A long silent trip followed. Murdoch, Clive, Joshua, Jill and Torgal all followed Elwin under the fading pink of the evening sky. The children's head were still drooped, not taking any notice of the setting sun's beauty. Sir Murdoch shared his concerns to his Archduke.
"Sir, I feel awful about this. You don't suppose that the Archduchess had anything to do with this? Sir Clive did say he wanted to show her he was--"
"I am not sure yet, I will speak with my sons about it in private if you like. In the meantime, take Jill and Torgal home."
Sir Murdoch nodded and rode on over to Torgal and Jil. They stepped aboard his chocobo.
"See you at home," he told the Rosfield brothers.
Rodney, Jill, Torgal and their chocobo shot off towards the palace. Elwin dismounted from his own chocobo and gestured for Clive and Joshua to do the same.
"My sons, I am very disappointed with you both, riding off the Empire of Sanbreque and for what? So that you could prove to your mother that you're both equal in strength?"
"Mother told us that only the bravest of men go to Sanbreque," said Clive. "And I thought maybe I could help Jill get revenge. Especially since it was they who killed her family."
Elwin donned a sympathetic stare.
"I will speak to your mother in the morning, sons, but being brave does not mean you go looking for trouble, let alone get revenge on the ones who wronged your friend. I am only brave when I have to be. But today....I was afraid that I would lose you."
Joshua had never seen his father like this before, even if he could remember such a time.
"I guess even archdukes get scared sometimes, don't they?" he asked.
"I think those ruffians were more scared of him," smiled Clive.
Elwin gave both of his sons a hug.
"That's because no one is a match for your father!"
The boys gave a hearty laugh and hugged their father back. They chuckled and explained more about their day out all the way home. Fortunately, Anabella was nowhere to be seen, so dinner without her was lighthearted, without a menacing cloud hovering over them. As Joshua had a allergy towards carrots, he had a lovely dinner of steak and potatoes while Elwin and Clive had all the vegetables.
With supper finished, everyone called it a night and returned to their rooms. Clive escorted Joshua back to his own bedroom and helped him to prepare for bed as he always did in the past. Sometimes, he would even sleep with Clive whenever he had a nightmare or because of loud winds or thunderstorms that sometimes scared him. As Clive bushed his hair, in a manner that would make Anabella blush, Joshua sighed at his reflection in the mirror.
"Clive, put down the brush. I want to do it myself for a change."
"Why? Are you wanting to grow up that fast?"
"Yes."
"I wouldn't if I were you, Joshua, I love you just as you are."
"I know," said Joshua in a voice that sounded wise and mature for his age. "But when I'm grown up and you're too busy being archduke, what will I do for advice?"
Clive could see that he needed some encouragement....from an authority that outranked both his parents and anyone else in the court.
"Joshua, why not I tell you something father once told me?"
He directed Joshua's attention to the starry night sky outside.
"Look at the stars. The previous Phoenixes before look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone or sad, they will always be there to guide you...and so will I."
The two brothers stared at the stars in silence, dwarfed by the infinity that surrounded them.
YOU ARE READING
Final Fantasy XVI: Lion King Edition
FantasiA young prince, believed to be responsible for the death of his father and little brother, runaway from his responsibilities.
