Chapter 24

"Following the brutal assassination of Galbadian President and Chief of Staff General Richard Caraway, another series of violent events took place when General Lucas Moyet, the fugitive officer who led a coup de tat against Caraway's administration one year ago, took advantage of the resulting chaos to seize control of the tumultuous government. Moyet, who was once the Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff during the regime of the late president Vinzer Deling, described the assassination by alleged perpetrator Irvine Kinneas of Balamb Garden as 'an unprovoked and cowardly act of war which is the culmination of Balamb Garden's long and arduous scheme to undermine Galbadian sovereignty.'

"Refusing to comment on his long-time feud with the late General Caraway, General Moyet instead called for all citizens of Galbadia and surrounding provinces to 'unite in the name of freedom', following up with another fearless statement accusing the celebrated military academy of ordering Kinneas to murder General Caraway. As of press time, Balamb Garden Headmaster Cid Kramer was unavailable for comment. However, a spokesperson for the Balamb Governor's office remarked that if indeed Garden was proven to have initiated the criminal act, the ruling party will have no choice but to rescind the lease agreement with the academy and declare its administration and faculty as outlaws. Already, scores of parents have begun to pull out their children from Garden, hoping to avoid the repercussions of a possible act of reprimand from the international community. There have been unsubstantiated reports that Balamb Garden's student registry has begun to show a sharp decrease, although reliable Garden sources requesting anonymity have denied the report and termed it as nothing more than baseless rumor.

"It wasn't only the parents and parent organizations whose uproars have been giving the administration of Balamb town headaches. A major coalition of human rights lawyers and civil defenders, whose cooperation with Garden was well known, has taken on the streets of the once-peaceful bayside town to protest the government's alleged indifference to the Garden issue. Balamb, a small town located at the southwestern side of diminutive Balamb continent, has always been popular among tourists for its mild, temperate climate that made it the ideal summer vacation spot. For its size, it boasts an annual net income of close to two hundred million gil from tourism alone, its humongous boost helped in no small way by Garden students themselves via their various training exercises that all but annihilated the monster population in the fabled Fire Cavern, rumored home of a vicious and deadly Fire entity. Since then, the Fire Cavern has become a favorite among geologists, daring spelunkers and the regular thrill seekers. Balamb town is second only to Dollet in largest per annum yield for tourism, while Winhill currently occupies a close third spot according to the Esthar Financial Index, due to its booming flower industry as well as the presence of an upcoming military academy called the Citadel, founded by Winhill Governor Zeilgr Markkon.

"Though acquired through violent means, General Moyet claimed that his objective was nothing more than to rebuild the Galbadian glory of old. Eliciting skeptical remarks from critics for his profession of adherence to General Caraway's vision, the leader of what – according to the same critics - is to become a military junta expressed that his efforts will be geared mainly for continuing Caraway's domestic and international policies, including the treaty with Esthar. He has added his plan to invite President Laguna Loire in a conference to discuss how restorative efforts will be carried out.

"However, Moyet emphasized that he shall not tolerate Esthar's continued support for Balamb Garden. Once again describing the academy as a 'roost of evil conspirators and murderers', he said that his plans for Garden were neither benevolent nor forgiving. Adding that no less than the surrender of suspect Kinneas could appease Galbadia's wrath, Moyet stressed that hostilities may be avoided if Headmaster Kramer chooses to 'do the right thing' and extradite Kinneas to Deling City. Already, he has issued demand letters to the Balamb Governor's office to 'assist, if not lead' the efforts to locate and apprehend the alleged assassin, adding that he has given them 48 hours to respond or face the threat of reprisal. In the words of Moyet himself, 'refusal is an unequivocal invitation to war.'

"When asked of his position, President Laguna Loire of Esthar stressed that he could do nothing but search for the truth. Loire, who is also known as the father of former SeeD Commander Squall Leonhart who had just recently resigned his post for undisclosed reasons, said that he knew the alleged assassin personally, and he could not believe that Kinneas could commit something as atrocious as the murder of Garden co-benefactor Caraway. He also ruled out the rumors of Kinneas' actions being ordered by Garden's top brass, since as co-author of the GPA, or the Garden Provision Act, Loire has access to all Garden charter missions and is knowledgeable to each and every task undertaken by Garden operatives. President Loire insisted that as far as he knows, there was never a mission or an order to attack any member of the Galbadian ruling party, much less General Caraway himself. Asked to clarify, President Loire didn't rule out the possibility of a frame up. However, the incriminating evidence that investigators ruled as 'far more telling than being circumstantial' has cast apprehensions to Loire's hopes of clearing Kinneas' name.

