Adventures of Youth & Shadows of the Past Read online

  "I also believe that is the most attractive shade of red." He kissed her hands again. "I'd best be off to gather the children from Gau and send him here to you. Have fun, and don't work the boy too hard."

  Terra nodded as she raised her eyes, wrapping her arms around him to give him a firm embrace. "You have fun, too." She looked up and smiled. "I'll see you tonight, Edgar."

  He fondly brushed her cheeks and lips with a single finger before lightly touching and caressing her lips with his. "Until tonight, love-light."

  *

  Terra lightly pushed open the door of the girls' room. She leaned against the door frame, resting her head against it as she watched Edgar gently tuck them into bed. The trip to Jidoor had taken the entire day, and the children had returned in a groggy state of satisfied exhaustion. They hadn't even had the strength to tell her what had happened.

  Edgar finished the duty of securing the last girl's bedding before sitting on the edge to gaze down at the sleeping girl with an absent smile. Terra watched the scene with a growing tightening of emotion. I wish I could paint as good as Relm. This is a picture worth keeping. Edgar smoothed some of the blonde curls from Cera's face. Then he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead.

  Terra smiled, pushing away from the door frame to come further into the room. She stood behind Edgar and rested a hand on his back. "Did you have fun?" she whispered.

  "More fun than I thought possible," he replied in an awed tone.

  Terra leaned against him, wrapping her arms around him as she rested her chin on his left shoulder. "I'm glad, Edgar. They've been having fun with you, too."

  Edgar placed a kiss on one of her arms draped over him and released a slow breath. "I am glad of that. I hoped I did not bore them."

  Terra kissed his neck. "Dearest Edgar, you're all they talk about. It's been wonderful to hear."

  Edgar brushed more hair from Cera's peaceful face before carefully rising to his feet, bringing Terra around with a hand holding hers. He drew her close, enfolding her in his arms. "I had no idea being a father would feel this way, Terra. No idea at all."

  Terra closed her eyes as tears wet her cheeks. Her children were finally getting their family.

  *

  Edgar heard a shriek moments before the clear sound of tears echoed through the hallway. A concerned frown darkened his eyes as he opened the door to the specifically designed play room. Nine pairs of eyes met his before they rushed to surround him, as had become their custom. A single figure continued to remain distant, though, standing in the near direct center of the room while rubbing her eyes with her hands and sniffling in a clear showing of distress.

  Stories and explanations spilled forth as quickly as Cera's tears did. Edgar nodded and listened to each one, still not sure what happened, before making his way to the weeping seven-year-old. He knelt and gently took her hands from her face. She hiccupped with tears and blinked up at Edgar, wetness glistening on her flushed cheeks.

  "Cera? What has happened?" he asked softly as he gently squeezed her hands.

  The other children held back.

  Cera sniffled several times in succession. "They won't lemme be It," she said, and the comment was accentuated by occasional hiccups.

  "Oh dear."

  Cera morosely nodded. "I wanna be It, but alls they wanna lemme be is a hider. It's no fair."

  Edgar smiled, giving her hands another succession of squeezes. "No, I don't suppose it is."

  Edgar released her hands to pick her up. Then he steadied her in one arm as he turned to face the rest of the group. All the children had their arms and hands behind their backs while lightly tapping the floor with first one foot and then the other. They were the picture of guilt. Edgar released a breath as he gave a slight shake of his head. Then he moved to the armchair set aside for story time and carefully sat, adjusting Cera to his lap.

  "Come close, children. It seems we need to have words regarding the importance of teamwork, sharing, and fairness."

  They "aww"ed but approached without further protest, gathering around Edgar with continued expressions of moroseness. Some held the arms of the chair; some continued to stand a little back from him, and still others rested their hands or arms on his knees or legs.

  "She takes too long," one of the boys mumbled. "If Cera's It, we never get to play before dinner."

  Edgar changed his focus to the blond eight-year-old. "How do you propose she improve, Robbie, if you don't allow her the opportunity to do so? Instead of preventing her from playing with you, why don't you help her?"

