Author's note: This must be the fastest update I've ever done for this size of chapter! LOL must be because I so wanted to see this happen. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: own nothing but the Prince.
Dedicated to Cheryl! Thankyou my wonderful WONDERFUL beta!
Kviria, Capital City, Conansia Svelera
The cart jolted along the roadway, bouncing them against the solid wood planking beneath them. They sat on either side of it, their arms resting against their knees to allow the length of chain to swing between then and not rub at their already raw wounds. Yuuri shifted a little against it and gazed at Gwendal before allowing his eyes to close and his head to dip down against his chest.
"Why do you stick your nose into everything? You could simply leave such affairs of the country to your retainers." For once, Gwendal felt comfortable enough with Yuuri to actually voice all of the questions that rattled around inside of him. "You could live a life of luxury in the castle."
That actually made Yuuri smile, eyes remaining closed as he rested his chin against his drawn up knees. "I wouldn't know the first thing about living in luxury."
"Don't you like anything decadent? Gold, gourmet meals...?" He couldn't include 'women' considering the fact that this was the man who was quite literally attached to his brother and had eyes for no one else. Gwendal had started to get to know Yuuri, to truly see the man that had gone to such efforts on behalf of their kingdom.
"What would I do with gold?" Yuuri's brows lifted, his lips turning upwards at the corners and looked a little amused at that. "The only time I even touch some of the gold that I have access to was when I was getting these made..." Yuuri lifted his hand, displaying the simple gold and silver band he wore which was identical to his lover's. "And the sword I had commissioned as a gift to Conrart." His features immediately softened at the thought of his beloved, his heart overflowing with the love and desire he felt for the man. "My idea of luxury is sleeping in with Conrart... just spending a morning together... sparring, reading... or just curled together talking."
"You are an unusual man. Those who come into power, tend to want to use it for their own gains."
"All I want... is to make a world where Conrart will never have to fear persecution again by others, I want to make a world where Jilta can live and never have to fear what will happen when he grows up. I can't stand to see someone suffer, Gwendal, be they human or Demon Tribe. I know what it's like to be the one persecuted and hunted down like an animal."
"I..." Gwendal was stunned by that, remembering back to the time their king had been sent back to the other world and his brother's frantic worry. It was true.
"I'm not perfect and I know I won't get everything right, Brother. However, I'm not afraid to admit I need help. I need you and Gunter, Conrart, Adalbert, Gisela... Wolfram. I need you all to help me build that world where no one has to fear anyone else, where war is nothing but a distant dream. I want us to walk that path together."
"Idealistic." The older man chuckled softly, but his heart warmed completely to the man who had become part of their family. Yuuri really was becoming the core of their very kingdom, a voice that spoke out for not only those of the Great Demon Kingdom, but for those who had no one else to hear them. "But...I think if anyone were to be able to do all that... it would be you."
Suddenly it jerked to a halt before a rather large imposing building, both of them rocking slightly with the motion before the small sliding door was opened at the end of the prisoner wagon.
"Get out!" The guard grumbled, glaring at both of them.
Two guards flanked them and two moved before them, their movements in perfect sync, like trained soldiers they paraded through the halls of what appeared to be a courthouse. The light that filtered in through the tiny windows placed high on the wall refracted through the facets of the thousands of esoteric stones that were imbedded in every wall. Yuuri could almost taste that power in the air, a bitterness that he was starting to associated with the presences of such stones.
Gwendal was shuddering slightly, his powerful body reduced to a trembling mass of clenching muscles and aching bones. His jaw gritted as he almost stumbled, pain radiating up through him as the intensity slowly began to build around him, draining away what remained of the strength he had been given through his contact with Yuuri when he cast the spell to summon water to them.
Strong arms caught him, one slipping beneath his arm and the other resting against his chest, taking a lot of his weight and supporting him. None of the guards moved to help them, all they did was stop and almost smirk to see how much pain was being inflicted upon Gwendal. Several snickers escaped two passing guards, their eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure.
"Gwendal." He shifted, hauling the man upwards and refusing to let him drop to the ground. "Easy." His palm pressed against the man's side, attempting to gather what magic he could to send trickling into his body, hoping that the healing energies Gisela had been teaching him to channel would be enough to sooth away the worst of the pain.
