Chapter Thirty-Two

The bath water was steamy and warm. The surface was sudsy with boisterous bubbles that smelled of potpourri. Sarah's hair was in a mountain of sweet blond locks atop her head as she sank into the bath. It had been a nerve wracking arrival in the strange town of short green men who spoke with such thick accents, she only nodded politely instead of asking them to repeat themselves. Bella had been taken to the infirmary with a sleeve rolling Eiko immediately. Zidane had followed. The people of Conde Petie were very hospitable towards them and had whisked the other's away for sunshine and meals. Sarah hadn't eaten much even though Dante pleaded her to. She was in absolute shambles over Bella's condition. She had tried to murder her own sister. She hadn't slept that night and Dante had found her on the bridge, staring towards the boat uplifted by strong branches. He tried to tell her it wasn't her fault, but she couldn't accept that. That morning, when a kind dwarf offered her the use of a bath, she decided she would do it. Princess Sarah was numb as she washed in circles on her hands and wrists. Bella's crusty blood sunk into the warm water. Kuja was dead. Now, she wasn't sure what was going to happen. She didn't feel fit to continue to be next in line to the throne. In many ways, she still couldn't accept what had happened. She couldn't believe she had allowed herself to be taken control of like that. She wanted to think she was resilient and strong, just like her mother and father... but she wasn't. Her fingers glided over the fleshy scar on her neck and she felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck. He couldn't control her any longer, she saw to that, but it didn't make her feel any better or less pressured.

"Hello, Your Highness," Sarah gasped sharply, dropping lower into the water. She gazed over the edge of the bath tub to see Dante sitting on a stool against the far wall of the bathing room. He had bathed the evening before and his brown hair was fluffy and bright again, though he desperately needed a trim. The hair was covering nearly all of his pointy ears. He had bandaged scrapes and bruises on his cheekbone and neck. He looked calm, however, and Sarah was able to relax while still remaining modestly ducked in the tub.

"What are you doing in here? You'll be beheaded if Steiner sees you!" Sarah gripped the edge of the tub.

"I think it will be fine," Dante passively waved his hand. "I'll stay over here. And besides, I think he kind of likes me. He offered me a position on the Knights of Pluto."

"Really?" Sarah arched her eyebrows. "What did you say?"

"I'm still thinkin' about it," Dante shrugged. "Anyway, that's not why I sneaked in here. I wanted to tell you that Bella is out of surgery. She's going to be fine."

Sarah perked up at the mention. "Oh, thank the Gods..." She sank against the back of the tub and sighed. "I think I would have sentenced myself to prison if Bella had died..."

"You didn't do it," Dante iterated. "It was Kuja, Sarah. We all know it wasn't you."

Sarah cast her eyes down to the now murky brown water, stained with the blood of many of her companions. She felt like a betrayer. "Will you please get me a towel? I'd like to get out."

"Maybe you should relax a bit longer," Dante sat forward. "I didn't mean to disturb your time."

"I don't care to sit in the blood of you and my sister..."

The young man was quiet for a few beats, feeling the throbbing of his sword wound on his arm. Sarah's eyes stared to it as well. He promptly crossed the bathroom and found a towel, turning away as she emerged. Painfully, as if she was trying to elude all the problems in her wake, she unplugged the tub and watched it all swirl away. But she couldn't wash away the guilt. She held the towel against her chest and sat on the edge of the tub. Dante still remained with his back to her, hurting for Sarah himself. He knew it was futile trying to comfort her so immediately in the aftermath. In many ways, they didn't win. Kuja still hadn't played on fair terms. He had used them as pawns against each other. He only wished she didn't remember that portion.

"I always told myself that one day I would become the queen," Sarah said quietly, looking at the tile on the floor. "But that I would always pledge to be myself. But how could I do that if... I don't even like the person that I am...?"

Dante came and sat beside Sarah on the edge of the tub. "I wish I could make you understand, but I can't." He pressed a hand to her damp bare shoulder. "Only time can make you understand. Everything that you've done has been for your family and for your kingdom. You fought for yourself, you protected yourself. When that time comes, I know the people will be happy to accept you. You should, too. And... I think you're pretty bad ass, also." A small smile came across Sarah's face fleeting and she sighed, pressing her hand over his. "Things will get better, Sarah. I promise."

She turned her large blue eyes on him. "I believe you, Dante..."

...

