[Final Fantasy IV] Every Light Casts a Shadow, Chapter Seven: An Excuse to Gather Together

[lassarina]

Pairings/Characters: Kain Highwind, plus cast
Rating: R (overall), PG (this chapter)
Warnings: Spoilers. Violence and language. Occasional sexual content.
Notes: This fic belongs to the Lucis Ante Terminum arc. Chapter list is here.
Summary: Though it is possible to return home, it is rarely possible to return affairs to their previous state. Sometimes the only course of action is to move forward.
Wordcount: 4400 this chapter.
Beta: celeloriel

Two years later

"Your Majesty, I have a question regarding the nature of this conclave."

Cecil glanced sideways at him. "If you mention security one more time, Kain, I'll send you back home with Cid."

"My question is not relevant to security in this instance, Your Majesty."

"One of these days, I will break you of that habit."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cecil scowled. "What is it, Kain?"

Kain smiled faintly. "Does this conclave have a purpose beyond gathering your old comrades-in-arms to drink and reminisce?"

"Of course it does. We need to discuss trade, and take care of other matters vital to the future of our respective nations." Cecil fiddled with his sword belt.

"So you wanted to gather your comrades-in-arms to drink and reminisce."

"I am not talking to you about this anymore, since you seem to be incapable of treating it seriously unless you're being paranoid about the sixteen separate people attempting to assassinate us--was it per minute, or per hour?"

"You do not take enough precautions for your own personal safety and that of your Queen and your heir. As the Captain of the Dragon Knights, it is my duty and my responsibility to be aware of any and all potential threats to your safety." Kain shaded his eyes and peered forward, balancing easily against the rocking of the ship beneath his feet. Cecil had elected to sail rather than take an airship, saying he wanted the brief vacation.

"Kain." Cecil leaned on the railing, staring out at the dim shape of Fabul Castle rising in the distance. "I know you care about my safety, and I know you want to prove your loyalty to Baron, but treating everyone like an enemy is not the way to do it. You're trying to distance me from the people I am ruling. How can I rule them well if I don't know what they're really thinking? Reports can only take me so far." Cecil gestured broadly. "I can't keep myself so far apart from the people of Baron. It is a certain way to poor rulership. Don't you remember what the King used to tell us?"

"King Odin did not go gallivanting about the countryside without guardsmen." Kain joined Cecil at the rail, breathing deeply of the sea air. It reminded him of excursions to Eastern Harbour with King Odin when he was young.

"I'm a paladin," Cecil said. "I can defend myself."

"You can defend yourself if you are alone and there is only one attacker. If Rosa is armed, you can both defend yourselves, until you are outnumbered. Moreover, you have a child. If your child is with you everything changes. I care for you, but the future of Baron can barely walk. I want you alive long enough to teach him your ideals."

Cecil shook his head. "Kain, you spent two years on Mt. Ordeals."

Kain perceived the direction of Cecil's thoughts, and spoke quickly to forestall it. "I never entered KluYa's sanctuary."

"Why not?" Cecil studied him intently. "Did you not go there for absolution?"

"I went there because it was the one place that few would think to follow me, save you. I assumed you would understand. I would not make a good paladin, Cecil. I couldn't even hold to my honour when Golbez arrived in Baron. I would never pass KluYa's trial."

"Perhaps you should try. It might do you some good."

"I do not desire to become a paladin. Also, I doubt your father would accept me. I am hardly a paragon of virtue. Traitors tend to lack that certain innate goodness that marks a paladin." Kain would never admit it out loud to Cecil, but he believed that undertaking the paladin's trial was a shortcut. True atonement required time and repentance. Cecil had never had to atone for nearly as much as Kain did, and the paladin's trial had been a good choice for him.

"Why are you so difficult, Kain?" Cecil pushed back pale blond hair stiffened by salt spray. "You are not to blame for Golbez's command of mind-altering magic."

"Am I not? I could have resisted. I might have refused. I might have died rather than betray my honour. I did none of these things."

"Every time we have this conversation, you keep repeating yourself. You might try thinking of new arguments." Cecil's tone held a sharpness Kain would not have expected from him, given his usual mild-mannered disposition.

"I beg Your Majesty's pardon, but the old arguments are still valid, therefore I do not consider new arguments to be a required feature of this discussion."

"Kain, talk to me like I'm a person, not a crown on a stick. Why do you keep blaming yourself when you know that it was not your fault?"

