CHAPTER 9:
THE BOY WITH THE TAIL AND THE GIRL WITH THE HORN
"…And that's everything," Amethyst concluded, as they finished their breakfast.
Cid nodded, rubbing at his chin. "So, to summarise, Brahne intended to extract your Eidolons to use against Lindblum, Burmecia, and Cleyra. And thanks to this Kuja, she also has an army of Black Mages being produced at Dali."
Beatrix nodded. "I know that the frequency of cargo-ship deliveries to and from Dali has increased in the past year, something that puzzled me. A couple of weeks ago, the Queen briefed me on the Black Mages. I already knew about them, thanks to Amethyst, but I kept my foreknowledge secret. They are golems, capable of learning many tasks, though their primary purpose is as a soldier." Beatrix looked over to Vivi, who looked rather morose at the reminder. "But they show little actual self-awareness or vocabulary. Queen Brahne actually did mention to me that a prototype being shipped from Treno was lost with a cargo-ship when bad weather forced a diversion near Treno. However, she also mentioned creating a different type of Black Mage, a sentient one designed for attack and retrieval, known as the Black Waltzes. Three of them were to be created."
"Master Vivi, don't worry," Steiner said to the young Black Mage. "We know you're not like them. You are capable of thought and speech, which certainly puts you above more than a few people it has been my distinct displeasure to know."
Vivi nodded morosely. "But who is this Kuja guy?"
"We don't know," Cid said. "Or rather, we know very little. Given what Snape told us, however, we began our own investigation. He is an arms dealer, first and foremost, as far as our spies in Treno can discern, and it was said that he arrived in Treno flying on the back of a silver dragon, from the Outer Continent. But given your information, Amethyst, it also strongly suggests an interest in the Eidolons."
"He brought up a legend about Alexandria, and how the summoners fled to Madain Sari in disgrace after a failed summoning that went badly," Amethyst said.
"There are many aspects to the same legend," Severus said. "I have been in correspondence with the survivors of Madain Sari. There haven't been many. Of the summoners, there is only one survivor now, Eiko Carol. Most of the Moogles are still around, and apparently, so is Remus Lupin. I asked Morrison, the leader of the Moogles at Madain Sari, if there was anything further to that legend. The legend, as the summoners put it on the Eidolon Wall, is not so different. They did leave Alexandria in penance. Whether the Alexandrians erased them from history at the summoners' request in order to conceal their power, or out of spite, we will probably never know. However, there is definitely a summoning jewel involved. Four fragments, three of which are the Royal Jewels of the Mist Continent, with a fourth in Madain Sari. Kuja is probably unaware of the fourth fragment. But I am sure that, should he find he needs a fourth fragment, he will inevitably come to Madain Sari."
"But why?" Garnet asked. "Why does he desire this Eidolon so?"
"People who hunger for power are rarely sated by a single meal," Cid responded sagely. "He is probably using Brahne as a proxy for his own plans. I will be sending a missive to Burmecia, warning them of Brahne's intentions. If they intend to attack Cleyra too, then the Burmecians will have to warn them. We have no way of contacting Cleyra. If Amethyst's story is true, then it is likely Brahne would have used extracted Eidolons to gain a strategic edge. The Alexandrian Navy and the Black Mages could launch an assault on Lindblum, but to truly tip the scales, an Eidolon, from what we know about them, would be perfect. For the time being, though, we will plan our next move." He then stood, and stepped down from his throne. "I was rather hoping that you'd stay for the Festival of the Hunt, actually."
"Oh, that's on soon, isn't it? Baku mentioned it," Amethyst said. "I've been meaning to do it for some time. To test my skills and all."
"I've never tested myself in the Hunt either," Beatrix mused.
"It'd be great with you two in it," Zidane said.
Garnet, however, had been frowning. "Uncle Cid…where's Aunt Hilda?"
Cid froze, before he looked distinctly uncomfortable. Before he could reply, Severus said, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Lady Hilda caught Cid in bed with a woman he found in a pub in the Industrial District. She turned him into an Oglop, and then fled on the Hilda Garde, an experimental airship that uses steam power rather than Mist."
"Severus," Cid warned, wincing.
"Oh, wow," Amethyst said. "She caught you, eh? How come you're not an Oglop anymore? Is that Uncle Severus' doing?"
"Indeed, and I am most grateful to him for it," Cid said, though he glared briefly at Severus. "It took him some time to prepare the potions needed, though. I only regained my human form a few weeks ago. I have been working overtime to try and complete the plans and construction for the Hilda Garde 2. While Hilda has fled Lindblum over these…matters before, it is most unlike her to remain away for so long. But that is of, sadly, lesser concern to the war that seems to be coming. Princesses, Vivi, Captain Steiner, and General Beatrix, I ask that you be my guests for the time being."
