Chapter Two: The Party
The audience hall was dead silent. Even Prince Alugard remained quiet. All present were shocked by their guests' country of origin. None of them had ever imagined that someone from the Southern Alliance would appear to the rest of the Continent. To the other leaders, the Southern Alliance was a quiet country, separate from the rest of the Continent.
But now they looked upon three who came from that quiet country.
Lord Alden was more suspicious than surprised, however. His eyes were narrowed as he studied the three visitors. He thought that the young lady looked familiar but rejected the notion when he caught a glimpse of her cold expression. The old man seemed a bit nervous, perhaps because he came to a new country for the first time. Lord Yukio, however, looked as if he came among friends and that rang alarm bells in Lord Alden's head.
But no alarms rang in Bastion's head. Only the silent sound of shock. "Th--the Southern Alliance!" the King exclaimed softly as he tried to recover from his shock. He remembered sending invitations to the six provinces of the Southern Alliance, but he didn't expect any of them to attend. And yet, the leader of one of the provinces stood before him.
The King then looked at his unexpected guests and smiled. "Welcome Lord Yukio, Commander Zaku, and Advisor Rea to the Pharastia Kingdom," he greeted. "It is an honor to have you here with us."
"The honor is all ours," Lord Yukio returned. He then motioned to Commander Zaku to present the pot to the King. "A gift," Lord Yukio commented as Commander Zaku climbed up the platform and presented the miniature tree with his head bowed and his arms extended holding the pot, "for the young Prince."
"Thank you," Bastion said gratefully as he took the proffered gift. He found it strange, though, to be gifted a plant.
"The Bonsai Tree," Lord Yukio explained as though he could read the King's thoughts, "is a sign of prestige and honor in my part of the country. I hope you will take good care of it."
"Yes, of course," the King nodded then motioned to the tables. "Please, join us."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lord Yukio said. The three guests bowed again before turning to find an empty table for themselves.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath as every occupant watched the three visitors march to an empty table that bordered close to Duke Zeira's group. As soon as Lord Yukio and his companions sat down, the others did likewise.
Bastion motioned for the minstrels to resume playing as he sat down on his throne. A soothing tune flowed about the room as conversations resumed. He then heard a sigh to his side. "I haven't forgotten, you know," he told Sadira idly.
Sadira gasped and turned to see Bastion grinning at her.
The King turned back to look at his guests, still grinning. "I want our new guests to be comfortable first before we do anything else," he explained. "See? Look." He pointed at Andrew, who was making his way to Lord Yukio's table.
"Probably to get acquainted with the advisor," Sadira muttered as she watched Andrew. "It's typical of a womanizer like himself." She then stood up with Alugard in her arms. "I think I'll keep Marquis Dionne company seeing that Andrew is gone. And besides," she added as she began to walk down the few steps of the platform, "it's boring talking to you alone."
Bastion sighed as he watched his wife leave and join the Marquis at his table. Dionne seemed glad of the company. He grinned as he held Alugard as if the Prince was his own grandchild. Alugard smiled and giggled as Dionne bounced him on his knee.
Seeing that Sadira and Alugard were fine with Dionne, Bastion focused his attention on Andrew and the newcomers. And smiled when he saw that the all-knowing ninja was conversing with the guests.
***
Lord Yukio became cautious as he saw someone approach their table. From the corner of his eye, he saw Rea pulling a concealed tanto from her sleeve. "No," he said as he placed a hand about her wrist. "We didn't come here to fight. We came here for another reason or have you forgotten?" He looked at the young woman.
Rea stared at Lord Yukio for a few seconds then, grudgingly, placed the tanto back into her sleeve.
Lord Yukio nodded and let go of her wrist. "You'll get your revenge soon enough," he said, "whatever it may be. Now do you tell me who is approaching?"
"That is Andrew," Rea replied, "Dionne-Lehve's best warrior. I must advise caution with this one. He is a ninja like us."
"Soo ka," Lord Yukio muttered in his native tongue. "He may be a ninja but he does not practice the old ways." He then became silent as Andrew reached their table.
"Hi!" the man greeted cheerfully. "You don't mind if I take a seat at your table, do you?" Before anyone could reply, he pulled out a chair and sat. "Let me introduce myself," the man resumed as he settled down. "My name's Andrew and I'm Marquis Dionne's right-hand man. I'm also a fellow ninja like yourselves."
