Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ FF8: Tales Of The Surly Knight ❯ Act IV: Those Who Influence Fate, Part II ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: All FF8 characters are courtesy of Squaresoft Enix

 

Tales of the Surly Knight

 

 

Sir, sir, be patient.

For my part, I am so attired in wonder,

I know not what to say.

 

-Much Ado, Act IV.i. -

 

ACT IV, Part II

Those Who Influence Fate

 

 

In Balamb Castle...

 

Closing the door after the King and the Shumi Elder entered the Queen's antechamber, Raijin cast a furtive glance at his companion's profile. She was standing in full attention, ramrod straight. Silent. Always silent. As if he were not present, standing only a few feet away. Next to her. But the fact that she had chosen to be here with him as he fulfilled his duty as Nii-san's retainer was more than enough. It had always been like this between the two of them. He had learnt to love these silences. That was the way she was. His greatest wish was to be able to stand next to her forever. To protect her from further harm. He couldn't remember a time when he hadn't wanted to do that...

 

He was six years old the first time he'd met Fujin. All of them were more or less the same age, with Seif Nii-san and Quisty Onee-chan being the oldest. They had been playing whatever it was that children played. As usual Zell was rather loud crying over something Nii-san said, and Onee-chan was busy scolding him while trying to console Zell at the same time. Selphie, as energetic then as now, was running around being chased by Irvine, while Squall silently watched the action standing not too far away. They were in Balamb Castle's vast Southern Courtyard, the one that contained the Rose Maze and faced the Great Hall. He couldn't remember what he was doing. All he could remember was this little girl staring at them with her one crimson eye, because the other was covered by an eye-patch.

 

Looking back, Fu was even more silent then than she could ever be now. Her silence at the time had been a very eerie one. It wasn't like he didn't know any silent people. Squall had always been pretty quiet, and even more so after he'd lost his mom... but he was there. Squall's anger at his mother's death broiled within him, as did his sadness... With Fujin, it was a completely different thing, like her spirit made no sound. Absent. As if she were a small ghost... Just staring, staring at them with her one eyed stare. He had gazed at that too quiet unsmiling face, and had decided then and there that more than anything, he would like to get this little girl to smile at him. He had only been a child, completely unaware of the weight of sorrow and despair Fujin carried already on her fragile shoulders. How could he? His situation was unlike any of his friends, even Zell's. Both his parents were alive and well. His father was Nii-san's steward, and ruled the fiefdom during Nii-san's absence. Unlike his friends, he had never experienced such a loss...

 

Now he was older, and knew the meaning of dying, because he was a warrior. Because he was prepared to fight, prepared to deal and to accept death in order to protect those to whom he had sworn his protection. In spite of all that, Fujin's grief was something beyond his experience, something he could not comprehend… In the end it didn't matter whether he understood or not, all he really wanted was to help her carry that weight, to always be there for her. Maybe his goal was too ambitious; but at least her present silence was a companionable one. He could feel her being there with him, even when she didn't look at him, or speak to him. She was there with him. It was enough.

 

The door to the Queen's antechamber opened.

 

“Yo, guys! How `bout I take over?”

 

“QUEEN? SQUALL?”

 

Those were the only words Fujin had said for hours. At her question, Zell's face fell.

 

“No change. Squall too...”

 

“But the Shumi-Elder's there, ya know!”

 

“Yeah! The Elder told us the Queen's really strong, n' that she was fightin' it!”

 

Fujin looked at Zell briefly, before nodding at him and saying.

“UNDERSTOOD.”

 

She kept her rigid vigil. The door opened again. They bowed as the King and the Shumi-Elder left the room. The King looked preoccupied. It was very hard to read the Elder's expression, but he radiated kindness. They somehow felt comforted by his mere presence. “Do not give up hope, children.” He told them before he left, followed closely by the King who just smiled sadly at them.

 

“Awww, Fu! Why don'tcha go get some rest, ya know? Me and Zell will take care of guarding the Queen...”

 

“Hey, Fu-chan! Why don'tcha keep Selph-chan company? She'll definitely appreciate it... I was kinda of getting' on her nerves with my pacing...”

