Part
Three
Ken
slipped back into the parlor he shared with Daisuke and removed his hat. He
shut the window
and
frowned slightly. The confrontation with the Princess had worried him more than
he was willing to admit, and he needed to rest.
"You're
back already?" Daisuke asked, stepping in from his own chamber.
He
nodded with a frown as he removed his mask. "I met someone tonight,"
he explained.
"Who?"
Wormmon wondered, scampering in from Ken's chamber.
"The
Princess. She and I had a chat."
"Princess
Hikari?" Daisuke's eyes grew large.
"Oh
great, now we're doomed," V-mon grumbled, resting his head in his hands.
"Why
on Earth did you talk to her?" the redhead questioned.
Ken
sighed, unbuttoning his shirt. "I didn't really have a choice," he
explained.
"So
you were cornered? Great. Here only a day and already my life is over. I
thought you were more careful," Daisuke groaned.
"I
wasn't cornered," Ken replied. "I was noticed. I was watching her
from the room over her balcony. She noticed me and asked me to speak with
her."
"Asked
to speak with the Dark Bandit?" Daisuke could barely speak.
"Um
- Ken? What did you speak about?" Wormmon wondered.
Ken
removed his shirt and entered his room. The two digimon and the distraught
Daisuke followed him. He searched through his trunk for a clean nightshirt.
"Actually,
she told me if I didn't talk with her willingly, she'd make a scene," Ken
clarified, recalling the incident. "She wanted to know my intentions. It
seems her brother's information this evening didn't do anything to sway her
fears."
"Understandable.
Taichi's information wasn't very complimentary," Daisuke agreed.
"So
what did you tell her?" V-mon asked.
"I
told her that I was merely interested in preserving Miyako's safety," Ken
recalled. He pulled the loose linen nightshirt over his head. "She seemed
to believe my intentions were good and offered herself as an ally."
"An
ally?" Daisuke stammered. "Since when do you go around allying with
the royal family?"
"I
didn't say I would," Ken replied. "The Prince interrupted before our
conversation could be completed. She only offered herself as an ally where
Miyako is concerned. She said that in any other aspect, she couldn't be
expected to offer any help."
"Makes
sense," Wormmon noted. "She doesn't know anything else about
you."
Ken
nodded his agreement.
***
"So?"
Miyako wondered, laying on Sora's bed. "How was the evening with the
Prince?"
Sora
shrugged. She pulled her nightgown over her head and peered into the mirror.
"It was alright," she replied.
"Alright?
That's it?"
"We
just talked for awhile," she replied. "About what's happened since we
last saw each other. And a bit about this Dark Bandit guy," she added with
a slight frown.
"Oh?"
"Taichi
doesn't seem to think his intentions are entirely bad," Sora recalled. She
turned on the stool she sat to face the other girl. "He's just afraid
he'll be a threat to his father. And he'll defend his father before anyone
else."
"How
is the Dark Bandit a threat to the King?" Hawkmon wondered. He sat on the
floor, staring up at the girls.
"Well,
if the Dark Bandit is freeing criminals, he's disagreeing with the King's rule.
He could have followers. And if he does, they as a group could be a threat to
the kingdom."
"You
mean like a revolution?" Piyomon wondered.
"Precisely,"
Sora replied. "Taichi isn't sure what this guy's intentions are. He's told
me that he'd like to have a discussion with him. Sometimes things can be solved
through talking. Taichi and his father are wise enough to know that."
Miyako
nodded agreement. "I doubt the Dark Bandit will be eager to simply sit
down and chat with the King or his son."
"I
agree," the elder girl replied. She shrugged. "Something will come of
it eventually. In the meantime, let's get some sleep. You're meeting a few more
people tomorrow."
***
The
next morning, Miyako and Sora awakened mid-morning and joined Jun in their
private parlor. Iori knocked on their door and informed them they were invited
to breakfast with the Princess and Queen in a sun parlor on the opposite side
of the castle. Twenty minutes later, the three girls were bathed and dressed in
light, springy dresses and on their way.
They
seated themselves around a relatively large round table and began a relatively
casual breakfast.
"Mother
and I usually have casual breakfasts in this parlor by ourselves," Hikari
explained to her guests. "Whenever we have female visitors, we invite them
to join us."
"We
certainly thank you for the offer," Sora replied politely.
"It's
no trouble," the Queen replied. "Now tell us, did you girls sleep
well last night?"
