Disclaimer: You know, it's really hard to think of interesting ways to tell you I don't own anything.
Warnings: Um…none.
A/N: And up goes chapter ten…. Yay. ^-^
Chapter Ten: In Which a Secret is Revealed
"We have to find the others," Denice muttered, stumbling along behind Cale. "It only counts if we all get out."
"Fat chance of that," Cale grumbled back. "We're probably going to be stuck in another battle trying to get out."
"We won't," Denice returned stubbornly. "Turn right."
Cale immediately turned. He figured Denice would know what she was telling him when giving directions in this maze of a castle.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"To the throne room," Denice replied. "Unless you rule the castle itself, that is always where you eventually end up. Go left, into that wall."
Cale glanced behind him in bewilderment, but did as she told him. To his surprise, he passed harmlessly through the wall.
"But you don't rule the castle," Rowen said slowly from behind Denice. "Tobraea will know by now that you have turned against him, if he hadn't known before. The castle wouldn't cooperate with you…."
There was a slight pause. Then Denice sighed deeply and continued, "My people ruled this castle before Tobraea destroyed us. The village outside was destroyed. All but the royal family lived there."
"Oh…," said Rowen.
They walked in silence after that, Denice the only one talking so as to give Cale directions. They walked for barely a minute, straight through solid-looking walls, ducking behind tapestries, and even turning on actual intersections at times. When they finally came to the double doors of the throne room, they immediately saw the other group coming out opposite them.
"Holy shit," Dais breathed upon seeing them.
"Hold all comments until we're out," Denice grumbled, now leaning heavily on Rowen. "We only have a few minutes left to get out."
The Masho and Dais exchanged glances before nodding. The two groups immediately took off, moving as fast as they could. Denice was once again giving Cale directions as he led the way out of the castle.
"Only about half a minute left," Sekhmet muttered from the back of the line.
"Almost there," Denice returned. "Left, Cale."
Cale complied and they immediately saw the doors leading outside, wide open. They rushed forward as fast as they could, stumbling in fatigue. And just as Sekhmet made it out, the doors slammed shut behind them.
"We're out!" Naaza breathed in relief.
"But we must keep going," Denice snapped. "Tobraea will not keep his promise."
We can teleport with two people at once," Anubisu said immediately.
"It isn't safe with Amanda injured," Denice sighed, shaking her head. "We will walk to the west."
"But the castle is north-east!" Dais protested.
"And there is another clan to the west," Denice returned. "They have probably been attacked as well, but it is unlikely that they have all been killed. They are well-known for their abilities to hide."
"Why would they bother helping us?" Kayura asked blankly.
There was a slight pause.
"You will see," Denice said simply.
The Masho and Warlords exchange bemused glances before silently shrugging.
"It is best we follow," Naaza murmured. "Tobraea will expect us to return to our castle."
"Good point," Anubisu agreed. "Just remember, it's their castle, not ours."
Naaza muttered something in Japanese that made Anubisu laugh before they all began walking to the west. Denice rolled her eyes at the two of them and quickly took the lead, still leaning heavily on Rowen. They walked as quickly as they could, soon finding themselves in a thick forest. It was lucky for them that Denice was leading, or else they would have soon become hopelessly lost.
The walk lasted hours, and the Dynasty's yellow sun was just rising back into the sky when they came upon the ruins of what had obviously once been a majestic village. Several people with thick tails and cat-like ears poking out from under their hair watched the tired group stumble past.(1) A few of them pointed at either Denice or Cale and Amanda, muttering in an odd language to their companions. In the very center was a large, torn tent being guarded by a surly-looking pair of guards.
Pulling away from Rowen, Denice stumbled(2) forward, bowing slightly to the guards. The three held a quick conversation before the two guards bowed exceptionally low. Denice turned to Cale, motioning him forward. The two of them silently entered the tent, leaving the others standing awkwardly outside.
"Princess!" Cale heard as soon as they entered. Cale stared for a moment at Denice, eyes wide, before turning to the man that had spoken. He was tall and tickly built, silvery hair shining from the light of the fires on either side of him.(3)
"Lord Shi," Denice responded, bowing low. "I have come seeking help from your clan. We have just escaped from Tobraea, and we could not return to the castle quickly enough. Amanda has been injured, and she foolishly healed someone afterwards. Do any of your Strengtheners survive?"
"A few," Lord Shi replied. "I will send Kino to fetch one immediately.(4) I can barely feel the Healer's life-force."
Another silver-haired man immediately stood, bowed to Lord Shi, and quickly walked out of the tent.
"We are relieved to see you alive, Princess," Lord Shi continued. "The loss of your clan must be horrible for you."
"It is," Denice agreed. "And yet I have no time to dwell on them. Tobraea must be taken care of immediately."
"You are strong," he sighed. "Much stronger than any in my clan, I am afraid to admit." He paused slightly, then sighed again before continuing in a very matter-of-fact tone, "If it weren't for the needed relations between our clans, I would never have even considered betrothing you to my son."
"Ah yes," Denice said, frowning slightly. "I see no—"
But she was cut off as Kino suddenly came storming back in, a red-haired girl behind him.
