Edgar paced in front of his window, the cool breeze doing nothing to soothe his foul mood. It had been nearly a month since Locke had made his way to South Figaro, and there had still been no word from him. The thief was prone to disappearing for months at a time, off on his treasure-hunting escapades, but this time, something was different. What was even more worrying was that his brother had sent no word as to his whereabouts either. The last time he had seen Sabin, he had been floating the opposite way down the Lethe. While he had made a joke at the time, he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern over his brother's safety.

Sighing heavily, he leaned out the window and took in a deep breath, the sweet mountain air mingling with the sulphurous steam of the geothermal power plants to leave a bitter but not unpleasant tang in his nostrils. The moonlight reflected dully from metal signposts and storefronts, its rays casting all of Narshe in a silvery haze. He had to admit, though, the waiting wasn't all bad. He and Bannon had figured out a general strategy for both the Returners and Figaro, and - more importantly - he and Terra had been able to get to know one another a bit better. She was shy, and always seemed a bit unsure of herself around him, but he chalked that one to Locke warning her before he left...

Locke.

It always came back to him, somehow. Whenever Edgar talked to her, Terra always brought up the treasure hunters name. He had seen enough infatuated girls in the past to know that she had it for him badly, and that knowledge stung. Grumbling, he hung his head and cursed silently to himself when a small flash of red light at ground level drew his attention. There had been rumours that the Empire had been making advances north, past Figaro's desert, and from what he had heard, their infiltrating groups used red signal light to confirm the buildings they attacked. The young King's breath suddenly caught in his throat as the realization that - if there were Imperial soldiers in Narshe - they would likely be coming for Terra; after all, killing him or Bannon would only slow down the rebellion, but with Terra captured, the Returners would have no chance at all.

Spear in hand, Edgar flew out of his room, not bothering with the cumbersome suit of mail he had been wearing when they arrived in Narshe those weeks ago. If there were Imperial troops in the city, he would need to outrun them and get Terra - and Bannon, too, he supposed - to safety. The cold air bit into him as he ran out the inn's door and raised his spear to attack as he rounded the corner of the inn, but stopped short. Instead of the the brown-coated thugs he had feared, he saw a slender, green-haired girl staring with wide-eyed fear at him, a small ball of flame in her hand. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, he lowered his weapon and leaned it against the stone wall.

"Terra! I... I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was you. I thought that it was the Imperials... I mean, I thought that I saw a signal light... I didn't realize it was your, uh, magic..."

Terra seemed to shrink slightly, her face pale under the cold mountain moonlight. "It's... It's alright, Edgar." Her voice quavered as the flame in her hand went out. "I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you... I was cold, and-." She looked away, her eyes shining with tears in the moonlight.

Taking a step toward her, Edgar reached to her and frowned as she flinched away.

"M'Lady..." he began, his voice low. "I'm sorry. I've just been worried lately; They've been gone too long. Sabin should have gotten back a week ago, and Locke..." Edgar cut himself off and shook his head, cursing silently to himself. Terra looked up to him, a stray tear on her cheek, and laid a hand on his.

"It... it's alright, Edgar," the sound of her voice was like a flute in the silence of the night, "I understand... Locke, he... he means a lot to both of us..."

Edgar looked at Terra, his gaze narrowing slightly, and raised an eyebrow as she continued.

"He's a good friend to me, and I know that he must mean much more to you, but I don't want you to worry... He'll be alright, and when he gets back the two of you can be happy together again."

Edgar couldn't help but stare at Terra. What was she suggesting? That he and Locke were... Lovers? He could hardly suppress the laugh that built up inside of him, instead letting out an undignified snort. Terra looked back to him, her eyes filled with hurt, as Edgar raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture.

"Do you think that because of what I am I don't know what it's like to love someone?" she asked, the flute-tones of her voice edged with iron.

"No, no, m'Lady, not at all. I just don't think that you have your facts right."

"Don't patronize me, Edgar. I may not have as much... experience with love as you, but your brother told me that you and Locke were..." she paused, blushing slightly, "Well, that the two of you bickered like a married couple and he wouldn't be surprised if you two... how did he say it? Got together after all of this?"

Edgar went silent, his mind reeling. That must have been why she kept bringing Locke's name up with him; she thought that he and Locke...? Shaking his head, Edgar took Terra's hand in his and looked into her eyes. "Believe me, m'Lady, Locke is definitely not my type. I far prefer girls. Especially those with... unique abilities."

She looked at him, stunned, as he bowed to and pressed his lips to her hand. After a moment, he took a step back, letting her hand drop to her side, and bowed again.

"I'm terribly sorry that I startled you, m'Lady, I was only concerned for your safety. I think, though, that I've embarrassed myself enough for one evening, so I'll leave you be. If you need me, though, don't hesitate to come to my door."

Without waiting for her to respond, Edgar turned around and made his way back to the inn, collecting his spear on the way.

As she watched him round the corner of the stone- and wood-faced building, Terra's gaze fell to the back of her hand and lingered there for a moment. A chill gust of wind moved her capelet about her shoulders, and she suddenly realized how cold it was. Her mind still reeling from Edgar's words, she made her way back to her room at the inn.