"Yuuri." The man whispered, eyes closed and attempting to force himself upright, a tiny bit of his strength returning. The pounding in his head began to ease away, his laboured breathing calming.
"More along!" One of the guards snapped out, the metal cap at the end of the man's staff pressing up under Yuuri's chin, tipping it upwards and making their eyes meet.
A low sound escaped Yuuri, but he forced himself to straighten, both of them slowly beginning to move again. Gwendal managing to keep his feet as Yuuri's strength seeped into his body. He wanted to protest against it, but knew that if he did, consciousness would slip away far too quickly for him and he would no longer be able to watch out for their King. Gwendal truly understood right then what Conrart saw inside of their King, the strength and compassion that touched everyone around Yuuri.
Soon massive wood-panelled doors swung open before them to reveal a court chamber, where three elderly men in white formal robes sat to preside over them. It looked almost like it had been brought from earth, yet, there was something sinister about this place. A darkness that hovered just beneath the surface, poisoning everything and everyone within its grasp.
The moment they stood in an open backed raised box before the three elderly humans. A hush fell over the space.
"Attention, the trial shall now commence." The lead judge's voice echoed through the large space, silencing the soft chatter that came from one side of the room.
Yuuri's head turned slightly, suddenly aware that it wasn't just the judges and guards in this place, along one wall a massive tapestry stretched from one side to the other, spoiling the perfect circle of the room. Indistinct shapes moved on the other side, the faint outline of faces watching them... smiling with glee.
"What's this?" The lead judge looked down at the piece of paper in his hand, his chin propped up on the other as if this very trial seemed a waste of his time. "You're both male? Furthermore, he's from the Demon Tribe, yes? He appears to be in great pain."
Gwendal's head lifted, jaw clenched against the burning agony he was suffering, though his eyes met those of the judge sharply.
"Very well then, let's settle this promptly." The judge gazed down at them with something approaching disinterest. "I can safely conclude that the two of you have run off to elope, but neither of you match the descriptions of anyone in the current warrants. Therefore, in order to release your shackles you must renounce the bonds of your affection here before the court. In this land, humans and Demon Tribe cannot wed under any circumstance. Were you aware that the violation of this law is a felony warranting execution? All you need to do is display before this court your deep hatred of him and the Demon Tribe."
Suddenly a guard moved over to them, a blade being set on the edge of the wood railing before Yuuri, its sharp blade reflecting his pale face as he stared at it in horror.
"Demonstrate your true feelings towards the Demon Tribe with that knife, you only have to wound him a little."
"Do it." Gwendal rasped, his blue eyes closing tightly against the pain.
Yuuri could hear the whispers again, the pleased voices of people watching them. However, he could hear words of dissent, one strong voice that echoed above the others. He couldn't make out the words, but he could feel them. They were here. With a sick realisation, his eyes took in the differently uniformed guards that stood along the length of the tapestry, their weapons and clothing a little finer than those around them. The rulers of Conansia Svelera were watching them with glee over the killing that might take place.
His fingers curled around the hilt of the blade, knuckles going white as white hot rage filled him. Suddenly it was flung with surprising accuracy, a blur of motion too quick to see. It sliced through one of the ropes that held the massive tapestry in place and with a flutter the barrier came down and hung limply from one side.
A half dozen people stood around two thrones, where a woman and man sat, their expressions startled by being suddenly revealed to the entire courtroom. A young man stood on the steps, his back to Yuuri, his body tense and trembling with rage, which wasn't directed at Yuuri or Gwendal but at the royal couple.
"Is this your answer?" Yuuri's voice was a low deadly purr, his eyes narrowing on the two finely dressed individuals who both held goblets of fine wine. A table stood fully stocked with delicacies of all varieties, however it was the floor that truly made Yuuri's temper almost snap. Like those on the passenger liner, bones and other discarded pieces of food littered the entire dais that had been hidden away behind that barrier, but the thing was, most of those pieces were hardly touched, as if discarded just because they knew they could.
"You dare to address us! You dare to...!"
"You eat like pigs while your people starve? You find entertainment in the deaths of people whose only crime was that they loved each other enough to stand against you?" Yuuri was moving forwards, Gwendal moving behind him, leaning heavily against the edge of the railing. "The Demon Kingdom has willingly offered you aid, food and water for your people..."
"Filthy animal!" One courtier remarked in disgust as their eyes fell on Gwendal. "Whore." The word was directed towards Yuuri.
