Traveler

Azlyn work up after a long rest. She yawned, but the fresh smell of brewed tea gathered her senses long enough to stumble over to the kitchen. Standing at the counter had been Urianger. 

“Good morrow. Would thou carest for a cup?” 

“Yes please.” Azlyn pulled the chair at the counter, sitting down. She quickly ran a hand through her hair, catching the snags and tangles before giving up and opting to throw it into a high ponytail. A cup slid in front of her, and she smelled the heavenly scent. 

“Thou art the last to waken—for thy companions are out and preparing for the journey to Revenant’s Toll.” Urianger lifted his own cup to his lips, sipping the beverage. 

“They could have woken me earlier.” She slowly drank, letting the warmth of her drink wake her up further. “The Seventy-Seven Caravans are already here?” 

The bookkeeper shook his head, “Naught have come, but upon the growing sun’s rise they will arrive.”

A scrambling of footsteps ran down the corridor, before they skidded to a stop outside the storeroom doors. Three individuals—one Miqo’te Warrior, one Midlander Hyur, and a Xaela Au Ra—peered at the pair of them by the counter. 

“Looks like we didn’t need to wake her.” 

Azlyn looked over her shoulder to see a few members of their free company walking in. Thuzu, Ozwin, and Kida had a firework popper—the ones that make a lot of noise, which made Azlyn raise an eyebrow in question. 

“I can’t believe you’d try to wake me up with fireworks.” 

N’thuzu Tia’s ears perked, black eyes widen as he heard her accusation.  “Us? Never.” He moved his firework popper behind his back, looking away from her. 

Ozwin just nudged him, not bothering to hide the popper from view. “We wanted to show Thuzu the magic of the poppers.” 

She downed the rest of her drink, ignoring the hot liquid that poured down her throat before she lightly placed the cup on the platter. 

“Then do it outside.” Azlyn quipped with a smile, and hopped off the chair. “Thank you Urianger for the cup of tea.” 

“The pleasure is mine, my lady.” The bookkeeper excused himself, walking down the hall and toward the bookshelves filled with his research. 

Azlyn cleaned her cup, placing it in the utility sink behind the counter before drying her hands clean. She looked to the trio. “Where’d you get the poppers?” 

“I bought them for the kids!” Kida explained with a big grin. “They’re eating breakfast thanks to Roll, but afterward they’ll want to stretch their legs out.” 

Azlyn smiled, remembering the group of kids that came off the galleon ship yesterday night. Lady Yugiri introduced several of the Domans onboard. Ozwin and N’thuzu Tia were already in town—as they were the ones who delivered the supplies Roll and Kida had. 

“It’d be a nice surprise for them—I would think.” Azlyn nodded. “I’m surprised you were wrangled into this Thuzu—you didn’t strike me as the type to be excited about poppers.”

He scratched behind his neck, a light hue of red came upon his cheeks. “I’ve not seen or used poppers before—so I thought it’d be fun.” 

Ozwin smirked, lifting his to Azlyn. “And I’m not one to miss out on fun—you know me.” 

“Yeah, yeah I know.” She laughed. Kida pulled on her arm, as they left the underground of the Waking Sands to Vesper Bay. The community had been alive with people preparing to move and boxing supplies. See could see a group of Domans gathered around a large stew pot, where Roll had been passing out the morning meal. There were a group of kids sitting off on the side, eating and pointing out to the sea. They were laughing about something. 

Kida rubbed elbows against hers as she noticed her staring. “Reminds you of the ol’ days?” 

Azlyn blinked, before she chuckled. She supposed it could be a good reminder of the old days, as Kida referenced. “Something like that—Roll’s made quite the set up this morning.” 

Ozwin smirked, “All the food and supplies that were brought over came all at once. Roll thought it would be nice to enjoy an eastern style breakfast.”

She could smell the eastern spices, the large wok filled with rice to divide out, the massive grill that cooked the fish and vegetables grown local... all of those who ate were contented, eating the small portions that had been handled out. 

