This story belongs to me and my creative mind. However, many of the characters, names, and places all belong to their respective companies, so don't yell at me for copyright infringements! Remember, Italics represent a person's thoughts or the telling of past events.

Enjoy...

:A Moment of Discord:

Part Four: Goodwill

"Who enters the hall of Kings?" One of the two guards asked Fedrich as he approached the double doors.

"Sir Fedrich Castor, Dragon Knight sworn to the welfare of the King."

"Then enter, Sir, and be welcome to his sight."

The guards placed their hands on the door and pushed them open, wood creaking and hinges squealing for a want of oil. Fedrich stepped swiftly into the grand hall, noting the absence of persons as he approached. Only four guards stood watch over the King, two on either side of the imposing throne. Ten steps away he stopped and knelt, lowering his head and waiting for the monarch to speak.

"You can take it easy, Sir Fedrich! Stand up!" The boyish voice commanded.

Fedrich stood and looked at his lord and liege. That he was still a boy, only fourteen and not even a man, was a mild nuisance to the Dragon Knight. He was stubborn, quick to action and talked like he was born to the commoners than royalty. At least he was under restraint by the Royal Council and a steward until he was of age to become a true king. Said steward was standing next to the throne, back hunched with age and strain of keeping the king in check.

"You summoned me, my King?"

King Puck shook his head with a grin. "Nah, it was ol' Barlay that called you here! There's something brewing in Lindblum, and he wants to send an emissary to the Regent to make nice with him."

"A gift of manpower in case these rumors of a noble revolt prove to be truer than words say." Barlay respoke, walking forward to stand in attention. "I'm certain that you have heard these rumors?"

"I have. It doesn't seem much different from normal." Fedrich spoke evenly.

"Which is what I suspected it to be, yet this time it rings with a much darker tone than before. Agents from within the Lindblum territory have made reports of noblemen speaking against the Regent, of bolder steps being taken in defiance of his rule. I would take this as less than proof of danger, but one report given to me weighs heavier than any rumor."

"The report of massing soldiers for hire within the town of Kohlingen?"

Barlay shook his head. "A report followed after that one, only a day later. The agent within Kohlingen was killed by a man under the Highguard noble family. They sent a letter directly to our King, a warning to stay out of things that do not involve us."

"He actually threatened me!" King Puck laughed. "Said he would use his power to cut me a bloody wound in retaliation."

"Your Highness!" Fedrich blurted. "You do take him seriously, don't you?"

"Of course not! How could some dinky little nobleman halfway across the land come into my castle and cut me? How? He's just trying to scare me out of it."

Fedrich's muscles strained, wanting to slap sense into the boy. He knew exactly how someone could enter the castle and injure him, or even kill him. Since the bloody war against the mage army fielded by Alexandria, he knew that no walls could prevent a man from being magicked inside with a spell. Even before, against the fiery mage-warrior Elric, he saw that walls were by no means a guarantee of safety against a potential danger.

"There are many ways to injure a person, your Highness." Barlay faced the youth with a stern frown. "He wouldn't need to injure your body. He could attack a village, make war on our people, do any number of things to Burmecia in anger. All these things would be a grievous wound to our people. We suffer still from the Alexandrine conquest, and our numbers are too small to take such threats lightly."

"You don't think I know that half the city is still empty, Barlay?" Puck's eyes glared at the man, revealing layers of strain and stress on his mind. "You think I don't know what that war cost us? Cost me?"

Barlay realized his error. "My apologies, your Highness."

"Just tell Sir Fedrich what he needs to know and send him on his way. If we can stop this revolt before it happens, then we'll be in the clear!"

"Yes, your Highness." Barlay turned to face Fedrich once again, drawing out a scroll bound with a wax seal. "After much debate within the Royal Council, we have decided to send a small force of men to Lindblum as a sign of good faith to the Regent. You, Sir Fedrich, will be leading this group along with another Dragon Knight, Sir Diamante Halbred."

Fedrich's ears perked when he heard that name. Diamante was a Dragon Knight of impressive standing, only falling aside when Sir Fratley prove himself as legendary a warrior. He stepped aside as head knight and retired, traveling the continent and training others in his arts. He only reappeared in Burmecian territory when news of its razing reached all ears across the land, too late to shift the tide of the war.

