Disclaimer: I know, this is the first time I have ever put one up. I do not own any of "The Slayers" or "Escaflowne" characters, or the countries of Saillune, Egzardia, Freid, Zaibach, Fanelia, Asturia, or Asgard. I do own Hiero and Alessa, and if you want to use either character, ask my permission first. I also own Delphine, Narcissa, Bran, Zazu, Saffron, Veda, Myrna, Daisuke, Colwin, and Void.
Chapter 19
The Star*
Golden Charm and Sapphire Jealousy
~ Godashim, Fried ~
The golden sun climbed over the horizon slowly, the citizens of Freid still encased in dreams and nightmares. The animals were another story, the light of day alerting them to begin anew in their daily routine, awaiting their masters' beckon and call.
Among them, the rooster of one of many local farmers came out of his pen and hopped up onto his perch. The palace wasn't ver far, for this roosters owner took care of most of Duke Chid's food needs and fine animal wool for clothing. The rooster had no thoughts of this, only that he was to crow when the sun rose to alert his master a new day was here, and work on the farm would proceed as normal. He'd get fed, get his pick of plump hens to mate with, and go one pecking until the moons rose, and then do the same when the sun came again.
He crowed proudly, puffing his amber and feathery chest out fully as his cry filled the air. All he needed to perform were five crows, as loud as possible as he knew he had to. Upon the fifth, he prepared to hop off his perch and go peck at the ground like always.
"FIREBALL!" was the last thing the bird heard before he was burnt to a dead crisp.
~ Palace of Duke Chid ~
Hiero slumped back on his bed, annoyed he'd been roused by the rooster outside. He'd gotten back at it by frying it and only hoped that he wouldn't have to hear another crowing anytime soon. He was tired enough and didn't need something bothering his precious sleep. "How I envy the dead." He muttered, slamming his pillow over the back of his head and warm sunlight drew across his smooth and pale bare back and boxers shorts. His legs were well hidden under the white sheets His dark boxers were even more contrasting the most against the pale sheets, but the room was darker. He lay there for a long time, trying to fall back to sleep.
He blamed the duo colored rooms on Chid's odd sense of style, black and white for some room, purple and blue for others, gold and white, green and yellow, and the list went on. Hiero didn't know the palace well, but Val did. In probing his minds in childhood and adulthood, he'd seen certain areas through Val's memories. This room seemed to suit him best. It had no color and it was near Val's room. He could keep tabs on his friend better being in closer vicinity, unlike in Fanelia. He felt he'd failed Val in a way, not being able to protect him from pain, the pain Allen and Myrna had inflicted upon him.
'Allen will get his, from me, from Dilandau, I don't care, so long as he is made sorry for hurting Val-chan.' Hiero thought, sleep not trying to return to his body. The sun was very warm now, and it kept seeping through the pillow into his shut eyes. With a frustrated growl, he threw the pillow off the bed and sat up. 'I hate chickens, lousy beady-eyed bastards. I hate them….all they are good for is food….Hmmm, speaking of which, I can be first for breakfast." He said, smiling at the thought of food.
His appetite could be bothersome, always needing to eat to maintain his mystical energy. Lina had always needed to eat almost every few hours of a day to keep her nightmare magic potent, and he simply inherited her skills, since not everyone was capable of using nightmare magic. He used it with the greatest of pleasure, but the energy taken from his body for the spells had to be compensated, which meant eating a lot. The only good thing about it was he never gained any weight from it, only a few growth spurts in height.
By the time Hiero was fifteen on Gaia, he was nearly as tall as his current father was. King Van had gained height since he had met up with Hitomi, as tall as grandfather Ghau had been upon his death. Hiero had been a little shocked his father had been such a short at age fifteen, short as compared to how tall Hiero had been at that age. He had gathered he was at least half a foot taller than his father was at that age. After that, Hiero gained a few more inches after that before his body couldn't grow anymore.
Hiero sighed, the memories of his parents drifting away with his annoyance. He got off his bed and thrust his clothes and boots on, then fixed his hair in his bathroom into it's normal and neat fashion. He walked out of his room with a final stretch and yawn, expecting to see the others exiting.
No one came out, their doors all shut. He didn't bother to knock on them, and walked to Val's room. The door was unlocked and as he peered inside, he found it was empty, the broken class from his tantrum long gone and the bed looking like it had been slept in. Val wasn't there. "He's an early riser all right. Guess I was trying to go to sleep longer than I thought. Damn, now I won't be first for breakfast." He sighed, shutting the door quietly before running down the halls to the dining area.
~
Hiero sat down quietly in his seat, only Chesta and Viole looking up from their plates to greet him, Myrna being the only civilian to wave and grin. Gatti looked half-asleep, his hair disheveled, trying to drink some orange nectar and keep from landing his face in his eggs while Dalet was sleeping in his chair with a piece of bacon in his mouth. Migel's seat was empty, as was Dilandau and Guimel's, the only Dragon Slayers missing. Val was in his seat eating and trying to avoid looking at Myrna while Myrna was trying to look around Val to gaze adoringly at Hiero.
'I have a fit and she still won't accept the fact that I don't love her. Gods, what an airhead. She's ten times the bitch Amelia was. This is obvious punishment for stealing from that witch and humiliating her, isn't it?' he thought crassly, and shoved a buttered roll in his mouth savagely.
