Chapter IV: Chorasian Nights.
The ship arrived at Choras a few nights later without incident. When they arrived, Marle breathed a sigh of relief that they had not been attacked during the trip. There was talk of increased pirate activity on the waters, and a ship from El Nido could appear as an appetizing catch.
She was equally relieved not to find a Porre contingent awaiting them. Their descriptions had spread too quickly through El Nido as it was, and word was sure to reach back to Porre. Marle prayed that they did not learn that General Viper had assisted them there.
Crono was doing much better thanks to the tender care of Marle, with some assistance from Glenn's healing Elements. Magus remained in the cabin during the trip, sullen as ever, not uttering more than a few words the entire way. It was just as well, he previous comment had stung Marle fairly deeply, even after fifteen years since she was ousted as ruler of Guardia. As such, Marle avoided him the entire trip.
Serge was equally quiet, partly due to his own injury which he was attempting to hide, and also because he kept being lost in his own thoughts. He could feel her, could feel Kid calling out to him, and he had to resist the temptation to run back to El Nido and to Opassa just to see if she might be there. He learned very little more about the former King and Queen during the trip, but he would help them if he could.
If he understood what he did know correctly, Kid has initially been raised by Lucca. If he could help them find her, perhaps they could then help him find Kid. They seemed to instill a different kind of confidence than Magus did, and almost regretted his deal with the wizard. However, Serge was a man of his word and would help Magus find his sister Schala as best he could.
He wanted to ask Marle about Magus, but he was ever present in the cabin, and Marle refused to leave Crono's side, probably would not have eaten if Glenn had not brought them food. But Crono was now on his way to recovery and they had arrived in Choras.
The port was fairly new, having been built in the last fifteen years. It was fortified and guarded, no doubt in defense from Porre's aggression. Marle sadly knew that if Porre threw the entire weight of it's military vessel against Choras, the port would quickly fall.
As it was, Choras did trade with both the Porre Regime on Zenan and El Nido, and as such was not on bad terms with the military state. Their wealth was not great, but it had been enhanced through the healthy trading with El Nido.
The companions did not go towards the inn, which surprised Serge. Marle explained that Porre had spies here and they needed to keep a lower profile. Instead, they headed north, towards an old keep called the Heroes Grave. It looked abandoned and in disrepair. They all entered, Magus somewhat reluctantly. Glenn however was in awe.
"The Heroes' Grave. It's said that Sir Glenn himself is interred here," he said reverently. This prompted a snort from Magus. Glenn flashed him an angry look, but held his tongue. They descended into the castle's basement and to the grave of the hero Sir Glenn. Marle knelt before it.
"Hi there, Frog old friend, sorry it's been so long." She placed a kiss on the stone slab over the grave and smiled, a tear falling from her eye. Crono placed his hand comfortingly on her shoulder, and then moved towards a nearby drape. He moved the drape out of the way and removed a stone from the wall, knocking in a series on a piece of wood behind it. A similar knock followed and Crono knocked a final sequence and stepped back.
The wall opened up into another chamber and a soldier saluted Crono.
"Your Highness." Crono returned the salute and Marle stood from the grave. Glenn looked amazed and Magus could simply smile.
"So this is where you've been hiding all these years," Magus said. "The Remnants of Guardia."
Marle nodded solemnly. They were taken to an open chamber, where a few soldiers held conference with Crono. Marle excused herself and went to check on Serge. Serge had gone out to the grave of Sir Glenn while Crono held his meetings, lost in his own thoughts.
"You know, Janus's heart is in the right place. It really is," she told him. Serge looked at her surprised. "You really are like Crono, aren't you? Neither of you say very much, yet you can say so much to those that know how to listen. I've learned quite a bit from Crono over the years. Janus does truly want to find his sister, but be careful, he'll use just about any means to achieve his ends." Serge nodded quietly. "But don't worry, we'll be here to keep an eye on him," she said with a smile.
Serge wondered for how long that would be true.
Magus then appeared out of the shadows behind them. "Your words are almost too kind, Queen." He uttered the last word with a sarcastic sneer. "But you know me too well."
He turned to see Crono and Glenn appear from the passage.
"Alright," Marle said. "Spill it. What do you intend to do?"