Twenty-three hours later, Eiko sat down for the first time kind help of Kuja's refugees took Bella back to her room to rest. Eiko's entire body ached, her hands were shaking. She looked down at all the dried blood smeared nearly up to her elbows. There had been very many ups and downs during the tedious procedure. Eiko pressed a hand to her temple, relishing in the silence of the infirmary. The distant hoots of owls carried through the open windows showing off the beautiful day it was shaping up to be. Eiko cringed as she recalled the few bleak moments she thought the surgery may go wrong or Bella was plummeting. Zidane had left the moment Eiko began sterilizing the operating site on Bella. She didn't know where he was or where he had gone. Miraculously, Dante had the same blood type as Bella and was able to donate it. Eiko believed it saved her life. But still, she quivered at the idea of coming that close to losing all control of the situation. Eiko could rest assured everyone would board the ship she would send for once she found an Owl Messenger. Eiko lifted her head, gazing towards the bland orange desert scape and rigid landscape of the continent. She wanted to go home. Even though two decades ago... this would have been home. It didn't feel like it anymore. Her priorities in life were elsewhere. Sometimes, there'd be long stretches between the fleeting memories of growing up in Madain Sari. And maybe that's why this had happened. It was her punishment. She was to ravish in her turmoil, stew in her conflictions. She did not honor the tribe and for that, the whole tribe had to suffer. Uncaring on the dried blood on her hands, she pressed her hands to her lips. She didn't want to think about what would have happened if Bella had died. Eiko closed her eyes to shake the thoughts away.

"Eiko, there you are," Freya appeared in the door. "I've drawn a bath for you. You should lay down for a little bit, I'm sure you're exhausted." Eiko was silent and unmoving. The princess didn't even acknowledge Freya's presence. The soldier came further into the room. "Congratulations, by the way. You're an excellent medic, Eiko. It calls for celebration upon your return to Lindblum."

"... I almost lost her," Eiko finally said, folding her red hands in her lap. "There was a moment her heart didn't beat."

"Eiko..." Freya sighed, lowering herself into the chair beside the rather catatonic Summoner. "Take it from someone who has been involved in large field battles. Things are going to go wrong in the heat of the moment when you're desperate to apply aid. You worked over her and stabilized her. It took you nearly an entire day, but you didn't stop. Arabella's alive. That's the most important part. You're a lifesaver, Eiko."

Eiko shook her head, tilting her eyes down. "Where is Zidane?"

"I haven't seen him since yesterday," Freya told her. "I'm sure he's wondering somewhere around here." Eiko stood in the next moment, crossing towards the door. Freya leapt up. "Eiko, wait! You're covered in blood. You should sleep! You may alarm the residents!" But the princess didn't listen and the flutter of her coat followed her out the door. Eiko's boots were loud to the cobblestone paths compared to the dwarves hemp sandals. She glanced around every corner and darted up every staircase, uncaring of the growing eyes of residents. Some of them asked how the wee one was doing, but Eiko paid them no mind. As she huffed across a bridge, she stopped and turned. Zidane was sitting in the boat, holding one of the waxy candles that sat on the platform. She paused, watching his unmoving body. He and Dagger had taken a false oath on that platform with the golden sunlight streaming over them. Zidane sat criss cross, watching the flame of the candle before he looked towards the altar. He remembered all his chaotic comedic stewing in his mind. Dagger's passiveness was fondly recalled. Who knew it was only a prelude of the amazing times to come? He smiled, rather sadly. Bursts of Dagger's angelic face in the summon flashed by his eyes. She was all he could think about. It felt like he had only just lost her all over again. Had she really become her own Eiodolon to protect their daughter's? He wanted to think that every night, the brightest twinkling star in the sky was her. Maybe it actually was. But his insides constricted all over again as he thought to his daughter's. He had screwed up miserably. Sarah was an utter emotional mess, rightfully so. Bella's state was grave. And Alex was probably worried sick back in Burmecia. She always hated being alone. He failed the entire mission. He was convinced Kuja had won. For a moment, he wished Dagger hadn't transported him out with the rest. Zidane lowered his head to look at the candle. He should have gone down with Kuja all those years ago, anyway.

"Zidane..." Eiko said very gently from the stairs, clasping her hands together. The king clambered to his feet nearly dropping the candle.

"Is she...?"

"She's going to be fine, Zidane," Eiko nodded. "The surgery was successful."

There was only a beat before Zidane surged forward, wrapping his arms around Eiko's achy thin body. She was stunned, but wrapped her arms around him, too. "Thank you, Eiko... you... you saved my baby..."

Eiko smiled into his shoulder, pressing her palms flat to his back. "You're not the only one who loves her, Zidane..."

...

