Do I really have to say it? Me no own Final Fantasy IX! I do own my original characters though.

Forgotten Birthright

Lindblum

Iriador stared up at the gate that lead into Lindblum, the biggest city in the world and wondered if she really wanted go through it. Before, when she had been traveling and fighting for her life it had been easy to focus only on specific goals. Survive this fight, go there next, get to Lindblum. However now that she was here, with the Dragon Gate not just some abstract reality in her mind but a real place, she found herself asking the questions that she had kept pushing to the back of her mind. Do I really want to do this? When, if she went Iriador knew that everything would change. There would be no more unanswered questions. She would know the truth about everything, know why her parents had been attacked and more importantly what the were. But did she really want to know? Up until now she had been able to pretend that those people all the important and powerful people had about weren't really her parents. They couldn't have been right? Why would her parent, farmers, know the leaders of several countries? But now, with those answers literally looming over her Iriador wasn't sure she really wanted them. But what could she do? Go back home to who knew what? The summoner gripped her reins tightly. I don't want to do this, I really don't want to do this. What she wanted to do was wake up and have this whole thing be a nightmare. She had been hoping that since she had rode away but now…. Never before in her life had she felt this nervous and apprehensive before….even in Bulmica she hadn't been this frightened.

"Iria….Iri…Iriador!" Luna's voice snapped the younger girl out of her trance. Iriardor looked down to find that the black mage had dismounted and was now staring up at her, pointedly tapping once foot.

"Are you waiting for them to send a written invitation our or something? Come on, lets get going." Tossing silver hair over her shoulder the black mage strode toward the city. But the Iriador just sat their letting her black hair be blown every which way by the wind. When Luna realized that her friend wasn't following her, she turned around.

"What in the hell are you doing back there Iria?" She yelled. "Come on."

"Yo…you go on ahead. I'll catch up." Iriador yelled back half heartedly. A frown crossed Luna's face then she sighed and turned back to where her friend was standing.

"What 's the matter now?" The older girl asked as she glared up at the summoner. Iriador froze then forced a smile.

"Nothing's wrong." Iriador said as causally as she could. "I said I would catch up, did I?"

"But why 'catch up'? The only thing out here is monsters, mist and more monsters, not to mention whoever been sending all those monsters after us! Why do you want to stay out here? The city's right in front of us!"

"I just want to, that's all!" The summoner snapped back. Luna gave her a look.

"I don't care if you want to stay out here or not Iriador but don't you think it's a bit childish to refuse to go in because your afraid?"

"I'm not afraid." Iriador yelled then blushed when she realized how well, childish the outburst had sounded.

"Sure you're not. Just keep telling yourself that and you might start to believe. Luna said sarcastically. Then the mage sighed. "I know this is the biggest city we've been to so far, heck is the biggest city in the world! I'm a little nervous too you know! Just try to remember that we're really just two more travelers in the hundred or so that come through her each day. I don't think anyone is going to notice us."

"I'm not scared of a bunch of strangers!" Iriador snapped back. "We've been talking strangers all along haven't we?"

"They what are you so afraid of?" Luna glared at the younger girl. Iriador stared down out her and opened her mouth to reply…then stopped. What exactly was she afraid of? Finding out who her parents were she supposed….but why would she be scare of that.? Didn't she want to know? Most people would. But I don't want to! I want to go home and …. Iriador froze. She wanted to go home. Go back to the way things had been before the mist monsters had attacked them.

"What's the matter, cat go your tongue?" The sharp voice of her companion cut through the fog in her mind and she swallowed.

"Luna?" She asked softly, as she stared down at her hands.

"What now?" the mage snapped.

"Have you ever been….scared?" At Luna's puzzled looked she swallowed. "I mean…of what will happen to you and everything? Haven't you ever wondered if they'll hate you or something?"

"Course." Luna snorted. "But it's not like I'll let that stop me. If they hate me, they hate me, if the don't', they don't. It's not like I can't change the past or the future." The mage tugged on Comet's reins. "I can't spent all of my time being afraid. All I can do is counties on and hope for the best."

"Oh." Iriador dismounted. Although it wasn't exactly sure she was happy with the answer, it wasn't like she could stop. They had to do this. After she had found everything out…she'd deal with it then. Until they reached that goal, she would pretend this was an adventure.

