"This place is even bigger than Alexandria's castle!" Vivi exclaimed with fascination and delight. The place was gorgeous, filled with rich and vibrant colours that really reflected Lindblum's reputation. The red of the carpet and the beautiful pristine marble walls made me drop my jaw in awe.
"It's so amazing..." I whispered.
"Well it's called the Grand Castle for a reason," Ghost said, smiling at the interior as well. Hmm have the great thieves of Tantalus yet to break into this palace? Either that or they were loyal to their city and didn't steal from the ruler.
"All of you stay where you are!" I watched as a group of soldiers surrounded us and held us at sword or spear point. "Make any sudden move and we will place all of you under arrest!"
"You dare to throw a member of the Alexandrian royal family into prison!" Steiner bellowed. "This is an outrage! I shall inform Queen Brahne of this!"
"Ha! I highly doubt a Princess would travel with this company or a rugged old Airship like that!" One of the soldiers scoffed. Ghost furrowed her brow and gave an icy glare forwards.
"Please, I am Princess Garnet til Alexandros," Dagger pleaded. "I humbly request an audience with Regent Cid, I bring urgent news from Alexandria."
"If you really are the Princess then prove it," Another soldier ordered. They seemed to have the upper hand for a while as Dagger fumbled to show them the jewel around her neck.
"Men, stand down," I looked forward, seeing a young man in a suit of armour, a longsword hanging from his hip and a shield on his back. His eyes were dark grey, looking black from a distance, and his hair was dark grey also. "I can recongise Alexandria's Princess from a mile off," His men stood straight as he walked closer.
"Sir!" They all said at once. He looked sternly at them all, he must have been a very good leader if his men got to attention at his voice.
"Back to your positions men," His military front fell as he gave a warm smile to Dagger. "Now I haven't seen you for a good few years. My haven't you grown into a fine young woman, Garnet."
"Hello Uncle Elijah," Dagger smiled. The man, Elijah, smiled even wider then looked up to Steiner.
"Do my eyes deceive me? Adelbert Steiner how good to see you as well," He shook hands with the knight, who also seemed pleased to see him. "Still guarding the Princess in the armour you got as a Private then?"
"Elijah I will have you know I am now the Captain of the Knight of Pluto!" Steiner defended, although it was in a joking manner as opposed to the offended tone whenever Ghost or Zidane mentioned it. The man simply laughed heartily and folded his arms.
"Even after twelve years you still haven't changed in the slightest," He said. Ghost gave him a sideways glance and his face fell in shock as he stood in front of the albino woman. "... Well my eyes must be deceiving me today. Ghost Kismat Confleo."
"Elijah," She replied coldly. She didn't even bat an eyelash at the man. "I think you know why we're here."
"Of course, Twitch," They must have been on friend terms if he was using that nickname. He turned to Dagger and bowed, one hand over his heart. "Minister Artania informed me to bring you straight to the Regent upon your arrival. If you would all follow me please." Ghost hung at the back as Zidane looked at her with concern. I stuck to the back with her.
"Who's that?" I asked.
"Elijah Farrell," She answered. "Captain of the Lindblum Guard... and my ex-boyfriend."
Oh, I'll leave it at that then.
While Elijah took Dagger and Steiner into thew throne room the four of us were left to our own devices. I sat with Vivi as Ghost and Zidane stood in boredom. Ghost was tossing her sais in the air to amuse herself a little while Zidane was taking a seat on the banister.
"So have either of you met the Regent?" I asked, striking up conversation.
"Nah, never been inside the Grand Castle before," Zidane answered. "Baku said he's been here a few times when he was younger though." Ghost remained silent as she inspected the blades of her weapons. I could hear chattering down the hall, it sounded like it was all males. Three of them really.
"Why didn't Elijah inform me before sending the Princess and Steiner to the Regent?" A man walked around the corner and down the hall. He was a tall man with forest green hair that was short and neat and eyes like milk chocolate. He wore grey trousers, tall black boots and a white shirt underneath a long midnight blue robe with golden trim on the edges. He held a tall wooden staff that held an olive green peridot orb. The peridot was actually really large. When he got halfway down the hall he turned to the two men behind him, who looked like scholars or librarians. "Get back to the library, I will return shortly just keep looking for a cure." I heard a noise behind me and Ghost stiffened, staring at the man with surprise. He didn't seem to notice us as he walked past us and pushed open the doors.
