Those eyes of that girlish worm – Sophia – they are too large for someone like her. They almost pop out of her face. Fitting way for her to die, popping her eyes out and let her bleed to death. That was a torture method I haven't tried yet.

But what in the name of Folstar is she thinking?

Matrimony?

Don't make me laugh.

The bride will be dead, dispatched by the enemy kingdom whoever they would be, long before she made it to the altar.


Holy Apris!

The Lady Sophia certainly knows how to cause a stir, but really…marriage?

The groom will be dead when he lays his eyes on the bride in her wedding gown, murdered by the before they are joined as one flesh. Those who will murder the groom will defile a holy house.


Until I Find You

IV. Duty Above All


When the caravan returned from Greeton with Lady Maria leading the way, the Aquarians rejoiced and danced in the streets of Aquios. Nel had no doubt that more than half the people expected to hear of a massacre. After all this time growing up during war times, the Crimson Blade could not blame them. Still, the solution Sophia had placed on them lingered in her mind.

Would that be the only way to close the rift between their two countries?

Matrimony.

Romeria often glanced at Nel ever since the meeting. She couldn't have been thinking about setting her up. Her queen was an excellent strategist; Nel had no doubt in Her Majesty's abilities, but the thought of her queen putting her in an arranged marriage frightened her. Nel would not be able to back out if Romeria included the words 'duty to the state'; Nel Zelpher was the designated heir to the throne, after all.

It was times like this when Nel wished that Clair had lived.

But alas, Clair was not.

Therefore, Nel was the only suitable choice, but she had the option to say no. After all, it had to be him – the Glyphian heir to the throne, Albel the Apris-forsaken Wicked. She had to admit he was decent-looking; it could have been worse, after all. She could have been arranged to marry an old geezer. She shuddered when she recalled Laselle's threat to marry her off to some Aquarian noble.

He would do just that.

"Lady Nel?" Romeria called softly.

Nel perked up. There was no sign of irritation on her face. In fact, her expression was strictly neutral, but the Aquarian queen knew better. Nel was displeased with the Hagia Sophia's proposition. After all, Nel's voice had been raised higher than the other protestors. Her only rival had been the Glyphian heir himself.

"I would like to extend your vacation," Romeria held her hand up before Nel could protest. "It has been a long week. Please think about Sophia's proposition. I would think Azrei will honor this proposition as long as I do, but it must be your decision. I cannot force you to do it."

The Queen was guilt-tripping her into doing this. Nel watched in horror as her queen gave her the dismissal nod and walked away, proceeding to the throne room, flanked by Maria Traydor and Laselle. Apparently, Maria would stay behind to send word of any trouble back to Greeton if Airglyph chose to not honor their temporary truce. Likewise, her companion Fayt Leingod would temporarily reside in Airglyph. That had also been discussed during the peace talks with Sophia.

Biting down on her lip until it bled, Nel stormed to her chambers and slammed the wooden door shut. She slipped the daggers from her belt and flung them across the room. Letting out a sigh, she bent down and pulled off her boots, also throwing them across the room, but in a different direction.

She sat herself down on her bed before flopping down. Nel lay there for Apris knows how long. By the time she looked out her window, the sun was directly overhead. There was nothing for her to do in the castle – other than reading to the noble children again. Nel shuddered. She did not want to endure the lecherous stares of the guards again, not without her weapons – but there was something for her to do, she realized.

Mentally slapping her forehead, she rolled over to the further edge of her bed and reached for her daggers, tucking them back into her belt. There was someone she needed to visit – someone who lived in Airyglyph. She pulled on her boots when she realized that the idea was insane, but then again, the matrimony idea caused all this. She frowned as she tugged on her cloak from her armchair; she would need that. Even in late spring, it was still chilly in the western territory.

