Author note: Hey all, I have 8 chapters all set to go. I need to know if
this is worth continuing after that. I have the most awesome ending, hinted
in my opening poem. Things may get a little choppy, but it's because I'm
desperately trying to finish the story before it gets too long and everyone
sees the huge number of chapters and runs ( Please let me know if you want
this to continue.
Also, I hope this doesn't make some of you run away, Dilandau is not coming back. Wait! Celena does still have him inside her, but in a different way. I decided to go against that "Dilandau is back for revenge" plot that seems to be a favorite in hopes of creating a new favorite. Dilan is key in this. Bear with me, then tell me what you think when this is over.
Chapter 6: Choices
Emilee caught up with Hitomi and Merle in the gardens, thoroughly cleaned and bandaged.
"I feel like an Arab in this get up." She grumbled.
Millerna had wound a strip of cloth around Emilee's head and down around her chin. To hide the bandage, she then tied a sash on top of it.
"You were lucky ya know." Merle piped up.
Emilee sighed and sat down on the grass. "Yes I know." She picked a few flowers and began tying them together. "Hitomi never told me that this place could be so dangerous."
Her friend plopped down beside her. "I didn't think it was anymore. But we've been brought back for some reason, I'm just not sure why yet."
"What about your visions, Hitomi?" Merle asked.
"I've only had one. It wasn't very clear, just pictures and emotions. I knew we'd come here. I knew something was happening on Gaea, but so much of it doesn't make sense."
A soft voice behind them said, "Perhaps it is all you are ment to see."
Merle brightened, "Fina!"
The gray cat woman carried a lute-like instrument and wore a gauzy blue dress that stirred with the slightest breath of air. She respectfully bowed before them. "Lady Emilee, I am happy to see you well."
Emilee nodded in return.
Hitomi looked at her. "Merle said you were a story teller and seer like me. Do you have visions of the future?"
Fina's eyes changed to a misty gray as she began to hum softly. "I see what the Powers wish me to see." She sang, "I see and tell. I understand and pass on."
Hitomi smiled in acknowledgement.
Merle pounced on her friend's tail. "Sing something, Fina."
Modestly, Fina sank to her knees in the grass and picked up her lute. Strumming softly, she began to sing,
"A soft wind stirs up some memory
One time closer than we'll ever be
Ghosts of time rise up to meet me
Show me the way, then stand to lead me
Heaven has come down, let us believe.
Rise up your heads, all things below
Heaven cries, its tears to show
Light of the moon, a thing unspoken
Until the gates of Time are broken."
The last notes drifted gently over the garden. Slowly coming out of the trance Fina had created, Hitomi, Emilee, and Merle turned to praise her, but she had vanished with her song.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Van and Allen walked out to the gardens where the girls sat weaving trains of flowers. Merle saw them first and waved at them.
"Allen, Lord Van, come join us!"
Allen smiled but shook his head. Van said, "We've come to an agreement."
Immediately the three girls were still.
"King Ashton, Lord Dryden, Duke Chid, Allen and I have decided to send a negotiating party to the capitol of Zaibach in acceptance of their plea for aid."
Hitomi looked down at the flower in her hand and asked softly, "Who?"
Allen answered, "We don't know exactly yet."
"We're going to Asturia." Van stated authoritatively.
Hitomi looked up in astonishment. "Asturia?"
"Yes. It's more convenient for all of us."
Emilee interjected, "But is it convenient for us - the women, that is."
Allen stepped forwards, "All of you are welcome in the Schezar household for as long as you remain in Asturia."
"What about Celena?" Hitomi asked.
"She should be fine. She ought to make some outside friends."
"Great!" Emilee leapt to her feet. "We're going to the beach!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
"Ah, my friend, come sit with me."
Trembling in a tattered robe, Yuni took a step towards the dark shadows deeper in the room.
"Sit."
The old man fell to his knees and bowed his head. The shadows moved and a figure wrapped in a hooded cloak glided wraith-like towards him. A whisper echoed from Yumi,
"Master, please, I have served you for ten years. I have been faithful. I do not understand why you have taken my wife down to the dungeons."
The figure viciously backhanded him, sending Yumi sprawling. The hood fell back revealing a thin young man. His colorless eyes glittered in wild anger.
"Spawn of refuse that you are, Yumi, you would betray me soon enough. I have need of your services tonight, and have taken your wife as insurance that you will complete the task without rebellion."
