The Holy Alliance

by The Inimitable DA

Hundreds of bodies buried, many drops of blood spilt. To end a millennia old war, an alliance is sought. But will it be enough...?

The Holy Alliance

~by~ 

DarkAngel a.k.a. DA

Disclaimer: Let me read from the paper my attorney Lionel 
Hutz has provided me with. *Ahem* I do not own Digimon nor do I 
wish to make any profit off of it. However, if you are so 
inclined, donations can be forwarded to Lionel Hutz --- hey! 
That's not what I wanted! You are *so* fired! 

*Ahem*

One other thing. I do not own any intellectual property 
pertaining to Magic: The Gathering. It's characters, events, 
places and all that other good stuff belongs to Wizards Of The 
Coast.

Rating: PG-13

Description: It is 2357. For millennia, the houses of 
Kaljin-Sword and Haut-Morfain have fought with each other. 
Hundreds of bodies buried, many drops of blood spilt. At the 
heads of the two duchies are the Inoue and Ichijouji families, 
respectively. 

A turn of events prompts the head of Kaljin-Sword to seek a peace 
with his bitterest enemy by marrying his youngest child to the 
youngest son of the enemy house. Despite bitter protestations the 
marriage comes to pass, but the blood feud will not be quelled so 
easily. Read on...

Notes: These are just some background and additional notes 
to give you a clearer idea of what's going on in the story and 
background information so you won't be completely lost. 

First of all, the house of Sword-Kaljin is headed by Miyako's 
dad, and the house of Haut-Morfain by Ken's dad. You've probably 
figured this out already. They are both powerful ruling families 
in their kingdoms. Their kingdoms practice black magic to the 
exclusion of any other kind.

This is where the concept of colour magic comes in. Those who 
play Magic: TG, the card game have an idea of what this is about. 
Briefly, an overview of what each type of magic represents:

White - Purity (holy magic)


Green - Nature, balance between extremes


Red - Aggression (used mainly by warlord mages)


Black - Death, pestilence


Blue - Water, meditation

Further information can be found at 


http://www.wizards.com/magic/generic/storyline/wom_intro.asp

Also, the two kingdoms are on two separate planes. They are 
accessible through a portal and only through that one portal. 
Think of a this like you would a wafer. Sword-Kaljin is one thin 
layer of that wafer, and Haut-Morfain is another. They exist as 
part as that same wafer (world) but without that portal, they'd 
be totally cut off from one another.

All characters are the exact same ages as they are in the 
television show. As far as characterization goes, I have tried 
to stay IC, but sometimes, I will go OOC without for the dramatic 
purposes of this story. Please bear with that little 
idiosyncrasy. Suspend your disbelief. ;)

And now... the story.

_______________________

Dry air blew across the valley of the Dryads. 

A tall, sturdy man rode on horseback, looking out at his 
surroundings. Patches of grass were scorched black, and the 
sickly smell of burnt flesh invaded his nostrils. Shaking his 
head slowly, he turned his horse so that he might survey the rest 
of the valley. Wounded and dead soldiers alike littered the area. 
More burnt grass. 

More death.

The more he saw of this, the more saddened he became. This war 
had gone on for too long, and his bones bespoke of every battle 
he'd endured.

His family could only take so much brutality, and he knew that if 
this kept up, his future was lost, as was the future of his 
children. It was time to end this, he decided. Time to put an end 
to the millennia old feud.

He rode back to his home in the capitol of Drathe. Safely inside 
the palatial walls of his land, he left his horse with one of his 
stable hands and went to the large castle he called his home. He 
found his wife in the gardens tending to her roses and forsythia, 
as was her daily afternoon custom. Greeting her solemnly, he 
declared, "We must speak, wife."

The Empress Inoue of Sword=Kaljin was a woman of graceful age and 
looks. She was a sensible woman who knew her husband well. From 
his tone she knew that there was a serious discussion to be had. 
She nodded and followed her husband to their royal bedchambers 
and closed the doors behind her. 

Her husband looked haggard, and almost defeated. She didn't like 
that. No, she didn't like that at all. She waited for him to 
speak, despite her great curiosity as to the source of his 
melancholy. 

"We have lost yet another battle," he began tiredly. "In but four 
battles, we have lost well over a thousand men. Our legions are 
thinning; we cannot win this war, it would seem."

The protest the Empress was going to make fell short as her 
husband continued.

"It seemeth me that there is only one solution to this atrocity 
our ragged land suffers."

She knew those words. Whenever her husband used words like 
"seemeth" she knew that he was about to make an important 
announcement. Still silent, she waited for him to tell her what 
he had in mind.

