The Carline Canopy was almost empty by the time Melanie and her comrades arrived back in Gridania with news that a new group of adventurers had disposed of the Bockman threat. They hadn't spoken since leaving Tam-Tara and even now they were sat around a table silently staring into tankards of mead. Neither of them felt comfortable about what happened at the tower. Melanie felt she needed to break the ice but she had no words to offer. Only Reubemont knew exactly what she saw in her vision and would truthfully understand.
Holskwyb finally had enough of the silence and slammed her hands down onto the table. "Listen, I know what we saw today was a shock for all of us. Perhaps we've forgotten that we're all adventurers and this is just merely the beginning of what's still to come. We won't be fighting monsters all the time, there will be times we must draw swords against other people."
Reubemont sighed and lowered his gaze further. "It's not just about her death. What I saw, what both me and Brovola saw, was something much deeper. She and her sister no doubts hoped for a life here and instead they were treated like dirt and made to feel unwelcome. They were driven to become outlaws in order to survive, and when her sister was killed by the same people who abused them she sought revenge. I do not condone what she did however, but I do not also condone the actions of the people here before they became outlaws."
Johna felt a shudder through his body and moved around shiftly in his seat. "I noticed an imbalance among the citizens, especially those who aren't native to the city" he said. "Since my coming here trying to find work was very difficult, if not impossible, and the attitudes of the natives were rather hostile. In the end I turned to adventuring as a source of income and even then trying to find work as an adventurer wasn't easy. One really has to work hard to get treated decently. I also noticed that certain races get even far worse treatment, especially those of the duskwight tribe and the keepers of the moon."
"I too noticed the imbalance" Suyaya added. "Whilst I am a born citizen of Gridania other people who are not Gridanian natives struggle. It is little wonder many have turned to adventuring to try to make a living whilst others have left to other cities. The levels of snobbery here have no bounds when it comes to outsiders."
Reubemont continued to brood until he heard a familiar voice behind him. Melanie's ears pricked up upon hearing the same voice. "Word is they downed another one of those Coeurlclaws over at Galvanth's Spire. What's more she was posing as one of us! At least now that's one less of those little whores scurrying around our woods" he gloated to his partner who laughed along with him. "That's the same voice from my vision!" Melanie thought to herself. She looked across at Reubemont who was looking directly at her and giving her a very slow and stern nod. Melanie looked straight into his eyes and slowly nodded in response. Together they slowly rose from their seats with weapons drawn and walked over to two elezen men dressed in wood wailer clothes settling down at a table with a couple of tankards of ale whilst their friends looked on confused.
"What's happening?" Suyaya asked the others as they watched Reubemont and Melanie walk away.
"I don't know but I smell trouble" Holskwyb muttered as she took a sip from her tankard, her eyes following Reubemont and watching his every move.
As he approached the table the elezen men stopped laughing and looked up at Reubemont with a disgusted look. "Ugh, what do you want?" the loud one asked. Reubemont swiftly slammed the elezen's head down onto the table. Before the other could respond Melanie was already mid-casting a sleep spell. "How about you take a nice nap" she said as the spell worked its magic causing him to slump into his chair and fall asleep.
"What is the meaning of this? How dare you!" the elezen man yelled angrily.
"That whore you was just talking about was driven by you and your partner into becoming outlaws. Perhaps you will remember those two miqo'te that you pushed aside in the streets who were begging for mercy where you showed none. Because of your heartless actions both of them are now dead!" Reubemont growled in a low voice.
"Wha??? Oh yeah, I remember those two" the elezen man said grinning under the weight of Reubemont's hand who was holding his head down on the table. "What, do you expect me to feel sorry and beg for forgiveness? Like I care about a pair of outsider scum!"
Reubemont raged, dragging the elezen from his seat and tossing him across the room causing tables and chairs to scatter. People started to gasp and panic as they watched the scene unfold. The elezen slammed against a wall with a loud crunching sound and collapsed onto the ground groaning. He slowly rolled over to look up at Reubemont still grinning with blood-stained teeth. "You'll regret assaulting a member of the wood wailers, immigrant pig!" he shouted as he defiantly spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor.
