The Queen Returns

Chrono sat up with a start. Where was he? Oh yes – Truce Inn. The Truce Inn of a separate dimension – or something. First with one leg, then the other, he climbed out of bed. He rubbed his eyes – I must have slept a long time. The sun is already up – probably has been for a few hours. In that case, I better get going. He grabbed his clothes, neatly crumpled into a little ball on the floor. Yes, they were quite wrinkled and rumpled, but that would fit in nicely with the grungy traveler image.

With a self-condescending smirk, Chrono strode to the door. He tried to open it, but it just would not give more than an inch. He wasn't puzzled for long, once he remembered he had blocked the door last night. Wake up, Chrono – you're a little loopy this morning – or afternoon. Groggily he bent down and grasped the bedpost, but stopped before he made any more movement. Wait! Why did I need to block this door? He thought of the footsteps outside his door last night.

Suddenly energized, he opened his door as far as the bed would allow – one inch. That was enough – there was someone outside his door, in the hall! The stalker seemed to be sleeping, sitting propped against the wall. That is, until his head rolled back, revealing his face. Most importantly, his eyes – they were open. Chrono stared in the face of his stalker, who pretended not to care about the red-topped spy.

Chrono slammed his door shut. Could this adventure get any worse? Speaking of that – the girl. Marle! Ah, it's a lost cause now. I'll never be able to find her. He backed away from his door, scratching his head. Is there another way out of here? The window? No – I'm on the second story. But… maybe I could land that kind of fall. He ran to the window and looked down. No, I can't do a fall like that onto rock. But… he looked up. I could grab onto the edge of the roof and make my way over to… ah, it's no use. How do you open this window anyway? Is there a lever here… ah…

Chrono stopped for a second of realization. It was a plan, if anything. Hesitantly at first, he pulled the window lever and squeaked open the window. Not enough noise! He slammed it shut. Ah, I've got it! With a triumphant grin, he took off his shirt. Then he proceeded to shove as much fabric as he could in between the window pane and frame. Now, let's try! He pulled the window lever. Slowly, and with great effort, he pushed the window. The glass groaned as it struggled against the shirt, stressing the wooden frame. More noise! Chrono kept pushing and pushing until, crack! – something broke. A wood beam, something in the window, he didn't know, or care.

Now to wait. As noiselessly as he could, he pulled the window shut and retrieved his shirt. Or, rather, tried – seems his clothing had jammed quite comfortably in the crack, and in his attempt to remove it, Chrono tore his shirt in half. He stared dumbfounded for a moment. It was getting too small anyway. He tossed the remains on the floor and returned to the window. After about three minutes (an hour to Chrono), he saw the form of his stalker creep by the side of the inn. Good. He thinks I've gone out the window. Chrono backed away – I don't want to be seen, still inside – and ran to his door. Bang! Ah – the bed's still in the way. With much effort he slid his bed to the side. Quietly he stole out of his room and downstairs.

"Good morning, sir." Chrono leapt six feet in the air at the words. "Did you sleep well?" Oh, it was only that lady at the desk. She seemed interested in Chrono's opinion, but the boy had no time to chat.

"No, I think I got an F," Chrono muttered under his breath, heading to the door.

"Oh?" was all the lady got out before the boy had gone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All heads turned to stare at the strange boy walking into the shop. Chrono didn't care about all the inquisitive looks; all he needed were some clothes… and fast. He had left both halves of his vest in the inn, and so now traipsed around in his undershirt, which was slashed and torn a few times in the back from the blue creature's claws. This would be hilarious… if it weren't happening to me.

"Can I help you, sir?" the clerk at the counter asked. It was obvious that the clerk had specially memorized that phrase, because the look on his face betrayed an expression of "somebody contact the guards!" The clerk even backed away a few steps as Chrono came up.

"I need some clothes." He can see that!

"Well," the clerk nervously began, "what kind of outfit are you looking for?"

"Something intact."

"What?"

"Never mind. What do you suggest?"

