Everheart: Chapter 14

This fetch quest had been among the most boring things Selah had ever undertaken.  Adding up the time it took to traverse the marshes and mountains of the Mor Dhona region just to reach the Imperial fortress, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and the slow crawl back to Revenant's Toll, it had taken at least a week, maybe longer.

Why in all the hells did I agree to this?  Why didn't I just go to Ginal?  I keep telling myself that it's what's ultimately right, but I'm not so sure anymore.  

Am I still so far under Geoffrey's thumb, or am I merely a terrible spouse?

With a heavy sigh, she pat the cyan warbird she was marching by, whose stride was steady but burdened.  Dinornis was exhausted, and it wasn't hard to see why.  The large, metal monstrosity dragging behind the bird, held by rope tied to his saddle, must have weighed an easy ton.

It was shaped almost like a man, with a V-shaped torso sitting on stubby legs, and arms that jutted up in grotesquely large, pointed shoulders, with some kind of elongated and pointed drilling pieces for arms.  Some kind of wheel on the thing's back seemed like a power source, turning and spinning gears within the creature to give it locomotion.

The Imperials call these towering automatons "Vanguards,"  right?  Though I can't recall accounts of these at the forefront of most assaults.  I am curious about this technology.  I wish I had time to sit and study it.

This was where Selah had been remarkably fortunate.  After two or three days of watching and waiting along the Castrum's perimeter, this thing was sent through the large, metal gateway, along with three of their lackey soldiers on some kind of patrol or exercise.  So, she stalked them, and struck.  The soldiers were easily incapacitated, as there was no need to kill them.  Then to quiet this thing, she leaped upon its shoulders and ran her lance through its tiny head.  It was almost too easy.

I don't crave bloodshed.  Far from it, I rather wish there was no need for my profession.  But gods do I miss fighting alongside you, Kitten.  Combat with you is...exciting, and fun.  Not to mention that it seems to often be a type of foreplay for us...

Selah scoffed at herself, wondering if she was allowed to revel in such pleasantries.

She approached the stone-crafted arch that was the gate to Revenant's Toll, and the adventurer-guards on duty looked on in awe as her companion dragged the magitech monster behind, continuing to scrape metal against stone.

That's a sound I will most certainly not miss.

The noonday sun wasn't Thanalan-hot here, but the vast amount of stone in this land reflected and absorbed the light and heat, making the Mor Dhona region hot enough to be uncomfortable.  Selah gulped from her water skin as sweat splashed onto the ground beneath her, and her nose wrinkled as an odor found home in her nostrils.

And gods, I stink.  Maybe a bath and a glass of whiskey while I read my mail and wait for that healer to decide if he needs anything else.  Assuming, of course, that Ginal even wrote back.

Kitten...please, I hope you wrote back.

"You ready to take a break, boy?"

Dinornis halted mid-step and locked eyes with his flock-mate, and Selah knew she saw in his eyes a clear warning.  "I might end you for this."

"Yeah... Thought so."

The chocobo let out what sounded almost like sigh as he leaned down to gently headbutt Selah.  Confirmation that he was irritated, but not forever angry.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and held the brace.

"I have a lot to make up for, don't I?"

Time to move on and finish this.

Burnished Snow, the most diminished roegadyn Selah had ever met, answered the door with a pleased smile, and responded to the sight of the lifeless Vanguard with a jubilation Selah hadn't seen of a person since she agreed to wear a tight fitting dress for Ginal.

A pang of regret fluttered through her heart at the thought, and the healer must have witnessed the wincing expression.

"Ah, is something the matter, madam?"

"No.  Is there anything else you need of me?"

The healer tapped his chin in thought and finally shook his head, "Not for now, Madam.  Let us inform Geoffrey of your success, though."

Not that I long to speak to him again, but sure.

She politely followed along, back into the small bedchamber where the nobleman was confined.  He turned toward them at the sound of footfall, his expression curious.

"Snow?"

"Ah, yes, and your wife."

