Neko1998: I had this idea stored up for a while and now it's out!
Summary: "How long do you intend to chase after him?" Volpe dared to insinuate the absurdity of his lords obsession. "Naturally...until I catch him." Cesare scoffed.
"And if you capture him...then what?" He leered. Cesare smirked at the retainer's foolishness, "I'll tie him up. Like livestock. And if he tries to run away again, I will chop off his hands and feet."
Timeline: Volume 11
Disclaimer: Cantarella belongs to Higuri Yuu
Warning:Yaoi of course! And spoilers.
Pairing: Cesare x Chiaro
Chapter 1:
Cesare and his troops had stormed Countess Caterina's land in no time at all. Storming the fortress with a pride that manifested itself in battle, in less than a day the soldiers conquered a third of Caterina's men.
The word had began to spread- victory was theirs.
Reaching the fortress gates Caterina armed herself ready to fight to the end. White harness, breastplate, and sword at hand. The loyalist of soldiers remained as the battle raged on, the distinct siren of cannons boomed in the close contact.
"It would be cowardly to flee! This is my land!" Caterina snarled clasping her sword high.
"Mother…." Ottaviano cried rubbing away at his face with his sleeve. Her men cheered at their leader's determination. Her will hope to them.
"My lady please hurry to the tunnels." Chiaro urged glancing atop the tower suspiciously, he exchanged a nod with Naldi. The countess sighed.
"Very well, but remember this is not the end." Caterina eyed her men sadly bowing once and descending into a dark fire-lit passage, son in pursuit, the journey to Imola would be tedious.
As the stone doorway closed hidden behind an ornate banner the soldiers flooded the lower halls. Naldi grimaced passing a body. Although the three day truce had been called, Naldi refused the Borgia's proposition and was given another period to "reconsider" his offer. He found himself kneeling in front of the very man. Cesare Borgia. Surrounded by dozens of his men.
"My, my...The swordsman Naldi. Have you decided to join my troops?" The dark haired male soundlessly dismounted the strong stallion as polished silver gleamed with the soon to set sun, aligning with horizon.
"My lord I humbly accept."
"But." Cesare finished, he knew the older male cared deeply for his men, it would take more than a simple siege to induce the faithful soldier to join his ranks.
"I request that the remaining soldiers flee, alive of course, and all their weapons confiscated."
Cesare eyed the man intrigued. He chose to lead this mission for the intention of curing his boredom, though it would only please the pope, the orders were to leave no survivors but he would not simply abide to anyone.
"Naldi, no!"
Cesare gasped his eyes furiously ravenging over dozens of nameless corpse to the blond beneath the arch. Chiaro was still inside the castle.
After their confrontation and interference of Naldi, Cesare was certain his old friend would have fled. Then again, Chiaro was always the defender of the people he would never abandon them.
Cesare broke from his thoughts as Naldi conversed with Chiaro, my angel Cesare thought. His eyes glowing a golden hue.
"Naldi, I will accept these terms under the condition that Chiaro will return to me."
Chiaro's eyes widened heart pounding painfully against his chest, their relationship was inrefutiedly broken, if he returned back to Cesare...what left could be scavenged between them? He doubted Cesare would allow his tresspasses once again, his arm is proof of that.
Naldi eyed Chiaro solemnly recalling what the other had revealed to him-of an influential noble he had sworn his sword to and his perilous escape. The elder's mind torn from the reality that despite his strength he was truly weak, forced to pick comrades that will come and go and the stranger who was more of brother than any of them. He had no choice,Naldi gritted, Chiaro himself should know by his very words that no man could ever dream of opposing Cesare Borgia.
Chiaro knew that the men he fought alongside with gave up everything to join the guard for their families, and they welcomed him when he had nothing. He knew that one day he would need to leave them. Most of all he anticipated another reunion with Cesare. Just not like this, utterly defeated in every single way with his tail between his legs unable to help Naldi, or Mario. Chiaro bows, his bright strands hiding his weary eyes.
"Yes, I swear myself to you."
Naldi dashed up ready to deny the oath, as if comfort to Chiaro and himself, that he was too virtuous a man to turn in his friend for their lives and did not consider such an outcome. However Cesare is faster looking pleased with the other's response.
"Very well, Naldi round up your men. And...Chiaro? I will give you one hour before reporting to me. Move out!"
Cesare howled to his men, the very men who stayed frozen at the perplexing agreement that had just occurred. Cesare's lips twitched into a pleasing smirk. Finally. You are mine.
