|
| "Night is almost over but the darkest hour, as the old saying goes, is right before the dawn."
Without a single utterance, the pale moon passed above the sun like a distant acquaintance. Both disregarded the other, as a red-orange hue began illuminating the darkening sky. The day was dying.
Bathed in flaming red, a lone rider atop a blue-eyed gazettie sped towards a goal. With inherent skill, the cloaked figured directed the beast along the mountain-pass to the only safety that was known to her, the Fanelian capital. There, she knew her persuers' hunt would end.
She was the sole witness to the fiery death of her homeland, and for this reason the Ningen had chased her days upon days, unto the great Fanelian capitol. To her knowledge, she and the kitten held to her beaten body by a sling were the only survivors of the destruction; and that had only been managed by fate's decree.
Vivid memories flooded back to her mind as the creature beneath her jerked defiantly. It didn't want to run fast. She didn't really care, but understood. The animal bucked again, not wanting to go any further. The gazettie had tasted freedom, and wanted nothing more with its rider.
The animal had been freed right after the fire destroyed everything. When it escaped, it carried upon it's back a senseless cloaked woman and a yellow kitten. For days, the woman allowed the gazettie to pick its own way, not a single thought in her head until the small kitten clutched to her stomach cried for food she couldn't provide. As common sense returned, she recognized the soil her feet were upon. Fanelia. And with a renewed vigor, she jumped upon the animal and raced toward the only person that would help her.
Baan Heka.
However, darkness would overtake his city soon and she knew from memory that the massive gates would be closed when the sun sank below the mountains. But she had no choice. Either she made it inside the capitols walls before the gates closed, or she and the kitten hidden within the folds of her cloak would not see the next dawn.
Her eyes widened with shock as she rounded the last corner of the windy mountain pass, the gazetties hooves pounding at full speed. Blocking the path ahead of her were three men mounted on various colored gazetties, waiting for someone. She had an overwhelming feeling it was her.
"Shit!" she hissed, pulling on the reins and turning the animal beneath her in the direction it didnt wish to go, into the woods flanking the citys outer wall.
"Baka Neko, of course they would have known to come here." She kicked the creature into action. "Hayaku, Hayaku, Hayaku!" The woman yelled the command louder than expected, surprising herself and the men ahead of her on the path. Yelling had been a mistake and she realized this as the pounding hooves directly behind her grew louder.
Soon the sure-footed gazettie slipped into the protection of the trees. As it did, the womans hands dropped the reigns and clutched at the belt holding the sling to her body. She pulled it tight, causing the sleeping kitten to whimper. Throwing her cloak back onto her shoulders, she stood up in the stirrups, knees bent slightly and arms lifted in the air.
A stinging impact against her palms was almost immediate, the pain of it forcing her to dig her sharp nails into the branch, locking her grip. As she did so, her feet yanked free of the running creature, and for a moment she allowed her body to hang limply in the air, relaxed. Then, effortlessly, she hoisted up to sit atop the branch.
In the darkening silence, the hunched figure sat unmoving, listening with increased anxiety, as the cries of the kitten grew louder. "Shush!" she hissed, clutching him closer. "Goddess, they will find us if you don't hush." Only moments after she had quieted the kitten's cries and slowed her racing heartbeat, she heard the Ningen pass directly beneath her tree, following the white stallion their prey was no longer on.
With a satisfied smile, the woman stood and began her treetop trek toward the city walls. It mattered not that the sun had set and the gates were now closed. She was getting into the City! She would see her Heka tonight, and no silly little gate would stop her.
* * * * *
Kiboo Saiyajin stalked through the empty castle halls, all the while he muttered his displeasure at being called from his home at such an odd hour; leaving his wife and small child unattended in a foreign country. For almost six years he had survived on Baan-Hekas lands, living, breathing, and acting Fanelian, yet he still felt like a traitor to his home country. He was the man who had protected the enemy king in a time of war; Baan. As such he could never help feeling discomfort in a land that owned him, but in which he had no legality.
There was a grace to his swift movements, one that an aged tomcat would envy. His perceptive hazel eyes were squinted, all the while hunting for something concealed. He trusted nothing, no one; all things could be faked, manipulated to flawlessness; his many years as captain of the Shukuchian guard had showed him that. Even his own thoughts could be tampered with. Well perhaps, if one were quick enough, the roughneck-turned-aristocrat thought as he rounded a corner and strode into the newly constructed dining hall of Fanelias castle. It was used in the absence of a chamber of council.
"Youre lying!" Saiyajin stopped short as the angry voice of his king caught in his ears. Something was amiss. The kings eyes, deep ruby-red in anger, burned through the men seated at the long, rectangular dining table. Orange torchlight flickered over those assembled, sending shadows dancing and jumping. It looked to Saiyajin as if each advisor had a personal demon chewing at his soul.
Six sets of eyes looked to Baan as he spoke. As Saiyajin approached the table, he studied his king, trying to gauge the younger mans reaction.
Baan simply stood, placing his hands flat-palmed on the old oak table, waiting, watching, not quite listening to all the feeble excuses for not having told him sooner. His normally cold red eyes glared at the man directly across the table, who attempted to calm the king. Rage burned in his chest, as well as a slight fear that he may be losing control of his counsel, not to mention his country.
Border villages were often attacked, he was being told. Border pirates were a common occurrence among smaller kingdoms. He could tell they were trying to act detached, and by example throw the lack of emotion off onto their king. They didnt want him to worry. Why not?
* * * * *
A young woman jumped from the open widow sill to the floor of the darkened bedroom. Shadows hung heavy upon the furniture there, making the room look unused. But she knew this place. The tall, four-poster bed with heavy velvet drapes; the brutally elegant furniture; the deep, plush rug beneath her travel-weary feet told her who was master of this space. As did his smell, which permeated the whole place. The King of Fanelia, Baan Fanel. Finally. She couldnt quite believe shed made it home.
Weariness washed over her and she leaned against one of the tall, carved posts of the mahogany bed. The kitten stirred against her torso, repositioning himself. She stroked the bulge in her cloak with gentle fingers, a rush of love running through her. She had to keep going, if only for the kitten. It was of the greatest necessity to find Baan-Heka and make sure the little creature would be safely taken care of before she could lay herself down to rest.
Gathering the remainder of her strength, she pushed away from the supporting wooden post, and crept to the door. Silently pulling it open, she peered out into the hallway, making sure it was clear; forgetting for a moment that she was safe in this place. Then wondering if she would ever feel safe anywhere, ever again. Following the faint trail of his scent, she made her way towards him.
* * * * *
One of the huge double doors of the council chamber swung ponderously open. Without knowing why, everyone in the huge, echoing chamber turned at the sound. It wasnt unusual, after all, for someone to open the doors; servants moved in and out of the room all day, bringing refreshments on silent feet and placing them discreetly within reach of the king and his councilors. But this time was different, somehow. They could all sense it. Baan, especially, kept his burning eyes trained on the slowly widening doorway.
A dark-cloaked figure slipped inside, then turned and quietly slid the door closed, not relaxing until the latch clicked. Then it turned, and stopped. In surprise, in fear, no one could tell. A moment later, a shaking, orange paw-like hand rose from beneath the cloak. "Baan," whispered a warbly, trembling voice. Slowly, the figure collapsed to the floor, filthy blue fabric puddling around it.
"Who the hell is that!?" One of Baans advisors broke the silence. He ordered the guards, "get rid of the horrid, smelly thing."
"No." The King stopped Saiyajin with a gesture of his hand. "I want to see." He moved from his place at the head of the table, striding purposefully toward the unconscious intruder.
"But, Heka!" One of the guards moved to stop him, forgetting for a moment that the young man was the greatest swords-man of Gaea and could care for himself, thinking only to protect him.
"No!" He held his hand to the man that reached for him. Baan knelt next to the figure, and with delicate fingers slid away the hood of the soiled cloak, revealing the face of a reddish-pink haired cat. "Meruru?" he whispered in surprise. Then he pulled her limp body to his own, holding her with the care and gentleness of a lover. "My Goddess... What happened?"
A childs whimper interrupted his thoughts. Something squirmed against his chest. He pulled her away from him, looking from her dirty face down to the buttons of the blue cloak that engulfed her small, child-like form. Gently, he supported her body with one arm as the fingers of his other hand undid the wooden buttons. Gasps could be heard behind him as he took off the blue garment that was her only clothing. Baan looked down at her beaten body and closed his eyes, trying to hold back a mixture of tears and anger. He opened them when he felt the fingers of a child tugging at his hand. Soft purple eyes greeted his gaze, very much like his Merurus, but the face was wrong. It was yellow, and male. "Heka?" The young Neko tugged at Baans fingers. "Heka. Help my momma. Please, Heka. Please."
* * * * *
Baan was waiting outside the bedroom hed chosen for Meruru, growing very impatient. The doctor had been in there for an hour, examining first the young neko, and then Meruru. He could hear their voices, the high, piping voice of the little yellow neko, and the ancient rumble of the doctor.
