The announcement was made with such force and certainty that everyone turned to him, shocked…

"Baron…?"

Edward repeated, a dark scowl on his face.

"Even the word sounds like a curse…"

Cecil shrugged indifferently.

"--I have a feeling it won't be too hard to sneak in without being --"

"Sir --" Yang interrupted hurriedly. "--Surely it would be expected that Fabul will seek to regain the crystal…"

"And --" Edward started quite uncomfortably. "--Since you are from Baron…"

Cecil shook his head vigorously.

"They would never have to know --"

He glanced down at his armor…it had grown a shade or two darker due to the environments he had been in…

"--With a quick change of clothes anyone could look like someone else…"

"The merchant ships --"

Yang spoke suddenly…thoughtfully…as if the idea had just occurred to him.

"--Fabul relies heavily on goods from Baron and likewise…"

"That's perfect --" Cecil's voice dropped to an excited whisper. "--Baron never became powerful because of the shipping lines…the sea power is mediocre at best…"

"But it would be suspicious for the merchants to begin their trading so soon after…all that has happened…"

The prince of Damcyan remained doubtful…

"I think it would make sense --" Cecil declared, forgetting about the pain in his head for a moment. "--They know Fabul has a lot to rebuild…they need supplies to rebuild…they need Baron to provide supplies --"

He shrugged.

"I think it would work…"

Yang was still reluctant too agree.

"I don't believe that the people of Fabul would be eager to get involved with Baron…they would rather rebuild with what few supplies are available than beg Baron for help…"

"But in this situation --" Edward indicated the crowded hospital and the beds filled with injured and sick people. "--I think that Baron realizes Fabul has…no choice…"

Even as he spoke the room seemed to get smaller, the air seemed to get more stifling…it was hot…stuffy…hard to breathe…the smell was sickening…

"Perhaps," Yang agreed with a slow nod of his bald head. "--If we may be permitted to speak to the king --"

"Master Cecil, sir…?"

A young nurse had arrived at Edward's side unnoticed; she looked at Cecil and spoke shyly after much hesitation…

"Are you feeling well, Sir…?"

Cecil glanced at her and nodded gratefully…actually he was not feeling too well at all…but there was no need to burden her with what he was really feeling…

"I'm feeling…better…"

She laughed weakly.

"That is good…you were very sick when you arrived…"

Cecil nodded and rubbed his head…he had a god-awful headache…

"You know…it's strange because I can't remember anything…"

"How is King Luarca, madam?"

Yang stepped toward the young woman.

"--Is his condition…changing…at all?"

He didn't say what he really meant…if the king's condition had worsened…the young nurse shook her head.

"I have not visited the king's room, sir --" her voice was regretful. "--Though I know the clerics were attending to him and are probably still there…"

Yang nodded, rather dejected...the nurse seemed to be embarrassed in her lack of information so she continued reluctantly:

"I…heard that he…is…not well, sir…"

At least she had news Cecil thought glumly…even if it is bad news…

"I understand --" Yang said slowly…his voice clearly contradicted his words as they said No I really don't understand why this is happening to his Majesty and to Fabul and to me and my friends no I don't understand madam…

"--I…spoke…to him…earlier…"

"There are so many people to treat in here --" The nurse continued, relieved that he had accepted her small and untimely amount of information. "--I have not been able to see the king yet…"

No words were spoken for several minutes…the nurse, however, did not bid them farewell and move on…she seemed to have something more to say…At long last she finally gave in and spoke reluctantly:

"I am sorry, sir, to ask this of you --"

The young woman appeared genuinely ashamed as she directed her words at Cecil…

"--But, they have asked…with so many people injured…and so many others ill…that we --"

She seemed at a loss for words but Cecil nodded…

"I…understand…"

"I am very sorry," she apologized again, but Cecil waved her apology aside…he did understand this…there were many injured people…there was a shortage of supplies and beds in the hospital…if you're able to walk and talk and breathe on your own then you don't belong in here, right? He understood it…there were too many people badly hurt…but they could at least attempt to help them…

"It's fine --" Cecil stated, forcing a weak smile. "I'll be okay…" And he would be for now at least…

The nurse smiled thankfully.

"I hate to rush you, sir, but --" She indicated the overcrowded room that continued to shrink the longer they stayed in it. "--The people…they…"

She didn't know what else to say so her words trailed off uncertainly…

"We understand…" Yang assured her as he motioned for Edward to take Rydia and leave…The prince of Damcyan nodded, and after offering a half-hearted smile to the nurse, he took Rydia's little hand and started into the mass of people that had formed a hopeless barrier around the entire room…Cecil watched them as they were engulfed by the people and at last he stood, shaky at first but realizing that he was actually standing and he was actually breathing and he was actually alive for God's sake he was alive and wasn't that all he really needed to be?

