Everheart: Chapter 22

Gods damn, this place is crowded.  You'd almost think there was no reason for these people to be someplace else.  Surely there's glory and fortune to be made outside Mor Dhona.

Pushing her way through the crowds, ducking pantomiming adventurers as they recounted their deeds and shoving past merchants intent on making quotas had left Ginal visibly annoyed.  One such merchant, a miqo'te as well, noticed the anxious flicks of her tail and quickly moved from her path.

Gods, this is ridiculous.  I don't have time to screw around with all of you.

"MAKE.  A.  PATH!" she demanded, her teeth bared for all to see.

Her point was taken, and at least two dozen people were only too happy to oblige the shouting miqo'te with glowing eyes.  With a clear path before her, she broke into a sprint toward the stable ahead.  Stopping to draw in a steadying breath, a quick wave got the stable attendant's attention.

"Hey, you!  Excuse me, I need your best bird!"

"Best?  Hmm..."

The attendant disappeared into the shack for a moment, and emerged leading a chocobo with plumage as green as anything the miqo'te would wear.

"This 'ere is Peridot.  Came to me when 'er master died tryin' to tangle with morbols."

That's so sad...but she's a gorgeous bird.  I wonder if Din would like her?

"Okay, thanks!  How much to rent her for...two weeks?"

"Be 'bout four grand." The stable hand stated.

"Wait, what?  That's robbery!" Ginal's tail flicked in agitation.

I don't have time for this...

"She's me best, like ya asked.  Rare, too, this kinda colorin'.  Figure it's a fair payment for so long a trip."

Shit, shit, shit.  I don't even have two thousand gil on me.  Can I flirt my way out of this?

As Ginal began to turn her lips in a playful pout, she realized there was a purple glow coming from the eye slits in the man's bird mask.

I know that glow...Robimont and Thad looked like that when they attacked us.  Is he being controlled by the avatars, too?

She held the image of her sword in the back of her mind, ready to summon it forth.

"Ah, know what?  Nevah mind, miss." the attendant said, his voice a softer tone than before.  "Starlight season's comin' up, an' ya look in need.  Take Peri, an' just be good to 'er."

The glow faded away, leaving normal eyes staring at her from behind the mask.  Ginal relaxed her hands, and allowed herself to breath again.

So, what?  You trying to help us now, lady?  Gonna take more than that to make up for all you've put us through.

Ginal turned her attention to the bird, who looked upon the miqo'te with caution and unease.

"I know you don't know me, or trust me." Ginal kept her tone as gentle as she could, willing her eyes to express all the sincerity possible.  "But, I need your help.  I have a long journey ahead, with a great distance and greater danger."

Peridot fluttered her wings nervously, offering a noise that was neither a squawk or coo.

"Please...please help me." Ginal begged.

The bird held her head at a tilt, and beak agape.  The two shared a gaze as they stood silent for a moment that felt like both an eternity and an instant.  Peridot closed her beak, and bowed her head, drawing a grateful smile from Ginal.

"Thank you."

"He just gave her to you?"

Ginal nodded as she patted Peridot's beak.  Selah was tying two rolled-up blankets to Dinornis' saddle, as the sky-blue bird idly nosed about in the wildflowers at their feet.  The miqo'te looked back at the stone gate behind them, the raucous activity of the city it guarded little more than a whisper at this range.  

Selah recognized the drooping ears and tail, at odds with her tall and confident posture.  Ginal was trying to push herself past sorrowful thoughts, forcing herself to stand tall and strong.  She also knew it wasn't that easy for Ginal, that her emotions were formidable and enduring.

Oh, Kitten, what's so heavy in your heart?  Foreboding thoughts of the battle ahead?

A gentle caress was enough to stir the miqo'te from her reverie, the hyur's expression concerned and questioning.  Her hands lovingly slid from Ginal's cheeks to her shoulders, eliciting a brief purr.

"Yeah, but I think it was that lady, avatar--whatever.  His eyes started glowing that purple color, like when Robimont and Thad came to fight us.  I'm thinking she--they, were trying to help us."  An explosive sigh erupted forth, "Dammit, how do I refer to her?  Them?  Ugh."

"I suppose it's all semantics, as long as we know who we're talking about." Selah answered.  "I'd just as soon refer to them as 'Those-assholes-who-don't-bother-us-anymore' myself."

"Oh, I got us some jerky and coffee." Ginal explained, indicating a cloth pouch and two canisters attached to Peridot's saddle.  Selah nodded as she approached Peridot and slowly reached a hand out, allowing the bird a moment to examine her.  Peridot cooed and allowed herself to be petted by the hyur.

"She is lovely." Selah offered.  "Suits you, I think."

With an irritated stomp, Dinornis butted his head against Selah's, inciting an annoyed glare from her.

"The hells was that for, Din?"

He squawked and fluttered his wings, then nudged Selah's hand away from Peridot.  Selah looked between the birds, and her confused expression slowly changed into that of amusement.

"Why, Din, are you jealous?"

Ginal giggled, "Aww, he is!  He's used to being the only bird."

Selah caressed Dinornis' face, offering an understanding smile.  "I know, Din, but this time we're under a time limit.  We can't risk wearing you out by carrying two, you know?"