Kain scowled. "Because I could have stopped it and I did not. I didn't recognize that King Odin had been replaced by an Elemental Lord, for heaven's sake. I could have killed Golbez, but let him live. I reveled in the destruction of Eblan and of Damcyan. I enjoyed attacking you in Fabul." Seeing Cecil's blood on his spear had sent a rush of emotions through him that he had still not sorted out to his satisfaction, but foremost among them was a sense of vindication. Having Rosa under his power had been better yet. Some part of him had reveled in her helplessness. If only he'd had more time, he could have won her over and she would not have wed Cecil.

No, that wasn't right. He wasn't like that. He was an honourable man, a good man, and he would defend his King and Rosa until his dying breath.

"Kain!" Cecil snapped his fingers in front of Kain's eyes, with the attitude of someone who has been trying to garner another's attention for quite some time. "Back with us now?" When Kain nodded, Cecil sighed. "Ahem. In reference to your first point, if you are to blame for failing to recognize that King Odin had been replaced by Cagnazzo, then how much more so am I? I killed on his orders. I took the package to Mist. You would not even have been in Mist had it not been for me."

Kain shook his head. "We have been over this many times before. We could have this conversation all day, Cecil, but you will not convince me."

Cecil smiled. "At least you are calling me by my name again."

Kain silently cursed himself for his slip of etiquette. He bowed deeply to the King. "With your permission, Your Majesty, I would like to rest before we reach Fabul."

"Go, then, if you're so damned determined to blame yourself. I'm sure Yang can rummage up some sackcloth and ashes for you. Perhaps even a scourge."

Kain chose not to reply, and withdrew from the King's presence. On his way back to the cabins, he encountered Rosa, who was holding Jalen's hand as he toddled unsteadily upon the deck. Laina stood back, watching her charge.

"Hello, Kain," she said with a smile.

"Queen Rosa. Prince Jalen." He bowed.

"Kay!" Jalen held up his hands. Kain couldn't help but smile a little.

Kain bent down and lifted Jalen, who gurgled enthusiastically. He settled the Crown Prince against his side, and was rewarded with a fierce yank on his hair. "Ow!"

Rosa pressed a hand to her mouth, attempting to suppress a laugh. Kain worked his hair free of Jalen's grasp. "Your Highness, it is generally not considered appropriate to damage the man who is guarding your life with his own," he said with mock severity. "It rather interferes with the guardianship, you see."

Jalen stared at him, and squirmed. Kain stared back. Jalen was a beautiful child, with a halo of soft blond hair to match Rosa's and big blue eyes. He could almost imagine he saw the imprint of his own face in Jalen's. Jalen could have been his son. He might have been King of Baron, with Rosa to wife and this boy to call his son, had things fallen out otherwise.

Jalen squirmed again. Kain looked at Rosa. "Your Majesty, I fear the prince has tired of me," he said.

Rosa reached out to reclaim her son. She set him down so he could wander in a wobbly circle around her. He chattered nonsense sounds, waving his arms about, then squealed in surprise when the ship surged on a wave and he found himself abruptly seated upon the deck rather than standing up.

Rosa looked past Kain to where Cecil stood leaning against the wall, and her mouth curved into a smile that Kain would have given much to have directed at him. Kain occupied himself with keeping an eye on Jalen as the boy struggled back to his feet. The ship pitched again, and Jalen grabbed onto Kain's leg for balance. Kain looked down at him. Jalen grinned and clung like a barnacle. Rosa moved past him to speak with Cecil, leaving Kain with her son.

"I suppose it's only us, then, Your Highness," he said. Jalen waved, then squealed and grabbed onto Kain's leg tighter as the ship pitched again. The journey to Fabul had been mostly smooth, but Fabul's harbour was guarded by a large natural rock formation that made the sea around it rather rough. Kain bent down and picked Jalen up. He seemed quite content to rest his head on Kain's shoulder, blinking in the bright sunlight.

Kain paced idly around the deck, avoiding Cecil and Rosa where they stood together on the prow, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Jalen mumbled for a while, but the motion of the ship seemed to soothe him, and he soon fell asleep cuddled close against Kain, a strangely comforting weight in Kain's arms. Kain held him close, and pretended that Jalen was his, just for this one stolen moment.

