Bountiful Ruins
As the wind whipped about the Bonanza’s sails, Ascilia leaned back, stretching her arms in her seat. It had been about two hours since their departure from the shore of Silvertear Lake. And though the Bonanza wasn’t quite as fast as the Regalia Type-G, from what she could see of the tiny, dwindling coastline of Southern Gyr Abania behind them, they’d been making good time.
At the helm of the airship was a man from Garlond Ironworks—a hired hand on Tataru’s payroll. And between him and herself was Lily, leaning over the railing and letting her unbound mane of white hair billow freely in the wind.
“You ought to sit back down already!” she shouted, that Lily couldn’t pretend not to hear her. “If you fall out, we won’t be able to catch you!”
Lily did not respond as she pulled away from the railing, nor when she sat down beside Ascilia. Even as she carefully tied her hair back into its signature high ponytail, she remained deathly quiet. It was only after she’d finished that she finally spoke, her voice rising barely higher than a whisper.
“Sorry. I’m just nervous, that’s all.”
“You’re… nervous…?” Somewhat taken aback, Ascilia turned to face her beloved. “Would you mind it terribly if I asked why?”
“No, it’s alright.” As she looked Ascilia in the eye, Lily’s gaze flitted to the front of the Bonanza’s deck for only a moment. “Promise you won’t utter a word of this to anyone. It’s… silly, really, but I’d rather nobody knew.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“I was hoping I’d have gotten over this after our time in Dalmasca, but…” With a heavy sigh, Lily shook her head. “I’m terrified of the ocean. Most of the time it’s not a problem, but if I can feel the waves or see them beneath me, my head spins and my stomach wretches.”
“That would explain the route you took on our last flight…” Though a number of questions filled her mind, Ascilia did her best to thrust them aside. Instead she lowered her head in thought, seeking a solution to her beloved’s troubled mind. One presented itself to her almost immediately; Patting the rose pink fabric of her skirt, she raised her head and smiled. “Lay your head upon my lap, love, and close your eyes.”
With a shrug of her shoulders, Lily did as instructed, tucking her ponytail over her shoulder as she laid down. “Will this really work?”
“Trust me,” she replied, gently rubbing Lily’s shoulder. “And steady your breathing, as if you were going to take a nap.”
Once more, Lily did as told, her body softly rising and falling in a quiet rhythm as she settled into place. With one source of conversation resting and the other focusing his attention wholly upon helming the Bonanza, Minfilia had little recourse but to follow suit. And so she leaned back, closing her own eyes as she stroked her beloved’s white locks.
And slowly, gently, she drifted off to sleep.
***
“Wake up, Silly!”
With an undignified snort, Ascilia catapulted back into the waking world. Through bleary vision she tried to make out her surroundings. She was still seated at the back of the Bonanza, as expected. Beyond that were man made edifices in a cornucopia of colors—magenta and turquoise greens and blues seemed the most common. A pair of Au Ra and some sort of Roegadyn-sized elephant man were hauling crates and other such things off a larger airship opposite where they’d landed.
High above them in a half-clouded sky, the sun shone brightly. Two bells past noon, perhaps three, she guessed. And right before her, covering Ascilia in her towering shadow, was her beloved Galbana Lily.
“Mmmm… my apologies—I hadn’t intended to fall asleep like that.”
“It’s alright,” said Lily, offering her hand. As Ascilia took it and stood up beside her, Lily continued on. “Don’t worry about taking your time, either. Our pilot stopped at a local restaurant for lunch, and doesn’t mind it terribly that he’ll be back in Mor Dhona after nightfall.”
After giving her arms and legs a brief but thorough stretching, Ascilia walked down onto the airship landing itself. “What do you say to a tour of the city before anything else, love? This is my first time in Thavnair, after all.”
“I’d love to!” Lily answered, her eyes alight with glee. “Radz-at-Hand is a beautiful city. Come, follow me.”
“But before that,” Ascilia interjected as Lily passed her by. “Did you just call me… Silly?”
As if on cue, Lily froze, then turned halfway to look over her shoulder at her. “Y-yeah? It’s a… nickname.”
“No.”
“Oh. How about Cilia, then?”
“Lily—”
“Fili?”
Damn, Ascilia thought. I actually like that one. “That’s the wrong name, I’m afraid.”
“Right, sorry… Ascilia it is, then. At least until I can think of a good one for you.” Offering her hand once more, Lily beamed a bright and happy grin. “Gods, but I’ve missed this place. I hope you love it as much—no, more than I.”
It was only moments later that the pair departed into the streets of Radz-at-Han proper. As they traveled the length of the city, Lily directing her attention hither and thither to every little thing that caught her eye, Ascilia felt a touch overwhelmed. Not so much by the city, filled to the brim with brilliant colors and the symphony of everyday life, but by the way it all blended together in her mind.
Lily’s hand holding firmly onto her own, her voice simmering with joy. Her song overflowing amidst the backdrop of Thavnairian life. It all reminded her so very much of Ul’dah, of the first day she and her father set foot on her sandy streets.
“... And if we take a right here, we’ll come upon Mehryde’s Meyhane,” came the dark, angelic voice of her guide. “I drifted here on my first night in Thavnair, and though my clothes were as damp as ever, my spirits soared. I’d found what I was looking for—what had stolen my heart as a girl of ten and one summers…”
Ascilia waited for Lily to continue. Instead, she merely heard the sound of her clearing her throat.
