Chapter Twenty-Two

The sounds of hissing dragonflies and crickets filled Bella's ears. As she opened her eyes, she couldn't help but jolt forward. The hay beneath her crinkled, caught in her hair and stuck to her heavy coat. It was daylight outside. She had overslept. Bella's eyes darted around the rafters of the quiet barn. But she froze when she spied a silver tray nearby. It had a piece of toast with butter in a rammican and a mound of scrambled eggs. A tall glass of milk sat beside it was that was foamy and quite inviting. Bella made no move towards it, however. Hurriedly, she began brushing the hay from her clothes and shaking her hair out. She pulled her backpack over her shoulder and carefully came out from behind the crates. But she found herself abruptly halting when she saw a farmer in the barn.

It was an older man, who wore overalls and had skin so tanned, it could have been leather. Wispy white hair fell from beneath his wide brim straw hat. He was tending to his chocobo, using a bristled brush to comb through his feathers. The chocobo craned it's neck with delight. When he saw the meek Bella standing there, he offered a friendly smile. Bella, however, was still extremely frightened. She hugged herself, trying to conceal her face.

"You should eat your breakfast, little lady," He advised with a voice that crinkled from years of smoking. "I imagine you're quite hungry and thirsty. Don't be shy. Go on, eat up."

Bella looked at him with wide brown eyes that mimicked a beast caught in the spotlight. He seemed very detatched from the rest of the world, only interested in what was happening on his farm. It seemed he didn't recognize Bella. She glanced towards the breakfast and she did have to admit her stomach felt like it was caving in on itself. Cautiously, she seated herself beside the tray and tried to not desperately drink the milk, but she took three hearty gulps. She worried for a moment that maybe it was laced, but she tried to tell herself she was being dramatic. It tasted so divinely crisp and creamy. The man continued with the pruning of his chocobo while Bella spread the butter across the bread, taking large bites and not caring where the crumbs fell.

"You come from Alexandria?" He asked, arching his bushy eyebrows. Bella slowly stopped chewing and glanced towards the man. She found herself rendered mute in the moment. The farmer was patient, however, continuing on with his task. "I only ask 'cause you ain't the first I've found sleepin' in my barn. Y'all always pick the same spot, too. You come from the Orphanage?" Hesistantly, Bella found herself nodding. "If you're headed for Lindblum, make sure to take the left at the fork in the road up ahead."

"I'm going to Burmecia," Bella finally found her voice, washing her eggs down with milk.

"Burmecia?" The farmer echoed, lowering his brush. "Them rat people? Whaddya wanna do there?"

"I'm looking for the Northern Ports. I would like to sail."

"It's a shame you young people are turned out so quickly, expected to navigate this confusin' world," The farmer shook his head, giving his chocobo a hearty pat on its thick neck. "I see dozens of orphans like you every year, travelin' these roads, sleepin' in barns- just tryin' to find something better. People say the world's a better place. For them, maybe..."

Bella finished her breakfast and could almost sigh at the sight of her empty glass. She watched the last few foamy bubbles of milk dribble to the bottom of the glass. She climbed to her feet, however, aware she had to get a move on. By now, no doubt, the Alexandrian Castle had sent out fleets of foot soldiers and may have even taken to the skies. She had to continue to make headway, to stay out of the scope of their search. Bella was determined to do this for the Alexandrian Castle. She couldn't bear to see it destroyed again. It's as if she shared the same soul-crushing feeling her mother had felt all those years ago.

"Thank you... for the meal," Bella said, trying not to stumble over her words. "If anybody comes here... you won't tell them you saw me, will you?"

The man turned towards her, smiling all the while. "A farmer's promise, little lady. I hope you find what you're lookin' for."

"Yes, I suppose I do, too," Bella nodded. She walked a few paces towards the door, but the man called after her once again. She turned to him, arching her bold brows.

"It ain't much," The farmer said, extending a wedge of cheese out. Bella examined it in her hands. It looked so irresistably delicious and full of crumbly wonderfulness. Gingerly, she tucked it into the top of her backpack, wounding a stocking around it to keep it safe.

"Thank you," Bella said, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "You've proved to me there's still good in people beyond my world."

...

