Khadai’s words were filled with enough weight that Edda felt as if she could hardly breathe. She looked away from him, a look of frustration crossing her features. Though his thoughts had been clear and succinct, a shadow of doubt lingered in her mind. Never before had anyone said such a thing to her. The possibility of him lying crossed her mind – surely he was capable enough to never have to rely on her, as was anyone else. Yet Khadai was no liar. If anything, he was too honest, nearly brazen with the harsh truth that often accompanied his words. He did not seem one for pity either, but the fear of such still spread through her.
Edda waited some before responding. “And what of Ishgard?†She asked slowly. “What will you do there? Leave me, if you so deign to travel to the lands beyond? If so, that is…†She trailed off and shook her head, looking at the snow collecting in the joints between the stone construct. It is what? A question she herself could not answer.
“My intention within Ishgard is to gather relevant information. I cannot do so without one to interpret that which I do not understand. Yet my first intention is to fulfill the terms of our transaction. If you are not to be destined for Ishgard, then I shall postpone my own assignment until such a time that I am called upon you to fight in your stead.â€
The woman snapped to attention and looked at Khadai quickly, surprise clear on her face. “Wh-what? No…no. That will not be necessary. I am not so selfish.â€
He stepped forward aggressively, befitting his martial demeanor. “I am to fight in your stead. I am bidden to offer my body and abilities. Do you intend to continue denying this?â€
The height of the Xaela was much more apparent as he stepped closer. It was an intimidating sight, and the hairs on the back of her neck bristled in nervousness. Edda glared up at him and leaned forward, as if to resist him. “I am not denying your function! I have not denied it at all! Why must you persist in this way? Are you so eager for bloodshed, so eager to uphold your end of the bargain that you might be rid of me? If that is all you want, I could just as easily send you out to kill a pack of wolves at my whim, and consider the contract complete!â€
She seethed, her face heated from anger and embarrassment. “And yet that is not… Not what I want. What I need…†She sighed, her voice considerably lower, her shoulders sagging.
“To partake of your service without offering my own in return is wrong,†he said sternly, almost patronizingly. “It is theft. You would bid me to steal something of value from you without repercussion or compensation.†A gloved hand reached up to scratch at his head near his horns. His vexation was clear. “And if I am to hunt wolves for you, then hunt I shall. But I am aware that you possess a specific task in mind that you have not deigned to reveal to me.â€
Edda felt at a loss for words. Dealing with one as straightforward as Khadai was a tiring experience, one she was certainly not used to. “…Yes, that is so,†she said after a time, her voice no longer bearing the ire from before. “And yet, I know not when. Do you not see, Khadai? It could be in the next few suns, several moons from now, even a cycle. I do not… wish to burden you so, nor anyone else, with such a thing.
“To live and breathe with the constant threat of being called away looming over your head, not knowing when… It is unpleasant.†She looked up at him closely. There was a look in her eye that bore sympathy, empathy even, at living a life not quite one’s own.
Khadai shifted again. “I am not unfamiliar with the sensation, nor do I find it unwelcome. You have a task. You yourself are not capable of accomplishing this. We have entered an agreement wherein each of us obtains a service from the other that is beneficial to our intentions.â€
His eyes hardened into a stern gaze. “It is not your place to judge whether or not I am to be compelled to your service. It is already done. Do not ascribe the proclivities of this continent to me. They are not valid. You will utilize me as our transaction demands. There will be no further discussion.â€
The woman made a small noise in the back of her throat that sounded either argumentative or acquiescence. It was hard to say. Such lip and pushiness from one who claimed to be obligated to her was most foreign. Her father would surely have burst a vessel at the sight of her being browbeaten into submission by some foreign barbarian, and Edda knew that she should find her situation humiliating. And yet, the assurance he possessed came only as a relief, and somewhere deep in her heart burned only with happiness.
“You are difficult,†was all Edda managed to choke out, and she looked away, her face flushed red.
The man tilted his head. “I believe myself to be within the boundaries of ease.†The disagreement was spoken matter-of-factly.
She looked back at him out of the corner of her eye, an eyebrow raised. “Perhaps in your eyes. You come from a different world.†She sighed. “So often am I used to being assured that those pledged to me will obey me without question.â€
He tilted his head in the other direction. “I am only of use in my capacity as a warrior because I am an individual with thought, and not a thoughtless storm.
“If you are to utilize my abilities, then I am duty-bound to inform you in how you may most efficiently utilize those abilities. It is permissible for you to convey inefficient commands when you lack awareness of my capabilities, and should you do so, I shall endeavor to correct you. None are perfect.†It was barely perceptible, but the slightest corner of his lip almost curled somewhat at the statement.
