3. CONSPIRACY

It was a rare Leo morning with clouds. It was even rarefied by a strange presence in the kitchen, namely, Razzia was fiddling around the kitchen in attempt to brew a pot of tea in a cloudy, mid-summer morning. Penelo was not in the mood for cooking today, and they easily understood it. Migelo brought some kebab sandwiches for breakfast, and Razzia made some tea.

"Fruity Grenada tea for better mood," the Lady whispered, slipping three spoons of tea into the teapot. There was a great section of tea in the cupboard. Most seemed new, purchased recently. Larsa, she sighed. Soon she strolled out of the kitchen with a silver tray, which consisted a teapot, cups and saucers and some cookies.

The outside was bustling. At the same time first ray of light struck Dalmasca, their visitor knocked the door. It was Basch, and obviously, he came for Vaan. They were having a conversation in his (and temporary Kytes') room. How are they doing, Razzia wondered, putting the tray down.

Penelo sat on a chair which was taken from the front room into Vaan's bedroom for Basch to sit, but he offered it to Penelo. It was the first time she seated herself on a chair in her partner's room.

Vaan was lounging on his messy nesting bed. Basch was just standing opposite to him. The sky pirate asked for a reason, so he came. "This is for both your and Lord Larsa's safety. We've been too careless on this matter," the 'Judge' explained.

"I don't see why," he replied.

"Someone might reach you for a proof of my identity," added Basch.

"And you think I'll betray ya?"

"That I do not, but if they reach you the wrong way," he said through gritted teeth. Closing their gap, he continued whispering close to Vaan's ear: "You're putting her and the others in danger." His eyes shifted quickly to Penelo, who was still even now looking at them with big, shiny eyes.

Vaan grunted. He could not find his old friend and comrade. Basch doubted his ability.

"Balthier and Fran agreed to leave. They should be departing in one or two days," added Basch.

"What?" Vaan said, almost shouted.

"Why, Vaan?" Penelo said something at last. The inner corners of her brows angled upwards. "You're always on the edge of your seat for adventures, are you not now?"

"I wanna fly but not like a fugitive!" Vaan shouted. It was a trap laid unraveling. It was why he had grown uneasy within Rabanastre. And now when everything finally got better, it sprang.

Vaan reclined on the bed head. His arm on his head; his eyes closed. He sighed deeply. But his mind could be no less hazy than it was. They killed Vayne, they stopped the War. Ashe ascended her throne, Larsa his. However, it did not come without cost. His brother was brought up to be the scapegoat for king-slaying frame-up, and Basch crawling in his brother's armor. He had endured it all. "I don't let him be the Emperor for this!" he exclaimed.

"You didn't let him," Basch countered. "His Excellency did it by his own, you understand?"

"And I'll do anything necessary to protect him," he added like a threat. Having realized his overreacting, Basch walked away. He breathed deeply, in and out. "I give you one day to consider it," said the 'Judge', and he turned to leave.

Razzia, with a saucer in one hand and a cup in the other, was standing against the wall next to the portiere in Vaan's room, grabbing a rudimentary grasp of their conversation. The 'Judge' bowed slightly as he passed the portiere, she nodded in reply.

"I've hoped that you had a stronger cause than that," she observed after Basch left.

"What're you gonna say, huh?" Vaan grunted. "Order me to leave in behalf of your fiancé?"

"It depends on you. I can't make you do if you don't," she said in her typical weird manner.

"But Razzia-sama, Dalmasca is good now, right?" Penelo looked at her with glassy eyes, "maybe we don't need to go."

They succeeded to convince the chancellor, and he would convince the others thus, to be in their side, but... "Soft, Penelo-san," she exclaimed, "you resigned from the theatre. Staying here serves your purpose no longer."

The dancer looked down her clasped hand like a guilty child. "As I've explained, Archadian 'patriots' might take advantage of the rumor. Although Larsa is not to fail, still you should consider leaving Dalmasca for your own sake," the Lady added, glancing at Vaan.

"Or for your beloved Larsa's sake," Vaan said dryly, "who might be in trouble if Basch's identity was found?"

"Larsa is. This might be declared as high treason. Archadia ne'er forgives betrayal. He might very well be on gallows as his brothers did."

Penelo agreed to leave right away as she heard these words at the theatre yesterday, yet it seem not so to him. Ignorance is bliss, she smirked at her own remark. "Let us say the opposition found you," she started to explain, feeling like telling it all, "and you refuse to cooperate. You aren't so naive and think you'll get away in one piece, are you?"

