CHAPTER ELEVEN
Secrets Told and Kept
It was always a pleasure whenever Noah walked into his throne room. All within knelt and bowed their heads to their great king. He took it all in stride, knowing that his subjects must always think of him as a magnificent leader. His dreams, his people relished in while his enemies have always cringed.
"Arise," the wind mage commanded as he walked up to his throne to sit upon his seat.
All of his chancellors were in attendance, as well as his prized dragoon, Domino. It's been over twenty-four hours since he seen each of the four and heard anything of the missing rogues. The wind mage was fatigued from the drain of power he endured the day before but he knew he couldn't look tired before his people. Lifting his chin higher, the sorcerer smiled to his subjects, ready to leap into action at any moment. It did his heart good to see his smile become contagious to his people.
"Domino, report," Noah ordered.
"I'm sorry your majesty but the Ring cannot find them. Each Ring traveled in each direction and all we've found were hills and forests. I've split the Ring into four groups of two, to watch over the three cities and the castle," Domino recited as he did several times before he came to his lord.
"Well done. Though Magus and Crono are dangerous men it would be wise to practice caution. In time they will come to us, so conserve you energy until then. Now," the king paused, moving his head slightly to his Chancellor of Inventions. "Is the Chrono Trigger still working properly?"
Euphrosyne shuffled in place, putting her hands into her trench coat pockets, feeling the comfort of her tools within. She didn't know what to tell her lord for she never made such a grand device. It appeared to be working yet she didn't know if it had any bugs in it and if it did, she had no idea how to really go about debugging it. Euphrosyne loved a challenge but she was well aware of the complications of the invention.
"It appears to be working but I need to run some more tests," was all she could say. With a nod, Noah was satisfied with the honest answer.
"Thalia, is what in that container the half-moons I'd asked for?" the sorcerer wondered, gazing at his Chancellor of Forging and the case she held in both of her hands.
"No my king," Thalia humbly bowed.
Noah reaction wasn't what she expected. Instead of being angry or disappointed in her, the wind mage just raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. Knowing Noah as long as she did, Thalia took the silent sign as that he was curious rather than angry. Lifting his hand, he asked Thalia to continue.
"Asking for sickles, your weapon of choice, I felt it was unwise to do, especially having one sickle for each of your hands. Your greatest strength my king, other than your wisdom, is the magic you wield. I have never believed in taking away an advantage to improve another advantage. So I give you my own creation," the Chancellor of Forging said, handing the box over to her lord.
Noah held unquestionable faith in each of his chancellors. Without taking another moment to wait, the sorcerer peeled opened the box. His curiosity became confusion as he removed a pair of bracers. Each bracer held a bow like blade on the side and away from the body. It was an understatement for Noah to believe that he was lost.
"I call them Rainbow Bracers. The blades are light and with practice they can be terrifying weapons. Being bracers you've now have a bit more protection and—"
"My hands are free to cast spells," the young king finished with a large smile. Thalia sighed a deep breath of relief.
Strapping both bracers on his wrists, Noah couldn't believe how light they truly were. Swinging one arm and then the other, Noah could've sworn that the barely felt he was wearing them at all. Very pleased as he was, Noah took a mental note to reward Thalia later. Indeed, everything was going so well for the sorcerer. He wouldn't have mind Janus and Crono bursting in at that moment on how great he felt.
"You've each done your king proud this day," Noah began, bowing his head at the three. "Now I must ask of you to depart. Aglaïa and I have much to discuss in private."
Domino slammed a gauntlet hand onto his thick chest plate, causing a rather loud clang sound. Everyone gritted their teeth but it was the proper salute a knight could give his king before he could leave. Thalia and Euphrosyne, however, crossed their arms against their chest and bowed their heads to their lord before they departed. Once Noah and Aglaïa were alone, the sorcerer dropped his act, scowling deeply and trying to wipe away any remaining sleep in his eyes.
"You should rest," the Chancellor of Knowledge stated, with her pouted lips making the sorcerer think she may have been acting more superior than she should.
"I have," Noah said matter-of-factly. "I wish I could rest more and I would if not for Janus and Crono hiding somewhere in my domain."
"I've noticed that you call Janus, Magus, whenever anyone other than I am around," Aglaïa observed. She knew why but she also knew Noah had to speak the words aloud, to better understand the situation and himself.
"You and I both know the repercussions, if anyone even hears that name."