"Let's go!" The summoner said as they walked toward the gates.

The area immediately inside had been a little disappointed to Iriador. There were only a few merchants and some travelers waiting their turns to go up to the city. A guard had taken Star's reigns then informed them that they didn't have permission to take her into the city and that she would have to stay in the stables that had recently been built…and it would cost them. Iriador had paid, while Luna had grumbled and complained. They had then waited in line for a few minuets, until it was their turn to ride the lift up to the castle proper.

If the area inside the gate had been a disappointment, the first level of the castle was everything that Iriador thought it would be. This was the level where everyday concerns were taken care of. Foot -travelers got information and meet friends here, while merchants were forced to show what goods they were bringing in. There were members of almost every race, even a couple of Burmicians talking an official.

Yet this wasn't Iriador's goal. She had managed to get some information and knew that the real business of running this city was done upstairs. The commoner's eyes settled on a staircase and she ran toward it.

"Iriador, wait!" She heard Luna yell, but ignored her friend. She hadn't come this far only to be stopped now. Only she had barely gone up the steps when she was stopped.

"Halt." The guard said. "Only those with legitimate business in the palace may proceed past this point"

"My business is legitimate!" Iriador said.

"What is your name and the nature of your business?" The guard asked. Iriador frowned.

"It's Iriador Tribal and umm…" Truthfully she didn't really know what her business was. "I just have to see the Queen or someone in charge. My Father said so." The guard just sighed.

"If you do not have legitimate business then I will have to ask you to leave." The man said in a monotone voice.

"I already to you, my business is legitimate!" Iriador snapped. "Now let me pass." The young woman took a few steps forward, only to the guards spear drop down in front of her.

"If you do not leave I will be forced to use force." The guard said firmly. Iriador gulped, but before he could do anything else, a hand grabbed her elbow.

"Don't worry, we're leaving." Luna said and dragged her friend down the stairs.

"Luna! What did you do that for!"

"I just saved you from being thrown in the dungeons, that's what." The black mage turned around and glared at her friend. "Did you honestly think that would work. The guard is there for a reason. Lot's of people want to see the Queen, he has to make sure she doesn't get a lot of people wandering around upstairs."

"But then what are we suppose to do? I have to get up there!"

"Did your Dad give you a plan B or something?"

"Actually he did…."

"Good, then we'll try that one first." And with that said, Luan dragged her friend out into the city of Lindblum.

Iriador gazed around, absorbing the bustle of the big city and enjoying the fact that there were so many sights and sounds that it made her dizzy. She had never in her life dreamed that there could be so many people in one place before. Oddly enough instead of making her feel confused she as actually felt exhilarated. Luna snorted as someone jostled the two of them on the way to the monorail that ran though the city.

"I hate this noise. Now where are we suppose to be going again?"

"Uhh…a big clock tower. That's where Dad said to go if I had any trouble."

"And this clock tower is where?" Iriador though for a second then giggled nervously.

"Hehe…I forgot."

"WHAT?" Luna glared at her. "How in the hell did you manage to forget something that important!"

"I was busy running for my life, fighting monsters…I could continue, but you were there Luna!" Iriador snapped back.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Sorry!" The mage sighed then dropped her head into her hand. "Okay…I think the first order of business is to find an inn. After we have rooms we can make a plan." Iriador nodded and followed Luan down into the city. It was actually very easy to find a room. The money they had gained killing monsters more than covered the price of their rooms.

"Look" Luna said as they got settled in. "this city is exhausting me and I don't feel like running around trying to find your mysterious clock tower today. I've got a head ache and I'm going to go lay down and take a nap."

"Come on Luna!" Iria complained. "You've got reasons for being here too! For all we know our goals are just a flight of stairs away once we get into the place. We should be trying to get in right now! Why do we have to wait!"

"We don't have to. You can go annoy the guards in the palace more if you want to…or at least you can until they get tired of the noise and throw you out." Luna made a shooing motion with her hand. "Now go. I'm tired, and truthfully I doubt if anyone or anything will try something in a city as big as Lindblum. People will be bound to notice a bunch of monsters wandering around in here. We can wait one more day." The mage started to close the door to her room then stopped.

