the Empire's survival. That does not include it's desire to conquer. That resides in the minds of other men."
"And we should take your word that that is what you will do?" She asked.
Harry looked over his shoulder at her. "I do not need your permission to do my duty, Princess Ashelia. Now tell me, what is your duty?"
Balthier flinched as he recognised the tone that Harry had asked the question and Ashelia realised too late what Harry had done. She struggled but failed to prevent it. "My duty is to protect the people of Rabanastre."
"Why struggle, Princess Ashelia?" Harry smirked and turned back to follow Vaan and Penelo who turned back to the path, belying the fact that they'd been listening.
He heard Balthier laughing but paid him no mind. "You might as well give up, Princess." Balthier told her. "He'll always win and he'll never change."
They walked on peacefully for a while and Harry ignored the conversations going on ahead and behind him and even Larsa asking Fran about her people. Larsa had led a rather sheltered life when it came to the other races and Harry saw no problem in letting him learn all about them.
"You're people, Baltheon?" Ashelia asked. "Where is it that they live? I have never heard of a race such as yours."
"And nor would I expect it." Harry told her and glanced back at her. "They are not of this world."
"Not of this world?" She frowned and Harry turned back when he heard a sound ahead of them. They had walked up into the lower rifts and into the snow and most of the trails here led up through gullies and over ravines. The walls on either side of this rift were over head height and what he'd heard was above them.
"It is not a thing I like to talk about." Harry told her as if he hadn't heard anything. "But in that world we were called Elves."
"Elves?" She repeated. "What were they like?"
"I would not know." Harry told her. "I was raised by Humes."
"So what were the Humes like? Were they like us?" She pressed.
"Pray, Princess Ashelia." Balthier spoke up almost harshly. "Stop this line of questioning."
"Why?" She asked him.
"Because some wounds cannot be healed, even by an Elf." Harry told her before he began moving. His hand, already lingering on his Katana pulled the sword clear of the sheathe just as he bunched his legs and leapt up and to the left, he hit the wall and leapt again, flipping straight over Vaan and Penelo who could only fall out of his way as his sword whistled through the air and sliced through the head of the wolf that had leapt off of the top of the trail's surrounding walls. It's body crashed to the ground and the head rolled down past the group.
Harry landed smoothly before turning to them all and sheathed his sword in the snow to wipe off the blood before drying it on a cloth in his pocket and then finally slid it into its case. "You've gotten better." Balthier told him in the shocked silence.
"There are more on their way yet I doubt they will attack over their fallen brother." Harry told them before turning to continue his way up the track.
"Wait." Basch called and he stopped and turned back. "That is the second time I have noticed it. Every time I have seen you, you have proven to be right handed yet these last two days you have fought with only your left. You are wounded."
"An astute observation, Captain." Harry told him before turning once again to continue up the steepening trail.
"Yet you healed your neck wound within moments." Ashelia pointed out. "And even if that were not the case we have all seen your magic. You healed Balthier's leg wound within seconds."
"Some wounds are not so easily healed by magic." Harry pointed out.
"You are avoiding answering us." Basch frowned. "Are you or are you not wounded?"
"Why ask a question if you already know the answer?" Harry countered. "I made a decision and now it pays upon me its price. It is that simple."
"That didn't sound simple." Vaan pointed out to Penelo quietly yet Harry easily heard him.
"What he means..." Fran spoke airily as she started past them all to continue. "Is that he cannot strike you."
Harry studied her for a moment. "Strike who?" Penelo asked. "Humes? Any of us?"
Harry shook his head and followed Fran up the slope. "Why so subtle?" He asked sarcastically.
"Balthier fears for your happiness." Fran told him in way of answering.
Harry lifted his right hand and clenched it into a fist, hissing at the pain it caused him. He didn't have to look around to hear the others following and could hear Vaan and Penelo at the back whispering to each other but he couldn't really make out the words and he didn't really want to.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
They sheltered for the rest of the day in a small cave that Harry scoped out before letting them set up camp. They used the tents to block the entrance and built a fire to stay warm. Two stayed up at all times and Harry merely dozed beside Larsa rather than really sleep. It was early morning when the bracer over his jacket sleeve, which Larsa was using as an extra blanket chimed softly. Barely enough to hear for normal Humes but easily audible to Harry's Elven hearing.
Harry silently slipped it off his jacket so as not to wake Larsa before moving towards the entrance of the cave where Balthier and Basch were standing watch. "I have to accept a call." Harry told them quietly.
"A call?" Basch asked. "Can they trace it?"
"They can but only with time." Harry told him. "I will not linger if I believe that to be the case but if it is a friend using a secure line we shall remain hidden."
Balthier nodded and Harry slipped past the tent canvases and into the lightly falling snow. It was cold but not so much that Harry couldn't survive. He walked far enough from the cave and opened the panel hidden in the bracer. The small screen showed the crest that represented the family that Drace led. Harry tapped the screen and the blue background vanished to be replaced by Drace's face.
"Baltheon." She sighed in relief. Her voice was muffled slightly and Harry could hear the slight metallic ringing over the top that told him it was a secure line. "This is coming through only the most trusted relay stations. I checked it all before I initiated the call. Where are you and what are you playing at?"
"I'm escorting Larsa." Harry told her simply.
"Where?" She pressed.
"To a neutral ground." Harry explained. "Somewhere where he can discuss peace with Princess Ashelia and be safe."
"You are with the Princess of Rabanastre?" Drace sounded surprised.
"They have discovered the truth behind the King's death." Harry continued. "Why have you contacted me?"
"The situation here in the Capital is critical." Drace told him. "You must return with Larsa immediately."
"Why?" Harry pressed. "What has happened?"
"The Emperor..." She trailed off. "He was poisoned."
"He's dead?" Harry had to force his voice into a level tone. He'd gone from his normal tone to a deadly icy one that would make even the toughest foe scared to stand before him. "Who?"
"Vayne has claimed that it was a plan of the Senates." Drace told him. "He has claimed right to rule and taken his father's throne."
"The Senate wouldn't kill the Emperor, not with Larsa too young to take his place." Harry hissed. "It's not possible. Vayne has never agreed with the Senate and they knew what would happen if Vayne took control."
"I am going to go to the Towers and deal with it but I need Larsa safe." She told him.
"No." Harry snapped. "You'll do no such thing."
"Baltheon?" She frowned. "Vayne must be dealt with."
"Vayne will not have acted alone and this plan is too easy for his enemies to see through." Harry explained. "He must know that our allies and us two would suspect him and he would not have attempted this without a sizeable backing from those that hold the same title as we do. If you go in there he will declare you a traitor and have you killed."
"It is our duty to uphold the law." Drace argued.
"It is also our duty to protect the Empire, even against Vayne. If you die those that would resist blindly following Vayne into ruin would cave to his demands. You have to survive so that Vayne's hands are tied." Harry hissed. "He won't dare move against you or the Magisterial Council will have his head. No Judge Magister can be executed without a unanimous vote from the entire Council and he cannot get that with you alive and in control of our allies."
"Then what must we do?" Drace asked. "Leave him in control?"
"For the time being." Harry sighed. "He must be relying on us acting against him so that he can remove us and seize the forces we control. As long as we live our military answers to us, not an acting Emperor, and he cannot countermand our orders until he has been officially made Emperor by the Senate which must wait until a new one can be elected by the people."
