Avatar of the Occuria
Chapter 7; Arcadia
The Capital City of the Arcadian Empire; Arcades
Harry paused in his walk as an elegant ship flew over his head escorted by three Remora attack ships and accompanied by two Atomos transport ships full of Imperial troops. The emblem of Drace's family on the sides of the ships told anyone in the city that Judge Magister Drace was moving from the command of the First Fleet near the docks of the city to the Magisterial Council building. Anyone really interested in intercepting her would probably know that this was just a decoy and that another, subtler, escort was taking her by normal city taxi with some of her best Judges and guards through a roundabout route to ensure her safe arrival.
Her actual location was right next to Harry, walking through the backstreets of the city wearing the plain robes of a traveller and only Harry knew that they were merely walking. It was the safest possible way to ensure that she arrived safely and that no 'accident' befell her convoy.
Harry turned to her and looked at her cloaked form, she wasn't anywhere near as bulky as her armour made her look but the proof of her reputation as one of the strongest fighters in the military was evident in her form, even under the loose travellers robes. "How fairs being a mere citizen again?" Harry asked her with amusement in his voice.
"I feel safe and secure interestingly enough." Drace laughed. "Then again that might merely be because I have you to protect me."
They continued on in silence until they reached the main street that led through all of the major buildings of the central city and the two walked straight up to the guards at the doors of the Magisterial Council building. They weren't affiliated to any of the Houses but were part of the Elite Guard. They blocked their way with their bodies rather than draw their weapons but their hands were never far from them.
"Halt. Lower your hoods and identify yourselves." Their Sergeant ordered.
Harry took a moment to consider his ears and double checked that he wouldn't uncover them by lowering his hood. After satisfying himself that his hair would cover his ears and after the Sergeant almost made to order again, Harry raised his hands and pulled his hood back off his face and down over his head to bare his features to the group of soldiers. The Sergeant stood frozen for a moment before getting his wits back. "My Lord Judge Magister Baltheon, welcome."
"I speak for this person." Harry told him simply and the guard nodded and gestured to the others to move aside to let Harry and his companion pass. Harry walked inside and Drace followed silently. A member of Harry's household, sent ahead that morning, saluted Harry as soon as he'd crossed the room.
"My Lord Judge Magister." He greeted politely. "Everything is as you ordered. This way please."
Harry nodded and the two followed the man through into the building and up to Harry's office though Harry only ever used it just before going into a meeting of the Council. The same could be said for most of the rest of the Council of Judge Magisters. Once inside the man locked the door behind him and turned and bowed to Drace. "My Lady Judge Magister. I apologise for not greeting you properly."
"You choose your servants well, Baltheon." She told Harry before lowering her hood and nodding to the man, Lit, as he was called. "Apology accepted."
"Your armour and uniform is in the bathroom ready for you, My Lady Judge Magister." Lit announced and motioned towards the bathroom which was secure. Harry didn't have to worry about her health in there. Drace soon left the room to change and Harry pulled off his travellers cloak and pulled his proper one off of the desk where Lit had left it and pulled it on. "My Lord Judge Magister. I was informed just before you arrived that the second convoy was hit by what they are reporting to be a band of thieves. The Lieutenant of the party is on the way to give you his report. He shall be here shortly."
"Thank you, Lit." Harry nodded as he pulled up his hood again. Not even his house staff knew what he really was and he preferred not to accidentally show them. "If it hasn't already reached the Council, inform them of our arrival and inform them that our convoy was attacked on the way by a band of thieves and we shall join them as soon as possible."
"My Lord Judge Magister." Lit bowed out of the room but Harry saw the amused smirk on the man's face. Rumours had been flying all over the capital over the last few days ever since news had reached the Empire that the revered and feared Judge Magister Baltheon had killed one of the more ruthless of the Magisterial Council, Judge Magister Bergan. It was well known that as soon as Harry's private ship had arrived in the city from Nalbina he'd received a rather abrupt summons to the Magisterial Council to answer for his deeds. It was also well known that there was serious tension in the military of the Empire in the wake of the Emperor's assassination and that two sides were forming and that Baltheon and Bergan had been on completely different sides.
Harry was seated behind his desk when a flustered looking Lieutenant entered with an obvious effort to come across as collected even though it was obvious that he'd just ran the entire way here. "Lieutenant Brask." Harry greeted the commander of one of the units of Drace's personal guards. "Before you begin, were there any casualties?"
"My Lord Judge Magister." Brask gasped and steadied his breathing, running in such armour was never easy. "I thank you for your concern and I am pleased to report that there were no injuries."
"Then tell me what happened." Harry motioned for him to start.
"We were just entering the inner city when a group of twenty-five men blocked out path. They threatened that they would kill all of us so we allowed them to search us." Brask rattled off. "As you expressly wished us not to engage in a fight we allowed them to continue and it seemed as if they were only pretending to be thieves as they took nothing from the escort and when they forced open the taxi and saw that it was empty they retreated. As you ordered we did not pursue them."
"I am glad that the operation did not cost you." Harry nodded. He'd always hated using decoys like this because of the risk to the men involved. "Thank you for your report. Judge Magister Drace will be returning to her command once this is dealt with."
"I am at your command, My Lord Judge Magister." Brask bowed out of the room knowing when he was dismissed and as soon as he was gone the door to the bathroom opened and Drace walked out fully dressed except for her helmet which sat under her left arm.
"It seems that our enemies fell for our ruse." Drace observed showing that she'd heard the report easily enough in the bathroom.
"Yes, it would seem so." Harry clucked his tongue and rose up and waited only long enough for Drace to place her helmet on her head before offering her his arm to escort her to the meeting which would show anyone watching that the two were firmly allied with each other. Half of the threats against Drace were already squashed with just that knowledge since quite a few assassins wouldn't risk going against the revered Baltheon.
"Something bothers you." Drace spoke, her voice distorted by the thick helmet.
"Just an observation, My Lady." Harry tilted his head. "Your would be assassin managed to not only convince a group of mercenaries to hit a military convoy but he managed to get them to do it in the inner city where reinforcements could be called in at a moment's notice, not to mention a cruiser from your own command. To make it worse he was able to pay for twenty five men to do it."
"Unfortunately there are plenty of just such people that are among my enemies at this time." Drace told him just as they arrived at the doors to the Council room. The Elite guards at the door bowed to them and opened the doors for them to enter. Silence fell over the room as soon as they entered and all heads turned to the two.
The doors shut behind them and Harry glanced around taking in everyone present. Every single member of the Council was present and apart from two scribes in the corner to record the entire meeting the room was empty. The emblems of all of the Houses hung from the walls and a waist high table sat in the centre with fruits and juices. There were no windows and the old lamps had a brass smell to them as they burned with magical light. Harry could never really say why he liked that smell, perhaps it was the Magicite that burned within them that he liked.
