Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
*Author's Note: Again to remind you, this fiction will be drawing to a close. I'm sorry to those of you who are disappointed. Still, I might decide to continue in another fiction, but not for a while, and only if there is an interest. Besides, this fiction was getting rather long, and I think it'd be best if I continued in another fiction. Having so many chapters is kind of intimidating to those who don't wish to stare at the computer screen for too long, no matter how good the fiction is. Also, I might be pulling Seducing Setesh from ff.net because of lack of interest. It's rather futile to mention, but again, those of you who like Egyptology should take a look at it, if not for the story for the historical notes. Anyway, thanks again for the support and I hope you enjoy the last few chapters of this fiction. There are most likely three more chapters after this.
*Imagine my surprise when I open up my mailbox and find that all six of my emails were reviews! Thank you so much Enzeru No Yami, you're a doll! Your support means a lot to me! And because of your consideration, I'm seriously considering going into a second edition of Strategos and Sitiah, but not for a while. As I explained earlier I've been rather busy working. But I would love to continue, so when I get the spare time I'll see what I can do! Thanks again to you, and all others who've reviewed of late!
Olympus frowned with grim certainty as he brought his hand from the woman's tiny wrist. For a moment his eyes remained on her sleeping face, watching as she breathed peacefully. He rose from her side on the bed, stepping beyond the netting, and then pulling it closed behind him. He sighed as he plunged his hands into a basin of cool water scented with lilies. When he had dried his hands he turned to the man standing at the end of the bed, staring thoughtfully at the young woman beyond the gauzy curtain. Olympus' eyes hardened as he fixed the man with a less than friendly gaze.
He spoke quietly, yet the disapproval in his voice was apparent, "She'll do as she says, you realize. She won't touch any morsel until she gets what she wants."
Without taking his eyes from the woman his manner changed, becoming just as sullen as Olympus. "I'm well aware of her obstinacy, Physician." He replied coldly crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yes well, I suppose I'd be giving you too much credit if I assumed you realize what damage it could do to her body." Olympus spoke waspishly, trying to keep his tone from being obviously frigid. He glanced at the girl once more to be sure that the sleeping potion was indeed having an affect on her. She had not stirred, and so he looked back at the Emperor.
"You would do well not to push me, Physician." The Strategos glared, the threat glittering in his eyes.
Nonplussed Olympus snorted, "I would not think of offending you, Great Strategos."
"You have already done so," Strategos retorted, his body rigid with feverish anger, though his face was like ice.
"You've corrupted her! She was innocent before you stepped foot in Egypt!" Olympus hissed, refusing to back down from the bigger, stronger man.
Incredulously Strategos gave a short laugh, "Innocent? Guileless? These are not words that have ever had basis in that woman's life! Not a desert viper like her!" He shook his head insistently. Both men seemed to take a deep breath at the same time as they faced off, egos battling fiercely for dominance.
Having no other ammunition and completely flustered Olympus shot back without thinking, "That desert viper is the Queen of Egypt and the mother of your child!" The silence was infinite and thick in the air between them. The look of utter shock on the Strategos' pale face gave Olympus cause to realize his error. He was sure his queen would be furious if she were to know that Strategos had known before her.
"A child." He managed to utter, his arms dropped to his sides in a sign of helplessness.
Olympus sighed, knowing it was too late to cover his mistake with a lie. He nodded, suddenly looking incredibly weary, "Yes. A son. It was prophesized long ago that her firstborn would be male to share her rule when the time came." His eyes intent on the man, he insisted urgently, "He is your son, Strategos. Your heir." Unsure of what had prompted him to say such words, Olympus waited for the man to answer. He did not see the somber realization that swept over Folken, causing his eyes to flicker and his hands to ball into fists.
"You are free to go, Physician." Folken said, his voice carefully unemotional. The message was clear, Olympus, stone-faced bowed and stalked to the door.
Just as Olympus was about to exit, the Emperor added, "Send a servant with proper food… And a scribe to take down a message to the commissioner of grain in Alexandria." The physician only nodded feeling a sudden weight lifted from his shoulders though he gave no sign of it. He left, as a new burden rapped heavily at his conscience. The queen would be most displeased by the advantage Olympus had most carelessly waved before the Strategos. He winced as he pictured the look his lady would most certainly favor him with.
