Ch2-4: Infiltration of Baron
So this is what it feels like to be a hero?
There was amusement. And there was terror. He leapt back and forth across the fissure within his mind, unable to find safe footing on either side. Afterall, Ben had never been lauded for anything he had done in his entire life.
No wonder Cecil chose this path. It certainly has its bright points.
The big Half-Lunar shifted his gaze towards the Paladin hoping to find some sign of how to react to the people’s display. The young king’s face was warm and brilliant, lit with a peaceful inner light, his head lifted back to return the greeting of his people. And what a greeting it was.
If they knew that I was Golbez… what would they do?
The battlements were alive with hundreds of smiling faces, all bobbing wildly up and down with overwhelming enthusiasm. Their cheer was a deafening victory roar that rang from every stone of the city. The entirety of two kingdoms stood watching as the two men made their way through the castle gates.
Most likely, they’d hunt me down with brandished pitchforks and entry level elementals.
The air was filled with streaming appreciation as the people rained down a mottled assortment of color and light. Flower petals of every hue fluttered to settle lightly upon the path before them. Long shimmering cascades of white, pink and blue shot through the sky, no doubt some strange concoction of an over-excited mage. A grungy sock with a hole in the toe landed ceremoniously at the Lunar’s feet.
Humans…
The Lunar resigned himself to a soft mental sigh.
He didn’t recognize any of the guards that lined the passage… though something chided him for even attempting to try. The men were applauding wildly. Wide prideful grins were pasted upon their faces as they welcomed their king, shaking his hand and clapping him on the back. Someone gave a deep-throated woot as Cecil passed by.
Taken aback, the Lunar observed with increasing curiosity.
Even I know that’s no way for subjects to treat their king. But Cecil seems to adore it. And they seem to adore him…
His pondering was cut short as a familiar voice rang strong above all others. A chill rushed over his skin, his mind abruptly reeling with the weight of forced memories.
Now it begins…
“Your Majesty! Are you injured?”
“Captain! What’s the town’s current status?” Cecil deflected the question as the crowd of grinning soldiers parted, allowing the large man in midnight blue armor to move between them.
The face that emerged was familiar – how couldn’t it be – though the passage of years had done much to mature and harden the Dragoon’s already sharp, fiery features. His hair was shorter now, shifting wildly in brilliant gold streams, a striking contrast to the cold depths of his eyes.
Eyes that missed nothing.
They alighted upon the mage, scrutinizing his heritage with a hint of interest. There was no doubt Kain Highwind knew a Lunarian when he saw one.
Beyond that, there was nothing. None of the usual trepidation. No hate. No stormy silent anger. It was the first time that the Dragoon had looked upon him without a trace of lingering rage reflecting in his eyes.
For that reason alone, Ben wished he could hold on to his illusion.
As the three men passed through the inner gate, the sound of cheering grew muted. Inside the castle it was much dimmer, more solemn. The tone of conversation also dropped any formality that might have existed.
“It’s not too good, Cecil,” Kain admitted, the shadows flickering through his expression as he spoke. “But it damn well coulda been worse. I’ll hand you that.”
“How’s your men?”
“Too many,” Kain shook his head. “There were too many fatalities… that monster was a bastard of a beast.”
“I know.”
The Dragoon paused for a moment, looking down upon the young king, a hint of candidness breaking through his cloudy manner. “You were awesome out there Cecil. I take back what I said the other night. You haven’t lost your touch. Not one bit.”
“Eh?” The Paladin returned the compliment with a rather startled look. “I was… just doing what I had to, Kain. Glory is the last thing on my mind when people’s lives are at stake.”
“But still…” Kain’s tone grew somewhat crestfallen.
“Besides, I don’t know if you noticed, but I nearly got creamed.” Cecil’s eyes turned towards the mage with a nod. “You owe a lot of your thanks to him.”
Ben straightened rigidly as their eyes rested upon him. He gave a meager grin, attempting to seem friendly. Judging by Kain’s expression, it had not worked very well.
“I wondered why he was here,” was all the Captain said.
Feeling suddenly edgy at the lack of appreciation, the Half-Lunar heard himself quip, “You’re welcome.”
“Heh,” a smirk drew up over the Dragoon’s face.
Some people never change…
Cecil, however, didn’t look too pleased at his friend’s lack of manners. His voice grated with emphasis on the next statement. “I plan to set up a banquet of honor tonight to celebrate our victory. I’m certain that there are things of pressing importance that brings you to the Blue Planet.”
It was the first time anyone had acknowledged aloud the truth of his alien origins. An uncomfortable moment crept by, leaving all three men struggling to find other things to stare at. The silence writhed and chafed around them.
Cecil… you still haven’t accepted it, have you? Is it so much easier for you to continue to play Human?
The Paladin cleared his throat, obviously groping to find words to fill the void. But before he could manage to pull together his diplomacy, the sound of running footsteps filled the hall.
“Cecil!”
The three of them jerked about as a flurry of white and pale gold flung itself upon the stunned Paladin. The young king stumbled back a few steps as the delicate arms of his wife flew to encircle his neck, heels kicked up like a school girl under the flow of her colorless robes.
“Cecil, how could you!?”
“Rosa… I… I… can explain!” he choked.
“Cecil Harvey, you most certainly will!” The young queen’s face was stolid, her eyes flashing in determination. “What’s the idea of running off without even saying a word to me? Not even a good-bye? What if you had gotten yourself hurt… or killed… or… or! I was so worried about you!”
