The Heroic Legend of
Arslan
The Worth of One's Crown
Part Five
Old Habits are Hard to Break
(Or 4 Weddings and a Funeral ^_^;)
Arslan sat at the head of a long table. It was a small room, but it was a war room. He had assembled all his officials from Daryun, Narsas, Rezzana to Pharangese. Even Alfurido and Elam were there but no one knew who let them in. Giv, having a hard time breathing, was still out of commission.
King Arslan hardly heard the discussion around him. His determined face was set in stone. Yôou could see each line that hate had formed on his handsome young face. His only thoughts were of bringing Queen Kishara back to him and what method he would use to kill Silvermask if that was no longer possible.
"I suggest we keep this small." Narsas paced back and forth behind the king's chair, because Arslan was too angry to move. "Even though our thoughts are clouded by this obvious loss we should not put at risk our whole force. She is, after all, only one person." He turned in pacing to see Rezzana standing in his way. She glared at him and he looked her in the eye. Daryun also stood, backing up Rezzana's opinion.
"I agree with, Narsas." Elam spouted folding his arms.
"You would." Alfurido whispered. They made faces at each other and were silent.
Narsas watched as the king rose and stared at him with a strange look of oncoming insanity that could only be caused by long term stress.
"Lord Narsas," the king said slowly. He walked around his seat and keeping one hand on the top, he continued. "I would send a million armies after her if I knew it would bring her back. I don't care to hear your usual speech about economics and logic. Logic has lost all meaning to me. I am prepared to do something to my loving cousin that the Lusitanian General himself would disapprove of, if Queen Kishara is not returned safely." Arslan stopped, taken aback by his sudden release of powerful words.
Everyone gulped, paling at the comment about things Lusitanians wouldn't do. Rezzana began to emit a low growl, as Narsas began to back away.
"What am I going to do!" Arslan moaned and fell back into his seat. Rezzana patted his shoulder keeping a eye on Narsas. Ì
"Don't worry, my King, Daryun and I are ready for what ever you command. We will bring her back!" Rezzana turned, and smiled at the standing general. He smiled back at her. She melted inside, but only released some of her feelings in a flirtatious grin, which Narsas noticed.
"Somewhere, deep down inside, I knew that forcing the king to marry was a bad idea! Yet, I still take full responsibility, even though the country's on the brink of collapse and two strange, forceful womyn, with practically no reserve, have wooed the king, and my best friend, away from me and my advice!" Narsas threw his hands in the air.
"The farther away the better!" Rezzana grinned and moved closer to Daryun. Daryun smirked at Narsas, whose cool exterior, (that was usually well in place) was about to crack. Narsas lowered his voice and eyes.
"If there's some law, some where, in some land, that will help me rid myself of you, I will find and apply it, damn it!" Narsas growled.
"Nope. You're stuck with us"!" Rezzana fingered Daryun's cape with her good hand and moved behind him.
"She's got you there, Narsas. They are kind of a package. I'm not going to fight it. And, it has brought out some interesting qualities that I, personally, have never noticed in you before." Daryun looked at Rezzana, who still grinning coolly at Narsas.
"I would run out of the room right now and accompany my departure with a frustrated scream, but I'm not one inclined to such behavior." He put on the relaxed angry face again and reclaimed his calm.
"Why not? It's so comedic." Rezzana's grin got bigger. Narsas just glared.
"Shut up," he said dryly, knowing he lost that battle.
Pharangese, remembering why they were in this room, looked at the king's sorrow and thought of how she didn't know Kishara all that well. She now regretted not taking the time to talk to the object of her sovereign's affection. Her mind faded to Giv, lying in that hard healing bed, moaning uncomfortably. She felt so hurt, so helpless, so guilty... She wanted to lay a prayer over him to relieve him of his pain. Her thoughts never took into consideration of how their relationship had changed. Before he was a nuisance with a annoying sense of humor and definitely clingy! She had wanted to rid herself of him and couldn't, but now she couldn't stop thinking of him. Her thoughts resurfaced to the room she sat in. She gasped as reality set in. The people turned and looked at her. The priestess stood.
"I am sorry my king." She bowed. "To serve you to my utmost ability, I must clear my head." She bowed again as she closed the door behind her as she left.
"But...Pharangese!" Arslan called after her, but Rezzana stopped him. She looked down at his lost face. A˝rslan saw her smile.
"Let her go. She's in love and has been for the longest time. She's just realized this now. She must go to him." Rezzana finished, as Arslan nodded. Still, his mind buzzed with worry.
"I like that." Daryun spoke as Rezzana sat next to him. She looked up.
"What?" She questioned as Arslan went on about war tactics.
"What you said about Pharangese. It's so true."
"So are you saying, Lord Daryun, that I'm good at stating the obvious?" Rezzana lifted an eyebrow.
"Well, I hope it came out a little more eloquently than that." Daryun smiled at her. His dark blue eyes smiled with him as he chortled once. Her insides went to mush, to put it bluntly. Even though she was so young she knew beauty and it stared her in the face this very moment. She watched him laughed and felt the deep resonance of his voice in her own diaphragm and throat. She smiled coolly back hiding her desire. She kept reminding herself, "He's eleven years older. He's 28, I'm 17, get a grip."
She sighed thinking of her lost friend. He leaned over and her heart pounded the walls of her chest. He brushed the hair out of her face. She looked at him and leaned into his hand for gentle comfort. He blushed. So did she.
"Don't worry. Arslan won't let anything happen to her..." He paused. Then passed his hand down her bandaged arm. "and..." His face was red with what he knew had to be let out. "I'll be here for you..."
Rezzana's eyes shot wide. Daryun shied away from her. She wondered, after a stupid little fight then a strange rescue...Did an older lord, have feelings for her? She did feel safe around him. It made her forget the horrors she had seen. He was handsome. Yet, could this just be strong kindness? Her past had been filled with a strong love from another man, but it was all friendship to her. Dismissing the thought she tried to pick up in Arslan's monologue where she had left off.
"Narsas maybe right again." Arslan nodded. Alfurido stood.
"What? Shouldn't we just rush them in an atrtack? Wouldn't more force be necessary? He's outside his castle's strong hold! He's only in a desert camp!" As Alfurido spoke she felt a strong familiar presence behind her. Her heart beat faster as she felt hands on her shoulders. Narsas stood behind her. Elam felt sick.
"What would you know about war you're a girl!" Elam yelled. He had obviously been a long time gone from Arslan's reign, because the glares that Rezzana and Alfurido, accompanied by Daryun, Narsas, and the king jogged his memory about Pharangese, with whom they had traveled with for seven years. He giggled nervously.
"True, yet he would see us coming a ways off and have time to formulate an equally surprising counter attack. Sneaking in is the only way in this case. Leaving an official in charge as we go and..." he was cut off.
"And die quietly in an enemy camp." Daryun stated eyes closed still sitting. Arslan looked even more panicked. Now his officials couldn't decide what to do. He was three seconds from hopping a horse and riding off to save Kishara himself!
"Daryun! You can't expect the whole Parsian army to..."
"...Obey their kings wishes, and save his true love?" Arslan blushed at Daryun's words. Narsas looked angry.
"That's so like you. Just pick up a bow and a couple of arrows and shoot your way to destiny! I think you've been in the military too long!" Narsas snapped.
"I agree with Narsas." a lone voice came up. Daryun's head turned as though he had just been stabbed in the back. It was Rezzana. She admired Daryun's intelligence and talent, but hated the way he rushed into things. He liked the quickest way, and even though she noticed this it didn't effect her admiration for him. She hoped it didn't affect his feelings for her...if there were any.
"Rezzana..." He paused. "Explain your plan one more time, dear Friend." Daryun gritted his teeth. Narsas smiled. Daryun knew about his short thinking and asked to hear a more detailed explanation of the war pattern they were about to unanimously decided on.
"Wow. You're agreeing with me!" Narsas stepped to Alfurido's side, astonished.
"I respect your intelligence, N…arsas. Just because your an ass sometimes doesn't mean you're stupid." Rezzana commented.