Edda thought on this for a long minute. For a brief moment, a look of relief washed over her face, and her expression softened. “Y-yes, I suppose that is true.†She hesitated, and frowned at herself. It still did not seem quite fair to her, for the man to be bound to one so insignificant as her. “…I am sorry I cannot be of more use to you. And yet, I would see this through. You need not force yourself to explain them to me – but I would see what your intentions are.†Her voice was nearly a whisper toward the end, a lingering shame pervading her words.
“I do not understand. Clarify the contexts in which I am to possess intentions for you to function.â€
She flushed at his misunderstanding. Still, the blame lay with her for not being more concise. “That is not—not at all what I meant. I only mean to know the extent of your purpose here in Eorzea.†A pause. “Perhaps ‘intentions’ was not the right word, as you yourself mentioned you were still unsure. I only… I only seek to take responsibility for my actions. The actions that have brought us both to where we are now.â€
Khadai’s face twisted in consternation. “Do you refer to the agreement wherein I requested that you guide me to Coerthas?â€
“Yes.â€
Confusion was still apparent on his face, but he did not press further on the matter. Instead, he abruptly shifted to answering her earlier query. “I am searching for… certain things. I do not know if these concepts can be found upon the Western continent or what they are called. Therefore, because you demand that I make use of your relevant abilities, I would ask you to interpret the information that I come across for me that I may perhaps find them relevant to my assignment.â€
He frowned. “…I also do not know how to read the Western continent’s written language. I would rectify this somehow.â€
She blinked. That was not the response she had anticipated in any capacity. The look he had given at her disjointed thoughts seemed an annoyed one, but his answer was patient and clear. Her lips parted absently in thought. “Y-yes, those are… duties with which I could assist.†She looked down and licked her lips, having become dry in the chill of the morning air. A smile toyed at the corners of her mouth. An earnest one, but at what was unclear to even her. “It would be difficult to learn to read and write quickly, so in the mean time, I can do so for you. And… whatever else.â€
As if he perceived some manner of discontent from her, Khadai was quick to speak again. “I repeat my point. You possess a relevance in function precisely because you are not similar to me. In addition, you are not obligated to my service. Whether or not I am to partake of your services is irrelevant; you are free to go where you choose.†He raised a doubtful eyebrow. “Unless you wish to open another transaction of services.â€
Edda looked back up at him with confusion. “Whatever for?â€
“If you are to interpret information for me, then you will not receive an equitable service unless we establish a transaction.â€
The meaning behind his words sunk in, and Edda gawked at the man for a moment before bowing her head – low – and staring at her feet. “It is…†she mumbled the rest, unintelligible.
“Repeat yourself.â€
“I said—“ She looked up and spoke louder. Her face was bright red, her expression one of considerable bashfulness. “I said it is enough that I am helpful and… And that what little I can do is desired.â€
He looked at her quizzically but said nothing and merely nodded. “Am I correct in believing that your destination is Ishgard?â€
“I would like to,†she said. Then, in a quiet voice, “I do not think Roen will be very pleased.â€
“The stern woman is irrelevant. Though her martial capacity may provide us grounds with which to reach reconciliation, her function is redundant.
“In the mean time, should I require navigation, then I will rely upon you to find one who can efficiently fulfill such a purpose.†He stopped as he opened his mouth as if suddenly struck by memory. “…Where are my garments? I could not find them.â€
“Oh. Well yes, alright… I can do that.†She scowled slightly, unsure how to take his assessment of Roen. She knew the paladin had only her best interests at heart, however deeply they wounded her. So often were her thoughts and actions dictated by others, but she had not expected such to come from one she might dare to consider a friend. Though they had spoken vaguely on it, Edda had hoped she would understand the hurt it would cause. And yet here she was, the bitter memory of the wind biting at her wet cheeks still painful in the forefront of her mind.
“And they are in my room, Khadai. As clean as they were on the first sun you wore them.â€
He nodded. “Then I will retrieve them before we leave. This clothing is… restrictive.†He shifted uncomfortably as if to illustrate his point. “When will we depart?â€
Edda tried not to look at the Xaela in his unfitting clothing, the memory of his nudity from the other night still stark in her mind. Never before had she witnessed the unclothed form of a man, and it was something she was now trying desperately to forget. She cleared her throat. “We will depart soon. I need only gather my belongings and whatever supplies we may need. It should not take but a moment, and the journey should be a short one.â€
A solemn nod. “I will be within my quarters.†With naught more than that, he strode away.
