Kain stood on the roof again, although now there was no wind and no teasing current trying to lure him off the edge and out into the open sky. Beyond the roof, there was no calm blue or even tumultuous stormy gray; there was no sky at all, only darkness, in an endless yawning void. Feeling uneasy in the strange atmosphere, Kain looked back to his father for reassurance.
Richard clapped a hand to Kain's shoulder. "Sometimes," Richard said with a familiar squeeze that had been reassuring while he was alive, but now Kain found it too tight and inescapable. "There are no good choices, and all you can do is jump."
"But Father..." Kain started to protest.
"Jump!" Richard demanded, coming closer to Kain, crowding him to the roof's edge. Suddenly, Richard seemed twice as tall, looming over Kain, casting a dark shadow across the boy's face. "Go!" Richard bellowed. The wind was immediately present, wild and whipping in all directions – it pulled aggressively at Kain's clothing, hair, and limbs, so that even his skin was stretched tight by the furious gale.
Kain stumbled back over the edge and felt air underneath his feet. With desperate fingers, Kain scrambled for a hand hold on the roof's edge and miraculously found it. The weight of his falling body almost ripped his grip from the edge, but somehow Kain still held on by one hand, dangling precariously over the black void below.
"Father!" Kain cried out, but it was not Richard's face that appeared above – it was Rosa's, wearing a soft expression of pity. She leaned down, grabbed Kain by the wrist, and held him easily; Kain was surprised by her immense strength.
Rosa's mouth moved but no sound could be heard over the roar of the winds around them. When Kain did not answer, she looked scared, a new urgency making her lips move faster. Her grip on his wrists became uncomfortably tight.
"Rosa!" Kain managed between terrified gulping breaths, "Help me...!"
Lifting Kain by his wrist with an impossible strength, Rosa stood; she held Kain over the edge so that, his feet hung awkwardly in the air. As Rosa shook her head, her face was obscured by blonde hair whipping around. When Kain could glimpse her through her parting hair, he saw that Rosa had transformed into a fearsome golden creature, swirling within the wind.
"No!" Kain cried out as he felt her fingers loosen, then let go. He reached for her, but his hand swiped through emptiness. Rosa was gone, or was never there in the first place, he realized with dismay. Despair and terror filled him up, weighing him down further.
Kain fell, quickly consumed by the endless void waiting for him.
The next morning, Kain woke to utter darkness in his room. For one terrifying moment, he forgot where he was. Kain reached blindly for something familiar but found only strangeness in the air; he leaned too far off the bed's edge and tumbled out, landing hard on the floor below.
Kain opened his mouth to cry out to his father, but bit back the teary plea as the confusion of sleep lifted; he remembered where he was and why. He took one deep shuddering breath, telling himself that he would not cry. He was Kain Highwind, son of Richard, and no fall would ever discourage him – he just had to get back up.
Fumbling in the dark, Kain pulled on his clothing from the previous day. Upon returning the night before, he'd found some of his possessions already delivered to the room, including his clothing chest, but it felt like too much effort to dig through the chest now. He wondered if King Odin or Joanna had sent the guards to his house to pack up his possessions like a criminal. He wondered, too, how much longer he could avoid both.
Kain slipped from the room and stepped lightly to soften his footfalls as he left the tower. The sun was beginning to peek over the eastern horizon, spilling bright glittering rays across the ocean's surface, lending just enough light to the sky for Kain to find his way.
There were few others awake at this early hour. Kain passed a few guards but no others. He felt that the castle was an ominous place when empty, as if the walls would close in and swallow him whole if he lingered too long. With that mental image sending a shudder down his spine, Kain hurried along. He was relieved to have cold air in his lungs again as he found his way back outside and entered, the castle's training yard.
Albert was waiting for him.
"Not quite the first," Kain remarked as he approached the dragoon.
