The tall, ebony-haired man stood silently on the once grassy hillside. The two gravestones at his feet forever marking the eternal resting places of his two most beloved friends. Cecil & Rosa. A black, leather-clad hand lay gently upon the headstone of Rosa's grave.
"Has it been such an eternity? 500 years since I came to this, my beloved kingdom of Baron? Oh Cecil, if only you were here. To guide us in this time of darkness. And Rosa, if only your light could shine forth to heal and caress. But I know that you sleep the sleep of heroes, your destinies are finished...but mine, will it never end?"
His heart on the verge of breaking, a single transluscent teardrop struck the cold, lifeless granite.
"Even now my friends. Our lord Delian plots, he plots to make war against all of Yvalice. And I am faced with a decision I'm not certain I can make. And in his mad desires, he has forgotten his people...oh, his people...MY people..."
The man known as The Scottsman closed his eyes gently, the wind whipping his hair carelessly about his face.
"Talking to the spirits my friend?", a familiar voice spoke from behind.
"Because they always listen Ramas."
Ramas Vasha, Captain-General of the Red-Wings, and Lord-Knight of the kingdom of Baron stood silently beside The Scottsman.
"I thought perhaps I would find you here...", said Ramas quietly.
"It is my haven, my only solace in these times of tribulation."
"Kerrin, Delian will not do this. He knows that even Baron's might is not enough to rule the world. And he would not be foolish enough to stand against the entire council. Not even the King wields that kind of power."
"He is mad Ramas. Listen to the people. They cry to the Heavens. When shall we be redeemed? When shall the light return to fill our lives?"
Kerrin made a small gesture, encompassing the whole of the city.
"I have served this kingdom for some 10 generations Ramas. I've pledged my life to its protection, and to the protection of its King and family. Now, we stand on the brink of war."
"Even Delian is no lunatic Scottsman. Mad? Perhaps, but he knows that without our support no soldier in Baron will follow him."
"To him my friend, the death of 10,000...is no different than the death of 1..."
The two men stood silent. In the valley below, the magnificent last rays of the sun glistened on the last, and most beautiful vestige of pease left within the kingdom of Baron...the Crystal Tower...
"Within a fortnight, I must convene the council...the decision must be made Ramas."
"You are the Celestial-Knight, Lord Regent, of the High Council of Baron and your people love and trust you far more than Delian."
"I know that...and that is what frightens me Ramas."
~Two days later, within the chambers of the Crystal Tower~
The chamber room of the High Council of Baron, the place of peace and reconciliation. Kerrin recollected upon its construction. He had been present after all. Built by Cecil's own hands...and his...and several of the other heroes of the war with Zeromus. But only he remained...the tower had, for what seemed like eternity, only served to remind him of the many losses in his life. And now, perhaps there would be even more bloodshed.
"Why have you called us here my Lord Regent?", sarcasm dripped from Caris Shamir's lips. High Priest of the reviled Temple of Vargas, Caris was indeed one of the most powerful men in Baron. His hunter green and golden-runed robes hanging loosely about his frail, ashen, frame.
Kerrin stood, the cloak of Ashanti falling back into the large, oaken, wing-backed chair as he did so.
"I think it obvious Caris. The time has come to make our decision."
The other members of the assembly took on a look of grimness with the words. Varina Tomas, Holy Knight of the Brotherhood of Kluya, the largest division of Baron's standing forces was the next to speak.