A/N: Ahhhh! And just like that I'm back. UGH. You know, I saw a funny little meme talking about knowing exactly what you want to write, and then agonizing for weeks to write it correctly. That meme is my LIFE. Woo- but anyway, this is a long one. I had to double check it cause I didn't realize how long it really was... on that note! Thank you again to my reviewers! and I'd like to take this time to direct you to something I feel deserves a nod:
EVERYONE READ THIS! So, while reading this you ever wonder what some of the characters look like? I know I describe everyone, but that still creates a varying mental image I'm sure. WELL user NekoChronicles actually has the talent to take what I write and make visuals of it. Check her profile for links to her DA and blog. Though I think its easier if you go to her blog and use her art button to search or look at her 'FFCC dumps' on her DA. She's done lots of random and cool sketches of stuff based of this and my other story. I think its worth a look! She's super talented!
And now that I've gotten that out of the way, back to the story!
Chapter Twenty-One
He wasn't sure how long he'd been walking.
In fact he felt like he'd been walking since he woke up. Or perhaps he woke up already walking?
Whichever was true, he knew it'd been a long time since he stopped. Yet his feet didn't hurt, nor did he feel tired. He felt like he had plenty of energy to walk this long twisting road for as long as it took to reach its end. But deep down he knew there was no end.
And deeper still he knew that's where Amidatelion was waiting for him. At its end.
Did he even want to get there? The end. What is the end of oblivion? Wouldn't be death? Is that where Amidatelion is speaking to him from, the brink of death?
"I hate this place…" Layle muttered to himself. All around him the world was empty other than the path he was taking. And off in the distance he could see a blue light. The fabled end of the path. "It requires too much thought…"
"Certainly, it is not that it requires too much thought," Layle stopped walking and looked around for the source of the familiar voice. "It is just that this is a subject matter you do not care for."
"Goldenrod!" Layle turned around on the path. He could hear the Yuke as if they were standing right next to him. But no one was there. "Where are you?"
"I am down here." Layle stopped turning for a moment and edged his way to the side of the path. He glanced over the sides curiously, but saw only the abyss. "No, no, Layle. Not up. Down."
"I am looking down." The Clavat backed away from the ledge and scratched the top of his head. As he did so he felt something poke the top of his hand. The Crystal Bearer looked up to see Amidatelion standing over him. The Yuke was on another path, one he'd somehow not seen before. Their hand was raised to poke him in the head and get his attention. Despite appearing to be suspended upside down on the overhead path, nothing form the Yuke was falling or being pulled down by gravity. Their robe, their adornments, all of it centered perfectly as if they were standing right side up. "…How are you doing that?"
"Doing what?" Goldenrod pulled back their hand.
"Standing upside down? …What are you doing up there?"
"I believe you are confused, Layle. You are the one that is 'up there'." His friend raised their arms and made a sweeping motion over the path he was on. "I am down here," the Yuke lowered their hands to their path.
"…Like I said. Too much thought goes into this place." The Yuke started walking again and Layle followed. "Hey, Goldenrod, I have something to ask you."
"Ask away, Layle."
"Your warp spell, it didn't quite work last time."
"I am aware." The Yuke looked up, or was it down, at him. "It is a concern."
"So you didn't mean for that to happen?"
"Now that I have a physical tie to my presence in you, I can cast a warp spell for you when needed. However, I was not anticipating having to warp another. Or that, pieces of me would keep deteriorating with each spell."
"…So the spells are getting weaker? But we only just started…"
"Like your Crystal, use will fade the strength of my presence in you. It is happening faster than I planned. But there is not much to do about it."
"…Like my Crystal." Layle rubbed the right side of his face. "But, Amidatelion, Az's powers aren't fading. They're getting stronger. Every time I see him, he's stronger than ever. What is he doing so that's making him stronger than me?"
The Yuke stopped walking and tapped their fingertips together. Layle waited for a response.
"Amidatelion?"
"When I look into the principal, Layle. I see many things. I see, the many ways and possibilities that Az will cross Althea's path. That he will cross your path. That he will challenge the future… But when I try to look into Az's place in the principal, there is a haze."
"…A haze?"
"Since soon after you saved him from drowning. A haze plagues his path. It becomes clear when you are in focus, because I can see it from your side of things. But on his own- there is a myriad mess of interference. Too many images and disturbances at once. I would almost say it's as if I am looking into many individuals at once, all twisted and disfigured creating a distorted image of what should be one."
"…That… That does not sound good, Goldenrod."
"..There is much that is 'not good' about the situation. Much that is still unknown to me. And yet…" The Yuke down at Layle, "So much that I do know, that I cannot tell you."
"Why?"
"…If I told you everything about where your life could go, or what you could face, you could have a change of heart about certain situations. Certain things you don't know yet. Things that you don't even notice are happening."
"Something is happening?" Layle removed his hands from his pockets and crossed his arms. "If it's going to help me save the day, does it matter?"
"…For now, I think you should focus on your Crystal." The Yuke started walking again. "And other ways to give yourself and advantage. Your friends are right about that, you do need to keep yourself ready. …The High Commander and Bertalian are your best chance-"
"Sherry!?" Layle followed, "The Lilty that hates me for no good reason? Her? You want me to rely on her?"