"Such a pleasure for us that you decided to join us at last, Baltheon." Judge Magister Dreaden announced.
"I would implore you to watch your tone, Dreaden." Harry spoke calmly. "Or have you forgotten what little etiquette you once knew?"
"We're here to discuss what you have done, Baltheon." Kresden, one of the more neutral Judge Magisters called everyone to attention. He was a respectable man whose fleet keep a close eye on the north east of the Empire.
"Discuss?" Dreaden scoffed. "Why discuss the murder or a loyal member of this council? We're one short on this day and at this man's hand. What is there to discuss?"
"This is a Council of the Law and we will abide by that law." Kresden told Dreaden. "It is the law that no Judge Magister may be arrested without proof of his crime and as no such proof speaks of Baltheon committing murder we shall not just jump to conclusions."
"The reasoning is simple." Harry said as if he were simply bored as he moved through the room and lifted an apple from the table and took a bite, he was among the only ones in the room to ever touch the fruit since there was always the risk somebody had poisoned it which wasn't something he feared. It always turned heads when he took an piece of fruit like this. "Bergan refused to accept my issue of his arrest and turned his blade on a Judge Magister after I had stripped him of his position. Thus he broke the law and I was forced to carry out justice, if not simply defend myself."
"By this rather cavalier approach to your own well being after announcing that, I assume you had a reason for ordering his arrest and removing his title?" Opehague, one of those well inside Drace and Harry's camp asked.
Harry laughed. "As if you all do not already know."
"Enlighten us." Dreaden sneered.
"The manoeuvring of the twelfth fleet into the airspace above Bhujerba, Dalmasca and Nabradia." Harry announced. "And the unlawful attack on the refugee camp of Mount Bur-Omisace and finally for the assassination of the Gran-Kiltias of Bur-Omisace, a person protected by Imperial Decree five years ago."
"This is ridiculous!" Dreaden spat. "Bergan was well within his rights to do just what he did."
"By law he was not." Krisden retorted and Harry grinned under his hood. Unknowingly Dreaden's attitude and Bergan's actions was convincing Krisden to come over to Drace and Harry's side. "The late Emperor decreed that no vessel not of the sixth fleet under the command of Judge Magister Baltheon could enter the airspace over Dalmasca, Bhujerba or Nabradia. Judge Magister Bergan ordered such a thing and thus is well deserving in his issue of arrest. If he then turned his blade on Judge Magister Baltheon then Baltheon was well within his rights, no his duty to the Empire, to execute Bergan."
"This is ridiculous!" Dreaden spat. Everyone else seemed to be keeping out of this now and quite a few of those that Harry knew were firmly under Vayne's controls were looking worried. "The Emperor abolished..."
"If you're about to say that Vayne Solidor, acting Emperor, ordered the attack on Mount Bur-Omisace I suggest you think careful over it before you blurt it out." Harry sneered and saw a distinctive shift around the room. "The acting Emperor is placed on the throne only to act as a figurehead for the people of the Empire during this time of turmoil. He has no power to abolish his father's decrees nor the power to order a Judge Magister to move the twelfth fleet to attack a location inside my own territories."
"You disrespect our future Emperor?" Jerrad, another of Vayne's lackeys asked him calmly. Harry knew he wouldn't be able to get a rise from him as easily as he had Dreadon.
"Judge Magister Baltheon merely speaks the law as it applies to this situation." Lopus spoke calmly. He, like Krisden, was one of the northern Judge Magisters who was so far sitting on the fence but as he spoke he nodded to Harry in respect. "He assessed the situation and reacted with the laws that we are oath-bound to follow. On that same basis we are oath-bound to agree with him and I cannot see any legal reason for anyone on this Council to do otherwise."
There was silence for the most part but it seemed that Bergan's fate had been dropped. "What of the twelfth fleet?" One of Vayne's lackeys spoke up.
"I have ordered it into administration to determine why the Captains of the vessels, who were well aware of the illegality or their actions, undertook the mission regardless." Harry said simply.
"The most logical thing to do with the fleet is move it to reinforce the Second and Third Fleets." Jerrad suggested. Neither were his fleet so this was clearly planned and it would move the power of the twelfth fleet right onto the border between Archadia and Harry's territories between the two Empires and thus provoke the Rozzarians.
"The twelfth has already struck a refugee camp near to the Rozarrian border!" Cairns, one of their allies retorted. "If we reinforce our borders with it the Rozzarians may take it as preparation for war."
"Are you shirking from war, Cairns?" Dreaden laughed.
"Be silent." Harry hissed so harshly that Dreaden actually flinched. "Cairns is correct. The concept of making such a violent gesture when our own Empire is in turmoil over the death of our Emperor and while tensions are so high between us and the Rozzarians is laughable."
"And where do you think it should be sent, Judge Magister Baltheon?" Jerrad sneered though it was only evident in his voice.
"It should be left to protect the capital." Harry told them simply. "Leave it in administration either until the Emperor is sworn in by a new senate and can design his defences as he sees fit or until we have a credible threat. If it is here in the city it is ideally placed to reinforce anywhere in the southern Empire."
There was a muttering of agreement and Harry's eyes flickered over the room and even as people began casting their votes it became clear to Harry that he'd lost. Vayne simply had too many supporters here and this wasn't a matter of law but of tactics. Even if Harry's plan made more sense his opposition could say that their idea was just as valid. He did note though that all five of those still sitting on the fence voted with Harry's solution with respectful nods in his direction.
A half hour later the meeting ended and Harry made his way to his office and stared out of the window for a time. Drace followed him as well as, surprisingly, Krisden, Lopus and Mullock, another of the neutrals. Harry greeted them unemotionally as the door shut.
"It is becoming concerning that our military appears to be dividing." Krisden told Drace and Harry. "It seems that your opposition has gained control of the twelfth fleet on this day."
"I had noticed." Harry told him with a touch of amusement at the man's roundabout way of getting to the point.
"I do not like being in the middle of a civil war but whilst your opposition seems to desire such a thing, you and your allies seem to be trying to avoid it. While I do not know if you will be successful you are in the right and Mullock, Lopus and I have spoken on this and agree that we must aid you if we are to protect our Empire. Even from within." Krisden announced and Harry nodded to him in acceptance.
"We are pleased to hear such a thing, my friend." Drace lifted off her helmet and smiled at the man properly. "We are approaching dark times and it pains me to see the Empire I love in such turmoil."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Three days later
Harry threw back his hood as he slammed the door to his seating room shut, he picked up a glass vase and hefted it across the room. He barely noticed the other two people in the room though he took them in when both startled and flinched as the glass shattered against the wall and rained across the area.
