North Sprawl

Vaan:  I’m supposed to deliver something to a man, name of Azelas. This is the place, right?

Balzac: And who was it told you that?

Vaan: Old Dalan. He said I have to give this to him personally.

Balzac: Does nothing get past that Dalan? He has ears in every wall. All right, get inside. But not a word of what you see or hear in there, you got that?

[In the room beyond, a group of men in fairly piecemeal armor are having a heated discussion.]

Man 1: Then what of Ondore’s proclamation? Did they fool even the Marquis?

Man 2: What if a Judge killed the King, not the Captain? That would explain everything wouldn’t it?

Man 3: Then the Captain would be brother to a Judge! How are we to trust such a man?

[They are interrupted as Basch emerges from another room, now clean, groomed, and dressed properly.]

Vossler: Now there is the Basch that I remember.

Basch: Then will you fight again at my side?

Man 3: His word alone convinces me of nothing!

Man 2: I’d take his word over that of a mouthpiece marquis!

Man 4: Then you name Reks liar with him.

[Vaan shoves his way into the circle indignantly, silencing the men.]

Vaan: My brother was no liar!

Basch: Just the opposite. Reks was the witness they needed. They had to make it appear as if I’d killed the King – Reks bears no blame. The Fates have willed it.

Vossler: So this is Reks’s brother. [Vossler takes the sword from Vaan’s hands] Your words may convince this child, but they weigh too lightly on the scales for my taste. Our paths will remain separate.

Basch: Do you not think Amalia worth saving?

[This seems to give Vossler pause.]

Vossler: I hold men’s lives in my hands. I must see foes in every shadow. The night we moved against Vayne, he knew. I will not chance such disadvantage again. I must treat you as I would Ondore – as I would treat any abettor of the Empire.

Basch: Then what will you do? Hold me here in chains?

[Vossler and Basch lock eyes menacingly for a moment. Then Vossler tosses the sword to Basch.]

Basch: Some things never change. Do they.

Vossler: Listen to me, Basch. Your cage may have no bars, but it is a cage. The eyes of the Resistance watch unblinking.

Basch: Let them watch. I know something of cages.

[The scene fades out, and then fades back in on Vaan and Basch outside the building, in the alley in Lowtown.]

Vaan: That’s right… Amalia’s in the Resistance.

Basch: Then you know her.

Vaan: Sort of. We met just before we got sent to Nalbina. I’ve known nicer people.

Basch: Our paths keep crossing, yours and mine. It’s more than coincidence.

Vaan: It’s annoying.

Basch: I’m sorry. Allow me one last annoyance: a favor to ask. I want you to take me to Balthier. Even caged birds need wings.

Vaan: This makes us even.

Basch: Even?

Vaan: For Nalbina. We couldn’t have done it without you.

[Basch joins the party!]