Chapter 7
Sunlight drifted in making intricate patterns across the floor. Van and Medina stood facing each other, swords drawn. They stood in the middle of a room similar to the one Van and Balgas trained in.
Hitomi and Merle sat against the far wall anticipating the out come of the fight (Merle wanted Van to win, but Hitomi on the other hand wasn't sure who to cheer for.)
"Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Van charged at Medina.
Standing her ground she blocked his blow effortlessly. Slowly she started to push him back with every block, and doge he got closer and closer to the wall, till his back was pressed against it. Seeing that she left herself open he swung as hard as he could. The force of the swing sent Medina stumbling back. Van took this chance to ketch her of guard. Just barely missing the blow aimed at her stomach, she fell to the floor. Medina smiled as Van put the tip off his sword to her throat.
Medina chuckled to herself.
"What is so funny, you lost."
"This!" She said rolling out from under his sword. She swung her right leg around knocking Van off his feet. Medina pinned his arms to his side with her knees, and placed the cold metal blade of her sword against his neck.
"Bravo" came an unfamiliar female voice from the open doorway.
A flustered page came rushing in "K-King Van!" he stuttered startled by the fact that Medina was sitting on top his King.
They both quickly got up, dusting off their clothes.
"The partly from Asturia has arrived early."
"I can see that." motioning to the people standing at the door.
The embarrassed page left without another word.
"Queen Millerna how good to see you again. King Dryden-"
"What is with all the formalities Van?" Millerna interrupted.
"I'm sorry, its hard to get back first name basis after so long." He smiled "Though you're not the first of the old friends to arrive."
"What do you mean? We didn't see any leviships from other countries when we landed." Allen wondered out loud.
Hitomi stepped forward "I didn't use a leviship. I find a pillar of light suits me just fine."
"H-Hitomi?" Allen was shocked to she her ' Wow she isn't a little girl anymore. These past five years have really been kind to her.' Snapping himself out of his thoughts he said "Van you've really been letting yourself go. The Van I knew during the war would have never lost to a girl." Pretending to joke, but really trying to make him look bad in front of Hitomi.
"He didn't lose to just any girl. I'd like to introduce you to Medina."
Medina stepped forward sliding her sword back into it's sheath. "Greetings Asturia." she said politely bowing.
Van introduced them "Medina this is King Dryden and Queen Millerna of Asturia, Allen Schezar knight of Calie, his younger sister Celena," Celena was a little above average height with wavy shoulder length light blond hair that could easily be mistaken for white and sad sapphire blue eyes. Van continued. "This is Millerna and Dryden's three year old son Benji, and their infant daughter Sheara." Both children had Dryden's wavy brown hair and Millerna's bluish- purple eyes. Sheara was giggling happily in the arms of a short blue haired cat girl. "And this is Kiane their nurse."
"It's my pleasure to meet all of you but... Sir Allen I'd advise you not to live in the past for then the present will surely get the best of you. The war is over stop dwelling on it."
This caught Allen off guard, regaining his usual cool he said "Wise words for the person that was just sitting on the king off Fanleia." he smirked.
Van's face turned a bright shade of red.
Shrugging it off Medina explained, "It seems King Van and I are equally matched in sword fighting skills. The only reason I won was because he expected me to play fair."
Again the page interrupted "King Van the party from Cialem will be arriving momentarily." This time the page was determined to let Van know on time.
"Thank you." Van waved him away "Sorry to break up this lovely little argument but I'm obliged to greet Princess Kristiania." He reluctantly turned to leave.
"Wait Lord Van we're coming too."
"Are you sure? She isn't the kindest person on Gaea."
Every one from Asturia nodded.
"We can't let you go alone with that b-"
Medina covered Merle's mouth "I think what this hamster is trying to say is, if you have to suffer we should too." Merle bit her. "Ouch you little ..." She shook her hand.
Ever one agreed that Van shouldn't have to go alone.
"Then we should go."
The group walked outside into the bright sunlight. A strong gust of wind blew Millerna and Celena's long skirts every which way, the two cat- girls had to hold their tails to keep them from beating everyone. A lavish carriage pulled by four stunning yorkels, stopped in front of the waiting party.