"Iria, if your really bored why don't you go out and try to find that clock tower of yours? IF it exists I'm sure someone has heard something about it. Now go!" Luna waved a hand at Iriador in dismissal before stepping into her room and closing the door. For several seconds the summoner stood staring at the blank wooden surface then sighed and walked away. She knew that she wouldn't be able to get any sleep, at least not yet, so she would try and follow Luna's suggestion. Or at least go out and look around some who might know something useful.

Outside the quite of the inn, Iriador entered a different world than any she was used too. In Bulmicia they had been rushed to the palace, and truthfully the Burmicians weren't a loud race at any time. Iriador really hadn't had a chance to see a large center of population before. Lindblum made up for that lack however. All around her various people were wandering around talking, walking, bargaining with street vendors. Children played under foot and hundreds of voices filled the air. Like before Iriador found the sound exhilarating, even though she knew she should have felt overwhelmed. The summoner walked down the street, turning her head and wishing she had several more sets of eyes as she tried to look everywhere at once. Well everywhere except toward her purse. That was why when someone bombed into her it was several seconds before she noticed that her purse and all her money was gone.

"Hey!" She shouted as she caught sight of the man who had bumped into her. The thief had been wearing a blue cap for some reason and she caught was able to pick him out easily "Get back here!" The thief took off and Iriador followed, dodging thought the crowed. Soon the summoner realized that although she was faster than her prey, he was much more experienced at moving through the crowds and she kept losing sight of him. She shoot out of the crowd into a clear space and paused. The young woman caught sight of a flash of blue disappearing down and alley. Without hesitation she followed. Turning the corner, she caught sight of the thief. Apparently confident that his prey wouldn't dare follow him into his territory, the thief had slowed to a walk.

"Gotcha!" He whirled around then swore in surprise and took off running again. The thief dodged through several other alleyways before ran into a smaller one. Before Iriador reached the mouth of the alley she heard a yelp from within. The summoner skidded to a halt in front of the alley and stared. The thief was sitting on the ground rubbing his head. Standing in front of him was a young man with long red hair who looked to be near her age. He looked more surprised than anything else.

"Hey, you!" The thief turned around and paled then started to scramble back to his feet. "Give me my money back!" With a last glance back the pickpocket tried to run by the red-head, who reached out and grabbed his arm. Both the thief and the summoner stared at him in surprise.

"Did ye take the lady's purse?" The younger man drawled. The thief tried to stammer something but the red-head shook him. "And do'n ye even think about lying to me now, I can smell a lair like you a mile off." The pickpocket looked shaken now. "I'll be asking ye again, did ye steal the ladies purse?" He shook the thief again, only harder this time. The pickpocket looked up at his captor and gulped. Hard dark-green eyes glared at him and the pickpocket could see the twin hilts that poked over his shoulders.. Meekly the thief nodded in answer to the question.

"Good, now ye will be givin' it back to her, won't ye?" The thief hesitated. "Won't ye!" The last was punctuated by a quick shake. The thief nodded quickly and the red-head loosened his hold on the smaller man. The pickpocket turned and threw Iriadors purse in her direction then ran past the red-head before they could react.

Both Iriador and the stranger stood looking after the man, then turned back and stared at each other for a few minuets. Iriador offered him a tentative smile as she reached down to pick up her purse.

"Um..thanks for the help." She said as she straightened up. The stranger smiled back and laughed.

"Twas nothing, lady. I'm not likely to be getting too many chances to help a pretty girl in distress, am I now?" He looked around.

"But…ye be here alone? Tis a risky place for a woman to be runnin' around on her own." Iriador glared at him.

"It's not like I had a choice, he took all my money! Luna would have skinned me when I went back to the inn!" The man looked closer at her.

"So ye be a stranger to this here town then. I was wondern' why ye dared to chase that man in to the alleys, and wonderin' if ye be just a reckless fool or a foolish innocent, but twas you're an innocent, ain't it?" Iriador swore internally. She didn't want him to know that. Although he had helped her, she didn't know what this young man had done so. Besides even it was out of the kindness of his heart, he looked like he belonged back here and that was cause enough for suspicion in her book.