“A-ah, is that so?” she asked, falling out of her awe-induced haze.
“Sorry. It’s just a bit of a long story,” said Lily, her voice cracking. “Would you mind if we took a break for now? My throat’s a bit dry.”
“Not at all, love,” Ascilia replied, somewhat thirsty herself. But as they journeyed forth, stepping foot into the establishment, a thought bubbled up from within. “Hold a moment. Did you say ‘Mehryde’s Meyhane’?”
“Yes, why?” Before she could answer, however, Lily snapped her fingers. “Right! Tataru said you ought to start here, didn’t she?”
“Precisely,” Ascilia nodded. And what was the advice she’d been given again? First, she needed to charm the employees. A simple enough task, especially for her. “I’ll take the lead. Wish me luck!”
“You’ve got this,” said Lily, clapping her on the shoulder.
Passing through the pair of double doors before her, Ascilia quickly scanned the environment. Though far more immaculate than any tavern she’d graced in Ul’dah, it seemed the meyhane was otherwise like any other. Customers were seated at tables spaced generously apart from one another. Men and women of various races in matching white and peacock blue uniforms waited on them, while what appeared to be a Hyuran bartender stood back and observed all as she mixed drinks behind her counter. To the left the tavern’s walls gave way to a stunning view of the land and sea beyond, and at the far end opposite their approach was a large dais, where a pair of dancers were performing for all to see.
Had she not come on business, it would’ve been nice to sit back and spend her afternoon here.
As luck would have it, one of the serving girls—a white-horned Auri woman with nearly purple hair and sharp red eyes—had just finished delivering a customer’s drinks. As Ascila drew closer, the girl caught sight of her and Lily, bowing her head.
“Welcome to Mehryde’s Meyhane,” the Au Ra said. But as she raised her head, her eyes flared open in apparent surprise. “Oh, hello, I did not recognize you at first! Are you here alone, or is this Hyuran woman another of your Scion friends?”
Ascilia froze in place, her eyes following the Au Ra as she slipped right past her. She’d been noticed, hadn’t she? But the reason she’d been all but ignored was readily obvious. Where she was an unknown quantity, Lily was most certainly a hero to Thavnair. No, she knew. To all of Hydaelyn.
But this is what I wanted, Ascilia reminded herself. Better to go unnoticed for a spell than the alternative…
“She’s my partner and a good friend, though not a Scion,” Lily answered, lying on her behalf. “Mihleel, this is Ascilia, an up and coming adventurer.”
Pushing her initial dismay aside, Ascilia turned and offered her best smile. “Thank you for the introduction. And a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mihleel. Lily and I have just arrived from Eorzea, and we're looking to slake our thirst, and order a drink or two while we’re at it.”
“Hah, yes,” Mihleel chuckled somewhat forcedly. “Why don’t the two of you have a seat, and I’ll see what I can do? Drinks are on the house, of course. If Mehryde found out I took coin from Thavnair’s savior, she would have me scrubbing pots for a week.”
As the Au Ra departed for the bartender’s counter, Ascilia glanced sidelong at her beloved. No words needed to be exchanged—the look of quiet resignation on Lily’s face told her everything she needed to know.
We both died that day in Ul’dah, in spirit if not flesh. To live on without hope for one’s self, yet ever strive to enkindle it within others...
As they took their seats at a nearby table, Mihleel returned with a serving tray and two tall glasses. One contained a dark red fluid, while the other was clearly filled with water. With a firm and practiced hand she slipped both glasses to their respective recipients, then gave them a friendly smile.
“Thank you for your patience,” she said, bowing her head. “I think you’ll love the wine Mehryde selected for you, Miss. And water for Galbana Lily, of course. But I understand you were looking for more—what might I get you today?”
Though by all indications she had directed the question Lily’s way, the Viera had already begun soothing her throat. Seizing the opportunity, Ascilia cleared her own. “My partner and I were looking to chart a course for the Bounty, in search of any ruins beneath her waves.”
Mihleel gave her a quizzical look as she cocked her head to the side. “... Ruins beneath the Bounty? Would you be speaking of the sunken treasure vault?” After a quiet nod from Ascilia, she fell silent, lowering her head in thought for several seconds. “... We have one regular—a historian, in fact—who could tell you all about it…”
A better hook than she’d anticipated, Ascilia mused. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to ask for more. “Might you be able to direct us to this historian? If not, it may prove difficult for us to track them down.”
Mihleel did not respond at first, instead scanning the area. After a moment or two, she pointed to an airside table by the meyhane’s entrance. “Ah, there he is! Professor Jalheen! I thought I saw him come in. Although a somewhat private sort, the Professor is quick to befriend those who share his fondness for the meyhane’s unique beverages.”
“Sounds like we’ve hit the jackpot,” Lily remarked, grinning as she set down her now empty glass. That she’d finished the entire thing in one long gulp was impressive, at the very least. “Go ahead and take a crack at him. If you need a hand, I’ll be watching your back.”
Ascilia smirked as she took her glass of wine in hand. “Thank you, but I can handle this myself. He’ll be spilling all his secrets ere long, trust me.”
