Chapter 2 Meeting Eye-to-Eye
Squall gently placed the flowers at the foot of the stone angel, running his hand over the inscription. "QUEEN RAINE LOIRE. THE PEOPLE'S QUEEN."
"Mother." Squall took out his gunblade and stabbed the earth in front of him. Every year, on the death day of the Queen, Squall would renew his oath; to be a righteous prince, a dutiful SeeD Knight and serve the King justly. "I won't fail you, mother."
"Amen." A voice echoed his. Squall didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "Sir Kinneas."
"I'm paying my respects too, your grace." Irvine knelt beside him and set a bouquet of roses under the statue. His face lost its usual smile, instead there was only regret. Squall knew why too. Irvine was the Queen's pageboy when she was pregnant with Squall, and he loved Raine like his own mother. They were almost like brothers too, but Irvine was older, and one of the most respected Knights of SeeD. But, Squall thought wryly, even though he was actually responsible and matured on the inside, he showed a careless, callous demeanor to the whole world. Irvine loved women and wine, and seemed perfectly content to simply sit back and let the other Knights get all the glory. A man of peace, Irvine disliked fighting and only pulled out his gun when he thought things got out of hand.
'We'd better return to the Palace," Irvine got up and dusted his long coat. He liked wearing the strange item, but since he was renowned for his eccentricity, nobody bothered. And since he wasn't wielding a sword; and the coat gave him an easygoing manner. As they passed through the town square, people bowed and greeted them warmly: Irvine was a favorite character in the city and Squall was, well, he was the prince. In addition to that, he was the Highest SeeD in Eshtar - a position he fought for from hundreds of other SeeDs. There was no question that his title was well- earned. The Commander of the Eshtar Knights.
"That's a new ship," Irvine pointed out with a slight frown. True enough, in the docks was a rather small ship, but well equipped with cannons and such. It was too small to be part of any fleet, but it wasn't any ordinary galley either. "Pirates?"
"Probably passer-bys." Squall said shortly. He disliked discussing subjects that had no definite answers. Irvine awarded him with an amused glance, but the older Knight knew better than to pursue the subject with Squall. He was truly a quiet character, very different from both King Loire and Seifer. Whereas King Loire was always slightly confused but on track, Squall was seldom seen unclear. His startling gray eyes penetrated the thickest disguise, and his skills with the gunblade was only matched by those of his brother. It was no wonder he was respected by his subjects and the SeeD Knights.
"Where have you been?"
They had just entered the Main Hall when Seifer's voice came out of nowhere. He stood on the second floor balcony, leaning down with distaste. "We've been called to the Throne Room, but I was looking for you."
"..." Squall looked up at Seifer. "What does Father want?"
Seifer shrugged. "Beats me."
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Rinoa finished explaining their situation to King Loire, and then looked expectantly at Quistis. The Knight had been quiet throughout the exchange, and neither did she want to sit down. She stood beside Rinoa, face set. King Loire looked at her too. "I assume you, as a SeeD Knight vouch this to be true? Emperor Caraway is waging war on the principality of Timber?"
"I support the princess," She said softly but firmly. "We managed to escape Timber with the help of a ship I had arranged beforehand - I was planning on coming to Eshtar, because I have heard... things."
King Loire nodded and sighed with a frown. "I can give the princess my consent, but you, my dear... you are a SeeD from Galbadia. Your coming here indicates that you have breached you oath of loyalty - to Galbadia. Although you are a SeeD, but I cannot shelter you without permission from the Highest SeeD here..."
"I will not give my loyalty to those who wish to spill innocent blood." Quistis said calmly. "My duty was to protect the princess. If The Highest SeeD condemns me as a traitor, then I will gladly die if it means Princess Heartily stays safe."
"Such bravery," King Loire smiled. "You are so like him..."
The double doors opened with a bang and Seifer strode in, followed by Squall and Irvine. The three bowed before the King. "You called?"
"Yes. We have a SeeD Knight - the Royal Princess' Knight from Galbadia who seeks our protection - "
"A woman Knight?" Seifer said in surprise, but there was no mistaking the tone of cynic in his voice. "A traitor? What makes you think she will not rebel against us?!"
