The Roads of Fate
By: Sora
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Chapter 4: The Missing King
They arrived in Bale the next afternoon. The sun was high in the sky warming the planet to an uncomfortable temperature. Dart put up a hand to block out the bright glare of the sun as he squinted up at the sky. He turned to Rose. "We should probably head over to the castle if we want to see Albert before ten in the evening. He normally has a lot of meetings during the afternoon. And it's almost two now."
"Ok. Dart? . . Where are you going?"
"Over here." He said walking towards the fountain.
"Well I can see that but why are you going over there?" She asked as she began to follow slowly after him.
"You'll see."
That's helpful.
When she reached the fountain Dart had already stuck his hands into the cool water of the fountain set in the middle of the square and had splashed water onto his face, running his hands back through his hair as he straightened and turned to Rose.
"That's much better. Now we can head to the castle."
Rose just shook her head and headed down the street, into the crowd of the bustling market place. Dart followed.
"Hey Rose?" He asked once he caught up with her.
"Yes?" She didn't even turn to him, just stared ahead into the crowd.
"You wanna stay out of sight until I find Albert?"
"Why?"
"Just incase you wanted to surprise him, that's all. I mean, he probably still thinks that you're dead. I'd want to surprise him if I were you."
"But you're not now are you."
"…..No."
"Ok. I would much rather that he know I'm alive right from the start that way I won't have to deal with yet another simpering fool." She shot a glance at Dart.
"What? Hey. Come on, that was only that one time!"
As Rose ignored him and headed deeper into the crowd Dart called after her. Once she hit the edge of the market place she leaned against a nearby building and waited for him to catch up.
Once he came into view Rose straightened and headed off down the street leading to the castle gates.
"Rose-" He began as he followed her.
"Dart." She interrupted. "It's over. You don't need to talk about it anymore. But if you insist on defending yourself you may. Later." She added when she noticed him about to open his mouth. "After we meet with Albert." Dart closed his mouth.
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They had been waiting to see Albert for almost two hours when a Minister of Basil came into the room used for those waiting to have an audience with the King. Dart looked up and glanced eagerly at the man, hoping he came to tell them that Albert could see them now. Rose followed the man calmly with her cool, dark eyes.
The man glanced at Rose a moment before turning to Dart. "I'm sorry Sir." The minister began. Dart's face fell. "But his Majesty Albert will not be able to see you today. He was called off on urgent business to Fletz."
"Well can you tell us what is so urgent?" Dart asked.
"It seems his wife, Emille, needed him to come back to Fletz as soon as he possibly could. His Majesty would not explain to me the reason why."
"Oh." He thought for a moment. "Did he say when he'd be back?"
"No, Sir." The Minister shook his head. "I'm sorry he did not release that information to me either."
Rose stood distracting Dart from his next line of questioning. "That is fine. If Albert is not able to see us then I suppose we will just have to head for Fletz."
"Rose. .?"
She started to head out the door. "What Dart?"
"I . . uh" He stood and turned towards the Minister. "Thank you for your time." He bowed slightly and headed out the door after his companion.
As the door slipped closed behind them the Minister watched for a moment, shook his head and calmly went back into the main hall.
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Once out into the hall Dart stopped Rose with a hand on her shoulder. He stepped in front of her. "I never planned to go to Fletz you know. That alone will take months." He looked at her.
She looked back. "Only if you haven't been alive since the Dragon Campaign. I know things no other living person can know, remember? There is a way to get to Fletz in three days. And I know where it is."
He removed his hand from her shoulder, startled. "You do?"
"Yes." She walked past him and out towards the entrance of the castle.
Dart remained silent wondering what other things she was keeping from him until they reached the main stairs leading out of the castle. "How come I've never heard of it?" he asked her as he walked beside her down the stairs.
"Because. Humans can't use it. Only Dragoons and Winglies have access to it. People with Magical Power."
Once they reached the gates she stopped. "It would be best if we just continued on."
He turned to her. "Yes. It would be faster, but I'd prefer to stop and restock on medicine and food if we can find any cheap enough. I got enough roasted meat to last me a lifetime on the last adventure we went on."
"You mean 'burnt' roasted meat, don't you?" the dark eyed woman raised a thin brow.
"It only burnt a few times. And even then I wasn't the one cooking it. Meru and Kongol were." Rose just looked at him. "Anyway," He said turning away. Her gaze always put him on edge. " I think we should stop, spend the night in a tavern or something."
"Fine. Lead the way then." She motioned with her hand towards the market place.
"Alright."
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"I didn't know it was going to be this busy. Not in the Spring." Dart said sitting on the bed.
"Well apparently it was. You know, we could have just taken my idea and continued on and an added bonus we'd be 20Gil richer and there would be enough room for both of us."
"But there wouldn't be a mattress and the food wouldn't be that great either."
