A/N: Sorry that this chapter took too long to write. Between real life hassles and the demand for Duality, I tried my best to work on what little that I could. The next chapter should come sooner than expected...

Chapter Three

The turnout at the ball was as expected; every dignitary in the region came to attend the formal event. Foreign ambassadors from the surrounding countries strolled past the guards, showing off the latest fashion of their homeland. Balthier expected no less from a Rabanastre event. A gathering this large can only be surpassed by an Archadian ball. He and Fran were posing as dignitaries from the empire of Rozarria, a region that had few representatives tonight. There were those who were confused by the Viera's noble position, but she was revealed to be Balthier's bodyguard (something Fran felt more comfortable being than a wife or escort).They did their best to stay away from actual Rozzarian officials, fearing that any contact could complicate their situation. Balthier wasn't here to make friends. He might make a few enemies, but he didn't mind. He already had too many to keep track of.

The Rabanastre treasury was going to solve his problems. He already worked out a plan that would involve only Fran and himself. They will steal The Goddess' Magicite, which will not only be enough to pay off their debt, but he should have enough to purchase a new airship. Well, either that or get The Strahl back. They had to find a way to get past the guards and obtain a key to the treasury itself. He was thinking of using his fake 'status' in order to get a tour of the palace, but Fran advised against it. The guards will have time to get a good look at their faces, thus making hiding out next to impossible once the feat was accomplished.

Balthier needed some kind of diversion...some way to distract the guards here so they wouldn't see him Fran make their way to the treasury. From there, the two of them will take care of the soldiers there and figure something out.

"Excuse me sir?"

Baltheir turned around to see a blonde haired girl with a tray of appetizers. The girl tilted her head to the side. "Hors d'oevres?"

Balthier nodded and took some caviar. Fran passed, and the girl left to approach another group of people. Stroking his head, Balthier kept his eyes on the young lady whose smile seemed to be a permanent fixture on her face. She looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place his finger on it.

The sky pirate's thoughts were soon interrupted by an eruption of trumpets. The attendees turned their attention the large stairway on the other side of the ballroom. People gathered around as the royal presenter began to speak.

"Presenting Princess Ashelia B'nargain Dalmasca," the man simply spoke, and backed away as a small entourage made their way down the stairs. Following a group on royal guards was a couple of sevrant maids and the most beautiful woman in white Balthier has ever seen.

Sandy blonde hair was tied back to reveal a non-expressive soft resembling a nervous bride being touched for the first time. Fierce blue eyes with a grey tint were shown in contrast to the rest of her dainty features. Balthier could tell she was a woman of action; someone who preferred the battlefield more than the palace. He liked women of action, especially those who could barely hold it in.

For a brief moment, their eyes seemed to make contact, a split second of eternity, bound by momentarily interest. Balthier averted his eyes towards the hall that would eventually lead to the treasury. Fran took notice as well, and the two made their way through the crowd and begin to stroll against the wall. Being careful not to be spotted, they waited for the right time for several guards to look the other way, and they dashed into the hallway, towards their desired destination. They were safe from wandering eyes, with the exception of a blond haired teenager whose eager behavior would soon get the best of him.

Ashe tried her best to deal with the prepared comments and conversations from everyone she passed. She felt congested, being surrounded by so many people who 'seemed' pleased to see her. The only thing that was going through her mind at that point was those insightful brown eyes she made contact with a moment ago. The mysterious gentleman might have looked the part, but he didn't fit in with the atmosphere. She could tell he wasn't here for her, or rather anyone else for that matter. His viera companion stood out as well, her eyes searching the area, seeing if they were being watched. All eyes might have been on the princess, but Ashe watched them closely as they begin to sneak along the wall and somehow made it pass her own guards towards the treasury.

She thought about saying something at first, but decided that the guards would eventually catch them. It was obvious they were after the Goddess' Magicite; every so often some fool would try to infiltrate the palaces' defenses for the royal relic and fail miserably. Part of her became increasingly curious though, for she was almost certain that there was a chance those two could succeed. It was as if she almost wished it.

One of the senate members interrupted her train of thought, and dragged her across the room, over to where a tall long haired man stood surrounded by guards. Ashe narrowed her eyes as she stared. It was Vayne Carudas Solidor, Emperor of Archadia. The man gave her either a warm smile or sarcastic smirk (she couldn't tell) as he bowed briefly.

"Your majesty," he said, his voice like rising horns during a symphony. "It is a pleasure to see you again. It has been quite sometime..."

Ashe hesitated before giving a curtsey of her own; she sensed there was something with this man, something that seemed imposing, but yet welcoming. It puzzled her, dealing with someone whose vibe was so sporadic.

"It has." Ashe looked to Basch was comfort, and felt better to see that he was still by her side.. "You already know my loyal guard, Basch fon Ronsenberg."