"I
did," Sora replied. "The beds here are simply dream inducing. I
always feel so comfortable here."
"They
are very nice," Miyako agreed. "I slept quite well."
Jun
frowned slightly. "It was tolerable," she replied with a shrug.
"I've not been feeling well lately. Speaking of which, do we have any news
from Mother?"
"It
seems she's come down with a cold," the Queen replied. "She's decided
to spend the day in bed. Hopefully she'll be well in time for tomorrow's
get-together."
"Do
you think it will be alright if I visit her later?"
"I
don't see why not. Lord Jyou, the royal doctor, arrived this morning. He's
probably already looking at her."
***
"Mother's
not feeling well?" Daisuke asked as he followed his father down the hall.
"No,
she has a bit of a cold," Lord Motomiya replied. "She's decided to
sleep in today. Hopefully tomorrow she'll feel better. If you'd like, I can
arrange you a visit."
"Thank
you, Father," Daisuke replied. "Perhaps this afternoon?"
"Perhaps,"
the Lord agreed.
"Where
are we going again?"
"To
breakfast," his father replied, reminding Daisuke of the breakfasts the
King and Prince usually ate privately in the mornings.
"Right,"
Daisuke replied. A short period of time later they arrived.
The
King and his son were already seated around a round table in a small parlor.
"Welcome!" the King greeted his guests.
Daisuke
peered around the table. He noted that the Royal doctor, Lord Jyou, and the
Ishida brothers were there as well. Takeru grinned at him.
He
could almost feel Ken's low groan beside him. Takeru was bearable enough, but
he was too cheerful for Ichijouji's taste. He got along considerably better
with Yamato, the elder and more serious of the brothers.
"We
arrived this morning," Takeru informed Daisuke cheerfully as he sat next
to him. "I can't wait for the festivities to start."
***
After
breakfast, the young people convened again on the outside grounds. After
introductions - mainly to Miyako, who had never met Yamato and Takeru before -
they decided to tour the palace grounds while they digested their breakfast.
The
group broke off into pairs to travel around. Taichi walked first, with Sora
beside him. Hikari followed, Miyako next to her. Jun grabbed Yamato's arm, to
his apparent discomfort. Takeru joined Ken and Daisuke, to the dark haired
boy's discouragement.
"Jun!"
the Queen called, stepping outside. "Didn't you say you wished to see your
mother?"
"Oh!
Yes! Thank you!" Jun rushed inside to aid the ailing Lady. Daisuke turned
to follow. Ken gripped his arm tightly.
"Do.
Not. Leave me. With him," he whispered.
"Daisuke,
you should let your sister be alone with her Mother for a bit," Takeru
agreed, not noticing Ken's obvious discomfort.
Reluctantly,
Daisuke agreed. As a result of the evened out numbers, Ken decided to walk
beside Yamato instead.
"Close
one," Yamato commented. Ken nodded his agreement.
"I'll
say," he replied for an entirely different reason.
The
tour continued pleasantly enough as Taichi led the group of six around the
palace and its grounds, pointing out the royal gardens, the greenhouse Hikari
had pointed out to Miyako, the archery targets they had used the day before,
the throne room they had been in the morning before, the parlors they had eaten
in, the kitchen, the several different halls and parlors and the library, and
the royal family's private rooms.
"Keeping
yourself out of trouble?" Yamato questioned as he walked beside Ken. The
two had already seen the castle many times, and paid more attention to their
conversation.
"Absolutely,"
Ken replied, smiling slightly. Yamato knew nothing about his secret life as a
Bandit, but he was aware that the younger boy was not all that he appeared.
"Somehow
I doubt this," the blond boy commented.
The other
merely shrugged. "I didn't notice your parents," he noted, changing
the subject. "Did you come alone?"
"We
did," the elder boy replied. "Mother has been feeling unwell, and
Father has much work to do." He frowned slightly. "I'm afraid they
haven't been very agreeable to each other lately," he confessed.
"Pity,"
Ken replied with only slight empathy. His own parents had become strangers to
him six years ago, and he didn't know much of the Ishida's problems.
Yamato
shrugged. "I suppose," he replied. "How is the Motomiya family
treating you? Daisuke's more tolerable than his sister, I assume."
"Infinitely,"
Ken agreed without a hint of sarcasm. "We get along better as time goes
on."
Yamato
nodded. "He's alright," he agreed.
"Grows
on you," the other answered.
