Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne
A/N Alrighty we finally get to meet King Perlis and sorry read over the last chapter and there grammar mistakes and all that I'll revise it soon, enjoy! I'll try to make sure this one is better with the grammar and words and such
King of the Serpent Race
Forbidden and horrific sounds echoed off the walls of the critter-infested dungeon. Hitomi felt as if she would retch soon and currently focused on breathing, not too much mind you due to the foul smell floating in the barred cell. Slow breaths were regulating her heartbeat though and the failed attempts to calm herself only resulted in her own exhaustion. So Hitomi left her thoughts drift to Van and she found her delicate fingers retracing her lips. This wonderful memory proved to be her only escape in the dark hole. She only remembered lush leaves and firm branches hitting her head and cutting her pale skin. The gecko had jumped to quick whether on purpose or by mistake she couldn't tell nor did it matter either way her head had made a painful collision with a very intimidating, very powerful branch rendering her unconscious.
When Hitomi had come to she wished she had remained under, the pleasant dreams of Fanelia, friends and Van were relaxing. Now she was wide-awake and positive that something had crawled through her hair. Her frail body was shaking as she made a futile attempt to avoid the creatures slithering on the ground by standing up. Thankfully just as she felt her emeralds slide shut preparing to let loose a deadly scream the massive steel door gave a loud shriek and swung open.
It was him.
The intruder who had attempted to cut Van up was standing before her with a kind of smile mixed with pity.
"Come on little lady lets get you washed up, I told him it was disgusting down here" the voice seemed to have soften at seeing Hitomi's scared condition
Hitomi almost felt comfortable around him. Almost. He had still kidnapped her and hauled her off into some war stricken country away from Van. And Merle would be pissed beyond belief. Hitomi took a shaky step forward and then bolt into a sprint until she was safe on the other side of the door. The male gecko, her kidnapper, reached for her arm but she angrily jerked it away and smacked his hand narrowing her eyes to give him a dangerous frown. The gecko threw up his hands in surrender.
"I'm really sorry I was only going to get that off"
Hitomi looked down to see one of the cell bugs resting on her arm. She swallowed the large lump in her throat, resisted the urge to pass out from the touch and smell and flicked the bug off her arm. Shifting her gaze back to the gecko she calmly took a deep breath and then folded her arms in front of her.
"Once we get upstairs there are some maids that will show you to your room. After you've cleaned up King Perlis wants to see you"
"Tell him to go to hell" Hitomi replied curtly, after a second or two she realized what she had said and almost couldn't believe she had said the like. She was just so angry at all the trouble this King had caused her mouth was beginning to work on it's on.
The gecko simply laughed and turned her around towards the stairs. "I value my head thank you"
Once Hitomi reached the top of the stairs she blinked at the sudden light piercing the room, the sun was slowly setting. She was greeted by two young human girls dressed in simple brown dresses. One was a tall girl with curly brown hair pulled back into a braid, she smiled at Hitomi. "My name is Catalina, pleased to meet you Seeress"
The other was a short girl with long straight golden hair, "Hello, My name is Danielle, please follow me"
Hitomi nodded and before she realized what she had done found her heel grinding into the gecko's foot. The gecko yelped in pain and managed to jerk his foot out from under Hitomi's heel. Hitomi simply ignored the curses and followed the giggling maids.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, traveling through halls and up dark staircases. Finally Hitomi was ushered to a small wooden door.
"We're sorry Lady Hitomi but this is all we can offer for now" Danielle apologized
"Thank you very much it's perfect" Hitomi smiled
"Lady be careful, and don't hesitate to call. Some of us remain faithful to King Erant, he is alive Lady and will return soon"
Hitomi furrowed her brows in confusion "What?' she questioned
Catalina opened her door and gestured for her to step in "The rightful ruler of Telan, we have word he escaped to the forest just behind Fanelia. He met with Lord Van and Lord Van said he'd help him. This is only rumor but we can always hope"
Hitomi felt the guilt wash over her again, Van and been helping all along.
"Don't worry, King Erant will return soon until then please do not stir Perlis's anger he can become powerfully angry and violent."
Hitomi nodded a thanks and the maids left her to the warm bath. Hitomi stripped the smelly clothes and slipped into the steamy water.
"Hope," she muttered to herself "Yes there is still hope"
Van repeatedly smashed his fists into the couch cushions. His temper was raging and he couldn't do anything but let his anger get the best of him. He was helpless! He was powerless to do anything lest he screw up all hope for joining the countries against Telan. Merle hadn't returned from her meeting leaving Van without any contact outside of his bleak room. He couldn't leave the room and sneak away for fear Merle would be thrown into a frenzy and have everyone this side of Gaea looking for him by sunset, there by ruining their secret. He couldn't just call for Merle or Allen either because that would blow their cover as well. He was trapped and not enjoying it. Forcefully he kicked the couch sending the piece of furniture sprawling on it's side and sliding a few feet. By now he didn't care if the guards heard him they hadn't made a sound so he assumed they had left. Still it made no difference his mind was so cluttered with rage he couldn't see straight.
