Of Knights and Judges

Chapter 3: Empty Gratitude?

Time seems to stop as I venture onward into a nightmarish darkness. My weariness claws at my straining eyes, demanding me respite. A good night's sleep is what I need, so badly too. And with that on mind, I wonder, is the night over? So dark is this place, it is impossible to tell. Though time is unknown to me at the moment, my tired mind tells me it is in the early dawn. Either the early dawn or late in the hours of night.

The place I seem to have come across is a cavern – a murky, dank cave that reeks of something awful. My stomach churns. I continually have to gulp down the lumps that threaten to spurt forth from my queasy stomach. The stink is all too proverbial; I'd recognize that sewage-like odor anywhere.

Old Archades... It is not far.

I soon come into a part of the caverns where the ground becomes as marble and stone flooring. It's a wider part of the grotto that rounds out into what appears to be an old ballroom. A rounded dome that shapes the room's top is virtually no more. The large gap in the ceiling reveals the navy sky with starlight adornment. Aurora's light is beginning to fade the glow of the silver moon and stars; the sun's awakening is nigh. Chipped are the stone pillars and eroded foundations; an air of defeated sadness fills this place unlike any other I've been to.

I must be in the old Sochen Cave Palace.

I've not been to the old palace before, but I've heard a little about it. 'A grisly place that swarms with impish horrors who feed on the innards of humes, eating them alive,' quote from Floyd. Although Floyd is not a reliable source of information, I dared not come anywhere near this place. It was just another reason for me not to venture into Old Archades...

The howling of the many fiends wandering about the stony passages is ghastly. With my javelin missing, I have not the strength to take them all and I have no knowledge on how far inside this labyrinth I am in. I've still the iron shackles on my person; the chains connecting them could be used as a strangling device... Though I doubt the beastly inhabitants will allow time for me to perform it on them. Quite a predicament, I must say. Not only for my safety am I troubled, but also for the safety of my young emperor. He still lies over my shoulder, silent and unmoving.

Lord Larsa...

He's not uttered a sound since we left the area we started in. I suspect he ingested the mysterious fog from last night, which is dire enough. If it was indeed 'Haze', then his health, like my own, is at serious risk. Not only that, but I fear he may have head trauma. Even should I get him out of this place safely, I am unsure how well he will fare. Archades has been through so much already; we've already attained some measure of peace. Should anything happen to Lord Larsa, Archadia would be in an uproar!

"Young lord, please wake up. Lord Larsa." I whisper sharply in his ear in an effort to keep our sounds at a minimum. His body grows heavy on my already aching shoulders. Strength is at a loss for me; I doubt I can take on the weakest fiend roaming here! Should a fiend find us now, our lives would be forfeit.

I mustn't give up! I must keep moving...

Silence is pregnant preceding the low rumble heard. My body tenses. Everything begins to vibrate, from the tiny pebble chips on the ground to the giant pillars that threaten to collapse on top of us. My throat becomes dry from apprehension and I swiftly ease behind the nearest pillar I can reach, holding Lord Larsa within my bosom.

Beast giants?! They are close...!

As I expect, seconds later, a trio of hatchet wielding wendigos stomp and smash through the primeval ballroom. Six giant ogre feet crash into the stone floor, making the caves groan around us. Their steps shake the ground, the rumbling vibrations crawling up the walls. The ceiling crumbles a little, dropping bits of dust and rock on top of us. I shield the emperor with my body until the tremors subside.

Is it over?

Setting down my young lord on the ground, I hastily peer around the pillar. The giant creatures are well out of the way. I can see the ominous blue flames that consume their headless torsos in the distance, fading all together. A long sigh of relief passes from me.

All too close...

And too close it was. My hope of leaving this place unscathed is beginning to decline. Will we make it out alive even? I softly moan while trying to calm my anxious heart. "This is troublesome."

"Ah, indeed..."

I inhale sharply at the sudden rustling and turn my head to the person now kneeling beside me. So relived I am! "Lord Larsa! Oh, thank goodness!"

With a gaze of bemusement, the young lord exhales softly, wiping his perspiring face with the cloak he wears. His pure, brown eyes slowly roam about the darkness, becoming grim as they do. I suppose he now understands our situation a little more. With a partial cough, he nods his head as if to confirm something unsaid. "The old cave palace. I thought so..."

"How fare you, my lord?" I anxiously inquire, my fingers inspecting a smudge on his neck. "Are you well?"

"Yes. Thank you, ma'am..." He calmly responds, gently taking my hand from his neck and into his other hand. His gaze turns to me, inquisitive. My helmet still shields my face from the outside; he figures out what I am right away. "You... are a judge."

"In fact I am, my lord." Bowing my head, I respectfully introduce myself, "My name is Kahzmir G'Tau Ochiern."