***
While her beloved Minfilia plied her persuasion skills on the unsuspecting Professor, Lily made her way to the enormous window. There she soaked in the view, making only a token effort to keep an eye out. It wasn’t like she needed to watch, after all. As a Viera, her hearing was beyond exceptional.
The first cup bought her beloved a brief history lesson, and a name to boot: Alzadaal III. The second bought her another—Azahma, along with an unnamed friend of his who was also searching for the ruins. He clammed up swiftly thereafter, doubting her ability under the guise of protecting her.
Such words wouldn’t have deterred the Antecedent, to say nothing of the battle-hardened woman Minfilia had become over the century she’d spent guiding her chosen successors on the First. Even so, her rebuttal caught Lily off guard.
“I am no stranger to peril, friend. Believe me, the things I’ve seen and the devils I’ve fought would freeze the blood in your veins.”
Even as the words poured forth from her lips, Lily winced. An image had forced itself into her mind.
Six tiny figures stood together, braced against the oncoming towering wave of light. One by one the figures winked out of existence, and as they did the wave splintered into fragments taking the shape of bestial fiends so very familiar to her, their bodies shining with a cold dead light.
Sin Eaters.
Only two figures remained by the time the horde fully took shape. Beyond the wall of starving, slavering devils stood Eden, a mountain amidst the forest, driving them forward as they consumed malm after malm of the world beneath their wake. In no time at all they were poised to crash down upon the two figures.
One of the figures fled—only they knew why. The other stood firm to the very last…
As the image faded, Lily snapped her attention towards her beloved and Professor Jalheen. To say he was shaken was an understatement—the man could scarcely hold still as he tried to lift his cup.
“Wh-what w-was… who, wh-what are…” After taking a deep breath, Jalheen forced his cup to his mouth, took another deep breath, then banged it down upon the table. “A drink… I need another drink to settle my nerves… Mihleel! More of the same, if you please!”
“As you wish…” said Mihleel, bowing her head. “But this one is on your coin, Professor.”
By the time Mihleel had come back, the Professor’s nerves seemed to have settled. Even so, he didn’t wait so much as a single second before downing the cup she’d given him in one go. “I-I shuppose it wouldn’t hurt to share a little more.”
That was when the real info began to roll in. A merchant was selling a treasure map that supposedly marked the ruins’ location. But Jalheen couldn’t spit out the man’s name. All that alcohol had gone to his head, it seemed, as he could barely sit up straight, much less think.
“Bah, I forget,” he declared, shaking his head. “Let’sh drink a toasht to you, my new besht friend! …Mihleel! More drinksh!”
The man had clearly had too much as it was. Turning away from the window, Lily began closing the distance between herself and their table, ready to intervene. But before she’d made it more than a fulm, Minfilia had exchanged a glance with the Auri waitress. With her beloved’s back to her, she couldn’t make out what she’d done. But as Mihleel’s posture shifted from shocked to conspiratory, she realized the situation was well in hand.
Just trust them , she told herself, returning to her perch by the window. They’ve got a plan.
Mihleel returned with another cup shortly thereafter. The moment she’d set it down, the Professor greedily scooped it up. He went at it with his usual pace, but the second his lips touched the liquid within…
“Pfft!”
He’d spat out the drink into the carpet below.
“That… that was water! Did you tell her to bring me water!?”
“Indeed,” Minfilia replied, her tone impishly cheerful. “A friend told me that even the water in Mehryde’s Meyhane is to die for.”
“That’sh… That’sh…” Reaching up, Professor Jalheen rubbed his temples and sighed. “... probably for the besht. Very kind of you, really. My head will shertainly thank you in the morning…” After shaking his head, he looked as if he were trying to focus on Minfilia, though his wobbling made it nigh impossible. “Ugh, I sheem to have overindulged… I am put in mind of the words of Mashter Jalzahn, “Be wary of how much drink you swallow, lesht it swallow you.”
“You can say that again,” Lily mumbled under her breath, feeling a touch of sympathy for the poor man. It was at that moment that she caught sight of another customer entering the meyhane—a reddish-skinned Auri man. There was little reason to take note, of course, but a feeling in her gut said to keep an eye on him.
“Words to live by, I’m certain,” said Minfilia, raising her own half-empty glass to tap his. “Though the wine is rather wonderful, given where I plan on going, I ought to keep my own drinking at a minimum.”
“True, true… Forgive me—I will shubject you to no more of these unsheemly—ahem—unseemly antics.” Taking another swig of his water, Professor Jalheen cleared his throat again. By the look of it, he’d finally gotten his swaying as under control as it could be. “If you want to speak with Azahma, well, as I said, we share a taste for the meyhane’s fine spirits. He probably came in as we were talking.”
Finishing her glass as the Professor finished his rambling, Minfilia bowed her head. “Thank you for your time. Live in good health, my friend.”
“And you as well,” Jalheen replied as she stood up. “I wish you fortune… in finding your fortune.”
***
Mihleel gave a friendly smile as Ascilia approached her, leaning in to whisper to her. “The professor was able to help you, I hope?”
“More than expected, less than hoped,” said Ascilia, relaxing her guard. “I’ve another lead, though tracking him down may prove difficult.”
“Azahma, right?”
Watching with some amusement as Mihleel’s back stiffened with fright, Ascilia turned to greet her beloved with a smile. “‘Tis rude to eavesdrop, love. But yes, Azahma is the man we’re looking for now.”
