Hey y'all! I got some reviews telling me to continue quickly, so I'm
continuing quickly. Much love to PrincessRei-PrinceJed, Aurora, Fire's
Dew, and an anonymous reviewer. Y'all are too kind. Fire's Dew that was
the sweetest review I've ever gotten. THANK YOU!!! I hope this will meet
your expectations. Of course I remember when Mina TRIED to be a nurse,
Aurora. Where do you think I got the idea? It was so funny; I decided to
make it serious. ;-)
Disclaimer: I own nothing except any background chars I created specifically for this fic. BSSM belongs to Takeuchi Naoko and not me unfortunately.
Chapter summary: Mina, Lita, Ami and Rei lead peaceful lives, until someone kidnaps them, and they are brought before the king of another country.
Ladies-in-Waiting
Chapter 1-Stole
"Rei, get up! We have a lot of work to do!"
"I'm up!" Rei Keahi groaned and rolled out of bed. She pushed her long black hair out of her violet eyes sleepily. She opened the door to find her eternally happy cousin, Mina Burdette, smiling in front of the door.
"Are Ami and Lita up yet?" She asked, stifling a yawn.
"Ami and Lita have been up for hours." Mina said, referring to their other cousins, Ami Akili and Lita Sylvan. "Lita's getting the cows out from the pasture, and Ami's getting ready to go check up on Ms. Brown, the expectant lady down the street. I have to go check on Mr. Morley and see how his leg's doing."
"Why's Ami taking care of Mrs. Brown? She hates us and thinks we're witches, just because her older sons and her husband can't keep their eyes off of us." Rei pointed out, wrinkling her nose.
"Be that as it may, we're the only healers this village has. It's our responsibility to take care of all the villagers, no matter what they think of us." Mina replied gently.
"I still don't understand. But oh well. Let me dress." Mina left and Rei threw on her red dress and laced up the bodice. She and the others had been living together ever since their parents had died. Lita's had been the first to go, drowned in a boating accident. Ami's father had killed her mother, and then turned the knife on himself. Mina's parents had taken care of the girls for the longest, until they died of a mysterious disease. Rei's mother had died giving birth to her, and her father had left Rei in the care of Mina's parents. Rei had never seen him, nor did she want to. Rei hurriedly ran a brush through her hair and tied on a red kerchief around it. Mina was downstairs, putting things in her medicine bag. She and Ami were the finest healers the village had ever seen. Most, if not all of the people in Haydn could thank at least one for saving their lives or healing them.
"Don't forget, you've got that dress to finish for Mrs. Smith's daughter. Then you've got to take the Dean daughter's measurements." Mina reminded her cousin. More often than not, the four girls referred to themselves as sisters, since they were so close. They were well-known in the village for their talent and extraordinary beauty. Ami and Rei were described as exotic looking, and Mina and Lita had refreshingly clean beauty.
"I know. You get going. I'll be fine." Rei said, pushing her cousin towards the door. Mina kissed Rei on the cheek.
"I'll be back soon. Don't forget to sweep the kitchen floor." Mina reminded. Rei nodded, and Mina left for Mr. Morley's house. Rei and Lita ran their own sewing business. Lita made the basic design and the actual dress, and Rei added embellishments and other additions. The business was doing very well. Rei ate some breakfast and then began to add the last pieces of lace to the Smith dress. At around eight, Ami returned. She tidied up while Rei finished up the dress. Mina returned an hour later. At around noon, Marissa, daughter of the prominent Dean family, arrived for her fitting. Shortly after she'd left, Lita returned, dragging the family's two cows, Bess and Beth. All the girls helped out with the cleaning. At around eight, they began getting ready for bed. Their nightly routine included meeting in Mina's room to brush hair and talk about what their day had been like.
"Marissa is getting so tall! I'd swear she's grown at least three inches since I last measured her. She's only fifteen and she already towers over me." Rei said as Mina wove her hair into a braid.
"Mr. Morley is doing really well! He's such a nice man. Remember when he brought us homemade taffy for Christmas?" Mina said. Ami turned Mina's head, so she could continue braiding the lively girl's hair.
"Yeah. It was the best Christmas we'd ever had." Lita spoke up.
Ami smiled. "It really is nice how people do things for us. It's like we're one big family. I think Mrs. Brown will have the baby in at least a week. It'll probably be a girl, and she'll be born breech. But I think they'll both pull through." Ami said happily.
"That's good. New life is to be celebrated, even if the mother is an evil old hen. If you're finished Mina, I'm going to go meditate a little before bed." Rei said, excusing herself.
"We've got work tomorrow, so we'd best get some sleep." Lita said. The girls separated and went to their rooms for sleep.
Rei was meditating in the area of the house specifically constructed for that purpose. She knelt before the Sacred Fire in her priestess robes, her lips forming the words of the meditating chant. Her mind went into a state of relaxed consciousness. "Sacred Fire, guide myself and my family. I feel unrest in the village. What is going to happen to us?"
Rei saw an image. She and her sisters were bound and kneeling in front of a throne. A man was sitting in it. As in most of Rei's visions, his face was indistinct and clouded. Just behind him were four handsome men. The first was tall and had an aura of leadership around him. His long silvery blonde hair flowed around his shoulders, and his eyes were emotionless. The next man was taller still, and had brown hair and brown eyes. The next had red- gold hair and green eyes and was a little shorter than the former. His hair was tied into a low ponytail. The last man's face and features were indistinct, like the person on the throne. Lita said something, and one of their captors raised the butt of his spear.
When Rei came out of her trance, she was sweaty and her face was tearstained. She stood and stretched, and then made her way to her room. There she fell into a dreamless sleep.
At around midnight, Mina, the lightest sleeper of the four, was awakened by a persistent knocking at the door. Throwing a robe over her nightgown, she hurried downstairs. Throwing open the door revealed a thin young boy. Recognizing him, she asked, "Jared, what's wrong? Is Mrs. Brown alright?"
