The Echo
The world goes black, void of anything save the sound of wind rushing by his ears. Slowly the familiar sepia setting comes into focus. A room, majestic in its decor, with its great golden lamps and furnishings, is much brighter in the landscape of the past.
A white-haired Highlander lounges on a wide couch, a goblet in his hand. He looks very happy. Smug, almost.
The door opens and Teledji Adeledji waddles in, with a not so happy frown on his face. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have things you should be doing?”
The Highlander, Ilberd of the Crystal Braves, raises his glass. “It’s what I tried to explain to you. If you set the scene, the tone, and distribute information at the right time, the stage sets itself. Everything is happening as we planned. I just received word that our guest of honor has taken the flask, and it is in his pocket.” Ilberd sits forward. “I told you he was gullible.”
“Surprising,” Teledji jumps up on the opposite couch and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Not really,” Ilberd sets the goblet on the table between them. “Do-gooders usually are naive. And he is young. Really just a child, if you take into consideration how long Viera live. And you? Have you secured a meeting between the two?”
“Of course,” the Lalafell makes a face. “The right words, spoken by the right people, and the Sultana believes she must speak to the Hero of Eorzea before the banquet.”
“About what?”
“Does it matter? Whatever she intends to do or whatever makes her so eager to speak to the Hero of Eorzea isn’t important. In a matter of hours, she’ll be dead, and her hero will be blamed for her murder.”
A door opens behind Ilberd and in walks Yuyuhause, dressed in the blue uniform of the Crystal Braves. “No one is going to believe the Warrior of Light murdered anyone. The moment he declares his innocence, the other city states, as well as countless citizens of Ul’dah, whom he has helped, will rush to his aid. Unless you can control what, he says, and what he doesn’t say. If you can do that, you have power.”
Ilberd smiles. “You have a point, my good man,” he sits back as the second Lalafell in the room stands at the end of the table between him and Teledji. “Reputations can be made, or broken, by a simple misunderstanding. A misrepresentation of facts. Or silence from the accused. I assume you’re here to make a report?”
Yuyuhause’s pupil-less eyes, the mark the Dunesfolk, stare at Ilberd. Yuyu’s expression is unreadable. “The combined forces of the Crystal Braves and the Brass Blades have quietly invaded Mor Dona and surrounded The Rising Stones. No one on the outside or within is aware of their movements. We are ready once the signal is given.”
“And the other matter?”
“What other matter?” Teledji asks.
Yuyuhause smiles, and it gives the Observer chills. “We located the tavern and the owner. Our forces were given the order to retrieve her—” He stops and places a hand to his ear. “Yes?” The Lalafell steps away.
Teledji looks at Ilberd. “Who is her?”
“A little treasure we’ve uncovered. A means to control what the Hero says, or doesn’t say. Once we have her, success in convicting Asche Grey in the eyes of Eorzea and labeling him the murderer of the Sultana, is guaranteed.” Ilberd pours himself another fill of wine. “After tonight, Ul’dah will finally be under strict Monetarist control, and the Scions and their hero will be little more than criminals and no longer a problem.”
“You seem certain of your success.” Teledji says. “What if you fail to retrieve this treasure?”
“I have contingencies. I would prefer not to use them, but I’ve been informed they are ready.” He looks at Teledji. “Have you done your part with Ishgard?”
“Of course I have. As I told you, they’re just as bribable as anyone, and Iceheart is as foolish. That was good thinking, getting rid of the Lord Commander from the banquet as soon as possible. His opinions aren’t known to us. It is much better to have only two other city states to sway to our side. But I can’t help worrying about the hero’s part,” Teledji says. “After all, you don’t have Asche in custody yet. He’s stronger than you. And the people love him.”
“They’re just fascinated because of what he is. How many male Viera do you see in the city states? None.” Ilberd makes a dismissive gesture. “Heroes fall the hardest, especially when we can make them the Other. The unknown. The wolf in sheep’s clothing, so to speak. All we need is to plant seeds of doubt–doubt is the hardest emotion to get past– and they will believe what we say.”
“You seem too sure of yourself.”
“That’s a matter of opinion,” Ilberd downed the last of his wine. “All I need is for you to get him into custody and secured. Asche is a good boy–he’ll obey the law.”
Teledji’s eyes narrow as he pulls at his mustaches. “The Brass Blades are in position at all the city entrances and exits where they will remain. I’m afraid once the Sultana’s death is announced, chaos will break out.”
“It will if we don’t secure a villain. If the citizens feel safe, they will obey any restrictions we place on them. We’ll be able to contain any Royalists who decide to fight us.”
"And once the populace subsides," Teledji looks smug. "We can start the process of getting rid of all that riffraff outside our walls. We can finally clean up the city!"
“Sir,” Yuyuhase runs back to report. “There’s been…well…an accident.”
“What?” Ilberd sits up. “Where?”
“In the Lavender Beds, sir. The Tavern in question…is on fire.”
Ilberd stands abruptly, towering over the two Lalafells. “What did your men do?”
“I’m afraid I’m…well I’m not sure, sir. They were in position on their last report, and they stormed in. I’m not getting much in the way of a coherent report–the only fact in evidence is the Tavern is burning, and the area is in a panic. The Twin Adders have been called in.”
“Sloppy,” Ilberd mutters, though his voice is quiet. “Any report on where our target is?”
“Last known…”
The Observer feels a pinprick of pain. A breath later the Observer shivers. The images waver and sputter.
“...no good to me dead...out of there. Give the order to take the Rising Stones. Then secure Alphinaud as soon as possible. We’ll….”
“...how….”
“.....is with Nanamo…”
“....”
The Echo darkens until there is no sound, no sight, and no feeling….
