The Song of Eternity
Canto 1
Parm: The Forsaken Realm
Verse 4
The Ball
The players gather,
With the world on the line.
One almost remembers the truth,
Another already knows it,
One suspects it,
While the one is drawn into battle.
In the converted throne room of Haven's castle, the throng of partygoers quieted as Pearl raised her hand. "It is my pleasure to welcome you citizens of Haven, and esteemed guests to this ball in recognition of my ascension to the throne," Pearl shouted over the murmur. "I am not one for speeches, so let's get this party started," she finished among the cheers of the gathered citizens. On cue, the band started up playing a slow song. Pearl walked over to where Cid and the wereman were waiting. They were both dressed in suits, Cid looking uncomfortable, probably wishing he was in his armor, and the wereman looking strangely at ease.
"Nice speech princess," Cid commented as she blushed at him.
"It was nothing," Pearl responded modestly.
The wereman stayed silent as he looked over the crowd and the band, his eyes betraying a hint of uncertainty. "It was good. If you will excuse me, I have some business to attend to," the wereman bowed before he left, heading around the edge of the room.
"What's with him?" Cid asked the princess, who just shrugged in response.
"I still think it would have been easier to break in," Jack sighed as he wiped the sweat from his brow. They were standing at the edge of the band's area, waiting for the okay from Deke that their job was done. About midway through the first song Deke nodded at them, signaling they were done. Deklin and Jack sighed, glad their job of carrying all the instruments was over.
"We can get to work now," Deklin took charge. "Go secure an exit, I'll go spot the princess."
"Take it easy boss, let's enjoy this for a while. She isn't going anywhere, we might as well have some fun," Jack laughed.
"Fine, one hour, be ready," Deklin gave in as Jack cheered and ran off into the crowd. Deklin looked down at his black suit, wishing he was back in his normal clothes. He leaned against the closest wall, staying in the shadows, watching the crowd. Suddenly he felt someone tapping his shoulder and spun around, taking his hand away from where his dagger was hidden when he saw it was Eiko. "You startled me."
"What? You came here just to watch people? Come on, dance with me," Eiko insisted as she pulled Deklin out on the dance floor. She was wearing a purple and yellow dress, vaguely reminiscent of her old gear from Gaia. "Hope you didn't get too tired helping Deke," she smiled as she looked over at the band.
"It wasn't too bad. What's the deal with him anyway?" Deklin asked as he looked over to the band area. Deke was there with the rest of his band, drums, trumpets, a bass, and Deke on guitar. "He's drunk right now and he isn't having a problem."
"Deke plays drunk most of the time, he's gotten used to it. He showed up about five months ago without any idea of who he was. The rest of the band was out in the town square, waiting for the old guitarist. He just came, picked up the guitar, and the rest is history. They're also the only band in the city, so it wasn't hard for them to get the job," Eiko laughed as she looked over at Deke, jamming with his coat on still. "So where are you from anyway Deklin?"
"The desert," Deklin responded as he looked down into Eiko's eyes. Suddenly his mind was filled with images of horrible monsters, flames, and destruction. He stumbled, closed his eyes and almost fell down.
"Are you okay?" Eiko asked as she took a step back.
"I am fine," Deklin responded, shaking his head. "Just got a little dizzy," he lied, resuming the dance. After another couple minutes he spoke up again. "I still can't shake the feeling I know you from someplace."
"Not likely. You're a native right? I'm not, I just got here about six years ago."
"I just can't shake that feeling…" Deklin continued as they danced away to the center of the room, closer to the princess.
"Is it a go?"
"Yes, this is the only chance we may get, everything will proceed as planned. What does he call himself?
"Deklin, I better get going before he spots me."
"Agreed, keep a watch on that band leader as well, I want him alive."
"Any chance of him interfering?"
"No, he must have lost his memory, otherwise he would have done something already."
An hour later Pearl was talking to Cid on the edge of the dance floor. Jack and a random girl he grabbed were waltzing there way over from one side, as with Deklin and Eiko. Finally Deklin was within arm's reach of Pearl. "I am sorry Eiko," he spoke before he pushed her away and moved up behind Pearl. He pulled his dagger out and held it to her throat in a split-second, before the knight could react. "Do not move princess, that goes for you as well Cid of Avalon!" He shouted as the crowd reacted in disbelief. Jack slid up beside Deklin as the entire crowd but Cid backed away from the hostage.
"Look what we have here, a hostage situation," Jack laughed as he smirked at Cid.
"Raccoumb, you knave! What is the meaning of this?!" Cid shouted in anger.
"Simple, first of all, drop your weapon Cid, I know you have one somewhere. Secondly, everyone back away from the door and no one will get hurt." Jack ordered as Cid pulled a knife out from his coat and dropped it on the floor. Jack, Deklin, and their hostage began to back towards the door, keeping an eye on the crowd.
When they finally reached the door Deklin spoke. "I'll take this," he muttered as he cut the pendant from Pearl's neck, pocketing his prize. "Time to say good-night princess," he whispered, loud enough that the few people close enough could hear it. Specifically, loud enough that Cid, Eiko, the wereman with his keen hearing, and the band heard it.
Cid was about to make a jump at them to try to stop the assassin, but felt his ring grow warm on his hand. He looked down to see it shining light on the girl in the purple and yellow dress next to him. He slid it off and passed it over to the girl. "I've learned that whenever a ring shines light in on someone for any reason, it's a good idea to let them have it," he whispered under his breath so she could hear it.
Eiko nodded slightly and closed her eyes when she slid the ring on her finger. She felt the difference immediately, she had her magic and summons back. She opened her eyes again to see Deklin about to run the blade across Pearl's neck. "No! Holy!" She shouted as she conjured up a blast of holy magic, blasting Deklin and Jack through the wooden door, splintering it.
"Princess, come here!" Cid shouted as Pearl dashed over towards him and Eiko. He looked through the hole in the door, seeing that Jack and Deklin were already up, looking dazed, but quickly stumbling away. "They are escaping!" He shouted as he rushed to the door.
"Take it easy, you can't fight them weaponless," the wereman stated calmly as he grabbed Cid from behind. "Call out the guards, that should slow them down. They only have one way out of here, the airships. The guards will delay them enough for you to grab your gear and for us to meet them at the docks. We cannot let them escape with that pendant."
"Let's go then!" Eiko shouted cheerfully, finally feeling like her old self.
"I will go as well," Pearl added in.
"Good, let's get moving," Cid ordered as a guard ran off to sound the alarm.
"One more thing," the wereman added, reaching into the crowd and grabbing Deke out of it. "You are coming too. You better get your memory back soon son, otherwise we might have our hands full."
"You know me?" Deke said doubtfully.
"Yes, now we need to get you a sword and get moving, there is no time. If they make it to Ashura, all is lost," the wereman shouted as he stalked out of the room.