Chapter 5: Shadows
"If you are going to keep that 'thing' on my ship, I demand that you keep him under control. I won't have him scaring my men and stalking in the shadows."
"Relax Alessandro, he hasn't killed anyone."
"Not yet. But we know what he is capable of."
"Which is?"
"A creature created by the manipulation of Fate is mad. He has no will of his own."
"Oh he as a will, a will of Fate. It is what drives him on. It is what makes him appear mad. But it is a systematic madness. I suppose that is why Emperor Dornkirk found him so interesting."
"Just as you do, Drax Onusa?"
The tall robed man left the table the two men had been sitting at and moved to the shadows by the window.
"I was there at Dilan's creation. It was fantastic. To see a human form from nothing but light and electricity." He began pacing the room. "But there was something wrong. We scientists could not handle something such a vast thing as Fate in a pure form. We learned that the only way to change Fate was though manipulation; the use of what already existed. Yes, Dilan was quite insane in his way, but an invaluable lesson to us. That is when we created Dilan the second, Dilandau."
General Alessandro rose, his powerful frame stretching enormously. "I did not ask for a science lesson. I only ask that you control Dilan while here. Once we reach Zibach, be on your way."
Drax Onusa turned, "Eager to be back on your quest for peace are you? I wonder what Dilan's response to your idea of alliance to Asturia, Fried and Fanalia would be."
"Those are just precursors. I hope we do not have to employ them and establish peace on our won. But General Adelfus and the others will not assist the process."
"Yes, but you know that Dilan is entirely loyal to the Emperor. His master's enemies are still his own, past, present, and future.'
Alessandro's eyes flashed. "Yes I know. That is why you, my friend, will not tell him."
The other chuckled dryly. "No I won't, but he will find out eventually."
"That is why we must act quickly and decisively."
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The dancing floor was open. No one noticed a figure slipping in the window, closely followed by several others. The figure tossed off his cloak, revealing an aristocratic face and elegant costume. He nodded to his followers who silently scattered. The man walked to a place in the shadows where he could watch the dancers.
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Hitomi danced, thankful for the lessons from Millerna and Emilee. She would have avoided the attention, but she was an honored guest. Inwardly sighing, she accepted as few dances as she could without being rude.
"Have you reserved a dance for an old acquaintance?"
She turned to see Allen Shizar, dazzlingly handsome in his uniform. She couldn't help smiling. "Of course, Allen."
He bowed slightly and gave her his arm. Stepping into a sweeping waltz, she was unsurprised to find him an excellent dancer. Things had changed so much since the last time he had held her. Hitomi knew that she could not bring up the past without pain, and now was a time of joy. Yet it was a joy full of a strange sadness.
"Well Hitomi, we're all together again." Allen said thoughtfully.
"Yes."
"Have you wondered why?"
They danced in silence for a while before she gravely looked up at him.
"Something is going to happen. Something we are all needed for."
He frowned slightly. "I'm assuming it has to do with this alliance with Zibach."
"I think so."
Allen bent near and whispered, "Have you seen it?"
"Yes and no." She sighed. "I've learned never to take what I see too literally."
He paused before almost hesitantly asked, "What about Lady Emilee? Why is she here?"
Hitomi shook her head. "I don't know. I had a vision before we left the Mystic Moon. We were all together and she was with us. She has a destiny here too."
Glancing around the dance floor, he commented, "She's adjusted well here. She has already begun to learn the language."
Hitomi smiled, "I know. I've never met anyone like her before. She's the most enthusiastic person; the fact that we're on a completely different planet hardly surprised her." A thought nudged into the back of her mind. "Allen, do you –"
"Excuse me, Allen, may I cut in?"
Both of them started. Van stood nearby.
Allen bowed, "Certainly, Your Majesty."
Van offered his hand. Speechless, Hitomi accepted.
--------------------------------
Meanwhile, the shadow figures found their posts and waited for their signal. The elegant stranger moved towards a giddy young flirt of a court lady and asked to dance. She of course fell into his plan.
--------------------------------
The dancers swirled. Eyes were drawn to the center couple; an uneasy young woman and the stern young king moving in tandem - the only element missing to a lovely picture was the silence that hung between them. No one noticed one pair of dancers moving steadily closer.
Hitomi avoided looking up at Van. There was a new tenseness between them. It was a new strange tension of awairness. Furiously she sought for something to say. Politics always work.
"Van, what will happen to Fanalia if we make a treaty with Zabach?"
He glanced down at her. "We will have obligations and responsibilities with them. People will object, so we'll have to be on guard for internal conflicts and make sure Zibach isn't playing us along for another reason."
