Chapter 2
A/N: I am soooo sorry, I forgot the disclaimer! Digimon does not belong to me.
Sonata
Takeru sneaked quietly along the halls, a pack on his back and his sword slung on around his waist. Dressed in his darkest and simplest clothes, the prince snuck past through hallways and rooms, just about to open the door that would lead him to freedom.
"What are you doing?"
A candle was lit, and Yamato, a slightly irritated look on his face, stood right behind him.
"I need to get out of here, Yamato," Takeru said.
"It's a dangerous world, do you have any idea what it's like outside of the palace?"
"Yes I do," the younger man snapped. "One of my friends is a 'damn thief,' remember?"
"Takeru, enemies will use you against Mother and Father, you could get killed."
"Mother and Father are too busy fighting. I'm dispensable in the terms of the kings here. Yamato, you are stifling me, and you yell at Mom and Dad about being overprotective."
Yamato sighed. Typical of his brother to turn back words and make him sound like a hypocrite. "Fine, you have to promise me one thing."
"What is that?" Takeru pulled up the hood of his cloak.
"Be careful and don't die out there, kid." Yamato pulled his brother into a tight, fierce hug. "Take Firesoul."
"She's your warhorse," Takeru said. "I can't."
"Never mind that. She loves you; it's obvious to me. Also she is a warhorse, the breeds that we're famous for. Just take her, you need her more than I do."
"Thanks." Takeru swallowed, and nodding a last farewell, slipped out the door. Yamato later heard the galloping of horse's hooves some distance off and smiled a bittersweet smile.
~*~
Later, in the morning, Saraia, Iori, Daisuke, and Dia disassembled their camp and headed to the village nearby. As they rode in, they heard bits of gossip concerning Prince Takeru. Apparently he had disappeared during the night, leaving his parents and older brother frantic. Frowning, Saraia nodded toward a nearby tavern, gazing at her companions in turn. They nodded back and they tied their horses in front before entering the building. Soon finding a table, they had a hushed conversation.
"The prince disappearing in the night?" Saraia said thoughtfully, frowning still.
"Rather odd, no?" Iori noted.
"Very true," Dia agreed.
"I think he ran off," Daisuke said, tracing some pattern on the wood of the table. "I've heard that he was restless. I would leave it to him to do it."
"You're right, for once," Saraia slowly said. "He has powerful magic and that palace is very hard to penetrate if you're an enemy. Besides, the eagle would have told me if he was in danger. That was no ordinary bird."
"What will it be?" the voice of a serving maid interrupted them. With long brown hair and an ample bosom (particularly emphasized by her low bodice), she seemed like she also did things other than serving in this inn. She favored each of the males with a sly, almost seductive, glance, and then shot an icy glare to Saraia, whose ears were luckily hidden below the long mass of her hair.
"Three ales and a small glass of red wine," Saraia said, giving the girl a look that blew the glare away by a long shot and speaking in a crisp, cool tone. "And by the way, none of them are mine. You're welcome to them, except for him." She pointed to Iori. "He's the type to remain celibate for a while until he finds the right one and I think he's too young for your taste, no? Get to it, girl."
The maid looked almost frightened, stammered a response, and then swiftly walked away. As Saraia gazed at her retreating back in mild distaste, the males, who had been holding in their amusement, burst out in uproarious howls of laughter.
"Gods, Saraia, that always works," Daisuke laughed, wiping away tears.
Iori chuckled, yet was slightly flushed. "Very true, I must commend on your skill, my friend."
Dia shook his head, but continue to laugh. "I almost pitied the girl. Iori, are you permanently celibate, or is it just a ruse she invented, because it is getting old, and I'm, sadly enough, beginning to believe it."
"I wouldn't know," the shorter man chortled.
Saraia looked stern but a twinkle was in her eye as she mutely accepted a small glass the serving maid handed her, trembling in fear. Sniffing it, she narrowed her eyes. Then she seized the girl's wrist.
"Who touched this?" the elf demanded hotly.
"I don't know," the girl stammered, frightened.
"She lies," Iori said quietly, pushing his mug away.
"Who had it before you served it?" Saraia snarled, and the girl somehow wrenched free and fled. Getting up, the four beings followed after her swiftly. She ran out to an alley and a scream filled the air. By the time they reached there, only her lifeless body remained.
"What was so suspicious?" Daisuke asked.
"The drink was laced with a poison specially designed for elves, and I scented something wrong with your drinks as well," Saraia said grimly, examining the body. "We have to get out of here. Damn it."
They discreetly fled from the town on horseback. As they rode, Daisuke asked, "Where are we going?"
"Daisuke, do you know where the prince would have gone if he was able to leave the palace?" Iori asked.
"He said something about going south, maybe to the west." his voice trailed off and he swore. "Shit! Into the Yagami no man's land!"
"I never knew he was that foolish," Saraia commented dryly. "We should head that way as well then. I need to talk to some friends of mine who dwell in the tropical forests."
"Alright," Dia nodded and urged his horse on a little faster.
~*~
Koushiro was awakened from his slumber by the sound of horse hooves. Getting up, his magical energy mostly relieved, he stood his ground. A blonde man on a horse trotted nearby and the mage shot a bolt to stun at the horse. The horse, a mare and a battle horse obviously, dodged it, screaming a warning. Koushiro then appeared nearby.
"Unless you want me to kill you right now, explain your business here," the mage said, purple electricity lacing inside of his hands.
Gold light surrounded Takeru. "Let me pass," he snapped.
"Not yet, Prince," Koushiro said grimly, already knowing the rank of the man. "Tell me, when does a Takaishi prince come around here?"
"Just let me pass, gods damn you," the man said through gritted teeth.
"Alright, I see you are not a threat." Koushiro reluctantly let the electricity to die down as the light faded. "My name is Koushiro Izumi, wandering mage and magic user, once of the realm of Kido."
"Takeru of Takaishi, prince naturally," Takeru said.
"Why are you out here?" Koushiro asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"I want to see the world," Takeru said. "My parents and my older brother always stifle me, they are too protective."
"That's a good thing," Koushiro responded, lips twisting into a grimace. "Me, I was on the streets a little after I was born. If it wasn't for a generous couple and a compassionate, if slightly eccentric, sorcerer, I wouldn't be here today."
"I want to head to Yagami, maybe they may need a soldier in their armies."
"Fight in your own army," Koushiro said, hands on hips.
"My parents won't let me," the prince said glumly.
"If you are heading there, at least let me go along, I have no home, so I might as well follow you."
"Oh all right," Takeru said reluctantly and Koushiro smiled.
"You will not regret it, Takeru, I promise you that."
~*~
Yamato looked at his parents, taking a deep breath. "Mother, Father?" They looked up and he continued. "I'm going after Takeru."
"I won't let you, we lost one son, we do not want to lose the other," his mother said.
"I have to do this, he's my responsibility too. This way I can see the world as well. You can't keep me here forever. Even if you cage me, I will find a way to get out, so I ask you now."
His father took a deep breath. "I remember saying something like that to my own father. If you must, you have my consent."
His mother wept but nodded. "I see, but Yamato you are always my child." She then embraced him. "Find Takeru and come home."
"I promise. Mother, Father," he whispered and wrenching free, he prepared for his journey.
As he rode out on another warhorse, a gray mare named Hellspawn, he kept an impassive face. He did not ride for very long until he nearly crashed into a group of very strange people.
A young woman with blue-green hair looked at him and shook her head. "Well, well, well, speak of the prince, now here he is."
A brunette looked at Yamato and bowed politely. "Your highness."
"What?" The blonde reached for his sword, but the woman shook her head.
"We mean you no harm."
"Maybe introductions are needed as well as a place to sit," an emerald-eyed brunette suggested.
Later, settled by the road, they introduced themselves and told their stories.
"So both my brother and I are two of these elemental warriors?" Yamato asked.
The woman, introduced as Saraia and an elf, nodded. "Yes, and these two-" she pointed to Daisuke and Iori, the two brunettes. "-Are two of them as well."
"He is undoubtedly headed south," the raven-haired man, Andia, but called Dia by everyone else, said quietly.
"What? I thought he was smarter than that!" Yamato exclaimed.
"So did I," the elf said, shrugging. "We might as well travel together, if you do not mind." She gazed at Yamato with those strange green eyes.
"Of course not," the blonde man said. "I thank you all for helping me."
"Everything isn't over, Prince Yamato," Dia warned.
"That I know so well. Shit," Yamato groaned, covering his eyes and leaning back.
~*~
Sora sat up in her bed, sweating from nightmares for the third time that week.
"My queen?" Miyako's voice, comforting yet worried, floated in from the door.
"Please, get some sleep, Miyako. If you can't, at least let me."
"It is urgent, I found something out from the crystal."
"For Artemis's sake, get in here then, woman!"
Miyako stepped inside, wearing a simple robe of dark green over her usual clothing, and looking very worried. She was wearing thin lenses of crystal held in wire frames, inventions she claimed helped to improve her sight, though it was perfect without them, her being one of the best archers among all the Amazons.
