Audience of One

Chapter Eleven

Dagger, please. We want to help you. We won't judge you. And I promise, I won't let them stop you.

Garnet gasped sharply as she shot up from her nap. She had been assigned a cabin in B Block and, thankfully, the Alexandrian Travel Company had not sent another nurse. Garnet rubbed at her eyes as she reached for the gold clock sitting on her nightstand. They had left dock an hour ago. She noticed a piece of parchment had been slipped beneath her door. She pulled herself to her feet and knelt down to grab it. Itinerary. Garnet was expected to be available at all times for the teacher and students. That meant floating during free time, during educational time, during story time, during supper, and more. Garnet adjusted the scarf on her head and fixed her blouse from her short sleep. As she looked in the narrow mirror hanging on the back of the door, she couldn't help but think she looked the least likely candidate for a nurse. Garnet couldn't even figure out how to recapture the summoner attributes she had once been blessed to have. She licked her lips as she glanced around the meager cabin. Beyond the porthole window, all she saw was the ocean. Slowly, she approached it, pressing her fingers to the cool glass. Garnet almost couldn't believe what she had done. Was she even the same person any more? Was that why her powers had left her? Had she become so far removed from her innate being that she was no longer trusted with those blessed powers?

She shook it all away in that moment. Garnet couldn't allow her mind to be clouded by such thoughts. Instead, she squared her shoulders, tucked the itinerary into her belt, and stepped out in the hallway. The carpet was still a distracting, ugly design, but not nearly as bad as D Block. The walls were ivory with ornate casting along the length of it. The torches on the wall seemed to sway with the movement of the ship. Garnet ran her hand along the wall as she lead herself to the next set of stairs where she was confronted with a hallway full of rambunctious children boasting about their accommodations and comparing the travel to a popular Burmecian child's novel. Garnet found the scene quite sweet. They all looked so dashing in their heather gray vests, accenting with the school's crest on the left breast. Underneath, a bit of personality was able to show as each child wore a different colored blouse or button up. As Garnet came closer, the children began to notice her. She did her best to smile sweetly, so as not to unnerve them. Many of them were old enough to probably remember the Siege of Burmecia and had no doubt seen and heard their parents worries and complaints. She wondered how many of them had suffered bouts of hunger pains and malnutrition.

"You're the nurse, right?" One young girl, with braided ashen hair and a pastel pink blouse asked. Garnet only offered a silent nod. "Well, good. We can't find the other nurse and Timothee is already heaving in a bucket in his room."

"Oh, I see," Garnet said as the sounds of retching reached her ears. She felt her stomach flop in that moment. Did she have a stomach strong enough to confront the scene of vomit? "Let me go to the nurse's station. Is anyone else feeling ill?"

"I feel queasy," another little girl meekly raised her hand. "Momma insisted I eat before I boarded but now…" She hiccuped. "I wish I had waited for dinner."

"Alright," Garnet ran her palms along her slacks. "I'll be right back."

At a total loss, but still wanting to instill confidence in the young children, Garnet grabbed the railing and climbed the stairs to A Block. The hallways were much wider and the ceiling was lined with skylights that still continued to be pelted in rain. Garnet looked back and forth at the three way intersection she had entered. One sign pointed to the mess hall. Another towards a series of cabins. The final sign on the far right pointed in the direction of amenities and administration. Garnet's best guess was that way. As she found herself upon more hallways, Garnet tried to make mental notes. She had just two days to learn the ins and outs of the ship as a precaution to anything impeding her journey. For all she knew, Eiko saw her boots scuffling between the janky wagon wheels. Finally, at the end of the long corridor, without taking any turns, the hallway opened up into a spacious white room lined with various steel tables and cabinets full of bottles the colors of the rainbow. Was motion sickness medicine a powder or a liquid? Garnet felt out of her depths as she cautiously opened cabinet doors and pulled bottles down to peer at them. Sleeping medicine, headache powder, and a jar full of sloshing brown liquid that claimed it induced vomiting. Certainly not what she was looking for. She replaced them all on the shelf and moved onto the next. Rubbing alcohol, gauze, wraps, compressions. For a ship, Garnet figured motion sickness medicine would have been front and center in the clinic. As she read a label on one of the jars, she heard the clearing of a throat and she gasped sharply, looking over her shoulder. It was the Burmecian nurse, that was easy to tell with her black dress and red armband. Her dark blond hair was coiled into a tight bun on the crown of her head. She was tapping her foot to the ground, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Oh, you gave me quite a fright," Garnet let out a sigh. Quickly, she set everything down on the counters and crossed to her. "My name is Rosemary, I'm the accompanying nurse. I was just looking for-"