"Meanwhile, Winhill Governor Zeilgr Markkon reiterated his stand in the controversial Balamb Garden issue by saying that this is one of the things he has feared since the start. Claiming that he actually warned Caraway about the possibility of his assassination, Markkon at the same time pledged that he would do everything in his power to help bring the real perpetrator to justice, and has even offered the services of Citadel operatives for free even though they have not performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting yet. When asked about his opinion, the governor stressed that for the sake of peace, he hoped President Loire was correct about his claims of a devious set up. However, according to Markkon the ambitions he witnessed from Garden students and particularly the SeeDs could sway some of them to commit questionable, if not sinister deeds, further saying that he fears that may have been the telling factor in Irvine Kinneas' alleged criminal action.

"As of press time, a massive crowd has begun to form just beyond the perimeter of the Balamb Garden complex in Alcauld Planes. Braving the threat of Bite Bugs and Glacial Eyes, the protesters from Balamb have been joined by equally rabid demonstrators from Timber and Galbadia, and have begun to surround the school grounds. They are demanding for the ouster of Headmaster Cid if he fails to surrender Irvine Kinneas to local authorities who, according to Balamb correspondents, have amassed a considerable force for the arrest. There have been no words so far from inside Garden to either give in to the demonstrators' demands or attempt to disperse them. One participant boldly declared that after what happened in Timber, where a similar demonstration almost resulted in bloodshed when Garden liaison officers opened fire on the crowd, they know that Garden would never dare try to use force against them."

He thought there was none more serious in his predicament after reading the morning paper. Laguna was earlier pondering on a course of action to deal with the many problems now landing one by one on top of his desk. General Caraway's killer was still out there, and reports had it that it may have been Irvine Kinneas. Laguna had reiterated his personal stand. Irvine was a friend to him, and to his son, Squall. Considering what had transpired two years ago, he might as well have been a friend to the rest of the world. With Squall and four other brave, young souls, the entire world owed their lives to Irvine.

But if he was indeed the perpetrator, he must be brought to justice. Laguna had tried to squeeze his mind for any possible explanation that might offer some light to the mystery. If it had indeed been Irvine who killed Caraway, why would he do such a thing? Thinking had never been Laguna's strongest suit, but he guessed that even the world's geniuses couldn't possibly offer a viable theory.

That was no excuse, though. As president of the world's most powerful nation and benefactor of an independent military academy, it was his duty to seek the truth. He may not have been brilliant enough to perform the task, but that was why he had advisers. And Kiros was smarter than the smartest detectives payrolled in the Esthar Police Force.

Kiros didn't have an answer. Maybe he was too distracted to think about it at the moment. When Laguna asked what was bothering him, his answer made him forget about the paper.

"Ellone's gone."

It almost seemed like yesterday when she last treaded along this path. Just yesterday, when she was merely an innocent and wide-eyed three-year old little girl whose loss had compelled her to receive love and compassion from someone else. Ellone wondered and was almost thankful that she was at the nexus of her innocence when hundred of bullets perforated her real parents. She was lucky to have been spared what would have been insane grief in the hands of cyborg troops loyal to the late sorceress and Esthar despot Adel Van Thaylo. The irony was amusing. Now she was earning her pay from a country that long ago had killed her parents and almost fed her to the dogs. Now she was working for Esthar, spearheading social work for the victims of the past wars that ravaged this exhausted world. And more importantly, the man who had defended her then from those soldiers now stood as their sons' president.

She retained little memory from that tragic day. But Ellone remembered how Laguna threw himself between her and the soldiers. She remembered how, despite being inferior in raw strength, he used mind-boggling combat skills to wrest a shotgun from one of them and used it to blow a hole in each of their heads. She smiled. Kiros may have had the habit of correcting Laguna's myriad blunders, but what certainly didn't need correcting was his marksmanship. Laguna had been known for that, or so she was told.

But she really didn't care about that. Aside from that one single moment, Ellone never did see Laguna in action. Of course, she remembered his job as Winhill's 'Monster Hunter', but that knowledge merely came from extravagant stories narrated animatedly by either Laguna of Raine whenever they tucked her in, as she was never allowed to set foot beyond the town square for her own safety.