Azlyn jumped in line, alongside the others. By the time she reached the front, Roll had passed her a pre-portioned plate filled with rice, egg, veggies, fish, and a small bowl of miso soup. 

“Good morning, have you been up all morning making this?” She asked to Roll. 

“Since before sunrise.” Roll admitted, offering her a place to sit behind her makeshift counter. Ozwin decided to help pass out food while Roll took a break. She rolled her neck and shoulder. “But if it’ll help give them the strength to move forward, I don’t mind volunteering for a morning.” 

“This took out our three month stock.” Ozwin dished the plate with a scoop of rice, went down the line following the same ingredients. Another hour went by as they allowed time for Roll to eat and relax while they dished out the last remainder of breakfast. Kida had excused herself half way through the breakfast rush, to surprise the kids with the firework poppers. N’thuzu Tia had been told to accompany them—as a supervisor of Kida’s antics. They could hear the laughter of the children as they worked the line. 

Yugiri had been their last member to feed, as she waited until every one of the members went before her. 

“I thank you for this meal.” Yugiri bowed to her. “This has lifted the spirits of many of our people—and with it, I hope it will empower them to make the long journey to Revenant’s Toll.” 

Azlyn scrubbed a few of the woks to clean them. “Did the Seventy Seven Caravans come yet?” 

Kida pointed over to the gates. They could see a growing group of carriages being assembled, with drivers and chocobos alike. The large caravans looked ready to transport over hundreds of passengers. “I believe that’s them!” 

Ozwin smirked, rolling his shoulder. “I propose we split up—one of us in a caravan spread out. If there is any sign of danger from the wildlife or an attack from raiders, we should be able to handle it long enough for the caravans to get away.” 

Roll agreed, rolling her sleeves up. She gently took away the wok Azlyn had tried to clean, before shooing her to wipe down the makeshift counter. “I concur with the plan. Lady Yugiri, do you wish to arrive first?” 

The Doman nodded, lowering her set of chopsticks neatly on the side of her empty plate. “If that is what I must needs do, I shall. I should introduce myself proper to the leaders in Revenant’s Toll, and give them my sincerest thanks for this opportunity.” 

The Au Ra healer smiled. “Then I will travel in the first caravan. I’ll make sure you are introduced to Rowena, and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.” 

They were in full discussion of how they could make the trip, and who would be in which caravan. It was determined that Azlyn would be on the last caravan, whereas Kida would accompany the groups too weak to make the long journey to Revenant’s Toll. N’thuzu Tia and Ozwin would go alongside Roll in separate Caravans to assist in case of any battles. 

Yugiri and Roll headed out first—filling up the first caravan with the refugees and heading out. The second and third caravans were next in line—and before long Ozwin and N’thuzu Tia were off following the rest. 

Kida had been the next one to head out, following after the caravans of the elderly and sick—those who were making the short trip to Ul’dah. There they would recover their strength and slowly make their way to Revenant’s Toll when able. 

Vesper Bay, which had been bursting with people, seemed empty as the Doman refugees started to slowly make their way out caravan by caravan. Azlyn waited by the fountain, seeing the last of the caravans roll up. One of the men—a doman refugee had been glancing  worriedly around—before sighing. She knew this elder—Yugiri introduced them last night. His name was Hozan—and he took care of some of the children from Doma. 

“What’s the matter Hozan?” Azlyn decided to ask him given they were the last ones. 

“Oh! Good morning miss.” The doman rubbed the back of his neck as he looked to the crates. “I’m determining how to place the rest of the crates into the carriages.” 

“It’s Azlyn—you don’t need to call me miss.” She chuckled. Looking to the caravan, she gauged the space. “Did you want some help? I’m sure we can fit the remainder crates if we work together.” 

