[Final Fantasy IV] Every Light Casts A Shadow, Chapter Sixteen: The First Pieces Fall

[lassarina]

Pairings/Characters: Kain Highwind, plus cast
Rating: R (overall), PG (this chapter)
Warnings: Spoilers. Violence and language. Occasional sexual content. Other warnings may apply that are not listed here.
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: 4600 this chapter.
Beta: celeloriel

Eight years after Zeromus

Kain and Cecil were buried neck-deep in tax ledgers when a page tapped rapidly on the door to Cecil's office.

"Yes?" Cecil asked absently, seemingly still absorbed in calculating the increases in the tax rate per acre of land. Kain laid a bookmark to note his position on the sheet and looked up, for the page was breathing hard, as though he had run through the castle at high speed.

"Your Majesty, I am sorry to interrupt you, but there is a delegation here to see you from Mysidia," the page stammered. "Their leader gave his name as Sage Solon."

"Thank you," Cecil said clearly. "Please conduct them to the formal audience chamber. Captain Highwind and I will be there directly."

The page bowed and raced off. Cecil lowered his voice. "Perhaps I am losing my wits in my advanced age, but I do not recall that we were expecting a delegation from Mysidia," he murmured, bent over the ledger as though he had no concern beyond completing the task at hand.

"Either we are both derelict in our wits, or there was no such delegation planned," Kain replied as softly. "And why Solon instead of the Elder?"

"I mislike this. Attend me." Cecil rose from his chair and acted hastily to keep the pile of ledgers from tipping over entirely. Kain rolled his head on his neck to relax muscles drawn taut from hours of such work, hearing the popping sound as the tension eased.

They paused outside the audience chamber to take stock of the situation. Solon was standing at the front of a small flock, perhaps thirty or forty in all, and had his head bowed and his hands clasped before him. He was flanked by Palom and Porom, the latter still and graceful while the former indulged in an obvious fit of the fidgets, craning his head to stare all around the room. Kain didn't immediately recognize any of the others accompanying them, though perhaps half wore the robes of students, and the rest seemed evenly split between white and black mages.

"I like this not at all, Your Majesty," he murmured.

"Nor I," Cecil replied, and then nodded to the guards.

"His Royal Highness, King Cecil!" the guard proclaimed loudly as Cecil stepped through the door. Everyone in the room went to one knee save Palom, whom Porom forced into the necessary obeisance by the simple expedient of striking him behind the knee so that his leg must bend. He yelped in pain and was swiftly shushed.

Cecil strode to the chair that awaited him at the front of the room. Kain took up his accustomed station behind him and to his right.

"You may rise," Cecil said gravely. They did so slowly. Kain studied them and noted that many bore the marks of wounds too quickly healed with magic, and they appeared to be dressed neither for hard travel nor for diplomatic embassy - two of them were even barefoot. Solon looked as though he had aged fifteen years since Kain had seen him last, and even Palom seemed somewhat subdued—which meant he was only fidgeting a little and had not yet incinerated anything. Porom's eyes were reddened.

Kain took a firmer grip on the hilt of Bahamut's Tooth and braced himself.

"What is your purpose in this visit?" Cecil asked them after a moment, when no one seemed inclined to speak.

"King Cecil, we come before you as petitioners, requesting your protection," Solon said formally.

"Protection from what, or whom?" Cecil asked. "You understand that I cannot make promises blindly, I hope."

"Yes," Solon said, and bowed. He took a deep breath, as though he felt the need to brace himself, and drew his shoulders back. "For quite some time now Livius has been encouraging anti-Baron sentiments and stirring up resentment over the Elder's friendship with your nation. The Elder discovered these activities, and disavowed Livius as a potential heir to the Elder's seat. Livius incited his followers to near-riot and led them against the Elder and any who stood with him. The Elder sent myself and those here with me to safety by the Devil's Road, but stayed behind himself. He was slain."

"The Elder, slain?" Cecil's disbelief was nearly tangible.

"He bade us go," Solon said softly. "He would not let me stay behind to defend him."

"Sage Livius believed himself to be the Elder's heir," Porom added. "When the Elder told him that none who sow hate are fit to lead Mysidia, and that Sage Livius was no longer welcome in the Tower of Prayer, he vowed vengeance. The Elder called us together and sent us away with the Crystal and the other relics of Mysidia."

"So you're going to go kick his ass, right?" Palom chimed in. "I mean, you're a paladin, you fight injustice."

