My goodness! I haven't updated since August! Those teachers really know how to load on the homework...I've been extra busy lately. But, I've managed to sneak in a few minutes to pop this next chapter up. I'm sorry, it's not long, but I figure any more time, and there'll be a mutiny on my hands. I've also put up a story I've been typing on and off. Indefatigable.
******
Tamaya had been noticing something, in the way of Peliopes and Gharen. The closer the group got to the center of the city, the farther away they seemed to be walking. Almost as if they were trailing behind on purpose.
" Peliopes!" She called, causing the group to stop," Where are you going?"
The elf looked up startled, but calmly replied," Gharen and I have a bit of business to do. You go on ahead to the Prince's Tower."
Tamaya nodded, running to catch up with her two young friends. The closer she got to the center of the city the more apprehensive she felt. There were rumors of the monarch that ruled here. Rumors that he could read minds. Rumors, that he knew everyone's secrets...She stopped as Sakura and Syaoran stopped. They were looking up in awe, and she found herself looking up in awe as well.
The Prince's Tower.
******
On the outside it was a monstrous building, taller than it was wide, made entirely of black obsidian. But, on the inside, it was amazingly spacious. The walls were a definite contrast here, a light cream color, almost like a dull pink pearl. Sakura held her breath, automatically keeping closer to Syaoran's side. His staff was compact at the moment, but within easier reach than any of the guards' weapons. Or enemy's.
Sakura seemed to notice how big their group actually was for the first time. Peliopes and Gharen had brought along a few of their camp companions, and these figures now kept their faces stolid, hands hovering around daggers and assorted other weapons.
They walked three more steps down a narrow pearl marble hall, before emerging in an even larger room with a flowing staircase at the far end. A man stood at the top, dark as the obsidian. He held a great rod in the shape of a dark ringed sun making him all the more imposing. But, his next move surprised them.
" Syaoran," His voice a drawl of amusement," Do you not recognize your old friend after such a short time? Shame on you..."
Syaoran stopped, a perplexed look on his face. The figure smiled, then turned to Sakura.
" Saku. You surely recognize me. You've grown some."
Sakura blinked in surprise.
" Eriol?"
******
" They told me you'd been executed!" Syaoran yelled.
" No, actually, Syaoran they just looked a bit smug. We just interpreted it as-" Sakura started.
" Yes, yes," Syaoran waved it off bitterly, and Sakura didn't push it further.
" Actually, I was. In a way." Eriol murmured.
Both children gave their friend a confused look. Syaoran found himself grinning some beneath his frown. Ironic as it seemed. Sakura had such an incredible face...
" What do you mean?"
" Well," Eriol started," I remember being led to the gallows, and standing on the platform..."
Eriol wove an incredible story, of how, as they were pushing the lever that would end his life, he'd spoken a few words to the crowd. They'd been so moved by his soliloquy that they began to protest his execution. But, the executioner was not moved, and pulled the lever...
" I actually blacked out after that. I don't remember much of what happened, only that when I woke, I was back home...here."
" This is your home?"
" Yes."
" YOU'RE THE PRINCE???"
" Yes."
" ...You're the prince?" Syaoran repeated.
Eriol laughed, a rich sound, much more regal than what Syaoran was used to. This was all too much. Suddenly, Eriol turned to Tamaya who'd been very quiet since she'd arrived.
" But, I've been very rude, for it seems you've made a new friend and we've not been introduced."
Eriol bowed, a flowing gesture that only added to the magnificence of the garb. Tamaya blushed.
" You are the fairest face I've seen in a long time."
Tamaya's face felt hot...but it wasn't the compliment...
" Have we met before?" Eriol's pleasant smile turned to a puzzled frown.
" N-No." Tamaya stammered, looking down at her hands.
******
" I see." Eriol said after listening to Syaoran's story. It was a fairly long one, from the time that they'd started to the time it'd come to a close, four hours had passed." Well, you've certainly had quite a journey."
He stood up smoothly, motioning behind him.
" But, we will discuss it more tomorrow. In the meantime you should all get some rest."
Almost as soon as he'd spoken, servants appeared at their sides, waiting to usher them to their accomodations. As they were to be led away, Tamaya twisted around.