If Lord Yukio was surprised at the declaration, he hid it well. Instead, he smiled and asked, "And how did you arrive at that conclusion?"
"Simple!" Andrew exclaimed. "By the way you guys walk. You didn't notice your silent footsteps as you made your way through the audience hall? And again as you made your way to this table? The room was completely silent like a graveyard! Only ninjas could move silently like that."
"Impressive," Lord Yukio commended. "You're quite the observant fellow, Mister Andrew." Very observant indeed, he thought critically as he rubbed his chin. You may be a threat to my plans. How shall I get rid of you?
A brilliant idea suddenly came to mind as he pulled out a small bottle from his jacket. "Now, do you know what this is?" he asked Andrew with a smile.
Andrew stared at the small clay bottle that had a weird symbol written on the front. It was the first time that he saw that kind of writing and knew that he was at a disadvantage. He had no knowledge of these guests and assumed that neither did his guests have any knowledge of him. Both parties were treading dangerous ground here.
Andrew then shrugged. "It's a bottle," he replied. "That's not hard to see."
Lord Yukio smirked. "Commander?" he said as he continued to stare at Andrew.
Commander Zaku took out four tiny porcelain cups from his jacket and laid them on the table. Lord Yukio then poured the contents of the bottle into the cups. Andrew watched curiously as he wondered what the guests were up to.
When Lord Yukio was finished pouring the contents into the cups, he passed one to Andrew. "Saké," he explained to the bewildered man. "A common alcoholic beverage in Ryuzoku. I don't know what type of beverages you serve in these parties but I could not part with my saké. Please, have a taste." With that said, Lord Yukio drank his in one gulp.
Andrew watched as the other two drank theirs as well in one gulp. Lord Yukio moved to refill all three of their cups. He then looked at Andrew with an inquisitive brow. "You have not drunk yours, Mister Andrew," he said. "I assure you it's not poisonous."
Andrew, not wanting to look like a fool especially in front of the beautiful advisor, held up his cup as if toasting the newcomers before downing the liquid. And sputtered as he felt the fiery liquid go down his throat. "Whoa!" Andrew exclaimed when he finally caught his breath. "That's some liquor you got there!"
Lord Yukio held up the bottle and asked innocently, "More?"
"Please!" Andrew replied enthusiastically as he held out his cup to the foreign man.
Lord Yukio refilled Andrew's cup and the ninja swigged it in one shot. The ninja from Ryuzoku smiled in approval as he drank his as well followed by his two companions.
Andrew smacked his lips and sighed as he sat back. "Saké," he repeated softly to himself. "What is it made of?" he asked as Lord Yukio refilled his tiny cup.
"Fermented rice and water," the Lord of Ryuzoku replied nonchalantly, grinning to himself as Andrew drank his third cup. That's right, fool! Keep drinking, he thought wickedly. Soon you'll be too drunk to see straight!
He refilled all four cups again and watched as Andrew eagerly drank his cup. Fortunately, his two companions had built a high tolerance of saké. Lord Yukio had made sure of that just in case something like this would to happen. Lord Yukio continued to refill Andrew's cup until the bottle was half full.
After his twentieth cup, Andrew was becoming as loud as Duke Logan was at the other end of the room. "So, there I was in my Vedocorban, running low on energy," he blabbered, "when suddenly, this guy comes and whacks me on the head. I let the guy have it with my Somersault technique! You should have seen it! That'll teach the guy not to mess with the Andrew-nator!"
Andrew calmed down somewhat after telling his heroic tale and stared vaguely at Rea. "You know," he uttered slowly as he held his cup towards Lord Yukio, who refilled it, "you look awfully familiar." He drank his cup and gave a sigh of satisfaction then continued staring at Rea.
"I know!" he suddenly exclaimed. "You look like Milea, Bastion's adopted sister! If I'd known any better, you are Milea! So, you've been hiding in the Southern Alliance all this time, huh?"
On the outside, Advisor Rea looked like a confused guest but on the inside, she was surprised. How can Andrew see through my disguise?, she thought. I guess being a dirty old man, he remembers every female he meets! Well, Andrew, your claim will go unaccounted for.