“Would that be him?” Lily asked, pointing to an Auri man seated close to the dance stage.
Mihleel squinted her eyes as she followed the direction Lily had pointed in. “... Yes! He’s a regular here, just like the Professor. But how—”
“I chanced to see him walk in, and, well...” Reaching up, Lily smiled as she gently flicked the silver earring piercing one of her towering furry ears.
“W-well, consider me impressed,” Mihleel stammered, shrinking back in apparent realization. “And here I thought I was a good listener. A-anyways, if you need a hand in opening Azhama up, just for a drink or two. Good luck!”
Watching as Mihleel hurried away, Ascilia shook her head. “Was rattling the poor girl’s nerves like that really necessary?”
“Was bombarding the Professor with memories of the Flood of Light?” Lily countered, her voice sinking into a low whisper.
“Would you prefer I wielded your presence as a cudgel?” Even as the words left her throat, Ascilia couldn’t help but feel guilty. She had, in fact, considered that very option. “Jalheen will forget in due time, if he hasn’t already. But what other option did I have?”
“I’ve a better question,” said Lily, motioning towards Azahma. “What did you gain that you couldn’t have gotten from this man?”
Is it the use of my gift that bothers you so, or that I can control it and you can not?
Ascilia wanted to say what she was thinking aloud, but chose not to. This was neither the time, nor the place, to be arguing about the Echo. “... What’s done is done. Let us leave it at that for now and focus on the task at hand. Namely, Azahma.”
“... Who might you be, strangers, and why are you looking for Azahma?”
Both Lily and Ascilia’s attention snapped to the source of the voice: Azahma himself, having caught wind of their bickering.
“My apologies, sir,” Ascilia began, motioning to herself and Lily. “My name is Ascilia, and my partner here is Galbana Lily.”
“We’re looking for Azahma for a little help,” Lily added, tugging on one of her arms rather sheepishly. “I’ve, uh, heard that a friend of yours—his—sought the ruins containing Alzadaal’s legacy, and that this friend tried to purchase a map from some merchant…”
“Relax, friend. I am indeed Azahma.” As Lily’s shoulders fell slack and Ascilia bemusedly shook her head, Azahma continued. “And what you’ve said is all true. My friend took a ship out in search of Alzadaal’s Legacy, and I’ve been watching for his sails ever since.”
“He must have departed quite some time ago,” Ascilia wondered aloud. “But if he’s taken the map with him—”
“Ah, no. The merchant—one Zasshal, I believe—is selling a map which shows the exact route to the vault’s entrance. But my friend’s purse was too light for its exorbitant price.” Glancing to the side, Azahma hailed for one of the servers, then continued. “With what meager wealth he had, he instead paid to learn that there are ruins on a small island somewhere in the Bounty. And within those ruins hides a path to the vault deep below.”
“So he paid for nothing more than a rumor,” Lily noted rather wryly. “And knowing how dangerous our world can be, well…”
With a heavy sigh, Azahma lowered his head and turned away. “If you truly intend on seeking Alzadaal’s treasure, I suggest you put your affairs in order. I wish things were different, but I do not believe my friend is ever coming home…”
Sensing both that Azahma was no longer in the mood to talk and that they’d gathered all they could, Ascilia tugged on her beloved’s sleeve. Turning about face, they departed without so much as a word. It was only once they’d left the meyhane that Lily first broke the silence, and only after she’d glanced about the area.
“I’m… sorry,” she began, once more grabbing her arm. “I don’t mean to take your living for granted.”
“Do not think of me as the meek girl I was ere Hydaelyn called for my sacrifice. The woman I’ve become is more than able to stand on her own feet.” When Lily failed to respond, Ascilia let the statement hang in the air, choosing to gauge the emotion in her beloved’s expression. There was confusion there, alongside the expected guilt and sadness. But most unexpected was the hurt in her eyes, and it was this that caused her own demeanor to soften. “Do you fear that a hundred years apart from you has changed me for the worse?”
“The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind,” Lily insisted, grabbing Ascilia’s hands and holding them between her own. “And I’ve never thought of you as meek! Or helpless, or hopeless, or anything of the sort! You are my pillar of strength, Minfilia. You always have been. I just… I mean, I…”
Hearing those words lit a fire within Ascilia. It had been an age since she’d spoken them herself, and to the very woman standing before her. To have them repeated to her like this was perhaps more than she could bear. Leaning up onto the tips of her toes, she pushed forward, planting her lips onto her beloved’s own.
As if in response, Lily’s arms wrapped themselves around her waist, and the two stood together as one.
“... That is the second time you have called me the wrong name,” she whispered as their lips parted. “But I forgive you.”
Lily’s cheeks had reddened already, no doubt from their public display of intimacy. But immediately after she’d spoken, the Viera’s cheeks turned outright crimson. “Sorry, I just… was swept up in the moment, is all.”
“Hm hm, ‘tis alright, love. And I shall endeavor to show more restraint in how I use my gift of the Echo as well.” Pulling away from her beloved, Ascilia took several steps away from the meyhane, then beckoned for her to follow. “Come now. We’ve a market to scour for a merchant. Zasshal was his name, yes?”
