Chapter Six: Losing what was Found

Author's Note: My day has been made. Todd Haberkorn will be playing Ling in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood! I always imagined his voice when I watched the Japanese version. Now my wish comes true! And Aaron Dismuke, who played sweet and adorable Alphonse Elric, is playing Young Hoehenheim! My day can't get any better, except for one thing:

I-NO-SPEAK-YOUR-LANGUAGE DANCE!

Thanks for all the nice reviews and some criticisms; although I think my shoutouts to Fullmetal Alchemist are NOT lame. And the story's not even the same so it's not lame.

Also, writing this kind of fic is HARD. I have had to do a bunch of research so if you think you can just write about shiny knights in armor and call it a medieval fic; it's a lot harder than it looks. I've had to look up things on marriage, sex, clothing, diet, medical practice and Catholicism. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Enjoy.

Raven had been in the castle for an entire year and noticed that the citizen's elation at having a new king had worn off somewhat.

Raven found a strange note in her bedchamber, it said:

Come down to the tunnel underneath the west entrance tonight. We have business to discuss. Dr. Arthur.

Raven remembered Dr. Arthur. He was a rival healer and disliked Kori's methods. He relied on superstition and was sometimes called Dr. Light because he believed his cures came from the divine light of God. Raven just thought he was delusional.

Raven had received further instructions about where the secret tunnel was. She made her way down and saw a group of twenty knights. Among them was Dr. Arthur and Adonis. Raven visibly stiffened at the sight of him.

"There's no need to worry Raven," Arthur said. "We are not here to do you any harm. We wish to discuss something important with you."

This country has gone through a lot hardship over these last few years. Both citizens and soldiers alike have died because of Lord Garfield's war and now we suspect he's going to enact cruel taxes on us in order to pay for all our losses in the war. Thousands of good men died and there's no one to take care of them or their families."

"Why should I give a krape about all of you when I'm the one who has gone through so much pain?" Raven demanded.

"Life is pain, Raven!" Adonis' tone was curt. "Anyone telling you otherwise is selling something."

"This coming from the man who enjoyed torturing me," Raven snapped.

"Calm down you two," Arthur warned. "If you will lead us, you can fix this country."

Raven contemplated Arthur's proposal. Taking down Lord Garfield would not be easy. But wasn't that what she wanted? Revenge for everything she lost? She was unsure, but then she realized how meaningless it all was. Everyone was trying to rule the country. They were all tempted by the power Garfield held. They all thought they could do better than he did. Catering to the citizens with a normal tax rate and giving them plenty of feasts and jousts and diversions had made him very well liked by the citizens, but not the nobles who had been accustomed to being exuberantly wealthy with cruel taxes on the serfs and peasants.

All the country's wealth now came from exports, which the nobles weren't use to receiving income through things that their servants made and they disliked it that he had made it mandatory for all the nobles to earn their money this way.

Raven sighed. It was all flattery and empty promises. They just wanted her to be their figurehead. No doubt when this was over she would be mistreated again. Unfortunately, she was used to empty promises.

She had returned, after six months. She'd been angry for so long, finally her wrath had abated. He promised her that if she calmed down, he'd be able to explain things.

Malchior had been confident. He knew exactly what to say, that he was sorry about what had happened between them. That he wanted to have children with her. His honeyed tongue worked its magic and Raven was actually hopeful that he was sincere.

"What about all those other women?" she demanded.

"They were slaves, it's not adultery if they're slaves*," he said. This was of course, a lie and everyone, including Raven knew it, still, she wanted to believe that even he could change.

"Just because they don't say it is wrong doesn't mean it's not," Raven retorted.

"Raven, I am not that man anymore, I want you. I've always wanted you. Please come home."

After a long time thinking about it, she decided to return home.

Raven was sitting on her bed and looked up from her reading as Malchior entered the room, he moved close to her; she set down the Galleon Scrolls and asked, "Malchior? What are you doing—?"