One was the ex-slave Zachery who Harry had scared Judge Zantir into releasing with just a simple sentence thrown into a conversation that Harry had known the Judge had been listening to. The Judge had tried to have a group of slaves killed that very night but Harry's troops had prevented the act with Harry's help. The other slaves had been taken to the Port of Balfonheim with enough money for them to get home again. Zachery had accepted the offer to stay in Harry's home until his father came to collect him. Harry turned to look at Larsa who had been under close watch in the Imperial Towers and Harry hadn't been able to see him because he'd been too busy meeting with Judge Magisters and Judges that were his allies or potential allies.
"Larsa." Harry sighed and relaxed himself visibly and Larsa moved over to him and hugged him gently. Harry returned the gesture and could feel in the boy's body that he had been having a tough few days ever since his father was killed. "I am sorry."
"You are so angry." Larsa told him as he pulled away. "I have heard it from the guards around me. They say that Judge Magister Baltheon is out for revenge and they are all frightened of you."
"People have always been frightened of me, Larsa." Harry told him. "You're just not used to seeing that side of me."
"I heard my brother talking..." Larsa frowned.
"About what?" Harry pressed when Larsa didn't continue on his own.
"He was talking to the General of the Elite Guards about you." Larsa bit his lip. "About you not being allowed in to see him for any reason. He was worried that you thought that he had a hand in my father's death and that you'd want revenge."
"Perhaps it's a good thing then that I have no desire to go to see your brother then." Harry shrugged.
"Don't play this down." Larsa frowned worriedly.
"The Elite Guard have only the power to protect what they guard against anyone that attacks it, no matter who they are." Harry pointed out. "They do not have the legal right to attack somebody without provocation."
"And if you tried to harm my brother?" Larsa questioned.
"In that case they'd obviously have reason to attack me." Harry laughed.
"Don't do that." Larsa glared. "Don't treat me like a child."
Harry moved quickly and slung and arm around Larsa. "But you are a child, Larsa. A little brother to me and I'm going to treat you like that for as long as I can get away with it."
Larsa let out an explosive rush of breath before looking up at Harry. "Do you really think that Vayne was involved in father's murder?"
"You should know better than to discuss such things, Larsa." Harry admonished. "And you should never ask such a question for it matters not what other people believe. You have excellent instincts, Larsa, use them to guide you to the answers you seek. They have not led you astray yet."
There was a knock at the door and it opened quickly to show Lit who quickly crossed the room and bowed to Harry. "A message from the Hunter's camp on the Phon Coastline, My Lord Judge Magister."
Harry nodded. "What is it?"
"Your contact reported in to say that people of the description you provided have passed through the camp on their way east along the coast. They asked about routes north." Lit informed him.
"When was this?" Harry asked.
"They passed through yesterday at around noon." Lit explained.
"That means they'll reach the city tomorrow morning." Harry nodded almost to himself. "Lit, send someone down to the old city and tell them to locate a man called Jules and tell him to come to speak to me. Ensure that the backdoor is open for him to arrive. I doubt he'll wish to be seen entering my home."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
The next morning
Vaan eyed the city as he walked along the walkway that connected the old city to the vast city above it. The change was so drastic it was like going from winter to summer in a second. He had arrived through the old underground ruins and into the old city in the early hours of the morning after a long overnight trek through the underground caverns and tunnels and soon the six of them had been trying to find a way up into the city. Then they had been interrupted by a Streetear called Jules who had given them a way to get past the guards at the gate for no other reason than he seemed amused to see Balthier.
"Why did that man help us through?" Ashe asked Balthier, obviously thinking just what Vaan was thinking.
Balthier snorted in amusement. "You'll find that Judge Magister Baltheon has a different reputation around these parts than in your fair city."
"How do you mean?" Penelo asked.
"In your world he is feared and hated." Balthier shrugged. "In this world he is feared maybe, but he is also revered."
"How does that help us?" Vaan asked unable to like the feeling that they were being helped by somebody like Baltheon.
"He has contacts in every part of the city." Balthier explained. "Some of them probably respect him more than they do their Empire. Take the patrol that stopped us in the Salika Woods for example. They were clearly told what we looked like by him and without question they accepted his order to let a band like us into their Empire."
"They'd do that if they feared him." Vaan pointed out.
"Hate him if you must, Vaan." Balthier sighed looking surprisingly hurt for a moment. "But remember that at the moment he is your greatest Ally."
"And potentially our greatest enemy." Basch pointed out. "We should make sure we are ready for anything."
"He's right." Vaan nodded. "We should get our weapons and armour checked and then stock up on supplies."
"Very well." Balthier nodded. "I go to find a few contacts of my own. I'll feel better knowing the latest news. If you get into any trouble tell the Sergeant that you must speak to Judge Magister Baltheon. They will have to contact him and won't lay a finger on you until they speak to him."
"And assume that Baltheon will help us?" Vaan asked.
Balthier moved closer to Vaan and leaned in. "Need I remind you, dear boy, that he risked his own health to save you just four days ago."
Vaan couldn't think of an answer to that one so instead just kept his mouth shut with the feeling that he only understood half of what he should. He really needed some answers. He eyed the direction that Balthier had headed off in and then at the others who were moving off towards the shopping district. Penelo watched him for a moment before nodding and running back to him. "Go after him and find some answers." She told him before hugging him and running off after the others. Vaan watched them go for a moment before turning back to see that Balthier had disappeared. He ran off in the direction he'd last seen him and hoped he wouldn't lose him.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
The residence of Judge Magister Baltheon
Harry stood on the balcony of his office on the third floor of his home overlooking one of the nicer roads in the city, there were ponds, water features built into the very road that linked the buildings together. He was wearing his full Judge Magister cloak but the hood was down as he let the sun wash over his face. He watched as a familiar figure made his way down the road with another familiar figure following him at a distance. Balthier didn't really stand out in this scene and he knew the Empire enough to fit in. Vaan, trying to follow him, stuck out like a sore thumb with his fighting clothes more suited for the deserts than the city centre but he was young enough that he looked, to the rich citizens up in these levels, to merely be a street boy working for somebody in the city so his lack of proper clothing didn't really gain much more than passing interest and perhaps a little distaste. Harry had to admit that he liked the sight of Vaan's hard muscles exposed across his torso.
Just as they approached his main door Balthier paused and turned to look directly at Vaan unsurprised by his presence and Harry laughed. Vaan would have to really work at it if he wanted to be able to sneak up on Balthier. Harry pressed a button on the wall of his office. "Lit? We've got two guests, bring them straight to me in my office. There's no need to search them."
