Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
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I appreciate it more than you could know. Thank you. This chapter is dedicated to all of you! I cannot express my most humble thanks!
Isadora watched wide-eyed as the prince ran down the corridor his sobs and screams startling her more than they ever had. She'd known the boy since he was a baby, and could remember all of his frightful fits that had increased in severity as he grew. But never had she seen him more disheveled. However, before she could try to go after him, to offer any sort of comfort, his retinue burst from the audience hall as well. Pothinus and his hangers-on babbled in outrage, shooting murderous looks at the handmaiden as they scurried by. Isadora scowled at their backs, wondering what exactly had happened. She was just about to question her guard when she heard the door open once again. She turned to see the prince shaking his head in astonishment. He looked up to lock eyes with her, as though he had sensed her presence and knew exactly where to find her. Isadora swallowed unintentionally, as she tried to tear her gaze from his, but failed. She could feel the blush of unease rising to her pale cheeks. Her hands nervously sought each other, and she tugged on them, fidgeting anxiously. He started towards her, keeping his eyes on her face. She could not stand staring into the sensual depths of his eyes any longer and finally turned her head away. Van stopped two steps away, watching her intently.
After a few moments of silence she forced herself to bow her head and curtsey, "Your highness."
"Good afternoon, Prophetess." He said politely. His voice was warm, but restrained as though talking to an old acquaintance. Isadora kept her head bowed, her eyes on the tiles. With a half smile he prompted, "Your lady certainly is full of tricks…She seems to have captured my brother's attention."
Isadora's head snapped up and she replied hotly, "My lady is not full of trickery! She is an honest woman!"
Taken aback Van blinked several times. He shook his head, spreading his hands, saying quickly, "No, no. I meant- nothing by it…I just…" He trailed off uncertainly.
"Oh." Isadora's anger was swiftly replaced by a frown of regret. She bit her lower lip, bowing her head again. "I'm s-sorry your highness, I shouldn't have- said anything." She apologized.
He shrugged his shoulders carelessly, "It's okay, Hitomi." She flinched at the use of her former name. And looked up at him, questioning him silently. Immediately he looked slightly worried, seeing the trace of ache in her eyes. He wondered why she reacted like he had broken a taboo. Slowly he asked, "Have I offended you?"
She shook her hurriedly, "No, it's only that…I'm called Isadora now."
"Oh." He said shortly. He thought on it a moment, then with a smile murmured softly, "'Gift of the moon'." Blushing furiously now, Isadora just nodded, unable to meet his amused gaze.
"Uh- yes. But could you tell me now, your highness, what's going on?" She looked at him trying to keep a seriousness to her face. However she knew that her face showed her lack of confidence. She found herself uneasy in his presence, unable to completely swallow the fact that he was real and not just a dream. He was the exact image of the young man in her dream, but still she didn't wish to recognize it.
"Yeah, but just call me Van. After all I'm not a prince of Egypt. It's- awkward. I never really liked the title." He looked to his right, distracted by thoughts of the past. Reality crashed into him in an instant and he was gazing at the woman before him. He shrugged again with his boyish casualty, "I guess seeing Sitiah caused Ptolemy to throw a hissy-fit. He just ran out. Strategos has ordered that he be brought back and calmed before he admits him again."
Isadora frowned rubbing her thumb over the emerald in her ring, "I see." She remained silent for a while mulling over the prince's words. So…the little brat is crying about Sitiah being here. Ha! Serves him right for trying to kill her… I guess I feel bad for him though, I mean, that greedy Pothinus and his lackeys are juggling him, filling his head with the idea that he will have complete power... They're such bullies. But…what will Strategos do? Will he try to influence the king? I wonder what will happen to Sitiah then…will she still be queen? Her eyes wide with worry she questioned, "What will Strategos do?" Surprised by the fear he heard in her voice he focused on her again. His cinnamon eyes narrowed speculatively watching her suddenly impatient features.
