Forbidden Chains
By: rainjewel
A/N: Hello! This last chapter is incredibly long! It's a lot of action, a lot of drama, and...well, read and find out! ^.^
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Chid was pacing back and forth when Shail and Akaro came through the gateway. He almost fell over in shock, but maintained his composure. Across the Fanelian Prince's back was a young man, but Chid couldn't really make out who he was. Chid could sense the Duke standing behind him. Chid continued pacing, but he shook his hands furiously and eyed Shail and Akaro, trying to convey that they needed to leave the area immediately. Shail caught on and grabbed Akaro by the back of her dress, yanking her into the dark tunnel again.
Mahad walked swiftly to the Prince's side. Chid held his breath and looked as innocently as he possibly could at the Duke. His brown eyes flashed, and then he grabbed Chid roughly by the arm, twisting him painfully around, pinning Chid to his body by wrapping his bionic left arm around Chid's torso. The Duke slowly raised his unsheathed sword and placed it to Chid's neck.
"Come out or he dies," Mahad called out. Chid inhaled sharply. Shit! Chid thought.
"Don't come out!" Chid screamed. "He'll—" Chid's warning was cut off by the Duke, who dug his bionic fingers into his stomach. Chid felt the cold metal gouging his flesh, and warm blood blossomed onto his vest. The Duke then removed his fingers, and Chid felt pain coursing through him as the dagger-like phalanges left. The wound was deep.
"Damn you, Mahad!" Shail's voice echoed hollowly across the gardens. Chid held his breath as he expected Shail and Akaro to come out. Much to his relief, no one appeared. Shail was holding his ground.
"What? Do you think I'm bluffing?" Mahad asked. His voice was a higher pitch then usual. Chid squinted into the tunnel. He could barely make out Akaro and Shail's frames. Wherever the young man was, Chid couldn't tell. Don't move. Don't move. Don't move! Chid chanted in his head. His head spun with the smell of blood from his gut.
"Does this look like a bluff?" Mahad said. Chid felt the pressure of the blade against his neck increase, then felt a slight pain. He didn't realize he was bleeding until he felt the drops flow from his neck and mingle with his stomach wound. Anymore pressure and Chid knew his trachea would be sliced, which would lead, inevitably, to death. Chid held very still.
"Fine. You win Mahad. Lower your blade and we'll come out," Chid heard Shail say weakly. Damn it Shail! Why isn't Akaro talking? Is she hurt? Chid thought frantically to himself. He felt the sword leave his neck. Hot blood oozed down his neck.
Shail and Akaro came forward. Akaro's eyes were wide and her face was ashy. Her hands were clasped in front of her. A large dark bloodstain was on her stomach, but she didn't appear to be hurt. She caught Chid's eyes and held them. "I'm alright," she mouthed to him. Shail put down the pale young man who was slung across his shoulders. Chid flicked his eyes towards him, intent on only finding out who he was, then returning to Akaro's hurtful gaze. Instead, they locked to the unconscious man. Dilandau! How the...oh no, Chid thought. He heard Mahad gasp at the ashy-haired man. Chid knew that the Duke had just recognized him. Oh shit, Chid thought.
"This makes things much more fun. Guards!" the Duke yelled. He kept his grip on Chid, but it was looser. Chid reached up and gingerly touched his neck. Blood spilled on his fingers. He withdrew his hand and flicked his fingers, spraying blood on the grass. A large clacking sound announced that the guards had arrived. Chid looked to Akaro again. Two guards surrounded Shail. He warily handed them his sword. Akaro kept her eyes on Chid, even as the guards surrounded her. After a few moments, all the guards had arrived, which consisted of only five men, who spent most of their time eyeing the unconscious Dilandau very nervously. However, all of them were heavily armed, and an unconscious DragonSlayer, a young cat girl, a young man and a bleeding Prince weren't very good army. The Duke released Chid from his grasp.
"Thank you," Chid said with as much dignity as he could muster. He looked down at his stomach. Only one of the wounds were bleeding badly now. They burned like fire.
