"But you don't understand!" exclaimed King Cecil Harvey of Baron, rising violently from his seat. "We should get this alliance now, while it's not too late! What if something like before were to happen - if one of us was to be overpowered by some evil force - how would we react?"
"Sir Cecil... please.." Yang stood from his chair and lightly placed one hand on Cecil's shaking shoulder. "We are all comrades. We need not any writing of overly formal stature to say this, nor must we bind it with our signatures. Our word will be enough. We can stand together without any kind of.... agreement."
Edward sighed, and stood up. It was obvious he was uncomfortable in his royal robes and garments, content only to be in the flowing attire of his bard clothing. "Dear Cecil... I do not see my point in being here as it is... Damcyan is not a warrior nation - it is a nation of dreamers, of dancers, of singers and artists. Those who desire to have their hearts in the clouds do not belong on a battlefield... forgive me..." The young prince gave a mournful look to Cecil, and a polite nod of his head. "Damcyan... no, I... can offer you no help. Now, if you will please excuse me, and accept my humblest and deepest of apologies, Cecil.."
As quickly as that, Edward stood and sadly slipped out of the council chamber. It was at that moment, there was a chuckle from a corner of the assembly. Edge Geraldine of Eblan, his feet propped on the table, and arms crossed haughtily over his chest, grinned under his always-present ninja mask.
"Poor Eddy... never wants to get in a good brawl."
"You be quiet, ya little punk!" scolded Cid, Baron's head engineer. "We all know Edward's not the bravest guy... No one asked for your opinion."
"No one wants my opinion?" The ninja prince gave out another small chuckle, then gestured about to the other members of the royal council. "Then what am I doing here?"
"Good question..." Cid muttered.
"You're both awful!" came a distressed, feminine voice from the opposite side of the table. Rydia Drake narrowed her bright blue eyes slightly, flashing a look of scorn within them. "I'm sure Edward has his reasons for not wanting to participate... or maybe he just doesn't believe in himself enough! You know he has a history of that."
Yang sighed. "It is true... Sir Edward is a man of great courage and valor when needed..." Yang returned to his seat. "But also a man of little self-confidence."
Cid grunted. "The boy needs some esteem! Take me for example, I got plenty of self-esteem - ya gotta have it to be in my biz!"
Edge smirked. "They also say you have to have brains to be in your 'biz'. What went wrong there?"
"Edge, stop," Cecil warned, flashing a warning look in Edge's direction. "We're here to discuss important matters, not to harp on the other council members."
Edge shrugged nonchalanty. "Whatever you say, Cecil. You the boss."
Rydia rolled her eyes.
"Now, anyway, about this alliance..."
"Sir Cecil." Yang stood, looking resolute. "When the time comes, if Baron should need it, it shall be defended. In the meantime, I see no reason to bind myself to any sort of contract... I think it goes without saying, and it certainly shouldn't need to be put down on paper, something that will eventually dwindle away to dust. Honor is stronger than that."
With that, Yang rose to leave, and as he did, Edge and the Elder from Mysidia (who had stayed quiet this entire meeting) stood to leave as well. The Elder exited without a single word, but Edge paused in the doorway, and turned around to address the whole.
"Sorry, man," Edge began. "But ya know, Cecil, everyone has been real anxious to buff up their defenses, it's post-war jitters. There's really no need for any alliances - the world crisis is over. Time to relax!"
The prince grinned, and issued a small bow to the other world leaders, and a wink to Rydia. "Adios!"
Slowly but surely, everyone else began to file out, and only Rydia stopped before glancing back.
"I'm sorry, Cecil..." she said softly. "If I could get that alliance through for you, I would but... well... no one wants to think of alliances when they are ready for peace..." With that, the Caller glided deftly out of the council room.
· · · ~ ¤ »‡ « ¤ ~ · · ·
Cecil was not having a good week. Everything had led up to that council meeting, and what had happened? Nothing! He had been pushing for a world alliance, sort of an agreement to defend one another or to take over duties for another King should anything happen. What had he gotten in return for his idea? Disapproval! Skepticism! Even spite, almost, from Yang - as if he had insulted his honor! Cecil certainly hadn't intended that. Even the Elder, usually cautious, hadn't said a word in his defense! He had that bitter feeling in his stomach that only a perspective betrayal can conjur. It only made matters worse that this was the fourth unsettling occurence for him that week.
He had been trying to negotiate trade with Silveira for the past five days for their precious mining materials, and met with bitter disapproval from the assortment of pig, frog and tiny, dwarfed citizens. It was beyond Cecil why they would allow trade to other kingdoms (some that in Cecil's eyes weren't worth the export, not to seem arrogant) and then all-out refuse any sort of trade to Baron. Besides, they were the nation that really needed the metals, what with the construction of newer, faster and sleeker airships, the smithing of even stronger armors and weaponry. It wasn't as if word that Silveira was supplying materials for the advanced Baronian Republic would do them wrong. It would, if anything, better their business.
There had also been some problems getting new recruits into the Baronian Guard, as of late. All of them seemed to be going into some trade other than that of soldier, mostly into some magical field. Lots of girls wanted to be like Queen Rosa and take up the healing arts so she could grow to be "a true lady" and many of the boys were attracted to the destructive powers of black magic, which gave a serious erosion to the career of simple soldier or dragoon.
Finally, it had been ten months since the wedding, and still there was no word from Kain; Kain, Cecil's childhood (and still best) friend, who had helped him through countless trials and tribulations to save this planet from Zeromus's planned fate. Despite Kain's many wavering alliances, Cecil had always known that things would be all right... that they would always be friends after it was over. He had been positive he was right... but now... it had been so long since he had seen him... Were they really friends at all? Was he ever coming back?
Was he wrong about everything?
The day outside was dreary, a perfect final offense against His Highness; not normal Baron weather at all. The usually crystalline clear sky was blotched from view, instead veiled by a blanket of blurry gray. Flora appeared as a half-submerged skeleton twisting up out of the ground, unconcealed by the feeble attempts of the flowers and budding leaves sprouting from their fingertips. The trees, in turn, which were all in pale and pink blossom on that April morning, somehow lost their beauty to the mist churning about the ground, slithering between the forlorn passerby out on the streets. The people themselves were an additive to the general feeling of despair, heavily cloaked against the chill air, moving about like someone who has nowhere to go or be, and therefore traveling as something lifeless, dragging their feet and hanging their head.
While lost in his thoughts, Cecil's wife, Rosa, approached him from behind, and lightly intwined her arm with his. Cecil spun himself around to face her, accidently pulling away from her in the process. She let out a little cry and stepped back, looking up into his eyes, catching the surprise there a moment. After a few seconds of silence, Cecil let out an embarrassed laugh.
"I'm sorry, Rosa, darling, I thought you were..." he laughed again, nervously. "I.. I don't know. I'm sorry."
Rosa furrowed her brows slightly, and tucked some of her white-gold hair behind one ear. "Cecil... you haven't been yourself, lately..."
The king sighed. "I'm sorry, Rosa... I'm just upset lately, and.. well.."
She smiled, a very genuine, beautiful smile, and once again tucked her arm in with his. "It's all right, Cecil... everything will be fine... I promise."
Cecil smiled a bit at her words, and lightly placed his hand over hers.
