[Final Fantasy IV] Every Light Casts A Shadow, Chapter Ten: In Search of Magic

[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: 4000 this chapter.
Beta: celeloriel

Seven years after Zeromus

Mysidia seemed to change very little with the passing of the years, Kain thought, as he emerged from the ring of trees that surrounded the city. There were several groups of mages standing about and chattering in the main square. Kain felt their eyes on him as he moved toward the Tower of Prayer. The mages on guard greeted him with polite restraint, and escorted him up to the top of the Tower.

Much like the last time Kain had visited this room, the Elder was standing at the window, surveying the city laid out beneath him. He turned and smiled when the door opened. Kain bowed politely.

"Greetings, Captain Highwind. I had begun to fear some misadventure had befallen you on your journey from Baron."

"Thank you for your concern, Elder. I apologize for my tardiness. There was a small delay due to weather as we sailed."

“We have had many strong storms of late. It is why I wondered if some misadventure had befallen.” The Elder rummaged through scroll cases on his desk, stacking them neatly to one side, and removed a haphazardly arranged stack of books from a chair. "Please, Captain, be seated. We have much to discuss, and I would have us do so in comfort."

"Thank you." Kain waited until the Elder was seated before sitting down himself on the indicated chair. "His Majesty sends his kind greetings and hopes that you have been doing well. His Majesty has asked--"

"Let us dispense with formalities and titles, Kain, else this will take forever." The Elder's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.

"As you wish, Elder." Kain inclined his head. It suddenly occurred to him that he did not actually know the Elder's name. He shook off that consideration and moved on. "Cecil had first asked me to ensure that you and your people have all that you need, and to see if there was aught that Baron might assist you with."

"It is kind of him to ask." The Elder smiled. “As it happens, Mysidia is looking to improve the quality of our roads, and Baron’s engineers are second only to dwarves. Is there anything we might do to assist Baron in exchange?”

"Cecil had hoped you might spare one or two of your skilled mages to assist in training those in Baron. Rosa is unable to assist them with black magic, and due to the many demands on her time, she is no longer able to spend as much time training white mages and healers as she might otherwise prefer to do."

"With a kingdom to run, I would imagine she is not. We will certainly check to see if there are any who might be willing to relocate, though I should warn you that many here are resentful of Baron for the unfortunate deeds perpetrated by Golbez and Cagnazzo."

"Cecil understands that," Kain said. "Another reason he makes this request is that he thought perhaps it might benefit both countries to have an exchange of ideas and to see that all is not so bad."

The Elder chuckled. "Clever. Unfortunately, the mages who would best adapt to such a situation are Palom and Porom. While they are both quite skilled, I doubt your mages would appreciate being trained by a pair of eleven-year-olds. Moreover, I sincerely doubt Palom would fit in with a culture like Baron's."

Kain pictured Palom running about Baron Castle, and grimaced. "You are correct, Elder. If no one else can be spared, I'm sure the situation can wait. Cecil asks only because Cagnazzo put most of the experienced mages to death, fearing that they would sense his true nature and reveal it."

"It has been a long time since Cagnazzo sat the throne of Baron," the Elder remarked.

“Not long enough,” Kain murmured, and the Elder nodded. He graciously allowed a moment of quiet for Kain to regather himself.

"How fare the children?" the Elder inquired.

"They fare well. Sophia is just learning to talk. Jalen is driving the nursemaids to distraction with his penchant for climbing to high places or exploring small corners. Cecil is forever lecturing him about how he ought to behave."

"I suppose Cecil never did such things as a child." The Elder's eyes were twinkling a bit with mischief.

"Of course we did, but I suppose we have all forgotten this now, with the burdens of adulthood.”

“They weigh heavy, at times.” The Elder sighed. "Had Cecil anything else for you to discuss?"

"No, merely that." Kain smiled. "I must admit I jumped at the chance to play courier. By the time winter ends, I am eager to be outside castle walls and beneath the open sky once more."

"Is that why you took the time to sail here rather than taking an airship or going by the Devil's Road?" the Elder inquired.

Kain shrugged. "Why not?" In truth, the Devil's Road terrified him. He had gone to the Road's entrance in Baron but once with Cecil, and it had reeked of Lunarian magic, the same slow chill and mental hooks that Golbez had used upon him. Though he knew that the Road had been built by KluYa and not by Golbez, he still refused to go anywhere near it. He had had enough of Lunarian tricks and mental control to last several lifetimes. He knew he could not outrun what he had done and what had been done to him, but he could certainly avoid the most blatant reminders, and had grown adept at that over the past six years.

Silence fell, broken only by the scratching of Solon's quill. After a few moments, he laid the pen down. "I have compiled a list of potential candidates for Baron, Elder," he said. "I have omitted those who obviously bear a deep grudge for the invasion, as well as those whose temperaments would make them ill-suited to such a posting."

