PART ONE
{{Okay…this is my second fan-fic. I felt that it was about time that Chid got his own fic. [I mean,…there are absolutely no stories about him here…that's terrible, since he's so sweet….]
It's set at about seven years after my first fic, Dirandau is My Sister, And it's part of a series that I'm writing.
{A-yup…I'm one of those weirdos who decided to make a sequel-type-thing to a work that was already a sequel of someone elses.J}
You don't have to re-read that one to understand what's going on here, though. There are only a few changes…
What you should know:
Dirandau is part of Allen's family in this one. {If you want to know why, ready my last fic} They care about each other….but, that doesn't mean that they get along nicely, as will be shown in this fic.
Millerna has died of a mysterious illness that raged all over Gaia like the plague for four years. Doctors are just starting to figure out what happened.
(::Gulps:: That means I'm going to have to actually figure out an explanation…)
Dryden re-took the throne, and is now ruling over Asturia, and rebuilding everything.
Okay……I think that's all for now…On with the fic!}}
Chid took a place by Dryden Fassa at the head of the table.
Chid: "Thank you for all your help last year, Uncle Dryden. I don't know how Freid would have survived what with the droughts and riots and all."
Dryden: "Ah, you're young yet. You just need practice. In a few years time, that stuff will be easy for you to solve."
Dryden smiled.
Dryden: "But, maybe you'll still send your decrepit old uncle a letter sometime even if you don't need help, eh?"
Chid: "Oh, of course!"
The rest of the men finished gathering at the table. These meetings were something Dryden had devised, to keep everyone on the same page, and to make sure everything was up-to-date. He would invite all the leaders of a certain group. All these different groups would gather at the very large dining table in Dryden's estate in Asturia [He had sold his old estate, and bought a new one closer to the palace…it was just too hard to get out there with all the work he had to do here.] , and they would begin discussing any pertinate information.
The table was set into different sections: Those who were masters in economics; those who were masters in the art of war; those who were masters in the arts; those who represented the people; and those who were renowned for their intelligence, but had no real set career…..wise men.
They all began talking noisily at once. It might have been hard to understand for one who was not part of that group…but for these men, it was easy. The subject of discussion was what their whole lives revolved around.
Chid: "Oh..did I tell you? It seems that the sheep of the Mallorian Highlands have come down with something bad. Now the wool industry can't overpower the…."
Chid and Dryden quickly became lost in a discussion of economics. Some one who only came in on their conversations, and didn't know the two personally, might have thought that these two were the most boring individuals in the world. Their favourite subject of discussion was economics - that lovely area of study renowned for being dry as a desert tree, and twice as tough to swallow. But, when they spoke of it, they just seemed so lively and passionate…they almost made it interesting to other people. [Almost]
Allen tried to listen to the discussion at hand…however, his mind was on something other than fighting techniques. His sight kept drifting towards the young Duke Freid.
::"He's getting taller now...looks so much like I did at that age..."::
He leaned his head against his hand. Chid's features were changing so much...everyday, they looked more suspicious. .Sooner or later, someone was bound to bring it up. Doubtless, people already talked about it in their gossip circles.
Allen was jealous of Dryden. He wished he could be there beside Chid as Dryden was, talking and laughing....but that could never be. He couldn't tell Chid the truth. That would be {}. Chid had a good life as the Duke of Freid. If he were merely the son of a knight, Chid would lose everything that he held dear. No matter how much he wanted to tell him, he wouldn't do that to Chid.
"No, no, the focus of the eyes.......Allen?"
Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He snapped out of his daze.
Allen: "Huh? What happened?"
The others laughed.
"We were just discussing what is most important in battle, besides skill with the sword. I was very certain it was being focused....but, since you can't even remain focused during a conversation, I suppose you find something else more important?"
Allen forced a smile.
Allen: "I'm sorry...forgive me. Please, continue on."
They continued delving into the art of war.
Though his gaze didn't stay on Chid, his mind did. Allen had become very adept at pretending to appear interested in anything anyone else said....no one else noticed.
The meeting ended an hour later. Everyone shook hands, and parted. All except Dryden and Chid, who were too deep into their conversation to remember the clock. Allen watched them, hesitating for a moment before starting for the door.
Dryden: "Oh...Allen?"
Allen: "Yes....your majesty?"
Dryden smirked. A perk of this job was annoying people with certain formalities.
Dryden: "Be sure to see Eries before you go. She's been wanting to talk to you."
Allen: "Actually, I should be going now, so if you'd please send her my regards-"
Dryden: "Aww...you don't want to see her?"