"Is what he said true, Father?" The young man who had been clearly the one arguing earlier addressed the King of Conansia Svelera.
"So what if it is, Boy?" The man rose to his feet, face slowly beginning to turn purple with outrage. "Would you have us accept such things from Demons?"
"If it meant ending the suffering of our people, then yes!" The Prince stood right before his father, shoulders straightening and clearly willing to finally challenge the monster that sat upon the throne of a dying kingdom. "I would go on my knees to the Demon King if it safe the life of one child."
A hand whipped around and struck the young man full across the face splitting his lip and sending blood spraying across the floor. "Worthless brat. Hold your tongue."
"I won't any longer." And green eyes turned to regard Yuuri for one long moment, the heir to Svelera's throne looking upon them with determination burning in his eyes, before he turned back to his father. "Can't you hear the voices of the people, Father? They are starving and they have nothing left to lose. Your corrupt officials and soldiers are being challenged more and more. One spark..."
"You dare to speak of rebellion to me? They would not dare!"
"They would and more. Those women in the mines have families, Father. All those people that you have had put to death have people who cared for them. I will not be silenced."
"I would listen to him." Yuuri said softly, his voice however echoing through the space, his eyes hidden by his hair. "You have a chance to change the fate of your country. You are at the turning point..."
"SILENCE!"
"He's been brainwashed." The woman finally added, her eyes were vacant of any life or warmth, they just stared down at them impatiently. "Have the Demon beaten... see if that works to free his mind." There was some kind of morbid curiosity in her expression, a lust for blood that chilled Yuuri right down to his soul.
Gwendal's body swayed as he tried to take a step forwards and draw Yuuri into the protection of his body, when his legs finally buckled out from under him. His knees connected with the floor with a painful jolt before he sprawled across the polished stone, body trembling with the agony he was caught in.
The guards were raising their staffs over their heads, glee shimmering in their eyes as they gazed down at Gwendal sprawled out before them like a sacrifice offered up for their amusement.
"GWENDAL!" Yuuri's fear was palpable as it echoed in his voice.
He launched himself forwards, body covering Gwendal's own as much as he was able, his head pressing against charcoal locks, arms shielding the man's face. With a whoosh of displaced air, the first wooden staff struck him powerfully across the shoulders, knocking the air out of him, but he didn't cry out as raw pain flared up through his body. After the first they rained down over him, striking him everywhere, but he held on, determined to protect the half conscious Demon beneath him.
A powerful strike landed hard against the back of Yuuri's skull, setting a ringing in his ears. Vision blurring, all Yuuri could feel was pain... but as he slipped into darkness, he knew he had protected his brother with everything he had in him. He sprawled limply across Gwendal's back as the continued to beat him for the pleasure of the Queen.
"Soldiers, check out this alley." The squad leader commanded several of the other men that were scouring the streets for the missing bride, their torches lifted to illuminate the heavy darkness that had settled in the deep alleyways between buildings.
"Understood, Sir!"
Jilta sat near the small space at street level, peering out through the gap created by two large bricks being pushed outwards to make a crude window. His intense blue eyes watched as booted feet passed by him, his lips pressing together in a firm line as he turned back to gaze at Nicola with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, don't worry. This child's like you, its heart beats with the blood of the Demon Tribe, so this little bit of hardship is really no problem." She sat on the cold stone floor, her arms wrapped around her stomach protectively, the chill of the night air beginning to settle in her bones. "My child is very strong."
Suddenly a pair of boots stopped at the gap just behind Jilta. A loud gruff voice filtering through the hole. "Is someone in there?
Both Nicola and Jilta recoiled from it in fear as they could hear more men arrive at that opening.
"Don't hide! Come on out!"
"Come on! Hurry it up." The three guards stared down at the hole, one of their torches having been held out so that they could see that the hole actually carried on well into the cellars of the building. "Who's in there?"
A brick scrapped and was drew back inside the cellar, a strikingly handsome face appearing in the gap, illuminated by the harsh glow of the torches. "Sorry about that." Conrart offered them a slight smile, though he didn't feel an ounce of happiness, especially not at that moment, sensing that Yuuri was in danger but not quite knowing where to go. "Is there some kind of a problem?"
"What are you doin' in there?" The lead guard demanded.
"Well I..."