"Of course, My Lord Judge Magister." Lit told him and Harry walked back onto his balcony in time to hear his front door open directly below him and to hear Lit greet the two and invite them inside. Harry waited on his balcony and heard his door open a few minutes later. "My Lord Judge Magister. Your guests have arrived. Balthier and Vaan."
"Thank you, Lit." Harry turned to look at the three and looked over Balthier and Vaan taking in their tired appearances. "Bring us something cold to drink, please, and have six of the guest rooms prepared for tonight."
"You think we're going to be here that long?" Balthier asked just as Lit closed the door behind him.
Harry nodded and moved to his desk and sat on the edge of it and Vaan and Balthier sat down with relief in a couple of chairs. "I made a few enquiries and you were right. Draklor has control of the last remaining relic. You will have to break in to find it but that won't be possible today. The guard is on its monthly hand over and there are an additional thirty percent guarding the facility. Unfortunately Cid is less than likely to look the other way if I make a visit out of the blue when I haven't spoken to the man... well you were probably here the last time I wanted to go there."
"You are right." Balthier nodded. "I don't believe complete subterfuge will help us here. We will have to fight our way in."
"You understand that the consequences of helping you forbid me from assisting you?" Harry asked. "As much as I would want to."
"Sure." Vaan rolled his eyes. "Leave the danger to us."
"Vaan..." Harry sighed. "It is not like that at all. I'd rather be there, to protect you and to protect my only family, Balthier, but Vayne is hoping that I make a mistake so that his allies in the Council can issue a warrant for my arrest. With my loss to his opposition he'd gain almost full control of our military. I'm the restraining hand at the moment and it's not something we can afford to throw away. It's not something that Dalmasca can afford either."
"Since when have you cared about Dalmasca?" Vaan glared at him and Harry sighed again.
"You know what I wish for, Vaan?" Harry asked suddenly. "I wish for Larsa to be Emperor so that Lady Ashelia can rule over a completely free Dalmasca and we can rebuild Nabradia and give it back to her people. I wish that Larsa and Ashelia can be friends and for the first time our Empire can sign a treaty of friendship with Dalmasca and even Rozarria so that the entire of Ivalice can finally look to the future rather than to the next battle between the two Empires. Ivalice hasn't been at peace since King Wraithwall's time but with Larsa, Ashelia and Al-Cid perhaps that is a possibility once more. That's my task."
"You think that's the task you were given?" Balthier straightened up.
"I believe I'm here to be the tool to form that alliance." Harry nodded. "I am Imperial and Larsa will listen to me when I offer my advice and I've been given the task of protecting Dalmasca which I have done without worsening the situation and to the point that when the time comes for Larsa to be Emperor and for my fleet and men to pull out of Dalmasca she can recover quickly from the loss. I don't know yet whether protecting Ashelia and Larsa will be the death of me but I am willing to take that chance."
"And what of your Soulmate?" Balthier actually stood up. "You were told to find him so that you could live and be happy. Where is that?"
"Don't get upset, Theo." Harry shook his head. "I can't control that any more than you can. Events conspired against us and it isn't his fault that he has grown to hate me."
"And what if he doesn't lose that hate?" Balthier asked desperately.
"I will survive." Harry told him.
"Would you two stop talking about me as if I wasn't in the room?" Vaan told them angrily and both snapped their heads around. Harry narrowed his eyes but Balthier just looked shocked. "I'm not a complete idiot. I'm not as dense as you seem to think. I noticed the signs, your hand when you hit me, the way you never argue with me and the way you look at me at times."
"And because Fran can't keep simple things to herself." Balthier grumbled.
"It's not her fault she decided I should know." Vaan accused him. "I had the right to find out even if I had to work it all out myself. All she did was help."
"Theo." Harry caught his older brother's attention and shook his head. Balthier grumbled something under his breath that was more for the sake of saying something than actually to get across words. "Why don't you go find your companions and bring them here for lunch? I note that you decided to tackle the underground ruins over night."
"I'd take a night in those ruins over a night in the old city any day." Balthier told him before nodding. "Perhaps I should take my leave as this is a conversation I had rather keep myself out of."
Balthier walked to the door but turned to look at Harry before he walked out of it. Seeing that Vaan couldn't see him he shot Harry a concerned look which Harry returned with an impassive one. Balthier shook his head and disappeared, shutting the door behind him quietly. "How do you know we're Soulmates?" Vaan asked him as soon as the door was shut. He stood up and walked over to the mirror and messed with his hair in his reflection for a moment.
"I am not human remember." Harry told him. "I am attuned to my Soulmate's presence. I knew it to be you the day I met your older brother. It is why I did not remain in Rabanastre to find you after he was terminally injured. It would not have been right."
"Too right." Vaan grumbled.
"Knowing what the death of your King would do to my reputation and knowing that you were Rabanastran I didn't try to find you knowing that until the truth was learned, if it ever was, you would not have considered anything between us." Harry sighed. "So knowing that there was no point I tried to forget about you. It seems that fate had other plans and I was surprised to see you at the parade but again your hatred pained me so I did not think to follow it. After I struck you I had unequivocal proof and after you learnt the truth about my part in your King's assassination I allowed myself a little hope."
"Hope?" Vaan turned to him. "How do you know if I would even feel that way? How do you know if I was even gay?"
"I didn't know." Harry sighed. "I hoped."
"What is this Soulmate thing?" Vaan asked. "Fran said it was common for Verra."
"Every sentient being has a Soulmate be they human or not. Normally their mates are of the same species but not always and to most it doesn't matter. You can still love somebody who isn't your Soulmate as easily as you can someone who is, maybe even more." Harry explained saying what he'd read when he'd studied it before.
"What's the point then?" Vaan asked.
"It's not to just cause pain like I know you are thinking, Vaan. I am sorry that you think that way." Harry sighed. "Beings produce magic and each individual's body is attuned to that magic and it is that which we call a soul. It perfectly complements just one other soul in all of the known worlds."
"Worlds?" Vaan frowned.
"Of which there are thousands." Harry nodded. "I only know of two however. This one and the one I was a young child on."
"So the chances of finding your Soulmate?" Vaan asked.
"Is so low that it is a miracle for it to happen. Unless you are of my race where you are attuned to the other's existence." Harry explained. "I believe that my race had a way to travel between the worlds and built cities in each."
"Why?" Vaan asked.
"To learn, explore but I believe also to find their Soulmates." Harry explained. "You see when you accept your Soulmate your magic intertwines and compliments each other. Effectively allowing you to create magic beyond what you could before."
"So not finding your Soulmate isn't all that bad?" Vaan asked. "And not caring if you do doesn't really matter either?"
"For a human no." Harry shook his head. "Even for a Verra it matters very little although they understand the advantages that come in magic when they combine it with their Soulmate."