Yumi crouched brokenly at the man's feet. "Whatever you say, my Lord."
Running his thin fingers though soot black hair, Dilan began pacing. "I want you to find out about rumors. I have heard rumors that Zibach is forming an alliance with those who defy the Emperor. I want to know if they are true." He stopped and pointed accusingly at the old man. "No one is to know why I am asking this."
Yumi nodded, long knowing the standard procedure.
"Drax Onusa is moving. It has something to do with Alessandro, who thinks I'm nothing but a mindless freak." He smiled. "It has actually worked to my advantage. Alessandro cannot stand to leave me where he is unable to quickly find me. Since he is one of the Four, I have access to very private information." Dilan whirled. "Find out everything about this alliance of Fanalia and Fried to the Four. I will not let my Maker's rule be compromised."
In desperation, the old man asked, "But what about my wife?"
Dilan wrenched him up by his tattered robe and yelled, "You will see her when I see it fit. Cross me, and I will hang her from the floating fortress for all of Zaibach to see."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Celena sat by her window aimlessly. A servant tiptoed in and quietly asked if she would like to eat. The silver haired girl waved her off and the servant withdrew. Pale blue eyes wandered over the rooftops to the sparkle of the ocean. A sudden commotion caught her attention.
Three carriages pulled up before the house. From the first stepped a familiar figure, followed by a younger man in a blue shirt and long black pants and boots. Celena hurried down to meet them.
"Brother, welcome home."
Allen smiled at his quite sister. "Celena, you look beautiful. I have brought some people to stay with us for a little while."
"Wow, Allen, is this your place?" Emilee jumped down from the carriage and looked up at the impressive building. Hitomi calmly followed her.
"Yes, it's closer to the outskirts of the city, but only a short ways from the palace. You all are free to come and go as you wish."
Emilee stuck her hand out to Celena. "Konichiwa, I'm Emilee Fields. Are you Celena?"
Celena stared puzzledly at the outstretched hand. "Yes."
Emilee grinned and let it drop. "Great! We can have lots of fun and drive Allen crazy."
Allen played along with the tease and groaned. Celena smiled hesitantly as Van came up to the group.
"They've begun unloading. Allen and I need to meet with King Ashton and decide who will go to Zaibach."
Hitomi planted herself in front of the two men. "I'm going to Zaibach."
Van shook his head. "It's too dangerous."
Her green eyes flashed. "You used to trust my judgment, Van. I know I have to go." Allen started to move between them, but she stepped around him. Van's hair hid his face as he turned away. "Van! Listen to me! Something isn't right behind this alliance. It isn't a trap, but it still isn't safe."
Van walked away. "I'll think about it."
Allen gently restrained Hitomi as she tried to follow him. "Easy, Hitomi, he's had a hard time with the negotiations."
Still hurt, she brushed him off and wandered down the path. She found herself in a garden, the palace only a few blocks away. Carelessly, she continued, letting her feet take her where they would.
We go though all this, She thought bitterly, And he still can't look at me in public - much less speak to me.
Was it something she had unknowingly done? Had she offended him in some way? Tears stung her eyes. Did the mere sight of her do something to drive him away? A thought struck fear into her heart. Was there another?
Gripping the rail of a small bridge with both hands, she fought to keep her tears from falling. Of course, he's a king. Kings have to marry for their country, not themselves. Why hadn't I seen it before - when he sent me back. Even if he cared to – I'd bring nothing to his country.
Hitomi found another path. Trying to get away from her thoughts, she began running. She ran as fast as she could - running from herself and trying to numb her mind. Only when her breathing came in harsh, tearing gasps did she slow to a stop. Glancing back, she realized she hadn't really gone far from the palace; it still loomed on the near horizon, great and beautiful. She knew there was no way to escape the past, and no way to escape the pain inside. A small shrine half hidden in the trees created a perfect hiding place. She sat down inside, buried her head in her arms, and watched her tears silently splash the rotting leaves.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
Van watched Hitomi run. Standing at a window, he felt a pang of guilt, knowing the reason she was pushing herself so hard, She was pushing herself away from him. His hand brushed the sword on his hip - the sword that was the badge of his kingship. He stared at the crest engraved on the cap of the handle. What did it really stand for? Was it a country, a people, or the chains of one man?