"Well, excuse me for beginning innocent then! It's better then beginning a reckless fool, Mr….?" Iriador trailed off as she realized she didn't know his name. He laughed when he saw her expression.

"Nay, no Mr for me Miss. Tis simply Angelo."

"Fine, Angelo. Thanks for helping me, but I should be going know, bye. "She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist.

"Wait, Miss." Iriador tensed then forced herself to relax.

"What is it?" She asked wishing that she had though to bring her rod with her. Angelo relaxed his grip on her wrist every so slightly, so Iriador pulled out of his grip and turned to face him. "What do you want?." Angelo stared at her for a few more seconds than laughed. Iraidor noted that he laughed a lot.

"I just deliver a warnin' to ye." He said, then pointed behind her. "Are ye planin' on going back the way ye came?"

"Of course." Iriador glanced behind her. "Why?" She asked suddenly feeling very nervous.

"Because, ye should be careful then, lady." Angelo answered.

"I was going to anyway." With a last glare at the red-head, the young woman whirled around and began to retrace her steps. As she stepped out in to the alley she had just exited she heard the sounds of the boots of on the ground. Choosing to ignore it for the moment, Iriador began to walk down the alley keeping a careful eye out for trouble. When she had chasing the thief she hadn't really been paying much attention to where she had been going. Although she knew the general direction she wanted to go, the maze of alley's kept confusing her. After she had been walking for several minuets she came to place where two more alleyways opened onto the one she was in. The summoner paused and began to wonder which way to go.

"Ye want to go left lady." Iriador yelped and whirled around, only to see Angelo leaning against the wall, smiling.

"Why are you following me!" The summoner snapped at the red-head. He laughed at her…again. Iriador was beginning to get tired of it, although, she noted absent mindedly it was really a good nature laugh. .

"Leavin' ladies to be robbed is not something I be wantin' to do, Miss Twould not sit well on my conscious." One again the young woman leveled a glare at Angelo but he didn't even blink.

"My name isn't Miss, it's Iriador!" She frowned at the young man. "And how do I know I can trust you? You might just be waiting to rob me yourself!"

"Good thinking Miss Iriador, even though ye be wrong this although 'tis probably better that ye not trust me, or any one 'o me ilk." For a second the two stood staring at each other then Angelo gave the summoner a crooked grin. He pointed toward the left.

"And ye should still be goin' that way. 'tis the shortest way back to the main street, I stake me honor on it." Iriador glared at him.

"Aren't you the one that just told me not to trust you? How do I know you even have any honor? Or even a cautious for that matter?" For just a second Iriador though she saw anger in Angelo's eyes but only for a moment. The next he was smiling his crooked smile once again.

"I did say that, didn't I? I take back some of what I said earlier. What ever else ye be miss, your are not a fool." He took a step forward. Iriador took a step back and wished more than ever that she had thought to bring her rod with her . Although she did have a small dagger on her belt she wasn't an expert with it, and it wouldn't do much good against someone who carried two blades. Angelo sighed and held up his hands. "Look, I don't blame ye for not trusting a rouge like myself. But how's about we cut a deal eh?" Iriador looked at him cautiously.

"What sort of deal?" She asked cautiously.

"I'll guide ye to the exit as I promised before, only this time I ask that ye pay." He grinned and winked. "If nothing else trust that a rouge will protect his payment." Iriador stared at him for a moment.

"That's probably true." She admitted. "But what makes you think I need your help? I can take care of myself!"

"Perhaps ye can, but can ye find your way out of here? As I recall ye weren't doin' so well a few minuets ago." Iriador glared at him.

"I'm fine!" She snapped. Angelo held up a hand.

"Peace, Miss. Iriador. I mean no disrespect." He smiled. "I meant that good people like yourself don't belong somewhere where villains like me lurk and should get out as soon as possible." Iriador continued to glare at him. "Look, I know ye have no reason to trust me so far, but I swear on my name and the names 'o all me ancestors."

"How do I know I can trust that! I don't even know if Angelo is your real name!"

"Do ye have a choice?" Angelo's words stopped her short. Iriador glared at him.

"I could find my way out on my own!" This time her words were more uncertain than before.