"I will think upon it further, but it looks like the only 
possible solution to our woes." He turned sadly to his wife.
 
"We must unite our battling kingdoms."

The Empress blinked. Of all the things she had been expecting, 
that had not been one of them. "Unite our kingdoms? And how do 
you hope to achieve that? By surrendering and having our long 
fought for empire annexed to the other-dwelling scoundrels?" Her 
voice was indignation filled as she raved. She did not care one 
jot for this idea! The only thing that could happen to her and 
her family after such a move was bad. There was no soundness in 
this preposterous venture! 

Putting up his hand to cease his wife's protests, he bowed his 
head. "I would not let our kingdom fall completely into the hands 
of our enemies, dear wife. That would be foolish."

Empress Inoue was pulled up short. "Then what?"

For a long moment, he said nothing. 

"I think.. that it was time a marriage were arranged. Between our 
youngest daughter and the youngest of King Ichijouji's brood."

Total silence greeted that statement. 

"The young prince has been reputed to be a fair young lad with 
sterling manners and a gentle soul. A most surprising rumour, 
considering the taint of their family," he continued. "And it 
seems that if my daughter is to be wedded to the enemy, then a 
kind enemy would be the best for all involved."

The Empress slowly sat down upon her bed. She stared at her lap, 
remembering her own marriage to her husband. She had been raised "
the only child in a fairly large, strategically located port 
city. Her parents had been the King and Queen of Rhidahlia. She 
remembered her free spirited days of childhood, running through 
the streets with her friends. She had been but nine when the 
announcement had been made that she was to marry the great 
Emperor of the Sword-Kaljin domain. 

She hadn't understood it at the time, but the proud girl who had 
run with her hair unbound had been sealed into a fate that had
shunted her childhood forever from that day. She didn't want that 
for her youngest. And to the enemy! 

The proud woman looked at her husband in a silent plea. Please, 
don't do this to her. She's so young... 

He shook his head, hearing her unguarded thought. "But I have no 
choice. If we are to ensure her survival as well as our own, then 
we must take the course prescribed." He ran his hand over his 
face, the words coming out heavy with resignation. "Summon my 
daughter to me, wife. Though I shall not enjoy talking to her of 
this, it must be done."

For a long moment, Inoue Yumiko, Empress of the Imperial 
Sword-Kaljin Empire did nothing, merely looking at her husband. 

Then, quietly, she got up, closing the door to the chambers 
behind her. From within, the Emperor sighed. 

***

Inoue Miyako was nowhere to be found. Her mother had looked 
everywhere for her, and not even the servants, courtiers or 
anybody else within the castle had seen the wayward girl. Just as 
Yumiko was growing weary of this, she found her daughter in the 
stables, brushing the mane of her favourite horse. She stopped 
just short of crossing the threshold of the structure and watched 
her daughter.

Time had transformed her daughter from that once chubby baby 
crying for sustenance into a beautiful young woman who grew more 
lovely as the seasons passed by. She was taller now, her reed 
thin body beginning to take on curves and hollows. Over the 
course of some years, her daughter had chosen to let her hair 
grow out, and it flowed silkily down her back. Her sherry brown 
eyes were losing some of that mischievous glint (but not quite) 
and taking on a more softer appearance, though they hadn't lost 
their sharpness and ability to notice the smallest detail. 

The only thing she could possibly find a fault with was her 
daughter's accursed sight, which ran in the family, really. Being 
the youngest, she hadn't learned very much magic at that point, 
and did not know how to correct her vision. Yumiko shrugged 
lightly to herself; it mattered not. The glasses suited her 
daughter. It was her decision to do whatever she wanted to in 
that regard. 

At this point, the object of Yumiko's perusal looked up. "Hello, 
mama. What brings you to the stables?" She knew the smell 
bothered her mother, and knew that whatever had made her come out 
here must be of some import. She put down the brush she had been 
using on the horse and approached her mother.

Reaching out a hand, Yumiko cupped her daughter's cheek. "So 
young art thou.. shall you be marred as I have been?"

Miyako blinked, not understanding what her mother meant.
 
Yumiko just shook her head, a soft smile crossing her lips. "But 
I do not regret it, for it is in the marring that I have come by 
you, my treasure."

Still unsure of just what her mother was getting at, Miyako just 
stood, waiting for her to get to the point. 

Her mother sighed then, a drawn out one that made Miyako wonder 
what was wrong. Something was obviously troubling her mother.

"Come with me," was all she got in the way of an answer to her 
unspoken question. Miyako obediently followed.

