Serenades of the Desert Rose
Chapter Four: Little Lost Princess
Author Notes: Here's the next chap. Sorry it took me so long. *hides* Don't hurt me. *hides again* Oh, and if you've read the Blue Sword, I stole the visions idea from it. ^_^ Well... and the sash XD. Sorry, nothing more, though, I promise!
Disclaimer: All previous apply. Mostly cause I'm too lazy to write another one, but partly cause I don't want to.
~~*~~
Mina eyed Malachite warily. She found herself staring into his slate gray eyes, awaiting what he had to say. The moment was longer than she could stand.
Finally he spoke. "You are one of Serenity's guardians?" he asked. She nodded, eyes narrowing. He nodded in return. "Then you are a warrior?"
"I am a senshi." she stated. His eyebrows raised, but nothing in his demeanor changed.
"You do your job well, Guardian." he stated. She tensed when he moved for his sword. He drew the long, curved blade and held it sideways. Mina fought the fear that threatened to tear her apart.
~~*~~
Malachite didn't know what he was doing. He drew his sword. He could see the fear in her eyes... her beautiful eyes.
She was ready to act, but he knew she didn't know how to respond to him. One minute he was friendly, the next the snake who threatened with it's poison.
"What is your name, Guardian?" he asked her. She hesitated, staring at the blade in his hands.
"I am Venus Minako." she offered. Malachite smiled slightly. He knew the name, knew it well, when it was used as a Guardian's name.
She was the princess of Venus, and their only heir. Her as a hostage meant free passage through the Venusian held lands here on Earth.
He felt a pang of guilt. That was against his ways. He hated using the innocent like that. He knew he would have to return her to her lands, whether Darien allowed or not. He took the impulse and bowed before her. Head low, and sword offered pommel out to her. "I vow to you, Princess, I will return you to your people." he spoke in oath. She started, eyes wide.
"That... Thank you." she cut herself off. She gently touched the pommel of his sword.
Neither knew how, but a moment later her hand rested gently on his. A spark ignited in that touch and they both looked away from the other sorely confused. She held her own arms and suddenly felt like crying.
"Malachite! Lord Darien is looking for you." Jedite spoke, appearing at the edge of the trees. Malachite stood and brushed his clothes free of the sand and walked towards the edge of the trees. He turned back once and saw her watching him.
He hurried away from the oasis. He found the king of the desert lands sitting cross-legged in front of the dinner fire. It was almost dark, and the dinner meal would be soon. "My King?"
Darien glanced up. "Oh, I didn't hear you coming, Malachite. Sit down." he spoke, motioning to the ground beside him.
"You were looking for me?"
The king didn't respond for a moment. He was intent on the fire before them. His deep ocean colored eyes were intent on something there.
"Darien-sol." Malachite said, more forcefully this time.
The king snapped back to reality. "Sorry, friend." he mumbled. "I wanted to ask you something, as your cousin, not your king."
Malachite braced himself. It could never be good at this point. "Of course."
"Was your taking our guest instead of Serenity a sign from the Goddess? Should I not bring the fair young moon princess to these harsh deserts?" Darien questioned. Malachite closed his eyes.
"I don't think so, cousin. It was my fault, not the will of the great Goddess." Malachite assured. He hated seeing his king, his cousin, like this. He was teetering on depression.
Darien stared into the fire more intently. Malachite turned his own gaze there. He saw only flames for a moment, but faster than any vision he'd received before, it came. He saw Mina, cloaked and dressed as only the King's personal guard would be, a long sword at her side to boot. She was hidden from view, her face covered. She seemed to be waiting for something. He focused for a moment, more intent on the sash she wore at her waist. With a start, the white haired man realized that the sash was the golden one that Darien-sol wore as king. The only difference was that this sash had been torn and mended.
"What do you see, my friend?" Darien asked, eyes never leaving the flames. Malachite shook his head slightly as he blinked.
"The girl... she was your guardian." was all he said of it.