As he gave the table another look, he found Chid's seat was empty, but there was a messy plate there. Alessa's was also not in her seat, her plate littered with a few crusts and burnt pieces of bacon. "Where are Alessa and Chid?" he asked, trying not to sound suspicious. Chesta looked up from his bacon and eggs, a piece of toast halfway to his mouth, then lowered it slightly.
"We all came down for breakfast after the rooster crowed, then some explosion really woke us up, Lord Hiero," Chesta explained, and Hiero had to blush at what his tantrum caused," When Chid finished his breakfast, he asked Lady Alessa about that tour of Freid thing. She said she had nothing to do and might as well get cultured and agreed. She did tell us to inform you that she'd see you later. I guess she was obviously never told how vast Freid is…."
"Or how dull. This place is mainly agricultural and religious. He'll either bore her to death so much with shrines and farmlands that she'd do anything to get out of it….Oop, bad choice of words, Lord Hiero." Gatti added, yawning then taking a gulp of his nectar.
Hiero smirked and piled the food on his plate enough to hide how pissed off his face was starting to look. "Yes, very bad choice of words, and stop calling me Lord. Bad enough Myrna does it. I guess I'll have to speed eat now to make sure Chid doesn't pull anything on Alessa like Allen did on my mother. Why she let him do that….I still don't know. It was stupid crush….and crushes are for morons." Hiero said snidely, shooting a dirty look at the starry eyed Myrna.
Her trance didn't break, her furry elbow now embedded in her food. A few seconds longer and she slipped on her food and her face landed hard in her eggs. The noise from the crash and her yowling was enough to make Dalet snort awake, the bacon snapping upwards and landing in his hair. He didn't notice this and chewed a moment, then seemed to realize where he was and started to eat anew, humming as if nothing had happened.
Hiero rolled his eyes and started to eat swiftly, piling food upon his plate a few more times. "Alessa is not like my mother. She's a lot stronger in her will, not as scared of herself. I don't think so anyway. If Chid does try anything, well, I know I can have faith in her. My mother, I loved her very much, but she could be so hysterical and fickle sometimes. She only had a crush on Allen cause he looked like some guy she had a crush on from her track team back home."
"What's a track team?" Dalet snorted, delicately munching down on his toast.
"Its an athletic team on the Mystic Moon. I bet Gatti would be good at it, he's got the physique for it." Hiero chirped, making Gatti blush.
"Why not me?" Dalet demanded.
"You would only make it as a groupie, you're too vain. Sweat probably offends you, so it wouldn't work." Hiero said pleasantly, shoving some toast in his mouth.
Dalet grumbled, but made no reply. "Told you so, but that's not the point. The point is that I am not Alessa's keeper, she's in charge of her own destiny. I won't interfere with her life, but I will try to get her to be a part of mine. And if Chid hurts her in any way….this country is going to need a new duke." Hiero grinned, finishing off the last of his food.
"No interference, huh? What if she starts liking him better than you?" Dalet smirked. Hiero sneered at him. "Why don't you go wash that bacon out your hair like the prissy twit you are?" Hiero returned. Dalet hissed at him, grinding his teeth as he swatted the bacon from his locks. Hiero just smiled with throaty chuckle, shutting his eyes a moment. He opened them back up to look smug, content he had Dalet fuming. The young Slayer pushed back violently from the table, favoring his greased hair and left the room in a huff.
"But I digress, you guys aren't the issue. Did Dilandau, Migel, and Guimel come down early too?" he asked casually.
"Lord Dilandau came down before us. He was walking out as we all came down. We're quite used to him being an earlier riser than we are. He is our superior after all. I think Migel and Guimel are still sleeping, they were never morning people. The first time around, they rarely ate breakfast at all." Chesta piped, wiping his mouth off. Hiero nodded and went on in asking," So where did Dilandau go? Training, I bet."
"Correct, Lord Hiero. He told us he was going to do it outside of Freid. The people here evidently annoy him. He seemed like he wanted privacy. I wouldn't know why, didn't he win again Sir Val?" Chesta asked timidly.
Hiero smiled a little, casting Val a side-glance. Val looked like he was smiling slightly, but he was still eating so it was hard to tell. "Yeah, he did that much, but I beat him afterwards. He didn't seem sore about that. I think maybe that it is the area. This is near where all the Dragon Slayers met their demise. It's probably just memories." Hiero replied, feeling cold suddenly. It was how all the reborn Dragon Slayers felt when they were reminded of their deaths. No one deserved what they got, to be slaughtered like pigs, no matter what they had done.
"Yes, we all have those of this place….even poor Migel. He'll probably hole up in his room all day. He hates this place." Gatti let out, done with his meal.
"I don't blame him. If I got strangled to death somewhere, I'd be antsy about it too. I'll bring him some food up after I'm done." Hiero replied, eliciting startled chokes from everyone but the sighing Myrna.
"If there is any left after you're done. Hah, hah." Chesta giggled. Hiero just shrugged, grabbing a piece of fruit. "This will be the last thing I eat….for a few hours….," he said quietly, and got up from his seat," Try and have a little relaxation today, but keep your eyes open. Zaibach nearly had us yesterday so they can't be far off."
Those at the table, except Myrna, smiled and nodded coherently, watching Hiero go to where Migel's empty chair was. He piled up a good helping of eggs, meat, and toast and a fat goblet of orange nectar. He walked for the door, but Val called out to him, making him stop.
"I thought you weren't fond of Migel. The others said you've been really hard on him and Dalet." Val asked curiously.
