Chapter 12: Admitting When You're Wrong.
AN: Say hello to another chappie!
But before I leave you be and let you read it, I want to answer Magicman's question: Yes, in the usual tales of swords and sorcery etc, mages are beings of magic and nature, I don't think I've read of any that actually wield swords. I decided to call both Hitomi and Yukari mages because I can't think of a better term for what they are. I wanted them both to be able to fight but use spells as well. I'm sorry if it's confusing/insulting/all out wrong but mage is a nice term in my opinion so I decided to use it.
OK, that's enough of that, on with the fic!
Hitomi dung her heels harder into her mare's sides, ignoring the noises of protest emanating from her transport she pushed it, and herself, still further. It wasn't a particularly windy day, but Hitomi's shoulder length hair was pushed back from her pale features as the air blew past her.
For Hitomi speed was a form of escape, when going as fast as she was now thinking seemed to become second place as instinct took over, the rush was amazing. The emerald-eyed slayer ignored the haze of greens and browns as they sped past trees and the various other forms of plant life that thrived in Fanelia's many forests.
It hadn't been long, but Hitomi's horse had obviously decided that enough was enough and luckily her new owner seemed to agree. As the dark brown mare started to slow the thin-framed rider sighed and pulled the reins gently in silent agreement. Fanelia's beautiful forestry came back into focus as the traveller slowed. Jumping down as the mare finally came to a halt Hitomi turned and looked back the way they had come. Silently she cursed herself, she couldn't see the others down the straight road, couldn't hear them either.
''Oops, Dilandau's gonna kill me.''
Green eyes widened. What on Gaea had possessed her to say that? Shaking her head Hitomi just ignored the thought and turned back to her horse. ''Don't go to far.'' She spoke in soft tones, patting its neck as she started walking back down the dirt path. A small smile graced her lips as she heard the brown mare start to eat.
After only walking a few paces Hitomi stopped and rested her back up against a large oak like tree. Bending her neck back she followed the branches until they ended at least thirty feet in the air. Bringing her gaze back down again Hitomi found herself sighing for a second time that morning. They had travelled for three days now, and were far from Lenelle, far from Miguel's resting place but Hitomi's mind was still there. Closing her eyes she could still see it, the flash of purple light and the slayers body going limp, falling before Hitomi could catch him.
Yukari.
The name echoed around her mind, stirring up happy memories of her village. It seemed like such a long time ago. Being shouted at by the kitchen staff in the main building as her and her bright eyed best friend stole the berries meant for the decoration of cakes and other deserts. A reminiscent smile formed in the corners of Hitomi's mouth when she remembered just how many times she been told off by her carer. Exhaling deeply Hitomi allowed her knees to bend as her form slipped down the base of the trunk, finally coming to a stop as she reached the ground.
The sandy haired young woman yawned, stretching her arms out she realised just how tired she was. 'Maybe taking the last watch wasn't such a good idea after all.' Were the last coherent thoughts Hitomi's sleepy mind processed before allowing the warm rays of sunlight and the calming calls of different birds lull her into unconsciousness.
''WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT!''
Mentally jumping into the land of the living Hitomi repressed a smile. Fluttering her eyelashes she moaned a little.
Dilandau allowed a growl to vibrate freely from his throat as he looked down on his 'sleeping' slayer.
Hitomi faked confusion as she blinked once last time, raising her gaze to meet the angry crimson eyes of the dragon slayer commander. ''Huh?'' She spoke the word and watched as Dilandau positively seethed.
Without another word Hitomi found herself pulled to her feet. The emerald-eyed woman didn't resist, she was finding Dilandau's struggle to put is anger into words extremely amusing. ''This is your idea of scouting ahead?'' The commander's voice screamed controlled anger, not that it fazed the amused mage.
''No.'' Hitomi drew out the word, ''that was my idea of a nap.''
The sound of metal on metal rang out through the once quiet landscape as Dilandau drew his sword and brought it down, only for it to meet Hitomi's, who had draw it in defence just as quickly. Dilandau gritted his teeth. ''Do you have any idea how worried I was?''
For a split second every face within hearing distance held a look of pure shock, that was until Dilandau realised his mistake and made a move to cover it up with as little embarrassment as possible, ''that horse cost me a lot of money you know!''
Not to long later Hitomi was back on her mare, riding behind Dilandau and next to Fanelia's youngest prince, who was at present still trying to suppress a series of chuckles, and not having a lot of luck.
