After they rescue Penelo at the mines they learn that their companion "Lamont" is in fact Larsa Solidor, the younger brother of Vayne Solidor. Vayne, if you remember, was the Archades Royal consul for Dalmasca and first in line for the Archadian throne. That makes Larsa second in line for the throne and a very important and powerful kid. Good thing because our heroes almost get arrested again but Larsa intervenes and they are left alone. Unfortunately, trying to protect her from the Imperial Guards, Larsa takes Penelo with him to Bhujerba's consul palace. The Bhujerba consul is none other than Marquis Ondorre, Ashe's uncle and the narrator of the events of 2 years ago, at the beginning.

Left with no Penelo and no Ashe, our team is back to square 1 and has to find a way to get to Penelo in the consul's palace. They come up with a plan to get invited there: Since the Marquis had lied that Basch was dead, two years ago, they decide that Vaan will go around telling everyone that he is Basch and that Basch is alive. They hope that the Marquis spies will eventually hear about it and bring them to the palace to shut Vaan up.

The plan works and they finally get invited to the palace and talk to Penelo. Unfortunately the Marquis double crosses them and our team gets captured again and taken to the Imperial battleship Leviathan. Larsa is unable to help this time but he leaves a piece of a strange crystal he has been interested in with Penelo. Being taken to the Leviathan proves lucky for Basch because he wanted to rescue princess Ashe and she is being kept there.

Han, Luke, Chewie, R2 and C3PO Balthier, Vaan, Fran, Basch and Penelo cross the huge ship and rescue the princess, battling imperial troops all the way. They leave the Leviathan after a battle with Judge Ghis, who uses some strong magick against them but Larsa's mysteryous crystal sees to completely nullify the attack and they manage to escape.

Back in Bhujerba the group goes back to the Palace, and Ashe asks her uncle about the events of two years ago. Ondorre tells Ashe that he had told everyone she was dead at the request of Vayne Solidor. He now regrets saying it, as it drove a wedge between him and Ashe. "Not at all" says Ashe, and asks her uncle for help to reclaim her throne.

Ondorre points out that she has no proof that she is a princess, since the imperials took the Dusk Shard from her, the proof of her royal blood. Ashe still wants to try but her uncle won't hear of it. He tells her to stay put on the palace while he takes care of things.

Not one to let fate carry her, Ashe tries to steal Balthier's ship and leave but is discovered. She then asks Balthier to "kidnap" her and take her away from the palace. In reality she wants his help to go find another proof of her birthright, the Dawn Shard, being kept among the treasures of King Raithwall. Balthier agrees. Not wanting t be left behind, Vaan and Penelo join Basch, Fran, Balthier and Ashe on this quest to find the Tomb where Raithwall and his treasures are buried.

more later..