"You may not like her, but she is a good woman. And Bertalian is a wise teacher. They were always very studious. Very motivated. They will help you keep your abilities up to par with your foe's."
Layle followed the Yuke, though he noticed that it seemed as if Amidatelion was walking faster than him suddenly. Thought he could see no visible change in their stride. "Speaking of Bert, how come you never mentioned them before?"
"Bertalian… I cannot say I ever spent much time with them. When you are a Crystal Bearer among Yukes, you do not spend much time doing anything other than trying to find your place in restoring the Principal."
"Yeah, but… Your family? You never spoke to them? Ever?"
"We spoke often." Amidatelion was now a few paces ahead of Layle, "But I cannot say it was ever as family."
"…Why?" Layle slightly picked up his pace to keep after the Yuke.
"I can't say. Perhaps Bertalian did not enjoy my presence. I must admit, it is a matter I thought we'd resolve after the tribe was restored." The Clavat was jogging after the Yuke now to keep up. "But I guess now it is something I'll never know why…" Layle kept giving chase to Amidatelion. The Yuke continued their normal walk, but it seemed like they were pulling farther and farther ahead of the Crystal Bearer as they spoke.
"I suppose that there are just many things I will never know now."
'…How can you not know what your family thinks of you?' Layle looked absent mindedly out the window. He was sitting at Althea's table, joining her for her morning tea yet again. Each morning they sat at this table and had tea while Sherry went over her reports with the Queen. Usually Layle didn't drink anything, but today he found himself holding a cup up by its brim and sometimes sipping from it. Mostly because he was so caught up in his dream from last night that he forgot he was holding tea. Occasionally Mia would stop under his cup and nudge it with her nose. She was trying to knock it loose from his fingers.
'That's like me saying I don't know what Keiss thinks of me… And I'm sure I've known Keiss for a much shorter amount of time…'
There was a lot on Layle's mind, which honestly wasn't his favorite thing. He didn't care to think or worry. He lived to act. Having questions and doubts was for others, yet since he started seeing Amidatelion in his dreams and spending his days in the castle more often his daydreams and plots to stir up a bit of fun twisted into him over thinking about something the Yuke had said or some bit of information Sherry had gone over with Althea. It was tiring to say the least.
He lifted his cup higher when he felt Mia nudge it again. The ferret was fascinated by him, or more accurately, she was fascinated by the things she could steal form his person. Perhaps Belle had been a ferret in past life? The thought of that made him amused enough to smile.
A smile that did not go unnoticed.
It was hard to miss when Layle smiled, Althea found out. Even if she wasn't looking at him, she found she always managed to turn her head just in time to catch him smirking about something. Though today she hadn't taken her eyes off of him. To be honest she hadn't for the past four.
Since they arrived back in Alfitaria, Belle's comments picked at her brain. Whether she was focused on them or not, she caught her self attempting to study Layle's appearance and figure out if what the Selkie had said was true.
Well to be more accurate, what about it was true for her. Was it even true for her?
That was what she kept asking herself for the past four days. Was there anything about Layle that she thought was appealing? Appearance wise of course.
Althea already had a list of things she loved about his personality. That list grew every day for her. The Queen was sure that her list of reasons why Layle's personality and attitude resonated with her was near identical to the list of reasons why Sherry wanted to hit him across the head. The Clavat had a knack for taking her mind off of her woes, be it problems in the kingdom or problems with herself, he always knew a way to help her.
He always listened to her it when she needed it the most. True, Sherry supported her, and cared for her wellbeing; Bertalian did their best to advise her; Keiss and Belle stood by her decisions and aided her in confidence, and Clause empathized her with her concerns for others, but there was something in Layle that was different. Maybe it was because when they spoke he didn't treat her like she was the Queen. As wonderful as the others were, they were all reserved with her, Keiss and Belle the least, but it was still there. When she spoke to Layle he held nothing back.
He laughed her, he mocked her, he supported her, and he told her she was wrong, he told her she was right. The Crystal Bearer had no regard to treat her any differently than those few times they met out and about in the city and the country side. He didn't urge her to hide away and stay safe, he expected her to willingly be dragged out into the world and experience life with him. Layle always built her up as his friend first, and the Queen second.
And all the while, he smiled while he did it.
It had to be his smile. It wasn't one of over eagerness, or mischief, or joy. He just had a very calm smile, a look of contentment that crossed his face when they weren't doing anything in particular. Whether they were sitting at her table, or relaxing after a brush with danger, he always had a smile of being perfectly at peace with what was happening. Althea couldn't say she'd ever felt that way herself if he wasn't around. She would be a nervous wreck with the way the attempts on her life and the acts of violence were escalating, if not for Layle.
For Layle and the calm smile that he always had ready to offer to her.
"-And so you'll have a few hours to yourself today, Althea." The Queen turned her head at the sound of her name. The High Commander was speaking to her. She'd actually been speaking the entire time she and Layle were dazed out in their own thoughts. Somewhere along the line Sherry had given up at snapping her attention back to their conversations. The cherry haired Lilty let her drift away and come back when ready. Yet she still let Althea know it was a pain to have to repeat herself.
