Ch. 7: South Figaro

Edgar remembered that the Empire had been taking over cities in the southern part of the continent, and he was worried about South Figaro. He talked to everyone, hoping to gain any information he could. Perhaps the people had been able to find out something. ãWelcome to South Figaro!ä a young man welcomed them. Terra smiled and nodded to acknowledge the greeting.

The residents were rather proud of their town as a trade center. ãYouâll find lots of excellent weapons, armor, and relics in our shops,ä one man boasted.

Even the children were affected by wealth, it seemed. ãThe house in the northern part of town belongs to our wealthiest citizen,ä a youth said.

After these first few people, Edgar began to relax. Perhaps there were no impending Imperial attacks on South Figaro. However, much to his dismay, he soon found out how fast the news of Figaro Castle had reached the town.

With the usual eagerness of a child imparting news on another person, a little boy exclaimed, ãDid you hear? Figaro Castle sank into the sand! You couldnât find it even if you knew where to look!ä

The little girl to whom he was speaking made a face. ãI canât believe it! Without the castle, the Empireâll smash us!ä

Edgar was troubled when he overheard this exchange. He turned to the other two. ãIf those kids know what happened at the castle, that must mean the adults are worried enough to talk about it in the open,ä he said.

ãWhich means theyâre expecting the Empire to arrive here any minute and take over,ä Locke concluded.

ãUnfortunately, yes,ä Edgar replied. ãWeâd better finish our business here fast and get to the Returnersâ hideout.ä

ãStill...it wouldnât hurt to stay here awhile and get a little more information, now would it?ä Locke asked.

Terra, oddly silent throughout, suddenly spoke up. ãLetâs go to the cafe,ä she said.

The two men looked at her, then at each other. ãHmm...that would be the best place to catch up on any gossip,ä Locke said, and Edgar agreed.

They passed through the relic shop to get to the cafe, and they decided to do a little shopping. ã ÎRelics,âä Terra said, reading the sign. ãWhat are relics?ä

A man was already at the counter, and he turned to Terra upon hearing her question. ãEquip relics to gain a variety of abilities!ä he replied. Showing her the unusual pair of shoes he had just bought, he explained, ãThese Sprint Shoes double my walking speed!ä The man slipped them on, took a few steps back, then walked so rapidly he lost control and banged into the opposite wall! Embarrassed, he picked himself up, mumbled something about getting back to work, and ran up the stairs. The three barely managed to contain their laughter as they followed the manâs example and bought a pair of Sprint Shoes.


A subdued atmosphere met the three as they walked into the cafe. Edgar, who had come here before, knew immediately something was wrong. A normally noisy and upbeat place, there was no laughing or buzzing of conversation, and the musicians who normally entertained here were noticably absent. The patrons whispered to each other and gave only perfunctory glances at the newcomers. Most sat silently at their tables, engrossed with their own thoughts at they drank ale and beer.

Terra saw the man in black sitting at the far counter. She moved away from Edgar and Locke and made her way toward him, sitting at a nearby empty table. He appeared to be dressed as a ninja, and he seemed to be unconcerned about anything. The old man working the counter was clearly nervous, keeping himself busy with mundane jobs like polishing each unused glass twice and rearranging the menus on the counter, avoiding having to serve the ninja yet sneaking glances at him.

She didnât know why her attention had focused on him. Other than his clothing, which completely covered his body, he could actually be described as ordinary. Terra saw the man turn to his right, lean down and do something. She rose out of her chair a little and caught a glimpse of a large Doberman by his side. Its powerful jaws chewed the meat its master proferred from his hands.

Seeing Terraâs slight movement out of the corner of his eye, the ninja turned his head toward her. She saw that his face was covered as well, except for his eyes, which gleamed as they looked at her. Terra was taken aback at the darkness and indifference she beheld in them. When the ninja was done feeding his dog and returned to his sitting position, she felt as if he had seen through her entire soul and knew her inside out, had fathomed all her troubles, all her uncertainties... and yet, he did not seem to care about them, not troubling himself in the least with her emotions. In fact, he apparently had none of his own...He had simply summed her up, then let her be.

Locke and Edgar, who had been quietly speaking together, finally noticed Terra sitting at the other end of the cafe. They walked over to her, but not without overhearing some troubling bits of dialogue.

ãThe Empireâs been invading one town after the next,ä a young woman at one table said. ãWeâre not safe here!ä

Her companion merely nodded slowly, obviously distracted, then gestured in front of him. ãLook at the guy at the counter...I noticed him earlier. Heâs kind of creepy...ä

Another man was slumped in his chair, staring at the mug on his table. He murmured, ãMaster Duncan...ä

Edgar was suddenly alert. Sabin had been training under a man named Duncan, who lived in South Figaro. ãWhat about Duncan?ä he asked the man.