"The baby comes! You and Mistress Ami must hurry!" Jared gasped. Mina pulled him inside and ran upstairs. She came back with Lita and Ami in tow. Ami and Mina retrieved their medicine bags and began tossing things into them. Rei ran downstairs.
"What's going on?"
"Mrs. Brown went into labor. From what Jared says, it's not going too well. We might need you and Lita's help." Mina explained, tossing some clean linen into another bag. Rei nodded and began pulling down herbs from shelves. Lita grabbed everyone's coats and then helped in pulling out more linen. The four girls and Jared set out for the Brown residence.
"She's in the barn, mistresses." Jared said. Ami and Mina ran into the barn.
"Why's she in there instead of the house?" Lita asked.
"She heard the horses acting up and went out to quiet them." Jared explained.
"Rei, Lita, bring in some more lanterns! We can't see anything!" Ami called. The two girls lit some lanterns and rushed in. Mina and Ami were sitting with Mrs. Brown, who didn't look like she'd gone into labor.
"What's going on?" Rei asked suspiciously.
"False alarm. I went to check the horses, and felt a couple pains. I mistakenly took them for labor pains." Mrs. Brown explained a bit too calmly for someone who had thought they were going into labor. Ami screamed. Mina turned to see what had frightened her, and everything went black.
"I'm sure our king will appreciate this gift." A man said, tossing Lita over his shoulder.
"I'm not doing it for him. These four have been corrupting the men in this village, with the witchcraft they call healing. They bewitched our husbands and sons and it is my pleasure to get rid of them." Mrs. Brown said coldly. Three other men picked Ami, Rei, and Mina up. With a mocking salute to the pregnant woman, the four men disappeared into the darkness.
Rei was the first to come around. It was daytime, and she was in a carriage. She tried to lift her hand, and found that she was bound with rope, as well as gagged. Blinking her eyes against the light, she made out the figures of her cousins, all bound in the same manner as she. Rei stopped struggling and paid close attention to the sounds. Voices came from just outside the carriage.
"When should we get to the palace?"
"By nightfall. It's lucky for us that village was so close to our border. Has Christian said what we're to say they are?"
"They're to be presents for the king's four generals, a sign of peace from the Nabolese village Haydn, in return for protection against their king."
"Good idea. King Endymion will surely be pleased."
"And what of Queen Serenity?"
"We'll ask for an audience with just the king and the generals. His Majesty will make us nobles for this!"
Mina groaned. Her eyelashes fluttered open, and she took stock of her surroundings. She caught sight of Rei, who made a silence gesture with her head. Mina nodded and motioned to Ami and Lita. Rei shrugged and jerked her head towards outside. Mina began listening to their captors' conversation.
"But what if he tells her?"
"We can say that they're new ladies-in-waiting for her. In private we can tell the King the truth."
"I like the way this is going. Can you imagine the price His Majesty will pay for these gifts?"
"Especially if we tell him that they're gifts for his infamously unlucky-in-love generals?"
"Or we could say that they're servants."
"Let's stick with gifts. I bet the generals will be pleased. I always suspected they could use their own women to their advantage."
Mina shuddered at the lascivious tone of voice the man used. Beside her, Lita was coming awake. Lita shot straight up, and began struggling to take off her bonds. The carriage stopped. A man opened the door.
"So, some of you are awake. Don't struggle; it'll just make it worse." One of the men cautioned. "If you agree not to scream, we'll unloose the gags. Do you agree?"
Mina nodded, and the man began removing the gags. Once they were all ungagged the man left. "What are we supposed to do? I caught a glimpse outside, and there's nothing there. We're in the middle of nowhere."
"What are they going to do to us?" Ami asked quietly from beside Rei. She had awoken without anyone noticing. Rei rubbed Ami's cheek with her own.
"They're taking us to Tailona. We're to be presents for their king's generals." Mina answered. The oldest at nineteen, she was the leader of the four, and the one the other girls turned to for answers.
"What do you mean 'presents'?" Lita asked suspiciously.
"Evidentially, these 'generals' are unlucky in love, and these thugs thought they'd want female companionship." Rei answered. Ami went even paler than usual.
"Isn't there any way to escape these ropes?" Lita asked.
"No. Rei and I have already tried. It's impossible. These ropes were tied by an expert." Mina said dispiritedly.
"So we're trapped until we get to their king?" Ami asked, her voice rising with each word. She was the baby of the family at seventeen, and the one everyone looked out for the most.
"Yes, I'm afraid we are. But don't worry honey; we'll get out of this some way. First of all, I think Mrs. Brown set us up." Lita said.
"You're right, she probably did. It can't be helped now. We've got to remain calm and collected, no matter what happens. We might be separated. If so, try to find where the others are, and figure out a way to get to them. These so-called generals don't seem like nice people, so be on guard at all times. Lita and I are the only ones who actually carry weapons, so Rei and Ami will have to make their own, or steal one." Mina said.
"I've got four knives on me. If we're all together when we're untied, then I'll give two to Rei and Ami, so they won't be defenseless." Lita said.
"That's settled. Now, we don't have much to do until we get to this king, so why don't we get some sleep in shifts? Ami and Lita will go first." Mina ordered. Lita and Ami fixed themselves into comfortable positions and drifted off.
"Mina, what are we going to do? From what I understand, the king hates foreigners." Rei whispered.
"We can't do anything until we get there. For now, we can just sit back. If we manage to get away, where will we go? The people in Haydn betrayed us, and we have no family." Mina reflected.
"We'll just have to leave this country and travel where we can. You and Ami can be traveling healers. That should earn us food and possibly a place to stay." Rei said.
"Good idea, but which country can we go to?"
"Let's see. Tailona is bordered by Iless, Jermnca, and Ruath. We could go to any one of those." Rei mused.