“Miss Azlyn—no I couldn’t ask that of you, the carriage driver can help with that... oh, but there is something that you can do for me.” He smiled, looking over his shoulder. There was a teenage Doman walking around the plaza, and stopping at the top of the stairs to the plaza. Probably about twenty to twenty five years younger than him. “If you could help round up the children that have been given into my care—my son Yozan can tell you more.” 

“That shouldn’t be too much of a problem—then we shall be back in just a moment.” Azlyn smiled, before she ran off to greet his son. He hadn’t moved from his last spot, as he scanned the community. 

“Where could they...Miss Azlyn, is the caravan ready?” Yozan stopped his search. “Will you be coming with us?” 

“I am, if you’ll have me.” She bowed to him. 

“Yes, that will surely bring the others a sense of excitement! My friends couldn’t help but tell me about the firework poppers.” The young lad, somewhere in his teens looked over to the bird driven carriages. “I heard we’re traveling by horsebird-drawn carriage! But—don’t you think they’re queer? Giant birds that people ride like horses? I still want to try riding one, but—”

Azlyn laughed at his sudden exuberance. “Maybe when we reach the midway point, we could give you a chance to ride one—I can hold the reins if you’d like.” 

Yozan’s eyes brightened at the thought, before he shook his head immediately.  His cheeks were a bit red from embarrassment. He looked a bit worried that he might cause problems. “I—er—we should find the others... I told them previously to get ready for when the carriages arrive.” The lad went back to scan the town. “I’ll probably need some help, though. We were just finishing a game of hide-and-seek, Three players are still hiding, and since Lady Yugiri told us to take it really seriously, they won’t move until they’re found.” 

She thought of the reasoning why Yugiri would teach them to be serious in hide and seek—only to find the answer in their circumstances. While the children looked at it as a game, Yugiri probably thought it would be a good way to teach the children to remain hidden and quiet. In case the Garleans attacked them. 

“Vesper Bay isn’t that big, so I bet we can find them in no time.” Azlyn finally said, smiling down to the teen. “Let’s go looking, shall we?” 

Together they peered around the buildings, the alleys, up in the buildings themselves. They found one child tucked away in the corner, who clicked her tongue upon being found. “Not fair Yozan! You cheated and got help!” 

“I’m sorry kiddo.” Azlyn gave her an apologetic shrug. “The carriages arrived for us—we’ll be leaving shortly.” 

The girl gasped, looking to Yozan. “Oh! I didn’t know they were ready! Let’s find the others!” She beamed, running to Yozan’s side and together they searched some other prospective areas. “I’m Koharu. What’s your name miss? I didn’t know anyone else was—waaaaait a minute! You’re one of those.... uh... stallions aren’t you?” 

“I’m sorry?” She had no idea what she meant by stallion. “My name is Azlyn—Azlyn Azh’el. I’m not sure what you mean by stallion though?” She had heard some strange nicknames she earned, but not stallion. 

“No! It was the Scions! Are you with them? Then you must know Lady Yugiri, right?” Koharu, the young Doman girl with brown eyes happily chatted her ear away. Yozan mimicked with his hand of her chattering—which earned him a jab from the talkative girl. 

“I am a part of the Scions, and I do know Lady Yugiri—she is very kind, and compassionate to her people.” Azlyn smiled warmly. 

“She’s the greatest! She’s really good at hide-and-seek, too!” 

“When we make it to Revenant’s Toll, we should play Hide-and-Seek together.” Azlyn suggested. “I will need some guidance since you guys are amazing at it.” 

Koharu and Yozan beamed together, happy that she was interested in their games. 

“We should totally play touch-and-go! That’d be fun too!” Yozan perked, looking to Koharu. “We’d need a large playing field though.” 

“Touch-and-go?” Azlyn paused, before connecting the first letters of each three words. “Ohhhh, you mean tag?” 

This led into another conversation about some of the things they did to pass the time—and before they knew it, they found one of the other children hiding in an upper landing by the gate. He stuck to the shadows, which blended in with the darkened wall. 

