Chapter 9 - Guadosalam

Tara and Gian arrived in Guadosalam where they were stopped by a rather stern-looking Guado.

"State your business," the Guado admonished.

Tara stepped forth, ready to provide the customary introduction.

"Hello, I am the summoner Tara from the Island of Kilika and this is my guardian, Gian."

"Forgive me. I did not realize you were a summoner party," the Guado replied, his facial expression softening. "I am called Trommel Guado and I am in the direct service of our leader, the great Jyscal Guado."

Recognition dawned on Gian. "Lord Jyscal Guado! Tara, I know of him. He is the man who brought Yevon's teachings to the Guado." The guardian turned to Trommel. "Lord Jyscal is indeed a great man."

The old guado smiled. "You honor us with your knowledge of our people and our history. Might I ask what brings you to Guadosalam?"

"We're just passing through, on our way to the Thunder Plains. But we were hoping you had a shop, where we could purchase some supplies and a weapon or two."

"We do," Trommel pointed to a location behind him. "That is the shop, right there. I'm certain they will have anything you might need."

"Aside from that, I've always had a great deal of respect and admiration for Lord Jyscal, for what he's done for your people. If it were possible to meet him, we would really love to do so."

Trommel smiled and thought for a moment, "Lord Jyscal is very busy, but I will see what I can do for you. Please, this way."

Trommel led the two inside the manor, and into the living room where they took note of a wide array of delicacies from all over Spira.

"Please, help yourselves," the Guado offered. "It is not often we receive guests here."

"Gian, of all the things in here, you head straight to the coffee." Tara was always amused by Gian's obession with coffee.

Gian turned to Tara with a sheepish smile on his face. "I've never had a chance to try the Guado blend."

A tall, slender woman with long black hair entered the living room, with a child tagging along behind her. A young half-Guado / half-human child of about ten years old. The child appeared to be very nervous as his mother spoke.

"Hello, I am Anima. Wife to Lord Jyscal. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

The two both shook hands with Anima as Tara spoke. "It is very nice to meet you as well. Gian and I both thank you for your hospitality. Who is this behind you?"

"This is our son Seymour. Seymour, this is Lady Tara and Sir Gian. Can you say hello to them?"

The nervous child stepped from behind his mother to offer a timid hello. Tara dropped to her knees, so she could speak to the child. Tara's smile was warm and inviting, and the child could not help but to be drawn to her.

"And how are you, Seymour? It's very nice to meet you!"

"I'm okay... And you?" The child was almost blushing - not sure how to to react to someone who appeared to have a genuine interest in him.

Meanwhile, Anima looked towards the guardian. "Walk with me, Sir Gian."

The two left the manor and began to walk around, amongst the townspeople. Anima spoke.

"It has been difficult for Seymour. He is the very first of his kind. Half human and half Guado. He is a part of both worlds, but does not really seem to belong to either. Lord Jyscal and I are not really sure how to help him through it. He also seems to have a great deal of trouble making friends."

"He's made one today, I guarantee it. Tara pretty much loves everybody. If anybody can make young Seymour smile, Tara can. As for the rest, I'm afraid I really don't have an answer either. It would seem that the boy will have to make his own path. All I can suggest is to always make sure he knows that he is loved. Be there for him. He needs to know that you're both there for him, no matter what."

"You're right, of course. Let us return and see how Lady Tara is doing with him?"

The pair returned to the manor to find young Seymour laughing and giggling with Tara while a smiling Lord Jyscal stood next to them.

Anima spoke once more. "Sir Gian, this is my husband, Lord Jyscal."

"It's an honor to meet you, sir. I've read all about how you've united your people, and brought Yevon's teachings to them. To me, the work you've done is nothing short of incredible. I hear you're in line to become Maester. Yevon would be wise to select you."

The old Guado smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you too, Sir Gian, and thank you for your very kind words. Maester? I think that's a bit premature, we will see though. I hope you have enjoyed your stay here in Guadosalam. Please, I insist that you visit our shops and stock up for your journey. Lady Tara has told me everything. Take whatever you might need and I will take care of it. Of course, you are welcome to stay as long as you need to. Do not worry about it. We are very pleased to have you here."