"…Thank…you…"

It was all he could utter to the young nurse at his side…What else could he say? That he was sorry for this? That he was sorry for starting everything? That he was sorry because everyone but he had suffered due to his own mistakes? Everyone but him suffer? But that wasn't entirely true…the suffering was present…the physical was nothing was nothing compared to the mental suffering…to look around the room and see the people crying and most of them were small children…without mothers or fathers…he started to walk through the mass of people…he was dizzy…suddenly he wondered if he was really ready to leave…he was tired of thinking about everything…

"Edward?"

He heard Rydia's voice drift over the noise of the crowd…

"Is that a little boy?"

She was pointing uneasily at a small bundle in a nurse's arms…the woman's arms and fingers were covered in blood…her white robes had been spattered with dark red nearly black blood…Edward tightened his grip on Rydia's little hand and didn't reply…The nurse was scanning the room for an empty bed…it seemed useless…

"They bring children in her e, too…?"

Cecil noticed Edward quicken his pace through the crowd; he didn't hear the prince of Damcyan reply, if he did reply at all…

Cecil glanced back before he left the hospital room and saw that the nurse had discovered an empty bed…she pressed her way toward the bed where Cecil had lain only minutes earlier…she gently laid the unmoving bundle on the dirty sheets…the same sheets where Cecil had lain minutes earlier…Cecil watched the nurse as she started to sing softly to the child…to soothe the little child…

(do they bring children in here too)

(children)

Cecil left the room with a nauseating mixture of emotions…sadness…sickness…regret…but the one that surpassed all others was the overwhelming sense of guilt…the sense that everything was his fault…and even though everyone might forgive him…he would never forgive himself…

* * * * * *

Several days crept by…slowly…painfully…but there was no word of King Luarca's condition…The prince of Damcyan often tried, although unsuccessfully, to point out that 'no news is often good news,' but his words did nothing to convince the anxious warrior. At last Yang announced that he should visit the king, though he might be denied entry when he arrived at the king's bedroom. Cecil agreed on the terms that he go with Yang too, and Edward declared that he must accompany them due to his concern for the wounded king. Cecil was reluctant to take Rydia with them; he didn't even expect the doctors to allow anyone in…they surely would turn them away if a little girl was tagging along…much to Cecil's surprise, Rydia didn't seem disheartened at all when he insisted that she stay in her room…for once she did not persist or whine about not being able to follow them…She consented rather moodily…with no argument, as Cecil began to explain why she should not come with them. He finally d opped the subject (happily) and joined Edward and Yang to inquire if they could speak to King Luarca…

Reconstruction of the southern battlement had not been completed; in fact, it had not begun…the three men were directed into a complicated series of pulleys and levers and ropes and lifts…with much grinding and jarring and rattling and shaking they arrived at the tower where the king's bedroom rested…As Yang predicted, they were immediately greeted by warriors outside the king's door who insisted that the king must be left alone for a while longer…it was the wish of the clerics and doctors…After incessant pleading and begging, they were finally given permission to enter the King's chamber under the condition that they not tarry for too long…Yang thanked the warriors gratefully as they gently pushed the door open…Cecil offered a courteous salute as they entered the king's bedroom…

Twilight was beginning to creep across the land outside…but it seemed inside that the night had existed eternally…the darkness lasted forever…flames of candles danced left and right as the breeze drifted through the open door…in the dim light Cecil could see deep violet curtains draped around the windows and soft plushy violet carpet adorning the floor…A huge bed rested in the room against one of the walls…he could vaguely make out the shape of a person lying in the center of the huge bed…

"…Your Majesty?!"

Yang's voice drifted softly across the room and the sheets on the rumpled bed shifted slightly…

"Your Majesty…I have --"

"Master Yang…?"

The voice was soft and muffled and dull…

"Is…it…you…?"

At the sound of the king's voice, Yang rushed across the room and dropped to his knees beside the bed…

"Oh…yes…your Majesty!"