When Zidane finally got to be at Bella's side, he refused to leave it. His middle child was soundly asleep, but she didn't seem to be in much pain, at least. Zidane dabbed cool rags to her pale face and combed her hair. He watched her tentatively, stooped in his stool. As he leaned against her soft bed, listening to the owls hoot beyond the window, and the gentle sun bleed into the room, Zidane recounted everything that had happened. Gently he combed the dark locks of Bella's hair from the frame of her face, caressing her cheeks. It was still amazing how much she resembled her mother. The king sighed as he watched his daughter slumber, hour after hour. He pressed his head to the pillow beside her, gripping her hand. When he heard the door to the room open, he lifted his head, quite foggy as to how long it had actually been. The crisp evening light streamed through the windows, falling over his oldest daughter, who stood there with her hands clasped in front of her. She had bathed and cleaned up nicely. Zidane could almost believe, fleetingly, that they were back home and everything was normal. But her clothes ruined the moment as Zidane saw they were still dirty and ravaged, splattered in ruminating shades of blood. Sarah's eyes were looking towards her little sister longingly and she rushed to be by her side. She clambered onto the foot of the bed, pressing a hand to Bella's leg. Sarah's blue eyes were intent as she watched Bella's chest rise and fall. Finally, she let out the breath she was holding.

"I can't believe she made it..." Sarah whispered, her lips barely moving. "I... I'm so relieved. Daddy, I thought I had killed her."

Zidane smiled weakly, reaching for her hand. "All three of you are more resilient than that. You've got your mother inside of you."

Sarah squeezed his hand. "... and you, Daddy." They were quiet for a moment and she did her best to return the smile. But her eyes still kept taking her back to her slumbering sister. "Oh, Bella..." She sighed. "I wish you'd open your eyes. Talk to me. Let me know you're still you. I'm sorry, Bella. I'm so sorry."

Fleetingly, the somewhat fuzzy memories returned to her here and there. They caused her great pain as she remembered how she was not in control. She couldn't stop herself despite her mind screaming the exact opposite of what her body was doing. Never had she felt so helpless before. And it made her hate herself; as much as she did Kuja. Zidane watched his daughter stew in her conflictions. He knew there was a lot on her mind. There were several things clouding his brain, as well. All he could do was swat them away and simply be thankful that everyone was alive. It had come down to the wire, just as it had the time before, but again, the Tribal's managed to squeeze out of it.

"Hey," Zidane said gently, drawing Sarah's eyes away from Bella. "I want you to know I'm proud of you... and I know your mother is, too. Sometimes the journey isn't always the most memorable part, but instead, the outcome. Kuja is gone, I know he is. I'm feeling a lot more normal again, like a fog lifted from my mind that I didn't even know was there. What about you? How are you feeling?"

"Well, the rage is gone," Sarah told him. "No more blinding headaches. I think he's gone, too."

"I know you're blaming yourself. You have it written all over your face... just like your mother," Zidane shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry for. If it had been anyone else, it may have been the same exact outcome. And I think you still had some control. That sword was going directly for Bella's heart but at the last moment... you turned it. Even with Kuja in control, I don't think he could have made you kill the ones you loved."

"It's not even just that," Sarah shifted on the bed, hugging her knees. "I drew my sword on an innocent victim all in the name of paranoia... and I turned my sword on you, Daddy. That's... almost blasphemous; a king and a father." Sarah straightened up a little. "I don't think I'm fit for the throne, Daddy. I don't think I can be the Queen."

"You know," Zidane glanced to Bella. "I think you're getting ahead of yourself. That's further down the road and... well, you're wrong, I'm sorry. You're an excellent swordsman. You fought for your kingdom. You're hero, just like your mother was."

"Mother was sheer power..." Sarah sighed. "I haven't even got a backbone."

Zidane reached forward, tilting her chin up. "What you've done for this kingdom and will continue to do will be honorable, Sarah. You don't have to live your life according to how others think you should. You also don't have to directly follow your parent's footsteps. You have to live your life on your own terms. And besides... I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, okay?" He offered her a smile. Sarah offered a weak grin to him and pulled herself further into the bed, laying herself down beside her little sister. It was familiar to Sarah, who had spent many nights coaxing the young girl to sleep during thunderstorms after their mother passed. Sarah gently took hold of her hand, watching her still slumbering face.

"Daddy, will you tell us a story?" Sarah asked, looking to him.

Zidane smiled lopsidedly now. He couldn't remember the last time he had both of them together, enraptured for a tale. "What do you want to hear?"

"None other," Sarah's eyes looked excited. Zidane just about melted over it. "I Want To Be Your Canary."

