Hidden Ties - Chapter 2: Exhaustion
Chapter 2. I own nothing.
"Your Majesty, surely you must jest. The Marquis is safe in all forms."
"Are you so sure, Basch? After all, I have not heard from my uncle in two weeks."
"Lady Ashe, we can assure you that we have heard from him. He is well."
Basch, Ashe and Larsa were in the great hall of the Nalbina Fortress. They were discussing the letter which they had received. At the current moment they were attempting to find who was being spoken of.
"But surely - "
"Ashe!" an angered voice echoed through the halls.
"Oh my," the Archadian prince commented.
"How did he find out we were here?" Ashe questioned.
"The walls do have ears, Your Majesty," the Judge replied.
Within moments the doors of to the hall were slammed open. At the head of the group was Balthier. Behind him followed Fran and Penelo. At the man's side was a fiend of a wolf. Basch stood quickly, sword in hand. The sky pirate glared at him.
"You harm Reks, you'll be harmed yourself Captain," the ex-Judge uttered.
The Judge's eyes widened. He put his sword back into its sheath. A wolf as a tamed animal was new in his mind.
"Forgive me, Balthier. It's just I've never had privilege of seeing a tamed wolf. What skills were used?"
"I wasn't the one who was in charge of the young pup's transition from wild to tame. Vaan was."
"I see."
"Ashe, I must question as to why we were not informed as to Vaan's disappearance," the sky pirate demanded.
"Vaan has disappeared?" Larsa asked, surprised.
"Two weeks ago, while Balthier and Fran were on one of their runs," Penelo answered, Fran holding her.
"The Revenant Wings is a complete disaster. It appears it is lucky to even be in one piece," Fran finished.
"Vaan earned and deserved that ship," Larsa murmured, "For that to happen..."
"Someone was out to kill him," Basch finished, then quietly added, "and may have already done so."
"You mustn't say that!" the young Archadian exclaimed.
"Vaan is resilient," Balthier chimed, "Even when he's weak he doesn't give in. You know this full well!"
Ashe saw the sky pirate shaking. His fists were clenched tightly, his knuckles white. This part of him scared her. He only got this way when the thief was in danger.
Every one of them knew that the two were together. Fran and Basch had been the first to see proof in the underground railway. All of the others learned - if not on the Leviathan - on the way to Raithwall's Tomb. Fran and Penelo had taken from their example and also fell for each other.
"Balthier, I'm sure he's fine," the Dalmascan queen spoke softly.
"The damned ring says otherwise."
Basch's brows furrowed. He was completely thrown for a loop. Looking to the others, he noticed that the two monarchs were just as baffled.
"Balthier, did you..."
"No. I was going to, but now it will wait. His ring is what we got of all the articles that may have been removed from him."
Penelo was about to say more but Fran squeezed her shoulder. The younger looked back. A silent head shake was all that was need for her to remain quiet.
The ex-Judge trudged over to the three at the table. Reks followed beside him, a saddened expression obvious. Balthier quietly placed the ring on the oaken surface. Pulling this hand away, he revealed that the outer side of the ring had dried blood. For the first time since he met Vaan or since he learned of the teen's capture, the sky pirate cried.
Larsa hesitantly lifted the ring from the table. He gazed at the item, then clenched it tightly. His eyes shut tightly and bowed his head. Soon he lifted his head and looked toward the former noble who was knelt beside the young would, hugging it.
"Balthier, we'll get him back. If not for everyone else, then for you."
BVFPBALO
"Sir, they are in Nalbina."
"The final piece has been sent?"
"Yes sir."
Locks of graying ebony fell over the shadowed man's right eye.
"Good."
BVFPBALO
The drips of watter echoed off the walls. It was the only tangible thing for the broken form to focus on. The only thing other than the pain.
A weakened cough left blood lips. Bruises of different sizes and ages littered the skin. Cuts, scrapes and dried blood were sprinkled here and there.
Magic couldn't be used. Manufactured nethecite surrounded the nearly still form. Anything tried would fail, which was all the worse.
Tears of exhaustion and loneliness spilled down crusted cheeks. There was more anger and hatred but they were caused by the lack of sleep and company. It just felt empty.
Sobs wracked the pained form. No one could hear them. Anyone that did didn't care.
Sapphire orbs gazed into the dimly lit area. A bloodied hand weakly gripped for anything and found nothing. A gentle whimper left the lips, soon followed by a soft, hoarse voice.
"Balthier..."
A pair of chocolate orbs shot open. He sat up and looked around. The hume heart was racing as eyes darted to and fro.
Everyone had seen the change in Balthier. He had never been so emotional before. The sky pirate was finding - or at least trying to - comfort in the wolf trained by Vaan. There were rings under his eyes from lack of sleep.
Ashe ordered the former noble to take one of the sleeping chambers. She had also placed a weaker sleep spell on him that way the effects would not happen until he was safely in the room. He gave her a weak apology then was escorted by Fran and Reks.