"I cannot imagine Strategos as a father," The Prince spoke thoughtfully from behind her, "And to be honest, I can't really see your queen nursing a child."
"Neither can I." Isadora sighed, the night breeze touching her face and toying with her hair. The sound of the sailors and servants floated from the bank as the guards called out to one another that the perimeters were secure. Stillness had stolen over the Nile's waters that mirrored the not-quite-full moon. Philae was bathed in silver, giving the white temple an ethereal presence that caused even the Fanelian Prince to wonder at its secrets. His eyes left the sacred island to rest on her unreadable face.
"Are you worried?" He sat down next to her on the deck.
"No," She replied calmly, hugging her knees lightly to her chest, "I'm not sure I'm worried exactly… It just means that things will change for us. Things have always changed quickly for the queen, and I have always been by her side. But it is different this time, this time I cannot feel what she's feeling." Her eyes darkened with emotion as she kept them fixed on the dusky waters; still her voice remained steady, almost emotionless, yet she could not hide the fluctuations of her voice from him. "I've always been able to commiserate with her. It's a bond we've shared ever since we were children together. But now I can barely sense it. And I wonder if it's because someone has taken my place. Someone has taken on the duty of being her confidante and most trusted friend."
Van was silent, considering her for a time before he questioned gently, "Does that sadden you, Prophetess?"
She did not answer right away, thinking on the question posed. Finally she knew that she felt no ill will toward the man that had taken her place. After all she had always known that one day she would no longer be the only one to share the queen's thoughts. She turned toward him, tucking her legs to the side of her. With a sigh she shook her head, "No. Strategos is her soul mate. What has happened was meant to be. I know that she will always need me. And with this child I sense that she will need all the allies she can get."
"Oh," Van sounded almost disappointed and she turned her head to look at him curiously. He looked down awkwardly, and she could almost see the blush in his cheeks. "Well, if you ever need an ally- I- would not fail- to offer my help." For a moment she stared at him in surprise, unsure how to answer. Slowly she smiled, and reached out to place her hand lightly on his forearm.
"And I will return the favor." She said, her voice barely more than a breathy whisper. When he placed his hand over hers she did not shy away, nor did she look away when he looked her in the eye. He could not stop the hand that stole to her cheek.
"You do not know how much I regret those foolish words I said to you the day after the battle." He blurted, suddenly looking penitent.
She blinked. She'd forgotten the bitter exchange. So much had happened since then. Since they'd left from Alexandria's royal docks to journey the Nile, the Prince had been making a visible effort to include Isadora in all that he could. When he was not working with the crew he was insistent on gaming with her, or hunting in the reeds with her by his side. And often when she was attending the queen on the deck, and he working with the sailors, his eyes stole to her. She had even caught the blush and sideways glance he'd cast her way when the men had been speaking too loudly about their lovers in the many seaports. At first the attention had surprised and even unnerved her, but as they both overcame the awkward silences and nervous actions that passed between them they settled into a comfortable friendship. After being overly self-conscious at first, both had learned how to set one another at ease. She could see past his bravado to understand his real emotions, and he could soothe her after she'd taken offense to one of his many thoughtless comments.
*"May I remind you, Servant, to whom you speak to! And as for your queen's graciousness I'd say she should take care not to forget that there'd be no Egypt for her to rule! She is only queen because my brother has allowed her to be!"
"Sitiah is queen because it is her right! Not because you buffoons ran around with your swords!"
"Don't be stupid! Just because that woman holds Strategos' interests in bed doesn't mean has complete control over this desert waste!"*
The argument came back to her, but seemed rather juvenile in her mind. She thought it foolish that she had felt so insulted and made assumptions about his thoughts towards her. She half shrugged, as her cheek warmed in his hand, her eyes falling to his hand that clasped hers.
"I haven't really thought on it much… I know you did not mean to- I guess it just hurt my pride," Her lashes fluttered rapidly over her eyes, as she could not look at him. She thought for certain that her cheek was burning a whole into his smooth palm. When she looked up at him the moonlight was reflected in her eyes, dazzling the depths of her irises like the sun would the sea. "Egypt is my home. Her people are my people, her queen my queen." Her voice was soft but strong and passionate. She had stolen his breath away with such words. He knew she spoke the truth, and at that moment knew her heart was in everything she did. Awed by her beauty as much as by her incredible spirit he had to take a moment to remind himself to breathe.