Cecil almost visibly flinched. "I will gladly grant your request for protection. You may stay here as long as you have need. As to the matter of striking back at Sage Livius…If it were merely up to me as Cecil Harvey, I would be quite pleased to step forward and defend your rights to your homeland. However, as the King of Baron, I cannot act alone in this. I will need to consult with the other rulers before taking any action."

"What?" Palom yelped. "You can't be serious. He's evil."

Porom leaned over and swatted Palom sharply. "Be quiet," she hissed. "You are displaying a shocking degree of rudeness to the King. He is right; he cannot act alone. My apologies, Your Majesty," she added, turning back toward Cecil and presenting a formal curtsey.

Cecil nodded and rose from his throne. "I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of the Elder. He was a wise and generous man, and his counsel and knowledge will be sorely missed." He paused. "I will have the steward arrange accommodations for all of you. Sage Solon, I will need to speak with you later."

Solon bowed. Cecil turned to Kain. "Captain Highwind, see to it that the council convenes two hours past noon. Excuses will not be tolerated. Please see to it also that the Queen is informed of the council, but also tell her of the Elder beforehand. I must attend a meeting presently."

Kain bowed. Cecil strode out of the room. Solon stepped forward. "Captain Highwind," he said, "we are grateful for your assistance. Please let the King know that we do not expect him to fight our battles for us. We understand that he has other considerations besides our plight."

Kain nodded. "The King values the alliance with Mysidia, and will do what he may to aid you. Also, Sage Solon, I think it would please the King if you were to attend the council this afternoon."

"I would be honored, Captain," Solon replied.

"Please, wait here," Kain said. "I will have the steward arrange lodging for you immediately."

He left the audience chamber, relieved to be out of the claustrophobically helpless atmosphere, and found Joseph Farrell, Cecil's steward, already on his way. He was a distant cousin of Rosa's, and had held his position since King Odin's day.

"Captain Highwind," Joseph said. "I understand I am to provide lodging for some two dozen Mysidian refugees?"

"That is correct," Kain said. "Some of them may be injured still; please ask Mistress Breida if she or her students can be spared to tend their wounds."

"I will do that," Joseph assured him.

"Joseph, where might I find Her Majesty? The King has asked me to deliver a message."

"I believe she is with her ladies, planning the Harvest Festival celebrations, Captain."

"Thank you," Kain said. "Please notify the King's council that their presence is required, two hours past noon, and I do mean required." At Joseph's nod, he turned and strode off toward the royal gardens.

He heard the sounds of laughter drifting from the small garden house in which Rosa worked with flowers, and bright female chatter. When the guard admitted him, the chatter fell silent.

"Captain Highwind, do not tell me you are here to help us plait flower garlands," Constance Nerthic said, laughing.

He could not help but smile back at her. "I go where I am bid, Lady Constance," he said. "If Her Majesty bids that I must plait flower garlands, then so I must."

"Perhaps we could weave you a new dress uniform, Captain," Elizabeth Darmin suggested. He saw the bright glint of mischief in her eyes, and was wary of it. "Out of lilies, perhaps?"

"I think it would be a sad waste of flowers that could be put to better purpose elsewhere, such as adorning the Queen's ladies," Kain demurred. He glanced around for Rosa, but did not see her. "Lady Elizabeth, where is Her Majesty? I have a message for her."

"She'll return in a moment, Captain," Constance assured him. She plucked a brilliant yellow blossom from the mass of flowers in front of her and offered it to him. When he looked his question at her, she smiled. "You seem sad, Captain. I thought it might cheer you."

He forced a smile and took the blossom from her, tucking it into the collar of his tunic. "Thank you, Lady Constance. It's very kind of you."

"Oh," she said, blushing, "I only—well. I am pleased that you are pleased." She went back to separating flowers, steadfastly ignoring Lilian Vyran's obvious facial contortions.

"Captain, what a pleasant surprise," Rosa said, emerging from the other side of the room.

Kain knelt, his head bowed. "Your Majesty, King Cecil bade me bring you news," he said.

"Rise, Captain," Rosa said. "What news?"

"First, that there is to be a council at two hours past noon."

Rosa raised her eyebrows. "A council? To what purpose?"

Kain hesitated. Rosa frowned. "We would speak in private," she said to Violet, who gestured. The ladies in waiting rose and moved to the other end of the room like a flock of rainbow birds, out of earshot but never out of sight. Rosa moved close enough that they could discuss without being overheard.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Sage Solon has come with a number of Mysidians," Kain began. "It seems that Sage Livius grew tired of waiting for the Elder to realize that we Baronians are evil and destructive, and instead gathered his forces and seized control of the city. The Elder is slain, and Solon escaped with but a few dozen of the mages."

