Chapter 7

Relm shifted nervously as she saw Figaro castle nearing, a dot on the world. She always liked to wait on the deck to watch their destination come nearer and enjoy the scenery, even for this ugly excuse for scenery. Strago watched beside her.

"What is this about?"

"…We're taking you to meet someone very important. To you. But you don't know him." Strago drew a breath in frustration. "No, you do know him, actually… Never mind."

"Is it… a family relation? Like a father or a brother?" Strago almost drew in a sharp breath, but stopped himself.

"No," He lied steadily. "Not exactly. Why?"

"Oh," She closed her eyes. "I don't know. I think I remember someone, but I'm not sure. A pale man, with pale brown hair, I think. And a cloak. A brown cloak. Then there was also a blond woman, and… I'm not sure."

"Drawn any portraits lately?"

"I can't do it like I used to." She said quietly. "I think it was related to magic, because after we killed Kefka, my portraits are… lifeless."

"That's all right. I'd rather you draw ordinary portraits."

"I know." She gave a slow, quiet sigh. "It's just… it doesn't feel the same. Before I felt as though I were creating something. Now it's just… drawing." She gestured helplessly. "I don't know how to explain it." Strago shook his head, unable to offer any suitable sympathy.

"That's a shame."

"Can I draw your portrait then, grandpa?"

"When we get back to Thamasa," he chided gently. Relm suddenly felt the airship lurch and lower. She hung onto the side for the landing, and the airship fluttered to the ground. She ran ahead of Strago and went down half the stairs and leapt down the last half.

"Relm!" Strago yelled. "I told you not to do that."

Relm waited before the gate with a certain amount of apprehension. She had not seen any of the others in the past year besides Strago. There was a bond while they fought Kefka together, of purpose and survival, but now it was gone. Locke and Celes, or Sabin and Edgar, and some of the others who were friends still stayed in touch, but Relm and Strago barely knew the others and did not attempt to maintain any kind of superficial relationship. The gate was opened by a young guard, his blue uniform highlighted with his dark hair.

"Lady Chere." He nodded, recognizing her. "And Lord Gabbiani." Setzer had come on several errands to various places, including Figaro, because he was one of the few people in the world who owned an airship. The soldier hesitated. "Relm Arrowny and Strago Magus, correct? We've been expecting you. Follow me."

He escorted them through the straightforward corridors of Figaro's technology-enhanced castle, with switches and machines protruding from the walls and tubes and pipes running along and through them. A faint, constant humming sound confirmed the work of various machines hidden behind doors. The floor was made of marble, laid with a heavy crimson carpet fringed with gold. The guard stopped at the last door, a heavy wooden one with simple carved decorations. He knocked.

"Come in." A tenor voice, right between sarcastic and serious at all times so you never knew if he was joking or not: Edgar's. The doors were pulled open. They were led into long room, with gold statues of the oldest and honored kings aligning the sides of the carpeted path that led to two cheap thrones, made of steel, then coated with gold at the surface, padded with red cushions.

"Welcome to my palace." Edgar said mockingly, after an awkward moment of silence.

"Edgar," Terra snapped.

"Leave us." Celes ordered to the guards, her voice quick, intimidating and vicious. The guards stumbled out, running into one another. When she had been a general, sometimes it was difficult to maintain order, to make them respect a woman as their general. She had been as harsh and cold-hearted as possible to gain the temporary respect of the soldiers before she could get a more permanent hold.

"I read your letter." Said Setzer.

"So did I." Added Celes.

"Good. I don't think we need to do anything further for… guard!" Edgar's voice rang out, through the door. The guard rushed in and knelt.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Escort Relm and Strago to go see Shadow."

"Yes, your majesty." Relm and Strago stepped forward, and the guard led them smoothly out. The door thudded shut behind them.

"Now," Edgar sighed, "What the hell are we gonna do about Locke?"