Ugh, I really shouldn't have done NaNoWriMo this year... But I'll keep working on this.

Thanks for reviewing, you guys! And the chocobo chapter'll probably be up on Sunday, heh.

Visit

704 OV, 2 weeks before Ashe's marriage to Rasler

Vossler walked briskly through the streets of Nabudis, heading directly for the Royal Palace. His strange attire had elicited stares from the people in the streets, and everywhere he walked eyes turned to face him. At the back of his mind, a small voice kept saying, maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

But he had promised Ashe. Though he had not given any verbal recognition of the agreement, it was one he felt he had to honour. Well, that was the excuse he had, to keep the knight in him quiet. The truth was, he had wanted to visit her – he had never thought he would miss the princess so.

It had been easy to get leave from his duties. Vossler had rarely taken holidays during the eight years he had worked as Ashe's bodyguard, and as such had a number of days available, despite the cuts made due to the threat of war. The only problem had been enduring Rishal's taunting as the bangaa watched him fill out the necessary paperwork. Much like Basch, Rishal knew his and Ashe's relationship went far beyond the professional, but, unlike Basch, seemed to have no qualms about commenting on it.

“Off to see the princess, are you? Bah, I knew you wouldn't last long!”

Vossler had paid little heed to him, and was soon on his way to Nabradia. Now, as his boots tapped noisily on the floor of the Palace's main foyer, drawing un-needed attention, he was forced to endure yet more comments, these being somewhat harder to ignore.

“Is that a Knight of Dalmasca?”

“Aye – 'tis the Lady Ashe's bodyguard, if I'm not mistaken. I've seen them together often.”

From across the room, Vossler could see the two men who had spoken, conversing in hushed tones. He recognised one as a Dalmascan noble, of the type that usually roamed the palace.

“What's he doing here? It was made quite clear that House Nabradia would provide sufficient protection.”

“Don't you see? He's not in armour – this must be a personal visit.”

“A knight, visiting the very royalty he serves, on a personal visit? I've never heard of such a thing!”

The knight in question moved swiftly on, trying to block out the noblemen's words. In that one brief exchange, they had summed up nearly all his fears and inhibitions about visiting Ashe.

“My Lady Ashe?” A squire called. “You have a visitor. One Captain Azelas. Shall I let him up?”

Ashe turned her head. Had she heard right? Vossler, here in Nabudis? She had resigned herself within the first week that she would have to do without his companionship for the length of her stay, yet here he was. Seeing that the squire was about to leave, she uttered a hurried admission.

The boy trotted in front of her guest as he led him through the labyrinthine passageways of the Palace, before coming to a halt outside Ashe's door. Vossler waited for him to disappear completely before he entered – palace servants were notorious for their gossiping, and he did not want the lad to jump to any conclusions. Better he think Vossler just a messenger between king and princess.

“Vossler, I-”

Ashe paused for a moment. She had grown so used to seeing him in armour, the Vossler before her seemed to be a very different man to the one she had known. But she regained her composure quickly, and continued.

“I never expected you to actually come. How long are you here?”

“Just a day. I must be back in Rabanastre, and...”

“I understand,” she said, smiling faintly. “Then let us make the most of this one day.”

They sat and talked for a time, and the topic turned, as it inevitably would, to Ashe's husband-to-be.

“How is Lord Rasler?”

“He is all I could have hoped for. Kind, caring, smart enough to have an intelligent conversation with... Far removed from what I had pictured, I assure you!”

“I'm sure he will make a fine husband for you.”

“Hmm, do I detect a hint of jealousy?”

Vossler was speechless for a moment, before realising she was only joking with him. For all she was supposed to be, it seemed as if Ashe had not lost her sense of humour.