A rather feminine sigh sounded from inside the space.
Conrart offered them a soft smile of embarrassed amusement.
"I see." All three men leered slightly at that, rather delighted by that particular feminine voice. "Well don't loiter around her for too long, you'll interfere with the search."
"Keep up the good work." The half-breed offered with a smile, and remained by the gap until he was certain the guards were gone before he turned back around to glance towards his rather off-put younger brother.
"Damn it, Brother, why do I have to pretend to be a woman?"
Conrart wished he could laugh, that he could find the usual humour in this particular situation, but his worry for Yuuri and Gwendal filled his heart and soul. He glanced towards the back of the dark cellar and the two people hidden there. "You can come out now."
"Thank you, Strangers, you saved our lives."
"Yes, thank you." Jilta added in as they stepped out from behind a massive wooden object that had been stored leaning against the far wall, which had given them enough space to slip behind and hide during the charade."
"You're more than welcome." Conrart attempted to offer them a smile, but it quickly died, his hand lightly rubbing over his face, wishing he could ease the painful squeeze on his heart.
"Is this the time for pleasantries. Let's go out there and look for the others!"
"We should... but that boy appears to be of the Demon Tribe." And just might have answers about Yuuri.
"Are you two of the Demon Tribe too?" Nicola asked cautiously. "I don't suppose you happen to know Yuuri?"
Conrart was immediately on his feet, his expression revealing the desperate concern that he felt for his lover, his cinnamon eyes swirling momentarily with silver. "You know Yuuri?" His heart had firmly lodged itself in his throat, the man taking a step towards the woman, hungry for any news of his beloved. "You know... him?"
Nicola's brandy brown eyes widened with sudden realisation of exactly what Gwendal had meant about recognising the one that was married to Yuuri. The burning love in those eyes told her all she needed to know and knew that she could trust these men. "You must be his husband, Conrart Weller."
Wolfram's eyes widened suddenly at that, mouth dropping open to stare at Conrart in shock at that news.
"Yes." His left hand roughly rubbed back through the long locks of hair that had fallen around his face, the pledge ring identical to Yuuri's glinting in the faint light from outside.
Nicola and Jilta sat on the bed in the brightly lit accommodations that Conrart and Wolfram had been forced to take when their initial search had given them no clue to where either Yuuri or Gwendal had gone. Conrart hadn't been able to sense Yuuri, it was as if something inside of him had been almost killed and the silence left him agitated and on edge. However he knew these two could offer them much needed information.
"Do you know where they are?" Conrart asked from where he was leaning close to the window, his eyes flicking out to check the street every few moments to make sure that no soldiers appeared near the entrance to this particular inn.
"I'm sorry." Nicola breathed, her regret and guild almost palpable. "But I have no idea what happened to them after we escaped."
"There is one other matter that has me concerned." The half-breed straightened, his expression grave. "You are of the Demon Tribe, aren't you?"
"Yes." The little boy nodded.
"I would appreciate it if you could guide me to where your family is."
"Grandpa is safe now." Jilta suddenly said, his wide blue eyes staring at Conrart for one long moment, before his fingers curled in his lap. "Yuuri gave us money... and so we saw him for a little bit after we escaped to give him some. He went away to a safe place." One that they couldn't risk going with him to, because they both would now be recognised by the soldiers and Jilta didn't want to leave Nicola on her own.
It was so like Yuuri to be thoughtful like that. Conrart swallowed around the lump that formed into his throat at the thought of his husband, of the man who loved him just as much as he did in return. "Nicola, if they have been captured, do you have any idea where they would have been taken?"
"Yes, I do."
Wolfram started at that. "What?"
"When elopers are caught by the authorities, they are always taken to one particular place for punishment. Yuuri might be taken to the quarry where esoteric stones are mined if they don't realise he's Demon Tribe. Gwendal would be kept in the underground prison..."
Gnoziri Mines, Conansia Svelera
Yuuri's body slammed into the hard stone, every muscle and bone screaming after what had been done to him before he had been brought to this place. Livid bruises spanned the length of his body from the beating that had quite literally knocked him unconscious. It was only the jolt of impact that awakened him with a rush.
"Yeah, I know. But what good would it be to lock a man up in here?" The coarse accented words echoed down the steep stairwell from one of the guards that had flung Yuuri quite literally down the steps.
