---~~~ C R Y O F O M E N S ~~~---
- Chapter Nine : Pathward East -


Factoids:

-- Words between ~ signify mindspeech.
-- Words in italics signify your typical 'flashback' scenario or thoughts by the indicated character. Sometimes it's used for Emphasis too. ^_^
-- Words between * are being emphasized.

Notes:

-- Am sorry you guys. O_O I'm a little over a week late. X_X Literally- I... forgot about the story. *lol* ^_^ I didn't mean to! I've just been uber busy. O_O *cackles* - Please don't hurt me?

-- I still don't understand why you haven't burned this story yet. ^_^ Also, please note that I'll definitely be reviewing all the fabulous stories here in the LOD section of FF.net soon. O_O I'm so sorry I haven't had a chance, as of recent, to sit down and DO so. I've always made a point of taking the time to review the people who review me, and generally just WANT to be able to review the other great authors out there. I feel so damned behind in the times. X_X And it really irritates me. I'm sorry! Please forgive!

OH! Also:

------ Chapter 10 will be published June 1st to make up for the lateness of this one.
------ Chapter 11 will be published on the 14th of June. ^_^


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The path had given way to rolling hills as the sun crept higher and higher afar. An hour now? Two? It seemed as if she'd left the cobbles behind a forever ago, but then again, time was a still renewed concept to a mind left beaten and confused. A part of Rose wanted to wrap itself in the beauty around her. There was a primitive, helpless part of humanity pulsing beneath her skin that needed comfort, and the sheer aura of natural life, for all it could embody, called gently that she lay down. That she rest.

But Rose had never considered herself entirely human. Maybe once- surely not anymore. Jeweled eyes scrambled across the grasses underfoot and the tree's that stood tall and silent behind and abroad. That sky. That sky was a flawless blue. Blue like water and silk. Blue like the eyes of her lover. Was she remembering? Little faces and far-away places...

And that city. White sunshine.

A trip once again. One of many, now. She was so tired. Her knee's came down and the grass came up in a single breath, leaving helpless bare skin to shiver in anger. Her fingers clawed at the sheet that provided what little decency it could, and for a moment she stared into the distance.

Wherever she was- she would find answers there; where the mountains seemed to part, and a city rose into the glorious sapphire sky. Deningrad had surely been beautiful, and Kadessa had been a masterpiece of craftsmanship, but this?

... This?

The range that seemed to encompass the whole of the landscape around her met its pinnacle there; where the sharp rocks dropped away and a palace rose into the sky with all the prowess of an ancient fairytale. The sheer scale- was astronomical. Pillars and columns and steppe's stood proudly displayed beyond towers of a cathedral's grandeur. It caressed the massive cliffs with pearly white balconies or superbly crafted staircases. Willowy greens of every size and nature wormed there way up and around the angelic skyline of its vaulted apparel. Tall as the sky, large as the mountains-- it overlooked the same towering woodlands that she had passed while escaping the garden temple. Little scatterings of settlements peeked out from beneath the cover of brambles. She could see them now- here, atop the crest of a valley leading down and within.

This couldn't be real.

But then, she shouldn't even be alive.

Resolve forcing her to aching feet, Rose again began forwards. As petals graced her hair, the need for answers; the need for justification pressed her onwards. Eventually, dropping within the lush caress of a gorged ravine, Rose found herself picking her way along the trickling water of a stream that *seemed* to become a river far ahead. Turning her eyes up and northward, she could still see the palace. The peaks against the mountains.

The resurrected dragoon kept to the river- and traveled.


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Wake up, lovely-!

Wake up to the forests and the birds.

Wake up for the wind-!

Shana was moving a little- right and left. A sort of gait that shifted beneath her, but was not her own. She was warm and content, wrapped in what felt a blanket and cradled in arms she knew. Right and left. A pause, and right and left.

... Oh. That's right. The Runner. She and Dart were on a Runner, and she must have nodded off again. She hadn't... meant to. Not since waking up before- right when the group was ready to begin off. Where were they? Surely a forest? She could smell the dew of a waning morning, and hear the clop of hooves over brush and soil. A warmth spread throughout her when Shana felt Dart's sword-arm tighten around her, and heard her friends up ahead. Conversation.