The rising sun could barely be seen behind the thick veil of clouds, yet it was clear the morning had already settled in. From atop the battlements, the shadowy mirage of Ishgard could be seen, and Edda stared at it for a few minutes. It was not far off, the realization that she would be headed to the mysterious city having not quite settled in. She shivered. Content that she had given Gideon and Roen enough time to reconnect, Edda turned on her heel and made her way back to her room.
Edda waited some before responding. “And what of Ishgard?†She asked slowly. “What will you do there? Leave me, if you so deign to travel to the lands beyond? If so, that is…†She trailed off and shook her head, looking at the snow collecting in the joints between the stone construct. It is what? A question she herself could not answer.
“My intention within Ishgard is to gather relevant information. I cannot do so without one to interpret that which I do not understand. Yet my first intention is to fulfill the terms of our transaction. If you are not to be destined for Ishgard, then I shall postpone my own assignment until such a time that I am called upon you to fight in your stead.â€
The woman snapped to attention and looked at Khadai quickly, surprise clear on her face. “Wh-what? No…no. That will not be necessary. I am not so selfish.â€
He stepped forward aggressively, befitting his martial demeanor. “I am to fight in your stead. I am bidden to offer my body and abilities. Do you intend to continue denying this?â€
The height of the Xaela was much more apparent as he stepped closer. It was an intimidating sight, and the hairs on the back of her neck bristled in nervousness. Edda glared up at him and leaned forward, as if to resist him. “I am not denying your function! I have not denied it at all! Why must you persist in this way? Are you so eager for bloodshed, so eager to uphold your end of the bargain that you might be rid of me? If that is all you want, I could just as easily send you out to kill a pack of wolves at my whim, and consider the contract complete!â€
She seethed, her face heated from anger and embarrassment. “And yet that is not… Not what I want. What I need…†She sighed, her voice considerably lower, her shoulders sagging.
“To partake of your service without offering my own in return is wrong,†he said sternly, almost patronizingly. “It is theft. You would bid me to steal something of value from you without repercussion or compensation.†A gloved hand reached up to scratch at his head near his horns. His vexation was clear. “And if I am to hunt wolves for you, then hunt I shall. But I am aware that you possess a specific task in mind that you have not deigned to reveal to me.â€
Edda felt at a loss for words. Dealing with one as straightforward as Khadai was a tiring experience, one she was certainly not used to. “…Yes, that is so,†she said after a time, her voice no longer bearing the ire from before. “And yet, I know not when. Do you not see, Khadai? It could be in the next few suns, several moons from now, even a cycle. I do not… wish to burden you so, nor anyone else, with such a thing.
“To live and breathe with the constant threat of being called away looming over your head, not knowing when… It is unpleasant.†She looked up at him closely. There was a look in her eye that bore sympathy, empathy even, at living a life not quite one’s own.
Khadai shifted again. “I am not unfamiliar with the sensation, nor do I find it unwelcome. You have a task. You yourself are not capable of accomplishing this. We have entered an agreement wherein each of us obtains a service from the other that is beneficial to our intentions.â€
His eyes hardened into a stern gaze. “It is not your place to judge whether or not I am to be compelled to your service. It is already done. Do not ascribe the proclivities of this continent to me. They are not valid. You will utilize me as our transaction demands. There will be no further discussion.â€
The woman made a small noise in the back of her throat that sounded either argumentative or acquiescence. It was hard to say. Such lip and pushiness from one who claimed to be obligated to her was most foreign. Her father would surely have burst a vessel at the sight of her being browbeaten into submission by some foreign barbarian, and Edda knew that she should find her situation humiliating. And yet, the assurance he possessed came only as a relief, and somewhere deep in her heart burned only with happiness.
“You are difficult,†was all Edda managed to choke out, and she looked away, her face flushed red.
The man tilted his head. “I believe myself to be within the boundaries of ease.†The disagreement was spoken matter-of-factly.
She looked back at him out of the corner of her eye, an eyebrow raised. “Perhaps in your eyes. You come from a different world.†She sighed. “So often am I used to being assured that those pledged to me will obey me without question.â€
He tilted his head in the other direction. “I am only of use in my capacity as a warrior because I am an individual with thought, and not a thoughtless storm.
“If you are to utilize my abilities, then I am duty-bound to inform you in how you may most efficiently utilize those abilities. It is permissible for you to convey inefficient commands when you lack awareness of my capabilities, and should you do so, I shall endeavor to correct you. None are perfect.†It was barely perceptible, but the slightest corner of his lip almost curled somewhat at the statement.
Edda thought on this for a long minute. For a brief moment, a look of relief washed over her face, and her expression softened. “Y-yes, I suppose that is true.†She hesitated, and frowned at herself. It still did not seem quite fair to her, for the man to be bound to one so insignificant as her. “…I am sorry I cannot be of more use to you. And yet, I would see this through. You need not force yourself to explain them to me – but I would see what your intentions are.†Her voice was nearly a whisper toward the end, a lingering shame pervading her words.