Allen glared angrily at Dryden. This was yet another set-up for some form of ridicule. It seemed no one could be around Allen without practicing their wit. He was growing tired of it.....very tired. They used to make jokes about his father....now they find all of their comedic material with him.
Allen: "Why should I?"
Dryden: "To try and woo her your way. I mean, you are a collector after all."
Allen: "What??"
Dryden laughed.
Dryden: "You're not going to try and get another woman? I just figured, since you seem so fond of Meiden's daughters.."
Dryden chuckled."
Dryden: " Oh...that's right, I forgot…You only go after the married ones, don't you?"
Allen went red in the face. It's enough to have to listen to this sort of thing all the time....but in front of Chid, too. He looked over at the young duke, to see Chid's reaction. Chid had a hand across half his face, trying to seem like he wasn't hearing this conversation…or maybe just trying to hide.
:: "I can't believe I used to look up to him...."::
Allen looked down at the ground. That was another reason he wouldn't say anything....if the family tradition was to be ridiculed at court by everyone, he wouldn't hand it down to Chid.
Allen: "If there's nothing more...I'm leaving....."
Dryden: "Fine, fine..."
Dryden sounded uninterested. He went back to the table, and he and Chid started up the conversation again.
Allen hurried down the hall, and out the door, wishing that he never had to come back.
Chid: "Uncle Dryden...what's wrong with him?"
Dryden: "What do you mean?"
Chid: "I mean, he seems so…..all those stories I hear about him now…it's….uh…well…...He's just not like what they used to tell me."
Dryden: "Er….he's not that bad. You'd just have to get to know him first, and…well, that's a hard thing to do. The guy is an enigma."
Dryden cared a lot for his nephew. Chid sort of brought out a…human quality in him. He didn't really joke so much when Chid was around….
He knew that Chid had always looked up to Allen. Dryden didn't want to be responsible for destroying one of his childhood heroes for him.
Chid sighed. He could tell his uncle was holding back what he truly felt….lying. A lot of people lied to Chid. There seemed to be some important thing that they weren't telling him. It irked him endlessly that they felt they couldn't trust him to know.
Dryden: "I think it's time we end this conversation for today. Will I see you at that conference next week?"
There were a lot of meetings this month. The conference was meant to deal with shortages of grain. They were abundant now, and the people were getting restless due to hunger.
Chid: "Yes, of course. And, I hope we get more done than we did last time."
At the last one, everyone had argued for six hours. Not about the task at hand, but about why they didn't like eachother. Typical politicians.
Chid shook Dryden's hand, then left for his waiting escort. He was staying in Asturia for the time being, for all these meetings. As usual, it troubled him to be staying out of his country. The people of Freid loved and respected him. They depended on him….he didn't want to let them down. So adult for a twelve year old..
Dirandau slammed his glass down on the table.
Dirandau: "Aya….what idiots!!"
Allen: "I'd keep your voice down in here. The bar-owner doesn't like his customers to be driven away."
Dirandau seemed not to hear him.
Dirandau: "If I ever meet one of them, I'll-"
Allen: "What are you reading? You haven't put it down since you got here."
Dirandau shoved some papers into Allen's hands. Reviews he'd gotten for his book…none of which were good.
Allen had suggested that Dirandau write one. It was a tradition among Asturian swordsman.
Dirandau: "Just look at these….."
"There is always a problem among swordsman to balance technique with the samurai's way of life. They either follow technique too much, or they have a perfect balance. I never thought I'd see another type….but now I have.
This book is no more a book about fighting than 'Lander's Poems for the Heavy-Hearted.' Page after page about what he enjoys about murder. I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone.
I can only commend the author for using the name of Albatou instead of Schezar, in order to save his brother's name from being marred in the swordsman community."
"I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who hasn't had years of fighting experience. It would be sad to see any fighters new to the craft pick up the bad habits that Albatou has written out."
"If I were ever to meet this man, I'd have to ask him what it's really like to be able to live life without remorse…..for anything."
"It's no wonder that the only people who would actually buy this book are those idiot females who adore him so."
There were at least thirty more like this, all getting worse as they went on.
Allen: "That's a shame."
Dirandau: "Rrr…this is your fault."
Allen shrugged.
Allen: "It seems to me that the one who wrote it is more at fault."
Dirandau tried to smack Allen, but Allen easily blocked it.
Allen: "Why don't you just sit down and calm yourself? You let what other people do get to you too much."
Dirandau huffed.
Dirandau: "And be like you? Never….."
Allen glared at him for a moment. He then got up, and started for the door.
