Section Fourteen: Songs of the Heart
Jordan lifted his head and leaned forward, breathing tendrils of flame to restart the fire. Morning was just breaking, and even as he watched the party members camped out around him started to awaken. Fox awoke first, and after going through his morning routine started to wake everyone else up, starting with their newest member.
Wolf woke up slowly and sat up, blinking up at Fox. "Oh. Good morning."
"Thus far." Fox agreed, and moved on.
Falco woke up before Fox got to him, standing and stretching. "So, back to the capital today, hmm?"
"Most of us." Said Peppy, working with Jordan to build the fire into a cooking fire.
"Ah."
"I'm being left behind, aren't I?" Wolf asked, crouching next to the fire.
Most of the group was still getting used to Wolf. The first surprise had come when Fox had taken them to the ledge, and the next had been the simple fact that Wolf's slate was completely and utterly wiped. Amnesia to the highest degree, or at least with his personal memories. His memory of any general information and languages was clear, but when he had woke up he hadn't even been aware of his name. Fox had been quick to get rid of Wolf's pendant of Hextor, and still hadn't explained why yet.
To their knowledge, the use of the staff had killed both Leon and Pigma, though they had no bodies to confirm it. In any effect, Fox was fairly certain they wouldn't be hearing from those two for a while, and even if they did make an appearance, the group was sure they could deal with them.
"I'm afraid we're going to have to, but not quite as you stated it." Fox said. "We can't take you into the capital, because of what deeds you have done."
Wolf spread his hands. "I cannot remember these deeds, though, much less DOING them."
"You're still the person who did them, at least in body. You won't be safe there." Fara said firmly.
"Which means I go where?"
The party exchanged a look, then Fox turned to Jordan. "May I ask another favor?"
"Name it." Was the cheerful reply, the dragon lowering his head down to Fox's level.
"I imagine you have a good sense of direction. Could you take Wolf to my grandfather and explain?" He looked at Wolf. "My grandfather is very understanding, and an Elven lord besides. He'll be able to start you out on a new life."
"I'm already in debt to you…"
"No, you're not. You accept then?"
"It would seem best." Wolf shifted. "I'm never going to be able to live my last life down, am I?"
"With some work, I think you could." Said Rita, sitting on part of Jordan's tail. "You're far and away a different person then who you were. I'd go so far as to say you seem to be quite a gentle soul."
"You haven't told me anything of who I was." Wolf shot back, annoyed. "At this point, I'm guessing a murderer."
The party exchanged another glance, then Alan came forward and sat next to Wolf. "Are you really sure you want to know?"
"If I do not know, how can I prevent becoming it again?"
"Ay, showing some wisdom, that's a good thing." Alan grinned, then fell serious. "You were once Fox's main enemy and quite a danger to this group, Wolf. You were a disciple of Hextor."
"A follower of the God of Tyranny? Me?"
"Is it so hard to believe? You wore an amulet in the shape of his insignia when you awoke." Alan tilted his head to one side. "You once served a warlord named Andross. After the war, which we won by the way, you were captured and spent quite a while in a dungeon. But you were broken out to kill us not long ago. Quite lucky for you the gods were so merciful."
"Maybe I shouldn't have asked." Wolf sighed to himself, staring into the fire.
"You would have wanted to know sooner or later. I imagine Fox's grandfather Aust will fill you fully in when you are ready."
"All right, then."
"What are we going to do about Titus?" Bill asked, combing his fingers through his fur absently. "We all saw what he did."
"We can't do much about it." Fox said. "Because of one simple fact: Titus is, after all, royalty."
"Yeah, that was the reason why I couldn't eat him." Jordan grunted.
"What IS it with you and eating people?" Fara wanted to know, looking up at the dragon.
"Well, it gets that person permanently out of the way, it gets me a meal, and hey, if that person is evil, it's even considered a good deed." Was the dignified reply.
This generated some laughter from around the camp.
"And so what if he's royalty? He's still edible."