"I haven't discussed it with my brother. No one ever knows what he'll do." He finally replied. Suspicion had crept under his skin and slithered its way into his thoughts. He knew very well that in politics no one could be trusted, no matter how honest they seemed, or how beautifully their eyes sparkled. It didn't seem unlikely to him that the woman he spoke with might have been a spy for the queen. He was suddenly irritated, as though she was a prying enemy. He gauged her reaction cautiously.
Isadora's eyes roved over the room fretfully. She shook her head, "He can't think to- go against her, can he?" She appealed to him hopefully.
Van looked away in an almost cold manner saying simply, "He does what he wants."
Her shoulders fell as she sighed quietly to herself. Oh, Isis. She tried again in earnest, "But he has listened to her, hasn't he? At least considered her points?"
"Look, I don't know what he's thinking! But I know no matter how much your princess bats her eyelashes and pouts her pretty lips, she will not blind my brother to whatever truth he sees." He shot at her his eyes darkened with mistrust. Unnerved by his tone Isadora took a step back, her guards immediately stepping forward at the action. The prince just glared at one then the other and then looked back at her face.
"Sitiah is not some- courtesan. She isn't trying to woo him with her looks." She returned innocently. How can he think of her like that? Van only snorted in derision, tossing his head. He scowled at her then turned on his heel and walked away from her without a word. "Van!" She called after him bewildered by his sharpness, "Your- highness!" The doors at the other end of the hall shut behind him. The sound seemed to echo long after they had closed, leaving Hitomi with a feeling of emptiness. She didn't understand his sudden change of mood toward her. It made her feel as though her stomach had sunken into a black pit. She frowned forlornly. Why? Why- the sudden change in his attitude? I thought he- Well he acted as though he were my friend-and then-he just now…Is he really the one I saw in my visions?
Astonished Sitiah tried to catch her breath as she stared up at the man's smiling face. The laughter of his officers heated her, and she blushed trying to grasp what had happened. She frowned in confusion, then feeling the anger building she stepped away, yanking her wrists from his grasp.
"You- uncivilized Fanelian!" She shouted at him, in a fine fury. She brought her hand back to slap him, but once again he caught her arm expertly before she could strike his cheek. He laughed in amusement as though she were a temperamental child. Again she roared at him, "Do not touch me as though I'm some eager harlot who wants you in her bed!" She twisted in his grip as he laughed even harder.
"You seemed eager to have me there last night!" He replied nonchalantly, mirth flooding his voice. His men had not heard such good humor in him, and chuckled and encouraged his comment heartily, though they were surprised at his change in behavior. Sitiah however had frozen in wide-eyed horror.
She stared at him in disbelief. Pain intensified her look, bringing a pang of remorse to Folken. But it was only a glimmer of her hurt for it disappeared, as fast as it had come, in the wave of bitter anger. Folken had loosened his grip, and she took advantage of his moment of pity, pulling away from his hands.
"You are an unmannerly wretch! A disease upon my household! You and your incompetent dimwits burst into my palace, eat my food, steal from Egypt's storehouses, and call yourself honorable Fanelians!" She cried backing away from him. Rage had taken hold of her body, making her tremble with its intensity. The room had gone silent as though death had crept in and left them all standing without breath. Sitiah however had plenty of air and let her fury spill out fully. She actually spat on the floor at his feet.
Her expression one of complete disgust and dislike she continued, "And you- Folken Strategos- are worst of all. Running my palace as though you were king and had conquered here! Taking liberties you have no right to even speak of! You are a boorish thief, taking what doesn't belong to you, and proclaiming yourself the world's emperor!" She whirled away flying down the steps of the dais, storming towards the double doors. She turned abruptly to face him again, "You are not my emperor!" Two guards rushed to bar her way and she hissed like a wrathful cat.
"Queen Sitiah!" Folken's voice boomed in the large chamber sending a shiver down her spine. She stood still her shoulders heaving with every breath. She closed her eyes fighting back the angry tears that burned like acid. She opened them again clenching her teeth as she listened as he stomped down the stairs to the tiles. The chamber remained quiet for some time, everyone with a voice afraid to speak. Sitiah frowned, feeling exhausted by the flood of resentment that had ravaged her. Hesitantly she turned to face him again as he stood watching her from across the hall.
