Terra Read online

  "Edgar." She faced him. "Edgar, I'm sorry. I . . . I didn't mean to snarl at you like that. I knew you were just joking."

  "Perhaps it has been a long day for the both of us." His voice sounded strange.

  Terra moved a little closer to her friend's comforting presence standing so firm and still beside her. "Yes. I guess you're right. I--" She found herself watching his odd expression. "I didn't mean to say it like that, Edgar. Really I didn't."

  "I know, Terra."

  Terra moved her gaze back to the horizon and bit on a fingernail as she crossed her left arm around herself. "Edgar, why don't you ever visit? Thank you for sending the flowers and the invitations to balls and whatever, but . . . I know things have been busy at Figaro." She lowered her hand to her left elbow and sighed. "Everyone else has visited at least once. I guess I just expected you to visit, too."

  Edgar remained silent for longer than she thought he would. When she looked over at him, his eyes wore an odd expression as he watched her face. "If I had known your distress was not the imagination of a mother hen, I would have come much sooner. Things have not been so busy at Figaro that I couldn't have made the time to visit you," he said in a quiet voice.

  "But you didn't," she pressed with a catch in her voice. She gnawed her lower lip at a surprising tightness in her throat and looked away. "Maybe that's what's been bothering me?" Terra shrugged and moved her eyes to the toes of her shoes as she dug at the ground with her right toe. "Shadow visits more than you have. I guess that hurt my feelings. I mean . . . I mean I thought we were friends."

  Edgar reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her neck before resting his hand on her shoulder. "I meant to visit," he said softly.

  She moved her eyes to hold his gaze. "Then why didn't you? You're king of Figaro. You could have come whenever you wanted. Couldn't you?"

  He took in a deep breath and released it slowly. "I know. I am truly sorry that my not doing so has hurt you. I did not intend for that to happen."

  Terra lowered her focus to the ground at her feet, taking comfort in the fact he was there now. Because he was worried about her. Because all her friends were worried about her.

  Edgar gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and sent her a regretful smile. "It's getting late."

  The statement made a flutter of regret and desperation battle for the upper hand. It had been nearly a week since Setzer's visit. She was lonely for her friends. "Did you want to stay for dinner?" she asked as she looked up. "I'm sure everyone would love to see you."

  Edgar's expression darkened slightly, but then his lips raised in a smile and the look slowly faded as he lowered his hand from her shoulder. "Much as I wish I could, Terra, I cannot stay. I promised the Chancellor that I would be back to our camp before sunset and, as you can see, I have passed my allotted curfew. We're leaving for Figaro Castle quite early in the morning. If I don't get some rest, I shall be an absolute bear."

  "Will you come by before you leave?" His expression softened somewhat and she glanced down, clenching her hands in front of her. "I-I'd love it if you would," she added. She would have given anything for him to stay and talk about old times. To stay and make her laugh like she had when they'd all been together.

  "As much as your invitation tempts me," he said as he took hold of her hand, "I must decline." One side of his lips tilted in a smile when her eyes met his.

  Edgar bowed and touched his lips to her hand, causing an unexpected feeling inside of Terra as their eyes held.

  Then he straightened and tossed his cape over his shoulders with a flourish. "Again," he said softly, still holding her hand, "I do apologize, but I must away. Take care, dear lady."

  And with that, he turned to disappear around the side of the house.

  Terra released a deep breath of disappointment that made her lips droop. She took a few steps forward, just to the corner of the house, and pressed her hands against it as she leaned around and watched him stride away. She touched her forehead against the house with another breath as her lower lip slightly protruded.

  2: Games, Women, and Tears

  King Edgar of Figaro clenched his hands behind his back as he stood on the top most battlement of Figaro castle. The slight breeze teased his tightly combed blond hair. I should have said 'farewell' before leaving for home, he told himself sternly. But her initial reaction to his visit surprised him, making him feel guilty and uncomfortable because he knew she wouldn't have felt hurt and confused if he visited more frequently. In fact, his lack of visits had caused a heated discussion with Sabin already.

  "Why don't you ever visit her, brother?"

