The Clashing Powers

The hum of voices rang around the assembly hall as more nobles and generals arrived through the heavy doors. The large chandelier hung from the ceiling swinging from the draft that blew through the stones. Candles were lit and placed along the walls and in the holders on the chandelier. Francis was sat in his throne with his arm feeling a lot better than it did. It had taken the arm a total of three and a half weeks to be healed enough to move. It was a good job it was his left, none-dominant, arm otherwise he wouldn't be much use to his own army. He wore his light blue long coat, a cream coloured shirt, dark blue tight trousers, short black boots and a white ruffled cloth that was in the place of a bow tie. His chin length golden hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the back of his head and his gold, jewel encrusted crown sat atop his head regally. Antonio and Gilbert were stood by his sides as his most trusted advisers, protectors and friends.

Most of the court had heard about Arthur's betrayal to the kingdom by know and the ones closest to him were incredibly shocked to say the least. However, no one knew about him not having his life essence. Francis watched as people walked around socializing, and gasping as they heard about the tale of how he was attacked by one of his friends. The word 'friend' made Francis want to roll his eyes, but he refrained from doing so in such a public place.

Antonio's face was hard as he scanned the crowd and area. Ever since the attack, the whole of the castle grounds was on lock down with guards stationed everywhere and checks of everyone coming and going being done. He was on edge to say the least, and he knew Gilbert was too. Gilbert was tense as he gripped the handle of his sword with a frown pulling on his eyebrows. He had done his best to keep his tail and wings hidden, but his horns were the harder part. He had resorted to placing a helmet over them to try and seem normal, but the horns wouldn't fit underneath the metal shell. He ended up getting Kiku to cast a small charm over them to hide them from the unknowing eye. Wearing gloves kept his nails hidden and the tattoos on the palms of his hands, no one ever seemed to notice the black curvy lines there anyway. All he had to do was try to not shiver a lot and keep his temper under control…which was easier said than done.

Francis soon grew bored with watching and waved over a servant with a tray of drinks. He took a glass of champagne and thanked the young girl before sending her on her way back around. Turning his head to his right he saw Chilali sat on her perch, back hunched, beak open, and wings spread as she hissed at a few young nobles by her. Francis tapped Gilbert's arm getting his attention and spoke to him.
"Fetch me Chilali over please Gilbert." Gilbert eyed the evil hawk and looked at Francis.
"Why me?! She'll kill me, and she hates everyone but you…sire!" Francis chuckled as Gilbert managed to add his manners to the end and then stood up himself placing his black leather gloves back on.
"Fine zhen, I shall get 'er." Francis walked over to the perch and held out his arm for the bird. Chilali hoped onto his arm and rubbed her head against his arm cooing. Francis laughed and rubbed the feathers under her chin clicking a little.

By this time, most of the room turned to look at him as he openly fussed over the evil hawk most had avoided. The room fell silent and Francis placed Chilali back on her perch pulling his gloves off with his teeth. He placed the pair of gloves on his throne and addressed the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I 'ave called you 'ere tonight to ask in your assistance of making a most-…" Francis paused and swallowed as his heart panged inside his chest, "urgent decision about zhe threat ov war from Eltea." He took two steps forward and continued. "As you 'ave 'eard, our poor Jeanne D'Arc 'as been lost in an ambush attack from quite a few Elteaian regiments. We aim to make a decision tonight, whether we should declare war or wait out zhe situation". The crowd muttered between each other and Francis picked his gloves up again, stuffing them into his coat pocket. Some people raised their hands and others stayed quite. Francis sat back down in his throne and clapped.
"Let zhe meeting begin, please…" He signalled to the table, "Take your seats."

Arthur smirked as he shot a perfect bull's-eye with his bow. He had finally regained his strength and could pull his bow all the way back like he used to. Allistor was sat watching his brother from the balcony of the guard house, and he was impressed. Arthur paid no attention to his surroundings as he shot arrow after arrow at each of the targets at the end of the shooting range. Each hit perfectly and he wiped the sweat from his brow as he walked to collect them. He was dressed lightly with a baggy white shirt and baggy, cream cotton three quarter length bottoms. He hadn't bothered to put shoes on this time as the shooting range was just dirt with a few slate slabs to stand on at the other end. Plus, Arthur enjoyed the feeling of walking bare foot.

After he collected all his arrows and placed them in the quiver, Arthur placed all of the pieces to the side as he drew his sword. He weighted the handle in his hand and made four quick slices at a dummy leaving three long incisions and one of its arms on the floor. Satisfied he had sliced up the dummy, Arthur pushed his sword back into its sheath and picked up his things, he was ready for a bath.

Once he was inside, Arthur headed up the stairs to his room. According to the rules of the castle, he had to stay with the royal guards and army regiments in the guard house. This was because he was technically here as a member of the royal guard regiment, as his brother was, so he, therefor had to stay with them. The door to his room creaked as he pushed it open with his back and he set his stuff down by the side of the frame. Arthur quickly ran a hand through his blond hair and turned to the mirror on one of the wardrobe doors. His figure was fuller with him regaining some of his shape before he went into a comma. His peachy white complexion had returned to normal and the bags under his eyes had disappeared. Arthur was thankful he had regained his strength and was ready to train himself a little again, rather than being fed and told to do a little run each morning to build his muscles again. Grabbing a towel from the bottom of his wardrobe and a change of clothes, Arthur quickly made his way to the bathing room to clean himself up.