The stories were now faint, his dangerous exploits insignificant. All she cared about were the memories of the kind, caring and playful 'uncle' who always carried her in his arms and rubbed his cheeks against hers. The strong and muscular arms that snugly wrapped around her tiny body and made her feel safe in thunderstorms… the soothing voice that mimicked her childlike words to assure her that he understood her every thought, her every joy, sorrow and fear.

And ultimately, those too were insignificant.

Bare knees slowly lowered on the ground, pressing moisture, tiny blades of grass and minute twigs into the soft, dark brown loam surrounding a rectangular slab of stone rested right before her. With her right hand, Ellone gently swept away the yellowing leaves and loose soil from the surface of the flat stone until the engraving on its face began to show.

Raine Loire.

The surface was already clean, but her hands continued to sweep across it. There was a tenderness in the way Ellone's fingertips touched the parts right around Raine's name, as though careful not to scratch it in any way, if that were possible.

In her mind, if Raine was somehow looking down to her from somewhere, that would be very possible. In her mind, she was already leaving scars on Raine's heart with the things she had been allowing to transpire.

Ellone was hoping that somehow, if she came back to this place of her childhood, her heart would remember enough of the little joys and delights of a child loved by her uncle. She thought that maybe, if she recalled enough of the innocent thrills she felt as a little three-year old, this insanity of seeing Laguna in a much different light would cease, and she would start seeing him again as he had been to her, seventeen years ago.

She was hoping for these things despite how her heart had been screaming the opposite. Yes, her mind could still recall the fleeting images of her childhood. But her heart was reminiscing on something else. An event that happened much more recently. Ellone looked up, towards the rolling hills where the old trail treaded from here to the northern part of Winhill town. And she saw herself striding down those hills after Kiros and Ward told her where she could find Laguna. She found him on this very spot. And she waved to him, just as Garden passed above them and left trails of soft blue and pink petals in its wake.

Was that when all these started? Or was it… when she first became aware. But it already started long ago… when his absence and her waning memories made her yearn for him in a different way.

Elone realized what was happening. Contrary to what she believed, she didn't come here to fight her feelings by flooding herself with childhood memories. If she did, she would have visited the pub first. But before anywhere else, her feet brought her before Raine.

Maybe in a strange and ambiguous way, Ellone was asking for her blessing.

"You must really hate me now, huh." She said, accompanied by a scoff. Her hands continued to touch the stone. "I'm supposed to be your little girl. His little girl. Maybe if things didn't happen the way they did, we'd all be together. You, me, Squall, him…"

Guilt combined with annoyance. She couldn't even bring herself to call him 'uncle' anymore.

"But no. Little girl Ellone grew up all alone. And instead of knowing where to put herself, she starts feeling this stupid thing… starts feeling this thing that shouldn't be."

Ellone spoke softly, but with assertion. It was as though she was scolding herself.

"I missed him… for more than seventeen years I missed him. I didn't even have an idea what happened to him… if he's still alive or not. I didn't know if I'd ever see him again. And… despite having friends, I still felt lonely. And whenever I think of the possibility that he might already be dead, it always made me cry."

She became oblivious to the wind and the clouds moving in from the south.

"And… and when I saw him again, I didn't know what to do. I've longed my whole life to see him again. And when I did… I told myself, I never wanted to be away from him again. Never again."

The cold touch of the wind bit on her skin. Ellone felt it, prompting her to throw the cream-colored shoal on her arms over her shoulders. She continued to talk.

"I… I'm sorry, Aunt… Raine. I feel like I'm betraying you by feeling this way. You've been so kind to me, and I don't want to betray you. I don't want to…"

She suddenly paused, sensing something. Despite the chilly air, the stone slab started emitting an eerie warmth. The warmth, soothing and comforting, bridged the empty gap between the headstone and her hands. It was like… someone was holding her hands. Holding them tenderly, lovingly.

"R-Raine…?"

But her perplexity was interrupted when she heard clattering sounds from a short distance. Ellone turned to where the noise was coming from.

"Something's happening in town."

Reluctant, she nevertheless nodded respectfully before the grave one last time before running off. Raine's grave wasn't too far from Winhill proper, and it didn't take her long to traverse the length of the old trail and emerge at the northern part of the town. As she came closer, the sounds intensified from clatters to booming echoes that resembled large rocks being pounded by a pile driver.