Suddenly he felt very tired. He was tired of everything, doing everything for everyone else. This is my life. I have to do something about it.
Van determinedly ran his hand though his hair and stalked down the hall, plans forming in his head.
Also, I hope this doesn't make some of you run away, Dilandau is not coming back. Wait! Celena does still have him inside her, but in a different way. I decided to go against that "Dilandau is back for revenge" plot that seems to be a favorite in hopes of creating a new favorite. Dilan is key in this. Bear with me, then tell me what you think when this is over.
Chapter 6: Choices
Emilee caught up with Hitomi and Merle in the gardens, thoroughly cleaned and bandaged.
"I feel like an Arab in this get up." She grumbled.
Millerna had wound a strip of cloth around Emilee's head and down around her chin. To hide the bandage, she then tied a sash on top of it.
"You were lucky ya know." Merle piped up.
Emilee sighed and sat down on the grass. "Yes I know." She picked a few flowers and began tying them together. "Hitomi never told me that this place could be so dangerous."
Her friend plopped down beside her. "I didn't think it was anymore. But we've been brought back for some reason, I'm just not sure why yet."
"What about your visions, Hitomi?" Merle asked.
"I've only had one. It wasn't very clear, just pictures and emotions. I knew we'd come here. I knew something was happening on Gaea, but so much of it doesn't make sense."
A soft voice behind them said, "Perhaps it is all you are ment to see."
Merle brightened, "Fina!"
The gray cat woman carried a lute-like instrument and wore a gauzy blue dress that stirred with the slightest breath of air. She respectfully bowed before them. "Lady Emilee, I am happy to see you well."
Emilee nodded in return.
Hitomi looked at her. "Merle said you were a story teller and seer like me. Do you have visions of the future?"
Fina's eyes changed to a misty gray as she began to hum softly. "I see what the Powers wish me to see." She sang, "I see and tell. I understand and pass on."
Hitomi smiled in acknowledgement.
Merle pounced on her friend's tail. "Sing something, Fina."
Modestly, Fina sank to her knees in the grass and picked up her lute. Strumming softly, she began to sing,
"A soft wind stirs up some memory
One time closer than we'll ever be
Ghosts of time rise up to meet me
Show me the way, then stand to lead me
Heaven has come down, let us believe.
Rise up your heads, all things below
Heaven cries, its tears to show
Light of the moon, a thing unspoken
Until the gates of Time are broken."
The last notes drifted gently over the garden. Slowly coming out of the trance Fina had created, Hitomi, Emilee, and Merle turned to praise her, but she had vanished with her song.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Van and Allen walked out to the gardens where the girls sat weaving trains of flowers. Merle saw them first and waved at them.
"Allen, Lord Van, come join us!"
Allen smiled but shook his head. Van said, "We've come to an agreement."
Immediately the three girls were still.
"King Ashton, Lord Dryden, Duke Chid, Allen and I have decided to send a negotiating party to the capitol of Zaibach in acceptance of their plea for aid."
Hitomi looked down at the flower in her hand and asked softly, "Who?"
Allen answered, "We don't know exactly yet."
"We're going to Asturia." Van stated authoritatively.
Hitomi looked up in astonishment. "Asturia?"
"Yes. It's more convenient for all of us."
Emilee interjected, "But is it convenient for us - the women, that is."
Allen stepped forwards, "All of you are welcome in the Schezar household for as long as you remain in Asturia."
"What about Celena?" Hitomi asked.
"She should be fine. She ought to make some outside friends."
"Great!" Emilee leapt to her feet. "We're going to the beach!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
"Ah, my friend, come sit with me."
Trembling in a tattered robe, Yuni took a step towards the dark shadows deeper in the room.
"Sit."
The old man fell to his knees and bowed his head. The shadows moved and a figure wrapped in a hooded cloak glided wraith-like towards him. A whisper echoed from Yumi,
"Master, please, I have served you for ten years. I have been faithful. I do not understand why you have taken my wife down to the dungeons."
The figure viciously backhanded him, sending Yumi sprawling. The hood fell back revealing a thin young man. His colorless eyes glittered in wild anger.
"Spawn of refuse that you are, Yumi, you would betray me soon enough. I have need of your services tonight, and have taken your wife as insurance that you will complete the task without rebellion."
Yumi crouched brokenly at the man's feet. "Whatever you say, my Lord."