Without taking his eyes off his glass, the man responded, ãDuncan made his son, Vargas, practice a strict martial arts lifestyle. Vargas resented it...ä He lifted the glass, drained the dregs of ale, and thumped it back on the table. ãVargas was always temperamental...Who knows what may have happened to the master? His wife must be worried too...ä The man toyed with his glass, completely forgetting about Edgar.

They reached Terraâs table and Locke put a hand on her shoulder, startling her. ãSorry,ä he apologized when she jumped. ãWhy did you come over here?ä

She nodded toward the ninja. ãFor some reason, I felt as if I had to talk to him...ä she said faintly. The two men glanced at each other, then Locke decided to try his luck.

The ninja was aloof to the stares and whispers of the three people in back of him. Let them talk, he thought. Iâll be leaving this town soon anyway...

He heard footsteps come up and stop right behind him. ãHello there,ä a manâs voice said.

He gave no indication that he had even heard the greeting. ãAt the very least you could give me a response,ä Locke said, slightly annoyed.

Edgar had been studying the man in black, and now his eyes widened. He grabbed Lockeâs sleeve and pulled him away. ãStand back!ä his whispered fiercely. ãHe seems vaguely familiar...Wait a minute! I remember the stories. He owes allegiance to no one, and will do anything for money...He comes and goes like the wind...ä He cast a surreptitious glance at the ninja before continuing. ãThatâs Shadow! Heâd slit his mamaâs throat for a nickel!ä

Locke whistled softly. ãBetter steer clear of him, I guess,ä he said. They returned to Terraâs table. ãLetâs go,ä he said to her.

They walked gingerly around Shadow and went down the nearby stairs. Terra, however, lagged behind them, wanting to get a closer look at this man named Shadow, who had darkness in his eyes yet looked at people with wisdom...But he kept his head turned away. She moved closer to the dog, and it was only then he spoke. ãLeave us,ä he said in a low voice, still not looking at her. ãThe dog eats strangers.ä

With a small gasp, Terra hurried down the stairs.


The stairs led to a small storeroom, where a servant was working. ãOutta my way!ä he snarled when they tried to speak to him. ãI gotta get this cider to the old man! Thatâs my job! Now scram!ä The party moved away, and the servant grabbed a glass and pitcher of cider and strode out.

ãNice guy,ä Locke muttered in annoyance.

ãLetâs follow him,ä Terra suggested.

They quickly backtracked, returning through the cafe, down the opposite stairs and through the relic shop. Catching sight of the servant outside the shop, they followed him. Tailing him wasnât hard, thanks to the Sprint Shoes Terra wore.

The servant walked to the east side of town and entered a house on the second floor. Finding the door unopened, they too went inside.

A boy sat in the outer room, playing with some toys in front of the fireplace. ãMy grandfather was a servant for the richest man in town!ä he exclaimed when he saw them.

The three looked at each other. Edgar shrugged and Locke brushed off the statement as unimportant, but Terra was charmed by the boy. She knelt down beside him and asked him about his various playthings. The child responded readily, and she smiled. She wondered what it was this child was making her feel, what it was that was making her forget herself and stop and play, even though she knew they must hurry.

Exploring further, Locke saw the servant through a doorway, but the way in was too narrow and completely blocked by the man. He tapped the servant on the shoulder and began to ask, ãCould you...ä

But his manner had not changed. ãIâm off work,ä he interrupted. ãGet lost!ä The servant pushed his way past Locke and Edgar and left the building, slamming the door behind him.

Edgar narrowed his eyes. ãIâd have had him thrown in jail for impertinence,ä he grumbled.

But Locke was not listening. He had already entered the room, which turned out to be the old manâs study, and the old man himself was sitting at the desk, his back to them. Without turning around, the old man said, ãI know youâre there. I donât like strangers.ä

ãBut, sir...ä Locke began.

ãBring me some cider, and maybe Iâll talk to you,ä was all he would say.

Cider, eh? Locke thought. He left the study and rejoined Edgar and Terra, who had torn herself away from the child with difficulty. ãHeâs not willing to talk,ä Locke reported. ãHe said he wants cider.ä

Terra, still looking at the child, finally focused her attention on Locke and frowned. ãCider?ä she asked incredulously. ãBut that servant just brought him some!ä

He shrugged. ãDonât ask me,ä he said. ãHeâs the one who said it.ä

ãAnd by the attitude of that servant, I doubt heâll just willingly give us his cider,ä Edgar said. ãHe said it was his job, remember?ä

ãMaybe the cafe will have some,ä Terra suggested.