"So it was a bluff?"

"Quite. If she chose to attack me, Destiny would have killed me."

Marius and Albert were the voices she could recognize. Both of them had that slight accent; the very serdian, very soothing care to exact punctuation on any single word. They made up the head of the group; Navail and Choleh plodding along past vegetation above and underfoot. Albert's hand rose- pushing away a low-hanging branch... and there, just behind them, Miranda, Emily and Meru rode side by side. It was odd to see Meru silent, although Shana hadn't realized Miranda was otherwise such an able rider. The Sacred Sister had abandoned her reigns, letting her body compensate for the natural lull and rise of the beast beneath her. Her hands were preoccupied with bow and arrow- eyes scanning the forest for any sign of danger.

She and Dart brought up the rear. Last in the group, but keeping pace. Shana had been assigned a Runner too... hadn't she? Straining to see, the girl noticed another set of leather reigns tucked into Dart's right hand. Ah- it was following their lead. Hazel eyes upturned slowly, examining the intent visage of her lover.

"Dart?"

His gaze fell to her, and a smile flourished between them.

"But why?" The conversation continued. "What ARE you that made her so... hesitant?"

Marius' eyes fled briefly to Albert; the young king peering back at him intently. Raising his brows with a sigh, the ancestor of the duo seemed to debate in answer. Finally; "You've never read of Dragon Angels, young king?"

"No, Marius. I have not." Albert replied, his hands coiling along Choleh's leathers. He breathed a deep swig of the cool air around them, and eyed the sun above. Almost noon. "The first time I heard the term, was when Destiny spoke it herself."

"Then we truly were erased from history, it would seem."

"DEFINE 'We'" Miranda blurted abruptly. Of course she'd been listening in. Emily shot her a course look, but the blonde really wasn't trying to be obnoxious. Just get some damned answers. "We're eight miles out of Seles and we've got a long way to go, WingBoy. Stop it with the mystery-making and spit it out. What is a Dragon Angel?"

Marius made a sound- almost like he was biting back a retort of some kind. Then again, he quieted a moment later. Albert eyed the elder carefully, watching his expression and its gradual fall into worry or contemplation. He wasn't sure what to say, it would seem. Surely though, he knew that was just the way Miranda WAS. Sharp and to the point. Don't take it to heart.

"It's..." And Dart raised his head as Marius tried to begin, preoccupied but aware. Shana gave a little yawn. "It's just not something I'm sure you'll want to know now. For Albert's sake."

The king blinked, feeling Emily's eyes on his deep green cape. "Marius, I assure you-"

"-I can SEE it, Albert..." And Marius tugged up on his reigns, slowing his runner to an abrupt stop. Surprised, Albert paused, and Meru gave a yip when her buck decided to quiver. With the sudden procession at a full halt, the dragoons exchanged uncertain glances while their 'guide' stared back at them.

"I can see that it troubles you. In your eyes-- something trembles. I am from YOUR past. What *I* Am effects YOU."

Albert couldn't really say anything, to that. The wings...

"- And I swear, I'll show you." A softer voice now. Fatherly, really. Upset he couldn't be what they needed him to be. "I'll teach you. I'll explain it to you; Dragon Angels- and what we are." Marius' eyes shot to Miranda before closing thereafter. "Just... not yet. Not until it's safe, and the environment controlled."

A breath.

"... Alright?"

Miranda...quietly settled back on her Runner. Yeah. Answers, huh? Funny- he hadn't really offered up any decent explanation for the things he'd said he'd explain thus far. She didn't know if she was just frustrated and taking it out on the most obvious victim, or if her instincts were telling her not to trust that long-haired goon yet again. Oh sure, lets follow the crackpot with bizarre magical prowess out into the middle of NOWHERE.

Sigh.

... Miranda was worried. Damned worried.