When he got his hands on that gecko, it would take years for him to die from his tortures. Forget hiring someone he was going to take care of it personally!
Merle sunk into the chair even lower and moaned in frustration.
'Will they ever shut up!?' her mind screamed as the council members continued to drag out the conversation
Merle was considering what to do after the meeting, that thought at least brought a smile. She at first wanted to sprint back to Hitomi but figured Van would want some time alone with her and had decided to leave them alone till dinner time. Right now on the top of her list, scratching out the advisors eyes was becoming more appealing by the moment. But Merle just heaved a sigh and propped her head on her fury arms and continued to listen.
Allen supervised the loading of the cargo and smiled as Gaddes strolled by to head to the bridge. His friend had heard of Allen's arrival and immediately set out to find him. Allen happily added him to the crew and Merle saw that he was Allen's assistant in the diplomatic matters.
Celena was still slumping over the rail staring off at the castle. Allen strolled over and pulled his sister into a hug.
"You aren't still upset are you?" he comforted
"Not really" Celena hesitated "I just have a bad feeling about something, I think we should go check on Van"
"Don't worry Celena he has guards and he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself and I'm sure he wants to be alone with Hitomi right now"
'Being alone is what's got me on edge' she thought to herself. Allen had told her of the gecko's sneaking into the room often and ever since then the thought of leaving anyone alone in the castle had her nervous.
Merle bounced down the halls smiling at her escape. She had finally found an opening in the conversation and called the meeting to and end. They could talk tomorrow, for now dinner was almost here and she wanted to steal Hitomi from Van, it was her turn anyways she had left them alone for at least 4 hours now!
Practically tripping over the long tasseled carpets Merle ran up to Van's door. The guards were down the hall a ways and wouldn't see Merle come in. Merle's grin doubled in size as she opened the door whispering for Hitomi.
"Alright Van-Sama my turn to take Hitomi!" she squealed
Focusing on the room she gasped in terror and began to frantically scan the area. The couch was flipped over and had rips from repeated battering. The rugs were thrown around in disarray and the room looked almost in shambles as if there had been a struggle. Quickly she found Van leaning against the wall in a corner. His eyes snapped open the moment Merle burst in.
"Merle!" he cried out then lowering his voice.
The cat queen shut the door and walked to the middle of the room. "What happened?!" she demanded
"You're here now I'm leaving" Van stated grabbing his sword and heading for the window
"Not without an explanation!" she screeched
Van turned and Merle froze at his eyes, he looked livid.
"Van where is Hitomi?" Merle asked
"A stupid gecko came, I was unprepared and vulnerable" this was followed by curses about only two that Merle actually picked up. "He took Hitomi to King Perlis about 5 minutes after you three left this morning! And it's practically nightfall! I'm going to get her"
Merle stood there stunned, this was definetely not a good thing.
"Not alone" she countered
"Yes alone, no one will know besides I need to get out of here I'm sick of being cooped up in this room. Take care of home while I'm gone" he threw over his shoulder before jumping to the windowsill.
Merle felt the anger rise in her own blood as the truth finally sunk in. Those low lives had taken Hitomi!!! Her eyes glazed over with fury and she felt her claws extend pass the fur.
"Merle don't forget King Erant and his soldiers are still in the forest, some more food should be sent to them about now."
Merle felt her shoulders drop and the hair flatten, she had almost forgot to send the food today. Merle cursed under her breath and nodded to Van. But as he jumped on the roof she bounded to the window immediately regretting taking her eyes off him, she didn't like him going alone but she knew he had too.
Merle felt her sisterly instincts kick in and she grabbed his shirt, he was her only tie to any sort of family and she loved him as her brother dearly. She didn't know what would happen if he died. Her eyes softened and she pulled him into a hug.
"Be careful brother" Van smiled, she had given up on the title for a while.
"Don't worry I'll be back just make sure our home doesn't fall apart by the time I get back okay?"
Merle solemnly nodded "Bring Hitomi back safely"
Van smiled "Of course" and with that he turned and slid down the roof silently leaping from window to window making sure not to catch the guards attention.
Merle rested her arms on the windowsill for a few minutes as she watched her brother's figure disappear into the forest heading towards Telan.
'Good, he made it past the guards' she assured herself
Then she realized she had a lot to do and bolted out of the room, through the royal wing and down the stairs. The council thankfully was currently arguing about something walking through the entrance hall.
"In the meeting room now!" Merle ordered and dashed out into the courtyard.
Gaddes was walking across the courtyard actually going to get Merle. Allen had told him about the whole ordeal and how Van was supposedly dead because unfortunately his plan to rid Telan of Perlis had failed. Gaddes grunted as he grabbed the person who just rammed into him.
