The King of Fabul had been injured during the Red Wings' siege, but thankfully he was well enough to have an audience with the party. He lay in his bed, a bandage around his head and another on his arm. "You wish to return to Baron?" he asked Cecil, who stood with his helmet in his hands, twiddling it.
He nodded. "Yes, your Majesty. We must get Rosa back and reach Troia. Our only option is to commandeer a Baron airship."
"Very well. I will arrange a ship for you. You can leave tomorrow morning. Thank you for defending Fabul, everybody."
Yang bowed his head. "But, your Majesty…the crystal…"
"Worry not. Our forces were not strong enough, but you all put up a brave fight. We know now what we are up against. Golbez is a powerful man." The King gestured to the nurse tending to his wounds, and she turned away to pick up a sheathed sword leaning against the wall. She passed it over to Cecil, who put his helmet down, drew the sword with a frown and inspected it carefully. The blade gleamed a deep midnight-blue, the hilt the most liquid black. "This sword once belonged to another Dark Knight," the King explained. "Use it well, but know that darkness can never overcome true evil."
"I will not remain as I am forever," Cecil said, sheathing the sword and buckling it to his belt. "Thank you for your gift, your Majesty. I am honoured to receive it."
The King smiled weakly. "You're a good man, Cecil. I have faith in you, and all of you as well. Yang, do us proud."
"I will, Sire."
"Good. Now, I must rest, so do what you will till tomorrow. May your journey be safe."
"And may your recovery be swift," Edward said, inclining his head. The party then left the King to rest, and Rydia ran a finger over the new sword at Cecil's hip. "It's a pretty blue," she said.
"A dark blade is a dark blade," Cecil replied softly, "but if it helps me to get Rosa back, that doesn't matter."
"Do you love her, Cecil?"
"I…as a friend, yes. She's very important to me. I hope she's safe."
*...~...*
"M'lord…we've arrived at Baron."
Golbez closed the book he had been reading with a nod. "Untie Rosa and put this hood on her-" He tossed said hooded robe over to Kain, "-so the castle folk will not recognise her. Put her in the dungeons, and after that, report to me in my room."
"Yes, m'lord." Kain was still sore, and Golbez knew it. It amused him greatly to know the full extent of the power he had over his puppet. Kain left the room, walking a little stiffly, and entered Rosa's, cutting through the ropes binding her with a knife. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"Quiet," Kain murmured, pulling her to her feet and pushing the hooded robe into her hands. "Put that on, with the hood up. Quickly." Confused, Rosa donned the robe, which fell to her feet, the hood obscuring her face. Kain grabbed her arm, making her wince at his tight, almost possessive grip. "Come with me."
Rosa didn't understand why Kain had gone from crying a few hours ago to cold and uncaring now. She could only imagine it had something to do with Golbez, but she kept her mouth shut and allowed Kain to 'escort' her off the airship and into the castle she now recognised as Baron. A steady clink of armour behind them told Rosa that Golbez was close behind; she shuddered fearfully. Kain's grip tightened just a little in response and he turned her right, towards the dungeons. Thankfully, Golbez did not follow them, and as soon as he was out of earshot Rosa said to Kain, "You don't have to hold my arm so tight."
He scowled. "You might escape if I don't."
"Kain, you know me well enough to know I wouldn't try to escape. Please, calm down."
"I can't," he whispered. He opened one of the barred doors and pushed Rosa gently inside the cell. "You won't be here long. Lord Golbez will be moving out of Baron, to the Tower of Zot."
"Where is that?" she asked, moving closer to the bars. Her hand closed over Kain's. He did not respond to her words or her touch. "Kain, please. You're strong. You can break free of this."
He pulled his hand away. "Stop it, Rosa. I serve Lord Golbez now, and though I am being kind to you, you should consider it as me being merciful. You may be killed whenever he decides it. You're bait for Cecil, nothing more."
Her face hardened. "You always were the stronger one…but right now, Cecil is ten times the man you are. Your late father would be ashamed if he could see what you have become."
"Then I should be thankful that he is dead," Kain muttered, jaw set. He turned on his heel and stalked out of the dungeons. Rosa sank down onto the rickety bench and sighed heavily. But…Cecil does not love me. He never has done. What has caused Kain to become so misguided?