"Ah."
Yamato noted the females walking in front of them. "This new girl,"
he began.
"Miyako?"
"Yes.
What about her?"
Ken
shrugged slightly. "Miyako Inoue. Youngest daughter. Sixteen. Traveled
here with us."
Yamato
nodded. "That's not what I meant."
"You
didn't mean what I think you meant."
"What
if I did?" His blue eyes twinkled with amusement at his friends
discomfort.
"Then
I might have to hurt you."
Yamato
let out a hearty chuckle. "I didn't know you had it in you, friend,"
he commented.
"I
don't," Ken half-snapped. Yamato had a strange sense of humor.
The
elder boy didn't reply. "Taichi told me you bested him in archery,"
he commented, changing the subject again.
"Yes.
I did. It was a good competition."
"So
I heard. You're lucky he was in a good mood," Yamato replied. "I
remember the first time I beat him in a foot race. He tackled me to the ground
and punched me in the nose." He touched his nose lightly as though he
could still feel the pain.
Ken
smiled somewhat, but said nothing.
***
"It's
a beautiful palace," Miyako told the royal siblings appreciatively.
"Thank you for the tour."
"It
was our pleasure," Taichi replied with a smile. "But now I think it's
time for lunch." He patted his stomach.
"Indeed,
the noon hour comes soon," Hikari agreed. "What say we have a picnic
prepared?"
"Great
idea," Sora agreed.
Hikari
turned to the others behind them. "All agreed for a picnic?" she
asked.
Yamato
shrugged pleasantly. "Sure. Why not?"
Ken did
the same. "Fine with me."
"A
picnic? Ooh, that'll be great," Takeru cheered.
"Picnic
sounds good. As long as there's food," Daisuke agreed.
And so,
less than thirty minutes later, the group and their digimon were seated outside
on the lawn, eating sandwiches from a picnic basket. Miyako was interested to
see Takeru and Yamato's digimon, a Patamon and a Gabumon, respectively, both of
which she had never seen before.
"I
don't look very impressive, but I'm loyal," Patamon explained proudly.
"You
sure are," Takeru agreed. "You're a great friend."
"All
digimon are," Yamato agreed sensibly.
"I'm
a good friend, right Yamato?" Gabumon questioned. His partner handed him a
sandwich and threw an arm over his back.
"Of
course," he replied with a grin.
Miyako
glanced appreciatively at Hawkmon, who was eating beside her. He was most
definitely a good friend.
Ken was
busy feeding a sandwich to Wormmon, when he suddenly felt somewhat nervous. He
glanced towards Daisuke, but the boy was engaged in a conversation with V-mon
and didn't notice him.
Quickly,
the dark haired boy lifted his digimon close to his mouth. "If anyone
notices I'm gone, tell them I wasn't feeling well and went inside," he
told his partner.
"You're
going?" Wormmon wondered.
"Something's
going to happen, I know it," Ken replied. "We're sitting ducks here.
I'm going to try to change that. Let Daisuke know." With that, he was
gone.
Wormmon
sighed in disappointment but returned to his sandwich.
A few
minutes later, there was a scream as an arrow lodged itself in a nearby tree
trunk. Hikari stared in shock.
"An
arrow!" Taichi shouted. "Quick! Everyone, to cover!" He looked
around and noted that the greenhouse was the nearest building.
"Hurry!" he shouted. "To the greenhouse!"
There
was a flurry of yelling and feet as the group rushed quickly towards the
greenhouse. Another arrow flew and lodged itself in the grass directly in front
of Miyako's feet. Startled, she fell backwards and landed in the grass.
Daisuke
was behind her in an instant. "It's alright, I've got you," he said,
helping her up. "I'll keep you safe."
"Thanks,
Daisuke," Miyako stammered. Hawkmon, V-mon, and Wormmon were there an
instant later.
A dark
figure landed itself a few feet away. He wore a dark cloak and a hood that
covered his face entirely.
"Oh
my goodness," Daisuke stammered. "That's not -."
"That's
the enemy!" Wormmon squeaked.
Daisuke
swore under his breath. "We've got to get out of here."
V-mon
agreed. "C'mon!" he shouted, pulling his partner by his hand and
dragging him towards the greenhouse.
"I'm
coming!" Daisuke replied. He clutched Miyako's hand, pulling her behind
him as well. He scooped up Wormmon in his arms and ran as quickly as he could
towards the greenhouse. Hawkmon flapped quickly behind them.