  Sabin would hurl the question at him as if it was one of his infamous Blitz attacks, expecting an honest and just as rapid reply. How could Edgar admit that he didn't know how to talk to her anymore? Sabin would have found it uproariously amusing and worth repeating. He who claimed the title of original 'ladies man' admit to being uncomfortable in the presence of a lady?

  Edgar frowned as he turned from the tower and made his way downstairs. His frown deepened to a glare when his conscience nipped at him using the memory of their parting. I should have stayed for dinner. No. I should have invited her to the campsite. Campsite? Bah! I should have. . . His frown deepened. I should have what?

  Edgar grimaced. He should have stayed and comforted her. He should have coaxed more details from her about what pulled at her so, besides his infrequent visits. And if the reason for her misery is indeed her loss of magic? How does one talk of something such as that? It was still no excuse, he knew.

  During their adventures, he was able to deftly divert her mind from the terror and cause her to laugh when she seemed frightened of the future. So why was I unable to give her the comfort she needed? As I have in the past? Of course, he'd been arrogant and full of pride then. Sure of his own importance and blinded by his wealth, good looks, and charm. Terra's innocent oblivion now and before to all of these had reminded him of his own simplicity and the fact that he was, above all, a human being.

  The Chancellor rushed up on him then, waving contracts and building plans. Edgar brushed him aside and strode past to lock himself in his bedchamber. To blame the Chancellor for Terra and his premature parting the previous week would have been too convenient, especially when Edgar knew that only he was to blame.

  Locke and Celes had mentioned so many times how Terra seemed more withdrawn. Instead of following his common sense and visiting her to offer his help, he had pushed his concern aside with the easy excuse that he couldn't leave his kingdom for such a long journey. Edgar had allowed his kingdom to come between him and a friend. He had never done that before--not even with Locke. Why did I not visit? Was I truly convinced that she would scoff at my well-intentioned concern? Did I believe she would despise me for not visiting her, as I had once promised I would?

  Again and again the others had voiced their concern for Terra, telling him that she seemed to get worse with each of their visits instead of better. Even Setzer had commented on it, pressing him to visit. Edgar shook his head now and threw himself into a chair to prop his feet up on the table. Either way, Terra Branford had been anything but fine, and it hadn't been because of the loss of her powers.

  "Lost powers," Edgar muttered. "She's a woman in need of a man. To protect her. To comfort her. To . . . ."

  Edgar glowered at his finely crafted leather boots, again hearing his brother's voice ring through his memory. "You're crazy about her, brother. Why don't you admit it to yourself? She doesn't believe a single smooth-talking phrase from your over-active mouth and you still call her a friend. Normally you'd have lost interest a long time ago, but you and I know there's something about her you can't forget. You respect her silent strength and determination so much that it's obvious to 'nave' little Relm, so how can you think it's nothing?"

  But when had Edgar ever said he thought it nothing?

  The door opened, and Edgar didn't bother turning. "Locke, I wish you wouldn't do such things."


  "If you don't want me to pick 'em, don't lock 'em. You know it's a challenge no self-respecting treasure hunter can pass up."

  Edgar scoffed. "I needed some privacy. You have heard of that, I assume?"

  "Of course, but now's not the time for that." Locke leaned against the table across from Edgar's armchair. He crossed his arms as his steel-gray eyes pierced Edgar clean through. "So, what happened?"

  "What are you talking about?" Edgar mumbled.

  "I know you went to visit Terra." Locke sounded annoyed. "What happened? Is she coming to the pre-wedding party or not?"

  "She is not."

  "Edgar, what's the matter with you?" Locke pulled a dagger from somewhere on his person and ran his finger along the blade with a deep breath. "Did you come out and tell her why you wanted her to come? Or did you not even get to the point?"

  Edgar made a gruff sound and stood, stalking to the fireplace to stare into the flames. Locke watched him a moment before lowering his gaze to continue playing with the dagger.

  "What did you say that made her mad?" Locke asked suddenly.

  "Never mind."

  "Some of that smooth talk, I bet."

  "I said never mind."

