Disclaimer: They are not mine (I wish they were). Don't sue.
Warnings: Yaoi rated R.
Summary: Seifer goes to Esthar and finds Nida's true identity (yaoi: SxS beware). Balamb Garden is a knights' school. Seifer Almasy is one of those knights. Being the personal guard of Sullen, the most good-looking and greatest wizard, he is sent to find out why Galbadian army has attacked Dollet. Does Sorceress Edea have something to do with it?! And why does Elder Guardian of Time refuse to show in the Union council?!
Author's notes: First of all, thanks to all my reviewers: Redrum (maybe Squall is a mage, maybe he isn't, but one thing you know: he isn't son of Julia...), Jo (yeah, yeah, maybe next time...), GG (thank you for your e- mail, reviews do mean a lot to me) and my beta reader Tongari (sorry the many e-mails with the chapter, but I've having problems with the server).
Thank you all for liking this fic. I'm so happy. This chapter is dedicated specially to Tongari because he is the best beta-reader I could get. I'm so lucky. Special thanks for you!! I do love the way you write ::big huggs to you::
I don't have much more ( ;P ) to say except I'm sorry about the wait, but the last few days were hard ones for me. I've been very busy in my holiday job and hadn't the time to write the chapter. Anyhow, here he is, finally. I hope you all like it. Oh! And I think I'm going to make a few more chapters than I had said in the last update.
Up to it. Enjoy! Don't forget to review...
Sons of Elder Guardians
By Azure Knight
Chapter 7: Visitors ...
Seifer lay in his bed, his arms crossed behind his head, looking at the blue ceiling of his bedroom. It was late but he couldn't sleep thinking of yesterday's events. All day today they had been cleaning the mess and he just couldn't stop thinking of the things that had happened the night before. His thoughts ran from Sullen's indifference towards him since the Fortuneteller's visit, to the encounter with the boy from Esthar. He found his reaction odd. He was the middle prince's knight wasn't he? So why had he started crying? He should have committed suicide. The rules of Chivalry are clear; a knight that fails protecting his master must save his family's honor by killing himself. Was he crying for his life or for his master? And why didn't the King of Esthar ask him for responsibility? That was really weird. Another weird thing was that the king and the family were crying all right, but he had expected a lot more anger from the Esthar attendants towards Squall's knight, Nida and towards the palace security. After all, it was a prince who was killed. They had taken their leave from the palace as soon as they were packed, but because they thought they were still in danger and not from indignation.
Royal blood had been shed and because of that, Elder Tellian didn't have the support from the Esthar kingdom anymore, even if she tried to convince them or gave the king assurances that they would find the ones who had done it, the ones that everyone were certain of now, wouldn't change the matter. President Delling had been assassinated too, the same way prince Squall had been. So now the one in charge of the kingdom was the also accused of murder, Sorceress Edea, who had mysteriously and surprisingly disappeared from the palace hours before the victims had been found.
Of course the plans of Elder Tellian of marrying Laguna had to wait because the situation had complicated and she was devastated by the events. She already loved his children as her own, and having to assist after the death of one of them in her own palace was the worse that could happen. Even more, Edea was her friend, she had trusted Edea, defended Edea and Edea betrayed her. Besides king Laguna now leaving, the only one she could trust was her son Sullen, who was also the one that had calmed her and advised her of the next thing to do. We cannot forget that Sorceress Edea had also murdered her counselor a few weeks ago. To take the power disorienting Elder Tellian and getting her Key of Space, she just had to eliminate or nullify the only one Tellian still trusted, her son. So everyone knew that the next one on the list was the son of Elder Guardian of Space: Sullen. He was also the one who controlled the Council now. The senators were disbelieving the power of the Elder to maintain control of the situation, so someone had to keep the confidence in the power of the Union, and that person was he. Sullen.
Seifer was brooding all this and he was proud because Sullen had been capable of that. But his mind didn't really think of Sullen. He wanted to think of Nida. The one who had the biggest responsibility of what had happened. He was supposed to be protecting the prince and not be with him. A part of him was feeling guilty because of that. Another was sad because he probably wouldn't see that boy again. And he had liked him, a lot.
A knock on the bedroom door broke Seifer's reverie.
"Come on in..." he said. He already knew who was. Only Sullen had the key to his room. The question was WHAT Sullen wanted in his room at that hour. He smirked. He had a feeling he knew what was... But unfortunately to his lust he was wrong.