"Close enough," Albert replied, then motioned for Kain to follow. Albert had always been kind but distant with Kain growing up, ready to offer Kain a smile or a ruffling of his hair, but little interaction beyond that. Now, Albert's face was fixed in a stony neutrality, not offering any hint or feeling of expression.
Albert led Kain back into the castle, in the armory hall adjacent to the training yard where Baron stored its weapons and armors between periods of active use. Albert led Kain through countless weapon and armor racks, then stopped before a closed door. After pulling a key from his pocket, Albert unlocked and opened the door. He entered the next room, and Kain followed closely behind.
Kain had never been to this part of the castle before. Richard had always insisted Kain was too young for 'real weapons with real consequences', so he had restricted Kain to wooden practice swords and lances. Now, Kain stood before a line of busts displaying colorful armor. The colors rangeding from dark reds to light greens, and the armors winked at him in the dim light of the armory, in a manner reminiscent of a dragon's glittering scales. An elaborate helmet topped each armor set, all appearing ferociously dragon-like yet distinct from each other.
Awed by the sight, Kain followed Albert down the line of busts, admiring each in turn, until Albert stopped at one: it was dark blue, almost black in the low light, with sharp talon-like points protruding from the elbow joints and shoulders. The helm displayed a similar style, fanning out in a mock reptilian frill around the dragon's ears. It had two sets of eyes: a yellow set for the dragon, and a second lower set for its wearer. Unlike the other helmets, this helmet left its wearer's face exposed from the jaw down.
"It was your father's first set," Albert said, not looking at the armor but watching Kain's reaction. "The King had new armor commissioned when Richard became Commander, and no one has taken this one up since."
Kain reached out tentatively, touching one of the vicious looking talons on the armor's shoulder. It was sharper than it looked, easily piercing Kain's skin. Sucking in a breath, Kain withdrew his hand and looked down to see a bead of blood forming on the pad of his thumb.
"A bit of a double-edged sword," Albert remarked. "It discourages your enemies from getting too close, but you must be mindful of hurting yourself and your allies." Albert paused, considering Kain as he wiped his thumb on his trousers, leaving behind a small bloody smear against the dark fabric. "Is this what you want, Kain?"
"I want to be like my father," Kain said with a determined look.
"No," Albert cut in quickly. Kain visibly deflated, his shoulders sagging inward at Albert's apparent rejection. "If you do this right, you'll be better."
Kain perked up at that, a smile lighting up his face. "You think so?"
Albert returned the smile; it softened the hard lines of his face. "I do." Then, turning away, he gestured for Kain to follow. "You're a long way off from that, though. And there's plenty to learn before picking up your first weapon."
Kain spent the rest of the early morning hours trailing behind Albert, assisting him with chores within the armory. The biggest was a much-needed thorough sweep of the floors, which left Kain sweating, and his face streaked with dirt. Albert dismissed Kain with a stern reminder to go get himself cleaned up.
Cecil was waiting for Kain as he left the armory. Kain had expected Cecil to be happy to see him, but instead, Cecil looked worried, his fair brow furrowed in concern as Kain approached.
"I didn't forget about you," Kain said, assuming Cecil was worried about being left behind on the day's adventure.
Instead, Cecil shook his head. "No, the King wants to see you." When Kain didn't react immediately, Cecil frowned. "Now," he added, flexing an expectation of authority in the stern word.
Kain scowled, wanting to protest, but was then surprised when Cecil took Kain by the arm, pulling him along. "I can't believe you haven't been to see him yet," Cecil said, sounding exasperated. "That should have been the first thing you did, not climbing roofs or playing in the armory."
Suddenly flustered by both Cecil's actions, the unexpected criticism, and by the apparent gravity of the situation, Kain didn't fight, and hurried alongside Cecil to the throne room.
While Baron had always been recognized as a monarchy, its lines of succession differed from other traditional monarchies, which typically pass from ruler to eldest child, in a hereditary line. Baron's throne, however, has passed from the current ruler to a carefully selected heir, who may or may not be related to the family in power.