Melanie's ears pricked up as she could hear the sounds of more men hurrying towards the canopy. Down below she also heard the sounds of propellors as an airship was docking in at the landing. Quickly she pulled onto Reubemont's arm. "More people are coming, we have to leave! We can take the airship out of here" she said in a desperate voice. Reubemont glared angrily at the elezen wood wailer. "You forget that you too are elezen like me. To think you are one of my own flesh and blood makes me want to throw up in disgust" he said before turning around and following Melanie towards the stairs leading down to the airship dock. The rest of their friends quickly downed their ale and grabbed their belongings and followed.
As they approached the stairs Melanie hesitated until Reubemont was in front of her. She could hear the voices of more men getting closer to the canopy. The fear of being caught overpowered her anxiety and as quick as she could she began to descend the stairs. Reubemont was already at the bottom and had bought several tickets from the ticketeer. As soon as Melanie and their friends reached the gate he ushered them through to the airship which was waiting outside.
"HALT! Do not let that airship leave!" a voice from above shouted out. By the time reinforcements had arrived the airship had already left the dock and was ascending above the trees heading towards Thanalan.
Now that they were safely out of Gridania Melanie remembered her fears and quickly clung onto Reubemont, causing Holskwyb to give her a quizzing look. "Err, it's not what you think" Reubemont said a little flustered. "She has a fear of heights." He put his arms around Melanie and held her gently as she trembled in fear and buried her face into his chest.
"Huh, I see..." Holskwyb said as she watched Melanie shaking and sobbing. "Good thing she has you to comfort her, just like Junnelle" she said and she smiled in the corner of her mouth.
Reubemont looked up at Holskwyb a little startled then smiled and looked back down at Melanie and gently stroked her hair.
"So, would you care to explain what all that was about back there?" Johna said walking over to Reubemont with his arms crossed and a slightly angry expression on his face. "In case you have forgotten I am still training under the wood wailers and they will no doubts detain me and Suyaya and question us the next time we step on Gridanian soil."
Reubemont looked at Johna regretfully. "I am sorry, I didn't think about that" he said in a remorseful voice. "Those two wood wailers were the same people we saw in our visions. They drove that poor girl and her sister into becoming outlaws" Reubemont lowered his head sadly and shook his head. "I knew Gridania had its issues but I had no idea they could harbor such contempt towards people not born of its citizens."
"Well it's too late for regrets now" Suyaya said walking up towards Reubemont. "We are just going to have to face the music when we return and pray we don't get hit with criminal charges." She looked up at Melanie with a pitiful look on her face. "She really is afraid, isn't she?" she said calmly.
Time passed by with the group scattered around the ship. Melanie was still holding onto Reubemont tightly although she had now stopped shaking and sobbing. Johna scanned the area to see where they were. He had ridden airships many times so he could judge how far they had come and how long it would take to reach their destination. They were now starting to clear the trees of the Black Shroud and were entering into the dry lands of Thanalan. He estimated it would take another 25 minutes before they'd arrive at Ul'dah.
Suyaya had found herself a small crate to perch herself on and was meditating on her magic whilst Holskwyb lingered around the back of the ship with her arms crossed looking back on the Shroud.
Johna's eyes caught sight of the silhouettes of Ul'dah's spires far into the distance. He felt somewhat relieved they were now far from Gridania. The wood wailers had no juristiction over Ul'dah's citizens, however word could still reach the Sultana from the Elder Seedseer and if she saw it fit she could have them arrested before they could even take a step off the airship and sent back to Gridania to face any charges awaiting them there. He tried not to worry about what might be awaiting them at Ul'dah and appreciated the fact that whilst they were in the air they were still free citizens.
Looking down below them Johna saw a battle taking place with a large creature resembling a black coeurl and several people in adventuring gear. He waved over to his friends. "Everyone, quick, you gotta see this!" he beckoned them over. Melanie held onto Reubemont's arm and slowly edged her way to the port side of the airship hoping to catch a glimpse without completely freaking out. Her stomach lept up into her throat several times and she felt a panic attack coming on but she was able to peer enough to see the commotion below them. "Looks like another creature took on the mantle of Maahes. See those adventurers? They are participating in what is known as The Great Hunt. Whenever a fiend takes on the position of its predecessor and becomes a threat it's up to the Grand Companies to set up a hunting bill for highly skilled adventurers to participate in taking it down." They watched as the coeurl used its whiskers to electrically charge the air around it and burst with a loud explosion causing everyone to fall to the ground and struggling to get back onto their feet again. "Woo! That is one of its paralysis moves, a very potent one at that. You really do not want to get hit by that even as a healer as it's a real pain to cleanse it off."