Darien considered this. "Are you sure?" he asked. Malachite nodded. "Why would the Goddess show you this, and not I?"
Malachite kept silent, for he had guesses he dare not share.
~~*~~
Mina felt trapped. She looked around the spacious tent she had been placed in and bit her lower lip. This definitely wasn't a prisoner tent, she knew. The walls were tall, and the space inside the tent could easily be separated by curtains to be tied at the roof. Scarcely decorated by the standards she was used to, but lavishly done by the desert travelers' standards, she examined the room.
A long table ran down the center of the room, low to the ground and suited for the pillows that would serve as seats. For now the table was bare, but she doubted that would last long.
Across from her was a pile of pillows and blankets that appeared to serve as a bed, for whomever this tent's owner was.
Mina's eyes were immediately turned towards the door of the tent as she head it pulled aside.
The man she'd assumed was their king stood there.
She dropped her eyes without thinking and braced for whatever he might have to say. He was silent a moment as he walked past her. She didn't dare watch him as he tended to something outside her range of view.
"You are the Lady Venus?" he finally asked. She took a deep breath.
"Yes." she returned. He nodded slightly, though he'd obviously known her identity.
"What do you know of our culture, Lady?" he asked, turning towards her. His deep sapphire drilled into her.
She would have sworn that he was searching her very core with those eyes. "Not as much as to call myself enlightened to your ways." she replied carefully. She knew a few things, though.
She knew they were a very religious group, praying to the "Great Goddess". She wasn't sure all of the details, but some of their more pure blooded folk were often gifted with 'visions', sent from the Goddess. They took these visions very seriously, often changing everything in theirs lives to fit them.
Women, in this culture, were considered very near equal the men. They could be warriors, just as the men could. They could own property and run their own home. When a man and woman married, they must gain a vision or sign from the Goddess that it was the right step for them to take.
"Do you know what my people believe about our gift of visions?" he asked. She nodded. "That is a good thing." he began.
She stiffened, but he sat at the head of the low table and motioned for her to take his right hand. She took the seat, knowing that in her lands this was a great honor, to sit at the king's right hand. She wondered idly if it was the same here.
A long moment passed, and the tent began to bustle with movement. Servants hurried to enter and set the low table with plates of exotic foods. Bright fruit, steaming meat, and a strange, thin soup that smelled wonderful.
Mina's mouth watered. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was until now.
One by one men and women, dressed as warriors, took seats at the table. Each seemed to know where they were to sit, and seemed to understand the presence of the young, female outsider that sat in the place of honor next to their king. Finally only the seat across from Mina was empty. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
With a pang she realized that Malachite was missing. She'd been hoping to see him again. He was the only friendly, familiar face, she knew.
Everyone sat in silence as the servant's retreated. Eyes were stony, but expressions were warm, as she looked around.
"Where is my cousin?" Darien asked, motioning to the seat at his left hand. No one jumped to speak, until a young woman warrior spoke up.
"He was tending to Silvershard last I saw him. That was near an hour ago, by my memory, though." she sighed. Mina raised an eyebrow. Who was this Silvershard? Let alone, who was the man they spoke of.
"Foolish man, always keeping after that horse. He probably treats that horse better than he could ever treat a woman." one of the men, a man with short blonde hair and a paler complection than most of the others, spoke up.
Another laughed. "I've heard you can judge how a man treats a woman by the way he treats his horse." one of the women laughed. She tossed strands of raven hair as she did, eyes merry and shining like stars.
Darien raised his hand to silence them. He knew what route this conversation was going to take, and it was a vulgar one. "Let's keep from talking about him until he's here to defend his honor at least." the king laughed. Mina watched in silence.
The tent flap was pushed aside and Mina's spirit soared when Malachite stepped through. "I apologize for my tardiness." he spoke with a slight bow to the group. Each of the warriors touched their foreheads slightly and tipped their palms out in response. The silvery haired man strode to the table and took the seat at the king's left hand.
