Celena paced outside the door. Her blue dress twisted around her legs, but the hazard went unnoticed in favour of more pressing issues. She heard footsteps on the stair and turned to find Gaddes caring a bundle of clothes up to meet her. His face was drawn in the same wary frown it had all morning. Celena smiled at him.
"I had a change of clothes in my saddle bag, he can wear these." Talking a deep dramatic breath he continued, motioning to the bathroom door. "Besides I don't think Allen would be particularly thrilled to find him walking around in his silks and taffetas."
Celena frowned at his tone and meaning. Gaddes crossed her quickly and opened the door. Disappearing inside, he left Celena hanging around the doorway. He returned after a few moments and almost crashed into her. She wobbled uncertainly but he caught her arm. They stood there for a moment; Celena staring up into his large amethyst eyes, he, holding her upright, the tension in his muscles freezing him. But as quickly as the moment had been created it was over. Celena couldn't shake the feel of his tight grip on her arm even as he let her go and mumbled an apology. Gaddes himself was a little shaken. It was no big deal, just the look in her eyes. So innocent and wide, so pale and beautiful. Yeesh, the boss wouldn't have been happy with that.
Celena watched him travel off down the corridor to the stairs and jog down them. Exhaling deeply after her brief but intimate encounter, Celena turned and tentatively pushed the bathroom door open. Jajuka, or the pitiful remnants of Jajuka sat on the small wooden ledge at the side of the bathroom wall, pulling on the socks Gaddess had given him. The problem was Gaddes was about three sizes smaller in everything than he. The undershirt had been baggy enough to do as a normal shirt but everything else proved to be too tight. He looked up at the sound of her entering.
"Celena" He said in that silky voice of his. His little girl, his little child, the girl who had been so vulnerable and alone was now a woman. She looked the way she should do in a beautiful cornflower blue dress that only looked natural on a person of such noble birth. His heart felt at rest for the first time since that ruby eyed boy had regarded him with such a venom and desperation in her place.
"And who are you?"
"I am Jajuka I am under your command alone"
The memory sent uncontrollable shivers through him. The girl in the doorway hesitated for a moment. Her eyes only now fully accepted what they saw: poor Jajuka; poor scarred, burnt, charred Jajuka. He was something obscure to her. Not like a father, not like Allen, not like Gaddes; something less tangible and yet something far more real. No longer resisting the urge she rushed forward yet hovered for a few seconds, her eyes searching his. Yes he was her Jajuka. Almost bald and less than the gentle strength he had always been, but nonetheless her Jajuka! She knelt down and put her arms around his neck.
"Celena!" he called quietly but urgently. How he wanted her to embrace him, but yet at the same time, he couldn't let her. She held onto him tightly and his eyes began to fill with salty overdue tears. "Celena"
"Oh Jajuka!" She wailed, letting him return the gesture. "What have I done to you?" She knew that these injures were her doing, if not directly then by her foolishness. She didn't remember all that had happened. Didn't remember the life she had between Jajuka and the battlefield. But she remembered how he would feed her, bathe her, tuck her into her prison cot at night. She also remembered falling asleep nestled in beside that soft clean sandy fur when she couldn't sleep. She remembered missing Allen and her mother desperately until she didn't know where she was anymore. Most harrowingly of all she remembered being dragged away in those cold icy hands, watching them beat him and hearing him cry out in a howl, her name. That was when they had started, that was when she had begun to forget, forget the colour of her hair, the shade of her eyes, the image of Allen and even the bone shaving pain. Nothing had existed after that until she had seen her brother emerge from the tangled wreck of the Scherazade. But there was no Jajuka. For the past few months she'd spent her nights unable to sleep, pondering the reality of Jajuka. Had he been simply a figure her imagination had conjured up to comfort her on those cold terror-filled nights in Zaibach? Or had he been real, and if so why had he abandoned her?
* * *
Allen sat uncomfortably in the carriage as it made its way over the dusty coastal road back home to the Schezar estate. Eries had told him to stay away from the palace. Dryden and Milerna's bedding ceremony was long overdue and Eries and many of Asturia's advisors had pushed to have it take place soon. All the heavenly knights would be there for the pomp and pageant; except him. He couldn't say he much liked the idea of Milerna sleeping with Dryden of all men; in fact he hated it. He hated the fact that they were married. However Milerna was heir to the throne and although Allen would have had the correct status to be a suitable match, Meiden Fassa was a persuasive and rich man. Dryden would be a good king though, no matter how irritating he was as a man, he had a quick mind and good heart. The young knight looked out over the sea as the sun glinted over its calm surface. It would look bad for him to be present at the ceremony as rumours about he and Princess Milerna were rife; at least that was what Eries had told him. She had also told him to make an excuse for not being able to attend so as not to draw attention to it. Oh that Princess! She had it all planned out for her sister. She had never wanted to see her with him! Whether she hated him for what happened to Marlene or for chasing her sister, or for not noticing her, he did not know. All he knew was that it was over with now. He had told her when Hitomi had first appeared, that he would never fall in love again, but this time he meant it. He had Celena now, and she deserved everything he could possibly give her. She was his main focus now. There was nothing he could do for Milerna, except wish her the best in her marriage. Sinking down in his seat and frowning, he grew bitter over the irony of his actions. It was only when he lost one of the Aston sisters that he realised how much his heart needed her. It kept him awake at night and depressed him during the day. This talk of uprisings in Zaibach and rioting beast people in Fanelia made Allen wish he had never heard of the heavenly knights. There was too much on his mind right now. He felt like just going home and going to straight to bed. However as the carriage came to a stop outside the Schezar estate, Allen knew that wasn't going to happen.
