Don't Fall, part 32

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy.

Note: Funny thing? The reason I'm updating this fic is that I just discovered Final Fantasy IV: Free Enterprise, and I just spent like 10 hours straight on it. Made me realize I might one day be able to make Don't Fall in a playable format. LOL, just kidding. If I ever had the drive to actually do something like that, I'd be successful at something!

FIC START!

Sakinah felt the warmth of sunlight on her face, but she didn't want to get out of bed. The last time she had such a deep and relaxing sleep, she was still locked in her tower back in Troia. She turned toward the window, then looked around the room. How did she get here? As she sat up, she retraced the steps of the day previous. Got on a ship in Fabul, somehow, after that World Eater monster attacked. They sailed for a while, and the two royal heirs insisted that she and Kain take a nap on their way to Baron. She used what little upper body strength she had to push a bed next to his, and even though they didn't do much aside from hold hands, Sakinah did like that. When she woke up, the ship had all ready made it to port, and... she let out a yawn and stretched upward as far as her arms could reach. They had dinner, though she didn't have much to say until the subject came up. Just like Kain had told the King and Queen. She wasn't going to be much for conversation, except when needed. She plopped back onto the pillow for a moment. Yeah, she still didn't know how she made it to bed.

And, as if on cue, there was a knock on her door.

"Good morning?" she called out, looking at herself to make sure she was clothed at the very least.

"The queen is expecting you. Please make your way to the Adventurer's Class within the main foyer of the castle."

Sakinah nodded to herself. Kain did mention that he would find tutors to help her with her ability in battle before taking her any further. "Understood. I will be down momentarily."

"Very well. I will notify Her Majesty that you are coming."

"Thank you." She noticed that all of her armor was neatly arranged on the nightstand in the corner of the room. There was only one holy dragoon that she'd become close to that would be anal retentive enough to make sure there was not a single kink in her light armor or battle accessories like this, and the only thought that seemed to be able to cross her mind at that moment was the fact that she remembered attending dinner fully dressed. Sakinah fastened every little belt, tucked her hair into her hat after having braided it to keep it from being too intrusive in battle, and gripped onto her boomerang. When she was completely ready, she reached for the doorknob to head out.

This castle seemed like it was the same size as the Troian Castle she had made her home since receiving the crystal's blessing. There was just as much activity going on as she unintentionally wandered aimlessly. Guards at every corner patrolling for the utmost safety of the royal family, always keeping their eyes on the skies just in case of looming attack from above. Perhaps this was because they had brought warning. Then again, she had heard it even back home, that the Kingdom of Baron was a militaristic nation - one of war - that prepared for it even if it was not oncoming. They had so much force that they couldn't seem to put together that no other nation on their world could ever topple their stability.

Sakinah wondered if Kain was finally taking some time to be on his own, as he had done nothing but accompany her since the day they met. This was his homeland, after all. He must have had his own home outside of the castle, though trying to imagine it made her wonder exactly what would be kept in there. Armor? Spears? She stopped walking for a moment to admire the Baronian flag flapping fiercely in the wind. The winds were no more harsh than any other day, but it wasn't until she watched the liftoff of an airship that she realized exactly where the wind flow was coming from.

"I'm not surprised to hear you've finally found someone for you. Only took you thirty some-odd years to do it. And you're as good-looking as I am, if not moreso."

"Please. It's not like that."

"Not according to eyewitness accounts from three sets of royals. All right, fine, the children would be the types to tease over this sort of thing, but you know how seriously both Edward and Yang consider romance. And if they see it, I'm gonna have to agree with them."

When Sakinah heard those voices, she froze. When they were done talking, at least she could ask for directions. Which was something she probably should have considered asking the person that came to summon her in the first place, but hindsight was always perfect, and now was NOT the time to start getting caught up in wandering thoughts...

"Honestly."

"Honestly, what?"

"There is something I must tell you, and the news might come as a shock to you."

"Bigger than the fact that you go on a trip to Fabul and come back with news of an existence-threatening monster and a love interest? I must hear of this!"

"Cecil. I'm serious."

"As am I, Kain. Please. Tell me what concerns you, old friend."

Sakinah was hanging on the edge of the seat she wasn't sitting in, waiting for Kain's next thought, until a hand touched her shoulder suddenly, and she almost let out a shriek.

"Miss?" a maid, barely over the age of 16 if she was a day, looked up at her with these big, bright, brown eyes. "The queen was looking for you. Thought maybe you got lost."

"Oh, thank you," she said quickly. "Yes. Absolutely. I am totally lost. Please lead me. I have bad direction sense even in a castle."

"Well. Good morning! If it isn't Lady Sakinah."

She turned to see both Kain and Cecil sitting together at a table, both of them looking at her with different expressions on their faces. Cecil was beaming, as if he wanted to get to know her more. Kain, however, seemed dismissive. She was somewhat disappointed by that, but he wasn't the type to be reactionary, either. Perhaps he was just tired? "Good morning, Your Majesty." Sakinah greeted the king with the best curtsy she could do. It just made her think of all the times the Epopts tried to train her properly on ladylike ettiquite, and how often it failed miserably. The echoes of the tutors scolding her echoed through her mind to straighten up, to bow lower, to lift the skirt a certain way.

"Don't even start with that," Cecil corrected her. "I'm sick of all the formalities castle life ends up shoving in our faces. Please. Address me by name. You're a friend of Kain, that makes you my friend, too."

"That's very kind of you, but I couldn't do that." Sakinah's eyes met with the beautiful carpet beneath their feet as she let out a sigh. "Forgive me. The Queen is expecting me."

"Sakinah," Kain called to her as she started to leave.

"Yes, Kain?"

"The teachers here can be a tad strict. Please be patient with them."

She didn't know if she was up to the task, but she would try nonetheless. "Thank you for the encouragement."

"...and yourself," Kain added. "Please, be patient with yourself."

"Kain?" Cecil asked, quietly surprised.

"Be on your way, then. I'm sure we will cross paths again today."

"I'll... be ready to fight at your side before we leave again. I promise."

"I know," Kain nodded. "I believe in you, Sakinah."

She blushed for a moment before waving and leaving. She followed the maid, lost in her thoughts.