She didn't bother leaving a note for anyone. She would be back before nightfall, she hoped – if she wasn't captured for being in enemy territory. Sneaking into the Glyphian land was easy enough; she was a Crimson Blade and leader of the Secret Legion. There was no problem there. She folded her arms as she approached the royal stables and began searching for her horse.

The problem was: how in Apris's name was she going to have an audience with him? He opposed the idea as well. And well, from the information she had gathered about him, Albel was not known for his social skills. That left Nel with the idea to corner him, to actually talk to him. She did not know exactly how she would accomplish such a feat, but she prayed to Apris she would succeed.

Her decision depended on how this…conversation would play itself.

"Either, I marry him and sacrifice my happiness to avoid bloodshed or I do not and blood will be spilled again." She told herself after she climbed her horse and galloped off to the west, toward the Royal City of Airyglyph – home of her enemy and possible fiancé.


It was too quiet. Aquaria had not made any moves since both parties had returned from the meeting with the Hagia Sophia. Surprisingly, Azrei did his best to keep Vox from attacking the other country – and it was working. There were no talks of war plans in the council room. Vox was not present. Thank Folstar, Albel moved to push open the door but stopped when he heard Woltar's speak up.

"So you acknowledged Albel as your heir. Who did Aquaria designate to speak?"

"Nel Zelpher." Azrei replied curtly. "She has Sir Nevelle's blazing red hair."

"Is she beautiful?"

Azrei must have nodded when Albel heard Woltar chuckle. Albel felt his claw ball into a fist. He moved to turn away from the council room, but the next spoken words stopped him.

"Woltar, you aren't thinking that, are you?"

"Glou and Nevelle were close. I remember before the war, they would say something about preserving the peace a little longer. They would offer up their own children." Woltar had answered.

Traitor! Albel's thoughts snapped. Statements like this were things Albel had forgotten about his father. Only Woltar would remember such things. This made the Wicked One clench his claw.

"But Albel? Marry an Aquarian?" The king exclaimed.

That was something he expected from Vox, but not his king.

Albel's claw loosened up from the ball it was curling into. Finally, someone was in their right state of mind. Albel made a note to sneer at Woltar when in the king's presence in the next council.

"But he's always known that he would not choose his own wife. It would be arranged for him." Woltar replied. Damn that old coot to the deepest part of Folstar's kingdom! This was ridiculous. He would not marry her. He admired her strength in battle and that was all. Besides, he had been one of the loudest protestors – including the one and only Nel Zelpher.

"Albel darling, where have you gone?" sang a voice, echoing from the end of the hallway. The hairs on the back his neck stood. He told himself that he would come see her after returning from Greeton, but he had gotten sidetracked. He groaned and slipped away from the door. He pretended to just be passing by as she turned the corner.

Her brown eyes were blank until she laid eyes on him. The crown of her head was colored black, but the tips of her bangs and hairs were blonde. Anyone could see from whom Albel had inherited his hair. The woman was clothed in a dark blue, almost black silk gown.

Albel could not bear to look at her in this state.

Before him stood what was left of the great Lady Irene Nox.

"Mother." He said between his teeth, fighting the urge to snap at her.

"Albel, Albel, will you please settle down?" Her voice was haunting.

A groan erupted from Albel's throat.

She was spouting nonsense again.

"No, Mother. I have things to do."

"What about a wife? Children? I cannot give you any brothers or sisters now that your father-" That was enough. Albel held a hand up. She was the only person whom Albel would not hurt intentionally in thought or in deed. She had spoken enough.

"I'll have the old coot take you home." Without another word, he grabbed her by the arm and lead her down the hall, away from the conference room. He didn't want his mother to hear about the negotiations with Greeton and Aquaria – and of his possible engagement.

There was no way in hell he was going to accept this.


She had taken days to plan out everything. Since she was on vacation, she had all the leisure time in the world. Nel had left the city of Aquios shortly after her decision to speak to Albel and stayed in her father's house in Peterny for a day. Two days later, she had passed through Arias with a disguise, hiking through the Arias/Kirlsa Hills.