Two of the older maids in the house, Drasil and May stood outside the main entrance, looking much stressed. When they saw the Lord of the house, their panic rose.
"Oh! Sir Schezar! Forgive us for sayin' but you'll have to do somethin' about Lady Celena. She took in a wild beast man. Mr Gaddes is upstairs wit' 'im now. The scoundrel! What a mess he was in when they took 'im in. Saints be praised he has bitten some poor devil yet!"
Allen's face descended into a deep scowl. "Thank you ladies, now excuse me" He said lowly passing between them into the house. The pair of plump maids watched after him, concern mixed with endless curiosity etched into their weather worn faces. Allen marched into the foyer and glanced about him; no sign of anyone. All but leaping up the stairs he detected voices in quiet conversation, and like a tiger stalking its prey, followed the sound mercilessly. Allen's temper was being tested. It had not been a good day for the knight, and Allen was going to make sure it was a good night for neither Celena nor Gaddes. Bursting through the door to Celena's drawing room, he found his sister perched upon the love seat, Gaddes slouched uncomfortably against the window, and a huge dogman seated between them. The recognition spread across his face instantly, as the occupants of the room became aware of his presence. The beast man turned to face him to reveal the burnt and scarred visage of a war weary soldier, but more disturbing still was that Allen recognised the creature even through the deformation. He had fought this same great Afghan hound on the battle field; he had been a Zaibach soldier, protecting the disgusting mutation they called Dilandau. Allen instantly drew his sword.
The room seemed to jump to attention. Gaddes seemed not to know what to do and hovered tensely between Allen and his sister. Celena leapt up, distressed and upset by her brother's unusual behaviour. The large Beast man seemed to watch the knight calmly, almost sadly.
"Allen" Celena's weak voice barely scraped the silence, but Allen heard it.
"What is the meaning of this Celena?" His voice was low but sharp. His sister recoiled from the cold edge it carried. Losing her nerve she held a hand to her mouth. She felt like the silly little girl she never got to be. A red hot blush crept over her features and her eyes smarted. She didn't like confrontation and in that instant realised that Allen would never listen to any reason she could come up with. As though trying to rescue her, she heard Gaddes' voice break the quiet.
"Boss, he showed up here today, Celena wanted to let him in, but I would have protected her if anything had happened. He says his name is-"
"I know who he is!" Allen snapped, silencing his trusted second in command icily. Jajuka stayed unmoving, undaunted by Allen's apparent anger and cold menacing stare which had never moved from him. Gaddes seemed to become very uncomfortable, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly; the greatest sign of his fear in the face of Allen's anger. There was a whole world of trouble he was getting himself into by taking responsibility.
"Why did you come here?" Allen now addressed Jajuka with such distain it drew both pairs of eyes in the room to the confrontation where they had been previously aimed shamefully at the floor. The tall stalky beast man spoke with the same soft, emotionless, patience he always did.
"I came to be assured that Celena had been returned to where she belonged-"
"Lair!" The Knight Caeli screamed in a rage, drawing his sword down to his side in one forceful swipe. Celena, deeply startled by her brother's uncharacteristic outburst, sprang to Jajuka's side.
"No brother! He's not a liar! He looked after me, he brought me back!" Allen's gaze shifted for the first time since he had entered, to the impish, clear-eyed girl in front of him. There was such concern played out on her face, more than he had ever seen. He seemed to search her eyes, a confused frown twitching on his brow. He looked almost hurt by her pleas as though somehow she was betraying him.
"But Celena…" Couldn't she understand that all he was trying to do was protect her? But how could he if she wouldn't let him?
"Jajuka is my friend Allen" She said quietly but firmly, taking the beast man's furry paw in her own. The sight of it riled him again.
"Celena go to your room"
"What?"
"Didn't you hear me? Go to your room!"
"But Allen…"
"Go!"