Locke shrugged. ãI think this is just a wild goose chase. That old man might not know anything at all. Letâs get outta here.ä

ãBut where should we go next?ä Terra asked. ãOr shall we leave town already?ä

Edgar shook his head. ãLetâs check out the house of that rich guy that the kid said his grandfather used to work for,ä he said. ãNow where is it?...ä

ãSomeone said it was in the northern part of town,ä Locke reminded him.

Edgar nodded. ãLetâs go there.ä

Before they left the house, Terra couldnât help saying a tender goodbye to the little boy.


The mansion was easy to find. Not only was it the only two-story house in town, it also had beautifully manicured flower beds and shrubbery bordering it. It was somewhat intimidating to look at, what with its size and opulence. Terra, especially, was awed by it all. Even after experiencing Figaro Castle, she was still a little shy around so much wealth.

Again Locke found the door unbarred. ãYouâd think at least this guy would insist his doors be locked,ä he commented as they stepped inside.

The first floor was one large room, perfect for entertaining. Expensive works of art decorated the room, marble statues stood in corners, rare paintings hung on the walls. A maid was downstairs, busily cleaning the various furniture and artistic pieces.

The woman sighed and threw her dust cloth into the bucket of water she carried in her other hand. ãHas war really begun?ä she said softly, staring out the window. She began to wash the cloth vigorously in the water. ãIâd better return home...ä

Locke led the way past the maid, and the three crept upstairs. The second story consisted of two rooms, and they entered the first one.

It was the master bedroom, which was as richly furnished as the rest of the mansion. A cabinet with expensive, imported dinnerware stood against one wall, and a bookcase with perfectly preserved first-edition volumes was next to it. They saw the master of the house sitting at a desk a few feet away. They came up silently behind him and saw he was deep in thought, writing a letter. A slight frown creased his forehead, and his pen moved slowly as he mumbled, ãAttack from the east. That way...ä Edgar edged closer to get a better look at the letter.

The man saw a shadow fall on his paper. His head jerked up, and was shocked to see three people looking at him! Shoving the paper into a drawer, he yelled at them, ãHey! Whaddya think youâre doing? Barging in here while Iâm trying to write a letter! Harumph!ä The other three merely stared at him. Calming down a little, he said, ãOh, uh, sorry...Even a millionaire can be... startled.ä

Edgar raised a brow. ãThatâs quite all right, sir.ä

The man took out a key and with a trembling hand locked the drawer into which he had put the letter. ãWhat are you people doing in here, anyway?ä he finally asked.

They looked at each other, at a loss for excuses. ãUh...we were being given a tour of your fine house,ä Locke hazarded.

A broad smile appeared on the millionaireâs face. ãAh,ä he said with pride. ãDidnât know they started that again...but please, go wherever you like. ä He gave a little cough. ãExcept this room, though. This is my bedroom, and of course no one wants their privacy violated, right?ä The party nodded in agreement, and the man was pleased. ãWell! Good, good! You may continue with your tour. Of course, I have much work to finish, so if youâll please excuse me.ä He gave a small bow, and the three turned to leave.

Edgar was the last to exit, and he heard the man say, ãGood thing they didnât come in.ä He paused just inside the bedroom door in order to hear the rest.

ãYes,ä a womanâs voice replied sarcastically, ãor else they would have frozen to death. Thereâs always a nasty draft in this room. Whereâs it coming from?ä

ãDonât worry, my dear,ä the man said soothingly. ãSome day that draft may actually save your life.ä

Hearing the man returning to his desk, Edgar slipped quietly out the door.


Meanwhile, Locke and Terra had entered the second room and found two children running around. Again Terra felt some compulsion within her at the sight of the kids...One child, obviously pretending to be something, marched around saying, ãChung chung...Chung chung...Magitek armor!!ä

Locke was startled, but Terra had not heard the boyâs outburst. She was speaking to the other child. "We just met your father," Terra was saying.

ãMy dadâs VERY important!ä she said proudly at the mention of her father. ãWhy, not so long ago he even dined with General Leo...ä The girl paused, then said quickly, ãUh, I, uh...I just made that up!ä She turned away and seemed to have lost all interest in the woman. Terra shrugged and returned to where Locke was standing.

Together they left the room, meeting Edgar in the hallway. ãSomethingâs up,ä he told the other two, relating what he overheard in the master bedroom.

ãI can guess,ä Locke said, and he and Terra added their bits of knowledge.

