The Last Avalon

By Angelic Princess

Disclaimer: Thank you to all mi reviewers, I went totally high, and it was at school, so it was kind of hard to keep it to myself. Card Captor Sakura doesn't belong to me, when I'm big and rich and famous, I'll buy it. But for now, I'll have to stick to fanfics. Well, here's da next chap. Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Fooling The General

NADESHIKO'S surprisingly strong hands closed on Sakura's arm, stopping her when she would've gotten up to leave with the other women. They had used a wing of the Palace as a prison, and it worked effectively as they were prisoners in their own Palace. The other women had retreated to dress for the evening meal. Nadeshiko had told them to act and be formal still, evening while living on a knife's edge.

When the door had closed on the last woman, Sakura prepared for the worst. Had Nadeshiko heard about her encounter with the General? She had no excuse. Her impulsiveness had led her into trouble, again. She opened her mouth to apologize, but Nadeshiko spoke.

"We haven't much time," Her voice was dry. "We need to find the key to this Li General." Sakura felt a rush of excitement. Nadeshiko was talking about magic, and not simple scrying either! Sakura knew that despite the terms they faced possible execution.

"What will you do? Can I help you?" Nadeshiko's eyes fixed on Sakura's face.

"No better not. I want you out of the way. I I'm worried about you, it might break my concentration. I might be able to sift through his mind, find his deepest fear, secret wish-it might not be easy and the General might resist. He is no fool Sakura."

"I know that," Sakura said, a bit resentfully. Nadeshiko squeezed her arm.

"Go, get dressed, I want you to look very regal tonight, an Avalon princess must look her part. Sakura nodded, but in her heart she raged at the unfairness of it. She wanted to know more about her powers! Grimly determined, Sakura chose not to obey her grandmother.

Rather than wait for the maid, Sakura dressed quickly. Choosing one of the fine silver tiaras inlaid with pearls, she brushed her long auburn hair and set the circlet into place. It gave her more confidence, dressed in the proper attire.

Then she slipped back into the other room. Hiding behind a pillar, she saw that the General was already there. He was speaking with Nadeshiko. Sakura caught her breath. His faint accent rumbled to a stop as Nadeshiko interrupted.

"…be best if you interfere as little as possible with the running of the Palace." He muttered something short and sharp.

"My men have been campaigning since Spring. They expect their rights of plunder. You are-" Suddenly, Nadeshiko gave a great cry. Heart thudding with concern, Sakura stepped into sight. The old woman fell into the General's arms. He cursed as he caught the woman. She was so light, nothing more than a old bag of bones. What should he do with her?

"Barbarian! What have you done to her?" Syaoran whirled around and saw Sakura running towards him. She was not the untidy feral wench who had confronted him earlier, but a graceful princess dressed in rich brocade and jewels. Yet she was no less dangerous, he reminded himself.

"Nothing, she collapsed-"

"Oh yes, I'm sure," she snapped sarcastically. She put a gentle hand on the old woman's forehead, and grimaced.

"Bring her through here," she commanded him. Gesturing imperiously, she led him to a warm room. "Here sit her near the fire." He resented her tone. But he didn't want the old hag dying in his arms. That would make him look bad and make his task more difficult as these people held her in high esteem. The least he could do was operate with the girl, but he would not let his guard down. Sakura was a female and a mere girl, as she was not married. Girl or woman? By Li standards, she would not be given the title of a woman until she was married. But surely she was older than fifteen years?

He put the thought aside and concentrated at the task at hand. If this Avalon had been a Li girl, he would have considered her harmless, but he had learned not to make hasty judgements. He studied Sakura's concerned face as she examined the woman. There was something about her face that fascinated him. Was it the contrast of her autumn hair and deep green eyes?

Abruptly, Sakura looked up to meet his eyes. Heart thudding uneasily, he saw the knowledge in her eyes. He felt a creeping sensation in the air. Was it magic? He noticed she was holding her necklace again and a seed of panic surged through him.

"What' s happening?" Sakura licked her lips.

"I am using some of my magic to heal her." He nodded, gritting his teeth. The sensation was a bit unpleasant. Sakura poured steaming water in a bowl, scented by herbs. She dampened a cloth and held it to the old woman's forehead. It didn't appear to do much good, so Syaoran thought she must be working on two levels.

"What's wrong with her girl?"