It was said to have started many generations prior, when one King was so disappointed in his children and their lazy, indulgent lives, that he chose his Captain of the Guard as his successor. A brief but bloody civil war broke out between the factions of each slighted prince and princess, but with Baron's military throwing its support to the King and his new heir, the rebellious royal family was quickly subdued, and a new tradition of succession was born.
While some of Baron's monarchs often declare their blood children as the chosen heir, the prince and princesses now understand it is not guaranteed and must prove themselves to be the most worthy and capable successor. This incentivized younger siblings and distant cousins, with noble families encouraging their children to pursue military careers, in the hopes of proving themselves distinguished enough to be noticed by the king.
In the last three generations, the heir was declared early in the child's life, with the expectation that they would be groomed to their royal duties as they grew. This brought stability and peace to the people – they, knew that the line of succession was secure if something terrible should happen. King Odin himself was one such heir, declared by his father at birth; he had been raised with the weighty knowledge of his privileges and responsibilities.
King Odin himself never married, although there were rumors of a steamy affair with an unknown noble woman many years before. The affair could not be verified, and the woman's identity was never revealed; thus, King Odin's rule continued without a queen by his side. In the absence of an official heir, speculative gossip persisted concerning who the next heir might be, and when the King might make such an announcement.
It was a surprise when King Odin announced the arrival of Cecil Harvey at Baron Castle. Not much was known about the ten-year-old boy. He was the last remaining Harvey – some distant cousin of the last Lord, whose only issue had been a daughter, oddly enough named Cecilia Harvey,. The daughter had disappeared a decade earlier, and had been presumed lost to foul play. Cecil had been raised in relative isolation at the Harvey manor in the country, and his existence had been hidden from the other noble families.
Cecil's new residence at the castle, his royal education, and King Odin's vested interest led most to assume that Cecil would be declared the new heir. No one could really say why King Odin had chosen Cecil, but there was plenty of speculation. Some thought that Cecil was the secret love child of King Odin and the mysterious noble woman, while others thought that Cecil was a returning hero of legend, prophesized by devout priests who cared for the Crystals. All seemed possible in the vacuum of the truth.
Although Kain had never formally met King Odin, he had seen the king from a distance at royal functions that he had been allowed to attend with Richard. Kain was immediately grateful for Cecil's presence and familiarity with King Odin and the court, as they both approached the throne and the waiting king.
Odin sat straight -backed on the throne, both hands grasping the end of each armrest. As a large, bluff man, with wide shoulders, he was rumored to have the strength to effortlessly cleave his blade through an enemy's entire torso. Although the King's expression was largely hidden by a bushy brown beard, but Kain could see that the King's sharp eyes were focused on him – Kain realized that he was being assessed.
"So now you decide to present yourself, Kain Highwind?" King Odin asked as the two boys approached. He didn't give Kain the space to answer, continuing before Kain could even try to think of a reply. "I will assume your oversight to be a combination of youthful ignorance and overwhelming grief. It will not happen again, will it?"
Kain nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
"Good," King Odin said apparently satisfied, nodding to himself. "You are a ward of the crown now."
"I understand," Kain managed to say.
"Do you?" King Odin countered, as he leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees to peer more closely at Kain. "I don't think you do, not yet. You have a choice here, young man. You have been on a path that your father set for you. But now you have a new opportunity for a new path, one that I lay before you." He leaned back, his posture loosening as he reclined against the throne. "It is ultimately your decision, whichever you desire."
"I am my father's son," Kain declared, his chest puffing with pride as he said it. "I will follow in his footsteps."
The king considered Kain for a long moment, which stretched on, making Kain uncomfortable with its uncertainty. Feeling antsy, Kain looked aside from King Odin's intense gaze and found Cecil also watching him – not with scrutiny, but with open curiosity.
"It does not need to be decided now," King Odin finally spoke, a warning in his lowered tone. "I only ask you keep an open mind regarding your place in this world, and what you want to make of it. But know this: you do not have to be your father."