***
It was not long after that the pair, having asked about Radz-at-Han’s markets for Zasshal, came across a peculiar scene in the West Balshahn Bazaar. One of the larger stalls, brightly lit by a series of colorful lanterns, had gathered a small crowd of onlookers.
It couldn’t hurt to take a look even if it’s not him, Ascilia thought. “This might be the one, love. Let’s join the crowd.”
Lily opened her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by the sound of a young boy’s shouting.
“Please, Zasshal, please! You must let me have that treasure map!”
The two shared a short glance and a quiet nod, then drew as close to the back of the crowd as they could. Over the murmur of the people gathered, they could easily hear the boy’s impassioned pleading, and even get a good look at him.
So very small. He can’t be more than ten, maybe twelve summers old…
By contrast the merchant Zasshal, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed, was the very image of contempt. The ragged waif he towered over was plainly not worth his time, though even if he possessed a heart of solid gold somewhere on his person, it wouldn’t do the child any good.
Fools rush ahead where angels fear to tread, or somesuch. You’ve little more than your life today—don’t spend it so fecklessly.
“My mother and father were slaughtered by monsters!” Raising his head, the ragged waif placed his hand over his chest. “My baby sister, still too young to fend for herself! Can you spare us no kindness!?”
“So, you hope to find your fortune,” said Zasshal, approaching the child, looming over him even more contemptuously than before. “And what? You expect me to surrender my ware’s for pity’s sake? What have you to offer in payment?”
The boy glared intensely at the merchant for but a moment, then turned his head aside in a display of shame.
“As I thought!” Zasshal crowed. “Come back when you’ve more than rags to your name!”
“I was wondering when this side of Thavnair would rear its ugly mug,” grumbled Lily under her breath as Zasshal turned away from the ragged waif. “In my youth, men like Zasshal were on every corner, in every tavern. Selfish bastards looking to line their pockets while my countrymen across the sea burned.”
“I know what it looks like, but mayhap you’re being too unkind,” Ascilia whispered, more to play devil’s advocate than defend Zasshal. “He could be playing up his behavior for the crowd, or looking out for the poor child.”
“This is no mere treasure map,” Zasshal shouted as he faced the crowd once more, clutching the aforementioned parchment high above his head. “It is a guide to the vaults of Alzadaal III—one of the great satraps of Radz-at-Han, and a direct descendent of Alzadaal Khan!”
“A map to Alzadaal’s Legacy?” an onlooker repeated.
“So he says,” said another.
“A fake, I’d wager!” a third accused.
“This is no fake! The parchment is marked with an arcane glyph of passage! You may find the ruins hidden in the Bounty, but you won’t be setting foot inside without this in your possession!” Spreading his arms wide, as if calling for everyone’s attention, Zasshal continued with his sales pitch. “A priceless artifact, it is! Discovered amongst the rubble in the aftermath of the Final Days, and lovingly restored by yours truly!”
So you took Azahma’s friend’s moneyandknowingly sent him to his grave.
“Forgive my defense of the man,” Ascilia muttered. “He’s slimier than a gigantoad. Twice as ugly, too.”
“You’ve got that right,” Lily agreed, in a tone much darker than she’d expected from a Warrior of Light. “But unless you’d like to have the Radiant Host on our hide, I think we’re going to want to buy the map.”
“A-as opposed to…?”
“Smash and grab.”
“How could you even—”
“This map is the key to fabulous riches,” Zasshal bellowed, drowning out Ascilia and the crowd, “and I would be the king of fools to simply give it away!” Peering down over the ragged waif, he continued on. “Be glad I am no such king, boy—your scrawny hide would never return with that treasure alive!”
As Zasshal cackled aloud, the ragged waif dropped to his hands and knees in a clear display of grief. “O cruel fate! Why must you tempt me with wealth I am powerless to claim!? How I shall envy the one who purchases that precious map! Whatever they pay will be but a pittance against the golden hoard they stand to uncover!”
While the crowd of would-be buyers chattered about, Ascilia couldn’t help but keep her eyes on the poor child. “He must truly be desperate to carry on like this. Surely there are more accessible means for him to make the coin he needs…”
“Aye,” Lily grumbled. “Like bowing and scraping to help Zasshal with his pitch.”
Taken aback, Ascilia shot a worried glare toward her beloved. “Just how terrible a life could you have led in Thavnair to be this cynical?”
“It’s a long story—” Lily began, only to cut herself short. Her attention was fixated elsewhere now, and as Ascilia followed her gaze, she caught herself staring as well at a most unusual sight. A white-haired Elezen man in dusty blue traveling garb, bearing a barbed and bloody lance upon his back. “... Estinien, no.”
“Estinien...?” Ascilia asked, squinting at the man. “You mean the Azure Dragoon?”
It seemed Estinien had caught Zasshal’s eye as well. Turning his way, the merchant called out to him. “What of you, sir? A fighting man of your stature would surely relish the challenge of recovering Alzadaal’s lost fortune!”
Estinien perked his head up, remaining silent for a short while before speaking. “A fortune, you say...?”
“If I had but the strength to seize that treasure,” the ragged waif muttered aloud, “my starving sister would never want for food.”
Glancing aside, Estinien seemed to ponder the boy’s words. “... I’ll take it,” he suddenly declared, reaching for his belt and producing a heavily clinking golden pouch. “Will this cover the price?”