Sullen entered the room. "What are you doing still awake?!" he asked closing the door behind him.
"Couldn't sleep..." Seifer answered. "What about you? What are you doing here? You should be resting. You have a long day tomorrow in the Council."
Sullen smiled "Yes, I know. I'm here to ask you a favor..." he said looking tired.
"Let me guess! A massage?" smirked Seifer rising and pulling Sullen to him.
Sullen smirked at the thought then remembering the Fortuneteller's words he dislodged himself from Seifer's arms, walking around the room he motioned Seifer to sit down. Doing so Seifer knew he had an important job for him.
"No. I want you to know that I'm asking this because I can't trust anyone else to do it. It's a mission of supreme importance. Of course I don't like putting you in danger. I would prefer you'd stay here with me, but you're one of the few I trust in this palace and I know you won't disappoint me. In fact I'm hoping that your fame as the best knight of all Gardens and that your family name will help in accomplishing this mission. Seifer, I want you to leave tomorrow to Esthar and convince king Laguna to unit with me to solve this crises that assaulted us. Laguna is one of the few influent people that I still can trust. Forming an alliance with him and apologizing for what happened is very important; maybe even more than calm the uncertainties of the senators of the council who only care about themselves."
"I understand...I'll do it. I won't fail." Seifer said.
"I know you won't. I know king Laguna will listen to you. Your father was one of the few knights who had the courage to help him against Sorceress Adel. Besides, you know his daughter Rinoa. I'm sure she will help you with her father. And king Laguna might look ingenuous but he is very intelligent, he knows that joining me is the only way he has to avenge his son. Just don't forget that to convince king Laguna you have to convince first his older son and his counselors, he does nothing without their consent. I already have it all arranged. You will leave in five hours. Pack and sleep a little. Be careful during the journey, these are hard times to everyone..."
"Don't worry, Sullen. I will." Seifer assured him. Sullen nodded and smiled sadly.
"Guess I won't be seeing you for awhile." he said. Leaning to Seifer, he hugged him kissing him softly on the lips.
Surprised, Seifer almost forgot to kiss back.
"I won't go to see you leaving tomorrow. You will probably meet Aerith there too. She will be going to Island Closest to Hell and ask for the help of my aunt. She's another person I trust. I know she will answer my plea. Again, be careful." Sullen said, heading for the door.
When he reached it he sighed and declared, "I love you, Seifer..." and without waiting for the answer he opened the door and left, leaving a stunned Seifer looking blankly at the closed door not knowing what to do.
When Sullen reached his room he cried because he knew that Seifer could never love him back. Olian who was there, wrapped his arms and wings around Sullen comforting him like the Fortuneteller had told him to. Secretly, Olian cursed Seifer for making Sullen suffer but deep inside he knew that Seifer wasn't the guilty one. He liked Sullen in his own way...
ºººººººººººººººº
Seifer sat on the guests' room in Esthar royal palace, six days after leaving Deling City.
After leaving the dock, Seifer walked towards the huge construction he could see to the West. Being the biggest city he had ever seen, Seifer lost himself in the middle of the houses, market, storages and streets. This city was so incredibly populated that you could lose yourself in the middle of the people. He stopped to ask a knight he found in the Barracks where the army joined to train and equip themselves, he finally made his way to the palace with the help of the other, who laughed when he told him his story and took him there. He had spent at least three hours running through the city without finding the way to the huge palace he saw from the streets.
When they reached the palace he showed his noble cards to the guards and told them his propose, they took them to one of Laguna's counselors, Kiros, who after hearing him attentively, ordered him to wait in that room, so he could talk with the other counselors and king about the subject he brought to them.
And there he was, waiting. While he was waiting he thought about Nida. What happened to him? But he wasn't given as much time as he thought he would. A few minutes later, Kiros entered in the room and smiled to him. This time he didn't have guards with him.
"The king has resolved to talk to you personally. He says your family helped him when he needed and he doesn't forget that, besides your matter is from the utmost importance and he wishes to hear what you have to say...please follow me, sir Almasy." He said
"Certainly." Seifer responded following sir Seagil.
