The mood in the banquet hall was somber as the downcast party lounged around the huge oak table. A sharp acrid scent of spices and the piercing sweet smell of wine and ale mingled in the air and hung like a cloud encasing the dimly-lit room. A feeling of lethargy was beginning to seep into the midst of the light and smell and weariness. Cecil's mind was foggy and his senses dull as he stood quietly near King Luarca, who had spread a map of the Northern land upon the flat table and was now animatedly tracing out plans of the defensive maneuver…Cecil had to force himself to concentrate even though his head ached and his stomach was so knotted that he could not breathe regularly…

He always felt light-headed before he had to draw his sword in battle and he was anxious because he was now going to defend the lives of others who he imagined could not trust him until he proved his courage and strength… Cecil stared into one of the dancing flames on the candles in the center of the tremendous table…his heart was heavy as he remembered that those he would fight against would be those he once fought with…they would view him as a traitor…they would raise their swords against him as an enemy…the man who carried the sword with the traitor's blood on it would be deemed a hero…perhaps they would somehow recognize him behind his dark horned helmet and, in that moment, glory and pride wouldn't matter anymore…they would avoid him instead…What if their eyes shone with pity?

They…pity me? Cecil wanted no pity…he never pitied himself…he only pitied those he hurt…He could only pity the people, the innocent people, whom he had killed…who he would have killed…who would be killed…the desperate sprigs of green grass would be polished overnight by the scarlet dew…the blazing morning sun would rise and burn brightly… it would light the darkness for the innocent, the brave, the loyal, the frightened, the sick, the needy, the weak, the strong, the liars, the thieves, the hurt, the sinners, the dead…the sun would burn brightly over all…but some would still be left alone…

Cecil closed his eyes and lowered his head to break away from the image…he glanced over at the complex plans formed by the king of Fabul…

"--But we don't know what sort of force will be sent --" Edward was saying, leaning forward in his chair…"--No one should be outside the perimeter of the stronghold…"

Cecil nodded…

"They're coming for the crystal of Air…they'll make sure they get it…"

The king raised his finger pointedly:

"--Suppose that is what they wanted us to assume…Perhaps they have waited to intimidate the warriors of Fabul…"

"The warriors of Fabul aren't scared!" Rydia declared as she chomped noisily on a shiny red apple. She was perched on the side of the table with her skinny legs swinging back and forth.

King Luarca smiled ruefully at the little girl.

"Oh…but I fear that they are a bit intimidated…"

"With good reason -" Edward announced, leaning back again. "--The Red Wings attack quickly, ruthlessly, and without warning…"

He bowed his head as he remembered his own experience…it still seemed unreal…Cecil agreed with Edward's claim…

"But if there's a night-watch tonight, I don't think the Red Wings can sneak in without some noise…"

King Luarca glanced up briefly.

"There will be a sufficient amount of guards on duty tonight…Sir Yang is making those preparations…"

Cecil nodded, frowning thoughtfully…something still didn't seem right…

"I hope the chamberlain gets the children to safety --" Rosa stated anxiously. "--When the Red Wings attack, the innocent people always suffer the most…"

She looked away sadly…her words stung Cecil…God did she have to remind him of that? King Luarca looked at Rosa…

"We are hoping that the innocent people will be safe…the chamberlain is responsible for that…"

He managed a reassuring smile…

"I believe he is a responsible man, Madame Rosa…"

"What about the warriors?" Cecil cast a sidelong glance at the king. "They should have access to an underground shelter…"

King Luarca dipped his quill into a jar of ink and swept it across the map.

"So…being near the courtyard of the castle is an absolute necessity --" He scribbled a few dark marks on the map. "--One of the passages to the underground chamber should also be open at all times…"

"What about archers in the towers?"

Rosa stood near Cecil…Cecil hoped she wasn't going to ask if she could be one of the archers…

King Luarca nodded but scratched his head thoughtfully…

"I cannot guarantee that when the airships arrive the archers will make it to safety…"

"I will!" Rydia proclaimed loudly, jumping from the side of the table. "I can shoot some down then run --"

"No, Rydia --" Edward replied shortly. "--You are not getting involved in this…"

"But I can shoot good, Edward, and you know it cause --"

"Well, you are not going to fight and that's final…"

Edward leaned forward again to look at the map.

"Who said so?!" Rydia demanded indignantly. "--I don't have to listen to you, Edward!"

Edward sat back in the chair with an exasperated sigh.

"I think it's a mutual feeling, Rydia --" He shrugged and looked at everyone. "--No one wants children on the battlefield!"

He pulled his chair close to the table and turned toward her matter-of-factly…

"Besides, it is just a stupid idea..."