 

Fujin looked at Zell until he began to squirm, then she just nodded at him and went inside, closing the door softly behind her.

 

“Thanks, man! I think she's more affected, ya know?, by Rinoa-Hime's kidnapping than she's let us know, ya know?”

 

“No pro! I was really gettin' on Selph-chan's nerves! I wonder if Seif and Onee-chan managed to catch up with the littl' fuckers!”

 

“They came from nowhere, ya know!”

 

“Humph! Irv was sayin' that he found the timing of it majorly weird...”

 

“Huh? Whadd'ya mean?”

 

“Like those things showed up an' then the Queen suddenly fainted...”

 

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Underground Balamb…

 

-WHOP! -

 

Squeal!

 

“You, there! Don't touch `er!”

 

“Ya should've cut off the littl' narsties' arm, Boss!”

 

“Shuddup, you shithead! Or you're forgettin' the stinkers smells worse dead than alive?”

 

Quistis heard a high pitched whimpering, and tightened her grip on Titania's Wisp. She could guess what was going on just by listening, but she couldn't actually see the action because Seifer's large body was stubbornly blocking her in the narrow passageway. As they ascended, it had been steadily becoming narrower and narrower, to the point in which they had to go in single file… `I should've insisted on taking the lead! Then both of us would be able to see!' She glared at his back. She was by no means a short person, but she wished she could least be two inches taller! That way, she would be able to see what was going on over his shoulders, which were blocking her line of vision!

 

Seifer's attention was still focused in the direction of the voices. She wondered how many humans were present. Judging by their voices -they were rather loud- there should be at least four, and most importantly … They had Rinoa! She found it very disturbing that humans would be in collaboration with goblins as they were natural enemies... `Goblins consider humans to be prey... Why are these people not afraid?' Not only were they not afraid, by the sounds of it they seemed to be in command of the goblins! `How is this possible? Why would these creatures obey a human when they have trouble obeying their own captains?!'

 

Unable to bear it, she thumped Seifer's back with her fist to make him move a bit so she could see, but he was not budging. He might as well be a rock. What was worse, he used his arm to push her back... Exasperated, Quistis placed a hand on either side of his broad shoulders, and using them as a lever, she lifted herself up on her toes so she could take look whether he liked it or not! He turned his head slightly to flash her an irritated look, but refocused his attention on the group of men that were clustered around Rinoa.

 

He was glad he'd obeyed the sudden instinct to pause and gauge his surroundings, instead of blinding rushing in…`There's no way I'm taking risks with Lady Disdain's life!' The way things looked, had they done so without any sort of plan, they would've been defeated! The five men were easy targets even armed to the teeth, but the place was swarming with the smelly little fuckers! He frowned as he centred his attention on the fat guy, he was clearly the one in charge as he seemed to be issuing orders to a bunch of the disgusting creatures... `So fatso over there is the Boss… … … Dammit, Quis! I wish you'd stop!' He could feel Quistis's soft rounded breasts rubbing against his back, `I don't fucking need that kind of stimulation right now!'

 

Unaware of the discomfort she was causing Seifer, Quistis pressed herself against him so she could take a better look over his shoulder. The narrow corridor opened to a vast apse-like chamber. Its tall vaulted roof supported by five strong columns with torches stuck on either side illuminating the room. At the very center, the princess was lying on some sort of makeshift table crudely made with a darkish wood. The rough finish of the table contrasted enormously with the delicate scrollwork that ornamented the pillars and the panels that adorned the highly polished walls. This confirmed something she had suspected all along: The chamber, the passageway and the vast network of tunnels they've been traversing were made by a master builder. The workmanship, not to mention the height of the passages, was too fine and precise to be goblin made. And ancient. Very ancient. `I wonder how the goblins were able to stumble upon such a find... They are not known to be overly clever... They are scavengers, but they are notexplorers.' She frowned as she pondered the question, `It cannot possibly have been these illiterate sailors... By the looks of them they must be a derelict bunch as none of them is wearing a guild insignia ... … WHAT?!'

 

“Shuddup, you bunch o' shitheads! I'm ahearin' som'thing!”

