Hi, guys! I'm back! I'm really sorry to have disappointed you or
anything! But here it is. . .Chapter Thirteen or Fourteen of the Rebel
King!!
The Last Princess of Daedalus
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"What do you mean?" Gaddis demanded, bending down to retrieve his gloves. "Hitomi is as much Hitomi as she was-"
"In appearances, perhaps," Van said. "Gaddis, you haven't noticed anything odd about her?"
"I don't exactly spend every hour of my day with her, you know," Gaddis said, a bit sarcastically. "I'm sorry, Van. I didn't mean for it to come out that way."
"It isn't Hitomi. I don't know how I know, but it just isn't Hitomi. Hitomi's gone from that body, Gaddis. She's alive, but she's gone."
"You've completely lost me. But, go on."
Van sat down beside the headstone of Folken's grave, plucking a red flower from the grass.
"See this flower, Gaddis?" he said. "Imagine this is Hitomi. Young, vital, healthy. Now. A disease hits this flower, hits Hitomi." He stared at the flower for some time. Gaddis could feel the agony of indecision radiating from him. He could see Van's anger, Van's sadness. The burdens of Van's life were all lifted by this sole girl's presence, and now, apparently, she too, was gone.
Suddenly, Van clenched his hand around the flower in an abrupt, final motion, crushing it.
"Do you see what has happened?" he asked softly, not looking up. He let the withered, dying petals fall, one by one, from his hands.
"Van. . ." Gaddis murmured.
"I can't go on," Van said, his voice low, trembling. "I can't go on without her. Gaddis. . .we. . .I. . .need to get her back."
"I understand." Gaddis looked at the dead and drying grass where Escaflowne had once sat beside the shrine.
"We can't let the impostor know, no matter what. Don't tell anyone else. Act as you normally would with Hitomi. I trust you with this, Gaddis," Van rose brusquely and brushed the petals off his lap. "Let's go."
"SIRE! SIRE!!!"
"Maghon?" Van said, surprised, as one of the palace guards came rushing into the clearing.
"It's horrible, sire! I-we-"
"What's wrong?" Van grated. "Is it Hitomi?" Gaddis marveled at his concern for the true Hitomi.
"No, no! I was only sent to tell you. . .tell you that Daedalus has declared War upon us!!"
"What?!" Van yelled. "Exactly when had they ever shown signs of hostility towards-" He stopped, understanding dawning. "Wyera," he breathed. "That's it. Gaddis, it was her all along. Wyera!"
"Of course. . ." Gaddis whispered. "Wyera! It seems so obvious now. . ."
"We haven't got a moment to lose! Are the ambassadors still there, Maghon?"
"N-no. . ." the guard said, looking sheepish and disgusted at the same time.
"What's happened, then?" Van said anxiously. "No-"
"They've attacked the outer settlement, near our walls, sire."
"The bastards. . ." Van muttered. "So they won't even obey the ancient laws of war now?"
"They've learned off the Black Dragons," Gaddis said tersely. "Surprise attacks often work better than declared ones."
"Well, now we know what they're up to. Let's go!" Van shouted. He grabbed Gaddis' arm and Maghon's, and yanked them both off, talking breathlessly about plans. To Gaddis, he seemed like a three year old.
"Come on, come on!"
"No offense meant, m'lord, but we're going as fast as we can!"
"Then go faster!" Van yelled. "We're going to get to the palace, attack Daedalus, kill the impostor, save Hitomi, and then go to sleep feeling safe!"
"Van, do you have any idea how long this is going to take?" Gaddis panted.
"You're out of shape, Gaddis," Van pretended not to hear him.
"It might be months, Lord!"
"A year, even!"
"Dammit, won't you two let me have my little idealistic dreams?! LET'S MOVE!!!!" Van said, breathing lightly.
"Do you run every day?"
"No!"
"Then how in the world do you keep up like this?"
"You're asking me, Gaddis Schezar?! Don't slack now, we're almost there!"
Maghon, who had obviously run at breakneck speed all the way to the shrine, was going to die of heart failure at any second. Even Gaddis was huffing. Of course, he thought sadly, once you were married you began to put on serious weight. . .and lose your hair. . .
They made amazing progress.
**********
"War!" Van gasped. "We're prepared to meet them! Tomorrow!"
"My liege. . .what are you saying?" Siel said.
"Give him. . .a. . .minute. . ." Gaddis wheezed.
"I said," Van said, regaining his breath in astonishing time, "we're going to meet Daedalus on the battlefield. Am I correct in saying that their airships are on the way, as are many battalions of guymelefs? No doubt hoping to crush us in our recovery. Well, we're not going to let them have Fanelia! Not this time, not ever! Get the troops ready!!"