"Why thank you, Lady Rezzana." Narsas spoke really taken aback.
"...but it should." She muttered under her breath with a little giggle.
"What was that?" Narsas eyed her.
"Oh, nothing..." Rezzana smiled evilly at him. He rolled his eyes and gave up.
Meanwhile in Hermes's camp, the lights in the main tent were still lit. Small candles decorated the room in each corner on long sticks in the sand. Rope was tied suffocatingly tight to the main beam of the tent. Shadows cast every which way showed a familiar form that was bound and gagged. Her hands tied behind her and the pole. Her whole body was rudely wrenched against the hard wooden construction. Her breathing was sharp and slicing as the rope chocked her lungs. As the shadows flickered less a menacing shape could be seen holding the end of the rope. A great horned man pulled tighter and tighter on }it until his victim could no longer scream. She fell over herself in a strange tortured unconscious position. She still
lived. . .barley.
"Will that be all, my Queen?" A cold steely laugh came. Hermes stood over the battered Queen Kishara. She shook her head hoping to wake to more pleasant surroundings. All she found was a jaw crunching slap that blacked her out again.
Hermes turned for the door flap.
"Watch her." He barked at Zante who stood on the outside. "If she wakes call me. You don't take liberties with her. She is, after all, my bride to be." He began to cackle horridly into the night. Zante looked in on her and licked his lips.
"So this is who found favor with that pup of a king." He eyed her. Walking in he paced her just whispering things. "Oh the things that an experienced man could show you. I can see ourselves together right now." He sighed and brheathed on her neck as he knelt next to her. He panted in her ear. "Isn't that what you want, you little tramp. Doesn't it burn for my touch right here. . ." He put his filthy callused hand closer and closer to the low neck of her dress.
Slowly and carefully he came until a sudden pain struck him in a lower region. Kishara awoke and with full force pushed her leg out from under her to strike him. She moved the gag around her mouth with her lips.
"Don't ever touch me again, you spawn of traitorous scum!" She spit as a slicing pain drove through her leg. She looked down horrified.
Zante's knife thrown from across the room zoomed over her flesh and landed in the dirt on the other side, leaving a deep bloody gash. Zante collected himself and walked over. He wrenched the knife out of the ground in between her legs.
"Watch it, Queeny, we ain't at your palace. That means anytime is my time. As soon as the master goes don't breath, because your not done giving yourself until I've been paid in full." He kneeled in front of her tightening the gag. She growled at him as he covered the gag with his ugly hands. He came closer to her watching the pain over whelm her features as he raked the dirty blade deeper across her wound.
"I'll be back for you. Rest up, because I'll be keeping you up the whole night." He strutted out of the room. Kishara tried to sink into the pole. She began to cry terrified tears.
"Arslan." She whispered holding back the pain and fear. She started sobbing. "Arslan." She chocked out of breath. "Help me. . ."
The next morning, Arslan awoke shaking. Even dreams were turning on him. He had seen Kishara being tortured in every way possible. He sat up in bed, trying to shake the image of his love being raped, beaten, and killed. He softly began to cry. What could he do? He hated the world. He had lost Kishara before and now if he went after her again, would he loose her further?
His crying became audible to the outside. The servants told stories about the queen and the king's love affair as they went about castle in the early morning. The others all slept peacefully in their rooms as the day began.
He rubbed his eyes. The bright blue sky hurt them. Frustrated beyond measure, he punched the tear soaked bed sheets before him.
"Why. . .her?" He writhed. Arslan stood quickly gathering his emotions in a knot in his stomach. He dashed across the room, having no patience for the morning servants, who would have usually helped him dress. He reached way back into the far reaches of his kingly wardrobe.
"Where the hell do they put things in here?!" He yelled as he ripped through half of his clothes. Pulling out a light blue undershirt and baggy gray pants. Arslan pulled on his dirty boots from the day before and stood.
"I won't let them hurt you anymore, Kishara." He held back pain as he wrapped a red silk drape over his left shoulder and held it with a beautiful ornament of gold and ruby. He flinched as the pain in his heart twisted its horrid mass into hate. He controlled it as best he could while he exited his rooms.
"Daryun!" He yelled, banging on the door to his general's quarters. "Daryun, get up!" Arslan pushed the great doors˘ open. He found the room empty. "Daryun? Where did he go?" Arslan stormed out of the sleeping quarters. "WHERE IS DARYUN?!" Arslan boomed almost foaming at the mouth. All the servants shook each afraid they had done something wrong.
"He's in the other room, your highness." One spoke and bowed.
"What 'OTHER ROOM'?" Arslan roared. "I need an army and I need one NOW!"
"That room, your majesty." The terrified maid pointed to an extra suite. . . .A guest room!
"What?" Arslan walked closer. "That can't be, that's Lady Rezzana's roo. . .By the goddess. . .Daryun!" Arslan exploded through the doors. He stomped into the daylight that shone on the tile from the windows. Shielding his eyes as he walked out onto the balcony. Two unfocused forms stood in the brilliant sunshine. A bigger more filled out one held the other as it cried softly.
"Daryun?" Arslan asked again. "Why are you in here?" The king's voice came from the shadows. Arslan emerged onto the balcony. "What are. . ."
"Your Highness!" Daryun immediately released Lady Rezzana and fell to one knee.
"Wha. . .Daryun?" Arslan bent down and helped him up. "Daryun. . ." Arslan stood eye to eye his general.
"Arslan!" Rezzana bowed.
"What is all this bowing?" He half laughed. "I'm not angry." He collected himself a final time. Daryun sighed. Rezzana stood along side him.
"My king, I was merely seeing to Lady Rezzana's discomfort...Uh... I mean," Daryun began to babble the explanation. "I heard her crying and I wanted to reassure her that..." Daryun finally looked up from his hysterics to see that Arslan wasn't listening. Arslan's eyes were vacant, and Rezzana realized what was wrong.
"If my dreams have been terrifying, Highness, I dare not imagine the images that haunt your sleeÜp." Rezzana spoke softly and sympathetically.
"You've had nightmares too, Rezzana?" Arslan sighed. "Why!? That's all I have to say. How could I have let this happen?"
"It was not your doing, my king." Daryun watched as Arslan took a seat on the edge of Rezzana's bed. Daryun stood above him as Arslan put his face in his hands.
"Yesterday's meeting went nowhere! I thought we had half a plan at least. Yet, that all ended when Alfurido started throwing things. I know Elam is part of the group, but I don't want in the planning room anymore." Arslan sighed. "Even though it was very funny." He chuckled remembering good images from the great war where he was introduced to horror, but at least taught the importance of strong friendship.
"Seven years ago, this all started. No, seven years ago it escalated, it began far before this. Why must I pay for my father's blasted power hungry crimes·!" Arslan yelled.
"You must not blame yourself, King Arslan." Rezzana sat next to him. "I admire your strength. Heading and army, reuniting a country, and ruling it at such a young age. And now taking on the responsibility of your father's war-like legacy. Anyone less would be just as blood thirsty and power-hungry. I was even younger than you when I learned my parents were awful people...well, not my mother."
"That's what I hate. My mother never loved my father! He just showed her off as a decoration. She was a talented and brilliant womyn, but stuck in his great bloody shadow. She had the cruelest death of all. Loneliness, should never be felt by anyone." Arslan grimaced unable to say anything further.
"You have so much burden already, Highness," Daryun began. "Do not take the pain of Queen Kishara's past onto your shoulders too." Arslan looked up.
"You don't understand!" He moaned. "I already have...When I fell in love with her. She cared for me before I kËnew she existed. She thought of me as something more than I was, and I let her down! She's waiting for me to save her, but I'm afraid he'll do something to her if try to fight. I don't want her to lose that image of me. I want to live up to that man she believes I am. I don't want to disappoint her...Hurt her. I don't want anything to hurt her anymore...She's gone through enough of that. " Arslan looked seriously at Daryun and then at Rezzana who looked like she was about to cry. "What?" Arslan asked.