“I do not understand. Clarify the contexts in which I am to possess intentions for you to function.â€
She flushed at his misunderstanding. Still, the blame lay with her for not being more concise. “That is not—not at all what I meant. I only mean to know the extent of your purpose here in Eorzea.†A pause. “Perhaps ‘intentions’ was not the right word, as you yourself mentioned you were still unsure. I only… I only seek to take responsibility for my actions. The actions that have brought us both to where we are now.â€
Khadai’s face twisted in consternation. “Do you refer to the agreement wherein I requested that you guide me to Coerthas?â€
“Yes.â€
Confusion was still apparent on his face, but he did not press further on the matter. Instead, he abruptly shifted to answering her earlier query. “I am searching for… certain things. I do not know if these concepts can be found upon the Western continent or what they are called. Therefore, because you demand that I make use of your relevant abilities, I would ask you to interpret the information that I come across for me that I may perhaps find them relevant to my assignment.â€
He frowned. “…I also do not know how to read the Western continent’s written language. I would rectify this somehow.â€
She blinked. That was not the response she had anticipated in any capacity. The look he had given at her disjointed thoughts seemed an annoyed one, but his answer was patient and clear. Her lips parted absently in thought. “Y-yes, those are… duties with which I could assist.†She looked down and licked her lips, having become dry in the chill of the morning air. A smile toyed at the corners of her mouth. An earnest one, but at what was unclear to even her. “It would be difficult to learn to read and write quickly, so in the mean time, I can do so for you. And… whatever else.â€
As if he perceived some manner of discontent from her, Khadai was quick to speak again. “I repeat my point. You possess a relevance in function precisely because you are not similar to me. In addition, you are not obligated to my service. Whether or not I am to partake of your services is irrelevant; you are free to go where you choose.†He raised a doubtful eyebrow. “Unless you wish to open another transaction of services.â€
Edda looked back up at him with confusion. “Whatever for?â€
“If you are to interpret information for me, then you will not receive an equitable service unless we establish a transaction.â€
The meaning behind his words sunk in, and Edda gawked at the man for a moment before bowing her head – low – and staring at her feet. “It is…†she mumbled the rest, unintelligible.
“Repeat yourself.â€
“I said—“ She looked up and spoke louder. Her face was bright red, her expression one of considerable bashfulness. “I said it is enough that I am helpful and… And that what little I can do is desired.â€
He looked at her quizzically but said nothing and merely nodded. “Am I correct in believing that your destination is Ishgard?â€
“I would like to,†she said. Then, in a quiet voice, “I do not think Roen will be very pleased.â€
“The stern woman is irrelevant. Though her martial capacity may provide us grounds with which to reach reconciliation, her function is redundant.
“In the mean time, should I require navigation, then I will rely upon you to find one who can efficiently fulfill such a purpose.†He stopped as he opened his mouth as if suddenly struck by memory. “…Where are my garments? I could not find them.â€
“Oh. Well yes, alright… I can do that.†She scowled slightly, unsure how to take his assessment of Roen. She knew the paladin had only her best interests at heart, however deeply they wounded her. So often were her thoughts and actions dictated by others, but she had not expected such to come from one she might dare to consider a friend. Though they had spoken vaguely on it, Edda had hoped she would understand the hurt it would cause. And yet here she was, the bitter memory of the wind biting at her wet cheeks still painful in the forefront of her mind.
“And they are in my room, Khadai. As clean as they were on the first sun you wore them.â€
He nodded. “Then I will retrieve them before we leave. This clothing is… restrictive.†He shifted uncomfortably as if to illustrate his point. “When will we depart?â€
Edda tried not to look at the Xaela in his unfitting clothing, the memory of his nudity from the other night still stark in her mind. Never before had she witnessed the unclothed form of a man, and it was something she was now trying desperately to forget. She cleared her throat. “We will depart soon. I need only gather my belongings and whatever supplies we may need. It should not take but a moment, and the journey should be a short one.â€
A solemn nod. “I will be within my quarters.†With naught more than that, he strode away.
The rising sun could barely be seen behind the thick veil of clouds, yet it was clear the morning had already settled in. From atop the battlements, the shadowy mirage of Ishgard could be seen, and Edda stared at it for a few minutes. It was not far off, the realization that she would be headed to the mysterious city having not quite settled in. She shivered. Content that she had given Gideon and Roen enough time to reconnect, Edda turned on her heel and made her way back to her room.