Edgarâs worry became definite. ãIt may not be anything that that boy knew about Magitek armor, but that thing about the girlâs father meeting with Leo?ä he said. ãThat may mean something.ä

ãWho is General Leo?ä Terra asked. ãHeâs one of the three generals of the Empire,ä Locke replied. ãThereâs Kefka, Leo, and Celes.ä

ãOh...ä Terra said. She had a vague memory of her shaking hands with General Leo...He was an Imperial general, after all. It felt strange that she should have known many of the people the Returners were fighting against. Terra forced her mind away from such matters. ãWell, the girl may have just made that up. You know how kids are.ä

ãStill, I like to assume the worst, especially if the Empire is involved,ä Edgar said.

ãYou think there will be am Imperial attack on South Figaro?ä Locke asked.

ãI donât know,ä Edgar admitted. But the facts were clear. With the king on the run and Figaro Castle buried beneath the desert, there was no government to protect the citizens. The news of the attack on Figaro had traveled much faster than Edgar would have wanted it to, but that couldnât be helped now. Perhaps if the Empire didnât find any of them in the town, they just might spare South Figaro. That was another reason to make a hasty escape.

Leaving the mansion, the three decided a short stay at the inn was in order. Tired from their travels, it would be a pleasure to sink into a bed and go to sleep, to forget all troubles, even if only for a few hours.

Absorbed with thoughts of a possible attack by the Empire, Edgar accidentally entered the innâs private room, furnished with a double bed and small table. He didnât see that the room already had an occupant until he stepped closer to the bed and saw a man fidgeting. Although he quickly turned around to leave, Edgar nevertheless heard him say, ãThe Empire attacked Figaro Castle! Now weâll all be drawn into the battle! And I do so hate wars...ä

Locke and Terra were just entering another door when Edgar came out, and he hastened after them. The room was large and had four beds, rather sparsely furnished but comfortable. They immediately hit the sack, but none of them slept very well, so preoccupied they were with the dangers at hand.

Late afternoon found the three awake and ready to travel through the Sabil Mountains. But Edgar had one last stop in mind. ãIâd like to go to Duncanâs house,ä he said firmly. The other two offered no argument. The tone of his voice was enough to keep them silent.

There was one house on the east side of town they hadnât yet visited, which Edgar correctly guessed to be Duncanâs house. The door was ajar. Pushing it open, he saw a woman sitting at a table. She looked up as he entered, and a look of surprise showed on her face. ãSabin!ä she exclaimed. ãWhat are you doing back so soon?ä

Edgar approached her. ãIâm not Sabin,ä he said. ãIâm his brother, Edgar.ä

The woman blinked a few times and looked at him more carefully. ãOh, yes...I see it now. Please forgive me.ä

ãThatâs all right,ä he replied. ãBut, about Sabin, do you know where he is?ä

She nodded. ãMy husband, Duncan, is a world-famous martial artist. Sabin is one of his students. Heâs taking his disciples to Mt. Kolts for meditation and training.ä

Mt. Kolts...Weâll be traveling that way, Edgar thought. Aloud he said, ãThank you. Iâll be leaving now.ä

ãTake care of yourself!ä the woman called after him.

He rejoined Terra and Locke, who had been waiting outside. As he led them back to the other side of town to the arsenal, he saw a man giving a speech to a small group of listeners. ãThis townâll go down fighting!ä he cried. ãEven with their Magitek armor, weâll make it tough on Îem!ä The answering shouts were few, but strong.

Edgarâs concern had not been allayed, and hearing the man speak only served to strengthen his fear that the Empire would attack South Figaro. For the second time in his life, he felt helpless, even though he was the king of Figaro. He should be protecting his people, and instead what was he doing? Running away! Even his people were willing to remain, to defend their town and stand up against the Empire.

ãCurse the Empire!ä he swore under his breath. He had power, an army, excellent machinery...Yet even these would not be able to stand up for long against Magitek. That was why he was here in the first place, wasnât it? To meet with other people in order to find a way to defeat Magitek weapons. That was why he was abandoning his castle, his people, all so that in the long run, they might have a chance of survival. He also had the responsibility of seeing Terra safely to Banon, and she was the key that might finally give the Returners an edge in the rebellion. So he wasnât running away; he was trying to find solutions to their problems. So many peopleâs lives depended on him, and he knew that the route he was taking now was the best one...Still, his decision weighed heavily on him, because of its cowardly appearance. However, hearing his people so willing to rally together gave him some hope.

At the arsenal they upgraded their weapons and armor. A quick stop at the item shop took the last of their money, and they were left with just a few gold pieces. It was evening when they finished, but they knew they couldnât risk staying in the town any longer. Resolutely, the party set out for the Sabil Mountains.