Hitomi sent Van a warning glare and he just laughed out loud. ''That has got to be the funniest thing I've ever seen.'' He admitted between chuckles. Hitomi just glared harder. At the front of the party Dilandau twitched, not that anyone could see it.
Hitomi left the laughing prince be as she slowed slightly, falling in between Chesta, who blushed, and Gatti, who smiled politely. ''How long before we reach the next village?'' She asked, trying to ignore the repressed smiles that seemed to be now surrounding her. Mentally she let her anger reach a low simmer, why was everyone acting like they knew some big secret that she didn't? Hitomi liked to know everything, well everything concerning her anyway. This was going to really start to bug her.
''Not to long.'' Gatti replied, still smiling.
After grunting in return she returned to her place next to Van who, it seemed, had finally controlled his amusement. ''That took long enough.'' She commented, not allowing her expression to reveal any of the confused emotions she was currently feeling.
''I'm sorry.'' Van apologised, a grin gracing his tanned features. Hitomi just mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'royalty.'
Van's smile faulted for a second as he regarded the young woman, Hitomi sensed his sudden uneasiness and turned her curious gaze towards him. ''What's wrong?''
''It's just-'' Van stumbled over his words as Hitomi just looked at him, confusion evident on her face. ''I- err, well.''
''For god's sake spit it out!'' Both riders looked ahead, slightly startled. Dilandau controlled himself again almost immediately but slowed his horse a little, until he was riding on Hitomi's right side. Rolling her eyes at the silver haired commander Hitomi's emerald depths shifted back towards the troubled prince.
Van shrugged a little and tried again, ''I just want to know what the deal was with that woman.'' He suddenly regretted saying anything as he saw Hitomi tense up. ''I just, I don't understand why she was there in the first place.''
Hitomi looked down at her saddle, ''Neither do I.'' With her gaze down she didn't see Van's look of regret, or Dilandau's features soften. She had no idea how much self-control it was taking for Dilandau not to place his hand on her shoulder in an effort to comfort her. Silently Hitomi made a decision, one she should have made three days ago in her opinion. Pushing the past to one side she raised her head again, pure determination flashing in her eyes. ''It doesn't matter anyway.'' She spoke in harsh tones, ''if we run into her again, I will avenge Miguel.''
AN: Say hello to another chappie!
But before I leave you be and let you read it, I want to answer Magicman's question: Yes, in the usual tales of swords and sorcery etc, mages are beings of magic and nature, I don't think I've read of any that actually wield swords. I decided to call both Hitomi and Yukari mages because I can't think of a better term for what they are. I wanted them both to be able to fight but use spells as well. I'm sorry if it's confusing/insulting/all out wrong but mage is a nice term in my opinion so I decided to use it.
OK, that's enough of that, on with the fic!
Hitomi dung her heels harder into her mare's sides, ignoring the noises of protest emanating from her transport she pushed it, and herself, still further. It wasn't a particularly windy day, but Hitomi's shoulder length hair was pushed back from her pale features as the air blew past her.
For Hitomi speed was a form of escape, when going as fast as she was now thinking seemed to become second place as instinct took over, the rush was amazing. The emerald-eyed slayer ignored the haze of greens and browns as they sped past trees and the various other forms of plant life that thrived in Fanelia's many forests.
It hadn't been long, but Hitomi's horse had obviously decided that enough was enough and luckily her new owner seemed to agree. As the dark brown mare started to slow the thin-framed rider sighed and pulled the reins gently in silent agreement. Fanelia's beautiful forestry came back into focus as the traveller slowed. Jumping down as the mare finally came to a halt Hitomi turned and looked back the way they had come. Silently she cursed herself, she couldn't see the others down the straight road, couldn't hear them either.
''Oops, Dilandau's gonna kill me.''
Green eyes widened. What on Gaea had possessed her to say that? Shaking her head Hitomi just ignored the thought and turned back to her horse. ''Don't go to far.'' She spoke in soft tones, patting its neck as she started walking back down the dirt path. A small smile graced her lips as she heard the brown mare start to eat.
After only walking a few paces Hitomi stopped and rested her back up against a large oak like tree. Bending her neck back she followed the branches until they ended at least thirty feet in the air. Bringing her gaze back down again Hitomi found herself sighing for a second time that morning. They had travelled for three days now, and were far from Lenelle, far from Miguel's resting place but Hitomi's mind was still there. Closing her eyes she could still see it, the flash of purple light and the slayers body going limp, falling before Hitomi could catch him.