"Perhaps, but can ye with your virtue and your life intact? T'was a miracle that ye manage to get as far as ye did without one o' the rouges hereabout's stopin' ye." Iriador froze then gulped. She had already been prepared for the threats on her life, after living through what she had how could she be scared of a few humans, but she hadn't considered that some people would be after her for her something other than her money or her life. Back home she had heard about things happening to other girls and received her mothers lectures on what exactly what could happen to girls caught alone, but she hadn't really paid attention to them. Things like that just didn't happen in their little town and the ways things were going she had thought that she would never leave. Now something that she had always thought of as a 'big city' problem that had nothing to do with her, had abruptly become her problem. And that scared her. Suddenly the shadows around her seemed a little more menacing.

Angelo had said nothing while she stood there doing nothing, but now he cleared his throat. Iriador jumped at the sound.

"I dun have all day to be standin' here miss. Can I have ye answer now?" Iriador looked around then sighed.

I don't have a choice, do I? She admitted to herself. This whole mess was her fault and it looked like Angelo was the only semi-decent person around her right now.

"I'll believe your for now, but the moment you make any funny moves, you regret it." She said hoping she sounded more threatening then she felt. Apparently she didn't because once again, Angelo laughed at her.

Soon she was following her guide through the labyrinth of alleyways that made up the darker parts of Lindblum. They past by doorways that were dark, but they were sure they were being watched from. Several times they past by groups of men that, although the did do anything, caused Angelo to reach up and touch a hand to one of his sword hilts. Iriador remember his earlier comment and wondered how she had gotten past these thieves. Did they think that she was being lead to an ambush somewhere? Or where the just so surprised that someone would dare to chase a thief into his own territory that they had been unable to react until she was passed? Either way it was a close call. Shivering as her active imagination showed her what could have happened she couldn't help but glance at the man in front of her and wonder if he was anymore trustworthy than his fellows.

Apparently he was because soon more noise of regular city life began to filter through the alleyways. Those thieves and beggars that seemed to populate these ways soon became fewer and fewer until after what seemed like an eternity but in reality was probably only a few minuets, they exited the maze that they had come through.

"Ahh, sunlight at last!" Iriador cried as she stretched her arms toward the sun, basking in the light. She turned back toward her savior. "I guess I owe you, huh?"

"Not anymore ye don't." Anglo said with a crooked grin. He tossed something toward her. Iriador caught it reflexively. She blinked when realized it was her own money pouch.

"What the?" The summoner said then glance up sharply at Angelo. The thief held up two coins.

"I've already taken' me payment." He said and winked before vanishing back the way they had come.

"Hey!" Iriador lunged forward but he was already gone. Not wanting to get lost again, she turned back toward the city proper. It wasn't until she had already gone a way that she noticed this was far different from the place near the inn. Iriador realized she was well and truly lost.

Hours later the young woman and finally found the Inn were she and Luna had rented rooms. It had taken far longer than she thought it would, although part of it was that she had, in light of her recent run in with Angelo, deiced that she was going to find her way back by herself. It was only when it was starting to get dark and she was still lost that she decided to ask for direction. When Iriadro got near the inn she was surprised to see her friend waiting outside for her.

"Luna, what?"

"Where were you?" The mage snapped. "I woke up and hour ago and the Innkeeper tells me your still not back. So I go to look for you and your aren't in the area! Can you tell me what in the hell you were doing!" Iriador sweat dropped, then deiced that it probably wasn't the best time to tell Luna about her adventures.

"I got lost." She said firmly. She wasn't lying, she had gotten lost….just in the alleyways and darker parts of the city.

"You got lost?" Luna said drumming her fingers on her arm. "For hours on end?"

"Yeah?" Iriador said. Luna glared at her for a few seconds and the summoner was sure that the mage knew she was hiding something….but at last her friend looked away.

"Fine." Luna sighed. "Just tell me you found out were this clock tower of yours is?" The summoner sweat dropped when she realized she had forgotten all about why they had come here.

"Uh…no?" She said lamely. Her friend shook her head.

"You…are…an..idot. Your also incredibly luck that you have me and my awesome observations skills." At Iriadors blank look, the mage pointed toward a poster next to the door of the inn. "Look."