"Doesn't matter, the big guy was sent to the underground dungeon , so the little guy has gotta go in here." With those words, the door slammed shut with a creaking groan of protesting hinges, the heavy metallic shriek telling Yuuri that they had blocked the way with a metal bar across the door.
He lay there, trembling for several long moment, his breathing harsh against the stones beneath his cheek, before slowly beginning to push himself upwards, his entire body screaming in agony over what had been done. However, he didn't make a sound, carefully sitting up and managing to stand, his hand finding the edge of the wall to support himself. His gaze flickered up towards that dark shadow of a doorway, but knew it would be pointless to try to make it budge. It was sealed up tight and he was in no shape to escape.
"Are you alright?" A concerned female voice sounded from near his shoulder.
"I will be fine..." Yuuri turned his head and looked down at a woman with strikingly blue eyes, before managing to give her a half smile. "Thank you." Her concern touched him deeply, his eyes softening as he leaned more heavily against the wall, his breath rattling out of him.
"You're a man... what are you doing in here?" Surprise sounded in her tone, blue eyes widening as she realised Yuuri was definitely not a boy, but a fully grown man. "Men can't do the work, only women can mine esoteric stones."
"I guess... considering Gwendal and I are both men... and I'm the smaller of the two of us..." A hint of amusement coloured his expression for only a moment. "They mistaken my brother-in-law and myself for elopers. Talk about... mistaken identity."
"So they mistaken you for a woman too?" The woman brightened a little at Yuuri's gentle manner and attempts to make levity at his own circumstances. "I don't see any breasts or big hips."
"I would hope not, my husband rather likes me as I am."
All of the women laughed softly.
"What's your name, you sweet thing?"
"Yuuri." He responded softly, his eyes closing for one long moment, drawing in another lungful of air. "Yuuri Weller." It was his name after all and he wanted just once to use it, needing the comfort of something that belonged to his beloved Conrart.
"My name is Norika." Though her concern grew at the ashen colour of Yuuri's appearance. She was gesturing for several of the ladies to help her as she slipped beneath one of Yuuri's shoulders, helping to steady him and move him to one of the raised palettes that lined the large stone chamber. "Here... let me have a look."
Yuuri sat there, completely unresisting when his heavy jacket was slipped from his shoulders and his shirt followed and were set down beside him as Noriko looked him over with something near horror. His usually pale white skin was dark black and blue in long welts that ran mostly across his back and shoulders and ran downwards, his chest had not been touched since it had been pressed to Gwendal's own back. However, his chest still bore the silvery scars of years of similar beatings, horrifying several of the women that crowded around him.
"You must really love him..." Noriko whispered softly as she gazed at Yuuri's back, her fingers dipping into a bowl of salve that had been brought to her. Carefully brushing her fingers over the first of the overlapping welts, she was surprised that he didn't even flinch away from her touch, remaining perfectly still.
"Gwendal is my brother... be it by marriage... not blood, I couldn't stand to see him hurt. I do love him, he's family." Yuuri's head tipped forwards, the dyed strands falling into his face and hiding his eyes from view. "My husband will come for me." He knew deep within his heart that Conrart would not rest until he was found again, it was the one thing that kept him from feeling hopeless.
"It would be impossible for him to get through the guards to this place."
"Impossible?" The Demon King shook his head, offering her a true smile. "Conrart would tear the world apart looking for me. My husband... loves me more than anything else in the world and I love him. There is nothing I wouldn't do to protect him and those he loves."
"You are a very loving young man."
Kviria, Capital City, Conansia Svelera
Gwendal sat propped against the wall, his legs spread before him, the manacles around his ankles clinking together when he moved even slightly. He could not shake the memory from his head, the feeling of the warm body covering his own, the jerk of it as the powerful blows struck his King instead of himself. It was in that one moment he had given his complete loyalty to the Demon King, knowing that he could never repay the debt. It was more than likely that the beating would have killed him in the state he had been in. His life belonged to Yuuri.
His strength was all but gone, thankfully some of the sickness along with it, his head dropped back to rest against the wall of his cell, hoping that somehow Yuuri had escaped the forces that had dragged him out of the cell beside Gwendal's. He could still remembering the muttering of the guards and the exchange of coins between men as it was clear someone had actually paid to have Yuuri transported from the prison to the mines. It was an action that might just save their King's life.