“I’m sorry, Lovey… I didn’t mean to..!”
“Mmm… I think that someone owes me a kiss,” she murmured, clasping Cecil’s face between both palms and planting her lips against his in a no-nonsense way.
Kain’s face was set sternly. It looked to be all he could do not to slip into a chiding grin.
Ben gave a sigh, leaning back against the wall in a pool of shadows. Despite the rising exchange of sweet nothings, Rosa must have heard him for she turned her head, noticing him instantly.
“Oh!” She gave a slight gasp, taken by surprise. Her eyes lit up a familiar brilliant blue.
The Half-Lunar lowered his gaze, unable to face the woman. Even through faded memory, he had always been struck by her angelic beauty. And now, more than ever, he could feel the sting of her holy ahura as it mingled with that of the Paladin’s.
They certainly make a matched pair, don’t they?
“Cecil,” she spoke warily. “You didn’t tell me we had visitors.”
“Visitors?” the king’s question placed emphasis on the plurality of the word.
Rosa glanced back over one shoulder, her eyes indicating a stooped shadow at the far end of the hall. The mage felt his gaze following in turn, blinking as the figure began to make its way towards the small group. Cecil was the first to speak.
“Uncle FuSoYa!?”
A huge grin spread over the Paladin’s face as he managed to pry Rosa’s arms from around his neck. In something resembling a half-jog, the young king sped towards the old Lunarian, and much to the surprise of all, gave him a hearty embrace.
“Cecil, my lad… how are you… how are you?”
Ben had never seen FuSoYa smile with such warm sincerity. The expression looked sharply out of place.
“Well, other than being literally thrown on the throne?” Cecil gave a boyish laugh.
“Ah yes…” As the two parted, the old Lunar held his nephew out at arm’s length, looking him up and down. “You are a… what do they call it… king? …King now, yes?”
“Yeah… yeah I am.” Cecil grinned, somewhat abashed.
“Your father would be so proud.” There was a soft twinkle in FuSoYa’s eyes.
Ben found himself looking somewhat enviously down at his feet. FuSoYa had never said anything so kind to him in all the time that he had known the Sage.
It’s probably because Father would want nothing to do with me if he were to ever see me again.
Cecil cleared his throat, deftly changing the subject, “So, when did you arrive, Uncle?”
“We rode in earlier this morning,” the old man replied with a droll expression. Something about the way he spoke placed stress on the word ‘we’. “We certainly would have been here sooner if it wasn’t for all the excitement about town.”
“Ah yes… well…” the Paladin gave a glance at Ben. “I appreciated the help, that’s most certain. I’m not sure what we would have done without it.”
“I see,” FuSoYa continued, in a shamelessly blunt manner. “So you’ve already met Golbez.”
The entire length of the hall seemed to grow darker at the sound of the name. The shadows shifted and expanded, rising out of the corner in which the Half-Lunarian mage stood. The flame of the torches flickered weakly, growing dull against the force of the fear swathed anger.
Even the light of Blue Planet knew the name of its once-greatest enemy.
“Uncle!” Ben lifted his gaze with a sharp hiss, face contorting and pained. His knees suddenly wanted to buckle as all eyes fell upon him. “Did you have to–!”
“Yes, I did,” the old Lunarian grunted, looking at the stricken faces of the others. “Or you’d have sat around playing tit-a-tat and hiding behind this ‘Benjamin’ nonsense. They’d find out sooner or later… you might as well get it over with.”
Sometimes I wonder if you do want me to end up dying a horrible horrible death at an early age. At least that would get me off your hands.
Cecil’s mouth had dropped open, green eyes fixed on his brother’s face as if seeing him for the first time. It seemed all the appreciation from the former victory they had won together had fallen moot. The Paladin’s hand sought out the comfort of the haft of the Crystal Blade, poised on a moment’s edge to draw it.
Fear crept into the depths of Ben’s heart, though he forced his face not to show it.
What do I say? I can’t likely deny it. Cecil’s no fool. He may not have been able to pick apart the feeling I’ve given him from the start. But the moment he puts two and two together, it’s obvious who I am.
Rosa unconsciously moved closer to her husband’s side, slipping her arm around his waist. Whether she was to seeking reassurance or to giving it was unknown. The blue of her eyes seemed somewhat colder now.
And can I blame her? Not at all. For all the heart ache I’ve put Cecil through… the terrible rending of one of her best friend’s spirit… and the long nights of terror and uncertainty that she faced as my prisoner in Zot. No… I cannot begin to ask her forgiveness.
Kain’s face had fallen dead.
Even though we were two pawns of the same mold… he still chooses anger against me. Is there any hope beyond the chains of the past? I should not have come here… I see it now more than ever. I should never have co–
“Gooolbezzzz?!” The Paladin finally choked softly, working to cover his shock with a flimsy good-willed expression. One hand lifted from his side, hovering as if uncertain whether or not to reach out to the other Half-Lunar.
“Um… Hello Cecil?” Ben found himself stammering weakly in reply.
Then the green eyes of both men shifted away in nervous apprehension.
Cecil’s afraid… too?
The Paladin’s hand dropped.
Face very pale, the young king stuttered a soft command. “Kain… get the assembly room lit and aired out. Talk can’t wait till the banquet tonight.”
Without a sound, the Dragoon spun on his heel. The shadows trailed after him as he disappeared down the hall.