"But you're not human." Vaan pointed out.
"It doesn't matter." Harry shook his head. "The details matter little when you cannot return the feelings."
"Feelings?" Vaan frowned. "As in you do have feelings for me?"
"Vaan, I greatly admire your courage and determination. The love you have for freedom reminds me of what I wish for this Empire and for Ivalice. You have put yourself into a war that is not where any seventeen year old belongs and you've done it because you know it must be done." Harry told him. "You've pitted yourself against an enemy you can't reasonably believe you can defeat but you've done it to protect your home. It pains me to think of what has happened to you in your past, your parents' deaths in the war and the loss of your brother and every part of me wants to see your heart healed."
Vaan frowned at him and Harry turned and walked out onto his balcony again. He heard Vaan follow him out. "Tell me the truth. You're hiding something about your side of the bond. What's different between an Elf and a human?"
"I've tried to have a relationship before." Harry told Vaan before. "Just once before with a young man when I was eighteen. We were friends ever since Balthier ran away from the Empire and we fell in love I suppose. My magic didn't accept the relationship like my heart did and it corrupted him ever so slowly. Maybe not on purpose but perhaps just because it was too much for his body to handle."
"What happened?" Vaan asked quietly.
"I visit him from time to time. He's in a hospital out to the north. My magic drove him mad." Harry told him. "I vowed then to learn everything I could about Soulmates and in the process realised that only my Soulmate could stand to be with me like that and not suffer the same fate."
"So you're saying that if it's not me then it's nobody?" Vaan asked.
"Better nobody then anyone that would go insane." Harry told him quietly. "I'm sorry, Vaan, but I don't wish to discuss this any longer. I had your answer a long time ago. If you head down to the main hall then you can meet up with your friends and have lunch. You are welcome to stay here tonight and I will show you how to get into Draklor unseen. After that I am sure we will meet again at some time."
"Baltheon..." Vaan frowned.
"My name's Harry." Harry found himself saying without thinking about it. Vaan already knew but for some reason he wanted to hear his real name. "Goodbye, Vaan." Whether Vaan wanted to leave or not was unclear but he did head back through the room and further into the house and Harry leaned forwards onto the railing and ducked his head down even as he watched Balthier walking towards the house with Fran, Ashe, Basch and Penelo.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
That night
Harry woke sharply as somebody entered his bedroom. He didn't jerk up or anything so mundane, he didn't even change his breathing or open his eyes but merely listened to the person slowly walking across his room on light feet. They paused at the end of his bed and Harry moved his hand ever so slightly where it lay on his stomach. Only enough to prepare to use magic but not enough for the person to see him moving it where the blanket only covered his legs and waist.
Without warning Harry struck, channelling magic into his hand and releasing it in a burst of light that stung at his own eyes but stunned the intruder. Even before the bright flash had dulled Harry was moving as a blur and had the man in his grasp with an arm around him neck from behind and his other hand on the side of his head restraining him completely. It took him another instant to take in who it was and he growled in Vaan's ear in irritation.
"I killed the last person that snuck into my room, Vaan." Harry said in a hiss before releasing the hand that was laid on the side of the young man's head and flicked it at the towel laying across the back of one of the chairs next to his bed. It flew to his hand and Harry quickly released Vaan and wrapped the towel around his naked waist before Vaan could turn around. "There's such a thing as knocking."
"I didn't want to wake up the whole corridor." Vaan said. "And I didn't think you'd freak out."
"I didn't freak out." Harry told him darkly even as he stretched his arms, not liking having to move so fast after just waking up. "People have a habit of trying to assassinate me in my sleep."
"People? As in more than one?"
"Well one was an assassin that thought it better to kill me in my sleep before killing the Judge Magister I was staying with. The other was a thief who must have hit his head before accepting the job of stealing from me." Harry mused before moving to the seat beside his bed and sitting down. "Was there a reason for this visit?"
"Can't we talk?" Vaan asked and blushed when Harry looked up and saw him eyeing Harry's chest.
"In the middle of the night?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well the others..." Vaan trailed off with a wince.
"Would ask what the hell you're thinking talking to me?" Harry offered when Vaan didn't try to finish his explanation.
"Look." Vaan huffed and sat cross-legged on Harry's bed. "You threw all of that Soulmate stuff at me, I have a right to at least find out who you are before I think about it any further."
"I thought you knew who I was?" Harry pointed out.
"Well I was wrong, all right." Vaan grumbled. "I'd just lost..." He trailed off.
"You'd just lost your only family." Harry nodded. "I can't begin to pretend to know how you felt after losing your brother, especially after he'd been raising you since your parents were killed. I do however know what it's like to care about an older brother."
"Balthier?" Vaan asked. "Can you tell me about the two of you?"
"Why?" Harry asked in surprise.
"I want to know you." Vaan told him. "There's obviously more to you then I thought and don't I have a right to know?"
"Alright then." Harry sighed and leaned back in his chair. "You want to know everything?" Vaan nodded. "Then what I tell you has to stay between us."
"Alright." Vaan nodded. "But how do you know I'll keep that promise."
Harry, in response, raised his right hand and the blood stained bandage around it. "Because I hit you that time I've had to change this bandage every three hours because of the bleeding. We can't betray each other without feeling something in return. If you told what I'm about to tell you to anyone but Balthier it would be about the worst betrayal you could think of."
Vaan nodded with a gulp as he eyed Harry's hand. "I won't say a word. Does Balthier know it all then?"
"Everything up until I was fourteen which is basically what you need to know about me." Harry told him. "I don't have much in the way of a personal life after that."
"Okay." Vaan nodded and made himself comfortable and Harry laughed at the motion, his musical laugh making Vaan smile.
"The World I came from isn't anything like this one." Harry started. "They don't have magic like we do. I don't remember ever seeing magic at all. They had legends and bedtime stories about Elves like me and about Witches and monsters but I only ever saw humans. That was the only sentient race on the world. I grew up in a place where the towns stretched on side by side for as far as you could travel in a single day and what wasn't towns and cities was farmland. People drove around in cars that were something along the lines of our hover taxis but they didn't have hover technology because that's magicite and they didn't have that. They did have airships but they were small but powerful. I remember seeing an aircraft drop a bomb so large that it sent out a shockwave comparable to what happened to the Leviathan and her fleet."
"Whoa." Vaan agreed. "How did you get here?"