"Worry not, my king." Rezzana smiled gently.
"Why shouldn't I?" Arslan looked back down.
"Because that's why she loves you. She knows you better than you know yourself. Sometimes it's good to have some one like that around." Still smiling Rezzana tilted her head to look at Daryun who had a permanent blush etched into his face. "You are the king she loves."
She knocked Daryun's knee with her elbow as Arslan just stared straight pondering her last statement. Daryun shooÏk his head and looked down. Rezzana smiled mockingly, as he spread a nervous grin.
"Let's go!" Arslan stood abruptly. Rezzana stood just as quickly.
"What? Didn't you say we needed a plan?" She questioned his urgency.
"Not anymore. I'm tired of planning. Planning was only to save me, and right now I don't care what happens to me, as long as she makes it home safely!" She headed out of the room.
"King Arslan?!" Daryun followed. Arslan stopped and turned.
"If you want to stay safe, stay here!" Arslan yelled. He ran down the royal flights of stairs and burst into the armory. "MY ARMOR AND SWORD!" He yelled, as servants, startled to see the king in person, rushed into action. "Ready my horse!...And you!" He pointed to a water-boy who nearly dropped all he was carrying. Arslan smiled apologetically. "Inform all my officials of my intent to leave and go after my fiancee`."
"Your fiancee`?" The boy stuttered.
"Is there a problem?" Arslan narrowed his eyes. I'm really in a bëit of a rush. If I leave now I make it to the South Desert by sundown." Arslan explained. The boy tore from the room on his mission.
"Yes, Highness!" He answered. Arslan sighed and ran to help prepare his weapons and horse.
Meanwhile, in a far corner of the palace, a tiny room with white cloth everywhere was silent, except for slow and steady breathing from two sources. A uncomfortable healing bed held a sleeping Giv. He pulled on the sheets as he turned over and leaned on something.
"Huh?" Giv's eyes opened weakly. Whatever he had hit he hadn't disturbed it. He sat up on his pillows in order to see the thing more clearly. "Lady Pharangese?" He whispered. The black hair flowed over the brightly white sheets. Her beautiful face was peaceful, but even in sleep she felt tense. He wondered if it was still the guilt she had confessed to him earlier. He tipped his head closer to hers.
É He saw her jeweled headdress on the ground. Her thin and tall body was bent over from the chair she sat in to the hard bed he was in. He didn't have the heart to wake her, she was so beautiful, and to him very distant. He had no idea that he meant anything to her, but her beg for forgiveness had shown him that his absence had affected her in an interesting way.
He began to remember how he found her. She was being attacked by several Lusitanian soldiers and was winning without struggle.
Yet, being the oafish pig he knew he had been, he was going to wait until the battle subsided and rush in to save her. When he finally decided to join her she was already on her horse and riding away.
He bade her stop and tell him who she was. He laughed once remembering seeing her beauty and how she had shut him up when he was trying to win her over. He had seen her as a challenge to over come, so he could come out on top as the dominate man he thought he was. How stupid he used to be.
Giv looked down at her white skin and contrasting black hair. He imagined her brilliant green eyes and the first time he saw her smile. He knew that after all she had made him realize and after all he had learned up on Mt. Demavont alone, that if he had won and she was just a one night stand, it would have been a waste. He shook his head.
"That would never happen." He chortled once. "She's too strong for me." He grimaced with pain as he felt his chest. He had noticed a considerable drop in the pain, and wondered if he was healing.
He started on his shoulder bandages. He silenced an oncoming roar as he ripped the the sticky white strips off his skin. The healers had put some kind of weird glop under the ends of the cloth to keep it on. (He had already been yelled at once for messing with them.^_^) Finishing he inspected the wound. It was dry and crusted with blood. He had to admit that it was a very funny feeling having a hole through your shoulder. He laughed again and the hilarity that was around him. He slapped a hand over his mouth, as Pharangese stirred.
Had she stayed up all night to watch him? He wondered why she was in here at all. The last time he had seen her she had run out on him when he tried to say that he cared for her. He just supposed it was too much for her.
He also wondered why she wasn't out killing Silvermask with Arslan. He had heard about Kishara via a visit from Narsas and Elam. ÄAlfurido tried to get Pharangese to come with her, but to no avail. "Poor Arslan." Giv said sadly. "He's probably ripped apart inside." Giv looked down. Pharangese still lay there.
He tried to lean down again. This time he expected the pain, but none came.
"What?" He came back up and checked his shoulder. Sure enough the bandages were gone like they had been before, but as he searched his skin he found nothing to make him hurt. No hole, and no blood.
He reached a hand behind him and felt his back. No exit wound. His eyes went wide and it suddenly came together. Pharangese wasn't sleeping, she was unconscious. The priestess had prayed over him, she had been weaving an intricate spell, for him, to heal him. The powers that been bestowed on her to defend holy ground and King Arslan, she had used them on him.
Now, instead of peaceful, she looked weak. He panicked.Ÿ
"Lady Pharangese!" He nudged her...nothing. His heart was going wild. In his crazed state it didn't look like she was breathing either! "Lady Pharangese! Please! Can you hear me?!" Giv pushed her shoulder. It didn't react to his touch. He gasped and pulled her up off the bed. He held her in his arms. "I'm sorry for being how I was. I didn't even get to show you how I changed!" He cried. One tear left his eye.
Suddenly she stirred. Her eyes flapped open. She then realized where she was.
"Oh!" She sat up on the bed next to him. "Giv! How long have you been awake?!" She demanded. He smiled like always.
"About five minutes, my Lady." He said shaken. She looked away from him. "Not again." He lifted a hand to her face.
"Stop!" She pushed away. She stood. He stood too and grabbed her arm.
"I can't let you walk away now. You can run away after I say this," He took a deep breath. She looked rejuvenated instantaneously, and stared at him. Ins⁄ide she was shaking, but she couldn't let that show through. She had healed him, and undone the sin she had committed. She tried to ignore the voices in her head yelling at her about certain feelings.
"Giv...I did what I could, I'm glad your better," She turned, but his hand didn't budge. "Giv." She said again.
"Not yet!" He commanded her. "Lady Pharangese," He paused once more. "Pharangese." He corrected himself. Her eyes went wide. "You can't walk out of here now, and say that I mean nothing to you. You can not walk out of here now, and say that what you did for me was purely for forgiveness, and you knew full well I was healing at a fine rate. Also," he turned her to face him. "You can't walk out of here now, and say that I don't love you." She gasped. "I know I've changed and you know it, too. And I won't believe you if you walk out of here now and say you don't love me." He still felt a little weak, and under bewildered stare he felt even more powerÊless. Giv sat on the edge of the bed, releasing her. "You can walk out of here now." He said with a smile to cover the pain that he knew her swift exit would cause him.
She turned quickly for the door, then stopped. She looked back at Giv. He sat there unable to watch her go. He wasn't looking up, so she decided to say something.
"I'm still here." She announced. He didn't look up.
"Why? I told you I was done. You can go now." He stated. She smiled broadly.
"Well, I was planning to leave here now and say those things, but you said I couldn't." He looked up with half confused look. Her heart was glad that he wasn't too fed up with her. "And I couldn't say them either." His eyes nearly popped out of his head. He brushed his wavy red hair out of his face. She could see his bright brown eyes from across the room. "So I guess were both stuck in here together." She moved closer to him. He made room for her on the bed, and she took the seat.
"Pharangese, are you sayingÅ that..." She silenced him with her fingers on his lips. She nodded.
"You have changed, Giv. And when I thought that you were gone, and that it was my fault, I instantly thought of this whole time you were here in front of me. The new Giv, the one that didn't cling and eat away at my nerves." She smiled.
"That's only the second time I've seen you smile." He said barley above a whisper. She took his hand and brought it up to her face. She blushed lightly. He leaned toward her. Their eyes closed and he tilted her head to meet his. Their lips touched lightly. He released after and second, but stayed close to her face. "...ever."
She smiled again.
