Date written: 1-14-2011
Date typed: 2-11-2012
Date originally posted: 2-11-12
Date edited: 3-30-12:
1) Earth year changed from 1988 to 1989,
2) Date information "header" inserted,
3) Leftover deviantArt HTML remvoed (How embarassing...)
4) Inserted "Part 1"
Born of the Blood
Chapter 3: Girl Thinks About Boy (But does not have a crush on him) - Part 1
[Red, 34th Moon, Cemrota of Stahl, Year of Slate East] (May 1989)
Her mind tumbled with thoughts about Allen Schezar as she moved swiftly through the dark tunnel. She had memorized it quickly after her mother's moleman servant had shown it to her. The darkness helped her to think, to process and sort through the different things invading her brain.
Eries wondered if Allen really could be the young blonde bandit that had been terrorizing Asturian travelers. He had seemed so polite in the cemetery. Surely Balgus, one of the Three Great Swordsmen of Gaea and mentor to Fanelia's past king and preset prince, wouldn't have picked a ruffian from the backroads to become an Asturian knight?
An image of the samurai, large and scarred, floated through her mind. This was a man who had sworn unfaltering loyalty to Fanelia, a country a bit… behind the advanced Asturia; a country a bit… uncultured. He had supported the late King Goau's marriage to a Draconian. The man had even brought a little catgirl into the Fanelian royal palace to be a companion to the young Prince Van; saving the kitten from a village caught in the war at that time.
Eries discovered, upon further inspection, that perhaps Allen was the bandit. Maybe Balgus had a soft spot in his heart for those in need. Young Allen with a distant father, vanished sister, and deceased mother; had nowhere to turn, no relatives to give him comfort. His family name tarnished and dishonorable, Allen had no reason to remain in society, which would have been brutally scornful. In his anger and sorrow, Allen had become the bandit.
He had also defied her father to pay respects to his mother sooner rather than later. Allen was either deeply religious and devoted to his mother or suicidal to incur King Aston's wrath. (Eries never bothered to think that he was neither and that there might be a third reason that Allen had gone to the cemetery instead of the dinner party.) Allen had also been sincerely respectful just now in the cemetery. Most handsome young men knew they were good-looking and acted like they were Jeture's gift to women; at least, that's how all the courtiers Eries had ever met acted.
By the time Eries reached her room to prepare for dinner, she decided that Allen Schezar shouldn't have to cower in his father's shadow. He had displayed devotion to family and respect and chivalry to her. Balgus, the giant with a gentle heart, trusted him. Allen should be given a chance to prove himself and regain his honor, not be looked at through his family's past. Eries let the boy her age into her heart, hoping they could be friends.
Now only if her father would see past his anger and the Schezar name and give Allen a chance.
Eries hoped that Allen would forgive her for not revealing her identity in the cemetery. She fretted while her handmaidens prepared her for dinner. Finally, on the way to the formal dining room, Eries forced herself to drop the matter. Allen had requested to see her again and had seemed so lonely. Besides, he hadn't directly told her who he was, either.
As their names were called and Eries and her sisters entered the dining room, she could see surprise on Allen's face. He hid his reaction rather well; she simply knew it was coming and was looking for it. Eries wasn't sure if he looked at her much during the course of the meal. She was far too occupied with trying to keep an eight-year-old talkative Millerna in line. Many of her father's advisors were also dining with them that evening and there were a few that indulged spoiled Millerna's chatter. Eries also knew that those at the table wouldn't approve if she sent too many looks Allen's way.
She winced as Millerna asked a gross medical question at the same time her father shot a very thinly veiled insult in Allen's general direction. Her heart broke for the boy. He was trying to pull his life back together and his mentor was leaving him and all King Aston does is slander or ignore him. Her father had once again invited Balgus to ally with Asturia and once again the swordmaster rejected the offer. King Aston had then completely ignored his guest of honor and taken to insulting Allen.
Eries resolved to be Allen's friend, if he'd have her, and help him reinstate himself into Asturian society.