Kiros took him through a long corridor from which they could see to the beautiful big garden inside the palace and hunting forest. Seifer looked to outside and he noticed a beautiful man clothed in black, silver and tight prince's clothes gracefully riding a beautiful, fiery black stallion with silver harnesses, through the wood. His head was hided by a black-feathered hat, its white feathers moved along with the movements of the horse. The beauty of the scene hypnotized Seifer. Only Sullen had that graciosity and beauty.
"Who is he?" he asked Kiros. Kiros smiled and said "Come on, you'll find out soon enough."
Giving a last glance to the rider, Seifer followed Kiros and they soon reached the end of the corridor where two large closed doors stood. Kiros opened the doors and Seifer was annunciated to the presents in the room.
He entered, facing a huge room with a throne at the end of it. Kiros entered and occupied his place at the right of the king Laguna who was seated in the throne, beside his son Sea. At his left were sir Ward III and other knights. Seifer walked towards them and bowed. Laguna nodded and started speaking.
"I was already informed about your mission here, sir Almasy. Your loyalty to your master is well known such as the honor and courage of your family. The last one I could already experience it myself against Sorceress Adel. I could never refuse at least giving you an audience. But about the subject in question, I understand that Lord Sullen is trying to correct the mistakes his mother did and I also understand that he needs help because he can not trust in anyone and I feel honored that I'm one of the few he still does. So before we continue with the reasons that brought you here, I feel a necessity to tell the truth for your confidence. Please, Kiros call my children here."
Kiros left and within few minutes later, three people entered the room with him. Dressed in black, prince Lake entered, bowed and stood beside Sea, then Rinoa did the same smiling at Seifer who lightly bowed to her and finally another boy dressed in black entered, bowed and looking at his feet did the same as the others. Seifer looked in awe at the boy. 'The rider...' he thought.
"These are my children. In fact no prince was killed in the Council palace. The one who was killed was his guardian Nida who took his place as my son to protect him." Laguna said. Seifer frowned 'What?! Then who the...'
"This is my son Squall." In that moment the rider stepped in front and raised his head, which had been hided by the feathered-hat to see the knight from Deling.
Both looked at on another, astonishment pronounced among their features. Jade met smoky blue eyes.
"You?!" they said at the same time.
End of chapter 7.
ººººººººººº
Author's notes: Next chapter "falling..." will be up next weekend. Just Seifer and Squall working out their differences in Esthar ...
Warnings: Yaoi rated R.
Summary: Seifer goes to Esthar and finds Nida's true identity (yaoi: SxS beware). Balamb Garden is a knights' school. Seifer Almasy is one of those knights. Being the personal guard of Sullen, the most good-looking and greatest wizard, he is sent to find out why Galbadian army has attacked Dollet. Does Sorceress Edea have something to do with it?! And why does Elder Guardian of Time refuse to show in the Union council?!
Author's notes: First of all, thanks to all my reviewers: Redrum (maybe Squall is a mage, maybe he isn't, but one thing you know: he isn't son of Julia...), Jo (yeah, yeah, maybe next time...), GG (thank you for your e- mail, reviews do mean a lot to me) and my beta reader Tongari (sorry the many e-mails with the chapter, but I've having problems with the server).
Thank you all for liking this fic. I'm so happy. This chapter is dedicated specially to Tongari because he is the best beta-reader I could get. I'm so lucky. Special thanks for you!! I do love the way you write ::big huggs to you::
I don't have much more ( ;P ) to say except I'm sorry about the wait, but the last few days were hard ones for me. I've been very busy in my holiday job and hadn't the time to write the chapter. Anyhow, here he is, finally. I hope you all like it. Oh! And I think I'm going to make a few more chapters than I had said in the last update.
Up to it. Enjoy! Don't forget to review...
Sons of Elder Guardians
By Azure Knight
Chapter 7: Visitors ...
Seifer lay in his bed, his arms crossed behind his head, looking at the blue ceiling of his bedroom. It was late but he couldn't sleep thinking of yesterday's events. All day today they had been cleaning the mess and he just couldn't stop thinking of the things that had happened the night before. His thoughts ran from Sullen's indifference towards him since the Fortuneteller's visit, to the encounter with the boy from Esthar. He found his reaction odd. He was the middle prince's knight wasn't he? So why had he started crying? He should have committed suicide. The rules of Chivalry are clear; a knight that fails protecting his master must save his family's honor by killing himself. Was he crying for his life or for his master? And why didn't the King of Esthar ask him for responsibility? That was really weird. Another weird thing was that the king and the family were crying all right, but he had expected a lot more anger from the Esthar attendants towards Squall's knight, Nida and towards the palace security. After all, it was a prince who was killed. They had taken their leave from the palace as soon as they were packed, but because they thought they were still in danger and not from indignation.
