Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
Part 2 of Ch. 8
"Eset!"
Sitiah's eyes flew open, her heart ready to leap from her chest. Again the link between her Prophetess and her was undeniably proven. Both of their voices had cried out within the dream world, both knew the urgency that jolted them awake. She knew Isadora had felt the same in sleep as she had. Still she would not allow herself to move. She lay stiff in Strategos light embrace. She could hear her heart's throbbing beats in her ears, her cheek pressed against his chest. The rise and fall of his chest gave her only the slightest comfort as she lie waiting in the dark.
Hurry, Isa! Tell me what this panic means! Please, my friend, hurry! The queen cried anxiously in her mind. She was no longer warm against the strong body though it pulsed with life next to her. Strategos arm wrapped around her waist pulled her against his side, but it could not expel the chill that sliced away inside her. She closed her eyes willing her nerves to calm. When she opened them again she knew Isadora was there, beside her.
Her whole body trembled with the ferocity of her vision, she whispered in the queen's ear, "Ar-Arsin-Arsinoe and Pto-Ptolemy- gone. Strat-Strategos- outnumbered. Fight- Alexandria- must stop- them- from Pelusium." Though the servant's voice wavered, Sitiah knew the message. She was suddenly shaking too. She said nothing, not moving her head from Folken's chest, nor removing her arm from his middle. All at once the feelings of dread, anger, hurt, and fear balled inside her, making her want to cry out in pain. But the queen did not move, she waited as her Prophetess did, for the confirmation she did not need. Miles' sturdy form slipped in through the crack in the door without a sound casting a hazy shadow on the floor outside the chamber. The door closed behind him, leaving only darkness behind.
"Hitomi." Miles voice was hushed, and yet it impacted the queen's ears as if it had been shouted.
The next moment Isadora was murmuring in a toneless voice, "They're gone." A thousand different emotions flooded Sitiah at once but she only stared into space; like the body of one dead. Miles gently took Isadora into his arms, cradling her with ease. She was limp in his arms, sapped of all energy. She wanted so badly to stay awake to comfort her queen, but the ache was too intense. She fell into sleep like a heavy weight, though she was barely a burden in Miles' capable arms. The young man needed no order, for he had in his mind what he was to do. He went back through the doorway just as an Asturian man shoved past him into the room.
"Forgive me, Lord Strategos," Allen went down on one knee. He got up nearly losing his balance. "Arsinoe and Ptolemy have fled the palace, sir." He took deep breaths to steady his voice. Strategos was already stirring, propping himself up with his hands. The queen's head fell against the pillow and she lay silent at the alarm.
"Try to head them off," He gave no sign of his weariness, "Engage them if you have to, but don't lose too many men over it. They'll march on Alexandria, you can be sure of that." Strategos tied a sheet around his waist and jumped out of the bed. "Get my officers ready in the main hall. Make sure all guards are on full alert." He commanded, standing in front of Allen.
"Yes, sir." Allen bowed his head and was off, a gaggle of servants taking his place. Three men set about to light the lamps, quickly filling the room with light. The queen's handmaidens fussed about her, babbling in swift Egyptian. Sitiah waved them away in preoccupation, and snapped her fingers at the men lighting the lamps. When the cluster had gone she got down from the bed to watch as Strategos hurriedly threw on his blue shirt.
After buckling his sword on he turned to look at her, "You're not safe here. I'll assign a dozen guards to hide and protect you, while I hold council with my staff-"
She ignored the business-like tone he used and shook her head. "No, this is my fight. I will meet with my men for this." The queen stated calmly.
Strategos went toward her, and took her shoulders. Staring down at her he said firmly, "Don't you dare try leaving me out of this. Alexandria is one of my greatest investments, I will not stand by and watch it fall to a weak boy." He saw the fire spark in her eyes and smiled. He knew that his smile angered her even more, but he could not help it. Gently he coaxed, "Your Majesty, I must protect the city whose queen has captured my heart. This is my home as much as it is yours, now. Let me win this struggle for you." Sitiah knew very well that Strategos was using pretty words to sway her from arguing. She was well aware of his intention to leave her out of the planning, but she would not be tricked into letting him control all aspects of the coming battle.
She smiled sweetly, though her eyes were like ice staring into him, "My lord, I am your humble servant, but what kind of servant would I be if I did not fight at my lord's side?" Instantly Strategos calculated his mistake. He had treated her like a bystander, condescendingly telling her she would have no part in his strategizing. The look in her eyes would become very familiar to him as the years passed. That look of obstinate determination would never fail to arouse his true feelings for her.