Rea then turned to Lord Yukio with that confused expression and said in a sweet voice, quite different from her regular voice, "Wakarimasen Toryu-sama."
"Daijoobu," Lord Yukio nodded then turned to Andrew, who now wore a confused expression. "Rea does not understand your tongue," he explained to the bewildered ninja. "You are mistaken to think that she is this Milea. I think the saké is beginning to cloud your senses, Mister Andrew."
"Hey!" Andrew protested as he groggily stood up. "I may be drunk, but I know a pretty face when I see one! And that one's Milea!"
"Are you implying that I'm lying, Mister Andrew?" Lord Yukio asked calmly as he slowly stood up, his hand on the scabbard of his sword. "I take that as an insult!"
"I'm telling you the truth!" Andrew objected as he angrily slapped the table, rocking it violently. All signs of his drunkenness were gone now, leaving an alert and very agitated Andrew. "I never forget a beautiful face especially one that was as beautiful as Milea's!"
He then looked at Rea almost pleadingly. "Come on, Milea! Stop this nonsense! I can see right through your disguise!" he shouted loud enough for the whole room to hear.
At the mention of the King's long lost adopted sister, the room became silent once more. Everyone knew the story about Milea and how she had run away upon hearing Bastion's proposal to Sadira. No one had seen her since.
"What is this about Milea, Andrew?" Galvas, who was seated at Duke Zeira's table, asked.
"Can't you see?" the ninja replied then pointed at Rea. "That's Milea! I can never forget her face!"
Lord Yukio watched as every eye turned to stare at his advisor. This upstart is more troublesome than I thought!, he mused silently as he tried to figure out a way to steer attention away from his table. My plans will be ruined if they find out now!
As these thoughts went through his head, Lord Alden considered the possibility that the advisor was truly Milea. He remembered that he had rejected the notion because of the woman's cold expression. But there was the possibility that she had turned bitter after that incident. "What do you think, Melior?" he asked his most trusted friend.
Melior remained silent as she collected her thoughts. Then: "She does resemble Milea but I highly doubt that it is she. Look at her. She looks confused as if she doesn't know what's going on."
Lord Alden nodded. "You're right," he said. "It couldn't be her."
Similar conversations were taking place around the room. And all came to the same conclusion as Lord Alden and Melior.
That Rea wasn't Milea.
"Andrew," King Bastion began as he stood up from his throne. He had enough of these interruptions and would soon see them stopped. "I know you miss Milea," he continued and spread his arms, encompassing the whole room. "We all do. But it's impolite to assume that Advisor Rea is Milea. I believe you have insulted our guests with your assumption. Please apologize to them."
"But...!" Andrew began but Bastion's stare halted whatever argument he had in mind. Instead, he turned to the trio and muttered an apology.
"It's quite alright," Lord Yukio smiled as he picked up the saké bottle and handed it to Andrew. "Take this as a sign of our renewed friendship, fellow ninja Andrew."
Andrew grinned, suddenly forgetting his little mishap. "Thanks!" he said gratefully as he snatched the bottle.
Seeing things were calmed down once again, Bastion sat down and the minstrels took that as a sign to start playing once again. The King sighed as he leaned against his chair. He then saw Sadira returning, but she was empty-handed.
"Where's Alugard?" Bastion asked as his wife took her seat next to him.
Sadira pointed towards the Emperor's table as she replied, "With uncle and the old hag." Bastion just nodded and both became silent.
"I think it's time for some entertainment," Bastion suddenly voiced, "to stop these interruptions." He looked at Sadira and almost laughed at her expression. Her eyes were wide and her mouth slightly open in shock. "Don't worry," he reassured his wife. "You won't be singing...not yet anyway. But are you ready for a dance?"
"I guess it's better than singing," Sadira uttered.
"Very well then," Bastion nodded then turned to the minstrels. "Play a waltz," he ordered them.
"As you wish, Your Highness," the conductor obliged before leading the orchestra in an upbeat waltz.
Everyone in the room noticed the change of music and watched as the Royal couple climbed down the platform hand-in-hand. When they reached the floor, they bowed to each other before they began swaying to the music.
"His dancing skill is as astounding as his fighting skill," Duke Zeira commented as he watched the King and Queen whirl about the floor.