"Well, now that everything's secure, your decision can be made Chid," Mahad said, stepping up to Chid's left side. So goddamned impatient and efficient, Chid thought. He looked at Akaro again. She had a complete mask upon her face. Even her green eyes were closed to the world.
"Don't make me choose," Chid said quietly to the Duke.
"You'll have to, or not only your friends but you shall die as well," Mahad said. He folded his arms, a smug smile upon his face. He didn't drop his sword though.
"Chid, you have a country to run. Freid needs a good leader, not—" Shail said, breaking off when a Freidian guard elbowed him sharply in the stomach. He doubled over briefly, but then stood back up, straight as a board. Chid's heart ached.
"Do does Fanelia," Chid replied, sighing. He had only one idea left, and it was very risky. "Mahad, I'll return to Freid with you. But only if you allow these three their lives," Chid said, as commandingly as he could.
"You're not in a bargaining condition Chid," the Duke said darkly. His brown eyes were large. It was the first time Chid had ever called him Mahad. Chid whipped up his left hand and hit the blade with his hand, flipping it out of Mahad's surprised hands. Chid caught it by the hilt, then raised it's point to the Duke's shocked face.
"Well, this improves my odds, I believe," said Chid. He made his eyes as large as a puppy's. It had always worked on Mother.
"Put that down or your friends die now," the Duke said. Mahad had regained his composure.
"Don't move," said Chid to the flustered guards. His eyes didn't leave the Duke's face. "If you do, the Duke dies, and then you die next." Chid knew he was in a very precarious condition. He had no idea how many daggers and other weaponry Mahad had on his person.
"Brash little devil. You have your mother's spirit," the Duke said. Chid could tell Mahad knew how ill equipped he was. His eyes practically dripped with condescending amusement. At least there's amusement, Chid thought.
"Do you want a war with Fanelia and Asturia? Because you sure are acting like you want to destroy Freid, this country that you and I have tried so hard to rebuild," Chid said sociably. Mahad regarded him coolly.
"Asturia is our ally. If Fanelia attacks over this, we'll have them to back us up," Mahad replied.
"Ah yes, Asturia. Our great allies who allowed Zaibach to take over Freid and destroy it," Chid said, his words thick with venom, "Why should we trust them? Hell, Serena is Millerna's good friend, and I'm not married to Nidia yet? Where are the ties?"
"Alright Chid. You do have a point," said Mahad. Chid grinned inwardly. He loved the new gullibility that the Duke's insanity seemed to have brought on. "You know have a new choice. Your fight me using guymelefs. If you win, your friends live, and you immediately assume the throne. If I win, your friends die, and so do you."
Chid felt his heart drop, then soar. He was pretty decent at guymelef warfare. But he was fighting his family. His insane family, he noted.
"Promise, no swear that you will not hurt my friends during battle," Chid said. He looked to Mahad's eyes, which were serious for once.
"I swear on your mother's grave," the Duke replied. He then backed up and crawled up and into his guymelef. Chid turned to Khorinae and leapt up into the control chamber.
Khorinae was very similar to the Alseides and Teiring units, but was able to fight under the stealth cloak device. It couldn't convert to any other forms like Escaflowne, but Khorinae didn't really have a need too. Khorinae was a guymelef for fighting in the air and on the ground, not running from the trouble.
The Duke's guymelef, Harashi, was more like Sherazade, which Chid found wryly amusing. It still had the entire special gadgets that Khorinae had, but it was not meant for flying. The mecha could fly very well, but it could hardly attack in the air. It faired even worse under the stealth manteaux. Mahad liked the old-fashioned 'melefs, he said that he could control them easier because the controls weren't as precise as the new guymelefs that Freid had started building.
Chid felt a thrill of power course through his veins as Khorinae whirred to life. He turned to Mahad, who was patiently waiting for him to get ready.
"No using the stealth cloak, Chid. That wouldn't be fair," Mahad said, his voice echoing from his guymelef. Yeah, like you've been really fair these past couple of days, Chid thought to himself.
