This chapter is really long so have fun with it. If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them.
Enjoy!
Mighty winds blew to the northwest, darkening the surrounding atmosphere in a hazy sandy mist. The sun was barely creeping over the mighty sand dunes as three figures, shrouded in rough material to cover them from the harsh angry sand, braved the billowing storm. Facing the beautiful outstretched colors of the dawn, the trio urged their horses east towards the Hospesland. They traveled in a triangular shaped position, Van's horse leading the group and the others following side by side.
"Lord Van," piped in a drawled voice that was stationed on Van's right. "It is foolish to travel like this. We all know they will not listen."
"Quiet your tongue, Dilandau, unless you want me to cut it off!" The older man replied back harshly from Van's left. "Who are you to dare question lord Van's words? If he says this is what the magic tells him, then we are to do it without question!"
"I just don't see the point." The silver haired man said, his voice still keeping its bored drawl. "How can we sure that the magic talked to him. We don't even know if it has contacted him properly."
"You are a sworn knight to throne, and have been given the privilege of joining the king's vehotus!" The old man growled heavily. "You do not question your leader's judgment or it will be the end of you, Dilandau!"
"I will question my king's decisions if I believe them to be foolhardy!" Dilandau shot back. "He has had no calling of the vox until several years ago. How can we be sure it wasn't just a dream?" As the old man opened his mouth to retort, Van's voice rang out from ahead of them.
"Balgus, Dilandau, that's enough."
"My lord, I beg your forgiveness for my words of doubt, but can you not see the foolishness in this mission? We could be grouping other alliances that will be willing to aid us in battle instead of braving the desert terrain like a couple of wanderers. It is irrational to believe that those indolent Hospeslanders will ever leave their lands to help. Think of the consequences we are juggling in traveling so many days, when we could be training new men in mortal sword combat."
"Do you think that I have not thought of this, Dilandau?" Van replied, his voice emotionless with only a little spark of anger. "Do you think I do not call myself foolhardy to travel this road? I have already sent four units in all directions of Gaea to plead with the surrounding villages for aid. I have watched as farmers, smiths, and garden boys, who have never held a sword and shield in their life, leave their shops and fields to train for this upcoming suicidal battle. I have stood and surveyed the crying women hugging their husbands and sons goodbye never to see them again. This war is ripping families apart. With Zaibach's forces growing stronger everyday, most of those men will likely never leave the battle field alive. You know we have recruited all we can for this battle. If Zaibach wants a full frontal assault, we can deliver them an army full of men."
"So why travel to Hospes? Why waste your breath asking those cowards for help when we have plenty of men at home?"
"I believe we will need something stronger to help us." Van said quietly. "Zaibach's forces and allies are too tough to handle on our own. Like filthy vermin, Zaibach spreads their terror upon innocent victims. Besides, leaving the Hospians open to attack is wrong of any leader."
"They have done nothing for us! Let Zaibach destroy them!"
"No!" Van shouted his eyes blazing with fury. Stopping his horse with a twitch of the mane, he swiftly turned the animal around to face Dilandau's scowl. Van's fierce glare pined the silver haired man as he said, "You will never speak of such bloodshed in my presence again! I've picked you to join me in protecting innocent life and serving others as a hero to the land. Your station is looked up to all! I will not have you befouling my vehotus with such words of butchery! Do you understand me, Dilandau?"
"Yes, my lord." The silver haired man said quickly, a slight sneer still on his face.
Van straightened his horse back to the east, but kept his head turned so that his sharp garnet eyes could still give the silver haired man a hard stare. "As for your doubts on my vox, I have been having visions from it for quite some time." Van paused for a moment, contemplating his words. "I only have been wondering if I should confess to the both of you what it has been showing me."
"Showing you, my lord?" Balgus asked, confused. "The magic showed you something?"
"The vox doesn't show images, lord Van, only hints." Dilandau cried impertinently. "It does not give you dreams or visions. The magic just leads you in the right paths to take. Everyone knows this."
"Again, you think my mind is incapable of distinguishing that fact?" Van hollered back heatedly and Dilandau shrunk in his seat under his rage. "I have chosen you few to be my vehotus because of its guidance; though I guess I had a mishap when I decided to choose an imbecile like yourself to be in my ranks, Dilandau!"
