Author's Note: This is not my first written fan fiction, it is my first 'let's get brave for a moment and post something' Fan fiction. I do not mind constructive criticism. I don't mind flamers. I really don't mind much of anything. I do want to hear your thoughts on this. It pleases me more than anything else really. Also I don't post according to review numbers like some authors do, I post as I write it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII. If I did Basch would already be with the queen. I own the idea though. I only post my stories here, so if you see them elsewhere, do tell me. I’ll take care of the thieves.

Chapter One: King who?

The sun towered above the desert wasteland, proving its power by draining the creatures below of their energy. It was pure murder to those not use to the Dalmascan sands, particularly a young man trudging through the endless sand. His blonde hair was attacked by the rough winds of the quickly approaching sand storm. He was wearing naught but a simple tunic and pants, arms shielding his face as he fought through windblown sand.

As the sun's rays sank to the west, taking the light of day with it; the man stumbled to a stop under the overhang of the mountain-like formation of the rocks. He slid down the smooth underside, his energy was gone. With his head resting on bent knees, he drifted off into a sweet slumber despite the wolves screeching howls nearing him.

"My king, should we continue forward, we will be Dalmascan Sands’ mercy!" A man, hidden inside a suit of armor, yelled out to the much older looking man riding behind him.

"No need to worry, Captain Azelas. We must carry on. How could one live with the burden of knowing one could have saved the wandering peoples of a fallen country and one did not take action? I have a feeling, Vossler, we shall find ourselves something or someone we cannot replace if we continue on.

Vossler rolled his eyes at the old man's speech and guided his chocobo back towards the treacherous winds in the valley. "Fine. Need I remind you that you do have a daughter awaiting her father's return soon? You would not want Ashelia to go into hysterics would you?"

King Raminas chuckled as his chocobo caught up to Vossler's, "No, I don't believe the maids could handle her. She's only four and wrecking havoc in the palace."

"She takes after you."

“I know, I know. Now, let us continue on. I feel something is awaiting us, we must hurry!" He rushed the chocobo ahead while letting out a much…strangled battle cry. Vossler sat back in his saddle, letting his shoulders slump along with his head.

"My king, you are going to be the death of me one day." He shook his head before digging his heels into the sides of the yellow bird, racing to catch up with his king.

Vossler sighed; he dismounted from the saddle and walked over beside his king. Raminas was staring at the valley below, where huts that were home to the people fleeing from Landis were almost gone, only the tips of a few showing thorough the deep sands, Vossler placed his hand on Raminas' shoulder and shook him slightly.

"I did not arrive soon enough."

"You tried, that's what -"

"No it's not what matters, I should have been faster. I could have saved someone..." He went silent, eyes closed when he turned to face Vossler.

"We…should go now. I do not want to fail someone else again." He walked on by Vossler, leaving the man to wallow in his king's evident pain. Why did his king feel so deeply about people he never met or even heard of?

"Vossler, come get these birds! They won't move from this spot!" The king ordered. Vossler was there in a moment's time, trying to get the chocobos to stop digging and move. He pushed one away and lost his balance. He fell right into the small hole they were digging. He was going to get up when Raminas rolled him out of the hole before settling down on his knees beside it.

"I wonder what they were digging for. Start digging, captain."

Vossler shot a glare at him before taking off his gloves and pulling the sand out of the hole, little by little. Time flew by as he did this, only stopping to get a drink. He reached down to dig more when his nails scrapped something that was not sand and bit his lip to keep a scream from escaping. He dug more around the object, soon causing it to be opened from its gritty burial ground. It was a hand.

"Raminas! Hurry! Someone is buried here!" Vossler watched the king slid down the slope and into the pit. Both soon started viciously pulling the sand away till the whole arm was laying on the sand. Vossler started to dig more but Raminas grabbed the arm to pull the body out. Vossler quickly joined in, and the two of them easily accomplished the task. Raminas looked at the poor man as Vossler knelt near him, feeling the neck.

"Another one-"

"He's alive! Feel." Vossler moved, letting the king feel the man's neck; the pulse was weak, but it was there. He turned to order Vossler to get water, but Vossler was already there, with both canteens. He took one and watched the captain wipe the sand from the man's face. He eased into the man's head on his raised knee, making him sit before pouring the water down his throat. He stopped. The man was still.

"Vossler, pour it on him, he could be exhausted from the heat and dryness."

The water cascaded down the man's head and neck but he was still motionless. Vossler, angered from nothing working, hit the man across the jaw before shaking him roughly, hands wrapped tightly around his neck.

"Wake up you-"

"Vossler, you are going to kill-"

Both stopped when the man's eyes raised open for a moment before shutting again. Vossler shook him again, yelling loudly in his ear. Eyes opened again, a groan followed with a weak push against Vossler's chest. Vossler laid him back on the sand and grabbed the canteen from Raminas' hands and poured it on the man.

He rose up sputtering and wiped his face with a sandy hand. He narrowed his eyes, trying to focus his vision.

"What's your name?"

Raminas watched the man study him for a moment before deciding to sit up.

"Who-"

"I am King Raminas of Dalmasca. This is Captain Azelas. Who are you? Where did you come from? Why-"

"I think that's enough my king, he just awoke, allow him to get his bearings before you question him further." Vossler said quickly, noticing the bewildered look on the young man's face.

"I'm Basch. Basch fon Ronsenburg." He said, slowly trying to stand up. The other two rose as well, hands ready to catch him should he collapse again.

Basch sat on the back of Captain Azelas' chocobo, wary of the large bird. Vossler mounted after the king was in his saddle comfortably. Vossler turned to him, "You want to steer?" Basch's eyes widened.

"No! No...You can steer, I...don't know these lands." Basch quickly muttered, grabbing onto the saddle's rear handles. Vossler shifted back to the front, "If you say so."

The trio took off from the sands, rushing to the ever nearing kingdom, none of them realizing the intricate threads of fate that were beginning to intertwine them all.