Author's Note: Greetings, everyone! Well, I thought that I would tell everyone that I finished watching Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children last night, and I didn't really like it. I felt that it lacked a lot of drama. Plus, I have to confess that while I liked Final Fantasy VII I didn't like it as well as I did Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy IX or Final Fantasy X. Well, that's enough of my rant—now, to talk about this chapter. This chapter is something of an interrogation that talks some about Haldan and Mortimer's past. And, as always, please continue to read and review!

Saints and sinners,
something within us,
we are lord of the flies.
Saints and sinners,
something within us,
to be lord of the flies—

"Lord of the Flies"—Iron Maiden

A Time of Peace. A Time of War

Chapter XVI

Mortimer wept, as he kneeled over Haldan's corpse. Around him, the battle continued. The two soldiers knelt and cried as well. To them, Haldan was a 'savior'—as he was for the would-be assassin of Zidane and Garnet. Haldan had led these two soldiers out of poverty and into the life of luxury—Alexandria's palace. Haldan was something of a savior for Mortimer, but he was something more—a friend.

Once Mortimer regained his composure, he turned to the two soldiers. "I know that you don't have to follow my orders anymore, but there's a favor I'd like to ask you?"

One of the soldiers sniffed. "What's that?"

"Go and find some oil…I'd like to burn Haldan's body…For all I know, Alexandria'll desecrate his body, and put his head on display in some museum."

The other soldier nodded. "I know where there's some oil."

"Then let's make haste!"

But their efforts resulted in failure. Mortimer and the two soldiers were captured, placed in irons, and sent to Lindblum.

The next day, Zidane, Garnet, and Eiko entered the Lindblum dungeon that housed Mortimer, who was still in irons.

When Mortimer noticed the three he smiled. "Well, it looks like I'm receiving a royal welcome."

"Did you kill, Moco?" Eiko said, short and to the point.

"Huh?"

"It's a simple question! Did you or didn't you kill Moco!"

"Who's Moco?"

"A moogle in Madain Sari."

"…No, I didn't…That was Haldan who did that."

"But why? Moco was unarmed!"

"Because he got in the way…I didn't like it either, but the fact is he got in Haldan's way."

"You were in the way of my ancestors!"

"I did what I had to do…"

Eiko struck her flute across Mortimer's nose.

Mortimer groaned. Blood seeped through his fingers. "You little bitch!"

"Eiko! That's enough!"

Eiko turned to Garnet.

"I know what happened to Moco was cowardly, but I can't do anything about it. I've no control over what happens in Madain Sari."

"Maybe you don't, Dagger, but I certainly do!"

"I'm sorry, Eiko, but I can't have this right now. I'm here to ask questions about Alexandria."

Eiko's face was still set on thunder.

But Zidane touched Eiko's shoulders. "Perhaps it'd be best if you left the room, Eiko."

Eiko continued to glare. But finally she sighed and nodded. Zidane showed her the door.

The blood from Mortimer's nose began to clot, and his breathing returned to normal.

"Mortimer," began Garnet, "I'm Queen Garnet of Alexandria, and I understand from the captured soldiers in Haldan's army that you're Haldan's second in command?"

Mortimer nodded. "That's correct; and even though I'm not from Alexandria, I know who you are."

"Oh? Where're you from?"

"Here in Lindblum."

The word 'Lindblum' perked Zidane's interest. "Really? That's where I'm from. But I don't believe I ever saw you in the city."

"Well, this is a big town."

Zidane chuckled. Despite the fact that Mortimer was one of Zidane and Garnet's chief foes their conversation had been rather pleasant. "Well, that's true. Where do you live?"

"The Business District."

"And how exactly did you get involved with Haldan?" interjected Garnet.

Mortimer sighed. "It's a very long story…"

"Well, we want to hear it," replied Zidane.

Mortimer chuckled. "Somehow I thought you'd say that, Prince Zidane."

Zidane smiled. "Just 'Zidane' will do—no 'prince' or 'prince consort.'"

Mortimer returned the smile. "Okay, then Zidane, here's the story. I first met Haldan five years ago. At the time I was something of an outsider, which means I was usually rejected by people. And because I was rejected by people it caused me to have low self-esteem.

"But when I first met Haldan something happened in my life that I'd never received before—respect. Haldan treated me just like I was his equal, which is amazing! I mean, here's a guy who's an ex-Knight of Pluto, and he's treating me as though I was in the service with him!

"Haldan became my friend, and it was through him that my confidence rose; and I believed that I could do anything—especially when I learned how to handle a sword through his training, or when I learned how to summon an eidolon."

"I guess now I can see how that guy who tried to kill me and Dagger on our wedding day considered Haldan to be his 'savior'…Wait! …Did Haldan order a shooter to kill me and Dagger?"

"Huh?"

"Did Haldan order a shooter to kill me and Dagger on our wedding day?"

"…I don't think so. That really wasn't Haldan's style. He didn't like the idea of assassins. But I have to tell you that there were a lot of people in Alexandria—the kingdom not the city—that wanted Queen Garnet dead."

"So the assassin acted on his own that day?" asked Garnet.

Mortimer nodded. "I guess so."

"What happened to him?" added Zidane.

"Who?"

"The assassin."