"Whoa!" Gaddes pulled the person up to face him "Merle! Hey I was coming to get you"
"Gaddes let me go I have to get to Allen! It's about Hitomi!" she screeched
Gaddes let her go but frowned at her "I was sent to come get you and what's wrong with Hitomi" Gaddes lowered his voice to avoid attention "Isn't she with Van?"
"Not anymore one of Perlis's stupid subjects kidnapped her" Merle hissed
Gaddes's eyes grew and he growled in frustration
"As if this situation couldn't get any worse" he muttered and darted off after Merle who had again broke into a run to find the Crusade.
Allen leaned back against one of the large oak trees and closed his eyes. Gaddes should have been back with Merle by now.
"Allen!!!" Allen's eyes snapped open at Merle's distressed voice
'Great' Allen growled to himself 'Something's wrong'
Merle and Gaddes skidded to a halt in front of him. "What's wrong?" Allen questioned
"One of Perlis's goons kidnapped Hitomi and Van just left to get her" Merle spilled
"What!?!" Allen roared
"I'm going to gather King Erant and the rest of his army hiding the forest and bring them inside. You'll have to hurry to the major countries get them to send soldiers because I'm declaring war on King Perlis and I have a feeling Van is going to need our help soon."
Allen rolled his neck skywards and growled things just kept getting better. Nodding his head he started heading up the ramp into the Crusade.
"Celena let's go!" Up on the bridge Celena nodded to her brother and started giving out orders
Gaddes ran up alongside Allen and the two made it into the ship just as the ramp closed. Merle waved and then raced back to the castle as the Crusade took off past the forest.
The guards blinked as Merle rushed past them again and bounded up the stairs to the inner halls of the castle. Bursting into the council room she stopped to catch her breath and the marched to the front of the table.
"We are declaring war on King Perlis, King Erant is hiding in the Fanelian Forests and he has half his army with him. He can get the other half once we arrive in Telan. King Perlis is too much of a threat and one of his gecko creeps captured Hitomi"
Collective gasps and chatter spread. Merle let them gossip for a minute allowing her breathing to regain it's regular patter.
"Your majesty the seeress of the mystic moon?" one council member asked
"Yes, she returned to Fanelia with Allen today"
Merle was glad she was sitting for this because for once the council members cooperated.
"King Perlis has been a threat and it's good to hear that his majesty Erant lives, we'll have the troops ready by tomorrow morning" a young council member assured Merle
"Good"
Another member stood up "Lady will it be Fanelia entering alone?"
"Allen is spreading word and I'm assuming troops from Austria should be joining us soon. He's heading to the large countries first and troops should be heading soon."
"Lady perhaps we should wait a day to give the troops time to head there. Fanelia can reach Telan within hours."
Merle's lip twitched in anger but she calmed her self, they did have a point. Merle hissed to herself in frustration.
"You're right I'll bring in King Erant and his soldiers we'll leave for Telan when Austria soldiers get here. They should pass through here before heading for Telan."
"Wise decision Lady"
Merle just jumped back up.
"Well see to your jobs! We're going to battle men!"
Merle fast walked out of the room and sped to the forest, her body was beginning to scream because of the physical abuse but Merle continued running.
Hitomi threw on the dark red dress sprawled out on the bed. She wouldn't have considered it except that her clothes were just to disgusting to look at. After she slipped into it she looked herself over in the mirror surprisingly it fit her perfectly. The long maroon sleeves had slits running from the shoulder to the elbow, the long flowing skirt parted with a slit half way up her thigh. It was topped off with a low cut V-neck. Hitomi grimaced at how revealing the dress was, King Perlis was no doubt a pervert.
However it was better than her likely still infested clothes. So slipping on the black slippers set by the bed she dried her hair with the towel one more time and stepped outside confident she looked somewhat presentable, not that she cared.
Danielle and Catalina smiled at her, "You're very beautiful Lady" Danielle complimented
"Please just Hitomi" Hitomi corrected
"Very well you look wonderful Hitomi" Catalina smiled "Come on you'll want to get this over with, he's not the best company"
"Don't talk a lot if it finally bores him you might be able to just get away" Danielle advised
Hitomi nodded and followed the girls through the dark twisted halls. "I'm assuming it was brighter before Perlis came?" Hitomi inquired
"Very" Danielle supplied "The windows are always open and it smelled wonderful in spring, sometimes the birds would even come inside and fly through the halls." The young maid was smiling
"We had plants hanging from the ceiling and tapestries everywhere but Perlis burned them and covered the windows." Danielle frowned at the memory
Hitomi felt the anger swell up again. This guy was a real jerk for lack of a better term at the moment. Hitomi was lost in thought or rather anger and didn't realize the girls had stopped. Their smiles had vanished and they glared at the door.
"Good Luck Hitomi" Danielle said bowing her head and backing away
"Please be careful" Catalina added bowing and turning away
Hitomi took a deep breath and pushed the large doors open to the throne room. Hitomi felt her stomach jump as coldness wrapped around her. At first the icy air curled around her waist and had Hitomi shivering. She thought it was her imagination but soon to her horror she found the dark force pulling her inside the room. The doors slammed and locked behind her.
