#Hamon Holyfist | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

thistle-whistle-ffxiv · 2 years ago

Text

The Things We Do For Coin Chapter 10

With the Bazaar safe for the time being, Azami and friends return to the city. Only to be sent out immediately, this time to help the stationmaster find a wayward girl.

AO3 Link

Birds had never struck Azami as particularly stinky animals. But then, she hadn't spent much time close enough to birds to notice a smell one way or the other. Usually her contact with creatures of the avian variety was limited to watching them as they flew high overhead. So maybe all birds stank like shit stewed in sweat and broken dreams.

Shiro's advice to not breathe too deeply had been kinder than she had realized.

Azami dismounted the horrid creature next to Pink and sent it on its way. The chocobo let out a friendly 'kweh!' before running back towards the Bazaar.

"That was horrible." she said.

"You did pretty good at riding it though!" Pink said, "I was worried you were gonna fall off."

"I have excellent balance, thank you." Azami said, not having shared Pink's concerns ever at any point in her entire life.

"Rabta, don't you have something you need to do?" Shiro gently prodded Pink, who suddenly stood up very straight.

"Right! I gotta go talk to my guildmasters! I'll meet up with you guys at the Quicksand, okay? I wanna be there when we deliver Kikipu's letter! Don't do it without me!"

"We won't. Get out of here." Azami promised, giving Pink a gentle shove towards the city gates. Pink hustled up the stairs, pausing only long enough at the top to turn around and wave back down at them.

"Don't give Miss Momodi the letter without me!" she reminded them before sprinting off.

"I wonder why she's so fixated on that." Azami mumbled to herself. It seemed like an odd thing to be so fussed over. It would probably be a long and awkward process, if Momodi and Kikipu were as good of friends as they seemed. Momodi might even have an emotion about it. Azami had never been any good at handling that sort of thing. What if she cried?

"Some people enjoy sentiment." Shiro smirked at her.

"Well, feel free not to wait to deliver the letter on my account." Azami sighed, "I should probably report in to Master Hamon before he sneaks off to the tavern."

"Ah... I've heard... things about that guy."

"He's... not all bad." Azami paused, wondering for a moment if she truly meant that. He was a lech and a drunk, and had an ego that seemed too large to fit through the door to the guild, but his instruction seemed sound enough. At least as far as Azami could tell. Although inexperienced as she was it wasn't like her opinion on such matters counted for much.

"Well, I'll wait on the stairs leading up to the Quicksand for Rabta. And you, if you decide to turn up."

"If I feel like it." Azami shrugged, heading up to face her own fate. She hoped Master Hamon wouldn't be cross with her for taking so long to report in. That was probably something she should have considered before taking on so many jobs, but Master Hamon didn't seem the type to care about such things. More than likely he had gone to a tavern and forgotten about the earth sprites entirely.

"So you've given the earth sprites what for? Well done, Azami! By smiting stone and earth, you've forged unyielding weapons of your fists!" Master Hamon beamed at her. For a moment, Azami almost felt proud of herself. Being praised for her hard work wasn't the worst thing in the world. Even if it was a little embarrassing.

"You've a nigh endless fount of vigor, Azami. Aye, just like myself in my younger days."

And there it was. Master Hamon's ego couldn't let him go too long without talking about his glory days, or else he would crumble into dust. Chuchuko wandered over, clearly wanting to give Azami proper praise.

"You've been showing a lot of promise." she assured Azami, "Even if you are still a bit stage shy."

"Well, of course she's promising- she's training under Hamooooon HOLYFIST!"

Chuchuro giggled at her Master's antics. The two of them seemed awfully close. Perhaps Chuchuta had been studying under him for a long time? Most of the annoying things he said she would shrug off with a laugh and a, "That's our Master Hamon!"

As if sensing Azami's unspoken question, Master Hamon began to explain.

"Chuchuto joined the guild soon after I was made its master. She's my very first student, as a matter of fact. Well, there was one other, to be sure, but..." Master Hamon trailed off, as though whatever he had been about to say was too painful to even think about. Azami almost wanted to ask, but it wasn't any of her business. Who was she, Pink? Hanging around with her really had been affecting Azami, it seemed.

"Let's not dwell on the past, Master. It was Azami's bright future we were discussing." Chuchuto interrupted while Azami tried once more to commit her name to memory, "Which reminds me, did you collect my gil from her? My gear is rather worn down, and I do need the money for repairs..."

Azami blinked in confusion for a long moment at the question. The gil? It took a moment before she remembered her morning exercises. Before the disastrous attempt to showcase her skills, Master Hamon had sent her on a mission to hunt down small sacks of gil he had stashed around the city for her to find. He said that she had managed to find them all, but neglected to mention who it was that had leant it to him. Azami probably would have worked a little harder if she had known it was Chuchuto who had been footing that particular bill. And returned the money to Chuchuto directly.

So much had happened since then, Azami had completely forgotten about it.

"A-Ahem! Yes, Azami's future with us is bright indeed!" Master Hamon quickly changed the subject. Chuchuto did not seem fooled, but shrugged as though there was nothing to be done for it. Judging by the smell of him, Azami assumed it had gone straight into the drink. She couldn't help but feel a little bad for Chuchuto. Master Hamon smiled brightly and continued heedless of the judgmental stares of his two pupils, "If she keeps up her efforts, she may well become the next Holyfist!"