Momentarily slowing down, Ellone tossed a curious gaze at the monstrous edifice that stood behind the governor's mansion. A massive structure combining advanced technology and archaic architecture, like a futuristic palace made for space-age knights, the main building of the controversial military academy christened The Citadel towered over Winhill like a war fortress holding hostage a quiet and helpless village. Gleaming with polished titanium trusses and spires built on a foundation of durable steel-polymer alloy and reinforced concrete, the central building struck an awe-inspiring sight, much more amazing and breathtaking than Balamb Garden ever did. It was obvious whoever designed this wanted to show Balamb Garden off. And with Markkon in the helms, it was a logical assumption.

From where she was standing, The Citadel appeared very quiet. She wondered what was happening inside. Beneath the seemingly inert facade, there had to be some kind of activity happening in there. Ellone tried to imagine the interior, where in her mind's eye she saw a bustling atmosphere of students walking or running around like ants who had been introduced to free associating. She almost could hear the din of campus life mixing with an explosion or two whenever a junior classman boasted of having mastered the Firaga class.

Was it anything like Garden, populated with young people whose towering ambitions sharply contrasted their glaring naiveté? Or was the stillness seen from the outside reflective of the atmosphere inside: just as silent, tranquil and stiffly disciplined, much like the Galbadia Garden of old had been, or so she was told. Probably not, she thought. With a structure this massive, the people inside could cast Ultima spells as much as they wanted and it still won't be heard outside. They were most likely not too far off from Garden, and at this very moment a group of eager young men was probably swooning by the hallway just as The Citadel's version of Quistis Trepe made her routine pass by. Ellone was amused by the imaginary scene and wished that she had enjoyed a normal student life, one that she never had while living in the White SeeD ship for more than ten years.

But knowing that Zeilgr Markkon ran the establishment somehow kept her from a positive mind frame. Ellone considered the possibility that she was just being judgmental. Markkon may have turned out to be Esthar's worst political enemy but that didn't guarantee that he had the heartlessness to run the Citadel like a concentration camp for mindless soldiers programmed to do his bidding. He used to be a political ally, there had to be something left of the benevolent Markkon they once knew. He couldn't possibly be using children to further whatever black scheme he had in mind.

Or maybe she was just being naïve. Events happening around the globe had been convincing them all of a possible plot Markkon could be hatching against Esthar and Garden. Laguna was already planning contingency measures against him, saying that it was a good bet General Caraway's death was at least partly his machination.

Suddenly, it scared her. Laguna mentioned something about Markkon preparing for a war. Could the Citadel actually be part of his plan? And if it was, could this mean an impending bloody encounter with Balamb Garden? Her chest pounded at the thought. The possibility for a terrible carnage was staggering.

Again, the din that had now become thunderous interrupted her reverie. For the moment, Ellone put her worries aside and resumed her pace towards Winhill. When she got there, her eyes widened in surprise. The whole place was filled with men in hard hats operating orange and yellow colored heavy equipment and other smaller construction machinery. She didn't know the first thing about building construction, but basing from what she had seen in suburban housing projects in Esthar City to accommodate the people displaced by an incubus rampage six months ago, Ellone could tell that she was looking at a demolition crew.

Every house bounding the town square was being torn down.

Searching for answers, she ran towards the people milling around the bridge that led to the rest of the small town.

"Excuse me, but what's happening here?"

"We're being relocated," answered one of them. "Governor Markkon bought our houses and arranged for accommodations for us in the hotel, at least until the new apartment units beside the flower fields are completed."

"Apartments?" Ellone blurted out incredulously. It seemed the stories she had been hearing about Winhill were true. Since the completion of the Citadel complex, a great influx of people had started coming in from different places. Most were tourists and media denizen who wanted to see a piece of the action now that Winhill had turned a different facet that was worth observing at the least. Others were affluent families whose children either didn't make the cut in Balamb Garden or had dropped out for some reason.

Whatever was happening, one thing was for sure. Laguna's worst fear had been realized, and Winhill had become a tourist attraction complete with newly built hotels and duty-free shops. It would have been a tad more acceptable if it had been for the flowers. But it wasn't. Ellone had been wondering what was keeping Laguna from visiting. Now she knew why, and it made her feel sad. The old, quiet, dainty and peaceful town they once called home was gone.

