Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
Author's Note: Thanks to those of you that reviewed to let me know that the "falling sickness" is termed Epilepsy in our day. You're all too sweet!
Piercing. It was the only way to describe her eyes. The desert orbs of light and shadow that were her eyes pierced him like the endless night frightens the lost. Her eyes were the most alluring about her, and they spoke of everything and nothing all at once. Strategos knew that if he allowed her eyes to enchant him, he would give up everything for her if she but asked. He took a deep breath and turned his head to look out through the gauzy curtains to the balcony beyond.
"You would leave me?" Sitiah voice was barely more than a whisper. However it was enough to stir his heart, reminding him again of how gripped by her he was.
But he kept his voice cool, refusing to look at her, "Surely, you did not think that I could stay? How arrogant of you, Sitiah." He sighed and moved to the edge of the bed. He got to his feet and picked up a robe off a chair. Pulling it on he informed her, "I have the whole of Gaea to think of. I am an emperor… Besides you are now queen-"
Outraged Sitiah hissed, "Bastard!" He turned to look at her his eyes narrowed, though his stance remained calm. She glared at him from the bed. She was the picture of myth; the vicious eastern queen who's very evil came from her black eyes and sorcery. Like a cat stalking her prey she moved from the bed, wrapping the sheet about her. Strategos prepared himself for a sudden attack, but none came. He'd half expected her to try to strike him like she had the unfortunate guard a few days before. It took a great effort not to smile remembering the sight of the young man standing at attention, his left cheek bandaged where long strips of skin had been sliced away.
She sauntered toward him as gracefully as a dancer, each move a threat, her whole body a sleek and seductive weapon. She stopped two steps from him, her eyes locked upon his bemused face. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
With a poisonous sweetness she said, "I see right through you, Strategos. You fear me. You wish to distance yourself because you know that I have brought out something in you that no one ever has. I have conquered more than you ever have, haven't I? And you wish to go so that I will do no more damage… Because you are the mighty Strategos, and I am a lowly Egyptian sorceress."
Her statement had struck him to the core, and it pained him to know that she was right. He stood for a moment feeling completely lost and unsure of himself. Of course the emotion did not register on his face, but still the queen knew she had brought hesitancy in him. Gripping the silk to her chest she turned away from him.
Softly she said, "I have duties as well, Folken… My younger brother, Ptolemy the XIV, is the last of men of my family. I will marry him- as tradition demands. He is young however, only eleven, therefore I will hold power as I have wished." Strategos had forgotten that element of the Ptolemaic culture, and he winced at her words. But still he only frowned moodily and said nothing. Sitiah bit her lip suddenly, so hard that she broke the tender skin and could taste her blood. She felt spurned by him in his silence. Had he nothing to say? Even knowing that she would soon marry again?
Finally she spun back to face him; "It means nothing without you here! My title is- useless! Do you really want to go so badly? Don't you wish to know more of me?" Her heart raced in her urging. Please, let him tell me he wants to be with me! Oh Hathor, please don't let me be the fool for this man! Strategos don't turn me away, not yet! I know there is more to us! By this time she was trembling despite the sun streaming in on her. A few drops of blood trickled from her lip, but she did not seem to realize. He was looking at her, watching her anxiously pull the fabric tighter to her body.
"Such a beautiful girl you are, Sitiah." He said gently, putting his hands on the sides of her face. For a long while he just gazed into her eyes. Ever the cold conqueror, he was intentionally steering her away from the argument. Strategos knew her well enough to know that if he insisted upon his departure at that time she would never forgive him. He thought it best to wait it out, at least until she wasn't so irresolute in her trust. Before he left Alexandria's shores he had to be sure he had made an ally and not an enemy. Besides, something in him was adamant about him holding onto whatever it was they had. It was indeed out of the ordinary for him to feel that he needed someone, but he needed her. Needed her? Was that what his heart truly said? Never mind. The best thing was to insure his political standings. He was an emperor; it was his duty to put this woman's mind at ease.
Her fingers stilled and released the sheet numbly, which floated to the floor without a sound. His hands slid down to her shoulders and continued to go over her naked flesh. His hands on her waist he brought her closer to him as he leaned down to kiss her. Her blood was sucked into his mouth. It meant more than he realized. It was a sign. A warning of greater tension, and a promise of Sitiah's growing power over him. After all, blood means life.