Kain wanted to argue, to protest that being even a fraction of Richard Highwind would make Kain better than any other warrior out there, but he felt Cecil's hand on his shoulder in a gentle squeeze of warning. Kain then nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty."
"I am glad to see the two of you are friends," King Odin said, sounding less harsh now, offering a kind smile to the boys. "It would do you both well to spend time together. Kain, you will teach Cecil about Baron and its people. Cecil, you will teach Kain how best to take advantage of his new place in life. Is that acceptable to you?" It was not really a question but an expectation.
"Yes, Your Majesty," both boys said in unison, which inspired a grin from King Odin.
"You may go," King Odin said with a dismissive wave. "And try to stay out of trouble."
The boys locked eyes in a moment of understanding, and without hesitation, both took off in a run together, out of the throne room. Kain was grateful to leave behind the suffocating expectations of the King, and wondered again how Cecil could stand it.
Nothing would deter Kain from his path, not even the king.
Together in unspoken agreement, Kain and Cecil made their way out of the castle and down to the town, not stopping for breath until they reached Rosa's house. It sat in the busiest part of Baron, next to the Inn in the heart of the market district. It had deliberately built there, so that a prominent white mage was readily available in the event of emergencies in Baron's most crowded space. Overhead, an airship roared its descent toward the castle, throwing furious winds through the streets.
Rosa had recounted tales of late-night disruptions, when her mother ran out of the house to attend to some poor soul who had stumbled into the Inn. Rosa's eyes always filled with a strange fear whenever she described her mother returning, sometimes covered in blood, but always exhausted and somehow emptier than before.
"I don't want to be a white mage," Rosa had told Kain with a defiant lift of her chin, as if she dared him to argue. "Instead, I'll be an archer so I can watch your back." And, as if she sensed his doubt, she arrived at their next day's adventure with a small bow in hand, determined to figure out how to use it. Kain was amused, thinking she'd give up after a day or two of failures, but was surprised when she began sinking arrows into short -range targets.
Now, her house stood silent in the chaos of mid-afternoon foot traffic. Beckoning for Cecil to follow him, Kain slipped around the side of the house, until he found the window to Rosa's room. Feeling suddenly mischievous, Kain couldn't help but grin as he quickly knocked against the windowpane. There was something oddly delightful about breaking the rules, he was finding out.
Kain saw Rosa's vague shape in the window and nearly burst with excitement. The window opened outward, then Rosa leaned outside to look down at them. "Kain!" Rosa exclaimed in delight, and Kain was rewarded with her radiant smile.
"Climb out," Kain said. "I'll help you down," he offered, holding his hands up to guide her.
"Don't be silly," Rosa laughed. "Mama's out for the day. Come use the door like a person."
It was easier to go in through the front door, Kain thought, but certainly less exciting. He and Cecil went around to the front of the house, and as Rosa opened the door to them, she launched herself at Kain with a force and strength that surprised him, pulling him into a fierce embrace. "I missed you," she said, the words muffled into his shoulder.
"I missed you too," Kain muttered back, feeling strangely embarrassed when he saw Cecil watching them over the top of Rosa's head. Awkwardly, he disentangled himself from her.
Not sensing anything was amiss, Rosa led them inside; they passed through the kitchen and eventually reached her room on the opposite end of the house. Although Kain had been a frequent visitor in Rosa's home, he suddenly felt like an intruder.
"They're still searching the wreckage," Rosa suddenly announced, startling both Kain and Cecil. "Updates come twice daily to the King, so Mama has been staying there in the hope that..." Rosa hesitated, unable to give voice to the thin hope she and her mother still held. She took a deep breath in and sighed it out. "I'm just really glad to see you both," she finished instead.
Cecil's face lit up with a smile, and Kain felt an uncertain pang of jealousy that Rosa seemed equally excited to see him and Cecil. No, Kain assured himself, she liked him more than someone she had just met. Trying not to feel antsy with his uncertainty, Kain sat at Rosa's small desk, tucking his legs under the short stool.