"What are you still holding her for?" the girl asked Cale without preamble. "Lay her over by the side and step back from her."
Cale stared wordlessly at the girl for a moment, taken aback, before doing as she said, placing Amanda gently on the ground. The girl brushed right by him, kneeling down and placing her hands over Amanda's head.
"I introduce Kyla," Shi said, his mouth twitching slightly as a soft red light came from the girl's hands, "one of only three surviving Strengtheners in our clan, and the only one healthy enough to Strengthen the Healer."
Cale watched Kyla work, smiling slightly as some color began to return to Amanda's pale face. Denice, though, simply waved off the introduction, eyes still on Lord Shi.
"As I was saying before," she said, "I see no need for us to remain betrothed."
Kino's eyes widened. He stared at Denice in some sort of hopeful surprise.
"I agree," Shi agreed quietly. "And for more than one reason. Fighting Tobraea had already nearly destroyed my clan, despite our great magic, and it had completely destroyed your clan, despite your physical strength. It is quite likely that you will soon die as well."
"It is," Denice agreed. "But once Tobraea is destroyed, I will return to my castle, assuming I am still alive." There was a note of challenge in her voice.
"I will not fight you. If you are indeed alive, you will have earned my respect, as well as your castle."
""I thank you," Denice murmured, bowing again. "Might we stay here for a night or two? We would return to their castle, but we fear Tobraea will be waiting for us."
"Of course." Another sigh. "I never expected you to consent to being betrothed in the first place. Not with how much Kino and you…detest each other."
"I've been looking for a way out for a long time," Denice said softly. "Unfortunately, was rather hoping for a safer way out."
"As were we all," was the sympathetic answer. "If you would wait a moment as I have a word with Kino, I will have him show you to a tent."
"I will be right outside with the others. Thank you for your hospitality, Lord shi." She bowed, and then turned to Cale. "Perhaps it is best if you wait with Amanda. I am sure she will want to see a familiar face once Miss Kyla is one."
With that said, she turned to the entrance and walked calmly outside. Everyone turned to look at her.
"We will stay here for a few days," she said. "Kino will show us to a tent in a moment."
"Who's Kino?" Rowen asked immediately.
"The prince of this clan," Denice responded.
"Who would kiss you if he didn't hate you so much," came Kino's voice from behind her. She turned around just in time to see the flap of the tent close behind him. "Your friend will be out in a minute. Kyla is relatively quick in her Strengthening."
"Quick?" Kayura asked in disbelief. "Do you realize how long she's been in there?"
"Kayura," Denice murmured softly. "I would advise you not to talk to the prince in that manner. He has a rather nasty temper when his people are being insulted."
"I wasn't really insulting them," Kayura said awkwardly. "I was just…commenting."
"That was some comment," Kino said dryly. Kayura blushed.
"Are you going to lead us to our tent or not?" Denice suddenly snapped.
"Well, forgive me for forcing you to wait, Princess!" Kino said, giving her a short, mocking bow. "Perhaps you would like a goblet of wine to drink? Or some other delicacy?"
"Perhaps you would like a sword up your ass?" Denice returned with a growl. "And don't call me 'Princess.' You know damn well I don't like it."
"You haven't used that kind of language for a long time," Kino observed. "I thought you were turning into a lady for a while there."
"We are a clan of often traitorous warriors," Denice said dryly. "Ladies don't exist in my society."
Kino laughed slightly, shaking his head. Then he began to walk, apparently leading them to their tent.
They walked in silence for a few minutes until Denice suddenly stumbled slightly. She was caught be Rowen, who gave her a strange look before turning his head away from her.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was a princess," Denice murmured softly. "I was…I don't like to make it known when I am around people that aren't already aware of it. They tend to treat me…different."
There was a slight pause.
"I understand," Rowen said softly, though his voice was a little cold. "Is there anything else we should know about you?"
"No," Denice returned quickly, thinking of the betrothal she had just broken off. "Nothing at all…."
A/N: First: a note on Kino's name. I think I stole that from Chrono Trigger. *grins and shrugs* I couldn't think of anything to name him, but then that popped in my head, so…. Um. Yes. Do you know, Denice ending up being a princess shocked the hell outta me. ^^; This is what I get for not planning things before I write them.
(1) Ah, the obligated cat demons. They can be so cute sometimes. ^-^
(2) How many times have I used this word now? ^^; I need something else to put.
(3) In a cloth tent? Here's to hoping he has a lot of water handy. And some holes in the side of the tent, too, to let all that smoke out.
(4) Wait. Cats don't play fetch, do they? (Bad joke, I know. But I love bad jokes.)
Thanks to:
Nell- Was probably ff.net. Stupid site.
Harry2- Heehee, thank you! *can't wait to see what you'll do with him* And…wait, they're armored up? *blinks* Okay, let's face it. Typing up a chapter months in advance is not a good idea.
WildfireDreams- They better not be Mary Sues, at least. I've been spending the past few years of my life perfecting the art of not writing them. ^^ Well, I have your vote, at least. ^-^ And thanks. *sends waves of wuv to you* …Um…yeah. That settles it. I am spending way too much time in the wriye chat room. ^^;