"My liege, are you feeling, perhaps, a bit feverish? Your speech is troubled and you are flushed."
"When exactly are you worried about my health, Siel? Come on! We've got to head the enemy off before another Destiny War gets started!" Van was beginning to look angry, though his previous hysterical excitement had worn off. "Gaddis, I need you to call the crew of the Scherazade and any other samurai in the palace at the moment. It is a war council. Siel, I'll need you to round up some messengers to send to Basram, Nord, Asturia, Freid, our allies during the Destiny War."
He turned to Maghon. "Alert the soldiers, please. To all of you, try not to disturb the women. They don't know of this yet, and we can't afford more turmoil and panic this time around."
"We understand," Siel said. He swept off in one direction, Gaddis took the other, and Maghon dashed (again, oh poor guy) out into the courtyard.
**************
"Van, what's with all the ruckus?" Hitomi asked.
"Just a drill," Van said. "You know. With the war and all, we'd better be prepared."
"Oh." She looked sadly at her hands. For a moment, Van was unsure whether it was truly Hitomi or the impostor sitting their. She seemed so forlorn, not complaining, silent, despondent. He sat down on the bed beside her and pulled her closer to him.
"Van. . ." she murmured.
"Don't worry about anything, Hitomi," he breathed, into her hair. "I'm going to finish this. I'm going to finish it for you."
"That's so sweet. . ." Hitomi snuggled in his arms. He rested his head on hers, and said no more.
"I'm going to need you now, Hitomi, more than ever."
"I understand," she nodded. Van felt the blackness in her soul trying to push into him. He shoved her away from him, shuddering at contact with black magic.
"Van?" she said, puzzled, her eyes opened wide in feigned surprise. "What's wrong, Van?"
"I shouldn't be bothering you," Van said shortly. "I'm sorry, Hitomi, I don't know what I was thinking. You need to rest. I won't interrupt you. Get better, okay?" He gave her a half-hearted smile and left the room.
He's beginning to suspect. Time to act. And soon. That fool Wyera has done something right for a change.
************
"SIRE! THEY'VE BROKEN BY OUR DEFENSES!!!"
"Tell the people to get behind the palace! The Scherazade will be waiting to take them out of the city!" Van yelled. His voice was hoarse. For a long time now, he had been shouting orders. It was clear the ill- prepared Fanelian army was not going to triumph against this flash attack. "FALL BACK!" he roared, then coughed. If I don't lose my life first, then it'll be my voice-gods. . . "Every able warrior fall back to the palace, and form a barricade! We have to let survivors evacuate! We're going to defend them to the last! LET'S MOVE!!!"
Hitomi. . .
It was all he could think about. He needed to get back to her and protect her, even if it wasn't really her at all. He needed some answers. He couldn't let the impostor die without them.
They were within the palace. Van hated to leave them, but he signaled to Gaddis and a small party of them left to go within the palace, to spring the trap that was waiting. Earlier that month, thirteen fully grown dragons had been captured for the hunt that was scheduled for the spring. They would be unleashed upon the foot soldiers, leaving the ones in 'melefs to deal with their own guymelef warriors.
They were running. Probably faster than that week when the fateful announcement had been made. Van thought his heart would burst. . .with excitement. This was the battle, here, finally, a war, and he, and the Dragon, their souls were singing with the wild bloodlust that he had long forgotten. Yes, this was war, this was death, and now the thrill of the hunt!
Can't think like that. . .got to. . .rescue Hitomi. . .save the world. . .the usual stuff I have to do. . .
**************
She couldn't believe it had all come down to this. This was the final battle and she, Wyera, Last Princess of Daedalus, could claim her prize. She could destroy that accursed spirit and rule her people freely and fairly. Without Guaneth clouding her thoughts, she could understand easily that what she had done to her people was unjust. Yet their loyalty was strong, and for that, she was grateful. She had long removed her shoes, and her bare feet made a soft patter upon the freshly tiled floor of the hallway as she sprinted. She was breathing heavily, not with fatigue, but with the anxiety to join the kill.
Well, my Lord Van, it all comes down to this. Me and you. Hitomi isn't going to be there to help you. . .
It had been perhaps only two months since she had begun plotting. She had never honestly planned to summon up Guaneth from the depths of Asphodel. She'd only come across it in a book of spells. In fact, her success surprised even her. Of course, she'd had to offer a human sacrifice. That was a difficult decision, so in the end she put the choice up to her people and said she would understand if none of them wanted to volunteer. To her great shock and delight, a young beggar stepped forward to offer himself, giving the reason that, after all, he had nothing to look forward to, and to die helping his country Daedalus would be the greatest honor a humble beggar could ever achieve.