Finally he said patiently, "Let us have a private meeting about this when it is more light out. Get some sleep-" He was trying to work his way around her again, but to his dismay she would not have it.
"I will go with Strategos now to the throne room, to speak of the recent matters of urgency." She insisted her hands balling into fists. "I need no more than a moment to prepare myself." She raised her chin slightly to emphasize her words. Sitiah would be a queen in her own palace whether Strategos wanted to give her that power or not. She had to establish herself as sole ruler, to demonstrate to everyone that it was she who had conquered Alexandria, and not Strategos.
Isadora knew Hypnos was begging her to shut her heavy eyes, as he sang his lullabies and bribed her with reflections of blissful abandon. She refused his thoughtful offer, with a light shake of her head against her chartreuse pillow. The incense burned down slowly upon the alter, filling her nostrils with its heady fragrance. She watched the smoke dance seductively above her, swaying to and fro towards the unseen ceiling. Her body screamed for rest, for the rejuvenating strength that sleep brought. But her mind was too keenly aware of furtive images and musings.
My lady knew Arsinoe was a threat, but still she wanted to believe that her younger sister wouldn't turn away from her… All Ptolemies forget their blood relations. In the end it's just a bid for power. Sitiah has known her family's bloody history. She was just a girl when Berenice turned against their father for the throne. And she was there at her execution; she sat right by her father's side. Only when we were alone together did she cry and tell me how she hated both of them for not getting along the way a father and daughter should… Still she hates the rivalry between her and her siblings. She has only one Ptolemy left on her side, and he is only a boy, younger than Ptolemy the XIII… What will it be like between her and her half-brother? Will she have to go through another battle with him?
She had no time to wonder about the relationship between the two, for a vision struck without warning. "Alexandria is surrounded!" She cried out into the gloom.
The tile was cold against her bare feet, but she barely felt the sting as she sprinted down the long corridor toward the audience hall. She had no time to worry about how inappropriately she was dressed to go bursting into a room full of men. The gold thread that trimmed the bell sleeves, the v-neckline, and the hem of the dress, seemed quite suddenly heavy. She completely ignored the fact that she was in a bed gown, of saffron organdy, that clung to her as she ran onward.
Chaos had taken over inside her, so that she could hardly remember what it was she ran for. She saw flashings of white around her, the columns, walls, and statues all blurring together, as she rushed past. Blinded to everything she did not the see the shock upon the prince's face when he exited his room to look up and spot her. He stepped in her way, making himself a barrier. He could tell that she was upset, and even sense the confusion driving her. He braced himself for the impact, knowing that he was no more than a wall to her. She collided with him, crashing into his solid body as though it were blockade of pillows. She felt softness within his arms, allowing him to catch her in a tight embrace. Sinking into him she whispered, "My prince."
He held to the fragile body that had bombarded him with smooth skin, an athlete's muscles, and the fragrance of lilies. "Hitomi," He cupped one hand against sandy hair. She collapsed against him, and without a thought he swept her into his arms. Her head fell onto his shoulder, her face nuzzled against his neck. "Tell Strategos, I will be with him after I have settled the queen's handmaiden." He ordered his two guards as he kicked the doors to his room open. Inside he laid her frail body upon his bed with the utmost care. Pushing aside the stray locks of hair he whispered to her, "Hitomi. Hitomi, can you hear me?" He waited, hoping her inaudible breathing would not cease.
"My-my lady…" She murmured, her eyes closed.
"I will meet her soon. Tell me what it is you want to say to her. I'll deliver the message." Van spoke gently glancing once at the guard just outside the doors.
It took great effort for her to whisper out the words, but finally she said, "Surrounded- the city- the- city is surrounded. Achilles…"
Hypnos overcame her, his voice like some sort of drug taking her deep within the darkness. The prince stayed silent by her side until he was sure she slept steadily.
He gazed at the serene features tenderly, finding them heartbreakingly beautiful. Her body beneath the thin material could be seen pressed against the yellow. The sight of her naked skin like the purity of fresh milk caused him swallow hard as he let his eyes rove over her. His conscience spoke to him about how wrong it was to do so, but he could not tear his eyes away. She had the body of girl, with long slender limbs, but was blessed with breasts like ripe peaches in size. The pink of her nipples was bright against all the creamy flesh. The curve of her hips was subtle and smooth. A tiny triangle of strawberry blonde down showed her sex distinctly, below the flat belly. He'd never seen a woman so vulnerable before, so fresh in her womanhood.
