Brood: Another week, another chapter.....*ssiiiggghhh*
Zutsokaki: *vacuuming the living room and whistling a jauntly little tune* I can't wait!
Brood: *grins* Of course you can't....heheheh....Myotsi-kun, this one's for you man!
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER 3
*Somewhere hidden in the deep forests of England*
"Master Menenox, tell me again why we did not assail those three travellers?" A young man sat on a large flat boulder on the middle of a large clearing, chewing thoughfully on a piece of dried meat and wrapping his dark cloak about his body.
"Because, my very understanding apprentice, I felt as if they had nothing of worth on their persons." The master sat across from his student, chewing on his own piece of meat, but also setting down a large bag that clinked as if there were things inside of it that really weren't his to begin with. Beside them he set his bow and arrows, and lay down his belt of throwing daggers. His long dark hair waved about him as the wind blew, and he looked over at his apprentice through the billowing strands.
"Master......I just don't understand. Maybe I will when I've learned under you longer." The Master glanced at his apprentice, a boy with white hair and large thoughtful brown eyes. The innocent looking sort, not the kind to be apprentice to a Master Thief.
But when a whole village lay decimated at the hands and arrows of the Frankish armies, the thief had gone trying to loot whatever booty the armies had left. Picking through the burnt and maimed bodies of the innocent men who'd died defending their land, the women who'd attemped to defend their homes, and the children who's defences failed them, he'd found instead was a boy of about eight years old, with hair that had been shocked pure white, more than likely due to his horrifying experiences as the sole survivor of the village. He'd been found cradling the body of an older girl with white-blonde hair, and muttering "...Amane....Amane...." over and over again.
The thief had considered selling him as a slave to make up for the spoils that he couldn't find, but in surprise, he felt pity for this boy. Well, since he'd never had an apprentice before...he thought he'd give it a shot. He took the boy from the village after humoring him one thing, a burial for his Amane, and brought him to his forest home to learn.
That was one instance where the thief's mind had surprised him, and today was another instance. Three travellers, with only two horses and a few weapons, had passed by. Two boys and one girl. Not very old, yet travelling alone. Rou, the boy, had almost immediately began preparations for their "Wounded and Alone" routine, where he'd lie in the road and moan for assistance, and then the Master would then procede to rob them of their things when they weren't looking, when the Master had stopped Rou.
"Not these. They don't have anything." Rou had looked at him oddly, but shrugged under the dominance of his Master, and simply followed him as the Master tracked the three. When other highway bandits had attempted to jump out at them, Rou and the Master had ambushed them, and kept them safe.
Again, the Master had no clue why he was doing this, but he had an odd feeling that these people needed to make it to their destination safely. Twice more they had to stop bandits from getting them, and once he even heard the brunette boy mention their good luck on not having to fight bandits. The Master had snorted on this and muttered, "Luck, nothing!"
Once they were safe within city walls, Rou had looked at him oddly and they had gone back to one of their encampments. Once they were back, they lapsed into the conversation that Rou had started by asking about his Master's leiniance.
Even though this Master Bandit himself was unsure why he spared these travellers, he felt as if they had some purpose to serve yet. Shrugging of his own uncertainity and his apprentices looks, he pulled out some dried meats for himself and began chewing.
~*~ In the Royal Castle of the Franks ~*~
"C'est ton père!!"
"EUH!? MON PÈRE!?"
"C'est vrai!!! Le Roi se retourne!!"
"Oh là là!!! Non...non..."
"Oui! Oui!!" (1)
The servants were in an uproar. The king was returning, and one of them took the liberty of informing the Princess of the Franks that he was on his way. He had been on one of the battle fronts for about a month now, leaving a steward, his own brother the Grand Duke, and his daughter, in charge, the Princess to a much lesser extent than the Grand Duke.
"PRINCESSE TEÁRESSE-MARIE!!"
"Oh là là......... Le quel est?"
"C'EST TON...."