She agreed. The day he was killed, she had his name put in the books of Daedalus and made sure that all knew his name. She performed another spell for the safety of his soul; then continued on with the original one. She took the blood that was necessary, then gave him an honorable burial within the royal family's own shrine, as she had promised. She was a princess and would usually keep her word. The spell itself was not complicated. She took his blood, her own blood, and a few extra items, and spent the rest of the week locked up in her rooms, not eating or drinking, only chanting a spell that would raise Guaneth from where she was currently imprisoned.
Within the end of the week, she emerged from the room, sick, weak, but her eyes were glittering with the spirit of Guaneth. It was then her cruelty seemed to increase.
She stopped, out of breath, and stared hopelessly up at the corridors seeming to lead this way and that.
Where are you, my Lord Van? I'm coming to kill you. . .Lord Van, King Van, my sweet King Van. . .
In the end, she chose one hall and rushed down it, with the promise of a staircase upwards at the other side. She began running again after that moment of indecision. Once Van was dead, her army would seize control of Fanelia, creating yet another Daedalus province. It would be easy. Perhaps too easy. Maybe she was overlooking something. But what?
Ah, yes. The unknown variable, the wild card, Guaneth. She was something to be kept on the lookout for.
Guaneth had her own goals and her own motives. Shrouded in mystery as always, her origins were unknown. How Wyera had even come to possess the spellbook with enchantments like that, she didn't know.
She was moving faster now, her dagger was out of its sheathe. She was running with it by her thigh; substituting flowing skirts for dragon- skin pants that were much easier to move in. Her hands were sweating, shaking. She steadied them, still running. Her breath was coming even faster now. Purple lengths of hair fell out of the mane and tumbled across her shoulders.
Sweet King Van. I will have my revenge. . .
She wondered how she even found him attractive. After all, she was three years older than him. She had only gone along with her advisors' advice. In being rejected, her honor was disrupted. She must regain her people's respect for her, if not by marrying Lord Van, then by killing him and destroying Fanelia. She was the Last Princess of Daedalus. In the event that she did die, which she thought unlikely, she was going to appoint her chief advisor to Kingship. She assumed they would fight over it, but eventually, a good leader would be chosen. Besides, there was no need to worry about those things. Daedalus would triumph, Van would die, and all would be well.
All would be well.
Wyera adjusted her grip on the dagger. She was halfway up the winding staircase. Her feet were beginning to hurt already. She prided herself on top physical condition, but after about a half hour of nothing but killing, running, and jumping, she was very, very tired. She considered stopping to rest, then decided against it. The more time she wasted, the more chances she would give Van to escape.
Screams erupted from the chamber below. She looked down and saw dragons rampaging across the marble/ivory, destroying all in their path, eating and killing soldiers. She thought she spotted a Fanelian door guard amongst the yelling horde of panicking Daedalus, but she couldn't be sure. She wanted to shout, but that would only draw the dragons' attention to her- something she certainly did not want.
So instead, she ran faster, panting harder in fear as the roaring of dragons grew in volume and the screaming continued, sometimes to be cut off abruptly and then rise again.
Her breath was harsh in her ears, and she could hear herself thinking in horrified, breathless intervals.
"Oh my gods, my gods! How could he! My people. . .my people. . ."
She was sobbing softly, the hatred rising in waves up again. Her people, dying. She would need to destroy all of Fanelia, avenge them tenfold before the void refilled.
She was on the second floor. Outside in the window, she spotted Daedalian guymelefs forcing the Allies' units back. It was like a tug-of- war; slowly, Daedalus gained some ground, lost it, gained it, lost it, gained it, lost it. The yelling from below had gone. She had dashed far enough so that all she could hear were faint bellowing howls. Wyera didn't bother to wipe her eyes; the tears had dried, a light shone instead.
"Ah. . .revenge. . .revenge. . ."
So she was mad. . .
She ran. Noises reached her, this time of a different kind. She turned the corner and halted, her mouth dropping.
"Van! Get the hell out of the way!!" it was that blond knight, Gaddis Schezar of Asturia. He looked as if he were torn between making a lunge at the King or staying where he stood.
"Hitomi. . ." Van said softly. He shook his head. "I don't know anything anymore. . ."
"She's going to kill you, Van! Dammit, move!!!" Gaddis shouted.