Royal blood had been shed and because of that, Elder Tellian didn't have the support from the Esthar kingdom anymore, even if she tried to convince them or gave the king assurances that they would find the ones who had done it, the ones that everyone were certain of now, wouldn't change the matter. President Delling had been assassinated too, the same way prince Squall had been. So now the one in charge of the kingdom was the also accused of murder, Sorceress Edea, who had mysteriously and surprisingly disappeared from the palace hours before the victims had been found.
Of course the plans of Elder Tellian of marrying Laguna had to wait because the situation had complicated and she was devastated by the events. She already loved his children as her own, and having to assist after the death of one of them in her own palace was the worse that could happen. Even more, Edea was her friend, she had trusted Edea, defended Edea and Edea betrayed her. Besides king Laguna now leaving, the only one she could trust was her son Sullen, who was also the one that had calmed her and advised her of the next thing to do. We cannot forget that Sorceress Edea had also murdered her counselor a few weeks ago. To take the power disorienting Elder Tellian and getting her Key of Space, she just had to eliminate or nullify the only one Tellian still trusted, her son. So everyone knew that the next one on the list was the son of Elder Guardian of Space: Sullen. He was also the one who controlled the Council now. The senators were disbelieving the power of the Elder to maintain control of the situation, so someone had to keep the confidence in the power of the Union, and that person was he. Sullen.
Seifer was brooding all this and he was proud because Sullen had been capable of that. But his mind didn't really think of Sullen. He wanted to think of Nida. The one who had the biggest responsibility of what had happened. He was supposed to be protecting the prince and not be with him. A part of him was feeling guilty because of that. Another was sad because he probably wouldn't see that boy again. And he had liked him, a lot.
A knock on the bedroom door broke Seifer's reverie.
"Come on in..." he said. He already knew who was. Only Sullen had the key to his room. The question was WHAT Sullen wanted in his room at that hour. He smirked. He had a feeling he knew what was... But unfortunately to his lust he was wrong.
Sullen entered the room. "What are you doing still awake?!" he asked closing the door behind him.
"Couldn't sleep..." Seifer answered. "What about you? What are you doing here? You should be resting. You have a long day tomorrow in the Council."
Sullen smiled "Yes, I know. I'm here to ask you a favor..." he said looking tired.
"Let me guess! A massage?" smirked Seifer rising and pulling Sullen to him.
Sullen smirked at the thought then remembering the Fortuneteller's words he dislodged himself from Seifer's arms, walking around the room he motioned Seifer to sit down. Doing so Seifer knew he had an important job for him.
"No. I want you to know that I'm asking this because I can't trust anyone else to do it. It's a mission of supreme importance. Of course I don't like putting you in danger. I would prefer you'd stay here with me, but you're one of the few I trust in this palace and I know you won't disappoint me. In fact I'm hoping that your fame as the best knight of all Gardens and that your family name will help in accomplishing this mission. Seifer, I want you to leave tomorrow to Esthar and convince king Laguna to unit with me to solve this crises that assaulted us. Laguna is one of the few influent people that I still can trust. Forming an alliance with him and apologizing for what happened is very important; maybe even more than calm the uncertainties of the senators of the council who only care about themselves."
"I understand...I'll do it. I won't fail." Seifer said.
"I know you won't. I know king Laguna will listen to you. Your father was one of the few knights who had the courage to help him against Sorceress Adel. Besides, you know his daughter Rinoa. I'm sure she will help you with her father. And king Laguna might look ingenuous but he is very intelligent, he knows that joining me is the only way he has to avenge his son. Just don't forget that to convince king Laguna you have to convince first his older son and his counselors, he does nothing without their consent. I already have it all arranged. You will leave in five hours. Pack and sleep a little. Be careful during the journey, these are hard times to everyone..."
"Don't worry, Sullen. I will." Seifer assured him. Sullen nodded and smiled sadly.
"Guess I won't be seeing you for awhile." he said. Leaning to Seifer, he hugged him kissing him softly on the lips.
Surprised, Seifer almost forgot to kiss back.