That foul smell had returned and Hitomi grimaced as the thick coat of stench swirled around her senses. The strong wind was wrapping around her legs and slowly smothering her. Hitomi didn't have time to react before it jerked her down to the ground. Hitomi grunted at the impact and froze when she heard a deep sadistic laugh. Hitomi managed to get into a position to where her head was up and scanning the room. It didn't matter though, even if this invisible barrier weren't covering her the room had been thrown into total darkness.
"Hitomi isn't it?" the voice slithered throw the shadows
Hitomi shuddered at the voice. The icy force gripping down on her slowly began squeezing her ribs timidly beginning to cut off her air supply.
"King Perlis I presume?" Hitomi shot back
"Charmed" the voice cackled
Hitomi resisted against the pull but found her body being dragged across the floor to Perlis no doubt.
"So you're the dragons weakness" the king spat venomously
"Not really" Hitomi gasped beginning to feel light headed due to the lack of oxygen her lungs were receiving.
"Stubborn too, I must say you are a beauty" the voice slithered again but this time Hitomi felt someone slide across her neck and she shuddered in disgust.
"Don't touch me!" she ordered
The King just cackled again. Hitomi continued struggling against the icy cage surrounding her body. Sweat slowly dripped down her forehead, her body was fighting to keep conscious. She couldn't see what was gripping her but if felt simply like nothing! It was air! Suddenly Hitomi reeled back at the light. Emerald orbs focused and Hitomi gasped at the sight. There on a large spiked chair sat….a man! He was tall, muscular with spiky brown hair and chocolate eyes. His callused hand was currently tracing her jawbone and the longing look in his eyes had Hitomi on the brim of all out panic.
He had lit a torch next to his throne and made a gesture with his hand for her to stand up and she felt the airtight magic grip her body and roughly jerk her upwards loosening its grip on her lungs a little. Hitomi shook her head to focus her vision as oxygen poured into her lungs.
"You're…a man" she gasped
"That I am Lady, my fellow comrades were simply picked up on my journey here."
"What do you want with me?" Hitomi demanded relenting to the invisible cage trapping her.
The rich laughter filled the eerie room and Hitomi cringed at his touch violently shaking his hand off her neck.
"You my dear are something Van holds very close to his heart"
"And how can you be sure!" Hitomi shot back
"I have my ways, call it a talent of mine. And you dear are going to simply be bait for his majesty. I know he isn't dead, my messengers never returned it's all a masquerade to get the countries on Fanelia's side and attack me"
Hitomi stood there silent. She gasped at the sudden pull as the magic that Perlis seemed to be controlling dragged her closer to him. Hitomi shuddered as Perlis rose from his throne and walked towards her. He stopped a hands length from her and Hitomi squirmed desperately trying to put distance between herself and the man.
"Magic remains another talent of mine lady you're wasting your energy" Perlis smiled as Hitomi glared at him and continued to struggle
"Let me go!" Hitomi demanded
"In due time" Perlis laughed the evil glint in his eyes sparkling " I have use for you, this won't hurt if you relax."
Hitomi smirked "Like I'll cooperate with you"
"You're simply becoming acquainted with another gift of mine" Perlis smirked evilly and ran his hands over her silky hair. Hitomi felt the tears rush to the rim of her eyes, she couldn't do anything to defend herself. 'Van…' her mind cried out
'I'm afraid you're love isn't coming' the evil voice echoed off the walls of her mind
Hitomi's eyes grew wide and Perlis nodded his head the smirk still plastered on his face.
'This is the talent you're going to get acquainted with dear, I've been blessed with the gift to read and control minds' Perlis's voice rang throughout the recesses of her mind
Hitomi felt the fear grip her heart, she knew what was coming but it sill hurt. The cold claws dug into the deep regions of her mind and slowly cut lines here and there. He was taking hold of her mind and she was powerless to stop him a few more strands of thought and she'd have to act upon his every whim. The idea of this man controlling her made Hitomi cry out in pain.
Her scream pierced the darkness accompanied by his deep dark laughter. He left one strand open to Hitomi so she could sit helplessly in the regions of her thoughts and watch as he used her to his liking. Hitomi curled up in the corners of her mind as the lively spark vanished from her emerald eyes. The magic cage dissipated and Hitomi's body didn't move, Hitomi could only watch through her eyes as Perlis smiled.
"Now my lovely, let us take a walk I believe your friends, if not your love will be arriving soon."
Perlis gripped her arm and Hitomi watched in horror as her lips curved into a devious smile and her body leaned up against the King's. Perlis smiled and hugged Hitomi close to him. She prayed she could somehow stop this, if Van saw it he would lose it. The influenced Hitomi walked out of the throne room curled up next to Perlis. The only reasonable part of her thoughts left crying into the darkness.