Esoteric stones glittered around him, shimmering with their own internal light, like stars set in stone. It was almost... beautiful in a way.
The sound of a pair of footsteps in the corridor outside of the cells had him lifting his head, straightening as much as he could given the position he was in.
Two guards stood outside the door to his cell, staring in at him as if he was some kind of specimen in a cage.
The first one snickered, smirking as he stared in at Gwendal. "That sure keeps him quiet, eh?"
"Yeah, I don't think he can use his precious demon powers in a cell full of esoteric stones." The second replied with a low chuckle.
"Isn't he being transferred to the underground dungeon in the palace?"
"Come to think of it, wasn't another one of those Demon Tribesmen sent down there?"
"That's right, but I heard that the fool was able to break out."
Gwendal jerked, his heart clenching at the thought of his cousin, for all his anger and hatred towards the man, he still cared about Griesela. Jaw clenching, he said nothing in response to their words. Yet a strange sense of relief filled his heart, knowing that he could at least tell his Uncle and Aunt something... could give them reassurance that knowing Griesela, the man was most certainly alive.
"From the palace dungeon?"
"Can you believe it? Like I said he's a fool, probably nothing more than a shrivelled up corpse in the desert by now."
"Damn straight."
Suddenly both men vanished from the small barred window at the door to his cell, his body tensing as he stared at it, hearing the brief sounds of a struggle before silence. Conrart's face appeared where the guards' had been, cinnamon eyes filled with a deep concern, but also relief at the sight of Gwendal inside.
The lock clicked open as Conrart opened the door. "You really got clobbered, Gwendal."
The door creaked open and Wolfram hurried forwards, heading straight for Gwendal.
"Gwendal are you alright?" Abruptly Wolfram's knees buckled out from underneath him, sending to down to the floor with a startled groan of unexpected pain as he doubled over at the powerful affect the esoteric stones had over them both.
"Don't strain yourself." Gwendal rumbled as he gazed at his brother, though his expression was a touch haunted by the events of the last few days and the fact that he had been unable to keep his promise to his brother to keep the King safe.
"Gwendal's right, Wolfram, the esoteric stones are effecting you." The man's words were gentle but he was already moving past Wolfram, needing to ask the question that rested in his heart, but finding the words choked back in his throat.
"This is nothing!" The blonde replied indignantly, but they all knew it was something, he just didn't want to show weakness in front of either of his older brothers, especially not given this particular situation.
"Why did you come?" Gwendal rasped, his body shifting as he tried to relieve some of the discomfort he felt given the situation. They should have been searching for the King, not him.
"I'm pleased to see you still in the land of the living, Brother." The half-breed responded as he was quickly making short work of the manacles that were clamped tight around Gwendal's ankles holding him fixed in his cell. It was only after they dropped away that Conrart managed to find his voice, cinnamon eyes staring up into Gwendal's, a heart-stopping fear in them. "Is Yuuri here, Gwendal? Is he... in one of these cells?"
The answer was barely above a whisper, Gwendal's eyes closing in guilt. "No."
The pain in Conrart's eyes was almost unbearable.
Gnoziri Mines, Conansia Svelera
The burning hot sun beat down over them. There was nothing that could offer any of the prisoners any shelter from its power or its ability to rob people of their strength. Soldiers stood around watching them, their glee obvious in the way they lashed out at anyone that so much as paused for a moment to catch their breath and try to bolster their own strength.
Yuuri stood atop one of the ridges, his fingers curled around one long wooden wedge that he had propped up under a rock and was attempting to lever it down the slope. Every movement was sheer agony, bruised and strained muscles screaming across his shoulders and back, but the stone half gave under just the use of his weight against the wedge. Sweat beaded across his brow, trickling down across his skin as he continued to work just as hard as the women around him.
"What are you doing? Hurry it up or no food for you!" One of the guards down in the pit behind Yuuri shouted acidly up at him.
He made not a sound of reply, but suddenly felt the burning ache ease as another person's weight was added to the lever and the stone went rushing down the side of the steep hill, crashing and cracking slightly when it came to a jarring halt on the other side. Head turning to the side he found Norika beside him, her expression worried and understanding as she regarded the taller man beside her.
"Thank you." He gave her a small grateful smile as he straightened, wincing only a little before wedging the end of the lever beneath the next large boulder.