"So he is relying on his own allies' military and hoped for ours if we acted against him." Drace nodded in agreement. "If we do nothing then he has lost control of half of the Empire's military. The First Home Fleet remains in my command, the Sixth in yours and the Third, Fourth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth with our Allies. He cannot afford a civil war when he has no edge against us."
"Larsa managed to call a meeting with Al-Cid Margrace." Harry told her. "It is he that Larsa and Princess Ashelia go now to speak to. I will talk with him. Larsa believes he speaks for peace and with the Empire divided we cannot afford for the Rozarrian Empire to attack us."
"Especially as it will give Vayne a legitimate reason to call for a State of War and to allow him to take control of all the fleets." She nodded.
"There is also another way to deal with this, Drace." Harry winced. "I could return to Arcades now and deal with him."
"You'd be executed even before his body hits the ground." She frowned at him.
"At least it would hit the ground." Harry responded. "Larsa would take his place with you to guide him. Princess Ashelia would agree then to take back her thrown under our protection and war on all fronts could be prevented."
"All at the cost of your life?" She asked. "That cost is too high, Baltheon. I forbid you to even consider it."
"Act on it I will not." Harry conceded. "But consider it I must. At the moment we hold him at a stalemate but if the situation changes then I may have to take action. I cannot watch the Empire be destroyed by a man who's duty is only to himself."
"Consider it well then, Baltheon. And thoroughly." She nodded to him. "I will go now to my Command. As is procedure. From there I can control the First Fleet without Vayne's intervention."
"Stay safe, Drace." Harry told her. "Ensure that you can trust each and every one of your personal protectors."
"I will only have those around me that you have questioned." She promised him. "The Empire's fate may coincide with Larsa's Fate but it will be protected by your hands. Care for it well."
The connection terminated and Harry let himself breathe out deeply, soothing his nerves. The Emperor was dead at the hands of his eldest remaining son and the only way to protect the Empire was to throw it onto the brink of civil war.
"Harry?" Harry turned his head to see Balthier. "The others are awake and getting ready to move out. Are you alright?"
"Until the fallout is dealt with none of the others may find this out, Theo." Harry told him.
"What?" He asked when Harry didn't instantly continue.
"The Emperor is dead." Harry sighed. "Judge Magister Drace and I believe very strongly that Vayne is responsible."
"And I bet he blamed the Senate?" Balthier asked. "A cold plot."
Harry nodded. "He holds the position but not the power as of yet."
"Not until a Senate Election." Balthier nodded.
"What Drace and I have done will put the Empire on the brink of war but Vayne will not push it over the edge, not when my allies control half of the military including the First Fleet." Harry sighed. "But if Vayne can find a reason to declare war..."
"He can take command of all of the military." Balthier rubbed at his head.
"We cannot allow a war to begin." Harry told him. "If it were not for the opportunity to speak to one of the Margrace family face to face I would summon the Ifrit here to ensure Larsa's safety. I must speak to one of the Margraces. They cannot be allowed to act in the face of an Imperial Civil war."
"I am sorry, Harry." Balthier told him.
"The Empire stands for a solidarity but it must be a peaceful solidarity. A protective strength that cannot be toppled so that its citizens can feel safe." Harry told his brother. "I have to believe that will be possible with Larsa as Emperor and I will give my last breath to see it done."
"And what of a lowly Judge?" Balthier asked in amusement. "What do you ask of him, My Lord Judge Magister?"
"Apart from shutting the hell up?" Harry asked with a quick grin at his older brother. "Just promise me that if I can't do it myself that you will protect Larsa. You are a good influence and he will need help and protection if he is to rule."
"Then I will do my best to ensure that you are alive to give him the best help and protection available." Balthier told him simply but Harry knew that his request would be carried out. They were interrupted from further discussion when the others came out into the light snow ready to go.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
That afternoon
Harry had lost himself in his own head for most of the morning, keeping enough attention on their surroundings to protect himself and the others but not speaking to anyone else. Ashelia and Larsa tried but gave up quickly. Harry was simply assessing everything that was happening in his mind. Calculating the forces on either side of the divide in the Empire that Vayne had created. Drace and her most trusted Allies held almost thirty percent of the entire military might of the Empire and with the addition of those that would more of less certainly hold back their forces and listen to reason if it came to a war they had almost fifty percent of the strength.
Vayne would know that and would have known it was a possibility. He had to of assumed that he'd soon have a reason to remove Drace as a Judge Magister but with Drace in her command, well protected, that option was gone to him and Drace and Harry stood against him and anyone in the Empire with any sense would see that and people feared Harry just as much as they respected and revered him.
Vayne also had to know that Harry could end this entire situation by assassinating Vayne. Now that Harry thought about it Vayne had probably planned this years ago and several things had already not gone his way. Harry had been placed in command of the military of Dalmasca, Nabradia and Bhujerba and had remained in the Emperor's good books. Then he'd survived the assassination attempt against him which would have removed him as an obstacle when Vayne finally moved against his father.
If Harry were Vayne he'd be treading very carefully. He had to know that Harry wouldn't leap before he assessed every outcome and knew that Harry would only go for Vayne as a last resort. He had to tread carefully to avoid pissing Harry off completely. Vayne knew how good Harry was and had to know that Harry could reach him, no matter where he went.
Harry put all of that aside as he walked into the lower camps of Mount Bur Omisais. They didn't garner too much attention apart from the fact that most people that arrived there were hardly in good shape. They were normally people running from the borders of the Rozarrian and Archadian Empires or from the outlands and most had to be nursed back to health upon arrival.
Balthier and Fran led them up through the camp letting the group pause every once in a while when they came to a market stall set up by those who had been here for some time or those that came here to sell to the needy. Harry looked over every stall but kept an eye on where Vaan, Penelo and Larsa were gawking at different things. Harry wasn't really looking for anything and they would get stores before they left but as he was walking beside Basch they came across a weapons seller. He had many wicker baskets full of weapons, some better made than others but Harry's eyes were drawn to a particular one quite far from the pathway. He moved into the square of baskets and crouched down in front of the one he was looking at and studied it without touching it.
"What's that?" Basch asked as he crouched beside him seeing the odd blade. It was a short blade about a foot in length that sat amongst a gauntlet of a material that Harry had never seen before. A metal that looked as thin as cotton. The blade and gauntlet would sit on the outside of his wrist so that the blade sat along the top of his hand. A close in weapon designed for speed, an assassins weapon but one that screamed of grace. The metal itself was what intrigued Harry, there were no signs of forging and the blade seemed to be of one piece with the gauntlet and both were a shimmering red colour that refracted the light like a prism.
"I have such an ability as to be able to sense when something has been made with true mastery." Harry told Basch. "Whether it be clothing, food, medicine or indeed weaponry. This is such a weapon to rival any other I have ever seen including my Katana."
"I don't recognise the markings or the metal." Basch told him before reaching out to pick it up.
"Please Sir!" A man cried and caught Basch's wrist. "Do not, Sir."
"Is there a problem?" Basch asked.
"Sir, I beg your pardon but since that weapon has come into my possession it has burned any that touch it." The man, the owner of the stall, told them as he grabbed a cloth and gently lifted the knife from the box. "I do not know where it has journeyed from, nor who made it or of what they crafted it from, only that I have seen nothing of the like. I know only that the symbols carved into the blade are of an ancient language from a time when beings of great power and wisdom built massive cities."