"Okay the third time." He smiled too, as she laughed. He kissed her harder as she arched her back and pushed her lips into his more. She knew he had been around in the game of love once or thrice, but she felt in his passion¬ and his changes that she could trust him to stay with her forever. Yet, how was she going to explain this to the people who served under her at the temple to the Goddess Misra.
"...but..." She spoke again.
"Uh oh." He sat back. She looked confused. "No, I understand. We're too different. Thanks for leading me on, my lady." He sighed.
"I wasn't leading you on. If you want this to work to have to prove to me that you've changed. I'm a priestess, I can see your soul still is restless."
"That's just from lying in bed too long." He tried to grin. She put her headdress on. Giv was turned on a little bit. He loved powerful womyn.
"I know what kind of man you were, Giv. I know now that some of that child-like selfishness is gone. Remember you kissed me. I care for you, Giv, but I need to know that you won't be here and then gone."
"Are you asking me to prove myself to you?" He asked, rather shocked.
"It's a little old-fashioned, but œyes, Giv, in short I don't trust you." She stated.
"You what?!" He scoffed. "You put a hole in my chest!"
"I've remedied that mistake." She spoke like the priestess he had met her as, cold and straight forward. Well, he was different now, and he couldn't believe that she couldn't see that
"Oh, so it's a mistake that you made me love you. Will you remedy that too?" He snapped. She looked surprised,the he wasn't being his usual witty self. He sounded genuinely hurt.
"Please, I'm just asking you to..." Her emotionless shell was weakening again
"LADY PHARANGESE! LORD GIV!"
"LORD Giv. I like that, unlike other things."
"If you want me to say 'I'm sorry' it's not going to happen." She shut him up perfectly. He glared. He didn't understand why she just didn't fall into his arms. Before he had liked her strong will, now it was just monotonous.
"Lord, Lady!" The water-boy ran into the room. "His highness, Emperor Arslan of Pars, Lord of the low DeÃserts, Freer of Slaves, The great King of Mt. Demavont..." He rambled incoherently.
"We're not the royal court, son." Giv said dryly. The boy stumbled in his words.
"Oh...okay. The king is preparing a horse to ride to the South Desert to save his fiancee`..."
"FIANCEE`!" Giv and Pharangese chorused. The boy stood shocked for a seconded then continued.
"He asked me to call on his officials. He's asked any of you who wish to join him, do so now because he is saddling up as we speak!"
"The king is going to fight Silvermask...alone?" Giv asked a little pale.
"Do not worry, Giv. I'm sure he can handle Silvermask, but I'm not so sure about the really big army standing in front of him." Pharangese stated. "Not to mention his magic sword that renders him paralyzed."
"He's got one of those? I didn't know they made those anymore!" Giv joked.
"Now's not the time for that, old friend." She called as she bolted for the armory.
"Feels like old tiÙmes doesn't it?" He yelled back.
"Don't remind me." She ran faster.
"I'm never gonna figure you out, am I?" He ran next to her. He couldn't see her expression as she passed him.
"You would if you'd listen to me." She said as they rounded the corner and down a darker flight of stairs.
"Narsas, honey," Alfurido cooed, "Why aren't we busting some tin-grin ass right this minute!" she yelled. She leaned down in his light. He batted her off the table where he was working on some maps.
"I told you. Kishara needs to be saved not killed in a random attack accidentally." Narsas stated calmly.
"Why are you working so hard on this, Narsas? I thought you didn't like her. I know for a fact that you don't like Rezzana!" She folded her arms.
"On the contrary, if I hated her as much as you say, I would've let her fall down the stairs when she was attacked. I do like her. I respect Arslan's decisions a lot more than I let on." Narsas smiled. "Just because I don't let her win these little battløes we have doesn't mean..."
"You mean she doesn't let you win...right?" Alfurido grinned. Narsas just looked at her. "I thought you wanted to send them away the second day they were here?" She mentioned. Narsas turned in his seat.
"That was an early miscalculation. Kishara was hiding things that were very valuable to the Empire. If I had known that she was wanted by Silvermask, we could have used her to lure him and them take him. But, she chose to keep it a secret too long." He returned to his work. He reached for a water cup on the edge of the desk.
"Narsas?" She asked.
"Yes?" He answered.
"Do you really care for me?" She rolled over onto her side on the bed. Narsas dropped his pencil and nearly choked on the sip of water he took just then.
"I don't lie, Alfurido." He said sternly.
"I know, but I can't help wondering that you... never mind." She stopped
"Oh no, don't stop like that. Tell me. What is it?" He got up and walkedÖ over and stood in front of her prone body, sprawled on the bed. His bed. (AHEM)
"Did you..."
"Yes?"
"Did you say you loved me to get me off that ledge...Not to question your integrity or anything, because it was a very awkward situation." She rolled back and sat up. She looked straight up at him. She blushed.
"I never said the words "I love you", you know." He kept eye contact, as she sprang off the bed. She came up to his shoulder, and her face was mad.
"You just admitted you lied to me!" She spouted.
"No, I didn't." He tried to calm her.
"You said you cared for me, Damn you!" She cursed. He smiled, and leaned down closer to her face. "uh..."
"See, when I said I cared for you, I meant 'Please, I respect you, do not throw yourself from the castle wall' kind of caring." Narsas said with a smile across his face.
"Really." Alfurido was cross and turned to storm out of the room. He stopped her.
"You must know love takes time to develop."
"Well, you're the king of planning around here! When is it going to develop. I want a deadline, Lord Narsas." She folded her arms.
"Well, right now, I know how much you care for me..."
"...And how much it conflicts with your work." Alfurido cut him off.
"True. Yet, right now I love you like a sister." He told her. "Which equals about this." He kissed her forehead gently.
"Whuh.." She looked at him strangely. "What was that?!"
"Wait until later, and I will grow to love you, which will equal this." He kissed her cheek. She blushed, and thought that this was interestingly seductive.
"Go on." She coaxed.
"And then, I will be in love with you so much that I wouldn't want you to leave Ämy side and after our wedding..." Alfurido face was bright red, but she prepared for what she thought would happen next. "It will equal...Oh, I really should get back to work." He raised his head again and laughed quickly.
Alfurido expectant eyes shot open and crossed.
"Oh no you don't!" She grabbed Narsas's dress shirt by the front and yanked him back to her with her strong arms. She landed on his lips with all her force and kissed him harder and longer than she had ever dreamed. Narsas, naturally caught off guard, fell back toward her. She felt the spin he was going into as they hit the bed.
She lay on top of him and folded her arms over his chest. He stared at her.
"I think I need to get back to work, now." He was still in shock as he tried to move.
"What's your hurry?" She purred, and pushed him down harder as the shoulder of her outfit began to slip off.
"You'rÇe really strong, you know that?" He smiled. He pushed his head up and kissed her gently, lightly tugging on her lips. Alfurido giggled, she felt his smile through her closed eyes.
Suddenly...Elam ran in.
"Narsas! The king has...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Elam screamed and fell backwards, and landed with a smack on the floor.
"Elam!" Narsas popped off the bed as the eighteen year old boy gathered his thoughts and jumped off the floor. Alfurido flew from the bed and hit the ground with a thud.
"Ow! What are doing in here, you little brat?!" Alfurido raged.
"It's official business, you tramp!" Elam spit rudely.
"Then what are you doing with it, you piece of street trash!"
"Shut up both of you!" Narsas snapped. "What is it, Elam?"
"King Arslan is about to ride off and fight Silvermask to save his fiancee`!" Elam slurred together the urgent message.
"He's going to w¬hat?!" Alfurido sprang up. Then Elam, Narsas, and Alfurido stopped. . . . .thought and then looked confused.
"FIANCEE`?!" They all chorused. Elam shook his head.
"Forget that. He's leaving! A water boy told me to tell you while he went to see Lord Daryun. So let's go!" Elam bolted.
"He must be telling the truth." Narsas said as he ran out the door.
"Why's that?" Alfurido called as she followed him.
"Because he didn't stop to make to make fun of you as he ran." Narsas laughed.
