Chapter 10:

Zidane paced the halls of Alexandria Castle, his face filled with worry.  Garnet refused to come out of her room, and little Emerald's face was bleak and always stained by tears.  The family didn't speak to each other, other than Garnet's whispered concerns to Zidane each night before bed, and the comforting love they tried to give to their daughter, but Emerald remained just as silent as they.

Steiner and Beatrix continued watching over the castle and trying to keep everything well, but three days had passed since Eiko's disappearance, and it didn't look like things were going to start getting any better.

Flynn, Vivi, Puck, Cahira, Blank, and Dagger all journeyed from Treno to Alexandria Castle, where they were soon met by Freya, Fratley, Amarant, Lani, and Tantalus.  The group had agreed on an early meeting the next morning and they latter group retired after the decision was made.  Blank left to talk to Tantalus and Zidane before bed, and quiet descended on the room.

Finally, Flynn spoke.  "I failed her."

Vivi shook his head.  "You did what had to be done.  All we can do now is wait for morning to come and then we'll decide where to go from there."

"We didn't even get Jade back!" Dagger exclaimed in a whisper, her face as solemn as the others.  "That lying cheat didn't even give her back!"

"There's nothing we can do about it," Cahira muttered.

Puck stood and began to cross towards the exit.  "Let's just go to bed.  We have enough on our minds besides lack of sleep.  It's Eiko and Jade that are important, and we can't do anything about it until morning anyway.  Why get frustrated now?"

They all nodded and stood, each walking toward different doors.  Flynn stopped Dagger before she could exit.  His eyes filled with tears.  Dagger knelt down and pulled him into her arms, and they just held each other silently as they cried.

Desert Palace

Talus sat on his throne, his hand gently placed on the knee of the woman next to him.  Her dark hair was pulled tightly back in an exquisite style, a small circlet resting around her forehead.  She wore a low cut white silk dress with a long train that flowed around her dainty legs.  Her forearms were gloved with white lace that went to her wrists, and each finger had a gold ring on it that matched the circlet.  Around her neck was a simple gold chain with a small gold locket in the shape of a heart.  She lifted her hand slowly and rested it on top of his.  Talus smiled at her.  "You're doing very well, my Queen."

"Thank you, love," she said, no inflection in her voice.  Her blue eyes were vacant and clear, and the only sign of emotion on her face was a small tilt at the corner of her mouth, giving her a sort of cruel looking smile.  "I always try to please you."

"I know, I know," He said, leaning over to kiss her cheek.  "And you do so well.  Are you interested in some entertainment, dearest?"

She nodded without speaking, and he clapped his hands.

Jade and Skah were dragged into the room in chains.  Their faces held rebellious expressions, and Talus snapped at them.  "Do you not kneel before your master?!"

Slowly, both of them lowered themselves onto their knees, but their facial expressions didn't change.  Talus' eyes became enraged, but they quickly calmed and he smiled.  "No.  I will let my Queen deal with you.  Tell me, Eiko, what do you see?"

"Kuja and Princess Jade," she said softly.

"Why are you here, dearest?" he asked, reaching a hand up to caress her face.

"To be with you."

"But why did you come here originally?" he coaxed gently, turning her to look at him.

Eiko's face twisted in confusion for a moment, but she finally said, "To save Princess Jade."

"From who?" Talus smiled, turning her back to look at Skah.

"From Kuja."

"No!" Skah yelled.  "I'm not Kuja!  I'm his son, I'm…"

"Shut up!" Talus yelled, and Waltz No. 3 came up behind him and hit him upside his head with the staff.

"Tell me, my precious Eiko.  What is your only goal in life?" Talus asked her, pulling her to a standing position.

"To please you."

"And after that?"

"To kill Kuja and save Princess Jade."

"I have delivered Kuja to you, my love.  Would you like to kill him for me?" He asked her, kissing down her neck to the rise of her breast, watching Skah's face twist with suppressed anger.

There was a pause of extended silence as the four of them looked at each other.  Finally, Eiko opened her mouth.

"Yes."

"No!"  Jade yelled, beginning to cry.  "Don't kill him!  Don't kill him!  He's not Kuja!  His name is Skah!  He's a good person.  He would never try to hurt me."

But it was too late.

Skah stared at Eiko, then at Talus, who stood next to her as she raised her flute to her lips.  Talus waved at him.  "Goodbye, brother.  It's been nice to have you around.  I'm sure we'll meet in the next life."

"Go to Hell!" Skah shouted.

"Oh, I know I will," Talus laughed at him.

As the exchange happened, Princess Jade pulled at her chains, which were slightly to big, and after a little bleeding along the sides of her hands, managed to yank them out of their captors.  Tears streaming down her face, she launched herself at Talus right as Eiko released her summon spell on Skah.

Arella's Note:  Ach!  What's going to happen to Skah, Eiko, and Jade?  Guess what!  I'm going to finish it with the next chapter!!!  And then, maybe, just maybe, I'll add an epilogue.  Enjoy!