Dirandau: "Where are you going?"
Allen: "To pick up a new belt…."
Dirandau looked at the one Allen was wearing. It was in perfect condition.
Dirandau: "Oh, forget it…You're just leaving again because you don't want to talk to me."
Dirandau walked to the door, and shoved him out of the way.
Dirandau: "I'll leave this time."
Allen: "I really don't think that-"
Allen's attention was broken. He saw someone being escorted down the street…prince Chid.
Dirandau: "Allen?"
Dirandau followed Allen's eyes, and saw the young Prince Chid being escorted down the street.
He blinked.
Dirandau: "Is that…a cousin of yours….or something?"
Allen: "That's Duke Freid. We aren't related, we just…er…happen to look alike."
Yet another lie…yet another bit of pretending. This seemed to be what he spent the whole of his life doing…acting, pretending…trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy. It didn't work half the time, but he had to keep doing it. If he didn't, he might just surrender himself to that fate that seems to be his….A fate he didn't want.
::"Another lie, Allen? Chk, Chk….if you continue using them like this, you're supply will run out soon…."::
Dirandau wished he could leave Allen's house, and get his own place. It was difficult living with someone like that, when they wouldn't bother telling you anything, and you wanted to know. He often found Allen brooding. When asked what was wrong, Allen would just say that everything was perfectly fine, and that Dirandau shouldn't worry.
Sadly, the government still wouldn't allow that. He was fairly well trusted now, but they didn't want to take any chances. Allen would have to be Dirandau's guardian until the day he died, or else it was off to prison with him.
Dirandau: "Don't wait up for me. I'll be late….if I come home at all."
He knew it was useless to tell Allen that. Allen always worried…always. Allen seemed to need to worry about someone, to take care of them.
Allen: "Until tomorrow, then.."
They both headed off in opposite directions.
{{I'm glad to be able to say that Chid has his own fic on FFN now! Wee-ha!
I hope that Allen didn't overshadow Chid in this..hopefully he won't next time.
And, about my Dilly's past fic….It may be a long time in coming. I've got some major work to do on figuring everything out. (I'm just hoping it won't turn out to be some megolith-40 chapter thing…)
[Then again, it seems everytime I set a time limit, I do the opposite...so maybe it'll be a short time before that one is started...]
Okay…happy trails, everyone!}}
{{Okay…this is my second fan-fic. I felt that it was about time that Chid got his own fic. [I mean,…there are absolutely no stories about him here…that's terrible, since he's so sweet….]
It's set at about seven years after my first fic, Dirandau is My Sister, And it's part of a series that I'm writing.
{A-yup…I'm one of those weirdos who decided to make a sequel-type-thing to a work that was already a sequel of someone elses.J}
You don't have to re-read that one to understand what's going on here, though. There are only a few changes…
What you should know:
Dirandau is part of Allen's family in this one. {If you want to know why, ready my last fic} They care about each other….but, that doesn't mean that they get along nicely, as will be shown in this fic.
Millerna has died of a mysterious illness that raged all over Gaia like the plague for four years. Doctors are just starting to figure out what happened.
(::Gulps:: That means I'm going to have to actually figure out an explanation…)
Dryden re-took the throne, and is now ruling over Asturia, and rebuilding everything.
Okay……I think that's all for now…On with the fic!}}
Chid took a place by Dryden Fassa at the head of the table.
Chid: "Thank you for all your help last year, Uncle Dryden. I don't know how Freid would have survived what with the droughts and riots and all."
Dryden: "Ah, you're young yet. You just need practice. In a few years time, that stuff will be easy for you to solve."
Dryden smiled.
Dryden: "But, maybe you'll still send your decrepit old uncle a letter sometime even if you don't need help, eh?"
Chid: "Oh, of course!"
The rest of the men finished gathering at the table. These meetings were something Dryden had devised, to keep everyone on the same page, and to make sure everything was up-to-date. He would invite all the leaders of a certain group. All these different groups would gather at the very large dining table in Dryden's estate in Asturia [He had sold his old estate, and bought a new one closer to the palace…it was just too hard to get out there with all the work he had to do here.] , and they would begin discussing any pertinate information.
The table was set into different sections: Those who were masters in economics; those who were masters in the art of war; those who were masters in the arts; those who represented the people; and those who were renowned for their intelligence, but had no real set career…..wise men.
They all began talking noisily at once. It might have been hard to understand for one who was not part of that group…but for these men, it was easy. The subject of discussion was what their whole lives revolved around.
Chid: "Oh..did I tell you? It seems that the sheep of the Mallorian Highlands have come down with something bad. Now the wool industry can't overpower the…."