"I don't know…I don't even know who he was."

"He was locked in the dungeon after the assassination attempt took place."

"Hmm…oh, wait! I think I might know who you're talking about. Was he someone about my age with brown hair and brown eyes?"

Zidane and Garnet nodded.

"Okay, I know who you're talking about. After we captured the city, Haldan let him go."

"Where did he go?"

Mortimer shook his head. "I don't know; I really didn't pay that much attention to him. I guess he went back to wherever he came from."

"I remember that he said, 'Treno.'"

Garnet nodded. "It's just as well. I planned on pardoning him anyway."

Mortimer was stunned. "What! Really!"

Again Garnet nodded. "Yes. That man was starving, and it was due to bad policy on my part. If I was desperate for food, I'd probably act irrational too."

Mortimer smiled. "You amaze me sometimes, Queen Garnet. I'm beginning to see through our conversation that you're not a tyrannical ruler."

"What would've ever made you think so in the first place? You're not from Alexandria."

"No, but I'm from Lindblum, and Lindblum was attacked by Alexandria."

"That wasn't Dagger's fault."

"Maybe not, but it was still Alexandria's fault. And 'Dagger'—as you call her—is the Queen of Alexandria."

"So is that why you joined Haldan in his attack on Alexandria?" asked Garnet.

"Sort of, but not quite—I was angry over what Alexandria had done, but…I think I just would've followed Haldan anywhere…I was just loyal to him."

"Why did Haldan hate Alexandria so much?"

"…I don't think Haldan really hated the country of Alexandria so much as he hated the establishment."

"I take it then he was born into a lower-class family?" asked Zidane.

Haldan nodded. "He was, but he didn't talk about his family much."

"Where was he from?" asked Garnet.

"A little village outside Dali."

"I think I know where that area is," replied Zidane. "I think it's called, Caesarea."

"Yeah, that's it!" responded Mortimer. "But like I said, he didn't talk about his family much. I think his parents were already dead…Still, I think part of his problems were his departure from the Knights of Pluto."

"Captain Steiner told us it was because of his attitude."

"That's not what Haldan told me."

"What did he tell you?" asked Garnet.

"He said it was because they weren't being run properly, but every time he mentioned it to Captain Steiner he'd just cite him for insubordination."

Zidane chuckled. "I can see that with ol' Rusty."

"What's so funny, Zidane?" asked Garnet.

"Oh, nothing."

Garnet sighed, and returned to Mortimer. "So what you're saying is that Haldan didn't really launch this crusade, because of the plight of the people?"

"I wouldn't say that. I think Haldan did find the barrier between the rich and the poor unfair, and that the poor weren't always given the opportunity to move ahead…I think some of that can also relate to his departure from the Knights of Pluto."

"Mortimer, I've only a few more important questions to ask you."

"All right?"

"You realize that this war's over, don't you?"

Mortimer nodded. "Yes, I realized that yesterday when I saw the battleships approaching Alexandria Castle."

"Well then, do you think the soldier's in Haldan's army'll lay down their swords and go home?"

"After the defeat yesterday, they probably will."

"Wait!" interjected Zidane. "I have a question!"

"Yes, Zidane?" replied Garnet.

"Did all of those men follow Haldan for the same reasons that you did?"

"…Some did, I'm sure, but certainly not all. Some did because they loved Haldan's message of hope—a world where they'd leave the slums, and live like kings!"

"So even if they laid down their arms it doesn't mean they'd be any more loyal to Dagger?"

Again Mortimer nodded. "There's always that possibility…But…I believe that if those who're citizens of Alexandria receive a pardon and pledge an oath to the queen, they'll be pretty loyal…Considering that's not the fate of most revolutions."

Garnet returned the nod. "Yes, and I intend to speak to the people of my kingdom as soon as I can…Mortimer?"

"Yes?"

"I pardon you."

Mortimer was stunned. "R-really?"

Garnet nodded again. "Yes, although I'm not sure if Eiko'll forgive you for what happened in Maidan Sari, I nevertheless forgive you."

Mortimer smiled. "I thank you, Queen Garnet, and I'll try to talk to Eiko, because I didn't really like what happened that day in Madain Sari; but I don't think I'll try to discuss the issue too much with her, because I could tell she was really upset about it."

"Well, be with Eiko when you apologize to her," smiled Zidane. "Mostly to make sure that Eiko doesn't hit you with her flute again."

Mortimer returned the smile. "Thank you."

And then he turned to Garnet. "If I may, Queen Garnet, I have one question to ask you?"

"Yes?"

"Where's Haldan's body? I originally wanted to burn it, because I was afraid it'd be mutilated and put on display."

"It's lying on an altar in Alexandria's crypt. Captain Steiner's watching over it."

Zidane chuckled. "It's kind of funny, because I know that Steiner hated Haldan; but at the same time, I could tell that he respected him."

"How so?"

"He said that as a warrior, Haldan was one of the best…I guess that he admired that about him."

Mortimer smiled. "I'll have to thank him for that. But what I'd like to ask now is can I have the body? I'd like to bury it properly, and I think Haldan's men'd like that too."

Garnet nodded. "I can grant that request."

Again Mortimer smiled and returned the nod. "Thank you, Queen Garnet."