Despite the sadness, her curiosity was aroused upon noticing something. Among the houses that were standing beside the wide quadrangle, only one wasn't marked for demolition. It was Raine's old pub.

Ignoring the construction crew, Ellone walked past the heavy machinery and made her way towards the place, its nearly unchanged visage bringing thoughts of reminiscence. The images were faint, but she could remember running through that solid wooden door hurriedly, half-excited and half-scared that a monster might pounce on her. It looked so huge then, she recalled. But now she could easily reach the upper part of the doorframe.

Ellone gasped in surprise when she entered the pub. Standing in front of the well-preserved bar was a brooding Zeilgr Markkon.

"Oh…"

He turned upon hearing her, and smiled. Ellone felt strange. Markkon's grin was uncharacteristically docile.

"You've grown wonderfully," he said. "You look just like your mother."

She felt awkward at first. But Ellone knew part of Markkon's history. Given that, they were both standing on neutral ground that gave no room for hostility. She decided to speak to him properly, but guardedly.

"You knew my mother?"

"I did," Markkon answered. "A lovely woman, all things considered. She and your father were quite well known here during our time. I was proud to have called them friends."

It touched her heart to hear that. Ellone wondered if her reservation was reasonable.

"Could… could you tell me what they were like?" she asked, unsure whether that was what she wanted or if she just wished to have some pleasant small talk, however ironic it sounded considering who she was talking to. "My memories of them are… not very clear."

"Rowena, your mother, was the one who cultivated in Raine the interest in the fine art of flower arranging," he said. Ellone noted the pause in his voice but ignored it. "I still remember when they used to giggle in their small flower stall right next to the old Ranziel residence whenever I'd pass by. I was young then, like you are now, and my father was still governor. They would giggle because I would always buy some flowers, have Rowena arrange them for me, and then give them to Raine. I knew she used to like it whenever I gave her the flowers I bought from their store."

Ellone was mildly fascinated. In the midst of all the tumult, she never expected Markkon to have a soft side.

"It all started as a harmless joke. But little by little, the more I bought flowers from them just to give it to Raine, the more I saw the goodness of her heart. I quickly grew very fond of her. And Rowena, your mother, tried to encourage me. She said if there was someone who deserved to be with Raine, it was me. And then…"

She didn't know whether to feel pity or awkwardness. Whatever Markkon was recalling clearly was causing him great discomfort at the least. His eyes reflected a mix of sorrow and anger. And when he spoke again, it was clear he had made an effort to steer clear of whatever it was that saddened him.

"…Well, I guess you already know what happened to your parents. Esthar soldiers invaded Winhill and gathered little girls in their search for Adel's successor. You were among those taken. But Rowena and Mario would not give in, they would not surrender you. They paid for their defiance with their lives. And you…" Markkon looked at her tenderly, surprising her even more. "You ended up in Raine's care."

As Markkon spoke, Ellone opted to lift one of the upturned seats on the table nearest her. She remembered almost being crushed by one of these chairs when she was little. It was very heavy then. Now it took little effort for her to flip it and place it down on the floor. She sat quietly while Markkon continued.

"Things almost turned out wonderfully. I took a more active participation in Raine's life after your mother died. With the passing of her best friend, she had nowhere else to turn to but me. I became her new best friend. And in the process, I… fell in love with her.

"The rest of the town couldn't be happier. My father was a fair governor, and the people loved him for that. They also revered me in much the same way. And knowing of my feelings for Raine, there was really nothing they wanted to do but to make sure that the two of us ended up in marriage. I thought of proposing to her, I was sure she would say yes. But…"

There was that pause again. This time, Ellone knew where Markkon was heading.

"He came out of nowhere. He just came out of nowhere… and stole everything from me."

Ellone surprised herself by feeling conflicted. It wasn't Laguna's fault in any way that he washed up along Winhill's shore one day. Though averse to the thought, she decided that if he was to blame anyone, it was Raine herself. She was the one who decided to nurse Laguna until he was well enough to stand. She was the one who willingly gave half of her life away to save his.

"Is this… why you're doing all these?" Ellone braved a question. "To get back at Laguna because Raine loved him instead of you?"

SHE LOVED ME! exploded in Markkon's mind. It would have also burst out of his mouth if he hadn't stopped himself at the last minute. One terrible moment of weakness he couldn't afford, especially now that he was face to face with the girl who had come to adore his sworn adversary. Ellone may have touched something in him, something that brought back the simpler and happier times he lived long ago when life wasn't complicated by the arrival of that accursed Galbadian soldier. But he wasn't about to let it get the better of him.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, reverting to his cold voice. "I am fighting for what is right and good for this world."

