Third Reflection
Take your ship beyond
Miranda. I'll be there.
Locke read the through the note
once more before stuffing it in a pocket on his vest.
"And if she's not there?" Edgar
asked.
Locke sighed and sat on the railing
that lined the dock of the Floating Figaro. "When can you come back?"
"We have to head towards
Thamasa. I'd say five days at the least."
"Have any supplies I can take?"
Edgar turned his head to the
stairwell that lead to his cabin below deck. "I might. The real question is
what can you manage to carry."
Edgar let his eyes drift towards
the fiery orange sun that was sliding away behind the horizon. The sea was a
serene sleeping child on this day. The ship was gliding slowly around the
peninsula where Miranda rested. Edgar squinted to watch a small stack of black
smoke billow away from the town.
"They've built new factories."
Edgar said.
"Miranda trying to be the next
Narshe?" Locke asked.
"You haven't been there, have
you?"
"Not in the longest time,
Edgar."
"Any time post-Kefka?"
"You know, I don't think so."
"Well Miranda easily has New
Vector beat for technological advancement. They're putting a hard fight up
against Narshe."
"Aren't they members of the New
Regime?"
"Yes. I honestly don't care. I
think the Regime and the Narshe Republic can co-exist peacefully. Neither one
is an extremist terror group like the old Empire was."
"Seems like you know a lot about
the New Regime, Edgar. I haven't heard much about them."
"Yes. They asked me to be their
king." Edgar said with a soft smile.
"What
are you smiling about?"
"Nothing at all." Edgar replied.
Locke lowered his eyes. "C'mon,
say it."
"Say what? That their beautiful
ambassador came to pay a visit to me that ended with her clothes crumpled on
the floor?"
Locke let a burst of laughter
overcome him, as did Edgar. Locke almost fell from the railing he sat immersed
in the humorous thought.
"You never cease to amaze me
Edgar."
"I learned to stop amazing
myself a long time ago."
They stopped talking for a few moments before Locke
chimed in. "I'll take what supplies I can, all right?"
"Now are you confident that
she'll be there?" Edgar asked.
"Well," Locke shifted his
position, "Well, yes."
Edgar smiled. "I'm glad you're
hopeful."
"I'm glad I can stay hopeful."
As Locke kicked his feet in the
cool waters of Lake Obel he smiled at the thought of his old friend Edgar. And
yet two days before he'd been depressed over his long gone friend, who had for
a short while became something else . . .
"I give in." Locke said.
Edgar pushed back, away from
Locke. "Locke, you don't get it."
"What is there to get Edgar? You
want me. I'm giving in to you." Locke stared into the blue eyes once again. He
saw something behind the,. He had only sensed it lightly beforehand. Something
not so truthful was lurking inside Edgar.
"I'm afraid you've failed her
test Locke."
"We'll drop you off in
Kohlingen, okay Locke?"
"They'll destroy me!"
"Find your way on your own!"
"Love is not a game!"
The memories of spoken words
were dripping like rain through Locke's head.
All the rain that filled this
lake . . .
He gathered his thoughts
again. He focused, not wanting to bring himself more pain.
Is that even possible?
Her soft lips separated from him
slowly. He grabbed her left arm and spun her around with grace. Locke pulled
her in and kissed her again before letting her to herself.
Rachel smiled and leaned against
the marble wall. "Why can't I go?"
"I can't lose you. This
expedition is dangerous. It's just that simple."
Rachel brushed the flowing
strands of black hair behind her. "It's been so long. I haven't traveled with
you in the longest time."
"Not in the longest time,
Edgar."
He felt his memories
overlapping.
Locke sauntered towards his
beautiful mate. He placed his hands on her face. "I just can't lose you."
And then the Empire killed her.
And then his vendetta against
the Empire had begun.
I was full of hate. Hate
avenging love.
He flashed back to the events on
the Floating Continent.
"I Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!
Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! You!" Kefka shouted, clutching
his wound from the sword Celes had jabbed him with.
"Celes." Locke whispered. He looked
back at the house. It seemed to be a reflex whenever her name was thought of or
mentioned. "Celes." He said her name again and chuckled.
Are there any painless
memories, or at least memories that don't pain me as much?
As night was beginning to fall
the water was warming as the air was cooling. He drew his feet from the lake
and started back towards the house.
"I might have loved you Celes."