The fact that she was an Imperial soldier had not fully dawned on him until that moment and with that realization came an ever-increasing sense of urgency to his mission. There was a lot more at stake here than the rebellion, it seemed. The Empire was using Terra for some purpose that he needed to determine. That purpose, Locke believed, was the key to this entire puzzle, the one piece that would bring everything else into position.
Even before the stirring motion had reached his ears, Locke knew Terra had awakened and was now getting out of her cot to approach him. He sat totally still, awaiting her arrival next to the fire and resumed his previous state of deep thought. She drew next to him, sat down upon the hide and pulled her knees up to her chin, hugging them with her hands.
�I can�t sleep anymore, Locke,� was all she said, her melodic voice soothing to the ear. He sat there silently, staring into the fire, not looking at her.
�Where are you from Locke? How do you know Arvis?� she asked innocently. Locke found it quite difficult to remove the images of her in battle from his mind, her style and grace, her attention to form and detail, especially now when she seemed so absolutely pure and untouched. He reminded himself that she was just an errand he was running for Arvis and nothing more.
Taking a slow, deep breath, he looked over at the beautiful girl sitting next to him, the firelight reflecting off of her deep, blue eyes, her silky green hair hanging sensuously from her shoulders.
�I�m from the western continent,� he said, the words so lost in his harsh, sand-filled vocal-box that they were almost unintelligible. He cleared his throat noisily and began again. �I�m from the west, Terra� somewhere that I wish to never return to, if I can help it." His eyes floated across the firelight once more and he knew Terra was gazing at him in that knowing fashion she had done while they were still in the cave. He changed the topic. "As for Arvis,� he continued, smiling serenely, �that old gorgon knows more people from this area than the King himself.� He looked across at her and winked mischievously, trying to look more relaxed than he felt. �Quite the ladies� man in his time, I�ve heard.�
Terra smiled warmly at him and turned to the fire as well. She sighed softly, gazing into the blaze as if it were her own heart and soul burning within the glowing embers, willing them to reveal their secrets to her. Locke felt a strange sensation coming over him as he watched her, unsure of what was going through her mind at that moment. Clear to him, however, was that she was as lost about her past as he was about his future.
�I haven�t remembered much else about who I am, Locke.�
Locke stretched himself out into his sleeping bag and tilted himself onto his side, propping his head onto his hand. She looked back at him and there were small tears forming at the corner of her eyes. He was amazed at the versatility of this young woman, how emotional she could be at peace and yet how quickly instinct would take over during battle. Where did she come from, indeed?
�I wish I could help you remember, dear girl. However, do not force your recall at such an early phase. Your memories will return to you in good time and till then, you may form new ones of your own. Your life before should have little bearing on your future.�
Oh how I wish I could forget my past as well, sweet Terra. How I wish I could forget that one, unforgiven day.
His eyes had drifted once again towards the fire, he noticed with a start. Turning back to look at her, Locke saw that Terra had returned to her own cot. She was now straightening the bed sheet, fluffing the pillows and making herself ready for sleep. Even these movements seemed well coordinated.
�We�re pretty close to the northern edge of the desert. From there, it�s about three days travel to the southeast to castle Figaro. Rest now and we shall continue our discussion in the morning.�
She nodded obediently and was asleep within the hour. Locke remained awake till the early part of the morning, his racing mind denying him the luxury of any slumber. He had an ally of the Returners now, without a doubt, wanted by the city folk of Narshe for crimes that were not of her perpetration and soon to be sought by the Empire as well, who wished only to reclaimed their lost war pawn. Wherever she was to go, the Empire would find her and most certainly attempt to destroy the city that held her. Figaro was the most sensible choice at this point, having been allies with the Empire for over forty years. Edgar would be quite sympathetic to the Returner cause, but Locke could not afford to have Figaro found out for any reason whatsoever, therefore caution would be of utmost importance during their stay in the castle.
Knowing Edgar, within three minutes of meeting the girl, he�d be making his move to woo her. Heh heh� he has no shame, for a King.
With these thoughts coursing through his mind, Locke fell asleep next to the sputtering fire.