King Luarca reached a gaunt hand toward the warrior…Yang's own hand closed around it and kissed it reverently…

"It is I…your Majesty --" Yang claimed in a hushed voice. "--I have come to see you…and I would have come sooner but delayed for fear that --"

"Master Yang --"

The king's voice still retained the humor that it once possessed, but now Cecil heard the humor diluted in weariness and pain…

"--You know…I would not leave…my people…in such a state…as the nation stands in…now…"

"I know…I know…"

The brave warrior sobbed and clutched the king's cold hand…

"You are a noble, noble man…your Majesty…"

Cecil approached the sickly king, his head bowed. This man could not be the king…this shadow of the king of Fabul…perhaps if the sun would rise in here then the shadows would disappear and leave what was real…not the shadows…the true king…

"Your Highness --" Cecil started, kneeling beside Yang. "--I'll take the blame for everything that's fallen on Fabul…if I hadn't --"

"Ahh --" the King spoke suddenly. "--It is the familiar words of a true knight…is it Cecil, sir…?"

"Yes!"

Cecil burst out, his eyes welling with tears…

"Yes, your majesty!"

He finally saw the king's face…it had lost all color and dropped into a pallid and pasty tint…his eyes shimmered strangely…maybe it was just the glow of the candlelight…

"--But…I --"

"Cecil…you are indeed…a very strong…and brave…young man --"

He motioned with a frail hand.

"--Come closer --"

Cecil obeyed wordlessly…even though he felt that he didn't deserve to stand so close to the king…it seemed like a force was drawing him to the frail man…the king continued:

"--Always wear the dark sword proudly, sir Cecil…although you are clothed in the armor and crest of a Dark Knight…it will never hide the light that you possess --"

Cecil self-consciously laid his hand over the emblem of the double-cross of Baron on his chest and nodded, blinking away hot tears…

"--It is I," King Luarca continued. "--Who should ask forgiveness…for doubting the words of the greatest warrior…of Fabul --"

"I forgive you, your Majesty!"

Yang gripped the frail hand and sobbed…

"If you doubt me a thousand times then I will forgive you a thousand times!"

The prince of Damcyan watched the scene from the shadows of the dark room…he couldn't bring himself to approach King Luarca…the great King of Fabul…this frail and withered old man lying nearly motionless in the bed was not King Luarca…the real King Luarca was a strong and energetic and powerful man who spoke in a mid voice and laughed often…laughed heartily…

Edward did not recognize this stranger posing as King Luarca…

"If there is anything more I can do for you –" King Luarca was saying with a hint of grief and remorse…Cecil looked up at last, impatiently brushing away the silverish hair that strayed into his eyes…

"All we ask is that you allow the merchant ships to continue trading with…Baron…and that we’re allowed to leave with them on their next voyage…"

"No –" Yang shook his head quickly. "—Not us –" He pointed to Cecil and Edward. "—Only those two…my duty is here…at the king’s side…"

King Luarca shifted positions in the great bed and sighed painfully…

"I am afraid to say…these people will have nothing more to do with…Baron…"

Cecil dropped his eyes guiltily…he felt the color rise to his face again…my fault...my fault…

"It is…unfortunate –" Luarca continued regretfully. "—That many still deem you untrustworthy –"

He shook his head wearily.

"—They do not see that although much is lost…so much more is gained…"

And I don’t see it either, Cecil thought glumly…he would have never spoken the words aloud…

"But –" Cecil stated quietly. "—The merchants and traders? They can’t see that it’s necessary to –"

King Luarca held up a withered hand and Cecil’s words trailed off…

"The royal command…is…absolute –"

Edward glanced at him, astonished…

"—I shall direct the ships to leave…as soon as possible…"

"—Your Majesty –"

"—And though I cannot predict the outcome…each of you will board the ship as well…"

Cecil felt the breath rush from him…it felt like he had been holding his breath forever…awaiting the king’s decision that he really did not expect to receive…

"Thank you, your Highness…"

King Luarca nodded and turned with a groan toward Yang, who still remained kneeling by the bedside.

"—And I ask you, Master Yang, though it be against your will, to accompany them…to Baron…"

Yang bowed humbly, making no objection…

"—If it is the royal command of the king…then I cannot turn against it…"

King Luarca heaved a sigh and drew a quivering breath…once more Cecil was struck at how helpless the man was…he was not at all like the same king they had seen upon their first entrance…

"—There is yet so much to do…"

"Your Majesty –" Cecil stood and gazed down at the injured man intently.

"—We’ve decided that we’ll leave the ships dressed as merchants when we arrive in Baron…and hopefully we’ll make it in unnoticed…"

"It seems quite a dangerous endeavor –" the king mused…Yang stood hastily…

"But we will not attempt to retrieve the crystal…we will only find out what they know about Golbez’s plans –"

The warrior shrugged.

