A/N: Yay, I'm updating this chapter so soon. All you people must be happy.
Personally, I'd like to thank all those wonderful and lovely reviewers who
reviewed my fic. And to that person who said that Tortall only had King,
Duke, Lord and Baron titles in that order, screw you. If you read pg. 34 of
Alanna: The First Adventure, you will see that Alanna talks about her not
knowing how to address a Lord as opposed to a Earl. Suck that and go read
that page. Yeah, and I know what pederast means also to another person who
told me, quite arrogantly, to look it up. I couldn't find another word that
existed in the Middle Ages meaning gay or lesbian for women, so I had to
use that one. And Nicole, I really hate you right now. You're not my friend
any more. Its also my birthday! April 27! Happy Birthday to me...
Rekindled
Chapter13: Prophecy
By: DarkDracon0
" You have been called back to the capital, Commander," stated the messenger. Dante arched his eyebrow. " Under whose authority and for what reason?"
" His Majesty commands it and I was not told the reason toward the action."
" Oh? Commands it? Not merely requests it? Does he me that much? Well, then, tell him that I'm staying right here because I am going to fight the war and he can go to the Dark God's realm for all I care." The messenger frowned at him and reached into the pouch slung over his shoulder. He withdrew a neatly folded sheet of parchment with the royal seal and handed it to him. Dante swore. Damn, the king knew he would refuse and sent along a message on parchemnt. Now, he couldn't get away with it. Damn Jon to hell and beyond. Dante broke the seal and read the letter. Curse Jon, once he got to Corus he planned on blackmailing him. Had he found the prophecy so soon?
" You are dismissed. I will leave tonight once I have all my bags packed." The messenger bowed and left the tent. Dante crumpled the letter, imagining that it was Jon's head. By the time Dante was done with the piece of parchment, it was shredded up into millions of pieces. He ordered a few servants to pack his bags and possessions. " Oh, and please go get Commander Keladry of Mindelan to meet me at the Officer's Tent within the hour. Its urgent," he said to one of them.
In an hour, Dante's bags were ready and there was a band of soldiers that were to stay with in case Dante was attacked. Kel was waiting for Dante when he entered. " What is it this time, Dante?" Kel growled, in a splendidly foul mood at the moment. If this was about bedding him again... She'd really hurt him. Dante tossed her an easy smile and sat down on a nearby stool.
" I've been called back to Corus."
" Have they finally realised what an ass you are?" Dante's smile didn't even slip at her reply.
" Not at all. They want to discuss an important matter with me." Kel's right eye twitched.
" They?"
" The king and queen. Along with Duke Gareth the Younger."
" What would they want with such a useless thing like you?" That was truly uncalled for, but Kel was not in the mood. Dante kept on smiling. Stupid prick.
" Just important things. Think you can manage without me?" Kel's right eye twitched again.
" Of course. Do you think I'm one of those empty-headed ladies at court?"
" No. You're far too lovely to be one of those females. I'm leaving tonight and I may return within a few days."
" The longer the better. Now get going because I now feel like hitting something. Preferably you." Dante laughed and strode out of the tent. Kel's fist shook for a moment. She truly wanted to hit the bastard. Kel merely sighed after she got her fist under control. She'd beat him once he gets back from this 'important' trip.
Palace of Corus
King's Private Study
" Have you found the prophecy so quickly, Jon?" The king shook his head. " I'm afraid not. I'm still looking through the library. There are more books in there than there are the days of my life."
" We're going to have to find it soon. Before they strike. You know what they do if they are let loose and we don't find the prophecy. I believe you read the recorded history of that time?"
" Of course. That is why I'm helping you." Jon looked away for a second. " They jump on you and tear your face up. But they eat you alive. They're so quick that its impossible to catch any of them. Not even shielding spells can keep you safe from the monsters. Anybody could be in danger of being attacked by any of them.They last one they killed was the Crown Heir. Tortall nearly fell into a civil war when the king and queen died. I don't want that to happen here and now."
" Then keep looking for the prophecy. I must question you, jon, why did want me here? You could have just sent a message." Jon looked at Dante.