What ails her is old age. She had her hundredth birthday the year before I was born." It was on Syaoran's lips to deny this, but the simple way she said it made him believe her. In his country, sixty was considered old. Interesting, if they weren't stoned to death or other illness, pure Avalon could practically live forever! His father had been considered old when he had died at fifty-three, leaving behind many wives and children. He winced, remembering where he too had failed to win his father's approval. He had produced no children in his arranged marriage, and by law, after three years, it was annulled. He had refused another marriage fearing…

The old woman stiffened in his arms. Immediately the unpleasant sense disappeared.

"She recovers?" Sakura nodded, putting the cloth away. General Syaoran eased the old woman into a chair and crouched down at her side to observe her. Nadeshiko was awake, if a little bewildered.

"How did I get here?" she demanded feebly. He patted her thin shoulder.

"You passed out, old one. I carried you in." Sakura came to her feet.

"You can leave now. Whatever you were discussing can wait until tomorrow. We will join you at dinner, it will ease the fears of the people." Syaoran rose. He was getting used to the way she simply assumed command, and was annoyed at that."

"No. I will escort you both down to the Great Hall." She inclined her head, as if this wasn't important, and Syaoran left, having said the last word, but hadn't given him any satisfaction. Sakura closed the door behind him and turned back to her grandmother, hardly able to contain her excitement.

"I thought he would never leave! What did you learn?" Nadeshiko smiled, eyes bright.

"Well? Sakura prompted, impatient. Nadeshiko frowned at her with mock anger.

"You deliberately disobeyed me Sakura!"

"Yes, and just as well I did. I had to pretend I was healing you with magic!" Nadeshiko waved this aside and rose, though shakily. Sakura held her arm to steady her.

"What is it grandmother?"

"Foolish child, I am old. I overdid it a little. But you were right, you did distract him for me. He was too busy watching you, making sure you weren't playing some trick on him. He wasn't worried about an old bag of frail bones." Sakura smiled. Nadeshiko patted her on the arm.

"He is a clever man, but trapped by his own culture. He is hardly able to believe that you are a threat to him. And since I am old as well as female, he disregards me altogether."

"Foolish man," Sakura agreed, delighted with her grandmother. "So what did you learn?" Nadeshiko straightened, stepping away from her.

"I must dress for dinner."

"Why won't you tell me?" Sakura called out to Nadeshiko's retreating back.

"You will know soon enough."

"When will you teach me to do that trick?" Nadeshiko whirled around, her eyes snapping fire. "This is not just a trick. It is not to be taken lightly. You have a great talent within you, Sakura. It could do great good, or harm to others, and yourself. I have seen what happens when a pure Avalon goes corrupt. I was twelve the last time on of them got stoned. The Beautific, head of the Church then, made me witness it. I shall never forget!"

"The Rouge Avalon male stood in the courtyard and held my eyes, his captive. I had no defense from him. He searched my mind, looking for something. I…I never understood what he wanted, but I felt every stone that was hurled at him. Part of me died that day. I have never trusted a male Avalon since then. I-"

"Is that why you refused to meet Yukito?" Nadeshiko looked away.

"I can tell you now, that I hope so much that he is dead. Your betrothal was a mistake."

"Why didn't you tell me then? Why didn't you tell my parents?" Sakura demanded, unable to stop herself. "Why didn't you forbid it? Why didn't you ever-and even-now, teach me the ways of the Avalon?" Nadeshiko paced, her eyes flooded with anger and grief.

"You wonder why I never rebelled? Why I followed the Church?" she gestured sharply. "How can you stand there and judge me? You cannot understand what I have witnessed. I lived everyday in fear for my life. Back then, if the Church declared you a rogue, nothing could ever help you." Sakura but her lip.

"I'm sorry. But that was more then a hundred years ago. Things have changed. The Church is as much a victim of the Li barbarians as we are." Nadeshiko nodded slowly.

"True, the rules have changed now. But we must make our own." She studied Sakura. "You know, the General finds you very…attractive." Sakura looked away, embarrassed.

Once her grandmother had left, Sakura used the bowl of useless, sweet-smelling herbs to bathe her flushed face and neck. She felt drained of energy when facing the Li General. When faced with his calculating gaze, her instinct was to attack, and she could tell he didn't like it. So he found her unnerving? Good.

If the truth be told, she found the General equally unnerving. But considering that he held the Palace and all its inhabitants, including her-even all of Fair Isle-in the palm of his hand, she felt that the less she irritated him, the better.

Sakura vowed to be on her best behavior-her life depended on it. But the thought of pandering to the whims of a barbarian filled her with rebellion.

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Sooo, how was dat chap?? A bit useless I knoe, but oh well. Sorry ppl, still a bit to go b4 S+S, but actually, it Syaoran that forces her… anyway better not spoil it. It might be some time b4 I upload again-exams, and all this stress!!! O.o*