Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ but it would be a lot cooler if I did...
AN: It's been a busy few months. This story is not abandoned by any means. Just work and life stuff got in the way. Well two chapters in an update as we come closer to the conclusion of this arc. Enjoy.
A group of riders approached the outskirts of the Grand City of Vegos. The morning chill had risen. The first bands of light were beginning to break over the horizon. The ground was covered in frost left over from the cold night.
The houses and buildings that lined the streets were made of stone and wood rather than thatch and straw in the poorer areas of the country. Many roads led into Vegos, most were simply dirt having been carved out by merchants and tradesmen. The main road was different however, it was carefully constructed from stone, each one perfectly cut and balanced. It was the old Imperial Road that cut through the country and lead to the heart of the city.
The travelers stopped before the first checkpoint, lined by city guards with their blue tabards and white cloaks. They were weary and dirty from the days travel on the road. They looked more like peasants than lords, and with the weapons at their waist almost appeared like bandits. If they were not careful, the city guard would stop them or worse so they lowered their hoods.
"I thought you said this was the Capital of Saiya, I don't even see a wall here," Jenounes said curiously.
"There are three walls actually, the Royal, Holy, and Noble Quarters all have actual walls and gates. This is just the outskirts of town where the common families live," Kakarot informed him.
"What do you know?" Vegeta said rhetorically. "Kakarot actually knows a thing or two about Vegos."
"Hey I know things," Kakarot replied a little insulted. "I had tutors too you know."
Laugher ensued among the whole group. It was almost if things were back to normal, almost. Vegeta and Kakarot had several new scars all over their bodies. Adrestia had no scars on the outside, but still bore them inside. Only their new, ruby haired friend was more or less the same.
"I'm going to the Tizona estate," Adrestia announced while the mood was still pleasant.
Vegeta looked at her intensely. Part of him wanted to keep her close and hope she would open up to him. But the logical part of his brain knew she needed space. It has been weeks since they had escaped and in all that time she had yet to truly rejoin them. He wanted her to tease him, or insult him, or whatever, but none of that happened. So instead of protesting, he merely nodded.
"Very well, Jenounes you stick with me. Kakarot you can go home if you wish. I'll probably send for you all later," Vegeta told them.
"Home, it has been a while," Kakarot said to no one in particular.
"We can't stay here forever," Jenounes remarked.
"I know my friend, but I can't just leave. As a lord I have certain obligations I have to fulfill, then we will set out for Volsunga," Vegeta answered.
"Vegeta," Adrestia called to him. Vegeta turned to see a pained look in her eyes. "I may not be coming with you when everything is said and done."
"I know," was all Vegeta said in reply and that was that.
For a few moments time stood still. The wind blew their hair to the side. And no one said a word. What more was there to say? Adrestia was about to mouth something but stopped and just gave Vegeta a longing look. Finally she simple nodded and turned her horse down the street with Iustitia on her heels.
As the horses parted in different directions, each group of riders headed for different parts of the city. No one recognized them as they rode. Life went on as usual in the city even with the return of their wayward prince.
0-0-0
Adrestia stood just outside the door to a recreational room in her family mansion. She had bathed and changed out of her riding clothes but had yet to truly meet any of her family. It was because she wasn't expected. Her sister Harmonia wasn't even in and her father had just arrived while she was in the bath. Now he was waiting for her just beyond this door. Iustitia wanted to be here with her, but this was something she had to face alone.
She had dressed in a dark blue linen dress he had bought for her last year. It was modest and covered her bust unlike the more fashionable dresses her sister preferred. Still it felt funny to be in one again after going so long wearing her uniform. She wore her hair in a modest single braid despite the servants begging to put in something more elaborate she knew her father preferred his daughters in simple styles.
Her hand froze as it hovered over the door. She had not seen him in almost two years now. She had no idea what kind of response she would get. He was not always an easy man to have as a father. Being a former knight and member of the Warrior faction also made him quite cold at times at least from her perspective. She took one more deep breath and knocked loudly.
"Enter," a strong male voice boomed from beyond the precipice.
She entered and found her father with his back to door, looking over the balcony into the city. The room now had a desk in the center with chair, with a few books and letters piled on top. This must have been made into his new study since she had been gone. He was gazing at the Field of Zelus which their balcony had an excellent view of.
Her father turned to look at her a stern expression on his face. He was dressed in a blue and silver tunic with matching blue trousers and black boots. He studied her silently his eyes bored into her very being. He was judging her just as he had done millions of times when she was a child.
"How are you doing?" Adrastus asked her.
Adrestia nearly cried at the question. It was something so inane and almost impersonal. Yet how could she express all that she had been through at this moment. It felt overwhelming especially what she had done with Zarbon.