They came to a stop in front of the entrance to the study. Seated 
in a large plush chair of deepest red velvet was her father. He 
had by his side a glass of liquor. Miyako frowned slightly. 
Something was definitely going on, but she knew not what.
 
Her father gestured. "Take a seat, daughter."

Miyako did, and her father looked above Miyako at his wife still 
standing at the entrance, and nodded. It's time. The words 
rang in her head as clear as crystal. "Time for what?" she asked, 
looking her father straight in the eye.

Her father began without preamble. "How much do you know of the 
war we are fighting with the Other Kingdom?"

Miyako thought for a moment. "The kingdom, Haut-Morfain. We have 
been at war with them for thousands of years, papa."

He nodded. "Is there anything else you know?"

Miyako nodded. "The rival family rules over a dominion that 
practices the black arts. Like us. They live in a realm that is 
separate from our own, and it can only be seen if you go through 
the port behind Ormek's house. Recently, they have found a new 
tactic which has caught us off guard. We have lost quite a few 
battles. That is what is bothering you, isn't it?"

Inoue Yasukazu nodded, pleased with his daughter's knowledge and 
just a bit surprised at the depth of perception she possessed. 
For one so young, this was a pleasant surprise. She had been 
educated well. He would have to commend Loris for that. 

"Yes, that is right. Very good, Miyako. Actually, I plan to end 
this war, but I will need your help to do it."

From behind Miyako, Yumiko made a noise. She knew very well that 
this wasn't a request, like he made it sound. 

Miyako however, didn't know this, and leaned forward in her 
chair, excited at the prospect of a cessation of arms. "What can I 
possibly do to serve you, papa?"

A small smile flitted across Yasukazu's lips. "You may not like 
this idea when it's presented to you, but let that not stop us 
from proceeding forward. There is going to be a marriage between 
you and the youngest heir of the Haut-Morfain kingdom."

Like her mother before her, Miyako greeted this statement with 
utter and complete silence.

Finally, she spoke. "But.. why can't you marry off Chizuru?" she 
said, speaking of her unwed older sister. 

Had the situation been any different, the Emperor would have 
laughed at his youngest's childish impudence, but he was in no 
mood for this right now. "That's not possible. You are closest in 
age to the boy, and Chizuru has announced that she wishes to 
pursue other avenues."

"But I do, too! I never wanted to marry!" Miyako said 
desperately, her voice rising.

Her father's visage became stern. "Miyako, it's not as if I'm 
giving you a choice."

Those words were like a slap to her face, and she stared at her 
father in shock. 

"You will marry the boy, end of story. I have arrangements I have 
yet to make, but it will come to pass. I will brook no more 
argument from anyone, period!" His voice rang throughout the 
stone corridors. 

Suddenly, he calmed, and locked his hands together, placing them 
on the tabletop. "You may go."

Miyako just stared at her father a moment longer, then ran, 
brushing past her mother. Yumiko just stared after her daughter. 

"Was it really necessary to do that to her?" 

Yasukazu shook his head. "It had to be done. Otherwise she never 
would have listened."

***

At that very moment, in another plane, swords clashed. 

No, this wasn't the sound of a battle, but rather, a practice 
session. In a large stone chamber, two adversaries fought, one a 
blocky man with thinning hair, the other a younger boy with a 
deceptively fragile build and damp indigo locks. Another 
sidestep, a parry, a thrust, and the sword was out of the larger 
man's hands. 

The larger man, Barrak wiped his brow, a grin breaking his 
otherwise harsh features. "Very well done, Master Ken. But how 
did you do that so fast?" he asked, referring to the relatively 
easy time Ken had had divesting his opponent of his sword.

The boy shrugged. "Practice, I guess."

Barrak wolf whistled. "Well, you've outwitted me, and you've only 
just wielded the sword a week before."

The young boy smiled. "Osamu did it in two days."

His older brother, Osamu Ichijouji was the object of Ken's 
idolatry, as he had been since he was but a small urchin. In 
Ken's mind, his brother could do no wrong; he could only hope to 
grow up as half as noble and wise as his brother some day.

Barrak picked up his fallen sword and grinned at Ken. "It matters 
not. You have done well. I think that is enough for today's 
lesson. Although," he said, eyes twinkling, mouth turned upward 
in amusement. "It doth seem that you were the one to teach 
me a lesson." He laughed jovially, the "Ho ho!" sounding 
like the chortling of a Dwarven axeman. He left the battle 
chamber.

Ken put away his sword and cleaned up quickly. He had a lesson to 
attend soon, and his tutor didn't like it when he was late! 