  "Help her?" Robbie asked as he stepped closer. He leaned against the arm of the chair. "How?"

  Edgar rested his hand on the boy's head, giving his hair a rub. "How do you teach anyone anything, Master Robert? You show them. Isn't that how I taught you to use the boat? I spoke you through it, doing my best to answer your questions."

  Robbie lowered his eyes to the arm of the chair and picked at it. "I guess so."

  "It's the same thing for playing 'It'?" one of the other boys asked. "Really?"

  Edgar chuckled as his eyes focused on the red head and green eyes of Peter, one of the older boys–he was nearly ten. "Of course, Peter. Such is the way any of us learn what is important to know in this life."

  "Even you, Papa?"

  Edgar blinked as he focused a shocked expression on Cera's face. It was the first time one of Terra's children had called him such. To Edgar's surprise, it sounded right and felt better. His smile returned, even through a slight, tell-tale tightening of his chest. "Yes, Cera. Your mamma has taught me a great many things. In fact, she still does. As do all of you. Life is a continual process of learning."

  "Could you teach me how to play 'It', Papa?" Cera asked with wide eyes.

  Edgar gently brushed the tears from her cheeks. "I will teach you all that a father should." Then he rested his hand on Robbie's head yet again before moving his gaze to each and every child gathered around him. "This I swear, children."

  "A father?" Robbie asked softly.

  Edgar moved his gaze to those of the young boy. "If you will have me, Robbie."

  The boy's eyes glistened, causing tightness in Edgar's own throat. "A father?" the boy repeated.

  Edgar forced a reassuring smile as he again tousled the young boy's blond hair. Cera rested her head against him just as several of the other children rested their cheeks against his knees and legs. "Yes, Robbie. A father. A friend. Someone to teach you. Someone to lead you." He paused, wiping the tears from the boy's cheek. "Someone to love and protect you. Just as your mamma has done."

  Robbie slightly nodded, his eyes still registering shock.

  Edgar brushed the hair from the boy's face, and then he moved his gaze to those children gathered alongside the others. He touched heads here and there as he carefully leaned forward. "And what say you, children? Is there room enough in your lives for your mamma and myself?"

  They squealed, leaping to their feet as Cera slid from his lap to dance around him with the others. Then they were tugging him to stand, pleading with him to teach them how to fish; how to fight; how to swim; and how to play 'It'.

  The End

  Shadows of the Past

  Terra Saga #3

  1: Replaced Identity

  "Your highness?"

  Terra Branford Figaro raised her violet eyes from the book she read to the children gathered at her feet. "Yes, Chancellor?"

  "I hate to bother you, highness, but there is a. . . ." The Chancellor pressed his lips together. His expression clearly showed exasperation and frustration.

  Terra handed the book to one of the older girls, assured them she'd return to hear the end of the story, and then urged the Chancellor to follow her from the room. She closed the door behind her and then led him out of earshot. "What is it, Chancellor?"

  "He will not relinquish his weaponry."

  Terra sighed and lowered her eyes to the flagstones at her feet. Ever since Edgar had returned with her as his new bri
de, the Chancellor had taken it upon himself to tighten the security at Figaro castle. Many of the constant visitors, such as Locke and Sabin--who'd become quite patient since beginning his school of Blitz Arts--saw it as a nuisance to be dealt with using extreme tolerance. Others, such as diplomats from other continents, most often saw it as an invasion of privacy and an insult to their credibility. Terra understood that the Chancellor was simply attempting to protect the king and his new queen, but his over zealousness had become a nuisance.

  "Who won't?" Terra finally asked.

  "The . . . gentleman who now waits in your receiving chamber. Not only does he refuse to relinquish his weapons, he will not tell me what business he has with you. He also threatened the guards with bodily harm when they attempted to detain him and the beast that was with him--"

  One of Terra's hands flew to her throat. "Was it a black and brown dog?"

  "A dog," the Chancellor scoffed. "More like a Rhinox than a dog, but yes, it was black and brown. I only let him enter the castle eared for my very life."

  "What does the gentleman look like?"

  "I do not know, highness," the Chancellor stated in a tight voice. "A very mysterious creature, highness, and not very trustworthy, I dare say. He was draped entirely in black."