" Wait! What about our friends? Peliopes...Gharen?"
" Their journey lies elsewhere. I will be accompanying you from now on."
******
******
Tamaya had been noticing something, in the way of Peliopes and Gharen. The closer the group got to the center of the city, the farther away they seemed to be walking. Almost as if they were trailing behind on purpose.
" Peliopes!" She called, causing the group to stop," Where are you going?"
The elf looked up startled, but calmly replied," Gharen and I have a bit of business to do. You go on ahead to the Prince's Tower."
Tamaya nodded, running to catch up with her two young friends. The closer she got to the center of the city the more apprehensive she felt. There were rumors of the monarch that ruled here. Rumors that he could read minds. Rumors, that he knew everyone's secrets...She stopped as Sakura and Syaoran stopped. They were looking up in awe, and she found herself looking up in awe as well.
The Prince's Tower.
******
On the outside it was a monstrous building, taller than it was wide, made entirely of black obsidian. But, on the inside, it was amazingly spacious. The walls were a definite contrast here, a light cream color, almost like a dull pink pearl. Sakura held her breath, automatically keeping closer to Syaoran's side. His staff was compact at the moment, but within easier reach than any of the guards' weapons. Or enemy's.
Sakura seemed to notice how big their group actually was for the first time. Peliopes and Gharen had brought along a few of their camp companions, and these figures now kept their faces stolid, hands hovering around daggers and assorted other weapons.
They walked three more steps down a narrow pearl marble hall, before emerging in an even larger room with a flowing staircase at the far end. A man stood at the top, dark as the obsidian. He held a great rod in the shape of a dark ringed sun making him all the more imposing. But, his next move surprised them.
" Syaoran," His voice a drawl of amusement," Do you not recognize your old friend after such a short time? Shame on you..."
Syaoran stopped, a perplexed look on his face. The figure smiled, then turned to Sakura.
" Saku. You surely recognize me. You've grown some."
Sakura blinked in surprise.
" Eriol?"
******
" They told me you'd been executed!" Syaoran yelled.
" No, actually, Syaoran they just looked a bit smug. We just interpreted it as-" Sakura started.
" Yes, yes," Syaoran waved it off bitterly, and Sakura didn't push it further.
" Actually, I was. In a way." Eriol murmured.
Both children gave their friend a confused look. Syaoran found himself grinning some beneath his frown. Ironic as it seemed. Sakura had such an incredible face...
" What do you mean?"
" Well," Eriol started," I remember being led to the gallows, and standing on the platform..."
Eriol wove an incredible story, of how, as they were pushing the lever that would end his life, he'd spoken a few words to the crowd. They'd been so moved by his soliloquy that they began to protest his execution. But, the executioner was not moved, and pulled the lever...
" I actually blacked out after that. I don't remember much of what happened, only that when I woke, I was back home...here."
" This is your home?"
" Yes."
" YOU'RE THE PRINCE???"
" Yes."
" ...You're the prince?" Syaoran repeated.
Eriol laughed, a rich sound, much more regal than what Syaoran was used to. This was all too much. Suddenly, Eriol turned to Tamaya who'd been very quiet since she'd arrived.
" But, I've been very rude, for it seems you've made a new friend and we've not been introduced."
Eriol bowed, a flowing gesture that only added to the magnificence of the garb. Tamaya blushed.
" You are the fairest face I've seen in a long time."
Tamaya's face felt hot...but it wasn't the compliment...
" Have we met before?" Eriol's pleasant smile turned to a puzzled frown.
" N-No." Tamaya stammered, looking down at her hands.
******
" I see." Eriol said after listening to Syaoran's story. It was a fairly long one, from the time that they'd started to the time it'd come to a close, four hours had passed." Well, you've certainly had quite a journey."
He stood up smoothly, motioning behind him.
" But, we will discuss it more tomorrow. In the meantime you should all get some rest."
Almost as soon as he'd spoken, servants appeared at their sides, waiting to usher them to their accomodations. As they were to be led away, Tamaya twisted around.
" Wait! What about our friends? Peliopes...Gharen?"
" Their journey lies elsewhere. I will be accompanying you from now on."
******