"Funny." She made a face. They both called to the servants for their things as they saw King Arslan mounted flying out the great doors.
In the same span of time...
"Do you think we can help her?" Rezzana leaned over the balcony catching the breeze in her hair. Daryun followed her outside. They looked down into the courtyard facing the drawbridge.
"I really don't know, Rezzana." He brushed her side as he looked out at the same approaching night. She looked¡ up at him with a sad look.
"I don't think I can imagine life without her. She's my Queen and my best friend. If Arslan saved her, than she saved me." Rezzana's gaze returned to the twilight and the not too distant desert. Daryun cleared his throat.
"Rezzana..." He began. He looked as if he was trying to search for the right words.
"Yes?" She cocked her head, tipping her ear up.
"I admire you." He unconsciously straightened.
"What?" Rezzana turned to face him. "If anyone admires anyone I should be admiring you, Lord Daryun."
"With your strength and passion? Your friend is out there, and here you stand being torn at the seams by despair! You have such control! If Arslan was out there I think I'd be hacking random people down trying to find his captor!"
"Patience was always your virtue!" She smirked.
"War does funny things when is runs in your family." He looked out again. She laughed in response. He looked down on her. "You know,ˇ sometimes I see myself in you." He admitted.
"Really? Well, don't look too deep, no one gets the privilege of using me for a mirror." Rezzana folded her arms. He laughed. His deep voice echoed in her throat.
"Rezzana, I want you to know that I care. . .about you." He stumbled.
"What?" Her voice was hoarse, she cleared it. "Excuse me?" She turned completely around to him, only he was standing a little too close. She bumped into him and stood back a bit. He reached his gloved hand up to her face. He went to touch her hair, but his arm shook and then his hand fell again.
"I'm sorry. I know that was a little abrupt. This is completely the wrong place and time. . ." He trailed. She blushed lightly, and put a hand on his shoulder.
"No." she said softly. "It's okay, Daryun, I care for you as well. If something happened to you I'd take it as more than a simple waste of military assets." She let go of his shoulder. His face was facing the door to the room. She turned to gaze at the fading light√ again as he took a deep breath and turned back.
He walked up to her side once more. She looked up and turned to him.
"I must confess that when I saw you lying in the dust of war where I found you, I was scared. More scared than I ever have been, I do believe." He paused and leaned closer. He placed his hand on the side of her face, staring deeply into her eyes.
"Daryun. . ." She whispered as she closed her eyes. Daryun's face neared her's as she felt his breath on her lips. She leaned closer to him expecting everything. Their lips barley touching, Rezzana could already imagine what it would be like.
Suddenly. . .
"YAHHHHH! GO! GO! GO!" Followed by the stressed galloping of frantic hooves. Daryun's head ripped up and stared out the window as he saw his king and only monarch on a fast horse running off toward the South Desert.
"WHAT?!" Daryun yelled. "Where the HELL does he think he's going?!" Rezzana's neck snapped around. Her e‡yes went wide.
"I think it's obvious! Let's go!" She said sternly. "And it's also about damn time." she hissed. They made for the door like lightning, as a small form filled their exit.
"Lord Daryun, Lady ReZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...!" BAM! The panicked couple ran down the poor unsuspecting water-boy as Rezzana surpassed Daryun. She hit the stairs first as Daryun yelled after her to wait for him. Approaching the bottom they found Giv and Alfurido, sharpening swords. Pharangese and Narsas were packing the fast horses with war supplies.
"Everyone's here?" Daryun stammered catching his breath. Rezzana looked mad.
"Who the hell let him go alone?" she growled.
"He was down here before all of us! He sent us some kind of messenger." Giv waved his hands in the air as sparks flew from Alfurido sword as she ground it against the stone.
"That must have been what we hit in the doorway." Daryun smiled, Rezzana grinned nervously.
"Well, we are ready, that is if you're feeling up to it, Giv." Alfurido came around from the back of the grinding stone.
"Galloping at top speed through life sapping heat to engage in mortal combat with an insane, flame scorched piece of royal family. . ." He stopped, every stared at him for a second waiting for him to continue. "When am I not up for it." He grinned running for the horses. Everyone smiled. At least Giv was back.
Inevitably, though their faces fell into tight warful expressions, as they galloped out the door of the castle.
"Good luck! May the Goddess Misra guide you to victory!" One of the castle hands, who opened the door for them, yelled to their exit.
"Thanks!" Elam called back as he rode to catch up to the crowd.
"NO! STOP IT PLEASE!" Kishara's cries were not heard as Silvermask pulled her hair and raised her off the ground. Her dress was torn in several places. Her undergarments showed at those points, and the huge rip in the skirt revealed her creamy white thigh. She closed her eyes tight to block out the image of Zante drooling. The pain was unbearable as he wrenched her head up and then down. She had been untied to give more of a show.
"Now, Zante, if you must, do with her what you will. I will watch, but not take part. After all, I am royal blood, and would not want to dirty it on such a fouled type as hers. She is the tramp to the filth that keeps me from the throne." He unhooked off the lower part of his mask and ripping her hair in the process yanked her head into his.
"AHHH!" She screame;d in pain. Her body thoroughly beaten, and bloody from his amusement beatings.
"You see these?" He jerked her up as she was forced to stare into his horrid scars. "This is what started it all. Like reading a illustrated history book isn't it?" She turned her head as much as she could slamming her eyes shut.
"Go ahead, doll. Close those pretty emeralds of yours. You can attempt to imagine the touch of your prince as I give you mine." His laugh was coarse and disgusting.
"Oh, Zante?"
"Yes, master?" He bowed. Silvermask replaced his purple hood over his gr˝im facade.
"Remember to tie her up to the pole before you. . .well, what ever you want to do." She felt his evil smile. Did he have humanity left in him?
"I HATE YOU! Is that what you want to hear?!" She screamed, her voice cracking. He slowly approached her prone body, lying bruised and beaten in the dirt.
He stopped short of her head. Then he opened his left hand, letting her lost auburn hairs cover her, and swiftly slammed his steel tipped boot into the side of her face.
Kishara felt her neck nearly snap off as she flew across the tent. She landed and tasted the sensation of salty blood filling her mouth. Her first thought: count teeth. She leered at him as best she could.
He went very close to her face and hissed in her ear.
"Yes, that's what I want to hear you say. That tells me that I'm winning." He laughed again. Her legs betraying her all the way she attempted to stand and face him. His hand lashed out and made her one with the ground again. A large blue-purple welt raised on the side of her face
"You can't kill me, you BASTARD!" She spat. "You want my country and the only way to get that is to marry the only heir. . .ME! You don't want me nor do you care of my people, misbegotten snake!" He stood over her like a dark demon ready to throw all hell. She was tired and just wanted to die, and leave here the fastest way possible.
"Why would anyone want you, little whore!" He dragged her limp body across the stones onto the pole again. He wrapped the chaffing rope tightly around her slender shattered frame. He strangled her with one end of it and tied her neck tightly to the pole. Her back became the tent beam as she let forth a hideous screech. Zante laughed as he loosened the tie on his vest and shirt. She breathed heavily as soon as the cords loosened.
"I want your country, not you. That's why we saved the Lusitanian Priest to sign the formal papers. You see with an official's signature one of the signers can be left off so if Zante accidentally breaks your writing hand it won't matter." He chuckled and turned to step away.
"You're pure evil." She chocked. "You wouldn't know human emotion if it hit you in the face!" At that he seemed to stop and turn. Her vision so lacking by this point she was lucky to determine that is was Silvermask at all.
"What do you know, girl? I fell in love once! That's why I will have none of you!" He shook her injured jaw roughly with his armored hand.
"Really..." She coughed. "Who is this lucky girl? Or don't I get that pleasure?" She tried to smile coolly, but it ended quickly out of fear.
"She is the lovely Princess Ilina. I love her with all my being, and we will be married once I have your land and my throne restored to m..." Raucous laughter filled the tent. Kishara'sÄ eyes were filled with burning tears of delightful revenge. She let the laughter pour over the two bewildered ruffians, because she knew that as soon as she stopped she would die.