"Will I have to shout my own name at every available opportunity if I do?" Azami asked before she could think better of it. Fortunately for her, Master Hamon let out another one of his croaky laughs. It seemed as though she had not crossed into offensively disrespectful territory. Just playfully so.

"Train hard, young one, and grow strong. When the time's ripe, I'll have another little lesson for you."

Azami bid her teachers farewell and made her way back to the Quicksand. With any luck, Shiro and Pink would have dealt with delivering the letter without her. That small hope was dashed when she saw Shiro sitting on the stairs leading up to the tavern. She sighed and walked over to join him, taking a seat on a lower step.

"Pink's not here yet." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Not yet." Shiro said, "I've heard the guildmasters over at the Thaumaturgy Guild can be a little wordy, so it might be a few more minutes."

"You don't think she's in trouble for dallying do you?" Azami asked. Not that she cared. She just didn't want to have to listen to Pink whine about it if she were.

"We've still got another few minutes of daylight." Shiro said, looking up at the twilight sky, "I'm sure she made it."

They fell into a somewhat uneasy silence, watching the streets for any sign of their wayward companion. She knew the way back to the Quicksand well enough that Azami didn't think she had gotten lost. But... the streets weren't always safe. And even with her magic, Pink didn't exactly cut an imposing figure. Not to mention how oblivious she was to the world around her most of the time. Anything could have happened to her when she was all alone.

"So how did you and Rabta end up travelling together?" Shiro asked, distracting Azami from her catastrophizing.

"Oh? Uh..." Azami huffed, trying to refocus her thoughts, "See that gate over there?"

"The Gate of Nald, yes."

"Sure. Well, I walked through that gate, and Pink ran over to me and never left."

"Well, thanks for watching out for her." Shiro said.

"I didn't really have another choice."

"Sure you did. You could have gutted her with that knife you keep hidden in your boot."

Azami glanced down to the boot in question. She had thought the small kaiken she had stashed in it had been rather well hidden. It was a simple thing, a plain wooden handle and a blade no longer than her hand. A parting gift from a dear friend, just in case. So small and light and rarely used that Azami had almost forgotten she had it at all.

"How did you..."

"You'll learn to pick up on these things with more experience."

"I see."

Shiro let out a soft his, as though he were in pain. Azami turned to look at him. Had he gotten some sort of injury during the fight that he had hidden? He didn't seem to be clutching at any hidden wounds. Instead he just sat there, unmoving. It was difficult to tell with his helmet in the way, but Azami felt as though he weren't really looking at her but through her. It was an uncomfortable sensation.

And just as suddenly as it had started it stopped. Shiro seemed perfectly normal, scanning the street for any sign of his sister.

"Everything alright?" Azami ventured.

"What? Oh, yeah. Just a headache." Shiro said.

"Oh. I have some butterbur root in my bag if you-"

"No, no. It's passed. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure? I really don't mind." Azami fished around in her pack for the roots in question. She had often gone searching for such things back home once the days work was finished. Willow bark and butterbur root. Dong quai and honeysuckle. Small things that the older folks in the village needed to ease the pains in their joints or treat fevers. It earned her a little extra money or a jar of Granny Kaede's pickled radishes if she was really lucky.

"Look, it's fine." Shiro said, even as Azami shoved the small bundle of roots into his hand.

"Just take it, alright? Carrying it around is inconvenient anyway. You're doing me a favor."

"Keep your stupid root! You're so stubborn!"

"You're one to talk. Just fucking take it or I'll sic Pink on you about it."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

They glared at each other for a long moment before Shiro finally relented. He shrugged as though he weren't especially bothered by this turn of events at all, even though he lost.

"What am I supposed to do with this anyway?" he asked.

"Usually you grind it into a powder, but I've seen some of the elders in my village chew it in a pinch."

"Well, thank you."

The silence returned, Azami shifted back to watch the street. She found herself suddenly hyper-aware of the blade she had thought well hidden pressing against her scales. It carried with it a nostalgic feeling. It missed those days in the bamboo thicket as much as she did. When her biggest concerns had been sneaking back before her father had noticed her missing and the next day's chores, not doing battle with thugs hired by people who wanted a second or third mansion and poorly hidden blades.

Was it just that Shiro was exceptionally observant, or was it that Azami wasn't half as clever as she thought she was? If she had ever noticed it, Pink had never said anything. But that was hardly a reliable indicator one way or the other. How many people had noticed it? It wasn't as though it would be strange to be armed in a place like this. Half the people who passed in and out of the Quicksand wore some sort of weapon on their belts. And more than a few probably kept one or two stashed away.

It was fine. Everything was fine. Nobody thought she was strange, because what she was doing was completely normal.

"Do you know how to use it?" Shiro asked after a long pause.

"Yeah I just told you. Do you need me to help you grind it up or something?" Azami asked. She hadn't considered that when she had foisted the roots upon him. Well, it wasn't especially difficult. Azami was sure she could find something they could use if they really needed to.

"No, I mean the knife in your boot."

"As I understand it, they aren't terribly complicated to operate."

"You know what I'm asking."

Azami sighed, "I'm no trained shinobi, but I can hold my own if it comes down to it."

"Mhig! Azami! Did you do it? Did you do it?" A blur of Pink and enthusiasm came charging over to where they had been waiting on the stairs. It seemed any further discussion would need to wait.

"No. We were waiting for you." Azami assured her, "Just as we said we would."