“Found you!” Koharu cheered happily, as she clapped her hands. Yozan waved to his friend. 

“How’d you find me?” The one child frowned, shaking his head. “Bah. Guess I need more practice.” 

Koharu grinned up to him, her pearly whites gleamed in the sun. “Azlyn here said she’d play hide-and-seek with us!” 

“Oh?” He looked up to her, before nodding his head. “Should I go hide again?” 

Azlyn took this opportunity to stop him before he disappeared. “We’ll have to play when we get to Revenant’s Toll. The carriages arrived, so we’ll need to be heading out.” 

The boy nodded. “You must be good at this—I mean, the Garleans didn’t find me.” 

The Au Ra had to wonder why an empire like Garlemald would raze Doma. To make a statement? To put forth a sense of fear? All she could see now were the ravages of war that brought in waves and waves of injured, and many children who were inevitably scarred by the things they saw. 

“You’re very brave—and skillful. Do not doubt the skills you’ve acquired, alright?” Azlyn spoke at last, speaking solemnly to each.

The children smiled widely to her, happy for the compliment she gave them. Together they moved along, checking each of the buildings both inside and outside. It was within the Upper landing of the Waking Sands that they found their last player, staring up to the cupboard that had some of Tataru’s candies. 

Azlyn chuckled to her. “Would you like some candy?” 

All of the children perked at her question, and so with their expectation in place—she hoped Tataru had left some of the candies in the drawer. She found a stash, just some hard caramel candies. 

“Wow!” They all exclaimed, happily eating the candies given to them. 

“Let’s go get on the carriage!” Yozan said, and the four of them started to run out of the building. 

“Don’t choke on the candy!” She soon followed after them, being the last to arrive as the children started to tell Hozan all about their hide-and-seek game. 

The last child they found stared up to the chocobo. His eyes were wary, as if he was a bit fearful of the yellow birds. “Are—are we going to ride this... thing?” 

Yozan perked up, “Yes! And it’s completely safe!” 

He gazed to Yozan, before nodding slowly. “Well, if you say it’s safe...” 

Hozan directed the children to board first, holding Azlyn back for a moment. “Thank you for indulging them in their game of hide-and-seek.” 

She smiled, “Of course, it reminded me of when we played hide-and-seek at home.” She recalled their crazy antics, running around the Isle of Val with the other children in the orphanage. 

“Are you not curious as to why they play hide-and-seek so seriously?” 

Azlyn sadly smiled. “I—I can hazard a good guess. Lady Yugiri probably thought it’d be best for them in the event the Garleans found you all.” 

Hozan nodded. “I should hope that those days are behind us, but I nevertheless take comfort in knowing that we are prepared.” 

“I’ll do my best to protect them... and their futures.” 

They were the last pair to board the caravan—where Azlyn found herself sitting between Yozan and Koharu. They were happily chatting to one another, as Azlyn looked over to Yozan’s father. He nodded to her, his appreciative gaze held firm before he turned to another of the individuals on their caravan. 

The coachmen took off, they were the last ones to leave Vesper Bay, heading through Hammerlea eastward to Ul’dah. Much of the trip had been a relaxing one—where the children dominated most of the conversation. 

“I wish I were in better health.” Hozan sighed loudly, looking to his own father. The older man in the caravan with them, his name was Homei, had a handkerchief wrapped over his face. A heavy bout of coughing had been heard from him on occasion, so Azlyn wondered if they would be alright on their way to Revenant’s Toll. “I have heard of your group’s skill in combat—were I healthier I dare to think we would make a good team.” 

“Pay my son no mind Miss Azh’el. He forgets his responsibilities preclude acts of derringer-do.” 

Azlyn smiled to them, shaking her head. “It is no problem. How is your cough Sir Homei?” 

“Better, now that we’re off the Galleon.” He looked behind them to Vesper Bay. “Soon we shall be able to rest.” 