"OUI OUI OUI!!! MON PÈRE!!!!" (2) She practically yelled at the poor over excited servant. When the now horrified servant had scuttled off, she scuffed her dainty pink slippers into the floor muttering, "Zut, zut, et zut..." (3) over and over again. She didn't want her father returning. Her uncle, the Grand Duke, had left a few things in a mess, and she just KNEW that she'd be blamed for it.
Suddenly, a door opened after a small knock. A girl, younger than the Princesse héritière (Crown Princess) tip-toed in.
^"Big sister...? Are you mad that our father is coming home?"^
Tearesse smiled down on her younger sister. ^"No Rebeccque. Things just aren't normal right now, and I don't want our father coming home to see his kingdom in a small state of disarray..."^
Rebeccque, the younger princess of the kingdom, shook her head of straight blonde hair and took her sister's hand. ^"Don't worry, he won't blame you for it all. In any case, have you seen my bear?"^
Once again, the older royal smiled. Their father, the King, had once taken them both to a circus, a display of trained animal tricks. Rebeccque had seen a bear and immediately demanded one. Her father wouldn't give her a real one, but had appeased her with a stuffed one made of a honey brown bear pelt and small black beads for it's eyes. Now she always had it, and sometimes could been seen speaking to it.
^"I think one of the servants might have taken it for cleaning, sister. Why don't you ask around?"^
Rebeccque nodded happily and trotted to the door, holding up her skirts.
As soon as her sister was gone, Tearesse sighed wearily and waited. Her father would be back towards the evening, and she had to prepare herself, mentally and physically.
~*~ In the English Castle.... ~*~
Tristan strided with confidence into the hall, with Serenity and Joseph walking uncertainly behind him. Joseph tried to look important by holding his head high and puffing out his chest, holding his arm in a regal way that allowed his sister to take it. She giggled at her silly brother, and took the arm as the walked.
The prince rose from his seat at his father's side as they approached, and then, before Tristan could dip into a kneel, surprised them all by enveloping the young minstrel into a large hug.
"My lost friend! I thought you were gone from us forever! When I gave you leave for what you called "light travelling" I did not know that you would find your way all the way to heathen territories!"
"My prince!" Tristan sputtered. "I was not lost! In fact, I bring companions as well!"
"I was wondering...." came the voice of the King, "who these young ones you'd brought with you were........"
The prince finally let go of Tristan and peeped behind him. "Aaahh!! Byzantines! Why on earth did you ever bring them!?"
"My Prince Yugi, I brought them because their great home in Constantinople was besieged by the Ottoman Turks and their grandmother bade me. But one has something for us that you may find interesting...."
"I'll say...." the prince muttered, and strode directly up to Serenity. "Pray tell, Tristan my good man, what is this maiden's name?"
Serenity colored, but replied on her own. "Your Majesty, my name is Serenity."
"My dear, while you are here, I am ever at your service." With that, he took her hand and kissed it. Serenity blushed pleasantly, and Joseph colored for an entirely different reason. He let out a low growl and his eyes narrowed, and Tristan immediatly sensed danger.
Going up to Joseph, he took the boy's shoulder. Joseph quieted as the prince relinquished his sister's hand, but he kept a wary eye on the prince for the rest of the morning.
"Your Royal Majesties, this young man, Joseph, has some information for you...."
The prince returned his attention to Tristan, and the king turned his eye in his direction.
"Well, hearing news of the Byzantine seige would probably...." At that moment, the king was interrupted by extremely loud heralding trumpets. "Well, that would be the call of the duke. Let him in, doorman. Son, let our guests stand to the side for our esteemed Duke."
After Tristan and his friends were shuffled off to one side, the doors were flung open and light poured in.
Striding in with proud confidence came the young duke. His long black hair was tugged loosely into a tie at the back of his head, and his green eyes sparkled with his own feelings of personal importance. His fine clothes of black and red fit him well and only served his proud and regal figure. His entourage scurried after him, flanking him. The herald spoke loudly over all.
"Announcing to your Royal Majesties of England, the Duke Devlin!"