The sky-blue chocobo peered into Selah's eyes, then turned his attention to Peridot.  Taking tentative steps closer, he eyed the female, who met his gaze.  Dinornis fluttered his wings and stomped his feet, cawing harshly.  Peridot only stared, and after a moment had passed, Dinornis repeated himself, this time his cawing sounded positively domineering.

You bastard of a bird, are you trying to put the female down?

Selah could only frown at the display.

Peridot craned her neck as she seemed to be searching over the other bird, and suddenly lunged, ramming her head into Dinornins and knocking him back.  Peridot drew herself up, stomping and cawing, and lunged again, this time kicking at Dinornis.

"Shit--Peri, no!" Ginal cried.

"Din, heel!"

Dinornis fluttered his wings, mouth opening and closing rapidly as his chest heaved with anxious breaths.  The two birds stared at each other for a long moment, until finally, Dinornis stepped forward and offered a friendly toned chirp, which Peridot reciprocated.

"Well...kind of reminds you of us, doesn't it?" Ginal said, grinning playfully.  "First comes the ass-kicking, then comes the undying love."

Wouldn't that be funny?  Ginal always did love chocobo chicks.

Hand-in-hand, the pair shared a moment in the relative silence.  The longer Selah gazed into Ginal's eyes, the greater the yearning in her heart burned, and yet, the calmer she became.  It was blissfully contradictory, and almost overwhelming.

This is what I have to live for.  There's no way in all the hells I'm letting anyone, or anything take this from me now.

Selah wrapped her arms around her beloved and gently joined her lips to Ginal's, and though she very much enjoyed the affectionate exchange, she slowly pulled away before Ginal became lost to moment.  Ginal purred as she slowly opened her eyes.  Her hand protectively covered her crotch as she glanced around with cheeks glowing pink, a small tent noticeable in her dress as she stood.

Guess I'm a better kisser than I thought.  

"You haven't blushed like that in a while." Selah commented, trying not to smirk.

She's always adorable when she blushes like that.

"Guess I'm feeling a little self-conscious..."

"It's cute, but don't be."

A trio of adventurers, clad in tattered and tarnished miss-matched pieces of armored plates or flowing linen robes, strolled past, toward the town.  The roegadyn among them seemed to notice Ginal's hand as she shot a questioning glance.

"The hells'm I lookin' at?" the near-colossal woman asked.

Ginal was clearly caught off guard, and turned away in a flustered panick.  Selah's brows drew together as she positioned herself between them, glaring at the taller woman.

"What of it?" the hyur demanded.

Bewilderment shaped the expression on the roegadyn's face, and fear crept onto her features as she looked into the brilliant glow of Selah's eyes.  Finally, she drew the hood of her robe up and stepped quickly to catch up to her companions.

You're damn right, there's nothing to see.

Selah took Ginal's hand and offered a gentle caress of her cheek.  Her heart sank at the sight of Ginal's embarrassment, yet still a seething rose within at the idea that so much as a rude stare or unkind word was all it took to shake her beloved's confidence.

"Ginal...for the rest of our lives together, you will never have anything to fear from anyone.  You're stronger than you realize...but in any moment that your strength should falter, I'll be here to give you mine."

A silent nod, a slight but heartfelt smile, and a slow inhale as she blinked away the pooling tears.  Within a moment, Ginal was steady, her posture confident and her expression playful.  She leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips to Selah's cheek.

The hyur smiled warmly and pulled two simple cloaks from Dinornis' saddle, handing one over to Ginal.  "Coerthas is cold beyond reason.  We'll need these.  The miqo'te readily agreed as she pulled hers over her outfit.

"Come on, Kitten, let's go kick some ass."

The transition from mid-morning to night was gradual and deliberate, comforting for Ginal in its consistency.  The transition from Mr Dhona's mossy rocks and towering, warm crystals to the endless blanket of white powder and barren trees of the Coerthas Higlands, however, was sudden and disorienting.

Though rare for the elementals of the Twelveswood to allow snow into their domain, Ginal was familiar enough with it to know what it looked like.  What was alien, though, was seeing so much piled so high, and stretching on so endlessly.  Even the roads were barely visible, despite what Ginal knew about people still traversing them for trade and military purposes.

Gods damn, it's cold here!  Why does anyone live in this place if this is what it's always like, now?

"Wishing for warmer clothes, Kitten?" Selah remarked.  "Your taste in fashion finally betrays you."

Even in the near-dark of nightfall, Ginal could see the smirk on Selah's face.

"If nothing else, I'll meet the Matron looking better than anyone else who's ever died.  At least this cloak should keep me warm enough to stay alive."

Ginal glanced about the landscape, the sharp gray filter her natural night-vision cast onto the world in the dark of night a welcome addition on this journey.  The trees were largely barren and skeletal, the mountains sharp and angry as they protruded from the endless white carpet.  Her ears twitched sharply in response to growling in the distance, and she turned to see a trio of  wolves ripping apart the corpse of some unfortunate creature.

Nature sure isn't always pretty.