"—If even they themselves know anything…"

"I think it’ll be harmless, your Majesty –" Cecil added then, as and afterthought, "—But if they somehow find out who we are, I’ll surrender myself to them and make sure the others are allowed to leave safely without being harmed…"

"I would plead with you to not attempt this –" the king whispered ruefully. "—But I know that your mind cannot be changed…"

Yang bowed deeply again…

"I shall do everything in my power to insure everyone’s safety…"

"Yet I fear it is sometimes not enough --" King Luarca sighed regretfully…Yang nodded, his head lowered…he stepped back from the bedside, his eyes closed sorrowfully…

"Thank you --" Cecil took the king's hand awkwardly…gently… "--For trusting me, your majesty…you've done so much for --"

"--Oh yes --" The king declared, his voice suddenly a bit stronger. "--Kneel down once more…there is one more thing to be done, Captain Cecil…"

Cecil paused…his breath caught in his throat…had the king just called him captain…? The dull pain rekindled in his heart…but he knelt numbly by the king's bed as he had been instructed to do…

"Look there upon the wall, Cecil --"

Cecil's gaze drifted to the wall where King Luarca indicated a large sheathed sword, dangling by hooks but looking sincerely threatening…

"--Do you see the dark blade hanging upon the wall, sir Cecil?"

Cecil nodded…

"Years ago, " the king intoned. "--A man, clothed in the same dark armor that you wear, traveled into Fabul…he was stricken with the fever and weakened so that he was forced to leave behind everything that he carried…"

Cecil's eyes slowly strayed back to the face of the king…he marveled once again at how pale the man looked…

"--I insisted that he stay here for several months until he recovered but it seemed that a terrible urgency dragged him onward --"

The king motioned toward the dark sword…

"--He even left his sword behind…it is a dark sword, much like the one you carry, Sir Cecil --"

Cecil lowered his eyes and didn't respond…he thought he heard a slight hint of regret or scorn in the king's voice…King Luarca stared at the ceiling as he continued:

"--I waited…deep in thought about whether or not it was you who should receive that sword --"

Cecil glanced up quickly…surprised…King Luarca at last looked at him…his dull eyes suddenly glowed with a strange light…

"--I cannot see how I ever doubted it was you ---"

Cecil started to speak but the king continued:

"--It was left to be received by another knight…worthy enough to wield it…and now the time has come for it to be taken --"

Yang solemnly retrieved the sword from its position on the wall…

"--Cecil Harvey -" King Luarca began again. "--I ask you to take this dark blade and do whatever you can do to prevent Golbez from acquiring the final crystal!"

Cecil numbly accepted the black sheath from Yang and gazed at the blade in awe…

"--It is a shame --" King Luarca stated. "--It is still a blade forged from the darkness --"

He cast a glance at Cecil.

"--It is useless against true evil…"

Cecil nodded and stood slowly…Yang remained solemnly by his side and looked at the sick king lying in the bed…Edward had still not said anything and had not moved from the doorway…he stood there for only a moment longer then he turned and left the room hastily, quietly closing the door behind him…

"Your Majesty --" Cecil was saying. "--I wish you could trust me if I said that I would try my best to make Fabul the way it used to be --"

"--I do not expect Fabul to ever return to the way it used to be --" King Luarca claimed, his voice heavy with sadness. "--But I do expect worse to fall upon the others if Golbez learns how to completely harness the power of the crystals…"

Cecil nodded again…it seemed as if he had nothing more to say…there was nothing left to do…he looked at Yang…the grief-stricken warrior stood silently with his head bowed…Cecil turned at last without a word and left the dim room, nauseated for some reason…with the feeling that he was suddenly changing…it was a subtle change…but he still felt it so strongly that it made his head throb…

Yang remained in the room for several minutes…he could say nothing but he could not force himself to leave...soon however he turned numbly…he left the room…King Luarca sighed wearily, closing his eyes…A tear trickled from his eyes and coursed down his cheek, falling unto the rumpled pillow beneath his head…

* * * * * *

When Edward reached the door of Rydia's room and gently pushed it open, he expected to see her lying asleep in the bed. There were several candles burning brightly in the room…

In the dim light Edward noticed that Rydia was nowhere to be seen…he sighed and looked around…he was hardly concerned because at any moment he expected her to spring out from behind the bed or from behind the door and try to scare him…

"Rydia? Where are you?"

He whispered loudly, a smile tugging at his lips…He listened carefully for the slightest noise…a giggle most likely…

Everything was quiet…Edward looked around again and approached the bed…

"…Rydia?"

Still no answer…

Edward knelt down and grabbed the sheet at the edge of the bed then snatched it up quickly…

"Rydia?"

