A Swan's Tale
Disclaimer: The characters of Ghost Hunt are the property of Fuyumi Ono, J.C. Staff and its other respective owners.
A/N: Yes, this is incredibly delayed, and very probably needs more editing, but here it is first anyway, if anyone is still reading it...
Mai stared, aghast as the events unfolded before their very eyes. That Yasuhara! Just what sinister plot did he have now? She watched John anxiously as if not quite believing her eyes. The knight's stance never wavered. "Much as I hate to," he clarified with a doubtful glance at the Royal Secretary beside him.
The wind moaned as it rushed across the heath, causing the humans to huddle closer together as the sky over rumbled. The sheep, which had been hovering around them all ran away as sword gleaming in hand, Sir John strode purposefully to where they were gathered. His normally placid blue eyes flashed as he pointed the exposed weapon directly at Naru.
"As you see," Yasuhara continued merrily, "Sir John has so kindly consented to defending Lady Masako's honour."
Naru hesitated. He didn't want to lose, especially not on purpose, but on the other hand, winning would mean really losing…
Mai had sensed his uncertainty. "You can't," she was saying furiously. "You jerk. If there's a time to curb your pride, it's now."
Rothie coughed for attention. "Of course he won't," he said provokingly, "as if he ever would, which is why I..."
Mai trod on his foot. Hard.
"Oww!" He complained, hopping about and managing to bang into his uncle, who glowered back. "Watch out, you oaf!"
There was the sound of someone rapping smartly on the rock with a tent pole. It was chillier than mountain fog and cut through the noise of the wind and Rothie's protests like ice. They all looked round as Naru stepped forward and Mai wondered how he managed to look intimidating even with a lovesick Nihon princess glued to him. Impervious to the signs however, Yasuhara smiled like an alligator.
"Now, now, Your Highness, there's no need to go to such lengths to scare all the sheep," he soothed.
"Who're you calling a sheep," Ayako muttered.
Ignoring her, he went on, gesturing vaguely in Sir John's direction. "We're very grateful you have accepted our challenge," he explained as he presented the startled prince with a sword. Yasuhara was nodding again as though speaking to himself. "Most generous indeed, considering how Sir John has remained undefeated so far."
"Naru, don't."
Mai pleaded, turning to the prince. Her voice seemed to snap Naru out of his uncertainty and he gazed steadily at her. Her dark swan's eyes were wide with anxiety and…something else and he quickly looked away, unsheathing his sword as he did. Mai groaned in frustration.
"Told you he was unreliable," Rothie sniffed, as soon as he'd gotten himself back up. Mai glowered at him.
"Naru, don't listen to him."
"I hardly do on a daily basis, as a matter of fact," Naru retorted bluntly, and turned his back on the irate swan. It was better, he decided, if he didn't look at Mai presently. The look in her eye was chilling. Instead, he examined his weapon doubtfully. He supposed he owned a sword but the one he had been handed had a decidedly tacky look to it and was furthermore suspiciously light.
"Where did you get the sword?"
"Lin of course. It took me sometime because we were discussing the transfer of duties from your most illustrious person prior to this trip," he said in all seriousness. Naru didn't know whether to believe him. He looked up sharply, his secretary's words penetrating alarmingly through the fog that seemed to have made a permanent home of his mind.
"From?" he repeated. Yasuhara patted his shoulder in the manner of one comforting the soon to be departed. "The odds are against you," he said solemnly. "Five to one. I checked with the kitchen," he said mysteriously. "And we do so need our trade representative in one piece and alive, which is why as a precaution, Lin has full executive powers should you become…" he cleared his throat and winked, "incapacitated."
"So – uh… prepare yourself, good sir," John added, waving his arm a little to get his opponent's attention. "Unless… unless…" he looked again at Yasuhara, who nodded encouragingly behind Naru's back, still winking broadly. "Unless you can prove you have not touched her."
However, as Masako's arms were clinging tightly to Naru's elbow, this was quite impossible. He sighed exasperatedly.
Sir John, usually courteous and civic-minded to a fault, charged, not bothering to wait. Several people ducked out of the way of the knight, Naru included, and when Mai finally dared to look again, the duel was well under way.
After the initial dodge, Naru had quickly realised that the ceremonial weapon he was in possession of was useless against the genuine steel of the knight's blade. If he didn't win the match, he was going to lose his head. Masako shrieked a little when Sir John's sword missed her by inches. Flustered and apologetic, he didn't notice that he'd left Naru a wide opening. The prince however only stood imperviously on the opposite end of the field, the sword hanging limply by his side as he tried not to appear cornered. Masako however, noticed and she shook a fist at him. "Come on, Naru! Don't you want to win?"
Sir John had spun around and was striding towards Naru with a look of forced determination. Naru watched him warily.
