Chapter Twelve: Associations

They were ushered to the dining room of the castle on their arrival. The dirt of days of travel still clung to them; nobody seemed to mind. Cleanliness might well be next to godliness but there was something on godliness's other side.

Nina's father sat at the head of the table; on his right Elina conferred with him, with an occasional whispered addition from Cray. As usual Nina sat at her father's left, with Ryu next to her. Their other companions were scattered along the length of the table in between, except for Won-Qu and A-Tur, who took two corners of the room. People kept giving the latter two apprehensive looks, despite Ryu and Nina's reassurances - it would take a while for most Wyndians to trust anyone from the Empire, and it had been a job getting the guards to let them in at all. Tarhn sat next to Cray, and the Oracle of Wind sat near the foot of the table with three who once were Endless - P'ung Ryong, Ch'o Ryong, and Sa Ryong. P'ung Ryong had the form of a Wyndian, while Ch'o Ryong possessed a Woren's tail.

Conversations ricocheted about between those attending; the most private ones were at the head and foot of the table. At the head, it was her father, Cray, and Elina. Nina gathered it involved Elina's betrothal to the Ludian prince - it was unlikely to go on for much longer, considering both the sandflier chase and the entire debacle with Cray and the King's Sword.

At the foot, the participants were the dragon trio. They bent their heads together - for a while it seemed as if they were discussing Ryu, but now it looked as if they had changed their focus to the food. As she watched, Sa Ryong got a forkful of the special salmon from a nearby platter and slid it into his mouth as the other two looked on. He chewed for a second and his eyes popped - a diet consisting mainly of pan-fried sweetfish, bread, beans, and water, as well as bits of the blander Worent cuisine he'd tentatively picked from the food tables, would hardly have prepared him for the castle cooks' spiced extravaganzas.

As he recovered Nina realized that what with all her watching she hadn't spoken to Ryu since they'd sat down. Then, when she shifted her gaze, she saw that he'd been watching them as well. She waited for him to turn back to his plate before she started up their own conversation, which was soon moving as quickly and merrily as the others.

The Imperial scholar was definitely hiding several agendas one under the other, Master Ilgor of Ludia decided within minutes of their introduction, but for once the fool prince was right. He could be useful.

The name of Lord Yuna had come up in the negotiations following the capture of the Woren chief and the Wyndian princess in Astana - he was the Imperial Minister of Thaumaturgy and a favorite of the apparently-late Emperor. And now, here he was talking blithely of goodwill among nations. You'd think they'd have the sense to send someone expendable. Though perhaps now… he is.

"North of here? You do mean the highlands?"

Yuna nodded. "Yes. It is alluded to in myth as a place connected to the gods. Clearly it would be of extreme historical significance, and may even offer clues as to recent events."

Extreme historical significance? Oh yes, you play it well. "You propose to pay it a visit, then?"

"Ah, well, that would be it."

"Surely someone of your high stature should have some sort of guard," said Ilgor. "The path up Mt. Ryft is quite trying, and its sister mountains are hardly an improvement."

Yuna's subtle stiffening told him a bit more he hadn't been sure of. "I was not aware," he said at last, "that the journey would be so harsh."

"If it weren't," said Ilgor, "there would be pilgrims flocking to it and I could simply advise you to join the next group. As it is… I'm afraid I'm obliged to provide some protection for you." He readied and fired his verbal spike, then smiled to give it a good twist. "We wouldn't want you to go up there alone and disappear like that unfortunate Wyndian princess, would we?"

Even stiffer. "I suppose not."

"Although," he prodded, "I'm afraid our brother nations will hardly be enthusiastic about this venture."

Yuna contemplated the tabletop for a minute before saying, "Well. Why tell them?"

He faked polite scandal. "They are our allies - but then it would be better not to promote false hope, would it not? And should you succeed, it will be far less difficult to object to a fait accompli, especially if it benefits the Alliance as a whole. You may even," he said, "be able to request new accommodations in the treaty for this."

It won't be as if he'll have a chance to actually request them. An eye for an eye - I'll have my work cut out getting that fool prince a new fiancée.

P'ung Ryong said, "Thou wouldst defy the laws of nature?"

"I guess so, yeah."

After a much-welcomed bath Ryu had been given a room to himself. The thoughts that had occurred to him that night had been banging around in his head like the drums of Worent, and he needed to let them out someplace. He hadn't wanted to mention it to Nina; he'd thrown enough of that at her already. When P'ung Ryong had shown up at the door, asking to talk, he'd immediately consented and proceeded to let loose his barrage. He should have expected a reaction.

