“You can’t catch me!â€
“When I do, you will be sorry!â€
Light laughter tumbled through the air as three Hyur children chased each other around the well, daring and teasing each other.
Roen cupped her chin with both her hands as she leaned on the windowsill, watching them at play. The usual Thanalan heat had given pause, and that in turn had given the merchants in the Silver Bazaar a rare respite this afternoon as clouds roamed the skies above. A cool breeze rolled in from the southern shores, and the usually deserted courtyard bustled with unusual activity this day.
The paladin’s attention drifted to a mother that came out to retrieve one of the children, following her course to a vendor stand at the base of the building where Roen had rented her room. She saw another man hand the woman a newspaper, the two Midlanders exchanging some words. The woman then looked up to where Roen was watching from her second story window. Her expression was one of curiosity, although the smile she soon sent the paladin was warm and welcoming. The mother waved with one hand, then turned and led her child away with coaxing words.
Roen blinked at such a gesture. Did she recognize me? the paladin wondered as she stepped back from the window. She glanced at the copy of Tonberry’s Lantern that sat on the table nearby, its bold title clear for her to read standing even fulms away: “Jameson Taeros Named by Former Sultanswornâ€.
She knew she had thrown herself into the spotlight when she read the newspaper article. But that had been her intention: to shed light and make public the corrupted methods that Taeros and Natalie were using to hunt Nero, and to turn the public’s opinion against them, perhaps even the nobility’s as well. Would it work?
"I need you to be our symbol. I am the sword. You are the shield. While I work my blade in the shadows against our foes, you shall be the gleaming surface they look upon."
Roen recalled Nero’s words. They had spoken much of his plans when she had met him on the Second Forte. He had been earnest, forthright, and without arrogance or bitterness. They had talked and exchanged thoughts about what they hoped to achieve without their usual clash of ideals. It was as if they had agreed to meet each other halfway, perhaps for Daegsatz’s sake. Nero discussed ways to deter Eorzea’s enemies from within and without, while she listed possible allies to be gained. She shared with him the names of all of her contacts, from Franz Renatus, the man who was living with Natalie but promised loyalty to the paladin’s cause, to a Roegadyn who called himself Mister Steel and a Miqo’te woman named Leanne--both of whom considered Natalie a friend but worried for Roen’s safety. There were others that had offered their aid, even though none of them had actually met the pirate.
Perhaps that is why he asked of her what he did.
"I am not a trustworthy man. I understand that. My encounter with your friend made it quite clear that I am not the right person to be making the deals of this nature. Gathering allies."
“But how am I to be…?†Roen had not quite understood what he was asking at first.
"Simply do as you have been. Meet with your allies. Gather information. Deflect them away from me. I trust your judgment in this, Roen, and I am sorry to ask this of you. But I need you to be my mask for a while longer."
Nero had asked her to draw attention away from him so that he may continue to conduct his business, continue to work to strangle the Syndicate’s sea trade, and to gather material for the Soldier Dance.
Roen slid the newspaper aside to study the second parchment that was beneath it. The list that Broken Nose had given her. It was a list of warehouses where Taeros had used some of the Brass Blades to provide extra security.
“Make no mistake, Deneith. You’ll be stirring, nah--upturning--the hornet’s nest with this,†Broken Nose had warned her when he handed her the list. “Taeros isn’t the type of man who’d forget or forgive a slight against him. And with this, you’ll be targettin’ him personally. Again. You ready for that?â€
She had given the list to Verad Bellveil, the Duskwight merchant who had befriended her in Limsa Lominsa. He had come to her in her time of need, and had drawn her out of her pit of darkness. Roen had come to trust the merchant implicitly since, and at his behest, and against her better judgement, she had accepted his help in working against the Syndicate and Jameseon Taeros.
The tasks she had asked of him had started innocuous at first: simply watch the noble when he walked freely about the streets of Ul’dah and make note of his contacts. Mister Bellveil soon brought her a reporter from the Tonberry Lantern, Miss Spahro Llorn, to tell Nero’s side of the story--his being persecuted by the Sultansworns and unjustly blamed by Taeros. After that, Roen had accepted even more aid of the merchant when he asked for a list of Taeros’ holdings to look into them himself. That was when she obtained the list from Broken Nose.