As it turned out, he was late anyway. The tutor in question was a
man called Ishandi. His origins were unknown to the Ichijouji 
family. All that they knew from his illusive past was that he was 
from another realm, and that he possessed one of the most 
interesting magical auras anybody in this world had ever seen.

Ishandi smiled thinly at Ken when the he entered. "I am pleased 
that you have decided to attend this lesson, Master Ken."

The boy ducked his head in apology. "I am sorry, Ishandi. I was 
learning to wield the sword."

Ishandi cocked his head. "That is of no concern to me. Have you 
done what I have asked you to do from the last lesson?"

Ken nodded.

"Show me."

Ken nodded, and slowly began by raising his arms, the palms 
upward, feet apart. He gathered his inner will and slowly thought 
of the intention behind each word before he began his incantation. 

"By the Ancient Ones that rule our realm


By the Wise and Old Ones that fell


From the powers of the Morfain Orb


I summon my Will to do my work


My very bidding shall be done."

Silence then, and Ken concentrated, his brow furrowed, upon 
reaching his goal. He could feel the formation taking place... he 
was almost there... 

He felt it then, and his eyes snapped open. He quickly brought 
his hands down, then up again. Light arced around his palms and 
gathered into a glowing ball. That ball grew more cohesive, and 
Ken released the last of his will into forming that ball.

When he was done, he had created a dark orb of energy that 
hovered in the air between Ken's hands. 

Ishandi walked around the perspiring Ken slowly, inspecting both 
boy and orb carefully, before nodding approvingly. "Good. Now 
lower your hands, and keep concentrating on that orb."

The boy did as he was told, lowering his hands very carefully so 
as not to dissipate the orb. He was now at eye level with the 
orb.
 
He looked at it, eyes wide. "You never told me what this orb is 
for."

Ishandi, his grey eyes grave, nodded. "That is right. I haven't 
said what the orb is for. That is because there is no purpose to 
the orb."

Ken looked up, his concentration diverted now. The orb wavered 
slightly. "Then what is the purpose of my conjuring it?"

A small smile flitted across Ishandi's thin lips. "Who says 
anything has to have a purpose?"

When he saw the look of consternation on his young charge's face, 
he almost laughed. "Young Master, the orb in and of itself holds 
no special meaning. It is merely a vehicle for your will." He 
gestured with a hand. "For instance, that orb can be used as a 
weapon of mass destruction. It can help you see through time, it 
can conjure something else entirely different from what it is 
now."

"It is the shape of my will," Ken said, understanding now. 

Ishandi nodded, finally allowing a smile to grace his features. 
"Exactly, young Master. Whatever you will into existence comes 
from that very orb. But you do not see the orb when you are 
undertaking a task under normal circumstances. I merely wanted to 
show you what your power can do."

Once again, Ken was transfixed by the orb. This was his power... 

Sending out a sudden thought, he blasted the orb forward into the 
wall of the room he was in. Black light surrounded the room and 
engulfed the two occupants. Ishandi held an arm against his eyes, 
nearly blinded.

Then, just as soon as it had come, the light disappeared. When 
Ishandi looked up, his charge was smirking at him.

"The will is a very powerful thing it seems, Ishandi."

The man being addressed slowly nodded, bringing his arm down.

"Well then," Ken said, his features placid once more. "Let's move 
on to the next lesson, shall we?"

***

In another room of the castle, a young woman with brown hair and 
startling crystalline eyes looked up. She had just felt the 
release of someone's will. Idly with her mind, she traced it back 
to a room on the other side of the palace and smiled. It was 
merely Ken practicing his birthright. 

Sitting patiently in an overstuffed chair, Soldana of Wyrikie 
awaited her audience with King Ichijouji. A highborn lady, she 
ruled over the gleaming city of Wyrikie, administering to the 
everyday running of the city. Not a need of her citizens went 
unanswered. And that was why she was here today.

The only door in the waiting room opened, and a courtier nodded 
at Soldana, bidding her to follow. She did, standing up and 
smoothing her skirts before entering the ante-chamber beside the 
throne room. Taking a confident step, she entered the throne room 
itself.

Bowing to the King and Queen of Haut-Morfain, she began quickly, 
knowing how busy her royal masters were. "King and Queen 
Ichijouji, Royal Majesties of our great kingdom, I come not for 
pleasantries today. Rather, I have a request that I would like to 
make of you if you are willing to hear it."

Knowing she would be allowed to continue regardless, she went on. 