Malchior pressed his mouth to hers roughly, his weight felt heavy against her. His hands callously ran across her skin and he began groping her; her body began reciprocating, and she began breathing heavily.

Raven's mind was spinning and she could barely think.

"Malchior, please!" she whispered in his ear.

"Not yet, sweet Raven," he replied. His smile was veiled cruelty; his eyes barley concealed his malice. He enjoyed toying with her. To see her so needy and vulnerable, hearing her beg brought him more pleasure than even the act of sex with her, which he actually dreaded. She wouldn't bring him any joy; he had no real desire or love for her whatsoever.

"When I return victorious, when all this is over...then I'll make love to you," he reassured her. "There's no time now. I have to rest. I have to set out to stop Lord Garfield tomorrow."

"Malchior, promise me," Raven said, dejected that he wouldn't actually consummate their marriage, again.

"I promise," he told her. He let her go, disrobed until he was nude and decided to climb in bed beside her; he needed to rest after all. Raven couldn't look at him, it was too much to think of how he was torturing her.

"And Raven," he looked her straight in the eye.

"Yes?" she asked him quizzically.

"I love you," he rolled over and fell asleep. That was the last thing he ever said to her.

Several weeks later, Malchior stared at his reflection and sighed. He hoped this conflict with Lord Garfield would end quickly so he could return home. He realized that he would lose Raven if he didn't try to change. His dilemma, he liked his lifestyle the way it was, and he found it hard to believe that someone could be faithful and satisfied with one person. But still, he had to try.

"Why does he have to seem so perfect?" Malchior asked himself. "It's as if he can't do anything wrong. It makes me sick."

He sighed. His thoughts turned back to Raven. For so long, he'd chased other women. He had tried to convince himself that he didn't need her. But this whole ordeal with Garfield had shown him that maybe; just maybe he could have a happy life with her. Hadn't Garfield and Terra been happily married? At least, that's what he remembered her saying.

At first, he'd been confident of victory because of the Philosopher's Stone, but someone had stolen it from him. He had never been able to recover it. Not only was it an enormous blow to his ego but it made him realize that he'd actually have to rely on himself this time and he'd have to face what he created.

Still, he was confident he was going to win. He wanted everything, Raven, his kingdom. He wasn't going to let some vengeance bent peasant take all of it from him. After Garfield was dead, he'd try to make everything work out. He stared at his reflection for a moment. He had always prided himself on keeping his emotions out of things, but maybe he did have some real feelings for Raven after all…he scoffed at this after a moment. He was only stringing her along. He only wanted her power, and when he figured out how to get it, he'd get rid of her. He just had to get through Lord Garfield first…

Raven stared at the twenty men in front of her. They all looked to her expectantly.

"I can't. I won't do this," she replied. "There's been enough bloodshed already. As much as I hate him, I won't start another war."

"Are you sure you've made up your mind?" Arthur asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes, I'm sure, who would want to follow me anyway? They all hate me," Raven stated.

"That's very true," Adonis said darkly. "It's a pity you're refusing because now we'll have to kill you. We can't have you telling him, after all."

Raven moved away from them. She knew she didn't have a choice, she had to use her powers.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" she chanted, summoning them. She tossed knights against the wall and sent others flying. She tried to grab a loose sword from a guard but Adonis kicked her in the stomach. They began ruthlessly kicking her until her face bled.

Suddenly, they stopped and looked around. They looked around and saw the secret door open. In stepped Garfield, looking eerily calm and standing at ease.

"What's going on here?" he asked. "And why is Raven's face bloody?"

"Well, Your Majesty, you've been working so hard lately, we thought you should take a permanent break from your duties."

"Ah, but therein lies the problem," Gar said, still acting casual. "I rather like my job."

"Well "Your Majesty", why don't you just retire!" the man said as he brandished a sword. He unexpectedly felt pain in his left hand, only to look up and realize it was gone!

Gar swung his sword quickly, taking off the knight's hand, blood spurted everywhere. He quickly kicked him across the chest and sent him flying into a wall. Raven stared in awe; she hadn't even seen him unsheathe his sword!