"Of course," Zidane laughed, shifting on the stool. "You know, you're all very lucky I have it memorized..."

...

Supper in the Burmecian Castle was the same scene as usual. The somewhat grim and dark dining hall, so moody compared to the light environment of the Alexandrian Castle. Several nobles, the rulers themselves, all tucked together at the table, having quiet and well mannered conversations. There was the familiar roasted duck, butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, and sourdough loaves. And again, Princess Alexandra found herself with her head tilted down as she ate quietly, picking at the airy layers of the bread. The nobles were laughing about taxes, just like they did in those silly cartoons in the Alexandrian Post. Alex found it all quite boring and she wasn't even interested in snooping on conversations. The storm was much more lively that evening with lightning glaring through the windows. A passing maid pressed another dollop of mashed potatoes to her plate, scurrying on. Alex sighed.

Something different happened at supper that evening, however. The chamber doors swung open forcefully, intrusively, and prematurely. Some people looked quite pestered by the disruption. Other's were intrigued and sympathetic to see a very wet scribe runner. He was panting as he reached into his vest, withdrawing a scroll he had secured very tenderly from the rain. "My apologies for the interruption, I bring the utmost important news, word from Lady Eiko of Lindblum." Alex gasped, leaning forward to see the scribe. "It reads, 'Kuja and the Iifa Tree have been vanquished. Please send Princess Alexandra to Lindblum. Regards, Lady Eiko'."

"They did it?!" Alex sprung to her feet on top of the chair, uncaring if it was unladylike. "Hey, mister, do you got a letter from my dad in your bag? Any word on my sisters? Arowyn, Arowyn!" She turned to the embarrassed looking maid. "Did you hear that?! I don't have to be the Queen, after all!"

"Yes... very good, Princess Alexandra..."

"This calls for a toast," The King stood, raising his chalice. "The strength of the Four Nations shall prevail."

"Here, here," Everyone else lifted their glasses in return. Alex lifted her apple juice, still standing, with the happiest grin on her face.

...

"... and Lindblum is on their way to get us. Perhaps only half a day away," Eiko explained to Freya as they took a mid-morning stroll. Eiko had cleaned up, but exhaustion was still evident on her face. Even Freya herself was still reeling. Nobody quite expected the mind-bobbling aftermath of the whole ordeal and nobody seemed to be processing it very well. Still, though, Eiko walked with her proper poise, her hands behind her back despite her desperately aching shoulders. "We have more supplies and technology to help Arabella there."

"She still hasn't woken up, has she?" Freya asked as they paused on the crest of the bridge, looking towards the obscure boat, glistening in the golden morning rays.

"She's in shock," Eiko said without looking to her companion. "The wound and the complete summon most likely drained her beyond her mental capacity. Some more donated blood and medicines to ease the pain, she'll wake up. That's why we must go to Lindblum."

"How are Zidane and Sarah?" Freya crossed her arms over her chest, now peaking a look at the Princess.

"They're dealing with it the best they can," Eiko reported. "We should probably bring them breakfast."

"Are you alright?" Freya turned to her. "You're not sleeping or eating yourself. You should stop trying to make sure everyone else is. Just because Zidane isn't around to be leader, doesn't mean you have to take his burdens on, Eiko. You have yourself to think about, too."

Eiko was quiet and her face was somewhat stony, but cracks were forming at the edges. "I'm fine. At least, I will be. What's important now-"

"Is your wellbeing."

Eiko took in a deep breath, staring hard at Freya. "I saw things I didn't want to see, Freya. It was different when I was the kid following you all around. This time, I was the adult, and we almost lost two very important children."

"But we didn't, Eiko. They're alive. They're breathing," Freya shook her head. "Going back to Lindblum will be good for all of us. We've been out here far too long."

"Yes," Eiko glanced to the boat once more, a long silky lock of hair grazing her cheek. "And I don't ever want to come back here again."

...

By dusk, a loud humming airship was landing in the plains near Conde Petie. The drawves all gathered to gawk and 'ooh' at the opportunity of seeing an airship so close. Of course, the kind residents of Conde Petie were profusely told thank you and the airship generously gave them a bag of Gil. Zidane felt somewhat disassociated as he emerged from the small village nettled in the canyon. In his arms, wrapped tightly in white linens, was Bella. Her head tilted against his chest as she continued to sleep. Beside him, a tired Sarah held her backpack and sword carelessly at her side. The propellers of the machine lifted their hair and they cringed at the noise. But still, Bella did not stir. Together, as twilight overcame the Outer Continent, the King and his Princesses hurriedly crossed the plains to ascend the ship that would take them back to some form of familiarity.