The Duke, upon the announcment of his name, bowed with a flourish to the royalty. "I am graciously pleased that your majesties have invited me to your great castle." He said with a deep and thrilling voice. A shudder ran through the auburn-haired girl off to the side.
The King rose to greet the Duke. "Duke Devlin, your thanks are well recieved. We indeed hope that your stay with us will be a pleasant one, and that all of your needs are served. I do hope that you'll be dining with us this evening?"
"With your royal invitation, who would want to decline?" The duke replied eloquently.
"Good, good," the king said. "Now I will call a servant for you to show you to the area where you and your entourage will be staying, so you may rest."
The duke nodded with a large smile, and a voice called from behind.
"I'll show him if you don't mind, Your Majesty...."
The herald became flustered for a moment, then announced surprisedly, "Announcing the Royal Advisor, Seton!"
And into the lit chamber stepped a man of tall stature, even if he couldn't be much older than the prince and the duke. His short and official looking brown hair and piercing deep blue eyes immediately gave him the aura of authority, and when he spoke advice, his tones and guestures made any but the most experienced with him believe that he spoke truth without even hearing his words.
Any in the room could almost immediately feel the room become thick with mingled feelings. Tristan, looking over at the prince, saw the royal young man's face become contorted with ill hid loathing, and he himself hid a sigh. It never ends, he thought wistfully. Looking over at his Byzantine friends, he saw awe. This must have been exciting for them, since in one day they've suddenly met four regal figures of England. Joseph's large brown eyes were lit with wonder, and Serenity's were alight with something different.
So many dashing men...too few eyeballs to gawk at them with, Tristan thought with a smirk.
After Seton had payed his repects to the King, he turned in Tristan's direction. "So I see that the kingdom's favorite minstrel has returned from hither and thither....and brings a Byzantine pair with him." This remark drew the Duke's attention in their direction as well. Seton stepped closer, his cloak sweeping about him and a large smile crossing his face that was none too friendly. He peered at the girl, who seemed to look at him with respect and awe, and then the boy, older than her, who looked at him with defiance for looking at his sister like that.
"And by the looks of it, not much of a pair this mongrel and maiden make. Wouldn't the girl be more fit to stay with a person of higher stature than her scruffy compainion?"
Joseph bristled and his body tightened, doing everything he could to keep himself from jumping this man of regal importance. Tristan and Serenity touched Joseph lightly and he seemed to calm. The king looked at Seton and shook his head.
"You should treat guests of our prince more kindly, Seton." The Prince Yugi looked up at his father, wonder in his eyes, but soon quenched it. "They come from the ravaged city of Constantinople, and bring me news and tales."
Seton bowed low to the King. "I am sorry if I had offended his Royal Majesty the Prince by simply speaking my opinion. Mayhaps if I sent them to be cleaned from their journeys the boy would not look as if he'd just rolled out of a puddle."
Joseph couldn't help but bristle again. What on earth did he ever do to this guy!? He'd just gotten here!
The Prince stepped forward towards his father. "Your Majesty, your leave to take my "guests" so that our esteemed advisor may speak with you about his offer?" He accented "guests" on purpose, to highlight his father's push of them upon him. Not that he didn't mind, especially with the girl Serenity, but he would have liked to be asked first.
The king waved his hand, and the prince nodded at the three. They took their leave, walking behind the prince, and bowing respectfully before they left the room.
The Duke Devlin looked out after them all. "They were really Byzantines from Constantinople, your Highness?" The king nodded, and the duke's eyes widened. "Well, this shall certainly make my stay more interesting. In any case, I accept the Royal Advisor's gracious offer." He nodded at the advisor Seton, giving him a winning smile. The advisor did little but nod in return.
"That's wonderful!" King Solomon said. "Now it is my royal advice that you settle in, honored guest, and prepare for a feast tonight!"
The Duke bowed and snapped his fingers. His entourage immediately fell in behind him as he respectfully excused himself from the King's Hall, the doors clanging shut behind them all dramatically as a servant scurried up, ready to show the Duke to his residental area.