Magus regarded her for a long moment. "Open the Gates," he finally said, gravely.
"What? Why! You of all people know how dangerous that can be!"
"I do. I also know that it may be the only way I'll ever be reunited with my sister. As you said, the ends justify the means."
"But Lavos?"
"Lavos is no longer an issue. None of it matters, the Black Wind has started to howl, and I intend to find my sister before the end."
"What does that mean?"
Magus was silent. "It no longer matters," he said after a long pause. "But, you will help me, and in turn I can help you find Lucca."
"What!" Marle was taken aback. "You know where Lucca is."
"It is not a matter of where, I last saw her with him." Magus indicated the grave.
"How is that possible?"
Magus smiled at her, "I pray you never learn the answer to that, for your own sake." His tone was icy cold as he finished the words. Glenn could only stare at him, a gaze as cold as Magus's words.
"How do you intend to open the Gates?" Marle asked finally, deflated.
"Now that is the problem. The solution I think may be the boy. As you know he was able to unlock a Gate to travel and save Kid from the Orphanage."
"How do you—" Marle began.
"I was there as well," Magus admitted.
"What!" Marle's hand curled into a fist. "If you had anything to do with that fire!"
"I guarantee you I did not," Magus retorted quickly. Then, smoothly, he said, "I was merely watching over Kid." Marle thought this was a lie, but said nothing about it.
Serge reflected on his dream for a moment. There was something about it, some clue. Was he seeing through Magus's eyes then? If so, why was he so interested in Lucca?
"In any case," Magus continued. "We need to find the Gate Key, or even better the Epoch. Though I have a feeling Lucca took that when she left. It probably would also not hurt to have a Time Egg, though I do not believe Lucca ever succeeded in creating one."
Serge's hand fell to his pocket. A time egg. Then a flash of memory came to him. A time egg! That's how he got to the Orphanage! He now remembered rescuing the children and saving Kid there. He still gave no indication to the others that the memory had returned, save for what was shown in his eyes. The others seemed to distracted by Magus's words to take notice.
Marle frowned, "we never did find the Gate Key that she had, not that it would have been much good with the gates closed. But, we also never found the Epoch. Our spies also hadn't indicated that Porre had found it. If they had, wouldn't we notice something?" She looked to Crono, who had a look of serious contemplation on his face. Marle's face shared his concern as both had the same thought.
There was a long silence, finally Marle said, "I can't imagine Lucca taking the Epoch and just leaving the children like that."
Magus's expression never changed as his cold eyes met Marle's, "no, that wouldn't be in her character at all would it."
The meeting didn't last much longer, there was nothing left to say, and so each of them retired to the quarters that the Remnant of Guardia had prepared for them. However, sleep did not come easily for Crono, who was lost in his thoughts about Porre and his own failing to protect Guardia. Some king, hiding away in abandoned ruins.
Crono got up from his bed, Marle only stirring slightly as he left her and went out into the cold night air, surprised to find that the door was left open. His hand went to the hilt of his sword as he walked cautiously out of the keep.
He relaxed when he saw Serge, sitting alone looking up at the night sky. It was quiet, the last quiet night they would get for some time, thought Crono. His hand left his sword and he went and sat next to the young boy.
They both sat there for some time, neither knew how long exactly. Not a word passed between the two, but then neither needed them. As the first rays of sunlight started to rise over the valley, they both stood and returned to their quarters. As they left, their gazes met and both smiled, having bonded in their own special way.
Morning came, and the companions awoke and began planning over the meager breakfast prepared for them. Magus woke with a renewed sense of urgency and pushed the other to get moving.
"Our time is running out," Magus stated simply, opening the meeting. "We must open the gates tonight."
"It will be difficult to get into Porre, we don't have many option left to us," Marle replied, tiredly.
"But not impossible," Magus said. "And we have an advantage over them." He looked at Glenn. "Acacia and Porre are on speaking terms."
"It would draw notice," Glenn said. "What hasn't been make public knowledge is that things are getting strained between us. If we go by sea, which would take time, then we would need to remain hidden as much as possible, but I'm certain I could get us passage there."
"Maybe a trader's ship, someone who is friendly to our cause?" Marle suggested.
"It's a possibility." Magus admitted.