"Hitomi. . .would never. . .try to kill me. . ." Van said slowly, speaking with effort. His arm was shaking, his hand twitching. "So if I am killed, then, Gaddis, you will know that this is not Hitomi." He smiled weakly, sounding strained. "Of course, I don't exactly wish to die. . ."
Wyera peered further around the corner and noticed this girl. It was indeed to shy one, with mouse-brown hair, who Van had pulled into his arms that fateful day. Her eyes were crackling with an odd intensity, and her voice was warped when she spoke.
"Surrender the Dragon."
There was something oddly familiar about her, not just the fact that she was Hitomi of the Mystic Moon.
"I don't understand. . .Hitomi. . ." Van was speaking increasingly slower and quieter, as if every word was costing him something. His eyes were flickering. A gray fire shone where there had not been anything. He shuddered. "If you don't move. . .I'm. . .going. . .to. . ."
Gaddis let out an oath from behind him and cried, for the third time, "MOVE, Van!!"
"Shut. . .up, dammit!" Van snarled. "I don't f---ing care if she's trying to kill me!"
"You haven't been helping me at all. . .have you. . .?" Wyera breathed. "I understand now. You were never helping me. All this time. . .you were using me. You. . .!"
Her hands tightened. She was furious, and, at the same time, strangely remorseful. So she had been wrong.
Van wasn't talking to stall for time. He was speaking genuinely with every inch of his heart backing him.
"Hitomi." It was a whisper. "I trust you. Do what you must."
He does love her, she realized. He would die for her. He isn't going to do anything to stop her. He trusts her with his life. More than his life. I was wrong to ever try to intervene.
"VAN!" Gaddis yelled.
"You will die," Guaneth said. Her voice was softer than Van's. So soft, that Wyera couldn't hear her. She got the general gist of things, though.
Her burning legs carried her further. Her dagger had already dropped with a clatter; but no one noticed. She was pushing forward, as if through syrup, or water. She could feel Guaneth building an attack, preparing it. She had to get to Van before then. Kind Van. She had been so wrong. So wrong. Now she would atone for her sins.
It wasn't supposed to be like this! King Van, I'm going to help you. I'm going to pay you my last act of homage and beg for your forgiveness. In this way, perhaps I may redeem myself and go to the Fields in peace.
She grabbed him, making sure she was in front of both him and Lady Hitomi. She, Wyera, last princess of Daedalus, was going to make her end honorably, and make her people proud.
"Kind Van," she said, then gasped as the magic impacted with her. It had shattered most of her vertebrae before she could continue. There was a dull thud, she felt, and then needles thrusting their way deep into her back. She moaned and slumped against him. Amazingly, painfully, she was still alive.
"Wyera-hime!" he said sharply. He was positive she had died. The force of the blast had knocked them back into the wall. Van slid down onto the ground. Guaneth raised her arm, then struggled, fighting against something invisible.
"It was me," Wyera said miserably, feeling blood gurgling in her throat. "I did it, Van. I summoned Guaneth from the dark reaches of her realm. Forgive me, King Van. Kind Van, beautiful Van. . .take care of my people. . .don't let them come to harm. . ."
"Wyera-hime," his voice had softened considerably. His hand tightened on hers for a moment, and she was glad for his company. She wasn't going to die alone.
"It's a shame. . .isn't it. . .?" she whispered, coughing blood over her robes. Feebly, she tried to wipe it away, with minimal success. The white dragon-skin repelled blood to a certain extent, but no more than that- it was soaking it up. Her eyes were smiling ruefully. "I wanted a. . .clean. . .death. Now. . .someone. . .will have to. . .wash out. . .my robes. . . .Do that for me, will you. . .Van?"
She was dead when she finished her sentence, her insane eyes glinting at something Van could not see.
Wow. Wyera really is nutty. But she saved Van; that's all that matters! Yay!! Good job, Wyera. . .now. . .Guaneth! Tennyo, can I borrow your flamethrower? I must torch the evil demon as I decide what to do with her! And what about Qual, Ner, and Elvrn? Your suggestions and comments would be MOST HELPFUL!
PS:
The Rebel King is drawing to a close, as you can tell. I am planning to then conclude the Night Singer, after which The Escaflownes will follow. One by one, I will finish all these stories. And then. . .NEW stories!!! Oh. . .I'm sorry to say this. . .but Two Diff. Worlds is no longer a story. . .I've gotten rid of it. Sorry! I just didn't feel like doing it any more! The Last Generation is still hanging around. . .that's a maybe. And. . .RyuuJitsu is not permitted by the dudes who own the website, cuz they say no Anne McCaffrey fics, so whatever. ^_^ I'm sorry. I'll try to update as soon as possible. Thank you!
