Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy XII or anything associated with it.

Warnings: Spoilers might pop up once in a while. This story is set roughly two thirds into the game.

A/N: Any plot ideas and constructive criticism would be deeply appreciated!! Hope you enjoy this story. I still can't say I've done much writing but I hope I'll make a good story teller eventually!

1. Whisper by the Fireside

Basch leaned back on a sandy rock as he gazed out at the beautiful red sunset. Wispy clouds and rippling waves seemed to still as though in awe of the sky and it's slowly shifting colours. Mulled wine buzzed in his veins and he was filled with a rare feeling of contentment. Slowly he unravelled the tight bandage on his arm and relished the feel of cool breeze on a hot and throbbing wound. He would never tell her, but Ashe always bound his bandages too tight. Penelo was the preferred healer to all but Ashe often felt it her responsibility to heal injuries from blows originally aimed at her. Basch had learned not to protest with his rather stubborn charge.

The journey through the Mosphoran Highwaste had tested their strength. More than once he had blocked perilous blows aimed at the princess and had received the deep gash in the crook of his arm as a result. Of course, Basch didn't mind that in the slightest, but it unnerved him how weak their weapons and defences seemed to be in this part of Ivalice. They would need to restock here at the Phon Coast. Once they caught up with their finances.

Ashe had recommended they rest at the Hunters Camp - no doubt having been shaken by the fiends in the Necrohol of Nabudis. The group had agreed heartily, especially after Balthier's description of this little beach sanctuary.

Basch was glad to let Ashe and the others rest here a while. He himself had aching legs and blisters on his feet from their long walk. Not to mention the stiffness of his back from so many nights on the hard ground under the stars. He pulled off his sandals and let the cold sea water wash away his fatigue. His blisters stung but at least they would be cleaned.

Not normally was he granted such a gem of a moment... to just sit and gaze upon such beauty without a worry in the world...

Or so he allowed himself to think on this night.

He sighed, putting away his bandage and turning to check on the group sitting around the campfire. He seemed to have gained the knack of remembering to check on Ashe every now and again. She was constantly on his mind.

The scene was a typical one given the circumstance. A slightly drunken pair of teenagers causing rowdy mischief to the locals, egged on as usual by Balthier. Penelo was monkeying around on Vaan's back trying to snatch an object he had probably pick-pocketed from her. Vaan threw whatever it was to Balthier who then found a red-cheeked Penelo chasing after him instead. Balthier then ran off, cackling into the darkness beyond the firelight, Vaan hot in pursuit and grinning like an idiot.

Fran watched them from a distance with an amused smirk gracing her delicate features. Ashe may as well have been sitting by herself for all the notice she took of her companions.

She sat with her arms around her knees like a child, gazing at the flames with a faraway look. The others had long given up their attempts to involve her in anything trivial. Basch knew they understood that it was because Ashe had been brought up in a Royal Palace without much of a childhood. Penelo had gasped when she'd asked the rules of Hide and Seek. No doubt she had never received a single "tig" either. They knew she was not as distant and cold as she often appeared. Her heart was kind and she showed her friendship and appreciation in more subtle ways.

Basch sat down beside her on the driftwood. He was glad when she turned and smiled at him briefly. It felt like yesterday when he had sat beside her on a night like this and she had frozen stiff as though turned to ice, not to thaw for hours.

They were more comfortable in each others presence these days. Months of eating, sleeping and fighting alongside each other had softened their relationship and Basch felt more in sync with her. He was careful not to cross the line as always but he also sensed that Ashe had come to like his company just as much as his protection.

Eventually Balthier, Vaan and Penelo gathered back around the fire to get some food. It was clear who had won the struggle - Penelo had a very satisfied twinkle in her eyes as the other two fought to catch their breath. Basch suppressed a smile; he had taught Penelo a little "self-defence" trickery the night earlier so that she could catch the two out. Sure enough, she shot him a knowing look by way of thanks. Unfortunately this was caught by Balthier, who cocked his head at him and raised an eyebrow.

Basch chuckled as the silence was broken by the approach of an elderly local.

"So, will you lot be doing some hunting while you're here, then?" she asked, sitting amongst them and adjusting her shawls.

Basch glanced at Ashe before speaking, looking for approval. She gave a tiny nod.

"Yes," he said. "Some of us plan on hunting over the following week's though we have not yet spoken with any petitioners."

The old lady nodded slowly, eyeing the gory open wound on his arm. "Been biting off more than you can chew recently, have you? You ought to have that stitched up." She said, nodding at his arm.

"… Aye," Basch hesitated, remembering their cover story. They were to make out that they were hunters from Dalmasca who merely wanted a change of scenery.

She nodded, as if guessing this already from their accents or their clothing. Scrutinising the rest of the group she merely hummed once, and returned her gaze to Basch.

She left them to their food and returned a few minutes later with stitches for his arm. Fran turned away pointedly as the old lady took her place beside Basch and began to clean the area.

"Thank you, er-"

"Jeyn," she said, keeping her eyes on the gash.

"Thank you Jeyn, I do not wish to cause you any trouble".

She made a noise and shook her silver head. Her hands were delicate and she was careful not to hurt him.

A crash and a clank sounded and they all turned to witness Penelo inflating like a bomb. She was covered in her own stew that had been flipped over her and knocked her backward off the rock. Vaan and Balthier both blinked back tears of mirth as they hastily retreated, gobbling down the rest of their stew as fast as they could without choking.