"My lord," the once rude and arrogant voice had instantly turned civil and respectful. "I was just-
"For once in your life, have the wisdom to silence your mouth, boy!" Balgus snapped at the young man. Turning to his leader in front of him, he asked curiously, "My lord, what is the vision you have seen? We travel to seek help, but you act as though it is another task we handle."
Van breathed in slowly; letting the air fill his lungs to the top. He released his breath in a huge sigh which helped clear his thoughts.
'Maybe it isn't a good idea to tell them just yet.' he thought tiredly and replied with a weary voice. "My vox has told me to travel to the Hospeslands, so I follow where it leads. There will be no more questioning my authority or judgment from either of you, understand?"
"Yes, my lord." Balgus and Dilandau both said simultaneously together.
"Amano, you're back!" A high pitched squeal came from behind Hitomi, who was still standing beside the carriage looking crossly out at the desert. Turning her head to the voice, her green eyes saw a girl about her age running to their stationary carriage. The girl's hair was covered with a light pink bonnet which covered her eyes from the sun. Her pink dress, which matched perfectly to her bonnet, billowed around in the sandy breeze. She was several inches shorter than Hitomi and was prettier too. Her dark glittering almond shaped eyes matched perfectly with her red voluptuous lips; giving her an exotic look. Her tan skin glowed in the sun while her perfect smile was unmatched in elegance as it danced along her face gracefully.
Hitomi felt a sudden pang of dislike. She didn't know if it was because of the girl's unflawed looks or her overly pink outfit.
The girl had come out of a huge brown house that stood firm against the harsh weather. Its towering presence looked like a foundation that had remained proudly in opposition to its blustering sandy foe. It had a porch surrounding it with steps leading up the door. Though it had a weatherworn look to it, Hitomi could tell it was in sturdy establishment.
Everything about this place was so simple. No trees, no color… nothing. Hitomi couldn't help but feel sad about her new home.
It looked so… boring.
"Clara!" Amano grinned and ran to close the space between himself and the stranger.
"You were missed so much!" She said as she threw her arms around the tall man and stood on tiptoe to hug his neck.
Hitomi stood in the dusty road awkwardly as the coupled stayed in that position for awhile. Finally, when it had been a bit too long for any normal hug, she decided to break the love fest.
"HEM HEM!" She cleared her throat as loudly as she could.
Amano sprang away from the girl, blushing profusely while Clara, so she was called, gave an annoyed look at Hitomi for being interrupted and reluctantly stepped back to give them more space. 'Perhaps it won't be so boring after all.' Hitomi thought, smiling widely and trying to hide her snicker.
"Ah, yes." Amano said his voice cracking slightly. "Clara, this is my stepsister, Hitomi." He swept his hand like a courtly squire to focus Clara's attention on the momentarily forgotten girl behind him.
"Hitomi," the beautiful girl said as her enchanting eyes judgingly scaled over Hitomi's wrinkled travel worn dress and unfashionable short hair. With the greeting of a proper lady, Clara curtsied and beamed a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes. "A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance at last."
"At last?" Hitomi asked questioningly as she returned the curtsey. Her knee cracked embarrassingly loud and she cringed as she inquired, "You mean Amano talked about me here?"
"He didn't say much about you really, just that you were very sweet and loved the outdoors." Her gaze traveled to Amano's and she batted her eyelashes prissily.
'Is this girl for real?' Hitomi thought disgusted and was just about to rudely ask Amano why he had never mentioned Clara, when the door to the house slammed shut and another girl came out.
She ran down the steps of the porch towards them just as Clara had done, but with, Hitomi detected with surprise and delight, her hair unbounded and flowing freely about her shoulders. She wore a plain brown dress that did not cover her ankles all the way and a semi-white apron over it covered in brown stains. She was taller than Hitomi and almost reached Amano's nose. Though her face was not as pretty as Clara's, Hitomi sensed something different in this new girl.
She was more… human.
Clara scowled as she approached their group. Hitomi noticed the glare and smiled brightly, deciding she liked the new girl even more.
"Oh, Yukari," Clara said coldly, "There you are."
"Amano, you came back to us then?" Yukari addressed him, panting. Her dark eyes, not so almond shaped as Clara's, focused on Hitomi and she smiled brightly.
Her smile reached her eyes.
"And I see you brought Hitomi with you." She said in a welcoming voice. "I'm glad to finally make your acquaintance."
"Exactly how much did Amano talk about me?" Hitomi asked with a surprise. This girl had remembered her name.
