FIC START!
Sakinah didn't remember climbing into a bed. She opened her eyes to see she was lying between the sheets of a feather bed, her pillow stuffed with goosefeathers and the room smelling of a warm food being baked somewhere nearby. She rolled onto her left side, wondering where Kain was. The last thing she remembered was falling against him, and feeling his strength support her body when it was weak. Before that, they had discussed the fact that Kain was the captain of the Red Wings. Soon that whole coversation replayed in her mind, making her cling tigher to the light blanket which had been draped over her in her sleep. However, it didn't take long for that to be interrupted. On the other side of the wall, there was a conversation going.
"You're saying that you were attacked?"
Sakinah heard a door close, as if someone had just gone into the room next door.
"Clouds do not make that sort of formation naturally. I am convinced that it was magic." Kain's voice said in reply. Hearing that, she realized that Kain believed her when she said that exact same thing! It made her happy to have that confirmation.
"Mmm. Well. While you were resting, I sent a message to Baron. Cecil and Rosa will have no need to worry once they have word that everything is all right."
"Thank you, Edward."
"Anything for a friend."
"How is Sakinah?" She blushed upon hearing that. He asked about how she was? He cared about her well being.
"We have treated her with the Sand Ruby, and her symptoms have decreased since. She's still just as abed as you are."
She sat up, looking around the room she was in. Sakinah could tell she was still in the desert, but being in the building kept her from being overwhelmed by the heat.
"Kain," Edward's voice changed in tone suddenly. "I never thought you would ever find someone to share in your adventures like this. Cecil once said you would be alone your entire life. I must say I am very happy for you."
"I am escorting Sakinah on her quest. I do not know if she wishes to remain my companion after her quest is fulfilled, or if she would want to return to Troia," Kain explained quietly. "If she wishes to go home, I cannot force her-"
"You could just ask her how she feels about you." Edward's suggestion was simple, and it only made Sakinah pull the blanket over her head. She didn't want anyone to come in to see that expression of embarrassment. But, he was right. Kain could just approach her. She would rather he do that than not say anything at all.
"She was still distraught over the fact that I am the captain of the Red Wings the last she and I spoke."
"Why would that matter?"
"Sakinah is Mysidian born. Her father tried to protect the water crystal the day Cecil led the seige. He was slain before her eyes."
"And she was sent to Troia because she was an orphan," Edward continued. "Hmm. That had nothing to do with you. Cecil and Rosa gave you the Red Wings only because they wanted..."
Based on hearing that, Sakinah concluded right then that Kain lied to her. Her heart ached upon the realization. Cecil was the name of the dark knight that led the attack on her home and slew her father, and he was alive!?
"Because they didn't want me going back up to Mt. Ordeals for the rest of my life. I know."
"Because they felt as if you needed it, Kain."
"Perhaps I did. I still do not wish to return to Baron, but I must see Ceodore home. By now he must have wondered what has happened to keep me so long. Once I have, I can help Sakinah complete what it is she must do."
"What exactly is it that Sakinah must do?"
Sakinah sighed. What would Kain tell his old friend about her?
"Sakinah has set out to find her answers to questions that no one can answer. She has been caught within the deepest fog of depression, and I-"
"You have once been there. This is why you accompany her."
"It is. She threw herself from a tower of the Castle of Troia, and I caught her. I listened to her when she refused to speak to anyone else, and I told her that I would never allow this darkness to take her when she is so valuable to Troia and the rest of the world," Kain said. "I will not stand by and watch her be eaten alive the way it did me."
"...not many would take the chance."
"I don't care. Edward, I... I've..."
Sakinah felt her heart pound louder than it ever had. What was this?! She was nervous, practically shaking to hear what Kain had to say past that.
"You need not say it. I can tell by how you speak of Sakinah. You feel as I did about Anna. How Cecil always has for Rosa. You will fight at her side as long as she will have you, won't you, Kain?"
"As long as she will have me... I would be her shield from all that would threaten her. Be it man, disease, or otherworldly evil, I care not."
Sakinah felt her eyes burn with tears. How could he say that? How could someone like him... fall in love with her?! She hiccuped a few times, and to keep from being heard, she reached for the pillow and cried into it. Kain would do that for her?! Kain would stand at HER side? It didn't feel real at all! Still even if it wasn't real, she had never been more happy to overhear any coversation in her life.
Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. "Miss? Are you awake?"
She did her best to wipe her eyes. "I'm awake. You can come in."
The door opened and Edward approached her, reaching to touch her forehead. "Your fever has faded completely, Lady Sakinah, but your face is redder than my hat. Are you all right?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, I... guess I have been dreaming..." she said quietly.