Right, Ellone thought. She still felt sorry for Markkon, but at that point she knew there was no going back for him. If it was indeed Raine's 'betrayal' that fueled Markkon's antagonism towards Garden and Laguna, she will never know. All she knew was whatever path Markkon had taken, he had no plans of turning back. Come what may, even though he had been a friend to her parents, he was now an enemy.

"But even I had to take leave from my office once in a while. And in commemoration of my friendship with Raine Leonhart, I have decided to preserve this place. That's the least I could do after failing to save her from what Loire did."

"He didn't do anything wrong," she answered firmly. "Laguna loved her."

"Love? What does that foul wretch know about love? He left her when she needed him most, didn't he?"

"He left to look for me."

"And he never returned, in the process damning her to a cold and lonely death."

"He had things to do. There was so much that needed rectifying in Esthar. Laguna just couldn't turn his back to those people."

"But he turned his back on Raine," Markkon exclaimed. "I would have been glad to come to her aid but she shunned me. She said no one else but Laguna could bring back the light in her life. No one else could save her from the darkness and damnation. I wanted so badly to do that but I couldn't. I would have been able to, but…"

He stopped himself again. That moment of weakness…

"Never mind. It's all in the past."

All in the past… Ellone pondered on his words. In the back of her mind, she was considering the chance that Markkon may have been right. Though not as reproachful, she too had questioned Laguna for not coming back. Her questions were so adamant and tormenting that she used her mysterious powers to change the past and somehow make Laguna change his mind. Ellone wanted so badly for him to come back to Raine… to save her life… and also to save the life of a child whose loneliness had condemned him to a forced solitude in the midst of potential friends.

But as Markkon had said, it was all in the past. It was hard for her to learn that she couldn't change the past no matter how hard she tried. Ellone had since learned to let go and content herself with the fact that though she had failed in her original intent, she at least realized how much she was loved. That alone was enough recompense.

If she could only say the same about Markkon. There was an urge to find a way to help him, but somehow Ellone felt it was too late.

"I… I have to go."

"You do that," Markkon replied. "Go back to your 'uncle'… or whatever it is you call him now."

She stopped just short of the door. Whatever in the world did Markkon mean by that?

"Oh, don't mind me, little Ellone. It has always been a politician's job to dig through his adversary's filth." His grin turned vile. At last, the venomous Markkon she knew had resurfaced. "And it doesn't get any filthier than that, does it?"

Ellone bit her lips, feeling the filth in his words adulterating her soul.

This was the moment she had been dreading since being forced to take a little infant from the blood-caked arms of his mother.

Flo gazed at Irvine, seeing in him a desperation that could stagger a whole city. She could tell that right now, no force on the planet could possibly tear him away until he was told the truth of his past, a truth that was forced into her almost a decade ago. And it was time to set the truth free.

"I…" she began faintly, dreadful of what she was about to say. "I was a nurse working for a hospital in Timber when I met Ms. Menken. Just minding my business, taking care of all the wounded soldiers hurt in scuffles with Galbadian occupation troops. Timber was in such a bad shape then, as you well know that their forces were no match against Vinzer Deling's shock troopers."

She paused, looking warily at Irvine who had holstered the Exeter back inside his beige coat.

"Go on," he said. Flo reluctantly obliged.

"She walked into the emergency room almost crawling, and I could easily tell that she was about to give birth. It surprised me that she came to the hospital alone, and it made me wonder where the hell is the idiot husband who obviously had neglected her."

Irvine groaned softly. Neglected… idiot husband… That sure was a dumb way of putting it.

"There was no available doctor then so I delivered the baby myself," she continued, still looking cautiously at the gunslinger. "When she was strong enough to talk, she told me of this bizarre story about a secret ring of Galbadian officers who was possibly out to kill her. Said that drove her to escape into Timber just before the Galbadian troops arrived. At first I didn't know if I should believe her or not, but I surely ignored her plea to remove her from the hospital on claims that those people who were out to murder her could easily find her there.

