Chapter 4 "The call to arms"

The first few years was difficult for the young Miqo'te to adjust to the extreme heat of Ul'dah. There were times where Selvaria used a parasol when going out with her relatives often leading many to believe that the half breed was sickly. Selvaria despite being visually different from her Hyur uncles, aunts, and cousins was accepted wholeheartedly. It was either her humble demeanor, or charismatic smile that quickly captured the hearts of her 'extended' family.

Selvaria gradually grew tolerant of the desert climate, and quickly she showcased the athleticism Miqo'te were known to possess. It was a sight to behold seeing the orphaned girl attempting to start over again despite knowing that her father was dead, and mother imprisoned within the Empire controlled Ala Mhigo. Selvaria was quite a skilled tracker, and despite the disapproval of her aunts often would join her uncles, and grandfather on hunts. During these hunts, Selvaria grew quite skilled in using the bow at a distance, and using a knife on the smaller game around Ul'dah. In-between these hunts, Selvaria was often lectured by her grandfather about various subjects partly due to the saying that all those bearing the Faelthea name were scholars as well as warriors. This tradition was passed to Selvaria and in the years to come, she excelled at academics, and pursued various disciplines of war.

Selvaria grew stronger in the years with her family, but due to the adventuring spirit growing inside of her Ul'dah felt more like a cage with each passing second. The young Miqo'te that couldn't fend for herself fifteen years ago, was now a young woman of twenty years who could wield a blade, fracture a bone with a single punch, or seek mischief using magic. Selvaria learned a great deal of skills with the hope of returning to Ala Mhigo, and reclaiming the home that she left behind all those years ago.

The chilling air from underneath a tents shade covers a small picnic area where most of the Faelthea clan was gathered after a successful hunt. Selvaria sat quietly on a blanket with a fresh Miq'abob held in her left hand. Her piercing turquoise eyes stare off into the distance with a lost look contained within. Selvaria lifted her hand and quietly took a bite while looking at the younger members of her family playing in the grass. She let out a faint smile before looking over her shoulder at the adults talking off in the distance.

Selvaria chewed on the tender meat and let out a quiet sigh. 'When will I be able to tell the properly?'

The sound of a wooden cane could be heard from behind Selvaria slowly turned to find the warm smiling face of her grandfather. He was a rather tall Midlander with a full white beard, and a head full of shaggy graying hair. "I know that sigh more than anyone else Selby. What is going through your head child?"

Selvaria closed her eyes, and quietly nibbled the last bite of meat from the skewer. She kept quiet for a moment carefully keeping proper etiquette around her grandfather. "There is no fooling you grandfather..." She paused for a second with her ears twitching at the sound of the wind. "I'm thinking of setting off on a journey..."

Grandfather placed both hands on the top of the long worn cane. "I knew that one day you'll say that word to me. You always have been looking over the horizon. I swear you remind me of your father when he told me he was going out into the world."

Selvaria blinked a few times in confusion at her grandfathers words. Grandfather was known to be quite strict, but there were times where the old man would offer guidance in the form of approval. Selvaria had already witnessed a few of her younger cousins get married, and often the subject had come up, but all times Selvaria humbly declined. Her mind was focused on the open monster dominated plains of Eorzea, and the answers left behind by those that set out before her. "You surprise me grandfather, I would expect you to scold me and say I should get married as soon as possible."

Grandfather chuckled for a moment, and turned to the nearby table where Selvaria's cousin sat quiet next to her husband. "You are not like the others Selvaria, you have the determination to be something much more than a merchant's wife. I saw it the second your father brought you to me when you were just a babe." He reached out with his right hand and patted Selvaria on her head. "So when are you going to tell everyone else about your decision?"

Selvaria gently grabbed her grandfather's hand and removed it off her head before getting up to her feet. "I don't want to leave until I had my fill of these delicious Miq'abobs."

Grandfather chuckled for a moment, and motioned back towards the tables. "Then let us feast then we will tell everyone together."

After hours of enjoying the rest of the festivities for the day, the Faelthea Clan started to relax and watch the stars shimmering above. Selvaria sat quietly at the table with a small mug in hand and quietly sipped while enjoying the company of her family. She could feel her grandfather's eyes dig daggers into her pushing her to say what was on her mind. Selvaria took a deep breath, and quickly raised her mug.

"I have an announcement to make."

The family stopped what they were doing and turned over to Selvaria with excitement growing in their faces.

"Could it be that Selvaria is settling down now? Did she finally accept a proposal?"

Selvaria took a sip, and down the alcoholic beverage quickly before looking at her family. "I have a lot to be thankful for over the past fifteen years. I know that there isn't anything that can replace my dear father, and mother..." She paused with tears swelling in her eyes, but she kept a stalwart expression. "You raised me well...you made me feel welcome even though I'm different from all of you."

A cousin let out a small chuckle, and took a swig from a mug. "You have different ears, and a tail...who cares Selv, you're my beautiful cousin! I could care less about things like that."