Rydia took a small step toward him, a hurt expression on her face.

"So…you think I'm stupid, don't you?!"

The little girl was nearly screaming and Edward turned around with a shake of his head…

"Now I didn't say --"

"Yeah you did!" she declared accusingly.

"Rydia…child --" King Luarca started gently. "--Please --"

The little girl ignored him and approached the prince of Damcyan…

"Edward, why are you being mean to me?!"

"Rydia…please calm down before --"

Several loud knocks on the door of the banquet hall interrupted the heated argument before it went any further…Rydia returned to her seat in a huff as King Luarca sighed with relief and turned to the door…Cecil hurried to the door and opened it…Yang entered…his dark face was red from rushing back and forth through the castle…

"Sir Yang!" King Luarca stood quickly and gazed at the exhausted man. "What sort of news do you have?"

Everyone watched the warrior intently…He heaved a deep breath and replied:

"Your Majesty…the guards have been ordered to the night-watch and the chamberlain is, as we speak, herding the women and children into the underground chambers --"

He scratched his bald head thoughtfully.

"—I fear it is an awfully slow process…"

"I though as much –" the king of Fabul claimed in remorse. "—Is there no word from the scouting party?"

Yang shook his head, his long black braid swinging left and right.

"I am sorry to say there is no sign of the scouting party, your Majesty…"

The king nodded…he gave a deep sigh…

"—And it is almost nightfall –" Yang continued. "—Your Majesty…I could organize a group to search for them…"

"As much as I would like to –" King Luarca stated regretfully. "—I must deny you that responsibility --"

He glanced at everyone seated at the table...Cecil saw his face etched with concern…

"—We will need as many warriors available for the defense of the castle and the crystal…."

A somber silence settled upon them once again…suddenly there was a feeling of hopelessness…of course no one would admit it…but it was there…thick enough to be felt by all of them…

"Perhaps the scouts are taking their time in the mountains…"

Edward broke the silence…he offered a rather unreasonable excuse…but even an unreasonable one was better than none…

"Perhaps…" King Luarca repeated distractedly…he sounded doubtful…Cecil wanted to tell them where he thought the scouting party was but something stopped him…their hope…they still had hope, didn’t they? They could let themselves be carried on forever as long as they had hope…I don’t want to be the one who destroys that hope…even if it is for the truth…

"Your Majesty ---" Yang said suddenly. "—I shall tell those in training to prepare for –"

"How Fabul will stand through this I do not know –" King Luarca lamented…he pounded his fist upon the table in a passion. "—If only there were more time!"

He fell heavily into the chair and began studying the map closely…Yang remained in the doorway for a moment and as Cecil turned toward him, the dark-skinned man motioned with a nod of his bald head that he was leaving…

"Master Yang?"

King Luarca’s voice rang out again as Yang started down the corridor.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

The warrior reappeared and bowed. The king of Fabul paused…he seemed to be deeply pondering something…

"Yang –" he declared at last as though he had reached an important decision. "—Unlock the door of the weapons arsenal downstairs…Distribute the weapons among the warriors --"

"Yes, your Majesty…"

Yang bowed deeply again and turned to leave.

"--Make absolutely certain they are very well-equipped --" King Luarca continued, his face expressionless. "--This is their last chance to be heroes…"

Yang nodded solemnly then turned and disappeared into the hall, shutting the door of the chamber behind him. Cecil watched the door close…he gave a soft sigh and turned to gaze at Rosa…by the look on her face he could clearly tell that she thought the situation was hopeless…my God, Rosa, he thought disdainfully…you can't lose hope too…you never lose hope…you make me not lose hope…Don't do it now…not here…

"Cecil --?"

King Luarca eyed the scroll in front of him…the knight glanced at him…after he made a few swift strokes upon the map, King Luarca spun around…

"--What would you say about leading the first attack against the soldiers of Baron?"

Cecil stared at him in shock…what do I think about it? Well if I think about it then I won't do it…If I think about it then I won't be here…I can't think about I just have to answer the question…He felt Rosa's eyes on him, studying him intently for any sign of his answer…his brooding face was invisible behind the dark helmet…

"Sir Cecil--?"

King Luarca turned to him expectantly.

"--Are you willing to do it?"

…No…he wanted to say…very simple…No…the only thing he would say…no need for explanation because my mind is made up…you're testing me…he suddenly hated the king for a moment…a test…to see if I'm willing to do it…but I'm not...I'm not...I can't…

"Cecil, you have to do it --"

He was hardly aware of Rosa whispering nearby.

"--He wants a…leader --"

She took his hand and squeezed it gently.