"Your majesty, a shadow reaches for us from the south, fleets of ships will come and slowly take over our lands. Creatures that should have been long dead or gone now lurk in the forests, we must ally ourselves with the mainlanders."
Sora nodded curtly. "We must?"
"They are in peril as well and divided we will all fall, but if we stand together we may survive."
"Then I must speak with the ruler of the lands to the West and North, the kingdom of Yagami, they have the best ties with us for centuries."
"I am going with you, I feel that I maybe needed."
"Alright," Sora sighed. "My cousin Ruki will have to take over. She is competent."
"She will rule wisely in your absence, I have seen it," Miyako said quietly. "I have already prepared for this journey, my queen."
"I thank you, Miyako, you are like a sister to me," Sora said, sliding out of her bed and swiftly dressing.
"You saved my life when my mother fell in battle, it is but small repayment," the sorceress whispered and exited the room.
~*~
Mimi rode on, in a daze. She had no clue how long she had ridden, days, weeks; it was all lost, as she didn't even complain to herself. It seemed she was in a dream. Then as she rode on, she found herself in a forest. Unknown to her, she had crossed over the border between Tachikawa and Kido some time before. In a forest, she closed her eyes as she felt at peace among all the plants.
Then her mare reared at a sudden movement and she fell, screaming. Landing, she felt her ankle twist painfully under her.
"Miss! Are you alright?" A young man with blue hair dismounted from his horse and ran to her. She nodded, wincing as tears of pain sprang into her eyes.
"Yes, it was just a little scare," she said, breathing hard. His dark eyes gazed into hers.
"I am so sorry. I have a strange habit of appearing at the oddest times." He gently helped her up. "You need to see a healer, my lady." In his arms, Mimi felt oddly at peace, the daze disappearing. "You may ride with me, my home is a several hours' ride however."
"It is alright," she said. "I thank you, Sir."
"Joseph, people call me Joseph. And who may the beautiful lady I now hold in my arms be?"
"Mi- Marie, my name is Marie," Mimi said, thinking quickly.
"Where are you from?" he asked gently as he tied the reins of her mare to his own horse.
"Tachikawa, my parents died and I." She was quiet as he gazed at her with a sympathetic eye.
"I see, I will not delve into the subject any longer."
~*~
"I see," the dark haired young man said quietly. "I will rule in your absence my cousin."
"I thank you, Eriol," Ken said sincerely.
"Not a problem," the other man laughed softly. "I promise I will not be a tyrant."
"You better not, or I'll come back and hurl you to the depths of the earth where the nastiest creatures that could ever exist in nightmares roam," the prince, now king, said, slightly joking but warning.
Eriol only smiled. "Never will I do such a thing, you are part of my family."
"Many thanks, and may the true darkness never swallow you."
"And may the path you are given be swift and safe."
~*~
Sora trudged easily along the coastline of the kingdom of Yagami, Miyako following after her. "We have some traveling before us, Miyako."
"I am glad I brought this," Miyako pulled out a smaller version of her crystal from a pouch. "Your majesty, I can transport us some distance from here, but I will need a map."
Sora nodded. "Fine, I thank you. It will save us some time."
~*~
Takeru wiped sweat off of his forehead as he squinted off to the distance. "You know this area, Koushiro?"
"Yes I do, very well in fact," the mage replied. "We need to walk some more then go to the west, where the capital city of this kingdom is."
"What is that?" Takeru noticed a group of riders fast approaching.
"Damn!" Koushiro cursed. "Desert bandits."
"If we must fight, we will," Takeru said grimly, pulling out his sword.
"Of course, I need practice." A wry, bloodthirsty smile rested upon the mage's lips. The bandits, expecting easy targets, were surprised and Takeru decimated much of their number. Koushiro summoned bolts of lightning that struck down riders everywhere. It was a bloody battle but even as the two men fought viciously, more came. Then suddenly, they ran off.
"What the hell?" Takeru asked. A group of new riders approached, a brown haired man on a stallion leading them.
"What are you intruding upon our territory?" he demanded curtly.
"We are only wanderers," Takeru said.
"Yet you still trespass without good reason," the man said coldly. "I should kill you where you stand."
"Brother, they fought off those bandits, and I sense no deception about them," another rider, female by the voice, but hidden under two veils, one covering her hair and the other covering the bottom half of her face, spoke up.
The man gave them both a long, appraising look, and then nodded curtly. "Fine, those scum cause me trouble anyways. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' then, no?"
"I thank you, your Majesty," Koushiro said, bowing to the man.
"Majesty?" Takeru hissed.
"That's King Taichi and that woman is Princess Hikari, you fool," Koushiro hissed back, and Takeru bowed as well.
"I thank you for your hospitality then."
"It is on my sister's behalf, come we have a long ride to the palace." The man, now known as Taichi, turned his horse around, facing the west.
Koushiro and Takeru looked at each other, then Takeru mounted his horse, Koushiro riding behind him.
~*~
Yamato rode with his companions, dully aware of his surroundings. Which was a very idiotic thing for him to do. He didn't see the ambush until it was nearly too late. The time he had was used in drawing his sword.
Saraia then dropped her weapon in defeat, sounding slightly disgusted. "We're surrounded, drop your weapons." A group of men, all with dark hair, pale skin, pointed ears, and an air of darkness about them, came out, a number with bows already strung. Saraia let out an angry hiss. "Dark elves."
"Well, well, what have we got here?" one who seemed to be the leader drawled lazily. "Three humans, a shadow being, and one of our light cousins. Not a bad catch for today, eh?"
He then approached Saraia, who glared at him. For a moment he lightly touched her long blue green hair until she slapped his hand away. He struck her across the face and Yamato saw that although she didn't cry out, her lower lip was bleeding.
"Yamato, you idiot," he said to himself angrily, cursing inventively.
"Bind them all to their horses, don't forget the blindfold them. Drug them as well, this one here and the one in scarlet dose the most heavily," the dark elf leader snapped out the orders.
Yamato struggled but strong arms caught hold of him as a sharp knife was settled on the back of his neck warningly. For a moment he caught Saraia's eye, she mouthed, 'Wait for now' before one of them pinched her nose and forced some kind of liquid down her throat.
They bound his arms behind his back tightly and tied a blindfold around his head. Then some kind of vile liquid was forced into his mouth. He tried to struggle but they held him tightly as one kept his mouth closed, thus forcing him to swallow. As he did so, a strange, heavy feeling washed over him, as he felt distant from his body, all of his senses numbed. Then someone lifted him onto his horse and tied him firmly there. They must have used some sort of magic to darken his horse's senses, for the warhorses bred in Ishida were trained to fight to the death anyone who wasn't designated "safe."
Who knew how many days they traveled like that, being re-dosed with the drug whenever it started to fade from their systems. After what Dia gauged to be at least twelve days, they were then taken off of their horses and led into some kind of cell. He growled to himself in frustration, the anger burning the last dregs of the drugs in his system. Traces of it were still left but it was mostly gone. He then touched out to Saraia through a mental connection they had forged over the period of time they had been together.
'Saraia?'
'Dia?'
'Are you alright?'
'I guess so, the drug is disappearing now because they haven't replaced it.'
'We are in deep trouble. And where the hell are we?'
'In some kind of dungeon cell. We must be deep within Yagami because for a moment I scented tropical forest.'
'Damn, but we have to get out of here.'
'Leave that to me. But I will signal you when the time is right.'
'Good.'
Daisuke blinked in the harsh light of the torches, the light torturing his eyes. He felt the strength of his bonds as he looked at his friends, who looked for the worse. They had all been brought up and their blindfolds taken off. On a throne in front of them was a lean, muscular dark elf wearing a circlet, looking at Saraia with a look of slight interest.
"You found them?" he then asked to a guard standing nearby.
"Yes my lord."
"Interesting, and with strong auras of magic around them as well. Bring the light elf up here." Struggling, Saraia was brought up as he inspected her. "She would make an interesting little toy."
She spat in his face. "I'm no one's whore!" In a swift movement, she undid her ropes and slashed at the elf with long talons that had grown from her fingers. He looked at her in surprise before he died. "Dia!" She then turned to the guards on either side of her, swiftly taking care of them.
"Right," the being said and concentrated. "Shadow Blade!" Blades of darkness hurtled through the air and sliced through the other captives' bindings.
They got up, rubbing sore muscles. "Our weapons were taken so we will have to use magic," Iori said and concentrated as guards trickled into the room. "Psy Flare!" A large comet of emerald green fire hurtled through and hit the first ranks of them.
"Gladly," Daisuke said grimly. "Steel Wing!" Sharp shards of metal flew, hitting many with deadly accuracy.
They fought on but more just came coming. "Alright, this ends now," Yamato, snarled. "Icy Desolation!" Winds of ice surrounded the remaining guards and just somehow, they disappeared with a collective scream.
"I commend you on your magical prowess," Saraia said, staggering before Daisuke supported her. Her magical powers were powerful, but often draining on her part.
"Well, you were the one who initiated it," the blonde said. "We have to find our weapons and get out of here."