"I don't believe there is really any other place to go," Beatrix remarked mildly.
"Hey, Cid, do you mind if I go now?" Zidane asked.
"Certainly. Keep in mind, though, that what you heard is confidential."
On an impulse, Amethyst stood. "Actually, if you don't mind, Uncle Cid, could I see Lindblum? I think Zidane wouldn't mind acting as a guide."
"Princess…!" Steiner began, but Beatrix shot him a look.
"Princess, take care," Beatrix said. "And Zidane, guard her as if your life depended on it. Because it does. Am I understood?"
Zidane gulped theatrically, before nodding. "Well, Princess, let's go…"
As they took the air-cab to the Theatre District, Zidane looked at Amethyst. "So, why did you ask me to be your guide?"
Amethyst frowned as she looked out of the window at the city as they flew over it. It was something of an impulse, but some instinct within her told her that Zidane, despite being a thief, was also trustworthy. Of course, Baku had sent him to escort the five fleeing Alexandria to the castle, so he had to be trustworthy to some degree. Plus, the way he tried to comfort her last night, talking to her, well, he seemed decent enough. Okay, he flirted, but it seemed vaguely theatrical.
It didn't hurt that he was cute.
"Well, uh, why did you agree?" Amethyst said, trying not to betray her thoughts.
"Well, I don't like to see a lady wander around alone, especially one of noble blood."
"I'm not of the blood of the Alexandrian Royal Family, Zidane, remember?"
"Doesn't matter," Zidane said with a shrug, before smiling. "Anyway, you don't need a reason to help people, do you?"
"Well, if that's true, then you're a better person than most, Zidane. By the way, Tantalus is pretty good as a theatre troupe. My sister's obsessed with I Want to Be Your Canary."
Zidane nodded. "Well, it's a good play. We do other plays, of course, the annual performance at Alexandria was just easy, regular money. Anyway, we'll start with Tantalus HQ. Then, we'll go to the other districts after we're done here. We might even have lunch at this pub in the Industrial District. I know the owner."
"Nice. By the way, in public, I am Rose. That was my birthname, before I was adopted by the Alexandrian royals." Amethyst pursed her lips in thought. "I wonder what the pub food in Lindblum's like? I sometimes liked sneaking out just to have lunch at the pub in Alexandria."
Zidane chuckled at that. "Just don't have the daily special, unless I think it's good. Bobo, the guy who owns the pub, tends to experiment with his cooking…"
Meeting Tantalus properly was something of an experience. For one thing, she ended up nearly breaking Cinna's fingers when he tried to pickpocket her, much to the amusement of Baku, Zidane, Ruby and Marcus. The Nero brothers, who played King Leo's henchmen, were nicer than they appeared. Ruby took Amethyst aside, and told her, discreetly, to be careful with Zidane. He was a bit of a lech, who used flirtation as punctuation. But Ruby also told her that Zidane, despite this tendency, was also a good person.
Amethyst took this to heart as they went to the Business District next, browsing the Synthesis Shop, as well as the weapons shop. Amethyst was dared by Zidane into trying a Gysahl Pickle from Granma Pickle's stall, and found that, despite the strong odour, they were surprisingly tasty. She reckoned Steiner would love them. She bore the stares at her horn quite well.
After some time browsing and exploring, Amethyst and Zidane went to the Industrial District. As they flew in the air-cab, Zidane asked, "Does that get to you, how they stare at your horn?"
"I dunno. Do you get stared at for your tail?"
"Less than you'd think," Zidane admitted. "But I grew up here. And if you didn't notice, Tantalus is full of unique individuals."
They landed in the Industrial District, in time for lunch, and they headed to the pub, Zidane peering at the sign, before saying, "Not bad, it's one of his better ones. Soup du Silence. You like that?"
"I had that once in the pub at Alexandria," Amethyst said as they walked inside.
The sound and smell of the pub assaulted Amethyst's nostrils, as she was led over to the bar. "Hey, Pops!" Zidane yelled at a man with a moustache that rivalled Cid's. "I'll have the stupid special!"
"Who said that?!" the man scowled, before turning to Zidane. "Ah, Zidane. Figured it'd be you. Should I make it for two?"
Zidane nodded. But as they sat, Amethyst saw a very familiar red coat sitting next to them, nursing a beer. Zidane, meanwhile, asked Bobo, "How've you been?"
"Fine, I guess. The soup'll be ready in a minute."