"He's stopped his unwanted advances on Alessa and he's become rather competent. There's no harm in allowing a guy to eat. He's of no use to us starving and weak. This doesn't mean I forgive his actions, just that he needs to eat….," Hiero replied, starting to walk again," I'm not completely vindictive, Val-chan. Start worrying if I offer to bring Folken breakfast. Kill me if that ever happens."
Hiero left, not waiting for a response. He walked slowly to Migel's room, thinking of what he'd do for the rest of the day. 'Find Alessa for one and beat the tar out of Chid discreetly and out of her line of view. Now how do you show a girl you care, I keep getting interrupted when I try and kiss her….hmm, maybe a present. Yes, I can get her a present today.' He thought, a smile perking up his face.
"I wonder what present she'd like….something romantic. Ah….Lord Dynast got his first wife a diamond angel. That caught everyone by surprise. Not me….not really, he learned as much from me as I did from him. Hmm, maybe I'll get her a fancy ornament too." He muttered to himself as he reached Migel's door.
~ Streets of Godashim ~
- Hours Later -
"Roses! Freesia! Narcissus! Baby's Breath! Lilies, come one come all and buy flowers for your loved ones. Special deals, well spent gidaru here!" a dog-man merchant called, an array of lovely, sparkling flowers and arrangements surround his booth.
Alessa had to marvel at the lovely and bustling streets of Godashim, they were even lovelier later in the day. More merchant shops and booths were open, a lot more colors of the clothing of the people caught her eye, and the place was filled with conversation. It almost reminded her of Times Square in the winter, when everyone was outside going to the department and toy stores for Christmas present. She wondered if Gaia had any such holiday, but soon doubted it. Wars and death's of famous people were probably all this war torn planet celebrated.
"I'll take a Baby's breath crown, please." Chid's voice piped. She finally seemed to break her gaze on the streets, and a dolphin-headed man carrying some fish a ways off. Alessa looked at Chid in time to have a crown of sweet smelling and tiny flowers placed on her head. She blushed at the action meeting with Chid's gaze. "Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady, but the flowers are nothing compared to you." he cooed gently. She looked away, itching at her clothing. It was another damn dress, baby blue with lavender embroidery, one Chid had one of his servants leave in place of her dirty clothing. He hadn't told her where he original and comfortable clothes were taken, and doubted he would. He had said ladies should themselves off in proper attire.
She had detested him putting it that way, him belittling women wearing pants and all. Hiero encouraged it, never once suggesting she wear a dress for anything. Yet, Hiero was so distant and odd, Chid was from this world, mortal. There was no harm in making a friend, Chid had his good points. He was polite, he listened most of the time, and he wasn't trying to blow things up.
'Maybe I'm not being fair to Hiero, but he's so much older than me….with all that deadly power in my body. What if his affection is an act just to lead me on? He's older than this world, he knows how people expect those in love act….no, Hiero wouldn't do that, would he?' she thought, confusing herself terribly enough not to notice Chid was leading her around again, his arm over her shoulder.
"You seem so deep in thought, but I bet I can guess what you're thinking about, or rather who." She heard him say. She didn't wriggle out of the hold, he wasn't trying anything funny. He sounded concerned.
"What makes you think I am thinking of anyone?" she asked.
"It's Hiero, I know, plenty people wear that look, or disgust when thinking about him. Except Dryden and Gaddes, they seem to like the little jackass. He's been a problem child since he was born, I don't know why you were his childhood playmate….or why he never told us about you," he sighed, then looked her over," Then again, I think I do. He always was greedy about people."
"He's not so bad once you get know him, maybe eccentric and odd at times, but he has a big heart. He has risked his life plenty of times for us all….more than he's needed to." She said softly, suddenly feeling like his slender arm weighed a ton.
"You wouldn't say that if he tried to set your clothes on fire while you were still in them. I'm stunned his parents didn't die from heart attack instead….well, that's not being fair to them, may the gods rest their souls. They loved that blue streak of lightening to death. Hmmm, shall we discuss something else, like how you like Godashim so far?" Chid offered.
"Oh, its nice, very different from….home. Extremely different….its all so festive and friendly around. Here….my parents uh, and Hiero's, never let us go around Fanelia much, so I didn't know it very well. When Hiero goes back, I might get a chance when people come to help. I feel so terrible for what those Zaibach people did. Hiero took it very hard….he's so alone now." She said, moving a little faster to lose his arm, but he kept up with her.
"Hiero, Hiero, Hiero….he must really be getting to you if you keep talking about him. I feel for his country, I am sorry he has no one from that beautiful place anymore, but that's no excuse to be with a band of war criminals….who are supposed to be dead. How he manages to grow even stranger is beyond me. Please, this subject is making you fret so much. A pretty face like yours shouldn't be subjected to that. Let's go to the Arcadia Shrine to Atlantis. It has the most gorgeous architecture, my lady." He said crisply, his tone softening once Hiero's name wasn't mentioned.
"I guess so….I must be stressed out. With all that has happened….who wouldn't be?" she replied, allowing him to walk her further through the crowded streets.
~
The shrine he took her into was in fact beautiful, even more beautiful than the garden path to his throne. Statues and portraits of numerous angels of every size and gender were displayed, and the sacred symbol of Freid, a sort of stick figure angel, was carved into the wall behind the altar. Sunlight shined through it, the golden radiance stretching nearly the entire expanse of the shrine.
Organ music played while a slew of nuns prayed before the golden altar of a male and female angel in a delicate embrace, the male's wings spread while the female seemed to cradle her body. It was a lot fancier than the church at the orphanage, one that was littered with gum wrappers, wine stains, and cigarette butts from the bad kids. No cheap wooden statues, no graffiti littered pews, nothing. The place was like paradise for the religious.