"That won't be necessary," the nurse brushed by her and rearranged the cabinet before she opened a drawer to withdraw a small jar with white powder in it. "Burmecian children need far less motion sickness powder than your average human." Her back was to Garnet as she began arranging a tray of glasses, filling them up one by one at the nearby sink. "I honestly don't know why the Alexandrian Travel Company keeps sending nurses. Always a different one, too! There's never any time for a nurse to learn our clinic. Not that we need the help, anyway," her tongue clucked at the end. Garnet came to the side of the counter, watching as the most meager of pinches were dropped into the water, barely enough to fog it over. "Rosemary, you say?" Garnet nodded, pushing a lock of onyx hair into the side of her scarf. "I'm Johanna. Is that what the nurses wear in Alexandria now?"

Garnet forced a laugh and looked down. "I had trouble with travel and my luggage. The Treno steam train lost the bag with all my equipment in it. I only had time to file a complaint before moving on to Burmecia so as to not miss the boat."

"Well, this will be an easy contract for you," Johanna said curtly as she lifted the tray. She tilted her chin up a bit. "You're here as back up. The children should find me for the all things. Unless we suddenly have to remove someone's appendix, you're just to float about. Get paid for nothing. Simple enough, hm?"

"I'm… I'm very good with children, ma'am," Garnet almost stuttered as the nurse began briskly crossing the clinic. She paused, looking over her shoulder. "I wish no harm nor do I have any qualms with being here. I will try not to step on your toes, but thirty-two children, plus the crew and teaching staff… that's a lot to do on your own."

Johanna smiled in a way that didn't seem quite sweet. "A lovely gesture, Rosemary, truly. You're certainly not the first from the Alexandrian Travel Company to express such sentiments. I have been a nurse for nearly thirty years. And I've had far more than this in a wing managed on my own at once. So, do as you say you will and try not to step on my toes. Clear?"

Garnet swallowed roughly before she nodded. "Clear."

The nurse left without another word and Garnet released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She rolled her shoulders as she looked around the clinic once more, filled with a variety of medicines she didn't even know existed. There seemed to be a treatment for every ailment someone could feel. There was nothing in those cabinets, though, that could treat all the pain and affliction Garnet had been rowing through. She rubbed tiredly at her face before letting out a huff. If she wouldn't be treated seriously in the role of a nurse, then she supposed that gave her more free will than what she thought to plan her next step. She followed the long corridor back down to the stairwell but took a sharp right, following the sign that said Deck. As her boots thumped against the muted floors, she rearranged her scarf and then pounded up the stairwell. As soon as she pushed the door open, she was greeted by great gusts of wind that sent sheets of rain in all kinds of directions.

The rain was cool as they drifted further from land, but Garnet didn't care. She stepped out into it, soaked to the bone almost instantly. Her scarf was flapping so violently, she resorted to tearing it off and tying it to her belt so as not to lose it. Her blouse clung to her thin torso as she approached the railing of the ship. The mist of the storm made it difficult to see land, but little green pockets peaked through occasionally. She leaned forward, strands of her hair whipping around the frame of her face. The curve of the Mist Continent would only be an hour or so away. That's where the rain clouds would break and there'd be peace the rest of the voyage to the Inlets of Alexandria. Garnet inspected the ship before she turned directly into the storm and sloshed across the deck to the other side. When she leaned over, that's when she spotted what she was looking for. In the wind, five meager lifeboats bumped against the side of the ship. She leaned forward a bit more, noticing they were on the promenade. Easy enough, she thought, as she directed her eyes outward at the raging, tumultuous sea.

She had gotten to the Mist Continent on a boat. Surely she could get back to the Outer Continent on one as well.