A similar comment was being made at Emperor Duyere's table, but it was about the Queen. "I guess all those dances at the military academy paid off," Franco remarked. "Sadira dances with grace."
"She's not the only one that can dance with grace," Arlene stated as she stood up holding Duyere's hand. "Come on, Duyere. Let's join them."
"B-but!" the Emperor protested as his wife dragged him out of his chair and unto the dance floor.
Halak let out a dry chuckle as she moved to get a better view for herself and her great-grandson, who sat on her lap. "Watch, little one," she said with a grin. "Stumble, your uncle will!" Alugard replied by clapping his hands and saying, "Hao, hao!"
Duyere, on the other hand, did not find this amusing. He knew that he was bad at dancing and that he would embarrass himself in front of the other leaders with his clumsiness. Why me?, he thought helplessly as he and his wife began to sway to the music.
Bastion smirked when he saw Duyere and Arlene join him and Sadira on the dance floor. "I see that my plan is working," he noted.
"What plan?" Sadira asked curiously.
Bastion twirled her around before replying, "For the others to join in our dance. Your brother and his wife are dancing with us now and perhaps the others will join too."
Sadira didn't hear the last part of the sentence as the first part was still ringing loudly in her head. "Did you say that Duyere is dancing?" she asked almost inaudibly.
"Yes," Bastion nodded. "Why?"
"I was afraid of that," groaned Sadira. "He's a dancing hazard. It's best if we dance far away unless you want to stumble along with him."
"If you say so, Sadira," the King said as he led his wife away to the other side of the dance floor.
Duyere witnessed the King and Queen whirling away from him and his wife and sighed. Sadira must have warned Bastion about my dancing skills, he thought resignedly. Suddenly, he felt himself lose his balance. But Arlene caught her husband in time. Duyere smiled gratefully and the couple continued their dance.
At Duke Logan's table, Claire had been watching the dance with amusement. "It looks like Sadira totally improved on her dancing," she noted then smirked and added, "But she can never, like, outdance me! Come on, Shion! We're gonna, like, show Sadira how a real waltz is done!"
"As you wish, Claire," Shion obliged as he stood up, took Claire by the hand, and led her to the dancing floor, leaving a very drunken Duke Logan alone at the table.
Lord Yukio watched as another pair entered the dance floor. That made three couples dancing. He then heard a faint growl coming from his side. He turned to see Rea glaring at what seemed to be Bastion and Sadira. Her hand was tightly wrapped around the hilt of her hidden tanto, her knuckles white from lack of blood.
Lord Yukio never saw her in such a state before. He had always perceived Rea as a cold woman that hid and controlled her emotions well. Too well. But now, here she was with the look of murder in her eyes.
Is the Royal couple the source of this woman's anger?, he wondered. Does she seek revenge against them for a wrong they did to her?
Lord Yukio pondered the possibility. The woman did know the layout of the palace they were in; she had informed him of such. And she has knowledge of the other guests in the audience hall; more knowledge than he could ever procure. Lord Yukio rubbed his chin in thought as another question came to mind. Was she once close to the Royal family or to one of them?
He then heard a belch come from Andrew, who had decided to stay at their table even after his little mistake. He then thought back to that incident. Andrew had mistook Rea for a girl named Milea. Lord Yukio glimpsed at the woman next to him, who looked like she was about to spring from her seat.
"Calm down," he told her softly so the drunken ninja across from him couldn't hear. "Do you mind telling me why you are angry?" A glare was his only answer. "Very well," he said, "perhaps I'll glean some much needed information from our friend here."
Lord Yukio then turned to Andrew, who was happily gulping the rest of the contents of the saké bottle. "Mister Andrew," he called out to the drunken ninja.
Andrew looked up blearily and replied, "Huh?"
"I was wondering," Lord Yukio continued, catching a glimpse of another couple joining the dance, "why did you mistake Rea for this Milea?"
"Well," Andrew drawled, "she bearsh a re-mar-ka...ble reshemblench to her..." The ninja chuckled as he took another swig of his bottle.
"Who was she?" Lord Yukio asked, biding his patience. "What happened to her?"
"King Ba-shun's adopted shister." The ninja's speech was becoming impaired due to the saké's influence but Lord Yukio could still understand most of it.