"I've never seen anything like it. It….how long has this church been here?" she asked breathlessly. Chid wasn't draping his arm over her, he was in a nearby pew praying with a small smile and his delicate eyes closed.
"Not long actually. Construction was completed in the reconstruction of Freid. That….boy, Dilandau, and his Dragon Slayers helped burn my country to the ground nearly twenty years ago. This church was the oldest and most famous of all in Freid, it was founded by our country's first and virgin high priestess, Arcadia. She was a visionary, one who met with some of the last remnants of the Draconian race and built this shrine based on their appearance and tales. She passed her legacy onto a priestess of her choice, but there never was another like Arcadia, she was truly a blessed one, gifted in the arts, literature, and she was the most humane and selflessly loving person ever born. It was a shame when she died. Her legacy lives on in Freid, it will forever." Chid explained, still on his knees.
Alessa heard the tip tap of footsteps, but no one was walking around before her, so she figured other people were coming in to pray. "It is nice you were able to restore it. Makes me glad stone can't be burnt to a crisp."
Chid nodded. "Yes, not like that heathen Dilandau would care. He enjoyed it, I heard him laughing as we all escaped the blaze. I was too young to understand why, but I do now." he let out, starting to stand. Alessa was ready to agree with him when a familiar and dangerous voice sounded by her ear, the cold breath making her blood freeze.
"And what the hell do you understand, Chid?" Dilandau uttered casually, walking past Alessa with a very smug look on his face, and circled her a moment. Soon he stood right in front of her, still in his armor, cleaned up, and with his sword on his hip. He looked perfectly arrogant as well, his garnet eyes seeming to laugh at her, staring her down.
She fought back the urge to gulp, but couldn't take her eye free of his. "You do not belong here, monster. Have you come back to destroy this place of beauty again?" Chid demanded angrily, his blue eyes flaring.
Dilandau let out a slight chuckle, but his eyes remained on Alessa. "Who, me? This dump isn't worth my time, what would I get out of it? Oh yes, target practice. I have no sense of worship or faith. I only worship war and death….not….my own kind. I was born of an Asturian woman….and a Draconian man, so you should really be worshiping me, Chid, since I have the blood of Atlantis in my veins. But I'd sooner die than let someone as boorish as you worship me. My Dragon Slayers' loyalty is all I need….and a good fight." Dilandau snickered, running his hand through his silver hair.
"What are doing here then? If you have no business here, then get your filthy soul out of this house of worship! Iie!" Chid yelled, startling the nuns enough to make them look at him, and angering Dilandau enough to slap him to the ground.
"Some duke you are, you take slaps worse than Chesta and Dalet do. Truly tragic….but yes, I have other pressing business than to bother with someone as weak as you. I just wanted to take in the sight, didn't have much time to do it the last time I was here, but then again, you know why. Now that I've seen it, I guess burning this place to the ground wasn't such a waste after all. You don't have much to entertain people….I'd have better luck at an abandoned farmhouse than this hole." Dilandau snickered, then started to walk past Alessa, still smirking.
"And you just conveniently came in here to tell us that?" Alessa breathed, finally finding her voice.
Dilandau stopped right next to her, his left eye gracing her, the blood-red garnet eye regarding as if she were lunch. "Just checking, little girl, just checking. Have fun….just don't forget, we are all on a mission. Don't waste our time again." He told her, then walked out proudly, as if nothing of importance occurred.
"Baka….," Chid muttered, rubbing his newly sore and red cheek, then noticed Alessa was finally looking at him," Oh, forgive my language, my lady, but he is utterly uncivilized and…."
"Just Dilandau….you can't change the guy, I don't think ever will. Why Hiero has any faith in Dilandau being around is beyond me. He's better off in a nut house." She mumbled as he walked up to her, smiling affectionately.
"Why would a house of nuts be a better place? I don't see how food will help him." Chid said curiously. Alessa just sighed. "Never mind…..Let's just leave before he decides he forgot a few more insults he wanted to use. Besides, I think I'm a little hungry. I didn't have a very big breakfast." She replied quietly, getting a sweet smile from him, and his arm latched to her waist.
"All you had to do was ask, it is my duty as a man to look out for your interests and safety. I will be more prepared the next that ruffian shows his face. We wouldn't want your dignity and beauty being harmed, now would we?" he said dotingly, his fingers rubbing at her hip.
She squirmed a bit, putting her hand to his to halt the ticklish movements. "Fine, can we just get something to eat." She said quickly. He nodded, but kept his hand on her hip.
~
Lunch was a very lovely affair, rather too lovely. She guessed Chid being the ruler was the reason for it. There was soft harp and violin music from the lovely restaurant he brought her too, one that was full of well dressed nobles, priests, and rich civilians, the tables covered with lace tablecloths, crystalline vases with fresh flowers, and fine plates and utensils that were cleaner than she thought possible
It was terribly suffocating. She had never been to a fancy place, but then again, before she came to Gaia, a fast food place or a cheap diner was as good as it got. She'd already dined in two palaces before this, and they were far more lavish than this. Hiero had not spoiled her like this, but then again, he'd had no time and she personally didn't care if he ever did. She was easy to please. She merely wanted to eat, not be doted on so much. Chid was really being nice to her, making her feel welcome, but it was still so much.
