CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Forever Out of Reach
A day after crossing Zenan Bridge, Crono soon realized that he came home. Coming out of his timeline and into the one he now traveled from the continent of Zeal to the southern shores of Guardia, nothing seemed familiar. In his world, Crono noted, the land masses changed dramatically and Southern Guardia was far different than the green, thick wood that surrounded it. But once in Northern Guardia, in the city of Truce, almost everything appeared the same, as if he truly came home.
The familiarity of the land was not lost the Thomas, who thought Crono to be not just a worn traveler but a foreigner as well. How the swordsman took in the sights, more guiding the burly man than the other way around, puzzled Thomas. He lived between the northern and southern continent and felt like he knew Truce very well. Somehow, he believed, this kid knew Truce better than he.
The buildings, the land, the trees and most of the people appear to mirror his own timeline, his own time. The only real visible difference, it seemed, was the people were stuck in the Medieval Age. The style of clothing people wore lack of electricity and of course seeing an occasional knight in full plate mail only added to the variation. These differences he welcomed for the swordsman didn't want to hold onto any false illusions that he had truly came home.
"Come now, lad. We still gots a day's worth o' travelin' to yonder castle," Thomas pointed out to the great woods and mighty hill where the Guardia Castle sat.
But Crono had other plans. With a grin to his friend, Crono sprinted away and into an alley, into a street and into another alley, losing Thomas in the first turn. Indeed, the swordsman had every intention of going to Guardia Castle but unlike his well traveled friend, he wanted to be presentable. After ducking around and shopping some, Crono soon returned to find Thomas chatting up with a girl, no less than half his age.
The swordsman was relieved that he didn't lose his friend, the sight of Thomas charming a girl who would be younger than Crono himself, didn't sit well with him. With a cough, Crono hoped to get the burly man's attention. It didn't. Tapping Thomas roughly on the shoulder, to kindly draw a response away for just a second, didn't work. Giving the man a swift kick in the pants, Crono finally got the attention he wanted.
Thomas stood up, a head taller than the swordsman and glowered to the unexpected strike. To hit a man from behind for any reason was an act of dishonor. Not befitting a knight. However, the moment his eyes, which had seen many a land, many a battle and many adventures, couldn't help but shrink back as his gaze locked unto the young swordsman's. In Crono's eyes, completely fearless and had seen far more than Thomas could see in several lifetimes, had the burly man backing away more than a step.
"Ye shouldn't attack from behind," the adventurer said, trying to sound confident.
"And you should do well and act the part of a chivalrous man and not tread on the young hearts around you just to make yourself feel younger," Crono countered passively.
Hearing the boy had Thomas raising an eyebrow and tilting his head to the side. Such a stream of words took the man many moments to sort out. But once he realized what the swordsman was getting at, Thomas released the loudest, most humorous laugh Crono ever heard.
"Ye thought? Ye honestly thought?" Thomas laughed, turning back to the girl and draping an arm around her. "Lad, we need to improve yer observation skills. Such improper talk before me niece!"
Crono balk at that and it was his turn to back up a step. The girl giggled at the handsome swordsman and curtsied as her father and her uncle taught her whenever she was introduced. But taking a moment to look the girl over, there were indeed a lot of similarities from her and Thomas. The most recognizable features that proved to the swordsman that she was kin were first her long, curly and thick volume hair that no hairbrush would stand a chance to control. And her eyes… so full of life and determination, thrilled to seek an adventure truly spoke to the swordsman.
Now realizing his own foolishness for even doubting the noble character of his friend, Crono dipped into a low bow, smiling all the while. Again, Thomas released a full belly laugh and soon his niece began to giggle sweetly. Though embarrassed as he was and their laughter was at his expense, Crono, too, joined in on the laughter. The moment passed, all catching their breaths.
"Are ye ready than?" Thomas asked with a large grin. Crono returned the grin and gave his friend one of his characteristic nods.
"Lately your eyes travel south. It's been sometime since the rogues entered our domain. I find myself fascinated that you keep waiting for them," a gentle voice spoke underneath a red hooded robe.
"What I seek is not here and not these rogues that we are to keep a vigil of," a beautiful, young woman with a silk rob that clung to every curve of her frame replied.
The man, with the molten red robes he wore and the hood that only ever showed his chin made it impossible to guess his age. He moved to her side with such grace that it appeared as he floated to her. He lifted his head up slightly so he could be able to see his peer but not have her see him. Gazing to the same direction his fellow Ring member stared, he attempted to put himself into her shoes, though it was impossible. Both knew the other was a mystery and both respected the other's privacy.
