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Wings of Wisdom
by ^death^ a.k.a Rei
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Disclaimer: Yeah yeah, stuff it all here.
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Chapter 3: A Feast of Wonders
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The sun peeked across the rooftops and soon, within minutes, the country of Asturia was wide and awake and on her feet. Wolf-men, Dolphin-men and others trudged about the streets, calling about their wares. There was a festive mood too. But of course there would be one. Especially when the opening of Salazar's Dome was mere hours away.
The Salazar Dome, Asturia's new attraction. Well, not an attraction really, since it was more of a council arena for the country's diplomats and all. Think of it as a seemingly grandeur ballroom housing stuck-up and snobbish merchants/noblemen and the like. Or at least it was in the eyes of Yuuki Zephyr.
"Yuuki." dropping the thick tome she was reading, Yuuki looked up to find the young male from last night.
"Khameir-san... fancy meeting you here." she smiled warmly at him and then stood up in Zaibach fashion to bow her greeting. He grinned back and she noticed that he was dressed rather smartly, as though about to attend a celebration of some sort.
Wait... celebration?
"Ano... you're going for the Dome festival?" she asked after a moment of uncomfortable silence. Khameir smiled and nodded his head. His hair, under the hazy sunlight, was a deep chocolate brown. Coarse and thick. Yet glossy and rich at the same time. It took her self-control to not want and run her fingers through his hair.
Kuso Yuuki... you should be ashamed of yourself for thinking such things, she berated herself. Turning her gaze she casted it upon the shimmering Astuarian castle.
"I believe you will be attending it as well?" he asked, standing beside her. Taller than her he was. Taller and definitely well-built. She could see the muscle structure beneath the suit he wore.
Amusing...
"Ahh... of course. I'm to be by my teacher's side at all times." at this, Khameir raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked, hers furrowed in confusion. A smile flickered onto his face and he cocked his head to one side.
"Oh nothing..."
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Van looked around from where he was. Merle, clinging tightly to his arm and refusing to let go. He sighed and then blended back with the rest of the royalties. He watched Princess Millerna talk to Dryden Fassa, her fiance-in-courting. Allen stood a few metres back, surrounded by his crew. Idly, his mind wandered to where Shamsiel was.
Or to be precise, where the Sorceror's Apprentice was.
They had met earlier in the morning at the breakfast table. Her face was pale, rings shadowing her eyes.
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"Slept well?" he asked, one elbow on the table the other breaking apart a piece of bread. Yuuki nodded lamely and then waited for Shamsiel to be seated before she did, drawing the chair up behind her. Just then, Allen and the Princess appeared and the mall group settled to a calm and quiet breakfast.
"Millerna-hime, how goes the preparations for tonight?" asked Shamsiel. The aged wizard ate little, slept little and usually talked little. But because he was the Guest-of-honour for the Dome, he had everyone reason to be excited and interested.
"Ahh... everything is fine. How is your stay Shamsiel-kun?" Millerna smiled warmly. Shamsiel nodded his head, indicating it was good.
The conversation droned on and Van found himself to be tired and weary of hearing political issues. It didn't matter to him that much. Since Fanelia was more or less back on stable ground. He didn't wish to be involved in politics, but as we all know, he didn't really have a choice.
"Yuuki, my staff is back in my quarters. Retrieve it for me then I shall wait for you at the garden." the silvery-haired female nodded her head and got up. In silence she left, as the group watched her leave.
"She's weird..." Merle murmured to Van and tuned back to gazing outside the window.
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Yuuki yawned as she trudged up the staircase wearily. She hadn't had a good night's sleep. In fact she was awake talking to that strange elf named Khameir.
He's pretty cute though... Argh what am I thinking? She smacked her hand onto her forehead and then shook her tresses wildly. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the room, clearly intent on completing a task.
That was... until she realised she had an unexpected and uninvited guest.
"K-khameir? What are you doing here? Wait, you're not even supposed to be here." Yuuki narrowed her eyes. Oh dear... Shamsiel-sempai was not going to like this...
Khameir smiled and then got up from where he sat in the ornately-carved furniture. Taking a bow, he advanced towards Yuuki, who moved back for every step he did.
"Don't move." Her hands was in a familiar gesture. Magic at hand, she was prepared to fight him. Khameir stopped and then took out a familiar looking weapon. Yuuki's eyes widened.
"How... Where did you get that?" her voice had turned on cold and demanding. The tanned elf snickered and toyed with the crystal dagger in his hands.
"You mean this Draconian antique? I'm sure you know where... Menou."
"My name, is Yuuki Zephyr. I have no idea who is this... Menou you're talking about. I'm giving you three seconds to get out of this room or else." at this, she raised one hand higher, a small flame flickering. Khameir merely smiled.
He moved forward.
Yuuki raised her hands.
"Fireball!" a ball of flame darted out her fingertips and reached for him. With reflexes a ninja could have, Khameir whipped sideways and then ran towards her. Startled and caught off-gaurd, Yuuki was pinned to the door, the blade at her neck. A sudden wave of vertigo crept over her and she nearly lost ocnsciousness.
"You do know what this thing does right Menou?" Khameir shifted himself and then relaxed his grip on the knife against her throat. Yuuki gulped, her hair matted behind her.
"What do you want?" she asked meekly.
"You."
"For what?"
"Let's just say I've got a written contract with your name on it."
"So you're not the ambassador of Bahgrad then..."
"Well, I was until I realised I was running short of time. Now you may ask me questions on the way. My ship awaits." he pulled her forward and then moved behind her to tie her hands together. Once done, he moved in her line of view, his handsome face smirking with glorification.
"Cherio now." he leaned forward to hoist her on his shoulder and then headed towards the window. As they descended silently onto the palace grounds below, a single black card fell onto the unmade bed of Shamsiel Zakariel.
The Hermit
Sempai... help.
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Author's Notes: Okay... this chapter seemed lame. But I was trying my best to at least try and complete Wings of Wisdom. It ain't an easy task ya know. *grinz* Oh erm... fine. Juts read and review ne? ^_^