Chapter 2:





Rydia was never happier to see the light of day. She was cold and wet, exhausted from the battle with the great octopus-beast. Tellah started a fire in the pit that Cecil had dug. It was nearing noon, and they were only an our or two from the castle of Damcyam, but everyone was tired and sore. Not to mention hungry. Her stomach began to growl. Rydia giggled when she heard a similar sound from Tellah. The old man gave a dignified sigh.

"Well, let's dig in," Cecil said with a little laugh. "Or else you two are going to start tearing into-" A terrible rushing noise filled the air. Cecil's smile vanished. "RED WINGS!" he cried. "Tellah, put out the fire! Quickly!" With a quick ice spell, the fire was put out. "Protect her, Tellah!"



But the Red Wings were not after them. They continued along, sweeping down over Damcyan. Terrible explosions rocked the earth. Rydia threw her hands over her ears but she couldn't stop herself from watching the terrible scene. The fire. Like the fire that had destroyed Mist. The terrible smoke lifted into the air. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

"Tellah, stay here with her," Cecil ordered. "I'll go and find out if- if anyone is alive."

"Cecil, I'm going with you," Tellah replied.

"And so am I," Rydia whispered. She had to help them. No one helped her people. "I can heal, you know. Not as good as Tellah can, but I can. You might need me."

"All right. . . . Let's go then."



They practically ran across the desert, managing to avoid any fights. The castle was still smoldering when they reached it. Rydia bit into her lip and followed after the two men. She would slow long enough to heal some of the soldiers, those that were healable. But Tellah kept pushing them on. His daughter, he was sure, was here. With the wicked bard. Rydia couldn't understand how he thought a bard could be wicked. A bard had once visited her city. He sank and told marvelous storied. How could that be wicked?



They reached the top of yet another flight of stairs. Rydia gasped and threw herself against Cecil. Laying on the ground was a young redhead woman. She felt tears well up. The shock of red hair reminded her of her mother.

"A-Anna!" Tellah screamed. "ANNA!"



Rydia saw a handsome blond man come into the main room. He seemed unhurt.

"YOU!" Tellah screamed, throwing himself at the young man. "You did this to her!"

"No, I!"

"Shut up!" Tellah was pounding on the young man with his fists. "You SPOONY BARD!"

"Please, listen!" the bard cried, backing up. Rydia shook her head. This Bard wasn't wicked. If he was, he would have hurt Tellah to make him stop.



"Stop it, both of you, please!" gasped the young woman. Tellah and the Bard ran to the girl. Cecil and Rydia followed. The young woman was still alive!

"Anna, my baby," Tellah whispered. "It will be all right. Daddy's here now." He cast a cure spell on her, but nothing happened.

"Father, Edward is Prince of Damcyan. He just disguised himself as a bard so he could come see me in Kaipo. Forgive me, Father, for running away. . . I didn't want to hurt you. But I love Edward." She winced. Rydia noticed the blood was growing larger. She shuddered, feeling suddenly very cold. Anna was dying.



"We were about to ask for your consent, Father, when. . ." she shook her head.

"Golbez attacked with the Red Wings," the Prince put it. He was shaking, as if he were about to cry.

"Who is Golbez?" Cecil asked, suddenly snapping his gaze to the prince.

"I don't know!" Edward replied, trembling.

"Why did they come after you?"

"The Crystal of Air." Edward knelt by Anna's side, holding her hand, stroking her cheek. "Anna shielded me from the arrows," he whispered.

"You loved him that much?" Tellah asked. "Oh, Anna, if I had known. . . I've been such a fool."

"I love you, Edward." Anna winced, and turned her head toward her father. "And I love you Father. Forgive me for running away." Then she shuddered, and closed her eyes. Rydia shut her eyes too, fighting the urge to be sick.

"Anna!" Edward whispered frantically.

"ANNA!" Tellah screamed, hugging her to him. Edward began to sob, calling Anna's name over and over. Tellah put his daughter on the ground.

"Who is Golbez?" he demanded.

"I d-don't know!" Edward stammered between sobs. "He is using Baron to collect the Crystals." He then returned to his crying.

"Stop crying!" Tellah snapped. "Your tears won't bring Anna back!" He stood up roughly. "Wait for me, Golbez! You have my daughter's blood on your hands! Soon your blood will stain mine!" He stormed out of the room. Cecil stopped him at the doorway.

"Tell, you can't do this alone. Let us help you." Tellah smacked Cecil with his rod, sending him tumbling back.

"This is my own affair, Cecil. I must do this alone!"



Tellah disappeared down the stairs. Rydia felt bad for them both. They had lost someone very important to them. Edward continued to sob, holding his dead lover in his arms. Cecil looked uncomfortable. The sight of so much blood frightened Rydia, made her feel like she did when her mother had died, angry. . .

"Crybaby!" she snapped at Edward. "You are a man! You are a grown-up! You are not the only one who has lost loved ones! Get up!"

"Rydia, it's okay," Cecil said softly.

"You're right. I am a crybaby, and a coward besides. But I don't care. I'm staying here with my Anna." Rydia felt the tears welling up, but she pushed them back down. There were people who needed her help. Cecil needed to make Rosa better!



Cecil was suddenly behind Edward. He slapped the prince on the back of the head.

"Anna wouldn't want that, Edward. She would want you to go on living." He hesitated. "We need your help, Edward."

"What do you need a coward like me for?" he asked, sniffling.

"My friend is ill, from a fever. She needs the Sandruby... or she is going to die too." Edward looked up at Cecil.

"Is she important to you, this girl?"

"I would give my life for Rosa," Cecil replied softly. Edward nodded sadly.

"Then you love her. You shouldn't loose the ones you love. I will help you."

"Thank you, Edward."