"Yeah, but I'm not going to share that bed with you. Besides, there is only enough room for one person on that tiny little thing." She motioned towards the bed Dart was sitting on.
"You could always sleep on the floor you know." Dart shrugged.
"Yes." She tossed him a bundle of 5 Healing potions. He caught them and looked at her. "Those are your share. I'll take the other five."
Dart nodded and stood. "I'm heading downstairs. Join me if you want." He went towards the door.
"Alright."
The door closed behind him.
Rose leaned against the wall of their tiny room, thinking. As she thought she surveyed her surroundings. Against the wall nearest her there was a bed, it would be able to fit two people, if they didn't mind being in close contact with one another. To the right of the bed was the door leading out into the hall. And on the far side of the room on the left side of the bed was a window overlooking an alley. There was a bathroom as well, across from the bed. And on the floor was an old worn out red and gold rug that over time had faded to a light shade of gray.
Rose sighed. This is not what I had planned. Every time we go into a town he always insists on spending the night in a tavern. I would have much rather we slept under the stars, or in a cave . .like that time we fell from the Queen Fury . . . Rose shook her head and stood. That was in the past. She had taught herself long ago not to think about the past and to let it go, yet that one memory always came up when she was alone, and along with it came feelings. Things she had no idea she was able to feel anymore, things she was afraid of feeling as much as it humiliated her to admit it.
"Perhaps joining him downstairs will be a good idea after all . ." She muttered to herself as she headed to the door. "I could use a drink."
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Downstairs Dart was sitting at the bar, a drink in front of him. He had the glass in his hands and he found himself staring blankly into the red colored liquid. Thoughts kept running through his mind. Unfortunately, they were thoughts of Rose and he couldn't seem to make them stop. The battle against Michael, her Vassal Dragon, and the battle against Melbu Frahma. The pain he felt deep in his heart when he saw the divine tree explode before his eyes destroying his hopes of ever seeing Rose or his father again.
But he also remembered everything good that had happened. Her teaching him how to become a Dragoon and how to use his new powers. He wouldn't have had any clue what to do with the Dragoon Sprit and without her help he probably would have given into the insanity that comes with the transformation and may have even ended up destroying everything around him. And he could never forget the joy that he felt when he had seen her alive. He was so happy he had lost his composure and had started crying, right there in front of Rose. It was so humiliating.
The thing he remembered the most was when they first met. When she had saved him from the Green Dragon Feyrbrand. He was indebted to her many times over and maybe that was what he was feeling. A gratefulness for saving his life. Like a type of idolism. But that didn't explain the other feelings. Like the way his heart seemed to skip when she cast her cool gaze on him. . .
Dart shook his head and stopped the thought. "It's probably just a typical reaction. Fear that she might try to kill me." He sighed and hung his head. "I have no idea what's wrong with me . . Oh, Soa help me."
"Why would she need to help you?"
"Ack! R-Rose!" Dart looked up, startled and spun around on the barstool so quickly he almost toppled off of it.
Rose blinked and gave him an odd look. "Dart?"
"Huh?" He asked trying desperately to regain his composure.
"Something wrong?" She asked taking a seat next to him at the bar.
"No." He responded quickly. A little quicker than he would have liked. "Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking. I didn't hear you come up, so I got startled."
"Oh." Rose turned to the bartender and ordered a drink. A few seconds later it was handed to her and she paid him. Rose took the glass into her hands and looked into the liquid for a bit. Dart watched her. "Dart . ." She said quietly.
"hmm?"
"You're staring at me . ."
"Oh." He quickly turned his head away and found something interesting to stare at on the far wall. "Sorry. I didn't realize I was."
"Hmm . . " Rose took a sip of her drink, then calmly set it back onto the counter. She remained silent, thinking. She wanted to bring Zeig back so desperately it hurt. Yet all of her emotions, all of her pain and suffering, she hid under a mask she had acquired 10,000 years ago. She refused to remove the mask for anyone, except maybe Zeig. If he could ever realize she was wearing one. But he may never have the chance, because if she didn't find a way to bring him back. Her mask would have to stay on, and one day . . .she may find herself going insane with everything she kept hidden.
She sighed and stood. Dart looked over at her. "Rose?"
"I'm going to bed. Good night Dart." She turned to leave without even waiting for him to respond.
"Oh ok. Bye." He half waved to her but it was in vain for she was already up the stairs.
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A/N: Ok. According to Word this is my longest chapter yet. ^_^ A whole 5pgs. Hehe oh yeah, Um I highly doubt this will happen but if you by any chance like my story enough that you want to display it on your website or something. I'd be honored but e-mail me first asking my permission. My e-mail is silverwinged_angel@hotmail.com. And if you'd be so kind as to give me the website address that'd be great. Haha who am I kidding. I'm not that good, by hey. I can still dream right? ^_~ Anyways Hope you enjoyed this and as always R&R!! Bai-Bai everyone!