It went far more smoothly the next time when they worked together, Norika admiring the fact that the young man offered no complaints or even made a sound of pain despite the brutal damage that had been done to him by the guards. His honest, gentle smile warmed her, allowing her to see the compassionate soul within.
"These women aren't just those who married a Demon Tribesman are they?"
Norika shook her head slightly. "These women are those that the judges deemed to have had an inappropriate relationship... or those that refused to give into the advances of corrupt officials." Her eyes darkened with a few sparks of pain, the dark ocean blue colour misting over with anguish. "I loved a man of the Demon Tribe."
"My Conrart..." His voice choked on his beloved's name, worry filling him, not knowing whether the man was safe or where he could be. "Those responsible will be brought to justice." Even if he literally had to tear this country apart to do it. The sorrow in the eyes of the women he had seen the night before had shown him that he couldn't stand back and waist sometimes. "It's why... I came to this land, I was sent by... the Demon King to make things right again. He wants you to know that you aren't forgotten, that you are welcome in the Great Demon Kingdom... all of you. But I... I won't give up, not here and not now."
"You're a good man, Yuuri Weller." Norika whispered softly, her smile warming. "And so is this King of yours if he sent you on such a mission. It... it touches my heart to know someone... does care."
And Yuuri knew the pain had been worth it to hear such words, to know that someone would more than welcome the help he wanted to offer to them.
"I can only hope my son turned out like you." Her expression was wistful. "He'd be ten if he was still alive."
His hand lightly touched against her cheek in understanding, glancing back for just a moment towards the guards who had turned away from them for just a moment to watch something else happening back nearer the main building complex. In that one moment, he reached out with both arms and wrapped them around the trembling woman, hugging her tightly to him, his hand resting at the back of her head, just cradling her for long moments. She leaned into him, finding strength and comfort in the understanding he had shown to her.
Yuuri's eyes gazed over the top of the woman's head and at the empty barren plain that spread out between the lifeless mountains that surrounded the mine. His heart ached at the sight of a thousand tiny markers that stuck up out of the earth, marking the place where both children and women had been buried.
It was then he realised what had distracted the guards moments before and he stiffened, staring down at the official flanked by two guards, one of them carrying a bundle wrapped up tightly against his chest.
Norika stepped away and followed his gaze, her eyes widening with horror.
One of the women ran forwards, her long grey-brown braid swinging behind her. "Give him back! Please... I beg of you, give him back!" Her face was streaked with tears as her hands tugged hard at the massive guard's clothing, trying to reach the bundle that the man held. "He's still alive!"
"Shut up!" The official snapped as he turned back around, ruddy face flushed with irritation. "Your baby's dead. Get use to it."
"Give him back!" She pleaded helplessly, eyes shimmering with desperation. "I know he's still alive! Give him back!"
Yuuri was already halfway down the slope, boots sliding in the dust and rubble, not caring that his body screamed, not caring about anything other than protecting that child and returning it to his mother. Dead or alive, it belonged with its mother.
"STOP!" Yuuri shouted, "I SAID STOP IT!"
The women immediately lifting their heads from their tasks, startled by his shout.
Yuuri came to a stop before them, fingers clenching into fists, his eyes burning fiercely with his emotions as his gaze met and caught that of the official stilling the man. "Is that child dead?" It was a low dangerous sound, a warrior challenging someone to battle, his expression darkening by the moment.
"The doctor said it was too far gone to bother with."
His entire body jerked at those words, knowing exactly what that meant and his gut roiled in horror and rage. They were going to bury the child alive. It was still alive.
"Give it back!" The first of the shouts echoed from the gathering women as they put down their tools and moved forwards a little, supporting the mother who was still desperate to get back her baby.
"Everyone, shut up! Quiet down!"
Yuuri took that moment of distraction to charge the guard, one shoulder connecting with the man's gut forcefully, his other wrapping around the bundle he had dropped as the air went out of his lung. Yuuri dropped to his knees, arms wrapped tightly around the child, feeling the warmth of it against his chest, the squirming weight of it in his arms. It was alive. The baby let out the softest of whimpers in protest to the way it was being held.
"My boy! My precious boy!" The woman dropped to her knees before Yuuri as he carefully handed back the infant tenderly. "Thank god!"