Pink cheered and did a little twirl before throwing herself up the steps three at a time. She bounced impatiently at the top for a single heartbeat before bounding in without them.

"I guess she wants to do it now." Shiro shrugged, pushing himself up to his feet. He held an armored hand out for Azami to take. Azami huffed. She was perfectly capable of standing on her own. Which she did. Using the railing and her own power. The helmet hid his expression, but somehow Azami thought Shiro was smirking at her.

Begrudgingly, she followed him into the tavern just in time to hear Pink's voice.

"Miss Momodi! Miss Momodi! We have a present for you!"

"What's all this, then? You got somethin' for me?" the woman in question asked from behind her bar. Shiro retrieved the letter they had been given and handed it over.

"Hm? A letter? Now who would think to- Kikipu! Haven't heard a word from that ol' gal in ages! How's the dear doin'?"

"Better now. We hope." Shiro said.

Momodi tore the letter open and began to read. Occasionally she would let out a Mmm-hmm or a small laugh. Once she finished she beamed up at the three of them, "That's Kikipu, all right. Time was I used to call in at the Silver Bazaar quite often. This was back when it was still the busiest hub in Thanalan, mind you. Ol' Kikipu and I used to stay up till dawn talkin' 'bout... well, whatever girls do."

"What do girls talk about?" Shiro asked.

"Sweets." Azami said.

"Knives." Pink nodded sagely.

"Good to know."

Momodi flashed them a good natured smile before continuing, "Kikipu's the very heart and soul of that place. Hells, even most folk here in the city still remember her name. Breaks my bloody heart to hear her and them good folk were nearly forced from their land. Dirty business, that."

"Ah. That reminds me. We apparently have a new enemy for life." Azami pointed out.

"Who, Kenrick? I'm not to the point of worryin' just yet." Momodi assured her. Azami nodded. Momodi knew the people around her better than Azami ever would. It made sense to defer to her judgement rather than panic about what might or might not be.

"I'd wager gil to goobbue poop the Silver Bazaar'll be rallyin' back to its former glory 'fore long. In any case, I thank the Twelve you were there to help them." Momodi continued, she reached under the bar to pull out a small sack of gil. She slid it over to Shiro, "Here, for you- on behalf of Kikipu and the Bazaar."

"Thank you." Shiro said. He tossed the sack to Azami who caught it with startled hands. She shoved it into her pocket. They would divide their earnings properly later. Doing it right in front of Momodi seemed like it would be bad form.

"So, what's the plan now?" Azami asked.

"I'm pretty sleepy after all the adventuring we did today. We should probably head back to the alley if we want to find a good spot to sleep." Pink suggested.

"Actually, if you aren't too tired, I have a rather urgent request that just came in." Momodi interrupted. Azami took stock of herself. She was also tired after her long day at the Bazaar, and finding a nice warm spot to huddle in the bitter cold of the desert night was a priority. But-

"If it pays I'm interested." she said.

"Go down to the Dispatch Yard and talk to a bloke named Papashan. He'll fill you in on the particulars once you get there." Momodi said. Azami frowned. She hadn't heard of the Dispatch Yard before. There hadn't seemed to be anything like that in the Western territories they had spent the day exploring. Momodi continued seeming to understand Azami's concern, "The Dispatch Yard's over in central Thanalan, just head out the door across the hall and you'll see the Gate of Nald staring right back at you. Pass through that and head east. You'll come upon it 'fore long."

"Thank you." Azami said. She turned on her heel and made to leave before Momodi's voice stopped her once more.

"There's dangers beyond the wall, though. More than I'd care ot count. Nothin' too terrible, mind you, but feisty enough to attack you if you draw near. Don't say nobody cared enough to warn you."

"I'll be careful." Azami promised.

"And we'll go too!" Pink said, latching on to Azami's arm.

"Weren't you just talking about how tired you are?" Azami sighed.

"We're always awake enough to go to the Dispatch Yard." Shiro said, clapping Azami on the back as he passed her by.

"Why? Is something exciting there?" Azami asked, dragging Pink along with her.

"Not a thing."

"I see."

Azami stepped through the Gates of Nald for the first time since she had passed through them that first day in Ul'dah. Somehow, despite it only having passed through it a short time ago, Azami felt as though the scenery was entirely new to her. Perhaps she hadn't been paying as much attention to her surroundings as she had thought back then.

In the distance, she spotted a massive tree. The trunk was easily larger than most of the houses in her village. How did it survive in the harsh desert climate? Azami pointed to it and looked at Pink.

"That's the Sultantree!" Pink supplied helpfully, "It's a really special place for the royal family! You can tell because it's named after them."

"There are all sorts of legends about it. If you're interested I can tell you some once we've finished our errands at the Dispatch yard." Shiro offered.

"That... sounds like fun." Azami hoped she sounded convincing.

Shiro led the way to the Dispatch Yard. Apparently he had been by once or twice. As they approached, they saw an elderly lalafellen man on the platform pouring over a map and looking as though the sky would fall down upon him at any moment. Clearly, this was the man they had been sent to see. Azami gave Pink a little shove towards him. Astoundingly, Pink took the hint.

"Hello!" she shouted, bounding up to the lalafell who looked like he was twelve seconds away from being flattened by the weight of his own anxiety, "My name's U'rabta! We're looking for Mister Papashan!"