~*~

Kain paced down the center carpet of Fabul's throne room, three steps behind Cecil, Jalen, and Rosa, keeping his eyes straight ahead. Behind him, he heard the measured tread of Arthur Demetrick, Cecil’s minister of foreign affairs, and the secretaries he had brought with him. Afternoon sunlight slanted in through the windows high in the walls, mellowing the dark grey stone that seemed to press in all around him. Yang must have turned out all of the Monks of Fabul and every major official in his kingdom, for the throne room was filled with solemn faces in either the simple garb of monks, or the hooded robes that Fabul's ministers wore. At the far end, Yang was seated on his throne with his wife by his side. He was flanked by four monks at his left hand, and four ministers at his right. The minister standing closest to Queen Yinyi had his right arm bound in a sling and wore a ferocious scowl. Something about him seemed dimly familiar.

When they stepped forward to make their bows to Yang, Kain couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He straightened and saw the minister glaring at him with such palpable dislike that it sent a chill down his spine, and he had to consciously stop himself from reaching for a weapon he wasn't wearing.

He felt naked without his spear and armour, and the look on the minister's face made him that much more aware of how vulnerable they were, in a room of warriors trained to fight unarmed.

"Greetings, King Cecil, Queen Rosa, Prince Jalen, Captain Highwind, Chief Pollendina." Yang rose and bowed back to them politely. "We are pleased you have safely arrived in Fabul, and look forward to your presence at the conclave. Cheng will escort you to the rooms we have prepared for you."

The second minister from the left bowed politely and stepped forward. "If you would be so kind as to follow me, I will take you to your rooms," he said.

Cecil nodded. Cheng led them out of the throne room and into the western tower of Fabul, where they were given rooms on the first floor. "Should you have need of anything, this chime will summon a servant," he said, bowing. "King Edward and the Elder of Mysidia have the floor above you, and King Edge and Queen Rydia have been placed on the third floor. I hope that the accommodations are to your liking."

"Thank you." Rosa smiled and let go of Jalen's hand so he could scamper about.

"King Yang asked me to inform you that he and Queen Yinyi will be hosting a private dinner party this evening, to which the four of you are invited. Dinner will be at seven." Cheng paused. "Is there anything I can do to make your stay with us more comfortable?"

"I think you have seen to everything. Thank you very much, Cheng." Cecil smiled.

Cheng bowed and exited the room. Kain watched him go with a faint frown on his face.

"You're doing it again," Cecil said.

"Doing what?" Kain affected an innocent expression.

"Brooding. Seeing assassins in every shadow." Cecil shrugged.

"Did you happen to notice the minister closest to Queen Yinyi?" Kain asked.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Cecil hurried over to rescue Jalen, who was in danger of falling headfirst into the empty fireplace.

"The one with the sling?" Rosa frowned slightly.

"Yes."

"Oh, him." Having recovered his adventurous offspring, Cecil put Jalen on the low sofa, whereupon the Crown Prince of Baron immediately began bouncing on the soft cushions. Cecil remained nearby to guard against accidental tumbles. "He seemed rather angry."

"Yes, and angry at us in particular." Kain rubbed the back of his neck. "He was glaring at me like...well, as I might glare at Golbez, were he to once again darken this world with his presence."

Cecil gave him a mildly reproachful look. "That's unkind. He was being controlled just as you were."

Kain knew his jaw dropped, but a misstep by Jalen distracted Cecil long enough for Kain to smooth his expression and catch his breath. Cecil had never before defended Golbez to Kain’s face, and the betrayal cut deeper than his own dishonour.

"He did seem resentful. I wonder why?" Rosa's brow was slightly creased with thought. She seemed to have missed Cecil’s remark—no, her hands were flexed tight. She was redirecting the conversation. Behind Cecil’s back, she shot Kain an apologetic look.

One of them had a sense of decency.

Hating himself for the bitter thought, Kain moved toward a shadowed corner that would allow him to keep watch without being dazzled by the afternoon sun. "Are you looking for a reason besides the fact that Baron came storming in here, killed a significant number of the experienced monks, took their Crystal, and then waltzed back out again?"

"There was no call to take that tone." Cecil was frowning. "And anyway, that wasn't Baron. It was Golbez."

"The Red Wings were here. I should know, as I was commanding the attack. In addition, Golbez may have intended to fight the battle mostly with fiends, but there were soldiers here in Baron's uniform. You should know that, Cecil, as you killed some of them yourself. I'm not surprised they hate us. I am merely confused that no one has raised a vocal or forceful protest about Yang allowing us warmongering cretins to darken his doorstep."

Someone rapped lightly upon the door, preventing Cecil from arguing with him.

"Enter," Cecil called.

The door opened to admit the slight figure of the King of Damcyan. "Greetings," he said with a smile. "I am pleased to see that you made it safely." His voice was a light and pleasing tenor, though Kain sometimes wondered that the man stayed as ghostly pale as he did, ruling a desert kingdom.