Iriador walked up then blinked. It was an advertisement for a play that the famous Tantalus troop was putting on. And it was taking place it the theater district in the

"Clock Tower theater!" The summoner exclaimed as she finished reading.

"Yup. Think it's the one were looking for?"

"I don't know. Dad never mentioned anything specific."

"Well, it's worth a look anyway. Come on, it late. The play will still be there in the morning." Tired from the days excitement, Iriador just nodded before following her friend into the inn.

The next morning the companions caught one of the cabs to the theater district. Upon arriving they were able to locate the tower fairly quickly. It rose high over the rest of the nearby buildings and was pointed to my various signs and posters advertising the play. Iriador had high hopes of being able to get in fairly quickly, but the they saw the crowd around the clock tower.

"This isn't going to be easy is it?' Iriador whispered as she started at the crowd.

"What made you think it would be?" Her friend asked then stalked forward.

"Hey, wait up!" The black-haired summoner cried then started to push through the crowd. It took them a while to get near enough to the entrance, but when they did, it was to be greeted by a large sign on the door that said 'SOLD OUT.'

"That's just great." Luna grumbled. "After all that, we can't even get inside." Iriador however was looking away from the rest of the crowd. Although she was still nervous from her recent adventure, it did give her and idea.

"Come on." She said to the older woman and started to push her way back through the crowd. Frowning Luna opened her mouth to say something but, Iriador just reached back and grabbed her friends wrist to pull her toward a small alley she had noticed.

"What are you doing?" The black mage hissed as she they left the crowds behind. Iriador stopped and Luna pulled herself free of her friends grasp.

"Look, we really didn't come here to see a play did we?" The summoner said as she turned to face her friend.

"That's true…"

"And someplace like this is bound to have a backdoor or something right?" Iriador continued.

"All we have to do is find it."

"You mean sneak in?" The silver haired mage sounded skeptical. "What about the guards and thing? I'm sure a place as popular as this one won't just let us waltz in."

"We'll figure that part out when we get there." Iriador said as she turned and continued down the alley.

"And walking in without any plan what so ever is smart?" Luan shook her head and hurried after her black-haired friend.

It didn't take them long to find the back door. Actors and stage hands were rushing in and out carrying various costumes and pieces of scenery.

"See, we'll never be able to get in without someone seeing us." The mage hissed as the peaked around the wall they were hiding behind. "They will catch us." Iriador frowned and began to wonder exactly what they were going to do.

At that moment two people, running in different directions and both carrying huge armfuls of colorful costumes, ran into each other. The costumes flew every where and several of the other helpers managed to trip on the piles of fabric. Seeing the confusion Iriador grinned and ran toward the chaos.

"Iriador!" Luan hissed then cursed and took off after her friend. The black-haired summoner slipped behind a large piece of scenery that a worker had momentarily sat down half in and half out of the doorway. Iriador ducked down behind it and ran into the building.

"That was crazy!" The black mage said once they were inside. Behind the stage it was a confusion of actors, scenery, props and costumes all rushing each way.

"Now all we have to do is find this him." Iriador said proudly as she surveyed the chaos.

"Find who?" A voice behind her said.

"Find this Blanc.,..guy?" Iriador gulped and turned around as she realized it wasn't her friend that had been speaking. Instead it was the extremely well armed guard that was standing behind Luna.

"I'm afraid that isn't going to happen." He said menacingly.

"Why not!" Iriador demanded. "Look my Dad said we had to come here because he had a friend or something to help us. It's not like we're trying to do anything bad."

"Oh your Father….that is original and I'll give you that but I have been at this job for nearly ten years now. I don't need to hear your excuses to know that you're a couple of fan girls."

"We are not. Look I'm telling the truth. My Dad told me to come here if I ever needed help and I did. If you would just let us find this Blanc guy them I'm sure everything would work out."

"Well it's too bad that Master Blanc happens to be out of town now, then doesn't it? 'Cause it seems awfully convenient to me." Iriador glared at the guard, and pushed Luna away when her friend tired to pull her out.

"I'm not lying! I don't know why you don't believe me, I really am…"

"What's going' on here?" A woman called from the side.

"Nothing Lady. Just getting rid of a couple of pests." The guard yelled back.