She was almost glad when she'd finished lunch, more than eager to not have everyone in the place staring at her like she had two heads. She'd heard whispers, wondering if she was Chid's new lover, maybe his future Duchess, or just a hooker. Alessa took offense to the last comment, it was entirely uncalled for, but it made her think of Hiero. He'd mistaken her for an exotic dancer when he'd first seen her, but then again, he didn't know what leotards were for completely. He'd apologized somewhat and never brought it up again.
She didn't understand why everyone had to gossip about her, it was unfair. She was just being friendly and getting a tour, that was all. Why they had to be so nosy and nasty was beyond her, and she chose not to retaliate against them. She wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of seeing that they'd hit a nerve. Alessa walked out proudly and ahead of Chid when they were leaving.
But luck passed her by the moment she stepped outside, a parade of citizen rushing past her to talk to Chid, mostly young women and greedy old merchants, trying to speak their piece to the young duke. She was pushed back a few times until she found herself shoved violently into a dim alley, Chid calling out her name.
She couldn't get past the crowd too well, they had fully blocked her in. Alessa sighed and walked down the alley, hoping she could double back and wait for the crowd to die down. She didn't know her way around this place, she needed Chid to help her back to the palace, or she'd have to stomach Dilandau yelling at her again.
As she walked on, the alley curved, the sounds of the ground leaving her ears. She heard a few animals, cats maybe. The more she walked, the more lost she felt, soon no noises but the warm breezes of Fried filling her ears. 'Lost, dammit. I don't need this….what if there are criminals somewhere down the line. I don't even have a weapon to defend myself with….' She thought, growling in frustration as she walked on.
Then she heard it, someone whistling a song, the Dragon Bride. She recognized it after a moment, the familiar notes clicking into place in her mind. The lamenting whistler was nearby, maybe at the end of the alley. She listened hard to locate it, keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of attackers.
A few minutes passed before she finally got out of the alley into the afternoon sun, a well straight across from her in the middle of a pretty little garden. She saw the figure sitting on the edge of it, his back leaning against on of the poles that held the bucket up. He was whistling strongly now, one leg casually draped over the edge in her view and the other was with him on the ledge. His sapphire blue hair seemed to shine like a sea of jewels in the sunlight, his gentle eyes closed until he finished his song.
When he stopped, the eyes opened, regarding her almost thoughtfully. "I knew you'd come." He said quietly, not making a move towards her. She did it on her own, walking slowly to him, then sitting herself neatly on the emerald grass a foot away from him. He looked down, a gentle smile on his pale lips and lock of hair blowing across his eyes.
"Having a good time with Chid?" he asked casually, his hand in his lap. "It was interesting. The….nicest part was the Arcadia Shrine, you should go there. It's very pretty, maybe you can pray to your parents….and Celena." She told him
"I don't pray." He said simply, and without passion.
"That's a lie. I saw you pray to the moons for love….oop." she let out, stopping when she realized what she just said. She'd seen that in a dream, not in life. There was no way she could see it unless she'd been spying on him, and it was probably what he was thinking.
He raised an eyebrow, looking a little put out, but it was brief. "You must have talked with Myrna or something. My door is always locked, has been for a few years, since Myrna hit puberty. I'll have to have a talk with her….again." he said quietly.
"No….Jenai told me. He saw you doing it once." She lied quickly. If he saw through it, he didn't show it.
"Ok, if you say so. But I do not pray, the gods have never answered me, not since….well, you know. Delphine pretty much made me abolish religion from my life….I don't deserve their guidance anyhow. I killed once of them, sort of." He said, then squirmed a bit, and forced out a smile," You didn't come here to talk about my faith, now did you? Where's Chid?" he went on.
"After lunch….some citizens swarmed him. We got separated, and I wound up in an alley….got kind of lost. I think we had seen most of the sights, the Seishi Gardens, most of the farms, a few shrines aside from Arcadia's, and the market place….is there more?" she explained, smiling faintly.
"I don't know, I've never been here. I wandered to this place, its nice and quiet. No nagging guards or people, just….nature." he said, smiling appreciatively at the area, then looked back at her.
"Yeah….never saw much of that in New York, the most we got out of nature was Central Park, and that's being generous. The nuns never splurged for any decent trips….then again, this place makes up for it, if only there weren't so much death involved in seeing new places and people."
"Death is a part of normal life. But sometimes, death can have meaning for others. Like the Dragon Bride did." Hiero replied.
"There actually was a Dragon Bride? I remember you saying it was from some kind of legend." Alessa asked, letting her finger play with the grass.
"Yes, but a true legend, when this place was still capable of magic….well, when the gods still had great influence and dragons still had their wings," he chuckled, then looked thoughtfully at her," Want to pass the time and hear it? You can finally understand what Dragon Bride and the Silver Requiem truly mean to Fanelia. It is pretty much the only part of Fanelia of the past that interests me. You don't have to hear it….if you don't want to."
Alessa smiled at him, patting his knee. She wanted to laugh when she saw him blushed, but refrained from it. "Sure, if it is as charming as the story of Arcadia, even a little, what could be the harm in it."
Hiero smiled and got off the well to sit near her, leaning his back against the stone structure. "It is actually a love story of the first king of Fanelia, the one who first bound himself to Escaflowne. He was a brilliant warrior, but he had no queen, he was far too busy defending Fanelia against the dragons. He would hunt every day in the Dragon valley and bring back the meat for his people, the skulls and skin for commerce, but that was all her lived for."