* * *
Allen had never shouted at her before. It was frightening. Scary. Tears began to fill up in her eyes and spill down her cheeks with a burning heat she had never felt before. Fleeing from the room, Celena questioned whether her actions were right, whether her intentions were correct or if Allen had some higher understanding and somehow she had made the most egregious mistake ever. Whatever the truth, she knew she couldn't face Allen again for a while, or Gaddes for that matter. He had unwillingly followed what she had desired because he was under the employ of her family; her. Now he would be severely reprimanded, if not dismissed and it would be all her fault. She might never see him again, and as for Jajuka; well what would Allen do with him?
* * *
"Well? Answer me?" Allen stood fixed on the spot, his question still hanging the air. The three men hadn't moved since Celena's emotional exit some time ago. Rage was boiling inside the knight. He had already sent for the Asturian guard to come and arrest the beast man and now wanted to do the interrogation himself. However the ex-Zaibach soldier was not shaken by the temper of the swordsman. In a flurry of movement Allen struck Jajuka with the hilt of his sword, knocking his face to the side and causing him to stumble.
Gaddes felt a slight fear creep up the back of his neck. He knew how deadly his commander could be with a sword and in a guymelef, but with rage; well, he didn't want to think about it. "Sir" he all but whispered, hearing the coach and horses draw up outside. "The guards are here"
"Go and let them in" was the curt reply he was dismissed with. Nodding quickly he hurriedly left the room, understanding why Celena had been so eager. Gaddes wasn't a racist, really, but he didn't hold much fondness for the beast people of Gaia, having been brought up in a normal Asturian family. However he didn't want to return to the room to find that Jajuka had been the victim of Allen's blade. The creature didn't deserve that. Gaddes had always been taught not to share utensils with beast people, or to make skin to skin contact with them as he might get parasites; all Asturian children were brought up thinking the same, it was just the way things were. But Gaddes wasn't racist.
* * *
Celena walked to the top of the staircase and watched silently, as four guards marched her beloved servant and carer, Jajuka out of the large doors. Allen stood stoicly, watching as the "Zaibach scum" was taken away to be given a long drop with a short stop. Gaddes looked a little more reluctant, but nonetheless unashamed of the evil deed about to take place. Yet she felt glued to the spot. Unable to plead with her brother, unable to looked the man she adored in the eyes and unable to see her beloved Jajuka again.
Allen watched mutely as the prisoner was loaded into the back of the armoured carriage. However there were still some issues to be resolved. Turning his back on the departing vehicle, Allen turned his wrath on his most trusted friend. "Gaddes" If he had shouted the poor man's name he wouldn't have got a more attentive response. "I expected more from you." Fire was smouldering in those blue eyes which usually held so much intellect and calm. Gaddes could do nothing but give him the respect to meet his stare. Allen looked away, a hint of sadness in those passionate eyes. "I can't trust you with this job any more. If you can't look after my sister properly, I don't think I can trust you with my fort…or my estate, my guymelef, …or my soldiers. You'll be leaving my regiment in the morning." Walking towards the stairs, he stopped for a moment "I won't be recommending you for another post" A short pause created a cruel timelessness in which Gaddes realised the severity of the exchange which had taken place. Gaddes stood open mouthed. He knew Allen would be angry and he had every right to be, but this was more severe than he had expected. He had lost his rank, his post, his job and his livelihood, perhaps most painful of all, he had lost his best friend. Everything he had ever enjoyed and been passionate about was lost to him now.
"I…I'll leave in the morning sir." Allen gave a short nod as he climbed the stairs. Celena rooted to the spot, dreaded the moment Allen would pass her, and as he did, he glanced venomously at her.
"You are a foolish girl Celena Schezar" The simple words cut deep and painfully making her blush in shame. Guiltily she peered down the landing where Gaddes fiddled with his collar pin, advertising his rank. Placing it delicately on the larger bottom marble step, he straightened up and glanced around him nervously. Obviously his dismissal had been a huge knock to his confidence. Raising his head, he caught sight of her. Seeing the swollen red circles beneath her eyes he smiled weakly at her, and gave a small salute before turning tail and leaving upright through the Schezar doors for the last time.
Celena shrank against the banister and wondered frantically how she could have ruined her life so easily in one afternoon; but also how easily she could ruin three other lives along with hers. Maybe it would have been better for everyone she knew if she had just stayed lost forever, and maybe that was the answer. Pulling herself from the floor, she swiped her wet nose along the back of her hand, and gulped a self-pitying sniff back into her throat. If she could make everyone see the wonderful kind and beautiful creature she knew Jajuka was, then maybe Allen wouldn't be so angry with everyone and maybe Gaddes could have his job back. It seemed as clear as a children's drawing, so bare of complication and stress; just happiness.
However a plan such as this would require her to go to Asturia, and without Allen's knowing or permission. That would risk his anger again, but…it had to be done.