Their conversation suddenly halted, and the latch of the heavy wooden door turned. The king backed away, expecting the old man. But it was a nurse, clad in a gray dress and her hair hidden by a white kerchief, leading the little boy out by the hand. Baan stared expectantly at the young woman. Color rose in her cheeks, and she seemed extremely self-conscious in the presence of her king. "T-the young one is hungry," she stumbled over her words. "We are going to fetch a snack."
Disappointed by the lack of information about Meruru, Baan gestured for her to carry on. She hurried away. He glanced inside the bedroom, only to have the doctor shut the door in his face once again. "Please be patient, Heka," the old man said from the other side of the door. "I shall be through in just a few moments."
Im the king, he thought indignantly. I could just open the door and walk in, and he wouldnt be able to do anything about it.
But would that be wise? A voice inside his head argued. He sighed. Still greatly tempted to just burst into the room, he settled himself against the wall beside the doorjamb, and waited. Several minutes later, the door opened again, this time to emit the short, white-haired, bespectacled medicus. Torchlight flickered in orange circles from the lenses of his wire-rimmed glasses and cast shadows on his starched white robe. He was slightly hunched, and he held his hands clasped together in front of him. He cleared his throat several times, and Baan could tell he was nervous about something.
"Bruises, scrapes...nothing too serious, at least nothing life-threatening," the aged doctor listed his findings while Baan stood, arms crossed, his gaze riveted on the old mans heavily wrinkled face. "She is exhausted, though; both mentally and physically. She traveled a great distance in a very short time." The doctor fell silent, unsure how to deliver his next bit of news. He saw the worry in the young kings eyes.
No, not a king right now. Just a concerned young man. How do I tell him?
He decided upon the direct approach.
"I also believe that...her mental state may be additionally affected by...well, I am not sure, but I found certain evidence of...of rape, Heka. In fact, there is little doubt in my mind... she was raped." Instead of reacting with the rage or anguish he had expected, a wall seemed to form behind the kings eyes. He is the king once again. Without emotion. Our poor Baan-Sama.
Baan moved past the doctor. "I will see her now."
"She has not yet awakened!" the old man warned, turning with a speed that belied his age, and reaching one arm out. "And she desperately needs her rest."
Baans ruby gaze burned into the old man. "I shall not disturb her."
He stepped into the room and shut the door. It was dark and warm inside, with only the fire in the hearth for light. Two extinguished oil lamps sat on the nightstand between the two beds that occupied the large bedchamber, along with a dark wardrobe that held some of his old clothes, and a dresser for guests. Both beds seemed empty, and he had to step closer to see Meruru. She lay in the one on the right, barely a sizeable lump beneath the blankets. She looks so small, he thought. So much smaller than when she left....
He found that all he could do was look down at her, just her head and a bit of her shoulders sticking out from beneath the hem of the luxurious, down-filled quilt. She was sleeping, though it was not an undisturbed rest. A nightmare played inside her mind, her eyelashes fluttering as she fought whatever terror she was going through. A crease slashed between her brows, and the muscles around her eyes were tight. Even though she was safe here, in his castle, he knew she was haunted still by the terrible things that had been done to her.
The door creaked open, spilling a bit more light into the room. Then it was gone as the heavy oak door was shut, and the nervous young nurse led her small charge over to the empty bed. Silently she tucked him in, then curtsied to the king, whose back was to her. She hurried from the room, closing the door gently behind her.
"Momma got hurt." The small voice broke into Baans thoughts, and he turned his head slowly to stare at the soft, yellow-furred little neko sitting up among his blankets. His large, parma eyes flashed with hearth-light as he stared without fear at the tall, dark man. Of course he would be unafraid, Baan thought bitterly. I am to be their savior.
* * * * *
Notes of a soft lullaby made from dusty memories floated through her mind, lighting the dark corners where she had taken refuge. But old melodies from her childhood had changed, somehow. Instead of Queen Varies high, sweet voice, a low, slightly off-key whistle caught in her ears. It called to her exhausted mind like the warm, welcoming arms of a mother.
Merurus eyes opened slowly, seeking the source of the comforting sound. What she saw took her breath away. Leaning over another bed in the darkened room was the man she hadnt seen in years; the one shed raced to, the one who would now protect her and her son. It was Baan. He had an unfinished beauty, with candlelight turning his masculine features almost delicate. She saw only one flaw, the overwhelming anguish that shone in his gentle eyes.
With a quick flick of his wrist, he pushed his unruly raven hair out of his face. It only flopped back down again, blocking his contemplative view of the young, yellow Neko buried beneath a mound of down quilts.
Meruru pushed herself up to better see her youngling. He looked sleepy and content, snuggled close to the man whose fingers brushed through his curly blond hair. A sad smile that didnt quite make it to her eyes curved upon her mouth. He must be a wonderful father, she thought, for there was no way a man could learn such gentleness unless taught by a child.
"Kiiro."
His music stopped, his clear gaze turning to her, suddenly confused and angry. "What?"
She let her eyes drop to the shadowed quilt covering her. "His name, Baan. My sons name is Kiiro."
He turned back to the small Neko. "Hes beautiful." Grasping the edge of the blanket, he pulled it to the childs chin then stood from his chair.
Meruru wouldnt look at him, but she heard his measured footfalls as he made his way to her bedside. One edge of the mattress dipped, and finally she looked up. His eyes burned with some emotion she couldnt name, but was afraid of. She started to flinch back when he took her hand gently into his own, and entwined her fingers with his. Then he spoke, his voice low and filled with regret.
"I looked for you...for years. I couldnt find a trace. I thought you were dead."
She raised her other hand to his face, cupping his cheek, wiping away tears that werent there. "I never wanted you to find me, Heka. After Hitomi left, I... I lost you, Baan. And when Tameru came..."
"Tameru? Tameru? I lost you to him?!" He gripped her hand tighter, pulling her closer to him. "And where is he now? Did he run while they were attacking...while they were raping you?" He felt the sting of her slap across his cheek, and his head turned with what she thought was the force of the impact. He kept his face turned away, and she heard him heave a frustrated sigh. As his eyes opened, he saw Kiiro sleeping in the other bed.
When Baan turned back to her, Meruru saw unshed tears in his eyes. Tears that would never spill over onto his cheek. She understood in that moment that the man sitting before her was not the boy she had loved, nor would he ever be again.
Baan enfolded her within his arms, holding her as she sobbed against his shoulder. "Im sorry," he whispered. "I didnt mean it to sound like that." He didnt know that she grieved not for herself, but for his loss of innocence.
He turned, crushing her body to him, and buried his face in her shoulder. Tentatively, he felt her arms slip around his waist. When he slowly pulled away, he saw only regret in her eyes.
"Baan, I -" Suddenly he wasnt looking at her anymore. His eyes were trained on the door before it even opened. A man walked in, gazing around the room, looking as if he were trying to adjust his eyes to the low light.
Meruru couldnt breathe for a second. His appearance was stunning. Long deep-brown hair flowed over white-clad shoulders; hazel eyes burning with intelligence were set in an angular, almost perfect face. The man was very tall, almost as tall as Baan, wearing a loose linen shirt and dark riding pants. His hands were snugged into brown leather gloves, which he was in the process of removing. The overall effect was one of refined perfection, and Meruru got a sense that he was trying a bit too hard to be something he was not.
"Heka, might I see you for a moment?" Barely restrained anger hummed beneath his sonorous voice. Meruru couldnt see Baans face, but she suspected there was a hint of stubborn defiance in his eyes.
"Wait for me in the council chambers," he ordered softly. "I will be with you in a moment."
Saiyajin turned abruptly, as if Baans answer werent suitable. "As you wish, Heka." The door clicked as it shut. Audible stomps echoed down the hallway, slowly fading.
"Exactly who was that?" Meruru asked, one eyebrow cocked in inquiry.
"My newest keeper," he replied with a roll of his eyes. "I must speak with him." He unwound her hands from his waist and stood, releasing her to the protection of the bed. He strode to the door and yanked it open. Just before he disappeared into the darkened hallway, Baan glanced back, almost as if he were going to say something. But with a sigh, he left, closing the door gently behind him. Something rattled near the doorknob, and she knew she was locked in.
With a growl, Meruru slipped from the warmth of the blankets and stalked over to the door. After trying the knob, she knew her assumption was correct. Well, it never stopped me before, did it? She padded over to her sleeping son, planting a kiss on his soft, furry forehead.
A gentle breeze rustled the heavy drapes, and Meruru moved silently to the open window. She stuck her head out, gazing at the double moons. Only half of Shiro was peeking out from behind the blue Mystic Moon. The Festival of the White Dragon Moon would be held in a few days, if Baan so decided. The Festival, traditionally held in Fanelia, hadnt been observed for the seventeen years Fanelia was without a King, and the seven years the country was steadily being rebuilt.
She remembered the last time the Festival had been held. It the season just before Folkens Dragon Trial, to retrieve a drag-energist and claim the throne of Fanelia; before Hitomi; and many years before Zaibach destroyed the City, even before the old King had died. Life had been wonderful, innocent, exciting. Baan had actually seemed young then, and almost happy. It would never be like that again, for either of them.
