Chapter Text
”...Bugger! I almost forgot:” Baderon turned to look at me, his voice a little louder than I expected if the expression which followed was anything to go by, “the Admiral wants to 'ave a word with ye.”
I furrowed my brow but listened.
”When ye feel up to it, talk to Zanthael an' 'e'll let ye in to the command room. Oh, an' stay awake, eh?” His tone as good as poked me in the ribs; I could still feel my cheeks warming. “I'm told ol' Merlwyb was in the middle o' tellin' ye a story when ye started snorin' last time, an' I doubt she'd look kindly on it if ye repeated the trick!”
Yeah... that made me want to hide. As the door closed, I took a seat on the edge of my bed once more, sighing heavily. As I stared at the floor, my mind wondered back to what I could remember of the banquet.
“This...being from your vision was the Mothercrystal. Your description matches what little we know of Her. And if She has chosen you, then your deeds may yet shape the fate of nations. As once did the deeds of the Warriors of Light.” The Admiral’s voice rang clear.
But why me? I know I am smart and a quick study... but... what’s so special about me?
I took the crystal from my pouch and looked at it in the dawn’s light, fingers claw-like at the base. Gently, I twisted it, watching the inside, how it rippled like water.
Why is all of this happening to me? And why now? Is it really just the way of the aether here in Eorzea?
As if on cue, I felt my head spin again. Quickly, I clutched at my head with my free hand, rubbing at my temple in hopes that it would soon cease. Thankfully it only lasted a moment.
Oh yeah... that’s why... I need to find out what is going on with all of this Echo business... Was the aether here in Eorzea really that different? So much so that it would keep subjecting me to these dizzy spells and visions? Is there something more going on here? Will I get my answers before I am asked to intervene and save another town?
Such were the questions, I bore no answers, and neither, it seemed, did the vibrant water-blue crystal still (luckily) nestled between my fingers. I stowed it away again and headed for the sink, resolved to freshen up and find out what the Admiral wanted of me.
Yet, as I washed my face, I could not help but dwell upon Y’shtola’s reaction to the crystal. She knew what it was, there was no mistaking it. As I brushed my hair, my mind started to wonder about ways that I might chance to meet her again; none of my ideas seemed any kind of likely.
Surely, judging by that reaction, she has more answers than even the Admiral does! But how can I bid her share those secrets? Where can I even find her now?
Putting my wraps and jewellery back in the right place took a while, and a reasonable amount of concentration, granting me a respite from my racing thoughts. That, however, did not last long.
But what if the Admiral is mad at me? The thought came to me as I was heading down the stairs of the Mizzenmast. What if she intends to scold me for collapsing like I did in the middle of a party like that?
I stopped for a moment on the stairs, shaking my head rapidly, scolding myself for such a thought.
There is no way a woman of her calibre would send for me, an adventurer, to scold them for collapsing. It’s just not reasonable. Not to mention, Baderon would not have had that tone were it anything bad. Right?
I snuck a glance across the tavern; the hyur seemed deeply engrossed in whatever it was he was doing. Keeping the Admiral waiting was not something I wished to add to my list of transgressions.
The elevator ride down was quiet, thankfully, but the Bulwark Hall beneath was certainly bustling. So many people bustling this way and that, happily getting on with their lives. As swiftly as I could, I wove my way between, all the while wringing my hands with the nerves that had built up within me.
“Zanthael?” I asked roegadyn sergeant tentatively, peering into the amber eyes which were well protected by that scarlet helm.
“Greetings, Morgana.” A deep yet quiet voice greeted me. “Admiral Bloefhiswyn awaits you in the command room. Shall I announce you?”
“Yes, thank you.” I nodded. Those golden eyes scanned me up and down before the roegadyn moved to open the lift. Quietly I followed him inside. I very quickly became acutely aware that my shoulder barely came level with his elbow. I turned and watched the stone pass the cage doors as we were slowly cranked upwards.
“Try to relax, eh?” That soft voice was surprisingly not drowned out by the cranking of the lift. “If she were mad at ye’, ye’d know.”
I nodded hurriedly, letting go of a breath I had no idea I was holding. When the lift came to a stop and the doors opened, Zanthael carefully ushered me out before leading me around the corner. I am bid to while he knocks and introduces me. Protocol on such things is well beyond me, so I will just quietly do as I am told.
It is however only moments before I am ushered in.
“Ah, Morgana, it is good to see you on your feet again. You are recovered?”
“As well as can be expected, I think.” I pushed confidence to the fore of my voice while making eye contact; I would not have her believe I was as meek as I currently felt. “I believe I am well enough to get back to what I was doing before.”
“Then let us waste no time. I have a task that needs doing – one I would entrust to no other.”
I tipped my head to one side, curious. I barely had time to motion for her to continue before she simply did so.
“The duty I have in mind for you requires some explanation. I do hope you have not made other plans. To business, then.”
She reached into her drawer and pulled out a pair of formally sealed envelopes.
“I have penned a letter to each of my counterparts in the Eorzean Alliance. And I would have you deliver them to our allies as my personal envoy.”