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Scars

by Maelstra

Scene 6: In Confusion in Cephiro

Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu wandered down a long, marble hallway, lost in thought and not really talking to each other. Clef had reassured them that Prince Ferio should be alright, and they had already helped take the prince back up to his room to rest. As there was nothing the girls could do for Ferio at the moment, and since the dangerous stranger currently seemed to be nowhere nearby, the girls had gone to visit Eagle again.

Did you ask Clef to restore your magic? Eagle asked after the girls briefly explained what had transpired.

"Ah! I forgot!" Hikaru slapped her forehead. "Clef was so busy trying to heal Ferio . . ."

"We'd better ask him the next time we see him," Umi said firmly. "I don't know why she left us alone this time, but next time we might not be so lucky!"

I'm so sorry I sent you girls into such danger. Though he couldn't really speak, some sorrow still crept out in his words.

"It's okay, Eagle-san. We could not have known before – even though we saw her in the basement, we had no idea she was a threat until she attacked Ferio . . ."

"But why did she attack Ferio? It makes no sense!" Umi fumed. "Yes, like she said, he's the prince of Cephiro – but he's a good prince! He cares about the people, and he does his best to ensure they're all happy. What's so wrong with that?!"

Maybe . . . hm . . .

"What is it?" Hikaru prompted Eagle.

Well, on Autozam . . . there are some people who will try to gain more power – through somewhat unscrupulous methods. I had wondered if this girl might be the same – but according to what you have told me, it doesn't sound like she's after the throne herself. It's more like she's . . . angry.

"Angry with whom?" Umi planted her hands on her hips. "She didn't seem to know Ferio personally." Her eyes widened as she got an idea. "Do you think she was angry with Emeraude, and she's just taking it out on Ferio since he's her brother?"

"That . . . is an interesting idea, Umi-san." Fuu tapped a finger to her chin. "If that's the case, we should talk to Clef right away since he may have some idea what this girl would be angry with Emeraude about."

Hikaru nodded emphatically. "Yeah. Let's go!" She and Fuu headed straight for the door. Just before she turned the knob, she looked back with a puzzled expression. "Umi, aren't you coming to talk to Clef?"

"I . . . just a minute. There was something I wanted to ask Eagle. You two go ahead."

Fuu nodded, understanding. "Let's go, Hikaru-san." She gently nudged her puzzled friend out the door.

Once the door clicked shut again, Eagle mentally asked, Is there some other problem?

"Yes, Eagle. You see . . ." Umi hesitated, and bit her lip. "You remember that Lafarga and Ascot went on an expedition to Autozam?"

. . . Yes, I remember.

"Well, it's just . . . you know how the Autozamians think, and I just wondered . . . if there was any chance . . ."

Eagle caught on that something was very wrong, and asked in an urgent telepathic tone, Umi – what exactly happened?

"Well, it's . . ." Umi finally started blurting everything out. "Lafarga and Ascot tried to go talk to the leaders, but some guy said they were changing orders and were supposed to kill them. And then they ran and they got separated, and Lafarga said he wasn't sure but it looked like an explosion knocked Ascot off one of the towers . . ." Umi paused for breath briefly. "And then the pilot of the ship wouldn't wait any longer, and he brought Lafarga straight back here."

What? Wait, so they attacked them? But . . . Eagle trailed off abruptly, keeping all his thoughts to himself for a moment.

Umi sighed and folded her arms. "So I was just wondering if the Autozamians . . . might take prisoners or something . . . I guess it's silly of me to think that. But, Ascot does know a little magic – so I guess I don't want to give up hope that he could still be alright."

Never give up hope, Umi. If Eagle could have sighed, he would have. I'm so sorry. I would call them right now and demand an explanation . . . if I only could.

"No, don't be sad, Eagle – I know it's not your fault." Umi shook her head even though she knew Eagle couldn't see her. "I'm sorry I brought it up – I shouldn't worry you when I should know there's nothing you can do."

No, I think I need to know this. I can't imagine . . . is Autozam trying to provoke a war with Cephiro? I thought they wouldn't try anything stupid while I was still here. It seems I might have been wrong . . .

"What do you mean? Are you saying that Autozam has been planning to attack Cephiro all along?" Umi grew alarmed.

Umi – have you so quickly forgotten why I am here? I came here planning to use whatever force necessary to become pillar – remember? Autozam has long hoped that by conquering Cephiro, we might gain the means to cure our atmosphere. My invasion was only one of several invasion attempts – and the only attempt to completely succeed.

"What happened during the other attempts?"

I . . . don't know about all of them, but . . . Well, relatively recently, there were a couple of invasions led to Cephiro by the Supreme General of Autozam. I heard that, the first time, the ship that the Supreme General piloted made it through, but none of the others could follow, so he called the invasion off. Then, after Cephiro retaliated, they went back again, but even the Supreme General couldn't get through that time . . .

"Wait – so Cephiro retaliated against Autozam? But why? Autozam didn't even do anything that first time, did they?"

That is . . . merely what I was told.

Umi shook her head in disbelief, not quite able to comprehend all the intricacies of this political tangle. "So Autozam has been planning to invade again all along? You knew about this, and you didn't tell us!"

Umi, please! I was not trying to betray Cephiro! I really thought that Autozam would leave Cephiro alone as long as they still got the help they needed! My father is the President of the Autozam Republic, and I thought that he would keep anyone from taking military actions against Cephiro, at least as long as I am here . . .

"Hmph," Umi grunted, unconvinced. "That doesn't explain anything, though: you're here, in Cephiro's care; and Cephiro has agreed to give Autozam what they wanted. So, why would Autozam turn on Cephiro now?"

I don't know! Eagle sounded sincerely frustrated. I can't even guess! If I could only talk to them . . .

"Can't you just ask Geo or someone else to relay a message to your father for you?"

It's not the same. Most Autozamians would be overly suspicious. After all, just because you tell them the message is from me, there's no way you can actually prove that you didn't just make it all up and claim that I said it. Even my father would be unlikely to believe you without some sort of concrete proof.

"Well, that's just great. What are we supposed to do then?" Umi snapped.

Eagle stayed quiet a long time. Long enough that Umi regretted the harshness of her words. "I'm sorry, Eagle. I really have no right to be taking my frustrations out on you."

It's okay, I understand. I'm sorry that I'm proving so useless.

"No, Eagle, I'm sorry. I'm just so confused . . ." Umi took a deep breath and turned away. "I should go catch up with the others, and see if Clef knows anything about that strange girl." She hesitated by the door. "And maybe Clef will have some idea of what we should do about Autozam, too."

I really hope so. Take care, Umi. And please – if you think of any way I might help Cephiro, please let me know.

"Sure, Eagle." Umi ducked into the hall and ran, trying to make it to Clef's study before her tangled worries caught up to her.