Another knight rushed at him, Garfield stepped aside and struck him across the back.

"Don't worry, I struck you with the back side," Gar then examined the blade. "Oh sorry, this is a double-edged sword." His mistake.

Gar turned his attention to Raven, who had received a vicious punch to the stomach and and face and was trying to catch her breath.

"I'm going to protect you," he promised. "I won't let them kill you." Gar brandished his sword.

"Now, come at me, you cowards!" he challenged.

He kept his hands on the sword hilt, thrusting and cutting at anyone who came near him. He jabbed his blade between chinks in the armor and wounded several of them.

"How can you possibly hurt us!" Arthur demanded.

"I built the armor you're wearing!" Garfield growled. "I know where all the weaknesses are!"

The men were all mortified, when their Lord had said he was having custom armor made for them, they didn't actually think he would do it himself.

"Do you want to know why?" Gar asked. "Well I'll explain it to you, and I'll use small words so you can understand you pig-faced buffoons."

"When Richard, Victor and I all snuck into Malchior's castle, we all knocked out some guards on the outside and took their armor. We also wore their helmets, which is why you're all required to take them off before you come in and as for why the armor is custom, none of you can pull off any coups or assassination plots. The best part is, everyone knows about these so-called "Secret tunnels". So as you can see, there are no secrets."

They were all stunned. Their moron of a king had outmaneuvered them.

'What can I say? I obfuscate stupidity, it works every time!" he attacked them.

He slashed downward and blocked a hard strike toward his abdomen. He skittered out of the way of a blow aimed at his chest. He grasped a shield and used it to block blows, only to find that his sword arm was tiring.

The knights rallied, noticing he was tired; the sword was soon knocked away from his hand.

"We've disarmed him!" they said, confident of triumph.

Garfield suddenly swung around and hurled the shield like a discus, hitting a knight in the head. He sprang forward and pulled one of the knight's sword from its scabbard. He thrust the blade through the man's neck; he fell to the ground, dead.

Arthur was furious. "Kill them! Kill them both!"

Gar moved between Raven and the other men, there were at least ten of them. He suddenly handed her the broadsword.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Just watch, and if they get past me, defend yourself," he ordered.

Garfield unsheathed two short swords and held them in each hand. She saw him move, but it was so fast it wasn't like he had even been where he had just been standing.

One of the knight's fell dead, with his body separated at the hips, between where the breastplate and the leg armor began. Another attacker swung his sword and Gar simply turned and calmly sliced his head open at the eyes. He dropped dead instantly.

"How did I survive a fight with him?" she asked herself. "He's completely merciless and ruthless."

Then she remembered something she had observed before they fought. Gar had been exhausted. Raven couldn't believe how strong he was, she didn't even want to think about what happened if he turned his brute strength on her.

"I'll cut your soul from its moorings!" Gar said darkly.

"Come and try then!" Arthur challenged.

"Do you know how I distinguished myself on the battlefield time after time?" Gar asked Arthur. "I may be strong but I tend to wear out and use up a lot of energy quickly. I may not be very smart but I do watch people. I notice how they move, how they react to what I do, and I always notice when they get cocky!"

Gar was constantly on his feet, swinging and slashing; he chased Arthur around the small room.

Arthur swung high when Gar ducked and thrust his swords behind him and into his enemy's midsection. Arthur dropped dead.

"Now you just stay down there," he said.

Adonis charged at him and in one swift motion, Gar cut off both his arms, at the elbows. He fell screaming. Gar quickly slashed him across the back and turned his attention to Raven.

He finished off the guard he had hit in the head and looked over at her. She returned his gaze, unnerved by his display of combat prowess.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

"Let's get you to Kori," he said. "She'll apply ointment to your face."

"Are you hurt Master?" she asked.

"No, why did you side with me?" he asked, curious.

"Because I want all of this to end, I don't want another war."

"Neither do I," he said sincerely.