"Stop it! Stop, womyn, or I will have your throat ripped out from under your chin!" Hermes barked. He lifted her by her neck.
"Why, wouldn't that ruin our little play time here?" She choked and spat at his face. His cold metallic eyes shone through the slit in his disguise, and chilled her to the bone. She promptly shut up.
"Why do you laugh, worthless thing?" He growled.
"It's just funny that you speak of these grand plans when I have already seen to their destruction." She giggled unconsciously once.
"What?! Explain your treachery, whore!" He pitched her to the ground and held his battle sword to the back of her neck. A little slice through her skin made her cry pitifully once. Would she tell him? It would make him furious she was sure. Then, oh goddess, her head...
"It's basically in his hands anyway, and boy would I love to see the look in his eyes when his whole great plan and future crumble with my words. That would soothe my passing!" She thought. Her mind, in brief seconds, drifted to Arslan. Her king riding his gallant white horse across the desert sands to her rescue. "No," she thought, "He's not stupid enough to risk his kingdom to save me. I wouldn't want him to. Hopeless..."
Kishara raised her head, smiling with her crimson stained teeth, the most ruthless smile she could muster, and held her head high and began her story.
Just as she knew her life was ending, hope was making it's way, alone, across that same South Desertˇ. A pure white stallion clashed against the color of the sand. It's stride was long and rushed.
"Kishara, hold on." The caped figured muttered to himself. "YAH!" He yelled at his horse. The animal galloped at its top speed, nearly slipping in the ocean of yellow ground.
"Love is very strong...yes, this love carries this king over deserts and fear to his beloved..." The wind whispered. Arslan closed his eyes and felt it blow through his sky blue hair. He felt a tear slip past his eyelid and then another. The warm air off the sand quickly dried them. Then the wind spoke again...
"Surely a love destined to be. Time has tested it. With the heart of a strong queen to start it..." That time the wind sounded familiar, when it spoke again.
"Engaged, huh?! When the hell did this happen?" Arslan knew that was no Zephyr! He cranked his head around and saw a riding party.
"Daryun! Rezzana! Pharangese! Narsas! Alfurido! Elam!...Giv!" Arslan said as the tears started again. "My friends!"
"When haˇve we ever let, your majesty do anything on his own?" Narsas quipped as he sped by the king, smiling.
"And my friend is out there!" Rezzana declared. She stopped short and... "Oh, I care about your well-being as well, King Arslan." Rezzana smiled nervously. Arslan smiled and nodded. They stood still in the moving sand, waiting for the king to react.
"Well. Let's go!" Arslan turned sharply and road off. His young face hardening again, for the fierce blood shedding combat he knew was to come. His mind drifted again to Kishara. The sun slowly sank behind the riding party as the stars showed their heads. No sign of any encampment yet, but Arslan had the picture in his mind and he was galloping towards it at a furious speed.
"Kishara!" He yelled randomly. His strong voice echoing across the sky.
"huh?" Kishara's head jerked up, still in the position of the sword overhead. "Ow." She stifled, as her hopeful face fell into a despairing set again.
"TELL ME NOW, WOMAN!" He ripped her hair anød threw her to the ground. She attempted to raise up but a harsh metal book cracked down on her spine.
Her scream of pain was ignored. Her selfish crying still came, but quieter and more heart wrenching than ever before.
It subsided to a twisted speech.
"I will tell you, only because it will give me the greatest joy in all my world to see you suffer the same despair I felt at that moment when I knew my life was no longer mine...The day you met my father." Kishara coughed harder, as more of her blood splattered the ground. "AHHHH!" Silvermask's heel dug into her back.
I know of your 'beloved', you monster. The lovely Princess Ilina, from-, that lost country. A casualty of the war 6I believe. Shame. Twas, a beautiful country. Your Lusitaian friends saw to the end of that. They attacked and destroyed a neutral empire because they thought it would give them more ground! And that was the end of you princess's reign, her people gone, and her country destroyed, she had to flee, or be killed by your alliance!" Kishara's voice rose in volume as she was fueled by the guilt and fear that was slowly creeping over Hermes's steely eyes. She knew she had found his one mortal tear, and she had it in her claws and she would never let go!
Suddenly, she felt his sick smile. His eyes glistened with evil again. She was loosing her grip on him. He laughed hautily once.
"You had me, I'll give you that, filth. I saw to it that she made it out safely not a scratch was on her. I was even there. I xprotested the Lusitanian's position. She knows I never sided with them." Hermes enjoyed crushing her last hopes, but Kishara's smile remained. Zante was pacing like a caged animal. He felt something the two who were locked in stare did not.
"Your highness! Let her speak no more! She knows nothing..."
"Oh, Zante. Afraid of my knowledge?" Kishara licked her bloodied lips, and exhaled hard.
"She is buying time, my king!" Zante stopped, and then hit the ground.
"Shut up you fool. The more I listen to your babble the more time you buy for her!" Zante cowered, at his masters tone.
"Yes, my king." Zante growled at Kishara silently. Her eyes spoke of a untold victory to him. She no longer cared about her own end. Zante could tell. He knew when torture no longer worked. This fact he was most experienced with seeing this with people he had captured in battle.
"Why™ do you still smile? You last testimony was wasted."
He was cut off with Kishara corrections.
"Oh false prince, listen to my story till it's end. I assure you, it is not a waste." Kishara's pain seem to fade with that statement. Her face shaded purple and blood red began to brighten, and Silvermask's displeased feelings were growing.
"After your extravagant cover to hide you guilt, you never did let her near. Why? I know why. Your horrid face that you love so much, as it gives you a right to innocent lives, was to be hidden from her further. It's not like your lady could see you. Being blind from birth made her and excellent bride for you did didn't she?" At that the broad side of the Runakbard slapped her head hard. Kishara felt it slice through some hair and her ear. Her scalp bled, as she shook her head from the shock of surprise. "Hit a nerve, didn't I?" She said quivering.
"Keep testing me, womyn! And‹ we will see how fast your prince dies." Kishara eyes widened unconsciously. He no longer threatened her life with consequence of her defiance. Arslan's life was more precious to her then her own. She finally knew that this was the last thing she could do for him, and her people, but that statement had hit her wrong. This monologue would enrage him to no end. She knew it would give him the momentum to keep after them, and her beautiful prince. How selfish she was being. "Continue. NOW!" She jumped a little and let a tear fall. It stung her cuts and slid the length of her chin.
"You set her up in a small village, where her boat was docked. You thought the war would not reach there. You were wrong. You knew she couldn't stay there, yet you were surprised to see her on that eastern trail through the sidelands. You were making your way to the south desert to set up camp, continuing From a Lusitanian strong hold you had just burned and relieved them of their heaŸd religious figure.
When you left her there you never knew that two strong men, who fought your friends off her ship, would befriend her there."
"What?! What men?" Silvermask brandished his sword and tightened his grip thinking of possibilities of what she could say.
"You saw the men with her. Her ground traveling caravan, lead by a one eyed war hero, and a bandit, Melain, of a clan you had dealt with earlier that year. You remember it. A girl, Melain's sister, challenged you, when she saw her family fall. I know for that girl is now womyn and my friend. Lord Narsas happened by to save her from your murderous intentions, and took her off to Arslan's camp. You did not slay Melain, for he was off looking for his sister."
"Why was he gone if she was there?" Zante rolled his eyes.
"She had runaway earlier, but had returned in time to see them killed, by your master! Melain's journey took him to that small village where he met the war hero, and your lovely Ili‚na and her lady in waiting, in one day. It was Melain, who promised to stay with and keep safe Princess Ilina, and joined Arslan's troops after you saw them. Melain shot an arrow past you into the ground to make you stop. You would not even talk to her. Why? She loved you!" Kishara surprised herself by the pity in her own voice. Silvermask's cruelty had encompassed him, and her needed vengeance had blinded her to the truth about a scared little boy whose scarred manly form was in form alone, for not even he could keep a love close.