Pushing herself away from the window, she moved toward the wardrobe and rifled around till she found something to cover enough of herself with to pass as decent. Then, with a last look at her sleeping son, she crawled out onto the sill and went in search of an unlocked window.
*********
"Heka," Saiyajin said, slapping his brown riding gloves into one hand. "What exactly occurred back there?" He went to one of the sideboards and poured two shots of pink Asturian Vino. One he set at his Kings elbow, the other he kept.
Baan was seated at the head of the long dining table in the council chamber, slumped forward, elbows on the table and fingers steepled together. His forehead and chin rested against his pressed hands.
"Your Majesty?" Saiyajin prompted when Baan failed to answer. With a sigh of frustration, he slammed the small brandy glass down on the table, yanked out the chair at Baans right hand, and fell into it. "Baan, I was called from my home, my wife, my child at an ungodly hour of the eve, without a single explanation. I have no idea whats occurring here! The least you could do is tell me why that Neko suddenly appeared? And why, by the two moons, did you undress her and carry her away?" When Baan still refused to answer, Saiyajin picked up the small glass of sloshing pink liquid. "Goddess, no one tells me anything," he said, downing the pale liqueur. He grimaced. "What I wouldnt give for a tankard of mead..."
"I learned today that a Border villageIrini to be exactwas sacked and burned last week. Most of the Neko were killed. There was raping and pillaging and all-out destruction." Baans head came up, his red eyes piercing through Saiyajin. "Only Meruru and her son survived. She is to be treated with the utmost respect, by everyone. And that goes for her son as well. If you hear any rude comments about her, to her face or behind her back, you are to discourage such behavior. Inform all the guards of this. By Hekas command."
"LAST WEEK?!?!" Saiyajin exclaimed, ignoring Baans order. "And you are only just learning of it? Who do those cursed sons of..."
"Did you know, Kiboo?" Baan cut his vassal off mid-epithet.
For a moment, the older man couldnt speak. A spark of anger ignited inside of him, but he quickly dampened it. Of course he would be suspected. As a foreigner, and a member of council, he would certainly be questioned after a disaster such as this.
"He could have known, Baan-Heka," said a new voice. "But I dont think he did."
Both Saiyajin and the king jerked toward the source of the interruption. The cat-woman, now clothed in one of Baans old shirts, belted, and with a dagger sheathed at her waist, crouched in an open window, one furry hand pressed to the window frame for support.
First, Saiyajin had watched his king carry her naked body out of the dining hall, then hed caught them pulling out of an embrace, and now she appeared wearing only his shirt, a dagger, and an angry statement. There had to be something more going on here than he knew.
The king was the first to break the silence. "Meruru, when somebody locks you in, that usually means youre supposed to stay where you are." His hard eyes bored through her.
Perhaps at one time she would have snapped back with a wry retort, or regarded him with a hurt look, but as things stood now, such things were trivial to her.
"They were Fanelians, Baan. Not Border Pirates, not Zaibach...Fanelians. Your own people."
"Goddess," Saiyajin muttered, grabbing the vino hed poured for the king and tossing it back in one swallow.
Baan simply continued to stare stonily at the long-legged, orange cat-woman, his statement unchanged. "How do you know?" he finally said softly.
She slipped down from the window to the floor and strode purposefully toward the sideboard, snatching up some of the refreshments the servants had left earlier. She hadnt realized till shed seen them how hungry she was.
"I recognized them. Many were from the next village over." She ignored the fizzy pink wine and opted for water instead.
"You were supposed to stay in your room. What if Kiiro wakes up, and his mother isnt there?" Baans voice was mocking, but Meruru knew he was truly worried about the young Neko. He had experience waking up and suddenly being without a mother.
She met his glare with one of her own. "Dont try to leave me out of this, Heka. Its bigger than all of us, including me and Kiiro. And you."
"In that case," Saiyajin broke in, standing, trying to ease the tension that was crowding the air out of the room, "I believe I will now take my leave. Preparations for Bon-Tsuki Shiro must continue as planned, and I must see to them. I know you favor putting it off for one more year, Heka, but the people have waited seventeen long years for this. Shouldnt we honor their wishes?"
Baans brooding, shadowed eyes flicked up to meet those of his advisor, then slid shut. "Fine, give the people their festival. Invite whomever you wish. But this isnt going away, Kiboo. Its only going to get worse."
"We can take care of the skirmishers after the festival," Saiyajin spoke calmly. "This is a time for peace and celebration. The people wouldnt take very well to an army marching through their revelries."
Suddenly, one of the huge, gilded double doors swung inward, and a tall, short blond-haired, Asturian strode arrogantly toward the table. A large gray owl perched upon his shoulder.
Baan looked up, his detached gaze falling upon a man that he wished never to cross paths with again. "I told the guards to admit no one else."
"I threatened to set Natal here on them. They responded exactly as I hoped."
Meruru smirked. "They doubled over in laughter, and couldnt have stopped you if theyd wanted to?"
Allen smirked back. "Precisely."
Neither the king nor Saiyajin found any humor in the exchange.
"To get back to the matter at hand-" Saiyajin ignored the newcomer who stood leaning one hip against the foot of the table.
Meruru interrupted Baans foreign advisor. "Whomever planned this whole thing chose the perfect time. Of course Heka would not send an army out of the City during Shiro. I think thats exactly what we should do." Her words ended on a growl.
Baan glanced at her, not realizing he didnt like the hate he saw in her hard eyes.
"I think thats exactly what they want us to do." Saiyajin regarded her calmly from across the table.
"I think you know more about this than most people." Allen glared at him.
"I have pledged my loyalty to Baan-Heka. I would do nothing to jeopardize the security of Fane-"
Allens voice rose over Saiyajins as he pushed away from the edge of the table, and began walking toward the small group seated at the head of the long dining table. "Theyd need someone close to the king to keep them informed of his plans. Who better than a foreigner? After all, it isnt as if hes being asked to betray his-"
Saiyajin shot up from his seat. "THIS IS MY HOME," he roared, looking as if he wanted to leap across the table and throttle the young upstart who now stood by Meruru.
"War is threatening my boundaries. I didnt think it would breach my palace walls so soon." Baans quiet, emotionless words stopped the argument almost immediately, but animosity still crackled in the air. Heka glanced to his right. "Sit down, Kiboo."
Slowly, the auburn-haired aristocrat lowered himself back to his seat.
The kings eyes then trained on Allen. "Do not goad my advisors, Sir Knight. Theyre all enough of a pain in the ass as it is."
"Of course, Baan-Heka."
(added 12/14/01)
Meruru sat, still munching on the snacks piled in front of her, watching the theatrics. Politics had confused and bored her as a child, but now they were becoming somewhat interesting.
"Baan-Heka," she said between mouthfuls, "wont everyone be coming to the festival? This is a perfect way to observe everyone, how they react to each other. We could root out the murderers."
Saiyajins gaze was apologetically condescending. "Im sorry, Lady Meruru, but we dont have that many pairs of objective eyes."
Her eyes twinkled. "Of course we do. Remember Ruhm, Heka?"
"The wolf-kin." Baan nodded thoughtfully. "That might work."
"Of course it will," Meruru said, a bit of her old self shining through the hardened woman she had become in so short a time. "I thought of it."
A tiny smile touched Baans lips as he covertly gazed at her triumphant profile; only Saiyajin noticed. Perhaps our king has a heart, after all, he thought.
"Allen!" Baan barked, his strong gaze centering upon the tall Asturian, challenging the Knight Caeli to defy whatever order he was about to give. "I wish to speak with you. Now!" With the last remark he shoved his chair under the table adding emphasis to his demand.
And also a sense of justice, scoffed Saiyajin.
* * * *
"Baan?" Allen questioned, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, eyes intently watching the younger man whose back was facing him.
The Fanelian king had matured in Allens absence of three years, physically, it appeared, as well as mentally. He was tall, well built and quick witted. No longer was he the scraggly prince who fought against Zaibach seven years prior and changed the tides of rivaling nations. Baan-Sama, he had spirit, and a heart; things Baan-Heka lacked. Simply, the prince of Fanelia had been a much better ruler than the King of Fanelia ever would be. And Allen couldnt help but feel hed had a hand in the young mans transformation.
Allen cleared his throat and began. "I came not of my own accord. My king requested..." He stopped mid-sentence as Baan turned and pulled his sword out in one fluid motion.
He lifted it, holding the obviously well used weapon out from his body, letting light from the burning torches slide along the blade so he could check for nicks. There were none. "Didnt I tell you never to return?" It wasnt a question. Without warning Baan thrust forward, bridging the gap between them, the sound of clashing metal, then steal on stone, echoed in the dimly lit hallway. "Youre getting rusty in your old age."
Allens eyes slid to the right. His sword was ten feet away, the blade still quivering from its impact with the cobbled floor. He felt a solid wall at his back. Baan leveled his hard, unfeeling gaze on Allen. The Fanelian king backed away, sliding his sword into its scabbard with a steely hiss.
"You make this habit of barging into my castle unwanted." Baan regarded his newly blemished blade, running a calloused thumb along the shining edge. Blood dulled steel. "Remember your place, knight. On my land youre the lowly pet of the Asturian kings wife, nothing more. As for your interruption in my council chambers today, it shall not go unpunished. Ill see to you in my office chambers in the morning. Till then I couldnt care less why youre here."