~*~
"Don't mind the advisor, Seton, Byzantine. He gets under my skin too." The Prince walked briskly in front of the trio, Serenity having to practically skip to keep up with the taller boys.
Joseph took the opportunity of having barely anyone else around to speak directly to the Prince. "Really, your Highness? I mean, I didn't do a THING to him, and he just runs his mouth..." Tristan put his hand on Joseph's shoulder again, a silent warning not to speak of the advisor like that.
The Prince only smiled though. "Yes, he gets under my skin like that as well. You can say we aren't the best of friends. Pray, I never did get your name. What is it?"
"Joseph Wheelman," he piped up.
"And I am Yugi," said the Prince. He usually didn't give out his name without his title attached, but he could tell already that he'd like this Byzantine person. After all, they already had something in common, the prince thought with a smile.
The four were walking along an outdoor walkway with an overhang of stone, and soon they came to a corridor of finely painted and decorated doorways and wall hangings.
"These are our guest halls. This one is two wings from where the Duke is staying, so I doubt you'll be bothered easily here. I would suppose Tristan would like to take a room with his guests?"
Tristan nodded without even thinking it. No way he'd been travelling with them for almost three months only to leave them at the castle all alone!
Prince Yugi only nodded. "Alright, this door can be for Miss Serenity's room," he said with a smile in her direction and a small scowl from Joseph's, "And the next one to the right can be for her companion..."
"Pardon the interruption, but they're siblings, your Highness."
"Siblings? Ahh, thank you Tristan. Alright, in any case, Joseph's shall be to the right of Serenity's. And Tristan, if you want the next one down...."
After they'd been pointed and shown rooms, the prince had to leave on business, but sent servants to help settle the three in. A messenger was sent to his mother's home saying that Tristan would be staying for awhile, while Joseph and Serenity were scrubbed and cleaned.
Soon after, another messenger was sent to the rooms.
"His Royal Highness the Prince Yugi of England requests his guest's presence for the banquet tonight in the honor of his Excellence the Duke Devlin tonight."
With that word, Serenity was sent nearly into a tizzy. "Brother, Brother! We're to DINE with royalty!!"
~*~Translations for the French ~*~
(1) "It's your father!!"
"Ah! My father!?"
"It's true! The King returns!!"
"Oh my...no...no..."
"Yes yes!!"
(2) "PRINCESS TEÁRESSE-MARIE!!"
"Oh my.........What is it?"
"IT'S YOUR...."
"YES YES YES!!! MY FATHER!!!!"
(3) Zut = Darn
Zutsokaki: Oo; Euh?
Brood: *snicker* Yeah, that's what I think every time you come into a room... "Zut!"
Zutsokaki: *busying himself with beating up a large thing that appears to be a clone of himself* Haw haw haw....you're VERY witty, aren't you? Thought of that yourself? AND I SWEAR THE NEXT TIME YOU ACTIVATE THIS ROBOT OF ME I'LL KILL YOU!!!!
Brood: *sweatdrops* Just shaddap. WOW haven't we met alot of great people this chapter! Didn't I just blow EVERYONE'S ideas of the Duke out of the water! XD!!!!
Zutsokaki: Come to think of it...since you said that dub names would be used...it was kinda obvious...
Brood: Well, Seto made his grand entrance today anyway, as Seton, the advisor! Yay! AND SO DID MYOTSIMON! The master thief, of course! And his pupil, did everyone get who he is? Hehehe... by the way, Rou is pronounced like "Row." Okay? Now everyone be patient, I got lots of work before I get the next chapter out....
P.S. In case you were lost on the whole Robo-Zutso thing, he went to visit another authoress for a week awhile back. I needed SOMETHING for my anti- museish co-host, so I built a Zutso-bot! Only I tweaked it's personality gears a bit....and made it obedient and nice! Hence, why it was vacuuming and whistling at the beginning....Hehehe...Zutsokaki REALLY hates the thing...