"Hold on just a moment." The clerk retreated to another room and reappeared a few minutes later with a pile of clothing. "So, how long have you been in Truce?"

Now he's making conversation. "You're the second person now who's told me this is Truce."

The clerk looked puzzled for a moment. "Is that surprising?"

"Yes – I mean, no. Well, actually a little…" Chrono took the clothes. "How much?"

"Are you in some sort of hurry? You might want to see if they fit first."

"Ah." Chrono looked at the pile of fabric. A very dull pile of fabric. He was no fashion authority, but in the real Truce, he would not be caught dead and burned with that earthy animal hide wrapped around his torso. On the top of the stack was a brown leather jacket which looked like it had been gently thrown in a mud puddle, stomped on, and then neatly ironed. Next was a pair of brown leather pants in about the same condition as the jacket. And so on, down the stack, brown leather everything.

With a sigh, Chrono took the stack of clothing to the back room. Shortly after, he returned in his new garb. Surprisingly, the clothes weren't dirty, as they looked. He could get used to this. In fact, aside from the spiky red hair, he could fit right in with the villagers – brown and ratty.

He grinned, despite his worn appearance, and sauntered toward the exit.

"Wait! You'll have to pay for that!" the clerk shouted, visibly irritated. "It's six gold coins."

That's impossibly cheap. He dug into his new pockets.

"If you want finer clothing, I have plenty of it. This is the cheap set – but you look like you need something fast anyway." The clerk seemed to be mumbling to himself now.

"Here." Chrono thumped six coins on the counter and sauntered to the door. Before he was through, he stopped and turned back to the counter, a new idea roasting in his brain. "What day is it?"

But the clerk had disappeared.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No heads turned as Chrono came into the new shop – but then, there was no one in the shop. That was good. Even though his clothes disguised his origins well, there was no way everyone would mistake him for a villager. At least, he thought so.

"Hello? Is anyone in here?"

Chrono jumped as a clerk appeared from nowhere. "Can I help you?" Again, this clerk had the script memorized. But his expression read sincere.

"Yes."

The clerk waited for more. "What can I help you with?" He playfully smiled.

"Oh. I need a weapon." Just in case I find another one of those blue things. Or maybe I'll be stalked by a madman.

"Even I would know that." The clerk gestured to his stock – all sorts of devices for injury. There was a pause as the clerk waited for a response. Finally – "do you know what kind of weapon you need?"

"Not really."

"Well, let's see, then. Have you any training with any kind of weapon?"

"Yes – I've taken a swordsmanship class."

"Pardon?"

"I've used a sword before."

"That's more like it. Follow me," the clerk hummed as he pulled Chrono to one wall. "So, what do you need a weapon for?"

"I… well…"

"Don't be so frightened. This isn't an interrogation, and you don't have to tell me if it's a big secret. It's just that lots of people are buying them now with the threat of a Mystic invasion."

"Mystics?"

The clerk pulled a dull brownish sword off the wall. "Yes. Magus's troops are on the move, and it's brought all the villagers in here for their safety – if you know what I mean. Here – I know this may not be the best kind of sword, but it's cheap and durable. The knights and soldiers get all the good ones."

The clerk held it out for Chrono, who took it enthusiastically. The boy bent over with the weight at first, but brought the sword up and took a few practice swings. It was a single-edged sword and looked far duller than it was. With a good clean, it could look like any other sword, impressively reflecting beams of light in all directions.

"It's a little heavy at first, but you'll get used to it. Made of iron – not the strongest metal, because it breaks under high pressure, but it's enough to take care of burglars, or a Mystic."

"Mystics?" Chrono prodded.

"Oh, don't let me forget. Here's your scabbard – you won't be able to carry that far without it."

" – thanks."

"Say, did you hear the good news?"

"What good news?" Chrono questioned, trying to get his sword in the sheath.

"The Queen's been found!"

"What?"

"Queen Leene. Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about."

"Oh! Right. The Queen. Sure." Chrono was still trying to put the sword away.

