�It is a blessing in disguise that we made our way across Kolts, brother,� Edgar was saying now, stepping softly through the underbrush. �We sorely need people to aid our rebellion as the tides turn to war.� Sabin nodded soberly as his brother spoke.
�I have stood aside for far too long and watched my people suffer, brother, hoping that sanity would be restored,� Sabin spoke up, looking straight ahead as he did so, as if recalling some bitter memory from the past. �Figaro will be reduced to nothing but a puppet state, pulled to and fro by the god-forsaken Empire, if naught is done.�
Edgar lowered his head in thought at the comment, though Sabin still continued to look ahead and did not notice. Locke shouted out to them from the front of the line, having heard most of the conversation thus far.
�Ah, but the brothers are reunited now and Figaro�s fate is surely secure. The Empire would not dare risk open war with a united northern front.� Locke swept aside a large mass of leaves and twigs that lay across their direct path as he walked, continuing his discussion. �Once the Returners have learnt of the Empire�s attack on the castle, our time to move will come.�
The four travelers rounded a final bend along the path and the beautiful expanse of the Sabil valley came into view, framed to the far east by the Sabil Mountains themselves and extending far to the north in a haze of greenery. A small river, with many branching tributaries, wound its way through the middle of the dell and Locke knew that following the river�s course to the north would lead them to the Returner hideout.
The four stood there, shoulder to shoulder, appreciating the amazing vista before them. A brilliantly golden sunset splashed across the western sky behind them, dimming towards the east to a deep, flaming crimson that met the range before them on the horizon. The sense of foreboding which drove them across the mount towards their destination was now as palpable as ever in the midst of the growing shadows and they drew deeply from their companionship as they stared into the distance.
�Our time to strike back has arrived, friends. The Empire is going to pay dearly for what they have done.� Edgar spoke firmly and with a conviction that struck to the heart of them all. He had drawn his fist across his chest in salute to his lands and, looking over at his brother, Edgar saw that Sabin had done the same.
�Do you think a �bear� like myself could help in your fight?� Sabin asked comically, with a smirk upon his face. Terra smiled openly at the comment, and looked over at Edgar, waiting for his response. A grin of excitement formed on Edgar�s face as Sabin asked this.
�Then you would help us, my brother? You would� you would join us?� he asked in amazement.
Sabin nodded slowly and surely, clapping his brother on the shoulder once again.
�I believe Duncan would rest easier if he knew his disciple played a part in bringing peace to the world.� Sabin lowered his head as he said this, and Edgar put his hands on those of his brother's in comfort. Sabin looked up at him, and smiled.
Locke turned to the three as they stood there in the last light of the day.
�Well then,� he said, �Let�s get going, shall we?�
By nightfall, the party had finally reached the base of the Sabil range and made camp within a small bend in the mountain side that protected them from the chilling winds howling through the valley. The morning light brought a fresh scent of earth and nectar to their campsite, a sign of late spring�s turn to summer. Blue-threads and silk-blossoms alike, bursting in color and strong with fragrance, grew in abundance along the edge of the river and, after taking her morning bath in the cool water, Terra picked some of the fuller blooms to add to her hair. Locke sat at the remains of the night�s fire, slowly eating his breakfast and smiling at the green-haired girl with the blue flowers in her hair. He sighed softly to himself as he stared at her, the smile slipping from his face. He knew that he was just one of her traveling companions and would likely be nothing more to her.
�Your affections are not as hidden as you would have us think, Master Cole,� Locke heard Sabin say from behind him. Instead of trying to quickly change his expression to one of confusion and adamantly deny the accusations as ridiculous and absurd, Locke found himself turning to the younger Figaro brother with his despair plain upon his face.
�I wish not to show my emotions for all to see, Sabin,� Locke began, �and yet she sets my soul on fire with but a smile. It is irresistible, my friend� her charm leaves me breathless.�
Sabin walked over to the melancholy treasure-hunter and sat next to him on the bear hide which served as his blanket. Locke continued to look over at Terra, as she continued her morning ritual of self-cleansing.