He squinted into the darkness under the bed…

It didn't take him long to discover that the little girl was not under the bed…

Edward dropped the sheet and rose hastily…now he was slightly worried as he scanned the room once more…He knew for sure that she wasn't in the room…she could never remain hidden for this long…she would have already given herself away by giggling childishly while he searched frantically for her…

"Edward?"

His heart skipped a beat as he spun around, staring at the doorway…A silhouette was outlined darkly in the light coming from the hall…

"--Cecil…?"

Edward hurriedly made his way through the semi-darkness and stepped out of the room. Cecil was standing at the door with the dark sword in hand…

"Cecil --" Edward began breathlessly. "--I can't find Rydia…"

Cecil swore in frustration…his attention was immediately diverted from the sword in his hand as he shook his head…

"--She couldn't have gone far --" Edward offered weakly…he didn't believe his own words…Cecil was hastily buckling the dark sword around his shoulders…

"I'll go this way --"

He tossed the other sword into the darkness of Rydia's room and swore again as he untangled the belt from around his chest…

"--We should at least meet somewhere--"

"--Back here --" Cecil shouted over his shoulder as he started down the corridor. "--In ten minutes!"

Edward drew a deep breath to object but changed his mind with a sigh…there was nothing to worry about…they wouldn't sleep tonight until Rydia was found…

Edward turned in the opposite direction that Cecil had taken…he was only slightly alarmed to realize he hadn't seen Yang…but the warrior would be okay because it was his hometown for God's sake…it was Rydia whom he worried about…what if she left and already boarded a merchant ship, thinking that they were there? What if she had started around the battlement? She might not remember that an entire section of the southern battlement was not even there…in the dark she wouldn't be able to see the series of lifts and pulleys and ropes…

Edward quickened his pace down the hallway…if something was going to happen it probably already happened…there would be nothing he could do when he arrived…but was there ever anything he could do? These things always happen and even though they weren't his fault, he endlessly tormented himself and blamed himself…

Muffled voices a short distance down the dimly lit corridor caused his ears to prickle instinctively…in his imagination he recognized the voice…certainly this problem couldn't be resolved so easily…but he held to the hope and strode quickly down the hall…an orangish glow from an open door caught his attention…the voices must have been drifting from that door…he even thought he could see a shadow falling across the light…as he reached the orange light, giggles erupted from the door and he nearly ran headlong into a small figure emerging from the doorway…

"Rydia!"

He stopped short and grabbed her arm…

"Edward!"

She was cradling a tiny white kitten in her hands…

"Why are you running around, Edward?"

He breathed deeply and nearly screamed in reply:

"Why am I running around?! Why are you running around, Rydia?!"

His arms were spread wide as he glared at her.

"Can you not remain where we ask you just one time?!"

"Edward --" she stated in a tone that irritated the prince. "--You knew I wouldn't get in trouble!"

She handed him the kitten, which promptly relieved itself on his hand…

"How was I supposed to know --" He stared at his hand in disgust and gently but firmly placed the kitten on the floor. "--That you were --"

"You're just supposed to know…" she shrugged and snatched the kitten from the floor…

"Are you still there, sweetie?"

A voice, a woman's voice, one that Edward didn't recognize, drifted behind Rydia…

"Yeah!! Edward's here…finally!" Rydia shouted loudly…

A woman appeared in the doorway…she held a candle in one hand and stared out the door curiously…her skin was dark and ruddy but quite lovely…deep, black, shiny hair fell around her shoulders and she quickly brushed the stray strands from her almond-shaped eyes…

But she nor Edward could utter a greeting or apology, someone called from the dark corridor…

"Prince Edward…?"

It was the voice of Yang…

"--Is it my lovely wife who is encouraging Rydia to misbehave?"

The woman smiled and Edward spun around to stare at the warrior in amazement.

"--Your wife?!"

The woman stepped from the doorway…

"Yang…dear --" she started with a mock threatening tone, throwing her arms around the man's neck. "--Watch what you say; you know who keeps things straight around here!"

He laughed and kissed her full red lips…

"She's your wife, Master Yang?"

Edward continued to gape at the warrior, who stood close to the woman…her arms were laced around his waist…Yang proceeded to introduce her, but Rydia punched Edward in the side and declared:

"Edward! I knew that!"