"No need to search, here they are," Iori had a tray of their weapons. "We should try to take something from the treasury perhaps. Our funds were most likely stolen."
"Is this the Iori I know? The one who disapproves of looting?" Dia said in mock horror. "Who replaced you?"
Ignoring him pointedly, Iori gestured for them to follow. "It's over here."
When they entered the treasury, they stared for a moment, except for Saraia and Iori. It was a treasure house of gems, precious metals, weapons, and finely crafted objects.
Saraia walked toward a rack of bows and setting hers down, inspected one of the staves. "This is excellent work, these date back thousands of years. My grandsire might have created some of these." She picked up a particularly unique one, created out of a flexible white colored wood and strengthened with the adding of a silver-like material in certain areas. A design was etched in the metal that bound the center of the bow, of a large phoenix with four wings. "Grandfather." A misty look was in her eyes as she cradled it in her arms and strung it with a string from a supply of them nearby.
Yamato turned his attention to a rack of swords, along with Dia and Daisuke. Dia was handling a large black broad sword with a degree of respect.
"This blade belongs to one of my kind," he said, running a hand down the well-forged hilt.
Daisuke picked out a short sword with a design of red and blue in the hilt, a good-sized crystal in the pommel. "Not bad work, better than what those thieves at some forges create and sell." He then blinked, shaking his head.
A certain blade caught Yamato's eye. It was a katana, longer than most but not so very long as to hinder the user. He picked it up and something just sang out in him, calling to the blade. An ice blue gem on the hilt glowed for a second before fading.
"I might as well take this," he said gruffly, slinging it on his back.
Iori was inspecting a rack of crystals and some staffs that could only be sorcerer's staffs. He touched a crystal that was dome shaped and colored a dull, almost ugly gray. Then it exploded with light under his touch as a strong silver glow burst from it. "Could it really be a moon gem?" It felt warm to his touch as he took it in his hands. Then he picked up a staff that was well balanced and right for his size, an odd socket on the top. Some intuition had him place the crystal in there and it fit perfectly, and nothing would be able to move it.
Saraia then picked up a quiver of arrows fletched with silver and white feathers. Pulling one arrow out, she approved of it but took a double take when she looked back at the quiver. Another arrow had replaced the one taken. The elf laughed. So it was enchanted to supply a limitless number of arrows. A useful enchantment she had to admit.
"Is everyone ready?" she called out, slinging it on her back.
"Almost," Daisuke said, strapping on some throwing daggers onto wrist and leg sheaths as well as his belt.
"I know where the stables are," Iori said quietly, walking toward them with his staff. The crystal had faded but still had a silver sheen to it.
Yamato picked up several small bags filled with gems. Gems were less abstruse than gold and who knew what kind of currency they used in Yagami, so it was more useful. Putting one in his belt pouch, he strapped the rest on. Dia, noticing, nodded approvingly, picking up some himself. Daisuke had already taken a few things himself to use. While she waited, Saraia saw a series of shelves with flasks and bottles on them.
Walking over, she picked up a silver one and opened it, lightly sniffing the contents. Her eyebrows rose as she closed it then picked up one made of leather and silver, meant for traveling, opening it as well. She then smiled and strapped it to her belt.
"What is that for?" Daisuke commented.
"This, my mortal friend, is a bottle that has a special draught. It is only known among the elves and brings strength and new vigor to the drinker," she said and nodded to Iori. "Lead the way, Iori."
He bowed to her. As she walked past Daisuke, he noted something green and sparkling was around her neck before she shifted and it was covered. Iori led them through a maze of hallways before they came to a courtyard. Some stables were nearby and they sneaked through the cover of darkness to retrieve their mounts. Swiftly saddling them, the group rode out, soon under the cover of the tropical forest around.
~*~
Takeru gazed at the city around him, a clamor of shouts, noises, scents, and color. Hikari rode by him and laughed. "You look as if you have never seen a city before."
"I have, just not one as special as this," he looked at her, at those sparkling brown eyes just above the veil. He wondered idly how she would look without it, and then blushed slightly for thinking such thoughts.
They held a hint of mischief as she urged her horse on. "Wait till you see the palace."
```
Takeru sighed in content, surrounded by soothing water. Koushiro winked at him from where he was getting a massage from a servant girl not too bad in the ways of good looks. Shaking his head at his friend, he got out of the pool, wrapping a towel around himself and walking to his room. His clothes were currently being cleaned so new ones were provided for him. Scents of sandlewood and spices spilled out as he opened the wardrobe, filling his nostrils pleasantly with their sweet and spicy aromas. He swiftly dressed, choosing loose breeches of dark green silk and a short sleeved white silk shirt along with a vest of green brocade.
Walking along the marble hallways, he finally stopped at a terrace that overlooked gardens. The scent of roses reached his nose and he did not notice a figure lightly tap his shoulder for a moment. He whirled around to face Princess Hikari.
"Princess," he bowed to her. She was dressed in light rose pink dress of a clinging sheer material. Her hair was bound up in an elegant knot and held with pins of gold and gems. A near transparent pink veil covered the bottom half of her face, not really hiding her face.
"You make an amazing transformation, Takeru," she said, smiling at him.
"As do you, you are more beautiful than I last saw you," he responded. A fragrance of lilies with a hint of spices surrounded her and it was very hard not to become intoxicated with the scent.
She laughed softly, a bell like sound. "Will you care to escort me to the feast?"
"I would be enchanted to escort such a lovely vision," Takeru bowed to her, offering his arm.
~*~
"We are here," Jyou announced, his castle in sight, and the girl in front of him shook off the last remains of sleep from her eyes.
Her eyes widened. "You dwell here?"
"Yes," he chuckled. "You may be my guest for the time being. There are many rooms in the castle, feel free to help it be filled with laughter and life."
She looked at him then smiled. As they rode in, a stable boy bowed to Jyou. "Your majesty."
"You're the king?" Mimi turned pale. This was her betrothed!
"Yes, but it is all right," he soothed, helping her down. "Let me show you to your rooms."
Trembling slightly, she allowed him to do so, yet felt soothed in his comforting, gentle arms.
~*~
Miyako squinted around. "I cannot teleport us anymore, your majesty, my powers are growing faint."
"Rest," Sora said, resting a hand on the younger girl's shoulder.
"What are the both of you doing here?" A group on horseback suddenly had them surrounded.
"We are here to see the King of Yagami," Sora said, her voice calm and her face stern. "For diplomatic reasons."
"Amazons?" one said scornfully. "Why would you want to do with the King? Assassinate him?"
Sora's eyes flashed. "The kingdom of Yagami and Takenouchi had forged an alliance many years ago. It is time to make use of it."
"I say we kill them," said the scornful one but another one stopped him.
"Nay, we will not spill perhaps innocent blood here, we might as well take them to the king." Miyako looked somewhat disgruntled as she and Sora were escorted to wherever the king was, having a very low opinion for men herself.
~*~
Some time before the feasting, the two Amazons were pushed into the throne room. Taichi gazed at them coolly and turned to his guards.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Sora stood tall and straight, looking him in the eye. "King Taichi, I am Queen Sora from the Islands of Takenouchi, ruling over the Amazons and the alliance of the islands. Long ago, our two kingdoms forged an alliance. A growing darkness approaches from the far south. I ask of you that we may once more have a military alliance to drive off this darkness."
"And why should I?" Taichi asked coolly, leaning forward.
"Because we must, this darkness will swallow up the world one by one if we are separate," Miyako said. "But together we will be able to face it on easier ground and perhaps beat it."
"I find truth in your words," Taichi said finally, steepling his hands. "A growing power is in the east of my kingdom, in the center of the continent. Then we must negotiate with the other kingdoms if we are to pinpoint it."
"I thank you," Sora said, looking at Taichi with sincere respect upon her face.
"You may stay here in my palace for the time being," he said. "There is a feast tonight and you are welcome to join it. after being slightly more presentable."
Miyako looked slightly annoyed, but she had to admit, he had a point. The clothes she and Sora were wearing were. well; let's just say they had seen better days. They both bowed politely to Taichi as servants led them to rooms and baths.
```
"I am not wearing a dress!"
"But miss, you cannot go out in something like that!"
"Try me."
"Miyako, just find something else," Sora said, drying off her hair.
The shaman shot the maid a glare and gestured for her to get out. Gladly the servant fled. Miyako grumbled as she pulled out something that wasn't too feminine nor restricting in movement from the closet.
"Honestly."
Sora laughed, changing into her own clothes. "Miyako, try to control your temper."
The other female snorted. "It's hard to when you're dealing with ninnies like these. What do you think?"
Sora looked and approved. Miyako was wearing loose silk breeches tied at the bottom so the ends wouldn't flap around, thus perhaps tripping her, and a long sleeved shirt with the bottom cut off and clinging to her, and thus revealing her lean stomach and lower back, both made of lavender silk to match her hair, elaborately embroidered in violet and silver. She had hidden several daggers on her person, just in case.
Sora was wearing something very similar to hers, only slightly more elaborate and in ruby red silk with red embroidery. The gold circlet around her brow was shining and gleamed beautifully, the light of the red gem on it smoldering like a coal. A short scimitar hung from around her waist on a silken sash.