"A few, hours?" Althea looked at her confused shaking her head. "What are you talking about Sherry?"
"After your meeting with the Council, Althea. You'll have a few hours to yourself as I've scheduled for myself-"
"Sherry," Althea cut her off, "We're supposed to go to the cemetery today." The Queen frowned at her. "Did you forget?" By now Layle's mind had drifted back to the conversation. He was leaning back in his seat listening to the two women.
"I did not forget, Your Majesty, but it would seem you have. We spoke about this yesterday. That we would not being go due to what happened at Leuda. Everyone in the castle knows we're going today so-"
"Sherry," Althea cut her off again, "I would never agree to that. I hardly have time to go."
"-SO," Sherry continued her sentence, this time with a stern tone, "Since we don't know who is tipping Az off to your location, you agreed that it would be a bad idea to go. You confirmed this. Three times." The woman crossed her arms and glanced at Layle, "Of course you weren't looking at me when you said this."
Layle raised an eyebrow at her and then turned to Althea, "Did I miss something? Where are we not going?"
"…To visit my parents."
The Clavat blinked a few times and then turned to Sherry, "Really? We're not going to let her go see the King and Queen?"
"If by 'we' you mean she and I, then yes. We are not. You were never coming along."
"Well," Layle smiled at her, "If you're not going to take her, then maybe I should."
"Oh, Layle," Althea started to shake her head. She was happy he offered, but Sherry was always the one to take her. Just her and the High Commander and small detail of guards.
The High Commander chuckled at him, "You can't go, Crystal Bearer, because you are not permitted past a certain point on the cemetery grounds." Sherry pointed at him. "The Royal Cemetery is only public accesses up until a certain point- at which there is a gate. From there on, only the members of the nobility pass. To ensure family tombs are not raided or disturbed. And within its center are the grounds of which the royal family rest. The only time anyone that is not a member of the family enters the center is during a burial. And even thins it is a select few of the highest knights of the kingdom that carry the casket, members of the council and the High Commander." Sherry flicked her braided hair forward over her shoulder, "Outside of that, only the royal family steps foot on that ground. Even I have to wait outside the center while Althea goes in to see her mother and father. She would be completely alone, and at least one hundred yards from the nearest person that could help her should trouble arise. And three times as far if it was you who took her."
Layle's lips twisted as Sherry explained why he couldn't go. He could slightly understand why he couldn't enter the royal family's section, but the rest? Who really cared? "Isn't Althea's wishes more important?"
"Right now, the Queen is at odds with the nobility. You really want her to disrespect their traditions? Just because you want to go?"
"It's not just because I want to go," he sat up, "I want her to be safe. And I want her to be happy."
"If you want her to be safe," the woman leaned forward, "Then you won't have her go today. There could be an ambush their waiting for her. Even if you did go? What would you do? What if you hear her screaming for help and you're so far off? Hmn? What if, Crystal Bearer?"
Layle opened his mouth ready to tell her nothing would happen, but he stopped at those words. What if, again? What if? Keiss had told him to ask himself that next time. To think before he acted. He glanced at Althea. If it was her and Sherry, he knew there would be no time. Too close would be an understatement. If it were him, he could do it couldn't he? Was it really so far between where he had to wait and where she would be? He could cross it in no time with a warp spell… But it only took no time to deal a killing a blow. It took no time for Amidatelion's body to twist into red crystal. They were right next to each other; a split second and it was over.
What if there was someone waiting for her there?
What if Az didn't want to spare her this time?
What if the warp spell didn't work?
What if a split second wasn't enough?
Layle stared at Althea and the Queen waited.
She waited for that tale tell smile of his. For him to insist that she go anyway. He had to know it was important to her. She knew he would smile, and be perfectly fine with it. He'd go even if he had to stay so far away; he'd probably break the rules and tag along, right? The Queen smiled at him, waiting.
Layle's lips started to turn upward and then stopped, "I- I guess you're right." Althea stopped smiling.
"Now look, Clavat," Sherry held up her hands, "I know you're constantly against me when it comes to the Queen's safte- Wait, wait what?"
The blond turned to look at her and shrugged, "It's too dangerous to go today. We should stay at the castle."
"Layle!" Althea leaned forward shocked.
"Well now, this is a nice change of pace from you, Crystal Bearer."
"…Yeah."
Althea shook her head and pushed back her seat. She stoop up, her lips pressed together and slight look of disappointment on her face. "Well, I guess I'll go meet with the council then."
"…Your meetings not for another, twenty minutes," Layle watched her stand up.
"I may as well get it out of the way." She walked around the table and didn't look back at either of them, "I even have the time today to extend it for a longer session."
"Althea!" Layle turned around in his seat. "Hold on!"
"I'll see you both this afternoon." She opened the door and left, letting the weight of the door slam itself shut.
Layle stood up immediately to go follow her only to have Sherry grab his arm. "Let her go. You can reason with her later. For now, Crystal Bearer, you are with me."
Layle looked back at the door and sighed. All of this required too much thought.
Layle followed Sherry through the halls of the castle down to its lower floors. He didn't really ask where they were going; his mind was preoccupied with catching up to Althea. So long as this didn't take long, he didn't care where they went.