Now it was the middle of the night and he was awake. He swore that he heard someone say his name. The only problem was that he was alone with the exception of Reks, and the would was curled up asleep on the floor.
Slowly the ex-Judge reclined back down to the bed. He gazed up at the ceiling. A soft sigh left his lips as he turned onto his side. An arm reached out slightly and the hand gripped gently at the sheets of the empty spot next to him.
"Vaan..." he whispered softly as his eyes closed into sleep once more.
At the same time across the fortress Penelo, Fran and Ashe were huddled around a fire. The youngest of the three was curled up with her head on the viera's lap. The queen ran her fingers through the blond locks.
"Balthier has awoken, but fell back to sleep," Fran uttered quietly.
"He is worried about Vaan. We all are, I know but he has been harder effected by it," the Dalmascan queen spoke.
"it's been nearly two years since we all met," the young blond whispered, "We've all changed so much. The two who have changed most, though, are Balthier and Vaan."
"It just makes the fact even more of one," the viera spoke, "We need to locate Vaan."
"But we also have to figure out who the letter speaks of," Ashe countered.
"I have a theory, as does Balthier," the weapons specialist commented, "but he does not wish me to speak it."
"Fran?"
Penelo sat up. She and the queen gazed at the women. Questions ran through their mind. However one was most prevalent.
"What do you mean?" the orphan questioned.
The viera knew she wouldn't get out of this. She took out the ring - which Larsa had returned to her. With it, the sky pirate and her copy of the letter was pulled out.
"Balthier and I received these three days ago," Fran revealed, "The letter, though quizzical in wording, speaks of a family of a royal blood. The ring is Vaan's. Whatever the material may be, it appears that the attributes it may have only work for Vaan. Our thief appears to be more than even he knows."
BVFPBALO
An older gentleman gazed outside of his residence. A hand ran through silver locks and sighed. He was exhausted but glad that he was able to run his nation without Imperial control.
Marquis Ondore was relieved that he was able to rest at night. He could sleep knowing he'd accomplished something. It was relaxing for him.
"Marquis Ondore! Marquis Ondore!"
The Bhujerban leader turned toward the speaker. It was a young messenger girl who was rushing toward him. He caught her as she ran into him, then looked down at her.
"What seems to be the trouble?"
"Marquis, a gentleman came up to me. He told me to give this to you," the girl answered, handing him a small package.
Ondore took the package and handed her some gill. She rushed off, leaving the man to see what it was.
As he opened the package, he covered his mouth.
"House Nabradia... I knew there was one left. I just pray that he is alright."
Saddened eyes gazed upon a bloodied crest that he held in his hand.
"Your Majesty, surely you must jest. The Marquis is safe in all forms."
"Are you so sure, Basch? After all, I have not heard from my uncle in two weeks."
"Lady Ashe, we can assure you that we have heard from him. He is well."
Basch, Ashe and Larsa were in the great hall of the Nalbina Fortress. They were discussing the letter which they had received. At the current moment they were attempting to find who was being spoken of.
"But surely - "
"Ashe!" an angered voice echoed through the halls.
"Oh my," the Archadian prince commented.
"How did he find out we were here?" Ashe questioned.
"The walls do have ears, Your Majesty," the Judge replied.
Within moments the doors of to the hall were slammed open. At the head of the group was Balthier. Behind him followed Fran and Penelo. At the man's side was a fiend of a wolf. Basch stood quickly, sword in hand. The sky pirate glared at him.
"You harm Reks, you'll be harmed yourself Captain," the ex-Judge uttered.
The Judge's eyes widened. He put his sword back into its sheath. A wolf as a tamed animal was new in his mind.
"Forgive me, Balthier. It's just I've never had privilege of seeing a tamed wolf. What skills were used?"
"I wasn't the one who was in charge of the young pup's transition from wild to tame. Vaan was."
"I see."
"Ashe, I must question as to why we were not informed as to Vaan's disappearance," the sky pirate demanded.
"Vaan has disappeared?" Larsa asked, surprised.
"Two weeks ago, while Balthier and Fran were on one of their runs," Penelo answered, Fran holding her.
"The Revenant Wings is a complete disaster. It appears it is lucky to even be in one piece," Fran finished.
"Vaan earned and deserved that ship," Larsa murmured, "For that to happen..."
"Someone was out to kill him," Basch finished, then quietly added, "and may have already done so."
"You mustn't say that!" the young Archadian exclaimed.
"Vaan is resilient," Balthier chimed, "Even when he's weak he doesn't give in. You know this full well!"
Ashe saw the sky pirate shaking. His fists were clenched tightly, his knuckles white. This part of him scared her. He only got this way when the thief was in danger.
Every one of them knew that the two were together. Fran and Basch had been the first to see proof in the underground railway. All of the others learned - if not on the Leviathan - on the way to Raithwall's Tomb. Fran and Penelo had taken from their example and also fell for each other.
"Balthier, I'm sure he's fine," the Dalmascan queen spoke softly.
"The damned ring says otherwise."