The Last Princess of Daedalus
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"What do you mean?" Gaddis demanded, bending down to retrieve his gloves. "Hitomi is as much Hitomi as she was-"
"In appearances, perhaps," Van said. "Gaddis, you haven't noticed anything odd about her?"
"I don't exactly spend every hour of my day with her, you know," Gaddis said, a bit sarcastically. "I'm sorry, Van. I didn't mean for it to come out that way."
"It isn't Hitomi. I don't know how I know, but it just isn't Hitomi. Hitomi's gone from that body, Gaddis. She's alive, but she's gone."
"You've completely lost me. But, go on."
Van sat down beside the headstone of Folken's grave, plucking a red flower from the grass.
"See this flower, Gaddis?" he said. "Imagine this is Hitomi. Young, vital, healthy. Now. A disease hits this flower, hits Hitomi." He stared at the flower for some time. Gaddis could feel the agony of indecision radiating from him. He could see Van's anger, Van's sadness. The burdens of Van's life were all lifted by this sole girl's presence, and now, apparently, she too, was gone.
Suddenly, Van clenched his hand around the flower in an abrupt, final motion, crushing it.
"Do you see what has happened?" he asked softly, not looking up. He let the withered, dying petals fall, one by one, from his hands.
"Van. . ." Gaddis murmured.
"I can't go on," Van said, his voice low, trembling. "I can't go on without her. Gaddis. . .we. . .I. . .need to get her back."
"I understand." Gaddis looked at the dead and drying grass where Escaflowne had once sat beside the shrine.
"We can't let the impostor know, no matter what. Don't tell anyone else. Act as you normally would with Hitomi. I trust you with this, Gaddis," Van rose brusquely and brushed the petals off his lap. "Let's go."
"SIRE! SIRE!!!"
"Maghon?" Van said, surprised, as one of the palace guards came rushing into the clearing.
"It's horrible, sire! I-we-"
"What's wrong?" Van grated. "Is it Hitomi?" Gaddis marveled at his concern for the true Hitomi.
"No, no! I was only sent to tell you. . .tell you that Daedalus has declared War upon us!!"
"What?!" Van yelled. "Exactly when had they ever shown signs of hostility towards-" He stopped, understanding dawning. "Wyera," he breathed. "That's it. Gaddis, it was her all along. Wyera!"
"Of course. . ." Gaddis whispered. "Wyera! It seems so obvious now. . ."
"We haven't got a moment to lose! Are the ambassadors still there, Maghon?"
"N-no. . ." the guard said, looking sheepish and disgusted at the same time.
"What's happened, then?" Van said anxiously. "No-"
"They've attacked the outer settlement, near our walls, sire."
"The bastards. . ." Van muttered. "So they won't even obey the ancient laws of war now?"
"They've learned off the Black Dragons," Gaddis said tersely. "Surprise attacks often work better than declared ones."
"Well, now we know what they're up to. Let's go!" Van shouted. He grabbed Gaddis' arm and Maghon's, and yanked them both off, talking breathlessly about plans. To Gaddis, he seemed like a three year old.
"Come on, come on!"
"No offense meant, m'lord, but we're going as fast as we can!"
"Then go faster!" Van yelled. "We're going to get to the palace, attack Daedalus, kill the impostor, save Hitomi, and then go to sleep feeling safe!"
"Van, do you have any idea how long this is going to take?" Gaddis panted.
"You're out of shape, Gaddis," Van pretended not to hear him.
"It might be months, Lord!"
"A year, even!"
"Dammit, won't you two let me have my little idealistic dreams?! LET'S MOVE!!!!" Van said, breathing lightly.
"Do you run every day?"
"No!"
"Then how in the world do you keep up like this?"
"You're asking me, Gaddis Schezar?! Don't slack now, we're almost there!"
Maghon, who had obviously run at breakneck speed all the way to the shrine, was going to die of heart failure at any second. Even Gaddis was huffing. Of course, he thought sadly, once you were married you began to put on serious weight. . .and lose your hair. . .
They made amazing progress.
**********
"War!" Van gasped. "We're prepared to meet them! Tomorrow!"
"My liege. . .what are you saying?" Siel said.
"Give him. . .a. . .minute. . ." Gaddis wheezed.
"I said," Van said, regaining his breath in astonishing time, "we're going to meet Daedalus on the battlefield. Am I correct in saying that their airships are on the way, as are many battalions of guymelefs? No doubt hoping to crush us in our recovery. Well, we're not going to let them have Fanelia! Not this time, not ever! Get the troops ready!!"