"I have seen these symbols once before." Harry spoke trying to ignore the overjoyed tone of the Song in his head that was quickly becoming a fever pitch. "There a ruins near to Archades with such symbols."
"And at Giruvegan." The man told him.
Harry straightened up and Basch and the man followed him. "With your permission, Sir." Harry requested and held out his hand towards the blade. "I would like to try."
"Sir, I strongly advise against it." The man told him.
"I will not hold you to blame." Harry told him. He felt that he was safe and the Song was almost calling for him to seize the blade. It seemed to him the perfect weapon that would suit his fighting style, a style where the body was as much of a weapon as the blade that you held. Harry nodded to the man who sighed and held out the blade. Harry reached for it and gently picked up the gauntlet. The man braced himself but the blade did nothing to him. Harry turned it over and rested the blade in the palm of his left hand, over the bandage.
"You surprise me, Sir. Perhaps there is more to you than meets the eye." The man nodded. "I have travelled much of the world, including the Empires and you, Judge Magister Baltheon, are as unique as they come."
"I believe you are correct, good man." Harry nodded without elaborating showing no sign that he'd been surprised that the man had recognised him.
"Please, try it on." The man offered and Harry pulled the gauntlet up onto his right arm, knowing that the blade was designed to sit on the stronger arm. He pulled the thin red metal of the gauntlet over his hand and around his wrist and smiled as it fit with perfection, as if crafted for him. Almost as if the metal had formed to him in the seconds it had taken to secure it in place. The blade rested against the back of his hand and along his fingers sitting about an inch and a half across. Harry flexed his wrist and with a hiss the blade ran back through the gauntlet until it wasn't visible under the thin metal though Harry could feel it all the way up the outside of his forearm.
"Amazing." Basch muttered.
"I would have you part from this, Sir." Harry told the man. "What would you ask for it?"
"To be honest, Judge Magister, the concept of finding an owner has long since vacated my thoughts. A price for such an item is beyond mere numbers." The man sighed.
"What other thing could you need?" Harry asked, genuinely curious. The man knew that he was a Judge Magister and all knew that money wasn't an issue for them. "In addition to this." Harry finished as he loosened his money bag and dropped it in the man's hand. There was easily five thousand worth of diamonds in that bag. Harry never travelled with trinkets when it came to money as he rarely bought anything that wasn't worth the money.
The man looked in the bag and gasped. "That is too much."
"I believe it to be too little." Harry told him simply and knew that Basch was growing confused and they'd already drawn the attention of the rest of their group. "What else do you require?" Harry asked.
"Very well, Judge Magister." The man sighed. "I travel the world in the hopes of discovering something to aid me in setting my son free."
"Where is your son?" Harry asked. It wasn't exactly something he could see himself being a help in, unless the man wanted him to break him out of prison, or release him from his own.
"He was taken by a Judge of the Archadian Empire and has been forced into servitude." The man told him.
"There is no such slavery in the Empire." Harry frowned.
"I do not believe that Judge Zantir is much bothered by such trivial laws." The man told him.
"Your name good sir." Harry asked. "And that of your son?"
"I was a mere old city dweller, my Lord." The man almost seemed to want to defend losing his son in the first place.
"Your name?" Harry pressed.
"Tobias, My Lord." The man bowed his head. "My son is called Zachery."
"Your son's life is worth more than any blade, regardless of its perfection." Harry nodded. "I will see that he is freed in return for this blade."
"My Lord. Thank you." The man nodded his head vigorously.
"Return to Archades and go to my home." Harry told him. "I will have Zachery sent there as soon as I can."
"My Lord." The man seemed to almost be ready to cry.
"Good day, Sir." Harry nodded and turned away, armed with a weapon that could easily make up for the fact he couldn't use his right hand at the moment.
As the group walked further up towards the stone constructions built into the side of the mountain Balthier came up close to his side. "Why all the commotion over a single blade?" He asked. "Even so good as it is."
Harry flexed his wrist experimentally and the blade extended quickly and locked into place. He ran his left fingers over it and the symbols. "I don't really know but something tells me this is a blade designed for people like me."
"People like you?" Balthier asked.
"Elves, Theo." Harry told him. "I think this was made by Elves."
"That would mean..." Balthier trailed off.
"That Elves have been to Ivalice before and if these symbols do match the ones around the ruins of Giruvegan and around Archades then the Elves once had cities here." Harry told him.
"Regardless of whether that is true or not what will it gain you?" Balthier asked.
"Nothing I suppose." Harry sighed. "But at least now I have a weapon that I can use without straining my right hand."
"There is that." Balthier nodded as they came to the large doors that led into Anastasis' audience chamber.
Two of the Priests opened the doors for them and Harry led the group inside. The hall was ornately designed with pools of water running down both sides and across the back. Three walkways stretched into the centre of the room, the one from the door, the largest, and the two others merely accessed doorways leading further into the mountain. In the centre was a large throne with an old man sitting, seemingly sleeping, but Harry knew he wasn't entirely unconscious. Harry had never met him before but had heard plenty of stories and when Harry had taken control of Dalmasca and Nabradia he had sent a formal letter to Anastasis detailing his desire for peace and offering the not insubstantial aid of the forces he controlled if the refugees of Mount Bur-Omisais ever needed protecting. They had been in contact a few times since then but only really out of courtesy.
"Is he sleeping?" Vaan asked Penelo in a loud whisper as they group moved closer and they saw his eyes were closed. Penelo shushed him which actually made more noise.
"No my child." A voice resonated seemingly through the chamber yet Harry's ears heard nothing. The voice was in their minds. Telepathy.
"Whoa!" Vaan gasped as he stepped backwards in surprise.
"I do not sleep." Anastasis declared without moving or opening his eyes. "I dream. For reality and illusion are a duality, two parts of a whole. Only the mirror of dreams reflects what is true."
"Except only action in reality can produce results." Harry spoke silkily.
"Action is something you are well versed in, Friend Judge Magister." Anastasis told him with a chuckle and Harry bowed slightly even though Anastasis couldn't see him.
The Princess seemed unnerved by the way that Anastasis had addressed Harry as a friend but moved passed it. She stepped forward and bowed. "Anastasis, your Grace. I am Ashelia..." She began but was interrupted.
"Lay down your words. Ashelia, daughter of Raminas, I have dreamt your dream." Anastasis told her. "Who better to carry on the Dalmascan line than she who bares the Dawn Shard? Your dream of a Kingdom restored is known to me."
"Gran Kiltias." Larsa stepped forward using Anastasis' true title. "Then give us your blessing. Grant the Lady Ashe her accession."
"I do not suppose this is something you might reconsider." A voice spoke making the entire party spin around. Harry however had heard the man and another person approaching from the entrance and wasn't surprised that he'd spoken. He turned slightly and the man gasped as he recognised him. "I did not think to find such as you, Princess, in the company of the Judge Magister of Death."
"A crude nickname." Harry snorted but Ashelia didn't decide to explain his presence. "I go where Larsa is if he is in danger. In your presence there is such a danger."
"Yet it is the Emperor-in-waiting that has called and I have come." The man almost seemed to be mocking Harry but Harry wasn't going to raise to such obvious bait. He was being tested by one of the most respected men in the world.