"Shut up. I wish to hear no more from you, whore." He bit and went to drag her back to the rope and the pole. Her eyes widened as he neared. She turned away and awaited the pain, but strangely none came... she looked up.
"How do you know of such things?"Hermes snarled. You were not present and neither was you friend the girl. You could not know of that meeting." Kishara's grin grew big, even though it hurt every bone and muscle in her Òface to do so, it was worth it.
"I know because, after you refused your only love audience, she fell to despair, not knowing what had become of you, just knowing she had heard your voice from the other side of that mask. And from that despair Melain's love at first sight bloomed with opportunity to lift her spirits once again. He knew of the turmoil in Eccubatana, and after you had warned them not to go because you feared for her life, and knew that the scattered Lusitanians would wipe her out if they found her, Melain safely took her around the capital via the river's edge to a little country north of Arslan's empire. Nekotan. My country, Prince."
"Get to the point!" He raged as he lifted the sword into the air over her head.
"I know all this because I invited them in, and I talked with them, gave them rooms in my castle and told them of my life and they told me of theirs. I soon after gave them a house of their own were they live to this day as my civilians, and still fair in th˝e little town where, I hosted that biggest wedding you could imagine! Their wedding." Kishara's happy words sailed at Silvermask. His past flashed through his mind. His plans were truly shattered.
"And their two children thrive, oh great king..." Kishara spat that line out as a dark shadow fell on her. "Your princess waits for you no longer!" Her defiant head was snatched with a cold metal covered hand. Her hair yanked upwards, and the dark voice spoke.
"And your prince comes in vain, only to find a rotting carcas...that is, if he comes a all." the voice of Hermes was extremely tried by her story. She had noticed the playful villainy had been drained, now instead of toying with her demise it felt as he had to kill her. That was all too true.
He sliced the Runkbard on through her gentle skin on her arm. Kishara winced as she saw the future scar in her mind.
"We end this game now!" Hermes yelled to his servant Zante. He bowed and ran out. Kishara began to shake as he dragged her up by her hÄair and put the red sword to her throat. He held her weaned frame against his armor tightly, pushing in on the sword. "What makes you think you've ruined any plans of mine, dear Queen?" He hisssed in her ear. Her eyes widened to the point of pain, as he continued. "What makes you think that I will not just take her back, and now that you've told me where she is..." His sentence subsided into horrid laughter then brought them out of the tent.
"Bring the Priest!" Zante barked loudly. Kishara's silent tears fell. How could she have put two dear friends in jeopardy all for a failed finale. Now she would die leaving a horrible wake of Hermes' wrath. He held her tight to his armor as the exited the tent.
"I'm coming, Kishara..." Arslan gritted his teeth as the light of the encampment grew closer. He could smell the wood-buring scent of the torches, and see the frightened ¬guards leap to their feet from a sullen and sleepy position. Giv and Arslan came down on them with all their fury as their blades severed their lives. Others saw the attack and ran about calling loudly for more soldiers. The panicked half awake troops grabbed swords
"Don't let them regroup." Arslan growled to Daryun and he nodded. Seeing the heated anger in his king's eyes, he dared not waste time with words.
"Just like old times isn't it, Arslan?" Giv spoke up. Arslan heard none of the nostalgic sentiment as he and Rezzana galloped through dazed troops to the main tent. Pharangese rode past him.
"Shut up, and kill something." She snarled following close behind Rezzana's steed only to peel off through the screaming crowd of unprepared soldiers. Having found the breadth enough, she began on them with her arrows.
Daryun pointed to the left and Alfurido responded.
Arslan rushed heatedly ahead of Rezzanna as she was cut off by some tro‡ops that had made it to horse-back. As she dispensed with them she saw Arslan continue toward their goal. As she brought her sword down on the last obstacle she saw a horrid glint in the moon and torch light. The bloodied sliver that was a mask of the familiar foe.
He stepped forth defiantly past the flapping tent behind him.
"Ah, they do come. It is too late, even as your fake prince approaches. With your kingdom where it rightfully belongs Arslan's claim to Eccubatana and it's throne will end." He wrenched her neck as he dragged her body along to a large table. The priest to Yaldabord stood behind the table, awaiting Hermes and the unwilling Kishara.
"Prince Hermes! I demand to know what I wait for!" He retched. "My duties to my god far outweigh any earthly claims to..." Hermes slammed his gauntlet hand onto the table. The priest was silenced. Screams and fighting were heard all around as Hermes lifted Kishara body to his side.
"I told you, you wou ld be free to go once these papers have been blessed and signed by you and that you have performed a small ceremony for me."
"That is all?" He sneered. "This seems hardly the place. The safety of this camp seems to have been compromi..."A sword leveled itself at the priests throat. Zante steadied his arms and smiled at his masked master. "I will begin to bless the papers."
"I suggest you do the abridged version of that prayer, father." Hermes whirled around. "I will not allow you protection against those who value your death above their life." He stepped forward welcoming the charging white stallion bursting forth through the crowded camp.
"SILVERMASK!" Arslan's roar was heard above the din of battle. Silvermask stood still with a weak and resigned Kishara at his side. He slowly unsheathed the ruby-bladed Runakabard: the symbol of the true king. Arslan's horse skidded under the sudden pressure of the reins. Arslan stood a good distance from the weapon and it's wielder.
"Free ˘her, Hermes. Your reign of terror will not go unpunished. You may have had right to the throne but you gave it away for a life of vengeance." Arslan spoke sternly as he stared down his enemy, and kin.
Hermes chuckled a bit.
"Afraid of me, wise king? You know I hold the power here, and with the blessings underway soon Kishara's kingdom will be mine. Be patient young one, I will return your queen when I am through with her!" He lunged forward stabbing at horse and rider. Arslan kept his eyes squarely on Kishara's and never did he see her blink as she was drug along. His concentration was fierce and unwavering as he dodged the swipes with movements of the reins. Staring at Kishara's green eyes made it seem that he was dancing with her again not fighting a battle against the past.
"The papers are ready!" the priest shouted from behind. "All I need do is sign th..."
KER-THWACK!
A well aimed arrow planted itself square in the forehead of the old priest. He tipped back a ways and the came to¸ a final rest splattering on the table crushing the prepared papers.
Slivermask's ragged screams made arslan stumble back as he turned to glance behind. He saw Narsas pitching a bow back to Pharangese and shouting something about the priest being his to take down for a while. Arslan forced a smile retuning to the situation at hand. Hermes finished reassuring himself that papers can be forged and turned to face the fury he knew awaited him. He held the long sword to Kishara's throat and bared down. Kishara Screamed and sent Arslan flying towards her. Zante met his charge and steel clashed. Daryun galloped to his king's side and broke into the fight.
"Your fight is with me, Zante!" Daryun came between them again forcing the battle on to him. Zante growled a self centered growl and came towards the mounted knight with the same ferocity as many times before.
Arslan resumed course as he remember the blade. His thoughts became fogged and his willingness to stop advancing grew.
"nooo..." he soˇftly let out. Suddenly, the horse spooked beneath him dumped Arslan's struggling body to the ground. Hermes laughed again. Kishara's inner flame burst to life seeing her prince in danger. Unable to move she struggled with her own pain and tried to find her concentration.
"Now my Queen, you will see what love I have for false kings!" He raised the sword above his head and with all his might he swung it down. Arslan's eyes cleared enough to see the glint of the blade above his head. His eyes widened fearfully.
"KISHARA! ARSLAN!" Rezzanna with sword in hand and splint an sling on the other charged through a group of scattering guards and threw herself from her steed ramming Hermes and Kishara with all her weight knocking them to the ground.
Hermes' blood curdling roar ripped through the air. Kishara wrenched her arm from the harsh grip of Hermes gauntlet and limped as quickly as possible to Arslan's side. Rezzanna's eyes open too a sword embedded in the ground before her. Her sling had been r˛ipped beyond usage in the fall. She saw the sparkle of the red steel and in shock and pain grabbed the foreign sword and jumped up and away from Hermes who had begun to reorient himself beside her. Silvermask sprang up Not noticing Rezzana and scanned for his sword. Seeing Rezzanna running off he grabbed the nearest sword and pursued her. Arslan cut him off.