"Right that was a stupid thing to say," he said to her. "I… shouldn't have said it."
It was then her father did something very uncharacteristic of her memory of him. He closed the distance and simply embraced her. She cried loudly into his chest. She felt no fear or panic at his male embrace, only the familiar scent of home about him.
"My sweet girl, just forget everything," he whispered to her as he held her. "Forget about marriages, about suitors and the court. This is your home. You can stay here forever, to hell with what anyone else says."
0-0-0
Vegeta and Jenounes walked up to a gate in the Royal Quarter. Its large wall was painted an almost brilliant white. There was enough space up there for three squads of guards to stand abreast. Not that it ever need be done. While the walls were originally built for repelling invaders now they were mostly used as a deterrent to make the king accessible only to the elite.
Two young guards in finely polished armor and royal seals on their jade tabards were in front of the portcullis armed with polearms. A few paces beyond was simple door that Vegeta knew was a guardhouse where five more men waited in case there was trouble. The young guards took one look at the state of Vegeta and Jenounes, particularly their shabby riding cloaks and crossed their polearms.
"Halt!" a young third guard called from behind them. "No one enters the Royal Quarter without express permission. And you two don't look like you have the any."
The young guard had golden hair and blue eyes. He had a sword on his belt, his armor had slightly more polish and his crest was finer than the other two. An officer and young noble Vegeta reasoned. He looked at himself and Jenounes once more only smiled. He could hardly blame the man. Vegeta simply dismounted and his companion followed suit.
"Be on your way!" the officer ordered them with a little more force.
"I thought you said you were a lord here Vegeta," Jenounes said with a laugh.
"I am, he just doesn't recognize me," Vegeta told him.
"Are you so minor that people don't know who you are? I thought you said you had business at the castle?" Jenounes asked with a raised brow.
This time the officer closed the distance and put his hand to his sword hilt. "Now listen you two. I don't like repeating myself. The castle is no place for the likes of two bandits."
"Bandits?" Vegeta repeated with a laugh. "I really have been gone too long. Look I'll make a deal with you let me in now and I'll forget this ever happened."
"Are you mocking me?" the officer said with astonishment.
The two other guards now closed the gap as well. They had begun to take up a fighting formation. However their polearms were still in a relaxed position. They both had a serious look about them. The young officer slowly drew his sword for dramatic effect. It certainly would have terrified any normal common laborer.
Vegeta and Jenounes didn't draw their own weapons, but they did get into a fighting stance in case anything happened in the next second or two. For a moment there was silence. Each party just eyed the other. Vegeta almost thought it was perfect he would have to have a fist fight just to clear this last hurdle to a warm bed and hot bath.
"What's going on here?" a loud voice boomed interrupting them all.
The guards snapped to attention. However the young officer didn't take his eyes off Vegeta or Jenounes. He just held his weapon at the ready. Vegeta immediately relaxed however as a familiar bald sight came into view. He just crossed his arms and waited for the inevitable.
"I asked you a question and I expect answers," Nappa ordered.
"Lord Nappa these questionable fellows tried to enter the gate," The officer reported.
"So they did. Put your sword down now and hope the prince doesn't hold it against you," Nappa told him.
"Prince?" Jenounes repeated and the officer sheathed his sword at once.
"I said I was a lord," Vegeta reminded Jenounes.
"But you never said…" Jenounes started to say.
"A prince is a lord," Vegeta reasoned with a shrug of his shoulder.
"I broke a prince's nose, never thought I'd say that in my lifetime," Jenounes chuckled darkly.
"And I broke yours if I remember correctly," Vegeta countered.
"Just a nosebleed it wasn't broken, still a good fight though," Jenounes said.
Nappa eyed the red haired giant for a moment. He didn't like the way he casually carried on with the prince this foreigner. He liked even less the mention of a fistfight with his prince. But there was too much going on for him to be worried about this man.
"My prince I need you to come with me immediately," Nappa informed him.
"Something the matter?" Vegeta asked hesitantly.
"Your father has something to discuss with you," Nappa told him.
"Can't this wait until later I want a hot bath and a good meal," Vegeta said.
"I'm afraid it can't. By all means freshen up and bathe, but you must see your father immediately after," Nappa said.
"Fine," Vegeta grumbled.
0-0-0
Kakarot felt almost giddy as he walked the familiar streets of Vegos. He passed a sweet smelling bakery on the way to his own quarter. He smiled as he walked with a slight hum for the song in his head. He got more than a few looks because of his shabby clothing but most people ignored him.
He knew he was home before he could see it. The crowds on the street began to lessen as he entered a more restrictive area of the city. It was the edge of the Noble Quarter where all the landed knights and lords who lived in the Capital were. The large three story houses lined the streets with white bricks and fine wood timbers. Each had a great banner adorning their sigils on the house.