Larsa however saw the danger of an argument and stepped forward and offered his hand to the man who instead of taking it merely patted Larsa on top of the head. Larsa flinched away and swatted at the hand before turning to Ashe. "This is the man I wanted you to meet." Larsa told her. "Believe it or not he is a member of the noble House Margrace, rulers of the Rozarrian Empire."
"Hah!" The man laughed. "I am but one of very many. Try as I might, however, I could not stop this war alone. Thus I came seeking Larsa's assistance."
"I hardly expect you to not know that Larsa's peace is no longer possible." Harry straightened up. "The opportunity for talks has gone by the wayside. Action is now all that we have left, not dreams and illusions."
"But you've always told us to not fight back." Ashe gasped and to Harry's surprise Vaan looked the most surprised, as if he'd been just working Harry out only for Harry to change attitudes.
"That was before." Harry told her. "This is now."
"I had heard of your reputation but I imagined someone far more dominating." The man told them. Harry chuckled and half turned his head away knowing that for now his hair covered his ears. Margrace turned back to Ashe. "I am Al-Cid Margrace. At your service. To think I stand before the Lady Ashe. It is an honour."
"She's more of a pain." Harry said bluntly and received shocked looks and a rather affronted one from Ashe.
"In Archadia, Larsa. In Rozarria, Al-Cid. They dream not of war. Should Empire join Empire, they will open a new way for Ivalice in our time." Anastasis spoke up for the first time in a while.
"Hah, Gran Kiltias." Al-Cid laughed. "You speak much of dreams. But in the real world war is upon us."
"Gran Kiltias. I was told that my coming here would prevent a war." Ashe spoke up. "I was to assume my father's throne and announced the restoration of Dalmasca. Treat with the Emperor for peace, and persuade the Resistance to stay their hand. I have not come all this way to be asked to reconsider."
"A word from you and the Resistance would stop cold." Al-Cid agreed. "And Rozarria's pretext for war scattered off to the four winds. This was what we had hoped but alas, circumstances change. A full two years have passed since your reported death. I fear it could only worsen our current situation."
"Because I am powerless to help?" Ashe asked infuriated.
"Nah." Al-Cid shook his head. "It has little to do with you."
"Then what?" Larsa almost snapped. "If Lady Ashe were to extend her hand in friendship. Perhaps I could then persuade the Emperor. His Excellency will solve things peacefully."
It almost broke Harry's heart as he stepped up to Larsa and put a hand on his shoulders. When Al-Cid made to speak Harry turned on him and he gasped and stepped back at the angry look in his eyes that was meant to silence him. Harry had known all along that Al-Cid knew.
"Larsa. You're father is dead." Harry told him quietly restraining himself from kneeling before the shorter boy. That would only insult Larsa. "He was killed late last night. I am sorry."
"Father?" Larsa gasped and recoiled from Harry. "No..."
"He was poisoned." Harry told him.
"No." Larsa shook his head and turned for the door, almost running out. Harry sighed and shook his head and watched as Penelo ran out after him. Harry would track him down later.
"What happened?" Vaan asked.
"Vayne claims that the Senate killed him." Harry said simply.
"A likely story." Al-Cid mocked.
"I believe it to be false also and any man in the Empire with sense will see that also. Whether they will act against Vayne for justice has yet to be seen." Harry mused.
"You believe Vayne did it." Ashe stated more than asked.
"The situation states as such." Harry said simply. "As of now the Empire stands on the brink of civil war."
"Civil war?" Al-Cid frowned and looked at Harry. "How?"
"Myself and my allies will not allow Vayne to stand for the Empire after this. We are the law and we control the justice that the Empire stands for. Vayne murdered his family and hoped that we would contest him and act against him. He holds no real power until a new Senate can be elected and the military remains in the hands of the Judge Magisters. Half of which will side with Judge Magister Drace and myself. The other half with meekly follow Vayne." Harry explained. "He cannot moved against us until he has an advantage."
"Then it is the perfect time to strike." Ashe declared. "If the resistance were to join your forces we could remove Vayne from power."
"And destroy more than half of the Empire in the process. If you attempt such a thing then the Empire will come together and focus outwards." Harry told her sharply.
"And give Vayne a reason to declare a State of Emergency." Balthier added in airily. "And take control of the military from the Judge Magisters. It is exactly what he probably wants."
"There can be no move against the Empire at this time, most importantly from the Rozarrian Empire." Harry said as he turned his gaze on Al-Cid. "Understand Margrace that right now my allies among the Magisterial Council can hold Vayne back from all out war but if you threaten the Empire in any way then the Council will put aside Vayne's method of taking the throne and focus outwards. As much as it pains me I would rather see the Empire on the brink of Civil War than in the hands of Vayne."
"The dreams have told me thus." Anastasis joined the conversation. "I see only war and Vayne's name writ bold on history's pages."
"The only thing writ in Vayne's future is his death." Harry told them. "I will not forsake the chance for the Empire to see him for what he really is but I would rather be executed by my own Council for his assassination than see the Empire I love in his hands."
"My reports say that the entire Arcadian Fleet is in a high state of alert." Al-Cid told Harry. "All of the fleets are consolidating and the newly formed Twelfth fleet is already on the move."
"I have no influence over the Twelfth Fleet. Only the First, Third, Fourth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth." Harry told them. "And the Sixth will not move without my Command and one of the final orders from the Emperor was its reinforcement."
"By reinforcement you mean..." Basch asked.
"I had three ships that made up the Sixth. The only amount that the late Emperor Gramis was willing to have over Dalmasca. Enough to quell any internal trouble and to keep the ships under Bhujerba's control meek but not enough to provoke action from the Rozarrian Empire so close to their borders." Harry explained. "With the loss of the Eighth Fleet and the sinking of the Shiva he ordered the Damocles, Hades and lastly the new Vengeance to join the Ifrit and the Vanguard. That gives me two heavy and two light cruisers within easy reach of here. And the Vengeance is state of the art. A long range missile Destroyer."
"And can you trust the crews?" Basch asked. "Will they follow you or Vayne?"
"At the moment they will follow me without question as they recognise that the Command of all military is with the Judge Magisters until the position of Emperor is settled. It is protocol. Any order from Vayne will be ignored until I agree with it." Harry told them. "If he calls a State of Emergency and the Council as a whole agrees I can count on the crew of the Ifrit, Vanguard and the new Vengeance without a doubt but I will have to strong arm the Damocles and the Hades into going against Vayne."
"Will they?" Balthier asked.
"Probably." Harry said. "I chose the crews myself but the Captains, whilst loyal to me, are both sticklers for the rules. But they are intelligent and quick."
"Then how do we move on?" Al-Cid asked. "The Imperial might of Archadia stands on the brink of Civil War and Vayne waits for the moment to slip a leash over the growling two heads of his military and turn it on the rest of Ivalice."
"Crude but accurate." Harry agreed admittedly beginning to like the Hume man in front of him. "The immediate problem is that Vayne will not merely sit and wait like my allies and I. He has his own allies within the Magisterial Council which control the rest of the Fleet. As long as those ships do not threaten the integrity of the Empire he can request them to go where he wishes including up to the western border, thus beginning a war."
"Then it is us who must act. Perhaps with a power greater than ships, something to push back at Vayne." Ashe spoke up.