"Fine Sir," Chid said as bitingly as he could. Mahad flashed out at him with his sword. Chid easily dodged the blow. He swung back at the Duke, but he blocked. Chid was glad to see that his guymelef fighting abilities hadn't deteriorated while he was away. Khorinae seemed so familiar that Chid felt like he hadn't missed a day of practice. Block, thrust, sidestep, hit...Chid's mind was running on a war mentality.
"You're doing well," the Duke called out during the fighting. He was faring worse then Chid was. Chid had been able to hit him quite a few times, but Mahad had yet to score a hurtful blow.
"You're not," Chid called back triumphantly. He whipped out his flame-thrower and torched Harashi's cape. The Duke fell back against a wall, dowsing the flames. Chid took a quick glance at the prisoners. Shail was watching, his eyes shining brightly. Akaro looked like she was about to fall to the ground with worry, and Dilandau...Chid shuddered. The DragonSlayer was awake, and his eyes had a psychotic gleam in them. Three guards surrounded him, but he wasn't paying much attention to him. His eyes were riveted to the flames.
A sharp blow to his arm brought Chid back to the battle. Mahad had shot his arm with his Crima Claw. Not too much damage was done however. Khorinae leapt into the air and hit Harashi hard in the upper leg. The guymelef tumbled over. The Duke's leg was surely crushed. Chid flew back a few paces and landed, then walked cautiously to the smoking guymelef. Chid used the Crima claw and shattered the drag-energist in the guymelef's shoulder. The entire mecha went dark. Chid stood triumphantly over the fallen monarch.
"You win," Mahad's voice echoed from the twisted metal. He slowly rose from the hatch, clutching his leg. Chid picked him up in Khorinae's hand. Chid then climbed out of his own guymelef, after making sure that Khorinae wouldn't drop the Duke and crush him.
"Release the prisoners," Chid said walking up to the guards. They hesitated, but then moved away, except for the ones around Dilandau. Chid was glad to note that they had some common sense.
"Chid!" Akaro cried. She ran to Chid and threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her with all his might, lifting her feet of the ground. While the two were hugging, Shail walked over to Dilandau, and pushed his way through the guards. The soldier was sitting on the ground with his arms folded, looking very menacing. Shail offered him a hand, and Dilandau took, then stood up.
"Are you going to behave yourself?" Shail asked him. Dilandau didn't answer, his eyes were on the Chid's guymelef.
"What's he doing?" Dilandau said, pointing to Mahad. Shail turned. The Duke was holding what appeared to be a mini-flame-thrower, and it was aiming right for Chid and Akaro.
"Chid, look out!" Shail yelled. Chid broke away from Akaro, feeling very annoyed with Shail. A bright burst of fire shot past his head. He ducked and pulled Akaro down with him.
"Stay down," he said hurriedly. He stood up and looked at Mahad. Handheld flame-throwers. What will we think of next? Chid thought to himself. Mahad aimed the gadget at him again, but a loud rumbling stopped him. Chid looked up as a large dragon came flying into the gardens. It was Escaflowne, and riding it was a very, very angry looking Van, Allen, and...Eries?
The dragon descended practically upon Khorinae. Allen withdrew his sword and hit Mahad on the side of the head, knocking him unconscious. The entire group on the ground stared, their mouths wide open. Escaflowne landed, and the trio leapt off as the guymelef changed into it's fighting mode.
"You, guards, don't you dare move an inch. I'm in charge now. This guymelef responds to my voice and feelings. Don't piss me off, or I will kill you," Van said. His deep voice rang out across the gardens. The guards stepped back from Shail and Dilandau, and Chid helped Akaro off the ground. Allen cast a glance to Chid, and his face frowned with worry as he looked at the bloody couple. Eries' face was a mask. Van was looking at the Duke, his back turned.
"Van! Long-time no see!" Dilandau cried out. Oh shit, Chid thought. The albino had a sword in his hand. How did you let that one happen, Shail? Chid thought.
"Don't do anything stupid Dilandau," Shail said. He placed a warning bandaged hand on Dilandau's arm. The gesture didn't seem to be helping. Dilandau charged ahead with his eyes flashing fire, and Van whirled around just in time to block Dilandau's sword.