  "Shadow!" Terra grabbed fistfuls of extravagant gown and rushed down the hall toward her reception chamber.

  The ninja had seemingly vanished from the face of the planet after she and Edgar married. They'd tried so hard to find him, even leaving word with the many merchant caravans departing from Figaro. Nothing, not one tidbit of information, had ever surfaced. Terra didn't understand why she had such a desire to find him, but she hadn't been able to ignore the pressing need to know if he was alright. To have him suddenly appear on Figaro castle's doorstep demanding entry in his typical way relieved her spirit.

  Oh, if only Edgar didn't have meetings all day. But his determination to rebuild the Figaro kingdom--which stretched from Narshe to Jidoor and from Nikeah to Kohlingen--took up a great portion of each day. He always made time for her, of course, but to drop everything for a meeting with Shadow would be impossible.

  Terra skidded to a halt in front of the reception chamber door. The she smoothed her skirts and adjusted her elegantly coiffed hair before taking in a deep breath and opening the door. Shadow stood in the far corner.

  He'd changed. She'd never seen him in anything but the most perfectly kept black outfit. She'd always assumed that it was a matter of pride. But now his clothes were faded and dirty, dusty and stained with mud. There were jagged tears throughout and his normally immaculate embroidered sash was tattered. He looked as though he'd been through as many struggles alone as she and her friends had withstood together.

  Terra pushed it aside and stepped forward with an eager but hesitant smile, producing her hands in greeting when he turned to face her. "Shadow, I'm so glad you're safe."

  Shadow didn't take her hands. He only stared at her with that emotionless gaze that had terrified hundreds if not thousands of enemies. Terra's smile faded and her hands dropped to her sides. She gestured to the armchair situated across from a well-stoked fireplace that burned with brightness and warmth.

  "Would you like to sit down?" she asked hesitantly. He minutely shook his head. She lowered her eyes and hesitantly turned to make her way to an armchair. Her heart pounded in her chest with the surprising emotion of fear. "How are you?" There was no answer, and she changed her gaze to him. Shadow was still staring at her. The strength left her limbs and she slowly sat. "Would you like some tea? Or coffee? Are you hungry? I could have Cook prepare something."

  "I terrify you."

  There was something different in his tone, almost as if the emotion he claimed dead had begun to awaken.

  "N-no," Terra denied quickly. "I just . . . " She dropped her gaze. "All right. Yes. You do," she admitted reluctantly. She raised her head. "I've never felt threatened by you before. Not in all the adventures we've shared. Now, when you look at me . . . I'm not sure if I'm safe. What's the matter, Shadow?"

  He looked away, staring out the window at the darkening sands of the desert just outside Figaro Castle. Terra's soul saddened. He was so far away. How in the world can I get him to talk? He was her friend, and she cared what happened to him. He must have cared for her at least a little bit, or else he wouldn't have risked his life to help her against Ledo Grikea's attempt to control her.

  A familiar sense of rebellion sparkled in her eyes and she pressed her lips together. "I'm glad you're here, Shadow," she told him. "The children have all been asking about you. I don't tell the scary stories nearly as well as you." A wall seemed to go up around him. Terra courageously pressed on. "It looks as if you've been away from civilization for a while. Did you need anything?"

  "I need nothing. I need no one," he said in a flat tone.

  "Oh." Terra fought against what her instinct told her, grappling against her innate softness in order to do what had to be done.

  "Well, then, I guess I'll go back to the children." She stood and moved toward the door, her insides twisting with reluctance and dread. "It was nice of you to visit. I hope you can stay longer next time."

  Terra's hand reached out for the gold handle just as she heard a soft swoosh and immediate clunk as his dagger struck the doorpost beside her. She flinched a little, but then she reached over to pull the dagger from the wood. When she turned, Shadow stood directly behind her. Terra handed him the dagger. He took it sharply, sheathing it with a harsh motion as his dark eyes flashed with the surprisingly clear emotions of anger and rebellion. Terra didn't say a word. She simply stood there, doing her best to hold his gaze.

