CHAPTER

(-3-)

Figaro, Its King, and a Demented Clown

"There's the grove." said Locke, pointing toward a grove of trees standing apart from the rest of the forest. Locke was a man, of rather average height, a build that leaned more toward the muscular build. He wore a thick leather jacket and a blue bandanna on his head. He had somewhat longer than average hair and always kept at least one knife within arms reach at all times.
"What's so special about this grove?" Said Terra. Terra was tall for a girl, quite pretty, and wore a necklace with a strange symbol on it. She had long blond hair, green eyes, and smooth voice. She would have been the center of attention for all the boys in whatever town she lived, except for two problems. One, she never really actually lived in a town; and two, she rarely ever smiled. There was always a sadness in her eyes, a lonesomeness that didn't go away even when Locke told his worst jokes.
"It's a chocobo grove." Said Locke. They made their way to the grove. It was filled with creatures that looked somewhat like an ostrich; it was yellow, had a thick neck, and a large beak. Chocobos were easy to tame and to ride. They snuck up on one each and leaped upon one. Chocobos were fast, and after they got to Figaro Dessert, they found Figaro quickly.
Figaro Castle was an amazing and massive site. In addition to being a castle, it also was a small village for all of the guards and castle servants and workers. Its hugely massive grey walls stuck up into the sky imposingly.
As they approached the gate, the guards yelled "Halt!" but after seeing the figure of Locke, they said "Oh, it's you, well, proceed. You should go on in." They walked into a large room.
Locke got up and walked to the elegantly dressed man. He whispered something in his ear. "You mean, this young woman?" He said, louder than he thought.
"Who do you think you are, mister, talkint to me like that?" Said Terra.
"Oh, sorry, how rude of me to turn my back to a lady! I am Edgar, King of Figaro."
"You surprised someone like me knows a king?" Locke whisered to Terra.
Someone walked in and whispered something into Locke's ear. "Gotta go." He said "Talk to you later!" And walked out of the room.
With the room empty, there was an awkward silence. Edgar broke it. "So, um, you're an Imperial soldier!" he said "No problem. Figaro and the Empire are allies! Please relax while you're here. It's not in my blood to harm a lady."
"Why are you helping me?" Asked Terra "Is it because of my abilities?"
"Three reasons:" Said Edgar "First of all, your beauty has captivated me! Second, I'm dying to know if I'm your type. I guess your abilities would be a distant third."
"May I go have a look at the castle?" Said Terra, looking for an excuse to leave.
"Guess my technique's a bit rusty." He said to himself. "Alright, I will have a servant give you a guided tour."
I suppose a normal girl would have found him dashing, thought Terra as a servant guided her away, But I'm hardly normal. The servant guided her through the massive dining room, through the towers, and many other places. When they reached the library, there was an elderly woman sitting in a chair, staring at a picture of two young boys, Edgar obviously one of them.
"That's King Edgar's Mother, Isabelle." Said the servant, "She's a sweet old lady." Isabelle looked at her and said,
"That is a picture of my boys when they were young."
"Edgar has a younger brother?"
"He has a twin brother. He was such a nice boy. His name is Sabin. He looked so like his father! I wonder what he's like now?"
"What do you mean?" Said Terra.
"He ran away about fifteen years ago, when my husband, the old king of Figaro, died." Said the elderly woman.
And, just then Edgar and Locke walked into the room "Well? How do you like my castle?" He said.
"I like it ver..."
"King Edgar!" Said a guard as he burst through the door "Someone from the Empire to see you!"
"Please don't be Kefka." Said Edgar, crossing his fingers hoefully.
"Who's Kefka?" Asked Terra.
"Emperor Gestahl's own personal pawn," Said Locke
"Probably sent to find you."
"Then we must hide you." Said Edgar. "And I know just the place"

***

Not too far away, Kefka was making his way to the castle with two of his guards. Needless to say, he wasn't very happy, "Emperor Gestahl's stupid orders!" he said "I hate Gestahl. He sent me to Castle Figaro out in the middle of nowhere. I swear, if I have to do another recon job..."
He took a few more steps over the last hill and saw Figaro. "Ahem. there's sand on my boots! I can't have a meeting with the king of Figaro with sand in my boots"
His two soldiers jumped to attention. "Yes, Sir! All set, Sir!" they said as they emptied his boots of sand.
"Idiots!" Kefka said as he approached Castle Figaro.
As he approached, the guard spoke up "Sir Kefka!? What on earth br..." "
Out of my way!" He said knocking the guard to the ground.

***

Edgar strode up the castle courtyard with Locke just behind him. He approached Kefka and said, "What brings Kefka, humble servant of Emperor Gestahl, into our lowly presence?"
"A girl of no importance recently escaped from us. We heard she found refuge here."
"Hmmm..." Said Edgar "This doesn't have anything to do with this witch every one's been whispering about, does it?"
"She... merely stole something of minor value. Is she here?"
Edgar wanted to say, "Nothing but your pride," but instead he said "Well that's a tough one, you see, there are more girls here than grains of sand out there. I can't keep track of 'em all!"
"Well, I'd hate to be you if we find out you're lying. I truly hope nothing happens to your precious Figaro...!" Kefka turned around with a flourish of his cape and walked out.
Edgar and Locke walked back into the great hall of the castle. "Well," Said Locke "I'd say that guy's missing a few buttons."
"The coast is clear," Said Edgar "Where's Terra?"
Just then, one of the tiles of the floor slid aside. "Right here."
Edgar spoke to to Locke "Take her to her room. She's had a long day" he said, then Spoke to Terra "I'd love to chat , but the Chancellor and I must plan our strategy. Sometimes I hate being a king! If you'll excuse me." he said, as he walked out of the room.
"Follow me." Said Locke. Locke led her to her bedroom. "That room is yours" he said "I'll be in this one"
Then Terra spoke. "I've heard about you. Is it true you're a thief?"
"That's treasure hunter!" Locke said
"Why is Edgar so sarcastic when he seaks to the emporors men?"
"On the surface, Edgar pretends to support the Empire. The truth is, he's collaborating with the Returners, an organization opposed to the Empire. I am his contact with that group."
"The old man in Narshe..."
"...is one of us."
"But, but I'm a soldier of the Empire!"
"That's not true!" he said "They were using you! Things are different now."
"I don't understand. Things are confusing. What do I do?"
"I can't tell you what to do, but You don't have to decide right now. You'll soon find your way." Locke said as he walked into his room
"But how will I know which way is right..." Said Terra, as she walked into her own room.

***

Kefka watched the whole conversation through his binoculars, he couldn't hear the words, but he saw the girl, and knew she was conspiring with that man.

"Well, well, well." He said "It appears that our girl was in the castle the whole time. I think it's time we give Edgar a little surprise."