A few suns later, Mister Bellveil informed her that the raid had been successful, and although no somnus or Garlean weapons were found--nothing that would have incriminated Taeros and provided some proof of Nero’s innocence--there were illegal goods discovered nonetheless. And the fact that the warehouse was then left open to looting, Roen surmised that Taeros’ wealth and business had taken some hits.
It gave her pause, that she had asked someone like Mister Bellveil--a man who was not involved or invested in these matters at all, except for his friendship with her--to take such risks in this conflict.
But he was not the only one. The paladin had also recruited Delial Grimsong, a Highlander woman who she once considered friend, and then an enemy. Now…
Now she was not sure how she saw the Highlander. Delial had a hand in handing her brother over to the Garleans for experimentation, and yet her regret in that affair after it had occurred was clear to see. Delial had played a part in getting Gharen freed, and then recently killed Crimson Mountain, the Roegadyn who had kidnapped and tortured Askier and herself. Roen could see that Delial was slowly trying to redeem herself, and needed a second chance.
So Roen granted her one. She asked the woman to find employment with Taeros, to spy on him. This was not an easy thing she asked, Roen knew. Both the paladin and Delial knew that Taeros had connections with Raelisanne Banurein, the Garlean woman who had tortured Gharen, and Roen knew Delial wanted to be free of Banurein’s shadow. Returning to work for Taeros would be akin to calling upon the mysterious Garlean’s attention again. And working with Taeros would also necessitate working with Natalie, one who had earned Delial’s hatred when the Miqo’te interrogated the Highlander by pulling out her fingernails many moons ago.
And yet, despite all the reasons to refuse this request, Delial had agreed to help Roen spy on Taeros. She had even thanked the paladin for giving her a second chance. Roen did not quite know how to respond to that. But she could not deny that everyone deserved a chance at redemption. Even a woman like Delial.
Then there was Gideon North, a man of calm (if not somewhat emotionless) demeanor, but polite to a fault. Gideon had been raised and trained to be the perfect valet to a noble family, and he had approached her about investigating the Monetarists. He had lost his own family when his Roegadyn masters were all killed two cycles past. His master's ship was sunk off the coast of Limsa Lominsa, and his ward and their only heir had been poisoned to death. Mister North suspected other Monetarist noble families for being responsible for their murders, for his former Masters had diverted their influx of wealth towards the commoners in favor of trade and expanding industry.
Roen could not deny that she and Mister North shared something in common in detesting the nobility’s casually bloodthirsty greed, so she had accepted his help. And he agreed to seek employment within a Monetarist family to glean insight and intimate knowledge of the political workings of the Syndicate.
And it just so happened that the person who often did the hiring for many noble families was none other than Jameson Taeros.
A part of her stomach twisted into a small knot of anxiety when the paladin pondered the possible dangers she had put upon people like Mister North and Mister Bellveil. Was she using them? They had volunteered for the task, but should she have refused them? What if they were discovered? Could she forgive herself if harm was to befall upon them because they were aiding her?
The paladin released a long sigh as leaned against the wall next to the window, her eyes going to the ceiling. She was collecting evidence, turning Taeros’ attention away from Nero, and trying to turn the tide of favor against the Monetarist noble, all to try and prevent violence and bloodshed as much as possible. To try and look for a vulnerable spot. To place the scalpel, as sergeant Melkire would say.
“How far would you go? To change things? Would you cut?†Roen had asked him.
"I'd place the scalpel. I wouldn't push. I'm a Royalist and a Flame. I want reform…but I have obligations. Were I free…yes, I would cut."
“I do not wish to cut. Nor does Nero want me to. And yet I have allied myself with someone who will, and plans to cut a large, bloody swath in order to change things.†Roen had implored the sergeant then, searching his face for answers. “I do not know what that makes me. Only that I feel that I have to see it through. And perhaps try and help him not cut so deeply. Does…that make sense, Osric?â€
"I told you. He's what I would have been had I not been...tch. The trick t'saving a life is knowin' when and where to cut, how much...that does, aye, but it's a damnable position t'be in. However this ends, there'll be pain."
Roen frowned as she recalled the Immortal Flame’s parting words. She turned her eyes towards the window again, her attention drawn back to the distant laughter of children that resumed their game around the well.
She watched them for awhile longer, trying to remind herself why and whom this was all for.