"Thank you, Solon." The Elder rose slowly and walked over to where Solon sat. Kain couldn't help observing that the Elder moved with a slight limp, and his back seemed slightly hunched compared to when Kain had last seen him. The man had to be nearly eighty, which was old even for a Mysidian; it was likely only due to the blessings of his own white magic that he was still able to move.

"Oh, this reminds me," the Elder said, studying the list. "Kain, I had Solon set aside a few scrolls that I think you will find interesting. They are about the development of a line of draconian magic that some Mysidians attempted a few centuries ago. They mention a few links to the Dragon Knights of Baron, and I thought perhaps you would appreciate the opportunity to learn a little more about the Dragoons."

"Thank you, Elder. I would definitely be interested in seeing those."

"We are having copies prepared so that you might take them back to Baron with you, if the apprentices ever get them done," Solon grumbled. "Lazy brats, all of them."

"Solon," the Elder remonstrated gently. "Many of our apprentices favour practical magic over the study of theory," he explained to Kain, "and it irritates Solon."

"They favour vulgar displays of magical talent." Solon's mouth turned down at the corners. "They have neither control nor appreciation for what we do."

"Yes, well, as Livius is always saying, it takes all kinds. We need those who study and teach just as much as we need those who go out and keep the monsters away from our city, so that the scholars might study in peace." The Elder limped back to his chair.

Solon grumbled to himself in the corner. Kain smiled. "When I was young I had little patience for the copying of scrolls either," he said. "I much preferred to be outside learning to fight."

The Elder laughed. "When I was a young lad I had dreams of running away to Baron and learning to be a knight," he said. "My parents told me I might do so once I had reached sixteen. Since the Elder at that time forbade passage through the Devil's Road for any but the most urgent business, I bought passage on a ship that was due to leave the day after my sixteenth name-day."

Kain raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"

"I was miserably seasick the moment I set foot on the ship," the Elder replied cheerfully. "I spent two hours leaning over the rail and eventually decided that the opportunity to become a knight was not worth the process of getting there. My parents were quite relieved. I resumed my studies in magic, and thus you see me here, sixty-five years later."

Kain chuckled. "I wanted to be a Dragoon from the very first time I saw them training in the courtyard. I spent days trying to learn how to jump like they did, and drove my mother nearly to distraction. She was equal parts terrified that I would injure myself with my antics, and determined that I should not be allowed to join the Dragoons and leave her as my father had, for he died in battle when I was still very young."

"Did she eventually yield and allow you to train with them?" the Elder asked.

"No, she died when I was seven. King Odin took me in, and it was his intention that I should join the Dark Knights as Cecil did, but I was headstrong, and insisted on having my own way." Had he not been so stubborn, perhaps Rosa might have looked more kindly on him. He might have become the Paladin. He might have been favoured over Cecil, and he might be the one to sit the throne of Baron right now, for he was older than Cecil by six months.

"We are all headstrong and rebellious when we are young," the Elder said. "Even Solon."

"I beg to differ, Elder," Solon said, frowning. "I did exactly as my parents asked."

"His mother was a white mage, and his father a black mage," the Elder explained. "Each wanted their only son to follow in their footsteps. He compromised by learning both paths. Then he drove them mad by refusing to marry."

Solon waved that off. "I pass on my knowledge to all the snot-nosed brats that think they want to be mages. It is the only legacy I need."

"I think he's terrified of having someone around to remind him of how it feels to be young," the Elder remarked in a conspiratorial tone. "He likes playing the dour and bitter old man."

"I can hear you perfectly well," Solon said. "I have not advanced quite so far into old age and decrepitude as you may think."

Kain endeavoured to keep a straight face, an effort made more difficult by the Elder's expression as he mimicked Solon's dour speech. Solon grumbled in his corner as he stacked books with rather more force than strictly required.

Someone knocked at the door. When the Elder called out an invitation to enter, Livius pushed the door open. His face was lightly beaded with sweat, and he was breathing hard. "Good afternoon, Elder," he said politely as he mopped his face with the sleeve of his robe. "Solon, what crawled up your robes to make you so ill-tempered? Ah, and it's Captain Highwind! Welcome back to Mysidia, Captain. I hope you're finding your stay enjoyable thus far."

"I am. Thank you. It is good to see you again." Kain put on his diplomatic smile.

Livius had grown both grayer and thinner in the intervening years, but seemed as jolly as ever. He made his way to the one remaining chair in the room not covered by books. "Elder, we really must get some of the apprentices up here to organize all of this," he said as he seated himself.

"Why?" the Elder inquired. "I can lay my hand to any book I wish. It's perfectly organized."

