Same disclaimer.

***

Lindblum Grand Castle wasn't simply inside the city; rather, it was the city. The place was larger than Bale, Fletz, and Deningrad combined. From my vantage point, I could see only two ways in or out of Lindblum: the Falcon Gate, for airships like the one our new friends rode, and the Hunter's Gate, for those on foot.

The three of us made sure to land on the cargo ship and shed our armor before entering Lindblum. We had revealed our powers to Zidane and company out of necessity, but I wasn't quite ready to display the might of the Dragoons to Lindblum just yet.

Then again, odds are that Dagger will tell the Regent as soon as she gets the chance. I glanced at the Princess. For the first time since the escape from Alexandria, she was looking completely relaxed. I assumed this was because she was finally in friendly territory. Regent Cid was like an uncle to her, so she undoubtedly believed he would be willing to help.

"Hey, Jason," Zack said. "Here comes the welcoming committee."

I followed his gaze. Three Lindblum soldiers, one of them an officer, were approaching. "Let's hope they're feeling sociable."

Dagger approached the officer. "I am Princess Garnet Til Alexandros. I wish an audience with Regent Cid."

The man snorted. "Come on. No member of the royal family, let alone a princess, would travel in a rickety old airship like that. And the company you keep…" He trailed off, inspecting the rest of us.

Steiner, predictably, was not pleased. "How dare you accuse the princess of lying!" he snarled. "She was forced to come here under extreme circumstances!"

The officer ignored him. "Can you give proof of your royal heritage?"

"Yes, of course." Garnet held out her pendant.

The officer inspected it. "This pendant…is it a Falcon Claw? No, it's slightly different." He gestured to one of his men. "Call Minister Artania!" The soldier left immediately.

Within moments, a man I presumed was Artania arrived. He took one look at Dagger before waving the guards away. "You're dismissed. I'll handle this."

The officer saluted. "Yes, sir!" He departed, his men following.

Dagger rushed to greet the minister. "Uncle Artania!"

He smiled. "Welcome to Lindblum, Princess. I am glad to see you safe." Artania beckoned to us. "Come, I will take you to the Regent."

I had actually planned to search for Laura and Indora before making a stir, but it occurred to me that seeing the Regent first would be wise, just in case something insane happened. With Derrick Sands on the loose as a Dragoon, we couldn't afford to take chances. Regent Cid has a right to be warned. I just hope he'll agree to keep our visit secret.

We followed Artania to an elevator in the back. "Lindblum Castle has three levels," he explained. "The lowest is rarely used, as both lower gates open into the Mist. The middle level is the most frequented, as it includes the airship dock, guest rooms, and air cab station. The third level is restricted, since the Regent lives there."

"Reminds me of Kazas," Zack said.

The throne room appeared empty when we arrived. The throne itself, larger than any I'd seen before, was also empty. Now what?

"Sire, Princess Garnet of Alexandria is here," Artania said.

A small insect form appeared from behind the throne. "Gwok gwok." It hopped out. "Greetings."

I stiffened. "A talking insect!?"

Steiner was far less restrained. "Oglop!" he shouted, smashing the bug into the throne. "Get that bug out of here and take us to the Regent!"

Artania grabbed his arm. "Please! You are before the Regent!"

"Impossible!"

"Steiner, stand down." Dagger knelt. "That mustache…is that you, Uncle Cid?"

"Garnet, nice to see you again." Cid got to his feet.

Artania hurried to explain. "Six months ago, some bandits attacked the Regent and stole our new airship. Unfortunately, by the time we could get to him, he'd been turned into an oglop."

I shot a glance at Steiner. "Don't try to pin this one on Tantalus, Steiner. Baku just happens to be an old friend of the Regent."

"The young man is right," Cid put in. "They would have no reason to harm me." He hopped once. "I know you are here for help, but surely it can wait until you have eaten and rested."

"Most of it, yes." I stepped forward. "There are some things I must speak of now, sire."

"Go ahead."

"First, I have two comrades somewhere in Lindblum. I trust you will not object to my collecting them?"

"Of course not," Cid replied. "What else?"

"You have a new and very dangerous enemy," I said grimly. "A man who wears the armor of the Dragoon, the Knight of the Dragon, just as we do," I went on, gesturing to my friends. "His name is Derrick Sands, and the only person on Gaia who could defeat him one-on-one is Alexandria's General Beatrix, and even she would have a very hard time."