"When I was a baby my parents were killed in a crash with the vehicles they drove around. I don't even remember them or whether they were my real parents or if they were Elves. I don't even know their names because my Aunt only ever called my mother a whore." Vaan winced at the word because they knew what it meant. "I live with my Aunt and her husband and son and they abused, neglected and beat me. I didn't really understand what it was until I saw all the other families when I went to school when I was seven. I saw the looks of disgust they gave my Uncle. That night he almost killed me and I remember it so vividly. Balthier used to have to wake me up from nightmares from reliving that night." Harry composed himself and went on. "I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried myself to sleep that night wishing that I was anywhere else than there as I meagrely tried to heal the wounds I'd received."
"You knew you were an elf?" Vaan asked.
"I knew I was different." Harry nodded and brushed his hair behind his ears to show his ears. "I had these though even then I could alter them to human ears, just like I can now if I really want to but it's not pleasant for me to rid myself of them. It would be just like anyone else willing away an arm or a leg. I also had the healing if I really concentrated on it."
"That's cool." Vaan nodded to tell Harry to continue.
"If I'd been human I doubt I would have survived six years of it." Harry said sombrely. "Anyway, that night I dreamed of a beautiful song and people telling me to be their Avatar, and calling me an Elf, to find my Soulmate and be happy until they needed me. I woke up in a room in Draklor Research Centre and every moment since I'd been able to hear that same song playing in the background. It's like the planet singing to me and it changes depending on what is happening around me. It screams when I'm too close to Nethicite and it sings out happily when I discover something made with true mastery. That's how I knew that Reks was close to my Soulmate, the Song told me and when I first really saw you I knew the same way. Not only that but now my heart is telling me."
Vaan sat in silence for a moment and Harry stood up and stretched before sitting on his own bed with his back to the headboard and Vaan at the foot of the bed. "Balthier's father, Cid, took me in more out of scientific curiosity than care but Balthier's mother was kind to me until she died not long afterwards. Balthier came apart and I believe that if he hadn't decided to look after me he would have lost all sense then. As it was he raised me even though he is only two years older than me."
"Why did he run away?" Vaan asked. "And how could you forgive him for abandoning you?"
"When I was thirteen and Balthier was fifteen he said something very nasty about the Emperor. The sort of thing that could get you killed if you said it in front of the wrong person." Harry sighed. "Luckily the Judge Magister that heard it didn't really see which of us said it and I took the blame knowing that I couldn't live without Balthier and that I could survive far more than him and even then the Emperor cared greatly for my existence, as did Cid. Neither would have let me die. The skin was almost completely flayed from my back and Balthier never really forgave himself after that and over the next year he convinced himself that he needed to leave before he made another mistake and got me hurt again."
"So he just left?" Vaan asked.
"He tried to tell me that he was leaving but I don't think he could. In the end I wrote him a note and slipped it into his pocket so that when he left he found it and knew he was forgiven." Harry laughed. "I never saw him again after that day until you were in my dungeon."
"I suppose you lost your older brother at the same age that I did." Vaan told him.
"Except I knew that my brother was living a life he could enjoy." Harry rested his head back on the headboard for a moment.
"You've had a life far worse than mine." Vaan told him.
Harry laughed. "Is it a competition?"
Vaan laughed and moved to sit at Harry's side and launched into his own life story, about life in Rabanastre before the war with the Empire and then during the war and after his parents were killed and then almost everything he could remember about Reks and finally the end of the war and the two years since. After that they merely just talked, sharing anything about themselves or the world that came to mind. Harry told Vaan about his military life while Vaan told him what it was like to be a street rat in a world of Empires. It was a long night but one that Harry enjoyed a surprising amount and he was almost disappointed when he spotted the sun rising over the city and knew they had to get on with their lives but maybe now he and Vaan could finally be around one another without all of the resentment that had built up over their misunderstanding.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
The next morning; Draklor military entrance
"This is as far as I can risk taking you." Harry said quietly from under his travelling cloak with the hood pulled up so nothing of his face could be seen. "Just around the corner you'll find two guards and they can call another eight at a moment's warning. You'll have to take them out pretty fast unless you want to cause a commotion. Inside is a large stores issue area but you need to get through that and into the complex as fast as you can, a lot of the patrols go through that area."
"Thank you." Ashe told him.
"If you get caught, Lady Ashe." Harry paused as she looked at him. "I will do what I can to secure your release. Whatever you do however do not mention your real names or I cannot be of help to you. If you are caught then the chief of security will speak with you before you are sent away. If any of you are alone with him then mention my name and tell him that I sent you. His name is Marcus Wright. He's my man on the inside I suppose you could say."
"You have the chief of security for Draklor in your pocket?" Balthier asked him with a delighted grin.
"Keep a close eye on your enemies." Harry pointed out. "Now listen, if you trip the alarms then it is up to the First Fleet to respond, I will make sure that I am who Drace sends to lead the teams but I warn you that Draklor is a priority for the military and we will have no choice but to send an army through this building. If you trip the alarms then get yourselves out."
"Should we return to your home after this is complete?" Ashe asked.
"No, even if you do not trigger the alarm you're presence will be detected in the end. Get out of the city as fast as you can." Harry advised before turning back along the road towards the centre of the city again. He paused at the corner and looked back until the six of them had disappeared around the corner. He had no doubt that they could get inside the facility and hopefully they'd get what they needed and get out. Balthier knew his way around the facility from his teenage years after all.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A short while later – First Fleet dock
Harry had gone straight to the First Fleet's staging area after shedding his travelling cloak to show his normal battle gear. Appearing randomly at the staging area wasn't all that rare for him so he didn't have to worry about it looking odd. The entire staging area was designed to land airships and most of the structures were actually part of the landing platforms. Eight of the eighteen ships of the First Fleet were currently settled onto the platforms and Harry walked under the nose of a long range missile frigate just like his own on his way to the command centre where he knew he could find Drace but he didn't reach it before he heard a siren. The general alert ordering all ships capable of launching right then to get up into the sky and any soldier to prepare to be shipped out if necessary. Harry picked up his pace and as he approached the main doors one of Drace's Judges ran out and stopped right in front of him.
"My Lord Judge Magister." The man bowed. "We have a situation. The Draklor Laboratories had been broken into. Judge Magister Drace wishes to request your aid to lead the soldiers into battle."
"Where are the ships taking the troops to the labs?" Harry asked in way of accepting. How had Balthier and the others manage to get into trouble already, they'd only entered fifteen minutes ago. How could so few people get into trouble so often?
"They are assembling on platform nine." The Judge told him. "I'll send them word that you will lead the attack."
"Go on then." Harry nodded briskly and turned to head for the aforementioned site and arrived to find it teeming with organised chaos as soldiers loaded into eight Atomos while eight Remoras hovered nearby as escorts even though in a matter of minutes they'd have Airships like the heavy cruisers over the area. Harry walked up to the back of one of the Atomos and up to the three Judges who were in charge of the soldiers. "What's the situation?" Harry interrupted them.
