A/N: I put Lantis in this one. Just loved him, Eagle, and Geo in Magic Knight Rayearth. The hubby and I are working on a joint comedy with them, so Lantis is on my brain. Also, I had a kick out writing Fai's situation here. Lots of drama that will put him in the doghouse later. My husband gave me some great ideas about the upcoming conflict he's going to have with Kurogane. I think it'll be fun writing about them struggling through this. I know the first eight months of my marriage was no bed of roses, now it's a lot better and stronger for the struggles we went through.
Part Four:
Fai kept a bright smile plastered on his face, in spite of all the cold shoulders he was getting. The men he'd been so amiable with now didn't spare him any words, but they sure spared him plenty of dirty looks. He wondered why the sudden frostiness towards him. He was certainly not welcome on this expedition.
It was Sedji, Kentaro's wakashudo apprentice, that fell back on his horse and matched Fai's horses' pace. This was the first time he got a halfway friendly look, and it wasn't all that friendly. "So, I must have broken some rule or something?"
"You put my master in a bad possession. The men don't approve, because they respect Kentaro."
"I'm sorry about that, and I'll smooth things over with Lord Suwa."
"It's more than that. You also disobeyed the province lord's son. It's just not done here. You've shown grave disrespect. It dishonors him."
Fai felt some guilt nibble at the edges of this decision to come along on this defensive, military action. After all, shouldn't he fight for Suwa's safety? It's what he was trained for, to protect and serve his home. How could he not do as he was trained?
"My intentions weren't to disrespect Kurogane, but to defend my home," Fai explained.
"If you want to defend Suwa, then you wouldn't bring shame to our lord or his son," Sedji said, in a whisper and a glance to make sure they weren't overheard. "You'll make him into a laughingstock if you keep disobeying his orders."
"So that's why everyone is pissed off at me? I didn't do as I was told?"
"Yes. Look, we all know you weren't raised here, but there is a point when you're just showing flagrant disrespect."
Fai bit his bottom lip to keep from scowling. He plastered on a smile, not used to being talked to like this. In Celes, no one would dare say such a thing to him. He was a king's son and deserved respect, at least that's what he was accustomed to, respect he was tired of not getting lately.
He gave Sedji a patronizing, sickening sweet smile. "Well, I'm not used to these elaborate rules you have in place," Fai said and spurred his horse on forward, not wishing to be castigated any more.
Making Yuui compliant was so delicious. Boris was having a nice vacation from Valeria, one he didn't want to end soon. He was careful to not flop on Yuui's smaller, delicate frame; all of his energy was spent taking pleasure from the prince.
They both sprawled on Yuui's massive bed, trying to catch their breath and get cool, which wasn't hard on Celes. Boris ran his hand over his wavy, brown hair and wasn't surprised to see how damp it was.
Yuui caught his breath and rolled over. "I hated every moment of that."
"Good. I did too. You were horrible and made me so miserable," Boris said, smirking at Yuui.
"And you were a nasty brute."
And these word games. Boris still didn't allow them to shift into what they really felt. If they did, he was afraid of what might happen to Yuui. Yuui's heart would then lose what little reserve it had, to maintain this long distance relationship at a long distance.
He was afraid Yuui would chase after him doggedly, and that couldn't happen. He needed to maintain distance for Yuui's sake, and his own. At least, he told himself it was mainly for Yuui's sake. Yes, bedding Yuui wasn't helping with keeping distance, but it wasn't like finding a verbally combative bed partner with compatible kinks was easy for Boris.
"Are you okay?" Yuui asked, rolling over on his side and giving him a worried look.
He smiled at Yuui and laid a hand on his cheek. "I'm fine, Loftiness. So are you going to drift off to sleep and visit Her Highness, the Duchess of Hideous Clothes?"
"No," Yuui said too darkly. Boris rolled over on his side and faced Yuui. He put a hand on Yuui's soft shoulder and rubbed it. "What's wrong? Your twin is an ass, but if there's trouble, you know I'd help him. The spring goddess bless Kurogane for his burden."
"Someone tried to kill him yesterday. I tried to get him to come back here, but he wouldn't listen."
Boris took in the news. He finally let out a deep exhale. "You know, Fai has to make his own choices, even if they're something you wouldn't want. You can't force him back here."
"But this could cost him his life!"
Boris embarrassed Yuui and rubbed his arms. "I know, I know, but he's following his heart. Besides... he survived the pit. If he did that, I'd hazard a bet he'd survive whatever those people in Nihongo throw at him. He's a strong combat mage and won't lay his life down easily. Have faith in him."
"I'm terrified. They hate him there, yet he insists on making it his home. Why?"
Boris stroked Yuui's hair and said, "Kurogane. That's why."
Hondo admitted he felt anxious. Empress Amaterasu was younger than him, but she wielded a lot of power. Even though she was younger, she was one for maintaining order and traditions; that's why he thought Ueda might have an advantage.