Her weary whispers carried through the hall to him, "You've called me Queen…Strategos."
"Yes," His voice was unsteady with his own displeasure, "You are restored to queen. And your brother will remain king by your side, so that there will be no civil war in Egypt. His army will be brought back in peace." She could not speak. She wanted to cry for joy, and fall into a deep perfect sleep all at the same time. She allowed herself a little smile. And Strategos knew it was meant for him, and him alone.
"Leave us." She murmured barely above a whisper. Strategos ordered them to do what she'd said with a simple look, and the ten men within the room departed without hesitation. When the door had closed behind them the silence seemed definite in the hall. Her throat aching, Sitiah managed a little cry as she launched herself into his arms. Her arms went about him, and she closed her eyes as the tears poured. She lay her cheek against the leather vest loving the solidity of the chest that she knew lay beneath. As she sobbed, shivering and pathetic against him he said nothing refusing the urge to wrap his arms around her. She'd wounded him more than anyone ever had. He felt the sting like a deep cut slashed across his heart and down into his soul. He could feel every shaking breath she took as she clung to him desperately. Strategos realized that he had hurt her as well with his ungentlemanly comments. Also though he knew that she held to him because he was truly her last safe guard, her only protector. He sighed with that knowledge, touched by its meaning. Never had he felt so protective of someone, or so comforted by one's touch. Wards had been cast aside, barriers breached without a thought. He'd never been so reckless. And never been so sure of himself in all his years.
"Oh he was just like a cobra! With eyes so- chilling- I swear, your highness, I could've sworn he was going to ring Ptolemy's little neck right there! He was so very white! He had no color left in that handsome face of his!" Cressida babbled as she carefully pinned her lady's hair.
Laughing Sitiah replied, "You find him handsome too, Cressida?"
"Devilishly so, your majesty! Set himself would say so! And what a strong man he is too. And sensitive- I heard after he dismissed Ptolemy and his fleas, that he cried over poor Pompey's unseemly murder! He's a soldier besides..." She chattered brightly, her lips curling into a sly grin.
"Cressida, where did you pick up all this?" Isadora questioned tracing the gold designs on the blue blanket she lay on. Cressida laughed, her pale blue eyes dazzling with delight.
"I'm surprised at you, Priestess! Why would you ask such a thing?" Cressida scoffed pretending to be offended. She turned to the girl who lounged on her mistress' bed.
"I don't know," Isadora sighed with a roll of her eyes, "I guess I thought you'd slip and reveal your sources." She laid her chin on her hands, watching as Cressida snorted and tossed her blond-brown hair over her shoulders. All of the women about the chamber giggled at the joke, shaking their heads.
"I'm personally very glad Cressida has such a unique skill for overhearing conversations. Now, tell me what Strategos said." Sitiah smiled eagerly into the mirror.
"Yes, Majesty, I was getting there," The woman replied patiently as she poured oil into her hands. Isadora frowned from her place on the bed, wishing Cressida would finish her story. Cressida glanced at her, but ignored the look and went on working the scented oil into the queen's hair.
"Strategos was very displeased with the news Pothinus presented him with. He told that repulsive swine to 'wipe the smug smile off his face and shove it up his ass'. He then told Ptolemy he was a 'spoiled and pathetic crybaby who had no true heart to be king'. He was practically breathing fire with each word, but he didn't move at all, and he kept his voice so steady, your majesty! He said to Ptolemy that he was only king by your side and that he'd better disarm his army at the border, because there would be no civil war. He proceeded to tell Pothinus that he didn't dare argue because there was no changing his mind, and that Ptolemy could be taken into the desert to throw a tantrum, but he would not hear it or hear any petitions against you." Cressida told her gossip in a mild tone, exaggerating very little. By then Sitiah was on her feet, laughing so lightly and fully that it filled the room with its lighthearted warmth. But there was a coldness that only Isadora could hear, a triumphant mocking to her laughter.