"Dragoon? I presume you speak of something other than Burmecia's lancers?" the Regent asked. I nodded. "Then perhaps you'd better explain more."

I told him everything I'd told the princess, about our origins and our mission. "Somehow, Derrick defeated the Blood Dragon. That suggests he recently obtained power that was previously unheard of, both on Gaia and Endiness. I urge you, sire, to tell your soldiers not to confront Derrick directly. He is much too powerful."

"Thank you for the warning," Cid said.

I bowed. "Only my duty, sire. Now, with your permission, I have work to do." I turned and left, Zack and Dari close behind.

***

The city of Lindblum itself was even more impressive than the castle. It is best described as a combination of several cities in Endiness: the royal grandeur of Bale and Fletz mixed with the prosperous trade of Lohan and Fueno. In addition to the castle, Lindblum was divided into three districts: the Theater District, where Zidane told me his Tantalus friends had their hideout; the Business district, encompassing all but a few of Lindblum's shops; and the Industrial District, self-explanatory.

We went to the Industrial District first; Zidane had recommended a restaurant in the area. Having been raised on Shana's home cooking, I had little taste for the high-class food Cid's chef insisted on preparing. Zack, despite his royal upbringing, had tastes similar to mine, and while Dari enjoyed some of the food at the castle, she was no gourmet.

Zack, predictably, was the first in. "I'm so hungry I could eat a Virage. Without salt." He walked in and froze. "Jason, Dari! Laura and Indora are here!"

Laura Trent greeted us with her usual energy. "Hi guys! How'd things go in Alexandria?"

"Good and bad," I replied. I gave her a summary.

Indora pursed his lips. "So this Derrick is a Dragoon, and he's after you. This could be bad."

I snorted. "That's one way of putting it. I wish I knew what he was up to, besides trying to send me to an early grave." I left my other thoughts unspoken. Ever since our arrival in Gaia, I'd been nursing some dark suspicions about Alexandria. Derrick's presence just underscored those suspicions. I shook my head. If the Blood Dragoon had joined forces with Queen Brahne…

"Hey, Monkey-tail. You're disturbing the other customers."

I turned. The speaker was a Burmecian, with the unmistakable air of one of their Dragon Knights. She was gazing at Zidane, a half-smile on her rat-like face.

Zidane glared at her. "Why, you've got a tail, too, Rat Face!"

"Rat Face…" The Burmecian sipped her drink. "When I finish my drink, you're toast." She got up, smiling more broadly. "Long time no see, Zidane."

The thief grinned. "How've you been, Freya?"

Freya retrieved her drink. "Alright."

"How long has it been?" Zidane asked, picking up his soup.

"About three years."

"What brings you here?" Zidane and Freya were clearly old friends.

The Burmecian glanced at him. "The Festival of the Hunt, what else? You entering?"

Zidane shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll pass."

Freya snorted. "Lazy bum." She appeared to notice us for the first time. "Friends of yours?"

"Oh, yeah!" Zidane introduced us. "These are Jason, Zack, and Dari. Guys, meet my friend Freya. She's a Burmecian Dragon Knight."

I waved at the Tiberoans. "Laura and Indora, Dragoons of Light and Earth."

"We've met." Freya shook my hand. "They've mentioned you. A lot."

"Why am I not surprised." I rolled my eyes. "Before you ask, we're not here for the Festival either. I presume you've heard about recent events in Alexandria?" She nodded. "I believe that war will break out soon, if it hasn't already," I continued. "If that is the case, Burmecia will almost certainly be hit."

The Dragon Knight lifted an eyebrow. "Why should you care about Burmecia?"

"I care about any war-torn nation," I replied. "My parents died in a civil war almost twenty years ago. Secondly, I have two Dragoons in Burmecia, so I have a personal stake in the matter."

"I see." Freya rose. "The Festival is tomorrow, so I'll see you later."

***

I had been wondering just what the Festival of the Hunt was about. The people of Lindblum certainly seemed excited about it, so it was obviously important, but everything I'd heard about it was frustratingly vague. That morning, I buttonholed Minister Artania about it.