"Then one night, I noticed someone sneaking around the floor where her room was located. I tried to accost the person but he slipped out before I realized what was happening. Then I remembered Carina's claim, so I immediately ran to her room. Nothing looked amiss, and I would have left if I didn't see the needle hanging from her IV tube. I didn't know what came over me but all I thought of doing at the moment was pulling the IV off her. I barely made it in time. The dextrose in the IV was already mixed with paint thinner. That's when I realized she was telling the truth, that someone was out to kill her."

They both felt a draft that momentarily interrupted her. Flo grew worried that her husband, Mayor Dobe, had arrived from the meeting with the town council. She was about to pick herself up but Irvine coaxed her to continue. This time though, he was pleading. The Exeter remained in its holster.

"All right," she acquiesced. "Aaron will have a fit if he sees you here… but I'm doing this for you."

"… Thanks…" he muttered.

"I didn't know what to do at first. I certainly couldn't take her to my house since it's located only a block from the Timber Maniacs office. Even a blind beggar would have no difficulty finding it. Fortunately, a lady whose brother I treated for bullet wounds realized my predicament and out of gratitude, offered me her old house near Obel Lake. So I hid your mother there, and I made it a point to visit her once in a while.

"But one day, I found her in the living room all covered in blood. Multiple bullet wounds to the head and body. She was already dead when I got there but surprisingly, the baby was alive. I was so very scared then that all I could think of doing was running as far away from the place as I can. But before I could do anything, he appeared."

"He…?"

"He… never told me his name. He was holding a gun. I thought for sure that I was going to die. But instead, he… he told me to take the baby and leave Timber. I was so terrified I didn't hear the next words he said, I could only make out a few like… like how he was covering for the baby or me or someone and that his comrades didn't know that he was doing that… I can't remember for sure. But I did what he said and left Timber. I was so sure I'd die if I didn't do as he said.

"I ended up here. Back then this place didn't have a name yet, but some people who were trying to escape the war in Galbadia and the tyranny raging in Esthar have already turned this place into a refuge of sorts. It was quite chaotic back then until Aaron arrived and instilled order. That was when we all pitched in to transform this place into what you're seeing now. It was hard, but we did it."

The unwritten history of Fisherman's Horizon, Irvine thought. It was fascinating to hear a portion of history that was not taught in schools, and for a moment his mind was sidetracked. But he quickly corrected himself as Flo went on.

"I was starting to fall for Aaron then but I was afraid he might not accept me, with the baby I've been lugging around. So…" Flo faded. This was the part that she was afraid Irvine might hold her responsible for. But then, she had gone this far. "… I've been hearing about a couple in Centra maintaining an orphanage. So… I decided to send the baby there and… well…" Her eyes were pleading forgiveness.

Irvine made a slight nod. "I don't blame you. You just did what you thought was right for yourself."

It was Flo's turn to glow with gratitude. "Thank you. You have a kind heart."

His face darkened after that remark. A kind heart? What kind of heart would compel a man to murder his father?

"I thought that was the end of it," she continued. "Then one day, he appeared on our doorstep. I don't know how he found me, but he did. He was asking for you. Out of fear, I told him where you are. He didn't say a word and just left. And… that was the last I saw of him. That is, until I saw his face once more a couple of years ago when a HD transmission showed footage of Vinzer Deling and General Caraway holding a mock goodwill speech in Timber. That's when I realized that it was General Caraway who… well…"

Irvine grew confused. It was now clear that General Caraway at the very least had indeed had a hand in the killing of Carina Menken. But it was also clear that he himself wasn't part of the murderous agenda. And taking this into consideration, Irvine didn't know how to feel towards his estranged father. Was he supposed to feel grateful for this?

No. In the end, the situation was simplicity in itself. General Caraway killed Carina Menken, confirming the seemingly insane claims of that contemptuous governor. Whatever it was that drove Caraway to spare his life wasn't important. His father owed a great debt of hate. The only remaining question was… would that justify what he did?

Irvine still couldn't grope for an answer.

"One other thing," Flo said. "Three years ago, I received an unsigned package. It was your card, together with a note that said something like it was a reminder to whom he was thankful for taking care of his son. And that he already did the rest so I no longer have anything to worry about and I could go on with my life. But knowing of my participation in… your life… I really couldn't go on. I've always been afraid that this day would come and wished with all my heart to never set eyes on you. But… I guess fate has its own way of unraveling deep secrets. I guess all I can do now is ask for your forgive…"

They were suddenly interrupted by the sound of scuffing footsteps. Standing beside the partial divider that separated the kitchen from the dining room was Mayor Dobe. And it was evident from the expression on his face that he wasn't at all pleased.