Allen blinked in momentary confusion as he watched the broad-shouldered young king stalk away. The boy was certainly single-minded when he wished to be. As you wish Heka
* * * * *
Dawn. Slowly the sun arose to the great sky, outshining her sister orb and its lover, the mystic moon. Gently her fingers drifted, intertwined with the thick mist-clouds that clung to the ground of the Fanelian valley. With a lingering regret the clouds dissipated, once more allowing light to touch the fertile Gaean land.
A tree limb snapped under the weight of a mans hand. From the huge reaching trees surrounding a glen, blackbirds took flight into the newly lit sky. Like sentinels against the living worlds passage of time, the trees stood unmoved by the birds, protecting the glen and its ghosts.
Wrapped in the comforting presence of now silent ancestors a man stood, tears in his eyes....
"Life got hard when you left me, Anue." The last member of the Fanel bloodline stood staring up at his brothers stone monument.
"When I pictured your world without Escaflowne, I never saw it like this." His eyes lingered upon the sleeping form of his kingdoms guardian. The huge guymelef knelt where he had laid it to rest years ago. Satisfied by its unaltered state, Baan looked over the rest of the Royal graveyard.
His brothers monument stood above all the rest. It swept from a wide base to an elegant monolith that proclaimed without words Folken Lacour de Fanels greatest achievement: the man who failed in the eyes of his homeland had saved Gaea.
"My kingdom," Baan sank to his knees. "Seems to be dying... just when it was about to live again." Memories stirred. A flash of black hair, his, hurried past his line of sight. A sunflower field surrounded them, brightened by the pleased laughter of a childs voice, "Papa~Chan." Baans head bowed in shame. "The Neko are being persecuted, and by my own people..." Merurus beaten, brutalized body flashed through his mind. Eyes closed, trying to block the thought. He lifted a hand to his eyes, feeling suddenly so tired, the weight of rule so heavy it bowed his shoulders.
"It was never meant to be like this. You were to be king! I..." He whispered the last words "was just your little brother."
Twin cat eyes watched as Baans dark head rose, and he glanced beside Folkens monument. The small area was shadowed, but a pale tombstone shone in the newly fangled sunlight. Slowly, the king approached, walking as would a person in a funeral procession. One gloved hand rested on the stone as he came to a halt. His head bent as if in prayer, then straightened suddenly. Warily, his red eyes moved quickly over the scenery, hunting for a presence his body felt but his eyes could not catch sight of. Finding nothing, he moved into the trees and made his way back to the palace amongst their protection.
Meruru hopped down from her tree, checked to be sure he was gone, then moved cautiously over to the small headstone that had been newly erected. There were two small markers, side-by-side, overshadowed by Folkens huge monument, but their proximity to it denoted the importance of whoever had been buried there.
She stepped closer, squinting to see the engraved words on the white limestone. Juunana Kuoni. Meruru had never heard the name before. Her eyes narrowed in confusion, she turned to the other, the one Baan knelt before. Lacour Kanza Ni Fanel. She didnt comprehend what she was reading. Lacour was Folkens middle name, and Kanza ... Shed never heard that name before, not until Hitomi ...
"Hitomi? ...It cant be."
She turned and raced back through the trees toward the castle; to the only person she knew would tell her anything.
* * * * *
Upon the cobble stone bridge, in the capitol city, not far from the castle, two Figures stood cloaked in the dark colors of Fanelias neighbor country. The shadows of the morning light hid them in direct spectacle.
Her eyebrow raised "A neko? So she is in the city." Thin, red painted lips pressed into a triumphant smile. "I was quite correct." Tokie turned to the cloaked figure that stood at her side. "I knew she would come."
"Where else did you think she would go, Woman? Deeper into the woods, away from that damn Ryugen?"
"I dont-"
"Exactly! You dont know shit! Come." He motioned with his hand as he turned. "We have more pressing matters than to chase a cat around Fanelia all night. We came here for a reason. She was not it."
* * * * *
"Allen!" Meruru called, banging on his door. "Allen, wake up!" She had to talk to him; she had to know, for certain, who Lacour Kanza Ni Fanel was. Heaviness settled over her heart, for she feared she already knew. "Allen~San, please!" she cried, resting her forehead on the smooth, dark wood.
The door jerked open, and Allen stood there, his short hair disheveled, his shirt and jacket on but unbuttoned, pants just hanging on his hips, sword belt buckled, his hand on the hilt.
"What is it?" he barked, his eyes quickly scanning the hallway. He was ready for a fight.
Meruru was taken aback by his fierceness. "I...I just wanted to talk to you about something."
"Can it wait till breakfast?" Allen said, looking slightly pissed. She watched as he visibly relaxed, but did not remove his hand from his sword.
"No, no I dont think it can. Please?" She met his masked gaze, daring him to refuse.
But Allens honor overcame him. He turned sideways, sweeping his hand inward, toward his apartments. "It would be my pleasure."
Just as Meruru entered, everything went dark. She gasped and spun, ready to claw her way out and away to safety. Then a flame pierced the darkness, and she saw Allens tired face. Hed only shut the door. She forced herself to breathe again. They havent come for you, Kitty Kat, she thought. Youre still safe.
The flame of the candle bobbed over to a table by the window, and she followed. Three more candles were lit, and the small corner brightened considerably. "Now," Allens voice rumbled in the darkness. "What is it you wish to talk about?"
"I followed Baan-Heka into the cemetery this morning." She watched his face as she said this, and though his statement did not change, his eyes became shadowed. "He went first to his brothers grave, then to another. Two others, actually." Meruru stopped, gazing at him intently, watching for any hint that he knew what she was talking about. His eyes closed slowly, then slid back open again. They told her he knew exactly which graves Baan had visited.
"Who were they?" she said softly.
Allen simply sat and stared at her through half-lidded eyes. She could tell he didnt want to relive the story behind the headstones. Running a hand through his strangely short-cropped hair, he yawned and said, "Why dont you go ask your King?"
"He wont te...L me anything. Why did you cut your hair?"
He regarded her with angry eyes, but she wouldnt be scared off. This was too important to her. "Tell me. Please."
With a sigh, Allen leaned forward, his elbows braced on the table, his very blue eyes piercing hers. "After you left, and Baan cou...dnt find you, he met the young daughter of one of the lesser nobles at a court trial. Her father was being charged with trading with Zaibach before and during the War. This girl had never been to court before, had never met the king. But she stood up there, before Baan, and proclaimed her fathers innocence. She spoke of how he helped against Zaibach, had his wheat fields harvested early to provide enough food for the armies of the alliance. She told of his support of the young king, even before Fanela.... fell. One day at court, before all who were assembled, she demanded that if he still wanted someone to blame, he could take her." Allen sat back, crossing his arms over his chest, saying no more.
"Well?" Meruru demanded. "What did he do?"
The Heavenly Knight eyed her, one golden brow cocked, as if discerning whether or not she were worthy of the information. Finally, he acceded. "He took her...as his mistress. Her name was Juunana, and apparently she reminded him of....a mutual acquaintance of ours."
Meruru stared, her mouth agape, her eyes wide. "A mistress?" she whispered.
"Yes. And nine months later, their daughter was born. But Juunana did not survive the birth."
Meruru closed her eyes, feeling pain for her childhood friend, who had lost two of the women hed loved. "And the child...?"
"She died too, but not until two years later." He looked down. "There was a plague. It affected everyone, from the lowest commoner, to the kings daughter..."Allen regarded the tabletop, but she could tell he wasnt seeing it. He was remembering as he told her...
The setting sun's last weak rays shone through the windows, banding the desolate hallway. Light glinted off long golden hair as the angel knight made his way to Baans bedchamber. There was silence throughout the castle; the only sound that of his boot heels clicking on the cobbled floor. The thick, sweet scent of rot permeated the air, clinging to the walls like death. It lingered in his nostrils, churned his stomach, but he continued on, his face a mask of stone.
The sound of his passage echoed through the hall, earning the nods of nervous guards, each showing their allegiance to the foreigner who in his moment of betrayal showed more loyalty to their king than those who had sworn their life to the throne.
Allan stopped. Before him was a large oak door standing guard, protecting the death. His hand hesitated on the metal latch; loyalty to Baan urged him to walk away, leave the man with his dying daughter. Duty forced him to turn the knob and enter. The angel stepped in, and Death knew this battle was lost.
In a small, dimly lit room a child cried weakly, her hands clutching at her fathers shirt. They were cuddled on a bed, and as young man held her, rocking, he whistled a lullaby remembered from his past.
The child's face was swollen, her skin cracked, seeping blood. Pain twisted her cherubic features, shadowed her chestnut eyes. She rubbed her face into her father's chest, and he hugged her closer, as she wetted his shirt with her glistening red tears.
"Shhh, shhh," he whispered. "Dont cry, Kanzi. As soon as you get better, Ill show you the ends of the world. Well take a trip, just you and me. So you have to hurry up and get better. Id be lonely on our trip without you."