Selah was very aware that she cringed at the phrasing, and was aware of a flutter of anger she needed to fight back.

Bear with it, just a little longer.  You're almost free, truly and completely.

"Selah, it's been days.  Did you return with what we need?"

"I did."

The very same smug, superior smile she had learned to hate formed on his lips, and an irrational hatred took hold of Selah's heart.  Her balled fists trembled as she grit her teeth.  Her breaths came in short, rapid bursts as she narrowed her eyes upon the man.

Stop smiling at me like that, you smug bastard!  Gods, damn it all, I just want to be rid of you.

"I thought for certain, by the things I had heard, that you were almost capable of cutting down an entire Imperial brigade on your own, Selah.  I had begun to worry that I had pushed you to bite off more than you can chew, with how long it had taken."

Not a magistrate in Eorzea would convict me.  I can end you now and just walk away.

No.  Be the bigger person.

"...But I"m glad you've returned safely, none the less."

She stood with a clenched jaw, forcing her breathing to return to a normal pace.  "I'm glad I can help in an endeavor of this nature.  Now, our agreement..."

Geoffrey lied back, nodding.  "Of course.  I'll have Snow send for the documents."

"I'll stay in the city for a couple days in case you need anything else," Selah explained.  "After that, I'm going back home."

As she passed through the door, Geoffrey called after her.

"Selah...It was good to speak to you again."

She stood, dumbfounded at the words.  She searched his expression for insincerity, and found none.  Finding nothing to reply with, she simply left the small clinic.

Thank the gods, if they even exist.  That metal monstrosity is in Snow's hands, and I get a reprieve from that pompous ass.

"I thought for certain, by the things I had heard, that you were almost capable of cutting down an entire Imperial brigade on your own, Selah.  I had begun to worry that I had pushed you to bite off more than you can chew, with how long it had taken."

If I didn't need your signature on the divorce declaration, I would have gladly put my lance through your heart, you smug son of a bitch.

Easy, now.  Breath in, breath out.  And again.  Relax.  That's right.

Selah shook her head as she slowly inhaled, exhaled, and repeated.  She stalked from the healer's home to the small stable near the gate, Dinornis trailing behind.  His gait was much lighter now that he was free of the tonnage he had been hauling, and his disposition seemed practically celebratory as he fluttered his wings here and there.

The stable hand wanted to spend a lengthy moment discussing Dinornis' unusual plumage, but Selah was genuinely disinterested in any conversation.  A terse exchange of gil and explanation of her companion's diet, and she was off.

Adventurers, mercenaries, merchants and laborers alike filled the city, shouting to each other about where to put "this" and "that," calls of rampaging monsters, and who had the best deals on so-called "high quality" goods.  The throngs were easy enough to push through as she made her way to moogle mail post on the opposite end of the city's central plaza, but Selah couldn't help but feel a mild sense of annoyance, as though these hundreds of people were purposely in her way.

A deafening roar fell over the city as large, winged forms flew overhead.  All present fell silent as their gazes turned upward.

Dragons.

The creatures were almost as high up as the clouds, and seemed almost as shadows.  They made no indications toward the city below.  They simply continued on toward the northern regions.

Such a roar must surely mean something.  Are the hordes finally massing to attack Ishgard?

With pangs of remorse, and even longing in her heart, she stood.  She was only barely aware that the crowd was slowly resuming their lives, the commotion already seeming like a memory.

Their religion tells me who I can't love, and their traditions tell me what I can't do.  The endless obsession with killing the dragons, the hostility toward outsiders and different ways of life.  And yet...they are, still, my people.  Many are innocent of any real crimes,  and I suppose only a few have truly wronged me.

Let's hope that Geoffrey can return in time to be of help to them.  And maybe, if there's time, I can do something as well.  Just as long as no one expects me to stay and live in that frozen hell.

Feeling satisfied, Selah allowed herself a slight smile, and resumed her walk to the postman.  The gathered throngs had returned to their routines by now, with merchants shouting about their goods and a thousand conversations playing out around her.  Ahead and to the right of her, just below the city's crystalline aetheryte tower, the lively boasting of  two roegadyn had escalated into a full-on brawl.