"Relax, prince," Irvine stared at Quistis thoughtfully. There was something about the girl that stirred his memory... a woman Knight? And that whip... his eyes traveled to the yellow whip tucked in her belt. She was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't place her among the many faces in his memory...
"I assure you I come in peace." Quistis said clearly. "I brought the princess here to ask for your protection - if you deem me to be dangerous then I shall leave - "
"Quistis!" Rinoa cried sharply. Then she turned on furiously to Seifer. "She is my Knight! You can't doubt her sincerity!"
"I don't doubt her sincerity," he replied glibly. "But I do doubt her credentials... how does a whip user become the personal bodyguard of the princess of Galbadia; and a woman at that?"
That infuriated her. Oh, she just had to find one of these male chauvinists here in Eshtar. "I'm a SeeD Knight, dubbed in front of the honorary Sir Kinneas himself. Or do you wish to see for yourself?"
In a flash Irvine remembered who she was. And if she truly was the same girl he knighted, then...
Seifer turned questioningly to King Loire, who shrugged. Any affair concerning SeeD was out of his hands. His sons have the right to banish any SeeD they feel is a threat.
Squall had said nothing. Even though in right he was the one who should make the decision, but he wasn't about to intervene. He had never seen a whip user before.
Quistis took out her whip and listened carefully as Seifer unsheathed his gunblade. Quistis listened intently, eyes closed. A gunblade, she thought. Almost five feet long, undecidedly sharp. She had read about the weapon and knew the wielder will have to be of exceptional strength to handle the weapon. She listened as Seifer brought the gunblade through the air, judging his speed. For while she was blind, she could 'see' better than anybody else.
"If I fall first you can stay. If you do, then you must leave," Seifer said, grinning. Quistis simply nodded. She lunged first, as if aiming for his leg, looking for a reaction. As she had expected, he avoided the initial aim and brought his sword down to knock her, but he obviously misjudged the power of his opponent. In one swift movement the whip bounced behind him and hooked onto his gunblade in mid-air. With one tug the gunblade clattered to the floor, and the whip swung once to wrap around his arm. Her only wish was to see his stupefied face, but there was no time to contemplate this. She pulled, and Seifer crashed to the floor; arm pinned behind him. Quistis looked down at him, as calm as ever. "I hope you're alright, prince."
Irvine burst into laughter, as did King Loire. Rinoa giggled. Seifer scowled as he got up. The he looked at Squall. 'Well?"
Rinoa looked at him too as if noticing him for the first time. Squall gave a nod and Seifer scowled. "Alright Knight, you can stay."
Rinoa gave a squeal and hugged Quistis, who looked as if it wouldn't have mattered either way. She knelt before the King. "I will do my best to serve you, King Loire."
As the two left the room, followed by several guards, Seifer rubbed his aching arm where the whip had bound him. The whip was one mean weapon, he thought grimly. It wasn't any ordinary whip too - much stronger than the conventional leather - he suspected this one came from a Marlboro - that explains the horrible burning sensation he was feeling. And those five- inch spikes at the end could surely rip him if he wasn't careful. To top that, he had the feeling that she wasn't telling the whole truth.
"Now you will know not to mess with a girl." Irvine chuckled. "Quistis Trepe."
"You ordained her?' Seifer growled, rubbing his arm. "Why didn't you warn me she was good?"
"Well... your ego needs a little deflating, Your Highness," Irvine chuckled as he got up to leave. It was nearly sundown and he has other chores to do. Seifer was dead puzzled. "She wasn't even intimidated by my blade! She has no reaction to me whatsoever!"
"Well, I guess this is adding salt to your wounds but..." Irvine laughed. "That girl, is Quistis Trepe. I ordained her for several reasons - one was because she was a very good fighter, and had her honor fixed." He grinned. "Prince, please take pride that you were beaten by Galbadia's best Knight."
"I won't take pride in being beaten by a woman." Seifer shot back. That only elicited a chuckle from the long-haired Knight. "Then I suppose you won't take pride in being beaten by a blind, Prince?" He laughed as he left, but his voice could still be heard. "Quistis Trepe, the blind SeeD Knight..."
Author's note: What do you think? I thought I'd try something different this time... Quistis a blind! But never underestime anything... Review please!