Rosa covered her mouth with her hand, eyes wide. "Oh, no," she breathed. "Palom and Porom?"

"They are here with Solon," Kain assured her, and she relaxed slightly. "I believe that Cecil is calling the council to discuss whether or not Baron should ride to war on Mysidia's behalf."

Rosa nodded. "Thank you, Captain," she said in a louder tone, signaling to her ladies that they might return. "I will attend the King as he has asked."

Kain knelt once more and retreated from the garden house, hearing the buzz of excited chatter rise as the door closed behind him.

He took a deep breath and turned toward the Dragon Knight barracks. He needed to review the Dragoons' battle readiness in preparation for the council.

~*~

Kain purposely arrived some twenty minutes early for the council so that he might observe the arrival of the participants. The council room was an enormous quadrangle, furnished with a long U-shaped table at which the nobility and the ministers would be seated. Kain declined to seat himself at this particular time, choosing instead to stand against the wall until everyone had arrived.

Cecil kept no formal seating arrangements for his councils save that he would take the center seat on the outer curve of the U, and so Kain observed the division of seats with some interest. Lord Nerthic was the first to arrive after Kain himself, and chose a seat to the right-hand side of Cecil's. As the others trickled in, they divided themselves much as they had done at the trial: those who had chosen innocent or no verdict sat with Lord Nerthic, while those who had voted guilty sat on the opposite side. When Solon entered the room, he chose the seat as near to being opposite Cecil's as he could. Rosa took her seat next to Lady Farrell, and the two engaged in quiet conversation while awaiting the King.

Cecil himself arrived precisely on time with the last of his ministers in tow. Kain performed a swift head count and determined that Lords Marek and Vyran were still missing. It was hardly surprising, but neither was it acceptable.

"Captain Highwind, be seated. This council is called to order," Cecil said loudly.

Kain deliberately chose one of the two seats left open on the "against" side of the table, ignoring the glares he earned for so doing. He did not miss the suspicious glances that were being cast in Solon's direction. Solon, for his part, had his hands folded and resting upon the table, his expression tranquil.

As Cecil drew breath to begin explaining the situation, the door swung open. Lord Vyran walked in and chose not to acknowledge Cecil's scowl, moving awkwardly to the chair directly across from Kain—odd, given his vote, and odder still since it placed him between Lord Nerthic and Lady Farrell.

Cecil made a small gesture at the guards. They closed the door and took up stations beside it; Kain knew that on the other side, there would be two more guards doing the same. Cecil rose and folded his hands in front of him. "My lords, I thank you for—"

A thunderous pounding on the door interrupted him, followed in short order by the door swinging open to admit Lord Marek. He, too, ignored Cecil completely and started for Kain's end of the table, only to pull up short when he realized that Kain was occupying his intended seat.

Kain met his gaze with a bland expression.

"Lord Marek, we expect that in future you will arrive on time to council meetings," Cecil said. "The same caution applies to you, Lord Vyran. In addition, we expect that you will behave with the courtesy and respect afforded us by our station. Is this clear?"

Lord Marek gawked. Lord Vyran appeared flabbergasted. Someone on the supporters' side of the table snickered audibly. Kain exercised severe restraint to keep a smile off his own face.

Lord Marek recovered first, and performed a half-bob that could barely be construed as a bow. "My apologies, Your Majesty," he said in a tone that was far from apologetic. "I was delayed unavoidably."

"Then we suggest that you plan better when this council is summoned, and in the meantime be seated. There is much business to be done here." Cecil waited until Lord Marek had seated himself next to Kain, with unnecessarily pointy elbows, and then addressed the council as a whole.

"We have recently been informed of happenings in the world outside Baron that will impact all of us. I ask you to please direct your attention to Sage Solon of Mysidia, who will relay these tidings to you."

Cecil sat down, and Solon got to his feet slowly. "I thank you for your indulgence, Your Majesty," he said formally. "In short form, the situation is thus. The Elder of Mysidia was grooming both myself and Sage Livius as potential heirs to the Eldership when he passed on. As some of you are no doubt aware, there has been significant resentment in Mysidia since Golbez, through the person of the false King, caused our Crystal to be taken from us. Unbeknownst to the Elder, Sage Livius continued to encourage these hateful sentiments, in the hopes that the Elder would be overthrown and Mysidia could take the revenge that some feel it deserves against Baron."

Someone on Kain's side of the table coughed rather too loudly. Solon glanced over, eyebrow raised, and continued his tale when no other commentary appeared forthcoming.