Miyako then pulled out her shaman's circlet, a band of silver with etchings of birds upon it along with a single amethyst, and put it on. She was also wearing her "spectacles," probably to make herself look more imposing.
"Very nice, how do I look?" Sora inquired. "Impressive or seducible?"
"Impressive," Miyako judged. "Because of that scimitar around your waist."
"It's an illusion," Sora laughed. "I wouldn't actually wear one."
"Speak for yourself, you should have seen some of the looks the guards and servants were giving us," the shaman grumbled. "If they dare to make a move, I'm either going to give them the plague or blast them to Ichijouji."
"Temper, temper," Sora warned, then mused. "That Taichi, what do you think of him?"
"I have to admit, he has a strong sense of leadership, I can respect him, however grudgingly," Miyako said thoughtfully.
"No, in the ways of looks," Sora blushed.
"Oh, is my queen having an infatuation?" Miyako teased. "He's not bad in the ways of good looks. You have very good taste, my queen."
"Miyako!" She lightly slapped her shaman on the shoulder, the younger girl only laughed in response, grinning broadly and wickedly.
"We should get down to the feast," the girl said and opened the door, bowing to her queen but grinning.
The feasting hall was an elegant room. A long table ran down it, along with chairs. Takeru gazed at it in wonder as Hikari directed him to seats to the left of her brother. Koushiro was already there, and dressed impeccably in clean mage robes. A young man with blue-black hair sat near Taichi, talking with him quietly. Takeru felt an odd magic about him, and a strangely disquieting look in those indigo eyes.
Two women entered and he raised an eyebrow. Though dressed in what may be considered scandalous clothing up in Ishida, they were anything but seducible, the clothing revealing sinewy muscles and lithe forms that showed they were deadly in combat. The one with the silver circlet observed him for a long moment, hidden power and wisdom within her amber eyes behind those curious lenses on her face, before sitting beside the woman with the gold band with a royal, ruling air about her. The feasting began as Taichi introduced them all to each other. During that time, the young man with the indigo eyes was aloof, but not arrogant, even as he received startled gasps and probing looks when introduced as a representative of Ichijouji. An almost sad, distant look was in his eyes, and Miyako noticed that as she offered him a brief, comforting smile.
Despite his aura of shadow magic, Miyako felt as though she could trust him, her intuition rarely wrong. As he saw her smile, a flicker of surprise went across his face as his features softened and he nodded graciously to her. Though it didn't seem possible, the shaman was very good with children and others who needed comforting or had problems of the soul, heart, or spirit.
~*~
'Damn,' Daisuke thought. 'Captured again. When will this stop?'
They were surrounded by a number of men on horseback, watching their every move. At least they weren't drugged or tied up, Daisuke reflected as he guided his horse. Saraia had aroused much curiosity from the men, but she firmly showed that she was not to be taken lightly. Their weapons stayed with their owners (after an incident with Dia's sword, none of them wanted to dare touch the group's weapons).
The feasting was over and entertainment was about to begin when guards shoved five prisoners in. Taichi looked slightly annoyed.
"Yes?" he asked.
"These intruders were not too far from the dark elf settlement," one of the guards said.
"And this one's an elf," one said, pointing to Saraia, who looked very disgruntled.
"I'm not a dark elf, mortal!" she snapped. "They captured us and we managed to escape."
"Where are the elves then?" Taichi asked.
"We killed them," Dia said; face emotionless as he looked at Taichi with those strange dark, catlike eyes.
Takeru then saw the face of the blonde man among that group. "Yamato?" He got up, shocked.
"Takeru?" Yamato looked up.
"Great gods!" Takeru ran down and embraced him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Taichi asked.
"He is my brother, your majesty," Takeru said.
"If you did kill the dark elves, who have been a growing nuisance, prove it," Taichi said.
Saraia smiled sweetly but somewhat nastily and flung down a bow. It was obviously of dark elf design and make. "Is that enough?" Everyone knew that the bow of a dark elf could never be taken unless the elf was killed outright for they protected their weapons with their lives. She then flung down another thing, a black crown; the same crown that had once adorned the head of the dark elf ruler.
Her voice was flat, as she said, "Never doubt the word of one of my kind, King Taichi." She looked at him with frosty green eyes that were far older than she appeared.
"I take your word and I thank you," Taichi said, unruffled but a new respect in his eyes for her and her friends.
"Good," she said, then turned and started to walk from the room.
"Wait," he called. "I offer my hospitality to you." She turned and faced him, a slight smile adorning her features.
"And I accept your offer." She hid the glowing moonstone on her gauntlet, now knowing that most of the twelve warriors were assembled.
Later that night, a soft tap came at the door to Saraia's room. She opened it and found Dia standing there.
"I saw you hiding the moonstone, so most of the warriors are here?" he asked as she invited him in.
"Yes, most of them, we only need two more," she said, sitting down.
"That's good, can you tell where those remaining are?"
She closed her eyes then opened them. "To the south, in Kido." She then paced. "I can see some of the future, and it appears that there is a chance that I may die."
Dia sat in his own seat. "The future is fluid, it can change."
She shrugged. "Elves usually see their deaths by foresight."
"I hate destiny, there is no such thing as a fore ordained path," the warrior said, hand near the hilt of his new broadsword strapped to his back.
"Very true," she laughed. "Care for something to drink?"
"If you do not mind."
Saraia poured two goblets of a clear liquid that had the scent of roses wafting from it. "I hope you do not mind juice, liquor clouds my senses if I drink too much."
"Not at all," the warrior said mildly, accepting a glass. "And it's not poisoned, eh?"
She chuckled. "I checked. And it's some kind of nectar, very nice I have to admit." The elf took a long sip, looking thoughtful. Her shirt was partially open at the collar, revealing a necklace made of sparkling emeralds; all perfect in color and cut into varying sizes.
"What is that?" Dia pointed it out.
"It is an heirloom I found at the treasury in that fortress. My people have been searching for this for centuries." She fingered a large stone that rested in between her collarbones. "But it is nothing compared to the true worth of the forest. As Prince-" She stopped herself.
"Saraia?" Dia questioned. "Was that word princess by any chance?"
"I have- oh all right, there's nothing worth escaping you once you're onto something. I am a princess, second daughter to an elven king, that's why I travel. My brother is the main heir."
He nodded. "I never would have known, your highness."
"I'm still the same Saraia," she lightly punched him. "Being princess doesn't mean anything to me."
He lightly kissed her hand. "But still, you need respect."
"I prefer to earn it by myself."
"And you already have," he laughed. "I should get some rest. Good night, Saraia."
"Good night, Dia," she said. "Don't tell anyone else."
"I promise," he said just as he walked out the door.
~*~
Miyako tossed and turned, before she fell out of her bed, growling several curses. She needed fresh air. Although she was a shaman, she often slept outside, feeling close with the sky and the air. Slipping out, she walked through the hallways. Going out onto a balcony, she summoned her wind powers to levitate her to the roof. Whispering thanks to the spirits who helped her as she landed safely up there, she looked up at the stars.
"So you like the view up here too?" She nearly screeched in shock and turned swiftly, a dagger in hand. Ken was up there, dressed simply and his hair slightly tousled.
"Yes, I like the open sky," she said shortly, sheathing her weapon.
"Don't tell me, you have control over wind," he said, sitting by her.
"Yes, shadow mage," she informed him and he looked pained.
"Please, do not judge me by my magic."
"I am not, your magic may be of shadows, but it is not truly evil," she said in a more gentle voice.
"Where are those spectacles you were wearing?" he inquired.
"I don't need them, I just say they improve my vision," she laughed.
"Funny how an Amazon cares about looks," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"We're not barbarians," she said tartly, looking at the stars.
Ken laughed, a full, rich sound that caused the shaman to raise a mild eyebrow, but not in dislike, only in mild surprise. "Yes, you are far too intelligent."
She smiled. "I thank you."
"Your name is Miyako, is it not?" he then asked.
"Yes, and yours is Ken." She looked off to the distance. "That elf woman, she shows very little of what she truly is."
"I have never met an elf like her," Ken said. "In Ichijouji, there are elves but they are known as the Gray elves, and they are a bit different than the ones here. Very good at creating things, instruments, utensils, ships, weapons." He gazed off as well at a small dot at the horizon. "Tell me, do you know that that shadowed area is?"
"No, unfortunately I do not, but I sense a great evil from around it, shielding something of great power and goodness inside."
"Oh." Ken lapsed into thought and Miyako got up.
"I must leave, I need the rest and my queen will need me."
"A moment," Ken said, getting up as well. "I am just asking, but has anyone told you how beautiful you are?"
She turned sharply to him. "No, not really. Most men that see me are usually dead within some time. And I do not have a same sex lover and most likely never will."
He then leaned forward and whispered, "Then let me have the honor of telling you how beautiful you are." He then disappeared into the shadows. Miyako shook her head, summoned up her wind spirits, and flew back to her room.
