Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry that I've been late in updating this story, but I had to get caught up with school and all. I hope that since the last chapter I haven't left you too much in suspense. And to let all of you know, I have the flow of chapter eight in mind while I'm finishing chapter seven. Well, among all things, please remember to read and review!

Mother Russia, how are you sleeping?
Middle winter cold winds blow.
From the snowflakes drifting,
swirling 'round like ghosts in the snow.
Mother Russia, poetry majestic,
tells the tale of great empire.
Turning 'round the old man ponders,
reminiscing an age gone by.
Mother Russia, dance of the Tsars.
Hold up your heads.
Be proud of what you are.
Now it has come, freedom at last.
Turning the tides of history and your past.
Mother Russia, dance of the Tsars.
Hold up your heads.
Remember who you are.
Can you release the anger, the grief?
Can you be happy, now your people are free?—

"Mother Russia"—Iron Maiden

A Time of Peace. A Time of War

Chapter VII

A few weeks had passed since Zidane asked Tantalus to discover who the 'savior' was that attempted to assassinate himself and Garnet. Since that time, Zidane and Garnet did their best to forget the incident that took place on their wedding day. Their best remedy was to stay in bed longer, and to enjoy its fruits. But three weeks later, Zidane discussed with Captain Steiner what he had learned.

"Well, I learned something interesting from the Tantalus boys."

"What's that?"

"A name."

"A name?"

"Yes, my brothers've given me a name."

"And who's that?"

"Someone named 'Haldan Errol.'"

Steiner gasped. "Haldan!"

"…Do you know him?"

Steiner nodded. "Indeed, he was one of the Knights of Pluto."

"Really! Then you must know some info on him."

"Not really, I haven't seen him in years."

"What happened to him?"

"He was a great warrior, but he wouldn't conform."

Zidane smirked. "I can relate to that."

Steiner gave Zidane a look. "What do you mean, you 'can relate to that'? The last time I checked, you were a member of a gang called, Tantalus."

Zidane chuckled. "Yes, but it was different from the Knights of Pluto."

"How so?"

"You were able to speak your mind freely more than the average soldier. I couldn't stand being in the military…I'm too much of a free thinker."

Steiner glared, and shook his finger. "Then perhaps you should join Haldan! Those soldiers protect your freedom!"

Zidane smiled, and motioned Steiner to calm down. "Relax, Steiner, I understand that; I'm just making a point. All I'm trying to say's that the military life wasn't for me…"

"But the life of a thief was!"

"And don't forget the life of an actor too! You need to be more liberal, Steiner; and understand that there're people in the world, who see the world differently than you."

Steiner glared.

But his glare ended when Garnet entered the room. "Your Majesty," Steiner said with a salute.

"Were you two fighting again?"

"No we weren't," Zidane replied with a chuckle, while he brought Garnet forward for a kiss. "I was just enlightening Steiner, that's all."

Steiner shook his fist. "I'm enlightened enough, you foolish peasant!"

"Stop it! That's enough!"

"Yeah," Zidane said with a smile, "I'm a member of the aristocracy now."

"The same goes for you too!" added Garnet.

"Yes, ma'am…Are you feeling better now, Dagger?"

Garnet sighed. "I was until you two decided to argue…But other than that, yes, I'm feeling much better."

"That's good. You were really ill this morning."

"What exactly was the matter, Your Majesty?"

"My stomach was bothering me. I guess it was something that I ate last night."

"Perhaps I should inspect the kitchen, Your Majesty?"

Garnet shook her head. "No, I don't think that's necessary, Steiner."

"Your Majesty!" Beatrix exclaimed, while she charged into the room.

"What's the matter, Beatrix?"

"Treno's under attack!"

The room gasped.

"What!" replied Garnet. "What exactly's going on!"

"The commoners're rebelling against the nobles. Homes're being attacked, and nobles're being killed in the streets."

"We must restore order at once!" commanded Steiner.

Beatrix nodded. "Yes, I've sent out a regiment already to restore order."

"This is obviously Haldan's work," responded Zidane.

"Who's that?" asked Garnet.

"Yes, who's that?" added Beatrix.

"The person who I sent Tantalus to find out about…he's the person turning the common people against Dagger. Steiner can tell a little bit more about him as well."