Chid and Dryden quickly became lost in a discussion of economics. Some one who only came in on their conversations, and didn't know the two personally, might have thought that these two were the most boring individuals in the world. Their favourite subject of discussion was economics - that lovely area of study renowned for being dry as a desert tree, and twice as tough to swallow. But, when they spoke of it, they just seemed so lively and passionate…they almost made it interesting to other people. [Almost]
Allen tried to listen to the discussion at hand…however, his mind was on something other than fighting techniques. His sight kept drifting towards the young Duke Freid.
::"He's getting taller now...looks so much like I did at that age..."::
He leaned his head against his hand. Chid's features were changing so much...everyday, they looked more suspicious. .Sooner or later, someone was bound to bring it up. Doubtless, people already talked about it in their gossip circles.
Allen was jealous of Dryden. He wished he could be there beside Chid as Dryden was, talking and laughing....but that could never be. He couldn't tell Chid the truth. That would be {}. Chid had a good life as the Duke of Freid. If he were merely the son of a knight, Chid would lose everything that he held dear. No matter how much he wanted to tell him, he wouldn't do that to Chid.
"No, no, the focus of the eyes.......Allen?"
Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He snapped out of his daze.
Allen: "Huh? What happened?"
The others laughed.
"We were just discussing what is most important in battle, besides skill with the sword. I was very certain it was being focused....but, since you can't even remain focused during a conversation, I suppose you find something else more important?"
Allen forced a smile.
Allen: "I'm sorry...forgive me. Please, continue on."
They continued delving into the art of war.
Though his gaze didn't stay on Chid, his mind did. Allen had become very adept at pretending to appear interested in anything anyone else said....no one else noticed.
The meeting ended an hour later. Everyone shook hands, and parted. All except Dryden and Chid, who were too deep into their conversation to remember the clock. Allen watched them, hesitating for a moment before starting for the door.
Dryden: "Oh...Allen?"
Allen: "Yes....your majesty?"
Dryden smirked. A perk of this job was annoying people with certain formalities.
Dryden: "Be sure to see Eries before you go. She's been wanting to talk to you."
Allen: "Actually, I should be going now, so if you'd please send her my regards-"
Dryden: "Aww...you don't want to see her?"
Allen glared angrily at Dryden. This was yet another set-up for some form of ridicule. It seemed no one could be around Allen without practicing their wit. He was growing tired of it.....very tired. They used to make jokes about his father....now they find all of their comedic material with him.
Allen: "Why should I?"
Dryden: "To try and woo her your way. I mean, you are a collector after all."
Allen: "What??"
Dryden laughed.
Dryden: "You're not going to try and get another woman? I just figured, since you seem so fond of Meiden's daughters.."
Dryden chuckled."
Dryden: " Oh...that's right, I forgot…You only go after the married ones, don't you?"
Allen went red in the face. It's enough to have to listen to this sort of thing all the time....but in front of Chid, too. He looked over at the young duke, to see Chid's reaction. Chid had a hand across half his face, trying to seem like he wasn't hearing this conversation…or maybe just trying to hide.
:: "I can't believe I used to look up to him...."::
Allen looked down at the ground. That was another reason he wouldn't say anything....if the family tradition was to be ridiculed at court by everyone, he wouldn't hand it down to Chid.
Allen: "If there's nothing more...I'm leaving....."
Dryden: "Fine, fine..."
Dryden sounded uninterested. He went back to the table, and he and Chid started up the conversation again.
Allen hurried down the hall, and out the door, wishing that he never had to come back.
Chid: "Uncle Dryden...what's wrong with him?"
Dryden: "What do you mean?"
Chid: "I mean, he seems so…..all those stories I hear about him now…it's….uh…well…...He's just not like what they used to tell me."
Dryden: "Er….he's not that bad. You'd just have to get to know him first, and…well, that's a hard thing to do. The guy is an enigma."
Dryden cared a lot for his nephew. Chid sort of brought out a…human quality in him. He didn't really joke so much when Chid was around….
He knew that Chid had always looked up to Allen. Dryden didn't want to be responsible for destroying one of his childhood heroes for him.
Chid sighed. He could tell his uncle was holding back what he truly felt….lying. A lot of people lied to Chid. There seemed to be some important thing that they weren't telling him. It irked him endlessly that they felt they couldn't trust him to know.
Dryden: "I think it's time we end this conversation for today. Will I see you at that conference next week?"
There were a lot of meetings this month. The conference was meant to deal with shortages of grain. They were abundant now, and the people were getting restless due to hunger.