There is no coincidence, only the inevitable. -Kaho, from Card Captor Sakura
A/N: I am soooo sorry, I forgot the disclaimer! Digimon does not belong to me.
Sonata
Takeru sneaked quietly along the halls, a pack on his back and his sword slung on around his waist. Dressed in his darkest and simplest clothes, the prince snuck past through hallways and rooms, just about to open the door that would lead him to freedom.
"What are you doing?"
A candle was lit, and Yamato, a slightly irritated look on his face, stood right behind him.
"I need to get out of here, Yamato," Takeru said.
"It's a dangerous world, do you have any idea what it's like outside of the palace?"
"Yes I do," the younger man snapped. "One of my friends is a 'damn thief,' remember?"
"Takeru, enemies will use you against Mother and Father, you could get killed."
"Mother and Father are too busy fighting. I'm dispensable in the terms of the kings here. Yamato, you are stifling me, and you yell at Mom and Dad about being overprotective."
Yamato sighed. Typical of his brother to turn back words and make him sound like a hypocrite. "Fine, you have to promise me one thing."
"What is that?" Takeru pulled up the hood of his cloak.
"Be careful and don't die out there, kid." Yamato pulled his brother into a tight, fierce hug. "Take Firesoul."
"She's your warhorse," Takeru said. "I can't."
"Never mind that. She loves you; it's obvious to me. Also she is a warhorse, the breeds that we're famous for. Just take her, you need her more than I do."
"Thanks." Takeru swallowed, and nodding a last farewell, slipped out the door. Yamato later heard the galloping of horse's hooves some distance off and smiled a bittersweet smile.
~*~
Later, in the morning, Saraia, Iori, Daisuke, and Dia disassembled their camp and headed to the village nearby. As they rode in, they heard bits of gossip concerning Prince Takeru. Apparently he had disappeared during the night, leaving his parents and older brother frantic. Frowning, Saraia nodded toward a nearby tavern, gazing at her companions in turn. They nodded back and they tied their horses in front before entering the building. Soon finding a table, they had a hushed conversation.
"The prince disappearing in the night?" Saraia said thoughtfully, frowning still.
"Rather odd, no?" Iori noted.
"Very true," Dia agreed.
"I think he ran off," Daisuke said, tracing some pattern on the wood of the table. "I've heard that he was restless. I would leave it to him to do it."
"You're right, for once," Saraia slowly said. "He has powerful magic and that palace is very hard to penetrate if you're an enemy. Besides, the eagle would have told me if he was in danger. That was no ordinary bird."
"What will it be?" the voice of a serving maid interrupted them. With long brown hair and an ample bosom (particularly emphasized by her low bodice), she seemed like she also did things other than serving in this inn. She favored each of the males with a sly, almost seductive, glance, and then shot an icy glare to Saraia, whose ears were luckily hidden below the long mass of her hair.
"Three ales and a small glass of red wine," Saraia said, giving the girl a look that blew the glare away by a long shot and speaking in a crisp, cool tone. "And by the way, none of them are mine. You're welcome to them, except for him." She pointed to Iori. "He's the type to remain celibate for a while until he finds the right one and I think he's too young for your taste, no? Get to it, girl."
The maid looked almost frightened, stammered a response, and then swiftly walked away. As Saraia gazed at her retreating back in mild distaste, the males, who had been holding in their amusement, burst out in uproarious howls of laughter.
"Gods, Saraia, that always works," Daisuke laughed, wiping away tears.
Iori chuckled, yet was slightly flushed. "Very true, I must commend on your skill, my friend."
Dia shook his head, but continue to laugh. "I almost pitied the girl. Iori, are you permanently celibate, or is it just a ruse she invented, because it is getting old, and I'm, sadly enough, beginning to believe it."
"I wouldn't know," the shorter man chortled.
Saraia looked stern but a twinkle was in her eye as she mutely accepted a small glass the serving maid handed her, trembling in fear. Sniffing it, she narrowed her eyes. Then she seized the girl's wrist.
"Who touched this?" the elf demanded hotly.
"I don't know," the girl stammered, frightened.
"She lies," Iori said quietly, pushing his mug away.
"Who had it before you served it?" Saraia snarled, and the girl somehow wrenched free and fled. Getting up, the four beings followed after her swiftly. She ran out to an alley and a scream filled the air. By the time they reached there, only her lifeless body remained.
"What was so suspicious?" Daisuke asked.
"The drink was laced with a poison specially designed for elves, and I scented something wrong with your drinks as well," Saraia said grimly, examining the body. "We have to get out of here. Damn it."
They discreetly fled from the town on horseback. As they rode, Daisuke asked, "Where are we going?"
"Daisuke, do you know where the prince would have gone if he was able to leave the palace?" Iori asked.
"He said something about going south, maybe to the west." his voice trailed off and he swore. "Shit! Into the Yagami no man's land!"
"I never knew he was that foolish," Saraia commented dryly. "We should head that way as well then. I need to talk to some friends of mine who dwell in the tropical forests."
"Alright," Dia nodded and urged his horse on a little faster.
~*~
Koushiro was awakened from his slumber by the sound of horse hooves. Getting up, his magical energy mostly relieved, he stood his ground. A blonde man on a horse trotted nearby and the mage shot a bolt to stun at the horse. The horse, a mare and a battle horse obviously, dodged it, screaming a warning. Koushiro then appeared nearby.
"Unless you want me to kill you right now, explain your business here," the mage said, purple electricity lacing inside of his hands.
Gold light surrounded Takeru. "Let me pass," he snapped.
"Not yet, Prince," Koushiro said grimly, already knowing the rank of the man. "Tell me, when does a Takaishi prince come around here?"
"Just let me pass, gods damn you," the man said through gritted teeth.
"Alright, I see you are not a threat." Koushiro reluctantly let the electricity to die down as the light faded. "My name is Koushiro Izumi, wandering mage and magic user, once of the realm of Kido."
"Takeru of Takaishi, prince naturally," Takeru said.
"Why are you out here?" Koushiro asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"I want to see the world," Takeru said. "My parents and my older brother always stifle me, they are too protective."
"That's a good thing," Koushiro responded, lips twisting into a grimace. "Me, I was on the streets a little after I was born. If it wasn't for a generous couple and a compassionate, if slightly eccentric, sorcerer, I wouldn't be here today."
"I want to head to Yagami, maybe they may need a soldier in their armies."
"Fight in your own army," Koushiro said, hands on hips.
"My parents won't let me," the prince said glumly.
"If you are heading there, at least let me go along, I have no home, so I might as well follow you."
"Oh all right," Takeru said reluctantly and Koushiro smiled.
"You will not regret it, Takeru, I promise you that."
~*~
Yamato looked at his parents, taking a deep breath. "Mother, Father?" They looked up and he continued. "I'm going after Takeru."
"I won't let you, we lost one son, we do not want to lose the other," his mother said.
"I have to do this, he's my responsibility too. This way I can see the world as well. You can't keep me here forever. Even if you cage me, I will find a way to get out, so I ask you now."
His father took a deep breath. "I remember saying something like that to my own father. If you must, you have my consent."
His mother wept but nodded. "I see, but Yamato you are always my child." She then embraced him. "Find Takeru and come home."
"I promise. Mother, Father," he whispered and wrenching free, he prepared for his journey.
As he rode out on another warhorse, a gray mare named Hellspawn, he kept an impassive face. He did not ride for very long until he nearly crashed into a group of very strange people.
A young woman with blue-green hair looked at him and shook her head. "Well, well, well, speak of the prince, now here he is."
A brunette looked at Yamato and bowed politely. "Your highness."
"What?" The blonde reached for his sword, but the woman shook her head.
"We mean you no harm."
"Maybe introductions are needed as well as a place to sit," an emerald-eyed brunette suggested.
Later, settled by the road, they introduced themselves and told their stories.
"So both my brother and I are two of these elemental warriors?" Yamato asked.
The woman, introduced as Saraia and an elf, nodded. "Yes, and these two-" she pointed to Daisuke and Iori, the two brunettes. "-Are two of them as well."
"He is undoubtedly headed south," the raven-haired man, Andia, but called Dia by everyone else, said quietly.
"What? I thought he was smarter than that!" Yamato exclaimed.
"So did I," the elf said, shrugging. "We might as well travel together, if you do not mind." She gazed at Yamato with those strange green eyes.
"Of course not," the blonde man said. "I thank you all for helping me."
"Everything isn't over, Prince Yamato," Dia warned.
"That I know so well. Shit," Yamato groaned, covering his eyes and leaning back.
~*~
Sora sat up in her bed, sweating from nightmares for the third time that week.
"My queen?" Miyako's voice, comforting yet worried, floated in from the door.
"Please, get some sleep, Miyako. If you can't, at least let me."
"It is urgent, I found something out from the crystal."
"For Artemis's sake, get in here then, woman!"
Miyako stepped inside, wearing a simple robe of dark green over her usual clothing, and looking very worried. She was wearing thin lenses of crystal held in wire frames, inventions she claimed helped to improve her sight, though it was perfect without them, her being one of the best archers among all the Amazons.