" I'm sorry for what I did Dante, but you're brother never died in that attack." Dante got up, so sudden that the chair he was sitting on flipped over. " What do you mean, 'my brother never died in the attack'?"
" He never died in the attack. He is here, at Corus. The men at Brighton Hall all thought that he had died because a few of my men were there and told them that he had died and he was never found. Truth is, the attack was perfect for Tysen to do a disappearing act. He kept himself out of sight of his men and then he rode to the nearby woods, hiding there. Once your men were convinced that he was dead, he rode to Corus with my own men. I did this because it was to make you fight harder in the war."
Dante stared at the bastard, trembling with anger and shock.
" You damnable ass, you made me fight in your war harder because I wanted to get revenge. How foolish I was, to think that my twin could so easily defeated by a few bandits and raiders. You know what Jon? You're a coward, you don't fight your own fights and you let others do it for you because you're the damn king! I know what a womanizer and seducer you were when you were young. Did you marry Thayet out of lust? Not love? That's what rumor is. Then there were so many other women. Any girl would want to warm your bed for you. Yes, but there was one who had the sense to refuse you. Alanna. If she had married you, you would have tired of her within months and gone to another for your own pleasure.
" Then there was Duke Roger. Why did you not fight him yourself? You let Alanna deal with that. If she hadn't fought him, you'd be dead right now and him on the throne. Do you still lust after Alanna? I know everything that went on between you two. You wanted her to marry you. You wanted all the women. But you're an old man now. I don't think any girl would want an old man to please, but you're king. If they gain your favor, they'll have gifts showered upon them by you. I want to know if you cheat on your, Jon."
Dante was still shaking, but Jon now looked a bit angry and guilty himself.
" I do not let others do my fighting," the king growled. " I know about my past reputation, but that was a long time ago. I love Thayet and all my children. And no, I don't have any other women," he added. Dante sneered at him. " Then what was the reason for making me believe that Tysen was dead, Highness?" Jon sighed. " I'm sorry, I know that it was foolish. I needed the time to find the prophecy.The sooner the war with Scanra was done with, the better chance I have of finding it without any distractions." Dante glared at the king one last time and said tersely, " Find the prophecy." He left the room.
Dante left straight for the Chamber of the Ordeal. I must talk to the old coot, he thought. When he was before the great doors of the Chamber, he hesitated, remembering the time when he was there for his Ordeal. Dante shook his head and shoved at the door. surely, since he had already passed the Ordeal, he wouldn't have to do it again. The door opened quietly and smoothly. Dante looked around the bare room. It hasn't changed, he thought as he closed the heavy door. Dante walked a few stpes and stopped when the familiar voice boomed out, What is it you want, mortal? Dante answered, " I need to know where I can find the prophecy of the Four Masters." There was a moment of silence before the voice replied, You are back. The prophecy, you must find it soon. Time is running out for you.
" I know. I have no hope of finding it at this rate."
Your sense of time means nothing to me.
" Tell me where the prophecy can be found."
You are one of the Four Masters. You should know. I chose wisely when it was predicted and written down.
" Tell me where it is."
Follow your instincts.
" Is that it? Follow my instincts?"
What more do you wish? Dante sighed. It was no use arguing with the Chamber.
Will you ever go back to what you really are? Face what you are?
" What?"
You are the Danteis Schezar de Dracore, the first of the Four Masters, the most powerful beings. Stronger than the gods and the creators of this world. But will you ever go back to claim what is yours?
" The throne of Tortall? No, I will not. The world will never know that I gave the throne to the Conte line. What a sight it would be to see countries scorn Tortall and the Contes because it became known that the throne was never theirs, that it was always de Dracores that had the throne."
I meant the other Masters and the throne of the Divine Realm. What will you prove if you stay here in the mortal world?
" They are put to rest and I wish to stay here and enjoy what life has to offer me. The throne of the Divine Realms will have Mithros. They will never forget that I am watching them. It they happen to displease me, I will merely banish them back to where they came from and I will have to take the throne. Of course, I would never do that. I will not prove anything here except that I want nothing to do with the Gods and such." The Chamber didn't answer. That usually meant that it was done talking to him. Magic beings are fairly odd these days, was Dante's last thought.