"Ruath is probably our best choice. Iless, Jermnca, and Tailona are all well known for their dislike of Nabolese."
"Ruath it is. If ever we get a chance to flee, we set out east toward Ruath."
"What time is it?"
Rei could see a glimpse of the countryside. "It's fast approaching dusk. We should be arriving at the palace soon. Wake Lita and Ami." Rei did as ordered.
"Lita, Ami, we've got a plan. If we ever get a chance to escape, we're going east toward Ruath. Do you agree?"
"Of course." Lita said. "Do you hear that?" Everyone turned their ears to a window. Loud talking and animal noises could be heard.
"I think we're approaching the city. I haven't had anything to drink or eat since yesterday. I'm famished!" Ami groaned.
"We all are. Maybe they'll feed us when we get to the palace." Mina said.
"Do you feel that? We're stopping." Lita said.
The door opened, and one of their captors poked his head through. "You beauties are staying in here whilst we get some food. Have fun!" He shut the door, and left them in the dark.
"I guess we aren't getting any food." Ami said softly. Rei gave her a hug, or at least as close as she could give one while tied.
"At least we're still together. Don't worry Ami, we'll get through this. After all, we're us!"
"Rei's right, Ami." Lita said. "So long as we're together, nothing can hurt us."
"We're the four musketeers. One for all, and all for one." Mina added. She yawned.
"We forgot about giving you some sleep. We'll wake you when we have to leave." Ami said. Rei and Mina curled up against Ami and Lita, and fell asleep.
"Lita, what do you think they'll be like?"
"I wish I could say something positive, but I can't. King Endymion's generals are rumored to be fierce and cold-blooded, in battle. Two of them have reputations as insatiable womanizers."
"And what of the other two?" Ami whispered.
"Coldhearted in the extreme. They're brothers." Lita said. Ami frowned and a tear ran down her cheek. "We'll be fine, baby sister." Lita reassured. Ami and Lita stayed silent for about an hour, keeping on the alert for voices. At last, Lita heard the now-familiar voices of their captors. "Rei, Mina, someone's coming." Rei and Mina woke up just as the door was being thrown open.
"Well, me beauties, tis time for your audience with the king." Lita and company were unceremoniously dragged out from the carriage and hustled toward the inside of the palace. They were towed to a large meeting room, where five men waited. One of them was sitting on a throne, and the other four were sitting in smaller chairs. One of the kidnappers forced the girls to their knees with his spear butt.
"What do we have here, Christian?" The man on the throne asked.
"Well, King Endymion, these four are presents to your generals from the village Haydn in Nabol, in return for protection from their king."
"My wife will be displeased."
"They can also serve as ladies-in-waiting to Her Majesty, that is, if your generals choose to accept them."
Lita raised herself to her knees. "I demand food and water for myself and my sisters. We have had nothing to eat or drink since yesterday."
One of the kidnappers raised his spear. "Why you little..." He prepared to strike at the bound woman. Quick as a flash, Lita got to her feet and launched herself at the man. Mina and the others joined in, using their teeth against their captors. The fight was over soon, and Lita was dragged forward, blood running down her chin.
"This one is particularly dangerous, Majesty. I'd recommend her immediate death." One of the generals, the one with the long brown hair, came to stand in front of Lita. He tipped her chin up with his sword.
"My, my, my. You are quite the feisty one, aren't you? Any other person would be dead by now."
"Kill me then." Lita said indifferently. Ami gasped and Mina gave Lita a deep look.
"Nephrite, I do believe you've taken a liking to that one. She's yours."
"I belong to no one!" Lita snarled.
"Well, you belong to him now. Get used to it." Endymion said. "And the rest of you, my generals?"
"I'll take the black haired one." The one whose face Rei hadn't been able to see spoke.
"I'll take the blonde then. The blue-haired one looks like she's about to faint." The leader of the generals said.
"I guess I get the one with the blue hair." The last general said.
"That's that then. Generals, take these women to your quarters and get them cleaned up." Endymion ordered. He tossed a sack of gold at the captors. "You've done well. Split that among yourselves." The men bowed and left. "Generals, you are dismissed." Endymion said. The generals bowed and left.
They walked until they came upon a junction in the hallway. They each took different paths. Nephrite walked with Lita in silence. "I saved your life, you know." He said suddenly.
"How? You wanted to kill me."
"I knew that if Endymion thought I had taken a liking to you, he wouldn't have you killed."
"Thanks ever so much. Instead of being dead, I'm a, a, a sex slave!"
"You are not! I don't want you like that. What do you think we are barbarians?"
"Pretty damn close."
"Well we're not. I'm taking you to see my adopted sister, Lady Hotaru. She'll get you cleaned up. By the way, I'm Nephrite."
"Whatever." Lita mumbled. Nephrite gave her a quick glance, and then pulled out his sword. Lita looked up in surprise and a bit of fear. Nephrite brought his sword swinging down to cut her bonds away. Lita gave a sharp gasp as the circulation was brought back to her hands and feet. After walking for a bit more, they came to a large oaken door. He knocked, and a frail looking young woman answered the door.
"Neph, what in the world?" The girl asked, startled.
"She's a present from some remote village in Nabol. As you can see, dear sister, she's in desperate need of a bath and some clean clothes. I thought I'd take her to you."
"Very well. Bring her in." Nephrite did as he was bid, and left without another glance.
"What did you do for your village to hate you so?" Hotaru asked gently.
"My sisters and I were branded as witches and then kidnapped." Lita replied. "Were you taken away too?"
"Yes. My name is Hotaru Than, from a small village in the east of Tailona, and I was branded as a witch and brought here to die. Queen Serenity took pity on me and let me stay here. Nephrite adopted me as his sister. I do believe this nightdress is long enough for you." Hotaru said, holding up a tan dress. "The bath is just through that door."