He had to swallow before he could speak, "You- aren't like anyone from here are you? You- are the gift of the moon." Isadora could not help the girlish laughter that escaped her as she bit her lip, looking at him apologetically. But he only smiled shaking his head sheepishly as he dropped his hand from her face. He laughed, "I guess- that was pretty stupid- sounding, huh?"
Squeezing his hand reassuringly she smiled, "I don't know. No one's ever said it to me before. At least- not like that."
"Like what?"
"Like they- were amazed by me." Her eyes dropped to their hands again.
"Well I am," He said, staring away into the night, "Amazed by you."
That stirring voice in his soul echoed with joyous laughter.
"Hold onto her, Van! She is your destiny!"
My destiny? He wondered. But the voice would say no more.
***
Several hours passed in which he barely moved as he sat at her bedside watching her draw each breath as if in a trance. Shadows filled most of the room, only a few oil lamps lit at the corners of the bed. The glow outlined the angles of the man's face, betraying none of the thoughts that passed beneath the stoic surface. He'd managed to ignore that nagging voice that spoke the words: "He is your son, Strategos. Your heir."
He did not think of that now. Now he was floating in a state of nonchalance, carelessness. Little affected him in this frame of mind where it was like dreamless sleep, yet his eyes remained open and his senses attune. If he waited for her to wake he gave no sign of it, his gaze unassuming, resigned. So he sat, keeping his silent vigil like the Sphinx before the pyramids; his intentions a mystery.
***
Faraway a young man felt his very existence threatened. His stomach twisted with the knowledge that he would soon have a new rival to contend with for the power he most desired. The wine glass fell from his hand, spilling its contents on the floor. Like blood the liquid pooled into a crimson puddle on the tile near the man's feet. He stared down at the ominous substance, willing a vision to take form in the wine so very reminiscent of the life that flowed through his veins. His eyes almost as red he continued to glare at the spill his whole body strained with an eerie foresight. For a moment even his men seemed to realize something was amiss, but the feeling was soon gone and they looked to one another for reassurance. Only Chesta was left with the lingering feeling that a new player had entered the game of intrigue. This player was weak, still unable to manipulate any aspects of fate, but he nevertheless had thrown a spoke into the wheel of the game.
"You once said that Strategos would find his own demise in Sitiah. But she still poses a threat to our goals. Something small, but- significant is coming." Chesta spoke aloud. He blinked suddenly as though he had just realized he was speaking. A blush crept into his cheeks as he felt the gaze of everyone else in the room.
Dilandau's eyes narrowed, walking slowly toward the slayer as though he were a new recruit to size up. "What do you mean?" He looked down at Chesta, his chin lifted haughtily so that he literally looked down his nose.
The boy could not help but shrink away from his superior as he stammered, "Wh-what? I don't- ugh- I don't know- what you're asking."
"What you just said! What did you mean by it?" Dilandau snapped impatiently.
Chesta swallowed, his eyes seeking out anyplace other than his senior officer's face, "I- spoke? Ugh- I said- well- I really- don't know." He could feel the sweat beginning to break out on his forehead and above his lip as Dilandau's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Miguel, see if you can get wind of our informant in Egypt. I want to know exactly what's going on." He said his eyes trained on Chesta's ever-paling face.
"Sir!" Miguel saluted, bowed, and was gone in a matter of seconds.
To Chesta's relief Dilandau's look became distracted and he turned on his heel away from him. "Something is coming," He muttered darkly to himself as he glared at a point on the tile, "What?" No one, not even Chesta had the answer.
*Just to let you know, Dilandau's character is supposed to be like Octavian (aka Gaius Octavius) in the real story. Of course, the real Octavian was related by blood, being Caesar's grandnephew, and eventually his heir. As Caesar had no sons, several men were contenders for his approval. When Caesar died, he would need someone to take up where he had left off, and several men wanted that position. Men including Marc Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus, all wanted to become Caesar's heir, thus inheriting Caesar's lands and title.
The character of Marc Antony is reflected by Van. Unlike Marc Antony, Van is not going to become Sitiah's (Cleopatra's) husband/lover. Instead, Van wants to become Strategos'(Caesar's) heir and protect Sitiah's interests as her ally and friend.