"Do you think the people would believe him to be Janus? No one has been superstitious in years."
The sorcerer thought that over, getting off his throne to stand before his tapestry masterpiece. How perfect his work was. How flawless he created the several scene tapestry, leaving no detail out of it, not even from the simple and lone silhouette of a bird in an out of place location where everyone but he overlooked. There were no loose strands, unlike the two eye sores that now splotch his newest work. His world.
"It's a gamble I rather not deal with. However, I have dealt with set backs before. Even if the people believe he is Janus, than I will see to it once it comes to past," Noah said more to himself than to the chancellor. Aglaïa took it all in stride, being use to being just a voice to speak his thoughts. For Noah's thoughts were a delightful thing indeed and she lavished in his knowledge.
The pull on Janus's cape continued to get harder but the prince was completely oblivious to it. So enthralled as he was in watching the cat like steps their guide took. Ever since they entered these mountains, the prince couldn't help but admire this woman. She had shown knowledge, skill and grace in their first encounter and how her steps have changed, as if she had conquered an enemy and was bringing back a couple of prisoners. She held herself with great pride, being a killer yet needing not to kill. This woman reminded him of someone but whom? A gag pulled him out of his reverie.
Snapping a glare at his companion, the prince slowly moved his eyes to Crono's hand, which was holding the prince's white cape. Within a blink of an eye the hand was gone but the swordsman didn't fear his friend. Crono leaned in closer to Janus, barely in an auditable whisper he spoke.
"We're surrounded."
The wizard rolled his eyes and briskly caught up with their guide. Janus couldn't believe that he was dragged out of his personal thoughts for something so trivial. The wizard knew they were surrounded the moment they entered the caves. It didn't matter anyways, for as soon as he caught up to their guide, the prince's attention getting caught up in the sight of her red hair.
"Cease, we're here," she commanded. The prince halted, now grateful for his swordsman's interruption. If he was still deep in his thoughts, he would've bumped right into the woman.
"Tell the High Master that I brought guests. Guests who can help us better understand what's been going on in Noah's kingdom," she said to a guard wearing some black robes and a black hooded mask. The ninja ran down the hall at the orders.
The wizard couldn't help but roam her back. The robe was tight on her, exposing the curves on her slick thin body. His eyes fell to her tight and firm backside. Once he realized what he was doing, the prince snapped his gazed back up to her wavy fiery red hair. As if she felt his eyes on her, the ninja pivoted around, glaring deeply into the prince's violet irises.
"What are you staring at?" she said, narrowing her eyes. Janus just cocked his head back and smirked. There was no way he would tell her what he was doing.
"I'm looking at a woman who doesn't know her place."
"I'd watch my tongue if I were you," she threatened as she was about to turn around. But in a flash, she spun back to the wizard, throwing a thin needle right into Janus's exposed, raspberry tongue.
The fine point went right through the wizard's tongue, causing a great deal of pain. If Janus wasn't use to pain, he knew he would make things worst for if he made any sudden moves, he would only plunge the needle deeper into his mouth. Keeping his mouth wide open and sticking out his tongue as far as it could go, the prince slowly removed the needle. The iron taste that followed was not pleasant for the wizard.
"I'll warn you but only once," she said passively. "I need only one of you."
Point taken, the prince thought as he needed a distraction. Looking to his companion, he wished he didn't, for the swordsman held a huge, stupid grin and was on the verge of exploding out in laughter. Both of Crono's hands covered his mouth as Janus's eye began to twitch uncontrollably. Janus sneered and the swordsman couldn't hold it back anymore before he let out a belly of mirth.
The woman turned back around at the second man. She didn't know either of these men but she couldn't understand why such men of opposite character could travel together. She wished she knew why the red-headed man was laughing so she could join in. The ninja has been on edge, having to succeed in her mission without fail. When the mission was over, the men delivered to her father, and then she could relax and be herself again. Right now, she was still on duty and the white wizard made it easier to keep her stature and face passive. Still, she turned away, to hide the smile that was creeping to her face.
"He will see you now," the ninja that returned said.
The three moved down the hall and through a simple oak door. As they entered, a warm fire greeted them from a large fireplace. Sitting across the fire, in his comfortable seat, an old man gazed into the flames, seeming ignorant of their entry. The room was a comfortable size, like it was a den with a large sofa and a soft chair within it. None of it mattered to Janus, just the master. Grabbing the man by the collar, the wizard hoisted him up.