'So he's the king's cousin... I never even thought of it...' she thought, eyes searching the distracted warrior's face. He looked up and she averted her eyes, cheeks burning. 'Stupid girl.' she chided.
"Lady Minako, how are you this evening?" he asked. She looked up slightly.
"I am faring well, with thanks to the hospitality of your people." she returned cordially. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he seemed sad.
"I am sorry, my lady." he whispered. Before Mina could ask about that, Darien spoke up, drawing her attention.
"Good warriors, the Goddess has spoken." Darien began. The warriors bowed their heads slightly at the mention of their beloved goddess. "She has sent her will to us, in the form of a vision, granted to our own, my cousin Malachite. He has told me that he saw the outsider at my hand, dressed as a warrior... one of my personal Warriors... one of you." he explained.
Mina's eyes were wide. She clenched her jaw to fight the bile rising in her throat. She felt she couldn't breath. Her head spun.
She forced herself to listen.
"My king... can we interoperate this vision literally? This welp looks barely big enough to hold a sword, let alone use one." one of the men, one with long red brown hair billowing down his back, spoke. Mina became defensive.
"I'm an accomplished swordsman, thank you!" she snapped. The man looks skeptical.
"Nephlite, you should know she was one of the princess Serenity's personal guardians." Darien mentioned gently. The red haired man raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Back to the point, Nephy dear." the raven haired girl began. "She's to be a warrior, my lord?"
"Yes, Jayde." Darien supplied. She nodded.
"Very well. Then what's to decide?" Jayde continued.
"Who's to train her in our ways?" Malachite began. "She'll have to complete the trials, and she can't do that with her magic alone." he added. Mina furrowed her brow. For the first time since she'd arrived, she wondered where her brooch had gone.
"I think I know the perfect candidate, Malachite." Darien spoke. Mina eyed each of the warriors in turn, wondering who he meant.
"Who?"
"You." Darien spoke.
Both Malachite and Mina's eyes popped wide open. They locked view and each was filled with a certain amount of dread.
Chapter Four: Little Lost Princess
Author Notes: Here's the next chap. Sorry it took me so long. *hides* Don't hurt me. *hides again* Oh, and if you've read the Blue Sword, I stole the visions idea from it. ^_^ Well... and the sash XD. Sorry, nothing more, though, I promise!
Disclaimer: All previous apply. Mostly cause I'm too lazy to write another one, but partly cause I don't want to.
~~*~~
Mina eyed Malachite warily. She found herself staring into his slate gray eyes, awaiting what he had to say. The moment was longer than she could stand.
Finally he spoke. "You are one of Serenity's guardians?" he asked. She nodded, eyes narrowing. He nodded in return. "Then you are a warrior?"
"I am a senshi." she stated. His eyebrows raised, but nothing in his demeanor changed.
"You do your job well, Guardian." he stated. She tensed when he moved for his sword. He drew the long, curved blade and held it sideways. Mina fought the fear that threatened to tear her apart.
~~*~~
Malachite didn't know what he was doing. He drew his sword. He could see the fear in her eyes... her beautiful eyes.
She was ready to act, but he knew she didn't know how to respond to him. One minute he was friendly, the next the snake who threatened with it's poison.
"What is your name, Guardian?" he asked her. She hesitated, staring at the blade in his hands.
"I am Venus Minako." she offered. Malachite smiled slightly. He knew the name, knew it well, when it was used as a Guardian's name.
She was the princess of Venus, and their only heir. Her as a hostage meant free passage through the Venusian held lands here on Earth.
He felt a pang of guilt. That was against his ways. He hated using the innocent like that. He knew he would have to return her to her lands, whether Darien allowed or not. He took the impulse and bowed before her. Head low, and sword offered pommel out to her. "I vow to you, Princess, I will return you to your people." he spoke in oath. She started, eyes wide.
"That... Thank you." she cut herself off. She gently touched the pommel of his sword.