Harry pondered that for a few seconds and realised that for once her original idea to wield a weapon strong enough to force the Empire to treat was a good one. If they had a strong enough advantage Harry could force the Magisterial Council to come to the treaty table with Princess Ashelia, Al-Cid Margrace and Larsa. It was the Magisterial Council's duty to protect the Empire and with that in mind they'd have to reconsider. However if Harry couldn't force the Magisterial Council to see reason Vayne would be able to use her attempt at gaining power as a reason to declare the State of Emergency that he so desired right now.
"Do you speak of Nethicite?" Harry asked, knowing he sounded disgusted.
"I seek something far more powerful. A way to destroy Nethicite." Ashe told him.
"To wield power against power." Anastasis' eyes snapped open. "Truly the words of a Hume-Child."
"I am descended from the Dynast-King himself." Ashe defended.
"Indeed." Anastasis nodded. "Then you have but one choice. "Seek you the other power that Raithwall left."
"If you go into danger to do this then you have my blade." Harry told her. "If the Gran Kiltias and Margrace agree to protect Larsa while I am gone." They nodded and Harry bowed out of the conversation, intent on searching out Larsa to make sure he was okay. He found him sitting out on one of the balconies further up the mountain with Penelo at his side. Harry sat beside him without a word and Larsa shrunk down under his arm. Harry sighed and pressed a kiss to the top of his head but still said nothing, letting Larsa treat him like he knew he wanted. Like an older brother.
Harry left Larsa in the care of the staff and guards of Mount Bur-Omisais and made a call for the Vengeance to divert with the Ifrit to collect Larsa and himself and return to Archades. After doing that he met up with Balthier, Basch, Ashe, Fran, Vaan and Penelo as they were leaving the camp. "Since when have you decided to protect us? Larsa is no longer with us." Basch commented as Harry approached. He was once again wearing his black armoured cloak and his hood was up clouding his face slightly yet it wasn't far enough forward to hide his features like he wore it when in an official capacity.
"Where you are heading you will need my aid." Harry said simply.
"I find that hard to believe." Vaan commented.
"Do you think you are the only person to have hated me, Vaan?" Harry asked. "You at least had a personal reason to hate me as an individual but you know now the truth behind that. It was not under my orders that your brother was slain. If you must hate someone then hate Vayne."
"Or for that matter your brother's general." Balthier commented glancing at Basch who had after all been the one to lead Rex to his death.
"It is not a crime to desire the protection of one's King." Harry pointed out in Basch's defence. "I do not take the blame for the soldiers that I order to protect the Emperor who die in their duty."
"Thank you." Basch nodded at Harry before looking at Vaan. "Baltheon is right. He was not to blame for the murder of your brother. That blame lies on Vayne."
"And as much as I hate to admit it also upon the late Emperor." Harry added. "Hate me for being part of the Empire. Hate me for being the Commander that has oppressed Dalmasca for two years but not for your brother's murder. I may be a ruthless killer in battle but I am no cold-hearted murderer and I do not go back on my word."
"Alright then." Vann surprised them by agreeing. "I won't hate you for that but I can still hate you for what you've done to Dalmasca in the last two years."
Harry dipped his head and pulled his hood further up his head to cover his face in darkness and started along the track ignoring the whispered conversation behind him as well as he could. He could hear that Penelo was accusing Vaan of being overly harsh but Harry knew that Vaan could only overcome this at his own pace.
They travelled down through the mountain passes following instructions by the camp's guards until they reached the entrance to a structure built into the side of the mountain. The Stilshrine of Miriam. As they approached the doors began to shimmer and Ashe reached the side of her bag and pulled out the now glowing Dawn Shard. Harry moved away from it even as the Nethicite reacted to the doorway and the large stone slabs moved inwards and opened for them to pass through, shutting tightly behind them.
"This could take a while." Basch commented as he moved forwards and looked down over a hole in the centre of the first room. Harry and the others followed him to see a shaft leading down ringed with passageways and walkways with a large statue in the centre.
"We must hurry." Ashe told them and headed for the closest access down to the next level but before she'd gotten half way down something reared out of the wall at her. A creature without any real substance. Harry raised a hand even as Ashe summoned her own magic and cast a strong Thundera spell that sent it flying back down the steps but it still came. Harry summoned his own magic and a white flash filled the room for a moment almost like the afterimage of lightning and when it faded the ghost was gone. They turned to look at Harry after his Holy spell and saw his cat like eyes.
"My magic is far out of your ability to compare." Harry commented.
"What he means is let him handle anything that requires magic or you'll just tire yourself out." Balthier chuckled and led the way on down the spells as Harry, already in his magic, cast a series of buffering spells on the groups. Energy spells to constantly replenish their strength and shields against magic and physical attacks as well as a spell that allowed them to see traps built into the building.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
It was a long slog down into the Stilshrine but eventually after three hours the tired group arrived in the central chamber locked away behind the large statue. Harry felt the building up of magic before anyone else and he raised his Katana, a motion that the others saw and copied without question. "What do you sense?" Balthier asked him.
"Something powerful." Harry told them all. "A guardian."
"Another one?" Ashe asked looking at Vaan. "Maybe you should take care of this."
Before Harry could comment on her insanity a great pillar of ice shot up from the floor and then shattered leaving behind a being about fifteen feet tall. He, for it was male, was scantily dressed but it seemed deliberate and his skin was as pale as the ice that formed across the entire floor under their feet.
"You expect Vaan to be able to take care of this?" Harry asked Ashe in astonishment.
"We've met one of these. Vaan beat it and now controls it." Balthier explained hastily.
"Fine then." Harry nodded. "Vaan and I will fight it."
"No need to help." Vaan told him angrily. "I can deal with it." Harry didn't get the chance to argue when Vaan's body flashed with a red sheen and runes began to appear around his feet. This was what Harry had seen him start to do when they were against him in the mines and Balthier had been scared for Harry's sake.
The ground erupted under Vaan who jumped away just as flames and smoke erupted from the hole and a creature leapt out. It was about equal in height to the ice one but was less human and held a massive burning axe. It leapt into battle with barely a moment's pause and the two titans clashed together. Both came away injured and Harry sent a curing spell at Vaan's summons and it's wounds healed quickly. Inspired by this Harry reached for his more powerful magic and buffered the creature to shield it against the ice attacks of the enemy even while boosting its own magical attacks.
It was after a couple of minutes when their enemy began to lose that it realised that taking on Vaan's summons with Harry backing it was impossible so it spun to face Vaan and in a second leapt for him. It had decided that by killing Vaan it could rid itself of the great creature of fire. Vaan was able to dodge clear of the incoming being but not the halos of ice it sent flying in its wake. Harry didn't even think about it and threw himself across the few metres to Vaan, tackling him out of the way and rolling across the ground.
Vaan's summons took the opportunity and its axe flew across the room, slicing into the being and pinning it to the wall where it began to fade until it was only a collection of dust which streaked across the room and settled into Vaan. It had been like Vaan's summons then.
Harry gritted his teeth as Vaan pushed him away and he rolled onto his back as Vaan stood. He looked down at Harry with anger on his face that Harry had just saved his life and opened his mouth to speak when Penelo cried out and interrupted him. "Vaan, you're bleeding! Look at your hand!" Vaan raised his hand and saw the blood coating it and frowned.