"Now we shall see what love I have for monsters like you!" Arslan's harsh voice could be heard where Daryun was fighting Zante.
Daryun swung down heavily upon the younger man's blade.
"This is not a fight you can win, young one. This was your father's fight and he gave it up a long time ago." Daryun stated as he grappled with the massive strength that filled each thrust of Zante's sword.
"My father has nothing to do with this fight now! You and I fight for no other reason but our master's will not relent the throne."
"Your master is not the king!" Daryun's words seemed to ignite a rage in Zante.
"My master is the rightful heir and truest lord of this land. You side with the mongrel!"
Daryun was silent. He swung a sloppy swing and it was battered away. He saw a spark of fire make a tent go up in white hot flames. Daryun knew that within moments this fight would be over, for soon a fire that hot would over take this entire encampment.
"I suggest you run, Zante, and not from me...if you are smart that is." Daryun took off for his horse. Zante grunted at the fire behind him and turned back to see Daryun running away.
Far away from Arslan and far away from Daryun, even the conflict was far away to her as she pointed her finger to the tent in which she had been tied up and held. A light sprang from her finger and eagerly fed upon the dry dirty tent. She counted herself lucky as she did the same to all the tents near her.
She gazed on at Arslan and Hermes fighting viciously for dominance. She sighed and took in the new flames that were now running rampant around the camp. Most of the soldiers had already scattered thanks to Pharangese and Alfurido. Giv, still a little weary from so much bed rest and having been traveling, was out of practice for even a small battle. He was keeping up well, she noted.
The fire grew stronger around her and she moved a safe distance from the blaze when she felt another rumble from t he ground. She need not feel another rumble to know from whence it came. Her eyes happened upon her dear general Rezzanna and her position told it all.
Rezzanna's eyes were clouded and she kneeled under a pressure that emanated from the sword she held. Arslan and Hermes began to notice the rumbling and the strange happenings to the sword and it's holder.
"RUN!" Kishara screamed with all her breath. Giv looked up from his sight on his bow and felt a tremor. He yelled out to Pharangese who nodded and leaned into a gallop toward the opening into the desert away from the fire. Giv looked back at Arslan still involved in sword play in amongst the flames. He did not see Daryun.
"This is why I took a vacation." Giv ˛said dryly and rode into the turmoil once again.
"GIV!" Pharangese called after him, but he had already passed the first tent and could not be seen. Alfurido rode up next to her.
"Narsas is there too. They're all get out okay, I'm sure." She tried to comfort the priestess who was doing nothing to conceal her emotions.
Narsus had found a path to Daryun as he struggled with a sword battle so near to his horse. Narsus grabbed the rein's of his friend mount and rode up to the two.
"I don't know about you to, but I didn't plan on dying today..." Narsas called over the crackling flames. Daryun looked up and pushed Zante off his sword. Racing for his horse he quickly jumped into the saddle and Narsas and Daryun began to ride out. Daryun heard Zante scream behind him, but only in rage. Daryun turned and saw Zante get onto another man's horse after throwing him into the growing angry fire. Daryun grimaced and suddenly halted.
"What is it now? We must flee!" Narsas snarled.
"The King, where...where is he? Rezzana and the Queen?!" He turned to face the fire once again. They stood still and just scanned for life in the blazes.
Every rumble was bigger than the last and Arslan and Hermes finally noticed. Kishara ran to her friend's side and wretched the blade from her tightly gripped hands.
"Rezzana!" Kishara shook her general. Rezzana came too as she heard a familiar sound. Slivermask's roar was hard on the heart and ears. His fearful panicked cries became more and more erratic. He had noticed the fire surrounding him as he had not noticed intensely fighting King Arslan. He began to run and find a place to escape.
Arslan came down beside the two womyn.
"We must run." He helped Rezzana to her feet. He looked at Kishara deeply for a moment only, "if we still can." He then spun around looking for a hole to run through. The fire had risen like walls and the unstable ground grew more and more violent. Arslan bent down for the offending red bladed Ruknabard, and Kishara stopped him.
"We must run, there is another who is coming for the sword. He wants to continue his rest. We must run." Kishara stated calmly, Arslan stared at her.
"I found an opening. We have to run through this tent to be sure, but it's our only way!" Rezzana Ran on ahead and the King and Queen followed as close as they could.
Running through the tent was hard, it had already been engulfed and pieces of wooden support began to fall upon them. The heat so intense but none seemed to mind. Arslan looked puzzled as he felt no heat from the hungry flames as he dashed past. A tiny white glint almost like that of glass flashed against the fire and He stared forward at Rezzana.
Once outside the encampment the group rallied and exchanged sighs and hugs. Arslan reached out for Kishara but she and Rezzana had already moved up to the nearest sand dune.
They looked downward out on the ranging fire.
"He still in there." Kishara whispered.
"I'm sure he is. His pyrophobia was very intense...you knew that." Rez¸zana acknowledged her but still stared straight ahead.
As they looked on an eruption exploded half of the camp. A giant snake of light and form exploded out from the ground and coiled around the camp.
"The snake king has returned." Kishara knew of this happening, and she had recognized it before.
"Kai Hoslo's seal is too powerful, the sword will be restored, even the feared snake king must sleep in his mountain." Rezzana smiled a bit. She had felt the seal's power. It called out for the prisoner once it was uncontrolled, and just as if it had never left The Snake king in all his magnificence that had terrorized old Eccubantana in legend came to retake the sword himself.
rezzana, leaning heavily on her friend, raised her good hand and closed her hand into a fist. A glass-like sheen covered the entire encampment and slowly grew smaller and smaller. It squelched the suffocating flames tighter and tighter until nothing remained. Even the snake king had retreated into the ground in a flash of his own light.
The two womyn sighed. Kishara was silent and stared out at the devastation. Rezzana nudged her.
"He won't hurt anyone or himself ever again. Come on. Let's go." Rezzana leaned harder and Kishara lead her over to the group again. They all looked on, got onto horse back and rode back home. The event in the desert would take a while to settle into memory, but all would be well eventually. That was the only thought the kept the silence on the long ride home.
A month later, great crowds once again streamed out to the border's of the city of Pars. A wedding had been planned and everyone in the peaceful nation wanted to attend.
The ceremony was large and no expense was spared. Arslan was once again a hero king to his people. The story of how he had saved his Queen won their hearts just as Narsas had planned.
"Daryun, see how everything always works out. You just have to have a little faith." Narsas tipped a reception glass to his mouth as dancers danced for the reception guests.
"Yes, I do see. It always works out to be how you plan, Narsas. I should learn to believe you." He laughed. Both men dressed in full regalia for their respective stations shared an old laugh as they looked on to see King Arslan and Queen Kishara occupying the thrones that had been made for them, laughing and enjoying themselves on their day.
"So, when are you and this general lady of yours going to get together?" Narsas smiled wryly. Daryun tried to restrain a blush.
"I believe that will be up to her. Has Alfurido set a date for you yet?"Daryun smirked and Narsas nearly spit out a whole glass of wine.
"My friend I will have you know...!" He was cut off.
"Is it too informal of me to ask if the General of Pars is too busy to dance with a fellow scoldier?" A soft deep voice echoed in Daryun's ears. He looked up to see Rezzana, her long black hair up in a braided bun at the back of her head, and wearing a dark blue dress that streamed to the floor. Daryun's eyes widened a second and returned to normal. Her warrior frame was evident through the graceful dress. He knew that this was a rare event and he should take advantage of it.
"Not at all, m'Lady" He bowed and took her hand. He winked at Narsas and Narsas scowled, but then smiled lightly.
He shook his head once before Alfurido got to him and dragged him away to the dance floor. Everything was well. Silvermask's memory would remain, but it could not mar this day, nothing of the past could. When king's stop and think and learn to love again they discover the weight of events on the soul and the worth of their own crown.
Fin. (finally)