"Hello, Edward. You look well." Cecil crossed the room to shake Edward's hand. Kain bowed, though it seemed Edward did not see him in the shadows.

"Thank you. You do as well. Rosa, you look beautiful, as always." Edward bowed and kissed her hand.

"Thank you, Edward." Rosa smiled and hugged him.

"And is this our Crown Prince, then?" Edward turned to Jalen, who let out an earsplitting yell and held up his arms, forever eager to make new friends. Edward touched his cheek gently. "Greetings, Prince Jalen. I am honoured to make your acquaintance."

"Edward, I don't really think he understands words that size yet. Hell, I don't, and I've got twenty-five years on him. Also, you should learn to close doors." Edge stood leaning against the doorjamb with his arms crossed. Behind him, Kain caught a glimpse of green that must be Rydia's hair. He slid back deeper into the shadows; Rydia saw too much, and after Cecil’s comment, he was in no condition for the dazzle and edges of a conversation with Eblan’s monarchs.

"Edge!" Cecil crossed the room quickly to shake the ninja's hand. "Good to see you again."

"All together again. This is getting to be a regular event." Edge grinned.

"He doesn't believe me when I tell him the rest of you are making up excuses to get together. You could just say you're throwing a party, and leave it at that." Rydia ducked under Edge's arm to give Cecil a hug. "Hello, Rosa. And Jalen, you've grown so big!" She scooped up Jalen, who had been playing with the lace on Edward's cuffs while the latter stood looking charmed at the antics of a small and curious child.

"Rydia. It's good to see you." Edward smiled. "I still feel a little strange whenever I see you all grown up."

Rydia laughed. "It's not as strange to me, you know. I just grew up."

"But you grew up so fast, from where we are." Rosa sat down on the sofa. "Everyone, sit. There's no need to stand on ceremony."

"That's as well, since Edge won't even if you ask him to." Rydia smirked.

"You wound me to the quick with your harsh words," Edge informed her as he took a seat in a large wing chair. Rydia perched on the arm of the chair, cuddling Jalen close.

"And when are you two going to get to work on an heir of your own, eh?" Cid winked at them.

"Cid!" Edward protested.

Edge just laughed. "I keep trying," he said, smirking.

Rydia glared at him. "If you intend to keep trying, you'll stop right there."

"I didn't say much," Edge protested. Cid guffawed.

"Cid, leave them be. All things in due time." Cecil favoured Rydia with a paternal smile that nearly made Kain laugh outright. The angry child from Mist had grown up, and no longer needed Cecil's protection.

In Kain's opinion, it said a great deal about both of them that he continued to provide it, and she to accept it without too many complaints.

Another light tap on the door, and Yang entered with his wife Yinyi close behind. "I see everyone has gathered without me," Yang remarked.

"Well hon, you were busy being a king!" Yinyi plopped down on the nearest sofa. Yang seated himself beside her. Kain shifted to better see the door and the windows. Were anyone to attempt some kind of attack against most of the royalty in the Overworld, this would be an opportune time and place, with but one exit and all of them gathered together.

"Has the Elder arrived?" Cecil asked.

"No, he said that because of the arrangements he had to make in Mysidia, he would be arriving later this evening. I think he intends to bring both of his assistants with him, or at least that is what he said," Yang replied.

"King Yang, I have a question, if I may." Kain bowed when Yang turned to face him.

"I didn't see you back there, Kain. My apologies. What question did you have?"

Kain saw the warning look on Cecil's face and chose to ignore it. "When we entered and gave our greetings in your great hall, I noticed that one of your ministers appeared none too pleased with us. He wore a sling for his right arm."

Yang sighed. "Yes, his name is Wei. He was badly wounded in the attack on Fabul four years ago, and it left him without the use of his right arm. I am afraid he is resentful toward Baron; though we all know otherwise, we can’t say why, can we?”

Cecil's expression darkened, and he turned away. "Kain."

"Your Majesty, I recognize and appreciate your desire to make a clean slate of things now that you rule Baron, but as the Captain of the Dragon Knights and therefore the man responsible for your safety as well as that of your Queen and your heir, I needed to ask this question." Kain bowed and held the bow, waiting for Cecil's reaction.

Yang looked back and forth from Kain to Cecil, seeming unsure of what to say. Yinyi's frown was almost comical in comparison. "You can't mean to say you think anyone here would try to hurt you!" she said.