"Left," Andrew continued, "left be-cush Ba-shun married Sha-dira...three...yearsh a-go." The ninja was dismal to find his bottle empty of its contents. He looked at Lord Yukio with bloodshot eyes, pointed at the bottle, and asked, "More?"
Lord Yukio shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, but that was the only bottle I brought with me."
"Aw!" Andrew cried out in disappointment before he shakily stood up. "Might ash well go get ale..."
As Andrew stumbled his way to the kegs, Lord Yukio mulled over the information the drunken ninja had given. "Three years ago," he muttered to himself.
It was three years ago that his scouts had found that bright-colored ATAC--what was it called again?--Amphisia, wandering around his province. And the person who piloted it.
He looked again at the woman sitting next to him. "So your real name is Milea," he stated. Even though it wasn't a question, Rea nodded.
"Then let me guess what your revenge is," Lord Yukio continued. "You loved Bastion more than as a brother. But instead, you were betrayed. You left because you couldn't stand the pain. And now you want to kill the cause of your hurt, your pain of betrayal." He looked at her again for any sign of confirming his story.
Rea only continued to glare at the Royal couple, her tanto sliding out ever so slowly.
"I guess it does," Lord Yukio observed. He then turned his attention back at the dancing couples and noticed one more couple had joined the dance floor raising the total to five couples.
The minstrels were now bringing the waltz to an end as they played the last measure of the song. As the waltz ended, each couple bowed to their partner before returning to their seats to the sound of applause from the others.
Emperor Duyere sighed, grateful to be off the dance floor. He had lost his balance more times than he could count but thanks to Arlene, he didn't fall once. "I think I should like to retire," he murmured as he drank a glass of water.
"Yes," his wife agreed. "It is getting pretty late."
At Duke Logan's table, there was a similar conversation. "I wonder when Bastion's, like, gonna end this little party," Claire wondered. "Dad's already out cold!"
"You're right," Shion nodded then saw the Queen stand. "I think Sadira is about to do something."
"She's probably gonna give a speech or something," Claire guessed.
But her guess was made wrong when the minstrels began playing an upbeat, yet, mellow tune.
Sadira glared at Bastion before facing her audience and began to sing in her rich voice:
To be free
how much anguish will you have to bear?
Sword in hand, swear on the dead
vengeance is soon to come.
Bastion smiled as he saw his guests' stunned expressions as Sadira sang. He had to admit that his wife's voice sounded very heavenly.
Embrace light,
choose the path of just nobility.
"I never knew Sadira could sing," Duyere mused as he listened.
Franco nodded. "She always sings Prince Alugard to sleep," he explained. "But the talent seemed to come naturally to her."
Past the dark,
there's a future bright and new,
if you just choose to see it.
Alugard's eyes began to droop as he yawned and snuggled deep in Halak's arms. The old woman rocked her great-grandson as they both listened to Sadira's song.
Beating within, the hope resides deep in your soul
Heed that emotion true
And believe there must be more.
Rea had slid her tanto further out when she saw the Queen standing alone. But as Sadira sang, her grip on the small blade loosened and she slid the knife back into its hidden scabbard. The lyrics to the song seemed to be reaching out to her, seemed to be awakening some hidden feeling she had buried deep in her heart.
Ahhhhh, there is a truth we must believe
To find the strength to follow through
Binding the fear within
as we press on toward the future-now.
The rest of the guests remained completely enthralled by Sadira's melodic voice, but there was one who was troubled by it.
Lord Yukio took a glimpse of his advisor and noticed that her expression had changed from hatred to something else. He also noticed that she no longer gripped her tanto. It seemed the song was reaching out to the girl's warmth that she had tucked away three years ago.
This made Lord Yukio worried. If Rea were to return to being Milea, then he would lose his trump card. It was through the girl's knowledge of the other nations that he could effectively formulate his plans. To lose such knowledge would be disastrous. Even the two male prisoners did not harbor as much knowledge.
He would need to keep a close eye on her and if necessary, remind her of her vengeance.
So, follow the voice within your soul
Leading you to that lofty goal.
Spreading your wings is just the start.
All that you must do is free your heart.