"Well, you've found him." the elderly lalafell said, a bemused smile not quite making it to his eyes. It was understandable. Pink could be rather a lot. He continued, "You lot certainly look the part of adventurers, my friends. Might you be the good souls Momodi advised me to expect, hm?"

"That's us!" Pink said, "I'm U'rabta! That's my big brother U'mhig! And that's our friend Azami!"

"I am Papashan, stationmaster of this humble Dispatch Yard."

"Wow! You're in charge of the whole station yard? That's amazing! Is it fun? Is it hard? I bet it's a real hard job!"

"An empty title, I assure you. I truly am no more than a tired old lalafell passing his final years in quiet and solitude." Papashan cut in, disrupting Pink's babbling, "Twelve know there have been plenty of both these last five years since the Calamity struck. The devastation... was vast. Yet now true Ul'dahns work together, doing all in our power to rebuild what was laid to ruin. By the sweat of our brows and the love of our home, we have rebuilt Ul'dah to the grandeur and majesty that you see today. The railways which run through this Dispatch Yard, too, were born of the noble efforts of a great many souls. But there is still much work to be done. The wounds left by the Calamity run deep. Isolated areas beyond our lines of supply remain, and there are places yet wanting for relief and restoration. Ul'dah needs the aid of you and your bretheren, friend. In fact, never has our need been more dire."

"You are really trying to sell us on whatever this mystery job of yours is, huh?" Azami said. She had had more than enough long speeches about the power of togetherness for one day. For a lifetime, if she were being honest with herself. Where did these people find the time to write them? Or were they all improvised in the moment?

"My apologies. Let me get to the point, then. I do believe I may have some work suited to one of your ability." Papashan smiled at her. A more genuine smile, it seemed. Azami didn't think she had said anything particularly amusing, but if that was what it took to get the ball rolling on their mystery assignment.

"It just so happens a number of sentries have been sent to guard the area. A dispatch to the Dispatch Yard, as it were." Papashan explained, "They have long been away from the shade and featherbeds of the city. The hot days and cold nights can play hells on the mind and body out here. It isn't much, but go and give them these twilight pretzels, would you? I find comfort food always helps when I feel like killing myself."

"So you called for adventurers to help deliver snacks?" Pink asked.

"Well, they are many, and I cannot risk leaving my post long enough to do it myself. I apologize if-"

"As long as you're paying me I don't care what menial tasks you need me to complete. Whereabouts are these sentries?"

"There are three who have not yet returned from their patrols." Papashan said, gesturing towards a small map of Thanalan he had stretched out on a table. He pointed at three spots, "Their patrols are in these areas here."

"I see. Three of them, three of us. I'll take this guy." Azami said, picking one of the spots at random.

"Then I want this one!" Pink said, pointing to another.

"I guess that leaves me with him." Shiro said. Having picked their destinations, the three quickly split up.

Azami looked around her area carefully, trying not to get too distracted by the strange new greenery that she saw growing all around. Azami had been under the impression that deserts were desolate places, with very few plants. But Thanalan seemed to be mostly teeming with all sorts of strange plants. Azami wondered if any of them could be used for medicinal purposes? If they could, Azami could probably earn a little extra money gathering some for older folks like she had been able to back home. But now wasn't the time to think about such things.

Her gaze lifted skyward, and she spotted a man in a white and blue uniform that she had seen in Ul'dah at the top of a cliff. She recognized the uniform as that of the sultansworn. But what business did they have out in the desert? Azami usually saw Sultansworn guarding the palace. Perhaps some sort of noble was going to be passing through the area? It probably had something to do with that fancy party Azami had been hearing so much about.

Azami followed the edge of the cliff as it sloped gently downwards. Eventually she was able to climb up onto it herself, and began her approach. She barely got within three yalms of the man before he rounded on her sword in hand. In a loud voice he commanded her, "Halt! Madam, I'm going to have to ask you to put the basket on the ground and place your hands above your head!"

Azami shrugged and complied. While he was actively threatening her with a sword, Azami didn't think that this man was actually planning on hurting her. Instead, she thought that maybe he was just hoping she would be frightened off so he could return to whatever it was he was looking for. What a weird day she was having.

"State your name and business!"

"Azami and delivery. From Papashan. He asked me to bring you some pretzels."

"A twilight pretzels from Papashan? By the gods, forgive me! You could say this new post has my nerves in a... twist." The tension seemed to leave the man as he returned his sword to its sheath. Azami wasn't sure whether to laugh or groan at his dumb joke.

"May I put my hands down?" she asked.

"Yes... of course. I'm... I'm terribly sorry for that. Ahem, yes, well, you may rest assured that the Dispatch Yard is safe so long as I stand watch." the sultansworn said, "Please give Papashan my thanks, and tell him that I only wish I could repay the favor..."

"Well, I'm sure you'll have ample opportunity." Azami said, turning her back on the man. She headed back to the camp. As she approached she noticed Pink and Shiro had already returned. She jogged over to join them.

"You've returned- and with a deal fewer pretzels, I see!" Papashan beamed at them, his gaze full of a hope that Azami couldn't help but feel they were about to dash, "Tell me, how fare our Sultansworn sentries? Did they have anything to report, anything at all?"

"Nothing from mine." Azami admitted.

"Me either!" Pink announced. Shiro shook his head as well.