Slowly the man began to stand, his back to the officials, his head bowed as women began to gather around them and the mother. Turning around, his long hair framed his face, the strands beginning to darken, the reddish brown dye fading away to leave the deep pure black behind. Where water would not answer his call, the earth did. It was all around him, screaming in pain from the invasion of so many hands and tools stripping it around, leaving it broken and crying out for all the tiny lives it had been forced to take.
The connection that Gwendal had given to the earth flared as hot, throbbing magic pulsed all the way through him to the bone as white hot rage filled him. The ground vibrated beneath his boots, trembling with the force of his bright fury. It sent many of the guards to their knees as powerful gusts of wind slammed into them, driving them down before vanishing again into nothingness from which they had been formed.
"You hurt them." And tears were sliding slowly down his cheeks in anguish for what had already been lost, what had been taken from the women who watched him in both amazement and a few in terror. Yet, his tears held them, the honest emotion being shown so physically was shed for their children and for those women who had already died. "You have murdered innocent children and used the very earth to finish off the deed." He had no fancy words, no lengthy speech, just rage... rage and an endless grief. "How? How can live with what you have done? The atrocities committed for what... money? Greed?"
Awareness filled Yuuri, knowing distantly that others were coming, others with good hearts.
"I am not the one you will answer to." However, a hand lifted slowly, the ground vibrating gently as guards were starting to feel their boots begin to sink into the loosely packed earth. Any that tried to run found themselves sinking even faster into the earth. When it reached their knees, it stopped, the ground packing itself tightly around their lower limbs, clamping around them and holding them fast to the spot. "I will not stain this earth with more blood."
Their weapons were snatched away from the now trapped guards, the women turning the tables on the men, finding in that moment their freedom. They were victims no longer, their voices raised in their vindication against those who had dishonestly persecuted them.
Norika stood there watching him with wide eyes. "What you said to me... about the King..." There was no fear in her expression as she watched him, only several women had fled the moment the guards had began to be swallowed by the earth, but most just moved in closer. They had not been touched, nothing had happened... They just watched as the men clawed at their legs, desperate to get themselves free of it as they heard the thunder of hooves and saw the brilliant green banners that fluttered across one horizon.
"I care, Norika." One hand lifted to touch against the tears that continued to slide down across his cheeks. "I want to... save Svelera.. I want to save children like your son, because I am just like them."
"It's the Prince!" One of the women whispered, shocked at the sight. "Its Prince Reiner himself! He's... he's capturing the guards! The Prince has come to save us!"
Suddenly Yuuri was turning his head, aware of a voice rising above the sound. Joy slammed through him as he saw Conrart sliding down one of the hills towards him, his obsidian eyes filling with relief and the soul deep love that surged through him. Both of his arms stretched out towards his own Prince, feeling his magic begin to surge from within his control. His emotions roiling out of control as he was being consumed by it, consumed by an element that was not quite his own, but still answered him just as strongly. The tears of the earth, its wails of pain were too much for him.
"YUURI!"
Strong arms were suddenly around him, snatching him up off the ground and against the powerful intoxicating warmth of his body. His heart pounded out a while beat beneath Yuuri's ear as he buried his face against it. Conrart cradled him, easing himself to his knees, just rocking the man in his arms, allowing him to sob out the painful emotions that wracked him so violently. He didn't even notice the pain of his body, just desperately clinging tightly onto the man who was his anchor in the wild storm of magic that sparked around him.
"I'm here, Love." He breathed tenderly against Yuuri's hair, a kiss pressed against his temple. "I'm here..." Conrart almost felt the magic that rushed around him, the power of it staggering, yet, Yuuri had controlled it, not giving in to his rage.
Soldiers were spilling into the space around them, banners flapping in the breeze that had been stirred up by Yuuri's power. A young man Conrart didn't recognise was dismounting from his horse and approaching them carefully.
It was surprising to watch several of the women including Norika step into the way of the man and the soldiers, shielding Conrart and Yuuri from his eyes and determined to protect the man who had protected them.
"We won't let you harm them." Norika's chin lifted stubbornly.
But Yuuri didn't hear the words as his strength slipped away and he sagged into Conrart's strong arms, aware of only Conrart's steady heartbeat sounding in his ears.
Not as dramatic as in episode 14... BUT! Yuuri actually shows control this time, a control he hasn't had before really and I think he deserves to be applauded for that. Now maybe we might just see peace between Svelera and the Great Demon Kingdom!