A few
feet behind them, another arrow lodged itself near the "enemy's"
feet. Another dark figure landed a few feet away from the first. This one wore
a dark hat with a purple sash.
"The
Dark Bandit," Sora breathed in awe from the relative safety of the
greenhouse just as Miyako, Daisuke, Wormmon, V-mon, and Hawkmon entered.
"What
happened to Ken?" Takeru wondered.
Daisuke
shrugged helplessly. "I don't know," he replied, catching his breath.
"We
should go find him," Taichi stated.
"He
could be out there alone," Yamato agreed.
"No!"
Daisuke shouted a little too loudly. He coughed nervously. "Um. I mean
that there's no reason to risk ourselves looking for him. Ken can take care of
himself. Right?" He turned to Wormmon in his arms for reassurance.
Wormmon
nodded. "Ken will be fine," he replied without much conviction.
"Yeah,"
Daisuke agreed. "See? Fine."
"I'm
wondering about those two guys, though," Takeru noted. He peered through
the windows. "The one guy you said is a Dark Bandit, but what about the
other guy?"
"He
doesn't look friendly," Hikari agreed.
***
The
Dark Bandit observed his enemy carefully. "Who are you and what do you
want with Lady Miyako?" he questioned.
"That
is none of your concern," the other figure replied in a gruff, low voice.
He, too, was dressed entirely in black, but without a hat. Instead, a dark hood
covered his head, obscuring his face entirely.
"It
is of my concern. You're putting an innocent life in danger," he replied.
"You
are standing in my way. Prepare to be eliminated," the hooded figure
replied.
The
Dark Bandit didn't replied. A moment later, the figure wielded a sword. His
opponent produced one as well.
***
"Great,"
Daisuke grumbled to himself. "Ken's not that great at swords."
"What
was that?" Yamato questioned, standing behind him.
"Nothing,"
Daisuke replied. "I was just saying that I really do hate swords."
"Why?"
V-mon wondered. Daisuke made a mental note to bonk his partner over the head
when they were alone.
"They're
sharp. And, um, I'm not that good at it," he improvised.
"Right,"
Yamato replied, shrugging and turning back to the fight.
The two
fighters were fighting aggressively. The figure with the hood had an obvious
advantage at the sword, but the Dark Bandit was holding his own.
"This
is ridiculous," Taichi grumbled. "We can't just sit here. We've got
to do something."
"But
what can we do?" Yamato wondered. "We're not even sure who's on our
side."
"Yes
we do!" Miyako replied. "The one with the hat is on our side. I'm
sure of it!"
"It's
true," Sora agreed. "He saved Miyako's life once before."
"But
then who's the other guy?" Takeru wondered.
"That's
a very good question," Daisuke mumbled.
Hikari
grasped Taichi's arm. "Brother, I think the Dark Bandit is on our
side," she told him. "If you wish to be of assistance, I think we
should support him."
The
hooded figure swung his sword at his opponent, and the Dark Bandit jumped back,
avoiding the blade. He swung his own at the figure, and metal met metal with a
vicious clank.
"I'm
inclined to agree with you, Hikari," Taichi confessed. "But we need
to know more about what's going on here."
"It
would help if we knew more about this Bandit guy. Or his opponent," Yamato
agreed.
"I
don't think they're willing to tell us all that much about themselves,"
Daisuke commented dryly. "They're both wearing masks."
Another
clank turned the group's heads towards the fighting, as the swords clashed
again. The red figure swung again, and the Dark Bandit jumped back again. He
wasn't as swift this time, and the sword cut across his left shoulder. A
trickle of red blood drizzled out.
Daisuke
was glad he was holding Wormmon, as he was easily able to clamp a hand over the
little digimon's mouth in case he yelled out something upon seeing the injury.
V-mon himself was looking rather distressed. Daisuke began to sweat anxiously.
Ken had never been injured before!
"If
we're going to do something, we'd better do it now before someone gets
killed," Miyako shouted.
The
Prince was inclined to agree. He looked around the greenhouse for something he
could use. Propped up against one of the walls were a spare bow and a single
arrow. "This'll work," he decided.
"You're
not going to hurt them?" Hikari wondered.
"Nah.
I'm a decent shot. I'll just scare him off." He turned to his partner
digimon. "Ready to help?"
"You
bet!" Agumon replied eagerly.
"Alright.