Chid: "Yes, of course. And, I hope we get more done than we did last time."
At the last one, everyone had argued for six hours. Not about the task at hand, but about why they didn't like eachother. Typical politicians.
Chid shook Dryden's hand, then left for his waiting escort. He was staying in Asturia for the time being, for all these meetings. As usual, it troubled him to be staying out of his country. The people of Freid loved and respected him. They depended on him….he didn't want to let them down. So adult for a twelve year old..
Dirandau slammed his glass down on the table.
Dirandau: "Aya….what idiots!!"
Allen: "I'd keep your voice down in here. The bar-owner doesn't like his customers to be driven away."
Dirandau seemed not to hear him.
Dirandau: "If I ever meet one of them, I'll-"
Allen: "What are you reading? You haven't put it down since you got here."
Dirandau shoved some papers into Allen's hands. Reviews he'd gotten for his book…none of which were good.
Allen had suggested that Dirandau write one. It was a tradition among Asturian swordsman.
Dirandau: "Just look at these….."
"There is always a problem among swordsman to balance technique with the samurai's way of life. They either follow technique too much, or they have a perfect balance. I never thought I'd see another type….but now I have.
This book is no more a book about fighting than 'Lander's Poems for the Heavy-Hearted.' Page after page about what he enjoys about murder. I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone.
I can only commend the author for using the name of Albatou instead of Schezar, in order to save his brother's name from being marred in the swordsman community."
"I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who hasn't had years of fighting experience. It would be sad to see any fighters new to the craft pick up the bad habits that Albatou has written out."
"If I were ever to meet this man, I'd have to ask him what it's really like to be able to live life without remorse…..for anything."
"It's no wonder that the only people who would actually buy this book are those idiot females who adore him so."
There were at least thirty more like this, all getting worse as they went on.
Allen: "That's a shame."
Dirandau: "Rrr…this is your fault."
Allen shrugged.
Allen: "It seems to me that the one who wrote it is more at fault."
Dirandau tried to smack Allen, but Allen easily blocked it.
Allen: "Why don't you just sit down and calm yourself? You let what other people do get to you too much."
Dirandau huffed.
Dirandau: "And be like you? Never….."
Allen glared at him for a moment. He then got up, and started for the door.
Dirandau: "Where are you going?"
Allen: "To pick up a new belt…."
Dirandau looked at the one Allen was wearing. It was in perfect condition.
Dirandau: "Oh, forget it…You're just leaving again because you don't want to talk to me."
Dirandau walked to the door, and shoved him out of the way.
Dirandau: "I'll leave this time."
Allen: "I really don't think that-"
Allen's attention was broken. He saw someone being escorted down the street…prince Chid.
Dirandau: "Allen?"
Dirandau followed Allen's eyes, and saw the young Prince Chid being escorted down the street.
He blinked.
Dirandau: "Is that…a cousin of yours….or something?"
Allen: "That's Duke Freid. We aren't related, we just…er…happen to look alike."
Yet another lie…yet another bit of pretending. This seemed to be what he spent the whole of his life doing…acting, pretending…trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy. It didn't work half the time, but he had to keep doing it. If he didn't, he might just surrender himself to that fate that seems to be his….A fate he didn't want.
::"Another lie, Allen? Chk, Chk….if you continue using them like this, you're supply will run out soon…."::
Dirandau wished he could leave Allen's house, and get his own place. It was difficult living with someone like that, when they wouldn't bother telling you anything, and you wanted to know. He often found Allen brooding. When asked what was wrong, Allen would just say that everything was perfectly fine, and that Dirandau shouldn't worry.
Sadly, the government still wouldn't allow that. He was fairly well trusted now, but they didn't want to take any chances. Allen would have to be Dirandau's guardian until the day he died, or else it was off to prison with him.
Dirandau: "Don't wait up for me. I'll be late….if I come home at all."
He knew it was useless to tell Allen that. Allen always worried…always. Allen seemed to need to worry about someone, to take care of them.
Allen: "Until tomorrow, then.."
They both headed off in opposite directions.
{{I'm glad to be able to say that Chid has his own fic on FFN now! Wee-ha!
I hope that Allen didn't overshadow Chid in this..hopefully he won't next time.
And, about my Dilly's past fic….It may be a long time in coming. I've got some major work to do on figuring everything out. (I'm just hoping it won't turn out to be some megolith-40 chapter thing…)
[Then again, it seems everytime I set a time limit, I do the opposite...so maybe it'll be a short time before that one is started...]
Okay…happy trails, everyone!}}