A few other relatives nodded in agreement while Selvaria wiped the tears in her eyes.

Selvaria lowered her head, and gathered her thoughts together. "I spoke with grandfather...and I won't be staying in Ul'dah..." She looked off into the distance. "I will set off on a journey not to avenge my father or mother, but something to better myself as a person. I wish to find the joy in adventuring that my father and mother shared. I believe that by doing this it will make me closer to them than staying in this beautiful city."

"But Selvaria, you are so smart...you shouldn't go out and be an adventurer it's dangerous..."

"Selvaria is able to use magic to a great degree, so she'll be a good Thaumaturge."

"No, have you seen her at the Pugilist guild? I don't like getting punched by Selv...and she's smaller than I."

Grandfather lowered the pipe from his mouth, and clapped his hands together while everyone was mixed in Selvaria's choice. "I have given Selvaria my approval to chase her dreams. It's what I wanted everyone to try at least once in their lives. Kaius was the one that took this to his heart...without him being an adventurer, he wouldn't have had the chance to meet R'kiva and give me such a blessed granddaughter. Selvaria is still our blood, and even if she ventures the land far away from us, that bond will never fade. So my granddaughter when you set out in this world, please do not forget us. Also I wish for you to chronicle your tale, for I'll be waiting for a epic tale."

Selvaria walked over to her grandfather, and quickly embraced him. "You always understood me Grandfather, but everyone I will be back with grand tales of my exploits in the world. I swear it, that I'll come back..."

Grandfather patted Selvaria on her back, and turned to everyone with a smile on his aged face. "I know you will...anyway, let us drink and celebrate Selvaria's last day in Ul'dah!"

Several Weeks Later...

The world was rewarding as well as troubling for this young Miqo'te setting out on the beginning of her journey. The first trial for this new adventurer was to set out to the fledgling village in Southern Thanalan. Selvaria had spent the weeks of her journey in the wilds around Ul'dah using the various villages as a safe haven. There were times where she ended up back in Ul'dah, but life as an adventurer was ever changing. Selvaria had become quite proficient in using her skills learned from the Pugilist, and Marauder Guild enabling her to succeed at tasks where some adventurers failed.

The village was different from most of the other established communities only because of the residents were from the fallen City-State of Ala Mhigo. The dirt and pebble streets offered little to be desired with small hovels lining the village with a few tents mixed around. It was very apparent that this was a refugee camp, and was in the process of becoming a permanent residence. Selvaria caught glimpse of fellow adventurers who were on their way to complete a mission for the Eternal Flames Commander stationed in the village. She shared a few words with them, and wished them safe journey before continuing towards a familiar hut in the center of the village.

Selvaria had come across several rumors in her short travels, and decided to return to 'Little Ala Mhigo' to get counsel from a close family friend. With a small piece of bread in hand Selvaria took a small nibble while walking through the streets. A few shady individuals look at the adventurer cautiously with hopes of finding out a story of riches, or to what items the adventurer held within her satchel. Selvaria was well informed about the thieves lurking in the capital city, and a small village like it this made it easy to keep an eye on shady individuals.

The task at hand shifted for a second, but Selvaria continued to the hut she had imprinted to memory. The illumination of candles could be seen from with, and without hesitation Selvaria approached the doorway. She moved her hand to the door, and gave it a firm knock.

At first there was silence followed by a weary hello from the other side. "Guests at this hour?"

The door's lock unlatched, and the door was opened a crack showing the small statured Mirara wearing simple attire. She looked up at the Miqo'te standing in the doorway, and narrowed her gaze at Selvaria. "It can't be..."

Selvaria smiled at the old friend, and nodded. "It's been a long time, hasn't it Mirara."

Mirara stood in absolute shock it had been so long since she had visited Selvaria. She had grown many times more than a Lalafell making the much older woman jealous. She motioned for Selvaria' to enter the home, and closed the door shortly after the Miqo'te stepped inside. "You can put your pack on that trunk over there..."

Selvaria pulled the heavy pack from her backside giving her body a brief rest from lugging around supplies for the better half of a few days. "Thank you...Mirara, I came to ask you about something I overheard."

Mirara walked over into the living area, and motioned to the dinner table with a closed pot resting atop the table cloth. "Oh and here I thought you were coming here to visit little ol'me."

Selvaria adjusted the chain shirt underneath her Foestriker's tabard and pulled out a small fan from a pocket on the side. It was an ornate object decorated with fine silk, gold trim, and made from the finest of materials. She ran her hand across the top of it, and glanced up at the elder Lalafell. "Mirara, I've heard rumors that the resistance here in Eorzea is recruiting adventurers to join in their effort to support those that were left behind."

Mirara glanced at the fan held tightly in Selvaria's hands and could feel nothing but sympathy for the young girl. She looked at the worn staff resting atop the mantle of the fireplace, and let out a deep sigh. "Do you intent to join them? Most of them are sell swords, and people who are blinded by vengeance. Are you one of those people?"