Lily winced. “Godsdamnit. You haven’t changed at all, have you…?”
Approaching Estinien, the merchant eyed the pouch with an air of expectancy. Weighing it in his hand, he grinned and tucked it aside, then wordlessly handed over the map. And as Estinien turned his gaze to the map now in hand and the merchant walked off, the crowd dispersed from the finalized sale.
“Well, that simplifies things,” said Ascilia, tugging on Lily’s arm. “Why don’t we greet the man, and see what comes of it?”
As the pair made their way over to Estinien, the Elezen took notice of them, giving what was no doubt a rare smile. “Well met, my friend.” As he glanced over Lily’s black garments—which it seemed Lily had finally gotten comfortable wearing—he gave a knowing grin. “Someone is dressed for adventure. But why Thavnair, of all places? Knowing you, I suspect there is more to your plans than sightseeing and shopping.”
“About half right, Estinien,” Lily replied, motioning to Ascilia. “This is Ascilia. We fought together on the Dalmascan warfront these past few months—she’s a good friend. And today her interests are mine as well.”
“A pleasure to meet you in person, Ser Estinien,” Ascilia followed up. “We’re in search of rumors regarding ruins beneath the Bounty…”
“Ruins beneath the Bounty…?” Estinien mused, his expression unchanging. “Curious. And here I’ve acquired a map to just such a site...”
On the other side of the market street, Zasshal finished gathering his things together. Turning sidelong to look back at Estinien, he began to speak, his tone oddly quick. “With that sale, I do believe I’ve earned the rest of the day off. Thank you for your patronage, sir, but if you’ll excuse me…”
“You needn’t mind us,” Estinien told him, then waved for the pair to follow him away.
But after they departed—when they were just barely out of earshot—Lily came to a stop and sighed.
“What is it?” Ascilia asked.
“The map…” Lily began to reply, only to shake her head and keep moving.
It was not long after that the trio stopped together in a corner of the marketplace, Estinien having carefully unfurled the map and laid it atop an unused crate. “This map may or may not be genuine,” he declared. “Either way, we’ll need a ship to find out for sure.”
The look on Lily’s face said all it needed to say. The map was definitely a forgery, or so the Viera thought. And though Ascilia was reluctant to agree, with the way Zasshal had carried on, that seemed to be the case to her as well.
“You seem eager to get underway,” said Lily, her face quickly resuming that stoic expression she used when she wanted her thoughts private.
“Lest you misunderstand, I seek the treasure not for myself.” Looking at the map, Estinien continued on, a hint of warmth betraying his otherwise rough and cold voice. “If such a fortune truly exists, then it could help ease the struggles of those who lost their loved ones in the Final Days.”
“True enough,” Lily replied, her expression as stiff as his.
Turning then to Lily, the man gave her a faint smile. “I hope to do for Thavnair what you and Alphinaud did for the Ala Mhigans when you recovered the Mad King’s trove.”
“Really?” Ascilia asked, half-surprised and half-amused. “Mayhap I’ve been away from my old homeland for too long—this is news to me. To think that my compatriot in war was a hero to Ala Mhigo as well!”
“That was well over a year ago,” said Lily, sheepishly rubbing her neck. “A-and how did you find out, anyways?”
“Come now, you know Alphinaud needs little encouragement when it comes to recounting the tales of your shared exploits.” As Lily’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment, Estinien shook his head, only to stop as he glanced sidelong at the marketplace behind them. “Speaking of precocious lads, that boy in the bazaar was clearly an accomplice of the merchant.”
The statement caught Ascilia off guard, sucking out the mirth of the moment and filling the void with bewilderment. Though at least Estinien had a background she was more privy to. As the Azure Dragoon of Ishgard, he’d spent his whole life at war with the Dravanian Horde. Yet for both to be this utterly cynical was…
You ought to be as well, came the voice of doubt in her mind. How long ago was it that the Goddess you gave your life for filled your heart with lies, then bid you share them with your beloved Lily guised as truth? As above, so below.
“I had that feeling as well,” Lily replied. “No doubt he was there to draw in the crowd and add weight to the merchant’s bold claims.”
Estinien gave a grave, knowing nod. “A transparent act for the most part, but ‘twas not all mummery—the need to provide for his sister rang true enough.” As he spoke, his gaze turned back to the map once again. “Thus if some portion of the profits end up in that waif’s pockets, then I will consider it money well spent… whether the map leads us to the vault or not.”
“Well, color me impressed,” said Lily, crossing her arms and grinning. “You’ve put quite a lot of thought into this.”
“Much more than my friend did,” Ascilia cheerfully noted. “What was your ‘Plan A’ again? ‘Smash and Grab’...?”
Lily gave her a sidelong glare, her lips curled into a toothy grimace and her eyes betraying her guilty conscience. “I only said it was an option—and besides, do I look like the sort of woman who’d assault a defenseless man in broad daylight?” Then, glancing between her and Estinien as he rolled up the map, she let out a heavy sigh. “Never mind. You’ve got your map, so what’s the hold-up?”
Without wasting a moment, Estinien presented the rolled up map to her. “You are coming along, yes?”
Lily remained quiet as she looked to Ascilia, only giving an answer after receiving a quiet nod. “Why not? I’ve nothing better to do.”