"You may be able to, sir, but no one else can," Solon informed him.

"Indeed. The rest of us poor mortals must shuffle through these interminable piles in search of a single document." Livius smiled.

"Ah, small wonder then that things are out of place when you two have been up here mucking about without my supervision." The Elder grinned. "You simply don't understand the system."

Kain coughed to cover a laugh. The Elder turned his gaze toward him. "Ah, Captain Highwind. Do you have similar difficulties in Baron?"

"I beg your pardon, Elder. The conversation reminded me of those heard in Cid's workshops."

"Ah. Is he more like me, or more like those two with their categories and alphabetizing and so forth?" The Elder reached for a flagon of wine and poured himself a glass, then offered one to Kain.

"Cid says he has his own system and knows where all his tools are. His assistants swear there is no logic to it, and whenever he's gone, they organize things so they can find them. Then he returns in the morning to find everything out of place, and you can hear the resultant explosion halfway across Baron City." Kain smiled faintly and sipped the wine. It was a sweet white wine. He looked at it in some surprise. Baron was noted for its wines, but this was quite different from their usual stock. "Where does this wine come from, Elder? It's excellent."

"It's from vineyards we have to the south. Some of the younger mages decided to experiment with a combination of white and black magic on the grapes. The result is surprisingly tasty." The Elder poured cups for Livius and Solon, who brought their chairs over to the table to sit.

"You should at least stay for supper, Captain Highwind, and we will inquire regarding instructors for Baron," the Elder said.

"Instructors for Baron? What's this now?" Livius leaned forward and propped his elbows upon the table. "Shame on you, Elder, you've been keeping juicy tidbits from me again."

"King Cecil has requested that we provide mages to instruct Baron's citizens in black and white magic, as Queen Rosa is running short of time for the latter and is unable to provide the former," the Elder explained.

Livius raised his eyebrows. "I'm sure that will go over brilliantly," he muttered.

"Livius," the Elder said reproachfully.

Kain held up a hand. "I am aware that many of your citizens bear no love for Baron, Elder, and I understand why. All the rational explanations in the world will do little to sway their hearts."

"Would irrational explanations do better?" Livius inquired.

"Your levity is ill-placed," Solon said, scowling at his fellow sage.

"Levity is never ill-placed." Livius gestured with his goblet, then drank from it. "At any rate, we'll do what we can to find mages for you, Captain. I just want to warn you that not everyone is as favourably inclined toward your king and kingdom as we are."

"I understand perfectly, Sage," Kain replied. He wondered at Livius’s insistence on pointing out the differences between their nations. He had seemed eager to work with Baron at the conclaves.

"Well, then." Livius shrugged. "At any rate, Captain, not to be rude, but I do have some matters to discuss with the Elder. Pleasing though the company may be, I do not haul these old bones up those stairs if I need not!"

"Of course." Kain rose and bowed to the three sages. "By your leave, Elder?"

"Yes, of course." The Elder waved him out. "We will see you this evening at dinner."

Kain left and descended the stairs, emerging from the Tower of Prayer into the bright, sunlit afternoon. He stepped aside to be sure he wasn't blocking anyone's passage, and studied the town.

He had to admit he'd never paid much attention to it when he had visited briefly with Cecil to lay claim to the Lunar Whale, or on his previous stay when he had returned from Mt. Ordeals. It was a lovely city, built mostly of white stone or whitewashed brick. Like any city, it was filled with busy people hurrying to and fro, and small groups clustered on street corners. It was said that everyone had some small amount of magic in Mysidia, and Kain saw several halos of green energy flaring as people utilized black magic. In other areas, he saw the strong blue-white glow of white magic. Yet few of the people he saw wore the robes of experienced mages who had graduated their apprenticeship. For the most part, it looked like any other city, with perhaps a bit more casual use of magic than he might have seen in Baron City, Fabul, or Eblana City.

A man in the blue robes of a black mage approached the Tower of Wishes. When he saw Kain standing off to the side, he paused, and his eyes narrowed. "Your armour looks to be of Baron's make," he said.

Kain braced himself. He could take any man with a sword in hand, but he tended to fare somewhat worse against magic. "It is,” he allowed.

"And your accent sounds of Baron scum." The mage scowled.

"You sound as if to claim another homeland than your own is something to be disdained." Kain kept his eyes on the mage, but checked for possible escape routes through his peripheral vision.

"Baron is not just another country, you murdering whoreson," the mage snarled. "You bastards killed my wife."

Pointing out the difference between a squadron of elite Red Wings troops under the command of a Dark Knight, versus a lone Dragoon, would not avail him much, so he slowly moved his left hand toward the hilt of the short sword he wore when carrying a large lance was not appropriate. Most opponents watched the right hand, so he'd frequently been able to catch someone out because he was left-handed.