 

Everyone, including goblins which were not known for being particularly quiet, became silent. The Boss was one mean nasty asshole. He understood goblins, and knew they only obeyed fear and intimidation. More than one goblin head had rolled off its shoulder for failing to obey his orders. But nothing could be heard, except the shuffling of bare goblins' feet. One of the ruffians, the second in command, had the temerity to say.

 

“Huh! Ya sure ya hears sum'think, Boss?

 

Before the Boss could make up a scathing retort at such cheek from a subordinate, one of his men called out from deep within the tunnel facing him…

 

“BOSS! THEM BOATS'RE READY!”

 

Whatever it was that he wanted to say or do became secondary to his innate desire of wanting to get rid of the smelly goblins.

 

“Right! You, Goblins! Move it! …You, Stevens! Stay with the other `alf n' guard the princess while I git rid o' this lot!”

 

“Aye, Boss!”

 

At the slowly receding sound of marching feet, Seifer removed his hand from Quistis's mouth, and glared down at her. They were now facing each other in the narrow passageway, standing barely an inch or so apart. His furious gaze commanded her silently to keep still. Quistis nodded her acquiescence curtly, angry at herself for not controlling her reactions… but the sheer number of goblins present had astounded her! The huge chamber was full of them! It was just as well that he'd heard her soft intake of breath, and had managed to muffle her unintentional exclamation just in the nick of time. She was confident of her own ability with the whip, and she knew Seifer's skill as a blademaster to be unparalleled, except perhaps by Squall… However, no matter how proficient their fighting prowess, there was no way they could take on so many enemies at the same time. `…But wait a minute, aren't half of them leaving? Now's our chance to strike!'

 

Seifer had had the same thought as she, because he looked at her and nodded in the direction of the chamber. He bent his head so that his lips were so close to her ear as to almost graze them.

 

“Snuff torches, float Rinoa.” He murmured softly.

 

Sky-blue eyes stared into sea-green ones for just a split second before comprehension of his plan dawned in them. It was a pretty clever plan, and the element of surprise would definitely work in their favour! Grabbing his tunic, she raised herself on her toes and gave him a swift kiss on the lips, before whispering softly into his ear.

 

“For luck…”

 

Smirking because she had managed to surprise him, she was turning to carry out the plan when his arm snaked around her waist, lifted her feet off the floor, and his mouth descended on hers… When her feet touched the ground again, her hands had fisted on his tunic, and she was gasping for breath. She heard his masculine voice whisper softly.

 

“Yeah…”

 

She decided not to take issue with the underlying smugness in his voice, and concentrated on the task at hand. `I'll think of a suitable revenge later, after all this is over…' Right now, Rinoa-chan needed their help.

 

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Sometime before at Balamb Castle…

 

An elegant figure displaying a very grave mien, strolled down the quiet hallway that led out of the Royal Council Chambers. The meeting had been interrupted by the castellan, Sir Galuf who'd promptly gone to whisper something into King Cid's ear. Whatever it was, had made him abruptly get up, excuse himself, and leave the room. Everyone had just stared at each other, before Martine as Lord Chamberlain of the kingdom tacitly and very diplomatically took over where his king had left off in such a hurry. In the end, everyone was so exhausted that they agreed to retire for the night and reconvene come morning, or earlier if they were to receive further news of Princess Rinoa's whereabouts.

 

`So far, so good. They will never think of looking into that small hidden port…' He had pretended to commiserate with King Caraway, and made all the necessary polite noises as the others had speculated about Cid's sudden departure. They had all surmised that the King had been summoned, because even with the aid of the Shumi-Elder whose healing skills were legendary, the Queen had taken a turn for the worse. However, inside he was filled with a deep sense of elation. Long years of planning and playing the waiting game were finally coming to fruition!

 

He had found out early in life that no matter how prodigious his intelligence, how great his aptitude in the arts of government, he would always be subject to the whims of the one who was born to sit on the throne, and be therefore vulnerable, unprotected. So he had learnt to use his cunning to keep himself from harm, from those who sought to hurt him. `That bully died too quickly to pay for all the agonies he made me suffer…' At the time, he was only a fledging poisoner, just coming into his skill. Had he then, the knowledge he now possessed, Dollet's only son and heir would've died a much, much slower and agonizing death.