The childs crying quieted. "Can Mama come too?" she said between sniffles.
His eyes glanced to the table beside the bed, where a small portrait sat, depicting a smiling young woman with big green eyes and long black hair. The depiction was all Kanzi knew of her mother, but she had created a whole fantasy around that small portrait. "Sure," he said. "Mama can come too."
The little girl whimpered, and he placed a hand on her head. She was afire with fever. Indescribable pain clenched in his gut. He had promised upon her birth to defend her with his entire army if necessary. But this was something the sword couldn't kill.
He sensed a presence in the doorway. "Allen."
The nurse sitting in a chair by the door gasped. "Oh, my Lord, forgive me. I didn't see you standing there." She stood up, not too sure of herself.
Baan looked up. Allens tall frame filled the doorway. Light leaked in around him, casting his figure in a black silhouette; Death's angel. Baans eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice drained of emotion.
Allen had expected anger, fear, coldness toward him, or the haunting pain that had shadowed Baans eyes since hed first met the newly-crowned king. But there was nothing. He seemed empty.
"I came to see how your daughter was doing."
"No, I know you better than that. What do you want?" He spoke almost in a whisper.
The tall, slim knight made his way to the bed, kneeling at its side. "I need to speak with you, please. Its of great importance, Baan. I wouldnt bother you if it wasnt."
"What could be more important?" His eyes down-turned to his daughter who cried weakly for his attention.
"Heka... not before the child."
"Later."
"Heka, Your people need you-"
"Later!!" Baan shouted, rising from the bed and taking a threatening step forward. Allen quickly straightened, standing at his full height. They glared at each other in a battle of wills, two of the most stubborn men in all of Gaea.
"Fine," Allen said, bowing slightly, startling Baan with his sudden compliance. "Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Baan agreed. Then turned back to his daughter.
Sinewy arms snaked around his chest before he had taken another step, pulling him backward, out of the room. "NO!" the young father cried, realizing too late what Allen had been planning all along. "Kanzi!" He reached a hand out to his dying child. "Allen, what are you doing?!"
"Stay with her!" Allen ordered the nurse as the child began screaming for her father, crawling pitifully toward the edge of the bed.
When Allen pulled him through the doorway, Baan grabbed the doorframe, trying to pull himself back through. "Kanzi! Kanzi, Papa loves you!"
With a wrench of his shoulders, Allen dislodged the distraught young mans grip, and pulled him out into the hallway.
"Guards!" Baan cried as a contingent of soldiers rounded the corner. "Help me!" They merely stood, locked in place by Allens glare.
"Lock the door!" Allen bellowed. "Nobody goes in or out." One of the guards obeyed, stepping forward and slamming the door, then shoving a key into the lock, sealing his own fate as he did so.
"Kanzi!!" Baan screamed as his daughter cried for him. "Allen, please!!"
"Be still, Baan!" Allen struggled to hold onto the frantic king.
"Goddess, Allen, why do you do this?! Kanzi!!" He swung his arms in an attempt to hit his assailant, but he was helpless in the Asturians grip. Allen dragged him backwards until his back met with a wall, and held on tight. Small, muffled Papas filled the hallway. "Kanzi..."
Hours passed and as his daughter's cries became weaker, Baan's rage grew. In a last attempt, he pushed into Allen, shoving the older man backwards and into the hard stone wall. Together, forced by pain and exhaustion, they both slid downward to the awaiting floor
Tears streamed down the king of Fanelias face, who was still held tight in the Asturians grip. "Why, Allen?"
"Saiyajin wanted his country to have a king after this was all over. He didnt want you to become infected."
Baans chest heaved with exertion and anger. "Dont be here in the morning," he said softly, his voice grim. "If you are, I will kill you." His head fell back into the chest of the man who held him.
"And thats how it was, till dawn," Allen told Meruru, shadows flickering over his face. "I held him until his daughters last scream. After that, silence. We all knew it was over. He had long since stopped struggling. I do not think he ever forgave me. We found out later that the illness only affected children. But it was too late for the king to be with his daughter."
Merurus eyes were wet with unshed tears. "Lacour Kanza ni Fanel. He had a daughter...." She looked up, wiping her eyes. "That still doesnt explain your hair."
"The next morning, I was still there...It should not have come as a shock that Baan kept his word, but it did." All[a]ens eyes down turned to the table once more, reliving events of the past...
(added 1/11/02)
A furious, black-haired king charged Allen from behind, a raging battle cry echoing around the dawn-lit hallway. Pounding footsteps followed, then a ringing clash of swords. "You had no right!" Baan screamed. Allen dodged the first of Baans charges at the last second. He wasnt wounded, but a shank of blond hair lay gleaming on the sunlit cobbles of the courtyard.
Allen simply stood, staring at it, his chest heaving with a mixture of fury and trepidation. The boy had certainly come far. He was almost Allens height now, seven years after Hitomis final departure.
Blue eyes sparking with anger, Allen raised the tip of his sword. "You grow pretentious, princeling," he murmured softly, the wind sifting through what was left of his hair. His throat gave forth no cry as he charged; the only sound the pounding of his boots on paving stones. Baan held his ground, not moving, not even lifting his sword, till the last second.
"I had no choice. Youre a king." Allens sword hissed as they pulled apart, then once more collided. "Is death what you wanted?" Another. "Your kingdom, your people should be everything to you. Not a child!" And another. Allen let out a grunt of anger with each untamed contact.
Finally, the last ring of steel-on-steel was heard, followed by the clatter of steel-on-stone. Only Baan stood laboring for breath, gulping air like a drowning man suddenly raised to the surface.
"She was just a child Baan." His blue eyes glanced sideways at his opponents fallen weapon. "Youre a king." His eyes slid back to his young friends. "As such, you dont have the luxuries that come with being just a man."
Sweat rolled from Baans chin, dropping onto the suddenly unmoving tip of Allens blade pricking the young kings neck where it met his jaw. They glared at each other, Baan silently daring Allen to part the unprotected flesh, the knight daring the king to back away.
"Kill me," Baan whispered tightly, his lips pressed.
Allens sword crept forward, freeing a single crimson drop that mixed with Baans sweat, sliding down to pool at the hollow of his throat. The young man closed his eyes, tilting his head back, awaiting release from his sorrows.
Suddenly the blade was gone, shoved roughly into its sheath. "Im not an assassin. Do your own killing." He turned in a swirl of the latest Asturian fashions, and marched from the unfinished hallway. Baan closed his eyes, not able to watch the older man leave. Tears or sweat trickled down his face; it could not be determined which.
"Not an assassin?" he cried at the retreating knights back. Baan was awash with the agony of loss, he had wanted Allens sword to end it. "Could have fooled me." The Asturian kept walking, ignoring Baans taunts. "Come back, you son of a bitch! Come back and finish what you started!"
He disappeared into the gray dawn.
A season later, many bird nests gleamed golden in the autumn sunlight.
"Back in my rooms, I cut the rest of my hair off. When the princess was buried, I tied it in a circle and left it at her grave. It wasnt there the next day. I assume Baan took it and burned it."
"Baan-Sama," she whispered, not looking at Allen.
"It was unfortunate," the knight said, his voice stiff. "But duty to ones country comes before everything else."
Merurus head came up and she glared at him. Images of Millernas eldest sister and Prince Chid flashed through her mind. But what she saw on his face told her he liked saying it even less than she liked hearing it.
"Hai," she said softly, then stood to leave.
"Im not sorry for what I did," he said, stopping her. "It had to be done. I did not enjoy it. Thats why Im here now. Somehow, the plague has gotten to Asturia. Millerna and Drydens daughter...she is showing the symptoms. If there is a cure, I must have it."
Meruru met his eyes, and nodded. "I will talk with Baan."
Allen bowed his head in a single nod. "Arigato."
*****
From across the roof, she watched the unyielding morning breeze toss his hair as the sun glinted off his naked sword blade. He held it almost negligently, letting the tip touch the red roof tiles. He always has it with him, now. What attack does he think he has to defend against? Even with the wall he'd built around himself to keep everyone out, he still sought the most private places he could find. He's been alone so much...he's had everyone taken from him. No wonder he can't get close to anybody anymore.
As Meruru walked up behind him, the last whispers of a lovers plea reached her ears ... " Hitomi, I need you... now more than ever. Please.... Please... return...." She could see him tense. He sensed her presence, even though she made no noise. The sword reflected light into her eyes as he suddenly lifted it and whirled, all in one motion. A small prick of sunlight glared at the pointed tip, just inches from her eyes. "Don't you ever stay in your room?" The blade lowered to the ground, and he glared at her, but a small grin played on his lips.
"Only if there's someone to keep me there."
Her adult answer shocked him for a second. She could see the surprise in his eyes. But he quickly hid it, yanking it behind the wall. He slammed his sword back into its scabbard. "So, is that why you ran off with what's-his-name? His ability to keep you in a bedroom?"
She sighed, a sound filled with weariness and pain, and covered her eyes. "I didn't come up here so we could sling arrows at each other."
Baan turned away from her, crossing his arms over his chest. "Then why did you?" His voice floated back to her on the breeze, vindictiveness masking his own deep wounds; ones that would never heal until he learned to let go of his pain.