"Thank you, Hotaru. My name is Lita Sylvan, from Nabol." Lita said as she went into the room. She undressed and climbed into the warm water. Hotaru entered the room, just as Lita was settling in. She caught sight of the gigantic bruises Lita sported and gasped.
"What happened, Lita?"
"I got into a fight with the people who kidnapped me." Lita replied. Hotaru cast her hands over the older girl's back. The bruises shrank and vanished.
"There you go." Hotaru murmured her face pale. Lita wiggled her shoulders experimentally.
"It doesn't hurt anymore! What did you do?"
"That's why they wanted to kill me." Hotaru said softly.
"But it's a great talent!"
"They didn't think so. I'll leave you to your bath." Hotaru glided out of the room.
Meanwhile, Rei was in Jadeite's room, sitting in a corner. Jadeite watched her, his handsome face unreadable.
"What are you looking at?" Rei snapped.
"I thought you might want some sleep, or food, or at least a change of clothes and a bath." Jadeite went outside and was back in a short while, bearing bowls of food. Rei watched him suspiciously. "No, I haven't and do not poison food, so stop looking at me like that."
"I wouldn't put it past a Tailon." She muttered as she grabbed a piece of bread.
"And I wouldn't put it past a Nabolese to make such a rude comment, so we're even." Jadeite said calmly. Rei retreated to her corner, eating the bread.
"Why do you hate me so much? I didn't kidnap you. In fact, if I had my way, you'd still be in your village, as far from me as humanly possible."
"I don't hate you; I just don't trust you."
"Why? Have you heard of my reputation as a womanizer or something?"
"Yes, and I don't trust Tailons."
"Look, you're only staying in my quarters for the night. Tomorrow, you'll be moved in with the other ladies-in-waiting. I'll sleep on the floor if you're that scared."
"I'm not scared."
"Like hell you aren't." Quick as a flash, Jadeite reached out and ran his fingers through Rei's ebony hair. A frightened look crossed her face, but was rapidly replaced with her usual proud expression.
"I am not!"
"I saw the look on your face. You're scared of me."
"Whatever." Rei pulled her legs up to her chest and went to sleep.
Zoicite and Ami were walking down the hallway silently. Ami was trying hard to hold back tears. She choked back a sob, which Zoicite heard. "Don't cry. It's not that bad here."
"How would you feel if you found out your own village betrayed you and sent you as a present to a bunch of cold-blooded generals in a country that hates your people?" Ami choked out.
"I know the feeling. My brother and I are from Iless. We were sold as soldiers when we were very young. We fought our way up the ranks to become the King's most trusted Generals. If you would stand still, Miss, I'll remove those bonds." Zoicite took out a dagger and began sawing at Ami's ropes. When she was untied, he began walking again.
"I'm Ami Akili. What's your name? I figure that I might as well learn your name, since I'm to be your, um, gift."
"You are a person, and cannot be given to anyone. My name is Zoicite. It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Akili." Zoicite said, stopping, bowing and then raising her hand to his lips. Ami blushed.
"It's nice to meet you as well, General Zoicite." Ami said, dipping a curtsey.
"I hope we can be friends, instead of enemies. I know what you're going through, and I'd like to help. I hope you don't mind, but it's too late to put you with the other ladies-in-waiting, so you'll have to spend the night in my room." Zoicite said as he opened a door. "There are two beds, so you may have one for the night. Are you hungry, thirsty? Perhaps you'd like a bath?"
"A bath would be nice, General." Ami said shyly. Zoicite went to the hallway, and came back with a beautiful aqua-haired woman.
"This is Lady Michelle. She'll look after you. Michi, this is Ms. Ami Akili, my gift." He said the last part sarcastically.
Michelle smiled gently. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Akili. If you'll follow me, I'll get you into a hot bath right away." Michelle kissed Zoicite on the cheek and took Ami's hand. They left. "If I may ask a question, Ms. Akili?"
"You may."
"Why are you here?"
"My village saw my and my sister's healing talents as witchcraft, and sold us to some thug, who in turn took us in front of the king. We are supposed to be presents for the four Generals."
"If Zoicite has his way, and doubtless he will, you'll be a lady- in-waiting, and nothing more. No matter what you may have heard, Zoi is a very kind person. He wants no part in taking people from their homes to be gifts."
"I gathered as such. Lady Michelle, are you and he, um..."
Michelle gave a crystal-like laugh. "A couple? Of course not! He prefers solitude, and I prefer the company of my husband, Amara. We are friends and nothing more."
"Oh." She didn't know why, but hearing that made Ami feel a little better.
Kunzite and Mina had just arrived in the general's room, when he gave a slight grunt of pain. Mina spotted a large dark red stain on his shoulder. "Excuse me, General, but what ails you?"
"It's nothing." Kunzite said through gritted teeth. "You'll be moving to the ladies-in-waiting quarters tomorrow, so I suggest you get some sleep."
"I do apologize, General Kunzite, but I am a healer and I can NOT sit around and twiddle my thumbs while someone is in pain." Mina said. In a softer voice she added, "Even if that someone is an extremely cold-hearted, perverted Tailon."
"I heard that, Ms..."
"Burdette. Sit down while I bandage your wound." Kunzite, surprisingly, sat, and Mina tore off a part of her dress. She took out her emergency medical supplies from a secret pocket on her dress. "Take your shirt off."
"WHAT!?!"
"How do you expect me to bandage that, when I can't see it?" Mina replied sharply. Kunzite grumbled, but took off his shirt. Mina gasped at the sight of the large jagged cut. "General, where can I get some water?"
"Through that door." Mina went and got some water. She came back and applied a poultice to the wound. She neatly bandaged it. "I'm finished, General."
"Many thanks, Ms. Burdette, it was neatly done. If you'd like to sleep, I would gladly sleep elsewhere for the night."
