Disclaimer- I don't own WHR
A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed my story thus far.
Chapter 6-Welcome to the Witch City
Robin paced within the Great Hall. She was unsure of how to respond to this new development. Never, in her wildest dreams did she imagine Amon would attempt peace. Just that alone made her love him more, however unwillingly. She knew she only had a short time to answer the call for peace before he mistook her silence as a no. Agitated she called Doujima over but the only answer Yuri gave her was a look and said "After the argument we just had you know what you have to say." Sighing, Robin called Michael over and gave him the plans.
Amon was pacing around the flagpole, at the front of the Natural's army just shy of the shadow of the great city. He was wondering just what the reception of the message of peace was, hoping the queen was making a decision. The policy of the army, set down by one Father Juliano, the insinuator of the conflict, was that if there is no answer to a call for peace within 2 hours it is an automatic no and the army would attack. He had called his two most trusted advisors, Lieutenants Karasuma and Sakaki to his side to talk about the situation at hand. Karasuma, having been informed of the circumstance by Sakaki was torn. She wanted to follow protocol, however it hurt her to see an old friend tortured like this. "General, Sir, if you want my advice…" however Karasuma never got to finish her sentence. The door of the imposing wall creaked open and an apparent high ranking official, flanked by 2 aides walked out of the city towards the general.
Michael marched out of the city against his own will. His queen had ordered it and he would never do anything against her. He just couldn't help but wonder at the futility of a peace talk. The naturals would never accept the witches and, in his opinion from time spent with them the witches would never accept the naturals. It was hopeless. But his queen seemed to think that this might work, and that way of thinking had led Michael to standing in front of this massive army. He walked up to the person matching placing the photograph in his pocket saluted to the general of the naturals Army. He saluted back and said "What message do you have from the Queen Eve." More of a statement than a question.
Michael took a piece of paper bearing the queen's seal from the aide. "Her Majesty the Lady Eve acknowledges General Amon of the natural's army's request for peace, or at the very least peace talks. These are the terms under which you may enter the city. Your person will come, accompanied by two trusted aides. The same will be for the queen. You are to accompany me to the palace." With that Michael gave the paper to the general and awaited his response, which was almost immediate. "Sakaki. Karasuma." He barked. "You're with me."
As the General, with his chosen aides walked through the city, they received nothing but hostility. It was only to be expected, after the brutally long war, but Amon had the feeling that if he and his aides weren't accompanied by the highest soldier in the city there would surely be some jeering and some tomato-throwing happening. As it were, his power, which he had turned up to try and catch Robin's thoughts, filled in the blanks for him.
'So they think they can treat us like dogs, then come treating for peace? I can't wait till the queen throws them out of the city by their necks.'
'Where's a tomato when you need one? I'd love to see that face smeared with any kind of rotten vegetable.'
'Oh My Gosh. What am I supposed to say to him when I see him? That I accept peace? I can't…I…the people won't accept it, accept him as my chosen co-ruler…and yet I will have no other….and I thought he wouldn't come petitioning for peace besides…'
'The general…he looks so much like Annie…'
Amon mentally paused and thought about what Robin had thought. Why had she thought he wouldn't come? He loved her and knew for a fact that she loved him. What did she just expect him to say 'Oh. So she's the queen. Oh well. Better to have loved and lost and all that jazz.' Surely after all this time his Robin knew him better than that. But after a few minutes of mulling it over in his head he was stopped in awe at the sight of the castle of the witch queen.
In the castle Robin had resumed pacing around the Great Hall. Before it was in apprehension what to do. Now it was apprehension of seeing someone she was supposed to hate and yet, at the same time was mad about. According to the rules she herself had set down she could have two people accompany her during the peace talks. That was easy, Michael and Doujima would remain with her. But she was unprepared to face him. A guard looked up at her and signaled that the enemy was at the gate. She nodded her head to allow the General in and with a gesture dismissed every single servant in the hall, leaving only Yuri. She continued pacing, counting the seconds until she saw him. She didn't know that Michael was taking the long route to demonstrate the wealth of the witch queen, and thereby demonstrate their might. So every minute it was taking them Robin thought increasingly that it was an ambush and the general was ransacking the palace as she paced.
It came as a horrible shock for her as the door to the great hall banged open light pouring in, showing the silhouette of the man she loved so much…and at first glance he appeared to be alone.
After seeing the general walk through the streets of the City one man, on request of his father, was making his way though the back streets to the employees entrance of the palace. He worked there sometimes in intelligence because he had some helpful contacts that provided him with information he in turn turned over to Michael. He was waved right though the entrance, having become quite a regular in the past few months, indeed…he was the one who had procured the photo…never looked at it, just gotten it from a friend who got it from a friend ect. He wished he had though. Because, according to his old father, the general was someone his father needed to see, needed to gain closure from before he passed. For the life of him the young man couldn't figure out why but he had been trained never to question his elders. Knowing intuitively where the meeting of this caliber would be held he slipped quietly down the hall, hoping that his father was right…for if caught spying on a meeting like this…he faced execution at the queen's hand. And his father couldn't afford to loose another son.
A/N-ok. This story has taken a mind of it's own. IT CONTROLS ME, NOT VICE VERSA! Anyone got a guess as too who the guy sneaking into the Castle is?