"...Daughter of Kahran Ivan Ochiern." A look of recognition spreads over his boyish expression as he nods. "You go into the Nabreus Deadlands and Salikawoods for mist's assessment, yes?" When I confirm this, he smiles, appearing quite penitent, "Forgive me. There are so many... I have difficulty remembering all those who serve Archadia."

"It's nothing meager that you know what you do about me," I say with sincere gratitude and very much impressed. "Yes, I am Kahr's daughter."

"My father spoke well of yours. He was a good man, so I'm told, but..." Uncertainty abruptly becomes the dominant feature in Lord Larsa's visage as his soft, brown eyes become distant. I wonder why the delay from him, but now is not the time for trivial conversation.

"Lord Larsa, we must make haste." I groan slightly, feeling pain shoot up my back as I stand upright. My body is still drained from the 'Haze', I think. Hopefully, we will make it out of here before exhaustion takes its toll. I take hold of my 'weapon' and tell him to follow closely.

"Pardon my saying so, Lady Ochiern," he begins. I come to a halt and glance back at him in question, seeing that he has not followed. He smiles, his hand pointing in the opposite direction I'm headed in. "I believe our closest exit lies over here."

"...Sir?"

"The smell of Old Archades is very faint here," he casually explains, "The air grows fresher up ahead, so we must be very close to the uplands."

"The Tchita Uplands? ...Of course!" I just now realize it. The smell of Old Archades has diminished. But it was so strong a moment ago... I must have been going in circles all this time. "H-how silly of me..." I murmur to myself, feeling quite foolish.

Lord Larsa raises his eyebrows, "Pardon?"

"Er! N-no, there's, er..." I clumsily stammer, feeling myself blush. In effort to drop the subject, and the uncomfortable feeling inside, I quickly suggest that we hurry. He nods his head in agreement with a reassuring smile.

"Worry not. The uplands aren't far." He starts to walk, waving for me to follow him this time. I meekly obey, walking beside him as he says, "We'll figure out what to do once we leave this place."

"Sir." I nod affirmatively and try not to appear so downcast.

There's a silent moment as we walk. I feel Lord Larsa's innocent gaze fall on me again. "M'lady," he softly utters, "pardon my asking, but... why do you have those shackles?"

I peer down momentarily at the iron shackles I hold and blush slightly. "Well, er, I-I seem to have misplaced my javelin from last night and..." Embarrassed by this whole mishap, I let out a nervous giggle, "Well, they are better than nothing, yes?"

"Shackles as weapons? Ha-ha," he chuckles light-heartedly. "You are quite amusing, Lady Ochiern." My body grows warm at his laughter, my white skin becoming pink all over. My incompetence continue to flourish, and in front of my ruler. What must he think of me?

A jester woman makes a mockery of Archadia's elite?

I shiver from the discomfort of these unflattering views. How shamed I would be! Never again would I be able to face Gabranth...

Gabranth...

A topic I would love to pursue with Lord Larsa, but I shall hold my tongue. As I said before, now is not the time for useless chatter.

We continue with our escape, in the right direction this time. Though nigh on defenseless we are, we do not encounter anymore fiends. It's not long before we see light at the end of the path. The Tchita Uplands beckons us. The Fields of Eternity glow with the eastern sun's rays. My soul rejoices, yet only for a second.

"Lady Ochiern! Look!" Lord Larsa quietly exclaims in grabbing my hand and pulling me into hiding behind a giant stalagmite. The reason for his actions?

At the entrance of the cave, four hunters stand together. They each bear a shotgun or sword at their sides. A few corpses of the cat-beast coerl cubs lay at their feet; their hunt for the day, most likely. The four seem to be deeply involved in an intense discussion, though I can not hear a word from them. But I recognize two of the men right away. And so does Lord Larsa. "It's those men I spoke with from last night," the emperor murmurs, mostly to himself. "They're the ones who released the 'Haze' on us."

"Shall I apprehend them, sir?" I say on impulse. And then I mentally slap myself, almost forgetting of my weaponless state. True, I am a judge, but there is naught I can do. My talents in the magicks are terribly lacking. Without my javelin, I am useless...

Lord Larsa shakes his head to my previous question, still gazing intently on the four hunters. "No, we will let them go for now. I will deal with them soon enough."

I nod, "Sir."

Many minutes pass before the hunter/black marketers take their belongings and venture back into the cave. Seemingly in a hurry, they lope past Lord Larsa and I, taking no note of us. Though thankful I am for their ignorance of us, I cannot help but wonder what their hurry was all of a sudden. "Do they flee?"

Lord Larsa also wonders aloud, staring back at the sprinting hunters, "From a beast, perhaps?"

"It is possible. The wyrms in the Tchita Uplands have grown more frightful as of late." I turn my attention to the cave's entrance, staring out into the uplands. Nothing seems to be a threat, yet that does not mean there is not danger waiting out there. "I'll return momentarily. Wait here, m'lord," I motion for Lord Larsa to stay behind while I check into it.