In the immediate distance, a trio of small lights inched along the road, which Ginal identified as three lanky elezen soldiers carrying lanterns.  Their chain-link armor rustled with their steady steps as it sat over their woolen coats, each of them brandishing swords in the hands not carrying lanterns.  The trio turned to identify the noise of the chocobo's plodding along the road, assuming a loose formation and battle-ready posture.

"You there!  Identify yourself!" called the center one, an older man with a gray mustache and features taken by wrinkles.

Selah and Ginal pulled the reins to slow their birds and stopped with a small gap between them and the soldiers.  The lovers slowly raised their hands as the soldiers approached, and Ginal was positive she saw Selah rolling her eyes.

Be glad elezen can't see in the dark.

"Evening, sirs." Selah greeted.  "My name is Selah, and this is Ginal.  Can you point us toward Whitebrim?"

"Selah?" inquired one of the soldiers, a woman with an almost gravelly voice.  "By Halone, it's been more than a decade.  I thought you dead for sure!  It's me, Ettoinette!"  The woman soldier hesitated suddenly, "By The Fury, your eyes!"

Selah shook her head, "Nothing nefarious, I promise.  If you're worried I'm in league with dragons, I haven't even been through the Highlands in years, as you've noticed."

The woman solider seemed to consider this for a moment, then stepped forward, sheathing her weapon and offering the hyur an affectionate hug.  Ginal realized she never appreciated how tall elezen typically were, as the woman soldier only had to stretch herself up slightly.  Selah was clearly surprised, but accepted the gesture with a smile.  Ginal's ears twitched, and she fought back the urge to bare her canines.

Cool it, girl.  Just an old friend, I'm sure.

Ginal forced herself to draw in a slow breath, and release it.

Damn, I'm a jealous bitch.

"You never were one for tradition or politics, Sel.  I know you never cared one way or the other about dragons or the war.  But still, it might be interesting to know the tale behind those eyes.  Either way, it's good to see you, Sel."

"It's great to see you again, Ette." Selah offered a warm smile.  "I hope the service isn't taxing you too much."

Ettoiette shrugged, "Everyone's gotta do their part these days.  Cold's killing of the livestock, and the dragons and heretics've been even more aggressive the last few weeks.  I think the only Ishgardians who still sleep are those living it up in the Holy See."

The elezen men present scoffed and muttered their agreement.  Another thing Ginal found alien, to see soldiers so clearly in contempt of their own kin.

We'd never let it get that way in The Shroud, no matter how bad things are.

"Anyway, Sel, what in the hells are you headed to Whitebrim for?  Nothing out that way save the Stone Vigil, and that damn place is changing ownership too often these days."

"What do you mean?" Selah inquired.

 Ettoinette drew in a breath, "Well, Warrior of Light stormed in and killed the brood that had claimed it.  Then we sent in some troops to start clean-up, an' another brood of dragons barged in to take it back.  Been a damn bloody mess."

"You wouldn't happen to have heard something about some group of metal monsters headed that way, would you?" Ginal inquired.

The soldiers shuddered, and Ginal knew it wasn't the cold.

"Oh yeah, saw them at a distance ourselves just a day or two ago." Ettoinette answered.  "Never seen anything like it, and hope to The Fury I never do again.  I'm willin' to bet those things could terrorize even the dragons."

"Well, damn." Selah muttered.

"What is it, Sel?"

"Nothing.  I was just hoping it was a bad dream."

With curiosity plain in her eyes, Ettoinette glanced between the lovers.  "Well, judging by your earlier question, I'll guess those monstrosities are headed for Whitebrim.  It should be, ah..."

Ettoinette looked to the stars for a moment, then glanced at the road ahead.

"Yeah, head that way." she indicated with her finger.  "You'll cross a bridge into the Boulder Downs.  Keep on the road, unless you wanna tangle with the gigas clan out there.  The road'll split, the left'll take you to one of our garrisons, the right'll take you through a long cave, which is where you wanna be.  Follow the road, and stay left on the next fork, and you'll see Whitebrim eventually.  Total trip should be, I don't know...three or four days, if your birds are swift enough."

The glint in Selah's eye spoke of returning memory, the enthusiastic nodding suggesting she knew where to go.

"Great.  Thanks so much, Ette."

"Sleep during the day, if you can." Ettoinette advised.  "You get colder when you sleep, and it's already colder than a wet dragon's arsehole at night."

Ginal couldn't help but grin at the colloquialism, and forced back the snicker that threatened to erupt.

The elezen hesitated, one corner of her lips turned up.  "Sel...if you can wait a day of two, we can probably get a platoon of our troops to go with you."

"No."  Selah firmly stated.

"A lot of people have already been caught up in this mess." Ginal explained.  "Good people have been hurt...or killed.  We'll see no more harm done.  We can do it ourselves."

Hands raised in surrender, Ettoinette shrugged.  "I hope you're ready for...whatever you're facing."

"So do I." Selah snorted.

Selah directed her bird forward, and as Ginal urged her own to follow, she saw Ettoinette mouthing silently.

"Take care of her."

A smile, true and loving formed on the miqo'te's lips.

"For the rest of my life." she whispered, knowing the elezen should hear it.