A Final Fantasy IX fan fiction- Final Fantasy IX- Reflection

Chapter 12: An Audience at Lindblum

After the council meeting, Sarah receives word that the Regent of Lindblum is inviting her for a banquet. But there was something strange about this invitation, Sarah finds another letter enclosed within the invitation. This letter would warn the queen about a looming threat from inside Alexandria Castle. It insists that she and her guardians immediately vacate the castle as Lindblum intelligence have confirmed rumors that the nobility have built a resistance and their resources may have crept in the military as well. The Regent would advise Sarah to flee to the city, where it is safe. The queen made haste with the decision, and agreed that the only way to solve this is to quell the rebellion herself. And knowing that her sister is already 'out there', she would definitely want to get rid of the shadows that try to destabilize her reign. As she said;

"I must act, with just enough swiftness as not to be hasty, and with just enough accuracy. I must ask Uncle Cid of the true nature of the Family, before my reign."

The queen of Alexandria, along with one of her most trusted knights, Adelbert Steiner would exit the castle via the newly repaired Gargan Roo. The queen knew they needed it in case an event like a rebellion would occur. Her other knight, Beatrix would be in charge of evacuating the castle if the rebellion was to get out of hand. She was ordered to save as many civilians, especially women and children in the event of disaster.

Sarah arrives at Lindblum and sure enough, Cid would give the summoner a warm welcome. Of course Cid's adoptive daughter Eiko Fabool would be delighted to see a good friend visiting. Though Sarah looked somewhat worried, she would give the princess of Lindblum a smile. The banquet was especially prepared by their friend Quina who recently bagged a lot of wins in cooking contests around the continent. They were treated to a true delight to the tongue as the finest dishes of the continent were served.

Though there was a light mood in the city, Sarah still can't stop worrying about Alexandria. Eiko seemed to notice that she hasn't loosened up and would go on to say;

"You're probably tired, Dagger, though I'm quite sure that you need to talk to me about something."

The queen would smile and look at the princess and reply;

"Sure, I was waiting to talk to you ever since I arrived. I'm simply too nervous right now considering that my country is dreading a rebellion."

Cid would also join the conversation. He would remark;

"I'm pretty sure that things will be quelled, once plans for the council are solidified. If you defied another world Your Majesty, I don't think anyone might scare you."

Sarah took a sip on the wine, as those words were digested by her mind. She would realize that the nobles aren't the real threat. The real threat is of the destruction the rebellion would cause. Families that would be torn by the conflict, families who are being used by people who didn't care about the welfare of those around them are the real victims. Now that Garnet comes into the fold, Sarah is worrying more about the real heir to Alexandria. Her reappearance would plunge Alexandria into more conflict as the steepled-hat-thief would never come into terms with her. She would request;

"I'm sorry, uncle. But I am not as confident as that time I was when I faced Garland and Kuja. It seems that… I may have lost my step."

After dining, Sarah enters her uncle's briefing room. She was shocked to see her old friends; Blank, Cinna and Baku were at the room. Cid would finally tell her the real reason why she was summoned.

"I called you here because of Tantalus' recent run-ins with 'the steepled-hat-thief. I also received words of confirmation from the good Doctor of her true identity."

Sarah smirks at the regent and speaks;

"So is my job done now? Obviously you're here to silence me so that the transition will be swift. You can pretty much install Garnet anytime."

Cid would laugh and say;

"How could you say that? Why would I send Tantalus to your aid when I pretty much knew that you were not Brahne's daughter? After what you have done, I don't think anyone can ever replace you as queen, not even Garnet; especially at this time, as she is too caught up with her emotions. As the Dr. Tot said, she isn't fit to carry this generation. You do not want her to succumb to those emotions, as your mother did. It is a challenge but make no mistake Sarah, you will become an even better queen after this comes to pass. I have faith in you, my niece. The Regency is going to support you until your time comes. And we will make sure that no one will hinder it. What Tot told me about Garnet isn't going to convince me that she's as responsible as you as of yet. Your job now is to make sure that she doesn't become a puppet to those who want to overthrow you. That is what I wanted to tell you."

Though the Regent would like to cheer up Sarah, a spy who was sent to oversee the shady dealings within Dali would return, giving the regent a new report that contained information about the rebels. The shocked regent would comment;

"I believe that Henri's already in the move, and more crucial news, the steepled-hat-thief has been spotted by my informant. It would be believed that she was accompanied by someone else when she entered Dali. The description of her accomplice is…*Cid is in shock*… "Blonde-haired, monkey-tailed!?"

Sarah's delight in the news that Lindblum would support her to the end would come into a crushing stop. Her joy would now be replaced by worry. Her mind was playing with her;

"Is this part of her PLAN!? She sure knows how to involve the right person to get my attention. I am so going to kill her."

Then with her worries suddenly turning into a will to see Zidane and save her sister, she would ask Cid;

"How about I finally show myself up? All this running from them is making things worse. At this rate, they will have what they want, a puppet that follows what they have to ask of it. And I will also make sure that Zidane comes back here"*grins to show sarcasm*" 'safe and sound'. So where do I begin?"

The regent would recognize that Sarah picked herself up after that fall to despair. Cid would comment;

"Well, the informant says that the airship they boarded went southward, and is currently plotted to go to an old shrine. If my assumption is true, Henri could be trying to…. "

Sarah Interrupts;

"I don't think Henri would know of the temple, Garnet probably wants to get the aid of the Wind Serpent, Quetzalcoatl. If that is true, then I need to make sure that Quetzalcoatl wouldn't be used like mother used my Eidolons. I don't want the Eidolons to be responsible to cause fear. To be sure, I'm going to need Eiko and Steiner's help."

Now, an even more determined Sarah would try to stop her sister from using her power to bring chaos into the mist continent. With her friends aiding her, she sets off the same destination that her sister was trying to get at. As the Hilda Garde flies off to the shrine, Sarah would say;

"I'm convinced that there will be an answer. She's the only family I have left, I can't afford to watch as they use her."