The head guard screamed, and withdrew his sword, and the other guards followed suit. Shail looked at the guards in something that looked like shock mixed with contempt.
"Shail, get out of there!" Eries screamed. Chid looked at her in awe. He'd never heard her speak above a soft whisper. Shail leapt back from the guards and picked up the sword he had dropped upon surrendering. Chid backed up and withdrew his own sword, determined to protect Akaro, but found she wasn't behind him. He spun around, but couldn't see her.
"Akaro!" Chid called out. He brought up his sword as a guard attacked him. He thrust the man aside.
"I'm right here, don't worry!" Akaro yelled, emerging from a tunnel. She had a sword in her hand. Chid was about to protest but, the guard came back for another blow, and Chid put his concentration into fighting him. The guard managed to land his blow on Chid's stomach before Chid could fight back. The Prince grimaced as his stomach wound began profusely bleeding again. The man was a very good swordsman, but he had a habit of showing his stomach to often. Chid used this to his advantage, and sliced the man's stomach when the opportunity presented itself.
As the man fell, Chid looked to Dilandau. Van was fighting carefully as possible, trying not to hurt Dilandau. Dilandau was fighting with a blinding fury, but his body was twitching in pain. Dilandau flipped Van's sword from his hands, and pinned him to the ground. Chid went running to them.
"Now to finish this," Dilandau said. Van looked at him with surprise. Dilandau raised his blade, when he himself was hit over the head. Akaro, her sword firmly clasped in her hand, had smacked the DragonSlayer with the hilt of her weapon. Chid smiled in relief as he stopped by her side. He helped Van up off the ground.
"Go help the others, I'll take care of him," Van said. His eyes were full of sorrow. He looked at Dilandau almost lovingly.
"Let me stay with you. He at least likes me," Akaro said. She ran to Dilandau's side, throwing Chid a glance. Chid's heart ached as she helped Dilandau, but he erased his jealous feelings and turned back to battle, just in time to see Allen disappear into the ruins after a runaway guard. His golden hair gleamed once, then disappeared in the gloom that Zaibach never lost.
Shail was busy fighting one of the last remaining guards. He was faring extremely well, and Chid could see that the soldier was about to succumb to Shail's sword. Shail pinned the man against the wall. Another soldier came running from behind Shail with his sword raised high above his head. Chid ran from the other side of the garden, trying to intercept him before he reached the oblivious black-haired boy.
A tall pale form stepped in front of the charging guard, who was only a few feet away from Shail. It was Eries, and she had a sword in her slender hand. She slowly brought up the sword, and clothes lined the charging soldier, creating a wide gash across his chest. He obviously didn't expect her to attack. Eries seemed surprised herself. Why in the hell is she here? What in the hell is she doing? Chid thought. His feet pounded through the flowerbeds.
The fallen guard quickly regained his feet and flicked his sword at the startled Eries. The blade hit her square in the side, leaving a deep gouge. She cried out in pain. Shail, hearing her, quickly skewered his guard and turned around. Chid was almost there. Eries shouted in rage, then brought down her sword upon the guard's head, splitting his cranium with the glinting metal. Eries spit on the guard's frame, then her knees buckled and she fell to the ground. Shail ran and caught her, holding her only inches from the ground. Chid finally reached the two and sank to his knees.
"Oh Aunt Eries, why did you come?" Chid asked mournfully. Eries eyes were closed, and her expression was pained. He placed a hand on her wound, feeling the blood spill over his hand. It was a bad injury. She wasn't going to make it. Why didn't I use my wings? I could have been here and then this would never have happened. Hell, if I had stayed in Freid this never would have happened. Chid felt a lump rising in his throat. He wasn't going to cry. He hadn't cried since the destruction of Freid, and he wasn't going to start now. A shadow fell over the group. Chid looked up, and Allen knelt beside them.
"Tell him, Eries. Don't hide it any longer. It hurts too much," Allen said, kneeling beside her. Eries opened her eyes.
Chid felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He had an awful premonition about what he was going to hear.