"I won't go to see you leaving tomorrow. You will probably meet Aerith there too. She will be going to Island Closest to Hell and ask for the help of my aunt. She's another person I trust. I know she will answer my plea. Again, be careful." Sullen said, heading for the door.
When he reached it he sighed and declared, "I love you, Seifer..." and without waiting for the answer he opened the door and left, leaving a stunned Seifer looking blankly at the closed door not knowing what to do.
When Sullen reached his room he cried because he knew that Seifer could never love him back. Olian who was there, wrapped his arms and wings around Sullen comforting him like the Fortuneteller had told him to. Secretly, Olian cursed Seifer for making Sullen suffer but deep inside he knew that Seifer wasn't the guilty one. He liked Sullen in his own way...
ºººººººººººººººº
Seifer sat on the guests' room in Esthar royal palace, six days after leaving Deling City.
After leaving the dock, Seifer walked towards the huge construction he could see to the West. Being the biggest city he had ever seen, Seifer lost himself in the middle of the houses, market, storages and streets. This city was so incredibly populated that you could lose yourself in the middle of the people. He stopped to ask a knight he found in the Barracks where the army joined to train and equip themselves, he finally made his way to the palace with the help of the other, who laughed when he told him his story and took him there. He had spent at least three hours running through the city without finding the way to the huge palace he saw from the streets.
When they reached the palace he showed his noble cards to the guards and told them his propose, they took them to one of Laguna's counselors, Kiros, who after hearing him attentively, ordered him to wait in that room, so he could talk with the other counselors and king about the subject he brought to them.
And there he was, waiting. While he was waiting he thought about Nida. What happened to him? But he wasn't given as much time as he thought he would. A few minutes later, Kiros entered in the room and smiled to him. This time he didn't have guards with him.
"The king has resolved to talk to you personally. He says your family helped him when he needed and he doesn't forget that, besides your matter is from the utmost importance and he wishes to hear what you have to say...please follow me, sir Almasy." He said
"Certainly." Seifer responded following sir Seagil.
Kiros took him through a long corridor from which they could see to the beautiful big garden inside the palace and hunting forest. Seifer looked to outside and he noticed a beautiful man clothed in black, silver and tight prince's clothes gracefully riding a beautiful, fiery black stallion with silver harnesses, through the wood. His head was hided by a black-feathered hat, its white feathers moved along with the movements of the horse. The beauty of the scene hypnotized Seifer. Only Sullen had that graciosity and beauty.
"Who is he?" he asked Kiros. Kiros smiled and said "Come on, you'll find out soon enough."
Giving a last glance to the rider, Seifer followed Kiros and they soon reached the end of the corridor where two large closed doors stood. Kiros opened the doors and Seifer was annunciated to the presents in the room.
He entered, facing a huge room with a throne at the end of it. Kiros entered and occupied his place at the right of the king Laguna who was seated in the throne, beside his son Sea. At his left were sir Ward III and other knights. Seifer walked towards them and bowed. Laguna nodded and started speaking.
"I was already informed about your mission here, sir Almasy. Your loyalty to your master is well known such as the honor and courage of your family. The last one I could already experience it myself against Sorceress Adel. I could never refuse at least giving you an audience. But about the subject in question, I understand that Lord Sullen is trying to correct the mistakes his mother did and I also understand that he needs help because he can not trust in anyone and I feel honored that I'm one of the few he still does. So before we continue with the reasons that brought you here, I feel a necessity to tell the truth for your confidence. Please, Kiros call my children here."
Kiros left and within few minutes later, three people entered the room with him. Dressed in black, prince Lake entered, bowed and stood beside Sea, then Rinoa did the same smiling at Seifer who lightly bowed to her and finally another boy dressed in black entered, bowed and looking at his feet did the same as the others. Seifer looked in awe at the boy. 'The rider...' he thought.
"These are my children. In fact no prince was killed in the Council palace. The one who was killed was his guardian Nida who took his place as my son to protect him." Laguna said. Seifer frowned 'What?! Then who the...'
"This is my son Squall." In that moment the rider stepped in front and raised his head, which had been hided by the feathered-hat to see the knight from Deling.
Both looked at on another, astonishment pronounced among their features. Jade met smoky blue eyes.
"You?!" they said at the same time.
End of chapter 7.
ººººººººººº
Author's notes: Next chapter "falling..." will be up next weekend. Just Seifer and Squall working out their differences in Esthar ...