"Blackmail you mean?"
"Yes."
"But what about the other fractions? What will they do?"
He sighed. "Hopefully they'll take our lead and stop fighting. But this is a risky move for all of us. It could tear us apart, or bring us together."
For the first time since her arrival, Hitomi looked him in the eye. He had grown up so much from the spoiled boy she first knew. Once he would have never thought of taking such a risk, never thought so far ahead into his country's future, and never thought of a solution other than fighting. There was a look of deep thinking in his face, one like she had seen on his brother's face before he made the choice to abandon Zibach for the good of the future. Van felt her eyes on him and returned her gaze. Hesitantly he said,
"Hitomi, I –"
She only had a flash of warning. Without thinking, she threw herself forwards into Van, slamming them both away from a couple who had swept in. She caught a glimpse of a cold, handsome face and saw the gleam of an assassin's blade.
Chaos erupted. Dark clothed figures appeared from nowhere and wove through confused dancers. Van, quickly comprehending the situation, shoved Hitomi to the floor behind him and drew his sword.
"To me Fanalia!"
Allen heard the cry and ran to defend the king. Once again they stood back to back, Hitomi protected between them.
------------------------
An assassin leapt up the podium towards Dryden and Millerna. Millerna grabbed a goblet of wine and threw it in the man's face. Dryden pushed her back and drew a long dagger from under the folds of his robes.
------------------------
Merle was trapped in a corner, her ball gown tangling around her feet. She hissed at the two oncoming figures. Crouching, her claws ripped at the material, frantically trying to free her legs. Ducking a swipe by one of the men, she slashed him in the face with her claws. The man recoiled, but the other grabbed her by the neck and began choking her. In vain she struggled, her air running rapidly out. As her vision began to go dark, there was a heavy thud and the man let her go. Gasping, Merle fell to her knees. A familiar voice and helping hand made her look up. Emilee pulled her to her feet. In broken words, she asked if she was all right. Merle nodded.
"We have to find the others."
Emilee hefted a three-branched candleholder.
"Look out!"
The scratched assassin had recovered and was charging them. Emilee swung the candlestick at the sword in a desperate maneuver. The blade tangled and locked. The red-head twisted it away from him, brought her knee up between his legs, then cracked him over the head. Merle grinned and scampered over the two bodies.
---------------------------
Dark men swirled around them. Allen glanced past them to the innocents and took heart. Dryden had organized a squad of men into a police force and was making his way to the attackers. The dance floor had rapidly cleared. Van warded blades away with as much skill as he had in the forest. Only this time they were protecting the person between them. Allen sensed that the assassins were after Van and Hitomi, he was only an obstacle. Well he intended on being the hardest obstacle they had ever faced. What was it someone said? Once loved, always loved. He still loved Hitomi, but it could never be in the same way again. He knew now that they were unsuited and unfated except as friends. He would give his life for her on those terms alone. He would even die for Van, despite their past controversies. Allen had to admit the kid had grown on him, first as an unexperienced but enthusiastic youth with too much guilt on his shoulders, and now nearly his equal and a strong leader, honorable and loyal.
Strange what one can think about in the most dangerous of times. Allen thought to himself as he fought to keep the dark tide at bay. Lives are on the line and I'm reminesing about the past.
A sudden lull in the fighting made him glance around. Fanalian soldiers had arrived and formed a ring around the assassins. Merle, the hem of her dress in tatters, stalked though the ranks, closely followed by Emilee. Bristling with angry diplomacy, she approached the attackers.
"You're surrounded. Throw down your weapons and you will be treated civilly. Do not and I will order you to be taken by force."
The dark figures parted to reveal the aristocratic stranger. He stared disgustedly down at the cat woman. "We hold your king and your witch within our circle. You cannot save them before overpowering us."
Merle smiled humorlessly, "I have faith in King Van and Allen Shizar. You, however, are a fool."
Fury contorted the man's handsome face. "How dare you speak to me like that you beast!"
Van leapt forwards in anger at the insult on his best friend - only Hitomi's restraining hand kept him from trying to break through the forest of blades.
Merle taunted "It takes a beast to speak to a beast."
The man raised his had to slap her. She ducked the blow and as smoothly as water, slipped behind him and drew a knife. "If you want to live, let them go."
Emilee, Hitomi, and Allen were stunned by the calm coldness Merle portrayed while threatening the life of a man. This was an entirely new side of the cheerful, fun-loving Merle they knew.
The man nodded to his followers. They broke the line to let the three pass. Van and Merle traded glances. "Now tell your men to put down their weapons."