�I know of your past, Locke,� Sabin said slowly, treading softly upon the topic at hand, �and I know your heart has been through many trials. Perhaps this young woman can ease the long hurt which you have put yourself through, do you not think?�
�No.�
Sabin looked over at him.
�What did you say, Locke?�
Locke shook his head in confusion as he repeated the word forcefully.
�No, Sabin. I look at Terra, and I see� I see her face in my head, not Terra�s. I see the moments of our final meeting coursing through my mind, wishing that I could have had them again so that I could relive those moments differently.� A small tear slipped from his eye and fell onto the grass at his feet, mixing seamlessly with the morning dew. Sabin held quiet vigil as his friend regained his composure.
Locke threw back his head and laughed softly as he sat upon the hide.
�Look at me, great �bear�� how I prattle on about my many loves, while you sit here listening to my banter. How jealous you must be!�
Sabin laughed politely at Locke�s attempt to lighten the mood, still knowing that the deep hurt of his past would never truly heal unless he allowed himself the time to mend his broken heart. It seemed, however, that Terra might not be the one to bring Locke around.
Edgar joined the other two men on the bear�s hide as they finished breakfast and Terra helped them clean and pack their gear for the journey north. A small herd of wild stallions provided them with convenient transportation, once Locke had successfully caught and calmed four of the smaller foals. The morning sun broke over the mountains above them at the hour before midday as they rode steadily north, just as the jutting edge of the main Sabil mount came into view. Terra's pearly white mount grunted contentedly and wagged his exceptionally long mane about, dispersing a cloud of flies that kept swarming about its head. Locke, travelling upon a grey mare of exquisite beauty, called for a halt once they were within a certain distance of the protruding rim.
�Why have we stopped?� Terra asked Locke from beside him, as Edgar and Sabin rode their own black horses a short way ahead and then dismounted.
�The Returner hide-out is but a few hundred yards from our position and they have scouts along the upper ledges of the mountain pass. They have been instructed to kill any who pass this way armed, or in troupes, who do not give the proper signal of alliance.�
Even as he said this, Edgar reached into the saddle-pack upon his horse and pulled out a large white sheet. She realized, as he began to open it, that this was a flag with a large eagle painted upon its surface, regal in stature and standing upon a snow-peaked mountain top. Sabin aided his brother in opening the flag to fully expose the emblem and they stood there facing the mountain.
�Now what happens?� Terra asked.
A soft hiss came to her ears, followed by a sharp thud and Terra saw a small clod of earth rise into the air and settle once again, as an arrow struck the ground at the base of the flag. The feathered head of the small dart was green in color.
�That�s our signal to proceed,� Locke said. Edgar drew the arrow from the dirt, placed it into his saddle-pack, along with the refolded flag, and mounted alongside his brother. Locke and Terra galloped forward to meet them as they began to ride off towards the mountain�s out-cropping. From this distance, Terra could almost make out the entranceway of the Returners� hideout. As they drew closer, small, moving shadows would pop up along the crest of the mountains above, disappearing from view just as quickly.
The sound of a galloping horse reached their ears, just moments before the figure of a rider on horseback resolved from the darkness of the caves interior. Edgar knew the man as a South Figaro blacksmith who now assisted the Returner�s in weapon making. Rigorn was his name and quite a distance had the prowess of his smithy�s crafts traveled across the lands. Pulling his steed to a halt, Rigorn dismounted evenly and strode directly towards Edgar.
�My king! I am blessed to have you in my presence. Please, follow me into the hideout where we can rest and talk.�
�No,� Edgar said to the blacksmith, �Take us straight to Banon, Rigorn. We�ve wasted enough time as it is.� The man bowed deeply and, without question, mounted his horse and proceeded to lead them towards the hideout.