"What? Nothing? Are you sure? I... oh, oh dear." the old man was beginning to fret. He reminded Azami of a woman in her village long ago. A time that Azami would rather forget. She watched as Papashan took a breath and collected himself. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins to hand to each of them, "Take this for your troubles, then. And stay a moment- there is more I would ask of you."

Pink and Shiro shoved their coins into Azami's hands. She sighed and slipped them into the pouch Momodi had given them earlier. It seemed that somehow Azami had been made their little party's treasurer. Well, she was the one who was the most concerned with it. The job may as well fall to her.

"I have just this moment- No! No, the time for concealment is past! The truth is, even before I had you deliver the pretzels, I was privy to some most unsettling news!" Papashan said, "Which is the real reason I sent you to meet those Sultansworn. A young noblewoman from a very prestigious family has run away from home, and I have been ordered to see her safe return. The Sultansworn you met earlier are assisting with the search. Alas, it seems they have found no trace of her."

"Oh no! That sounds terrible!" Pink said.

"How long ago did she go missing?" Shiro asked, "Do you have any idea where she might be headed?"

Clearly worry had destroyed Papashan's ability to reason. Why would he trust three random adventurers with such knowledge? Any one of them could decide to use it for nefarious means. Ransoming a noble brat could earn them a lot of money. It was a terrible risk he was taking with them, but it seemed as though he had little other choice. Azami couldn't help but pity him.

"I apologize for not being frank with you from the start, but we must proceed with caution- should word of her disappearance spread, I fear others with less honorable motives may join the hunt." Papashan admitted. Well, at least he understood the position he was in.

"We know the sentries have found no sign of her," Azami said, gesturing towards the map, "Pink you try looking in this area, Shiro can you take over here? I'll look in this area. Meet back here in two bells."

"Sounds good to me." Shiro had barely finished speaking before Pink had started sprinting off towards her assigned area.

"Praise the Twelve. I knew I could count on you!" Papashan called after her. Shiro tilted his head at Azami when he noticed she hadn't also sprung right into action.

"It might be prudent to get a physical description of our missing noble before running off?" she suggested.

"That is... a fair point." Shiro said.

"Oh, yes. Of course. She's a young lalafellen woman by the name of Lady Lilira. Pink of hair, about this tall. I'm told that she borrowed clothes from one of the family servants before sneaking out."

"Well at least she isn't making herself too obvious." Shiro said, "Although that means she might be trying to hide. Do you know of any reason she might have run off? Trouble at home? Being forced into a convenient marriage that she doesn't want? That sort of thing?"

"No, no. Nothing like that." Papashan assured him.

"Can you go after Pink and tell her what Papashan told us?" Azami asked. Shiro tilted his head once more, but chose not to ask the question that clearly burned at him.

"I'll be right behind you, alright?" She promised. Shiro seemed to take that as an answer for now, but somehow Azami felt he would press the issue once this Lilira girl was safely in her mansion. Azami watched him until she was certain he was out of earshot.

"Please. Should we allow her to come to any harm, not even a hundred beheadings would be punishment enough... This cannot happen, Azami. It must not!" It was embarrassing to watch the man plead. Azami took a breath and decided to put him out of both of their misery.

"I'm about to ask a question that's going to seem a little odd." she said, "And... I'm going to need you to promise that you won't speak to anyone of this conversation. Can you swear that?"

Papashan looked at her for a long moment, considering. Wondering what it could possibly be that she was about to ask, no doubt. Finally he said, "I'm afraid that I don't understand what you mean."

"I mean that this is life or death. Not a soul can know about this conversation you and I are having right now. Can you promise me that?" Azami tried to will him to understand the importance of her request. If it weren't kept secret... How many times would Azami repeat her mistakes before she learned?

"I swear it." Papashan assured her. Azami chose to believe him. He was, after all, in as difficult a position as she was.

"Do you have an object belonging to this Lilira?" she asked, "It can be anything. A sock, hair ribbon. Anything that she considers to be hers?"

"What..." Papashan seemed to be at a loss.

"I know how it sounds, but I can use it to find her. So long as it considers itself to be hers." Azami tried her best to explain, but somehow her explanations never felt like they were enough. But she had said too much already. If she was wrong about this man...

"I don't understand, but... Will this do?" Papashan asked, holding up a small square of silk, "It is a handkerchief that she once gave to me."

Azami slipped her hand free from her glove and took the kerchief. The link was weak, but Azami thought she might be able to trace it if she focused. She shut her eyes, tried to shut out the world and focus on Lilira. She saw it, distant and hazy, but present. To the south. If she focused just a little bit harder... she could almost make out some rock formations. Lilira was heading towards that big tree. There was a desperation in her steps.

"This never happened." Azami reminded him, handkerchief still clutched in her fist as she ran off to follow the tether.

The closer she got the stronger her connection felt. It had been a long time since she had used her gift in this way. Not since... Azami shook her head. She couldn't think about that right now. Papashan needed her to find Lilira. In the distance, Azami spotted one of the rock formations she had watched Lilira stomp past. She was going in the right direction. It wouldn't be much longer before she spotted her.

Just up the hill, barely a quarter of a malm away now. Azami spotted the young woman dressed in a frumpy pink robe not unlike those she saw some of the trainees over at the Thaumaturgey Guild and a pink turban. That was the girl, Azami knew her as well as she knew her own face at this point. She slipped her hand back into her glove, and jogged after the girl. Closing the distance quickly, even as the girl turned in fright at the stranger running up to her.

