Disclaimer: Witchblade does not belong to me. The characters are full of inspiration, intelligence, and intrigue that I cannot help but borrow them a short while. While I heartily enjoy the show and its premise, the events of this story are mine; the characters are definitely not.
Author's Note: CMT is an amusing channel for me to watch since you never know what you could learn. In my case, I learned about the practice of 'dropping a handkerchief'. My fondest thoughts to Mr. Hathaway, b8kworm, and SunMee. Many thanks to Kitsa and Cathy for the betas, and Kitsa again for the discussions.
Summary: In this lifetime, I am but a knight sworn to protect a lord's daughter for an afternoon. In another, I was a prince, the heir to a legendary duty. One entrusted to my family since the beginning of time.
Rating: PG
Archive(s): Mine; anybody else, email me.
Pairing(s): Ian/Sara
Spoiler(s): None that I know of.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxTitle: Handkerchief And Smiles
Author: Adrianna AEternalis
Chapter 2
Ian shifted on his rooftop and checked the display of his cellular phone. Any minute now, Irons was due to call for an update on Sara's daily activities.
Sometimes, it was difficult to separate Irons from his past counterparts. The laws of karma allowed for some diversity in reborn personalities, but it was unbelievable just how constant Kenneth Irons had been. Ian shook his head. There were some aspects of being tied to the Witchblade that were disastrous to remember.
One of those was the intense hatred Irons carried for Ian that began when he had been Lord Ferreus, Ian was called Clavus, and Sara was born into nobility as Regina.
xxxxxThe engagement began as a small rumor; Clavus knew by the pleased expression on Lord Ferreus's face and by the raging storms sheltered within Regina's eyes. Back in those days, rumor was as good as a done deed. So, Regina's father - Lord Calxes - had begun to spend his vast fortune promptly, overcome with excitement.
Meanwhile, she scowled at all who smiled and congratulated her.
Musicians were hired and extra servants retained. Hunting parties were sent out daily and the kitchen worked overtime to salt the meat. Fabrics were being examined hourly and reconsidered moments later. It was going to be a grand affair.
Clavus made himself scarce, picking up the habit of skulking in shadows to hide his heartache. Somehow he had hid his love but, faced with these ongoing wedding preparations, it showed for the world to see.
It was during one of these ill-fated attempts that he overheard the conversation that would change his life forever.
xxxA familiar raised voice shouted, "I do not want to marry him! I don't even like him."
"You will come to," a weary voice responded with all the tones of repetition.
Clavus could imagine her straight, indignant body. He wondered how Lord Calxes could withstand the potency of her stare.
"Will come to? Why is everything something one must wait for? What about now?"
Now her words were decidedly haughty. Clavus mentally applauded the questions.
"That is the way things are, Regina. You know that," recited Lord Calxes. They were, Clavus knew, old dictates and old customs.
"Perhaps I don't. Allow me to tell you what I do know, Father. I know I would rather marry someone I like. Someone who actually enjoys my company."
"In that case, Lord Ferreus is a perfect candidate."
"When was the last time he danced with me?"
"Have you considered he would if you allowed a man other than Clavus to approach you?"
"I'm saving my toes; Clavus doesn't step on them." Her manner was truly indignant; Clavus grinned.
"Regina -"
"I like Clavus. Since I must marry, why can't I marry him?" Her voice was innocent.
It broke his heart.
There was silence and then, the sound of scraping furniture.
Her father spoke his doom with exact words: "Those are the words of a child's fantasy."
A door slammed and Clavus assumed it was Lord Calxes leaving the room. The noise echoed in his ears, numbed them. So, now she knows.
He remained hidden. The passage of time meant nothing to him for the future already had grown cold and lonely.
He knew the instant Regina entered the hallway. Though he was well ensconced in the dark, she stopped in the doorway's threshold and looked directly at him. Her eyes widened.
A flash of swirling red filled the void between them; the Witchblade - no, the Digitabulum Magae, as it was known then - had activated. The remaining pieces of Clavus's heart sank; for select lifetimes, he had hoped for memories filled with the innocent and pure love of a woman to her man. It would not be this one.
Instead, he had the tainted, twisted desire and need of a Protector to a Wielder. He had many memories of hatred-turned-love from a Wielder; when he had known only love, death always claimed her far too soon.
Regina, his Wielder, was still innocent in this lifetime from knowledge about the weapon she bore. A promise of never allowing her to experience the bad conflicted with his duty to stand by her in all her battles.
Clavus tried to step forward, to acknowledge himself to her. It was the least he could do. She threw a hand towards him; it stopped him. Then, with the Digitabulum Magae quiet again, she fled down the hall.
xxxThe following morning brought summons to see Lord Calxes. Afraid of being cast from the only home he knew, Clavus hesitated. With only the thought of leaving before Regina awoke, he opened the older man's study; he would do anything to save her from grief.
Inside, Lord Calxes sat near an open window. Regina sat across him on the window seat; her face was one of grim satisfaction. She also refused to look at him.
"My Lord?"
"Ah, Clavus. Have you breakfasted yet?" He motioned to a small sideboard of foodstuffs.
"Thank you, but I've eaten." He paused. "You wanted to see me?"
Lord Calxes sighed. "You're here because you're the only man I trust with Regina. I want you to escort her to Lord Ferreus."
He wanted to run, to be anywhere but here. He forced himself to ask, "Is it permissible to ask why an escort is necessary? They will be married."
The answer stunned him.
"No, they will not." Lord Calxes rose, turned to face him. "I will not have the husband of my daughter philandering with mere village-commoners."
"The engagement must be broken mutually," Regina said, neatly stopping her father from boiling over with anger. "Either it will be done by free will or by coercion. Regardless, it will be done."
That explained his presence. He nodded and said, "Of course. When would you like to leave?"
"Preferably now," her father commanded. "We do not know how long this will take, but I'd like her home by nightfall. Midday tomorrow, if need be." He took a step towards Clavus. "Should you need to spend the night, Clavus, guard her with your life."
Regina stood and stepped between both men. Everybody knew there had been no need to say the last, but a father must be a father. She took Clavus's arm and tugged him out.
xxxNeedless to say, Lord Ferreus refused to give his consent: "I can give you the world, Regina. I won't let you go."
She simply said, "I am prepared to do whatever it takes."
Lord Ferreus smirked, amused. "Really? Please show."
"She has a champion." Clavus entered the conversation. He had assumed the Lord simply would ignore him as inconsequential. It gave Clavus the advantage to sneak into the man's blind spot.
Lord Ferreus turned towards the sound of Clavus's voice. "Clavus. You would betray me for - her?" he asked, coldly.
"My loyalty has been hers far longer than yours."
Then, battlefield trust gave way for animosity. Lord Ferreus backed a step and grabbed Regina in response to the sound of sliding metal. Rather, he tried.
When he turned to her, he was met by an extended blade - from the Digitabulum Magae. All froze, amazed to varying degrees.
Regina recovered first, pressing the tip into Lord Ferreus's throat.
"Do you release me from this engagement?"
He swallowed. "It appears I have no choice. I do."
"I thank you for your generosity, Lord Ferreus."
Sarcasm becomes her, Clavus thought.
The blade detracted into a gauntlet, then into the simple wrist adornment. She left the room with Clavus close behind her.
The Lord's parting words to Clavus were, "This is not over between us, Clavus. You will pay for this betrayal."
© RK 23.Jul.2004