"I'm not..." Vaan started before looking down at Harry who had managed to pull himself back to the wall and up it slightly. His jacket hid the wound well but one of the ice shards had slipped through the opened front and into his side. It was more or less superficial but it was bleeding heavily.
"Harry!" Balthier gasped and skidded to his knees beside him. "You idiot, you knew that would happen."
"You know why." Harry hissed to him even though the others were all listening. He batted Balthier's hands away and struggled to stand but had to press his hand into his side and still ended up having to let Balthier take his weight. He pulled his jacket clear and all of the others saw the ice shard buried into his side, just under his lowest rib. Vaan had pushed right next to it to get Harry off of him and that was where the blood had come from.
Harry winced and grabbed the end of the shard and with a jerk and a cry of pain he pulled it out and had to shut his eyes to fight back the pain. When he opened them again he saw the others all watching him in concern. Especially Vaan who had gone startlingly pale. Harry pulled his shirt up to expose his stomach and the violent wound and pressed a hand against it, forcing his magic into a healing ball which flooded from his hand into the wound, speeding up his natural healing until he could take his hand away and they could watch as the skin knitted itself back together. He accepted a damp towel from Penelo and wiped at the blood whilst thanking her.
"Many people have tried to kill me." Harry told them. "So far they've all failed."
"Still, you've lost a lot of blood." Balthier told him. "You're not immune to that and you can't just snap your fingers and heal that."
"Since when did I ever snap my fingers to cast magic, Theo?" Harry asked his older brother fondly ignoring his concern.
"Theo?" Vaan asked surprised.
"Don't you dare." Balthier growled at him. "I hate that name."
"No you don't." Harry laughed and straightened up, neatening up his clothing even though it was still bloody. Together the group headed further into the Shrine and into a room filled with moving parts but in the centre, hanging almost by itself was a large sword with an ornate handle that didn't seem to have possibly been made by human hands.
Ashe moved towards it and gripped the handle and it dropped into her grasp. She staggered at the weight, having to use all her strength to hold up the two handed weapon and she stepped back down to them.
"You should try it on the Dawn Shard." Vaan suggested and Harry was actually surprised at how quickly he'd thought of that. The sword was supposed to be able to destroy Nethicite and the Dawn Shard was powerless after the explosion that had taken out the Eighth Fleet. "See if it can destroy Nethicite or not." Vaan explained at Ashe's confused expression.
"What?" Ashe still seemed shocked.
"He just might be onto something." Balthier nodded his agreement and Ashe looked at him. "The Dawn Shard is of no use to us after all."
Ashe paused for a moment before reluctantly agreeing, she pulled the Dawn Shard from her pocket and set it down at the top of the steps and slowly raised the large sword over her head. Almost instantly the Dawn Shard began to bleed mist and Harry winced as the Song screamed in his mind, protesting against what Ashe was doing.
"The stone bleeds Mist." Ashe told them, still holding the sword raised.
"It fears the sword." Fran spoke up.
Suddenly Harry felt extremely weak and the Mist that he could feel so strongly concentrated itself above the stone making Ashe tense up at whatever she saw in it. Harry lost the ability to stand and he fell to his knees with one hand down on the ground to steady himself. He was standing behind most of the group with Balthier, Basch, Fran and Ashe in front of him and Vaan and Penelo to his left and they were the only ones that saw him fall to the ground. Harry was surprised the most when he felt Vaan support his shoulders and take his weight and as the moments past Harry had to place more weight against Vaan's side to stop himself from falling.
He heard the swish of air and then the clang of metal on stone as Ashe dropped the sword down towards the Dawn Shard but into the stone floor beside it. Harry sucked in a breath as the weakness faded from his limbs. "The stone is quiet." Ashe breathed out a sigh of relief and Harry slowly pulled his weight back onto his own knees and arm and he put one of his feet under him. He was just standing up when the group turned to look at each other and saw Vaan helping Harry to rise.
"Baltheon?" Basch asked with a confused look.
"Need I explain?" Harry asked. "The two explosions caused by the Midlight Shard and the Dawn Shard almost killed me and I was half a world away from Nabradia."
"He is a Being enriched by magic, magic that the Nethicite corrupts." Fran spoke gently as if in awe of Harry.
"That's why..." Vaan started but then went slightly red and glanced at Penelo.
"Why I cannot abide Manufactured Nethicite." Harry summed up.
"Well at least we know that this is the sword. The Nethicite Destroyer." Ashe spoke up, bringing them back to a topic that didn't involve Harry's life.
"Should it find it's mark." Balthier pointed out and only Harry could recognise his older brother's particular brand of amusement.
With the blade in hand they didn't have as much of a problem with the traps and beasts in the Stilshrine and it only took them an hour to make their way back to the surface and the mid afternoon light. They only needed a moment before they all heard the heavy hum in the air and Harry looked up in shock to see the massive form of a Carrier Airship blot out the sun as well as eight heavy and light Cruisers, a support ship and hundreds of small Atomos' and Remoras currently docking with the Carrier. A battle fleet, the Twelfth Fleet. He gritted his teeth and almost growled.
Vayne had gotten arrogant very quickly if he thought he could order the Twelfth Fleet to Mount Bur-Omisais but then Harry realised that the ships were heading North-west, away from the mountain. He spun around towards the mountain even as Fran called out and directed their attention to the pillars of smoke rising from the sides of the mountain.
"What is this all?" Vaan turned on Harry.
"I do not know." Harry said coldly. "But when I find out who ordered this I will string them up."
"What can you do?" Ashe asked.
"A damn lot." Harry growled. "Why do you think you don't see this sort of thing in Dalmasca all the time?" Harry challenged her before starting along the trail at a fast walk, almost a jog, heading for Mount Bur-Omisais and more importantly for Larsa.
Letting the others keep up went out of the window half an hour later when they arrived at the entrance to the camp and saw the devastation. Almost off of the camp had been flattened and there were dead bodies and crying wounded everywhere. Harry picked out a couple of dead Imperial Soldiers so there was little doubt who the attackers had been. People saw him and backed away, recognising his heavy black cloak and hood for who he was. A Commander of the troops that had attacked them.
"Larsa." Harry hissed and jumped into a sprint, disappearing up through the camp faster than the others could even hope to follow. He didn't care about them right now, only Larsa.
He dodged past people all the way up and through the doors of the citadel built into the side of the mountain and ignored the main chamber as he headed up into the corridors and to where Larsa had been staying. The room was in shambles with tables and chairs scattered around the floor. There had been a struggle but obviously the attackers had won out if the two Priests on the floor meant anything. Harry checked them briefly but they were dead so instead headed back into the corridor, hoping to find a survivor to question and it didn't matter to him whose side they were on.
In the end he found his way back to the main audience chamber and came in through one of the side doors to find Balthier, Ashe, Basch, Fran, Vaan and Penelo standing together about twenty feet from a very unwelcome sight. The Gran Kiltias was slumped in his chair and before him, facing the rag-tag group of pirates, orphans and insurgents was Judge Magister Bergan and three Judges.
As Harry approached he saw a shape hanging in the air behind Bergan, almost watching the scene and Harry didn't feel right around it. It was the same spectral figure that they'd all seen in the mines and although the change to the Song wasn't unpleasant it was like a dissonance to the one he was used to. Another melody that didn't quite blend in.