"My liege, are you feeling, perhaps, a bit feverish? Your speech is troubled and you are flushed."
"When exactly are you worried about my health, Siel? Come on! We've got to head the enemy off before another Destiny War gets started!" Van was beginning to look angry, though his previous hysterical excitement had worn off. "Gaddis, I need you to call the crew of the Scherazade and any other samurai in the palace at the moment. It is a war council. Siel, I'll need you to round up some messengers to send to Basram, Nord, Asturia, Freid, our allies during the Destiny War."
He turned to Maghon. "Alert the soldiers, please. To all of you, try not to disturb the women. They don't know of this yet, and we can't afford more turmoil and panic this time around."
"We understand," Siel said. He swept off in one direction, Gaddis took the other, and Maghon dashed (again, oh poor guy) out into the courtyard.
**************
"Van, what's with all the ruckus?" Hitomi asked.
"Just a drill," Van said. "You know. With the war and all, we'd better be prepared."
"Oh." She looked sadly at her hands. For a moment, Van was unsure whether it was truly Hitomi or the impostor sitting their. She seemed so forlorn, not complaining, silent, despondent. He sat down on the bed beside her and pulled her closer to him.
"Van. . ." she murmured.
"Don't worry about anything, Hitomi," he breathed, into her hair. "I'm going to finish this. I'm going to finish it for you."
"That's so sweet. . ." Hitomi snuggled in his arms. He rested his head on hers, and said no more.
"I'm going to need you now, Hitomi, more than ever."
"I understand," she nodded. Van felt the blackness in her soul trying to push into him. He shoved her away from him, shuddering at contact with black magic.
"Van?" she said, puzzled, her eyes opened wide in feigned surprise. "What's wrong, Van?"
"I shouldn't be bothering you," Van said shortly. "I'm sorry, Hitomi, I don't know what I was thinking. You need to rest. I won't interrupt you. Get better, okay?" He gave her a half-hearted smile and left the room.
He's beginning to suspect. Time to act. And soon. That fool Wyera has done something right for a change.
************
"SIRE! THEY'VE BROKEN BY OUR DEFENSES!!!"
"Tell the people to get behind the palace! The Scherazade will be waiting to take them out of the city!" Van yelled. His voice was hoarse. For a long time now, he had been shouting orders. It was clear the ill- prepared Fanelian army was not going to triumph against this flash attack. "FALL BACK!" he roared, then coughed. If I don't lose my life first, then it'll be my voice-gods. . . "Every able warrior fall back to the palace, and form a barricade! We have to let survivors evacuate! We're going to defend them to the last! LET'S MOVE!!!"
Hitomi. . .
It was all he could think about. He needed to get back to her and protect her, even if it wasn't really her at all. He needed some answers. He couldn't let the impostor die without them.
They were within the palace. Van hated to leave them, but he signaled to Gaddis and a small party of them left to go within the palace, to spring the trap that was waiting. Earlier that month, thirteen fully grown dragons had been captured for the hunt that was scheduled for the spring. They would be unleashed upon the foot soldiers, leaving the ones in 'melefs to deal with their own guymelef warriors.
They were running. Probably faster than that week when the fateful announcement had been made. Van thought his heart would burst. . .with excitement. This was the battle, here, finally, a war, and he, and the Dragon, their souls were singing with the wild bloodlust that he had long forgotten. Yes, this was war, this was death, and now the thrill of the hunt!
Can't think like that. . .got to. . .rescue Hitomi. . .save the world. . .the usual stuff I have to do. . .
**************
She couldn't believe it had all come down to this. This was the final battle and she, Wyera, Last Princess of Daedalus, could claim her prize. She could destroy that accursed spirit and rule her people freely and fairly. Without Guaneth clouding her thoughts, she could understand easily that what she had done to her people was unjust. Yet their loyalty was strong, and for that, she was grateful. She had long removed her shoes, and her bare feet made a soft patter upon the freshly tiled floor of the hallway as she sprinted. She was breathing heavily, not with fatigue, but with the anxiety to join the kill.
Well, my Lord Van, it all comes down to this. Me and you. Hitomi isn't going to be there to help you. . .
It had been perhaps only two months since she had begun plotting. She had never honestly planned to summon up Guaneth from the depths of Asphodel. She'd only come across it in a book of spells. In fact, her success surprised even her. Of course, she'd had to offer a human sacrifice. That was a difficult decision, so in the end she put the choice up to her people and said she would understand if none of them wanted to volunteer. To her great shock and delight, a young beggar stepped forward to offer himself, giving the reason that, after all, he had nothing to look forward to, and to die helping his country Daedalus would be the greatest honor a humble beggar could ever achieve.