"Then what if you cooperate? Once your existences threaten his. Think of it, Mr. Vaan. If I were him, I'd eradicate you all, including your judge friend. Actually, he may have been cooking it already."

Then suddenly she added: "You don't think Larsa ascended the throne merely due to your good deeds of killing his brother?"

She stopped briefly for Vaan to think. Still his gaze was blank. Razzia shook her head. "I hope you've made the choice that is best for all," she added before leaving.

"Vaan," Penelo tried to persuade him in vain. He just gave no reply, pouting like someone stole his toys. "You should think about it," his partner said before following Razzia.

Vaan continued to sit still for a while. Think about it, how easy they said it. But why? Why must he think about it? Basch had to be Larsa's protector, Ashe the Queen. All was for the peace of Ivalice, Even Balthier and Fran prevented Bahamut to fall on Rabanastre before being missing. They all did something heroic while he...

Vaan curled up on his bed. Though he was somewhat famous now as a sky pirate, he felt just same three years ago. Still could not decide his life. He shook himself up, sitting up straight. His gaze darted across the room. The room was not much furnished; there were only a bed, a clothe chest, a bedside table and a hanging sword stand where he put his Talwar. Still crawling in the same cranny.

His gray-blue eyes halted on top of the table. There rested a wooden model of Dalmascan famous carrier—HMS Ophelia, and a glued vase. It was a black and turquoise clay vase. It was his gift for his brother. Vaan scrimped and saved (with Penelo's help) for the fancy vase. His brother so loved it that he always arranged it with Galbana lilies on the dining table. And that made it an unhappy witness of their last quarrel.

"Are you crazy?" Vaan recalled himself shouting and screaming. "It's over. We can't win!"

It was the day Reks told him that he enlisted; it was right at the end of the war.

"Nay, Vaan. We cannot know until we tried," his brother answered in soft voice.

"Try? How come Penelo's brothers for trying? They're dead!"

"They're just missing," Reks scolded, slightly pointing at Penelo's room. The girl might hear it from up there.

But Vaan seemed not mind it. He was too occupied with the thought of his brother, his only family left, gone forever. "It's just the same!"

Vaan of that day looked up, blinking his eyes, holding his angry tears. "You said you won't leave me," he shouted in broken voice. Reks was hugging him, saying that on the day their parent died. "You liar!" he screamed out on the top of his lung and swept his arm on the table, pushing all in their way to the ground. Luckily, most of them were metalware except for one; one that should not be there. Just a light shove to the vase, but it collapsed on the table. Lilies, water splashed on the creamy tablecloth. Then it rolled the very last run before falling out to the ground, and it broke. Shatters burst out like a flower, bloomed then faded.

Vaan could not look at the broken. He ran and hid himself in his room. He did not show even in the day Reks set forth. It was the last time they met.

The room seemed still unchanged from the day. He did brought with him some 'loot' from the adventures back to Dalmasca, and his sword and equipments also, but most of them was not worth-noting . The biggest change in his life was a slender ruby-red crystal in the length of a hair clip that he carefully put in the pocket on the back of his vest. Galbana II key. Still one had to ask for a writ of transit to fly. He threw the key on the table. It clanked on the vase but luckily, nothing broke.

Damn, I have no more control of my life than I did three years ago.

Then he thought of Balthier. The sky pirate ever put his freedom over all.

Balthier and Fran agreed to leave. He recalled Basch's words.

He knew the sky pirate. Balthier would not give in. Never. Vaan stood up. He had a day. He had to be quick.

Penelo was so relieved when she saw he stepped of his room. From outside, she heard a big clink. But contrast to her caring eyes, Vaan just walked to the door, no look, no word, and left the house.

"Poh," Razzia sighed, throwing her arms to the sky.

Penelo still looked after his back. Her fingers involuntarily scratched on her upper leg while the door slammed behind.


As if Vaan walked into another world, the streets before their house were bustling with laughter and talking. Today sky was not clear; still it had a timid weather that encouraged people to go out of the door. He went straight then left, on the familiar route to the inn where the two sky pirates stayed. Soon before his eyes were on the wooden door of the inn, then the door of their room.

Balthier welcomed him with wide eyes. Vaan visited while they were packing the luggage or he said so.

"Don't tell me you really agreed to leave?" Vaan asked out loud right after the door was closed behind him, not much bothering about another man in the room, looking out the window.

"Didn't have many choices here," replied Balthier, sitting on the table.

Vaan crossed his arm. "The matter is not to go or to stay," his friend added, "but where. And I never agreed on where I go."

