"We have company…" Cecil stated uncertainly, immediately recognizing the dark objects on the horizon.

"…Red Wings…"

Cid whirled around, startled at the coolness of Cecil’s voice.

"Holy God, man…"

Tellah and Yang glanced at Cecil anxiously.

"I only see one…"

Cecil strained hard to see into the bright glare of the sun.

"…but it’s coming pretty fast…"

He lowered the spyglass quickly and handed it to Yang. The warrior lifted it to his eye again while Tellah watched his reaction, barely breathing.

"Cid…"

Cecil walked rapidly across the deck.

"Can you handle one of the Red Wings?"

The dwarf’s thick eyes drooped lower over his eyelids in a look of contempt.

"Confound it, man! My old lady could handle a half dozen of them Red Wings!"

Cecil thought that the dwarf didn’t sound absolutely sure of himself.

"Listen, Cid…do you know that for a fact?"

The red-haired, red-faced dwarf seemed about to protest loudly, but he paused before saying, with a voice that sounded a little hurt:

"Well…I reckon we’ll find out…"

"Wait!"

The warrior’s urgent voice forced all of them to turn to him in concern.

"We may not have to find out, sir…"

His confused tone caused Cecil to squint into the sunlight toward the approaching airship.

"Maybe you should have a look…"

Yang shoved the spyglass toward Cecil hastily.

"What do you see, Sir Cecil?"

Tellah watched Cecil anxiously as he held the spyglass to his eye. The paladin scowled wordlessly and stepped closer to the railing of the airship.

"A white flag..?" Cecil frowned and blinked several times.

Surely it was his imagination…

"What in the name of Hades is going on over there..?"

Cecil lowered the spyglass when he heard Cid shout impatiently. He turned halfway toward the dwarf.

"A white flag…"

He said it mostly to himself…in surprise and shock…

What is Baron planning to do now…he wondered. The answer would come soon enough; the Red Wing had arrived close enough for them to see soldiers scurrying back and forth on the deck.

"What?!"

Cid leaned over the shipwheel.

"I can’t hear a blasted thing you say!"

Cecil waved at the dwarf for silence. A soldier approached the railing of the Red Wing airship, which hovered very close to Cid’s own airship.

"I think he wishes to say something," Yang declared, not hiding his obvious tone of apprehension.

Cecil nodded slowly and started toward the railing. The hum of both airships was nearly deafening; however, he waited, his ears straining to hear the soldier’s words.

"The Commander Kain Highwind of the Order of the Dragoons wants to speak to the man called Cecil Harvey."

Cecil scowled, and he heard Yang and Tellah approaching him. So Kain was behind this after all, Cecil thought—but did he expect anything else?

"I do not trust this, sir…"

Yang’s voice was beside Cecil. Cecil nodded and glanced at the warrior; Yang cast a few nervous glances around them.

"It feels as if nothing good will come of it…"

Cecil nodded again and looked at the Red Wing airship. The soldier waited patiently at the railing.

"You cannot do it, Cecil…"

The old man finally spoke, clutching Cecil’s arm.

"For God’s sake, man, what is going on over there?!"

The dwarf demanded an answer from his position behind the shipwheel. Cecil looked at the old man for a moment then glanced back toward the airship.

"I have to go over there…" he finally stated with a sigh.

Tellah gasped.

"They will kill you!"

Cecil shook his head and turned back to the Red Wing airship. The soldier still remained near the railing. As he looked toward Cid’s own airship. Cecil nodded decisively, hoping that the soldier saw him. The soldier saluted and hurried from the railing.

There was a brief moment of silence on the deck of the Enterprise.

"Do you realize what you have done?"

Tellah was the first to speak…he stared dumbly at the Red Wing airship as it began to drop in altitude. Cecil watched it for a moment then spun around quickly.

"Maybe I can make Kain understand what he’s doing…"

He started toward Cid without hesitation. Yang and Tellah remained where they stood…each one glanced at the other in distress then followed behind Cecil.

"What have you been doing over there?!"

It was Cid’s greeting as Cecil approached him.

"…been screamin’ my fool head off and nobody would give me an answer," the dwarf grumbled…"—not a confounded answer…"

"Let Yang take over for a minute, Cid, " Cecil said without looking at the dwarf. "You’re coming with me…"

A blank stare crossed the dwarf’s face.

"What are you talking about, Captain?!"

Cecil shook his head and started toward the railing, motioning for Cid to follow.

"Just follow me…"

When Cecil stepped to the railing, he saw the Red wing hovering below the Enterprise. The soldier stood on the deck, gazing up at them.

"Drop the ladder, sir!" the soldier shouted

Cecil nodded, suddenly noticing that Cid was beside him.

"Man…you gonna go down there?!"