Selvaria clutched the fan and moved it to her chest. Her emotions were swelling breaking through the tough shell she had created since embarking on the journey to find her true calling. Her heart screamed for vengeance, even as a little girl she could remember the faint voice of her father, and mother calling out her name. For years nightmares plagued Selvaria, and despite that she never told anyone of these terrors out of fear of being called weak by her family. "I wish I could tell you no Mirara, but I wish to end the lives of those that stole my parents away from me."

Mirara looked at the table and let out a sigh. "Selvaria...you speak as if you think your mother is dead..."

Selvaria's eyes widened at the words coming from the veteran mage, and she nearly dropped the ornate fan to the ground below. "What nonsense are you saying? You told me she stayed behind to fight the Garleans with my father. We waited for days, and she never came to Gridania!"

Mirara climbed out of the chair, and walked over to the fire place. She reached into a pouch hanging off the edge of hook mounted against the wall. It was filled to the brim with parchment, and without hesitation she reached in to the mess and removed an aged letter decorated with a seal. "Your mother is alive, but has long since been sold into slavery." She walked over to Selvaria and held the letter out. "A lot of others faced the same or worse. If you go to Ala Mhigo you must go with a clear heart or you will be killed on sight."

Selvaria's placed the fan onto the table top, and moved gently rubbed her temple. The mix of emotions were pouring out at the news of her mother. "How do you know this?"

Mirara placed the letter onto the table, and retook her seat. Her face was incredibly hard to read partly due to it always being hidden behind a smiling face. "I am the one that is calling out to the sell swords, dissidents, and volunteers to overthrow the Garlean in Ala Mhigo." She paused, "Do you find it odd that I know of this? I have traveled there...I have seen your mother"

"Child...of light...hear me..."

Selvaria felt a pinch in the back of her mind, as her eyes glossed over and the surroundings became to seemingly warp. The hut that she was visiting was no more, and now the temperate air of Ala Mhigo blasted through her hair, and the familiar fountain where she had once waited for her father was standing albeit with a Garlean bronze statue resting in the middle. "What is this nonsense?"

Selvaria's voice fell deaf to the ears of the city dwellers who went about their lives in fear. The skies were filled with Airships and the streets were constantly patrolled by foot soldiers. "Am I...home..." She stood stationary, and upon noticing a Garlean solider approaching her she braced herself for impact. The Garlean soldier passed through her as if she were nothing, and continued along towards a platform surrounded by a large crowd.

'What is this...' Selvaria continued to view the large platform, and glanced up at the tall Garlean merchant pulling a defiant woman by chain.

"My dear noblemen and women who came here all the way from the Empire to oversee, and bring order to the barbaric lands. I give to you the fruits of our conquest. These barbarians are looking for our help and offer their services in order to taste a fragment of our culture. For instance this Miqo'te woman...we start bids at ten thousand gil."

The sun started to glow brighter casting a shadow over the Miqo'te woman's face, and for every step Selvaria pushed forward the stage grew more distant. She could hear the voices of the crowd increasing the bid over and over. Selvaria shook her head, and screamed at the top of her lungs in protest. The crowd was deaf to her cries, and slowly she stumbled to the ground. "Let her go!" She grabbed the cold stones at her feet, and glared up with fire burning in her eyes. "LET HER GO!" Selvaria held out her hand with magical energies circling in the palm of her hand. She pointed her finger while her lips finished an incantation. "Fi..."

The feeling a wooden staff met the top of Selvaria's head bringing her out of the state of delirium. The city vanished instantly replaced by the surroundings of Mirara's hut, and scattering fragments of a failed spell. The crimson embers of magical energy scattered, and slowly Selvaria turned with head aching at the sight of Mirara looking at her with a fearful look. "Selvaria...what happened to you..." She lowered her staff, and grabbed a nearby towel off the table. "You drifted off..."

Selvaria shamefully kept her head lowered not wanting to show Mirara her face. She was a guest in this home, and without knowing drifted off into a state of stupor. The images that Selvaria witnessed were not her own, and that alone caused fear to course through her body. With heart heavy from the image of the faceless Miqo'te woman she turned up to Mirara. "Is she alive please tell me..."

Mirara placed her hand on Selvaria's lowered head, and gave it a gentle rub. "Your mother was sold to a robed man. I tried to find out who it was but I couldn't locate anyone who would speak with me." Her eyes glanced to the slightly scorched and shaking hands of Selvaria. "You're a novice still aren't you?"

Selvaria knew her hands were slightly burned, and let out a small nod. "I am more skilled in using my weapons or fists. There are times where I often lose myself...Mirara have you ever...seen a memory, but it wasn't your own?"

Mirara shook her head, and walked off towards a nearby bookshelf. She removed an aged tome from the shelf, and flipped through the pages. "I can't say I've experienced that before. But do you have the resolve to join me on this journey into the den of the beast?" She closed the book, and glanced over her shoulder. "There is a possibility you will not like what you see."