…

A cackling fire sent shadows flaring across tree trunks, showing the density that surrounded them. It was a meager clearing filled with crunchy, dead leaves. It made fueling the fire much easier, however. Eiko's head was pounding as she felt herself propped up against something. Perhaps a rock. It ground into her tight back muscles as she hugged herself, unable to move to quell the pain that was rising up inside her. She felt absolutely paralyzed. She couldn't think - the only thing on her mind was the excruciating pain. It was practically consuming her, as if it were a baptism by fire. All her wrong doings were nestling beneath her skin, squeezing apart all the tissue and muscle within her and squeezing her organs. At least, that's what it felt like. She wanted to rearrange herself, she wanted to move. But it was as if the body wasn't hers to command. Footsteps nearby sifted through all the debris of the forest and her muscles locked up, making her want to scream. From the shadows, however, emerged a familiar face; Mikoto. She was carrying a bundle of greenery in her arms and she collapsed beside Eiko and diligently began mashing the plants together between a rock.

"What're you… doing…?" The voice was so ragged and torn, full of hefty breaths.

"Making a paste for your wound," Mikoto replied. "It will get infected if we cannot get back to the village soon."

"We can't go back…" The voice breathed heavily for a moment, fingers digging into the skin around the wound. "We'll lead them straight there, Mikoto. Black Mage Village is the safe haven…"

Mikoto's light blue eyes shot up from her task, the fire illuminating the side of her face. "Everyone is more than prepared. We have been ready since the reports from the goblins on top of the crevasse. No one there expects you to labor in the forest. That is ludicrous. You will die if something does not change."

Surprisingly, Eiko felt a laugh wheeze through her throbbing ribcage. "Maybe it's better that way, Mikoto. Don't you think… I caused this?"

Mikoto began grinding the rocks together again, shaking her head. "Not for a moment, no."

"Got a better explanation?"

Mikoto continued working in silence until she had enough sludge to fill her palms. Carefully, she came around Eiko and tugged at her wrist to remove it. Eiko found her eyes moving in that moment, looking to see a bright red, oozing wound right in her side. Her white t-shirt flared around it, as if it had been cut when the damage had been delivered. Mikoto took her time inspecting it as the crunchy, plant goo seeped between her fingers. "Did you ever get that letter out to Dagger? Surely someone out there knows what is happening here."

"No…" Eiko's vision blurred for a second as she tilted her head back against the rock. "I can't get to Madain Sari. I haven't seen an owl in weeks… I meant to congratulate her on her marriage…"

"Hold still, this may sting."

Eiko found her head shooting up again to look at the Genome beside him. "Wait… what is that stuff?"

"Ithery," Mikoto held it up into the light of the fire. "It is an herb that will cement over your skin to prevent bacteria from getting in."

Carefully, she tilted her palm into the side of Eiko's ribcage. The texture was like sand and, surprisingly, it was cool to the touch of her rather inflamed skin. The moment it met the searing, exposed muscle, however, Eiko's eyes were filled with visions and her body locked like a board. She felt herself collapse to the ground, sending leafs up in a poof. Her vision tunneled and she was suddenly soaring across the raging ocean at a speed that nauseated her. Slowly, the waves became more aggressive and a downpour began. Her sight spiraled upward to reveal a large ship traversing the weather. As she traveled closer, she realized someone was standing in the storm, at the railing of the deck, looking out to sea with dark onyx hair whipping about in the wind.

"D… Dagger!" She sputtered as she writhed in the dead leaves. "Dagger, this way! Out here!"

…

Eiko was silent as she climbed the stairs to where Freya was meeting with the others in the conference chamber. As she ascended the final platform, she could already hear yelling. She sighed, raking her hair from her face. When would it all be over? When, for once, could they actually rest again while not laying on a bed of pins and needles? She heard the clattering of ink well jars and she ground her teeth together. Eiko was exhausted. Every time she slept, it was the same story. She was plagued with confusing, heart wrenching scenes where she was completely at the mercy of whatever happened. She would awake covered in sweat. Then, all she could do was lay there and process everything. She heard Regent Cid's thunderous voice in the next moment and before she knew it, she found herself barreling up the final steps and throwing the large conference doors open. The room immediately hushed. Dozens of maps, some from Alexandra and some from Lindblum, both with different lines, were scattered down the long table. An ink well jar was forgotten where it was dribbling off the edge onto the gleaming terrazzo flooring. All eyes fell on the young lady. She felt rather antsy in the silent limelight.