"Now I see. This has to do with you, doesn't Gasper?" the prince said while giving the old man a shake.
Faster than the wizard could guess the old man could move, a walking stick came up and in between Janus's arms, spinning back and forth, slamming repeatedly into the wizard's wrists. The prince let go of the old man. Out shot the stick, right into Janus's gut. The blow had him on his knees. In another spin, the cane came to rest against Janus's head.
"I must apologize; it seems we have a problem with identity. I am not this 'Gasper' you think I am. And I'm not fond of someone touching me. You can understand that, can't you?" the old man said softly, removing his cane from behind the prince's head. Janus growled low but nodded his head in acceptance.
"I hear the two of you can tell me about Noah's activities up north. Please join me by the fire," the old man gently said to the duo.
"I rather stand," Janus countered, making a point to rise tall and to tower over the now sitting old man.
If the old man seemed threatened, he didn't show it. Perhaps it was how quickly he subdued the wizard or the reassurance of his protégé standing behind his chair that kept him at ease. Either way, the swordsman felt that he was no in danger. Taking a seat across from the old man on the sofa, Crono took comfort in the soft cushions. Now, if he could find a bathtub.
"Permit me to introduce myself. I am High Master Demir, leader of the resistance against the Triad War. This is my lovely daughter, Demetera. May I have your names?" Demir calmly asked.
"I am Magus," the prince shot in immediately, doing what he could to hide his identity from these people. His fears came from Crono and his large mouth and those fears were clarified as Crono gave him a look that spoke to the wizard, telling him that he was confused onto why he wouldn't tell them his name.
"I am Crono. Excuse my friend. He's… impatient. I'll do the talking," the swordsman began as he turned to the wizard, who seemed very aggravated about being left out of the conversation before he could hear the rest of Crono's statement. "Since I haven't angered either of you, I'm sure my friend will understand."
Janus wanted to spit, how mad that he was but his comrade had a point. These… allies, perhaps, needed a diplomat, not a tyrant. So the wizard let the swordsman have his way as his eyes fell on the female ninja. He couldn't understand why she drew his attention.
"Now that we are properly introduced, tell me, Crono, what's going on in Noah's domain?"
"Before we answer any questions, what guarantee do we have that you aren't in league with Noah?" Janus interrupted before the swordsman could open his mouth. How quickly did the wizard take a step back as Demir lowered his eyes to the wizard, promising death.
"That bastard of a king took my daughter away from me. She harbored great intelligence and was a very promising woman. But now, Noah uses her for his own ends. We aren't friends, I'll tell you that now."
Janus didn't like the tone in the old man's voice but he respected where he was coming from. How quickly was Janus to anger when Schala was brought up into a conversation? The wizard thoughts came to a beautiful woman, rising from a kneeling position and him striking her down in an instant. Janus did well not to bite his lower lip.
"Since you sound like you, too, dislike the King of Zeal, that would make us allies," Demir announced, lying back in his seat.
"Zeal!" both the swordsman and wizard said in unison.
"Don't tell them anymore until they give us the information we need," Demetera begged to her adopted father and to the wizard she said, "sharing of information, right?"
The wizard both sighed and nodded in surrender. He knew that he needed a seat now. Sitting next to his companion, he waved for Crono to start, since it was his story and it was going to be a long one. It began with the usual beginning, where an unsuspecting youth bumped into a princess in disguise…
"Noah?" the call came, though distant, it sounded pleasant and welcoming but the comfort he felt at the moment, he didn't want to answer.
The call progressed and the wind mage shook to his senses, awakening in front of his Chancellor of Inventions. He fell asleep in his throne, something he hated doing. It was embarrassing for him whenever his subjects saw him at rest and though his throne was comfortable, it always left a nasty kink in his back.
"Yes, Euphrosyne?" the king asked, bending his back until he heard some pops.
"I just came to tell you that the Chrono Trigger is working soundly with its conduit. I'm ready to get back to my personal project, if you don't have any other need for me."
"My dear Euphrosyne," Noah began with a genuine smile. "I will always have a need for you but yes, you can get back to your project. I wish to personally join you when you finish."
The chancellor blushed a little but crossed her arms and bowed before she exited. It wasn't long before she reached the courtyard and the enormous invention in the works. She made a breakthrough with this, her pride and joy, her sweat and tears, until Noah told her to drop it and to begin working on the superb and advance device, the Chrono Trigger. Now, she had the free time again but she needed to find the notes she wrote before her liege took her from the invention. Those notes held her memories and she felt silly looking for the papers when she knew she'll never remember where she placed them. She began her search, entering her invention.