The airship quickly passed over the hunting party and everyone backed away from the edge of the airship. "You know a lot about hunts" Holskwyb said with a keen interest.
"That is because my father used to participate in them himself when I was a child. He would tell me stories about them and would bring back gifts from the huntmasters' coffers. That is until one day he got too cocky and tried to face off with Safat all by himself. Stood too close to the edge of a crevasse and got sent down to his death. Stupid wanker. His body was found hours later by a passing hunt party after they took down Safat themselves."
"Sorry to hear about your father" Holskwyb lowered her voice.
"Nah don't be, that cocky bastard would have died anyways to some other fiend. He believed himself strong enough to take on any fiend and reap all the rewards for himself and would brag about it in all the local taverns. He wanted to make a big name for himself you see, as Eorzea's sole and dependable huntsman. I pray I never become that cocky and selfish. That is why I joined the adventurers' guild, so instead of trying to be independable like my father I would find like minded adventurers to enter into forays with together and do it properly."
Ul'dah's spires began to take on shape and colour as they approached closer to the city. Holskwyb began to frown a little as she squinted towards them. "Do you think word has reached the Sultana about our antics in the Shroud?" she said to Johna. Johna nodded with a frustrated huff. "Most likely" he replied. "Hmm, then I wonder if she will let us back into the city again" Holskwyb muttered to herself.
Reubemont pulled Melanie towards him away from the edge of the airship and began to speak quietly to her. "Since you and I are Ul'dah's citizens we will be the ones likely taken into questioning whilst the rest of the team will be held in custody or even sent back to Gridania for questioning there. Try not to worry though, I will take full accountability for what happened."
Melanie shook her head at him. "No, I was involved too" Melanie argued.
"I was the one throwing the punches, so if anyone is to blame it is me" he said holding her face still with both his hands. "Please Brovola, do not get yourself into more trouble than you need to. I will handle this."
Melanie let out a frustrated sigh in defeat. Reubemont smiled and let go of her then put on his serious face as the airship started its descent towards the city's docking port. He could already see there was a waiting party for them led by the Immortal Flames.
The airship jolted slightly as it stopped and the team started to disembark. The team leader of the Immortal Flames approached them before they could step down from the airship. "Sir Reubemont Lebier and Miss D'brovola Selah, I have orders to escort you directly to the Fragrant Chamber for questioning in regards to recent activities reported from Gridania. I request that you cooperate and come quietly. The rest of you are to be taken into custody until further notice."
Reubemont and Melanie looked at each other with dejected looks and then followed the team leader to the lift whilst the rest of the Immortal Flames escorted Suyaya, Johna and Holskwyb back across the airship towards a sealed room behind them. Melanie started to worry about what was going to happen. She'd never been in trouble with the law before and here she was just barely a week gone by on an alien planet causing a ruckus and getting her new friends into trouble.
Reubemont could see Melanie was troubled as they entered the lift and leaned over towards her ears. "Remember what I said earlier, I will take full accountability" he said quietly under his breath.
"No talking" the Flame said to them in a stern voice. Reubemont stood back upright and began to breathe calmly whilst Melanie nervously took in a deep breath. The gate in front of the lift raised up as they arrived at the Hustings Strip and quietly walked around the Royal Promenade towards a heavily guarded door up a long and wide flight of luxuriosly carpetted stairs. Melanie tried her best not to look down from the promenade incase she'd have a panic attack. She was already nervous enough as it was. The stairs weren't very steep but they were quite long and the steps were more further spread apart the further up they went.
The Flame knocked on the door and stepped back ushering Reubemont and Melanie to enter. Taking a calm breath Reubemont pushed open the doors and they both walked into a large chamber which was mostly open space save for a large stone table with ornate wooden chairs in the back and large golden chandeliers that brightly lit up the room. Other rich and royal decor adorned the sides of the chamber indicating that this was a room exclusively reserved for its wealthiest delegates and the Sultana.
Sat at the far back of the table was the Sultana herself, Nanamo Ul Namo, in her pink and gold attire and wispy pink pigtails. She looked so sickeningly cute that Melanie struggled trying not to vomit in her mouth. Reubemont and Melanie both bowed before her and stood to attention. Nanamo looked up at them with a very stern look on her face.
"Since you no doubts know the reason why you are both here let us get straight to the point. Your actions in Gridania have resulted in a civil war between its citizens and those in charge of keeping the peace in the city. For the first time in history Gridania is in a lockdown with people protesting in the streets. Do you have anything to say for yourselves?"