She agreed. The day he was killed, she had his name put in the books of Daedalus and made sure that all knew his name. She performed another spell for the safety of his soul; then continued on with the original one. She took the blood that was necessary, then gave him an honorable burial within the royal family's own shrine, as she had promised. She was a princess and would usually keep her word. The spell itself was not complicated. She took his blood, her own blood, and a few extra items, and spent the rest of the week locked up in her rooms, not eating or drinking, only chanting a spell that would raise Guaneth from where she was currently imprisoned.
Within the end of the week, she emerged from the room, sick, weak, but her eyes were glittering with the spirit of Guaneth. It was then her cruelty seemed to increase.
She stopped, out of breath, and stared hopelessly up at the corridors seeming to lead this way and that.
Where are you, my Lord Van? I'm coming to kill you. . .Lord Van, King Van, my sweet King Van. . .
In the end, she chose one hall and rushed down it, with the promise of a staircase upwards at the other side. She began running again after that moment of indecision. Once Van was dead, her army would seize control of Fanelia, creating yet another Daedalus province. It would be easy. Perhaps too easy. Maybe she was overlooking something. But what?
Ah, yes. The unknown variable, the wild card, Guaneth. She was something to be kept on the lookout for.
Guaneth had her own goals and her own motives. Shrouded in mystery as always, her origins were unknown. How Wyera had even come to possess the spellbook with enchantments like that, she didn't know.
She was moving faster now, her dagger was out of its sheathe. She was running with it by her thigh; substituting flowing skirts for dragon- skin pants that were much easier to move in. Her hands were sweating, shaking. She steadied them, still running. Her breath was coming even faster now. Purple lengths of hair fell out of the mane and tumbled across her shoulders.
Sweet King Van. I will have my revenge. . .
She wondered how she even found him attractive. After all, she was three years older than him. She had only gone along with her advisors' advice. In being rejected, her honor was disrupted. She must regain her people's respect for her, if not by marrying Lord Van, then by killing him and destroying Fanelia. She was the Last Princess of Daedalus. In the event that she did die, which she thought unlikely, she was going to appoint her chief advisor to Kingship. She assumed they would fight over it, but eventually, a good leader would be chosen. Besides, there was no need to worry about those things. Daedalus would triumph, Van would die, and all would be well.
All would be well.
Wyera adjusted her grip on the dagger. She was halfway up the winding staircase. Her feet were beginning to hurt already. She prided herself on top physical condition, but after about a half hour of nothing but killing, running, and jumping, she was very, very tired. She considered stopping to rest, then decided against it. The more time she wasted, the more chances she would give Van to escape.
Screams erupted from the chamber below. She looked down and saw dragons rampaging across the marble/ivory, destroying all in their path, eating and killing soldiers. She thought she spotted a Fanelian door guard amongst the yelling horde of panicking Daedalus, but she couldn't be sure. She wanted to shout, but that would only draw the dragons' attention to her- something she certainly did not want.
So instead, she ran faster, panting harder in fear as the roaring of dragons grew in volume and the screaming continued, sometimes to be cut off abruptly and then rise again.
Her breath was harsh in her ears, and she could hear herself thinking in horrified, breathless intervals.
"Oh my gods, my gods! How could he! My people. . .my people. . ."
She was sobbing softly, the hatred rising in waves up again. Her people, dying. She would need to destroy all of Fanelia, avenge them tenfold before the void refilled.
She was on the second floor. Outside in the window, she spotted Daedalian guymelefs forcing the Allies' units back. It was like a tug-of- war; slowly, Daedalus gained some ground, lost it, gained it, lost it, gained it, lost it. The yelling from below had gone. She had dashed far enough so that all she could hear were faint bellowing howls. Wyera didn't bother to wipe her eyes; the tears had dried, a light shone instead.
"Ah. . .revenge. . .revenge. . ."
So she was mad. . .
She ran. Noises reached her, this time of a different kind. She turned the corner and halted, her mouth dropping.
"Van! Get the hell out of the way!!" it was that blond knight, Gaddis Schezar of Asturia. He looked as if he were torn between making a lunge at the King or staying where he stood.
"Hitomi. . ." Van said softly. He shook his head. "I don't know anything anymore. . ."
"She's going to kill you, Van! Dammit, move!!!" Gaddis shouted.