"--That's why he's asking you…"

Cecil gazed at her…her eyes sparkled, pleaded with him to do it…for the first time he realized how frightened she was…God she was frightened…it frightened him to think about it…

"Please do it, Cecil..."

Cecil bowed his head…Rosa I can't…I can't and you know why and I know why my God why does this have to be me here in this situation…I'm not a leader I'm a dark knight…a coward…a murderer…I can't lead others to be killed for nothing…don't you realize Fabul doesn't stand a chance against Baron…Rosa you know it's hopeless so I can't help but feel the same…

"Your Majesty --"

Cecil drew a shaky breath…he approached the king, his eyes lowered, too ashamed to meet the king's penetrating gaze…

"--I'll...do it…"

The king nodded gratefully…he was obviously surprised at Cecil's decision…Cecil was surprised at his decision but it was too late to change his mind…never again…King Luarca began eagerly scratching the quill across the scroll. Edward heaved a sigh of relief and stood to stretch.

"At least we could get a good start to weaken their forces --" he shook his head helplessly. "--After that I cannot say what will --"

"Prince Edward --" the King started, turning to the prince of Damcyan quite startled. "--From there you will lead a force from the stronghold to defend the crystal room!"

Edward's mouth dropped open in shock…the scene was rather amusing…

"Y-your Majesty --" Edward stammered, his eyes wide in disbelief. "--Surely you are not serious --" He flushed slightly. "--Let me be first to say that I am not much of a fighter…"

"But you must have some sort of training as Prince of Damcyan -" King Luarca reasoned, proceeding to make a mark on the map.

"All he did was learn to play the harp like a girl!"

Rydia's taunting voice drifted from the corner of the chamber where she rested against the wall. Edward ignored her and continued:

"--The only training I've had is the use of the fencing foil --" He smiled regretfully. "--I vaguely remember using one of those…"

King Luarca grinned broadly.

"Arm yourself with a rapier then, Prince Edward --"

He made two long black swipes across the map.

"--You will hold the defense in the throne room and beyond…"

Beyond…that's the crystal room…Cecil thought…there is no beyond…

"But your Highness--" Edward protested, approaching the king earnestly. "--A fencing foil is hardly the same as a battle-scarred blade…"

King Luarca nodded…he lowered his head then spoke solemnly:

"At some time we have all wielded a wooden sword --" He glanced around at the others. "--Unfortunately, some wield it throughout the struggle, realizing only when it is too late that they should have carried the battle-scarred blade instead…"

Silence swept over them again…King Luarca resumed his intent study of the erratic strokes on the scroll…Every now and again shouts echoed through the stone walls and floors of the castle…the discreet sound of blades being sharpened rippled up and down the corridors…and occasionally the acrid smell of hot metal wafted into the room…the scene was sad and depressing and discouraging…

"What about Master Yang, your Highness?"

Cecil spoke after a moment's thought…he glanced at the strange characters on the map. "He will lead a force, won't he?"

The king of Fabul nodded and pointed to an area on the scroll.

"He will be positioned with his warriors in this area --" He indicated a section of the map with his finger. "--Here…"

He began tracing his finger along the rough sketch of the castle….

"--The goals of his defense is first, to make all corridors and doors unsurpassable to any intruder…Second, to prevent the enemy from passing through the battlements…and last, he will hopefully not allow the enemy anywhere near the crystal room…"

King Luarca turned to Cecil, who nodded in agreement. Edward lifted his head.

"So there are actually two defenses for the crystal room?"

King Luarca agreed with a nod of his head…Cecil shook his head grimly but said nothing…we're lying to ourselves… we're lying to ourselves…it's sickening…

Rosa yawned and sat into one of the chairs.

"I wish…there were something I could do…" she said with a small helpless laugh…Cecil rested a hand on her shoulder and she smiled weakly at him, taking his hand gently as he spoke:

"Rosa…it's too dangerous for you to be out there…You know…You've seen it before…"

She sighed.

"I know…but I can't just --"

"What about here?"

King Luarca's voice suddenly spoke, interrupting Rosa…Cecil turned to him to gaze at the map.

"What about where?" Cecil scowled thoughtfully and glanced over the king's shoulder.

should close off all passage around the entire proximity of the castle…"

it…he wouldn't, couldn't...let her do it…

Even Edward peered at the king of Fabul in doubtfully…

"Of course!" King Luarca confirmed jovially, rising from his seat. "I cannot just --"

"But the airships --" Rosa reminded him. "--If they attack --"

"Oh --" the king waved her comment aside. "--We will move to safety when they arrive…Certainly there will be time before the airships attack…"

"It sounds quite risky to me --" Edward observed. "--It will be during the night, won't it?" He looked around inquisitively. "At least that's what weexpect…"

Cecil shrugged.