"Queen Yinyi, I would never presume to think that you, your husband, or your subjects would mean us harm. However, I am duty-bound and oath-sworn to guard my King with my life in all circumstances, including those which I perceive to be safe." Kain tried to keep the frustration out of his voice, and resolved to have a discussion with the captain of the guard later.

Cecil sighed. "Are you finished, Kain?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

“So did you know—” Edge began. At the same time, Rydia said, “I was wondering if—” Both fell silent and glared at each other momentarily, the awkward tableau broken by Jalen’s sudden wail.

"He needs his nap, I think." Rosa stood and reached out for him.

"There's a cradle for him right in your room, hon," Yinyi said. "Mei Jia outgrew it a few months back, so I put it down here for Jalen."

"Thank you. You've been very thoughtful." Rosa smiled and carried Jalen into the larger of the two bedrooms. Kain could hear her quiet voice as she soothed her son to sleep.

Edge pulled Rydia onto his lap, which resulted in a momentary struggle until Rydia landed an elbow in his ribs and he let her go, whereupon she stood up, smoothed her robes, and settled back down on his lap. He gave her a pained look, which she met with a serene smile. Cid snickered.

"So Yinyi," Edge said, "do we need to come to dinner prepared to duck out of the way of frying pans and large knives?"

Yinyi blinked and burst into laughter. "I usually only whack Yang with the frying pan, and I wasn't planning on attacking the rest of you. Unless you misbehave!"

"I'll be a model of decorum and good behaviour. Ninja's honour." Edge offered his most innocent smile. Rydia made a sound of blatant disbelief.

"How have things been going in Damcyan, Edward?" Yang turned toward the bard, who was plucking idly at the strings of his harp. Kain wondered if he slept with the instrument on the pillow next to him; certainly whenever he was around them he seemed to have it to hand at all times.

"It proceeds slowly. So many of our people died when Golbez attacked and took our Crystal, and there is much work to be done. Still, we are progressing. I hope that we will be able to host one of these conclaves soon." Edward smiled, his fingers dancing across the strings to draw forth a folk melody Kain dimly remembered from his childhood.

"If you have need of able bodies to lend a hand, I am sure I can send some folk to assist," Yang offered. "There are some who are getting a bit on in years, and the winds off the mountains in winter trouble their joints. The desert might serve them better, if they can learn to adapt to the heat."

"Thank you." Edward smiled. "I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can lend."

"We are glad to help." Yang smiled.

Rosa returned and settled on the sofa next to Cecil once more. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

"What other business have we waiting for us?" Edward asked.

"Isn't this what we're supposed to be doing tomorrow?" Edge twined a few strands of Rydia's hair around his fingertips.

"Edge, if you insist on starting your heir tonight, do it where the rest of us can't see you!" Cid scolded.

"First you ask us when we're having children, then you scold me for touching my wife. Make up your mind." Edge grinned.

"I'll have none of that sass from you, young man!" Cid puffed out his chest and glared.

"Calm down, old-timer, you'll blow a gasket." Edge laughed at Cid's spluttering, then yelped when Rydia grabbed his ear and twisted. "My dearest, can you please be a bit gentler?" he said, with every appearance of contrition.

"No." Rydia resettled herself on his lap.

"May I ask why not?"

Kain struggled to contain his laughter at Edge's long-suffering tone.

"Because you never learn."

Cecil cleared his throat, drawing attention from the squabbling rulers of Eblan. "Edge makes a good point. The conference tomorrow is where we would be making decisions."

Edward frowned and pulled a cascade of notes that rose and then fell from his harp. "Should we not have some idea of what we each propose, and what we offer in exchange?"

"Oh, please," Rydia said with a snort. "Then the sort of folks who'd like nothing better than Kain and Cecil exiled from Baron will wail and complain about back-room deals, the details of which are best filled in by lurid minds."

Kain concealed a faint smile. Rydia's contempt for that sort of complaint was rapidly becoming legendary in Eblan; Edge sent barely-legible letters filled with her escapades among his ministers to Cecil and Rosa, who shared them with Kain.

"I would hope that they would see that any such arrangements have been made for their benefit," Rosa said.

"Unfortunately," Cecil said, "Rydia is correct. Some would complain regardless of what we might accomplish here."

"Then let us give them no more cause for complaint than they have already," Kain suggested.

"Yeah, didn't somebody mention something about an excuse to drink?" Edge piped up.

"Then, by all means, let us celebrate our reunion," Yang said.

Kain was impressed that Yang managed to keep a credibly sober expression when Edge whooped in glee.