"Is this your bow?" Cecil asked, nodding to the small bow that hung from a hook on the wall, a quiver beside it. Rosa nodded, beaming with pride. Cecil took the bow from its hook, drawing the string experimentally to test it.
Meanwhile, Rosa circled around Kain, inspecting his head with a critical eye. He wondered if she was looking to see if he had changed in their time apart, and was curious, too, if he had. "Kain," Rosa finally said, sounding exasperated. "Your hair is a tangled mess."
"No, it's not," Kain said, immediately defensive. To prove his point, Kain ran his fingers through the hair on one side, and he was dismayed when they became snagged on a knot in his now- shaggy hair.
"See?" Rosa said, pointing an accusatory finger at him. She turned to her desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a small silver brush. "Stay still," she commanded, wielding the brush like a weapon as she approached.
"No way!" Kain protested, raising his hands in defense.
"You might want to just let her," Cecil offered unhelpfully from the side.
Rosa paused, lowering the brush. She frowned, and Kain recognized her genuine disappointment. "C'mon, Kain," she said, now pouting. "I'll be careful. But you can't run around looking like a messy kid anymore. His Majesty expects you to look nice, or at very least, not like you just rolled out of bed."
Kain then thought of Joanna, and how she'd frown the same way if she saw Kain looking like this, but not from disappointment, but in knowing she'd been right about Kain and was justified in turning him away.
"Fine," Kain said tightly. He closed his eyes as Rosa approached,. tTrying not to wince as she touched the brush to his scalp, Kain braced for the inevitable twinge of pulling knots. But Rosa was slow and patient, working carefully from the ends of his hair and up, untangling each tight knot with a practiced ease.
As she finished, she threaded her fingers through his hair. "See?" she said, giving his hair a playful tug. "You should talk to the steward about cutting it. Although..." she hesitated, peering closer at the blond strands between her fingers. "If you wanted to grow it long, I think it would suit you."
"Long?" Kain asked, unsure. "You think so?"
"I think so," Cecil chimed in, and Kain felt his cheeks grow hot. Before Kain could ponder that further, the sound of a door opening came from the front of the house.
"Rosa?" called out Joanna's voice.
The three children exchanged surprised looks, then Kain scrambled over to the window, throwing it open. "Stay here and distract her," Kain instructed the two of them. When Cecil started to protest, Kain shook his head. "It's just me she has a problem with, not you. Meet me back outside, as soon as you can."
As Kain jumped, he heard Rosa's distant voice, "Mama, Cecil came by and-" but the rest dropped off as he hit the ground. He broke out into a run, heading back onto the main square of the town.
It was more crowded than on a typical winter afternoon, Kain was surprised to find. There was an unusual energy to the townsfolk, as they milled about aimlessly, not with direction or purpose – they seemed to be waiting for some big event or announcement.
"What's going on!?" Kain asked of no one in particular, the question drowned in the anxious chatter of overlapping conversations.
"Kain!" Cecil called out, and Kain turned to see Cecil navigating through the crowd. "We need to get back to the castle right away."
"Why?" Kain felt suddenly lost in the frustration of not knowing, but also unsure if he actually wanted an answer. But still, he asked, and held his breath as he waited for Cecil to reply.
"They found a survivor," Cecil said, breathless from either the cold or the news he imparted.
"Who is it?" Kain asked. He closed his eyes, feeling suddenly dizzy. He was too afraid to hope, to dare, to foolishly wish for a second it could be his father who survived – Richard, who was important above all others, including even Rosa's father, as selfish as that sounded. It was Richard who most deserved to survive.
"I don't know," Cecil answered, taking Kain's hand. "But we'll find out and face it together." Cecil led Kain through the crowd easily, keeping Kain's hand securely within his, as a wordless promise not to let go or lead Kain astray.
Oddly, Kain believed it.