The prince hastily grabbed her little wrist before she swung again…

"--This is my wife, Min-Li --" Yang indicated the woman at his side…Edward extended his hand and hastily hid the other one behind his back…Min-Li, however, flung both arms around his neck warmly…

"--Prince Edward --" she said quietly. "--There is no need for introduction --"

He stood awkwardly in her embrace, unsure of what to say…

"--I am sorry, dear, for what happened to Damcyan --" she whispered sadly. "--It must be difficult…for your poor mother and father --"

"--It…it…is…"

Edward's hands trembled as he fumbled for a reply…if he confessed that it was not difficult…well…it would be a lie…if she had not mentioned it, he might have been able to honestly admit that, yes, he was okay…he would someday be able to forget everything…to forgive everything…Now as she spoke, what he had seen and what he had felt and what he had not done flooded into his mind and he felt a hot tear stinging the corner of his eye…

"--It…is…difficult…"

He blinked the tears away, and Min-Li released him and looked at him sympathetically…her own eyes were bright with tears…

"I am so sorry…Prince Edward --" She shook her head. "--So…sorry…"

Rydia stroked the little white kitten, and the group stood for a moment in uncomfortable silence…Presently Min-Li stepped back and gave a small laugh…

"Yang came to look for me…after the soldiers left --" she stated, staring down at the dancing flame. "--He thought that I must have been hurt --" She smiled again. "--What did he expect?" She looked at Yang, and he shook his head as he stared at the floor. "--I'm married to a warrior of Fabul!"

"I never knew you learned anything from me, my dear…" Yang admitted with a grin.

"When the soldiers came into the room --" Min-Li explained with an excited smile. "--And I ran them out with my frying pan!"

Rydia began to laugh loudly, and even Edward managed a weak smile. Yang wrapped a brawny arm around the shoulders of Min-Li again and said:

"--That is why I let her maintain order around here!"

In the midst of their laughter a voice shouted from the dim corridor:

"Master Yang?"

Heavy footsteps pounded down the hallway…

"…Master Yang?"

The voice gasped, and they could see a familiar figure dashing toward them…

"--Did anyone ever find --"

"Hey Cecil!"

Rydia leaped at him happily as he approached. He was breathing hard and a little red-faced, but otherwise he was in good situation. He appeared, however, to be arriving at the brink of frustration.

" Cecil --"

Edward stepped forward before the dark Knight could scold the little girl…

"--I found her…"

Cecil sighed with relief and drew in a deep breath…

"You must be sir Cecil --"

Min-Li held the candle close and looked at the knight…Cecil flushed with embarrassment for appearing in his present condition, but she continued in a voice filled with respect and gratitude:

"--Sir, I can never express how thankful I am for what you have done --"

He looked at her with surprise.

"--Thank you, Sir, for saving my husband's life…"

…Husband…? Cecil stared blankly at the woman…She must be Yang's wife…

"Cecil --" Yang announced, indicating the woman. "--This is my wife…"

Cecil nodded and extended his hand to her.

"Ma'am…you have a very brave and strong husband --"

Min-Li smiled and brushed his hand aside and instead hugged him tightly…

"--You are feeling well, I hope…?"

Cecil nodded…

"The clerics and nurses were too good to me…I felt like I didn't deserve to be treated so well…"

"--Oh nonsense, dear!" Min-Li stepped back with a wave of her hand. "--If it were not for you, Fabul may not be what it is now ---"

She gazed around sadly.

"---Even though it is not much…"

Cecil shook his head…

"I couldn't do this alone --" he gestured at the others around him. "--I met some others who were willing to join me…the warriors of Fabul were willing to protect their city…everyone who --" Cecil lowered his head. "--Who…died……each of them played their part…so we could have the chance to come this far --"

Rydia looked at Edward, her eyes glittering with excitement…

"Edward!" she exclaimed joyfully. "--That means we're heroes!"

"--But, at what price?"

Everyone became quiet as Edward stared around at them…

"--At what price did each of us become a hero?!"

His voice rose…no one replied…

"--What was the cost of each of us becoming a hero?!" the prince demanded angrily, gazing at one person then another…for a moment he felt as if he were going mad…but hadn't he felt like that for a long time? It was something he had done before…

"At what price did we become heroes? And who paid it…?"

Edward's voice was nearly inaudible.

"--Who paid that price…?"

No one spoke as they stood in awkward silence, and at last Edward shook his head and uttering a good night, disappeared down the dark corridor…

At long last Min-Li spoke:

"I do feel sorry for prince Edward…he isn't the same young man I remember seeing earlier…"

Yang agreed with a nod.

"He has changed very much…"

Who could blame him, Cecil thought; but he said nothing…

"What's wrong with Edward?" Rydia piped up loudly, swinging back and forth in the doorway. "Is he --"

"Rydia --" Cecil interrupted hastily. "--Maybe you should go to bed now…it's late…"

"Cecil --" she whined, teetering dangerously forward. "--If I go to sleep now, something exciting will happen and I'll miss it!"