"Don't worry." Yukari said reassuringly. "He said only good things." Her eyes slid over to his face as she said, "I don't think Amano is ever capable of cruel words, even if he wanted to." Clara shot daggers at Yukari as she said this.
"Yukari, you know that's not true." Her stepbrother rejected in a humble manner, but his chest puffed out pompously.
"Yes, I know for a fact that it's not true." Hitomi sent back smiling and earned a glare from Amano. She shrugged her shoulders and felt the uncomfortable tightness of her corset once more pulling on her shifting skin.
"Uh, Yukari?" She addressed, "is there any place I can change out of these clothes?"
"Oh, where are our manners, Clara? Of course, come in to the house. We have rooms made up for both of you!" Yukari answered immediately. "And both of you were invited to the little dance party we are having tonight with the regiment. If you are not too worn from your journey." With this she looked hopefully at Amano.
"We will attend, of course." Amano answered for Hitomi, who felt her heart sink to her lacy socks.
A dance? That meant more dressing up.
And more encounters with the corset.
Yukari and Clara's mother and father had been civil enough to nod their heads in Hitomi's direction once she had entered the house, but other than that, there was no words spoken from either of them. They seemed to have Clara's attitude when it came to her comfortable attire and haircut. Yukari, on the other hand, had followed Hitomi to her room, telling her of the places to see and the things to do in Castra. The little parties that were held once a week seemed to be the most exciting event in the camp.
Hitomi silently groaned to herself. She had been right about the boring part.
That evening, just as she had feared, Hitomi found herself once again having to dress herself up. This time, instead of the unpleasant light blue dress of death, she was pushed into her green one which was slightly more tolerable because of the higher neckline. She still hated it even though everyone insisted extenuated her unusual green eyes.
"Who knows," Amano had joked as they walked out the door to the carriage waiting for them. "You might actually find yourself a man if you keep dressing like this. Just don't tell him you like to sword fight, wrestle or it might scare him away. " Clara giggled stupidly and Hitomi scowled at them both.
She really did not like that girl.
The house they pulled up to was white and grand. Its magnanimous size made Hitomi feel small as she stepped up the threshold, leading the group into the house. Entering the living room, Hitomi stopped in the doorway to stare at the spacious room with her eyes wide open. The ceiling was higher than any she'd ever seen before and was lined in golden rails that scaled along the walls to the floor. Brown leather chairs and wooden tables had been pushed to the side of the room for dancing purposes. The floorboards creaked with protest as couples danced to the music of violins and cellos that were stationed in the left corner of the room. Men in uniform were everywhere. Their tight black regimentals clung to their legs and torso like glue, showing some with nice flexing abs and some…
Well, lets just say not so skinny in the belly department.
Pushing Hitomi rudely out of the way of the opening, Clara, still dressed in her pink frock and Amano, properly fashioned in his own regimentals, strolled arm-in-arm across the room to a group of officers huddled conversing in a corner.
Yukari, the last one to enter wearing her same brown dress minus the apron, stopped where Hitomi still stood and gave her another eye reaching grin. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" She sighed, turning her eyes to look at the room's elaborate decorations.
"Yes, it is." Hitomi agreed at once. "Whose house is this?" She asked, walking to a non-crowded window and sitting down on the gold cushioned window seat.
"General Chester's. He's pretty much rules the entire camp." Yukari answered, coming up to sit with her. "You'd think he'd be pretty strict being a general and all, but really, he's a very nice man and extremely smart too. He knows a lot about the wild people of the Western Desert because he holds meetings with their royalty. But don't ask him to tell you though because he'll bore you to tears." Yukari said, rolling her eyes.
"Royalty?" Hitomi asked intrigued. "Meetings with whom?"
"Mostly Fanelians and the like, though he hasn't met with them in almost twenty years. They seemed to have become quite scarce as of late."
"Fanelians!" Hitomi's interest was peaked. "You mean he's actually seen Fanelians?"
"Why yes, they go to him because he represents the Hospes government. My dad told me of a time he saw three of them riding out of the camp from a meeting. He said he had never seen more beautiful horses in his life."
"Do you know anymore about them? Does the general talk about what they come for?"
"He doesn't say much about them, only that they are extremely superstitious and believe in magic. They actually think that their royal members possess a spiritual power which helps them see the future." Yukari shook her head, smiling. "He says they are always very polite when they come. You seem pretty interested. Maybe you should go talk to him about it. He'll be vastly happy to oblige."