The sun beat down but a cool breeze raced across the open plains. Sarah squinted as she marched along the path, her sword beating against her back. She had tied her blonde hair atop her head, some locks falling to frame her face. Her eyes darted across the horizon, looking for anyone. But not a soul was to be found. As they came over another rolling hill in the path, Sarah paused, scuffing her boots to the dirt. Dante turned in circles, looking all around them, and towards the peaks of the icy mountains.

"Daasenburg, how far out are we?" Sarah asked, glancing towards her crew.

"This will mark twenty-five kilometers, Your Highness."

"Blitzen, please return to the castle with an update," Sarah said. "I'm sure Beatrix has grown impatient."

"Yes, Your Highness," Blitzen saluted before hurriedly turning, his boots crunching on the gravel.

Sarah listened to his footsteps fade away. She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her chin down, gazing out into the field on the glimmer of hope a dark haired person would be seen. Instead it was nothing but a tranquil scene of the slow-paced farm life that filled the acres between the kingdoms.

"What's on your mind?" Dante asked, setting his hands on his hips. The open breeze brushed his dark hair from his face.

"Well, I'm realizing my sister is a very fast walker," Sarah looked towards him. "And obviously quite sneaky. You know, not a single person said they saw a young girl with dark hair walking alone down this path. We've asked every farm along the way! I'm starting to think that maybe she didn't come this way."

"No sightings on the Western or Southern Highways, either, though," Dante replied. The two fell into a silence again. Behind them, their crew of knights walked about the area, sifting through the tall lush grass and admiring the wild flowers momentarily.

"What other way could she have gone? There's no passage north of Alexandria," Sarah shook her head, obviously frustrated. "Sure, it could be the most direct way if she were a mountain climber. But then... how does she cross the ocean?"

"You're going too many steps at a time," Dante told her, looking around the surrounding area. His tan skin gleamed in the bright sunlight. "It's possible she walked over 30 kilometers in one day. We need to broaden our radius. And hope that we get some reinforcements in the air soon."

"I guess we should continue along this path. With any hope, Bella isn't too far ahead. Or maybe someone saw her. Surely she stopped somewhere to sleep," Sarah turned towards her scattered troops. "Find anything interesting?"

"These petunias tickle my nose," Faaber giggled from where he crouched on the side of the path.

"Nothing of interest," Daasenburg replied, glancing towards Faaber with exasperation.

Sarah pursed her lip and glanced to the horizon they found themselves heading to. Dante saw the worry eteched into the side of her face as they began further up the path, that revealed nothing and no one. Sarah soon began to pick up the pace as she walked, craning her neck to look into fields, on the single desperation of catching a glimpse of a dark haired girl. She closely observed fences for damage and signs for hidden messages. She looked towards tall fields of grass, searching for indentions of travel through the foliage. But everything was the same it was always expected to be. Not a single sign of Bella. Up ahead, however, they could see someone approaching on the path.

It was an old farmer with a slight hunch in his posture and deep tanned skin. He was riding a chocobo which hauled a cart full of products for the market. Sarah took off running at the sight of him, not even waiting for the rest of her crew. Dante wasn't far behind, however, as Sarah came to the chocobo's side. The farmer pulled the reigns, giving his dear chocobo a curt pat. Dante glanced to the arrangement of cheese wheels, grapes, cabbages, flowers, and spices that lined his cart.

"Excuse me, sir," Sarah said. "Have you by chance seen a young girl, about this tall, with dark hair travelling by herself on this road?"

"Eh?" The farmer cocked his head at her. "Who's askin'?"

"Please, sir, my name is Sarah Alexandros-Tribal XVIII, and these are the Knights of Pluto," Sarah explained as the breeze carried her ponytail over her shoulder. "I'm looking for my little sister, Arabella."

"I ain't seen no one by that description. A runaway princess, would ya get a load of that," The farmer chuckled to himself from where he perched on his chocobo. Sarah sheepishly scraped her boot through the gravel. "It's gettin' far too cold to be travellin' these roads. She probably didn't come this way."

"Thank you, anyway," Sarah said. Stiffly, she carried on down the path and the sound of his cart wheels began to creak out of earshot. Sarah brought her feet down heavily against the path as she continued. But after a few moments she stopped and in an utter rage, drew her sword and hacked it directly through a fence, breaking the beams in half. The Knights of Pluto gasped at the sight. "She's already gone, Dante, I just know it. She was faster than us. She could be beyond those mountains. Already right outside of Kuja's fingertips!" Sarah breathed heavily as she sagged her shoulders and lamely held her sword at her side. "There's not a single sign of her."