Running his thin fingers though soot black hair, Dilan began pacing. "I want you to find out about rumors. I have heard rumors that Zibach is forming an alliance with those who defy the Emperor. I want to know if they are true." He stopped and pointed accusingly at the old man. "No one is to know why I am asking this."
Yumi nodded, long knowing the standard procedure.
"Drax Onusa is moving. It has something to do with Alessandro, who thinks I'm nothing but a mindless freak." He smiled. "It has actually worked to my advantage. Alessandro cannot stand to leave me where he is unable to quickly find me. Since he is one of the Four, I have access to very private information." Dilan whirled. "Find out everything about this alliance of Fanalia and Fried to the Four. I will not let my Maker's rule be compromised."
In desperation, the old man asked, "But what about my wife?"
Dilan wrenched him up by his tattered robe and yelled, "You will see her when I see it fit. Cross me, and I will hang her from the floating fortress for all of Zaibach to see."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Celena sat by her window aimlessly. A servant tiptoed in and quietly asked if she would like to eat. The silver haired girl waved her off and the servant withdrew. Pale blue eyes wandered over the rooftops to the sparkle of the ocean. A sudden commotion caught her attention.
Three carriages pulled up before the house. From the first stepped a familiar figure, followed by a younger man in a blue shirt and long black pants and boots. Celena hurried down to meet them.
"Brother, welcome home."
Allen smiled at his quite sister. "Celena, you look beautiful. I have brought some people to stay with us for a little while."
"Wow, Allen, is this your place?" Emilee jumped down from the carriage and looked up at the impressive building. Hitomi calmly followed her.
"Yes, it's closer to the outskirts of the city, but only a short ways from the palace. You all are free to come and go as you wish."
Emilee stuck her hand out to Celena. "Konichiwa, I'm Emilee Fields. Are you Celena?"
Celena stared puzzledly at the outstretched hand. "Yes."
Emilee grinned and let it drop. "Great! We can have lots of fun and drive Allen crazy."
Allen played along with the tease and groaned. Celena smiled hesitantly as Van came up to the group.
"They've begun unloading. Allen and I need to meet with King Ashton and decide who will go to Zaibach."
Hitomi planted herself in front of the two men. "I'm going to Zaibach."
Van shook his head. "It's too dangerous."
Her green eyes flashed. "You used to trust my judgment, Van. I know I have to go." Allen started to move between them, but she stepped around him. Van's hair hid his face as he turned away. "Van! Listen to me! Something isn't right behind this alliance. It isn't a trap, but it still isn't safe."
Van walked away. "I'll think about it."
Allen gently restrained Hitomi as she tried to follow him. "Easy, Hitomi, he's had a hard time with the negotiations."
Still hurt, she brushed him off and wandered down the path. She found herself in a garden, the palace only a few blocks away. Carelessly, she continued, letting her feet take her where they would.
We go though all this, She thought bitterly, And he still can't look at me in public - much less speak to me.
Was it something she had unknowingly done? Had she offended him in some way? Tears stung her eyes. Did the mere sight of her do something to drive him away? A thought struck fear into her heart. Was there another?
Gripping the rail of a small bridge with both hands, she fought to keep her tears from falling. Of course, he's a king. Kings have to marry for their country, not themselves. Why hadn't I seen it before - when he sent me back. Even if he cared to – I'd bring nothing to his country.
Hitomi found another path. Trying to get away from her thoughts, she began running. She ran as fast as she could - running from herself and trying to numb her mind. Only when her breathing came in harsh, tearing gasps did she slow to a stop. Glancing back, she realized she hadn't really gone far from the palace; it still loomed on the near horizon, great and beautiful. She knew there was no way to escape the past, and no way to escape the pain inside. A small shrine half hidden in the trees created a perfect hiding place. She sat down inside, buried her head in her arms, and watched her tears silently splash the rotting leaves.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
Van watched Hitomi run. Standing at a window, he felt a pang of guilt, knowing the reason she was pushing herself so hard, She was pushing herself away from him. His hand brushed the sword on his hip - the sword that was the badge of his kingship. He stared at the crest engraved on the cap of the handle. What did it really stand for? Was it a country, a people, or the chains of one man?
Suddenly he felt very tired. He was tired of everything, doing everything for everyone else. This is my life. I have to do something about it.
Van determinedly ran his hand though his hair and stalked down the hall, plans forming in his head.