"...Sir Halbred has been reinstated as an active knight, and has since been training a new generation of Dragon Knights to replace those who have fallen. Lady Crescent has been reassigned to take up his role as instructor, but Sir Halbred will take his three best students along with you to complete their training abroad."

"So there will be five of us, then. When will we be departing?"

"On the rise of the next sun, by chocobo. Gizamaluke is already sending their best mounts to speed your trip."

"And my orders?"

"Are within this scroll, to be opened in the presence of the Regent and none other. He is already aware of your coming, and will have an escort at the Hunter's Gate to ferry you to the castle proper."

"Is there anything I should know before we arrive?"

"Only that you are to do whatever is asked of you by the Regent. Since Lindblum suffers equally from a lack of strength, you are to be the knife that will cut away the sickness eating at his lands. The Dragon Knights will again show the world that none other matches their skill and honor. Do you understand your orders, Sir Castor?"

"We will ensure the peace of the lands, be it our own or an allies, under any circumstances and whenever he asks of it." Fedrich quoted the line directly from the books he studied under to become a proper knight. He saluted after. "I will make ready to depart by dawn of tomorrow at the city gates."

"Very good." Barlay handed the scroll to Fedrich, and he took it gently. "I trust you to take care of any details on your own."

"It won't be a problem, m'lord."

"Excellent."

Fedrich knelt again to the King. "I beg your leave."

"You don't have to beg for it, 'ya know! You can go." Puck tried to hide a snicker, but failed quickly.

The knight stood and turned, leaving the grand hall. He would have much to do before he left, and much to explain as well.

Home was the same as ever, rain smoothed stone and water resistant tiles on the roof. Cleverly placed pipes and troughs sluiced the water away from the house and down into the streets. From there it was all downhill to the central pipe, and that raced straight into the plains and was left to its own devices. Among several other houses, all well built and largely untouched by the conquest, it was a peaceful residence. Fedrich was glad he had earned enough money to afford it, with some help by his parents and a generous King, of course. He stepped to the door, unlocked it, and stepped inside.

"Welcome home, love!" Ruthy's voice called out from the bedroom.

"How are you today?" He asked, slipping off his jerkin and hanging it on a peg next to the door.

"Same as I was this morning, and the last one and the last one-"

"I get it." He snickered. "Just fine."

"So why are you back this early? I thought today was your day to patrol the back mountains?"

"It is, but I've got another assignment."

"Oh?"

Fedrich walked to the kitchen, picking up a mug and pouring himself some spiced cider from a jug on the counter. He took a healthy swig, savoring the rich and fresh flavors. She must have purchased it while he was out, he figured. He turned and saw her standing in the hallway, hair only partly braided. She had allowed it to grow since she left Lindblum, and it trailed down to her waist in coppery rivers. She smiled and stepped close to kiss him briefly on the lips.

"So the assignment?" She repeated.

Fedrich took a seat on a chair. "I've been given a special task this time. Four others and I are travelling to Lindblum to give our strength to the Regent. Apparently those rumors about a noble revolt are turning into facts."

Ruthy looked disheartened and excited at the same time, fingers forgetting her hair. She was obviously sad that her love was leaving Burmecia for an unknown amount of time, but was happy that he was going somewhere familiar. A mischievous glint shone in her brown eyes a moment after.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow at sunrise."

Her smiled widened. "Okay...that should be enough time for me to pack and get this place cleaned up."

"This isn't a vacation, Ruthy. You can't go with me on this mission."

"I won't go with you, exactly, but happen to be going in the same direction as you until we reach Lindblum. I can stay with my sister and Gordan at their manor while you're doing your work."

"But..." He tried to argue his point, but there wasn't a legitimate reason to keep her from going. She had family in Lindblum, and she would be happy there as long as he was assigned to the Regent's side. "I...suppose that you can come."

"Suppose?" She gave him that look.

Fedrich flinched. "Okay, you may go with me and enjoy life among humanity again."

Ruthy smiled, mussing his hair. "You know I would've followed you even if you said no."

"I blame that on whichever of your parents was more stubborn than the other." He took another swig of cider. "Try and pack light, we're only getting so many chocobos for the trip."

"You know that I always travel light."

"Just letting you know. Besides, you can buy anything you need in Lindblum and we can rent a bird there to haul it back."