“Hmph, I thought as much.” Tucking the map away in his own pack, Estinien moved past the pair. “Now, let’s see about securing a vessel.”
Before they could follow suit, Ascilia thumped Lily in the gut to grab her attention. “What was that about just now, anyways?”
“What do you—” Lily began, only to cut herself short. “Oh. The map, it’s likely a counterfeit.”
Ascilia crossed her arms in feigned irritation. Whether she was right or not, this relentless negativity was beginning to grate. “Like as not you have a well-founded reason to believe so. Pray share it with me.”
“Zasshal admitted as much to himself as we were leaving.” Closing her eyes and raising her head, Lily frowned. “‘And now I’ve gone and fleeced one of the heroes of the Final Days. I pray the Sisters were looking elsewhere.’ His own words, uttered so quietly you’d need to stand beside him to hear.”
It was in her recitation that Ascilia noted a change in Lily’s posture—that same guilty look she’d shared moments prior. “At least the man seems sincere in his regrets. And whether the map is counterfeit or not…”
“...Hardly matters.” Looking forward, Lily shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s move on. If we lose sight of Estinien he could turn up just about anywhere.”
***
The trio made their way to a nearby plaza and then, after Ascilia attuned herself to the aetheryte within, continued on to the outskirts of southern Thavnair. Along the way they exchanged little in the way of banter—Estinien proved to be a quieter sort than Lily, and Lily herself was fixated more on informing Ascilia of every towering edifice and landmark they’d passed by.
What little she did gather beyond an appreciation of the land and culture painted a small but interesting window into Thavnair’s recent history. The former satrap, an Auri man by the name of Ahewann, had retired from the public eye after a near fatal incident during the Final Days. The man’s brush with death, coupled with his earnest and hopeful pleas, compelled the true ruler of Thavnair to make himself known.
Vrtra, the youngest of Midgardsormr’s Brood—an elder dragon whose life spanned many an age. It was on the Greatwyrm’s behalf that Estinien was here in Thavnair, having been offered the role of mentorship in the way of the lance for the Radiant Host.
It was roughly one and a half bells later that the pair arrived at a small fishing village on the southern coastline—Akyaali, as Lily called it. They were here to find a fisherman called Matsya. And though Ascilia had seen plenty of the native Arkasodara on their way about Radz-at-Han, and knew well enough about them from her days as the Antecedent, it still came as a surprise when Estinien pointed one out as the man they were looking for.
“My, he’s certainly a large fellow,” she whispered to Lily. “What’s this Matsya like?”
“Timid, gentle. Brave. Wears his heart on his sleeve. A skilled fisherman and not a half bad merchant, either.” As she approached the towering Arkasodara, Lily hailed him with a friendly wave. “Hey, Matsya! Good to see you again!”
Matsya perked his head up and spun about, far more deftly than Ascilia assumed a man of his size could. Glancing between the three of them, his face quickly became a smile filled with unmistakable joy. “My friends! What brings you to our humble village?”
“We’re looking to make an expedition into the bounty,” Lily began, motioning to the sea. “We’ve a map to some particular ruins out there, you see.”
“Ruins purportedly hiding a vault containing Alzadaal’s Legacy,” Ascilia added. “My name is Ascilia, by the by. A pleasure to meet you, Matsya.”
“Likewise! Any friend of Lily’s is a friend of mine,” said Matya. “...So you’re searching for a seaworthy vessel to take on the Bounty? Consider it done!”
“Just like that?” asked Ascilia. “Are you certain you can afford to spare one?”
“Considering it was your friends’ deeds which allowed us to return to fishing, I should think everyone would be glad for a chance to repay the favor!” As he half turned away, Matsya scanned the various ships moored over by the coastline. “Wait here, and I will have a boat stocked and ready for you in no time at all!”
Watching as Matsya hurried off, Ascilia couldn’t help but stare in awe. “He even sprints quicker than I’d expected. I daresay he’d give you a run for your gil, love.”
“Maybe,” said Lily. “But jumping and climbing’s another story—not to mention taking a fall. Still, glad to see he’s doing well after the Final Days.”
“Indeed,” Estinien nodded, only to cock an eyebrow. “‘Love’, eh? So you’re more than a good friend, after all.”
“I’d say good friends is still the right way to put it,” Ascilia insisted, utterly unphased by her own misstep. Though judging by the reddening in Lily’s cinnamon brown cheeks, it seemed she certainly was. “We’ve consummated our relationship, of course. But if you’re wondering whether we’ve gone to the next step, well, I’ve not seen hide nor hair of a ring yet.”
“Now you’re trying to embarrass me,” Lily huffed, only to shake her head and chuckle. “Alright, alright. Maybe it is time—”
“Not that I mean to interrupt,” Estinien interrupted. “But have you noticed our little shadow? He’s been following us since we left the city.”
“Of course I have,” Lily replied, her smile all but fading. “They’re no tea leaf, at least. Not nearly quiet enough.”
So we were being followed, Ascilia mused. And no… tea leaf? Ah.A thief. Or not one, rather...
Turning aside, Estinien stared down the other side of the building beside them. “We see you there, boy. Show yourself.”
Out from behind the opposite corner, the ragged waif Lily and Estinien assumed was working with Zasshal stepped forth—his head downcast, his eyes full of worry. But he did not approach any closer, though even from here Ascilia could feel the shame roiling within the boy’s heart.