"Help…"
A/N And when I said he Perlis was going to use Hitomi to his liking I meant like to manipulate Van and Merle and the others not like for himself!! eewww
A/N Alrighty we finally get to meet King Perlis and sorry read over the last chapter and there grammar mistakes and all that I'll revise it soon, enjoy! I'll try to make sure this one is better with the grammar and words and such
King of the Serpent Race
Forbidden and horrific sounds echoed off the walls of the critter-infested dungeon. Hitomi felt as if she would retch soon and currently focused on breathing, not too much mind you due to the foul smell floating in the barred cell. Slow breaths were regulating her heartbeat though and the failed attempts to calm herself only resulted in her own exhaustion. So Hitomi left her thoughts drift to Van and she found her delicate fingers retracing her lips. This wonderful memory proved to be her only escape in the dark hole. She only remembered lush leaves and firm branches hitting her head and cutting her pale skin. The gecko had jumped to quick whether on purpose or by mistake she couldn't tell nor did it matter either way her head had made a painful collision with a very intimidating, very powerful branch rendering her unconscious.
When Hitomi had come to she wished she had remained under, the pleasant dreams of Fanelia, friends and Van were relaxing. Now she was wide-awake and positive that something had crawled through her hair. Her frail body was shaking as she made a futile attempt to avoid the creatures slithering on the ground by standing up. Thankfully just as she felt her emeralds slide shut preparing to let loose a deadly scream the massive steel door gave a loud shriek and swung open.
It was him.
The intruder who had attempted to cut Van up was standing before her with a kind of smile mixed with pity.
"Come on little lady lets get you washed up, I told him it was disgusting down here" the voice seemed to have soften at seeing Hitomi's scared condition
Hitomi almost felt comfortable around him. Almost. He had still kidnapped her and hauled her off into some war stricken country away from Van. And Merle would be pissed beyond belief. Hitomi took a shaky step forward and then bolt into a sprint until she was safe on the other side of the door. The male gecko, her kidnapper, reached for her arm but she angrily jerked it away and smacked his hand narrowing her eyes to give him a dangerous frown. The gecko threw up his hands in surrender.
"I'm really sorry I was only going to get that off"
Hitomi looked down to see one of the cell bugs resting on her arm. She swallowed the large lump in her throat, resisted the urge to pass out from the touch and smell and flicked the bug off her arm. Shifting her gaze back to the gecko she calmly took a deep breath and then folded her arms in front of her.
"Once we get upstairs there are some maids that will show you to your room. After you've cleaned up King Perlis wants to see you"
"Tell him to go to hell" Hitomi replied curtly, after a second or two she realized what she had said and almost couldn't believe she had said the like. She was just so angry at all the trouble this King had caused her mouth was beginning to work on it's on.
The gecko simply laughed and turned her around towards the stairs. "I value my head thank you"
Once Hitomi reached the top of the stairs she blinked at the sudden light piercing the room, the sun was slowly setting. She was greeted by two young human girls dressed in simple brown dresses. One was a tall girl with curly brown hair pulled back into a braid, she smiled at Hitomi. "My name is Catalina, pleased to meet you Seeress"
The other was a short girl with long straight golden hair, "Hello, My name is Danielle, please follow me"
Hitomi nodded and before she realized what she had done found her heel grinding into the gecko's foot. The gecko yelped in pain and managed to jerk his foot out from under Hitomi's heel. Hitomi simply ignored the curses and followed the giggling maids.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, traveling through halls and up dark staircases. Finally Hitomi was ushered to a small wooden door.
"We're sorry Lady Hitomi but this is all we can offer for now" Danielle apologized
"Thank you very much it's perfect" Hitomi smiled
"Lady be careful, and don't hesitate to call. Some of us remain faithful to King Erant, he is alive Lady and will return soon"
Hitomi furrowed her brows in confusion "What?' she questioned
Catalina opened her door and gestured for her to step in "The rightful ruler of Telan, we have word he escaped to the forest just behind Fanelia. He met with Lord Van and Lord Van said he'd help him. This is only rumor but we can always hope"
Hitomi felt the guilt wash over her again, Van and been helping all along.
"Don't worry, King Erant will return soon until then please do not stir Perlis's anger he can become powerfully angry and violent."
Hitomi nodded a thanks and the maids left her to the warm bath. Hitomi stripped the smelly clothes and slipped into the steamy water.
"Hope," she muttered to herself "Yes there is still hope"
Van repeatedly smashed his fists into the couch cushions. His temper was raging and he couldn't do anything but let his anger get the best of him. He was helpless! He was powerless to do anything lest he screw up all hope for joining the countries against Telan. Merle hadn't returned from her meeting leaving Van without any contact outside of his bleak room. He couldn't leave the room and sneak away for fear Merle would be thrown into a frenzy and have everyone this side of Gaea looking for him by sunset, there by ruining their secret. He couldn't just call for Merle or Allen either because that would blow their cover as well. He was trapped and not enjoying it. Forcefully he kicked the couch sending the piece of furniture sprawling on it's side and sliding a few feet. By now he didn't care if the guards heard him they hadn't made a sound so he assumed they had left. Still it made no difference his mind was so cluttered with rage he couldn't see straight.