Throughout this light confrontation, Meru's mouth had parted once as if to speak, but no words came. As the Runners were spurred into action yet again, and off the troop went, she briefly wondered about what she might have said. Was she going to argue with Miranda? Side with Marius? Tell Albert it was okay?

... She didn't really know. Maybe it had nothing to do with those things at all. Maybe she just had the nagging feeling she *had* learned about Dragon Angel's from somewhere or another. It was a far lost and fleeting memory. Maybe a book her mother had read. Even still, although the term sparked something within her, she couldn't recall information about the subject entirely. Meru let it go and shrank back into her saddle, feeling all the world like a frightened little girl. Man. Life was annoying sometimes.

And then again, life was surprising, too. Just as she was about to quiet her thoughts, a sentence suddenly... fluttered into her mind. It was NOT her brain making absent comments, and it sure as hell wasn't female. Stunned shock-still for the briefest of seconds, Meru's ponytail gave a bounce, and her friends just STARED.

~Are you alright, Meru?~ The voice had said.

Huh. It was Marius.

Looking comically punch-drunk and absolutely WEIRDED out, Dart actually started laughing from the back of their convoy. "Meru!" he called once. "What's going on!?"

"You eat a bug or somethin'?" -- That from a baffled Miranda, who was pondering the expression on her face. The ONLY one who looked as shocked as Meru did- was Marius. The elder craned his neck to look at her, perfect surprise written all over his features. The expression was sort of stuck.

He obviously hadn't meant to do that.

"DUDE-! You're a TELEPATH!?"

Marius could have HURT himself. Dear gods-! As concerned as he was over other affairs, his skill with mindspeech had simply flared before he'd had a chance to REALIZE he was addressing Meru through somewhat unconventional means. He'd been in thought, had seen her frightened expression, had reacted before he could debate the consequences of his actions...

And he was now being glared at by Miranda, and stared at by the rest of his companions. What a not-so-wonderful way to introduce them to one of his finer, more dormant talents.

"... I have some limited ability with the trait..." Marius began quietly. "-So 'yes', if you're looking for a straight answer."

The Wingly cracked a grin. "Bitchin! Oh! And I'm fine, thanks!" -- but the silence that settled over the rest of the dragoons was somewhat unnerving. He really hadn't MEANT to do that. The last thing they needed was another reason to be suspicious of him. Returning his attention to the forest ahead, gentle gold wafted briefly over bronzed eyes. A sinking feeling began to flirt with his stomach. Why? What was it? Did it really matter all so much?

... I don't want to fail them. All I have is my ability to help. I *want* to help them...

How odd that he'd worry about something so trivial. Acceptance? Here? Wanting a purpose? Marius was no stranger to persecution. Surely the distrust of the dragoons wasn't so damaging a blow. He was brought back into life for a reason, and that reason was his only reason to be.

Past still hurts. I don't know who I am. Rose, darling, will you still hate me? When we meet again?

The pull of reminiscence was strong, all of a sudden. Marius was being childish and he knew it. The worst thing he could possibly do was wallow deep into the memories of a life he wanted to remember but couldn't touch. That was then- this was NOW. If he lost his focus he'd loose his way. Thus, taking a ginger breath, the ancient Dragon Angel restored his control and gently drowned his own emotions.

It really didn't matter, afterall.

He was a guide, nothing more.

"So- can you tell what I'm thinking? Right now?" Meru's voice rang out.

"Erm... no, Meru."

"How about now!?" And she made a face, intently eyeing Marius.

"... I'm afraid not, little one."

There was a 'bah!' from the petite young woman, who then made a sound of great effort and put all her little being into trying to throw a thought Marius' way. "Okay- COME ON. You HAVE to get that one!" Meru eyed his back, roaming ruby eyes over the white cape and ashen hair. The tresses shifted slightly as Marius bowed his head a little, feeling on the spot and terribly uncomfortable. "... No." Was the wrought answer. "It really doesn't work like that, Meru..."

A silence.

"Well that sucks." She piped up, amused. "Would you like to know what I was trying to say?"

With nothing to lose, Marius quietly chuckled once and cast his gaze into the sky above.

"... Sure."

