The day had been going well for Van Fanel, King of Fanelia. The weather was beautiful, his kingdom was flourishing, it's people happy, and some of his friends had come to visit. To top it off though he had managed to avoid his advisor's for a good part of the day. This is what I need. Van thought as he laughed at Celena's recount of her daughters latest antics. The young girl was definitely entertaining, to say the least.
It had been a cycle and a half after the great war and Celena and Gaddes had been growing steadily closer. Celena had been having no lasting effects from having been turned into Dilandau. She couldn't fully remember what had happened but she had matured. She was rather good with a sword and Allen had grudgingly agreed to teach her. She had also acquired quite an impressive list of swears from somewhere. After a while Allen and the others realised that they couldn't hide what had happened from her. To their surprise, she accepted their explanations.
Allen Schezar had been none too happy when his little sister had come and told him that she had feelings for his second in command. He was even less pleased when Gaddes approached him and confessed his feelings for Celena. After a few months Allen realised that they were both serious and that Gaddes would look after Celena. To both of their surprise, Allen gave them his permission. They married after a few more months and were now happy with their daughter Anita who was three and a half cycles old. She had dark hair like her father and pale skin and blue eyes like her mother.
Laughing with Celena, Van was glad that he could relax. I hate being stuck in meetings with those advisor's. It wasn't so bad before but now all they do is try to push me to get married. There's only one...Stop it Van He told himself sternly. It's not possible. Even if it was there's no guarantee that she'd want to come back or even that she feels the same way. Sighing heavily, Van turned to Celena and Anita as the latter let out a peel of laughter.
"Ah, Lord Van." A deep voice broke into his musings. "It is good to see you".
"And you Ruhm. How are things going?" Van asked as he grasped the beastman's arm in greeting.
"Things are well, my friend, and steadily improving." The beastman rumbled. "Business has not been better for some time." Grinning wolfishly Ruhm turned his attention to the young kings companions. "And who would these lovely ladies be?" he asked curiously. He knew that Van was not married but the sight of his young friend with this Lady and child looked almost like a family. I certainly hope that Lady Hitomi does not misinterpret this if she sees it.
Laughing lightly Van introduced Ruhm to Celena and her daughter. After a while Celena took her daughter to look at some of the other stalls while Van and Ruhm caught up on events.
"So," Ruhm laughed cheerfully. "Your advisor's are still trying to marry you off."
"Unfortunately. I do understand that they believe it's for the good of the kingdom." Van conceded, shaking his head slightly. "However, I have told them repeatedly that I will marry in my own time." Which will not be any time soon. He thought to himself.
"I'm sure that you will meet the right person soon." Ruhm said grinning wolfishly.
Van had the strange feeling that Ruhm knew something but just as he was going to question his friend one of the beastman's clan ran up to them and growled something into his ear.
Ruhm couldn't believe what his clan mate was telling him. The clan mate that was to keep an eye on her had lost track of her. She had not returned to the camp and there was the possibility that she had left the city. Ruhm ordered his friend to search just outside the city for her.
"What's wrong my friend?" Van asked, noticing that Ruhm was unsettled.
Ruhm was at a slight loss for what to say. He didn't want to upset Van by telling him that Hitomi had been in Fanelia but had run off. He also didn't want to lie to his friend. Deciding to play it safe he decided against telling Van about Hitomi. "Do not worry. A traveller that was with us is upset and possibly left the city. They are not familiar with these lands." It would seem that Lady Hitomi saw Lord Van with Lady Celena. This will not be good. Taking his leave from Van, Ruhm went in search of the young seer.
Hitomi ran as fast as she could. Almost as though she was trying to outrun the image of Van with the woman and child. I'm too late. He found someone else. I'm too late. Tears streaming down her face she continued to run further away from the city. How could I be so foolish. It's been seven years, but still...
Paying no attention to where she was running, Hitomi ran past travellers and merchants, adults and children. She ran for what seemed like an eternity. Stopping, she realised that she had taken a lightly used road and there was no-one near. Falling to her knees, she started sobbing into her hands. Well, She thought miserably You wanted to see him happy Hitomi. He's happy, just...Dammit.
