Natalie climbed to the peak of the small outpost, her feet already twinging painfully. It seems that the Sultansworn’s short patrols around the padded carpet of the Royal Court had left her feet soft. As she reached the top she stretched for a moment, then looked towards the west.
![[Image: Kj11hRO.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Kj11hRO.jpg)
Kage had talked of running, and the rosy fingers of dawn crept through the pass leading to Vesper Bay like an open invitation. They could leave, like Roen, be free of this all. She allows herself to dream for a moment of that life… perhaps in Limsa, or Gridania. Kage could work gold, like his family taught him, and she could heal. They’d have to take different names, but it would be worth it. Stability… Peace…
She’s jolted out of her revelry by a waterskin thrust into her field of vision. “Sir†Says the brass blade holding it.
She takes it gratefully, “Thanks, but haven’t you heard?†she chuckles before taking a long drink of the cool water, “I’ve been demoted. Seems I’m not cut out for this City.â€
“Don’t say that Sir…†the Blade says softly, “You’re as Ul’dah as gold itself.â€
She shakes her head, “As I said… I’m no longer a Lieutenant, you don’t need to call me sir.â€
He chuckles, “I don’t call you Sir for that, here, let me show you something.†He pulls up the side of his hauberk, revealing several long ropy scars along the side of his chest. “Beastmen did this… damn ambush, before I could even react one of them had left my entrails spilling out into the the dirt.†He grins at her, “Fortunately though there was royal correspondence on a nearby Caravan, and help came quickly. They even sewed me up afterwards, quite the honor for filth like me.â€
She gives him a wry smile, “And after that, you’ve never felt like leaving this place? You’ve never cursed fighting the Amaj for pennies, while the public curses your name?â€
He laughs, “Sir… Ul’dah’s the worst city in the world. But it’s my home.â€
She laughs as well and walks past him, seeing the domes of the city silhouetted by the rising dawn, “Aye… our home.†She smiles and watches it for a long moment.
“And money can’t buy that.â€
![[Image: rSUtUEq.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/rSUtUEq.jpg)
Kage had talked of running, and the rosy fingers of dawn crept through the pass leading to Vesper Bay like an open invitation. They could leave, like Roen, be free of this all. She allows herself to dream for a moment of that life… perhaps in Limsa, or Gridania. Kage could work gold, like his family taught him, and she could heal. They’d have to take different names, but it would be worth it. Stability… Peace…
She’s jolted out of her revelry by a waterskin thrust into her field of vision. “Sir†Says the brass blade holding it.
She takes it gratefully, “Thanks, but haven’t you heard?†she chuckles before taking a long drink of the cool water, “I’ve been demoted. Seems I’m not cut out for this City.â€
“Don’t say that Sir…†the Blade says softly, “You’re as Ul’dah as gold itself.â€
She shakes her head, “As I said… I’m no longer a Lieutenant, you don’t need to call me sir.â€
He chuckles, “I don’t call you Sir for that, here, let me show you something.†He pulls up the side of his hauberk, revealing several long ropy scars along the side of his chest. “Beastmen did this… damn ambush, before I could even react one of them had left my entrails spilling out into the the dirt.†He grins at her, “Fortunately though there was royal correspondence on a nearby Caravan, and help came quickly. They even sewed me up afterwards, quite the honor for filth like me.â€
She gives him a wry smile, “And after that, you’ve never felt like leaving this place? You’ve never cursed fighting the Amaj for pennies, while the public curses your name?â€
He laughs, “Sir… Ul’dah’s the worst city in the world. But it’s my home.â€
She laughs as well and walks past him, seeing the domes of the city silhouetted by the rising dawn, “Aye… our home.†She smiles and watches it for a long moment.
“And money can’t buy that.â€