The song ended and Sadira was showered with applause afterwards. The Queen hadn't expected such a reaction and so she only smiled shyly as she bowed slightly.
Bastion then stood up, beaming, as he stood next to his wife. "See?" he whispered to her. "Everyone enjoyed your song. Now it's time to bring this party to a close."
"But, Bastion," Sadira protested, "the cake--"
"Hasn't been cut yet," Bastion finished. "I know, but what's the point of cutting the cake when the celebrant is sleeping." He gestured towards Halak, who was rocking the sleeping Alugard.
Sadira nodded, seeing his point.
The King then raised his arms to quell the applause that had not cease since the song had ended. "My friends," he began as soon as the applause had died down, "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I must bring this party to a close. It is pretty late and I would like to find my bed."
Then there came a very loud snore from Duke Logan. Bastion chuckled. "I think Duke Logan agrees with me!" he exclaimed. The others laughed at his little joke. "You are welcomed to remain here at the palace until you feel the need to return home," the King continued. "The guest rooms have been furnished. Franco shall escort you to them."
And with that said, the Prince's birthday party came to a close.
***
The slender crescent moon stood high over the Royal Capital like an eye that watched sleepily, too tired to shed light. To compensate for the lack of light, huge braziers were burning at certain intervals around the palace. A night breeze rustled through the surrounding trees countering the babbling of the moat that surrounded the palace. The air was filled with chirping crickets and an occasional croak of a frog, the croak more akin to a whistle. The ATACs on duty stood at their posts, but were lax in keeping watch.
The leaders of the nations of the Continent were within palace walls, sleeping comfortably. And peace has ruled over the Continent for five years. They were safe and all was well.
Norugan was glad for the lack of light as he climbed the east wall that surrounded the palace. As long as he blended in with the shadows, he would not be seen making his task much easier. He finally climbed to the top and silently jumped down the other side, quickly pressing his back towards the wall to avoid detection.
The man saw the palace close by but knew that he had to cross the moat that ran around it. He carefully noted that a Barazaph ATAC was assigned to this area, but was not troubled by it, being very confident in his skills of stealth.
He made a few calculations before sprinting silently for the moat. Norugan hid in a nearby brush as he pulled out a tube of bamboo. He then went to the moat that was full of water lilies. He took one, placed one end of the tube in his mouth, and entered the moat with the water lily above his head. He swam to the other side as he continued to remain hidden beneath the plant, breathing through the tube.
When he reached the other side, he abandoned the plant and replaced the bamboo tube. He then pulled out the kagi-nawa, a climbing tool used to scale walls, bind captured foes, or to lay traps. Right now, he was going to use it to climb the wall that stood before him. Norugan swung it above him and climbed swiftly up the chain. He now overlooked the courtyard of the palace.
Norugan took note of the Ultragunner standing in the middle and two guards standing at the entrance to the palace. He walked along the wall to the north until he was facing the guards to the side. And his destination.
A balcony jutted out before him. He carefully threw his kagi-nawa at the railing of the balcony and swung towards it, his momentum carrying towards and up until he landed on the railing itself. He looked down again at the courtyard before stepping onto the balcony.
The glass doors was, of course, locked but Norugan found it easy to pick it. He carefully slipped inside and stared around.
There was very little light but his eyes adjusted well in the dark. He saw the King and Queen in each other's arms on the bed beneath the blankets, and the Prince in his cradle at the foot of the bed. All was sound asleep, pacified by the rowdy celebration. Norugan smiled and tiptoed his way to the cradle. He lifted the Prince gently, and when the child stirred, stroked a chubby cheek, the tuft of red hair. It was tempting to kill the Royal couple now, to feel their blood flowing hot between his fingers, but he resisted that, knowing their dying cries might give him away and earn the displeasure of his Master. So he only took the Prince and sneaked out.
He hugged the child to him as he made his escape from the palace. Norugan smiled once he was outside the outer walls, carrying the Prince off to where his ATAC waited.
Translation Notes:
tanto: a dagger
saké: (pronounced: sah-keh) an alcoholic beverage popular in Japan
soo ka: I see, Is that so?
daijoobu: It's okay, That's alright, That's okay
wakarimasen: I don't understand
Author's Note: Yeah, the song Sadira sang was from the game. I always pictured her singing it. And that, as they say, is that.