"Shail, do you remember your first family?" Eries asked him. Shail looked down at her in complete shock.
"No. My first memory is waking up in the Fanelian gardens," Shail said guardedly. His blue-violet eyes were large.
"I can't tell you why you don't remember the first 12 years of your life, I can't even tell you about them. All I can tell you is who your true parents are," Eries said. Her voice was weak. Chid felt her pulse, it was fading fast.
"Don't..." Shail said half-heartedly. He swept back her silvery blonde hair from her face.
"I was barely a child when I met him. After the dragon, I didn't see him again for 2 more rotations. Finally, he came back one night, and well, months later I had a little boy when I was barely 14 rotations old," Eries smiled thinly, but her smile was full of love. "It was you Shail. Of course, I named you after your father, Folken. Oh yes, Folken Dastinio de Fanel. I gave you away one day to a peasant family I knew. Father had threatened to kill you. It was the last time I saw you until you showed up in the Fanelian gardens." Eries broke off her speech as shivers racked her body.
"Oh gods. Eries, I never knew. I never, ever even suspected," Shail said. He hugged Eries a little tighter. She looked at him with glazed eyes. Blue-violet eyes.
"You have my eyes," she said unnecessarily, "but only Atlantis knows where you got black hair." Shail smiled, and a few tears coursed down his cheeks. Allen put an arm around Chid, who watched in complete numb blankness.
"I just wanted you to know that I love you. I never, ever stopped loving you. Neither did Folken. During the burning of Palas, he always made sure you were kept safe. I don't know how he knew, but he did. He always did," Eries said. Her voice died out, and her body went completely limp in Shail's arms. Chid heard Allen gasp slightly beside him, but Chid kept his eyes fixed on Shail's. The older boy was wide-eyed and paler then Chid had ever seen in his life.
"Why is it..." Shail began, "That I learn of my family, and then they are torn from me as quickly as they came?" His voice was quiet but dripped with pain. He might as well have screamed. Shail sat back, Eries' body still in his arms. He shuddered once, then hugged Eries to his chest as tightly as he could, fighting to keep his composure like mad. Chid looked over, and saw Van walking slowly over to where Shail sat. Chid slowly rose, judging it a time to leave Van and Shail to themselves. Allen took his own cue and stood with Chid.
The minute Chid had risen to his full height, Allen wrapped him in the biggest hug Chid had ever received in he thought, his entire life. He didn't know how to respond for a second, for Allen had never shone such emotion. After a few seconds though, he let his body relax and hugged the taller man back with equal zest. Chid felt Allen hesitantly reach up and stroke his hair, the same golden hue as his own. Chid suddenly had never felt so tired in his life. He laid his head on Allen's chest, who responded by hugging him even tighter. Chid grimaced as Allen's stiff Asturian armor rubbed against his stomach wound, which was still bleeding. Great. I finally have a quote "father and son" moment with Allen and it only hurts me, Chid thought to himself wryly.
"What's wrong? Sweet Jeture, I didn't even think. I'm sorry Chid," Allen said, pulling away from Chid. A dark stain now appeared on Allen's uniform, exactly in the same spot Chid's stomach wound was.
"Don't worry. It's not bad. It just bleeds a lot. I feel as if that's all I've done for the past couple of weeks. Bleed, pass out, and require medical attention. That's my new purpose in life," Chid said, trying to lighten the mood. He couldn't deal with heavy emotions with Allen just yet. He could deal with those emotions only with himself and...
"Where's Akaro?" Chid asked. He pulled away from Allen and looked around the gardens.
"I think she's watching Dilandau, I think," Allen said. He smiled down at Chid. "You really like her don't you?"
"Yes," Chid said, turning back to Allen. He blushed slightly. "I'm going to go find her. She shouldn't be alone with that psychopath."
"Well, go on then," Allen said. He smiled and began walking back to where Shail and Van were.