Cecil tossed the makeshift rope ladder over the railing and watched it uncoil, dangling very close to the railing of the other airship. His silence was an indication that the answer to Cid’s question was yes.

"I’m going--" Cecil started, climbing over the railing and placing both feet on one of the rungs of the ladder. "—to talk—" He climbed down one step and then stared back at the dwarf. "—to Kain…"

"Kain?!"

Cid’s eyes opened wide.

"That blasted chicken-livered fool was part of the reason I got locked up!"

He grabbed at the railing and began to heave his round body over the side.

"Idiot!" the dwarf grumbled to himself, watching each step carefully. "Now…I can….smash…his…face…in!"

Despite the dwarf’s huffing and puffing, Cecil heard the soldier’s voice again.

"Commander Kain wishes to speak to Cecil alone!"

Cid stopped and glared down, hassling for breath. Cecil also paused, and with a determined shake of his head, declared:

"I won’t…come…alone!"

There was a long pause, in which Cecil continued his descent.

"He says that you must come alone--" the soldier spoke again. "—or not at all…"

Cecil stopped and looked at Cid. The dwarf was staring back at Cecil with a questioning gaze.

"Go back, Cid!"

The dwarf nearly lost his footing.

"Are you crazy, boy?!" He tried unsuccessfully to crane his neck back and glare at Cecil. "I’m not gonna let you go down there and –"

"Just do it, Cid!"

Cecil shouted over the dwarf’s complaints. Cid didn’t say anything; he finally got a firm grip on the rope ladder and gazed down at Cecil.

"Cecil, you know I –"

"Listen, Cid!" Cecil interrupted him. "No matter what happens, don’t come down after me!"

Cid clutched the ladder tighter.

"Holy saints, man –"

"Just listen to me!" Cecil shouted toward the dwarf’s burly body. "If you see any signs of trouble, get out of here as fast as you can!"

"I ain’t gonna just –"

"Did you hear me, Cid?!" Cecil shouted forcefully. "If you see anything…anything!" He paused. "You take the others and get away from here!"

There was a long thoughtful silence. Cecil stared upward, anxiously waiting for a reply.

"So –" Cid shouted at last. "There’s nothing I can say to change your crazy fool mind!?"

Cecil looked down toward the red Wing airship and shook his head. Cid remained suspended on the rope ladder for a few seconds, then with a gusty sigh he began to climb toward the railing of the Enterprise. Cecil watched him leave with a deep sense of regret…he really wanted the dwarf to accompany him…that way it would be less likely for something to happen.

Just as Cecil placed his foot down on another rung, he heard the dwarf’s nervous voice.

"…Cecil?"

He glanced up to see Cid with one hand on the railing of the Enterprise.

"Be careful!"

Cecil nodded but could say nothing.

After what seemed to be an hour of working his way down the long rope ladder, Cecil finally felt his foot touch the railing of the Red Wing airship. The ladder was unsteady as the currents of air from the airship propellers gushed over him; his hair whipped furiously in his face while he looked back toward the deck. Two soldiers clothed in dark maroon uniforms stood beside the railing. When Cecil’s other foot touched the railing, he felt the soldiers grab each of his arms, and when he stepped back once more, he was on the deck at last. Cecil was disoriented for a moment as he gave the soldiers a polite bow. His heart sank when he realized that he knew one of the soldiers; neither one of them acknowledged the fact that they knew him, so he said nothing. Cecil glanced at the deck of the airship…it felt so familiar…he began to take a few small steps across the wooden floor…it seemed as though he could still see the imprints of his boots where he had paced across the deck so many times…

"Well, Cecil…"

An all too familiar voice rang out suddenly, and before he looked up, Cecil knew exactly to whom the voice belonged.

The dragoon strode slowly, deliberately, across the deck toward Cecil. His dark blue armor still sparkled in the sunlight, the dragonmask was still perched upon his head; shoulder length blond hair still cascaded around his tan face. As he approached Cecil he pulled the dragonmask from his head, revealing glittering eyes and a broad grin that was instantly irritating.

"Long time, no see…"

His voice came out in the same fashion as the grin. He handed the dragon helmet to one of the soldiers standing by while running one hand through his blond hair.

"I never expected to see you again, Kain," Cecil stated testily, not attempting to prevent the scowl on his face.

"And I didn’t expect to see you alive…" Kain returned shortly, raising his eyebrows.

Cecil shrugged.

"I shouldn’t be…" he claimed flatly, glaring at the dragoon. Then, shaking his head: "If you knew what happened down there…"

"I know what happened down there," Kain said pointedly, and Cecil could detect a hint of joy in his words.

"And, I want to apologize to you…" Kain continued, extending his hand toward Cecil. "And to everyone…for the unexpected outcome…"

His tone of sarcasm was not hidden in the tone of remorse that he meant to convey. Cecil, who had been staring solemnly at the floor, glanced up at the dragoon with a shake of his head.

