Authors note: just so you know, it's morning. (Aikka is about 19 here)

Disclaimer: the most unlikely couple would be Kross and Toros…oh, that's given me an idea…

Blood red skies

Chapter three: How does it feel?

Aikka was once again overlooking the Royal city, he wore plain white, he wore his white sandals (like on the series) without socks, and also wore long trousers, they looked loose, but they had been tailor made, his shirt was similar to one he had when he had participated in the Great Race of Oban, but without the gold robes. Instead he wore a white vest what had a long white trailing piece of material on the back of the vest that was down to Aikka's knees that flowed in the wind.

He was now completely awake, he had been stood there for at least an hour, he figured it was one of his dead days, when he had no duties to attend to. As a consequence he did as he pleased, to a certain extent. But he couldn't help feel just a little bit sick, he had no idea what his stomach was doing, it felt like it contained small flying creatures that would devour his insides if he did not learn to control them What is going on…I feel…sick? Am I unwell?


Aiyan had decided to visit he next door neighbour, Willow, the Nourasian. She creped to the door and gave it a stern knock, one, two, three times. A few seconds had passed and Aiyan had been pulled inside by Willow.

"Whoa- h-hello Lady Willow" Aiyan bowed "I hope I did not disturb you"

Willow smiled caringly "Please, I am no Lady, just call me Willow, no you haven't interrupted anything, what may I ask brings you here Lady Aiyan?"

Aiyan's ears had perked up at the use of the word 'lady' "No, Um…I mean, do not call me Lady, I am no such thing, but to tell you the truth, I'm rather frightened…"

"As am I…" Willow looked to the floor "I do not know what is to become of us…"

"Perhaps…we should just give it our best shot…to…impress the prince…if he is indeed looking for a wife…" Aiyan sighed "Why did they pick me…"

"I'm asking myself the same question…" Willow took Aiyan's hand and patted it in reassurance, giving a caring smile as she did so. Aiyan could not hold back the tears that had been forming, she let loose one tear, soon followed by another; soon he'd been crying in great measure, she clung to Willow for comfort.

"I'm scared Willow, I'm scared…" Aiyan was crying on Willows shoulder.

"Do not fear, everything will be fine…" she put a hand to Aiyan's hair and stroked her lush locks in an attempt to comfort her, but did not want her to find out that she had shed a silent tear "just…fine…"


I feel faint…let's see…by the position of the sun…I'd say…I need blood, before I collapse... Aikka then sped off into the palace and headed dining hall.

He walked hastily, he knew his parents hated him being late, they thought it…unprincely. It had only taken him a few minutes, as he knew the castle like the back of his hand (hey that's new…okay serious now) he manoeuvred his way through the hallways past the many servants and valuable objects that decorated the corridors until he finally reacted his destination.

Aikka opened the door only to find his parents had not yet arrived. And they lecture me about punctuality… Aikka couldn't help but feel a bit cheesed off at his parents after all those years of 'raising' him, he had only been raised by Canaan, his fencing master and mentor. He was the only person who had ever given him useful advice, even if it was for only one purpose, war. Aikka's parents had always been, how can you say this, distant. They had never really had time for him when he was younger, but even if they did, he would have to sit in silence whilst he watched his parents deal with really dull business…they did love him, but Aikka thought they had a funny way of showing it, for example, the five final suitors. They want him to be happy, but happy with a wife, they had not thought that he may actually want to be single, for a least a little while longer. Then doors swung open, pulling Aikka from his thoughts, his parents had just entered the dining hall.

"Pardon our lateness, my Prince." The Queen and spoken, slightly out of breath, it was a long way from the Throne room to the dining hall. All three Nourasians bowed or curtsied (in the Queens case) at one another and went to take their places at the dining table.

"Father, I wish to speak about the women…" Aikka looked to his father listening intently.

"What are you concerns?" The king answered, looking to the Queen, he hoped to the god Aikka had not found out about the Crog and the Nourasian's arrival.

"Father, I fear I cannot concentrate, with this…load, on my mind…" Aikka had been struggling to find the right words.

"My son, how can you not concentrate?" the King raised an eyebrow.

"Father…my stomach feels like…it's in knots, like Huumis are fluttering madly in my stomach…" At that Aikka had put his forearm across his stomach (Huumis are the Nourasian equivalent of butterflies).

The Queen let slip a grin "Is it possible that you are nervous my son?" the King joined her in the grin.

"It is natural my son, perhaps you are sensing how important this event is…" the King quickly gained control of his senses and his face and become blank with no emotion.

"But…does feeling nervous feel this way all the time?" Aikka lifted his gaze from his stomach to his mother.

"Often my son, of course, why is it you act like it is new to you?" the Queen was now looking inquisitively upon her son.

"Because it is…I've never had the opportunity until now to feel such a thing…" Aikka stood. He was ready to leave; he'd eaten and discovered what he needed.

"My son-" Aikka stood to look at his father almost coldly, he'd clearly wanted to be left alone "Do not fear, I am sure you will be pleased" With that Aikka gave a small smile and left down the corridor. He had lots of other duties to attend to before night came.

Why, why am I nervous? I don't even want to meet these people! Pull yourself together Aikka! Just reject them all! It can't be that hard…can it? I haven't even met them, perhaps…I should, at least, try and get to know them…No! Bad idea! Oh…I don't know anymore…perhaps I should let fate decide…