When he got his hands on that gecko, it would take years for him to die from his tortures. Forget hiring someone he was going to take care of it personally!
Merle sunk into the chair even lower and moaned in frustration.
'Will they ever shut up!?' her mind screamed as the council members continued to drag out the conversation
Merle was considering what to do after the meeting, that thought at least brought a smile. She at first wanted to sprint back to Hitomi but figured Van would want some time alone with her and had decided to leave them alone till dinner time. Right now on the top of her list, scratching out the advisors eyes was becoming more appealing by the moment. But Merle just heaved a sigh and propped her head on her fury arms and continued to listen.
Allen supervised the loading of the cargo and smiled as Gaddes strolled by to head to the bridge. His friend had heard of Allen's arrival and immediately set out to find him. Allen happily added him to the crew and Merle saw that he was Allen's assistant in the diplomatic matters.
Celena was still slumping over the rail staring off at the castle. Allen strolled over and pulled his sister into a hug.
"You aren't still upset are you?" he comforted
"Not really" Celena hesitated "I just have a bad feeling about something, I think we should go check on Van"
"Don't worry Celena he has guards and he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself and I'm sure he wants to be alone with Hitomi right now"
'Being alone is what's got me on edge' she thought to herself. Allen had told her of the gecko's sneaking into the room often and ever since then the thought of leaving anyone alone in the castle had her nervous.
Merle bounced down the halls smiling at her escape. She had finally found an opening in the conversation and called the meeting to and end. They could talk tomorrow, for now dinner was almost here and she wanted to steal Hitomi from Van, it was her turn anyways she had left them alone for at least 4 hours now!
Practically tripping over the long tasseled carpets Merle ran up to Van's door. The guards were down the hall a ways and wouldn't see Merle come in. Merle's grin doubled in size as she opened the door whispering for Hitomi.
"Alright Van-Sama my turn to take Hitomi!" she squealed
Focusing on the room she gasped in terror and began to frantically scan the area. The couch was flipped over and had rips from repeated battering. The rugs were thrown around in disarray and the room looked almost in shambles as if there had been a struggle. Quickly she found Van leaning against the wall in a corner. His eyes snapped open the moment Merle burst in.
"Merle!" he cried out then lowering his voice.
The cat queen shut the door and walked to the middle of the room. "What happened?!" she demanded
"You're here now I'm leaving" Van stated grabbing his sword and heading for the window
"Not without an explanation!" she screeched
Van turned and Merle froze at his eyes, he looked livid.
"Van where is Hitomi?" Merle asked
"A stupid gecko came, I was unprepared and vulnerable" this was followed by curses about only two that Merle actually picked up. "He took Hitomi to King Perlis about 5 minutes after you three left this morning! And it's practically nightfall! I'm going to get her"
Merle stood there stunned, this was definetely not a good thing.
"Not alone" she countered
"Yes alone, no one will know besides I need to get out of here I'm sick of being cooped up in this room. Take care of home while I'm gone" he threw over his shoulder before jumping to the windowsill.
Merle felt the anger rise in her own blood as the truth finally sunk in. Those low lives had taken Hitomi!!! Her eyes glazed over with fury and she felt her claws extend pass the fur.
"Merle don't forget King Erant and his soldiers are still in the forest, some more food should be sent to them about now."
Merle felt her shoulders drop and the hair flatten, she had almost forgot to send the food today. Merle cursed under her breath and nodded to Van. But as he jumped on the roof she bounded to the window immediately regretting taking her eyes off him, she didn't like him going alone but she knew he had too.
Merle felt her sisterly instincts kick in and she grabbed his shirt, he was her only tie to any sort of family and she loved him as her brother dearly. She didn't know what would happen if he died. Her eyes softened and she pulled him into a hug.
"Be careful brother" Van smiled, she had given up on the title for a while.
"Don't worry I'll be back just make sure our home doesn't fall apart by the time I get back okay?"
Merle solemnly nodded "Bring Hitomi back safely"
Van smiled "Of course" and with that he turned and slid down the roof silently leaping from window to window making sure not to catch the guards attention.
Merle rested her arms on the windowsill for a few minutes as she watched her brother's figure disappear into the forest heading towards Telan.
'Good, he made it past the guards' she assured herself
Then she realized she had a lot to do and bolted out of the room, through the royal wing and down the stairs. The council thankfully was currently arguing about something walking through the entrance hall.
"In the meeting room now!" Merle ordered and dashed out into the courtyard.
Gaddes was walking across the courtyard actually going to get Merle. Allen had told him about the whole ordeal and how Van was supposedly dead because unfortunately his plan to rid Telan of Perlis had failed. Gaddes grunted as he grabbed the person who just rammed into him.