Basch bowed, keeping his eyes on Vayne and the young boy that stood next him.

"I see that the young prince is here as well," spoke Basch, smiling at the young man known as Larsa Feerinas Solidor. This was the only person from the House of Solidor that Basch was actually quite fond of.

Larsa blushed slightly at the warrior's kind gesture and gave a bow of his own. "I am grateful to be here to see you my lady," he spoke, his eyes for Ashe clearly filled with admiration. "I apologize for not being able to make it to the funeral service a couple of years ago, I was away for quite some time."

Ashe waved a hand. "That's alright my lord. I'm glad you could make it." From the corner of her eye, Ashe could see more senate members coming her way. Seeing her converse with the House of Solidor fit in exactly with their plans. She didn't think too kindly of that. "I'm sorry your majesty, but I have other guests to greet..." Before Vayne could say anything, Ashe made her away from the Archadian representatives, and made her way towards Nabradian officials.

There was no way she was going to marry Vayne Solidor. There was something about him...the way his eyes wouldn't take themselves off of her. She needed some space from that penetrating glance, and if she was going to spend all night doing as such, then so be it.

Balthier waited patiently as the last treasury guard fell to the floor. It frustrated him to no end that one of Fran's spells simply wouldn't work on any of the four soldiers. The palace was smart to equip them with enchanted items, protecting them from a variety of abnormal effects. Balthier had to rely on the use of a blowgun, and Fran's ever impressive kicks as backup. With the guards temporarily incapacitated, Balthier and his companion stole the treasury key and entered inside the most expensive room in all of Dalmasca.

Gold jewelry, diamond encrusted armor, and weapons glowing with magical radiance filled the silk draped room. In the middle of the room on top of velvet pillows sat the Goddess' Magicite. Balthier's eyes widened at the sight of it. This seemed all too easy, having one of Ivalice's most priceless items so easily available to the most proficient of thieves. Even if this was to be a fake, he shouldn't have too much of a problem selling it to some greedy collector. The item was said to possess immense power, but Balthier could care less about its abilities. He just needed the payment; the gil required to buy his life back. He could probably give The Boss the Magicite itself and everything would be settled. Then again, it had to be worth much more than three million gil.

Balthier rubbed his chin, reviewing the details of the matter at hand. Fran's eyes narrowed as she looked past Balthier, and rose up a finger towards him. The former Judge knew what that gesture meant. They were being watched.

Knowing that if it was a castle official, an alarm would have gone off, or soldiers would be storming the room. It had to be someone else, someone who managed to follow their trail. Who was that good to keep a sharp eye on their movements and were able to track them down this far without being noticed? Feeling more impatient by the second, Balthier decided to nip this in a bud.

"Who goes there? Don't try to hide or run, we know you're there."

When the mystery accomplice was revealed, it wasn't the fact that it was a kid that bothered him, it was the fact it was the newsie that sold him the paper yesterday. Seeing the sheepish look from the boy's face, Balthier figured it was a good idea to take it easy on the whelp.

"So, newsboy by day, thief by night," he began, sounding a little impressed. "Is there anything you can't do...what's your name again?"

The boy's eyes gained some color back after the previous scare. "V-Vaan, its Vaan sir."

"Vaan..." Balthier let the name roll around his mouth for a few seconds. "That's right, now I remember. What are you doing at an extravaganza like this, Vaan?"

"I'm working for my boss, Migelo." Vaan glanced briefly around the room. "Are you planning some kind of heist?"

Fran looked at Balthier as if asking him what to do. He already knew her way of problem solving was threatening the little bugger's life until he peed his pants, and hogtie him before the proper authorities arrived.

Balthier's solution was a more subtle one. He knew how adventurous young minds like Vaan's think, and he knew they preferred fun like this, even if it meant breaking the law and being tired for theft and treason. With what he had in mind, he was about to make Vaan's life.

"Vaan," the sky pirate began. "We are planning a heist, and we would like you to take part in it. Called it 'initiation'."

"Initiation?" Vaan looked slightly confused. "For what?"

"For being one of us..." Balthier leaned in close before speaking again. "A sky pirate."

Vaan blinked a couple of times. "A-a sky pirate! Really!"

Balthier put a finger to his lips. "Yes, now hush or we'll all be in no condition to be pirating at all. If you want to play a part in the leading man's cast, then you must know your role."

Vaan was beginning to like how this man spoke. "What role can I play?"

Balthier grinned. The boy didn't even ask for their names. "It's a special part Vaan. It's a part that I specifically designed for greenhorns like you."

"Greenhorn? I've been pick-pocketing since I was five!"

"Pick-pocketing is small scale my friend. This involves something...shall we say more elaborate."

"What is it?" Vaan could hardly hide the grin from his face. The suspense was killing him.

Balthier turned to Fran and smiled. This was the part he loved the most on his 'missions'.

"Bait."