Yang shook his head good-naturedly.

"--I shall make certain that all the excitement waits until you are ready, ms. Rydia…"

Rydia paused uncertainly and looked at the warrior.

"Well…are you sure…?"

He nodded with a wink…

"…Promise…?"

"Certainly --" he bowed deeply to the little girl. "--You have my word…"

"Okay!" she declared happily then she spotted the little white kitten cowering near Cecil's boots. "--But let me get --"

"Rydia --" Cecil started quickly, stooping down. "--Why don't I get the kitten instead? I'll keep it for you until morning…"

As he reached for the tiny kitten, it hissed threateningly and bounded into the doorway in a flash.

"Animals don't even like you, Cecil!" Rydia noted with a frown, but she didn't proceed to search for the kitten.

"Thank God," Cecil mumbled under his breath as she strode past him.

"Good night, Mrs. Yang!" Rydia waved happily to the woman standing beside the warrior of Fabul. "Good night, Mr. Yang!"

They both smiled and waved back.

"I’m not saying good night to you, Cecil!" Rydia’s voice rang out from the darkness.

"You just did –" Cecil pointed out with a grin…he expected a reply from that statement…

"--Did not!"

The little girl began stomping loudly down the corridor. Everyone watched her leave and soon her footsteps faded into the darkness. Min-Li smiled.

"—She is such a sweet little girl…"

Cecil shook his head hopelessly and a faint smile appeared on the face of the dark warrior.

"Only half the time…she can sometimes be –"

"—Strong-willed?" Min-Li supplied with a questioning glance. Cecil nodded.

"Very…but –" His eyes fell to the floor. "—It’s a strong will that I respect—" He turned back to Min-Li. "—She’s been through a lot for a little girl –" Cecil closed his eyes sadly. "—A lot…"

Min-Li nodded sympathetically.

"It is sad…ones so young as she and prince Edward…to be disheartened by these events at such an early age…"

Yang agreed with a nod of his bald head.

"…Human faith is something that they might never find…or even spend their time searching for…"

Cecil gave him a quizzical look.

"It’s strange; Rydia seems to not think about what’s happened or what’s happening…one day she’ll finally stop and realize it –" He shook his head. "—She’ll realize that she’s alone and doesn’t have anyone left in the world…she doesn’t even have a home…"

"It seems to me –" Yang said. "—That she understands now…she is a very bright child –" He frowned. "—But…prince Edward…"

Min-Li continued where Yang’s voice trailed off:

"—I have never seen him so upset…but, you don’t understand…Edward’s girlfriend Anna was practically his entire life…"

She looked thoughtfully at the dancing flame on the candle.

"—It was obvious –" Cecil murmured. "—In Damcyan…you should have seen…it was…terrible…"

The woman nodded as if she understood.

"—Prince Edward was uninterested in being in the Royal Family of Damcyan…he always tried to get away from everything and avoid the life that a prince would normally live –"

She glanced up.

"—Of course, that would mean he had to avoid Damcyan altogether, but it was his home…there was nowhere else for him to go --"

Her voice softened.

"—He often told me that when people saw him around Damcyan or even visiting in other towns around the city…they would tell him to go home…that his mother and father must be awfully worried about him wandering around alone…and he told me that he never really felt like that was true…they were the king and queen after all…so they had to rule the nation, not watch after their son –"

The candle flickered crazily as she sighed.

"He said that, as a young boy, he always dreamed to see something else…he taught himself to play the harp in the time that he should have learned the etiquette of a prince…he learned the names of all of the birds and animals and flowers and plants when he should have learned of law and justice of a nation…he studied the books of fiction and fantasy and dreams when he should have studied the art of swordsmanship –"

She cast a sidelong glance at Yang.

"—He became a dreamer…and in Damcyan his dreams were short-lived and vague --"

Her voice lowered once again.

"—The King and Queen discouraged his behavior only indirectly…they would never really speak to him about it because he was quite temperamental around his mother and father…he would often scream and shout and say things to deliberately hurt their feelings –as though he could somehow make them give up everything they had –"

Min-Li appeared saddened by her own words.

"—It created a sort of separation between them…a void…and it would soon become harder and harder to try and close that void…it was disheartening to me because it never seemed to bother Edward…he would leave the castle of Damcyan for days and weeks; it was as though he could somehow tear himself away from his royal blood and break the bond from his family forever…his absences grew longer and longer, and after he met Anna –"

Min-Li looked at Cecil.