If Marius didn't expect her to echo a mischievous; 'You're HOT-!' whatsoever, he CERTAINLY didn't expect the rounds of laughter that followed from the gathered company. Flustered and somewhat embarrassed, Serdio's first king made a point of turning to glare at them all.

The dragoons smiled back- Meru beaming like an imp.


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Man. This just wasn't a very good day.

Alrighty then. The exit. Was it five halls back, round the pillar, three flights down and a corridor to the right... or four halls up, round the statue, two flights down and a door to the left? Gods DAMN it all, Lavitz KNEW he should have written down those blasted instructions. Shrugging himself into an pair of dark tan trousers, he eyed the unconscious figure on the floor nearby.

Well- sorry... but he needed some flippin' clothes, and the only people that seemed to inhabit the halls around him were guardsmen. After sneaking up on the poor soul, gripping a chokehold around his neck, and asking for directions OUT of here, the next order of business had been to knock him out and grab something decent to wear. The mini-sheet that'd he'd woken up in just WASN'T making the cut.

Mumbling an apology of sorts, Lavitz stripped both tunic and boots from his victim, hurrying to get dressed. Emerald green eyes darted right and left; but no one else entered this... courtyard-esque ring of construction. Three days had been spent regaining his senses enough to walk... and after this afternoon, it was high time he got himself out of here and found some answers.

For one- Lavitz could have sworn he was supposed to be dead.

Two- he did NOT remember a city like this on the map in Albert's study.

Wherever he HAD been, it looked like a temple of sorts. Nice thing-- all roomy, stone made and scented of more flowers than his nose could identify without having a heart attack. Through a few doors and a gate outside, there had been another chamber that opened up into THIS; A courtyard of massive proportion. He himself stood on one of the 8 or so levels of walkways that twined around it's perimeter, and each level was supported by spectacular columns. Lanterns set the entire garden aglow- nevermind the halls. Hell- it was nightfall already!?

He wasn't even gonna' go INTO thinking about all the rest of the hell that was probably attached to his current predicament. No. Just NO.

He'd get out of here first-- THEN proclaim himself mentally ill.

The knight crept quietly down the corridor around him, a hand trailing along the rail nearest for balance. He still wasn't as steady on his feet as he'd like to believe, and god- it showed. Stopping a moment in the shadows that cloaked an adjacent hall, he briefly wondered if he was on the ground floor or otherwise. It was hard to tell; what with how the design of the chambers and buildings themselves seemed so entirely tailored to forming around the mountain this place was perched upon. He knew he was heading south, but east and west were impossible to determine. Judging by the height of the courtyard- he was about midlevel in this *particular* area. Then again, just off to the right, another cobble walkway branched out into the forests and down into an area where he could hear water splashing faintly.

Hell. Was he in a giant garden, a giant building, both or none or maybe!? Son of a Runner- his sense of direction was USELESS.

Footsteps suddenly echoed abroad, and Lavitz ducked behind the nearest column of crafted stone. Evading the flicker of lamplight, he stilled entirely as persons strolled along on one of the upper levels.

"Aria hasn't been this quiet in ages. Did Atredius suddenly decide he doesn't like to party?!" A click of a canister-- likely for water.

"Heh. Hell if I know." A yawn. "But you're right, he's been acting a little 'off' lately. No antics. No woman. Eh- or men."

Laughing.

"I heard he collapsed a few days ago, too. Like he's sick or something."

Lavitz strained to hear further, but the two men were abruptly quieted as they entered another little off-area, cut off by the sound of a closing door. Atredius, huh? He'd heard that name before, or at least THOUGHT he had. There had often been a man with him called by the same name during his nights in the temple. He hadn't really been coherent enough to gather anything more than that-- but it was something. The guy was obviously a big-shot in one way or another.

Disgruntled and confused, Lavitz continued on. The long wrap-around walkway he'd been traveling eventually came to an area where stairs led off to the right and down. Carefully descending them, he found himself amongst the structure of another circular area. Voices rang from here or there. Studying the new set of half-open hallways that surrounded the massive central garden, lavitz realized this was a housing development. Of sorts. Like tiers on an enormous fountain.