The man smiled sarcastically. "That they will not do. They are trained never to be unarmed and never surrender. We succeed in our mission or do not return. Let me go and we will leave."
Van gave a short nod and Merle released the leader. The circle of assassins tightened as the man backed towards them.
"This is not over yet. You and your witch and pet will pay for what you have done to the Great Empire. You small, pathetic kingdom will be forgotten and your people under our rule."
Van coldly replied, "You are free to leave, but if you return, I will execute all of you."
"But you forget," The man's hand slipped behind him. "We never surrender, we succeed or we die. We'll be back."
He whipped out a thin dagger and threw it with lightning swiftness at Emilee, standing in the background. Allen leapt forwards to intercept it, but was a instant too late. Only Emilee's reflexes saved her. Startled by the sudden movement, she had already begun to recoil and managed to twist away so that the blade missed her throat, but cut her jaw.
Furious, Allen drew his sword and slashed the man down. It went against all codes of knighthood to attack a woman.
The death of the leader was a signal to the others. The circle exploded into the Fanalian soldiers. Few made it though, but most were killed. One charged Hitomi, but Van met him before he could raise his sword. In seconds it was all over. Allen immediately went to Emilee, who was bleeding steadily. The cut had been dangerously close to her throat. He pulled out his handkerchief and gently pressed it against the wound.
"Hold it there until we find a healer."
Emilee winced but obeyed. She smiled her thanks up at him. He couldn't help noticing that her eyes were the color of the sea and danced with the light of life. He covered up his hesitation by turning to Hitomi. "She may need to have stitches, but it was a clean cut."
Merle bounded up, back to her usual playful demeanor. "Lord Van, they say four escaped out of eighteen, but there may have been more. They were after all of us, except Emilee cause they didn't know who she was. Dryden and Millerna are okay, and three soldiers were killed and four guards."
Hitomi stared at her. "Merle, when did you learn how to fight?"
The cat woman looked shyly at the floor. "Well, I took some self defense lessons from Fina when we went roaming, and Lord Van helped me with the rest. It's best when no one thinks I can fight, or avoid it all together. Being mean is not my thing."
Van's face hardened. "Right. Merle, call my officers. We need to settle this Zibach deal as soon as possible. Allen, come with me, Hitomi, find a healer for Emilee. I'm going to my study and try and figure some things out."
Hitomi muttered to his back as he stalked away, "It would be nice to say please."
"If you are going to keep that 'thing' on my ship, I demand that you keep him under control. I won't have him scaring my men and stalking in the shadows."
"Relax Alessandro, he hasn't killed anyone."
"Not yet. But we know what he is capable of."
"Which is?"
"A creature created by the manipulation of Fate is mad. He has no will of his own."
"Oh he as a will, a will of Fate. It is what drives him on. It is what makes him appear mad. But it is a systematic madness. I suppose that is why Emperor Dornkirk found him so interesting."
"Just as you do, Drax Onusa?"
The tall robed man left the table the two men had been sitting at and moved to the shadows by the window.
"I was there at Dilan's creation. It was fantastic. To see a human form from nothing but light and electricity." He began pacing the room. "But there was something wrong. We scientists could not handle something such a vast thing as Fate in a pure form. We learned that the only way to change Fate was though manipulation; the use of what already existed. Yes, Dilan was quite insane in his way, but an invaluable lesson to us. That is when we created Dilan the second, Dilandau."
General Alessandro rose, his powerful frame stretching enormously. "I did not ask for a science lesson. I only ask that you control Dilan while here. Once we reach Zibach, be on your way."
Drax Onusa turned, "Eager to be back on your quest for peace are you? I wonder what Dilan's response to your idea of alliance to Asturia, Fried and Fanalia would be."
"Those are just precursors. I hope we do not have to employ them and establish peace on our won. But General Adelfus and the others will not assist the process."
"Yes, but you know that Dilan is entirely loyal to the Emperor. His master's enemies are still his own, past, present, and future.'
Alessandro's eyes flashed. "Yes I know. That is why you, my friend, will not tell him."
The other chuckled dryly. "No I won't, but he will find out eventually."
"That is why we must act quickly and decisively."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
The dancing floor was open. No one noticed a figure slipping in the window, closely followed by several others. The figure tossed off his cloak, revealing an aristocratic face and elegant costume. He nodded to his followers who silently scattered. The man walked to a place in the shadows where he could watch the dancers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
Hitomi danced, thankful for the lessons from Millerna and Emilee. She would have avoided the attention, but she was an honored guest. Inwardly sighing, she accepted as few dances as she could without being rude.
"Have you reserved a dance for an old acquaintance?"