"Thou art young. 'Tis understandable that such ideas might occur to thee."

"Is it that you don't think I can do it or that you don't think I should?"

"'Tis both. With thy powers as the Yorae Dragon gone with the rest of ours, thou hast little means to do so. 'Tis just as well." After a pause, he elaborated. "'Twill bring thee back to the position so detested by thine other half. Even if thou art no longer Endless, shouldst thou bring more between death and life 'twill make little difference to the people. Thou wilt not get a moment's rest."

"You're talking about what would be inconvenient for me, not what would be wrong."

"I understand the Wyndian princess 'twas unintentional, and verily 'twould hath be a terrible thing to leave her in between. Thou wert in the right regarding that matter. But to deliberately seek to do such again? They - we art dubbed 'Those Who Pass' for a reason."

"It's not as if I want to make people immortal. Or are you saying that's a side effect and Princess Elina's going to live forever now?"

P'ung Ryong shook his head. "The borders between life and death wert made to be respected. To bring back those whose time hast passed… 'tis unnatural."

"But I'm talking about people whose time hadn't passed. They were killed. That can't be right."

"Ten thousand and more people in this world hath died young - dost thou propose to bring them all back, should the power to do so return to thee?"

"I was only thinking about a few. I'd understand what you mean if I was talking about, say, all the kings of Wyndia, 'cause the castle would get a bit crowded." P'ung Ryong actually smiled a little at the image. Ryu pressed his advantage. "But I'm talking about people who died not so long ago at all - people who got caught up with me and Fou-Lu and died because of that. And I shouldn't think that because I can't do it for everyone I shouldn't do it at all."

A sigh. "No… thou wouldst not see." He looked at the Fou-Lu-sword, with the bell still wound to it. "Regarding thy other half-"

"I'm not going to kill him."

"'Tis not murder. How canst thou murder thyself?"

"I told you and I'm telling you, he's not me." Why did I ever open my big mouth? "It's been centuries - we're not the same person anymore."

P'ung Ryong nodded, acknowledging this. "So thou wouldst return him against his will if thou hath the means?"

"I don't think I can, really." Ryu shrugged. "But if this works out he won't be against it so that isn't going to be the problem."

"Wilt thou explain to me how that might come to pass?"

"I told you. It's because of her - because she's dead. So I've got to bring her back. It's that simple."

"'Tis far from simple. Even with thy powers regained, which is unlikely in and of itself, 'tis near impossible thou wilt know how to proceed."

"If I can do it on accident I can do it on purpose, can't I?"

"I would not be certain of that. 'Tis a capricious thing."

"Anyway, I'm going to Chek."

P'ung Ryong lifted his hands and spread the fingers. "I canst not stop thee. I canst only advise against it. 'Twill bring trouble to thee."

He forced a nonchalant smile. "Doesn't everything?"

Ch'o Ryong sat on the edge of the fountain in the castle courtyard, contemplating the two neat rows of transplanted shrubs. "What was the nature of thy discussion?" she asked P'ung Ryong without turning around. He described it to her. "'You believe," she said when he had done, "'tis for him a matter of genuine altruism?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"But 'twill lead to trouble."

"I didst tell him as much." He added, "I believe that in light of Sa Ryong's tale, 'twould be wise to confirm the safety of our other compatriots."

"Yes. We shalt discuss it with the king on the morrow."

"Why should we not discuss this now?"

"Another night 'twill make small difference."

P'ung Ryong half-nodded before he remembered. "But we art no longer those who endure. Far more of significance might come to pass in a night now that we art mortal."

"I suppose thou art correct." She stood. "We shalt discuss it now."

It was with satisfaction that Nina chose the most impractical of the clothes laid out for her - yellow silk with enough rosettes and ruffles and ribbon to stock a small tailor's shop - and wore it as she waited for P'ung and Ch'o Ryong's audience to end, had words with her father, greeted an incoming Elina, then circulated the castle to check on her friends. She came to Ryu's room last and knocked. "It's me." The door opened immediately.

"That's a nice dress," he said when they were seated on opposite ends of the bed.

"Thank you."

"Are you sure about Chek?"

"Of course I'm sure. Do you think I'd bring it up and then not go? I asked about it," she said, "and he said all right. Eventually." She didn't mention her father adding that if Ryu couldn't come back without her he shouldn't come back at all.