.... Headache. It's not that the place wasn't lovely- it's just that he wanted OUT. If these sheltered the residents of this palace/city named 'Aria' than he probably didn't have much of a reason to be wary of them; the same way he wouldn't think any different of a new face in Bale. Still, he had no idea what he was dealing with, nor the want to understand it just yet. Keep moving.

Racing for the next set of stairs, Lavitz had only just managed to reach the bottom when a hand flashed out from the shadows nearest. DAMN-!!! He was thrust to the right and shoved up against the nearest tree. With a grunt- something sharp came up beneath his ribcage and held with intent.

"Don't move, and I won't kill you."

What in the-!?!?

"Your clothes. Take them off- give them to me."

Lavitz was about to snarl back a response, but faltered. He knew that voice. Shock ebbing up into bright green eyes, the blonde knight staggered a little and forced himself around. His attacker was female. A female with dark hair- and a feral gaze. She growled at him- prepared to strike...

And then all at once, recognition fell upon them both.

"... Rose-!"

A blink. A pause.

"... Lavitz-!?"

The dark dragoon dropped her weapon at once, cloaked in the shadows of night. Uncomprehending, her eyes wavered in a moment of uncertainly and helpless understanding. Lavitz reached out- she stepped backwards. The woman was NOT in good shape. Cut, bruised, and battered... hell. She looked like she'd been traveling for hours.

Barefoot, mind you. With a flinted knife and a skimpy white cloth to provide her only decency. Despite himself, Lavitz blushed.

"God, Rose.. I'm SO glad to see you...! Here-!" And Lavitz shrugged off his recently-apprehended vest, handing it to her. Rose didn't respond initially, but once her mind had focused on the offer at hand, the clothing was slid on and buttoned up immediately. The fabric she'd been equipped with thus far was then wrapped around her middle to form a makeshift skirt.

"You're supposed to be dead, you know." She reasoned out of the blue. "-And thanks." Added as an afterthought thereafter.

Lavitz shook his head furiously, square jaw clenching. "Hell. Let's just not go there- I can't handle it at the moment. Are the others with you? What HAPPENED to you!? What's going on!?"

Rose waved a hand sharply to indicate he should keep his voice lower, and hissed quietly.

"I don't know. Lavitz- I don't know anything at the moment, granted I too should be well in my grave."

The stunned look he gave her was hushed with an abrupt silence. Rose didn't have time to ponder over Lavitz resurrection knowing her own was just as unexplainable. She... was happy. To see him. But that didn't change their situation. It didn't change the fact that she'd been slowly dragging herself through these halls in the hopes of...

-Of finding answers. Answers that lay with him-- the one with the crimson hair.

"I'm assuming you woke in a temple-esque environment as well."

"-Wearing my birthday suit and with a massive headache, yes." Lavitz replied, innate sense pulling her to one side and further away from the central area. "I've been trying to find my way OUT of here for hours. Knocked out one of the guards- I THINK they're guards- took his gear and started searching."

"Do you know of an 'Atredius?'" Rose said quietly, recalling the name. She was already slinking back towards the way Lavitz had come, raven strands of hair tousled around her face. Rose was a warrior- first and foremost. Other concerns were left by the wayside when she had a goal in mind- regardless of situation. The blonde followed quietly.

"I... think so. I've heard him mentioned. Why? Rose- we should get out of here. Regroup. Is Albert alright?"

There was a pause, then. Rose tilted her head to look at him once more. Her eyes were sad with a deep knowledge; as if weighing something heavily on the fact that they had met once again. It was now that Lavitz was forced to think on his own death. How much time had passed? The cold visage Rose had always worn seemed warmer now, but there was more. There was so much more. Frugel and the prison... He didn't... How did...?

"... It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

Rose was quiet at first.

"... There is a lot you have to catch up on, Knight of Serdio. More than you realize- and certainly more than I can explain right now."


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------ Chapter 10 will be published June 1st to make up for the lateness of this one.
------ Chapter 11 will be published on the 14th of June. ^_^