 

Lady Dollet was much easier to dispose, `Such a vain and ignorant woman! It shames me to be related to her!' She had thought an alchemist was some sort of beautician. He took advantage of her ignorance, and fed that belief by creating a facial ointment for her that made the skin glow. As expected, after witnessing the flattering results she demanded more, and he complied, but added a compound of poisons that the body would absorb slowly. He didn't want her to die too soon, for he did not wish the lord to marry someone younger and perhaps more fertile. However, three years later she succumbed to the slow poisoning, and followed in her son's footsteps by dying in extreme agony.

 

The timing of her death had truly annoyed him, as it was indicative that the old bitch had not followed his strict instructions: Apply the cream only twice per day, morning and night. It had been his plan to kill her off in five years, not three! He overheard her lady-in-waiting remark that Lady Dollet was so fond of her beauty cream that she would guard it jealously and kept a little pot of it by her side, applying it constantly! He should've known the bloody old bird would not do as he asked, but his youth had made him miscalculate the vanity of women.

 

He would not be making the same mistake twice. The dosage of black dream poison he'd administered on Queen Edea should've been strong enough to keep her in eternal slumber. He'd given a much milder version of it to his men. He needed Rinoa-Hime alive to fulfil his purpose. `Apparently, the poison has an effect on normal people as well… Interesting. It's lethal for those with sorceress blood, but that knight, Squall, was cut down with a blade infused by black dream as he tried to reach the princess… From the accounts I heard, it did not affect him immediately like it would a sorceress… Of course, the dosage for the young princess was much milder than what I've applied on Edea… I will have to keep a very close tab on that young man, perhaps I might discover other applications for it…” It seemed that if the poison did not kill, at the very least it induced a comatose state for an indefinite period of time. “I could've used it on that old bitch… If she were not dead, but not alive either it would've prevented Dollet from marrying again…”

 

In his effort to produce an heir, the septuagenarian Lord Dollet did marry someone much younger, but she was frivolous, and very easily bored. The new Duchess of Dollet was only eighteen years old. It was very obvious that this marriage had been forced on her due to the extreme importance of the bridegroom. It had been ridiculously easy to make the new Duchess his mistress. `My pleasing looks are the only worthy inheritance that my unlamented sire left me… But you knew that, didn't you, old man? That I was bedding your wife… You old fool! You were hoping that my seed would take root inside of her as you were impotent…' But there were as many ways to prevent conception, as there was to kill someone. The power he'd sought for such a long time was slowly coming into being. `As if I would sabotage my own carefully constructed plans for the sake of a pretty face!'

 

In the end, he had been forced to dispose of the young duchess as well. His original intent had just been to render her sterile, but she'd become too demanding of his time. `I'm afraid I don't respond too well to blackmail. Did the little bitch really think to control me with her silly threats?' He hadn't even bothered to poison her. She had not been worth the trouble. A small, but tragic chocobo accident did the trick, and not a moment too soon… Apparently, he'd not been her only lover, `She was a slut after all…' The brat someone else had planted in her womb died with her.

 

As a young man, he had been full of ambition, but short on funds and power. His father, being only the second son of a second son, was just a lowly knight in charge of a small keep! How he despised the way these young lordlings, the Queen's Knights, flaunted their wealth and status! The worst of the four being that young peacock, Count Almasy! How dare he give him such a supercilious look! As if he were nothing! As if he were more lowly than an earthworm! Everything he was, everything he had was the result of his own effort and cunning. How dare that lordling judge him with his inherited worth!

 

`Humph! Soon, very soon, none of it will matter, of course!' He would be having the last laugh. He would allow that young lordling to live long enough to watch him take possession of the beautiful Lady Trepe. She was the only female befitting to be his bride and breed his children. Lust was an emotion he understood very well, and it shone out of that lordling's eyes whenever they rested on the girl. Yes, he would make sure the young Lord Almasy witness him make the lovely Quistis his bride…

 

`Power. The ability to control people, to influence the destinies of nations!' He had been gifted with a blazing ambition! Perhaps it was fated that his star would reach its zenith, and he would occupy his rightful place in the world, denied to him by an accident of birth. He looked at the slender metallic band that adorned his middle finger, `This ring, this insignificant looking ring… so easily disregarded will help me get what I crave! What I need! Once I gain absolute power, no one will dare look down on me again.' Who could have foretold that his search for a rare poison in Odin's Ruins five years ago would yield such bounty? `I've surely been favoured by the gods to become the ruler of all mankind. It's the only explanation for my good fortune! Even had I been able to foresee the future, I don't think I could have planned this better!'