A knock on his door later in the afternoon disturbed Arthur's midday reading out on his balcony. He had dressed himself in a white under shirt and black cotton bottoms reading the nature book he had taken from his room in Francis' castle. Arthur abruptly slammed the book shut and listened to the person outside knock again with a sigh. A small inaudible sigh escaped Arthur lips as he stood up from his seat on a rocking chair. He made his way over to the door and opened it with a swift movement. His brother was stood with a black box in his hand wrapped in a red, green and blue tartan bow. Arthur raised one eyebrow at the gift and moved from the door letting his brother in. Allistor smiled with a cigar in between his lips as he placed the gift on Arthur's freshly made bed.

Arthur's curiosity soon got the better of him as he sat on the bed next to the neatly wrapped box. He eyed Allistor with suspicion
"What's the occasion?" Allistor laughed heartily and pushed the box closer to Arthur.
"This is your...honorary gift for joining your army let's say eh lad." Arthur sighed and undid the tartan bow before he pulled the lid off the box. In the box was a neatly red long coat that would come to the back of his knees. The black and gold trimmings were perfect along with the black leather shoulder patches and golden buttons. Arthur held the coat up and looked to Allistor out of the corner of his eye.
"It's exactly like the one you left on the balcony of my room in Francis' castle." Allistor nodded and grinned.
"Ya' like it lad?" Arthur nodded and then placed the coat on the bed carefully. He looked back to the box and saw yet more inside. There was a chain mail set and Allistor cut in.
"Ya' metal pieces are with the black smith at te' moment." Arthur nodded and laid them out before he notice a thin, long, blue leather wrapped box.

Arthur tenderly took the box out and ran his hand along it. Allistor grinned innocently and watched as Arthur opened the box to see what was inside. Arthur smiled wickedly and placed the box down, he took out the sword and looked at the shining blade. Allistor stood up and pointed to the handle.
"Fine craftsmanship and the royal family crest is stamped on the end." Arthur awed at the blade and shone it in the light with a cruel look in his eyes. He took the sheath and slide the sword into it with a metallic ring. Allistor watched happily as Arthur looked at the coat again and then clicked his fingers. Two maids walked in with the metal plates to Arthur's armour.
"Time to get you ready, we set off tonight to the port." Arthur blanched.
"Tonight! Why the bloody hell wasn't I informed earlier!" Allistor rubbed his ears at Arthur's shrill shriek.
"Sorry lad, must'a slipped my mind. But we'll have your horse saddled up and readied for the ride and journey. Now get ready." Arthur hissed as his brother left and the two maids quickly took hold of him and began to get him ready.

Francis sighed rubbing his eyes and bit his tongue before he delivered the verdict of the assembly. He held up his hands and the room quietened for him to speak. Francis cleared his throat and spoke loud and clear without a single stutter.
"Without, further ado, I will now deliver zhe final verdict. Most ov you are outraged by zhe ambush and three quarters of zhe room 'as voted for a declaration ov war…so…zhat is zhe verdict we must follow. Meeting adjourned." The room began to chatter again as they made their way out and too the carriages awaiting them in the court yard.

Once the room was silent Francis stood from his throne and strode away, not bothering to speak to his friends. With his head hung low he threw his coat to the side of the hall and continued on until he found Arthur's room. He threw open the door and just stared. The room was deadly quiet without Arthur throwing things at him or ignoring him. He missed it but he wasn't the same as before…not without that green gem Yao had taken from him. Francis' eyes were dull with sadness as he looked to Arthur's wardrobe. Taking small painful steps inside the room, Francis blinked as he took hold of the handles to the door. He sighed and opened the doors to be greeted with the sight of one of his coats he had given Arthur when they first met. The day he had drugged Arthur to turn him into his human form, it was also the day Arthur had managed to break his floor. The wood smelt of tea leaves, mint and the woods. Francis ran his hands along the fabric and cocked his head to the side as a red, coarse fabric caught his eye.

Francis's hands wandered upwards and he pulled the red fabric out of the wardrobe frowning. Hung before him was a red, detailed coat. An Elteaian coat to be exact. Francis scowled and rage burned in his eyes.
When did Arthur receive this! Why did he not tell me about it?! Was he planning to betray me all along?
In a blind fury Francis ran down to the gardens and grabbed a torch. In his blinded state he set the coat a light and watched the red fabric curl and turn black from the orange flames that licked at it. He blinked and watched as the fire destroyed the coat in the matter of a few minutes. That was how long it took Arthur to destroy his heart…just mere minutes…

Arthur watched as the moon rose high into the sky and spurred Bonnie onward beside his brother. His bow and quiver full of arrows were attached to Bonnie's side and his sword to his own left one. A cool breeze blew through the air as they reached the harbour and the occasional hoot of an owl disturbed the eerie silence. As everyone clambered aboard the ships Allistor stopped Arthur.
"Remember Arthur. Ya need to kill Joan or you don't get anything from me." Arthur pushed his brother's hand aside as he dismounted.
"I don't need to be reminded brother, don't bloody worry, you'll have her dead." He then walked past Allistor, unaware of the evil smirk that had crawled onto his brother's face.

Sorry about late updates! *runs for life*