"His majesty, Noah, will not have us guard Kajar forever. Whatever you seek, you shall find and soon," the red robed wizard stated with a nod.
A smile crept to her face and she glanced to the man who remained motionless, as if he was just a backdrop to a painting and the landscape was the masterpiece. He couldn't possibly understand the implications of those words and if he did, she wondered, would he still offer them? She always knew the red fire wizard, Infreyo, as a calm and quiet sort and for him to offer a kind word was unheard of.
"I hope you find what you seek as well," the lady kindly said.
Without a word and as silent as an owl in flight, the red wizard glided away, if for no other reason just to distance himself from the conversation that would be pointless. Soon he was gone and even sooner, to the black robed female, forgotten.
The night was frigid and the wind was merciless to those who would dare travel outside and far from shelter. However, the duo were sheltered and well by the thick trees of Guardia Forest and the fire they kept was warm and welcoming. Crono's actions in town, both getting clean clothes that were more fitting to meet nobles and along with some deep red hair dye to further disguise him along with the scene in town cost them time that they needed to reach the castle before nightfall. But the swordsman stretched his muscles and locked his fingers behind his head, enjoying the crisp night.
Thomas was grateful for the break too but for other reasons. What the adventurer saw in Crono was real potential! He had the dedication, the drive, the sense of honor and a strong arm to be a knight. However, one element was missing and it was crucial that Crono should learn. Proper etiquette.
"We'll be at Guardia Castle an hour before midday. I shall introduce ye to me good friend, the Knight Captain and if yer lucky, ye will meet the king and queen. But ye are a strange one, lad. Ye seem foreign to our lands yet ye seemed familiar with Truce. So answer this question honestly. Do ye know anythin' about the king and queen?"
Crono thought that over a bit for he knew his friend's observations about him were on target. But he felt confident that he didn't need to lie. The swordsman shook his head. Truly, he had no idea who the king and queen were.
"Then know ye this, they be youngens like yerself but like yerself, they be more than they appear. They are our leaders and such, ye do well to give them the proper respect," Thomas finished without room for debate.
Crono smirked and nodded his head. To give proper respect to royalty was always a given, be King Guardia the First or Thirty-first. He even tried to be respectful towards the Queen of Zeal but that ended with him and his old friends battling a golem. The only royalty he felt he couldn't bring himself to kneel before was that of his old love Marle, believing themselves as equals. Of course, one other royal he rather eat gallons of pio and wash it down with gallons of soda before even acknowledging any proper respect, was his ever proud wizard friend, Janus.
Remembering his friends, those who've gone before, soon led him down the reverie of their final battle. He could not avoid the cheerful faces of his friends and the horrible fate that awaited them. He tried to put them far from his thoughts but that only intensified the images. Sleep took him and their faces followed the swordsman into his nightmares.
"Did ye rest well?" Thomas asked with a smirk.
Crono had no doubts that Thomas already knew that answer. What disturbed the adventurer was the cold eyes and scowl that was painted of the swordsman's face. The nightmares he saw had the boy tossing and turning in the night had to be terrible at the lost of Crono's spirit. Thomas could only hope it was temporary, since they would soon be in Guardia Castle.
As promised by Thomas, the two men made it to the castle grounds by midday. Ever so often the burly man glanced over to Crono, he saw the boy in some sort of inner turmoil, one which he wished he could be of some help and peace of mind. The sparkle in the fiery haired boy's eyes, the playful grin truly belonged on the face of the swordsman that walked beside him, not a cold glare and deep scowl he believed so foreign to the boy it must have made Crono's face hurt.
"I know this maybe harder than it sounds but ye need to cheer up," Thomas said.
Crono turned his glare to the burly man, who took a step back. But the swordsman's anger and despair was not pointed the man's way but neither could Crono dispel the friends that haunted his mind. Thomas realized this, that he wasn't being glare at but rather through, to some painful event in Crono's life. Still, Thomas knew Crono's attitude was paramount to the swordsman's goals.
"Knights are men yet they are more. They be a symbol to the people, a symbol of hope and strength. When a knight smile, the people smile. If a knight is happy, so are the people," Thomas said, stopping his friend with a clasp on the shoulder.
It was that which finally dragged the swordsman out of his dark hole. His despair and failures were great sins indeed, but his newest adventure was leading him down the same unchanging path he always set out for himself. To save the world. That had never changed and even though Lavos was defeated, his world still was held in the balance thanks to Noah.
Touching his friend's hand with his own, Crono nodded and managed a weak smile. Thomas didn't know it at the time but he gave Crono a weapon to fight off his despair. His journey was more than himself and whatever follies he may have done, he had to move forward. Yes, he would "cheer up," even if it was forced, to save his timeline.