Isadora knew her cheeks were flushed, and wished desperately that she had the complexion of the natives. Though she'd been able to sleep for a day and half she suddenly felt that it had not been enough to return sense to her. She knew that she hadn't spoken to give an excuse for her presence, but her breath was coming too fast. If she had had the magic that everyone suspected she did, she would disappear from the place she stood, leaving no trace of her having ever entered.
Van's voice startled her, "Isadora? Did you hear me?" He frowned in honest confusion. He watched her from a pillow upon the floor beside a low table laden with trays of fruit and dishes of steaming meat and vegetables. She'd caught him at the noon meal, which made her regret her intrusion even more.
"Your majesty," Isadora started, then took a more confident breath and smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry. What did you say?" He only smiled with subtle amusement. She had completely caught him off guard in her mysterious way. He liked the idea that he never knew what emotion she would regard him with, whether nervousness or calm, he was intrigued by both.
He gestured to the food with a wave of his hand, "Can I offer you something?" It was an unheard of offer for a prince to suggest to a servant. But for him to propose it to the girl seemed no more than was proper to him. Then again, Prince Van was not known to be the most learned when it came to royal etiquette.
Isadora shook her head, taking note of the white linen wrapped around his sword hand. She forced herself not to flush at the gesture of kindness, and instead to focus on remaining humble in his presence. With her queen she never had to worry about overstepping her boundaries as a servant. Of course she wouldn't allow herself to forget the older woman's station, to do so would be rude, not to mention unthinkable in the mind of a loyal handmaiden.
"Thank you, no. I came to see that you were well cared for, highness." She said. She knew that it seemed a touch cold to not speak on a more friendly tone, but she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that demanded she stay unattached. Being Sitiah's handmaiden had instilled in her boldness that she took pride in. Stuttering like a village girl did not suit her. But she could not find it in herself to lay caution aside.
"I see," Van's pleased look had fled, and he looked rather disappointed by her response, "The queen sent you then." He got to his feet with a princely grace and turned his back to her. It would be unfitting for him to betray his discouragement. She came in looking generally concerned about me, and now she's just- obeying orders. Grrrr! Why do I even care? His hand twitched lightly at his side.
Doing her best to ignore the defeat she had seen, she said politely, "The queen has not sent me, your highness." She paused uncertainly. What was her excuse again? She pressed on anxiously, "As- the head of staff- it is my duty to see to her majesty's guests in her absence- I mean that she is busy with other affairs of course-"
Unfortunately her improvised speech had only heightened the prince's awareness of her plan to avoid him as a friend.
Van gave a derisive laugh placing his hands on his hips, "I doubt my brother would take very kindly to you referring to him as 'her affairs'." Isadora frowned down at the floor. His laughter had seemed a bit biting.
Swallowing her pride she replied, "I meant no disrespect. I only meant to clarify that I oversee the business of considering our guests-"
Again Van found himself offended and interrupted her with an unmannerly snort, "Hmph." He crossed his arms with a scowl, "It seems to me that your queen has forgotten her duty as hostess to provide her guests with more proper attention. After all we did just win a war for her country's sake!"
Isadora was taken aback for a moment. Why is he acting like this? Like I- we- owe him something! She scowled at him fighting the urge to demand an explanation for his behavior.
Instead of angrily responding she spoke in an aloof tone, "May I remind, his highness, that Egypt is an independent nation, out of Fanelia's jurisdiction? And also may I point out that my queen has spent a considerable amount on food and medical supplies for Strategos' troops. Not to mention the costly banquets she has graciously given in their honor." Though she did not realize it, Isadora was quite lucky for having been in the presence of only Van and his most loyal men. As it was the soldiers that had gone on enjoying the meal in low tones, suddenly stared at her. No one dared inform the prince, brother of the lord of all Gaea, that he had overlooked something. They glanced at one another in shock and uncertainty as Van slowly angered. The men knew his temper and decided it best to pretend to not have heard. The room lapsed back into its quiet comraderie with the voices of the men, but still there was uneasiness. Van was stung by her haughty tone, and would not suffer the insult. The kind visit she had meant to pay him was turning into a war of words.
*Woo, woo, woo, to all of you V/H fans out there. Take into consideration that Fanelia and Egypt are complete opposites. Rome and Egypt were the same. And because Rome had the world in its pocket, the Romans felt themselves superior to any non-Roman peoples. So you see there is going to be some tension between Hitomi and Van because of their allegiances. That is also a key factor in the relationship between Strategos and Sitiah. I feel this best portrays the Cleopatra story because it was a huge thing to be from two very diverse cultures. But what is it they say? "Love conquers all"? Well, maybe…