Neither knew how, but a moment later her hand rested gently on his. A spark ignited in that touch and they both looked away from the other sorely confused. She held her own arms and suddenly felt like crying.
"Malachite! Lord Darien is looking for you." Jedite spoke, appearing at the edge of the trees. Malachite stood and brushed his clothes free of the sand and walked towards the edge of the trees. He turned back once and saw her watching him.
He hurried away from the oasis. He found the king of the desert lands sitting cross-legged in front of the dinner fire. It was almost dark, and the dinner meal would be soon. "My King?"
Darien glanced up. "Oh, I didn't hear you coming, Malachite. Sit down." he spoke, motioning to the ground beside him.
"You were looking for me?"
The king didn't respond for a moment. He was intent on the fire before them. His deep ocean colored eyes were intent on something there.
"Darien-sol." Malachite said, more forcefully this time.
The king snapped back to reality. "Sorry, friend." he mumbled. "I wanted to ask you something, as your cousin, not your king."
Malachite braced himself. It could never be good at this point. "Of course."
"Was your taking our guest instead of Serenity a sign from the Goddess? Should I not bring the fair young moon princess to these harsh deserts?" Darien questioned. Malachite closed his eyes.
"I don't think so, cousin. It was my fault, not the will of the great Goddess." Malachite assured. He hated seeing his king, his cousin, like this. He was teetering on depression.
Darien stared into the fire more intently. Malachite turned his own gaze there. He saw only flames for a moment, but faster than any vision he'd received before, it came. He saw Mina, cloaked and dressed as only the King's personal guard would be, a long sword at her side to boot. She was hidden from view, her face covered. She seemed to be waiting for something. He focused for a moment, more intent on the sash she wore at her waist. With a start, the white haired man realized that the sash was the golden one that Darien-sol wore as king. The only difference was that this sash had been torn and mended.
"What do you see, my friend?" Darien asked, eyes never leaving the flames. Malachite shook his head slightly as he blinked.
"The girl... she was your guardian." was all he said of it.
Darien considered this. "Are you sure?" he asked. Malachite nodded. "Why would the Goddess show you this, and not I?"
Malachite kept silent, for he had guesses he dare not share.
~~*~~
Mina felt trapped. She looked around the spacious tent she had been placed in and bit her lower lip. This definitely wasn't a prisoner tent, she knew. The walls were tall, and the space inside the tent could easily be separated by curtains to be tied at the roof. Scarcely decorated by the standards she was used to, but lavishly done by the desert travelers' standards, she examined the room.
A long table ran down the center of the room, low to the ground and suited for the pillows that would serve as seats. For now the table was bare, but she doubted that would last long.
Across from her was a pile of pillows and blankets that appeared to serve as a bed, for whomever this tent's owner was.
Mina's eyes were immediately turned towards the door of the tent as she head it pulled aside.
The man she'd assumed was their king stood there.
She dropped her eyes without thinking and braced for whatever he might have to say. He was silent a moment as he walked past her. She didn't dare watch him as he tended to something outside her range of view.
"You are the Lady Venus?" he finally asked. She took a deep breath.
"Yes." she returned. He nodded slightly, though he'd obviously known her identity.
"What do you know of our culture, Lady?" he asked, turning towards her. His deep sapphire drilled into her.
She would have sworn that he was searching her very core with those eyes. "Not as much as to call myself enlightened to your ways." she replied carefully. She knew a few things, though.
She knew they were a very religious group, praying to the "Great Goddess". She wasn't sure all of the details, but some of their more pure blooded folk were often gifted with 'visions', sent from the Goddess. They took these visions very seriously, often changing everything in theirs lives to fit them.
Women, in this culture, were considered very near equal the men. They could be warriors, just as the men could. They could own property and run their own home. When a man and woman married, they must gain a vision or sign from the Goddess that it was the right step for them to take.
"Do you know what my people believe about our gift of visions?" he asked. She nodded. "That is a good thing." he began.