  "Fine." Silence fell over the two men. Locke sheathed the dagger. "I don't get it," he admitted. "You guys were as close as anything during that whole fiasco with Kefka. Why do you think I warned Terra about you before I went off to South Figaro that time? I was sure she'd fall head over heels for your charm because she was so . . . inexperienced, I guess. I didn't want the kid getting hurt."

  "Apparently I hurt her without trying, Cole." Edgar cast a glance over his shoulder. "Just leave it alone."

  Locke came to stand by Edgar and leaned against the mantle. "What are you talking about? Who told you that you hurt her?"

  "Terra."

  Locke blinked. "What? She told you that?"

  "Excuse me, Your Highness," the Chancellor interrupted outside the door. "There's a young woman here to meet with you. She appears a trifle frantic."

  Locke and Edgar exchanged a glance, then Edgar straightened and took in a deep breath. "Very well. I shall be there momentarily." The Chancellor's footsteps were heard leaving the area and Edgar turned. "Forget it, Cole. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it would never work. Terra and I are from two different worlds. Literally. I was born to be a bachelor and she was born--well, she was born Terra. Pair her with Setzer or Sabin. They seem taken with her."

  "Yeah? You're the only one who really loves her."

  Edgar clenched his jaw and straightened his royal cape. "Locke."

  "Okay. I'll drop it, but only for a bit. Celes wants a double wedding, and I'm determined to give her what she wants."

  "Fine, then marry Shadow off. He's in need of a good woman to change his fashion taste."

  Locke chuckled and followed Edgar out of his bedchamber. "Yeah. Like I'd be able to even bribe someone to marry that walking freak show."

  "Stranger things have happened."

  "Then maybe you'll marry Terra?"

  Edgar shot Locke a dark look, but he ignored it as he stared down the hall with a smirk on his face. "Locke Cole," Edgar growled, "you smug old scratch. You believe you know everything."

  Locke chuckled. "Who says I don't?"

  "Celes," Edgar snapped.