"I came to...ask you for help."
"Anything," he said softly, turning around and taking a few steps toward her. He grabbed her arm. His sudden change of attitude startled her. "Anything I can do."
Meruru forced herself to meet his eyes. They burned with a need to make something, anything, right. So many things had gone wrong in his life.
She knew her next words would hurt him. "Help Allen."
Baan's eyes went almost black with anger. He stepped back from her. "He doesn't need my help." He wasn't looking at her anymore. She could almost see memories flickering before his inner eye.
"He does," she rushed on, trying not to lose him to his own emotions. She had to find some compassion in him. "Millerna and Dryden's daughter has a strange disease, and" The look on his face stopped her words. He looked as if someone had torn open a wound that had finally begun to heal...or had never healed at all. Goddess, what had this boy been through? No. Not a boy anymore. A man, one who had never really been a boy at all. His childhood had been ripped away with the death of his father. Now, his child had been torn away as well.
Would he want to spare Millerna and Dryden that pain? Or would he wish to drag them all down into it with him? Meruru decided he was still human, under all the scars.
"Please, anything you know about it would help them."
His gaze bored into her, and she saw something in his eyes she hoped shed never see...the brink of an abyss, ready to swallow him whole.
"It kills children," he finally hissed.
"I know," she whispered, tears stinging the backs of her eyes. But she wouldn't let them come. She needed to be strong, if not for Baan than for Millernas child.
"Will you help them?"
He simply walked away. There was nothing he could do; he wouldn't allow the helplessness to claim him again. Never again....
Meruru stood shocked; was he turning his back on her as well?
* * * * *
The massive door to Baan-Hekas office creaked open, and Saiyajin entered, dressed in his usual crisp white Court attire. His face resembled a thundercloud just before a downpour, lost as he was in his own thoughts and anger. Goddamn Council and their damn secretive decisions. The king would be furious when he learned of their latest attempt to do what was right for Baans kingdom. And of course, it was up to Saiyajin to break the news to him.
He shook his head, cleared his throat, and looked up, fully prepared for Baans diatribe when the news was delivered.
A pair of startled blue eyes burned into him.
"Shezar-sama," Saiyajin said with a mocking bow. The golden-haired knight stood behind the Kings desk. He had been gazing out the window at the courtyard below when Saiyajin walked in. There was a small golden spyglass in his hand. "I did not know you were now the King of Fanelia."
Allens eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Apparently you missed yesterdays coronation." He rolled his eyes and turned back toward the window. Then he spun once again, snapping his finger. "Oh, and youre fired."
The foreigner ignored the knights comment. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Why are you here? Where is Baan-Heka?"
"Im surprised...you got your nose out of his ass long enough to lose him."
Saiyajin heaved an annoyed sigh, then turned to leave. As he approached the door, he half turned back to Allen. "Oh, Shezar-sama. I know the pathetic amount your King pays you. But still, shouldnt your honor keep you from stealing things from our poor backwater country?" Allen looked confused. Saiyajin pointed to the spyglass in his hand.
Anger suffused the knights features as he slammed the small telescope down on Baans huge mahogany desk. Saiyajin smiled in triumph, and walked out.
Allen watched the Lord Advisors departure, then he turned back to the window. "I hate that man," he mumbled.
Suddenly there was a hand on his arm. He spun, fingers wrapping around his sword hilt. There was no one there. "Me too." He looked down.
"Meruru?"
She smiled up at him. "Wheres Baan?"
Allen sighed. "When was I appointed the Kings secretary?"
"Nani, Allen-san?"
He eased down into Baans leather-upholstered chair. "Nothing. Hes out with the Captain of the Guard, inspecting the Stones."
"What stones?" She had an image of Baan going around the castle, tapping random rocks with the toe of his boot.
Allen arched an eyebrow. "You know, the Stones. Ah, but you wouldnt know, would you?" He nodded and sat up straight in Baans chair. "You were long gone before they added that to the Citys fortifications."
"Uh huh. So what are they?"
"They are a certain type of stone, like the wandering earth we use to make our levy ships float. But these vibrate whenever a drag-energist is near. Thats how they find energist deposits. When Baan heard of that, he stopped construction on the palace to have those Stones incorporated into the City walls." He leaned back and put his hands behind his head. "Unfortunately he didnt realize that the necklace Hitomi gave him would react to the Stones. Whenever he goes out to check the fortifications, the walls whisper."
Merurus statement was skeptical. "With all that vibrating, wouldnt the walls eventually fall down? He would be kind of defeating the purpose of having them in the first place."
"One would think so, eh? But he found a mage who encased them in some sort of magical field, so they wont affect any of the other stones."
She nodded, but her thoughts turned back to the King. Why does he have to be out? This is important, she thought. Her eyes were drawn to Baans massive window, looking out onto the road into Fanelia. There was a trail of dust leading up to the City. Merurus eyes widened, and she rushed to the window, leaning on the sill, peering intently at the scene below.
"Kuso!" she hissed, pushing away from the window. She hurried to the door. "Guard!" she snapped, swinging wide the heavy oak portal. One of the two soldiers standing sentinel snapped to attention. "Send a runner. Have a mount readied, now!!"
"Meruru, whats wrong?" Allen rose from Baans chair, his eyes intent, his stance ready for anything.
"My Lady, on whose authority?" The guard gestured to his partner, a kid no older than seventeen, and they both started snickering.
"Mine," Saiyajin said, standing before the guards, slightly out of breath. Hed heard the commotion, and had come running. The soldiers snapped to attention, saluting him. Then the younger of the two sentinels set off running down the hallway in the direction of the stables. "Where is he, Meruru?" Saiyajin turned to the small Neko.
"Hes inspecting the Stones."
"Whats wrong, Meruru?" Allen demanded.
She turned to him, her eyes troubled. "Theyre here! And Baan doesnt know."
"Whos here? What doesnt he know?"
Saiyajins hand clamped down on her shoulder. Meruru froze, sudden, unexpected fear slamming through her. "He will soon," the foreigner said, not noticing her reaction, then left.
"Going to replant your nose, huh?" Allen called out as Saiyajin hurried away. "Pleasant smell, Im sure!"
There was no answer.
He stared down at Meruru, who was still stiff, her parma eyes wide, pupils contracted to pinpoints. What was it about Saiyajins touch that made her react in such a way? It was almost the same as when she had freaked out this morning. He knew the attack on the Neko village had been terrible, but she acted as if someone were after her still. As if she did not know she was safe. He walked around the desk, and knelt before her.
Meruru blinked when Allen took her hand, her heartbeat beginning to slow. "It is over now, My Lady," he whispered. "You are safe here in the castle. We will all take care of you." He ran a white-gloved hand over her cheek.
* * * *
"Weve got ten soldiers stationed at every sentry post. Two archers, two swordsmen, two pikemen, two standard bearers, and two runners." The Captain of the guard walked at the Kings side, escorting him on his weekly inspection of the fortifications. The walls sang softly as Baan passed by.
The Captain was a tall man, lean of muscle, with broad shoulders and a ramrod straight back. His eyes were a steel gray, and his hair, tucked under a helmet, was of an indeterminate color. His voice, like everything else about him, was stiff and formal.
"The stones have been tested, three times this morning, and will be checked three times this afternoon, and three"
"I know," Baan cut him off with a curt wave. "I gave the order. Have you heard any rumors of an attack durning the festival? How wide-spread is the spy network?"
"Every street corner has at least two spies on it. So far, there is no word of an attack."
"Lets hope it stays that way. How are the"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw somethinga billow of dust heading toward the city. He jerked his gaze to it, peering intently inside the cloud, trying to see what was heading with such swiftness toward the City.
Was it an attack? Another onslaught of the invisible giants, as Hitomi had called them? No, Zaibach had been defeated seven years ago. And if it were Zaibach, the castles stones would have detected them and been shaking long before now. The men who had attacked the Neko village? Possibly, but they had sounded more like a crazed mob than an organized army to Baan. With a quick shake of his head, he dismissed that idea.
"Captain!" he barked, unable to take his eyes off the approaching danger.
"Yes, Heka?" the man said stiffly, keeping his eyes focused straight ahead, not daring to look his king in the eye.
"Find Lord Kiboo and send him to me. Then find out what that is." Baan gestured toward the rising trail of dust leading into Fanelia.
"But, Your Majesty, that is...."
His voice was drowned out by the approach of hooves clashing on cobbles. "Heka!" the dark-haired rider called out. He hauled on the reigns of his yellow gazettie, then dismounted before it had even come to a full stop. He went down to one knee on the dirty paving stones of the City. His eyes were glued to the ground. "I carry a message from the Council."
Baan studied his advisor with wariness. "I was not informed of your status as their messenger."
"I was only informed of it a short while ago. Your Majesty, we will soon have...visitors. Invited by the council. For yourpleasure." His voice tripped with the last word.
The Kings gaze burned into the horizon. He could barely make out once-gleaming carriages, now coated in road-dust. Family crests would adorn the sides, and inside of each....