"What was his name?" Alessa asked quietly. "Tava Reluse de Fanel, and he was Fanelia founder and savior, uniting what was once a group of poor nomads. In taking down a tyrant's thieves' guild that had only built the palace of Fanelia, he acquired the land and his men built the city around it. And named it after himself….for his family's honor and was decided to be most capable of ruling. He was a wonderful king and praised, but alone. He had no family other than himself," Hiero went on," But things changed when he reached his 30th birthday, and a large male dragon had been scaring and devouring away most of the merchants his kingdom traded with. He made an oath to go out and destroy it or die trying, and he'd do it alone."
"Anyway, after a few days of tracking, he found the dragon, a rare silver dragon. It was attacking a young raven hair maiden, and the woman took Tava's breath away. He'd never seen such beauty, such innocence in any living creature. In a heroic effort, he attacked and slew the dragon, but it only made the maiden weep. She had not blamed the creature, saying it was merely hungry and the animals it was used to feeding upon had died out. He felt so terrible, and so in love, he vowed to her he would never slay a dragon again. Dragons would only be slain as a task to prove one was worthy of being the king of Fanelia." Hiero explained.
"And so Dragon Slaying tasks were created…."Alessa surmised. Hiero nodded, grimacing a little. "Yeah, Val and I know who to blame for that barbaric sport, but hell, there were tons of them back then, not like the ones of this era. They lost their wings over time, trying to stay out of the sky where spears and firebomb launchers couldn't hit them," Hiero sighed, then looked thoughtful," After that day, he and the woman, Marina, returned and grew more in love than before. It took Marina some time to fall for Tava since he killed the dragon, but she soon understood that he was depended on heavily. She was with him every waking hour, hearing of his life and him of hers, that she was a bard who had lost her way on her way to Asturia. She had no homeland, and had lived alone in the forests near the coast ever since her family died of a terrible disease. She been on her own since she was thirteen, and took very excellent care of herself, till that dragon incident. After a while, they married in secret, since Tava's advisors were against their king marrying a common woman, and a filthy bard at that. They believed bards were lazy idiots. Filthy sluts and bastards that would do anything to get a handout."
"That's cruel. He loved her, and she loved him, what was their deal?" Alessa snapped. Hiero shrugged. "They didn't believe she could provide a ….good heir, but Tava wouldn't hear of it, he only wanted Marina. He stayed with her all the time, hearing her beautiful song she would play on her harp, one her mother taught her, an ancient lament of their tribe. She never mentioned what tribe, but they must be extinct or something if only Fanelians know the song," Hiero went on quietly, then his eyes grew sad," But despite how happy they were, his advisors and warriors weren't. His thought to be best friend Tesu, the leader of Fanelia's warriors, grew hateful of this woman who was, in his mind, seducing the king to steal the throne. So, he and the advisors cooked up a rumor to be spread about a terrible winged dragon near Zaibach ruining trade routes, and that they needed help. Eventually, this rumor reached Tava, and he, being used to slaying dragons, wanted to help. Marina was against it, and feared he would be lost. He assured he'd be fine and left, eager to help the other country."
"The moment he was out of sight, the advisors and Tesu made a pact with the a demon of chaos, one of the few remnants of the Anti-god's servants that remained. They sacrificed one of their own to have a curse placed on Marina, so they could be rid of her and make up any story they wanted without any blood on their hands. The demon did the deed, and transformed Marina into a silver dragon, making her hide precious so she'd be slaughtered faster. Tava came back to be told a silver dragon had murdered his wife while he was away, and that it was hiding in the forest. Overcome with grief, Tava and Tesu left Fanelia to slay his wife's 'murderer.' They hunted it for nearly five years before they found the silver dragon, and its offspring."
He stopped a moment, and gazed at Alessa with an almost pained expression. She frowned slightly, knowing what was coming. It was all so sad. "The battle was terrible and Tesu got hurt, but not Tava. Then Tava attacked the child dragon, but the adult threw itself in his sword's path, its heart pierced. It fell, trying to keep Tava weakly away from the child, but Tava was overcome with grief. He was about to behead the creature when the larger dragon started to trill Marina's song. Tava looked at it and after a while realized what he'd done. He'd murdered his beloved wife, and nearly killed their child. He embraced her silver head, weeping for her while Tesu and the child watched. Tava said he didn't want to live, he wanted Marina to live, she deserved better. She was too much of an angel to be taken from the world. He cursed those that did this….then, he looked to the heavens and made a plea. 'Gods of Gaia, hear my cries. I have nothing to offer you but my life in exchange for the life of my wife and child. Please, take me instead. I love my Marina, I will even love her from beyond the grave. Please, take me instead of them. Be kind to them….as they deserve.' When he plea was complete, he looked to Tesu and made him to swear to watch over his child until the day he died, then rammed his sword through his own heart. He fell dead as his dragon wife lay bleeding on the dark ground."
"That's so….sad. How terrible." Alessa gasped. Hiero smirked a bit, still looking her dead on. "That's not the whole story. You see, after Tava killed himself, his wife and child's bodies began to glow, then they became human again, and the child was a raven-haired boy with his mother's sparkling blue eyes. Both naked and alive, Marina had been healed by the gods when they broke the spell through Tava's love for them. They helped Tesu back to Fanelia, despite the fact he had caused the curse that cost Tava his life. Tesu was angry with himself for being so foolish and had the advisors banished and served Marina and the young boy for the rest of his days. In the end, when the boy grew up and slew his dragon, Tesu devoted himself fully to the king's desires, never to think against his lost friend's beliefs. Marina, in memory of her husband's sacrifice, named her lament to him the Dragon Bride after herself, and their torrid and tragic battle the Silver Requiem, the silver death." Hiero finished, his gloved hands behind his head now.