"We just have to keep moving," Dante came towards her, tenderly gripping her elbow. "Come on, other patrols are covering the other highways. We need to stick to this path and stay in communication. Someone's bound to come across something. We need to go as far as we can."

Sarah pursed her lips, looking towards the mountains. "How far can we go, Dante?"

"I guess as far as there's land, right?" Dante shrugged.

Distantly, a droning noise sounded as if it was getting closer. Slowly, it grew in complexity of pitch as it approached over the rolling hills of the plains. A large airship sporting the Alexandrian crest on the side emerged into the cerulean blue skies. Sarah looked up, holding a lock of hair behind her ear. Sarah couldn't help but smile at the sight of it. They waved to the crew on deck.

"Okay," Sarah looked amongst the men. "We have to keep moving."

...

Zidane held Alex's hand as they found themselves aboard the deck of an airship within the docks at the castle. The young princess' big eyes darted amongst the crew who readied themselves for flight. Despite being very curious, she felt the need to stay by her father's side. The bay of the dock had been open and Alex tilted her head into the sunlight, making sure her doll felt it, too. It was quite a beautiful day. The kind of day the family would take a walk through the garden that would hopefully end in a game of chase. A night of catching lightning bugs on her father's balcony. How she missed those times. When everyone seemed happier. Why did everyone have to grow up and apart? The thought unnerved the princess. She never wanted to grow up if it meant never poring through her Tetra Master cards or playing with pop-up books. How was she supposed to sleep without a few dolls tucked around her to protect her?

Alex spied Eiko standing at the front of the ship. Her arms were crossed over her chest as the sunlight fell over her, making her blue hair glisten down her back and her porcelain skin glow. It was easy to tell she was upset. Zidane was speaking with Freya. They were departing for Burmecia on the chance of meeting Bella there. They had a chance of spotting her, too. The Eastern Highway lead towards the Northern Gate. They could alert the guards to be looking for her. Alex began to pull her hand away from her father and he paused from speaking, looking towards her.

"Don't go far," Zidane told her. "Stay on the deck until after we've taken flight."

Alex held her doll against her chest. The small girl wondered through the crowds of helpers that had been hired for the expedition. They cursed and smoked as they used ratchets to strap crates in. Some men unloaded swords and pikes into makeshift shelves for the crew to pick amongst. Several nurses were sorting through medical supplies. They even had life vests. Alex's curly hair bobbed against her shoulders as she finally emerged at the front of the ship. Eiko hadn't noticed her quite yet. The older princess stewed about in her mind. Alex came to stand beside her and Eiko glanced down, pursing her lips to see her company. She was nearly an exact replica of Zidane besides her eyes. Those rosy cheeks and round nose. Her curved eyebrows. The tail. She was nothing short of Zidane Tribal's daughter.

"I'm sorry about what my sister's said to you," Alex peered her dark eyes up at Eiko. The Princess of Lindblum did her best to keep her face stone hard, pushing down to repress the emotional outbursts she had been prone to most of her life. "They probably didn't really mean it."

"Those are their words to choose," Eiko blinked rapidly, gazing out at the sprawling garden. "I only hope we can make things right again."

"Oh, they'll get over it," Alex shrugged. "They never stay mad at me too long, anyway."

A small smile spread across Eiko's face. "You're rather hard to stay mad at, Alexandra."

"Y'know," Alex turned to Eiko. "You're the only one who calls me by my full name."

"As a sign of respect. And to pay homage to who you were named after. Besides, you're the perfect embodiment as the happiest princess to ever sit on the throne."

Alex scuffed her flats back and forth. "I'm not happy right now. I just want to see my sister's again."

"You will," Eiko nodded. "I promise."

"... the wind is on our side today," Freya said to Zidane from beside the control room in the center of the deck. "In conditions like these, we can make it Burmecia in just a few hours."

"Good, we can alert the Northern Gates, and wait for her," Zidane nodded. "This might actually work, Freya."