Tears ran down her slender face with renewed vigour. So lost in her misery, Hitomi didn't hear the sound of the wagon until it was fairly close to her.
It had been a profitable day for Erina in Fanelia. She had sold many of her blankets and herbs in the last few days. Time to head for home. She thought as she left Fanelia on her small horse drawn wagon. The day was wearing on as she travelled down the road. I'll have to find somewhere to camp for the night. Foolish woman, you should have left earlier. She scolded herself as she pulled onto a lesser used road. Squinting, Erina noticed a figure on the road ahead. Slowing her wagon down, she watched as the hunched figure stood wearily and started walking slowly. Now who would be walking out here on their own? As she came up beside the figure she realised that it was a young woman.
"Heavens!" She cried, stopping her wagon slightly ahead and climbing down. "Dear, are you alright? What are you doing out here all alone?"
Hitomi looked up as the older woman started fussing over her. She looked to be around thirty years old and had long dark hair. She was fairly pretty and kindly looking. Hitomi hadn't stopped walking and the older woman was still coming towards her. Unsure of what to do, the young seer slowed her pace a little. As tired as she was, Hitomi stumbled and would have fallen had the woman not caught her.
"My goodness, you're freezing. Come on, let's get you warmed up." The woman fussed as she led Hitomi to her Wagon. "Not to worry dear, you're safe. My name is Erina. Where are you going?" She placed some blankets around Hitomi's shoulders in an effort to warm the young woman up.
"I don't know. I don't have anywhere to go." Hitomi said quietly. Tears still making their way down her pale face. I can't go back to Fanelia or Earth. I don't even know how I got to Gaea in the first place. She thought. I could go to Asturia and find Allen or Milerna. But then they'd want to contact Van. I don't know what to do.
"Where are you from then? I could take you back." Erina said kindly.
"It doesn't matter. I can't go back. I...I..can't..." Hitomi broke down in sobs.
Erina put her arm around the young woman in comfort. "It's getting late and will be dark soon. You can camp with me and we'll sort everything out in the morning."
After travelling for a while longer they found a decent enough place near a stream to camp. Once camp was set up and the horse settled for the night, both women sat quietly near the fire staring into the flames until they retired for the night.
The sun had gone down over Fanelia and Ruhm and his clan had been searching for Hitomi with no success. The beastman was very worried and had made his decision. He had to tell Van. Whilst the rest of his clan made camp not far outside the city walls, he made his way towards the Palace. They had set up camp outside the city so that if Hitomi made her way back they would be able to spot her and make sure she was alright.
This will not be easy to explain. He thought as he stood in the room that he had been shown to. How am I to explain that the seer is on Gaea...and appears to have run away? This is not good.
As he waited and thought of what to say he walked over to the small balcony and looked out at the forest, as though hoping that Hitomi would some how appear before him and he wouldn't have to tell Van. As his keen ears picked up footfalls in the hallway, he turned and, adjusting Hitomi's bag on his shoulder, turned to face the door as the young king entered the room.
Finally, I'm out of there. If they went on any longer I might have had to... Oh, wait. That's why Merle insists that I don't take my sword into those boring meetings. Van thought to himself as another long meeting with his advisor's came to an end. Chuckling to himself as to how wise Merle was becoming, the young king made his way to his chambers. I really need to sleep. I wonder if those advisor's could put themselves to sleep just by talking? But rest was not to be for the young king. Just as he was about to open his door he heard someone hurrying towards him. Oh no, not again. Who did they forget to suggest I marry this time? Sighing heavily, Van turned to face the approaching figure. To his surprise it was one of the Palace messengers. Huh.
Stopping before his liege, the young man bowed. "You're majesty, there is a visitor here for you. I believe that it is the trader, Ruhm. He is waiting in the reception chambers off the main entrance." the young man said bowing once again, then looking at Van and realising where they were he added. "Shall I inform him to come back at dawn?"