Alessa breathed gently, the tale making her eyes water a bit. "So a Queen of Fanelia, a common woman, made those songs and the legend possible. I feel so bad for her, for her child….what they must have suffered because of people being bigots to their feelings." She said sharply.
"It is in the past, and Tesu learned his lesson, maybe too little too late, but he made good with the second Fanelian king. That young man ruled and lead a fully prosperous life and married a Zaibach princess, and in turn they had beautiful sons. The bloodline has been going strong for thousands of years, and the tale is always inspirational to everyone that hears it. Father told me when I was a child, so I'd know my heritage better. It was quite moving….and sad, yes, very sad. I know the emotion well." Hiero uttered, almost as if it hurt to say.
She was about to say something as he straightened up and stood, dusting himself off. His pendant glowed in the sunlight a bright pink, contrasting to his dark clothing. "Well, I think I have taken up enough of your time. I have to go to the market area for something, you think you can meet me here in a few hours?" he asked shyly, a precious pink blush working up his pale cheeks.
"I guess so. I know where the restaurant is from here, so this won't be too hard to find. I have to get back to Chid first and find out how to get back to the palace first." She said, a puzzled look crossing her face when Hiero's expression seemed to sour.
"I know the way back too. I'll tell you when you come back, heck, I'll even escort you back myself. I want to be civil here, I shouldn't have lost my temper with Myrna and Chid so much, its just so much is going on. I don't like being the pawn of gods and goddesses, it bother me, as you well understand. Zaibach really isn't helping my mood either. Please, don't judge me on my fits, I just….never seem to take heavy stress real well. I hope you don't hate me for how I have been acting lately. I can't help it, I'm too stuck in my ways, I guess." He chuckled lightly, rubbing his hair a bit.
She gave him a small smile, reaching out to pat his shoulder. He smiled back, pressing his hand to hers gently. "Everyone gets angry, believe me, I would have probably been yelling at Myrna like that eventually. She can get on your nerves real easy. It's ok, water under the bridge. Don't fuss over it….Now uh, how do I get back without taking a long, dimly lit alley?" she piped. Hiero pointed off to her right, at another alley. There were quite a few around the small well garden, about five or so behind her and four behind Hiero that also led out of the garden.
"That one to the right of the alley you came out of it short, it should take you to the start of the market place. If I know Chid, he's probably still there, thinking you're shopping. The little pissant….ah, duke thinks that's where most women hang out when they have nothing to do." Hiero said, stuttering bit as his swearing.
Alessa just nodded and patted his shoulder again. "Thanks, see you in a few hours. And behave, we want to get out of here without problems. That Zaibach place is still, tailing us, like you said. See you later!" she called, and ran off.
"You can count on it!" he called, smiled at her, then ran down the alley to the far left.
If either had bothered to look back, they would have seen a lone, blonde figure step out of the alley Alessa had come out of, standing by the well with angry blue eyes. "Not on his life….my angel." The figure sighed, alone in the grassy court.
~ Floating Fortress Midgar ~
Folken walked with Sora at his side towards the guymelef hangar. It'd been at least a few hours since he had the captain of the guards lead his soldiers to approach Freid in their guymelefs, stealth cloaked of course. He'd received word over the com-link that they had surrounded the city and were awaiting further instruction. Folken told them to wait for the angels, and not a second sooner.
'Soon Freid will once again feel the strength of Zaibach burn through it, unless of course they give up once Sora persuades them. It might be interesting to see what they do.' He thought, smiling cruelly.
His steps faltered when Sora gasped and fell forward, as if she'd tripped. She was down on her hands and knees, one hand clutching at her chest. She was panting harshly, her eyes looking scared, the same way they looked when she spoke of her fears about Hiero.
"What is the white dragon up to, Sora? Scaring you again?" Folken asked, dispassionate about it. She was holding him up. He wanted the angels now, not later, NOW!
Sora stood again, but still looked scared. "The wheels have fate have begun to turn, Lord Folken. There will four stages of the heart, an opening, a closing, a rebirth….and….a shattering. A catalyst will come and spread destruction and chaos upon the death….the death of….someone the white and black dragon are familiar with. The death will trigger destruction….but I do not know when. Perhaps we should refrain from this attack for a bit….if…."Sora stated, but Folken growled at her and shook his head.
"No, Sora, we have wasted enough time chasing them all over Asgard and now Jutenheim. It ends now. My plan is flawless, Sora dear, all you need to do is bellow your deathly beautiful pipes and we have won. If that fails, then the guymelefs will attack Freid and take them by force, taking Freid down with it.?" Folken stated hard, his red eyes flaring at her, as if daring her to disagree again. Sora looked back with emotionless pale blues, the fear gone. "As you wish, Lord Folken. As you wish." She uttered quietly and continued on.
"If all else fails, Lord Folken, there is still the doppelganger spying on Crusade. He is very loyal, if we lose the angels this time, they are not far from Freid." Sora added, also without emotion.
"Where is old Allen from here?" Folken asked in a bored tone.
Sora tilted her head a bit, staring at nothing. "Half way from here and from Asturia. The doppelganger had sabotaged the engines again as planned. They will remain stranded atop the cliffs near the mountain path until you tell me to instruct him further."
Folken merely chuckled lightly, the hanger doors coming into view. "There will be no need. There is no way we can lose. No escape." Folken breathed, a grim smile on his lips.