"Whoa!" Gaddes pulled the person up to face him "Merle! Hey I was coming to get you"
"Gaddes let me go I have to get to Allen! It's about Hitomi!" she screeched
Gaddes let her go but frowned at her "I was sent to come get you and what's wrong with Hitomi" Gaddes lowered his voice to avoid attention "Isn't she with Van?"
"Not anymore one of Perlis's stupid subjects kidnapped her" Merle hissed
Gaddes's eyes grew and he growled in frustration
"As if this situation couldn't get any worse" he muttered and darted off after Merle who had again broke into a run to find the Crusade.
Allen leaned back against one of the large oak trees and closed his eyes. Gaddes should have been back with Merle by now.
"Allen!!!" Allen's eyes snapped open at Merle's distressed voice
'Great' Allen growled to himself 'Something's wrong'
Merle and Gaddes skidded to a halt in front of him. "What's wrong?" Allen questioned
"One of Perlis's goons kidnapped Hitomi and Van just left to get her" Merle spilled
"What!?!" Allen roared
"I'm going to gather King Erant and the rest of his army hiding the forest and bring them inside. You'll have to hurry to the major countries get them to send soldiers because I'm declaring war on King Perlis and I have a feeling Van is going to need our help soon."
Allen rolled his neck skywards and growled things just kept getting better. Nodding his head he started heading up the ramp into the Crusade.
"Celena let's go!" Up on the bridge Celena nodded to her brother and started giving out orders
Gaddes ran up alongside Allen and the two made it into the ship just as the ramp closed. Merle waved and then raced back to the castle as the Crusade took off past the forest.
The guards blinked as Merle rushed past them again and bounded up the stairs to the inner halls of the castle. Bursting into the council room she stopped to catch her breath and the marched to the front of the table.
"We are declaring war on King Perlis, King Erant is hiding in the Fanelian Forests and he has half his army with him. He can get the other half once we arrive in Telan. King Perlis is too much of a threat and one of his gecko creeps captured Hitomi"
Collective gasps and chatter spread. Merle let them gossip for a minute allowing her breathing to regain it's regular patter.
"Your majesty the seeress of the mystic moon?" one council member asked
"Yes, she returned to Fanelia with Allen today"
Merle was glad she was sitting for this because for once the council members cooperated.
"King Perlis has been a threat and it's good to hear that his majesty Erant lives, we'll have the troops ready by tomorrow morning" a young council member assured Merle
"Good"
Another member stood up "Lady will it be Fanelia entering alone?"
"Allen is spreading word and I'm assuming troops from Austria should be joining us soon. He's heading to the large countries first and troops should be heading soon."
"Lady perhaps we should wait a day to give the troops time to head there. Fanelia can reach Telan within hours."
Merle's lip twitched in anger but she calmed her self, they did have a point. Merle hissed to herself in frustration.
"You're right I'll bring in King Erant and his soldiers we'll leave for Telan when Austria soldiers get here. They should pass through here before heading for Telan."
"Wise decision Lady"
Merle just jumped back up.
"Well see to your jobs! We're going to battle men!"
Merle fast walked out of the room and sped to the forest, her body was beginning to scream because of the physical abuse but Merle continued running.
Hitomi threw on the dark red dress sprawled out on the bed. She wouldn't have considered it except that her clothes were just to disgusting to look at. After she slipped into it she looked herself over in the mirror surprisingly it fit her perfectly. The long maroon sleeves had slits running from the shoulder to the elbow, the long flowing skirt parted with a slit half way up her thigh. It was topped off with a low cut V-neck. Hitomi grimaced at how revealing the dress was, King Perlis was no doubt a pervert.
However it was better than her likely still infested clothes. So slipping on the black slippers set by the bed she dried her hair with the towel one more time and stepped outside confident she looked somewhat presentable, not that she cared.
Danielle and Catalina smiled at her, "You're very beautiful Lady" Danielle complimented
"Please just Hitomi" Hitomi corrected
"Very well you look wonderful Hitomi" Catalina smiled "Come on you'll want to get this over with, he's not the best company"
"Don't talk a lot if it finally bores him you might be able to just get away" Danielle advised
Hitomi nodded and followed the girls through the dark twisted halls. "I'm assuming it was brighter before Perlis came?" Hitomi inquired
"Very" Danielle supplied "The windows are always open and it smelled wonderful in spring, sometimes the birds would even come inside and fly through the halls." The young maid was smiling
"We had plants hanging from the ceiling and tapestries everywhere but Perlis burned them and covered the windows." Danielle frowned at the memory
Hitomi felt the anger swell up again. This guy was a real jerk for lack of a better term at the moment. Hitomi was lost in thought or rather anger and didn't realize the girls had stopped. Their smiles had vanished and they glared at the door.
"Good Luck Hitomi" Danielle said bowing her head and backing away
"Please be careful" Catalina added bowing and turning away
Hitomi took a deep breath and pushed the large doors open to the throne room. Hitomi felt her stomach jump as coldness wrapped around her. At first the icy air curled around her waist and had Hitomi shivering. She thought it was her imagination but soon to her horror she found the dark force pulling her inside the room. The doors slammed and locked behind her.