"Zidane," Steiner came aboard the airship now, followed by Beatrix. "We've received word from Sarah's troop. Twenty-five kilometers out on Eastern Highways two hours ago. Continuing towards the Northern Gates. I sent back word we were departing for Burmecia."

"I brought what you asked for," Beatrix extended a small mahogany box out towards him. On top, was an intricate carving of the Alexandrian crest. Zidane pursed his lips as he took into his hands, giving her a curt nod.

"Alright, let's take to the sky. Fire up the engines." Zidane said, glancing to the front of the ship where Eiko and Alex were speaking.

...

Bella combed her hair from her face as another cool breeze washed over her. Her legs were dearly sore and tired, but she walked with brisk purpose along the path. She couldn't work the courage up to even look over her shoulder. Around her, more trees had begun to spring up with vibrant bushes sporting exotic berries. Bella knew better than to pick them. She didn't know which ones were edible. She was hoping to come along a spring or a small river. She was very thirsty. The farm land was becoming very sparse as she began to enter a different region of the Mist Continent. Up ahead, she noticed a fork and breathed a sigh of relief. She was getting close. Bella paused at the sign. Left directed her towards Dali and Lindblum. To the right, Burmecia.

She decided to take a break. She didn't know how long she'd been walking, but she figured by the position of the sun, it had been hours. Bella seated herself in the shade of some trees just off the path. The grass tickled and poked her through her stockings as she stretched her legs and back out, letting out a long sigh. She reached into her backpack and unwound the wedge of cheese from her stocking. As she broke off small bits to nibble on, she soaked in the sounds and surroundings of the nature around her. She had never seen the world this raw before. It had always been fancy castle halls and mansions, warm and brightly lit. But now, Bella found herself in an overgrown, almost exotic, world. She curled her toes in her tired boots as she continued to eat her cheese.

From a distance across the plains, Bella heard a peculiar noise coming from the sky. Furrowing her brow, she cautiously leaned out from the tree cover, seeing plainly in the sky a fleet of airships. They were both a mix of Alexandrian and Lindblum. Bella nearly swallowed a crumb of cheese whole. She knew they were looking for her. They weren't going to allow her to do what she thought was right for her kingdom. For her family.

Hurriedly, Bella packed her cheese away into her backpack and staggered to her feet. She darted behind her amongst the trees and foliage, leaving behind the single stocking she had used to keep her food safe. She hopped over protruding tree roots and scraped through prickly bushes. She couldn't take the main way anymore. She would have to forge her own path. The shade of the tree canopy made it somewhat dark in the forest. Bella felt along the rugged tree trunks, brushing her hand through thick vines and branches. The sound of a barking dog rang out behind her and immediately, her feet carried her forward at rapid paste as she blindly guessed the direction of the Northern Gates. Bella leapt between trees. She didn't know if her mind was playing tricks on her, but the airships overhead sounded as if they were coming closer and closer. Bella's heart was beating furociously in her chest.

She pressed herself to a tree trunk, watching at the canopy overhead began to rustle. The shadows darted across the mossy ground and Bella tried to flatten herself against the tree as the light crossed over her boots. Suddenly, however, slender arms came to wrap around her from behind, gently pressing a palm over Bella's lips. The princess' skin grew clammy and she struggled against the arms, looking over her shoulder. A red headed woman, carrying an exotic air about her, smiled down at Bella as the young girl squirmed.

"Sh, sh, don't fight me, my child," She whispered against Bella's ear. "I'm here to help you. I can take you to Kuja, Arabella."

The princess paused, her cocking her head towards the woman. Carefully, her captor removed her hand from Bella's lips. "I wish to speak to him. Urgently."

"I will show you the way," She replied with her soft voice, nodding her head. "We must hurry, Arabella. King Zidane will be landing in Burmecia in just meer hours. We must make haste. I know a way around the Northern Gates."

Bella's shoulders rose and fell as she listened to the constant overhead droning and the rustling of the shifting foliage. She wasn't sure what to do. And she only had a split second to decide. Could she trust this person's intentions? Did she really know the way to Kuja? Bella looked over her shoulder with wide, stoney eyes.

"There's no time for an interview," The woman told her. "My name is Fauna. I work for Kuja. Your father and I are somewhat friends, I'd like to think. We always have pleasant chats when we do see each other."