Within an hour they entered the castle and to Crono's utter disbelief, both castle guards bowed to the travel worn adventurer. He knew the moment he met Thomas that he was far more than he appeared. As they maneuvered around the incredibly huge castle (though it was exactly like his own!) the swordsman's suspicions continued to grow as guard and knight bowed to him and servants paid him a familiar smile and wave. But even through all the attention he got, the sight of Crono, as eased in Guardia Castle, as if it was his home, sent many red flags off in Thomas's mind. Could he have brought a spy and assassin to Guardia's heart?
No. Thomas thought, shaking his doubts away. He always prided himself on being an excellent judge of character and the character of Crono was that of greatness. This, he wholeheartedly believed.
Soon they were descending down the great stairs of the western wing, where at the bottom rested and housed all the knights. Unlike the Medieval Age or the First Millennium castles, the single room was grand and richer than Crono had ever seen it. The room was far larger than he ever could believe the people of Guardia could construct. Showing smaller rooms in the great room he was standing in, Crono could compare his sight as an underground city in its own right, which each of these smaller rooms were houses!
As they neared the first room (and upon closer inspections it was indeed a house!) a man in olden plated armor, regal by his feature with a well kept but extremely bushy mustache and a short military haircut, step out of the house. At first he appeared shocked to see two non knights in the Knight's Quarters but a smile quickly came to his face. Clasping Thomas by the wrist, the Knight Captain laughed.
"Sir Thomas, my old friend. What brings thou here? Business or pleasure?" the Knight Captain said, emphasizing the last word clearly.
"Business," Thomas said somberly, which somber his friend's features.
Easily draping his arm around the swordsman, Thomas gave him a good couple of pulls showing the Knight Captain the boy he brought him. Indeed, it was common for Thomas to bring potential knights to the castle. Under close inspection, the Knight Captain shook his head. True, the boy and indeed Crono was a boy, had corded muscles and a luster in his eyes to carry him far. But he seemed…
"Too young, Thomas, too young. The boy hath not even come of age yet," the captain said, eyeing his friend.
"Bah, the boy and his name be Crono, is more older than ye think," Thomas said but added soon after seeing his friend's obvious doubts. "Aye, he's young but already seen more than ye can believe!"
Such conviction from the burly man had the Knight Captain taking a second measure of the boy. Never before had Thomas sounded so sure. The boy was indeed battled hardened and his unique auburn hair that was short and spiked showed a fiery desire for battle. But it was his eyes, those bright blue eyes, so focused and disciplined, which reminded the captain of many seasoned warrior veterans. The boy was not even eighteen, yet he was so experienced!
"Where did thou find him?" the Knight Captain asked questionably.
"Lost in the Mountains of Torn," Thomas lied and made it a point to not hide it.
Thy plot thickens, the Knight Captain thought, arching an eyebrow. Such stories were not Thomas's way. However, it was not uncommon but only twice before did the adventurer handed the captain a possible knight in secrecy. Both times, the boys were diamonds in the rough and did well in the courts, even to this day.
"He hath got no noble blood," the Knight Captain said, testing Thomas.
"Bah, ye knowin' we've hadn't done such practices back before we broke from Zeal. Hell, more than three-quarters of yer knights are humble!" Thomas countered, playing his role perfectly for the only onlooker.
With a broad grin and a friendly pat on his friend's shoulder, the captain nodded, feigning a force acceptation. Crono was baffled by it all but he was sure something positive must he happening for both men were grinning from ear to ear. Crono figured, at that moment, he was in need to improve his politic skills.
"Alright Crono. Here be where we part," Thomas said, clasping Crono on his wrist. "Hopefully our paths will cross again."
Leaving Crono in good hands, Thomas swiftly (too swiftly, Crono noted) exited from the lower city. Turning back to the captain, Crono noticed he was being examined once more, like one of Lucca's guinea pigs he often found himself being.
"Any questions? Let it be known now, this may well be the only time thou may do so. Thou soon will be my squire and most likely will remain silent," the Knight Captain asked sternly.
Crono nodded, for he indeed had many questions and being the silent type anyways, he knew this may be the only time he might speak without suspicion. Two questions arisen to his mind and two that only mattered.
"What's your name, my lord?" Crono asked, trying to act the part of a squire. The Knight Captain smiled at the question for the question was truly important. The boy did have potential.
"I am Sir Alexander, my young squire but that name thee shalt not use until thou ascends to Apprentice Knight and even then, thou shalt call me captain," the Knight Captain said sternly.
"One more question, my lord," Crono said, sweeping into a bow. "Thomas. He is a knight, is he not?"