"You have caused a lot of trouble, young lady." Azami scolded the girl almost out of reflex as she got closer, "Do you have any idea how worried Papashan is right now? The poor old man is beside himself."

"I-I don't... I..." the girl sputtered, clearly not used to being given the scoldings that she so richly deserves. Azami sighed, recentering herself. Perhaps she had spent too long with the tether. Some of Papashan's anxiety must have crept in while she was searching. That was probably it. "How dare you speak to me thus?"

"Oh, I think you'll find that I'm just very daring." Azami said, "Especially when it comes to spoilt little brats who leave with nary a word to those who care about them and walk off into the desert."

"Sp-spoilt?"

"Yes. Spoilt. And inconsiderate! Do you really not know how much trouble you've caused? The Sultansworn are at their wits end. And Papashan has been reduced to calling in random adventurers to come help. Most of us were hoping to get a chance to eat dinner or sleep tonight, but instead we're out here searching for your dumbass."

"I... I am sorry. I never intended to cause such trouble." the girl said, looking appropriately contrite.

"Whatever." Azami huffed, walking past the girl towards the tree, "The sooner we finish up here the sooner we can get you back."

"What?"

"You needed to go to the Sultantree, didn't you?"

"Yes, but..."

"Well, we can go do it now, or I can throw you over my shoulder and haul your ass back to Papashan like a sack of popotos, and you can sneak out and try it again tomorrow. Which is it gonna be?"

"I... Thank you. I shan't be long." the girl promised. Azami nodded and they began to head towards the tree together. There didn't seem to be anything in the immediate area that Azami was particularly concerned about. The marmots and hornets seemed to mostly be leaving them alone. But still there was an uncomfortable feeling in the air. A kind of tickle in the back of her throat.

"A word of advice?" Azami decided to try and make conversation, if only to take her mind off the odd feeling just under her skin, "If you're going to pretend to be a common person you should try not going into public wearing earrings that look like they're worth more money than a regular working family would make in an entire year."

The girl's hands reflexively went up to the gems in question. Glittering diamonds dangling from ornately carved cuffs. She quickly removed the offending jewelry, "I hadn't realized I still had them in."

"No, I imagine not." Azami said, "So what brings you out here?"

"I can't say." Lilira answered. Azami shrugged.

"It's not like they're paying me enough to care." she admitted, "Shiro's got this mad idea that you're being forced into some loveless marriage and are running away to marry your true love. Or some shit."

Lilira giggled, "And what, pray tell, was your theory?"

"Didn't really have one." Azami admitted, "Like I said. I'm not being paid enough to care."

"I see. Have you been in Ul'dah long?"

"Couple days now."

"You speak of money as if you had been born here."

"I get that a lot." Azami admitted. The sultantree grew ever larger as they approached, looming over them in a way that wasn't wholly uncomfortable. Even if something still tickled just under Azami's skin and set her teeth on edge, "So what's with the tree? Is it some sort of kami or...?"

"Kami?" the girl tilted her head at the unfamiliar word.

"Oh... right. You worship The Twelve here. Kami are... like that. But also not at all." Azami tried to explain, "I'm not really sure how to explain it."

"I'm not certain if it is a kami." Lilira said, "But... It is very important to Ul'dah. The sultanate, in particular."

"Yes, I can tell because it's named after them."

Lilira gave her a disapproving frown, but continued nonetheless, "The souls of previous sultans and sultanas are said to reside in the tree, so that they may ever watch over their beloved city."

"Is that why it has grown so large?"

"According to the legends."

"And you are here to ask for their help? For reasons you're not allowed to tell me?"

"Yes. Now, kindly go keep watch over there while I pray."

Azami nodded and stood quietly to the side, keeping her eyes out for any monsters, or any sign of her fellow searchers.

"O Sultantree..." Lilira's voice wavered. She took a breath and tried again, "O Sultantree, hallowed spirit of my line, forgive my weakness. My failings have cost us dear..."

Azami was suddenly assaulted by the feeling of unseen eyes on her. Reflexively, she moved to hide Lilira from view, placing herself between her client and whatever stranger had come. Lilira had sensed it too, and stopped her prayers. She stood and in a more commanding tone than a little brat like her had any right to use said, "Show yourself!"

"As you command, O Lilira." a hyur with white hair and strange markings on his neck stepped into view. He was clad in black, and quite a bit taller than Azami was. He more or less ignored her, keeping his attention on the young noblewoman behind her, "Forgive my selfish desire to assure your welfare."

"Friend of yours?" Azami asked, eying the man warily. He held a sword at his hip, but his movements looked incongruous with a blade that size. He seemed more similar to a shinobi than a gladiator. His apparent talent for hiding his presence didn't help matters. Azami had the feeling that she hadn't noticed him until the exact moment he had wanted to be noticed. Just how long had he been watching them?

"Hardly." Lilira scoffed. The man took a moment to look affronted.

"I think you've gone and hurt his wee little feelings." Azami said.

"You really are just a bitch to everyone you meet, huh?" Lilira asked. Now it was Azami's turn to look affronted. She clasped a hand to her chest as though Lilira's insult had struck her right in the heart.

"And now you've gone and hurt mine."

"Quiet you." Lilira hissed. She turned her attention back to the interloper. Using her spoilt little noble voice she tried to shoo him off, "I don't recall requesting an escort! Simply pretend we never met and continue on your way."

"We both know I can do no such thing. It isn't safe for you here alone."