~ The Well Court ~
Alessa came back when the sun started to set, wondering what Hiero wanted her to return here for. She hadn't been able to find Chid, but it was no big loss. He was probably back at the palace expecting her to be there or something. She was more concerned about meeting with Hiero, his words sounded so strained, like he was nervous. Maybe they would talk again, he'd open up a little more like before. He was good talker and had some interesting things to say. Each time he'd speak she'd think of the confession he'd made to them all in the memorial of Celena, the tears streaming down his pale cheeks. He'd looked so vulnerable, so child-like, as he'd looked in the dream she had. She always saw that blood stained little boy crying to his chilly mother, that adoring yet hurt look in his eyes as if he were about to die.
It pained her to think of it that way, but the images wouldn't leave her. They made her pity him, wishing there were something she could do to ease the pain. Maybe they would have a nice talk about the past, and perhaps mend some old wounds that had been bleeding all of Hiero's life.
What Alessa did not expect to see was Chid standing with his back to her by the well, twisting a small shiny coin in his hand. It was gidaru, she'd seen it in Fanelia plenty and Hiero had explained what the money of Gaia was. Chid was flipping it a little, then looked the reddish-orange sky with a small smile before tossing the coin into the well.
'Wishing well. I get it….should have known. But how the hell did he know I'd be here?' she wondered, and stepped towards him. He seemed to hear her footsteps, or rather the loud rustle of the lousy dress she was wearing and started to turn, a smile on his face.
~
Chid looked behind himself, hoping it was Alessa, and was glad he was right. He had waited long enough for her to come back, hopefully before that ruffian king Hiero did. It had been a wonderful day until Dilandau had shown up and humiliated him in front of the shrine maidens and other patrons of the Arcadia Shrine. He thought he saw the silver-haired psychotic in the shadows every so often, following him around as if he were on some kind of strange hunt. He dismissed Dilandau being around after another hour passed as he made his way through the alley he was sure Alessa had been shoved into. Making his people move aside was a simple task, it only took a few minutes, but Alessa was already gone by then, probably trying to find another way back to his esteemed company.
Now, at a very romantic looking sunset, here she was, bathed in amber light. The light became a rich dark blue and purple as a few more minutes passed. She was few feet away, looking up at him strangely. 'Probably wondering why and how I am here. She need not know, all she needs to know is that I will care for her better than any man alive, especially better than that little monster.' He thought, his smile growing very affectionate.
"Chid? Where did you come from? I….uh….have been looking all over for you. Where did you vanish to?" she asked, trying to step again, but only managed to step on the hem of her dress. She stopped a moment to fix it, and all Chid could do was grin and shake his head in a gentle sway. "My, did you rip it? I can have my tailor repair it as soon as possible, if you'd like. We can go back to the palace right now."
She looked up sternly. "You didn't answer my question, Chid."
He chuckled lightly and bowed towards her. She blushed, but nothing more. "I managed to escape the crowds, but you had disappeared from my sights. I had feared my beautiful guest was lost, so I set out to find you. And now, I have found you. Why are you here?" he replied, smiling pleasantly.
"I came to meet Hiero, he needed to go get something from the market place first." She replied evenly, taking a few more steps, despite how many times she stepped on the hem. Chid inwardly screamed at Hiero's name. 'So I heard right, he wanted to meet her. Well, too bad. Once part of being a truly chivalrous gentleman is always being punctual. That's the law of true men, little Hiero. You're still an immature little boy, you don't deserve this goddess.' He thought, watching Alessa with patient and loving eyes.
Alessa took her last step and tripped, right into his chest. He steadied her, holding her up in his arms under her armpits, as gentle as possible. He righted her only to a degree, so her face was close, but she wouldn't be able to get her footing or pull away. She stared wide-eyed at him, not blushing, only staring. He eyed her full pink mouth as if it were a fine jewel.
"Chid….let me up please." she asked, sounding a little flustered. He smiled warmly, his fingers rubbing at the backs of her arms as he leaned in close. Chid was ready to lift her up a little, but something a ways off caught his eye, in the alley he had come out of. His rival was coming, he could see the silhouette perfectly, that hair, the clothing, the slender figure and that pink glimmer from his pendant. Hiero was coming, but couldn't see them just yet. Chid smiled and looked back at Alessa, who was still frozen in his arms.
"Not until I grant our wishes, beloved." He purred, and brought his lips over hers warmly. She stiffened beneath it, but he kept the pressure there, putting all his emotion into a soul searing kiss, what women swooned over from him, what made them his.
He heard a faint gasp, then something thudding on the ground rapidly, footsteps, and then there was nothing but himself and his maiden, all his.
'Mine….I win, Hiero. She's mine.' He thought, never letting up for a moment.
Chid was so wrapped up in the kiss he had not bothered to survey the area further, not seeing the flaming crimson eyes boring into the back of his head with all of hell's hate boiling in them. Nor did he see the shimmering silver blade pulled out as the sunset, the moonlight slowly climbing up the sharp pale features of its owner, glistening as white as death.
To Be Continued….
*The Star card represents Chid not holding anything back to win Alessa's heart away from Hiero and Hiero trying to remain tranquil even with all the trouble that he knows will come.
Teaser: Floating Fortress Midgar arrives and Hiero is missing. Can Dilandau and Alessa set aside their differences and find him and survive the attack of Sora's deadly serenade? Or, will the need to kill become too great? You better close your eyes and pray.