Bergen had obviously just finished a rather long winded speech and by the look of rage on their faces it hadn't been a pleasant one. Harry came closer and Bergan turned to see him but neither could see the other's face. Harry had never really liked Bergan, one of Vayne's pets in the Magisterial Council and he was ruthless, interested not in the wellbeing of the Empire but of the power he gained by keeping it strong.
"Ah, Judge Magister Baltheon." Bergan actually sounded pleased. "It seems that you really are as ruthless as they say. Even you cannot stay away from a fight. The Emperor has issued orders to me to use the Twelfth Fleet to forever remove this current trouble from our border lands and that starts here with the vagrant Princess. Will you honour the orders of your Emperor?"
Bergan almost seemed to believe that Harry would so Harry simply kept walking towards them, past the throne and to Bergan's side who turned so he could watch both Harry and the group of six. "I will honour the orders of my Emperor." Harry stressed the word Emperor even as he drew his sword and stepped forwards as if he was about to attack Vaan's group before he turned gracefully and levelled the Katana at Bergan.
"By the powers of the Magisterial Council of the Archadian Empire I place you under arrest." Harry told him brutally. "You will lay down your weapons and order your troops to stand down. The Twelfth Fleet, henceforth under detention will disarm and report to Fleet Command for inspection and you will be escorted to a cell in Nalbina Fortress until the Magisterial Council sees fit to put you to trial."
It seemed to take Bergan a moment to process what Harry had said before he laughed. "You cannot be serious. Who are you to place me under arrest? This is done at the Emperor's orders."
"Judge Magister Bergan, Vayne Solidor is Emperor is acting status only, not in title." Harry said as if talking to a small child. "He has no command over the military and no right to order the Twelfth Fleet to war."
"No, I suppose not, but I do." Bergan declared seeing a flaw in Harry's plan and leaping for it. And straight into Harry's trap.
"You commanded them?" Harry asked and the smirk was clear in his voice and made Bergan turn his head in confusion, glancing at the others behind Harry. "This area is out of bounds to all military forces baring the Sixth Fleet under orders of the late Emperor Gramis. No Judge Magister may order a military vessel into this region without the Emperor's agreement or my own. By ordering the Twelfth Fleet into this region you have countermanded a direct order from the late Emperor Gramis. You will surrender your forces immediately or I will pass judgement on you now."
Bergan just stared at Harry in shock. "The Emperor ordered this!" Bergan almost shouted at him.
"The Emperor is dead." Harry snapped. "Vayne has no power to countermand his orders. Thus you have betrayed your Emperor and the Archadian Empire. Stand down immediately."
Bergan snarled at him and raised his sword but there was a dramatic difference this time. Facing the revered Judge Magister Baltheon and seeing their own Commander's crimes his three Judges were backing away from the fight only to find themselves facing Penelo's crossbow, Fran's bow and arrow and Balthier's gun. "I wouldn't run if I were you." Balthier smirked.
"You raise a sword against a Judge Magister?" Harry asked.
"I am a Judge Magister!" Bergan growled.
"Not anymore." Harry smirked under his hood. "As of now you are stripped of your titles, powers and lands. This I do in the name of the Magisterial Council. The seat of justice which is bound by the laws of the Empire and not by the wishes of an acting Emperor."
Harry tightened his grip of his Katana with his left hand and as if the slightly shimmer of light along the blade was a signal Bergan rushed him. Bergan raised his sword and brought it down at Harry's head. Harry, seconds earlier, dropped backwards and kicked his feet out to roll over backwards a few feet just as Bergan's sword struck the ground and cracked the stone flagstones.
Harry leapt forwards, using Bergan's sword to gain him height and to pin the ex-Judge Magister to the floor as he flipped backwards and delivered a solid kick to the bottom of Bergan's helmet knocking it off centre and blocking his eyesight slightly. Bergan growled even as Harry landed smoothly amongst a flutter of his cloak and then yanked his sword off the ground and swung it like it wasn't a dead weight. Harry ducked the sword and parried the next blow with his Katana and then used his bracer to block Bergan's punch to his head.
The others could only stand back as Harry dodged and flowed around the battle, almost seeming to be merely training. Harry didn't bother to prolong the fight as Bergan's anger at Harry only fuelled his mistakes and with a twist and a flick of his left arm he sent the Katana flying at Bergan. Bergan battered the sword to the side and it clattered across to the throne. Bergan made to turn back to Harry to gloat but then gasped in shock and pain as Harry stepped in the few metres, unsheathed the wrist blade he'd brought from this very place and drove it clean through a quarter of an inch of armour and leather and straight into Bergan's chest, splintering his ribs, lungs and heart.
Harry pulled back as soon as the task was complete and let Bergan's body crash to the ground as he stepped away and moved to the pool of water to clean the blade and then inspect it while Balthier rushed forwards to check Bergan's body while Ashe and Penelo checked on the Gran-Kiltias. There wasn't even a scratch on the blade even after going through the armour and bone.
Harry closed the blade, retrieved his Katana and slid it away before looking around. The three Judges were disarmed and Basch and Fran were handing them over to Priests by the door and as he watched Al-Cid Margrace and his female aide entered the room and walked towards them.
"He set his bones with Manufactured Nethicite." Balthier announced making Harry look at him. "The Gran Kiltias?"
Penelo shook her head rather despondently. "What about Larsa?"
"Gone." Harry grunted.
"Spirited away by Judge Magister Gabranth." Al-Cid announced, clutching his side. Harry moved towards him as his aide helped him to sit on the wall that separated the walkway from the pools of water.
"So he was here?" Basch asked but Harry wasn't surprised.
"What happened to Larsa?" Harry demanded even as he removed Al-Cid's hand from his side and crouched to look at the wound. He still wore his hood but he knew that Al-Cid had seen his face earlier.
"He went along to avoid trouble." Al-Cid explained before gasping as Harry healed his small knife wound. "Judge Bergen, however, had other plans and flew into a rage and I was left to fend for myself."
"Thank you for trying." Harry told him sincerely.
"Please, Princess Ashelia, allow me to take you back to Rozzaria." Al-Cid pleaded.
"So that you can protect me?" Ashe asked.
"Vayne has our War Pavilion jumping at shadows. They favour a pre-emptive strike." Al-Cid explained. "But you will convince them otherwise. You will see that they do not start this war."
Ashe went quiet as she thought about this but Harry spoke up instead. "You realise that a pre-emptive strike from Rozarria is just what Vayne wants." Harry pointed out. "It will allow him to unite all of the military and all of the Judge Magisters would unite to defend the Empire, allowing Vayne to call Emergency Powers."
"I know." Al-Cid nodded. "And I will express your concerns. From a well known Judge Magister like yourself it will hold weight however..." He glanced back at Ashe.
"I'm sorry. I cannot." Ashe sighed and shook her head. "I must wield the Sword of Kings and bring an end to the Dusk Shard."
"Do you even know where it is?" Al-Cid asked.
"I can venture a guess." Balthier spoke up. "In Draklor laboratories. The Empire's weapons research and development starts and ends there."
"I can find that out for certain." Harry told Ashe and Balthier.
"How soon do we leave?" Balthier asked Ashe and Harry saw the glint in his eyes.
"At once." Ashe announced.