Chiaro shivered at the spike of energy surrounding Cesare, it seems as though neither the demons nor Cesare have forgotten about their ordeal, the moment of his near death encounter seconds before Naldi interfered. He is faced with a frightening reality if he was able to do anything at all for the noble during their stay together because the demons were undeniably stronger.
The elder stirred from his side as the noble figure gained distance between them, Naldi strode quickly leaving Chiaro to follow him inside the defiled fortress in silence.
A footmen hands the retainer an urgent message from the prince, traveled by several hands and animals to the utmost secrecy, in order to not leak any detail of their position hidden deeply outside the foothills of Forli. At last in the hands of the stoic retainer who burns the letter along with its contents. Volpe grunted at the news of an agreement, two men for the price of freedom not just freedom but to allow the rebels an exit! What is his highness thinking! Accepting back the traitor who inflicted all his torment.
One hour had long sprinted away from Chiaro's hands, he had watched his comrades leave the now barren grounds and men that heaved reeking bodies into carts, most burned in an instant, others tossed in pits and mass burial. He was a hero they said, that neither his nor Naldi's sacrifices would be in vain. He sighed unable to watch as they gathered young Mario's body without the slightest bit of caution or courtesy.
A messenger is sent to fetch him and slowly but surely he is brought to the outskirts of town and met with forlorn, the inhabitants partook to glorify the men that supposedly slaughtered their ruler in hopes of not getting far worse a repercussion. He himself is stuck with the latter option, to be in the better graces of his lord lest destroy the efforts of Naldi. Just above the town rose a steep enclave its grounds populated by the enemy soldiers, some of which watched him curiously. What was so good about him? That their master would personally ask of his presence here, others too preoccupied with courtesans and pillaging food.
In the shadows Volpe ground his teeth, the rumors of two skilled soldiers, the prizes of Cesare Borgia's conquest realization of the assassins cursed presence. He observed the blonde, now bound mere inches ahead of him, sit around the soldiers. The men tame and spoke gleefully about the banquet that was to be held in their honor.
Just then Cesare approached the crowd with the other prize, the chamberlain Naldi who too is shackled.
"Gentlemen remember this day for it will be recalled as one of the greatest battles. Prepare to move out, if we are to make for your celebration." Cesare spoke languidly while the men brisked to pack.
Cesare marched to face Chiaro who in turn looked away, not wanting to meet the gaze of his old friend. Cesare harshly pulled the one armed man into his arms. Gripping his shoulders stripped free of its armor, so tightly that Chiaro visibly winced.
"You ride with me." Cesare voice comes out as a whisper but ever so shallowly so that his message is audible only to Chiaro. Obsidian eyes carefully absorb azure after so long, with the distraction of battle gone and reunification to come.
The soldiers mounted wordlessly behind one another, the formation exacted with Cesare at the center. One man rode with Naldi, to keep him from any ploy despite his insistence of honoring his oath, and Chiaro who of course paired with Cesare.
Chiaro eyed the stallion with concern, truthfully he has the experience of having ridden horses, armless with help-this was another story in itself. Just how would he get on this time?
Cesare who stood beside him keenly detected his apprehension. Chiaro after all, raises his brows in a distinct manner, when troubled. He hasn't changed at all. Cesare thought sadly. He suspects the issue with the slight twitch of stub as if extending the missing appendage and determines the best course of action is to raise his assassin himself. Wrapping an arm around the firm torso Cesare fluidly lifted the handicapped man unto the saddle. He then lept behind Chiaro who blatantly blushed uncomfortably at the close contact of Cesare's chest pressed behind him. This closeness longed following their fated meeting months ago at the covenant.
Cesare motioned forward his arms that sprouted to curl the reigns controlling the steed.
Perfect. Everything perfectly in place.
Cesare felt a surge of energy rush through him, he felt warm, the warmth that had grown distant after Vannozza's death and Chiaro's betrayal. He felt alive.
"As soon as we return you will be punished." Cesare directs into the inside of Chiaro's lobe.
Chiaro didn't feel the playful tone most associated from Cesare, no, instead his apparent anxiety turned into terror and his face paled, a dull thrumming probing in his right stub. Cesare smiled gently, his unreachable angel was in his grasps. Where it has always belonged, he silently reminded himself, now all it needed was a bit of polishing.
Chapter 1: End
Neko: I had this one in my thought's for so long! Please review, this is NOT the end by a longshot.