"Yes, but it would generate such a ruckus it wouldn't be worth it." Said Slippy with a grin.
"As much as I hate to consider it, we're going to have to deal with Titus on his terms." Said Fox, staring off into the distance.
"Meaning what pray tell?" Julian asked.
"I'm not sure yet, but I'm certain we'll find out soon."
Jordan took the entire group as close as he could to the capital, walking the last part of it as his strides were so much longer, then took off carrying only Wolf, saying many fond goodbyes and saying that he would return to Fox's cabin after dropping Wolf off. The group agreed to that, and spent the last hour walking into town.
"This feels so much less dignified then riding." Falco remarked as they passed through the gates, watching the town react as they did, the word being passed on like fire.
"True. But we couldn't very well have rode Jordan in." Peppy smiled.
By town square, the entire group had a guard escort, which doubled when they reached the castle. The King, having just heard, was waiting in the throne room when they walked in.
"I take it the tasks at hand are finished then?" He asked with a smile, standing.
"Yes, your majesty." Fox replied with a bow. "Our mission is, as they say, complete."
"Good then. It is good to have you back, daughter." He smiled at Fara, who shrugged and crossed her arms, then turned back to Fox, looking at the circlet. "I imagine it is quite the tale when all told."
"I would agree, and I highly doubt that it is completely over."
The doors opened, and Titus strode in, staring when he saw Fox. Fox's entire group reacted immediately, and the guards were torn when they saw more then one of the party get ready for a fight. Fox merely held up a hand, eyes narrowed as Titus passed.
"Is there a problem?" The king asked.
"Nothing we can't handle." Fox said in a cold voice. "Correct, Titus?"
"Quite correct." Titus agreed, then turned to Fara. "You are home for good, then?"
"Or as long as it is considered my home." She replied, not moving.
"True, that. When our arrangement is complete this will not be your home anymore…"
Fox felt Fara's alarm, and suddenly decided he had taken more then enough about this, stepping forward. "Your arrangement is considered null, Titus."
"Not last I checked, 'Sir' McCloud." Titus spat.
Fara was a bit surprised at how bold Fox was being, but matched it, stepping into him and wrapping an arm around him, leaning into Fox. "It's the truth, Titus. Even in the beginning, our arrangement wasn't solid, and you knew it."
"He's a commoner, Fara."
"I'm afraid I'm not, Titus, and I never was."
The King stepped off the dais and walked forward. "You must explain this to me as well, my knight."
"I think you already know." Fox didn't let go of Fara, looking calmly into the King's eyes. "Because you knew of my father's heritage, I believe. And thus you know of mine. My name, my liege, is Fox Ivellios Siannodel. I'm sure you are aware of who the Siannodels are."
"I see." The King nodded, processing this. "Which puts you on even rank with Titus."
"Yes, it does."
"The arrangement is set, however."
"Then I challenge that arrangement, my liege. I know I am but a Knight to you and am therefore being quite disruptive, but I need to stand up for myself… and for Fara… now. To marry her to Titus would be worse then eternal damnation for her as well as I. I cannot offer her a kingdom, but I can offer her happiness."
During this, Fox's party had silently backed off, allowing the discourse and watching. The general reaction was 'about time.' No one was surprised.
"True, McCloud. More then true. We have known for a time that she felt for one of my knights and I should have known it was you." The King slowly shook his head. "However, Fara is my only child. When I pass on, who marries her takes the Kingdom. I think I can safely say that you would not want to be King."
"Well, now, I wouldn't say that." Alan suddenly said.
"Which part of my statement are you challenging, Bard of the Blood Bayou?" The King inquired.
"Oh, about her being your only child. Not so sure if that's true, anymore. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm sure the queen does." He sent his smile toward the Queen. "Ay, and going to be an energetic little boy, he is, your highness."
The King stared at his wife, who swallowed and slowly set a hand on her stomach.
"I'll be damned." Falco started to laugh. "Alan, are you telling the truth?"
"Do I ever lie?" Alan grinned.