"Small world," Ghost mumbled. Curiously Vivi and I went into the room, followed by the equally curious Zidane and Ghost.
"Elijah weren't the Regent's orders clear enough for you?" The green haired man asked in annoyance, tapping his staff to emphasise his point.
"His orders were also to bring the Princess straight to him when she arrives," Elijah responded. Steiner and Dagger were standing in confusion as the three men argued with one another, the third being Minister Artania.
"Both of you calm down," Artania stated, attempting to be peacekeeper. However steiner decided to join in.
"The three of you stop this nonsense at once and bring us before the Regent!" He ordered. "This joke has gone too far!"
"That is the Regent," The green haired man stated with a roll of his eyes. "Ignorant as ever, Adelbert." Dagger approached the thing on the throne. Ghost made a disgusted noise when she looked at it. It was a bizzare creature, looking especially comical with the moustache.
"Steiner, Balthazar is right," Dagger said. "I recognise that moustache. Uncle Cid?"
"Gwok Garnet it is good to see you," The Regent began. I surpressed a giggle as I heard him speak. It was the strangest thing ever seeing a bug talk. "I apologise for my gwok current condition. On the positive side of things you have grown into a fine young woman, Garnet."
"What happened, Cid?" Dagger asked.
"It was roughly six months ago," Minister Artania explained. "Someone broke into the Regent's room in the night and attacked him, turning him into an Oglop."
"Someone with great skill to break into the Regent's room," Zidane mused. "I may have a rival..."
"I suppose it was you or your scoundral sister," Steiner scoffed. The man with the staff, that Balthazar character, sighed and tapped his staff again.
"As far as we are concerned, Adelbert," He began. "Neither of these performing theives is able to cast transfiguration Magic." At this point Elijah rolled his eyes.
"I think they are theives first, performers second, Zar," He remarked.
"When you aren't thinking with your dick you're thinking with your sword," Ghost commented, shocking the men in the room. "I'm just telling the truth."
"Ghost, we should all be acting like professionals," Balthazar said calmly, staring at the woman. Did he know Ghost too? Weird. "In fact it is getting late, I will show our guests to their rooms and we will prepare set up a proper meeting for you tomorrow, Garnet."
"I think our only guests should be Adelbert and Garnet, Balthazar," Elijah remarked. Ghost flipped him off and he looked down, noticing something in her bag. He pulled it out and she snatched it back, hissing. "A brooch? Steal this as well?" He asked coldly.
"I earned it you sleaze," She snapped, putting it away. "Let's go Zid, I'd rather sleep at home anyway." The two of them left with Vivi and I followed. Before I got to the elevator a hand was placed on my shoulder and I turned to Balthazar.
"My apologies, I did not realise who you were before," I looked at him in confusion as he bowed. "I am Balthazar Pari, Regent Cid Fabool's Enchanter and advisor, similar to Artania."
"I'm Lilith Amadeus Clark... no one special," I shrugged in reply. Why was this guy so fascinated in meeting me. He studied me quickly before clearing his throat.
"Forgive me once again, I have heard many stories about your families endeavors," He told me. What? How was that possible? What endeavors? "It is truly an honour to meet you, Lilith."
"Zar, Artania and Cid are asking if there's any progress," Elijah said as he approached me. This guy was really tall. Then again I'm not the tallest person. "Quit planning to stalk the poor girl."
"I am not, and not yet," Balthazar replied shortly. "At this rate we'll need to find the caster of the spell to reverse it, my Magic certainly hasn't worked."
"I thought Magic was frowned upon?" I asked, furrowing my brow.
"It is," Balthazar nodded. "It is not common knowledge that I am a Mage. However Cid wishes to make Magic more commonplace and accepted. The man's mind is very open to these kind of matters."
"We have yet to find an oppertunity in which we can have Mages accepted into the community," Elijah added. "But I disgress, I must return to my post. A pleasure meeting you..."
"Lilith Amadeus Clark," I nodded, smiling a bit. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Captain Farrell." The man smiled and left down the hall. "Yeah I better go before Ghost and Zidane yell at me."
"Of course, I apologise for keeping you Lilith," Balthazar bowed and nodded. "I hope to see you in the castle again sometime." I nodded and waved goodbye to the man before jogging off to reach the elevator. I wonder if Zidane is still up for that tour?