Chid turned and began walking to where he thought Dilandau lay. He slowly wound his way through a few trees and a lot of flowerbeds. The gardens' were surprisingly very large and contained a great diversity of plant life. Chid passed under the Duke, who was awake, but his eyes were spinning torpidly around his surroundings. He didn't know where he was, apparently. Good, Chid thought with startling vehemence. He ignored the Duke and kept walking.
Chid walked to where a few trees stood. Lying beneath them was Dilandau. His hands and feet were tightly bound with some twine. Akaro was no where to be found. Chid furrowed his brow in thought, then bent down and checked Dilandau's pulse. It was slow and steady, and the angelic boy had a calm expression on his face. A wave of pain washed over Chid. He clutched his stomach, and felt fresh blood leak to his fingers. The wounds the Duke had given him were really starting to hurt.
"Chid!"
Chid spun around to see Akaro running towards him. He stood up hastily and began walking towards her, hindered by his stomach wound. Akaro had a smile on her face, despite the recent happenings. How in the world did she get over there? he wondered briefly. The Prince was about to call out to her, when he noticed a glint of metal in the air. He looked up at Khorinae. In the Duke's hand was a long, pointy dagger. He was aiming right at Akaro, who was only a few feet away from the guymelef.
"He chose you over me," Mahad whispered. Akaro slowed her run and looked up at the Duke. Her green eyes widened in surprise as she saw the lethal dagger in his poised hand.
"No!" Chid screamed. He broke off into a run but then felt his wings explode from his back, disintegrating his vest. Mahad froze as he saw the Prince's transformation. However, it didn't last long, and Mahad re-aimed the dagger. Chid pushed himself as hard as he could manage. Suddenly everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. The Duke's wrist flashed and the dagger was in the air. Chid could see the blade heading for Akaro, her eyes wide with unbelieving shock. His wings were beating exceptionally slow to him. Chid extended his arms and his hands brushed Akaro, and only then did time speed up.
Chid slammed into Akaro, knocking her off her feet. He tightly wrapped his arms around her and lifted her out of harm's way. Suddenly a sharp pain sliced across the top of Chid's right wing, then his left wing exploded into a plethora of pain. Blood rained down as he beat his wings furiously, taking Akaro away from the Duke.
"Oh god Chid. He was going to kill me," Akaro said unbelievingly. A droplet of blood landed on her face. She wiped it away, then stared at it in horror. "Your hit. Oh god your hit!" She said with growing panic.
"Shh, I'm okay. You're okay," Chid said, hugging her tighter. His wings throbbed with pain, his stomach throbbed with pain, and his head throbbed pain from the higher altitude, but Chid didn't care. Akaro was here and she was alive, and for him, that was enough. He slowly swooped to the ground, then set Akaro on her feet near Dilandau. "Stay here. I have to go deal with someone," Chid said, then kissed her quickly and fiercely. He turned and rose into the air.
Chid flew up to where the Duke was pinned in Khorinae's giant fist. How Mahad's arms had come free, he'd never know. Chid hovered in front of Mahad, staring at him for a bit.
"What did they do to you?" Mahad asked, staring at Chid's now crimson wings. What did they do to you is more like it, Chid thought. Impulsively he flicked his right wing towards Mahad, showering the Duke with blood droplets. Guilt blood, Chid thought to himself.
"You would dare try to kill me and the people I love," Chid said, ignoring the Duke's question. He fought to keep his equilibrium. The blows that the Duke had given to his head earlier were affecting him in the higher altitude.
"Traitors to the Crown must be punished," Mahad snarled. Chid felt his anger snap. He grabbed Mahad by his thick robes and wrenched the Duke from Khorinae's grasp in a burst of adrenaline. The Duke, for once, looked absolutely surprised with Chid's abilities. And, Chid thought for a split second, a tad bit terrified.
Chid slowly lowered Mahad to the ground, but then let him fall the last foot. The Duke landed on his feet, but crumpled under his broken leg. Mahad struggled for a second, then halfway stood up. He looked up at Chid, squinting as the sun backlit the winged Prince. Chid felt blood running down his back and falling to the ground. Red rain Hitomi. Here's your red rain. Did you see this coming? Chid thought to himself. He took a small morbid delight in knowing how he appeared to Mahad right now. Probably thinks the Bloody Angel of Death has come knocking on his door, Chid thought. He then slowly landed on his feet. Such gruesome bliss was not fitting to him. Actually, he was rather repulsed by it.