Hozan crossed his arms over his chest, he looked to the children who were distracted by the wildlife passing by. “Be that as it may, I cannot help but envy you. Had we been able to call upon heroes of your strength and skill in Doma, things would have been very different.” 

She looked down to her lap, her hands cupping together on top of her lap as she grimaced. Doma was her homeland—she had been born in a small farming village on the coast of a river. She remembered rice paddies, an open marketplace, a small community... but they were only glimpses of memories. Her family left before the war reached their homes. 

The Doman men studied her, before Hozan sighed. “But we cannot change the past. Those who fought—and fell—are forever lost to us.” 

“I’m sorry Hozan, Sir Homei... The Empire will get what is coming to them. It may take years to achieve it, but they will know the pain and suffering that they inflicted upon your people—and the many people subjugated by them.” 

Homei nodded to her declaration. “Lost, but not forgotten—Lady Yugiri’s kinsmen least of all. They fought fiercest, though they knew full well it was in vain.” He leaned back upon the bench as they travelled. “She had every right to walk away, yet she chose to stay. Food, shelter, the promise of a better life—all this and more we owe to her. How does one even begin to repay such a debt?” 

“Live peacefully.” Azlyn replied. “You will do Lady Yugiri well by repaying the debt that way.” 

Hozan and Homei stared to her, before nodding. “Whatever work there is to be done we shall do without question. Ditch digging, bricklaying, it matters not—Revenant’s Toll will grow and prosper by our hands.” 

She smiled to their determination. They seemed ready to lay their lives down for Lady Yugiri—and given her attempt to get them sanctuary—she could see why. Before she could say anything further on it, a pair of hands grabbed her sleeves—yanking on them to gather her attention. 

Hozan and Homei chuckled as Koharu and Yozan, the pair of children attached to her hip—jumped to her side after their short sightseeing expedition. 

“Nee nee—Azlyn, Koharu and I want to know why you became an adventurer!” Yozan chirped, his bangs clouded his eyes from view—but when the wind blew, she could see his eyes. They were brimming with curiosity. 

“Why I became an adventurer?” Azlyn tilted her head one way, thinking to the letter she received after her parents passed. She still had no idea who sent it—or what their end goal was to get her to leave. “I wanted to help people... and see the world and this realm with my own eyes.” She gazed forward, looking to the desert landscape that painted far and all around. “I suppose that’s one reason why I became an adventurer.” 

The boy leaned forward, grinning to Koharu. “I knew it! Lady Yugiri told us that many Raen Auri do not leave the homeland—so you must have traveled really far!” 

“I traveled as much as you all have.” Azlyn smirked. 

“My turn!! My turn!!” Koharu clutched Azlyn’s arm, as she thought of her question. “Here’s my question! What’s Revenant’s Toll like? Is it pretty?” 

This made the girl think back to the adventurer’s community. It was tucked in between an empire’s castrum and the Fogfens on one side, and on the other side had been Silverlake and the massive chunks of unaspected crystals bursting with untamed aether. The lands had been scarred by the events of the battles that took place—even the telling signs of the battleship Agrius laid broken within the carcass of Midgardsormr. 

“It’s a bustling outpost frequented by countless adventurers.” Azlyn decided at last. “There are plenty of beautiful sights—like at night. There isn’t much light pollution, so the stars and moons above shine brighter in that great expanse.” 

“That sounds so cool!” Koharu perked at the thought. “And pretty! I want to see the stars that bright!”

“Maybe tonight we can scale one of the bridges at the top of the outpost to go stargazing.” Azlyn suggested to the girl, and the other two exploded at the idea. 

“I wanna see!” 

“Me too!” The boy who wondered about his hiding ability shouted. 

“Children, calm down...” Hozan tried to rally them down, and Azlyn did her best to help calm them. 

“It’s my turn for a question Koharu!” Yozan jumped up from his seat, punching a hand into his other hand. “Azlyn, when I’m older, I want to be strong like you. What do I have to do?” 