"She was found! The king was almost dead with worry over her. He thought Magus had got her. But you knew that – "

" – sure."

"And to think she was here the whole time."

Chrono dropped the sword. "Sorry?"

"You're forgiven." The clerk reached down to retrieve the sword. "Here. Oh, that costs twenty gold coins. I know that's expensive, but it's almost the cheapest one I have," he rambled, fitting the sword in the scabbard.

"What's this about the Queen?"

"She was found."

"I heard that. I mean, what's this about being found here?"

"Oh! Somebody up in the woods to the north found her. Nobody knows what she was doing there, but they rescued her right away! Good thing, too. Who knows if the king could make it without her."

Wordlessly, Chrono fitted the scabbard to his belt. Without making any eye contact, he produced twenty gold coins and handed them to the clerk. He held his head in his hands for a few seconds, as if he suddenly had a headache.

"What is today?"

"Tuesday!" the clerk called, waltzing behind the counter to secure his cash.

"No – I mean, what year is it?"

The clerk paused. "You're joking."

"No! I just need to know – what year is it?"

"600 A.D."

"Thanks!" Chrono called, rushing out the door.

There was a minute of stunned silence, before the clerk reacted. "What a strange young man," he mused, returning to his private room.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chrono had walked nearly a half-mile before he realized he had no idea where he was going. He stopped and sat on a nearby stone.

I've gone back in time? That's impossible! But, now it all makes sense – this is the war. I was sent back to the Mystic War! No wonder everything was so cheap – twenty gold coins? I could make a hundred of those in a month. And the way everyone was dressed – and their hairstyles. I am really in my homeland 400 years ago.

And so is Marle. Oh – they've probably taken her to the castle! They've mistaken her for the missing queen - - - that makes no sense. Sure, she's a cute little thing, but, for heaven's sakes, she's not a queen! I've got to find her, and then we'll…

What? Go back through the portal? There's no way back. We're stuck here forever! Or at least until we die, whichever comes first. I hope Mom doesn't miss me too much…

Chrono sighed and put his head in his hands. It's hopeless. But at least I can try to find Marle. I think they'll figure out she isn't the real queen quite easily. I know I would – he laughed in spite of his situation. In fact, he couldn't stop laughing – the kind of laugh that would land him in a straightjacket and a padded room. Soon he was rolling on the ground, slapping his knees, gasping for breath. This is not funny! Still he laughed. Imagine, Marle – the queen! Catch her if you can! It's the mad disappearing girl – faster than lightning! Ha ha! He clutched his chest. Stop laughing before you pass out.

Nearly five minutes later, his guffaws and giggles began to peter out, until he lay panting on the ground. His last thought before he drifted into a fitful sleep – I'll find her tomorrow…

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Another one - I'll make this as short as I can.

First, the subject of editing. I am completely aware that this is not a perfect document. There are probably tons of errors I have missed. Thank you for pointing them out in reviews. I will keep track of them, because eventually I will edit each and every chapter. But I can't edit yet - I know myself. If I start editing now, I'll never continue the story. So, just keep in mind, I will eventually fix the pesky typos and continuity flaws (point them out nicely, please).

Also, I am aware that there are several things in the game that hinge on choices made by the characters (the most obvious being about Magus). In most cases, I have decided what the characters will do. Please send your opinions on these - I probably won't change my mind, but I just want to know. (Another example: will the characters do any or all sidequests at the end of the game... story?)

Now, about the story, you'll notice more changes. Let me explain myself (if you don't care, you can stop reading). I wanted to make Toma's character a little more important than it is in the game, as his story pertains to the Rainbow Shell quest later on. I am trying not to drag this tale on and on and on, but there are a lot of new characters that show up in this time period, and they all return - so I want to give them some development now. I hope you don't get bored waiting for the action... (if action is what you're reading for, stop: you'll see the genre is GENERAL/FANTASY)

That's all - I will update as much as possible before the schoolyear hits.