Just another day in Mor Dhona.

The diminutive, white furred postman fluttered in place as he sorted through small stacks of letters and small parcels atop a simple table.  He offered Selah an exaggerated, friendly bow, only barely catching his cap as it fell off his head.

"Oy there, miss!  What can I do for ya today?"

"My name is Selah Phocina, and I'm looking for a letter."

With a cheerful whistle, the moogle set about looking through one stack of post then another.  He produced a small envelope addressed to her, then another, and more, until there were seven letters with Selah's name on them.

Gods be good, how much could you possibly have to say, Kitten?

"Yup, that's it.  Here ya are!"

Selah accepted the letters with gratitude, to which the postman twitched his whiskers and bowed.  As she examined the envelopes, though, she realized that none of the writing matched Ginal's handwriting.  She curiously tore one open and read the very brief missive.

"Where in the hells are you?  We need you back NOW.  Damn you for leaving your linkpearl behind.

-Ely"

Her heart skipped a beat as she tore open another letter.

What happened back with the free company?  Have I really been gone long enough to warrant these words from Ely?

"Selah, you must return immediately.  Ginal has vanished from under the healers' watch, and now there's some sort of 'demon' roaming the Shroud.  I fear this is linked to the accident.

-Miounne."

The sounds of the city receded from Selah's perception, the thunderous beating of her heart the only thing remaining.  Regret, shame and worry washed over, threatening to drown her in the desperation.

Oh gods, oh gods, what happened?  What accident?  Why is she missing?

This is all my fault.  I should have never left her.  I should have torn that letter from Geoffrey apart and thrown it at mother.

Kitten...

With a third letter opened, she hoped that she would find more answers within.

"Selah, Ginal was caught in an aetheryte explosion and is grievously wounded.  The conjurors say she is suffering extreme aether poisoning, and are unsure of her survival.  You must return to Gridania immediately.

-Ywain."

The stack of post fluttered from her hands as she turned and ran.  Time slowed to a crawl.  Her vision had narrowed to where the aetheryte tower was as far as she could see.  Anyone in her path was pushed aside as her heart threatened to burst through her ribcage.

No, no, no!  This is my fault!  I could have stopped this!

"And as YOUR wife, I'm telling you that you don't OWN me."

She reached the aetheryte tower and set her hands upon the crystal, willing herself to return to Gridania.



The weightless black gained color and coalesced into the forest city around Selah, and she glanced around to confirm her surroundings on the raised, wooden platform.

Ginal waited for the disorientation to fade, but as she stumbled forward, was caught by Selah's arms.

"Easy, Kitten."  The hyur smiled at her beloved, "You really are sensitive to aethernet effects, aren't you?"

Ginal frowned as she steadied herself, and blinked at a curious sensation, finally realizing that is was raining in Gridania.

Selah grabbed the crystalline tower and focused on the image of the Lancer's Guild.  The world swirled around her, and within a moment she saw the guildhall standing in the distance.

She ran, and ran, pushing her self as fast as she could.  She could barely breath as tears streaked off her face, and she shoved aside two citizens that were in her path.

"I'm so sorry, Kitten.  Gods, I'm so sorry!"

It felt like hours, as she slowly inched her way over small hills and along trail-worn paths.  The red and black banners that hung from the moss-covered guildhall were gently tossed with the forest breeze, and a group of three lancer students stood on the steps.  Selah vaguely recalled the lalafell and the elezen, but didn't care who they were.  She barreled through them as they attempted to greet her, and didn't give a damn about their objections to her demeanor.

She threw the guildhall doors open and stumbled inside.

"Ywain?  YWAIN!"

The Guildmaster turned to face his former student, his weapon in hand from sparring with a student in the training ring.  Selah dashed to meet her mentor, grabbing the man's furred collar and shaking him furiously.

"Where is she?  What's happened to my wife?!"