"Darling," Hilda was the first to speak. Her chair scraped backwards as she rushed towards her daughter. "You look frightfully ill."

Freya was standing at the head of the table, wearing a white blouse with frilly cuffs and an upright collar tied off with pink ribbon. Slowly, she straightened up, her nails dragging across the maps. "You had another vision?"

Hilda's hands came protectively around Eiko's shoulders. "She can't keep having these! And… and you should not even be asking this of her or encouraging it in anyway! She is a child, Lady Freya!"

Freya crossed her arms over her chest, bobbing the weight between her feet. "It's not up to me. And it's not up to Eiko."

"Well, what did you see?!" Regent Cid demanded. Hilda's face contorted into shock and anger. "The Summer Summit is only two weeks away and the leaders are still in the dark about this precarious situation. Where is my niece?!"

"I wasn't seeing through her eyes!" Eiko raised her voice, looking to Cid intensely, her hands curled into fists. "Don't you understand!? The visions are random. Sometimes they don't always make sense. For every few I have, only one is discernible."

"Whose eyes could it be?" Freya shook her head, furrowing her brow. "Dagger makes sense because of how you two are connected. But… who else?"

"It was Zidane."

Freya was silent, the afternoon light bleeding over her shoulders. She pressed her hand against her jaw, rubbing it tensely. "You're sure?"

"I was in a forest with Mikoto," Eiko approached the other end of the table. "There were talks about the Black Mage Village… something of a safe haven."

"Safe haven?" Freya echoed. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know, that's the problem!" Eiko threw her arms out at her side. "But when I was looking through Zidane's eyes, he also had a vision."

"Of what?" Freya pressed her hands to the table again. Hilda put her hands on her hips in obvious disapproval.

Eiko took a deep breath, her blue eyes piercing down the table with all the darkness surrounding them. "Dagger got on a boat."

"Impossible!" Steiner exploded, jumping to his feet. "We would have seen her!"

"Would we have, though?" Eiko asked from beneath her bangs, rather harshly. "She's the Queen, Steiner. She knows what she's done. She doesn't want to see you or me or anyone else in this room."

Hilda wrapped her arms around Eiko again. "Alright, darling, maybe we should get you to bed for rest. You've been running yourself so ragged-"

"No!" Eiko ripped away, her voice echoing through the spacious arching room. "I don't want to lay down! I don't want to stop! I want to find out the truth and then be content to rest!"

"You're going to drive yourself mad!" Hilda continued to protest.

"I'm already mad!" Eiko screamed, her face tinging red. She turned back to stare down the length of the table to see Freya now standing at the wall length windows with her back to everyone. "Freya, you know what has to be done next, right?"

The Dragoon was quiet for some time. Her eyes scanned over the red thatched roofs of Alexandria. Everything was falling apart so quickly. This was the messiest job she had done by far. Freya realized in that moment that she had greatly underestimated Garnet. She knew the Queen was a strong and independent soul. She knew Garnet had faced all her demons before with both her feet on the ground. Garnet had risked her life for everyone. But in that moment, Freya was understanding just how much of Garnet was hidden away from the rest and how unaware they were. Of course everyone knew marrying Liam was not Garnet's number one choice. Her heart burned for Zidane. But Freya never thought it would come to this. Alexandria had become her living legacy. And it was puzzling how easily she threw it all away to chase after someone who seemed to fall off the face of the planet yet again. Garnet wasn't going to let that happen anymore it seemed. Maybe it was no longer about stopping her. Maybe it was about helping her. Zidane had saved all of them. When was it their turn to truly return the favor?

Freya turned back to the room of people riveting with anxiety. "Regent Cid," her light eyes turned on the frustrated old man. He arched his eyebrows upon hearing his name. "We're going to need a boat."