It was an attack. An attack of satins and silks, of soft, scented skin and shining jewels. Fluttering eyelashes and inviting glances. Anger, then weariness, washed over him.
Saiyajin lifted his head slightly, peering at his king, waiting for the explosion he was sure was to come. "Heka?"
Baan said nothing, merely stared, unmoving except for his black hair lifted by the hot noon breeze. The good of my kingdom will be the death of me.
* * *
The clink of silverware against fine china and the buzz of a hundred voices lulled Baan down the path toward a slow, painful, boredom-induced death. Goddess, he thought, toying with the food on his plate with a silver fork, one elbow propped on the table, his chin resting in his hand. The brainless prattle was mind numbing. He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn.
"Heka," said a deep voice to his right. It belonged to one of his vassals, a Duke from the northern reaches of Fanelia, and currently the highest-ranked visitor to the Royal Court. He was wearing a medley of deep reds; a wine-colored silk shirt beneath a maroon doublet made of velvet. His breeches were of claret satin, and a huge ruby set in ostentatious gold hung from a chain made of links each as wide as Baans thumb. The ruby medallion rested on the white-haired old mans considerable paunch, rising on each inhale, lowering at each exhale. Its rhythmic wink in the candlelight was hypnotic. He was a fat, mean-spirited person, and at the moment, Baan couldnt recall his name.
"Heka," he repeated in a fatherly voice that struck a warning chord in Baans mind. "I have learned of your...visitor," the Duke said, his voice pitched low so others could not hear. "And to be honest, I...I dont approve, Majesty. It offends the senses to think of a man and...a"
"A what, Your Grace?" Baan said in a low, caustic voice.
The Dukes face had gone red, whether in anger or embarrassment, Baan could not tell, nor did he care. "You know, Heka. One of those. A blasted beastman." The word sounded as if it tasted like bile in the old mans mouth.
"My visitors are none of your concern," the King said, deliberately leaving off the mans honorary. "Lady Meruru is an honored guest. She is not to be disturbed. Understand?"
The Duke gave a curt nod, his mustache bristling in ire.
As Baan was turning back to his food, Saiyajin, seated to his left, nudged him. Hard.
With a smile planted firmly on his face and his eyes projecting false welcome, Saiyajin looked more like a statue than a person. "Do you know how much money we receive from that fat bastards coffers each Moonturn?" he mumbled through the smile. "This whole bloody dining hall practically came out of his pocket."
"Your high opinion of my vassal and my dining hall has been noted, Lord Advisor."
"Heka, I merely wished to point out"
"Dont," Baan cut him off. "Im the King. My decisions are my decisions, and its no ones place to question them."
"I quite understand that Heka, however-"
"The man is lower than the gazettie-shit on the stable floors."
Saiyajin had no argument.
The King went back to picking at his food, thoroughly bored, wishing he were anywhere else but in the royal dining hall. "Honored guest?" a polite but slightly condescending voice reached his ears through the rest of the mindless chatter.
Baan glanced up, his eyes half-glazed, and saw a face he had never seen before. A mans face; it was angular and strong at the same time, with high cheekbones and a squared chin. Perfectly styled jet-black hair capped his head, wide-set green eyes and a straight, aristocratic nose finished his features. He was dressed impeccably, in a white silk shirt, royal blue velvet frock coat, and Baan assumed similarly colored breeches. Lacy ruffles emerged from the sleeves of his coat, covering his hands. His look was very refined, reminding Baan somewhat of Saiyajins appearance, but different somehow. The man was trying to be something he was not; something about him wasnt quite right.
"That statement is somewhat far fetched." His words flowed into each other in the dialect of the Asturian nobles. Baan disliked him already. Nothing had come to him out of Asturia lately but trouble.
The Kings eyes narrowed in annoyance. "You dare insult Lady Merurus..."
"No lord!" He stood, cutting the chatter in the room with the screech of a chair. "I insult your honor. Not the Ladys." His eyes burned with an undefined anger. "By the way you treat your beast woman Baan-Sama," a frown formed upon his lips, "one would think the only place she is an honored guest would be in your bed chamber. Ne?"
Gasps could be heard throughout the room, followed by silence.
Guards approached the insolent Asturian, who stood with his eyes narrowed and unblinking, searching Baan. The young king could almost feel that piercing gaze prodding at his soul.
Saiyajin stood, his sword drawn and readied, fury written on his features. "Do you dare challenge the king, sir?"
Baan flung his hand up, stopping Saiyajin from further questioning. "I can handle this." He turned back to the unknown accuser. "Who are you?" He demanded.
The man smiled, his straight white teeth dazzling in the dimly lit room. "I am Inochi Usotsuki, Count of the Western Forest Region of fair Asturia, and retainer to our illustrious King and Queen." He bowed his head in the direction of Asturian knight as he spoke, though Baan thought he saw a bit of mockery in the gesture.
The pompous little court-rat! Baan scowled Why the hell was he even in Fanelia? Escorting some female relative, presumably.
The young girl, who sat directly next to Baans accuser, lifted her dainty hand from her lap where shed been nervously twisting a handkerchief, and softly placed it upon Usotsukis forearm "Uso, please." Her meek voice pled; her innocent, large-eyed gaze quickly cast to the floor.
"Perhaps...," the man continued, all the while looking at the girl. "My lord... Forgive me. I was out of line to say such things. After all, it is well known that Fanelian kings only bed the mystic moons finest."
Baan suddenly stood, his chair squealing wooden protest against the marble-tiled floor. Every eye in the room was trained upon the King "Goddess," All movement and talk ceased, every eye in the room trained on the King. "Stay. Eat my food, sleep in my beds, raid my castle. Just leave me the hell alone," he addressed the assembled nobles, though only those at the first few tables could hear him. "Enjoy your meal. Im going to stretch my wings."
Nervous laughter rippled through the crowd, as if they were all trying to figure out the joke. Baan stood and walked out. Count Inochi followed the King with his eyes, an emotion bordering upon hate burning within them
Then suddenly he smiled, and moved to lift his goblet, filled with Asturian vino. With a knowing grace, Usotsuki rolled the crystal stem of his crystal goblet between his fingers. A sardonic smile formed upon his lips, and he raised the glass to the twittering groups of ladies all around him. "The king!" He brought the glittering chalice to his awaiting mouth, and drank
Two chairs scraped across the uneven floor with the screech of wood on stone. Foreigners who had each given Baan the greatest betrayals stood before one another, a table between them. Despite their mutual hate, a deep loyalty to the king of Fanelia burned within them both.
Softly, Allen spoke to the other man. "Ill go. Theres no need for him to hate us both. Besides, Im already used to doing your dirty work for you, mlord."
Saiyajin scowled. He jerked his head in the direction of Baans retreat. "Just go."
* * * *
"Baan!" Allen barked, racing after him across the catwalk. There was a roof to protect against the elements, but the side was open to the air. A railing ran across the open side.
Baan ignored Allen. The Knight Caeli watched the young king walk down the hall. Trotting up behind the younger man, his hand flew to the sword hilt sticking out of the scabbard at his waist.
Baans sword met his in an upward arc of flashing steel. The clang of clashing swords resounded along the corridor.
"What the fuck do you think youre doing?" Baan said calmly, a flicker of anger in his eyes but none showing on his face.
"Im trying to protect your ass, and trying to preserve Fanelias royal line. Dont you know what your bloody council is trying to do? They know what you are Baan. They dont like it. If you keep shoving it in their faces, they will find a way to replace you on the throne. And I do not doubt that your replacement will be a mindless, drooling monkey. If your favorite advisor were not foreign, Im sure he would be their first candidate."
Baan swung at Allen. "If you dont stop insulting my chosen councilor, I will ban you from my goddamn City for a second time. You dont understand the situation. This is my land, my people. I can handle the situation just fine."
Allen deflected the half-hearted blow. "As you handled it just now?"
"Allen, Im not in the mood. Go play word games with Saiyajin. You two seem to enjoy each others company." He sheathed his sword and turned away, continuing his journey.
"And what will you do? Run away again, turn your back on your kingdom?" Allen purposefully goaded the young king, knowing he endangered his life as he did so. But he had to get some kind of rise out of Baan...some sign to show that the man could actually feel.
Suddenly Baan spun on him, anger blazing from his eyes, twisting his mouth, tightening his fingers about his sword hilt. "I never turn my back on anyone. Never!" He backed up towards the window, still facing Allen. He ripped his shirt off with an angry cry and flung it in the Asturian Knights face. When Allen yanked the cloth away, Baan had leapt up onto the windowsill. He stood there, staring at the foreign knight who would perhaps have been the young kings only friend, except for the tragic circumstances life had dealt them.
"What are you doing?" Allen hissed, glancing up and down the corridor, hoping no one witnessed the fatalist young Kings actions.
"Stretching my wings," Baan murmured, his arms stretched out to either side. A strange calm had come over the young man, the anger hed shown only moments before swept away on the slight breeze that raked through his raven hair. He closed his eyes, and leaned back, falling into the wind's embrace
"Baan!" Allen rushed forward, reaching out a hand, trying to snatch the King back from the brink. But all he held was air. He leaned over the railing, watching the boy fall, plummeting toward the ground. Come on, Baan, you have wings. Use them, dammit!