Zutsokaki: *vacuuming the living room and whistling a jauntly little tune* I can't wait!
Brood: *grins* Of course you can't....heheheh....Myotsi-kun, this one's for you man!
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER 3
*Somewhere hidden in the deep forests of England*
"Master Menenox, tell me again why we did not assail those three travellers?" A young man sat on a large flat boulder on the middle of a large clearing, chewing thoughfully on a piece of dried meat and wrapping his dark cloak about his body.
"Because, my very understanding apprentice, I felt as if they had nothing of worth on their persons." The master sat across from his student, chewing on his own piece of meat, but also setting down a large bag that clinked as if there were things inside of it that really weren't his to begin with. Beside them he set his bow and arrows, and lay down his belt of throwing daggers. His long dark hair waved about him as the wind blew, and he looked over at his apprentice through the billowing strands.
"Master......I just don't understand. Maybe I will when I've learned under you longer." The Master glanced at his apprentice, a boy with white hair and large thoughtful brown eyes. The innocent looking sort, not the kind to be apprentice to a Master Thief.
But when a whole village lay decimated at the hands and arrows of the Frankish armies, the thief had gone trying to loot whatever booty the armies had left. Picking through the burnt and maimed bodies of the innocent men who'd died defending their land, the women who'd attemped to defend their homes, and the children who's defences failed them, he'd found instead was a boy of about eight years old, with hair that had been shocked pure white, more than likely due to his horrifying experiences as the sole survivor of the village. He'd been found cradling the body of an older girl with white-blonde hair, and muttering "...Amane....Amane...." over and over again.
The thief had considered selling him as a slave to make up for the spoils that he couldn't find, but in surprise, he felt pity for this boy. Well, since he'd never had an apprentice before...he thought he'd give it a shot. He took the boy from the village after humoring him one thing, a burial for his Amane, and brought him to his forest home to learn.
That was one instance where the thief's mind had surprised him, and today was another instance. Three travellers, with only two horses and a few weapons, had passed by. Two boys and one girl. Not very old, yet travelling alone. Rou, the boy, had almost immediately began preparations for their "Wounded and Alone" routine, where he'd lie in the road and moan for assistance, and then the Master would then procede to rob them of their things when they weren't looking, when the Master had stopped Rou.
"Not these. They don't have anything." Rou had looked at him oddly, but shrugged under the dominance of his Master, and simply followed him as the Master tracked the three. When other highway bandits had attempted to jump out at them, Rou and the Master had ambushed them, and kept them safe.
Again, the Master had no clue why he was doing this, but he had an odd feeling that these people needed to make it to their destination safely. Twice more they had to stop bandits from getting them, and once he even heard the brunette boy mention their good luck on not having to fight bandits. The Master had snorted on this and muttered, "Luck, nothing!"
Once they were safe within city walls, Rou had looked at him oddly and they had gone back to one of their encampments. Once they were back, they lapsed into the conversation that Rou had started by asking about his Master's leiniance.
Even though this Master Bandit himself was unsure why he spared these travellers, he felt as if they had some purpose to serve yet. Shrugging of his own uncertainity and his apprentices looks, he pulled out some dried meats for himself and began chewing.
~*~ In the Royal Castle of the Franks ~*~
"C'est ton père!!"
"EUH!? MON PÈRE!?"
"C'est vrai!!! Le Roi se retourne!!"
"Oh là là!!! Non...non..."
"Oui! Oui!!" (1)
The servants were in an uproar. The king was returning, and one of them took the liberty of informing the Princess of the Franks that he was on his way. He had been on one of the battle fronts for about a month now, leaving a steward, his own brother the Grand Duke, and his daughter, in charge, the Princess to a much lesser extent than the Grand Duke.
"PRINCESSE TEÁRESSE-MARIE!!"
"Oh là là......... Le quel est?"
"C'EST TON...."