  Locke threw back his head and laughed.

  ~~~

  Terra gripped her hands together, clenching them until her fingers were sore from the effort. What's taking him so long? There was a sound behind her as the Chancellor entered the throne room. Terra hurried up to him.

  "His highness shall be here presently."

  Terra nodded and gave a sigh of relief. She fought the tears, her eyes burning as she paced in front of the empty throne where she first met him. The pleasant memories weren't enough to calm her. How could this happen?

  "Terra?"

  She looked up sharply. Her throat tightened with relief as Edgar and Locke filed into the throne room. "They're gone," she cried in a choked voice. Terra squeezed her hands together as she cleared her throat. The tears remained when she tried to speak again. "They're all gone. All my ch-children are gone." Her voice cracked as she covered her face with her hands, emotionally unprepared for the strong arms that engulfed her. That firm but gentle grip made the tears come more easily as she hid her face in the soft, scented fabric of Edgar's royal clothes.

  "What happened?" he asked in a soothing voice.

  "I don't know," she forced out. "I was out gathering food from our little garden and heard a shriek. I think it was Cera. When I got there--" Terra took in a deep breath and gnawed her lower lip. "When I got there, Edgar, they were gone," and her voice faded into sobs.

  "Could Setzer have abducted them in his airship?" Locke asked gently. "You know how they love that."

  "I already asked him before I came here," she choked out. "Setzer thinks they've been kidnapped by a slaver."

  Locke cringed and glanced over at Edgar. "We better take off as soon as possible. I'll send a message to Celes in Kohlingen and have her get the others together to start looking around Mobliz, but I'm going with you."

  "Very well, Locke." Locke strode from the room as Edgar continued to comfort Terra. He stroked her hair until her sobs began to quiet. "All will be well, Terra. I promise. We shall get our gear together, I'm sure I still have it in storage, and set off in search of them. I'm sure they're fine." She pulled back and gazed up into his kind blue eyes. Edgar smiled down at her and absently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "There now. Tears were never meant to be in those eyes."

  "I'm sorry."

  "Tis nothing to apologize for. Now, I'll show you to a room where you may get ready for the journey. Then I'll hunt down Locke and Setzer and receive more details." He wrapped her arm around his and led her from the throne room. "Leave the details to me. You make yourself ready."

  She nodded slowly. Her mind and heart oddly calm as she stared at the flagstones beneath her feet.

  "Here you are. I shan't be a moment." With that, he kissed her hand and departed with a twirl of his cape.

  Terra turned away as the new and raw emotion of terror for the children hit her with numbing precision. She groaned, biting into her lip as she tried to concentrate on getting the right armor and weapon from the storage room. If only I hadn't left them. But she had done so many times in the years she raised them. What would have made this one time so different in her mind? In anyone's? Mobliz was a deserted town that no one thought of as home; no one save her and the children that lived there--

  Terra's hand wrapped around a familiar feel, and she raised a sword from its resting place. She felt the memory of the age-old power rush through her arms as she recalled the many times she'd wielded it in defense and attack against enemies a normal woman would have turned from in horror. Its magic may have been gone, but the edge was still sharp. Rage filled Terra's heart as she sheathed the Ragnarok with a harsh motion.

  Edgar and Locke met her just outside the storage room.

  "Terra," Locke said carefully, "Setzer thinks he knows who's responsible."

  Terra pressed her lips together. She began slipping into her armor and strapping her scabbard and sword around her slim waist. "How can he be sure?"

  "Because he was in a card game with him recently."

  Terra looked up sharply as she paused the slipping on of her gloves. "A card game?"

  "A card game. In Zozo. It figures, really," Locke said. "Personally, that place gave me nightmares. I don't know what Setzer was doing there."

  "Making money, I dare say," Edgar said with a grim look.

  Terra strode through the castle and out into the dim morning sunlight. "Come on. Let's get going. Chances are he won't have taken them to a place like Zozo because of the danger to his own life."

  "Meaning: he wouldn't want to get killed by someone wanting to squeeze their way into his sudden claim to fortune," Locke said in a quiet voice.

  Terra crin
ged and nodded. "Exactly."

  "What do you suggest?" Edgar asked, a strange look in his eyes. He adjusted his grip on a spear as they made their way out into the tangy air of Figaro desert.

  Terra struggled to keep the feelings of helplessness out of her voice. "I don't know. Not yet. Let's go to Jidoor and see if anyone there has any information."

  "And if they do not?" Edgar's question, again, was soft.

  Terra gripped the handle of her sword. At the entrance of the airship she turned and locked gazes with Edgar. "Then we keep searching."

  Locke stepped between them to give Terra a nod. "You've got it, Terra."

  Terra's eyes strayed to Edgar's again, and then she boarded the airship.

  ~~~

  Setzer pulled out a chair as he sent Edgar and Locke a shielded glance.

  "I haven't seen her like this since Phunbaba attacked her and the kids. Man, was she pissed that day," Locke said.

  "As I recall, she beat him soundly," Edgar reminded in a quiet tone. "What do you suppose she'll do to--What was his name?"

  "Ledo. Ledo Grikea," Setzer offered.

  Locke flung a dagger to the opposite side of the ship, brows furrowed. "I don't really care what she does to this guy. She can flay him alive for all I care."

  Edgar raised his eyes. "Locke, there are laws to follow. If we don't abide by them, then we are no better than the criminals for which we search."

  Locke wielded another dagger and shot Edgar a hard look. "That's a crock, Edgar. Stealing kids? That's about as low as anyone can get, in my opinion."

  "I agree," Setzer admitted as he calmly shuffled a deck of cards.

  "This slaver needs to be taught a lesson, and I think Terra is just the person to do it." Locke emphasized the comment with another dagger hurled across the room.

  "You gentlemen do not seem to understand!" Edgar stood. His blue eyes sparked. "If Terra does this, she'll likely go mad as she did before. Remember the episode with the Esper in Narshe? She screamed off and destroyed many things because of her inability to control her power. It won't be exactly the same, I grant you, but close enough in any regard. She will be forever changed if she surrenders to the rage. She will become unable to control her anger, and it's our responsibility to prevent that," Edgar insisted.

  Locke and Setzer lowered their gazes to the table. Edgar turned and slammed from the room.