Raven felt confused. Was he the monster she'd imagined him to be or was he deceiving her like he had deceived all the knights who had conspired against him. She wasn't sure what to believe anymore.

But then she remembered why she hated him, and she didn't know what she was supposed to feel or think when it came to the man who was her Master, Lord Garfield…

Raven stared at the messenger. "Malchior…is dead?"

"Yes, my Lady, he told me that you would avenge him and defend this castle."

"When will he arrive?" she asked.

"Tomorrow," he replied.

Raven felt stunned. How could this happen? Right when they were going to try to make their marriage work. Sure, it had been very hard on her and the fact that Malchior had never tried to be faithful to her and it broke her heart. But he'd promised that once this was over, he'd try to be a better person. That he would actually love her and care about her. That's what she had wanted from him for so long, and now, when he had finally decided to change his ways, he had been murdered.

Lord Garfield. She wondered why he had started this war. In a strange way, it had brought Malchior back to her but then it had instantly torn him away from her forever.

It wasn't fair. What were his motivations for doing this? She'd never been able to learn what they were from Malchior. He had never spoken to her about why this had happened.

He had to be a power-hungry soldier, bent on conquest. Just one of Malchior's many followers who had grown envious of the power that he had. It was probably someone who was politically ambitious, that was the only reason. Garfield was just a monster, barely concealed under a knight's shining armor.

She was going to face this monster, and kill him.

Adonis stumbled into a ruined house in the village of Nol. It had been Raven's house until she had married Malchior. He had barely survived the failed coup. Lord Garfield had killed all but him, although he had been severely wounded, he was too occupied by the safety of the witch Raven to notice that he was still alive.

He had escaped and traveled for days until he had arrived in Nol. Someone had found him and bandaged the stumps of his arms and he had been taken to the outskirts of Nol. He had found the old house and tried to recover there.

"Curse him!" he raged at the clouds. "Curse both of them. I had hoped Lord Gar would promote me to a position of power, but he had to fall under that witch's spell and spare her accursed life. I'm going to make them both suffer, and make them wish they had never crossed me!"

"I can help you do that," a voice whispered in his head. He couldn't believe it, how was he still alive?

"You piece of scum! Why should I listen to you, Malchior?" Adonis demanded to the air.

"I can give you power, I always knew that someone might try to kill me, and so I transplanted my soul into one of sweet Raven's magic books. She doesn't know of course."

"If I help you, you'll grant me your power?" Adonis asked.

"Perhaps, if you can find me a suitable vessel and help me escape this book."

"Don't you know how to release yourself?" Adonis asked.

"I do not have the power yet," Malchior replied. "Lord Garfield, cut off your arms didn't he?"

"Yes!" Adonis hissed.

"I will send my trusted ally Mikron to you; he will help you with what you will need to successfully resurrect me."

"How long will this take?" Adonis demanded.

"One year," Malchior replied. "I promise you, if you make a deal with me, I will give you what you deserve."

"What is this deal?" Adonis demanded. He didn't want to be tricked into doing something that would get him killed.

"Attach my arms to your body, and you'll get a great reward," Malchior said. "I will teach you all my magic and then I will return more powerful than ever."

"Maybe I should have sided with you in the war," Adonis said. He would do it; he didn't care what it took. He was going to make Lord Garfield, and especially Raven pay for what they did to him.

Author's Notes:

* They really did believe that if you had sex with a slave it was okay and not adultery because they were technically property and not people.

I've really lost my mind. Now I'm throwing Slayers references in here too, and more Princess Bride to boot!

I hated, absolutely hated writing that scene with Raven and Maldouche it doesn't help I already think he's a perv 'cause he used the sexual predator technique in the actual show to get her to release him, but he's just downright creepy.

I've also got a real sword. It was a going away present from my best friend. I didn't really think about using it for this fic until I remembered that I need to be realistic about fighting. Thanks Jenna.

Special thanks to DarkRapture for conspiracy theory ideas. Couldn't pull this off without you!