It had to be worth it all.
“When I do, you will be sorry!â€
Light laughter tumbled through the air as three Hyur children chased each other around the well, daring and teasing each other.
Roen cupped her chin with both her hands as she leaned on the windowsill, watching them at play. The usual Thanalan heat had given pause, and that in turn had given the merchants in the Silver Bazaar a rare respite this afternoon as clouds roamed the skies above. A cool breeze rolled in from the southern shores, and the usually deserted courtyard bustled with unusual activity this day.
The paladin’s attention drifted to a mother that came out to retrieve one of the children, following her course to a vendor stand at the base of the building where Roen had rented her room. She saw another man hand the woman a newspaper, the two Midlanders exchanging some words. The woman then looked up to where Roen was watching from her second story window. Her expression was one of curiosity, although the smile she soon sent the paladin was warm and welcoming. The mother waved with one hand, then turned and led her child away with coaxing words.
Roen blinked at such a gesture. Did she recognize me? the paladin wondered as she stepped back from the window. She glanced at the copy of Tonberry’s Lantern that sat on the table nearby, its bold title clear for her to read standing even fulms away: “Jameson Taeros Named by Former Sultanswornâ€.
She knew she had thrown herself into the spotlight when she read the newspaper article. But that had been her intention: to shed light and make public the corrupted methods that Taeros and Natalie were using to hunt Nero, and to turn the public’s opinion against them, perhaps even the nobility’s as well. Would it work?
"I need you to be our symbol. I am the sword. You are the shield. While I work my blade in the shadows against our foes, you shall be the gleaming surface they look upon."
Roen recalled Nero’s words. They had spoken much of his plans when she had met him on the Second Forte. He had been earnest, forthright, and without arrogance or bitterness. They had talked and exchanged thoughts about what they hoped to achieve without their usual clash of ideals. It was as if they had agreed to meet each other halfway, perhaps for Daegsatz’s sake. Nero discussed ways to deter Eorzea’s enemies from within and without, while she listed possible allies to be gained. She shared with him the names of all of her contacts, from Franz Renatus, the man who was living with Natalie but promised loyalty to the paladin’s cause, to a Roegadyn who called himself Mister Steel and a Miqo’te woman named Leanne--both of whom considered Natalie a friend but worried for Roen’s safety. There were others that had offered their aid, even though none of them had actually met the pirate.
Perhaps that is why he asked of her what he did.
"I am not a trustworthy man. I understand that. My encounter with your friend made it quite clear that I am not the right person to be making the deals of this nature. Gathering allies."
“But how am I to be…?†Roen had not quite understood what he was asking at first.
"Simply do as you have been. Meet with your allies. Gather information. Deflect them away from me. I trust your judgment in this, Roen, and I am sorry to ask this of you. But I need you to be my mask for a while longer."
Nero had asked her to draw attention away from him so that he may continue to conduct his business, continue to work to strangle the Syndicate’s sea trade, and to gather material for the Soldier Dance.
Roen slid the newspaper aside to study the second parchment that was beneath it. The list that Broken Nose had given her. It was a list of warehouses where Taeros had used some of the Brass Blades to provide extra security.
“Make no mistake, Deneith. You’ll be stirring, nah--upturning--the hornet’s nest with this,†Broken Nose had warned her when he handed her the list. “Taeros isn’t the type of man who’d forget or forgive a slight against him. And with this, you’ll be targettin’ him personally. Again. You ready for that?â€
She had given the list to Verad Bellveil, the Duskwight merchant who had befriended her in Limsa Lominsa. He had come to her in her time of need, and had drawn her out of her pit of darkness. Roen had come to trust the merchant implicitly since, and at his behest, and against her better judgement, she had accepted his help in working against the Syndicate and Jameseon Taeros.
The tasks she had asked of him had started innocuous at first: simply watch the noble when he walked freely about the streets of Ul’dah and make note of his contacts. Mister Bellveil soon brought her a reporter from the Tonberry Lantern, Miss Spahro Llorn, to tell Nero’s side of the story--his being persecuted by the Sultansworns and unjustly blamed by Taeros. After that, Roen had accepted even more aid of the merchant when he asked for a list of Taeros’ holdings to look into them himself. That was when she obtained the list from Broken Nose.