"We are not pests! We're looking for someone!" Iriador shouted at him, as a blue haired woman walked into view. She paused and Luna saw here eyes go wide, before she walked over to their little group. By now Iriador was standing right in front of the guard hands on her hips, glaring at him. The woman walked up and pushed the guard out of the way. She reached out and slid her hand under Iriador's chin so she could tilt her head back.

"What's yer name?" The woman asked softly.

"Ir…Iriador Tribal." The summoner stammered, caught of guard by the sudden change. The woman smiled let go of Iriador, the promptly reached out and hugged her.

"I've been waiting on ya." She said. "Everbuddy was scared something had happened taya."

"Wait, what, how did?" Iriador asked breathlessly. The woman let go.

"Names Ruby, but ya can call me Auntie if ya want." She smiled at both of them. "Why don't the two of ya come in at my office with me? Ya can tell me everythin'." Confused and more than a little dazed the two followed. "And Fred, ya go back on ya rounds, alright?"

"Okay." The dazed guard said.

An half hour later they were sitting in small cluttered office as Iriador finished telling Ruby about what had happened. At the end Ruby snorted.

"That Zidane. I shoulda known he wouldn' tell ya anything'. And telling ya ta find Blanc. Would it have taken that much trouble tare member me? Anyways.." She looked at both of them. "I don't know if ya'll ever find what yer looking fer Luna but it's probably best if ya come with us."

"Come with you where?" The black mage asked.

"Ta the palace o'course! Them guards no better than ta try and stop me comin' in!" Ruby stood took a shawl off a hook in the wall. "Come on, what ya'll waiting fer?" The two once again found themselves following the older woman almost unwillingly.

A little later the trio made their way up the steps of the palace. Once the got inside the main hall Iriador hesitated, memories of the last time she had been here running through her mind.

"Are ya'll comin' with me or not?" Ruby's voice called out.

"Uh, yeah." The summoner hurried up to where her companions where waiting. Once she had caught up Ruby started to walk forward again. As they neared the stairs that lead up to the main area of the palace, one of the guards came out to meet them.

"Halt. Only those with legitimate business in the palace may proceed past this point." The familiar words sounded again and Iriador winced involuntarily. Although she had no reason to doubt Ruby's words yet, she didn't see how the Tantlus member could get them past the guards, member of the famous group or not. Ruby glared at the guard.

"We do have business, now ya'll just run along and tell th' Queen that Ruby needs at see her right away!" The guard hesitated. "I'ah said at go!" Ruby snapped at him. He jumped, nodded, then went up the stairs. Ruby turned to the two younger women smiling.

"And that how ya get men to listen to ya." Iriador stared at Ruby in awe as the waited for the guard to return.

"He wouldn't listen to Luna or me when he talked like that." The summoner said enviously.

"Ya gotta act like they should obey ya. Half the time if ya act like ya deserve to be treated with respect people will do it automatically." Ruby said and waved her hand to emphasis her words.

"Really?" Iriadro asked curious. Now that she thought about it, her mother had always that way, like it never even occurred to her that you wouldn't do what she said. Maybe that was why I always ended up doing whatever she wanted me to.

"Sure, see people like that guard are used to listening to other people. If ya act like someone they should show respect they will, probably without even thinking about it." Iriadro as going to ask Ruby where she had learned that lesson but before she could they were interrupted by the arrival of the guard. But this time there was someone else with him.

"Are you Lady Iriadro, Lady Luna, and Lady Ruby?" The speaker was an older man with grey hair. He was dressed in a servants uniform, although it was much fancier than anything she had seen so far.

"We are, why are ya askin'?" Ruby said. The man nodded shortly.

"You are expected. If you will follow me please." He turned and walked up the steps. The two younger women looked at each other, but Ruby started up the stairs without immediately.

"Are ya two coming?" She called back. The other two started up after her. It was hard for Iriador to keep from staring like the country bumpkin she knew she was. This place wasn't as confusing as the palace and Blumicia but it was far more…elegant. Ever were she looked rich colors gleamed from beautiful works of art. It was as if the upper levels of the palace where a word apart from the lower level.