"I think I will…" Hitomi muttered as she sat back in her window seat to ponder this new information. She noticed Yukari's gaze wondered around the room, and her eyes rest over to the group where Amano stood, his arm still attached to Clara's.
Watching her stare, Hitomi smiled lightly and whispered, "You like Amano, don't you?"
"What? No! I…" Yukari stuttered, retracting her eyes immediately and a small blush popping onto her cheeks.
"It's alright if you do. He's really annoying at times, but he's a good guy." Hitomi said quietly, still smiling at her. Yukari's eyes focused on Hitomi's and she sighed defeated.
"Is it really that obvious?" she asked, her eyebrows hitching with worry and Hitomi nodded her head slowly, pity filling her face. "Do you think he knows?" The brown haired girl inquired, the worry becoming more prominent on her forehead.
"No way. Amano's a guy." Hitomi said reassured. "Guys never notice anything."
"He sure notices Clara." Yukari sighed depressed, and rested her cheek in her hand with her elbow braced on the windowsill.
"That's because she's so forward. If you talked to him more and try to become his friend, than I'm sure he'd give you the same treatment. Guys are more comfortable with people they can talk to." Hitomi said wisely.
A sudden shadow fell across them as an older man with a slight belly came up to where they sat. He had a small white mustache that was neatly trimmed in all the right places. His navy blue regimentals flashed in the light against the heaps of metals that were showered across his huge chest.
Smiling down at them, he addressed Yukari in a rich deep voice saying, "Who is the new face, Ms. Yuchida?"
"This is Hitomi Kanzaki, Amano's stepsister from Praeter." Yukari answered and turning to Hitomi, she said, "This is General Chester, the leader of the camp here in Castra I was telling you about."
"You were talking about me, were you?" He winked lightly and his mustache twitched. "Hope it wasn't anything too horrendous."
"You have a beautiful home, general." Hitomi said politely and she stood to give her curtsey. Her knee cracked loudly once again and she sat down quickly to avoid anymore unwanted creaks in her bones.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Kanzaki; I'm glad you like the decoration."
"Oh yes, they are wonderful! Especially the ceiling and walls." Hitomi answered.
"Kanzaki… I have heard your name before…" The general said frowning in concentration. "Was your father ever in the military here?"
"No sir, my father was stationed at home. He translated documents to different languages he had learned on his travels." Hitomi answered and the old man eyebrows shot up in recognition as he snapped his fingers.
"That's right! You're father was the one who translated my paperwork into Fanelian tongue! I had to send him many signed bills to show the Fanelian's we weren't going to invade their western side of the desert." He smiled down at Hitomi, who sat stunned in her seat.
Her father knew Fanelian tongue?
Her father had been to Fanelia?
"He was always very nice in correspondence. I had heard that he passed away several weeks ago, but had not known that Amano was his stepson. A very sad event, indeed." Chester shook his head in sympathy. "Amano never said much about his family in Pareter, only of a stepsister who loved swordplay." With this, the old man smiled widely at Hitomi, who blushed and looked away.
'Amano told his general about me? What in the world did he say?' Raising her gaze back at the friendly eyes of the general, Hitomi smiled shyly, hoping Amano had the decency to not say anything about her wanting to wrestle over cookies.
A dark hopeful head suddenly appeared over the general's shoulder and all eyes were fixed on a short, pimply boy with loose black regimentals. The boy's gaze fell on Hitomi and he cleared his throat distractingly. "My lady," he said his voice high and shaky. "Will you honor me with the next dance?" His trembling hand reached down to Hitomi's face as he waited for her reply.
"Um..." Hitomi answered stupidly.
"Grison," Yukari groaned. "Leave the girl alone. I'll dance with you." Leaning towards Hitomi so only she could hear, she whispered, "You owe me. He likes to grope."
Hitomi grinned and thanked her with her eyes as Yukari took the disappointed boy to the dance floor.
Turning to Chester, who took Yukari's spot on the window seat, she asked casually "So, I hear you know a lot about Fanelians."
"Why yes, I know the royal family pretty well. The Fanels have always been a courteous bunch. Their manners are unexplainably old fashion. They bow almost at every sentence you speak and, well, if you give them any type of gift, no matter how small, expect an enormous present in return. A very generous people. Wild and maybe little eccentric, but generous.