Reubemont stepped forward in front of Melanie trying to shield her. "It was my fault your grace. I engaged the wood wailers and made the first strike. The rest of my comrades were not involved nor were they aware of what I was planning to do. I take full responsibility for my actions and will gracefully accept whatever punishment you see fit."
Nanamo glared at him with her expression unchanged. "Duly noted" she said in a stern voice.
"Your grace, with your permission I would like to speak freely" Reubemont said lowering his head.
"Granted" she said still without changing her expression.
"Why are you in charge of the questionings? Shouldn't this be left up to the Immortal Flames to detain and question us?"
"Since your actions have resulted in a civil war in one of our allied states it is my responsibility that you are held and questioned in order to protect my own city and its citizens. We wouldn't want you causing the same kind of trouble here as you did in Gridania now wouldn't we?"
Reubemont shook his head. "I would never" he said under his breath.
"Good" Nanamo said nodding her head. "Now then, what prompted you to start this war in the first place?"
"I had a vision..." Reubemont was interrupted as Melanie stepped around and in front of him.
"We had a vision" she said outloud. "Reubemont and I have been blessed with the gift of The Echo. We witnessed 2 young girls - sisters - who tried to settle in Gridania being abused by its citizens and became outlaws in order to survive. The men we attacked were the very same ones who abused those girls when they tried to seek help and were the reason why they became outlaws. We couldn't just let what they had done slip especially when they were gloating about it in public."
Nanamo listened quietly trying to think of how to respond. She closed her eyes for a moment. "I know of Gridania's biased behaviour towards its citizens and non-citizens, and whilst it's not for me to judge them I cannot deny that a good portion of our own citizens were once travelers trying to seek assylum in Gridania who faced prejudism and were driven out by its bigotry." She then opened her eyes again and looked at them directly in their faces. "It's also not in your hands to try to sway the citizens of Gridania into trying to change its behaviour. However what has begun has begun and nothing can change that now. That is why I have been requested by the Elder Seedseer not to punish you, but to rather give you a personal warning and to order you to keep the vigilante behaviour under lock and key and buried beneath Thanalan's sands. Do I make myself clear?"
Reubemont and Melanie nodded in compliance. "You are both free to go, as are your friends. However, D'brovola, I would like a few moments alone with you before you leave."
Reubemont looked at Melanie a little surprised and then with a bow left the room. As soon as they were alone Nanamo looked at Melanie with a slight hint of anger in her eyes. "What were you thinking?! I seem to recall Krile telling you to lay low and keep your head down, or did that correspondence slip from your mind?" she snapped at Melanie.
"I'm really sorry, yes I know but I couldn't just stand by and let those bigots get away with what they did to those innocent girls" Melanie said hanging her head low.
Nanamo closed her eyes again and let out a dejected sigh. "I understand, it is what is in your nature to do. You and the person I remember as once being you are so very alike that even I am having a hard time remembering that you are not the same person. Like her you care about people other than yourself and will go out of your way to do what you see is right. Were you still in the same position I would have let this slip as yet another one of your heroic deeds, but as a new adventurer I have to set an example otherwise every other new adventurer is going to think they can do what they please the moment they register with the guild." Nanamo opened her eyes and looked up at Melanie. "Gridania is in a dire state and currently off-limits to its non-citizens until things are put back in order again. For now I would say continue your practices and your studies here in Ul'dah and pray try not to get into any more trouble while you are here."
Melanie nodded and Nanamo gave her a smile in return. "Now then, with that aside, you said that Sir Reubemont has the gift of The Echo?"
"Yes, it happened in our last mission when we went to face off with Bockman - an entity one of those young girls I mentioned earlier reawakened using necromancy to avenge the death of her sister to the wood wailers whilst they were living as outlaws. There was a crystal of light and it awakened the gift in Reubemont."
"So Hydaelyn's blessing is still being distributed among her chosen creating new warriors of light" Nanamo gasped excitedly. "And they are none other than the people who are now your comrades! I would say this is no coincidence that your new comrades are among the chosen. Whilst I don't fully understand who gets chosen nor why I do know that those gifted with The Echo are very few in number. Perhaps all of this is part of Hydaelyn's plan, in which case I would be foolish to try and stop you." She glanced up at Melanie one more time. "I needn't say this to you but pray be careful out there" she said earnestly.
Melanie nodded and proceeded to leave the chamber.