"I would appreciate it, General Kunzite." Kunzite bowed, and after gathering up some items, left the room. Mina lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
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Howzat? I thought it was alright. Next chapter: the four girls meet Queen Serenity. Ami has an interesting run-in in the library. Well, anywayz, please review, but NO FLAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will tell you some stuff if you flame me, and trust it won't be pretty. Peace!!!!!!!
Isis Aurora Tomoe
Disclaimer: I own nothing except any background chars I created specifically for this fic. BSSM belongs to Takeuchi Naoko and not me unfortunately.
Chapter summary: Mina, Lita, Ami and Rei lead peaceful lives, until someone kidnaps them, and they are brought before the king of another country.
Ladies-in-Waiting
Chapter 1-Stole
"Rei, get up! We have a lot of work to do!"
"I'm up!" Rei Keahi groaned and rolled out of bed. She pushed her long black hair out of her violet eyes sleepily. She opened the door to find her eternally happy cousin, Mina Burdette, smiling in front of the door.
"Are Ami and Lita up yet?" She asked, stifling a yawn.
"Ami and Lita have been up for hours." Mina said, referring to their other cousins, Ami Akili and Lita Sylvan. "Lita's getting the cows out from the pasture, and Ami's getting ready to go check up on Ms. Brown, the expectant lady down the street. I have to go check on Mr. Morley and see how his leg's doing."
"Why's Ami taking care of Mrs. Brown? She hates us and thinks we're witches, just because her older sons and her husband can't keep their eyes off of us." Rei pointed out, wrinkling her nose.
"Be that as it may, we're the only healers this village has. It's our responsibility to take care of all the villagers, no matter what they think of us." Mina replied gently.
"I still don't understand. But oh well. Let me dress." Mina left and Rei threw on her red dress and laced up the bodice. She and the others had been living together ever since their parents had died. Lita's had been the first to go, drowned in a boating accident. Ami's father had killed her mother, and then turned the knife on himself. Mina's parents had taken care of the girls for the longest, until they died of a mysterious disease. Rei's mother had died giving birth to her, and her father had left Rei in the care of Mina's parents. Rei had never seen him, nor did she want to. Rei hurriedly ran a brush through her hair and tied on a red kerchief around it. Mina was downstairs, putting things in her medicine bag. She and Ami were the finest healers the village had ever seen. Most, if not all of the people in Haydn could thank at least one for saving their lives or healing them.
"Don't forget, you've got that dress to finish for Mrs. Smith's daughter. Then you've got to take the Dean daughter's measurements." Mina reminded her cousin. More often than not, the four girls referred to themselves as sisters, since they were so close. They were well-known in the village for their talent and extraordinary beauty. Ami and Rei were described as exotic looking, and Mina and Lita had refreshingly clean beauty.
"I know. You get going. I'll be fine." Rei said, pushing her cousin towards the door. Mina kissed Rei on the cheek.
"I'll be back soon. Don't forget to sweep the kitchen floor." Mina reminded. Rei nodded, and Mina left for Mr. Morley's house. Rei and Lita ran their own sewing business. Lita made the basic design and the actual dress, and Rei added embellishments and other additions. The business was doing very well. Rei ate some breakfast and then began to add the last pieces of lace to the Smith dress. At around eight, Ami returned. She tidied up while Rei finished up the dress. Mina returned an hour later. At around noon, Marissa, daughter of the prominent Dean family, arrived for her fitting. Shortly after she'd left, Lita returned, dragging the family's two cows, Bess and Beth. All the girls helped out with the cleaning. At around eight, they began getting ready for bed. Their nightly routine included meeting in Mina's room to brush hair and talk about what their day had been like.
"Marissa is getting so tall! I'd swear she's grown at least three inches since I last measured her. She's only fifteen and she already towers over me." Rei said as Mina wove her hair into a braid.
"Mr. Morley is doing really well! He's such a nice man. Remember when he brought us homemade taffy for Christmas?" Mina said. Ami turned Mina's head, so she could continue braiding the lively girl's hair.
"Yeah. It was the best Christmas we'd ever had." Lita spoke up.
Ami smiled. "It really is nice how people do things for us. It's like we're one big family. I think Mrs. Brown will have the baby in at least a week. It'll probably be a girl, and she'll be born breech. But I think they'll both pull through." Ami said happily.
"That's good. New life is to be celebrated, even if the mother is an evil old hen. If you're finished Mina, I'm going to go meditate a little before bed." Rei said, excusing herself.
"We've got work tomorrow, so we'd best get some sleep." Lita said. The girls separated and went to their rooms for sleep.
Rei was meditating in the area of the house specifically constructed for that purpose. She knelt before the Sacred Fire in her priestess robes, her lips forming the words of the meditating chant. Her mind went into a state of relaxed consciousness. "Sacred Fire, guide myself and my family. I feel unrest in the village. What is going to happen to us?"
Rei saw an image. She and her sisters were bound and kneeling in front of a throne. A man was sitting in it. As in most of Rei's visions, his face was indistinct and clouded. Just behind him were four handsome men. The first was tall and had an aura of leadership around him. His long silvery blonde hair flowed around his shoulders, and his eyes were emotionless. The next man was taller still, and had brown hair and brown eyes. The next had red- gold hair and green eyes and was a little shorter than the former. His hair was tied into a low ponytail. The last man's face and features were indistinct, like the person on the throne. Lita said something, and one of their captors raised the butt of his spear.
When Rei came out of her trance, she was sweaty and her face was tearstained. She stood and stretched, and then made her way to her room. There she fell into a dreamless sleep.
At around midnight, Mina, the lightest sleeper of the four, was awakened by a persistent knocking at the door. Throwing a robe over her nightgown, she hurried downstairs. Throwing open the door revealed a thin young boy. Recognizing him, she asked, "Jared, what's wrong? Is Mrs. Brown alright?"
"The baby comes! You and Mistress Ami must hurry!" Jared gasped. Mina pulled him inside and ran upstairs. She came back with Lita and Ami in tow. Ami and Mina retrieved their medicine bags and began tossing things into them. Rei ran downstairs.