"Yeah! I can finally get some of the new fashion clothes from the silk merchants. Thinner parchments, colored inks and proper bindings for my play. Books to read! I'll be dipping into the savings for certain."

"Try not to spend us broke, okay?"

"I'll resist the temptation."

She stepped back to the bedroom to finish braiding her hair, and Fedrich walked to the spare room to begin gathering his travel materials. He opened a chest and drew out his aged travel pack, shaking the dust off it and tossing it by the door. He picked up his old hat, leather worn and creased from time. It was the same hat that he wore during his stay in Lindblum, put aside for his official winged helmet. He felt it was only appropriate to wear it again while on the road.

He closed the chest and faced the closest wall of the room, eyes admiring the collection of arms and armor he had accumulated over the years. Present was his old mythril vest, blue-silver mail still looking pristine as if freshly forged. A dozen leather wrappings for his feet hung on metal rings, many of them with threads of metal woven in for added strength. Two lances and a glaive on wood mounts, each speaking of the hard time he had adapting to a polearm from a sword. And lastly was the very sword that won him through the trials during the Alexandrine conquest. As he promised himself, he polished that sword and all his weapons on a monthly basis. The dragon stain on the blade seemed anxious to be put to use.

'You could learn about my past by only looking at these things. The lances covered with notches from bad use, the leather soaked with my blood from cuts and blisters...'

Fedrich picked up the sword and scabbard from the rack, the leather sheath cool in his palm. 'Better take you along with me, just in case.'

He put the blade by the door as well, then gathered up his travel cloak and his riding gear. He would have to pack his presentation uniform carefully, thankful that it was all of linked metal and not solid plate.

"Fedrich?"

"Yes?" He looked back, seeing Ruthy by the front door. "Going somewhere?"

"Just to the markets to pick up medicine and stuff for the trip. Don't want to go out unprepared, even if I know some magic."

"Sure thing." Fedrich was always thankful that Ruthy packed for all occasions on a trip. More than once he had forgotten materials, and she always laughed when he had to ask for this or that.

Her magic, too, was a great gift for them. Months into their residence in Burmecia, a package arrived from Alexandria that contained several books and a note. Leena Doreen, a red mage that the two had helped on the road long ago, had sent them as a gift for saving her life. Most of them were historical texts, but one actually had notations on how to awaken any latent magical talent in a person's body. Ruthy poured over the book for months, and one day found that she could make sense of the runes within the tome. Since then, she had become a self-proclaimed white mage, learnt in the arts of healing wounds and purging poisons from the body.

His own feats at magic were less than successful. So far he had only mastered two dragoon spells, and one he had already known when he was formally inducted into the Dragon Knights. Fedrich was glad that learning magic wasn't a mandatory part of his training. Putting daydreaming aside, he went back to packing for their trip, wondering what exactly the Regent of Lindblum would have planned for them.

The day came to an end, the sun and moon exchanging places on their sides of the horizon. The moon rose and fell through the celestial globe of the heavens, and soon dawn came upon the rainy lands of Burmecia. This was lost to Burmecia, covered in clouds, observable only to the dragon roosting on the craggy peaks above. Having set a mechanical alarm, Fedrich and Ruthy both woke with time to spare before sunrise. Eating a meager breakfast, they closed up their house, grabbed their materials, and struck out to the city gates. Fedrich expected to arrive before the others did, but was disappointed when he saw them already preparing their mounts for the ride to the grotto.

"Ah, a blessed morning to you, Sir Castor!" An elderly burman called, stepping up to shake Fedrich's hand. "We have been here nary a minute, so don't fret if you believe yourself late."

"I don't, good Sir."

"My name is Sir Diamante Halbred, Dragon Knight, as you very well know. You may simply call me by Diamante to ease your tongue. And these," He motioned to the three other burmans with him. "Are my students. Knights Eria, Perce, and Winston."

Fedrich gave each a looking over, curious to see what the new generation of Dragon Knights came from. Eria looked as normal a girl one from a harsh life, expression bright despite the hour. Perce was thinner than any present, but held himself like a warrior born. Winston was easy to read by his eyes alone, since they darted from person to person as if expecting a fight. A generous mixing of personalities, it seemed, and all younger than a knight ought to be.