 

He had been intrigued by finding such an ordinary looking item lying on top of a very impressive altar. Without giving it much thought, he had taken the ring, and placed it in his middle finger. Instantly a new perception had flooded his senses! And pain. An intense pain, which dispersed whenever he took off the ring… The pain was a small price to pay. By wearing the ring, he felt capable of doing things, that hitherto he would've thought only a full-blooded sorceress could do! With the passage of time, he had learnt to bear the pain, specially after he'd almost lost it once by taking it off. `I suspected it at the time, but now after the final test, I'm sure…' He had in his possession the fabled ring of Aesterith that the gods had created at the dawn of humanity to aid mankind! `It was a risky thing to do, to come face to face with Queen Edea, but now I know for certain that this ring can not only grant me great powers, it can also disguise me from those who possess power! Otherwise there's no way I could've poisoned her with the Black Sleep!'

 

Originally there were three sorceresses, Ultimecia, Freyja and Edea. The first two perished when they were sucked into the deep dimensional abyss that their battling had produced atop Mount Almaj in Centra Continent. He had been a mere adolescent at the time. The intense lightning and high energy charges of their legendary battle had obscured the sky, and its reverberations could be felt all the way to his father's lands in Hasberry Plains. `As I looked up the sky and witnessed for myself what a sorceress's power could do, I craved that power…' Queen Edea was the last remaining full blooded sorceress left in the world. `But with her out of the way, mine will be the only power to be reckoned with! …And little Rinoa, she will be my puppet…!'

 

Getting to Edea had been ridiculously easy. The ring helped to conceal his true intent from the Queen. When she was temporarily distracted by the commotion outside, he had seized the opportunity to puncture her upper arm with his poisoning ring. Her eyes had widened a fraction when she'd looked at him, but it served her to no avail because immediately after, she'd fallen into the deep magical coma induced by the poison. `It was good of her to notice who it was that orchestrated her downfall…' He'd only felt a very brief moment of trepidation when he had grabbed her arm. It was the first time he'd tested the poison. The most difficult and complex poison he'd ever mixed in his life. Not only was the recipe a challenge to follow, the ingredients were extremely rare and hard to find. `I almost paid with my life for some of the ingredients, but it was worth the great effort required…'

 

With Sorceress Edea out of the picture, there was no power left in this world that could contest his! But patience… Patience… He'd waited this long, he didn't want to ruin his grand finale by rushing the end… -Humph-… It was highly ironic, and mildly entertaining that King Cid's fondness for smuggled Trabian liquor would be the indirect cause of his beloved wife's demise. `Had the King not produced his private stash of Trabian Armagnac I would not have thought to investigate its origin…' That the small smuggler's cove had its own Dock Master, meant that it had been tacitly sanctioned by the Crown of Balamb. `Too bad old Master Barley became goblin fodder…'

 

He finally reached his destination. If he was not mistaken, the second door to the left would be Lady Fujin's chambers. `I didn't even have the ring when I sold Trabia to the goblins! The only witness to the `transaction' was that girl Fujin… I can't believe they didn't dispose of her! Goblins are a blood thirsty race, but they are so very stupid! I should've done something about it at the time, but I was young and too drunk with the sweet elixir of success! Also, I was comforted by the knowledge that the only survivor of Trabia's royal line had lost her faculty of speech… but still, I should have terminated her, even if she was under the Dincht's tutelage. It should've been easy enough…' Even after hearing that Fujin had learnt to communicate in an extremely limited way -mostly by using one word or two word phrases, he'd put it off. He'd been too enmeshed in his own intrigues to pay much attention to an insignificant child, specially when it was said that the girl only remembered the part of her sister protecting her.