"What's going on?"
"Mrs. Brown went into labor. From what Jared says, it's not going too well. We might need you and Lita's help." Mina explained, tossing some clean linen into another bag. Rei nodded and began pulling down herbs from shelves. Lita grabbed everyone's coats and then helped in pulling out more linen. The four girls and Jared set out for the Brown residence.
"She's in the barn, mistresses." Jared said. Ami and Mina ran into the barn.
"Why's she in there instead of the house?" Lita asked.
"She heard the horses acting up and went out to quiet them." Jared explained.
"Rei, Lita, bring in some more lanterns! We can't see anything!" Ami called. The two girls lit some lanterns and rushed in. Mina and Ami were sitting with Mrs. Brown, who didn't look like she'd gone into labor.
"What's going on?" Rei asked suspiciously.
"False alarm. I went to check the horses, and felt a couple pains. I mistakenly took them for labor pains." Mrs. Brown explained a bit too calmly for someone who had thought they were going into labor. Ami screamed. Mina turned to see what had frightened her, and everything went black.
"I'm sure our king will appreciate this gift." A man said, tossing Lita over his shoulder.
"I'm not doing it for him. These four have been corrupting the men in this village, with the witchcraft they call healing. They bewitched our husbands and sons and it is my pleasure to get rid of them." Mrs. Brown said coldly. Three other men picked Ami, Rei, and Mina up. With a mocking salute to the pregnant woman, the four men disappeared into the darkness.
Rei was the first to come around. It was daytime, and she was in a carriage. She tried to lift her hand, and found that she was bound with rope, as well as gagged. Blinking her eyes against the light, she made out the figures of her cousins, all bound in the same manner as she. Rei stopped struggling and paid close attention to the sounds. Voices came from just outside the carriage.
"When should we get to the palace?"
"By nightfall. It's lucky for us that village was so close to our border. Has Christian said what we're to say they are?"
"They're to be presents for the king's four generals, a sign of peace from the Nabolese village Haydn, in return for protection against their king."
"Good idea. King Endymion will surely be pleased."
"And what of Queen Serenity?"
"We'll ask for an audience with just the king and the generals. His Majesty will make us nobles for this!"
Mina groaned. Her eyelashes fluttered open, and she took stock of her surroundings. She caught sight of Rei, who made a silence gesture with her head. Mina nodded and motioned to Ami and Lita. Rei shrugged and jerked her head towards outside. Mina began listening to their captors' conversation.
"But what if he tells her?"
"We can say that they're new ladies-in-waiting for her. In private we can tell the King the truth."
"I like the way this is going. Can you imagine the price His Majesty will pay for these gifts?"
"Especially if we tell him that they're gifts for his infamously unlucky-in-love generals?"
"Or we could say that they're servants."
"Let's stick with gifts. I bet the generals will be pleased. I always suspected they could use their own women to their advantage."
Mina shuddered at the lascivious tone of voice the man used. Beside her, Lita was coming awake. Lita shot straight up, and began struggling to take off her bonds. The carriage stopped. A man opened the door.
"So, some of you are awake. Don't struggle; it'll just make it worse." One of the men cautioned. "If you agree not to scream, we'll unloose the gags. Do you agree?"
Mina nodded, and the man began removing the gags. Once they were all ungagged the man left. "What are we supposed to do? I caught a glimpse outside, and there's nothing there. We're in the middle of nowhere."
"What are they going to do to us?" Ami asked quietly from beside Rei. She had awoken without anyone noticing. Rei rubbed Ami's cheek with her own.
"They're taking us to Tailona. We're to be presents for their king's generals." Mina answered. The oldest at nineteen, she was the leader of the four, and the one the other girls turned to for answers.
"What do you mean 'presents'?" Lita asked suspiciously.
"Evidentially, these 'generals' are unlucky in love, and these thugs thought they'd want female companionship." Rei answered. Ami went even paler than usual.
"Isn't there any way to escape these ropes?" Lita asked.
"No. Rei and I have already tried. It's impossible. These ropes were tied by an expert." Mina said dispiritedly.
"So we're trapped until we get to their king?" Ami asked, her voice rising with each word. She was the baby of the family at seventeen, and the one everyone looked out for the most.
"Yes, I'm afraid we are. But don't worry honey; we'll get out of this some way. First of all, I think Mrs. Brown set us up." Lita said.
"You're right, she probably did. It can't be helped now. We've got to remain calm and collected, no matter what happens. We might be separated. If so, try to find where the others are, and figure out a way to get to them. These so-called generals don't seem like nice people, so be on guard at all times. Lita and I are the only ones who actually carry weapons, so Rei and Ami will have to make their own, or steal one." Mina said.
"I've got four knives on me. If we're all together when we're untied, then I'll give two to Rei and Ami, so they won't be defenseless." Lita said.
"That's settled. Now, we don't have much to do until we get to this king, so why don't we get some sleep in shifts? Ami and Lita will go first." Mina ordered. Lita and Ami fixed themselves into comfortable positions and drifted off.
"Mina, what are we going to do? From what I understand, the king hates foreigners." Rei whispered.
"We can't do anything until we get there. For now, we can just sit back. If we manage to get away, where will we go? The people in Haydn betrayed us, and we have no family." Mina reflected.
"We'll just have to leave this country and travel where we can. You and Ami can be traveling healers. That should earn us food and possibly a place to stay." Rei said.
"Good idea, but which country can we go to?"
"Let's see. Tailona is bordered by Iless, Jermnca, and Ruath. We could go to any one of those." Rei mused.
"Ruath is probably our best choice. Iless, Jermnca, and Tailona are all well known for their dislike of Nabolese."
"Ruath it is. If ever we get a chance to flee, we set out east toward Ruath."
"What time is it?"