…

The sun beat down on the hot cobblestone paths of Lindblum. Women trekked by with parasols and children wore long sleeves as they dashed about the theater district. The bench was warm to the touch as Cinna found himself lounging by the steep staircases that lead down to the Tantalus hideout. He bobbed his knee and adjusted the belt on his patched, frayed shorts. Cinna let out a long sigh and tilted his head up into the sunlight. He knew he would be flushed and burned that evening, but that would give him an excuse to have a bath with his beloved salts without getting teased by his brothers. The day certainly wasn't shaping up how he wanted. He and Blank had been on track to peruse some farmers market to swipe some coin, maybe some ration cards, and some veggies when no one was looking. Baku's birthday was coming up and his favorite thing in the world was beef stew with boiled cabbage. The boys of the group only stomached it for him. But the moment they had stepped out from the hideout, they were confronted by a messenger from the castle asking for Blank's audience with the Regent. Cinna adjusted the cap on his head and let out a long sigh as he extended his legs out. His ratty boots slid across the cobblestone as he watched a group of children set up an army of toy soldiers for a game of war. He tried not think of the endless possibilities Regent Cid would want to see Blank. But Cinna knew all too well it had to do with Zidane. It had been nearly two years since they had heard from him yet again. Ever since the Mist Wars, that boy had a knack for disappearing for extended lengths of time. For the past two years, though, Blank seemed less worried than the first time. Cinna kept telling himself there was no reason to be concerned as he watched Blank leave with the royal messenger. Surely nothing grave had happened.

Finally, after an hour of baking beneath the hot sun, Cinna saw Blank climb the stairs from the air cab. His face didn't let onto much as he walked towards his brother on the bench. His red hair bobbed and gleamed in the afternoon sun as he stopped just a few feet short of Cinna. The man arched his eyebrows expectantly. "So? What's the word?"

"I gotta go pack," Blank said, continuing past towards the stairs down.

Cinna staggered to his feet and quickly chased after him. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait! Why? Man, Boss' birthday is comin' up and I don't have near enough ration cards to get that horrible cabbage from Old Lady Stewart."

Blank glanced back and forth at the people nearby and kept his pace. "Marcus has that contact for the forged books, why don't you go that route?"

"It seems like cheating for Boss, doesn't it? He raised us to steal," Cinna shook his head. "Why does Regent Cid suddenly need you now? Where are you going?" Blank pushed the door to the hideout open and again looked up and down the path before he quickly ushered Cinna in. He slammed the door behind him and even flicked the lock over. "Dude, what's going on? Why are you acting so secretive?"

"Because," Blank said, rushing up the stairs and snagging his rucksack from a nearby rack. "What Regent Cid said to me can't even be mentioned in the smallest inkling on the street."

"Is it Zidane?" Cinna asked, almost hesitantly.

Blank stuffed some tunics into his backpack and paused a beat. "Sort of."

"What kind of answer is that?"

"Look, if I tell you, you can't tell anyone, Cinna. Not Boss, not Marcus, not the triplets. And for all that is holy, not Ruby," Blank said as he continued rushing around the disorganized Tantalus hideout.

"Blank, what the hell is going on!?" Cinna threw his arms out at his side.

Blank stopped at his backpack and sighed. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to look at his brother. "Dagger abdicated the throne. She's on the run. Or… she's missing. Whatever. Regent Cid just completed and launched the Blue Narciss Marx and he's asked me to charter it for the team."

Cinna's jaw nearly hit the ground. He pressed his hands to his forehead and paced for a few beats before he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Don't they have Liam to captain the ship? Why you?"

"He's a pilot, not a captain," Blank continued arranging his rucksack.

"Well, where do they think she is going?" Cinna approached his brother again, his face contorted in an incredulous fashion. "What's Alexandria going to do?"

"The people of Alexandria don't know, that's why you have to keep your mouth shut," Blank said, closing his backpack and lacing it tightly. "As for Dagger, she's after Zidane. The Outer Continent. She stowed away on a boat from Burmecia and they're only assuming the worst for her safety. Eiko's been having disturbing visions about things happening on the Outer Continent."

The two brothers were now silent. Beyond the windows was a sunny day with chirping birds and the ruckus of the air cabs roaring across the City of Industry. Blank pulled his backpack over his shoulders as Cinna wiped the sweat away from his brow. "You don't think there will be more… unrest, do you?"