As soon as I've distracted him, the rest of you have to run out there,"
the Prince ordered. "Shout and scream. Wave swords. Just get him out of
there. Hopefully he'll be scared off before any actual fighting takes place between
us."
Yamato
nodded in agreement and drew his weapon. Daisuke put Wormmon on the ground and
lifted a sturdy stick from the floor. Sora did the same. Takeru removed his own
sword.
"You
two stay here," Taichi ordered his sister and Miyako. "It's safer."
Neither girl objected.
"Be
careful, Sora," Miyako warned.
"Ready
Agumon?" Taichi questioned.
"Ready."
"Good.
Go ahead."
Agumon
leaned his head back and opened his mouth. "Baby Flame!" he
announced, and fire blew from his mouth, lighting the end of the arrow aflame.
Taichi took aim.
The
Dark Bandit narrowly avoided another sword swipe. Suddenly, there was a shout
from the direction of the greenhouse. The tree above him was aflame. From the
greenhouse came Sora, Yamato, Takeru, Daisuke, and their digimon. All were
shouting and waving sticks and swords.
Both
bandits took the cue. The Dark Bandit quickly ran off in the direction of the
palace, and his opponent bounded over the wall. Both were long gone before the
group arrived.
***
Wincing,
Ken placed the wet cloth on his arm and lowered himself onto his bed.
"Rather foolish of me," he grumbled to himself. "Getting into a
sword fight. I should have practiced more at that."
He
sighed slightly and sank back, a ruthless headache beginning to form in his
skull.
There
was a knock at the door that faced the outside. He groaned and pulled the cloth
off his arm. He pulled a shirt over it to hide the wound and made his way to
the door.
Daisuke
stood outside, holding Wormmon. Miyako was with him. He squinted at them
blankly.
"You
shouldn't have left in such a rush," Daisuke told his friend with a slight
wink that was barely noticeable.
"Wormmon
said you were getting a headache. You could have at least said something,"
Miyako scolded him in agreement. "We were all concerned."
"I'm
sorry I worried you," he replied, bowing slightly.
Miyako
shrugged somewhat. "It's alright," she replied. "I just needed
to make sure you were alright." She bowed and turned to leave. "Sorry
to intrude."
The
moment she was gone, Daisuke shut the door quickly and set Wormmon on the bed.
"Are you alright?" he asked, anxiously.
Ken had
already removed his shirt and replaced the wet cloth. "Surviving," he
replied. "I think it was my pride that was more hurt. That was the
sloppiest fight I've ever been in."
"You
haven't been in many," Daisuke reminded him. "Most of your previous
work has been in stealth. Let me see."
Reluctantly,
Ken removed the wet cloth and allowed his friend to examine him. "Did
anyone suspect?"
"Not
that I know of. I almost blew it to Yamato, though," he confessed, telling
of his near slip of the lip.
"Good
save," the other complimented with a wince as Daisuke dabbed the cloth at
the wound.
"Sorry.
It's gonna hurt a bit. I wish we could have Lord Jyou take a look at
this."
"No
such luck, pal," Ken replied. "Anyone sees me with a wound like this
and it's all over. I don't need to risk being discovered now. Not when I'm so
close."
Wormmon
snuggled next to his partner and put his head in his lap. "Are you sure you're
alright, Ken?"
"You're
lucky I was holding the little guy when you got hurt," Daisuke told him as
he handed him the cloth to reapply over the wound. "He nearly screamed out
your name." He turned to leave the room.
"It
was a bit traumatic," Wormmon agreed.
Ken
nodded. "I'll try to be more careful," he apologized. He petted his
partner slightly. "I'm safe, though. Don't worry."
V-mon
stood on the floor nearby, a concerned look in his eyes as well. "Daisuke
was worried, too," he offered. "He was sweating enough to fill an
ocean."
"Very
funny," Daisuke commented as he reentered the room. "It was
frightening. I'd never seen him injured in a fight before," he defended
himself.
"It's
alright, you guys. I'm fine," Ken assured.
"I'm
sure. Just let me bandage this. If we're lucky, no one else will notice
it," the other boy replied as he opened a small box. Since Ken had begun
having a secret identity with such a dangerous occupation, he'd begun keeping a
box of medical supplies. This was the first time he'd had to use the items
inside, however.
"Are
you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Of
course. The old woman who gave me this stuff was pretty knowledgeable. She gave
me some rags for bandages, some herbs for healing, and some funky other stuff
for stomach aches."