Rei could see a glimpse of the countryside. "It's fast approaching dusk. We should be arriving at the palace soon. Wake Lita and Ami." Rei did as ordered.
"Lita, Ami, we've got a plan. If we ever get a chance to escape, we're going east toward Ruath. Do you agree?"
"Of course." Lita said. "Do you hear that?" Everyone turned their ears to a window. Loud talking and animal noises could be heard.
"I think we're approaching the city. I haven't had anything to drink or eat since yesterday. I'm famished!" Ami groaned.
"We all are. Maybe they'll feed us when we get to the palace." Mina said.
"Do you feel that? We're stopping." Lita said.
The door opened, and one of their captors poked his head through. "You beauties are staying in here whilst we get some food. Have fun!" He shut the door, and left them in the dark.
"I guess we aren't getting any food." Ami said softly. Rei gave her a hug, or at least as close as she could give one while tied.
"At least we're still together. Don't worry Ami, we'll get through this. After all, we're us!"
"Rei's right, Ami." Lita said. "So long as we're together, nothing can hurt us."
"We're the four musketeers. One for all, and all for one." Mina added. She yawned.
"We forgot about giving you some sleep. We'll wake you when we have to leave." Ami said. Rei and Mina curled up against Ami and Lita, and fell asleep.
"Lita, what do you think they'll be like?"
"I wish I could say something positive, but I can't. King Endymion's generals are rumored to be fierce and cold-blooded, in battle. Two of them have reputations as insatiable womanizers."
"And what of the other two?" Ami whispered.
"Coldhearted in the extreme. They're brothers." Lita said. Ami frowned and a tear ran down her cheek. "We'll be fine, baby sister." Lita reassured. Ami and Lita stayed silent for about an hour, keeping on the alert for voices. At last, Lita heard the now-familiar voices of their captors. "Rei, Mina, someone's coming." Rei and Mina woke up just as the door was being thrown open.
"Well, me beauties, tis time for your audience with the king." Lita and company were unceremoniously dragged out from the carriage and hustled toward the inside of the palace. They were towed to a large meeting room, where five men waited. One of them was sitting on a throne, and the other four were sitting in smaller chairs. One of the kidnappers forced the girls to their knees with his spear butt.
"What do we have here, Christian?" The man on the throne asked.
"Well, King Endymion, these four are presents to your generals from the village Haydn in Nabol, in return for protection from their king."
"My wife will be displeased."
"They can also serve as ladies-in-waiting to Her Majesty, that is, if your generals choose to accept them."
Lita raised herself to her knees. "I demand food and water for myself and my sisters. We have had nothing to eat or drink since yesterday."
One of the kidnappers raised his spear. "Why you little..." He prepared to strike at the bound woman. Quick as a flash, Lita got to her feet and launched herself at the man. Mina and the others joined in, using their teeth against their captors. The fight was over soon, and Lita was dragged forward, blood running down her chin.
"This one is particularly dangerous, Majesty. I'd recommend her immediate death." One of the generals, the one with the long brown hair, came to stand in front of Lita. He tipped her chin up with his sword.
"My, my, my. You are quite the feisty one, aren't you? Any other person would be dead by now."
"Kill me then." Lita said indifferently. Ami gasped and Mina gave Lita a deep look.
"Nephrite, I do believe you've taken a liking to that one. She's yours."
"I belong to no one!" Lita snarled.
"Well, you belong to him now. Get used to it." Endymion said. "And the rest of you, my generals?"
"I'll take the black haired one." The one whose face Rei hadn't been able to see spoke.
"I'll take the blonde then. The blue-haired one looks like she's about to faint." The leader of the generals said.
"I guess I get the one with the blue hair." The last general said.
"That's that then. Generals, take these women to your quarters and get them cleaned up." Endymion ordered. He tossed a sack of gold at the captors. "You've done well. Split that among yourselves." The men bowed and left. "Generals, you are dismissed." Endymion said. The generals bowed and left.
They walked until they came upon a junction in the hallway. They each took different paths. Nephrite walked with Lita in silence. "I saved your life, you know." He said suddenly.
"How? You wanted to kill me."
"I knew that if Endymion thought I had taken a liking to you, he wouldn't have you killed."
"Thanks ever so much. Instead of being dead, I'm a, a, a sex slave!"
"You are not! I don't want you like that. What do you think we are barbarians?"
"Pretty damn close."
"Well we're not. I'm taking you to see my adopted sister, Lady Hotaru. She'll get you cleaned up. By the way, I'm Nephrite."
"Whatever." Lita mumbled. Nephrite gave her a quick glance, and then pulled out his sword. Lita looked up in surprise and a bit of fear. Nephrite brought his sword swinging down to cut her bonds away. Lita gave a sharp gasp as the circulation was brought back to her hands and feet. After walking for a bit more, they came to a large oaken door. He knocked, and a frail looking young woman answered the door.
"Neph, what in the world?" The girl asked, startled.
"She's a present from some remote village in Nabol. As you can see, dear sister, she's in desperate need of a bath and some clean clothes. I thought I'd take her to you."
"Very well. Bring her in." Nephrite did as he was bid, and left without another glance.
"What did you do for your village to hate you so?" Hotaru asked gently.
"My sisters and I were branded as witches and then kidnapped." Lita replied. "Were you taken away too?"
"Yes. My name is Hotaru Than, from a small village in the east of Tailona, and I was branded as a witch and brought here to die. Queen Serenity took pity on me and let me stay here. Nephrite adopted me as his sister. I do believe this nightdress is long enough for you." Hotaru said, holding up a tan dress. "The bath is just through that door."
"Thank you, Hotaru. My name is Lita Sylvan, from Nabol." Lita said as she went into the room. She undressed and climbed into the warm water. Hotaru entered the room, just as Lita was settling in. She caught sight of the gigantic bruises Lita sported and gasped.
"What happened, Lita?"