Yukari.
The name echoed around her mind, stirring up happy memories of her village. It seemed like such a long time ago. Being shouted at by the kitchen staff in the main building as her and her bright eyed best friend stole the berries meant for the decoration of cakes and other deserts. A reminiscent smile formed in the corners of Hitomi's mouth when she remembered just how many times she been told off by her carer. Exhaling deeply Hitomi allowed her knees to bend as her form slipped down the base of the trunk, finally coming to a stop as she reached the ground.
The sandy haired young woman yawned, stretching her arms out she realised just how tired she was. 'Maybe taking the last watch wasn't such a good idea after all.' Were the last coherent thoughts Hitomi's sleepy mind processed before allowing the warm rays of sunlight and the calming calls of different birds lull her into unconsciousness.
''WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT!''
Mentally jumping into the land of the living Hitomi repressed a smile. Fluttering her eyelashes she moaned a little.
Dilandau allowed a growl to vibrate freely from his throat as he looked down on his 'sleeping' slayer.
Hitomi faked confusion as she blinked once last time, raising her gaze to meet the angry crimson eyes of the dragon slayer commander. ''Huh?'' She spoke the word and watched as Dilandau positively seethed.
Without another word Hitomi found herself pulled to her feet. The emerald-eyed woman didn't resist, she was finding Dilandau's struggle to put is anger into words extremely amusing. ''This is your idea of scouting ahead?'' The commander's voice screamed controlled anger, not that it fazed the amused mage.
''No.'' Hitomi drew out the word, ''that was my idea of a nap.''
The sound of metal on metal rang out through the once quiet landscape as Dilandau drew his sword and brought it down, only for it to meet Hitomi's, who had draw it in defence just as quickly. Dilandau gritted his teeth. ''Do you have any idea how worried I was?''
For a split second every face within hearing distance held a look of pure shock, that was until Dilandau realised his mistake and made a move to cover it up with as little embarrassment as possible, ''that horse cost me a lot of money you know!''
Not to long later Hitomi was back on her mare, riding behind Dilandau and next to Fanelia's youngest prince, who was at present still trying to suppress a series of chuckles, and not having a lot of luck.
Hitomi sent Van a warning glare and he just laughed out loud. ''That has got to be the funniest thing I've ever seen.'' He admitted between chuckles. Hitomi just glared harder. At the front of the party Dilandau twitched, not that anyone could see it.
Hitomi left the laughing prince be as she slowed slightly, falling in between Chesta, who blushed, and Gatti, who smiled politely. ''How long before we reach the next village?'' She asked, trying to ignore the repressed smiles that seemed to be now surrounding her. Mentally she let her anger reach a low simmer, why was everyone acting like they knew some big secret that she didn't? Hitomi liked to know everything, well everything concerning her anyway. This was going to really start to bug her.
''Not to long.'' Gatti replied, still smiling.
After grunting in return she returned to her place next to Van who, it seemed, had finally controlled his amusement. ''That took long enough.'' She commented, not allowing her expression to reveal any of the confused emotions she was currently feeling.
''I'm sorry.'' Van apologised, a grin gracing his tanned features. Hitomi just mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'royalty.'
Van's smile faulted for a second as he regarded the young woman, Hitomi sensed his sudden uneasiness and turned her curious gaze towards him. ''What's wrong?''
''It's just-'' Van stumbled over his words as Hitomi just looked at him, confusion evident on her face. ''I- err, well.''
''For god's sake spit it out!'' Both riders looked ahead, slightly startled. Dilandau controlled himself again almost immediately but slowed his horse a little, until he was riding on Hitomi's right side. Rolling her eyes at the silver haired commander Hitomi's emerald depths shifted back towards the troubled prince.
Van shrugged a little and tried again, ''I just want to know what the deal was with that woman.'' He suddenly regretted saying anything as he saw Hitomi tense up. ''I just, I don't understand why she was there in the first place.''
Hitomi looked down at her saddle, ''Neither do I.'' With her gaze down she didn't see Van's look of regret, or Dilandau's features soften. She had no idea how much self-control it was taking for Dilandau not to place his hand on her shoulder in an effort to comfort her. Silently Hitomi made a decision, one she should have made three days ago in her opinion. Pushing the past to one side she raised her head again, pure determination flashing in her eyes. ''It doesn't matter anyway.'' She spoke in harsh tones, ''if we run into her again, I will avenge Miguel.''