The High Commander led lay to the bottom floors of the palace and down to a large open room. It was lined with dummies, benches, practice swords, protective armor, and various equipment for training. The Clavat stood in the door way as the woman continued into the room.
"Uh, where are we?"
"This is the training room for the soldiers. Or one of them anyway." The cherry haired Lilty motioned for him to follow her.
"Yeah, but, why are we in here?" Layle walked forward and watched as the woman pulled down two swords off the wall.
"Kei- I mean the Guild Master, trust you. And he says I should learn to as well." She turned to Layle and tossed him a practice sword. He caught the wooden blade with his magic and eyed her. "He suggested I get to know you, the same way I got to know him."
"Of course he did…" Layle shook his head. He muttered under his breath, "And here I thought I had gotten out of this situation…"
"Did you say something, Crystal Bearer?"
"No." Layle grabbed the end of the blade and turned it over in his hands. "So you and Keiss got to know each other by him stabbing at you viciously for hours on end? That doesn't sound like a good way to build up tribal relations."
"The Guild Master is an excellent combat specialist. He provided me with some advice and some additional training… However, you are a magic caster. So I doubt you'll make this as entertaining."
The Clavat's lips twisted downward slightly. He was almost insulted. Layle raised the sword to her, "Let's just start."
Without another word Sherry raised her own blade and rushed at him. Layle turned the edge of the practice sword and deflected her first blow. Then her second. The woman smiled. "Surprising! I did not think you knew how-"
"Yeah, Keiss kind of likes to stab at everyone with his sword every now and again-" Layle turned to avoid a jab from the High Commander. The tip of her sword went by his side as he moved out of the way. Sherry glanced out the corner of her eyes at him for a second before turning her swing. She made a sweeping motion with her arm and struck the Clavat in the side of the ribs just as he was moving away.
The woman then stood up right and turned her weapon toward him. "He is undefeatable. So I am not surprised he's gone up against nearly everyone he comes across. What better way to prepare yourself, then to train a bit each day."
Layle stumbled a bit from the blow to his side. He turned around to face her again and rubbed at his ribs. "He's good, but he can't stop a spell with his weapons."
"Are you saying your better?" She slightly turned her head.
"I'm saying magic is better than a blade."
The High Commander narrowed her eyes and rushed forward. She raised her weapon and brought it down to strike at Layle's shoulder. He raised the practice sword to defend himself. Their weapons connected and she pulled back only to bring her sword down again and again. The force of her blows slowly driving him back. "It's an age old question! Which is mightier, the blade or the mage!" She pulled back and made another sweeping motion, this time aiming for Layle's head. The Crystal Bearer fell back and ducked to avoid her attack. "Do you know what the proper answer is?"
"Yeah!" Layle stood up and swung his sword upward with both hands. His wooden blade connected with her's, but she held fast, not allowing him to knock her off her balance. "The mage!"
Sherry pushed against his sword struggling to knock Layle back. Finally she pulled away with a sweeping motion. The Clavat rushed at her and the woman swung her sword in a rising arch up from the floor. There weapons clattered together and she pushed Layle out of his charge. The High Commander then took another swing at him coming from the side again. Layle turned to defend himself just in time. The blow was still strong enough to knock him out of place. Again and again the woman's attacks become more vicious forcing him back with each blow.
"Tell that to the Yukes of one thousand years ago!"
"The Yukes would have won if their spell had been completed! Magic would have won that war Sherry!"
"But it didn't!" She pulled back and brought her weapon up over her head. "In the end it failed!" The cherry haired woman swung down at Layle's head. The Clavat raised his weapon to stop her attack. The force of her blow caused his sword to crack. With his attention directed towards stopping the blade, Layle missed the High Commander raising one boot to kick his legs out from under him. As he fell she swung again, this time knocking his weapon from his hands.
When Layle hit the ground he raised his palm ready to cast a spell and send her flying, however as his hand raised he felt the tip of her wooden sword pressing its way down into his neck. The Clavat stopped moving and glared at her.
"When the going gets rough… It is the might of a person that wins. Not the might of a spell." Layle lowered his hand and she drew her sword back. "You did alright… But the way you fight," she turned from him and walked over to pick up the broken weapon. "Lacks strategy. Like most magic casters, you want me to move, so you react. Your attacks are based on what I have done, not what you will prevent me from doing. This is why relying on magic alone is weak." She looked back over at Layle frowning as he stood up, "And why relying on you alone to watch over Althea is a poor decision."
The woman walked away from him and returned her sword to the wall before tossing Layle's away. He watched her as she moved about the room. He didn't say anything to her. He didn't want to. Actually he didn't feel there was anything he could say that wouldn't result in a fight between the two of them. As soon as she left he scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"A mistake for me to watch Althea? Is that what everyone in this castle thinks?" He stuck his hands in his pockets and left the training room. He didn't care where the High Commander went; he could go the rest of the day without seeing her.
The Crystal Bearer left the bottom floors and made his way across the palace. He knew it was too soon for Althea to have departed from her meeting with the council, so he still had time to kill. Time to think over what had gone on this morning.
He ran his fingers through his hair, "Ask yourself 'What if'? Bah!" Layle idly kicked at the rug as he walked the halls. He was slowly making his way over to the Royal Library. "Ask yourself what if, and greatly offend your friend. Great advice, Keiss. Wonderful!"