Vaan smirked. This rogue sky pirate always had a card up his sleeve, only that they were not sure if it was an ace. "Your plan?" he asked.

"The Imperial capital, Archades," Balthier replied quickly. Usually, he would not be so easy-going. That was if he did not have something to ask. He would find Vaan even if he did not show up himself. "But this time I don't intend to tread afoot. It'd take too long," he continued.

They had only two ways to Archades. On foot, or by air. "You don't say..." Vaan hesitated, "but why Archades?"

"That must start with our friend here," he replied, pointing his chin at pony-haired man standing by the window.

The man turned to them, fixing his cuffs. "Well," he paused. His deep hazel eyes scanned Vaan from top to toe, assessing. "Our boy has left the city."

"I knew," Vaan replied, "for Archades."

Mer, the Magicite hunter, glanced at his old friend, who was nodding slightly. "With an arcane Magicite. Like no Magicite or Nethicite I've seen in my life."

"Nor stone that I've seen," said Fran, strolling out from her communicating room.

The Viera was resting in her room when the mage boy came to meet Mernard with the stone, yet its existence woke her up. Its capacity was greater than any stone that Fran had seen.

"Even the Dawn Shard?" asked Vaan in high-pitched voice.

She nodded.

"He brought it back Archadia with him," added Balthier.

"But Archadian sky is always guarded," Vaan said, crossing his arms. His eyes moved from side to side.

"That's why we need her."


And her whereabout was his house.

Razzia was surprised to see Vaan return. She was sure that he had left for good. It grew into astonishment as Balthier, Fran and a stranger, whom she did not know, walked into the house, and almost dropped her jaw when Vaan announced they had something to discuss with her.

She looked around. It was only her and Penelo in the house now. "Say it," she replied. Her hand loosely grabbed the handle of the knife hung at her back.

"We wanted a writ of transit to Archadia," Vaan declared.

"What give you in exchange?" she asked straight forwards into the matter. Her hands relaxed and rest on her thighs.

Vaan shifted his gaze to Balthier, and Balthier to Mernard. "Well," the hunter gulped. His eyes shifted side to side like chasing a phantom hare. He never expected the boy's betrothed had such... character. Finally, he looked straight at the bright roses of her eyes, and said: "Your betrothed's life."

"I must say," she smiled, "it'd have convinced me better if you had said my life."

"You've heard of the Solis Ceremony of Soridol?"

"In mid of Leo, yes?" she replied, glancing at his sapphire earrings.

"The High Magister must present in the ceremony," he hinted. His fingers started to rotate in circles.

The Lady clasped her hand and rested her chin on them. "You're saying... an assassination?"

"W-What?" Penelo cried. She was back from the kitchen with teas for their guests and could not believe what she had just heard.

"Well, Larsa must have his own plan," she added. She was not an easy target as he had expected. But Mernard knew he got somewhere when her index finger toughed her ring.

"That is if his protector were with him," Balthier backed him up, "and everyone can tell how trustworthy Judges are?"

Razzia thought of Hausen and the glow in his eyes, and she had asked Gabranth to tell her if anything might happen. "Very well. But I have something to ask."

"Your accompany? No problem. Your presence is our safe ticket," observed Balthier.

"That's obvious," she replied with a slight frown, "I have something else to ask of you."

"What's it?" Vaan asked impatiently.

The Lady took a deep breath. "Kidnap me," she replied clearly word by word.


Penelo's hands were tremulous. Before her eyes was the great door of the Royal Palace.

"Goodness," she cried, hugging the big tome with green leather cover. The cold golden inlaid pressed hard onto her chest. She had been walking back and forth for a while, waiting the guard to be back after delivering her message to Basch.

"Oh, B—" she almost shouted his name when she saw Basch stomping out in his black, ringing armor with Ashe walking closely behind out of curiosity. Penelo bowed at the Queen. "Please, you have to see this," she said and handed him the tome with Solidor symbol.

It was his Lord's gift to Lady Razzia. He noticed right away a strange thin gap among the pages. The tome was opened and the letter, inserted in middle of it, was revealed. It was written coarsely with pencil.

"I think Vaan has gone nuts," Penelo exclaimed, still disbelieving at what happened.

"What?" Basch cried right after he finished the note, "he kidnapped Lady Razzia!?"

"Impossible," exclaimed Ashe.

And asked him to go to the Aerodome for more details of the 'ransom'. Something must have got into his head. Penelo did not know what to say. She had to hide her head under her hands, not even dare to look at her old comrades's faces.

"Don't worry," Basch patted on her shoulder, "I can persuade him to stop."

"I'll go with you," suggested Ashe, and Basch agreed.