Squall gently placed the flowers at the foot of the stone angel, running his hand over the inscription. "QUEEN RAINE LOIRE. THE PEOPLE'S QUEEN."
"Mother." Squall took out his gunblade and stabbed the earth in front of him. Every year, on the death day of the Queen, Squall would renew his oath; to be a righteous prince, a dutiful SeeD Knight and serve the King justly. "I won't fail you, mother."
"Amen." A voice echoed his. Squall didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "Sir Kinneas."
"I'm paying my respects too, your grace." Irvine knelt beside him and set a bouquet of roses under the statue. His face lost its usual smile, instead there was only regret. Squall knew why too. Irvine was the Queen's pageboy when she was pregnant with Squall, and he loved Raine like his own mother. They were almost like brothers too, but Irvine was older, and one of the most respected Knights of SeeD. But, Squall thought wryly, even though he was actually responsible and matured on the inside, he showed a careless, callous demeanor to the whole world. Irvine loved women and wine, and seemed perfectly content to simply sit back and let the other Knights get all the glory. A man of peace, Irvine disliked fighting and only pulled out his gun when he thought things got out of hand.
'We'd better return to the Palace," Irvine got up and dusted his long coat. He liked wearing the strange item, but since he was renowned for his eccentricity, nobody bothered. And since he wasn't wielding a sword; and the coat gave him an easygoing manner. As they passed through the town square, people bowed and greeted them warmly: Irvine was a favorite character in the city and Squall was, well, he was the prince. In addition to that, he was the Highest SeeD in Eshtar - a position he fought for from hundreds of other SeeDs. There was no question that his title was well- earned. The Commander of the Eshtar Knights.
"That's a new ship," Irvine pointed out with a slight frown. True enough, in the docks was a rather small ship, but well equipped with cannons and such. It was too small to be part of any fleet, but it wasn't any ordinary galley either. "Pirates?"
"Probably passer-bys." Squall said shortly. He disliked discussing subjects that had no definite answers. Irvine awarded him with an amused glance, but the older Knight knew better than to pursue the subject with Squall. He was truly a quiet character, very different from both King Loire and Seifer. Whereas King Loire was always slightly confused but on track, Squall was seldom seen unclear. His startling gray eyes penetrated the thickest disguise, and his skills with the gunblade was only matched by those of his brother. It was no wonder he was respected by his subjects and the SeeD Knights.
"Where have you been?"
They had just entered the Main Hall when Seifer's voice came out of nowhere. He stood on the second floor balcony, leaning down with distaste. "We've been called to the Throne Room, but I was looking for you."
"..." Squall looked up at Seifer. "What does Father want?"
Seifer shrugged. "Beats me."
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Rinoa finished explaining their situation to King Loire, and then looked expectantly at Quistis. The Knight had been quiet throughout the exchange, and neither did she want to sit down. She stood beside Rinoa, face set. King Loire looked at her too. "I assume you, as a SeeD Knight vouch this to be true? Emperor Caraway is waging war on the principality of Timber?"
"I support the princess," She said softly but firmly. "We managed to escape Timber with the help of a ship I had arranged beforehand - I was planning on coming to Eshtar, because I have heard... things."
King Loire nodded and sighed with a frown. "I can give the princess my consent, but you, my dear... you are a SeeD from Galbadia. Your coming here indicates that you have breached you oath of loyalty - to Galbadia. Although you are a SeeD, but I cannot shelter you without permission from the Highest SeeD here..."
"I will not give my loyalty to those who wish to spill innocent blood." Quistis said calmly. "My duty was to protect the princess. If The Highest SeeD condemns me as a traitor, then I will gladly die if it means Princess Heartily stays safe."
"Such bravery," King Loire smiled. "You are so like him..."
The double doors opened with a bang and Seifer strode in, followed by Squall and Irvine. The three bowed before the King. "You called?"
"Yes. We have a SeeD Knight - the Royal Princess' Knight from Galbadia who seeks our protection - "
"A woman Knight?" Seifer said in surprise, but there was no mistaking the tone of cynic in his voice. "A traitor? What makes you think she will not rebel against us?!"