He came upon a modest house of only two stories with a large golden sun adorning its banner. He wrapped a few times and was greeted by a servant. A girl he had never seen before, young and with dark hair. She looked him over once and shook her head.
"Wait!" he cried as she began to close the door. "Please wait I live here."
"Prove it," the girl asked him.
"Looking I know we don't have statues or painting like the high nobles do but I do still live here. Isn't there someone you could get like my mother or brother?" Kakarot offered and revealed his sun crested medallion.
"Listen street rat, the lady is out at the market right now and I have no time for games so off with you." She said curtly.
"Well I'll be. Is that you little brother?" a deep voice called out down the road.
Raditz stood in the street flanked by two beautiful women with dark hair. He was dressed in slightly dirty armor and a cloak. His hair was actually braided for once in a single braid for training.
"Hello Raditz," Kakarot greeted him.
"Been gone so long none of the servants recognize you?" Raditz said with a laugh.
"What happened to our old servants?" Kakarot asked him.
"I had them replaced with younger ones who more suit my tastes," Raditz said as if it was obvious. "Come inside we should celebrate your return.
Kakarot followed him in. More than few stares were earned from the new servants. However, he knew exactly the reason. None of them had been able to buy high end clothes with the meager amount of money they had for the journey home. They spent most of it on food and supplies which was deemed a higher priority.
0-0-0
Raditz had come out dressed in fine black and gold silk clothes. Kakarot had never seen him wear any of the like. He leaned back in his chair and used a stool to kick his feet up while the servant girls massaged his shoulders. Kakarot wasn't sure how to feel. They were not exactly a wealthy family. They had land sure, but they could hardly pay the old staff they had which was mainly a maid, much less a full complement of new servants
The simple dining room looked unfamiliar now. What was once simply decorated before now had banners and arms on the wall. Behind Raditz hung a painting of that depicted their father at the Battle of Austurica with hic tabard torn and a flaming sword raised against beasts.
They sat across from each other on a grand oak table. The servants brought them both plates of succulent pork with gravy and potatoes. Raditz dug in with no compulsion as Kakarot looked around.
"I am surprised you are here," Kakarot said as he eyed the women tending to his brother.
"I am home more than you are lately. What are you wasting your time with now?" Raditz said calmly as if they were all alone.
"I was on a journey with Vegeta," Kakarot reminded him.
"Yea I heard that didn't go so well," Raditz commented as one of the girls brought him a cup of wine.
"Why were you dressed like that?" Kakarot wondered as a cup of wine was brought to him as well. "I was under the impression that you disliked formal training.
"I've become a tourney knight," Raditz said with a shrug.
Kakarot nearly choked on his wine and coughed out, "Seriously?"
Even though Raditz was part of the order, Kakarot knew he enjoyed the parties and the benefits more than any missions or combat. He had never seen his brother ever embark on a real mission at all. Being a tourney knight seemed out of character for him.
"Unlike whatever the hell you are doing I earn honor and prestige with each victory," Raditz replied casually with a wave of his fork. "Not to mention fame, fortune and women."
"Something tells me you are into the former more than the latter," Kakarot said to him.
"We can't all be famous heroes for just being with the prince," Raditz casually mentioned.
Kakarot ignored the slight insult and said, "I don't understand though, you don't like fighting. Why play at war in a tourney?"
"That's because you've never been interested in actually doing anything with your knighthood," Raditz mentioned and drank his wine.
"I go on missions," Kakarot quickly responded.
"Anonymously and for little more than the monthly stipend, me each man I unhorse fills my purse and is slowly leading me to a better life," Raditz informed him and waived a hand around the room at the new splendor.
"It's not so bad here," Kakarot shrugged and said. "I've never understood your need to rise in the nobility brother."
""You were never at the bottom, by the time mother had you. We were already lords. Being a landed knight is better than being a peasant but we could be more, maybe even an Earl or a Baron someday," Raditz told him and continued, "Trust me on this, gain a little fame and marry well. Hopefully your wife will be pretty and rich. If she can't be pretty well a rich man has options."
Kakarot was simply silent for bit after that. His brother did have a point. He only knew stories about them being peasants. He never actually lived it. Perhaps this was Raditz's way of carving his own path. He could hardly fault his brother for wanting to do that. Not when his squad was doing much the same.
"Are you going to the feast later?" Kakarot asked him.
"Of course everyone of importance will be there. I might even find a few pretty ladies to chat up while I'm there," Raditz said with a smirk. "Don't worry brother I'll even introduce you to a few. Lots of women love the shy type."