"That was…cold…"

Kain shrugged nonchalantly then lifted his hand to his chin thoughtfully.

"You know…" he started with a frown. "It seems like you always have someone to step in for you in the most…inconvenient…times…"

Cecil felt his face flush hotly but he clenched his teeth tightly to prevent himself from saying something rash. Kain watched him closely with a strange smile; Cecil forced himself to take several deep breaths before speaking again.

"So…" he said with an intake of breath. "A white flag –" he indicated the huge canvas flag tied to the mast, whipping left and right in the wind. Cecil looked back at Kain, eyebrows raised.

"I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes…" Here he scowled. "But I’d also be an idiot to believe it meant you were surrendering…"

Kain shook his head, brushing the comment aside.

"A white flag will get someone’s attention…but…" He gave Cecil a disapproving look. "I guess that’s no surprise to you.."

Cecil felt his face flush again. The smile reappeared on Kain’s face and it infuriated Cecil, but once more he set his jaw firmly. There was a long pause before he spoke again.

"What do you want, Kain?" Cecil said at last through clenched teeth. Suddenly he was ready to leave…he felt sick being in the company of the dragoon.

What do I want?" Kain repeated dreamily, gazing at the sky. He then looked at Cecil with a grin.

"—Where should I start?"

Cecil said nothing as he glared at Kain.

"Oh…" Kain said as if in sudden understanding. "You must mean what do I want from you…"

"You know what I mean," Cecil claimed flatly.

Kain nodded.

"Well, Cecil," he stepped closer to Cecil and wrapped one arm jovially around his neck. His action angered Cecil, but he didn’t move.

"It’s really no big secret…" Kain said, his face very close to Cecil’s.

"I mean…you and I both realize that you have access to something very important that I want…" Here Kain placed his hand on his dark blue chestplate. Cecil scowled but said nothing.

"—And I have something very important –" He stressed the last two words. "—that you –" He pointed at Cecil. "—would like to get back…"

Cecil stepped away from Kain, trying not to appear to eager.

"—You mean Rosa..?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

Kain spread his arms wide.

"Of course!" He paused, surveying Cecil with his head cocked to one side. "She’s worried about you, Cecil…"

His sarcastic and sympathetic tone angered Cecil once more, but once more Cecil forced himself not to do anything foolish. He stared at the floor for a moment then looked up at Kain with a strange laugh.

"Why should I believe that you’re not lying..?"

(that Rosa’s still here and she’s not hurt)

Cecil continued with a shrug.

"—And that you’ll keep your word?"

"Come on, Cecil!" Kain laughed. "You’ve known me practically your whole life!" He spoke in that same irritating voice.

"You know I believe in nothing but being absolutely fair…"

Cecil wished that he could slap the annoying smile from Kain’s face; however, he remained silent for a moment, deep in thought.

"Let me see her," he stated at last. Kain shook his regretfully.

"I can’t let you do that right now, Cecil…" He looked at the deck of the airship.

"But—" Kain lifted his head quickly. "You’ll be able to see her soon enough," he revealed matter-of-factly. "Under two conditions…" he held up two fingers.

"One:" Kain pointed to one of his fingers as he spoke. "We meet again, just like this," indicating the surroundings. "—sometime in the near future…and—"

"Two:" he pointed to the other finger. "You have in your possession the crystal of Earth…"

Cecil looked at Kain quickly, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"The crystal of Earth?!" he repeated, astonished. "---the one in Toroia?!"

Kain nodded with a smile, obviously expecting that reaction from Cecil.

"I guess I don’t even have to tell you where to find it since—"

"Kain," Cecil interrupted him through clenched teeth, scowling darkly. "You know I can’t—"

"Can’t what?!" Kain demanded in sudden anger. "Can’t get the crystal?!"

He glanced to the side impatiently before continuing:

"What do you think I am, an idiot?!" Kain was on the verge of screaming. "I know it’ll be locked in the crystal and it’ll be guarded day and night—" His voice became calm again almost as quick as it had become angry.

"But, Cecil—" He continued knowingly. "I bet people trust you in your—"

He surveyed Cecil, clearing his throat in disapproval.

"—present condition…"

Cecil once again felt like leaping at the arrogant dragoon, but instead he remained silent, staring thoughtfully at the wooden deck. Before he looked up Kain started talking again:

"Now I know it must be a hard choice to make," he said this with mock sympathy. "And even Rosa said she was willing to die if it meant the crystal would be safe…but—" He glanced at Cecil with a shake of his head. "—I know you well enough to know that you’d never let that happen…"

Cecil continued to stare at the floor. He could almost feel Kain’s penetrating stare and see that annoying smile that seemed to say ‘I told you so’ or ‘You don’t have any other choice…’

After a long moment of silence, Kain spoke again.