They turned and bowed before one spoke up. "An unknown number of assailants have slipped into the labs and have been working up through the levels. The distress signal we received came from the eighth floor and since then we've received another on the eleventh floor."
"Let's get moving then and perhaps we can cut them off at the thirteenth floor platforms." Harry ordered knowing that he couldn't in all good conscience suggest anything else since that was the obvious plan. Land their ships on the side of the building and flood that floor with men and find out what was happening before spreading out into the building to re-secure it.
"We're two minutes to lift off, My Lord Judge Magister." The Judge told Harry. "Where do you wish to lead the attack from?"
"This is a fluid situation." Harry pointed out. "I can only assess it fully from the front."
"As you wish, My Lord Judge Magister." The Judge nodded.
Within another minute the Atomos were lifting up from the landing platform and with a hum they shot off across the city, weaving between a few buildings towards the tall Draklor laboratories with their escort of Remoras. Harry gave the order as soon as the two landing platforms came into sight and the first two Atomos landed with a soft scrape and the backs opened. Harry watched as the soldiers spread out before following out the back and away from the ship so that it could take off again and be replaced by the other one. The other two Atomos would drop off their troops on the other landing platform on the other side of the building and they had attack plans to spread out through this floor.
Harry stood in the middle of the landing platform and raised his arm and pressed the communications button hidden in his gauntlet. "All squads move in, report all casualties and survivors. I want to know the moment somebody finds somebody that can give us some answers."
The teams surged inside, spreading out through the entire floor within a couple of minutes and Harry walked inside with his Katana in his left hand and his right ready to move. He received a call from one of the squads near to the elevators that they'd found signs of the attack and he and the three soldiers and two mages assigned as his protection, not that he really needed it, moved through the building towards them. The lobby looked like a battlefield with security personnel dotted around the floor. His senses quickly told him that only three of the five were still alive. All three were already being looked after and Harry was approached by the Judge he'd spoken to before.
"They say they were attacked by a single person, My Lord Judge Magister." The Judge told him worriedly. "He attacked from the ground level and worked his way up. They didn't get a warning up here until he was coming out of the lift. We're checking but it seems that all communications have been cut. It's a miracle that we received the distress call on a sweep from the Cruiser when we did."
"Secure this level and then call in reinforcements." Harry ordered. "As much as I want to catch this guy our priority is finding the wounded and getting them to help. If we can't protect our own citizens inside our own capital we have much to answer to."
"Yes, My Lord Judge Magister." The Judge nodded.
"I'll take my personal guard plus one of your Judges and two squads upwards. As soon as you have reinforcements from the First Fleet start securing the levels above us." Harry ordered.
"If we find the intruder what do we do?" The Judge asked. "Do we fight to kill?"
"Capture." Harry said simply. "We need to find out if he's rigged the building in any way and I can't question him if he's dead."
"Of course, My Lord Judge Magister."
"Keep me informed on what levels you're moving troops to and which are fully secure." Harry ordered lastly before heading for the stairs where he and his guard met up with twelve more soldiers and the Judge. "We head to the top and if that hasn't been attacked we start working our way down."
At this point Harry assumed that some other assailant had attacked the Labs, whether for the same reason as Balthier and his group or not was as yet unknown, but they were merely following on his trail. As his group opened the door onto the top level it was obvious that they were too late to head the attacker off and there were a few bodies around. Harry thumbed his transmitter and spoke. "All units, we have casualties on the top floor." Harry got a report back and he listened quickly as his men searched through the offices on the top floor including Cid's which had been ransacked.
"Command, this is the Lepos heavy cruiser above Draklor." A voice announced. "We have a Remora leaving from the roof of the building, steadying on a southerly course. Please advise."
"What are the markings?" Harry requested.
"No markings visible, My Lord." The voice told him.
"Order it to land at First Fleet Docks by my order." Harry ordered knowing that he couldn't just let it go when he had a heavy cruiser right above him. He could get them out from Drace's custody easily enough if it was his friends. "If it refuses fire warning shots." Harry ordered knowing that if it was his friends and they heard that Harry had issued the order for them to land they would do.
Harry continued on to the roof and was coming up the final set of steps when the cruiser called him again. "Command, this is the Lepos. Contact is declaring permission to travel across the city without restraint. Given to him by Emperor Vayne."
"That little prick." Harry hissed and saw the Judge beside him snap his head to look at him. "Is there a problem, Judge?" Harry asked and the Judge stumbled out a hasty no, unable to lie so Harry ignored him and thumbed his transmitter. "Patch me through to the contact." There was a click to announce that it was done. "Contact Remora departing from Draklor, you are leaving a military controlled area on an escape vector. Your free transit warrant holds no power and you are ordered by myself, Judge Magister Baltheon, to land immediately at the First Fleet Docks for detainment and questioning until your identity can be verified. If you fail to comply I will have you shot down."
"Ah, my little Baltheon, you'll never change." The voice made Harry come up short and narrowed his eyes under his hood. His 'father'. "Determined and ever narrow minded. My task is too important to waylay needlessly."
"Cidolfus Bunansa." Harry intoned emotionlessly. "You will land or I will shoot you down."
"No mercy for your father?" Cid asked him. By this time Harry and his men were on an empty rooftop and his men were searching the area but Harry was only interested in finding out where his friends had gone. Cid was perfectly capable of killing them all and hiding the bodies and that was why Harry wanted that Remora on the ground now. If Cid had killed them, if he'd killed Balthier and Vaan, he'd skin him alive no matter the consequence. And if he had them captive he wanted them away from the mad man immediately."
"This is your last warning, Cid." Harry hissed. "Alter course now or be shot down." Silence. "Lepos, report." Harry ordered.
"Target has not altered course or speed." The Cruiser informed him dutifully.
Well at least he'd finally be free of the madman. "Lepos, you are authorised to open fire, cripple it if you can, if not destroy it. I'd rather not have burning debris falling on our city."
"Command, contact is changing course and requesting permission to land at the First Fleet Docks." The Lepos told him and Harry smirked.
"Contact First Fleet and have that Remora stripped apart and searched and take Doctor Cidolfus Bunansa into custody. He isn't to be released until I have interrogated him." Harry ordered knowing that his orders would be carried out. Harry turned to his men. "Start a search down through the tower and land more reinforcements on the roof to aid you. I want this building fully swept and I want to know the moment somebody here can tell me they know who it was that attacked them."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Two days later
Harry didn't hang around the city for thrills after the attack on Draklor. He had a short yet irritating talk with Cid before releasing him. News reached the capital that military ships had been seen over the eastern sea bearing the Bhujerban pennant and that ships run by the resistance of Dalmasca had appeared. Some of the Council began calling for war but Harry put his foot down using the law again. Upstart rebellions were the jurisdiction of the local Judge Magister and not the entire Empire's military and Harry told them politely that if the situation escalated and he felt that he needed additional aid he would request it.