Of course there were women at the palace, the Empress' handmaidens and ladies, who did their best to catch his eye. They'd be sure to always be serving him when it came to the warm days when he'd invite his men to swim in his private lake. They'd undress in front of him, at the other men's invitations, and splash about trying to bait him. But he despised them and their behavior, ignoring any who tried to grab his attention. When they became too forceful, he became so embarrassed that he'd humiliate them by ordering them away in a reddened rage.
He shook the thoughts away to focus again on the sleeping girl. She wasn't like every other girl. This woman was so alien compared to them. Being near her did not confuse him as it did when he was with other females. There was no way he could categorize her, with the bright green eyes, the long hair, and pale face. She stunned him with her presence. The feeling of having known her when he was young threatened to overwhelm him, he just wasn't quite sure why. He frowned looking away from her guiltily. Van silently cursed himself for gawking and hesitantly made his way away from the bed.
As he turned to the doors shutting them quietly, he said, "Make sure she is not disturbed. I want this chamber watched at every moment. If there is any stir from within the room, I want to be informed immediately." He held his guards' gazes with a demanding scowl. Turning away from them as they nodded in agreement he hissed, "Damn!"
"Arsinoe ordered the guard to get out of her way and took a chariot. I didn't see Ptolemy." Merle was saying as the prince entered. She was clearly annoyed, her eyes narrow and her tail bristling. Standing in front of Strategos with her hands folded across her chest she growled lowly, "I knew that brat was up to no good. The arrogant bitch was too shady."
"Of course," Sitiah spoke smoothly from her throne, "Sweet as honey one moment, then the next ready to sting." Her eyes had turned to a dark brown with little icy crystal of citrine sparkling around the edges. Her robe was a plain blue, with long bell sleeves, flowing with every breeze. She sat stiffly looking moody, and yet completely comfortable with her arms resting on the high sides of gold. Van was taken aback for a moment, struck by her exotic beauty, as he had been when she'd appeared from her clever hiding spot. The black hair streaming over her shoulders caught the torches' fiery light and seemed to glow like an ebony surface engulfed in flames.
It was Allen who spoke breaking his trance, "The army is proclaiming her queen, Alexandria as well. She took one of the cobra coronets with her. She's crowned herself."
Van's mind was set on the task at hand once again and he said, "The city is surrounded. Her army outnumbers ours." Meanwhile Folken had said not a word. He'd set down in a chair by the table listening quietly, his face registering none of his thoughts.
Strategos will have a plan. He has one now, I can see it. Van studied his brother's face seriously.
"Even if their force has more numbers than ours, we still have the advantage," Sitiah's voice came strong and sure, her accent impassioning each word. She got to her feet her eyes gleaming so brightly Van could've sworn he'd seen the sun within them. Holding her head high she smiled cryptically, "Open the gates and they will find their doom inside. Besides, we have one weapon she does not. We have the greatest military tactician the world has ever seen! We have, Folken Strategos, the emperor of the world."
The queen had made her way down from the dais, across the floor to stand opposite Strategos at the end of the table. Her gaze did not falter as she stared down the length of the table at him. They had locked eyes in the silence that had settled, something passing between them that no one could translate. Time stood still where they were, no one moved, no one breathed, and nothing mattered. Strategos made a promise to her then rose to his feet. Sitiah watched him, her heart pounding steadily, with the confidence that this man of Fanelia would keep her safe. The faith in her eyes stirred him and he looked out to study the faces around him.
Finally he said, his voice gripping everyone, "We fight to secure Alexandria. And we will win! The gods have ordained it! Fortune is in our favor!" His men were roused, finding themselves empowered by their superior's valiant words. Shouts burst throughout the chamber to cheer Strategos. The queen slipped away unnoticed, her love's laughter in her ears.
Author's Note:
And so the war begins. Brother and sister vs. sister. Sitiah will have to find a way to keep her city intact, being that Alexandria is the battlefield and the prize. Quick ? for ya: Is there any confusion about the severity of Hitomi's visions? Anything that you don't understand period?
Okay so that was two questions, but I really don't want to lose anybody. So if you have questions feel free to email me or just write them in a review. Email: ArsinoeIXaol.com
Comments or suggestions? Has the writing style changed? Have the characters stayed the same? Do you see them in a different light? Whatever you wanna bring up to me is dandy! Your support has been so very inspiring! I honestly love it! I hope I never let any of you down! Love, Luck, and Lollipops, everyone!
Hypnos is the Greek god of sleep.