He was pleased to see Kurogane's biggest ally by her side, Princess Tomoyo. Kurogane and Tomoyo still had a close friendship, and he hoped that would sway Amaterasu in his favor.
"Okay, Lord Ueda, state your case why I should allow you to wage war on Suwa?" the empress asked.
"Simple! That son of his is pervert. He won't produce an heir because he sleeps with men. I need those medicinal herbs for my people."
"And I've given them to you at a great cost to myself. I only profit off of rice, not our herbs," Lord Suwa snapped. He'd never once denied a province suffering from illnesses the special herbs they grew. He figured it was more than fair. Medicine was something he'd never deny the sick. Ueda would be the type to price gouge others in need.
"But what's going to happen to Suwa when the current lord passes away? His son will have no heir," the man snapped back.
"Who's to say that? I have proof my son will produce two natural children with his mage," Hondo said, taking out the broken cherry tree twig and lofting it. "This is my promise from the Witch of the Far East. I traded away my eyesight to make this thing possible. She has granted my wish and it will happen very soon. If that's all Lord Ueda is griping about, I ask that this be dismissed, because my son will have natural children."
"Natural! You call that natural?"
"If the Witch of the Far East granted it, you know you can't argue against it. She must be respected," Princess Tomoyo pointed out.
"Still! It's bizarre! Why should I be made to be tolerant to this perversion?" Ueda snarled.
"The Witch of the Far East trumps you!" Lord Suwa said, clutching the cherry tree twigs protectively in his tight fist.
"So this combat mage gets pregnant? What is it even that your son is sleeping with? A girl or a boy? Does your son even know what it is?" There were some cruel giggles from Ueda's retainers, but Lord Suwa shook them off.
"My son loves a male. I'd give anything to change the mage's gender. I can't. I gave away my eyesight to at least make sure our traditions could accommodate that."
"And so, how do we know it's not some sort of scam?" Ueda asked. "He could grab a baby and fake it."
"You're saying I'd be dishonest? Or that the Witch of the Far East would be complicit in a scam?After the outbreak of famine that happened three years ago and the help I provided, Lord Ueda is being rather ungrateful."
"Why be grateful to a man that produced an immoral pervert?" Ueda snapped. Lord Suwa wanted to slice this man in two with Pale Blue Ice, but he was at court. "Let me have Suwa. My son has already produced children. His hasn't."
Amaterasu did look troubled. "Lord Suwa and Lord Ueda, leave us while we talk about this matter."
Lord Suwa's stomach sank. This wasn't going to go well, he had a feeling. He started to resent the snot out of Fai. He knew the young man was going to bear his grandchildren, but it didn't mean he'd be happy about it when it brought trouble like this.
Ashura appeared back in his study in a flurry of green runes. There were several things that didn't add up to what Naidra said. Something was amiss. And yes, there were records of Bresha going to visit her recently. Ashura was suspicious.
He summoned his valet and asked where Bresha was. He answered that she was back with her sister in the Southlands. "Shall I summon her back to Luval, Majesty?"
"No, that's quite alright."
"Shall I get Prince Yuui?"
"No. I'm sure he's being looked after," Ashura said. "But I would like you to summon Lantis."
The valet nodded and left. If anyone could find out what was going on in the Southlands, it would be Lantis.
The raiding party left the Suwa village of Sakei in rough shape. They had been looted pretty throughly, and some of the house had been burned. Some men were beaten up, but fortunately, no one had gotten killed.
Fai pitched in to do what he could. He razed all the hazardous buildings to the ground with his magic and then flung the remains aside, also with magic. Kentaro was organizing the men and ignoring Fai. The work stretched on into most of the day. Night was falling and they still needed to find food for the villagers.
Kentaro asked for volunteers and Fai eagerly stepped forward. "I'll go. I don't want Kuro-gigi to accuse me of being lazy."
"You stay in the village with the women," Kentaro snapped at Fai. Fai knew it was an open form of disrespect to refer to someone as "you" in Kurogane's native language. Some of the warriors looked appalled, but did nothing to defend Fai. Others, yet, smirked at the put down. "Sedji, stay with the mage." He then fixed Fai with a one-eyed glare. "You don't wander off."
Some of the warriors along with some of the men of the village went foraging in the woods close by, leaving Fai stunned and embarrassed. Sedji did look a little sorry for Fai, but said nothing. Kentaro was his master; he was compelled to side with the older man.
Fai sat on the outskirts of town on a grassy patch, cradling his magic staff and nursing his hurt feelings. He was starting to regret coming along.
He heard some rustling from the woods and assumed it was Kentaro and company back with food. He didn't recognize these men with weapons, but they certainly looked menacing.
Fai jumped to his feet and said, "So I don't take it you're from Suwa."
One of the eight snorted and said, "Nope. We got what we came for earlier, but we heard the mage of Celes was around. There's big money in getting the mage back to Ueda."
"Well, I prefer Suwa, thank you very much," Fai said, getting ready to trace some runes.