"The Festival of the Hunt is a tradition dating back to Cid 1st," he replied. "Monsters of various types are released into the city streets, and the contestants hunt them down. Each monster is worth a certain number of points; whoever has the most points at the end is declared the Master Hunter." Artania smiled. "Are you interested?"

I shook my head. "Not really. When it comes to testing my prowess in battle, I generally prefer to take on sentient opponents. Monsters are almost always too easy, at least monsters of the sort you're going to be turning loose today."

"As you wish."

One hour later, the five of us had the best seats in town: two hundred feet up. Five Dragoons hovered over the city, unnoticed by any save a few, specifically Artania and Dagger's group. From that point, we could see everything going on in the streets. Now we'll see if Burmecia's Dragon Knights are as skilled as we've heard.

Zidane, it turned out, had decided to participate after all. Even without a Dragoon's heightened senses, I would have known that tail anywhere. He started out in the Theater District, near the Tantalus hideout if I saw correctly. Freya began her hunt in the Industrial District, plunging her spear into a mid-sized bird.

"She's good," Zack said. And he would know; the spear was his specialty. "She might even be able to take Lavitz in an even fight."

"Oh, look, it's Vivi!" Laura exclaimed.

I looked. It was indeed the diminutive Black Mage, incinerating a Fang. Where do they come up with these names? Then again, I guess a native of Endiness can't really complain. "Run Fast," indeed. I shifted my attention to the stands. Dagger was standing near the top, flanked, naturally, by Adelbert Steiner. I snorted. Steiner wasn't likely to let Dagger go anywhere unescorted, except possibly within Alexandria Castle.

Zidane was racking up an impressive score. By this point he'd nailed at least a dozen monsters of various types. Soon the only one ahead of him was his Burmecian friend Freya. Never let it be said that Zidane Tribal lacks either skill or courage…what on earth!?

I tapped the Golden Dragoon on the shoulder. "Indora, who or what is that!?"

He looked in the indicated direction. "Hmm, the 'Strange Gourmand'. I think the being in question is a Qu. They live in Qu's Marsh, on the plains north of Lindblum."

"They actually live with the Mist?" Dari sounded surprised.

The Giganto's lip twisted. "The Mist doesn't affect them, at least not as it affects Humans. I don't think much of their favorite food, though."

"That being?" I prompted.

"Frogs. All Qus devour frogs at every opportunity." Indora looked disgusted. "Apparently, they need frogs for proper growth."

Further conversation was cut off by a terrified scream. Two kids, around nine or ten years old, were cornered in a square by a huge monster. Zidane and Freya were fighting it, but the youngsters were still in danger.

"I'll handle this!" I folded my wings and dove, snatching the kids up before the monster could devour them. "Gotcha!"

They shivered. "Thank you."

I landed in the stands. "Stay here, you'll be safe."

"That was great, Jason," Dari said as I rejoined my team.

I shrugged. "I couldn't just leave them to die, now could I?"

The battle on the ground was over mere seconds later, Freya inflicting a lethal blow. Zidane came in a strong second, 170 points to Freya's 180. Vivi was third at 150. Say what you will about Vivi, he's no coward. I certainly wouldn't care to face him in battle.

We returned to the castle for the awards ceremony. To my surprise, only three hunters even showed up: Zidane, Freya, and Vivi. The rest were either nursing their wounds or had already departed. Also present were Dagger and Steiner.

"Congratulations, Freya," Zidane said. "I don't know how you got so many points."

The Burmecian shrugged. "The fruits of my training, I guess."

"Regent Cid!"

A badly wounded Burmecian soldier staggered in. "Sire, please help us!"

Cid started forward, but Artania tried to restrain him. "Sire, he must not see you like this."

"Look at him. An injury has blinded him," the regent countered. "Continue."

"Burmecia is under attack by an army of mages…with pointed hats."

Vivi started violently.

"The king and I are old friends," Cid replied. "I will send help as soon as possible."

"Thank you. I must…return now." The soldier fell over sideways, dead.

Freya knelt beside him. "It's a miracle he made it this far."

Mages with pointed hats. Zidane had told me of an underground factory in Dali, making dolls that bore an uncanny resemblance to Vivi. I knew it! Alexandria has started a war. Brahne is sending magic-wielding golems in an unprovoked attack on Burmecia. I drew my blade. "I knew this would happen! Queen Brahne has declared war on Burmecia."