 

He had reached Fujin's door. As expected, there was no one around. `I cannot rely on her memory loss forever… Anything might trigger her memory. I cannot allow that to happen. Not now, when everything is going so well for me.' Sooner or later Fujin might remember how it was that she lost her right eye, and who it was that had inflicted the wound… `No, I have to deal with her now. She trusts me. They all do…'

 

He was by nature extremely secretive, but he'd made himself present a genial face to the outside, that way he would always be above suspicion. People liked him. They trusted him. They confided in him, like that fool, King Cid. He lent them an attentive ear, and expressed his admiration at everything they boasted, distilling any useful information he might gleam in his memory for further use.

 

To have all the most important rulers of the human kingdoms assembled in one place was too great an opportunity to miss! This was his one chance to make one large sweeping strike, but he needed Rinoa to be in place. He truly disliked trusting others to do his bidding, but he could not be in two places at the same time… In any case, they feared him immensely. He did not trust their loyalty, but he trusted their deep fear of him. `But first things first…' He entered Fujin's chamber.

 

 

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Town of Raha, in front of Barley's cottage…

 

Irvine waited impatiently for Thomas to emerge from the Dock Master's cottage. He'd only entered less than a minute ago, but in this type of search time was the most precious commodity. The more they delayed, the more time was granted the kidnappers to whisk the princess out of reach. A few minutes later, Thomas emerged looking rather grim.

 

“Thomas?”

 

“Martha, Barley's wife confirmed that the garment belongs to her husband. As a matter of fact, he left the house wearing it, and has not returned home yet.”

 

“Would you say Barley is one to frequent any of the pubs or bars aroun' town?”

 

“No, sir Kinneas, old Barley was a workaholic. He lived to work. He also didn't drink. Not even during Royal Festivals when beer and ale are courtesy of the King!”

 

“Let's go to the port!”

 

“Uh, sir Kinneas, which one?”

 

“You mean you folks at Raha keep various ports?”

 

“Well, the main port is located right here in town, my lord, to the south, then there's the huge warehouse port we use to store goods imported from Galbadia on the southeast, and there's the nicer passenger port near…”

 

Irvine interrupted before Thomas could continue any further, “Alright! Do you know which port he would be favouring on a day like today?”

 

“No, my lord.”

 

“Alright, let's go back an' ask Mrs. Barley!”

 

Not wanting to waste more time than necessary, Irvine dismounted and decided to ask Mrs. Barley himself.

 

“Thomas, you're with me. Tolla, I want you and Fremur to ride back to the castle to keep them posted on our current situation.” He paused only slightly before continuing, “If Lady Xu is not there, report directly to Lady Selphie and no one else. Is that understood?”

 

“Yes, Sir Kinneas!”

 

“Very well. After you've made your report, I want you to stay with Lady Selphie. Now go!”

 

After sending off two of his most loyal archers back to Balamb Castle, Irvine went with Thomas to knock at Barley's door. After waiting for a few moments, it was finally answered by a young maid. She looked rather frazzled, but her eyes widened and her mouth hung open when she caught sight of Irvine. Thomas intervened before the girl made a fool of herself and disgraced the town in front of Sir Irvine…

 

“His Lordship, Count Kinneas is here to see Mrs. Barley!”

 

Irvine tried to hide the pained look that came to his face at such a pompous introduction. He was truly glad that Thomas didn't know he had a slew of lesser titles or he'd be reciting every single damned one! He winked at the maid who was still staring at him in deep awe.

 

“Be quick about it, girl! Your wasting his lordship's time!”

 

The girl blushed at Thomas's admonition, and after she curtseyed clumsily in front of Irvine, she stepped aside inviting them inside.

 

“Please come in, my lords!”

 

Her confusion amused Irvine. He shook his head at Thomas, when the latter opened his mouth to correct the girl's mistake. Irvine had to bend his head slightly in order to enter the tiny cottage. It seemed that the small doorway was not made to accommodate someone six-feet tall. He was beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic. There were two doors, one on each side of the narrow hallway with a set of stairs at the end. Muffled voices could be heard coming from the half-opened door on the left. The serving girl emerged from the room to say.