He quickly became a pale speck against the dark contrast of tall oaks that spilled down the mountainside and ran flush to the palace walls. Suddenly wings extended out from Baans tiny, far-away form. He was engulfed in a mass of feathers that were quickly pulled upward on a draft. Allen reached out and snatched one from the air. He backed away from the edge, then stared down at the small object in his hand.
"Its gray." He searched the sky for Baan, but the young man was nowhere to be seen. "This cant be good."
(added 2/03/02)
Trapped deep in thought, Meruru sat before the hearth in her room, reliving vivid horrors as the fire flicked an orange glow over her soft furred body. She couldnt control them anymore, the unwanted dreams. Memories of the past came as they pleased now invading her mind in sleep as well as the waking hours, each time becoming more and more detailed. Quick flashes of nonsense were now linking together, forming into something her mind could almost make sense of. And somewhere behind it all a single question nagged at the back of her mind, is this the horror Hitomi lived with...
One event was stuck in her mind, flashing before her eyes in fits and starts, eventually forming a whole the more she thought about it. It was on a moonless night, the sky heavy with the drones of insects, the nocturnal roamings of unknown beasts, and one man battling a creature that only a King of Fanelia had the right to slay.
She had watched that battle, hidden from sight at the edge of the clearing man and beast had made their battleground. It was a fierce mle, the man rushing in, his sword gliding along the dragons scaled body, leaving a trail of sparks. Then the beast rushed back into the stygian night; silent, disappearing like a wraith into the deepest of black shadows.
Why does he want to kill a dragon? The Fanelian Kings have protected them since the kingdom was first founded! A flicker of heat lightning shone in her angry eyes. Unless hes given up on them too...
She was perched high up in a sturdy old oak, unable to stop the fight, but at least she could be a witness, and report it. But to who? No one took the Neko seriously, most of the time not even peaceably. She risked her life just leaving her little village.
But I cant just let this go. I have to tell somebody. The man pulled back, waiting at the edge of the clearing, just beneath her tree. He dared not rush in blind. He awaits another lightning bolt.
It came, lighting up the sky like one of Hitomis pillars of light. Both Meruru and the man were shocked to see the dragon standing just before him. But apparently he shook it off faster than she could, for he attacked immediately. She forced herself not to turn away when his blade sank deep into the dragons eye. The following pain-filled screech nearly knocked her out of the tree, but she managed to keep her balance.
Then there was darkness again, but in a stilted strobe of frenzied lightning strikes, she saw the dragon rear its head, and suddenly the mans blade was in its neck, parting the tender flesh an older dragon would have known to keep low to the ground, protected. She saw gleaming wetness gush out on both the man and the dragon, and knew their blood mingled. The warrior staggered away from his falling opponent, retching and hacking. Struggling to breathe. He must have inhaled some of the dragons blood.
The dragon writhed in agony, razor sharp tail whipping around in its hysteria. It let out a high-pitched, adolescent squeal, and slumped forward, then onto its side.
Finally, the man raised his head, wiping his mouth with the back of one fist. He stepped forward to the dying creature. In a brief flash of lightning, Meruru saw his boot crush into the dragons throat, and heard crunching bone. It could only gurgle now, which it did when his sword slid into its other eye.
A new light filled the small clearing. It was a deep red, like a candle glowing through a ruby, emanating from the dragons chest. With a careless swipe of his blade, the man had his preys skin parted, and sank his hand into the viscosity of its still-pulsing flesh. He pulled out a glowing energist. The blood immediately evaporated with a stench-filled sizzle, along with the carcass of the freshly killed dragon. The warrior raised his trophy to the sky, and lightning jumped from cloud to cloud in a web-like display.
Meruru was seething. As if HE were a Fanelian king.... Somebody has to know of this. It even crossed her mind to venture back to the Capitol to tell the King herself, but she quickly dismissed that thought. Silently, she dropped to the ground. One foot slipped out from underneath her, and she landed in a noisy pile of dried leaves.
Without even seeing him, she felt the mans eyes upon her. Jumping to her feet, she sprinted through the forest back to her village, a matter of minutes from this small patch of woods. Yet every second seemed like an hour to her, especially when she started to hear heavy, crunching footsteps behind her. She increased her speed, and eventually the sounds of pursuit receded. Yet she dared not slow.
She ran until she saw the dim light seeping around the shutters of the small home she shared now with her son. Slamming the door behind her, Meruru shot the bolt home, then hurried to the bed to pick up Kiiro and hold him tightly to her. Her heart was racing, and the sleep-fuzzy kitten stirred against her, confusion pulling him more toward consciousness. He sensed his mothers fear and began whimpering. She buried her face in his wind-scented fur, and fought to control her panic.
Finally, she took in a deep breath and let it out, her heart beginning to slow its erratic pace. Meruru planted a kiss on her sons forehead, and laid him gently back down in the bed. He had his own little cot, but since Tameru had left, shed kept Kiiro close. She blew out the candle snuggled in next to him. Her sleep was troubled, however, as agonized screeches and crunching footsteps followed her down into oblivion.
She awoke to the smell of burning flesh.
A door opened and light flooded into her room, blinding her.
Meruru jumped, turning her body mid-air to face whomever was invading her room uninvited. She stood watching, body arched in a defensive posture, all her hair standing on end.
All she saw was a figure silhouetted in the doorway. It was tall, and male. Her hackles raised, and instinctively she hissed. Whoever it was walked in and pushed the door shut most of the way.
As the light dissipated, she saw it was Allen.
Allen stood before her, a large cup of warm milk in hand. Shock written all over his face. He hid it quickly, knowing it would only upset her further. "Meruru?"
"I..." She covered her bared teeth, and sank back from him, down to her knees. "Gomen Allen. Gomen nasai." She trembled with residual adrenaline. She didnt trust herself; her claws still ached to slash out at something.
He set the cup down on a nearby table, then turned to close the door all the way. He picked the cup back up, and walked to where she crouched, kneeling before her. With his hand extended, he offered the cup to her. "I didnt see you at dinner. I wanted to see if you were ok."
"Thank you." She felt weakened by his kindness. Fears and memories barraged her, breaking through the barriers she had thrown up. For the first time, she let herself cry about what had been done to her. What had been done to her whole village. She fell into his warm arms, and just let the tears come.
Allen looked down into her eyes, seeing her child-like fear. It filled him with the urge to protect her. The lock falling over her forehead, though pink instead of silver, still reminded him of his sister. Celena who had never quite recovered from the emotional, physical, spiritual experiments performed on her by the Wizards of Zaibach; Celena, who had been haunted by Dilandaus ghost even as she inhabited her female body. She had confided in him once that strange memories flickered through her mind, memories that werent her own. Frightening memories, which created frightening urges within her. He hadnt been able to save her from the evil creature that had lived inside her mind.
Perhaps, though, he could save the young woman who now clung to him, unable to forget her past. As he was unable to forgive his own. He held her, let her cry. Get rid of the demons now, he thought. Or they will forever haunt you. They will never let you go....
* * * *
Mist rose from the waters edge, obscuring the gray morning light filtering down through the trees. Hed wandered through the camps of travelers all night, searching his mind and his heart for peace...reasons for all the pain he had endured. He could find none. A girls words still rang in his ears. Because if I were her, I would have wanted to go home, too.
A light breeze picked up, billowing the cloak around his body. He unpinned it and let it float away on the air. He pulled his boots off, shed his breeches, and waded into the spring-fed pool. He stood beneath the waterfall, letting the weight of the water beat the tension out of his shoulders.
They all eventually leave. Hahaue, Hitomi, Meruru, Juunana, Kanzi... And I remain alone. He stood, head lowered, letting the warm water flow through his hair and down his body. Then Baan raised tanned hands to his face and combed long fingers through short black hair, heightening his sense of frustration. Why couldnt he just open his wings and let the sky take him? Did he truly have to live the rest of his life alone as a mere king?
"When does it end?!" he cried to the heavens, arms outstretched with palms turned up to the sky, and his head fell back. He felt the familiar pleasure-pain of his wings emerging, and groaned with the release.
A muffled scream filled his ears, and he spun, looking down at the water that pooled in the lake not so far below. A pale figure moved...it was a girl. He could just barely see her face turned up to him. Though he couldnt see her features, her posture showed that she was terrified. Something warm pressed against his chest, and a red glow seemed to be emanating from below. He looked down. The pendant blazed ruby fire. He lifted it in his palm. "Hitomi?" he breathed. He glanced back down at the girl, who was struggling through the water, trying to reach shore.
Without even realizing it, he repeated her name over and over again. Finally, he screamed it. He dove from the edge, wings outstretched, arms reaching for her.
She ran. Her hair flowed out behind her, too long to be Hitomis, her body, too tall, too well-rounded beneath the rough white towel to be Hitomi.
He watched her throw one last glance back at him as he landed on the shore, and he knew...it was her. Her gentle face, her green eyes frightened...of him. What had he done? Goddess, what had he done to deserve fear from the eyes of the one he loved? Only one thought came to his mind as he stood there.
Why?
|
|
|