Layle placed his hands on the doors to library and pushed them open with his magic. He didn't look twice to see if anyone was on the other side as he flung them open. And unfortunately for Clause, he was on the other side. The doors smacked into the chocolate haired Clavat causing him to yelp in surprise as he fell over. When he hit the ground the books and papers he had been carrying scattered everywhere.
Layle stood in the doorway and tried not to laugh, "C-clause… I, uh, you know we have got to not make this a regular thing?"
"C-crystal Bearer!" The other Clavat looked around at his work scattered across the floor. "You should be more careful!"
"Yeah, I guess I should…" Layle walked forward and started to pick up some of the papers. "What is all of this? More stuff for Althea?"
"Oh, no," Clause crawled around on his hands and knees picking up his work as well, "I have a meeting with the High Commander in a few minutes." He started tucking loose papers into folders and books under his arm. "We are going over the, how do I put this? Going over the heritage and lineage of the nobility of Alfitaria."
Layle stopped picking up items and flipped open a book. Inside its pages was a long list of names and numbers. Notations and documents on the ancestry of the leading families in Alfitaria. "Why?" Layle handed him the book.
"Well, with the recent developments, the High Commander wants to investigate beyond the House of Leath. Az's known family has been under watch since the ball… Sherry now wants to extend that watch to anyone with a- approximate blood relation."
"Isn't that every noble?" Layle chuckled picking up more of Clause's work.
The Clavat stood shaking his head. "Perhaps approximate is a poor choice of words. But either way she wishes to remove reasonable doubt from all those that live within the palace or participate in its functions."
Layle stood and handed him what he had gathered. "Well, I guess his family is a good place to start."
Clause nodded. "None the less, every noble, family or not will be under scrutiny for a while. I am sure it will cause some trouble."
Layle shrugged, "Who cares? If they're really on the Queen's side, then they won't mind being watched."
"Yes, but, already, there are those asking who will watch the High Commander." Clause tucked the rest of the paperwork under his other arm. "Many, including Az's family, have pointed out that it was the High Commander that betrayed the royal family last time…"
The blond Clavat crossed his arms, "I guess I can see their point… Hey," Layle held out his hand, "Why not give me the stuff about Sherry and her family. The Guild can investigate her. They're a neutral party, sort of speak."
"…" Clause shook his head, "I-I would love to, Crystal Bearer, however-"
"However, what?"
"However, I couldn't find anything on Sherry's family while I was gathering my information for the report."
"…What?" Layle motioned to the books, "But doesn't that list everyone?"
"It does, for the most part… Though a few books are missing. And some have pages lost, and items blacked out."
"…" Layle raised an eyebrow as the other Clavat spoke.
"I'm sure it's nothing. Things like that are more common than you think. Families squabble over inheritances and land… They pay someone to edit the books. Remove lines from the family tree. There are many names edited and missing from these books- but they are not the only set. I just have to find the copies. Usually only the public accessible books are tampered with over these affairs. This is why the kingdom makes multiple records."
"I…see…" Layle stepped aside, "Well, I guess you better get going. I suppose you have a lot more stuff to find."
Clause nodded, "You have no idea." The other Clavat left not looking back. Layle scratched at the Crystal on the side of his face before using his magic to shut the doors. For now he'd go find Bertalian, everything beyond the Yuke and the Queen was just too much to think about.
Layle made his way up the floors of the library; for now his mind was focused on finding the silver armored Yuke. Bertalian was always up in the library during the day light hours. On top of serving Althea, the Yuke had taken it upon themselves to catch up on the one thousand years of history the tribe had missed out during their stay in Oblivion. Within the library, Bertalian studied the world, its technology, and their own magic during their free time. Layle knew Bert had a room within the castle, but he hardly ever saw them in it.
"Bertalian?" The Clavat walked around the aisles of books, "Bert? Are you on this floor?" He stopped and poked his head down another row of books. "Bert!"
"I'm up here, Layle." The Crystal Bearer looked up to see the silver helmed Yuke sitting on top of the row of books. They were idly reading, turning the delicate pages of the older tomes with the tips of their fingers. "We have a session today? It must have slipped my mind… I was consumed with reading up upon the changes and advances the Kingdom made to the Veo Lu Sluice over the ages. I must admit the aqueduct system and the Veo Lu Dam are marvels of construction. More than tripling the available farm land. I wonder if the Yukes would have come up with it. The flowers we grew to control the water flow of the Sluice could not have survived in the Eastern parts of the country, it simply gets too cold for them. I wonder what ways technology would have differed had we worked together."
Layle scratched the back of his head listening to the Yuke, "To be honest with you, Bert, I never really cared much about farming."
The Yuke laughed, "But of course you do not. Someone like you was never meant for such a simple task." Bertalian closed the book and looked down. "I will be right down to start our lesson."
"Actually, there's no lesson today." Layle shook his head, "I came to ask you some questions about Amidatelion."
Layle looked on as the Yuke sitting on the book case stared back at him. At least he assumed they were staring at him. Without eyes, sometimes it was hard to tell if Yukes were truly looking at you. However the way Bertalian held perfectly still and didn't turn their head long after he finished speaking made him uncomfortable. He hadn't spoken to the Yuke about their sibling since that day before the Yuke Tribal Crystal.