Upon stepping outside, I am finally able to see what the men flee from. Off in the distance, I see a familiar giant, golden-colored bird prancing about in the field. A chocobo, hauling on its back what looks to be a shiny, metal figure. The figure glints in the sunlight. I look at them closely and become relieved.

...Imperial... A judge!

"H-here! Over here!" I call out to them, waving my hands in the air in a wild motion. They quickly spot me and hurry over on the giant bird.

"Over yonder!" they cry, waving a hand in my direction. The chocobo slowing down upon approach, the judge harshly demands. "Who goes there?!"

"Judge Ochiern, reporting, sir," I respectfully state while saluting.

The judge seems taken aback by my introduction. Abruptly, he jumps off from his chocobo, nearly falling off the bird and clumsily staggers forth. "Ka-Kahz?? Kahzmir! Is that you??" The demanding tones replaced by airiness, I now recognize the voice.

"Floyd! What are you doing here?"

Still rushing up to me, he explains, "Ya' never returned, so I came lookin' for ya'! Ya' alright? Where's our little emperor?"

"Ay, Lord Larsa is..." Wait a moment! How is it that Floyd knows about Lord Larsa being here?

Just as I am about to question him, I hear the piercing shout, "Gabranth!"

I jump slightly, placing a hand on my pounding chest. Lord Larsa's abrupt cries from behind completely startle me! I thought I told him to wait in the cave...

...Gabranth?

"Sorry." Floyd suddenly says, as if reading my mind of the question not yet formed. "He was the only help I could find at the time..."

My stomach already turning knots, I turn around just in time to see another chocobo approach; Gabranth sits on top of it, pulling back on the straps to slow it down. "Lord Larsa..." his voice soft behind his helmet, "Are you well, my lord?" he asks while dismounting from the bird and swiftly approaches the young lord. My heart twinges as he walks by me. No gesture of recognition is given from him.

Not so much as a glance...? Ah...

A look of regret contradicts the smile the emperor shows. "Yes," he remorsefully speaks, "Sorry to worry you."

"Gabranth..." My voice is barely audible. I swallow dryly, trying desperately to hold back the pent up emotions whirling violently inside me. Oh, the things I wish to speak right now to him... How inappropriate for me to think this way. My emperor stands before me and I think nothing but my own troubles. It is foolish of me... But how my heart aches!

Gabranth, just look at me...! Speak to me! Say something to me...

A gentle hand on my shoulder soothes the violent storm in my soul. I sigh softly, a smile tugging lightly on my lips. I can almost see the comforting grin Floyd gives me from behind his head covering, and I thank him silently. Yes, I believe I would have gone mad right there and then had it not been for Tekiela's intervention.

"Ya' alright?" Floyd whispers to me from behind. Turning my head to him, I nod a little. He obviously sees through my lie. "You'll be fine, Kahz. Just relax."

I nod my head again, whispering croakily, "Thank you, Floyd."

"Judge Ochiern."

Gabranth's voice penetrates my ears; shakily, I face him, saluting. "Y-your Honor?"

A silent moment passes before I witness him bow his head to me. "You are to be commended. You could have very well saved the emperor's life. The Magisters thank you."

"I am in your debt, Lady Ochiern," Lord Larsa chimes in, sheer appreciation written on his features. "You are a woman worthy of my gratitude. I, too, thank you."

"Sir! Your Honor!" I civilly bow to them both. A happy time this should be for me; to be thanked personally by his lordship. A proud moment indeed...

"The Magisters thank you."

My dear old friend's words replay in my mind, over and over again. 'The Magisters thank you.'

The Magisters thank you? What about you? Only you

Ah, I fear I am being overly sensitive. The gratitude is very much sincere. I do not know what I was expecting from him... Perhaps something a little more 'personal'?

But little time do I have to dwell on this, for off in the sky above stirs the wind. A strong breeze pushes into the grassy uplands, startling domestic and wild beasts alike. I gasp, feeling the wind weigh me down; Floyd promptly holds me by the shoulders to keep me from falling. I thank him kindly and take my gaze to the boisterous skies. Looming above us is an airship. A small airship, common among sky wanderers... Or pirates.

Who on earth...?

Still hovering in the air, the door to the ship opens partially. A small head belonging to a fair-haired man pops out, peering down at us. "Hey, guys!" the man speaks with an air of impudent familiarity. "Ya' need a lift?"

We have chocobos; we could just simply ride them to the nearest transport crystal...

Surprisingly, Lord Larsa smiles at the man, appearing rather pleased. I don't see why that is. What fool would dare call to the emperor in this way? The mannerisms of this chap spells of 'pirate' all over...

Heaven forbid this to be true, but...

Is it possible the young lord knows this urchin?

I turn to Floyd, giving him a questionable stare behind my helmet. Understanding my confusion, but obviously unsure himself, he merely shrugs. I shrug as well, and start to help gather the items mounted on the chocobos. I've a feeling we travel back to Archades by air.