Fran let out a rare laugh, clapping her hands together once as if this show was put on for her amusement.

"Poor girl," the old lady said. She scooped up Penelo's bowl and rinsed out the sand ready for when she came back for more stew.

"Watch and you'll see that she will hold her own," Ashe said fondly. Basch's heart soared as it always did to see such a rare display of sheer happiness on the Princess' face.

"Actually..." the old lady leaned closer to them, lowering her voice and putting down the ointment. "I would like to take this opportunity to speak with you privately. I may have some valuable information for your benefit."

Ashe's eyes widened. "Of course," she said.

The lady had a testy look in her eye. Basch began to worry whether this woman recognised their faces or suspected their true identities. Seeing the serious expression he must have held, she seemed to relax- finally having approved of something and completely baffling Basch.

"I want you to understand that I would not tell this story what I'm about to tell you to just anybody." Basch gave a respectful nod, curious. "I also want you to understand that what I will say is mere legend... though I, for one, believe it is truth."

Basch shifted and suppressed a sigh. This could be one of those nights. He was so tired... The old lady began stitching his arm, keeping her eyes on her work as she spoke.

"It is said that an Esper long ago was granted a powerful gift from the Gods. The gift was a spell like no other... a life spell of great value. They call it the Coren after the first Esper to wield it's magicks. It is said that the use of the Coren when cast by a desperate mind can bring another back from the dead... within moments of death. It would not heal the dying, but it would heal the dead and bring them back."

Basch sat up; suddenly wide awake and eager to see where this story was going. She had said the information would benefit them so surely she must mean...

Smiling at him encouragingly, she backtracked. "Now, as far as we know, the Gods only allow one being to possess the ability to use the Coren spell in all of Ivalice at one time. It is passed down the line by bloody murder and in this way it has been possessed by creatures and races of many kinds. Man slew Esper, Monster slew man, Bangaa slew monster..." she rung off the deaths with her fingers. "You can see how the trace is lost over centuries. However..."

She glanced around at this, checking that only the four of them were in the vicinity still. Fran appeared not to be listening except for the tense stance of the ear closest to them.

"My late husband and I were travelling on the road through the Cerobi Steppe not a decade ago when we were ambushed by a mighty beast and it's off lings. Of course, my husband and I were not what we used to be... We did not escape in time and my husband was crushed by a rock slide as the beast blocked our path..."

Ashe placed a hand on the old lady's arm as she bowed her head in grief at the memory. Taking a deep breath she brought her head back up and gazed at Basch.

"Forgive me... but you look somewhat like my husband. He and I... I remembered the beast and the revenge I once sought for my husband's death." She sniffed and composed herself. "The beast managed to create an explosion that brought down the roads banks upon my husband and me, we saw a curious thing. One of that awful Coren Beast's off lings had gotten caught in the avalanche and killed.

"Oho, it was definitely dead. Completely crushed. And yet the mother merely stopped to gather a white mist and the off ling was up and about in no time.

"Of course, at that moment I was too busy trying to free my husband from under the rocks… But I often wonder what could have happened had I slain that Beast and claimed the spell for myself... he would be by my side this very night, maybe."

She trailed off into silence. Basch looked to Ashe who looked back with clear interest. She addressed the old lady.

"Why then, if this 'Coren' spell is so rare and powerful, does the world not know about this? I take it you mean that this beast is still at large?"

"Ah, my child... You rush and do not think things through..."

Ashe did not look pleased at such a patronising comment, but bit back her retort at any rate.

"Had I ran around telling everyone with an ear to listen that this ability had resurfaced so near to Archadia... Well for one -- the Draklor Laboratory would have it in an instant. It is also not known of the rules of such life magicks. I have read that casting such spells can drain the caster of life in turn. The Gods do not like those who defy Death.

"No... It is best kept secret. That way the man with the spell would not be hunted in turn himself."

"So this Beast is currently residing in the Cerobi Steppe if it still lives," Basch said. "Though you say the road is blocked... can we reach it on Chocobo?"

"Yes!" The Jeyn said, startling them both with her enthusiasm. "If you travel East through the Thectia Uplands you will reach a road still blocked with rocks and boulders. I believe there is a Chocobo track over the stones. Though you must take caution as you travel through the Cerobi. The fiends are said to be ferocious and plentiful."

Basch considered. They could certainly do with such a technique in the group. They had closely avoided death far too many times on their journey so far and it would be a valuable ability for him should anything happen to his charge...

The old lady smiled and rose slowly to her feet. "Well, I'll let you two think on it." She winked, setting off towards her family gathered around another fire outside her hut.

"Oh," she paused, looking back at them. "And you can count me as your petitioner. I want my husband avenged and I'm prepared to give you anything for it... so long as I have it to give of course." She winked and smiled again, hobbling away.

A scream and a splash sent Basch and Ashe running towards the shore in an instant.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Basch saw Penelo's head bob up from a circle of moonlit ripples in the sea. She thrashed the water, shaking her loose hair out of her eyes.

"VAAN," she yelled as Balthier and Vaan rushed past them, bent double with laughter. "Get him, Basch!!"

Basch caught Vaan around the waste with his good arm and threw him over his shoulder, making for the sea.

Vaan's shouted protests were extinguished as he hit the water with an almighty splash. Basch scraped his hands together as the others laughed. Penelo gave him a thankful salute as Vaan rose to the surface, spluttering.

A/N: Hope you liked the first chapter! A review would make my day ;D