"Your majesty, a shadow reaches for us from the south, fleets of ships will come and slowly take over our lands. Creatures that should have been long dead or gone now lurk in the forests, we must ally ourselves with the mainlanders."
Sora nodded curtly. "We must?"
"They are in peril as well and divided we will all fall, but if we stand together we may survive."
"Then I must speak with the ruler of the lands to the West and North, the kingdom of Yagami, they have the best ties with us for centuries."
"I am going with you, I feel that I maybe needed."
"Alright," Sora sighed. "My cousin Ruki will have to take over. She is competent."
"She will rule wisely in your absence, I have seen it," Miyako said quietly. "I have already prepared for this journey, my queen."
"I thank you, Miyako, you are like a sister to me," Sora said, sliding out of her bed and swiftly dressing.
"You saved my life when my mother fell in battle, it is but small repayment," the sorceress whispered and exited the room.
~*~
Mimi rode on, in a daze. She had no clue how long she had ridden, days, weeks; it was all lost, as she didn't even complain to herself. It seemed she was in a dream. Then as she rode on, she found herself in a forest. Unknown to her, she had crossed over the border between Tachikawa and Kido some time before. In a forest, she closed her eyes as she felt at peace among all the plants.
Then her mare reared at a sudden movement and she fell, screaming. Landing, she felt her ankle twist painfully under her.
"Miss! Are you alright?" A young man with blue hair dismounted from his horse and ran to her. She nodded, wincing as tears of pain sprang into her eyes.
"Yes, it was just a little scare," she said, breathing hard. His dark eyes gazed into hers.
"I am so sorry. I have a strange habit of appearing at the oddest times." He gently helped her up. "You need to see a healer, my lady." In his arms, Mimi felt oddly at peace, the daze disappearing. "You may ride with me, my home is a several hours' ride however."
"It is alright," she said. "I thank you, Sir."
"Joseph, people call me Joseph. And who may the beautiful lady I now hold in my arms be?"
"Mi- Marie, my name is Marie," Mimi said, thinking quickly.
"Where are you from?" he asked gently as he tied the reins of her mare to his own horse.
"Tachikawa, my parents died and I." She was quiet as he gazed at her with a sympathetic eye.
"I see, I will not delve into the subject any longer."
~*~
"I see," the dark haired young man said quietly. "I will rule in your absence my cousin."
"I thank you, Eriol," Ken said sincerely.
"Not a problem," the other man laughed softly. "I promise I will not be a tyrant."
"You better not, or I'll come back and hurl you to the depths of the earth where the nastiest creatures that could ever exist in nightmares roam," the prince, now king, said, slightly joking but warning.
Eriol only smiled. "Never will I do such a thing, you are part of my family."
"Many thanks, and may the true darkness never swallow you."
"And may the path you are given be swift and safe."
~*~
Sora trudged easily along the coastline of the kingdom of Yagami, Miyako following after her. "We have some traveling before us, Miyako."
"I am glad I brought this," Miyako pulled out a smaller version of her crystal from a pouch. "Your majesty, I can transport us some distance from here, but I will need a map."
Sora nodded. "Fine, I thank you. It will save us some time."
~*~
Takeru wiped sweat off of his forehead as he squinted off to the distance. "You know this area, Koushiro?"
"Yes I do, very well in fact," the mage replied. "We need to walk some more then go to the west, where the capital city of this kingdom is."
"What is that?" Takeru noticed a group of riders fast approaching.
"Damn!" Koushiro cursed. "Desert bandits."
"If we must fight, we will," Takeru said grimly, pulling out his sword.
"Of course, I need practice." A wry, bloodthirsty smile rested upon the mage's lips. The bandits, expecting easy targets, were surprised and Takeru decimated much of their number. Koushiro summoned bolts of lightning that struck down riders everywhere. It was a bloody battle but even as the two men fought viciously, more came. Then suddenly, they ran off.
"What the hell?" Takeru asked. A group of new riders approached, a brown haired man on a stallion leading them.
"What are you intruding upon our territory?" he demanded curtly.
"We are only wanderers," Takeru said.
"Yet you still trespass without good reason," the man said coldly. "I should kill you where you stand."
"Brother, they fought off those bandits, and I sense no deception about them," another rider, female by the voice, but hidden under two veils, one covering her hair and the other covering the bottom half of her face, spoke up.
The man gave them both a long, appraising look, and then nodded curtly. "Fine, those scum cause me trouble anyways. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' then, no?"
"I thank you, your Majesty," Koushiro said, bowing to the man.
"Majesty?" Takeru hissed.
"That's King Taichi and that woman is Princess Hikari, you fool," Koushiro hissed back, and Takeru bowed as well.
"I thank you for your hospitality then."
"It is on my sister's behalf, come we have a long ride to the palace." The man, now known as Taichi, turned his horse around, facing the west.
Koushiro and Takeru looked at each other, then Takeru mounted his horse, Koushiro riding behind him.
~*~
Yamato rode with his companions, dully aware of his surroundings. Which was a very idiotic thing for him to do. He didn't see the ambush until it was nearly too late. The time he had was used in drawing his sword.
Saraia then dropped her weapon in defeat, sounding slightly disgusted. "We're surrounded, drop your weapons." A group of men, all with dark hair, pale skin, pointed ears, and an air of darkness about them, came out, a number with bows already strung. Saraia let out an angry hiss. "Dark elves."
"Well, well, what have we got here?" one who seemed to be the leader drawled lazily. "Three humans, a shadow being, and one of our light cousins. Not a bad catch for today, eh?"
He then approached Saraia, who glared at him. For a moment he lightly touched her long blue green hair until she slapped his hand away. He struck her across the face and Yamato saw that although she didn't cry out, her lower lip was bleeding.
"Yamato, you idiot," he said to himself angrily, cursing inventively.
"Bind them all to their horses, don't forget the blindfold them. Drug them as well, this one here and the one in scarlet dose the most heavily," the dark elf leader snapped out the orders.
Yamato struggled but strong arms caught hold of him as a sharp knife was settled on the back of his neck warningly. For a moment he caught Saraia's eye, she mouthed, 'Wait for now' before one of them pinched her nose and forced some kind of liquid down her throat.
They bound his arms behind his back tightly and tied a blindfold around his head. Then some kind of vile liquid was forced into his mouth. He tried to struggle but they held him tightly as one kept his mouth closed, thus forcing him to swallow. As he did so, a strange, heavy feeling washed over him, as he felt distant from his body, all of his senses numbed. Then someone lifted him onto his horse and tied him firmly there. They must have used some sort of magic to darken his horse's senses, for the warhorses bred in Ishida were trained to fight to the death anyone who wasn't designated "safe."
Who knew how many days they traveled like that, being re-dosed with the drug whenever it started to fade from their systems. After what Dia gauged to be at least twelve days, they were then taken off of their horses and led into some kind of cell. He growled to himself in frustration, the anger burning the last dregs of the drugs in his system. Traces of it were still left but it was mostly gone. He then touched out to Saraia through a mental connection they had forged over the period of time they had been together.
'Saraia?'
'Dia?'
'Are you alright?'
'I guess so, the drug is disappearing now because they haven't replaced it.'
'We are in deep trouble. And where the hell are we?'
'In some kind of dungeon cell. We must be deep within Yagami because for a moment I scented tropical forest.'
'Damn, but we have to get out of here.'
'Leave that to me. But I will signal you when the time is right.'
'Good.'
Daisuke blinked in the harsh light of the torches, the light torturing his eyes. He felt the strength of his bonds as he looked at his friends, who looked for the worse. They had all been brought up and their blindfolds taken off. On a throne in front of them was a lean, muscular dark elf wearing a circlet, looking at Saraia with a look of slight interest.
"You found them?" he then asked to a guard standing nearby.
"Yes my lord."
"Interesting, and with strong auras of magic around them as well. Bring the light elf up here." Struggling, Saraia was brought up as he inspected her. "She would make an interesting little toy."
She spat in his face. "I'm no one's whore!" In a swift movement, she undid her ropes and slashed at the elf with long talons that had grown from her fingers. He looked at her in surprise before he died. "Dia!" She then turned to the guards on either side of her, swiftly taking care of them.
"Right," the being said and concentrated. "Shadow Blade!" Blades of darkness hurtled through the air and sliced through the other captives' bindings.
They got up, rubbing sore muscles. "Our weapons were taken so we will have to use magic," Iori said and concentrated as guards trickled into the room. "Psy Flare!" A large comet of emerald green fire hurtled through and hit the first ranks of them.
"Gladly," Daisuke said grimly. "Steel Wing!" Sharp shards of metal flew, hitting many with deadly accuracy.
They fought on but more just came coming. "Alright, this ends now," Yamato, snarled. "Icy Desolation!" Winds of ice surrounded the remaining guards and just somehow, they disappeared with a collective scream.
"I commend you on your magical prowess," Saraia said, staggering before Daisuke supported her. Her magical powers were powerful, but often draining on her part.
"Well, you were the one who initiated it," the blonde said. "We have to find our weapons and get out of here."