"How do you know it's true, then?" The Queen rasped. "I have told no one."
"You needn't say anything for me to know, your highness. Ay, and I doubt that you would want to know HOW I know in the first place. I just know."
There was a very, very long silence.
"I think, McCloud, that some negotiation could take place…" The King started. "Because I'm sure that King Albrecht would be agreeable…"
"No!" Titus practically shouted. "It has been set! Will you not even give me a chance to defend my status?!" He was enraged, staring at the king, fur bristling. Fara looked at him, and in that instant saw the man that had released the Fists of Hextor, the man that had tried to kill her love. "Very well, McCloud! If you want her hand, I challenge you for it!"
"Challenge? What kind of challenge do you propose?" Fox asked, lifting an eyebrow. "I have bested you in swords."
"A joust." Was the firm reply.
Fox went still. "I accept your challenge, Prince Titus."
With a smug laugh, Titus left the room.
"I thought that you did not know how to joust." Said Fara very slowly.
"I do not. But if we have gotten this far, nothing will stand in our way now. But, that said, I suppose I should have a talk with my grandfather, because I will not put so much faith in fate that I will refuse to train!" Fox smiled and kissed her on the forehead, then headed for the door.
The party looked at each other, then one by one, followed him out the door, leaving only Fara to stand and wonder at the future.
"Are you certain about this, Fox?" Peppy asked, watching Fox swing astride his unicorn.
"Too late now, but yes, I am." Was the reply.
"How will you find out when the joust is being held?"
"Fara will tell me. She and I aren't restrained by distance." He tapped a temple.
"You're going to need some help I imagine." Falco said, walking up, leading his horse. "So Julian and I decided we would tag along."
"I'll be glad for the company on this journey, and I might need the help." Fox admitted. "I have never jousted in my life."
"We'll make sure you're ready for this contest." Julian guaranteed.
"I'm coming as well." Alan appeared, leading his horse. "If anything for the fun of it." He added with a grin.
"Peppy, you will be able to take care of things here, correct?" Fox asked.
"Yes, and if I have any problems, I will try to get the message to Fara, who I imagine will tell you."
"Of course." Fox bowed from his saddle, and galloped out of town, Falco and Julian close behind him.
The news of the challenge spread like wildfire through the capital, and tales spun around it. Fox McCloud was held as a hero, and the commoners of the kingdom found it appropriate—even expected—that he loved the princess. Almost instantly, the town turned rather hostile against Titus, seeing him as the villain, the challenger that was trying to prove fate wrong.
And in some ways, they were quite correct.
"You know I will help you in any way I possibly can, grandson… but two weeks…" Aust shook his head, pacing Fox. "We are going to be racing against time."
"I know, but I am willing to train as hard as I possibly can." Fox replied. "And since I know the general rule system, I think it will be a bit easier then if I was completely new to jousting."
"Still, though, have you even handled a heavy lance?"
"No, but I have had training with longspears and tridents."
Aust considered. "We will do all we can then."
"Thank you, grandfather."
"No, grandson. My pleasure. Of course, you must see that us, meaning your relatives, get good seats for the joust itself."
"I imagine that the King would let you in the royal box."
"Even better."
"By the way, how is Wolf doing?"
"I was only too glad to take him in. He told me what happened, and I am only too glad to help him start his life anew."
"I owe you many thanks for that."
"No, once again, it's my pleasure. Besides, it is always a good thing when one who was evil turns back to good."
"True, that."
"Oh, and one other thing, grandson. I expect to be invited to the wedding."
Fox laughed out loud. "Yes, of course!"
Wolf sighed, leaning on the tree and watching. Fox, in spite of the fact that he was obviously very bruised, was swinging up in the saddle again, taking the heavy lance as Falco and Julian passed it up to him and guiding his unicorn to the start point. The flag was dropped, and he charged again.
This had been going on for the last four days. Fox was showing improvement, even Wolf recognized that fact, but he had less then ten days left to be fully prepared.
