Author's Note: Finally, a short break, I usually work on these in pieces, and it can be months before I make any significant progress, and I've been meticulous about reading things over to make sure they work out. After all, I'd hate for something of mine to be the kind of thing that the "Fanfiction Force" would deem unacceptable.

Thanks for all the helpful reviews, and I'll try not to disappoint.

Small addition: All right, it really took me a long time to get this one out. You can blame school if you must, but right now, I'm on break, so I can get more work done on the following chapters.

I have a plot, I'm just meticulous about the way I want it to be conveyed, but I intend to finish this one.

--

"You're telling me an Imp picked up his large servant by the tail and hefted him out of the room?"

"Well, the servant was still relatively young, but the fact remains that I never thought I would see the day when an Imp would toss one of Ozzie's family… at all!"

--

"Sir Jonathan did what?! But he is one of the most upstanding…"

"My dear Marle, even a Knight can do roguish endeavors when he has had more than his fill of alcohol…"

--

"How do I know Sir Jonathan? Well… I guess the best way to put it is that our families have been old friends…"

"My Lady, you must come from quite an upstanding family then. Why, I bet the royals would be jealous of such longstanding camaraderie…"

"I really cannot say, Alexan-"

"Alex."

"Right, Alex, I am sorry. I am not used to such-"

"Nothing to be sorry about, Marle, as you notice, I still slip up with you, but I would hold any woman of such charm in similar regard."

--

"Alex, there is something that still holds my focus. It surprises me that you are as worldly as a traveler, despite from being of the house of Truce. What does your family think of the deviation?"

"You know, I had a conversation with my father about this before I left on my last trip. He always wanted to do the same thing, himself, and it was one of his biggest regrets. Even still, he talks about opening up a kind of starter school on the finer points of travel. Now he may not be as worldly as I am, but he certainly has read more than his fair share about how to best prepare yourself in the world…"

"Oh my, that is quite a noble endeavor."

"Something a noble should do, right? Anyhow, he told me when I was young that I would have my best life experiences if I saw the sights of the world, and when the time came for me to settle down and do my duty, that I would be a better man for it. Also, it lets the world know just how the House of Truce wants to expand influence… as you know there are areas of this world that could use aid, and it is not as if Truce is faring terribly."

"Absolutely no poor, right? I mean, that is what I have heard…"

"Exactly. But it comes at a price, every man must work, and even women must if the time calls for it. The growth of business is especially important, and I can see great changes for the entire world if they adopted such a system."

"Self-sufficient, rather than operating under the crown? Sounds revolutionary…"

"Now I am not against the idea of a Kingdom, indeed, there are those that have their purpose in life as well. Even the King's rebellious daughter will have to realize that she will need to keep her people safe. I believe the presence of the crown is for the safety of the people, to also discuss terms with foreign powers should the need arise, after all, while war can be necessary, the best way to protect a nation's people is to have no war at all… everyone, even the princess, should hopefully understand this, because it is something we all have to deal with…"

"…"

"Miss Marle? Have I offended you by talking about politics? I-"

"No, Alex. It is certainly a lot to think about, and I see what kind of passion you hold for that kind of thing, and surely it is that kind of a quality that the King is looking for in his daughter's suitors…"

"But, I would sooner see a man of similar ideas take said power, after all, I would rather make my own choice for who I want to marry, but since this would be a duty to my family, I cannot back away from it so easily…"

"You could run away."

"That would be a waste, for everything that my family has done for me, I would not be the person today if I had grown up elsewhere. It is my experience traveling in the world that would prevent me from doing that, still, since when I am away, there is always that longing for home. No, Marle, running would not solve the problem… and if I must sacrifice my personal wishes, then that is but a small price to pay for the dignity of my family, and my service to the people, both of Truce and the Kingdom."

"It would be a waste, would it not? I guess I had never thought that way, I always think of running from my problems, but to think of the inevitability of it all, and the fact that it would soil the honor of my family… you are as wise as you are charming, Alex."

--

Stories of Chrono Trigger Before the Tale

Chapter 2

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It was surreal; the entire experience of discussing anything and everything with such a remarkable woman was almost too much for Alexander to firmly grasp. It was as if she was the person he was looking for, certainly one of the more interesting noble's he had met.

He was sure she was a noble anyhow, the simple way she upheld herself, though he could see she was trying to hide it. But from what noble family, he could not decipher, nor did he feel that it was really necessary to ask.

After all, why not respect the ladies wishes to remain a little more anonymous; after all, a noble put their life in jeopardy when they traveled, especially without a bodyguard of some sort. Alexander himself had traveled under several pseudonyms in order to deter from any sort of trouble with various thieving groups, though if the time came to it, he could hold himself in a fight.

All the sparring he did with Jonathan, though being exempt from military duty due to being a part of a noble family, Alexander himself was no stranger to swordplay, though he believed his own abilities paled in comparison.

Still, because of Jonathan's meticulous instruction, Alexander believed that he was on par with many of the upper ranked Knights, although this was more from Jonathan's opinions from what little time they had to practice.

The air gave a slight chill, but to Alexander, it was the feel of home. Living near the water caused such chills to come from the open air, and he relished in the feeling of being nearby. A man with the spirit of adventure, but with the unfortunate bringing of a noble, and all the responsibilities it entailed.