A/N: So was it? Good, bad? I also want to thank a few people who reviewed 'Rekindled' more than once and have been really supportive: devilschild, MagixPawn, Princess Sanidaylene ( you've been real supportive!), tifflypuff, Serenity, Chib-Chingo, miss julep, Kelsey McCarthey, and Goddessnmb1.
Thanx you guys!
Rekindled
Chapter13: Prophecy
By: DarkDracon0
" You have been called back to the capital, Commander," stated the messenger. Dante arched his eyebrow. " Under whose authority and for what reason?"
" His Majesty commands it and I was not told the reason toward the action."
" Oh? Commands it? Not merely requests it? Does he me that much? Well, then, tell him that I'm staying right here because I am going to fight the war and he can go to the Dark God's realm for all I care." The messenger frowned at him and reached into the pouch slung over his shoulder. He withdrew a neatly folded sheet of parchment with the royal seal and handed it to him. Dante swore. Damn, the king knew he would refuse and sent along a message on parchemnt. Now, he couldn't get away with it. Damn Jon to hell and beyond. Dante broke the seal and read the letter. Curse Jon, once he got to Corus he planned on blackmailing him. Had he found the prophecy so soon?
" You are dismissed. I will leave tonight once I have all my bags packed." The messenger bowed and left the tent. Dante crumpled the letter, imagining that it was Jon's head. By the time Dante was done with the piece of parchment, it was shredded up into millions of pieces. He ordered a few servants to pack his bags and possessions. " Oh, and please go get Commander Keladry of Mindelan to meet me at the Officer's Tent within the hour. Its urgent," he said to one of them.
In an hour, Dante's bags were ready and there was a band of soldiers that were to stay with in case Dante was attacked. Kel was waiting for Dante when he entered. " What is it this time, Dante?" Kel growled, in a splendidly foul mood at the moment. If this was about bedding him again... She'd really hurt him. Dante tossed her an easy smile and sat down on a nearby stool.
" I've been called back to Corus."
" Have they finally realised what an ass you are?" Dante's smile didn't even slip at her reply.
" Not at all. They want to discuss an important matter with me." Kel's right eye twitched.
" They?"
" The king and queen. Along with Duke Gareth the Younger."
" What would they want with such a useless thing like you?" That was truly uncalled for, but Kel was not in the mood. Dante kept on smiling. Stupid prick.
" Just important things. Think you can manage without me?" Kel's right eye twitched again.
" Of course. Do you think I'm one of those empty-headed ladies at court?"
" No. You're far too lovely to be one of those females. I'm leaving tonight and I may return within a few days."
" The longer the better. Now get going because I now feel like hitting something. Preferably you." Dante laughed and strode out of the tent. Kel's fist shook for a moment. She truly wanted to hit the bastard. Kel merely sighed after she got her fist under control. She'd beat him once he gets back from this 'important' trip.
Palace of Corus
King's Private Study
" Have you found the prophecy so quickly, Jon?" The king shook his head. " I'm afraid not. I'm still looking through the library. There are more books in there than there are the days of my life."
" We're going to have to find it soon. Before they strike. You know what they do if they are let loose and we don't find the prophecy. I believe you read the recorded history of that time?"
" Of course. That is why I'm helping you." Jon looked away for a second. " They jump on you and tear your face up. But they eat you alive. They're so quick that its impossible to catch any of them. Not even shielding spells can keep you safe from the monsters. Anybody could be in danger of being attacked by any of them.They last one they killed was the Crown Heir. Tortall nearly fell into a civil war when the king and queen died. I don't want that to happen here and now."
" Then keep looking for the prophecy. I must question you, jon, why did want me here? You could have just sent a message." Jon looked at Dante.
" I'm sorry for what I did Dante, but you're brother never died in that attack." Dante got up, so sudden that the chair he was sitting on flipped over. " What do you mean, 'my brother never died in the attack'?"
" He never died in the attack. He is here, at Corus. The men at Brighton Hall all thought that he had died because a few of my men were there and told them that he had died and he was never found. Truth is, the attack was perfect for Tysen to do a disappearing act. He kept himself out of sight of his men and then he rode to the nearby woods, hiding there. Once your men were convinced that he was dead, he rode to Corus with my own men. I did this because it was to make you fight harder in the war."