"OUI OUI OUI!!! MON PÈRE!!!!" (2) She practically yelled at the poor over excited servant. When the now horrified servant had scuttled off, she scuffed her dainty pink slippers into the floor muttering, "Zut, zut, et zut..." (3) over and over again. She didn't want her father returning. Her uncle, the Grand Duke, had left a few things in a mess, and she just KNEW that she'd be blamed for it.
Suddenly, a door opened after a small knock. A girl, younger than the Princesse héritière (Crown Princess) tip-toed in.
^"Big sister...? Are you mad that our father is coming home?"^
Tearesse smiled down on her younger sister. ^"No Rebeccque. Things just aren't normal right now, and I don't want our father coming home to see his kingdom in a small state of disarray..."^
Rebeccque, the younger princess of the kingdom, shook her head of straight blonde hair and took her sister's hand. ^"Don't worry, he won't blame you for it all. In any case, have you seen my bear?"^
Once again, the older royal smiled. Their father, the King, had once taken them both to a circus, a display of trained animal tricks. Rebeccque had seen a bear and immediately demanded one. Her father wouldn't give her a real one, but had appeased her with a stuffed one made of a honey brown bear pelt and small black beads for it's eyes. Now she always had it, and sometimes could been seen speaking to it.
^"I think one of the servants might have taken it for cleaning, sister. Why don't you ask around?"^
Rebeccque nodded happily and trotted to the door, holding up her skirts.
As soon as her sister was gone, Tearesse sighed wearily and waited. Her father would be back towards the evening, and she had to prepare herself, mentally and physically.
~*~ In the English Castle.... ~*~
Tristan strided with confidence into the hall, with Serenity and Joseph walking uncertainly behind him. Joseph tried to look important by holding his head high and puffing out his chest, holding his arm in a regal way that allowed his sister to take it. She giggled at her silly brother, and took the arm as the walked.
The prince rose from his seat at his father's side as they approached, and then, before Tristan could dip into a kneel, surprised them all by enveloping the young minstrel into a large hug.
"My lost friend! I thought you were gone from us forever! When I gave you leave for what you called "light travelling" I did not know that you would find your way all the way to heathen territories!"
"My prince!" Tristan sputtered. "I was not lost! In fact, I bring companions as well!"
"I was wondering...." came the voice of the King, "who these young ones you'd brought with you were........"
The prince finally let go of Tristan and peeped behind him. "Aaahh!! Byzantines! Why on earth did you ever bring them!?"
"My Prince Yugi, I brought them because their great home in Constantinople was besieged by the Ottoman Turks and their grandmother bade me. But one has something for us that you may find interesting...."
"I'll say...." the prince muttered, and strode directly up to Serenity. "Pray tell, Tristan my good man, what is this maiden's name?"
Serenity colored, but replied on her own. "Your Majesty, my name is Serenity."
"My dear, while you are here, I am ever at your service." With that, he took her hand and kissed it. Serenity blushed pleasantly, and Joseph colored for an entirely different reason. He let out a low growl and his eyes narrowed, and Tristan immediatly sensed danger.
Going up to Joseph, he took the boy's shoulder. Joseph quieted as the prince relinquished his sister's hand, but he kept a wary eye on the prince for the rest of the morning.
"Your Royal Majesties, this young man, Joseph, has some information for you...."
The prince returned his attention to Tristan, and the king turned his eye in his direction.
"Well, hearing news of the Byzantine seige would probably...." At that moment, the king was interrupted by extremely loud heralding trumpets. "Well, that would be the call of the duke. Let him in, doorman. Son, let our guests stand to the side for our esteemed Duke."
After Tristan and his friends were shuffled off to one side, the doors were flung open and light poured in.
Striding in with proud confidence came the young duke. His long black hair was tugged loosely into a tie at the back of his head, and his green eyes sparkled with his own feelings of personal importance. His fine clothes of black and red fit him well and only served his proud and regal figure. His entourage scurried after him, flanking him. The herald spoke loudly over all.
"Announcing to your Royal Majesties of England, the Duke Devlin!"