"It is an honor to meet with you all. From what I've heard, you are the best of the current students to become Dragon Knights. It will be an interesting experience to help finish your training in Lindblum, and most interesting to see what you are each capable of. As you know, my name is Sir Fedrich Castor," He stepped aside, revealing Ruthy who was standing behind him. "And before I forget, allow me to introduce my mate, Ruthy Killjoy."

The redhead took the same shade as her hair, but managed to nod weakly. "A pleasure to meet you all."

"She's your mate?" Winston repeated, eyes boring into Fedrich's.

"Yes." He replied in a stern tone. "My mate."

The two locked eyes for several moment, but Winston broke off with a bemused look. Fedrich was immediately reminded of the bias towards his choice in lovers. He hoped that these people wouldn't be so pre-set against them during the trip.

"Now now, let's not get into a foul disposition before we even depart." Diamante looked at Fedrich with a want of answers. "Is there a reason in particular miss Ruthy is with us this fine morning?"

"She's only a guest while we travel. Her relatives live in Lindblum and she wants to visit them, so better for her to come with us rather than go on her own, right?"

"Defense of the weak and innocent." Diamante muttered from the list of pledges a knight swore to. "Very well! Let us finish this packing and go before the rains pick up."

The six continued packing materials onto the chocobos, the sprinkle of rain from the omnipresent clouds starting to worsen as a wind picked up. Fedrich hoped that a storm wasn't intent on chasing them all the way across the Daines-Horse basin. Hopefully things would be better once they reached North Gate, since that city was specifically built on the edge of the perpetual rain. He tossed his last bag onto the bird, securing the leather bindings so that it wouldn't interfere with the bird's gait. Done, he turned around and came face to face with Perce, giving him a start.

"Yes?" Fedrich asked the knight.

Perce looked at him intently for several seconds before replying. "You feel important."

"I feel important?"

"Not that. Something about your aura...it just feels important. Necessary to us."

"To what?"

"Nevermind...it's nothing." And before Fedrich could ask, Perce was already walking away to get onto his mount.

Fedrich could only arch an eyebrow at the youth, unable to think of a reason why he would say such things. He wasn't that special in the order of things in Burmecia, and wasn't known for doing much that was noteworthy in the military. Only his involvement during the Alexandrine conquest marked him as important, since he was in place to alter the threads of fate and save so many innocent lives. Or so he was told by those phantoms in his dreams long ago, but he only had their word that he was vital to Burmecia's survival. This Perce couldn't know of what he did, could he?

Fedrich couldn't choose one or another.

> > >

Gordan stepped up the stairs, taking his time as he made his way to the Highguard's study. The past three days he had been welcomed to stay with them as guests, and it was a wonderful chance to learn about their history and the struggles they had to get to their place as a leading noble house in Lindblum. Oberon was a strict businessman, but had a streak of humor in him once he got his mind off of work. His wife and children, too, seemed friendly and lively once they broke the ice.

'Leon and Alvard both love it here. They have never seen the open plains nor the ocean before up close, and to play with other children as well is a gift to relish. I almost regret having to take them home so soon.'

Gordan knocked on the door to the study before coming inside, seeing Oberon by the large windows that overlooked the endless textile fields his family was known for.

"How are you, Gordan?" Oberon asked, looking back to the nobleman.

"I am fine. These past days with your family have been invigorating."

"Yes, this town has always made me feel years younger, like I could dive into those fields and work them as hard as any man. I attribute it to the fresh air and the scent of cotton. You notice it, do you?"

"What I notice is the absence of smells. I am used to the din of Airships and the smells of molten metal, smoke and sound. A person could get lost in the silence of this land."

"Understandable." Oberon turned to face Gordan, hands clasped behind his back. "Tell me, Gordan, nobleman to nobleman, are you tired of living in such intolerable conditions?"

"Tired in what way?"

"In every way that there can be. The economy, the oppression from the Regency, the impassive population of drones we call normal folk, the lack of respect for what the noble class has done to improve this world. Aren't you tired of being looked at as another rich bastard who does nothing for society except ruin it? Aren't you tired of not having the power we are entitled to?"

Gordan was uncertain of what Oberon was trying to drive home. His expression looked the same as ever, but his eyes gleamed with an inner fire and drive. He hadn't looked as focused on a subject since the details regarding his Airship. "What power? We are merely nobles, the upper part of society."