"Stomach
aches?"
"Yeah.
Just in case, I dunno, you got poisoned or eat some bad meat or
something," Daisuke shrugged. He removed a healing salve and a strip of
cloth.
"Poisoned?
How would I get poisoned?"
"I
don't know! It could happen."
Ken
winced slightly as his friend applied the healing salve to the wound. It burned
slightly. "Are you sure it's supposed to hurt?"
"Yup.
She said it was going to sting a little. That means it's working," the
other replied.
"You've
been spending too much time with Takeru," Ken informed his friend.
"You're being too cheerful."
Daisuke
only chuckled in reply as he replaced the jar of healing salve in his box. He
began to bandage the arm. "You should try and stay off it for a few days
and give it a chance to heal," he advised.
Ken
looked at him with narrowed eyes. It was that dangerous look Daisuke recognized
as meaning 'back off.' "I can't stay off it," he replied.
"Miyako's even more in danger now."
Daisuke
sighed as he tied the cloth tightly. Ken winced slightly. "Sorry," he
apologized. He stood up and picked up the box. "I really think you are
falling for Miyako."
Ken
just groaned and laid down again. "Daisuke?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut
up."
The
other just laughed again as he reentered the room. "Want me to wake you
for dinner?"
"Yeah,
I guess. I've got a huge headache right
now. I need to rest if I'm gonna get anything done tonight."
"Tonight?"
Daisuke squeaked.
"I
can't rest, Daisuke, I told you that. There's too much to do."
"Whatever,"
the boy replied. "I'll call you for dinner."
"Daisuke?"
"Yeah?"
He stuck his head back in the room.
Ken
lifted his aching head a moment. The pain was visible for a moment in his eyes,
but he quickly concealed it. "Thanks for helping me."
Daisuke
shrugged. "It's what friends are for, Ken," he reminded him.
Ken
shrugged as well. "Thanks anyway, alright?"
"Alright,"
the other boy replied. "See you for dinner."
Ken
just groaned as he rolled over and buried his head in his pillow.
***
"I'm
glad everything has calmed down since this afternoon," Sora commented.
She, Hikari, and
Miyako
were seated on the balcony. Taichi was with the Ishida brothers, and Jun and
Daisuke were with their mother. Ken was apparently still recovering from his
headache.
"So
am I," the Princess agreed. "That was certainly a scare."
"That's
for sure," Hawkmon agreed.
"I
really wish we knew who that other bandit was," Miyako mused. "I'm
sure he must have been the same who attacked me in the marketplace."
"I
wouldn't be surprised if it was," Sora agreed. "The question is,
why?"
"If
we knew who he was, that might help," Piyomon noted.
"Yeah,
but we're no closer to either answer," Tailmon replied with a sigh.
"This is most frustrating."
"That
it is," Hikari agreed. "If only there was more of a clue."
"Well,
Sir Koushiro is examining the arrows since his arrival late this
afternoon," Sora reminded her. "Perhaps he'll be able to get some
clues from them."
"Perhaps,"
Miyako agreed. She yawned. "I think I should turn in," she informed
her friends. She turned to Hawkmon. "Coming?"
"Indeed
I am," Hawkmon replied, trailing after her.
"I
think I'll come, too," Sora stated, standing.
Hikari
stood as well. "Actually, Sora, I was wondering if I could speak with you
alone?"
Sora
paused. "Certainly," she replied. "I'll be along in a
minute," she told Miyako. Piyomon nodded, following the other two as well.
Hikari
nodded. "Thank you," she replied, stepping over to the wall. She
nodded to Tailmon, who followed Piyomon and Miyako back inside the castle.
"What
can I do for you, Hikari?" Sora questioned.
"Actually,
it's about Miyako and this Dark Bandit," Hikari replied. "I had a
conversation with him last night."
"A
conversation?" Sora gasped.
Hikari
nodded as she told the details of the previous night. Sora gasped again.
"So
no clue as to his identity?" she wondered.
"No,"
Hikari replied with a sigh. "And this afternoon didn't satisfy my
curiosity any further. I'm convinced now, though, that he's right in protecting
Miyako. That's why I need your help."
"Miyako's
my friend," Sora replied with conviction. "I'll do everything I can
to protect her."
"There's
more than that," Hikari explained. "I think that between the two of
us, we should try to be certain she is never alone. Besides Hawkmon, I
mean."