"You don't want to fight," he stated simply. Steel clashed, with Naru barely managing to deflect the blow. The ceremonial sword bent instantly and he glared at Yasuhara who waved enthusiastically back.
"You have my fullest support," he shouted encouragingly.
"Naru, watch out!" Mai and Masako both shouted and turned to glare at each other. There was yet another clash of blades, Sir John attacking fluidly and ferociously.
'Really?" Sir John said as their swords met again. "What makes ye' say that eh?"
"Knights of your order don't fight like that," Naru snapped, panting a little as they moved away from each other, circling.
"Perhaps I am so angry that I can't battle properly," Sir John suggested, rather improbably.
There was a ring of steel as the combatants of the blatantly unequal battle met again.
"I can't watch this," Mai groaned and would have left when she was cornered by Rothbart, hot tea and cake in hand.
"Nothing like a duel to rouse the day, eh? Cake?"
Her stomach rumbled, but she resisted with a proud toss of her head. "I don't know what you're thinking, but neither Yasuhara nor I am so easily tempted by desserts."
The wizard nodded over at where the secretary was deep in a conversation with one of Masako's bodyguards. He had a plate in one hand, which was piled high with pasties that were still faintly smoking. Catching her eye, he raised the plate in triumph. Rothbart smirked. "Well, I'll let you update your finely feathered friend," he said smugly before wandering away.
Yasuhara sauntered over and Mai eyed the remains of the pastry with open dislike. "Come on Mai. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Haven't you ever wondered who would win in a battle? Of course, given Naru's not inconsiderable powers, he has to duel handicapped."
"He is handicapped," both Mai and Ayako protested, Mai adding loyally, "of course I support Naru," before looking confused for a moment. "Though I am not sure I want to in this case."
Yasuhara patted her head fondly. "Which is how beautiful this all is, isn't it?" He nodded in Rothbart's direction. The wizard was engrossed, his cake forgotten as he joined Massako in enthusiastically cheering. "See," he whispered, "Now's our chance." He bowed formally to Lady Ayako. "Do mind them for us will you?"
The duchess frowned. "Me?" she said incredulously.
"See that Sir John doesn't accidentally kill milord," Yasuhara elaborated. Lady Ayako sniffed disdainfully once the other two left. Easier said than done. The prince was still holding his own… but barely.
Forced to back up, Naru found himself cornered again. He was a competent swordsman, but it was really too much, being forced to duel against a professional. What had the others said – that Sir John was a friend? However, the knight bearing relentlessly down on him was far from amiable and if Naru were to describe the look of his opponent, it would be grimly determined – or – perhaps, determinedly grim. Either way, it seemed Sir John meant business, even if he seemed to be going about it in a ridiculously flashy way – like running with the sword raised over his head. The problem was how Sir John seemed to know just how to bring the sword down at an angle that actually did damage and Naru was forced to parry desperately. They were circling each other cautiously when he happened to notice Mai and Yasuhara sneaking off in the apparent direction of the pavilion. Sir John had noticed as well, and realising that Naru had observed the rapidly diminishing figures, shouted and waved.
"Bet you don't dare acknowledge you love her, you two-timing villain!" he shouted wildly. Naru's icy gaze snapped back to him. He could feel annoyance welling up like hot white sparks and a buzzing formed in his ears. This had all the signs of a set-up, but he, Prince Oliver of Albion, was no sitting duck.
"Chicken!" Sir John went on brazenly. "Yellow-livered coward!"
He smiled grimly. "Coward, am I?" he murmured. If these people wanted a distraction – well – he would give them one.
"Three rounds, first one out forfeits the duel and decides the terms," he declared and waited as Sir John inclined his head, accepting the terms.
By now, Sir John knew he had Naru's full attention again, but he didn't feel much relieved. There was something funny about the air, like it'd thickened into syrup and Naru… he gulped as the prince ran a hand with all apparent carelessness over the blade which unbent,gleaming and bright and dangerous glowing with white hot magefire.
To Sir John's credit, he held his ground and his role of the injured lover (which wasn't difficult). "You will never prevail," he said, in a far more normal tone. In truth, he was beginning to feel strangely calm now that he could concentrate on really battling. He was after all used to fighting things that retaliated fang, tooth and claw, and the prince was advancing with a blazing aura that resembled no less than one of the more bad-tempered dragons he'd seen before.
Ayako slapped a hand to her forehead. Why her? She pushed past Rothbart and Masako (who'd fainted away from the strong back draft of Naru's power), over into the duelling circle.
"Gentlemen…" she began, when there was a tap on her shoulder. It was Rothie, looking terrified and pointing at two figures in the murky distance, one of which, Ayako noticed with a sinking feeling, seemed to be a burly bear…