"No need to search, here they are," Iori had a tray of their weapons. "We should try to take something from the treasury perhaps. Our funds were most likely stolen."
"Is this the Iori I know? The one who disapproves of looting?" Dia said in mock horror. "Who replaced you?"
Ignoring him pointedly, Iori gestured for them to follow. "It's over here."
When they entered the treasury, they stared for a moment, except for Saraia and Iori. It was a treasure house of gems, precious metals, weapons, and finely crafted objects.
Saraia walked toward a rack of bows and setting hers down, inspected one of the staves. "This is excellent work, these date back thousands of years. My grandsire might have created some of these." She picked up a particularly unique one, created out of a flexible white colored wood and strengthened with the adding of a silver-like material in certain areas. A design was etched in the metal that bound the center of the bow, of a large phoenix with four wings. "Grandfather." A misty look was in her eyes as she cradled it in her arms and strung it with a string from a supply of them nearby.
Yamato turned his attention to a rack of swords, along with Dia and Daisuke. Dia was handling a large black broad sword with a degree of respect.
"This blade belongs to one of my kind," he said, running a hand down the well-forged hilt.
Daisuke picked out a short sword with a design of red and blue in the hilt, a good-sized crystal in the pommel. "Not bad work, better than what those thieves at some forges create and sell." He then blinked, shaking his head.
A certain blade caught Yamato's eye. It was a katana, longer than most but not so very long as to hinder the user. He picked it up and something just sang out in him, calling to the blade. An ice blue gem on the hilt glowed for a second before fading.
"I might as well take this," he said gruffly, slinging it on his back.
Iori was inspecting a rack of crystals and some staffs that could only be sorcerer's staffs. He touched a crystal that was dome shaped and colored a dull, almost ugly gray. Then it exploded with light under his touch as a strong silver glow burst from it. "Could it really be a moon gem?" It felt warm to his touch as he took it in his hands. Then he picked up a staff that was well balanced and right for his size, an odd socket on the top. Some intuition had him place the crystal in there and it fit perfectly, and nothing would be able to move it.
Saraia then picked up a quiver of arrows fletched with silver and white feathers. Pulling one arrow out, she approved of it but took a double take when she looked back at the quiver. Another arrow had replaced the one taken. The elf laughed. So it was enchanted to supply a limitless number of arrows. A useful enchantment she had to admit.
"Is everyone ready?" she called out, slinging it on her back.
"Almost," Daisuke said, strapping on some throwing daggers onto wrist and leg sheaths as well as his belt.
"I know where the stables are," Iori said quietly, walking toward them with his staff. The crystal had faded but still had a silver sheen to it.
Yamato picked up several small bags filled with gems. Gems were less abstruse than gold and who knew what kind of currency they used in Yagami, so it was more useful. Putting one in his belt pouch, he strapped the rest on. Dia, noticing, nodded approvingly, picking up some himself. Daisuke had already taken a few things himself to use. While she waited, Saraia saw a series of shelves with flasks and bottles on them.
Walking over, she picked up a silver one and opened it, lightly sniffing the contents. Her eyebrows rose as she closed it then picked up one made of leather and silver, meant for traveling, opening it as well. She then smiled and strapped it to her belt.
"What is that for?" Daisuke commented.
"This, my mortal friend, is a bottle that has a special draught. It is only known among the elves and brings strength and new vigor to the drinker," she said and nodded to Iori. "Lead the way, Iori."
He bowed to her. As she walked past Daisuke, he noted something green and sparkling was around her neck before she shifted and it was covered. Iori led them through a maze of hallways before they came to a courtyard. Some stables were nearby and they sneaked through the cover of darkness to retrieve their mounts. Swiftly saddling them, the group rode out, soon under the cover of the tropical forest around.
~*~
Takeru gazed at the city around him, a clamor of shouts, noises, scents, and color. Hikari rode by him and laughed. "You look as if you have never seen a city before."
"I have, just not one as special as this," he looked at her, at those sparkling brown eyes just above the veil. He wondered idly how she would look without it, and then blushed slightly for thinking such thoughts.
They held a hint of mischief as she urged her horse on. "Wait till you see the palace."
```
Takeru sighed in content, surrounded by soothing water. Koushiro winked at him from where he was getting a massage from a servant girl not too bad in the ways of good looks. Shaking his head at his friend, he got out of the pool, wrapping a towel around himself and walking to his room. His clothes were currently being cleaned so new ones were provided for him. Scents of sandlewood and spices spilled out as he opened the wardrobe, filling his nostrils pleasantly with their sweet and spicy aromas. He swiftly dressed, choosing loose breeches of dark green silk and a short sleeved white silk shirt along with a vest of green brocade.
Walking along the marble hallways, he finally stopped at a terrace that overlooked gardens. The scent of roses reached his nose and he did not notice a figure lightly tap his shoulder for a moment. He whirled around to face Princess Hikari.
"Princess," he bowed to her. She was dressed in light rose pink dress of a clinging sheer material. Her hair was bound up in an elegant knot and held with pins of gold and gems. A near transparent pink veil covered the bottom half of her face, not really hiding her face.
"You make an amazing transformation, Takeru," she said, smiling at him.
"As do you, you are more beautiful than I last saw you," he responded. A fragrance of lilies with a hint of spices surrounded her and it was very hard not to become intoxicated with the scent.
She laughed softly, a bell like sound. "Will you care to escort me to the feast?"
"I would be enchanted to escort such a lovely vision," Takeru bowed to her, offering his arm.
~*~
"We are here," Jyou announced, his castle in sight, and the girl in front of him shook off the last remains of sleep from her eyes.
Her eyes widened. "You dwell here?"
"Yes," he chuckled. "You may be my guest for the time being. There are many rooms in the castle, feel free to help it be filled with laughter and life."
She looked at him then smiled. As they rode in, a stable boy bowed to Jyou. "Your majesty."
"You're the king?" Mimi turned pale. This was her betrothed!
"Yes, but it is all right," he soothed, helping her down. "Let me show you to your rooms."
Trembling slightly, she allowed him to do so, yet felt soothed in his comforting, gentle arms.
~*~
Miyako squinted around. "I cannot teleport us anymore, your majesty, my powers are growing faint."
"Rest," Sora said, resting a hand on the younger girl's shoulder.
"What are the both of you doing here?" A group on horseback suddenly had them surrounded.
"We are here to see the King of Yagami," Sora said, her voice calm and her face stern. "For diplomatic reasons."
"Amazons?" one said scornfully. "Why would you want to do with the King? Assassinate him?"
Sora's eyes flashed. "The kingdom of Yagami and Takenouchi had forged an alliance many years ago. It is time to make use of it."
"I say we kill them," said the scornful one but another one stopped him.
"Nay, we will not spill perhaps innocent blood here, we might as well take them to the king." Miyako looked somewhat disgruntled as she and Sora were escorted to wherever the king was, having a very low opinion for men herself.
~*~
Some time before the feasting, the two Amazons were pushed into the throne room. Taichi gazed at them coolly and turned to his guards.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Sora stood tall and straight, looking him in the eye. "King Taichi, I am Queen Sora from the Islands of Takenouchi, ruling over the Amazons and the alliance of the islands. Long ago, our two kingdoms forged an alliance. A growing darkness approaches from the far south. I ask of you that we may once more have a military alliance to drive off this darkness."
"And why should I?" Taichi asked coolly, leaning forward.
"Because we must, this darkness will swallow up the world one by one if we are separate," Miyako said. "But together we will be able to face it on easier ground and perhaps beat it."
"I find truth in your words," Taichi said finally, steepling his hands. "A growing power is in the east of my kingdom, in the center of the continent. Then we must negotiate with the other kingdoms if we are to pinpoint it."
"I thank you," Sora said, looking at Taichi with sincere respect upon her face.
"You may stay here in my palace for the time being," he said. "There is a feast tonight and you are welcome to join it. after being slightly more presentable."
Miyako looked slightly annoyed, but she had to admit, he had a point. The clothes she and Sora were wearing were. well; let's just say they had seen better days. They both bowed politely to Taichi as servants led them to rooms and baths.
```
"I am not wearing a dress!"
"But miss, you cannot go out in something like that!"
"Try me."
"Miyako, just find something else," Sora said, drying off her hair.
The shaman shot the maid a glare and gestured for her to get out. Gladly the servant fled. Miyako grumbled as she pulled out something that wasn't too feminine nor restricting in movement from the closet.
"Honestly."
Sora laughed, changing into her own clothes. "Miyako, try to control your temper."
The other female snorted. "It's hard to when you're dealing with ninnies like these. What do you think?"
Sora looked and approved. Miyako was wearing loose silk breeches tied at the bottom so the ends wouldn't flap around, thus perhaps tripping her, and a long sleeved shirt with the bottom cut off and clinging to her, and thus revealing her lean stomach and lower back, both made of lavender silk to match her hair, elaborately embroidered in violet and silver. She had hidden several daggers on her person, just in case.
Sora was wearing something very similar to hers, only slightly more elaborate and in ruby red silk with red embroidery. The gold circlet around her brow was shining and gleamed beautifully, the light of the red gem on it smoldering like a coal. A short scimitar hung from around her waist on a silken sash.