"I don’t expect you to decline the offer," he intoned nonchalantly. "I mean…people expect so much more form you now—" Cecil knew he expected to get a reaction from that statement, but Cecil had become immune to Kain’s snide remarks.

"And since you want to see Rosa as soon as possible," Kain was saying decisively, "and I want the crystal as soon as possible, I expect you to be here in exactly ten days from now…" He paused thoughtfully. "That’s the day after the night of the next full moon." He paused again as if he expected Cecil to say something; however, Cecil remained silent.

Al last he regarded Kain with a frown.

"How do I know that you aren’t planning to set me up…and take Rosa and the crystal?" He watched Kain closely. "You could have a whole army here without me knowing…"

Kain shrugged, that annoying smile still plastered on his face.

"You’ll just have to trust me…"

There was a long silence as Cecil stared at the floor again. Trust Kain..? He could never trust Kain…

…maybe he just didn’t trust himself…should he really hold the crystal of Earth in his possession…and then have the nerve to hand it over to Kain..?

"So it’s settled…" Kain stated finally. "Rosa and I both will be waiting for you—"

"No," Cecil declared suddenly, and Kain looked at him in surprise.

"Well, if I can’t change your mind—" he shrugged, turning to leave.

"No," Cecil repeated quickly. I mean.." he lowered his head. "I’ll bring the crystal—" He frowned at Kain.

"But I won’t come back here or anywhere near Baron…"

Kain gave a small laugh and spread his arms nonchalantly.

"Where will you go?" He laughed again. "I guess I’ll give you that choice, as long as I agree with it-—" He looked at Cecil with that same strange smile.

"After all…you are doing me a big favor…"

Cecil ignored the comment, mush to Kain’s surprise, but the dragoon continued, undaunted:

"Where would you like us to meet, Cecil?"

"In the Southeast," Cecil replied without hesitation. "Near the Tower of Wishes in Mysidia…"

Kain looked at him with a half-smile, then remarked with a slow nod of his head:

"Mysidia—" he repeated thoughtfully. "That can be arranged…"

Cecil didn’t say anything else; Kain, however, turned to him, eyebrows raised in mock concern:

"And how do I know that you won’t have an army waiting in Mysidia..?"

To Kain’s surprise, Cecil smiled regretfully and shrugged shaking his head solemnly:

"You know the poor people of Mysidia would never stand a chance against the strength of the nation of Baron…"

"Oh…that’s right…" Kain declared, scratching his head thoughtfully. "I nearly forgot.." He paused then looked at Cecil slowly, deliberately…

"I think you were the one who told me that the first time, weren’t you, Cecil..?"

Cecil’s fist shot out and struck Kain’s leering face with a loud smack. The dragoon was caught totally off-guard and he flailed to the deck, striking the floor on his back with a clanging of armor.

Cecil was immediately surrounded by soldiers, their swords drawn and poise at his face. He made no further move toward the dragoon, however; he only stood and glared down at Kain, who had pushed himself to a sitting position as quickly as possible.

"..God!" he spat. His entire face was numb, except a strange warmth that was creeping over his upper lip. He reached his hand up to the bridge of his nose and touched it gingerly, sucking in a painful breath as soon as his fingers touched it.

"My nose…"

His fingertips were warm and wet and when he looked at them, he was surprised to see dark, red blood.

"You broke my nose…"

Kain glared at Cecil, tasting the sweet taste of blood in his mouth each time he spoke. He spat again in disgust and snorted; he remained propped on one hand on the floor of the airship.

Despite the swords aimed at his hand, Cecil took a slow deliberate step toward the dragoon, who wiped at his nose again with the back of his hand and stared up at Cecil, scowling darkly…

"Get away from me…"

Cecil, undaunted by the soldiers around him, pointed a threatening finger down at the blond-haired man.

"Kain," he started in a voice so steady that it surprised him. "I would kill you right now…"

"Get of the airship, you son of a---"

"But it would feel like I was killing my own brother…"

Cecil backed away half a step, but Kain still lay on the floor. The soldiers’ swords were still leveled at Cecil’s face.

"Get away from me!"

Cecil stared down at the dragoon almost sympathetically, and when he spoke, he couldn’t hide the regret in his voice:

"I hope you realize what you’re doing—"

"Get off the airship!"

"—before it’s too late…"

Kain spat again and stared at the blood on his hands. He still hadn’t moved, and as Cecil stared down at him, the dragoon unexpectedly gave a strange, high-pitched laugh.

"You know…you’re lucky you’re getting off this airship alive…"

Cecil shook his head scornfully, taking another step back, but not taking his eyes away from the dragoon.

"Go clean yourself up, Kain…"

Without another word Cecil turned away and, coolly pushing the swords away with his hand, started across the airship toward the railing where the rope ladder still dangled.