"Our fair city has been besieged by many an attack due to our 
close proximity to the Orc land border. We have been terrorized 
by their catapults and suicide soldiers, and while we are faring 
adequately in the defence of our capitol, we would like to 
request that you send out a number of knights to deal with this 
situation."

The King considered it briefly before turning to his Queen. She 
nodded slightly. "That sounds reasonable. How much dost thou have 
in mind that thou wilt need?" he asked imperiously.

Soldana considered it briefly. "I ask for nothing more than 
thirty knights, Highness. I expect this problem to be dealt with 
quickly and efficiently."

King Ichijouji nodded then. "Very well. Have my adviser go with 
you to select your knights."

Soldana bowed. "My great thanks, Highness. Your Ladyship," she 
said, bowing to the Queen as well before taking her leave. 

On the way out, Soldana suddenly had a flashing vision. Ritual 
swords, a bonding and blood flowing forth into cups.

She smiled widely then. It would seem that things were to take a 
turn for the better.

***

The very next day in Sword-Kaljin, a cortege of horsemen with the 
Emperor Inoue at the head left for Ormek the healer's house. 

Inoue Miyako watched them go with a sadness in her eyes. They 
were heading for that blasted portal, the one which would take 
them to the other realm, where her future husband lived. 

Wouldn't it be a surprise for him to know that his life will 
change in a matter of days, she thought sadly. The young boy 
probably wouldn't see this one coming. That morning, her mother 
had entered her chambers and woken her up to tell her of her 
father's intentions. She remembered her conversation with her 
mother. 

"But how can I love someone I have never even met?"

Her mother smiled. "But you will meet him. And for that, you are 
fortunate. There are brides made that have only met their 
husbands on the day of marriage."

Miyako wrinkled her nose. "Maybe. But I probably won't like him 
anyway," she declared. "He's of the enemy, and the only reason 
you're making me marry him is because you want peace."

"Don't you want peace?" her mother asked.

Miyako shrugged. "I do, but... I never thought it would come 
about this way."

Silence then.

"Mama?" Miyako asked then.

"Yes, Miyako?" Her mother had moved a strand of hair behind 
Miyako's ear gently.

"What is he like?"

"The Prince of Haut-Morfain, you mean?"

Miyako nodded.

Her mother sighed. "He is a kind young man... I do honestly 
believe that he will treat you well. Unlike his family, whom at 
this point we have little hope for. He..."

"Have you ever seen him before?"

Her mother shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not."

Miyako bit her lip then. "It would be a little easier to accept 
if I just knew what kind of person he was..."

Her mother smiled ruefully then. "Miyako, you will see him. And 
you will have time to know him."

A soft wind roused Miyako from her remembrance. "Well, I hope 
so..." she murmured." The idea of marrying a total stranger was 
unsettling to her. She liked to know whoever she was dealing 
with. It was just her way. 

She turned away then. "Only time will tell..."

***

On a parapet of the Ichijouji castle, a guardsman looked through 
his telescope, looking for any signs of trouble. His war torn 
country made security the most important thing in this realm. 
Enemies might be anywhere. And he was right.

His eyes widened as he closed in on a troop of men approaching 
the castle. He knew the colours the men wore were associated with 
the Inoue family of the other realm! Scrambling to move, he 
tripped over himself before getting his footing. He ran through 
the halls and burst into the royal court, startling the nobles 
and getting strange looks from his King and Queen. 

"Yes?" King Ichijouji asked mildly. "What is it?"

"The enemy! The enemy is coming this way!"

Ichijouji Shin stood up then. "What?! He hadn't been 
expecting this. No, not at all. He looked back at his wife, who 
had a fearful expression on her face. "What do they want with 
us?"

The guardsman shook his head. "I do not know that, Your 
Kingship." 

He hesitated. "Should I go and find out?"

King Ichijouji seemed to consider it for a moment before he shook 
his head and sat down. "Let them come to us," he said, his hands 
settling over the rests of his chair decisively. 

After what seemed like only moments later, but was in fact, hours 
passage in time, the very same guardsman came back into the 
throne room. "They are just outside the castle walls, Your 
Kingship." 

The King nodded. "What are their intentions?"

The guardsman shook his head. "I cannot ascertain that."

"Then ascertain it!" King Ichijouji roared, quickly losing 
patience with his royal servant. The younger man nodded 
frantically, again scrambling to run as if his life depended on 
it --- which is probably did. 

Another few moments passed, and the guardsman came back. "They 
wish to speak with you, Your Kingship. The men are lead by..." He 
paused. 

"Yes?" 

"They are led by the Emperor Inoue, Your Kingship!"

Next Chapter: An alliance is made, a meeting is set.