“Ah, so it is you…” When the boy failed to respond, Estinien continued. “Do you know how far out of our way we walked so that you’d not cross paths with some wild beasts?”
Clearly overcome with emotion, the boy rushed to their side. “I’m sorry, sir, but aren’t you two the heroes who saved Thavnair? You are. I know you are…”
“That we are,” Lily agreed, kneeling down before the boy. As she spoke, her voice took on an oddly soft quality for the otherwise rough and gritty Viera. “Come now, child. What seems to be troubling you?”
“I’ve gone and cheated you! I work with Zasshal, you see—the map merchant. It’s my job to play the pleading orphan, and convince the crowd his wares are worth the price he asks.” Shaking his head, the boy averted his eyes. “I’m ashamed of what I’ve done, and beg your forgiveness. If not for you, my sister and I would have… well, we’d be…”
Dead. A story you’ve seen and heard all too often. A story you’ve written, in the blood of children wishing only to—
Ascilia silenced the voice of doubt within her mind. This was not the time, nor the place. But in truth, she could not help but feel that creeping sensation once more. The thought that she didn’t belong here anymore…
“Enough,” Estinien sternly interjected. “I knew your game, and paid the price willingly. A fortunate purchase as it turns out, for my friends here were seeking those very ruins.”
The boy looked to Estinien, then back to Lily, who was still kneeling down, smiling warmly at him. “You are kind to overlook the wrong I have done you… But there is more you need to know. The map you bought is very real, as is the island it shows. I overheard Zasshal selling the information to another customer.”
Seizing the opportunity to push herself forward, Ascilia latched onto what the boy had just said. “Now that is good news—and here we were worried the map was a forgery. Though I must confess, we already knew about the customer you speak of.”
“Regardless,” Lily followed up, ” full glad am I to hear as much. Thank you, child.”
“But you mustn’t go alone to that place!” the boy suddenly shouted. “That man sailed out to find his fortune, and never returned! You should have even more friends with you—maybe even a whole army!”
“I do not doubt the ruins hold danger,” said Estinien, crossing his arms as he peered down at the boy. “But I assure you, between the three of us there is little we can not overcome.”
“Please,” the boy pleaded, averting his eyes once more. “I cannot bear the thought of… of…”
Lily shook her head and clicked her tongue. “And now you’ve gone and made the boy cry.”
“I did not—” Estinien began, only to cut himself short with a sigh. “That was not my intention.” Then, with an exaggerated shrug, he continued on. “Oh, very well. Assuming we do find this treasure hoard, it may prove wise to have more hands carrying.”
“Indeed,” said Lily, standing up and reaching into one of her pockets. “And I… hm…”
“What is it?” Ascilia asked, still doing her best to quiet her own inner demons. “Is aught the matter, love?”
“No, I was just thinking…” Suddenly, Lily gently clapped Ascilia on the shoulder and gave her a broad smile. “You haven’t been to Sharlayan since the war ended, right? Why don’t you head over there and gather up some extra hands for us?”
“Hold on a moment!” Ascilia yelped, glaring sidelong at her beloved. “Wouldn’t you be better suited—”
“I’ve a few… preparations to make,” Lily insisted. “For our sea voyage, you see.”
“... Ah.” After clearing her throat, Ascilia braced herself. Hopefully the awkwardness that would ensue would help to push aside her doubts and fears. “As it just so happens, I do have several good friends in... Sharlayan… who can aid us.”
“Sharlayan?” Estinien asked, airing his skepticism plainly. “Had it been—no, I’ll take your word for it.”
“A-are these friends as strong as these two?” the boy asked Ascilia.
“Indeed they are,” Ascilia affirmed, patting the boy on the head. “I daresay they’re among the world’s strongest, in fact.”
“What is your name, boy?” asked Estinien, grabbing the boy’s attention.
“Mehrahd, sir,” he answered.
“Well, Mehrahd, your life is yours to live as you will,” Estinien explained. “But I suggest you find a more honest trade if you truly wish to keep your sister safe.”
“I’m not proud of what I do!” Mehrahd objected, stamping his foot and shaking his head. “But what choice do I have? We need to eat, and everyone’s too busy rebuilding their own lives to bother with two grubby orphans…” Then, clearly driven to frustration, the boy began to storm off.
“Wait, boy.” As Mehrahd came to a stop beside Estinien and looked at him, the Elezen continued. “I didn’t take this roundabout road just to see you end up in some creature’s belly. Let me walk you back to the city gates.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Mehrahd, bowing his head.
“Call me Estinien.”
As the pair headed out from Akyaali, Ascilia couldn’t help but giggle. This earned her an odd look from her beloved Lily, which only made her bemusement worse. “The two of you are more alike than I first thought, hm hm.”
“And just what do you mean by that?” Lily asked, crossing her arms and feigning offense.
“You both soften up severely around children. ‘Tis rather adorable, in truth.” Leaning up on her toes, she kissed Lily upon the cheek. “It’s a long way back to Radz-at-Han—we ought to get moving, don’t you think?”
“There’s another aetheryte in a nearby port town,” said Lily, taking her hand. “I’ll see you off there. But before you go, I’ve got a favor to ask…”