He looked down. "Okay, then…"

"Something wrong?" she asked, though she already knew.

"It's like this. You know whatever I did with Elina?" She nodded. "Since I'll be getting it back anyway-" Nina refrained from asking how he knew there was a way to regain his powers. That would be exactly what he didn't need. "- to get him out of my sword et cetera, I thought I might as well bring Mami back, too. And all those other people, while I'm at it. General Rhun, and the people from Chek…"

Nina edged closer to him. "That sounds like a good thing to do." If you can, she didn't add. "What's the matter with that?"

"Maybe it's not right. Maybe it's something I oughtn't mess about with. Making people not dead anymore." He clenched his hands together; his fingers locked. She hated the sight of it. "What do you think?"

"Umm. Whatever you think is right, I guess."

He stared at his whitening knuckles. "That isn't much help."

"Oh, I know - but I don't know what else to say!"

"I'm sorry. Please. Don't worry." This time he was the one to edge closer, and he made to lay a hand on hers. She was grateful that they were no longer locked together. "I don't think I know either."

Nina accepted his hand and looked up at the images formed in the cracking paint of the ceiling. Now she regretted her extravagance - what must he think of her, the spoiled princess-doll in the silk confection?

After a few seconds she dared to look back at him and to speak again. "Actually… actually I think you should go ahead. I mean, they shouldn't have died. I know it was right for you to bring back Elina, and if it was right for her why shouldn't it be right for anyone else? It would be wonderful if you could bring them back like you did her."

He blinked once, twice, three times. "Thanks." He smiled. "'s good to know you think that."

"It's nothing."

"It's something."

"I guess it is…" His hand was warm against hers. "How is it you know just what I mean?"

"I don't know, exactly. I think it's the way you are. You're so… open. And pretty," Ryu added quickly, then looked as if he regretted saying it.

She blinked. "Pretty?"

He looked away from her. "Yes."

"Please - don't do that." He looked back and as he did she turned up her hand into his and smiled. "Thank you so much for saying that."

He frowned slightly. "It was only a word."

"It's the only word I need." Another few inches of edging. "And I've got words for you back. You've helped me so many times…"

"I do owe you."

"Whatever it was you owe me for, you've paid it a million times over. All those times you helped me, and Elina…"

"I told you I didn't mean to do it."

"If you did know what you were doing, you would've done it anyway."

"Wouldn't everyone?"

"Shh. I haven't given you all the words yet. You care so much…" She paused, then added, "And I think you're handsome."

"Really?"

"Yes. And you have the nicest eyes."

"Thanks." They moved closer at the same time and collided in the middle of the bed. Nina made to bury her face in his chest. "Please," he said. "Don't do that. I want to see your eyes too."

She nodded and looked up as their arms slid into position. His eyes shone as their faces moved closer. "Ryu… I think I'm…"

"Yes?"

A wicked thought occurred to her. "… in love… with Scias."

His expression was unadulterated shock. As she hurriedly opened her mouth again to explain it was a joke, he laughed as he caught on. "I thought it was Cray."

She smiled and tipped her head. "What, a girl can't change her mind?"

"You're lucky I wasn't fishing this time around. Do you know how much good lures cost?"

"A thousand zenny?"

"Well, not as much as that, but…" He laughed again and drew her closer. "Forget it."

Next time, Nina vowed, she'd cut down on the dress ornamentation; when their hug tightened and he lowered his head to hazard a kiss, she distinctly felt some of the rosettes start to press into her skin, and the ruffles at her wrists made them itch. In spite of that for a moment it seemed she'd flown through the roof and taken Ryu with her, both of them inexplicably free of the building material they had to have crashed through on the way.

When they disengaged Ryu said, "That was something."

She nodded. "It was." She stood up slowly, hanging on to him until the last possible moment. "Good night."

He continued to sit on the bed, smiling hazily. "G'night."

As she neared her bedroom she ran into Elina. They looked at each other, the both of them smiling slow and calm.

"Cray-?"

"Ryu-?"

"Yes."

"Yes!"

When they were done laughing, they told one another all about it.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks for slogging through this chapter. Now I'd like to ask you another favor - could you please comment on how I did the Ryu/Nina? I would really appreciate feedback on this aspect - I've written some utter tripe in the past, and I'm working on improving. As long or as short or as nonexistent as you want, but as always, please review. Thanks again.