 

“Please come into the parlour, my lords.”

 

After another curtsey, the girl disappeared into another door located at the back of the stairway. It probably led to the kitchen. Again Irvine had to bend his head to enter a rather cluttered looking parlour, where every single nook and cranny seemed to be stuffed with all sorts of knick-knacks. The lady of the house, who was quite plump, had risen at their approach, and was painfully trying to sink down into a deep curtsey.

 

“Uh, that won't be necessary, Mrs. Barley!”

 

Irvine was afraid that she might end up injuring herself, so he stepped forward and grabbing one of her hands helped her up again. (He ended by actually pulling her up!)

 

“Sir Kinneas! It's an honour to have one of Queen Edea's Knights visiting our humble home! Please be seated!”

 

“Thank you, Mrs. Barley. That won't be…” `…necessary?'

 

At Mrs. Barley's hopeful face, Irvine sat gingerly on the edge of the fat sofa stuffed with cushions that she had indicated, motioning Thomas to do likewise. He opened his mouth to resume his question when the young maid entered with a tray full of crockery. Not for the first time, Irvine wished his Selph were here. She was so much better in these situations than he would ever be! `I need her to give me some lessons!' He knew that had she been here, they would already be out the door with all the information they needed! Instead, here he was, forced to gulp down politely tepid tea.

 

“Mrs. Barley, did your husband tell you which port he would be supervising today?”

 

Mrs. Barley finally had a member of the nobility sitting in her parlour, drinking her tea! And not just any member of the nobility, but one of Queen Edea's famous knights! She'd heard all four were very handsome young men, but this one seated here was simply divine! She was not too worried about Barley. He was known to vanish from time to time, because the old codger liked to spy on his dock workers; although this was the first time that he'd torn his favourite tunic in order to fake his own disappearance… `Humph! That old fool, he'll be getting' an earful from me once he decides to come back! I just mended this tunic too!... Oh, well… maybe I won't be so severe with him. He did bring Lord Kinneas knocking at my door!'

 

This was her only opportunity to shine, her only chance of entertaining a full-blooded bona-fide aristocrat! And in front of a reliable witness too! Thomas Weldon was a very well regarded lad in town; he'd made it as one of the king's Choco-riders. She was going to maximize the experience, and make her neighbour, that stuck-up Emma Loudon positively green with envy.`The most she's ever done was to entertain the mayor's third cousin twice removed!'

 

Irvine was unaware that all these ambitious thoughts were going through Mrs. Barley's head as he and Thomas waited for her reply.

 

“Oh! My poor Barley!”

 

She delicately dabbed her right eye with a tip of the handkerchief that had been miraculously produced from her sleeve. She wanted to milk the situation to the fullest.

 

“It was precisely today that I said to him `Be careful, dearest' before he left! But , oh no! My dear husband is a law onto himself! Who am I but just his wife …”

 

As Mrs. Barley droned on and on, Thomas cast an anxious look at his lordship. O-oh! Sir Kinneas looked like he was ready to explode…

 

 

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Balamb Castle, Fujin's Chamber...

 

A slight figure entered the dark room and sighed. The chimney was not lit. She tensed when she noticed a shadow emerge from one of the sofas by the mullioned window. The light of the full moon illuminated the sharp planes of his face. She recognized him immediately.

 

“DUKE?”

 

He made an elegant bow.

 

“Dollet at your service, My dear Lady Fujin... The last scion of Trabia's Royal House...”

 

Still unafraid, but curious, she inquired in a `can-I-help-you' tone of voice.

 

“YES?”

 

“I've been waiting a long time for you my dear...”

 

Perplexed, she asked.

 

“HERE?”

 

He laughed.

 

“Ah! You have grown up to be a charming thing! In spite of only having one eye…”

 

She stared at him unblinkingly with her one crimson eye.

 

“Who could've thought that selfish sister of yours would end her life with such a generous gesture…”

 

Fujin's eye widened with sudden comprehension.

 

“TRAITOR!”

 

He bowed again.

 

“Yours truly, My Lady! I need to finish the job now.”

 

 

o

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o - o0o - o

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o

 

 

End of Act IV