She turned to see Allen Shizar, dazzlingly handsome in his uniform. She couldn't help smiling. "Of course, Allen."
He bowed slightly and gave her his arm. Stepping into a sweeping waltz, she was unsurprised to find him an excellent dancer. Things had changed so much since the last time he had held her. Hitomi knew that she could not bring up the past without pain, and now was a time of joy. Yet it was a joy full of a strange sadness.
"Well Hitomi, we're all together again." Allen said thoughtfully.
"Yes."
"Have you wondered why?"
They danced in silence for a while before she gravely looked up at him.
"Something is going to happen. Something we are all needed for."
He frowned slightly. "I'm assuming it has to do with this alliance with Zibach."
"I think so."
Allen bent near and whispered, "Have you seen it?"
"Yes and no." She sighed. "I've learned never to take what I see too literally."
He paused before almost hesitantly asked, "What about Lady Emilee? Why is she here?"
Hitomi shook her head. "I don't know. I had a vision before we left the Mystic Moon. We were all together and she was with us. She has a destiny here too."
Glancing around the dance floor, he commented, "She's adjusted well here. She has already begun to learn the language."
Hitomi smiled, "I know. I've never met anyone like her before. She's the most enthusiastic person; the fact that we're on a completely different planet hardly surprised her." A thought nudged into the back of her mind. "Allen, do you –"
"Excuse me, Allen, may I cut in?"
Both of them started. Van stood nearby.
Allen bowed, "Certainly, Your Majesty."
Van offered his hand. Speechless, Hitomi accepted.
--------------------------------
Meanwhile, the shadow figures found their posts and waited for their signal. The elegant stranger moved towards a giddy young flirt of a court lady and asked to dance. She of course fell into his plan.
--------------------------------
The dancers swirled. Eyes were drawn to the center couple; an uneasy young woman and the stern young king moving in tandem - the only element missing to a lovely picture was the silence that hung between them. No one noticed one pair of dancers moving steadily closer.
Hitomi avoided looking up at Van. There was a new tenseness between them. It was a new strange tension of awairness. Furiously she sought for something to say. Politics always work.
"Van, what will happen to Fanalia if we make a treaty with Zabach?"
He glanced down at her. "We will have obligations and responsibilities with them. People will object, so we'll have to be on guard for internal conflicts and make sure Zibach isn't playing us along for another reason."
"Blackmail you mean?"
"Yes."
"But what about the other fractions? What will they do?"
He sighed. "Hopefully they'll take our lead and stop fighting. But this is a risky move for all of us. It could tear us apart, or bring us together."
For the first time since her arrival, Hitomi looked him in the eye. He had grown up so much from the spoiled boy she first knew. Once he would have never thought of taking such a risk, never thought so far ahead into his country's future, and never thought of a solution other than fighting. There was a look of deep thinking in his face, one like she had seen on his brother's face before he made the choice to abandon Zibach for the good of the future. Van felt her eyes on him and returned her gaze. Hesitantly he said,
"Hitomi, I –"
She only had a flash of warning. Without thinking, she threw herself forwards into Van, slamming them both away from a couple who had swept in. She caught a glimpse of a cold, handsome face and saw the gleam of an assassin's blade.
Chaos erupted. Dark clothed figures appeared from nowhere and wove through confused dancers. Van, quickly comprehending the situation, shoved Hitomi to the floor behind him and drew his sword.
"To me Fanalia!"
Allen heard the cry and ran to defend the king. Once again they stood back to back, Hitomi protected between them.
------------------------
An assassin leapt up the podium towards Dryden and Millerna. Millerna grabbed a goblet of wine and threw it in the man's face. Dryden pushed her back and drew a long dagger from under the folds of his robes.
------------------------
Merle was trapped in a corner, her ball gown tangling around her feet. She hissed at the two oncoming figures. Crouching, her claws ripped at the material, frantically trying to free her legs. Ducking a swipe by one of the men, she slashed him in the face with her claws. The man recoiled, but the other grabbed her by the neck and began choking her. In vain she struggled, her air running rapidly out. As her vision began to go dark, there was a heavy thud and the man let her go. Gasping, Merle fell to her knees. A familiar voice and helping hand made her look up. Emilee pulled her to her feet. In broken words, she asked if she was all right. Merle nodded.
"We have to find the others."
Emilee hefted a three-branched candleholder.
"Look out!"
The scratched assassin had recovered and was charging them. Emilee swung the candlestick at the sword in a desperate maneuver. The blade tangled and locked. The red-head twisted it away from him, brought her knee up between his legs, then cracked him over the head. Merle grinned and scampered over the two bodies.