"I got into a fight with the people who kidnapped me." Lita replied. Hotaru cast her hands over the older girl's back. The bruises shrank and vanished.
"There you go." Hotaru murmured her face pale. Lita wiggled her shoulders experimentally.
"It doesn't hurt anymore! What did you do?"
"That's why they wanted to kill me." Hotaru said softly.
"But it's a great talent!"
"They didn't think so. I'll leave you to your bath." Hotaru glided out of the room.
Meanwhile, Rei was in Jadeite's room, sitting in a corner. Jadeite watched her, his handsome face unreadable.
"What are you looking at?" Rei snapped.
"I thought you might want some sleep, or food, or at least a change of clothes and a bath." Jadeite went outside and was back in a short while, bearing bowls of food. Rei watched him suspiciously. "No, I haven't and do not poison food, so stop looking at me like that."
"I wouldn't put it past a Tailon." She muttered as she grabbed a piece of bread.
"And I wouldn't put it past a Nabolese to make such a rude comment, so we're even." Jadeite said calmly. Rei retreated to her corner, eating the bread.
"Why do you hate me so much? I didn't kidnap you. In fact, if I had my way, you'd still be in your village, as far from me as humanly possible."
"I don't hate you; I just don't trust you."
"Why? Have you heard of my reputation as a womanizer or something?"
"Yes, and I don't trust Tailons."
"Look, you're only staying in my quarters for the night. Tomorrow, you'll be moved in with the other ladies-in-waiting. I'll sleep on the floor if you're that scared."
"I'm not scared."
"Like hell you aren't." Quick as a flash, Jadeite reached out and ran his fingers through Rei's ebony hair. A frightened look crossed her face, but was rapidly replaced with her usual proud expression.
"I am not!"
"I saw the look on your face. You're scared of me."
"Whatever." Rei pulled her legs up to her chest and went to sleep.
Zoicite and Ami were walking down the hallway silently. Ami was trying hard to hold back tears. She choked back a sob, which Zoicite heard. "Don't cry. It's not that bad here."
"How would you feel if you found out your own village betrayed you and sent you as a present to a bunch of cold-blooded generals in a country that hates your people?" Ami choked out.
"I know the feeling. My brother and I are from Iless. We were sold as soldiers when we were very young. We fought our way up the ranks to become the King's most trusted Generals. If you would stand still, Miss, I'll remove those bonds." Zoicite took out a dagger and began sawing at Ami's ropes. When she was untied, he began walking again.
"I'm Ami Akili. What's your name? I figure that I might as well learn your name, since I'm to be your, um, gift."
"You are a person, and cannot be given to anyone. My name is Zoicite. It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Akili." Zoicite said, stopping, bowing and then raising her hand to his lips. Ami blushed.
"It's nice to meet you as well, General Zoicite." Ami said, dipping a curtsey.
"I hope we can be friends, instead of enemies. I know what you're going through, and I'd like to help. I hope you don't mind, but it's too late to put you with the other ladies-in-waiting, so you'll have to spend the night in my room." Zoicite said as he opened a door. "There are two beds, so you may have one for the night. Are you hungry, thirsty? Perhaps you'd like a bath?"
"A bath would be nice, General." Ami said shyly. Zoicite went to the hallway, and came back with a beautiful aqua-haired woman.
"This is Lady Michelle. She'll look after you. Michi, this is Ms. Ami Akili, my gift." He said the last part sarcastically.
Michelle smiled gently. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Akili. If you'll follow me, I'll get you into a hot bath right away." Michelle kissed Zoicite on the cheek and took Ami's hand. They left. "If I may ask a question, Ms. Akili?"
"You may."
"Why are you here?"
"My village saw my and my sister's healing talents as witchcraft, and sold us to some thug, who in turn took us in front of the king. We are supposed to be presents for the four Generals."
"If Zoicite has his way, and doubtless he will, you'll be a lady- in-waiting, and nothing more. No matter what you may have heard, Zoi is a very kind person. He wants no part in taking people from their homes to be gifts."
"I gathered as such. Lady Michelle, are you and he, um..."
Michelle gave a crystal-like laugh. "A couple? Of course not! He prefers solitude, and I prefer the company of my husband, Amara. We are friends and nothing more."
"Oh." She didn't know why, but hearing that made Ami feel a little better.
Kunzite and Mina had just arrived in the general's room, when he gave a slight grunt of pain. Mina spotted a large dark red stain on his shoulder. "Excuse me, General, but what ails you?"
"It's nothing." Kunzite said through gritted teeth. "You'll be moving to the ladies-in-waiting quarters tomorrow, so I suggest you get some sleep."
"I do apologize, General Kunzite, but I am a healer and I can NOT sit around and twiddle my thumbs while someone is in pain." Mina said. In a softer voice she added, "Even if that someone is an extremely cold-hearted, perverted Tailon."
"I heard that, Ms..."
"Burdette. Sit down while I bandage your wound." Kunzite, surprisingly, sat, and Mina tore off a part of her dress. She took out her emergency medical supplies from a secret pocket on her dress. "Take your shirt off."
"WHAT!?!"
"How do you expect me to bandage that, when I can't see it?" Mina replied sharply. Kunzite grumbled, but took off his shirt. Mina gasped at the sight of the large jagged cut. "General, where can I get some water?"
"Through that door." Mina went and got some water. She came back and applied a poultice to the wound. She neatly bandaged it. "I'm finished, General."
"Many thanks, Ms. Burdette, it was neatly done. If you'd like to sleep, I would gladly sleep elsewhere for the night."
"I would appreciate it, General Kunzite." Kunzite bowed, and after gathering up some items, left the room. Mina lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
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Howzat? I thought it was alright. Next chapter: the four girls meet Queen Serenity. Ami has an interesting run-in in the library. Well, anywayz, please review, but NO FLAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will tell you some stuff if you flame me, and trust it won't be pretty. Peace!!!!!!!
Isis Aurora Tomoe