Sora nodded
in agreement. "Consider it done. If this Dark Bandit is as good as he says
he is, he's my ally, too."
"There's
one more thing," Hikari continued. "I think that Miyako should be
kept in the dark about this. We don't need to worry her anymore than she
already is."
"Understood,"
Sora replied.
"Thank
you, Sora. I knew I could trust you," the Princess smiled. "I'll see
you in the morning."
"Good
night. And Happy Birthday, Princess."
"Thank
you. Good night."
***
Sora
slipped back into the castle, and Hikari settled down into a chair again,
looking out once more at the stars.
"One
day, your majesty, you'll be a magnificent leader," a voice stated from
behind her.
She
turned, startled, to see the Dark Bandit standing on the balcony wall behind
her. She smiled slightly.
"Thank
you for the compliment," she replied. "I didn't expect to see you
tonight."
"I
thought your majesty would like to continue last night's conversation." He
offered a half smile as he dropped from the wall and bowed low. "It appears
you're trying to put me out of a job."
She
shook her head. "Just giving you a rest. Are you alright?"
He
shrugged slightly and touched his left arm reflexively. "Nothing that
won't heal, Princess."
"Are
you certain? I could have the doctor look at it," she began.
He
shook his head and held up a hand. "Thank you, but no, majesty," he
replied. "You know as well as I do that is a bad idea."
She
nodded reluctantly and sighed. "True. What do you know about your
adversary?"
"Not
much, my lady," he replied. "Only that he is a good swordsman and a
bad conversationalist. I don't even know what to call him."
"You
were lucky, today," she agreed.
He
nodded. "I'm indebted to your brother, my lady. I hope he knows
that."
"I'm
certain he does," the Princess replied. "As we are to you. I don't
know what would have happened today if you hadn't showed up." She
shuddered slightly.
"It
was a stroke of luck and good timing, your majesty."
"I
wish I had more information for you," she apologized. "As an ally, I
feel somewhat useless."
"You
are useful enough, your majesty," he assured her. "It is useful to
have allies of any sort." He smiled. "If you'll excuse me, Princess,
I should be going." He bowed deeply.
She
nodded. "Of course." She glanced towards the palace. "I should
go in, too. I suppose I'll see you again soon?" She turned back towards
the balcony, but her visitor had already departed. With a smile, Princess
Hikari returned to her chambers so she could rest for the celebration the next
day.
***
Miyako
had just pulled her nightgown over her head when she heard a noise from the
large picture window in her bedroom. She walked over and flung open the
windows, stepping on to the small balcony.
"I
was hoping you'd still be awake," a voice greeted. She started momentarily
and turned to see none other than the Dark Bandit standing on her balcony wall.
"You,"
she whispered. "What do you want?"
"Nothing,
Lady Miyako. Just to reassure you," he replied. He bowed slightly and
stepped on to the floor just a few inches from her.
She
stepped back reflexively and then remembered what had happened earlier.
"Are you badly injured?" she asked, stepping forward again.
He
bowed again and smiled kindly. "Nothing serious, my lady," he
replied. "No need to worry. It is your life that is in danger. Not
mine."
"If
you're set on protecting me, you're at risk as well," she retorted
sensibly. "Which brings me to my question. Why? And who is after me?"
"I
protect you because you need it, my lady," he replied, bowing for the
third time in as many replies. "And as for our opponent, that I do not
know."
"Please,
do me a favor. Don't bow so much. You make me nervous."
He
smiled slightly. "As you wish, Lady Miyako," he replied, refraining
from bowing.
"You
know nothing about him?"
"Only
that he's a worthy adversary, Lady," he answered politely.
She
sighed. "Do you know of any reason why somebody would be after me?"
He
shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't, my lady," he replied. "I
was hoping that you'd know."
She
shook her head in response. "No. My parents didn't know either when I
asked them." She turned and peered out over the balcony. "My parents
have lived at the manor peacefully since before I was born. As far as I know
they haven't-," she turned back towards the visitor, but he was gone
already. With a sigh, Miyako reentered her room.
From
the roof, the Dark Bandit watched as she went back inside. He frowned. "So
far," he whispered. "This isn't going anywhere."
***
Things
appear to be at a standstill now, after the first exciting battle. Who is the
dark hooded guy who is really good at swords? You'll have to keep reading to
find out. Don't worry. More exciting battles and other dramatic type stuff to come.
Thanks
for reading!