The Knight Captain remained silent for many, many minutes. His trust in Thomas went above friends, they were blood brother, but Alexander couldn't help but give Crono a suspicious stare. For anyone of Guardia to not know Thomas was unheard of. As the minutes continued to pass; neither broke eye contact, trying to read the other. The Knight Captain soon began thinking back that Crono could be a spy but just as quickly shook the preposterous idea away. Crono honestly asked that question and that alone told the knight the swordsman was no spy, for Thomas was well known in Zeal as well.
"Aye, Sir Thomas was not just one of us; he was the best of us. He is retired now, at least, in the eyes of the crown. He would lift his blade for justice and defend the people but on his terms alone," the captain said gently and finished, "and speak no more for that is all but Thomas and his and her majesty to know. I doubt anymore I speakth would clarify of his early 'retirement.'"
Crono silently nodded, excepting the vague but honest answer. He wanted to know more of his new friend, to have the friendship continues to grow. But the swordsman could already guess that as long as he remains in the castle and become a knight, he would not see Thomas again. However, such sadness could not override his noble intentions to hone his skills, to rise to a level beyond Noah.
"Cometh. We speakth with his and her majesty," the captain instructed, heading up the huge stairs.
Half-way to the top, the captain felt only his presence. Over his shoulder he saw Crono, silent and refusing to move. The confused expression on Crono's face spoke volumes. The captain laughed.
"Even a squire cannot have such an honorable title until given by the crown! Cometh!"
Obediently, the swordsman followed. It was a habit of the swordsman to meet royalty; he usually ended up in prison. But such thoughts were fleeting for he was with not just a knight but the Knight Captain.
As they weaved their way back to the castle's first level, it became apparent to the Knight Captain, as it was with Thomas, that the boy was too familiar with the castle. Suspicion and caution was what kept the Guardians alive for all the centuries. But he, too, was a knight who held trust and honor to the highest regard. He had to trust Crono or more importantly, he had to trust his old friend.
After many minutes of walking, the knight and swordsman finally arrived at the main hall leading to two large, oak doors. Noticing the approach of the Knight Captain, one of the two soldiers moved into the room while the other always guarded and always found it ridiculous to guard the throne room from the Knight Captain. Soon the first soldier knocked from within, a sign signal to the other to open the door.
"I give you Sir Alexander the Noble, Knight Captain of Guardia," the soldier dramatically called.
As he was properly introduced and taking his cue, the captain marched proudly with his head up high into the throne room while Crono followed right behind, keeping a respectable distance. Once the knight began to fall to a knee, so too did the swordsman mimic his new lord.
"Ah, Sir Alexander. 'Tis an honor to see thee again. What news on the battlefield?" a young voice Crono never heard before said. It took all of Crono's discipline to keep his eyes to the floor.
"Nay. I cometh for other reasons. This boy, Crono by name, is an inspiring knight, handed to us by Sir Thomas. I wish to have him as my squire," the captain said.
"Thomas! Thomas is here? Alexander, you should have…" the queen's words continued on but Crono was not listening. It was the voice that overtook his common sense to keep his eyes down. But the sudden and raw urge to see who the voice belonged to was too much for him to bear. Before his eyes, without any doubts, was Marle. "…for the former knight to bring us…"
No one, not even the queen, saw Crono move. So quick was the swordsman it seemed as if he disappeared on the spot and reappeared twenty feet away, with his arms wrapped around the queen. After many blinks of sheer disbelief, all the soldiers and the captain had their swords drawn and advancing swiftly to the assailant.
The king, sitting next to his queen and seeing the assault in a more intimate manner, became infuriated. However, each soldier slowed to a stop, the king's expression changed to confusion as the swordsman's shoulders bobbed and his tears streamed down his cheeks and wetting the queens' blouse. The queen was also shocked, unable to understand the stranger. Indeed, she wanted to comfort the poor man's soul but too dumbfounded as she was she just sat, unsure what to do.
A rough hand peeled Crono from the queen and a flick of his surprisingly strong wrist, the captain through the swordsman and had him flying. All eyes fell on the Knight Captain as he glared at the boy he foolishly and proudly said he wanted as a squire. With a point of his sword, he commanded, "Take him!"
"Assault on the Queen! Even if thou was not to harm the most noble lady, thou hath no right to touch her. Take him!"
Crono surrendered without a fight, accepting the shackles as they were placed on him. His eyes were still blurry from his tears but he continued to see Marle. But seeing her confused and unrecognizable expression, he knew she wasn't his Marle. How he cursed himself for dreaming, even if it was a fleeting dream. Marle was and always would be forever out of his grasp. The curse continued. Another castle, another dungeon.