"Hey." Azami huffed. She was standing right there.

"It isn't safe for anyone- not with this aetheric disturbance... It's as though the dead are watching us... And I'd prefer not to join them, if it's all the same to you."

Loathe as she was to admit it, he wasn't wrong. The gross feeling in the air had only been intensifying. Azami decided that this stranger probably wasn't planning on stabbing her the moment she turned back, so she turned to face Lilira, "He's right. Something is wrong. Finish quickly and let's get back."

"Fine. Just give me a moment." Lilira said, kneeling back down before the tree. Azami took her place once more, this time joined by an irritating stranger.

"Ah, you must be the one Papashan mentioned. Congratulations on finding our elusive young charge." He said. Azami mostly ignored him as he continued rambling, "You'll have to forgive Her Impetuousness. What she lacks in discipline, she makes up for in stubbornness. You should return with us. The stationmaster will be eager to thank Lady Lilira's protector in person."

"With 'us', huh." Azami said, "I don't recall inviting you along."

"You wound me, madam."

"Azami."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I don't know if I have that sort of authority, but I'll be sure to put in a good word for you." Azami flashed a harsh glare his way, "My name. It's Azami. Don't fucking call me madam."

"My... apologies." the stranger said, clearly uncertain how to proceed with the conversation.

He was saved from any further awkwardness by the sound of heavy wings overhead. The creature they belonged to was unlike any bird Azami had ever seen. It was humanoid, with long spindly limbs and a wickedly pointed beak. Thick black scales coated the thing's hide like armored plating. Azami wondered if she would be able to punch her way through it? Or would she simply break her hands in the attempt?

Well, no matter. She would simply figure something out.

"Alas, it seems proper introductions will have to wait." the man said, stepping forward and drawing his blade, "Dear Lilira, for my sake please stay out of harm's way. As for you, dear friend- for Lilira's sake- please stay in harm's way!"

Azami took a moment to make sure Lilira had hidden herself among the thick roots of the Sultantree before joining the fray. As she feared, her fists didn't seem to so much as bother the creature. It raked its claws in her direction. Azami jumped back, just out of its reach. Her new companion didn't seem to be faring any better, his blade bouncing harmlessly off of its armored scales.

"This isn't working." Azami huffed.

"I'll hold it's attention. Take Lilira and run back to the station." the man said.

"Sure. Just one small problem with that." Azami said, "There are more approaching from the west."

"Lovely, it brought friends!" the man growled as he ducked under a brutal swing of the creature's claws, "Leave the big one to me! You handle the rest!"

"On it!" Azami said, wondering if the smaller ones would be any easier for her to damage. She charged forwards, ramming her shoulder into the first one. It squawked as she made contact. The creature landed hard on the ground. Azami didn't think it would stay down, but she was already busy dealing with its friends, ducking under one claw and talon to drive her fist into where she assumed its vital organs might be. Azami felt the scales give under the force of her blow.

"No!" a shockingly familiar voice called out. Azami scarcely had time to turn before she heard wood shatter and Pink cry out in pain. Azami threw herself in Pink's direction, fully tackling the creature that had harmed her. She landed on top of the damned thing, holding it fast to the ground by its throat as she savagely beat it with her other fist. She didn't stop until she heard a sickening crack, and the creature fell limp beneath her.

"Rabta, are you alright?" Shiro asked. Azami noticed the other creature she had been fighting laying dead behind him. The ruined remains of the cheap wooden shield lay scattered on the ground, red blood soaking into the sand.

"I'm alright." Pink said through gritted teeth. Azami looked at the wound, and saw a white flash of bone from under her tattered flesh.

"There's more coming." She informed Shiro.

"Fine. I'll hold them off. Get Rabta somewhere safe." He said, taking a position between them and the creatures. Azami helped Pink to her feet, all but carrying the girl back towards the sultantree. She noticed that the stranger's battle with the creature seemed to be at a standstill, but he was already beginning to slow. If it went on much longer he would miss a step and...

Azami couldn't think about that just then. First she needed to treat Pink's wounds.

Once they were safely under the roots of the Sultantree, Azami set Pink down. The girl was trying her best to put on a brave face, but Azami could tell she was only barely holding back tears. Azami pulled an old shirt from her pack, using it as a makeshift bandage to try and staunch the bleeding.

"Do you have any more of those potions?" she asked. Pink shook her head. Azami scoffed, "Bet you regret wasting that one on me now."

"It wasn't a waste." Pink squeaked out. Her genuine and inexplicable affection for Azami never ceased to confuse and irritate her.

"You're so annoying." she huffed, "Lilira come hold pressure on this wound."

"What? I- I can't-" the girl looked frazzled, almost as if she had never seen a wound up close before. Perhaps she hadn't.

"Lilira look at me." Azami commanded. Once she had the girl's attention, "You can do this. Just hold the pressure."

"I can do this." The girl repeated. And for an instant, Azami almost thought she believed it. With a shaky nod, the girl placed her trembling hands where Azami showed her. Azami reached into her boot and retrieved the kaiken that she had hidden there. It wasn't much, but perhaps it would be enough to pierce through these things scales. She stood to rejoin the fight. Shiro and that annoying stranger were going to need the help.

"Hold it just like that until we get back." Azami told Lilira.

"Wait." Pink said, "I saw that creature in one of the books my guildmasters asked me to read. It's... going to keep calling more until you kill the big one."