"If you're friends with my father, then why are you helping me?" Bella furrowed her dark brow.

Fauna's ruby red lips slowly curved into a rather devious smile. "I guess I am more of his brother's friend."

Bella was quiet a moment. "My father doesn't have a brother."

"You thought the same thing about his sister," Fauna shrugged.

"Are you telling me... I'm related to Kuja?"

"Come, child," Fauna reached out, grabbing the rather blindsided young girl. "I can't explain it all here. We must get ahead to the Northern Ports. There is a ship we can use to get to the Outer Continent."

Bella didn't have much time to think. Or really the capacity. Blindly, her feet followed in the path of Fauna as the two darted further into the forest, descending into darkness.

...

Sarah occasionally glanced towards the airships that dotted the skies. She figured at this point, someone would have seen something. She anxiously awaited the sign of a flare, indicating Bella had been spotted. But the crews on the ground remained silent and the airship crews only continued to drone on across the vast open sky. Beside her, Dante walked with his shoulders straight and his eyes never stopping from darting about. Just ahead, coming towards the distant Northern Gates was the airship Zidane and Alex were on, destined for Burmecia as Blitzen had reported back.

The fork in the road approached and Sarah let out a huff, leaning up against the large sign post indicating right for Burmecia. She wiggled her foot free from her boot, shaking pebbles and rubble out. The crew mates hurriedly stuffed bread and honey into their mouths. Dante walked along the edge of the path, craning his neck. Nobody. He turned to look at the forest, casting his eyes towards the camelias that bloomed vibrantly just off the edge of the path. He paused, however, and slowly came to his knees. Just on the edge of the shadows, there was a crumpled black woolen stocking laying in the grass. Carefully, he took it into his hands and turned towards Sarah.

"Is this Bella's?" He asked, extending it outwards.

Sarah viciously mashed her foot into her boot, staggering forward to clutch the stocking in her hand. "Yes, it has to be," Sarah nodded, running her fingers along it. "It's the same tweed as mine."

Immediately, her crew mates staggered to attention, ready to comb the area. Daasenburg returned to the edge of the path. "There are tracks in the forest. She must have diverted from the main path."

Sarah pursed her lips, dropping her backpack to the ground. Some things tumbled from her rucksack as she pulled out the flare gun she had been given. She struck the match against the sign post and aimed upwards. A screech echoed through the area, a show of red lights exploding in the sky. "You three," Sarah pointed. "Go straight to the Northern Gates, stick to the path. The rest of us, we'll go through the forest." She lowered the smoking flare gun. "Let's go! Sunlight is withering away!"

...

Alex stood on the base of the railing so she could gawk over the edge at the jagged and tall mountains that roamed through the lands, dividing kingdoms and people. The fluffy clouds seemed so much closer. Even though winter was waxing on, the sun felt so much warmer from the open deck of the airship. Alex let the air run through her hair. Though, she knew it would be a rat's nest to comb out later. She looked out towards the open lands, spotting the small figure of those who had taken the continent by foot.

"We should be landing in about an hour and a half," Her father appeared beside her, drawing her attention away from the ground. "I hear some reports about a nice lunch that may or may not have dessert waiting for us."

"I'm not very hungry," Alex lowered her chin to the railing.

"Alex, you barely even touched your oatmeal today," Zidane reached out, pressing a hand to her shoulder. "I know things kinda suck right now, but you gotta take care of yourself. For your sister's."

"What if we never see Bella again?" Alex turned to look at Zidane. "What if Sarah never comes back? I have to think about a whole lot of stuff that I don't want to, Daddy. I don't want to think about my family dying. But we are!"

Zidane glanced around the deck, coming to a kneel in front of Alex. "Things seem kind of scary right now, I get that. You know, I'm scared, too, Alex. And... even though there might be scenarios we don't want to face, there is still a way to be realistic, but optimistic."

Alex pursed her lips, her eyes growing wet. But in the next moment, their attention was drawn to the rear of the ship. A shrill noise rang out, popping off into the air a vibrant display of red explosions. Zidane stood, his eyes as wide as saucers. From the deck behind him, voices began to echo out.

"Flair sighted!"

"Stop the engines!"

The airship shuddered to a grinding stop, just kilometers short of the Northern Gates.