Sure enough two of them came at him. He quickly knocked them back with a hex. The remaining six circled around Fai. He quickly traced two runes, but was only able to knock one other attacker out. He was barely able to sidestep another man charging at him from behind.
He relied on his nimble avoidance style of fighting and used the man's momentum to crash into another attacker. He was able to cast another hex and take out the others.
"Mage!" It was Sedji coming to check on him. The young man looked around at the beaten, would-be kidnappers. "My master will be really upset that you were attacked."
"No big deal. I handled it," Fai said, getting a proud smile. "Help me get these guys tied up."
After the men were tied to a tree, Kentaro and his foraging party showed back up. No, Kentaro wasn't happy to hear Fai had been attacked. He marched over to the leader and smacked the man awake.
"The young master's mage is not someone to attack. Who ordered this?"
"Ueda!"
"He's in Edo. Why would he risk this attack? It would just harm his case."
"No. His son. His son desires to rule Suwa. He wants to force Kurogane into giving up Suwa in return for his mage."
Kentaro snorted and shook his head. "Master Kurogane would never do that."
Fai felt as if Kentaro had verbally smacked him in the face, yet again. Fai gripped his staff and said, "Well, I've had enough adventure for tonight. I'm turning in."
"You stay where you are," Kentaro said. "You will stay by me tonight. You're not to leave my sight."
Fai noticed even a couple of his attackers grimaced and looked dismayed every time Kentaro said "you." Sedji wouldn't even look at Fai. Fai put on a smile and nodded. "Sure thing. I guess I can wedge myself in between you and Sedji."
Now Fai had gone too far with the man. "Is that your snide way of calling me a hypocrite for practicing wakashudo?"
"If the geta fits, wear it," Fai said in a cheery manner.
"When the master gets home, don't think you won't have to give an accounting of your grave insults to me. You speak no more to me," Kentaro ordered harshly.
Fai walked into the camp on the edge of town and found a bedroll. Sure enough, after Kentaro was done barking assignments he came over and put his own bed roll next to Fai's. No words were exchanged, but there was plenty of ill will.
Lantis appeared before King Ashura in his study. When the swirl of indigo runes died down, he bowed his head. "Majesty, can I be of service?" Ashura falsely smiled at Lantis' insipid question. The man already knew about this upcoming conversation; he just went through the motions.
"You owe me a favor. I am calling in that favor."
"I do," Lantis admitted reluctantly. The man's gloom annoyed Ashura, but he had every right to not be cheery. He had just lost his older brother and sister-in-law. Plus, there were still some vicious rumors about those particular deaths.
"And don't think I won't know if you don't carry the favor out as it should be."
"What is your favor?"
"I want you to court Olena Harvoan. You're of the appropriate rank."
"More seducing on your behalf." It certainly wasn't a question, just a bland observation. Ashura had had Lantis sleep with many, many people before for a variety of purposes over the years. Lantis' sex life, just like every other part of his life, was not his own to control, but Ashura's.
"Sleep with her or not, that's your choice, but formally court her." Ashura said, letting him off the hook this time.
"And there is more to this favor." Lantis said it, knowing full well the whole distasteful favor he was going to ask. Scry Masters like Lantis were annoying like that, and Lantis wasn't Ashura's favorite person to deal with. But Lantis was one of Ashura's most useful tools.
"Of course you'd know that. Find out if she or Bresha are up to something with that aunt of mine. Ferret out any plots to my son's safety."
"As you wish," Lantis said, his face still was an impassive mask. Lantis left with no formal farewell.
Kurogane waited anxiously for his father in the guest quarters Princess Tomoyo had assigned him. His father said, "Ueda was very insulting during the whole meeting. He will not be your ally in the future. If he comes at us, though, I'll have Fai take up the wards in Ueda. Hopefully, that would prove enough of an example to warn others to not try this nonsense."
"Thank you father for enduring this."
Kurogane didn't like the heavy sigh his father let out. "Ueda is just greedy. I think the Empress saw through his act about being offended by you."
"Good. By the way, the girl was taken off to be questioned. It turns out she works for Lord Takatori, of all people."
"Mamoru wouldn't dare send an assassin after Fai. He wants Fai to do him the favor of setting up wards in Tsukiyono," Lord Suwa said, looking shocked at the news.
"It could be that grandfather of his stirring up trouble. She says her orders were written and sent to her with Lord Takatori's name so Mamoru didn't give her orders face to face. Anyway, Princess Tomoyo is going to deal with the girl. I asked that she get sent back to Mamoru. She seems like an innocent dupe, and you had his word he wouldn't attack us. I know Mamoru is an ally, and he'll get to the bottom of any funny business in Tsukiyono."
"Good. The girl didn't really mean Fai any harm." Lord Suwa turned to leave. "Get some rest, son. We'll hurry back."
"Yeah, I don't think Fai could cause too many troubles for Mother, but you never know with him."
To be continued.