The three proceeded to West Gate, where the Aerodome located. Quickly they were in dock 12 where the Strahl moored. A few soldiers, ones they trusted, were mobilized to surround the Aerodome, hiding. Nothing would escape.

"Stop there," crackled voice boasted from the airship said as Basch's boots touched the first step of the airstairs. It was buzzer, still they recognized it was Vaan's.

"Vaan," Ashe sighed, "you know what you're doing is serious crime, don't you?"

"You let me no choice. I don't wanna leave Dalmasca."

"What leave?" Ashe asked Basch in whispers.

"Vaan, it's for the best of us all," Basch shouted out at the airship.

"No, it's not. It's only for Larsa," said he angrily.

"Yes, Larsa," he added out of blue, "if it's for Larsa, let Larsa speak for himself."

"I'm his representative here in Dalmasca."

"No, I'll speak to Larsa himself. Don't think I'm stupid. You must have a way to contact him in emergency."

"Even in fastest transit, letters take a day to arrive," Basch replied, shaking his head. God, what do you want? Such actions, it could not be Vaan's.

He paused briefly, "fine. I can wait."

Ashe threw her arms around. She did not know why but she felt terribly angry and wondered what wrong with him. "If words about her kidnapping spread around. Please think about it," she tried to hold her voice down.

"First, emerge yourself. We shall hear you speak," offered Basch.

"I'll have what I want. The Lady will wait even if she can't. You'd best be quick."

"Balthier, I can't wait. I have to leave!" he roared, at the edge of his patience.

Balthier was sitting calmly on his pilot seat while a slender figure emerge herself from the escaping door. "What happened to Larsa?" she asked, in her hand still holding the transmitter. It was Lady Razzia herself.

"Faram," cried Ashe furiously, "you fabricate your own kidnapping."

But the 'Princess' paid her no attention. "Tell me, Gabranth," she enquired, "why must you leave?"

The 'Judge' looked down, shaking his head, unable to believe what he had just slipped while Penelo was gazing at him both worriedly and guiltily. "I've lost contact to his Excellency," he admitted at last. The Lord had not replied his letter. It had been three days.

"What?" the Queen exclaimed. Even Ashe herself was left in the dark.

"Now, can we get our ticket?" finally Balthier made his appearance and said. Behind was Vaan crossing his arms.

"We shall fly along his fleet," she declared.

Ashe gave an exasperated sigh. Her head shook like a yellow leave in gust. "How dare you? All without permission."

"Well, you have seen what I might do if I don't have what I want," she said, glancing at the Queen. Today she dressed more formally and less revealingly.

"Arbitrarily promised in your betrothed's name, and now threatening." She was getting more dangerous day by day. Margrace, Margrace, what did they teach their children?

"Say no, if you wish," the 'Princess' hummed in her casual who-care manner.

"Will you let me?" Ashe gritted her teeth.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty," she said softly, "I meant to say if you can."

Ashe grunted, but she could give no counter, only could blame God for Larsa having to marry to such a woman.

Basch, too, could not get a word. He should have known that his Lord's choice was special, very special. "My Lady, the Leviathan II is this way," he gave in.

"I'll fly along her, but not in her," she replied, then turned to Vaan, she chirped, "Mr. Vaan, if I may be in your ship."

"Huh?" Vaan jumped up, "but Galbana II don't have enough place for three people."

"It's fine," Penelo said, secretly glimpsing at where the Leviathan II was, "um, I can board the Strahl or... Leviathan."

Often Razzia could not really understand what Penelo was thinking. Allow her partner to be with another girl. The course to Archades was not the longest, but definitely not short. It would take at least a day.

Nevertheless, it was settled with no objection. Razzia would be with Vaan in Galbana II; Balthier, Fran undoubtedly boarded in the Strahl with Mernard accompanied; Ashe and Basch in Leviathan with unexpected Penelo. And they set for Archades in the fastest course.


Final Note:

First of all, I want to thank you for taking your time reading my story. Unfortunately, my casual life has grown busier, and I don't have much time to write as I did. The story came out slower and slower, but I guess it doesn't really matter for more unfortunately, I don't think I have the knack of writing. My story is rather poor. A kind reader commented that it was unique, only uniqueness doesn't necessarily mean goodness. To anyone who has spent his/her precious time to read this fanfiction till this part, I really appreciate it. But I decide to stop it here. The plot developed too far from the origin (and too ridiculous I guess), so I think it's better to keep it for myself and continue as my own story (if I have the ability). Therefore, this fic drops here. Again thank you everyone for reading.