An hour or so later, Aust had had enough and told Fox to take a rest.
"I would say you are working too hard, but I know there isn't such thing in your mind." Falco remarked, watching Fox stretch out then collapse on the grass, relaxing.
"Not right now, at least." Fox said. "I don't even want to take a break, Falco. There's just too much wagered on this one joust." He sighed.
"I'm surprised that you even agreed." Wolf said, making himself known and coming forward.
"Had I refused, Titus would have questioned my honor." Fox shrugged, waving for Wolf to take a seat. "And this is a rather typical way of solving problems, at least among knights."
"Or royalty trained as knights." Said Julian.
"True."
"Besides, it's not like Titus has any honor of his own, anyway." Said Falco.
The trio had to agree, and Wolf also nodded. In the past few days, he had heard much about this Prince that Fox was going to have to face, and none of it was good.
Julian looked at Wolf, then looked again. "I just noticed… you aren't wearing your eye patch."
"Yes, I stopped wearing it the same day I came here." Wolf shrugged. "Some of the local healers are trying to find a way to restore vision to my eye, but they're not certain anything can be done yet."
"Well, just the fact that you're not wearing the patch is an improvement." Fox said, sitting up, combing his hair out of his eyes with a hand absently.
"What happened to your formerly so cool attitude, pray tell?" Alan asked, joining them and offering a water skin, which was accepted and passed around.
"I decided that it was time to be myself." He smiled a bit. "Besides, I'm sure you all agree that it's an improvement."
"We're certainly not arguing it." Falco grinned. "I'm putting money on you winning the joust, Fox."
"Oh?"
"Yes. A good amount. Because you're going to win. I don't think any god would allow different at this point. You've sacrificed yourself far too much to not be rewarded."
"You know, you haven't changed one bit since I first met you." Fox shook his head.
"Of course I have. I can read now."
Fox laughed, then stood, dusting himself off. "Well, I've got some things to learn, so…"
"Nose back to the grindstone. Let's do this." Falco said. Everyone else stood, Wolf picking up the lance.
Fara smiled, running the currycomb over her hippogriff's equine half, listening to the happy coos her steed made.
"So, how exactly did you come into possession of such a marvelous beast?"
Her hippogriff hissed, ear tufts going back, as Titus strolled into the stable, admiring the winged creature's form.
"It and I have made a deal of sorts." She replied. "What do you want, Titus?"
"You." Was the flat reply. "I do not know why you stand next to McCloud."
"Well, it could be because I love him, and that I have since I first saw him…" She said, keeping her voice neutral, turning back to her task. "Or it could be that he's always there for me and that we share minds. Or it could just be because he is a pious, good soul, and your soul is tumbling into corruption."
His jaw dropped.
"Don't deny it. You tried to kill the man I love." She turned and looked at him, crossing her arms. "Hardly the proper behavior of a follower of Pelor."
"Fara, everything I did was because I want to be with you. Can't you understand?"
"Can't you understand that I don't love you?" She snapped. "And that I never could?"
There was a long silence.
"I just don't understand. What did I do to make you hate me so much?" He asked, shaking his head.
"Once upon a time, I didn't hate you, Titus. I just didn't want to marry you. Now, yes, I hate you. But after all you've done, I don't very well have a choice in the matter."
After a pause, he said, "What did McCloud do to deserve your love, then?"
That made her think. "I think we were meant to, he and I. But what did he do? He was honorable, he was kind. He saw the real me, not the title. And he was willing to journey across a country, gathering unlikely allies, and fight an entire army to rescue me. Would you have done that, Titus?" She tilted her head. "No, no you wouldn't have. And yet you're willing to joust against the man I love, still determined to win, when you have in fact already lost."
His eyes flashed coldly. "I haven't lost yet, Milady."
"You are turning evil, Titus. Leave my presence before I let my steed gore you." He left, and she sighed, turning back to her hippogriff. "Not a very nice fellow, is he?" She remarked out loud, scratching her hippogriff's ear tufts. The hippogriff seemed to agree.