The surprised guardian responded, "Sir, that's extremely generous of you. Are you sure? How might we thank you?"

"You plan to defeat Sin, yes?" The Guado smiled once more. "Do so and I will consider that to be thanks enough."

Tara spoke to young Seymour once more. "It's time for us to go, Seymour. I am so happy I got to meet you!"

"I understand, Lady Tara. Will you come back and visit me again sometime?" the child asked, hopefully.

"Absolutely! You can count on it!" the summoner replied. Anima took note of the genuine smile on Seymour's face as Tara hugged the child.

After thanking Lord Jyscal once more, the pair left the manor and headed towards the weapon shop. "I really hope I find something I can use. Protecting you unarmed could prove to be difficult."

"I'm sure you'll find something. Let's take a look around."

The pair found the Guado shop to be very well stocked with many weapons, armors, and sundries. After a short while, the pair had chosen several new protective pieces and had fully replenished their stock of items. The guardian admired a gleaming blueish sword on the back wall.

"May I see that, please?" the guardian asked of the shopkeeper.

"Of course!" the shopkeeper replied. "That's the very latest in metallurgy. It's very lightweight and super strong. You will like it very much, I'm sure."

Gian examined the sword, and took a few swings to see how it felt in action. He smiled at Tara.

"This is the one. I'll take it."

"See? I told you you'd find something. And all the new gear looks good on you too!" The summoner also admired her own new gear.

Gian turned to the shopkeeper. "So how much do I owe you for all this?"

A messenger from the Jyscal Manor had entered the shop and delivered his message to the shopkeeper. After the conversation ended, the shopkeeper turned to the guardian.

"Sir Gian, you owe me nothing. Lord Jyscal has taken care of everything."

"No, I can't! We've chosen a lot of stuff here. You must let me give you something." The guardian pulled a very nice amount of gil from his pouch and set it upon the counter. "You keep it. Use it to replenish the store supply. And please tell Lord Jyscal I truly appreciate his generosity."

The shopkeeper smiled. "Of course, Sir Gian. I thank you very much. I wish you and Lady Tara good fortune on your journey."

After leaving the shop, Tara asked "What's next?"

"Well, we must travel down the Thunder Plains towards the Macalania Woods. But there's something else here to see before we go."

"What's that?"

"The Farplane." the guardian replied.

"Wait, the Farplane?"

"Yes, that Farplane. I take it you've never been there before?"

The summoner shook her head. "Gian, I've only left Kilika to travel to Besaid and Luca. I'm seeing places now that I've never seen before. And now I'm going to the Farplane? Am I going to see dead people?"

Gian explained, "You're not really going to see the dead. It's more like… you're going to see visions of them."

Tara and Gian proceeded up the long stairway, and then into the Farplane. Gian stood at the edge and a few moments later, a woman appeared - an older woman with sandy brown hair and a kind and beautiful face.

Tara smiled "Gian, is that your mother?"

"Yes, it is." Gian replied. Tara smiled and squeezed Gian's hand.

"She's beautiful! What's her name?" the summoner asked, smiling at the vision.

"Adara."

A couple of moments passed when Tara said "Gian, give us just a few moments, okay?" The guardian agreed and walked over to the other side of the Farplane.

Tara gazed upon the vision of Gian's mother, and began to speak to her.

"Hello! I, um… I realize you don't know me, but I'm really happy that I get to meet you - even like this. You must be a wonderful mother. You have obviously done very well with Gian. He is kind, honest, and dependable. He is a good and decent man. He is someone that any mother would be proud of. You must have loved him very much." Tara shyly smiled. "I love him too. He's the one. I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

"I understand this once belonged to you," Tara continued, looking at her staff. "Gian gave it to me. It's been a tremendous help on our journey together, and it is something I treasure very much. He still smiles and thinks of you every time he sees it."

Tara wondered to herself if she were imagining things. Did she just see a smile on the face of Gian's mother? She felt a tremble from her staff, and then felt a new power - a power she had never felt from the weapon before.

The vision faded away and Gian rejoined his summoner.

"Did you enjoy seeing my mother?"

She took Gian's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Yes, very much. Thank you for sharing this with me. It really means a lot."

Together, the pair left the Farplane and headed towards the cave leading into the Thunder Plains.