The door swung open. A dainty foot stepped out of the carriage. Just a quickly as the wind had picked up, it died back down again. Standing there in a rich powder pick dress was Princess Kristiania. Her dark brown hair was highlighted with blond and was pulled back into a low ponytail that hung just below her shoulder blades. Cunning almond shaped brown eyes peaked seductively over a powder pick fan.
"Good morning Princess Kristiania-"
"Please call me Kiki." Her pouty lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"Princess Kiki you look lovely, as always."
She giggled "Your flattery will get you everywhere."
Van just rolled his eyes as she continued to giggle behind her fan.
Hitomi looked as if she were going to burst with jealously.
Van cleared his throat "I must go attend to my duties. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Fanelia-"
Kiki interrupted him again, obviously stalling to keep him from leaving her behind. "I'm so honored to be invited to your beautiful country, its 'almost' as gorges as Cialem."
Medina acted as if she were vomiting. Hunched over, holding her stomach, and making gagging sounds.
The princess spun around and looked Medina in the eye.
Medina just straightened up to her full height of six feet which towered almost a foot taller then Kiki. "Sorry, I felt nocuous all of the sudden."
Looking her over Kiki asked "Do I know you from somewhere?"
"Where would you know 'me' from? Let alone what reason would someone like 'you' even remember someone like 'me'?"
"You've got a point." She looked at Medina once more, disgust shown on all her features.
Van saw all this. "Princess I'd appreciate if you wouldn't treat my other guests with such disrespect."
She was totally taken aback by this. "Why Van I would 'never'!" Fanning herself she decided if it were best to change to subject. "I already know the King and queen off Austria, but who are they?" Kiki Motioned to Hitomi and Medina.
"Princess Kiki I'd like you to meet my close friend Hitomi Kanzaki, she was a big part of the Great Gaeian War. And this is Medina, the newest general of my army." With this he turned to the shocked girl. "That is if its alright with you?"
"What? Me?" she talked to herself under her breath "The last thing I need is to get involved with another army."
"What did you say?" Merle questioned
"Er...nothing, but why me?"
"In the years after the war I have made every sparing partner that beat me a general of my army."
"How many is that Van?" Allen asked
"Counting Medina five."
"Only five that is not so bad."
"It seems one for every year."
"But-" Medina tried to protest.
"We will discuss this later. I must go my advisers are waiting. Allen, Dryden you may attend the meeting as well. Merle will you please show everyone to their rooms." With this the men departed.
"Please follow me."
The group walked along in relative silence. Merle, Kiane, and the children were in the lead. Celena, Millerna and Kiki walked together. Though it seemed as if Milerna kept trying to get away from Kiki. Bringing up the rear was Hitomi and Medina.
"You know Millerna, to be truthful I would have never guessed you'd end up like this."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, you know you and that merchant trash Dryden."
Millerna was shocked.
Kiki continued, "Even sir Allen is better then the garbage your father married you off to."
"I love Dryden!"
Kiki just waved Millerna's statement away. "My brother was rather smitten with you."
She was starting to get angry but being the dignified lady she was Millerna calmly said the 'nicest' thing on her mind. "The last time I saw him he was only 11, and he still thought girls had cooties!"
This conversation continued for sometime, with Medina mimicking Princess Kiki behind her back, and Hitomi giggling from time to time. The laughter was usually followed by a distasteful look from the princess.
The group stopped all of the sudden. "What the..?" Medina fell flat on her face taking Hitomi down with her. They looked at each other for a second, then burst out laughing.
"Huph!" Kiki snorted "Why would Van want to be in the company of clumsy little girls like you?"
"I don't know." Medina shrugged "I guess even clumsy little girls are better then a stuck-up vertically challenged wench!" She said this all with a cheerful tone and a grin.
"Brake it up you two!" Merle jumped in the middle "There will be no blood-shed on the new carpet. If you must fight wait till we are in public. I'd like to place a bet on this!" She them stormed down the hallways, opening several doors. "Kristina this is your room, Celena here is your room, Millerna you will stay in this room with Dryden, Benji and Sheara will be next door with Kiane, and I don't think anyone cares but this room will be Allen's."
"Gezz, one little argument and the weasel takes over."
"Medina do you ever shut up?"
"Nope" She grinned
"Well, you look really dumb with that rug burn on the tip of you nose. We will go shopping in half an hour. So you all should have time to freshen up. Come on Kiane I'll have May watch Sheara and Benji, so you can come along as my guest."
To Be Continued...