Dante stared at the bastard, trembling with anger and shock.
" You damnable ass, you made me fight in your war harder because I wanted to get revenge. How foolish I was, to think that my twin could so easily defeated by a few bandits and raiders. You know what Jon? You're a coward, you don't fight your own fights and you let others do it for you because you're the damn king! I know what a womanizer and seducer you were when you were young. Did you marry Thayet out of lust? Not love? That's what rumor is. Then there were so many other women. Any girl would want to warm your bed for you. Yes, but there was one who had the sense to refuse you. Alanna. If she had married you, you would have tired of her within months and gone to another for your own pleasure.
" Then there was Duke Roger. Why did you not fight him yourself? You let Alanna deal with that. If she hadn't fought him, you'd be dead right now and him on the throne. Do you still lust after Alanna? I know everything that went on between you two. You wanted her to marry you. You wanted all the women. But you're an old man now. I don't think any girl would want an old man to please, but you're king. If they gain your favor, they'll have gifts showered upon them by you. I want to know if you cheat on your, Jon."
Dante was still shaking, but Jon now looked a bit angry and guilty himself.
" I do not let others do my fighting," the king growled. " I know about my past reputation, but that was a long time ago. I love Thayet and all my children. And no, I don't have any other women," he added. Dante sneered at him. " Then what was the reason for making me believe that Tysen was dead, Highness?" Jon sighed. " I'm sorry, I know that it was foolish. I needed the time to find the prophecy.The sooner the war with Scanra was done with, the better chance I have of finding it without any distractions." Dante glared at the king one last time and said tersely, " Find the prophecy." He left the room.
Dante left straight for the Chamber of the Ordeal. I must talk to the old coot, he thought. When he was before the great doors of the Chamber, he hesitated, remembering the time when he was there for his Ordeal. Dante shook his head and shoved at the door. surely, since he had already passed the Ordeal, he wouldn't have to do it again. The door opened quietly and smoothly. Dante looked around the bare room. It hasn't changed, he thought as he closed the heavy door. Dante walked a few stpes and stopped when the familiar voice boomed out, What is it you want, mortal? Dante answered, " I need to know where I can find the prophecy of the Four Masters." There was a moment of silence before the voice replied, You are back. The prophecy, you must find it soon. Time is running out for you.
" I know. I have no hope of finding it at this rate."
Your sense of time means nothing to me.
" Tell me where the prophecy can be found."
You are one of the Four Masters. You should know. I chose wisely when it was predicted and written down.
" Tell me where it is."
Follow your instincts.
" Is that it? Follow my instincts?"
What more do you wish? Dante sighed. It was no use arguing with the Chamber.
Will you ever go back to what you really are? Face what you are?
" What?"
You are the Danteis Schezar de Dracore, the first of the Four Masters, the most powerful beings. Stronger than the gods and the creators of this world. But will you ever go back to claim what is yours?
" The throne of Tortall? No, I will not. The world will never know that I gave the throne to the Conte line. What a sight it would be to see countries scorn Tortall and the Contes because it became known that the throne was never theirs, that it was always de Dracores that had the throne."
I meant the other Masters and the throne of the Divine Realm. What will you prove if you stay here in the mortal world?
" They are put to rest and I wish to stay here and enjoy what life has to offer me. The throne of the Divine Realms will have Mithros. They will never forget that I am watching them. It they happen to displease me, I will merely banish them back to where they came from and I will have to take the throne. Of course, I would never do that. I will not prove anything here except that I want nothing to do with the Gods and such." The Chamber didn't answer. That usually meant that it was done talking to him. Magic beings are fairly odd these days, was Dante's last thought.
A/N: So was it? Good, bad? I also want to thank a few people who reviewed 'Rekindled' more than once and have been really supportive: devilschild, MagixPawn, Princess Sanidaylene ( you've been real supportive!), tifflypuff, Serenity, Chib-Chingo, miss julep, Kelsey McCarthey, and Goddessnmb1.
Thanx you guys!