"The last time they came, the family had just had an heir to their throne. That was about… oh… twenty years or so. I haven't heard much of them since. They are a very mysterious people."
"Is it true they believe in magic?"
"It is true, my dear. They base magic on their culture. The king, by law, has to have the most magic in the kingdom. He also is the one who makes all the rules. Sort of an ultimate monarchy of everything kind of thing." The old man smiled slightly and his mustache curled up.
"What is this magic? Why does it only affect the king?" Hitomi asked extremely curious. Her heart beat faster as she soaked up his words; her questions of long ago finally being answered by someone who actually knew!
"It's called a vox, or, as more easily explained, a cry of power. It travels down through the king's ancestry strengthening future children in wisdom and enhancing their power. The Fanels have always been in power because they have always had the strongest link. Some Fanels in the past have been known to manipulate this power into physical form and use it in battles. Mostly, it is an intuition thing. It gives them advice on what to do and where to go. That's why those who have the vox are king. They are wise and guided by the spiritual cry of power."
"Wow…" Hitomi was shocked. Such magic exists? Manipulation into physical form? Spiritual cry of power?
She was suddenly reminded of her other obsession: Guymelefs.
"You seem very interested in Fanelia. Do you mind me asking why?" Chester asked his mustache twitching slightly.
She grinned and answered, "I've always had kind of an fixation for magic and… other places."
"Naturally." Chester responded. "You have your father in you." His eyes wrinkled up as he smiled at her.
"And I have always wondered something, but my father refused to say anything about it. Is it alright if I ask you?" She asked looking down at her hands nervously.
"Shoot." The general replied, his eyes still wrinkly.
"Are Guymelefs real?" She looked back up to see his wrinkles lessen as his gaze slid away from her face and focused on the floor. He rubbed the back his neck with a callused hand and smoothed his mustache with the other. Sighing with a deep breath, he lowered his arms and looked back at her with eyes a bit cloudy. "I have heard the legends of them, but no, I have never seen one. Most of the mythology resides in Fanelia, believe it or not, and some even more to the west of us."
He didn't really answer her question, but Hitomi was just grateful to be able to talk about her beloved myths with someone.
"Do you know of one particular legend called Escaflowne and Rutilus Flumen?" Hitomi asked excitedly. Chester's eyes widened in surprise and his mustache twitched even more.
"Those two are the supreme rulers of all Guymelefs, so is rumored. The white dragon and his mate, the golden river… yes, I know of the legend…
"The legend is also stated that Escaflowne cannot be piloted without his mate by his side. Only a woman can operate her, while a man can only operate Escaflowne. Also, the humans who are chosen for this privilege have to be connected. I don't know how though."
Looking at Hitomi's eager face, Chester sighed again and said, "It's just a silly legend, my dear. I am happy you have such passion for a wonderful story, but that's all it is: a story."
Checking his watch quickly, the general stood and stretched his back with his arms outstretched. "I must be getting back to my guests. Please, my dear Ms. Kanzaki, fill free to come to my house tomorrow around noon. I would very much like to continue our conversation and I have nothing to do at that time, except eat of course." He grinned widely and rubbed his stomach.
"Oh, yes! I promise!" Hitomi said happily and shook the general's hand with her gloved one.
The sky matched the color of her short auburn hair that was blowing in the ever present sandy breeze. The air was filled with her scent of flowers and water as it brushed along her pale skin. Her green eyes were out of focus; gazing along the fields that surrounded her. Her left hand was to her side, clutching her golden skirt while the right held onto something that draped from her neck. She glowed slightly as the sun began to set behind her illuminating her curves against the soft flowing fabric.
Slowly, she turned her eyes away from her stare and stared straight at Van, fixating him on spot. Her mystical glow strengthened as she smiled brightly. Her left hand gradually let go of its clutch on her skirt and she---
"Lord Van," Balgus's voice came from outside Van's subconscious. "The sun has almost risen. It is time."
Sighing, Van opened his eyes slowly and rose to pack his horse for another long day of traveling.
So there you go. Don't worry! They will meet... maybe (grins evilly)
Latin translation:
Vox: cry/power (could mean both I guess)
veho(tus): rider/follower
I can't remember if there are anymore, so tell me if I missed one.
Well, read and review and tell me whatcha think.
Blue...