"—His sole purpose was traveling…I couldn’t begin to tell you the last time he saw his mother and father…I think he always felt something drawing him back to Damcyan, to his home…and I thin know he finally realizes what he’s done but he also knows it’s too late to amend his broken relationship with his mother and father –"

She shook her head.

"—It must be agonizing for him…he must feel that he should have asked for their forgiveness when he still had the chance –"

Yang nodded and lowered his eyes.

"—Cecil –"

Min-Li placed her hand on Cecil’s arm gently.

"—Please make certain that his thoughts do not linger on that subject for too long…"

It’s too late, Cecil though but aloud he said:

"—I’ll…do…what I can…"

Min-Li nodded gratefully.

"I believe you will, dear…I believe you will…"

They stood in awkward silence for several minutes and at last Min-Li laughed softly, declaring:

"Well, I have kept you here too long, Sir Cecil…you must be very tired…"

"I’m okay…really…"

"You should rest now, dear –" Min-Li instructed him. "—And you too –" She grabbed Yang’s hand. "—Honey, you should get some rest…"

She turned back to Cecil with a puzzled frown.

"What will you do now? Will you –"

Yang clutched both of her hands.

"Dear…we have asked permission of his Majesty –"

"Oh! King Luarca!" she gasped suddenly. "--Is he well?"

There was so much Cecil could have said to answer her question…the only thing he revealed was the fact that they had seen King Luarca earlier and he was…well…

She sighed with relief as Yang continued:

"—We asked his permission to leave with the next fleet of merchant ships –"

Her almond shaped eyes opened wide in surprise.

"—Honey! They are not in any condition to trade now –"

Yang shook his head and Cecil spoke hastily.

"—We thought the same thing, but his Majesty said they’d be ready as soon as possible –"

She appeared confused.

"—King’s orders," Yang replied with a slight grin.

"Oh…dear –" Min-Li mused. "—Do you suppose the merchants will conform to such orders?"

"We can only hope…" Cecil shrugged. Yang drew a deep breath and started to speak, but he hesitated.

"Dear, I believe that I –"

"Oh, stop it!"

Min-Liu slapped playfully at Yang’s hand.

"Do you think that I don’t know you are planning to leave as well?"

Yang blinked in astonishment and Min-Li laughed.

"Honey, I know that if there’s a way to get into difficult situations, you will do it!"

The burly warrior would have protested if Min-Li did not interrupt him with a shake of her head.

"Now—I won’t hear a word of it!" She looked at Cecil with a smile. "—Sir Cecil, you will keep him out of trouble, won’t you, dear?"

"---As well as I can –" Cecil said, accepting her embrace.

"—Now –" Min-Li began apologetically. "—I may not see any of you tomorrow…I have to continue aiding in the rebuilding and medical efforts, but if you ever come back to Fabul, remember that you are always welcome to pay me a visit –"

Cecil nodded.

"—As a matter of fact –" Min-Li continued. "—I wish that you would come back sometime…after your voyage is completed…"

Cecil thanked her gratefully…he shook his head however…

"—I don’t know if we’ll leave tomorrow…the plans are still a little sketchy…"

The dark-skinned woman gave a thoughtful nod of understanding.

"And I might not be there to see you off whenever you leave…but remember, dear, that we both breathe the same prayer…"

Cecil dropped his eyes…he blushed for some unknown reason…with a stiff nod he murmured:

"—You’re…right -- The…same…prayer…"

At last everyone bid good-night, and Cecil turned to leave down the dark corridor. He heard the door shut quietly behind him…

* * * * * *

Several days later the merchant ships were ready to set sail as instructed, and early morning found the group gathered on the dock located at the north end of the castle. They waited patiently, shivering in the cool morning breeze, and Min-Li, as she had promised, managed to be there to say a final goodbye. There were relatively few sailors boarding the ship and no supplies at all, save a few crates of scrap metal and stone…it seemed to appear in mass quantities over the past weeks and the people were forced to gather it for trading. The shipmen did approach the ship reluctantly and started at the dark Knight with obvious suspicion, but there was no other choice but to leave, so leave they had to do. As they climbed aboard the ship, Min-Li bid everyone farewell, and when the ship raised anchor and set sail, the company stood on the dock and waved until they could no longer see Yang’s wife through the milky haze of the horizon…

A general feeling of indifference settled among the motley group as they watched the once-beautiful city of Fabul disappear on the horizon, but, to Edward, seeing the silhouette against the rays of the early morning sun gave him a feeling of isolation…a feeling of finality…a feeling that he may never see the nation of Fabul again and if he did, it would not be the same as he were seeing it now…