"Good then perhaps you will come with me?" Glenn said, wanting to keep an eye on Magus.
Magus shook his head, "no, I have my own reasons for wanting to remain hidden from the eyes of Porre. Reasons that I'm sure Crono will understand." Crono looked up at Magus, not saying a word. Could Magus have had something to do with Porre's rise to power? It was a mystery better left for another day, but Crono felt he was indeed beginning to understand.
"Very well," Glenn said grudgingly.
"I'll go too," Marle said. Looking over at Magus, wondering just what both he and Crono knew that they were not telling her. Crono told her everything, in his own way, but she couldn't help feeling kept in the dark by both of them.
Crono gave her a look of concern.
"Oh, don't be silly, I've gone out many times before and Glenn will need someone to direct him to the right people," Marle stated. Crono nodded in agreement, but still he didn't feel right about it.
Glenn and Marle left together, leaving Serge, Crono, and Magus alone together. Crono and Serge went up to the grave of Sir Glenn, Crono wishing to pay his respects again before leaving. He knelt down in silence in front of the tomb.
Magus then approached, staring down at Crono as he floated along gently on the air.
"Your wound," Magus said.
Crono remained silent, but opened his eyes and raised his gaze until it locked with Magus's. He thought of his final battle with Porre and the blow that was delivered to him that fateful night. More than a physical wound, it had pierced his soul leaving wounds both physical and spiritual that would never heal. While he never really talked much, he never spoke of the wound.
"You are wondering if I am responsible for the rise of Porre and subsequently the Fall of Guardia," Magus stated.
Serge stood nearby, watching, but then something behind the gravestone of Sir Glenn caught his eye. He went back to look for it, but couldn't find it. Magus continued to speak to Crono, but Serge was no longer paying attention. His eyes fell on an engraved image on the gravestone and then realized he had seen it before, the Masamune.
Serge knew the legend, knew that Sir Glenn had reforged the sword and wielded it in battle, obviously in a larger battle than just the one against Magus, as the stories had indicated. After which it became an heirloom within the Kingdom of Guardia, until it was stolen shortly before the kingdom fell.
Legend had it the sword appeared in El Nido, legends which Serge now thought true. Sir Glenn may have wielded the Masamune, but Serge had mastered it. Memories came to his head, using the Einlanzer to dispel it's evil energy, of a great battle and finally taming the blade, making it won with his swallow. In his heart, he knew these to be his true memories, and understood more about what happened earlier this summer. Now if he could only find Kid.
Lost in thought for a moment, he then caught movement from behind the tombstone. Serge reached behind it, grabbing ahold of a small creature and pulling it out. It gave a squeal catching the attention of Crono and Magus who both drew their weapons. Magus relaxed when he saw who the creature was.
"Doreen," he said, putting away his scythe and regarding the impish creature. "I suppose you were the missing link in what happened to the Masamune when it passed to the boy."
Serge set Doreen down who brushed herself off.
"Janus!" Doreen said. "So you're the reason Masa and Mune ran off again, just like when you were a child. Always 'black wind this' and 'black wind that.' When you showed up here it gave them quite a fright."
Magus snarled, "Why? I only seek to find my sister."
"Because, the black wind swirls around you. Surely you've felt it," Doreen replied.
Magus was silent.
Doreen continued, frowning, "Well, I suppose its good Crono found you when you did. You would let everything pass away just to find her, including the boy Serge, who if I need remind you saved your sister."
Crono looked over at Magus, there was something the wizard was not telling them.
"It's also a good thing they respect Crono, or they might have caused more damage to the village than they did," Doreen stated, flashing Crono a smile.
"Yes, good for Crono," Magus muttered.
"The black wind almost corrupted them again, just like when the sword was stolen. I wish Sir Glenn hadn't left them all alone."
Magus sneered in contempt. "You mean died," he said coldly.
"No, he left them. Watch." Doreen floated above the tomb of Sir Glenn. A bright light enveloped her and the tomb, when it faded the slab of marble covering the tomb was gone along with Doreen. A dagger appeared in Serge's hand, Doreen's voice whispering in his mind, we'll find Masa and Mune together and stop the Black Wind.
Magus and Crono peered into the tomb, finding it empty, save for an old helmet and pair of glasses.
"Lucca," Crono said.