That foul smell had returned and Hitomi grimaced as the thick coat of stench swirled around her senses. The strong wind was wrapping around her legs and slowly smothering her. Hitomi didn't have time to react before it jerked her down to the ground. Hitomi grunted at the impact and froze when she heard a deep sadistic laugh. Hitomi managed to get into a position to where her head was up and scanning the room. It didn't matter though, even if this invisible barrier weren't covering her the room had been thrown into total darkness.
"Hitomi isn't it?" the voice slithered throw the shadows
Hitomi shuddered at the voice. The icy force gripping down on her slowly began squeezing her ribs timidly beginning to cut off her air supply.
"King Perlis I presume?" Hitomi shot back
"Charmed" the voice cackled
Hitomi resisted against the pull but found her body being dragged across the floor to Perlis no doubt.
"So you're the dragons weakness" the king spat venomously
"Not really" Hitomi gasped beginning to feel light headed due to the lack of oxygen her lungs were receiving.
"Stubborn too, I must say you are a beauty" the voice slithered again but this time Hitomi felt someone slide across her neck and she shuddered in disgust.
"Don't touch me!" she ordered
The King just cackled again. Hitomi continued struggling against the icy cage surrounding her body. Sweat slowly dripped down her forehead, her body was fighting to keep conscious. She couldn't see what was gripping her but if felt simply like nothing! It was air! Suddenly Hitomi reeled back at the light. Emerald orbs focused and Hitomi gasped at the sight. There on a large spiked chair sat….a man! He was tall, muscular with spiky brown hair and chocolate eyes. His callused hand was currently tracing her jawbone and the longing look in his eyes had Hitomi on the brim of all out panic.
He had lit a torch next to his throne and made a gesture with his hand for her to stand up and she felt the airtight magic grip her body and roughly jerk her upwards loosening its grip on her lungs a little. Hitomi shook her head to focus her vision as oxygen poured into her lungs.
"You're…a man" she gasped
"That I am Lady, my fellow comrades were simply picked up on my journey here."
"What do you want with me?" Hitomi demanded relenting to the invisible cage trapping her.
The rich laughter filled the eerie room and Hitomi cringed at his touch violently shaking his hand off her neck.
"You my dear are something Van holds very close to his heart"
"And how can you be sure!" Hitomi shot back
"I have my ways, call it a talent of mine. And you dear are going to simply be bait for his majesty. I know he isn't dead, my messengers never returned it's all a masquerade to get the countries on Fanelia's side and attack me"
Hitomi stood there silent. She gasped at the sudden pull as the magic that Perlis seemed to be controlling dragged her closer to him. Hitomi shuddered as Perlis rose from his throne and walked towards her. He stopped a hands length from her and Hitomi squirmed desperately trying to put distance between herself and the man.
"Magic remains another talent of mine lady you're wasting your energy" Perlis smiled as Hitomi glared at him and continued to struggle
"Let me go!" Hitomi demanded
"In due time" Perlis laughed the evil glint in his eyes sparkling " I have use for you, this won't hurt if you relax."
Hitomi smirked "Like I'll cooperate with you"
"You're simply becoming acquainted with another gift of mine" Perlis smirked evilly and ran his hands over her silky hair. Hitomi felt the tears rush to the rim of her eyes, she couldn't do anything to defend herself. 'Van…' her mind cried out
'I'm afraid you're love isn't coming' the evil voice echoed off the walls of her mind
Hitomi's eyes grew wide and Perlis nodded his head the smirk still plastered on his face.
'This is the talent you're going to get acquainted with dear, I've been blessed with the gift to read and control minds' Perlis's voice rang throughout the recesses of her mind
Hitomi felt the fear grip her heart, she knew what was coming but it sill hurt. The cold claws dug into the deep regions of her mind and slowly cut lines here and there. He was taking hold of her mind and she was powerless to stop him a few more strands of thought and she'd have to act upon his every whim. The idea of this man controlling her made Hitomi cry out in pain.
Her scream pierced the darkness accompanied by his deep dark laughter. He left one strand open to Hitomi so she could sit helplessly in the regions of her thoughts and watch as he used her to his liking. Hitomi curled up in the corners of her mind as the lively spark vanished from her emerald eyes. The magic cage dissipated and Hitomi's body didn't move, Hitomi could only watch through her eyes as Perlis smiled.
"Now my lovely, let us take a walk I believe your friends, if not your love will be arriving soon."
Perlis gripped her arm and Hitomi watched in horror as her lips curved into a devious smile and her body leaned up against the King's. Perlis smiled and hugged Hitomi close to him. She prayed she could somehow stop this, if Van saw it he would lose it. The influenced Hitomi walked out of the throne room curled up next to Perlis. The only reasonable part of her thoughts left crying into the darkness.
"Help…"
A/N And when I said he Perlis was going to use Hitomi to his liking I meant like to manipulate Van and Merle and the others not like for himself!! eewww