  After several long moments, he turned and stalked to the fireplace. He gripped the mantle with a black-gloved hand. "Don't go."

  There was the barest quiver of emotion in his voice. Terra took an uncertain step forward. "All right."

  "Have you never wondered who I am?"

  Terra slowly returned to sit in the armchair closest to the fire. "Of course. We've all wondered about everyone. Where Celes' parents came from, and why the Empire was able to take her as a baby to be trained as a Magitek Knight. Who Setzer was before he became the Wandering Gambler, and what caused the scar on his face. What kind of person Locke was before he became the Treasure-Hunter he is today. Curiosity is normal. You know that."

  "Yes. Yes, I know that well. Curiosity is the tool of demons." He turned his face toward her, and his eyes sparked. "Do you wish to know where I've been? Why I've not visited?"

  Terra clenched her hands. "Only if you want to tell me."

  His eyes mirrored an inner battle. "My life has been darkness and secrets," he said in a flat tone. "If I don't confess them, they will surely eat of my soul and feast of my flesh." He looked away, staring down at the fire as if it were the very maw of the darkest place in her imagination. "Look you here and see my soul. Captured by the very fires of the Abyss. Bonded by the very injustices I first wanted to put right. Perhaps even the confession of my corruption won't save me from where I'm intended to go. Where I should already be."

  "Where you--" Terra leaned forward. "What do you mean?"

  "I shouldn't have survived the collapse of Kefka's tower," he said without emotion. "I don't know why, but the ground beneath me collapsed to reveal a secret exit. More than likely designed for Kefka to use at an instant such as that. After I jumped down, I followed it to the upper plateau." He seemed to sense her silent question. "No, the demon Kefka is dead and sent to that place where his soul will be tormented just as he tormented the innocent." His chin lowered to his chest. "Where I myself should be."

  "You? Why? You helped save--"

  "At the expense of those I should have held most dear," he cut in. "I was a tormentor of innocents as much as Kefka, and yet I've received a second and third chance to change my ways." Shadow took in a deep breath and released it slowly. "I've been a fool to spit in the eye of the Fates and continue my spiral to that dark place.
Now I fear it is too late. My past will never take me back."

  "Why not? It's never too late."

  "Not for you. Not for Locke or Sabin or any of the others, for they've held firmly onto their second chances and changed themselves. Changed their very way of thinking. I have, instead, held to this mask and my obsession with power, control, and secrecy." He pulled it from his head suddenly and stared down at it as he held it in his clenched fists. Terra lowered her eyes quickly to the floor. "This," Shadow raved, "is what has kept me from what I once wanted. This sudden desire to hide. This--this cowardice!"

  Shadow tossed the shroud into the fire with a harsh motion. It burst into flame. Terra watched it burn with wide eyes, almost afraid to see what had hidden under the mask for so long. Can I look? Do I dare see if what we've thought all this time is true?

  "Burn," he hissed. "Burn and to Hell where you belong! I've need of you no longer. You destroyer of family. You slayer of trust and honor." His voice faded, but the passion of his statement lingered in the air to meld with the intense crackling of the flames. Those flames danced in celebration upon the mask he despised. "There," he said in a dangerously quiet voice. "It is done."

  Expectation brought her heart to her throat, but still she hesitated to look at him. After all, what could she say? All of them had wondered what hid beneath his shroud, but they knew it wasn't a question to ask. Just as everyone had known not to ask about his past. Not unless they wanted a dagger to the throat. He turned his face toward her, and she swallowed hard.

  "Long have I wished to be rid of that foul shroud of death, but I didn't have the strength of spirit. Not until I saw how you and the others faced your pasts and fought on. It was then I saw my cowardice."

  Terra took in a slow breath before changing her focus to his face. A face she had never seen even after all the hours, days, and months they fought side by side. He was well into the twilight years of his thirties. His good looks were actually enhanced by the scars strewn about his face. She saw that his eyes were a dark blue, now that they were no longer darkened by the deceptive black mesh of the shroud, and his sandy brown hair was peppered with gray. What struck Terra the most, however, was the resemblance.