A smile lighting all her features, Sitiah glided back to her servant, "Cressida! You're art is a source of great humor!" She kissed Cressida's cheek gratefully. She grinned, "Thank you, my eyes and ears." The woman bowed her head politely returning the smile. "You are dismissed for the day." Sitiah cupped one of Cressida's olive cheeks in her hand.
"Majesty, I'm afraid I cannot accept such a kind gift until I have told you all I need to." The servant said so that only the queen and her Prophetess could hear. She cast sidelong glances at the other servants around the chamber. Immediately Sitiah's smile fled and was replaced by a look of seriousness. With a snap of her fingers the others became aware of the queen's desire for privacy. They gathered the beads and silks they'd been using and left. Sitiah sat back down on the bench and indicated to Cressida to take a seat on the bed beside Isadora. Cressida stood still, in front of the queen. The comfort of an old friendship settled around them, but the air was tense with a feeling of dread. The queen's Eyes and Ears did not act so very somber unless it was to report something Sitiah would not want to hear.
When Cressida was positive she did not hear any stirring within the room she whispered, "Majesty, I know this message will not surprise you, but it is of importance." Sitiah nodded in understanding, weighing Cressida's look carefully.
Isadora, who had sat up stiffly upon the bed, asked lowly, "You're sure that no one knows that you have such information?" Her green eyes roved between the woman and her mistress. The servant nodded certainly. She stared directly into the queen's anxious eyes, her face a mask of solemnity.
"Arsinoe has requested a private audience with Strategos," She stated bluntly. The complete silence seemed like a heavy brocade curtain surrounding them.
Sitiah's face became blank, no emotion in her features to indicate her judgment of the message. Those few words were all she needed to hear to know exactly what Cressida was implying. And she was sure that her servant was thinking rightly. Closing her eyes as anger heated her blood, she took a breath as though to say something, but just sat quietly. Like a statue she sat, barely breathing, cold and impenetrable as stone. Isadora remained tense her eyes glued to the still figure. She visibly flinched when the queen rose to her feet like a flash. She still could not read any feeling on her mistress's face. A sigh escaped Sitiah's lips, her muscles relaxing with her breath. She began to look merely bored, rather than annoyed.
Her lips twitched with a devious smile, "He will not betray me. Arsinoe has no hope of convincing him to name her queen."
"My lady, he has granted her request to a private audience." Cressida mentioned tonelessly. It took great effort not to step back when the queen turned to her, her eyes blazing. She stood her ground, not allowing herself to look away from Sitiah's demanding gaze. She could practically feel the break in the queen's composure. Within the eyes of that woman, Cressida could see the grief and rage colliding with one another. Her eyes could not follow as Sitiah raced across the room to fall onto her couch.
"Bitch!" Sitiah hissed at the ceiling her fists clenching by her sides. "The traitorous bitch. She's been scheming the whole time- against me! And now she's set her sights on Strategos!" She muttered venomously to herself. Why is my family so insistent about going against me?
Historical Note:
So much for family relations! But then again the whole family scheming thing had been going on for generations. Everybody wanted power in Egypt! Think of Tutankhamun: He had an older brother (perhaps slash cousin, ewww) that ruled for a short time before him, but was found dead w/ in his bed. Not only had his older brother been assassinated, but his cousin, his brother's wife had been killed as well. And even now there are many speculations about Tutankhamun's death as well. Was it an accident, or a planned murder? So you see, Egypt's history is riddled with the family vs. family situation throughout the years. The Ptolemies were no different when they came to power.
Egypt's people truly proclaimed Arsinoe queen, though she was younger than Cleopatra, and had no more Egyptian blood than the rest of her family. But in the end Cleopatra won the people over with her skill as a ruler.
Next Chapter: Sitiah is finally queen, but her king is not by her side for long. With no support from her last remaining family she is forced to take action against them. She must put her complete faith in Strategos and his ability, or the queenship will be lost for her.
Meanwhile…Dilandau receives news from his spies in Alexandria. He realizes that Strategos has no opposition for emperor. But there's still the question of who will be his heir. If Folken has no son of his flesh, Dilandau knows he must choose between him, and Van. And it seems as though Strategos might not make it out of Alexandria alive…