Harry watched as Al-Cid took his leave, aided slightly by his attendant and when he was gone Harry turned to Ashe. "How do you intend to get to Archades?"
"How would you suggest?" She asked him for once wanting his opinion.
Harry motioned for Penelo who without having to be told handed him a map of Ivalice. Harry placed it on the wall and drew his finger down the southern border of Archadia, between the central Empire and Dalmasca. "This area will be heavily patrolled and is in the hands of the Second Fleet which is one that will follow Vayne. I cannot get you through there by air and it will be heavily patrolled at the moment in case of invasion from Rozarria. Likewise the Navy will be patrolling the coast."
"Our only choice is to go in by foot." Balthier announced getting what Harry was leading to.
Harry nodded. "Return through Rabanastre and past Nalbina Fortress and through Salika Woods. They are my responsibility to patrol and you need not fear being arrested trying to cross the border there. Once inside the Empire proper you can travel as a group as you are without arousing much attention. Just lay low and don't cause any trouble. Travel across the Phon coast east until you can pass the gorge up into the Tchita Uplands. Though not commonly used there are tunnel ruins through into the Old City that you can use."
"Not an easy route." Balthier commented.
"It is perhaps the most dangerous place in the Empire but I don't fear for you." Harry told them.
"And how do you suppose we get into the Upper City?" Balthier asked.
"You could use your status." Harry offered but grinned to show he was joking. "I will see to it upon your arrival. I will have someone keep watch for you."
"Wait?" Vann asked. "You're not coming with us?"
"I must return by the shortest route." Harry told them. "I must ensure Larsa's safety and I trust no one to that but myself. I must also ensure that the Magisterial Council stays divided so that Vayne gains no more control."
"Were you serious about all of that?" Vaan asked. "Can you really have arrested Bergan?"
"I did just arrest him." Harry told him. "The Magisterial Council is tasked to uphold the law and even Vayne's pets must keep to those laws. Bergan's fate was sealed as soon as he ordered a military force into my region which is forbidden by law. Only the Emperor or myself can do such a thing. It was a law created to prevent a Judge Magister from going rogue and moving his Fleet into Dalmasca and thus provoking Rozarria. I will have to follow that up as well. Hopefully they will order a review on the Twelfth Fleet as all Captains know the law and should not have permitted their ships to enter Dalmasca without seeking my permission."
They were about to say more when there was a rumbling crash from outside. Harry frowned at the familiar sound of heavy weapons fire and rushed outside. He paused on the balcony to see the large form of a Heavy Cruiser hanging over the camp. It had clearly returned for Bergan but not been able to raise him.
Harry pressed his Bracer's communications button and addressed the ship on a broad signal. "Goliath, this is Judge Magister Baltheon, Commander of the Sixth Fleet. You are ordered to stand down, safety all weapons and return immediately to the Twelfth Fleet with the following message for the Commander of said Fleet. From myself, you are ordered into administration by order of the Magisterial Council for transgressions against the Dalmasca Demilitarisation law set by the late Emperor Gramis. Confirm receipt."
There was silence for a moment but the ship didn't fire again and finally a voice came back to them. "Where is Judge Magister Bergan?" The voice asked.
"Identify yourself." Harry ordered ignoring that fact the man wasn't showing Harry the proper respect.
"I am Captain and Judge Practon of the Twelfth Fleet." The man told him. "Now, where is Judge Magister Bergan."
"Watch your tone, Judge." Harry told him icily. "The former Judge Magister Bergan has been found guilty of the same transgression I earlier listed and was stripped of his title before he became traitor to the Empire for raising a weapon against a Judge Magister. He has been executed."
"You can't do that!" The voice gasped. "The Emperor will demand..."
"The acting Emperor, Vayne Solidor, cannot break the laws of the Empire." Harry snapped. "Stand down immediately."
"We shall not." The man told him and seconds later the six massive guns of the Goliath opened fire on the mountain again, one striking particularly close to where they were standing.
"Heavy Cruiser Goliath, this is the Heavy Cruiser Ifrit, you are firing upon a Judge Magister of the Arcadian Empire. Seize firing immediately." A new voice announced and Harry looked at Balthier and Vaan with a smirked. There was no response from the Goliath. "I say again, Heavy Cruiser Goliath, this is the Heavy Cruiser Ifrit, and the Missile Destroyer Vengeance, you are hereby ordered to stand down your weapons or you will be destroyed."
Harry knew he wouldn't have to say anything but he did anyway to remove any doubt from the Captain of the Vengeance's mind about whether to fire at his own country folk or not. "Ifrit and Vengeance, this is Judge Magister Baltheon. Destroy target, Goliath. I say again, destroy Heavy Cruiser Goliath."
"Missiles already in transit." Another new voice announced and almost twenty seconds later eighteen streaks of smoke erupted across the top of the mountain and slammed into the side of the Goliath. Long range missiles from the Vengeance, possibly still over twenty miles away. The Goliath stopped firing as smoke and fire erupted all along her port side and she began to list but she held up in the air. Missiles weren't as effective as the large guns on the Goliath but just as a spider is defenceless against a wasp, the big, powerful Goliath was defenceless against the Long Range Missile Destroyer. Another eighteen missiles struck into its starboard side as it began to change course, hoping to run and it listed down across the mountains before exploding as it struck a peak two miles away.
"Judge Magister Baltheon, this is the Vengeance. ETA on Mount Bur-Omisais is two-zero minutes."
"Understood. Remain at two miles and send an Atomos. The Ifrit is to remain over the camp and offer medical assistance before returning to the Sixth Fleet." Harry ordered before turning to the others. "I'm going to take you onto the Vengeance. I'll drop you off in Rabanastre but you'll need to make your own way from there. I can't afford to bring you right into the capital right now."
"Thank you." Ashe told him.
"We have the same goal, Princess Ashelia. The removal of war from Ivalice and the key to that is the ability to make your own choices." Harry told her. "With you in Dalmasca and Larsa in Archadia I can see that peace."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
The next day
Thirty-eight thousand tonnes of ship hung briefly over the edge of Rabanastre and most of the populace watched as the Archadian Empire's Long Range Missile Destroyer of the Sixth Fleet, Vengeance, turned slowly towards the north-north east as a small Atomos undocked from her and flew down into the city with its passengers. Not many of the Dalmascans and visitors to the city didn't know that there was trouble in the Empire that dominated them and most were pleased by that regardless of the danger to themselves. All they knew right then was that Judge Magister Baltheon had increased the size of his Fleet in Dalmasca and most assumed it was to squash the resistance that they had been hearing rumours about in recent weeks.
The Vengeance blasted a long peel on her whistle as she steadied up on her new course almost in way of a parting before she accelerated, leaving behind a shimmer in the air as her huge engines throbbed with the power of one of the most advanced ships in the Imperial Fleet. In a matter of an hour she would arrive in Nalbina Fortress and join the Damocles, Vanguard and Hades to patrol the area until the Ifrit returned. Harry would leave the five ships in Nalbina after questioning the new Captains of the three new ships to determine what they'd do if they went into civil war before he took an Atomos up to the Capital to meet with the Magisterial Council over the execution of one of their own.
All while Vaan, Balthier, Ashe, Basch, Fran and Penelo snuck into the Empire to destroy the greatest natural weapon in Ivalice.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
End Chapter