Basch's brows furrowed. He was completely thrown for a loop. Looking to the others, he noticed that the two monarchs were just as baffled.
"Balthier, did you..."
"No. I was going to, but now it will wait. His ring is what we got of all the articles that may have been removed from him."
Penelo was about to say more but Fran squeezed her shoulder. The younger looked back. A silent head shake was all that was need for her to remain quiet.
The ex-Judge trudged over to the three at the table. Reks followed beside him, a saddened expression obvious. Balthier quietly placed the ring on the oaken surface. Pulling this hand away, he revealed that the outer side of the ring had dried blood. For the first time since he met Vaan or since he learned of the teen's capture, the sky pirate cried.
Larsa hesitantly lifted the ring from the table. He gazed at the item, then clenched it tightly. His eyes shut tightly and bowed his head. Soon he lifted his head and looked toward the former noble who was knelt beside the young would, hugging it.
"Balthier, we'll get him back. If not for everyone else, then for you."
BVFPBALO
"Sir, they are in Nalbina."
"The final piece has been sent?"
"Yes sir."
Locks of graying ebony fell over the shadowed man's right eye.
"Good."
BVFPBALO
The drips of watter echoed off the walls. It was the only tangible thing for the broken form to focus on. The only thing other than the pain.
A weakened cough left blood lips. Bruises of different sizes and ages littered the skin. Cuts, scrapes and dried blood were sprinkled here and there.
Magic couldn't be used. Manufactured nethecite surrounded the nearly still form. Anything tried would fail, which was all the worse.
Tears of exhaustion and loneliness spilled down crusted cheeks. There was more anger and hatred but they were caused by the lack of sleep and company. It just felt empty.
Sobs wracked the pained form. No one could hear them. Anyone that did didn't care.
Sapphire orbs gazed into the dimly lit area. A bloodied hand weakly gripped for anything and found nothing. A gentle whimper left the lips, soon followed by a soft, hoarse voice.
"Balthier..."
A pair of chocolate orbs shot open. He sat up and looked around. The hume heart was racing as eyes darted to and fro.
Everyone had seen the change in Balthier. He had never been so emotional before. The sky pirate was finding - or at least trying to - comfort in the wolf trained by Vaan. There were rings under his eyes from lack of sleep.
Ashe ordered the former noble to take one of the sleeping chambers. She had also placed a weaker sleep spell on him that way the effects would not happen until he was safely in the room. He gave her a weak apology then was escorted by Fran and Reks.
Now it was the middle of the night and he was awake. He swore that he heard someone say his name. The only problem was that he was alone with the exception of Reks, and the would was curled up asleep on the floor.
Slowly the ex-Judge reclined back down to the bed. He gazed up at the ceiling. A soft sigh left his lips as he turned onto his side. An arm reached out slightly and the hand gripped gently at the sheets of the empty spot next to him.
"Vaan..." he whispered softly as his eyes closed into sleep once more.
At the same time across the fortress Penelo, Fran and Ashe were huddled around a fire. The youngest of the three was curled up with her head on the viera's lap. The queen ran her fingers through the blond locks.
"Balthier has awoken, but fell back to sleep," Fran uttered quietly.
"He is worried about Vaan. We all are, I know but he has been harder effected by it," the Dalmascan queen spoke.
"it's been nearly two years since we all met," the young blond whispered, "We've all changed so much. The two who have changed most, though, are Balthier and Vaan."
"It just makes the fact even more of one," the viera spoke, "We need to locate Vaan."
"But we also have to figure out who the letter speaks of," Ashe countered.
"I have a theory, as does Balthier," the weapons specialist commented, "but he does not wish me to speak it."
"Fran?"
Penelo sat up. She and the queen gazed at the women. Questions ran through their mind. However one was most prevalent.
"What do you mean?" the orphan questioned.
The viera knew she wouldn't get out of this. She took out the ring - which Larsa had returned to her. With it, the sky pirate and her copy of the letter was pulled out.
"Balthier and I received these three days ago," Fran revealed, "The letter, though quizzical in wording, speaks of a family of a royal blood. The ring is Vaan's. Whatever the material may be, it appears that the attributes it may have only work for Vaan. Our thief appears to be more than even he knows."
BVFPBALO
An older gentleman gazed outside of his residence. A hand ran through silver locks and sighed. He was exhausted but glad that he was able to run his nation without Imperial control.
Marquis Ondore was relieved that he was able to rest at night. He could sleep knowing he'd accomplished something. It was relaxing for him.
"Marquis Ondore! Marquis Ondore!"
The Bhujerban leader turned toward the speaker. It was a young messenger girl who was rushing toward him. He caught her as she ran into him, then looked down at her.
"What seems to be the trouble?"
"Marquis, a gentleman came up to me. He told me to give this to you," the girl answered, handing him a small package.
Ondore took the package and handed her some gill. She rushed off, leaving the man to see what it was.
As he opened the package, he covered his mouth.
"House Nabradia... I knew there was one left. I just pray that he is alright."
Saddened eyes gazed upon a bloodied crest that he held in his hand.