"Is Amidatelion's presence in you causing a problem?" Finally a reaction.
"No, not really."
"Then what is the question about?"
"You and Amidatelion." Again Bertalian sat without moving. The long silence made Layle feel a bit on edge. "I, uh, just sort of realized, we never talk about Goldenrod outside of, you know, work related stuff. But last time I dreamed about them-"
"You had another vision? Another warning?"
"No, just a conversation- About you."
To his surprise Bertalian chuckled and raised their head to look forward, "That is a surprise, then. And what did Amidatelion say about me?"
"…That you're the best person to help me with my magic. You're very, uh, studious? Well informed? Something like that. But, Bert, that's not what I-"
"Well informed?" The Yuke slowly rose to their feet. They stood up, but not fully, least their helmet would bump into the lights overhead. "Studious? Such things from Amidatelion. I suppose those are true statements though. And that is the way they knew me."
"Bert! Quick cutting me off!" Layle watched as the Yuke jumped down from the top of the book shelf. They landed with hardly a sound despite their mechanical body and slowly stood up again. "…Aren't you two family? Why are you both so- so weird about each other?"
"Family," Layle watched as again the silver helmed Yuke seemed to be gazing right through him. "I suppose to others, especially the Clavat, what with their tight family ties, it must seem strange for us to behave this way. But for others within our tribe, it makes sense. Life in oblivion was hard. Not many new Yukes were made." Bertalian raised their hands and looked at them, "Parts for bodies were had to come by, often gathered from ruins, or reused from Yukes that returned to the Great Crystal. Armors were made, put together with such care, and Yukes would transfer part of themselves into them. Always two Yukes let parts of themselves go into the armor to meld and wait in the light of what was left of our Crystal. Our tribe. And like and egg, it would incubate, two halves became one and a self was born. A new generation was made. Crafted with love and care and hope…"
Bertalian lowered their hands and started to walk forward. They moved past Layle who followed as they continued to speak.
"But more often than not it failed. Nothing would take hold. Especially in the beginning. It took so long to perfect it, the way to exist and create without a true corporal from. So many Yukes lost. So many shortened their lives only to have no one to carry on in their place. My armor and Amidatelion's were made at the same time for just this reason. Even in the face of, having perfected living without bodies, it was still a great risk to start a new generation. If Amidatelion had failed, then my armor would be used. However, Amidatelion was more than a success. When they came to be, parts of their armor crystalized." The Yuke turned around. "Amidatelion was made a savior for our tribe. My armor was never meant to house anyone."
"…So, that's it then? Just because it worked once, they weren't going to- uh- try to incubate you?" Bertalian laughed at the question.
"Resources were narrow. And making the next generation shortened lives. While continuing the tribe was important, so was getting out of Oblivion. When Amidatelion came to be- the entire tribes focus shifted to discovering their power and honing it. And discovering that they were a summoner- ah, it became everyone's priority to see that Amidatelion succeeded."
"…So, then, how did you get here?" Layle motioned to the Yuke, "If your armor was to be unused."
"Eventually, towards their end, our parents revisited my armor. I suppose at that point, the tribe pushed them to. Hoping that I too would develop a crystal. Amidatelion's power was great, but its applications limited in the void. They needed away to cross over…" Bertalian pointed at Layle, "At the time you did not exist in this world, and so, the tribe looked for options with what we had. However, a Crystal Bearer, I was not."
"Wait, I didn't exist… Bertalian, exactly how long did it take for you to, uh, be born? I mean, how long was Amidatelion around before you?"
"There is no time in oblivion, Layle. Though I suppose we measured it by watching the world from the other side… I would say it took, at least forty years of this world's time before they decided to try and create another Crystal Bearer."
"F-forty!?" The Clavat took a deep breath, "How old are you!? How old was- is Amidatelion!?"
Bertalian chuckled and shook their head, "Just resolve yourself to always consider us 'older' than you. But your concern, on why we were not close. As I was not a Crystal Bearer, my place in the tribe was different. I didn't spend much time with Amidatelion. What time we did spend together, was spent working, studying, trying to escape. I spent my time in oblivion trying to perfect creating warp points to the other side, or summoning spells through our observation pools to steal materials and supplies. There was never much time for us to be a 'family'. And after our parents finally returned to the Great Crystal, I can say, our conversations were even less than that."
"…So, you both spent all your lives working? You never, did anything together?"
"…Sometimes, Amidatelion would try to help me with my task." Layle watched as Bertalian turned around and faced away from him. "I suppose it was supposed to be an act of bonding. Helping me with my place in the tribe. Because I was not as great as they were. …To hear you say Amidatelion thought I was very smart, is shocking. I always thought they pitied how inadequate my magic was to their own."
"I can't say I really got that vibe form them, Bert."
"…" The Yuke continued to look ahead without a word. Slowly Bertalian started to walk away. Layle moved to follow them, but stopped thinking that way they moved, a steady step at what seemed to be a hasten paced was familiar. "I always thought it was ironic, we were gold and silver. First and second. Superior and inferior. …So Amidatelion thinks I am smart… Funny that we never had that conversation in person. Why they kept it to themselves all this time, I guess I'll never know."