Security had been lax. It must have been due to the recent peace negotiations. It had been a week since the visit to Greeton and still, nothing. It would have been an ideal time for Airyglyph to attack, but still nothing. It was good to know that the King of Airygylph was holding true to his promise.

She made it past Kirlsa without drawing attention to herself as she had bought a Glyphian style gown upon leaving Peterny. She donned the long, warm gown under her cloak. Her hood was drawn over her head as she rode into the Royal City of Airyglyph on a horse she 'borrowed' from one of her informants in Kirlsa.

When she disembarked at the castle stables, she remained out of sight for the majority of the time. She would slip in and out of sight depending on which guards she had seen during the peace talks. Her hood was pulled back enough to show her face, but not her hair. Her hair was an instant give away. She walked by several guards who had been distracted by the castle maids.

Perhaps, finding him would be easier than she expected.

"Why won't my idiot nephew attack?"

Or not.

Around the corner, she spotted Vox mumbling to himself about war plans. If he found her, she'd be dead! Her whole operation would be jeopardized! After frantically looking around and finding an open room, the Crimson Blade warrior then slipped through a slightly open door and shut it behind her.

"Oh good day."

Nel froze. There was someone in the room with her. With shoulders tensed and her hands reached to where her weapons were strapped to her thighs, she slowly turned around to see a woman who looked strangely familiar. It was the hair: it was two-toned, its roots and the majority of it was black, but the tips were blonde. Her internal alarms went off. This woman resembled the man she was searching for. Nel's emerald eyes widened as she stumbled backward.

"Oh, you look like my dear friend. Bless Apris for she is with Him and her beloved husband now." The woman started to speak. "It's the shape of your eyes and face, deary. What was her name again? Oh, that's Amethyst Zelpher."

Shock passed through Nel's body. She almost forgot why she was hiding and whom she was hiding from. How did this woman know of her mother?

"I-I believe you're mistaken, Milady." Nel attempted to keep herself composed as she inched backward toward the door. By the time she gripped the door knob, it was already twisting.

"Mother." There was a sigh behind the door. "Are you in there?"

That voice!

Nel spun around to meet him face-to-face. Whatever shock was on her face vanished completely. Her expression was extremely neutral. Well, she didn't think she'd be running into him like this. Nel would have to play this one by ear.


What was she doing here?

Was she here to dispatch his mother?

Albel clenched his claw as he watched her expression. Her eyebrows furrowed. Then, there was a shifting from under her cloak. Folstar's bane, she would not! His claw grasped his katana and unsheathed his weapon, but at the same time, she had drawn both her daggers. There was a loud clash of blades.

"What are you doing here?" He hissed. "I can kill you since you're on Glyphian ground."

"I'm here to talk to you." Nel

"Oh, really?" Albel growled. "Are you sure you're not here to kill my mother?"

"Why would I kill her? She-"

"Albel darling, please don't kill my friend Amethyst Zelpher."

Nel's grip on one of her daggers loosened, allowing Albel to knock it out of her hand. Anger flashed across her face as that dagger fell to the ground.

"Amethyst? Is that what you've been calling yourself to get in here?" Albel was pushing her buttons, trying to goad her into attacking, but she would not. She refused to attack him here. She merely came to talk to him.

"Albel darling?" He heard his mother again and again, ignored her.

"That was my mother's name." Nel hissed. "And for your information, my mother is dead because of this war. Be grateful yours is still here."

That hit the nail on the head. Albel pulled away and slashed out at Nel, who barely got out of his sword's reach. Unfortunately, her cloak has been sliced at the knot, allowing the material to fall off her neck and shoulders, exposing the black, sleeved Glyphian dress she had been disguised in. Although it was Glyphian, Albel could tell an Aquarian tailor put his own spin to it since it was rather form-fitting.

"ALBEL!" Irene screamed.