"Aaron!" Flo stuttered nervously. "He just came here for some answers." She quickly lifted herself up from the floor. Aaron Dobe may have been a pacifist, but having been his wife for so long, Flow knew him a lot more than that. Pacifism or no, an angry husband was an angry husband.

But the thing that surprised her was his unexpected behavior. Flo fully expected Mayor Dobe to lash at her for allowing a warmonger to enter their house. Instead, he just stood on his spot, stoic as ever, and quietly eyed the fugitive mercenary. Irvine squinted as he met the mayor's ogle.

"Mr. Kinneas. A mercenary from Balamb Garden," he said. "You're welcome to stay as long as you wish."

"Huh…?" Flo was startled by that unexpected remark. But she didn't get the chance to speak as Mayor Dobe just as abruptly walked away.

Irvine continued to squint long after the mayor departed. He didn't know what was causing it, but the dull pain that suddenly formed inside his head continued to throb like a migraine. Notwithstanding, the headache reminded him that he was still junctioned. It was being caused by an immensely troubled water guardian.

Ever since the violent demonstration that marred what was once a peaceful community of farmers, woodsmen and merchants, Timber's population had been markedly paranoid of anything that even slightly manifested itself as irregular. There was once a time when the town popular for being the central encounter location of train routes and cat lovers only worried about the occasional Galbadian contingent doing sporadic surveillance checks to see that the numerous resistance groups in the area were not causing any trouble. And that was during Vinzer Deling's regime. Things had been a lot more serene after Sorceress Edea killed Deling and Edea herself was freed from the influence of Ultimecia. A new wave of ebullient nationalism had started to sweep across Timber, owing to the nearly completed work of restoring its independence thanks to the efforts of the leaderships of Esthar, Galbadia, and their own newly installed Governor Ferrin Soxa, former commander of the Timber Forest Fox.

But that was all before Zeilgr Markkon rose to the limelight with his venomous propaganda against Balamb Garden. Fueled by Markkon's impeccable ability to spur crowds to a frenzy, a mob of rabid Timber residents, composed mostly of former freedom fighters, stormed the Garden liaison offices in Timber and forced its occupants to a hasty and nearly bloody retreat. Markkon termed the event as a 'victory of the will of the people'. But for the general Timber populace, it could hardly be called victory. Many of those who participated in the violent demonstration had since been asking themselves whatever made them do such a thing. They still believed Markkon's claims of Garden imperialism, but they thought that didn't begin to justify the massive property damage they themselves perpetrated. Many had decided to continue the fight to Balamb by participating in another demonstration besieging Garden itself, but most remained in town for the grueling task of rebuilding.

Repentant for what they had allowed to happen, the last thing Timber residents needed right now was to see a fleet of Galbadian frigates and battleships massing along its shores. Many had been wondering what brought this Galbadian sea force here. But more weren't as naïve. Paranoid as they were, ever since hearing of General Moyet's ascent to power the people somehow expected something like this to happen. An army of media men who had remained in Timber since the protest actions milled around the makeshift dry docks the Galbadians had erected, but no one was allowed to come within one hundred yards. Whether media people or ordinary citizens, though, they were all asking the same question: could a major war be just around the corner? And if so, against whom?

"Sir, fleet mobilization and refueling 100% complete. We are cleared to hoist anchor."

"Very good, soldier," replied General Moyet to the ensign assigned to status detail. "Hoist anchor."

"Destination, sir?"

He dallied a reply, training his sights on the Galbadian 15th Infantry battalion mounted on high-speed locomotives on the Timber end of the newly reopened intercontinental railroad track, which had been closed again for this specific operation. Such a powerful force, he remarked to himself, whose objective was the capture of one man.

But that one man may as well equate to a small army, he affirmed himself. He had no choice but to begrudgingly admit that his enemies were that mighty. But even so, surely he couldn't hope to withstand this force assembled just for him. It had only been a few hours when General Moyet received a tip from a source that he was told as 'extremely reliable'. And if the past few days were an indication to the credibility of his unseen allies, there was really no reason for him to doubt the information. If they said they knew where Irvine Kinneas was hiding, they meant exactly that.

He smiled wickedly. Nothing could be sweeter for a hunter than the scent of a soon-to-be cornered prey.

"Set course to Fisherman's Horizon."

End of Chapter 24