"Hitomi. . .would never. . .try to kill me. . ." Van said slowly, speaking with effort. His arm was shaking, his hand twitching. "So if I am killed, then, Gaddis, you will know that this is not Hitomi." He smiled weakly, sounding strained. "Of course, I don't exactly wish to die. . ."
Wyera peered further around the corner and noticed this girl. It was indeed to shy one, with mouse-brown hair, who Van had pulled into his arms that fateful day. Her eyes were crackling with an odd intensity, and her voice was warped when she spoke.
"Surrender the Dragon."
There was something oddly familiar about her, not just the fact that she was Hitomi of the Mystic Moon.
"I don't understand. . .Hitomi. . ." Van was speaking increasingly slower and quieter, as if every word was costing him something. His eyes were flickering. A gray fire shone where there had not been anything. He shuddered. "If you don't move. . .I'm. . .going. . .to. . ."
Gaddis let out an oath from behind him and cried, for the third time, "MOVE, Van!!"
"Shut. . .up, dammit!" Van snarled. "I don't f---ing care if she's trying to kill me!"
"You haven't been helping me at all. . .have you. . .?" Wyera breathed. "I understand now. You were never helping me. All this time. . .you were using me. You. . .!"
Her hands tightened. She was furious, and, at the same time, strangely remorseful. So she had been wrong.
Van wasn't talking to stall for time. He was speaking genuinely with every inch of his heart backing him.
"Hitomi." It was a whisper. "I trust you. Do what you must."
He does love her, she realized. He would die for her. He isn't going to do anything to stop her. He trusts her with his life. More than his life. I was wrong to ever try to intervene.
"VAN!" Gaddis yelled.
"You will die," Guaneth said. Her voice was softer than Van's. So soft, that Wyera couldn't hear her. She got the general gist of things, though.
Her burning legs carried her further. Her dagger had already dropped with a clatter; but no one noticed. She was pushing forward, as if through syrup, or water. She could feel Guaneth building an attack, preparing it. She had to get to Van before then. Kind Van. She had been so wrong. So wrong. Now she would atone for her sins.
It wasn't supposed to be like this! King Van, I'm going to help you. I'm going to pay you my last act of homage and beg for your forgiveness. In this way, perhaps I may redeem myself and go to the Fields in peace.
She grabbed him, making sure she was in front of both him and Lady Hitomi. She, Wyera, last princess of Daedalus, was going to make her end honorably, and make her people proud.
"Kind Van," she said, then gasped as the magic impacted with her. It had shattered most of her vertebrae before she could continue. There was a dull thud, she felt, and then needles thrusting their way deep into her back. She moaned and slumped against him. Amazingly, painfully, she was still alive.
"Wyera-hime!" he said sharply. He was positive she had died. The force of the blast had knocked them back into the wall. Van slid down onto the ground. Guaneth raised her arm, then struggled, fighting against something invisible.
"It was me," Wyera said miserably, feeling blood gurgling in her throat. "I did it, Van. I summoned Guaneth from the dark reaches of her realm. Forgive me, King Van. Kind Van, beautiful Van. . .take care of my people. . .don't let them come to harm. . ."
"Wyera-hime," his voice had softened considerably. His hand tightened on hers for a moment, and she was glad for his company. She wasn't going to die alone.
"It's a shame. . .isn't it. . .?" she whispered, coughing blood over her robes. Feebly, she tried to wipe it away, with minimal success. The white dragon-skin repelled blood to a certain extent, but no more than that- it was soaking it up. Her eyes were smiling ruefully. "I wanted a. . .clean. . .death. Now. . .someone. . .will have to. . .wash out. . .my robes. . . .Do that for me, will you. . .Van?"
She was dead when she finished her sentence, her insane eyes glinting at something Van could not see.
Wow. Wyera really is nutty. But she saved Van; that's all that matters! Yay!! Good job, Wyera. . .now. . .Guaneth! Tennyo, can I borrow your flamethrower? I must torch the evil demon as I decide what to do with her! And what about Qual, Ner, and Elvrn? Your suggestions and comments would be MOST HELPFUL!
PS:
The Rebel King is drawing to a close, as you can tell. I am planning to then conclude the Night Singer, after which The Escaflownes will follow. One by one, I will finish all these stories. And then. . .NEW stories!!! Oh. . .I'm sorry to say this. . .but Two Diff. Worlds is no longer a story. . .I've gotten rid of it. Sorry! I just didn't feel like doing it any more! The Last Generation is still hanging around. . .that's a maybe. And. . .RyuuJitsu is not permitted by the dudes who own the website, cuz they say no Anne McCaffrey fics, so whatever. ^_^ I'm sorry. I'll try to update as soon as possible. Thank you!