Miyako then pulled out her shaman's circlet, a band of silver with etchings of birds upon it along with a single amethyst, and put it on. She was also wearing her "spectacles," probably to make herself look more imposing.
"Very nice, how do I look?" Sora inquired. "Impressive or seducible?"
"Impressive," Miyako judged. "Because of that scimitar around your waist."
"It's an illusion," Sora laughed. "I wouldn't actually wear one."
"Speak for yourself, you should have seen some of the looks the guards and servants were giving us," the shaman grumbled. "If they dare to make a move, I'm either going to give them the plague or blast them to Ichijouji."
"Temper, temper," Sora warned, then mused. "That Taichi, what do you think of him?"
"I have to admit, he has a strong sense of leadership, I can respect him, however grudgingly," Miyako said thoughtfully.
"No, in the ways of looks," Sora blushed.
"Oh, is my queen having an infatuation?" Miyako teased. "He's not bad in the ways of good looks. You have very good taste, my queen."
"Miyako!" She lightly slapped her shaman on the shoulder, the younger girl only laughed in response, grinning broadly and wickedly.
"We should get down to the feast," the girl said and opened the door, bowing to her queen but grinning.
The feasting hall was an elegant room. A long table ran down it, along with chairs. Takeru gazed at it in wonder as Hikari directed him to seats to the left of her brother. Koushiro was already there, and dressed impeccably in clean mage robes. A young man with blue-black hair sat near Taichi, talking with him quietly. Takeru felt an odd magic about him, and a strangely disquieting look in those indigo eyes.
Two women entered and he raised an eyebrow. Though dressed in what may be considered scandalous clothing up in Ishida, they were anything but seducible, the clothing revealing sinewy muscles and lithe forms that showed they were deadly in combat. The one with the silver circlet observed him for a long moment, hidden power and wisdom within her amber eyes behind those curious lenses on her face, before sitting beside the woman with the gold band with a royal, ruling air about her. The feasting began as Taichi introduced them all to each other. During that time, the young man with the indigo eyes was aloof, but not arrogant, even as he received startled gasps and probing looks when introduced as a representative of Ichijouji. An almost sad, distant look was in his eyes, and Miyako noticed that as she offered him a brief, comforting smile.
Despite his aura of shadow magic, Miyako felt as though she could trust him, her intuition rarely wrong. As he saw her smile, a flicker of surprise went across his face as his features softened and he nodded graciously to her. Though it didn't seem possible, the shaman was very good with children and others who needed comforting or had problems of the soul, heart, or spirit.
~*~
'Damn,' Daisuke thought. 'Captured again. When will this stop?'
They were surrounded by a number of men on horseback, watching their every move. At least they weren't drugged or tied up, Daisuke reflected as he guided his horse. Saraia had aroused much curiosity from the men, but she firmly showed that she was not to be taken lightly. Their weapons stayed with their owners (after an incident with Dia's sword, none of them wanted to dare touch the group's weapons).
The feasting was over and entertainment was about to begin when guards shoved five prisoners in. Taichi looked slightly annoyed.
"Yes?" he asked.
"These intruders were not too far from the dark elf settlement," one of the guards said.
"And this one's an elf," one said, pointing to Saraia, who looked very disgruntled.
"I'm not a dark elf, mortal!" she snapped. "They captured us and we managed to escape."
"Where are the elves then?" Taichi asked.
"We killed them," Dia said; face emotionless as he looked at Taichi with those strange dark, catlike eyes.
Takeru then saw the face of the blonde man among that group. "Yamato?" He got up, shocked.
"Takeru?" Yamato looked up.
"Great gods!" Takeru ran down and embraced him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Taichi asked.
"He is my brother, your majesty," Takeru said.
"If you did kill the dark elves, who have been a growing nuisance, prove it," Taichi said.
Saraia smiled sweetly but somewhat nastily and flung down a bow. It was obviously of dark elf design and make. "Is that enough?" Everyone knew that the bow of a dark elf could never be taken unless the elf was killed outright for they protected their weapons with their lives. She then flung down another thing, a black crown; the same crown that had once adorned the head of the dark elf ruler.
Her voice was flat, as she said, "Never doubt the word of one of my kind, King Taichi." She looked at him with frosty green eyes that were far older than she appeared.
"I take your word and I thank you," Taichi said, unruffled but a new respect in his eyes for her and her friends.
"Good," she said, then turned and started to walk from the room.
"Wait," he called. "I offer my hospitality to you." She turned and faced him, a slight smile adorning her features.
"And I accept your offer." She hid the glowing moonstone on her gauntlet, now knowing that most of the twelve warriors were assembled.
Later that night, a soft tap came at the door to Saraia's room. She opened it and found Dia standing there.
"I saw you hiding the moonstone, so most of the warriors are here?" he asked as she invited him in.
"Yes, most of them, we only need two more," she said, sitting down.
"That's good, can you tell where those remaining are?"
She closed her eyes then opened them. "To the south, in Kido." She then paced. "I can see some of the future, and it appears that there is a chance that I may die."
Dia sat in his own seat. "The future is fluid, it can change."
She shrugged. "Elves usually see their deaths by foresight."
"I hate destiny, there is no such thing as a fore ordained path," the warrior said, hand near the hilt of his new broadsword strapped to his back.
"Very true," she laughed. "Care for something to drink?"
"If you do not mind."
Saraia poured two goblets of a clear liquid that had the scent of roses wafting from it. "I hope you do not mind juice, liquor clouds my senses if I drink too much."
"Not at all," the warrior said mildly, accepting a glass. "And it's not poisoned, eh?"
She chuckled. "I checked. And it's some kind of nectar, very nice I have to admit." The elf took a long sip, looking thoughtful. Her shirt was partially open at the collar, revealing a necklace made of sparkling emeralds; all perfect in color and cut into varying sizes.
"What is that?" Dia pointed it out.
"It is an heirloom I found at the treasury in that fortress. My people have been searching for this for centuries." She fingered a large stone that rested in between her collarbones. "But it is nothing compared to the true worth of the forest. As Prince-" She stopped herself.
"Saraia?" Dia questioned. "Was that word princess by any chance?"
"I have- oh all right, there's nothing worth escaping you once you're onto something. I am a princess, second daughter to an elven king, that's why I travel. My brother is the main heir."
He nodded. "I never would have known, your highness."
"I'm still the same Saraia," she lightly punched him. "Being princess doesn't mean anything to me."
He lightly kissed her hand. "But still, you need respect."
"I prefer to earn it by myself."
"And you already have," he laughed. "I should get some rest. Good night, Saraia."
"Good night, Dia," she said. "Don't tell anyone else."
"I promise," he said just as he walked out the door.
~*~
Miyako tossed and turned, before she fell out of her bed, growling several curses. She needed fresh air. Although she was a shaman, she often slept outside, feeling close with the sky and the air. Slipping out, she walked through the hallways. Going out onto a balcony, she summoned her wind powers to levitate her to the roof. Whispering thanks to the spirits who helped her as she landed safely up there, she looked up at the stars.
"So you like the view up here too?" She nearly screeched in shock and turned swiftly, a dagger in hand. Ken was up there, dressed simply and his hair slightly tousled.
"Yes, I like the open sky," she said shortly, sheathing her weapon.
"Don't tell me, you have control over wind," he said, sitting by her.
"Yes, shadow mage," she informed him and he looked pained.
"Please, do not judge me by my magic."
"I am not, your magic may be of shadows, but it is not truly evil," she said in a more gentle voice.
"Where are those spectacles you were wearing?" he inquired.
"I don't need them, I just say they improve my vision," she laughed.
"Funny how an Amazon cares about looks," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"We're not barbarians," she said tartly, looking at the stars.
Ken laughed, a full, rich sound that caused the shaman to raise a mild eyebrow, but not in dislike, only in mild surprise. "Yes, you are far too intelligent."
She smiled. "I thank you."
"Your name is Miyako, is it not?" he then asked.
"Yes, and yours is Ken." She looked off to the distance. "That elf woman, she shows very little of what she truly is."
"I have never met an elf like her," Ken said. "In Ichijouji, there are elves but they are known as the Gray elves, and they are a bit different than the ones here. Very good at creating things, instruments, utensils, ships, weapons." He gazed off as well at a small dot at the horizon. "Tell me, do you know that that shadowed area is?"
"No, unfortunately I do not, but I sense a great evil from around it, shielding something of great power and goodness inside."
"Oh." Ken lapsed into thought and Miyako got up.
"I must leave, I need the rest and my queen will need me."
"A moment," Ken said, getting up as well. "I am just asking, but has anyone told you how beautiful you are?"
She turned sharply to him. "No, not really. Most men that see me are usually dead within some time. And I do not have a same sex lover and most likely never will."
He then leaned forward and whispered, "Then let me have the honor of telling you how beautiful you are." He then disappeared into the shadows. Miyako shook her head, summoned up her wind spirits, and flew back to her room.
There is no coincidence, only the inevitable. -Kaho, from Card Captor Sakura