Nel rushed to pick up her fallen dagger, but when she was at full height once more, she was pushed up against a wall. Albel's blade was nowhere to be found. Nel's daggers fell to the floor. Albel's mother was merely standing there, unable to do anything. Albel knew what thoughts were going through Nel's mind.

"Now, we can talk." Albel then pointed at his mother. "She will be witness that I didn't kill you for trespassing."

Nel looked between to Albel and his mother. The resemblance was there, but the son was completely different from his mother. She wondered if he shared traits with his father, the famed Glou Nox – her father's friend in peaceful times.

"Well?" He demanded an answer.

His crimson gaze was intimidating and contrary to popular Aquarian belief, did not kill. Nel calmed herself down and swallowed her pride. "Have you considered Sophia's idea to ending this war? The marriage and-"

"No." Albel replied sharply.

Nel frowned. "Then, you want this war to continue?"

"No."

Nel wanted to slap him, but she realized he had pinned her arms down. Albel was a twig, but he had muscle. Not that many people could successfully immobilize Nel Zelpher, but then again, he was Albel the Wicked.

"Wench, have you?" He questioned her.

Nel slowly nodded. "I did tell Sophia that I would give up everything to stop this war."

He recalled her saying that vaguely, but then remembered his answer shortly afterward: anything. Folstar's bane, he was caught there. Bah, whatever. He could pass the task onto another noble if he intimidated one enough. That solved his problem. Albel stepped away from her and turned his back, picking up his katana from the floor.

"Nox, what about you? Didn't you say you'd give up anything to end this war? Don't you think there is anything better you can do with your life than fighting?" Nel shouted, "We're in the same position."

"Don't compare yourself to me, Aquarian!" He spat.

"Albel! Amethyst, I apologize on my son's behalf!" Irene attempted to quell the argument, but it was too late. Nel quickly reached for her daggers and sheathed them. She couldn't risk harming him. It would be counterproductive. She sighed and watched him leave.

"If this war continues, you'll be breaking your mother's heart if you die. You don't want that, do you?"

Nel had no idea how close those words hit home.


It had been three days since Nel entered Glyphian territory. She left quickly as she came, leaving Albel to his troubled thoughts. For three days, her words lingered in his mind. If this war continues, you'll be breaking your mother's heart if you die. You don't want that, do you?

He cursed womankind and their ability to say the most relevant things without even knowing it. He attempted to get her out of his mind, but the image of her wearing a Glyphian gown did not help him at all.

"Bah, that stupid wench!" After that, he stormed Castle Airyglyph, searching for Fayt – only to borrow his falcon. How did Albel accomplish this feat? Obviously, he was not nice to the Leingod boy. In fact, Albel did it by intimidation. It wasn't pretty when Fayt started asking questions.

Now what did Albel do with the falcon?

Send a letter to Aquaria.


Three days since she spoke to Albel, she was about to give up. It was another day of boredom. She was clearly going insane. Her muscles were aching for some work to be done. She rolled out of bed upon hearing a knock at her door. Nel mumbled a 'come in', allowing Maria to enter.

"Yes, what is it?" Nel was interrupted when Maria waved a piece of parchment in the air. The red-haired Crimson Blade raised an eyebrow. Was that a letter? Summons? Or perhaps something else?

"It's addressed to you. It's not signed so I don't know where it came from." Maria dropped the parchment into Nel's waiting hands and quickly departed from the room. When Nel was sure the Greetish woman was out of range, she opened the folded letter, which consisted of a couple of sentences. In messy script, she made out this:

I've decided. I'm not doing this for my benefit or yours. Bah, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Nel began to laugh. Who knew Albel the Wicked was such a mommy's boy?


I understand that, Nox. How are we going to do this?


Simple, tell Their Majesties later.


That ending was crap, but I like it a bit. Sorry for the delayed chapter. College is frustrating when it comes to coursework. I totally failed at AugNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo so those are other reasons this didn't come out earlier.

Please read and review.