"Right. Any idea how to do that?"

"The armor is weakest near the wings."

"Got it. Stay out of trouble until I get back."

Azami rushed back into the fray. Several of the creatures were swarming Shiro now, but he didn't seem to be terribly injured. Between his shield and his armor, their claws seemed unable to find their mark. But even that wouldn't hold out forever. Azami was going to need to finish things now. Luckily, the stranger had managed to turn the creature just so that its back was exposed to Azami. She took a running leap, grabbing onto one of its wings with one hand, Azami wrapped her legs tightly around the creature so it wouldn't throw her off as she stabbed her blade into the joint where its wing met its back.

The creature let out an unholy shriek of pain and rage and tried to swipe at her. Azami ignored the pain as its claws raked glancing blows against her legs. Nothing so bad as what Pink was enduring, Azami was certain. She grit her teeth and persisted. Pulling the blade free from its flesh only to drive it back in. Over and over. The stabs got progressively meatier sounding until with a sickening tear, the wing came free. Azami toppled to the ground with it.

She quickly scrambled to her knees, readying her knife for a go at the other wing, but the creature lay still, its harsh gurgling breaths slowing to a stop even as it tried weakly to claw at her once more. Azami's own breaths were harsh and ragged. She watched it for what felt like an eternity before she was satisfied that it wouldn't rise once more.

"Shit." She swore, turning her attention back to Shiro. He was still surrounded by the creatures. Five or six of them. Azami was far too frazzled to count. She hurled herself back into the fray, their strange new ally right at her heels. He might have made some sort of smartass comment, but all Azami could hear was the sound of her own heart pounding as she took down the closest creature.

Something burning hot shot past Azami, the heat of one of Pink's fireballs almost comforting as it slammed into another one of the creatures.

"Lay back down, you idiot!" Azami shouted back to her. Stupid girl was only going to make her wounds worse that way. But fire continued to rain down on the creatures from afar, regardless of Azami's protests.

Between the four of them the battle was ended swiftly. Once the final creature breathed its last, Shiro rushed past Azami to check on Pink. Azami wiped the viscous black fluid that seemed to be the creatures’ blood on her sleeve before tucking her kaiken back into her boot.

"Are you alright?" The stranger asked. Azami took a moment to take stock of herself. There were cuts down her shins where the big one had caught her in its flailing attempts to get her off of its back, but they were shallow. Nothing a few bandages and a good night's rest wouldn't fix. Otherwise, she seemed mostly unharmed.

"Fine." she answered.

Thanks to Pink. Something dark and terrible stabbed at Azami's heart. It was her fault. She had gotten careless and now Pink was in so much pain. It had cut her straight to the bone. Who knew what kind of damage that would do to her arm? Would she ever be able to hold a shield again? Even if the wound itself and the bleeding didn't kill her, there were still infections. They lived in a dirty alleyway. Hardly the most sanitary place to nurse a wound. What if it got gangrenous? What if Pink bled out before they could get her to a proper healer?

This was all Azami’s fault.

"Let's go check on her." the stranger said, gently guiding Azami to where she had left Lilira to tend to Pink. His smile was gentle and knowing, like he understood exactly what she was thinking. Azami didn't even have the energy to be mad at him for it. Instead she nodded and followed along.

As they passed by the corpse of the big one, something odd caught Azami's eye. A strange blue crystal was laying in the pool of black blood leaking from the creature. The faces were smooth and shining, and it certainly hadn't been there moments ago. Azami wasn't sure why, but something about it seemed familiar. Like a part of herself that she hadn't realized was missing.

Azami stopped to examine it further. The stranger kept walking without her, but Azami didn't care about him just then. She reached out to pick the crystal up.

As soon as her fingers brushed the surface she was somewhere else. In a void, similar to the one that she sometimes visited in her dreams. Beneath her feet was a strange sigil, with several empty circles surrounding her. The blue crystal in her hands flashed, and took its place in one of the empty circles. In the distance Azami could hear that familiar voice.

"Hear... feel... think..."

For once the voice deigned to show itself. A massive blue crystal floating in the distance. Somehow Azami knew that that was what was speaking. It was no stranger than anything else in the void she found herself in, she supposed.

"Crystal bearer. I am Hydaelyn. All made one." it said.

"Cool for you." Azami did not have time for this nonsense, "What the hell is going on?"

"A Light there once was that shone throughout this realm... yet it hath since grown dim. And as it hath faltered, so hath Darkness risen up in its stead, presaging an end to Life. For the sake of all, I beseech thee. Deliver us from this fate!"

"And what do you expect me to do about it? I could barely take one of those flying things just now."

"The power to banish the Darkness dwellest in the Crystals of Light. Journey forth and lay claim to them. By thy deeds, shall the crystals reveal themselves to thee. Only believe, for the Light liveth in thy heart."

"You've got the wrong girl! I'm not... Pick somebody else!"

Azami saw others, dozens of others. People floating freely around the crystal. They seemed to be having a much better time than Azami. Any one of them could have been the hero Hydaelyn wanted. Why did she think Azami would be better suited for the task? Azami was the last person who wanted to be a hero. All she wanted was to get the money she needed and go home!

"Go now, my child, and shine thy Light on all creation."

"No! I’m not a hero! You have to pick somebody else!"

But her protests fell on deaf ears.

#ffxiv #fanfic #twdfc #my writing

0 notes