| Good-byes have never been easy. However, to be sure a person knows you care, you must do it and then wish them well. -Rules of Life, pg. 51 Part 36 We circled wide around the castle down to where we sensed Zidane was. He was getting agitated and we weren�t sure why until the entrance came into view. Of course, I should�ve had an idea. Steiner. He wasn�t even letting Tiovex in. Finally, Vivi stepped up and exerted some �divine influence� (if you want to call it that). Steiner gave without a fight since it was what �Master Vivi� wanted. We weren�t allowed past the front hall, but that was good enough. I mean hey, we got in didn�t we? That was a miracle in itself. If Vivi hadn�t been there, we never would�ve gotten past the door. Steiner came out . . . and then Garnet. Beside me, Zidane sucked in a surprised breath. He was so tense I was afraid he was going to explode. He twisted my ear nervously as the others paid their compliments. I said nothing at first, to keep him from feeling that he had to say something, until he kicked me in the hip. � Positively lovely,� I commented softly. He stayed silent while everyone but Garnet and I stared at him expectantly. She looked at him, but it wasn�t demanding approval. She was just happy he�d even bothered to try to get past Steiner to see her. � The princess must finish her preparations,� Steiner concluded. Zidane�s heart rate went up and his breathing quickened as they disappeared back toward Garnet�s chambers. He seemed to be panicking, as though he was afraid he would never see her again. I began to fear that he would have a heart attack when Vivi spoke up, breaking the silence. � Why didn�t you say anything, Zidane?� He shook his head, still staring up at the spot where she�d been. � I . . . I have no idea.� He spun around and sat down. � I had a speech all worked out, but when it came time to say it, I . . . I just . . . blanked.� [Such are the trials . . .] I said quietly. Tiovex came over and laid beside him. [If there is anything I can do . . .] � Not unless you can turn back time.� [Even if I could and you did go back, you still wouldn�t be able to tell her. No matter how many times you did it, you would never be completely prepared.] He nudged Zidane�s head softly. [How about this: I will stay here and protect her while you are gone. Nothing will get her while I�m alive.] Zidane nodded and hugged him. � Thank you.� Tiovex patted his back gently. [Do not thank me. Consider it the repayment of a favor. You helped me in Swiftwing. I will help you here.] As the rest of us headed out, Tiovex stood on his rear legs. A towering seven-and-a-half feet tall, he would be a formidable opponent even for Kuja�s silver dragon. As for Kuja himself . . . �Think not about a zombie, lest the thought bring it to you.� I don�t remember where I heard that, but I�m going to put it to use and not worry about Kuja. When we find him, we�ll kill him. If he attacks Alexandria and kills or injures Garnet, I will tear his throat open and let him feel fear as he bleeds his pathetic life out onto the floor. I paused at the door and watched Tiovex as he watched me. Returning to stand before him, I stood on my rear feet and looked up at him. [Please protect them all, Tiovex. Protect yourself as well.] He lowered his head and nuzzled me. I closed my eyes as he breathed softly into my ear, [Whatever it is you wish, I will do it.] I couldn�t help but smile a little. [The king bowing to a subject . . .] [Who�s to know?] he asked slyly. Giving him a hard but affectionate nudge, I dropped to all fours and left. Yet again I paused at the door and looked back. He puffed up as the sun came out from behind a cloud. A shaft of light passed through a window and hit him directly. The slightest move made his cobalt scales glitter and I had the most difficult time turning my back on him and running after Zidane. *~~* Tiovex watched Kitiane go, proud that she could be so loyal to so many beings at once. He was unable to do that, probably why he admired the ability so. Maybe she could teach him how she did it one day. Waiting until the entire group was totally out of sight, Tiovex then dropped to all fours and headed up the stairs to Garnet�s room. As he�d suspected, Steiner had set up guard outside the door. Beatrix was nowhere to be found. Steiner glared at him. � What are you doing here still?� � Kitiane asked me to stay.� � Does she think I am incompetent?� he demanded. � No. She worries that you will need help and that they may not be able to return in time. Besides,� Tiovex said with a toothy grin, � who better to have on your side than a dragon?� Steiner grudgingly agreed. � Excellent! I will patrol the area every three hours at night as I used to.� Tiovex turned and left, making a thorough search of the outside of the castle before stopping at Garnet�s balcony. Scratching at it quietly, he was rewarded with her opening the doors and letting him in. � Tiovex, what are you doing here?� she whispered. � I volunteered to stay to keep Zidane from hyperventilating and so you would have magical defense if anything happened.� She nodded. � I trust our defenses now, but having a dragon nearby makes me feel safer. I think it�s because Kiti is such a great enemy detector.� � Well now you have another one.� � Good. Would you like to stay in my room?� � I�d love to, it being so warm and all, but I assigned myself patrol. I can sleep out on the balcony.� � But it gets so cold! I�ll leave the balcony doors unlocked---� � Too dangerous. Someone could come in while I�m gone. . . I have an idea. Leave the doors locked. I can pass through them as long as I know what�s on the other side.� � All right.� <--Part 35 Part 37--> |