Layle found himself roaming the halls of the palace without a particular destination. He had let Bertalian walk off to resume their studies of the world not wanting to press them further about their lack of communication with their family. So far everyone in the palace he'd spoken to today had walked off from him on a down note.
The Yuke, the Clavat, the High Commander, the Queen…
"I can't take this…" The Crystal Bearer pushed his hands deeper into his pockets, "I can't stand it at all. I'm at least going to find Althea, and set that one right."
Layle had gone from the library to the council room in an attempt to catch up with the Queen. Only when he arrived he found that she'd already left for the day. But of course, no one could tell him where she had gone. He checked her office and study, her room, and several of the halls around them only to come up empty handed each time. He half thought about asking Sherry where she was, but he also didn't want to see her any more today if he could help it. And so he walked without a destination, stopping and asking every guard he saw if they'd seen the Queen pass by.
It took him nearly an hour of walking and questioning before finally someone had a response for him.
One of the guards mentioned seeing Althea heading for the upper floors on the northern end of the palace. Though they told Layle she asked not to be disturbed. He promised the guard he'd let her be- of course he lied.
However by the time he reached the upper halls of the north end of the palace, he found that Althea had made sure no one was going to bother her. The Crystal Bearer could only go so far before he encountered guards positioned outside a set of double doors. When he asked for them to let him pass, they promptly refused. Repeating what he already knew, that Althea wanted to be alone.
He tried reasoning with them, pointing out that Queen should never be without her body guard, in case something should happen. Or that she shouldn't be alone in the halls without anyone there at all, but they would have none of it. They assure Layle the hallway was secure and devoid of anyone but the Queen. He was more than welcome to wait outside for her, yet he wouldn't.
No, Layle left the set of doors and made his way back downstairs. He wasn't going to wait for Althea to come out. Then he'd have to speak to her with others around, more than likely Sherry. If she was a lone, now was the time to talk to her. He'd already let her disappointment in his decision fester enough. And so Layle traveled down one floor, to where there were less guards and an unoccupied room with a balcony. The Crystal Bearer used the balcony as a starting point to scale his way back up the floors along the outer walls of the castle. Using his magic he pulled himself up to a window's ledge and took hold. Along this section of the floor, there were no other balconies to jump to, just small protruding ledges, and a few hanging potted plants.
The Crystal Bearer used them to hook and swing himself back along the outside of the building to just outside the double doors he'd been denied entry too. Layle peeked into the windows to see the guards were still standing watch ensuring Althea hadn't left yet.
"You think by now, everyone would learn to check outside for me…" He raised his hand and hooked onto a window beyond the doors and pulled himself across. The Clavat looked inside only to see an empty hallway just visible behind the windows ornate velvet curtains. "I'd better go a bit further down; I don't want them to hear me just on the other side of the door."
Layle held onto the ledge with one hand and stretched out his other. His magic took hold of another windowsill and he pulled himself across. He repeated this a few more times until he felt he was far away from the door to try opening up a window. With his powers the Crystal Bearer flipped the lock form the outside and slowly started to lift the window frame. As he was raising it up, he could hear Althea's voice.
"-I suppose it's petty. That's what you'd tell me, isn't it? That it's petty to be upset over this. But he says it's okay to be upset over such things. And I-I have to agree with him. Even though I feel it's his fault I'm upset…"
He stopped lifting the window. She was talking to someone? She's supposed to alone. Layle held onto the partially open window and listened to the Queen's voice. She was just up the hall from him it sounded like. But he couldn't hear whom she was talking to.
"I know, you're right. That they're right… But that still doesn't change how I feel about it. It's important to me, to see you. More important to me than anything in this kingdom. It thought that surly, he'd understand that considering what I told him before."
Layle slowly pushed up on the window, doing his best not to make a sound. He tried to look inside and get a glance at who Althea was talking to. But all he could see in the hallway were potted plants, pillars with bust on them and a few paintings. He couldn't even see where the Queen was standing.
"I-I was always so upset with you, because we'd never come with me back then. And now I'm being told I can't go at all-" He could hear a bit of distress in her voice. Finally the Crystal Bearer gave the window one last push so he could fit his entire body through. The window opened with a slight bang. Althea stopped talking. The Crystal Bearer climbed through and pushed the curtain aside.
"Althea?" Layle looked up the hall and then down it. There was no one there, not even the Queen. He knew he just hear her. "Althea!" There were no doors for her to go out either. "What in the-"
"…Layle?" The Clavat turned his head back up the hallway to see the Lilty Queen sticking her head out from one of the curtains. "Oh, it's just you…"
"Who did you think it was?"
Althea came out from behind the velvet drape and shrugged. "What am I supposed to think when a window suddenly opens from the outside?"
"I guess you do have a point." He walked up to her shrugging. "But I had to get in to see you somehow …Who are you talking to?" Layle reached out and pulled back the curtain to check for someone else, yet he only saw another window.