Yes, at one time he had considered running. Traveling the world as a vagabond swordsman, but he realized the dishonor it would cause to his very supportive father. He understood that he would not be the man he was today if it were not for his father allowing him to travel.

Still, the traveling had its purpose, the House of Truce was known to many, even to the far lands across the globe.

His thoughts were shaken by a sudden sense of dread. He wished he could have escorted Marle to wherever she was staying, but she vehemently disagreed. He understood, of course, to be seen with a local noble would undoubtedly blow whatever cover she was keeping, and he respected the privacy a noble took when traveling.

Curious… as he rounded the bend, he saw a young boy standing eagerly at the entrance to the Truce estate.

During his conversation with Marle, they took to the back roads near his family's estate… how much time had it been since the conversation… an hour, two? He hadn't noticed the boy before, but the child seemed very intent on waiting for someone to speak with him.

Alexander walked up to the boy, who upon closer inspection, he looked to be a traveling merchant's son, still too young to have a shifty look about his bright eyed wonder.

"Young man, what brings you to this estate?"

The boy spun around in amazement, looking at the towering individual in front of him.

"I have a message for the Lord of the house, sir! It's written right here. Some strange man at the fair paid me a lot of gold to do this… as my father always tells me, never pass up the opportunity to make easy coin!"

A traveling merchant indeed. This boy would likely take after his father well.

"This is my father's house, but I believe that would make me entitled to the message?"

The boy smiled, "Ah, you are Lord Alexander? It is an honor, sir! Here is the message!"

He hastily gave the message to Alexander, before nervously looking around.

"I have to go back to my father now, sir…"

Alexander halted the boy before reading the message.

"Can you tell me what the strange man looked like? I must admit this comes as a surprise to me."

The boy nodded, "He looked like he was from Porre, anyway, he was dressed like it. He constantly looked around like he was being followed or something, maybe looking around for someone. My father actually verified the transaction and sent me here, but I'll get my cut for doing the busy work, of course."

A traveling merchant indeed…

"Right, thank you for you help. Go ahead and run along now, I am sure your father has much more for you to do."

The boy ran off.

Alex slowly opened the message, running his eyes along the scratched handwriting. While it was difficult to make out, the message was clear. Alexander seethed as he crumpled the message in his hand.

"Kidnapping… ransom… the very nerve! Those thieves are getting smarter all the time… oh and don't bring the guards or she dies, brilliantly evil!"

He failed to calm himself as expletives rose and fell, even a noble brought to rage can exhibit the most colorful speech when given the chance.

He looked around, "Fiona's forest… of course, they likely holed up near where the legendary hero spent ten years of his life… what a desecration… no guards? Doesn't say anything about the Knight Captain though…"

There was no time to lose, Marle's life was at stake! Alexander ran to the only place where he knew he could get help.

"Alex, what's the big-"

Jonathan glanced at the grim face of his friend before slowly opening the offered message, which could have seen better shape.

His eyes narrowed uneasily, "This… this is… I…"

His face went deathly white before a rare rage took him over.

"Where the hell were you during this?!"

Alexander grimaced, "Around the estate, she insisted that I could not take her back to wherever she was staying… just what the hell is this about?"

Jonathan growled, "This is not the first time I have seen a message like this. There is a group of thieves'… murderers even! They have been plaguing the trails near Fiona's forest for quite some time… and they have eluded my grasp because of how hard it is to actually find someone in that area. That, and the provincial mayor loves to take matters into his own hands with his own brand of 'Knights'. We need to beat them there!"

Alexander coughed, "But how? Even if we could secure a horse, it would be difficult to catch up to them. We'd have to beat the beasts to exhaustion!"

Jonathan smirked, "Who said anything about a horse? You've forgotten about our old friend, the inventor."

Alexander cocked his head to the side quizzically before he slammed his palm to his forehead.

"Of course! Taban was working on a new kind of boat! We'll stop them before they even pass the central path near the cathedral! And we know that it's the only passable route! This is brilliant!"

Ashtear Island, home to the most brilliant inventors and engineers in the world. The current Ashtear, a young stout man by the name of Taban, was known far and wide for his eccentricity, as well as his intelligence.

Hard at work tinkering with a small machine, he didn't even turn to see who had come to visit him.

"What? No, I already paid my taxes. Go on, be of-"

"Taban."

The resolute voice startled him, and he got up quickly, narrowly missing his head on his workshop's low support.

"Jon… and Alex? What's this about?"

Jonathan grimaced, "The p-… a… mutual friend of ours has been kidnapped by thieves. We need to borrow your boat so we can stop them quickly!"

The oil stained man nodded, before motioning them to follow him. "Well, why the hell didn't you say something sooner? Come with me!"

Moving with a speed surprising for his bulky frame, he quickly lead them to a craft, a bit smaller than a passenger boat but no less impressive, off of the only pier to the island.

Jonathan pointed in the direction of Fiona's forest. "Taban, we need to get there as fast as possible!"

The inventor leapt up to the stern, taking the wheel. "Secure yourselves gentlemen. I haven't tried it on the fastest setting yet, but I'm sure we're going to be in for a hell of a ride!"