"I honestly don't know what to expect --" he admitted guiltily…and they were expecting the most from me since I was the captain of the Red Wings…"--But I know if they're determined to leave with the crystal…then they'll leave with the crystal…"

It was definitely not the greatest observation he could have made…but it was so true…that's what I learned as captain of the Red Wings…we hated to lose…I hated to lose…King Luarca rose quickly from his seat and rolled the scroll…he tossed it nonchalantly upon the huge table…

"It is settled --" he claimed, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "--I shall organize a defense on the outer walls of the castle in order to --"

"Your Majesty --" Edward insisted. "--It is absolutely necessary that you stay away from the battle…"

Cecil nodded in agreement.

"--Sir, you've left the defense in good hands…You shouldn't risk anymore than you have to --"

"But if a king cannot defend his own nation, how can he expect the nation to defend itself?"

"You have gained the loyalty and trust of your people, your Majesty --" Edward declared. "--Those fighting are not doing it because it is an order…they care about their homes…their friends…"

"Then they deserve my support…" the king replied shortly, leaving Edward with nothing to say…Cecil pressed his hands against the back of a chair and leaned against it…it was obvious that the king would not change his mind…Rosa stared at the floor sadly…Edward plucked at his harp strings…King Luarca paced across the floor, his boots pressing indentions into the fluffy carpet…Rydia slumped in the corner with her back o the wall…pouting…tearing out tufts of for from the carpet and tossing them left and right…

At last Cecil shoved the chair under the table and laughed …

"I don't believe this…" He stated…amused…Rosa watched him curiously…he answered before she could ask a question…

"I don't understand this whole thing --" Cecil admitted. "--Are we so gullible to believe that we actually stand a chance against --"

"--I believe we stand a chance against Baron --" Rosa cut him off. "--I have faith in God that he won't let anything happen --"

"God?!"

Cecil laughed in disbelief and shook his head.

"--Why didn't he stop me before I stole the crystal in Mysidia?"

He shrugged hopelessly.

"--Why didn't he stop the Red Wings from destroying Damcyan? Why didn't --"

"It is to test you, Sir Cecil --" King Luarca replied in a low voice. "--It is to see if you have the perseverance to right your wrong…If you deny your own strength --"

"Great Heavens, Rydia!"

Edward's voice broke into the king's words.

"This place does not belong to you!"

The little girl had plucked a fistful of fur from the carpet and thrust it across the room.

"Don't talk to me!" came her curt reply…Edward said nothing more…The noise within the castle seemed to grow louder…King Luarca scowled and peered at the door…

"What on earth are those warriors doing out --"

"--It's coming from the courtyard, your Highness --" Edward claimed…the king of Fabul stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"The courtyard?"

He started toward the door in concern.

"The chamberlain should be --"

"Shh!"

Edward pressed his forefinger to his lips.

"--Wait…"

They gazed at him uncertainly…Edward frowned…

"--Listen…"

Everyone froze…no one breathed as they listened carefully, uncertain as to what they were listening for…All there was to hear was the discord emanating from the grounds outside the castle…Cecil was about to speak impatiently when he did hear some sort of faint sound…a pounding…his heart? No…it was an erratic sound…growing in spurts…disappearing for several seconds…As it approached the banquet hall, Cecil recognized what it was…

"…Footsteps…" Rosa supplied nervously…

"Someone is coming…"

The footsteps came to an abrupt halt and instantly the door was flung open and a robed figure burst in, nearly colliding with the astounded King of Fabul…

"Constable!" King Luarca gaped at the robed figure. "--Why in such a --"

"Y-your Majesty!" The robed figure was breathing hard and trying to speak between quick gasps…"--Come quickly…sir!" He coughed briefly and turned to leave.

"What is it?"

Cecil clutched his shoulder before he could scurry from the room…He glared intently into the darkness of the man's hood but his face was invisible…The constable couldn't speak but began to stammer incoherently…Cecil grabbed both of the man's shoulders and shook him violently…

"What is it?!"

The robed figure backed fearfully away from Cecil and at last managed to croak:

"--Y-you must…see this…y-your Majesty!"

He broke free of Cecil's grasp and disappeared down the corridor…Cecil considered chasing him and demanding a further explanation but he didn't…

"What's going on?"

Rosa spoke, her voice tinged with apprehension…As if on cue, a scream erupted from somewhere outside…very close…everyone whirled around and stared down the corridor…the prince of Damcyan turned to Cecil nervously…

"Something is…wrong…"