It took quite a bit of dancing around when it came to keeping some information about their story secret, especially Janus's identity. Crono would've loved to tell them all the details but he respected his friend's privacy. What astonished the swordsman most was that the two renegades seemed to hang onto every single word. They believed him and even more so, as he finished up the last few weeks about a very mischievous sorcerer who began to interfere with their lives.
"So that's it. All these years of perfecting that tapestry of his. He weaved a new type of magic. The tapestry is his controlled gate to other timelines," Demir thought aloud, it made sense to the old man.
"Other timelines? What do you mean?" the prince gently asked. It was difficult for the prince to keep the line of thought that he'll draw them in with kindness rather than push them away with crudeness.
"It may not surprise you that you are in the Kingdom of Zeal in the year 1000 A.D." the old man began to see the reactions on the duo's faces. "Of course time travelers wouldn't be surprised.
"It's your turn, Demir. Where the heck are we?" Crono asked, leaning forward in his seat.
Demir reached up and began to stroke his thick, long white beard. He could only guess what was going on. Taking a long stretch, the old man got up and headed to his wall of books. His fascination with time took him back to his grandfather's days. Along his wall rested generations upon generations of books, dedicated to time and its theories.
Dusting off a tome that was older than he by a thousand or more years, the old man took it to a small podium, next to his chair. Gently, ever so gently, Demir opened it to the first page. Smiling brightly, he knew he grabbed the correct book.
"Time. It has no meaning yet it does. Without conscience, time wouldn't exists yet it does without that conscience. Within every moment there is countless possibilities and each of those possibilities have countless possibilities. This is fact. Time itself is set and nothing can disturb that time. Time begins as a dot and spreads in multiple, countless lines, straight and true before spreading in their own countless lines. These lines in time do not intersect but they do run together, never changing.
To those thinking time travel possible, it is true enough. One could someday move at the speed of light and move forward or back in time yet nothing these travelers can do can change time. If one goes to the past, than they are meant to be there to create a specific timeline yet their destined present will remain the same. If one goes to the future, it would be the same. Timelines—"
"Enough old man," Janus interrupted, standing with a hint of aggression in his pose. "Didn't you hear anything Crono said? We've changed time several times before. This book is worthless."
"This book speaks more truth than you realize," Demir calmly replied, closing the tome in front of him. "You see Magus; time can't be changed in every specific moment. Each timeline is unique but yours could have been what some would say 'an experimental timeline.' Some believe we are guided by an Entity, one who created time or time may have created it. Either way, your timeline is so unique, space-time rules may not apply. I could be wrong though," Demir finished before sitting back down.
"What happened before we came to this timeline than, with the whole switching of colors and time stopping?" Crono eagerly asked, hoping this man might be able to answer his question.
"It sounds like Noah used a Chrono Trigger to petrify your timeline. Why? That I don't know but I'm certain that must be why he's been so busy as of late."
At that moment you could've knock the swordsman over with a feather with how shocked he was. Janus, too, was surprised but not like Crono. What Demir said had some truth in it, for when the wizard's timeline was petrified, wouldn't that effect the other timelines? Were their timeline so special that it didn't follow the laws of nature? And was it that uniqueness that granted Noah whatever it was he desired?
"I'm sorry but it is getting late. Demetera, show our guests to some quarters. Please. Eat, sleep and relax here. We will talk…" Demir paused to let out a long yawn. "Tomorrow."
The swordsman was eagerly ready to comply. He finally could get a chance to be rid of the stench off his body and clothes. Janus, however, wanted to remain to talk some more about what was going on. It wasn't the gentle voice of Demetera that made him move but the deep breathes the old man took, telling the wizard that he wouldn't be talking to anyone except himself. The wizard nodded to the ninja, following her out of the room, gazing back ever so often.
Petrified timeline. It is even possible? the wizard thought, remembering just that one brief moment in time that his old comrades use to save Crono. Schala is lost to time… again. Oh yeah, Noah. You're going to pay dearly for that.
Author Notes: Noah's bracers blades I been having difficulties describing, so the best way I can help visualize them in think about the duel disks on Yu-Gi-Oh! just thinner, smaller, and of course, bladed.