"No!" Oberon barked. "We aren't merely nobles! We are the tools for social evolution in society, the cogs that drive the economy and the creators of wealth and employment! We are the ones that invent and engineer, that make this modern world what it is! Have you forgotten what the true meaning of noble is?"

"It is merely a title, Oberon, not something to flaunt about as proof to our superiority. We are only the wealthy, not the leaders that our Regent is. He is of royal birth, a standing much greater than being wealthy or noble."

"Royal birth! Pah, royalty is only having a certain surname given to you at birth, only a mere thing handed down to people like cheap crowns or a tattered robe! You know, Gordan, where the true power lies in this world." He gesticulated towards himself. "It is me. You. Every noble house in this land that bore the burden of picking up society after it fell in the Alexandrine conquest! We are the ones who make this world what it is, and then some man with a name decides to call himself a Regent and lessen our place. He swaggers from tourneys to plays and feasts, gorging himself on our labors and calling them his own!"

"That is not true!" Gordan shouted back. "The Regent creates order in the land so that we do not live in anarchy!"

"Who is to say that anarchy would result if the Regent were to leave? If we left, all the nobles and their works were to disappear, what would the Regent be residing over? Dirt, rocks, and people slaving in the mud to eke out a living for themselves! Before there is a King, there must be a connected population to rule over. And how does one connect people to one another? Through trade, employment and an economy. And who creates those things?" He smiled and motioned to Gordan. "The nobles."

Gordan shook his head. "What are you driving at? Are the rumors of a noble uprising more than rumors, Oberon? Is it true that you wish to overthrow the Regency and bring about the noble states lost during the Mist Wars?"

"Yes." Oberon smiled, pleased to think of being in power once more. "And I want to know if you will help me, Gordan. Help me bring down that doddering Regent with your strength! You have the largest owned private Airship industry in the world. Without the Regent and his private industries above you, then you would stand unequaled! Without his Viltgances guarding his precious castle, then he can be put to siege and forced to step down! The people don't like him any less for being taxed and living under so many pointless laws and commands! All people yearn for freedom, and you can help bring it to them!"

Gordan was nervous, afraid even. He had hoped that Oberon wasn't truly planning to attack the Regent, but it was more than apparent he was laying the groundwork to begin. Immediately after, he thought of his wife and children. Could be bluff for time and get them away from his control?

"I...ask for time to think on this, Oberon. It is not something to be so lightly treated." He turned to leave, but saw Flaure Highguard standing in the doorjam, a thin sword held loosely in her hand. She smiled and waved a hand at him.

"I'm sorry, Gordan, but I'm a tad impatient when it comes to this matter. Will you help me?"

"I will not." He said, resolute.

Oberon tsked him. "So much for reasoning like gentlemen, it seems. Alright, Gordan, you may leave for home. Except," He smiled again, wicked and cruel. "I'll be keeping your wife and children here as guests in my manor. Since you have a model for my Airship complete, you really don't need to stay here. Go and complete it, but don't linger too long. I'm afraid that as time goes on, my friendliness towards Illis and your sons might...wane."

He looked back to Oberon with fire in his eyes. "Are you threatening my family, Sir?"

"Merely warning you that my Airship had better be completed in due haste. My revolution rests on the back of this Airship, and the longer I wait the more I will take it out on your family. I will not hesitate to get rid of things that stand in the way of my ascent to power."

Gordan remained still in the study, body conflicted between running to protect his wife or to strike the noble down for his audacity to keep them hostage.

"You have nine months to complete my Airship. Any longer..." He let the threat trail off, knowing that Gordan understood the message.

The Author Speaks!

And now, finally, we have the end to an ever so long introduction! With the stage set, now we can see where this story goes and just how great the dangers our heroes will face. This has been shaping itself to be darker, more malevolent and political than anything I've tried yet. Hopefully I can play those cards right and make this story ring with the full scope of a war between classes.

Hey, Jaysinya! Glad to see another familiar face back on the field. Don't fret, you'll see plenty of action in this story as it progresses, and also the identity of our mystery mage will be revealed in the near future.

I also apologize, Robshi, for the lack of action in the last chapter. However, since this story will be running at a slower pace than my others, expect to see more chapters that revolve around character interactions instead of fighting. There will be many conflicts present, but not all of them with swords and spears.