As Bobo left, Amethyst carefully stepped over to the woman sitting next to them, and gently tapped her shoulder. As she whirled in her seats, revealing the familiar rat-like features of a Burmecian, Amethyst said, "Hi, Freya!"
"Oh, Rose!" Freya said, smiling (and obviously retaining enough wit to refrain from mentioning Amethyst's adopted name). "It has been a long time!"
"Same here," Zidane said to Freya. "I was just showing Rose here the sights."
"Well, finish your soup, and then we'll talk…"
Outside the pub after lunch, the three of them walked down the street. "I am heartened to see you outside of Alexandria, Rose," Freya said. "But what possessed you to leave?"
"It's a long story, and I'd rather not discuss it in public. Too many ears," Amethyst said. "We had to hitch a ride with Tantalus. Thankfully, they were sent by Cid to get us anyway."
"Most fortunate," Freya conceded.
"So, what brings you back to Lindblum, Freya?" Zidane asked. "You hear anything about Sir Fratley?"
"No," Freya said. "It is the Festival of the Hunt that brings me here. It is, after all, a golden opportunity to test my skills."
"I was hoping to participate too," Amethyst said. "Beatrix intends to as well."
"General Beatrix is here?" Freya asked in a low hiss. When Amethyst nodded, Freya frowned. "Things must be more serious than I imagined."
Zidane led them to a small, isolated park, usually where engineers working on the airships had their lunch breaks. There, Amethyst explained, quietly, what had happened.
Freya nodded thoughtfully. "So, Cid is aware? And he has sent a warning to Burmecia?"
"He's hoping the Burmecians have a means to contact Cleyra to warn them as well."
"The Cleyrans separated from us over our army a century ago," Freya said. "A trivial dispute, as it was resolved without bloodshed or rancour on either side. The Cleyrans are pacifists. But the sandstorm surrounding Cleyra is impenetrable. Theoretically, anyway. Only people allowed passage can go through."
"Yeah, but Kuja's smart," Amethyst said. "He might know of a way to penetrate that sandstorm. Anyway, we've done all we can do for the moment. If we're lucky, Brahne will delay her plans. But I think she's greedy enough to risk going through with them."
Some way outside Lindblum, parked around Pinnacle Rocks, was a small Mist-powered airship, designed for speed more than anything else. In the seats proper were Zorn and Thorn, a pair of short jesters, one in red, the other in blue. Perched on the hull of the boat behind them were a trio of sinister figures. All were dressed in concealing clothes and pointy hats that hid their faces, only glowing eyes shining forth from underneath. All three also had inky blue wings protruding from their backs.
"There is no doubt," one of the sinister figures, the one wielding an elaborate staff, said. "The Princesses are in there. No doubt in the castle, under heavy guard."
"A pity we couldn't have intercepted them on the Tantalus airship, eh, Number 3?" another of them, the tallest, asked.
"Yes. It would have been less troublesome, Number 2." Black Waltz Number 3 hopped over onto the prow of the airship. "The soldiers in there are like insects, but even a swarm of bees can bring down a dragon."
"That is irrelevant!" Zorn snapped.
"Obey your orders, you must!" Thorn added.
"If we die before we retrieve the Princesses, then how are you supposed to get their Eidolons?" Number 3 asked, turning to face the jesters. "There'll be a time shortly coming when the security will be relatively lax. That is when we strike."
"Do you mean the Festival?" Zorn asked.
"Of course. If what you told us about the Princesses' personalities is true, then Garnet will probably spectate the Festival of the Hunt, while Amethyst will be fighting in it. The priority is Garnet, so Number 1 and I shall deal with her. Number 2 shall retrieve Amethyst. We will spend the time before then in reconnaissance. If an opportunity arises earlier, then we will take it. And then, Alexandria will be invincible…"
CHAPTER 9 ANNOTATIONS:
So, Zidane and Amethyst are getting a little closer, and Zorn, Thorn, and the Black Waltzes are plotting to get the Princesses back.
For this story, I decided to give the Black Waltzes a touch more intelligence and personality than they seemed to have in the game. Though still sadistic and arrogant, they're also smart enough to plan when to fight.
Review-answering time! Akuma-Heika: I know who Mikoto is. And you are mistaken. While the love story between Zidane and Garnet is very sweet in the game, I think Amethyst/Rose, given that she's more spirited and less demure, would be more attractive to Zidane. Although Amethyst/Rose already is sort of sizing Zidane up as a potential boyfriend, they're still in the earliest stages of their relationship. The ship will sail rather slowly, though.
No numbered annotations this time.