The Duke, upon the announcment of his name, bowed with a flourish to the royalty. "I am graciously pleased that your majesties have invited me to your great castle." He said with a deep and thrilling voice. A shudder ran through the auburn-haired girl off to the side.
The King rose to greet the Duke. "Duke Devlin, your thanks are well recieved. We indeed hope that your stay with us will be a pleasant one, and that all of your needs are served. I do hope that you'll be dining with us this evening?"
"With your royal invitation, who would want to decline?" The duke replied eloquently.
"Good, good," the king said. "Now I will call a servant for you to show you to the area where you and your entourage will be staying, so you may rest."
The duke nodded with a large smile, and a voice called from behind.
"I'll show him if you don't mind, Your Majesty...."
The herald became flustered for a moment, then announced surprisedly, "Announcing the Royal Advisor, Seton!"
And into the lit chamber stepped a man of tall stature, even if he couldn't be much older than the prince and the duke. His short and official looking brown hair and piercing deep blue eyes immediately gave him the aura of authority, and when he spoke advice, his tones and guestures made any but the most experienced with him believe that he spoke truth without even hearing his words.
Any in the room could almost immediately feel the room become thick with mingled feelings. Tristan, looking over at the prince, saw the royal young man's face become contorted with ill hid loathing, and he himself hid a sigh. It never ends, he thought wistfully. Looking over at his Byzantine friends, he saw awe. This must have been exciting for them, since in one day they've suddenly met four regal figures of England. Joseph's large brown eyes were lit with wonder, and Serenity's were alight with something different.
So many dashing men...too few eyeballs to gawk at them with, Tristan thought with a smirk.
After Seton had payed his repects to the King, he turned in Tristan's direction. "So I see that the kingdom's favorite minstrel has returned from hither and thither....and brings a Byzantine pair with him." This remark drew the Duke's attention in their direction as well. Seton stepped closer, his cloak sweeping about him and a large smile crossing his face that was none too friendly. He peered at the girl, who seemed to look at him with respect and awe, and then the boy, older than her, who looked at him with defiance for looking at his sister like that.
"And by the looks of it, not much of a pair this mongrel and maiden make. Wouldn't the girl be more fit to stay with a person of higher stature than her scruffy compainion?"
Joseph bristled and his body tightened, doing everything he could to keep himself from jumping this man of regal importance. Tristan and Serenity touched Joseph lightly and he seemed to calm. The king looked at Seton and shook his head.
"You should treat guests of our prince more kindly, Seton." The Prince Yugi looked up at his father, wonder in his eyes, but soon quenched it. "They come from the ravaged city of Constantinople, and bring me news and tales."
Seton bowed low to the King. "I am sorry if I had offended his Royal Majesty the Prince by simply speaking my opinion. Mayhaps if I sent them to be cleaned from their journeys the boy would not look as if he'd just rolled out of a puddle."
Joseph couldn't help but bristle again. What on earth did he ever do to this guy!? He'd just gotten here!
The Prince stepped forward towards his father. "Your Majesty, your leave to take my "guests" so that our esteemed advisor may speak with you about his offer?" He accented "guests" on purpose, to highlight his father's push of them upon him. Not that he didn't mind, especially with the girl Serenity, but he would have liked to be asked first.
The king waved his hand, and the prince nodded at the three. They took their leave, walking behind the prince, and bowing respectfully before they left the room.
The Duke Devlin looked out after them all. "They were really Byzantines from Constantinople, your Highness?" The king nodded, and the duke's eyes widened. "Well, this shall certainly make my stay more interesting. In any case, I accept the Royal Advisor's gracious offer." He nodded at the advisor Seton, giving him a winning smile. The advisor did little but nod in return.
"That's wonderful!" King Solomon said. "Now it is my royal advice that you settle in, honored guest, and prepare for a feast tonight!"
The Duke bowed and snapped his fingers. His entourage immediately fell in behind him as he respectfully excused himself from the King's Hall, the doors clanging shut behind them all dramatically as a servant scurried up, ready to show the Duke to his residental area.