"My parents." Layle stopped looking out the window and turned his attention back to Althea. She had her back to the window and was looking across the hall to the wall. The Clavat turned his gaze towards it as well, and there he took note of a painting of the late King, very similar to the one that hung in the train station just outside the gardens, save for the fact he looked a bit younger. Next to it was another painting, and though its frame was obviously new, the painting itself was very aged. Unlike the others that lined the hall, it looked like it was stained and faded from over exposure to the elements and time. What was odder still was had she not told him, Layle would have been certain the painting was of Althea. The woman depicted in it could have been her twin. The image was obviously made when she was about the age Althea was now, perhaps a bit older. Even the dress she wore was similar.
"…oh…" Layle continued to look at the paintings; his eyes drifted back and forth between the qualities of them. He wondered why the King's appeared to be kept up so well while the Queen's did not. "I'm, uh, sorry I interrupted you…"
"It's alright," She didn't look at him but gave a small nod. "I suppose I should be leaving here anyway. I don't have much else to say to them."
Althea started to take a few steps to walk around him and Layle reached out to put a hand on her shoulder, "Wait, but I have something to say to you."
"To me?" She finally turned her head to look at him. The Clavat could make out a touch of red fading away from the corners of her green eyes.
"Yes. I just wanted to apologize, about this morning." He let go of her shoulder, "I'm sorry I agreed with Sherry, about keeping you here today. Especially since it caused you such distress." Layle smiled at her, though it was bit remorseful. "I didn't mean to make you cry."
"C-cry?" Althea reached up and toughed the sides of her eyes. She had, but she hadn't realized it was still noticeable. Even though she felt embarrassed that he knew, she smiled back at him. She took a deep breath and held. "It's not your fault, I admit, I think I cry every time I go to see them." Althea turned her head away and looked back up at the wall. "I don't get to go often, not with the way things are. I was just, caught off guard was all. But you two are right; it is dangerous to go today."
"I'm still sorry." Layle crossed his arms, "Even if you've already forgiven me over it. I'm apologizing. Which I don't do for everyone, mind you-"
Althea laughed lightly and shook her head. "You apologize to me all the time."
"You're different. It's different." He shrugged his shoulders still not uncrossing his arms. The smile on his face grew, "You get special treatment."
"I do?" Althea tapped the side of her face, "And all this time I thought you were just treating me like a normal person."
"You're the Queen, that's far from normal."
"Hmn," Althea looked him over, "I guess I'll keep that in mind from now on when I consider things."
"…Consider what things?"
"Ah, oh, nothing." It was her turn to shrug at him. She turned around and bowed her head to the paintings, "Mother, Father, I'm going to go now. I'll do my best to come back soon."
To her surprise, Layle did the same, bowing his head to the two images, "And I'll do my best to make sure she gets there." He stood up right and offered his hand to her.
Althea took it, "It's okay if I don't you know. Don't become cross with yourself for doing the right thing." She started walking down the hall with him. "In some ways, this is better."
"It is?"
"Yes…" Althea looked ahead, "This is, actually the only place in all of Alfitaria that my Mother and Father are together. I can see them both at the same time."
"But, the cemetery visit-" She shook her head and cut him off.
"Only my mother is there. Father's grave is actually, just a statue and a headstone in the ground. There was nothing left of him after Jegran. Nothing to put beside Mother. Even in death, he's apart from her, except for in this hallway." Althea motioned along the walls. "Every ruler of Alfitaria is here."
Layle looked up at the paintings and bust as they passed them by, "So someday you'll be here too."
"Yes, and then all three of us will be together again. I have Cid to thank for bringing my mother back. Father got rid of everything of her's, but he had one painting, hidden in his workshop. I used to be so upset with him; he'd never go to her grave. He never wanted to be reminded. If Cid didn't have that painting, I think, I think I would be sick with grief that they couldn't be together ever."
Layle felt her squeezing his hand as she spoke. He watched Althea slightly lower her head, and the rise and fall of her chest as she started to take long deep breaths. He stopped walking and jerked her hand forcing her to turn toward him.
"But that's wrong isn't it?" He used his freed hand to tilt her face up. "Even if you didn't have that painting, they're together. Even if he never saw her again. Even if he's not buried there with her."
"…What are you talking abou-"
He let go of her face and lowered his hand to poke at the middle of her chest. "Right here is where they are. The King and Queen have always been there. It took the two of them to bring you here. And the two of them are always here in you- so, your family is always together Althea. …Even if the three you don't- can't talk anymore." He pulled his hand back and Althea put her own over her chest.
"…I- I never really considered that." Her lips pressed together as she was sure she felt the blood rushing to her face. "How do you do that, Layle?"
"Do what?" He started walking again now that she was in better spirits.
"Always say something that puts me at ease?"
The Clavat shrugged at her and smirked. Not like he had earlier in the day, the look on his face was much more reassuring this time around. "I just say what comes to mind. Most everyone else finds that annoying. They tell me to stop and think before I act."
"Don't do it too much, okay?" Althea squeezed his hand and returned the smile, her face turning red, but not from heartache. "It's what I like about you the most."
Layle silently agreed with her, nodding his head in response. He didn't say anything else as they walked to the end of the hall hand in hand. He knew he didn't have to. Putting a smile on Althea's face was enough to lift his spirits for the rest of the day. So long as she was happy, he was happy.
That was something he didn't have to think hard about.