"Relax, prince," Irvine stared at Quistis thoughtfully. There was something about the girl that stirred his memory... a woman Knight? And that whip... his eyes traveled to the yellow whip tucked in her belt. She was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't place her among the many faces in his memory...
"I assure you I come in peace." Quistis said clearly. "I brought the princess here to ask for your protection - if you deem me to be dangerous then I shall leave - "
"Quistis!" Rinoa cried sharply. Then she turned on furiously to Seifer. "She is my Knight! You can't doubt her sincerity!"
"I don't doubt her sincerity," he replied glibly. "But I do doubt her credentials... how does a whip user become the personal bodyguard of the princess of Galbadia; and a woman at that?"
That infuriated her. Oh, she just had to find one of these male chauvinists here in Eshtar. "I'm a SeeD Knight, dubbed in front of the honorary Sir Kinneas himself. Or do you wish to see for yourself?"
In a flash Irvine remembered who she was. And if she truly was the same girl he knighted, then...
Seifer turned questioningly to King Loire, who shrugged. Any affair concerning SeeD was out of his hands. His sons have the right to banish any SeeD they feel is a threat.
Squall had said nothing. Even though in right he was the one who should make the decision, but he wasn't about to intervene. He had never seen a whip user before.
Quistis took out her whip and listened carefully as Seifer unsheathed his gunblade. Quistis listened intently, eyes closed. A gunblade, she thought. Almost five feet long, undecidedly sharp. She had read about the weapon and knew the wielder will have to be of exceptional strength to handle the weapon. She listened as Seifer brought the gunblade through the air, judging his speed. For while she was blind, she could 'see' better than anybody else.
"If I fall first you can stay. If you do, then you must leave," Seifer said, grinning. Quistis simply nodded. She lunged first, as if aiming for his leg, looking for a reaction. As she had expected, he avoided the initial aim and brought his sword down to knock her, but he obviously misjudged the power of his opponent. In one swift movement the whip bounced behind him and hooked onto his gunblade in mid-air. With one tug the gunblade clattered to the floor, and the whip swung once to wrap around his arm. Her only wish was to see his stupefied face, but there was no time to contemplate this. She pulled, and Seifer crashed to the floor; arm pinned behind him. Quistis looked down at him, as calm as ever. "I hope you're alright, prince."
Irvine burst into laughter, as did King Loire. Rinoa giggled. Seifer scowled as he got up. The he looked at Squall. 'Well?"
Rinoa looked at him too as if noticing him for the first time. Squall gave a nod and Seifer scowled. "Alright Knight, you can stay."
Rinoa gave a squeal and hugged Quistis, who looked as if it wouldn't have mattered either way. She knelt before the King. "I will do my best to serve you, King Loire."
As the two left the room, followed by several guards, Seifer rubbed his aching arm where the whip had bound him. The whip was one mean weapon, he thought grimly. It wasn't any ordinary whip too - much stronger than the conventional leather - he suspected this one came from a Marlboro - that explains the horrible burning sensation he was feeling. And those five- inch spikes at the end could surely rip him if he wasn't careful. To top that, he had the feeling that she wasn't telling the whole truth.
"Now you will know not to mess with a girl." Irvine chuckled. "Quistis Trepe."
"You ordained her?' Seifer growled, rubbing his arm. "Why didn't you warn me she was good?"
"Well... your ego needs a little deflating, Your Highness," Irvine chuckled as he got up to leave. It was nearly sundown and he has other chores to do. Seifer was dead puzzled. "She wasn't even intimidated by my blade! She has no reaction to me whatsoever!"
"Well, I guess this is adding salt to your wounds but..." Irvine laughed. "That girl, is Quistis Trepe. I ordained her for several reasons - one was because she was a very good fighter, and had her honor fixed." He grinned. "Prince, please take pride that you were beaten by Galbadia's best Knight."
"I won't take pride in being beaten by a woman." Seifer shot back. That only elicited a chuckle from the long-haired Knight. "Then I suppose you won't take pride in being beaten by a blind, Prince?" He laughed as he left, but his voice could still be heard. "Quistis Trepe, the blind SeeD Knight..."
Author's note: What do you think? I thought I'd try something different this time... Quistis a blind! But never underestime anything... Review please!