---------------------------
Dark men swirled around them. Allen glanced past them to the innocents and took heart. Dryden had organized a squad of men into a police force and was making his way to the attackers. The dance floor had rapidly cleared. Van warded blades away with as much skill as he had in the forest. Only this time they were protecting the person between them. Allen sensed that the assassins were after Van and Hitomi, he was only an obstacle. Well he intended on being the hardest obstacle they had ever faced. What was it someone said? Once loved, always loved. He still loved Hitomi, but it could never be in the same way again. He knew now that they were unsuited and unfated except as friends. He would give his life for her on those terms alone. He would even die for Van, despite their past controversies. Allen had to admit the kid had grown on him, first as an unexperienced but enthusiastic youth with too much guilt on his shoulders, and now nearly his equal and a strong leader, honorable and loyal.
Strange what one can think about in the most dangerous of times. Allen thought to himself as he fought to keep the dark tide at bay. Lives are on the line and I'm reminesing about the past.
A sudden lull in the fighting made him glance around. Fanalian soldiers had arrived and formed a ring around the assassins. Merle, the hem of her dress in tatters, stalked though the ranks, closely followed by Emilee. Bristling with angry diplomacy, she approached the attackers.
"You're surrounded. Throw down your weapons and you will be treated civilly. Do not and I will order you to be taken by force."
The dark figures parted to reveal the aristocratic stranger. He stared disgustedly down at the cat woman. "We hold your king and your witch within our circle. You cannot save them before overpowering us."
Merle smiled humorlessly, "I have faith in King Van and Allen Shizar. You, however, are a fool."
Fury contorted the man's handsome face. "How dare you speak to me like that you beast!"
Van leapt forwards in anger at the insult on his best friend - only Hitomi's restraining hand kept him from trying to break through the forest of blades.
Merle taunted "It takes a beast to speak to a beast."
The man raised his had to slap her. She ducked the blow and as smoothly as water, slipped behind him and drew a knife. "If you want to live, let them go."
Emilee, Hitomi, and Allen were stunned by the calm coldness Merle portrayed while threatening the life of a man. This was an entirely new side of the cheerful, fun-loving Merle they knew.
The man nodded to his followers. They broke the line to let the three pass. Van and Merle traded glances. "Now tell your men to put down their weapons."
The man smiled sarcastically. "That they will not do. They are trained never to be unarmed and never surrender. We succeed in our mission or do not return. Let me go and we will leave."
Van gave a short nod and Merle released the leader. The circle of assassins tightened as the man backed towards them.
"This is not over yet. You and your witch and pet will pay for what you have done to the Great Empire. You small, pathetic kingdom will be forgotten and your people under our rule."
Van coldly replied, "You are free to leave, but if you return, I will execute all of you."
"But you forget," The man's hand slipped behind him. "We never surrender, we succeed or we die. We'll be back."
He whipped out a thin dagger and threw it with lightning swiftness at Emilee, standing in the background. Allen leapt forwards to intercept it, but was a instant too late. Only Emilee's reflexes saved her. Startled by the sudden movement, she had already begun to recoil and managed to twist away so that the blade missed her throat, but cut her jaw.
Furious, Allen drew his sword and slashed the man down. It went against all codes of knighthood to attack a woman.
The death of the leader was a signal to the others. The circle exploded into the Fanalian soldiers. Few made it though, but most were killed. One charged Hitomi, but Van met him before he could raise his sword. In seconds it was all over. Allen immediately went to Emilee, who was bleeding steadily. The cut had been dangerously close to her throat. He pulled out his handkerchief and gently pressed it against the wound.
"Hold it there until we find a healer."
Emilee winced but obeyed. She smiled her thanks up at him. He couldn't help noticing that her eyes were the color of the sea and danced with the light of life. He covered up his hesitation by turning to Hitomi. "She may need to have stitches, but it was a clean cut."
Merle bounded up, back to her usual playful demeanor. "Lord Van, they say four escaped out of eighteen, but there may have been more. They were after all of us, except Emilee cause they didn't know who she was. Dryden and Millerna are okay, and three soldiers were killed and four guards."
Hitomi stared at her. "Merle, when did you learn how to fight?"
The cat woman looked shyly at the floor. "Well, I took some self defense lessons from Fina when we went roaming, and Lord Van helped me with the rest. It's best when no one thinks I can fight, or avoid it all together. Being mean is not my thing."
Van's face hardened. "Right. Merle, call my officers. We need to settle this Zibach deal as soon as possible. Allen, come with me, Hitomi, find a healer for Emilee. I'm going to my study and try and figure some things out."
Hitomi muttered to his back as he stalked away, "It would be nice to say please."