It probably is. Iriador realized. This is where all the really important decision are made. You want people to take you seriously. As the summoner though the servant lead the deeper into the castle. At last he stopped in front of a door.

"You are to wait here." Was all he said, then he turned and walked away. The three women looked at each other, then Ruby shrugged and opened the door. Inside was a formal sitting room. The table held a platter piled high with fruits and pastries.

"I've been here a coupla ah times but they've never been this formal. Musta been because I was with ya'll." The older woman said. She sat down at the table and began to sample the snacks left out for them. After a second Luna copied her and then Iriador followed suit. They hadn't been waiting very long when the door was thrown open behind them. Iriador turned expecting another servant, then froze in shock. The woman standing in the door way wasn't a servant., her gown alone would have told them that much. A light purple that seemed to shimmer in the light, it had to be made of silk. She was wearing jewelry that while it looked fairly plain was obviously worth a small fortune. That alone would have been enough to declare her a noble, but it was the glowing silver tiara sitting atop her purple hair that really proclaimed who she was. Queen Eiko of Lindblum stood panting slightly in the door way, eyes darting to each of their faces. Ruby stood up.

"'Bout time ya go here." Ruby said. Iriador turned to stair at the former actress, shocked that she would dare address the most powerful ruler in all of Gaia so familiarly.

"Sorry." Queen Eiko said. "But I was in the middle of an audience, and then I had to send someone find them and confirm everything. I hope you haven't been waiting to long." As she talked Queen Elko's eyes had to rest on Iriador. Uncomfortable the young summoner stood.

"Your Majesty…" Iriador started to say but the Queen spoke first.

"Your…Iriador Tribal aren't you?" She asked.

"Uh…yeah" Iriador answered automatically then winced. But instead of reprimanding her, the Queen swept into the room and threw her arms around the teenager.

"Everyone has been so worried about you. We're so glad your safe." The purple haired monarch said before giving her a quick hug then she releasing the younger woman. The summoner didn't move, still stunned by the reaction. Luan however wasn't.

"What is going on here!" The black mage demanded. "How in the hell do you know a Queen, Iria?"

"So you're the one who has been helping Iriador. You have both my personal thanks and the thanks of the Queen of Lindblum." Queen Eiko said.

"That's nice and all" Luna responded. "But that still doesn't tell me what in the hell is going on!"

"Luna!" Iriador hissed at her friend. It was one thing to act like that in front of Lady Freya but in front of a Queen. Eiko, however chuckled.

"Your right it does not. However I must take Iriador somewhere." The queen shifter her gaze towards the other person in the room. "Ruby can you explain it to her?" She asked. "We have to go now." Queen Eiko reached out grabbed Iriador's hand and pulled the younger woman from the room before she could protest. It wasn't until the door had been slammed behind them and they were well down the hall that the Queen dropped her hand. However Eiko did not stop walking and Iriador was forced to hurry behind her.

"Where are we going?" She called after the monarch.

"Going to those who will answer your questions." Eiko said not slowing in the slightest.

"Why wasn't Ruby allowed to tell us then?" The Queen reached pair of double doors and finally stopped. She turned meet Iriador's eye.

"Because there are parts of the story that Ruby doesn't know and parts that she only knows a little bit about. This was why others, like Freya, decided not to tell you anything at all. I know it must have been hard for you, but you have to understand, it was better that you knew nothing than been confused by sketchy facts and guesses. Do you understand?" Iriador nodded silently. Queen Eiko grinned at her, suddenly looking like a little girl. "You know, you really do look like your mother, even if you do have your fathers eyes." Iriador flushed and muttered a polite thank you. As she did the queen reached out and grasped the handle on one of the doors.

"Through here are the people who know the whole story behind what really happened. Even I am not sure of all the facts. Are you ready?"

"I….I don't think I am." Iriador admitted all the insecure and fear from earlier coming back in the front. Eiko just smiled.

"No one every really is." She said, then yanked open the door with one hand, shoved Iriador though with other and then slammed the door behind the stunned summoner. It had all happened so fast that the younger woman had no time to react. For a second she stood frozen then she shook her head and took a step forward. Two familiar figures rose to meet her.

"Mom, Dad?" Iraiador whispered. "What are you doing here?"

A/N: It's alive!