~*~
"Don't mind the advisor, Seton, Byzantine. He gets under my skin too." The Prince walked briskly in front of the trio, Serenity having to practically skip to keep up with the taller boys.
Joseph took the opportunity of having barely anyone else around to speak directly to the Prince. "Really, your Highness? I mean, I didn't do a THING to him, and he just runs his mouth..." Tristan put his hand on Joseph's shoulder again, a silent warning not to speak of the advisor like that.
The Prince only smiled though. "Yes, he gets under my skin like that as well. You can say we aren't the best of friends. Pray, I never did get your name. What is it?"
"Joseph Wheelman," he piped up.
"And I am Yugi," said the Prince. He usually didn't give out his name without his title attached, but he could tell already that he'd like this Byzantine person. After all, they already had something in common, the prince thought with a smile.
The four were walking along an outdoor walkway with an overhang of stone, and soon they came to a corridor of finely painted and decorated doorways and wall hangings.
"These are our guest halls. This one is two wings from where the Duke is staying, so I doubt you'll be bothered easily here. I would suppose Tristan would like to take a room with his guests?"
Tristan nodded without even thinking it. No way he'd been travelling with them for almost three months only to leave them at the castle all alone!
Prince Yugi only nodded. "Alright, this door can be for Miss Serenity's room," he said with a smile in her direction and a small scowl from Joseph's, "And the next one to the right can be for her companion..."
"Pardon the interruption, but they're siblings, your Highness."
"Siblings? Ahh, thank you Tristan. Alright, in any case, Joseph's shall be to the right of Serenity's. And Tristan, if you want the next one down...."
After they'd been pointed and shown rooms, the prince had to leave on business, but sent servants to help settle the three in. A messenger was sent to his mother's home saying that Tristan would be staying for awhile, while Joseph and Serenity were scrubbed and cleaned.
Soon after, another messenger was sent to the rooms.
"His Royal Highness the Prince Yugi of England requests his guest's presence for the banquet tonight in the honor of his Excellence the Duke Devlin tonight."
With that word, Serenity was sent nearly into a tizzy. "Brother, Brother! We're to DINE with royalty!!"
~*~Translations for the French ~*~
(1) "It's your father!!"
"Ah! My father!?"
"It's true! The King returns!!"
"Oh my...no...no..."
"Yes yes!!"
(2) "PRINCESS TEÁRESSE-MARIE!!"
"Oh my.........What is it?"
"IT'S YOUR...."
"YES YES YES!!! MY FATHER!!!!"
(3) Zut = Darn
Zutsokaki: Oo; Euh?
Brood: *snicker* Yeah, that's what I think every time you come into a room... "Zut!"
Zutsokaki: *busying himself with beating up a large thing that appears to be a clone of himself* Haw haw haw....you're VERY witty, aren't you? Thought of that yourself? AND I SWEAR THE NEXT TIME YOU ACTIVATE THIS ROBOT OF ME I'LL KILL YOU!!!!
Brood: *sweatdrops* Just shaddap. WOW haven't we met alot of great people this chapter! Didn't I just blow EVERYONE'S ideas of the Duke out of the water! XD!!!!
Zutsokaki: Come to think of it...since you said that dub names would be used...it was kinda obvious...
Brood: Well, Seto made his grand entrance today anyway, as Seton, the advisor! Yay! AND SO DID MYOTSIMON! The master thief, of course! And his pupil, did everyone get who he is? Hehehe... by the way, Rou is pronounced like "Row." Okay? Now everyone be patient, I got lots of work before I get the next chapter out....
P.S. In case you were lost on the whole Robo-Zutso thing, he went to visit another authoress for a week awhile back. I needed SOMETHING for my anti- museish co-host, so I built a Zutso-bot! Only I tweaked it's personality gears a bit....and made it obedient and nice! Hence, why it was vacuuming and whistling at the beginning....Hehehe...Zutsokaki REALLY hates the thing...