"The Elder discovered this deceit, and declared Sage Livius no longer welcome in our Tower of Prayer. He also decreed that anyone sowing such hate was not fit to lead Mysidia. Rather than mending his ways, Sage Livius gathered his followers and led an assault on the Tower of Prayer. The Elder sent myself and some two dozen others to safety via the Devil's Road, but stayed behind himself, and was slain by Livius's men. I have worked scrying magic upon Mysidia, and while I cannot see within the Tower, what I do see disturbs me. Livius appears to be marshaling our people to war, and it takes little wit to discern his target. King Cecil has been a friend to us these eight years past, and we would return the favour."

Solon seated himself, and Kain studied the faces around him. Most were skeptical, though some few appeared calculating or intrigued.

Cecil rose from his seat once again. "I am loathe to interfere in the affairs of other nations," he said, "yet it seems that we must at the least be prepared for aggressive action on the part of Sage Livius and his supporters."

"How do we know he's telling the truth?" Lord Eltrin, the Royal Treasurer, inquired. "I understand that if the information presented to us is factual, we must at the very least be prepared for a defensive stand, but we have only the word of Sage Solon to go on. It is not that I doubt him, but rather that I would prefer some additional evidence to support this course of action. War is, after all, an expensive proposition, Your Majesty."

"I could create a scrying window such that you would be able to view the activities in Mysidia," Solon replied. "If you prefer, I could also teach Her Majesty the Queen the workings of this spell, and she could perform the scrying instead, to counter any chance that I might try to manipulate the view to my own purposes."

Lord Vyran muttered irritably to his immediate neighbour, Lord Lymwich, but Kain was unable to make out the words.

Lord Demetrick, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, cleared his throat delicately. "The resentment against our nation has not escaped our notice, Sage. I believe that Lord Nerthic could speak to that better than I could."

"Thank you, Arthur," Lord Nerthic said politely. He shoved his chair back and rose to his feet. "As Lord Demetrick has implied, both the Foreign Affairs ministry and my own intelligence ministry are aware of significant resentment in Mysidia. I see no cause to think that Sage Solon's words are untrue. However, if it will comfort the rest of the council, by all means, let us see what the good Sage has to show us."

"Of course you support his claims, Robert," Lord Vyran complained. "The King supports him, and you've been doing nothing but licking his boots since he returned from his little jaunt about the world."

"Lord Vyran," Kain said softly, "please do recall that it is your monarch of whom you speak so disparagingly. I advise you to guard your tongue."

Lord Vyran bristled. "Don't you dare speak so to me, you arrogant bastard!"

"And do not you disparage my parents so," Kain retorted.

Any further argument was interrupted by the door being flung open. A sudden hush fell over the room. Dreading what he would see, Kain turned toward the door.

King Edward of Damcyan was leaning against the door frame, half-supported by Matthew Darmin. A vicious wound gaped open at his side, and his robes were soaked with blood to the hem. "Cecil," he croaked, and his voice was hoarse and broken, entirely unlike his usual self. His collar bore potion stains, as though his hand had shaken too much to get all of the healing liquid into his mouth, and the empty bottle in Matthew's free hand had the gleaming blue traces of a powerful Elixir.

"Edward! What happened?" Both Cecil and Rosa knocked their chairs over in their haste to reach Edward and lavish curative magics upon him.

"Wei," Edward said. "He has brought my people to rebellion." Even as the brilliant blue-white light of Rosa's Curaja wrapped around him, he went to his knees and was racked by a violent coughing fit. "He intends to lead a war against you."

"What?" Cecil said.

"Don't talk, Edward. You must conserve your strength." Rosa knelt next to him, reaching for his robes to check his wound.

"It's too late, Rosa," he said. "I am only glad I got here in time."

"Don't be foolish," Cecil was saying, "we can take care of you—Edward!"

Edward sagged forward, and only Cecil's quick reaction kept him from tumbling face first into the stone floor. He seemed to be staring at something only he could see, and smiling. "Anna," he murmured, "I shall join you now."

Another Curaja flared into life, but Kain could see even from his seat that it was too late. Edward lay limp upon the floor, a curious smile upon his face.

Rosa lifted her hands as though to call down more magic, but Cecil rested his hand on her shoulder and shook his head. The glow that had begun to gather around her hands faded, and she bowed her head.

Silence reigned in the council chamber for a long moment.

Cecil and Rosa were too rocked by grief; Kain noticed Lord Nerthic's pointed glance and turned to the door. "Lieutenant, report," he said.

