A/N: This story is based on the 1985 film LadyHawke. I always wondered what that movie would have been like with the FF8 cast. Due to the fact that FF8's cast is bigger than LH, I altered several places/scenes/events/characters and added new ones. If you haven't seen LadyHawke, I strongly recommend it; it's the best movie. EVER!!
I don't own FF8 or LadyHawke. Don't bother suing me.
The Escapee
The distant sound of a church bell echoed on the morning light, as the sun's rays pierced through the clouds. The sleeping townsfolk arose from their beds to start a new day; to the majority the sound of the bell was a symbol of routine, the same everyday occurrence. To some others, it was simply a wake-up call. But to a select few, it was the sign of destiny.
In the grand castle of Erophian in the western kingdom of Centra, His Majesty, King Laguna and his wife, Queen Raine were being ushered by their maids as another day began. King Laguna was a forty-four year-old man with vibrant forest green eyes with shoulder-length black hair that had a few grey hairs sprinkled across his mane. His face made him seem younger that he was, he hardly had any wrinkles, something any man would be glad to have. But the king didn't care for looks, he recently didn't care for many things, not since his only son had left without a word to anyone. The Loire family had ruled over the western kingdom peacefully for many generations, King Laguna followed in his father's footsteps. He had high hopes for his son when he was born...but now, he just wanted his son back. He walked to a large window with gold silk drapes and looked at the scenery.
"Darling?" The queen's soft voice called. Queen Raine had long silky dark brown hair that fell graciously to her waist, she had gentle features, the face of an angel with mesmerising cobalt blue orbs. Her dress had white ruffled sleeves and a cream color bodice, the skirt was an indigo blue color that fell to her feet. "Are alright?"
"Hmm?" The king replied distractedly.
The queen smiled. "Are you alright, my darling?"
"Oh, yeah...I guess." He turned back to stare at the window with a forlorn expression.
The queen walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. The usually jovial king would have been up before the first bell toll, telling jokes getting the castle staff up and about, but since their son's disappearance two years ago, the king seemed to have lost his humor. Though the queen and their daughter tried to cheer him up in any way they could, it was to no avail. The royal heir to the throne's mysterious disappearance was no laughing matter, but many said that the prince was not fit to be king.
"Why did he leave?" The king whispered. "Did he really...hate me that much?"
"Laguna, don't think that." Raine said. "Underneath his tough exterior, Squall loves you very much."
"Then why did he leave?" He frowned. "It makes no sense! He had everything he ever asked for!"
"You know very well that Squall never cared for material possessions." Raine smiled. "He was only trying to fill in a void in his heart."
"But he was engaged to the Princess Quistis of the Eastern kingdom!" Laguna sighed. "He has known her since childhood!"
"True. But...our son might have not wanted to marry her." Raine said calmly.
"Perhaps we should have put off his engagement. He was too young." He said thoughtfully.
"Laguna, Squall was twenty-one. He's now twenty-three. He's old enough to marry." She said matter-of-factly. "I married you when I was twenty three."
"Yeah, I know." Laguna smiled as he kissed his queen. "I was twenty-seven..."
"Old fart." Rained giggled. "Come now, our presence is required at the cathedral."
Laguna narrowed his eyes fearfully. "But Bishop Odin scares me..."
"Oh for Hyne's sake, Laguna." Raine rolled her eyes. "That man has been our bishop since our parent's time!"
"Which is what makes him creepier!" Laguna countered. "Just how old is he anyway? 109? 110?"
"Oh Laguna..."
The queen pulled on her husband's light green sleeve, dragging him into the cool hallways of Erophian castle. The bell's toll grew louder as the passed through the Grand Hall.
"Good morning Father! Good morning Mother!" Called a sweet voice. They turned to find their daughter, Princess Ellone walking towards them. "I hope you slept pleasantly." She had hazel eyes and chestnut hair, like her brother. Many people said that Ellone was the spitting image of Queen Minea, Laguna's mother.
"I would have except your father's snores kept me awake all night." Raine said.
"Hey!" The king pouted.
Ellone giggled at her father's expression. "Any news of my baby brother?" Though they were only three years apart, she had always referred to him as 'baby brother', much to his chagrin.
Laguna's expression changed immediately. "No, no news of him at all."