"Absolutely amazing." Falco remarked, rubbing his chin and looking Fox and his steed over.
Aust had gone to one of his friends about Fox's armor, and now both Fox and his unicorn were in full armor. That, combined with the fact that Fox now displayed the Siannodel's colors as his own, and the whole outlook was very impressive.
"Those living in the capital will approve of me, you think?" Fox grinned, pulling off the helmet. "As much as I hate armor, I must admit that this does fit rather well."
"You'll make a great impression, I guarantee that, but if you don't have the skills to back it up the amazement will be short lived."
"Have you no faith?"
"I have plenty of faith, that's just the truth."
"So we leave tomorrow, hmm?" Julian asked, helping Fox unbuckle the armor off his unicorn.
"Yes indeed." Fox said, toting the armor to were it would be stored until tomorrow, then proceeding with removing his own, much more comfortable in the simple shirt and breeches he wore under it.
"This will be quite an amazing conclusion to this tale, I think." Alan grinned.
"I'm almost inclined to agree with that." Fox smiled.
"Grandson?" Aust said, coming into the room. "Your friend Tharivol remarked on something to me, and I have felt inclined to agree, so I think we must discuss something."
"All right. Now or in private?"
"Now is fine. In short, where do you plan on living after you're married?"
That brought Fox up short.
"And that is what I thought. I know I have been rather generous, but there is one last thing I wish to do…"
Shouts rang up and down the streets, announcing the news at a dizzying pace, the town criers sprinting through the streets.
Fox allowed a smile, slowing his unicorn from a canter to a walk. Though they hadn't traveled in armor, Falco remarked it would be better to arrive in style, so Fox had taken the time to don the armor before entering town, and now with he and his steed in full plate armor and his friends laughingly playing the parts of squires, he had to admit they made quite an entrance, and doubling that was the fact that his unicorn was undisguised, a graceful white steed in brilliant silver armor.
The joust was tomorrow, of course, which was when Fox's grandfather would be arriving. In the mean time it was just finishing making ready. As far as Fara had told him, the arena had already been fully set up and decorated, and Titus had been nothing but an arrogant braggart in the time that Fox had been gone. Fox wasn't very surprised.
That night found him staying at Peppy's house, leaning on his windowsill and watching the town. The whole town had called the next day as a holiday of sorts, so everyone was in a party mood. Alan was taking very thorough advantage of that, too.
"Not feeling sociable, hmm?"
He glanced over his shoulder. "Not really, Slippy. I take it you aren't either?"
"I needed some quiet." The short mage joined him at the windowsill, looking out over the streets. "Everyone else is enjoying themselves though. Even Bill is taking the chance to use his gladiator knowledge and display some fighting skills."
"I think he'll take his gladiator title again after this and start traveling. I doubt that there will be an arena built here, but there are plenty elsewhere for him to fight in."
"That doesn't worry you?"
"It's what he loves to do, so why should I worry?" Fox shrugged.
They were silent for a while.
"Just so you know, I wagered some of my money on you for the joust."
Fox laughed softly. "So did Falco."
"Yes, and Katt, Alan, and Peppy. I have no doubt that a good portion of the town will. Everyone is expecting victory."
"I'm not sure whether to encourage or discourage it." He shrugged.
"Well, what do you think about it? Do you think you're going to win?"
Fox looked at him. "I will say this. If I do not, I have no doubt either that this country will be short a knight and princess, or that this world will be short a knight and princess."
He took a moment to process this and got a bit alarmed. "So, you'd both either leave human society, which I don't blame you for even now, or you'd, as Falco would put it, take the coward's way out."
"Yes indeed. Death is a bit more merciful then living with half a soul, don't you think?" He shrugged.
"Don't you dare plan on leaving us, Fox." Said another voice, and Falco joined them, voice loud and bawdy. "I mean, after all, you're our fearless leader." He clapped his friend hard enough on the back that Fox almost winced. "Where would we be without you?"
Fox didn't answer.