A few suns later, Mister Bellveil informed her that the raid had been successful, and although no somnus or Garlean weapons were found--nothing that would have incriminated Taeros and provided some proof of Nero’s innocence--there were illegal goods discovered nonetheless. And the fact that the warehouse was then left open to looting, Roen surmised that Taeros’ wealth and business had taken some hits.
It gave her pause, that she had asked someone like Mister Bellveil--a man who was not involved or invested in these matters at all, except for his friendship with her--to take such risks in this conflict.
But he was not the only one. The paladin had also recruited Delial Grimsong, a Highlander woman who she once considered friend, and then an enemy. Now…
Now she was not sure how she saw the Highlander. Delial had a hand in handing her brother over to the Garleans for experimentation, and yet her regret in that affair after it had occurred was clear to see. Delial had played a part in getting Gharen freed, and then recently killed Crimson Mountain, the Roegadyn who had kidnapped and tortured Askier and herself. Roen could see that Delial was slowly trying to redeem herself, and needed a second chance.
So Roen granted her one. She asked the woman to find employment with Taeros, to spy on him. This was not an easy thing she asked, Roen knew. Both the paladin and Delial knew that Taeros had connections with Raelisanne Banurein, the Garlean woman who had tortured Gharen, and Roen knew Delial wanted to be free of Banurein’s shadow. Returning to work for Taeros would be akin to calling upon the mysterious Garlean’s attention again. And working with Taeros would also necessitate working with Natalie, one who had earned Delial’s hatred when the Miqo’te interrogated the Highlander by pulling out her fingernails many moons ago.
And yet, despite all the reasons to refuse this request, Delial had agreed to help Roen spy on Taeros. She had even thanked the paladin for giving her a second chance. Roen did not quite know how to respond to that. But she could not deny that everyone deserved a chance at redemption. Even a woman like Delial.
Then there was Gideon North, a man of calm (if not somewhat emotionless) demeanor, but polite to a fault. Gideon had been raised and trained to be the perfect valet to a noble family, and he had approached her about investigating the Monetarists. He had lost his own family when his Roegadyn masters were all killed two cycles past. His master's ship was sunk off the coast of Limsa Lominsa, and his ward and their only heir had been poisoned to death. Mister North suspected other Monetarist noble families for being responsible for their murders, for his former Masters had diverted their influx of wealth towards the commoners in favor of trade and expanding industry.
Roen could not deny that she and Mister North shared something in common in detesting the nobility’s casually bloodthirsty greed, so she had accepted his help. And he agreed to seek employment within a Monetarist family to glean insight and intimate knowledge of the political workings of the Syndicate.
And it just so happened that the person who often did the hiring for many noble families was none other than Jameson Taeros.
A part of her stomach twisted into a small knot of anxiety when the paladin pondered the possible dangers she had put upon people like Mister North and Mister Bellveil. Was she using them? They had volunteered for the task, but should she have refused them? What if they were discovered? Could she forgive herself if harm was to befall upon them because they were aiding her?
The paladin released a long sigh as leaned against the wall next to the window, her eyes going to the ceiling. She was collecting evidence, turning Taeros’ attention away from Nero, and trying to turn the tide of favor against the Monetarist noble, all to try and prevent violence and bloodshed as much as possible. To try and look for a vulnerable spot. To place the scalpel, as sergeant Melkire would say.
“How far would you go? To change things? Would you cut?†Roen had asked him.
"I'd place the scalpel. I wouldn't push. I'm a Royalist and a Flame. I want reform…but I have obligations. Were I free…yes, I would cut."
“I do not wish to cut. Nor does Nero want me to. And yet I have allied myself with someone who will, and plans to cut a large, bloody swath in order to change things.†Roen had implored the sergeant then, searching his face for answers. “I do not know what that makes me. Only that I feel that I have to see it through. And perhaps try and help him not cut so deeply. Does…that make sense, Osric?â€
"I told you. He's what I would have been had I not been...tch. The trick t'saving a life is knowin' when and where to cut, how much...that does, aye, but it's a damnable position t'be in. However this ends, there'll be pain."
Roen frowned as she recalled the Immortal Flame’s parting words. She turned her eyes towards the window again, her attention drawn back to the distant laughter of children that resumed their game around the well.
She watched them for awhile longer, trying to remind herself why and whom this was all for.
It had to be worth it all.