Suddenly Van didn't feel tired. In fact he was curious. It wasn't often that Ruhm would visit him in the Palace, especially so late. "No, that's alright. I'll go see him now." He said as he started to walk towards the mentioned room. "Thank you." he added as the messenger started to leave. They may be doing their job but Van felt that they deserved respect.
"Ruhm my friend, what brings you here at this hour?" He asked as he entered the room.
"Lord Van," Ruhm said gravely. "I am afraid that I have some distressing news."
Watching his friend closely, Van could see that he was tense and, if Van wasn't mistaken, very nervous. It must be really serious if it's got Ruhm this worried. As he waited he for his friend to tell him what was wrong he noticed that the beastman seemed to be at a loss for words. "Ruhm, what is it?" Van asked, starting to worry himself. Never had he seen his friend this tense and never at a loss for words. Just then, something Ruhm had mentioned earlier that day sprang to mind. "Is it about the traveller that you mentioned?"
Heaving a large sigh, Ruhm nodded slightly. Then looking as though he was about to witness his own funeral he started to speak. "The traveller that I mentioned was the Lady Hitomi."
"Hitomi?" Van whispered disbelievingly. "Are you sure it's her? Where is she? Is she alright?" Shock confusion and worry were the main things that Van felt and they were all playing across his face as he glanced around the room as though expecting her to suddenly appear. He tried to feel angry that Ruhm hadn't told him earlier but he couldn't. I wouldn't have been able to spend much time with her the last few days anyway. At least this way she's been able to look around Fanelia.
"It was the Lady Hitomi, however, we do not know where she is. One of my clan witnessed her leaving the city, but was unable to catch up with her. I am sorry my friend." The beastman hung his head solemnly.
Shocked, Van stared at his friend. "Why would she run away? Where would she go?" He couldn't wrap his mind around what he'd just been told. "Are you sure it was Hitomi?" He asked again, knowing it was a stupid question as it left his mouth.
"Yes my friend. It was the Lady Hitomi. I witnessed the pillar of light myself. She has left this behind and I believe that perhaps you should look after it for her." The beastman rumbled as he removed Hitomi's bag from his shoulder and passed it to Van. "I apologise for not informing you sooner however, she wished to surprise you. I also believe that she was...nervous." Despite the seriousness of the conversation Van managed a small smile.
She was nervous about meeting me again? Does that mean that she...? But why would she run? It doesn't make sense. Van thought as he accepted the small duffel bag from his friend.
"As for why she ran..." Ruhm began hesitantly.
Brought out of his musings, the young man looked at Ruhm questioningly. Noticing that the wolfman looked very uncomfortable only intrigued him further.
"I may be incorrect in my suspicions, however, it is possible that the Lady Hitomi may have seen you with Lady Celena in the marketplace..." The beastman trailed off at the confused look on Van's face.
I don't understand. Why would she run after she saw me with Celena? Unless... Thinking back to the trip to the market he recalled that he had been laughing and joking as Celena carried Anita. Then he remembered Ruhm's remark about the 'lovely ladies'. From a distance, he had to admit that it would look like a happy family out enjoying the day.
As realisation of what may have made Hitomi to leave Fanelia sunk in Van didn't know what to do. Ruhm had already said that his clan had looked for her to no avail. All he could do now was to keep a lookout for her and hope that she would return.
"I must go now and rejoin my clan." Ruhm said as he bowed to his friend. The Lady Hitomi knows where we are camped for the night. Should she return I shall inform you immediately." Determination ringing in every word, the beastman bid farewell to his now very distracted young friend and left the Palace.
Slowly, Van walked over to the balcony and looked out over the city. Despite how serious and upsetting a very faint smile played over his lips. If Hitomi was upset because she thought I was married then maybe she really cares for me. He thought happily. But it was a melancholy happiness. Heaving a sad sigh, Van looked up at the Mystic Moon. Where are you Hitomi? Please be safe.