"King Edward flew his hovercraft straight through the castle gates. The Dragon Knights were training in the courtyard and hurried to address the intruder. The King was obviously wounded and said he must speak to King Cecil immediately. Given the severity of his wounds, I judged it appropriate to bring him here immediately in case his wounds overcame him. All else, you know; he did not speak otherwise as we went."

At length, Lord Demetrick spoke very quietly. "Your Majesty, if it please you, I will arrange a funeral for King Edward in the Damcyan fashion."

Cecil shook his head, as though recalling himself to the room. "Please do," he said. He nodded to the guards, who lifted Edward's body and bore it from the room. Cecil rubbed his hands absently on his robes to remove the smeared blood, his head bowed.

"It would appear we have a more pressing problem than Mysidia, then," Lady Farrell remarked quietly.

Lord Nerthic shook his head. "With respect, Lady Farrell, I must disagree. I cannot but suspect that this is linked to the events that brought Sage Solon here to us. Damcyan has rebuilt itself with the labour of folk from Fabul, Eblan, and Mist, none of whom bear any great love for us of Baron. If this Wei, whom I believe was formerly a minister of war for King Yang, plans to lead an attack against us, we are in for a long and hard battle even if it is only his forces. However, I fear that Sage Livius may join forces with him to create an even greater threat. We must act promptly to defend ourselves."

"General Farrell, what say you?" Lord Eltrin inquired, turning toward Rosa's grandfather, who was present in his capacity as the highest commander in the army.

William Farrell shook his head. "Lord Nerthic speaks truly. I am no proponent of needless fighting, as well you all know, but if this is indeed a valid threat, I say that we must act and we must act now. We must be the ones to choose the battleground, and above all, we must not let them fight in the desert, for surely they would have the advantage of us there. I move that we make small strikes to draw them into the mountains and weaken their forces there, for neither do we want to fight them on Baron's own soil and risk our people any more than we must."

Cecil reclaimed his seat and waited until Rosa had done the same before he spoke. "You know the challenges that face us," he said. "I do not believe that we can sit idly by and wait for Wei or Livius to bring their forces to our door. Yet neither do I believe that everyone in Damcyan or Mysidia is our enemy. Let us act swiftly and decisively, but with care, for I would not have it said that Baron slaughters innocents in the pursuit of her goals."

Kain heard what Cecil did not say: I will not be Cagnazzo. I will not act as Golbez did. Looking around the table, he could see that the members of the council were as shaken as he himself. No one seemed quite prepared to speak, so he rose from his seat. "With your permission, Your Majesty, I propose that the Minister of Intelligence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, and the heads of the military convene with you to chart our course."

"A wise suggestion, Captain," Cecil said. "The council is dismissed with my thanks."

Kain watched as the councilors who had no stake in the matter rose from their seats and slowly organized their exodus from the room. Lord Vyran was complaining loudly every step of the way about how war would be bad for business.

"Would you have me stay, or depart, Your Majesty?" Solon inquired.

"Please stay, for we may need your insights," Cecil said. "Rosa, would you please arrange for couriers to go to Edge and Yang and inform them of the situation? I do not yet wish to call upon them for direct aid, but they should be aware of what is happening, that they might prepare their own defense if such should become necessary."

Rosa nodded and rose from her seat. "I will ensure that they are notified," she said. "Is there anything else I can do?"

Cecil sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Please check with Mistress Breida and find out how many white mages we have who are skilled enough to aid on a battlefield. I believe we are going to have need of them very soon."

"Yes. I will also see if we can teach enough new students the rudiments to help stabilize the wounded until a more experienced healer can get to them," Rosa suggested.

"Please do. That would be most helpful."

Rosa laid a hand on Cecil's shoulder and squeezed as she walked past. Kain noticed that she kept her eyes carefully averted from the portion of the floor where Edward's body had lain, covered now with a cloth that a guard had brought, but still bloodstained.

When the door had closed behind her, Cecil drew a deep breath and let it out. "Oh, come over here," he said with some exasperation. "I have no intention of shouting our war plans across this cavernous room merely to be heard by everyone."

There was a brief shuffling as everyone rose from their chairs and moved closer to the King. Cecil waited until they were all settled again, and then dipped his pen in the inkwell before him. "Let us begin. General Farrell, please report on the status of the army."

Kain half attended to the discussion, but he could not pull his eyes from the cloth. He had not known Edward well, not having traveled with him as Cecil had, but the King of Damcyan had been kind of him, and Kain remembered a man making time to speak with him in a moonlit courtyard outside of Eblan, and offering a quiet understanding that no one else had.

He reminded himself harshly that he had no time for grief, and turned back to the conversation around him; there were more immediate needs than a personal sadness.