Blank set his hand on Cinna's shoulder. "I don't know, man. But take care of yourself. And here," Blank reached into his pocket and then stuffed some ration cards into Cinna's hand. "I swiped these from a woman's purse at the air cab station. Should be enough for Boss' cabbage." The brother's shared a hug before Blank walked down the steps to leave. His hand rest hesitantly on the doorknob. Cinna was sure he had something else to say. But in the next moment, sunlight filled the hideout and was shut out just as quick. Cinna put his hands on his hips and sighed. What the hell was going on?

…

The docks were loud with shouts as crew members helped navigate the brand new Blue Narciss Marx from a crane overhead. The ship was now eight feet longer and four feet wider. The dragon wing sails had been significantly reinforced and soared high into the sky. The wheel had been placed in the center of the boat, right up against the below deck cabin space that had received renovations in sleeping accommodations and a larger mess hall. Eiko and Freya stood side by side, their heads tilted backwards as they watched the ship carefully come down towards the docks. It was such a beautiful day, yet every person there felt drained and dark inside. Alexandria's situation was slowly becoming more precarious and the tabloids had something fresh and appalling to print every morning on their speculation of the silent monarchy since the royal wedding. Beatrix was certain that Alexandria's fate was to become a city-state, even if it was only momentarily until they could reel Garnet back in. But what if she didn't want to return? No one's mind wandered that path. Nearby, Steiner held little Addam close to him, rocking him back and forth. Beatrix would be staying behind to continue leading the castle and also to be with their son. She had the tiring task of combating the relentless journalists that continually gathered at the river. Liam stood at the end of the dock, his hands dug in his pockets. Out in the distance, he saw a small airship sailing across the sky. The shadow of the Blue Narciss fell over him. He glanced up, the air lifting his curly dark hair. Liam had never been to the Outer Continent before. From the descriptions of Eiko's visions, he wasn't quite sure what to expect. The others seemed to know exactly what they were doing, but Liam felt he was going in blind. He looked back out to the sea again, the collar of his coat rustling back and forth.

I'd rather die fighting for what we had, rather than sit here and waste away with you.

Liam pursed his lips as he watched the water wash up against the algae covered pier legs. What Garnet didn't know was that he would fight for her, too. He felt by stepping on the new and improved Blue Narciss Marx, that was exactly what he was doing. He wouldn't give up on her, even if she had thrown the love he had for her away. Liam still cared about her wellbeing. He still believed she was the best queen there ever was. She was just, she was kind. She was everything Alexandria needed. Even if he could never have a spot in her heart, even if it was all strictly reserved for Zidane, it wouldn't stop Liam from protecting her. The young pilot knew he was out of his depths. But like Garnet's heart, his was on fire, too. Though he was certain he'd think about the texture of her soft lips and smell the lilac and potpourri she exuded for the rest of his days, he knew he would never sleep again if he simply let her go. Maybe he wouldn't be the king-consort. But he still valued everything Garnet brought into his life. Beside him, the large ship finally made contact with the sea, sending waves across the pier. Liam didn't even look to it, not minding at all his soaked boots. Out there, the ocean awaited them. And so much more. Liam wouldn't allow himself to be rattled.

Blank had been in a hurry to get the docks. As he barreled down the final steps, however, his pace slowed. He entered the scene in that moment, his mouth agape, as he laid eyes on the new and improved Blue Narciss Marx. "Holy shit…" He muttered, coming to a stop.

"Magnificent, isn't she?" Regent Cid was smiling nearby, his arms crossed over his chest. It was obvious he was quite pleased with himself. "It's double the speed of her predecessor. Walnut interior, oak trimming. Reinforced stern. The wheel responds much faster to port and starboard. It's a ship of dreams. And you have the honor of captaining it first." Blank walked a few more paces forward but suddenly, Regent Cid caught his shoulder, turning him around. "Please, Blank… bring my niece home. Alexandria's fate cannot be a city-state. It will alter the Mist Continent as we know it."

Blank glanced at the Blue Narciss Marx once more. "I'm not coming back without Dagger or Zidane."

8