"Greetings my King and Queen!" Boomed a deep voice. Seifer Almasy, the Grand Duke of the Western Kingdom, once the prince's most fierce sparring rival was now the one the king's trusted advisor's. He was tall with emerald green eyes and blonde hair that was slicked back except for a few stray hairs in his face. He wore a long grey coat underneath his regal clothes. He strode into the Grand Hall with an air of supremacy. He bowed at the royal family and kissed the queen and the princess's hands. Ellone tried her hardest to hide her dislike, but failed.
"Beautiful morning, isn't it?" He smiled confidently at them all. The king said nothing, the queen smiled weakly, and Ellone merely nodded.
"Will you be joining us at the service this morning?" The queen asked politely.
"Why certainly, Your Highness." Seifer smirked. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Ellone frowned but quickly covered it up.
The four of them began to walk towards the main castle doors when a guard came up to Seifer. "Duke Almasy! Come quick, sir!"
Seifer's eye twitched in anger as he turned to face the burly soldier. "What is it?"
The soldier hesitated. "Um...I'd rather you see this for yourself, sir!"
Seifer glared at the soldier with murderous intent. "Very well." He turned to face the royal family. "My apologies, it seems that I won't be able to accompany you." He bowed at them and turned to leave after the soldier. "What is it?" He hissed venomously.
"A prisoner has escaped." The soldier muttered.
"What!? That's impossible!" Seifer barked. "No one can escape from MY dungeons! I over see these!"
"Sir..." The soldier whispered. "I'm telling you the truth."
"Biggs, I swear to Hyne, if you're lying to me...I'll cut your throat out!"
They walked past a wooden door and into the cold, damp and loomy dungeons of Erophian castle. Biggs led him into the double digit cells and Seifer raised his eyebrows. Only thieves, murderers and traitors were held in these bar cells. They stopped at number 19.
"Who's in here?" Seifer barked at the guard. He was a smaller, thin man holding a lance.
"Um..uh...It's Zone Sinclair and..." He looked at Biggs nervously.
"Just tell him Wedge." Biggs sighed. Wedge nodded gravely.
"And the Duke of the Eastern Kingdom...Zell Dincht."
"WHAT!?" Seifer roared. "Chicken Wuss escaped?!" Seifer took that keys from Wedge's hands and knocked him out of the way. He burst inside and looked wildly at the man in the far corner. He grabbed the poor, dirty man by the hem of his prisoner's robes. "Where is Dincht!?" He growled.
"You mean the mouse?" The brown haired, green eyed man smiled. "No mouse here today."
"What?" Seifer blinked.
"To ease the pain, he's gone down the drain!" The man pointed at a small drain canal that lead to the underground sewer. It was so small that a mouse could barely fit through it.
"Impossible, no one could escape through there. Where is he!?" Seifer barked at the man.
"I already told you!" Hissed the man.
"Biggs!" Seifer barked. "I want you to search every sewer in this city! NOW!"
"Yes sir!"
A second bell tolled in the air, this one was louder than the first one. The people knew that it was meant for the knights to hunt down a criminal. The castle bridge thumped against the ground as the sounds of horse's hooves thundered on it. Many of them rode out to the hills and into the nearby forest, galloping at rapid speed. The sped through the trees as green and brown hues engulfed their eyes. Yet none of them noticed a young man hidden amongst the forest. He had blonde hair that spiked upward, pale blue eyes and a large mark on the left side of his face. He got off the ground dusting himself off from the fallen leaves that nature covered him with. He grinned as he watched the last of the riders passed by.
Now's my chance, baby!
He darted off in the northern direction hoping to come across a town, food, shelter, and a new pair of clothes. As he ran up a hill, his eyes spotted a figure on a horse. The sun was behind the man, making it impossible for Zell to see his face. The man was clad in a black cape with fur lining on the hood. He was riding on a large black horse, and Zell could tell that this man was looking right at him. But he wasn't about stick around to figure out if this man was a friend or foe. Zell sped off in the path he had been previously running, when he heard the loud call of a bird. Glancing up to the sky, he found a large brown hawk soar to the dark clad man. The hawk gracefully perched it self on the rider's arm and ruffled it's feathers proudly. Zell shrugged as he kept going his own way, the rider and his pet left behind.
Intro chapters are always slow, but trust me this one is a true Squinoa!
As for Wings Of Time...I'm currently expiriencing something called writer's block. It. Sucks. I know where the story is headed, but Hyne dammit, I can't get past one stupid little part!!!! DX
Read and review??? Pwetty pwease? XD