She stiffened, but he sat at the head of the low table and motioned for her to take his right hand. She took the seat, knowing that in her lands this was a great honor, to sit at the king's right hand. She wondered idly if it was the same here.
A long moment passed, and the tent began to bustle with movement. Servants hurried to enter and set the low table with plates of exotic foods. Bright fruit, steaming meat, and a strange, thin soup that smelled wonderful.
Mina's mouth watered. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was until now.
One by one men and women, dressed as warriors, took seats at the table. Each seemed to know where they were to sit, and seemed to understand the presence of the young, female outsider that sat in the place of honor next to their king. Finally only the seat across from Mina was empty. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
With a pang she realized that Malachite was missing. She'd been hoping to see him again. He was the only friendly, familiar face, she knew.
Everyone sat in silence as the servant's retreated. Eyes were stony, but expressions were warm, as she looked around.
"Where is my cousin?" Darien asked, motioning to the seat at his left hand. No one jumped to speak, until a young woman warrior spoke up.
"He was tending to Silvershard last I saw him. That was near an hour ago, by my memory, though." she sighed. Mina raised an eyebrow. Who was this Silvershard? Let alone, who was the man they spoke of.
"Foolish man, always keeping after that horse. He probably treats that horse better than he could ever treat a woman." one of the men, a man with short blonde hair and a paler complection than most of the others, spoke up.
Another laughed. "I've heard you can judge how a man treats a woman by the way he treats his horse." one of the women laughed. She tossed strands of raven hair as she did, eyes merry and shining like stars.
Darien raised his hand to silence them. He knew what route this conversation was going to take, and it was a vulgar one. "Let's keep from talking about him until he's here to defend his honor at least." the king laughed. Mina watched in silence.
The tent flap was pushed aside and Mina's spirit soared when Malachite stepped through. "I apologize for my tardiness." he spoke with a slight bow to the group. Each of the warriors touched their foreheads slightly and tipped their palms out in response. The silvery haired man strode to the table and took the seat at the king's left hand.
'So he's the king's cousin... I never even thought of it...' she thought, eyes searching the distracted warrior's face. He looked up and she averted her eyes, cheeks burning. 'Stupid girl.' she chided.
"Lady Minako, how are you this evening?" he asked. She looked up slightly.
"I am faring well, with thanks to the hospitality of your people." she returned cordially. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he seemed sad.
"I am sorry, my lady." he whispered. Before Mina could ask about that, Darien spoke up, drawing her attention.
"Good warriors, the Goddess has spoken." Darien began. The warriors bowed their heads slightly at the mention of their beloved goddess. "She has sent her will to us, in the form of a vision, granted to our own, my cousin Malachite. He has told me that he saw the outsider at my hand, dressed as a warrior... one of my personal Warriors... one of you." he explained.
Mina's eyes were wide. She clenched her jaw to fight the bile rising in her throat. She felt she couldn't breath. Her head spun.
She forced herself to listen.
"My king... can we interoperate this vision literally? This welp looks barely big enough to hold a sword, let alone use one." one of the men, one with long red brown hair billowing down his back, spoke. Mina became defensive.
"I'm an accomplished swordsman, thank you!" she snapped. The man looks skeptical.
"Nephlite, you should know she was one of the princess Serenity's personal guardians." Darien mentioned gently. The red haired man raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Back to the point, Nephy dear." the raven haired girl began. "She's to be a warrior, my lord?"
"Yes, Jayde." Darien supplied. She nodded.
"Very well. Then what's to decide?" Jayde continued.
"Who's to train her in our ways?" Malachite began. "She'll have to complete the trials, and she can't do that with her magic alone." he added. Mina furrowed her brow. For the first time since she'd arrived, she wondered where her brooch had gone.
"I think I know the perfect candidate, Malachite." Darien spoke. Mina eyed each of the warriors in turn, wondering who he meant.
"Who?"
"You." Darien spoke.
Both Malachite and Mina's eyes popped wide open. They locked view and each was filled with a certain amount of dread.