The mage gestured slowly, his lips moving. Kain grasped his sword hilt at the same moment the green light flared. His legs bent and turned, his back hunching as he sank down to the ground and shrank. His armour vanished and his skin turned slimy and damp. He glowered up at the mage from bulging eyes and emitted a distinctly irritated "ribbit!"

The mage's lips moved again, and the green light flared once more. An icy vise closed around Kain, sending spikes of pain through his entire body. Had he still been capable, he was very much afraid he would have screamed. As it was, he writhed within the grip of the ice spell, and when at last the chill crystals fell away, he gasped for air, facedown in shattered bits of ice and with his entire body a massive ache. He was only dimly aware of footsteps retreating from him. He lay upon the ground, nearly paralyzed by the cold of the ice pieces.

It seemed he was there forever, too weak to move, when he heard footsteps again. They paused, then approached. "Oh, no!" The voice was soft and clear, high-pitched and feminine. He heard chanting and saw an aura of blue-white light. His body uncurled and returned to its accustomed size, leaving him facedown in ice shards as a full-grown man in armour rather than a frog. White light flared again and the pain eased. He pulled himself to his feet and faced his rescuer.

Porom was a few inches taller than she had been when last Kain had seen her, but still several inches below his shoulder. Her silky dark brown hair was pulled back in a neat braid. She still wore the robes of an apprentice, though he saw more tiny insignia embroidered upon the shoulder than she had borne when he had last seen her. She smiled when his eyes met hers and offered a polite curtsy.

"Captain. I hope you are in a better situation now than previously. I apologize for the inexcusable behaviour of the Mysidian who did this to you. I will report this to the Elder, and the mage will be dealt with."

"Thank you for your assistance," Kain said slowly. His wits seemed to still be frozen.

"You are welcome. I only apologize that it had to wait so long. I was on the third floor when I saw the aura, you see, and I could not cast from there—magic is forbidden in the immediate vicinity of the Tower of Prayer, for it might disrupt experiments and lessons within." She frowned. "I do not know what he hoped to accomplish, but it was unnecessary and cruel. You might have been killed. Everyone knows that someone under the influence of Toad is unnaturally sensitive to Blizzard spells."

"I suspect that was the point," Kain replied. "He did not seem to care overmuch for Baronians. He said we had murdered his wife."

Porom's eyes narrowed. "It will not take me very long to locate this mage, then."

Kain hesitated a moment. "I do not wish to cause strife within your city. Baron has caused more than sufficient harm to Mysidia as things stand now. I would not be the cause of further damage." The words galled his pride, but Cecil had sent him here to treat with the Elder, not to cause an incident. Kain would not betray his near-brother again.

The icy look the young mage gave him made the hair on the back of his neck prickle. King Odin had once said it was unwise to tangle with a healer, for when their wrath was roused they were more dangerous than any warrior. Kain had always discounted that statement, but seeing Porom's expression, he thought there might have been some truth to Odin's advice.

"What Baron has done in the past is done, and no fault of yours nor of Cecil's." Her voice was low and even, each syllable precisely enunciated. Rosa spoke thus on those few occasions when her temper threatened to get the better of her control. "We are a land of scholars. We have more than sufficient information from the texts that FuSoYa kindly lent to us and our own research to verify the truth of your claim that Golbez, under Zemus's influence, led Baron down the dark path. We have researched it and found that there were ancient prophecies of Zemus's ascendance over the affairs of this world, and that you and your companions would defeat him. But even had we not all these things, it is still unacceptable and unlawful to wield one's magic against another human being without due cause, and I will see this mage punished."

For a slight bit of a girl not yet twelve years of age, she was astoundingly capable at making him feel five years old again, suffering his governess's lecture. Kain swallowed hard and shook off the feeling of chastisement. "My apologies," he managed. What title did one give precocious and self-possessed apprentices in Mysidia?

Her severe expression relaxed slightly, and a hint of a smile touched her lips. "Once again, Captain Highwind, you are not at fault for the actions of Baron. Were any Baronian to bear the blame of Baron's attack here, it would be Cecil, and he has made full amends by passing the Paladin's Trial. You have naught to apologize for."

Kain wondered why people kept insisting that none of that debacle was anything to do with him.

"If you would come with me, Captain Highwind?" Porom touched his hand lightly. "I do not wish to confine you within the Tower if you would rather wander the city, but I think you may be safer if you stay nearer us."

"I will do as you deem best." Kain offered her a half-bow. She curtsied and led him into the tower, back to the room he had occupied four years before when he first descended Mt. Ordeals. Porom departed to report the incident to the Elder, and Kain counted the potential implications of Mysidia's enmity, as well as Baron's chances to stand against them if it came to outright war.

He did not like the results.