"You never learn do you?" Chid asked, staring at the Duke. Mahad, in his sloping stature, was Chid's own height. Chid's heart ached for the Duke. Right now his heart hurt more then any other injuries he'd ever had in his entire life.
"Well, aren't you going to kill me?" Mahad asked. He looked at Chid defiantly and stood a little higher on his bad leg, even though a flash of pain lit his face.
Chid looked at the Duke in total disbelief. He thought briefly of saying a biting remark, but decided against it. The Prince sighed and shook his head. He slowly curled his wings towards his body, revealing the exact location of the dagger in his left wing. The pain of it was agonizing—almost to the point of making him pass out, but he knew what he had to do. Gritting his teeth, Chid reached behind his back and pulled the dagger from his wing. He felt the hot blood course thick and sticky down his back. Mahad looked at him with confusion.
"Here," Chid said. He took Mahad's right arm, his only human one, and placed the dagger in his hand. The Duke reflexively grasped the dagger's hilt. Chid brought up both his hands and laid them on the Duke's fist.
"Now listen to me well. If you feel you must punish me for treason, then do it now, so I can join Mother," Chid said, his blue eyes flashing. "Yes, my beloved Mother who was herself a traitor to the Crown, for she died for the ones she loved, which is a crime in your eyes, so I guess that I have to die as well.
But—" Chid continued, staring scathingly into the Duke's wide brown eyes, "at least I am not a traitor to my heart and my family. I did commit treason to my country by you, but never on the Monarchy." He stepped as close to Mahad as he could. Chid then took The Duke's hand that held the dagger, and placed the point delicately on his heart. "Come now," Chid said, his voice softer now and full of sorrow, "I know the price I must pay. Deliver your blow of justice, my beloved Duke." The Prince closed his eyes and dropped his hand. What have I done? Oh Akaro, I'm so sorry, Chid thought. He felt the pressure on the blade increase. Goodbye, Chid thought as peacefully as he could. Then suddenly, the blade's pressure disappeared. Huh?
Chid snapped his eyes open, just in time to see Mahad fall to the ground. Instinctively, he reached out and caught the Duke. Chid slowly lowered the larger man to the ground. The Prince looked quizzically at Mahad's face, then down at his body. Protruding from the Duke's chest was the dagger, which moved slightly with every beat of Mahad's heart.
"Why did you..." Chid said, looking back to Mahad's glazed eyes. He couldn't finish the sentence because his throat was closing up. Damn me for feeling this way! Chid thought.
"Don't cry," the Duke said brusquely as he could. It came out as a hoarse whisper. Chid smiled bitterly inwardly, but swallowed and put a mask of strength on his face. He willed his wings to curl about him and the Duke, creating a shroud of snowy feathers. Mahad looked at the feathery canopy in something that was a cross between wonderment and sadness.
"I haven't since that day, and I promise you that I never will," Chid said in complete sincerity. Mahad's eyes rolled back slightly, but he quickly whipped them back into focus. He motioned weakly for Chid to lean closer. Chid pulled the Duke close to him, and bent his head to hear his last words.
"I'm so sorry. I betrayed my family, and I don't bend the rules for anyone," Mahad said in what was barely a whisper. He reached up with his good arm and ruffled Chid's hair, then lowered his hand and cupped Chid's cheek. Chid smiled as valiantly as he could. Mahad smiled back contentedly, then his eyes closed, and his hand fell onto Chid's shoulder.
Chid stared at the Duke. His mind couldn't (or wouldn't, he didn't know which) comprehend what had just happened. The man who has been my father in every word has just died in my arms, his mind finally screamed at him. Chid gently turned head and kissed the palm of Mahad's hand. He felt tears rising in his eyes.
"I promise you I won't cry," Chid said softly, "Father." To Chid, it was the most appropriate thing he could think of to say.