That happened to be a weird question—as she herself didn’t find herself that strong. Most of the time, she had either luck or her friends at her side. 

“When I was your age—my mother trained my friends and I. We practiced day and night, but I don’t necessarily think that’s all that matters to be strong.” Azlyn tapped her chin, thinking. “I learned many things by experiencing them new—and wherever I went, I considered it an adventure. Each day brought about a new journey—and that journey hasn’t stopped.” 

“Wow!” Koharu cheered, excited that it wasn’t all training. 

“So father was right.” Yozan thought to himself, while Hozan sighed deeply into his hand. Azlyn had to wonder if the child knew he gave his own father a backhanded compliment. “How do you do it then? How to train and how to seek out these new journeys! Don’t leave anything out!” 

The other children started to jump in, wanting to know as well. Hozan rubbed the bridge of his nose, before rallying them back in once again. “Alright, enough—enough. That’s enough questions for Azlyn.” 

Koharu pouted, clinging to her side. “That’s not fair! Why does Yozan get to ask two questions? I want to know about adventuring just as much as he does—” She was shushed by Homei sitting beside her. 

It was at this moment his son pouted, before. “Just one more—please!” 

Hozan looked ready to stop him, but Azlyn smiled warmly. “It’s alright—we have a long ride. I don’t mind.” 

“If you say so Azlyn—but please tell them if they are being too much.” 

“I will.” She nodded, but these questions were nothing like ones she was asked beforehand. At least they weren’t asking her about being a Bloody Princess. 

“Do you think I could be an adventurer like you one day? Or like Kida or N’thuzu Tia?” 

Azlyn laughed softly, wondering if there ever could be another Kida adventurer. She was someone who no one could replace—with how vibrant and colorful she was. “I definitely think you could become an adventurer. You, and Koharu, and your friends.” The Au Ra smiled over to the other boys who straightened at the mention. “But be your own adventurer, okay?” 

They all beamed, even his father and grandfather whom watched the interactions. 

Really?! Then I will! Thanks for the advice, Miss Azlyn! I won’t forget it!” 

Koharu leaned over onto Azlyn, with eyes wide in excitement. “I’m going to be an adventurer too!” 

And this brought on the rallying calls from the other children who also wished to be an adventurer. 

Yozan grinned, “When we get to Revenant’s Toll, let’s make an Adventurers’ Guild for Domans!” He punched a hand into his hand as he proclaimed. “We’ll protect our friends and punish the wicked—just like Miss Azlyn, her friends, and Lady Yugiri!” 

“Exactly like them!” Koharu cheered, and Azlyn chuckled. 

The children excitedly chattered on about what they should first start when they get to Revenant’s Toll, and what they should call themselves. Their voyage on the caravan had been quite a long journey—as they traveled up through Ul’dah, and continued further north past the blue canyons in north Thanalan. 

Azlyn could see the older tracks of the other caravans that rolled straight through, and noticed that they continued into the abandoned castrum that they cleared out during Operation Archon. 

The sun had been high in the sky by the time they started to cross into Fogfens—where Azlyn pointed out to the children the outpost in the distance. They excitedly looked on to the  brick and mortar, and could see the giant battleship in the distance within the lake. 

“Welcome to Revenant’s Toll.” Azlyn introduced to them, a small smile grew as she thought of a nice cup of tea Tataru would make.

“It’s so awesome!” Koharu leaned out the side of the caravan as they traveled past some of the corrupted crystals embedded into the ground. “This is where we’re going to live Yozan!” 

“This is going to be great!” The boy agreed, looking up to the tallest building. He pointed to it before grinning to Azlyn. “We should stargaze from up there!” 

The height was something she didn’t want to experience, but if the children from Doma wanted to star gaze up there she’d do it. Maybe even bring a few of her company friends. 

“We can do it anytime.” Azlyn agreed, and smiled warmly. She would definitely need to train before then to not look terrified when they were there.