He then returned to Nalbina to find out for himself what was happening and in only an hour of arriving he'd found out from his own troops and from the rumours from the merchants. Marquis Ondore had rallied the Resistance behind his own military and was now only he knew where over the Eastern Ocean training for war. Something else caught his eye as he entered his citadel and headed for his office. The Stahl was in the civilian dock. Balthier's ship was here for some reason.
Harry entered his office to see six people standing around it and the balcony. He paused and turned to look at Judge Vendgar, his warden, from under his hood. "My apologies, My Lord Judge Magister." Vendgar stammered from under his helmet. "They say they carry a message in person from Judge Magister Drace. I thought it best they waited in your office."
"Perhaps you should have mentioned this an hour ago when I first got here?" Harry suggested. "You can go. Send a message that I want all of ship Captains here within the hour."
"Yes, My Lord Judge Magister." Vendgar bowed and backed out of the room and shut the door quietly behind him.
"He's a bit of a kiss-arse, isn't he?" Vaan commented. Harry turned and pulled down his hood.
"He's very good at running my prison for me." Harry said simply. "And he's been going out of his mind recently since Ondore is building a fleet in the middle of my territory and he didn't know what to do. Poor lad."
Balthier chuckled. "I heard you almost shot down father."
"It was tempting, unfortunately he decided to agree to my terms and landed before the Lopus could carry out my order." Harry mused making Balthier laugh. "I take it by your presence that you managed to escape. Did you find what you needed?"
"Cid escaped with the stone." Balthier said. "But you already knew that. You must have searched his ship."
"He had it on him." Harry nodded. "I believe he enjoyed seeing how I reacted to it when he tricked me into touching it along with his other belongings."
"What happened?" Vaan frowned.
"Why didn't you steal it?" Ashe asked.
"Lady Ashe." Harry sighed. "I had rather not have my entire body destroy itself. One touch was enough."
"What do you mean?" Balthier frowned. Harry sighed and took off his right glove. "Let us just say that my old injury does not trouble me so much at the moment. It is however healing."
His hand was a mess or blackened skin where contact with the Nethicite had burned through his glove and into his skin where his magic had been torn out of it. "My father would do something like that." Balthier hissed angrily.
"Yes, well." Harry sighed. "I unfortunately have much to keep me busy. What is it you plan to do now?"
"Cid is headed for Giruvegan. We will follow him and take the stone from him." Ashe announced.
"If the ruins are in truth built of your kind." Fran pointed out. "We had hoped that you would accompany us."
"With Ondore building a fleet in my territory?" Harry laughed in amusement. "If he strikes at us then Vayne will have the cause he needs to take Emergency Powers and he'll sweep through Dalmasca with the entire fleet."
"All the more reason for you to help us." Vaan told him. "Help us catch Cid and destroy the Midnight Shard so he does not have the edge to take on the Rozarrians."
Harry sat on his chair and rubbed at his forehead before looking up at Ashe. "It is interesting that a year ago you would have jumped at the opportunity to have six strong fighters alone in a room with me to try to kill me and now you are asking for my help yet again."
"It is true." Ashe nodded. "A year ago I would have held the knife that stabbed you myself but I see now what you wish to achieve. A better and safer Ivalice and I have seen that you have the means to bring it about if only you had the opportunity. Larsa and I can give you that opportunity but it is an opportunity that we must fight for."
"You are well spoken for the leader of a group of Insurgents." Harry smiled at her and she heard the joke in his voice when he used the term she had so vehemently denied when she was his prisoner. Harry looked to Balthier. "I cannot leave the sixth fleet without a Judge Magister while Ondore's playing with his ships. I must have Drace come here and take over command. I will announce that I will be going to find a solution to this problem and that will allow them to assume that I am going to assassinate Ondore."
"What!?" Ashe gasped.
"It is a solution I had considered long before this day. Ondore funds much of the Resistance, without him we could appoint a Marquis in Bhujerba who would not funnel our own money to your Resistance." Harry pointed out. "Even so that is not where I shall be going is it? They will merely assume that."
"Then you'll come with us?" Vaan asked with a grin.
"I will be stationed on the Ifrit for the next few days with the rest of the Sixth Fleet. Once Drace takes over command of my fleet legally I will have the Vengeance deliver me to you. Wait for me in the Strahl just north of the Verra Forest."
"You want me to lurk around in my little airship while an Imperial long-range missile cruiser approaches?" Balthier sighed. "Why don't you ever let me live in peace little brother?"
"Where would the fun in that be?" Harry asked with a smirk. "Lastly, Lady Ashe, I will need you to write up and sign a letter for me to give to a few of my most trusted pilots. I will be sending several Remoras out in search of the resistance fleet and when it is found my Sixth Fleet will close on them at long range to hold them at bay with the Vengeance's missiles. Ondore cannot defend against them."
"You want me to write to Ondore to have him stay his hand?" Ashe asked.
"Ivalice cannot afford for him to spark this war right now." Harry told her and she nodded. "Tell him that the Sixth Fleet will not fire on him and that Vayne cannot legally bring ships into the area unless he attacks our ships. Warn him of that. If he so much as fires a single shot then Drace will have to open fire and destroy his fleet and end the Resistance before Vayne can take Emergency Powers. We will destroy the entire resistance to prevent that from happening."
"How many ship's does Ondore have?" Vaan asked.
"We think about fifteen." Harry told them all. "All small Cruisers. Old versions bought from the Rozzarians about twenty years ago."
"Still fifteen ships again your five?" Balthier asked.
"Don't forget that each of mine is probably a match for two or even three of his, especially the Ifrit and the Damocles." Harry assured them. "But I can't risk them thinking they can take Dalmasca back now. I'm requesting aid from Drace's fleet and more ships will arrive with her. Probably another four, Heavy Cruisers and Missile Frigates."
"We'll leave you to prepare." Ashe told him as she stood up and smiled at him. "I'll have the letters for you at the earliest possible moment."
"I send out the scouts in a few hours after I talk to my Captains." Harry announced just as she reached the door. She turned, nodded to him and disappeared into the corridor and the others followed.
"See you soon, Harry." Vaan told him quietly just before he, too, disappeared. Harry sighed before turning to his desk to draft his message to Drace requesting her command abilities and reinforcements for the task ahead of them. They would be taking a risk, especially Harry who would have to tell Drace his full intentions to gain her support but they had to delay the war until Harry could help Balthier, Vaan, Ashe, Basch, Fran and Penelo find a way to stop it altogether.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
End Chapter