"How dare you!" Steiner shouted. "How dare you say such things about our Queen! She would never do such a thing!"

"I told you before, things aren't right in Alexandria," I snapped. "Why do you think Dagger wanted to be kidnapped!? She knew something was wrong, so she came to Cid for help." I clenched my fists. "Freya, we will accompany you to Burmecia. Brahne will pay for this."

"Thank you." Freya sounded relieved.

Steiner, however, wasn't finished. "You issued a slanderous accusation against the Queen, and now you are meddling in matters that are not your concern! You should be placed in a dungeon!"

A very rare event occurred then: I lost my temper. "You worthless cretin!" I shouted, transforming. "You insufferable, pig-ignorant fool!! Final Burst!!!"

The fire attack literally knocked Steiner flying across the room. I waited for him to get to his feet, then landed and reverted to human form. "Have you listened to a word I've said since we met?" I demanded, my voice now cold as ice. "Have you forgotten that two of my comrades went to Burmecia? Do you expect me to abandon them? Are you really that stupid!?"

Steiner goggled, for once at a loss for words.

My voice grew even colder. "You will listen to me, because I will only say this once. Queen Brahne is not, repeat not, in her right mind. If she were, she wouldn't have been so reckless when trying to stop the Prima Vista, let alone sending three black Waltzes after us. There is something within Dagger that she wants very badly, and she clearly doesn't care how many people die in the process."

Dagger then spoke up. "We don't have time to waste. We have to go."

"Princess! I cannot allow you to take such a risk!" Steiner said, regaining his voice.

I sighed. "I hate to say it, but I agree with Steiner, though for different reasons. If this is indeed an Alexandrian attack, then the last thing we need if for you to be caught in the middle." I glanced at Steiner. "Take care of her, but I strongly advise you not to return to Alexandria. It would be a serious mistake." I shifted my attention to Zidane. "We'll meet you at the Dragon Gate."

***

"Man, Jason, I've never seen you like that before," Zack said as we rode the elevator down.

I sighed. "That's because you've never seen me angered in a life-or-death situation before." I slammed a fist into my palm. "That idiot! I'll just bet he'll try to get back to the castle despite my warnings."

"What'd you expect?" Dari asked. I looked a question at her, and she shrugged. "Steiner's a good fighter, we all know that, but he's got all the imagination of a brick. He truly believes that Brahne did nothing wrong."

"I know, it's just…" I sighed again. "Steiner's smart enough to be convinced eventually, but I'm almost certain that eventually will be far too late. Dagger's going to get hurt, and there's nothing I can do about it."

Dari smiled. "If it helps any, we're behind you."

"All the way," Zack said.

"You lead, we follow," Laura put in.

"Anywhere," Indora added.

I managed a smile. "Thanks, guys. Let's go; Zidane, Freya, and Vivi should be at the gate by now."
They were indeed, though Zidane looked both annoyed and worried. "Dagger's gone," he said without preamble.

I stiffened. "When?"

"We were having lunch, and we all started to feel sleepy," Vivi said. "When we woke up, Dagger and Steiner had left."

"It was sleeping weed," Zidane said. "I gave her some because she said she was having trouble sleeping. I had no idea she'd pull something like this."

"Impressive." And it was, but there was no time to dwell on that. "There's no help for it now. Much as it pains me to admit it, we'll just have to trust Steiner to make sure she doesn't get herself killed." I shrugged. "She's probably in no danger at the moment. Dagger may be naïve, but 'naïve' doesn't necessarily mean 'stupid'."

"I hope you're right." That was Freya. "Come. We need to pass through Gizamaluke's Grotto to get to Burmecia."

"Right. I just hope Derrick doesn't show up again." We walked together into the Mist.

**

Author's note: Next chapter will be fairly violent, since it will cover Gizamaluke's Grotto and Burmecia. Not all that much here, but then the first visit to Lindblum is rather dull, at least in my opinion.

To Ye Say Ye Fool: Solid Shark is my younger brother, but I'm withholding the precise margin at his insistence (read: threats of violence *chuckle*).

To Red-Eyed, Divine Dragoon 77451, I haven't yet decided whether to do such a sequel; if I do it will be a while yet, as I will be very busy.

Thanks for all the reviews, and keep it up.